All Posts in "Day: May 18, 2022"

Why Bobrisky Is Not My Match -James Brown

Internet personality and drag queen, James Chukwueze Obialor, popularly known as James Brown,has cautioned Nigerians to stop comparing her with popular cross dresser,Bobrisky

She said this when she sat with Chude Jideonwo, host of #WithChude and founder of Joy, Inc. to discuss her life and struggles before fame, her relationship with Bobrisky, aspirations, and the lessons she has learned .

She told her host that she gets furious when Nigerians compare her with Bobrisky.

She said she had gone to prison and witnessed harassments Bobrisky has never been exposed to.

“When people try to compare me with my counterpart, I really get angry, because he didn’t go to prison.Bobrisky never made me, she gave me 100,000 Naira which was needed when my father was trying to raise money to get me released from the prison. I have people who did more than that for me. Why I respect her so much is that she reached out to me even though she didn’t have to care. I just wanted to meet her in person and get to know her.

“When you’ve heard a lot of stories about people and you just want to meet them and hear what they have to say. I respect her, who she is and how she is able to break boundaries. God bless her. But she should get away from my back because I am running as fast as possible. I have many things I want to do, that if I start saying it, she might start doing and she might never get it as I will because I am young.”

James Brown spoke on the crossdressing bill, saying: “That doesn’t apply to me because everything I am doing is business. I want to take Nigeria from one level to another level. I don’t know if Nigeria is seeing that vision. I want people from the UK and the US to really express themselves in Nigeria. Bring people and elevate our economy.”

Asked about why she traveled to the UK, James said “London was a new adventure for me. I was tired of Nigeria; I get bored of something when I do it often. London is not the full stop, I have other places in mind. I want to travel around the world, I want to see things and hang out with new people.”

“School was one of the reasons I came to London, but I want to be a businesswoman. And for me to be this good. I need to be academically sound. I want to have the knowledge in my head and physical experience.” James concluded.

Admonishing young people who look up to him, James said, “I am one of the most bullied in Nigeria; going from prison to my other experiences. Watch my life and you will learn a lot. You will survive. If I can do it, you can do it,” James added.

admin by — May 18, 2022 in Arts/Entertainment 0
Heirs Oil & Gas’ OML 17 Wins PFI Award, Pledges To Fulfil Africa’s Energy Needs

Africa’s integrated energy company has been awarded the ‘Africa deal of the year 2021’byProject Finance International (PFI), following the $1.1 billion financing and acquisition of45% stake in OML 17 in 2021.

“On behalf of the HHOG team, I would like to thank PFI for this great honour which recognises the OML 17 acquisition deal, while also acknowledging the efforts of the entire team involved in the transaction.” said Executive Director, Heirs Oil & Gas, Samuel Nwanze.

The deal, which was announced in January 2021, witnessed Heirs Holdings, the leading African strategic investor, in partnership with affiliated company Transnational Corporation (Transcorp), acquire a 45% participating interest in Nigerian oil license OML 17 and related assets from the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, Total E&P Nigeria Limited, and ENI.

Acknowledging the award, Chief Executive Officer, Heirs Oil & Gas, Osayande Igiehon said “This great recognition reiterates our commitment to excellence in ourbid to fulfil Africa’s unique energy needs and ensure that Africa’s natural resources are directed toward value creation on the continent.”

The PFI awards is organised by Project Finance International (PFI),a leading source in global project finance reporting, covering all the major sectors, including transport, power, oil and gas, infrastructure and mining.

admin by — May 18, 2022 in Next Level 0
Dissolve My Marriage To Keep Me Alive, Teacher Begs Court

A teacher, Mrs Uju Onyekachi, has appealed to an Igando Customary Court in Lagos to dissolve her marriage to her husband, Jude for fear of being beaten to death.

She told the court that her husband regularly beats her.

She said:”I am scared of domestic violence. The case of men beating their wives to death is getting rampant, I don’t want to end up a victim”

Onyekachi, a resident of Ijegun, Lagos also alleged that Jude uses abusive words on her and calls her good for nothing.

“I am the only one working, He stays at home doing nothing, He never helps me do anything.He calls me names and threatens me. My family have tried several times to intervene but he has refused to stop, he disrespects my family, locks me.Due to his attitude, my family members have stopped visiting me,” she said.

She told the court her husband said that his love for her has waned

”He said he loves me only 20 per cent. I want to move on with my life.,” she said.

She also prayed the court to order her husband to take the dowry he paid before marriage.

The President of the Court, Mr Adeniyi Koledoye, dissolved the union as the respondent, Jude, refused to show up in court to give evidence.

“Using abusive words on one’s wife is disrespectful. If a woman submits to her husband the husband ought to honour and respect her in return but in this case, the respondent did not demonstrate any act of affection to his wife.

“He didn’t make any attempt to stop the petitioner from going on with the divorce or defend the suit, this is an indication of no more love and the marriage has broken down beyond retrievable and as such the dissolution of their marriage succeeds,” he held.

admin by — May 18, 2022 in Crime/Metro 0
CBN Releases Framework On Open Banking

The Central Bank of Nigeria has issued the regulatory framework for Open Banking in Nigeria in its efforts to enhance competition and innovation in the banking system.

The apex bank announced this in its ‘Operational guidelines for open banking in Nigeria’ released in May, 2022,saying:“The Central Bank of Nigeria, hereafter called the Bank, had issued the regulatory framework for open banking in Nigeria in its efforts to enhance competition and innovation in the banking system.

“The Bank recognised the existence of an ecosystem for Application Programming Interface in the banking and payments system and is aware of various efforts in the industry to develop acceptable standards among stakeholders.”

It explained that open banking promotes innovations and broadens financial products and services, which involves sharing of customer data and inter-connectivity of systems, therefore, exposing the participants to risks such as cybersecurity, money laundering, regulatory and compliance, contract management, product management among others.

The bank added that open banking offers benefits and opportunities to the financial sector but is accompanied with risks that could undermine the objectives if not properly managed.

The CBN said the framework established principles for data sharing across the banking and payments system to promote innovations and broaden the range of financial products and services available to bank customers.

It added, open banking recognises the ownership and control of data by customers of financial and non-financial services, and their right to grant authorisations to service providers for the purpose of accessing innovative financial products and services.

admin by — May 18, 2022 in Banking&Finance 0
I Got N20,000 After Burgling Ayefele’s Radio Station -Suspect

One Ayobami Erinfolamin has confessed to have led some of his gang in a robbery operation at Fresh FM Ibadan owned by popular gospel musician,Yinka Ayefele

Erinfolamin,35, who was paraded alongside other 30 suspected criminals at the Oyo State Police Headquarters Eleyele Ibadan, also confirmed to have collected the sum of twenty thousand naira only (20,000) as a share of looted items stolen from the station.

Parading the suspects, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Ngozi Onadeko gave details account of incident, disclosed that on 10th April, 2022 at about 2300hrs, some members of a notorious criminal gang who specialize in invading hotels, hospitals and other public places to attack unsuspecting members of the public, invaded FRESH F.M Challenge area, Ibadan.

According to her,the suspected armed robbers broke and entered the studio of the FM station, attacked and dispossessed employees on duty off huge sums of money, expensive cell phones and an FM Radio Transmitter Laptop at gun point.

She said: “The incident was reported at the Monitoring Unit Office, Oyo State Command and while investigation was in progress to apprehend the perpetrators of this crime, similar armed robbery operation was carried out at different hotels within Ibadan metropolis by the armed robbers and on 24th April, 2022, the same criminal syndicate members stormed Delight Hospital and Fertility Center located at Ring road area, Ibadan where both patients, their relatives and employees of the hospital were attacked and dispossessed of cash, cell phones and some other valuable items at gun point.

“Sequel to these serial armed robbery incidents, a team of Police operatives attached to the Monitoring Unit embarked on a discreet investigation and in the process, the kingpin of the armed robbery syndicate was arrested in his hideout in connection with the crimes.”

“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and series of other criminal activities he had masterminded with his syndicate members in different parts of Oyo State. Investigation is still ongoing to crack the criminal network and other members of the gang who are at large with a view to recovering the valuable items that were carted away. Further developments will be communicated later.” CP. Ngozi Onadeko added.

Erinfolamin denied ownership of the pump action rifle gun found in his possession, but confirmed that it was used by his colleagues who are currently at large during the operation.

He said, “I’m not the owner of this gun, but it was used by my friend for the operation, after we robbed Fresh FM, we also robbed at Delight Hospital at Ring Road that same night, I was given 20k as my share after we’ve sold all the looted items, we collected phones, laptops only at Fresh FM and this is my second operation that I participated so far, I received 30k in my first operation, now that have been caught I regretted all my actions, I promise I will not go back into crime again, the authority should have mercy on me.

admin by — May 18, 2022 in Crime/Metro 0
Oyo Catholic Diocese Gets Nod To Operate Microfinance Bank

The joy of the people of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo,especially those of Iwajowa Local Government and the entire Oke Ogun area, knew no bounds with the recent approval of the license in principle for the Ave Maria Microfinance Bank (Proposed), being promoted by the diocese.

The approval came during the pastoral visit of the bishop Most Reverend Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo to the Oke Ogun area is directly from the Central Bank of Nigeria,a statement said.

The effort of the diocese, which is marshalled by the diocesan coordinator of the Justice, Development and Peace Movement, (JDPM) Rev Fr. Gabriel Adeleke, is to address the peoples need for financial inclusion which is today widely considered a right of all citizens to social inclusion, to better quality of life and a tool for strengthening the economic capacity and capabilities of the poor in a nation.

This gives access to individuals and businesses for useful and affordable financial products and services that meet their needs transactions, payments, savings, credit, and insurance delivered in a responsible and sustainable way.

In his remarks, Bishop Badejo,acknowledged the financial exclusion of most people in Oke-Ogun area, both Muslims and Christians alike, especially in Iwajowa Local Government Area.

He disclosed how this exclusion has denied them basic opportunities as children of God.

He underscored the commitment of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo in collaborating with government in its target of 95% financial inclusion rate by 2024.

He implored different institutions and individuals to join hands with the Catholic Diocese of Oyo to make the project more impactful.

Father Adeleke, the coordinator and one of the key promoters of the proposed bank, expressed delight with the reception of the Approval in Principle license.

He disclosed that the proposed bank will bring series of impactful interventions in the lives of the people in Iwajowa Local Government area and of Oyo Diocese at large irrespective of religion, race, or gender.

According to him, these among others are the services the people will enjoy from the proposed bank:acceptance of various types of deposits including savings, time, target and demand from individuals, groups, and associations; except public sector deposits,provision of credit to its customers, including formal and informal self-help groups, individuals, and associations.

Other benefits include;promotion and monitoring of loan usage among its customers,collection of money or proceeds of banking instruments on behalf of its customers,agency services for the provision of mobile banking and micro insurance services to its clients,provision of payment services such as salary, gratuity, pension for employees of the various tiers of government as well as provision of loan disbursement services for the delivery of the credit programme of government, agencies, groups, and individual for poverty alleviation on non-recourse basis.

He thanked the team of experts who made the feat possible in such a rural setting.

admin by — May 18, 2022 in News 0
NLNG Wins Most Supportive Taxpayer Award

Nigeria LNG Limited has been recognised by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as its most Supportive Tax Payer.

This recognition was conveyed through a press release issued by the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Muhammad Nami, in which he commended the 20 top-performing taxpayers whose compliances to tax obligations helped the service surpass its N6 trillion tax collection target in 2021.

The FIRS was pleased that this feat was achieved, and it was possible to provide the government with the necessary funds to meet the social contracts with the citizens despite the very harsh global economic conditions imposed by the lingering COVID-19 pandemic.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria LNG Limited, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, stated that the award was coming at an auspicious time when the Company was celebrating its 33rd Incorporation Anniversary and taking stock of its programmes and their impact on the lives of Nigerians and the country.

He reiterated NLNG’s commitment to its vision of “helping to build a better Nigeria” and stated further that the Company still has more to give by making gas count for the country and representing Nigeria in the league of top gas producers in the world.

He thanked the board, management and staff of NLNG for their continued support. He affirmed the company’s commitment to fulfilling its tax obligations in line with its vision of being a globally competitive LNG company helping to build a better Nigeria.

admin by — May 18, 2022 in Next Level 0
Sanwo-Olu  Bans Okada In Lagos Island,Mainland,Others

The Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, announced a total ban on Okada on all highways across six Local Government Areas (LGAs) and nine Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of thevstate

He directed security operatives to enforce the proscription order across the listed councils on June 1st,2022.

The affected councils are Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Surulere, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, and Apapa.

The total ban order extends to all LCDAs under the listed councils,he said at a meeting with the Commissioner of Police, Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) at the State House in Alausa.

The fresh Okada ban was sequel to the February 2020 restriction placed on the activities of the commercial motorcycles.

He explained that  the government took the decision in line with the State’s Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018 to immediately address the chaos and menace created by operations of Okada in the listed areas.

The governor, who instructed the Police to enforce the order without compromise, sternly warned that the state government would not condone any security formation that relaxes the new ban in its jurisdiction.

He added: “After critical review of our restriction on Okada activities in the first six local government areas where we restricted them on February 1, 2020, we have seen that the menace has not abated. We are now directing a total ban on Okada activities across the highways and bridges within these six Local Governments and their Local Council Development Areas, effective from June 1, 2022.

“This is a phased ban we are embarking on this period, and we expect that within the short while when this ban will be enforced, Okada riders in other places where their activities are yet to be banned can find something else to do. We have given the notice now and we expect all commercial motorcycles plying the routes in the listed councils and areas to vacate the highways before enforcement begins. The enforcement will be total.”

He  advised residents patronising Okada riders on highways to embrace the alternative transport schemes already provided by the government to plan their journey. He said the Government had provided Last Mile Buses, medium-capacity and high-capacity buses in the affected areas for the convenience of commuters.

He maintained that Okada riding on the highways remained unsafe and would no longer be tolerated,adding that the state government had been ramping up construction work on its two rail line projects to further increase the choices of commuting for residents.

He said: “We have provided Last Mile buses in the affected areas; they are working and effective. We also have medium-capacity buses and high-capacity buses working in these areas. Before the end of the year, we are also bringing the rail along these corridors with their terminals. We have provided jetties as well to provide alternatives.

“We will not sit back and watch criminally-minded people use that mode of transportation (motorcycles) to perpetrate crimes and criminality in Lagos. Lives are being lost on a daily basis, preventable accidents are happening every day and the riders are not respecting any of our traffic laws. The situation has led to a complete breakdown of law and order. This ban has come to stay and we will not tolerate any weakness in enforcement.”

admin by — May 18, 2022 in News 0
Catholic Knight, Cousin In Court For Heroin Trafficking

A knight of Catholic Church, Sir Basil Okafor and his cousin, Edwin Okwuchukwu Izuchukwu, Wednesday docked by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), before a Lagos Federal High Court, on charges bordering on conspiracy, unlawful possession of 2. 169 kilograms of heroin and perversion to cause of justice.

The prosecutor,Mr.Umar Hussaine, told the court that the Catholic Church knight and his cousin, were arrested on March 28, 2022, at their residence, 26 Akpomule Street, Isolo-okota Area of Lagos, Lagos State.

He also said that the two defendants without unlawful authority, possessed, dealt and distributed the said quantity of the prohibited drug.

According to him,the Catholic Church knight, obstructed the Operatives of the anti-narcotic agency, and obstructed authorized officers of the NDLEA, who were on official assignment to arrest him in connection with the seized 2. 169 kilograms of Heroin, by throwing his mobile phone iPhone 7*A1661 with IMEI Numbers 3494 7108650649 containing MTN sim card (09036306438) into a toilet water closet.

He added that the offences committed by the two defendants, contravened Sections 14(b); 24(b); 20(1)(a) and 49 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004(As amended), and punishable under Sections 20(2)(a) and 20(2)(b) of the same Act.

The defendants pleaded not guilty, when the charges were read to them.

The prosecutor asked the court for a trial date, and also asked the court to remand the in the custody of Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS).

Their counsel, Benson Ndakara, after informing the court that their bail applications have been filed and served on the prosecutor, prayed the court to admit them to bail in the liberal term.

He also prayed the court to remand his clients at the NDLEA’s facility, pending the perfection of the bail terms.

Justice Daniel Osiagor, admitted bail to each of the defendants in the sum of N2 million with one surety.He also ordered that the surety must be a senior civil servant either in Lagos State of Federal government establishment.

He ordered that the two defendants be remanded in the NDLEA’s custody pending the perfection of the bail terms.

admin by — May 18, 2022 in Crime/Metro 0
‘How Professor Bribed ICPC Official With $40,000 To Compromise Corruption Investigation’

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned one Professor John Kester Ifeanyichukwu over allegations of bribery and inducement of officers of the Commission.

In a single-count charge brought before Honourable Justice A.O. Otaluka of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), High Court 12, sitting in Apo, Abuja, ICPC accused the Professor of issuing a cheque valued at $40,000 to a staff of the commission.

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A statement signed by the Spokesperson of the commission, Mrs Azuka Ogugua, said,”The cheque was part of the $50,000 and a house in Abuja, promised to the officer to compromise investigation by retrieving the accused person’s devices, MacBook S/N CIML8BUGDTY3, MacBook S/N W80204J7ATN and iPhone pro11 which were in the custody of ICPC for investigative activities.

“John Kester Ifeanyichukwu had earlier been reported to the Commission by the Presidency for alleged acts bordering on corruption, extortion and money laundering.”

ICPC, in a charge No: CR/025/2022, told the the court how the defendant induced one of its operatives to smuggle out a particular iPhone and a laptop and to replace them with a dummy that was to be provided by his personal assistant.

His action is contrary to Section 18 (b) and punishable under Section 18 (d) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him and admitted to bail in the sum of N10 million and two sureties in like sum.

The sureties must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court and one of them must have a landed property in Abuja.

The trial judge also ordered that the defendant’s international passport and other valid travel documents must be submitted to the court before the next adjourned date otherwise his bail will be revoked.

admin by — May 18, 2022 in Law/Human Rights 0