All Posts in "Day: July 13, 2023"

Court Orders DSS To Release Emefiele

Mohammed Shosanya

Justice Hamza Muazu of High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Maitama, on Thursday, ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to release the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele or charge him to court within seven days.

He gave the order in a ruling on a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Emefiele
challenging his detention by the DSS.

In an originating motion on notice, Emefiele had prayed the court to enforce his right to liberty and freedom of movement, as there is no basis for his continuous detention.

But,the Attorney General of the Federation as well as the DSS have insisted that the detention of the suspended CBN Governor is lawful.

The court,in its ruling held that it was unlawful for the Federal Government to continue to detain Emefiele without charging him to court.

admin by — July 13, 2023 in News 0
58m Nigerians Have BVNs -Report

Mohammed Shosanya

The Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc,has estimated that a total number of issued Bank Verification Numbers rose to 57.96 million as of July 3,this year.

It said,the increasing incidents of compromise on conventional security systems (password and PIN), had increased the demand for greater security for access to sensitive or personal information in the banking system.

According to the NIBSS,in recent times, biometric technologies have been used to analyse human characteristics as an enhanced form of authentication for real-time security processes.

It stated that BVN gave a unique identity that could be verified across the Nigerian banking industry (not peculiar to one bank), and ensured that customers bank accounts were protected from unauthorised access.

It said:“It will address issues of identity theft, thus reducing exposure to fraud. The BVN will enhance the banking industry’s chances of being able to fish out blacklisted customers.”

It added that the BVN is an acceptable means of identification across all Nigerian Banks. Since launching in 2014, 57.96 million Nigerians have now got BVNs. Data from NIBSS indicated that there were 133.5 million as of December 2021.

admin by — July 13, 2023 in Banking&Finance 0
CBN Directs IMTOs To Begin Naira Remittances Payout Option

Mohammed Shosanya

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) to commence remittances pay-out in Naira to beneficiaries, in addition to foreign exchange.

The apex bank also directed that the Investors and Exporters’ Window foreign exchange rate should be used in determining the rate for such Naira pay-out,according to a CBN circular referenced: FED/FEM/PUB/FPC/001/004 issued by the Director of Trade and Exchange. Dr. Ozoemena Nnaji.

The new circular, dated July 10, 2023, was in furtherance to an earlier circular dated November 30, 2022 with reference number: FED/FEM/FPC/01/011 which provided guidelines on the payout policy of Diaspora remittances to beneficiaries back home.

The previous circular introduced the payment of dollars to beneficiaries of diaspora remittances through the international money transfer operators (IMTO) through the designated bank of their choice and with unrestricted access to their funds

According to the new circular, the Naira payment was only an option, in addition to United States Dollars and E-Naira in receiving Diaspora remittances.

It reads: “Further to the circular referenced FED/FEM/FPC/01/011 dated November 30, 2022 in respect of the above subject, the Central Bank of Nigeria hereby announces Naira as a payout option for receipts of proceeds of International Money Transfers.

“Accordingly, all recipients of Diaspora remittances through the CBN-approved International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) on the attached list shall henceforth have the option of receiving Naira payment in addition to USD and e-Naira as payout options.

“For the avoidance of doubt, IMTOs are required to pau out the proceeds using the Investors’ & Exporters’ window rate as the anchor rate on the date of the transaction.The regulation takes effect immediately.”

admin by — July 13, 2023 in Banking&Finance 0
20 Innovators For Sahara Impact Fund Fellowship Programme

Mohammed Shosanya

Sahara Group Foundation,the corporate social sustainability vehicle for energy and infrastructure conglomerate, Sahara Group, in partnership with LEAP Africa, a and Impact Amplifier, a South African-based advisory firm, has announced twenty social innovators from across Africa to be part of its 2023 Sahara Impact Fund Fellowship programme.

The Sahara Impact Fund program attracted over three hundred applications from nineteen African countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Burundi, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The SIF Fellowship program which was launched in 2020 aims to empower visionary African changemakers with the knowledge and resources required to expand their social enterprises and help address the environmental and social challenges affecting our society.

At the induction ceremony of the new Fellows, Ejiro Gray, Director, Sahara Group Foundation stated that: “We are thrilled to kick off the third Cohort of our Sahara Impact Fund Fellowship programme with this new set of inspiring social entrepreneurs and innovators who are committed to accelerating Africa’s development with their bold and innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit”.

Congratulating the twenty inducted Fellows, Ejiro Gray commended the Fellows for choosing to create business models that support the growth of our society.

She implored them to take advantage of the Fellowship courses, workshop, mentorship, peer support, and networking opportunities, to build themselves and their social enterprises, to deliver widespread sustainable impact.

This year’s SIF Fellows include, from Nigeria, Stanley Anigbogu, Oluwaseyi Moejoh, Kehinde Fashola, Emmanuella Azegba, Muideen Adegoke, Chidozie Igweilo, Joshua Attat, Osato El- Osemwingie, and Paul Nnaluo.

Others include Patience Alifo(Ghana), Philipo kitungano(Tanzania), Erick Mbeva(Kenya), Joyce Rugano(Kenya), Jolis Nduwimana(Burundi), Kachigo Zulu(Zambia), Andrew Mpashi(Zambia), Timothy Munthali(Malawi), Ainomugisha Shifira(Uganda), Tukwatanise Bonnita(Uganda) and Muofhe Ratshikombo(South Africa).

In her remarks to the new inducted Fellows, the Executive Director, LEAP Africa, Kehinde Ayeni, stated that “the most promising leaders are those who dare to challenge the status quo and envision a brighter future for the African continent”. She congratulated the Fellows for coming out successfully following a competitive application process and challenged them to leverage the Fellowship towards shaping Africa’s future.

Addressing the Fellows at the induction ceremony was Nnamdi Ehirim, Project Associate, Impact Amplifiers. Ehirim congratulated the new Fellows and urged them to immerse themselves in the Fellowship, as it possesses the potential to transform their mindsets positively and equip them with the proven methodologies required to help strengthen their business models.

The Sahara Impact Fund Fellowship programme exposes Fellows to capacity building and investment readiness modules that support business expansion and allows them to create sustainable impact in society.

The programme is also set up to reward outstanding Fellows at the end of the Fellowship with a seed funding of $5000. This financial investment was created to support the social innovators with the resources they require to scale their business model.

admin by — July 13, 2023 in Oil&Gas 0
Sanwo-Olu Celebrates Soyinka At 89

Mohammed Shosanya

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Oluwole Soyinka,on his 89th birthday.

In a congratulatory message issued on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile,the governor described Prof. Soyinka as “a quintessential scholar and literary icon who has used his position and experience to contribute positively to literature, academics and governance globally.”

Prof. Soyinka, a 1986 Nobel Prize in Literature winner,will mark 89th birthday on Thursday, July 13.

Sanwo-Olu said Prof. Wole Soyinka is worth celebrating as one of Nigeria’s advocates of good governance, adding that the Nobel Laureate remained one of Nigeria’s pride and biggest exports to the world.

He added: “On behalf of my family, the government and the people of Lagos State, I congratulate our literary icon and Nobel Laureate, Prof. Oluwole Soyinka on his 89th birthday anniversary.

“Prof. Soyinka as a literary icon excels in all the genres of literature and his prodigious works have continued to be a reference point in academic circles all over the world. His long years of outstanding accomplishments and consistency in the crusade for the wellbeing of citizens had culminated in his legendary status. He is a great pride to Nigeria, Africa and the entire black race.

“He is a renowned advocate of truth, justice and equity, who always align with the populace in the clamour for good governance across the nation and globally. He has demonstrated this on many occasions by lending his voice on national and global issues in favour of the masses.

“As Prof. Soyinka clocks 89, I wish him good health and more years of meritorious service to our dear country, Nigeria, the African continent and the world.”

admin by — July 13, 2023 in News 0

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, (HURIWA), has advocated the need for stoppage of killings and unprecedented orgy of violence turning the South-East geopolitical zone in to bloody battlefields.

It also implored the federal government to instantly cut off diplomatic ties with Finland and expel the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria to compel the arrest Finland-based agitator, Simon Ekpa, who has been instigating sit-at-home, violence and killings in the South-East through destructive commands and orders to his foot soldiers from faraway Finland.

HURIWA, in a statement on Wednesday,by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the new service chiefs should get to work immediately and prioritise solution to the insecurity in the zone.

He also urged President Bola Tinubu to obey the rule of law and democratic principles by asking the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Ministry of Justice as well as the Department of State Services to obey an Appeal Court judgement that discharged the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

He said hundreds of innocent residents have been killed in the South-East by gunmen and security operatives, especially in the last two years since the incarceration of Kanu mid-2021.

He added that the huge economic loss and irrecoverable loss of lives are painful and have had devastating effects on the overall South-East geopolitical zone.

HURIWA’s Onwubiko said, “The sit-at-home order and violence that has persisted in South East are alarming. The Federal Government should cut off diplomatic ties with its Finnish counterpart and expel the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria over their failure to arrest and prosecute Simon Ekpa who is allegedly causing violence in the South-East by issuing illegal orders for persistent sit-at-home and the attendant violent enforcement of these illegal orders.

admin by — July 13, 2023 in News 0
Bakers: Nigerians To Pay More On Bread From July 24

Mohammed Shosanya

The Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCN),has announced an increase of 15 percent on all its products with effect from July 24,this year.

In a statement jointly signed by Alhaji Mansur Umar and Hon. Jude Okafor, the National President and National Secretary respectively,the association stated that the decision was agreed upon after the National Executive Council extraordinary virtual meeting.

The association said that the decision was taken due to the multifarious increases on the prices of baking materials; flour, sugar, yeast, vegetable oil, twist tie, petrol, diesel (occasioned by subsidy removal), multiple taxations from federal and states agencies including SON, NESREA, emblems, local government authorities fees and levies, consumer protection council among others.

The statement said:“We critically accessed the state of our business operations consequently resolve that the recent general increases on our factors of production including but not limited to additional N1.2 million on one truck of flour (N2,000 per bag), N3.6 million on one truck of sugar (N6,000 per bag), yeast additional N2,000 per carton, fuel from N205 to N550, diesel N650 to N700 (depending on the part of the country), multiple taxations from federal government regulatory agencies, State government tax agencies, state government emblem collectors, state and local government health agencies and other taxing agencies too numerous to mention here, continuous collection of now heavily increased wheat levy (which is now diverted to other uses other than the objective for establishing it).

“Charge of all manner of levies on Flour millers that is finally transferred to bakers, it has now thrown a great number of our members into the unemployment market and is still counting.

“Effective 24th July 2023 as an interim measure, all members of AMBCN are hereby advised to adjust their prices by 15% (in consonance with the now heavily increased cost of factors of our production) across the board as we can only produce standard baked products in accordance with NAFDAC regulation as we cannot sacrifice the health of our fellow country men and women on the altar of breaking even point by resorting to unhealthy practices pending further resolutions”

The association implored the federal and state governments to intervene urgently and save the industry from total collapse.

It directed that all zonal chairmen,state chairmen and local chapters chairmen to commence full scale mobilisation towards implementation of the interim resolutions and await further directives from the National Secretariat.

It added:“We sincerely appreciate the understanding and cooperation of our numerous customers nationwide as they grapple with the extra burden placed on them with the imminent increase and promise to revert back should there be significant governments interventions”.

admin by — July 13, 2023 in News 0
Elevated Chiefs: Ladoja Sues Makinde, Olubadan-In-Council

Mohammed Shosanya

Former governor of Oyo State,Senator Rashidi Ladoja,has sued Governor ‘Seyi Makinde,Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, and others
for elevating 10 high chiefs to become beaded crown-wearing obas.

The act amounts to bastardizing the Ibadan age-long tradition and perpetration of illegality by the parties,Ladoja claimed in the suit filed against them.

According to him, the Olubadan coerced the high chiefs into submission and took a unilateral decision to elevate them to beaded crown-wearing obas.

The Olubadan had, at a ceremony held in Mapo Hall, last Friday, crowned 10 members of his Olubadan-In-Council as obas and confered them the titles of His Royal Majesties.

Oba Balogun, in two separate letters, sought the approval of the state government, saying: “In doing this [the elevation], I rely on the Chieftaincy Law in the state which confers on me the Prescribed and Consenting Authority over chieftaincy titles in my domain.”

Governor Makinde approved the request by the Olubadan, subsequent upon his “Evocation Of The Amended Declaration On Regulating The Selection To The Olubadan of Ibadan Chieftaincy And Related Matters.”

The governor, on 27 June, 2023, revoked the following as they affected the Olubadan of Ibadan Chieftaincy Matters:

In a statement by his counsel, M. O. Folorunsho, Esq,Ladoja maintained that the issue of coronet or oba’s wearing crown has been put on hold by an consent judgment and a Government Gazette.

“It is apposite at this juncture to emphasis, with due respect to His Imperial Majesty the elevation of high chief to the position of oba or wearing of crown of any type is not within the purview of His Imperial Majesty.

“[This is] more so when the earlier Gazette that made such elevation has been repealed by the Governor of Oyo State.”

He explained the alleged illegality in a letter, dated 4 July, 2023 and addressed to the Governor of Oyo State and in which the Attorney General of Oyo State and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs were copied.

“The captioned above is for your attention, the need to copy Your Excellency springs from the fact that any act that is illegal should not be assented to by your good office.

“The illegality here is that His Imperial Majesty, Olubadan of Ibadanland is lacking in power to unilaterally apply for elevation of his chiefs to be appointed as obas. This is against settled tradition of Ibadanland.

“If our client closes his eyes to this act which has the potency of distorting our traditional history, the same history will not forgive us and even remember us when we are no more,” Ladoja’s counsel stated.

Ladoja subsequently filed a suit before the state High Court (6 July, 2023) against the Olubadan and 12 others, seeking to declare the actions of the Olubadan and Governor Makinde (as the consenting authority) as illegal, null and void.

Joined as the first to 13th defendants in the suit are the Olubadan of Ibadanland; Oba Owolabi Olakulehin; Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; Oba Eddy Oyewole; Oba Gbadamosi Adebimpe; Oba Biodun Kola-Daisi;

Oba Kola Adegbola; Oba Hamidu Ajibade; Oba Olubunmi Dada Isioye; Oba Bayo Akande; and Oba Abiodun Azees Agagagugu, while the Governor of Oyo State and the state Attorney General are the 12th and 13th defendants, respectively.

He made a Statement of Claim in a Writ Of Summons in Suit No:1/472/2023, dated 6 July, 2023 and filed before Court 2 of the state High Court, Ibadan, and averred that:“The claimant is the Otun Olubadan and former governor of Oyo State, who resides within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court. The claimant as Otun Olubadan is part of Olubadan-in-Council.

“The 1st defendant is the present Olubadan of Ibadanland, the head of [the] traditional institution in Ibadan and like 2nd-11th defendants, the 1st defendant is part of Olubadan-in-Council and he is the chairman of the Council.

“The 2nd-11th defendants are High Chiefs in Ibadanland and next to one another in the assumption of the status of Olubadan of Ibadanland.

“Traditionally, Ibadan is known to have only a King, which is Olubadan of Ibadanland (the 1st defendant) and all other[s] are the cabinet members of Olubadan of Ibadanland.Traditionally, it is only the Olubadan of Ibadanland that is to wear crown, while other chiefs are identified with their beads.

“It is not within the purview of the 1st defendant to elevate any of the high chiefs or any member of Olubadan-in-Council to the status of His Royal Majesty, as, traditionally, the only king known to Ibadanland is Olubadan of Ibadanland.

“When the 1st defendant started the idea of elevating the status of high chiefs or any member of Olubadan-in-Council to that of the Royal Majesty, he [Ladoja] told him that he lacks the power to so elevate anybody to that status;

“That the procedure of becoming a king in Ibadanland is to start from Mogaji and to raise up to the status of either Balogun of Ibadanland or Otun Olubadan;

“If there is vacancy to be occupied by either Balogun or Olubadan Line then upon nomination by Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland or Balogun of Ibadanland and the concurrence of other high chiefs, the name of the either Balogun or Olubadan Line selected will be sent to the Governor for approval;

“Then if assent to by the Governor, the said Balogun or Olubadan Line becomes the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.”

The former governor also averred that: “instead of the 1st defendant to follow the known tradition of Ibadanland, he unilaterally called for indication of interest of any of the high chiefs or members of Olubadan-in-Council willing to wear beaded crown to signify interest.

“At no point in time did he [Ladoja] signify interest to become His Royal Majesty or to be putting on a crown.To [his] dismay, he started hearing on media that he would be crowned on the 7th day of July, 2023, when he has never consented to the untraditional act masterminded by the 1st defendant.

“Since he has made it known to the 1st defendant that the act of elevating any of the Olubadan-in-Council or high chiefs to this status of His Royal Majesty is untraditional, the 1st defendant has started plotting that if the claimant refused to be crowned, he would be denied of his status as Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland and that he would not be permitted to ascend the throne of Olubadan of Ibadanland when it is his turn.”

Ladoja added that: “From Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, after due consideration, the 1st defendant is the approving authority to become a King in Ibadan, which is Olubadan of Ibadan and no other king.

“The 12th defendant has not in any form consent to the illegal act that the 1st defendant is out to perpetuate.The entire Ibadanland is the domain of Olubadan of Ibadanland and the elevation that the 1st defendant intends doing is to segregate Ibadanland and cause disharmony.

“The Imperial Majesty (sic) that the 1st defendant is appointing would be a royal father without domain.The act of the 1st defendant to elevate the 2nd) – 11th defendants is contrary to Oyo State of Nigerian Gazette No. 03 Vol. 47, dated 11th February, 2022, a copy of same shall be founded upon at trial.

“The act of the 1st defendant trying to elevate the 2nd-12th (sic) defendants to His Royal Majesty is against the tenor of judgment in M/317/2017 between HIGH CHIEF (SENATOR) RASHIDI LADOJA VS THE GOVERNOR OF OYO STATE & ANOR, delivered on the 19th day of November, 2019. A copy of the said judgment shall be founded upon at trial.

“In order to stop this illegal act, through his counsel, he [Ladoja] wrote a letter, dated 4th July, 2023, to the 1st defendant. A copy of the said letter shall be relied upon at trial.It is only this Honourable Court that can protect the long-aged tradition of Ibadanland from being bastardized.”

Senator Ladoja, in the suit, is seeking three declarations namely, “that traditionally, it is the only Olubadan of Ibadanland that can wear crown in Ibadanland

He added:“The 1st defendant is lacking in power to unilaterally elevate the 2nd-12th defendants to the status of His Royal Majesty in Ibadanland without the approval of the 12th defendant (sic); and

“That the 2nd-12th defendants who is (sic) now being elevated to status of His Royal Majesty cannot vying (sic) for the throne of Olubadan, as they are no longer chiefs of Olubadan.

Ladoja is also seeking an order of the court restraining the defendants from preventing him from ascending the throne of Olubadan when it is his turn.

admin by — July 13, 2023 in Law/Human Rights 0
Tinubu Seeks Approval Of N500bn Subsidy Palliatives

Mohammed Shosanya

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has written to the House of Representatives to amend the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act for subsidy palliatives.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas read the president’s letter at plenary on Wednesday.

The President in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajuudeen, which was read at plenary on Wednesday said the amendment is to extract N500 billion from the 2022 supplementary budget to provide palliatives to cushion the effect of subsidy removal.

The letter read: “I write to request for the amendment of the 2022 supplementary Appropriation Act.

The request became necessary to provide necessary palliatives to mitigate the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy on Nigerians.

“Thus, the sum of N500 billion has been extracted from the 2022 supplementary appropriation act of N819.536 billion for the provisions of palliatives to cushion the effects of subsidy removal. I seek the expeditious consideration of this request.”

admin by — July 13, 2023 in News 0
Subsidy Palliatives:Tinubu Seeks Release Of N500bn

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has written to the House of Representatives to amend the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act for subsidy palliatives.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas read the president’s letter at plenary on Wednesday.

The President in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajuudeen, which was read at plenary on Wednesday said the amendment is to extract N500 billion from the 2022 supplementary budget to provide palliatives to cushion the effect of subsidy removal.

The letter read: “I write to request for the amendment of the 2022 supplementary Appropriation Act.

The request became necessary to provide necessary palliatives to mitigate the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy on Nigerians.

“Thus, the sum of N500 billion has been extracted from the 2022 supplementary appropriation act of N819.536 billion for the provisions of palliatives to cushion the effects of subsidy removal. I seek the expeditious consideration of this request.”

admin by — July 13, 2023 in News 0