The hottest and most trending news articles for this week in all categories are captured in one shot. Find articles ranging from News to Sports, to Politics, to Entertainment, to Economy, to Metro plus, and many other categories. See below the top news for the week:
NEWS
- FG declares Monday, and Tuesday public holidays for Sallah celebrations
To mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the Federal Government has declared Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th July 2022, as public holidays. The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, announced this in a statement by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Shuaib Belgore.
Aregbesola, who congratulated all Muslims and Nigerians both at home and in the Diaspora on the occasion, urged them to use the period to pray for peace and prosperity for the country.
“I call on Muslims to continue to imbibe the spirit of love, peace, kindness and sacrifice, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) and to also use the period to pray for peace, unity, prosperity and the stability of the country, considering the challenges of insecurity we face at the moment,” the statement read in part.
According to him, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to the security of lives and properties of all Nigerians, empowering the citizens for successful living, the provisions of social investments programmes and adequate security in the schools.
- Kuje prison invasion: INTERPOL gets fleeing inmates’ data, border security heightened
The Federal Government on Thursday began uploading the data of 60 terrorists and other criminals to the International Criminal Police Organisation database.mThe terrorists and the other criminals were among those who escaped when a terrorist group, the Islamic State of West African Province, bombed the Kuje Correctional Centre on Tuesday night.
As of press time, it was learnt that the details of most of the escapees had already been uploaded. The Spokesman, Nigeria Correctional Service, Umar Abubakar, who confirmed this to newsmen on Thursday, disclosed that the names, pictures and other data of the inmates have been circulated to other security agencies.
- Kuje attack: Our security system has failed — Senate
The Senate yesterday took a swipe at the management of Kuje Prisons over the unhindered attack on it in the early hours of Wednesday by terrorists of Islamic State for West African Province, ISWAP, saying it speaks volumes about the failure of the country’s security architecture.
The Senate, while describing the incident as unfortunate and disappointing, cited insider conspiracy, even as it expressed its total displeasure over the non-functional Closed Circuit Television, CCTV, at the prison which incapacitated the management and security operatives from preventing and responding appropriately to the attack that led to the escape of over 800 inmates.
Like the Senate, angry reactions from the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, its counterpart in Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Social Democratic Party, African Democratic Congress, ADC; Middle Belt Forum, MBF, and the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, greeted the terrorist attack.
- Jailbreaks: Aregbesola Must Be Fired Now, Says HURIWA
Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), on Thursday, said the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, must be sacked with immediate effect over his consistent failure to stop attacks on prisons in the country. HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement, said it is distasteful and condemnable that over 15 jailbreaks have occurred under Aregbesola in the last five years while over 3,000 inmates have escaped.
The group also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to stop asking rhetorical questions on social media on how the intelligence system of the country failed to detect Tuesday attack at Kuje prison in Abuja. HURIWA said the President should immediately set up judicial panel of inquiry on prison breaks in Nigeria and ensure that such assaults on the entire security apparatus of Nigeria do not recur.
Tuesday’s assault on the Kuje Correctional Centre was brutal even as the attackers bombed the prison, killed some security agents and inmates while they set over 600 prisoners free including 69 Boko Haram suspects. According to media reports, soldiers deployed to Kuje vicinity and the Correctional Center’s environment, who had mastered the terrain, were redeployed 24 hours before the dastard attack.
HURIWA demanded the arrest of the persons who allegedly gave the order purportedly for withdrawal of soldiers before the attack. The group also requested the sacking of the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; and his Defence counterpart, Bashir Magashi; for “perpetual incompetence”. Furthermore, they called for a broad-based judicial panel of inquiry on prison breaks in Nigeria to be constituted.
- Terrorists trooping southward, Akeredolu cries out
Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, has raised the alarm that terrorists are moving southward to take refuge in the forest. He reiterated the need for the creation of state police to ensure the security of lives and property. Akeredolu pointed out that the Nigeria Police Force is overstretched, understaffed and lacks the capacity to adequately secure the people.
The governor spoke in his office on Thursday, while hosting the new Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 17, Yunnus Akeera. He said, “We do not run away from the fact that the police force is overstretched. The same thing, we do not run away from the fact that a single police command in Abuja will not be adequate to police the large populace of the country. This has led to our demand for state police.
- NAFDAC joins research institutes’ strike, food safety threatened
Nigerians have raised the alarm over the safety of food and drugs as the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) fully joined other research institutes and associated institutions in their eight-month-old strike action. This implies that the agency would practically be unable to carry out its mandate of controlling and ascertaining the safety and wholesomeness of food imported through the seaports, airports and land borders.
Experts say this poses danger to public health and safety as unscrupulous importers might exploit the lacuna to wreak havoc on public health through the importation of unwholesome food items and drugs. Investigations revealed that three major unions in all the research institutes in Nigeria have embarked on indefinite strikes since October 13, 2021, and the Federal Government has failed to grant their demands or make meaningful efforts in resolving the industrial crisis.
- Insecurity: We’ll adopt ways to defend our people — S-West govs
Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, has declared that governors in the region will adopt ways to get arms to defend their people, following the worsening security situation in the country. Akeredolu also vowed that the states will confront bandits and herdsmen terrorising their forest reserves.
The governor said that the people of the South-West are brave people who would fight the terrorists back into the forest. He, however, decried a situation where criminals are left to acquire illegal weapons, while Nigerians are dispossessed of their legally acquired weapons.
- Terrorists bomb Kuje Prison
A group of terrorists on Tuesday night attacked the Kuje Medium Custodial Centre in Abuja, the nation’s capital with bombs in an apparent move to gain entry into the facility and free some of its members. A high calibre bomb had first gone off at about 10:25pm followed by a second and third blasts as well as sporadic gunshots that residents into panic mode. Newsmen gathered that the Nigerian Correctional Service NCoS had earlier received intelligence reports that one of its facilities could come under attacks.
- Over 600 inmates escape from Kuje prison
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr Shuaib Belgore, on Wednesday said over 600 of the inmates fled the prisons when it came under attack late Tuesday night. Belgore stated that those behind the attack were Boko Haram terrorists who came specifically for their members held in the custody. He, however, said about 300 had been recaptured, while 300 are still at large.
Speaking while addressing journalists, he also said an operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps was killed during the attack. He said, “There have been several attacks on our facilities most of them are being repelled, but every now and then, there is one that they have succeeded. In this is one they came very determined with high explosives.
“The initial entry attempt was unsuccessful, then they attacked another section of the wall with higher grade explosives which brought the wall down. The forces on the ground did everything they could to repel them but the number they came with was high which they were not able to defend against. They kept on fighting gallantly unfortunately the breach happened. Reinforcement came when they were halfway through it. They were eventually repelled.
“At the time they came in they killed one NSCDC operative while trying to save the situation. The inmates here are 994. We understand they are Boko Haram terrorists and came specifically came for their conspirators. Many of them have returned, some were retrieved from the bushes they were hiding, right now we have retrieved about 300 out of about 600 that got out of the jail.”
- Terrorists attack Buhari’s advance team, kill two policemen
Suspected terrorists on Tuesday, near Dutsinma, Katsina State, ambushed the convoy of cars conveying the Presidency’s advance team of security guards, protocol and media officers, killing two policemen in the process.
The Presidency officials were travelling to Daura ahead of the trip of the President, Muhammadu Buhari , to his hometown for Sallah. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, confirmed the attack in a statement without confirming the casualty figure.
- Bandits kill Assistant Commissioner of Police in Katsina
An Assistant Commissioner of Police, Aminu Umar Dayi, in charge of Dutsinma Area Command in Katsina State, was ambushed and killed by bandits in a fierce gun battle on Tuesday. According to one of the reports, the late Aminu, on Monday, led a police team to Kurfi where they killed one of the bandits’ commander.
Angered by the death of their commander, the assailants turned out en masse on Tuesday and laid an ambush in order to exert revenge. Unknowingly, the late Dutsinma Area Commander, while leading his team on their usual clearance operation of the terrorists, were ambushed and overpowered by the hoodlums in a fierce gun encounter that eventually led to his death and that of another officer.
- Terrorists attack: Justify security spending, CSOs tell FG
The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Katsina State on Wednesday asks the Federal Government to justify the money being spent on security by ensuring the safety of lives and property of Nigerians. The coalition made the demand while reacting to Tuesday’s death of the Dutsinma Area Commander, ACP Aminu Umar, in a gun duel with terrorists. The coalition in a statement by its Katsina Chairman, Abdulrahman Abdullahi, lamented the death of the Police Area Commander, insisting that the incident speaks volumes of inadequacies in Nigeria’s security system.
The statement read, “It is disturbing that government’s inability to provide our security men with working tools and chase bandits to their enclaves is continually resulting in loss of gallantry Officers like ACP Aminu Umar and other innocent Nigerians. The bandits are gradually becoming stronger and bold by the day. The fight should be taken to their enclaves using land and air forces. But unfortunately, the airforce and army are not striking with the needed force. You will see fighter jets flying in the sky but when you ask for casualties you can’t see any. Bandits are attacking innocent people a few miles away from military bases but no intervention.
“Money is spent on a daily basis for security but the situation is worsening every day. It is high time the President and the National Assembly should begin to query why there is no commensurate results to security investment. This senseless killing must stop.”
Meanwhile, Katsina Police Commissioner, Idris Dauda, on Wednesday led the top management team of the state police command to Kurfi town for the burial of ACP Aminu Umar who was ambushed and killed by terrorists in Safana Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday.
The solemn Islamic burial was also attended by top police officers as well as the rank and file who were majorly from the Katsina command. The Spokesman for the Command, Gambo Isah, said the Area Commander was killed along with an unnamed officer in the line of duty.
- Convoy, Kuje attacks show security collapse, group says
A group under the aegis of Victory Advocates of Nigeria, Wednesday, described the attacks on the presidential advance convoy and Nigerian Correctional Centre, Kuje, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, by suspected terrorists as indications of the total collapse of security architecture under the All Progressives Congress government.
The youth group urged Nigerians to rescue themselves by bidding bye to the bad governance of the APC through their votes. VAN National President, Prince Seyi Ajibola, and National Publicity Secretary, Musa Adamu, who condemned the attacks, said, “No one is safe in Nigeria. If the number one citizen of our great country can be under attack in his territory, then other Nigerians are in serious problem.”
Also, The African Action Congress has said that Nigerians need to act to save the country from the myriads of insecurity that is rocking it persistently. The Publicity Secretary of the party, Adeyeye Olorunfemi, stated this in a statement issued Wednesday, condemning the recent attacks on the presidential advance security team, and on the Kuje Correctional Centre, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
- Reps Investigate Nigeria’s Daily Fuel Consumption Claims
The House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva and others over their nonappearance at an investigation on Nigeria’s daily fuel consumption claims.
Chairman of the Adhoc Committee set up to investigate and ascertain the claims on Nigeria’s daily fuel consumption, Abdulkadir Sa’ad Abdullahi (APC, Bauchi) issued the summon after the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila and members of the committee expressed their displeasure when the heads and officials of key government agencies invited to the hearing failed to show up. It could be recalled that, during the plenary on Thursday, 27th January 2022, the House considered a motion titled the “Need to ascertain the actual daily consumption of premium motor spirit (PMS) in Nigeria ‘’ sets up the ad hoc committee.
On his part, the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila who was represented by the Deputy House Leader, Peter Akpatason (APC, Edo) said, the House was concerned over the lingering incidences of fuel scarcity causing significant loss of man hour and untold hardship suffered by Nigerians.
Gbajabiamila said, there is a need to address the controversies and concerns generated over the huge sums of money being paid as oil subsidies as well as the inaccuracy of data required for effective planning, supply and distribution of the premium motor spirit (PMS).
- Railway workers threaten strike, urge prompt resolution of ASUU impasse
Citing protracted talks for improved welfare with no result in sight, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has threatened to embark on an indefinite strike. The union regretted that eight months after its three-day nationwide warning strike, no ‘significant achievement’ had been recorded. NUR also deplored government’s handling of the ongoing Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike, observing that the current administration’s ‘no work, no pay’ policy was disingenuous.
It appealed to the Federal Government to, swiftly, resolve the impasse in the overall interest of the nation. In a statement, yesterday, by its president and secretary, Innocent Luka Ajiji and Segun Esan, NUR challenged government to rescue millions of Nigerian youths that are suffering from this unnecessary test of might, noting: “An idle hand is the devil’s workshop.” The railway workers charged the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to embrace the lecturers’ University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) payment platform.
This is even as the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) urged the National Assembly to urgently legislate on rejuvenating polytechnics to enable them contribute meaningful to Nigeria’s technological revolution.
- Your silence on lingering ASUU strike regrettable, disappointing, shameful — MBMJP
The Middle Belt Movement for Justice and Peace, MBMJP, has said the silence of the leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on the lingering Academic Staff Union of Universities’, ASUU, strike is disappointing, regrettable. The group wondered why the leaders of the ruling party had remained unperturbed and continued to pretend that all was well when in reality the party was fast losing the support of Nigerians.
The MBMJP, in a statement by its Secretary, Jerome Nemta issued Tuesday in Makurdi said it was baffling that the leaders of the APC at various level had not thought it wise to intervene to have the issues with ASUU resolved because of the negative impact of the strike on the popularity of the party in the country.
Nemta who recalled the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, days when those in positions of authority like the Senate President at the time would alway intervene on knotty issues with labour leaders to have them quickly resolved,said “regrettably what this set of APC leaders are concerned with is totally at variance with the interest of the ordinary Nigerians.”
- Buhari Swears In Seven New Ministers
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, swore in seven new ministers following their screening and confirmation by the Senate. Buhari swore in the ministers shortly before the commencement of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday. The seven ministers will replace those who resigned from their appointment in May 2022 to actualise their political ambition.
Those sworn in include Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh – Abia State, Umana Okon Umana – Akwa Ibom State, Odum Odih – Rivers State, and Ademola Adewole Adegoroye – Ondo State, Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub – Kano State, Goodluck Nnana Opiah – Imo State and Egwumakama Joseph Nkama – Ebonyi State.
- Malami marries Buhari’s daughter
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), on Friday, got married to Nana Hadiza, the daughter of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).
A Spokesman for the President, Garba Shehu, confirmed this to newsmen on Friday. “It is true. The AGF got married to the President’s daughter,” he said.
Hadiza is Buhari’s daughter from a previous marriage and now the third wife to the AGF. She is said to have been previously married and has six children. It was gathered that the private Nikkai ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock.
POLITICS
- I prefer younger running mate – Peter Obi
The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on Wednesday, opened up on his choice of running mate, saying he preferred a younger person as vice-presidential candidate. The former Anambra State governor stated this while featuring on Arise TV Morning Show. He added that he prefers a younger person who has something to offer to complement his ticket rather than recycling old hands who had been in the government before now.
When asked to clarify social media rumours that he had picked a businessman and politician, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, as his vice-presidential candidate, Obi noted that though consultations are ongoing, he was yet to pick a running mate.
On when he will release his manifesto, he said rather than a manifesto, he had practiced all that he is preaching and the records are there for Nigerians to verify. On the campaign of calumny on social media, Obi alleged that his opponents had paid some people online to malign his campaign team by infiltrating his core supporters and spreading falsehoods online.
The former Peoples Democratic Party chieftain noted that despite the campaigns of calumny online and rumours that northerners won’t vote for him during the 2023 election, he believed that Nigerians and people from the north will vote for him based on competence.
- Presidential poll: Obi, Kwankwaso’s negotiations dead, says Okupe
The Director-General of the Obi Presidential Campaign Organisation, Dr Doyin Okupe, has announced that the planned alliance between the Labour Party and the New Nigerian People’s Party for the 2023 general election is “dead.” According to Okupe, who is the placeholder as running mate to the LP presidential candidate and former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, said the plan had been dead since about four weeks ago. The LP had planned an alliance with the NNPP, with Obi and the latter’s presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, being on the same ticket.
Speaking on Politics Today, a current affairs programme on Channels Television, Okupe, on Tuesday night, disclosed that the negotiation became deadlocked when the LP side queried the emergence of another Muslim northerner succeeding the President Muhammadu Buhari, a Muslim from the North.
On the reported consideration of Senator Ditti Baba-Ahmed as vice-presidential candidate of the LP, Okupe said, “He is being considered, others are being considered. These things will be decided this week. He is being considered along with other people whom we have engaged and we have talked with. “The emphasis here is this, we are looking for a young, vibrant politician of northern extraction with a measure of intellect, sound background, pedigree and education. That is what we are looking at.”
On the alliance between LP and NNPP, with the rating of Kwankwaso as senior to Obi to be the presidential and vice-presidential candidates, respectively, Okupe asked how seniority is measured in politics.
- Stop linking us with Obi, IPOB warns Kwankwaso
The Indigenous People of Biafra has lashed out at a former Governor of Kano State and presidential candidate of New Nigeria Peoples Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso, saying that he should not link the group with the ambition of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.
This was as the group stressed that it was not interested in the nation’s “corrupt and fraudulent” politics, adding that its main target was the liberation of the Biafra people.
The group observed that Obi was neither a member of IPOB nor supported its cause at any point in time. IPOB Director of Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful, stated this in a statement on Tuesday, a copy of which was made available to newsmen.
- 2023: Drop Okowa as running mate, lose Igbo votes, Ohanaeze youths warn Atiku, PDP
Igbo youths under the aegis of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, OYC has cautioned the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar against any plan to drop Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate. In a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday by the group’s hierarchy, they said Atiku should drop Okowa to his own peril.
The statement signed by the National President of OYC, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike and the Secretary, Comrade Obinna Achionye said any attempt to replace Okowa would backfire.
The apex Igbo organization said the South-East would not accept to lose out completely in the scheme of things, having lost the opportunity to produce the presidential candidate of either the PDP or the All Progressives Congress, APC.
- 2023: Zamfara APC demands Tinubu commits to ending insecurity
Stakeholdersof the ruling All Progressives Congress APC in Zamfara state have demanded a firm commitment from the presidential candidate of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu towards ending the pervasive banditry and other waves of criminalities in the state. The demand was made when Northwest officials of the party led by the National Vice Chairman for the zone, Salihu Moh. Lukman went a fact-finding tour to the state.
“The party’s stakeholders demand a serious commitment on deteriorating security situation in the State and the region from anybody vying for any electoral post especially the presidential candidate from the party to work for his success”, said Musa Mailafiya Madam, Zonal Publicity Secretary of the party.
- Kwankwaso misrepresents, disrespects North, says the group
A group, the Arewa Youths Progressive Alliance, has dissociated itself from a comment credited to the presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso, that voters from the North would only vote for the region’s presidential candidates. But the spokesman for the group, Alhaji Sambo Galadima, noted that “the North is neither anti-progress nor xenophobic against other Nigerians.”
In a statement released in Kaduna on Thursday, Galadima said that the impression created by the former Governor of Kano State was not only disrespectful to the region but also misrepresented the true characters of an average northern voter. Picking holes in the assertion by the NNPP presidential candidate who spoke on Channels TV, the spokesman noted that Kwankwaso’s utterances portrayed the North as retrogressive.
- I’m no longer Peter Obi’s running mate, says Doyin Okupe
Former presidential aide, Doyin Okupe, has withdrawn as running mate to the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi. Okupe’s name was submitted by the LP to meet up with the June 17 deadline fixed by INEC.
- Peter Obi picks Datti Baba-Ahmed as running mate
The Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has unveiled his running mate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed. Baba-Ahmed, the founder of Baze University, Abuja, was announced as the LP vice-presidential candidate in Abuja on Friday. The 46-year-old was a former lawmaker who represented Kaduna North Senatorial district.
Baba-Ahmed’s announcement was coming barely 24 hours after the Director-General, Peter Obi Campaign Organisation, Doyin Okupe, announced his withdrawal as the vice-presidential candidate of the party. Okupe who announced his withdrawal via his verified Twitter handle @doyinokupe noted that his party would announce the new running mate to the presidential candidate.
Llike the ruling All Progressives Congress, the Labour party had named Okupe as the interim vice presidential candidate of the LP in order to beat the deadline by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
ECONOMY
- Debt, inflation, forex killing economy, LCCI warns FG
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry has warned the Federal Government to find urgent solutions to the issues of Nigeria’s growing debt burden, inflationary pressure as well as the worsening foreign exchange crisis in order to save the ailing economy. The President of the Chamber, Asiwaju Michael Olawale-Cole, stated this in his address during the chamber’s quarterly economic outlook press conference held in Lagos on Tuesday.
Olawale-Cole said the combined forces of rising inflation, weakening growth, worsening disruption to supply chains due to the war in Ukraine, and the fragile recovery from the Covid-19 lockdown, had all heightened the concerns about stagflation, worsened poverty, and recession.
He further noted that despite the 3.11 per cent GDP growth announced by the National Bureau of Statistics in the first quarter of 2022, the economy was still facing a wide range of issues that have exacerbated Nigerians’ standard of living.
On the worsening foreign exchange crisis that has posed serious problems for organised business, the chamber proposed a unification of the forex market, a sentiment earlier echoed by World Bank Group President, David Malpass, during IMF/World Bank Spring Meeting.
Olawale-Cole, who also spoke on Nigeria’s worrisome debt profile, warned that should the Federal Government continue in its present trajectory, debt servicing would inevitably gulp virtually all of the government’s revenue, thereby making it impossible for any reasonable strides to be made in the area of infrastructural development.
- How N4.194trn was paid as fuel subsidy from 2017 to 2022 – oAGF
Details of how N4.194 trillion was paid as subsidy to oil marketers between January, 2017 and June, 2022 have emerged. It will be recalled that the House of Representatives last week resolved to probe the payment. According to documents from the office of Accountant General of the Federation (oAGF), the subsidy payments/deductions from the Federation Account computed by the oAGF through the Federation Account Department within the time under investigation indicated that the sums of N126.539 billion was paid from January-December 2017.
Similarly, other details showed that N691.586 billion was paid from January-December 2018; N537.209 billion paid from January-December 2019; N133.625 billion paid from January-December 2020; N1.159 billion paid from January-December 2021 while N1.545 trillion was paid between January and June 2022.
The details were contained in the 2-page document submitted by the Director Overseeing the oAGF, Mr. Sylva Okolieaboh to the House of Representatives’ Ad-hoc Committee inaugurated to ‘Ascertain the actual daily consumption of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Nigeria’, chaired by Hon. Abdulkadir Abdullahi. The committee in a meeting on Tuesday which uncovered subsidies claimed by oil companies while NNPC was the sole importer of PMS however queried the presentations made by NNPC subsidiaries.
- Why monthly fuel subsidy cost shot up by 989% in 7yrs
As Nigerians continue to groan nder the severe impact of the lingering fuel scarcity, amid raging controversy over huge subsidy costs, investigations revealed a combination of higher oil prices, skyrocketing logistics costs and corruption led to a gargantuan 989 per cent increase in the average monthly fuel subsidy cost in seven years.
This is even as the House of Representatives yesterday threatened to sanction critical agencies of government in the oil and gas sector for failing to appear before its committee investigating the rate of daily consumption of fuel in the country. Checks have shown that the amount of money spent by the Federal Government on petrol subsidy in the past seven years hit N4.838 trillion in May 2022.
- Marketers, depots fight over 16.6bn litre fuel diversion
Oil marketers and depot owners have clashed over allegations of diversion of 16.6 billion litres of fuel to neighbouring countries. A top official of the Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, who craved anonymity, told newsmen that the unabated fuel scarcity was partly due to the diversion of products to neighbouring countries by marketers.
According to the source, about 46 million litres of petrol is being diverted daily. This means about 16.6 billion litres is allegedly being diverted annually. Findings showed that Nigeria consumes 60 million litres of petrol daily. “We had a meeting with the PPMC some weeks ago, and part of the complaints was that the volume we load is too high, forcing them to reduce the volume they give to us. From their records, they said marketers loaded 106 million litres per day as of April. Nigeria consumes 60 million litres per day, where are the remaining litres of fuel going? They are taken outside the country. That’s a product Nigeria is paying heavily to subsidise, and marketers are busy taking it out and denying Nigerians full benefits of what they pay for,” our source said.
The diversion allegation came on the heels of the return of long queues at filling stations across the country. As of Wednesday, petrol was sold above N175 per litre, and as of Thursday, the price had increased to N180 per litre.
BUSINESS
- Power supply: FG approves workplan to fast-track Zungeru Hydropower plant concession
The National Council on Privatisation (NCP) has approved the strategy and workplan to fast-track the concession of Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant (ZHPP) in Wushishi Local Government Area of Niger State .
The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), said yesterday, that the decision was taken in order to ramp up electricity generation in the country.
- Money Laundering: ICPC warns estate developers against serving as conduits for illicit funds
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has warned estate developers against serving as conduits for Illicit Financial Flows, IFFS. This was even as the Commission noted that it was currently probing completed and unoccupied estates in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt, with the help of sister agencies.
The ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN, disclosed this at the 13th Annual General Meeting, AGM, and Conference of the Association held at the Amadeo Event Centre, GRA, Enugu.
Owasanoye, who was represented by the Commission’s Director of Asset Tracing, Recovery and Management, Mr. Adedayo Kayode, said that the Commission was currently investigating cases of fully completed but unoccupied estates in Abuja in order to identify developers serving as conduit for money laundering and IFFs.
HEALTH
- Sallah: NCDC Warns Of COVID-19 Fifth Wave
As Muslim faithful prepare to mark the 2022 Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has urged Nigerians to prevent the onset of a full-fledged fifth COVID-19 wave by adhering to recommended public health safety measures. The NCDC noted this in its COVID-19 public health advisory issued on Friday amidst the rising cases of infection in the country. The agency said there is a need for religious organisations, community leaders, and Nigerians, in general, to take necessary precautions ahead of the upcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
The health advisory stated, “Although confirmed cases increased from 267 to 445 between weeks 21 to 24, hospitalisation and fatalities have remained low suggesting these are mostly mild to moderate cases or we are in the lag phase before we see the accompanying increase in severe disease and hospitalisation.
The agency added that “In addition to the COVID-19 situation in Nigeria and globally, the upcoming Eid-El-Kabir celebrations against a backdrop of suboptimal COVID-19 vaccination uptake and increasing COVID-19 case numbers calls for increased individual and collective responsibility. The virus that causes COVID-19 is more likely to spread in mass gatherings and when people do not adhere to preventive measures such as physical distancing, mask use, and hand hygiene.
“As we celebrate, we urge Nigerians to prevent the onset of a full-fledged fifth COVID-19 wave by remaining mindful of the high risk of spread of COVID-19 and acting in tandem by adhering to recommended public health safety measures.”
- Anambra to establish health facilities accreditation agency
The Anambra State Government says that plans are underway to establish its Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency, to eliminate quackery and improve healthcare service delivery. Dr. Afam Obidike, the state’s Commissioner for Health, disclosed this at the ongoing 2022 Revised Budget defence before the House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation on Friday in Awka.
Obidike said that the agency would be charged with the responsibility of monitoring the private and public health facilities to ensure registration accreditation, inspection and monitoring of facilities. He said that the ministry also planned to launch Telemedicine in August, and set up the Medical Service and Ambulance System as well as a drug quality assurance laboratory to test all drugs in the state. Reacting, Dr. Cater Dike-Umeh, representing Aguata Constituency I, and Chairman, House Committee on Health, urged the commissioner to set timelines for the ministry’s programmes.
- Kaduna inaugurates malaria response committee
The Kaduna State Government on Friday inaugurated a committee on Insecticide Treated Nets Campaign network for the ongoing mosquito nets distribution in the state. The Campaign Manager, Society for Family Health, Dangana Christopher, said the committee comprised different stakeholders. He said its role was important in helping to monitor the process and report to the state whenever members found anything going wrong as they intended to reduce the prevalence rate of malaria scourge in the state.
The State Commissioner for Health will chair the ICCN and the State Malaria Elimination Programme Manager will act as secretary. Christopher said the committee would also engage critical partners in the process, ensuring monitoring of progress against the timeline and addressing delays as quickly as possible to keep the campaign on track.
He added that the committee would oversee the work of the supervisors and be responsible for the organization of regular meetings to discuss progress and potential bottlenecks so that issues arising could be resolved promptly
EDUCATION
- ASUU raises hopes, gives condition to ‘immediately’ call off strike
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised hopes of students that it is close to calling off the ongoing strike action that has lasted for over three months. ASUU on Monday issued a condition that will cause it to immediately call off the strike that led to the closure of many public universities in Nigeria.
Prof. Emmanuel Osedeke, ASUU president challenged the federal government to accept the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) payment platform for it to call off the ongoing strike. Osedeke said the strike will continue unless the government accepts UTAS and honour the 2009 agreement. The ASUU president said their demands are in the interest of Nigerian students who are learning under unconducive environments.
WORLD
- Boris Johnson Steps Down As Conservative Leader
Boris Johnson resigned on Thursday as leader of Britain’s Conservative party, paving the way for the selection of a new prime minister after dozens of ministers quit his scandal-hit government.
“It is clearly the will of the parliamentary Conservative party that there should be a new leader of that party, and therefore a new prime minister,” Johnson said outside 10 Downing Street. Johnson, 58, announced that he would step down after a slew of resignations from his top team in protest at his leadership but would stay on as prime minister until a replacement is found.
The timetable for a Tory leadership race will be announced next week, he said, after three tumultuous years in office defined by Brexit, the Covid pandemic and non-stop controversy over his reputation for mendacity. The BBC and others reported that the leadership election will take place over the summer and the victor will replace Johnson at the party’s annual conference in early October.
In the frenzied hours building up to Johnson’s announcement, opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer had welcomed his impending departure. But Starmer said “a proper change of government” was needed and demanded a no-confidence vote in parliament, potentially triggering a general election, rather than Johnson “clinging on for months and months”.
While eyeing the exit, Johnson on Thursday sought to steady the ship with several appointments to replace the departed cabinet members. They included Greg Clark, an arch “remainer” opposed to Britain’s divorce from the European Union, which Johnson had championed. Johnson had been clinging on to power despite a wave of more than 50 government resignations, expressing defiance late Wednesday. But Thursday’s departure of education minister Michelle Donelan and a plea to quit from finance minister Nadhim Zahawi, only in their jobs for two days, appeared to tip the balance along with warnings of a new no-confidence vote by Tory MPs.
- Former Japan PM Shinzo Abe Confirmed Dead After Shooting
Japan’s former prime minister Shinzo Abe died in hospital on Friday, local media reported, hours after being shot at a political campaign event in an attack condemned as “absolutely unforgivable”. Citing a senior member of Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party, national broadcaster NHK said “former prime minister Abe died at a hospital in Kashihara city, Nara, where he was receiving medical treatment. He was 67.”
The death was also reported by other broadcasters as well as the Japanese news agencies Jiji and Kyodo. The assassination of the country’s best-known politician comes despite Japan’s strict gun laws and with campaigning underway ahead of upper house elections on Sunday.
Earlier Prime Minister Fumio Kishida abandoned the campaign trail and flew to Tokyo by helicopter where he addressed reporters in a voice that wavered with emotion.
The attack came before noon in the country’s western region of Nara, where Abe, 67, had been delivering a stump speech with security present, but spectators able to approach him easily.
Footage broadcast by NHK showed him standing on a stage when a man dressed in a grey shirt and brown trousers begins approaching from behind, before drawing something from a bag and firing. At least two shots appear to be fired, each producing a cloud of smoke.
As spectators and reporters ducked, a man was shown being tackled to the ground by security. He was later arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, reports said. Local media identified the man as 41-year-old Tetsuya Yamagami, citing police sources, with several media outlets describing him as a former member of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, the country’s navy. He was wielding a weapon described by local media as a “handmade gun”, and NHK said he told police after his arrest that he “targeted Abe with the intention of killing him”.
- Japan PM Kishida ‘Lost For Words’ After Abe Assassination
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he was “lost for words” after the assassination of ex-premier Shinzo Abe on Friday, vowing that Japan’s democracy would “never yield to violence”. “I was praying that his life would be saved, but despite that, I came to learn of (his death),” a visibly emotional Kishida told reporters. It is truly regrettable. I am lost for words. I offer my sincere condolences and prayers that his soul may rest in peace. During this election period, a despicable and barbaric act was committed, taking the life of former prime minister Abe. This is unforgivable. We condemn it once again in the strongest terms,” Kishida said.
Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister who stepped down in 2020 for health reasons, was shot dead while campaigning in Nara region ahead of Sunday’s upper house election. Election activities will continue with “full and thorough measures” taken to ensure safety, added Kishida, the leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of which Abe was also a member. Abe “assumed a heavy responsibility as prime minister for eight years and eight months,” the longest period in modern history, added Kishida.
- Pilgrims Pack Mount Arafat For Climax Of Biggest Covid-Era Hajj
Huge crowds of robed Muslim pilgrims prayed on Saudi Arabia’s Mount Arafat on Friday, the climax of the biggest hajj pilgrimage since the pandemic forced drastic cuts in numbers for two years. Groups of worshippers, many holding umbrellas against the fierce sun, recited verses from the Koran on the rocky rise where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have given his final sermon.
Prayers on Mount Arafat are the highlight of the annual pilgrimage, capped this year at one million people including 850,000 from abroad. Authorities said Friday that the number of pilgrims reached 899,353, including 779,919 from outside the kingdom.
- Elon Musk Pulls Out Of Twitter Sale Deal
Elon Musk pulled the plug on his $44 billion deal to buy Twitter on Friday, accusing the company of “misleading” statements about the number of fake accounts, a regulatory filing showed. Musk terminating the deal that he inked in April to buy the social media giant sets the stage for an epic court battle over a billion-dollar breakup fee and more.
“Mr. Musk hereby exercises (the) right to terminate the Merger Agreement and abandon the transaction,” his lawyers said in a letter to Twitter, a copy of which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Musk’s change of heart about buying Twitter appeared to suggest some “buyer’s remorse” for offering a price of $54.20 per share that now appears “laughable,” CFRA Research senior equity analyst Angelo Zino said in a note to investors before the deal was officially nixed.
Twitter has held firm that no more than five percent of accounts are run by software instead of people, while Musk has said he believes the number to be much higher. The clock was ticking for Musk to make a decision, with Twitter’s board recommending shareholders approve the buyout at a special vote expected to be held in August.
ENTERTAINMENT
- Wizkid records fourth Billboard Hot 100 Entry; Tems spends 9th week on chart
Afrobeats stars, Wizkid and Tems successful reign in the global music scene continues, days after their international hit song “Essence” earned them a record-breaking feat- winning the Best Collaboration Award at the 2022 BET Awards. For Starboy, Chris Brown’s Afrobeat-inspired single “Call Me Everyday” ft. Wizkid debuts at number 76 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. This is Wizkid’s fourth entry, the most for an African artist.
Afrobeats queen, Tems’ “Wait For You” ft. Future and Drake is the song that occupies the number four spot on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. The hit song has spent 9 weeks on the chart and peaked at number 1 few weeks ago.
Similarly, the hit-song “Call Me Everyday” has also reached a new peak at number four ; moving 14 places upwards on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs Chart- becoming Wizkid’s fifth top 10 hit after “One Dance”, “Essence” “Brown Skin Girl” “Borrowed Love ft Metro Boomin ”. It is not surprising as the hit song amassed over 5 million audio streams in the
US, last week.
- Nigerian musician, Eedris Abdulkareem battles kidney failure
Nigerian hip hop star, Eedris Abdulkareem has disclosed that he is battling kidney failure and will have a surgical operation at the end of July. This was disclosed on Wednesday on the Instagram handle of the Nigeria Jaja Jaga artiste by his spokesperson, Hon Myke Pam.
According to Pam, all that Abdulkareem asked for are prayers and good wishes, adding that he has been undergoing dialysis since the ailment was discovered. The statement was titled: ‘Asking for your prayers for Eedris Abdulkareem!’
- Celebs, fans pray as Eedris battles kidney disease
Colleagues and fans of popular rapper, Eedris Abdulkareem, have continued to send prayers and well wishes to him after it was revealed that he is set to undergo a kidney transplant in Lagos.
In a video posted on his Instagram page during the week, the rapper, who was on a bed urged Nigerians to pray for him. He said, “I just want to thank you all for your prayers and support. I want you to know that I am in strong spirits. I am going to come out of this by the grace of Almigthy Allah. Today, I am on my dialysis section and it takes about three to four hours. Immediately after the dialysis, I go out about my normal activities. So, I am strong in body, spirit and soul. I am still doing my normal appearances. I want you to know that your prayers and support are appreciated.”
Shortly after his post, several individuals including showbiz entrepreneur, Ayo Animashaun; singer, African China; and rapper, Ruggedman, prayed for the embattled rapper. Ayo Animashaun wrote, “This soldier must stand. We need this rock to stay strong. So shall it be, insha Allah.”
On his part, Ruggedman wrote, “God is already healing you, my brother.” Fans have also been wishing him quick recovery.
- Jimi Solanke celebrated at 80 with week-long events
It has been an eventful week of celebration for veteran folklore singer and thespian, Jimi Solanke, as he celebrated his 80th birthday anniversary. He was born on July 4, 1942. The series of event kicked off on July 1 with a virtual conference on the life and times of Solanke. That was followed by the launch of his biography titled, ‘Jimi Solanke: The Indestructible’, which was written by Oluwatoyin Sutton.
Shortly after the book launch, a short film titled, ‘Jimmy Show’ was premiered. The film which also documents the life of the veteran was written and produced by Ayo Adewunmi. Speaking on the film, Adewunmi said, “It is my personal tribute to Jimi Solanke; to say ‘thank you’ for all he taught me. I was his apprentice, and he taught me the rudiments of directing. He is a father and friend, and can relate with anyone.
On Saturday, July 2, a choral music fiesta tagged, ‘A Festival of Praise’ was held at the Methodist Cathedral of Peace and Excellence, Ikeja, Lagos. At the same event, there was an unveiling of Solanke’s latest album titled, ‘Oba Awon Oba’. The event continued on the next day with a highlife music conference held virtually, as well as an on-site premiere of a documentary on Solanke in his hometown of Ipara Remo, Ogun State.
The celebration continued on Thursday, July 7, with another mentoring event at the Department of Theatre and Music, Lagos State University. To wrap up the celebration, a tribute concert of music and art, featuring a variety of artiste and bands, was held on Friday, July 8, 2022.
The concert was preceded by a ‘Living Icons Live Drawing’ session.
SPORTS
- Mauricio Pochettino Leaves Role As PSG Coach
Paris Saint-Germain, Mauricio Pochettino, on Tuesday ended his role as coach at the Club.
Pochettino had won the Ligue 1 but failed to secure the Champions League trophy for the club despite boasting of an all-star line-up featuring Neymar, Lionel Messi and Mbappe.
In a statement on its official Twitter handle, the French giants said: ‘Paris Saint-Germain confirm that Mauricio Pochettino has ended his role at the club. “We would like to thank Mauricio Pochettino and his staff for their work and wish them the best for the future.”
Former Head coach of Nice, Christophe Galtier is expected to be confirmed as his replacement on a two-year deal. Pochettino joined the French giants in January 2021 on an 18-month contract to replace outgoing Thomas Tuchel. The Argentine finished second in the league during his first campaign, crashed out of the Champions League in the semi-finals, but won the Coupe de France Final.
- Free Agent Angel Di Marie Joins Juventus
Angel Di Maria has completed a free transfer move to Serie A powerhouses Juventus. The Argentinian international has been in contract talks with the Turin club in recent weeks following his free transfer exit from Paris Saint-Germain. Despite previous rumours linking him with a return to Spanish football, the 34-year-old has now opted to make the switch to Italy, on a 12-month deal.
Di Maria’s arrival at the club is not expected to be the end of their ongoing transfer business with Paul Pogba days away from a return. The Frenchman has indicated his desire to complete a comeback to Max Allegri’s side following his exit from Manchester United last month.
- Super Eagles Defender, Ebuehi Makes Permanent Serie A Move
Super Eagles right-back Tyronne Ebuehi has joined Italian Serie A side, FC Empoli on a three-year deal from Benfica. The 26-year-old spent last season on loan at Venezia, also in the Serie A where he made 19 league appearances, including 12 starts. His game time was largely limited because of injury.
Ebuehi joined Portuguese giants Benfica on a five-year deal from Dutch side, Ado Den Haag on a free transfer in 2018 after featuring for Nigeria at the FIFA World Cup in Russia. Unfortunately, a cruciate ligament rupture suffered in an International Champions Cup defeat to Juventus meant he missed the whole of the 2018-2019 season. On returning from his injury layoff, Ebuehi could not find his way into Benfica’s senior team and spent the 2019-2020 season with their U-23 and B teams.
Following his struggles, Ebuehi was loaned to Dutch Eredivisie side FC Twente for the 2020-2021 season. Back in the Netherlands where he was born, he reignited his career, making 34 appearances in all competitions for FC Twente. Despite proving his match fitness with Twente, Ebuehi was sent on loan again, this time to Venezia where he impressed enough to secure a permanent move to Empoli. He leaves Benfica without playing an official senior game.
- Manchester City Sign Kalvin Phillips In £45 Million Deal
England midfielder Kalvin Phillips completed a “dream” move to Premier League champions Manchester City in a £45 million ($53 million) transfer from Leeds on Monday. City agreed on an initial fee of £42 million for Phillips, with a further £3 million to be added in potential bonuses.
Phillips, who has signed a six-year contract with Pep Guardiola’s side, said: “I am absolutely delighted to have joined Manchester City.”
Guardiola has picked Phillips to bolster his midfield after the departure of long-serving Brazilian Fernandinho at the end of last season. City negotiated a deal in principle to sign Phillips in June and the transfer has now been officially completed. Phillips, who came through the youth ranks at Leeds, moves to the Etihad Stadium after making 235 appearances for his hometown club over the past eight seasons.
- Blatter, Platini Cleared In FIFA Fraud Trial
Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini, once the chiefs of the world and European football, were cleared Friday over a suspected fraudulent payment that shook the sport and torpedoed their time at the top. Switzerland’s Federal Criminal Court in the southern city of Bellinzona acquitted the pair in a trial following a mammoth investigation that began in 2015 and lasted six years.
Former FIFA president Blatter, 86, and Platini, 67, listened in silence as the clerk read out the judgement which rejected the prosecution’s request for a suspended prison sentence of a year and eight months.
Blatter told the court that when he took over as FIFA president in 1998, world football’s governing body had a bad record and he thought someone who had been a top figure in playing the game could help. He turned to Platini for advice, which involved political trips, reforming the international calendar and helping the national federations financially. They signed a contract in 1999 for an annual remuneration of 300,000 Swiss francs, which was paid in full by FIFA.
But the pair were tried over a two million Swiss franc ($2.05 million) payment in 2011 to Platini, who was then in charge of European football’s governing body UEFA. Both were accused of fraud and forgery of a document. Blatter was accused of misappropriation and criminal mismanagement, while Platini was accused of participating in those offences.
Blatter and Platini maintained their innocence throughout their trial, which ran from June 8 to 22.
But the court considered that the fraud was “not established with a likelihood bordering on certainty”, and therefore applied the general principle of criminal law according to which “the doubt must benefit the accused”.
METROPLUS
- Notorious kidnap kingpin, Wadume among escapees after Kuje Prison attack
Security sources in Abuja have disclosed that Taraba State kidnap kingpin and gunrunner, Hamisu Wadume, who was arrested and detained in connection with the killing of three Police IRT operatives in a special operation led by DCP Abba Kyari, is among the inmates that escaped during Tuesday night’s attack on Kuje Prison by terrorists.
It was gathered that Wadume, who has been in custody at Kuje prison since 2020, has not been found and was not among prisoners recaptured or those who voluntarily returned after the attack on the Kune Prison facility. Hamisu Wadume was arrested by IRT operatives in Takum, Taraba State, for terrorising people of the state with his criminal activities.
- OPEC Secretary-General, Barkindo, dies after meeting Buhari
The Secretary-General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Muhammad Barkindo, is dead. Barkindo died late Tuesday. The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mele Kyari, announced Barkindo’s death in a tweeted posted to his verified Twitter handle, @MKKyari, in the early hours of Wednesday. President Muhammadu Buhari had, on Tuesday, honoured Barkindo, describing him as a worthy ambassador of the country, at the State House, Abuja
Reacting to Barkindo’s death, a former lawmaker in the eighth Assembly, Senator Shehu Sani, tweeted to his Twitter page, “Muhammad Sanusi Barkindo, former GMD NNPC and until recently, @OPECSecretariat scribe, was honoured on Tuesday. He died 11 pm Tuesday night. May Allah grant him Aljanna firdausi. Amin. That is the ephemerality and transience of life.”
- Kuje: Transfer Kanu to eastern prison, IPOB tells FG
The Indigenous People of Biafra has demanded the transfer of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, to a prison in the eastern part of the country, following the attack on Kuje Correctional Centre, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Tuesday night by terrorists.
IPOB worried over the safety of its members detained at the Kuje prison, doubting the ability of the Federal Government to protect them. IPOB made the demand in a statement issued Thursday by its Spokesperson, Emma Powerful, adding that its members illegally detained should be freed.
- Who ‘ll defend us now — Fani-Kayode questions competence of military leadership after Kuje Prison attack
A former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has condemned the terrorists attack at Kuje prisons in Abuja, saying the military leadership has failed Nigerians. ISWAP terrorists stormed the Kuje correctional center in Abuja, blowing up the gates with dynamite and freeing over 750 inmates with about 6 inmates reportedly killed during the invasion.
The terrorists group has since claimed responsibility for the attacks which has attracted flurry of wide condemnation both from national and international organizations. President Buhari who visited the scene on Wednesday lamented the intelligence failure, vowing to get to the root of the matter.
