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
- Nigeria@62: Nigeria far from founding fathers’ dreams – Group
A policy advocacy group under the aegis of Citizens’ Common International, on Thursday, said Nigeria’s 62nd Independence Anniversary, which holds on Saturday, would be coming at a time that called for sober reflection and collective action. The organisation also said the country at present “is far from the dreams of its founding fathers”, adding that a time like this required a sharp focus on building a nation that works for the many and not a few.
The Executive Director of the CCI, Olalekan Oshunkoya, who said these at a press conference in Abuja, therefore, enjoined all Nigerians to contribute their quota towards steering the country away from the brinks.
Oshunkoya explained that the research with the title, ‘The Nigeria Youth Voice Survey’, would be expected to cover 24 cities and the Federal Capital Territory.
He said it would also examine the principles and practices that shape the country’s development as well as enable the youths to inform the policy makers of their priorities with evidence. He said, “The Nigerian Youth Voice Survey is a special effort dedicated to capturing the experiences, opinions, ideas, and thoughts of young Nigerians about the future of Nigeria and our roles in it.
- There’s nothing to celebrate in Nigeria at 62, says ASUU
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), yesterday, lambasted the Federal Government, saying there is nothing for Nigerians to celebrate, as the country marks its 62nd Independence anniversary tomorrow, October 1. University lecturers have for more than seven months embarked on strike action, which has paralysed academic activities in the nation’s tertiary institutions.
In an interview with newsmen, ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said from politics and economy to security, education, healthcare and religion, the country has failed to live up to the dreams of its founding fathers at the dawn of Independence in 1960. He said it was regrettable that 62 years after the nation’s independence, it was still grappling with leadership challenges. He called on the Federal Government to increase the annual budgetary allocation to education as recommended by UNESCO.
VICE President Yemi Osinbajo has said that the elite in Nigeria must make sacrifices for the benefit of citizens, who also should be deliberate to create unity, with equity, justice, rule of law, accountability as components. This was the summation of Prof Osinbajo’s remarks yesterday at the ‘Nigeria at 62 Independence Day Anniversary Public Lecture’ held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.
- N580m Approved By FG To Acquire Armoured Vehicles For NDLEA
The sum of N580.50 million was approved yesterday by The Federal Executive Council, FEC, for the purchase of four armoured vehicles for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA. The Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, made this disclosure while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the weekly Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The AGF cited the recent feat by the agency when it busted a drug racket in Lagos, recovering N194bn worth of cocaine from an Ikorodu warehouse. He noted that the recent gains on the war on drugs would prompt reprisal attacks on NDLEA from drug barons, hence the need for the vehicles.
He also said the federal government was “very happy” with the successes being recorded by the NDLEA whereby it arrested 18,940 suspects and secured 2,904 convictions between January and July 2022. Describing the development in detail, Malami said the 14-seater vehicles would take 16 weeks to deliver in January 2023.
- Burnt N194bn cocaine useless to us – FG
The Federal Government, on Wednesday, said the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, incinerated the N194bn worth of cocaine it seized from a drug racket because it is not a drug dealer and that the substance had no economic value to it. The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, explained to State House correspondents shortly after the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.)
Malami argued that although a small portion of the substance was retained as evidence, the majority were set on fire because the government could not find any other legal use for it. In what has been adjudged as the highest singular cocaine seizure in the NDLEA’s 32-year history, the anti-narcotics agency from September 18 to 19, 2022, carried out an operation that led to the seizure of 1,855Kg of cocaine (worth N194bn) from an Ikorodu warehouse in Lagos, arresting of five persons in the process.
Asked why the agency resorted to burning, especially when the cocaine could serve as an exhibit in court, the AGF said, “They were burnt because we are not drug dealers, we must ensure that they are eliminated and stopped from circulating in the system. There should be evidence and the evidence is there, accordingly profiled before being destroyed. According to him, not all the cargo was destroyed and the government could not have exchanged cocaine for cash as that would also mean trading drugs.
- 1.4 Million Ad hoc Staff To Be Trained By INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission has given an estimated breakdown of some of the 1.4 million ad hoc staff to be trained ahead of the 2023 general election. This was disclosed at the two-day capacity building workshop by the Institute for INEC Press Corps on critical issues in the Electoral Act, 2022 and the Commission’s Processes, Innovations, Preparations for the 2023 General Election.
The Director-General of the Institute, Sa’ad Idris said, “We will train about 17,685 Supervising Presiding Officers; Presiding Officers/Assistants Presiding Officers (176,846×4) 707,384; about 11,083 Collation Officers; about 12,991 Registration Area Technical Officers; about 20,000 security officers; and 6,009 Registration Area Centres Managers.”
According to the DG, training of ad hoc staff will be done with utmost commitment to delivering free and fair elections in 2023. He said, “In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that the training of poll officials towards the conduct of the 2023 general election is one of the critical pre-election activities that must be tackled with utmost tact and commitment.
“The Institute, I can assure you is poised to play its role to ensure that all ad hoc staff are effectively and qualitatively trained. The Commission’s goal to deliver a free, fair, credible, and inclusive election in 2023 is achievable by devotion, action, purposefulness, commitment, and patriotism on the port of the Commission and every stakeholder.”
POLITICS
- Tinubu Absent, as Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso Other Presidential Candidates Sign Peace Accord
Eighteen political parties vying for elective positions in the forthcoming general election Thursday signed an agreement for a peaceful conduct before, during and after the 2023 elections. The peace accord was put together under the auspices of the National Peace Committee (NPC) co-led by former Head of State, General Abudulsami Abubakar; Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar II; Cardinal John Onayeikan; Bishop Hassan Kukah and other eminent statesmen with the objective of supporting efforts at ensuring free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.
All chairmen and presidential candidates of the registered 18 political parties signed the peace accord under the guidance of officials of the NPC at a ceremony witnessed by a large audience at the International Conference Centre in Abuja. However, while presidential candidates of 17 other political parties personally signed the agreement along with the national chairmen of their parties, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was represented by APC vice presidential candidate, Alhaji Kashim Shettima.
In his goodwill message at the event, President Muhammadu Buhari expressed worry at recourse to personal attacks, insults and incitement by politicians in the build up to their campaigns. He enjoined all Nigerians, political parties, politicians, security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and all stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria was placed first above regional and sectional claims. Buhari cautioned against shifting of focus from issue-based campaigns to engagement in personal attacks, insults, and incitement by politicians.
According to Buhari, the initiatives undertaken by the National Peace Committee to commit all political actors to issue-based campaign devoid of incitement, personal insults and attacks is a welcome development.
“The 2023 general election is more than an election, it is an opportunity to serve Nigeria, to defend Nigeria and to uphold her unity and progress. Therefore, I call on all Nigerians, political parties, politicians, security agencies, the election management body (Independent National Electoral Commission – INEC), and all stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria is placed first above regional and sectional claims,” he said.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan spoke of his experiences in monitoring elections held in some African countries where he said significant improvement in their electoral process were recorded. He therefore expressed the hope that Nigerians will use the 2023 general election to try and ensure a free, fair and transparent election to prove that indeed the country is on the part of sustainable progress and development.
On his part, Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu assured that the commission will do everything in its powers to conduct a free, fair and credible general election next year. Yakubu said that political campaigns that officially commenced on Wednesday will last for 148 days until 24 hours before polling day, February, 23 2023 for national elections. He said the 2023 General Election will be conducted for 1,491 constituencies nationwide, made up of one Presidential constituency, 28 Governorship elections, 109 Senatorial Districts, 360 Federal constituencies and 993 State Assembly constituencies.
- Tinubu not ill, in London — Source
An APC leader has dismissed as false, claims that presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is sick and recuperating in a London hospital. The source, who was privy to the former Lagos governor’s trip, said: “Tinubu is not sick. I saw him before he travelled on Saturday night to London.”
Asked whether the APC presidential candidate had met with Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and his allies in London, the source said: “I am sure if the opportunity presents itself, they will meet.”
- Be honest in election cases, Buhari tells lawyers
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, urged the judiciary to ensure the integrity of participatory democracy by remaining honest arbiters in pre and post-election matters. “As the 2023 general elections draw near, the significance of the legal profession becomes even more pronounced considering the vital roles you play in the electioneering process, both at the pre and post-election stages. I hope you maintain the position of an honest arbiter,” Buhari said when he inaugurated the Body of Benchers Complex in Abuja.
The President also expressed his interest in the outcome of a peer review of the conditions of service of judicial officers in Nigeria with other countries and jurisdictions, within and outside Africa. According to him, the recommendations from the exercise will provide valuable insights to enable the government to review the welfare packages.
This is according to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, titled, ‘2023 elections: Maintain your position as honest arbiters, President Buhari urges judiciary.’
Buhari stated that his regime will continue to respect and elevate the rule of law saying “adherence to the rule of law is critical to the progress of any society and this administration has not reneged in its commitment to this ideal.”
While congratulating the Body of Benchers, chaired by Chief Wole Olanipekun, for the successful completion of the complex, which was started in 2008, he commended the Body for keeping the wheel of justice turning effectively by providing a solid foundation for upholding the rule of law, with over five decades of proven track record.
- Osun Election: Supreme Court Affirms Adeleke As PDP Candidate
The Supreme Court has dismissed the suit challenging the authenticity of Ademola Adeleke’s candidacy in the just concluded Osun State Governorship Election in South-West Nigeria. The suit was instituted by Dotun Babayemi, a former governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun.
In a judgement delivered by Justice Amina Augie, the five-member panel held that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the suit after counsel for the appellant, Adebayo Adelodun, withdrew the earlier notice of appeal that was filed within time. At the resumed hearing, Adelodun, who represented the appellant and Babayemi informed the court that he sought to withdraw the earlier notice of appeal to replace it with the fresh application he filed.
But the panel held that Section 285(11) of the constitution stipulated that an appeal on a pre-election matter must be filed within 14 days from the day of the decision, and that having filed the second appeal out of time, the apex court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter. Justice Augie, therefore, dismissed the appeal for lack of jurisdiction. Babayemi had asked the court to invalidate the primary election that produced the governor-elect, citing non-compliance with a court order.
- Alleged Bribe: PDP NWC Members Return N122.4m To Party
At least four members of the Peoples Democratic Party’s National Working Committee have returned about N122.4 million to the party. In separate letters to the PDP, the NWC members said the monies had been paid into their account without their knowledge. The money was said to be part of the over N10 billion realised by the party from nomination fees paid by aspirants.
The NWC members who returned the money are the National Vice Chairman (South-West) Olasoji Adagunodo, the Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja; National Vice Chairman (South), Chief Dan Orbih and National Women Leader, Prof. Stella Affah-Attoe.
While Adagunodo, Orbih and Effah-Attoe got N28.8 million each, Arapaja was paid N36 million. In a letter to the PDP leadership notifying PDP Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu of returning the money, Orbih said he received the credit alert with “shock and surprise.”
ECONOMY
- Dollar Exchanges For N735 As Political Campaign Officially Commence
The dollar was observed to be exchanging for N735 in the parallel market on Wednesday as political campaign activities began in the country. According to Bureau De Change operators in Lagos and Abuja, dollar price had increased from N718 – N720 to N728-N735 in the last one week.
A BDC operator at Amuwo-Odofin in Lagos, Bala Usman, said, “It is N728. I can’t go less than that.” Another operator, Abubakar Jamiu, at Zone 4, Abuja, told newsmen, “Dollar don cost, we are selling at N730, no more no less.” But the dollar rate hit N735 by the close of Wednesday.
An operator in Lagos Island, Mallam Zakari, said that dollar rate had surged to N735 as at 4:54pm. “Dollar is N735 and I will buy it for N731. Yesterday, we sold N728.”
However, at the Importers and Exporters Window, rate still hovered around N430/$. The dollar-naira exchange rate was N431.19 as of Tuesday. Analysyts said the naira had weakened in the parallel market due to increased speculations, falling external reserves, and low foreign exchange inflows.
- Economists forecast naira slide, inflation as campaigns begin
Economists have warned that Nigeria’s ailing economy might be worsened as political parties and their candidates begin electoral campaigns for the 2023 general elections. The economists especially warned that the aftermath of the possible excess liquidity in the system by politicians, occasioned by electioneering, might further increase the inflation rate and lead to a further devaluation of the naira.
The dollar hit N735 in the parallel market on Wednesday, the same day electioneering for the elections officially commenced. The National Bureau of Statistics had earlier in August 2022 said Nigeria’s headline inflation rate increased to 20.5 per cent from 19.64 per cent in July. The Electoral Act 2022 has a cap on political donations and expenditure by parties and candidates.
Speaking to newsmen in separate interviews, the experts called for stringent measures against money politics in the country, particularly dollarisation of the economy by politicians. A Professor of Economics at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, Sherrifdeen Tella, warned that should politicians release too much cash into the system, there might be dire consequences for the country.
Tella said, “If it is foreign currency, the economy will be awash with a lot of foreign currencies which on the one hand is good. But on the other hand, it is bad because it will cause a lot of inflation. It will further depreciate the naira because people will start changing the foreign currencies to naira that they can spend, and that will cause a further depreciation of the naira. That will result in a higher level of inflation because of the fact that it will lead to a higher cost of production.” He, however, decried that the Nigerian politicians were not likely to obey the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
- Civil society groups demand end to oil theft
A group of civil society organisations comprising ActionAid Nigeria, BudgIT, Centre for Social Justice and Christian Aid have called on the Federal Government to end the crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region and save the country huge revenue for fiscal expenses. Ahead of the forthcoming 2023 general elections, the groups urged Nigerians to drop all forms of sentiments and elect quality leaders that will effectively preside over the nation’s public offices.
They claimed that 400,000 barrels of crude oil are lost daily, which translates to $1.2 billion per month and $14.4 billion (N6.272 trillion) per annum, adding that if the sum is brought into account in the books of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, it will increase its profit and the dividends paid to the government.
They also urged the authorities to ensure that monthly remittance of interim operating surplus and reconciliation of cumulative remittances after year end is converted to a monthly deduction by the accountant-general of the federation. The CSOs made the call on Thursday while presenting their recommendations on the 2023-2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper of the federal government.
- NSCDC recovers 21,000 litres of stolen petrol in Lagos
The Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has recovered 21,600 litres of Premium Motor Spirit otherwise known as petrol from suspected oil vandals in the Badagry area of the state.
Newsmen gathered that the anti-vandal and marine team of the Badagry division was on a surveillance patrol on Tuesday around 11pm when it intercepted 720 kegs containing 30 litres of petrol each. It was gathered that the interception happened around Yafin creek, as the suspected vandals were about to smuggle the fuel to Benin Republic.
Sources said the vandals, who had operated in the area for a while, took to their heels after men of the NSCDC stormed their hideout on Tuesday. The Badagry Divisional Officer, NSCDC, Chief Superintendent Akinyemi Ayodeji, said the value of the recovered petrol was N4m.
He added that the exhibits would be transferred to the command’s headquarters at Alausa for further investigations. The NSCDC Commandant, Lagos State, Eweka Okoro, confirmed the incident in a statement by the command’s Public Relations officer, Olumide Abolurin, on Thursday. Okoro said arrests would soon be made, adding that the vandals had been identified.
BUSINESS
- Telecoms operators to disrupt USSD services over N80 billion debt
The row between Nigerian banks and telecommunications operators over the unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) debt seems to have resumed, as telcos disclosed, yesterday, that the debt has risen to N80 billion. The Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, revealed this in Lagos, warning that telcos may disconnect service, to defaulting banks.
It will be recalled that the USSD debt had hit N45 billion as at April 2021. If the threat is carried out, bank customers will have issues with transfers as well as other transactions associated with the service.
Already, most of the banks’ digital channels are overstretched, leading to epileptic services. The challenge, according to sources, has been compounded by the mass resignation of most of the IT experts in the banks, who have relocated abroad.
While USSD is important for banks to provide a range of services to their customers, it is powered by telcos. USSD is a protocol that allows users’ SIMs to communicate with the bank’s customers via text message.
Speaking at NITRA ICT Growth Conference 2.0 themed, ‘Creating a Digital Ecosystem in Nigeria: The Hurdles, The gains’, Adebayo said while some banks are making payments, others have remained unconcern.
HEALTH
- Reps raise the alarm over possible Ebola outbreak
The House of Representatives has raised the alarm over the possibility of the Ebola Virus Disease returning to Nigeria, urging the Federal Government to immediately activate preventive measures. Members of the House at the plenary on Thursday unanimously adopted a motion moved by a lawmaker, Dachung Bagos, who warned that the virus might spread to Nigeria as other African countries have been recording cases of Ebola.
The motion was titled, ‘Urgent public importance on the need for the Federal Government to activate response against the possible detection of Ebola in Nigeria.’ Bagos noted that the Ugandan health authorities, on September 20 declared an outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Sudan virus following laboratory confirmation of a patient from a village in Madudu sub-county, Mubende District, Central Uganda.
The lawmaker also noted that the World Health Organisation expressed concerns that in the absence of licensed vaccines and therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of the Sudan virus disease, the potential of a risky public health impact is high. According to him, investigations are ongoing to determine the scope of the outbreak and the possibility of spreading.
Adopting the motion, the House mandated the Federal Ministry of Health to “immediately activate strategies to be implemented in monitoring adherence to Ebola guidelines and ensure residents continue to comply with all advisories aimed at curtailing the likely development of the virus in Nigeria.”
The lawmakers mandated the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to ensure intensive observation and check on travel protocols for inbound passengers from red flag countries. They further mandated the NCDC to set up a national response to control the likely emergence and spread of the Ebola virus to spare Nigerians the brunt of the pandemic.
EDUCATION
- FG makes fresh offer, ASUU insists on UTAS
The House of Representatives, on Thursday, concluded its meetings with stakeholders over the lingering crisis between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, saying its recommendations would soon be presented to President Muhammadu Buhari (retd.). At the third of the series of marathon meetings held in Abuja, the government’s side urged ASUU to allow their accommodation under the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System.
The ASUU side, however, insisted on an independent and domesticated platform for university lecturers, challenging the National Information Technology Development Agency to prove that the University Transparency Accountability Solution recommended by it failed the integrity test.
The invited parties appeared before the House on Thursday, with the representatives of the government making a fresh offer to ASUU to allow a modification of the IPPIS to accommodate the peculiarities UTAS seeks to recognise. This is just as Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the report of the stakeholders’ roundtable and the recommendations of the parliament would soon be ready.
Gbajabiamila, in his closing remarks at the end of the meeting that lasted two hours, pleaded with ASUU to accept whatever the House eventually recommends in good faith.
He said, “I believe this would be, hopefully, the last meeting we are going to have on this matter because from here, the leadership of the House will put together our reports, our recommendations, and our thoughts and take them to Mr President. I am hoping that whatever we have done, ASUU will accept it in good faith—this is an independent arm of the government—and that the government will accept it in good faith as well so that our children can return to school, which is what this is all about.”
It had been reported earlier, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, stated that the ministers cannot sign any agreement with ASUU until the President approves it, considering the prevailing realities.
Also, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan, pointed out that the government cannot run two parallel payment platforms for workers due to the huge financial implication, urging ASUU to allow the university system to be captured under IPPIS.
- AGF offers to accommodate ASUU’s peculiarities allowance on IPPIS
The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), has accepted to accommodate the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) peculiarities allowances in the Integrated Payroll and Personal Information Payment System (IPPIS). Mr Okolieaboh Sylva, the acting Accountant General of the Federation, said this at a meeting of the union with the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige and the leadership of the House of Representatives on Thursday in Abuja.
Sylva said that if there were peculiarities allowances in ASUU’s pay, what needed to be done was to incorporate them into the platform, adding that the office of the Accountant General was willing to incorporate ASUU’s peculiarities. Sylva expressed reservations over ASUU’s insistence on the incorporation of the UTAS payment platform for its members. He said the incorporation of ASUU’s demand on IPPIS platform could be done without President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval, adding that there was nothing complicated about the issue once ASUU agreed to the offer.
Speaking, Dr Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Productivity said the federal government would not offer ASUU what it does not have. Ngige said that the ASUU leadership met with the President on Jan.9 with the hope of convincing the government to adopt it UTAS platform for lecturers’ salaries.
WORLD
- Suicide Blast Kills 19 At Education Centre In Afghanistan
A suicide bomb attack on a classroom of hundreds of people preparing for exams in the Afghan capital on Friday killed at least 19 people, with most of the casualties girls, police and a witness said. The blast ripped through Kaaj Higher Educational Center, which coaches mainly adult men and women ahead of university entrance tests.
“We were around 600 in the class. But most of the casualties are among the girls,” Akbar, a student who was wounded in the attack, told AFP from a nearby hospital.
The attack happened in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighbourhood of western Kabul, a predominantly Shiite Muslim area home to the minority Hazara community, the target of some of Afghanistan’s most deadly attacks. “Students were preparing for an exam when a suicide bomber struck at this educational centre. Unfortunately, 19 people have been martyred and 27 others wounded,” Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said.
Families rushed to area hospitals, where ambulances were arriving with victims and lists of those confirmed dead and wounded were posted on the walls.
At at least one hospital, the Taliban forced families of victims to leave the site, fearing that there could be a follow-up attack on the crowd. Videos posted online and photos published by local media showed bloodied victims being carried away from the scene.
- Queen Elizabeth II Died Of Old Age, Death Certificate Shows
Queen Elizabeth II died of “old age” at 3:10 pm (1410 GMT) on September 8, according to her death certificate released on Thursday, or nearly three-and-a-half hours before the news was announced to the world. The 96-year-old monarch died at her Balmoral Castle estate in the Scottish Highlands. Elizabeth was the longest-serving monarch in British history and ruled as head of state for 70 years from 1952.
The certificate released by the National Records of Scotland shows her death was registered on September 16 by the queen’s only daughter, Princess Anne. Anne said in a statement issued by Buckingham Palace on September 13 that she was present during the last 24 hours of her mother’s life.
The certificate lists the queen’s place of death as “Balmoral Castle”; her “usual residence” as Windsor Castle; the name of her late husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh; and the full names of her father king George VI, and mother queen Elizabeth.
Under the section marked “occupation”, it says: “Her Majesty The Queen”. Had the queen died in England, there would have been no requirement to register her death, as the law only applies to the sovereign’s subjects. But the legislation, which dates back to 1836, does not apply in Scotland, which has a separate legal system to England and Wales and stipulates that “the death of every person” shall be registered.
- Inflation: Spain To Cut Taxes For Low-Income Earners
Spain’s leftist government said Thursday it will cut the income tax on lower-income households to help hard-hit consumers grapple with soaring inflation. The government will reduce the income tax on people earning up to 21,000 euros ($20,200) per year, or one in two workers, Budget Minister Maria Jesus Montero told a news conference. At the same time, she confirmed the government will slap a new tax in 2023 and 2024 on residents whose wealth exceeds three million euros to help pay for inflation relief measures. This so-called “solidarity” tax will affect some 23,000 people, or 0.1 percent of taxpayers, and raise 1.5 billion euros for state coffers over the two years, she added.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government announced last week that it would create a temporary tax on the wealthiest population without giving details. “Since we began governing, we have been working to make our fiscal system more progressive, efficient and strong enough to support social justice,” Montero said Thursday. The announcement of the tax changes comes as Spain is gearing up for local elections in May 2023 and a general election expected at the end of next year.
Spain is battling a surge in inflation as a result of the fallout from the war in Ukraine and the reopening of the economy after pandemic-related lockdowns. The country’s inflation rate eased to 9.0 percent in September as energy prices fell, down from 10.5 percent in August, but remains high. Sanchez has in recent months rolled out aid packages to help households and businesses weather the inflationary pressure, which has soared across Europe due to the Ukraine war.
- Floods, Devastation After Hurricane Ian Hammers Florida
Hurricane Ian inundated cities, turned out the lights on millions of residents, and left migrants from an overturned boat missing Thursday as Florida assessed damage from what the state governor described as a “500-year flood event.” Officials launched a major emergency response after one of the most intense US storms in years, with helicopter crews plucking survivors from barrier islands slammed by a deluge that saw storm surges crash through beachfront towns and horizontal rain pound communities for hours.
After an initial look at the breathtaking destruction, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said the coastal city of Fort Myers and adjacent Cape Coral were “really inundated and really devastated” by the storm. He said there were “two unconfirmed fatalities” that were likely linked to the hurricane. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) downgraded Ian to a tropical storm Thursday, but said it was causing “catastrophic flooding” and forecast further “life-threatening” floods, storm surge, and high winds in central and eastern Florida as well as Georgia and South Carolina.
The US Border Patrol said a boat carrying migrants sank at sea during the hurricane, leaving 20 missing. Four Cubans swam to shore in the Florida Keys islands and the coast guard rescued three others. Ian also menaced the city of Orlando and the nearby Disney theme parks, which were shuttered.
ENTERTAINMENT
- Trevor Noah To Exit Hosting ‘The Daily Show’ After 7 Years
Comedian and Daily Show host, Trevor Noah is set to leave the satirical news program after hosting it for seven years. He made the announcement on Thursday, with a video on the show’s Twitter handle. “My time is up,” the 38-year-old said. It’s been absolutely amazing. It’s something that I never expected,” he said of his experience hosting the show. “I found myself thinking throughout the time of everything we’ve gone through. The Trump presidency, the pandemic, just the journey, more pandemic and I realize that after the seven years, my time is up.”
The South African comedian said he missed travelling after being grounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I spent two years in my apartment, not on the road,” he said. I realized there’s another part of my life that I want to carry on exploring.”
The show rose to prominence under former host Jon Stewart, who hosted the show for 16 years before leaving in 2015. It came as a surprise to many when relatively unknown Noah was announced as Stewart’s replacement. There have been no indications of who will take over from Noah. “With no timetable for his departure, we’re working together on next steps,” said Paramount Global cable network, which owns the Comedy Central show, in a statement to US media.
“We are grateful to Trevor for our amazing partnership over the past seven years. As we look ahead, we’re excited for the next chapter in the 25+ year history of The Daily Show as it continues to redefine culture through sharp and hilarious social commentary, helping audiences make sense of the world around them,”
- Omah Lay Acquires A New House Worth 500 Million Naira
Nigerian singer, Omah Lay has joined the Landlord Association of Nigeria.
The Bad Influence Crooner just spent a whopping 500 million to acquire a mansion in Lekki. As seen in the pictures, it is a white, two story building. According to his associate who shared the news, Omah Lay bought his dream home.With his darkly sparkling vocals, evocative storytelling, and contagious rhythms, Omah Lay has become one of Nigeria’s most talked-about musical innovators. Omah Lay’s brand of Afro-fusion pulls from his deep history with West Africa’s percussion-heavy highlife genre, as well as his enthusiasm for the popular sounds of his generation—from U.S. rap, to the Afrobeats empire flourishing in his home base of Lagos.
SPORTS
- Ibrahim Gusau Elected As New NFF President
Ibrahim Gusau has been elected as the new Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The former Chairman of Chairmen of Nigerian football and an ex-member of the NFF was elected during the Annual General Assembly of the NFF in Benin City on Friday. Gusau won after winning a re-run contest defeating Peterside Idah.
Gusau had won the first round with 21 votes but he could not be declared the outright winner for failing to meet the minimum threshold of 22 votes. That left room for Idah to call for a rerun, while other contestants Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko stepped down for Gusau.At the rerun, Gusau polled 39 votes while Idah scored one vote.
- NFF Elections: FG Asks Stakeholders To Abide By Court Order
The Federal Government has called on football stakeholders to be calm and abide by a court order restraining the conduct of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) election billed for Friday in Benin City. This was according to a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Ismaila Abubakar, on Wednesday.
“The Ministry is also aware of the Court Order made by Hon. Justice I.E. Ekwo of the Federal High Court on the 15th day of September 2022 whereby the Court had directed all parties, including NFF and the Hon. Minister of Youth and Sports Development to maintain status quo ante pending the final Order of Court,” he said in the statement.
He added that “Following from the above Order of Court, which had also been served on the Office of the Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports Development as 3rd Defendant in the case under reference, the Hon. Minister of Youth and Sports Development will obey and abide by the Court Order and hereby advises all other Defendants in this case, including NFF to abide by the Order of Court by not doing anything or taking any further step(s); particularly, as regard NFF elections that will be or could be interpreted to amount to disobedience to lawful Court Order or contempt of Court.”
According to him, it is common knowledge that the NFF known under the Nigeria existing law as NFA, (NFA ACT 2004) is one of the parastatals under the ministry, adding that the sports ministry is “studying all processes served on it concerning this case, and will take appropriate steps or action to defend itself within the context permitted by the law of our land.
- World Cup Fans Do Not Need COVID-19 Vaccination – Qatar
Coronavirus vaccinations will not be mandatory for the million-plus fans going to the World Cup in Qatar this year, the Gulf state said Thursday. But players and match officials may be forced into a secure “bio-bubble” if Covid-19 cases take off again, with the threat of expulsion from the tournament for those who breach the secure environment, the health ministry said.
The 29-day tournament will be the first major global sporting event with fans since the eruption in December 2019 of the Covid pandemic, which has since killed more than six million people. Qatari organisers, who have predicted that more than one million people will pack Doha for the matches, and football’s governing body, FIFA, have said they want the event to be a sign the world is getting over the devastating pandemic.
But Qatar’s health ministry warned in its World Cup guidelines that special measures would be ordered “in the event of a worsening pandemic situation in the country”, such as the emergence of a threatening new variant. With Covid-19 currently considered under control, “there will be no vaccination requirement for participants and visiting spectators,” the ministry said.
All visitors aged over six will have to produce negative Covid-19 tests before taking flights to Qatar for the tournament that starts on November 20. Fans will have to wear masks in public transport but authorities are only recommending the use of masks at the eight stadiums in the Doha region where matches will be played. Anyone who tests positive for Covid-19 in Qatar will have to isolate for five days, the guidelines added.
METRO PLUS
- Kogi flood submerges 600 hectares of rice farmland
As flood continues to ravage several parts of Kogi State, especially the riverine areas, residents whose major source of livelihood is rice farming have continued to lament their losses as over 600 hectares of rice farmland have been submerged in water. Newsmen reported that the state experienced flooding about a week ago, leaving many residents, especially those close to the bank of River Niger, homeless and at the mercy of relatives and friends for temporary accommodation among other inconveniences.
This followed the opening of Lagdo Dam last week followed by the torrential rainfall on Sunday. Many residents are still feeling the effects of the ravaging flood in the area as of the time of this report. Reports have it that the victims are vulnerable farmers under the IFAD- Value Chain Development Programme Rural Poor Stimulus Facility, a programme aimed at cushioning the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on rural farmers. The farmers, who are mainly from Ibaji, Lokoja and Ajaokuta local government areas, told Kogi VCDP Media team and journalists on Thursday in Lokoja that all their rice farmlands had been submerged by flooding.
- How Ibadan residents live in perpetual fear of soldiers rain of bullets
Living close to military formations or barracks of security agencies usually gives residents of such areas confidence and a sense of security. This is because armed robbers hitherto feared to take their criminal activities to such areas because of the belief that such areas are fortified. However, residents of Arulogun and other communities close to the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army at the Ojoo area of Ibadan are daily living in fear of being hit by volley of bullets from the shooting range at the army barrack.
Nearly all residents in the communities have one story or near-miss story or another to tell. And whether they are walking on the street, sleeping at home or doing domestic chores, they said they must be watchful in order not to be fallen by bullets from the soldiers being trained on how to shoot without missing targets.
Some of the children in the community, it was gathered, had turned the woes being experienced into fun by engaging themselves in picking expended bullets which are a common sight in the area. Some of the children are said to have cans and pet bottles where they keep their collections (expended bullets), and are said to be competing to know who has the largest ‘arsenal.’
Another resident, Tobi Adefunso, said while many Nigerians are living in fear of armed robbers and kidnappers, residents of the area are being threatened by the bullets from the rifles of security agents. She said they had complained and written to many government quarters but their troubles had not abated.
- Lagos father carrying child’s corpse escapes lynching
The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of four suspects for allegedly attempting to kidnap a 10-year-old girl in the state. The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who confirmed the development in a tweet, said the suspects were rescued from being lynched by an angry mob, who caught them perpetrating the crime. He said, “These four elderly people allegedly attempted to kidnap a 10-year-old girl. People around apprehended them and beat them black and blue. The police arrived on time. Investigation is ongoing. Stop jungle justice! Report crime and criminals to the police.”
In another development, the PPRO said two persons were rescued from being lynched by an angry mob who descended on them for allegedly possessing the corpse of a child in the Oshodi area of Lagos State. It was gathered that the child fell ill at midnight and died before his family members could rush him to a hospital for treatment. Following the child’s death, his family members decided to convey his corpse to their hometown in Ikwo village, Ebonyi State, for burial.
The family members, consisting of the deceased’s father and a yet-to-be-identified relative, while carrying the corpse went to a terminal in Oshodi to purchase bus tickets for the journey. Passersby, who observed that one of them was carrying a dead child, raised the alarm and descended on them. Some people were said to have alerted the Makonde Police Station, from where policemen were detailed to intervene in the matter. The policemen reportedly rescued the two men and during investigation, it was revealed that the deceased child was sired by one of the assaulted victims.
