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
- Terror alert: We’ve reinforced security measures, says Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians to be calm and vigilant amidst the United States and United Kingdom travel advisories. This was contained in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu on Friday. According to the statement, Buhari who stated that Nigerians’ safety remains the highest priority of the government noted that security agents are proactively rooting out threats to keep citizens safe.
The President expressed optimism that given the ongoing efforts on the part of the military and other security and intelligence agencies with the active support of the civilian population, the nation will emerge victorious against the current challenges facing it.
Buhari said “Nigeria is no exception in having terror threats listed in foreign government’s travel advice to their citizens. UK and US travel advisories also state there is a high likelihood of terror attacks in many Western European nations. Indeed, the UK and US advice to their respective citizens for travel to one another’s countries contain the same warning. Unfortunately, terror is a reality all over the world.
“However, it does not mean an attack in Abuja is imminent. Since the July prison raid, security measures have been reinforced in and around the FCT. Heightened monitoring and interception of terrorist communications ensure potential threats are caught further upstream. Attacks are being foiled. Security agents are proactively rooting out threats to keep citizens safe – much of their work unseen and necessarily confidential. Nigerians’ safety remains the highest priority of the government. Security services are working around the clock to keep harm at bay.”
The President stressed that while being security conscious, alert and careful, it is also important that responsible members of the society do not create situations leading to unnecessary panic. He commended the military and other security agencies for the recent turnaround in the nation’s security and directed that additional precautionary measures be put in place and during the upcoming festive period.
- UK insists on terror alert as major mall shuts operation
The UK government insisted yesterday on its terror alert, despite assurances by the federal government that the country was safe. The fresh alert came as a major mall in the FCT, Jabi Lake Mall, yesterday shuts its operation in what the management said was an effort to protect its staff and customers.
Recall that the UK and US governments had issued an advisory to their citizens in Abuja to watch their movements within the Federal Capital Territory, following the terror alert raised by both countries. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, FCDO, on Thursdday again updated its travel advisory on Wednesday, 26 October to British nationals, advising them against all but essential travel to the Federal Capital Territory, including the city of Abuja.
FCDO said there was an increased threat of terrorist attacks in Abuja, and advised British nationals to stay alert, avoid non-essential travel within the city and follow local news and advice of security authorities. Noting that the travel advice will constantly be reviewed to reflect the current situation in Abuja and Nigeria generally, the FCDO said the British High Commission remains open for essential services.
This is even as the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, also yesterday reclaimed parts of the Nigeria Law School land taken over by criminals in Bwari town, just as most primary schools in the territory announced a mid-term break. These came as the US Government late Wednesday issued a security alert warning its citizens about the possibility of terror attacks in South Africa, similar to that issued in Nigeria.
- Terror alert: IGP assures security, releases emergency numbers
The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force, in concert with other security agencies, to ensure the safety of all residents within the country. Baba emphasised this while charging all strategic police managers in charge of police commands and tactical formations within the country to beef up security in their respective jurisdictions, especially in the FCT, Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, revealed in a Thursday night statement.
Adejobi said, “He similarly directed that all emergency numbers across the country should be activated to full capacity for a 24/7 prompt response with combatant officers and men on standby to respond in case of emergency situations and distress calls. “Residents within the FCT are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or abnormal occurrence and persons to the Police through the following emergency lines: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, and 08028940883. Baba similarly reiterates the commitment of the Nigeria Police to eliminating all threats, as well as protection of lives and property of all residents of the country.
- FG: Terror Alert on FCT By Foreign Embassies Unverified, Misleading
The federal government, yesterday, lashed out at some foreign embassies for allegedly issuing an unverified terror warning on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, posting clickbait, and causing panic in the country. Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, delivered the disavowal at a ministerial session of the on-going UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Week in Abuja. Mohammed said if, indeed, such security alert was necessary, it was for the attention of citizens of the issuing countries in Nigeria and not for the Nigerian public.
But the United Kingdom insisted there was a terror alert, which it updated as having an increased threat of attack by terrorists on Nigeria’s seat of power. It, however, warned that the attacks in Nigeria could be indiscriminate and might affect western interests, as well as places visited by tourists. Mohammed, while responding to the development, noted that the threat of disinformation to national and global peace and stability was glaring, saying it undermines the trust by citizens in the system.
He accused both the traditional and new media of being complicit in the spread of a misrepresentation. The minister said some media outlets and social media personalities were usually caught spreading unverified information on their platforms just for clickbait and the attendant monetary gain. He stated, “Suddenly, this alert found its way into the media, both new and traditional, thus, creating panic in the polity. Schools were shut. Businesses were closed. Travel plans were altered. Lives were disrupted. No one cared to find out about the authenticity of these alerts. They just published, got the benefit of massive clickbait, and damned the consequences.
“Well, I can assure all that our military and other security agencies have continued to do everything possible to secure and protect Nigerians and foreigners living in Nigeria. Terrorists have been hard hit and put on the run. Bandits have been decimated and scattered. Our country is safer today than at any time in recent times, thanks to the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform.
“We do not discountenance the fact that terrorists, bandits and their kind would always want to do whatever it takes to disrupt our nation’s peace, security and stability. But our security forces have been proactive. Nigerians, too, should continue to be alert, but must not panic. Like I said in a recent statement, as far as insecurity is concerned, the worst is over for Nigeria.”
- Terror Alert: We Won’t Be Stampeded, Federal Govt Tells U.S. Government
The federal government had said it will not be stampeded over the recent travel advisory by the United States (U.S.) concerning possible terror attacks in Nigeria.
Minister of information, Lai Mohammed, disclosed this to State House correspondents after the federal executive council meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to him, there is no cause for alarm, as security agencies are working hard to keep the country safe. He said, “This so-called travel advisory, as far as we’re concerned, as a government, we have, in the last few months, taken a firm handle of security. “What I said is that click-baiting, which is when you find a story which is not verified and you immediately share it, always causes panic.
But I want to reassure both citizens, non-Nigerians, Nigerians living in this country, that security agencies are on top of this matter. “Of course, the terrorists would not stop to try to embarrass or intimidate government but what I’m saying is that this country is safe; and there’s no cause for alarm, no cause to panic.”
He lamented that because of that travel advisory on Sunday, many schools and shops were closed, and travel plans disrupted. “We don’t need it. The security, our soldiers, our police are working round the clock to contain any terrorist attack. This is where we stand.
- Abuja terror alerts: Lai Mohammed under fire over latest comment
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), on Wednesday, scolded the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, for labelling as unverified and misleading, the terror alerts by the United States and United Kingdom, warning of possible terrorist attacks in Abuja, and parts of the country. HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement, said the minister has been churning out untrue propaganda about the security situation in the country under President Muhammadu Buhari.
The group said instead of coming up with superior, anti-terrorist strategies to forestall the imminent attacks by marauders on the nation’s political capital, the Buhari regime took a defensive position, faulting the intelligence of the UK and US embassies here in Nigeria, and giving false impression that all is well and that the country as a whole is well-secured.
HURIWA’s Onwubiko said, “It is of note that even the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force did not disregard the terror alerts by the UK and US but rather urged residents of the Abuja metropolis and Nigerians in general to remain calm. “However, Minister Lai Mohammed came up with his usual misleading defence that Nigeria is more safer than before which is a blatant lie. The statistics of terrorist attacks this year alone showed that all the claims by Minister Mohammed and members of Buhari’s cabinet are falsehoods!
“Minister Lai Mohammed’s characteristic manner has misled Nigerians for seven years lying that terrorists are defeated but terrorists went ahead to attack a Kaduna-Abuja train on March 28, 2022, killed scores, kidnapped over 100 passengers and held them hostages for over six months before their controversial release earlier in October.
The same terrorists invaded the Kuje prison in Abuja on July 5, 2022 and freed over 600 inmates including hardened terrorists who are still at large. In August, in broad day light, terrorists ambushed and killed some personnel of the Presidential Guards Brigade in Abuja. The Owo massacre of over 40 Catholics during a Sunday service in Ondo State on June 5, 2022 is still fresh in the minds of their families and conscientious individuals.
“Under Buhari’s government in the last seven years, no fewer than 53,418 Nigerians lost their lives to terrorists and killer herdsmen between May 29, 2015 and October 15, 2022, according to a data by the Nigerian Security Tracker, a project of the Council on Foreign Relations of the United States of America. Yet, Minister Lai Mohammed has the effrontery to tell Nigerians that terrorists are technically defeated. The lies have failed and the Federal Government and its propaganda machineries should quit the lies and the façade.
“Buhari should cut short his South Korea trip and head to Abuja to coordinate Nigeria’s response to the terror alerts. The disregard and the downplaying of intelligence by the present government is at the core of our woes as a people. A responsible government should be preparing effective response and how to forestall terror attacks and not defending the indefensible!
- FG detains 35 suspected ISWAP fighters, tension heightens
A joint operation launched by the Department of State Services, the National Intelligence Agency, the police and other security agencies has successfully dismantled a terror cell and arrested five Islamic State West Africa Province commanders and 30 fighters. Newsmen gathered that the terror suspects were apprehended at their hideouts in different locations in Abuja, Mararaba and other satellite towns in the Federal Capital Territory. Newsmen learnt that the suspects were being held at a DSS facility.
The arrests were made amid heightened tension in the nation’s capital as the popular Jabi Lake Mall shut its doors to shoppers and visitors on Thursday, citing the security situation. To discourage criminal activities, the FCT Administration demolished shanties on Law School land, saying it was part of security measures.
Also, the United Kingdom issued a fresh security alert warning British nationals against visiting Abuja and 14 other states. This further sparked anxiety among residents as many stayed away from work while vehicular traffic was unusually light.
In addition, the United States Mission and the British High Commission suspended consular services. The US Embassy in Abuja had issued an alert for “an elevated risk of terror attacks” in the city, saying that possible targets include government buildings, places of worship and other public places.
But the counter-intelligence operations which netted the suspected militants continued on Thursday with more arrests. It was said to have the backing of the US security and intelligence agencies. It was further learnt that the intelligence agencies had been on the trail of the insurgents before the US and the British High Commission issued security alerts last Sunday, warning their citizens about impending terrorist attacks.
In response to this development, the US government authorised the departure of its non-essential employees and their families from Nigeria. The US State Department in its updated Nigeria travel advisory on Tuesday evening said, “On October 25, 2022, the Department authorised the departure of non-emergency US government employees and family members due to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks.’’
- Provide drones for Ekiti airport, Oyebanji begs military
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has canvassed more military presence and investment in the state as a way of enhancing security and socio-economic development. Oyebanji, who said the Ekiti Cargo Airport, inaugurated by his predecessor, Kayode Fayemi, earlier in the month, would help grow the state economy, boost agro-allied businesses and create jobs, specifically requested the support of the Nigeria Air Force for the facility.
The governor, according to a statement from the Governor’s Office titled, “Oyebanji meets military chiefs, seeks more support, presence in Ekiti,” spoke in Abuja on Wednesday during separate meetings with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao; and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, at the Defence Headquarters.
He urged NAF to make available the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for full-fledged air operations at the Ekiti airport, urging the Air Force chief to hasten efforts for the groundbreaking of its UAV equipment at the airport. Oyebanji, who said the presence of NAF would boost users’ confidence and enhance the force’s operations in the South West, added that operations of the Ekiti Airport would serve the people of the geo-political zone and other parts of the country.
The governor also urged Irabor to cite the Defence Space Research Institute at the Ekiti Knowledge Zone, where a huge parcel of land has been earmarked for the project.
The military chief, Irabor, who assured the governor of military support in the quest to ensure adequate security in the state, also directed an assessment visit to the Ekiti Knowledge Zone.
- Nigeria can’t keep borrowing to fund agencies with duplicated functions —Reps
The House of Representatives on Thursday said that Nigeria’s high debt profile was consequent upon loans obtained to fund government agencies with duplicated functions.
The Green Chamber contended that since the practice was counter-productive, it would not condone it any longer. Chairman of the Adhoc committee of the House set up to review the duplication of government agencies, Victor Danzaria, raised the concern at a session of the panel with the Director-General of Administrative State College of Nigeria, ASCON, Mrs Cecilia Gayya.
Speaking at the meeting that also had the Public Service Institute of Nigeria, PSIN, and DG, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization, Olueabunmi Amao, Danzaria said the country had had to pay so much on agencies with overlapping functions. He said: “Counter productivity of established agencies is a fact that a lot of agencies led to a lot of loans we always approve as a National Assembly to maintain the organizations. This ad hoc committee is looking at the productivity and service delivery of these agencies.
Earlier, the DG of ASCON, Mrs Gayya, had said the agency overlapped with PSIN in areas of training, consultancy and research. She said while ASCON had an Act backing it, the PSIN did not, advising that the two institutions could exist side by side, even as overlapped in practice but not in law. Gayya, however, called for a review of the ASCON Act to broaden its mandate.
- Why FG is keeping Nnamdi Kanu despite court ruling — Malami
Despite the court ruling asking Nigeria to return the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra to Kenya and pay him N500 million as compensation, the Federal Government is not inclined to free him based on several factors, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has said.
Malami told newsmen in an interview that the rendition of Nnamdi Kanu could not be used as the only basis to free the IPoB leader of other offences allegedly committed by him against the Federal Government of Nigeria. The Justice minister explained that the government was holding on to Kanu on account of four major issues, which were preceded by the rendition matter for which the court cleared him.
Malami said: “To release or not to release Nnamdi Kanu is a function of law and the rule of law for that matter. In arriving at a decision whether to release or not release, is one; you look at the rule of law, two; you look at the public and the national interest, three; you look at the security situation, four; you look at the international diplomacy.
It will be recalled that the Appeal Court in Abuja and a Federal High Court in Abia State have all freed Kanu on the basis of the fact that he was arrested without explanation in Kenya and returned to Nigeria to face charges after fleeing the country several years ago. The Federal High Court also imposed N500 million on the federal government for the act of rendition, which Kanu demanded as compensation for the action of the government.
- Court hears Nnamdi Kanu’s N20bn suit against Malami, NIA boss Nov 18
A Federal High Court, Abuja has fixed Nov 18 for hearing a N20bn suit filed by the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, against the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, SAN. Justice Inyang Ekwo fixed the date for hearing the suit, which also has the Director-General of National Intelligence Agency (NIC), Ahmed Abubakar as a defendant.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kanu, through his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, had filed a writ of summons marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1702/222. The application, dated and filed on Sept. 23, listed Abubakar Malami and Ahmed Rufai Abubakar as 1st and 2nd defendants respectively.
Ejimakor sought “a declaration that the defendants’ arrest and imprisonment of the plaintiff (Kanu) at a location in Kenya and the subsequent imprisonment of the paintiff in the aircraft that conveyed him from Kenya to Nigeria amounted to false arrest and false imprisonment. He prayed that the letters of apology shall be prominently and boldly published full-page in two Nigerian newspapers of national circulation. He also sought an order of the court, directing the defendants to pay the cost of the suit, among others.
- A’Court stops execution of judgment freeing Kanu
The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Friday stopped the execution of its own judgment which faulted the rendition of Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria and also set aside the terrorism charges against him. Justice Haruna Tsanami in a ruling upheld the application of the Federal Government and ordered that the execution of the judgment be put on hold.
The Federal Government had applied that the execution of the judgment be suspended pending the resolution of its appeal lodged at the Supreme Court. Justice Tsanami in the briefing ruling held that the counter affidavit filed against the Federal Government’s application by Kanu’s legal team was misleading.
- Floods: FG plans intervention fund, 612 killed
The Federal Government has developed a Flood Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund, also known as Flood Fund, to tackle floods by providing grants and loans to businesses, industries and academia, among others. In its new National Flood Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan for Nigeria, the government outlined the crude oil account, Federal Inland Revenue Service, donations and endowments among others as avenues to raise money for the Flood Fund.
In the document, obtained by newsmen from the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, the government said the Flood Fund would complement the existing Ecological Fund towards addressing the flooding issues in Nigeria. On funding sources for the initiative, the report stated, “Monies received by the fund in the form of donations, endowments, grants, and gifts; and monies under an Act payable to the fund.”
It further stated that the sources of funding shall adopt a pooled funding model into the Flood Fund of each state, managed by the technical committee coordinators. “Other sources of funding include emergency and disaster management related budget lines in MDA budgets; the ecological fund; any emergency fund; donor/partner funds; and any presidential directives or arrangements through ad-hoc committees with cross-cutting mandates or terms of reference,” the report stated.
The Federal Government, while providing updates on the flood situation in Nigeria on Tuesday, stated that as of October 24, 2022, about 612 persons had lost their lives due to the disaster. It added that about 3.3 million persons were negatively affected by the floods in various parts of Nigeria, adding that over 123,000 houses had been destroyed.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, disclosed this at a press briefing while speaking on the interventions made so far by her ministry and the National Emergency Management Agency in managing the situation.
- Flood Disaster: Death toll increases to 612 – FG
The Federal Government on Wednesday said that the number of death recorded as a result of the devastating flood ravaging the country has risen to 612. The government also said in about 154 places so far identified that were affected by the flood it requires over N80 billion to repair the infrastructures in the affected areas. This is as the government has said that there is no technology to dictate natural disaster and even blamed the people in the areas for not heeding to the early warnings of the impending disaster since February this year.
Already, the government said that relief materials have been delivered to 22 states, while the Nigerian Air Force would help to airlift the relief materials to Rivers and Bayelsa states where means of transportation to deliver the materials have been a problem. Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq said 3,219,780 persons were affected and 1,427,370 persons displaced.
- Create frameworks for effective control of floods — INDS
The Institute for Niger Delta Studies, INDS, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, has stated that there is a compelling need for relevant institutions of government and agencies to create institutional frameworks for the effective control, mitigation and management of future floods. The INDS also called for deliberate inter-governmental collaboration and better preparedness on the part of government, agencies, the communities and civil society to properly tackle the incidents of flood in the Niger Delta region.
The Director of INDS, Prof Solomon Ebobrah in a statement in Yenagoa, urged governments at various levels in the country to explore all avenues for constructive co-operation to effectively address the negative impacts of perennial flooding in the Niger Delta.
Ebobrah, who commended the Douye Diri administration in Bayelsa State for its on-going efforts to mitigate the negative socio-economic impacts of the 2022 flood in Bayelsa State, noted that the INDS believes strongly that, there is a need to drastically improve the flood warning system in Bayelsa State and the entire Niger Delta Region.
- Jonathan sympathises with flood victims, calls for solidarity
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has sympathised with victims of the ravaging floods across Nigeria. He charges citizens and humanitarian agencies to demonstrate solidarity with the victims while appealing for support. The ex-president expressed these in a statement posted to his verified Facebook page late Thursday.
Jonathan, who visited some affected communities in Bayelsa State, including his Otuoke hometown, said it was “a depressing situation in many of the affected communities because of the magnitude of the flood and the disruption and destruction it has caused.”
The statement read, “I sympathise with the victims of this year’s flood across many states of the federation who have lost loved ones and properties worth millions. The worsening humanitarian crisis in the affected states calls for urgent action and collaboration by all stakeholders.
“I am touched by the dire situation in some of the affected states, especially my home State Bayelsa where almost all the local government areas are submerged in water and the East-West Road section leading to the State has become impassable, creating scarcity of food and essential commodities. It is still a depressing situation in many of the affected communities because of the magnitude of the flood and the disruption and destruction it has caused.
“This is a moment of crisis; we need to work in unity to achieve the goal of giving hope and providing succour to all victims. I urge all citizens of goodwill and humanitarian agencies to demonstrate solidarity with these victims and provide support to those affected.”
- Buhari Gives Ministers 3 Months To Produce Flood Prevention Plan
President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Minister of Water Resources to lead and coordinate with the Ministries of Environment and Transportation as well as State Governments to develop a Comprehensive Plan of Action for Preventing Flood Disaster in Nigeria. According to a statement by presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, the President’s directive, which was conveyed to the Minister in a letter signed by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, said the Plan should be presented to him in 90 days.
“President Buhari is regularly receiving updates on the flooding situation in the country and restates his commitment towards addressing the challenges caused by the disaster in the country,” he stated. President Buhari is regularly receiving updates on the flooding situation in the country and restates his commitment towards addressing the challenges caused by the disaster in the country,” he stated.
- Preliminary registered voters now 93.5 million, says INEC
Ahead of the 2023 general election, the Independent National Electoral Commission has said that preliminary registered voters in Nigeria now stand at 93.5 million. This is as the Commission explained that 9,518,188 new voters were added to the existing register of 84,004,084 voters. The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said this on Wednesday in his remark at the fourth quarterly consultative meeting with leaders of political parties in Abuja. Yakubu said, “The 9,518,188 new voters have been added to the existing register of 84,004,084 voters. The PRELIMINARY register of voters in Nigeria now stands at 93,522,272.”
Yakubu, however, explained that the figure is preliminary because “Section 19(1) and (2) of the Electoral Act 2022 requires the Commission to display the hard copies of the register of voters for each Registration Area (Ward) and Local Government Area (and simultaneously publish the entire register on the Commission’s website) for a period of two weeks for scrutiny, claims and objections by citizens not later than 90 days to a General Election.” Yakubu added that the Commission will display the physical register at designated centres from 12-25 November 2022.He, however, appealed to Nigerians to seize the opportunity of the display to scrutinise the list and help to clean it up further so that the final register of voters for the 2023 General Election can be compiled and published.
POLITICS
- Appeal Court reverses judgment sacking Umahi, Deputy
The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, on Friday, vacated the High Court judgement that sacked Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State and his Deputy, Dr. Eric Igwe, from their respective offices, following their defection to the All Progressive Congress, APC. The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-man panel led by Justice Haruna Tsanami, held that there is no constitutional provision for the removal of a serving governor or deputy governor that dumped the political party that sponsored them to power.
It said the only option available to a political party aggrieved by the defection of a governor or deputy it sponsored to power, was for such party to explore the option of impeachment as provided in the Constitution. Consequently, the appellate court, voided the high court judgement that removed Umahi and his deputy from office and ordered the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to submit names of their replacement to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
It will be recalled that Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja had in the judgement he delivered on March 8, held that the total number of 393, 343 votes governor Umahi secured during the March 9, 2019 governorship contest in Ebonyi state, belonged to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which sponsored his election. The trial court held that the said votes was not legally transferrable to the APC which governor and his deputy decamped to, stressing that the duo not only jettisoned the PDP, but also the votes that belonged to it.
- Coalition of Political Parties Hails CBN’s Plan to Redesign Naira Notes
The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has hailed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over its move to redesign the N200, N500 and N1, 000 banknotes. In a statement yesterday in Abuja by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, CNPP said, “Only politicians who intended to buy votes” and other equally ill-motivated elements would criticise CBN’s action. Similarly, Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, yesterday, reiterated his support for CBN’s decision to redesign some denominations of the naira. Bawa said some persons were hoarding and using the country’s currency to speculate on the foreign exchange (FX) market.
Former President and Chairman, Governing Council, Association of Corporate Treasurers of Nigeria (ACTN), Mr. Zeal Akaraiwe, described the decision of the CBN as the solution needed to bring in large amounts of cash into the banking system and enhance the effectiveness of the apex bank’s monetary policies. Akaraiwe expressed this view yesterday during a media briefing organised by ACTN to announce its 2022 Treasury360 Nigeria Conference and Exhibition, scheduled for November 17, 2022. CNPP said in the statement, “Only politicians who intended to buy votes and financially induce electoral officials, the ignorant of the import of the policy or beneficiaries of proceeds of crimes, including drug barons and kidnappers, will kick against the move by the CBN.”
According to the umbrella association of all registered political parties and political associations in Nigeria, “The effort of the CBN to control the amount of money in circulation, where N2.7 trillion out of the N3.3 trillion currency-in-circulation was said to be outside the vaults of commercial banks across the country and are found to supposedly be held by members of the public, is of high risk for the country’s economy and her internal security. “It is, therefore, obvious that many politicians, especially since 2015, amassed illicit wealth and depleted the national commonwealth to the extent that the currency in circulation has more than doubled since 2015, rising from N1.46 trillion in December 2015, to N3.2 trillion as of September 2022, according to the CBN data.”Furthermore, CNPP stated, “Certainly, this is unacceptable in any economy controlled by sane financial experts. The CNPP is glad that the timing for this Naira notes redesign is right, as there is no better time than in an election year, especially where politicians have made vote-buying an alternative to convincing the electorate through their track records and capacity to govern beyond rhetoric as well as a commitment to selling the manifestos of their political parties during campaigns.
- Nigeria committed to stabilising democracy – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Seoul, South Korea, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to stabilising the country’s democratic system. Speaking during his meeting with the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, Mr. Kim Jin-Pyo, on the side-lines of the World Bio Summit 2022, the President declared that the successes achieved in the recent off-season elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States, confirmed that the people of Nigeria have approved the democratic form of government.
He said, “We are proud that our patriotic people are given the right to choose who will govern and represent them in the various legislative houses at state and federal levels.” Recalling his political journey dotted with several attempts and court cases to clinch the Presidency, the Nigerian leader praised the introduction of technology, especially the use of Permanent Voter Cards, for his eventual success at the polls, while noting that the diversities introduced by the colonial history of Nigeria, unlike in Korea, have not made governance easy.
Describing the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the NNPC Ltd and Daewoo Group for the rehabilitation of the Kaduna Refinery, which took place shortly before the President’s visit to the Parliament, as “very significant,” the Nigerian President, who noted that “technology transfer is not easy,” expressed appreciation to the Korean government for its generosity in the rehabilitation of both Kaduna and Warri refineries. He also commended the resourcefulness of the Korean shipping industry, and thanked the host government’s assistance towards the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s infrastructure, describing it as “crucial.”
Declaring that Nigeria was trying to be self-sufficient in many areas due to her huge population so that she could be of help to other countries in the sub-region as well, President Buhari affirmed that good education and health were “very critical and fundamental to our state of development.”
- INEC to conduct Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi Governorship elections Nov 2023
The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has announced November 11, 2023, for the conduct of governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states. At its weekly meeting held on Tuesday in Abuja, the Commission said it approved the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States’ Governorship elections.
INEC National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education Committee, Barr. Festus Okoye disclosed this in a statement. According to him, the decision is in fulfillment of the requirement of Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 which mandates the Commission to publish the Notice of Election not later than 360 days before the date fixed for the elections.
Similarly, he said Sections 178(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 mandates the Commission to conduct such elections not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of the last holder of the office.
The tenure of the incumbent Governor of Imo State ends on 14th January 2024 while those of Kogi and Bayelsa States end on 26th January 2024 and 13th February 2024 respectively. “Accordingly, the Commission has decided to conduct the three elections on Saturday 11th November 2023”, Okoye stated.
He added that the statutory Notice for the Elections will be published in the three States on 14th November 2022. Also, party primaries will be held from 27th March to 17th April 2023 while the online portal for the submission of nomination forms (EC9 and EC9B) by political parties opens at 9am on 24th April 2023 and closes at 6pm on 5th May 2023.
ECONOMY
- CBN plans Naira redesign to counter counterfeiting, kidnapping
The Governor, the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, announced on Wednesday that the bank would release re-designed naira notes by December 15, 2022. Emefiele made this announcement during a special press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday where he gave reasons for the move. According to the CBN governor, this was targeted at controlling currency in circulation as well as curb counterfeit currency and ransom payment to kidnappers and terrorists.
He noted, “Indeed, the integrity of a local legal tender, the efficiency of its supply and its efficacy in the conduct of monetary policy are some of the hallmarks of a great central bank. “In recent times, however, currency management has faced several daunting challenges that have continued to grow in scale and tsophistication with attendant and unintended consequences for the integrity of both the CBN and the country.
“More specifically, as at the end of September 2022, available data at the CBN indicate that N2.73tn out of the N3.23tn currency in circulation was outside the vaults of commercial banks across the country, and supposedly held by members of the public. Evidently, currency in circulation has more than doubled since 2015, rising from N1.46tn in December 2015 to N3.23tn as at September 2022. I must say that this is a very worrisome trend that cannot continue to be allowed.”
On how it would help curb ransom payment, he said, “Also, in view of the prevailing level of security situation in the country, the CBN is convinced that the incident of terrorism and kidnapping will be minimised as access to large volume of money outside the banking used as source of funds for ransom payment will begin to dry up.”
He further identified more reasons that necessitated the re-designing of naira notes.
According to the apex bank governor, the challenges included: significant hoarding of banknotes by members of the public; worsening shortage of clean and fit banknotes with attendant negative perception of the CBN and increased risk to financial stability; and increasing ease and risk of counterfeiting evidenced by several security reports.
- Naira redesign not economic priority — CISLAC
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre has said that the Central Bank of Nigeria’s plan to redesign 200, 500 and 1,000 naira notes is not an economic priority for the country, considering the current challenges facing the economy. The Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Musa, made this known in a statement on Thursday, adding that there are more pressing needs that the CBN ought to attend to, to set the economy on the path of revival.
Musa added that Nigerians’ concerned reactions to the announcement was proof that the decision is a misplaced priority on the part of the CBN. He said the CBN should be more concerned with protecting foreign exchange reserves from external outflows and making forex available to the ordinary citizens who genuinely and legitimately need it, adding that the huge blow to foreign direct investment was tantamount to the inability of the CBN to do its job effectively.
He said, “Firstly, the CBN’s decision to redesign and reissue new 200, 500 and 1000 notes is not an economic priority and barely a solution to addressing Nigeria’s poor monetary policy challenges and growing economic woes. Especially at a time when the country is grappling with huge fiscal deficits, a free fall of the naira, soaring inflation rates, multiple forex rates and rising borrowing costs.
“The reasons for this decision seem no different from those given for the forex demand management strategy which resulted in a non-satisfactory conclusion as the artificially low exchange rate failed to be as reflective of the market as possible to improve supply, but this time it only threatens damning economic consequences for Nigerians. “The public perception that this decision holds no value proposition for the economy, reiterates the tendency of the CBN to be distracted from fulfilling priority statutory obligations.
- Warri Refinery’ll deliver fuel first quarter of 2023 — FG
President Muhammadu Buhari has said Warri refinery rehabilitation works, when completed, will deliver fuel production before the first half of 2023. Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President Mr. Femi Adesina, made this known in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday.
According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari expressed delight as he witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, between Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd and Daewoo Group for the rehabilitation of the Kaduna refinery. He said the president was particularly excited as the signing came against the back of ongoing rehabilitation works at the Warri refinery by the same Daewoo Group of South Korea.
Managing Director, Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, Desmond Inyamah, also confirmed that the refinery would commence full operations in December 2023.
BUSINESS
- ‘The Bird Is Free’: Elon Musk Declares After Twitter Acquisition
Billionaire Elon Musk claims he has freed microblogging and social networking platform Twitter after taking over as the new owner. The deal was eventually closed following a long and drawn-out back-and-forth between the billionaire and the social network.
A few hours after completing the deal, Musk tweeted, “The bird app is freed”. Twitter is popularly referred to as the bird app in reference to the logo. He has already sacked chief executive Parag Agrawal, as well as the company’s chief financial officer and its head of safety, the Washington Post and CNBC reported citing unnamed sources.
In an earlier tweet where he addressed Twitter advertisers explaining why he is acquiring the app, Musk said, “The reason I acquired Twitter is because it is important to the future of civilization to have a common digital town square, where a wide range of beliefs can be debated in a healthy manner, without resorting to violence.”
He added, “There is currently great danger that social media will splinter into far right wing and far left-wing echo chambers that generate more hate and divide our society, In the relentless pursuit of clicks, much of traditional media has fueled and catered to those polarized extremes, as they believe that is what brings in the money, but, in doing so, the opportunity for dialogue is lost,” Musk said.
Musk, however, warned that even though he wants to make the app a free space, “Twitter cannot become a free-for-all hellscape, where anything can be said without consequences”.
HEALTH
- Flooding: Experts warn of epidemic as corpses float
The Nigerian Medical Association on Wednesday raised the alarm over the floods across Nigeria, warning the country was at a high risk of waterborne diseases. The President of the NMA, Dr Uche Ojinmah, in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, lamented that corpses were floating in floods, adding that the government should swing into action to prevent an epidemic.
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund had a few days ago, said the floods, which had affected 34 out of the 36 states in the country, had displaced 1.3 million people. The UN body said over 600 people had lost their lives, adding that over 200,000 houses had either been partially or fully damaged.
In an interview with newsmen, the NMA president said there were high risks of waterborne diseases in the country as a result of the floods. Ojinmah said, “The wells and streams are already contaminated so there is a risk of waterborne diseases, especially in the affected states. “Corpses are floating in the floods, especially in Bayelsa. The government needs to provide good camping, toilets, water and healthcare for them because they will need to be attended to medically for their health needs.”
Also, the President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, Dr Emeka Orji, told The PUNCH that there were immediate and future implications and threats of the floods in the country. “I must confess that we’ve not conducted any study to find out the effects of flooding in the country. Unfortunately, floods can lead to waterborne diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, and typhoid fever.
“The state and federal governments must proffer preventive measures to prevent this disaster from reoccurring. Usually, there’s a warning that the flooding was going to happen but if we have an adequate emergency response team, this would have been prevented. So, I blame the state and federal governments. The Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Medical Association in the FCT, Dr Muyiwa Komolafe, on his part said the floods would lead to pollution and waterborne diseases.
- UK licenses 91 Nigerian doctors in 15 days
The United Kingdom’s General Medical Council has licensed fresh 91 Nigerian-trained doctors. Newsmen discovered that the accreditation of the 91 doctors occurred over 15 days between October 10 and October 25, 2022. The total number of Nigerian-trained doctors in the UK now stands at 10,387. There are 5,210 associate specialists, 2,318 doctors in training, 1,837 general practitioners, and 1,273 specialists among the 10,387 doctors. Nigeria currently has the third-highest number of foreign doctors working in the UK after India and Pakistan.
The accreditation of the 91 doctors came amidst cries by the Nigerian Medical Association against the brain drain bedevilling the health sector. Apart from doctors, other categories of health workers are also migrating. Statistics also showed that between January 1, 2022, and September 30, 2022, about 1,307 Nigerian-trained doctors were licensed in the UK as Nigeria continues to battle one of the worst situations of brain drain in its history. However, Nigerian doctors who got medical qualifications in schools outside the country are not included in the data.
The NMA, while lamenting the high rate of medical brain drain, said Nigeria may import doctors in the future. The National President of the Medical and Dental Consultant Association of Nigeria, Dr Victor Makanjuola, while commenting on the situation earlier, said, “In the last two years, over 500 consultants, in my estimation, have left the services of government hospitals for practice abroad. All our government hospitals are consultant-led practices, which is the global standard. We have lost 500 in just two years, and we have found out that those who are more likely to leave are the younger ones.
“To sustain the system and be able to train the next generation of medical doctors and medical students, Nigeria needs to retain the older consultants who are in their 50s and getting close to retirement so that they can stay back and train the next generation of doctors and medical students. Otherwise, the disaster of brain drain would be doubled because we would lose the younger ones and the older ones at about the same time, and you would find a system without consultants. This would affect the standard of care and the quality of care given by hospitals.”
EDUCATON
- Lalong commissions schools, releases N9.8b to SUBEB
Plateau Governor Simon Lalong has commissioned school projects executed by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). Lalong, who commissioned the classrooms and Educational Resource Hall at the Model primary school in Shehe, Shinko Rayfield and Obasanjo Model primary school Hwolshe respectively, said his administration remains committed to upgrading all school infrastructure and ensuring that both the teachers and students have a great learning experience.
He said his administration has consistently provided counterpart funding to enable the Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board access equivalent amount of Matching Grants from the Universal Basic Education Commission for nine years spanning from 2013 to 2021. So far, a total of over N9.8 billion was provided by the State Government as counterpart funding while about N16.7 billion was accessed and utilized in transforming the educational fortunes of our children in the Basic Education sub-sector.
Lalong, who commissioned the classrooms and Educational Resource Hall at the Model primary school in Shehe, Shinko Rayfield and Obasanjo Model primary school Hwolshe respectively, said his administration remains committed to upgrading all school infrastructure and ensuring that both the teachers and students have a great learning experience.
He said his administration has consistently provided counterpart funding to enable the Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board access equivalent amount of Matching Grants from the Universal Basic Education Commission for nine years spanning from 2013 to 2021.
WORLD
- World faces most dangerous decade since World War II – Putin
The world faces the most dangerous decade since World War II as Western elites scramble to prevent the inevitable crumbling of the global dominance of the United States and its allies, Russian President Vladimir Putin said. Putin accused the West of inciting the war in Ukraine and of playing a “dangerous, bloody and dirty” game that was sowing chaos across the world. Ultimately, Putin said, the West would have to talk to Russia and other major powers about the future of the world.
“We are standing at a historical frontier: Ahead is probably the most dangerous, unpredictable and, at the same time, important decade since the end of World War Two,” the 70-year-old former KGB spy said at an annual foreign policy conference. The conflict, which began eight months ago with an invasion by Russian forces of neighbouring Ukraine, has killed thousands, displaced millions, shaken the global economy and reopened Cold War-era divisions.
Meanwhile, Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure were forcing electricity cuts in the capital Kyiv and other places, officials said. The missile and drone attacks would not break Ukrainian spirits, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a Thursday night video address as he stood outside in the dark next to the wreckage of a downed drone. “Shelling will not break us – to hear the enemy’s anthem on our land is scarier than the enemy’s rockets in our sky. We are not afraid of the dark,” he said.
Asked at the conference whether there had been any disappointments in the past year, Putin answered simply: “No”, though he also said he always thinks about the Russian lives lost in Ukraine. In response to a question, Putin made no mention of Russia’s battlefield setbacks of recent months. Asked whether the operation was going according to plan, Putin replied that Russian aims had not changed.
Russia was fighting to protect the people of the Donbas, he said, referring to an eastern industrial region that comprises two of the four Ukrainian provinces he proclaimed annexed last month. Economic sanctions had already had their worst impact and would ultimately make Russia stronger by making its industry more independent, he said.
- Burkina Faso Violence Displaces 4,000 In Togo
More than 4,000 people have been displaced this year in northern Togo after the security climate worsened following jihadist attacks in neighbouring Burkina Faso, the government said. Togo and it’s West African coastal neighbours Benin, Ghana and Ivory Coast are facing increased spillover and risk of attacks from jihadists operating across their frontiers with Niger and Burkina Faso.
“In total, 789 households representing 4,175 displaced people have been identified – including populations from neighbouring countries who took refuge in Togolese territory,” communications minister and government spokesman Akodah Ayewouadan said on television late Thursday. He said the government was providing support including psychological care and education of displaced students in schools in host communities. “The objective is first to secure these people, to ensure they continue to live in decent conditions and to eventually help their return,” he said.
Among the displaced are Togolese who have fled their villages and also Burkinabe residents who had crossed the border to escape jihadist attacks. The National Agency for Civil Protection (ANPC) in June identified in the prefecture of Tone in far north of Togo, more than 600 Burkinabe from Madjoari, in the south-east of Burkina Faso.
Togo has suffered at least five terrorist attacks, including two deadly assaults since November 2021 in the far north of the country. The country was hit in mid-July by a bloody attack carried out by “unidentified armed individuals”, according to the army, which did not communicate a precise toll, speaking of “several dead and a few wounded”.
Neighbouring Benin earlier this month said its army foiled a “terrorist” attack in the country’s northwest, killing eight gunmen suspected of operating from across the northern frontier. Benin’s security forces have faced more than a dozen militant incursions since last year, as concerns mount over the spread southward of Islamic State group and Al Qaeda-linked violence from the Sahel.
- World ‘Holding Breath’ Over Possible NKorea Nuclear Test, Says IAEA Chief
The world is holding its breath over the possibility that North Korea might undertake a nuclear bomb test, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency said Thursday. “Everybody is holding its breath about this, because another nuclear test would be yet another confirmation of a program which is moving full steam ahead, in a way that is incredibly, incredibly concerning,” IAEA head Rafael Grossi said after meeting with the UNWorld Security Council on Ukraine.
“Further tests, of course, means that they are refining the preparations and the construction of their arsenal,” he told reporters. So we are following this very, very closely. We hope it doesn’t happen, but indications unfortunately go in another direction,” Grossi said.
The United States has been warning since at least April that Pyongyang is preparing to undertake nuclear bomb test after a five-year hiatus. It would come after the country has demonstrated a range of short- and long-range ballistic missile capabilities that have left neighbors South Korea and Japan deeply concerned about Pyongyang’s intentions.
But Grossi said he did not think a test was immediately imminent. “We see preparation, we see lots of things, but in terms of degrees of imminency, no,” he replied.
ENTERTAINMENT
- Oritsefemi, wife split over cheating allegations
Nabila Fash, wife of Nigerian singer, Oritsefemi has disclosed that their marriage has packed up. Nabila revealed this in an interview with Daddy Freeze on Thursday, accusing Oritsefemi of incessant cheating. The couple’s marriage has been mired with allegations of cheating recently with the singer having refuted the claims in the past. Nabila revealed they are currently going through a divorce process after discovering that the singer had welcomed a child with another woman while they were still married.
According to her, Oritse Femi has two daughters from two different women before they met, and she took those girls as her own daughters. She said the singer had gotten another lady pregnant while they were dating, and while they got married, he welcomed another daughter with the same woman.
The PR guru added she has had to deal with his constant cheating as several women reached out to her to inform her of his cheating habits. Nabila said that Oritsefemi was expecting a son with the fourth woman during the period he came online to ask the public to help beg her, narrating how she had to move out of their home because he was physically abusive towards her.
- Tems, Rihanna power ‘Lift Me Up’ single for ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’
Nigerian singer, Temilade Openiyi, known professionally as Tems and Barbadian singer, Rihanna relished a creative collaboration on the single, ‘Lift Me Up’ for the movie, ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.’ On Tuesday Marvel Studios shared a short clip on social media, confirming that the Barbadian singer will be on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack. It has been announced that she’ll make her long-awaited return to music on Friday, with the artist teasing the track, “Lift Me Up” on Wednesday. The single was produced by Ludwig Göransson, and director Ryan Coogler.
The 27 years old, speaking on her contributions to Rihanna single said, “After speaking with Ryan and hearing his direction for the film and the song, I wanted to write something that portrays a warm embrace from all the people that I’ve lost in my life. “I tried to imagine what it would feel like if I could sing to them now and express how much I miss them. Rihanna has been an inspiration to me so hearing her convey this song is a great honor.”
The single ‘Lift Me Up’ was written as a tribute to the extraordinary life and legacy of Chadwick Boseman by Tems, Oscar winner Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna and Ryan Coogler. The song was recorded in five countries and was produced by Göransson. It is to be released this Friday, October 28th via Rihanna’s own Westbury Road label in partnership with Roc Nation, Def Jam Recordings, and Hollywood Records. The talented singers connected in September at an event in Los Angeles to promote the Rihanna lingerie collection.
- Rema’s voice featured in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer
Nigerian singer, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has shared a snippet of his contribution to the upcoming “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” movie. Sharing the news on his Twitter page today, Rema claimed his voice was featured in the trailer of the sequel of the Marvel Studio’s iconic movie, which is scheduled to be released worldwide on November 11, 2022.
Sharing the movie trailer clip on his Twitter page he wrote, “My voice on the Black Panther trailer, wow I’m speechless! Big ups everyone who took part in making this happen, Wakanda Forever! ????? @marvelstudios @shanechubbz.”
Meanwhile, Grammy-nominated Nigerian singer Tems also contributed to the soundtrack for ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.’
- Kanye West no longer billionaire – Forbes
American business magazine, Forbes has disclosed that American rapper, Kanye West is no longer a billionaire after German multinational corporation, Adidas cut ties with him. This was announced in an official statement on the magazine website on Tuesday.
According to Forbes, Kanye no longer has a place on its billionaire’s list after being dropped by Adidas for antisemitism. In recent weeks, Kanye has gone on several anti-semitic rants across his social media handles.
He had alleged that the Jews control Hollywood and vowed to “go Defcon 3” on the Jewish people, apparently referring to the military readiness condition. Forbes also added the multi-year Adidas deal was valued at $1.5 billion, without which he’s worth just $400 million.
It said what remains of Kanye financial empire is his real estate, cash, music catalogue, and a five percent stake in Skims, his ex-wife Kim Kardashian’s shapewear firm. Recall in a statement released by Adidas, said it conducted a “thorough review” and would immediately stop production of its line of Yeezy products. Among the top brands that have also severed ties with Kanye West in the wake of his anti-semitic remarks are Balenciaga, MRC, and Creative Artists Agency (CAA).
SPORTS
* Chelsea Appoint Stewart As Technical Director
Chelsea have appointed Laurence Stewart as a technical director. But the appointment takes effect when he completes his commitments with AS Monaco where he is in the same position, the Premier League side said on Wednesday. “I’m delighted to be joining Chelsea and excited about the vision and direction of the club under the new ownership group. I am excited to join them to help them build a world-class global sporting organisation to consistently win on the pitch at the highest levels and provide player pathways to help develop our talent,” Stewart said about the appointment.
Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly and co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali said: “Laurence is an important appointment as we plan to build a deep sporting team that will collaborate closely. Laurence is a world-class football leader who understands talent management, data and scouting, player development, and performance.”
Chelsea thanked the owners of AS Monaco and their management team for supporting the recruitment of Laurence to its project. Stewart, who moved to the Ligue 1 club in June 2020, has seen the team record consecutive third-place finishes in Ligue 1 and was a finalist in the 2021 French Cup during his stay.
Prior to his role as the technical director at AS Monaco, Laurence was the global head of scouting at Red Bull Soccer International. Earlier in his career, Laurence was the head of performance analysis at Manchester City, senior recruitment coordinator at Everton, and was with the England national team in a performance analyst role for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
* Kwara receives National Sports Festival’s Torch of Unity
Kwara State Deputy Governor, Kayode Alabi, has said the state will beat hosts Delta to second place at the forthcoming National Sports Festival, which holds in Asaba from November 28 to December 10. Alabi stated this while receiving the festival’s Torch of Unity at Government House on Thursday. He noted that Delta State had always been winners of the festival but added that the Kwara State Sports Commission, under the leadership of Mallam Bola Mogaji would change the narrative by winning the festival in December.
Alabi, who represented the state Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, on the occasion, explained that sports was a unifying factor irrespective of ethnic and religious differences. He hinted that the state was taking sports development seriously, particularly with the efforts the sports commission was putting in to elevate sports in the state.
While presenting the Torch of Unity to the Deputy Governor, Mallam Akim Saka, who led the team to Kwara, said that by receiving the torch, the state had confirmed its participation at the festival. Meanwhile, Bola Mogaji has charged the coaches and athletes of the commission to redouble their efforts in training in preparation for the festival.
METRO PLUS
* Man collapses, dies after sex in Ondo hotel
The Ondo State Police Command has begun investigation into the death of a man who allegedly died after a sex romp with a woman in the state. Newsmen gathered that the victim, identified only as Lanre, died after a marathon sexual intercourse with the woman at a hotel in Ondo town on Wednesday. The identity of the woman had yet to be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.
A source said, “The woman raised the alarm after realising that the man collapsed after taking his bath after the sex romp around 9pm on Wednesday. Her noise attracted the manager of the hotel, who later invited police officers from the Enu-Owa Police Division to the scene.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, said it was a case of sudden and unnatural death. “We have commenced investigation into the matter,” the PPRO added. It was gathered that the remains of the deceased were deposited in the morgue of the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo.
* UNN kidnap: Ex-SSG among abductees, police launch manhunt
The Enugu State Police Command has launched a manhunt for kidnappers of students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and other abducted passengers. Several students and passengers travelling to Nsukka on Sunday were abducted along Nike-Opi-Nsukka Road. The students, according sources, were returning to campus following the resumption of academic activities after the eight months’ industrial action embarked on by lecturers in public universities across the country.
A report said the kidnappers had demanded N300m ransom from their parents. However, the police command, in a statement on Thursday by its spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, said it had deployed security assets to the location with a view to rescuing the victims and arresting the perpetrators.
The statement said the state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Ammani, had on receipt of the report of the attack on October 23, 2022, ordered the deployment of operational and intelligence resources of the command “to ensure adequate security on the said road, rescue unascertained number of persons allegedly abducted and arrest the hoodlums.” Meanwhile, newsmen gathered on Thursday that a former Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Dr Dan Shere, was among the victims. The spokesman for UNN, Chief Okwun Omeaku, said the university had not received any report from the families, students, or the police.
