FRESH FM TOP NEWS THIS WEEK

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

• Politicians buying PVCs from registered voters, INEC raises alarm

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said Nigerian politicians are buying Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from registered voters to harvest their Voter Identification Numbers (VIN) ahead of the 2023 general elections. INEC, while warning both politicians and unsuspecting and criminal Nigerians of the dubious acts, reiterated that no person will vote on election days without PVC.

The National Commissioner overseeing the FCT, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Plateau states, Mohammed Haruna made this known on Monday at an event to launch the #YourVoteMatters project by an election observer group, NESSACTION, in Abuja. Haruna also revealed that two people were recently convicted for illegal possession of PVCs in Sokoto and Kano states.

Speaking, the INEC National Commissioner, said: “We are aware some politicians are more or less buying the PVCs. If you collect the PVC and then you sell it out or allow someone else to have it, you are aiding illegal possession of the PVC which is an offence in our Electoral Act.

“Some of you are aware that only recently, INEC managed to convict two people, who were found guilty of illegal possession of PVCs in Kano and Sokoto. So, I urge people to connect their PVCs, keep it safe, and make sure that on Election Day, you go out there and cast your votes because, of course, without your PVC you cannot vote.”

• Banks run out of new naira, demand soars

Mixed reactions greeted the disbursement of the new naira notes that officially went into circulation on Thursday with many bank customers demanding for the new notes while a few others snubbed the latest bills in banking halls across major Nigerian cities. The newly redesigned N1,000, N500 and N200 bills finally became a legal tender on December 15, 2022, over three weeks after President Muhammadu Buhari unveiled them at the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting.

The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, had on October 26 announced plans to redesign the N200, N500 and N1,000 notes, while also declaring that the old denominations would cease to be a legal tender by January 31, 2022. Emefiele stressed that the redesigning of the local currency became necessary to tackle inflationary problems, currency counterfeiting, insecurity and other issues plaguing Nigeria.

However, in a few instances, the cashiers were seen mixing a few new naira notes with the old bills in their OTC payments. Meanwhile, in some of the banking halls visited by our correspondents, some customers snubbed the new notes due to reports that some local traders were rejecting them as legal tender. As such, some of the bank customers refused to collect the new notes for over-the-counter payments.

Confirming the situation, a bank teller in Ogba, Lagos told newsmen that, “Some customers have been rejecting the new naira notes whenever we give them; they said the new notes would not be collected from them in the market; they prefer the old notes.”

Meanwhile, CBN governor, Emefiele, will now on Tuesday appear before the House of Representatives to explain the new cash withdrawals policy of the apex bank. The House was to grill Emefiele over the policy on Thursday but he failed to appear before the lawmakers.
The Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, CBN, Edward Adamu, in a communication to the House, told the lawmakers that Emefiele was part of Buhari’s entourage on an official trip to the United States. The Deputy Speaker of the House, Ahmed Wase, read out the letter to members at the opening of plenary on Thursday.

• Withdrawal limits: PoS operators, Falana head for court, Gbajabiamila faults Emefiele

Point of Sale terminal operators and Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, have said they will sue the Central Bank of Nigeria if it fails to withdraw the new cash withdrawal policy limiting over-the-counter cash withdrawals by individuals and companies to N100,000 and N500,000, respectively, per week. The CBN had, in the memo introducing the policy, said third-party cheques above N50,000 would no longer be eligible for OTC payment while extant limits of N10m on clearing cheques still remained.

The circular also directed banks to load only N200 and lower denominations into their ATMs and restricted withdrawal to N20, 000 per day from ATMs. Withdrawals from PoS terminals were also limited to N20,000 daily. The policy, which will become effective on January 9, 2023, had generated criticisms but the CBN clarified last Wednesday that PoS operators could apply for waivers.

However, Falana, on Monday, described the new cash withdrawal limit policy initiated by the CBN as unconstitutional. Falana in a statement titled, ‘Maximum withdrawal limit in Nigeria is N5m’ called on the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari,(retd), to direct the apex bank to withdraw the ‘illegal guideline’.

According to him, “Since the Money Laundering Act 2022 (which has fixed maximum cash withdrawal to N5 million) has not been amended, the limitation of cash withdrawal of not more than N20,000 per day and N100,000 per week fixed by the Central Bank of Nigeria is illegal, null and void in every material. We urge the Nigerian people to ignore the illegal announcement.
However, we are compelled to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the management of the CBN to withdraw the illegal guideline and stop announcing more policies that are designed to sentence poor citizens to more excruciating economic hardship”.

• Attacks on INEC offices in Imo may be political, says ex-DSS director

On Monday, gunmen launched an attack on the INEC headquarters in the state with locally-made explosives and razed some sections of the office. Over the past week, INEC offices in Imo and other parts of the south-east have come under attack, leading to the destruction of the commission’s properties.

On December 1, the INEC office in Orlu LGA of the state was razed by gunmen, while another office in Oru west LGA was attacked by gunmen on December 4. Reacting to the development on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, on Tuesday, Ejiofor said the attacks are carried out by “criminal elements” and not by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

“I tend to agree with Gov [Hope] Uzodinma to some extent that the attack is political. Some of them operate under the name of IPOB. Recall that IPOB had earlier denied any connection with such attacks and even the sit-at-home. These are just criminal elements serving some political motives,” he said. I commend the police for not just killing but making two arrests, these two arrests, I pray the police handle them well in conjunction with other security agencies to at least debrief them. Let’s know what their intentions are. Who are their sponsors? These are very critical questions that must be answered.

• Police uncover ‘biggest IPOB bomb factory’, say it’s capable of mass killing

The Ebonyi police command says it has recovered several arms following a raid on a bomb factory of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The police command described the bomb factory as the “biggest” in the south-east geopolitical zone. In a statement issued on Thursday, Chris Anyanwu, police spokesperson in Ebonyi, said the bomb factory was uncovered after officers received intelligence from locals.

He said the miscreants engaged the officers in a gunfight, and their factional leader was eventually arrested. Anyanwu said two IPOB members were killed, while officers who sustained injuries are currently receiving treatment.

The police spokesperson said weapons recovered from the bomb factory include 30 pieces of IEDs, a non-electric initiator/detonator, 63 wraps of superpower, 90mm gelatin, and two solar prime 90mm gelatin. Other arms are 16 danger 90 gelatin, 20 ideal power 90 gelatin 50mm, 239 pieces of plain non-electric detonators, 14 pieces of primed novels, 99 pieces of one-inch safety fuses, and one complete roll of safety fuse.

• Excitement as FG opens 2nd Niger Bridge to traffic

After four years of consistent construction work by Julius Berger, the multi-million naira 2nd Niger Bridge connecting the western and eastern parts of the country was finally opened to traffic on Thursday, with the people residing around Onitsha and Ogbaru areas of Anambra State expressing joy at the development. The Federal Government ordered the opening of the bridge for use starting from midnight on Thursday.

The Minister of Works, Mr Babatunde Fashola on Wednesday during the inspection of the bridge said the test run on the bridge would last from December 15, 2022, to January 15, 2023.
As soon as officials of the Federal Ministry of Works removed the barriers to enable vehicles to drive on the bridge, residents of Odekpe in Ogbaru and other people plying the Onitsha-Owerri expressway jumped up in excitement and hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment towards the completion of the project.

It was gathered on Thursday that many traders are already acquiring spaces down the bridge along the Obosi interchange in Onitsha for various kinds of business. Most of those who spoke said they would open restaurants in the area as the interchange would soon become the hub of business around the Idemili and Ogbaru axis of Anambra State.

• FG declares holiday for Christmas, New Year celebrations

The Federal Government has declared December 26 and 27, 2022, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day. Also Monday, January 2, 2023, has been declared a holiday to mark New Year’s Day celebration. The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, made the announcement in a statement by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, on Friday.

Aregbesola urged Christians and Nigerians to make the best use of this festive period to pray for the total eradication of insecurity bedeviling the country. The minister enjoined Christians to emulate the doctrines of Christ in faith, hope, and love. The minister also urged Nigerians to be security conscious, asking them to report any suspicious persons or activities to the nearest security agency through the N-Alert application on Android and IOS.

The minister also assured that the government had put in place effective measures for the security of lives and property and expects Nigerians to support the efforts of security agencies by providing useful information that will assist them in the performance of their duties. Aregbesola admonishes all citizens to remain focused and expresses confidence that the year 2023 would be a better year for us all.

 

 

 

 

POLITICS

• Buhari: I’ve done my best; Ohanaeze, Afenifere, PANDEF others differ

The polity was awash with cheers and jeers, yesterday, over President Muhammadu Buhari’s remarks that he had done his best for Nigeria since he came to power on May 29, 2015.
President Buhari, who spoke in Washington DC, USA while meeting with Al-Mahfoudh Bin Bayyah, Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Forum, and Bob Roberts, his deputy, said solving the problems affecting youths was the priority of his government because they were the country’s promise for a better future.

According to a statement by Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, Buhari said: “We are big in size and population, facing many challenges, but in many areas, we are trying. In seven-and-a-half years, I have done my best.” The president also noted the need to raise a generation of youths devoid of religious extremism and bigotry, and urged the Abu Dhabi Forum to continue to target the young people “who are the promise of the future.” On his part, Bin Bayyah said the visit was to invite Buhari to attend an award conferment on him in recognition of his achievements in promoting peace and security.

However, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Prince Adewole Adebayo had said in a one-sentence response to Buhari’s claim, “His best is not good enough.”
The Middle Belt Forum, MBF, tackled President Buhari for claiming that he had done his best for Nigerians, saying his administration had failed and left Nigerians worse off. National President of MBF, Dr Bitrus Pogu, described the claim by the President as nothing but image- laundering in a foreign land. Labour Party Presidential Campaign, has described President Muhammadu Buhari’s declaration that he has done his best for Nigeria as unfortunate.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo said from Buhari’s self-assessment, it was now clear that both Nigerians and the international community overrated him ahead of his election in 2015. The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation said from indications, Nigeria did not fare better under Buhari. In its reaction, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, described the president’s comments as an honest admission of failure. For Mr. Solomon Maren, who represents Mangu/Bokkos Federal Constituency of Plateau State, President Buhari had no agenda if what he had done so far was his best.

• PDP, APC clash as Biden hails Buhari

Reactions have continued to trail President Joe Biden’s commendation of President Muhammadu Buhari, for deepening democracy in Nigeria. The American President had in a meeting with the Nigerian President and his counterparts from Sierra Leone, Gabon, Madagascar, Congo Democratic Republic and Liberia, singled out Buhari for praise not only for his sustaining democracy in Nigeria but across the African continent.

Biden “praised President Muhammadu Buhari for his efforts in deepening democracy not only in Nigeria but also in Africa,” a statement signed on Thursday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, read. Reacting to the development, the spokesman of the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Council, Charles Aniagwu, said the commendation is an indication that Nigeria is on the right track.

Presidential candidate of the African Action Alliance, Omoyele Sowore however said Biden was only being diplomatic to his guests. Sharing the same perspective, the National Secretary of the Young Progressive Party, Vidiyeno Bamaiyi, said democracy started dying gradually when the current president took over power. Also speaking, National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Victor Oye said the American President is at liberty to express himself as he deems fit.

• N407bn debt: Adeleke vows probe, Oyetola’s aide slams gov

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has put the total debt portfolio of the state at N407.32 bn. Adeleke, who spoke at the monthly meeting of Osun State Traditional Rulers, held in Osogbo on Thursday, explained that the figure was arrived at after various sums of money in the eight credit facilities inherited were added to arrears of salaries and pension owed workers and retirees. The governor said his administration inherited eight outstanding loan facilities repayable between the period of 16 months and 28 years, totalling N331.32bn, while the administration also had N76bn debt of arrears of salaries and pensions owed by the previous administration.

He said, “The total loan stock as of today is N331.32bn. If the N76bn debt on salaries and pension are added, the state is indebted to the tune of N407.32bn. The amount owed to contractors is yet to be determined. The only fund in government coffers as of Monday, November 29, was for November 2022 Salary. Otherwise, the state treasury was empty.

“As your governor, I will ask questions on your behalf and will demand answers. Governor Oyetola must explain how the N331bn borrowed in the name of Osun State was expended with no obvious infrastructural development to justify this huge debt. Governor Oyetola must explain how the N18bn Bridge Loan taken after he lost the election on July 16, 2022, was expended. Governor Oyetola must also explain why Osun State owes salaries and pensions to the tune of N76bn after collecting a N50bn salary bailout loan from the Federal Government.

In his remarks, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who presided over the meeting, urged Adeleke to remain focused on his plan for the state and assured him that monarchs would continue to offer advice that would enhance development and ensure peace in Osun. Also commenting, Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, said the issue of debt must be properly investigated, stressing that though he thought the ex-governor could not have borrowed such a huge amount, he (Oyetola) should explain how the state came about the debt.

• Oyetola didn’t take loan — debt is from Aregbesola’s tenure, says former CPS

Ismail Omipidan, former chief press secretary to Gboyega Oyetola, immediate past governor of Osun , says his principal did not take any loan during his tenure. Speaking on Thursday in an interview on Channels Television, Omipidan said his principal inherited debt from the administration of Rauf Aregbesola. Aregbesola was the governor of Osun between 2010 and 2018, after which he was succeeded by Oyetola.

Earlier on Thursday, Adeleke said his predecessor took an N18 billion loan after the July governorship election in the state, adding that Osun is indebted to the tune of N407.32 billion.
Adeleke said Oyetola must explain why the state is owing N76 billion in salaries and pensions despite receiving a N50 billion salary bailout from the federal government.

Reacting to Adeleke’s comment, Omipidan said his principal’s administration paid the sum of N97 billion from the debt inherited from the Aregbesola administration. Also speaking during the programme, Olawale Rasheed, spokesperson to Adeleke, said another $100 million debt was discovered after the governor’s meeting with traditional rulers on Thursday. Rasheed said the data on Osun debts was released by the accountant-general of the state, who he said was appointed by Oyetola.

• Politicians buying PVCs from registered voters, INEC raises alarm

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said Nigerian politicians are buying Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from registered voters to harvest their Voter Identification Numbers (VIN) ahead of the 2023 general elections. INEC, while warning both politicians and unsuspecting and criminal Nigerians of the dubious acts, reiterated that no person will vote on election days without PVC.

The National Commissioner overseeing the FCT, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Plateau states, Mohammed Haruna made this known on Monday at an event to launch the #YourVoteMatters project by an election observer group, NESSACTION, in Abuja. Haruna also revealed that two people were recently convicted for illegal possession of PVCs in Sokoto and Kano states.

Speaking, the INEC National Commissioner, said: “We are aware some politicians are more or less buying the PVCs. If you collect the PVC and then you sell it out or allow someone else to have it, you are aiding illegal possession of the PVC which is an offence in our Electoral Act.

“Some of you are aware that only recently, INEC managed to convict two people, who were found guilty of illegal possession of PVCs in Kano and Sokoto. So, I urge people to connect their PVCs, keep it safe, and make sure that on Election Day, you go out there and cast your votes because, of course, without your PVC you cannot vote.”

• 2023 elections not do-or-die — CAN chair

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern States and Abuja, Rev. Yakubu Pam, has called on presidential candidates of the various political parties participating in the 2023 general election not to view it as a do-or-die affair. This was as he urged Christians to shun apathy towards electioneering, enjoining them to participate actively in election matters.

This, the CAN boss noted, was the only way Nigerians could produce good leaders that could lead the nation into greatness. Pam stated these at a three-day special prayer summit organised by CAN ahead of the 2023 general election, which was held at the Catholic Social Centre, Kaduna, on Thursday.

The cleric said the prayer session was timely and auspicious as it was being held few months before the 2023 general election. The special prayer summit had as its theme: ‘Managing diversity in an electioneering process: The role of religious leaders.’ Pam called on members to come out en mass to cast their votes in the forthcoming election, noting that the time when Christians showed apathy towards election matter was gone.

 

 

 

 

 

ECONOMY

• Inflation pushes 5m into poverty, wage value down 35%

The World Bank has said that Nigeria is in a worsening situation, with economic performance becoming weaker as inflation persists. The Washington-based bank said this in its newly released Nigeria Development Update, which was launched in Abuja on Thursday alongside the Nigeria Country Economic Memorandum. The NDU report noted, “Nigeria is in a challenging and deteriorating economic situation. Nigeria’s economic performance has weakened since the previous Nigeria Development Update was published in June 2022 under the title of ‘The Continuing Urgency of Business Unusual’.”

The financial institution also cut Nigeria’s 2022 growth forecast to 3.1 per cent from a previous forecast of 3.8 per cent. It said that the revision was due to slow economic growth in the third quarter from a year earlier, dragged down by the oil sector and a weak performance in other areas of the economy. The bank further forecast growth to slow by 2.9 per cent in 2023.

During his presentation of the reports, the World Bank Lead Economist for Nigeria, Alex Sienaert, noted that the Nigerian minimum wage, which was worth N30,000 in 2019, could be valued at N19,355 today. This means that there had been a loss of 35.48 per cent value between 2019 and 2022 as inflation erodes Nigerians’ purchasing power. Sienaert noted, “The cumulative inflation between 2019 and 2022 was 55 per cent.” He said that the rising inflation had led to a slump in the purchasing power of Nigeria.

In the NDU report, it was noted that consumer price inflation had heightened, making it one of the highest in the world. The report noted that although the CBN was making efforts to curb the rising inflation by increasing interest rates, its funding of fiscal deficit through the ways and means advances had made things difficult.

• ‘Nigeria has vast growth potential’ — World Bank lists 10 reforms for economic transformation

The World Bank says Nigeria’s growth has been stagnant in the past decade despite its huge potential. The bank said this in its latest report titled, ‘Nigeria country economic memorandum: charting a new course’, published on its website. In the report, the bank said Nigeria’s potential and growth has been stagnated over the past decade. It noted that the country needs create more jobs to rise to its potential.

The global bank, therefore, said for the country to have inclusive growth, there is a need for macroeconomic and institutional enablers and investment accelerators. Consequently, the World Bank highlighted key reforms that Nigeria’s government can adopt for faster and more inclusive growth. “Adopt a single and market-reflective exchange rate. Facilitate trade and boost domestic value added by removing import and foreign exchange restrictions. Increase non-oil revenues by raising value-added tax (VAT) and excise rates and strengthening tax administration.

“Eliminate the petrol subsidy by establishing a compact which also protects the poor and vulnerable. Increase access to finance by strengthening the institutional. Contain inflation by reducing the federal infrastructure for financial intermediation government’s recourse to Central Bank Nigeria (CBN) financing.

“Boost competition by embedding it into policy, enhancing enforcement, and simplifying rules to lower costs. Boost power generation by investing in infrastructure to reduce technical and commercial losses. Reduce insecurity by strengthening the rule of law facilitate transport connectivity by reducing interstate transportation costs.”

• Agricultural practices can halt youths’ emigration – Minister

The Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Chief Henry Ikoh, has said that the adoption and commercialisation of modern agricultural practices, like the Genome Editing technology being championed by the African Union, will ensure food security, job creation and help to end the mass emigration of young people.

Speaking in Lagos on Thursday at the official opening of the African Union Development Agency/National Biotechnology Development Agency Genome Editing Communication and Policy Dialogue, Ikoh stressed the need for Africa to embrace new innovations in agriculture.

The ceremony, attended by representatives from Zambia, Ghana, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso and Eswatini, was a sequel to a three-day workshop to develop a national communication strategy and action plan for the continental deployment of Genome Editing. GEd entails the optimisation of the genes of a plant for maximum productivity. The event was organised by AUDA-NEPAD and NABDA.

 

 

 

 

 

BUSINESS

• MAN, expert flay FG’s reason for excess tax on soft drinks

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN and experts have described moves by the Federal Government, FG, to use health reasons as justification to increase excise tax on non-alcoholic drinks as misleading, adding that the reasoning defies all economic logic and Nigeria’s realities.

This is coming barely two weeks after the Sectoral Group of the MAN raised the alarm over strong indications that the FG is planning additional 20 per cent Ad-Valorem Excise Tax on the Carbonated Soft Drinks (CSD). They decried what they see as use of a faceless group to push for additional taxes on the beverages sector. “Spurred by the vociferous campaigns that have been mounted on the issue, government lobbyist are coming up using an emotional but weak health angle to knock the public outcry”, MAN said.

Mr. Teslim Shitta-Bay, a foremost economic analyst, while countering the misleading position put forward by the lobby group argued that, “Nigerians consume 8kg of sugar per person per annum, which is below the prescribed World Health Organisations (WHOs) of 9.1kg per person and is significantly lower than the United Kingdom’s 30kg or the United State of America’s (USA) 46kg per person.” He added, “Yes, health issue can be connected to economic development but in this case, there is no justification to use health to rationalise simply because the Carbonated Soft Drinks sector has not violated the regulations.

 

 

 

 

HEALTH

• Cosmetic treatment goes wrong, Abuja judge, therapist clash

A skin-care therapist, Pamela Onyeagusi, and an Abuja National Industrial Court judge, Justice Zainab Bashir, have traded blame following unsuccessful cosmetic procedures which left burns on the latter’s skin. The therapist accused the judge of harassing and making life unbearable for her after she (Bashir) complained that the cosmetic treatments were not successful. However, Justice Bashir accused the therapist of damaging her skin, adding that she had to travel out of the country to treat herself.

Newsmen gathered that the judge approached Onyeagusi at her residence in Utako, Abuja, on May 8, 2022, to undergo facial, thigh, and stomach treatments after being referred by the therapist’s client. The procedures were completed and the judge was said to have paid the therapist the sum of $2,000 on that day, and the balance of N500,000 two days later.

The peace, however, did not last long, as the judge complained that her face was breaking out days after the operation. Newsmen obtained pictures showing the burns on the judge’s skin after the botched procedures. Onyeagusi told newsmen that the judge was aware of her skin conditions when she came for the treatment.

Onyeagusi claimed that when Bashir called for a refund, she sent back the money for fear of being in more trouble, adding that she did not hear from the judge until in September when she (Onyeagusi) decided to reach out on a courtesy phone call. Onyeagusi alleged that some policemen were at her house on Tuesday and Wednesday while she was away.

• Reps demand hospital relocation from Buhari’s hometown

The House of Representatives has demanded the relocation of a Federal Medical Centre from Daura, the hometown of President Muhammadu Buhari to Funtua in Katsina State. The federal parliament particularly urged the Federal Ministry of Health to “reconsider the process of converting Daura General Hospital to Federal Medical Centre in the public interest,” while also urging the ministry to facilitate the relocation of the FMC to Funtua, “being the only senatorial district without a federal health tertiary institution, with immediate effect.”

A member of the House from Katsina State, Babangida Ibrahim, made the demand via a motion at the plenary on Thursday, which the lawmakers unanimously adopted. The motion was titled, ‘Need to relocate the upgraded General Hospital, Daura, to Funtua as Federal Medical Centre.’

Ibrahim cited a recent approval to convert the General Hospital Daura to an FMC, following the upgrade of the FMC Katsina to a University Teaching Hospital. He also noted that the new FMC in Daura was included in the 2023 budget estimates presented by the President to the National Assembly.

The lawmaker further noted that in August 2019, the Federal Government established the Nigerian Air Force Reference Hospital, a world-class facility, to address the constant medical tourism abroad in search of the best medical services.

 

 

 

 

 

WORLD

• US Donates $75m To Africa’s Electoral Authorities

US President Joe Biden threw his support Thursday behind a larger African role in the world as he also vowed to champion democracy in a continent where China and Russia have enjoyed rising clout. “The United States is all in on Africa and all in with Africa,” Biden told nearly 50 African leaders who have spent three days in a wintry Washington summit that featured a gala White House dinner. Africa belongs to the table in every room — every room for global challenges that are being discussed,” Biden said.

Biden, while announcing $100 million for security, also said the United States would invest $75 million to counteract “democratic backsliding” including by strengthening electoral authorities and civil society. On Wednesday, Biden met jointly with the leaders of six nations that hold elections next year including Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, sub-Saharan Africa’s largest countries in population and size respectively, to seek promises on free elections.

Biden, who in September called for an African permanent seat on the UN Security Council, backed a permanent African Union role in the Group of 20 economies and said he was planning a visit — the first by a US president since 2015 — to sub-Saharan Africa.

The summit is the first of its kind since African leaders came in 2014 to see Barack Obama, whose successor Donald Trump made no secret of his lack of interest in Africa. China for the past decade has eclipsed the United States as an investor, and Russia in recent years has sent in mercenaries and sought diplomatic support against Western pressure. Biden announced $2.5 billion in new assistance on food as price increases lead to hunger across the continent, especially in the drought-struck Horn.

• S.Africa’s Zuma launches bid to prosecute Ramaphosa

South Africa’s graft-tainted former president Jacob Zuma has announced that he is suing President Cyril Ramaphosa over a leaked medical report linked to a 1990s arms corruption trial.
The announcement, made overnight, comes as the ruling African National Congress kicks off a conference Friday that is expected to re-elect as its party leader Ramaphosa, who is facing a huge cash scandal himself.

Zuma announced that he had launched private prosecution proceedings on Thursday against Ramaphosa, accusing him of being an alleged “accessory” in the leaking of a confidential medical document about Zuma to the media.

Ramaphosa “rejects with the utmost contempt… Zuma’s abuse of legal processes and perversion,” the president’s office said. The case is linked to Zuma’s long running but so far unsuccessful campaign to remove prosecutor Billy Downer, who is pursuing the ex-president on corruption charges related to a 1990s arms deal.

Zuma, who alleges that Downer leaked his medical report to a journalist, is now also accusing Ramaphosa of neglecting his duties by not acting after being informed of the leak, said Mzwanele Manyi, a spokesman for his foundation. Zuma’s lawsuit is unlikely to hamper Ramaphosa’s chances of being re-elected as ANC leader, as analysts say the embattled party needs Ramaphosa.

• Peru Declares State Of Emergency As Ousted Leader Remains In Prison

Peru declared a nationwide state of emergency Wednesday over violent protests against the ouster and arrest of ex-president Pedro Castillo that have left seven people dead. Castillo’s supporters have taken to the streets and set up roadblocks countrywide in protests that have also left 200 injured as they demand his release and the holding of early elections. The country plunged into crisis last week when Castillo tried to dissolve Congress and rule by decree, but was quickly impeached by lawmakers and arrested on his way to seek refuge in the Mexican embassy.

The new President Dina Boluarte has struggled to quell tensions, and has now called for the next election — normally due in 2026 — to be brought forward to December 2023, after an earlier bid to hold them in 2024 failed to halt the protests. Defense Minister Alberto Otarola announced the new 30-day state of emergency due to “acts of vandalism and violence,” and roadblocks, and said police and the armed forces “would have control of the whole territory.” He said the measure involved “the suspension of the freedom of movement and assembly” and could also include a night-time curfew.

Last week, a judge ordered Castillo to be held in jail for seven days, and he was meant to be released on Wednesday. However, prosecutors filed a request late on Tuesday to hold him in pre-trial detention for 18 months. Judge Juan Checkley on Wednesday postponed a hearing on the new request until Thursday after defense attorneys argued they had not received all documents from the public prosecutor.

However, he also ordered Castillo to remain in detention for another 48 hours. “Enough! The outrage, humiliation and mistreatment continue,” wrote Castillo on Twitter, adding that he would petition the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to “intercede.” Castillo, a leftist former school teacher, was in power for only 17 months in the South American nation that is prone to political instability and is now on its sixth president in six years.

• Biden Calls Gun Control A ‘Moral Obligation,’ 10 Years After Sandy Hook

President Joe Biden said Wednesday that America should feel collective “guilt” for its failure to tackle gun violence, as the country marks 10 years since its worst-ever school shooting, at Sandy Hook Elementary. “We have a moral obligation to pass and enforce laws that can prevent these things from happening again,” Biden said in a statement. I am determined to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines like those used at Sandy Hook,” he said.

The massacre in Newtown, Connecticut left 20 children and six adults dead in a five-minute shooting spree by a young man named Adam Lanza, who was armed with an AR-15 military-style assault rifle. Lanza later killed himself. The shooting shocked America and the world, sparked heightened security measures at schools, and renewed a contentious fight for gun control laws that continues a decade later.

After 19 children and two teachers were shot dead at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, in May this year, Congress passed legislation expanding background checks and reinforcing measures to get firearms out of the hands of potentially dangerous people.

But a tougher law banning assault rifles expired in 2004 and Congress has repeatedly failed to renew it, even as the country endures mass shooting after mass shooting. This inertia stems largely from opposition from Republicans who cite the constitutional right to gun ownership.

• ‘We’re Fed Up’: Over 100,000 UK Nurses Begin Strike

UK nurses on Thursday begin an unprecedented strike as a “last resort” in their fight for better wages and working conditions, despite warnings it could put patients at risk. Up to 100,000 members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are holding a one-day stoppage from 0800 to 2000 GMT after rejecting a government pay offer.

Ameera, a senior nurse in London, told AFP that “we have not chosen industrial action lightly”. The strike is the first in the Royal College of Nursing union’s 106-year history. “We’re tired. We’re fed up,” added the nurse, who asked that her last name not be reported. “We need a pay rise now to make a living.”

The UK is currently grappling with a cost-of-living crisis as spiralling inflation outstrips wage growth. Union leaders and health workers also said nurses were being overworked due to staff shortages, as the state-run National Health Service (NHS) battled a backlog in appointments made worse by cancellations during the pandemic.

Chemotherapy, dialysis, intensive care and high-dependency units, as well as neonatal and paediatric intensive care will be protected. But other services will be reduced to Christmas staffing levels during the walk-out, the RCN said.

• Musk’s Attacks On Fauci ‘Incredibly Dangerous’

The White House on Monday condemned billionaire Elon Musk’s call for Anthony Fauci, the US infectious disease expert who is a hate figure for many on the right, to be prosecuted over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. “These are incredibly dangerous, these personal attacks that we are seeing,” said White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre, in response to the weekend tweet by Musk that subsequently went viral. They are disgusting and they are divorced from reality,” she said.

Musk, the owner of Twitter, took to the site Sunday to urge punishment for Fauci, who led the government’s approach to the pandemic when it hit the country in early 2020. “My pronouns are Prosecute/Fauci,” Musk said, tauntingly playing on the growing practice for people to indicate their preferred gender pronouns. Musk also posted a meme showing Fauci telling US President Joe Biden, “Just one more lockdown, my king,” in apparent criticism of the coronavirus mitigation measures initially taken in parts of the country in the first year of the pandemic.

Conservatives including former president Donald Trump have made Fauci a focus of their criticisms of the government campaign to battle Covid, and he has faced death threats and had a security team assigned to protect him. “These personal attacks that we’ve been seeing are dangerous on Dr. Fauci and other public health professionals as well,” said Jean-Pierre. Dr. Fauci has served under seven Republican and Democratic presidents. We cannot forget that…. His work on infectious disease from HIV Aids to COVID has saved countless lives,” she said.
We are fortunate, I should say, that he has devoted his career and his life and his exceptional talent to America’s public health.”

Republican lawmakers have pledged to grill Fauci when they take control of the House of Representatives in January, after locking horns repeatedly with the top immunologist over Covid vaccines, mask mandates and other pandemic-related issues. Fauci, 81, is due to step down this month from his roles in government as Biden’s chief medical advisor, as well as director of the National Institute for Allergies and Infectious Diseases, which he has headed since 1984. In what was likely his final White House appearance in November, Fauci slammed the proliferation of bad health advice online and said the most difficult thing he had to deal with while helming America’s fight against Covid was the country’s polarization along political lines.

 

 

 

 

 

ENTERTAINMENT

• Tearful relatives, friends send Sammie Okposo home

There were tears and wailing from family and friends on Thursday when popular gospel singer and Chief Executive Officer of Zamar Entertainment, Sammie Okposo, was buried in Lagos.
The singer died on November 25 at the age of 51. According to his manager, he slept and didn’t wake up, contrary to reports that he slumped and died. A video obtained by newsmen showed the moment Okposo was laid to rest with family and friends paying their last respect.

A night of tributes had earlier been held for the singer at La Madison Place, Oniru, Lagos, on Tuesday, with fellow singers Tope Alabi and Timi Dakolo performing. The event also had in attendance top celebrities like AY Comedian, Ali Baba, Charles Inojie, Segun Arinze, and Desmond Elliot among others.

Okposo broke into the limelight with his first single ‘Welu Welu’, which was on his first album, ‘Unconditional Love’. He followed the single with more successful songs like ‘Na only you’ which was part of the ‘No More Drama’ album. He was last seen performing at the Sammie Okposo Praise Party in Lagos on November 4, 2022.

• Davido steps out for the World Cup’s closing performance in Qatar

Afrobeats star Davido has arrived in Qatar ahead of his appearance at the FIFA 2022 World Cup’s closing ceremony. This will be the singer’s second public appearance since the tragic passing of his beloved son, Ifeanyi, in October. He was supposed to perform at the beginning of the football tournament, but unfortunate incidents made it impossible. His performance at the closing ceremony of the World Cup on Sunday, December 18, 2022, will be his first after the sad event that made him go off the radar.

The ‘Stand Strong’ singer’s appearance at the World Cup was first announced on Thursday, December 8, by Chinese businessman Stephen Hung via his Instagram story. With great excitement, Hung confirmed that Davido will perform at the closing ceremony. He added that he could wait to see the singer.

The DMW label boss may be returning to social media almost two months after he stayed away as he reacted to a recent Instagram post by controversial singer Portable, which sparked interest among social media users. On Thursday, December 15, in Warri, Delta State, the musician can be seen in videos posted on his Instagram page playing his popular song ‘Zazu’ at a school’s end-of-year party. The children, their parents, and their guardians joined him on the dance floor as he sang and danced enthusiastically, with happiness radiating from everyone.

• ‘I’m Heart Broken’: London Mayor Reacts To Asake’s Concert Incident

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has expressed sadness over a crush outside a South London venue hosting a concert by Nigerian Afrobeats singer Asake on Thursday. Emergency teams were called to the O2 Academy in Brixton at 9:35 pm (2135 GMT) on Thursday following reports “that a large number of people were attempting to force entry to the venue”.

Police, ambulance crews, and fire brigade officers arrived to find numerous people with injuries.
Eight people were taken to hospital by ambulance while two “less seriously injured” were treated at the scene. Reacting to the incident in a tweet on his verified Twitter page on Friday, Khan said an urgent investigation is underway.

The incident occurred during the last of three sold-out performances at the venue by singer-songwriter Asake. The gig was cancelled midway through the performance. Reports said an irate crowd was told that up to 3,000 people had tried to break through the doors, with some succeeding, and that police had ordered the show to stop.

• Asake breaks silence after O2 incident leaves 4 injured

Fans tried to breach the venue’s doors, forcing the sold-out show to stop halfway through on the night of Thursday, December 15, 2022. Asake has released a statement addressing the cancellation of his London show over a security breach.

During his sold-out show yesterday, December 15, at the O2 Academy Brixton, the singer was forced to cancel his show midway through as many fans who didn’t have tickets tried to forcefully gain access to the show. It was reported that eight people had been taken to the hospital, with four in a critical condition, after a suspected crush during the event in London.

On his Instagram page, the singer released a statement addressing the unfortunate incident.
Asake said his heart is with those who were injured at the concert, and that he is in the process of reaching out to the individuals. The ‘organize’ singer also appreciated his fans and the love they had for him, stating that he hoped to see them soon.

• Tunde Kelani bags honorary doctorate degree

The Ibadan-based Lead City University has awarded veteran filmmaker Tunde Kelani (TK) an honorary doctorate degree – Doctor of Letters. The degree is often awarded to people who have contributed noticeably to the society. The filmmaker shared a photo of himself in a graduation gown via his Instagram page on Tuesday. In the post, Kelani appreciated the institution and everyone who has been a part of his journey.

“It is now on record that on the 12th day of the 12th month of the year 2022, I was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) by Lead City University, Ibadan, one of the leading universities in Nigeria,” he wrote.

Concluding his remark, the veteran wrote: “I hereby thank my family and friends. associates, supporters, collaborators, benefactors and professional colleagues for being part of my journey. Your love, support and encouragement over the past few decades have finally paid off. I am grateful. God bless you all. Dr. TK.”

Kelani is a Nigerian filmmaker with a career spanning more than four decades. His interests are in producing movies and have deep roots in documentation, archiving, education, entertainment, and promotion of the culture. Most of his movies, including ‘Maami,’ ‘Saworoide’, ‘Oleku’ follow this lines of interest. He is also known for enjoying literary adaptations. Most recently, he directed ‘Ayinla,’ the biopic of the popular Apala musician, Ayinla Omo Wura, produced by Jade Osiberu.

 

 

 

 

 

SPORTS

• 14,000 Police On Duty In France For World Cup Final

Around 14,000 police officers will be on duty across France on Sunday to guarantee security as Les Bleus take on Argentina in the World Cup final, officials said Friday. The security operation, presented to Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin publicly on Friday, will see a concentration of forces in Paris, where huge crowds are expected in the event of victory.

The Champs-Elysees avenue was the scene of vast celebrations during France’s previous World Cup triumphs in 1998 and 2018, with 600,000 people cheering and dancing there four years ago. The avenue will be closed to traffic on Sunday and 2,750 officers will be stationed in the vicinity.

Sub-zero temperatures and rain, which are forecast for Sunday, could dampen any party, however, as would a victory for Argentina and their inspirational Paris-based playmaker Lionel Messi.

Police will be on their guard for troublemakers, after around 40 far-right sympathisers arrested on Wednesday evening as they attempted to join a crowd of revellers after France beat Morocco in the semi-final.

• FIFA Chief Announces Plans For 32-Team Club World Cup

FIFA chief Gianni Infantino announced plans on Friday for a 32-team Club World Cup from 2025, despite reported opposition from Europe’s biggest clubs. An expansion of the competition has long been a pet project of Infantino’s. A 24-team event, featuring eight sides from Europe, was planned for 2021 in China but was put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Infantino said the new-look tournament would be even bigger than first planned. “We had agreed a few years ago to have a new 24-team men’s Club World Cup,” the FIFA president said at the World Cup in Doha on Friday. It should have taken place in 2021 but was postponed because of Covid. The new competition will take place in 2025 and will feature 32 teams, making it really like a World Cup.”

Reports in the British media this week said European clubs had rejected FIFA’s proposal to launch the new-look competition. The plans are for an expanded tournament to be held every four years instead of annually, as is the case for the current seven-team event.

• FIFA To ‘Revisit’ Scrapping Of Four-Team Groups In 2026 – Infantino

FIFA looks set to revise plans to introduce three-team groups for the 2026 World Cup, world football chief Gianni Infantino said on Friday. It had previously indicated that the 2026 finals, which will expand to 48 teams from 32, would see countries divided into 16 groups of three during the first round. Under that format, the top two teams in each group would advance to a 32-team knockout tournament.

However, FIFA president Infantino said the thrilling success of the existing first-round format at the Qatar World Cup — where teams were divided into traditional groups of four — had prompted a rethink.

Infantino added that the World Cup format for 2026 could be modelled along the lines of the European Championship, which has six groups of four, with the four best third-placed teams also advancing to the knockout rounds. The 2026 World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Infantino said the enlarged competition would lead to a financial bonanza for FIFA. Revenues in the four-year cycle leading up to 2026 are projected to increase to $11 billion — up from $7.5 billion in the cycle ending in 2022. Asked to explain the huge projected increase in revenues, Infantino cited the expanded number of teams, existing stadium infrastructure and the size of the North American market.

 

 

 

 

 

METRO PLUS

• Abuja train mangles NTA principal accountant

An Abuja-bound train on Thursday crushed a woman to death along the Kubwa rail tracks.
Newsmen who visited Chikakore community, where the incident happened, observed as sympathisers lamented the incident. The Chairman, Chikakore Community Zone-E, Ismail Olakposoyosi, said the victim was driving out of the community before she met untimely death.

He said the train rammed into the woman, who was inside her car, adding that it took men of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency and National Emergency Management Agency to lift the train before they could bring out the damaged car and her corpse. He said the Federal Government should have built a bridge or a barricade with a signal light to warn motorists and commuters.

The woman, who was identified as Hajiya Selimota Idowu, worked with the Nigeria Television Authority. The General Manager, NTA Channel Five Abuja, Paul Atti, expressed sadness over the incident. The FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said investigation was ongoing.
She said, “Findings and safety tips already existing will soon be reiterated to ensure a non-repeat of such an incident.”

• Man Caught Bathing With Blood In Ogun River

A 49-year-old man has been apprehended for allegedly bathing with blood at a river bank in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. The suspect, Ganiyu Shina, was sighted by members of the community where he parked his Nissan commercial vehicle, came out with a local sponge and a container filled with blood and started bathing with it. Ogun Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who disclosed this in a statement, said the suspect took to his heels upon realising that some people were watching him. He was however chased and apprehended by members of the community.

“A call was made to the police at Aregbe divisional headquarters by a member of the community, and the DPO, SP Bunmi Asogbon quickly led the patrol team to the scene, from where the suspect was brought to the station,” the statement read. On interrogation, the suspect claimed to have a spiritual problem, and that a herbalist instructed him to perform the ritual. He claimed further that the blood in his possession is not human blood, but that of cow.”

Reacting to the arrest, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Lanre Bankole, directed that the remaining blood should be taken for laboratory analysis, to ascertain whether is human blood or not. The police commissioner also praised members of the community for not taking laws into their hands, assuring them that the suspect will be properly investigated.

• Beware, cyber criminals behind Tinubu’s PCC N18, 500 empowerment fund – Faleke

The Secretary of the Presidential Campaign Council, (PCC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), James Faleke, has warned Nigerians to be wary of cyber criminals asking unsuspecting online users to pay the sum of N18, 500 to access the empowerment fund from the PCC. Faleke, a member of the House of Representatives, representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, issued this warning, in a statement on Thursday.

The campaign Secretary urged Nigerians to ignore messages from Facebook, asking them to pay N18,500 to access the fund. The lawmaker, who also urged Nigerians to ignore messages from his Facebook account demanding money from people, said his Facebook account was hacked and cybercriminals are using it to demand money from people.

• Tanker fire rocks Oyo community, destroys property

There was panic on Thursday when a tanker conveying petrol skidded off the road and rammed into shops at Apata, Ibadan, Oyo State. It was gathered that residential buildings, shops, cars and a filling station were burnt in the inferno, which started around 7pm.

Some of the affected vehicles were reportedly parked by the roadside by their owners.
Videos of the incident circulated on social media showed residents in panic as the fire raged on, consuming everything in its path.An official of the Oyo State Fire Service, CSM Adebimpe Busayo, who confirmed the incident, said the situation was under control. Asked if casualties were recorded, she said, “Yes,” adding that she didn’t have details of the actual number.

Busayo also confirmed reports that an Oando Filling Station was affected but couldn’t state the level of damage it suffered. Contacted, the Head of the National Emergency Management Agency in Ibadan, Saheed Akiode, said men of the Federal Fire Service drafted to the area had put off the fire. He noted that though some buildings were affected by the fire, no life was lost.