Ooni cautions Nigerians against divisive tendencies

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has cautioned Nigerians against divisive tendencies that may jeopardize the unity of purpose of the country as laid down by the founding fathers.

He specifically called on Nigerians to see diversity in culture as a strength to foster togetherness and peace in the country.

He spoke at the grand finale of the annual Amasekumo festival of the Gbaramatu people of Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

Ooni who is the co-chairman of the Traditional Council in Nigeria, commended the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, HRM Oboro Gbaraun II, for sustaining the cultural practice of his people.

Nigerians don’t deserve me – Rapper Vic O quits music

Nigerian hip-hop star Vic O has announced his retirement from the music industry.

The rapper said he is quitting music because Nigerians don’t deserve him.

Speaking in a video message shared via his Instagram page recently, Vic O lamented the lack of support from fans and low patronage from show organisers.

He said he deserves better than what he gets from Nigerians.

Ondo APC primary: Deputy Governor Adelami reacts to Aiyedatiwa’s victory in Owo

Ondo State Deputy Governor, Olayide Adelami said he was happy members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Owo turned out en masse to vote for his principal, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in Saturday’s primary election in the state.

This is contained in a statement by Adelami’s spokesperson, John Paul Akinduro, on Saturday.

According to the statement, the deputy governor expressed his gratitude while speaking with newsmen shortly after being counted in the voting exercise at his Igboroko 2 Ward 3 in Owo.

“When I came here this morning, I did not see anyone behind other aspirants. Although I expected nothing less because our people in Owo have, for a long time, demonstrated their commitment to the Aiyedatiwa project.

Nigerian pleads guilty to $12 million fraud scheme targeting US citizens

Damian Williams, the United States attorney for the southern district of New York, says Oluseun Omole, a Texas-based Nigerian, has been found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

 

In a statement by the United States Attorney’s Office of Southern District, Williams said Omole participated in a consumer electronics scam and defrauded citizens of goods of over $12 million.

 

Omole was arraigned on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

 

The attorney said Omole participated in the criminal acts perpetrated by members of a group called “Enterprise”, based in Nigeria.

NAF to take delivery of six fighter jets from Italy by end of 2024

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is expected to take delivery of six M-346 fighter aircraft before the end of 2024.

 

In November 2023, NAF struck a deal with Messrs Leonardo, an Italian defence company, for the supply of 24 M-346 fighter aircraft.

 

The deal is reportedly worth around €1.2 billion.

 

On Wednesday, Claudio Sabatino, the vice-president of the Italian company, visited NAF headquarters in Abuja and met with Hasan Abubakar, the chief of air staff.

Naira will continue to appreciate against US dollar, Tinubu knows the game – Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured that the naira will continue to appreciate against the dollar.

Shettima said President Bola Tinubu understands the game and would ensure the naira continues to appreciate.

The Vice President spoke when a delegation of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, led by its President, Gabriel Idahosa, paid him a courtesy visit in his office at the President Villa, Abuja.

A statement by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, quoted the Vice President as saying Tinubu had to end fuel subsidy and ensure the unification of the multiple exchange rate because the former arrangement was producing billionaires overnight.

‘Despite my ordeal, my faith in Nigeria remains unshaken’ — Adoke speaks on acquittal

Mohammed Bello Adoke, former attorney-general of the federation (AGF), has applauded the judgment of the federal high court which dismissed charges of money laundering allegations filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

 

Inyang Ekwo, a federal high court judge, on Friday, upheld the “no case” submission by Adoke on charges of money laundering.

 

The EFCC had charged Adoke and Aliyu Abubakar, a property developer, in 2017 alleging money laundering to the tune of N300 million.

 

Ekwo said the EFCC did not provide any evidence to prove the essential elements of the offence against Adoke, who was listed as first defendant.

 

Okuama residents sue army for ‘rights violation’, seek N200bn compensation

 

Residents of Okuama community, Delta state, have instituted a suit against the Nigerian Army over an alleged breach of their fundamental human rights.

 

In the suit marked FHC/WR/CS/41/2024 and filed before a federal high court in Warri on Thursday, the plaintiffs are seeking N200 billion as general and exemplary damages.

 

On March 14, a group of army personnel comprising a lieutenant colonel, two majors, one captain and 12 soldiers were killed in the community.

 

Since then, there have been military operations in Okuama in a bid to find the perpetrators.

 

Akpabio nominated into Committee to prepare grounds for World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments

The Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, has named President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, as a member of the Preparatory Committee for the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament 2025.

A statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the Senate President, Jackson Udom, said Akpabio’s nomination was contained in a letter signed by the General Secretary of the IPU, Martin Chungong, and addressed to the Senate President.

The nomination letter reads, “I wish to congratulate you upon your nomination as a member of the Preparatory Committee for the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament (2025) and to invite you to a first meeting of the Preparatory Committee at IPU Headquarters in Geneva on 16-17 May 2024.

“As you are aware, every five years since 2000, the Inter-Parliamentary Union has convened a World Conference of Speakers of Parliament.

‘You’re not following procedure’ — Ondo guber hopeful confronts Ododo over APC primary

Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, and Gbenga Edema, one of the hopefuls for the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial ticket in Ondo, engaged in a heated argument on Saturday over the distribution of election material for the party’s primary.

 

Ododo is the chairman of the seven-member committee overseeing the Ondo APC governorship primary.

 

The argument started after some members party gathered at the BON Hotel, Akure, where the election materials were scheduled to be distributed.

 

From the crowd, Edema confronted Ododo, saying that election materials were to be distributed to several wards in the state.

I’m only GOAT in Nigeria – Davido

Afrobeats star David Adeleke, aka Davido, has claimed that he is the greatest of all time in the Nigerian music industry.

 

Despite being regarded as one of the three biggest Nigerian artists currently alongside Wizkid and Burna Boy, Davido has continued to downplay any comparison between him and his colleagues.

 

In a video shared on TikTok by British-Nigerian content creator, Shopsydoo, Davido could be heard bragging about being the only “GOAT” in Nigeria.

 

“There is only one GOAT in my country and it’s me,” he boasted.

Customs adjust FX rate for import duties to N1,147/$

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has again adjusted the foreign exchange (FX) rate for duties to N1,147.02 per dollar.

 

This represents a 7.3 percent decrease compared to N1,238.1/$ displayed on April 18.

 

The rate adopted by customs was observed on Friday.

 

It fell below the official foreign exchange rate, which closed at N1,154/$ on April 18 at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM).

33 Zamfara residents 'killed' in airstrike during Eid-el-Fitr celebration

 

At least 33 residents of Dogon Daji village in Maradun LGA of Zamfara were reported killed during an airstrike by the military.

 

Reuters reports that the incident happened on April 10 when residents were preparing for the Eid-el-Fitr prayer that marked the end of the Ramadan fasting.

 

Reuters said four residents and a traditional leader spoke about the incident.

 

The military operation was said to be targeting bandits and their hideouts.

 

FG agency blames multiple taxes, others for high cost of goods

 

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has released findings from a comprehensive investigation into the factors contributing to the relentless increase in consumer costs.

The Director of Surveillance and Investigation Mrs B. A. Adeyinka, said this while briefing journalists during a market surveillance to enforce prices today in Masaka Markets, Nasarawa State.

Adeyinka explained, “We’ve conducted extensive interviews with marketing executives and sellers across various sectors. Despite government efforts to stabilise the currency, prices remain high.

“Our findings point to a complex web of factors, including multiple layers of taxation and transportation costs, driving prices up. The cost of transportation is a significant burden on the sellers, and this cost is inevitably passed on to the consumer.

Kwankwaso’s entry into NNPP strengthened party to prominence- Former Chairman, Habib

A pioneer Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, in Kano Malam Hisham Habib has disputed the remarks of the National Chairman of the Party, Dr Boniface Aniebonum that Kwankwaso and his Kwankwasiyya group betrayed him.

Hisham, rather asserted that the entry of the National Leader and also Presidential Candidate of the Party in 2023 Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso uplifted the party more in its entire years of existence.

The former Kano State chairman of the party said as a member and a witness of the party’s activities before and after Kwankwaso entered the party with his supporters, the statements credited to the party’s founder were without decorum and contentment.

He said the party was at its lowest ebb and the leadership had not been able to resuscitate the weak structures, especially, in the states stressing that the founder, Dr Boniface Aniebonam and his loyalists should be grateful to God for routing Kwankwaso into a party which cannot sponsor delegates to a convention talk less of winning at the polls.