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25/12/2024

Christians All Over The World Celebrate Christmas
24 December 2024
Over two billion Christians all over the world on Wednesday celebrate the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ. From Nigeria to the rest of Africa, Europe, Asia, The Americas, Christians mark Christmas with funfair, more than two thousand years after Jesus was born in Bethlehem, south of Jerusalem.

Christmas, which has evolved into an annual occasion, is a season of love, hope, joy, togetherness, and charity.

Pope Francis will preside over the Christmas Eve mass in St Peter’s, before delivering his traditional Christmas Day blessing, Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world), at midday on Wednesday.

The 88-year-old pontiff, who has recently been suffering from a cold, was pushed up to the huge, ornate bronze door in a wheelchair and knocked on it before the doors opened and he went through as the bells of the Vatican Basilica rang out.

Tinubu, Wife Rejoice With Christians
In Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu felicitated Nigerians on the Christmas celebration, saying the country is on the path to restoration and progress.

The President in a statement he signed on Tuesday urged the citizens to pray for the nation’s leaders at all levels.

“On this joyous Christmas Day, I extend my heartfelt greetings to Christians across Nigeria and worldwide as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, as narrated in the Holy Scriptures,” he said.

“Nigeria is on a promising path of restoration and progress, with every indication pointing toward a bright future. In the spirit of this season, let us renew our hope and belief in a prosperous Nigeria.

“Let us extend similar support and prayers to our nation’s leaders. With your backing, we can serve our country diligently and strive for prosperity.”

He said the event is a poignant reminder that light can emerge even in the darkest times, bringing solace and hope, adding that this belief resonates with people of all faiths. Indeed, God is with us.

Also, the wife of the President, Remi Tinubu, assured Nigerians that the administration of her husband is committed to positive changes that will benefit every Nigerian.

In her Christmas message, the President’s wife said some of the policy changes are already yielding positive results.

She thanked all Nigerians for their support for the President’s administration in the last 18 months and pledged the government’s continuous support for all citizens.

She urged Nigerians to look forward to the new year, 2025, with bright optimism.

“As this year comes to a close, let us hold onto the belief that better days are ahead. Let us continue to love and support one another, foster unity, and embrace the diversity that makes our nation so great,” she said.

-ChannelsTV

24/12/2024

Tax reforms here to stay — Tinubu
24 December 2024
President Bola Tinubu said yesterday that tax reform has come to stay but noted he was ready to compromise on the controversial bills.

He also said he had no regrets about removing the fuel subsidy.

President Tinubu clarified this in his maiden presidential media chat.

He tasked Nigerians with understanding, assuring them that better days were ahead, adding that he understood their pains.

He said: “Tax reform is here to stay. Why do you want to know that today? Tax matters are subject to debates, reviews and negotiations until you reach concessions. That is what I am going to say about that. I don’t mind cutting edges.

“We cannot continue to do what we previously did in today’s economy. We cannot retool this economy with the same broken boat and I believe that I have that capacity that is why I went into the race. I am focused on what Nigeria needs and what I must do for Nigerians.

“It is not yet eldorado for everybody but the new dawn is here. I am convinced.”

Asked whether he would reduce the size of his cabinet to cut the cost of governance, Tinubu said: “I am not prepared to bring down the size of my cabinet. I saw the need when I put them together. You do not give somebody any assignment he or she cannot fulfill. The job description must be efficient and effective. Nigeria is a large country. If you are to entertain over 200 million people, calculate how many stewards you will need. Let us pay attention to efficiency. Efficiency and effectiveness are the hallmark behind the philoshopy of that cabinet and I am not ready to shrink a bit of it. All the ministers are adding value.”

Speaking on the stampedes that happened in Oyo, Anambra and the FCT, he said: “It is a mixed feeling for one to lose loved ones especially children particularly in Oyo State followed by various other incidents. Are we looking at it from the organisers’ point of view or from the goodwill gesture of the organisers trying to give out things from their possession? It is very sad that people are not well organised. We just need to be disciplined in our society. Condolences to those who lost family members but it is good to give.

“I have been giving out foodstuffs, commodities, and envelopes at Bourdillon in the last 25 years and I have never experienced this kind of incident because we are organised and disciplined. If you do not have enough to give, please don’t attempt to give or try to publicise it.

“Every society, even in the United States of America, they have food banks and they are organised. It is unfortunate that we are not organised and it reflects at our bus stops, people do not want to be on the queue when they want to board buses.

“It is very sad but we will continue to learn from our mistakes.

To me, I see this as a grave error on the part of the organisers. Things are improving.
“We must admit that things have been very tough for many households.”

Asked whether he could have withheld the removal of subsidy on fuel and the harmonisation of forex while there were contigency plans, he said: “Where is the contigency plan? We were spending our future, we were spending the fortunes of our generations and we were not investing. We were just deceiving ourselves. The reforms were necessary. I could see the smugglers fighting back but that does not affect me. Why should you have expenditures that you do not have revenues for? We should teach management with all our programmes.

“We have to manage our resources within our limit.

“There is no way you will give out fuel to all neighbouring countries as Father Christmas. I don’t have any regrets whatsoever in removing subsidy, it is necessary. We cannot spend the fortunes of our future generations.”

Speaking on fuel subsidy, the President said he has no regrets about its removal.

He said: “It is part of the fear that is unnecessary. No matter how you cut it in segments, you still have to face the bill. We must manage what we have. We have no choice but to pull the hand brake; otherwise; we are headed for a slippery slope that will result in financial disaster. It is not just for us but for our children and grandchildren. Where is the inheritance or the pathway to prosperity?”

On debt servicing and borrowing, he said: “Borrowing is not criminal; it is the mismatch of our needs. We have a serious infrastructure deficit. We must have money for the long term infrastructure. We headed the wrong road in the past and I don’t want to look at that. I want to think of prosperity for our country. I want to think about tomorrow today.

“Our roads are terrible, our internet is not up to the level we should be in terms of technology; we are still indebted in power generation and electricity. How do you start? We just have to take it with two hands and brace up for a long push. It is not because we want to inflict pain on anybody, it is because we want this country to grow. There is no other way out of it unless we invest in today’s prosperity.”

On whether he would investigate and remove his service chiefs, Tinubu said: “Today, I have confidence in the security architecture of this country. I am not removing my service chiefs, you cannot insult an institution because of type of approach.

“You cannot fight this way without investment in technology, weaponry and training.

“There might leakages here and there but it is not wholesale. It is unfortunate that two decades of killings. During my campaigns, I had to cut short my campaigns to pay condelence visits to Kaduna, Borno and Zamfara but today you can travel by road. Before now, it was impossible.

“It takes one incident to mess up an organised environment. The enemies within and without are looknig at what you are doing; you must be prepared at all times to ensure people are safe.

“Today, that is not the story; people can leave Kaduna and go to Kanfanchan by road. The road may not be that smooth but gradually, we will get there.”

On Ways and Means, he said: “We have exited what used to be the era of Ways and Means because we have more revenue is being generated.

“Nigeria is moving forward. We can’t finish the job in one year and I am not giving myself an excuse.”

-Vanguard News

24/12/2024

We’ve recovered skull of beheaded kidnaped victim, Paulinus — Delta CP
24 December 2024
Police operatives in Delta State have exhumed the remains of one Paulinus Okon, allegedly killed by his close friend.

This was confirmed by the state Police Commissioner, Abaniwonda Olufemi, when he briefed journalists.
According to the command’s public relations officer SP, Mr. Bright Edafe, the CP had directed the Criminal Investigation Department, CID, of his command to unearth details around the issue when he got wind of the heinous act.

He said: “This briefing is about the murder of one Paulinus Okon ‘m’ by his bosom friend, one Efe Onoeti. Paulinus was reported missing on 8/9/2024 by his brother after he went out with his friend Efe Onoitiyi ‘m’ age 30yrs. The suspect Efe Onoeti, who initially denied knowing what happened to Paulinus came to Paulinus’s house to ask his family of Paulinus, he was confronted that the deceased went out with him on that same date which he denied that the deceased did not go out with him.

“On a later date, Efe came back and demanded N500,000 from the deceased’s brother that he would use the money to pay a herbalist who could tell them of Paulinus’ whereabouts. Efe again came and informed the family that Paulinus was kidnapped and he collected a ransom of N20.715million from the deceased brother claiming that he was in touch with the kidnappers.

“When it became obvious that Efe had something to hide, he was arrested and the case was transferred to State Criminal Investigation Department State Headquarters Asaba. On November 29, 2024, I directed the DPO Ekpan to take over the case and ensure that a discrete investigation was carried out to fish out those responsible as the main suspect Efe was not yielding.

“The DPO Ekpan carried out an intelligence led investigation that indicted one Okeimute Ogaga ‘m’ aged 48yrs old. Okeimute Ogaga upon his arrest opened up and confessed that he could no longer hide what happened. Okeimute Ogaga narrated how Efe brought Paulinus to Orere River in Otokutu and requested that they kill him. The suspect further stated that on September 8, 2024, himself, Efe and Sunday, and a 30yrs old herbalist known as Lawrence Jo tied Paulinus to a stake at night close to Orere River and beheaded him alive.”

“His body was thrown into the River while the herbalist took the head of Paulinus and buried at his shrine in Otokutu. The DPO Ekpan Police station led police operatives to the shrine in Otokutu where the skull was exhumed and recovered.

“During interrogation, Efe was asked why he killed his friend Paulinus, he stated that he saw a building for sale at a cost of N30million which he advertised to the deceased and the deceased paid him N30million in three instalments, but instead of buying the house, he diverted the money for his personal use, bought two lands and was building a duplex for himself.

“He further stated that he did not know how to explain to the deceased that he had used his money hence he decided that killing him would save him the trouble. Efe and the three other suspects are in custody.”

An activist in the state, Mr. Israel Joe was the first to raise the alarm on his social media platforms on the issue, calling for justice to be done.

While appealing for justice for the family of the deceased Paulinus, Joe said the late Paulinus ran a thriving boutique business in Otokutu community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state before he was allegedly kidnapped and beheaded.

According to the rights activist, the close friend of Paulinus allegedly connived with some persons to carry out the kidnap, adding that after beheading the hostage, they kept extorting the family members.

In another video Joe released that trended online at the time showed a man narrating how various efforts to kill the late Paulinus failed.

-Vanguard News

24/12/2024

Ibadan Funfair Tragedy: Court remands Ooni’s ex-wife, Oriyomi Hamzat
24 December 2024
A Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan, on Tuesday, ordered the remand of the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola; the Chief Executive Officer of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat; and the Principal of Islamic High School, Abdullahi Fasasi, at the Agodi Correctional Centre.

The remand order followed their arraignment in connection with last week’s tragic stampede at a Christmas funfair held at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, which claimed the lives of 35 children and left six others injured.

The court presided over by Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi, issued the order after the suspects were brought to court amidst heavy security.

The defendants are facing a four-count charge. According to the police prosecutor, the offences contravened Section 324 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The prosecution alleged that the trio played a role in the events leading to the stampede that turned the Christmas celebration into a tragedy.

Chief Magistrate Ogunkanmi directed that the defendants be remanded at the Agodi Correctional Centre pending legal advice from the Oyo State Director of Public Prosecutions.

The court proceedings, which drew significant public attention, saw law enforcement officers heavily guarding the suspects as they were es**rted to and from the court premises.

-The Punch

22/12/2024

Fuel to sell at N935 per litre from Monday -IPMAN
22 December 2024
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), says the price of petrol will drop to N935 per litre by Monday in view of Dangote Refinery’s new arrangement.

IPMAN said the new price was necessitated by the reduction in Dangote Refinery’s fuel ex-depot price and uniform arrangement, which would enable marketers to sell at N935 in their outlets nationwide.

Alhaji Maigandi Garima, IPMAN National President, who made this known on Sunday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, lauded the Dangote refinery for the development.

NAN reports that Dangote refinery recently announced a significant reduction in fuel price by 7.27 per cent from N970 per litre to N899.50 per litre at its loading gantry and provided generous credit terms to marketers.

In the bid to ensure that the price reduction gets to the end consumers, it signed a partnership with MRS to sell petrol from its retail outlets nationwide at N935.

The price reduction which is designed by Dangote refinery to alleviate transport cost during the festive period and beyond, has already commenced in Lagos, and will be offered nationwide from Monday.

“Dangote refinery has brought another new arrangement of loading and pricing by which marketers would pay a fixed ex-depot price of N899. 50k.

“The refinery is running a programme whereby it wants the fuel consumption across the country to be at the same rate. We are expecting the new arrangement to kick-start on Monday.

“We have been loading from the Dangote refinery and the refinery is saving us in this festive period,’’ he said.

The IPMAN president said previously it was loading at N970 per litre at Dangote refinery, but based on the arrangement and promise from Dangote, by Monday fuel price will drop to N935.

Garima said the downstream sector competition being witnessed currently was expected by marketers since due to deregulation, adding that it would see the price of fuel dropping continuously.

“That is the reason why we have been asking the government to allow private sectors to participate in the refinery business.

“Very soon more refineries are coming up and the country will see a lot of price reduction in the downstream sector,’’ he said.

He recalled that during the 2023 yuletide, per litre of fuel was sold at N2, 000 in the Northern and Eastern part of the country because fuel was being imported at that period.

He added that the highest price of which fuel could be sold there currently is N1, 100 because refineries are running in the country.

“By the time Warri and Kaduna resume production, one can buy products at cheaper rates and it is good for the economy,’’ he added.

He however commended the Naira for the crude swap deal, adding that it is a good development for the growth of the economy.

The NNPC Ltd. had also slashed fuel ex-depot price from N1, 020 to N899.

The fuel price reduction reflects response to deregulation and increased industry competition.

-Vanguard News

22/12/2024

Usyk Beats Fury In Heavyweight Championship Rematch
Usyk's win takes him to 23-0 with 14 knockouts and extends one of the all-time best careers that includes Olympic gold.

21/12/2024

Just In: 17 die in Anambra rice distribution stampede, 10 in Abuja
21 December, 2024
No fewer than 17 people died in a stampede during rice distribution in Anambra today Also, about 10 fatalities were recorded in Abuja where palliatives were being distributed

An eyewitnesses described the scenes as chaotic and tragic. One said at least seven of the deceased in the Abuja tragedy were children.

Anambra
In Anambra, 17 people were confirmed dead and several others sustained injuries at Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area, following a stampede during the distribution of Christmas rice by officials of Obijackson Foundation.

The Foundation has been distributing such gifts annually for many years and people in the entire Ihiala local government and other neighbouring communities always look forward to it.

According to eyewitnesses, the victims, mostly women and youths, had stationed themselves at the facility as early as 5 a.m. on Saturday, waiting for the distribution to begin at daybreak.

The eyewitness said that the crowd became uncontrollable when the distribution began, as they rushed to collect the rice, leading to the stampede.

The dead bodies and those who sustained injuries were rushed to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala.

In a viral video, dead bodies, including pregnant women, littered the vicinity of the hospital’s mortuary.

The video also showed chaotic scenes of people rushing to escape, with some trying to revive those who fell unconsciously.

The state police command is yet to confirm the incident, but many relatives of the victims were seen sobbing uncontrollably.

In Abuja…
At least 10 people, including children, are feared dead, and several others sustained injuries during a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday morning.

The incident occurred as thousands of residents scrambled to receive palliatives distributed by the church.

The event, organised to provide relief to struggling residents, drew over 3,000 people, mostly from Mpape, Gishiri Village, and other nearby settlements.

The National Director of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh, confirmed the tragic development. He noted that the palliative distribution had been suspended.

“Yes it’s true. But with sketchy details,” he said.

Many attendees arrived as early as 4 a.m., hoping to secure their share of the palliatives. The stampede occurred between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., when the crowd surged forward.

“10 people have been reported dead, including children. We just received a call that they have passed on.

“Over 3,000 people came out to receive the palliative. It’s unfortunate.

“Most of those present were residents of Mpape, Gishiri Village, and other nearby settlements.

“May God receive the souls of the departed and protect us from harm,” the eyewitness, a mother of five, said.

Police, DSS, solodiers step in
In response to the chaos, a combined team of police, military, and DSS officers was deployed to restore order and disperse the crowd.

The church premises, initially filled with anxious beneficiaries, gradually cleared as security personnel enforced the suspension.

This tragedy mirrors a similar incident that occurred just days earlier in Ibadan, Oyo State, where a stampede at a children’s funfair resulted in the deaths of at least 35 children and left six others critically injured.

The event, held at the Islamic High School in Bashorun, Ibadan, attracted over 5,000 children and turned fatal when attendees rushed to receive food and gifts distributed by the organizers.

-Vanguard News

21/12/2024

Biden moves to frustrate Trump’s massive deportation plan

21/12/2024

Yahaya Bello Released After Meeting Bail Conditions
Bello was granted bail on Thursday by Justice MaryAnne Anenih in the sum of N500 million.

20/12/2024

Court Grants Dele Farotimi ₦30m Bail.
20 December 2024
Human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi has been granted ₦30 million bail by a Magistrate court in Ekiti State.

The court also asked Farotimi to provide 3 sureties with a landed property within the jurisdiction.

He was told to refrain from media interview and to submit his international passport. The case has been adjourned till 13th February 2025.

Farotimi, who has been remanded in a correctional centre in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, arrived at the Magistrate Court premises around 9:45 am on Friday.

He was conveyed to the court premises in a prison’s van with a police es**rt, alighting while raising his hands up in appreciation of a cheering crowd outside the court.

His bail comes after the magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, had at the last sitting, reserved ruling till December 20 on the bail application and ordered that the activist be remanded in prison.

During the court proceedings, Farotimi pleaded not guilty to the 14-count charge preferred against him by the police.

His counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, had filed a preliminary objection asking the court to strike out the charge.

According to him, the charge before the court was unknown to law and the offence of defamation was not recognised under the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

Farotimi is being prosecuted before a chief magistrate’s court in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State for allegedly defaming a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Afe Babalola.

The arrest of the activist sparked public criticisms with many Nigerians calling for his immediate release.

-ChannelsTV

19/12/2024

Land revoked in Abuja not Buhari’s own – Garba Shehu replies Wike
19 December 2024
Former presidential spokesman Garba Shehu has stated that former President Muhammadu Buhari is not the owner of the land revoked by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Shehu described the incident as a “case of misinformation and bureaucratic missteps.”

On Thursday, reports indicated that Wike revoked several lands belonging to prominent individuals, including the Buhari Trust Fund, ex-Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume and 760 others.

In response, Shehu clarified that the land in question does not belong to Buhari personally but was registered under the Muhammadu Buhari Foundation.

Shehu issued the clarification in a statement titled “Nothing Like Loss of Buhari Land in Abuja.”

He said: “As with anything related to Buhari—and there is no surprise in this at all—there has been a lot of buzz in the media regarding the reported seizure of a piece of land in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, allegedly belonging to former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The foundation itself was established by some well-meaning individuals around him, who, it must be noted, went about it in a lawful manner with the support of many good-hearted persons.

“As an individual, the former president does have a plot of land registered in his name in Abuja. However, when he and his cabinet members were invited to fill out forms and acquire land during his tenure in office, he returned the form without filling it out, stating that he already owned a plot of land in the FCT and that those without land should be given priority. He, therefore, declined the offer.”

-Daily Post

-

19/12/2024

FCT High Court Admits Ex-Gov Yahaya Bello To N500m Bail
19 December 2024
Justice Maryanne Anenih of the the Federal Capital Territory High Court has granted the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, bail in the sum of N500 million with three sureties in like sum.

Justice Anenih had on December 10 refused the ex-governor’s bail application, saying it was filed prematurely.

While delivering the initial ruling, she said that having been filed when the 1st defendant was neither in custody nor before the court, the instant application was incompetent.

There was, however, room for the governor’s lawyers to file a fresh application for bail and apply for hearing date.

The former governor is facing an alleged money laundering trial to the tune of N110bn, along with two others.

He had pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

At the day’s proceedings, Counsel for the former governor, Joseph Daudu, SAN, informed the court that the defence counsels had filed a further affidavit in response to the counter affidavit filed and served by the prosecution counsels.

He, however, applied to withdraw the further affidavit, saying, “We do not want to make the matter contentious.”

There was no objection from the prosecution counsel, Olukayode Enitan, SAN. The court, therefore, granted the application for withdrawal, striking out the further affidavit.

Daudu also informed the court that discussions had taken place with the leader of the prosecution counsels, resulting in an agreement to ensure a speedy trial.

In light of this understanding, he urged the court to grant the bail application.

He further requested that if the court would grant Bello bail, the court should kindly review the bail conditions for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd defendants.

He urged the court to broaden the scope of properties to be used as bail sureties to include locations across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), rather than limiting the location solely to Maitama.

The prosecution counsel, Enitan acknowledged that Daudu had been in talks with the prosecution team.

In accordance with the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC), the EFCC Counsel gave assurance of their cooperation in expediting the trial.

He said, “I confirm the evidence given by the distinguished member of the bar that is leading the Defence, J.B. Daudu, SAN, that he has been in conversation with the leader of the prosecuting team.

“As with the legal tradition that we should cooperate with members of the bar when it does not affect the course of justice, we have decided not to make this contentious, bearing in mind that no matter how industrious the defence counsel might be in pushing forward the application for bail and no matter how vociferous the prosecution counsel can argue against the bail application, your lordship is bound by your discretion to grant or not to grant the application.

“We are therefore leaving this to your lordship’s discretion.”

In her ruling, Justice Anenih acknowledged that the offence the 1st defendant was charged with was a bailable one and granted the ex-governor bail in the sum of N500 million, with three sureties in like sum.

The sureties must be notable Nigerians with landed property in Maitama, Jabi, Utako, Apo, Guzape, Garki and Asokoro.

Bello was also asked to deposit his international passport and other travel documents with the court. He is to remain at Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are met.

-ChannelsTV

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