Anambra State Government has declared wanted the suspect that used masquerade to kill a seventy-one year old man, one Chief Shadrach Okoye, in Umuawulu community, Awka South Local Government Area of the state.
Reacting to the incident, the Anambra State Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Comrade Don Onyenji, stated that it is a criminal offence for any one to murder another.
On the twenty-fifth of December 2023, a nineteen year old boy was alleged to have used masquerade to kill Chief Okoye while the victim was seeing his visitor off, and sccording to reports, the suspect has been on the run since the incident occurred.
Gab Alokwe of the Ministry of Culture, Entertainment and Tourism said that Commissioner Onyenji, who called on the police to investigate the matter to ensure that justice prevails, made it clear that the state government has made a statement on the conduct of masquerades during festivals, which mandated masquerades to entertain people at community squares, and in a civil manner.
He appealed to the Traditional rulers and Presidents General of various communities to monitor their masquerades to ensure they do not obstruct the roads or tax people to pay them money.
While sympathizing with the family of the deceased, the Culture Commissioner said he has discussed the issue with the Traditional ruler of Umuawulu, Igwe Joel Egwuonwu.
Paris St-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe has agreed to join Real Madrid this summer. The France captain, 25, has told PSG he intends to leave the club with his contract expiring in June.
Mbappe has not signed a contract with Real yet, but the deal could be announced once it is no longer possible for the clubs to meet in this season’s Champions League. The World Cup winner is PSG’s record goal scorer with 244 goals.
Mbappe wanted his future sorted before March, so on 13 February, before training, he met PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and told him he was leaving and joining Real.
After reports emerged last Thursday that he would leave, Mbappe was left out of the starting line-up for Saturday’s match against Nantes, but came off the bench to score a penalty as PSG went 14 points clear at the top of Ligue 1.
He is set to sign a five-year deal with Real, earning 15m euros (£12.8m) a season, plus a 150m euro (£128m) signing-on bonus to be paid over five years, and he will keep a percentage of his image rights.
Real manager Carlo Ancelotti has already thought how he will use Mbappe in his team, with England midfielder Jude Bellingham playing a deeper role, Brazilian Vinicius Jr playing on the left and Mbappe playing left of center.
If Croatia midfielder Luka Modric leaves this summer, then Mbappe would inherit the number 10 shirt he wears for France.
PSG are 2-0 up against Real Sociedad after the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, while Real lead RB Leipzig 1-0.
The Indigenous People of Biafra has banned protests against hunger in any South-East territory, adding that any Nigerian agent who dares to organize any protest in Biafraland will regret it.
The pro-Biafran group stated this in a press statement issued by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, stressing that the current hardship in Nigeria should be the concern of Nigerians, not Biafrans.
IPOB said anyone who organized any protest against economic hardship in the South-East would put Ndigbo in danger.
The statement read partly, “Following the unprecedented hardship in Nigeria, IPOB ably led by the leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, hereby cautions the people of Biafra not to join any protest against hunger in Nigeria in any South-East territory.
The current hardship in Nigeria should be the concern of Nigerians, not Biafrans. Biafrans are no longer interested in the affairs of Nigeria. Biafrans were abused, intimidated, beaten, and killed and denied voting rights during the election of this present government. Ndigbo were told to wait and that it was their turn to rule, not the turn of Ndigbo.
“Anyone who organize any protest against economic hardship in Biafraland will put Biafrans in danger. During the #EndSARS protest, the Federal Government accused Ndigbo of attempting to destroy Nigeria with violence. We don’t want such profiling and targeting to repeat because Ndigbo participated in any Nigerian mass protest.
“Ndigbo should leave the current economic hardship in the contraption called Nigeria for Nigerians to deal with because this hardship is what God Almighty has in store for Nigeria for the crimes they have committed against Biafrans between 1967 to 1970 and up to date.
“We understand that Ndigbo is equally affected by the economic hardship arising from the reckless and thoughtless economic policies of the government, but God is still seeing Biafrans through. We are worried about the suffering of other tribes, but there is nothing we can do. The current situation is why Biafrans are fighting for freedom. Nevertheless, we must apply wisdom.”
The group further said anyone or group that wants to organize a protest for Nigeria’s hardship should kindly go to Northern or Western Nigeria and stage such a protest there.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced its readiness to distribute confiscated food products to alleviate the current hardships faced by Nigerians.
The NCS clarified that the distribution will occur after each food item undergoes certification to ensure its suitability for human consumption.
Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, revealed plans on Tuesday for the agency to donate confiscated food items to Nigerians in response to the serious problems of food security and the skyrocketing prices of basic food items in the country.
In a statement released on Tuesday, CSC Abdullahi Maiwada, the service’s national public relations representative, stated that the Comptroller General is reiterating his commitment to furthering President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s food security agenda with this move.
He claims that the dedication is firmly ingrained in the Service’s primary mission to serve the Nigerian people’s best interests, consequently promoting stability and prosperity in the country’s economy.
He said: “Furthermore, to alleviate the hardships faced by Nigerians and improve access to essential food items, the Nigeria Customs Service will facilitate the direct disposal of food items forfeited to the Federal Government. These items will be certified fit for consumption by relevant agencies and made available to ordinary Nigerians nationwide through equitable distribution in our Areas of Operations.
… tasks South East Governors on prioritizing security of people
For what it described as unwavering commitment and great efforts in addressing the urgent need to halt open grazing in Enugu, Biafraland, the Biafra De Facto Customary Government (BDFCG) has commended Governor Peter Mba, saying that his proactive measures reflect a genuine concern for the safety and well-being of citizens.
The group had earlier in a press statement dated September 12, 2023, titled “Open Grazing Belongs To 16th Century: Must Be Stopped In Biafraland” highlighted the alarming rise of kidnappings and property destruction by Fulani herdsmen.
It noted with concerns that Biafraland had witnessed several distressing incidents at the time, including the abduction of two brothers in Ukwulu Dunukofia LGA, Anambra State, and the kidnapping of a farmer from Canada, who had returned home to invest millions of dollars in Isiagu, Anambra State, along with two others, just as four individuals fell victim to kidnappings orchestrated by Fulani herdsmen in Nsukka, Enugu State.
“Tragically, all these cases resulted in the release of the victims only after their families paid hefty ransoms”.
In a recent press statement signed by its Spokesperson, Prosper Odinga, BDFCG condemned statement issued by a Biafra group on February 12, 2024, rejecting what it called “Governor Mba’s well-thought-out proposal” to establish a cattle ranch at Nimbo in Uzowani community of Enugu State for farmers and investors who will wish to go into animal husbandry in the state.
The group emphasized the importance of constructive dialogue and collaboration among all stakeholders to achieve lasting solutions that prioritize the welfare and security of the people, and urged the people to always engage in meaningful dialogue that would contribute to the overall well-being of Biafraland.
It welcomed all peaceful and genuine businessmen and women, including those in animal husbandry, saying that while the group is against open grazing; it is fully in support of the establishment of ranches and modern abattoirs in Biafraland.
BDFCG also encouraged other Governors in the South East to emulate Governor Mba in implementing measures that prioritize the welfare and security of our people.
The Enugu State government has commenced work in earnest the construction of New Enugu City, a smart city flagged off by Governor Peter Mbah in October.
The Secretary to Enugu State State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia on Monday during a site visit with Journalists indicated Government determination to actualise the first phase of the New City in 24 months as already agreed with the China Communication Construction Company, CCCC, in October.
He said that the Governor, who already had series of conversations with the host communities and the Chinese Contractor had ordered the contractors to begin a 24-hour construction work.
Addressing journalists at the site, Prof. Onyia explained that the Governor is determined to build a New mega Enugu City with 21st century facilities and in line with international standard.
Flagging off the project in October, Governor Mbah said the New Enugu City would rub shoulders with Dubai, Singapore, and other major cities in the world.
“This is going to create a veritable platform because in this city, we are going to have a dedicated power project, a dedicated power plant, we are going to have a central sewage system, we are going to have all the public utilities centralised, and it is going to be provided by the government.
“We are going to have access to high-speed internet. In this New City, there is hardly anything you find in any modern smart city that you will not find in here”, he stated.
The EU on Monday announced a formal investigation into TikTok over alleged breaches of its obligations to protect minors online, under a landmark new law on policing digital content.
It is the second probe into a major online platform since Brussels introduced the Digital Services Act (DSA), after targeting tech billionaire Elon Musk’s X in December.
Brussels is particularly concerned that the video-sharing app owned by China’s ByteDance may not be doing enough to address negative impacts on young people. A key worry is the so-called “rabbit hole” effect — which occurs when users are fed related content based on an algorithm, in some cases leading to more dangerous content.
The European Commission’s concerns also include TikTok’s age verification tools, which it said “may not be reasonable, proportionate and effective”.
The commission opened “formal proceedings to assess whether TikTok may have breached” the DSA in other areas including “advertising transparency” and “data access for researchers”.
The action comes after analyzing a risk assessment report by TikTok and its replies to Brussels’ requests for more information about what measures the video-sharing platform has taken against illegal content, the protection of minors and access to data.
Angry youths in Oyo State hit the street to protest the skyrocketing price of food and the state of the economy.
It was observed that protesters gathered around the Mokola area in the state wielding placards with various inscriptions such as ‘End food hike and inflation,’ ‘The poor are starving,’ and ‘Tinubu, don’t forget your promises,’ among others.
They were also chanting songs to show their grievances. Armed policemen were seen at the protest scene. Speaking during the protest, a man who craved anonymity said, “The problem affects everyone. Every Nigerian should stand for their right and must collectively fight this high cost of living. We cannot afford three square meals.
“Sections 39 and 40 of the country’s constitution empower every Nigerian to organize peaceful assembly and to speak about the economic hardship. This protest is a continuous action, so expect protest from any angle. It is not about me alone but about Nigerians.
“We must collectively fight for this and make sure that things are brought back to normalcy,” he added.
The unemployment rate in Nigeria rose by 0.8% in the third quarter of 2023 am according to the National Bureau of Statistics, this was a significant rise, adding that the unemployment rate rose from the 4.2% recorded in Q2 2023 to 5.0% in Q3 2023.
The NBS, the custodian of official statistics in the country, disclosed this in a report it published on Monday titled ‘Nigeria Labor Force Survey Q3 2023’
“The employment-to-population ratio was 75.6% in Q3 2023 with a decrease of 1.5% compared to a ratio of Q2 2023. The combined rate of unemployment and time-related underemployment as a share of the labor force population (LU2) increased to 17.3% in Q3 2023 from 15.5% in Q2 2023.
“About 87.3% of workers were self-employed in Q3 2023.
“The proportion of workers in Wage Employment in Q3 2023 was 12.7%.
“The unemployment rate increased significantly in Q3 2023 at 5.0%. This is an increase of 0.8% from Q2 2023.
“The rate of unemployment among persons with post-secondary education was 7.8% in Q3 2023,” part of the report read.
It added that the unemployment rate for youth between the ages of 15 and 24 years was recorded at 8.6 per cent in Q3 2023 while the informal employment rate in Q3 2023 was 92.3 per cent. The report added, “The unemployment rate in urban areas was 6.0% in Q3 2023, a slight increase of 0.1% from Q2 2023.
“Time-related underemployment in Q3 2023 was 12.3%, showing a slight increase of 0.5% from the rate recorded in Q2 2023. This shows an increase of 1.4% compared to the rate in Q4 2022.
“4.1% of the working-age population was in subsistence agriculture in Q3 2023. Informal employment rate in Q3 2023 was 92.3%, while Q2 2023 was 92.7%.
“Percentage of youth Not in Employment, Education or Training was 13.7% in Q3 2023.”
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a large consignment of Loud, a synthetic strong strain of cannabis, concealed in giant loudspeakers tucked in a consolidated cargo imported from New York, United States of America.
A statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, revealed that when the giant wooden boxes dressed as sound speakers seized by NDLEA officers at the NAHCO import shed of the Lagos airport, were opened, the sound boxes were stuffed with 60 bags of the expensive but highly sought-after psychoactive substance, Loud, weighing 33.5 kilogrammes.
Babafemi said at least, three suspects: a freight agent Akeem Afeez; logistics company manager Babalola Ayodeji Gboyega and the receiver of the consignment Taiwo Anuoluwapo have been arrested in follow-up operations between last Thursday and Friday, while Afeez was arrested at the airport, Gboyega was nabbed at his office on Allen Avenue Ikeja and Taiwo traced to his residence at 13 Ayo Babatunde Crescent, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, where he was picked on Friday.
The spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, said in Abia, a joint raid operation between the NDLEA and men of the State Homeland Security at 23 Arochukwu street, Umuahia around 11pm last Wednesday led to the arrest of a female lawyer, Adaobi Nweke, 36; her boyfriend, Emeka Nkemefola, 36; her mother, Mrs. Ngozi Nweke, 65; Dike Okpara, 43, who is herbalist to the family; Chukwudi Abel, 33, member of the family; Amarachi Paul, 18, another member of the family and their 22-year-old salesgirl, Blessing Jonathan.
He said investigations revealed that members of the family had long been in the illicit drug business passed on to them by their deceased father, Jonathan Nweke. He noted that recovered from them as at the time of their arrest include various quantities of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, Loud, cannabis sativa and precursor chemical with a total weight of 1.67 kilogrammes as well as N578,400 monetary exhibit.
Babafemi also disclosed that an attempt by a 25-year-old Uber driver, Joshua Henry to deliver a consignment of 26.2 grammes of Loud picked in Abuja to a customer in Keffi, Nasarawa state last Monday was thwarted by NDLEA operatives who intercepted him. In the same vein, 54-year-old Dada Adedara was last Wednesday arrested at Dan Bare area of Kano State with 468 blocks of cannabis weighing 246.4 kilogrammes. Same day, operatives in Ogun state arrested the duo of Kafayat Junaid and Sakirat Osoanu with 13 kilogrammes cannabis sativa.
In Kogi state, a suspect, Charles Chike, 45, was arrested by NDLEA operatives in a hotel in Lokoja last Friday with 290 blocks of compressed cannabis weighing 116 kilogrammes. The exhibit was concealed in the boot of a blue Honda Accord car marked Abuja ABC 853 SL, which took off from somewhere in Ekiti state enroute Abuja. Not less than 227 kilogrammes of same substance was recovered from Atoshi camp, Emure -Ile, Owo local government area, Ondo State, while two suspects: John Jonathan and Emmanuel Alex were arrested.
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) while commending the officers and men of the MMIA, Abia, Nasarawa, Edo, Kogi, Kano, Ogun, Ondo and FCT commands of the agency for their outstanding feats in the past week, equally applauded their counterparts in all the commands across the country for intensifying their WADA advocacy lectures thus creating a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.
