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Oba of Benin suspends ‘traditional functionaries’ for pledging allegiance to Ooni

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Oba of Benin suspends ‘traditional functionaries’ for pledging allegiance to Ooni

 

The Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, has suspended some traditional functionaries over their engagement in “sacrilegious show of shame and falsehood against the Benin Custom.”

The functionaries are Johnbull Igbinosun, Iduhonre (Ihogbe), S.E. Aigbiremwen, Efesieoghoba (Ogbelaka) and two other Ogbelaka functionaries identified as Ogbeide Osagie and Osamudiame Edo.

 

They were accused of declaring themselves subjects of the Ooni and also rendered inaccurate and disjointed account of the connection between the Benin Royal Dynasty and the Ooni-ship of Ife, in a video that has gone viral.

 

Their suspension is contained in a public announcement issued on behalf of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) by the Iyase (Prime Minister) of Benin Kingdom, Shief Sam Igbe.

 

Read the full text of the announcement:

 

“The attention of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) has been drawn to video clips circulating on social media in which a group of self-serving traditional functionaries from Benin engaged themselves in a sacrilegious show of shame and falsehood against the Benin Custom.

 

“In the said clip, the individuals who have been identified as Johnbull Igbinosun, Iduhonre (Ihogbe), S.E. Aigbiremwen, Efesieoghoba (Ogbelaka) and two other Ogbelaka functionaries identified as Ogbeide Osagie and Osamudiame Edo were in the presence of the Ooni of Ife, falsely claiming to be emissaries of the Omo N’ObaN’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare II, Oba of Benin.

 

“These individuals not only declared themselves subjects of the Ooni, but also rendered inaccurate and disjointed account of the connection between the Benin Royal Dynasty and the Ooni-ship of Ife.

 

“While the BTC does not wish to be drawn to restating the well-known connection between the two thrones of the Oba of Benin and the Ooni of Ife, the general public is urged to disregard the inaccurate accounts rendered by the ill-bred individuals named above.

 

“For the avoidance of any doubt whatsoever, the BTC advise the general public to avail themselves of the official account of the connection between the two ancient monarchies as contained in the authoritative book titled “I Remain, Sir, Your Obedient Servant” authored by His Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa, Oba of Benin (1979 — 2016), published by Spectrum Books/Safari Books, 2004 at pages 205-212.

 

“The BTC considers the conduct of these functionaries as inappropriate, sacrilegious and calculated to ridicule traditional history, and to bring disrepute to Benin custom.

 

“Consequently, on the authority of the Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare Il, Oba of Benin the Prescribed Authority over Benin Custom, the BTC hereby announce the suspension of the individuals mentioned above from their role as Benin traditional functionaries.

 

“The general public is advised to refrain from having anything to do with them as traditional functionaries in Benin kingdom throughout their suspension.”

My Family Distribute Electricity To Many Nigerians’ – Davido

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My Family Distribute Electricity To Many Nigerians’ – Davido

Grammy-nominated singer, David Adeleke, better known as Davido, has boldly claimed that his family is responsible for distributing electricity to many Nigerians.

 

reports that Davido made this known while speaking on an American podcast, ‘Business Untitled

 

Davido spoke about his family business, personal investments, and plans to open a restaurant for his wife, Chioma.

 

According to the ‘Unavailable’ crooner, his family owns four power plants, which significantly contribute to Nigeria’s energy supply.

 

He said, “I once tried to go into cryptocurrency because Nigeria is big on crypto. Apart from that, me and my family have like four power plants worth a lot of money. We distribute energy to most of Nigeria.

 

“My wife is into culinary. We are trying to start a restaurant for her. But my main business is what I love; my music.

Mortgage Bank to Provide N100bn for Renewed Hope Cities, Estates Scheme Nationwide

To support affordable homeownership for Nigerians, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) will be supporting the 100,000-housing unit Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme with N100 billion in off-taker guarantee.

 

The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the bank, Shehu Usman Osidi, made the disclosure at the maiden edition of the Nigeria Police Housing Summit held at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja.

 

Osidi, who represented the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, as guest of honour at the summit, stated that the N100 billion off-taker guarantee will be provided to the consortium of developers for the project.

 

He added that the N100 billion is in addition to the bank’s commitment to provide mortgage loans to the off-takers upon completion of the houses, which will be spread across the nation with prospects of several members of the police force emerging as beneficiaries. Recall that the financing structure of this project is purely from capital market and a blend of funding from housing agencies through offtaker guarantee like this one.

 

The Renewed Hope Cities and Estates program is aimed to deliver over a 100,000 Housing Units in various cities across the nation. Under phase One, the program will deliver a total of 50,000 housing units across Nigeria. The Cities will have 1,000 housing units per site in one location in each of the six geo-political zones in the country and FCT, while the Estates will have 500 housing units per site in the remaining 30 States.

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has on February 8, 2024 performed the groundbreaking for the program at the Pilot Site in Karsana, Abuja, consisting of 3,112 (448 units of 1-Bedroom Flat, 544 units of 2-Bedroom Flat, 2,040 units of 3-Bedroom Flats and 80 units of 3 &4-Bedroom Terrace Units) as part of the first phase of 20,000 units to be delivered in FCT.

 

The ground-breaking is one of many more scheduled ground-breaking events for several sites nationwide as we mark the commencement of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates in 2024. Some include 2,500 Renewed Hope City housing units at the Ibeju-Lekki Coastal City, Lagos, a 500-housing unit Renewed Hope Estate in Kano and 250 housing unit in 12 states (2 per geopolitical zone) as Renewed Hope Estates in Ogun, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Abia, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Benue, Yobe, Gombe, Katsina and Sokoto States.

Olukoyede Restructures EFCC, Appoints Chief Of Staff, 14 Zonal Directors

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The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, appointed Mr. Michael Nzekwe as his Chief of Staff.

 

He has also appointed Zonal Directors for each of the 14 Zonal Commands of the Commission as part of the restructuring of the EFCC.

 

According to Olukayode, the ongoing restructuring is meant to reposition and strengthen the EFCC so that it can deliver optimally on its assigned mandate.

 

The anti-graft agency’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, announced the new appointments and changes in a statement on Saturday.

 

Nzekwe, who he described as a top-notch investigator, lawyer and former Commander of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC, is a course one officer of the Commission.

 

He has served in various departments in the Commission, including Legal and Prosecution Department, the Department of Operations (now the Department of Investigations), the Department of Internal Affairs ( the Department of Ethics and Integrity), Servicom, and the Asset Forfeiture Department.

 

“A seasoned administrator, he has attended several trainings and courses home and abroad, including the Advance Defence Intelligence Officers Course organised by Defence Intel Agency, DIA. The appointment takes immediate effect and he has assumed duties,” the statement added.

 

In restructuring and repositioning the EFCC, Olukayode upgraded all the Zonal Commands of the commission to the status of departments, with each of them headed by a director.

 

“To this effect, 14 new Directors have been appointed to head each of the Zonal Commands,” Oyewale wrote in the statement.

 

“Additionally, to bolster and fortify the security architecture of the commission, the Security Unit of the EFCC has been upgraded to a Department with a seasoned officer appointed as Director, Security and Chief Security Officer.”

 

Also, a new department has also been created in the Executive Chairman’s office, and it is headed by former Makurdi Zonal Commander of the EFCC, Mr. Friday Ebelo, who also doubles as Director and Coordinator, Special Duties, at the corporate headquarters of the commission.

 

In addition to that, the former Department of Internal Affairs has been renamed Department of Ethics and Integrity and minor reshuffling effected in some departments at the headquarters.

Profile: The Man Dipo Sodipo, The Pope Of One Man Band.

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DIPO SODIPO

 

His name was Dipo Sodipo. His sobriquets were numerous but the Pope seemed to have been his preferred. He was the Czar of the One Man Band, a popular fixture of the Yoruba music scene of the late 80s and 90s.

 

The shrinking of bands at the time could have been an economical response to the austerity that did not exclude the music scene, but one man bands demanded a level of ambidexterity the likes of Pope handled effortlessly. To hold a note on a microphone and hoist a piano chord simultaneously is truly the stuff of genius.

 

Witness the one man band: usually, a pre-programmed rhythm runs amok on his keyboard. Then he gives chase with his vocals and punctuating with simple piano riffs. Ever so often, he allows flourishes of complicated piano chords—but this technical verbiage hardly accounts for how well rendered his music is.

Every one remembers the first time they heard Dipo Sodipo.

 

As with unsung legends, Dipo Sodipo still draws blanks on the internet. There is hardly a biography extending beyond a paragraph. The quick summary of his public life is that he was a keyboardist and vocalist. He was known to be a renegade highlife musician. I wonder if you can really categorize his music highlife. Rather, it feels like a fusion of folk songs, blues, soul, highlife, juju music and a recourse to gospel ever so often.

 

The philosophy imbued in his practice is that of the Yoruba everyman whose worldview is to attempt to be good whilst definitely doing no harm.

 

Dipo Sodipo seemed to have been physically present in Ibadan in the 80s where he studied music and became the Head of Department at the Polytechnic. He was also the lead singer of K12 Voices, before he broke out alone as a one man act.

 

He would belt out memorable medleys like: the soulful: “Iya ni wura”,

the lively “Jekowo Wole Mi” and the cautionary “Bola Bade”.

Sensational “Caro, yellow sisi”

 

Decades after his passing, Dipo Sodipo’s music remains relevant to his growing array of fans.

 

Written by Ige Trevor

Why I relocated to America – Actress Doris Simeon

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For nearly a decade, fans of actress Doris Simeon, whose roles in Yoruba films in the 2000s captivated many, continued to yearn for her on-screen brilliance.

 

In an interview with actor Kunle Afod, Doris opened up about her hiatus and journey to America, inferring that the decision to leave Nigeria six years ago was personal.

 

She said: “Many people know that my child and his father are in America, and that’s one of the reasons I relocated to America.”

 

Doris married filmmaker Daniel Ademinokan, whom he met on a movie set in 2008 but divorced in 2011. The union produced a son, David. Upon their divorce, the filmmaker moved to America, where he married Stella Damasus, whom he would later divorce.

 

Although fully settled in the US, Doris says she misses home, especially the Nigerian delicacies.

 

“I left Nigeria in 2018, and since then, I haven’t returned to the country. Even though I miss Nigeria, especially the roadside food and street vendors, I long for my family and friends and being on set, especially when I see actors and actresses sharing behind-the-scenes moments on their social media platforms.”

 

The 44-year-old actress stated that she plans to visit Nigeria within the next one to two years.

 

It’s essential to acknowledge that news production incurs expenses, and we take pride in never placing our stories behind a prohibitive paywall.

 

After facing several denials, Doris revealed she got her visa to travel to America in 2012. The actress, who portrayed Da Grin’s girlfriend in 2010 ‘Ghetto Dreamz’ and co-produced ‘Omo Iya Kan’, said her initial attempt was in 2009 in Abuja but was denied, adding that she lost hope afterwards.

 

“I did the one I got in Lagos State, and when I wanted to go for the interview, I went to get a place to sleep on the Island to reach the embassy early because I was living on the Mainland. But I discovered I had left my passport at home. So, I decided to return to Akute on the Mainland to pick it up, but I encountered heavy traffic. When I arrived in Akute, my friend who was living there brought it for me.

 

“There was heavy traffic on the Third Mainland bridge, but I reached the embassy’s parking lot by 7:00 AM and began searching for my visa receipt. I gave up and planned to return home before finding the receipt in my wallet. Upon reaching the embassy, they only asked me what I was going for, and I said an award. They inquired if it was NEA, and I confirmed. They searched the movie online, found my name, and that’s how I obtained my visa,’’ she recalled.

 

The 2010 Zafaa Award winner for Best Indigenous Actress said she only visited America and returned to Nigeria before she decided to move in 2018 permanently.

 

The 2008 AMAA Awards’ Best Indigenous Actress noted that beginning a new life in America wasn’t easy.

 

The actress, currently a hairdresser, said: “If you’re lazy, you’ll suffer, and those who have been here for the past 20 and 50 years aren’t finding life easy. The system wasn’t designed to allow you to afford some bills without working or being given money. If you don’t work, you won’t eat or pay your bills; if the bills aren’t, the person will sleep in the cold. I have done much work since I relocated, such as a delivery job, personal shopper, and hairdresser. I currently work at ‘Heart and Home for Youths, a foster care and group home programs for youth and teen mothers in Maryland. ”

 

The actress, who received the 2015 All Youths Tush Awards AYTA Role Model (Movie) Award, added that one of the most challenging aspects for her was waking up early for work.

 

Doris, who secured her first role at an audition for a cameo in a situational comedy sitcom produced by Wale Adenuga Productions (WAP) titled ‘Papa Ajasco’ said, “The timing can vary depending on the shift, but regardless of the job, individuals still need to wake up early.”

 

Doris began her acting career with roles in three episodes of the Papa Ajasco comedy series and starred in several movies, including Oloju Ede, Alakada, Ten Million Naira, Modupe Temi, Eti Keta, and others.

 

Abuja American school refunds $760,910 school fees paid by former Governor Yahaya Bello in two tranches to EFCC

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The American International School of Abuja has paid $760,910.84 to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from the $845,852 school fees allegedly deposited by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello in respect of five of his children in the school.

 

The fees were to cover a period of 14 years (2021–2035), according to documents filed in court by the EFCC to support its case against the ex-governor.

 

“The American school refunded the school fees in two tranches. Initially, it returned $720,000 to the EFCC and later $40,910,” a top source in EFCC told The Nation.

 

Continuing, the source said: “Following mutual agreement with the EFCC, the school decided to retain some fees (I think $84,942) for its services.

 

When contacted for official reaction, the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Dele Oyewale, said: “The school has refunded $760,910 to this commission.”

 

Responding to a question, the top source confirmed that “the school officially sent a letter of offer to refund to the Lagos Zonal Commander of the EFCC before effecting the payment.”

 

The letter said in part: “Please forward to us an official written request, with the authentic banking details of the EFCC, for the refund of the above-mentioned funds as previously indicated as part of your investigation into the alleged money laundering activities by the Bello Bello family.

 

“Since the 7th September 2021 to date, $845,852.84 in tuition and other fees have been deposited into our bank account.

 

“We have calculated the net amount to be transferred and refunded to the state after deducting the educational services rendered as $760,910.84.

 

“No further additional fees are expected in respect of tuition as the students’ fees have now been settled until they graduate from AISA.”

Federal Government Set Deadline for Julius Berger on Bodo Bonny Road

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Umahi gave an update on the Bodo- Bonny road which the FG has set a deadline for Julius Berger Nigeria to finish by the end of the year.

Minister of Works, David Umahi,
has conveyed to Julius Berger, that their requested variations on the 82% completed project are unacceptable, saying that the FG is willing to provide N20b out of the N28b the contractor is requesting.

Umahi said when the N199.923b project was signed, it was scheduled for completion by December 2023 with a caveat that there would be no further variation.

The 39km long road is the first road link between Bonny Island to the rest of Rivers State.

Umahi stated that if the contractor does not accept the Federal government’s offer by Friday and resume work on the site, the previously expired 14-day ultimatum for their return will be enforced.

These clarifications were provided during a meeting in Abuja with the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Lars Ritcher and the Bodo-Bonny Road Peace Committee.

This meeting followed a letter requesting an extra N28b and outlining various additional conditions for the project’s completion.

While cautioning that no contractor has the authority to dictate terms to the Federal government on a contract that has already been agreed upon by both parties, the Minister stressed that his stance was grounded in the legal requirement for both parties to review the contract terms before signing it.

The Minister explicitly stated to the Berger delegation that they should either accept the government’s response to their demands on the project and proceed with it, or voluntarily terminate the project themselves.

He assured the Boddo-Bonny Road Peace Committee that even if Julius Berger decides to abandon the project, it will not stall and the quality of the project will not diminish.
He said with or without Julius Berger, the road would be completed by the end of this year.

Before agreeing to pay N20b out of the N28b requested by Berger for project variations, Umahi had maintained that the Ministry would only allocate N13.8b, resulting in a N15b disparity.

The Minister cautioned Julius Berger to learn to demonstrate humility in its dealings with the client (Federal government) but also show solidarity during economic difficulties, considering the substantial benefits it had received during the country’s prosperous economic times.

He said: “The difference is not even the issue, the issue is Berger’s letter that is annoying, dictating to the nation, and nobody dictates to me, only Mr President that appointed me that can dictate to me.

“If Berger doesn’t accept our conditions, they can walk away. If other contractors are not accepting our conditions, they can walk away, nobody dictates for this country.

“I want all to know that this is a tax credit and it is an Executive Order”.

The Minister noted that Berger got the issue wrong for failing to adhere to the project’s timetable.

The Minister noted if Berger had adhered to the project timetable, it would have been completed on schedule, thereby avoiding the impact of foreign exchange challenges and the escalation of construction material prices.

Regarding the contractor’s letter that the Ministry allegedly did not respond to, Umahi said irrespective of Nigeria LNG Ltd’s (NLNG) potential independent decision to fulfil the remaining conditions of Berger outside of the Tax Credit scheme, the Ministry will not rely on Tax Credit for this purpose.

Breaking down Berger’s letter that the Ministry will make an additional variation in price (VOP) based on the contractor’s reasonable calculation and projection, the Minister affirmed, “We will not”.

He also turned down Berger’s demand that the Ministry approve preliminary additional sand quantities.

On Berger’s rejection of the fixed exchange rate proposal but that the Ministry should find an alternative solution, Umahi said the contract he inherited was Naira-denominated and would not accept thecontractor’s demand.

“Our position is very simple, we reject the conditions of Julius Berger totally and we ask Berger to please go back to the site to complete the project based on our offer.

“Our offer is unconditional and we say, accept or reject, so you cannot subject our offer to your conditions

“Berger should note that our 14-day termination ultimatum has gone and we will make a proposal, if you did not agree with this,” he warned.

After deciding to pay N20b, the Minister revealed that he would present a proposal to President Tinubu, outlining the conditions stipulated by Berger to the Ministry and the funding disparity.

At that point, he said it is within the President’s authority to either waive the conditions or authorise the Minister to terminate the job.

Addressing the Niger Delta traditional rulers’ concerns about the project’s completion, Umahi said being a seasoned engineer, assured them that terminating the contract would not compromise the quality or timeline of the project.

Although he did not commit to providing the N8b difference, the NLNG representative guaranteed that the company would adhere to the government’s directives on the matter, pending Board approval.

PRESIDENT TINUBU APPOINTS JIM OVIA AS CHAIRMAN OF THE NIGERIAN EDUCATION LOAN FUND

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PRESIDENT TINUBU APPOINTS JIM OVIA AS CHAIRMAN OF THE NIGERIAN EDUCATION LOAN FUND

 

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr. Jim Ovia, CFR, renowned banker and businessman, as the Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

Mr. Ovia is the founder of one of Nigeria’s leading banks and a respected business leader, with a surfeit of efforts and benefaction towards nurturing and empowering young Nigerians.

 

He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana.

 

The National Student Loan Programme is a pivotal intervention that seeks to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for all Nigerian students and youths.

 

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the implementing institution of this innovation, demands excellence and Nigerians of the finest professional ilk to guide and manage.

 

The President believes Mr. Ovia will bring his immense wealth of experience and professional stature to this role to advance the all-important vision of ensuring that no Nigerian student suffers a capricious end to their pursuit of higher education over a lack of funds and of ensuring that Nigerian youths, irrespective of who they are, have access to higher education and skills that will make them productive members of society and core contributors to the knowledge-based global economy of this century.

 

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

 

April 26, 2024

Yahaya Bello: Kogi Court Summons EFCC Chair Over Alleged Contempt

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A Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja has ordered the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, to appear in court on May 13, 2024, to show cause why an order of committal should not be made against him for allegedly disobeying court order.

 

The EFCC boss is facing a contempt charge for carrying out “some acts upon which they (the EFCC) have been restrained” by the Court on February 9, 2024, pending the determination of the substantive Originating Motion.

 

Justice I. A. Jamil, delivering a ruling in Suit No: HCL/68M/2024 and Motion No: HCL/190M/2024, ordered that “the said act was carried out by the Respondent (EFCC) in violation of the order, which was valid and subsisting when they carried out the act. That same act of the Respondent amounts to Contempt.

 

EFCC operatives had laid siege on the residence of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, as early as 8 am on April 17, 2024, with a bid to arrest him, despite a court order restraining them from taking such action, pending the determination of the Originating Motion.

 

Justice Jamil’s order was based on a motion ex-parte filed by Yahaya Bello through his lawyer, M.S. Yusuf, where he prayed to the court for an order to issue and serve the Respondent (EFCC Chairman) with Form 49 Notice to show cause why Order of committal should not be made on Olukoyede.

 

Having listened to the arguments of the Applicant’s counsel, the submission and the exhibits attached in the Written Address, Justice Jamil granted Yahaya Bello’s prayers and ordered Olukoyede to be summoned to appear before the court to answer the contempt charge.

 

Delivering his order on the motion on April 25, 2024, Justice Jamil said, “The applicant’s application before me is to the effect that the Respondent has carried out some acts upon which they have been restrained by this Court on the 9th of February, 2024, pending the determination of the substantive motion on Notice before this Court.

 

“That the said act was carried out by the Respondent in violation of the order which was valid and subsisting when they carried out those acts. That same acts of the Respondent amount to acts of contempt.

 

“That the Respondent should be summoned to appear before this Court to answer to the contempt charge.

 

“It’s against the above facts that this Court hereby grants the prayers sought in line with the principle of “Audi Ultra Patem”. To wit:

“An order of this Honourable Court for the issuance of Form 49 Notice to show cause why an order of committal should not be made against the Executive Chairman of the Respondent – Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“An order for service of Form 49-Notice to show why an order of committal should not be made on the Executive Chairman of the Respondent – Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at EFCC Corporate Headquarters, Plot 301/302, Research and Institution District, Abuja.

 

“This matter is adjourned to the 13th of May, 2024 for the Respondent’s Chairman to appear before this Court in answer to form 49 ordered to be served on him.”