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Peter Obi highlights that ‘A Tribe Called Judah,’ by Funke Akindele, mirrors the challenges faced by Nigerians

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In the February 25 presidential election, Peter Obi, the Labour Party candidate, praised Funke Akindele, a Nollywood actress, for her remarkable achievement with the movie ‘A Tribe Called Judah.’ The film broke a box office record by grossing N1 billion within three weeks of its release, marking a historic milestone in the Nigerian movie industry.

Obi commended Akindele’s dedication, stating that her work reflects the challenges faced by less-privileged families in Nigeria.

He also emphasized the potential of Nollywood as a significant Nigerian export and urged the industry to continue inspiring hard work and productivity among Nigerians.

 

Arrival of Akeredolu’s remains in Nigeria evokes tears

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Yesterday marked a poignant moment as the body of the late former governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, was repatriated to Nigeria from Germany, where he passed away on December 26, 2023.

The arrival of his body, draped in the Nigerian flag, was met with a sorrowful atmosphere, witnessed as the plane landed and the casket was solemnly lowered at approximately 3:39 pm.

Olabode Olatunde, the former Chief Press Secretary to the late governor, confirmed this somber event to Saturday PUNCH.

At the Murtala International Airport in Lagos State, the late governor’s family, including his wife, Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, children, siblings, led by Prof. Wole Akeredolu, were present.

They were joined by political allies, including representatives from various states such as Lagos, Ogun, and Osun, alongside members of the All Progressives Congress, the House of Representatives, and Ondo State Executive Council.

The remains were taken to the morgue, while the details of the funeral arrangements are yet to be announced by the family.

Osimhen poised to finalize a pre-contract deal with Chelsea

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Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian striker from Napoli, has reportedly agreed to join Chelsea in the summer, as per PUNCH Sports Extra. Although he won’t move this month, talks suggest he’s open to signing a pre-agreement in January before the formal transfer.

According to TEAMtalk, the 25-year-old has a release clause of about £112m and has drawn interest from Chelsea, with legends like Didier Drogba and John Obi Mikel reaching out to persuade him.

Chelsea’s pursuit for a top center-forward has put Osimhen at the forefront of their targets.

While Ivan Toney is also on Chelsea’s radar, his age and price pose obstacles. Osimhen, however, is open to an approach from Chelsea and could finalize a pre-agreement this month for a summer move, provided Napoli agrees.

Recent negotiations secured Napoli a significant fee with a release clause around £112m, indicating the club’s stance for a deal this month. Sources in Italy anticipate movement in the following weeks and anticipate this might be Osimhen’s final season with Napoli.

Chelsea faces pressure to act swiftly due to potential competition in the summer transfer market.

Mauricio Pochettino, the Chelsea boss, seeks to strengthen the squad with experienced players like Osimhen, who could become one of the highest-paid at the club.

January 8th has been officially declared a public holiday on Monday

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The government has officially declared Monday, January 8, 2024, as a public holiday in celebration of Constitution Day.

Minister for Interior Ambrose Dery, in a formal announcement, underscored the importance of Constitution Day, slated for Sunday, January 7, 2024, which is recognized as a Statutory Public Holiday.

Given that this significant day falls on a Sunday, His Excellency, the President of Ghana, has invoked Executive Instrument (E.I.) powers as outlined in Section 2 of the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act (Act 601).

Consequently, Monday, January 8, 2024, has been officially designated as an additional public holiday.

The statement issued a nationwide call for the public to honor this day as a public holiday.

 

Breaking Records: “A Tribe Called Judah” Smashes N1 Billion at the Box Office!

In a staggering triumph for Nigerian cinema, the film “A Tribe Called Judah,” directed by Funke Akindele and Adeoluwa Owu, has propelled 2024’s box office to unprecedented heights, crossing the remarkable N1 billion milestone in ticket sales.

 

The movie, hitting theaters on December 15th, 2023, has swiftly surged to astounding success, raking in an impressive N1,060,711,491 in gross ticket revenues within a short span.

 

Renowned as the box office queen, Funke Akindele’s track record of blockbuster hits continues to amaze, with earlier films like “Omo Ghetto: The Saga,” grossing 636 million (2020), and “Battle on Buka Street” at 668 million (2022).

 

Notably, this billion-naira achievement eclipses the previous record held by Hollywood’s sci-fi sensation, “Black Panther 2,” which amassed 1.04 billion, solidifying this accomplishment as a monumental milestone for the Nigerian film industry.

 

Akindele’s success not only cements her status as a box office legend but also showcases her intuitive grasp of audience desires, both at home and abroad, and her consistent delivery of quality entertainment.

 

Surpassing the billion-naira mark in ticket sales sets an encouraging precedent for cinema exhibitors and creators, especially in the evolving landscape post-COVID, underscoring the resilience and potential of the cinematic industry.

 

“A Tribe Called Judah” stands tall among the select few, joining the elite tribe of billion-naira successes, serving as both inspiration and a source of immense pride.

 

Customs have enforced a duty exemption on LPG, CNG, and additional items

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The Nigeria Customs Service has initiated the execution of the Federal Government’s directive, granting a 100% duty waiver on processed Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), imported liquid petroleum gas, electric vehicles, gas air conditioners, and related items.

Abdullahi Maiwada, the NCS National Public Relations Officer, revealed this exclusively to The PUNCH.

The waiver, per the Ministry of Finance’s directive conveyed by Mr. Wale Edun, includes zero import duty on various components and services associated with CNG and LPG.

Maiwada confirmed the circular sent to all NCS formations for immediate compliance, clarifying that a letter of support from the Special Adviser to the President on Energy is required for individuals to benefit from the duty exemption.

The initiative, aiming to boost gas utilization, covers 41 exempted items.

Despite praise for President Bola Tinubu’s directive to curb rising LPG prices, the National President of Nigeria Association of LPG Marketers, Oladapo Olatunbosun, criticized the alleged delay by the NSC in implementing the zero import duties, highlighting the government’s timely intervention to expand gas utilization and reduce prices.

The day concludes with the Naira trading at N1035 per US dollar on the I&E window

The Nigerian naira concluded Wednesday’s trading at N1035.12/$ on the official Investor and Exporter foreign exchange window, marking a 4.72% decrease from its Tuesday closure at N988.46/$, as reported by data from the FMDQ Securities Exchange.

So far in 2024, the national currency has faced consecutive declines, with Wednesday marking only the third time it closed above N1,000/$ since the removal of the rate cap by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The day saw the naira begin trading at N932.67/$, reaching an intraday high of N1,224/$ and a low of N700/$ before settling at N1035.12/$ at close, with a total forex turnover of $85.68 million.

Despite a $2.25 billion foreign exchange support facility from the African Import-Export Bank recently received by the Federal Government, the naira’s performance remains under pressure.

The World Bank’s December Nigeria Development Update highlighted the naira’s significant depreciation against the US dollar in both official and parallel markets.

It stressed the need for increased FX volume to achieve stability and suggested measures like monetary policy tightening and facilitating FX flows to enhance market confidence and stability.

 

Delta hospital detains mother of quadruplets due to outstanding N4m bill

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Following a 12-year wait for children and a successful Caesarean delivery, a housewife in Delta State has given birth to quadruplets in Effurun.

Unfortunately, the family is currently unable to cover the N4 million medical bill incurred at a private hospital.

Mrs. Gladys Okodo Omodiagbe, the new mother, is a member of the Living Faith Church, and her husband, Mr. Amos Omodiagbe, is from Edo State but has lived in Delta State for over a decade.

The quadruplets, born prematurely in October 2023, have been kept in incubators, with each day of service costing N20,000 per child, totaling N80,000 for all four.

Three babies were recently taken out of the incubator, while the fourth remains.

The family urgently needs financial assistance to cover the remaining N4,000,050 of the N5,598,050 bill.

Comrade Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, the National Coordinator of No Justice, No Peace Initiative, is appealing for support on behalf of the family.

He emphasizes the pressing need for help, stating that the family’s existence is at risk due to the overwhelming medical expenses.

The hospital, Coastal Specialist Clinic in Warri, has shown compassion by not pressuring the family, yet prompt payment is crucial.

Agberen urges people to empathize with the family’s plight and contribute to providing childcare support for the quadruplets during this critical time.

 

Mobihealth names a new director

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Dr. Babajide Agunbiade, a distinguished figure in the oil and gas industry hailing from Houston, has recently assumed a position on the Board of Directors at Mobihealth.

Renowned as a leading offshore production expert globally, Agunbiade holds a plethora of roles, including that of a respected engineer, investor, businessman, and the Chief Executive of Alpha Energy Resources, a diversified conglomerate with stakes in offshore production and mining.

His illustrious career includes serving as an Executive Director at National Oilwell Varco, the world’s largest oilfield equipment manufacturing company based in Houston.

Notably, Agunbiade successfully led offshore production projects valued at over $2 billion in the Gulf of Mexico, North Sea, and Sub-Saharan Africa during his tenure there.

He boasts fellowships with esteemed organizations like the Nigerian Society Of Engineers, the Institute Of Industrial and Systems Engineers, and the Society Of Underwater Technologies.

Acknowledged as one of the 13 global Subject Matter Experts in Subsea production systems as of 2022, his expertise is unparalleled in this field.

Agunbiade, a United Nations SDG Ambassador, exhibits a profound passion for impactful ventures and has been closely following Mobihealth’s impressive trajectory for the past few years.

Dr. Funmi Adewara, the Founder and CEO of Mobihealth, expressed deep gratitude for Agunbiade joining their team, acknowledging the immense value his decades-long experience and influence bring to propel Mobihealth forward in its upcoming growth phase.

Dr. Adewara emphasized that Agunbiade’s exceptional track record of performance and achievements will significantly aid in enhancing customer acquisition strategies, particularly in the premium diaspora market.

Mobihealth, known for its telemedicine and digital health services, stands poised to benefit greatly from Agunbiade’s wealth of knowledge and accomplishments.

 

Nigerdock will be advancing its promotion of clean energy through collaboration with UNIDO

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Nigerdock, the driving force behind Snake Island Integrated Free Zone, has announced an alliance with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to amplify the adoption of eco-friendly energy and attract sustainable foreign investments into Nigeria.

CEO Maher Jarmakani disclosed that 23 companies, part of a UNIDO delegation, converged at Nigerdock’s Lagos office to explore partnerships focusing on renewable energy, green technologies, and agribusiness.

Renowned for its maritime and logistics services, Nigerdock operates an integrated port and free zone in Lagos, offering terminal operations, marine services, logistics, and free zone solutions.

The company recently marked a pivotal step towards renewable energy by completing the first phase of its transition through solar installations at Snake Island Integrated Free Zone, partnering with Daystar Power for this endeavor.

Jarmakani highlighted the collaborative effort coordinated by UNIDO, alongside the Investment and Technology Promotion Office in Germany and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council, aimed at facilitating European enterprises’ establishment in Nigeria.

This visit signifies a significant stride in fortifying the alliance between Nigerian and European private sector entities. Jarmakani affirmed the alignment of their commitment to Nigeria’s economic growth with the mission’s goals, foreseeing its contribution to industrialization, increased foreign investment, job creation, and the integration of green practices in Nigeria.

Emphasizing their strong global ties and dedication to Nigeria’s industrialization, Jarmakani positioned SIIFZ (Snake Island Integrated Free Zone) as an environmentally sustainable and economically feasible hub, catering to global businesses eyeing Africa’s rapidly growing markets.

He also highlighted that the Private Sector Mission includes expertise in sustainable packaging, circular economy, and waste management.

The visit follows German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Nigeria visit, underscoring the burgeoning relationship between Nigeria and Germany. Scholz expressed Germany’s interest in investing across multiple sectors, aiming for increased cooperation and investment between the two countries. He noted Nigeria as Germany’s second-largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa, with direct German investments amounting to $158m in 2021.

Michael Schmidt, Deputy Head of Office at UNIDO ITPO Germany, emphasized UNIDO’s commitment to industrial park development in developing nations, foreseeing valuable collaboration opportunities with Nigerdock’s infrastructure objectives.