Red Cross: 22,000 people missing in Nigeria — highest in the world

At least 22,000 Nigerians have been reported as missing in Boko Haram-related attacks, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

In a statement on Thursday, ICRC said the figure is the highest number of missing persons it has registered.

The ICRC said “nearly 60 percent” of those missing were minors at the time they went missing.

“Every parent’s worst nightmare is not knowing where their child is. This is the tragic reality for thousands of Nigerian parents, leaving them with the anguish of a constant search,” Peter Maurer, ICRC president, said.

“People have the right to know the fate of their loved ones, and more needs to be done to prevent families from being separated in the first place.”

‘A MOTHER’S SORROW’

The relief organisation said it found out that families in the north-east are often separated while fleeing attacks, while some are abducted or detained.

Falmata Amodu, the mother of a boy who went missing in 2013 at age 10 while fleeing an attack, told the organisation of her grief whenever she remembers her missing child.

“What troubles me is that I haven’t heard whether he is dead or alive. I just don’t know. Whenever I cook food for his siblings, I think about him,” she was quoted as saying.

“For the three years that we stayed in Maiduguri, my husband was very distressed and would repeatedly have nightmares. He would call the name of our abducted son, ‘Alkali, Alkali, Alkali’ all the time.”

Over 12,000 persons are reported to have been killed since the Boko Haram insurgency started about ten years ago.

At least 2.2 million residents in the north-east have also been internally displaced.

- THECABLE

19-year-old girl sentenced to 80 strokes for smoking marijuana

A Shari’a Court l sitting in Magajin Gari, Kaduna on Thursday sentenced a 19-year-old girl, Zainab Abdullahi to 80 strokes of the cane for smoking marijuana in public. 

Delivering judgment, the Judge, Malam Muhammad Shehu-Adamu, sentenced Abdullahi after she pleaded guilty to the offence.

Shehu-Adamu held that the 80 strokes of cane is the punishment stipulated for people who engaged in taking intoxicants (Hadd) and cannot be reversed.

He urged the Muslim Council of Nigeria to continue with their good work and try to reform the convict in the possible way they can.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Ibrahim Shuaibu, told the court that the police arrested Abdullahi on the road smoking marijuana.

Shuaibu told the court that the convict had been convicted was serving a jail term due to her inability to pay a fine of N7,000, until a religious organisation named Muslim Council of Nigeria paid the fine.

Also speaking in court, Abdulrahman Sadiq, a member of the council commended the court for instilling value and promoting peace in the society praying the court to reduce the punishment for the convict.

- PM NEWS

Hazard, Courtois explain why Zidane must bring Kante to Madrid from Chelsea

Real Madrid stars, Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois have backed Chelsea midfielder, N’Golo Kante to join the Los Blancos in the future.

According to The Atheltic, Hazard and Courtois believe the 2018 World Cup winner is the type of player missing in Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane’s current squad

The newspaper reports that the duo have also confided in friends that Kante should be Zidane’s top priority target to sign.

Hazard and Courtois were former teammates with Kante during their time at Stamford before they left Chelsea for Real Madrid.

Kante, who is widely considered as one of the world’s best defensive midfielders, signed a new five-year contract with Chelsea last November.

The 28-year-old is currently Chelsea’s highest-earning player on £290,000-a-week.

The France international has missed Chelsea’s last two Premier League matches due to an ankle injury.

The former Leicester City star is expected to feature for Frank Lampard’s men this weekend when they take on Wolves in the Premier League.

- DAILY POST

Why Lagosians must imbibe waste sorting culture – LAWMA MD

The Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has urged residents the state to imbibe the culture of waste sorting at source by dropping all recyclable items in one bag and other waste items in another.

This comes on the heels of the recently launched Blue Box Program of the state government.

He spoke at Orile bus stop during a road show organized by LAWMA along Lagos-Badagry Expressway, to create awareness among residents and to distribute waste bags to them.

According to him, the Authority embarked on the massive sensitization programme, to draw the attention of residents in the area on the need for proper sanitation and cleaner surroundings.

“Today, we’ve come to sensitize the community on how to maintain a clean environment because a clean environment is the beginning of good health for all Lagosians. If you don’t have a clean environment, you cannot enjoy good health,” Gbadegesin said.

Speaking further he said, “You were keeping one waste bag before, but now you will be keeping two bags; one bag for your recyclable materials like plastic bottles, cans and water sachets while the other bag is for general waste. That is why we are distributing the bags to you, for the “Blue Box” programme which the governor launched last week.”

“I also want you to stop the idea of using refuse to reclaim land. This is an unwholesome practice that is harmful to the environment and must be discontinued.”

The LAWMA boss also stated that the agency, as a follow-up to the recent executive order on sanitation by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had commenced massive clean-up exercises along Orile – Lagos Badagry Expressway, to ensure that the stretch was rid of black spots and all forms of environmental nuisance.

He urged residents in the area to support government’s efforts by embracing right environmental practices, to protect them from dangers of environmental pollution, adding that the Authority had commenced distribution of trash bags, in line with the blue box program, to enable residents sort their wastes properly for recycling.

Mr. Funsho Adeolu, a renowned Nigerian actor and LAWMA ambassador, said he joined the campaign to promote environmental sustainability in the state, urging Lagosians to support LAWMA’s efforts at restoring the environment through proper waste management practices like waste sorting for recycling.

Also at the sensitization exercise was Ohekwuru Tony, a child environmental advocate with Children for Cleaner Lagos, who educated residents on how to dispose of their wastes properly, as well as the importance of waste segregation for recycling.

- PM NEWS

Kwara people scared of exposing corrupt officials – EFCC

The Ilorin zonal head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Isyaku Sharu has expressed great disappointment that the people of Kwara State are scared of exposing corrupt and bad eggs in their midst.

“In fact, they are hardly willing to proceed with criminal complaints,” he noted at a media parley organised by the Kwara State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, as part of the 2019 press week.

Sharu who was a guest speaker at the occasion urged members of the state council to assist in educating and sensitizing the people that, “they are part of the reasons why the state is still where it is today.”

He disclosed that the loud complaints of the people of Kwara compelled the acting chairman of the agency, Ibrahim Magu to create the Ilorin Zonal office to look into the long-standing persistent economic and financial crimes issues in the state.

Sharu said since the birth of the zonal office in February 2019 in the state, 26 convictions had been secured, while property worth millions of Naira had been seized and forfeited by corrupt individuals.

He said the past administration in the state got N21B Paris Club refund between 2016 and 2017 but nothing concrete was done in terms of development of the state.

The zonal head accused civil servants of helping politicians to pilfer resources of government to the detriment of the people’s welfare.

He assured that more convictions and forfeitures would be secured in the next few weeks when the law courts resume.

In his goodwill message, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Malam Attairu Garba Madami, appealed to Nigerians and Kwarans to play their part in eradicating corruption in the country, as it remains the major killer of Nigeria.

- DAILY POST

EFCC arrests 13 suspected internet fraudsters in Abuja, Ilorin

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abuja and Ilorin Zonal Offices, have arrested thirteen suspected internet fraudsters in separate operations.

The anti-graft spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, in a statement said eight of the suspects were arrested following a raid on their residence located at No. 16 Isaaya Shukari Crescent, Gwarinpa and C15 & A27 City of David Estate, Life Camp, Abuja.

Part of the statement reads, “Those arrested are: Chiyiri Izuchi. Nurala Eze Kamchi, Amuka Shadrack, Nwegbediegwu Chekwubechukwu J, Chigbo Eze, Franklin Okafor, Ezeagwu Olisaemeka and Nnamani Chukwudera.

“They were arrested on September 9, 2019 following action on intelligence report indicating their involvement in internet fraud.

“Some of the items recovered from them, include several mobile phones, laptop computers, several International Passports, a Toyota Corolla, a Toyota Avalon, Lexus 15 250, Mercedes 4matic C350, Mercedes C280, Mercedes GLA 280 and an Acura.

“The five other suspects arrested in Ilorin by the Commission’s Zonal Office in the Kwara State capital are, Stephen Odanye, Abolarin Kayode, Babatunde Muhammad, Adepoju Tomiwa and Akinbamidele Femi.

“They were arrested in different locations within Ilorin Metropolis following intelligence reports linking them to computer-based fraud”.

However, Uwujaren said it was discovered that the suspects use their phones and laptop computers to communicate with their victims who are majorly foreigners in order to defraud them of their monies.

But investigation has revealed that the suspects received monies, in several foreign currencies, deposited into their accounts by their victims.

Items recovered from them include, phones, cars and documents containing false information.

EFCC affirmed that the suspects would soon be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.

- DAILY POST

Incredible! Female banker sleeps with 200 job seekers

Mutale Winfridah. Photo: Daily Guide

A female employee has been suspended for allegedly sleeping with over 200 different men both clients and job seekers.

The woman, Mutale Winfridah works with ZANACO in Zambia.

Winfridah was said to have been using her influence as Kitwe branch senior bank executive to sleep with different men promising them jobs at the bank and approving their bank loan applications in return to enjoying their bed energies.

The Zambian Watch Understands, reports that the management decided to suspend her after more than 10 men formally lodged complaints against her.

She is 39 years old and still unmarried because of her quest to attain different academic qualifications before finding a partner.

- PM NEWS

FEC approves increase in VAT rate to 7.2%

The federal executive council (FEC) has approved an increase in value added tax (VAT) rate from 5 percent to 7.2% percent

Zainab Ahmed, minister of finance, budget and national planning, disclosed this to state house correspondents at the end of the cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

However, this is subject to an amendment of the VAT act of 1994 by the national assembly.

If approved by the federal lawmakers, the new rate will take effect in 2020.

VAT replaced the sales tax in 1994 and was pegged at 5% by the military government of Sani Abacha.

In 2007, former president Olusegun Obasanjo increased VAT to 10% on the eve of his departure from office but it was reversed by his successor, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, following opposition from labour.

Wednesday’s FEC meeting, which started at 11am and ended at 6:12pm, was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ahmed said FEC directed immediate consultations with states, local governments and other relevant stakeholders before the new rate takes effect in 2020.

She said: “We also reported to council and council has agreed that we start the process towards the increase of the VAT rate. We are proposing and council has agreed increase the VAT rate from five percent to  7.2 percent. This is important because the federal government only retains 15 percent of the VAT — 85 percent is actually for the states and local governments and the states need additional revenue to be able to meet the obligations of the minimum wage.

“This process involves extensive consultations that need to be made across the country at various levels and also it will involve the review of the VAT act. So, it is not going to be implemented immediately until the act is reviewed.”

She said the states need the revenue to be able to pay the new minimum wage.

“Following these assumptions, the total revenue estimate is the sum of N7.5 trillion for the year 2020 and N2.09 trillion that will be accruing to the federation account and VAT respectively,” she said.

“There will, of course, be the distribution to the three tiers of government based on the statutorily revenue sharing formula as defined in the constitution and to this effect, it means the federal government will be receiving proposed aggregate of N4.26 trillion from the federal account and the VAT pool, while the states and the local governments are expected to receive N3.04 trillion and N2.27 trillion respectively.”

- THECABLE

Infidelity: Pastor seeks dissolution of 19 year-old marriage

An Abuja-based clergy, Joel Bamimore, on Thursday dragged his wife, Mary before a Mapo Customary Court in Ibadan, seeking dissolution of their 19-year-old marriage over alleged infidelity.

Bamimore alleged that his wife capitalised on his physical disability to continually cheat on him. He alleged that his father had once caught Mary in an uncompromising position with another man.

“I have forgiven Mary’s adulterous behaviours before. I can no longer tolerate it because I am also a pastor and for the sake of my well-being. On several occasions, Mary has hidden under the guise of going to our senior Pastor’s home to assist him to fetch water and wash his clothes. In the pastor’s home one day, I met both of them in a compromising position and my initial fear was confirmed,” Bamimore said.

Mary, the respondent denied all the allegations gave her consent for a divorce. She now lives in Oyo Town pointed out that her greatest mistake in life was her decision to marry Bamimore, in spite of her parent’s warning.

“I am not an adulterer, I have lived with Bamimore with all sincerity and honesty. The clergy he referred to as my lover, is a real man of God, in fact, he usually gives my husband,  money to feed his family. I indeed used to assist the man’s family with their chores. It has become my husband’s way of life to accuse me of adultery and embarrass me in the public, stripping me naked and inflicting injuries on me,” Mary explained.

After hearing the testimonies, Chief Ademola Odunade, the President of the court, ordered them to produce more evidence to support their arguments, noting that Pastor Bamimore was not being fair to his wife.

He adjourned the case until Oct. 30 for a continuation of hearing.

- PM NEWS

How Nigerian elite destroy public schools – NAESN

The National Association of Local Government Education Secretaries of Nigeria (NAESN), has accused Nigerian elite of destroying public school system, in order to build their own.

The Administrative Secretary of NAESN, Mr. Nicholas Agboola, stated this on Wednesday in Benin, Edo State, during a two-day retreat for stakeholders in the nation’s basic education sector.

Agboola, who is also a consultant to the Association, bemoaned what he described as attempt either by design or accident, to emasculate public schools through poor funding.

“Nigerians will attest to the fact that the elite have destroyed public schools system and build their own,” he said.

According to him, the retreat “aimed to take stock of basic education nationwide, the challenges and achievements within the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act, 2004.”

Agboola noted that education secretaries were at the base of managing UBE programmes in schools at their various local government areas.

He, however, lamented the absence of Edo delegates at the retreat, despite the fact that it was being held in the State.

“I was made to understand that they (Edo delegates) were absent because a private firm in Lagos is the sole manager (consultant) of public schools in the State.”

In his remark, the National President of the Association, Dr. Hassan Sule, said the retreat would afford the education secretaries to explore their potentials.

- PM NEWS

Falana: 57 detainees are on hunger strike at naval facility in Lagos

Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, says 57 detainees at the Nigerian navy facility in Apapa, Lagos, have begun a hunger strike to protest their incarceration without trial.

Falana said the detainees began the strike on Monday after the navy failed to obey court orders to release them.

In May, Falana accused the navy of flouting the order of President Muhammadu Buhari to release the people it is detaining ”illegally”.

The senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) had also criticised the president for celebrating 100 days in office while many Nigerians are languishing in detention facilities across the country.

“The 57 people being detained illegally by the Nigerian Navy at NNS Beecroft detention facility at Apapa, Lagos commenced a hunger strike on Monday, September 9, 2019,” he said.

“They are protesting their detention without trial for periods ranging from 8 months to over 2 years.

“The federal high court has nullified the detention of some of the detainees while others have been granted bail. But the Nigerian Navy has treated the court orders with contempt.

“In spite of its official policy to respect the human rights of the Nigerian people the Buhari administration qhas failed to call the detaining authorities to order.”

- THECABLE

Suspected gunmen kill pastor in Kaduna

Gunmen have allegedly killed Rev. Alhamdu Mangadus, a resident pastor of Nasara Baptist Church, Asso Community in Jema’a Local Government area of Kaduna State.

The pastor, according to a source, was killed today (Wednesday) afternoon while in his farm.

The source said the gunmen alleged to be Fulani militias were said to have opened fire on the pastor while he was working in the farm at around 1pm.

Efforts to get the council chairman, Jema’a local government area, Mr Peter Danjuma Averik, to comment on the incident proved abortive as he did not respond to phone calls put to him at the time of filing this report.

- DAILY POST

FBI arrests Ninalowo for $1.5 million money laundering

The Federal Bureau of Investigation says it has arrested one 40-year-old Kenneth Ganiu Ninalowo and a Country Club Hills woman, 27-year-old Brittney Stokes on charges of laundering over $1.5 million in Chicago.

The authorities said the two Illinois defendants derived the money from scams targeting an unnamed Chicago-area community college and an energy company, who were defrauded into sending approximately $5 million to fraudulent bank accounts.

The suspects were among nearly 300 defendants arrested as part of a massive roundup of individuals accused of sophisticated financial crimes across the United States, including 167 in Nigeria, 18 in Turkey and 15 in Ghana. The Department of Justice says arrests were also made in France, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom..

Investigators said the banks were able to freeze about $3.6 million of those funds. When the two were arrested in July, agents said they seized a 2019 Range Rover from Stokes and approximately $175,909 from both Stokes and Ninalowo.

Investigators say as part of the scheme, the college was duped into wiring about $3.3 million to what they thought was the bank account of one of their legitimate vendors. Rather than working as an executive at a major construction company, as the college was led to believe, Stokes actually was the assistant manager of Menard’s home improvement store in suburban Crestwood.

The criminal complaint also alleges that Stokes and Ninalowo duped an Irving, Texas energy company into wiring them about $1.7 million.

- PM NEWS

PL : Everton manager lists what he expects from Iwobi this season

Everton manager, Marco Silva, has challenged Alex Iwobi to maintain his goalscoring form and continue his “high quality” contribution to the team.

Iwobi is gradually establishing himself at Goodison Park, following his £40 million move from Arsenal.

The 23-year-old has already scored two goals in his first two starts for Everton.

Silva is confident the Super Eagles midfielder will boost his team’s attacking chances.

“It is something I will demand from him more and more. With the quality he has – I am 100 per cent sure he will give important things for us.

“He will give high quality in our attack. He can provide creativity playing from the left or behind the striker as an offensive midfielder.

“And if he can – and I am sure he can – score more goals, it will help the team. The first time I met with him, it was something I put in his mind [his ability to score goals].

“If you look at our wingers and the players in forward positions, it is something I demand from them.

“Richarlison scored many, many goals last season, Theo scored some. I want more from the other two [Iwobi and Bernard].

“Bernard started the season with a goal in the second game which was important for him. Alex has done the same thing now,” Silva told the club’s website.

- DAILY POST

I didn’t demand for Neymar’s transfer – Lionel Messi

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi, says he didn’t demand Neymar’s transfer but will be “thrilled” to see him returned to Camp Nou.

The transfer of Neymar to Barcelona was undoubtedly one of the most talked-about transfers this summer, with PSG sporting director confirming he wants to leave but the deal will only happen with the right offers on the table. 

Neymar was at Barca from 2013 and 2017 when he left for Paris Saint-Germain, in a move that broke the heart of many fans with Barcelona declaring he stated he wants to leave. 

While some ascribed Neymar’s decision to leaving Lionel Messi’s shadow, some fans said he was a traitor. 

Speaking with Catalan newspaper Sport this week, Messi said “I would be thrilled if Neymar came back. 

“I understand that not everyone agrees. That’s normal after everything that happened around Neymar, the way in which he left, the way he abandoned us.

“But when you look at the sporting angle, for me Neymar is one of the best players in the world and obviously would improve our chances of getting the results we want.”

The summer transfer window saw an on-off soap opera surrounding the 27-year-old’s apparent desire to leave PSG, who paid a world record 222 million euros ($264 million at the time) in 2017, with Barcelona and Real Madrid both linked.

Ultimately he stayed in the French capital, at least for the time being.

“I am not disappointed,” said Messi. “I would have liked it if he had come and been with us but, as I have said, we have an exceptional squad to challenge for every title, even without him.”

Messi denied reports he had used his influence to try and force the Barcelona board to push through the deal.

“Here, it is not me that gives the orders,” he said. “We never said that he had to be brought in. We didn’t make any demands.”

“I don’t know if the club (Barcelona) wanted it to happen. What I do know is that Neymar really wanted it. But I understand it is very difficult to negotiate with PSG.”

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said on Friday Neymar “did everything” to force through a return to the Camp Nou in the close season, but his club could “not meet” the French champions’ demands.

- PM NEWS

I’ll fight you to standstill, you are corrupt – Gov. Wike issues strong warning to PDP

The Rivers State Governor, Nyeson Wike, has declared that he has all it takes to fight his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to a standstill.

This is as the Governor described the panel set up by the party to resolve the Minority leadership crisis in the House of Representatives as the most corrupt in the history of the party.

Wike made this statement following withdrawal of a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, from the panel.

The panel is chaired by a former Senate President, Iyorcha Ayu.

Other members of the panel are former Senate Presidents, David Mark and Adolphus Wabara.

Speaking in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Wike applauded Opara for withdrawing from what he described as a tainted committee by not allowing himself to be entangled in the illegal outcome of the committee’s activities.

He said, “The Committee set up by the PDP on the illegal emergence of Ndudi Elumelu is the most corrupt committee ever set up by the party.

“We thank our worthy son, Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, for withdrawing from that committee so that he is not entangled in the illegal activities of the tainted committee.”

The Governor warned the party not to toy with Rivers State as it is not in the interest of the party to do so.

He said: “We are warning PDP to be careful not to toy with Rivers State.

“Rivers State has all it takes to withstand the PDP and fight the party to a standstill.

“The Rivers State Governor is not one of those Governors that anyone can cajole.

“The Rivers State Governor is not one of those Governors that will kowtow to their illicit activities.”

- DAILY POST