The United States has moved to impose visa restrictions on several individuals for allegedly undermining the democratic process in Nigeria, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said.
“Today, I am announcing that we have taken steps to impose visa restrictions on specific individuals in Nigeria for undermining the democratic process during Nigeria’s 2023 elections cycle,” Blinken said in a statement.
“These actions are specific to certain individuals and are not directed at the Nigerian people or the government of Nigeria as a whole,” he added.
Blinken did not identify the individuals who were sanctioned but emphasised that they would be barred from entering the United States under a policy covering those believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy.
“These individuals have been involved in the intimidation of voters through threats and physical violence, the manipulation of vote results, and other activity that undermines Nigeria’s democratic process,” he said.
Washington took steps to impose these visa restrictions in order to show its commitment to democracy in Nigeria, he added.
Over 40,000 people die annually as a result of Road Traffic Crashes in Nigeria, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Corps Marshall, Dauda Biu has said.
According to Biu, who said this in Abuja during activities marking the 7th United Nations Global Road Safety Week, these facts were the unholy statistics of Road Traffic Crashes and injuries which were a leading cause of death and disability.
He also said that 1.3 million people were killed and as many as 50 million people get injured each year globally.
According to him, there is no greater threat to people, aged 5-29 years than Road Traffic Crashes, as one in every four deaths occurs among pedestrians and cyclists.
“In Nigeria, over 40,000 persons die annually as a result of this avoidable scourge,“ he said.
The FRSC boss said that the United Nations had developed global plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030.
He said that it reflected an ambitious target to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries, which would be by 50 percent by 2030.
Biu said that the 2023 edition of the event with theme; ‘’Sustainable Transport‘’ is slated for Monday to Sunday.
He said: “FRSC is partnering with the World Health Organisation (WHO), Federal Ministry of Health (FMH) and United Nations Decade of Action on Road Safety and Injury Prevention (UNDARSIP) to mark the event with various activities.
According to him, the need to take action to ensure safe roads, vehicles and behaviours as well as to improve emergency care is paramount.
“The 7th UN Global Road Safety Week is focusing on sustainable transport with the slogan #RethinkMobility, which necessitates the urgent need to shift to walking, cycling and using public transport.
“The key messages of this year’s event centers on the need for governments and their partners to rethink mobility.
“Ensuring safety must be at the core of efforts to re-imagine mobility and thus road networks must be designed with the most-at-risk in mind, “he said.
The Corps Marshal, however, called on government at all levels and partners to rethink mobility with a mindset to providing access to safe and affordable mobility systems for all.
Biu stressed the need for government to make available accessible, resilient, low and sustainable mobility systems to create livable cities that would fulfil the mobility needs of all.
This, he said was to ensure safety at all cost, adding that the road network must be designed in consideration of the vulnerable road users who were the most at risk in mind.
He noted that this would ensure that they feel safe walking and cycling, adding that this would further promote good health, sustainable cities and equitable society.
Meanwhile, the Focal Person/Country representative, UN decade of Action for Road safety, Prof. Sydney Ibeanusi, said that government would continue to put the issue of road safety on the front burner.
Ibeanusi said that Nigeria had a better system, saying “what we want to show the world was that the system actually exists.
“Nigeria has been chosen as a country to improve cycling, and Abuja has been chosen as one of the five states globally.
”This is for a project implementation to encourage cycling and we will not relent in our efforts,“ he said.
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has disclosed that 23 ships conveying assorted goods are expected at Lagos ports from May 15 to May 25.
The NPA listed the items expected at the port to include bulk sugar frozen fish, general cargo, base oil, bulk salt, bulk wheat, diplomatic, bulk fertilizer, container and petrol.
It also stated that 20 ships were already discharging general cargo, petrol, container, crude soya oil, bulk urea, bulk wheat, base oil, frozen fish, bulk sugar, bulk gypsum, propane/butane and frozen fish.
The authority added that one ship had arrived the port and was waiting to berth with container.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has unveiled an e-learning platform, SabiMONI to promote financial literacy and to deepen financial inclusion.
Speaking at the ceremony, the CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele said that the platform was a fully digital national e-learning platform that provided a knowledge base for financial literacy.
According to him, SabiMONI is aimed at providing individuals with the opportunity to be trained and to become Certified Financial Literacy Trainers (CFLT) through self-service.
“The platform is aimed at supporting our efforts toward ramping up the number of experts that can be used to drive financial education in the country and perhaps beyond.
“One of the key drivers of financial inclusion today, is no doubt financial literacy.
“It is a prerequisite for greater financial inclusion, which would lead to the stability of the financial system and ultimately economic growth and development,” he said.
Emefiele said that the absence of or low levels of financial literacy constituted an impediment to financial inclusion.
“In other words, the pace of financial inclusion is directly related to the level of financial literacy and financial capability.’’
He said that to address the financial inclusion gaps, the National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2022, identified increasing adoption and usage of financial services in priority demographics.
He said that such demographics comprised of the most vulnerable segments such as women, youth, MSMEs and rural dwellers.
“And especially, the Northern part of the country as well as expansion of digital financial services and platforms amongst its strategic priority areas.
“To enable us to achieve these, we must take deliberate steps to upscale financial capability through financial education programmes.
“The shortage of skilled and experienced persons to drive financial education remains a major hindrance.
“Interestingly, the National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2022 places high priority on financial and digital learning.
“This will serve as a strategy that would enable the creation of a conducive environment for serving or ensuring the inclusion of the most excluded groups,” he said.
The Federal High Court, Abuja has restrained the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from further publishing a disclaimer, denying the issuance of a certificate dated Janaury 6, 2003 to the Enugu state Governor-elect, Mr. Peter Mbah.
Ruling on an ex-parte application moved by Mr. Emeka Ozoani (SAN), on behalf of Mbah, Justice Inyang Ekwo also barred the NYSC Director, Corps Certification, Mr Ibrahim Muhammad from continuing to issue a disclaimer to the effect that Mbah’s NYSC certificate was not issued by the NYSC.
Ozoani brought the motion under Section 13(1) & (2) of the Federal High Court Act Cap F12, Vol. 6, Law of Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and Order 26 Rule 6(1) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019.
Justice Ekwo granted prayer one on the motion paper.
The judge, however, refused to grant prayer two saying that it was far-reaching but rather ordered the plaintiff to put the defendants on notice.
He said that the second prayer was an issue to be adjudicated upon in the substantive suit.
Consequently, the trial judge ordered the applicant to serve the defendants with court processes within two days of the order.
The motion ex parte was predicated on 10 grounds.
He said that after graduating in law from the University of East London in 2000, returned to Nigeria and as a pre-requisite to practice as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, applied and was admitted into the Bar part 1 programme of the Nigerian Law School.
Mbah said upon completing the bar part I exam, he had to wait for the bar part 2 programme, and was advised that instead of spending time idling around, he should proceed to the mandatory one year NYSC programme.
He said he was called up for NYSC and was deployed initially to Nigerian Ports Authority Apapa for his primary assignment but was rejected by NPA, before securing the law firm of Ude & Associates.
“The plaintiff in the course of his service year and after six months of NYSC, applied and was granted approval to defer the NYSC in order to enable him complete the bar final exam.
“Thereafter, the plaintiff was re-mobilized to finish the NYSC programme, which he did complete.”
Mbah averred that upon completion of the NYSC, he was issued the certificate of National Service No. A.808297 dated January 6 2003.
Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter until May 22 for a hearing of the motion on notice.
The NYSC had on Feb. 1 written a letter signed by Mr. Ibrahim Mohammed, saying that the NYSC certificate belonging to Mbah was not issued by the corps.
Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won the Enugu state governorship election held on March 18.
A female House of Representatives member, Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, has commended Hilda Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci, a Nigerian chef, who has set her eyes on breaking Guinness World Record of longest cooking time.
Bassey targets 93 hours cooking marathon after spending over 83 hours showcasing her culinary skills before a live audience.
Akande-Sadipe, a federal lawmaker representing Oluyole Federal Constituency in Oyo State, took to her social media handles to cheer the “foodpreneur“ and actress, describing her as a brave champion.
Akande-Sadipe, showcasing her unwavering support for the brave chef, said her determination and incredible endurance was a testament to the remarkable strength and resilience that women possess.
“You have become a shining example of what women are truly capable of achieving.
“Your dedication to this extraordinary challenge inspires us all and reminds us that there are no limits to what we can accomplish when we set our minds to it.
“Your commitment to pushing boundaries and surpassing expectations is truly commendable”, she said.
Akande-Sadipe urged women to continue cheering Bassey and wish her success.
“I take this moment of Bassey’s determination to encourage every woman out there to celebrate and uplift her pursuit of this world record”.
“Let us join together in recognising her remarkable achievements and the milestones she has already conquered.
“Bassey’s journey is not only about breaking records but also about empowering women across the globe, showcasing our talents, prowess, strength and resilience,’’Akande-Sadipe said.
She affirmed her support for Bassey, saying she was proud to see a woman making significant impact in the society.
“As a woman myself and in my capacity as a member of parliament and the chairman of the House Committee on Diaspora, I stand firmly behind you.
“I am proud to see a fellow Nigerian woman making such a significant impact. Your determination serves as an inspiration to countless others, demonstrating that with dedication and perseverance, dreams become reality.
“Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you every step of the way as you continue this incredible feat.
“ May your spirit remain strong, and may you find renewed energy during your well-deserved six-hour break”, she said.
She expressed hopes that the chef will make more history and achieve her dream of setting a new Guinness record.
“Once again, I celebrate you, Bassey. Your journey is a beacon of hope and empowerment for women everywhere. Keep pushing boundaries, inspiring others, and reminding the world of the incredible power we possess”.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, has arrested 21 suspected illegal miners in Cross River.
The suspects were arrested in Utanga community in Obanliku local government area of Cross River on May 11.
Commandant of NSCDC in the State, Mr. Samuel Fadeyi, who paraded the suspects on Monday at the NSCDC headquarters in Calabar, said they were arrested at the illegal mining site in the Utanga community.
Fadeyi said that the illegal mining in the area was capable of heightening security challenges and causing natural disaster in the community.
“Our search light was able to identify a place in Utanga community in Obanliku local government area where we raided 21 suspects caught in the act of illegal mining.
“We arrested them together with their implements and tools. The suspects are undergoing investigation and soon, we will prosecute them.
“Some communities are complicit in this illegal mining activities in their area because they rely on peanuts that comes out of it and forget the challenges that may come thereafter.
“These illegal activities can attract criminal elements, warlords, insecurity and disaster in the area during the process of digging.
“Rather, they would have approached the Federal Mines office and get a license and allow the mines officer to put them through before going into such activities,” he said
Mr Mayowa Omosebi, the Federal Mines Officer in charge the state, said they have been strategising over time on how to arrest the suspects and put an end to illegal mining in the area.
Omosebi said that the office was facing the challenge of funding to operate optimally in bursting such illegal sites and make arrest.
“What we are asking for is more funding because of the peculiarity of distance in Cross River, the headquarters of the state office is very far from where you have the illegal activities taking place.
“There is no place illegal mining activities is taking place without the consent of the land owners; I have organised a stakeholders forum to educate them on the need to do the right thing.
“The license for mining process is very straight forward, and we keep advising them to explore the right channels and shun illegality,” he said.
One of the suspect, Vincent Abien, a Youth Leader of Utanga community, said he was aware that there was digging ongoing in the site, but he didn’t know it was illegal mining.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the items recovered from the suspects include; pumping machines, shovels, diggers, and head-pans.
Seun Kuti handed himself over to the Police on Monday
The Police Command in Lagos State has said the Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, who allegedly assaulted a police officer, turned in himself to the police on Monday.
This is contained in a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin.
Hundeyin said that Kuti, in company of his lawyer and family representatives, were at the Lagos Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja at the early hours of Monday and was placed under arrest in line with the law.
He said the command appreciated the public for their concern and assured that the ongoing investigation would be detailed, transparent and professionally pursued.
“Justice will be manifestly served for all parties involved,” he said.
The Inspector-General of Police, I-G Usman Baba, had on Saturday ordered the arrest of the Afrobeat musician for allegedly assaulting a police officer on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.
The Police Service Commission (PSC), which also condemned the alleged assault, commended the I-G for promptly ordering Seun’s arrest and prosecution.
Mr. Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer, has revealed that Seun requested for his legal services after the IGP’s order to immediately arrest the singer.
Falana said: “I am his lawyer and he has briefed me. He certainly has evidence.
“This is not the first time he is dealing with the police.”
The lawyer added that the embattled singer would turn himself in on Monday.
The family of late Nollywood Yoruba Actor, Murphy Afolabi in Osogbo, Osun, have said his death is saddening and heartbreaking to them.
The family head of Fetuata, Afolabi’s family compound in Osogbo Mr Yusuf Lateef, said on Monday that the news of the death of the actor left every one of them crying.
He said the information they got about Afolabi’s demise was that he collapsed in the bathroom.
He said he was rushed to the hospital thereafter, where he was pronounced dead.
He said his body was deposited at the morgue and that he would be buried later today.
“Initially we were planning to have him buried here, in Osogbo but his children insisted that he should be buried in Lagos, where he resides with his family.
“As his family in Osogbo, we have been meeting and making plans concerning his burial and we will be sending representatives to Lagos this morning (today),” he said.
He said the bond of family is very strong and that irrespective of the status anybody attained in life, they should never forsake their family, adding that as Afolabi’s family members, would see to the burial of their kin.
Alhaji Murufudeen Lawal, Osun Governor of Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), who was at the Afolabi’s family compound in Osun on a condolence visit, said the death of the actor was a big loss to the Yoruba film industry.
Lawal said the late actor had contributed immensely to the growth of the Yoruba movie sector and that the vacuum his death had created would be very difficult to fill.
He commiserated with the family, friends, and fans of the actor, asking them to take solace in the fact that life is ephemeral and that everything that happened in life is according to the will of God.
Afolabi, 49, a Yoruba movie actor, producer, and director, was reported to have collapsed and died in his bathroom in Ikorodu, Lagos on Sunday morning.
