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Folarin Kehinde

HeadlinesSports

Super Falcons Lose To Morocco Women Amidst Red Card Saga

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The super falcons of Nigeria are out of The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after loosing out 4-5 on penalties against the atlas lioness of Morocco.

This was after playing out a 1-1 draw with hosts Morocco for over 120 minutes in the competition’s semi-final match

The Super Falcons who are 9 times winners and defending champions lost two players to red card offences for greater parts of the second half. Players Halimatu Ayinde and Rasheedat Ajibade were sent off in the second half for rough tackles. These red cards contributed greatly to the loss of the falcons.

Halimat Ayinde was sent off barely 3 minutes into the second half by a VAR decision. The Falcons however proceeded to score just 12 minutes later after a rebound shot from substitute Uchenna Kanu was deflected by Moroccan player Yasmin Mrabet, resulting in an own goal.

The atlas Lioness of Morocco went to equalize just four minutes later when a mistake from Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie led to a goal from Moroccan player Sanaa Mssoudy.

The falcons were again reduced to nine players when a VAR decision upgraded the yellow card of Rasheedat Ajibade to a red card for malicious tackle.

The defending champions however held their own despite the pressure to drag the game into extra times and eventually penalties. The Moroccan women were however victorious after Falcons player Ifeoma Onumonu failed to convert her penalty.

Many sports people and individuals in their reactions towards the match have said the red card decisions were too harsh.

A crowd of 45,562 viewed the match in the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium – a record attendance for a game on the African continent.

The super falcons will now battle Zambia for the third place, while Morocco and South Africa will challenge for the title in the WAFCON finals.

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Headlines

Kano State Government Bans Keke Napep Operations From 10pm

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The kano state Government has just banned keke napep, popularly known in Kano as ‘A Daidata Sahu’ from driving around in the state any later than 10pm.

In a statement issued and signed by the state Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, the ban takes effect from Thursday, July 21, 2022 from 10pm – 6pm.

The decision, according to the statement, was reached at the end of a state security meeting.

The measure was part of ongoing efforts by the state government to ensure security of lives and property in the state.

To this end, the commissioner urged tricycle operators to comply and stop operating at the stipulated time, warning that security agents would strictly enforce the ban.

Hoodlums including terrorists and bandits have reportedly been using tricycles to perpetrate their nefarious activities in the state.

Kano state has now joined the list of states to place limit on the movement of tricycle riders. Other states include Lagos State, Kogi State and the FCT.

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Headlines

Zamfara Emir Suspended After Giving Bandit Leader Traditional Title

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Emir of Birnin ‘ Yandoto of Tsafe Local Government Area in Zamfara State, Alhaji Aliyu Marafa, has been suspended by the State Government after he conferred the title of Sarkin Fulani on Ada Aleru, a notorious bandit leader.

The bandit Aleru was turbaned as Sarkin Fulani (Chief of Fulani) of Yandoto Emirate by the now suspended emir.
Several bandit group leaders and lieutenants were said to have arrived at the venue of the occasion on motorbikes to celebrate with Aleru during his turbaning.

After photos of the ceremony went viral, it generated public outrage and outcry from people living in Zamfara state and members of the public.

Mr Kabiru Balarabe Sardauna the secretary to the Zamfara state government confirmed this in statement. He also said that the government has assigned the District Head of ‘Yandoto, Alhaji Mahe Garba Marafa to take charge of the affairs of the emirate.

The Secretary also confirmed that Governor Bello Matawalle has approved the appointment of a 6 man committee to investigate circumstances leading to the action of the Emir.

The committee has Yahaya Goro as chairman and Musa Garba as secretary. Members are Yahay Kanoma, Muhammed Magaji, Lawal Zannah, Isa Moriki

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HeadlinesOpinion

Nomination Forms Hike: Who will contribute for the Nigerian Youth?

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Anyebe Victor, Abuja

Despite the democratic rule in Nigeria that the country “boast” to practice through constitutional amendments and laws to support it, the activities the of country could be best described as a Banana Republic where everything is possible.

Her Youthful population is now described as a curse owing to high rate of crime due to unemployment that has now become the new norm.

The Political landscape tends to beam a light for a prospective future for the youth especially when the NotTooYoungToRun bill was passed into law.

Meanwhile, Democracy as widely accepted is a system of government where laws, policies, leadership and major undertakings of a state or other polity are directly or indirectly decided by the people.

In simple words, it is of the people, by the people and for the people.

With this definition, one would wonder why and how the democracy would have its course in Nigeria when so much money is spent on getting just the nomination form alone and then spend huge amount of money to campaign afterwards then still spend another to rig election.

Nigeria is gradually failing with unpatriotic and uncivilized politicians who unfortunately got into the corridors of power through illegal means.

It is unheard of for a political party to peg its presidential form for N100m. Who exactly are they trying to prevent? That is a story for another day.

When I see young people celebrating today and making jest that most people seeking political leadership under the APC can’t afford to pick nomination forms, I fear for the next elections because events leading to such time will be lethal as those people who will win this circle.

The #NoTooYoungToRun campaign was to allow participation of young capable people into public service. The APC led government signed this into law then turned around to hike the prices of Nomination forms for offices beyond the reach of young people to the advantage of the cabals and forces that has always been.

The high cost of nomination forms by the ruling APC is clearly a message to the young people that it is better to acquire money at all cost, including; stealing, rituals, kidnapping etc as long as you are rich enough to be eligible for political participation.

The main opposition party PDP is by extension not left out because if they can makes theirs to be:

  1. N41m – Presidential
  2. N21m – Governorship
  3. N3.5m – Senate
  4. N2.5m – House of Reps
  5. N600k – House of Assembly.

Then it is highly unreasonable if they as a party should criticise the ruling party APC. The question is; will they not hike the nomination forms as well if they were to be in power?

The man President Buhari in 2014 that most Nigerian Youths all contributed monies for to obtain the presidential form at N21m, the same man who signed the “No too young to run bill” into law with a promise to handover power to youths in 2018.

He’s today the chairman of NEC of his political party alongside his APC leaders hike the presidential nomination form fee to a whopping sum of N100m.

Where will the “lazy Nigerian Youths” according to him get such money?

It is unfortunate that a country where hunger, strife, unemployment, insecurity, disunity, economic hardship, decaying educational system and a dwindling standard of living has become normal, the APC has slammed a N100m price tag on Nigerians wishing to vie for the presidential position on its platform and it is ridiculously appalling that the youths that averagely earns N30,000 only as the so called minimum wage is expected to get into politics in Nigeria with the way things stands?

In Nigeria, it is now the case of “The more you look, the less you see”.

Nigerian Youth will at the end will be used as the usual tool for campaigns, electioneering and ‘rigging’.

What is even more worrisome is that Nigerian Youth are always ready and willing to be used as tools for these vices because of paltry sum at the detriment of mortgaging their “future” if one ever exist.

While the already wealthy politicians are still being contributed for to purchase the nomination forms, the Nigerian Youth looks headlong with no one to buy for them.

Considering the above, there is no gainsaying that the Nigerian Youth are still TooYoungToRun.

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FCT
Headlines

FCT Parks and Recreation dept begins park operators record update, cautions against illegal felling of trees in FCT

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The FCT Parks and Recreation Department has commenced Park Operators record update in order to ascertain the actual genuine park owners, and if, accurate remittances are made, even as it seeks to ensure compliances to bonded MOU as well as rules and regulation.

The Director in charge of the department, Hajia Risikat AbdulAzeez made this known during a media interaction in her office. She emphasised that the ongoing update includes all holders of Letters of Intent LoI to develop, operate and manage any designated park, green area and open space should come forward to update their records. If the forms in circulation has not reached them from the parks and recreation department.

Hajia Risikat also frowned at the way and manner trees are being fallen by unauthorised people which she said cannot be tolerated any longer as the department has taken measures to prosecute offenders no matter who is involved and how highly placed.The director particularly mentioned the Usuma axis where tree felling has blown out of proportion.

She explained further that there is an aggressive campaign embarked on in order to sensitize and educate FCT residents on the dangers of tree felling as regards to vegetational abuse and environmental hazard.

“The situation is becoming alarming and worrisome both within the city and around the catchment areas of Usuma Dam”

The Director also raised issues of violation of park regulations by many Park Operators who according to intelligence findings of the department operates beyond the authorised 7 pm closing time which is against the rules of the department. Since the assumption of office of the Director, alot of changes have taken place in areas of interaction with park operators, availing them of updated information, consistent and constant clearing of flowers along Abuja city centre and others too numerous to mention. Hajia Risikatu implores all park operators to comply in order to ease the tension for the owners. She assured FCT residents of service delivery from the department on areas of jurisdiction.

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Headlines

Nassarawa Government Applauds NASENI on Engineering Innovation

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Governor of Nassarawa State, Engineer Abdullahi Sule has commended the giant strides achieved by the National Agency for Science and Innovation (NASENI) in promoting Scientific Engineering Innovation and solutions in Agriculture, Power, and Educational advancement in Nigeria.

Engineer Sule while speaking in Abuja on Wednesday at a facility tour to the Agency stated that the activities of the agency is commendable and indeed not a waste of national resources.

“I had a different concept of what NASENI was until today.

“And I think with what I have seen Nigeria is definitely making the right decision by taking 1% of our federation account to boost the activities of Naseni.”.

According to Engr. Sule, agriculture is the main source of income to more than 80 per cent of the state population and major industrialists and business owners have made the state a hub for their agricultural businesses and investments due to the large expanse of land that the state has.

He further stated that ” Flour Mills of Nigeria is today getting ready to acquire 20,000 hectares of land, 10,000 hectares for flour and 10,000 for sugar

“Dangote has acquired 68,000hectares of land for sugarcane and with that we should be able to produce 400,000 metrics tonnes of sugar locally”.

He added that today, Nigeria does not even produce 50,000 out of the 1.2 million metric tones that Nigeria consumes, by the time they produce 400,000 metric tones in one location in Nigeria that is already one-third of the size of what Nigeria produce annually.

By the time this is done, they should be able to produce 96 megawatt of power and 48 of this will go the national grid for Nigeria to use.

In addition to that, we will be to produce ethanol for our gas and apart from the animal feeds they will be able to employ not less than 30,000 Youths directly.

While pledging for collaboration with NASENI, the governor requested that zonal institute for Agricultural equipment be moved to the capital city, Lafia.

“Am impressed with what NASENI is doing and I strongly believe we can collaborate with NASENI on Science and Engineering Infrastructure”.

“I want to commend Mr. President for appointing the idea of your zonal institute for Agricultural equipment and I want to call on President Muhammad Buhari to site the regional one for north central in Lafia.”.

Earlier the Executive Vice Chairman, NASENI, Prof. M. S. Haruna led the tour to various facilities in the agency.

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Maize
Business

Institute urges FG halt exportation of Maize, Soya Beans

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Institute of Animal Science, Prof. Eustance Iyayi has urged the Federal Government to stop the exportation of maize and soya bean to reduce scarcity and price increase.

Prof. Iyayi while speaking in Abuja on Tuesday stated that due to the Covid-19 pandemic which has disorganize the international supply chain, lingering insecurity in the north east, farmers/herders conflict and flooding in some part of the country, the livestock industry and particularly, the poultry sector has been severely hit by maize and soyabeans scarcity.

According to Iyayi, maize and soya beans are being exported and this has exacerbated the situation leading to local scarcity and price escalation of the commodities in poultry production.

Furthermore, he stated that increasing prices of the essential commodities has resulted in the increase in price of finished feed about 75% which has led to the closure of small and medium scale size poultry farms whereby threatening about 10 million jobs as a result of this scarcity.

“To set the poultry industry from total collapse, the institute urges the government to immediately halt the exportation of soya bean and maize and grant import permit for them at official and forex rate.’

Read Also: CSO commends Operation Safe Haven over mass arrests of kidnappers, armed robbers, others

“Because there is shortage of soya bean in Nigeria and other countries, the little one we are producing here should not be exported.”

He added that the current maize yield of about 1-2 tonnes per hectare which we currently produce is not going to be enough to sustain us.

“So we have a problem, we cannot continue to produce 1-2 tonnes of maize, when we should be producing 7-10 tonnes per hectare in order to sustain the requirement for human consumption as well as animal consumption.”

Meanwhile, Iyayi advocated that at gazetted grazing reserves in Nigeria be transformed for ranching to mitigate the current farmer/herders conflict in Nigeria.

Iyayi maintained that cow remain a national asset and therefore believe that each production must be sustained in a manner that will ensure good economic returns for the producer as well as supplying quality animal protein for the populace.

“Among other solutions offered by the government, the institute strongly advocate the establishment of ranches as a way of resolving the crisis and ensuring that this national asset is sustained and preserved.”

He added that the National Livestock Transformation Plan is a comprehensive plan and if well adopted and well executed assured that the problem that we are facing will be a forgotten issue.

“Therefore, we must move towards a more sustainable ranching method of cattle production.”

Iyayi further revealed that the current cattle population in the country is about 21 million but believe that if measures are put in place, this can increase within a short time either through improved breeding with less land being utilized or embrace ranching which the institute strongly advocate.

“We are also recommending that all gazetted grazing reserve in Nigeria we believe it is time this assets be transformed into ranches either on the public private partnership or completely private basis.

“We have about 140 of such gazetted grazing reserve in the country, out of a total number of 405 grazing reserves in the country”.

The institute also recommend that government should work with the various chambers of commerce and industry in the involvement of the private sector for operationalization of the ranching and commercial pasture project.

He assured that about 2000 community animal husbandry officers of the institute who are graduate animal scientist will be included to join the pool of experts in the institute in sustainable commercial ranching and livestock production.

“The institute is ready to make its expertise available to the federal and state government in the establishment of ranches and development of high yielding pasture as a measure to solve the lingering crisis and also to sustain our national asset that we have”. He added.

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financial
Headlines

World Day of Social Justice: NAS Calls for financial security against fraud

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

As Nigeria joins the World to Commemorate the 2021 World Day of Social Justice, the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity), Sahara Deck, Abuja has raised concern over the increasing rate of electronic financial fraud perpetrated by fraudsters within the country.

The Capoon, Sahara Deck, Mr. Victor Ofili in a statement over the weekend noted that electronic financial fraudsters operate at will due to insecurity in the system and lack of social justice for victims.

According to Mr. Victor, preventable loopholes such as insecurity, lack of enforcement and sufficient deterrent policies on the part of the government to ensure that financial institutions collaborate with security agencies in getting swift and decisive result in responding to cases of electronic financial fraud which is more often than not being exploited by fraudsters in a transactional process through registered bank accounts should be looked into in order to reduce the billions lost to fraudsters.

He added that in order to curb this menace, there should be a trusted and secured administrative system from the financial institutions in the country and other appropriate financial regulatory agencies on financial security for the benefit of the populace in an increasingly digital economy.

Speaking on the theme, A call for Social Justice for Digital Economy, he stated that of greater worry is the plight of the victims whose hard earned money are lost to financial fraud and are still denied social justice and compensation.

“The pervasiveness of this crime is nothing short of devastating to victims in a Nigerian polity where access to social justice is seen to be a herculean task.”

Mr. Victor thereby call on the government, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and other stakeholders in the financial sector to engage the public on sensitization and enlightenment programme at at nipping the menace to the bud.

“It is our wish that the Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) takes the lead in curtailing this social menace by engaging the public in a developmental role geared towards public capacity building and sensitization program that will serve to enlighten the residents of the Federal Capital Territory of the pros and cons of the inadvertent migration to digital economy as the whole world and human relations are radically transformed to a more remotely day to day activities via online transactions
rather than physical contacts.”

He added that the association will continue to act as a watchdog over government policies and assist victims of social injustice in her quest to promote access to justice.

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Ponzi Scheme
Business

Greedy Investors Lament Loss in P/H as Ponzi Scheme who Promised 50% return disappears

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Investors in a new Ponzi Scheme called “MONDELEX” got the shock of their lives on Thursday when they returned to the office to collect return on their investments, and found no one in the apartment.

The MONDELEX office around the Eliozu Flyover Axis of Portharcourt was found under lock and key when they arrived there.The telephone numbers of all the management team of the company also suddenly became unavailable.

According to report, MONDELEX had promised their investors 50% returns on their capital within two days of the investment.

The company was barely a week old in Portharcourt, Rivers State, but it had already gathered over two hundred investors, many of who invested more than two million naira each.

The company only received cash payments from investors, stressing that electronic transactions were restricted.

Meanwhile, most investors invested as high as 2.4 million naira while some were said to have put in about eight million naira.

Some of the aggrieved investors narrated their ordeal to THE WHISTLER.  Jerry Noble said he invested N200,000 and was expecting to come and receive N300,000 when he found out he had been duped.

“On getting here yesterday, I observed everywhere was crowded, I assumed maybe it’s because of the crowd that’s why they locked their office. I tried calling one of their staff I paid my money to, but his lines were off.

“I returned here today to see that the landlord of the place is even evacuating things. When I approached him he told me that the people he gave his property on lease happen to be scammers.”

The landlord of the apartment, one Mr. Benjamin, who responded to journalists questions, said: “I am deeply worried as angry investors have waited here for hours since Wednesday without any staff showing up. Most of the angry and aggrieved investors broke into the office and carted away some of the office equipment.

“Myself, wife and daughter also lost N300k to the scheme as I was deceived by the company when they came to rent my facility.

“When the man came, he said they were running a promotion for a company in town. They brought pictures of refrigerators, fans and generators that people will win. I was highly convinced. I started getting worried when crowd started coming here.

“When the company’s official lines were sent to DSS and tracked, they discovered that the MD and his team were already in Kogi State”.

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Headlines

NANS Backs Buhari on IGP Tenure Extension

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has supported President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to extend the tenure of the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Adamu by three months.

President of the Association, Comrade Asefon Dayo while speaking in Abuja on Monday at a press briefing noted that the decision of President Buhari is in right direction considering the current state of insecurity in the country which presently need attention and a capable hand to salvage the situation.

According to Comrade Asefon, the Presidency decided to extend the tenure of the outgoing IGP after completing his mandatory years in service in order to search for a round peg in a round hole that will continue the unprecedented reforms been introduced into Nigeria Policing System by the versatile outgoing IGP in line of duty.
“The NANS leadership throws its weight behind the intention of the Presidency to extend the tenure of a performing IGP with focus in order to look a capable replacement that will continue the process of total reform of the Nigerian Police Force in their bid to maximally protect the citizenry in matured manners as obtainable in developed nations of the world”.

Highlighting the recent achievements of IGP Adamu which include the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and the sanity imposed on men of the Nigerian Police Force to respect human rights during the enforcement of the COVID-19 regulations, he said these giant strides cannot be forgotten so soon.

Reacting to a report by Sahara Reporters who alleged that the IGP paid N2 Billion for the tenure extension, Comrade Asefon noted that it is unpatriotic for anyone to maliciously attack this patriotic servitude to the country with the intent to tarnish his proven integrity as an effective officer of repute.

Similarly, Comrade Asefon said the student body detest the legal action being instituted by lawyers to truncate a smooth process of transition without considering the inherent benefits to the nation if its allowed its due course as Nigerians jointly involve in securing our nation with a responsive police reform and national servitude.

He thereby call on all to join hands together to build a better Nigeria by appreciating the concerted effort of the government even when we disagree with their approach and avoid any form of distraction.

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