Folarin Kehinde

The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has raised concern over the growing prevalence of Nigerian youth involvement in cybercrime.

According to him, it is alarming that seven out of ten students in Nigeria are now engaging in cybercrime.

Speaking during a courtesy visit from Daar Communication PLC, Olukoyede called upon the media to play a crucial role in enlightening the youth about the detrimental consequences of such activities.

“We are looking towards Daar Communications to enlighten our youths on the evils of cyber crimes. It is worrisome that seven out of ten students today are involved in cyber crimes,” Olukoyede said.

“These are the youths we are preparing to be leaders of tomorrow. The media should not relent in enlightening them on the evils of such criminal practices,” he added.

While describing the practice as a menace and cankerworm in the society, Olukoyede called for a wider media enlightenment of the youth across the country on the effects of indulgence in internet fraud.

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has announced the establishment of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation few months to the end of his tenure.

Bello, who was inaugurated on January May 27 for his second tenure, would hand over in less than two months.

In its 2022 report on the National Multidimensional Poverty Index, National Bureau of Statistics, NBS reported a sharp rise in Kogi’s poverty rate to 61 per cent highlighting a drastic increase in people living in poverty.

But the outgoing governor has announced the creation of the ministry during the flagging off the distribution of grants to vulnerable groups in Kogi State by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, headed by Betta Edu.

The scheme aims to provide a N20,000 cash grant to vulnerable groups in Kogi State.

Edu, during the launch of the grant distribution, emphasised that the funds are not a loan and will not require repayment.

Speaking at the event, Bello said, “We need to key in properly into this program and to be able to key in properly.

“We must have the Ministry and Agency that will be relating with the Mother agency properly.

“By the special grace of God, I hereby create the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Kogi State,” the governor who has spent almost eight years in power declared.

He therefore said a bill for the creation of the Kogi State Social Investment Agency will be submitted to the State House of Assembly, alongside the 2024 budget.

Minister of State for Defense, Bello Matawalle, has asked Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State and his chief security officer to point out where the Federal High Court sitting in Sokoto, ordered the retrieval of 50 vehicles in its judgement.

This was contained in a statement by Matawalle’s spokesman, Ibrahim Dosara, to journalists on Wednesday.

Matawalle described the statement issued by Zamfara State Government as misleading, fraudulent and a pervasive lie against the court which is tantamount to contempt of court.

He said there was nowhere in the judgement where the court okayed the invasion of the residences of the former governor.

The statement reads in part: “There is nowhere in the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court Sokoto judicial Division on Friday in the suit filed by the immediate past governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle Maradun on the breach of his fundamental rights and that of his family by the present government of Zamfara State under Dauda Lawal Dare where the court ordered force breaking of his residences in Gusau and his home town Maradun, to take away his properties and those of his family, including 50 vehicles donated to him and the presidential candidate then, Bola Ahmed Tinubu by friends and well-wishers for campaign, being the Northwest coordinator for Tinubu/ Shettima Campaign.

“In view of the above, I am challenging the governor to release any of the court documents which stated the order to retrieve the vehicles in question.

“What the Federal High Court Sokoto Judicial Division did was dismissing the case filed by former Governor Bello Matawalle, following his decision to withdraw the case after series of advice and consultations with family, friends, political associates and supporters.”

Travellers gearing up for Christmas journeys from major cities like Abuja and Lagos to their country homes face steep hikes in interstate travel fares.

The removal of petrol subsidies has triggered a surge in fuel prices, pushing pump rates from N195/litre to an average of N599/litre, reaching as high as N700/litre in some states and from various dealers.

This substantial rise in fuel costs has directly impacted transportation fares, with travellers now facing significantly inflated prices for interstate bus trips.

Checks by BusinessDay indicate that tickets for interstate routes could cost as much as N50,000, an exponential increase compared to pre-subsidy removal rates.

GUO Transport Company’s ticket prices illustrate the sharp uptick: a Lagos to Owerri Sienna bus seat during Christmas now stands at N50,500, while a 14-seater Hiace bus seat for the same route costs N42,000.

Similar high rates are prevalent for other routes, with prices for journeys like Lagos to Abuja at N49,000 and Abuja to Lagos at N50,000.

The National Bureau of Statistics’ Transport Fare Watch for October 2023 revealed a 53.04% surge in average fares for intercity bus travel compared to October 2022.

The escalation has been attributed to the removal of petrol subsidies earlier in May 2023, causing interstate fares to leap from an average of N11,000 per seat to as much as N26,000 per seat.

Lagos-based businessman Chijioke Osondu expressed dismay over the soaring ticket prices, revealing that the exorbitant costs were preventing his family’s trip to Abia State.

He disclosed that his extended family traditionally convenes for Christmas every three years, but this year’s high costs might thwart their reunion plans.

Moreover, travellers contemplating using personal vehicles face exorbitant expenses due to soaring spare parts prices.

Car owners like Stephen Udochukwu and Friday Effiong detailed spending over N800,000 and N49,000, respectively, on vehicle maintenance, attributing the elevated costs to inflated prices of spare parts and services.

“I spent N150,000 to change the four shocks which was formerly sold for N90,000 in 2022; N45,000 to change the radiator that was formerly sold for N25,000; N45,000 to buy gear oil that was formerly sold for N25,000; two shafts that used to go for N25,000 for N75,000; engine oil that was N15,000 is now N25,000; engine seat that was N10,000 before now sells for N20,000; ball joint N15,000; tie rod N10,000 and steering rubber that was N5,000 before now goes for N10,000.

“There were other little parts that I changed, and the mechanic collected a service charge of N30,000 that was formerly charged N15,000.

“In addition to the mechanical work, I spent over N350,000 to do the bodywork alone, fix some bad parts and repaint my vehicle. I was forced to repaint my vehicle because the last time I did that was five years ago, in 2018,” Udochukwu said.

Drivers within the transport sector, like Ogochukwu David of GUO Transport Company, echoed the sentiments, highlighting the immense financial strain on drivers who grapple with soaring fuel costs to operate vehicles for interstate travel.

The considerable hike in pump prices has significantly impacted the transport business across Nigeria.

As Nigerians prepare for the festive season, the escalated travel expenses due to inflated fuel prices and increased maintenance costs pose significant challenges, raising concerns about the feasibility of holiday travel for many.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, on Tuesday visited the embattled former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Kuje Prison, Abuja.

The monarch joined the list of influential Nigerians seeking the release of the former apex bank chief, who is behind bars for his inability to meet his N300 million bail condition.

The Ooni was at the prison twice to visit Emefiele, Politics Nigeria gathered. The first time was in the early afternoon. He left after and returned four hours later to continue with his discussions with him. The monarch had very lengthy meetings with Emefiele.

Emefiele was last month arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on procurement fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He was accused of using his position to confer a corrupt advantage on Sa’adatu Yaro, a staff of CBN, by awarding a contract for the procurement of 43 vehicles worth N1.2 billion between 2018 and 2020.

Prior to his arrest and arraignment by the EFCC, Emefiele had been in the custody of the Department of State Security (DSS) for over four months. However, when the DSS released him, he got rearrested by the EFCC.

Emefiele had pleaded not guilty to the amended charges and was later granted bail in the sum of N300 million as well as two sureties in like sum, both of which must have certificates of occupancy and titles of properties within the Maitama district in Abuja.

He was also mandated to deposit all his travel documents with the Registrar of the Court with a warning to remain within the Abuja Municipal Council.

The former CBN governor was unable to meet the bail conditions and is remanded in Kuje Correctional Facility until 2024.

The 2024 Appropriation Bill is under scrutiny at the National Assembly, revealing a comprehensive breakdown of proposed expenditures for President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and their respective aides at the Nigerian Presidential Villa.

Vanguard reports that the budget proposal earmarks a staggering sum of N15.961 billion for international and domestic travel if approved.

President Tinubu’s travel expenses stand out, totalling N7.630 billion, with a significant portion allocated for foreign trips amounting to N6.992 billion, while N638.535 million is designated for domestic travel.

Vice President Shettima’s proposed travel budget amounts to N1.847 billion, comprising N1.229 billion for foreign trips and N618.399 million for local travel. A substantial N6.484 billion is also allocated for Villa Headquarters’ international and local travels.

Within the overall budget, the Villa Headquarters receives a significant allocation of N40.616 billion. This includes provisions for routine maintenance of mechanical and electrical installations amounting to N9 billion and N4.5 billion allocated for Julius Berger liabilities related to maintenance from 2022/2023.

Further allocations encompass infrastructure development, with N3 billion dedicated to constructing offices for Special Advisers and Senior Special Advisers and an additional N3 billion set aside for the acquisition, renovation, rehabilitation, and furnishing of the State House Annex.

The budget also addresses transportation needs, allocating N6 billion for operational vehicles, an extra N4 billion specifically for operational vehicles and N2 billion for SUVs.

Other notable allocations include N5.128 billion for miscellaneous expenses, foodstuff, honorarium, refreshments, repair of fixed assets, and computer software acquisitions. President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima are set to spend N254 million and N348 million, respectively, on food supplies.

Miscellaneous expenses account for a substantial portion, with President Tinubu allocating N152.4 million for honorarium and sitting allowances, while the Vice President is allocated N67 million.

Additionally, N650 million is proposed for asset repairs and rehabilitation by the President, while N103 million is designated for computer software acquisitions by the Vice President. The Villa Headquarters estimates spending N980 million on computers and asset repairs within the stipulated period.

The Borno State Police Command says it has successfully neutralised an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) discovered at the entrance of the University of Maiduguri.

According to ASP Nahum Daso, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), the incident occurred on Monday, December 4, prompting a swift response from security personnel.

Daso confirmed that a suspicious device was spotted near the university’s main gate around 9.00 a.m. Promptly, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was deployed to the location, verifying that the device was indeed a fabricated IED.

“In swift response, the Command’s Explosive Ordnance Department (EOD) swung into action and successfully diffused the IED without loss of lives or property,” Daso stated.

After neutralising the device, he said the command thoroughly sanitised the area to ensure safety.

He added that the police have initiated an investigation to apprehend the perpetrators behind the placement of the explosive device and to uncover their motives.

In light of this incident, the police spokesperson urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious objects or individuals to the nearest security agencies.