Nelson Ugwuagbo

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has banned the spraying or throwing of money and gift items at events, citing their potential to cause chaos and stampedes, especially during the festive season.

In a statement, the governor emphasized that such practices pose significant safety risks and urged event organisers to prioritize the well-being of attendees.

“Organisers of any event requiring a large crowd of people should liaise with the Abia State Homeland Security or local government authorities for the necessary guidance and support to ensure the safety of attendees,” Otti said.

The governor further directed organisers of large gatherings to implement proper safety measures and warned that strict penalties would be imposed on individuals or groups who violate the ban or disregard safety protocols.

The announcement comes in response to the alarming rise in stampede incidents across the country.

The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, December 25, Thursday, December 26, 2024, and Wednesday, January 1, 2025, as public holidays to celebrate Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year, respectively.

This announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Magdalene Ajani.

The Minister urged Nigerians to use the festive period to reflect on the values of love, peace, and unity, which the season represents. He further emphasized the significance of the celebrations as an opportunity to promote harmony and strengthen bonds within families and communities.

“The Christmas season is a good moment for both spiritual reflection and national renewal,” the statement read. “As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, let us demonstrate kindness and extend goodwill to one another, irrespective of our differences.”

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a fresh two-week ultimatum to owners of 762 plots of land in the Maitama II District, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja, to settle their outstanding Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) fees.

The directive, disclosed in a statement on Friday by Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, warns that failure to comply will result in the final revocation of land allocations.

On Thursday, reports emerged that the minister had revoked land allocations belonging to prominent Nigerians, including the Muhammadu Buhari Trust Foundation, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, former governor Rochas Okorocha, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, among others.

However, the statement clarified that the government’s primary objective was not to seize lands but to ensure compliance with payment obligations.

The statement read: “It should be recalled that on October 5, 2024, a list of 3,273 allottees/title holders yet to pay for their C-of-O was published. They were given two weeks to pay their bills or lose their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) titles. Out of the 3,273, a total of 2,511 complied, leaving 762.”

The statement further explained that a notice of withdrawal of R-of-O titles for the 762 defaulters was published on Thursday, prompting many affected allottees to offer payment. To accommodate them, the government extended the deadline by two weeks.

“Consequently, the 762 allottees and 614 others with outstanding payments on their C-of-O have until January 3, 2025, to settle their bills or face the withdrawal of their R-of-O titles, pursuant to the provisions of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978,” the statement added.

Wike reiterated that there would be no further extensions beyond the January 3, 2025, deadline and warned that the withdrawal of R-of-O titles for defaulters would be final.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal Government to urgently tackle the ongoing cash scarcity across the country, describing it as a significant burden on struggling Nigerians.

The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made the appeal in a communiqué jointly signed with the General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, on Thursday in Abuja. The statement followed the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Owerri.

According to Ajaero, the NEC expressed deep concern over the persistent cash shortages, which it described as an exploitative and unfortunate challenge for the populace.

“The NEC noted that Nigerians are being compelled to forfeit five per cent of their funds each time they access cash. This is an unacceptable situation that worsens the economic hardship of millions,” Ajaero said.

He highlighted the adverse impact on small businesses and the informal economy, stating that the situation disproportionately affects poor and struggling workers.

The NLC demanded immediate government intervention to resolve the issue, urging the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure adequate cash circulation to support small business transactions and stimulate economic growth.

“The NLC expects the CBN Governor to take decisive steps to rectify this systemic failure and safeguard citizens’ financial rights,” the communiqué read.

Additionally, the NLC urged the National Assembly to suspend deliberations on the tax bill currently under consideration. Ajaero criticized the lack of consultation and engagement with Nigerian workers, describing the process as politicized and alienating key stakeholders.

“The politicization of the bill undermines its potential as an effective economic tool. Broader consultations with stakeholders are necessary for meaningful progress,” he added.

Human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi has been granted bail in the sum of ₦30 million by a Magistrate Court in Ekiti State.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun, also mandated Farotimi to provide three sureties with landed properties within the court’s jurisdiction. As part of his bail conditions, the activist was ordered to surrender his international passport and refrain from granting media interviews. The case was adjourned to February 13, 2025.

Farotimi, who had been in custody at a correctional center in Ado Ekiti, arrived at the court premises around 9:45 a.m. on Friday. He was transported in a prison van accompanied by a police escort and was greeted by a cheering crowd as he raised his hands in acknowledgment.

The bail ruling follows the magistrate’s earlier decision to reserve judgment on the application until December 20, during which Farotimi was ordered to remain in custody.

Farotimi pleaded not guilty to the 14-count charge filed against him by the police, which includes allegations of defamation. His counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, argued that the charges were baseless, asserting that the alleged offence of defamation is not recognized under the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

The lawyer is facing prosecution for allegedly defaming Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afe Babalola. His arrest has drawn widespread criticism, with many Nigerians calling for his immediate release.

Over 40 residents have reportedly been abducted by bandits in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State following a series of attacks over the past two weeks.

A resident of Maru town, Alhaji Umar Abdullahi, disclosed the development in a telephone interview on Thursday, expressing concern over the deteriorating security situation in the area.

According to Abdullahi, the bandits carried out multiple attacks, including a recent house-to-house raid in Maru town, where seven persons were abducted, starting from the Emir’s palace area.

“Our major challenge is the presence of informants collaborating with the bandits. Most of the victims are prominent individuals in the community,” he said, adding that over 40 kidnapped victims are currently being held in bandit camps.

Abdullahi attributed the attacks to bandits operating from camps located behind Bakalori Dam, known as Bayan Ruwa, in Maradun Local Government Area. He called on the federal and state governments to urgently deploy more security personnel to dislodge the criminals and restore peace.

Another resident, Usman Abubakar, described Maru Local Government as a “colony of banditry,” noting that the attacks have become widespread across the area.

“Initially, Dansadau district was the epicenter of banditry in the local government, but now, it has spread to all parts of the State, particularly Maru,” Abubakar said.

He also recalled the killing of several police officers, including a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), in Maru town a few months ago.

Efforts to obtain comments from the Zamfara State Police Command on the recent abductions were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

The wife of the Zamfara State Governor, Huriyya Dauda Lawal, has facilitated the marriage of 100 orphaned girls in the state.

The initiative, aimed at supporting the orphans, included comprehensive preparations for the brides, who received proper care and beautification ahead of the wedding ceremonies.

A dowry of N151,000 was paid for each bride by the governor’s wife, who also provided essential household items. These included furniture such as cushions, beds, wardrobes, mattresses, and kitchen utensils.

Additionally, each groom received a financial grant of N50,000 to support the establishment of small businesses and promote self-reliance.

Speaking at the event, Hajiya Lawal advised the brides to show respect to their husbands and cultivate patience in their marriages. She assured the couples that the state’s Zakkat and Endowment Board would be available to provide assistance in the event of marital challenges.

The gesture underscores the First Lady’s commitment to improving the welfare of vulnerable groups in Zamfara State.

Dangote Refinery has announced another reduction in the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol.

In a statement released on Thursday via its official X account, the company’s spokesperson, Anthony Chiejina, disclosed that the price has been reduced to N899.50 per litre, down from N970 per litre.

According to the statement, the price reduction is aimed at easing transportation costs during the festive season.

“We have now announced a new price of N899.50 per litre. This reduction is designed to ease transport costs during the festive period,” Chiejina stated.

He also revealed a holiday discount initiative, offering customers the opportunity to purchase petrol at N899.50 per litre at the company’s truck loading gantry or Single Point Mooring (SPM). Additionally, consumers who pay on a cash basis will have the option to purchase an equivalent volume on credit, backed by a bank guarantee from Access Bank, First Bank, or Zenith Bank.

This development follows a previous reduction in November, when the company adjusted petrol prices to N970 per litre.

Winners have emerged in the ongoing 2024 oil licensing bid round, held at the Eko Hotel in Lagos.

In the PPL 269 bid, Petroli Energy Marketing and Supply Limited outperformed Afagaf Company Limited to secure the license. Sahara Deepwater Resources Limited clinched the PPL 270 license, defeating AMG Exploration and Production Limited, and also won the PPL 271 license ahead of RBO Energy Services Limited and Kalm Marine Petroleum Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited.

For the PPL 2000/2001 license, TotalEnergies emerged victorious with 126 points, narrowly beating Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited, which scored 125 points.

In other categories with sole bidders, BISWAL Oil and Gas, First E & P Development Company, Dewayles International Limited, Applefield Oil and Gas Limited, and First E & P Development Company Limited secured licenses for PPLs 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006, respectively.

Similarly, PPLs 2007, 2008, and 3007 were awarded to R28 Holdings Limited, Tulcan Energy E & P Company Limited, and Oceangate Engineering Oil and Gas Limited.

Broron Energy Limited edged out Star Deepwater Petroleum Resources Limited to win the PPL 2009 license. Meanwhile, sole bidders R28 Holdings Limited, Tulcan Energy E & P Company Limited, Panout Oil and Gas, Hakilat Oil and Gas Consortium Limited, and Applefield Oil and Gas secured PPLs 3011, 3012, 3015, 3016, and 3017, respectively.

The bid round continues to attract significant attention from industry stakeholders.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Nwakuche Ndidi as the Acting Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). This follows the expiration of the tenure of the outgoing Controller General, Haliru Nababa.

The announcement was made in a statement issued on Friday, December 13, 2024, by Ja’afaru Ahmed, Secretary to the Civil Defence, Immigration, Fire Service, and Correctional Service Board (CDCFIB). According to Ahmed, the appointment takes effect on Sunday, December 15, 2024.

Ahmed described Ndidi’s appointment as a recognition of his extensive experience and dedication to the service. He noted that President Tinubu urged Ndidi to leverage his expertise to sustain and enhance the ongoing transformation of the NCoS.

Born on November 26, 1966, in Oguta, Imo State, Ndidi previously served as the Deputy Controller General in charge of the Training and Staff Development Directorate, where he was instrumental in formulating key training and development policies. He is a fellow of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) and holds the national honor of Member of the Federal Republic.

Ndidi is expected to build on the achievements of his predecessor while introducing innovative initiatives to further advance the agency’s mandate.