Leading Reporters
  • Headlines
  • Health
  • Business
  • Exclusives
  • Investigation
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
Friday, August 14, 2026
Hot
European Union ‘Boycotts’ Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections, Rejects...
Nigerians Raise Concern Over Rising Mob Justice
Atiku Abubakar Raises Alarm over Suspicious Deposit to...
Nigerian Author Loses $2 Million Book Deal Over...
Onaiyekan to Tinubu: Catholic Bishops Have Said Enough,...
Nigeria not short of gas but short of...
How Nigeria’s Mineral Wealth Is Being Handed to...
NAFDAC DG Vows Serious Consequences for Manufacturers Violating...
Peter Obi Reaffirms Commitment to Single Term Governance:...
#FixPolitics demands probe, accountability in ‘fake agency’ scandal
  • About Leading Reporters
  • Contact Us
Leading Reporters
Advertise With Us
  • Headlines
  • Health
  • Business
  • Exclusives
  • Investigation
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
Hot
European Union ‘Boycotts’ Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections, Rejects...
Nigerians Raise Concern Over Rising Mob Justice
Atiku Abubakar Raises Alarm over Suspicious Deposit to...
Nigerian Author Loses $2 Million Book Deal Over...
Onaiyekan to Tinubu: Catholic Bishops Have Said Enough,...
Nigeria not short of gas but short of...
How Nigeria’s Mineral Wealth Is Being Handed to...
NAFDAC DG Vows Serious Consequences for Manufacturers Violating...
Peter Obi Reaffirms Commitment to Single Term Governance:...
#FixPolitics demands probe, accountability in ‘fake agency’ scandal
Leading Reporters
Leading Reporters
  • Headlines
  • Health
  • Business
  • Exclusives
  • Investigation
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
Copyright 2024 - All Right Reserved
Home > Headlines > Page 383
Category:

Headlines

Headlines

JUST IN: Officer accidentally shot Nollywood actor, Azeez Ijaduade — Police Shares Fresh Details

by Folarin Kehinde December 24, 2023
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Nigerian Police has reacted to the incident involving Nollywood actor and director, Azeez Ijaduade, who was reportedly shot in Iperu Remo, Ogun State.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, sharing fresh details about the incident, said one of its officers attached to the executives of Bramajaj Company Limited, Ogere Remo, “accidentally discharged a shot from his rifle” during the end-of-year party of the company at a hotel in Iperu.

According to the police, Ijaduade, his crew members, and other actors were said to be having a movie shoot at the same hotel when the shot hit the Nollywood actor’s neck.

The actor was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he was said to be currently responding to treatment.

“The victim is currently in a stable condition,” Odutola said.

Recall that the victim’s colleague, Abiodun Adebanjo, via his Instagram handle, @iamabiodunadebanjo, early Sunday morning, said Ijaduade was shot by a trigger-happy policeman.

The actor wrote, “Please we need help in Iperu. My director, Azeez Ijaduade, @kingzeez1, was shot by Nigerian police personnel.

“He is presently at Babcock University Teaching Hospital.

“Anybody with the contacts of the Police IG or Commissioner should reach out.”

December 24, 2023 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

EFCC uncovers N37bn fraud in humanitarian ministry, indicts Buhari’s minister, contractor

by Folarin Kehinde December 24, 2023
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has uncovered a total sum of N37,170,855,753.44 allegedly laundered in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs under former minister Sadiya Umar-Farouk.

Details of the ongoing probe exclusively obtained by Sunday PUNCH revealed that the money was transferred from the Federal Government’s coffers and sent to 38 different bank accounts domiciled in five legacy commercial banks belonging to or connected with a contractor, James Okwete.

Following receipt of the funds, Okwete allegedly transferred N6,746,034,000.00 to Bureau De Change Operators, withdrew N540,000,000.00 in cash, purchased luxury cars with N288,348,600.00, and bought luxury houses in Abuja and Enugu State with N2,195,115,000.00.

Fifty-three companies were allegedly traced to Okwete, who was also said to have used 47 of the companies to lift Federal Government contracts amounting to N27,423,824,339.86. He is also linked with 143 bank accounts in 12 commercial banks in which 134 accounts are corporate accounts linked to different companies.

Checks by our correspondent with the Corporate Affairs Commission revealed that Okwete is a director in only 11 of the 53 companies, while the remaining 42 companies’ accounts are only linked to his Bank Verification Number as a signatory to the accounts.

Sunday PUNCH reports that the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs currently serves as the parent ministry to eight agencies, including the National Social Investment Office, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internationally Displaced Persons, among others.

Umar-Farouq was the pioneer Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. She was appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2019 as the youngest cabinet member.

Her work with Buhari dates back to his days as the leader and presidential candidate of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change when she was the national treasurer of the party and later the national treasurer of the All Progressives Congress.

She was later appointed minister in 2019 by President Buhari.

The EFCC document revealed, “Between 2018 and 2023, the subject (Okwete) received the sum of N37,170,855,753.44 from the coffers of the Federal Government linked to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

“The monies were sent to 38 bank accounts domiciled in five legacy commercial banks. The suspect transferred N6,746,034,000.00 to Bureau De Change Operators, N540,000,000.00 withdrawn in cash, N288,348,600.00 used to purchase cars, and used N2,195,115,000.00 to purchase choice properties within Abuja and Enugu State.

“Fifty-three companies were traced to the suspect. He used 47 of the companies to lift Federal Government contracts amounting to N27,423,824,339.86. Okwete is associated with 143 bank accounts in 12 commercial banks in which 134 of the 143 accounts are corporate accounts linked to different companies.”

In 2020, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission said it uncovered N2.67bn meant for the ministry’s school feeding programme in private bank accounts.

The former ICPC Chairman, Prof Bolaji Owasanoye, disclosed that the commission unravelled N2.67bn in personal accounts, being payment made to some federal colleges for school feeding during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.

Other discoveries by the ICPC include 18 buildings, 12 business premises and 25 plots of land. Owasanoye said under the Open Treasury Portal review carried out between January and August 15, 2020, of the 268 Ministries, Departments and Agendas, 72 had cumulative infractions of N90m.

The former ICPC chairman argued that the money was paid when children were not in school.

Despite requests by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project to Umar-Farouq to publish details and names of the suspects, the former minister failed to reveal their names.

Reacting to this, SERAP had written on its official Facebook page, “Following the disclosure by the ICPC that N2.67bn meant for school feeding during the COVID-19 lockdown ended up in private bank accounts, we’re calling on the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development of Nigeria, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, to immediately publish details of those suspected to be responsible, or face legal action.

“We’ll also pursue appropriate legal actions to hold suspected perpetrators to account, in the public interest.

“Diverting funds meant to feed school children (who are already disproportionately affected by corruption), especially during COVID-19, is a blatant violation of the rights to education, health, and dignity, as well as the government’s own COVID-19 transparency frameworks.

“Corruption in school feeding increases distrust in the government. The Federal Government must ensure that transparency and accountability measures are fundamental to all school feeding and other initiatives in the context of COVID-19, to ensure the children receive the support they need.”

When contacted over the development, the spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, neither confirmed nor denied the story.

Oyewale simply said, “No comments on that.”

Reacting, a human rights lawyer, Tolu Babaleye, said, “If we want to be sincere, the corruption under the Buhari government was unprecedented. The main accused under Goodluck Jonathan’s government was Diezani Alison-Madueke, but under Buhari, many have cases to answer. Nigerians deserve to know what happened in the aviation sector, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, and other sectors. I call on President Bola Tinubu to probe that administration so that Nigerians can know who is corrupt and for justice to be served.”

On his part, Chairman, Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa, Ezenwa Nwagwu, urged Tinubu to probe all previous administrations.

“Buhari’s government should be probed, and not just his government, but all previous governments and past heads of MDAs, and all those who are found wanting should be brought to justice,” Nwagwu noted.

Similarly, the Counsellor of a Civil Society Organisation, International Social Justice and Human Rights, Jackson Omenazu, said, “It is exceptionally important to probe the Buhari government, but Tinubu is morally incapacitated to probe Buhari’s government because he is an integral part of the APC government.

“Tinubu cannot exonerate himself from the maladministration of Buhari. (Godwin) Emefiele (former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria) is just a victim of circumstances. The only crime he committed was because he raised his head gullibly and showed interest in being President.”

Another lawyer and public affairs commentator, Jiti Ogunye, said that it was desirable for the present administration to probe the preceding administration following the Air Nigeria and CBN scandals, but regretted that the law did not make provisions for that.

Ogunye noted that the law only allowed the incumbent administration to probe individuals who were engaged in corrupt practices under the previous administration, including the President, to establish facts.

He stated, “When Nigerians are fascinated with the idea of a holistic and comprehensive probe of a past administration by the succeeding administration, the law does not grant an administration that blanket powers to probe the past administration in the way Nigerians imagine.

“We have anti-corruption agencies, which are the ICPC and EFCC. We have criminal laws, anti-corruption laws, and money laundering laws. Recently, we have had the Proceeds of Crime Act. The provision of these anti-corruption laws has no place for targeting an administration in totality like that, but if there are individuals, including a former president, who are suspected to have committed corruption crimes, guilty of corrupt practices, or suspected to have committed money laundering, if found guilty of all other crimes bordering on corrupt practices and abuse of power, these individuals may be investigated specifically.”

December 24, 2023 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

Gauging the temper of Nigerian judges

by Folarin Kehinde December 24, 2023
written by Folarin Kehinde

By Tonnie Iredia

There are many benefits of the knowledge of law. To start with, it positions those who are so privileged at a higher pedestal than virtually every other person. But in recent times, it has become obvious that not many members of the legal profession including those who prioritize advocacy fully appreciate the critical role of communication in society. The simple truth is that irrespective of anyone’s profession, content – a basic term for what is said or written has to be guided by context which refers to when, where, why and how it was communicated. Judges in particular need to become more aware of this because with a growing increase in the level of public awareness, many Nigerians now take greater interest in judicial pronouncements and any type of communication by different courts.

In the past, people usually stopped at who won or lost a case; it is no longer so as many people now inquire into the reasons which informed a judgment. In some cases, there are people, who go to the extent of suggesting that some judges were probably drunk when they delivered certain judgments. To think that all those who have such inclination are bad losers is simplistic. ‘Obiter dicta’ – a legal term for passing certain (off the course) statements within a judgment would be the first of concern in today’s world. If such statements are really unnecessary because whether they are made or not would not affect the judgment, the less such statements are made, the better for a healthier relationship between judges and ordinary people. This is because any statement made by a judge matters to a typical citizen.

The way the last Osun state governorship election petitions were handled gave members of the public ample concern. For once, it showed that contrary to what is always canvassed, it is not only what is before a judge that matters to every judge. Some judges can put up a worrisome posture. The Osun tribunal chair for instance allowed the public to imagine that he has for long been envious of the special talents of governor Ademola Adeleke. But then, what matters in governance is not a person’s hobby, vocation or side attraction but his ability to meet the purpose of the office he occupies. From the performance of different persons that have held the office of governor in Nigeria, no one can point at a particular mannerism that best fits a governor.

Besides, the Osun people whose role it is to elect a governor of their choice have always known Adeleke to be an expert dancer, he had earlier danced skilfully and severally as a senator and member of a family of great musicians. It therefore made little sense that a judge who doesn’t like dancers attempted to alter the conscious choice of the people. Rather than focus on the documents filed by parties involved in the election petition, the judge decided to add not only Kiss Daniel’s song ‘Buga’ but went ahead to criticise the dance steps of Adeleke as if he wanted to halt the ‘makosa.’ Indeed, there are those who attribute Adeleke’s loss in the case to this aspect that was added to the issues at stake. Luckily, the higher court ignored this obnoxious aspect and affirmed Adeleke’s victory.

If certain analysts are unduly sensitive to the temperament of a judge, the same is true of many judges to public opinion.  In his days as judge, the legendary Chukwudifu Oputa now late, once argued that independence of the judiciary does not just end with financial autonomy. According to Oputa, the personal capacity and charisma of judges especially their ability to rise above the local pressures of the moment also matter. The 2023 presidential election petitions tribunal gave a judgment that many may not have liked, but there were many others who liked the judgment and in fact hailed the judges. Unfortunately, the tribunal failed to rise above the emotions of the moment by ignoring whatever insinuations any person attached to the popular ‘All eyes on the judiciary slogan.’

While the slogan could have been seen by some people as all eyes on corrupt judges, it may also have been positively seen by some other people as all eyes awaiting justice from the last hope of the common man. There were several persons who took middle of the case position and merely hoped that the judgment would be a testament to Nigeria’s democratic principles. It was sad that the tribunal allowed everyone to see that the slogan and the posture of its perceived authors affected the tribunal to a point of anger. The judiciary made it seem as if the third arm of government which is expected to at all times discharge its functions without fear or favour looked as intimidated as officials of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) that hurriedly pulled down the slogan’s billboards.

The judiciary is expected to settle all matters before it. The apex court which in particular is our last available platform should therefore not engage in sweeping issues under the carpet because if it does that, it would perhaps inadvertently be putting across an impression that it has something to hide.   For 3 years, Nigerians sought to understand how the ruling All Progressives Congress APC was able to participate in the 2019 governorship election in Imo state considering that its bonafide candidate, Uche Nwosu was at the last minute disqualified. How then did the judiciary come about its determination that the same APC whose candidate was disqualified won the election?

About two months ago, the Supreme Court reportedly gave notice of its readiness to answer the thorny question. But just before the D-day, it shifted the hearing till after the new election fixed for November 11, 2023. When it eventually heard the case, the communication many expected was for the court to say events had overtaken the case. Rather, the court came out with an angry narrative that the case was vexatious adding that it had decided to impose a fine of N40million on the counsel of the party seeking the justice of the case. Of course, the court has huge powers to fine any litigant or his lawyer or both as it pleases but the fines will never tell Nigerians how a party whose candidate was disqualified by the judiciary from participating in an election turned out to win the same election.

If the case was so vexatious and supposedly too academic for the judiciary, it shouldn’t have taken more than 5 minutes to dismiss it as has now been done but why did the court engage in hide and seek for 3 years? Should Nigerians allow their judiciary to become a victim of selective hearing by refusing to hear a particular question while it is busy hearing and answering similar questions here and there? The dangers of doing so are many; one of which is that it could attract ample dosage of unreliability, clapping for one wrong doer, penalizing another and ignoring a third one notwithstanding that they all did the same wrong.  The case of Dame Pauline Tallen, a former minister of women affairs is relevant here. Tallen is at the verge of getting a ban from holding any public office in future for describing a court judgment as Kangaroo.

Whereas the court can penalize Tallen, it can however not stop there. It must similarly penalize others especially senior lawyers whose criticisms have since put our judiciary in disrepute. If the judiciary does some good research, it might find that Tallen’s comments about the judgment concerned, may well be the most charitable across several communities. For example, if the court Tallen reportedly contempted was diligent, the judgment she criticised would not have been overturned by the Court of Appeal.

At this point therefore, careless judges need to wake up and emulate their diligent colleagues not only in what they say but also what people perceive through their body language. To attain effective communication, the best option is to deploy a feedback mechanism so as to know whether the public that the judiciary often talks to is on the same page with judges. That would help an organization that is concerned with reputation management.  The judiciary can easily reduce what people are quarrelling with to points and counter points of law and not intemperate and unnecessary statements.

December 24, 2023                                                                                                                                                           

December 24, 2023 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

CBN Probe uncovers how $6.3m was looted from CBN by Ex SGF Boss Mustapha days before 2023 election for Election Observers

by Folarin Kehinde December 24, 2023
written by Folarin Kehinde

recommends trial of Boss Mustapha, 12 top CBN Executives

Mr Jim Obazee, the Special Investigator appointed by President Bola Tinubu to probe the management of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, under the leadership of Godwin Emefiele has recommended the trial of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and 12 top executives of the bank for trial over fraudulent withdrawal of $6.23milion from the apex bank to allegedly pay foreign election observers.

According to the Special Investigator, $6.3 million was allegedly removed from the vaults of Foreign Payments Office, Abuja Branch, of the CBN as captured on CCTV between 7th February and 8th February 2023.

The Special Investigator said he viewed the CCTV footage of the removal of the cash done about two weeks to the 2023 presidential election purportedly on the order of a letter dated 23rd January, 2023, with a signature mark, ‘Muhammadu Buhari’, which was sent to a government official with caption, ‘ Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions’

This, the Investigator said was followed by another letter dated 26th January, 2023, with signature mark, directed to’ Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria’, for payment of the sum of $6.23million as ‘ a contingent logistics advance… in line with Presidential directive and another follow-up letter dated 31st January, 2023, was sent to the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, requesting for approval to effect payment of the sum of $6.23m.

The Special Investigator said the fraudulent withdrawal was uncovered on the 4th of December, when he issued a Request for Information to the management of the CBN.

He accused the former SGF, and the top government officials of engaging in “forgery, concealment, conspiracy and fraud” over withdrawal of the funds.

According to the Special Investigator, an official of the CBN admitted in a written statement that he “acted in collaboration with, an Assistant Director in the Banking supervision Department of the Central Bank of Nigeria and some persons he is yet to identify, to conceive and carry out the act of stealing the sum of $6.23million out of the vault of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

He said two top CBN officials are already in custody over the incident.

“There is therefore an appearance of concealment by officers who occupied some positions up to, and around the period 7 and 8th February, 2023.”

Mr Obazee asked the government to prosecute directors, Deputy Directors, Assistant Director and Branch Controllers over the fraudulent cash withdrawal.

December 24, 2023 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

”Powerful Nigerians behind fake products circulating nationwide” – FG reveals

by Folarin Kehinde December 23, 2023
written by Folarin Kehinde

Babatunde Irukera, CEO of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), has stated that influential figures in Nigeria are involved in the proliferation of counterfeit products nationwide.

In an interview with Arise TV, Irukera addressed the surge in fake goods, pointing out that the issue goes deeper due to the participation of prominent and powerful individuals in the illicit practices.

He highlighted the situation’s complexity, stating that the involvement of powerful figures often obstructs law enforcement efforts.

His words:

“We need to figure out a consequence management system that delivers appropriate consequences very timeously. For some businesses and some people, the fact that there is a possible penalty for criminal conduct modifies their behaviour, and for some others, it doesn’t.

“I know the issue of substandard and fake products is a national priority. What we have seen in the past couple of months is an unusual and unprecedented escalation. But it’s multi-faceted.

“I remember one of the cases that I got involved with when I became the director general of the consumer protection council was a raid in respect to fake rice in Uyo. We followed that for a while, and our operatives from our south-south office in Port Harcourt had interdicted some.

What happened was that some of our employees who are federal government employees were detained by the state government because the people who were involved were pretty powerful people and because my employees got detained that is why I said we are going to open this case a little further and we put everything together and we got those people arrested. The case till now has not ended.”

December 23, 2023 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

‘Return home for Christmas’ – Tinubu tells Nigerians with expired passports

by Folarin Kehinde December 23, 2023
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Federal Government has said that Nigerians with expired passports who are planning to return home for the holidays should be allowed into the country.

This was contained in a letter dated December 22, 2023, and signed by the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Wura-Ola Adepoju, to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, through the Office of Assistant Comptroller General, Border Management.

The Immigration Service asked that Nigerians “be admitted into the country with their expired Nigerian passports”.

The statement reads: “l am directed to refer to the above subject matter and to inform you that the Federal Government of Nigeria in her efforts to make life easy for Nigerians in the diaspora has approved that all Nigerians returning home can be admitted into the country with their expired Nigerian passports.

“I am further directed to inform airlines coming to Nigeria to allow holders of Nigeria expired passports to board without let.

“In furtherance to the foregoing, all Nigeria Embassies and High Commissions are advised to give this directive the highest publicity it deserves.

“Consequent upon the above, all entry/exit points are by the copy of this letter directed to open a help desk for all Nigerians in this category and directed same to passport offices where their passports will be reissued within a maximum of two (2) weeks.”

A reliable source at the NIS who craved anonymity confirmed that the policy was not new as the federal government did the same last year.

December 23, 2023 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

BREAKING: Bethlehem cancels 2023 Christmas celebrations

by Folarin Kehinde December 23, 2023
written by Folarin Kehinde

Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ, has cancelled Christmas celebrations, the Times of Israel has reported.

Christmas is traditionally a boom time in Bethlehem, which is located on the West Bank in Palestine.

Usually, crowds of tourists and pilgrims throng the streets, keen to visit where Jesus is said to have been born.

According to the reports, the roads and shops are shut, Market Square is empty, and the town centre will be silent.

The Church of the Nativity, built on the spot where Mary is believed to have laid her firstborn among the animals in the stable, is usually busy with visitors by now. Not this year.

So why is Bethlehem cancelling Christmas?

One of the reasons why Bethlehem is cancelling Christmas is business.

Pilgrims from around the world are staying away, unwilling to risk being caught in the conflict between Palestine and Israel in Gaza, signalling a possible business downturn during the festive period.

The war broke out on 7 October between Israel and the Hamas group in Gaza.

But there is more to the town’s decision to cancel Christmas.

The Church leaders and the city council in Bethlehem decided in November to abandon festive celebrations as a mark of solidarity with the people of Gaza.

Many people living in Bethlehem have links to Gaza through family, whether they are Muslim or Palestinian Christians.

There has also been a surge in violence in the West Bank since the outbreak of conflict in Gaza.

Mitri Raheb, the rector of Dar al-Kalima University in Bethlehem, an arts and culture college, described the cancellation of Christmas as “a sign of mourning for the thousands of civilians murdered in Gaza”.

He highlighted parallels between the recent war and when Jesus was born.

He said, “The Christmas story is a Palestinian story par excellence. It talks of a family from Nazareth whom the Roman Empire forced to evacuate from the north of Palestine to the south, to Bethlehem. Jesus was born to this displaced family.

“There was no place for him at the inn, so he was born in a manger. The situation in Palestine and the Roman occupation 2,000 years ago was difficult. King Herod ordered the massacre of all the children in the Bethlehem area. Over 8,000 children have been murdered in the Israeli airstrikes in Gaza within five weeks.”

December 23, 2023 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

Devastating Gas Explosion Levels Shops in Lagos Market

by Nelson Ugwuagbo December 23, 2023
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service crews on Saturday battled a blaze that broke out at a market in Ikotun, Lagos, engulfing several shops.

According to authorities, the fire stemmed from a gas cylinder explosion at one of the shops around 2:10 p.m. today.

“Shops are on fire at a Market at Council Bus Stop which resulted from leakage of a gas cylinder in use at one of the shops which led to an explosion and spread to several other shops,” confirmed Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, in a statement.

Firefighters from Ejigbo and Isolo stations are tackling the flames, joined by personnel from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), and the Nigerian Police Force from Ikotun Division.

Initial reports suggest the fire may have been caused by negligence during gas cylinder refilling. At least seven shops are believed to be affected, with significant damage to wares. Thankfully, no casualties have been reported as of this writing.

December 23, 2023 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

BREAKING: 9000 out of 13,000 federal civil servants fail promotion exams

by Folarin Kehinde December 23, 2023
written by Folarin Kehinde

Nigerians were shocked to the marrow over the news that no fewer than 9,000 civil servants who sat the 2022 Federal Civil Service Commission’s promotion examinations failed.

Leading reporters gathered that out of about 13,000 civil servants that sat for the examination, which was held in about 69 Computer Based Test Centres across the country, over 9000 failed, leaving the number of the successful candidates in the neighbourhood of 4000.

The candidates, the report said, were drawn from the core civil service, including the Nigeria Police, other paramilitary and specialised agencies.

The report also said that the letter containing the list of the successful civil servants was dated November 30, 2023, and sent from the Federal Civil Service Commission.

The letter, tagged: ‘FC.6241/S.35/Vol.xi/ T12/268,’ was signed by the Director of Promotions, Sani Bello, and addressed to the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

A cursory look at the list showed that only 3,851 civil servants, out of over 13,000 civil servants who sat for the promotion examination passed, while the rest failed.

Since the report filtered into the public domain, Nigerians have been reacting, with many saying that the major problem which the country faces today is the issue of unqualified and dumb civil servants.

Those who hold this line of thought have strongly argued that the civil service of any nation is the administrative engine that keeps such a country’s government running.

Leading this argument is a mechanical engineer, Livinus Eze, who lamented that recruitment into the civil service in Nigeria is no longer based on merit, but rather on one’s ‘connection.’

He said: “I remember in those days, when civil servants were held in high esteem because they were believed to be highly cerebral.

“Those days, when you hear that somebody is a permanent secretary, you would know that such a person is an embodiment of experience, competence and intelligence.

But, what do we have today? We have a bunch of mediocre people, parading themselves as civil servants.”

How did the country descend into such low ebb?

He said: “The problem started with the introduction of a quota system in the recruitment process. The quota system made it possible that those who were not qualified got jobs in the civil service because of where they came from.

For me, there is nothing wrong in quota system because it will ensure that one section of the country does not dominate other section, but where a section of the country or a state fails to provide qualified persons for particular vacancies, the proper thing to do is to fill the vacancy with competent and qualified people from outside such area.

But, in Nigeria, so long as you are from a state or region that must fill certain vacancies, whether you are competent and qualified or not, you will be given the job. And that is the bane of our civil service.

“How can you explain what has happened; that out of 13,000 civil servants, who sat for ordinary promotion exams, which I am sure were based on their job specifications, not up to 4000 passed? And over 9000 failed?

December 23, 2023 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

Two Trucks, Three Cars Collide In Lagos

by Nelson Ugwuagbo December 23, 2023
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

An accident involving a loaded truck, Toyota SUV, Toyota Corolla, Volvo jeep, and truck has occurred in the Alapere area of Lagos State.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority disclosed this in a video shared on its X handle on Saturday.

According to LASTMA, no lives were lost but the accident had caused gridlock, leaving commuters stranded.

The caption read, “Multiple accident at Alapere inward Island involving a loaded truck with rice, Toyota jeep, Toyota Corolla, Volvo jeep and Truck.

“Our officers are on scene managing the situation effectively and as well police officers are on ground doing the needful.”

December 23, 2023 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts

Recent Posts

  • European Union ‘Boycotts’ Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections, Rejects Observer Role Over Rising Insecurity

    August 10, 2026
  • Nigerians Raise Concern Over Rising Mob Justice

    August 10, 2026
  • Atiku Abubakar Raises Alarm over Suspicious Deposit to his Account

    August 7, 2026
  • Nigerian Author Loses $2 Million Book Deal Over AI Plagiarism

    August 7, 2026
  • Onaiyekan to Tinubu: Catholic Bishops Have Said Enough, Govern Better

    August 4, 2026

Usefull Links

  • Contact Page
  • About Leading Reporters
  • Contact Us
  • Headlines
  • Investigation
  • Exclusives
  • Opinion
  • Business
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin

@2021 - All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by PenciDesign


Back To Top
Leading Reporters
  • Featured
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • About Us
  • Contact