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BREAKING: FG Sues Facebook, Whatsapp Instagram over revenue N30B

by Leading Reporters October 4, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria(ARCON) said it has lodged a suit against Meta Platforms Incorporated (owners of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp platforms) and its agent AT3 Resources Limited at the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division.

According to a statement on Tuesday by the apex regulatory body for Nigeria’s advertising ecosystem, ARCON is seeking a declaration among others that the continued publication and exposure of various advertisements directed at the Nigerian market through Facebook and Instagram platforms by Meta Platforms Incorporated without ensuring the same is vetted and approved before exposure is illegal, unlawful and a violation of the extant advertising Law in Nigeria.

ARCON stated that Meta Platforms Incorporated’s continued exposure of unvetted adverts had also led to loss of revenue to the Federal Government.

ARCON is seeking N30bn in sanction for the violation of the advertising laws and for loss of revenue as a result of Meta Incorporated’s continued exposure of unapproved adverts on it’s platforms.

The statement read in part, “ARCON reiterates that it would not permit unethical and irresponsible advertising on the Nigeria’s advertising space.”

October 4, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

Exposed: How Governor Yahaya Bello Looted Over N10 Billion From Kogi Treasury

by Folarin Kehinde October 4, 2022

written by Folarin Kehinde

It has been revealed that the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello has engaged in possible money laundering up to the tune of N10 Billion Naira.

Investigations has shown that Governor Bello transferred in installments up to N10 billion naira to a certain Abdulsalami Hudu, who is allegedly a Bureau De Change merchant and another Umar Comfort Olufunke.

The cash transfer was made from the Kogi State Statutory Revenue Account into a Zenith Bank account belonging to Abdulsalami Hudu, with account number 1010662710, from January to December 2018.

Details of the Gov. Bello’s, illicit transfers are expounded below;

“On 01/06/2018, N350 Million was moved from the State account to Hudu’s account in installments of N10 million. 0n 26/02/2018, N400 Million was transferred to Hudu also in installments of N10m.

Between 18/01/2018 and 28/02/2018, Bello instructed that the sum of N450 Million naira be transferred to Hudu in installments of N10 Million.

Between 2/03/18 and 15/03/18, N 900 million was transferred to the same account in Zenith, while on 6/04/18 and 26/06/18, N1 Billion was transferred to Hudu’s account with Zenith.

UMAR COMFORT OLUFUNKE withdrew a total sum of N320, 000, 000 (Three Hundred and Twenty Million Naira) in 2017 from the Kogi State Government House Admin Zenith Bank account Number 1010662710.

Investigation reveals that Governor Yahaya Bello paid large tranche of cash as paid to Umar Comfort Olafunke in a day on various dates:

On 7/21/17, N10, 000, 000 (Ten Million Naira), was transferred 14 times totaling N140, 000,000 (One Hundred and Forty Million);

On 7/4/17, N10, 000, 000 (Ten Million Naira), was transferred 9 times totaling N90, 000, 000 (Ninety Million Naira).

Further investigation in respect of this transaction revealed that:

There was no specified description for the purpose of the funds. The funds may have been laundered or diverted for other uses other than for public good.

Also there was a transfer from the state account was N500 million made to the same Comfort Umar on 23/01/18.

On 28/11/18, eleven transfers of N134, 641,00 was made from the Kogi state IGR account to Airtel Network Limited at UBA with the account number, 105503782. The total amount was N1.485 billion. On 30/11/18, eleven transfers were made from the same IGR account to account number 1020463549 with UBA that belongs to MTN. The same day, N42,735,000 was transferred 13 times to MTN.

On 30/11/18, N10,054,253 was transferred to UBA account number 105503782 that belongs to the National Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC). That transaction was made 12 times to the same account the same day. Total, N132 million.

Governor Yahaya Bello was also accused of stealing N10 Billion, meant for local governments in Kogi State in 2016..

He received the money from the federal government, but no evidence could show what was done with the said N10 Billion.

Also in 2016, Bello was once again accused of diverting N10 billion he allegedly received for the state from the Federal Government meant for local governments.

This allegation was made by the Executive Director of the Centre For Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHCR), Idris Miliki, who challenged Bello to come out and tell the world how the money was spent.

Maliki further accused Bello of squandering the money that was allocated to local governments in the state in April 2016.

“The world is watching all the illegalities perpetuated by Governor Bello’s administration. The government is busy saying they don’t have money, but yet they collected N10 billion on behalf of local governments. What did they use the money for?

October 4, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

Netherlands To Apologize For Slavery, Repay $204 Million Dollars

by Folarin Kehinde October 4, 2022

written by Folarin Kehinde

Sources have revealed that the Netherlands plans to repay up to $204 Million dollars in slave reparations by the start of 2023.

This was revealed to Bloomberg by an anonymous source familiar to the situation

The decision was made to apologize for Dutch contribution to the slave trade is a first for an European country and quite an unusual in the continent. It seems that following the push of Black Lives Matter activists in the country, the decision has been made. This would make the Netherlands the first European country to apologize with delegated money. Reportedly, the apology reparations will be in the form of a fund. The Dutch government has set aside an apology fund which will contribute to initiatives that will aim to raise awareness about slavery’s legacy.

The prime minister’s office declined requests to comment on the plan, according to reports. More information about how the Netherlands plan to pay $204 million in slavery reparations is due end of this year/early next year.

The decision comes as a particular shock since only last year Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte – whose government helped set up the panel – said that he was not willing to apologize for slavery since it was not his position to do so, historically.

He admitted that racism was an issue in the country. Now, it seems there has been a change in opinion as the apology is due in a matter of months.

During a recent visit to former Dutch colony Surinam, it seems the Dutch Prime Minister changed his mind. This was the first visit a Prime Minister has made to Surinam in 14 years.

He stated that the change came about “partly because of the whole discussion that has arisen around the Black Lives Matter movement”.

The apology:

The apology comes as many across the diaspora urge further conversation and action about the role of slavery in the everyday lives of displaced African-Descent peoples.

The Dutch were among the first of the colonizers to join the transatlantic slave trade. They are known for colonizing Curaçao and St. Eustatius by sending enslaved Africans there alongside the South American country Surinam.

October 4, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

Man Rapes Four Year Old To Death In Kano

by Folarin Kehinde October 4, 2022

written by Folarin Kehinde

A 49 year old man popularly known Baba Idi has raped a four year old girl, Khadija Adam in Kano State.

Baba Idi who is a resident of Lungun Haliru Mai Ruwa, Gama Quarters, Nassarawa LGA in Kano state raped his neighbours daughter on 26th September, 2022.

The Victim, Khadija has died from a heart attack, days after she was raped and violated.

The father of the deceased Adam Muhammad confirmed the development to newsmen, saying that the suspect threatened to kill the teenage if she dares to tell anybody about his atrocious act.

Mr Muhammad said his wife got wind of the whole situation when she wanted to bathe their daughter and, in the process, noticed blood coming out from her private part.

“This is an act of inhumanity for a neighbour to have committed this act. All I need is justice” said Muhammad.

The mother of the deceased, Jamila Adam called on security agencies alongside all other relevant stakeholders to ensure that justice prevails in the matter.

She told newsmen that “Shortly after narrating what Baba Idi did to her, she pleaded with me not to tell anybody, because Baba Idi threatened that will kill her.

“When we went to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Bompai for identification, she was so scared and began to scream, calling his name that he was going to kill her.

“Her condition worsened as she kept calling the man’s name ‘Baba Idi’. We tried to rush her to the hospital, but she died before arriving.

When contacted, the spokesperson, Kano Police Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna, said he was still waiting to get details of what transpired from the relevant desks.

October 4, 2022 0 comments

Exclusives Headlines

How To Source Lithium Minerals In Nigeria

by Folarin Kehinde October 4, 2022

written by Folarin Kehinde

The hottest and most sought after mineral in Nigeria today is lithium ore. The World has descended on Nigeria seeking for lithium because the international system is headed at a very fast speed towards a lithium-dominated World economy.

All smart men are already taking up strategic positions. The war to control sources of lithium is on! But unlike the oil wars of the old, which were fought with bombs and mortars, the instrument of warfare in the ongoing battle for the control of lithium is money! Big money! Dollars!

China is intent on winning this war at all costs! The Chinese are all over Nigeria looking for lithium minerals such as spodumene, lepidolite and amblygonite.

Nigeria has one of the largest and best grade lithium deposits in the World. New deposits are being discovered every day.

Over 98% of the pegmatite veins that crisscross the length and breadth of North-Central Nigeria are heavily rich with different grades of lithium ores, including kunzite spodumene of over 9% grade!

The whole of Kwara State for example is sitting on large deposits of pink lepidolite and medium grade spodumene.

Nigeria is benefiting greatly from the current explosion in lithium trade in the form of increase in revenue generation and provision of employment opportunity which has led to drastic reduction of crimes in states like Nasarawa.

But as buyers and exporters are searching for where to buy lithium, the major challenge is that there is no central market in Nigeria where anyone with his/her money can simply go and buy the products.

The trade in Nigeria is based on personal contacts. It is not so easy for new comers. And that leads us to the topic of this essay- how to source lithium minerals in Nigeria.

FOUR EASY WAYS OF SOURCING LITHIUM MATERIALS IN NIGERIA:

Leverage on Existing Structures, Platforms and Contacts:

The best and easiest way to gain immediate entrance to sourcing lithium ores in Nigeria is to make use of existing mineral sourcing lines.

These are local agents and companies that already have existing mineral buying centers with direct links to the hinterlands where these minerals are mined.

Most of these agents and companies have mineral warehouses that can be used as sourcing centers, plus vast contacts that can be used to source minerals and acquire mineral sites

2. Set Up Your own Mining Company:

The second method of sourcing lithium minerals in Nigeria is through setting up your own mining company to mine lithium ores yourself.

The incorporation of a company at the Corporate Affairs Commission is not a difficult one. But you still need the assistance of a local agent to locate where there are great lithium deposits and how to go about it.

3. Open a Metallic Mineral Buying Center:

Another method of sourcing lithium materials in Nigeria is to set up your own mineral buying center.

The Department of Artizanal and Small Scale Mining, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development issues a mineral license called Certificate of Mineral Buying Center for four categories of minerals: metallic, nonmetallic, precious stones and gemstones.

With a mineral buying center certificate for metallic minerals, you can trade on all metallic minerals in Nigeria such as tantalite, tin, zinc, lead, wolframite, columbite, beryllium, lithium, iron ore, chalcopyrite, etc. However, local agents are still needed to assist you obtain the license, set up the buying center and form bulk of your initial suppliers.

4. Buy Lithium Ores from the Cities:

The forth method through which a newcomer can source lithium in Nigeria is to simply buy the products from the cities of Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. The only challenge here is that you buy at exorbitant prices. And you still need local agents to get things fixed for you or even figure out things.

About the Writer

Ede Greg is a Mining Entrepreneur and Lithium Mineral Sourcing Consultant. He sources Minerals for different buyers in Nigeria. His vast contacts in the Nigerian Solid Mineral Sector, access to government bureaucracy for licenses, and direct links to the hinterlands has led to the sourcing of large quantities of different minerals for different buyers. He helps companies to buy or acquire large mineral deposits for mining operations. His warehouse structures at Keffi, Nasarawa State is open to those who wish to leverage on existing mineral sourcing platforms to gain immediate access to the Nigerian mineral market. You can reach him on +2348130799304.

October 4, 2022 0 comments

Business Headlines

Majority of Nigerian MSMEs are Nano-Businesses – SMEDAN

by Folarin Kehinde October 4, 2022

written by Folarin Kehinde

Against popular notion, the new national policy on MSMEs categorizes Nigerian businesses with an annual turnover of less than 3 million naira as nano or micro-micro businesses and not even small businesses.

This was one of the revealing takeaways from the maiden edition of the virtual MSMEs Educational Series with the theme Understanding the New National Policy on MSMEs, organized by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and facilitated by Femi Boyede Consulting Limited.

Distinguishing the new classifications, Mr Onesi-Lawani Daberuje, SMEDAN’s Deputy-Director at the Department of Policy, Planning, Research, Monitoring & Evaluation explained that, “the bulk of the supposed microenterprises under the old policy are ‘Mom-and-Pop’ enterprises (i.e. Tiny and family-owned, controlled and operated businesses).

If a business has an annual turnover of less than 3 million naira, it is a nano business or a micro-micro/homestead business, while businesses with an annual turnover of 3 – 9 million naira are classified as small businesses.”

Mr. Onesi-Lawani also shared some of the priority areas of the new national policy on MSMEs which includes the empowerment of women and youths, as the policy has created provision for access to women funding as well as linkages to MSMEs export.

Highlighting the key points from the webinar, the convener, Mr. Femi Boyede explained that the main concerns of participants during the event will be formally presented to SMEDAN.

Stressing that information remains one of the key ingredients for success in business, he regretted the poor level of business education among the over 30 million registered Nigerian MSMEs.

“In the next series, we will customize the webinar to be more constructive and beneficial for participants.

It is not only about SMEDAN, we are exploring the possibilities of bringing other relevant government agencies such as NAFDAC and commercial banks to this platform.”

The webinar which took place on Saturday, 24th September 2022 was officially opened by Mr. Monday Ewans, the Director, Enterprise Development who represented Mr. Olawale Fasanya, the Director General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

In his opening remark, he explained that the webinar series is meant to serve as an MSMEs clinic for the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

“Through this educational series, we want to bring the MSMEs together to practically learn, and to give them an opportunity to table their challenges and get practical solutions from experts with a view of becoming conversant with issues that affect their businesses, starting with the new national policy on MSMEs.” Mr. Ewans said.

October 4, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

Prof. Mohammed Isah CCB Chairman is corrupt — Commissioners

by Leading Reporters October 3, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

The Commissioners in the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) have asked the Senate to commence investigations into the corruption allegations they levelled against their Chairman, Prof. Mohammed Isah.

The CCB is the Ombudsman set up to fight corruption within the public service system through scrutiny of assets declaration forms of civil and public service officers.

But the commissioners in the federal agency, besieged the Senate last Friday and raised the alarm that the anti-graft body was enmeshed in what it was established to fight.

The six federal commissioners in the anti – graft agency documented a petition full of corrupt allegations against their boss and submitted it to the Senate committee on Ethics , Privileges and Public Petitions .

Led by Dr. Emmanuel Attah, the commissioners alleged corrupt practices being perpetrated by the CCB Chairman.

They specifically cited his alleged blocking of the probe of the former accountant general of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, who was accused of allegedly having assets worth over N109 billion.

They said their colleagues in the petition they jointly signed had accused the embattled CCB Chairman of allegedly blocking necessary investigation into the assets declaration forms of some corrupt officials in the last four years.

They further alleged that some of the affected officials have multi-billion naira assets not stated in the forms they submitted to the CCB.

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions led by Senator Ayo Akinyelure, has therefore, asked the CCB Chairman to appear before the panel on Thursday, 6th October , 2022 by 2:00pm prompt.

Isah was absent at the panel sitting but five out of the six commissioners were present.

The absence of the CCB Chairman made Akinyelure to, with consent of other panel members, directed the CCB Chairman to appear before the committee unfailingly on Thursday.

He said, “The petition before this committee on allegations against the Chairman of Code of Conduct Bureau ( CCB) bordering on corrupt practices is worrisome and must be here to defend himself .

“The seriousness of the matter lies on the fact that the petitioners are even the six federal commissioners appointed to be working with him in the fight against corruption.

“The Commissioners are here but the Chairman who is in the eye of the storm is not here. We have gone through all the issues raised in the jointly signed petition by the Commissioners and they are very disturbing if eventually proven.

“Therefore for fair hearing, we are re-inviting the Chairman to appear before this committee on Thursday, 6th October, 2022 unfailingly by 2:00pm prompt for require response or responses from him on all allegations leveled against him in the petition,” he said.

While speaking with journalists after their engagement with the Senate panel, one of the commissioners, Hon Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, said they petitioned the Chairman to save CCB from self – inflicted incapacitation slammed on it by the Chairman.

According to him, all the commissioners and the Chairman, were appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari to help in the war against corruption within the public service itself at all levels.

“The Chairman based on his conducts is not ready to fight the war in anyway but sabotage it by sitting on series of petitions written against corrupt public officers whose assets far outweighs what were declared in the Assets Declaration Forms.

“The N109 billion loot allegedly linked to the now being investigated Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, was first reported to CCB through petitions but prevented from being acted upon by the Chairman.

“We are ever ready to support Mr. President’s war against corruption but very disturbed by the frustration being thrown into it in CCB by no less a person, than the Chairman.

“We have written petition against him as declared by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions here today and want him to meet us face to face before members of the committee for whatever defence he wants to make .

“Corruption must be killed in Nigeria before it kills us and anybody not ready to join in the fight or war against it, should be shown the way out of public service , particularly those saddled with responsibilities of curbing corrupt practices in the country like CCB”, he said .

Other Commissioners with him were Prof. Folorunsho Ogundare, Ubolo Okpanachi and Ben Nnana. (THISDAY: Text, excludes headline)

October 3, 2022 0 comments

Africa & World Headlines

Putin Critic Found Dead After Criticizing Russian-Ukraine War

by Folarin Kehinde October 3, 2022

written by Folarin Kehinde

Pavel Pchelnikov, 52, an executive at the Russian-owned rail company, Russian Railways (RDZ) was found shot dead on the balcony of his Moscow apartment on Wednesday, September 28, Sun UK reports.

He was a former Putin ally-turned-war critic and the latest associate of the Russian dictator to die this year.

He reportedly killed himself, according to Russian media.

Just weeks earlier, he had shared sweet pictures from a family holiday.

“It is known that just a month ago, he was on vacation and willingly posted photos from his holiday on social media,” reported the outlet ‘We Can Explain’.

“What could have pushed the man to a desperate act is unknown.”

Russian Railways has reportedly come under pressure from the Kremlin recently over its failure to stop Ukrainian hackers from shutting down its network.

This has led to critical delays in supplies reaching the war front line.

The company was slapped with EU sanctions on February 27 in the early days of the war.

On April 11, the firm defaulted on a bond interest payment, the first sanctioned business to do so.

In July, the firm publicly called on the EU to lift the sanctions, claiming they were “limiting the ability of RDZ to perform socially significant, humanitarian functions and are discriminatory in relation to the population of the Russian Federation.”

The company also criticized the war in Ukraine after the firm’s website crashed following Putin’s mobilisation announcement, as thousands tried to flee the draft abroad.

The company was forced to issue a statement denying state media reports that men of fighting age must show their military service status before buying tickets.

Last week, Anatoly Gerashchenko, the former rector of the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI), died after reportedly falling down a series of flights of stairs on Tuesday.

According to reports, the 73-year-old aviation chief fell down “several flights of stairs” at the Institute and died at the scene.

Gerashchenko is rumoured to have fallen out with Putin’s inner circle, forcing him from his position as rector seven years ago.

Also, Earlier this month, Ivan Pechorin – Putin’s point man for developing Russia’s vast Arctic resources, reportedly fell off the side of a boat in waters close to Russky Island in mysterious circumstances.

A huge rally in Moscow on Friday, September 30, will see the declaration of victory in referendums in Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia, comprising 15 percent of the total Ukraine landmass.

source

October 3, 2022 0 comments

Africa & World Headlines Sports

Tragedy As Hundreds Die In Indonesia Football Crisis.

by Folarin Kehinde October 3, 2022

written by Folarin Kehinde

Over 125 people have died and more than 300 injured in a tragic football incident at an Indonesia stadium.

Supporters of Arema FC and rival Persebaya Surabaya, two of Indonesia’s biggest soccer teams, clashed in the stands after home team Arema FC was defeated 3-2 at a match in the city of Malang in East Java, police said.

Supporters from the losing team then “invaded” the pitch and police fired tear gas, triggering a fan crush that led to cases of suffocation, East Java police chief Nico Afinta said during a press conference following the event.

“It had gotten anarchic. They started attacking officers, they damaged cars,” Nico said, adding that the crush occurred when fans fled for an exit gate.

Video footage from local news channels showed fans streaming onto the pitch after Arema FC lost 3-2 to Persebaya Surabaya around 10 p.m. (1500 GMT). Scuffles can be seen, with what appeared to be tear gas in the air.

Images showed people who appeared to have lost consciousness being carried away by other fans.

The head of one of the hospitals in the area treating patients told Metro TV that some of the victims had sustained brain injuries and that the fatalities included a five-year-old child.

Two police officers were also among the dead because the crush occurred when fans fled for an exit gate.

More than 300 people were injured, according to Indonesian authorities, with fears that the death toll could rise.

Earlier on Sunday, the governor of the East Java province, where the incident occurred, said the death toll was at 131. National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo clarified the discrepancy of the previous higher numbers saying it was due to some casualties being recorded twice.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, also known as Jokowi, on Sunday ordered all league matches to be halted until investigations were completed.

“I have specially requested the police chief to investigate and get to the bottom of this case,” Jokowi said in a televised speech. “Sportsmanship, humanity and brotherhood should be upheld in Indonesia.”

“I regret this tragedy and hope that it will be the last to occur in Indonesian football. We cannot have anymore (of this) in the future.”

October 3, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

Father Mbaka Dismissed From Adoration Ministry

by Folarin Kehinde October 3, 2022

written by Folarin Kehinde

Popular Nigerian Catholic Priest, Rev Fr. Ejike Mbaka has been removed as the spiritual director of Adoration Ministries Enugu Nigeria (AMEN) and sent to the monastery.

His removal was made by the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Calistus Onaga in line with the disciplinary action against Father Mbaka over comments he made.

Mbaka personally made the announcement during the Sunday mass and disclosed that the Bishop had appointed Fr Anthony Amadi as the new Spiritual Director of AMEN, to be assisted by other unnamed priests.

“So while I proceed to the Monastery to continue with the remaining disciplinary exercises, as directed; I wouldn’t know how long; but the Church has appointed Fr Anthony Amadi, one of us, to be overseeing all affairs of the Ministry, to be assisted by other priests, pending my return, by the grace of God,” Mbaka stated.

Mbaka had earlier explained that the ministry had not fully opened, pointing out that some programmes including the weekly Friday all-night adoration remained suspended till further notice.

According to him, “our Sunday Masses and Wednesdays’ ‘E No Dey Again’ programmes would continue, while others such as Friday all-night adoration remains suspended”.

Mbaka had barely mentioned the new priest’s, name when the congregation erupted into, shouting “we say no,” “we say no,” we no gree and started carrying green leaves, thereby forcing Fr Mbaka to quickly conclude the Mass.

Thousands of faithful had excitedly thronged the prayer center from far and wide following an earlier wide announcement that Bishop Onaga had lifted ban on the ministry.

They were however left dejected following the latest development.

The Bishop of Enugu Diocese only allowed Father Mbaka to celebrate Mass at the centre so that he would personally make the announcement.

October 3, 2022 0 comments

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