The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Old banknotes remain legal tender indefinitely, says CBN

    Old banknotes remain legal tender indefinitely, says CBN

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced that it will allow the old N200, N500 and N1,000 banknotes remain legal tender indefinitely.

    This decision, the bank said, was made in line with international best practices and to prevent a repeat of earlier experiences.

    The CBN, in a statement by its Director Corporate Communications Dr Isa AbdulMumin, explained all notes issued by the bank will continue to be legal tender beyond the initial December 31, 2023 deadline.

    The bank, AbdulMumin, said: “is also working with the relevant authorities to vacate the existing court ruling on the matter”.

    Read Also: Tinubu committed to improving lives of vulnerable communities – Shettima

    All CBN branches across the country have been directed to continue issuing and accepting “all denominations” of Naira banknotes, both old and redesigned.

    “The CBN is also encouraging the public to embrace alternative modes of payment, such as e-channels, for daily transactions.

    “The decision to extend the legal tender status of the old design of N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes is a welcome one.

    “It will help to alleviate the cash squeeze that has been affecting many Nigerians in recent months. It will also give people more time to exchange their old banknotes for new ones.”

  • Oil, bank, electricity workers, others join nationwide strike

    Oil, bank, electricity workers, others join nationwide strike

    The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) and the National Union of Electricity Employees have asked their members to join the nationwide strike declared by the two labour centres – the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria to protest the assault on NLC President, Joe Ajaero.

    Also, the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) and the National Union of Banks Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE) have joined the strike.

    Federal workers have also been asked to join the nationwide strike which commenced on Tuesday.

    General Secretary, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, Joshua Apebo directed federal workers to withdraw services nationwide.

    However, on Tuesday, some federal workers showed up for work. 

    For example, at the Federal Ministry of Education, offices were opened as workers went about their business.

    In the education sector, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU); National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT); Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU); Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP); Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics have asked their members to stay away from work.

    Labour unions in the maritime and health sectors also asked their members to comply with the directive reached at the joint National Executive Council of the two labour centres.

    The health sector is not left out as the nurses union has asked their members to downtool.

    Acting General Secretary, Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Salihu Abubakar asked workers to join the nationwide strike.

    Also, the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives asked its members to comply strictly with the NEC directive.

    Read Also: Tinubu committed to improving lives of vulnerable communities – Shettima

    Judiciary workers Union has also asked its members to join the strike.

    Despite the ruling of the National Industrial Court, organised labour on Tuesday called put workers for a nationwide strike.

    The NLC president, Ajaero had led workers to protest against the Imo State government where violence broke out and was beaten in the process.

    Ajaero said he was handed over to thugs allegedly by the police and was “beaten like a common criminal.”

    The NLC president, while narrating his experience, said he was “dragged on the floor like a common criminal.”

    Angered by the assault on the NLC President, labour demanded for the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police in Imo state.

    The Inspector General of Police has met the demand by redeploying the commissioner of police.

    Some of the demands are: redeployment and investigation of the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command; the sacking of the Area Commander of the Nigeria Police Force and all other Officers and Men in Owerri through whom the Police Commissioner supervised the brutalisation and humiliation of Comrade Ajaero and other workers and Mr Nwaneri Chinasa, Adviser on Special Duties who supervised the terror on workers and bestial brutality meted out to Congress President, Comrade Joe Ajaero be arrested immediately and prosecuted for his crimes against workers and the President.

    Others are: an immediate, independent and unbiased thorough professional medical examination of Comrade Ajaero in light of the physical and psychological injuries inflicted on him; other workers and journalists subjected to inhuman treatment by the Police and the Hope Uzodimma’s goons be treated by the State and all the properties lost be restored immediately and the mplementation of all outstanding Industrial Relations issues as previously agreed with the Imo state Government.

  • What I expect from a woman who sleeps over – Jim Iyke

    What I expect from a woman who sleeps over – Jim Iyke

    Actor Jim Iyke has argued any woman who stays with him to watch an overnight movie should be smart enough to know he can’t resist her s3xually.

    This revelation comes after he explained the meaning of the popular slang phrase “Netflix and Chill” to any lady who visits his home for a movie night.

    During their conversation, Jim mentioned that when a woman stays overnight at his residence, there are certain requirements that she must fulfill.

    Read Also: Female content creators hide relationships, expose body parts – Gideon Okeke

    The actor boasted about his intelligence quotient (IQ), saying that a woman would have to be extremely intelligent for him to ignore sexual thoughts when she comes over to see a movie.

    Jim said: “You better be super smart for me not to think sexually when you spend the whole night watching movies with me.”

    According to the actor, the lady should have stayed at her place to watch a movie or go to the cinema instead of coming over to his residence.

  • Immigration loses eight personnel to accident

    Immigration loses eight personnel to accident

    About eight band personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) died in yesterday’s accident on the Kano/Zaria road on.

     It was gathered that the 18-passenger bus was returning from Kano after the band had performed at the Presidential Commissioning and Passing–Out-Parade of the 48th Superintendent Basic Course 2023, at the Immigration Training School, Kano.

     The event was attended by the Acting Comptroller-General of Immigration Service, Mrs. Wuraola Adepoju, and other top management members.

    Read Also: Melaye kicks as INEC declares Ododo Kogi Gov-Elect

     A video requesting confirmation of the accident posted on the NIS Media platform in Abuja was deleted by the NIS Public Relations Officer, Dr Dotun Aridegbe. Aridegbe only responded by saying ‘we are in a very pensive mood right now’.

     However, about eight bodies were counted around the badly damaged Immigration vehicle, even as unconfirmed report said all the band members died in the accident.

  • Onaiyekan: politics should be for service not investment, war

    Onaiyekan: politics should be for service not investment, war

    The Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has expressed sadness over the rate of violence that occurred during yesterday’s off-cycle governorship elections in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa states. 

    He said political power should not be a do-or-die affair, an investment or a war but a call to serve the people. 

    The former Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) president called for a change of attitude in Nigeria’s politics so that the nation could make realistic progress.

    Onaiyekan spoke when prominent religious and political leaders gathered yesterday in Abuja for the celebration of the 60th birthday of the General Superintendent of Christ Holy Church International and CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh.

    He said: “We are just going through the elections in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa. You can see that there is war going on in the states. 

    “In my own state of Kogi, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) had to deploy 40,000 armed policemen to maintain peace. For what? It’s so that we can chose who will become our governor.

    “If the governor was someone who presented himself to serve the people, there would be no need for all that. Why is there so much fight, struggle for position of leadership? It’s because it is being used to aggrandise people, to capture power, which is used for selfish interest instead of using the power to serve the common good.” 

    Read Also: World Orphans’ Day: Yayi, Bamidele donate N24m

    Drawing inferences between him and the celebrant, Onaiyekan said: “Okoh was my deputy when I was CAN president. We did not fight, not even during elections. Let me plead that leadership in Nigeria should be radically restructured in such a way that it is for service. 

    “To be a politician is not a war or an investment to spend millions upon millions so that when you get into power, you will recoup it. And the only way to get the money back is to steal from the public fund. There must be a change.

    “We must change our concept of politics in Nigeria; otherwise, we will remain where we are.”

    Dignitaries at the ceremony included former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon; the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye; the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III; and First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who was represented by the wife of the Senate President, Dame Uloma Ekaette Akpabio.

    Others included ministers, governors, representatives of the diplomatic corps, and traditional rulers from Christian and Muslim communities.

    Senator Tinubu prayed to God to continue to strengthen Okoh and grant him many more years in good health.

    In a goodwill message, Pastor Adeboye told the celebrant: “Your journey may seem challenging at the moment, but God is going to lead you to great places.” 

    The cleric assured Archbishop Okoh of God’s promise to answer when he calls upon Him in times of trouble. 

    In his remarks, the celebrants said: “Personally, I am currently 60 years old. But if this is how 50 feels, I must admit that mentally, I feel more like 40. For now, let’s take pleasure in enjoying ourselves.”

  • Gani Adams in letter to Tinubu: restructure Nigeria

    Gani Adams in letter to Tinubu: restructure Nigeria

    The Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams, has urged President Bola Tinubu to consider the restructuring of the country.

    He described restructuring as the best solution to the foundational problems of the country.

    The Yoruba Generalissimo, who stated these, among other issues, in a personal letter to the President, also congratulated him on his victory at the Supreme Court.

    The letter, a copy of which The Nation obtained, reads: “Your Excellency, I, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, write to congratulate you on your victory at the Supreme Court.

    “Your victory at the apex court was an affirmation of the popular mandate given to you by Nigerians at the February 25 presidential election. It is a reflection of your avowed commitment to justice, fair play and merits of the law, without fear or favour.

    “In every election, there is always a winner and a loser. But the underlining fact remains that we are all one, indivisible Nigeria that is bound by fate to be the leading nation in Africa.

    Read Also: World Orphans’ Day: Yayi, Bamidele donate N24m

    “Nigeria is going through a lot at the moment, but it must be said that your victory has given rise to a leadership that this time demands. And we must agree with the fact that this is truly a new chapter in the political trajectory of Nigeria.”

    “Your Excellency, as much as I join other Nigerians to celebrate your victory, I am of the view that now is the time for us to build the Nigeria of our dream.

    “However, let me say it for posterity that Nigerians, irrespective of our ethnic nationalities, have a common belief in the strength of our diversity.

    “And your commitment to continue to serve all Nigerians of all political persuasions, tribes and faiths with honour and respect for the diverse opinions and uniting values of our citizens should be the fulcrum of your administration.”

    He added: “As the Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, I believe in restructuring as the best solution to the foundational problem of Nigeria. I will continue to support your administration as a Yoruba man, a brother and father of the nation, especially, a Nigerian nation that is tied to this political ideology…”

  • NNPCL restores production of 275,000 bpd

    NNPCL restores production of 275,000 bpd

    • Resolves PENGASSAN – TotalEnergies rift

    Following a peace deal brokered yesterday on by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) between the Management of TotalEnergies, operator of the NNPC / TotalEnergies JV, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association, (PENGASSAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the unions have agreed to suspend ongoing industrial action leading to immediate restoration of 275, 000 barrels of oil per day production.

    In a communiqué issued at the end of the negotiation, chaired by Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, Executive Vice President, Upstream, NNPCL, all parties committed to resolving all the issues within an agreed framework.

    Read Also: NNPCL restores production of 275,000bopd

    The NNPCL Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, in a statement made available to The Nation, said the communiqué was signed by TotalEnergies MD/CEO MatthieuBouyer, PENGASSAN President, Comrade Festus Osifo, and NUPENG President, Comrade Williams Akporegha. It was witnessed by NNPC Ltd.’s, EVP Upstream Oritsemeyiwa Eyesanand Chief Upstream Investment Officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, Bala Wunti. Also in attendance was Victor Bandele, Deputy Managing Director, TotalEnergies.

  • Netanyahu to Macron: condemn Hamas, not Israel

    Netanyahu to Macron: condemn Hamas, not Israel

    Netanyahu has responded to French President Emmanuel Macron’s comment on Israel killing civilians in Gaza. Israel’s PM stated that: “It must be remembered that Israel entered the war due to that terrorist organisation’s brutal murder of hundreds of Israelis and holding hostage more than 200 Israelis.”

     He added that “While Israel does everything in its power to avoid harming civilians and urges them to leave the battle areas, Hamas – ISIS is doing all it can to prevent them from moving to safe areas and uses them as human shields.”

    Read Also: APC kicks as Diri coasts home to victory in Bayelsa

     Netanyahu also warned that “the crimes being committed today by Hamas – ISIS in Gaza will be committed tomorrow in Paris, New York and all over the world. The leaders of the world should be condemning Hamas – ISIS, not Israel.”

     In his interview to BBC released earlier on Friday, Macron said: “De facto – today, civilians are bombed – de facto. These babies, these ladies, these old people are bombed and killed. So, there is no reason for that and no legitimacy. So, we do urge Israel to stop.”

  • Jubilation in Imo as Uzodimma wins second term

    Jubilation in Imo as Uzodimma wins second term

    • Election, a vindication of my 2019 victory, says governor
    • We’ll challenge  victory in court, says  LP

    Hundreds of supporters of Governor Hope Uzodimma trooped into the state capital yesterday to celebrate his victory in last Saturday’s governorship election.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had in the morning declared Uzodimma, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the polls after he scored 540,308 votes to defeat his closest rivals, Senator Samuel Anyanwu of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and Senator Athan Achonu of Labour Party (LP) who came a distant second and third, with 71,503 and 64,081 votes respectively.

    Seventeen political parties contested the election, but the APC, the PDP and the LP were the most popular candidates.

    Although Uzodimma coasted to victory from early results from polling units, wards and local government collation centres late Saturday and early Sunday morning, Owerri Metropolis was calm until the INEC chief returning officer for Imo and Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti State, Prof. Abayomi Fasina declared him winner around 10.20 am.

    The governor also won in all the 27 local government areas of the state leaving none of his opponents any chance.

    Read Also: Imo, Kogi governorship polls: Uzodimma, Ododo triumph

    No sooner had the returning officer made the announcement than the city erupted in jubilation as motorcyclists and motorists were seen driving in mad celebration.

    At the INEC office along Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, hundreds of APC supporters led by Chinasa Nwaneri, Barr. Ennyinna Onuegbu and the deputy speaker of the state house of assembly, Amarachi Iwuanyanwu, among others, trooped to the area and matched f from street to street in celebration.

    The jubilant APC supporters, who clutched the party’s flags and brooms, chanted victory songs as they moved along the streets.

    They were joined by various groups of convoys who came from nearby parts of the state to join the victory march from Port Harcourt Road to Bank Road, Wetheral Road, Douglas and Okigwe roads

    A shop owner at the IMSU Junction, Darlington Opara, told our correspondent that he had expected the governor’s victory because of his boldness in tackling the challenges facing the state, particularly the issues of insecurity and infrastructure.

    He said: “I had always known that he would win. First I voted for him because of his boldness in tackling insert facing the state. Without the manner he is going about it, Imo would have become overrun by hoodlums. So, I congratulate him and wish that he would focus on bringing Imo back to the good old days.”

    Another resident, Victor Ibeabuchi said he expected Uzodimma’s victory because there was no formidable opposition against his election. His words: “Anyone who is in Imo State and knows the candidates well wouldn’t know that somehow, it was only Governor Hope who contested the election. The other candidates did not show much determination to wrestle power from Uzodimma and I’m saying this with due respect to the efforts made by the PDP and LP candidates.”

    They hoped that the governor would heal the state of the destructions that had befallen it and fast-track development of the state by making the business environment clement for residents and prospective investors.

  • Nwifuru, Abiodun, Sanwo-Olu, Akpabio congratulate governor

    Nwifuru, Abiodun, Sanwo-Olu, Akpabio congratulate governor

    The governors of Ebonyi, Ogun and Lagos states, Francis Nwifuru, Dapo Abiodun and Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio have congratulated Governor Hope Uzodimma on his victory at the weekend’s  governorship election in Imo State.

    A statement by Governor Nwifuru’s Media Aide, Monday Uzor, quoted the governor as saying the result of the election reflected the will of the people of Imo State. The statement reads: “I am delighted to congratulate the Governor of Imo State and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Sen Hope Uzodimma on his resounding victory at the just concluded governorship election.

    “The outcome of the polls is a true reflection of the implicit confidence the people repose in you. You have in the past four years offered quality leadership to your people through policies and programmes that have a direct and positive impact on the lives of the people.

    “This bold statement by the people at the polls has given you another opportunity to consolidate on your laudable achievements and continue with the reforms you have initiated in the state.”

    In his congratulatory message, Akpabio commended Uzodimma for his resilience and commitment to genuine democratic practices saying that good governance had triumphed over propaganda. He said: “I congratulate and rejoice with you and the people of Imo on your well-deserved re-election as the Executive Governor of Imo.

    “Your victory is testimony of your excellent performance in office in the last four years.

    “This victory is an affirmation by Ndi Imo of your sterling leadership qualities and confirmation of your outstanding performance and delivery of the dividends of democracy to the people.

    “It is also an indication that our great party, the APC is firmly established in the Southeast and accepted by the good people of the region.

    “This explains why despite threats, attempted strikes and manipulated blackmail from enemies of your people, God took control.”

    Governor Abiodun said Uzodimma’s re-election is a confirmation of the trust the citizens have in his APC-led government. He expressed delight that the resounding victory of Uzodinma attested to his leadership quality and delivery of the dividend of democracy to the people.

    Read Also: Inflation rises on soaring food, energy prices

    Governor Abiodun also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and INEC for the hitch-free electoral process in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi states on Saturday. He said: On behalf of the people of Ogun State, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations on your re-election as the governor.

    “Your resounding victory is a testament to the trust and confidence that the people of Imo State have in your ability to lead them towards progress and prosperity.”

    Governor Sanwo-Olu said Uzodinma’s re-election affirms his administration’s good performance in the last four years. He added: “I believe strongly that he was re-elected because he delivered beyond the expectations of the Imo people during his first term.

    “The APC candidate’s victory across the 27 local government areas in Imo State with over 400,000 vote margin against his main opponent is a confirmation of the trust and belief of the people in the APC-led administration in Imo State, having benefitted immensely from the various people-oriented programmes of his administration.

    “The real winners at the end of the day are citizens of Imo State because they have re-elected a ‘talk and do’ governor. It is an assurance to us that the APC government at the state and national levels is doing something right. We know there are areas of improvement and we are determined to ensure that we give Nigerians the best they deserve.”