Author: The Nation

  • Airfare rises by 34.06% in one year, says NBS

    Airfare rises by 34.06% in one year, says NBS

    From May 2022, airfare paid by air passengers for a single journey rose by 34.06% in May 2022 from N55,906.86 to N74,948.78 in May 2023.

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) made this known in its “Transport Fare Watch May 2023.”

    It said on month -on -month basis, the fare soared by 0.002% from N74,947.30 in April 2023.

    Read Also: Cooking gas price fell by 6.07% in May – NBS

    NBS said: “On a year-on-year basis, this rose by 9.09% from N3,668.64 in May 2022. In air travel, the average fare paid by air passengers for specified routes single journey increased by 0.002% on a month-on-month basis from N74,947.30 in April 2023 to N74,948.78 in May 2023. On a year -on-year basis, the fare rose by 34.06% from N55,906.86 in May 2022.”

    The report said the average fare paid on Okada transportation in May 2023 was N464.55, a 0.49% increase from the rate recorded in April 2023 (N462.29).

    It added that on a year-on-year basis, the fare rose by 11.30% when compared with the value in May 2022 which was N417.39.

  • Bolanle Ninalowo honours lady’s mom on 60th birthday

    Bolanle Ninalowo honours lady’s mom on 60th birthday

    Popular movie actor, Bolanle Ninalowo, has put a big smile on a young lady’s face by obliging her request for a birthday shout out to her mom.

    The lady simply identified as Tosin shared how she hoped the actor could honour her request to send a birthday message to her mom who’d be clocking 60.

    She explained the gesture would mean the world not just to her but her soon-to-be sexagenarian matriarch who loves the thespian greatly.

    Read Also: Bolanle Ninalowo apologises for misleading fans on featuring in Hollywood movie 

    “I know this is a long shot, but; My Mum turns 60 later this month and l’Il love to get a wish from Bolanle Ninalowo to her. My Mum loves him sooooo much and I’m sure getting a wish from one of her favourite celebrities will make her happy. Twitter please do your thing,” she wrote

    In her next tweet, she expressed disappointment seeing Nino B or his team didn’t reply her message.

    “Sent a message to him on IG but I got no response if I can get through to his management or something,” she tweeted.

    But her gloomy mood was to be temporal as it lit up when she received a beautiful surprise video from Makanaki, commemorating her mom’s 60th birthday.

    Tosin was over the moon as she shared the clip’s screenshot with an accompanying note that read: “He sent the video.”

  • NGX, CIS, market leaders unite to honour late Subomi Balogun

    NGX, CIS, market leaders unite to honour late Subomi Balogun

    The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) and other esteemed market stakeholders, conducted a commemorative mock-trading session and Closing Gong ceremony yesterday to honor the late Otunba Olasubomi Balogun, the founder of FCMB Group.

    The event saw prominent figures expressing gratitude for Otunba Balogun’s invaluable contributions to the capital market.

    Chief Executive Officer of NGX, Temi Popoola, delivered a heartfelt tribute during the ceremony, recognising the pivotal role played by the late Otunba Balogun in shaping the industry.

    “We gather here today to pay tribute to an individual without whom our markets would not be what they are today.

    “Countless careers have been influenced by his guidance, including mine. His impact on our industry’s growth is immeasurable. The Subomi family is a shining example of excellence on the Exchange, and we extend our heartfelt appreciation. Rest assured, they can rely on our unwavering support as they continue to pursue their strategic goals,” Popoola stated.

    Chairman of NGX Group, Alhaji Dr Umaru Kwairanga highlighted Otunba Subomi Balogun’s remarkable contributions to the development of investment banking in Nigeria.

    Read Also: Capital market honours Subomi Balogun

    Kwairanga acknowledged his instrumental role in laying the foundation for the nation’s earliest equity offerings during his tenure at ICON Securities.

    “Otunba Balogun leaves behind a formidable legacy and an enduring imprint that will forever serve as a testament to his greatness,” Kwairanga added.

    Group Chief Executive Officer of NGX Group, Oscar Onyema, reassured the market that Otunba Balogun’s remarkable life and achievements would be remembered and celebrated for years to come.

    “The capital market community can find solace in the fact that Otunba Balogun led an exemplary life and bequeathed an indelible legacy. His dedication to the best interests of the capital market, especially during his tenure on the Exchange’s Council, was unwavering,” Onyema remarked.

    The President of CIS, Mr. Oluwole Adeosun, echoed the sentiments by stating, “Today, we celebrate the life of a visionary, Otunba Subomi Balogun, who served as the pioneering first Vice President of our esteemed Institute.”

    Expressing gratitude for the commemorative event, Mr. Bolaji Balogun, the Group CEO of Chapel Hill Denham and son of Otunba Balogun, acknowledged the lasting impact of his father’s legacy. He addressed the attendees, saying, “The fact that you remember our father, who retired two decades ago, speaks volumes about him and the remarkable individuals present here today. He deeply cared about this market, the unity of our nation, and the youth of Nigeria. I assure each and every one of you that our work is crucial to the progress of this great nation.”

    PGroup Chief Executive of FCMB Group Plc, Ladies Balogun, lauded the leadership of NGX and CIS, considering the commemoration as a source of encouragement for the family to uphold Otunba Balogun’s exceptional legacy.

  • Asake helped me figure vocals- Blaqbonez

    Asake helped me figure vocals- Blaqbonez

    Singer Akumefule Emeka aka Blaqbonez has said that Asake helped him at point to figure out some vocals. 

    In a recent interview with Kimoprah on an episode of trending show on Hiptv, he stated Asake has always been a good singer with impressive vocals. 

    He also mentioned that he has been friends with Fireboy, Yhemolee, Zamorra and superboi Cheque since their university days in OAU.

    Read Also: I’ve never witnessed love in Lagos – Singer Blaqbonez 

    He mentioned that Zamorra and Asake helped him in the studio with their backup vocals. 

    According to him: “I have known Fireboy, Yhemolee, Super boi Cheque, Asake and Zamorra since OAU days. Zamorra and Asake have always been great at backups. You know this thing Asake does now with his vocals, he has understood this thing from time. 

    “So I used to ask him to help me figure out these things. They have always been influential in my music journey because I feel like every phase of Blaqbonez helped build the Blaqbonez that I am now.”

  • Innoson declares stance on N3m scholarship to Anambra JAMB candidate

    Innoson declares stance on N3m scholarship to Anambra JAMB candidate

    The management of Innoson Automobile Company has declared its stance on the N3 million scholarship awarded to Miss Mmesoma Ejikeme, an Anambra candidate accused of forging her 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination result by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

    The Head of Corporate Communications, Cornel Osigwe stated that the scholarship will stand if the latter is found to be innocent by JAMB of result manipulation.

    The Nation JAMB accused Ejikeme of using a software to manipulate her score to 362 as against 249.

    In a series of tweets, Osigwe said: “We’re doing our independent investigation on the issue of manipulation, if we found that the girl willfully manipulated her result, we shall withdraw the scholarship, but if we observe she is innocent of the accusation, then the scholarship stands, whether she is the best or not.

    Read Also: UTME score: Our N3 million scholarship remains if our investigation provides otherwise, says Innoson

    “That girl was one of the most brilliant in her school, according to the Principal, her parents couldn’t even afford to pay for her WEAC and NECO Exams. Of what advantage will it offer her to manipulate her JAMB score? Let the poor breathe pls.”

    A former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, also called for an independent investigation into the claims by Mmesoma.

    The former Minister tweeted: “This saga between Mmesoma Ejikeme and @JAMBHQ requires an Independent Tech investigation to unearth all facts. 

    “Listening to her in this video, it is reasonable to request a forensic investigation to help reveal what really happened. I have reached out to the Registrar of JAMB.

    “An Independent investigation would turn this curious episode into a Learning Opportunity for @JAMBHQ and everyone, especially students. 

    “I frankly see no downsides in asking a team of Independent Technology folks to investigate and publicly share their findings. Let’s do it.”

  • Davido dead to me, says alleged baby mama

    Davido dead to me, says alleged baby mama

    Anita Brown, the controversial alleged baby mama of popular Afrobeats star Davido, said he’s dead to her as she decries losing 10 pounds in a week.

    The American model has been on the trend table for couple of weeks after she claimed Davido impregnated her. 

    In a new tweet on her page, the model who’s supposedly pregnant for Davido has said that she wants nothing to do with the singer.

    Read Also: Chisom apologises to Davido, fans over pregnancy allegation

    She tweeted: “He’s dead to me. Don’t ever bring him up again.

    “That man wants to kill me

    I lost 10 pounds in a week

    I don’t want nothing to do with him I’m done.

    “I will have another father to my child I swear i will

    He is dead to me i swear”.

  • Actress Kemi Afolabi grateful to God for strength

    Actress Kemi Afolabi grateful to God for strength

    Actress Kemi Afolabi has returned from Holy Pilgrimage with gratitude to God. 

    She explained how she got strengthened even when she second-guessed but God came through and she overcame fear.

    The actress shared photos of herself boarding a flight at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

    Read Also: ‘Sad’ Kemi Afolabi returns after medical trip

    Kemi Afolabi accompanied her photos with gratitude to God.

    She wrote: “ALIHAMDULILAH ROBIL – AL AMEEN.

    First, I doubted my strength! “Now I am gone past that phase!

    Thank you YAh ROSULULAH (S.A.W).”

  • Release or charge Bawa to court, lawyer tells DSS

    Release or charge Bawa to court, lawyer tells DSS

    An Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi has tackled the Department of State Services (DSS) over the continued detention of the suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), AbdulRasheed Bawa.

    In a statement on Tuesday, Olajengbesi, said the prolonged detention of Bawa by the secret police is illegal and an embarrassment to the nation’s justice system.

    Olajengbesi said the DSS should charge Bawa to court for alleged offences levelled against his office as EFCC boss or release him to rejoin his family members.

    On June 14, President Bola Tinubu suspended Bawa as the anti-graft czar over alleged abuse of office and “to allow for a proper investigation into his conduct while in office”. 

    Bawa was subsequently quizzed at the DSS headquarters the same day with nothing heard about the matter for three weeks now.

    Read Also: Bawa’s suspension

    Olajengbesi said: “When Bawa was suspended and detained, I joined other well-meaning Nigerians to hail the move by President Bola Tinubu because the EFCC under Bawa violated fundamental human rights through reckless midnight Gestapo raids on hotels and homes of innocent citizens.

    “However, illegality should not beget another illegality. Without any contradiction, the continued detention of Bawa by the secret police for three straight weeks now is unconstitutional and a breach of the fundamental rights of the detainee.

    “Illegality cannot beget another illegality. The DSS should immediately release Bawa to rejoin his family members or without further delays, or charge him to court to face charges preferred against him by the Federal Government. Anything outside these two options is alien to law and won’t stand.”

  • Those bent on creating faction in Plateau APC will be disappointed – Chairman

    Those bent on creating faction in Plateau APC will be disappointed – Chairman

    Chief Rufus Bature, the Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), in Plateau, says anyone planning to create a faction in the state chapter of the party will be disappointed.

    Bature spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday in Jos, while reacting to an interview granted by Alphonsus Komsol, the former member representing Shendam/Qua’an Pan/Mikang Federal Constituency, at the National Assembly.

    Komsol, had also in an interview with NAN,  in Abuja, cautioned the party against unlawful suspension of any member of the party.

    But the chairman in a counter reaction, accused the former representative, in collusion with others, of working to create disaffection, disharmony and a faction in the party for selfish gains.

    “What have they not done? Are they not the ones trying to break the party into two in the state? But I can assure you that they will not succeed.

    “I want to put it on record that they cannot frighten us, we have the machinery to handle Komsol and others, but we will go through the due process in doing so.

    “These are people that fought the party at all levels during the just concluded elections, and it is known to everybody, and they are in Abuja claiming otherwise.

    Read Also: APC governors , NWC meet on NEC agenda

    “Komsol has no capacity to advice former governor Simon Lalong to summon a caucus meeting because we don’t know him in the party.

    “Even if a meeting is eventually convened, we will not call people who are openly rebelling against the party,’’ he stated.

    Bature also alleged that Komsol had failed to honour more than 10 invitations extended to him when caucus meetings of the state’s APC were convened before now.

    According to Bature, the ex lawmaker is only trying to denigrate the party because he is desperate  for public office at the national level.

    On the purported plot to suspend members, the chairman said that the APC had a constitution, and was guided by laid down rules and regulations, and so would not suspend any members without following due process.

    “Conceivably, it is funny for them to assume that the APC, which is a party that has a constitution and is guided by rules and regulations, can embark on an exercise of suspending its members without following due process.

    “Komsol began to helplessly sponsor some self-glorifying media campaigns, in a frantic effort to push himself into reckoning for ministerial slot.

    “What a very funny way to pursue an opportunistic ambition. He thinks running down the party and its leadership in the state would advance his ministerial ambition,” he said.

    He further accused Komsol of pushing Rep. James Faleke, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, to realise his ambition of becoming the ministerial nominee from Plateau.

    Bature, however, expressed confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s wisdom, as he would follow due process in making all federal appointments, including ministers.

    He therefore, advised the ex-lawmaker desist from such plots as APC would only reward loyal, honest and genuine party members, who had worked for its success at all levels.

    (NAN)

  • I’m in my soft woman era, says Mo Bimpe

    I’m in my soft woman era, says Mo Bimpe

    Actress Bimpe Oyebade aka Mo Bimpe has responded to actor Yomi Fabiyi’s statements on their strained relationship.

    Fabiyi had reacted to accusation of s3x-for-role levelled against him by the younger Mo Bimpe. 

    He recalled he met the as a Youth Corper in 2016 who indicated interest in participating in his film production.

    Read Also: Congratulations pour in for Mo Bimpe over ‘expectant’ look 

    Fabiyi said he prepared her for the part she played and groomed her into stardom. 

    He denied he ever had any s3xual interaction with her. 

    Mo Bimpe, in what appears to be a response to him, stated that she is only available for enjoyment.

    Lateef Adedimeji’s wife claimed that she is in her soft woman season. “In my soft woman era. Only available for enjoyment,” she said.