The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

Abuja traders reject old notes as banks give customers

Traders in Abuja have been rejecting old N200, N500 and N1,000 notes in Abuja.

But banks in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have ramped up issuance of the old notes over their counters.

In Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT, many traders, artisans and other informal business operators were seen rejecting the old notes.

An animal feed seller, Mohammed Abubakar, said he would not accept the old notes unless he hears directly from President Muhammadu Buhari or Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele that the old notes can be accepted.

Many bank customers were forced to return the old notes they collected to their banks.

They however met a brick wall at the banks as they were told to fill the CBN cash swap form online before the old notes can be accepted from the customers as deposits.

Read Also : Confusion over naira redesign as traders, others reject old notes

An old bank along Ralph Sodehinde in the Central Business District paid out only N10,000 in old notes to their customer but refused to accept the same old notes when customers returned them.

A cab driver, Isa Idris, rejected fare paid in old notes.

He said it was because “President Muhammadu Buhari has not told Nigerians to accept the old notes”.

March 9, 2023
Sanwo-Olu lifts PSP operators with recapitalisation fund

Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved a 2023 budgetary plan to help Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators recapitalise by injecting new waste evacuation trucks into their fleet.

Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Ibrahim Odumboni, announced this on Thursday.

He said recyclers would also be empowered to procure necessary tools for their projects.

Odumboni stressed the recapitalisation was aimed at improving waste management to make the environment cleaner and livable for residents, and to cope with the amount of water generated daily.

He explained that the recapitalisation would help to address most of the challenges faced by the PSP operators, including the high cost of evacuation trucks, which many of them need but cannot.

He said: “The Lagos State government’s plan is to provide the PSP operators with low-interest loans to purchase new trucks. The government will also provide technical assistance to the PSP operators to help them manage their fleet more efficiently. It will also stimulate economic growth by providing opportunities for small businesses to thrive. “By providing the PSP operators with low-interest loans, we are giving them the opportunity to expand their businesses and create more jobs.

“In addition to the recapitalisation, the government also plans to empower recyclers with relevant tools and equipment needed to carry out their work effectively. The aim of this initiative is to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. By empowering recyclers, the government hopes to create a more sustainable waste management system where waste is seen as a resource and not a problem.”

Read ALso : Sanwo Olu-leads government delegation to AFCON

Members of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAM) in Lagos State have launched a door-to-door campaign in support of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s re-election.

The campaign, which kicked off in Ikeja, holds simultaneously across the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas to sensitise residents on the need to support Sanwo-Olu’s second term bid.

President of AWAM David Oriyomi thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu for his support, stressing that the current administration had enhanced the waste management system with the incorporation of over 400 PSP operators who provide effective waste service delivery to Lagosians.

“AWAMN supports Governor Sanwo-Olu 100 per cent; he stood by us and we will always stand by him,” he added.

March 9, 2023
Adebule consoles train accident victims, families

Lagos West District Senator-Elect, Dr Idiat Adebule has expressed sadness over an unfortunate accident involving a staff bus of the Lagos State Government and a train around Shogunle and Ikeja on Thursday morning.

She commiserated with Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the civil servants and the families of those who died in the incident.

The former Lagos Deputy Governor sympathised with those who sustained injuries.

She prayed to God to grant them a quick recovery.

Read Also : Tinubu sympathises with Lagos train accident victims

Adebule expressed confidence in the ability of the State Government to ensure the best treatment for those injured.

She thanked members of the public for rising to the occasion in preventing the loss of more lives.

She also commended the emergency response team for living up to the expectation by mobilising their officials to the scene.

She prayed that such an incident should never occur in the state and country as a whole.

She beseeched God to place His hands of protection upon the families of the affected staff.

March 9, 2023
Save Lagos from external dominants -YWC Inbox

The Yoruba World Congress (YWC) has charged Yorubas across Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi, Edo and Delta residing in Lagos State to re-awaken their consciousness by voting in favour of the integrity of Yorubaland.

It said the step becomes necessary to save Lagos from external dominants willing to take over the State by force.

Exif_JPEG_420

Addressing journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, YWC spokesman, Engr. Babatunde Tolase, alleged the present agitation in the State is calculated to take over the Yoruba economic centre, adding that Yorubas must wake up from their slumber to retain the pride of the land.

According to YWC, the unusual and annoying laying of claim to a particular candidate by a tribe, which Lagosians have over the years accommodated and allowed to thrive on their soil is a plan to forcefully take over Yorubaland.

Read Also : Minister directs NSIB to investigate Lagos train accident

He said: “We know that our magnanimity is being taken for granted. But we require and appeal to all Yorubas to stand tall in defence of our fatherland.”

“Let us all come out en mass for the sake of the unity of Yorubaland to vote in Babajide Sanwoolu to come back to compliment his hard work. We all can testify to his good work and managerial skills.

“Voting for Babajide Sanwo-Olu is a drive towards Yoruba unity and stronghold in Lagos State.”

YWC said the warning become necessary due to various calumny information making the rounds about the ownership of the commercial and economic city of Lagos, saying the concern of YWC is the arrogation of ownership of Lagos by some people who are alien to Lagos origin.

Exif_JPEG_420

March 9, 2023
Court remands ex-Imo Deputy Governor

The Magistrate’s Court in Owerri on Thursday remanded in prison custody the immediate past Imo Deputy Governor Gerald Irona.
The Presiding Magistrate, C. N Ezerioha, after hearing the prosecution and defence counsel, ordered that Irona be remanded in Owerri correctional centre.

She said that he didn’t have the jurisdiction to hear the matter.

Counsel to the ex-Deputy Governor S. I Imo moved a motion that Irona be granted bail on self-recognition.

Imo said that if the ex-Deputy Governor could not be granted bail on self-recognition, Imo lawmaker, Frank Ugboma, representing Oguta state constituency was willing to take him on bail.
But the lead prosecutor, Sunday Ogbuji, opposed the bail application, saying the magistrate lacked the jurisdiction to hear the matter.

Apart from that, the lead prosecutor said that one of the charges preferred on the ex-Deputy governor bothered on felony.

Read Also : Former Imo Deputy Gov arrested

Ogbuji said that only a judge of a high court could grant Irona bail.

After hearing the parties, the magistrate ordered that the ex-Deputy governor be reminded in prison custody.

In her ruling, the magistrate agreed with the prosecution counsel that she lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter or grant the accused bail.

The jurist while ordering that Irona be remanded in Owerri Correctional centre said that the prosecution counsel should make all documents available to the defence counsel to enable them take next legal line of action.

She also ordered that the case file be transferred to the state Department of Public Prosecutions.

The three-count charge reads: ”That you Hon Gerald Irona sometime in January 2020, at Owerri in the Owerri magistrate district, did conspired with others now at large, to commit felony to wit: treason and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 37(2) of the criminal code, cap c 38, laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as applicable in Imo state.
“That you Hon Gerald Irona sometime in January 2020, at Owerri in the Owerri magistrate district, did make several utterances to the effect that you will make Imo state ungovernable and immediately afterwards hoodlums levied several attacks on Imo state with the intent to intimidate or overawe the governor of Imo state and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 37 of the criminal code, cap, c 38, laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as applicable in Imo state.

“That you Hon Gerald Irona on the 15th day of January 2020, at Owerri in the Owerri magistrate district, do convert to your own use two land cruiser jeeps ( V8 and v6) and one Toyota Hilux vehicle valued four hundred and Ninety-three million naira property of Imo state government thereby committed an offence punishable under section 390 ( 9) of the criminal code, cap c 38, laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as applicable in Imo state.”

Briefing journalists after the court rose, one of the defence counsels, Kissinger Ikeokwu, expressed optimism that the ex-Deputy Governor would be granted bail at the High Court.

March 9, 2023
Tinubu sympathises with Lagos train accident victims

The President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has sympathised with the families of the victims of the Ikeja train accident on Thursday.

His sympathy was contained in a statement by his media aide, Tunde Rahman in Abuja on Thursday.

The terse statement reads: “I offer my sincere condolences to the victims and families affected by the gory incident involving a train and a bus in the Ikeja area of Lagos State earlier today.

“I am praying for all, including those who died and those who sustained injuries in the tragic and unfortunate incident.

“My thoughts are with them and with the Lagos State Government, even as I continue to follow the emergency response efforts closely and offer support, where necessary, to ensure that survivors and others involved receive the best care,” he assured survivors.

Read Also : Sanwo-Olu commiserates with victims of Lagos train crash

No fewer than six persons have been confirmed dead and several others injured after a Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) blue line collided with a train in Lagos.

The Nation reported that the accident occurred at the PWD railway crossing around 7 am.

It was gathered that the bus which conveyed mostly civil servants was navigating inward Ikeja attempted to cross the railway before the train coming from Abeokuta got closer but it was trapped by the train’s magnets

March 9, 2023
‘Senseless’ celebrities deserve bullying – Falz

Musician and lawyer, Folarin Falana aka Falz has defended the bullying of celebrities that fuel tribalism and bigotry.

Classifying them as ‘senseless’, the entertainer argued they deserved the bullying served on the social media space.

Falz, appearing on ‘Breakfast Central’ spoke on ‘The future of Nigeria politics and youth participation’.

Remarking those bullied for making known their preferred candidates for public offices, the activist expressed disapproval, insisting everyone has the right to choose who they want to support.

He stated: “I find it funny but at the same time not funny because I see where people are coming from. For the one that have fuelled the tribalism and bigotry we spoke of earlier on. I say they hundred percent deserve the bullying they’re getting because that is stupid of them. It’s such an evil thing to put fuel.

Read Also : Falz, Mr Macaroni pleasantly surprise physically challenged fan

“I’ve seen celebrities that I thought had some sense in them, I’ve seen them blatantly fuelling this thing; this tribalism and bigotry in such a senseless manner. I think those ones deserved the bullying.

“However, for the other people that have just come to say, ‘This is my preferred candidate’. Everyone of course, like we know, should be fully free from any attack. You know, I should be able to say, ‘This is my preferred candidate and I stand by that’.

“However, we know what we are going through as a country and we know the people that kept us here as a country. So, when those people come with their full chests and say, ‘This is who I support’, I see why people attack them.

“However, it’s not okay. Nobody should be bullied for their choice of candidate but those people too, they should think about it. Look at it, so far, it’s been going round. They too are feeling it.”

March 9, 2023
Camilla receives Tiwa Savage in Buckingham Palace

The Queen Consort Camilla has received famous Afrobeats songstress, Tiwa Savage at Buckingham palace.

Tiwa, on Wednesday, visited the London royal residence and the administrative headquarters of the British sovereign where she met Queen Camilla, wife of the reigning monarch, King Charles III.

The Queen Consort invited Tiwa Savage with Akshata Murty, wife of the UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Leader of the House of Commons, Conservative MP Penny Mordaunt and singer Elaine Paige among others to commemorate International Women’s Day.

Considered ‘Afrobeats queen’ the ‘Someboy’s Son’ singer shared photo with the Queen Consort Camila at the Royal family residence where they had a handshake.

Read Also : Tiwa Savage makes acting, directing debut in ‘Water and Garri’

In the post caption, Tiwa reinforced the blessing a person’s gift bestows on them, citing a Bible verse to that effect.

She wrote: “Proverbs 18:16-17 “A man’s gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men.”

“International Women’s Day Reception at Buckingham Palace with HRH The Queen Consort @theroyalfamily.”

March 9, 2023
Denrele celebrates IWD, says I’m a strong woMAN

To celebrate International Women’s Day, media personality Denrele Edun has declared self a woman.

The 41-year-old, who recently opened up on his sexuality and preference, shared photos from his previous birthday to mark the occasion.

Edun, celebrating his mom, women all over the globe and himself as a woMAN, acknowledged their strength, determination and resilience.

He hailed his mother, Mama Rele, tagging her his MFM prayer warrior while noting she’s a perfect representation of all that he hoped to be.

Commenting on his looks, Edun suggested he was androgynous adding, he was comely both as a man and woman.

Androgynous is having the characteristics or nature of both male and female.

Read Also : Mercy Johnson celebrates IWD with nurses

Sharing the photos, the controversial TV presenter wrote: “I am a Strong woMAN because a Strong WOMAN raised me.

“HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY. Today, we are celebrating the strength, determination, and resilience of women everywhere.

“To all the strong women outchea: May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.

“My WCW is right on the last 2 Slides: All that I am and hope to be, I owe to my MUM! (Mama Rele, the MFM Prayer Warrior!)

“I chanelled my inner Mum for this shoot. Didn’t slay it on a 100 as my Mum is breathtakingly gorgeous (See slide 9/10) but at least, the Apple ain’t far from the Tree!

“(These stunning pictorials were from my 40th! As Man I fine, as Woman I fine…. Na Androgynous I do, I no kee person!).”

March 9, 2023
Sanwo-Olu tipped to win Lagos Gov race based on experience

By Femi Adeniyin

An independent survey conducted among Lagos residents, on their likely choice in the forthcoming Governorship election in the State, have shown, that majority of Lagosians, are determined to set aside sentiments about ethnicity and other political biases, to reelect Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for a second term in Office, based on.what they described , as his proven ability and experience in handling governance in Lagos State.

Majority of the respondents, are of the opinion, that the two other major candidates for the position, from the opposition political parties, appear to be running purely on rhetorics rather than capacity or proven ability. A Respondent, in Lagos Island area, said though She is not a member of the All Progressives Congress APC, and neither a fan of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but she will not throw out the baby with the birth water.

Another respondent, a trader in the Ladipo market on the Mainland said he cannot toy with his investments in Lagos, by sacrificing experience for tribal sentiment. He claimed He voted for the Labour Party Presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi in the last election because he is his kinsman, and that for the Governorship election, he will be voting Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu since Mr Peter Obi is not on the ballot on Saturday March 11.

Read Also : Tinubu, Sanwo Olu ‘to get huge’ votes

Most of the respondents admitted that Governor Sanwo-Olu has done very well as governor of Lagos, perhaps surpassing all his predecessor. A large majority of the respondents expressed great fears about the danger inherent in election of inexperienced politicians to run the affairs of a Mega city with a huge and delicate economy like Lagos.

The decision of the Sanwo-Olu administration, to sustain the culture of Infrastructural revolution in the State, is also referenced by respondents as one, which makes him preferred to the other candidates. Mentions were made of the recently completed Lekki Deep Sea port, Imota Rice mill, being the largest of such in sub-saharan Africa. The completion of nearly all uncompleted projects of the previous administration, among many other landmark achievements. The commitment of the administration to ensuring that Lagos remains secured, especially with the improved funding of the security institutions in the State, also earn Mr Sanwo-Olu, some ratings above his opponents in the coming election.

Femi Adeniyi writes from Ikeja.

March 9, 2023