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Jude Ighalo’s estranged wife, Sonia finds new love

Sonia Ighalo, the estranged wife of professional footballer, Jude Ighalo, took to her social media platform to announce her new love.

The mother of three, via her Instagram story, shared a photo of her lover, whose face she covered with emoji, as she gushed over him.

Sonia, who wrote in French stated that her man has given her the confidence to believe in love again after the many disappointments she went through.

Read Also: NFF congratulates Jude Ighalo

She added that she had already given up on love before he swept her off her feet and for this, she is grateful to him and madly in love.

She said: “After going through love disappointments, you gave me the confidence to believe again in what I had already given up. For this and more I love you madly, my love.”

December 21, 2023
Blaqbonez recounts experience on ‘awkward’ performance

Rapper, Emeka Akumefule, popularly known as Blaqbonez, has revealed how he realised his lyrics were vulgar and inappropriate for certain gatherings.

Blaqbonez, in a post via his X handle on Wednesday, narrated his experience during a performance at a company’s end-of-the-year party on Tuesday.

The singer stated that performing to a ‘very mature audience’ and using the ‘F’ word while looking them in the eye was something he would never forget.

Read Also: Rapper Blaqbonez describes fame as punishment

He wrote: “Yesterday, I performed at a company’s end of the year party, very mature audience that was when I realised how vulgar my lyrics actually were. Looking mummy & daddy in the eye while saying ‘can’t let these f**king b*tches see no emotion’ is something I’d never forget.”

December 21, 2023
FG unveils gas leakage detector factory to generate 400 jobs

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, on Thursday, December 21, commissioned the Amal Technologies Limited factory for gas leakage and smoke detection devices in Abuja.

The facility which can generate employment for 400 people can also yield $22 million in revenue annually.

The Director, Upstream, Engr. Kamaru Busari, who represented the minister, said the facility was formally established to produce gas leak detection devices and Printed Circuit Boards (PCB).

According to him, the ceremony represents a significant landmark in the administration’s quest to promote a Research culture in the oil and gas industry, through the nurturing of innovation-driven startup companies.

He added that it also represents a breakthrough in local manufacturing of electronic circuitry and devices.

The minister said the establishment is in line with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board’s mandate to drive indigenous technology development in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, saying that the Governing Council of the Board approved the Research and Development roadmap, with a particular focus on providing institutional and funding support for market-driven Research and commercialization of breakthrough innovations with high market prospects.

He called on the private sector, especially the Nigerian oil and gas service providers to follow the lead of NCDMB by funding research and development programs with the capability to develop homegrown technology and reduce capital flight associated with the importation of foreign hardware and software solutions.

Lokpobiri noted that one of the proposals that have benefited from the NCDMB Research and Innovation intervention is the Amal Technology gas leak device, “which adopted the Internet of Things (IoT) to introduce into the market a device that generates a short message system (SMS) and calls on phones of homeowners in the event of a gas leak.”

He added that the facility also has the capability for Printed Circuit Board (PCB) manufacturing.

According to him, a major plank under the renewed hope Agenda of Mr. President is the commitment to deepen Gas penetration and gas-based industrialization anchored on the penetration of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG), adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles, and gas conversion for power generation, fertilizer production, among so many other uses of gas.

Read Also: 50% transportation rebate: FG targets 5m passengers, says minister

The minister noted that the deployment of the flagship Amal technology gas leak detection device provides a significant safety tool that will accelerate the adoption of gas as a preferred source of energy for homes, transportation, and industry.

Lokpobiri revealed that the NCDMB Innovation process has led to the establishment of PCB production capability in Nigeria.

The federal government at COP26 in August 2022, he recalled committed to a net-zero target by 2060 and Nigeria has chosen Natural gas as its transition fuel.

He stressed that to support this initiative, projects are underway to establish fuel-to-gas conversion centres and CNG refuel stations nationally.

The minister said the Federal Government expects that the deployment of the Amal Technology safety device will also complement our efforts to accelerate the net-zero pathway.

December 21, 2023
Why digital money lenders should be treated as criminals, by FCCPC

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Babatunde Irukere has described the digital money lenders as criminals, considering the inhumane way they treat their creditors.

The EVC, who spoke during a media parley in Abuja, stated that digital money lending is not isolated to Nigeria alone, stating that Indians, Kenya, Brazil, and Ghana are all struggling with money lenders.

Irukere explained that money lenders now complain that since the FCCPC descended on their businesses their collection and recovery rates have dropped, as consumers always remind them of the FCCPC closing their businesses. The mandate of FCCPC he noted is protecting consumers to preserve businesses.

He said, “It is easier to proscribe money lenders as criminals. They will be taken one at a time until the battle is won which is at the risk of the agency’s credibility. The focus of the agency is to ensure money lenders get their money back in an ethical and clear way, without threatening the lives of the borrowers”.

Read Also: FCCPC vice chair, Irukerafor IPAN workshop

He spoke on fake products saturating the market, adding that owners of these multinational companies should go all out to ensure these groups of people are stopped, “It is not everything that is left for regulatory agencies, of course, and the regulatory agencies have roles to play but the brand owners play the major role. They should invest in protecting their brand.

Irukere appealed to media organizations to partner with the agency in fighting for the soul of Nigeria. The makers of fake products are those who believe that the end justifies the means.

He said if Nigerian youths can be called out to go for voting, then society can be called out to stop doing the wrong things.

December 21, 2023
50% transportation rebate: FG targets 5m passengers, says minister

No fewer than 5 million passengers are targeted in the 50% transportation rebate of the federal government.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris disclosed this while briefing journalists on the achievement of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Idris stressed that the aim is to cushion the effect of the high cost of transportation.

He however said the gesture only covers those travelling by road and rail.

He said: “In other to cushion the effect of the high cost of transportation fares, the Federal Government targets to lift Five Million (5,000,000) commuters during this yuletide season with 50% transportation rebate.

“In addition, all train services are free for all Nigerians travelling from today, Thursday, December 21, 2023 to Thursday, January 4, 2024.”

Idris said it was a thought-out plan which was arrived at after a series of meetings with stakeholders

He explained further: “Let me tell you, that government didn’t just sit down to arrive at these numbers. There have been a series of meetings and engagements by the Minister of Transportation and other ministers. To look at what this is all about. First of all, the government look at what is the average cost of a traveller for example, from Abuja to Onitsha or Abuja to Lagos or Abuja to Kano and all that has been taken into consideration to defend the provision of those 50%.”

He also listed the participating road transport companies for the 50% rebate, including GIG (God is Good, Chisco Transport, Young Shall Grow, God Bless Ezenwa and Area Motor.

He said the choice of the five transporters was based on their track records and capacity.

He added: “These processes are self-adjusting, but initially, these five very well-established companies have been contacted because they already have a track record of moving people from one part of the country to another.

“Government is not desirous of making this business as usual where the moment government projects are announced, people just come to take advantage of it.

Read Also: EFCC releases ex-Power Minister Agunloye on bail

“The interest of the government and the President is to ensure that only those who are involved in this business are patronised and every arraignment that was done was done in collaboration.

“In fact, as we speak, the Road Transport Workers are continuously engaging with the Minister of Transportation, so that all the bottlenecks can be taken out.”

He therefore stressed that “For now those five companies are involved as the programme goes underway and there is the need to bring others of course, the desire of government is to cushion the effect. The desire of government is not just to patronise a few people.

“These people are people who have this track record and that is why they have been contacted to be part of this but if there are more people that have this capacity to be sorted and there are need to engage them, the government will just do that. The aim of this, of course, is to provide Nigeria with succour and remember, it is only for the period of Christmas and New Year, after which of course this will be done.”

December 21, 2023
How IDPs can be resettled, by Alia

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has reiterated his determination to collaborate with the military to secure the state so that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) can return home.

He said: “We need peace in the form that enables our IDPs to go back home to their ancestral farmlands and for everyone to sleep with two eyes closed.”

Rev.Fr. Alia held a meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, in Abuja on how to enhance military operations in to ensure that peace is totally restored and displaced people are relieved.

The governor thanked the troops of ‘Operation Whirl Stroke in Benue for making progress in the fight against insecurity.

He acknowledged that since assumption of office, the state has enjoyed relative peace.

Alia said: “Operation Whirl Stroke’ is at home with the people, as they are in the trenches, across the 23 local government areas of the state, and sought for more presence of the military. But like Oliver Twist, we came to ask for more and present some more prayers, because we want not just relative peace, we want absolute peace.”

The governor, in a statement by his Principal Special Assistant on Print Media, Donald Kumun, extolled the military under the leadership of Gen.Musa, for the swift interventions in the state.

He called for more military onslaught against bandits and killers operating in the state’s valley, killing innocent people, displacing families, sacking residents from their farmlands, and other destroying properties worth millions of naira.

Alia urged the military to establish more forward operation bases, especially in local government areas that share border with the Cameroon in the state.

The governor described Benue is one of the top states with solid minerals, adding that there is need to increase security to enable the state government derive economic benefits from the resources.

Alia promised to support the military with resources to enable them carry out their duties effectively.

Gen. Musa, assured the governor that the military would continue to enhance its operations and secure the state.

Describing security as a joint enterprise, the Chief of Defence Staff urged stakeholders to assist security agencies with intelligence gathering.

He said: “We want to assure you that we will take these things into consideration in our deployment and we are going to enhance our capabilities going forward.

Read Also: Palliative: Alia kicks-off distribution in Benue

Alia had flagged- off Exercise Enduring Peace III, on October 2in Guma local government area, being conducted by formations and units of the Nigerian Army, which has brought stability in the rural areas, as it is simultaneously being done in Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Abuja.

The exercise is ongoing till January, 2024. It will go a long way in promoting inter-agency cooperation between officers and men of the Nigerian Army and the other security agencies with keen interest to participate in the Exercise.

Since it flag-off, it has strengthened civil/ military relations between the military and Benue people, through civil-military cooperation, including medical outreach programmes, educational and relief support.

The exercise has turned the heat on criminals, kidnappers, armed robbers, cattle rustlers, recalcitrant herders/farmers, across the Benue communities.

December 21, 2023
Philanthropist clears bills of patients in Adamawa biggest hospital

A foremost philanthropist, Dr Emmanuel Musa, has paid the bills of all patients in the largest state-owned hospital in Adamawa, the Specialist Hospital, Yola.

Musa, who carries out his philanthropy through a charity organisation named Emnamu Foundation, made the rounds of the wards at the Specialist Hospital Thursday doling out cash as the respective patients needed, irrespective of the political, social, economic and ethno-religious backgrounds of the patients.

The Emnamu Foundation President was received by the hospital Managing Director, Dr. Ibrahim Wadinga who took him round all the wards at the hospital.

Thanking God for the opportunity to reach out to the patients at this critical time, Emmanuel Musa said it is his hobby to touch the lives of less privileged people.

“I don’t know how much I donated to patients because I don’t want to recall what I have spent. This is because I did it from my heart; I did it between me and my God,” he said.

Read Also: Adamawa deputy gov, commissioners clean up Yola

Emmanuel Musa, a known name around Adamawa State for frequently reaching out to people with donations and interventions of various kinds, had earlier in the week commissioned three blocks of classrooms for basic and secondary education which he had reconstructed at Yolde Pate Correctional Center, Yola.

He had reconstructed the classrooms, burnt down about 18 years ago, following an appeal for his intervention by the stakeholders of the community.

Commenting on the gesture, the Controller of the Adamawa State Command of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Ahmed Abdu Usman, said the reconstructed classrooms would be of immense benefit to the community.

He appealed to people of the community to pray for the philanthropist for empowerment for even greater acts of giving.

December 21, 2023
50% transport rebate: Commercial bus companies yet to implement FG’s new fare prices

Commercial Bus Companies that entered into partnerships with the federal government to cushion the effect of the cost of transportation from Aba to other parts of the country, especially Abuja and Lagos were yet to effect the new transport fare prices.

Our correspondent who visited the major bus terminal for buses leaving and entering Aba, to other parts of the country located at Milverton by Asa Road, Aba South local government area of the state, reports that the companies operating there are still charging their old price of ₦18,500 for luxurious buses and ₦20,500.

The transport companies partnering with the federal government charge between ₦18,500 to ₦22,500 for journeys between Aba-Lagos and Aba-Abuja.

Read Also: Commercial bus drivers, students protest hike in fuel price in Imo

One of the popular bus terminals in partnership with the federal government visited by our correspondent charges ₦18,500 for their luxurious buses leaving for Lagos at night, while passengers joining their morning buses (Small buses) will have to pay ₦22,500 to Lagos and Abuja respectively.

Another commercial bus travelling company in partnership with the federal government said that they charge based on the time the customer contacts them.

According to one of their staff, a journey booked ahead of time attracts a lower charge while one on short notice attracts a higher price.

December 21, 2023
Naira scarcity will ease in New Year, says minister

The federal government on Thursday, December 21, apologised to Nigerians over the current scarcity of Naira notes in circulation, saying that it will ease in the coming year.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris said the scarcity was not deliberate.

Idris, who briefed the media on the achievement of the Bola Tinubu Administration, also assured Nigerians that there will be more cash in circulation in the New Year.

He said the Central Bank of Nigeria is doing everything possible to address the situation.

The minister said: “About naira scarcity, our government is aware that there is this cry by Nigerians about the scarcity of Naira notes and CBN is already working in that direction. New notes and more will be produced and Nigerians will have more Naira to spend.

“It is not a deliberate policy to stifle Nigerians or to take Naira out of Nigerians during the Godwin Emefiele days. That is not the case. It is a process perhaps that the CBN is undertaking that has created a temporary shortfall and we are hoping that as we go into the New Year, we’ll see a more robust supply of the naira nodes.”

Details shortly…

December 21, 2023
Aiyedatiwa presents N384bn budget proposal for 2024

Acting governor of Ondo state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has presented a budget proposal of N384,533,000,000 for the 2024 fiscal year.

This was against the N275,979,184,000.00 budgeted for the 2023 fiscal year.

Christened Budget of Economic Resilience, Aiyedatiwa said the budget contained a reasonable increase in the personnel estimates to cover the imminent wage increase for workers.

According to the Ondo 2024 budget proposal, the Infrastructural Development sector has the highest allocation of N95,482,176,340.36 which represented 24.8% while the education sector got N47,729,164,261.85 representing 12.4%.

Aiyedatiwa said granting the highest allocation to infrastructural development was to stimulate the economy in 2024.

“The current national and global economic realities point to reason why we must consciously and programmatically re-arrange our fiscal priorities to target the growth drivers of our economy so as to quickly fix and reflate the economy, to keep it afloat.

Read Also: APC chieftain cautions Aiyedatiwa against reshuffling cabinet

“We are aware of the negative impacts of fuel subsidy removal and floating exchange rate on the people. All these are put into consideration while projecting for expenditure in this Budget.”

Aiyedatiwa sought the continuous partnership of the citizens to make the state run smoothly in line with the mindset of Governor Akeredolu.

“The challenges that lie ahead in the incoming year dictate that we should all work together, as we seek to create an enduring economy for our dear State, knowing full well that whatever we do today will be referenced tomorrow.”

Speaker Olajidi Olamide said the Assembly would pass the budget before December 31st, 2023.

He said the accelerated passing of the budget was because it was expected to begin operation in January 2024.

December 21, 2023