The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sunday magazine

  • Ahaejiagamba, we will miss you

    Ahaejiagamba, we will miss you

    By Ikedi Ohakim

    It is said that there is never a better time to die but the passing unto eternal glory of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo, a few days ago is an appropriate illustration of a brilliant actor quitting the stage while the spectators are still standing in loud ovation.  Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu had for over four decades been in national and international lime light, bestriding politics, business, sports etc  but the last few years of his life were apparently the most significant. The reason is simple.  Chief Iwuanyanwu lived the last stage of his life serving his own people–Ndigbo – after playing a dominant role in national politics and as an entrepreneur of international repute.  It is a rare thing, something everybody hankers for: to return home at the twilight of life to be and serve ones people.

    Many in his caliber get stuck while seeking for more recognition and relevance outside.  Although a national icon, Chief Iwuanyanwu got wisdom and harkened to the call by his kinsmen to lead them at a most auspicious time both in their collective existence as a people and in their relationship with fellow compatriots across the country.

    As it is, what Ndigbo lost in Chief Iwuanyanwu’s unsuccessful bid to become the president of Nigeria they seem to have gained in the brief period he headed the Igbo nation’s apex socio-cultural body – the OhenezeNdigbo.  His road map as President-General of the body was headed for an unprecedented transformation of Igboland. Under his leadership of the body,  Ndigbo saw, for the first time, a pan-Igbo Blue Print that would have brought together every facet of the Igbo race – from Owerri to Anioma, from Ikwere land to Ikot Abasi,from Ohaozara to Orokam, all over Igbo land. He mapped out a strategy for a deliberate pursuit of a development programme in all the sectors – agriculture, education, health, power, road infrastructure, security etc.  For each sector, he set up committees headed by individuals with cognate experience in the area.

    Read Also: Police minister: protest a threat to national security, prosperity

    The period was marked by a frenzy of activities that bellied his huge frame and put to rest earlier insinuations in some quarters that he was either too old for the job or did not possess the necessary physical fitness for it.  And he carried this alacrity to the very last days before his death.He traversed all over Nigeria calming frayed nerves whenever hostilities arose between Ndigbo and their hosts.  But more importantly, he set up a programme for the Igbo living outside Igbo land to look back home while admonishing them to live peacefully with hosts meanwhile.

    To be sure, past President-Generals of OhanezeNdigbo did quite creditably well but it would appear that providence was waiting for a time like this to throw up a fellow like Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu to lead Ndigbo.  Yes, he made very robust attempts to become the president of Nigeria but with the benefits of hind sight, it would appear that the same providence thought it would be better to preserve his energy till such a critical period like now when Ndigbo needed a leader that would at once guide them towards self-actualization as a people and at the same time ensure that they remain good citizens of their country, Nigeria.

    A practical opportunity for such a patriotic role came sometime last year when, following the heightening economic hardship in the country, some people decided to call out Nigerians to go to the streets in protest.  Chief Iwuanyanwu demonstrated the patriot in him when he called on Ndigbo not to take part in the protest and they listened.  It is on record that not a single protest took place in any of the core Igbo speaking states of Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra and Imo, to the benefit of the entire nation.

    Even though his aspiration to provide leadership for the whole of Nigeria did not materialize, the experience he garnered in pursuit of that ambition became handy at a time when Nigeria is undergoing what could easily pass as its worst existential challenges minus the civil war.  Only a fellow with a pan-Nigerian stature, and whose influence and acceptability cut across the entire nation of Nigeria, can give Ndigbo a sense of direction needed at a time like this. Agreed, there are some younger Igbo elements who have shown tremendous flair for national leadership but it will take quite some time for any of them to step into the shoes left behind by Chief Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu CFR, CON, OFR, MFR, Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo.

    As a national player, Chief Iwuanyanwu showed tremendous capacity in business. He went into areas that were thought not to be meant for Ndigbo.  After Zik, Iwuanyanwu was the first Igbo who went into newspaper publishing on a scale that put him in direct competition with the traditionalist in the industry.  His Champion newspapers took the latter by surprise and before it suffered the inevitable vicissitudes that characterise the industry, it made a tremendous impact in providing career opportunities for young journalists from across the country.

    To the surprise of many and perhaps to the chagrin of some of his kinsmen, the first chief executive officer of the publishing outfit was a Yourba, Prince Henry Odukomaiya.  The choice of a Yoruba for that top position at once made a good business sense and immediately marked the newspaper out as a national asset, acting as a bridge between the Igbo and other ethnic groups in Nigeria especially the Yourba.  As a matter of fact, Odukamaiya, a brilliant journalist, nationalist and now an elder statesmen,  was once reported as saying that the reason he accepted the offer to serve as the pioneer Managing Director and Editor-In-Chief of the newspaper was because it offered him an opportunity to have a close relationship with the Igbo.  He was further reported as saying that he had craved for that because the perennial rivalry between the Igbo and the Yoruba had created a wrong notion of whom the Igbo really are among his Yoruba kinsmen; and limited the potentials of a mutually beneficial relationship between the two.

    Such were the type of things Iwuanyanwu did for the unity of his dear country but he didn’t stop there.  He was also a pillar sports in Nigeria and Africa.  His football club, Iwuanyanwu Nationale, which he devoted his air planes for their travels, not only ruled the soccer waves in Nigeria but also became a big name in continental tournaments.  Iwuanyanwu also established a youths feeder academy known as the Iwuanyanwu Comets, which produced people like the legendry Kanu Nwankwo. Kanu came directly from the academy to become the captain of Nigeria’s Under-17 team and later starred as the captain of the senior national team–the Supper Eagles – which won the Olympic Gold medal in football in 1996.  Along with Abiola Babes and Leventis United, Iwuanyanwu Nationale provided the starting point for most of the international soccer stars Nigeria gifted the rest of the world.

    In politics, Chief Iwuanyanwu was an epitome of the “politics without bitterness” mantra.  He pursued his presidential ambition with a pan-Nigerian zeal and never betrayed any clannish or parochial proclivities

    Because of his uncommon calmness, comportment and forthrightness, Chief Iwuanyanwu was courted by every federal administration, including military, for support and for which he was branded “Any Government In Power (AGIP) by some critics.  But what they failed to realise was that Chief Iwuanyanwu, having grown to become a statesman quite early in life, could no longer confined himself within partisan boundaries as far as national issues are concerned.  Perhaps one of the most eloquent testimonies to that was the way he handled the situation in his then party, the All Peoples Party (APP), during the transition that led to the current Fourth Republic.

  • Windfall tax patriotic call on banks to contribute to national development – OAU don

    Windfall tax patriotic call on banks to contribute to national development – OAU don

    A Professor of Economic History at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Adetunji Ogunyemi, speaks on the amendment of the Finance Act 2020 by the National Assembly to accommodate windfall levy on banks’ profits on foreign exchange transactions. The lawyer, public finance expert submits that the policy is perfectly in order, asking banks to see it as contribution to national development. He spoke with Funsho Kareem. Excerpts:

    The windfall levy generated some debate in the polity with government justifying it as the right thing to do in order to strike a balance in the key sectors of the economy. How justified is this levy on banks’ foreign exchange gains?

    Nigeria is currently in dire straits financially and generally speaking economically. It is within the power of the government of the Federation going by its stated exclusive jurisdiction in the First Schedule Part I of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to make such laws and to direct such policies and actions as to ensure peace, good order and good government in Nigeria. Therefore, if Nigeria is in dire straits and some Nigerians, whether persons or bodies or corporate organisations, that have been feeding fat on the system, especially when that feeding fat is not directly a function of their own productive energies, then it behoves  the Federal Government to ensure a balancing of duties and responsibilities within the system such that a resource-deficient sector of the economy can benefit from the resource-surplus part through what is called economic stabilisation. So, to me, it is perfectly in order to amend the Finance Act 2020 in order to accommodate the collection of this one-off levy on the windfall that the banks in the financial system have benefited from on foreign exchange transactions in the last one year. To me, it is perfectly in order and it is part of the duties of the government to stabilise the economy and also redistribute wealth.

    Part of the arguments of those kicking against the policy is that allowing the windfall levy on banks may create uncertainty about the future as government may come with another windfall tax in some other sectors. Is this fear justified?

    A situation of paralysis needs a shock therapy to bring it to normalcy. In 1929 up to 1932, there were decisions made in the United States under Herbert Hoover to stabilise the economy by ensuring that government deliberately pumps into the economy huge expenditure financed under public-private partnership arrangement. Nigeria is in such a situation now as the United States was under Hoover. So, it is not out of place to request that that banks that have made unplanned, spontaneous, unpredicted, sudden income to donate to the system a portion of their profits. This levy is actually on their windfall which is not part of their projections in their respective budgets. So, there is nothing that is malicious about this levy. After all, the levy is not for the benefit of persons. It is for the benefit of the public and it is in order.

    Read Also: Disquiet in Nnewi community over Ubah’s death

    Naturally, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has risen in defence of the banks to say asking them to pay a windfall levy amounts to double taxation because banks have already paid Companies Income Tax. What do you make of this argument?

    I disagree absolutely with such stance from CIBN. What of the progressive deductions that the banks have been making with respect to ATM withdrawals by both the depositors and the withdrawers? Banks charge N20 per transaction and at times N50. Many of these deductions are actually illegal and the CBN should have asked them to return the money to their customers. These deductions run into billions of naira. But it would seem that the CBN did not want to rock the boat and has allowed the banks to earn some income for their stabilisation so that when a request for re-capitalisation would come, they would have something to use for that purpose. So, the banks can’t approbate and reprobate at the same time. They can’t be placing unlimited charges on their customers and expect government not to come in with a decision to stabilise the system. The windfall levy is a patriotic call made on the banks to contribute to the system. The banks should not see it as a tax. After all, it is a one-off levy. At any rate, why are the banks trying to shy away from their responsibility of contributing to the system? Their wealth comes from the commonwealth of Nigeria. Is that not? If your wealth comes from the commonwealth of a country and that country is in dire straits and it calls upon you to pay a levy on profits arising from your unpredicted income, I don’t think that it is out of place for them to obey such call to help fatherland. 

    Are there special benefits from a windfall tax?

    The benefits are many. One, insofar as the government will not pump the revenue arising from this windfall levy on banks into the general budget, then there is no problem. But if government puts the revenue into the general budget and uses it to fund recurrent expenditure, that is going to be unacceptable. However, if government pumps the money from the windfall tax specifically into certain projects, for example, the Sokoto-Badagry Highway, the coastal road, the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri railway, etc, it is going to be absolutely correct.  It can also be used for industrial development through the Bank of Industry or specifically into some agricultural projects such as dam development and so on. These are the specific areas the money can be channelled into. But I would advise that the government uses the revenue to fund critical projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal road, the Sokoto-Badagry Highway, Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line, expansion of the standard gauge from Ibadan to Abuja and then onward to Kaduna. These are the critical projects that will create a trickle-down effect on the economy to jumpstart it from its doldrums and provoke productive enterprises among business concerns.

    The three tiers of government have been smiling to the banks every month on account of huge revenue collected by the FederaI Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for the Federation. Shouldn’t focus shift to the other two tiers of government who have been getting more money since the removal of petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu?

    That is what we call financial injustice in the system. Actually, many governors in Nigeria, maybe for political correctness, did not say much about the issue of workers conflicting with the Federal Government on the issue of minimum wage neither did they support the Federal Government to do at least some defence within the realm so that citizens will not be unnecessarily agitated and then begin disturbances. But the truth of the matter is that the respective governments of the states of the federation today are now earning at least 40 per cent more than what they were earning before. It behoves them to come forward to explain to Nigerians why some A, and B, C policies have been done in their favour by the Federal Government. For example, the removal of subsidy from petrol has helped states that were previously in debts like Osun State to begin to successfully and significantly exit those debts and be able to pay workers. But do they give the credit to the Federal Government? The answer is No. The states have been giving the credit to themselves as if they conjured up the fat allocations they are now getting. Whereas, we know it is directly as a result of the fact that the FAAC has been to get more money through removal of subsidy and the efficient revenue collection by FIRS. This is why the states have now been financially strong to do their capital projects. Some of these states are even doing a kind of subtle blackmail to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it. Otherwise, if your income has increased as a result of government policy, why can’t the states explain to their citizens and spend the money to make things better for the citizens in their respective states? They have put all the burden on the Federal Government. It is a shame.

    Do you think the recent Supreme Court judgment which states that allocations should be paid directly into the accounts of local government areas will also help bring down tension and enhance development at the grassroots?  

    I support the Federal Government’s view, position and policy on this and for the Attorney General of the Federation to approach the Supreme Court for interpretation of the constitution and to make declarative orders. This is perfectly in order. This is actually how to govern a country. Do not forget that the local government councils in Nigeria are 768 and not 774. This is provided in Section 3 subsection 6 of the 1999 Constitution as amended. There six area councils in Abuja and if you add this number, you will get 774. But the area councils in Abuja are not local government councils. The Supreme Court ruled on this in 2002 in the Attorney General of the Federation versus Attorney General of Abia State and 35 others. But let us not go there. The truth of the matter is that the 768 local government councils in Nigeria will now directly benefit from their allocations pursuant to Section 162 of the Constitution. The Supreme Court judgment is just half of the battle won. The other half of the battle to be won is to ensure that election into local government councils is not conducted by State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs). There should be an amendment to the Electoral Act for that purpose so that the same election will be conducted by INEC in order that there will be a level-playing field. The SIECs are actually not independent of the governors who appoint their officers. But it is a good thing that local governments are now going to get their allocations directly from FAAC beginning from this month, that is July.

  • Prophet Fufeyin denies selling miracle soap to members

    Prophet Fufeyin denies selling miracle soap to members

    The founder of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministries in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria, also known as Owomowomo 1, Prophet Jeremiah Fufehin, has denied selling miracle soap to church members or anyone else.

    Pastor Abel Damina of Power City International in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, allegedly claimed that a certain man of God was selling soap for $1,000 each, which is equivalent to over N1.5m.

    Although Damina did not mention the name of the man of God, the allegation surfaced around the time Fufeyin announced that from August 14 to 18, 2024 an upcoming church event with the theme: “BREAK THE LIMIT” a new product is expected to be available at Mercy City.

    Some social media influencers questioned the NAFDAC approval for the soap. Speaking to journalists at the church headquarters on Sunday, Prophet Fufeyin debunked the claims as false. 

    He responded to the allegations: “That’s lying business in the Altar of God. The Bible says thou shall not lie, thou shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”

    Read Also: Prophet Fufeyin offers Mohbad’s son N10m scholarship

    “The soap is not yet available as you asked. It is in process, and I don’t know why people are just criticizing the soap. There are some companies that produce this soap. 

    “There were other soaps existing before today. I am not producing the soap. This ministry is partnering with the companies that produce soap and supply it to us. 

    “Our role as prophets is to back it up with the word of God like with handkerchiefs or olive oil, using them as mantles and contact points to set people free from captivities or oppressions.”

  • MFM pastors lift masses as Olukoya, wife celebrate birthday

    MFM pastors lift masses as Olukoya, wife celebrate birthday

    A group of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) Pastors under the auspices of ‘Six Sons of Prophet DKO’ has given food and cash gifts to ameliorate the suffering of the masses to celebrate the birthday of MFM founder Dr Daniel Olukoya at 67 and his wife, Shade. 

    Coordinator of the group, who is also the  Regional Overseer of South-South Region 7  Ikom, Cross River State and coordinator of the Online Deliverance Prophetic Prayer and Revival Team, Pastor Morenikeji Jesusina, said the gesture was in line with the passion of Olukoya whose priority is to put smiles on faces of the needy, less privileged, downtrodden, the widows, widowers to mention a few. 

    The group described Olukoya as a father, mentor and giver revealing that apart from his passion for soul-winning for Christ and setting the captives free through deliverances, the General Overseer is passionate about putting smiles on the faces of the people, making people happy and doing all within his power to see that lives are transformed spiritually, physically and emotionally.

    This, according to the group, was attested to by the President of America, Joe Biden while presenting the Presidential Achievement Award recently to the General Overseer, Dr. Olukoya. 

    The group, which comprises of Mega Regional Overseers, Pastor Moses Adekunle, Pastor  Patrick Pat,  Pastor Samuel Oladejo and other Regional Overseers, Pastor Jesusina Morenikeji, Pastor Gbenga Aremu,  Pastor Oluwole Usikalu , said they are happy giving to others keenly following the footsteps of their father in the Lord.

    According to them: “Every July is the birthday of our father and mother in the Lord, Dr. Daniel and Mrs. Shade Olukoya. 

    “We the “Sons of the Prophet of DKO” comprising six of us have decided to specially celebrate our mentor, teacher, and father with a heart of gold, Dr. Olukoya and our most precious Mummy GO by sharing free food and giving cash gifts to members of the public across the country, in a different location where we are.

    “This act we believe will gladen the heart of our father a giver himself rather than throwing frivolous parties. Moreso, there is hunger in the land, so we felt it would be good to celebrate them by giving back to the less privileged.

    Read Also: MFM Water of Fire to hold on July 6

    ” And the joy is that beneficiaries are not only Christians or church members, but thousands of individuals and households also received food irrespective of their tribe, gender or religion because hunger does not know tribe or religion.”

    “Three years ago, we had online praise sessions for them; two years ago it was the same thing but since 2022 we have been sharing food and cash with the needy.”

    Most of the beneficiaries thanked God the pastors lives for keying into the philanthropic lifestyle of their father in the Lord, Dr Olukoya, described them as sons of the prophet indeed.

    Beneficiaries thanked God for giving Olukoya as a gift to the world.

  • Ladipo’s night of bullets: How police neutralised deadly kidnap gang

    Ladipo’s night of bullets: How police neutralised deadly kidnap gang

    More than a week after, the heroics of officers of the Lagos State Police command at busting the deadly kidnap gang terrorising some parts of mainland Lagos around the Ladipo Spare-parts market in Mushin remains talk of the town. IBRAHIM ADAM and UDEH ONYEBUCHI take a look at events of that night as well as events leading to it.

    In a well-coordinated operation, which may have gone down as one of the most daring of police operations in Lagos in recent years, the Lagos State Police Command penultimate Thursday (July 4 2024) successfully busted a kidnapping gang; thwarting their mission on the night and neutralising nine of them in the process.

    Most remarkable is the fact that despite the heavy exchange of firepower and the fact that the confrontation happened early evening in an otherwise bustling vicinity, there was not a single civilian casualty.

    That operation also highlighted the State Police’s commitment to tackling and stamping out all crimes and ensuring public safety in the nation’s commercial capital.

    Notably, the use of intelligence and preparation played a crucial role in thwarting the kidnappers’ daredevil mission, showcasing the ability and effectiveness of the Nigeria Police in high-stake situations.

    Not even the arrest of the notorious kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike more popularly known as Evans, drew as much applause and appreciation as this Ladipo operation, chiefly because of its precision. For those who may not know, the Ladipo Auto Spare-parts Market area is a usually crowded area that hardly becomes desolate until late into the night, yet the police were able to quietly shepherd away this crowd before it commenced the operation that lasted about two hours. 

    Evans, it will be recalled, orchestrated multiple kidnappings in Lagos and Ogun states, and was wanted even in Edo, Delta and Anambra states, before he was captured in his Magodo mansion after a prolonged shootout.

    However, this group of audacious kidnappers may have replaced him, focusing primarily on Lagos.

    The gang members operated freely for over a year, targeting stupendously rich victims, from whom they collected humongous ransom in naira and dollars.

    Their areas of operation included Ago Palace Way, Isolo, Okota, the popular auto spare parts market in Ladipo, Festac, and environs. Police sources say they usually disappeared through the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, meandering through the ever-busy Second Rainbow Bus stop and Apple Junction, and ending up in a yet-to-be-known enclave.

    From there, they would negotiate the ransom for their victims before relocating out of the city. The difference in their mode of operation was that they always insisted on collecting nothing less than N1 billion or their victim would be killed.

    Harrowing kidnappings

    Since 2014, Nigeria has witnessed series of harrowing kidnappings, with Boko Haram’s 2014 and 2018 abduction of the Chibok and 100 Dapchi schoolgirls standing out as some of the most infamous. 

    The trend continued with the December 2020 abduction of over 300 boys in a school in Kankara, Katsina State by armed bandits. Their eventual release highlighted the growing influence of these groups in North-western Nigeria, who increasingly turned to mass kidnappings for ransom. Such events revealed the alarming expansion of banditry and the state’s struggle to curb the menace.

    More recently, the spate of kidnapping has spread nationwide. March 2021 saw students abducted from Kaduna’s Federal College of Forestry Mechanization while May 2021 witnessed over 100 students taken from an Islamic school in Niger State. This is not forgetting the March 2022 Abuja passenger train incident, where 10 people were killed and 61 abducted.

    These incidents reflect a deepening crisis, fuelled by poverty and inadequate security, perpetuating a climate of fear across the country.

    On Saturday, June 15, 2024, four Lebanese nationals, including the Managing Director of Fouani Company, a key representative of LG and Hisense, were reportedly kidnapped in Lagos. The incident occurred in broad daylight, as the victims were ambushed while travelling by boat from Apapa to Victoria Island, near the Falomo Bridge. They were released after the kidnappers collected the sum of $1.5 million.

    Night to remember

    For the bad guys, it was a horrible night, but for the Nigeria Police and the good people of Lagos, law abiding citizens of Lagos, that Thursday July 4 will go down as a night to remember.

    For about two hours, the police and the suspected kidnappers exchanged relentless gunfire. for those within ear-shot, it was like in the movies

    Eyewitnesses report that the gun battle began around 8 p.m.; the initial thought was that robbers were targeting one of the many banks in the area.

    Read Also: Tinubu launches agric empowerment programme in Yobe

    Unexpectedly, Ladipo Road, known for its vibrant Auto Spare Parts Market and banking activities suddenly became a battleground. The usually bustling street fell silent, as shopkeepers shuttered their businesses while residents and passersby quickly sought available refuge for safety.

    As the gun battle persisted, witnesses say police backup units arrived, intensifying the standoff.

    The unsuspecting kidnappers had arrived the scene in their vehicles but on realising that they may have run into a police trap, started shooting frantically, not knowing that the whole area had been cordoned off by heavily armed policemen.

    In the end, nine of the kidnappers were neutralised while two escaped with bullet wounds.

    Reports say detectives held back from shooting at the fleeing gang members to avoid hitting the wrong targets. Bullets from the kidnappers’ weapons hit the engine of one police vehicle and also hit a policeman in the jaw. He has since been treated and discharged.

    Their numerous crimes

    The police say the gang, made up of trigger-happy criminals, kidnapped a businessman on April 10, 2023, in the Ikotun area of the state around 4 p.m., and the victim paid $8,000 as ransom.

    The gang, which in most cases carried out its operations with a Lexus 350 SUV and 4 Runner jeep, kidnapped another businessman on the same date around 11:30 p.m. at Ago Okota, using the same vehicles and later collected a ransom of N5 million.

    On April 23, 2023, the gang struck again; this time, they went to kidnap a popular millionaire who dealt in assorted drinks at Ago Okota. He reportedly paid nothing less than a billion naira, but the family hid it from the police on account of threats from the kidnappers. A similar fate befell another rich businessman at Ikotun the same day.

    They later collected ransoms in three tranches of $6,000 and $3,600, and another N8million collected from another rich businessman, whom they abducted in the same Ikotun area.

    Smooth Operation

    The Lagos State Police Command Spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the gang were on a mission to kidnap some wealthy individuals.

    “Our intelligence-gathering assets yielded very credible and actionable intelligence about a dangerous and very notorious gang of kidnappers planning to kidnap some high-net-worth individuals in Lagos.

    “Upon receipt of this intelligence about two weeks ago, CP Adegoke Fayoade directed the command’s tactical teams to commence work on it. They followed up closely, monitored dutifully, and were able to determine that the gang was going to strike yesterday in the Ladipo area of Lagos State.

    “With the benefit of this information, we were able to proactively prepare for them and more or less laid an ambush for them. The kidnappers, who were caught unawares, would not give up easily, as they engaged the police officers in a shoot-out.”

    The state PPRO added that: “They of course bowed to the superior firepower of the police. Nine of them were neutralised while two escaped with gunshot injuries. Four AK-47 rifles, four locally-made semi-automatic pistols, nine AK-47 magazines, three walkie-talkies, one POS machine, and a loudspeaker were recovered from them,”

    Hundeyin said two operational vehicles, including one black Toyota 4Runner and a blue Lexus RX350, were recovered from the suspects, noting that the investigation was ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects.

    “It is worthy of note that the command had been on the trail of this gang for the past eight months for their numerous kidnappings of wealthy individuals in the Isolo, Okota, Ejigbo, and Ladipo areas of Lagos State. We are proud to declare that their reign of terror has effectively come to an end.”

    Some eyewitnesses account

    One eyewitness recounted: “When the shooting started, we thought it was fireworks. Before the kidnappers could assemble themselves, the police fired at them. They were totally caught unawares. And the good thing? There were no civilian casualties. It was a well-planned operation.

    “This was the first time we would be seeing such a smooth operation from the police without any casualty. It was as if we were watching a movie. The operation was clean, and the police hit their targets.”

    Another eyewitness described the intensity of the encounter :”It was a serious gunfight that lasted close to two hours. When the exchange of fire was over, the police interviewed us, and we told them all we observed. They did well, and we praised them for their bravery.”

    A third eyewitness shared a personal account of the moments leading up to the confrontation.

    “In this life, you have to be careful because you don’t know who is sitting with you or talking to you. These men sat with me, and I never knew they were policemen. Around 8 pm, they identified themselves and asked us to pack and leave the area, which we did immediately. In less than 20 minutes, from a distance, we heard gunshots, which made me dive into the gutter. All I was praying for was for a bullet not to reach where I was. We thank God they were able to capture them, and we say thank you to them.”

    Yul Edochie denies friendship with alleged kidnapper

    Yul Edochie, the renowned Nigerian actor, has firmly denied any personal relationship with Henry Odenigbo, clarifying that their interaction was strictly professional and limited to a movie set.

    Edochie emphasised that he only met Odenigbo during the filming of “Sharon’s Fate” in June and had no personal relationship with him.

    He explained that Odenigbo had requested a photo with him during the production, which he granted, stating that it is the same photo that is being circulated across the social media space, sparking rumours of a friendship.

    The actor expressed his shock upon learning about Odenigbo’s alleged criminal activities, insisting that he had no prior knowledge of the producer’s involvement in any illegal acts.

    Edochie’s denial comes amid reports suggesting that Odenigbo was the leader of a kidnapping gang and had used his film production company as a front for his criminal operations.

    “According to the police, the guy is a kidnapper. I’ve heard stories and noticed that some blogs posted my picture with him, implying he’s my friend. So, I want to state that the guy wasn’t my friend. I’ve been in Nollywood for 19 years, going on 20 years.

    “I only saw this guy once when I shot a movie for him a few weeks ago. A director contracted me for a movie and paid me for a job. I even thought it was the director’s movie until I came to the set and met this guy.

    “I think he called himself Ason-Rich Henry. He came to me, introduced himself as Ason-Rich Productions, and said his name was Henry.

    ”We greeted them, I shot the movie, and on the last day of shooting, he came to me and said he was so excited that he finally got to work with me. I think he also played a role in the movie. He asked if he could take a picture with me, and I said okay. We took pictures, and I left for the next set.

    “That was the first time I saw him, and I never saw him again. That’s the picture a lot of people are circulating,” Edochie said.

    Actors Guild deny movie producer

    In a swift reaction, the Chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Rivers State Chapter, Osuwa Chigozie, has dissociated the group from the filmmaker, Odenigbo, and three other persons who were also film practitioners.

    The Guild, in a statement, said the three persons who died in the shootout with the police were not members.

    “The Rivers State chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria at this moment disclaims any affiliation with the individuals who tragically lost their lives in a recent robbery incident in Lagos. Specifically, Prince Henry Asonna (Executive Producer of Aso Rich), Angel Emanuzo (Associate Producer), Chris Ahaneku (Logistics Manager-Aso Rich), and Jerry Eze (Camera Assistant) were not members of our guild. They were not part of our organisation.”

    Similarly, AGN’s Financial Secretary, Emeka Duru, explained that none of the slain kidnappers were members of the guild.

    Duru added that crediting the kidnappers to Nollywood because they made a movie is not doing justice to the industry.

    “They didn’t belong to any organisation in Nollywood. They just came with their ill-gotten money and hired actors. An actor is not supposed to wake up and start asking you where you got your money from before he works for you. 

    “The people who were killed are not members of the Actors Guild of Nigeria. No soul has any business with the Actors Guild of Nigeria’s Rivers State chapter. The funniest thing about it was that the one they call the producer, the ringleader, is not.”

    Frontline actors, including Kanayo O. Kanayo, have condemned the association of the kidnappers with Nollywood, stressing that Odenigbo and his associates were not recognised members of any legitimate film industry organisation. They urged the public to differentiate between genuine filmmakers and individuals using the industry as a front for nefarious activities.

  • Mixed reactions trail distribution of 25kg bags of rice nationwide

    Mixed reactions trail distribution of 25kg bags of rice nationwide

    Worried by the soaring price of foodstuffs, especially staple food like rice, the Federal Government has set machinery in motion to distribute hundreds of thousands of 25kg bags of rice across the country to vulnerable groups.

    The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris disclosed last week that it has distributed 740 trucks of rice to the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Abuja.

    According to him, each state and the FCT was given 20 trucks containing 1,200 bags of 25kg of rice and the commodity is to be distributed to the most vulnerable in the society.

    He said President Bola Tinubu had directed the Minister of Agriculture, Mohammad Abubakar to ensure food was made available to Nigerians.

    He further explained that the distribution of the rice was also to ensure that the hardship in the country was ameliorated.

    Reacting swiftly to the development, some Nigerians described it as a joke and wondered how 880,000 bags of 25kg of rice will address poverty or ameliorate hunger even among the millions of vulnerable people in the country.

    They argued that the entire rice would not even go round poor people in just Local Government Councils, while some said the rice would not even get to the people the rice is meant for but would only get to political acolytes.

    “How does this gesture address poverty or ameliorate hunger? It’s just unfortunate that Nigerians find themselves under the spell of propaganda. The ruling class has come up with another idea to get the masses at each other’s throats,” lamented Tunde Fadoju, a PR consultant in Lagos.

    Questioning how that small quantity of rice would go round, Fadoju asked, “What is the population of vulnerable people in Lagos state vis-à-vis 24,000 bags of 25kg rice? The same applies to Kano state and the others.

    “No vulnerable person will get a grain of rice. They will be confused about the sharing formula. It will just go the way of palliatives meant to soothe the pain of COVID-19.”

    Also reacting, Benjamin Umuteme who spoke from Abuja, said the item released is a far cry to what is needed to address the hunger of vulnerable people in Nigeria. “For instance with a state like Lagos or Kano with a very high population of vulnerable people, what will 24,000 bags of rice do?

    “While I acknowledge the government’s efforts, they should go beyond this system of tokenism that won’t help anybody,” added Mr. Umuteme.

    Read Also: Tinubu launches agric empowerment programme in Yobe

    Barrister Chudi Onwu of the NGO ‘Reaching Out’ said though the intention seems good but in the long run will amount to misplacement of priority.

    “Distributing foods to address the problem of hunger is not a wise and sustainable way to resolve the problem. The immediate and remote cause of the problem should be addressed rather. If not, we will keep going round in circles.”

    “This is supposed to an extent to crash the price of food items like rice, however, the question is how sustainable is this? How are we sure that this rice will not be hijacked? How do we ensure this gets to the people it is meant for? Do we have a comprehensive register for the poor and vulnerable in society? Asked Jeremiah Agada, Communication Consultant and Social commentator.

    Raising more worrisome issues, Agada further queried, “Are we sure this will not wound up in one chairman’s house to give out as palliative support’ to their loyalists and supporters?”

    “Give Net not fish. Jesus would have given something to Peter to feed his family that morning but rather said let’s go back fishing and let down your net,” noted Egr. Mrs Rita Odogwu.

    She said that 24,000 bags of 25kg of rice would not go round vulnerable people in local governments like Ajegunle, Okokomiako or Isolo in Lagos State with a population of 25 million people, what would be the ratio for sharing, she asked?  “Government should provide light, cheap transport fare and other social amenities for the populace.

    “Good gesture, no doubt, since it shows the government is really concerned about the plight of the people, and it’s determined to sort it out. But the challenge is that this is not sustainable, and, in consequence, may not achieve the desired goals and objectives”, noted a Director General in the manufacturing industry that craved anonymity.

    Speaking further, the DG raised more posers, “How will they determine the genuinely vulnerable Nigerians, because this society is not known to take cognisance of data, and use it as a guide in its policy formulation? Since past experiences, regarding palliative distribution, have always not been palatable, perhaps the government should bring back the idea of a commodity board.”

    Describing the development as fruitless, Barrister Lyod Akinride said “This will definitely be fruitless as there is no database of vulnerable persons and even if there is, after receiving the rice, they will remain in the same position. In management, steps like this are called ‘Nice to have’ and that is what this is.”

    Also reacting, a techno-economist and a licensed Management Consultant, Dr. Dele Oyekan commended the efforts of the Federal government in easing the current economic challenge.

    According to him, this would go a long way in reducing the current food crisis in Nigeria. “It also has the potential to reduce food inflation because it could crash the prices of food items in the market.”

    He, however, urged the government to ensure proper monitoring.

    “It is important when distributing the rice or the food items so that the most vulnerable will get them. The food items should not end up with the rich or end up in the open market. If possible, the government could repeat this every quarter if not monthly over a given period. ‘

    “Aside from sending food to the state governors directly, the federal government could also channel the food items directly to the local governments with a distribution template on a ward basis. With this, one can rest assured that the food items will get to the most vulnerable.”

  • EXMAN’s 11th AGM bridges town-gown gap at Unibadan

    EXMAN’s 11th AGM bridges town-gown gap at Unibadan

    • Medebem’s 2-year tenure ratified

    As part of its ongoing efforts in bridging the gap between town and gown, igniting the passion and possibilities for students in embracing experiential marketing, the Experiential Marketers Association (EXMAN) stormed the University of Ibadan, Oyo State to engage students in the Faculty of Arts,  particularly in Communications on the business of experiential marketing.

    EXMAN President, Tolulope Medebem set the tone for the session, articulating the association’s vision to nurture talent within the experiential marketing sector. Medebem emphasized the critical role of such engagements in shaping the industry’s future workforce and the importance of bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

    As part of the AGM, EXMAN President, Medebem and Vice President Angela Makinwa whose tenure has been ratified for a two-year term – becoming the first ever, delivered an extensive report on their year-long stewardship as leaders of the body, at the Golden Tulip Hotel in the ancient city of Ibadan, Oyo State.

    Read Also: Obi’s supporters behind planned protests, says Presidency

    Medebem opened the proceedings with a reflection on the past year’s challenges, both for the country and the industry. She outlined the exco’s service plan, anchored on the acronym THRIVE. “Our EXCO mission was set up on the acronym of THRIVE — with each letter standing for a goal that as a team, we have worked towards hopefully with some tangible results,” she explained.

    THRIVE represents Training and Thought Leadership, Harmony, Relationship, Inclusiveness, Value, and Engagement.

    Vice President Makinwa in her presentation took a look into the association’s training initiatives while highlighting the partnership with the Lagos Business School (LBS).

    The association also inducted eight experiential marketing agencies into its fold. The new member agencies inducted are Box House Marketing, Oakland and Johnson Ltd, Customer Passion Points Ltd, Elev8 Marketing services , 53 Double Extra, IdeaZQuition (ZQ for short) Consulting and Requesa Enterprise Ltd.

  • Black Pelican Group celebrates 20th anniversary

    Black Pelican Group celebrates 20th anniversary

    • Urges FG to provide conducive business environment

    Black Pelican Group has marked its 20th anniversary with the launch of a coffee table book and a commemorative campaign themed: ’20 & Timeless.’

    This milestone event was the celebration of two decades of innovation, growth, and development in the Nigerian interior design industry.

    Black Pelican Group, is a leading provider of high-quality sanitary wares and interior design solutions in Nigeria.

    Since its inception in May 2004, the firm has been providing interior solutions for both personal and commercial spaces.

    The theme of the 2oth anniversary, ’20 & Timeless’, reflects the company’s enduring legacy and its dedication to remaining timeless in its approach to innovation and customer satisfaction.

    Founder and CEO of Black Pelican Group, Mr. Michael Owolabi, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the company’s remarkable journey.

    “Reaching this milestone anniversary fills us with immense pride. We are honored to have played a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s interior design industry into the thriving sector it is today. We pride ourselves on our solid commitment to excellence. We prioritize customer feedback to ensure top-notch quality, and our knowledge-based business is built on continuous learning and development through extensive training programs, both locally and internationally. For us, quality is not a choice, but a minimum requirement that we consistently exceed.

    “At Black Pelican Group, we offer far more than just interior design. Our comprehensive approach, which we call ‘interior solutions’, leverages the expertise of our team of interior designers, architects, and engineers to deliver turnkey solutions for our clients. From concept to completion, we can bring any project to life, whether it’s a home, office, school, or church. Our goal is to provide a seamless experience, where our clients can simply move in with ease, without worrying about a single detail – from the foundation to the finishing touches,” Owolabi said with excitement.

    Read Also: Tinubu launches agric empowerment programme in Yobe

    Founder, GT Bank, Mr. Fola Adeola, while launching the coffee table book, expressed his joy to celebrate with the Black Pelican team. “I’m delighted to celebrate this milestone with the Black Pelican team. This coffee table book showcases the company’s dedication to excellence, and I’m proud to say that our commitment to developing our team’s potential has been the key to our success. We look forward to many more achievements to come!”

    Black Pelican Group also urged the Federal Government to create an enabling business environment in Nigeria for businesses to thrive.

    According to him, port congestion, FX volatility, access to long capital, bad roads and the perennial power problem, when addressed will set the country on the proper path to economic development.

     While speaking on the problem of transportation, he revealed that the company does not transport containers to Abuja because “at least 40 per cent of containers coming to Abuja will fall because of the roads? So, we break down the containers in Lagos and we ship them in small trucks to Abuja, it increases costs. If we don’t do that, we might lose the goods.”

     Owolabi, said that with the gaps in the sector, training and retraining of its stakeholders remained a priority for the company if it is to continue in its growth trajectory.

    The event brought together directors, management, staff members, ex-staff members, key clients, and other stakeholders to reflect on the past journey and toast to the successes and accomplishments of the company over the years. Distinguished guests, including Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola Yayi; Chairman Stanel Group, Stanley Uzochukwu; former Senator, Lidani Joshua, amongst others, graced the occasion.

  • Firm partners CJID, Premium Times

    Firm partners CJID, Premium Times

    News Central has partnered with the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and Premium Times to produce “On the Issue,” a direct approach 15-minute documentary series that explores societal matters in primary healthcare, agriculture, and gender equality along with other

    pressing issues that require special attention and proffers solutions through expert opinions.

    According to a press statement by CJID, each episode of ‘On the Issue’ focuses on a specific topic, providing in-depth analysis, data, community feedback, and discussion with professional insights through special interviews, to offer a comprehensive understanding and give various perspectives on each issue.

    The statement further stated that this partnership leverages the strengths and expertise of all three organisations to deliver high-quality, impactful storytelling that sheds light on critical issues affecting Nigeria and the wider African continent. “What makes this partnership historic is the coming together of 3 media institutions that are heavily focused on investigative,  developmental/solutions journalism, and media development.

    By utilizing the investigative journalism expertise of the partner organizations, the series aims to uncover and report on crucial issues with integrity and excellence. The exclusive series will also harmonise unique storytelling, solution journalism, and community engagement to produce compelling and captivating reports for the audience.”

    Read Also: Obi’s supporters behind planned protests, says Presidency

    Meanwhile production for ‘On the Issue’ commenced last month. The series will air twice every month from June to October on News Central DSTV 422, Startimes 274 on Sundays at 1 pm, and a repeat broadcast on Wednesday by 4 pm. This can also be watched live on all our social media platforms.

     “News Central is a megaphone for people often unheard. By fearlessly reporting on what matters most, News Central challenges dominant narratives

    analyzes trends, reveals fresh perspectives, and ignites conversations that can truly transform society,” the statement further stated.

    With a presence in over 42 countries, News Central focuses on investigative journalism and community engagement. The station aims to inform, inspire, and engage audiences across broadcast and digital platforms.

  • Era-Awori face-off: Three ancestral families back dredgers’ activities

    Era-Awori face-off: Three ancestral families back dredgers’ activities

    At the moment, it is no longer at ease among the four ancestral families that make up Era-Awori in Oto-Awori LCDA, Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State.

    Three of the four families: Aganbi/Ajanaku Family, Aluko Family and Ajose Family are pitched against the Baale of the community, Chief Olumide Akinsoji Erinle and his Egbeyele family. The grouse, they claimed, centres around a news feature recently aired on Africa Independent Television (AIT), in which the Baale and some members of the community gave interviews, claiming that the sand mining activities of the dredging companies in the Ologe River are adversely affecting the community and making it inhabitable.

    The Baale, in that feature, which has since gone viral, claimed that “things started falling apart since the dredgers came into the community”, adding that “a lot of our people who are fishermen by their nature have been thrown out of their jobs,” and that most of the people who owned properties in the area have had to abandon their properties.

    The Baale and the other speakers in that video, also claimed that the dredgers came in without due consent of the community and without relevant approvals and documents, including but not limited to cadastral permit and environmental impact assessment report.

    These, they claimed are aside the fact that their activities have left the school, market as well as the health centre in the community desolate.

    The Baale and his team also stated that the community has never benefited from any positive impact from activities of the dredgers, and called on the Lagos State government to step in to help them build the road into the community and stop the activities of the dredgers.

    However, in a swift reaction, the three families mentioned above, last weekend convened a press briefing, where they rebutted all the claims of the Baale and his co-travellers in that television feature.

    Read Also: Obi’s supporters behind planned protests, says Presidency

    In a joint press statement issued by the Dredging Association (Era-Awori Zone A), the Aganbi/Ajanaku Family, Aluko Family and Ajose family, they claimed that the news feature on AIT was ‘sponsored news;’ they also stated that several facts were misrepresented and that the whole story as told by all the actors on the AIT news and another publication (not The Nation), “were blatant lies and merely appealing public sentiments while blackmailing the dredging companies, using the deplorable state of the community road as a yardstick.”

    In the words of Amosu Rasheed Oladele of Iga Ido Ejiwa in the community, “We called this meeting with the media to let the world, the Lagos State Government and the Ojo Local Government to know the amount of work the Dredgers Association has been doing, especially the steps they have taken towards improving our community. Our position is that they are actually helping to improve the town by helping to pave our roads and maintain it each time there was need for it. We also make bold to say that since the dredgers arrived this community ten years ago – even before the current Baale ascended the throne – there has not been any problem between the dredgers and the four families in the town. As you can see, three of the four families that are original owners of this town are all physically represented here, and it is unfortunate that it is only one family, the Egbeyele Family, where the Baale is from, that is holding a different position.”

    Amosu also debunked the Baale’s claim that the dredgers came in unauthorised: “If the government does not give them the permit, they would never have come here to operate. Don’t forget it is the government that has power over waterways.”

    “Upon the arrival of the dredgers in Era Community, the dredgers had adequate contacts and engagement with the community through the Era Elders-In-Council; the dredgers had agreement and supported the community via their corporate social responsibilities, including the opening up and the periodic maintenance of the Era-Abule Road. However, the extortion and excessive taxation regime of the Baale, Chief Olumide Akinsoji Erinle led to the abandonment of the road by the dredgers,” the joint press statement further expatiated.

    They conceded that the only access road into the community was in a deplorable condition and in urgent need of intervention but insisted that “there are more to the stories that led to the deplorable state of the road and its abandonment by the dredging companies who had regularly intervened and maintained the road in the past without being forced…

    “We wish to put it on record that the sponsored attacks on the dredging companies was a transfer of aggression from the Baale and his family who have been having a running battle, including court cases with the other families that make up Era community over land ownership and secondly, his constant harassment and blackmail of the dredging companies for their alleged lack of loyalty to the Baale and his family,” the statement further read.

    According to Noah Olukayode Ajanaku, three families: Ajanaku, Aluko and Ajose jointly volunteered lands for the dredgers to operate and they have been doing so without any problems for the past 12 years, adding that they had a committee overseeing their activities, which was cancelled when  the current Baale assumed office in July 2020.

    He stated categorically that it is false for him to say he does not know the dredgers or how they came into the town because they paid him homage when he came into office and also gifted him money and a cow.

    He said the activities of the dredgers have been more of a blessing, because they have regularly paved and maintained the road though un-tarred up till last December.

    Ajanaku added that it is due to their activities that indigenes and non-indigene have access to the road. “Before, we were never able to access our community whenever it rained. In addition, 40 percent of our people work with these dredging companies, while our wives sell at their sites to make money and keep body and soul together. Even abandoned houses have become active because occupants can now commute in and out. So we really don’t understand why the Baale has decided to pick issues with them.”

    Despite the showdown between the Baale and the dredgers, they allege that he still compels trucks plying the road to pay N500 per trip.

    In conclusion, the three families appealed to Governor Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu to step in and help rein in the Baale, whom they said had become unnecessarily overbearing and high-handed.