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UAE Deports 400 Nigerians

A report by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), has revealed that 400 Nigerians, comprising 90 females and 310 males, have been deported from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

They were received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by the office of the National Security Adviser alongside the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other stakeholders.

Daily Post reports that a total of 103 Nigerians deported from the Republic of Turkiye, recently, were received by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other stakeholders.

The deportees who arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Friday at 7:00 pm through the pilgrims wing of the airport were received by Federal Government officials led by NEMA personnel.

Also, Daily Post reported that 264 Nigerian passengers were notified that their visa had been cancelled when they landed at the King Abdulaziz International Airport – Hajj Terminal Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Monday, 13th November, 2023.

The Federal Government of Nigeria then called for calm over the deportation.

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Ajaero: Strike, Protests Loom as NLC Places Workers, Unions on Red Alert

Labour has placed all Nigerians workers and affiliated unions on red alert following the arrest of Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigerian Labour Congress.
Recall that Ajaero was arrested on Monday by operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS.
He was picked up at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while boarding a flight to the United Kingdom, UK, for an official assignment when DSS operatives picked him up.
In a post on its official X handle, NLC demanded immediate release of its national president.
 
“We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Congress President, Comrade Joe Ajaero,” it wrote.
The union further urged “all affiliate unions, state councils, civil society allies and all patriotic Nigerians should be on red alert”.
Recall that the NLC president was recently invited by the Nigeria Police Force for questioning over alleged link to terrorism financing and other related offences.
The union, after the invitation, vowed to shut down the nation’s economy if Ajaero is arrested.
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NLC In Closed-Door Meeting Over Arrest of Its President Ajaero by DSS

A closed-door meeting has been convened by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC on Monday over the arrest of its National President, Joe Ajaero.
This comes after Department of State Services, DSS operatives arrested Ajaero at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Ajaero was picked up while on his way to the United Kingdom to attend the Trade Union Congress, TUC, of Britain.
However, a statement by NLC spokesman, Benson Upah, reads partly: “The NLC remains resolute in its commitment to protecting workers’ rights and will not be cowed by the oppressive tactics of the state.
 
“Once again, we demand the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero and the cessation of all forms of harassment against labour leaders and the Nigerian working class including innocent citizens who hold dissenting opinions.
 
“We equally demand that the state frees all Nigerians languishing in various prisons around the country for exercising their democratic rights to protest in the #EndBadGovernance rallies around the country.
 
“Finally, the Organs of the Congress are in a closed-door meeting whose outcome will be made available to the public.”
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I’ll Win 2027 Presidential Election, PDP Is Dead – Kwankwaso Declares

Rabiu Kwankwaso, the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, has expressed confidence of winning the 2027 presidential election.

Kwankwaso, who was the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, made the outburst on Saturday when he inaugurated the NNPP Secretariat, along IBB Way, Katsina.

The former Kano State Governor was in Katsina for a condolence visit to the Yar’Adua family over the death of their matriarch, Hajiya Dada.

He said that the party was ready to take over the presidency, states and other positions across the country come 2027.

According to him, the party was heading towards success in the 2027 general elections.

“I wish to remind you that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is already dead, because we were in the party, since they have gone out of the line, we decided to check out,” he stated.

The Kwankwasiyya leader urged Nigerians, particularly women and youths not to allow themselves to be ‘deceived with spaghetti or money during the next elections.’

Kwankwaso also called on the party’s leaders to redouble their commitment towards the success of the party in the state and the country as a whole.

He commended them and other stakeholders in the state for renovating the state secretariat, saying that it is part of preparations towards success.

Also speaking, the NNPP state Chairman, Alhaji Armaya’u Abdulkadir, said the party was doing everything possible to enlighten the electorate on the party’s new logo.

According to him, the new logo is symbolising education for all, which is the most concerned area of the Kwankwasiyya leader.

He said, ”There is the need for the party to embark on grassroots sensitisation to inform the members on the importance of the new logo.”

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If You Love Nigerians, Reduce The Price Of Fuel To N450 – Paulo Okoye Begs Tinubu, Dangote

Nigerian talent manager Paulo Okoye has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, business magnate Aliko Dangote, and the CEO of NNPCL to lower the price of petroleum to N450 for the benefit of the masses.

Recall that the recent fuel scarcity and rising prices of petrol in the country has caused serious hardship in the country.

As of Tuesday morning, some NNPCL retail stations in Lagos were selling fuel between N865 to N897 per litre. This change has been observed in several NNPC retail stations, particularly in Lagos and Abuja.

Due to this, Paulo respectfully asked that they act to reduce petrol prices as a sign of their dedication to the welfare of Nigerians.

Paulo Okoye made it clear in his Instagram post that his message was a genuine request rather than an order.

He wrote: “Our President

“Oga Aliko Dangote

“NNPCL CEO

“If you believe you love Nigerians,

“You should reduce the price of petroleum to N450.

“We dey beg Please Biko” 

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Fuel Scarcity: Why We Cannot Determine Petrol Price – Dangote

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has explained why it has been unable to set a price for its petrol.

Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, in a statement on Thursday, noted that PMS market is strictly regulated, which is known to all oil marketers and stakeholders in the sector, hence the reason Dangote cannot determine, fix, or influence the product price.

He equally condemned the publication by an online media (not Vanguard), that Dangote group has fixed the price of its refined Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol at N897 per litre.

He noted that Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Limited, NNPCL, is yet to lift their product.

Read the statement bellow: “Our attention has been drawn to a headline “NNPC lifts Dangote Petrol, sells at N897 per litre” published in a news media (Not Vanguard), on 4 September 2024.

“We would like to state that NNPC has not commenced lifting of refined Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from our Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

“Therefore, the issue of fixing the price of petrol lifted from our refinery does not arise, as we are yet to finalize our contract with NNPC.

“The PMS market is strictly regulated, which is known to all oil marketers and stakeholders in the sector, hence we cannot determine, fix, or influence the product price, which falls under the purview of relevant government authorities.

“We urge the public to disregard the headline as it is misleading and does not represent the true position in this matter.

“We are guaranteeing Nigerians of exceptionally high quality petroleum products that will be readily available all over the country”.

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JAMB Uncovers 21 Admission Seekers With Fake Results

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has disclosed that 21 candidates who paraded fake IJMB results were recommended for 2023 admissions by various institutions.

JAMB, in a policy document obtained by Punch in Abuja, noted that 12 out of the 21 candidates were recommended by the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

“JAMB discovered that 21 candidates who paraded fake IJMB results were recommended during the 2023 admission.  They were not approved.

“Twelve of the recommendations were by ABU, Zaria – what an audacious attitude. Recommendations were possible because certificate screening was done after

Registration, Five institutions were involved in the recommendations; JAMB insists that all certificates must have the signature of the Head of the institution (VC/Provost/Rector).”

Recall that in 2021, JAMB unveiled the Nigerian Post-Secondary Education Data System verification platform for the verification of IJMB and JUPEB results.

The unveiling followed professional operation undertaken by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Education on irregularities and faking of results as contained in a recent statement by the ICPC about the irregularities in JUPEB Board IJMB examination results, said such must be nipped in the bud.

JAMB, in a bulletin, said it had become necessary for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board as a moderator of the two examinations, to take appropriate action and put a stop to the unacceptable happenings.

“These proactive measures as well as others that are in the pipeline, are to ensure that the gains recorded in the education sector, especially the examination sub-sector over the years, are not eroded by unscrupulous individuals who do not mean well for Nigeria,” JAMB stated.

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Governor Ododo Appoints New 12 Permanent Secretaries in Kogi

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo has announced the appointment of 12 new Permanent Secretaries in Kogi State Public Service.
This was made public in a statement issued by the Head of Service, Mr Elijah Evinemi.

Evinemi said the governor emphasized the fact that, the permanent secretaries have been carefully selected based on merit, fairness and justice.

While congratulating the successful candidates in his office, the Head of Service, Mr Elijah Evinemi, charged the new permanent secretaries to live up to expectation in the discharge of their schedules with utmost loyalty, dedication and uprightness.
The new permanent secretaries include, Momoh Aziz Steven Ajaokuta LGA, Negedu Muhammed Bala Ankpa 1 Constituency, Haruna Jibo Muhammed BASSA LGA, Ejigbo Akoji Dekina-Biraidu Constituency, Enimola Enimola A. Kabba-Bunu LGA, Fashoba Ayo- Sunday Mopa- Amuro L GA, Adurodija Ebenezer O. Ogori- Magongo LGA, Enehe Dorcas Omeneke Okehi LGA, Sanni Haruna Muhammed Okene 1 Constituency, Ochu Philips Omeiza Okene 11 Constituency,Shaibu Danjuma Fabian Olamaboro LGA, Baiyegunsi Taiwo S. Yagba – East LGA.
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Court To Hear Money Laundering Case Against Binance Next Week

Allleged money laundering case against crypto exchange Binance and two of its executives will be heard next week.
The case will be heard at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
This is according to a report by Reuters.
The case comes more than a month earlier than planned, after defence lawyers asked for the date change, the prosecutor said on Monday.
The next court hearing, originally scheduled for Oct. 11 has now been fixed for Sept. 2.

Binance and the executives – U.S. citizen and head of financial crime compliance Tigan Gambaryan, and the exchange’s British-Kenyan regional manager for Africa, Nadeem Anjarwalla – have been charged with laundering more than $35m.
Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, is also facing accusations of tax evasion.
Both Binance and Gambaryan have denied the charges. Anjarwalla escaped from detention and left Nigeria before the trial started.
Gambaryan has been detained in Nigeria since February and his health has deteriorated in prison, his wife Yuki Gambaryan said this month.
She appealed to the Nigerian government to drop the charges against her husband and release him on health grounds and also asked the U.S. government to help secure his release.
Nigeria has blamed Binance for its currency weakness after cryptocurrency websites became the platforms of choice for trading the Nigerian naira as the country grappled with chronic dollar shortages and its currency fell to a record low.
Binance said in March it would stop all transactions and trading in naira after a country-wide crackdown on crypto exchanges that have been blamed by authorities for feeding a black market for foreign exchange.
It would be recalled that In July, Gambaryan was whisked into the courtroom in a wheelchair.
However, when the matter was called, Gambaryan who was dressed in a black T-shirt with blue jeans trousers, stood up from the wheelchair and walked slowly into the dock.
The EFCC lawyer, Ogechi Ujam, told the court that though the matter was scheduled for the continuation of trial, the commission’s lead counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, was not in court.
Ujam had prayed the court to stand down the matter to enable Iheanacho to conduct the trial.
Lawyer to Binance, Babatunde Fagbohunlu, (SAN), and Mark Mordi, who represented Gambaryan, did not oppose the application.
Justice Emeka Nwite stepped down on the matter.
Justice Emeka Nwite had, on July 5, ordered the management of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to release the medical certificate of Gambaryan on or before July 16.
The judge gave the order following an application by Gambaryan’s lawyer.


Mordi had prayed the court to summon the medical doctor at the health facility of Kuje Correctional Centre, to explain why he had allegedly refused to make available his client’s medical report despite an earlier court order.

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Our Policies Will Soon Bring Relief To Nigerians – Tinubu Assures

President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to be patient as his administration’s tough policy decisions are set to bring relief and improve the economic situation in the nation.

Speaking at the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Lagos, President Tinubu who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, reiterated his administration’s commitment to promoting the rule of law, adhering to the principles of separation of powers, and tolerating dissenting views within the legal framework of the country. He emphasized that the challenging decisions made were necessary for transformative changes and promised that these would soon yield positive outcomes for the populace.

The President praised the NBA’s long-standing role in championing democratic ideals and the rule of law, aligning these principles with his administration’s objectives. Tinubu’s address highlighted the difficult but necessary path his government has embarked on to amend longstanding issues and inefficiencies.

He said;

“Let me reassure you all that this administration will continue to promote the rule of law, adherence to the principles of separation of powers and tolerance of dissent within the bounds of the law.

“While I acknowledge the temporal existence of some daunting challenges besetting us as a nation, I would like to urge you all not to adopt a defeatist approach; rather, we should remain resolute in working for a country of our dreams.

“It is obvious that Nigeria as a nation cannot continue to sojourn on the trajectory of the past if we must be assured of sustainable development; hence, the need to sanitize the Augean stable and chart a proper course of rebuilding the nation.

“I acknowledge that altering the status quo requires difficult decisions and changes, which also inevitably come with hard outcomes. However, I am confident that this is a passing phase and our policies and actions, as an administration, are bound to usher in relief in no distant time.”