News
Courageous Citizens Award Echoes Events Of 2023 Presidential Elections
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Occurrences of the 2023 general elections resonated loudly at the maiden edition of the Courageous Citizens award ceremony held in Abuja at the weekend.
The award which was organized by the Nigerian-American Coalition for Justice and Democracy (NACJD) was to recognize ordinary Nigerians who believe that a new Nigeria is possible and fought for change in 2023.
(What they did, and where they demonstrated their courage)
The awardees were grouped into three categories which include, the Courageous Citizen Order of Distinction, (CCOD), that went to the Labour Party Presidential Candidate and former Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Mr Peter Gregory Obi; the Courageous Citizens Order of Freedom, (CCOF), which captured persons like Ex-president Obasanjo and leaders of some ethnic nationalities, and prominent religious groups, and social media influencers and media personalities, who were very vocal towards the journey for the desired change.
The third was for the Courageous Citizens Medal of Valour, (CCMV), which sought to recognize individuals who were the real foot soldiers at the forefront of the battle for change in the build-up and during the 2023 general elections.
The awardees in the second category went to the Executive Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, Right Honourable Dennis Nnamdi AGBO who led the Vanguard for change and won the election under LP, to represent Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency of Enugu State in the National Assembly; Aisha Yesufu, Barrister Kenneth Okonkwo, ace television host, Rufai Oseni of Arise Television, Seun Okinbaloye of Channels TV, and Dr Ordinary Ahmed Isa of the Berekete radio fame.
Late Barrester Oyibo Chukwu, the Labour Party, (LP) Senatorial candidate for Enugu East Senatorial Zone of Enugu State, and Late Victoria Chintex from Kafanchan, Kaduna state the Labour Party Woman Leader from Kafanchan, Kaduna South in Kaduna State, both of whom were gruesomely murdered before the presidential election, were equally awarded post humously.
Responding to the award as the Courageous Citizen of Valour, Hon. Dennis Agbo said he was heartened to know that his little efforts in the 2023 struggles to free Nigeria didn’t go unnoticed.
To him, “the fight to free Nigeria has just began. The battle for freedom is not usually easy but it is not insurmountable. The 2023 elections was the take-off and we did not lose face’. He stressed.
He admonished Nigerians especially the youths not to lose hope in the battle for change saying, “a new Nigeria is truly possible and we must all unite to rescue our nation from elements among us who indulge in State capture, rape of our democracy, and the pillaging of our common patrimony ”.
Aisha Yesuf in her own reaction openly declared, “2023 mandate was stolen and am not afraid to say it. We are in prison today because we are afraid of dying, but I must tell you say, all die na die ” .
She said “the leaders have failed the youths and they are leaving the country in droves and because they have destroyed the country, America, Canada, Australia and the rest of the world are now giving Nigeria different stringent immigration conditions “.
“We are waiting for them in 2027 and we will not allow them to repeat what they did in 2023. They did not win the election and they Know it. They are giving us old National Anthem. l spoke against it and they said they will arrest me and am waiting for them”, she declared.
The leader of the Middle Belt Forum, (MBF) Bitrus Pogu in his goodwill message chronicled the adoption of Peter Obi as the preferred candidate of the four ethnic nationalities comprising of Afenifere, MBF, Ohaneze and the South-South Pandef. He noted that the zones first agreed that the presidency should go to the south and that having reached that consensus, the leader of Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo reasoned that since Obasanjo from the Southwest had been President, and Osibanjo from same region was just leaving office as Vice President, the Southeast should be given the Presidential slot because South-south had produced Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.
Pogu further stated that having reached that understanding, the three regions asked Ohaneze and the Soith East to give them a sellable candidate, hence the emergence of Peter Obi, away from the legacy Parties, and on an untainted Labour Party platform.
“And as soon as that happened we mobilized our people to support him because we believe in equity and the unity of the country”.
The Chairman of the Nigerian-American Coalition for Justice and Democracy, (NACJD), Eddie Oparaoji had earlier in his welcoming address emphasized that the event was put together to honour the true heroes of “our democracy ”.
He described the awardees as ordinary citizens who for the purpose of change had demonstrated extraordinary courage to achieve remarkable feats under grave danger and risk. “These awe-inspiring individuals have proven to all of us that with resilience, Compassion and unwavering determination we can achieve the desired change in our country”. Oparaoji stressed that, “this momentous occasion marks a significant milestone in our collaborative pursuit for Justice.”
The high point of the event was a video presentation of flashbacks of the 2023 General election, including Ex-President Obasanjo’s patriotic address to the Independent National Election, (INEC) to organise a re-run of the flawed Presidential election; the world press conferences addressed by Peter Obi and his Vice, and clips of various violence and irregularities recorded during both the presidential and gubernatorial elections of 2023.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned citizens to steer clear of 60 illegal Ponzi scheme operators in Nigeria.
These companies, operating without registration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) or the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), have been identified as potential threats to the financial well-being of unsuspecting Nigerians.
According to the EFCC, some of these operators have already faced legal action, with five convicted and another five pleading guilty, awaiting sentencing.
The commission’s warning comes as a timely reminder for Nigerians to exercise caution when investing their hard-earned money.
The list of operators to avoid includes companies operating in various sectors, including agriculture, investment, and finance.
Full list below;
Wales Kingdom Capital
Bethseida Group of Companies
AQM Capital Limited
Titan Multibusiness Investment Limited
Brickwall Global Investment Limited
Farmforte Limited & Agro Partnership Tech
Green Eagles Agribusiness Solution Limited
Richfield Multiconcepts Limited Forte Asset Management Limited
Biss Networks Nigeria Limited
S Mobile Netzone Limited
Pristine Mobile Network
Letsfarm Integrated Services
Bara Finance & Investment Limited
Vicampro Farms Limited
Brooks Network Limited
Gas Station Supply Services Limited
Brass & Books Limited
Annexation Biz Concept & Maitanbuwal Global Venturescrowdyvest Limited
Crowdyvest Limited
Jadek Agro Connect Limited
Adeeva Capital Limited
Oxford International Group
Oxford Gold Integrated
Skapomah Global Limited
MBA Trading & Capital Investment Limited
TRJ Company Limited
Farm4Me Agriculture Limited
Quintessential Investment Company
Adeprinz Global Enterprises
Rockstar Establishment Limited
SU.Global Investment
Citi Trust Funding PLC
Farm Buddy
Eatrich 369 Farms & Food
Globertrot Farmsponsors Nigeria Limited
Farm Sponsors Limited
Cititrust Credit Limited
Farmfunded Agroservices Limited
Adamakin Investment & Works Limited
Cititrust Holding PLC
Green Eagles Agribusiness Solutions Limited
Chinmark Homes & Shelters Limited
Emerald Farms & Consultant Limited
Ovaioza Farm Produce Storage Limited
Farm 360 & Agriculture Company
Requid Technologies Limited
West Agro Agriculture & Food Processing Limited
NISL Ventures Limited & Estate of Laolu Martins
XY Connect Investment Limited
River Branch Unique Investment Limited
Hallmark Capital Limited
CJC Markets Limited
Crowd One Investment
Farmkart Foods Limited
KD Likemind Stakeholders Limited
Holibiz Finance Limited
Ifeanyi Okpe Oil & Gas Services
Servapps Nigeria Limited
Barrick Gold Mining Company
360 Agric Partners Limited.
How to Protect Yourself
To avoid falling prey to these illegal Ponzi schemes, Nigerians are advised to:
1 Verify investment opportunities with the CBN and SEC before committing funds
2 Be wary of unusually high returns on investment
3 Research the company’s background and reputation
4 Report suspicious activities to the EFCC
By being vigilant and informed, Nigerians can protect themselves from the dangers of Ponzi schemes and make informed investment decisions. Stay safe, and stay informed.
In response to recent allegations suggesting widespread hunger and fatalities among inmates, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has firmly denied the claims, assuring the public that feeding standards remain intact and strictly monitored across custodial centres nationwide.
Speaking with journalist in Abuja on Tuesday, the Service’s Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Umar, dismissed the reports as “sensational, misleading, and devoid of truth.” He emphasized that the welfare of inmates, including their nutrition, remains a top priority under the supervision of both state and federal authorities.
“Inmates are not starving. There is no evidence, either in our records or from any credible oversight body, suggesting that custodial centres are neglecting their duty to feed inmates adequately,” Umar stated.
He explained that the Federal Government allocates a dedicated budget annually for inmate feeding, which is judiciously managed under stringent guidelines. “Every inmate is entitled to three meals daily — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — as clearly provided for in our operational manual,” he said.
Umar further questioned the credibility of the reports, citing the strict access protocols in place at custodial facilities. He noted that no unauthorized interviews with inmates could have occurred, given that access requires multiple layers of clearance, and the use of recording devices is prohibited within the facilities.
“How does a journalist claim to have interviewed inmates in such a controlled environment without any official clearance or access?” he asked. “That alone casts doubt on the authenticity of the reports.”
To reinforce its commitment to inmate welfare, Umar said the NCoS has put in place an internal monitoring system, with officers-in-charge held accountable for the utilization of resources, especially feeding provisions. He said supervisory structures exist at both the national and state levels to maintain compliance and discipline.
“Any officer found negligent or complicit in mismanaging resources faces disciplinary action in line with our code of conduct,” he stated.
While acknowledging operational challenges, Umar maintained that such issues have not translated into hunger or starvation within correctional centres. He warned that false narratives could damage the reputation of the Service and cause undue public concern.
“We are aware of the economic situation, but it has not compromised our duty to feed or care for those in custody,” he said. “We call on media houses to verify information through the appropriate channels before publication.”
Umar highlighted the current administration’s efforts in improving the welfare of inmates, including a significant 50 percent increase in the feeding budget approved by President Bola Tinubu’s government. He also lauded the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for championing reforms in the correctional system.
“There is an ongoing review of inmate welfare and feeding programmes. Reforms are already underway and will yield even more positive changes,” he said.
He concluded by inviting civil society groups, media professionals, and international observers to visit correctional centres for independent assessments, stressing that transparency and accountability remain core to the NCoS’s operations.
“Our doors are open for oversight visits. We believe in constructive engagement that can help us do better,” Umar said. “We are not just holding inmates; we are working to rehabilitate and reintegrate them into society with dignity.”
The NCoS has reiterated its commitment to international standards on inmate care and has urged the public to disregard the alarming claims, which it described as fabricated and harmful to ongoing reform efforts.
A group of angry individuals, on Monday evening, stormed the CBEX office located in the Oke Ado area of Ibadan, Oyo State, looting furniture and other items after the digital trading platform reportedly crashed.
Eyewitnesses said the mob forcibly entered the premises, carting away tables, couches, and other office equipment.
The attack is believed to have been triggered by the sudden collapse of the platform, which allegedly left many users with zero balance in their accounts.
Following the incident, several users expressed frustration and grief over the loss of their investments, with some taking to social media to share their experiences.
A video circulating online shows a large crowd at the CBEX office, with individuals seen removing various items from the building.
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