By Francesca Hangeior

CEO, Access Bank Plc, have been reportedly dead following a helicopter crash in California near the Nevada border, United States of America.

As of the time of filing in this report, it’s not confirmed whether his wife or children were involved.

New York Times reports that no survivors have been located as of Saturday morning, the authorities said.

The Federal Aviation Administration said that the Eurocopter EC130 helicopter crashed at around 10 p.m. local time near Nipton, Calif, an unincorporated community about 60 miles south of Las Vegas in eastern San Bernardino County.

It was unclear on Saturday morning where the helicopter departed from and where it was headed.

Details later…

Irked by the relatively high cost of living in Nigeria, the United Marketers Association Potiskum, UMAPO, organized a special prayer seeking God’s intervention in the current economic realities in the country.

The prayer held at Government Day Secondary School, GDSS, playground in Potiskum town attracted dozens of men, women, children as well as religious scholars.

They observed two units of congregational prayer seeking solace from God as the situation seems to defy man-made solutions.

Briefing newsmen at the venue of the special prayer, the Executive Chairman, UMAPO Potiskum, Nasiru Alhaji Mato, said they were compelled by the current economic crisis to organize the prayers to ask God for succor.

According to him “God says that anytime you are facing challenges, you should go back to Him and seek for His forgiveness and way out.

“Nowadays, things are becoming difficult, people are hungry and life is becoming unbearable day by day; the cost of living is shooting up that is why we gathered people under our platform to pray for relief”.

He added that since the removal of fuel subsidy, prices of foodstuffs and other essential commodities have been increasing, leading to unbearable hardships and this is coming as there is high unemployment rate in the country.

When asked about the Federal Government’s palliative program, he said it is a temporary move and not a sustainable solution.

Mato appealed to the federal, state, and local governments to constitute a committee that would come up with practical solutions to stabilise the economy and find a sustainable way of reducing the high cost of living in Nigeria.

The Jigawa Coordinator of the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, Mr Aminu Jakada, has expressed concern on the low enrolment for National Identification Number, NIN, in the state.

Jakada said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Dutse on Saturday that only about 2.6 million people in the state have so far obtained the NIN.

NAN reports that Jigawa, which is the eighth most populous state in Nigeria, has a population of over 7,499,100 people as at 2022.

The Coordinator said that the enrolment figure was too low and urged citizens and legal residents to obtain their NIN.

“The problem we have now is that people are not coming out to register.

“It is only when we have an isssue like now that people are registering for JAMB that you see crowd in all centres.

“But immediately after the JAMB registration, everybody will stay at home until when something required them to obtain NIN that they will come again,” he added.

The NIMC coordinator appealed to traditional rulers in the state to assist the commission in sensitisating their subjects to give priority to obtaining their identity number.

According to him, aggressive campaign on the enrolment will speed up registeration of more citizens and legal residents in the state.

Jakada particularly appealed to Dutse, Gumel, Ringim and Hadejia Emirate Councils to emulate Kazaure emirate by establishing special NIN enrolment centres in their respective domains.

He explained that Kazaure emirate’s establishment of special NIN registration centres led to the enrollment of 75 per cent of people in the area, hence the need for the other four emirates to emulate the initiative.

The coordinator added that before the establishment of the centres by the Emir of Kazaure, Alhaji Najib Hussaini-Adamu, the area was lagging behind in terms of NIN enrollment.

According to him, the emirate in now leading with 75 per cent, followed by Hadejia emirate with 65 per cent of registered residents.

He added that the record of enrolment in Dutse emirate was 50 per cent, while Gumel emirate has 30 per cent and Ringim emirate, 20 per cent.

“Traditional institutions can assist us through sensitisation so that people will be more aware of the exercise and that will speed it up.

“We are calling on other individuals in the state who can afford to assist by establishing special centers in their respective communities to do so, in order to register more people,” Jakada said.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued warrants for the arrest of Margaret Emefiele, the wife of the former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, along with Eric Ocheme Odoh, Anita Joy Omoile, and Jonathan Omoile.

They are suspected of colluding with former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, in the misappropriation of substantial funds from the apex bank.

In an official notice released on Friday, the EFCC disclosed that the aforementioned individuals are subjects of keen interest in an ongoing investigation into various financial irregularities.

The anti-graft agency is urging individuals with any pertinent information regarding the whereabouts of these individuals to promptly reach out to the nearest EFCC Command or the nearest Police Station.

These warrants underscore the EFCC’s steadfast commitment to pursuing cases of economic and financial crimes with utmost seriousness.

The agency stressed the crucial role of public cooperation in ensuring that alleged perpetrators were brought to justice.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, has imposed a N10.5 billion fine on electricity distribution companies, DisCos, for over billion customers without meters to the tune of 105.05 billion in the first nine months of 2023.

The Commission in separate Orders issued to the DisCos on Friday said the utilities were in breach of an Order it issued in 2020 on capping of electricity billed to unmetered customers by the DisCos.

A selected check on the orders showed that Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, over-billed its customers without meters to the tune of N17.874 billion while Eko Distribution Company, EKEDC, over-billed its unmetered customers by N13.137 billion.

Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company, PHEDC, over-billed its customers without meter by N14.187 billion with Kaduna Electric over-billing its customers by N1.145 billion.

NERC ordered the DisCos to refund the cheated customers in full and to ensure compliance in the future. To deter future occurrence, it imposed a 10 percent fine on the utilities.

The Commission explained that “The public may recall that in 2020, the Commission issued the Order on Capping of Estimated Bills (Order No: NERC/197/2020) and subsequently issued monthly energy caps which aimed to align the estimated bills for unmetered customers with the measured consumption of metered customers on the same supply feeder.

“A review of the Electricity Distribution Companies billing of unmetered customers for 2023 has revealed non-compliance with the monthly energy caps issued by the Commission.

“In response to this and in a bid to safeguard unmetered customers from arbitrary billing by DisCos, the Commission, pursuant to Section 34(1)(d) of the Electricity Act 2023 (“EA 2023”), has issued the Order on Non-Compliance with Capping of Estimated Bills (Order No: NERC/2024/004-014) which stipulates the following: “Credit Adjustment to Customers: DisCos are to issue credit adjustments to all overbilled unmetered customers for the period January to September 2023 by the March 2024 billing cycle.

“Public Notice: DisCos have been directed to publish the list of credit adjustment beneficiaries in two national dailies and on their website no later than 31st March 2024.

“Regulatory Sanctions: The Commission shall deduct a sum of N10,505,286,072 from the annual allowed revenues of the eleven (11) DisCos during the next tariff review, to deter future non-compliance with the energy caps approved by the Commission”.

Specifically, for Eko DisCo, the Commission said: “To forestall further non-compliance, a deduction of N1,413,766,176 which is equivalent to 10% of the Naira value of the total over-billing for the period January – September 2023 shall be applied to EKEDC’s annual OpEx over a rolling 12-month period during the next tariff review.

“Notwithstanding the provisions of section (11B)(i), and pursuant to the provision of section 34(2)(f) of the EA 2023, the Commission may deduct a greater percentage of the total over-billing from EKEDC’s admin OPEX where a non-compliance with capping Orders persists”.

Armed bandits have targeted Kogo village in Faskari Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina State, kidnapping 16 residents, including children, women, and men.

According to a local resident who confided in Vanguard, the attack which unfolded silently at about 8:20 PM yesterday, caught the villagers off guard as the assailants executed their plan with meticulous precision.

“The hoodlum quietly infiltrated the community, possibly parking their motorcycles at a distance to avoid detection.

“Without causing much uproar, the assailants targeted a residence and eventually took away 16 people comprising of children, women, and men,” revealed the local source.

The community is now grappling with fear and uncertainty, anxiously awaiting updates on the ongoing situation.

The residents are deeply concerned about the safety of their kidnapped fellow villagers and the overall security of the area, the source noted.

When contacted, ASP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, the spokesperson for the Katsina Police Command, stated that he would verify the report and provide a response. As of the time of filing this report, he was yet to confirm or communicate any updates.

A Nigerian-Canadian citizen, and the Special Assistant and Advisor to member of Canadian Parliament, Mr Akinade Oduntan, has been appointed as Mayor’s Brampton Business Ambassador.

Oduntan, a prominent leader in the Black Canadians community has distinguished himself in various community services over the years as this earned him accolades and recognition in Canada.

His recent appointment was rectified by the Mayor of Brampton; Mayor Patrick Brown.

The appointment will enable the Nigerian-Canadian entrepreneur initiate investors, businesses and investment into the City of Brampton from African countries and also act as a spokesperson.

Oduntan, popularly called ‘Akin’ is an Advisory Committee member to the Mayor of Brampton, Canada, representing the Black community. He is also on the Advisory Committee of Brampton Transit.

Akin is an active member of Peel Police Chief’s Resource Council.

He actively participates in professional and community groups in Canada and outside of Canada.

He graduated with a degree in Pharmacology/Physiology from the University of Lagos and later completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Technology in Canada.

He served as the Public Relations officer of the Institute of Safety Professional of Nigeria (ISPON) Lagos chapter.

He has over 30 years of leadership experience, including 25 years in direct safety management practices.

Oduntan in a remark described the appointment as one that would further stimulate a multi-bilateral business relationship between Nigeria and Canada and also foster inter-racial relationships.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced that the Lagos State Government will disburse a total amount of N3.1 billion to some of its retirees.

Confirming this in a statement on Friday, Sanwo-Olu said he hopes that the news will put smiles on the faces of the families affected.

“Next week, we are set to disburse N3.1 billion under the Contributory Pension Scheme to over 1,000 retirees who have served our state tirelessly. Your sacrifices have not gone unnoticed,” he wrote on X.

“It is pertinent to take note of the fact that in the lifetime of our administration, we have disbursed over N60 billion as pension to over 17,000 retirees. This achievement fills us with pride.

Sanwo-Olu stated that prioritizing the welfare of those who have shaped the history of Lagos State is not just a commitment, it is the legacy of the Government.

The Governor added that the trust of the people of Lagos is paramount, and together, everyone involved is constructing a state that champions its own.

“A heartfelt thank you for your unwavering dedication. Your contributions form the very foundation of our vibrant state,” Sanwo-Olu said.

“There is so much more to be done, and we will continue to strive to achieve more. Let’s keep building a stronger, caring Lagos together.”

The Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, disclosed on Friday that rampaging bandits terrorising some parts of the state are threatening to attack him.

The governor made this known during an expanded emergency security council meeting at the Government House.

He stated that the bandits’ threat was based on security reports.

Speaking in Hausa, Radda said: “Based on security reports that we are receiving, I am among those that the bandits are thinking of attacking, but that doesn’t muddle me because God is with us, and he will protect us.”

However, the governor explained that the threat by the hoodlums would not stop his government from adopting revolving security strategies to tackle banditry and other security challenges in the state.

The security meeting had in attendance the heads of security agencies in the state, traditional and religious leaders, top government officials and members of the business community and was still going at time of filing this report.

A civil servant, Jamilu Zuntu, on Thursday demanded the sum of N7 million from his wife, Hadiza Aliyu, to grant her divorce request.

He told the court that he had spent N2.5 million on her education over a period of two and a half years.

“I also bought boxes of clothes worth N2.5 million and paid for other traditional rites,” he claimed.

Hadiza, in response to her husband’s demand, said that she was only willing to pay N100,000, being the dowry paid on her “to free myself from this union.”

Represented by her counsel, A. A Imam, Hadiza also requested the custody of their daughter, arguing that the father was “not in a position to provide for her.”
The judge, after hearing both sides, adjourned the matter to Feb. 27 for a ruling

(NAN)

With the Lagos City Marathon taking place on Saturday, the state government has announced the closure of some critical roads in the metropolis for the sporting event.

The government in a Friday statement by the State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said some routes would be temporarily unavailable to motorists during the marathon.

Major routes that will be shut between 5.00 am and 2.00 pm are Funsho Williams Avenue from Stadium, Surulere; Ikorodu Road to Anthony, Gbagada to Third Mainland Bridge, Third Mainland Bridge (Inbound and Outbound), Dolphin Road to Alfred Rewane Road, Falomo Roundabout to Bourdillon Road, Lekki Bridge to Freedom Way and Akin-Adesola to Ahmadu Bello Way.

According to the commissioner, alternative routes would be available during the marathon.

Motorists could drive through Apongbon Bridge inwards Eko Bridge through Costain Roundabout, Iponri, and Bode Thomas for a desired destination or utilize Eko Bridge through Costain Roundabout and Apapa Road to link Oyingbo/Jebba to access Herbert Macaulay for a desired destination, he said.

“For Motorists trying to navigate the Third Mainland Bridge, the 3rd Mainland Bridge will not be available to Motorists from 12.00 tonight till the end of the marathon,” he said.

The commissioner stated that motorists could equally go through Victoria Island to link Independence Bridge and CMS Bridge to access Apongbon inwards Ijora-Olopa to Iddo and Oyingbo to connect Herbert Macaulay Road to continue their journeys.

He also hinted that all outbound journeys from Ikorodu Road, Funsho Williams Avenue en route Lagos Island are exempted from the diversion, adding that Officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority would be deployed to the diversion points for seamless traffic flow and safety of motorists.

The government urged motorists who have no serious business along the marathon diversion routes to avoid the areas, adding that movement on the 3rd Mainland would return to the status quo immediately after the marathon is concluded.