9javariety

From Joseph Inokotong, Abuja  More Nigerians may soon resort to the use of firewood   for cooking as prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) hits the rooftops due to the Federal Government implementation of a 7.5 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) policy on imported cooking gas. Survey of cooking gas prices by Global Finance Digest showed that the commodity has jumped by more than 100 percent since December 2020 across the nation. According to the Survey, despite the presence of the Nigeria Liquefied Gas company (NLNG), which largely produces natural gas and Liquefied gas, Nigeria imports around 70 per cent of LPG for domestic use, with the balance of about 30 per cent sourced locally by dealers. Industry sources said the government began the implementation of the 7.5 per cent VAT on LPG imports about three weeks ago while some dealers were also mandated to pay the tax for commodities imported several months ago. Global Finance Digest said the price of 12.5...

There is no better way to describe the attack on the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) on Tuesday, August 24, 2021. That attack has mocked Nigeria’s entire defence and security apparatus and architecture. The attackers conveyed an unmistakable message. There is nowhere, no institution, and no agency of government that is impenetrable, secure and unreachable. Terrorists can strike at the soul of the country’s defence anytime, anywhere and anyway they choose. The onslaught connotes a national scandal. The repercussions are many, worrying and grave. As many commentators have said, nowhere and nobody in Nigeria should be considered safe from criminal attack. The raid on the NDA is a strike on the soul of the nation. The NDA is not an ordinary institution. It is not a playground. It is not a tourist centre. It is an elite academy that represents the centrepiece of our national defence, security, policy, planning, training and management. The NDA ought to have been fortified against foreseen...

By Emma Njoku Chairman , National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig.- Gen. Buba Marwa (retd), yesterday, said that the agency had arrested over 8,000 people between January and August, for alleged drug related offences. Marwa made the disclosure at a Town Hall meeting in Badawa community, Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State. He said out of the number, about 1,600 had been convicted and serving various jail terms. He added that over two million kilograms of assorted drugs was seized from the suspects during the period under review. The NDLEA boss urged governor Ganduje not to support calls by some elected officials in the country for legalisation of cannabis sativa. He said the agency is currently doing so much to cut availability and accessibility to illicit drugs across the country, adding that any attempt to legalise the illicit substance would be a setback to the progress made, so far. He said: “With over 8, 634 arrests; 2,776,000 kilograms of drugs worth ove...

Following increasing insecurity in Plateau, the Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), yesterday, warned residents against taking the law into their hands in the guise of self-defence. Media Officer of the task force, Maj. Ishaku Takwa, who gave the warning in a statement issued in Jos, noted that such calls would escalate the security challenges bedevilling the state. “We have noted several reports in the media by some highly placed individuals, calling on law-abiding citizens of Plateau to resort to defending themselves in the face of the security challenges experienced in the state. “We wish to assure the good people of the state that OPSH is committed to protecting the lives and property of all. “We have improved on our responses to distress calls and several attacks were prevented from happening lately. “These successes were possible due to the trust and provision of timely and credible information from the good people of the state. The post Military warns Plateau...

From Sylvanus Viashima , Jalingo The Taraba State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Ibrahim El-Sudi, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expunge the plea bargain to the barest minimum, in its determination to fight corruption in the country. El-Sudi, who said this while interacting with journalists in Jalingo, said that the situation where people trusted with position of power help themselves to the wealth meant for the people, denying them of the needed infrastructure and services, hand in a tip of what they had stolen to be let off the hook, does not show seriousness of the Commission. The legal luminary cum politician said that “the anti-graft war must be taken very seriously because corruption has dealt this country a terrible blow. “In my opinion, corrupt leaders are even deadlier than terrorists and other criminal elements terrorising the people. They are responsible for millions of deaths due to the poor health sector, bad...

From Chijioke Agwu , Abakaliki Ebubeagu Security Network (ESN) in Ebonyi State, yesterday, arrested seven criminal suspects for stealing, burglary and illegal possession of firearms in the state. The suspects, who are between the ages of 16 and 27 were arrested at their different hideouts, while others were arrested following a tip off by concerned members of the public. The Special Assistant to Governor David Umahi on Internal Security, Ikechukwu Eze, said that the suspects were arrested because of their criminal activities in the state. Eze stated that the suspects have been handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution, adding that the Ebubeagu security outfits were working to complement the efforts of security agencies in the state. He noted that three of the suspects are from Ebonyi State; Afikpo North, Ohaukwu and Ohaozara Local Government Areas, while two are from Anambra, Awka South and Idemili North local government areas. He stated that the remai...

By Bunmi Ogunyale  Super Eagles’ camp came alive yesterday with the arrival of the team’s captain, Ahmed Musa and other Europe-based players that invited for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde.  Other players in camp as at press time are; Moses Simon, Shehu Abdullahi, Samuel Kalu, Daniel Akpeyi, Adekunle Adeleke, Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho and Oghenekaro Etebo. Others are; Chidera Ejuke, Kingsley Michael, Wilfred Ndidi, Kenneth Omeruo, Francis Uzoho and Henry Onyekuru. Shortly after their arrival at the Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, the players sweated out in gym, just as they also went through light training session at the hotel premises.  Only midfielder Joseph Ayodele-Aribo and forward Paul Onuachu are expected to come into town today. The team will have its first training session at the Teslim Balogun Stadium today. Friday’s encounter will be the first FIFA World Cup qualifying game in Lagos since the Eagles defeated the Leone Sta...

English Premier League and Scottish Professional Football League have refused to shift ground on non-release of players named to the Super Eagles roster for the 2022 World Cup qualifier against Cape Verde on Tuesday, September 7, reports Alnigeriasoccer.com. The Nigeria Football Federation had been in touch with the Premier League and Scottish Football Association to change their stance on the non-release of British-based players for the Super Eagles’ second World Cup qualifier but those talks did not yield any positive result. Cape Verde is among the countries on the United Kingdom’s red list and the players would have to quarantine upon their return to England and Scotland if they are released to the Nigeria Football Federation, and this would rule them out of Premier League and Premiership matches. Glasgow Rangers pair Leon Balogun and Joe Aribo, Leicester City duo Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi, Watford stars William Troost-Ekong and Oghenekaro Etebo and Everton winger Ale...

The annual Zenith Bank Tennis competition started on Monday at the Ikoyi Club tennis courts. Last year, the event failed to take place due to the COVID-19 surge around the world. Tournament Director, Ekene Nwaokolo, said over 90 players are taking part in the competition which is in its sixth edition. Nwaokolo said that all arrangements are in place by the club to guarantee smooth tournament. The smashers will be competing for honours in the Men’s Singles A, Men’s Singles B, Ladies Singles, Men’s Veterans Singles for 60+, Men’s Super vets for 70+ and the Team Events. The return of the competition is a delight to the sponsors as the GMD, Ebenezer Onyeagwu, noted that tennis at club level was fun and interesting. “We expect the participants to have fun in the game they love. It is our joy that the competition is back,” Onyeagwu said. The post Zenith Bank Tennis takes centre stage at Ikoyi Club appeared first on The Sun Nigeria .

Nigeria increased her medal haul at the ongoing Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan with a gold and silver in Powerlifting on Monday. Oluwafemiayo Folashade won Team Nigeria’s third gold medal of the Games with a World Record performance, lifting 152kg to underline her complete dominance of the event. It was silver for Obiji Loveline who lifted 147kg in the +86kg category. This is Team Nigeria’s first silver medal of the Games. Nigeria now has three gold, one silver and two bronze medals after Day Eight of competition. The post Folashade strikes gold, sets world record appeared first on The Sun Nigeria .

The timely intervention of former President of Nigeria Para Powerlifting Federation (NPPF), Queen Idris ensured that Bose Omolayo won a gold medal at the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics Games. Queen Idris who is a special guest of the World Para Powerlifting Federation promised to give Omolayo 500 dollars if she delivered a gold medal at the Games. Idris said the morale of Omolayo was low before she participated in her weight class, adding that she had to cheer her up with her local dialect. She said, “I am in Tokyo for the Paralympics Games on a special invitation from the World Para Powerlifting Federation. They knew the role I played when I was President of Nigeria Para Powerlifting Federation.” The post …Idris inspires Omolayo to win gold appeared first on The Sun Nigeria .

The audacious attack by bandits on the nation’s elite military school, the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, shows that nowhere is safe in the country anymore. The humiliating attack, which led to the death of two military officers and the abduction of an army Major, is an indication that the terrorists are becoming more formidable. It shows the porous nature of security in the institution and in the country generally. In July this year, bandits killed 13 police officers in Zamfara during an operation to repel an attack on some communities in Bungudu Local Government Area (LGA). They also shot down a Nigerian Air Force Alpha jet returning to base from a mission on Zamfara-Kaduna border the same month.     Travellers and schoolchildren are not spared. Last December, bandits went to the Government Science Secondary School, Kankara in Katsina State and abducted over 300 students. In February this year, they attacked Government Science School, Kagara, in Rafi Local Governm...

When things go wrong, and the nation appears to be on the brink, it’s fair to ask: why? The following questions suffice: why are things growing progressively worse rather than getting better under President Muhammadu Buhari? Is the present worsening security situation in the country the result of lack of our leadership recruitment process? Is the president listening to the voices of pain and suffering, or simply not interested and not in charge as some people have insinuated? In short, is the president plainly overwhelmed by the weight of challenges confronting the country, or overdoing his strengths?                                     You see, sometimes, a leader, a President may have enormous moral strength or raw power, but in emergency situations, these are simply not enough. When an elected government abandons  its constitutional duties such as the security and welfare of the people, ...

From Timothy Olanrewaju Maiduguri Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) fighters, yesterday, launched a massive attack on Rann, headquarters of Kala-Balge Local Government Area of Borno State,   forcing   many residents to flee to Cameroon. Rann is about 350km from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, and shares boundary with Cameroon. Sources said heavily armed fighters   stormed Rann in the early hours and engaged troops in a fierce gun battle in a bid to take over the town. Reports from fleeing residents, however, said while they ransacked the military base and torched many houses, they allowed civilian to leave unharmed, but denied pass to humanitarian workers.   It was learnt that many humanitarian workers had taken to the bush, assisted by locals, and moving towards the Cameroon border in effort to find their way out and avoid the militants. “They burnt down the military base and some vehicles. The soldiers abandoned their bases following more...

From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri, Chijioke Agwu, Abakaliki, Okey Sampson, Umuahia, Jeff Amechi Agbodo, Onitsha and Obinna Odogwu, Awka Three gunmen reportedly enforcing the suspended sit-at-home of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were shot dead by military personnel at Umuonyewere, Umuowa in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State, yesterday. A source told Daily Sun that the hoodlums were using the opportunity of the order to disposes residents in the area of their valuables. But they were said to have met their Waterloo at a filling station when they reportedly robbed a fuel attendant of cash and phones as a joint military operations by men of the 34 Artillery brigade, Obinze, 211 quick response group and the Navy, Owerri, acting on a tip off ambushed the hoodlums and engaged them in a gun duel . Three of them were killed while others fled into the bush. A Toyota Rav4 SUV which they also snatched was recovered. Other items recovered from the hoodlums included two vehicl...

From Uche Usim, Abuja and Chinwendu Obienyi In line with on going plans to roll-out its digital currency by year end, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Monday announced the formal engagement of the global Fintech company, Bitt Inc., as its technical partner for Nigeria’s eNaira. Governor of the Central Bank, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, who who   disclosed in Abuja, also listed the benefits of the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) to include increased cross-border trade, accelerated financial inclusion, cheaper and faster remittance inflows, easier targeted social interventions, as well as improvements in monetary policy effectiveness, payment systems efficiency, and tax collection.  Emefiele added that Project Giant, as the Nigerian CBDC pilot is known, has been a long and thorough process for the apex bank, following its decision to digitise the Naira in 2017, after extensive research and explorations.  “Given the significant explosion in...

From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the   Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) have said Nigeria would bounce back to reckoning in spite of political challenges, besetting its progress. They urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the corporate existence of the nation. National presidents of CAN, Rev’d Supo Ayokunle and the (PFN), Bishop Wale Oke, gave the assurance at the flag-off of the eight-day 39th annual holy ghost convention of the Sword of the Spirit Ministries, with the theme: ‘Abundant Rain’ at the Precious Cornerstone University (PCU) campus, Ibadan, Oyo State. Ayokunle and Oke also bemoaned the state of affairs that has led to insecurity, agitation for self-determination, banditry, kidnapping and insurgency, blaming it on the ungodly ways of the leaders and the led in the country. CAN president said ungodliness and corruption have become ways of life in the country and called for repentance. He added that the prevailing situatio...

From Gyang Bere , Jos Persons believed to be security personnel, yesterday, stormed the Plateau State House of Assembly and prevented members from sitting.   It was learnt that the presence of the security officials, who stormed the Assembly complex in black Land Cruiser Jeep which they stationed at the entrance of the House, was to prevent “breakdown of law and order” following alleged moves to impeach Governor Solomon Lalong. Gunmen recently attacked, killed many and injured scores in 39 communities of Miango chiefdom. They also razed houses, looted properties, destroyed farmlands and rendered many homeless. Following the attack, the House had issued a two-week ultimatum to the governor to take drastic measures to curtail insecurity and killings oin the state. He was also charged to rise up and defend his people against attacks and attackers that have displaced several people from their ancestral homes. Member representing Pankshin South constituency and Chairman House Com...

From Tony John, Port Harcourt Ogoni traditional rulers in Rivers State have told the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) to approach the stakeholders of the area if it wants to resume oil exploration in the communities. The monarchs declared   that the stakeholders would not allow the oil company to enter Ogoni   through the “back door.” The decision was reached by the Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers (SCOTR),   Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) and other stakeholders who had earlier opposed NPDC’s plan to resume operation, following its recent visit to Bori facilitated by the Ogoni Liberation Initiative (OLI). President of SCOTR, Gbenemene Tai Kingdom, King Godwin   Gininwa, in a statement signed by the group’s publicity decretary, Gbenemene Tua-Tua Tai, Paramount Ruler of Kpite Tai, King Samuel L.A. Nnee, distanced Ogoni traditional rulers from the move to allow NPDC resume operations in the area, and called on members o...

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has vowed to continue to summon journalists and media organisations that violate broadcasting codes and ethics. The Director General, Balarabe Ilelah, who spoke when members of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) led by its president, Chris Isiguzo, visited the commission’s ofºfices said the commission was not out to stifle freedom of the press but added that the ethics must be respected. He said this when members of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) led by its president, Chris Isiguzo, visited the commission’s office in Abuja. “As leaders of your various reputable and responsible organisation, I want you to tell your members that nobody is above the law. All of us must live within the coverage of the law and we must be held accountable. Journalism is a profession that has ethics, we are supposed to operate within the ethics of the profession. You came to the commission based on some reports from the social media. As a journalist, I ...

By Adewale Sanyaolu The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has been criticised over its alleged growing partisanship in the discharge of its regulatory role in the broadcasting industry. National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) reacting to the query issued Channels TV and summoning of   journalists over the interview granted Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State said the action was clearly an act of   “professional intimidation, disrespect for democratic ethos and a flagrant abuse of regulatory power.” The NAS Capoon, Abiola Owoaj in a statement titled, “On NBC increasing assault on press freedom” said the action of NBC is unbecoming of an impartial regulator. “The National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) deplores this reaction of the NBC to the interview granted by Governor Ortom. We wish to restate our concerns over the Commission’s incredible disdain for professional journalistic ethics and political neutrality, a blatantly partisan i...

From Noah Ebije, Kaduna No fewer than 12 passengers died and six others injured   in a motor accident along Kaduna-Abuja highway, yesterday. The accident involved a lone Toyota Hiace bus conveying 18 passengers from Kaduna to Abuja. The cause of the accident was identified as a brake failure following a tyre blowout. A statement by the Kaduna Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan said: “On a sad note, security agencies have reported to the Kaduna State Government that 12 persons have died and six others are injured following a ghastly road traffic crash which occurred on Monday afternoon in Nasarawa Doka, along the Kaduna-Abuja road in Kachia LGA. “The crash involved a lone Toyota Hiace bus conveying 18 passengers from Kaduna to Abuja. The cause of the crash has been identified as a brake failure following a tyre explosion. Twelve passengers died on the spot. The six injured passengers were rushed to hospital. “Governor Nasir El-Rufai expressed ...

From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja The  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the stance of the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, that stealing is going on quietly under the   All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government was a vindication of its position on the ruling party. The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, yesterday, said the comments was a confirmation that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has provided cover for corrupt officials. It   charged Nigerians to hold the APC and its leaders responsible for all the woes that have befallen the country in the last six years, as well as ensure the party is voted out in 2023. “The situation as presented by Amaechi shows that ‘quiet stealing’ is a policy of the APC administration. This explains why the administration is heavy on propaganda and has failed to prosecute its officials and APC leaders openly indicted for corruption, but only resort to ‘eas...

Morocco defender, Hanane Ait El Haj has backed her side to emerge victorious at the upcoming Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament taking place in Lagos, Nigeria next month. The Atlas Lionesses are drawn against Mali and Nigeria in Group A of the six-nation competition and the former Zaragoza star is excited about her team’s chance to test themselves against women’s football powerhouses in Africa. “For us, it’s a good opportunity to know first, our level, what we should improve on and also the level of the teams that we may likely play at the Women Africa Cup of Nations,” El Haj, who recently helped ASFAR win the UNIAF Women’s Champions League title, told ABC Media. “We play against Mali a lot of times, so we know each other. But it will be our first game with Nigeria and we know they are a big and strong team that always fight for titles.” On their ultimate goal at the competition, the 26-year-old said: “Our ambition is to win this tournament and improve ourselves. “It will be a v...

By  Sunday Oduntan My attention was recently drawn to an article published in a national daily titled “Investors battle electricity regulator over policy suspension”. Whilst the concerns of the author and the stakeholders behind the publication are misplaced and unfounded, it is compelling to set the records straight on the issues brought forward in the said publication. Notably, it is true that the Eligible Customer Regulation 2017 (the “Regulation”), is derived from the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) 2005, which gives the Minister of Power (the “Minister”) the authority to declare the commencement of the Eligible Customers Regime. The Regulation further empowers the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (“NERC”) to administer the regime to wit receiving applications for eligibility customer status, considering/reviewing such applications and granting approval where the stipulated conditions have been met by such applicants. The Regulation which was made in 2017 a...

By   Uzor Maxim Uzoatu The hot button in Nigeria today is to crow of secession. It does not matter if the jumped-up secessionist leader can in truth tell the boundaries of his dream nation. The really appalling aspect of the matter is that some of Nigeria’s so-called leading politicians have joined the bandwagon of preaching hate and violence in the promotion of ethnic and religious cleavages. It is remarkable for me that Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State as the incumbent chairman of the Governors’ Forum is espousing the bonding ideal against all odds from the diverse divisive domains. The need for me to do this piece arose following the criticisms directed at Governor Fayemi after he felicitated with former Military President General Ibrahim Babangida on the recent celebration of his 80th birthday. The burden Governor Fayemi bears today as “the governor of governors” transcends the hotheadedness of quondam activism. Against the background of dangerous divisions across the ...

Thedecision of President Joe Biden to end America’s longest war in Afghanistan was reportedly driven by a determination not to sacrifice more American lives. But what he got was what he feared the most. The overthrow of Afghanistan government by Taliban forces almost 20 years after the group was ousted from power by NATO forces, was hardly anticipated. The Taliban has taken over the government of the war-torn country of 39 million people. Biden also defended the chaotic withdrawal of American troops. However, last week’s multiple explosions near Kabul airport which killed scores of people, including 13 American military personnel and Afghan civilians, might not have been contemplated. Although ISIS has claimed responsibility for the bombings, the Afghan scenario is a sad reminder of America’s fiasco in Vietnam in the sixties.  While there were prior warnings of a Taliban resurgence even before President Biden announced imminent U.S. withdrawal of its troops in April, the manner t...