Veteran Nigerian musician, Innocent Idibia, better known as 2Face, on Sunday, May 22 paid a visit to his colleague, Sound Sultan’s graveside in New Jersey, United States of America.
Sharing the video on his Instagram page on Monday morning, 2Face wrote that he went to pay his respect to Sound Sultan.
He was accompanied by media personality Emmanuel Ugolee and two others.
Sound Sultan passed away on July 11 last year after a long battle with the Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL), a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (throat cancer)
He was buried on the same day according to Islamic injunction.
Telecommunication subscribers are expressing their displeasure over the new Federal Government directive to impose a tax on telephone calls in the nation to fund free health care for the vulnerable.
According to the National Health Insurance Authority Bill 2021 signed by the President, Muhammadu Buhari weeks back notes that the new telecom tax in the equivalent of a minimum of one kobo per second for phone calls is a part of the sources of funds required to finance free healthcare for the Vulnerable Group in Nigeria.
A report by the Nigerian Communications Commission revealed that Nigerians in 2020 made 150.83 billion minutes of calls. This translates to 9.05 trillion seconds of calls, meaning the new tax will generate 9.05 trillion kobo, which converts to N90.49bn, yearly.
This new tax is coming despite moves by telecom companies to increase the price of calls, SMS, and data by 40 per cent as a result of an unfavorable operating environment.
The Health Insurance Act notes that the Vulnerable Group Fund is money budgeted to pay for healthcare services for vulnerable Nigerians who cannot pay for health insurance in a bid to subsidize the cost of provision of health care services to vulnerable people in the country.
According to the new Act, every resident in Nigeria is expected to obtain health insurance.
However, telecom subscribers under the aegis of National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, have said they will reject this new move by the government.
The President of the association, Adeolu Ogunbanjo, said, “It is quite unfortunate that the government is viewing telecoms as a cash cow. We are saying. There is a lot of corruption in the system, and rather than curb that they want to focus on the telecoms sector.
“What do they mean by vulnerable? Vulnerable people in the nation are probably about 80 per cent of the population, we are all vulnerable. What has happened to the health budget? Why should it touch telecoms again? The government should look elsewhere for money. This new action is only likely to impoverish more Nigerians and they are masquerading as helping the vulnerable. This is not right.”
Other sources of funding outlined in the Act include a basic healthcare provision fund to the authority; health insurance levy; telecommunications tax, not less than one kobo per second of GSM calls; money that may be allocated to the Vulnerable Group Fund by the government; motley that accrues to the Vulnerable Group Fund from investments made by the Council: and grants, donations, gifts, and any other voluntary contributions made to the Vulnerable Group Fund.
Recently, telecom companies wrote to the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Communications Commission, on the worsening conditions of the industry.
According to a source at the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria, telecom companies cannot reject a directive of the government. The source said subscribers would pay more for calls once the tax is implemented.
He added that the NCC and ALTON would meet this week in order to discuss the issues disturbing the industry.
He said, “We are aware of the tax. We had been told before. It is the subscribers that would have to pay for this. This means subscribers will pay more for this service. Telcos cannot say no to this. It is a government directive; we can’t resist the government. I can’t say more about it.
“We are having a leadership summit with the NCC this week and we would discuss some of these issues with the NCC. Presently, telcos are paying more than 36 taxes. This is a law; we cannot reverse it. The president has signed it and before it can be changed, it must go back to the National Assembly.
“Also, we cannot give an implementation date, the government is to tell us that.”
The ruling All Progressives Congress APC has postponed indefinitely, the screening of its presidential aspirants earlier slated for Monday, May 23.
Although the no reason was given for the alteration of its timetable, the ruling party has been consistent in violating its own timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 general election.
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Barr. Felix Morka in a late Sunday statement said a new date will be announced in due course.
“The Screening Excercise for Presidential Aspirants of the All Progressives Congress APC earlier scheduled to be held on Monday, May 23rd, 2022, is hereby postponed.
“A new date for the exercise will be announced shortly. Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted”, the party stated.
Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has described the continuous sit-at-home in the Southeast over the detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as senseless and useless.
Speaking in an interview with some editors, Umahi also said the agitation by the pro-Biafra group is ‘nonsense’.
According to the governor and presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), even if Biafra is achieved, Ebonyi State will not be part of it.
Umahi said, “I use this opportunity to tell Igbo to be wise, this sit at home is useless and it is nonsense. This agitation is nonsense for me because even if it was to be Biafra, Ebonyi will not belong to Biafra.
“I have been saying it and I will continue to say it and I have no apologies because we have been used as house boys and house girls and by the creation of Ebonyi State, we are having self-determination and somebody telling me about Biafra. We have to get to the status of our brothers and sisters in Southeast. Before, we have no confidence in ourselves and we are changing the narratives and somebody has been your house boy and house girl and the person wants to aspire, you will definitely not be happy.”
He stressed that the people of his state are in support of a united and equitable just Nigeria.
The APC chieftain said he will continue to preach that there is no gain in sit at home and that there is no gain in killing ourselves.
“We are living peacefully with our brothers and sisters from other regions and it is quite encouraging. But in sit at home, I support not it at all and I call on our people to come out in sincerity and fear of God, let us work together to do something about our region and liberate our people.
“So, the moment extreme politics dies off in Southeast and then brainwashing, then we can begin to aspire as we be. Killings and violence have not been part of our cultural values and I don’t know where it came from. So, that’s my position,” Umahi said.
Gunmen have beheaded a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon Okechukwu Okoye.
Until his death, Okoye represented Aguata Constituency II where the Governor of Anambra, Charles Soludo, hails from.
The lawmaker’s severed head was found at Nnobi in the Idemmili South Local Government Area of the state.
According to the state’s police spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, the lawmaker’s head was found on Saturday.
“His head was found along Nnobi road today Saturday. There is no suspect in custody yet,” Ikenga was quoted as saying by The Nation.
The Anambra State Government had ordered a manhunt to rescue the lawmaker following his abduction last week.
His suspected killers had left a written note demanding withdrawal of the military from ‘Biafra land’, according to a viral video in circulation on social media.
The General Overseer of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi, has insisted that the Church will go ahead with its planned crusade despite “security challenges” allegedly facing the state.
Naija News reports that the Indigenous People of Biafra had on Thursday asked Kumuyi not to hold crusade in the southeast region of Nigeria following security concerns perpertrated by “unknown gunmen”
Speaking about the development, Chairman, Global Crusade with Kumuyi, Coordinating Overseer, United Arab Emirates, in a statement signed by Pastor James Akpofure, the cleric said he is ready for the event holding from May 24.
As for the security issues, Kumuyi said that God will intervene.
The statement on Saturday partly reads: “Celebrating One Year of Global Evangelisation (Global Crusade with Kumuyi).
“We thank the Lord that the Global Crusade with Kumuyi has greatly impacted the World in the past year. This Global Crusade has touched millions of lives with signs and wonders, miracles, and deliverances, spanning participation from over 180 countries and 6 continents.
“As there are currently some security challenges at the intended alpha location (Aba,Abia State, Nigeria), the Global Crusade Convener, Pastor (Dr) W.F. Kumuyi commiserates with our people in Abia State and will be praying along for God’s Divine Intervention.
“This month, the Global Crusade themed “Jesus’ Power for Extraordinary Breakthrough” will be a celebration of one year of Global evangelization,” the statement partly read.
The central Bank of Nigeria on Saturday said it has no plan to withdraw the Naira from circulation and replace it with the digital currency, the eNaira.
The reaction is in connection to some media reports (not THE WHISTLER) that the apex bank will soon withdraw the Naira from circulation.
But speaking in a telephone interview on Saturday, the Director, Corporate Communications Department of the apex bank, Mr Osita Nwanisobi, disclaimed that the statement purportedly to have been made during a stakeholders’ engagement on eNaira adoption in Asaba, Delta state was misconstrued.
He, therefore, called on the general public to disregard such in it’s entirety.
According to Nwanisobi, the digital version of the Naira is meant to complement the existing currency notes and therefore, will circulate simultaneously as means of exchange and store of value.
On the benefits of adopting the eNaira, the spokesman hinted that the digital legal tender aside from the safety and speedy features, it will also ensure greater access to financial services by the underbanked and unbanked populace thereby enhance financial inclusion.
Nwanisobi urged members of the public and business owners to embrace the digital currency, the eNaira as it offers more possibilities.
The eNaira was formally launched into circulation by President Muhammadu Buhari in October last year.
A notorious drug baron, identified as ‘O Lord Have Mercy’, has been nabbed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), POLITICS NIGERIA reports.
Femi Babafemi, Director of Media, NDLEA, made this disclosure on Saturday morning, with a promise to provide comprehensive details on Sunday.
NDLEA
“Busted. Not even his using the name of God to conceal cocaine could make him escape scrutiny of officers. Details tomorrow #SayNoToDrugAbuseAndTrafficking,” Femi wrote on his known Facebook page.
Since the emergence of Buba Marwa as NDLEA Chairman in 2021, the agency has made lots of high-profile arrests.
In 2021 alone, NDLEA seized cash and illicit drugs worth over N130 billion.
The agency secured 1,400 convictions within the same period too.
Last year’s achievements by the NDLEA surpassed the records of any given year of the past 30 years.
Aston Villa manager, Steven Gerrard has said his team will fend its walls against Manchester City in their Premier League final day match.
Naija News understands that Aston Villa is the only lifeline for Liverpool to become English Champions again.
Should Villa hold Man City to a draw or win on the final day match, Pep Guardiola’s side will forfeit the Premier League title to Liverpool if only the Reds could also win their match against Wolves.
The possibility of Man City losing to Villa at the Etihad Stadium is, however, narrow.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Gerrard who was lamenting his side’s position this season, described the 2021/2022 EPL campaign results as unacceptable.
Speaking to Sky Sports after a 1-1 draw with Burnley in their last home fixture of the season, Gerrard said his side cannot afford to finish 14th again in the EPL log.
Naija News understands that Villa players had taken a celebratory lap around Villa Park on Thursday after their 1-1 draw with Burnley.
The former Liverpool player turned coach, however, cautioned that the club must step up next season, and sign in more capable players.
Gerrard said: “Moving forward, this club cannot finish 14th again. We need to change things and come back better and stronger next season.
“The first part of the job was to stay safe, but we wanted to finish in the top half. Moving forward we need to improve in a lot of departments. We need to recruit well,” the Villa boss noted.
Speaking about Villa’s clash with Man City on the final day of this season, Gerrard said, “we’ll try and make it as difficult as we can for them. We will fight for everything we can.”
Supporters of the Borno South Senatorial District Senator, Muhammadu Ali Ndume and some thugs clashed in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
It was gathered that trouble started after Senator Ali Ndume, who is the Director-General of Rotimi Amaechi Presidential Campaign, had a meeting with delegates at the local government ahead of the primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Borno.
“We started hearing people screaming and shouting. When we ran to the scene, the gate of the lodge was already down and a lot of women were injured. We also saw other thugs and supporters of the Senator being taken to the hospital in Biu,” Usman Miringa, an eyewitness told Daily post.
About 32 people who sustained various degrees of injuries after the clash were rushed to the General Hospital in Biu.
“Yes. We have received injured persons. They are 32 in number. We also learnt that there are 16 others taken to a private hospital in Biu,” a source said.
According to a Biu resident, clashes occur whenever Ndume, who is seeking to return to the senate for the third term, comes to Biu for political activities.
The resident said: “This is not the first time such clash is happening. It usually happens whenever Ndume comes around for political activities. We do not know why.”
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