The Federal Government of Nigerian has extended the deadline for NIN-SIM data verification to July 26, 2021.
The Director, Public Affairs Nigerian Communications Commission, Ikechukwu Adinde; and the Head, Corporate Communications, Nigeria Identity Management Commission, Kayode Adegoke, disclosed this in a joint statement on Monday titled ‘FG approves July 26 as NIN-SIM verification deadline as enrolment systems increase to 5,410 .’
According to the statement, the decision to further extend the deadline was made based on a request by stakeholders.
The Lagos State House of Assembly and the Speaker of the House Dr. Obasa on Monday ordered Local Government councils and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state to desist from extorting and harrassing operators of courier and logistics services in the state.
This was as the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, emphasised that local government councils and LCDAs do not have the power to tax logistics and courier services. He said the power of the councils was limited to registration of bicycles as dictated by the constitution of the country.
Obasa said it was lamentable, especially as such acts affect ease of doing business “and it is very important that we do something about it.
“We have to make them understand that going out to disturb well-planned and organised businesses that stand to create employment for our youth especially with the rate at which students graduate with nothing much to do is not good at all.
“The services of courier services reduce poverty in the state and how much do they even charge?” Obasa asked.
“Local governments have nothing to do with the registration of motorcycles and tricycles. Operators of courier and logistics services should not be made to pay in all the local governments considering what they charge for their services” Obasa explained.
The Speaker Dr. Mudashiru Obasa reel out The House resolution that the local government councils should be aware of their limitations in this regard as well as stop using alleged touts and street urchins to collect revenues in other areas where they are legally empowered.
In the decision of the House which followed a motion earlier moved by Hon. Ganiu Sanni Okanlawon (Kosofe 1), the lawmakers further resolved to call on the Lagos State Government to direct the Commissioner for Transportation and other relevant agencies to ensure that operators of courier services and logistics are not harrassed by the local governments.
The House also directed the state Commissioner of Police to ensure that all extortionists in the state are apprehended.
“The House calls on Local Governments and LCDAs to desist from harrasing and extorting operators of courier and logistics services and restrain their traffic department from doing so.
“The Ministry of Information and Strategy should educate operators of Courier and Logistics Services and informed them about what is expected of them,” Okanlawon said.
Okanlawon stated that the laws and restriction orders on the ban of motorcycles in some areas in the state exempted the movement of motorcycles of courier and logistics services.
In his contribution, Hon. Bisi Yusuff said that the motion was timely and that the use of local government taskforce to deal with operators of courier services was an embarrassment to the state government.
According to Yusuff, some operators took some local governments to the court on the issue in the past and won.
Leader of the House, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, said that courier and logistics services help people in different areas to interact with their customers.
Agunbiade added that the operation had a way of boosting the economy of the state and empowering the people through employment.
“The motion did not say they should not be regulated. A courier service should not pay from one local government to the other or else it would defeat the purpose of their business.
“The revenue should be centralised among the local governments. The House once passed a law to regulate collection of fees by local governments. The law stated that whoever is collecting levies for the local governments must be identified,” he suggested.
Hon. Lukman Olumoh (Ajeromi/Ifelodun 1) accused some of the local government officials of issuing out fake documents. He suggested that consultants should be employed for such activities.
Hon. Fatai Mojeed (Ibeju Lekki 1) stated that some of the riders of the bikes are graduates who have no other jobs, and that there have been many cries concerning the harrasment of courier and logistics operators by local government officials.
On his part, Hon. Abiodun Tobun (Epe 1) lamented that some of the courier services organisations do not live up to expectations.
“Some local governments use consultants and we cannot stop them because of their excesses. We must not throw the local governments out totally as they have a role to play as an arm of government,” he said.
Also speaking, Hon. Lanre Afinni (Lagos Island 2) suggested that the collection of revenue for the local governments could be centralised and shared among them, adding that multiple taxation affects the profit of courier services companies.
In his view, Hon. Moshood Oshun (Lagos Mainland 2) said that most of the local governments and LCDAs have traffic sections and that they charge exorbitant fines.
He urged that the traffic sections of these councils be looked into because they sometimes go the extreme of arresting and harrassing people.
Hon. Jude Idimogu (Oshodi/Isolo 2), who said he had personally experienced the harrasment of the touts, supported the motion.
Also supporting the motion, Hon. Setonji David (Badagry 2) said that courier operators play major roles in the state but that the local governments do not see it from this angle.
“Most of the receipts issued by the local governments are fake. We must ensure that the local governments limit themselves to what they ought to do.
“We have to find a way to stop the local governments from bothering the courier services since they are recognised by law. They also help transportation in the state as they help in distributing items,” he said.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) will, on July 6, arraign Prof. Dibu Ojerinde.
The former Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), will be arraigned at the Federal High Court, Abuja, for alleged N900 million fraud.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu fixed the date on Monday, after counsel to the ICPC, Ebenezer Shogunle, disagreed with the terms of the plea bargain application the defence counsel, P.A.O. Olorunnisola, SAN, had planned to file before the court.
The operatives of the anti-corruption commission had, on March 15, arrested Ojerinde, in Abuja, on allegations bordering on misappropriation of funds.
The commission said that the former chief executive officer allegedly committed multiple frauds while heading JAMB and the National Examination Council (NECO).
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has revealed that it is planning a massive reception for Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle as he defects from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Chairman, Publicity Sub-Committee of the organizing ceremony, and Zamfara Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Ibrahim Dosara said no fewer than 18 All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, national and state legislators, as well as other party chieftains, are expected to welcome Matawalle when he officially defects on Tuesday.
Speaking on Monday in Gusau with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Dosara said apart from the Governor, many other politicians and political office holders in Zamfara are expected to announce their defection from the PDP to the APC on Tuesday.
He said: “the Progressive governors will be led by the APC Chairman Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) and Gov. Mai Mala-Buni.
“We are also expecting all our national assembly members as well as state legislators to declare their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC during the occasion.
“Similarly, all the 14 local government caretaker committee chairmen who just finished their tenure, council members and teeming supporters will join the hundreds of thousands of the Matawalle loyalists, friends and supporters in our movement to our new party, the APC.’’
Also speaking, the Director-General, Press Affairs, to Gov. Mai Mala Buni, Mr Mohammed Mamman, praised the efforts of the Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee under the leadership of the Yobe State Governor, noting that three PDP governors have already joined the APC and others are still expected.
”With Matawalle joining the APC, it means Mala-Buni, as the Chairman of the Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee, has been able to convince three governors into the party.
“They are Dave Umuahi of Ebonyi, Prof. Ben Ayade of Cross River. This is also a confirmation that the APC is doing well both at the national and state levels under the purposeful, focused, and people oriented leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari,’’ Mamman said.
Meanwhile, in a statement on Monday, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbodiyan, said the opposition party is not bothered about the governor’s defection.
Ologbodiyan the governors and leaders of the party had met with the governor to convince him not to dump the party.
He added that the PDP has exhausted all means of dissuading Matawalle from leaving its fold.
According to Ologbodiyna, the governor is free to determine his political future, adding that the ultimate decision lies with the governor to make.
We want Yoruba liberation, not restructuring, Sunday Igboho Tells Buhari
Yoruba Nation Agitator Chief Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho has told President Muhammadu Buhari he is not in support of restructuring but liberation of Yorubas.
But several political leaders in the region, including National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinub; Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila; former APC National Interim Chairman Bisi Akande and other prominent leaders in the South-West have kicked against the idea.
They called for national cohesion as against ethnicity.
But Igboho, while receiving a vehicle presented to him by some donors to support the Yoruba Nation agitation, accused the current administration of marginalising the South-West region especially in terms of appointments.
Of recent, Igboho expressed anger over the continuous killing and kidnapping of Yorubas by the killer herdsmen in the region.
He said: “Our demand is simple, to tell Buhari that we do not want restructuring but Yoruba Nation.
“On Yoruba Nation, no going back. We have our faith in God. When God heard the cries of Israelites, he answered them; the cries of Yorubas have been heard by God. Noah’s ark can be likened to the current Yoruba agitation.
“I’m saying it boldly; nobody can kill us in this current struggle. May God carry us to our destination.
“Many people are even ranting on social media concerning the struggle, they need to join and support. What we are currently having now is awareness and peaceful rallies across southwest states.
“Don’t think we are joking, what we are pursuing now is Yoruba Nation. I’m not the only one fronting the Yoruba Nation Agenda right now; there are many powerful people who I have been meeting and working with underground.”
He noted the struggle can be won with collective efforts, appreciating many clerics and community leaders for their private and public support.
The ruling All Progressives Congress has announced plans to commence the sale of forms for its national congresses.
The development was disclosed by the director of the organisation, Prof Al-Mustapha Medaner, on Sunday.
Medaner in the statement released said the decision was in line with the approval of Governor Mai Mala Buni-led APC Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the party.
He further stated that the purchase of forms for ward congresses would start from July 1 to July 7, while the inauguration of wards and local government congresses, screening and screening appeals committee would hold on July 10.
Medaner added that the screening of the ward positions would start from July 12 to July 16, while the inauguration of the ward and local government congresses and congresses appeals committee would hold on July 19 and ward congresses on July 24.
He said the party has set July 26 to July 29 to entertain appeals from the ward congresses.
Medaner said: “Purchase of forms for the local government positions will be from July 26 to July 30 and screening of aspirants for local government party positions will be from July 19 to July 26.”
The APC Director said appeals from local government congresses would be entertained from August 16 to August 20.
He said the sales of forms for state executives positions would occur from August 23 to August 27, while the inauguration of the screening appeals committee for state executives would hold on August 30.
“Screening of aspirants for state executives will be from Sept.6 to September 8 and appeals arising from screening for state executives will be held from September 12 to September 15.
“State congresses will hold on September 18 and appeals arising from state congresses will hold from September 19 to September 21.
“By this notice, aspirants will purchase forms as follows: ward chairman – N10, 000; ward vice-chairman, secretary and treasurer – N5,000, other offices – N 2,000.
“Local government chairman – N25,000, local government vice chairman, secretary and treasurer – N15,000.00; other offices – N10, 000,” he said.
Medaner said female and physically challenged aspirants would pay 50 per cent of the prescribed fees for each position.
Kayamata Sex Enhancer CEO, Jaruma Dismisses Deportation Rumour, Says She is Still Based In Dubai
Society gazette reports that the Chief executive officer of Jaruma Empire has debunked the reports making rounds that she has been deported from Dubai where she is based.
This publication had reported that a popular instagram blogger, Gistlover alleged that she has been deported from Dubai for engaging in some criminal activities.
In her response, she explained that she is still on Dubai soil with some proofs
Chidinma Ojukwu, alleged killer of the Chief Executive Officer, Super TV, Usifo Ataga, has revealed when she started smoking and doing hard drugs.
Speaking to The PUNCH on Saturday, the 21-year-old undergraduate said she started smoking and dealing with drugs after she gained admission to study Mass Communication at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
She also confirmed she’s the person in a trending video showing a lady puffing out cigarette smoke while soft music plays in the background.
She said: “I started smoking after I got into UNILAG.”
“I am the one smoking in the trending video. I started smoking a few years ago. Old-time friends introduced me to it and we don’t talk anymore. Everything started after I entered UNILAG, but not actually when I am in school, it could be other places. But I am not the one in the other video (dissociating herself from another trending video showing a lady exhibiting her butt),” she added.
Speaking about her childhood, she said her parents separated when she was two years old and she started living with her uncle in the Mushin area of Lagos State.
The suspect added that while growing up, her childhood ambition was to become either a musician or an actress.
She said “My role models were Tiwa Savage, Beyonce, Rihanna, Genevieve, and Regina Hall. I schooled in Johnson Primary School and also a government primary school in Mushin. I later went to Sidman College in Sabo, Yaba. I was two-year-old when my parents separated, I was little, so while I was growing up, I stayed with my uncle, Mr Chijioke Obi, in Mushin. I don’t know if he bears Izu, but it was my uncle that trained me.”
Narrating her relationship with Ataga, Chidinma described him as just a friend she met a few months back.
She also faulted claims that the late billionaire neither took hard drugs nor alcohol.
Ojukwu|e said, “Mr Ataga was a friend and I don’t know how to elaborate more. He has not shown me pictures of his family but he sometimes acts like he was married and not that he is married (sic). I have met him up to four or five times; he takes drugs and drinks alcohol. It is not that I am trying to put anything together.’’
Nigerian afro pop-singer, Adekunle Temitope, better known as Small Doctor has recounted his humble beginning.
The 25-year-old entertainer in an interview on the Nancy Isime show on Friday, June 25, revealed that he used to be a bus conductor and then a driver in Lagos State.
The singer said though he had a poor family background, he didn’t allow that to stop him from believing in himself, adding that he is where he is today because he didn’t fail to plan well.
He said: “I started on the streets of Agege in Lagos State as a bus conductor and then a driver.
“If anyone had told me that today, I will get a visa to Canada or even be able to fly to Canada, I would have never believed it.
“Look at me today, I can never believe I would have access to Canada not to talk of having a family there.
Speaking about his wife and children, he said: “I have a family and I am married. I have seven children – Five adopted kids, a son and a daughter.
“So I have a wife and children and they are all based in Canada,” he said.
However, when asked what he would tell the man that wakes up at 4.am every morning to work as a bus conductor or a driver, Small Doctor said he would tell the man that “If he fails to plan, then he plans to fail.
“There’s no limitations to what one can achieve in life,” he added.
Meanwhile, Nollywood actress, Ayo Adesanya has revealed some of the reason she turn down movie roles, even when the money is right.
The single mum of one made this known in an exclusive interview with The Punch, Naija News reports.
Senator Ugochukwu Uba has emerged as the factional governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Anambra governorship election scheduled for November 6, 2021.
He emerged from the faction led by Cbukwudi Umeaba and loyal to Chief Chris Uba.
Uba emerged as the standard flag bearer in the primaries conducted on Saturday, 26th June 2021.
It was gathered that Uba got 275 votes to defeat his closest rival, Godwin Ezeemo with 114 votes, while Senator Uche Ekwunife scored 56 votes to come third.
The returning officer in the election, Obidi Ebede who declared Uba the winner of the primaries, added that there were 665 accredited delegates.
The Uba-led faction held its primary at the Paul University playground in Awka, Anambra State.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress Presidential Support Committee has suspended its National Coordinator, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Society gazette gathered that Akpabio was suspended over what the group describes as poor leadership.
The committee, which is an umbrella body of President Buhari support groups, was mandated to galvanize support for President Buhari’s re-election in 2019.
Akpabio’s suspension was made known to newsmen on Saturday by the spokesperson of the group, Kailani Muhamad.
He stated that the National Executive Committee of the group decided to suspend Senator Akpabio because he abandoned the organisation after his ministerial appointment.
Senator Akpabio, a former Akwa Ibom state Governor, is the current Minister of Niger-Delta
