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World Bank Suspends Nigeria’s SoftTech IT Solutions, MD For Bribery

The World Bank has suspended SoftTech IT Solutions and Services Ltd, and its Managing Director, Mr Isah Kantigi, for allegedly bribing officials to renew consultancy deals.

SoftTech IT Solutions and Services Ltd is a Nigerian information technology solutions company based in Abuja.

The company has been suspended for 50 months, while the MD is facing a 60-month sanction.

The Bank made the disclosure in a notice titled ‘World Bank Group debars SoftTech IT Solutions and Services Ltd. and its managing director’, which was published on its website.

The corrupt practice is in connection with the National Social Safety Nets Project, according to the World Bank.

According to the bank, the project is designed to provide access to targeted cash transfers to poor and vulnerable households under an expanded national social safety nets system.

The World Bank said, “The World Bank Group today announced the 50-month debarment of SoftTech IT Solutions and Services Ltd., an information technology solutions company based in Nigeria, and the 60-month debarment of its managing director, in connection with corrupt practices as part of the National Social Safety Nets Project in Nigeria.

“The debarments make SoftTech and Mr Isah Kantigi, a Nigerian national, ineligible to participate in projects and operations financed by the World Bank Group.

“They are the result of settlement agreements under which the company and Mr. Kantigi acknowledge their responsibility for the underlying sanctionable practices and agree to meet specified corporate compliance conditions as a condition for release from debarment.

“According to the facts of the case, as an individual consultant, Mr. Kantigi made ‘appreciation’ payments to project officials as a reward for his receiving of a Bank-funded consultancy services contract.

“Mr. Kantigi also entered into an arrangement with other individual consultants and facilitated similar payments by them to project officials. This constitutes a corrupt practice under the World Bank’s Consultant Guidelines.

“SoftTech, acting under the direction of Mr. Kantigi, who is also the company’s Managing Director, served as the conduit through which he and the other individual consultants made the payments to project officials.

“Under the arrangement, SoftTech received into its bank accounts multiple payments from the individual consultants and then transferred the funds into the personal accounts of the project officials, effectively serving as a financial intermediary for these consultants. This constitutes a corrupt practice under the World Bank’s Anti-Corruption Guidelines. “

The World Bank said the offence committed by both Kantigi and of SoftTech qualify for cross-debarment by other multilateral development banks (MDBs) under the Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions that was signed on April 9, 2010.

Tinubu cancels 70th birthday colloquium to honour Kaduna train victims

All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Tuesday, cancelled his 13th Birthday Colloquium to honour the victims of Kaduna train attack.

He made the announcement at Eko Hotels in Lagos, the venue of the 13th Bola Ahmed Tinubu Colloquium with the theme, ‘Pivoting Nigeria Into The New Order’.

According to him, the attack was a “national tragedy” and over 60 persons lost their lives to the terror.

He said, “Today is supposed to be a very joyful 70th birthday of mine living on earth. I give thanks to God Almighty for being able to survive to this age…

“I have just been informed of a very sad incident in our country, very sad indeed, that over 60 people and many more were killed and bombed on a train between Kaduna and Abuja just last night. That is a very serious incident about the security of lives in this country and it calls for a very serious sober reflection.

“For me to be here celebrating, dancing and enjoying myself doesn’t show enough concern of a statesman and a senior citizen of this country.

“This event should not be holding. I have consulted with the people you see around me here and they’ve agreed with me and being a very highly committed democrat, I have given myself to their suggestion that they agreed that this event be cancelled.”

The APC leader, alongside hundreds of others at the event, observed one-minute silence for the lives lost in the spirit of “national tragedy and concern”.

Tinubu urged the two clergies at the event to pray for the soul of the departed and for relief for their bereaved family members.

Terrorists had attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train on Monday night with hundreds of passengers on board.

Nigeria VS Ghana: Massive Turn Out At MKO Abiola Stadium As Ticket Price Rises By 25%

The price for a regular ticket at the MKO Abiola Stadium has risen to N2,500 few hours to the FIFA ’22 World Cup Qualifiers.

The Super Eagles are playing the Black Stars of Ghana in the second leg of their play-off in Abuja.

The regular ticket was pegged at N2,000. The Ministry of Sports and the Nigerian Football Federation said 20,000 tickets will be distributed for free.

But the amount of the ticket is different at the Stadium where unlicensed vendors have hiked the price by N500.

A vendor, Musa who spoke to THE WHISTLER said “We bought the ticket for N2,000 and we have to make profit.”

Another ticket seller who gave his name as Bayo said, ” I have sold over 20 tickets at 2,500. Very soon, it will increase to N3,000.”

Meanwhile , many fans are stranded at the various gates of the stadium.

Kaduna Govt Gives Update On Abuja-Kaduna Train Attack

The Kaduna State Government has said that passengers trapped in the Abuja-Kaduna train have been completely evacuated by Nigerian security agents.

The state Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Kaduna.

Naija News earlier reported that bandit terrorists had planted explosives on the rail track which saw the Kaduna-bound train which has 970 passengers on board derail.

It was gathered that the train which took off around 6 pm from the Idu train station at the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja on Monday hit an explosive device about 30 minutes to Rigasa train station in Kaduna.

According to the commissioner, security operatives have rescued and evacuated the stranded passengers from forests and rocky locations close to the scene of the attack.

Aruwan disclosed that passengers who sustained injuries have been moved to hospitals and their medical bills would be footed by the state government.

The commissioner added that the state government is still liaising with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to ascertain the list from the passengers’ manifest for efficient tracking

He, however, disclosed that search-and-rescue operations were still ongoing in the general area as of Tuesday morning.

The statement reads: “Evacuation of passengers on the trapped Kaduna-bound train from Abuja has been concluded this morning by security forces, officials of Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Nigerian Red Cross.

“Passengers who sustained injuries, and other fatalities, have been moved to hospitals.

“The passengers were evacuated from different hard-to-reach areas in forests and rocky locations in Audujongom, off the Kaduna-Abuja Road.

“As stated yesterday, the Kaduna State Government is still liaising with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to ascertain the list from the passengers manifest for efficient tracking.

“Governor Nasir El-Rufai who commended all those who participated in the evacuation appealed to the hospitals to attend to the victims diligently.

“The Governor also directed the Ministry of Health to be in contact with the hospitals as the government will bear the cost of their treatment.

“As of the time of this update, search-and-rescue operations are in progress.”

How Tinubu Helped Lagos Assembly Achieve Financial Autonomy – Obasa

– As Lagos Assembly Celebrates Tinubu At 70

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday described the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a man of courage.

They also praised him for helping the parliament of the State achieve financial autonomy years before the mass clamour for it by other Houses of Assembly.

The lawmakers gave accolades at a special plenary session in honour of the astute politician to commemorate his 70th birthday, which holds on March 29, 2022.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, described Asiwaju Tinubu is a benefactor, adding that the presidential aspirant had done well as a leader.

“This is an opportunity for us to recognise all that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done for us as a leader. In the face of opposition, he resolved and insisted on being on the opposition against against the Federal government.

“It is better to celebrate people that have contributed immensely to the development of the society.

“This Assembly has distinguished itself in all areas. This House has been running independently of the executive arm with financial autonomy through the help of Asiwaju. When he came in as the governor, he increased the IGR of the state,” Dr. Obasa said.

The Speaker added that the special plenary was to show respect and honour for a deserving Lagosian who had contributed immensely to the progress of the State.

Contributing, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Wasiu Eshilokun-Sanni, said Tinubu had done a lot for democracy since he joined politics.

“It was easy for him to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but he refused and focused on building a progressive party. We call on him to continue his ambition to become the President of Nigeria,” he added.

On his part, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, who represents Eti-Osa 2, described Tinubu as a man with a large heart and one who easily forgives.

He said: “Beyond the intimidating credentials of Tinubu, he’s a forgiving man with a large heart. He’s extraordinary. I salute him. He is the Asiwaju of everything that is good. I wish him long live.”

Hon. Victor Akande, who represents Ojo1, used the opportunity to address the critics of Tinubu’s ambition.

He those threatening to leave the country if Tinubu becomes president to start gathering their things because he was optimistic that the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will lead the country.

He described Tinubu as a political colossus, political mathematician and doyen of modern day Nigeria.

Also speaking, Hon. Abiodun Tobun (Epe 1) described Asiwaju Tinubu as a respected politician, promise keeper, bridge builder and lover of Nigeria, adding that he would be l supported on his ambition to be the President of Nigeria in 2023.

The Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, described Asiwaju Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian, a leader of the people, and politician with a difference.

According to Hon. Rotimi Abiru (Shomolu 2), Tinubu “is a man of many parts, a true leader and the Mungo Park of our time. He laid the template for modern Lagos and he created agencies such as LASTMA, LAWMA, Office of Public Defender (OPD and others.”

Other lawmakers spoke glowingly about Asiwaju Tinubu, who they said had been able to build several leaders that have taken important positions in the country.

Meanwhile, the House also held a mini-lecture with the theme The Youth: Economic Challenges, Democracy and The Future with speakers including Adepeju Olukokun of Kokun Foundation, Shola Ladoja of Simply Green Limited, Eilen Sobanjo, and Iyinoluwa Aboyeji of Future Africa.

Others who spoke included AbdulGaniyu Obasa, Head of Performance Management and Strategy at Parallex Bank, Dr. Biola Eshinlokun, a medical doctor, Olusegun Osundairo, CEO of Arc-View Investments Limited, and the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, who was represented, Hon. Seyi Adisa.

‘Violence Is Poisonous’ — Will Smith Pens Apology After Slapping Chris Rock At Oscar 2022

Popular American actor, rapper, and film producer, Willard Carroll Smith, has apologised after he slapped Chris Rock for making a bad joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, during the 2022 Academy Awards.

The Fresh Prince, as he is fondly called, had taken to the podium to smack Rock while making his jokes during the 94th Oscar awards.

The comedian made a joke about Jada’s baldhead, which she had shaved as a result of ‘Alopecia areata’ which is a health condition that causes sudden hair loss.

Smith had won his first Oscar in the best actor category for his role in “King Richard” after the incident with Rock.

After the awards, Smith took to his Instagram to publicly apologise to Rock, the producers of the Oscar Award, and his family for his misconduct during the Sunday ceremony.

He wrote, “Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted
emotionally.

“I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.

“I would also like to apologize to the
Academy, the producers of the show,
all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us. I am a work in progress.”

Jada had announced in December last year that she was shaving her head because she has Alopecia.

Eight killed as cultists engage in supremacy battle in Ogun

No fewer than eight persons have been reportedly killed during another phase of the supremacy battle between Eiye and Aiye confraternities in Sagamu, Ogun State.

The fresh killings occurred on Sunday, a few days after seven persons were killed in different parts of Abeokuta, the state capital.

Our correspondent gathered that 15 persons had been killed in less than two weeks in Abeokuta and Sagamu.

The clash between the rival cults got to its peak following the gruesome murder of a lout popularly known as Tommy in Oluwo, Abeokuta.

Our correspondent learnt that as of Sunday evening, residents in Panseke, Onikolobo, Oluwo and Adigbe fled for their lives as gunshots rent the air.

Though the police said 18 persons were arrested, calm seemed not to have returned as the crisis escalated to Sagamu, Remo axis of Ogun State.

As early as 7am on Sunday, sources said some young men stormed some places in Sagamu and killed their targets.

A source said the bodies of the victims were picked up by the police; others were said to have been taken away by their parents.

According to the source, an electrician, identified only as Akeem, was killed in the Ajegunle area of Sagamu.

“Akeem did not die immediately; but when they were rushing him to a hospital, another motorcycle hit them and he fell. That was how he died eventually. His intestines were coming out because he was shot in the stomach,” he added.

It was also gathered that some of the victims were murdered in Soyindo, Ijagba, Ajegunle and Sabo, all in Sagamu.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, promised to find out and revert.

He had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.

Alleged Drug Deal: Court Denies Abba Kyari, Co-defendants Bail

A Federal High Court in Abuja has denied the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Sunday Ubua, bail.

The former Commander of the Intelligence Response (IRT) commander and his team member had filed a bail application before the court.

This was after the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/57/2022, had charged Kyari and four others for alleged involvement in drug dealings.

Others charged are Bawa James, Simon Agirigba, John Nuhu, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne.

Upon arraignment, Kyari and four other defendants pleaded not guilty, while the sixth and seventh defendants pleaded guilty and begged the court to “have mercy”.

In a ruling on Monday morning, Justice Emeka Nwite held that the prosecution has placed sufficient materials before the court to warrant the refusal of bail to both senior police officers.

The judge also rejected the bail applications of Inspector Simon Agirgba; Inspector, John Nuhu.

Justice Nwite ruled that their bail application were denied after considering the affidavit evidence supplied by parties and proof of evidence.

The judge said he was convinced that the prosecution has successfully raised a reasonable presumption of criminal responsibility on the part of the defendants.

The presiding judge, however, granted an accelerated hearing of the case.

2023 presidency: Sowore reacts to Wike’s declaration

Omoyele Sowore, the National Leader of the African Action Congress (AAC) and 2023 presidential aspirant, on Monday expressed his aversion to Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike’s presidential ambition declaration.

Wike, on Sunday visited Benue State where he declared his interest in the 2023 presidential race.

He called on national delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not to sell their votes, but to consider him.

Wike, who addressed the party delegates at the Government House, Makurdi, said almost all presidential aspirants from the party were responsible for the party’s defeat in 2015.

In a veiled reference to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, he said some of the presidential aspirants on the platform of the party left the PDP when it mattered most.

Reacting, Sowore, in his typical way, made negative comments about Wike.

“The criminally-minded, corrupt, thug and murderous Nyesom Wike too has declared to become Nigeria’s President, we really can’t continue like this!” he wrote on his verified Facebook page.

NYSC Certificate Scandal Turned My Life Upside Down– Adeosun, Ex Finance Minister

Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, has said that the National Youth Service Corps certificate saga, which led to her resignation as minister made life more difficult for her.

She said this at the 10th anniversary of the Uncommon Woman Conference organised by the Jesus House Church, United Kingdom.

The Minister described the scandal as horrible, adding that it was the most difficult time of her life.

On 7 July 2018, report broke that Adeosun had illegally obtained her NYSC exemption certificate to get into public office.

On 14 September 2018, Adeosun resigned as Minister of Finance in a written letter to the President due to the alleged NYSC Certificate forgery scandal.

She had admitted using a forged exemption certificate of the NYSC, which she presented for her appointment in 2015.

The report revealed how Adeosun skipped the mandatory national youth service scheme and procured a forged certificate purporting to have exempted her from the one-year mandatory exercise.

Adeosun had while tendering her resignation letter to President Muhammadu Buhari on September 14, 2018, admitted that she realised that the NYSC certificate she had presented to be appointed as minister “was not genuine.”

She admitted presenting the same fraudulent certificate for her earlier appointment as Commissioner for Finance of Ogun State in 2011.

But revealing how she was able to deal with the scandal, the former finance minister said she wept every day without working for three months.

According to her, everything about her life was at a standstill while she had to deal with shame, betrayal, disappointment and humiliation.

She said more painful was the fact that she quit her job as a minister at a time when the economy was beginning to feel the positive impact of her economic policies after a long period of stagnation.

Adeosun said “That period of life was tough for me. I went to step into the shoes of someone like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

“So, I was under fire from day one, it looked like things were not working. Then all of a sudden,the economy started to improve. It was like I was beginning to see the desired result.

“Then out of nowhere, the certificate scandal came. And before I knew it, everything turned upside down. And that was how the issue went viral.

Giving more details on what led to the scandal, the former minister said, “I was born and raised in the United Kingdom; indeed, my parental family home remains in London.

“My visits to Nigeria up until the age of 34 were holidays, with visas obtained in my UK passport. When I finished school, there was no opportunity for dual citizenship; I either renounce my British citizenship or hold on to it and work here. I didn’t renounce mine. I finished school at 21 and started working at 22.

“I obtained my first Nigerian passport at the age of 34 and when I relocated, there was debate as to whether the NYSC law applied to me. Upon enquiry as to my status relating to the NYSC, I was informed that due to my residency history and having exceeded the age of 30, I was exempted from the requirement to serve. Until recent events, that remained my understanding.

“On the basis of that advice and with the guidance and assistance of those I thought were trusted associates, the NYSC was approached for documentary proof of status.

“I then received the certificate in question. Having never worked in the NYSC, visited the premises, been privy to or familiar with their operations, I had no reason to suspect that the certificate was anything but genuine.

“Indeed, I presented that certificate at the 2011 Ogun State House of Assembly and in 2015 for the Department of State Services clearance as well as to the National Assembly for screening. I sought legal advice and there was no problem I could get an exemption for the NYSC.

“I was so ashamed at that time because I was into teenagers’ mentoring and all of that. So, the experience negated the lessons I had taught my teenagers. I cried every day for three months; I didn’t do anything for anyone or myself for those months. I just cried, cried, and cried.”

The former Minister of finance said that despite the court judgement which cleared and vindicated her from the scandal, she still wasn’t happy.

Adeosun’s lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) had filed a case against the Attorney General of the Federation, urged the court to declare that his client cannot be disqualified from serving as either a member of the House of Assembly of a State, a Commissioner in the State Executive Council; Governor of a State; member of the National Assembly; Minister in the Federal Executive Council or the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the ground that she did not participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, established by the National Youth Service Corps Act, CAP N84, LFN 2004.

Ruling on the matter, Justice Taiwo Taiwo had held that participation in NYSC was not a yardstick for being selected as a Federal Minister.

But the former finance minister said that despite being cleared by the Court, she still didn’t feel better as she had to go through another round of counselling to heal.

“I thought I would feel better when I got vindicated by the court but I still wasn’t happy. The court cleared my name three years later but it took another time of counselling and therapy before I felt better.

“It was thereafter I forged ahead with life and started my charity work,” she added.

Minister of finance budget and national planningMrs Kemi AdeosunUncommon Woman Conference