Dangote arrests driver over illegal haulage

Dangote Group on Sunday said its patrol team arrested one of its drivers over illegal haulage of timber.

According to a statement made available to journalists by the firm’s Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Mr Anthony Chiejina, the driver and the truck were arrested in the North Central zone and handed over to policemen.The statement added,

“The driver was subsequently charged to a Magistrate Court in Akwanga, Nasarawa State for criminal breach of trust where he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four months incarceration in a correctional centre.

“While the presiding magistrate ordered that the truck and load be released to the company and owner respectively, he advised the company to file a civil case against the owner of the goods.”

The statement added that in the South-West region, the patrol team noticed a third-party truck with, Dangote logo, parked inside a private company’s yard in Ode Remo, Ogun State while offloading granite stone.

Members of the team were said to have reported the case at Ode Remo Police Station and got both the driver and the truck arrested.

The driver, the statement added, has also been charged to court.The statement added,

“The Dangote drivers’ patrol team has made several more arrests and handed the offending drivers to the police and other relevant authorities for prosecution.

“Dangote Management has therefore renewed the warnings to those who illegally transport materials on Dangote trucks, and asserted that such unauthorised goods shall be confiscated while such drivers and owners would face the full extent of the law.”

The firm solicited the assistance of the public in the fight to rid the organisation of illegal haulage activities.

“We hereby alert the public to report any suspected Dangote Truck driver involved in illegal haulage supported with credible evidence of such act,” the statement added.

Chinese national arrested for suspected illegal mining in Kwara

The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested a 29-year old Chinese: Gang Deng, for suspected illegal mining in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Deng was arrested on Friday, September 9, 2022 and found to be in possession of crude minerals without authority.

The EFCC in a statement on Saturday, said a truck load of minerals suspected to be lepidolite was recovered from him.

The suspect will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded, the statement added.

University of Nigeria, Nsukka should be renamed after Queen Elizabeth to immortalise her – Adamu Garba

Former Presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, Adamu Garba has said that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka should be renamed after Queen Elizabeth to immortalise her.

After his claim of UNN being the first university was debunked, he attached a rejoinder claiming that UNN was the first university under sovereign Nigeria.

Garba also said those that attended the school should start planning to redo their CVs.

He tweeted;

In order to immortalized Queen Elizabeth, we should rename the University of Nigeria, Nsukka to Queen Elizabeth University of Nigeria since it is the first University in Nigeria.

Immortalizing Queen Elizabeth by renaming the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in her honor would’ve been an easier deal if I were communicating with our grandparents.

Fortunately, they knew her worth. Age is a grace, & 7 decades on the Throne can only be the work of God and Grace. University of Ibadan was there before Nigeria became sovereign.

University of Nigeria, Nsukka is the first University under the sovereign Nigeria.hose of you that went to UNN, Nsukka, get ready to redo your CVs.

Hopefully, your former school will be renamed to Queen Elizabeth University of Nigeria. I congratulate you on this remarkable progress.

ASUU: FG announces 23.5% salary increment for lecturers

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, on Tuesday said the government could only afford 23.5 percent salary increase for lecturers, while a 35% increment will be enjoyed by professors.

The minister also noted that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) warned against signing agreements which the government will not be able to meet.

Adamu disclosed this while speaking during the meeting with vice-chancellors and other stakeholders in the university system.He said,

”The Federal Government can only afford a 23.5% salary increase for all category of the workforce in Federal Universities, except for the professorial cadre which will enjoy a 35% upward review.

“Henceforth, allowances that pertain to ad-hoc duties of the academic and non-academic staff shall be paid as at when due by the Governing Councils of Universities to which such services are rendered and to the staff who performthem.

“That a sum of 150 billion Naira shall be provided for in the 2023 Budget as funds for the revitalization of Federal Universities, to be disbursed to the Institutions in the First Quarter of the year, and that a sum of 50 billion Naira shall be provided for in the 2023 Budget for the payment of outstanding areas of earned academic allowances, to be paidin the First Quarter of the year”.

Speaking at the end of the meeting, the pro-chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, Professor Peter Okebukola, noted that the government was ready to go all out to ensure that the university lecturers return back to school.

Opinions differ as Twitter user advises people not to return to work after resigning even if their employers offer them a pay raise

A debate is currently holding on Twitter after a user shared some interesting advice to employees.

In his Tweet, @charles_dairo wrote;

”If you tell your boss you’re resigning and they respond by offering you higher pay or a promotion, don’t take it. Just move on.If they knew you deserved a higher pay and could afford it, they shouldn’t have waited till you decided to leave.

2. They may not be able to afford to pay you more, so the offer may not be sustainable.

3. They may not like that you “won” and start treating you differently.

4. They may be trying to buy time so they can fire you when it’s convenient.”

While some Twitter users agreed with him, others wondered why they will turn down a pay rise.

According to them, they are working to make money and not just for the boss.

See the mixed reactions below…

LASU Matriculates 6,377 For 2021/2022 Session

The Lagos State University on Monday matriculated 6,377 students into various Facilities and Schools in the University for the 2021/2022 academic session.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji Bello, during her address at the ceremony, assured the students that they are in for a worthwhile academic experience.

FG suspends 5% telecoms tax on calls, data

The Federal Government has suspended the proposed excise duty on telecommunication services.

The suspension was announced by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Pantami, on Monday during the inaugural meeting of the Presidential Committee on Excise Duty for the Digital Economy Sector in Abuja.

According to the minister, the Information, Technology and Communication sector, especially the telecom industry, is already overburdened by excessive and multiple taxations, which will likely adversely affect the sector, if the government fails to take any precaution.

Pantami noted that the ICT sector has been the backbone of the Nigerian economy both in the area of its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product and taxes collected by the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

The minister said,

“However, in spite of the contributions and achievements of the sector, we have been recording some challenges coming up from time to time that if care is not taken these challenges could be a barrier to the development of this sector in the next few years to come.

One of them is the issue of excessive taxation and sometimes, multiple taxations in the sector.”He further disclosed that the number of taxes from both federal and state levels paid by firms in the ICT sector rose from 39 in August to 41 in September 2022, within a period of about a month.

“The ICT sector is being overburdened with so many categories of tax,” Pantami stressed, adding, “If care is not taken, this is going to jeopardize the achievements and gains we have recorded so far in the sector.”

The Federal Government, through the Budget Office of the Federation, had earlier revealed that it would begin the implementation of its proposed excise duties on telecommunication services and beverages in 2023.

However, Pantami has maintained that he is against implementing this tax, which would increase the cost of telecommunication services for Nigerians.

The minister noted that with the increase in operating costs due to inflation and rising diesel, among others, there were more than 15 attempts to increase the price of telecommunication services within three years, which he kicked against.

The minister also said that he rejected the excise duty on telecoms because such a tax is usually introduced on luxury products or services.

He added that in most countries, it is usually introduced to reduce the consumption of certain things in the country, such as cigarettes.

Pantami noted that by implication, it means the government is discouraging Nigerians from using telecommunication services, which have become a necessity for many Nigerians.

He said that introducing the tax would likely destroy the sector and further contribute to more hardship for Nigerians.

The Federal Government, however, inaugurated a committee to review the possibility of introducing the excise duty in the digital economy sector and advise the presidency on the necessary steps to take.

Building collapse: Four more corpses recovered, commissioner resigns

Search and rescue operatives combing the rubble of the seven-storey building that collapsed at Oba Idowu Oniru Street, Lekki, Lagos State, have recovered four more corpses.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, in a statement on Monday, confirmed the development 24 hours after emergency responders had recovered two corpses at the scene of the incident on Sunday.

Oke-Osanyintolu said,

“The agency alongside other first responders has been working for over 24 hours at the seven-storey building which collapsed yesterday.

Another four bodies have been extricated from the rubble bringing the fatalities to six. The process is ongoing.”

Similarly, the Lagos Territorial Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency, Ibrahim Farinloye, in a chat with our correspondent, also confirmed that four corpses including that of an adult male were recovered.He said,

“Six corpses including that of an elderly man have been recovered from the rubble as recovery efforts continue.”

NPG had reported that some persons were sleeping in the seven-storey building under construction when the building collapsed around 3am on Sunday.

While some of the occupants escaped death, it was learnt that some other persons, who were unlucky, were trapped in the rubble of the collapsed building.

Emergency responders including officials of the LASEMA, the NEMA, and the police, among others, had been engaging in a search and rescue operation to rescue the trapped victims.

Reacting, the state Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Idris Salako, had in a statement, ordered the arrest of the developer and other professionals involved in the collapsed building.

However, a series of building collapses that claimed the lives of residents had been recorded in the state.

Angered by these tragic developments, residents alongside experts in the building industry had slammed developers, among others, for using substandard materials and not conforming to standard building regulations in Lagos State.

Also, the Lagos State Government, particularly the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, had also been under heavy criticism for the reoccurring building collapse killing people in the state.

Amid the criticisms, a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, confirmed Salako’s resignation, noting that the commissioner’s resignation was part of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s efforts to restructure the ministry and its agencies.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu thanked the Commissioner for his services to the state and wishes him success in his future endeavours.

“The Governor warns all players in the sector to respect the law or face the consequences of any indiscretion, no matter who the perpetrators are,” the statement said.

Suspected stowaway discovered in parked aircraft at Lagos airport

A suspected stowaway has been arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The middle-aged man was found in one of the aircraft belonging to United Nigeria Airlines which was parked at the MMA domestic terminal two on Sunday morning, September 4, 2022.

Head, Corporate Communications of the airline, Achilleus-Chud Uchegbu, who confirmed the incident in a statement said the suspect looked “unkempt and unconscious,” Uchegbu said the suspect was discovered during the pre-flight inspection in the morning, adding that he had been handed over to the security agencies, saying the aviation security (AVSEC) personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

He added that the aircraft last operated Abuja-Lagos at 7.30pm on September 3, 2022 and was securely parked at the apron following post flight inspection.

“During preflight inspection this morning, a stowaway was found in one of our aircraft parked at MMA2 Ikeja,” the statement read.

“The middle-aged man, who looked unkempt and is suspected to be unconscious, was arrested and taken in for interrogation,” “FAAN, AVSEC and Bicourtney security services are on the ground and investigation has opened into this security breach at MMA2.

“The affected aircraft is being screened and prepared for service in accordance with United Nigeria Airlines strict security and operating standards.

“Meanwhile, the development will result in rescheduling of some flights to accommodate the investigations.

“We regret the delay this incident will cause our esteemed customers whose scheduled flight will be affected. United Nigeria Airlines remains absolutely committed to your safety at all times.”

Excitement As Olu Of Warri Unveils N1m Cash Prize For Warri Tech Challenge

In bid to entrench a digitally educated populace in his domain, especially among the youths, His Majesty, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has blazed the trail by introducing the ‘Olu of Warri Tech Challenge” with cash prize of N1m for the winner.

The Tech based innovative idea of the monarch is aimed at exploring and harnessing the potential among youths by providing the platform to enable them to develop an inventive technological culture.

The hunt for brilliant talented I.T youths is targeted at those between the ages of 18 and 35 years to participate in the Olu of Warri Tech challenges with a passion for technological innovation and state –of – art digital solutions.

According to a post on the official Instagram handle of the wife to the monarch, Olori Atuwatse, III had stated

“With cash prize of one million Naira, the Tech challenge is the golden opportunity for you to showcase your skill and position yourself for global relevance by being technologically innovative.

The challenge requires you to apply technological solutions to solving contemporary problems.

The challenges require you to apply technological solutions to solving contemporary problems. Initiatives and creative idea submitted should solve any prevalent problem across different areas of society.

So in line with the vision of empowering the people and expanding the influence and prestige of Warri Kingdom, His Majesty is intent to driving innovation and technological advancement in Warri through STEM education.

To be eligible, you will have to go through a thorough screening and assessment process and also meet these three criteria which includes, Identifying a problem, designing a creative solution and incorporating relevant features of digital –technology into solution”

Lexus SUV, Toyota Camry recovered as EFCC arrests 41 suspected fraudsters in Awka

Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Command of the EFCC have arrested forty-one (41) suspected internet fraudsters in Awka, Anambra State.

They were arrested on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, following actionable intelligence on their alleged involvement in cyber crimes and other related activities.

A statement released by the commission says sixteen(16) of the suspects were arrested at Umuodu Tansi Road, Awka, Anambra State while the remaining 25 were arrested at Umudu Okpuno Village, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The commission gave the names of the suspects as Eze Stanley Chineze, Emmanuel Chijioke Ejikeme, Chinonso Edwin Abonyi, Emmanuel Akoi Chibuike, Henry Umenyi Chukwualuka, Ayo Iteze Chidiebere, Emeka Justice, Emmanuel Ayakem, Ememuo Innocent Ifeanyi and Odinaka Udeh.

Others are: Okonkwo Stanley Chukwuma, Ezeakolam Godswill Chihurumnanya, Emmanuel Mgbakor kenechukwu, Benneth Odinaka, Ndefor Chukwudi, Ngadi Chima, Akalam Lucky Ibuchi, Akalam Michael, Justus Akalam Chunazom, Akalam Kenneth , David Monday Ebuka, Uchechukwu Kingsley Ebuka, Henry Echezona, Onyedika Chukwu, Abuchi Awa, Henry Adumaka, Chidera Chika, Malachi Asonbe, Cosmos Obidimma, Akuma Wisdom, Agwu Victor, Godwin Okoro, Obumneke Nwankwo, Igboanugo Charles, Ibeh Chisom, Agbafuna Ifeanyi, Chukwu Joseph, Chukwu Benard, Anson Ugochukwu, Mathew Chukwuemeka and Temple Emmanuel.

The commission added that items recovered from them are several mobiles phones, laptops, one Lexus RX350 Sports Utility Vehicle, one Lexus ES350 car, another unregistered Lexus ES350 car and one Toyota Camry car.

NYSC DG seeks affordable housing for officials

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Muhammad Fadah, has assured members of staff, that his administration will ensure conducive work environments and personnel accommodation to boost workers’ morale.

The NYSC boss gave the assurance when he paid a courtesy visit to the Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Madu Hamman, Wednesday, in Abuja, adding that a friendly working environment and residential apartment were a necessity for every worker.

Fadah also made a request for the FMBN to sensitise the NYSC officials to enable them benefit from the Federal Government Housing loan and other welfare packages of the bank.

In his remark, the Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, stated that every human being was expected to have affordable accommodation.

Hamman added that the bank offered various housing plans across the country with many developers, and was still partnering with other organisations and cooperative societies.

He said;

“The bank is doing a lot to make accommodation affordable to Nigerians through mortgage loans. We will come to sensitise the NYSC staff because there are areas of mutual interest where we need to collaborate.”

ASUU extends strike again

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has extended its ongoing strike again.

The decision was taken after the National Executive Council meeting at the union’s headquarters at the University of Abuja on Monday morning, August 29. The ASUU strike began on February 14, 2022, and was initially to last for 4 weeks.

However, on March 14, exactly one month after, ASUU extended its ongoing industrial action by another two months to afford the government more time to address all of its demands. The strike has now entered its 196th day.

The union is on strike over the inability of the Federal Government to implement previous agreements both parties entered into.

The lecturers’ agitations include funding for the revitalization of public universities, earned academic allowances, University Transparency Accountability Solution, promotion arrears and others.

Aircraft fails to land in Imo

Air Peace management has confirmed that its Flight P47154 which departed Lagos at 12pm on Saturday August 27, 2022, for Owerri, could not land due to a bird strike.

The airline management in a brief communique released on Sunday August 28, said the strike got the bird stuck on the left main landing gear of the craft.

The strike also affected the operating parameters of the landing gear which made the pilots follow regulatory safety procedures by returning to Lagos where they landed the aircraft safely without any incident.

Passengers disembarked normally and another aircraft has been deployed to operate the flight.

The airline apologised for the inconveniences caused to all passengers affected by this situation and be assured of its strict compliance with established safety standards

CBN unveils USSD code for eNaira transactions

Godwin Emefiele, Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria on Thursday August 25, inaugurated the unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) code for the eNaira to enhance financial inclusion in the country.

Emefiele who was represented by Folashodun Adenisi-Shonubi, CBN’s Deputy Governor of Operations at a five-day Northern eNaira fair 2022, in Kano, said the new code — *997# — was introduced to engender financial inclusion and avail Nigerians opportunities endless possibilities through financial services.

He also said that the eNaira is a strategic initiative developed in accordance with the bank’s mandate to preserve monetary and financial stability.

Emefiele said;

It captured the slogan ‘same naira, more possibilities’, and designed to positively impact lives of Nigerians, and transform the economy.

“The eNaira is expected to enhance inclusion, support poverty reduction, enable direct welfare disbursement to citizens, support a resilient payments ecosystem, improve availability and usability of central bank money.”

The CBN Governor who expressed hope of the eNaira facilitating diaspora remittances, reducing the cost of processing cash, and improving the efficiency of cross-border payments, among others, also revealed that approximately 45 percent of Nigerians do not have bank accounts, while 35.9 percent are excluded from formal financial services.

He added that about 81 percent of the adult population in Nigeria representing 86 million of the 106 million, own mobile phones.

Emefiele said;

“In addition, there are 150 million mobile subscribers in Nigeria, according to NCC, June 2022.

“Therefore, eNaira seeks to leverage the huge opportunity mobile telecommunication presents, as a distribution channel, for the offering of digital services to the underserved and unbanked population.”

Anthony Joshua lacked confidence against Usyk – Deontay Wilder

American Heavyweight boxer, Deontay Wilder has claimed that Anthony Joshua lost his rematch to Oleksandr Usyk due to a lack of confidence.

Wilder, who is set for a ring return on October 15 against Finland’s Robert Helenius, believes Joshua showed a lack of confidence in the build-up to the fight and has questioned the 32-year-old’s mentality.

“Sometimes you just look at both fighters, and sometimes the eye test will tell it all,” Wilder told ESNews.

“The body language is telling a story, the way the momentum of a fighter is telling a story, you could look at Usyk and tell how confident he was, how the tables have turned, you could tell he owned it, he feels like who he is.

“With Joshua, you could tell that he wasn’t himself, his usual self of being motivated and secure within himself.”

Wilder also claimed he received an offer from Eddie Hearn before Joshua’s fight with Usyk, adding that it was a sign the promoter did not have full confidence in Joshua’s ability to reclaim the heavyweight titles.

“Eddie Hearn came to us, after everything is over with my fight, talking about offering a deal,” said Wilder.

“My thing is we’re busy. For me, it’s easy to see what was going on. Boxing’s solely a business, it’s not a sport. It’s strictly a business.

“But he was trying to contact us for reassurance.

All of a sudden you want to make a fight because even you don’t have confidence in your own fighter that he was going to win.

“For me, he was trying to make a deal to ensure he can lock something in but the thing about it is when you lose that price goes up. He ain’t going to get no solid deal locked in. We’re not stupid, when you’re

EFCC kicks against creation of Electoral Offences Commission

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has opposed the creation of a National Electoral Offences Commission.

Abdulrasheed Bawa, Chairman of EFCC, who was represented by Deborah Ademu-Eteh, an EFCC Assistant Commander, at a public hearing organised by the house of representatives committee on electoral matters for a bill to establish the National Electoral Offences Commission on Tuesday August 23, said the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the police, EFCC and other law enforcement agencies are already empowered by extant laws to investigate and prosecute electoral crimes.

Bawa said;

“There is no need to create an agency solely for the purpose of investigating and prosecuting electoral offences most especially when our electoral process is seasonal in nature and elections are held once in four years in the country.

“Furthermore, it is our suggestion that the existing law enforcement agencies should be strengthened to achieve maximum output instead of creating a new agency for investigation and prosecution of electoral offences in the light of the ongoing plan to implement the Oronsanye Committee’s proposal by the Federal Government Of Nigeria.”

Elon Musk alleges Twitter is hiding key witnesses in lawsuit over him backing out of $44 billion-dollar buyout

Elon Musk is reportedly accusing Twitter Inc. of hiding key witnesses in their legal battle over whether he must consummate a $44 billion buyout of the company.

According to Bloomberg, Musk is allerging that the social media company isn’t producing the names of employees specifically responsible for evaluating how much of Twitter’s customer base is made up of spam and robot accounts.

This was disclosed by people who asked not to be identified because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly about the matter.

Musk’s lawyers have asked the judge in the case to force Twitter to identify the workers so the defense can get their records and question them, the people said.

A letter asking Delaware Chancery Court Judge Kathaleen St. J. McCormick to compel Twitter to hand over the names was filed Tuesday under seal. Under the court’s rules, Twitter’s attorneys have five business days to decide what should be redacted from the filing as proprietary information.

A Twitter spokesman declined to comment on the filing.The letter comes as the Tesla Inc co-founder said Tuesday he is selling $6.9 billion of Tesla shares to avoid a sudden sale in the event he is forced to go ahead with the deal to acquire Twitter. That has prompted some analysts to predict the billionaire may settle the case.

The report said Twitter has handed over the names of “records custodians,” who aren’t as familiar with the data at issue, the people said. Musk wants McCormick to force Twitter to come up with the names of the employees charged with monitoring those accounts, they said.

Both sides have issued a torrent of subpoenas to banks, investors and lawyers involved in the teetering transaction as they seek ammunition for an October 17 trial.

“It’s another salvo in the discovery wars that are common in this kind of litigation,” said Carl Tobias, a University of Richmond law professor who specializes in securities and merger and acquisition law. “Both sides are jockeying for position by targeting different information.”

Both Twitter’s lawyers say they’ll need only four days in court to prove Musk is using questions about spam and bot accounts as a pretext to walk away from the deal. The company said it has turned over all its information about those accounts and that it intends to make Musk pay the $54.20 per share he originally agreed to.

Musk counters in court filings that Twitter’s handover of the that material hasn’t been robust and that the company has failed to produce evidence that spam bots account for fewer than 5% of its active users, as it has said in regulatory filings. He argues this gives him a legitimate basis for canceling the buyout.

He alleges Twitter’s disclosures show that the actual number of monetizable daily active users, or mDAU as the industry calls it, is 65 million less than the 238 million Twitter has claimed.

He says Twitter also misrepresents how many of those users view advertising, the company’s main source of revenue. By his estimate, fewer than 16 million users see the majority of ads and should be counted as monetizable.

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