Activist Inibehe Effiong released after being imprisoned by Akwa Ibom Chief Judge

Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong has been released from prison after Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Ekaette Obot, sentenced him to 30 days imprisonment on 27 July, for alleged contempt of court after he objected to the presence of two armed police operatives inside the courtroom.

Media personality, Omoyele Sowore annnounced the release of Mr Effiong on Friday August 26.

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.”

Delta state police declare man wanted for shooting 11-year-old boy dead while testing a gun in Delta

The police in Delta state has declared a 27-year-old man identified as Kome Ogaga wanted for allegedly shooting an eleven-year-old boy identified as Hossana Merritt dead.

A tweet released by the spokesperson of the state police command, DSP Bright Edafe, said the suspect shot the deceased dead while he was testing a locally made gun on August 22.

”On monday 22/8/2022, This suspect Kome ogaga age 27years while testing a locally made gun, shot and killed one 11year old boy Hossanna Merritt. The suspect abandoned his house and ran away. Pls whoever knows his whereabout should help so that the little boy can get justice.”

Art teacher under fire for voluptuous curves as parents accuse her of being a distraction

A New Jersey art teacher is receiving heat from parents at the preschool where she teaches.

Her voluptuous curves and figure-hugging dresses is the bone of contention. Parents said her curves are a distraction for their children.

The teacher is quite popular on Instagram where she regularly shares photos of herself in class or engaging in other fun activities outside school.

Some parents are calling for her to be fired while others say she should just wear clothes that hide her curves.

Under both New Jersey and federal labor law, it would be illegal for a school to fire a teacher based on their physical appearance, which is perhaps why there’s been no action taken against the supposed complaints that have been made in regards to the woman’s looks.

Do you guys think I’ve been patient enough? – Comedian Basketmouth asks as he reveals he’s yet to get anything off a N32m payment he made for a house in Lagos 14 years ago

Comedian Basketmouth has cried out after a real estate company allegedly failed to refund his N32 million down or give him the house he made a down payment for, 14 years ago.

In a post shared on his Instagram page, Basketmouth stated that after making the payment for the house located in an estate in Lagos, the realtor company got into a legal battle with the bank funding the project.

He said after the matter was resolved, he began to hear stories from the company with regards to them delivering the house or refunding his money.

Kylie Jenner’s 4-year-old daughter Stormi carries $991 handbag as they head to beauty launch

Kylie Jenner’s four-year-old daughter, Stormi, is commanding attention online after she stepped out with her mother for a cosmetics launch in Westwood.

For the outing, Stormi was dressed in a bespoke silver shiny dress which she wore with comfortable white chunky Nike trainers. She also carried the tiniest silver handbag called the mini Friday top handle tote bag from Attico which costs $991.

Stormi also wore dark designer glasses as she headed to a cosmetics launch at in Westwood.

Her mother also rocked a white mini dress teamed with white sunglasses. She paired it with a sky-high white court shoes and carried an oversized lipstick handbag which costs $695 from Judith Lieber.

Stormi already has her own coveted handbag collection including her own $2,600 customised Louis Vuitton bag. She also has a $20,000 Hermes Kelly bag in pink which she has been seen carrying around on her arm.

Ex-Niger Delta amnesty boss, Charles Dokubo is dead

Professor Charles Quaker Dokubo, former Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, is dead. Dokubo, 70, died at a hospital in Abuja on Wednesday night, August 24.

His death comes barely two years after President Muhammadu Buhari relieved him of his post as the Niger Delta Amnesty boss.

We speak of ‘japa’ but many Nigerians are returning – Abike Dabiri-Erewa says

The chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa has said that despite the number of Nigerians aiming to leave the country, there is also a significant number returning to the country.

Dabiri-Erewa, who spoke at a press briefing at the state house in Abuja on Thursday, August 25, said a number of persons are returning to Nigeria to invest in the agricultural and healthcare sector.

“We speak of “japa” as a one-way phenomenon, but we also have Nigerians constantly returning home. There are examples of Nigerians returning home, occasionally or permanently, to do interesting things, in agriculture, healthcare, etc.

The hospital where the VP was recently treated was set up by diaspora doctors. I’m not saying Nigeria’s not a challenging environment, but we must also acknowledge those who are coming back home to do impactful things” she said.

Dabiri-Erewa said the commission is making an effort to see that Nigerians in the diaspora are allowed to vote.

“The national assembly is still not interested in diaspora voting, but we will not relent and continue to engage with them.

Because I believe everyone should know that the diaspora should be able to vote. So we hope that we continue to engage with the parliament. There’s a big deal about diaspora voting” she said

Sylvester Stallone addresses reports that a dog led to the end of his marriage

Sylvester Stallone has debunked claims of his 25-year-old marriage ending because of his dog. TMZ had reported that Stallone’s wife, Jennifer Flavin, filed for divorce because they fought over a new Rottweiler named Dwight.

It was alleged that while Flavin didn’t want another pet, Stallone wanted the dog for “protection” and this led to an “extremely heated argument that brought up other issues.”

The actor has however denied the claim, adding that he and his wife of 25 years are just going “in different directions.”

76-year-old Stallone said; “We did not end the relationship on such a trivial argument. “I have the highest respect for Jennifer. I will always love her. She’s an amazing woman.

She’s the nicest human being I’ve ever met.” He also cleared up the air regarding a tattoo of Flavin that he covered up with a portrait of Dwight.

“The Expendables” star explained that he wanted to “freshen” up his Flavin inking but “it got messed up and the dog was just a fix will no ill intention,” before adding that he still has a tattoo of his estranged wife on his back.

The couple first began dating in 1988, when Flavin was a 19-year-old model and Stallone was 42 and twice divorced.

After an on-again-off-again relationship, the pair married in 1997 and share three daughters, Sophia, Sistine and Scarlet.

We are suffering – Kano corps member laments after heavy rainfall leaves his room flooded

A corps member has lamented after his room at the Corpers’ lodge in Kundila area of Kano State, got flooded following heavy downpour. Sharing photos og his flooded room on Thursday, August 25, he wrote:

“Corps Members Are Suffering Somewhere In Northwest, Kano to be Precise. This is the Third Time this Flood disaster is Happening. This is my moom at our corpers lodge. Come be like say na me Serve Pass”

Sylvester Stallone and Jennifer Flavin’s divorce was triggered by new dog

Sylvester Stallone and Jennifer Flavin’s divorce was reportedly initiated after they got into an argument on if the actor should get a new dog.

Sources told TMZ that the “Rocky” star wanted to get a Rottweiler to protect the family, but Jennifer did not want another dog. They were reportedly at loggerheads over the pooch, and they each fiercely stuck to their positions.

It was alleged that they had an extremely heated argument that brought up other issues, even though none of them appeared to be marriage-enders. Stallone ended up getting the dog named Dwight, also the name of his character on his new show “Tulsa King.”

He posted videos and photos of him with Dwight this month on Instagram with the caption “So incredibly happy with my newly acquired four legged friend ”DWIGHT“ my characters name from the Series, keep punching and keep barking !!! Thank you very much to Trainer and breeder Dave Smith and his wonderful wife !!!”

The actor also shared another post with the caption “”DWIGHT” Definitely a true friend! KeepPunching And Keep barking!”

Though Stallone who is currently in Oklahoma shooting his show is shocked about the divorce filing by Jennifer, he however feels they can work out their differences.

The actor had also put a Rottweiler on his arm over the tattoo he had of Jennifer. The photo surfaced Monday on DailyMail, but that was after Jennifer filed for divorce.

Sylvester Stallone’s wife files for divorce after 25 years of marriage

After 25 years of marriage, Sylvester Stallone and his wife Jennifer Flavin are going their separate ways.

Jennifer Flavin filed documents in Florida on Friday, August 19.

In the documents, she accused the actor of moving assets from marital funds. Fans sensed trouble when Sylvester covered up the tattoo of Jennifer’s face on his arm with an image of his dog.

In the divorce documents, Flavin made it clear she wants exclusive domain over their house in Palm Beach while divorce proceedings wind their way through the courts. Jennifer wants to restore her last name — Flavin.

She also wants a judge to put the brakes on Sly moving assets from the marital funds.

After filing for divorce, Jennifer took to Instagram to post a photo with the three daughters she and Sylvester share, with the caption, “These girls are my priority <3 nothing else matters. The 4 of us forever.”

Nigerian students from Zamfara state expelled by Cyprus university over unpaid tuition

No fewer than 91 students from Zamfara state who are on state-sponsored scholarships have been expelled by Cyprus International University over the failure of their state government to pay their tuition fees.

One of the affected students who spoke to BBC Hausa on condition of anonymity said.

“We started having the problem between the school and the Zamfara state government since our first year in school but we thought it could be resolved without raising our voices.

When the Zamfara state government sent us here (Cyprus), they had agreements with school. But from all indications, those or part of the agreements were obviously not fulfilled, hence the negative reaction of the school.

For example, when we were coming here (Cyprus), they told us that our school fees have been paid for a few years.

We were also told that we would be paid allowances of 100 dollars. But when we came initially, they gave us some money but not up to $100 as promised, and that was the beginning of the problem.

This is our third year in this country and the situation has gotten worst. It has gotten to the point that the school said they won’t tolerate us again, and had to send us out of school and also evicted us out of the hostel.

At the moment, we are homeless, devastated and don’t know what to do.We don’t have food nor do we have befitting shelter because the school has chased us out of the hostel.

Many of us have resorted to sleeping in Mosques and other unhealthy/unsafe places.

We don’t know where some of the students are now, but I believe that many of them have found their ways of survival. This is our second month of being in this inhumane condition here.”Also speaking, a female student of the university said

“We are 10 female students staying in one corner of where we found ourselves.

The worst of the situation is that we are faced with the arrest threat from the Cyprus Police and other law enforcement agencies because we have not paid for our resident permit for three years now.

So, we are under serious threat. We don’t even go out now to avoid being picked up by the police which could result in possible imprisonment that might last for years.”

Reacting to the development, the Zamfara state Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Dosara, said efforts are being made to resolve the pending issues.

“We are working to make the balance payment as quickly as possible.

Besides, the State Government had an agreement with Cyprus University that the remaining part of the money would be paid as soon as possible.

Also, these students should know from day one that some challenges might be witnessed in the studies abroad but that does not mean we have abandoned them.”he said

Seven suspects arraigned over attack on Oyetola’s wife’s convoy

Seven suspects have been arraigned before a magistrates court in Osogbo, Osun State, over an attack on the convoy of Osun State Governor’s wife, Kafayat Oyetola.

Paul Omolola, 40, Rasaki Hammed, 19, Soliu Waheed, 21, Tiamiyu Bashiru, 30, Olayiwola John, 26, Mutiu Owoade, 28, and Tunde Ibrahim, 20, were arraigned on a four-count charge of conspiracy, conduct likely to cause breach of public peace, unlawful damage of convoy and assault.

Speaking in court yesterday August 23, Police prosecutor Asanbe Kayode said the defendants and others at large perpetrated the attack on August 19, around 8pm.

Kayode accused the suspects of damaging three convoy vehicles and injuring security aides.

Magistrate I. R Salami granted the defendants bail with two sureties each after they pleaded not guilty.

The case was adjourned till September 26.

Actor Will Smith’s popularity ‘plumments’ following Oscars slap of Chris Rock

Will Smith’s popularity has reportedly plummented in the wake of his slap of Chris Rock at the Academy Awards this past March.

In a report from Variety citing his Q Scores – a metric that measures the fame and appeal of celebrities, statistics indicate that the public’s perception of the 53-year-old actor fell in the wake of his attack on Rock, 57, at the March 27 event at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California.

The Oscars exchange between Smith and Rock took place after Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, saying, ‘Jada, I love you, G.I. Jane 2, can’t wait to see it,’ in reference to the 1997 movie which featured Demi Moore with a shaved head, and not knowning that Pinkett Smith, 50, has been battling alopecia, which causes hair loss. Smith then walked onstage and smacked Rock, then returned to his seat and shouted at him twice, ‘Keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth!’ to a stunned audience.

Prior to the Oscars, Smith was a regular in the top five or 10 of the most positively rated actors, based on surveys Q Scores conducted each January and July of 1,800 American consumers ages 6 and up, Q Scores executive VP Henry Schafer told Variety.

Smith was regularly ranked near popular stars such as Denzel Washington and Tom Hanks.

The differential between numbers from this year’s January and July polls indicated what Schafer described as ‘a very significant and precipitous decline’ of Smith’s positive Q Score from 39 to 24, according to the outlet.

Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith also took a hit to her image, according to the outlet, as her positive score fell from 13 to 6, while her negative score went from 29 to 44.

The decline of Smith’s popularity is likely to have an impact in regards to studios or advertisers looking to work with the actor, according to the outlet.

It is ‘not as bad as I’ve seen for other celebrities who have experienced antisocial events,’ Schafer said, noting that Tiger Woods reputation took a worse hit in the wake of his cheating scandal in 2009.

Demographic numbers indicated that women and non-Black people polled had a more negative rating than men and Black people polled, according to the outlet.

Exit mobile version