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N180m NGO’s money not missing -VDM
Social media critic Vincent Martins Otse, aka Verydarkman, has taunted Online personalities who fell for his claim that N180 million was hacked from his non-governmental organisation account. He said he shared the news to check how dumb the Nigerian media and some Nigerians are. VDM berated those who insulted him and his mother, describing her as a thief. He pretended to be crying and said those who dragged him would learn the hard way. He also tackled media practitioners for not confirming information before sharing. According to VDM, his money is safe with Zenith Bank, and they are doing a good job. The media personality tackled some netizens, including human rights activist Omotayo Williams and investigative journalist David Hundeyin, for their takes on the issue. Omotayo had said that the officer VDM involved in the case, Officer Sam, was a cab driver in Jos, Plateau state. VDM lambasted Omotayo and noted that he never claimed Officer Sam was a police officer but just an officer. VDM also knocked David Hundeyin for asking Nigerians to focus on the claim by Niger Republic’s military ruler, General Abdulrahman Tchiani, that France was setting up a military base in the northeast region of Nigeria. The social critic said that Hundeyin didn’t have proof of what he was saying, and it was one of the reasons he claimed many Nigerians are dumb. VDM stated that if his money was truly missing, he would have contacted the Abuja Police Command. However, he never reported to any police, and those who believed he would take his case from Abuja to Jos were dumb. He also tackled the police in Abuja and Plateau for debunking any missing money when he did not report any case to them. VDM said that the police should start reacting to every news since they have started it with him, without him coming to make any statement to them.
Ondo Resident doctors begin indefinite strike
Members of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), Ondo town, have begun an indefinite strike over alleged poor condition of service. The striking resident doctors were said to have protested on Monday after management of the hospital refused to heed to their demands. They demanded a stop to illegal deductions from their salaries, check on huge payment of taxes, non-payment of hazard allowance amongst others. President of the UNIMEDTH ARD, Dr Olaogbe Kehinde, said the workload was too much for doctors in the hospital. He said many doctors have resigned while others left without prior notification due to poor conditions of service. Dr. Olaogbe stated that the hospital management refused to heed to their request for a review of their working conditions. Olaogbe said the strike action was a difficult decision due to failure to address critical issues affecting its members, infrastructure, and the delivery of quality healthcare services. He said doctors could no longer work under conditions that undermine their well-being and compromise patient care. He urged the state government to expedite payment of all outstanding salaries and allowances, improve working conditions in the three centres across the state, and ensure prompt implementation of their demands. “We demand the correction of irregularities and discrepancies in salary payments, the implementation of the new minimum wage scale, and parity in salary payments with other tertiary hospitals as stipulated in the teaching hospital constitution, among other issues. “We deeply regret any inconvenience this strike may cause to patients and the public.” Immediate past President of the striking doctors, Dr. John Matthew, said the disparity between the salary of doctors in Ondo State and other states I’m were huge due to illegal deductions and taxes. Dr. Matthew said many doctors in the state have taken up appointments in other states. “We will not return to work until our demands are met. Money is the core issue because that is what is driving doctors away. There is a huge disparity in payment between Ondo and Ogun States. Doctors will go to states that are giving doctors good welfare packages but they are worsening the terrible welfare here. “The issues are Illegal deductions from our salary and the humugous taxes we are paying. It is killing the system and driving doctors away. “The hospital was disconnected from the national grid and we were sleeping and working in the dark.” Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Gbala Micheal, pleaded with the striking doctors for more time to enable management address their grievances.
Gov. Okpebholo renames Edo State University
The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has renamed Edo State University. This is contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor o9n Monday. The statement reads; “It is hereby announced for the information of the General Public that the Governor of Edo State, His Exeellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo has approved the change of the name of “Edo State University, Uzairue,” to now be known as “Edo University, Iyamho” with immediate effect. “Accordingly, all documentations in respect of the Institution henceforth shall reflect the above change.” Edo State University was founded in 2016. On 23 March 2016, the university was approved by the National Universities Commission as Nigeria’s 41st state university. The University offers undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes.
Jimmy Carter state funeral set for Jan. 9
The official state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter will be held Jan. 9 at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., the White House confirmed Monday. The Carter Center releases a statement saying the family has accepted an invitation from Congress for Carter, who died Sunday at 100, to lie in state at the Capitol Rotunda. Details on the events in Washington and in Georgia, including burial for Carter, have not been released. President Joe Biden declared Jan. 9 a National Day of Mourning and ordered U.S. flags to fly at half-staff for 30 days. In Plains on Monday, two National Park Service rangers hung wreaths marked with black ribbon on the doors of the building where Carter went to high school. The school is now the Plains High School Visitor’s Center and is dedicated to teaching people about Carter. Inside, Sandra Hicks, who lives down the road in Americus, Georgia, was touring the school with her grandsons. She wanted to teach the boys about Carter’s legacy “so they can learn more about where he actually came from, get a firsthand experience of what it looked like.” Hicks met the Carters while she was working at the photo center in the Walmart in Americus. “He was never a stranger, even with Secret Service and what have you,” Hicks said. One of her grandsons, Jaxson Hughes, 11, expressed his appreciation for having a president from near where he lives. He said Carter knew the struggle of the people in the area and was able to advocate for them. Hicks mentioned Carter’s long history on humanitarian work, particularly his time with Habitat for Humanity, when she said he did much good in Americus. On a broader scale, Hicks said Carter also helped change the culture of Americus into one that cared for all the people of the town. Dave and Nancy Shelbourne were also visiting the school Monday. The couple, from Indianapolis, was driving to Naples, Florida, for the winter. After Carter died, they stopped in Plains to learn about the president in honor of their grandson also named Carter. “It’s just nice to know there are still good people in the world still trying to do things for humanity,” Dave Shelbourne said about the president.
Abiodun signs N1.054trn appropriation bill into law
The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has signed the N1.054 trillion 2025 State Appropriation Bill into law. The signing, which took place at the Governor’s Office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, was witnessed by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, principal officers of the House, the Deputy Governor, and members of the State Executive Council. Speaking after receiving the clean copies of the Bill, Governor Abiodun announced that his administration would, in the coming month, sign the partnership agreement with potential partners for the development of the Olokola Sea Port. He said the government would also focus on the provision of more basic infrastructure with the signing of more Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with private corporate bodies in renewable energy, agriculture, and other sectors that would boost the State’s economy. He said: “It is my pleasure to announce to you that in the coming month, we will be signing the partnership agreement with potential partners in our port development. The Olokola Port is back on track. “In the coming year, you will see us signing more Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with private players in the areas of renewable energy, energy transition, and agriculture, particularly animal husbandry. We intend to join the league of those producing beef and pork, not just for domestic consumption, but for export. “We will continue to provide more infrastructure, particularly roads, in every local government in the State. We will continue in our stride to provide the right infrastructure and the right situation to ensure that students in Ogun State learn in a conducive environment. We will continue to pursue our healthcare program in primary health care, secondary, and tertiary, and of course, our policy on ‘grow what you eat and eat what you grow.’ We are going to be more aggressive in the area of agriculture.” While noting that his administration would be relentless in the pursuit of infrastructure that would engender more socio-economic development, Governor Abiodun revealed that emphasis on arterial roads like the Ijebu-Ode-Epe, Sagamu-Abeokuta, Atan-Lusada-Agbara, Ota-Abeokuta, and Ilaro-Owode roads had played important roles as they had helped to improve the State’s Internally Generated Revenue through the influx of more people and industries. He acknowledged the difficulties people are going through due to the bold policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to pull the country out of the woods but maintained that his administration had risen to the occasion by providing needed palliatives to cushion the effects and help the people navigate the period. “I want to assure you that we can only hope for more wins in the future. It has been a very difficult year for us all, not just as a state but as a country. Our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, started his tenure with very bold reforms that have resulted in some unintended consequences that we must all endure so that we can have a country that is solvent,” he added He appreciated members of the Assembly for the speedy passage of the Bill after due diligence and commended their high level of commitment to their constituents and the state, noting that their collaboration with the executive arm had led to the state growing in leaps and bounds. Speaking earlier, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, noted that the speedy passage of the Bill was in keeping with the promise made to the governor when he presented the Bill to the assembly on the 4th of December this year, adding that no budget bill had been passed before Christmas in the past. While appreciating the governor for the facelift given to the Assembly Complex, Rt. Hon. Elemide said his colleagues worked tirelessly to ensure that the budget was passed on time so as to keep the wheels of the state’s progress moving.
Tinubu commends NNPCL over re-opening of Warri Refinery
President Bola Tinubu has expressed his profound joy at the re-opening of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, describing it as another remarkable achievement in 2024 that has strengthened Nigerians’ hope in his administration. Today, the Warri Refinery returned to operation weeks after NNPC Limited restarted the 60,000 Barrels per day at the Port Harcourt Refinery in November. With Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) going into operation after several years of inactivity, President Tinubu has once again expressed his administration’s determination to ramp up local refining capacity and make Nigeria a hub for downstream industrial activities in Africa. The All Progressives Congress-led administration of President Muhammadu Buhari awarded the contract for the complete rehabilitation and overhaul of the four state-owned refineries. President Tinubu noted with confidence that with the 125,000 (bpd) Warri Refinery now operating at 60% capacity, his administration’s comprehensive plan to ensure energy efficiency and security is entirely on course. He praised the Mele Kyari-led management of the NNPCL for working hard to restore Nigeria’s glory and pride as a major oil-producing country. “The restart of Warri Refinery today brings joy and gladness to me and Nigerians. This will further strengthen the hope and confidence of Nigerians for a greater and better future that we promised. This development is a remarkable way to end the year following the feat recorded earlier with the old Port Harcourt Refinery. I am equally happy that NNPC Limited is implementing my directive to restore all four refineries to good working condition. “I congratulate Mele Kyari and his team at NNPCL for working hard to restore our national pride and make Nigeria a hub for crude oil refining in Africa,” President Tinubu said. President Tinubu enjoined NNPCL to accelerate repair work on Kaduna Refinery and the 150,000 (bpd) second refinery in Port Harcourt to consolidate Nigeria’s position as a global energy provider. WRPC will focus on producing and storing critical products, including Straight Run Kerosene (SRK), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and heavy and light Naphtha.
Lancashire Yoruba Community holds end of the year party in grand style
It was all pumps as Lancashire Yoruba Community holds their end of the year party at Village Hall, Preston on Saturday. The Principal founder of Community, Mr. Abiodun Sola Fakemi, said their aim to promote the Ọmọluabi philosophy among members, emphasising that being an Ọmọluabi means demonstrating the highest standards of behaviour in society, stressing that this trait encourages Yoruba individuals to avoid vices and always embrace peace. “In our new environment, fostering a sense of community among members is essential. We believe in supporting one another, a core aspect of our Yoruba identity. We celebrate with those who celebrate and mourn with those who mourn, helping each other grow in various areas. “As a community of Black individuals, LYC operates as a charity organisation and actively engages in government policies that affect our lives in the UK. We firmly believe that LYC can assist the government in numerous ways, and our collaborative efforts will help build stronger social cohesion in Lancashire. “As a social and ethnic group, we participate in various events, including the end-of-year party. “The new administrative body plans to host its first Cultural Festival during the summer of 2025. It aims to implement numerous empowerment programmes to support our members’ personal and professional growth,” he disclosed. Fakemi thanked previous executive committee members, including Mr. Pius Ibitoye, and recognised the party planning committee chair, Mr. Olakunle Ajayi, for the event’s successful organisation. He also thanked everyone involved in the planning and encouraged new committee members to work diligently for the group’s success. Two government officials attended the 2024 end-of-year party, are; Mrs. Nweeda Khan and Mrs. Irene Evelyn Amahwe. They highlighted the importance of collaborating with the government and the value of communities like LYC. The Lancashire Yoruba Community (LYC) was founded on September 2, 2023.
Paris-bound businessman arrested for ingesting 74 wraps of heroin, cocaine
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested a 48-year-old businessman, Orizu Ifeanyi Arthur while attempting to board an Air France flight 844 from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA Abuja to Paris, France for ingesting 74 wraps of heroin and cocaine. Orizu was arrested at the boarding gate of the Abuja airport on Sunday 22nd December 2024 during the outward clearance of passengers on Air France. When he was pulled aside for body scan, he turned down the request claiming his medical condition won’t allow him. He was thereafter taken into custody for excretion observation during which he excreted a total of 74 wraps of the Class A drugs over a period of seven days. In his statement, Orizu claimed he owns a shop at Balogun market, Lagos Island where he sells school and travelling bags, adding that he was promised 3,000 Euros upon successful delivery of the consignment in Paris. He left his base in Lagos for the Abuja airport to connect his Air France flight to Paris, hoping to escape detection. In another interdiction effort, operatives of the Marine Command of NDLEA at 2:30am on Christmas eve, Tuesday 24th December intercepted two boats loaded with 1,960 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis at the Eleko beach in Lekki area of Lagos. Six foreign nationals who brought the consignments from Ghana were arrested during the operation. They include: two Ghanaians: Godsway John, 38; and Freedom Kelvin, 33; as well as four Beninese: Chegoun Hounsou, 23; Gadabor Nyameto, 47; Adantg Sasa, 34; and Ayao Kayivi, 21. In Katsina, a suspect Ibrahim Shaibu, 35, was arrested in possession of 40 album-size parcels of compressed cannabis sativa weighing 35kg on Christmas day 25th December at Central Motor Park, Katsina, while another suspect Umar Ahmed, 47, was nabbed along Zaria-Malumfashi road, Katsina with 27 parcels of same psychoactive substance weighing 13.5kg on Saturday 28th December. A 21-year-old suspect Kosisochukwu Ozigbo was arrested at new Lagos road Benin City, Edo state when the area was raided on Monday 23rd December by NDLEA operatives. Recovered from the suspect include: 32,490 pills of tramadol 225mg, 200mg and 100mg; 936 bottles of codeine-based syrup and various quantities of other opioids. The Commands across the country balanced their drug supply reduction operations with War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy campaigns to schools, markets, worship centres and communities. Some of these include: WADA sensitisation lecture delivered by Lagos State Strategic Command in collaboration with Menitos Foundation to residents of Akoka community at Ayetoro primary school, Akoka Bariga; while the Adamawa State command of NDLEA delivered same lecture to members of Jama’atul Nasril Islam during their annual first aid group and leadership camping in Adamawa among others. While commending the efforts of the officers and men of NAIA, Katsina, Edo and Marine Commands of the Agency for job well done in the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) tasked them and their compatriots nationwide not to rest on the achievements of 2024 but continue to raise the bar in their offensive action against drug barons and cartels with an equal measure of WADA sensitisation campaigns in the new year.