OCEAN TOWN GISTS

The federal government on Tuesday disclosed its desire to activate plans to list the annual Ojude Oba festival, as one of the of the festivals backed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The Minister of Culture, Art and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa-Musawa, who said this at the annual Ojude Oba festival, held at Awujale’s pavilion, Ijebu-Ode, noted that the annual festival is in tune with the President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda mandate for the ministry, which seeks to take revenue generation from tourism to over $100bn by 2030. The global festival which showcases the rich cultural heritage and endowments of the people of Ijebuland is celebrated every third day of Eid-el-Adha. This theme for this year’s celebrations is “Ojude Oba: Unity and Harmony, Our Gift” The Minister described the annual festival as a platform that fosters the unity of the country in diversity, as well as one of the country’s tourism potentials that ca

  Former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, on Monday accused the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, of lying over the reported purchase of a presidential jet for President Bola Tinubu. Omokri said, contrary to Obi’s claim, the Nigerian government has no plans to buy a new private jet for Tinubu. He clarified that the idea to change Tinubu’s presidential jet did not emanate from the presidency. On Friday, DAILY POST reported that the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence asked the FG to purchase new aircraft for Tinubu and Shettima. Reacting, Obi said: “It’s on record that our presidential jets have an average age of 12 years, purchased when most Nigerians could afford basic necessities. Now, as our country faces significant challenges, including a high debt profile, our citizens are in even greater need.” However, Omokri faulted Obi’s comment, which he described as “another Gbajue lie.” Posting on X, Omokri wrote:

  Hetty Green...The most stingy woman in history, her wealth is estimated at more than $2.3 billion. Hetty Greene was born in America in 1835. She was the only daughter of a wealthy businessman. She inherited from her father a fortune estimated at $7.5 million. When she was twenty-one years old, she moved to live in New York to invest her money in Wall Street and was called the Wicked Witch of Wall Street. She married a millionaire like herself, but still lived on leftover cakes and broken biscuits in grocery stores and argued to get a free bone for her dog every day!! Hetty Greene was a very miserable woman. She sewed underpants when she was 16 years old and did not change them or buy others until the day of her death. She never spent a penny, so it was said that she never used hot water, that she wore a black dress that she did not change until it was completely worn out, and that she lived on eating a pie that cost only two cents. Hetty caused her son to amputate his leg because whe

  One of MKO Abiola’s son, Abdul, on Saturday disclosed that some international and local forces were behind the death of his father. Abdul also disclosed that these forces were okay with the late Sani Abacha becoming Nigeria’s president. He explained that Abiola was killed due to some of the policies he wanted to introduce in Nigeria and Africa if he emerged as president. Abdul disclosed this while featuring on Seun Okinbaloye’s podcast. According to Abdul: “A team of people worked against Abiola because he had announced that he would declare daily barrels of oil when he becomes president. “There were a few forces against Abiola and they were okay with Abacha becoming president. Remember Abiola went to America without a passport (remember the famous no passport), he was the only man allowed to enter US without a passport. “He went to meet Clinton and I’m sure he would have been looking at him like you want to bring democracy to Africa? Democracy is only good for them, but they would i

  In its quest to advance scientific innovations in Lagos State, the Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday inaugurated the newly constituted Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council, LASRIC, and Cybersecurity Advisory Board. The event that took place at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House in Ikeja, was presided over by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Hamzat, who announced the take-off grant of N1 billion, for the effective commencement of the activities by the Board. Sanwo-Olu stated that his administration was committed to increasing the success metrics with the provision of LASRIC Seed fund. He added that “with the provision of LASRIC Seed fund to the tune of N1,000,000,000 (One Billion Naira) in the first tranche payment to the council. We believe this fund would continue to catalyze development in our dear State.” The Governor noted that the sustenance of the development of the State is the central focus of the present administration’s THEMES Plus Agenda, adding that to driv

  Saudi Arabia has decided not to renew its 50-year petrodollar deal with the 🇺🇸 United States, which expired on Sunday, June 9, as per media reports. This agreement, originally signed on June 8, 1974, had been a key part of US global economic influence and power. The deal set up joint commissions for economic cooperation and Saudi Arabia's military needs. Back then, American officials hoped it would encourage Saudi Arabia to produce more oil and strengthen economic ties with Arab countries. By choosing not to extend this contract, Saudi Arabia can now sell oil and other goods using different currencies, such as the Chinese RMB, Euros, Yen, and Yuan, instead of only US dollars. There's also talk of exploring digital currencies like Bitcoin for transactions. This decision marks a significant move away from the petrodollar system established in 1972 when the US stopped linking its currency directly to gold. It's expected to accelerate the global trend of using currencies ot

  The Federal Inland Revenue Service says it is dropping the tax charges against Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s head of financial crime compliance. TheCable understands that the charges were dropped on June 14. Confirming the development, Dare Adekanmbi, the agency’s spokesperson, said the federal government “is dropping charges against the two individuals sued along with the cryptocurrency firm, Binance”. “Please note that the charges are being dropped against the second and the third defendants in the matter,” he added. Speaking in a statement on Friday, Binance said the development illustrates that Gambaryan is not a decision-maker at the cryptocurrency firm. “We are relieved that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has served and filed amended charges today, resulting in tax charges against Tigran Gambaryan being dropped,” the statement reads. “Further illustrating that Tigran is not a decision-maker at Binance and does not need to be held in order for Binance to resolve issues

  President Bola Tinubu will, on Friday, receive a draft bill seeking a return to a regional system of government for Nigeria. The proposed legislation authored by a chieftain of the Yoruba socio-cultural association, Afenifere, Akin Fapohunda, and titled, “A Bill for an Act to substitute the annexure to Decree 24 of 1999 with New Governance Model for the Federal Republic of Nigeria’, seeks among others, new extant laws to be cited as “The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria New Governance Model for Nigeria Act 2024.” News360 Nigeria reported last week that the said bill was disowned by the House of Representatives whose spokesman, Akin Rotimi, and the Chairman, Committee on Rules and Business said had not been listed for deliberation in the ongoing moves to review the 1999 Constitution (as amended). However, Fapohunda told our correspondent on Thursday that the bill would be transmitted to the President on Friday. “I’m submitting my letter (draft bill) today but I will wai

  The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in the suit filed by the Federal Government against the 36 State governors seeking full autonomy for the 774 local governments in the country. Justice Garba Lawal on Thursday, told the parties that the date for the judgement will be communicated to them. The apex court reserved the judgment after the 7-man panel of the court had taken adoption of processes filed by the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN on behalf of the Federal Government and those of the 36 State Governors. At Thursday’s proceedings, the AGF pleaded with the Supreme Court to grant all the reliefs sought by the Federal Government in the suit. However, the governors through their respective State Attorneys-General and Commissioner for Justice opposed the Federal Government’s request and asked the court to dismiss the suit. Fagbemi had on behalf of the Federal Government initiated the legal action against the governors, primarily to seek full auton

  The Federal Government, on Tuesday, unveiled and released four varieties of maize that are drought and pest-resistant, and declared that the new crop would double the production of maize in Nigeria. It released the crop varieties in partnership with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation, and the Institute for Agricultural Research in Abuja, where farmers under the aegis of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria were given some of the new maize varieties to cultivate. The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sabi Abdullahi, who unveiled the crop during the Tela Maize Nigeria Launch, said the new maize varieties would ensure sustainable production of the crop in Nigeria and drastically cut down production losses. He said, “The issue with Tela maize is that it is high yielding, which means the present yield farmers are making will be more than doubled, based on what the researchers told us. The yield will rise from the current two or three tonnes to as high as n

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Wednesday, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to reviewing and agreeing to a realistic and sustainable minimum wage for Nigerian workers. He also urged organised labour to propose or agree to a realistic minimum wage that won’t lead to massive job losses across the country. Speaking at the opening of the 2024 Synod of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria in Abuja on Wednesday, the minister said accepting unrealistic wages would undermine the economy. He said, “As I have repeatedly said, the Federal Government is not opposed to the increase of wages for Nigerian Workers but we keep on advocating for a realistic and sustainable wage system for the workers – a wage system that will not undermine the economy, lead to mass retrenchment of workers and jeopardise the welfare of about 200 million Nigerians. “We want the labour unions to understand that the relief that Nigerians are expecting, and that

  A coalition of Nigerian civil societies has announced a mass protest scheduled for Wednesday, June 12, to decry the hardship and hunger under the President Bola Tinubu-led government. POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the participating groups include the Take-It-Back Movement (TIB), African Action Congress party (AAC), Joint Action Front (JAF), Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Socialist Workers and Youth League (SWL), and PRP Vanguard. In a joint statement titled “Enough is Enough to Hardship and Hunger, Great Nigerian People,” the organisations expressed their outrage over the soaring prices of essential amenities since May 29, 2023, when President Tinubu removed fuel subsidies. According to them, the average Nigerian can no longer afford basic needs like food, transport, electricity, and school fees. They said, “Hardly is any average Nigerian able to feed. We are hungry. Our children are hungry. Our youth are becoming criminals and prostitutes. Things are hard. “Meanwhile, those who pu

  Olufunmilola Adewumi, chief nutritionist and head of the department at Shomolu General Hospital, told journalists in Lagos that palm oil contains linoleic acid (Omega 6), carotenoids (antioxidants), phytosterols, vitamin K, lauric and capric acids, and medium-chain triglycerides (anti-microbial and anti-fungal agents). The dietitian noted that palm oil has many health benefits over vegetable oil, which contains 15 per cent unsaturated fats, 50 per cent of mono-saturated fats, and 35 per cent polyunsaturated fats. Ms Adewumi said palm oil enhances the absorption of essential vitamin A, adding, “Due to its rich source of vitamin E, lycopene, and beta-carotene, palm oil serves as antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress, prevent cancer, safeguard the brain tissues, and reduce age-related muscular degeneration. “It also contains vitamin K, which is crucial for blood clotting and bone health and when ingested moderately daily, it provides cardio-protective, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammato

  The President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has ruled out strike action tomorrow, Tuesday, to press for a new national minimum wage. Ajaero disclosed this today, Monday, at the ongoing International Labour Conference (ILC) organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland. He clarified that the submission of N62,000 as proposed by the government and the organized employers’ body with labour proposing N250,000 does not translate to labour accepting N62,000 as the new minimum wage. He said: “The tripartite committee submitted two figures to the President. Government and employers proposed N62,000 while labour proposed N250,000. We are waiting for the decision of the President. Our National Executive Council (NEC) will deliberate on the new figure when it is out.” On the expiration of the one-week ‘relaxation’ of the suspended strike that is expected to resume on Tuesday, Ajaero said: “We cannot declare strike now because the figures are wit

As Nigerians expect premium motor spirit from the Dangote Petrochemical Refinery this month, petroleum marketers have started registering with the company ahead of loading the product, The PUNCH has learnt. The marketers are registering as individual business owners applying to get direct fuel supply from the oil refinery. This is even as the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria said it would continue talks with the company to get bulk supply for its members who may not be able to buy a large volume of petrol from the refinery. The President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, last month disclosed that it would begin the sale of PMS in June, saying his refinery would end the importation of petrol into Nigeria. Speaking at the recent Africa CEO Forum Annual Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, Dangote expressed optimism about transforming Africa’s energy landscape. “Right now, Nigeria has no cause to import anything apart from gasoline and by sometime in June, within the next fo

  The Organised Labour has said it will not accept any N62,000 or N100,000 “starvation wage” as the minimum wage for Nigerian workers. It insisted on N250,000, being its latest demand at the last meeting of the Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage on Friday, as the living wage for an average Nigerian worker. This was made known on Monday by Chris Onyeka, Assistant General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, while fielding questions on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief show. Onyeka said the one-week grace period given to the Federal Government last Tuesday, June 4, 2024, would expire by the midnight of Tuesday, June 11, 2024. According to him, should the Federal Government and National Assembly fail to act on the demands of workers by tomorrow (Tuesday), the organs of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, would meet to decide on the resumption of the nationwide industrial action relaxed last week. “Our position is very clear. We have never considered accepting N62,

  The pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, should drop to about N300/litre upon the commencement of massive production by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and other indigenous producers, operators of modular refineries stated on Sunday. However, they pointed out that this would be achieve when the government ensures the provision of adequate crude oil to local refiners, stressing that refineries abroad were ripping off Nigeria. Speaking under the aegis of the Crude Oil Refinery Owners Association of Nigeria, they explained that what happened to the cost of diesel after Dangote started producing it, would happen to petrol price once it is being produced massively in Nigeria. CORAN is a registered association of modular and conventional refinery companies in Nigeria. “A lot of companies today benefit from the importation of petroleum products at the expense of Nigerians,” the Publicity Secretary, CORAN, Eche Idoko, stated. He told our correspondent that “if we begin

In this article, we explore five silent-killer foods Nigerians love. Nigerian cuisine is renowned for its rich flavors, vibrant colors, and diverse ingredients. However, amid the array of delicious dishes, there are some foods that, despite their popularity, pose significant health risks. 1. Deep-Fried Snacks  Deep-fried snacks such as puff-puff, buns, akara (bean cakes), and plantain chips are immensely popular in Nigeria. These snacks, while delicious, are often cooked in unhealthy oils that contain trans fats. Trans fats are known to increase bad cholesterol (LDL) levels and decrease good cholesterol (HDL) levels, leading to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Additionally, the high-calorie content of deep-fried foods can contribute to obesity, which is a risk factor for numerous chronic diseases. 2. Nwkobi (Excess Potassium) Nkwobi, a delicacy made from cow feet cooked in a spicy palm oil sauce, is a beloved traditional dish. However, it is also a silen

  Organised Labour on Saturday tackled the state governors, accusing them of acting in bad faith towards the new minimum wage negotiations ongoing in the country. Recall that the governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors Forum rejected the proposed N60,000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers. In a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs for NGF, Halimah Ahmed, the governors said the proposed minimum wage was too high and not sustainable. The governors said if the N60,000 minimum wage is adopted, many states would allocate their entire Federal Account Allocation Committee funds to salaries, leaving no resources for development projects. However reacting on Saturday, the Organised Labour faulted the NGF’s position, saying every part of the new minimum wage agreement should be implemented and any of the state governors who can’t pay it should resign. Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, Deputy National President of the Trade Union Congress, Tommy Etim, said, “

  As part of efforts aimed at alleviating poverty and ensuring job creation in the country, especially among the feminine gender, the Federal Government has inaugurated a Pink Riders Scheme with a view to empowering women to earn a living and contribute meaningfully to the upliftment of the lives of their families and the nation at large Unveiling the Scheme today at the Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister (Mrs) Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye stated that the initiative is targeted at boosting the economic status of women so as not to only make them self-reliant and entrepreneurial but to also create an opportunity for the actualization of their potentials in life She informed that statistics has shown that women constitute about 49 percent of the country's population, thus, if adequately empowered, it will no doubt contribute to the socio-economic growth and development of the country Kennedy-Ohanenye observed the need for conscious efforts to be

  A bill seeking a return to a regional system of government for Nigeria will be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu next week, Saturday PUNCH has exclusively gathered. Recall that the House of Representatives last week disowned the draft bill which circulated widely on the internet. Titled, ‘A Bill for an Act to substitute the annexure to Decree 24 of 1999 with new governance model for the Federal Republic of Nigeria’, the bill seeks among others, new extant laws to be cited as “The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria New Governance Model for Nigeria Act 2024.” The preliminaries of the bill read in part, “Whereas Nigeria, its peoples and government have been governed under Decree 24 of 1999 that was handed down by the then military government without the express consent of the people despite the preamble of ‘We, the people.’ “Whereas the said Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) is not autochthonous as it does not evolve from the deliberations

  Eid Al Adha, the biggest Islamic festival falls on the 10th of Dhu Al Hijjah. Eid ul-Adha is celebrated by Muslims all around the world on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah (the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar) It is the second major Islamic festival celebrated by Muslims after Eid-ul-Fitr. In an announcement on Thursday, Saudi said consequently, Friday will mark the beginning of the holy month. Also, the Hajj pilgrimage for 1445 AH-2024 will commence on Friday, June 14, with the day of Arafah falling on Saturday, June 15. The development brings the Muslim biggest festival, Eid Al-Adha, to be observed on Sunday, June 16, 2024. The Arafat Day, which precedes the festival, will fall on June 15. Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court had on Wednesday, called on all Muslims across the Kingdom, to participate in the sighting of the crescent moon of the Arabic month Dhu Al Hijjah. This action is expected to help determine the commencement of the new and last month of the Hijr, and also the

  An autopsy report on the late singer ‘MohBad’ real names Ilerioluwa Aloba, has finally been released, and it reveals the possible cause of his death. According to the report, the autopsy was conducted at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and samples of Mohbad’s gastric content, blood, bone marrow, liver, kidney, and lung were retrieved for a toxicology test. The report states that Mohbad had an injury on his right forearm and his body was exhumed with moderate to severe decomposition. The toxicology report showed a positive finding of Diphenhydramine, an anti-histamine, but the concentration was not in a fatal or lethal range. The report concludes that there is a possibility of a drug reaction or anaphylactic shock. The report also notes that the body was not embalmed prior to burial and was exhumed eight days after burial, which may have affected the toxicology results. The report said: “Following the Order for Exhumation, the body was exhumed on 21/09/2023 (8 da