Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have declared that the party remains a formidable force in Nigeria. Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, made the assertion at the end of a meeting on Saturday in Jos.....Read Full Article>>

Mohammed said the party will overcome all its challenges, adding that the ‘minor setbacks’ would soon be over. He called on lovers of the PDP and Nigerians in general not to lose hope in the party.

“The Forum notes the concerns of Nigerians, the founding fathers, elders and members of our great party about the seeming divisions within its rank and file.

“The Forum, however, wishes to state categorically that it remains resolute in its determination to ensure unity and cohesion within the party.

“This is a party that Nigerians have come to trust as the best platform to provide democratic governance to all; it is still the party to beat,” he said.

The chairman also called on the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, to convey a meeting of the National Executive Council, NEC, as part of measures to address internal wranglings.

He commended members of the National Assembly elected under the platform of the party for their contributions toward the growth of democracy.

Mohammed, however, called on the leadership of the National Assembly to critically interrogate all bills to ensure fairness, equity, national balance and even development.

The governor, who noted with deep concern the current economic crisis in the country, called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently review his administration’s macro-economic and fiscal policies to address the welfare and well-being of Nigerians.

While commending Governor Caleb Mutfwang for hosting his colleagues in Plateau, Mohammed, equally commiserated with the government and people of the state over the recent fire outbreak at a wood market.

The NJC, chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, disclosed this in a statement following its 107th meeting held in mid-November 2024.....Read Full Article>>

The council’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, signed the statement. The statement read, “The Council also empanelled a committee to investigate all complaints and petitions against Hon. Justice O. A. Ojo, Chief Judge, Osun State.”

The investigation stems from a petition submitted by Temitope Fasina, an Osun-based activist, who requested a review of Justice Ojo’s activities.

In the petition dated October 14, 2024, and received by the NJC, Fasina, through her lawyer S.M. Essienkek, accused Justice Ojo of abuse of office, disobedience to court orders, mismanagement of public funds, and unilateral suspension of judicial staff, among other allegations.

The activist highlighted what she termed “ongoing irregularities, corruption, and high-handedness” allegedly characterising the Osun State Judiciary under Justice Ojo’s leadership.

The petition referenced other grievances, including submissions by the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) to the Osun State House of Assembly and the NJC. Fasina cited irregularities in the judiciary’s audited financial statement, alleging that funds allocated for training and manpower development were not utilised appropriately.

She further alleged instances of expenditures without supporting documentation, violating the Osun State Government Financial Regulations Law.

One specific allegation detailed how, on November 13, 2019, the state high court directed the forfeiture of N7.4 million held in bond with the Chief Registrar of the Osun State High Court to the Osun State Government. Fasina claimed that Justice Ojo subsequently ordered the funds to be paid into an undisclosed account without authorization.

The petitioner called on the CJN to review the allegations and argued that Justice Ojo is “unfit to remain a judge and Chief Judge of Osun State.”

The principal of Presbyterian Senior Science College, Ididep, Akwa Ibom State, Dr NSE Sunday Umoh, has been suspended following an alleged poor feeding of students of the school.....Read Full Article>>

The Commissioner for Education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet, who announced this in a statement in Uyo on Saturday, said the suspension was in the wake of a viral video where the students were seen eating unpalatable and non-nutritious meals. Etiebet, while condemning the act, ordered a full investigation into the incident as well as the state of boarding facilities in the school and the other 25 boarding secondary schools across the state.

She said the review, which will focus on hostels, dining halls, recreation areas, menus, kitchens, and sanitary facilities, will be jointly overseen by the permanent secretaries of the Ministry of Education and the State Secondary Education Board.

She said: “Following the very disturbing video where students were fed with unpalatable and innutrious meals at Presbyterian Senior Science College, Ididep, I paid an unscheduled visit to the school. I have directed a comprehensive investigation into the state of boarding facilities in the school and the other 25 boarding secondary schools across the state.

“Consequently, I have also directed the immediate suspension of the principal of the school, Dr NSE Sunday Umoh, pending the outcome of the investigation.

“The Ministry is committed to ensuring that all public school facilities meet irreducible minimum standards that uphold the well-being of both learners and staff.”

The commissioner said though the free education policy of the state government covers tuition fees only and not boarding fees, the welfare and dignity of all students, especially those in public schools, remain a priority to government, appealing to parents to support their children.

Mr Finbarr said he resigned to pursue a new professional role after serving the state government for almost a decade. Aniekeme Finbarr, the special assistant to Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State on Social Reorientation has resigned his appointment.....Read Full Article>>

“After almost a decade in the service of the Government I have decided to pursue a new professional role,” Mr Finbarr said in his resignation letter, dated 21 November and received by the state government on Friday. Mr Finbarr is one of the aides of former Governor Udom Emmanuel inherited by Mr Eno.

He served the immediate-past governor as special assistant on new media but Mr Eno reassigned him to social reorientation.

In his resignation letter posted on Facebook, Mr Finbarr, a journalist, said he wants to pursue a new professional role without giving any detail.

Project
The former aide to the governor is one of the 120 journalists from 101 countries who won the prestigious US Department of State International Visitors Leadership Programme (IVLP) Impact Award Grant for 2024.

With that grant, Mr Finbarr two months ago lunched a project where he trained 60 fresh journalism graduates on digital media, AI, and ethical reporting.

The fresh graduates were selected from three tertiary institutions in Akwa Ibom State – University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden and Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua.

In October 2021, the Nigerian government launched the eNaira, which is otherwise termed as Africa’s first digital currency.....Read Full Article>>

According to the Nigerian government under former president, Muhammadu Buhari, in 2021, launching eNaira was going to be pivotal and key to enabling more remittances and growing Nigeria’s economy. The eNaira is a Central bank digital currency issued and regulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Hence it was the first of its type in Africa. Denominated in naira, the eNaira serves as both a medium of exchange and a store of value and claims to offer better payment prospects in retail transactions when compared to cash.

Describing the eNaira launch, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), had noted that eNaira uses the same technology as Bitcoin and Ethereum and is stored in digital wallets which can be used for payment transactions.

The move to launch eNaira 2021 came few months after the country banned cryptocurrency trading by commercial banks in the country.

Nigeria had banned cryptocurrency trading in February 2021, which made the eNaira to ensure that digital currencies are still used for trading in the country.

There have, however, been concerns on the digital currency since its launch.

According to the United Nations outline, digital payments can help countries: to access essential services, grow their economies, be more competitive in the global economy, reduce inequalities and deliver essential services as well as foster social inclusion.

Enabling a digital payment currency or payment systems also helps to deepen the digital public infrastructure (DPI) in any country.

Despite Digital Naira, Nigerians yet to explore usage

As of March this year, the currency in circulation stood at N3.87 trillion, out of which CBN Digital currency (eNaira) stood at N13.8billion representing a merely 0.36% of the total currency in circulation.

SaharaReporters gathered that one of the challenges listed against the use of eNaira is that cash is the prevailing method of transaction in Nigeria.
Hence there is fluctuation in the penetration of digital currencies meant to ease the use of cash as a mode transaction.

In May 2023, the International Monetary Fund noted that 98.5% of the eNaira wallets were inactive.

Checks by SaharaReporters also showed that as of September 2024, the currency in circulation stood at N4.3 trillion out of which that which was outside the bank was estimated at N4 trillion representing 93% of the currency in circulation, which shows that Nigerians still prioritise cash as against Digital currencies.

Non-functional eNaira shortcode, Never-Arriving OTP

The activeness of the platforms created by the CBN for eNaira wallets use is also susceptible, for instance, a shortcode *997# was said to have been introduced for people without smartphones to create an eNaira wallet. However, checks by SaharaReporters as of Saturday showed that the code was inactive.

If shortcodes do not work, it would mean those with access to smartphones may be the ones that may have the chance of using eNaira.

A GSMA report noted that 68% of Nigerians in rural areas lack access to smartphones as of 2022. Only 58% of persons in Urban areas own smartphones, technically only 45% of Nigerians have access to smartphones.

SaharaReporters sampled different users to create wallets through the eNaira website, however accounts opening was unsuccessful, right from the step where a prospective user is asked to input phone number to get OTP.
The OTP actually never arrived.

Ten different persons were sampled by SaharaReporters to open accounts on the platform,

However, none of them received OTPs to proceed with registration, nor a call or message on WhatsApp, as was the painted picture on the government website.

SaharaReporters used the eNaira speed wallet app to register an account, since the website link was not opening, it came back as same; the OTP which would have confirmed the opening of a wallet on eNaira never arrived.

“I have tried to open an account on eNaira, however after opening the link I did not receive any OTP, even after multiple trials” a prospective user, Emmanuel Olayemi, lamented.

Another respondent, Olugbenga Ayobami also noted that he tried all options on the website to no effect.

“When the OTP was not sent, I tried the option of call and WhatsApp but nothing came through. This denied me anyway to open a wallet on eNaira or use the platform,” he stated.

Poor Awareness Maims Use of eNaira

SaharaReporters also sampled awareness of Nigerians on eNaira; only two of the 15 persons sampled have an idea of what eNaira, depicting a challenge of abysmally low awareness among Nigerians on eNaira.

One of the aims of eNaira is financial inclusion.

However, one of the major tools of financial inclusion especially for rural areas in Nigeria is point of sale machines.

According to the CBN, one of its aims is to enable eNaira cash-in and cash-out through diverse touchpoints at financial institutions, including mobile and internet banking, POS and ATM, USSD, web platforms, agent networks, and third-party channels.

However, POS operators who conversed with SaharaReporters also showed lack of knowledge of what eNaira is or how to use it for transactions.

There were over 1.1 million POS terminals in the country as of 2022, most of whom were in rural areas, based on data from Statista.

There is a need for more Regulatory Framework, Infrastructure to Support Digital Currency Penetration- ED, PSLI

Speaking to SaharaReporters, the executive director of the Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative, Olusegun Elemo, noted that digitisation is an issue in not just Nigeria but Africa as a continent.

“When you have a case where even the penetrations of automated teller machines are a problem, you can imagine what that of that of eNaira would be”.

He noted that the regulatory framework for digital currencies in the country remains poor
“There is another issue of regulatory framework guiding digital currencies, just recently the securities and exchange commission (SEC) approved use of digital currencies but a lot still needs to be done around regulatory framework”
He also opined that in Nigeria ideas are built behind human not the systems.

“When an idea is built around human, once the human leaves office, the idea becomes less functional” he noted.

Olusegun noted that the Nigerian economy is controlled by the informal sector and as such, the issue of awareness on use of eNaira is an issue.

“You understand that the Nigerian economy is penetrated by the informal sector, the awareness on use of eNaira is an issue, also the infrastructure support needed is another issue to consider” he told SaharaReporters.

He stated that the issue of use of eNaira will take gradual phases in terms of development.

According to the State of Inclusive Instant Payment Systems in Africa (SIIPS 2024) report by Africa Nenda and done in partnership with the African Union and the World Bank, though seven countries (Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania) have multiple live IPS of different types, only Nigeria has a sovereign currency IPS.

The report said, “As for sovereign currency IPS, Naira in Nigeria remains the only one of this type on the continent. No other central bank digital currency (CBDC) is live, though several teasibility pilots are underway. Most countries have focused instead on implementing existing national payment systems projects or upgrades, leaving CBDC projects to compete for resources, especially from a regulatory perspective (Stakeholder Interviews, 2024), Ghana seems to be furthest along with its CBDC pilot at the time of writing this report, yet there is no official update on the pilot outcomes or whether a CBDC launch is imminent.”

Speaking on the West African regional bloc efforts on the Instant payment system, the report added that “ECOWAS has mandated the West African Monetary Agency (WAMA) to establish a regional payment and settlement system (including an instant retail payment systemi, as part of realising the roadmap for the ECOWAS single currency programme.

“The aim is to harmonise and interconnect existing payment system initiatives in the region, including the regional system that is being rolled out in WAEMU (which is a regional sub-group of ECOWAS). To realize this project, WAMA nas received funding from the African Development Bank and is in the process of recruiting a consultant for technical assistance (AFDB, 2024)

“WAEMU is developing a system for instant, interoperable payments between banks and non-bank providers The system has been in the works for many years and is nearing official launch: The Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) announced on their website that they started piloting the system in July 2024 (BCEAO, 2024b). Moreover, the BCEAO recently published new instructions that set out the conditions for banks and non-banka to provide their services in the WAEMU zone (BCEAO, 20248; Muko, 2024).

“This provides a regulatory base to enable participation of different actors in the system. In addition to instant cross-border payments, the IPS will enable domestic payments interoperability within the eight member countries.”

Digital payment systems in Africa generally have continued to grow, reaching 37% in transaction volume over the past five years, reflecting a major shift in the continent’s financial ecosystem.

This was according to the 2024 SIIPS Report, launched in Accra on November 20, 2024.

The report also revealed that there were 31 operational Instant Payment Systems (IPS) across 26 countries, with 27 more nations preparing to roll out similar systems.

Despite this progress, the report highlights persistent challenges in achieving financial inclusion, particularly for women and other vulnerable groups, who face barriers such as fraud concerns and limited recourse mechanisms.

Commenting on the report, the Chief Executive Officer of AfricaNenda Dr. Robert Ochola said that: “AfricaNenda and its partners are calling for a collective push to expand IPS and deliver solutions that cater to every citizen, particularly those in rural and underserved areas. The goal is to ensure universal financial inclusion by 2030.”

While IPS transaction values have risen by 39%, the report emphasizes the need for more robust systems to address security and network reliability.

Jean Pesme, Global Director of Finance at the World Bank, reiterated IPS’s transformative potential.
“Access to safe, low-cost, and efficient digital payments can transform lives, close the gender finance gap, and foster resilience. While progress is remarkable, more needs to be done through fintech promotion and private sector involvement,” he said.

Speaking on the sidelines on the launch, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of AfricaNenda Foundation, Sabine Mensah also impressed on regulators within the financial space to enhance data transparency.

The report calls for accelerated innovation in fintech licensing, universal IPS adoption, and cross-border payment systems.

The report says these measures aim to create a more inclusive and interconnected digital payment infrastructure, driving Africa closer to universal financial inclusion.

The pastors were detained alongside others residing in the Idabato II community of Cameroon, formerly known as the Bakassi Peninsula. Their detention followed the kidnap of the community’s Divisional Officer, Ewane Roland, by armed men in early October.....Read Full Article>>

Local media had reported that Roland, alongside another official of the council, Etongo Ismaeil, were abducted on October 1, 2024, by gunmen who used a flying boat in the coastal area.

A former chairman of the Yoruba community in the defunct Bakassi Peninsula, Eniola Alabo, told Punch that the Cameroonian government blamed Nigerians in the area for Roland’s abduction and deployed soldiers to arrest them.

“The Gendarmerie came to the community and started shooting sporadically into the air on the day they arrested some of these Nigerians,” Alabo said.

During the raid, some Nigerians, including Iseoluwa Eniola, Feran Ajimosun, Idowu Ajimosun, Abiola Ajimosun, Blessing Ajimosun, Sunny Bassey, Feran Samagbeyi, and Godwin were detained in Idabato II.

Cameroon’s South-West Governor, Bernard Okalia, visited Idabato on October 8, 2024.

He was said to have declared a total lockdown of the area, which had mostly Nigerians who were fishermen.

Okalia was said to have issued a 72-hour ultimatum to both Nigerians and Cameroonians in the community to produce Roland alive, Punch reports.

Unable to work due to the lockdown, Nigerians in the area reportedly defied the governor’s order in the first week of November to go about their fishing business.

“They stayed at home doing nothing for three weeks. The people were hungry because their source of livelihood was put on hold. They had to go out to eat,” Alabo told the publication.

The action was said to have angered the Cameroonian authorities, who deployed soldiers in Idabato on the 10th and 11th of November 2024 to arrest Nigerians in the community.

According to Alabo, the soldiers invaded the community and started shooting sporadically in the air, which made many Nigerians suffer varying degrees of injury.

During the lockdown imposed on Nigerians in Idabato II, churches were also locked.

But when Nigerians began attending to their normal activities, churches also opened on Sunday to Christians.

“Some soldiers invaded the Assembly Church of God in the area and arrested the Nigerian pastors there because they were told not to engage in any activities,” the Bakassi Peninsula ex-leader said.

“The names of the pastors arrested by Cameroonian soldiers that day were Adeleke Omoniye, Cascar Ubom, Etim Asuquo, Olamide Ayeye, and Umoh Atete.”

The pastors were whisked away by the Cameroonian soldiers to unknown places,

Two women were said to have fought aggressively in Ogun State. The altercation which later resulted in a heartbreaking incident was said to have happened in the Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State.....Read Full Article>>

The other woman identified as Oladega Morenikeji who is 65 years of age was said to have died in the course of the fight. The suspect who pushed her to death, Abigail Bankole, was also said to have fled the scene afterwards.

It was said that the fight broke between them on Thursday around 4: 20p. m at the Isunba street in Ipokia. In the course of the fight, Bankole pushed the woman against the wall. Consequently, her head hit the wall and she collapsed.

The Spokesperson for the Ogun Police Command, SP Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday. According to her words, at about 6: 20p. m on 21st of November, 2024, a resident of Isunba street in Ipokia made the incident known to the policemen at the police station.

He said that same day, his mother, a 65- year- old woman, had a fight with a woman, Abigail Bankole, who was her neighbor.

The argument soon became a physical fight during which his mother was pushed against a wall, causing her head to hit that wall and she collapsed in the process.

Following the receipt of the report, police operatives were dispatched to the scene and they found the victim lying on her back.

They took a photograph, and her body was transported to the General Hospital in Ipokia, where she was confirmed dead by a doctor. The corpse was later moved to the mortuary at the General Hospital, Ilaro, for the purpose of autopsy.

The suspect immediately fled the scene having realized that the woman she was fighting with, was already dead. Efforts are underway to apprehend her from her coverage.

As Governor Ademola Adeleke’s second anniversary approaches, the parents of Segun Olowookere, an indigene of Osun State have appealed for clemency. Segun, detained at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, Lagos State, was convicted of robbery at the age of 17 and sentenced to death by an Osun State High Court in Ikirun.....Read Full Article>>

The conviction stemmed from a robbery at a poultry farm in Oyan, located in Odo-Otin Local Government Area, where Segun was found guilty of stealing a fowl and eggs. His parents have expressed their devastation, stating that he is their only son and pleading for his life to be spared.

In addition to appealing to Adeleke, the family has reached out to the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, seeking his intervention in the matter.

They are hopeful that their son’s young age at the time of the crime and the circumstances surrounding the case will be taken into consideration.

Segun’s mother, Folashade Olowookere, has been particularly vocal in her plea.

She has urged the governor to use his power of amnesty to grant her son a second chance.

According to her, the weight of the punishment far outweighs the crime committed, especially given the minimal value of the items involved.

“I want to plead with our amiable governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke to please use his office to release my son.

“We have sold our properties to secure his release since he was convicted in 2014. He is a brilliant boy who has a brighter future ahead of him. We must not allow him to waste the peak of his life within the four walls of the prison.

“The Speaker of the House of Assembly is from our town, we also plead for his intervention on this case.

“Also, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice should also help us. Segun has a promising future and can be useful to society,” the mother pleaded.

Segun’s father, Olanrewaju Olowookere, who also pleaded for mercy for his son, said Segun was never involved in a crime.

The father claimed that his son was arrested in his shop while playing with some of his friends, saying the arrest was a setup.

He said, “At this point, all we need is the assistance of His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke to grant amnesty to our son.

“We have been in grief since he was sentenced. We have not experienced any kind of happiness. Nobody will be happy seeing his only son in jail.”

A recent video featuring Baltasar Engonga, the former finance minister of Equatorial Guinea, has taken social media by storm.
The footage captures Engonga in a relaxed and cheerful mood, spending quality time with his family.....Read Full Article>>

This unexpected appearance has ignited widespread discussions online, particularly because of the controversies surrounding his name in recent months.

Engonga became a central figure in a scandal that shook the nation after the leak of over 400 videos allegedly showing him involved in extramarital affairs.

The purported affairs included relationships with several women, some reportedly married to high- ranking officials in Equatorial Guinea’ s government.

These revelations caused a public outcry, with many expressing anger and disbelief over the situation. The scandal not only tarnished Engonga’ s reputation but also raised questions about the implications for the country’ s political elite.

Following the leaks, reports suggested that Engonga was detained and subsequently imprisoned, presumably as a consequence of the controversy. His arrest was widely covered, further fueling debates about power dynamics and accountability within Equatorial Guinea’ s leadership.

Now, the newly surfaced video implies that Engonga may have been released from custody.

The footage shows him conversing with family members in what appears to be a casual and comfortable setting. However, no official statements have been made to confirm the circumstances of his release or whether he faces any ongoing legal proceedings.

The video has sparked mixed reactions on social media. While some viewers expressed relief or indifference at his apparent return to normal life, others criticized the lack of transparency surrounding his case.

Many are calling for clarity on whether justice was adequately served or if political influence played a role in his apparent release.

Reacting, One @dobbymatto said: ” Back to action😃”
@sassy_ondbeat remarked: ” He should come to Nigeria and start season 2 with Nigerian women. We don’ t value our marriages here too. ”
@Akinjoshua2017 wrote: ” Omo Africa dirty Sha”
@ChukwunyeluOrji stated: ” plotting next videos 😃😀”
@Zino08 remarked: ” Back to continue his rods work”
@oladapotobi2 wrote: ” Another milestone ahead.
Goal to 1000″
@Josephine_mass asked: ” When is he coming to Nigeria? ? ? ? Asking for a friend”
@imnotguiltyfr wrote: ” We miss you back in action my Guy”
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