💪🏾 Another day, another fraud
+ Lagos civil servants salary increase, Risevest CEO sexual misconduct, Flood in Kogi, ARCON sues Meta
Hi!
Today’s newsletter is 2,937 words (approx. 10mins read)
We have some good news (which is more than we can say from the past couple of weeks💀) and the more familiar bad news.
But first, let’s start with mad news.
FG has apparently had it up to here🌡 with ASUU and has decided to dilute their power. The FG registered two new unions in the university system on Tuesday in response to ASUU’s 8-month strike.
The new unions are The National Association of Medical and Dental Academics and the Congress of Nigerian University Academics.
The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, explained that the two bodies are to exist alongside ASUU.
In this week’s edition
Lagos civil servants salary increase
Did Chimaroke Nnamani steal $41.8 million?
Details on FG’s ban on foreign models
Risevest CEO found guilty of sexual misconduct
Ethiopia: no more visa on arrival
ARCON sues Meta
Flood in Kogi
Nigerian states carrying Monkey Pox, Meningitis
More on Education
Court orders ASUU - again
The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Friday, ordered ASUU to end the strike - The Punch
The order was given after the court dismissed the union’s request to delay their resumption date, following the National Industrial Court’s earlier ruling directing the university lecturers to resume work
They were granted allowance to file for an appeal by the three-member panel of the Court of Appeal led by Hamma Barka under the condition that they resume work
If ASUU fails to re-open the universities, the accommodation of appeal against the National Industrial Court “will be automatically vacated.”
Another day, another fraud
Falana smells foul play
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has alleged that about N17bn allocated to stop oil theft has been diverted - The Punch
Falana, while delivering his goodwill message in Lagos State on Thursday, also stated that the Niger Delta Ministry ought to be under the NDDC, and not the other way around
He spoke at an event organised by SERAP during the Report Presentation and Interactive Session, titled, “Promoting Transparency and Accountability in the Use of Public Funds in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.”
Falana emphasised that, “There are two intervention agencies in Nigeria that are similar in terms of their responsibilities to the oppressed people of our country: the Niger Delta Development Commission and the North East Development Commission
Nnamadi says allegations against him are false
Former Governor of Enugu and current State Senator Chimaroke Nnamani has described as a ruse the report of $41.8 million dollars judgement against him in the United States -Leadership
He claimed the report was forged against him because of his alternative views on the recent political development in the country.
Backstory: People’s Gazette reports that while he was governor (1999-2007), Nnamani embezzled and laundered $41.8 million. The report was filed by the FBI in 2009, according to Gazette’s article.
According to Gazette, the FBI had argued that “Chimaroke Nnamani’s official salary as governor is the equivalent of $10,670 per year; thus, it appears unlikely that Nnamani possesses an adequate source of legitimate income to account for the purchase” of the high-end real estate he amassed in Florida.
The report came soon after Nnamani was listed as one of the senior staff on Bola Tinubu’s presidential campaign council. He has not yet confirmed his interest in the job.
Back to Business
Supporters of FG’s foreign model ban speak up
In August, the FG and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) announced a ban on foreign models and voice-over artists in Nigeria. The law was scheduled to take effect on the 1st of October.
The aim, they said, is to foster more local content and secure jobs for models living in Nigeria.
At the time, the Advertisers’ Association of Nigeria criticised the ban. They believe it is a poorly researched and ineffective attempt at seeking a solution for sustainable growth in the advertising industry.
They pointed out that Nigeria has an expatriate policy allowing non-Nigerians to be employed by Nigerian organisations. They believe this new development contradicts that policy and that it is discriminatory.
The Professional Model Managers Association of Nigeria (PROMMAN) chimed in to side with the ARCON.
The association expressed displeasure with the Advertisers’ Association’s criticism of the ban.
According to the BBC, British and American media have interpreted the prohibition as a ban on white people and foreign accents. They think it is an attempt to “free ourselves from a colonial mentality”.
Risevest CEO guilty of sexual impropriety and abuse of power
A six-week investigation into allegations of sexual and non-sexual abuse laid against Risevest founder and CEO, Eke Urum, has found him guilty of sexual impropriety and abuse of power - TechCabal
Risevest is a Nigeria-based stock investment startup.
The statement shared with TechCabel reads
“The evidence presented to the panel could not prove sexual assault by Eke Urum. However, the evidence presented to the panel, including admitted sexual relations with an employee and unwanted, inappropriate jokes and conversations, revealed sexual impropriety. It also showed a pattern of abuse of power, intimidation, retaliation and workplace bullying by him.”
Toun Tunde-Anjous shared on behalf of the investigation panel that Tony Odiba, the acting CEO, will remain as CEO until the newly constituted board appoints the next CEO.
Urum will transition into a non-executive member of a new board, lead the startup’s investment strategy, and provide guidance on technology.
No news yet on if he will face any criminal charges.
Although no one asked, Urum also expressed his desire to support Tony Odiba in his position. He said he is committed to implementing the necessary changes to ensure Risevest’s culture is inclusive, safe, and welcoming.
Ethiopia is also sick of us; scraps visa on arrival for Nigerians 😃
With no official reason, Ethiopia has announced that it has stopped issuing visas on arrival to Nigerian travellers effective immediately - This Day
‘Coincidentally’, it is also now compulsory for Nigerians to produce their yellow fever vaccination cards at any of its borders.
So if you had previous plans to visit there…
Before travelling, passengers must obtain their visa at the Ethiopian embassy in Abuja. The new policy, however, doesn’t affect layovers or overnight transit to other cities.
Major oil marketers hail NNPCL’s acquisition of top downstream company, OVH Energy Marketing
The Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), an umbrella body of the largest downstream oil and gas companies in the country, has congratulated the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) on the successful acquisition of OVH Energy Marketing (OVHEM) Limited, a major downstream operator - This Day
OVH is the owner and operator of the Oando- branded retail service stations across the country, and the company and NNPCL are member companies of MOMAN
MOMAN Chairman and MD of Ardova Plc, Mr. Olumide Adeosun, issued a statement welcoming and encouraging the ongoing market consolidation
The acquisition transaction was announced last weekend. However, Adeosun commented on the development, saying
“We send hearty congratulations to NNPC Retail Limited and OVH Energy Marketing Limited on the successful acquisition of OVH Energy Marketing Limited by NNPC Limited.
Both companies are active MOMAN members who are committed to our core values of health, safety, the protection of the environment, quality, customer service, innovation, technology and compliance with international corporate governance codes.“MOMAN welcomes and encourages the ongoing market consolidation which will bring stability, cost and logistics optimisation, enhanced competition and best practice sharing as we progress to a deregulated market.”
Truckers go on strike.
Cargoes worth billions of Naira are trapped at the Apapa and Tin Can ports as truckers have withdrawn services following continuous extortions and harassment they face at the ports and access roads by government agencies, security operatives and non-state actors - Guardian NG
According to the truckers, they’ve reached out to the FG several times to resolve this issue and have repeatedly been ignored
Guardian reports that before the service withdrawal, the truckers sent a letter to the Inspector General of Police, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), AIG Maritime Police Command, Commissioner of Police, Lagos Command and the Lagos Ministry of Transportation, via the Council of Maritime Transport Unions and Associations (COMTUA).
In it, they threatened to withdraw their services from October 4 to Thursday, October 6.
National President of COMTUA, Mr Adeyinka Aroyewun, noted that the truckers would protest within and around the ports corridors and the office of the Governor of Lagos State saying there is no going back on the withdrawal of services until the issues are addressed.
He said the necessity of the issue resulted from the state's failure and FG's failure to address the issues raised in the letters they sent.
One of these issues is the preferences given to trucks accompanied by the military in returning empty containers to the port and the non-admission of some trucks into pre-gates, which gives such trucks an advantage over COMTUA members.
Health
41 cases of monkeypox in 7 days
Between August 29 and September 4, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported 41 new cases of monkeypox disease from 12 states across the country.
According to the official website, as of Sunday, the cases were spread as such:
Lagos - 14; Abia - 7; Imo - 6; Ogun - 5; Ondo - 2.
Akwa Ibom, Borno, Delta, Osun, Oyo, Plateau and Rivers each have 1 reported case.
So far in 2022, there have been 815 suspected cases, 318 confirmed cases and seven deaths from Monkeypox in the country
Monkeypox is most severe in (malnourished) young children
Although vaccines can prevent monkeypox, they are currently in short supply and are used to prevent monkeypox disease in people who have been exposed to the virus
Public Health experts suggest that it will “probably persist at sporadic low levels”
NCDC says kissing causes transmission of Meningitis
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has said that meningitis can be transmitted through coughing, sneezing and kissing - The Punch
“Meningitis is mostly spread from person to person through respiratory droplets e.g. coughing, sneezing & close contact such as kissing. Meningitis can affect anyone at any age. Seek medical attention if you experience symptoms”
Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, a thin layer of the connective tissue that covers the brain and the spinal cord
According to the Punch, Nigeria has recorded 961 suspected cases and 56 deaths of meningitis in 32 states so far in 2022
Security
Kaduna-Abuja train victims finally released
After nearly six months in captivity, the terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train have finally released the 23 remaining in captivity.
Their release was secured by a Presidential Committee reportedly established by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, to investigate the kidnapping
“I am pleased to announce to the nation and the world that at 1600Hrs (4:00 p.m.) today, Wednesday, 5-10-2022, the seven-man Presidential Committee assembled by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General L.E.O. Irabor, secured the release and took custody of all the 23 remaining passengers held hostage by Boko Haram terrorists following the attack on the Abuja to Kaduna train on 28-3-2022.
The nation owes a debt of gratitude to the Nigerian military under the leadership of the CDS, who conceived and guided the operation from start to finish. All sister security agencies and the Federal Ministry of Transportation contributed immensely to this operation.
The unwavering support of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, made it all possible.
Members of this committee are grateful for the rare honour and privilege to be part of this humanitarian operation.
May God Almighty heal our wounds and bring peace to our land.”
Dr Abdulmalik Atta, a member of the presidential committee who negotiated their release, has shed more light on what transpired before they could achieve success
He claims the terrorists did not initially demand money, but the now-arrested ‘negotiator’, Tukur Mamu, influenced them to make monetary demands for selfish reasons
While sharing with Channels TV, Atta said they faced risks such as sleeping in the bushes to negotiate, but Mamu frustrated all efforts.
He added that before the intervention of the Chief of Defence Staff, families of the victims had paid about $200,000 to the terrorists based on Mamu’s influence.
Troops capture 79 terrorists and collaborators, rescue 2 more Chibok girls
Troops of “Operation Hadin Kai’’ (OPHK) apprehended at least 79 terrorists and their collaborators in the Northeast in the last two weeks.
This was confirmed by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, in Abuja on Thursday at the bi-weekly news briefing on the operations of the armed forces
Danmadami also said the troops eliminated many terrorists and rescued 14 abductees, two of which were part of the kidnapped 276 female students kidnapped in Chibok in 2014 (the Chibok girls). The two, Yana Pogu and Rejoice Senki, who were rescued with their children
They were rescued at Bula Davo village in Bama LGA and Kawur village in Konduga LGA in Borno
Danmadami also said that troops arrested 29 Boko Haram terrorists and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) logistics suppliers within the period. They confiscated food supplies, petrol and N2.4 million in cash from these suppliers.
20 inmates died in Ikoyi prison attack – NCS
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), Lagos Command, revealed that 20 inmates were killed during an attack on the Ikoyi Custodial Centre during the #EndSARS protest of October 2020.
Spokesperson for the command, Olarotimi Oladokun, said this on Thursday in reaction to the statement of a witness, Christian Akara, who testified before a coroner inquest on the matter - The Punch
He said,
“The invaders, who came in large numbers, engaged the security guards in heavy exchange of gunshots, encouraging hardened inmates to set the facility on fire in an attempt to cause mass escape. Thankfully, what would have resulted in an unprecedented security breach in Lagos State was professionally rebuffed.
Sadly, 20 inmates lost their lives while desperately trying to escape and eight correctional officers sustained various degrees of injury with some, life-threatening. In line with correctional service protocols, the respective stakeholders and next-of-kins of the deceased have been duly notified.”
Governance: The good, the bad, the random
Civil servants’ salary increase
Sanwo-Olu announced a salary increase for civil servants in Lagos.
He said this while addressing civil servants, who converged in the Head of Service’s office during a working visit to the Secretariat, Alausa in Ikeja
Although he didn’t disclose the exact figure, he said the pay rise will be unprecedented in the country “as Lagos is a pacesetter and first in setting standards.”
He also announced a 25% salary increment for employees in the core establishment agencies
Read his full statement here
House of reps to investigate recurring collapse of national grid
The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate cases of recurring collapse of the national electricity grid - Daily Post.
The decision followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Kano lawmaker, Sani Bala
In the motion, Bala said the national grid has collapsed over 100 times since the privatisation of the electricity sector in 2013 and 8 times this year alone
He said
“(It is) incomprehensible that all the key power plants in the country, including Egbin, Utorogu, Chevron Oredo, Oben gas-fired power plants, Ughelli, and Chevron Escravos power plants could all shut down at once.”
The House, therefore, resolved that the committee on power should investigate and recommend preventive measures
Floods in Kogi, senators are silent
After about a week since Lokoja, the Kogi State capital has been in the news for being ravaged by flood, the senators representing Kogi have yet to raise the issue on the floor of the upper chamber - The Punch
Most of Kogi has been completely submerged in water for over 3 days. Various videos have been shared online to show the devastation.
Yet (not so) surprisingly, the senate has remained completely silent on the matter, as if oblivious to what’s happening.
The only exception was the senator representing Bayelsa East, Degi-Eremienyo Biobarakuma, who moved a motion to save coastline communities that have been dealt with by erosion in Bayelsa State. He was supported by Senator Jibrin Isah.
The Kogi senators: Oseni Yakubu ( APC Kogi Central); Smart Adeyemi (APC Kogi West); and Jibrin Echocho (APC Kogi East)
Some of the areas affected by the flood include: Lokoja, Kogi-Koto, Ajaokuta, Ofu, Igalamela-Odolu, Bassa, Idah, Bassa, Kotonkarffe, Ajaokuta, Ibaji, Ofu and Omala, among others
ARCON sues meta platforms
The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has filed a lawsuit against Meta Platforms Incorporated (owners of the Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp platforms) and its agent AT3 Resources Limited in the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division - The Punch
ARCON claims that Meta has been allowing Nigerians to publish ADs without their previous approval
They say it has apparently cost them a lot of money in revenue. Hence, the agency is seeking ₦30 billion ($69 million) in sections for the revenue Meta’s “overstep” has caused Nigeria to lose
A part of their statement reads,
“ARCON reiterates that it would not permit unethical and irresponsible advertising on Nigeria’s advertising space.”
In other news
Terrorism trial: Court strikes out Nnamdi Kanu’s suit over the alleged secret trial - The Sun
EFCC has arraigned Saphire Scents Limited MD, Adewale Aladejana for defrauding investors of N12,000,000 - EFCC
JAPA: Alberta, Canada opens a new path for Nigerian pastors, religious workers to be permanent residents - Nairametrics
Travellers groan as more foreign airlines introduce restrictions - Vanguard
NDIC: Bank Fraud, Forgeries Amounted to N120.79bn in 2020 - This Day
Governors say there must be sustainable financing to achieve Universal Health Coverage in the country - Vanguard
African countries urge rich nations to honour $100bn climate finance pledge - Guardian NG
A report from a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) on oil spills in the Bodo community, Rivers State, found equipment failure to be the main cause - Leadership
Senate investigates alleged wrongful re-allocation of oilfields - The Guardian
The Acting Federal Controller of Works in Anambra State, Seyi Martins, has said that the second Niger bridge will be ready for use by the first quarter of 2024. The bridge will be officially commissioned by December 2022- The Punch
This week on the internet
Wild news: Women in northern Uganda have been banned from sitting in front of trucks because some men claim they are showing “too much skin” and “distracting the drivers”, which is “causing accidents” - BBC
An article on what it’s like to be an unmarried rich woman in Nigeria. Keke shares that apart from strangers assuming the source of her finances, she often has to defend her income to her family, friends and even the man she’s currently dating - Breach
After he couldn’t sell his book to any publishers, this writer started to email someone he thought would understand his failure, American political aspirant Jeb Bush. This made me laugh a lot- The New Yorker.