Emefiele’s real estate
Hi!
This edition was written by Rosemary Ita and edited by Adetomiwa.
Our team has grown from a one-man show to a 5-person show: Bashirat does social media, while Nafisat, Hope, and Rosemary write the newsletter. They all get paid out of my pocket and from your generous donations, so if you’d like to help me keep the work good, please donate, share, or send us treats. Love you! 😘
In this edition
Nigeria is going to space
Cholera is everywhere
Girls, get your HPV vaccine
Millionaires are leaving Nigeria
This edition is 2,400 words (approx. 8 min read)
🚀🇳🇬
Nigeria, in partnership with Space Exploration and Research Agency, National Space Research and Development Agency and aerospace company, Blue Origin, is looking to send it’s first citizen to space.
After the first Nigeria satellite was launched in 2016, the Nigeria govt said it plans to send its first astronaut to space by 2030 (it looks like it's all coming together).
This opportunity is open to you if you’re bold enough to attempt to travel to space via Nigeria.
Healthcare
Wash your hands. Cholera is out to kill.
Nigeria’s recent cholera outbreak has been fatal.
Last week, the Lagos health commissioner–Akin Abayomi, confirmed 65 confirmed out of 1,141 suspected cases, across the country with 30 resulting in deaths since January.
Some states with the most suspected cases are Abia, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Borno, Cross River, Kwara, Lagos, Taraba and Zamfara
In Lagos, Lagos Island, Kosofe, and Eti Osa are the worst affected areas and the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control and Prevention linked the outbreak in these areas to an unregistered tiger nut drink.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Kemi Ogunyemi affirmed investigations revealed that in Lagos, many of the cholera patients in Eti-Osa consumed this tiger nut drink.
The drink does not have a NAFDAC registration number. And according to the government, this has made it difficult to trace its source (maybe ask the people where they got it, then ask the sellers where they got it? Just a thought)
Kemi Ogunyemi said the outbreak was further complicated by the recent Eid celebrations, which had large gatherings. According to her, the numbers have surged since Eid, so if you were at a party over the public holiday, it might be best to visit your doctor.
To keep up with the Cholera updates and learn more about prevention techniques, check out cholerafacts.com
The Delta state government is paying medical bills
The Delta State government has paid N7 billion in medical bills for residents through the state’s health insurance scheme.
This scheme is said to provide affordable healthcare for young children, pregnant women and elderly residents who struggle to pay healthcare bills.
Isaac Akpoveta, the director of contributing health commission in the state, says the scheme will allow residents to access quality healthcare for N7,000 a year.
The N7 billion is to help lower-income residents get a headstart on their healthcare insurance.
Girls, get your HPV vaccine
In October 2023, Gavi the Vaccine Alliance teamed up with Nigeria's Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, WHO and UNICEF to add HPV vaccines to the national immunisation program.
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Nigeria and the HPV vaccine is 92% effective in preventing it.
In just two weeks, seven million girls were vaccinated, protecting them from cervical cancer.
Gavi in collaboration with the FG aims to vaccinate 16 million girls with the HPV vaccine by 2025.
Economy
Higher inflation, lower standard of living
With the high rate of inflation in Nigeria, living in the country is not for the weak. According to the latest report from the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s inflation has reached a near-record high of 33.69% as of April 2024.
The country's economic landscape is undergoing significant changes, leading to fluctuation in the cost of living across hiking everywhere, but especially in 10 states like Kogi, Bauchi, Ondo, Oyo, Lagos, Rivers, Kwara, Jigawa, Osun, Abia, which have been dubbed the 10 most expensive states in the country.
At this point that space trip will be a better option.
More on inflation:
Food
The food prices in Nigeria are monstrous. According to a report by NBS, as of May 2024, food inflation in Nigeria had reached 40.66%.
Food items like garri, potatoes, fish and meat have seen an overall inflation rate of 33.95%, the highest in 28 years.
This persistent price increase is affecting household budgets and market prices.
Even soaking garri is giving luxury.
Gas
Nigeria imports more than 50% of its cooking gas, making the commodity susceptible to exchange rate fluctuations.
The government tried to minimise the changes in cost of gas by imposing a VAT waiver. Still, the price has increased by 70.12% in the last year.
The average price for refilling a 5kg LPG cylinder rose from N4,360.69 in May 2023 to N7,418 in May 2024.
Seems firewood is the best way forward.
How to solve a problem like Nigeria? Loans and funding babyyy
The World Bank approves financial support to Nigeria.
The World Bank has granted Nigeria a financial support package of $2.25 billion to support the country’s extensive economic reforms.
This package includes $1.5 billion for the Nigeria Reforms for Economic Stabilisation to Enable Transformation (RESET) and $750 million for the Nigeria Accelerating Resourcer Mobilization Reforms (ARMOR).
The approval comes as Nigeria drowns in the consequences of removing fuel subsidies and a fluctuating currency, which have contributed to rising inflation.
The government has faced criticism for inconsistent implementation, particularly with the reintroduction of fuel subsidies following a spike in global oil prices and foreign exchange rates.
The World Bank's support is seen as a critical step towards stabilising the economy and reducing poverty, as emphasised by President Tinubu, who has committed to increasing revenues and combating inflation.
President Tinubu views the financial support as essential for Nigeria's economy, which has long been overly dependent on oil revenues.
Ousmane Diagana, World Bank Vice President for Western and Central Africa, believes that Nigeria's current reforms are setting the country on a path to economic stability and poverty alleviation.
But the country keeps borrowing money.
In the past year the FG has borrowed $4.95 billion from the World Bank, increasing the total debt to N101 trillion. At this point, the government needs to be treated the way Palmpay treats its debtors.
Even after the World Bank has already approved funding for several projects, The government still plans to seek approval for another loan of $4.4billion from the World Bank and the Africa Development Bank within the next year.
What’s more? Nigeria's public debt has risen in three months to N121.67 trillion as of the 31st of March. This figure includes domestic and external debts of the FG and the 36 states.
Millionaires are leaving Nigeria
The Japa Spirit has gotten into the 1% of the 1% in the country.
According to the 2024 Henley Wealth Migration report, 300 high worth Nigerians are set to leave the country this year due to insecurity and a worsening economy.
The number of millionaires living in the country is down by 45% over the past decade making it the worst-performing market in Africa over this period. No millionaires, no serious investments.
Peter Obi and Bayo Onanuga on the President’s aircraft purchase.
The House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence recommended that the FG purchase a new aircraft for President Tinubu and his Vice President, which rubbed Peter Obi the wrong way
Peter Obi said this behaviour highlights the relationship between the government and its people. He said it's unacceptable considering that there are other things to use the money in doing.
The special adviser on information and strategy to the president, Bayo Onanuga disagreed with Peter Obi’s comment.
Onanuga said the new aircraft is “a necessity”, and it’s “a basic thing that any sane government will do”. 🤓
Onanuga said Peter Obi was “wishing the president dead”, because the aircraft currently used by the President was bought during the Obasanjo era and it is over 20 years old now.
Bayo Onanuga, there’s people that are dying
Money and Fraud
Money Laundering
On Thursday at the federal high court, Abuja, Justice James Omotosho adjourned the trial of an amended money-laundering charge that was instituted by EFCC against the Kogi state chief of staff, Ali Bello and his co-defendant Daudu Sulaiman.
This court case has been adjourned until 15 of July, 2024.
At the sitting, the EFCC witness, an access bank staff member, Mr Olom Egoro was cross-examined by Bello’s counsel, Abubakar Aliyu (SAN).
The witness admitted to the court that there was no lodgement or withdrawal linked to Bello in the exhibit before him.
Mr Egoro told the court that EFCC, via a letter requested for the bank statement of the Kogi State government house between 2018 and 2021.
From the evidence, Mr Egoro had said the withdrawals were N10 million each in different branches.
However, he did not state who deposited the funds, what the funds were deposited for, or who withdrew the cash.
Meanwhile;
The EFCC continues to pursue legal action against Binance and its executive Tigran Gambaryan for alleged money laundering involving $35.4 million, even after the FIRS dismissed related tax evasion charges.
Gambaryan's wife, Yuki, has called for her husband's release, questioning why the EFCC won't follow the FIRS's lead.
During the court proceedings, a Security and Exchange Commission director testified about the regulatory oversight of Bitcoin transactions under Nigerian law, emphasising Binance's lack of registration with the SEC.
The case revolves around the legality of Binance's operations in Nigeria, particularly its peer-to-peer crypto trading platform, and its impact on the official exchange rate.
Binance and its executives face separate suits from the FIRS and EFCC, with the former concerning tax evasion and the latter involving money laundering and foreign exchange contravention.
The EFCC has requested an adjournment to continue cross-examination of the SEC director.
Nadeem Anjarwalla, the Binance exec who escaped to Kenya, seems to have been forgotten.
Cocaine chilling with Abba Kyari
After the court had granted suspended deputy commissioner of police, Abba Kyari a two-week temporary bail to attend his mother’s final burial rites last month, the federal high court, Abuja refused to grant bail to Kyari and the four other disbanded police officers charged with drug trafficking.
Ruling that the defendants had not provided sufficient materials to warrant granting the bail request, the judge, who refused the bail application of Mr Kyari and other suspended police officers.
Recall that in 2022, The NDLEA arrested Kyari 4 other officers for dealing in 21.35kg of cocaine.
Emefiele’s real estate
Recent court documents revealed that former CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele and his accomplices diverted $6.2 million from CBN’s accounts and invested it in real estate.
The scandal, which prompted President Bola Tinubu to establish a special investigative team, involves allegations of criminal breach of trust, forgery, and conspiracy.
Emefiele and his personal assistant, Odoh Ocheme, are among those charged, with Ocheme receiving the largest share of the stolen funds and justifying it by claiming to have other interests within the bank.
The managing director of Afrolyk Global Ltd., Aminu Lawal, who received part of the stolen funds for investment corporated with the investigation by refunding a portion of the money.
Bashirudeen Maishanu, a CBN senior staff member, admitted to his involvement in the crime and corroborated the account of Abdulmajeed Muhammad, indicating a level of guilt and acceptance of his role in the theft.
The investigation has uncovered forged letters and the use of a false identity to withdraw the funds, with CCTV footage aiding in identifying some of the individuals involved.
Meanwhile,
A Pan-African social enterprise, Paradigm Initiative, discovered a website called Anyverify.com.ng selling Nigerian NIN, BVN, and other data for N100.
The site claims to help people verify different data about Nigerians. It pulls information from the database of government institutions that control the listed data.
Politicking
Kano government can't do without Sanusi
In a dramatic turn of events, a Federal High Court in Kano nullified the reappointment of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.
Yet, in a plot twist worthy of a soap opera, the Kano State government insisted just hours later that Sanusi was still the 16th Emir, regardless of the court's decision.
The government demanded that Ado Bayero pack his bags and vacate the Gidan Nasarawa mini palace. The reason? To make way for its demolition.
The Kano state drama continues
The Kano state government has directed the state’s commissioner of police to remove the ruling Emir of Kano– Amino Ado from the palace. The state government said the court ruled in its favour, affirming the state government’s decision to reinstate Emir Lamido Sanusi back as the Emir of Kano.
The judge equated Governor Yusuf's speech at the reappointment ceremony of Sanusi as a "road to anarchy."
According to the judge, ignoring a court order despite clear evidence of its service is a surefire recipe for governmental chaos.
There's more! In a twist worthy of a legal thriller, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Dederi, held a press conference to declare that the court ruling was actually in their favour. Sanusi still wears the crown
Insecurity
Katsina
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), on Monday, said airstrikes by the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji killed more than 80 terrorists hibernating at a hideout location at Gidan Kare Village of Ruwan Godiya Ward in Faskare LGA of Katsina State.
Taraba
Troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army captured a terrorist leader responsible for a deadly attack on Mararaban Azagawa Village - Arise
Lagos
Five individuals, including three brothers from Fouani Nigeria Limited, a prominent electronics distributor, have regained their freedom four days after being abducted in Lagos last Friday.
The ransom demanded? $1.5 million to set the Lebanese nationals free.
There’s no news on whether the ransom was paid, but according to eyewitnesses, the victims were dumped in a village not too far from Lagos, which is where the police picked them up.
Inmates released
Over 1,300 more inmates in prisons across the country were granted amnesty in Nigeria from January to May 2024, part of efforts to reduce prison overcrowding.
A notable contribution came on March 19, when the Headford Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, facilitated the release of 628 inmates who had been wrongfully detained over the past five years.
In November 2023, the Federal Government released 4,068 inmates who couldn't pay fines, funded by N585 million from corporate donations.
The Nigerian Correctional Service also announced that they are expanding the facilities across the country by constructing six ultra-modern custodial centres, each with the capacity to house 3,000 inmates.
So hopefully prisons will be more conducive for inmates and cases of untried prisoners will reduce
Other News
Lawyers for IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu say they might explore options outside the courts to secure his release. At Kanu’s latest hearing, his lawyers referenced Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act and Section 174, which allows for alternative options in civil and criminal cases – BBC pidgin
The Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi- Esan says civil servants outside the country without official permission and still on the payroll will be sacked after the ongoing verification is completed. She said the number of workers on payroll dropped to 69,308 from 100,000 after a clean-up exercise -Arise
The EFCC has charged Mr Usman Mallam, a desk officer at the Gombe state government office to court for obstructing a criminal investigation by tearing the commission’s letters of investigative activities. – Premium Times
World record holder in the Women’s 100m hurdles, Tobi Amusan, won her 4th Nigerian title on Monday at the Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s National Trials, held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Edo State. She finished with 12.78 seconds, ahead of Adaobi Tabugbo, who came 2nd at 13.33 seconds. – Leadership
The youth of Irate community in Rivers stormed the Obio/Akpor council headquarters claiming they were there to secure the council’s property following the expiration of the chairman's tenure. They pulled down a statue of the former governor, Nyesom Wike that was mounted at the council - Channels
Informative 💯