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Nigeria Signs Solar Plant Deal

Nigerian has signed a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a 1GW solar PV manufacturing plant within the country’s borders.

The MoU, reached during the ongoing COP28 summit, signifies a major step towards a sustainable and self-reliant future for Nigeria.

The agreement represents a collaborative effort between Infrastructure Corporation (Infracorp) led by Dr Lazarus Angbazo, Solarge BV of the Netherlands, and the African Green Infrastructure Investment Bank.

The partnership promises to unlock the potential of various economic sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, and education, by providing reliable and clean energy.

Recognizing the critical role of adequate energy supply, Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, noted the government’s commitment to fulfilling its promises and addressing the current challenges plaguing the power sector.

Adebayo stressed the crucial need for renewable energy sources to overcome limitations in transmission, distribution, and generation capacity, ultimately improving the lives of Nigerians and fostering economic growth.

“We bear witness to the enormous stress on our national grid that continues to trigger power outages that adversely affect the daily lives of our citizens: homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses of diverse scales”, he said.

The Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Olawale Edun, emphasized the massive market potential for solar energy in Nigeria and West Africa, pointing out the paradoxical situation of abundant sunshine alongside limited energy access.

The establishment of this solar PV facility presents an opportunity to address this issue and bring about positive change across various sectors.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr. Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite emphasized the importance of industrialization in overcoming socio-economic challenges and driving economic growth.

She lauded the MoU as a significant catalyst for the industrial sector, highlighting the vital role of energy infrastructure in fostering innovation, job creation, and a sustainable future.

Infracorp’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Angbazo, outlined the project’s objective of revolutionizing Nigeria’s energy sector and positively impacting various economic ppspheres.

He emphasized the vision of elevating Nigeria’s economy to $1 trillion through sustainable infrastructure, with a focus on local manufacturing, green technologies, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

The agreement marks a significant milestone for Nigeria’s pursuit of a cleaner and more sustainable future.

“The commitment to renewable energy sources paves the way for increased energy security, economic growth, and improved quality of life for all Nigerians. With the expertise and collaboration of international partners,

“Nigeria is poised to become a leader in the renewable energy sector, not only within its borders but also across the West African region.”

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Tinubu Hails Osimhen, Oshoala, Nnadozie On African Player Of The Year Award

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Nigeria’s Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, on winning the CAF 2023 Men’s Player of the Year award.

The President also celebrated the remarkable achievements of Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria’s Super Falcons, who clinched the 2023 CAF Women’s Player of The Year for the sixth time, and Chiamaka Nnadozie, who was awarded the Woman Goalkeeper of the Year, as well as the Super Falcons for emerging the Women’s National Team of the Year.

President Tinubu commended the trio of Osimhen, Oshoala and Nnadozie for their outstanding performances on both national and international stages, and for being sources of pride to the nation and an inspiration for aspiring footballers across the continent.

”Watching the great ambassadors of Nigeria stand atop the podium as the African Footballers of the Year, in the men and women categories, on Monday night in Marrakesh, Morocco, has strengthened our belief that with hard work, perseverance, and the help of God, everything this nation needs for greatness is within us and available to us.

”I commend Victor and Asisat for not forgetting their roots and days of humble beginnings in the game they love so much and for acknowledging the role of indigenous coaches in shaping their careers.

”I join all Nigerian fans in praying that this well-deserved honour will be the beginning of a continued journey filled with success, triumphs, and the fulfilment of all your footballing dreams”, the President says.

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Pro-Wike Rivers Assembly Lawmakers Defect To APC

The political crisis in Rivers State took a new twist on Monday as 27 out of 32 members of the House of Assembly led by the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule (Obio/Akpor Constituency 1), ditched the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defectors are believed to be loyal to the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike who has fallen out with his political son and the incumbent Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

The lawmakers announced their defection, in a letter read on the floor of the Assembly on Monday in Port Harcourt.

According to the letter, also addressed to the state’s acting chairman of PDP and signed by all the 27 lawmakers, the defectors cited the division at the national leadership of the party for their decision to quit the PDP.

They affirmed their total loyalty to the former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.

A member of the Assembly, Enemi George, said the 27 lawmakers were under the leadership of Martin Amaewhule.

Rivers State was plunged into political crisis between October 29 and 30, this year, when the hallowed chamber of the House of Assembly was burnt, following alleged moves to impeach Governor Fubara.

The development consequently led to the emergence of two factional speakers – Matins Amaehule, who is loyal to Wike; and Edison Ehie, a strong supporter of Fubara.

Fubara had last month in a peace meeting with President Bola Tinubu apologised for the crisis, assuring that he was ready to embrace the path of lasting peace to advance progress and development of the state.

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Canada Hikes Proof Of Funds For Nigerians, Others

The Canadian Government has increased the proof of funds for Nigerians and other international students from ₦8,025,000.00 ($10,000) to ₦16,050,000.0000 ($20,000).

Marc Miller, Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, made this announcement in a statement on Thursday, saying the new requirement will take effect from January 1, 2024.

“Starting January 1, 2024, the cost-of-living financial requirement for study permit applicants will be raised so that international students are financially prepared for life in Canada.

“For 2024, a single applicant will need to show they have $20,635, representing 75% of LICO, in addition to their first year of tuition and travel costs.

“This change will apply to new study permit applications received on or after January 1, 2024”, the statement reads in part.

For close to two decades, study permit applicants for international students have remained at $10,000.

This review, which takes effect from January 1, “will help prevent student vulnerability and exploitation,” the statement added.

This proof of funds review comes days after the United Kingdom introduced a new set of rules that would make it more difficult for Nigerians and others to obtain a visa.

Home Secretary James Cleverly announced the changes in the House of Commons on Monday.

The government said it would now set a minimum annual salary for foreign workers to be eligible for a skilled worker visa at £38,700 from £26,200.

The figure itself is more than the existing median average salary of a full-time worker in Britain.

He exempted health and social care workers, but said they would be prevented from bringing family dependents.

He reaffirmed that Britain would increase the surcharge that migrants pay to access the NHS by 66 percent, to £1,035.

Care England, a charity representing independent adult social care providers, said immigration had been “saving the social care sector”.

Critics have said this effectively imposes a double charge on migrant workers, as employees also pay National Insurance charges, which go towards covering healthcare.

“For 2024, a single applicant will need to show they have $20,635, representing 75% of LICO, in addition to their first year of tuition and travel costs.

“This change will apply to new study permit applications received on or after January 1, 2024″, the statement reads in part.

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Supreme Court Dismisses Suit Against Uzodinma, Imposes N40m Fine On Ozekhome

The Supreme Court has imposed a fine of N40 million on Mike Ozekhome (SAN), for filing a frivolous, vexatious, and irritating motion before the court in respect of Imo state governorship in 2019.

The fine followed judgement delivered on Tuesday, December 5, which dismissed an application by Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeking to be issued a certificate of return as the rightful governor of Imo state.

Ozekhome who is the lawyer of Ihedioha was fined the amount for bringing a motion before the Apex Court seeking to revalidate the suit that removed him as governor of Imo state in 2019.

The senior lawyer was ordered in a ruling by Justice Tijani Abubakar to personally pay the N40m fine to four respondents he dragged before the court.

Those to be paid are the Action People’s Party (APP), Uche Nnadi, Uche Nwosu and the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC.

His grouse was that the incumbent governor, Hope Uzodinma unlawfully spent the four years that Mr Ihedioha ought to spend.

In the motion considered to be frivolous by the Court, Ozekhome had asked the Court for a consequential order to compel INEC to issue a fresh Certificate of Return to Ihedioha to enable him to spend a four-year tenure as Imo Governor.

Ozekhome’s motion claimed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had no candidate in the 2019 Imo governorship election, hence, Uzodinmma ought not to have been made governor on the platform of APC.

However, the Apex Court dismissed the motion on the ground that it has no jurisdiction to entertain such a motion.

Justice Abubakar held in the ruling that the request was strange, frivolous, baseless, unwarranted, vexatious, and irritating.

He further held that the motion was a calculated design to demonize the Supreme Court

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We’ve Conducted Visa Interviews For Over 150,000 Nigerians In 2023 – US Embassy

The United States (US) embassy in Nigeria has emphasized its commitment to addressing the influx of visa applications from Nigerian citizens; saying over 150,000 Nigerians underwent visa interviews in 2023.

David Greene, the charge d’affaires of the embassy, who made this known on Sunday, said the demand for visas surpassed the available supply.

“When it comes to visas, it is a simple fact that the demand for visa appointments outnumbers the supply,” he said.

“So, those appointments are available, and we are doing everything we can to address that gap.

“What folks do not know is that this year we have interviewed more than 150,000 Nigerians.

“This is in addition to 30,000 students. Hundreds of thousands of students have had the opportunity to seek visas from the US.

“We are doing the best we can to get proper ways for all the categories, and after having an enormous backlog as a result of COVID-19 and all that,

“We have made great progress, though. In March, we instituted a five-year term for visas to the US.”

Greene urged Nigerians planning to travel to the US to apply early and ensure that their visa applications are tied to events.

“Folks who are seeking visas should apply early and make sure that the plan is for as long as they can.

“This is because we do acknowledge that there is a backlog, and we will do what we can to make sure that people who need a warrant visa to the US can get them”, he said.

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Robbers Stab 500L ATBU Student To Death

It was a sad day on Saturday for Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, as one of its students, Joseph Obiaje Agabaidu, a 500-level Geology student was stabbed to death by robbers, who tried to steal his phone.

The final year student hails from Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State but based in Benue State and is said to be the eldest among four children of his family, who school at ATBU, Bauchi.

It was learnt that he was returning to his lodge situated around the Yelwan Tudu market at about 7.00pm on Saturday, when he was attacked.

The source said: “Agabaidu, a final year Geology student based in Otukpo LGA but an indigene of Ankpa LGA of Kogi State, was fatally stabbed around 7pm on Saturday as assailants attempted to forcefully take his phone.

“Despite immediate efforts to get him medical help, Agabaidu succumbed to his injuries and passed away yesterday (Sunday) morning.

“This tragic event echoes a similar incident last December when another Benue student lost his life in a phone-related struggle.”

“In the wake of this heartbreaking loss, we implore the school management, the police, and the Bauchi State government to prioritize and enhance the security of students within the state.

“Our community should not have to endure such sorrow, and proactive measures are crucial to prevent further tragedies. May the soul of Agabaidu Obiaje Joseph rest in peace.

“Mr. Joseph is an older brother to three other siblings of his, all schooling here in ATBU. The VP SUG, two other staff of the university and his siblings will be conveying his corpse back home.”

Another student said: “Students are getting set for a peaceful protest this morning. It is to express our pain over the unfortunate incident that happened to our fellow student. This is not the first nor second time this would be happening.

“I feel very pained about this incident. I also have three younger siblings here in the school. Imagine how I’ll feel if such should happen to any of them.

“I call on the management, the state government and security agencies to rise up to this incident and provide more adequate security to all students who left their parents’ houses and have come to school to learn.”

The Director, Information and Public Relations, Zailani Bappa, could not be reached as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, a notice of the planned protest was seen by NATIONAL ACCORD indicated that students were being mobilized for the protest at the ATBU Gate of the Yelwa Campus.

According to the statement: “There will be a massive protest by ATBU students for the failure of the government and school management to provide a good security atmosphere for students off-campus.

“You are advised to come out in numbers, 7am prompt at Yelwa gate to protest against misplaced priorities. We are not encouraging violence but we are looking out for our fellow Balewites. It might be you next if we don’t collectively fight these issues. No form of violence please.”

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CBN Directs Banks To Issue, Accept Old, Redesigned Banknotes

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Wednesday directed all banks across the country to continue to issue and accept both the old and redesigned Naira notes, declaring that both monies remain legal tender in Nigeria.

A statement signed by the Acting Director, of Corporate Communications, Sidi Ali, Hakama, noted that the directive followed an order of the Supreme Court, which on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, granted the prayer of the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation to extend the use of old Naira banknotes ad infinitum.

The apex court, in a ruling by a seven-man panel led by Justice Inyang Okoro,  said the banknotes should remain in circulation, pending when the Federal Government, after due consultation with relevant stakeholders, takes a decision on the matter.

The statement reads in parts: “Following the order of the Supreme Court on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, granting the prayer of the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation to extend the use of old Naira banknotes ad infinitum, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed all its branches to continue to issue and accept all denominations of Nigerian banknotes, old and re-designed, to and from deposit money banks (DMBs).

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Supreme Court ordered that the old versions of N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes shall continue to be legal tender, alongside the re-designed versions.

“Accordingly, in line with Section 20(5) of the CBN Act 2007, all banknotes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), will continue to remain legal tender, indefinitely.

“Members of the public are enjoined to continue to accept all Naira banknotes (old or redesigned) for their day-to-day transactions and handle these banknotes with the utmost care, to safeguard and protect the lifecycle of the banknotes.

“Furthermore, the general public is encouraged to embrace alternative modes of payment, channels, in order to reduce pressure on the use of physical cash”.

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NDLEA Raids ‘Unholy Alliance’ Drug Party In Osogbo, Arrests Organisers

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Saturday 25th November, raided a lounge in Osogbo, the Osun state capital where a night party organized for illicit substance abuse was going to hold and arrested some of the organisers who were found with drug exhibits.

Spokesperson of the Agency, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday.

Babafemi said the raid followed credible intelligence “that some persons were going to hold a night party tagged Unholy Alliancefor Stoners and Drunkards where different types of illicit substances were going to be sold and consumed by patrons”.

“Soon after the organisers began to gather at Berrymist Lounge located at Ofatedo area of Osogbo to start the party, NDLEA operatives swooped on them, arrested them and recovered illicit substances of abuse and drug paraphernalia from them.

“Those arrested include: Ikotu Omolayo, 25; Fola Olabode, 30, and Akorede Adunni Ajibola, 22. The management of the Lounge has also been invited for further investigation.

“This comes on the heels of an earlier raid on Thursday 23rd Nov. at Area 5 forest reserve, Ile-Ife where operatives recovered 156kgs of cannabis sativa”, he explained.

Meanwhile, operatives in Ogun state on Friday 24th November arrested two suspects: Adamu Ibrahim and Nura Sani at Ileke trailer garage, along Lagos-Ibadan expressway, where 859 kilograms of cannabis sativa concealed among bags of sugar in a truck for onward transportation to Mokwa, Niger state. 

The consignment was loaded in Ogbese, Ondo state and hidden among bags of cement in a truck before being transloaded into another trailer bearing sugar in Ogun state.

In Edo state, operatives on Monday 20th Nov. stormed a warehouse at Obi Camp in Owan West LGA where they recovered 338kgs of cannabis concealed in sacks of charcoal, while in another operation in Ikhin forest, Owan East LGA, NDLEA officers seized 235kgs of the same psychoactive substance on Saturday 25th Nov. 

A suspect, Onah Kenneth Ikechukwu, 32, was arrested at Jattu, Etsako West LGA with 11,690 capsules of tramadol, 295 bottles of codeine syrup and various quantities of Molly, Cannabis and Methamphetamine on Wednesday 22nd Nov.

A similar raid in Lagos on Wednesday 22nd Nov. at Enu Owa Street, Lagos Island led to the recovery of 40,500 ampoules of pentazocine injection; 440,000 pills of tramadol in a store belonging to a suspect, Ebuka Amechi who is currently at large. 

Not less than 135,600 capsules of tramadol and 950grams of cannabis were seized from two suspects: Afamefuna Ibekwe, 37, and Sunday Onweh, 41, at Nkpor, Akuzor and Ose-Ogbaijo, Onitsha, respectively. 

While 37,360 pills of different opioids and 250 bottles of codeine syrup coming from Onitsha, Anambra enroute Abuja were recovered from Muhammed Abba Khamis, 22, on Thursday 23rd Nov. along Okene- Lokoja-Abuja expressway, operatives in Ekiti state seized a total of 288kgs of cannabis at Odo-Owa forest in Ijero LGA on Saturday 25th Nov. At least, 116kgs of same psychoactive substance were seized from a suspect, Chinagoram Obaru, 24, who was arrested at Iju forest on Thursday 23rd Nov. 

In the same vein, Commands across the 36 states and the FCT equally continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitisation lectures in schools, communities, work places and others. Some of these include: WADA sensitisation lecture for students and staff of Comprehensive High School, Abia, Udi LGA, Enugu; teachers and students of Dr. Nuhu Sanusi Junior/Senior Secondary School, Dutse, Jigawa; students of Haneef High School, Jos, Plateau; students of Akinorun Muslim Grammar School, Ikirun, Osun; students of Zaibadari Michika Primary, Junior and Senior Secondary School, Michika, Adamawa; and students of Madarasatul-Islamiya Baichin Kako, Marna Gusau, Zamfara state, among others.

Commending the arrests and seizures of the past week by officers and men of the Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Anambra, Ekiti, Kogi and Lagos Commands, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) charged them and their compatriots across all formations of the Agency to continue to remain vigilant and double their efforts especially with the desperation of criminal networks to make money by all means as the yuletide season approaches.

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How Tinubu’s Defence Minister Squandered Over N1bn For Abandoned Hotel Service Centre – Zamfara Govt

The raging feud between Zamfara State Government and immediate-past Governor and current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has again escalated.

The State Government has disclosed how Matawalle allegedly misappropriated 1,011,801,545.79 billion Naira intended to construct a catering and hotel services centre (Gusau Motel) in the State capital.

In a statement issued in Gusau on Wednesday, the Spokesperson of the Governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, emphasised the need for Bello Matawalle to explain the payment of 93% to 180 CIRCLE CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING LTD for a project of 1,149,288,084.25 billion Naira.

According to him, the state government publicly discloses these revelations to promote transparency and accountability and discourage financial banditry among public officials.

The statement read in parts: “In the interest of transparency, the Zamfara State Government deems it a responsibility to expose the numerous shady projects initiated by the immediate past administration of Bello Matawalle with the intention of misusing State funds.

“On July 16th, 2020, the previous administration of Bello Matawalle awarded a contract to 180 Circle Engineering Construction and Engineering LTD. The contract was to construct a catering and hotel service centre (Gusau Motel) in Gusau. The total cost of the contract was N1,149,288,084.25.

“On August 7th, 2020, Bello Matawalle approved the payment of mobilisation fees to the firm. The amount approved was N344,786,425.27. However, the contractor disappeared after receiving the payment and did not perform on-site work for a year. This action by Bello Matawalle was a gross violation of financial regulations.

“After a year, the contractor returned to the site but was instructed by the Ministry of Works to provide a written commitment not to repeat such behaviour. This incident indicates the type of leadership prevalent in a government like Matawalle’s.

“For the record, the public should take note of the following payments with the date of disbursements: On the 06 of July 2021, Bello Matawalle released the sum of N100,420,259.62 to 180 Circle Engineering Construction and Engineering LTD.

“On 27 August 2021, the construction firm received N257,060,936.72. On the 27th of August 2021, the Ministry of Finance paid N185,250,000.00 to the contractor.

“Furthermore, on the 24th of March 2022, the Ministry of Finance released the sum of N20,000,000.00 to 180 Circle Engineering Construction and Engineering LTD, totalling 1,011,801,545.79 billion Naira.

“Despite the illegal disbursement of the above funds to the contractor, construction of the multi-purpose hall, restaurant, laundry, badminton court, swimming pool, estate roads, soft and rugged landscape, external electrification, water reticulation, and perimeter fence has not yet commenced.

“N1,011,801,545.79 was certified and paid as per Ministry of Works and Transport valuation certificates, representing 93% of the total contract sum.

“It is worrisome to note that the contractor was overpaid the sum of 667,713,161.64 million Naira by Bello Matawalle and subsequently abandoned the project. The work done on-site, as presented in pictures, has been valued at N344,088,384.15, which represents 29.94% of the total progress.

“It goes against the principles of our government’s Rescue Mission and the trust placed in us by the people of Zamfara State to let financial misconduct go unpunished. We are committed to uncovering any actions that have breached the people’s trust and holding those responsible accountable. We are on a rescue mission!”