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Stole from community to buy arms
The goals of Correctional centres, otherwise known as Prison , are to strike a balance between punishment, rehabilitation and public safety while preparing inmates for a productive life after release.
However, in Nigeria , these goals have suffered severe set back as most inmates rather than being transformed into a better version of themselves, return back to the society hardened than they were before going to jail.
This was the case of a suspected leader of a kidnap gang arrested by the Rivers State Police Command under the watch of CP Olatunji Disu.
The suspect, Gift Ogbo (39), who is receiving treatment in the hospital, from injuries sustained during a botched kidnap operation , disclosed that he formed his gang while serving his 11 years jail term for a murder case.
Ogbo, who said he had never been to a classroom since birth, recalled how he roamed his village in Ndele, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, during school hours, searching for opportunities to pilfer.
Due to his alleged villainous disposition, he was nick named ‘Akwa Ndele’, with parts of his body designed with bold scars .
Arrest
Saturday Vanguard gathered that on March 29, 2024, Ogbo, led three members of his gang on a kidnap mission, in their operational tricycle, on Nkpolu road.
They reportedly intercepted a white Mercedes-Benz ML 350 4matic , parked on the road, with two occupants in the driver and passenger seats.
But in an act of bravery, driver of the Mercedes who attempted to reverse and escape, hit a wall .
He reportedly drove menacingly towards two suspected members of the gang that stood in front of the car ,and ran over them.
The two suspects were
Ogbo and another member identified simply as Oyi-Baba, who were the gang’s muscle men. They were abandoned at the scene by their fleeing colleagues.
A mob was said to have descended on them and was at the verge of setting them ablaze when a Rapid Response Team that was contacted arrived the scene.
While Oyi-Baba reportedly died in the hospital, Ogbo , is still undergoing treatment, according to Police sources.
Prison gang
From the hospital bed, Ogbo, said, “ In 2012, I attacked one of my uncles during an argument over a parcel of land and he died in the process.
I was arrested and charged for murder. While serving my 11 years hail term, I made friends with some inmates.
“Upon my release in December 2023, I returned to Ndele and rallied two old friends, Gift Kpanuku, aka Oyi-Baba and one Sunny, aka Onye-meme.
”We teamed up with two released members of the gang I formed in prison: Isaac and Ugo and immediately devised a plan to start a kidnap-for-ransom gang.
“ We stole from residents of Ndele to raise money for arms. We raised 370,000 and used it to purchase two locally made shot guns in Akwa-Ibom from Smart, a gunrunner I also met in prison.
Operations
“ We went on the first mission on March 13, 2024, at about 8.45 p.m. We snatched a red Mazda 323 from a local taxi driver to use as operational vehicle. On that same evening, we met a man and his wife who parked their car in front of a doctor’s office at Nkpolu. We ordered them out of their Volkswagen Touareg, pushed them into the back seat of the car and drove off with them, abandoning the stolen Mazda.
“ But on the way to our hideout, there was traffic .While contemplating an alternative route, the woman jumped out of the car. In anger, I shot her husband in both thighs, and we sped off.
We took him to a compound in Eleme, took his gold chain, gold wristwatch , his phone and wife’s phone which she left . We used his ATM card to withdraw N530, 000, via
Tunde Onakoya, the chess master, has taken to social media to reveal that someone gifted a house to his parents.
Onakoya, in a post via X on Friday, disclosed that the house gift for his parents is the “single greatest thing” anyone will ever do for him.
The chess master appreciated the person who gifted his parents the house, although he did not mention names.
Onakoya, who recently broke the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest chess marathon, also recalled his humble beginnings.
The ‘Chess In Slums Africa’ founder narrated how his mother worked as a cleaner so he could get an education. He added that his father worked as a danfo driver so they could feed and survive.
“Someone gifted my parents a new house today. It’s the single greatest thing anyone will ever do for me in this lifetime. Thank you My mother worked as a cleaner in the same school I attended so I could get an education while my dad worked as a Danfo driver/bus conductor so we could feed and survive,” he wrote.
“My greatest joy in life is to be able to give them both the life they truly deserve.”
Media
Someone gifted my parents a new house today. It’s the single greatest thing anyone will ever do for me in this lifetime. Thank you
— Tunde Onakoya (@Tunde_OD) April 26, 2024
My mother worked as a cleaner in the same school I attended so I could get an education while my dad worked as a Danfo driver/bus conductor so we…
Law Lee, an associate of embattled singer, Naira Marley, has made a snide remark about the late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly called Mohbad.
Mohbad died at the age of 27, on September 12, 2023, with circumstances surrounding his death sparking controversies on social media.
In an Instagram post on Friday, Law Lee expressed his level of hatred for Mohbad.
His statement came after Portable tackled Zinoleesky, on social media for acquiring a Ferrari despite not having a hit song.
According to him, the hatred for the deceased increases every day even after his death.
He explained that Mohbad’s alleged disparaging remarks about fellow artist Oniyide Azeez aka Zinoleesky led to a public confrontation towards him on social media by a controversial artist, Habeeb Okikiola aka Portable.
He further stated that if Mohbad had not made negative remarks about Zinoleesky, Portable wouldn’t have made such a move.
He wrote, “Every day my hatred for Mohbad keeps increasing even after his death …. If not for all those miscap about zino na why this @portablebaeby get mind dey sub am .. Fooooooooooool.”
A former record label signee of Marlian Music owned by Naira Marley, Mohbad left the label in February 2022.
The Lagos State Police Command had, on September 18, 2023, inaugurated a 13-man special investigation team to probe the singer’s death.
A probe into his death also led to the arrest of Naira Marley and controversial Lagos socialite, Balogun Eletu, also known as Sam Larry, among others.
The duo’s had before their arrest faced criticism for allegedly mistreating Mohbad before his passing in September 2023.
The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria has expressed concern over the detrimental impact of medical practitioners emigrating abroad in search of better opportunities, revealing that 72,000 out of 130,000 registered doctors failed to renew their practice licenses in 2023.
The MDCN highlighted that only a meager 58,000 have renewed their licenses, emphasizing that such a trend will not only strain healthcare services but also overwhelm the limited available personnel.
Dr. Fatima Kyari, the Registrar of the body, conveyed these sentiments on Friday during the induction and oath-taking ceremony of 20 newly qualified doctors at the Edo State University, Uzairue.
“The council has so far registered 130,000 medical doctors to practice in Nigeria since its inception 61 years ago and the council is mandated to regulate the practice of medicine, dental, and alternative medicine in Nigeria.
“But only 58,000 doctors have renewed their annual practising license in the year 2023 following the increase in migration of doctors outside the country,
“However, the doctors must meet the requirements to earn those increases in quota. We will partner with them to ensure that they meet those requirements, and as we try to ensure that, standards must be upheld,” he added.
Kyari, who was represented by the Deputy Registrar Dr Victor Kolawole, noted that the induction of the 20 newly qualified doctors would add to the existing workforce in the health sector which is being depleted by the day.
She, however, admonished the inductees to uphold the ethics of the profession, warning that the council is mandated to regulate the activities of the practitioners as well as punish offenders.
The institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Emmanuel Aluyor, while speaking, explained that the upgrade of the Central Hospital, Auchi to a teaching hospital has enhanced facilities for the training of the medical students and uplifting the standard of healthcare services in Edo North and its environs.
While commended Governor Godwin Obaseki for his unwavering support for the university, he enjoined the inductees to uphold the ethics of the profession, saying he is confident that they would bring honour to the institution and MDCN.
“I urge the state government to sustain efforts towards improving facilities at Edo State University Teaching Hospital, Auchi.”
However, the acting Provost, of the College of Medical Sciences, Dr Kenneth Atoe, said 20 medical graduates from the college are the second batch of Batch B inductees.
He advised the newly qualified medical graduates to uphold the ethical standards of a medical professional, saying, “You must internalise the values of honesty, integrity, and selflessness.
“These virtues are not only essential for building strong doctor-patient relationships but are also integral to upholding the ethical standards and trustworthiness expected of a medical professional.
“By embodying these values, doctors not only fulfil their professional obligations but also contribute to the maintenance of public trust in the medical profession.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission says it has confirmed the receipt of the refund of $760,000 paid as advanced school fees by Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, for his children at the American International School, Abuja.
Dele Oyewale, spokesperson for the EFCC, confirmed the development in Abuja on Friday to journalist.
“The school has refunded the entire $ 760, 000 to the EFCC’s recovery account,” he said.
Earlier, the American International School of Abuja had asked the EFCC to provide “authentic banking details” for the refund of fees paid for the children of the former governor.
Bello was accused of using funds from the Kogi State Government to pay $720,000 in advance for fees of five of his children.
The children attending the school are enrolled in Grades 2 to 8.
In an effort to apprehend Bello regarding an alleged N80.2 billion scam, EFCC agents besieged his Abuja home on April 17.
Usman Ododo, the governor of Kogi, reportedly arrived at the residence while the operatives were there and reportedly whisked Bello away.
In a letter addressed to the Lagos Zonal Commander of the EFCC, the school said the sum of $845,852 has been paid in tuition “since the 7th of September 2021 to date.”
AISA said the sum to be refunded is $760,910 because it had deducted educational services already rendered.
“Please forward to us an official written request, with the authentic banking details of the EFCC, for the refund of the above-mentioned funds as previously indicated as part of your investigation into the alleged money laundering activities by the Bello family,” the letter reads.
It added, “Since the 7th September 2021 to date, $845,852.84 in tuition and other fees have been deposited into our bank account.
We have calculated the net amount to be transferred and refunded to the State, after deducting the educational services rendered as $760,910.84.
“No further additional fees are expected in respect of tuition as the students’ fees have now been settled until they graduate from ASIA.”
The school said it would draw the attention of the anti-graft agency if there were any further deposits by the Bello family.
In a statement signed by Greg Hughes, AISA also said, “Ali Bello contacted the school on Friday 13 August 2021 requesting to pay the family school fees in advance until the students graduate from High School.”
The Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, had earlier revealed that the former governor transferred $720,000 from the government’s coffers to a bureau de change before leaving office to pay in advance for his child’s school fee.
Olukoyede revealed this during an interview with journalists on Tuesday in Abuja.
He said, “A sitting governor, because he knows he is going, moved money directly from government to bureau de change, used it to pay the child’s school fee in advance, $720,000 in advance, in anticipation that he was going to leave the Government House.
“In a poor state like Kogi, and you want me to close my eyes to that under the guise of ‘I’m being used.’ Being used by who at this stage of my life?”
The Katsina State Command of the Nigerian Police Force has apprehended Ahmadu Usman, aged 55, from Farfari village, Batagarawa LGA, Katsina, in relation to a suspected case of culpable homicide.
While parading the suspect, the command’s spokesman, ASP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, said on April 1, 2024, at about 8 am, one Rahinatu Hassan, 32, from Gyanke village via Batagarawa LGA, who was heavily pregnant was in labour and having difficulties delivering the baby.
“Hence, the services of the suspect were employed to assist the woman in safe delivery, unfortunately, the suspect, knowing fully well that he is not a trained midwife, forcefully dragged the baby out of the womb with the head severed from the body (in the process)”.
Aliyu added that upon receipt of the report, detectives were promptly dispatched to the scene and the woman was rushed to the hospital for medical attention, while the suspect was subsequently arrested.
He said during investigation, the suspect confessed to committing the offence while investigation was still ongoing.
...in Nigeria 98, 000 women die annually from the use of firewood and charcoal
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Gas 360, Emmanuel Uwandu has revealed that cooking with firewood and charcoal is equivalent to smoking 20 packages of cigarettes.
He stated this on Friday, 26th April, 2024 during the unveiling of the 20,000 metric tonnes of Liquified Petroleum Gas Depot Project by Windek Energy Limited in Atabrikang Aquaha, Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Uwandu emphasized the dire situation, particularly in the Niger Delta region, where approximately 21,000 women lose their lives each year due to reliance on firewood and charcoal.
Drawing a stark comparison, he equated cooking with these traditional fuels to smoking 20 packs of cigarettes daily, highlighting the immense health risks faced by Nigerian women on a daily basis.
He lamented the lack of attention given to this silent killer, stating that while diseases like malaria and HIV/AIDS receive significant focus, the deadly impact of cooking with “dirty” fuels often goes unnoticed.
Despite being the leading cause of mortality in Nigeria, clean cooking initiatives receive minimal funding compared to other health interventions.
Uwandu urged both national and sub-national governments to prioritize clean cooking solutions and seize global opportunities to address this issue.
ALSO READ:NAFDAC seals 50 outlets in Kaduna for unhygienic edible oil sales
He emphasized the need for robust policies and government support to transition communities from reliance on dirty fuels to cleaner alternatives. Ultimately, he called for concerted action to save lives and improve the health and well-being of Nigerian women across the nation.
Uwandu said, “Cooking with firewood, and charcoal is equivalent to smoking 20 packages of cigarettes For an average smoker that is too much, that is what women in Nigeria have to deal with daily.
“In Nigeria 98, 000 women die annually from the use of firewood and charcoal and across the 774 local governments that translates to about 2,700 deaths annually.
“In Niger Delta alone 21, 000 women die from the use of firewood and charcoal. If we bring that home to Akwa Ibom State 31 Local governments 75 women die every year from the use of firewood and charcoal”.
Today, in Nigeria, cooking with dirty fuel is the highest killer of Nigerians but for some reason malaria and HIV get the attention, and nobody talks about cooking with dirty fuel. Globally, 4.6bn dollars was provided to fight against malaria and HIV for Nigeria but clean cooking receives less than 200 million dollars, we have to do more.”
He urged Nigerian governments at both the national and sub-national levels to seize global opportunities for clean cooking.
Emphasising the importance of action, he stated that the global committee seeks robust clean action plans on policy and governmental support.
Their aim is to facilitate the transformation of communities from reliance on dirty fuel to embracing clean cooking practices.
Prophet Chukwuemeka Ohanemere, popularly known as Indaboski, has declared that now that he is back, the Naira will surely appreciate against the dollar.
In a video captured at the airport upon his arrival from London, Indaboski confidently boasted,” boasted: “This is Indaboski Bahose. The war and the battle.
A man full of power and activities. The only man who tells you, “I will bring down a dollar,” and he gets it done. When I left the country, dollar began to rise; now, I am back, I will continue where I stopped.”
Earlier, during one of his church gatherings, the self-proclaimed prophet asserted that his mystical prowess, known as ‘Abidoshaker,’ was responsible for the decrease in the dollar to naira exchange rate.
Media
Papa just said he is back to bring down the Dollar rate ?? pic.twitter.com/KT0IYbgmPL
— Chude Nnamdi (@chude__) April 26, 2024
Famous singer, David Adeleke, aka Davido, has recently revealed that his family has four power plants that distribute energy to most Nigerians.
He said this during an American podcast, ‘Business Untitled,’ Davido spoke on his family business and personal investments.
Davido disclosed, “I once tried to go into cryptocurrency because Nigeria is big on crypto. Apart from that, me and my family have like four power plants worth a lot of money, We distribute energy to most of Nigeria.”
Two years after my husband’s death, his family threw me and our children out of his house
He further revealed that his wife is passionate about culinary arts, as they are in the process of establishing a restaurant for her
“My wife is into culinary. We are trying to start a restaurant for her. But my main business is what I love; my music.”
While Davido hails from a prosperous family with interests in the energy sector, there may be differing perspectives on his assertion regarding their role in supplying Nigeria’s energy demands, as majority of Nigeria’s significant thermal and hydropower facilities are government-owned.
Nigerian Gospel singer, Buchi Atuonwu, has recounted how he almost lost his life through a firing squad.
Naija News reports that Buchi recounted his ordeal during an interview on Channels Television Morning Brief programme.
According to the award-winning singer, they were lined up for execution with the firing squad kneeling before them, but God came through for him.
Buchi said he cried to God for help with a promise to serve him if he was saved, and he had devoted his life to God since after the incident.
He said, “At a point in my life, we were lined up for execution. It is true that the people that were to execute us, were kneeling before us, ready to fire. I called out to a God that I didn’t know that if He saves me, I will serve him. He saved me from that firing squad and I devoted my life to serving him.”
‘I Stopped Going To Gym Because Of Heaven’
In other news, Nollywood actor, Williams Uchemba, has frowned at the indecent dressing of ladies at the public gym.
Naija News reports that the thespian made this known in a post via his Instagram page.
According to Willilams, he decided to set up a gym at his home because he was distracted by scantily dressed ladies at the public gym.
The movie star stressed that the indecent dressing of ladies at the gym was becoming appalling, and he could no longer take it because he wants to make heaven.
Williams Uchemba further pleaded with ladies at the gym to “dress decently” to avoid leading men into temptation.
[NaijaNews]
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Afrobeats singer Davido has recalled how billionaire father, Adedeji Adeleke, gave him the stage name.
Davido, in an interview with Business Untitled, said his father initially hesitated before supporting his music career.
The Grammy-nominated singer said when his song played on the radio, his father heard it and started calling him “Davido”.
“I do not think my dad is tough. I blew up when I was 17. Imagine a 17-year-old child and you could not reach him, my dad is the sole parent,” he said.
“Like I told you, I am the first generation entertainer. I don’t think he did not want me to do music, he just want me to be successful.
“So when I moved back to Nigeria, he did not know. Then he heard my voice on the radio, shouting Davido and he gave me that name. My dad gave me Davido….. He just wanted me to go to school which I eventually did.”
In 2023, Davido revealed his father became overprotective of him after his mother’s death.
He also opened up about his father’s influence on his financial decisions.
Davido rose to fame with his 2012 hit ‘Dami Duro’.
He has received several awards and recognitions for his talent.
[TheNation]
Popular singer, Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe, aka Kizz Daniel, has hailed the legendary 2Baba for his impact on his musical career.
According to him, his success story won’t be complete without working with the ‘African Queen’ crooner.
Referring to 2Baba as his mentor, Kizz Daniel expressed strong desire to collaborate with the legend.
On his X handle on Friday night, he wrote: “The Journey no fit complete without a 2baba Collabo @official2baba.
“Baba let’s step into the vocal boot together… Mentor.”
The naira recorded a weekly depreciation of N169.24 against the US dollar in the foreign exchange market on Friday.
FMDQ data showed that the Nigerian currency depreciated for the eighth time in recent days to N1339.23 per dollar at the foreign exchange market, compared to N1309.88 on Thursday at a daily depreciation of N29.35.
Similarly, in the parallel market section, the naira dropped to N1,380 per dollar on Friday from N1,370 on Thursday, recording a weekly slump of N210 from the N1,170 it raided last Friday.
The development comes despite the Central Bank of Nigeria releasing 10,000 dollars each to BDC at N1,021 to a dollar with a caveat to sell at 1.5 per cent maximum.
This is the third recent intervention for BDCs amid the bank’s effort to defend the naira.
BDC operators blamed peer-to-peer cryptocurrency platforms like Binance for the recent depreciation of the naira against the dollar in the foreign exchange market.
“My music career isn’t successful because of my dad’s money” – Davido dispels notion of success tied to family wealth
AFOLABI
Nigerian music sensation David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has reiterated that his flourishing career in the music industry is not a product of his father’s wealth.
In an interview on the American podcast ‘Business Untitled,’ Davido debunked the notion that his success can be attributed solely to his family’s affluent background.
Addressing misconceptions surrounding his rise to stardom, Davido emphasized that while his father’s financial status might have initially posed challenges, it did not pave his path to success.
He highlighted the presence of individuals from wealthier backgrounds who attempted to carve their niche in the entertainment industry but failed to attain comparable levels of accomplishment.
The self-proclaimed “Omo Baba Olowo” shared that his early days in the music industry were marked by skepticism due to his family’s wealth.
However, he expressed gratitude for being acknowledged and accepted primarily on the basis of his talent and skillset.
“There are many billionaires in Nigeria, even richer than my father… And there are people [billionaire’s children] who have tried to do what I have tried to do: music, entertainment, business. But mine has been successful because of my values,” Davido said.
Reflecting on his journey, Davido credited his acceptance in the industry to his inherent talent and dedication to his craft.
He emphasized that his musical prowess and commitment to delivering quality content played pivotal roles in garnering widespread recognition and acclaim.
“The biggest challenge I had when I started music was that my father is wealthy. But I got accepted for one reason and that reason is that I am good, talented. I don’t think I would have ever been accepted if I wasn’t good at what I do,” he added.