Banks in satellite towns of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Saturday opened for business as directed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who monitored some banks in the Territory, reports that huge crowds of customers were seen at banks’ Automated Teller Machines (ATM) galleries.

NAN also reports that customers were also seen standing in queues entering the banking halls one after another.

The banks that opened for operations along Nyanya-Mararaba road include First City Monument Bank (FCMB), United Bank for Africa (UBA), Zenith Bank, First Bank, Fidelity Bank, Ecobank, and Access Bank.

Mrs Ngozi Ugoh, a customer at Access Bank, said although she did not know about the CBN directive, she entered to get some cash when she saw a large crowd in her bank.

”I didn’t know about the directive of opening at weekends but I was just passing by and saw people so I entered to see if I can get some cash,” she said.

Another customer, Mr Andy Jerry seen at Zenith Bank, who welcomed the development, said banks were complying with the CBN directive to work during the weekend to shelve the planned protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

”I think the CBN compelled banks to work weekends so that the protest by NLC will not hold. I like this because it will give more time for people to access cash,” he said.

Miss Stephanie Ikpe commended the CBN for the directive.

She said the development would help reduce the cash crunch currently being experienced by the masses.
Ikpe appealed to the CBN to monitor banks to ensure that their weekends operation continued.

The CBN on Friday through the Acting Director, Corporate Communication s Department, said that a substantial amount of money in various denominations had been received by commercial banks.

The apex bank also directed all commercial banks to open for operations on Saturdays and Sundays. (NAN)

Former Nigerian President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has described his appointments of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Charles Soludo as his best appointments, as he speaks about Igbophobia.

Recalls that Obasanjo was the president of Nigeria between 1999 and 2007. During that period, he appointed Charles Soludo as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor and also appointed Okonjo-Iweala as the finance minister both from Igbo extraction.

It should be noted that Soludo is the current governor of Anambra state, while Okonjo-Iweala is the current Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

On Saturday, during a ceremony to commemorate Governor Soludo’s one-year tenure, Obasanjo said the appointments of Okonjo-Iweala and Soludo were “probably the best of the appointments that I made when I was president.”

On February 25, the former president openly supported Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, and expressed concern about Igbo discrimination in Nigeria.

To explain what he meant by “Igbophobian,” the 85-year-old former president recounted how an unnamed close associate reacted when he appointed Soludo as CBN governor and Okonjo-Iweala as finance minister, respectively.

Obasanjo said;

Somebody came to me and said, ‘Wow! You have ruined the economy of Nigeria.’ I said, ‘How?’ He said, ‘An Igbo woman, Minister of Finance; an Igbo man, Governor of the Central Bank? Then you have clearly completed the task of ruining the economy of Nigeria.’

I don’t know why he said that, except for what I can call Igbophobia, and I don’t take that lightly. It remains, it persists. But when you have that type of thing that was said to me and the type of thing that you know is going on, as I have just called it, what do we do with it.

I believe we have to go back to the scripture, which says we must conquer evil with good. And whoever you are, wherever people are afraid of you, you must make yourself friendly to those who are afraid of you and earn their friendship by being good to them, and that is what we have to do.

Olu Falae, Muhammadu Buhari, and Peter Obi hail from different parts of the country, but what do these three share in common? Each one has challenged the outcome of every presidential election they contested and lost.

Section 132(7) and (8) of the Electoral Act, 2022 also provide that the election petition must be filed within 21 days after the date of the declaration of results of the elections and the Tribunal shall deliver a judgement in writing within 180 days from the date of the filing of the petition. 

With the exception of the 2015 election, every presidential election held since 1999 has ended in legal fireworks, but none quite as dramatically as the just-concluded presidential election. A number of aggrieved candidates have headed to the Elections Petition Tribunal to challenge the outcome of last month’s election. But how do their cases stack up against previous appellants?

Here is a look at everyone, past and present, who has tried to win an as-yet-unprecedented presidential election by judicial pronouncement.

 

The first presidential election of the Fourth Republic was held on February 27, 1999, and Olu Falae was the candidate of not one but two political parties. In a bid to leverage their combined strengths, the All People’s Party (APP) and the Alliance for Democracy (AD) formed a united front. Unfortunately, when the winner’s name was declared in the early hours of March 1, it was that of Olusegun Obasanjo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). 

Falae, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), was unhappy with the results and filed a suit at the Court of Appeal in Abuja disputing Obasanjo’s victory as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). 

According to him, the election was marred by fraud and bribery. Additionally, the former SGF claimed Obasanjo, who polled 63 percent of the vote, was unfit to rule because he had been convicted of treason and was a member of the Ogboni secret society. Joined in the suit alongside Obasanjo were INEC, its chairman Ephraim Akpata, and 57 other respondents.

Ojukwu

 

Held on April 19, 2003, the next presidential election was fraught with irregularities. It however ended three days later with Obasanjo as the winner, ahead of 19 other candidates. 

Expectedly, the opposition dismissed the election as a charade. Runner-up Buhari, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) candidate, and third-placed Chukwuemeka Ojukwu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) challenged the results at the elections petition tribunal in Abuja.

The APGA leader’s case was dismissed at the Court of Appeal, with the ruling stating that “the petition lacks merit as it has not been shown either in law or fact that Chief Obasanjo was elected as alleged on 14th February 1976 as the Military Head of State”.

On September 3, 2003, he petitioned the Supreme Court to appeal the decision. But in a unanimous judgement on July 2, 2004, a seven-man panel of the apex court led by Justice Uthman Mohammed upheld the decision of the appellate court and awarded N10,000 to each respondent.

Buhari

 

It is no longer news that now-President Buhari was a serial contestant for president until his election in 2015. But with each of his three previous defeats, he sought the intervention of the courts to reclaim what he saw as his mandate.

Like Ojukwu, Buhari’s 2003 bout ended with a petition filed at the Court of Appeal. His prayers were for the court to invalidate Obasanjo’s re-election on the grounds of non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2002; corrupt practices; and that, at the time of the election, the then-incumbent was not qualified to contest the election.

However, the Court of Appeal dismissed the case in a ruling delivered on July 28, 2003, a decision which was upheld by the Supreme Court on November 14, 2023.

As the ANPP candidate in the highly controversial April 21, 2007, presidential poll, Buhari’s second attempt resulted in another second-place finish behind the PDP’s Umaru Yar’Adua. Again, the retired general made a beeline for the Elections Petition Tribunal.

In his argument, Buhari requested that the election be annulled on the grounds that Yar’Adua was not qualified to contest the election on account of findings of fraud and embezzlement against him by a Commission of Inquiry set up by the Governor of Abia State, and that the election was invalid by reason of non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2006 and corrupt practices. 

The Court of Appeal upheld Yar’Adua’s election and the Supreme Court affirmed the judgement in a majority judgement delivered on December 12, 2008.

In the April 16, 2011 presidential election, Buhari contested as the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) candidate and, for a third time, came up short against yet another PDP candidate – defeated by then-President Goodluck Jonathan.

Refusing to concede, Buhari gave the tribunal another go, marking his third and final attempt to secure an electoral win through the judiciary. The petition was dismissed by the Court of Appeal as well as in a unanimous Supreme Court judgement delivered on December 28, 2011.

Atiku

 

After serving as a two-term vice president under Obasanjo, Atiku, and his principal did not see eye to eye. With no hope of fulfilling his presidential aspirations under an Obasanjo-led PDP, Atiku defected to the Action Congress (AC), on whose platform he contested the 2007 presidential election. 

He however came a distant third to his rival’s anointed successor, Yar’Adua. That did not stop the former vice president from heading to the Court of Appeal. Similar to Buhari, he lost both at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

Atiku did not contest a presidential election again until 2019 when, in a homecoming of sorts, he was nominated as the PDP candidate. But Buhari’s victory as the All Progressives Congress (APC) standard-bearer meant a defeat for his former ally. 

Undeterred, Atiku proceeded to the Presidential Elections Petition Tribunal for a reversal of fortunes, ending the court’s one-election streak without a case.

The Court of Appeal affirmed Buhari’s re-election in a judgment delivered on September 11, 2019. Then in a unanimous decision on October 30, 2019, the Supreme Court ruled that Atiku’s case lacked merit.

After emerging as the runner-up of the February 25, 2023 election, Atiku has yet again approached the elections petition tribunal. The Vice President is praying the court to nullify the APC candidate Bola Tinubu’s victory.

It would be a never-before-seen feat. Then again, maybe for him, the third time’s a charm.

Obi

 

As Atiku’s vice-presidential candidate, Peter Obi was party to the PDP principal’s 2019 suit. 

But this year, the former Governor of Anambra State branched out as a presidential candidate of his own, competing on the platform of the Labour Party (LP). Nevertheless, when the election results were announced in the early hours of March 1, Obi found himself in third place. 

Dissatisfied with the outcome, he filed a petition on Tuesday, with INEC; Tinubu; his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima; and the APC joined as the 1st to 4th respondents. 

The petition prays for the tribunal to declare Tinubu as not duly elected with a majority of the lawful votes cast and grant an order mandating INEC to retrieve the certificate of return issued to the APC candidate and issue a fresh one to Obi. It also argued that the election was invalid by reason of corrupt practices and non-compliance with the provision of the Electoral Act, 2022. 

With the wave of reactions already generated by the filing, it is safe to say that many will be keeping a close eye on the ensuing court proceedings.

Okanigbuan 

 

In a similar move, the Action Alliance (AA) and its candidate Solomon Okanigbuan last Thursday approached the Presidential Elections Petition Tribunal in Abuja with a petition that joined INEC, Tinubu, and the APC.

The AA candidate argued that the recently held presidential and National Assembly elections failed to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 on the basis of the non-inclusion of its candidates in the election as against various court judgements, which ordered INEC to recognise all the candidates of the party submitted to it by the National Chairman of the party, Adekunle Omoaje.

The petitioners argued that Okanigbuan was the sole presidential candidate of the party, following his emergence at the party’s presidential primary held in Abuja.

They added that the exclusion of the AA candidate from the presidential race and other candidates submitted to INEC for the National Assembly elections was against the rule of law and subsisting judgements of various courts, including the Court of Appeal.

Consequently, the appellants requested an order setting aside the results of the presidential and National Assembly elections and that fresh elections be conducted where its recognised candidates would participate.

Ojei

 

For Chichi Ojei, the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate, the flame of becoming the first female president is still alive.

Despite her defeat at the 2023 election, she and her party filed a suit marked CA/PEPC/03/2023 on the ground of alleged material non-compliance with the electoral laws and INEC instructions.

The appellants are arguing that due to the requirements of Sections 131(c) and 142 of the Constitution and Section 35 of the Electoral Act, 2022, Tinubu was not eligible to run in the election at the time of the election.

---

Now that the deadline for presidential election petitions has elapsed, it remains to be seen if, on this sixth occasion, a new precedent will be set.

The Lagos State government says it has instituted a case of involuntary manslaughter and negligence against Chrisland High School Ikeja following the death of Whitney Adeniran.

Whitney, who was a student of the Lagos school, died on February 9 during a sports event at Agege Stadium.

Blessing Adeniran, Whitney’s mother, accused Chrisland of holding back information on the cause of her death.

Consequently, the state ministry of education ordered a temporary closure of the school pending an investigation.

The state later revealed that an autopsy on February 15 showed that the girl died from asphyxia and electrocution.

The school has already tendered a public apology on the matter, but an inquest into it is to begin on April 4.

The Lagos ministry of justice now says a case of involuntary manslaughter has been established against the school.

This, the ministry said, is contained in legal advice issued on March 23 by its department of public prosecution on the matter.

The ministry said those to answer to the charges that are to follow include the school, some staffers, and a vendor.

“On the 23rd of March, 2023, the DPP issued his legal advice and came to the conclusion that a prima facie case of involuntary manslaughter and reckless and negligent acts had been established against the school,” it stated.

“They will therefore be charged with the offences of involuntary manslaughter and reckless and negligent acts contrary to Sections 224 & 251 of the Criminal Law, Ch C17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

“Information will be filed in accordance with the legal advice issued by the DPP. Certified true copies of the legal advice are available on the ministry of justice website.”

Chrisland Group runs a number of top-rated schools spread across Lagos and Abuja, with branches in Ikeja (Opebi and Ladipo Oluwole), Victoria Garden City, Lekki, Festac Area (Amuwo-Odofin), and Idimu.

Some accredited observers have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel the March 18 governorship election in Ogun State and conduct a fresh one.

The observers cited over voting, vote-buying, BVAS failure and voter suppression during the election.

INEC had on Sunday declared Governor Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election, having polled a total of 276,298 votes, while Ladi Adebutu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 262,383 votes.

The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Biyi Otegbeye, came a distant third with 94,754 votes.

However, there have been mixed reactions over the results of the election with many opposition parties alleging compromise on the part of the electoral body.

 

Speaking at a press conference in Abeokuta, the state capital, the spokesman for the observers, Ms Abiola Abimbola, faulted the exercise, saying it fell short of the voters’ expectations.

She pointed out that logistical challenges and multiple incidents of political violence overshadowed the electoral process and impeded a substantial number of voters from participating in the election.

Abimbola also alleged that the INEC “deliberately denied some political parties’ submission of candidates, while some parties’ logos were missing on the ballot paper.”

She said in order to save the country’s democracy from collapsing, the elections must not be accepted by Nigerians.

She said, “In conclusion, we must be aware that, no matter the situation in our country, all leaders must consider the stability and security of the country as paramount. Our country is bigger than any individual and is certainly more important than any vested interest.

“To save our democracy and our country, the present election results must not be accepted by Nigerians and by all friends of Nigeria. We are therefore calling for the cancellation of the 2023 governorship election in Ogun State, New election should be conducted as soon as possible.”

Alleges move to truncate his inauguration

 

President-elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has raised the alarm over an allegedly orchestrated plot to truncate his formal inauguration in May.

Tinubu who spoke through his Director, of Public Affairs, Festus Keyamo, ( SAN) said the masterminds of the plot were behind recent protests in the Federal Capital Territory, aimed at inciting Nigerians to reject the outcome of the presidential elections.

The president-elect who alleged that certain candidates who lost out in the presidential race and their backers were scheming for an Interim National Government warned against such moves which he noted were against provisions of the Constitution.

Keyamo who revealed that relevant security agencies have been informed of the plot to truncate the transition process warned those behind it to desist.

Ex-REA boss, Ohiare reveals developmental agenda for Kogi after guber screening
“Enough is enough. Their continuous determination to dare us should cease forthwith. We are not lacking in capabilities and capacities. Our silence should not be taken for cowardice.”

He maintained that aggrieved presidential candidates should wait for the pronouncements of the judiciary on their petitions before the Court.

The statement read in part: “We have watched with great concern the condemnable activities of some persons and groups who are desirous of truncating our democracy. For reasons best known to them, these persons have remained embittered that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was declared the winner of the 2023 General Elections.

Repeatedly, but unfortunately, these misguided individuals have called for either the cancellation of the results or that the President-elect should not be inaugurated on the 29th of May, 2023.

“We wish to reiterate and emphasise that these positions are not in tandem with our constitutional provisions or our electoral laws. We would have taken these as mere wishful thinking, however, because of their implications for national security and public order, we have therefore considered it necessary, if not expedient, to call them to order.

“We are aware of the intentions of those engaged in these treasonable and subversive acts. We also know those involved in the many plots being contrived to undermine the transition in particular and democracy in general. They are fixated on an Interim Government. They have done it in this country before and it threw the country into avoidable crises for many years and they want to do it again.

They are bent on delegitimizing the new government. Some have made treasonable insinuations and openly called for military take-over. It is for these reasons that they are desperate to incite the people against the incoming Government.

“It is perplexing to see that those contesting the results want to be in the courts and on the streets at the same time. However, if they intend to truncate the inauguration of the President-elect and Vice-President-elect, they should immediately bury the thought. It is gratifying to note that the President has set in motion steps for the actualisation of the swearing-in ceremonies.

In this regard, the Presidential Transition Council has remained focused and committed to its terms of reference in respect of organizing a hitch-free handover.

“On many occasions after the declaration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the winner of the election, his public speeches and utterances have centred on reconciliation, forgiveness and a greater vision for Nigeria.

He has pledged fairness as the basis for his present and future engagements. He has unequivocally stated that he would not accord favour to those that supported him, and neither would he mistreat those who did not vote for him.

This is statesmanly and patriotic. We all watched the President-elect as Governor of Lagos for eight (8) years. He never undermined any person or tribe. He championed people-oriented policies. It is common knowledge that he is a welfarist and a pacifist. This is even more so that millions of citizens have spoken through the ballot box in his favour.

“By being declared winners, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima are legally entitled to be inaugurated into office as provided for by law and As we have practised since 1999, whilst those that feel otherwise have the right to seek legal redress in court. Why should their situation be different from what we have practised since 1999?

“Those who are dissatisfied with the declaration must conduct themselves within the ambits of the law. Nigeria is not a lawless country and should not be portrayed as such no matter the frustrations presently being exhibited by some bad losers.

“Those who are stoking the embers of hate, division and falsehoods as well as peddling misleading narratives through some compromised media outlets should detract from such. It amounts to campaigning after elections. Hate speeches, fake news and propaganda at a time like this are needless because Nigerians have already made their choice. Those who are bent on scuttling the process will ignite the fire of destruction and run away. But they should not even start.

“We simply wish that peace reigns in the country. It does not make sense that some persons who should know better are encouraging violence and are so determined to achieve that. We know these persons and their sponsors from within and outside Nigeria and we shall be working closely with the security agencies to apprehend them and bring them to book.

Our concern is that everyday Nigerians who are unaware of the evil intentions of these persons should not be used as cannon fodders. Enough is enough. Their continuous determination to dare us should cease forthwith. We are not lacking in capabilities and capacities. Our silence should not be taken for cowardice. We should come together for the peace of our beloved country. It is better.”

A Labour Party aspirant in the upcoming Governorship primaries in Imo State, Chief Humphrey Anumudu has been found dead in his house.

The aspirant died in his house in Lagos after he had returned from an LP meeting at the party national headquarters in Abuja on Friday.

A native of Mbieri Ancient Kingdom in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo state, Anumudu was reportedly found dead in his house in what family sources described as a “spiritual attack.”

As a multi-billionaire businessman cum politician, he has been contesting for the governorship seat of the state since 1998.

He was said to be the true winner of the Peoples Democratic Party governorship primary in the state in 1998 before the ticket was ceded to Achike Udenwa who went on to rule the state between 1999 and 2007.

Since then he had been contesting for the number one seat of the state. In 2019 he was the Zenith Labour party governorship candidate.

Ex-REA boss, Ohiare reveals developmental agenda for Kogi after guber screening
A close friend of the deceased said that he died around 5:30 pm on Friday.

The late politician had already paid the sum of 25 million Naira for Labour Party’s Governorship form for the November 11th 2023 Guber contest.

Chief Anumudu, a respected legal luminary and an astute politician was also the Chief Executive Officer of Globe Motors.

He contested for the Governorship election in the past under the All Progressives Grand Alliance.

As a consequence of the events of the last few days I am constrained to say that, like a rabid and mad dog that is foaming at the mouth, the Nigerian opposition, represented by the followers of Atiku Abubakar (Atikulators) and the followers of Peter Obi (Obidients), have lost control of their senses.

They need to get a grip before it is too late. They are attempting to start something that they cannot finish and that they cannot possibly fathom the end of.

They are beating the drums of war and are indulging in a level of irresponsible and downright dangerous behaviour that has NEVER been witnessed before in the annals of the history of our politics.

As a consequence of their subterranean manipulations, byzantine conspiracies, unhinged vituperations and unbridled desperation things are getting very hot and they are pushing us towards an Armageddon-like melt down and the road to Kigali.

Be rest assured that had it not been for impartiality, strong resolve, persistent interventions and sheer professionalism of our intelligence agencies and particularly the DSS who have worked day and night to keep the peace and stop us from tearing each other apart, we would have trod that disaterous path and met a bitter end long ago.

The signals are not good and, unless they exercise restraint, reflect sobriety and change course quickly, it is clear that our nation will soon find itself in a cataclysmic and monumental struggle between the forces of light and darkness, the likes of which have never been seen before.

Permit me to offer some free and unsolicited advice to them and to those that are stoking their insufferable and rabid arrogance, intransigence and belligerence from behind the scenes.

That advice is as follows.

Peace is priceless and unity is a fundamental pre-requisite to progress and prosperity: you must learn to cherish them both.

That you have lost today does not mean you will lose forever.

I counsel you to calm down, purge yourself of hate, sheath your sword of war, drop your dastardly gameplan and not so hidden agenda to establish an Interim Government, desist from displaying madness, bend the knee and bow to your President-elect, refrain from weaponising falsehood, act within the law and, if you must, make your protestations quietly in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility and there will be no problems.

Go to court, if you must, and state your case with respect, dignity and decorum and I assure you that, no matter the outcome, there will be NO issues.

That is what democracy and the rule of law is all about. You win some and you lose some.

That is the reasonable, rational and responsible attitude and disposition that you should cultivate, display, engender and reflect. That is the path to peace.

However if you continue to say you do not believe in the system or institutions, that the President-elect must not be sworn in under any circundtsnces and that you have no faith in the courts or the rule of law and you encourage people to take the law into their own hands then you are inviting chaos, anarchy, violence, tyranny, fascism, treason, a breach of the constitution and the law of the jungle and we will NOT sit by idly and allow that.

If you continue to incite, intimidate, threaten, provoke, destabilise, undermine and overheat the polity and breach the rules of engagement all hell will break lose.

Our only "crime" was to win an election yet because you cannot bear the fact that you lost you want to pull the whole house down and burn everyone in it.

Let this serve as a timely warning. We cannot be a punching bag for the opposition forever and soon we will react.

Trust me when I tell you that if there is any foul play in this matter or any conspiracy to thwart the people's will we will make this nation ungovernable.

There can be no more cheating, no more subterfuge, no more games and no more dastardly tricks. We have seen enough of that over the last 63 years of our national existence.

Do NOT test our will or underestimate our firm resolve.

We speak for the silent and peaceful majority and, unlike the opposition, we cut across all regional, ethnic and religious lines. We do not represent just one faith or just one tribe.

We represent all faiths and all tribes and our supporters can be found everywhere in this country. We are the hope and promise of a better future shrouded in glory, unity, peace, strength and prosperity for our nation.

There are millions of us all over this country and when we say that we will stand on Bola Tinubu's mandate and defend it, we mean it.

We are not joking and we are not playing games. We have prepared for it, we have the means to do so and we WILL do so.

I implore you in the name of God not to mistake our relative silence, calm disposition, magnanimity and attempt to reach out in peace as weakness, stupidity or an indication of fear or guilt.

I urge you not to "cry havoc and let loose the dogs of war".

I counsel you not to 'wake our sleeping sword lightly".

The bottom line is as follows. Annul Asiwaju's election and we will annul your brain. We have returned to the trenches.

Those that kindle fire shall be consumed by it. Those that invoke the spirit of war shall be destroyed by it.

Those that wish to truncuate our democracy shall be crushed by it. And those that seek peace, unity, justice, progress and fair play shall find it.

The people have spoken. God has approved it.

If you want to steal our mandate you will have to kill every single one of us and be ready to spend the next twenty to thirty years in a massive regional conflagration and major conflict.

This is NOT our prayer and no sane person wants war.

However we shall not shirk away from it if is forced upon us by those that are hell bent on robbing us, suppressing us, enslaving US, cheating us and turning us into pawns and vassals of their vain and obsessive delusions, their wicked, vicious and relentless disposition of tyranny and their unbridled and insatiable lust for power.

There are some things that are worth fighting and, if necessary, dying for and democracy, fair play, truth, the rule of law, righteousness and justice are amongst them.

Let that sink and let peace reign. A word is enough for the wise.

(FFK)

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has made clarification on viral reports that it has suspended accounts of some Fintech companies like OPAY and PALMPAY.

The apex bank refuted the reports, describing it as fake news.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), this was made known by the Acting Director, of Corporate Communications of CBN, Mr. Isa AbdulMumin, on Friday, March 24, 2023, in Abuja, where he said that the viral news “is simply fake’’.

The viral news credited to AbdulMumin claimed that the CBN was about to suspend accounts of the Fintech companies because they were being used to perpetrate fraud.

The viral news partly read, “Please if you are using OPAY, PALMPAY or any of these CHINA APPs or their POS, stop keeping much money in the account or stop using it.

“The CBN is about suspending their accounts because these apps are being used to perpetrate fraud.’’

Similarly, OPAY and PALMPAY had in separate social media messages denied being under the radar of the CBN.

OPAY had stated that, “the post mentioning the CBN shutting down our operations is false and misleading to the general public.’’

PALMPAY also posted a similar disclaimer stating that “We are aware of news currently being spread on social media about CBN shutting down the operations of PALMPAY.

“Please ignore all such misleading news of this nature,’’

A World Health Organisation (WHO) study has revealed that the use of skin bleaching creams was prevalent among 77 percent of Nigerian women which was the highest in Africa compared to 59 percent in Togo, 35 percent in South Africa and 27 percent women in Senegal.

This was disclosed by the Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Mojisola Adeyeye while delivering her opening address at the North-Central Zonal Sensitisation Workshop on the Dangers of Bleaching Creams and Regulatory Control held in Jos, Plateau.

She explained that the scary statistic has shown that the menace of bleaching creams in Nigeria has become a national health emergency that requires a multi-faceted regulatory approach.

According to her, “part of the multi-pronged approach are consultative/sensitization meetings such as this and heightened raids on distribution outlets of bleaching creams.”

The Director-General stressed the need for stringent regulatory actions to stem the dangerous tide of rampant and pervasive cases of Nigerians using bleaching cream.

She urged the media to assist NAFDAC in publicising and disseminating knowledge acquired to the general public and further commended the media for its collaboration and support for NAFDAC to rid the country of the menace of substandard and falsified medicines, unwholesome foods, corrosive cosmetics and other substandard regulated products.

Professor Adeyeye said one of the sensitisation actions was the flagging off of media sensitization workshops organised for journalists in Abuja, Lagos, and Kano, adding that the one organised for the North Central was a fulfillment of her promise to cascade it to the six geo-political zones in the country as a deliberate strategy of mobilising, educating, sensitising, and challenging Nigerian health journalists to play a frontline role in concerted efforts to eradicate the menace of bleaching creams and needless waste of scarce resources in Nigeria.

“This sensitization workshop is a training for the Trainers’ Programme with the great expectation that participants will assume the role of champions in the vanguard of the campaign against the use of bleaching creams. It is pertinent to mention that during my recent press conference in Abuja announcing my second tenure in office, I promised to continue the transformative agenda of my first tenure but intensify and widen the scope of our publicity and public awareness campaign.

She assured that NAFDAC will henceforth constantly engage the Mass Media as the agency strive to bring down to the grassroots level positive impacts of its regulatory activities.

Professor Adeyeye further disclosed that some of the harmful effects of bleaching creams include cancer, damage to vital organs of the body, skin irritation and allergy, skin burn and rashes, wrinkles, premature skin aging, and prolonged healing of wounds.

In his address, Director Public Affairs NAFDAC, Dr Abubakar Jimoh said the agency needs the media to fight the menace of bleaching among Nigerians adding that NAFDAC cannot do this alone.