A husband and wife identified as Sulaiman Idris, 28, and Maimuna Halliru, 20, have been found dead in their matrimonial bed after a smoke suspected to be from charcoal suffocated them while they were sleeping in Kano State. The incident happened on Tuesday in Kwa village of Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of the state after the couple were noticed not to have come out of their room around 11:00am. Confirming the incident, the state police command said they were later found dead after the grandmother of the husband forced the door of their room open, and discovered the couple motionless on their bed, with smoke odour in the room. Spokesman of the command, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said, “On receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Mamman Dauda, directed a team of detectives led by CSP Ahmed Hamza, Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Dawakin Tofa Division, to proceed to the scene. “Victims were removed from the scene and rushed to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital Kano where a medical doctor confirmed them dead,” he said. He said on preliminary investigation, it was discovered that, “The deceased couple lit a charcoal fire to warm their room due to cold weather, locked up and got suffocated by the smoke which emanated from the charcoal burning while they were asleep. However, an investigation is in process.” Kiyawa added that the Commissioner of Police advised the good people of Kano State on the need to be careful while using fire, electricity and take safety measures as the harmattan season is associated with risk of fire outbreaks.

  Fresh facts have emerged as to why the Bauchi Emirate Council sacked an elder statesman, Alhaji Muhammadu Bello Kirfi, as a council member and Wazirin Bauchi. The council hinged his sack on what it described as disloyalty and disrespect toward the state governor. However, sources told our correspondent that the sack was politically motivated. Daily Trust reports that this is the second time that Kirfi would be sacked as Wazirin Bauchi. He was suspended in 2017. However, on August 5, 2020, he was reinstated. It was gathered that the Bauchi governor, Bala Mohammed, facilitated his reinstatement. councilor You’re politicising insecurity, APC hits back at Tambuwal Bello Kirfi, who served as minister of state for Foreign Affairs in the late President Shehu Shagari’s government and also minister of Civil Service Matters during the regime of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, is a staunch supporter of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It was gathered that Kirfi had last week held a stakeholders’ meeting at his residence in Bauchi, where he directed his lieutenants, drawn from across the state, to come out and mobilize for Atiku only. The sack letter: The sack letter, signed by the secretary of the emirate council, Alhaji Shehu Mudi Muhammad, reads: “I am directed to refer to a letter received from the Ministry of Local Government Affairs with reference No: MLG/LG/S/72/T dated 30th December, 2022. The content of the said letter indicated your disloyalty and disrespect to the Executive Governor of the state and the government. It is therefore directed for your removal with immediate effect. “In view of the above, you are hereby removed from office as Wazirin Bauchi and also as a council member of Bauchi Emirate. I wish you the best in all your future endeavours.” But a source in Kirfi’s family, who did not want to be named, told Daily Trust that the crisis started last year when the governor indicated interest in contesting the presidential election under the PDP and consulted Kirfi. It was gathered that Kirfi advised him to shelve his ambition and allow Atiku to contest for the PDP ticket. The source said the governor was not happy with the advice, hence, a frosty relationship ensued. He added that during Kirfi’s meeting with stakeholders from the 20 LGAs of the state last month, he told them he had not made up his mind on who to support for the governorship election in the state. “He asked the stakeholders to vote for Atiku in the presidency and he was asked to give direction on the governorship election, he said he has not decided,” the source said. Bello Kirfi is one of the major gladiators in the PDP in Bauchi State and is said to have played a key role in the election of the state governor in 2019. Because of his contribution to his victory, it was gathered that Bala Mohammed rewarded Kirfi by appointing his son, Barrister Yakubu Bello Kirfi, as commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of the state. When Yakubu was dropped from the cabinet, the governor appointed Kirfi’s daughter, Saadatu Bello Kirfi, as commissioner of Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises Development. Following the sack of her father, Saadatu resigned from the cabinet. Her resignation was contained in a letter addressed to the governor yesterday. Efforts to get the reaction of Kirfi were not successful as he was said to be abroad. Also, efforts made to get the reaction of the governor through his spokesman, Mukhtari Gidado, yielded no results as he did not pick up his calls or reply to a text message sent to him. Also, yesterday, the senior special assistant to the governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hassanu Yunusa Guyaba, resigned from his appointment. The Deputy State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bala Hadith, also resigned from his appointment. None of them has given reasons for their resignation yet.

  The Human Rights Writers Association Of Nigeria (HURIWA) has accused the Governor of Imo State, as well as other South East governors, of deploying outdated and unworkable technique in the fight against insecurity, describing it as purely kinetic that lacks intelligence. HURIWA advised Uzodimma to abandon the belief that his so-called advanced technology, approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, can end insecurity, terrorism and other forms of banditry. The rights group challenged the state government and other South East governments to work on cultivating, maintaining and ensuring sustainable top quality, effective and efficient human intelligence, which would, inevitably, complement the advanced technology in crime fighting methodologies. HURIWA urged the governor to abolish the Ebubeagu militia, because its operatives have become political executioners, who are not selfless and professional enough to battle terrorists. HURIWA also wondered how Uzodimma thinks stability, lasting security and development will take place in the South East when the president has denied the region social justice by the continued detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, in clear disrespect to pleas for political solution by respected elders of the region, who visited him last year. The rights group added that the Buhari administration has also failed to implement the judgment of the Court of Appeal, ordering immediate release of Kanu. HURIWA noted that the unjust detention of Kanu complicated and compounded the security situation in the region, with many fringe groups, who may not be working with the proscribed IPOB, launching violent attacks targeting strategic national security assets and members of the armed forces. The group added that such development has given rise to extrajudicial killing of young Igbo people by members of security forces. The rights group, therefore, believes that deployment of advanced technology can only achieve minimal results, as long as comprehensive measures are not implemented to bring about lasting peace in the region through enforcement of policies that embody social justice, respect for rule of law and respect for fundamental freedom of the people. HURIWA, therefore, asked Uzodimma and other South East governors to urge Buhari to free Kanu and de-proscribe IPOB since the group has not been found guilty of any terror related attacks in any known judgment of any competent courts of law in Nigeria.

  Thursday 5 January 2022 Nigeria’s debt to hit N77tn, loan servicing gulps N5.2tn Olaleye: Medical test shows repeated forceful penetration – Doctor Scores of bandits killed, two arrested in Bauchi We’ve been borrowing to fund petrol subsidy — Finance Minister Man arrested for burning brother to death in A’Ibom Court declares assets by INEC Chairman, Yakubu, legitimate NAFDAC generates N2.5bn internally during my 1st tenure – Adeyeye Petrol: Tanker drivers threaten strike over harassment by security agents Why Buhari couldn’t remove fuel subsidy – Femi Adesina Ayu disowns trending photo of alleged meeting with Wike Facebook scammers arrested for multiple kidnaps, gang-rape Presidency: I’ve no sympathy for any candidate — Afe Babalola ‘Stop disgracing yourselves,’ Kwankwaso knocks Obasanjo, Clark for endorsing Peter Obi FG To Stop Payment Of Fuel Subsidy By June 2023 Kogi Explosion: DSS Arrests ‘ISWAP Commander’, Associate INEC Receives Last Consignment Of BVAS Ahead Of 2023 Elections Obasanjo Feels Nigerians’ Pains, Obi Endorsement A ‘Big Deal,’ Says LP Presidential Election: Obi Leads Atiku, Tinubu, Kwankwaso In Fresh Survey My Chieftaincy Title Will Inspire More Women – Chimamanda 2023 Budget: Exchange Rate May Go Above $1/N1,000, Says Utomi Jubilation As Mbaka Returns To Adoration Ministry After Suspension Ngige: I won’t campaign for any presidential candidate — I need to protect my conscience Bashir Tofa Rejected Traditional Tittle I Offered Him — Sanusi Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  The scarcity of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, may worsen following a claim by tanker drivers that security agents destroyed products they had lifted from refineries. Lucky Osesua, chairman of petroleum tanker drivers (PTD), a branch of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), spoke at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday. Nigerians are currently experiencing a widespread petrol scarcity which has protracted for several weeks, affecting the means of livelihood of citizens. Speaking to journalists at the news conference, Osesua said the military on Tuesday night destroyed two trucks conveying high pour fuel oil (HPFO) popularly known as black oil. He said the trucks had lifted the black oil from a modular refinery — Walter Smith Refinery and Petrochemical Ibigwe — in Imo state. The PTD chairman said the trucks marked, EFR 770 XA and AFZ 351 ZY, were intercepted in Rivers, where they were burnt. “The trucks laden with 40,000 litres of black oil were on their way to Bob & Sea Depot Koko Delta state,” he said while showing reporters receipts and pictures of the burnt trucks. “The drivers presented way bills, NUPENG receipts, and quality control documents but the military men still insisted that they carried crude oil. They drove the two trucks away and burnt them between Ahoada and Elele in Rivers state, on Tuesday night. “Without investigation, without reaching out to the refinery where the drivers mentioned that they lifted the black oil, the soldiers burnt down the trucks in less than five hours. “Enough is enough about the high-handedness of our security agents. “They should stop demonising our union and persecuting our men who are doing their normal businesses. We expect that in this modern world, trained security agents should be able to identify black oil as against crude oil. “We should not be at the receiving end of their ignorance.” Osesua lamented that such situations have adversely affected their ability to supply products across the country. In September, 2022, both NUPENG and PTD withdrew their services over harassment by security operatives, causing fuel scarcity in Rivers. The groups, however, suspended their industrial action in the state after a meeting convened by Friday Eboka, Rivers commissioner of police and attended by the unions and other stakeholders.   The decision to end the strike was also contained in a communique signed by Chinda Ejims, who had represented the PTD and the representative of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

  The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso says it is wrong for any person who is considered a statesman to go about endorsing candidates ahead of the February 25 presidential election in Nigeria. “I want to advise our leaders: they should stop disgracing themselves. We have so much respect for them. If you say you don’t like me, no problem,” the former Kano State governor said on Wednesday in Benin City, the Edo State capital. Kwankwaso was hosted by Governor Godwin Obaseki at the Government House ahead of his presidential campaign flag off in the state. The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi in the last three days have been endorsed by elder statesmen like former President Olusegun Obasanjo and leader of the leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Edwin Clark, sparking reactions from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). However, the NNPP presidential candidate insisted that these endorsements were based on religious and ethnic sentiments and have no effect on the electorate, who, according to him, are a lot wiser now. Kwankwaso said, “Some of the people supporting and endorsing Mr A or Mr B, I think it is a big mistake. These are leaders I respect. There is a time in your life when you become real statesman, not a politician. “I can tell you also that any candidate or party that comes out with the face of ethnicity or the issue of religion, that party, that candidate, I can assure you, has failed that election before it starts.”

  Award-winning Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Adichie says becoming the first woman in her Abba hometown of Anambra State will inspire other women to become honoured chiefs. Adichie, who has received many awards locally and internationally as a writer, over the weekend received the title of ‘Odeluwa’ which translates to ‘the one who writes for the world’ from the traditional ruler of Abba, Igwe L.N. Ezeh. In her appreciation post on Wednesday, Adichie urged culture custodians to celebrate men and women equally. “I am the first woman in my hometown to be made a chief, and it makes me happy to know that more women will follow,” Adichie wrote on Facebook. “Culture does not make people, people make culture. Cultures thrive when they best serve and reflect the people. Ours must become a culture that celebrates achievement, whether it comes from a man or a woman. “It was a day filled with joyful moments but the highlight for me was the sight of many children on the dusty road, laughing and waving and shouting ‘Odeluwa!’ Amongst them, I hope, were little girls with their hearts full of dreams who feel encouraged to keep trying, to keep going.”

  The Federal Government said it spent N12.87 trillion against the N17.126 trillion budgeted for 2022 as of Nov. 30, 2022. Mrs Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, said this at the Public Presentation and Breakdown of the Approved Federal Government 2023 Budget on Wednesday in Abuja. Ahmed said out of the N12.87 trillion, N5.24 trillion was for debt service and N3.94 trillion was for personnel costs. “The actual spending as of November 30 was N12.87 trillion. “Of this amount, N5.24 trillion was for debt service; N3.94 trillion for Personnel Costs, including pensions; Statutory Transfers, Overhead and Service Wide Votes expenditures totalled N1.81 trillion; and N1.88 billion was released for capital expenditure.” Meanwhile, the minister said the fiscal deficit for 2022 was estimated at N8.17 trillion, inclusive of the supplementary Budget. She also added that as at Nov. 30, 2022, the deficit was N6.37 trillion. “The deficit was totally financed by borrowings, mostly from domestic sources.” The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari signed the 2023 Appropriation Bill of N21.83 trillion into law on Tuesday. However, the National Assembly (NASS) passed the 2023 Budget on Dec. 28, 2022 after it was laid before a joint session of the NASS on Oct. 7, 2022. NAN gathered that the main aim of the 2023 Appropriation Act was to maintain fiscal viability and ensure smooth transition to an incoming administration. The Act is aiso known as “Budget of Fiscal Consolidation and Transition’’. Meanwhile, the Finance Bill 2022 was also passed to reinforce the administration’s public financial management reforms. The Act is expected to make key reforms on tax laws and others