A yet-to-be-ascertained number of residents of Trade Moore estate in Lugbe, Abuja, have been trapped by a flood caused by heavy rainfall on Friday. Videos circulating online show several houses and vehicles submerged under water. As of the time of this report, efforts were ongoing to rescue those trapped in their houses. In a situation report on the search and rescue efforts, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said the driver of a Peugeot 406 with the registration number YLA 681 FS drowned in the flood and still missing. “Four persons were rescued and in stable condition,” the report reads. “Stakeholders responding to the flood are NEMA, Fire Service, FCT FEMA, Red Cross and federal ministry of environment-flood department respectively.” Speaking with journalists on Friday, an official of the NEMA appealed to all those living in flood-prone areas of the estate to evacuate to a safer place. “If you know you live in a house built in a flood-prone area, kindly move to a safer place even if for nothing but to save a life. Properties can go,” the unnamed NEMA official said. “You can see how the water has submerged all these vehicles. Don’t underestimate the power of water, it can wash people away. We are pleading, we do not want the loss of lives this year.” In September 2021, TheCable reported how three persons died in the estate after a downpour that caused a heavy flood. Vehicles were submerged, while several properties were destroyed during the flooding incident. Residents of the estate had said the flooding is caused by the absence of an adequate drainage system.

  The Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking has apprehended a 48-year-old man, Anthony Igbinogun, and his girlfriend, Joy Umukoro, 28, for allegedly selling their one-month-old baby to buy drugs. The suspects were arrested alongside their friend, 26-year-old Precious James, who reportedly facilitated the illegal transaction and linked the couple to the buyer in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The Taskforce Head of the Investigation Unit, Abigail Ihonre, who disclosed this on Friday in Benin, said the baby was sold for N1.7 million. “Our investigations revealed that Joy Umukoro, the mother of the baby, delivered the baby in April 2023, and conspired with her boyfriend to sell their baby for N1.7 million. She has confessed to the crime of selling the baby.” She said investigation into the case is ongoing to locate the buyers and the baby, adding that everyone culpable would be made to face the wrath of the law.   “The suspects said they carried out the dastardly act because they couldn’t take care of the baby. These people are alleged drug addicts and when it was clear that they couldn’t take care of the baby, they decided to sell him. But that wasn’t the best option for them as the decision may destroy their lives. “The baby’s mother, Joy Umukoro said they sold the one-month-old baby to a willing buyer in Port Harcourt, Rivers State for N700,000. N500,000 was paid cash; N170,000 was given to the agent that took her to the buyer, while the balance was used for drugs.” “After giving birth to the baby, life became very difficult and I approached my friend to help me with a buyer and she gave me the link. I travelled to Port Harcourt with another woman and sold the baby for N700,000. The drugs I take are the cause. I also sent some money to my other two children for upkeep and some others for my father’s burial,” Joy said. On his part, Igbinogun, the baby’s father, said after birth, the mother said she couldn’t take care of the baby. “She told me that her friend Precious James had found a buyer and she travelled to Rivers State to sell the baby and when she returned, she gave me N100,000,” he said. Also, Precious James, who facilitated the illegal deal, said they all are drug addicts and couldn’t take care of the baby. “My friend told me she sold the baby for N700,000 and when she came back she bought drugs for me from the money,” he said.

  Seaman Rafiu Shabi, a sailor from Lagos, Nigeria, serves in the U.S. Navy assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 125. The command is a joint strike fighter squadron located aboard the U.S. Navy’s largest master jet base. Shabi joined the Navy six months ago, the Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO) said in a June 15 blog. Today, Shabi serves as a logistics specialist. “I joined the Navy to do something great and to be a better person,” said Shabi. Growing up in Lagos, Shabi attended Unique Heights Junior Senior High School, graduating in 2017. Today, Shabi relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Lagos to succeed in the military. “Growing up, I learned to respect everyone and to treat everyone with respect,” said Shabi. These lessons have helped Shabi while serving with the Navy. Members of VFA-125 fly and maintain the F35-C Lightning II, a combat-ready fifth-generation fighter. According to Navy officials, the F-35C is designed with the entire battlespace in mind, bringing transformational capability to the United States and its allies. Missions traditionally performed by specialised aircraft (air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strikes, electronic attack, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) can now be executed by a squadron of F-35s. For the first time in U.S. naval aviation history, radar-evading stealth capability comes to the aircraft carrier deck. The F-35C carrier variant sets new standards in weapon system integration, lethality, maintainability, combat radius and payload that bring true multi-mission power projection capability from the sea, according to Navy officials. This year commemorates 50 years of women flying in the U.S. Navy. In 1973, the first eight women began flight school in Pensacola; one year later, six of them, known as “The First Six,” earned their “Wings of Gold.” Over the past 50 years, the US Navy has expanded its roles for women to lead and serve globally and today, its women aviators project power from the sea in every type of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aircraft. The country and its Navy are stronger because of their service. With 90 percent of global commerce travelling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fibre optic cables, US Navy officials continue to emphasise that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy. “Our mission remains timeless – to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy.” As a member of the Navy, Shabi is part of a world-class organisation focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities, and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy. “The Navy protects the people of this country,” said Shabi. Shabi and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service. “I was proud to graduate at the top of my class in logistics specialist “A” school,” said Shabi. “I dedicated a lot of time to this school, and was proud of my work there.” As Shabi and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy. “Serving in the Navy means protecting the lives of others,” said Shabi. Shabi is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible. “I would like to thank my parents, Hon Shabi and Alhaja Abeo, and my brother Ismail,” added Shabi. They encouraged me to join the military and I want to make them proud.”

  The governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, has shunned the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal’s invitation in the ongoing trial of certificate forgery. The trial follows the application by counsel to the candidate of the People’s Redemption Party, Alex Amujiogo. In the trial that resumed Friday after the Tribunal ordered substituted service of a subpoena on Mba through his lawyer, Mbah was said to have shunned all the summons. However, Amujiogo said, “This Honourable Tribunal had, on June 22, 2023, made an order that the subpoena be served on Peter Mbah through his counsel. We have since done that for him to appear today. “My Lord, it is obvious that he is not in court under the pretence of immunity. “And today is my last day for me to close my case; my hands are tied and I have no choice but to close my case.” When asked about his next line of action, Amujiogo noted, “It is now left for the tribunal, in the course of this matter, to know the next step that they will undertake as regards his refusal or inability to appear today before the Tribunal; let us watch and see the battle will be like, between the tribunal and the governor. It has two legs- the tribunal can exercise its power of sanctions against the person who refuses his order; you also know that judgement is always at hand; it is the last option. The ball is in the court of the Tribunal to do things one way or the other.” Meanwhile, the lead counsel to the Peoples Democratic Party, Anthony Ani told journalists after the Tribunal sitting that the petitioner did not comply with the provisions of the law while serving the subpoena. He said the governor was ready to appear if the petitioners did the right thing. According to Ani, “The petitioner has not complied with the mandatory provisions of the law; the default provision, respecting election petitions, is the Federal High Court Rules, which is very clear in service of Subpoena Testificandum or Duces Tecum. Now, when you serve a subpoena, that subpoena should have been filed alongside the originating process, that is the petition. He further maintained that in filing a case, Order 3, Rule 4 of the Federal High Court Rules should be served to the witness one is subpoenaing with Form 1A explaining that form 1A mandates the witness to file witness deposition on oath, and then serve the witness one is expecting with their pleadings. The Tribunal led by Justice K. M. Akano then adjourned the case to June 24, 2023, for the 1st Respondent (the Independent National Electoral Commission) to open its defence.

  President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, in France, said Nigeria is ready to do business and receive investments from foreign partners. He premised this on the ongoing reforms such as the removal of fuel subsidy and the streamlining of exchange rate, moves he promised to sustain for a more competitive economy that attracts Foreign Direct Investment. Therefore, he urged investors to take advantage of the ensuing opportunities. “We are ready for business, prepared to welcome investments,” Tinubu said, while receiving President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of African Export-Import Bank, Prof. Benedict Oramah and President of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Odile Renaud–Basso, in separate meetings, on the sidelines of the Summit for New Global Financing Pact. The President’s Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Dele Alake, disclosed this in a statement he signed on Thursday titled ‘We’re ready for business, prepared to welcome investors to Nigeria, President Tinubu tells AfreximBank, EBRD Presidents in Paris. The Nigerian Leader assured the delegation of AfreximBank Executives led by Prof Oramah that the Federal Government will continue to stimulate the economy with policies that support investments in areas of Nigeria’s competitive advantage, particularly agriculture. “We need reforms for national survival,’’ he added, noting that it would take boldness and courage to reposition the economy, calling for more collaboration to solidify the economy. We must stimulate recovery for the growth and prosperity of our people, which will not be far away. Nigeria is ready for global business and our reform is total. “Nigeria is blessed with human and material resources,’’ President Tinubu told the delegation, who had earlier listed infrastructure, health, energy and agriculture as areas of interventions to buoy the economy. Prof Oramah commended Tinubu for the bold steps in removing the fuel subsidy and unification of the exchange rate, assuring the Nigerian leader of the full support of the financial and development institution on the ongoing reforms. He said the bank was already building the first African Specialist Hospital in Abuja, and Energy Bank, pledging to inject more money into the economy to further build confidence of investors. In the meeting with the EBRD, the President said, “We are challenged in terms of reforms, and we have taken the largest elephant out of the room with removal of fuel subsidy, and multiple exchange rates are equally gone.

  The Presidential Election Petitions Court has admitted certified copies of the academic and work records of President Bola Tinubu tendered by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar. The documents include a B.Sc. certificate from Chicago State University, an NYSC Discharge Certificate, and a Mobil Nigeria Oil Plc certificate of service. The PDP had brought the documents through their subpoenaed witness, Mike Enahoro-Ebah, who is a private legal practitioner. He noted that the documents were purportedly obtained by Tinubu but bore the name ‘Bola Adekunle Tinubu’.   Led in evidence by the lead Counsel to the PDP, Chris Uche, the witness also tendered the EC13 and EC9 nomination forms and the letters written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as attachments. Counsel to INEC, Abubakar Mahmoud, Tinubu, Emmanuel Ukala, and the APC, Lateef Fagbemi, all objected to the admissibility of the documents. The witness referenced the following documents: (1) certified true copies of form EC9(Nomination letter of Tinubu). (2) receipt of payment for certification. (3) witness application letter, requesting for the documents. (4) INEC’s Letter of response.   (5) Certificate from Chicago university belonging to the 2nd respondent( Tinubu). (6)NYSC discharge certificate belonging to the 2nd respondent, with the name Tinubu Bola Adekunle. (7) Certificate of service from Mobile Oil Nigeria PLC. (8)Party Membership card. When the lead counsel to PDP applied to tender this documents, all the respondents objected to their admissibility. The witness also tendered, academic records from Chicago university, a copy of the subpoena served on the Chicago university, the original academic records and degree certificate, original admission letter, original transcript from South west college to the school Tinubu attended, given to Chicago university with the gender referred to as Female. He also tendered a notarized judgement of USA for criminal forfeiture of assets of Tinubu and the cover note authorizing it. Furthermore, extracts of a Guinea passport and the certificate of compliance for Tinubu were also presented. The PDP also presented: (1) Certified true copies of forms EC8A’s of 25 LGAs in Delta state. (2) Certified true copies of forms EC8A’s of 13 LGA’s in Ebonyi state. (3) Certified true copies of forms EC8A’s of 18 LGAs in Edo state. (4) Certified true copies of forms EC8A’s of 17 LGAs in Enugu state. (5) Certified true copies of forms EC8A’s of 27 LGAs in Imo state. (6) Certified true copies of forms EC8A’s of 21 LGAs in Kogi state Under cross-examination by Counsel to INEC, Abubakar Mahmoud, the witness said he has not spent too much money even as he tries to bring the truth to Nigerians. When asked if he was displeased that his candidate lost, the witness answered in the affirmative. The court then after, rose to reconvene later for further cross examination.

  Chimezie Amuda was agitated when Dataphyte visited his home at Abacheke, Ohaji-Egbema Local Government of Imo State. He told our correspondent that he had no means of survival after the 2022 flooding destroyed his businesses. Surviving was not his only challenge. His children had been at home since the community secondary school at Abacheke was sacked by flooding. “The government has abandoned us. The only school my kids used to attend has been abandoned after the flooding incident of 2022. Now, I find it difficult for us. Help us tell the government to come to our aid,” he pleaded with our correspondent. He was not alone in this. A villager, Mrs Ebere Udokwu, told Dataphyte how she had to withdraw her children from a public school after the floods sacked her kids’ former school at Abacheke. “When the flooding incident happened in 2022, the government came here and promised us several things. They used canoe and even promised my husband many things as intervention. But since then, we have not seen anything. Even my kids had to leave the community school they used to attend and we sent them to a private school far away from here. It has been a very difficult situation,” she said. Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area has a reported population of 182,891 persons, but most of the communities visited lamented neglect after the 2022 flooding. At Abacheke, the situation was worse due to lack of access to public education. Dataphyte gathered that community residents had been forced to send their children to Rivers State schools which shared a boundary with Abacheke. This was due to the unavailability of public schools at Abacheke. When Dataphyte visited the school, it was discovered that it had been overrun by grass. A resident, Mr Chibuzo Samuel, noted that the teachers who used to work in the school tried to salvage the situation but could not stay back when it became impossible to access it. As a result, he said, parents started withdrawing their children even after the flood started subsiding. “During the flooding, many parents took their children away from the school because they had to leave their homes. When the flood went down, parents refused to send their children back to school. Those who could afford private schools in Rivers State sent their wards there, while those who could not, left their children at home. When the main teachers left, the volunteer teachers followed suit, leaving one after the other. No one has since paid any attention to the school,” he stated. A native of Abacheke, Mr Phillip Ofia, told Dataphyte that many children were not in school because the only public school at Abacheke had been flooded. “The situation is pathetic. I am a native of Abacheke, and I can tell you that many families have been unable to send their children to school after the only school in the community was sacked. You can imagine the damage done by the flood and the cost of sending the children to private schools. Even girls can’t go to school,” she noted. The Abacheke community suffers neglect due to poor access to education, but the situation has been worsened by flooding. Residents told Dataphyte that different promises targeted at flood prevention had failed to materialise. A teacher at the school, Mrs Peace Akwaeze, noted that students had to relocate to a primary school some kilometers away. “We begged the headmistress to accommodate us in some classrooms because of the flooding in our school,” she said. Chief Press Secretary to Imo State Governor, Mr Oguike Nwachukwu, told Dataphyte that the government was doing all within its capacity to intervene in the crisis caused by flooding at Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area, where Abacheke is located. The governor’s spokesperson said palliatives running into millions were being distributed to residents to help them cushion the effects of the flooding. Credit: Dataphyte

  Friday 23 June 2023 DMO worries over low revenue as Nigeria’s debt nears N81tn FG, states, LGAs share N786bn May revenue Labour, Discos on collision course over electricity tariff hike Ogun tops as NPC registers 49,000 deaths in six months Fraudster jailed for impersonating FBI agent Crew Onboard Titanic Submersible Dead, OceanGate Mourns Eid: DSS Calls For Vigilance Over Plot To Attack Worship Centres INEC To Begin Post-Elections Review July 4 Nigeria Ready For Business, Tinubu Woos Afreximbank, Investors In Paris Atiku’s Witness Accuses INEC Of Deleting Results On All BVAS Machines Inspected Tinubu Hasn’t Approved Salary Review For Politicians, Others — Alake Musk, Zuckerberg Call Out Each Other For Cage Fight Obi Condemns Proposed 114% Salary Hike For Politicians, Public Officers Nigerians Lost N12.5bn To Telecom-Based Financial Crimes In 4yrs – NCC Many Feared Killed As Gunmen Invade Kogi Community PDP Tackles Alia Over Suspension Of 23 LG Chairmen Sources: Tinubu sets up committee to resolve NNPC, FAAC row over N2.1trn remittances Shettima: FG, states will work to improve infant immunisation rate in Nigeria Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  President Bola Tinubu has set up an inter-agency committee to resolve the lingering row between the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), TheCable understands. According to sources, the committee was set up to resolve NNPC’s failure to remit funds into the FAAC account. “I can comfortably tell you that Mr. President has approved the memo from NNPC Limited to set up a committee to reconcile the crisis between NNPC Limited and FAAC over the failure to remit money into the federation account,” a source said. “So many things have been told to Mr. President since assuming office by some vested interests that NNPC Limited has refused to pay into the federation accounts.   “And because we want the general public to know the truth, NNPC Limited management wrote the President to investigate the matter and Mr. President has graciously approved that an inter-agency committee be set up to investigate and reconcile the matter.” FAAC had accused the NNPC Limited of an inability to pay over N2.1 trillion to the federation account from crude sales, royalties, and taxes. On the other hand, the NNPC Limited had said the federal government owes it over N4.2 trillion in subsidy payment, power, debt as well as other sundry charges. The committee, set to begin sitting on Friday at the ministry of finance, is tasked with resolving the concerns surrounding the debt owed by the federal government to NNPC. The committee is also expected to deliberate on the debt the NNPC is said to have failed to remit to the federation account. Members of the debt reconciliation committee include the ministry of finance, the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the office of the accountant-general of the federation (OAGF), and FAAC post-mortem sub-committee. TheCable also understands that the establishment of the committee by the president followed a memo dated June 13, 2023, said to be sent by Mele Kyari, group chief executive officer (GECO), NNPC Limited, appealing to him to intervene in the matter. The letter stated that the request was made with a view to settling all allegations and counter-allegations by both FAAC and NNPC on the status of the debts and remittances.