The management, staff, students, and the entire campus of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, have been thrown into mourning following the untimely death of Mr Olabode Olawuyi. A release by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Abiodun Olarewaju, stated that Mr Olawuyi, a Veterinary Technologist who has been in charge of the Zoological Garden for over a decade, was attacked this afternoon, Wednesday, February 19, 2024, by a 9- year-old male lion when he was feeding them in their den at the Zoological Garden of the University. The other members of staff who were at the scene of the incident did everything within their power to rescue their boss, but the wild cat had already caused severe fatalities. On hearing the sad news, the management team, led by the Vice Chancellor, abruptly ended an ongoing meeting for an on-the-spot assessment The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon BAMIRE, was informed, on arrival, by the Acting Director of the University Health and Medical Centre, Dr Tirimisiyu Olatunji, that all first aid and medical efforts to save the life of the victim proved abortive. Saddened by this tragic event, the aggressive lion has been euthanized. Mr. Olawuyi has been taking care of the lions since they were born on campus about 9 years ago, but tragically, the male lion killed the man who had been feeding them. The university management has sent a delegation to the widow and children of the deceased, imploring them to take solace in God, who gives life and also has the power to take life. Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the incident. May the soul of Mr Olabode Olawuyi rest in peace.

  The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has asked Chief Emeka Offor and the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company(EEDC) to start providing regular electricity in the South-East or risk sanction. The pro-Biafra group gave the warning on Monday in a statement by its media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful. EEDC) had last week explained the reason behind the poor power supply currently experienced across the South-east, stating that it was beyond its powers. The company attributed the situation to low energy generation which had resulted in a drop in power supply availability generally. The Head, Corporate Communications, EEDC, Emeka Ezeh, explained the situation to journalists in Enugu . But IPOB in its statement on Monday accused the company of extorting the people of the area without providing electricity paid for. The secessionists said,” The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by the great and indefatigable liberator Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu condemn the non-supply of light and outrageous electricity billing from Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) in the South East Region. “It is wicked for EEDC and its owner Sir Emeka Offor to keep increasing the electricity bill without providing electricity to the people. If EEDC can’t provide light or stop extortion in their billing system, it should be kicked out of the South East Region permanently and replaced. “We don’t see where an electricity distribution company will not provide light, yet keep increasing electric bills every month. Other electricity distribution companies in other regions of Nigeria are providing more reliable electricity, unlike EEDC. “Sir Emeka Offor, the owner of EEDC, is part of the Nigerian oppression cabal who are bent on starving the southeast region of investments. Emeka Offor and his electricity company are bent on starving the South Eastern region of electricity at the same time empoverishing Ndigbo by outrageous electricity bills. “EEDC is not keeping the light on, yet they keep increasing the bill for the people monthly. Ndigbo are paying for the light they are not consuming. The wicked electricity billing or extortion and non supply of electricity in the South East should no longer be acceptable. Continuing, IPOB said,” South East Governors should be serious in providing good services and a conducive investment environment in our regions for our people to continue to invest and grow their busineses. “Governors should take advantage of the recent electricity reform by the federal government of Nigeria and kick EEDC out of every state. “The electricity reform has given each state power to generate and distribute electricity. South East Governors are free by law to bring more reliable electricity companies to come and invest and provide quality, reliable, and affordable electricity to Ndigbo. ” By now, one would have expected that the South East Governors would have summoned Emeka Offor and his EEDC over the abysmal supply of light and outrageous billing. We are aware that Emeka Offor helped rig some of them into offices, but they should be alive to their responsibilities. “Particularly now that the economic situation in Nigeria is biting so hard on everyone, Governors should ensure that they reduce the suffering of Ndigbo that includes provision of reliable and affordable electricity. “The South East Governors should not be insensitive to the plight of Ndigbo, mostly at the current hash economic situation in Nigeria. Our governors are not providing food palliative, n electricity expense relief, free education, or educational support when other governors are doing these things for their people. If the governors refuse to stand up and do the right thing, we would mobilize people to protest against them and Emeka Offor for not providing electricity in the region. “We are facing too much heat from increased temperatures without electricity in the land, and EEDC is collecting illegal money without providing electricity. Biafran Governors must cushion the effects of the battered economy that the APC governments have created and forced on Ndigbo. “We expect the South Eastern Governors to kick this EEDC out of our region if they continue with non provision of electricity and extortion in the form of exorbitant electric bills.

  The local currency in Nigeria (Naira) is currently trading at over 2,000 Naira against the British pound in the parallel market Malam Ibrahim, a Bureau de Change operator in Wuse Zone 4, verified the rates on Monday, February 19. He said: “Yes it is true, we are currently selling above N2,000 for the pounds and it is still about the heavy and consistent demand for these currencies.” According to the Punch, the new rate increased from N1,930 recorded on Saturday and is currently the lowest point in the historical performance of the naira. In a similar vein, the naira lost value about the dollar on the parallel FX market, where it is now unofficially trading at N1,673 from N1,670/$ on Friday. Details shortly…

  Authorities of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) have expelled 14 students of the institution, including five 500 Level students, over various offences. In a statement by the university’s director of Corporate Affairs, Kunle Akogun, on Monday, the students were expelled for examination malpractices. The statement also said that the Vice Chancellor’s approval of their expulsion was a sequel to the recommendations of the Students’ Disciplinary Committee at its 219th meeting held on Wednesday and Thursday, January 10 and 11, 2024 respectively. The expelled students also include 400 Level, 300 Level, and 100 Level students. The affected students were drawn from Faculties/Departments such as Agriculture/Aquaculture and Fisheries; Agriculture/Agricultural Extension and Rural Development; Arts/Linguistics and Nigerian Languages; CIS/Library and Information Science, CIS/ Telecommunication Science; Education/Adult and Primary Education Studies; Engineering and Tech/Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Engr and Tech/ Materials and Metallurgical Engineering as well as Life Science/Zoology. Particulars: 1. Lateef Lukman Olayemi Fac./Dept: Agriculture/Aquaculture and Fisheries Matric No:17/10AB029 Level: 500 Misconduct: Examination Malpractice Decision: Expulsion 2. Kuranga Abdulmuiz Olalekan Fac./Dept: Agriculture/Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Matric No:17/10AC462 Level: 500 Misconduct: Examination Malpractice Decision: Expulsion 3. Adebisi Janet Bosede Fac./Dept: Arts/Linguistics and Nigerian Languages Matric No:21/15CB024 Level: 100 Misconduct: Examination Malpractice Decision: Expulsion 4. Ogundijo Abdulmalik Akinkunmi Fac./Dept: CIS/Library and Information Science Matric No:20/52HJ070 Level: 500 Misconduct: Examination Malpractice Decision: Expulsion 5. Ashekun Oladiji Quadri Fac./Dept: CIS/ Telecommunication Science Matric No:18/52HP025 Level: 400 Misconduct: Examination Malpractice Decision: Expulsion 6. Eqwudah Lucky Ojonumba Fac./Dept: Education /Adult and Primary Education Studies Matric No:19/ 25PK049 Level: 300 Misconduct: Examination Malpractice Decision: Expulsion ADVERTISING ADVERTISING 7. Musa Mohammed Asuku Fac./Dept: Engr and Tech/Electrical and Electronic Engineering Matric No:16/30GC073 Level: 500 Misconduct: Examination Malpractice Decision: Expulsion 8. Ahmed Saddam Opeyemi Fac./Dept: Engr and Tech/ Materials and Metallurgical Engineering Matric No:18/30GN082 Level: 500 Misconduct: Examination Malpractice Decision: Expulsion 9. Ayinla Jamiu Olaitan Fac./Dept: Life Science /Zoology Matric No:17/55EK068 Level: 400 Misconduct: Examination Malpractice Decision: Expulsion

  A former Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed, is being quizzed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over transactions running into billions of naira during his time as governor of the state. The former Kwara governor was seen arriving at the Ilorin office of the anti-graft agency on Monday morning. Channels Television gathered that he was invited by the EFCC and is currently answering questions as to how these monies under his administration were spent. Ahmed was governor of the North Central state between May 2011 and May 2019 before he handed over to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq. He was once quizzed in May 2021 by a crack team of operatives at the EFCC headquarters in the Jabi area of Abuja, the nation’s capital, in connection with the alleged diversion of funds to the tune of about N9 billion from the coffers of the Kwara State Government. The money was alleged to have been diverted during Ahmed’s tenure as governor of the state, and when he served as the Commissioner for Finance in the administration of ex-Governor Bukola Saraki.

  Long queues resurfaced on Monday, February 19, at Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) petrol stations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) halted tanker operations, citing unsustainable high costs. The association has notified the Federal Government and Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria of its plan to suspend operations. Monitoring the petrol market on Monday morning, The Nation observed that most petrol stations have shutdown. The few Independent marketers who opened to customers dispensed the product for between N648 to N670 per litre. The few Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) retail outlets that were opened sold the product for N617 per litre amid endless queues. Besides, black marketers sold 10 litres for N850 in plastic containers. Meanwhile, the NARTO President, Alhaji Yusuf Lawal Othman, who spoke with the Nation on phone confirmed that the enforcement of the suspension of operation has just begun. He said it will culminate in complete stoppage of the haulage of the product. Details shortly…

  Catholic Bishops in Nigeria have reiterated their disapproval with the position of Pope Francis on the blessing of same-sex couples. As part of reforms to make the Catholic Church more welcoming to all persons, Pope Francis permitted priests to look kindly on queer couples seeking favours from God. The Vatican, however, clarified that “such blessings should not be conducted with any church rites that offer the impression of a marriage”. However, many of the Pope’s flocks, mostly African bishops, kicked against his directive. In a speech on Sunday, Lucius Ugorji, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), said declarations from the Holy See should encourage unity and communion on matters of doctrine, morals and liturgy as opposed to what the Fiducia Supplicans did. Ugorji spoke at the formal opening of the 2024 first plenary assembly of the CBCN at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. According to the reverend father, the Fiducia Supplicans hurt the unity and catholicity of the Church. “We must sincerely admit that the declaration, Fiducia Supplicans (on the pastoral meaning of blessings), issued on 18th December, 2023, by the dicastery for the doctrine of the faith, has added to our pains,” Ugorji said. “In the midst of this confusion and pushback, we must, as pastors with the pastoral task of safeguarding the deposit of faith in its purity and integrity, uphold the teaching of the church based on Holy Scripture and tradition. “We shouldn’t be conformed to this world but be transformed by renewing your minds, so we may discern what the will of God is, what is good and acceptable and perfect. “We must continue to teach our faithful that there is no possibility of blessing same-sex couples or same-sex unions in the church in Africa.” Ugorji described homosexual acts as “intrinsically disordered and, above all, contrary to natural law”. “In furtherance of our pastoral and prophetic mission, we must also continue to stress that God loves the sinner unconditionally and calls him to repentance so that he might live,” he added. Ignatius Kaigama, Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, said synodality — which entails holding open discussions at all levels in the church for future decisions — “resonates with our African culture because we always do things together as a family and we consult the members of the family to take collective decisions, based on the African principle”. “We have a duty to listen to the rest of the universal church, just as our African culture, ethics and morality have much to offer to our universal family, the Church,” Kaigama added. In an interview last month, the pope said Africans are a special case when it comes to accepting queer couples because of their culture, adding that they would eventually come around. Francis also said he was not concerned about a split in the church over the development, saying “you have to let them go and pass… and look ahead”.