The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has urged Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah to halt his plans to establish a cattle ranch at Nimbo in the Uzowani community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area (LGA) in the state. IPOB disclosed this in a statement made known by its media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, on Monday. Recall that residents of the community staged a protest last week against the plan by governor to settle a ranch for the Fulani herdsmen.   The widows of the victims killed by herdsmen in 2016 flooded the streets to revolt against such act which they described as “wickedness” from the government. The women wailed as they marched the streets with pictures of the caskets which was used during the mass burial of their husbands, chanting, “Nimbo doesn’t want Ruga, Nimbo doesn’t want cattle, Nimbo doesn’t want Ranch”. In its reaction on Monday, IPOB said, it “is monitoring Governor Peter Mbah and his collaborators. They should understand that IPOB will not allow the establishment of any murderous camp for jihadist Fulanis in the name of cattle ranch anywhere in Enugu State. “If Governor Peter Mbah is genuinely interested in establishing a cattle ranch in Enugu State, such ranch must be managed privately by an Igbo businessman. Only Ndigbo are allowed to own cattle ranches anywhere in Igbo land. We don’t want to have murderous Fulanis operating any cattle ranch in Alaigbo. “If Fulani herdsmen have paid Dr Peter Mbah or any traditional leader for any parcel of Land in Enugu State, they should better go and collect their money back.” It added, “We are also informing South East Governors to shun any idea of establishing cattle ranches in any state in the Southeast region. “IPOB and ESN Operatives won’t allow any establishment of Fulani camp in the name of cattle ranch in any state in the Biafra territory.”

  GUO Transport Company has confirmed that there was a bandit attack on one of its buses enroute to Abuja from Lagos. The unfortunate incident occurred at about 3:15 pm on Friday 9th February 2024, along the Ikare-Akoko axis of the Akure expressway. In an official statement by the company, the kidnappers ambushed and attacked oncoming vehicles and amongst which was one of Hiace buses from Lagos with passengers onboard. It stated that the unfortunate event led to the death of its driver at the crime scene while the passengers are believed to have been held hostage and led into the bush. “A child of about three years old was rescued from the scene and handed over to the military personnel on ground while the family have been contacted. “Our prayers are with those directly or indirectly affected by this unfortunate incident. While we empathize with the family of our slain driver and families of our kidnapped passengers, we are cooperating with security agenices to ensure a quick and safe release or rescue of our passengers. “We appreciate the payers, advice, understanding and support of the security agencies, our staff, our passengers, and the public at this critical moment.” The company appealed to the Government and security agenices to intensify efforts in making the highways safe again.

  Nurses under the aegis of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Abuja chapter, on Monday, protested against the new verification certification guidelines released by the Nigeria and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. According to the Punch, The nurses expressed displeasure over what they described as an attempt to hinder their freedom to pursue career opportunities, asking the council to address nurses’ welfare, salary scale, shortage of staff, and other rights. The protest monitored by our correspondent was carried out at the NMCN’s office in Abuja. The NMCN had on February 7, 2024, issued a circular revising the guidelines for requesting verification of certificates for nurses and midwives. AFCON 2023: Super Eagles Battle Bafana Bafana For Final Slot0.00 / 0.00 The council’s circular was released after The PUNCH reported the deactivation of the verification portal on NMCN’s website since December 2023. The circular signed by the Registrar of the council, Dr Faruk Abubakar, read in part, “A non-refundable fee per application shall be paid for verification to foreign boards of nursing as specified on the portal. This shall cover the cost of courier services to the applicant’s institution(s) of training, place of work, and foreign board. “Eligible applicants must have a minimum of two years post qualification experience from the date of issuance of the permanent practicing licence. Any application with a provisional licence shall be rejected outright. “The council shall request a letter of good standing from the chief executive officer of the applicant’s place(s) of work and the last nursing training institution attended and responses on these shall be addressed directly to the Registrar/CEO, NMCN. Please note that the council shall not accept such letter(s) through the applicant.” The council also stated that applicants must have active practising licences with a minimum of six months to the expiration date, and processing of verification applications would take a minimum of six months. It added that the implementation of the guidelines takes effect from March 1, 2024 Meanwhile, on Monday, the nurses and midwives were at the NMCN office singing and wielding placards around the premises . Some of the inscriptions on the placards read, “Address unemployment among nurses, address quakery, address nurses welfare, and “#No to verification rules. Stop frustrating the Nigerian nurses, we are going through a lot already, Protect nurses, protect healthcare, NMCN, we say no to the verification rules, NMCN, don’t reduce nurses” among others. Details later.

  The Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP) says it will shut down and suspend production in all water-producing factories in Enugu State due to the unbearable high cost of production. This is contained in a statement issued by the Chairman of ATWAP, Enugu State Chapter, Mr Tony Edike, and its State Secretary, Sir Clems Nwamadi, on Sunday in Enugu. The statement was issued after members of the ATWAP Enugu State Chapter held an emergency meeting in Enugu on February 8, 2024, on the challenges confronting all members of the association.   It said from Monday, Feb. 12 (tomorrow) to Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, all table water producers in Enugu State, including Sachets and Pet Bottles, are required to downtool and suspend all production. According to the statement, “This is to enable us to seek a workable solution to the many challenges being faced by our members. “The current harsh economic situation in the country, especially as it affects materials and other logistics for the production of sachet water in the state, was critically reviewed. “After hours of deliberations on the overwhelming challenges being encountered by ATWAP members, especially the over 500 per cent increase in the prices of raw materials and other factors of production, we have to come to this decision. “Following the 500 per cent increase in the prices of raw materials, which included nylon, parking bags, purifying materials, procurement of water from boreholes located outside the city, diesel, a high electricity tariff, haulage/transportation and other maintenance and staff costs, we had to close shop. “Also, the upward review of various fees charged by both agencies of the state and local governments within our areas of operations is also a factor,” it said. It said that ATWAP, after receiving field reports from various zones of the association, indicated that many producers had shut down their factories due to the high cost of materials and other production challenges that had increased their rate among the members. The statement said that ATWAP Enugu State Chapter hereby resolves as follows: “With effect from February 16, 2024, a bag of Sachet Water (20 sachets) will be sold at N300 to enable the producers to sustain their operations and rescue their businesses/investments from total collapse. “Any defaulter/violator of this resolution, which was unanimously endorsed by all members of ATWAP Enugu State Chapter, will pay a fine of N200,000 per truck or driver caught by the ATWAP Task Force already mandated to enforce the exercise. “Members are advised to mobilise their staff during the period of the factory shutdown to clean up their equipment and keep their environment clean as the Task Force will soon embark on factory inspection to ensure that members comply with standard operating procedures.” The statement, however, appealed for the cooperation of dealers and consumers, as “we are hereby soliciting their understanding during this period to enable us (the producers) to remain in business. (NAN)

  Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo north, says Nigerians are still bearing the “consequences” of the “reckless” policies of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Sunday, Oshiomhole said President Bola Tinubu should not be held responsible for the right or wrong decisions taken by the previous administration. During the interview, the senator was asked if it is not his party — the All Progressives Congress (APC) — that has brought Nigeria to its current economic depression. Oshiomhole responded by saying he always places national interest above partisan interests, adding that he criticised the administration of Buhari for some of its policies. He narrated how he rejected the currency redesign policy initiated by the previous administration, which he said caused Nigerians so much pain. “My first loyalty is to the Nigerian nation. At some point, before the last president left office, I lamented loudly what I saw as reckless policies that were designed to dehumanise the population that was already in pain,” he said. “I felt that it is not what the then president promised. I dissociated myself from those policies and I’m happy that I was not the only one. “There were governors who approached the court to denounce some of those policies. “It is the long term consequences of those policies that we are still grappling with now.” Speaking further, he said although it was his party that was in power in the last administration, Tinubu was not a member of the cabinet or an adviser. “Yes, it is our party platform. Like Tinubu also said, he was not a minister or adviser. He never took a contract in that government and he cannot be held responsible for what the government did right or wrong,” he added. Buhari ruled Nigeria on the APC platform from 2015 to 2023, and handed over to Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the party in the last general election. In the buildup to the 2023 elections, Tinubu repeatedly promised Nigerians that he would build on Buhari’s legacy. Tinubu also commended the “achievements” of the Buhari-led administration on the campaign trail.

  The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked the federal government to completely phase out petrol and electricity subsidies in the country. The IMF made the recommendation while advising Nigeria on pathways to restoring macroeconomic stability in its ‘Post Financing Assessment (PFA)’ report. Nigeria’s liquidity-challenged power sector is currently not allowed to charge a cost-reflective tariff due to a subsidy paid on electricity by the government. The country’s government had spent N204.59 billion on electricity subsidy in the third quarter (Q3) of 2023, and plans to expend an additional N1.6 trillion in 2024 to enable citizens access power at a low cost. On the other hand, the petrol subsidy removal, which came into effect on May 29, 2023, has worsened the living conditions of the populace, as the disposable income of Nigerians continues on a downward spiral due to inflation. Although there are debates on the full implementation of petrol subsidy, with the World Bank hinting that the federal government has partially reintroduced under-recovery, the cost of living in Nigeria has remained up. Speaking on recent remedial efforts in its report, the IMF said the government has released cereals from the grain reserve, provided subsidised fertilizer to farmers, and capped retail fuel and electricity prices — “thus partially reversing the fuel subsidy removal”. The lender said the government also implemented a civil service wage award, and suspended the value-added tax (VAT) on diesel to ease the impact of the rapidly rising inflation on living conditions. The institution, however, called for a total removal of petrol and electricity subsidies, saying they are expensive and often do not reach the most vulnerable groups. ‘FUEL, ELECTRICITY SUBSIDIES ARE COSTLY’ “The new administration has made a strong start, tackling deep-rooted structural issues in challenging circumstances,” the IMF said. “Immediately, it adopted two policy reforms that its predecessors had shied away from: fuel subsidy removal and the unification of the official exchange rates. Since then, the new CBN team has made price stability its core mandate and demonstrated this resolve by dropping its previous role in development finance. “On the fiscal side, the authorities are developing an ambitious domestic revenue mobilization agenda. Like many other countries, Nigeria faces a difficult external environment and wide-ranging domestic challenges. “External financing (market and official) is scarce, and global food prices have surged, reflecting the repercussions of conflict and geo-economic fragmentation. Per-capita growth in Nigeria has stalled, poverty, and food insecurity are high, exacerbating the cost-of-living crisis. “Low reserves and very limited fiscal space constrain the authorities’ option space. Against this backdrop, the authorities’ focus on restoring macroeconomic stability and creating conditions for sustained, high and inclusive growth is appropriate. “The CBN has set out on a welcome path of monetary tightening. The Governor has committed to making price stability the core objective of monetary policy, and the CBN has taken actions to mop up excess liquidity. Continuing to raise the monetary policy rate until it is positive in real terms would be an important signal of the direction of monetary policy. The government’s focus on revenue mobilization and digitalization would improve public service delivery and safeguard fiscal sustainability. The envisaged reduction in the overall deficit in 2024 would help contain debt vulnerabilities and eliminate the need for CBN financing. Temporary and targeted support to the most vulnerable in the form of social transfers is needed, given the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Fuel and electricity subsidies are costly, do not reach those that most need government support and should be phased out completely.”

  The police command in Kano State says the Divisional Police Office in Nasarawa Local Government Area has been gutted by fire. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Usaini Gumel, disclosed in Kano that the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday. “At about 05.45 a.m. the Divisional Police headquarters was engulfed by fire and a major part of the building was burned down completely. “This is in spite of prompt response by the State Fire Service,’’ he said. AFCON 2023: Super Eagles Zoom Off To Final0.00 / 0.00 Gumel said an investigation was ongoing to unravel the cause. “The area has been cordoned off to prevent intrusion by on-lookers and miscreants, the arms and ammunition in the office are very safe. “The Divisional Police Officer is currently sorting out some of the affected documents,” he said. Earlier in the year, the Kano Police Command headquarters in Bompai was engulfed by fire on Saturday, January 13. It was gathered that the fire, which started in the provost’s office, spread to the Finance Department, Conference Room, the office of the Police Public Relations Officer, the office of the Assistant Police Commissioner (Administration), and that of the Deputy Commissioner (Admin), among others. It was learned that the entire offices on the top floor of the Police Command built in 1967 were engulfed by the fire, while the office of the Police Commissioner was not affected. (NAN)

  Monday 12 February 2024 Heartbroken: Nigerians mourn whiz-kid Wigwe Eagles clinch silver as Cote d’Ivoire win AFCON Nigeria’s predicaments not solely political – Adeboye Tinubu administration not responsible for economic hardship -Sanusi Rain, wintry weather responsible for crash — US authorities Hardship: Students now trade property to survive Higher prices loom as businesses rely more on loans to survive Tinubu assures Nigerians of food security Scammers hack Gov Otu’s phone number, seek financial assistance NDLEA Arrests Insurgents’ Drug Supplier, Intercepts 7.6 Tons of Illicit Drugs Cost Of Living: Pray, Repent, Sultan Urges Nigerians Federal Workers In 90 MDAs Yet To Get January Salaries Exiting oil firms pollute Niger Delta with 36.1m litres of crude in 8yrs SERAP sues Akpabio, Abbas over N344.85b National Assembly budget HURIWA faults N1b request for FG’s wage committee Tinubu assures Nigerians of food security Northern elders to discuss economic, security agenda with Fed Govt Kano anti-graft agency seals over ten warehouses for hoarding of foodstuff Porous borders fueling insecurity – Gowon Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti Corruption Commission has confiscated 10 warehouses containing assorted foodstuffs in the Dawanau area of Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of the state. The commission’s Chairman, Mr Muhyi Magaji, disclosed this to newsmen shortly after confiscating the warehouses in Dawanau International Grains Market, Singer Market, and Kwari Textiles Market on Sunday. He said that owners of such warehouses were nowhere to be found during the operation, but those that were opened were stacked full of commodities, including spaghetti, rice, pasta, sugar, and other food items. He said, “The owners have been issued notice to report to the commission preparatory to facing charges before the court of law for their illegal activities.   Meet Aliyu Musa, Ilorin- Based Self-Taught Aircraft,… “As you can see, the commission has made true its promise that we are going to embark on a fight against the hoarding of essential commodities in the state. “We started last Thursday, and we have made a significant impact towards stopping the instant rise in the price of essential commodities. “It was such that within a week, rice had jumped from N52,000 to N61,000. “From what we have done so far, we are certain that there is an impact. From here, we are going to the market to ascertain the situation. “Firstly, we were able to stop the instant increase in prices of the commodities, and secondly, we have the belief that if we sustain the tempo, we will be able to bring down the prices from where they have reached. “As you can see now, we are going around the warehouses, and we met a lot of issues which, after we go back to the office, we are going to digest. “One fundamental problem is each store we enter, they will be claiming that it is the World Food Programme Store. ” We wonder if the world food programme will starve the country while taking the food somewhere else. “You can see, I was told here today that the price of maize has jumped from N30,000 to N60,000. So you see, a 100 per cent increase, this is unacceptable. “You can see these stores. There are hundreds of millions of Naira worth of hoarded commodities. “We are taking over the stores now, and we are going to make certain arrests because these will not be tolerated. ”This is not a market, this is a warehouse. We have activated our intelligence mechanism and they have come up with reports on where and how they are hoarding it.” NAN