Billionaire oil magnate Femi Otedola has allegedly suspended his Twitter account until he is verified due to multiple attempts to impersonate on the platform.
Announcing his move, Otedola wrote, “Good day to the online community. Due to the fraudulent and disingenuous exploitation of my persona on this platform, tweets from me on this account are suspended forthwith until I am verified by Twitter. Thank you. F.Ote$”
The decision came following a tweet by a fake account commiserating with victims of the recent Lagos Tanker Explosion Incident.
The impersonator promised cash gifts to families in the name of Otedola and said that the tanker involved in the accident was his.
This prompted Otedola to post a statement on the account before suspending tweeting activities.
He joined the micro blogging platform in February 2018.
However the handle @realFemiOtedola started activities in May, a few weeks after his debut on Instagram.
Since the Billionaire announced his presence on social media, twitter users have witnessed tweets from fake accounts who were all claiming to be the real Femi Otedola.
Barely five days after joining popular social media platform, he had to send a warning to Nigerians to avoid falling into the traps of his impersonators.
On May 15, Otedola narrated how he blocked an impersonator, who tried cloning his account. (NAN)
The Nigeria Police has said that media report that Policemen protested in Maiduguri, North East region of the country over non-payment of their Special Duty Allowance “was not correct”.
A statement by the Force Spokesman ,Ag DCP Jimoh Moshood reads;
The Force wish to categorically state that it is not correct that police personnel protested in Maiduguri today, 2nd July, 2018.
Some of the Police Mobile Force personnel on Special Duty in Maiduguri went to the Borno State Police Command Headquarters on enquiry over the delay in the payment of their special duty allowance in the early hours of today and not on protest as reported in some media.
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, NPM, mni promptly directed the Commissioner of Police, Borno State to address and inform them why there is delay in the payment of their special duty allowance, and also assure them that since the budget has been approved, the allowances will be expeditiously processed and paid without any further delay. They subsequently returned to their duty posts.
Consequently, the IGP has ordered the Commissioner of Police, Police Mobile Force (PMF) to proceed to Maiduguri, Borno State and other States in the North East where PMF personnel are deployed on special duty; to lecture and inform them on the efforts being made by the Force to ensure timely payment of special duty and other allowances to police personnel in the North East of the country.
The Police Mobile Force personnel that went on the enquiry are not those attached to Operation Lafiya Dole in the fight against insurgency in the North East but those on the category of visiting Police Mobile Force units deployed in Maiduguri on Crime Prevention and other Police duties in the State.
Members of the Public in Maiduguri, Borno State are hereby enjoined not to panic but to go about their lawful duties and other responsibilities without fear or apprehension.
The Nigeria Police Force is a disciplined organization and will not allow any situation to degenerate into disturbance of Public Peace anywhere in the Country.
Water is a necessity for life and it is the responsibility of every responsible government to give priority to provision of good water. The unmatchable importance of hygienic water to human survival has triggered the consciousness of some international organisations to flag off different water provision programs for developing countries including Nigeria.
Ilorin metropolis has three water dams (Asa dam, Agba dam and Sobi dam) with capacity to supply water to every part of the city and take care of any expansion in the future. Asa dam, which has capacity to supply water that would cover up to 60% of city of Ilorin, supplies water to Kuntu, Alore, Taiwo road, Mandate, Al-hikma, etc. The dam is a water flow with high water level and capacity to supply water to Agba dam during dry season. Sobi dam is also a river flowing dam with capacity to supply water to up to 30% of total area of Ilorin. The dam already supplies water to areas like Shao, Shao garage,
Sobi barrack, Gambari, Aiyegbami, Madinat and some other areas of Ilorin. Agba dam, which is a lake, can only supply water to about 15% of Ilorin metropolis during rainy season while it would depend on Asa dam during dry season to effectively supply water around its circus. Though the pump to make that achievable had been procured for over 4 years, but it can’t be ascertained if the pump has been put in use as at this moment. All these show that there are enough water sources in Ilorin, and there is no need for government to make water source as an excuse.
Ilorin water reticulation project, which is meant to make water available to the nooks and crannies of Ilorin metropolis, is one of the major projects inherited by the current administration of Alhaji Abdulfatai Ahmed from his predecessor, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki. It involves water distribution network that will provide water routes to the consumers after it has been collected and treated. Being the capital city of Kwara state, Ilorin continues to expand on daily basis and the need to expand the water radius becomes very inevitable. When completed, the project is expected to increase the coverage of potable water distribution infrastructure in Ilorin metropolis.
The project started in year 2009 and has remained one of the most controversial projects since that time. It has gulped several billions of naira since almost a decade that it commenced but it’s sad that the light has not been sighted at any end of the tunnel. The general public may wish to be reminded of a publication in Vanguard Newspaper dated 7th October, 2014 that reported Mr. Yomi Ogunsola, who was the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on Investment Promotion and Strategy, to have said in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria that Ilorin water reticulation project cost is 7.2 billion naira. He also disclosed in the same interview that the state government had earlier spent more than 5.2 billion naira on the project. Interestingly, he boastfully disclosed that the project was at 98% completion stage as at that time.
In a statement published by Ilorin.Info on 10th January, 2018, Barrister Abdulrazaq Akorede who is the state Commissioner for Water Resources, was quoted to have said that with the level of work done so far as at that time, the project would be completed by May or June, 2018. He also disclosed the ongoing interventions on some water projects across the state and lamented the destruction of some water project facilities by some vandals.
On 2nd February, 2018, the Kwara state government, through her official website, disclosed that she is set to commence the testing of the Ilorin Metropolis Water works following the completion of the reticulation project. Moreover, the Governor approved the diversion of water mains to the Western reservoir and other overhead tanks that supply water to 50% of Ilorin due to some ongoing projects in the state.
In a statement published by National Accord Newspaper on 18th April, 2018, the General Manager of the State Water Corporation, Alhaji Tunde Yahaya, was specific in his disclosure that thePrimaryphase of the Water Reticulation project had been completed, and conducted Journalists around the 5 water works in Ilorin Metropolis. He also disclosed that the tertiary phase of the reticulation project, which involves laying of pipes into street and homes and repair of damaged pipes, had been captured in the 2018 budget and will soon be commenced.
A group of Nigerians seeking water
In a statement published by Ilorin.Info on 1st June, 2018, Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed made the following interesting revelations in an interactive session with Journalists on 31st May, 2018.
First, 8 billion naira has been committed to the Ilorin water reticulation project in the last 7 years to tackle the problems of water supply in the state.
Second, the project was categorised into 3 sections: primary, secondary and tertiary.
Third, the primary section has been completed, while the remaining secondary and tertiary sections will soon be completed.
Forth, his administration had renovated about 17 water works across the state.
Fifth, his administration had provided boreholes to over 400 communities in the state.
We wish to remind the public that sometimes in 2014 (5 years after the project commenced), the then Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed on Investment Promotion and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Ogunsola, explained that “the state government had earlier spent more than 5.2 billion naira on the project and the project was at 98 per cent completion stage while the water pipes would be connected to the water mains soon”.
It would also be of great interest to let the public have little idea of billions of naira that had been committed to water project (including Ilorin water reticulation) in the state since 2009.
In 2009, N6.79 billion naira was spent on water project. Out of this sum, 4 billion naira was gotten from the 17 billion naira bonds that the state sold in year 2009 by the state Governor as at that time, Dr.
Abubakar Bukola Saraki for Ilorin water distribution project and Asa dam mixed use development. Specifically, a sum of 2 billion naira was committed directly to the water reticulation project). 2010 – N2.65 billion 2011 – N983.57 million 2012 – N1.44 billion 2013 – N612.25 million 2014 – N360.80 million (due to recession and low FAAC to states) 2015 – N749.11 million 2016 – N350 million (spent on Ilorin water reticulation alone.
Effort to get the total funds expended on water project could not be ascertained as at this moment but the estimate has it to be about 1.2 billion). In conclusion, as a Civil Society Organisation occupying the highest office in the society (office of the Citizens) and advocating for open leadership and good governance in Kwara state, the salient questions ENetSuD wants the government to answer are:
Despite the billions of tax-payers monies spent on water projects (including water reticulation), where is the water?
Since 2014 that 98% completion was achieved, funds have been annually allocated and released for the water reticulation project. Why has the remaining 2% of the project not been completed since 2014 to ensure citizens’ access to good water and provide value for all our billions of naira spent so far since 2009?
Since 8 billion naira committed on the project in the last 7 years is more than the total project cost of 7.2 billion naira, why has only the primary phase been completed so far?
Now that the secondary and tertiary phases have been included in the recently approved 2018 budget, how much is the government planning to spend on these phases? Are these phases part of the remaining 2% completion as at 2014?
When will the secondary and tertiary phases of the water reticulation project captured in the 2018 budget be completed?
Residents of Okellele Area of Ilorin in search of potable water.
Dr. Alagbonsi is the coordinator of enetsud.org, he can be reached through Email: info@enetsud.org, or Phone: +2348067509458
A newly floated non-governmental organisation, Amana Hope and Care Initiative’ (AHCI), says it is poised to help address the plight of vulnerable women and children, as well as maternal health in northern Nigeria.
“This has prompted me to establish AHCI, to contribute my quota and support ongoing effort in addressing these challenges,” founder and Chairperson of the Organization, Farida Abubakar said, while inaugurating the Board of Trustees in Kaduna, northern Nigeria.
The northern region bears the highest burden of maternal deaths in Nigeria, a country which averagely records 576 maternal deaths out of every 100,000 live births.
According to the country’s National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS2013), northwest Nigeria records 1024 maternal deaths out of every 100,000 live births, while northeast Nigeria, where the founder hails from, records 1054 of these deaths, out of every 100,000 live births.
The region also has the highest level of poverty in the country.
Mrs.Abubakar enjoined the BOT to deploy their experience, wisdom, and courage in guiding the organisation to achieve its objectives.
“Let me begin by thanking you all for accepting to be part of this project. I am passionate about the health of women and children, that is why l established the NGO to contribute my quota to saving the lives of the vulnerable and the unreached in the society.
“We know as BOT members, you are expected to ensure that this project succeeds and l know that with the caliber of people in this Organization, the sky will not be our limit, but the beginning,” she said.
Mrs. Abubakar said, AHCI will work with other NGOs, CSOs and Government in building a better society by helping in creating awareness on issues affecting lives of the citizens, especially on health, education and empowerment.
In a remark, chairman of the BOT, Ahmed Yahaya Jere said, the Board members are passionate and have identified with the objectives of the organisation, hence their decision to accept the role.
He pledged commitment of the Board to making useful contribution that will take the organisation forward and ensure reduction of maternal deaths, encourage gild-child education; and discourage child labour, among others.
“The registration of AHCI started last year with the mandate based on child and maternal health, prevention oseases and helping the internally displaced persons, hoping to be able to touch the lives of the people – we shall work towards achieving that,” he said.
President Donald Trump lashed out at OPEC with a warning to stop manipulating oil markets and piled pressure on U.S. ally Saudi Arabia to raise supplies to compensate for lower exports from Iran.
Trump said in a tweet that Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Al-Saud had agreed to produce more oil.
The White House later walked back the president’s comments, saying the king had said his country could raise oil production if needed.
On Sunday, in an interview with Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo,” Trump reiterated his call on Saudi Arabia to raise production to a new record, arguing that it should help the U. S. lower fuel prices since Washington is helping Riyadh in its struggle against Tehran.
“Don’t forget the one negative to the Iran deal is that you lose a lot of oil, and they got to make up for it. And who is their big enemy? Iran. OK.
“You think of it. Iran is their big enemy, so they are going to have to do it,” Trump said.
“And I have a very good relationship with the (Saudi) king and with the crown prince of Saudi Arabia and with the others around and they are going to have to put out more oil.”
Oil prices rose last week on worries that U.S. sanctions against Iran would take away significant volumes of crude oil from world markets while oil demand worldwide increases.
Earlier this year, to the chagrin of European partners, Trump said he would pull the United States out of the Iran nuclear agreement secured by world powers.
On Monday, Brent oil prices LCOc1 were around 1 percent lower but not far from $79 per barrel as analysts have warned of thin global spare capacity to offset potential supply disruptions.
Rising gasoline prices could create a political headache for Trump ahead of the November elections by offsetting Republican claims that his tax cuts and rollbacks of federal regulations have helped boost the economy.
On Fox, Trump directed blame at the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, of which Saudi Arabia is the biggest producer.
Asked whether someone was manipulating oil markets, Trump said: “100 per cent.
OPEC is and they better stop it because we’re protecting those countries, many of those countries.”
“OPEC is manipulating, and you know they allowed (a production increase) less than we thought last week. They have to put out another two million barrels in my opinion, because we don’t want that happening,” Trump said.
Trump was referring to OPEC’s decision to raise output together with its non-OPEC allies by around 1 million barrels per day, although since then Saudi Arabia has pledged to raise production to a new record.
Saudi Arabia has been pumping around 10 million bpd in recent months and sources close to its oil policy have said it could raise output to 11 million bpd.
Trump’s suggestion means he wants Riyadh to increase production to 12 million bpd – something the kingdom has never done in the past.
Trump will visit Europe this month for a meeting with NATO allies, whom he has criticized sharply as paying too little for their joint defense.
Trade tensions are likely to overshadow that trip.
Trump has imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum in response to what he calls unfair trade practices from Europe, Canada, and other allies around the world, who have responded with retaliatory sanctions in kind.
On trade, the president said in the Fox interview that he was not happy with the North American Free Trade Agreement and would not agree a new one until after the November elections.
“I want to wait until after the election,” he said. (Reuters/NAN)
UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres and World Bank Group President, Jim Yong Kim, were in the south-eastern Bangladeshi district of Cox’s Bazar on Monday to witness the plight of Rohingya refugees driven away from their homes in Myanmar.
Guterres and Kim arrived in Dhaka at the weekend to advocate for increased donor support for the refugees.
The Head of the district administration, Kamal Hossain, said “both chiefs of the UN and the World Bank are scheduled to talk to the refugees in the camps, members of the aid agencies and the local officials.”
According to him, Bangladeshi Foreign Minister, Abu Hassan Mahmood Ali and UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Fillipo Grandi, are among others accompanying Guterres and Kim to the camps.
No fewer than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims crossed into Bangladesh after the Myanmar military launched brutal clampdown on Muslim insurgents on Aug. 25 in Rakhine state which left several hundred people killed and many women raped.
The UN said the crackdown was a textbook example of ethnic cleansing.
Guterres, who met with Prime Minister Hasina on Sunday, praised Bangladesh for giving a safe haven to the Rohingya refugees, “driven from their homes by systematic and widespread violence.
“In a world where so many borders are closed, but the people and government of Bangladesh opened their borders and received their brothers and sisters from Myanmar and from the terrible events there is highly commendable,” Guterres stressed. (dpa/NAN)
President Peter Mutharika of Malawi says reports accusing him of fraudulently benefiting from a 3.9 million dollars government contact were “fake news” as part of a ploy to smear him ahead of a national election in 2019.
“I did not personally benefit in any way from the contract and that’s why I am concerned about the lack of truth. I am worried about what our country has become in as far as peddling of fake news on social media is concerned,” he told Reuters.
“I do understand that it’s election season and my opponents will come up with all manner of lies to in an attempt to win the hearts and minds of people.”
Mutharika, president since 2014, has been tipped to be re-elected, but regular allegations of corruption could hobble his campaign in the impoverished southern African nation where reports of government graft have become routine.
The country’s anti-graft body, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), has been investigating a 3.9 million dollars Malawi police food supply contract awarded to Pioneer Investments – a firm owned by an Asian-born Malawian businessman Zameer Karim.
Malawi’s two biggest daily newspapers on Friday published what they said was the ACB’s final report into the contract.
The reports, widely circulated on social media, said the businessman deposited 145 million Malawian kwacha (203,000 dollars) into an account belonging to the ruling party and of which Mutharika is sole signatory.
Karim denied wrongdoing. “My company was awarded the contract after a rigorous process so I don’t see any wrongdoing,” he said.
ACB director-general Reneck Matemba did not comment on whether the report reflected its final conclusions, which have yet to be officially published, but said: “We are still investigating the procurement and we are not finished yet.”
Malawian presidents have seen the impact of corruption allegations before.
“Cashgate”, the 2013 corruption scandal in which senior government officials siphoned millions of dollars from state coffers, saw international donors cut off aid and then-president Joyce Banda go into self-imposed exile in the U.S.
Malawians next go to the polls in May 2019 to elect the president, parliament and ward councillors.
Periodically hit by severe food shortages and power outages, the country is struggling to contain its external debt and put its economy on a sound footing – all chief campaign issues alongside corruption.
“As president, I have demonstrated my commitment to fighting corruption by allowing ACB to even investigate my cabinet.
“I didn’t block the investigation of one of my ministers over the Zambian maize procurement deal,” Mutharika said referring to a scandal that saw his agriculture minister arrested for his suspected part in the deal.
With the election, Mutharika faces losing the immunity from prosecution he currently enjoys as sitting president.
Mutharika main rivals are Banda, and current deputy president Saulos Chilima, who quit the ruling party last month citing corruption.
Banda returned home in April and vowed to prove her innocence after more than three years in the self-imposed exile. (Reuters/NAN)
A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, South-South Nigeria, Prince Tonye Princewill, says the party will win the 2019 Governorship election in the state, if its leadership ensures that the right candidate emerges.
According to a statement issued by his Media Chief, Mr Wabiye Idoniboyeobu in Lagos on Sunday, Princewill cautioned the party against imposition.
He said that members must be allowed to choose their candidate via a free and fair primary election.
“Starting with the position of governor, we will decide who the cap best fits in the next few weeks, so that we can begin to sell him to our members aggressively.
“It has to be a team that can build on the 2007 blueprint Amaechi put in place. Amaechi left free schooling, free medicals in Rivers and grew our economy with the ushering in of peace.
“Intellectual capacity mixed with boldness and humility is key. Power must rotate,’’ Princewill said.
He, however, said that the team put in place in Rivers APC, under the Chairmanship of Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, “has all it takes to ensure that the APC wins the next election.’’
Princewill urged members not to believe speculations that Mr Rotimi Amaechi would impose a candidate, citing the recently held congresses leading to the convention as an example.
“Amaechi delegated powers to those who knew their people. Whereas, in the past, he delegated powers to only a few people.
“Now he has delegated powers to many more and they are all critical to decision-making.
“APC will win in Rivers because the people are yearning for better leadership,‘’ he said.
On the just-concluded National Convention of APC, Princewill said that the emergence of Adams Oshiomole was a catalyst for the erosion of PDP in the South South, commencing with Rivers state.
“What we have now is a solid team headed at different tiers by warriors of change from the national to the state, local governments and wards.
“I don’t underestimate the task before us but I can categorically confirm that PDP will be history in Rivers come 2019,” he said.
Princewill was the 2007 Governorship candidate of the Action Congress (AC) in Rivers.
According to reports, he declined to contest in 2019, saying that personal ambition should always be secondary to the ambition of the people of the state.
