Local Council Chairman Urges Increased Security Measures for Year-End and Yuletide Season.

Local Council Chairman Urges Increased Security Measures for Year-End and Yuletide Season.

In a security and intelligence meeting at the Gbonyin Local Council Development Area, the Executive Chairman, Hon Oluwadamilare, calls on security operatives to enhance the safety of the local community.

The Chairman emphasized the importance of safeguarding lives and properties within the council area, urging security personnel to implement effective policing strategies, especially with the year-end and yuletide season approaching.

Hon Oluwadamilare commended the security personnel for their efforts in maintaining safety over the past two months. However, he expressed dissatisfaction with their inability to secure the release of kidnapping victims from an incident that occurred along the Aisegba/Iluomoba road more than three months ago and bring the culprits to justice.

In response to these concerns, the Chairman announced plans to increase the presence of police officers in the three communities within the council area. He also appealed to the local community to provide valuable information to security personnel to aid in their efforts to maintain law and order.

Additionally, the Chairman assured continued support from his administration to the security personnel in their ongoing mission to eliminate criminal activities from the region.

The security and intelligence meeting was attended by representatives from various security agencies, including the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Amotekun, and Peace Corps. Notably, Ajagun of Iluomoba Ekiti, Oba Jimoh Olugbenga Adetiba, was also present at the gathering.

Messi defeats Haaland, emerges Winner of 2023 Ballon D’Or.

Messi defeats Haaland, emerges Winner of 2023 Ballon D’Or.

The Argentine and Inter Miami player, Lionel Messi on Monday night won the 2023 Ballon d’Or awards for the 8th time.

Messi had previously clinched the award in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and now 2023.

Lionel Messi completed football! How Argentina's World Cup hero won the 2023 Ballon d'Or over Erling Haaland

James Westwood

Inter Miami's diminutive genius is fully deserving of a record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or, despite a frustrating 2022-23 season at club level

“It’s been an absolute privilege to watch Lionel Messi for nearly two decades. Moment after moment of spellbinding, breathtakingly joyous football. He’s a gift from the footballing Gods. So pleased that he’s lifted the ultimate prize in our sport. Gracias y felicidades, campeón.”

Former Barcelona striker Gary Lineker has always been an outspoken champion of Messi, to the point that some critics have accused him of bias in his coverage as a presenter for BBC Sport. But his post-World Cup final tribute to the Argentina captain on social media was perfect.

It was impossible not to feel emotional at the sight of Messi lifting the one trophy that had eluded him for so long in Qatar. He had fallen short with Argentina at the final stage in 2014, and had struggled with the burden of huge expectations on the international stage ever since his debut as a long-haired teenager nine years earlier.

Messi's majestic performances over the course of his 21-year career at Barcelona earned him seven Ballons d'Or - along with a host of La Liga and Champions League titles - but there were those that still questioned his eligibility for the unofficial title of the greatest of player all time due to his struggles at the World Cup.

Any lingering doubts were erased once and for all during the 2022 tournament as Messi led his country to glory in the Middle East. Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni was blessed with an exceptional squad, as the likes of Angel Di Maria, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Cristian Romero and flamboyant goalkeeper Emi Martinez all played key roles in their triumph.

But it was Messi who inspired them. He delivered time and time again when the Albiceleste needed something special to find a breakthrough or finish off an opponent, and held the team together in moments of adversity.

It truly was breath-taking to watch him unleash the full scope of his creative talents, and a joy to see him let his guard down to revel in the magnitude of his greatest achievement when it was all over. Messi completed football - and in doing so secured an eighth Ballon d'Or.

Erling Haaland was rightly in the debate for the 2023 award after firing Manchester City to the treble in his debut season at the Etihad Stadium, and his case was helped by the fact that Messi did not enjoy anywhere near the same success at Paris Saint-Germain.

But in reality, there was no comparison between the two men in terms of individual performance. Messi was once again the best player in the world in 2022-23.

Inter Miami's diminutive genius is fully deserving of a record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or, despite a frustrating 2022-23 season at club level

“It’s been an absolute privilege to watch Lionel Messi for nearly two decades. Moment after moment of spellbinding, breathtakingly joyous football. He’s a gift from the footballing Gods. So pleased that he’s lifted the ultimate prize in our sport. Gracias y felicidades, campeón.”

Messi's World Cup legacy

Messi scored seven goals at the 2022 World Cup, just one fewer than eventual Golden Boot winner Kylian Mbappe. He finished the tournament with the joint-highest number of assists (three) and key passes (21), and recorded more shots on target than any other player (13).

The former PSG and Barcelona forward also became the first player in World Cup history to score in the group stage, last 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final at a single tournament - while picking up a record haul of five Man of the Match awards.

When the time came to hand out the Golden Ball for the best player of the Qatar competition, there could only be one winner. Messi is now the only man to ever claim the prize twice, having also been recognised for his performances at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

New Nigeria People’s Party Chief hails CAC founder Olowere.

New Nigeria People’s Party Chief hails CAC founder Olowere.

Chieftain of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP),  Olufemi Ajadi, has said the late founder of Christ Apostolic Church, (CAC), Ibadan, Pastor Michael Olowere, is a man of God, who lived a Christ-like life.

Ajadi, who addressed reporters at the thanksgiving service for Olowere, (Baba Automatic), said he was a genuine man of God.

He said Olowere taught him and others how to worship God, adding although the cleric was dead, his ministry would continue to live on.

“I lived and slept in Pastor Olowere’s church for two years. I kept my clothes under a bench on the church premises, but see who I am today? I have contested for Ogun State governor, and I believe his prayer will manifest and I will occupy the seat,” Ajadi said.

He thanked Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, who contributed to the burial of the founder, who died in July.

Gov poll: Imo govt plans full booking of Owerri hotels.

Gov poll: Imo govt plans full booking of Owerri hotels.

Ahead of the November 11 governorship election in Imo State, the state government is in moves to book all the rooms in all hotels in Owerri, the state capital.

The state Commissioner for Tourism, Jerry Egemba, in a memo addressed to all Chief Executive Officers of all the hotels in the Owerri metropolis, stated that the state government would pay for all the rooms in the hotels starting from November 4 to November 11.

The memo, dated November 25, which was sighted by our correspondent in Owerri on Monday, requested all the CEOs of the hotels to forward the details of their hotels and accommodation bills on or before Thursday, October 26 for payment by the state government.

The correspondence was titled, “Request for reservation of all your hotel rooms from November 4 to November 11, 2023.”

It read, “I wish to refer to the above subject and inform you that the Ministry of Tourism intends to rent and occupy all the rooms in your hotel no matter the size and classification from Saturday, November 4 to Saturday, November 11, 2023, at your usual cost per room for full occupation.

“I, therefore, request you to submit to my office before 12 noon, tomorrow, Thursday, 26 October 2023, details of your accommodation bills for all the rooms covering the period for settlement.”

Reacting to the development, the Director of New Media and Publicity of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Lancelot Obiaku, said that the state government was afraid of defeat.

“It is very clear that the state government knows that the people of the state have rejected it, otherwise, why are they requesting to occupy all the hotels in Owerri from now till the elections if it is not the fear of the opposition? The PDP will defeat the APC on November 11. It is very clear,” he said.

Transfer Yakubu’s seized funds to registrar’s account, court orders EFCC, CBN.

Transfer Yakubu’s seized funds to registrar’s account, court orders EFCC, CBN.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to release the $9,773,200.00 and £74,000 seized from former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu.

Justice Inyang Ekwo yesterday ordered the EFCC and the CBN to release the money to be deposited in an interest yielding account in the name of the court’s Chief Registrar pending when parties exhaust their right of appeal.

Justice Ekwo held that the order became imperative because the EFCC and the CBN were not truthful about the actual whereabouts of the money.

The money was seized from Yakubu’s Kaduna home on February 3, 2017. The EFCC thereafter charged him with money laundering, and he was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on March 16, 2017, on a six-count charge.

At the conclusion of the prosecution’s case, Yakubu made a no-case submission and, in a May 16, 2019 ruling, Justice Ahmed Mohammed discharged the defendant on counts 5 and 6.

Justice Mohammed also ordered him to enter his defence for the remaining four counts, a decision he appealed at the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

The Court of Appeal, in its April 24, 2020 judgment, partially allowed the appeal, discharged him on counts one and two, and ordered him to enter his defence for counts three and four.

Former Leicester and Chelsea midfielder Drinkwater retires at 33.

Former Leicester and Chelsea midfielder Drinkwater retires at 33.

Former England midfielder Danny Drinkwater has retired from football after becoming frustrated “in limbo”.

Drinkwater, now 33, helped Leicester City win the Premier League in 2016 and joined Chelsea for £35m a year later.

He left Stamford Bridge when his contract expired in June 2022, having made little impact, and has not played since.

“I think I’ve been in limbo for too long,” said Drinkwater, who started his career at Manchester United.

He told the High Performance podcast there had been no opportunities at a level that might tempt him back into action.

“I’ve been wanting to play but not getting the opportunity to play at a standard or a level where I felt valued,” Drinkwater said.

“I’ve never been really obsessed with football, I’ve just loved it. The idea of me dropping down is fine but it’s the idea of not playing to my worth.”

Drinkwater came through the academy at United but signed for Leicester in 2012 before making a senior appearance for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.

He helped Leicester win promotion to the Premier League in 2014 and was part of Claudio Ranieri’s 2016 title-winning squad.

Following his success under Ranieri, who he called “Grandad”, Drinkwater earned his first of three England caps but was not selected by Roy Hodgson for Euro 2016.

He signed for Chelsea for £35m in 2017 and made 22 appearances in his debut season.

Overall, though, he failed to make a significant impression at the club and had loan spells at Burnley, Aston Villa, Turkish club Kasimpasa and Reading.

Speaking about his time at Chelsea, Drinkwater – who previously said he would be open to a move to Saudi Arabia – said: “As a whole it was garbage, but if you break it down I had some really good times.”

Drinkwater had off-field problems too – a drink-driving ban, being involved in a nightclub altercation and headbutting team-mate Jota while on loan at Villa.

“Anyone who thinks earning a good amount of money will solve all of your problems is not true at all,” Drinkwater said.

“Mental health is more important than physical. It was the darkest I’d ever felt and it was like I was drowning and forgotten how to swim.”

Reps threaten heads of NUPRC, REA, NIGCOMSAT, other to appear In 72hrs or be arrested.

Reps threaten heads of NUPRC, REA, NIGCOMSAT, other to appear In 72hrs or be arrested.

The Nigerian House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts on Monday gave a 72-hour ultimatum to six Federal Government agencies to appear before it to clear themselves on allegations of fraud as contained in the Auditor General for the Federation’s queries in the year ended December 31, 2019.

The arrest warrant threatened is a result of the absence of the invited agencies as the committee resumed hearing on Monday. 

The following are the agencies invited to appear before the House Panel.

The Rural Electrification Agency, REA. 

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC. 

NIGCOMSAT. 

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC.

The Nigeria, Export Processing Zones Authority, NEPZA. 

It was gathered that the members of the Public Accounts Committee gathered in the hearing room for hours, awaiting the arrival of the Chief Executive Officers of the invited agencies. Originally billed for 10 a.m., the event was rescheduled for 1 p.m. in what was a show of respect for the invited agencies by the federal lawmakers. 

After waiting for hours, REA sent a letter to the committee stating that it would not be able to attend the hearing because the Managing Director of the agency, Salihijo Ahmad was out of the country.

REA wants to speak up on five queries including extra-budgetary allocation of N394.3m, a Toyota Hilux vehicle taken away by its former board chairman, payment of N36.6m for an international training without evidence of attendance, extra-budgetary expenditure on advert and publicity amounting to N4.24m and unauthorised transfer from the capital to Eurobond ledger totalling N969.4m.

A document which was cited by the House Journalist shows that the NUPRC was queried for offences relating to a statutory 1 per cent stamp duty of N20m deducted but paid back to contractors/consultants. The agency allegedly failed to deduct one percent Industrial Training Fund from the 2019 payroll amounting to N119 m, among sundry ills.

NIGCOMSAT was to speak on issues relating to non-remittance of deducted taxes amounting to N96m, and store items purchased but not taken on ledger charge (N250m).

The Nigeria Export Promotion Council and the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority were similarly queried for sundry financial misdeeds.

Also speaking to the Public Accounts Committee, a member representing Shomolu Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Ademorin Kuye lamented the failure of the agency to appear before the committee, saying they were toying with the opportunity offered them by the panel to clear their names.

According to the Lawmaker, “There is an allegation of N2bn fraud against REA in the 2017 audited report of the Office of the Auditor General for the Federation. They are yet to clear themselves. In the 9th Assembly, they were invited to appear before this Committee, but they kept giving excuses. They never honoured our invitation.

He said: “In the 9th Assembly, NIGCOMSAT was accused of taking a $467m Chinese loan without due process but they never appeared before the Public Accounts Committee to defend themselves. There was also a petition against NEPZA that it was a conduit pipe for siphoning monies. Despite invitations sent to them, they did not appear to tell their side of the story. This is unacceptable. The 10th House of Assembly will not take this.” 

Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, member representing Isiala Ngwa North/South Federal Constituency, Abia, State in his contribution urged the Chairman of the Committee, Bamidele Salam to invoke his powers to issue a warrant of arrest against the heads of the invited agencies.

Sharing the same thought, Tunji Olawuyi (Ekiti/Esin/Irepodun Federal Constituency, Kwara State) argued that if the agencies had any defence whatsoever, they would have appeared before the committee to tender the same. 

Also speaking, Femi Bamisile representing Emure/Gbonyin/Ekiti East Federal Constituency, Ekiti State advised members to stop visiting the agencies being investigated, stating that in no time, the committee will make scapegoat of them if they continue to ignore invitations to appear for questioning.

To this end, Lawmakers unanimously resolved that the agencies should be given another opportunity to appear before the Public Accounts Committee, Billy Osawuru (APC, Edo State) amended the motion urging the Committee to summon the six heads of the agencies within 72 hours.

The agencies are now expected to appear before the Committee on Thursday.