Lagos Lawmaker Distributes Free GCE Forms, Urges Parents to Monitor Children’s Social Media Use

Lagos State House of Assembly member Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, representing Eti-Osa Constituency 02, has emphasized the importance of parental supervision over children’s social media usage in light of recent high failure rates in public exams such as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

Yishawu made this statement during the 12th edition of his annual free JAMB form distribution event held in Ikoyi-Obalende. He expressed concern over the 75 percent failure rate in this year’s JAMB exams and urged parents to take a proactive role in monitoring their children’s social media activity to prevent academic distractions.

“Parents need to ensure that social media does not undermine their children’s academic performance,” Yishawu said. “Proper monitoring is crucial to keeping children focused on their studies and avoiding the pitfalls of digital distractions.”

As chair of the House Committee on Waterfront Infrastructure, Yishawu also reflected on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on learning patterns, which has increased online engagement but also potential distractions.

He reaffirmed his commitment to education by providing 1,000 free JAMB forms annually to assist young people in gaining admission to higher education. This year’s distribution marks the 12th consecutive year of this initiative.

Beneficiaries of the free forms, including Salami Oluwatoyin and Okoro Chukwuma, expressed their appreciation and hope for improved results. Oluwatoyin’s mother, Mrs. Bose, was initially skeptical but found the initiative genuine. Another parent, Mr. Adeola Ekemode, echoed the call for limiting social media use and focusing on skill acquisition for future success.

Destiny Etiko Denies Allegations of Luxury Car Gift from Omotola’s Husband

Nollywood actress Destiny Etiko has refuted claims that Matthew Ekeinde, husband of renowned actress Omotola Jalade, gifted her a luxury car. The rumors, which surfaced on TikTok, suggested that Etiko had an affair with Ekeinde, who supposedly gave her the car for her birthday last week.

In a video posted on her Instagram, Etiko addressed the allegations and expressed frustration over the attempts to damage her reputation. She clarified that the photo circulating, which includes Ekeinde, was taken over four years ago. According to Etiko, the encounter occurred when Ekeinde was a pilot on a flight she was on. She explained that they took a selfie together out of respect after he inquired about her profession.

Etiko emphasized her independence, stating, “I have worked for 99.9% of all I have. I did it all myself with my full chest.” She also mentioned that she regularly buys a new car for herself on her birthdays as a personal tradition.

Utomi Challenges Amosun’s ‘Blacklist’ Claim, Criticizes Presidential Jet Fleet

Renowned political economist Pat Utomi has responded to former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s allegation that he was blacklisted by the Ogun State House of Assembly before taking office. Utomi, in an interview with Channels Television, denied any business dealings with the Ogun State government that could justify such a blacklist.

The controversy began when Utomi criticized Amosun for allegedly canceling his contract with the Chinese firm Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited. Amosun had labeled Utomi as “entitled” in response.

In his rebuttal, Utomi expressed bewilderment at the accusation, stating, “Why would I have been blacklisted? I have never had any business with Ogun that would have led them to blacklist me. I don’t do business with state governments, except in cases related to land matters, which are under government control.”

Utomi also addressed the recent seizure of presidential jets, calling Nigeria’s large fleet of jets unnecessary. He remarked, “When I first heard about the seizure, I was baffled. Many countries, even those in better economic conditions, do not maintain such large presidential fleets. The British, for instance, lease jets for assignments rather than owning a fleet.”

He continued by criticizing the handling of contracts by Nigerian state governors, linking it to the broader issue of unreliable institutions. Utomi cited personal experiences and a book he recently published, which includes case studies of similar contract disputes leading to the departure of foreign businesses.

Utomi concluded by emphasizing the need for greater discipline and transparency among public officials in Nigeria, pointing out that the lack of such qualities often results in significant economic and reputational damage.

Tinubu Approves NNPC’s Use of 2023 Dividends for Petrol Subsidy Amid Rising Costs

President Bola Tinubu has granted approval for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to utilize its 2023 dividends to cover the expenses of petrol subsidies. These dividends, originally earmarked for distribution among the three tiers of government via the federation account, will now be redirected to address the financial strain of the subsidy.

This decision comes as a contrast to earlier statements from the federal government, which had claimed that petrol subsidies were no longer in effect following President Tinubu’s announcement on May 29, 2023. Nevertheless, the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, recently hinted that the difference between the landing cost of petrol and its retail price is being managed by an undisclosed entity.

In addition to this, President Tinubu has approved the suspension of the 2024 interim dividend payments to the federation account to support NNPC’s cash flow during this period. According to NNPC’s projections, the total subsidy cost could reach ₦6.884 trillion by December 2024, leading to a shortfall of approximately ₦3.987 trillion in taxes and royalties that would otherwise be remitted to the federation account. As a result, NNPC is expected to halt the payment of interim dividends from May to December 2024.

Ex-Senator Elisha Abbo Reveals Senators’ Earnings, Highlights Governors’ Higher Pay

Former Nigerian senator Ishaku Elisha Abbo has confirmed the substantial earnings of members of the Nigerian Senate, sparking further debate on the cost of governance in the country.

In a recent interview with Arise TV, Abbo, who represented Adamawa North Senatorial District, disclosed that while serving as a senator, he earned ₦14.4 million monthly. However, current senators are reportedly earning ₦29 million per month.

Despite the significant figures, Abbo argued that the remuneration is not as excessive as it seems due to the numerous financial responsibilities senators face, including paying hospital bills and providing scholarships.

“₦29 million looks big on paper, just on paper. I am saying this as a very honest man,” Abbo explained. “When I was in the Senate, my monthly salary and allowances put together was about ₦14.4 million. The money allocated to my office was not enough considering the demands, the challenges.”

Abbo also highlighted the stark contrast between senators’ earnings and those of state governors, claiming that some governors take home between ₦700 million and ₦1 billion monthly, further emphasizing the disparities in the earnings of public officials in Nigeria.

Supreme Court Rejects Ajaka’s Appeal in Kogi Governorship Election Dispute

The Supreme Court has dismissed the application filed by Yakubu Muritala Ajaka, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, regarding the recent Kogi State gubernatorial election.

Ajaka had petitioned the court under appeal SC/CV/654/2024, requesting that the Supreme Court delay its decision until a full panel could hear a specific issue raised in his appeal. He sought to overturn the decisions of both the Court of Appeal and the Election Tribunal, which had upheld Ahmed Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the November 11, 2024 election.

During the hearing on Monday, Ododo’s counsel, Pius Akubo, stated that Ajaka was asking the court to reconsider its previous decisions on certain aspects of the appeal. Akubo argued that the appellants were seeking a departure from prior rulings.

However, the counsels representing the respondents—including Kanu Agabi (SAN) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joseph Daudu (SAN) for Ododo, and Emmanuel Ukala (SAN) for the APC—opposed the application, labeling it unnecessary. They urged the court to proceed with the appeal as it stands.

Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, leading the five-member panel, ruled that the issue for which Ajaka sought a full panel was a minor part of the broader appeal. He affirmed that the current court composition was sufficient to hear and resolve the case. Justice Garba then directed Akubo to continue with the hearing of the appeal.

Following submissions from Agabi, Daudu, and Ukala, who all requested the dismissal of the appeal, Justice Garba announced that the judgment would be adjourned to a later date, which would be communicated to the involved parties.

Dagogo Alleges Massive Mismanagement of ₦600 Billion by Niger Delta Governors

Former federal legislator Farah Dagogo has accused governors in the Niger Delta of grossly mismanaging the 13% derivation funds, which are designated for the benefit of oil-producing communities.

In a statement released in Port Harcourt on Monday, Dagogo, who previously represented the Bonny-Degema Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, expressed serious concerns over the handling of these funds by successive governors. He emphasized that despite over ₦600 billion being disbursed in the first half of 2024 alone, the region’s living conditions remain dire.

Dagogo, a former gubernatorial candidate under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, noted that the Niger Delta has received trillions of naira from the 13% derivation fund over the past 23 years. Yet, he pointed out that many communities still suffer from severe poverty, disease, and inadequate living conditions.

While acknowledging that the Federal Government has not fully met expectations, Dagogo praised its consistent increase in derivation allocations to the Niger Delta states. He provided specific figures for 2024, showing monthly disbursements ranging from ₦57.92 billion to ₦166.24 billion.

Dagogo argued that the governors’ mismanagement of these funds has led to widespread disillusionment, as the intended beneficiaries have seen little improvement in their circumstances. He accused the governors of treating the funds as “free money” for personal use, rather than addressing the critical infrastructural needs of the oil-producing communities.

He also highlighted ongoing conflicts between former governors and their successors, attributing these disputes to the mismanagement of the derivation funds. Dagogo called for a thorough investigation into how the funds have been spent, urging for greater transparency and accountability. However, he expressed skepticism that meaningful explanations would be forthcoming, citing the general apathy among the people due to prolonged deprivation.

Oil Marketers Blame Ongoing Fuel Scarcity on Logistical Issues

Nigerians may need to brace for continued fuel shortages as oil marketers have identified persistent logistical challenges as the primary cause of the ongoing scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) across the country.

During an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Monday, the President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association (PETROAN), Billy Gillis-Harry, explained that supply constraints are limiting the distribution capabilities of oil marketers. He noted that until these logistical issues are resolved, the availability of fuel will remain constrained.

Gillis-Harry elaborated that the current issues are tied to ship-to-ship transfers, where delays in receiving cargo prevent timely delivery to depots. Consequently, retailers are unable to access sufficient supplies to meet demand.

“I think until we get our supply challenges sorted out efficiently and abundantly, we will not be able to get out of this circle,” Gillis-Harry stated. He emphasized that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is working to address these issues but is only able to distribute limited quantities of fuel at the moment.

The fuel scarcity, which initially affected the northern regions, has now spread to the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos, and other states. Reports indicate that the price of petrol has surged to between ₦800 and ₦1,000 per litre at some filling stations, with transportation costs rising accordingly. Meanwhile, black market operators are capitalizing on the situation, exacerbating the scarcity.

In response to claims that the shortage is linked to debts owed by NNPCL to international oil traders, the company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, refuted the allegations. While acknowledging that incurring debt is common in the oil trading industry, Soneye assured that NNPCL is managing its obligations through a first-in-first-out (FIFO) payment system.

Gillis-Harry concluded by expressing confidence that ongoing discussions with NNPCL would help alleviate the supply challenges, though he cautioned that the situation might persist until these logistical hurdles are fully addressed.

Police withhold Updates on 20 Abducted Student Doctors for Security Reasons

The Nigeria Police Force has stated that they will not provide online updates regarding the ongoing efforts to rescue 20 abducted student doctors, citing security concerns. The victims, including 19 medical students and one doctor, were kidnapped along the Oturkpo area of Benue State last Thursday while traveling to Enugu for a medical conference.

Olumuwiya Adejobi, the Force Headquarters Public Relations Officer, emphasized that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, is actively involved in the rescue mission and is scheduled to visit the Benue Command on Monday to further coordinate efforts. Adejobi reassured the public that the police are committed to ensuring the safe release of the abducted individuals.

In a statement released on Sunday, Adejobi explained that the operation to rescue such a large number of hostages requires a tactical approach and, therefore, cannot be discussed or updated publicly online. He urged the public to support the police efforts and understand the sensitive nature of the situation.

“The police have issued a press statement on the matter. We should not be discussing or updating the public on our efforts and strategies online. The primary goal is to rescue them unhurt,” Adejobi said.

He further noted that the IGP is in constant communication with the Benue Command, and additional personnel and resources have been deployed to aid in the rescue operation. The police continue to work closely with those directly involved in the case, ensuring that all efforts are made to bring the victims home safely.

Imo Government Dismisses Claims of Uzodinma’s 2027 Presidential Ambition with Ganduje

The Imo State Government has firmly dismissed circulating posters suggesting that Governor Hope Uzodinma is being considered as the running mate to All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, for the 2027 presidential election. The government labeled these claims as “fake, malicious, and aimed at causing disaffection” between Governor Uzodinma and President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement issued by the State Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation, and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, the government attributed the circulation of these posters on social media to “mischief makers.” Emelumba emphasized that at no point had Governor Uzodinma contemplated running for such an office.

“Everyone in Nigeria is quite aware that Uzodinma is one of the fiercest supporters of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and has canvassed national support for him to succeed in his assignment. It is both laughable and preposterous. Apart from the governor being engrossed in discharging his second term mandate, he has also been supporting Mr. President, so where does this malicious misinformation spring from?” Emelumba stated.

He further accused opponents of the current federal administration of propagating fake news to create discord between Tinubu and his loyalists. The commissioner noted that the failure of recent nationwide protests has led to opposition elements devising new tactics to divide the ruling party.

Emelumba advised those spreading what he termed a “tissue of lies” to cease activities that could undermine the peaceful relationship between the federal and state governments. He also clarified that Governor Uzodinma has no ambitions to run for Vice President in 2027, urging the public to ignore any contrary information as “fake, malicious, and spurious.”