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  • Rivers threatens legal action, vows to recover N300m from NBA

    The Rivers State Government has disputed claims made by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) that the N300m it received from the government was an unconditional gift not tied to the hosting of its Annual General Conference in the State. The government further vowed to deploy all legal process to retrieve the resources if NBA fails to willingly refund the money. A statement  by the SSA Media to Rivers State Government, Hector Igbikiowubo, insisted that the records of the government showed that the N300m was tied to the hosting of the NBAs Annual General Conference in the state. The statement said: “The government  outrightly rejects the NBAs recent allegation that the 300million payment made by the state was a ‘gift’, unrelated to hosting rights for the NBA AGC 2025.  “For clarity, the Rivers State Governments records show that the payment of 300 million to the NBA was made with the mutual understanding that Rivers State would host the 2025 edition of the NBA AGC. “The Rivers State Government entered into this arrangement with the NBA in good faith, with the understanding that hosting the conference in the state would attract significant economic benefits to our state, positively and directly impact the businesses of our people.  “The NBAs unilateral decision to relocate the AGC 2025 against our mutual understanding and subsequent decision to withhold the 300 million paid for the purpose of hosting the NBA AGC 2025 in Rivers State is unethical and amounts to a breach of trust. “Failure of the NBA to immediately refund the 300million to the Rivers State Government, will compel the implementation of all legal means to recover the property of the good people of Rivers State. We reaffirm our willingness to engage in partnerships with all professional bodies, including the NBA, but we will not accommodate exploitation of our people and the Rivers State Government.The post Rivers threatens legal action,vows to recover N300m from NBA appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.

    Source: Linda Ikeji

  • Boko Haram ‘on its last legs,’ says Information Minister Mohammed Idris

    Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said that Boko Haram has been significantly weakened and is nearing defeat, describing the terrorist group as “standing on its last legs.”

    Idris made the remarks during an interview with France 24 aired on Tuesday, offering a markedly optimistic view of Nigeria’s ongoing battle against insurgency in the northeast.

    “For years, Boko Haram held territories, local governments, towns, and cities,” he said. “Now, that’s no longer the case. They’ve largely dissipated, hiding in the bush and launching attacks on soft targets. We’re not saying we’ve 100 percent exterminated Boko Haram, but they no longer pose a significant challenge.”

    The insurgency, which began over a decade ago, has ravaged communities in Borno and neighboring states, claiming thousands of lives and displacing millions. Boko Haram’s campaign, aimed at establishing an Islamic state, once saw the group control vast swaths of territory and orchestrate high-profile attacks and mass abductions.

    In recent years, sustained military operations have reclaimed most of these areas, offering some measure of relief to residents and returning a degree of normalcy to parts of the region.

    However, the picture has not been uniformly reassuring. Just weeks ago, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum raised alarm over a resurgence of violence, citing renewed attacks and kidnappings in parts of the state. Zulum described the withdrawal of military formations from some local governments as a “significant setback” and called for a more robust and coordinated response to the threat.

    Despite these concerns, Idris maintained a confident stance, asserting that terrorist factions, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have been largely neutralized.

    “They are no longer holding ground. Security forces are chasing them down. Very soon, we will crush even the Lakurawa group,” the minister said.

    While the federal government expresses optimism, many in the affected regions remain cautious, noting that pockets of insecurity persist. Experts have also warned that the fight against extremism must go beyond military action and address underlying issues like poverty, unemployment, and social disenfranchisement.

    Still, the minister’s statement is the latest in a series of assurances from the government that Nigeria is turning the tide against terrorism, a message that resonates with a population eager for lasting peace.

     

    Source: Ripples Nigeria

  • Tinubu Laying Foundation For Nigeria’s Prosperity – Deputy Senate President

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, has said that President Bola Tinubu is laying a solid foundation for the country’s prosperity.

    He urged Nigerians to support the President in his quest to address the challenges facing the country.

    Jibrin, in a statement on Tuesday by his Media Adviser, Ismail Mudashir, said the Tinubu administration inherited numerous challenges across sectors.

    “By May 29, it will be exactly two years since President Tinubu’s administration came on board in the country. Yes, we are not there, and we cannot be in the promised land in less than 23 months when the numerous challenges facing our beloved country have weighed us down for decades.

    “But a journey has started—the road is rough, but it’s for the restoration of our country’s glorious days. It is not easy to rebuild a shattered building.

    “In the past decades, all spheres of our country—power, road infrastructure, agriculture, education, health, water, housing, and others—have been begging for genuine attention.

    “This is coupled with the fact that this government came on board at the time that the entire world economy was and is still quite turbulent due to the high cost of basic goods and services all over the world arising from Russia -Ukraine, and
    Israel–Palestine wars. Nigeria is certainly not an exception.

    “The good news is that the president is genuinely committed to addressing these challenges. Fresh air is already permeating all the country’s spheres, nooks and crannies to the admiration of lovers and good people, irrespective of differences and persuasions,” he said.

    Jibrin listed some of the administration’s efforts to include improved security, despite the resurgence of terrorist attacks in parts of the Northeast and Northwest zones.

    “In the Southeast, the activities of unknown gunmen terrorising the region have been on the downward side. In the North East, Boko Haram was almost completely eradicated until the recent attacks in some parts of Borno State. I am confident that our gallant members of the Armed Forces will act decisively to smoke them out permanently. The people of the remaining five states in the North East live peacefully and conduct their lawful businesses—commendation to our gallant officers and men of the Armed Forces and other sister security agencies.

    “With the enhanced peace across the country, the Federal government has recently launched phase one of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) to revolutionise and industrialise the agricultural sector. SAPZ aims to transform Nigeria’s agriculture landscape through innovation, private-sector investments and strategic public partnerships.

    “The zones are designed to create agro-industrial hubs that integrate farmers with processors, reduce post-harvest losses and expand rural economic opportunities. Seven states, namely Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, Imo, Cross River, and Federal Capital Territory, have been selected for phase one, while Bauchi, Borno, and Gombe are listed for phase 2, ” he said.

    He expressed optimism that the establishment of the North-West, North Central, South-East, South-West, and South-South development commissions will significantly contribute to developing the country’s regions.

    “With President Tinubu’s establishment of the development commissions, we will witness unprecedented development at the grassroots level.

    Jibrin described the introduction of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) by the administration as unprecedented.

    He noted that thousands of students across the country have benefitted from the fund, adding that thousands of parents and guardians have been relieved of the burden of paying school fees.

    Tinubu Laying Foundation For Nigeria’s Prosperity – Deputy Senate President is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

    Source: The Whistler

  • Justin Verlander still searching for first win as SF Giants can’t hold lead

    PHILADELPHIA — The ballgame entered a critical juncture, and manager Bob Melvin had a decision to make. He could either stick with Justin Verlander, a future Hall of Famer with 262 wins who has gotten himself out of plenty of jams. Or, he could go to his bullpen.

    “I wanted to give him a chance,” Melvin said.

    Melvin gave his veteran a chance. The decision didn’t pan out.

    Verlander allowed the tying and go-ahead runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and the Giants surrendered a lead they’d never reclaim, falling to the Philadelphia Phillies, 6-4, on Jackie Robinson Day at Citizens Bank Park. Following another unlucky outing, Verlander admitted to feeling “tested” following his fourth start without a win.

    “Not sure why I’m being tested so hard,” Verlander said. “I’ll keep working hard. I’ll keep trying to make my pitches. I do everything that I can do. Just try to make pitches, try to get guys not to hit the ball hard and let the results happen. (Heliot Ramos) said something to me. (I said), ‘It’s all good man.’ We’re all trying the best we can here. Tough. It’s tough.”

    Ramos didn’t chat with Verlander after the game-deciding sixth inning just for the sake of doing so.

    With one out and runners on first and second, J.T. Realmuto hit a towering fly ball to left field that hung in the air for about five seconds. Ramos, shaded towards left-center field, took an inefficient route to the ball. He got a glove on the ball, but the ball still found grass and Kyle Schwarber scored to tie the game at three apiece.

    Given Tuesday night’s wind patterns, the play was far from routine. In the first inning, the winds swirled towards right field with so much force that the flag poles behind center field began to sway. Trea Turner drove a ball to the warning track in the first that appeared headed for the bleachers, but the ball was knocked down by the gusts. In the third inning, first baseman Bryce Harper had difficulty playing Ramos’ pop up to shallow right field, resulting in the ball finding grass.

    By the sixth inning, the wind patterns had shifted. With Realmuto’s fly ball, then, Ramos essentially had to guess where the wind would take the ball. When Ramos saw Verlander after the inning, he told his starter, ‘My bad.’

    “He brings a lot of energy every day,” Ramos said of Verlander. “Obviously, when he’s out there on the mound, we want to give our best for him because he’s out here. He obviously doesn’t have the need — it’s not for money. He loves the game. He loves being here. He loves his teammates. We all want to give our best to him.”

    Source: Paradise Post

  • Executive Marketer at Sanlam Nigeria

    Sanlam Nigeria, a member of the Sanlam Group in South Africa, is a leading financial services institution in Nigeria, having successfully transformed the Nigeria Insurance space and distinguishing itself by delivering exceptional services.The person should possess the following qualities:

    A positive mental attitude
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    Minimum of OND in any discipline

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  • MFC Sales Agent (Pietermaritzburg) at Old Mutual April, 2025

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  • Rivers Sole administrator summons Fubara

    The Sole Administrator for Rivers state, Vice Admiral (Rtd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has summoned the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminialayi Fubara, and his Deputy, Dr. Ngozi Ordu, to appear before him for an inquiry into the appointments made under their administration over the past two years.

     

    A statement released by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika, today April 15, says Fubara is directed to present all relevant documents and records pertaining to appointments, including justifications and procedures followed during his tenure. 

    ‘’The session will also serve as an opportunity for the suspended Governor to provide a clear and detailed explanation as to why he believes he should be reinstated to office.

     

    Both parties are expected to appear in person on April 18 by 10am at the Conference Room, Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt

     

    Worika stressed that attendance is mandatory. 

     

    The statement added that this process forms part of the Sole Administrator’s ongoing efforts to restore transparency and accountability and lasting peace in the governance of Rivers State.

     

    Source: Linda Ikeji

  • Autonomy: Court adjourns ALGON’s suit against federal, state govts to May 29

    Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday adjourned a suit filed by the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) against the federal and state governments till May 29.

    The Supreme Court had on July 11, 2024, granted financial autonomy to the 774 local government areas in the country.

    However, ALGON filed the suit following alleged failure by the state governments to comply with the apex court’s decision.

    In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/353/2025, the Registered Trustees of ALGON demanded that the 774 LGAs be granted representation at Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meetings where allocations are discussed.

    READ ALSO: LG Autonomy: Over 30 states have conducted elections, ALGON reveals

    The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the Minister of Finance, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), state’s Commissioners for Finance, Minister of Budget and National Planning, and the Accountant-General of the Federation were listed as respondents in the suit.

    Also listed were the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission; the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, various commercial banks, and one Bello Lawal as defendants in the suit.

    The trustees, in the suit urged the court to declare that given the Supreme Court decision on July 11, 2024, the respondents cannot disburse monies to the 774 LGAs without their approval, among other reliefs.

    Source: Ripples Nigeria

  • Chinese spy arrested by ICE in New Jersey

    U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently announced that the owner of a sushi restaurant in New Jersey was arrested after being convicted as an “unregistered foreign agent” working for the Chinese government.

    In a recent press release, ICE announced that officials had “apprehended a Chinese national who was convicted of illegally acting as an agent of a foreign government.”

    The Post Millennial reported that 61-year-old Ming Xi Zhang, also known as “Sushi John” was arrested by ICE agents in Newark, New Jersey, on March 24. According to the outlet, Zhang, who owns Ya Ya Noodles in Montgomery Township, New Jersey, was previously sentenced to three years of probation after being convicted in April of 2024 for working as an unregistered foreign agent.

    In the recent press release, ICE stated, “The U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey convicted Zhang for illegally acting as an agent of a foreign government without prior notification to the Attorney General and sentenced him on April 30, 2024, to probation for a term of three years.”

    According to The Post Millennial, prior to his conviction last year, the 61-year-old restaurant owner pleaded guilty in May of 2021 to serving as an unregistered Chinese agent in 2016.

    READ MORE: China’s military buildup poses ‘real and serious threat,’ Pentagon warns

    ICE confirmed that Zhang entered the United States legally in June of 2000; however, ICE officials noted that the restaurant owner “violated the terms of his lawful admission” by working as a Chinese foreign agent.

    In the press release, ICE Newark Field Office Director John Tsoukaris warned, “Any illegal alien conducting activities related to espionage, sabotage or export control against the United States is subject to deportation.”

    According to NJ.com, the restaurant owner’s daughter, Emily Zhang, ICE officials arrested her father in March after law enforcement officials asked the 61-year-old to check in with them. “We’re all just kind of hoping, waiting for bond, parole, whatever it is,” Emily Zhang, told the outlet.

    NJ.com reported that Ming Xi Zhang’s foreign agent charge resulted from multiple meetings the restaurant owner had with representatives from China’s Ministry of State Security in April of 2016. According to the outlet, the Chinese representatives instructed Zhang to secure $35,000 and give it to “another individual.”

    After receiving the instructions, Zhang reportedly gave the money to the unidentified individual in the same area where his restaurant is located in New Jersey, according to NJ.com. The outlet noted that Zhang also previously admitted that he hosted a Chinese government agent at his home in Princeton twice in 2016.


    Source: American Military News

  • N29m Electricity Bill: Lagos Deputy Gov Likely Using Many Gadgets — APC Secretary

    The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Ajibola Bashiru, has said that energy is not cheap anywhere in the world and Nigeria cannot afford to run its electricity sector as though it were a socialist economy.

    Speaking on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm on Tuesday, Bashiru emphasized the need for Nigerians to understand that the country operates in a globalised and market-driven economy.

    “Energy is not cheap anywhere in the world. Nigeria is not running a socialist society. Let us get it very right. We are in a globalised economy,” Bashiru said.

    His comments followed concerns raised by Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, during a roundtable event on Victoria Island on Monday.

    Hamzat had expressed frustration over an astronomical increase in his electricity bill—from N2.7m in March to N29m in April—despite his prior payment for a prepaid meter that has yet to be installed.

    Responding to the outrage, Bashiru said the APC-led government is actively working to resolve Nigeria’s longstanding infrastructure issues in the energy sector.

    “Of recent, the transmission companies have been unbundled to address the problem of inefficiency and for adequate focus to ensure there is electricity supply for Nigerians,” he explained.

    On the specifics of Hamzat’s complaint, Bashiru said: “As to the claim by the deputy governor of Lagos State, I don’t know the level of gadgets he has in his house. I wouldn’t know the size of his house and I wouldn’t know the energy requirement that would occasion that huge amount of money and the basis of that bill.”

    He also argued that the deputy governor’s experience does not reflect the situation of average Nigerians.

    “It would not be correct to say that that humongous amount would apply to ordinary Nigerians who just run their lifestyle based on watching television, using electricity, and possibly when there is heat, using air condition,” he said.

    Bashiru emphasized on the importance of economic sustainability in Nigeria’s energy sector.

    “You cannot pigeonhole people to say people spend N20,000 in a matter of days. What is the cost of generating, what is the cost of transmission? What is the cost of distribution?,” he queried.

    “It should be run on the basis of economic efficiency so that the cost of production of the energy itself must be recovered and they must be able to make profit. We are not running a socialist economy,” Bashiru added.

    N29m Electricity Bill: Lagos Deputy Gov Likely Using Many Gadgets — APC Secretary is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

    Source: The Whistler