Paradise News

Tag: World

  • Private Firm Working With National Identity Commission, NIMC Writes Minister Of Interior, Laments Non-Payment Of Contracts Fees For 22 Months

    Front End Partners (FEPs), a firm contracted for enrolment of eligible citizens for the National Identity Number (NIN) in the short-term enrolment activities by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has lamented how it is being owed 22 months in violation of contract terms.

    The firm which was engaged for short-term enrolment activities that commenced in 2021 said in a letter addressed to the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, which is the new supervisory ministry of NIMC, that the firm is groaning under a heavy debt burden arising from bank loans used to procure equipment and other sundry expenses, monies owed supplier of consumables and accumulation of salary arrears, owed to staff and the humongous devaluation of the Naira.

    In the letter dated October 12, 2023, titled: “RE: Request For Meeting On Payment Of Outstanding Enrolment Fees To FEPS And Matters Arising In The Commission,” the firm seeks an audience with the minister to better appreciate its difficulties.

    Lamenting the non-payment of contract fees despite delivering on project, the firm revealed that it had added over Sixty million NINs to the NIMC database within the period of its engagement. “The National database rose from 42 million to over 102 million NINs.

    “The 42 million was achieved in over 15 years whereas it took less than 3 years through FEPs to register over 60 million Nigerians. This was made possible through heavy investments in Equipment and personnel by the FEPs. We have set up enrolment centers across the country and our personnel have toured even the remote villages and settlement to enroll residents. This is reflected in the huge contribution to the National database by our members.”

    The firm further stated that devaluation of naira had eroded the gains and the investments, it made, adding that “some of our members are currently going through court processes due to legal actions initiated by their creditors. Assets are being liquidated, accounts are being garnished, due to inability to pay back loans, and some could not survive the humiliating and degrading experiences which led to their untimely death, May their soul rest in perfect peace.

    “It is our expectation that you will grant us an audience by meeting some of our representative at your earliest convenience. You should please prevail on the management of NIMC to pay all outstanding of Twenty (22) months at the prevailing exchange rate to enable us offset our debt and losses.

    “We are aware that the enrolment fee prescribed at the inception of the project by the World Bank is $1.00 per NIN enrolment. This determined the 350 Naira official rate used in the agreement. We hereby request you, to use your good office to ensure adherence to the terms of agreement which stipulates monthly payment.

    “We also suggest that you uphold the extant laws guiding any form of Procurement in our country. Such adherence invariably protects public officers in the future and guarantees that the country gets the best in terms of quality and pricing,” the letter partly read.

    The letter was copied to the DG/CEO National Identity Management Commission, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote.

    Source

  • Troops raid suspected IPOB camp, recover projectile launchers in Anambra

    Troops of the Nigerian Army have recovered two locally made Artillery Projectile Launchers during a raid on the suspected camp of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Anambra State.

    The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, confirmed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Nwachukwu said the combined troops of 302 Artillery and 14 Field Engineer Regiments recovered the equipment while conducting operations against terrorists on Monday.

    He said the artillery weapons, armed with projectiles were seized alongside other items when troops swooped on the dissident fighters who fled in disarray and deserted their camp on sighting the advancing troops.

    The spokesman added that the troops arrested one suspected member of the group and recovered 48 rounds of 7.62 mm NATO ammunition, four mobile phones, one handheld communication radio, and a substance suspected to be cannabis.

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  • IBEDC vows to jail energy thieves, vandals in Ijebu Ode

    The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) on Tuesday vowed to jail anybody caught engaging in energy theft, vandalism, or illegal metering.

    The managing director of IBEDC, Kinsley Achife, gave the warning at a stakeholder engagement meeting held in Ijebu Ode on Tuesday.

    Mr Achife explained that the action became necessary following incessant cases of energy theft, vandalism, and illegal metre usage in the state.

    The managing director, represented by the lead media officer of IBEDC, Busolami Tunwase, said energy theft remained a crime and was punishable under the law.

    “The new Electricity Act signed by President Bola Tinubu recommended punishment for energy theft and assault of its officials,” he said.

    Mr Achife added that the Electricity Act stated that whoever was caught using illegal power or assaulting IBEDC staff was liable to face the wrath of the law.

    He lamented that energy theft, vandalism, and illicit metres had grown the customer’s debts to IBEDC in Ogun to over N67 billion.

    He appealed to customers to desist from tampering with metres and vandalisation of electric installations, saying the offence attracted 21 years of imprisonment.

    “We want to appeal to the people of Ijebu on energy theft; we are losing billions of naira to energy theft,” he said.

    He advised customers interested in acquiring metres to follow the right channel stipulated by IBEDC, warning that any metre bought outside the recognised company could cause damages.

    Mr Achife appealed to the customers to stop beating and maiming the IBEDC staff, saying they could always report such staff for appropriate disciplinary measures.

    (NAN)

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  • Marine rapid response force moving to coast of Israel

    In a strategic move amplifying the presence of the U.S. military in the Mediterranean, the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), known as a rapid response force, is currently on its way “to the waters off of Israel,” according to a defense official with knowledge about the military’s planning.

    The latest move comes as tensions continue to rise with the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas that ignited earlier this month after Hamas terrorists attacked Israel. According to Military.com, the Pentagon’s decision to redirect the 26th MEU from its training in Kuwait is in conjunction with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s orders to enhance military capabilities in the region.

    Among the skill sets of the 26th MEU are amphibious operations and crisis response. As the 26th MEU approach Israel’s waters, the precise mission remains ambiguous, though the Pentagon has hinted at the potential mobilization of other U.S. military assets to the region.

    “The 26th MEU is currently headed to the waters off of Israel. Should they be ordered, they could participate in some type of operation in support of Israel,” a defense official told Military.com on Monday. This boost in maritime force is a testament to the U.S. commitment to deterrence and is the most significant show of force in the Mediterranean since last year’s events in Ukraine.

    The MEU, distributed across three Navy ships — the USS Bataan, USS Mesa Verde, and USS Carter Hall — will join the USS Gerald R. Ford strike group, which includes the aircraft carrier, four accompanying destroyers, and a cruiser. Additionally, Austin has confirmed the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, escorted by its cruiser and two destroyers, will join theUSS Gerald R. Ford off Israel’s coast.

    Further showcasing the United States’ strengthened position in the region, additional F-15E Strike Eagle and A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft were deployed in the Middle East last week. The Defense Department, while bolstering its presence in the region, has remained focused on deterrence rather than direct combat.

    Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh reiterated the Biden administration’s focus on deterrence in the Middle East, leaving questions of legal authority to President Joe Biden and adding that the military’s current focus is “to strictly be in a position to deter.”

    READ MORE: 2,000 US troops preparing for deployment to support Israel if needed, officials say

    A military spokesperson confirmed to Military.com that the 26th MEU’s recent termination of its training in Kuwait was directly linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Capt. Joe Wright, a spokesperson for Marine Corps Forces Central Command, remarked that the early end to the training was “a prudent measure to remain ready and alert.”

    According to Military.com the 26th MEU was previously deployed in the Middle East to help deter Iran from intimidating commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf. It recently was given the designation of “special operations capable” after an intensive pre-deployment training program.

    Col. Dennis Sampson, the unit’s commander, highlighted the collaborative potential between special operators from Naval Special Warfare or MARSOC. “They can support us, we can support them, we can work together in support of a mission,” Sampson said.

    While the Pentagon has not yet indicated whether special operations forces will be utilized in roles outside the bounds of intelligence-gathering and advising, Singh told reporters it is possible that U.S. special operations forces could assist in intelligence-gathering, if Israel initiated a ground incursion.

    “If Israel were to launch a ground incursion … they would be engaging in hostage recovery — of course we’re going to be providing intelligence for them to do so,” Singh said.

    This news article was partially created with the assistance of artificial intelligence and edited and fact-checked by a human editor.



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  • Don’t Sell Nigeria’s Future, CACOL Cautions Tinubu On Borrowing

    Bola-Ahmed-Tinubu-

    A civil society organisation (CSO), Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), has cautioned the Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government on the country’s rising debt profile.

    The Federal Government is in talks with the World Bank to secure a fresh $1.5bn loan.

    Addressing journalists on Monday after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, said that the Federal Government has approved an application for $1.5 billion in financing from the World Bank.

    He also disclosed that another $80 million loan from the African Development Bank was approved for the financing of the Ekiti Knowledge Zone Project (EKZ) in Ekiti State.

    According to the Minister, EKZ aims to empower young individuals by facilitating their engagement in the knowledge economy and the technology sector, adding that the project will enable training, employment opportunities, and participation in the ever-growing technological landscape in the country.

    “Nigeria has been able to make the kind of macroeconomic moves, has been able to take the tough decisions to restore balance in the economy in the government’s finances that has warranted support, that has agenda and has elicited even support from the multilateral development bank.

    “And is on the basis of that, that the World Bank is willing to consider and to process on our behalf $1.5 billion of concessional financing, relatively cheap financing and financing that will be dispersed relatively quickly,” Edun had said.

    But reacting to this development in a statement on Tuesday, CACOL Chairman, Debo Adeniran, decried the country’s rising debt profile, and called on Tinubu and his cabinet members to find solutions to various problems facing the country.

    Adeniran said, “The decision of the federal government to continue borrowing amidst the rising debt burden already imposed on the country by the past administrations and the seemingly unsustainable nature of the loans has made us to break the silence of the day on this serious issue. We want to emphatically say that we expect this administration to dare to be different from past administrations; we expect the president and his cabinet members to think out of the box in finding solutions to the myriads of problems confronting the nation.

    “If a country that can afford Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), allegedly worth N130 million to its lawmakers but still go cap in hand begging Bretton Woods organisations for funds needed to finance its budget, then something is wrong somewhere. If the government must borrow at all, it should not be for servicing recurrent expenditures, but must be targeted on capital projects that would later generate income or grow our gross domestic product (GDP) sporadically.

    “We hope the President and his advisers know the implications of these incessant borrowings on our economy, the value of the naira, the enormity of the debt service burden, the current size of our debt, and our very limited capacity to service both domestic and external debts. Those given us loans also have their stringent conditions attached to it which must be met by the government and most often, some of these conditions are not made public, hence imposing the burden on even unborn generations.”

    He urged Tinubu and members of his cabinet to reduce the cost of governance, adding that aside addressing the challenges hampering growth in the oil and gas industry, other revenue sources should be explored by the government.

    “We would like to call on the President and his cabinet members to try as much as possible to cut down on our excessive borrowings as a country, they must also strive to reduce the cost of governance and the amount of forex that we send out to other nations through the imports of petroleum products, brand new cars or SUVs, etc. The challenges being faced in the oil and gas sector which had impacted negatively on the country’s earnings should be permanently tackled so that government revenue from that sector can be fully maximized.

    “Other sources of revenue should also be explored like the blue economy, bringing more rich people into the tax net, exploration and exportation of more mineral resources which nature has richly blessed us with, empowering more people to practice mechanized farming which has the potential of not only ensuring food security within the country but also earning foreign currencies through exportation, etc. The administration should be reminded that relying solely on borrowing to finance our budget especially recurrent expenditures is a recipe for impending disaster,” the CACOL boss said.

    Nigeria’s public debt – federal and state governments – increased by N3.60 trillion in the first quarter of 2023 from the sum of N46.25 trillion recorded at the end of December 2022, according to the Debt Management Office (DMO). This does not include the N22.7 trillion loans that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) advanced to the Federal Government under its Ways and Means policy.

    Source

  • Flight cancelled after passenger pooed on plane floor (video)

    Flight cancelled after passenger pooed on plane floor (video)

    Passengers of an EasyJet flight were left fuming after their flight was cancelled because a passenger “defecated on the toilet floor”, leaving them stuck in Tenerife. 

     

    The flight had originally been set to depart at 8.05pm but was reportedly delayed “several hours” before the incident.

     

    The pilot of the cancelled flight addressed passengers, who were waiting to take off from Tenerife to London Gatwick. He advised them to “organise hotels” for the night as the plane would no longer be taking off. 

     

    A video of the incident has since emerged online. 

     

    In the video, the pilot can be heard saying: “…rather entertaining to defecate the front toilet so we’re now staying the night here, we’re now going to get everyone off… and organise hotels then we’ll fly back tomorrow morning”.

     

    The stranded passengers were expected to board a flight at 3.00pm the following day instead. However, EasyJet said it was “unable to find hotel rooms in the area” for all the passengers who were affected, according to a statement on their website.

     

    It read: “Due to extremely high demand, unfortunately we’re unable to find hotel rooms in the area. If you need a hotel room and are able to make your own arrangements, we’ll refund the cost of a reasonably priced room, meals and travel costs to and from your hotel. In this case we ask that you look for accommodation which is about three stars or equivalent.”

     

    Furious passengers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their frustration at the situation. 

     

    One user wrote: “Real good of @easyJet to delay the flight 3.5 hours with 0 communication then decide to cancel it altogether because someone took a s*** on the toilet floor. Quite literally couldn’t make this s*** up.”

     

    Another added: “So we’ve been given the excuse of a toilet being defecated in for the reason for a CANCELLED flight?! @easyjet this is UNACCEPTABLE! Your customer care is ATROCIOUS. 100s of passengers left STRANDED in the airport terminal! Do something!”

     

    EasyJet have since released a statement claiming they did everything possible to minimise the disruption for their travellers. A spokesperson said: “easyJet can confirm that flight EZY8054 from Tenerife to London Gatwick yesterday evening was delayed overnight due to the aircraft requiring additional cleaning.

     

    “We did all possible to minimise the impact of the disruption for our customers, providing hotel accommodation and meals and the flight is due to depart this afternoon. The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is easyJet’s highest priority and while this was outside of our control, we would like to apologise to customers for the inconvenience caused.”

     

    Watch a video from the flight below.

     

     

     



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  • EXCLUSIVE: Nigerian Police Clash With NDLEA Operatives In Kogi Over Arrest Of Inspector’s Wife Selling Cannabis, Other Substances Inside Station

     

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and officers of the Nigeria Police Force have engaged in a physical tussle over the arrest of a police Inspector’s wife allegedly caught with a bag of Cannabis Sativa and other illicit drugs.

    SaharaReporters gathered that the incident happened around 11am on Monday inside A Division police station in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.

    According to multiple sources, the wife of the police inspector was arrested while distributing the marijuana from her husband’s car, an ash Volkswagen parked inside the station.

    However, when the NDLEA operatives moved to take her away with the vehicle, some policemen challenged them and it led to a fight.

    “A police Inspector’s wife was arrested by NDLEA yesterday inside A division in Kogi. Bags of cannabis sativa, an ash Volkswagen belonging to her husband were recovered. However, her husband’s police colleagues clashed with the NDLEA officers until their boss came in,” a source told SaharaReporters.

    Another source added, “It happened at A division police post. The husband parked the car in front his office. His wife was arrested while distributing the cannabis sativa. However, some policemen tried to stop the NDLEA officers from carrying out their lawful duty until the situation was calmed by the Assistant Commissioner of Police heading the division.

    “The woman and her husband’s car containing the bags of weeds and other illicit drugs were later taken to NDLEA office in Lokoja for further investigation. She has so far admitted to the act. The question is; who were her customers inside a police station?”

    The NDLEA operatives have in the past arrested several top police officers for drug crimes in the country.

    Of note was the arrest of suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, and three others for drug offences, whose trial is still ongoing.

    SaharaReporters earlier in the year reported that at the court on Kyari’s case, although the prosecution had previously called witnesses, the lead prosecuting lawyer stated that the current set of witnesses needed to be protected because their identities could not be revealed to the public.

    Although some lawyers who had cases in court objected to the decision, the judge asked for their patience.

    Source

  • WHO condemns deadly attack on Gaza hospital

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday condemned the deadly attack on a hospital in northern Gaza.

    Hundreds of people were reportedly killed and injured when an Israeli airstrike struck al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City earlier on Tuesday.

    However, the details of the incident have not been verified by agencies in the troubled zone.

    In a statement posted on the WHO’s X platform, formerly Twitter, the agency’s Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, demanded the immediate protection of civilians in Gaza.

    He wrote: “WHO strongly condemns the attack.

    “We call for the immediate protection of civilians and healthcare, and for the evacuation orders to be reversed.”

    The WHO said the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital was operational with patients, health, and caregivers as well as internally displaced people sheltering there.

    It was one of 20 hospitals in the north of the Gaza Strip facing evacuation orders from the Israeli military.

    “The order for evacuation has been impossible to carry out given the current insecurity, critical condition of many patients, and lack of ambulances, staff, health system bed capacity, and alternative shelter for those displaced,” the United Nations agency added.

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  • Ondo ex-deputy gov. ordered to appear in court for stealing

    A chief magistrates’ court sitting in Akure, the Ondo state capital, has ordered a former deputy governor of the state, Agboola Ajayi, to appear in person over an alleged case of false pretence and stealing.  

    Magistrate Taiwo Lebi gave the order on Tuesday at the resumed hearing of the case against Mr Ajayi by a complainant.

    Mr Lebi granted the commissioner of police in the state, Abiodun Asabi, a warrant to compel Mr Ajayi to appear before the court over the allegation.

    The complainant, a vehicle dealer, Segun Adetuwo, known as “Showboy”, had dragged Mr Ajayi to the court.

    The prosecutor, Emmanuel Tanimowo, alleged that the former deputy governor in 2018 instructed one of his aides, Samuel Ogunmusi, to collect a vehicle from Mr Adetuwo.

    Mr Tanimowo said Mr Ogunmusi, in his written statement before the police, claimed he was called into the office by Mr Ajayi while still in office in 2018, where he met with one Akintoye Olatunji.

    “He claimed that his boss, the deputy governor, instructed him to take the first respondent (Akintoye) to the auto mart of Segun Adetuwo to collect a car.

    “The second respondent therefore collected a black colour Toyota Camry XLE from the complainant, Segun Adetuwo and left without paying for the car.

    “Having been unable to recover the money for the car from the two defendants, Segun Adetuwo, therefore, dragged the duo before the chief magisterial court sitting in Akure,” he told the court.

    The prosecutor arraigned the two defendants, Messrs Akintoye and Ogunmusi, in court on a three-count charge. 

    The charge sheet with No: MA/C/2/26/C 2023 reads, “That you Akintoye Olatunji, Ogunmusi Samuel, and others now at large sometime in the month of May 2018 at Automart Akure in the Akure magisterial district did conspire with yourselves to commit felony to wit: obtaining by false pretence and stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 516 of the criminal code cap 37, vol 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.

    “That you Akintoye Olatunji, Ogunmusi Samuel and others now at large sometime in the month of May 2018 at Automart Akure in the Akure magisterial district did by false pretence and with intent to defraud obtains one brand new Black Toyota Camry XLE valued Five Million, Four Hundred Thousand Thousand Naira (N5,400,000) only property of one Segun Adetuwo and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1) (a)(c) and punishable under section 1(3) of the advance fee fraud and other fraud-related offences Act, laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2006.

    “That you Akintoye Olatunji, Ogunmusi Samuel and others now at large on the same date and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did fraudulently convert one Toyota Camry XLE valued Five Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira(N5,400,000) property of one Segun Adetuwo to your own and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 383, and punishable under section 390(9) of the criminal code cap 37. Vol. 1laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.”

    Omolegbon Odunsola, counsel to the first defendant, told the court how he tried to reach out to Mr Ajayi and the complainant, Mr Adetuwo, to see how the issue could be settled out of court.

    But his argument was countered by the counsel to the complainant, Alex Olademehin, who said Mr Ajayi could not give his side of the incident by proxy.

    He argued that Mr Ajayi should either go to the police and give his written statement or appear in court in person.

    In his ruling, Magistrate Lebi said the former deputy governor must be produced in court in the next sitting, or his statement must be produced.

    He later adjourned the hearing on the case to November 24, 2023.

    Source

  • NFL star arrested after Sunday’s game

    Derion Kendrick, an NFL cornerback with the Los Angeles Rams, was arrested Sunday after Los Angeles police discovered an unregistered weapon in his vehicle just hours after the Rams beat the Arizona Cardinals.  

    According to CBS News, Kendrick, age 23, was pulled over by Los Angeles Police Department officers for having illegally tinted windows on his vehicle. During the police stop, the officers found an open marijuana container, which resulted in a full vehicle search.

    The police officers eventually discovered an unregistered firearm in Kendrick’s vehicle, resulting in the NFL cornerback being charged for a felony possession of a firearm in a vehicle.

    According to The New York Post, Kendrick was booked at 2:14 a.m. on Monday at a Los Angeles County jail and was still in custody by Monday night.

    READ MORE: Fmr. NFL wide receiver dies at 36

    Rams Head Coach Sean McVay addressed reports of Kendrick’s arrest during a press conference on Monday.

    “I think the first thing is, in all sincerity, you want to gather the appropriate information before you speak on things without knowing the totality of it all,” McVay said. “And there’s still information we’re gathering. There are still some things that don’t have full clarity and I think once you have that, then you can use these as opportunities to try to be able to educate and see exactly what happens.”

    McVay went on to say he did not want to be “quick to pass judgement” on the Rams’ cornerback before all the details of the incident were released.

    “I care about these guys a whole lot. I want to continue to help them make all the right decisions and try to avoid situations like this, but I also know that life isn’t perfect,” he said. “I’ve certainly made my mistakes and how can we continuously educate guys on how to avoid these, and then also understand all the layers that are involved in a situation like this before I dive deep into having an opinion and passing judgment.”

    According to TMZ Sports, the Rams drafted Kendrick in 2022. This season, Kendrick has played an important role on the team’s defense, including Sunday’s 26-9 win over the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium where Kendrick played almost every down on defense.



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