A group in the Peoples Democratic Party, Edo State under the aegis of the PDP Integrity Group on Monday announced the suspension of a former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi; a former Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe; and former Minister of Works, Mike Oghiadomhe, from the party for alleged anti-party activities.

Also suspended are Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Senator Yisa Braimoh, Senator Victor Oyofo and a former leader of the House of Representatives, Tunde Akogun.

The group, in a communique jointly signed by former Chairman, Nigeria Football Association, Jarret Tenebe; and a former chairman, Owan West Local Government Area, Dan Asekhema, after a stakeholders’ meeting held in Benin, passed a vote of confidence in the Chief Dan Orbih-led PDP in the state.

The meeting was attended by the PDP leaders across the 18 local government areas of the state.

It stated that the state executive council and the ones in the 18 LGAs would be given six months extension to enable them to conduct the governorship primaries.

“We, the Edo PDP Integrity Group, also announce the adoption of a former governor of the state, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, as the leader of our party in Edo State,” the communiqué read.

But the state Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Chris Nehikhare, said he was not aware of “any group that goes by the name PDP Integrity Group,” saying whatever statement that had been released or issued by the group should be disregarded.

He said, “We frown on their audacity to suspend or even say they are suspending respected leaders of our party especially as they lack such powers.

“They are not members of any organ of our party and as such cannot issue statements or releases on behalf of the PDP.”

Supply suspension: Petrol scarcity hits border towns, fuel now N600/litre

*Fuel smuggling thrives in Adamawa, Sokoto
*Task force brutalises Idiroko residents

Residents of border communities in Ogun, Lagos, Adamawa, Katsina and Sokoto states are groaning following the Federal Government’s suspension of fuel supply to areas within 20 kilometres to the nation’s borders.

On Thursday, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Hameed Ali, had directed that no petroleum products should be supplied to any filling station within 20 kilometres to the borders.

Investigations by our correspondents in Ogun, Lagos, Adamawa, Katsina, and Sokoto states showed that the government’s order had triggered fuel scarcity and hike in the prices of petroleum products.

For instance, investigations by one of our correspondents showed the Federal Government’s order had led to fuel scarcity in communities such as Ihunbo, Ilase, Ajegunle, Idiroko and Agosasa in the Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Also, at the Seme border in Lagos on Monday, there were fuel queues as only two filling stations were selling fuel.

Many filling stations shut in Ogun

The PUNCH learnt that so many filling stations within 20 kilometres to the border in Ipokia, close to Benin Republic had been shut by the Federal Government’s task force on border closure.

One of the residents of Ipokia, Elijah Akinola, in an interview with The PUNCH, accused the security agencies in the area of sabotaging the economy of the country.

He asked, “Can you imagine buying a litre of fuel at the rate of N600? Before we can get fuel for N145 in Ipokia, we will need to go to Owode, which is 28 kilometres away. We don’t know what we can do to survive.

“Before the Federal Government’s order, they (security agents) used to take bribes from marketers before allowing them to export fuel to Benin Republic. Now that the Federal Government has stopped supply of fuel supply to border communities, we are the ones suffering. Artisans, even medical personnel, are the ones suffering.

One person dies in Ogun

Akinola said in Ipokia that one person died following the inability of a hospital to get fuel to power a generator to perform a surgery on the deceased.

“As I am talking to you, to power generators in hospitals at Idiroko is difficult. Ihunbo, Ilase, Ajegunle, Idiroko, Agosasa and other towns in the Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State are affected. There was a patient that died this afternoon (Monday) just because there was no electricity to power machines for medical examinations.”

Another resident, Ajibade Idowu, said the task force, which comprised soldiers, immigration officers and other security operatives, commenced the implementation of the policy in the area on Sunday. But he accused some members of the task force of highhandedness.

Task force brutalises people at filling stations

Idowu said, “Just yesterday, (Sunday) the joint task force men, comprising soldiers and others sealed many filing stations. They brutalised people they met at the filling stations. Fuel is now sold for N600 per litre in Idiroko and Ipokia. They sealed many filling stations at Idiroko, Ipokia, Ajegunle, Ilase and Oko Eye.

“Everywhere was deserted as if the Federal Government had declared a curfew. Fuel is even not available at the black market. People are lamenting and complaining of the situation.”

On the alleged harassment of the people by the security agencies, Akinola said, “The security agents are harassing people. We cannot go out of this local government. If we are coming from Owode with five litres of fuel, they will harass us.

Long queues at Seme border filling stations

The PUNCH gathered on Monday that only two out of more than seven filling stations at the border between Nigeria and Benin Republic in the Seme area of Lagos were selling fuel.

Owners of 1,000 seized trucks appeal to NCS

One of our correspondents also gathered that more than 1,000 trucks belonging to Nigerians that could not cross the borders were still stranded.

Katsina border towns petrol dealers defy FG, sell fuel

However, investigations in Katsina State showed that filling station owners in the border towns of Jibiya and Kongolam continued to sell fuel on Monday despite government’s order.

It was learnt the stations selling fuel were mainly independent marketers. It was however observed that they were selling to only motorists and motorcyclists.

A station attendant at a fuel station in Jibiya said he had not received any instruction directing him to stop selling fuel ,even as of Monday.

Sale of petrol puts on hold in Bakassi

After the suspension, sale of fuel was put on hold in Bakassi, Cross River State.

A source at the border town, where internally displaced persons are sheltered, said, “The four filling stations in the town were not allowed to dispense petrol to motorists after the ban. But after about four days, the security people considered that since most of the people of Ikang used Okada, they allowed them to enter the petrol stations to buy into their motorcycles.


“They also allowed drivers of commercial vehicles plying Calabar to buy the product. But they don’t allow people in jerricans.”

He said he could not ascertain if the price per litre was increased.

Only smugglers are still supplying fuel to border areas – NUPENG

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers has said it will establish a task force and redesign its stickers so as to effectively enforce the recent order by the Federal Government banning the supply of petrol to border communities.


NUPENG on Monday said those who were still supplying petrol to border towns despite the Federal Government order were smugglers and not members of the union.

The General Secretary, NUPENG, Olawale Afolabi, told one of our correspondents that the union was aware of the Federal Government order stopping the supply of petrol to filling stations located 20 kilometres to border towns.

He said, “We are aware of the directive but smugglers are the ones taking products to these communities. It takes a lot of effort to stop criminals. In fact, we have also set up a task force to ensure compliance.


“Most times you see the diversion of products that are supposed to go to the hinterlands. These products are taken to the border areas through diversion by armed smugglers.”

When told that some of the trucks used by these alleged petrol smugglers often had NUPENG stickers, Afolabi replied, “They are smugglers and not our members. But when you see their trucks, for them to escape easily, they will put our stickers.

“So right now, we are trying to redesign our stickers and again we are setting up a task force to ensure compliance. The union is handling this. However, I want you to know that these smugglers carry arms and we cannot confront them.

“Therefore, our task force will mainly educate our members at the depots and try to halt the sale of products to illegal marketers who may divert these products. So, only law enforcement agents have the capacity to confront these smugglers.”

Poultry farmers and other stakeholders in the industry have given their support to the policy of the President Buhari-led administration on the closure of the country’s land borders. They also pleaded that the borders should be permanently closed. This, according to them, would drive the nation’s economic growth and food sufficiency.

Speaking during the opening ceremony of this year’s Nigeria Poultry Show organised by the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), the poultry farmers said that Nigeria could only get better with the border closure, as it would equally boost sales and production in the industry.

While giving his address on the theme, “Nigeria Poultry Industry: Managing the Value chain for National Development,” the President of PAN, Ezekiel Ibrahim supported the border closure, saying that it would translate into greater employment opportunities in Nigeria.

Poultry industry saves N50 billion due to border closure

Represented by the National Secretary, Prince Joseph Aladesuyi, Ibrahim cautioned PAN members against unwholesome practices and unnecessary increase in prices of products, as he appealed to them not to do anything that could frustrate the gains of the border closure.

He also called on the Federal Government to alleviate the sufferings farmers encounter due to high interest rates from banks.

“I also want to appeal to the Federal Government basically on behalf of the Nigerian farmers. We are suffering because of the high interest rate from our banks. We appreciate the ongoing Anchor Borrowers programmes but it does not go to all farmers. Please, the Federal, State and Local Governments, your interest is very important in the poultry value chain in Nigeria,” the PAN president said.

The plea of the poultry farmers did not come as a surprise as Nairametrics recently reported that the border closure had saved the local poultry industry more than N50 billion since its commencement.

Before now, Nigeria consumed two million tons of poultry yearly, 70% of which was imported. However, this is not the case anymore as the border closure has helped to reduce the high consumption of imported poultry.

Braless Tacha Storms Her Pool Party With Security, Fans Go Gaga, Mob Her

Here is the moment BBNaija star, Tacha stormed her pool party in port Harcourt with security as fans go gaga, mob her.

After Tacha had her 3-day meet and greet in Port Harcourt, she had her pool party. Although she didn't make noise about the party on social media, many of her fans stormed the party.

She herself stormed the party in style with security guards. The security couldn't stop people from mobbing her.

Many screamed and brought out their phones to record.

Thefamousnaija bring you all the gists, fun videos and photos from Tacha's pool party.

Ex BBNaija housemates Sir Dee and Nelson were there.

Dear @renoomokri I regret ever responding to your silly rant. Nope, we have nothing to prove to you and nope we will not stoop to your level again. As you can see we are busy doing what we need to do and I’m extremely satisfied that the international community has seen our efforts and being rewarded for it is all I can ask The Almighty Allah for. Alhamdullilah. I never should have responded, my response is Allah ya isa Duniya da lahira. That is more than enough. In the mean time, we will do as much as we can and will do it quietly in Sha Allah .

INNA LILLAHI WA INNA ILAIHI RAJI’UN!

THE CHIEF IMAM OF IMO STATE,

SHAYKH, AMBASSADOR, ALHAJI DAUDA WAZIRI ANOZIE ONYEAGOCHA HAS ANSWERED THE CALL OF HIS LORD – ALLAH (SWT) THIS MID-NIGHT.

JANAZA TAKES PLACE TODAY TUESDAY 12TH NOVEMBER 2019 AT HIS HOUSE OGUGBA STREET,
AMA -HAUSA, OWERRI, IMO STATE… INSH’ALLAH.

MAY ALLAH FORGIVE HIS SHORTCOMINGS AND ACCEPT HIS NOBLE SOUL AS HIS FORGIVEN SERVANT.
AMIN.
KINDLY INFORM OTHERS.

Leke Baiyewu, Abuja



The House of Representatives has criticised the plans by the Federal Government to increase the Value Added Tax from 5 per cent to 7 .5 per cent as being proposed in the Finance Act (Amendment) Bill .

The bill is scheduled for the second reading at the House this week .

According to the lawmakers , who spoke to our correspondent in separate interviews , the proposed increase will create more problems for he masses .

The legislators, who are mostly members of the Peoples Democratic Party, said the rich should be taxed more .

President Muhammadu Buhari had , after laying the 2020 Appropriation Bill before the National Assembly , sent the bill to both the Senate and the House to approve the increment through the amendment.

The bill narrowly passed second reading at the Senate , with some of the senators vowing to mobilise stakeholders against it during public hearing .

The Deputy Chairman , House Committee on Commerce , Mr Richard Gbande, warned that the increment could harm small and medium scale enterprises and make life more difficult for the poor .

The lawmaker, who is representing Katsina Ala / Logo / Ukum Federal Constituency of Benue State , said, “ We will always go with the masses . Our most important decision will be to see that we reduce the suffering of the masses . We don ’t even need a soothsayer to tell us that our people are suffering. There is hunger and starvation in the land .

“ The Committee on Commerce we will look at it ; we will look at it holistically .

“ We will be very objective and if the decision will cause more harm than good , then, we will advise them to put it on hold for now until a time when the people are happy and the economy has actually improved. ”

Another member , Mr Bamidele Salam , said he would support the increment only if it would be limited to luxury items. He said, “ Consumption tax is a very good means of generating revenue for any country , but it has to be on luxury items. Those who want to drink Champagne or Brandy and other luxury items should pay nine per cent or more .”

The lawmaker added , “ The other issue has to do with the distribution of ( revenue from ) VAT; that is where I am actually concerned . VAT is a consumption tax and I think 80 per cent of VAT ( revenue ) should be domiciled in its place of origin . The present system , to me , is unjust ; where you take VAT to a central pool and then use one nebulous formula to share it . It is unjust.

“ It is a consumption tax and 80 per cent of it should be domiciled in the place of consumption and 20 per cent should be remitted to the federal purse to be shared. The 80 per cent should remain in their state of origin so that those who want to take beer and pay VAT on it should use the proceeds to develop their states. Those who have banned beer , cigarette and every other things should not benefit from the proceeds of VAT. ”

Also, the Deputy Minority Leader , Mr Toby Okechukwu , said, “ Bringing the Appropriation Bill before submitting the bill on VAT is like putting the cart before the horse. The bill should have been brought earlier so that it could constructively be part of the budget. If the National Assembly refuses it , it means that the cash flow expectations of the government will not be in place .

“ Presumption ( that the bill would be passed ) is part of the expectation of the cash flow , but it should not include an enabling law that would allow you to implement it . You don ’t make presumptions for a law ; you make presumptions for expected income. If they make presumptions on law , it is wrong. ”

According to Okechukwu , while Nigerians pay less VAT when compared with other countries , they should enjoy more security and infrastructure if they are to pay more tax .

He stated , “ The issue is that, is it ( VAT) in tandem with the quality of expenditure?”
Another PDP lawmaker, Mr Nicholas Ossai, said , “ I think the arguments ( debate) will come up this week . The first reading was on Thursday . I expect that by Wednesday or Thursday , the second reading should have been done. ”

Ossai added , “ VAT increment on air transport and electricity should be removed because they are not luxury goods ; they are goods that affect the common people and the common people are overtaxed. Secondly , you cannot increase workers ’ salaries and remove it through the backdoor .

by Mayowa Tijani



A few days after his 57th birthday, Femi Otedola, Nigerian multibillionaire and businessman, made history by donating N5 billion for the care of children facing extreme challenges as a result of Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast.

According to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, this is the largest donation to charity by a single individual in the nation’s history.

The donation was made to Save the Children, the 100-year United Kingdom-based charity, to support its intervention in about 16 states of the federation where the Charity organisation operates in Nigeria, reaching over 23 million children across the country.

Without running a foundation, Otedola is making a strong statement as one of the country’s biggest donors to worthy causes.

His second-biggest donation is his commitment to building and donating a faculty of engineering valued at N2 billion to the Augustine University in his hometown, Epe, Lagos state.

TheCable takes a look at what Otedola could have done with his N5 billion donation — if he was following in the footsteps of an average billionaire.



A LIFETIME OF CHAMPAGNE
How many bottles of Hennessy do you need to buy in a lifetime? 250,000? At one Hennessy per day, Otedola could have used the same money to by at least 684 years of champagne. 684 years is how many lifetimes?

While donating $50,000 to former Super Eagles Coach, Christian Chukwu, Otedola said: “In my circle of friends, many people spend up to N50 million to drink champagne and generally ‘enjoy’ life, but at the end of it all what happens? It passes out of their body as waste. For me therefore (and I also tell my friends) it is important to use such money to benefit others and put a smile on the faces of as many people as we can.”





If Otedola was to follow his friends, he would still need to host at least 100 lavish parties to spend N5billion on champagne. Therefore, this donation can also be seen as forfeiting 100 lavish parties.


7 VINTAGE YACHTS

According to Boat Internationational, it cost about N255,000,000 to buy a 1976 Ocean Romance Yacht off its vintage collection. With N5 billion, Otedola could have easily bought about 19 of these yachts. But most vintage yachts do not come in as many pairs. So most billionaires have to diversify their collections by buying different brands.

With N5 billion, the Nigerian businessman can buy at least seven of some of the finest yachts in the collection.


92 MERCEDES G-WAGON (2019 EDITION)

The 2019 Mercedes G-Class is the rave in town by some of the richest in Nigeria. It cost between $125,000 to $150,000. With N5 billion at your disposal, you can buy 92 units of this luxury vehicle, and perhaps have some change — depending on the model you settle for.

Think of this as a luxurious car business in a Benz-crazed Nigeria, but Otedola will decide that it was better to use these billions for the struggling in society, than serve to the orders of his class of rich businessmen in Nigeria.


7 PRIVATE JETS AND OTHER LUXURIES

In 2017, a famous bank chairman in Nigeria quit his active role in the bank to start a private jet business, which he considered his next challenge. Despite the initial clampdown under President Muhammadu Buhari on some of these luxury items, the business is expected to boast of a good number of jets and so heavy cash flow.

To attempt this business with N5 billion is also a possible way for Otedola to spend his money. Brand new Cirrus Vision Jet costs about N723 million. With N5 billion, Otedola could easily buy seven of these jets.

As a businessman in real estate, the former Forte Oil chairman could easily buy luxury apartments in any part of world, including one of the world’s most expensive cities, New York.

The same money could also buy 39 units of 2019 Rolls Royce, regarded as some of the most expensive luxury cars in the world today. It would be easy to become friends with Elon Musk, the billionaire Tesla CEO, by simply buying 395 units of fully electric 2019 Tesla Model 3, which costs a little over N12 million per unit.

Philanthropy makes up two percent of the United States gross democratic product (GDP). According to Bill Gates, this covers for what the government cannot do, and what the private sector is also not doing. He says philanthropy is important to the US economy.

For Nigeria, it remains unknown, how much of the GDP is made up of charitable donations, but with the likes of Otedola in the space, the numbers are definitely growing, and may soon be well-studied and measured in GDP reports.

YBNL Nation general, Olamide unlocks another impressive single tagged “Choko Milo“, which was produced by Spaceboy Mercury; mixed and mastered by STG

The music star Olamide comes with a brand new potential street hit single tagged "Choko" was seen showing off his choko dance in his studio while drinking and smoking heavily.

The singer shows off his dancing skill while having a cool time in the studio all alone.

The lovely new single seems like a freestyle but it feels really good and we totally love the rhythm this one brings.