Earlier, the Lebanese Armed Forces said that it is preparing to deploy its forces to southern Lebanon, Reuters reported on Wednesday.
The Lebanese army will increase deployment of soldiers in southern Lebanon to 10,000 troops, Lebanon's Defense Minister Maurice Sleem told Qatari state media Al Jazeera on Wednesday morning.

Sleem also told Al Jazeera that "there will be only the Lebanese army and UNIFIL forces on Lebanese territory."
He also said that the Lebanese government was committed to international resolutions and Lebanon's sovereignty.

Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati was informed by the Lebanese military of the plan to enhance the Lebanese Armed Forces' deployments to southern Lebanon, Al Jazeera stated.

Earlier, the Lebanese Armed Forces said that it is preparing to deploy its forces to southern Lebanon, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

The army also asked in a statement that residents of border villages delay returning home until the Israeli military withdraws.

cathodekazim:
Raising the Money

This was my first hurdle. I sold my small shop and all my tools for ₦400,000, borrowed ₦500,000 from a microfinance bank, and collected the rest from friends, family, and a cooperative society. I still had to pay the agents for the connections and transportation.

I never suspected that I was being scammed.

The Journey to Kano

The journey began with a night bus from Ikorodu to Kano. The agent had warned me not to carry too much luggage to avoid suspicion. I had a backpack with clothes, a Bible, and some cash hidden in my shoes.

In Kano, I met other hopeful travelers at a shady motel near Sabon Gari. Some had sold their homes to finance the journey. I met a man named Musa, a mechanic who shared stories of friends who had “made it” abroad. His optimism was contagious, and for the first time, I felt like this was the right decision.

cathodekazim:
Encounter with Boko Haram

The first major setback came on the journey from Kano to Niger. The vehicle I boarded had to pass through Maiduguri, a Boko Haram hotspot. Somewhere near the outskirts, we were stopped by armed men who forced us out of the vehicle.

They claimed to be “freedom fighters” but robbed us of everything valuable. A woman traveling with her child was beaten for hiding money in the baby’s diaper. I lost ₦50,000 and my phone. It was pure chaos, and I was lucky to escape with my life.

Niger: The Desert Crossing

From Maiduguri, we made it to Agadez in Niger, a hub for human trafficking and migration. This was where I realized the full extent of my mistake. The agent who was supposed to connect us to Morocco vanished after collecting the remainder of my money. I was stranded with no papers and no way forward.

I met people from Ghana, Senegal, and Gambia—all stuck in the same trap. A Gambian man named Lamin shared how he had been stranded in Agadez for two months after being robbed. Yet, despite the hopelessness, we pooled resources to pay a smuggler who promised to take us to Algeria.

The Sahara Desert was a nightmare. Packed into a Toyota Hilux with 15 people, we endured three days of unbearable heat, freezing nights, and minimal water. I saw a young man from Togo collapse and die. The smuggler didn’t even stop to bury him.

cathodekazim:
Algeria: Bandits and Betrayal

In Algeria, things went from bad to worse. Bandits raided our group near Tamanrasset, stealing whatever we had left. I had hidden $200 in my socks, which saved me from complete destitution.

In Oran, a coastal city, I worked as a porter for three weeks to save enough money to continue the journey. I met a kind Algerian woman named Amina who gave me food when she saw me begging. Not everyone was kind, though. Many locals treated us like animals, spitting at us and calling us “black slaves.”

cathodekazim:
Reaching Morocco

When I finally reached Morocco, I was emotionally and financially drained. The so-called “opportunities” were non-existent. I ended up in a ghetto in Casablanca, living among other migrants. I worked odd jobs, like washing cars and carrying loads in the market, just to survive.

I also met good people who shared their food and stories of survival. A Nigerian man named Chijioke became like a brother to me. He had been in Morocco for five years and was still trying to cross into Europe.


The Cost of the Journey

By the time I gave up and returned to Nigeria, I had spent close to ₦2 million. The money went to agents, bribes, smugglers, and survival. I returned with nothing but scars and a heart full of regret.

cathodekazim:
Lessons Learned

My journey taught me that not all opportunities are real. Sometimes, the dream of greener pastures can turn into a nightmare. If you’re considering leaving Nigeria, please do your research and ensure your plans are legitimate. Don’t let desperation cloud your judgment.

I hope my story saves someone from making the same mistake.

Nigerians Tackle Peter Obi For Hurriedly Congratulating Tinubu Government On Controversial PMS Processing At Port Harcourt Refinery

Nigerians on social media have tackled Peter Obi, a former presidential candidate of the Labour Party over his hurried congratulation of the President Bola Tinubu's administration on the controversial Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol, processing at the Port-Harcourt Refinery in Rivers State.

SaharaReporters exclusively reported that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) was not trucking out Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, from the Port Harcourt Refinery as the company claimed on Tuesday, citing top sources in the know.

SaharaReporters had also reported that the NNPCL instead bought "Cracked C5 petroleum resins" and blended it with other products including Naphtha to sell to the Nigerian public as though the refinery processed it.

Top sources familiar with the activities of the company and the state of the refinery had told SaharaReporters that the claim of trucking out PMS from the reopened refinery was a lie.

Shortly after, NNPCL confirmed SaharaReporters’ exclusive reports that only the old Port Harcourt Refinery in Rivers State is working and the refinery is trucking out blended PMS (known as Petrol).

Amid the controversy, Mr Peter Obi in a statement posted on his handle at 7:23am on Wednesday, congratulated the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation for what he described as "for fulfilling the long-standing promise of revamping the old Port Harcourt refinery".

Obi further stated, "The refinery, which comes on stream today boasts an installed production capacity of 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Approximately 200 trucks are expected to load products daily from the refinery".

He, however, noted that Nigerians now await the corresponding impact and benefits on pump prices and the overall economy.

"Additionally, news of the Kaduna refinery's revival is promising, as it is expected to boost productivity, improve transportation, and alleviate economic burdens across the country.

"While we acknowledge these achievements as a step in the right direction, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of transparency in the operations of the NNPC.

"Nigerians deserve clarity and accountability regarding the management of the nation's vital oil resources, ensuring that the benefits of increased refining capacity reach every Nigerian and that the gains are used to support long-term development," he wrote.

Meanwhile the post has since generated angry reactions with his admirers tackling him for sending quick congratulation without verifying whether the purported report of revamping Port-Harcourt Refinery was not another "Air Nigeria" project of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

While some have vowed not to repost his tweet, others have advised he should delete the tweet and get further details about the Refinery status first.

For some others who probably are APC supporters, they welcomed the tweet as testament that President Bola Tinubu is working.

@D_lone_wolf_II wrote: "Mr. Peter Obi, the NNPC plant that has just opened, has been reported to be a SCAM.

"Once again, they have deceived several Nigerians like as you and I.

"They are blending random chemicals and selling it as "PMS"

If I were you, I would take down this tweet or, at least, edit it.

@ibirogba2000 wrote: "Obi just confirmed that president Tinubu is the best president in the history of Nigeria.

"This is a welcome development and we all know that PBAT was going to deliver

"Peter Obi this is a good time for you to become one of the spokesmen of Tinubu."

@DavidsOffor wrote: "They are canceling PO for celebrating a success achieved by this FG. How bitter can a set of people be that whenever their country is making progress, they are wailing.

"Anyways, kudos PO for the boldness, it is about Nigeria first o."

For @NaijaHistory_, he wrote: "Today in Nigeria history will remember how Peter Obi congratulated a f@ke PH refinery revamping by the lamba Tinubu regime:"

@DailyJusticeAct, however questioned whether Mr Peter Obi did due diligence before his post, adding "Agbado & his gang simply moved their Malta blending scam to Port-Harcourt & you are congratulating.."

"Did you do due diligence b4 this post..

"#chai"

@OfficiaEdoOsasB wrote: "Nothing to congratulate until we see results.

This was the same way they announced Nigeria Air and it became one of the greatest scam ever."

@realTobiAkinbo wrote:

"Oga mi, are we still opposition like this? Because just like Nigeria Air, this NNPCL refinery is another package to deceive Nigerians into believing our refinery is working, while they import fuel using the PH refinery as a gateway."

@I__E__O wrote: "My able president, let's wait and see if that not "the more you look the less you see" kind of stuff from our government."

@saytalksay wrote: "No need for congratulations it’s only gonna be temporary anyway that’s if we assume it’s actually working."

@DwizardKing wrote: "Your Excellency please kindly withhold your congratulations to them it's a scam and not sustainable. They just engaged in blending which the refinery cannot sustain.

"This is just to deceive Nigerians. You need to do more research on it before you offer them any congratulations."

@Princeuwaj wrote: "@PeterObi H.E you for wait small before you congratulate this people oh.... I think for now na blending them they do for dia.... Recall Nigeria Air...

@OlaoluwaloseyiA wrote: "Your Excellency, we know it's a DIESEL refinery!

"How can PMS be refined at a diesel facility?

"You're not following: all this is to disallow Dangote from fulfilling his mandate to Nigerians of getting unadulterated PMS.

"Remember the Malta facility?

How will they get bad PMS in?"


@Malik_Mich69 wrote:

"Oga get your facts right. You must not congratulate."

@AROLE_PeterObi wrote:

"Dear Peter Obi please don't rush to congratulate NNPC oooooo

"Pls let see what is going on there

The information we are hearing is somehow"


@OpeyemiAyoola01 wrote; "We should wait and let's see if they can produce fuel for six months before we congratulate them. All of these might be fake, everything about them is fake, it's their way."

@ElumeFredrick wrote: "Sir, please you should have waited a bit to tweet this.

"The news making the rounds is that the refinery is Malta brought home to Nigeria.

"The quality is being questioned and the NNPC is not truthful.

No Refinery can produce and supply immediately."

The Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri in Anambra, says it has recorded 400,000 passengers in 7,000 flights since it began commercial flight operations in December 2021.
Martins Nwafor, the airport managing director, said this on Tuesday while playing host to information commissioner Law Mefor.

Mr Nwafor, while taking the commissioner and his team on a tour of the facility, said only two commercial airlines were using the airport at present, but talks were ongoing to bring more airlines on board.

According to him, operations are largely during the daytime, but airfield lighting systems are being installed to make night flight operations at the airport possible.
He said the airport had the best runway in Nigeria with a total distance of 3.7km, the second longest in Nigeria with 45 metres width, which is the capacity for Boeing 748-800 series airbus.
Mr Nwafor said the Chinua Achebe Airport was planning an Airport Trade Fair, which would start on December 1 and end on December 7, the third anniversary of commercial operations at the airport.
He said the fair would be an opportunity for flight operators, passengers and the general public to showcase their products and interact for economic and social benefits.

He said the anniversary would mark the unveiling of the airport name which came into existence on October 1, 2023, and the erection of a statue of Chinua Achebe, the world-renowned literary icon.

In his response, Mefor said the airport was a priority project to Governor Charles Soludo as it was pivotal to his agenda of industrialisation and tourism development of Anambra.

He said Mr Soludo had approved the construction of a VIP Lounge within the airport and that he had already awarded the contract for the airfield lighting system.

He said the Anambra Mixed Use industrial City was all about the economic and industrial unraveling of the state and the airport was crucial to the actualisation of government objectives.

MC Oluomo’s ex and designer, Ehi Ogbebor, has shared photos from her visit to his office in Abuja
Ehi Ogbebor shared the purpose of her visit to the NURTW president, who she called a good man.

Popular interior designer Ehi Ogbebor is the first celebrity to share pictures from her courtesy visit to her ex Musiliu Akinsanya, aka MC Oluomo, after his appointment as the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

Ehi Ogbebor, who used to be an item with Oluomo in the past, was seen with some people who seemed to be a part of her crew at the NURTW president’s office in Abuja.

The interior designer revealed she visited Oluomo to congratulate him on his new appointment.
She posted pictures of her visit, describing MC Oluomo as a good man, adding that his new appointment was well-deserved.

“Stopped by to congratulate a Good Friend n a good man on His new appointment…..Alhaji Ayinde….alias presido Nurtw….Congratulations…well deserved," Ehi wrote in her caption.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Jamiu Abiola as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Linguistics and Foreign Matters.

Abiola is one of the children of the winner of the 1993 presidential election annulled by General Ibrahim Babangida, the late Chief Moshood Abiola.

He was formerly appointed the Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties in the Office of the Vice-President.

In a statement on Wednesday by
Director, Information and Public Relations, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, Abiola’s appointment was effective from November 14, 2024.

Imohiosen said his appointment was in line with the provisions of the Certain Political and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc) Act 2008, as amended.

He said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved the appointment of Jamiu Abiola as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Linguistics and Foreign Matters.

“The appointment takes effect from 14th November, 2024. This is in line with the provisions of the Certain Political and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc) Act 2008, as amended.

“Until his appointment, Jami’u served as the Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties in the Office of the Vice President.

“President Tinubu tasks the appointee to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and bring his wealth of experience to bear in his new assignment.”

Happy 18th birthday to my beautiful triplets ❤️❤️❤️.

Yahaya Bello controls courtroom crowd as judge angrily halts hearing over disorder

The judge overseeing the arraignment of the former governor and two others, rose abruptly and announced not to come back until sanity was restored in the court room.

FCT High Court, Abuja, judge, Maryanne Anenih, angrily left the courtroom Wednesday morning over rowdiness caused by supporters of the former Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello.

Ms Anenih, overseeing the arraignment of the former governor and two others, rose abruptly and announced not to come back until sanity was restored in the court room.

The judge further asked “anyone not connected to the case, including lawyers, should leave the courtroom.”

Shortly after the judge left the court room, Mr Bello, who sat in the front row of the court room, jumped up and moved to the crowd, mostly his supporters, clogging the the courtroom from the doorway.

He immediately directed his supporters to vacate their seats and leave the court room.

His actions doused the tension as without resistance, the followers left the court room one after the other.

To ensure sanity in the court room, the former governor sat at the entrance to the court room and ensured that none of his followers disobeyed the order of the court.

The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, in a significant move to modernise the legislative framework in the state, has passed the Rivers State Commissions of Inquiry Bill 2024.

The development aims to repeal the outdated Rivers State Commissions of Inquiry Law, Cap 30, Laws of Rivers State, 1999, and re-enact a new law to govern the holding of Commissions of Inquiry.

The bill was passed at the 71st Legislative Sitting of the House, following a robust debate on the Report of the Committee presented by Hon. Sylvanus Nwankwo on Wednesday.

Members of the House lauded the Committee for its excellent work, noting that the positive response from the public during the Public Hearing demonstrated the acceptability of the Bill.

The Speaker, Amaewhule, commended the Committee and Members for their thorough debate on the Bill.

He said that the House will continue to amend, repeal, and re-enact outdated laws that no longer serve the interests of Rivers people.

The passage of the Bill is expected to deepen the doctrine of separation of powers in the state.

Before passing the Bill, the House resolved into a Committee of the Whole and gave the Bill clause-by-clause consideration, in line with legislative practice and rules.

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on Wednesday night, reversed his approval of free bus services across the state announced earlier in the day.

Initially announced on Wednesday morning as part of the state’s welfare initiatives, the decision to suspend the service was communicated later the same day.

The initial directive, as outlined in a press statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, stated that the free bus service would cover intra-city routes within Benin metropolis and inter-city routes across the three senatorial districts.

It was intended to reflect Okpebholo’s commitment to enhancing the welfare of Edo residents.

However, a subsequent statement from Itua late Wednesday night called for the earlier announcement to be disregarded.

“The earlier statement announcing the approval of free bus services by the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, should be disregarded,” he said.

The CPS explained that the governor was being briefed on operational issues within the Edo City Transport Service, which manages the free bus initiative.


“For now, the free bus services have been placed on hold. A new decision by the governor will be communicated to the general public,” he said.

The reversal has raised questions about the operational and logistical challenges facing the programme, leaving residents awaiting further clarification on the state’s transportation policies

Earlier in an interview with The PUNCH, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Edo State chapter, Bernard Joman, had commended the governor, saying the gesture would help cushion the effect of the harsh economy on Edo commuters.

“It is a welcome development for the Edo Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress and to the people of the state. It will help to cushion the harsh economic conditions on the people and workers.

“The higher institution students have resumed and they will all be going to various destinations in the state and the free transportation will surely help them.

“I will urge the governor of the state, Senator Monday Okpehbolo, to ensure that the scheme is enduring so that the people and workers will benefit for a long time.”