Peter Obi Worried Over Fuel Shortages, Scarcity Of New Naira Notes

 The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi has called on authorities in the country to do whatever necessary to ease the pains of Nigerians over fuel shortages and the new naira notes scarcity. 

In a statement issued on Thursday and made available to journalists, Obi said that he had been travelling around the country on the campaign trail, meeting and engaging Nigerians of diverse ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds, that the unified experiences they recounted was one of untold suffering. 

“Yesterday, Datti Baba-Ahmed and I with our team were in Sokoto and Jigawa States, and today (Thursday) we were in Zamfara and Kebbi States. As I have travelled across Nigeria, engaging with as many citizens as possible, the feedback is that Nigerians are suffering terribly. 

“Top on the mentions are the biting fuel shortages and the scarcity of the new naira notes. Nigerians, especially women and the youth, are impacted negatively by the lingering shortage of both essentials to regular daily living in our country. 

“These shortages are dehumanising Nigerians, even more than they have already been, by a series of ineffectual governments who failed to serve the interest of the people.

“I am worried about the impact these shortages are having on the lives of Nigerians and small businesses, which are a significant force in our economy,” Obi said. 

He, therefore, called on the authorities and bodies in charge to take practical intervention steps to create systems that would serve the people and resolve the crises. 

He added that Nigerians had already suffered enough, and the twin crises of fuel shortages and the unavailability of the new naira notes could have been avoided if leaders were competent and compassionate. 

“It’s time that the authorities, relevant agencies and organisations realise that they exist for the people and not the other way round. 

“I am calling on the governments at all levels to intervene in these crises and ensure that the interest and well-being of Nigerians are placed on the front burner, ahead of any other interest group. 

“Nigerians don’t deserve this kind of experience," Obi concluded.

EFCC Questions Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin For Spraying And Stepping On New Notes

 Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have commenced an investigation of Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin, an actress and cosmetologist, for allegedly tampering with the redesigned Naira notes, an offense contrary to Section 21 (5) of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Act, 2007.

A statement released by the agency on Friday, February 3, says Omoseyin was arrested by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Fraud Related Offences Commission, ICPC, on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 along Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, following intelligence report.

The 31-year-old was arrested after the video of her spraying and stepping on the newly redesigned Naira notes at a party surfaced online. In the viral video, she was also seen flaunting wads of the new Naira notes.

The suspect was subsequently handed over to the EFCC on Thursday, February 2, 2023 for further investigations.''the statement read.

The agency added that items recovered from her at the point of arrest include a Range Rover and iPhone mobile devices.

The suspect will be charged in court once investigations have been concluded.

Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored against 170 DIFFERENT teams in his career.

 The greatest footballer of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo scored Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored against 170 DIFFERENT teams in his career.

Cristiano score his first goal for Al Nassr with a last-gasp to salvage a 2-2 draw at Al Fateh in a thrilling Saudi Pro League match on Friday.

The 37-year-old Portugal international, a five-times Ballon D'Or winner, converted from the spot three minutes into added time, having failed to score on his debut last month.

The greatest player of all time as now score against 125 clubs. 45 countries. Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored 820 GOALS in his career.

In addition, the greatest footballer of All time Has Scored 3 Goals in his last 4 Games.

Ghana Drops N312-billion MTN Tax Demand After South Africa Threat

 MTN has informed shareholders that Ghana has backed down on a GHS8.2 billion (R11.7 billion, N312 billion) back-taxes claim, including interest and penalties.

Ghana temporarily withdrew the tax assessment to provide a 21-day timeline to allow for “further engagements” with MTN.

“Shareholders are advised that following extensive and productive discussions held during this 21-day period between MTN Ghana, MTN, and relevant authorities in Ghana, the [Ghana Revenue Authority] has on 3 February 2023 fully withdrawn the assessment,” MTN said in a statement on Friday.

“MTN would like to further assure Shareholders and other stakeholders of MTN Ghana’s commitment to the highest standards of tax compliance and responsible corporate citizenship,” the company said.

“MTN and MTN Ghana would like to thank all stakeholders involved for the support and collaboration to arrive at this amicable and mutually satisfactory full withdrawal of the assessment.”

South Africa Issued Warnings 

The announcement comes after South Africa’s foreign affairs ministry weighed in on the dispute with a warning to the Ghanian authorities.

Naledi Pandor, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, said it was extremely concerning that South African companies were being targeted by governments like Ghana’s with exorbitant tax claims.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) highlighted that South Africa is one of Ghana’s most significant investors, with interests in several industries, including mining, communication, retail, and franchising.

“According to the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, there are over 100 South African companies registered and operating in Ghana, employing over 19,087 Ghanaians and 510 expatriates,” it said.

Dirco also said that South African companies have taken on more than 170 projects in the country — valued at over $1,431,523,166 (R25 billion) in capital investment.

It expressed concern that competitors of South African companies from other parts of the world do not appear to be subjected to the same “challenges”.

South Africa’s foreign affairs department then warned that such “unfavourable conditions” in other African countries have led to South African companies disinvesting from them, often with devastating consequences for the nation in question.

The potential fine represented about 5% of MTN’s market capitalisation, and the government’s decision “removes a threat to this year’s shareholder returns,” Bloomberg Intelligence analyst John Davies said in a note.

Ghana is Cash-Strapped 

Ghana’s cash-strapped government has been demanding some of the nation’s largest companies to pay millions of dollars of back taxes. Gold Fields Ltd., Kosmos Energy Ltd. and Tullow Oil Plc have received similar bills. All of the companies dispute the government’s claims.

Ghana lost access to international capital markets because of its ballooning debt and loan-service costs. The government has been forced to allocate most of its revenue to service an estimated 576 billion cedis of public debt.

It is restructuring most of its obligations amid a slump in the cedi, and is seeking a $3 billion loan from the IMF.

Tinubu Not Desperate To Be President – Tolu Bankole

 A  member of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress, Tolu Bankole, on Friday described the presidential candidate of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as a patriot interested in the wellbeing of the masses.

Bankole, who disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, said Tinubu’s concern over the lingering fuel crisis and the scarcity of the new naira notes, depicted him as one not desperate to be President.

The disability rights advocate said, “The strong position expressed by our party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a show of commitment to a better Nigeria and her endless possibilities.

“True patriotism implies a deep love for one’s country that not only desires the best for one’s fellow countrymen but also demands that the country should pursue its aims with honesty and empathy.

He has displayed an ineffable love unequalled in the political history of the world. Asiwaju chose to empathise with the masses that have been subjected to untold hardship.

The easier option by most party faithful would be to say yes or maintain silence to all government programmes no matter how discomforting for political correctness.

“The ability to confront and speak out against some policies of the government considered to be ‘anti-masses’ by Asiwaju should be applauded by all. Selflessness is exhibited at the most critical moment. Tinubu is not desperate to be President.

According to him, Tinubu’s action at “this critical stage of our political experience” was a clear testimony of his unparalleled leadership.

“This demonstration of pure heart, love for Nigerians, and commitment to improving welfare and well-being of all Nigerians will drive his Renewed Hope agenda to tame insecurity; tackle unemployment, and turn the economy around for shared prosperity,” he added.

Use Your PVC - Seyi Makinde In A Broadcast After The Protest In Ibadan

 In a statewide broadcast while addressing the people of Oyo State after the protest that broke out in Ibadan yesterday, governor seyi makinde in his address said the people have the right to protest but should also know that they have the power of PVC in their hands and they should use it in the comming election.

He also suspends all campaing activities in the state so as to bring calmness and peace to the state.

Babachir Lawal: Nothing Is Working Under APC, I'm Sorry I Campaigned For Them

 Nothing is working under the APC government… I am sorry I campaigned for the party…I have now seen the light which is Peter Obi and have thus repented, says a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal.