In other to continuously bridge the gap between the Yoruba race and the rest of the world through cultural integration and globalizing Yoruba culture across the shores of Nigeria; His Imperial Majesty, Ooni of Ifé; Arole Oduduwa, Ooni Adeyeye Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II CFR has officially delivered the 1st title to Quilombola territory in Brazil; making the city first outside Africa to receive a certificate of Yoruba territory. Ooni Adeyeye and his entourage from Nigeria arrived in Bahia, welcomed by an orchestra of atabaques and berimbaus. He delivered the title in recognition of Quilombola territory in Brazil on Sunday the 19th of March 2023. The epoch-making ceremony took place in the Quingoma community, in Lauro de Freitas, in the Metropolitan Region of Salvador, Brazil. Residents of Quilombola could not hold their joy as they celebrated the delivery of the title of Yoruba territory which will further strengthen and preserve the Yoruba history, culture and language in the community. According to the account, the Quilombola was recognized for having received and welcomed Yoruba people, who were enslaved and forcibly removed from their base in Nigeria during the era of the slave trade in Africa, the recognition of Quilombola as Yoruba territory is another step in the fight for respect for African history. The history of the Quilombo dates back to the 17th century. Currently, around 580 families live in the area covering approximately 1,200 hectares. Quingoma has been recognized as a Quilombola territory by the Palmares Foundation since 2013. Ọ́ọ̀ni Ifẹ̀ in his address disclosed that; the rich and robust history of the Brazilians and the Yoruba people have dated back time in memorial and steps like this will not only preserve the history via cultural preservation, it will also give Brazilians a sense of belonging and help foster improvement in strengthening the heritage
Author: Tunde Ogunmola
'Tunde Ogunmola Executive Editor/CEO (OBAT CONNECTS CONCEPTS) Publishers of Naija News Direct) Tel: 08055102893, 08126439182 (WhatsApp)
Email:[email protected]
FG Declares Removal of Excise Duty for Telecoms Services – Naijanewsdirect
The Federal Government has announced the removal of excise duty for telecom sub-sector of Nigeria's Digital Economy Industry in line with the recommendations of the Committee it constituted to review the applicability of the Duty to the telecom sector which is considered already overburdened with taxation and sundry levies. Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, disclosed this on Tuesday (today) at a press briefing organised to provide updates on the status of the 5 per cent excise duty, whose applicability to the telecom sector was objected by the Minister in August 2022, following which President Muhammadu Buhari suspended its application to the telecom sector and set up a Presidential Review Committee on Excise Duty in the Digital Economy Sector. Pantami, who is the Chairman of the Committee, specifically set up for the purpose of reviewing the proposed excise duty in the telecom sector, said the Committee had carried out its national assignment and accordingly submitted its report to the President, justifying why the sector should be exempted. The Minister said the Committee’s submissions can be summed up in three arguments put forward to justify why additional burden in form of taxes or any level should not be imposed on the telecom sector to prevent a reversal of the important contribution the sector is making to the growth of the Nigerian economy. “Our justifications are based on three premises: First, is the fact that operators in the telecoms sub-sector of the digital economy industry currently pay no fewer than 41 different categories of taxes, levies and charges; secondly, that telecoms has continued to be a major contributor to Nigerian economy in terms of Gross Domestic Product Contribution (GDP). “The third ground for contesting the Excise Duty in telecom sector is the fact that, despite increase in the cost of all factors
Dangote Overtakes Four Foreigners On Billionaires’ List – Naijanewsdirect
Nigerian business tycoon, Aliko Dangote, overtook two Russians, one Chinese and an Indian on the billionaires’ list on Monday, after making N460bn in a day. The Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group made the profit following increased demand for Dangote Cement, beating his fellow billionaires by earning about $100 million. He maintains a majority share at his Cement company, following the company’s announcement of a significant share buyback two weeks ago. According to Bloomberg Billionaire Index, Dangote remains Africa’s richest man, a feat he has maintained for 12 years in a row.
It’s My Turn To Be Senate President – Orji Kalu
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, the Chief Whip of the Senate, has declared his intention to contest for Senate presidency in the 10th National Assembly. The former Abia State Governor, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing newsmen at the National Assembly. Recall that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), maintained a majority in the Senate, having secured 57 seats. APC Senators who are eyeing the Senate presidency are said to have started lobbying their colleagues to seek their support. Aside from Kalu, who has publicly declared interest in the position, others who are said to be interested in the office include, Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Sani Musa (Niger); Barau Jibrin (Kano); and Dave Umahi (Ebonyi). The candidates for the position will largely be determined by zoning, however, the APC leadership said it has not zoned the Senate presidency. Some political pundits believe that it is likely that APC might zone the post to the South for power balance, especially after its Muslim-Muslim ticket which triggered outrage from some quarters, especially the Christian community. Kalu, who won re-election to represent Abia North in the Red Chamber, told reporters that it was his turn to become Senate President, being a ranking lawmaker and from the South-East also. His words: “It is my turn to become the Senate President. If I’m elected Senate President, I will be team Nigeria. I’m going to work in every corner of Nigeria. “I schooled in Maiduguri, Borno State. I started my business in Lagos and spread it across all state capitals. My first name will be team Nigeria, my last name will be team Nigeria. “Remember, I’m the only former Governor who has never changed phone line for more than 20 years ago. I’m still willing to maintain that telephone number to answer all my calls. I’m not going to switch off my phones because I’m Senate President. “I’m hoping
GTCO Set To Delight Food Lovers With Annual Food & Drink Festival
The annual GTCO Food & Drink Festival is back again for its 6th Edition, and food lovers across Africa and the world are in for a feast like never before! The event is slated to hold from Saturday April 29th till Monday May 1st 2023, at GTCentre, Plot 1 Water Corporation Drive, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos, providing a 3-day weekend of food and endless celebration. The GTCO Food & Drink Festival brings together the greatest minds on the global culinary stage, the most industrious Nigerian small food business owners, a world class, state-of-the-art children’s play area, merging them all to give attendees the most memorable food and drink event. Commenting on the 2023 GTCO Food and Drink Festival, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, Segun Agbaje, said; “Food and drink are intrinsically social things, and best enjoyed when shared. We understand the value of bringing together businesses and consumers who are passionate about food and have continued to inspire new ways to experience life through food and drink. The continuing success of our free-business platforms reflect our unchanging commitment to Promoting Enterprise and echoes our brand promise of creating Great Experiences.” Constantly innovating the space and on a quest to continue creating great experiences for all stakeholders, GTCO Food & Drink will be expanding its capacity by creating more opportunities for more businesses and increasing its highly coveted vendor stalls from 142 to 204, giving even more innovative and assiduous business owners the chance to not only showcase their businesses to the over 250,000 foodies in attendance, but also engage with their customer base and learn from a confluence of other great-minded food entrepreneurs. The event will also feature three premier DJs in Africa, setting the scene for a weekend of celebration, food, drink, and togetherness. Guaranty Trust Holding
NCC Launches Consumer TELCARE Centre At Abuja Airport – Naijanewsdirect
The public concourse at the Terminal C of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja is the first beneficiary of a Telecom Consumer Assistance, Resolution and Enquires (TELCARE) Centre unveiled by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) was as one of the series of events to mark the 2023 International Consumers Rights Day celebrated by the Commission in Abuja last week Wednesday. The Chairman, Board of Commissioners of NCC, Prof. Adeolu Akande, who unveiled the initiative, said the launch of the TELCARE, is the beginning of the helpdesk project expected to adorn some airports and other similar public locations across the country. He said it is one of NCC's strategies for expanding the channels of engagement with telecom consumers. Akande said the project is a deliberate effort by the Commission to amplify its commitment to promoting the interest of consumers using various engagement strategies and initiatives to protect, inform, and educate telecom consumers. While expressing gratitude to the Management of the Federal Airport Authority Nigeria (FAAN) for its support in ensuring the successful establishment of a TELCARE Desk at the airport, Akande reiterated that the platform would serve as an additional channel for consumers to make enquiries on consumer issues, allowing the Commission to provide advocacy on consumer concerns as well as create awareness regarding Commission’s activities. The Commission, under the leadership of its Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta, has continued to re-engineer its strategies and structures to make them more effective to engage critical stakeholders to address unfair practices including but not limited to matters relating to tariffs. In his goodwill message, the Regional General Manager, FAAN, Kabir Mohammed, said that the Management of FAAN was delighted to partner with the NCC on the initiative, as the passengers and airport users will have the opportunity to resolve issues bothering them while in transit. Mohammed also noted that the
Six Drug Traffickers Bag 156 Years Imprisonment In Lagos, Ogun
The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos and Ogun state has sentenced six drug traffickers to a total of One Hundred and Fifty Six (156) years imprisonment for offences bordering on drug dealing, transportation, and conspiracy to transport illicit substances filed against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA. Worse hit is a 27-year-old drug dealer, Ahmed Abdulsabur who was arrested in 2022 by NDLEA operatives and prosecuted in charge number FHC/AB/20C/2022 at the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, presided over by Hon. Justice Joyce Obehi Abdulmalik. Delivering her judgment on the six counts charge brought against Ahmed, Justice Abdulmalik convicted and sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment on each count, bringing the total number of his in jail term to 60. In a similar ruling, Justice Abdulmalik also sentenced another dealer, Olumide Elegbede, 32, to 20 years jail term; 10 years for each of the two counts charge brought against him in charge number: FHC/AB/128C/2I. The judge ruled that the years of imprisonment in both cases will run concurrently. At the Federal High Court in Lagos, where the quartet of: Okechukwu Umeh; Lanre Adebayo; Adigun Adeshina and Emmanuel Omijeh were arraigned on three counts in charge number FHC/L/87c/2023, the trial judge, Justice Akintayo Aluko on Thursday 16th March convicted and sentenced each of them to five years on count one; seven years each on counts two and three. This brings the total number of years for each of them to 19 years jail term and the four of them to 76 years imprisonment. While the judge ruled that the sentences should run concurrently, he also gave the four convicts the option of paying N20 million in lieu of the jail terms. This is in addition to granting the application by the NDLEA for the final forfeiture of a white colour Ford bus
Likely Names That May Feature In Tinubu’s Cabinet
No less than 20 people have been tipped to form the cabinet of Nigeria’s president-elect, Bola Tinubu after he alluded recently that competence rather than politics will weigh heavily on his choice of cabinet ministers. The job of Nigeria’s president easily passes as one of the toughest in the world and Tinubu has declared that he is not unmindful of the challenges he and his team face. Thus, to effectively discharge his duties as provided by the constitution, Tinubu has stated that he will hit the ground running by constituting a cabinet that will help him to run the machinery of the Nigerian state. The people who are being speculated to make his cabinet include: Babatunde Fashola Among the names that have been mentioned to be part of Tinubu’s cabinet, Babatunde Fashola tops the list, as a likely candidate for the office of the Chief of Staff to the President, based on his vast experience, age and strength of character. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria was the governor of Lagos State between 2007 and 2015. Before then, he had served as a Commissioner and Chief of Staff to Tinubu where he helped the then government of Tinubu to succeed, as Lagos State Governor, from 1999 to 2007. Little wonder, he was made to succeed Tinubu from 2007 to 2015. After his tenure, he was appointed, first as minister of power, works and housing and later Works and Housing, by President Muhammadu Buhari. Fashola was the Director, election planning and monitoring of the APC presidential campaign council. Having been a key part of Tinubu’s success story in Lagos as governor, and having been governor for eight years and minister for almost eight years, his wealth of experience is expected to stand him in good stead. Nasir El-Rufai A former director-general of the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) and minister of the
30 Host Community Youths Graduate From Dangote’s Electrical Training Programme
… Ibese Plant donates solar-powered Borehole No fewer than 30 youths from communities around Ibese in Ogun State have graduated from a training programme put together by Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese Plant as a way of transforming society and providing employment opportunities for the youths. The empowerment programme which afforded the youths the opportunity to be trained on domestic electrical installation, wiring and maintenance is aimed at accelerating social and economic development of host communities and in line with the United Nation Sustainable Development Goal. In the same vein, the Cement plant commissioned a solar-powered Borehole in Abule Oke in Yewa North Local Government, Ogun State in fulfilment of its promises made to the communities during its Community Day celebration last December. The youths were also presented with start-up tools for immediate commencement of their vocation after the training which was put in place by the Ibese Plant in partnership with Industrial Training Fund (ITF). Addressing the beneficiaries at the closing ceremony of the programme, the Dangote Cement, Ibese Plant Director, Mr. Azad Nawabuddin, described the empowerment initiative as a demonstration of the Company’s commitment to the continued socio-economic development of the host communities in line with the Community Development Agreement signed in 2022. According to him, the Company’s social development strategy “does not support giving people fish to eat but focuses on teaching people how to fish saying the Company was being proactive by engaging the communities members, especially the youths with so much energy and vigour. “Rather we empower them to be self-sufficient and self-reliant”. Mr. Azad reeled out past empowerment initiatives of the Plant aimed at reducing unemployment gaps in the local communities and ultimately improving the standard of living, which include training in catering and event management, tailoring and fashion design and Acutherapy, from which 275 indigent youths have so far benefitted. He commended
2023 General Elections: Speaker Obasa Thanks Lagos Electorate
...Promises more Vibrant House of Assembly The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has commended residents for their participation in the governorship and House of Assembly elections in the State saying the exercise is a further call to duty. Dr. Obasa said this in a 'thank you' message to residents of Agege for returning him to the State legislature as lawmaker representing Agege Constituency 1 and for electing Jubril Abdulkarim, a former local government council chairman, to represent Agege Constituency 2 at the 10th House of Assembly Lagos. In the message released by Eromosele Ebhomele, his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Obasa also commended residents of the State for the love they showed the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the period leading to the election and while the exercise lasted. He noted that the victory recorded by the APC in the election was proof that the residents of the State had confidence in the party to deliver more dividends of democracy in the next four years. "We give glory to the Almighty Allah for the success of our party in this election just like He made us victorious in the presidential election. "The victory which has recorded by the APC in Lagos State is proof of the trust and confidence our people have in us. The victory is a further challenge on the incoming government and all of us who are elected to work more for the benefit of the people. "To the good people of Agege, 'thank you' for your love and active participation as well as your support for our great party. I also commend Lagosians for voting to return Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for a second term. "Now that the elections are over, it is time for all of us to come together to work in unity and achieve greater positive