…Names Ribadu, NSA; Gen. C.G Musa CDS; Gen. Lagbaja, COAS; Katose Egbetokun, IGP
, IGP

President Bola Tinubu has fired the Chief of Defence Staff, all service chiefs, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali, and the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali.

Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, made the announcement Monday in Abuja.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the immediate retirement from service of all Service Chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police, Advisers, and Comptroller-General of Customs, as well as their replacements,” the SGF declared.

Tinubu consequently appointed Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as National Security Adviser; Maj. Gen. C.G Musa, Chief of Defence Staff; Maj. Gen. T. A Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admirral E. A Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff; AVM H.B Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff, DIG Kayode Egbetokun, Acting Inspector-General of Police and Maj. Gen. EPA Undiandeye as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

President Tinubu also approved the following appointments: Col. Adebisi Onasanya, Commander, Brigade of Guards; Lt. Col. Moshood Abiodun Yusuf, 7 Guards Battalion, Asokoro, Abuja; Lt. Col. Auwalu Baba Inuwa 177, Guards Battalion, Keffi, Nasarawa State; Lt. Col. Mohammed J. Abdulkarim, 102 Guards Battalion, Suleja, Niger state; and, Lt. Col. Olumide A. Akingbesote, 176 Guards Battalion, Gwagwalada, Abuja.

Similarly, the President has approved the appointments of other Military Officers in the Presidential Villa as follows: Maj. Isa Farouk Audu (N/14695), Commanding Officer, State House Artillery; Capt. Kazeem Olalekan Sunmonu (N/16183), Second-in-Command, State House Artillery; Maj. Kamaru Koyejo Hamzat (N/14656), Commanding Officer, State House Military Intelligence; Maj. TS Adeola (N/12860) Commanding Officer, State House Armament; and, Lt. A. Aminu (N/18578), Second-in- Command, State House Armament.

Akume added that the president also approved the appointments of two additional Special Advisers, and two Senior Assistants.

The appointees are Hadiza Bala Usman, as Special Adviser, Policy Coordination; Hannatu Musa Musawa, Special Adviser, Culture and Entertainment Economy; Sen. Abdullahi Abubakar Gumel, Senior Special Assistant , National Assembly Matters (Senate); and, Hon. (Barr) Olarewaju Kunle Ibrahim, Senior Special Assistant, National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives).

“Finally, the President has approved the appointment of Adeniyi Bashir Adewale as the Ag. Comptroller General of Customs.

“It is to be noted that the appointed Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and the Comptroller General of Customs are to act in their positions, pending their confirmation in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, the SGF added.

Damilola Adeparusi, also known as Chef Dammy, has at last opened up about her just finished 120-hour cook-a-thon.

Dammy, a University of Oye-Ekiti student, told BBC News Yoruba that she decided not to take part in the cook-a-thon because she wants to break the record for the most hours spent cooking by a single person in the Guinness Book of World Records or compete with Hilda Baci, who cooked continuously for 100 hours.

She continued by saying that she took part in the cook-a-thon because she loves to cook and wants other people to see a little girl cooking.

Regarding the Guinness Book of Records or competing against Hilda Baci, she stated in the interview, “I just participated in the cook-a-thon for people that will wants to watch a little girl cooking.”

Chef Dammy began her 120-hour cooking marathon in Oye Local Government Area in Ekiti State on Friday, June 9, and completed the 120-hour on Wednesday morning.

Professor Dibu Ojerinde, the former Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has been charged once more by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) with official corruption, abuse of office, and forgery.

Along with his children, Mary Funmilola Ojerinde, Olumide Abiodun Ojerinde, Adebayo Ojerinde, and Oluwaseun Adeniyi Ojerinde, and six businesses connected to him, including Cheng Marbles Limited, Sapati International Schools Limited, Trillium Learning Centre Limited, Standout Institutes Limited, and Esli Perfect Security Printers Limited, Professor Ojerinde was docked.

Mrs. Azuka Ogugua, ICPC Spokesperson in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja stated that the Commission in a Charge No: FHC//ABJ/CR/119/2023, brought before Honourable Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court 7, sitting in Maitama, Abuja, informed the Court of the multiple layers of fraudulent identities and conspiracies designed by the defendants to conceal crimes.

In one count out of a 17-count charge, the Commission through its counsel, Mr. Ebenezer Shogunle, told the Court of how the former JAMB boss conspired with three of his children (Oluwaseun Adeniyi Ojerinde, Olumide Abiodun Ojerinde and Adebayo Ojerinde) to sell off property worth One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000:00) situated at House No. 4 Ahomko Drive, Achimota Phase 2, Accra, Ghana even after the property had been forfeited to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Ojerinde was also accused of incorporating the aforementioned companies and taking up simultaneous appointments as Chairman and Director, while being a public officer on full time appointment as Registrar/Chief Executive of National Examinations Council (NECO), Minna and the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Bwari, knowing very well that the Code of Conduct for Public Officers forbids public officers from engaging in private business other than farming or participating in shareholding of joint stock companies.

The Court was also inform himed of how the 1st defendant (Ojerinde) in order to avoid various anti-corruption and anti-money laundering policies of government, notably Know Your Customer (KYC) and Bank Verification Number (BVN) policies, took measures to conceal his ownership and active participation in the management of some of these companies by using forged documents, stolen identities and synthetic names.

As a result of some of these acts, the former JAMB Registrar is also standing trial at the Niger State High Court as well as Federal High Court, Abuja for alleged corruption and other ancillary offences.

These actions are contrary to, and punishable under sections 17, 19, 22 and 24 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and contrary to, and punishable under Section 1 of the Advanced Fee Fraud Act, 2006 as well as contrary to, and punishable under Section 1 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, CAP M17 of the Revised Laws of the Federation, 2007.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to them.

Bail was granted to the Ex-JAMB boss on terms earlier granted to him by the Federal High Court, Abuja, where he is standing trial while the four children were admitted bail in the sum of Twenty Million Naira (N20,000,000) each and a surety in like sums who must have landed properties not below the value of the bail sum and within the jurisdiction of the Court.

The trial judge in handing down the bail conditions also ordered the other defendants to surrender their international passports to the Court and must not travel outside the country without recourse to the Court, and that the Nigeria Immigration Service be notified.

The matter was then adjourned to the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th of November 2023 for hearing

The idea of local manufacturing enterprises mass producing vehicles using compressed natural gas as its energy source was discussed during the National Economic Council meeting on Thursday, which was presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

In order to lessen the effects of the government’s subsidy removal policy, the 36 state governors who make up the NEC meeting put the matter on the table for discussion.

Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, who informed State House Correspondents of this development, stated that officials of the National Automotive Design and Development Council gave open presentations on how the vehicle manufacturing businesses can make it a reality.

Otti said, “As part of the inaugural National Economic Council meeting today, major focus was on the removal of petroleum subsidy and its implied removal of subsidy on foreign exchange, which has led to some convergence of some sort.

“The impact of these two actions definitely is increased prices. And that’s a way to solve the problem and reduce the shock, a presentation was made by the National Automotive Design and Development Council on the great things that are happening in the automotive industry. It was that about six states in the country, including Lagos, Ogun, Anambra, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Kaduna and Kano have benefited from domestic production of vehicles or assembling of vehicles by Nigerian companies operating in Nigeria.

“These companies include INNOSON, Maikano, Dangote Peugeot, Peugeot automobile of Nigeria, Stallion Hundai, Honda, Elizade/Toyota, Coscharis and Ford, Kojo Motors, Jet Systems motors. At the moment, about 50,000 jobs have been created by this simple action of either assembling vehicles in Nigeria or producing them in Nigeria. A great feat is that some of these companies have gone into the manufacturing or assembly of electric vehicles and vehicles powered by CNG – compressed natural gas. The impact of this is that the pressure on the price of petroleum products particularly PMS will be reduced. The more we use electric vehicles and CNG powered vehicles.

“Some of the decisions that were taken include that legislative support will need to be given to these companies that are doing great things in Nigeria, it is important to underscore the point that former President had made a commitment that by 2060 that Nigeria would join countries that will eliminate fossil fuel powered vehicles and move to electric vehicles in pursuit of the net zero emission that some of the countries in Europe, America and Asia have signed on to.

” So if that must happen, then we need to ramp up the production of electric vehicles and CNG vehicles.

“It is estimated that if we give legislative support to these companies, that about a million jobs from the 50,000 jobs that exist in that industry would be created. It was also suggested that the funding that is required by most of these vehicle manufacturers and assemblers shall be made available to them. So that we begin to reduce the dependence on PMS and other fossil fuel powered vehicles”.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had urged governors to develop plans to revive the economy and lessen the effects of subsidy removal.

On Thursday, members of the National Economic Council NEC held a lengthy discussion and formed a committee in response.

According to Bala Mohammed, the governor of Bauchi State, some of their discussions focused on the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress’ suggestion or recommendation that the federal government consider a N702 billion bail-out fund that will take the form of salary adjustments for fuel allowances.

The meeting noted that workers and the most vulnerable citizens in the society to be the beneficiaries as a way of helping them cushion the effect of the subsidy removal.

At the meeting Chaired by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, governors came to the resolution that a Committee be established to look at modalities for its implementation.

Bala gave the members of the committee to include Kebbi State Governor to serve as Chairman, Anambra Governor to represent the South East geopolitical zone. Benue Governor to represent North Central, Kaduna represent Northwest, Bauchi Governor would represent the Northeast.

Others are Governor of Cross River to represent South South and Oyo State Southwest.

Other intergovernmental agencies listed in the committee includes Budget office, representative of the CBN, representative of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, representative of NNPCL, representative of TUC and NLC and of course, Rukayat El-Rufai.

He revealed that NEC mandated the Committee to sit within two weeks and work out recommendations for a wholistic decision that will be taken immediately to alleviate the problem that may be encountered by the removal of the subsidy.

Bala’s words, “NEC has taken very far reaching decisions and deliberations on the issue of the removal of petroleum PMS subsidy and its general impact on the economy.

“Specifically on the issue of National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, NEC had received recommendations on the various ways and means that the country can use whatever increases that we have in the revenue to mitigate the impact that is going to make on the lives of our workers and all those people involved.

“So they recommended and they gave us a scenario recommending that there should be a consequential adjustment, estimated at N702,919.8 billion as part of the allowances that should be given as petroleum allowance to all workers and as well as a 23 or 25 billion monthly offer to cushion the effect on workers and others suggestion that will go a long way in making sure that there is review of our salaries and wages.

“In addition to the palliative that Governor Katsina talked about, government looked at all the issues, the challenges and problems holistically and set up a small committee of council to review and come up with a term of reference to organize areas specifically where this palliative can come and how it will be dispensed to alleviate the problem of workers and other vulnerable groups”.

On Wednesday, Lata Tondon, the previous holder of the Guinness World mark for the longest single cooking session, congratulated chef Hilda Baci of Nigeria for breaking the previous mark.

On her Instagram story, Tondon posted the congratulations.

“Namastey Nigeria,” she wrote. I’m extremely thrilled for you all & my best wishes to Hilda!”

Tondon had earlier removed her encouraging comment for Baci.

Tondon also deleted her Instagram bio’s reference to the Guinness World Record.

Baci now holds the world record for the longest cooking marathon with 93 hours, 11 minutes, while Tondon finished the same feat in Rewa, India, in 2019 in 87 hours, 45 minutes, and 00 seconds.

Expert: 65% of Nigerian men over the age of 40 are at risk for erectile dysfunction

Dr. David Paddy, a health expert and the founder of Paddy Paddy Wellness, estimates that over 65 percent of Nigerian males over the age of 40 are at danger of developing erectile dysfunction.

Mr. Paddy blamed the condition on a lack of consistent exercise, ongoing consumption of processed foods, an irregular eating and sleeping schedule, and other harmful behaviors.

He asserted that erectile dysfunction may increase a man’s risk of heart attack, stroke, and early death, adding that “it is imperative for men to take action and tackle this issue head-on before it takes a toll on their overall health and well-being.”

Mr Paddy stated this at a health sensitisation program, in Abakaliki, on Thursday, called for urgent measures to checkmate the issue.

According to him: “The issue of erectile dysfunctions alarming because on a daily basis I get countless questions from people asking me how they could get rid of the problem. I sent out a survey recently to know which was the biggest problem men are facing currently. And among these issues, erectile dysfunction in the form of low libido, weak erection and premature ejaculation was the highest.

“This is not surprising because in 2019, one Dr. Festus from the University of Ife conducted a survey and he found out that the percentage of men suffering erectile dysfunction as at 2019 was around 44 percent. It got us thinking that if we had 44 percent of men having this issue in 2019, imagine what the number is in 2023. If you look at the statistics you will now understand the need for us to begin to educate our men.

“Among the causes of this-we have infections, abdominal fats, low testosterone levels (which is largely attributed to age) because as you grow older your testosterone level decreases. But God has blessed us with natural herbs to take care of all these things. He has provided a lot of natural resources to increase our hormonal level and a lot more. God knows that as you age your testosterone and hormonal level is growing low and He has provided things around us with which to increase it and thereby increase our performance. But like I said ignorance is one of the reasons why a lot of people don’t know that these things exist, let alone using them to help themselves.

“The rate of erectile dysfunction is alarming. It’s very alarming and I can tell you this for sure. It’s increasing on a daily basis and we have to do something about it.

“Let me give you an instance as to why I said this. A clinical research or study carried out about a couple of years ago showed that the average sperm level in men was about 40 million cells. Now, a decade later it was discovered that the average sperm cells in men had reduced to 15 million. Can you see the huge gap? Can you see the difference? This simply tells you that there’s a problem. It should tell us that there’s a very serious silent killer on the prowl among men. This is killing men gradually, and the problem is most men are too embarrassed to talk about it. It’s hard for men to walk up to a doctor and say I can not perform in bed. But when we put out our messages out there , it will attract them and it becomes easier for them to reach out and speak out.

“About 65% of Nigerian men are likely to suffer from the stigmatisation of having weak or no erection once they are 40 years old. This silent humiliation and suffering has given rise to an urgent need for conversation and effective solutions to address this pervasive problem.”

He continued: “The reason why the issue of erectile dysfunction, High Blood Pressure etc. are on the rise among Nigerian men is simple. There has been a very big shift from the time of our forefathers to the time we live currently in. The lifestyle of our forefathers back then was simple. In those days, our fathers consumed chemical-free liquids. At that time they also had nothing to do with processed foods. Everything was natural for them. There was a lot of natural activities for them then-you had more people going to the farms, you had people walking kilometers and you had more people eating fresh foods, right.

“And that’s why it sounds funny when you hear people say I’m a traditional man, I’m a modern man and you also hear all these debates where some ladies say I can make fresh foods for my husband like the ancient women used to, and that if he can’t eat processed foods he can go and die. Well and of course, that’s why men are dying. This is because our mothers in those days understood these things, and even though they didn’t know the exact science, they knew the importance of having fresh foods in the body. So we are going to give credit to them as well.

“You could see that the problem is deeply rooted. Everybody is on the go. There’s no time to relax; there’s no time to meditate, there’s no time to actually work on getting rid of stress. So, all these things combined together, are the reasons why there is a serious rise in these health challenges among men.

“The new man has to go and tap into the secrets of the old man and asks, “How did the old man survive? What did the old man do differently?” Now, when we go into conversations like this, then we can start to see a new change. And if you are not fortunate to go into programs like ours, then it’s going to be a little difficult.”