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Kaduna Govt Demolishes Sex Party Hotel
The Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KASUPDA) has demolished a hotel billed to host a sex party in the city, citing a violation of COVID-19 protocols.
“KASUPDA have demolished Asher Hotel in Barnawa Kaduna South. Asher Hotel was the proposed venue for the Kaduna Sex Party, the hotel was also caught contravening the Covid-19 guidelines of the state,” the agency tweeted on its official handle on Thursday evening.
The agency which also posted photos of the demolition exercise vowed that it “will not hesitate to demolish properties used for such [an] immoral act.”
See more photos:
December 31, 2020
2021 Budget: Deliver on target or get sanctioned, Buhari warns agencies
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday told government agencies saddled with generating revenue to work hard to meet their targets.
He gave the directive after he signed the N13.5trn 2021 Appropriation Bill into law on Thursday, December 31, 2020.
This is according to a statement titled, ‘Deliver on targets or get sanctioned, Buhari warns revenue generating agencies as he signs 2021 Appropriation Bill and 2020 Finance Bill into law’, shared by presidential aide Lauretta Onochie.
The statement read: “We are intensifying our domestic revenue mobilization efforts so that we can have adequate resources to fund the 2021 Budget. Revenue Generating Agencies, and indeed all Ministries, Departments and Govt-Owned Enterprises, must work very hard to achieve their revenue targets.
“Relevant agencies are to ensure the realisation of our crude oil production & export targets. Heads of defaulting agencies are warned that they will be severely sanctioned. I also appeal to our fellow citizens & the biz community to fulfill their tax obligations promptly.
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“In spite of the adverse impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation’s economy and the government’s revenues, we have made appreciable progress in the implementation of the 2020 Budget. As of December 2020, we had released about N1.748 trillion out of a total of N1.962.
“The overall performance of the 2020 Budget currently stands at an impressive of 97.7%. This commendable outcome underscores the importance of our efforts, together with the Legislature, to return to the discipline of a January-to-December fiscal year.
“I commend the sustained mutual understanding, collaboration and high-level engagements between officials of the Executive and Legislative Arms of Government, which have made the accelerated enactment of these Bills possible.”
December 31, 2020
BUHARI MAKES NEW YEAR BROADCAST
President Muhammadu Buhari will make a New Year broadcast to the nation on Friday, January 1, 2021 at 7am.
A state by Garba Shehu Senior Special Assistant to the President, media and publicity enjoined Television, radio and other electronic media outlets to join the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) respectively, for the broadcast.
December 31, 2020
2021: Mark to government: let’s change narrative to inspire citizens
Former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark has urged the federal government to strive hard to reverse the negative perception of Nigerians toward it by responding positively to the yearnings and aspirations of the citizens in the New Year.
Senator Mark in a goodwill message to Nigerians marking the New Year said the negative perception about the country would be reversed if the deteriorating security situation improves significantly.
Such negative perception eroding the trust and confidence of the people includes but not limited to the unabating insecurity situations, killings, insurgency, kidnapping, banditry and unemployment amongst others.
The former senate boss stressed: “we must approach the issues honestly and objectively. We must call a spade its rightful name.
“In a society where no one is sure of safety, means of livelihood or living in perpetual fear cannot guarantee steady investment or development.
“It is time for all citizens; both the government and the governed to collaborate and rise up in one accord to say enough is enough in order to save our country.
He added, “this is not the time for anyone to play the ostrich or politics over issues that affects our wellbeing. We cannot be neutral or partisan in the battle to save our country.”
The former Senate helmsman cautioned, “those who resort or cling to our emotional fault lines of ethnicity or religion for personal interest or self-preservation at the slightest compunction to think otherwise. This is the time to prove our patriotism and love for our country.”
December 31, 2020
Gov. Sule Swear In justice Aisha Bashir Alyu as Nasarawa state Acting Chief Judge, demands fairness, equity, justice
The governor of Nasarawa state has sworn in Justice Aisha Bashir as the Acting Chief Judge of Nasarawa state, filing the vacuum left by chief justice Suleiman Umar Dikko who retired today 31 December, 2020, demand equity, Fairness, justice and objectivity.
Performing the swearing- in ceremony in government house today, Engr. Sule said it was done In fulfilment of the constitutional obligation and based on the recommendation of the Nasarawa State Judicial Service Commission in compliance with the provision of section 271 (1), I approved the appointment of Justice Aisha Bashir Aliyu as the Acting Chief Judge of Nasarawa State.
He further said the event is in line with the relevant constitutional provision aimed at ensuring sanity and stability in the judiciary as a fundamental institution of society, while the process for the confirmation is being pursued with the State House of Assembly, which made it necessary to swear-in the appointee, who is the most senior High Court Judge, to enable her perform the functions of the Chief Judge of Nasarawa State to avoid a vacuum.
In his word he said “As you are aware, the judiciary is the repository of the tenets of democracy and the rule of law. Indeed, the judiciary is critical in our development process as it provides the alloy that strengthens the relationships among the organs of Government. It is for this reason that this Administration has continued to accord priority attention to this important integument to enable it meet its objectives and expectations of the citizenry”.
While giving his closing remarks, Engr. Sule therefore, congratulated the new Acting Chief Judge, on her well preserved appointment, urging her to bring wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of her duty.
On her part, the Acting chief judge of Nasarawa State, justice Aisha Bashir Alyu appreciated almighty Allah, Engr. Sule and the Nasarawa state Judiciary commision for finding her worthy of this position.
In her her word in qoute ” it is said that Allah always sit by the right hand side of a Just Judge and if he decides to sit at the left side you should know that he has left you, saying she prays not to be left alone”
She also admonished the leadership style of late Umar Musa Yar- adua of blessed memory saying ‘ Public Trust is Sacred Trust’ when it is giving to leadership is not your personal thing, but for it be be ministered to the people.
The Acting Chief judge also said ” if u are in a position of authority, it is better to steal from one man than to steal from the public, for it is easier to beg one man than the public”
She further said “in as much as the judiciary will help the government to achieve their desired goals, and to take the state to a greater height as legally possible the government should also ensure that the welfare of judicial workers are taking care of for it will be difficult to punish a staff whose welfare is not well taking care of she” further said.
You will recall that Hon. Justice Suleiman Umaru Dikko chief judge of Nasarawa today 31st December, 2020 retired as the Chief Judge of the state.
December 31, 2020
BREAKING: Nigerian equities records N6.48trn gain in 2020
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recession, Nigerian equities played the full contrarian to close 2020 with net capital gain of N6.48 trillion.
While the details of global market closing positions are being awaited, there are indications that Nigeria may lead the global return table within the group of tracked, regulated global markets.
Benchmark indices at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) showed average full-year return of 50.03 per cent by the sound of the last closing gong for the 2020 business year. This implies net capital gain of N6.483 trillion. The recent highest return was 42.3 per cent recorded in 2017.
The All Share Index (ASI)- the value-based common index that tracks all share prices at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) closed 2020 at 40,270.72 points, 50.03 per cent above 26,842.07 points recorded as opening index for the year.
Aggregate market value of all quoted equities at the NSE rose to N21.057 trillion as against N12.958 trillion recorded as opening value for the year, an increase of N8.1 trillion. The additional increase in value of market capitalisation, above the ASI percentage change, was due to additional or supplementary listing of shares during the year.

Through the lockdowns and disruptions occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic, and later the unrests due to protests against police highhandedness, the stock market braced the odds of hyperinflation and economic recession to sustain and build up attractive return since the second quarter.
While a steep decline of 18.75 per cent in March 2020 had driven the first quarter to a negative return of -20.7 per cent or net loss of N2.68 trillion, the market recovered in the second quarter with positive average return of 14.12 per cent or net capital gains of N1.656 trillion. It continued its rally with average return of 9.61 per cent or net capital gains of N1.23 trillion in third quarter 2020.
The 2020 recovery is particularly spectacular when viewed against the background of negative performance in recent years. After posting a world-ranking return of 42.3 per cent in 2017, the market had reversed to negative in 2018 with average full-year return of -17.81 per cent. In 2019, investors suffered net loss of about N1.71 trillion with negative average return of -14.60 per cent. Prior to 2017, the stock market had been on a losing streak since 2014. Investors lost N1.75 trillion in 2014 and followed this with another loss of N1.63 trillion in 2015. Against the general expectation that political transition and new government will quicken a rebound, equities closed 2016 with a net capital loss of N604 billion.
With inflation rate at 14.89 per cent, yield or coupon or interest rate at the fixed-income market ranging from less than one per cent to a little above one per cent for one-year instrument to some seven per cent annual coupon for two decades and a half instrument, Nigerian equities’ return is the most attractive and the only positive-yielding return in 2020, even when adjusted for inflation and cost of capital.
December 31, 2020
A’Ibom withdraws from molested Deeper Life student’s case
Akwa Ibom Government said it has surrendered the case involving the alleged molested Deeper Life High school student, Don Davis, to the police for investigation.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Ini Ememobong stated that the government withdrew from the case following the concurrent investigation by the Police, the proper agency saddled with that responsibility.
Ememobong in a press statement on Thursday in Uyo through a press release also debunked the claims by Mrs Deborah Okezie, mother of the student, that the Commissioner of Education, Mrs Enobong Mbobo intimidated her.
Okezie had reportedly said the Commissioner for Education had intimidated and attacked her as she entered her office on the Commissioner’s invitation to further investigate the case, noting that the Commissioner also accused her of trying to disgrace her office.
However, Ememobong stated that the Commissioner for Education or any staff of the state government have not harassed or intimidated the parent, the affected student, or anybody connected to the matter.
The commissioner said the state government is committed to unraveling the truth behind the incidence and would not fail to prosecute anybody found culpable in the matter.
He urged members of the public to be patient and allow for a thorough police investigation and other relevant institutions on the matter, adding that the government would take necessary actions once the report of the result is released.
“The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, HE Mr. Udom Emmanuel had last week directed the Commissioner of Education to investigate a complain of neglect, starvation and molestation by a parent against the Management, Staff and some Students of Deeper Life High School, Uyo.
“The Commissioner had immediately swung into action by visiting the parents and the child who is the subject of the alleged infractions. She consequently invited the parents, the boy, school management, the accused students with their parents and named witnesses, to the Ministry of Education for a fact finding meeting.
“While the investigation was on going, the Attorney General of the State notified the Commissioner of Education of the concurrent investigation of the same matter by the Police and the interest of several international Organizations like the United Nations Special rapporteur on Human Trafficking, Mirabelle Center, FIDA Akwa Ibom, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Response Unit of the Ministry of Justice, Akwa Ibom State among others.
“It was therefore advisable for the Commissioner for Education to hands off the investigation and allow the Police, which is the proper government agency to handle allegations of crime, to take over.
“The medical report from the private hospital where the child had been taken for examination and treatment by his parents has been received, while the child has been taken for further medical investigations at the Agape Sexual referral Center, with the consent of the parents and all interested parties.” It stated.
It said that the State Government is committed to the unravelling the truth and is determined to prosecute anybody found culpable of any wrongdoing.
“At no time did the Commissioner for Education or any staff of the State Government, harass or intimidate the parent or the affected student, or anybody connected to the matter.” The release concluded.
December 31, 2020
We have equal stake in the N’Delta, A’Ibom group tells opponents of new NDDC administrator
Akwa Ibom-based Pan-Niger Delta group, Niger Delta Conscience Coalition(NDCC), has condemned those opposed to Mr. Effiong Akwa’s appointment as interim administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC).
This is after some stakeholders and youth groups from certain parts of the Niger Delta have been expressing sentiments against the appointment of Akwa, an indigene of Akwa Ibom, as sole administrator of the NDDC by the Federal Government.
The group in a press statement to journalists on Thursday in Uyo also deplored protest by Ijaws youths against Akwa’s appointment which led to disruption of vehicular traffic around the Mbiama-Yenogoa road the 20th of December.
The NDCC maintained in the statement signed by its president, Aniefiok Obot and Secretary, John Jumbo, that every community and state in the region shared common challenges and destiny hence have equal stake in the Niger Delta.
”Believing in the spirit of oneness of the Niger Delta, and whereas Akwa Ibom people are known to be generally peaceful in their approach to issues of our regional co-existence, Niger Delta Conscience Coalition would have chosen to ignore and indeed has been ignoring quite a lot of activities of the Fifth Columnist in the Niger Delta struggle.
”But we have been forced to take a position now against some signals emanating from certain quarters of the Niger Delta areas since the appointment of a bona fide son of the Niger Delta, Chief(Barr) Effiong Akwa to the exalted position of interim administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC) by the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari.
”Of particular interest referred here is the recently reported disruption of vehicular traffic flow by a section of the Ijaw youths movement around the Mbiama-Yenogoa on the 20th of December, 2020.
”There are several acceptable ways of engaging constructively, intelligently, productively and inclusively which may help the image of the region but the present posture of protest and blockades portray us as unfriendly for investment and therefore is capable of shifting the federal government and international investors interest and emphasis away from the region.” The statement said.
The group also said that it was not unconstitutional to appoint a sole administrator for the intervention agency as a precedence had already been set in appointment of Mrs. Joi Nunieh from Delta state and the recently exited Prof Pondei from Bayelsa state.
It appealed to Nigerians to support the federal government’s forensic audit of the NDDC, adding that the audit which has the support of Niger Delta governors would bring maximum benefits to the region.
December 31, 2020
Declare State of Emergency on Security, NBA tells Buhari
By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi
The Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Makurdi branch has urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security.
Speaking at a valedictory court session held in honor of Barr. Moses Udam who was murdered by suspected herders in Makurdi, the Chairman of the association, Mr Justin Gbagir maintained that declaring an emergency on security would to a large extent address the security challenge in the country.
The NBA boss also called on the Federal Government to declare armed herdsmen as a Terrorists group, adding that they should be treated as such.
Gbagir contended that based on the current security situation in Nigeria, the Federal Government has failed to safeguard the lives and property of citizens as enshrined under the 1999 Constitution by section 14 (2) (b), which provides that “… the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”.
He implored security agents to fish out assailants of the slained legal practitioner, averring that the association has petitioned the Commissioner of Police and Department of State Service, DSS, over the gruesome murder of their colleague.
December 31, 2020
After Brexit: Boris Johnson’s Father Seeks French Citizenship
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s father Stanley confirmed plans on Thursday to seek French citizenship as the free movement of Britons in the EU comes to an end under the Brexit pact delivered by his son.
Speaking to France’s RTL radio in French, Stanley Johnson said: “It’s not a question of becoming French. If I understand correctly I am French! My mother was born in France, her mother was completely French as was her grandfather.
“For me it’s a question of obtaining what I already have and I am very happy about that,” the 80-year-old added.
The father of the politician who ended Britain’s 47-year-old membership of the EU was among the first civil servants appointed to Brussels after Britain joined the EU in 1973.
He worked for the European Commission and served as a member of the European Parliament.
He initially campaigned against leaving the EU before changing his mind a year after Britain voted to leave the union in 2016.
“I will always be European, that’s for sure,” he told RTL.
“You can’t tell the English: you’re not European. Europe is more than the single market, it’s more than the European Union.”
“That said, to have a link like that with the EU is important,” he said, apparently referring to an EU passport.
His plans to seek a French passport had already been revealed by his daughter Rachel in a book published in March.
She wrote that her grandmother was born in Versailles and said that if her father received French citizenship she too would like to become French.
The UK’s tortuous departure from the European Union takes full effect at 2300 GMT when an 11-month transition post-Brexit transition period comes to an end.
December 31, 2020