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D’Tigress grab 2024 Olympic ticket over Senegal 

Dotun OMISAKIN
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D’Tigress grab 2024 Olympic ticket over Senegal 

THE Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress on Friday, February 9, secured the qualification ticket to feature at the Paris Paris 2024 Olympics.

D’Tigress who featured at the last tournament in Tokyo 2020 had suffered a setback after they lost with a whooping sixty-four margin 46-100 to the United States of America, USA in the match day of the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

But despite the loss, the Rena Wakama tutored side booked the ticket after Belgium defeated Senegal, giving Nigeria the advance to the Olympics based on head-to-head advantage ahead of Senegal in group A.

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To gain the ticket, the top three out of the four countries in each group will play each other in a round-robin format.

In group A, Nigeria was pitted against powerhouse USA, Belgium, and Senegal and will need to garner the maximum to qualify.

The match day one saw Nigeria’s victory against Senegal, 72-65 while the USA won Belgium 81-79, placing USA on the top and Nigeria second on the log with three points.

In match day two, Nigeria suffered a huge loss to the USA, 46-100 while Belgium defeated Senegal 97-66. After this result, the USA maintained the top position with four points whil  e Belgium displaced Nigeria to occupy the second and Nigeria at the position garnering three points respectively.

Senegal had two points after losing two matches.

Despite the one match left for each team to end the three matches round-robin format, Nigeria already won by the head-to-head rule.

The head-to-head rule states in the case of a tie, the result of the game between the teams concerned determines who stays on top.

This rule favored Nigeria who beat Senegal when they played against them.

This is the third time, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball will qualify for the Olympics.

Their first appearance was in 2004. After sixteen years, they qualified in 2020 and returned to back in 2024.

The Paris Olympics will commence in July 2024.

 

Former UniAbuja VC continued to receive salary 6 months after tenure expired

Kehinde OGUNYALE
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Former UniAbuja VC continued to receive salary 6 months after tenure expired

A former vice-chancellor of the University of Abuja, Michael Adikwu, was reported to have received N7.49 million as salary after his tenure had expired on June 30, 2019.

According to the 2020 Audit report by the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation (OAuGF), Adikwu, was paid a monthly salary consecutively between July 2019 and December 2019, six months after his tenure.

This would mean that the former VC received N1.25 million monthly within the period captured by the OAuGF report.

Adikwu, a professor of pharmaceutical sciences, served as the vice-chancellor of the University of Abuja between 2014 and June 2019. He was succeeded by Abdul-Rasheed Na’allah, who was inaugurated as the 6th Vice Chancellor of the institution in July 2019.

The report quoted Paragraph 415 of the Financial Regulations (FR) 2009, which states, “The Federal Government requires all officers responsible for expenditure to exercise due economy. Money must not be spent merely because it has been voted.”

Payment for overseas leave 

The audit report stated that a sum of N9.2 million was paid to the former VC on August 19, 2019, as leave allowance to travel abroad with his wife and four children.

The report noted that there was no budgetary provision for the payment as well as no evidence of approval by the relevant authorities before the payment was made.

The payment was against Section 80(4) of 1999 Nigeria’s Constitution, as amended, which states, “no money shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the Federation, except in the manner prescribed by the National Assembly”.

In its response, the management of the institution said that the approvals were made by the Governing Councils according to ‘Condition of Service for Principal Officers and Senior Staff’ regulations. 

The management said that it was peculiar to all Nigerian Universities for the outgoing vice chancellor to be entitled to his salaries, allowances and sabbatical leave for one year after his tenure.

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However, the report recommended that the money be recovered and remitted to the treasury with forwarded evidence of remittance to the Public Account Committee of the National Assembly.

Other irregularities

The report also stated that a sum of N4.74 million was paid to the chairman of the governing council for sponsorship of a foreign tour to which the school’s management claimed that the chairman was invited.

Another N5.86 million was paid to contractors for procurement of store items and no evidence that the supplies were made was recorded in the Store Received Voucher (SRV). 

Also, N5.47 million was paid to professional bodies on behalf of the staff and the payments were linked to the career progression of the officers against the provisions of extant regulations.

Other irregularities include N80.03 million for procurement of consultants, N2.11 million for payment of duty tour allowance in excess of the approved rate and N14.10 million for the engagement of consultants.

Read more reports on the  2020 Aduit report here

ICIR funded report wins African award for Nigerian female journalist

Itoro ETUKUDO
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ICIR funded report wins African award for Nigerian female journalist

A STORY funded by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (The ICIR) has emerged as the winner of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS)  Media Africa awards for local journalism.

The announcement was made via a press release by KAS Media on Tuesday, February 6.

The entry by Grace Obike, a journalist with The Nations newspaper, was named one of the top three most exceptional contributions from 300 submissions across 22 African countries, spanning the anglophone and francophone regions.

The story “Abuja communities where girls’ breasts are suppressed to save them from rape” detailed how pre-teens in Abuja are tormented and forced to undergo breast ironing to avoid being raped.

According to the KAS award panel, Grace Obike’s story showed the disturbing practice and the difficulties in changing the mindset of those involved in the heinous act.

“Grace Obike’s story on breast ironing in Abuja highlights a troubling practice where girls aged 9-13 undergo this painful procedure to protect them from paedophiles in the community.

Award winning journalist, Grace Obike
Award winning journalist, Grace Obike

“Despite efforts to curb this gender-based violence, the story underscores the challenges in changing entrenched mindsets and holding perpetrators accountable for what is a lasting impact on these girls’ transition into womanhood,” they stated.

Responding to her nomination, Obike lauded the The ICIR for providing her with the grant to complete the report.

She said it would have been impossible for her to conduct the investigation and that the issue would remain unreported.

“I was surprised when I received the mail informing me of the win. I was so excited and grateful to The ICIR, to be honest, for the opportunity to do the report.

“Without the grant from The ICIR, I don’t think that I would have been able to undertake the investigations and, unfortunately, the issue would have probably remained unreported because since the story got published, a lot has happened,” she expressed.

She explained that after the report was published, she alerted the Minister of Women Affairs, who then took action with the backing of other women in the National Assembly.

Obike added, “The Minister has met with leaders in these communities. Some weeks ago, she signed an memorandum of understanding (MoU) on ending breast ironing in the communities and informed them that the FCT mobile courts would deal with people involved henceforth”.

After ICIR report, FCT Police arrest armed robbers at abandoned N4bn hospital

Bankole ABE
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After ICIR report, FCT Police arrest armed robbers at abandoned N4bn hospital

THE operatives of FCT Police Command have arrested armed robbers at an abandoned N4bn healthcare project in the Utako area of Abuja.

 The ICIR revealed how the hospital project remained abandoned ten years after the contracted company, PPC Limited, shabbily executed the project despite gulping over N2 billion. 

This led to a legal tussle between the company and the FCT, which has stalled the project’s completion.

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In a statement signed by the spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, Police officers attached to Utako Divisional Headquarters, on Wednesday, February 7, in a coordinated raid operation, arrested six suspected armed robbers in the building already marked a black spot.

The suspects, Basara Hassan, 41, Daniel Charles, 27, Adamu M Oshiaka, 32, Chancy Asidi, 38, and Saliu Al Hassan, 24, were arrested in neighbouring states bordering FCT. 

“A locally made pistol, two live cartridges and wraps of substances suspected to be marijuana were recovered from the suspects.

Further investigation about the recovered ammunition led to the arrest of one Yusuf Iliyasu, a.k.a Tablet, who is an ex-convict and the syndicate leader,” the statement reads.

According to Adeh, while the investigation is ongoing, the Commissioner of Police FCT, Benneth C. Igweh, wishes to assure residents of his commitment to making Abuja a hell for criminals and to ensure the safety of all.

The command urged residents to report suspicious activities through the following emergency lines: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, and 08028940883; PCB: 09022222352.

Conceived in 2008, the Utako District Hospital, now a haven for criminals, was initially designed as a 220-bed facility to provide high-quality healthcare services to FCT residents, particularly those living in the surrounding area.

Surprisingly, the community is not located in a remote area but along the Obafemi Awolowo Road, near the Arab junction in the heart of the FCT. 

According to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) response received from the Federal Capital Territory Development Administration (FCDA), the project was awarded to M/S Phillips Project Centre Limited at a total cost of N4.26 billion on September 20, 2008. 

However, despite more than half of the contract value (N2.26 billion) being released to the contractor, the hospital remains uncompleted and abandoned, leaving the community without the much-needed healthcare facility.

Hospital turned into a home for squatters

The hospital’s surroundings were a dumping ground during a visit to the hospital site by The ICIR. The buildings with roofs intact had become a haven for illegal occupants and street urchins. The residents lamented how the building had transformed into a hub for criminal elements.

The compound was a habitat for reptiles, and farmers took advantage of the situation by planting maize and other crops, during the rainy season.

 

We won’t grant FG loan again until outstandings are paid – CBN

Harrison EDEH
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We won’t grant FG loan again until outstandings are paid – CBN

THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Olayemi Cardoso, has said the apex bank would no longer grant ways and means advances to the Federal Government unless the outstanding balance is settled.

Cardoso said this on Friday, February 9, during an interface with the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions.

He was accompanied by Sani Abdullahi, CBN Deputy Governor; Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture, and Aliyu Abdullahi, minister of State for Agriculture,

Ways and Means is a loan facility through which the Central Bank of Nigeria finances the Federal Government’s budget shortfalls.

In December 2023, the National Assembly approved the securitisation of the outstanding debit balance of N7.3 trillion of the ways and means advance in the consolidated revenue fund (CRF) of the Federal Government.

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In March 2022, the Debt Management Office (DMO) announced that the Federal Government had borrowed N18.16 trillion from the Central Bank, raising public concerns.

The ICIR  recently reported how the overlending with the Federal Government was putting inflationary pressure on the economy and violating the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

Cardoso insisted that the apex bank would not be a part of the ways and means agreement with the Federal Government again if it failed to refund all the outstanding debts, noting that the action complies with section (38) of the CBN Act (2007).

“I am pleased to note the fiscal authorities’ efforts in discontinuing ways and means advances. This is also in compliance with section (38) of the CBN Act (2007).

“The Bank is no longer at liberty to grant further ways and means advances to the Federal Government until the outstanding balance as of December 31, 2023, is fully settled. The Bank must strictly adhere to the law limiting advances under ways and means to five per cent of the previous year’s revenue.

The CBN governor noted that the payment of the outstanding balance of the ways and means would control inflation in the country.

Cardoso also informed that the Bank had halted quasi-fiscal measures of over N10 trillion by the CBN under the guise of development finance interventions, which hitherto contributed to flooding excess naira and raising prices to the inflation levels the nation currently grapples with.

He, however, did not state whether the Federal Government had surpassed the limit of advances according to the CBN Act.

“The CBN’s adoption of the inflation-targeting framework involves clear communication and collaboration with fiscal authorities to achieve price stability, potentially leading to lowered policy rates, stimulating investment, and creating job opportunities.

“Our MPC meeting on the 26th and 27th of February is also expected to review the situation and take further decisions on these important issues”, Cardoso said.

PZ Cussons posts over N46b loss, shows signs of insolvency

Ehime ALEX
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PZ Cussons posts over N46b loss, shows signs of insolvency

PZ CUSSONS Nigeria Plc has reported a loss after tax of N46.08 billion and an unfavourable financial position as the company’s total liabilities exceed total assets.

The negative performances were revealed in the company’s 2023/2024 second quarter (Q2) financial statements released to the investing public on Thursday, February 8.

The negative financial position showed signs that the company was heading for bankruptcy, a state of asset deficiency, and financial distress. As such, analysts said the company might default on its obligations to creditors.

In the review quarter, PZ Cussons Nigeria disclosed a financial position of total assets of N154.81 billion and total liabilities of N177.98 billion, resulting in a negative shareholders equity of N23.17 billion.

Findings by The ICIR show that PZ Cussons Nigeria went into excess borrowing as total borrowings more than doubled by 146.63 per cent to N59.22 billion in Q2 2023/2024 compared to N24.01 billion in Q2 2022/2023.

“Borrowing relates to a loan received from the ultimate parent company – PZ Cussons(Holding) Limited, UK, in July 2022 based on an agreement signed in June 2022. The facility amount is $40.26 million, and it is non-interest-bearing.

“The Company is involved in trade financing arrangements with some local banks where the banks agree to pay amounts to foreign vendors in respect of invoices owed by the company and receive settlement from the company at a later date,” PZ Cussons said.

PZ Cussons Nigeria also reported negative performances on its profit lines. The company’s operating loss widened by 4,313.79 per cent to N48.68 billion in Q2 2023/2024 from N1.10 billion in Q2 2022/2023.

It reported a loss before tax of N45.88 billion and a loss after tax of N46.08 billion in the Q2 2023/2024 financial period.

Findings by The ICIR indicate that the operating loss resulted from a N52.41 billion foreign exchange loss the company reported in the review period as against N2.02 billion in the corresponding quarter.

On the contrary, the company posted a profit before tax of N6.49 billion and a profit after tax of N5.71 billion in the corresponding period (Q2 2022/2023).

The Head of Financial Institutions Rating at Agusto&Co, Ayokunle Olubunmi, said of the developments, “The negative performance of PZ Cussons reveals why the company is leaving the Nigerian market.

“As it stands, it means the company has to recapitalise and re-strategise.”

The ICIR reported that PZ Cussons was on a smooth exit from the Nigerian stock market.

Its parent company, PZ Cussons (Holdings) Limited United Kingdom, had offered N21 per unit of shares to buy out minority shareholders under a “scheme of arrangement” in line with section 715 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, No.3 of 2020 (as amended) and other applicable rules and regulations.

The ICIR also reported that consumer goods and other manufacturing companies with international presence were exiting the Nigerian market.

On April 4, 2023, Unilever Nigeria Plc announced its exit after about 100 years of operations in Nigeria.  

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), a British multinational pharmaceutical group, also indicated its exit on August 4, 2023, after 51 years of operation.

Osun youths protest hardship, say ‘we can’t cope again’

Ijeoma OPARA
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Osun youths protest hardship, say ‘we can’t cope again’

YOUTHS in Osun state staged a peaceful protest in Osogbo on Friday, February 9, 2024, condemning the rising cost of living in the country and calling for immediate intervention by the government.      

The protesters carried placards with inscriptions that read ‘change the unfavourable policies,’ ‘Nigerians are suffering, we can’t cope again.’

They occupied the MDS Road in Osogbo on Friday.

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According to the Osun Civil Societies Coalition chairman, Waheed Lawal, the protests will continue until the government addresses the economic hardships confronting citizens.

“Government must ameliorate the suffering of the people. They must do whatever they need to do to make sure that the people live in better conditions. Nigerians deserve the best. They promised us renewed hope, but what they are giving us now is renewed hardship. We reject renewed hardship in our lives and our economy because Nigerians deserve the best.

“What Nigerians want is a peaceful atmosphere. We don’t want insecurity in our land again. We can’t travel from Osogbo to Ibadan without panicking. You will be thinking that they will kidnap you,” he said.

The protesters urged the government to address the rising insecurity and abductions nationwide.

A similar protest occurred in Minna, the Niger state capital, on Monday, February 5, as residents, mostly women and young people, blocked major roads in the city.

The protesters decried the hike in fuel price and its adverse impact on the economy, challenging the government to take action on the issue.

However, the Niger State Police Command arrested the leader of the protest along with 24 others, accusing them of being violent.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Niger State Police Command, Abiodun Wasiu, said the suspects were taken to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) and would be prosecuted.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, February 8, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) issued the Federal government a 14-day ultimatum to implement its agreements with workers to ease economic hardships confronting them and other citizens.

D’Tigress defeat Senegal, 72-65, closer to grab Olympic ticket

Dotun OMISAKIN
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D’Tigress defeat Senegal, 72-65, closer to grab Olympic ticket

NIGERIA’S senior women’s national basketball team, D’Tigress, on Wednesday, February 8, began their qualification quest to the Olympic Games in Paris in the summer with a 72-65 win against Senegal.

The match day 1 of the FIBA Olympic Games Qualifying Tournament in Antwerp, Belgium, saw a nail-biting contest between the two countries.

Nigeria displayed dominance in the first quarter as the Rena Wakama tutored side won by a two-point margin of 20-18 but fell behind in the second quarter with a nine-point margin 17-28 to go on break 46-37.

Resumption from the break saw Nigeria unleash their arsenal to manage a margin of 12-11 at the end of the third but were still trailing their opponents by eleven margin of 57-48.

In the final quarter, Nigeria remained resolute and displayed confidence as they won with a whooping fifteen margin, 23-8, to close the gap, ending with 72-65 in the final result.

Amy Okonkwo, who elicited cheers from her admirers, had a double-double, 21 points and ten rebounds at the end of the match. She capped it all with three assists and one blocked shot. 

Nigeria will take on world champions USA on Friday, February 9, on match day two, while Senegal will meet host Belgium. 

A win against the USA gives Nigeria the Olympic ticket automatically.

However, should the country lose against the US, it still has a last match against Belgium, which it must win to get the ticket.

Reacting to Nigeria’s victory, Nigeria’s basketball journalist, Queen Joseph-Moseph, on her ‘X’ handle @queenjohn4, wrote that early preparation would reduce the pressure on Nigeria during the match.

“The second quarter almost caused us this game, but the @DtigressNG came back in full force in the second half and were unstoppable in the fourth, especially on defence. It just showed we needed more time together.

“We last played together in August last year at the Afrobasket. Better preparation would have reduced the tension on us. Paris @DtigressNG is coming ….” she wrote.

Tanko Muhammad-led Supreme Court accused of unauthorised sale of landed properties

Bankole ABE
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Tanko Muhammad-led Supreme Court accused of unauthorised sale of landed properties

THE Auditor-General of the Federation’s Report 2020 has accused the Supreme Court under former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Tanko Muhammad.

The court was accused of selling various landed properties without authorisation.

The report also indicted the apex court for not presenting payment vouchers to the tune of the sum of N10,223,565,485.70 (Ten billion, two hundred and twenty-three million, five hundred and sixty-five thousand, four hundred and eighty-five naira, seventy kobos).

According to the report, which covers 2020 but was released in December 2023 and made available to the public in 2024, selling the properties violates paragraph 2614 of the Financial Regulations (FR), 2009.

The report said the apex also violated paragraph 2620(i) of the FR 2009, which stated that.

“The Officer in charge of the public auction, or public tender shall pay the net proceeds of the auction after the deduction of the auctioneer’s commission, to the nearest Sub-Treasury or Central Pay Office for classification to the appropriate Sub-Head of the Miscellaneous Revenue Head. He shall inform the Accounting Officer concerned of the details of the proceeds of sale and quote the reference and date of the relevant Treasury Receipt. 

“The Accounting Officer shall inform the Accountant-General and the Auditor-General of the reference number, date and amount of the Treasury Receipt for the proceeds of the sales of articles disposed of.”

The audit report stated that they have yet to receive a response from the management of the apex court on the issues raised.

The report recommends that the Chief Registrar of the court should do the following in case of the landed properties:

1. Provide justification to the Public Accounts Committees of the National Assembly on the unauthorised disposal of properties.

2. Recover the disposed properties at No. 72 Alexander Avenue; No. 2, Club Road; No. 20, Cameron Road; and No. 15, Ikoyi Crescent.

3. Forward evidence of recovery to the Public Accounts Committees of the National Assembly.

It stated that otherwise, sanctions relating to the premature scrapping of government properties and gross misconduct prescribed in Paragraphs 3114 and 3129 of the Financial Regulations (FR) 2009, respectively, should apply.

Non – Presentation of payment vouchers to the tune of the sum of N10.2 billion

In the case of non – presentation of payment vouchers to the tune of the sum of N10.2 billion, the report said the fund represented money paid through one hundred and twenty-four (124) vouchers to various beneficiaries, but the paid vouchers and other supporting documents were not presented for audit contrary to extant regulations.

The report attributed the anomalies to weaknesses in the internal control system at the Supreme Court.

Inflation of contract price

On another issue, the report asked the apex court to justify the Public Accounts Committees of the National Assembly, the sum of 11,433,600.00 (Eleven million, four and thirty-three million, six hundred naira) being inflation of contract price, recover and remit the sum of #11,4 million to the Treasury and forward evidence of remittance to the Public Accounts Committees of the National

Otherwise, sanctions relating to inflation of contract and gross misconduct prescribed in Paragraphs 3102 and 3129 of the Financial Regulations (FR) 2009, respectively, should apply.

Muhammad assumed office as CJN in an acting capacity on January 25, 2019, and then substantively, on July 24, 2019.

He succeded Walter Onnoghen. He resigned in June 2022 as a result of ill health.

The ICIR reports that the report also indicted the University of Ilorin of over N1bn corruption.

The ICIR published several reports from the damning documents released by the Auditor-General over the years, emphasising the need to ensure transparency and accountability in government.

Police arraign 6 traders for assaulting actress Lizzy Anjorin

Itoro ETUKUDO
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Police arraign 6 traders for assaulting actress Lizzy Anjorin

POLICE have arraigned six Lagos traders for assaulting and blackmailing Nollywood actress Lizzy Anjorin.

On Monday, February 5, the actress was accused of stealing gold from a Lagos market, while other sources said she engaged in a fraudulent transaction after purchasing goods for N91,000 from a store within the market.

In a viral video, the actress can be seen attempting to explain herself while being accused by traders at Oba Akintoye Market on Lagos Island in Lagos State.

Lizzy Anjorin rejected the accusations in an Instagram live video, explaining that she stopped by a vendor in the market and requested his account details, which she sent to her husband, who paid the vendor for what she bought. The vendor acknowledged that the transaction was successful, she stated.

However, on Thursday, February 8, the Police arraigned six traders, Qudus Jokogbola, Suru Olawale, Edu Shakirat, Fausat Mohammed, Kafayat Ahmed, and Opere Simiat Morenike, at Lagos’ Chief Magistrate Court for over the allegations.

The prosecutor, Sola Samuel, claimed that the six defendants intended to shove and drag Anjorin into the market and, in doing so, caused her bodily injury.

He said their conduct disrupted the peace and breached sections 411 and 413, 168(d) and 170(b) of the Lagos State Criminal Laws, 2015, which are punishable under the same Act.

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Meanwhile, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the allegations, and their lawyer, Ade Oshodi, informed the court that all of his clients were market men and women; therefore, the court should grant them bail on the most liberal terms.

In his ruling, the magistrate, A.A. Paul, granted each defendant N200,000 bail with one guarantee, specifying that the sureties must be Lagos residents with proof of tax payment.

He further ordered that the accused be placed in the Nigerian Correctional Services until they meet their bail conditions.

The case was adjourned till March 11.

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