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Flooding: Bayelsa, Lagos, Rivers, Delta at risk in 2023 — NEMA

Ijeoma OPARA
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Flooding: Bayelsa, Lagos, Rivers, Delta at risk in 2023 — NEMA

THE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned that Bayelsa, Lagos, Rivers, and Delta states are at higher risk of flooding in 2023.

During the presentation of the 2023 Climate-related Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Strategies in Abuja on Thursday April 13, Director-General (DG) of NEMA, Mustapha Ahmed said the flooding is predicted to result from rising sea levels and tidal surge in the states.

“This year’s forecast has indicated that there is a high risk of coastal flooding due to expected rise in sea level and tidal surge that may negatively impact agriculture, human settlements and transportation in Bayelsa, Delta, Lagos, and Rivers states.

“Flash and urban floods are also forecast over many cities and towns due to poor drainage systems and the lack of compliance with town planning and environmental regulations,” Ahmed said.

He noted that 2023 floods could be similar or worse than what occurred in 2022 if adequate preparatory steps were not taken, and called for early action to mitigate or avert possible disasters.

“In NEMA, we believe that early warning must be matched with early action. Therefore, we have written letters and attached this document for dispatch to all the 36 State Governments and the FCT Administration with specific mention of LGAs at risk and actions that are expected to be taken by responsible authorities.

“We have also produced flood risk maps of areas at risk and uploaded them on our official website and social media platforms for greater access by the public,” he said.

Ahmed said the agency had commenced sensitisation of the public on the predicted floods and urged state governments to establish Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMC) in areas where they do not exist.

In 2022, several lives and properties were lost to floods which affected about 33 states.

According to NEMA, 665 people died and 3181 others were injured as a result of flooding.

Over 200 thousand people were displaced and nearly a million farmlands partially or totally destroyed.

A report by the National Agricultural Extension Research Liaison Services (NAESRLS) also stated that agricultural investment lost to the 2022 flood was worth about N700 billion.

NEMA had issued a similar warning in March during a technical training on climate disaster, describing the 2022 flood as a wake up call for emergency responders.

“The 2022 flood disaster which is unprecedented in the history of Nigeria has wreaked havoc in all the states of the country. Many of the affected communities are still yet to recover from the impacts of the devastating event,” Ahmed said.

Police dismiss three officers over misuse of firearms

Mustapha USMAN
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Police dismiss three officers over misuse of firearms

THREE policemen have been dismissed by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) over offenses bordering on misuse of firearms, abuse of power, gross indiscipline and wastage of live ammunition.

The officers were attached to a popular Kano-based musician Dauda Kahutu Rarara.

The development followed a viral video of the officers shooting in the air while escorting the musician despite being surrounded by civilians.

The incident sparked angry reactions from many Nigerians on the social media and also drew the attention of the Police Public relations officer Olumuyiwa Adejob, who said the men would be sanctioned.

Subsequently, The ICIR reported that the three policemen were arrested and would face trial.

Meanwhile, a statement released by the Force PRO Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Thursday, April 13, disclosed that the trio were found guilty of the charges.

The statement read: “Subsequent to complaints and findings on video evidence widely circulated on Friday 7th April, 2023, on social media of high-handedness, unprofessional conduct, and misuse of firearms against some policemen from Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 1, Kano, and a follow-up orderly room trial of the affected policemen by the Force Provost Marshal, three officers from the SPU Base 1 Kano have been dismissed for the offences of discreditable conduct to wit misuse of firearms, abuse of power, gross indiscipline, and wastage of live ammunition.

“The trio, Inspr. Dahiru Shuaibu, Sgt. Abdullahi Badamasi, and Sgt. Isah Danladi were attached to a musician in Kano on escort duties. In the course of their duty on Friday 7th April, 2023 at Kahutu Village, Katsina State, the officers repeatedly fired shots from their official firearms into the air despite police policy against firing in the air, standard operating procedure and relevant Force Orders; and disregarding the possible risk to the crowd at the location which included children.

“The act was not only criminal and unprofessional but also embarrassing to the Force and the nation at large.”

The Force further warned all officers to ensure they carry out their duties in line with the extant laws to avoid running foul of its provisions and  attracting attendant sanctions. 

It also tasked its supervising officers  to ensure continuous and detailed lectures of their with all necessary standard operating procedures.

Cases of dismissal in the past

In June, 2022, The ICIR reported that about 258 policemen have been punished following complaints received from citizens by the Complaint Response Unit (CRU) of the Nigeria Police Force since 2015.

The report stressed that 31 policemen were also dismissed while eight others were subjected to orderly room trials based on complaints received. 

According to the CRU, a total of N55.6 million was returned to the owners after being recovered from defaulting policemen since the inception of the unit.

Similarly, a police officer attached to the Dolphin Divisional Police Headquarters, Lagos, Opeyemi Kadiri, was sacked for gross misconduct and other offences.

The police said the sacked corporal’s behaviour violated the directive of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba.

Adejobi stated, “The dismissed officer, who enlisted into the force on 6th December, 2016, was caught searching a commuter’s phone by the roadside, contrary to the directive of Usman Alkali Baba, Inspector-General of Police (IGP), to that effect.

“He equally assaulted the commuter, who attempted to bring the order to his notice. His dismissal takes effect from today the 12th of August, 2022.”

The ICIR in October 2022 reported how the Police Service Commission (PSC) approved the demotion of seven senior officers and reduced the ranks of 10 others.

A statement issued by the PSC Head, Press and Public Relations Ikechukwu Ani, explained that the punitive measures were based on gross misconduct of the errant officers.

The ICIR gathered that seven police officers were also dismissed in Imo State in December, 2022.

The police spokesperson in the state, Michael Abattam, said the dismissal of the officers followed series of complaints to the commissioner of police in Imo State against the officers by some residents.

Abattam said the complainants accused the police officers of brutality, harassment, extortion and illegal checking of their mobile phones.

Several other policemen have been dismissed over misconduct and unprofessional behaviour by the NPF.

Airport detention: No apology from British govt – Obi

Vincent Ufuoma
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Airport detention: No apology from British govt – Obi

LABOUR Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi has denied receiving any letter of apology from the British Government over his detention by Immigration officials at the London Heathrow Airport.

On April 7, Obi was detained on suspicion of impersonation during routine immigration checks as he arrived in London for a brief visit.

The incident was disclosed by the spokesperson of the Obi-Datti Media Campaign team, Diran Onifade, in a statement released on April 12.

On Thursday, April 13, there were reports that the British Government has apologised to Obi.

The reports said the British authorities sent an apology letter to the LP presidential flagbearer.

However, Obi, in a statement by Onifade, on Thursday, said he did not receive any apology from the UK government.

The statement also expresses the LP’s confidence in the ability of British authorities to resolve the matter.

“We have been receiving enquiries with regards to a so called apology, purportedly issued by the British Government or any of its agencies, to our Principal Mr Peter Obi, in respect of a routine Immigration engagement with him, as he arrived London, for a brief visit, last Friday, the 7th of April,” he said

“We would like to state emphatically that we are not aware of any such apology, and have not issued any statement whatsoever, in that regard. While we continue to examine any dubious or political motive, on the part of the perpetrators of the identity theft, we have every confidence in the ability of the British authorities to resolve the matter, to conclusion,” Onifade said.

While the incident has sparked concern among his supporters and other Nigerians, Onifade said the LP and Obi’s team have since moved on from the incident.

He said they are focused on the legal processes before the Election Petition Tribunal, where they hope to recover the mandate they believe was given to the LP presidential candidate by Nigerians on February 25.

In an earlier statement released on April 12, where he recounted what transpired at the London Heathrow Airport, Onifade had expressed concerns that Obi’s alleged impersonator, who is still at large, may commit some offences that might result in Obi’s arrest in the UK.

Narrating what happened, Onifade said: “The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, just back from London, United Kingdom where he celebrated Easter, has confirmed that he was harassed by London Immigration officials and placed in detention but for the spontaneous reaction of Nigerians at Heathrow Airport.

“Obi-Datti Media Office can confirm that the LP presidential candidate in the February 25 presidential poll arrived at the Heathrow Airport in London from Nigeria on Good Friday, April 7, 2023, and joined the queue for the necessary airport protocols when he was accosted by Immigration official who handed him a detention note and told him to step aside.

“He was questioned for a long time, and it was very strange for a man who lived for over a decade in that country.

“The Immigration officials who were also taken aback at the reaction of the people were forced to reveal that Obi was being questioned for a duplication offence meaning that someone has been impersonating him in London.”

Why FG should suspend national census — Ortom, Middle Belt Forum

Sinafi OMANGA
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Why FG should suspend national census — Ortom, Middle Belt Forum

BENUE State governor, Samuel Ortom and the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) have said the 2023 national census should be suspended until Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are returned to their ancestral lands.

The national population and housing census is scheduled to hold from May 3 to 7.

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Ortom and the leadership of the Middle Belt Forum called for the postponement of the planned census on Thursday, April 13, when a delegation from the MBF, led by its President, Bitrus Pogu, paid a courtesy call on the governor in Makurdi.

The governor said the failure of the Federal Government to provide adequate security for IDPs and the country before the census would amount to “a hidden agenda”, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur.

Ortom noted that about two million Benue indigenes displaced by insecurity would miss the census unless they are safely returned and resettled in their homes.

“I want to say that the Federal Government should suspend the issue of census because it looks like the proposed census is coming with an agenda. Because I understand from the National Population Commission that those to be counted must be counted in their localities”, he said.

Ortom decried the continued attacks on Benue communities by armed herdsmen over the years which, according to him, have led to the death of more than six thousand people, “and property worth billions of naira destroyed with the Federal Government doing little to help”.

“In Benue State alone we have lost over six thousand people. In the last few days alone, over 131 persons were killed and we are still counting because others are in the hospital”, he added.

Governor Samuel Ortom (L) in a handshake with Bitrus Pogu
Credit: Facebook

In his remarks, MBF leader Pogu said attacks by armed herdsmen on various communities within the Middle Belt “are frightening, because after killing and displacing the villagers, the Fulani came and renamed those villages”.

While calling on Federal Government to ensure security of lives and property in the country, Pogu said “Middle Belt will not cede our land to anyone”.

“No portion of our land will be ceded to anyone. It will not be allowed. That should not be allowed to happen. Our land is our heritage”, he added.

First census since 2006

The 2023 national population census will be Nigeria’s first headcount in Nigeria in 17 years. The last census was in 2006.

The census will be conducted in May and, according to the NPC, will meet global best standards.

Nigeria’s estimated population is more than 200 million, and the United Nations expects that to double by 2050. That would make Nigeria the world’s third most populous country, overtaking the United States.

The census had been earlier scheduled for March 29 but was postponed due to the postponement of the gubernatorial and state assembly elections.

EFCC charges non-profit organisations on terrorism financing

Bankole ABE
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EFCC charges non-profit organisations on terrorism financing

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML), has called on non-profit organisations (NPOs) in the Northeast to join hands with it in combating the financing of terrorism and money laundering in the region.

The Director, SCUML, Daniel Isei, gave the charge on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at a two-day workshop for NPOs in the Northeast. 

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The theme of the workshop, held at Pinnacle Hotel, Maiduguri, was, ‘Collaborating to Fight Terrorism Financing.’

This was disclosed in a statement on Thursday, April 13, signed by the EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren.

According to the statement, Isei, while addressing the participants on the report of the ‘Risk Assessment of the Non-Profit Organizations Sector in Nigeria’, said the document is the outcome of engagements with relevant stakeholders and provides a sort of roadmap on how NPOs can insulate themselves from the vulnerabilities in the sector.

 “We are aware that some NPOs are at a higher risk than others because each and every NPO’s area of operation is not the same. Therefore, the report is for us to take in, digest, and see the findings, how they affect each and every one of us,” Isei said.

He emphasised the critical role of NPOs in the fight against terrorist financing and charged them to ensure their businesses were not used as conduits for terrorism financing.

Isei also urged the participants not to consider visits by SCUML as suggestive of the discovery of any wrongdoing, adding that the agency has a statutory mandate to monitor the organisations.

 “The visit is to check your processes to ensure that actions and mechanisms are put in place, and to prevent the possibilities for NPOs to be misused for terrorist financing,” he said.

He warned that errant NPOs would face requisite sanctions.

The head of the Maiduguri Zonal Commander of the EFCC, Oshodi Johnson, accompanied by his deputy, Okeckuku Obiageli Ethlynda, stated that NPOs were critical in curbing the menace of terrorism financing.

He urged the organisations to be wholly committed to their humanitarian work and resist every temptation to be involved in activities that are against the laws of the land.

The Executive Secretary of the Borno State Agency for Coordination of Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Response, Bunu Monguno, expressed confidence that the risk assessment report would help NPOs to deliver on their mandate.

SCUML is charged with the responsibility of monitoring, supervising and regulating the activities of Designated Non-Financial Institutions (DNFIs), in line with the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act ML(P)Act 2011 and the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) 2011.

United Nations World Oceans Day photo contest seeks entries

Blessing OTOIBHI
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United Nations World Oceans Day photo contest seeks entries

DIVE Photo Guide, in partnership with the United Nations, is inviting entries for the United Nations World Oceans Day 2023 Photography Competition.

The competition seeks to inspire the creation of imagery capturing the beauty, the challenges, and the importance of the ocean and humankind’s relation to it.

Six categories are open for submissions of entries: No Time to Waste; Putting the Ocean First; The Wonderful World of Tides; Underwater Seascapes; The Ocean is Life; and Big and Small Underwater Faces.

Winning images will be recognized at the United Nations on June 8, 2023, during the UN event marking World Oceans Day 2023.

The organiser says entry is free.

Photographers around the world can enter a photo contest on ocean preservation.

The deadline for the submission of entries is April 23, 2023. Interested applicants can apply here.

Prioritise ease of doing business before tight monetary policy, economists tell FG, CBN

Harrison EDEH
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Prioritise ease of doing business before tight monetary policy, economists tell FG, CBN

ECONOMISTS and industry watchers want the Federal government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to pay closer attention to ease of doing business before adopting the monetary tightening measures suggested by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its latest report outlook.

The IMF, in its latest quarterly World Economic Outlook report unveiled at the ongoing Spring meeting in Washington DC, United States, said Nigeria’s economy could drop slightly to 3.2 per cent in 2023, and then lower further to 3 per cent next year as global outlook sustains high uncertainty amid recent financial sector turmoil, high inflation, ongoing effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and three years of COVID-19 pandemic.

The global economy faces a “rocky” recovery as geopolitics, monetary tightening and inflation continue to weigh on growth, the IMF said.

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“For Nigeria, our forecast is one of the most stable ones for this year. We have a slight increase; we have 3.3 per cent in 2022. That’s an upward revision. And for 2023, about the same 3.2 per cent, and 3 per cent in 2024. So this is an economy with very high inflation as well, and this is why we have a forecast of about 20 per cent for 2023,” IMF Division Chief, Research Department, Daniel Leigh, stated during a press briefing announcing the report.

Global growth is expected to expand 2.8 per cent this year and 3 per cent next year, each 0.1 percentage point less than the Fund’s January projection. That compares with 3.4 per cent expansion in 2022.

But economic watchers are of the view that Nigeria has reached its limits on tightening, arguing that further monetary tightening could squeeze the manufacturing sector further into crisis.

They insisted that the government must rally efforts around ease of doing business, to enable manufacturers and other players in small and medium scale enterprises not to be squeezed out by such monetary tightening tools.

“I don’t really agree with this position of IMF on further tightening of our monetary position. As far as I’m concerned, we have reached the limits of tightening. How many countries have a cash reserve ratio (how much money banks can keep in their vaults as permitted by the CBN) of 32.5 per cent in the world,” the Executive Director of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises and former Director-General of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Muda Yusuf, told The ICIR.

Yusuf: wants attention paid to ease of doing business

Yusuf maintained that the high interest rate of 18 per cent was already squeezing businesses dry, making cost of funds for businesses almost beyond reach.

He stressed that the government needed to do more on the ease of doing business, adding, “The forex challenge is still there and there is no transparency. This is a policy problem. The second concern is energy cost, which is extremely high, and which affects cost of transportation.

“We also have the problem of high costs of production, which makes manufacturers not to sell easily because of high costs occasioned by high inflation and other costs of major concern,,” he said.

Another development economist, Celestine Okeke, said beyond monetary policy tightening, the government must pay attention to cutting wastages and fiscal discipline.

Okeke: Nigeria needs to cut wastages from government expenditure

Okeke said, “We are doing the wrong type of tightening. We need to cut out wastes from the ministries, departments and agencies of government. Every year, we are buying Hilux vehicles and several unnecessary things. For me, the $800 million they are bringing for the social safety would have been put into getting our refineries to work to lessen the buden of high energy costs.”

An economic analyst with the Arise Television, Chuka Mbonu, said the manufacturers were going through difficult times occasioned largely by high cost of production and weak impact of ease of doing business.

Mbonu said, “Manufacturers are buffeted by insecurity, lack of power, double taxes, legal fee issues, and high transportation costs. They are not even able to produce goods at a lower price. This issue of monetary tightening would not solve these problems. The fiscal side and enabling business environment has to play its role.”

The IMF had earlier expressed worry that earlier hopes in 2023 that the world economy could achieve a soft landing — with inflation coming down and growth steady — have receded amid stubbornly high inflation and recent financial sector turmoil.

These situations have added to pressures emanating from tighter monetary policy and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The unexpected failures last month of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, and the collapse of Credit Suisse Group AG have stirred markets and raised fears of financial stability concerns, complicating central banks’ quest to tame inflation, while maintaining growth and the health of the banking system.

Nigeria’s Purchasing Manager Index – an index to guage the health of the country’s manufacturing survey conducted by Stanbic IBTC Bank in March 2023 – declined to 42.3 points, below the 50-point benchmark of a good performance.

In the fourth quarter of 2022, the manufacturing sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product declined to 8.40 per cent from 8.59 per cent in the corresponding period of 2021, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The NBS data also showed that Nigeria’s total non-oil exports in 2022 were worth $4.8 billion (N2.2 trillion), which is just a fraction of Vietnam’s $53.2 billion earnings from only its agricultural export in the same period.

Again bandits attack Southern Kaduna, kill eight residents

Bankole ABE
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Again bandits attack Southern Kaduna, kill eight residents

BANDITS have attacked the Atak’Njei hamlet in Kaduna State’s Zango Kataf Local Government Area, killing at least eight people.

The latest attack occurred a few weeks after a similar tragedy in the same local government area’s Langson village that took eleven lives.

Atak’Njei is home to the palace of the Agwatyap Chiefdom’s supreme monarch.

The President of Atyap Community Development Association, Sam Timbuwak, told Channels Television that the gunmen invaded the neighbourhood on Wednesday, April 12 at around 9:00 pm and began firing intermittently at residents’ homes.

He claimed that the bandits killed eight individuals during the attack and injured four others.

The Atyap leader, who revealed that the attack’s scene is close to a military checkpoint, bemoaned the soldiers’ late arrival in the neighbourhood after the assailants had already left.

He urged the security agencies to find those responsible for attacks in Atyapland.

Attempts to reach the police authorities and the state’s commissioner for security were unsuccessful.

While the Police spokesperson, Mohammed Jalige, promised to get back to The ICIR’s reporter on the issue, the Commissioner of Security, Samuel Aruwan, did not pick up his calls and did not respond to a text message sent to his phone.

The high rate of bandits’ attacks in Southern Kaduna has increased in recent years.

The ICIR reported that Nigerians condemned the unending attacks in Southern Kaduna by bandits following the killing of about 28 residents on December 18, 2022.

In the December 18, 2022 attack, the bandits also razed houses at Malagum and Kagoro communities in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

An inter-denominational burial service was held for the victims of the attack on Thursday, December 22. Images from the burial were attached to a post on Facebook and other social media platforms by the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan.

The post was captioned, ‘The inter-denomination burial mass/service of the victims of the Fulani herders attack at Mallagum, Kagoro, Kaura Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria on this day, Thursday, 22nd December 2022. May their souls rest in peace with the Lord’.

Gangs of Lagos: Nigerians react as Lagos govt frowns at cultural misrepresentation

Mustapha USMAN
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Gangs of Lagos: Nigerians react as Lagos govt frowns at cultural misrepresentation

NIGERIANS on the social media have expressed mixed feelings following the displeasure of the Lagos State Government over perceived ‘cultural misrepresentation’ by the promoters of the ‘Gangs of Lagos’ movie.

The movie which was released on April 7, via Prime Video reportedly ranked in the top 10 categories in more than 30 countries within 24 hours of its release.

Gangs of Lagos, directed by Jade Osiberu, tells the story of three friends, Obalola (Tobi Bakre), Gift (Adesua Etomi-Wellington), and Ify (Chike) who have to join a gang after Obalola’s adoptive father was murdered by a group.

The director used Lagos Island and Eyo masquerade as part of the elements to tell the story.

Other notable Nollywood stars in the movie include: Olarotimi Fakunle, Chioma Chukwuka, Bimbo Ademoye, Iyabo Ojo, Zlatan, Debo “Mr Maraconi” Adedayo, Yhemolee, Pasuma, Toyin Abraham, Tayo Faniran, Damilola Ogunsi, and Funke Williams.

The movie, according to the Lagos State government, purportedly depicted Lagos culture as barbaric, noting that the film portrayed Eyo Masquerade as a gun wielding villain.

A statement signed by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, said the Ministry, being the regulatory body and custodian of the culture of Lagos State, viewed the film/series as a mockery of the heritage of Lagos.

She further expressed her displeasure with the promoters of the film, Jade Osiberu and Kemi Akindoju, for portraying the Eyo Masquerade as a gun-wielding villain while adorning the full traditional regalia.

The commissioner said: “We are of the opinion that the production of the film ‘The Gang of Lagos’ is very unprofessional and misleading while its content is derogatory of our culture, with the intention to desecrate the revered heritage of the people of Lagos. It is an unjust profiling of a people and culture as being barbaric and nefarious. It depicts a gang of murderers rampaging across the State”.

Akinbile-Yussuf maintained that the Adamu Orisha, popularly known as the Eyo Festival, is rarely observed and only comes up as a traditional rite of passage for Obas, revered Chiefs and eminent Lagosians.

According to her, Eyo Masquerade is equally used as a symbol of honour for remarkable historical events, adding that it signifies a sweeping renewal, a purification ritual to usher in a new beginning, a beckoning of new light and acknowledging the blessings of the ancestors of Lagosians.

Reactions

Meanwhile, reacting to the development, some Nigerians on the social media have criticized the government’s view of the movie. But others argued that the movie is indeed a misinterpretation of Lagos.

A twitter user, BeksFCB said, “We have seen different Nollywood/Yoruba movies about rituals, heavy witchcraft and charms. You did not frown at all of these but you want to draw the line because they portrayed Isale Eko in GANGS OF LAGOS as a dreaded area in the past. Just look at your priority! Smh!!!”

Another user with Uloma as the profile name, said the content of the statement by the Lagos State Government is just a smokescreen, noting that “their real anger is that certain people were portrayed as drug lords and corrupt elements and that is not good for history”.

“They’re telling us that any art we make that portrays them in bad light will be punished,” she added.

@iSlimfit said the movie carried a disclaimer. “Fiction”.

“Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events, is purely coincidental. You guys should stop embarrassing yourselves and the entire Nation!”

Ayò-Bànkóle Akíntújoyé wrote: “There are countless movies that portray the US intelligence as corrupt, brutal & fascist – direct opposite of what the US govt wants the world to believe. Heck, there are movies that show the White House attacked & taken down, or Christianity, Judaism, Greek Gods etc as all sorts. It’s creative liberty. Fiction. Govt shouldn’t be policing creative liberty and “cultural representation” in Nollywood when it has buildings collapsing & ravaging corruption & poverty to deal with.

“And what is it with this obsession with “culture” by Lagos state government for Christ’s sake??”

However, a popular musician Ogunmefun Olanrewaju, popularly known as Vector, expressed his displeasure at the ‘misrepresentation’ of Lagos in the movie.

He wrote: “I was born at the Onikan health center, lafiaji, Lagos island and all I have seen during the Eyo festival every time they’re out is, they stop by at ours and prayed wishing prosperity for my family.

“Most of our friends like the Olugbani’s who are direct Eyo Ologede gatekeepers (@hypeengine_mcbalo ) are not gun shooting criminals using culture as a disguise.

“As teenagers, i’ve had friends (underneath the regalia) chase me with the staff (Opambata) because I knew they would take advantage and show me shege lol.

“My idea of what the Bajulaiye is is totally different from murderous criminality.

“Going by what the term gang means, it is disrespectful to define the Eyo in the same light.”

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Another twitter user, @LegendaryJoe wrote: “Well, I hope one day our filmmakers will write stories with positive outlook on Lagos and its politics and policies. Or they should weave their stories around Abia, Anambra, Jigawa etc. Appears only Lagos is marketable enough or our film makers are just plain -lazy, there’s a lot to write about Oyo. But I must praise the cast and crew of the movie for it made a near perfect delivery of an action themed movie, to that extent, I stand impressed. But as far as story is concerned, King of Boys appears to have blazed the trail around Lagos.”

Indigenes petition NFVCB over defamation of Isale Eko, Eyo Masquerade 

The Isale Eko Descendants’ Union (IDU) have petitioned the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) over alleged defamation of their community and the Eyo Masquerade in the Gangs of Lagos film.

According to a statement released on Wednesday, April 12, by the Union’s secretary Opeyemi Bakreen, the IDU has requested that the NFVCB withdraw the approval granted to the movie.

Parts of the statement read: “The Illegal and scandalous depiction of the Eyo Masquerade in the movie is actionable and a petition has been lodged by the IDU with the National Film and Censors Board (NFVCB) including other major stakeholders.

“The IDU has, among other things, requested that the NFCVB withdraw the approval granted to the movie – Gangs of Lagos and direct the withdrawal of the movie from all viewing channels available to the public. The IDU and other community stakeholders will also be considering legal action for the damage done to the culture, tradition and image of the Isale Eko community and the Eyo Masquerade.”

PSC investigates alleged bribery for promotions in Nigeria Police Force

Ijeoma OPARA
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PSC investigates alleged bribery for promotions in Nigeria Police Force

THE Police Service Commission (PSC) is investigating allegations that $10,0000 bribe was paid to members of the Commission for special promotion of some junior police officers over higher ranking personnel of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

In a statement by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Commission Ikechukwu Ani on Thursday, April 13, the PSC said it was not aware of the alleged bribery, adding that it had not received any formal petition on the issue.

“The Commission wishes to state that it does not sell promotions in the Nigeria Police Force and will not start now when a deliberate effort is being made to reposition and reinvigorate the Nigeria Police Force, especially with the assumption of duty of Dr. Solomon Arase as Chairman of the Commission,” the statement noted.

However, the PSC urged anyone with substantial evidence of bribery for promotions to present proof to the Commission. The statement added that officials found guilty of taking bribes, would be dealt with according to the provisions of the law.

“The Commission has also set up a panel of investigation, comprising of both members of the Commission and that of the Nigeria Police Force to investigate these allegations. Aggrieved Officers should avail themselves of the existence of this investigative Panel and come forward with substantiated proof that could aid the investigation.

“The Commission insists that those found wanting in the course of investigation will face the full wrath of the law. However, the Commission warns that it will not tolerate any frivolous and fictitious media claims as Officers and Men of the Police should be abreast and conversant with approved lines of communication,” the statement added.

According to a report by Sahara Reporters, some aggrieved senior police officers alleged that junior staff were being promoted by the PSC after receiving a bribe of $10,000.

The officers expressed their grievance through a statement signed by their representative Chijioke Okonkwo, and called on Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari to probe corrupt practices in the PSC.

However, the PSC said there were channels within the Commission through which such issues could be communicated and directed the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) to unravel Okonkwo’s true identity.

The PSC intends to interrogate the said officer as part of investigations into the bribery for promotion allegation.

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