Top Nigerian newspaper headlines and breaking news in Nigeria today, Saturday, April 15, 2023.
Nigerian Professor, Dimie Ogoina Listed in Time Magazine’s Most Influential People for 2023
A Nigerian professor, Dr Dimie Ogoina has been named in Time Magazine’s list of 100 most influential people for 2023.
Dr Ogoina, a professor of epidemiology was listed among the 100 most influential people for 2023 for his impact on Mpox containment.
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Ogoina made the list under the innovators category in the magazine.
The professor is renowned for sounding the alarm on a new presentation of Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) he foresaw in Nigeria, even though the world wasn’t ready to listen.
Describing Ogoina, Time Magazine said;
“Recognizing the importance and potential implications for global spread, he persisted, documenting the potential for sexual transmission of Mpox and publishing the data in high-impact scientific journals.
“As the global Mpox outbreak unfolded in 2022, Dimie’s insights became critically important to developing better strategies to prevent and control outbreaks.
“Dimie is also a passionate champion for global health equity. He has often made the point that Mpox is not a new disease and that had the world paid attention sooner, we could have avoided a global outbreak.
“It is this drive that has led Dimie to make significant contributions to the field through his advocacy, leadership, and research.”
Time Magazine’s annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world which came out on Thursday accords recognition to people “for changing the world, regardless of the consequences of their actions”.
Another Nigerian on the Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2023 is president-elect, Bola Tinubu.
According to the magazine, Tinubu’s victory at the February 25 poll contributed his appearance on the list.
10th National Assembly Packed With Inexperienced Lawmakers – Lawan
The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on Thursday said the 10th National Assembly would have a handful of inexperienced lawmakers and unskillful lawmakers
Lawan stated this while receiving 2020, 2021, and 2022 annual reports of the activities of the National Assembly Service Commission at his office in the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
According to him, 30% of the lawmakers in the 9th National Assembly would return to the parliament.
He, therefore, called for capacity building for the new lawmakers in order to update their knowledge of the lawmaking process.
Lawan said,
“What is critical to us is what happens when we leave. Everybody knows the turnover rate has been very costly and this is without prejudice to anybody elected.
“This is costly in the sense that when you have only about 30 percent of members of the Ninth National Assembly going to the 10th Assembly, you know that you have lost capacity.
“And I use the word costly deliberately because what this means is that, the 10th Assembly, we must make provisions immediately for capacity building for new members of the National Assembly if we want to achieve our goals and set targets.
“Everybody is enthusiastic. Everybody is ready. We want to come in and continue to contribute to making Nigeria better. But the parliament is not like the Executive.
“You have lost experience. You have lost skills, enterprise, and so on and so forth. These are traits that you need to hit the ground running immediately.
“Therefore, I am using this channel to sound that advisory that the National Assembly will need money, will need more resources for capacity building for members of the National Assembly that are coming new, as well as those staff that we will be working with.
“I also want to urge here that the National Assembly Service Commission, the management of the National Assembly, as well as the management of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, will have their hands full because the tenth National Assembly, and I am not speaking for the 10th National Assembly, is yet to be inaugurated, but I know having met many of our Senators-elect, they are all ready to start work immediately we are inaugurated and sworn in.
“So we want your support. You are there. It is the National Assembly membership that is always changing. You will give us the kind of support that will make us do so well.
“Whatever we have achieved, wouldn’t have been achieved without the National Assembly Service Commission and the staff of the National Assembly.”
Simon Ekpa Declares Self Prime Minister Of Biafra, Appoints Ministers
Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa has declared himself Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE).
In a letter to addressed to the United Nations General Assembly, dated April 13, 2023, Ekpa urged the global community to recognise the Biafra Republic Government in Exile.
According to Ekpa, the BRGIE was established to undertake political and administrative governance of ‘Biafra nation’ from outside of ‘Biafra’ territory.
The controversial separatist also called on the government of Nigeria to release Nnamdi Kanu and all ‘Biafrans’ held captive unconditionally, while asking for the conduction of a referendum to enable a peaceful and bloodless exit of Biafra from Nigeria.
READ ALSO: Simon Ekpa Arrested in Finland
The former sprinter said the exile government was setup to achieve the exit of Biafra from the Nigerian state.
Ekpa said the Biafra Government in Exile will “undertake diplomatic and foreign relationships, arrangements and agreements, negotiations and pacts with other nations and interest organisations of the world on behalf of Biafra People”.
“They are to be accorded all diplomatic privileges as due to any government official of their respective level. Biafra people, through their government in exile are sourcing for supports from all nations of the world to assist it exit Nigeria peacefully,” he added.
The letter added that an election was conducted and “Mazi Simon Ekpa was elected as the Prime Minister together with other Biafra Government in Exile officials, namely; Head of Finance –Mazi Ogechukwu Nkere; Deputy Head of Finance –Hon Lady Azuka Charlesnwankwo; Defense Minister –Hon. Lady Azuka Charles Nwankwo; Home Land Liaison –Dr M O & Prof C. O. N; Diplomatic & Foreign Affairs –Dr Sam Agubosim. Deputy Prof Anthony Nwannebuike Nwiboko; Coastal Region Orientation Coordinator-Madam Anirejou Josephine Erewa”.
“Others are Group Secretary –Victor Adim/ Dr Ruby Nnadi; Dept. Of Planning & Strategy –Paul Adinam; Information/ Media & Communication –Dr. Florence Agie & Mazi Ralph Chiamaka Ajere; Secretary to World Igbo Union –Madam May Ndirika; Military –Prof Anthony Nwannebuike Nwiboko/Mazi Solomon Nkwocha; Ministry of Health –Dr Ngozi Orabueze, Dr Offorma, Dr Sam and Dr Mora; Education –Dr Ruby Nnadi; Oil & Gas –Dr Ngozi Orabueze & Emma Maduabu; Pharmacy & Laboratory Science, Board of Nursing –Dr Benedict / Dr Florence Agie and Transport & Logistics –Amobi Eneh.”
Ekpa is a committed protege of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the supreme leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, an outlawed group in Nigeria.
Hakimi Achraf’s Wife, Hiba Abouk Files For Divorce, Demands Over Half of Player’s Fortune
Hiba Abouk, the wife of Paris Saint-German defender, Achraf Hakimi, has been left empty-handed after filing for a divorce from the footballer.
Hiba Abouk was left disappointed as the court could not grant her alimony after filing to divorce Hakimi over infidelity allegations.
She had approached the court to demand over half of the football assets in divorce settlement.
However, she was left disappointed after document showed the Moroccan international had no assets.
Hakimi had registered all his properties and assets under his mother, Sadia Mouth’s name, meaning he had no personal assets legally.
Abouk, 36 had expected to get more than an equal share of Hakimi’s €70 million fortune upon separation, but she was informed his assets all belong to his mum.
According to Stades Football Club; “Ashraf Hakimi’s wife had taken the court for a divorce case and wanted them to separate the assets and divide them in court.
“When the divorce took place and they agreed to share the assets, they realized Ashraf Hakimi had no assets and neither did the bank. Ashraf Hakimi had put all his fortune in his mother’s name a long time ago.”
Hakimi currently receives about €1 million monthly from PSG.
The duo started dating in 2018 when the defender was 19 with Abouk 31.
APC Announces Winner of Imo Governorship Primary Election
A winner has emerged from the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) governorship primary election in Imo State.
Incumbent governor, Hope Uzodimma was declared winner of the governorship primary election and candidate for the November 11 poll.
The emergence of Uzodimma was declared by the who chairman of the Imo State Governorship Primary Election Committee, Rear Admiral William Kayoda (rtd), at the conclusion of the party’s primary election held at the Ndubuisi Kanu Square in Owerri on Friday.
Uzodimma polled 63,618 votes in a direct primary election to secure the party’s ticket for the contest.
READ ALSO: Why Tinubu Forfeited $460,000 in US – APC
Reacting to his victory, the Governor pledged to work harder towards addressing the security challenges in the state.
Expressing confidence in winning the election, Uzodimma promised to provide good governance to the people of Imo State if re-elected.
Nobody Can Force Me Out of Nigeria – Peter Obi
The Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate in the just concluded general election, Mr Peter Obi, has said that nobody can force him out of Nigeria.
The former Anambra State Governor said his party is committed to creating a new Nigeria, adding that there are too many “thieves” who are inflicting suffering on the masses.
He further said that his party is committed to purging the country’s political system of such people.
Obi said he will not give up until such people are shown the way out of political offices in the country.
“There is too much suffering in this country, and, that is what we, in Labour Party, are fighting to end. There are many thieves in the country. So, Labour Party is fighting to create a new Nigeria. I am here with you, and nobody is going to force me to leave Nigeria”, Obi insisted.
Peter Obi disclosed this while speaking at the Onitsha Holiday Resort on Thursday, April 13, where he urged the people of the Ogbaru federal constituency to come out and vote for the Labour Party in the Saturday, April 15 supplementary election.
He decried that Nigerians are presenting passing through hardship, and the hardship in the country is too much.
Nigeria to Spend 25yrs Repaying New $800m World Bank Loan
The Federal Government of Nigeria had recently secured $800 million loan from the World Bank to provide palliatives for over 50 million Nigerians after the removal of fuel subsidies.
The money is to be shared to vulnerable persons captured in its National Social Safety Net Programme.
While the move looked generous, a finance document seen by Ripples Nigeria reveals that it will take Nigeria 25 years to complete the full repayment.
The document also showed that the financing agreement was a concessional finance and was signed on August 16, 2022, by the Nigerian Finance Minister and the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri.
Concessional loans are called soft loans because they have more generous terms than market loans.
These generally include below-market interest rates, grace periods in which the loan recipient is not required to make debt payments for several years or a combination of low interest rates/grace periods.
Based on the document, the $800m loan obtained by the Federal Government attracts a maximum commitment charge rate of one-half of one per cent per annum on the Unwithdrawn Financing Balance, and a service charge of three-fourths of one per cent per annum on the withdrawn credit balance, according to the document.
It also disclosed that the interest charge is one and a quarter per cent per annum on the withdrawn credit balance.
Also, a percentage of the principal amount of the loan is expected alongside the other charges, and this will increase over time.
While the first payment will be 1.65 percent of the principal amount, the last payment will be 3.40 percent of the principal amount.
Also, the agreement between the federal government and the World Bank has a repayment plan which will be made from 2027 to 2051, twice a year.
The next administration, led by President-Elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is expected to begin the repayments for the $800 million loan, when it assumes office
2023 Census: Questions On Religion, Ethnicity Would Not be Asked — NPC.
Ahead of the 2023 census, the National Population Commission (NPC) has assured that questions surrounding religion and ethnicity of citizens will not be asked.
The NPC gave the assurance on Friday, saying that questions on religion and ethnicity are sensitive and have never been asked since the exercise started in 1991 as they would only be a distraction from the main goal.
The population agency made the clarification when the National Publicity Committee on the 2023 Population and Housing Census paid an advocacy visit to the Nigerian Television Authority in Kano.
2023 Census: NPC Postpones Training For Enumerators, Supervisors
The delegation was led by the Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Dr Garba Abari.
According to Abari, the clarification became necessary in the wake of the several speculations on social media on potential questions that would be asked during the exercise.
A member of the committee, Dr Isiaka Yahaya, also stressed that the NOC was not interested in the faith and ethnic affiliation of citizens.
It said;
“Since 1991, when the National Population Commission, NPC, has been conducting the census, we have never asked questions on ethnicity and religion.
“We didn’t do it in 1991, we didn’t do it in 2006 and we won’t do it now.
“The reason is obvious. The two issues are very sensitive and have the capacity to divert attention from the main issue of the census,” he noted.
