Kukuruku News

By Our Reporter  Nigeria’s public debt stock has increased from N42.84 trillion ($103.31 billion) in the second quarter of 2022 to N44.06 trillion ($101.91 billion) in the third quarter of 2022. This was revealed by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Tuesday in its Nigerian Domestic and Foreign Debt Report for Q3 2022 released in Abuja. The report said Nigeria’s public debt stock, which includes external and domestic debt, grew by 2.84 per cent in Q3 of 2022. It said external debt stood at N17.14 trillion ($39.66 billion) in Q3 2022, while domestic debt was N26.91 trillion ($62.25 billion). “However, the share of external debt to total public debt stood at 38.92 per cent in Q3 2022, while domestic debt was recorded at 61.08 per cent.’’ In addition, the report showed that the federal government’s share of domestic debt was 80.07 per cent in Q3 of 2022. In a breakdown by states, the bureau said Lagos State recorded the highest domestic debt of N877.03 billion in the third quarter

By Our Reporter A federal high court sitting in Abuja has fixed February 15th to deliver judgment in a suit seeking to allow Nigerians in diaspora to vote in the forthcoming general election. The presiding judge, Inyang Ekwo fixed the date on Tuesday after counsel for the parties adopted their processes and presented their arguments for and against the suit. Chikwe Nkemnacho and Kenneth Nkemnacho, the plaintiffs who live in the United Kingdom, instituted the case on behalf of Nigerians in the diaspora. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the INEC chairperson, the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria are listed as the first to fourth defendants, respectfully. In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2119/2022, the plaintiffs asked the court to order INEC and the federal government to suspend campaigning for the 2023 elections until they are included as registered voters for the polls. Additionally, they asked the court to rule that, in

  By Our Reporter  The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele,  says banks will continue to accept old naira notes after the deadline. Emefiele spoke at an interactive session with the House of Representatives ad hoc committee on currency redesign and naira swap policy on Tuesday. He also stated that the CBN will accept old naira from banks after the February 10 deadline. Emefiele mentioned the CBN Act, which requires the apex bank to continue accepting old notes after they expire

  By Our Reporter  Angry supporters of Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have set his campaign face caps ablaze at the front of the Enugu residence of the Anambra born-business billionaire, Prince Arthur Eze. The angry supporters said Atiku promised to give them the sum of N20 million but failed to fulfill his promise  According to a video footage making the rounds on the internet, the irate supporters said that rather than giving them the N20 million for whatever reason they did not explain in the video, they were only given N200 worth face caps.

By Our Reporter  The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Godwin Emefiele has appeared before the ad-hoc committee of the House of Representatives, investigating the scarcity of the new naira notes. Emefiele while addressing the committee explained that he had been out of the country, hence his failure to honour previous invitations. Speaking about the redesign of the naira, he said the CBN’s actions were in line with international best practices and the apex bank has to be in control of the currency in circulation. Briefing them further, Emefiele said in 2015 1.4 trillion naira was in circulation, and by last year it had risen to 3.33 trillion naira. He explained that the reason for directing banks to ensure only ATM withdrawals was to limit the daily withdrawal of individuals. He decried the trend of the new notes being sighted at parties and stated he was in meetings with commercial banks to mitigate these. He agreed that the policies would hurt some persons but claimed it was in

By Our Reporter  About 61 persons have been killed and 150 wounded in a blast at a mosque inside a highly sensitive Pakistan police headquarters on Monday. The attack happened during afternoon worship in the provincial capital of Peshawar, close to former tribal areas along the Afghan border where militancy has been steadily rising.A frantic rescue mission was underway at the mosque, which had an entire wall and some of its roof blown out by the force of the blast. “Many policemen are buried under the rubble,” said Peshawar police chief, Muhammad Ijaz Khan, who estimated between 300 and 400 officers usually attended prayers at the mosque. “Efforts are being made to get them out safely,” he added. Some survivors emerged limping from the wreckage in a pool of blood, while bodies were ferried away in ambulances as the rescue operation continued. “It’s an emergency situation,” Muhammad Asim Khan, a spokesman for the main hospital in Peshawar, told AFP, adding that at least 47 had been kill

  By Our Reporter  The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it has commenced an investigation into the alleged extortion of registered voters in Enugu by one of its staff in the ongoing collection of Permanent Voter Cards. Earlier, in a viral video seen by kukuruku News,  an unidentified official of INEC was seen demanding money before issuing the Permanent Voter Cards to their owners. The video showed a tall, fat woman who is said to be a staff of the commission and spoke partly in the Igbo language, told the people to pay N1,000 each to collect their PVCs at at Emene primary school in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State where the incident occurred. According to her,  the money was for her transportation to the local government from where they were supposed to pick up their cards. When confronted by some of the people there about the fact that they were not supposed to pay to collect their PVCs, and that ₦1,000 she demanded was high, she became an

  By Our Reporter  Popular Nollywood actors and Ex-BBnaija Housemate top the list as Actor Guide of Nigeria (AGN) appoints new executives. AGN is an umbrella that regulates and governs the affairs of film actors in Nigeria and abroad. Here are some list of the appointments: 1. Charles Onojie - Director AGN Film Projects 2. Nancy Isime - Director AGN Business Development 3. Ufuoma Mcdermmot - Director of International Affiliation 4. Alex Ekubo - SA on Youth Development 5. Gideon Okeke - SA Intellectual property 6. Uche Ulendu - SA on SDG Goals 7. Tobi Bakare - SA on Violence and Harassment in work place 8. Anita Asuoha - SA Gender equality

  By Our Reporter  The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), has urged the Federal Government to revoke licences of oil marketers selling above approved pump price of Premuim Motor Spirit (PMS). PENGASSAN said the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) should immediately mobilise its staff in various locations nationwide to monitor compliance and anyone found wanting, should have their licences revoked to serve as a deterrent. PENGASSAN, in a statement on Monday by its National President, Mr Festus Osifo, said the call for the revocation of licences became urgent, following persistent scarcity of PMS in the last six months. “Should this collusion go on unchecked, we will not hesitate to partner with other stakeholders in ensuring that Nigerians are not further exploited. A stitch in time saves nine,” he said. Osifo, while empathising with Nigerians on the hardship currently faced with the scarcity and drastic hike

  By Our Reporter  As the 2023 general elections approaches, the United Nations has cautioned Nigerian politicians against engaging in politics of calumny adding that Nigeria must not fail at the his crucial moment. According to UN, the only path for a nation to succeed is through sustainable development which it had been advocating. The UN Deputy Secretary-General and chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group, Amina Mohammed made this known while addressing attendees of the Nigerian Bar Association state of the national dialogue, with the theme, ‘Security, economy and administration of justice.’ It was gathered that only three, out of the 18 presidential candidates turned up for the event. The candidates who attended the event includes: Peter Umeadi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance;  Major Hamza Al-Mustapha Hamza of the Action Alliance and Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress. “As Africa’s leading economy, with the biggest port of views, and security anchor for our

By Our Reporter  The Chief Observer European Union Election Observation mission for 2023 General Election, Mr. Barry Andrews has appealled to stakeholders to ensure that the upcoming elections are peaceful, free and fair. He also disclosed that 40 long term observers would be deployed by the mission to observed the upcoming elections in all the states of the country. Andrews, who is a member of the European Parliament, while making the  appeal in Abuja at the official launch of the observation mission on Monday, explained that all observers are guided by a code of conduct which requires strict impartiality and non interference in the election. He said: “This is the seventh EU Election Observation Mission to Nigeria since 1999. The EU attaches great significance to these elections.” The EU EOM Chief Observer urged authorities, candidates and political parties in Nigeria to ensure that the upcoming general elections are peaceful and further election-related violence is prevented. Every v

  By Our Reporter The Ukrainian government has named Nigeria's Former Minister, Oby Ezekwesili as ambassador of 'the Grain from Ukraine' initiative. Andriy Yermak, Head of the office of the President of Ukraine made this known in a statement.  Kukuruku News reports that the ‘Grain from Ukraine’ is an initiative of the Ukrainian government to assist countries suffering from severe food shortages relative to the war with Russia. Over 30 donor countries have signed up for the initiative since it was launched in November 2022.  He disclosed that Ezekwesili and her colleagues are joining international experts and leaders to support the initiative. “We see the prospect of expanding the project. To do this, we need reliable partners with knowledge and extensive connections.” Ezekwesili while reacting to her appointment on her Facebook page wrote: “I am delighted to accept the invitation of President @Zelenskyy to be one of 3 leading African experts recently named as Ambassadors of

By Our Reporter Amidst rising cases of Lassa Fever Epidemic in some parts of the country, a professor of Medical Microbiology, Sunday Olowo Samuel has canvased for strict implementation of infection prevention and control strategies to mitigate the spread and impact of infectious diseases in the country. Prof. Olowo Samuel made the call in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area o f Edo State, while delivering the 98th Inaugural Lecture of the Ambrose Alli University, (AAU), Ekpoma, titled; “ Infectious Diseases of Man: Unravelling the Unseen Enemy and Mitigating Avoidable Catastrophe”. The medical doctor said government and all levels of healthcare providers must implement the infection prevention and control strategies to abate resistant pathogens, stressing that hand hygiene must be the culture of all. He stressed that Safe water, good sanitation and hygiene (WASH) must be ensured at all levels of the community, just as education of the public on principles of infection control and

   By Our Reporter The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its plan to embark on an industrial action over the inability of the government to address their demands. This comes after the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the association in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, where it reviewed the progress on their demands. The doctors had threatened to embark on a nationwide strike earlier this month. They have requested an upward review of the medical residency training fund, non-payment of outstanding arrears of the new hazard allowance, as well as the  non-payment of the consequential adjustment of the minimum wage to some of its members. However, at the end of the NEC meeting, the doctors commended the Federal Government for the timely release of the reviewed circular on the medical residency training fund. The committee also hailed the Minister of Labour and Employment for the other steps taken to upscale the welfare of its members The doctors ho

  By Our Reporter  The Department of State Services (DSS) has intercepted some members of an organised syndicates involved in the sale of the new redesigned naira notes. A statement issued to newsmen on Monday by DSS spokesman, Dr Peter Afunanya said the Service in the course of its operations, also established that some Commercial Bank officials are aiding the economic malfeasance. The service therefore warned the currency racketeers to desist from this ignoble act. The DSS also urged appropriate regulatory authorities to step up monitoring and supervisory activities to expeditiously address the emerging trends. Dr Afunanya noted that the Service has ordered its Commands and Formations to further ensure that all persons and groups engaged in the illegal sale of the notes are identified. The Service through its spokesman urged anyone with useful information relating to the illegal sale of the new naira notes, to pass the details to the relevant authorities.

  By Our Reporter  Following the derailment of the Abuja-Kaduna rail On Friday, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) says it will resume services after the suspension on Tuesday, January 31, 2023. The corporation’s Director of Operations, Niyi Alli, in a statement issued to newsmen on Monday said "The Board and Management of Nigerian Railway Corporation are pleased to announce the recommencement of the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service". “The service was suspended on Jan. 27, due to the derailment that occurred at Kubwa Station on the same date. “Subsequently, the service will resume on Jan. 31, with the following daily schedule – KA2 departs Rigasa at 0700; AK1 departs Idu at 10.00; KA4 departs Rigasa at 13.00; AK3 departs Idu at 16.00. Alli hHowever said on Wednesdays only KA2 will depart Rigasa at 0700 and  AK 3 will depart Idu at 16.00". The director expressed regret on any inconvenience the corporation’s esteemed passengers might have experienced as a result of the tempo

By Our Reporter  The Federal Government says whatever action taken against anyone who undermines the nation’s democracy, watered by the blood of many patriots, is right and justified. Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated this on Monday in Abuja at the 20th edition of the President Muhammadu Buhari’ (PMB) Administration Scorecard Series (2015-2023)  Responding to the decision by the United States of America to slam a visa ban on some Nigerians believed to be responsible for, or complicit in undermining democracy in Nigeria. The decision was announced in a statement recently issued by the U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. The minister reiterated the position of the Buhari administration to ensure free, fair and credible elections as well as a smooth handover to a successor elected by Nigerians in May 29. “As a government, we are proud to say that no administration since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, has shown more fidelity to the democrat

  By Our Reporter  The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has arrested 47 Point of Sale (POS) agents in Abuja for conducting business on streets and other unapproved places. Mr Ikharo Attah, Senior Special Assistant to FCT Minister on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, made the disclosure in a statement issued on Sunday. Addressing the 47 arrested operators on the premises of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Attah said the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, had no plan to stop POS business but was concerned about security issues surrounding it . He said the arrested operators might face a mobile court as they had violated environmental laws. He noted that the POS business was not illegal, but that operating outside commercial zones and indiscriminately in residential areas was an offence. He said, “Reports on the arrested operators will go to the minister to determine if they complied with the rules of the city which would not give criminals the shiel

By Our Reporter  A former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, will on Tuesday appear again in court in the United Kingdom where he has been accused of human trafficking. The lawmaker was in June 2022 arrested at Heathrow Airport in London after Staines Police Station received a report from a young man claiming to have been trafficked into the UK. The young man, who made the report shortly after arriving in the UK from Nigeria, also alleged that he was made to undergo some medical tests, none of which he consented to. Ekweremadu was immediately arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court for bringing a child into the UK to harvest his organ. While the lawmaker had been in custody since June 23, his wife, Beatrice, who was arrested with him, was granted bail by a criminal court in London shortly after their arrest. Monday (today) makes it 221 days since Ekweremadu was placed in the custody of UK authorities. The case against the lawmaker which had been slated for May was later sche

  Nkoyo Etim Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele on Sunday, revealed that part of the reasons the Federal Government decided on the redesign of currency denominations was the fact that N2.7trillion was lying idle in people’s homes prior to 2015 when the Buhari administration came on board. He said as at 2015 currency-in-circulation was only N1.4 trillion, while as at October 2022, currency in circulation had risen to N3.23 trillion, out of which only N500 billion was within the banking industry. “N2.7 trillion was held permanently in people’s homes,” Emefiele stated after he paid a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina state, where both parties approved of a ten day extension for old currency swap. Giving further explanations, the Apex bank Governor said ordinarily, when CBN releases currency into circulation, it is meant to be used and after effluxion of time, it returns to the CBN thereby keeping the volume of currency in circulation under the fir

  By Our Reporter Staff of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) are threatening to embark on industrial action from Monday, January 30th over alleged abandonment by the Federal Government. The protesting staff urged the Federal Government to urgently intervene before the industrial action commences. The General Secretary of the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies, Ayo Olorunfemi said several staff of the service have not been receiving any form of capital funding from Federal Government in the last 15 years. He also asked the government to beam its searchlight on the finances of the agency. “According to him, Reform must be open and clear. Our fear must be addressed and the reform must be in the overall interest of Nigeria. Any reform that is targeting some individuals will not be accepted". Olorunfemi said the industrial action is targeted solely at actualising a much-needed reform process. We expect a suspension of the process. Let t

  By Our Reporter The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for the collection of permanent voter cards (PVCs). In a statement, the national commissioner and chairman for information and voter education, Festus Okoye disclosed the decision of the commission.  “The Commission met today, Saturday, 28th  January 2023 a day after its meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) from the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal capital Territory, Abuja and deliberated on a number of issues, including the reports from RECs on the ongoing collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) in its 774 Local Government Offices nationwide,” the statement reads. “It will be recalled that at the meeting with RECs on Friday, 28th January 2023, the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu indicated that the Commission will not hesitate to consider additional measures to ensure that all citizens have ample opportunity to collect their PVCs ahead of

  By Our Reporter  The Nigerian Bar Association is the umbrella body of all lawyers admitted to the Bar in the country and a member of all statutory bodies that regulate the Nigerian Bar and Bench. NBA proposes a 200% increase in the basic salaries of all judicial officers and submits a 144-page memo containing recommendations to RMFAC. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has submitted a memorandum to the Revenue Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMFAC) on the review of judicial salaries and allowances. The 144 paged memorandum jointly signed by the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), and Olawale Fapohunda (SAN), the Alternate Chairman of the NBA Working Committee propose the review of Judicial Remuneration and Conditions of Service. In the memo, the NBA makes a compelling case for an urgent radical review of Judicial Remuneration and proposes an ambitious 200% increase in the basic salaries of all Judicial Officers. The NBA also proposed a total overhaul of

By Our Reporter  The Acting Director General of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mrs. Christ Ifenyiwa Uba has tasked corps members posted to Edo State to remain apolitical as they discharge their duty in the forthcoming general elections in the country. She gave the charge at the Swearing-In Ceremony of the 2023 Batch ‘A’ Stream 1 Corps Members held at the Orientation Camp, Okada. “One thing is sure, all Corps Members are apolitical. “Nobody is going to side any political party. “They are there to discharge their duty as directed by INEC. “We are lucky, INEC is coming to sensitize and train these Corps Members. “They have already trained the serving Corps Members. “So, they are coming to camp to sensitize and train these ones for them to know their duty during the elections”, Uba said. The Acting DG, represented by the state Coordinator of the scheme, Mrs. Olubukola Abiodun, who commended the governor for the assistance rendered to the state NYSC, said the camp is still in need of

  By Our Reporter  The Abia chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has announced the date for it’s Governorship Primary Election. The party disclosed that the State primary election will hold on 4th February, 2023.

  By Our Reporter  The Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has rejected the tribunal judgment that sacked him on Friday,  27th January. Kukuruku News had earlier reported that the Election Petition Tribunal chaired by Justice Tertse Kume sacked Adeleke as Osun Governor for cases of over-voting. Adeleke in a statement by his spokesperson Mallam Olawale Rasheed, described the judgement of the tribunal as,  “a miscarriage of justice” vowing to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal. According to the statement,  “the Governor who reacted to the  verdict  from his country home, Ede,  faulted the resolution of the over-voting question in favour of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, calling it  ‘an unfair interpretation’ against the will of majority voters” He urged his supporters to remain calm, insisting he remains the rightful winner of the July 16 election. He said, “I call on our people to remain calm. We will appeal the judgement and we are sure justice will be done. L

By Our Reporter  The Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Osogbo has sacked Governor Ademola Adeleke as the duly elected governor of the state. The tribunal in a split document of two to one declared that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, should withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Adeleke and issue the same to former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola The majority judgement which was read by the Chairman, Justice Tertse Kume said Oyetola scored the majority lawful votes of 314,931 against Adeleke’s 219,666 The minority Judgement is ongoing.

  By Our Reporter  A viral video showing traders being turned away from the Alaba International Market in Ojo, Lagos because they did not have a Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) has surfaced. The leaders of the electrical dealers association at the market were stationed at the entrance of the market and prevented traders without voter’s cards from obtaining admission in an effort to guarantee that all vendors had their PVCs In the two-minute video, a voice is heard saying access to the market will be denied to persons who don’t have their permanent voter cards (PVCs). According to the background voice in the video, the officers are positioned to ensure that the traders obtain their  PVC before the deadline elapses. The voice also said the action is being taken to promote active voter participation in the general election. Watch the video below;

  By Our Reporter  The Federal Government has renamed the Meteorological Institute Of Science and Technology (MIST), Katsina after the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari. The Institution which will now be addressed as ‘Muhammadu Buhari Meteorological Institute of Science and Technology’ was commissioned on Thursday by President Buhari who is on a two-day visit to the state. Briefing the press shortly after the institute was commissioned, the Director General, of Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu said the institute which offers National Diploma courses in Meteorology, Climate Change Science and other electrical and technical related areas with NBTE accreditation is the first of its kind in Nigeria and West-Africa. He also noted that the institute is currently pursuing accreditation for Higher National Diploma in Climate Change Science, Meteorology, and Electro-Meteorological Technology so as to provide advanced training for graduates of the institute. A