The Harbingerngr News

By Idowu Ajigbotesho VETERAN  Nollywood thespian, Joke Silva has broken her silence on rumours going round on social media that her husband, Olu Jacobs is dead. She said, “My husband is alive and doing just fine.” This is the second time rumours about the death of the Nollywood icon actor and film executive, whose real name is Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, will be making rounds on social media. Speaking with TheNEWS and PMNEWS this evening, his wife, Joke, debunked the rumour. Fondly called Uncle Olu by his colleagues and teeming admirers, Olu Jacobs has made his mark in the Nigeria’s movie industry. With more than 40 years acting experience under his belt, Jacobs is seen as a bridge between the old and new breed of actors. Trained at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, England, Jacobs remains one of Africa’s creative gifts to the world, having worked with various repertoire theatres in Britain and starred in some international movies. In 2007 he won the African Movie Academy Award for Best

THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, yesterday, said its operatives arrested two passengers travelling to Doha on a Qatar Airways flight at the screening point of Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos, after they tested positive to ingestion of illicit substances on June 21. Spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi said: “The suspects: Aikhomoun Daniel (alias Oladapo Olanrewaju) and Ayigoro Omobolaji were, thereafter, taken into observatory custody.  “While Daniel excreted a total of 90 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.022kg in six excretions, Ayigoro discharged 60 wraps of the same class a substance with a total weight of 662 grams in five egestions. “Further investigation revealed that Aikhomoun Daniel actually stole the identity of his late uncle, who was once based in Germany, a decision he claimed he took to get Schengen visa to enable him free access to Europe, while his real name is Oladapo Olanrewaju.  “Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives, weekend, “interc

A 40-year-old housewife, Abiodun Oluyade, who set her 86-year-old mother, Olawanle Oluyade, ablaze, has said she heard strange voices asking her to kill her mother. Oluyade, who was charged before an Ondo Chief Magistrates’ Court, said: “It was the handwork of the devil, a strange voice told me to do it and that I will be set free.  Please forgive me, my son and my husband are sick. There’s nobody to take care of them.” Police prosecutor, Moremi Akao, said the defendant allegedly poured petrol on her 86-year-old mother while she was cooking in the kitchen, which caused fire to burn her. Akao added that the defendant committed the offence on June 13, 2024, about 7a.m.,  at 1, Okedoko Street, Ondo town. The offences, according to the prosecutor, contravenes Sections 315 and punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Volume 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006. Akao applied for a date for issuance of advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP. The pl

*As Nigeria records 53 deaths,1,528 suspected cases in 31 states  lDeath toll in Lagos hits 29 with 579 suspected cases, 30 patients on admission lInvestigation ongoing to reveal source of outbreak — Abayomi lVaccine not available in public hospitals lLagos engages Danish firm to construct 100  public toilets lOgun records one death, 25 suspected cases THE Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, yesterday activated a national cholera emergency centre, following outbreak of the disease in the country. It also said 53 deaths and 1,528 suspected cholera cases were recorded across 31 states and 107 local government areas, with a case fatality rate of 3.5 per cent since the beginning of 2024. This is even as Lagos State government yesterday disclosed that the cholera death toll had risen to 29 from the previously reported 24 last week, adding that the total number of suspected cases had risen to 579. Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, who spoke  in an update on the ch

IN a bid to restore order and curb the resurgence of thuggery, the Kano Police Command has successfully dislodged local thugs, known as 'Yan Daba', from the main emir's palace in Kano. The palace, currently occupied by Emir Muhammadu Sanusi, had been guarded by these thugs and local hunters posing as security guards. A top security source told PRNigeria that the police action comes amid intelligence reports of an influx of 'Yan Daba and 'Yan Tauri (also known as hunters), mobilised from local government councils to the city. The police have taken control of both the Gidan Rumfa and Nasarawa palaces, deploying personnel to vulnerable areas to maintain law and order. The move, according to the source, aligns with relevant intelligence reports and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf's directives to put an end to thug activities in the metropolis. "We are acting on intelligence regarding the influx of 'Yan Daba and 'Yan Tauri, who are being mobilized from various

 A Kano State High Court, presided over by Justice Amina Aliyu, has fixed July 2, 2024, for the hearing of all pending applications by counsels of both parties in the on-going case instituted by the Kano Attorney General, Kano House of Assembly, and its Speaker, seeking to restrain the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, and four others from parading themselves as Emirs. When the case resumed yesterday for the hearing of a motion on notice praying for an interlocutory injunction, Counsel to Aminu Ado Bayero, Ibrahim Mukhtar, filed counter affidavits with three processes. The processes include challenging the competency of the court to hear and determine the suit, a motion seeking to set aside the earlier ex-parte order (arguing it should not have been granted), and a counter affidavit challenging the court's decision to restrain the defendants from parading themselves as Emirs of Kano, Bichi, Rano, Gaya, and Karaye. Although the originating summons is ripe for hearing, the

A High Court Judge, Justice Haruna Mshelia, his wife, driver and orderly were, yesterday, abducted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists along Biu to Maiduguri road. Sources said, Justice Mshelia who is working with Borno State High Court in Maiduguri was travelling in his vehicle, accompanied by his driver, a security escort and his wife.  It was gathered that as they approached a curve on the road between Buratai and Buni-gari, a group of armed men emerged from the bush and barricaded the road.  The judge's driver screeched to a halt, then attempted to manoeuvre his way to escape.  Unfortunately, in the chaos that ensued, Justice Mshelia's vehicle was stopped by another team of insurgents, taking them hostages and later whisked them into Sambisa Forest. Recall that Damaturu- Buni Yadi -Buratai- Biu 120kms road has remained a death trap for many years, considering it's deplorable condition faced by motorists and passengers, as it is the only routes that links over five local

THE excitement that swept through Okpoama, an alluring fishing settlement on the Atlantic Coast, and four other communities on Brass Island, Bayelsa State, when a grounded 15 meters long, and five-meter-wide whale surfaced on the coastline, was spontaneous with many residents describing it as a gift from the gods. It was the second time in five years that providence would thrust such benevolence on the people when many were grappling with the harsh economic realities, amidst soaring costs of foodstuffs. NDV learned that foreign fishing trawlers that rummage close to the sea shores had dislodged many locals from their traditional fishing occupation following incessant harassment, poor catch, and the destruction of their fishing gear. Residents butcher whale It was, therefore, not surprising the enthusiasm displayed by the people, who came out in their hundreds, scrambling to butcher the whale though dead, reportedly washed ashore last Tuesday night but discovered Wednesday morning. Rega

TENSION seems to be brewing at the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Akoka, over calls by student leaders for the restoration of student unionism in the institution. Recall that in 2016, the management of UNILAG suspended student unionism following a violent protest by the students over poor municipal services among others.  The situation led to the deployment of security personnel at the main gate of the university, as there were fears that the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, could mobilise students to protest. Incidentally, some faculties and departments held elections for their associations same day, while some students used the opportunity to demand the restoration of student unionism. In a chat with Vanguard, the Head of the Media Unit of the university, Alhaja Ajoke Alaga-Ibrahim, dispelled the claim of any protest in the university. Alaga-Ibrahim said: "There was no protest. Some faculties and departments held elections for their associations t

•We’ll wield big stick if… — APC SOME irate protesters attacked the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos State, Mr. Cornelius Ojelabi, at the party’s Secretariat on Acme Road, in Ogba, during a peace parley to reconcile two warring factions in the Alimosho Local Government Area of the state. A viral video of the attack showed where Ojelabi was tossed around by the placard-carrying protesters before security operatives were deployed to rescue him from the grip. The aggrieved APC members accused the chairman of bias in the lingering crisis between two factional leaders in the Alimosho area, who are former Reps member, Mr Olufemi Adebanjo, popularly called ‘Eyes Open’; Bisi Yusuf and other another leader, Abudulahi Enilolobo. Some interest groups had earlier charged Adebanjo to stop instigating crisis among party members in the area. One of the warring factions alleged that: "We are in a democracy, Femi (Eyes Open) should allow peace to reign in Alimosho, he has b

The national average  retail price paid by consumers for Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, otherwise known as petrol increased year-on-year, YoY, by 223.21 percent to N769.62 per litre in May 2024 from N238.11 per litre recorded in the corresponding period of 2023. Furthermore, On a month-on-month, MoM basis, an increase of 9.75 percent was recorded from N701.24 per litre in April 2024. The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, disclosed this in its report, Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) Price Watch for May 2024, which  showed that Jigawa State topped the price chart at N937.50 per litre, followed by Ondo and Benue States with N882.67 per litre and N882.22 per litre,  respectively. However, Lagos, Niger and Kwara States emerged with the lowest average retail prices for the product at N636.80, N642.16 and N645.15 respectively according to the NBS report.  On Zonal profile, the North-West Zone had the highest average retail price of N845.26, while the North Central Zone had the lowest price of N69

*May retrench workers, need bailout to pay lIdris detaches self from govrs, awaits Labour, FG’s stand *No agreement, but alignment of interest — OPS lPushes for new Act to cover employer with minimum of 200 workers lSenator Wadada begs Tinubu to approve N150,000 lSays lawmakers willing to make sacrifices AS the nation awaits  President Bola Tinubu’s executive bill on new minimum wage to the National Assembly, a host of states may need bailout or retrench workers to be able to pay the N62,000 being proposed by the Federal Government and Organised Private Sector, OPS. Although most of the states have been getting more allocations since the removal of fuel subsidy in May 2023, sources told  Vanguard  that the increment was paltry and not enough to sustain payment of N62,000 minimum wage. Meanwhile, the Organised Private Sector, OPS, yesterday said there was nothing like agreement in the just concluded meeting of the Tripartite Committee on the New National Minimum Wage but an alignment of

Stop making excuses for inflicting poverty on Nigerians — Atiku You’re elected to reduce poverty, not amplify it — LP President Bola Tinubu has said though there is poverty and suffering in the country, Nigeria is not the only nation facing such situation,and cautioned criminals against vandalism of rail tracks, stealing of electric cables, describing such acts as pure sabotage He also said that good economics at a harsh time was the challenge his administration must face, adding that no matter how difficult and how challenging it could be, he would not turn his back on Nigeria. President Tinubu, who spoke in Lagos when he received a delegation from the National Assembly who came to felicitate with him on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir, on Monday night, urged citizens to embrace a new value system to make progress. The president’s comment that Nigeria was not the only country facing poverty elicited criticisms from former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, and the Labour Party, LP, who said

GOVERNOR Usman Ododo of Kogi State, yesterday, warned that the level of insecurity in Nigeria remains a threat to human existence and would affect generations yet unborn. Ododo said this while playing host to the leadership of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti EKSU Alumni Association Worldwide, led by the Global President, Engr Dipo Bamisaye, at his residence in Okene, Kogi State.  The governor called for combined efforts at curbing kidnappings, abductions and other criminal issues on the nation’s highways.  He said: “We cannot continue to fold our arms and allow the situation to degenerate to a level of disrepair and continuous threat. “The ugly trend has to be stopped as we must strategise and work with relevant security agencies and stakeholders to make the roads and commuters safe. “There is a need for neighbouring states on the road networks like Ekiti, Ondo, Edo, Nasarawa, Enugu, Anambra, Benue, Niger, FCT and Kwara to form a common front at confronting the menace headlong.” Resp

By Babatunde Fashola THE extant law on minimum wage is the National Minimum Wage Act 2019, which came into force on the 18th April 2019; and it provides in Section 3 (4) that: “The national minimum wage expires after five years, and it shall be reviewed in line with the provision of this Act.”       Please note that it is the “minimum wage” that has expired but not the Act, and as is shown in the underlined portion above, the review of the 2019 minimum wage provisions, after the period of five years, shall be in line with the provision of the 2019 Act. What is the minimum wage? The answer is to be found in Section 3 (1) of the law where it provides that: “Every employer shall pay a national minimum wage of not less than N30,000  per month  to every worker under his establishment, except as otherwise provided under this Act.” Please note the words used in the underlined portion of the provision, namely; “wage” and “per month”. Bearing in mind that this is a federal law, there must be co

THE Pristine Initiative for Social Development, PRISOD, has urged President Bola Tinubu to set up a probe panel that would investigate the missing N20 trillion generated from stamp duty revenues. PRISOD, in a statement by its Executive Chairman and Executive Director of Communications and Strategy, Isa Badamosi and Fola Arogundade, wondered why the matter had not been revisited since 2019. They lamented that the money has remained unaccounted for, stating that Tinubu must begin to tackle the systemic rot hindering the country’s growth. The statement reads: “We write also to share our belief in your commitment to the fight against corruption and corrupt practices. We know that it is not a tea party but we appreciate you for what has been done so far. Sir, we would like to remind you of a matter that came up on the floor of the National Assembly in 2017 where it was said that 20 trillion naira of stamp duty money collected was missing.  “The Senate immediately mandated its committee on f

•No cause for alarm, says Health Ministry FOLLOWING the outbreak of cholera, the Lagos State Commissioner for Primary and Basic Education, Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun, yesterday, disclosed that not all primary and secondary schools in the state may resume from the current mid-term cum Sallah break. Recall that students in public and private schools in the state have been on break for one and a half weeks. Alli-Balogun, who spoke with Vanguard, explained that the Ministry would have to wait for an advisory from the Ministry of Health to know the next line of action to take. His words: “Our schools are prepared for resumption. The necessary steps have been taken and we are on top of the situation. However, we are going to wait for the needed advisory from the Ministry of Health that is mapping out the areas affected by the outbreak of the disease. “We hope to get the advisory later and if the Ministry of Health tells us that going by their assessment of the situation across the state, they hav

*Out-of-pocket payments on the increaselPatient care threatenedlRising costs force resort to herbal remedies, traditional healerslWorry over unpredictable effectiveness of traditional medicine For patients in Nigeria, the outrageous cost of life-saving drugs is a daily burden. Several people are now forced to take a risk with their health by extending or missing doses, settling for less potent substitutes, resorting to self-medication or traditional healers, or stopped medication entirely. For those battling chronic ailments such as diabetes, high blood pressure or cancer, the affordability crisis has pushed essential medications and treatment out of reach for many Nigerians, and strained the public healthcare system. Experts are worried that a significant number of patients who are not taking their medications as prescribed, stand to develop complications and incur even more expensive interventions later. Some patients, who spoke with Vanguard bemoaned the negative effects that rising