President Bola Tinubu has ordered a review of the controversial cybersecurity levy and suspended its implementation.
The decision to suspend the implementation of the cybersecurity levy was taken on Thursday following the outrage that greeted the decision to implement it.
This week, banks will be asked to “ignore the implementation directive” an official of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) told The Nation.
A source close to the government disclosed that the president had called the CBN governor on the matter and that the CBN is likely going to issue a statement this week deferring the implementation of the policy.”
The CBN official said the apex bank was surprised at the level of anger directed at it when it was only obeying a law passed and assented to by the authorities.
The official noted that the CBN does not have the power to repel any law but will engage the banks not to implement the cybersecurity levy deductions.
The decision to implement a 0.5 percent levy on some electronic transactions sparked outrage across the country. Many Nigerians felt the levy would “raise the cost of living and conducting business” and also hinder the growth of digital transactions.
The House of Representatives joined the chorus of disapproval, calling on the CBN to “withdraw its circular directing all banks to commence charging” the levy. They argued the CBN’s directive was “ambiguous” and needed clarification.
President Tinubu, sensitive to the “economic burden on Nigerians,” asked the CBN to “hold off on that policy and review things again. Sources close to the president emphasized his commitment to avoiding policies that “add to the burden of the people.”
The review will not only examine the CBN’s implementation of the levy but also the underlying Cybersecurity Act itself. The Act, passed in 2015, predates the Tinubu administration. Aides to the president suggest he may seek modifications to the Act to ensure it does not “frustrate Nigerians.”
The suspension of the cybersecurity levy and the upcoming review marks a significant shift. The outcome of the review will determine the future of the levy and potentially lead to changes in the Cybersecurity Act. Nigerians will be watching closely to see if the government prioritizes economic well-being and avoids policies that exacerbate financial strain.
Nigerian sprint icon Tobi Amusan has become the world’s fastest woman in the women’s 100m hurdles after running a world-leading 12.40 seconds.
In a thrilling race, the world record holder secured the victory, leaving behind Danielle Williams, the world champion, who clocked her best time of the season at 12.46 seconds. Following closely was American Christina Clemons, claiming the third spot with a time of 12.54 seconds.
This triumph means the Nigerian athlete has now claimed the top spot globally, surpassing American Tonea Marshall’s previous record of 12.42 seconds set in late April.
Tobi Amusan’s impressive win arrives just two months before the Paris 2024 Olympics, setting the stage for an exciting competition ahead.
John Enoh, the minister of sports development, on his X handle congratulated Amusan over the feat.
“Take your flowers Tobi Amusan, you stormed to an emphatic win in the women’s 100m hurdles at the Jamaica Athletics Invitational, clocking a time of 12.40s (0.9), a World Lead time! You defeated World Champion Danielle Williams, who came 2nd in 12.46s, while Christina Clemons was 3rd in 12.54s,” he wrote.
“Tobi, you keep making our country proud. Paris Olympics is around the corner, your performance gives us hope just like others, that Nigeria is set to break a jinx. Keep soaring, we are proud of you.”
Recall the 26-year-old athlete recently set a new African record in the 60m hurdles event, clocking in at 7.77 seconds during the Astana Indoor Meet in Kazakhstan. This impressive feat shattered a record that stood for 25 years, previously held by Gloria Alozie.
With her exceptional performance, she is anticipated to lead the Nigerian team’s charge for gold medals at the upcoming Olympics, scheduled to kick off on July 26 at France’s national stadium.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will on Monday unveil Finidi George as the substantive head coach of the Super Eagles.
Finidi was appointed in April as a replacement for Jose Peseiro, who the former Nigerian international worked with as an assistant coach for 20 months.
According to a statement released on Sunday, John Enoh, the Minister of Sports Development; Tinuke Watti, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry; Ibrahim Gusau and Mohammed Sanusi, President and the General Secretary of NFF respectively, are among the prominent personalities expected at the unveiling.
Finidi was the Eagles’ interim head coach for two international friendlies against Ghana and Mali in March.
He led the Eagles to a 2-1 victory over Ghana in his first game at the helm but lost 2-0 to Mali in the second game.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will on Monday unveil Finidi George as the substantive head coach of the Super Eagles.
Finidi was appointed in April as a replacement for Jose Peseiro, who the former Nigerian international worked with as an assistant coach for 20 months.
According to a statement released on Sunday, John Enoh, the Minister of Sports Development; Tinuke Watti, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry; Ibrahim Gusau and Mohammed Sanusi, President and the General Secretary of NFF respectively, are among the prominent personalities expected at the unveiling.
Finidi was the Eagles’ interim head coach for two international friendlies against Ghana and Mali in March.
He led the Eagles to a 2-1 victory over Ghana in his first game at the helm but lost 2-0 to Mali in the second game.
Chairman of Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Gbenga Elegbeleye is delighted that five players scouted at the maiden NPFL U-17 Youth League have made the list of Nigeria’s U-17 team, the Golden Eaglets.
The Golden Eaglets are in Ghana for West African Football Union (WAFU) qualifying tournament for the Africa U-17 Nations Cup.
Remo Stars trio of Oreoluwa Agbenla, Muiz Oladimeji and Daniel Arierhi as well as Edward Ochigbo of Sporting Lagos and Rangers goalkeeper Chinedu Chike made the list of players picked by Coach Manu Garba
“We have obviously met one of the cardinal objectives of initiating the Youth League for our Clubs in NPFL, which is to assist Nigeria Football Federation and their coaches scout for talents.”
“The Youth League is a requirement of the NFF Club Licensing Regulations and the benefits are many, including providing the clubs a steady and ready replacement of ageing players and those who move away to their clubs”, explained Elegbeleye.
He further noted that football, like any other business, must have a steady line of stock replenishment or it will lose the market.
“We, on the NPFL Board feel a sense of satisfaction from the outcome of the NPFL Youth League in its very first edition and we look forward to not only seeing the young lads dominate regular club football but also make it to U-20 and Olympic teams for Nigeria”, continued Elegbeleye.
Gbenga Elegbeleye who also is also the 2nd Vice President of NFF then tasked the four players to be good ambassadors of the NPFL U17 Youth League by playing very well to contribute to Nigeria’s qualification for the CAF Cadet Championship and ultimately, the FIFA U-17 World Cup Finals.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have intercepted three trailer loads of opioids comprising three million four hundred and fifty thousand (3,450,000) pills and three hundred and forty-four thousand (344,000) bottles of codeine syrup at Abule Ado in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos state where three suspects were also arrested in connection with the seizure. The multi-billion naira consignments were loaded into two 40-ft container trucks and another 20-ft truck at the AML bonded terminal, Abule-Osun, near the International Trade Fair complex before heading to a large warehouse at Abule-Ado where NDLEA officers eventually arrested the suspects and recovered the opioid consignments on Thursday 9th May 2024. Those arrested include the warehouse agent, Cosmas Obiajulu, 51; Ridwan Balogun, 25, and Banjo Tayo, 30, both drivers of two of the trucks while the third driver jumped off to escape arrest. In the same vein, NDLEA operatives on Tuesday 7th May arrested a suspect, Nwankwo Ejike in Coker area of Lagos where 100 litres of codeine syrup were recovered from him while 60 litres of the same substance were seized from Clinton Akinye in the same area same day. Not less than 37.5kg of cannabis sativa loaded in a Toyota camry car was recovered from another suspect, Adegbola Segun, 47, when the car was intercepted at Mile 12 area of Lagos on Monday 6th May. Another consignment of opioids consisting of 59,106 pills of tramadol and different quantities of codeine syrup and rohypnol being taken across the border to Garua, Cameroon was intercepted by NDLEA officers on Monday 6th May along Mubi-Yola road, Adamawa state. Two suspects linked to the drugs: Abubakar Auwal, 39, and Adamu Abubakar, 25, (a.k.a Bamanga), a trans-border trafficker who was to take the consignment from Mubi across to Cameroon were promptly arrested. In Edo state, NDLEA operatives on Saturday 11th May raided the Iguiye forest in Ovia North East LGA, where a total of 11, 636.185kg cannabis was destroyed on three farms measuring 4.654474 hectares, while additional 188kg of the same psychoactive substance was recovered and a suspect, Itah Nyong was arrested during the overnight operation. A 75-year-old grandpa, Jibril Audu was on Friday 10th May arrested with 7.5 kilograms of cannabis at Oke-asa village, Ijero-Ekiti, Ekiti state during a raid operation, while a 70-year-old grandma, Tikwase Nytor was nabbed with 15.6kg of same substance on Thursday 9th May during a raid operation at Achusa and International Market road, Makurdi, Benue state.
The NDLEA Commands across the country balanced their drug supply reduction operations with War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy campaigns to schools, markets, worship centres and communities. Some of these include: WADA sensitisation lecture to: Muslim faithful at Sultan Bello Jummat Mosque, Kaduna; students of Oduduwa University and Oduduwa Polytechnic, Ipetumodu, Osun; students of Nigerian Tulip International Colleges (Boys Section), Kano; students of Federal University of Technology, Babura, Jigawa; students of Father Tansi International College, Okpuno Awka, Anambra; WADA advocacy visit to Delta state First Lady Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori and similar advocacy visit to the Founder City of God cathedral, Cardinal James Omolaja Odunmbaku who was joined by Ojodu LCDA Chairman, Hon. Segun Odunmbaku in Ojodu area of Lagos state. While commending the efforts of the Lagos, Edo, Ekiti, Benue and Adamawa Commands of the Agency for jobs well done in the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) assured that officers and men of the Agency will continue to work with local and international partners to ensure that the scourge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking is brought to the barest minimum in Nigeria.
Femi Babafemi Director, Media & Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters Abuja Sunday 12th May 2024
ONDO SUBEB ONLINE TEST FOR RECRUITMENT OF TEACHERS COMES UP TUESDAY
Ondo State Universal Basic Primpary Education Board (ODSUBEB) is set to conduct online test for applicants seeking teaching positions in Public Primary Schools across the State.
A Press release issued by the Board’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Prince Bolu Diesel Ajijo, the online test will come up Tuesday between 8.00am to 6.00pm.
The statement urged all applicants to check their phones from Monday because the Board has concluded plans to send SMS to all applicants free hours to the commencement of the exercise detailing on how to log in to the portal to ensure nobody is left out of the exercise.
The Executive Chairman of the Board, Victor Olabimtan, described the recruitment as a replacement initiative for teachers who have been transferred or retired from rural and hard-to-reach areas of the state.
According to Olabimtan not less than 31,000 applicants applied for 2,000 teaching vacancies declared. The online test is designed to identify the best candidates for the appointments.
He enjoined all applicants to prepare thoroughly for the test, as there will be no room shortcuts in the process.
esigned: Prince Bolu Diesel Ajijo Director, Information & PR
The 10th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) birthed a number of surprises.
The ceremony kicked off on Friday with a vibrant Cultural Day celebration. It continues today with the actual award event that would see the biggest names in African film and television converge on Lagos.
The nominations and winners are being announced live and Vanguard will update the winners as they receive their awards.
A Tribe Called Judah (Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele, Collins Okoh and Akinlabi Ishola)
Mami Wata (CJ Fiery Obasi)
Best Sound Design Ava Momoh (Over the Bridge)
Daniel Pellerin and Amin Bhatia (Kipkemboi)
Grey Jones Ossai (Blood Vessel) – Winner Grey Jones Ossai (Breath of Life)
Samy Bardet (Mami Wata)
Best Editing Chuka Ejorh And Onyekachi Banjo (Over The Bridge)
Holmes Awa (Breath of Life)
Alex Kamau And Victor Obok (Volume)
Dayo Nathaniel (Ogeere – Earth)
Antonio Ribeiro (The Black Book) – Winner Nathan Delannoy (Mami Wata)
Best Documentary Ormoilaa Ogol (The Strong One)
Lobola, A Bride’s True Price? – Winner Empalikino (Forgiveness)
The Water Manifesto: Osun (Water for Gold)
Sowing Hope
Best Cinematography Mami Wata (Lílis Soares)
Blood Vessel (Gideon Chukwu)
Over The Bridge (KC Obiajulu) – Winner Breath of Life (Ola Cardoso)
Jagun Jagun – The Warrior (Adeoluwa Owu)
Ijogbon – Chaos (Adekunle Nodash Adejuyigbe)
Omen (Joachim Philippe
Best Indigenous M-Net Original The Passenger
Nana Akoto
Apo
Irora Iya – Winner Love Transfusion (Kiapo Cha Damu)
Best Digital Content National Treasure – Adebola Adeyela (Lizzy Jay)
Medical Negligence and Copyright Infringement – Isaac Ayomide Olayiwola (Layi Wasabi) – Winner Hello Neighbour – Elozonam Ogbolu, Lina idoko and Jemima Osunde
The Boyfriend – Maryam Apaokagi-Greene
Best Short Film T’egbon T’aburo
Broken Mask – Winner Eighteenth Year
Man and Masquerades
A Place Called Forward
Best Unscripted M-Net Original What Will People Say
The Irabors’ Forever After
Nwuyee Bekee (Foreign Wives) – Winner Date My Family Zambia
Royal Qlique (Season 2)
Best Scripted M-Net Original Slum King – Winner Half Open Window
Itura
The Passenger
Magic Room
Best Supporting Actress Joke Silva (Over the Bridge)
Fathia Williams (Jagun Jagun – The Warrior)
Bimbo Akintola (The Black Book)
Genoveva Umeh (Breath of Life) – Winner Eliane Umuhire (Omen)
Tana Adelana (Ijogbon – Chaos)
Ejiro Onojaife (The Origin: Madam Koi Koi)
Best Supporting Actor Alexx Ekubo (Afamefuna)
Demola Adedoyin (Breath of Life) – Winner Itele d Icon (Jagun Jagun: The Warrior)
Gregory Ojefua (This is Life)
Timini Egbuson (A Tribe Called Judah)
Levi Chikere (Blood Vessel)
Ropo Ewenla (Over the Bridge)
Trailblazer Award Chimezie Imo – Winner Industry Merit Award Idowu Philips (Iya Rainbow) – Winner Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD) – Winner Best Lead Actress Segilola Ogidan (Over the Bridge)
Lucie Debay (Omen)
Omowunmi Dada (Asiri Ade)
Ireti Doyle (The Origin: Madam Koi Koi)
Adaobi Dibor (Blood Vessel)
Evelyne Ily (Mami Wata)
Kehinde Bankole (Adire) – Winner Funke Akindele (A Tribe Called Judah)
Best Lead Actor Wale Ojo (Breath of Life) – Winner Stan Nze (Afamefuna)
President Bola Tinubu extends his warm congratulations to Pa Reuben Fasoranti, National Leader of Afenifere, on the special occasion of his 98th birthday.
President Tinubu joins family, friends, and associates to celebrate a paragon of integrity and peerless leader with a natural agency for rallying minds to the cause of peace, unity, and development.
The President affirms that Pa Fasoranti, as the leader of the respected Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, has brought honour and dignity to the organization and has also honed its voice as a noble and trenchant mouthpiece of the people.
The President extols the sacrifices and painstaking contributions of the elder statesman to the development of Nigeria as a veteran teacher, seasoned administrator, and exceptional politician.
The President thanks Pa Fasoranti for his support and generous measure of wise counsel, assuring him that the beacon of truth, fairness, equity, peace, and unity will always be held up.
President Tinubu prays to God Almighty to grant the elder statesman more years in excellent health, while wishing him joy and happiness on this momentous day and always.
Ondo State Governor, Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has congratulated the National Leader of the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, OFR, as he marks his 98th birthday today.
In his birthday message to the elder statesman, Governor Aiyedatiwa described him as a symbol of integrity, statesmanship and patriotism.
The Governor said: “On behalf of the government and good people of Ondo State, I congratulate a distinguished elder statesman, one of the founding fathers of our State and the National Leader of the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, OFR, on the occasion of his 98th birthday anniversary.
“Pa Fasoranti is a great leader and a rare symbol of integrity, statesmanship and patriotism. His virtues of contentment, sacrifice, devotion and loyalty have contributed in great deal to the longevity that God has blessed him with.
“Baba remains one of the most refined leaders that Nigeria has ever produced. His impeccable strength of character and his fidelity to the traits that have distinguished him from his peers for decades will remain a lesson to generations of leaders.
“Sir, on this special day, we honour your dedication, wisdom, and tireless efforts in promoting the welfare of our people and shaping our nation’s future. Your legacy will continue to inspire and guide us towards a brighter tomorrow.
“I am indeed delighted to join your family, friends and well-wishers from far and near to celebrate with you today and I pray for more strength, sound health and peace as you mark this milestone.”
Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State. May 11, 2024
