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Abuja residents experience first rain fall in 2024

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Some parts of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja experienced the first rain in 2024 in the early hours of Thursday.

NAN reports the light rain which started half hour into the new day, about 12.30 am, lasted about 25 minutes, stopping at 12.55 am.

The unexpected rain which was devoid of lightning, heavy winds and thunderstorms was witnessed at Kubwa, Bwari Area Council, Garki in Abuja Municipal Area Council.

The rain was also witnessed in Dutse, Zuba, Bwari, Gwagwalada and Mararaba.

Residents of the areas expressed mixed feelings over the rain.

Mrs Anna Jonah, a resident of Kubwa said the unexpected rain brought a temporary succour from the heat wave experienced in the past few days.

She, however expressed worry that because the rain was light, a delay in another rain might intensify the heat.

“Before the rain started, I was lying down on tiled-floor in my room to get some relief from the heat and I had also taken cold bath twice because of sweats.

“However, after the rain, I moved to the bed with my husband and we had sound sleep, because of the mild coldness that accompanied it.

“The concern is that a light rain like this might increase the heat in the coming days, especially as NiMet recently predicted delay in rain in the North-Central states,” she said.

Lawal Sale, a resident of Garki said the rain was a bit heavy in the area and all the cars parked by occupants of his quarter that had accumulated dust were washed off by the raindrops.

Sale also confirmed relief from the intensed heat witnessed in the FCT in the past days.

He, however, said the relief might be shortlived and advised farmers not to rush to planting because the rain might not be consistent.

 

 

Labour Party chairman, Abure, others regain freedom

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The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, who was arrested on Wednesday in Benin City, the Edo State capital, alongside other party members, has regained freedom.

Newssphere reports that Abure and the Edo state chairman of the party, Mr Kelly Ogbaloi were arrested by a combined team of police officers and operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS.

The arrest came amid a petition by the LP Youth Leader, Comrade Eragbe Anselm Aphimia, who is reportedly loyal to the factional chairman of the party, Lamidi Apapa.

The youth leader petitioned the CP alleging that he was attacked by some party members in December 2023.

Abure arrested barely hours to the party’s primary election ahead of the September 21 gubernatorial polls in the state.

 

Champions League: Osimhen saves Napoli from defeat against Barcelona

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Victor Osimhen scored the equalizer to hand Napoli 1-1 draw with Barcelona in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg on Wednesday night

The Super Eagles striker, playing his first game since his AFCON return, was selected from the start for the match.

Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring at Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in the second half.

But Osimhen forced himself into the box to finish past Marc-Andre Stegen.

 

UCL: Arteta tackles players as Arsenal suffer defeat to FC Porto

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Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has blamed his players’ game tactics for their 1-0 defeat to FC Porto in the Champions League last-16 first on Wednesday night.

The Gunners dominated most of the game, but conceded a late winner scored by Galeno in the 94th minute.

It is the first defeat for the Premier League side in 2024.

Arteta, speaking to TNT Sports after the game, said: “We have to manage much better.

“We cannot win with the way we handled the ball on three occasions in deep areas.

“If you want to be in the quarter-finals you have to beat your opponent and this is what we will have to do at the Emirates now.”

On what Arsenal were lacking, Arteta added: “We lacked threat. We lacked aggression, especially with the ball in the final third. We can do better.”

BRGIE announces virtual Tour in America over Biafra Referendum

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The Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government, in Exile, has announced to hold a virtual tour in North and South America on the quest to achieve the Biafra liberation Referendum.

The Finnish-based lawyer and separatist, Ekpa, disclosed this on Wednesday in a statement through his official X account.

He said the virtual tour is scheduled for Sunday, February 25, at 10:00 pm Biafra Time.

Ekpa noted that a similar tour for Africa is scheduled for Friday February 23, 2024.

According to him, the hardship Nigerians are experiencing under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government presents an opportunity for Biafra to exit Nigeria systematically.

He urged all lovers of Biafra to join the Tour.

“As the hardship keeps sinking in Nigeria, Biafra is systematically exiting, and the Prime Minister will be on a virtual tour to America as he continues to seek support from Biafrans in the United States”, he stated.

He added that BRGIE, through Italy Liaison, donated another rare handmade red Dragon towards a successful tour.

“The Biafra Government through Italy Liaison has donated another rare handmade red Dragon for The Prime Minister American Tour coming up on 25.2.2024”, he said.

Nigerian Newssphere that in June last year, Ekpa had also carried out a virtual tour in the United States of America.

Constituency Projects: We’ll Continue to Compel People to Do What is Right – ICPC

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has promised not to rest on its laurels in ensuring that those tasked with the execution of constituency projects in the country do what is right at all times.

In a statement by ICPC’s Spokesperson Azuka Ogugua, the Commission made this pledge on Wednesday when it played host to a delegation from BudgIT Nigeria, led by its Country Representative, Mr. Gabriel Okeowo.

In his remarks, the Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Clifford Okwudiri Oparaodu noted that the issue of constituency project was germane as some of the people tasked with the executions were often found not to carry out their duties as expected.

“Every year, the government spends a lot of money in budgetary allocation for projects and these projects are both in the federal, state and even local government and various communities. But oftentimes, we find that some people do not really carry out the mandate in the execution of those projects which I obviously think is why we are here, you know, corrupt practices. So, for us at ICPC, we will continue to do what is right and make sure those tasked with our constituency projects do same.”

Earlier in his address, the Country Representative of BudgiT Nigeria, Mr. Gabriel Okeowo stated that the essence of the visit was first to pay a courtesy visit to the new leadership of ICPC and also to renew the existing partnership and working relationship it enjoys with the Commission.

He stressed further that BudgiT as a civil society organization does not only track projects but also pushes for the promotion of participatory governance.

“For us, it is also not just tracking projects, it is indeed to promote participatory governance, which is the art of democracy and one way to promote participatory governance is to make information accessible to citizens.”

Labour Party National Chairman, Abure arrested in Benin

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Abure arrested

Julius Abure, the Chairman of the Labour Party has been arrested by the Nigeria Police Force in Benin City, Edo State on Wednesday.

A popular Nigerian investigative Journalist with an X account @Piddomnigeria disclosed on Wednesday.

“The criminal Labour Party national chairman, Julius Abure, has been arrested by the Nigerian Police @PoliceNG for fraud and other financial crimes today in Benin, Edo state”, he wrote.

When Newssphere contacted Party’s spokesman, Obiora Ifoh, he said he was yet to verify the authenticity of the picture making the rounds on arrest of the Party Chairman, Abure.

“Yes, somebody drew my attention to it, but I am yet to verify the authenticity of the picture. When I do, I will call a press conference on it”, he said.

Similarly, Police Public Relations Officer Chidi Nwabuzor told Newssphere that he is unaware of the development.

Recall that Oluchi Oparah, the now suspended LP’s treasurer had accused Abure of misappropriating N3.5 billion 2023 presidential campaign fund.

Abure and the party on several occasions refuted Oparah’s claim.

In 15 February 2024, the Party’s National Working Committee slammed Oparah with six months suspension over her allegation against Abure.

Naira tumbles further to N1,880 against US dollar at forex market Wednesday

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The Naira dropped further to N1,880.268 per US dollar at the foreign exchange parallel market on Wednesday.

Naira Rates, an unofficial daily exchange platform, disclosed this through its X account on Wednesday.

Accordingly, the Naira was traded at N2,414.711 per Great Britain Pound while the Euro stood at N2,067.535.

The data was FX trading rates as of 11:00 AM Wednesday 21st 2024.

See below FX rates:

1 USD ⇛ N1,880.268
1 GBP ⇛ N2,414.711
1 EUR ⇛ N2,067.535
1 CAD ⇛ N1,370.161

Meanwhile, FMDQ data on Tuesday showed that Naira appreciated marginally to N1,551.24 per US dollar on Tuesday from N1,574.62 traded on Monday.

Channels TV under criticism for featuring Hamas leader

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A popular Nigerian broadcaster, Channels Television, is heavily criticised for featuring a Hamas leader, Ghazi Hamad, on Tuesday. 

Hamad appeared on Politics Today, speaking on Israel’s offensive against Hamas. 

However, his appearance has attracted criticism from the Nigerian public. 

Nigerians wondered why Channels Television would be used as a platform for Hama’s agenda owing to Nigeria’s non-aligned foreign policy posture on the Israel-Palestine conflict. 

Newssphere gathered a series of reactions from X: 

@Ayemojubar:

What is the purpose of Ghazi Hamad, a member of the Hamas Political Bureau, being in Nigeria? This country is not an Islamic State, and why is Channels TV providing a platform for a representative of Hamas’s main decision-making body?

Is this part of their Muslim-Muslim agenda?

@firstladyship: 

Why is Channels TV giving their platform to Hamas?

Is Nigeria no longer non-aligned in geopolitics?

What are the leaders of Hamas doing in Nigeria?

Why are they gloating over the Muslim Muslim ticket?

Do you think you can Islamize Nigeria?

@morris_monye: 

Does Nigeria need this at this moment?

Other countries are exercising great caution when platforming these guys, but here goes Channels TV. 

Do we need this at this moment? 

And why is Hamas very, very comfortable in Nigeria?

@emmanuelabanah: 

Irrelevant content! There is no food here and no peace in Congo, but you bring Hamas on TV?

Newssphere recalls that the armed conflict between Israel and Hamas- led Palestinian group escalated since October 7 last year. 

 

Police PRO, NITDA partner on Digital Literacy 

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The Nigeria Police Public Relations Department is partnering National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA on Digital Literacy and Capacity Building.

The Force Public Relations Officer’s team led by Olumuyiwa Adejobi was received by the Director, of Digital Skills and Capacity Development Dr. Amina Sambo-Magaji, on behalf of the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Abdullahi

The Digital Literacy and Capacity Development Department of NITDA was created to pursue the implementation of the Agency’s vision captured in its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan, SRAP in response to the Federal Government’s agenda of transforming Nigeria into a leading digital economy, providing quality life and digital skills for all.

Based on NITDA’s mandates and strategic vision, the Digital Literacy and Capacity Development department is positioned to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to provide opportunities and promote value creation from digital literacy and skills, digital transformation, digital innovations and entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies.

NITDA will train the personnel of the Force PRO department on Digital Literacy and improve their Capacity Development in line with the Federal Government’s agenda of transforming Nigeria into a leading digital economy, providing quality life and digital skills for all.

The agency will also upgrade the IT unit of the Force Public Relations Department..