This is not a true story; here is the full story. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Lee_Riches

The Nigerian government, on Thursday, announced that the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit has identified about N8trn in unpaid Value Added Tax (VAT) and Withholding Tax.

Nigeria’s Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed disclosed this on Thursday, at the Press Conference held to put disclose the government’s efforts and current results in the fight against corruption.

Mohammed disclosed figures of their recovered corruption proceeds and revealed that Nigeria has identified a humongous amount in unpaid taxes in the country.

Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2022/02/03/graft-nigeria-identifies-almost-n8trn-in-unpaid-vat-withholding-tax/

Queen Silekunola Naomi has quit her role as the Queen of Ile-Ife and the wife of the Ooni of Ife. She announced this morning that she’s no longer the wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II.

Queen Naomi, an Evangelist, married the traditional ruler in October 2018 and they had a child, Prince Tadenikawo Ogunwusi together in November 2020. Taking to her official Facebook page in the early hours of Thursday, December 23, 2021, the mother of one appreciated her son and described him as a sign of God’s knowledge of her situation, as she appealed to aggrieved persons to allow peace to reign, and respect their son. She wrote:

Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2021/12/23/breaking-queen-naomi-silekunola-quits-as-queen-of-ile-ife/

Starting today, November 1, some phones around the world will be unable to use WhatsApp because the app has been blocked on their device.

Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2021/11/01/latest-upgrade-on-whatsapp-will-see-the-app-stop-working-on-these-phones-starting-from-nov-1-full-list/

A bronze head that the University of Aberdeen acquired at an auction in 1957 has been returned to Nigeria. Following a recent review of its provenance, which confirmed it was one of the looted items, the university contacted the Nigerian authorities to offer to hand it over.

Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2021/11/01/scottish-university-returns-another-looted-bronze-to-nigeria/

Popular Ghanian musician, Charles Nii Armah Mensah, popularly known as Shatta Wale has revealed that news of him being shot is untrue

In a post on social media, the dancehall superstar disclosed that he is on the run from the police and will return only if he is assured of his safety.

Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2021/10/19/my-life-is-in-danger-and-im-on-the-run-shatta-wale/

Babagana Kingibe, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has stated that the unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is negotiable. Using the example of a couple’s relationship, Kingibe explained that once a party decides to opt-out of a union, he or she must weigh the benefits and drawbacks of his or her decision before making a final decision.

“I was born in Nigeria,” he explained. In Nigeria, I was groomed. Nigeria is something I believe in. Nigeria is something that my generation believes in. We are certain that we have no choice but to go to Nigeria.

“However, I think that a few of my colleagues believe that the unity of Nigeria is not negotiable.

Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2021/10/18/nigerias-unity-is-negotiable-babagana-kingibe/

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against President Muhammadu Buhari, asking the court to declare illegal and unconstitutional all plans by the administration to track, intercept and monitor WhatsApp messages, phone calls, and text messages of Nigerians and other people, as it severely threatens and violates the right to the preservation of privacy.

Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2021/10/18/serap-challenge-buhari-in-court-over-plans-to-monitor-whatsapp-messages-and-calls-of-nigerians/

The Nigerian army has inaugurated two courts-martial in the North-Eastern part of the country to prosecute offences committed at the theatre of operations.

The Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force of the North-East’s Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Christopher Musa performed the ceremony on Saturday in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital of Nigeria

The two courts-martial are to be cited in the operational headquarters in Maiduguri and Damaturu.

While the Military High Command empathised with personnel who would be punished for their offences, as the war is being prosecuted, Major General Musa said it has become necessary to enforce internal discipline in accordance with extant laws.

Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2021/10/11/nigerian-army-inaugurates-two-courts-martial/

Spotify has revealed the top ten states in Nigeria where music listening was highest between July and September 2021.

The audio streaming and media services provider listed the top ten states as Lagos-Lagos, Niger-Suleja, FCT-Abuja, Rivers-Port Harcourt, Edo-Benin City, Enugu-Enugu, Anambra-Onitsha, Kano-Kano, Oyo-Ibadan, and Imo-Owerri respectively.

Spotify’s Head of Communications and Public Relations for Sub-Saharan Africa, Michelle Atagana, made the announcement in a statement on Thursday.

She said, “There is no doubt that Nigeria is a country that loves music. Whether it’s a local or international sound, Nigerians will always find a way to vibe to it once it catches on.

“In celebration of Nigeria Month, Spotify shares data on the top 10 music cities in Nigeria, along with other interesting insights.”

Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2021/10/10/spotify-ranks-nigerian-states-by-music-listening/

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), claimed Tuesday that only God could take his life because He is the only one who provides life.

Tinubu stated this yesterday at a welcome-back celebration and prayer held by the Lagos State government at the State House, Marina, Lagos, during his reunion with his political allies and protégés. He expressed his gratitude to all of the political leaders and organisations who were present at the welcome back event. He also praised God for saving his life and guiding him through the surgical procedure.

While he was away, the APC National Leader stated the prayer occasion was emotional for him, and that he was overwhelmed by good wishes from Nigerians.

He prayed that God would bless all those involved in organizing the welcome back event and that God would grant them their heart’s wishes.
On behalf of Lagosians, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, praised God for the smooth return of the former governor to Lagos.

Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2021/10/11/tinubu-reunites-with-his-political-base-says-only-god-can-take-his-life/

Nollywood actress Annie Idibia has deactivated her Instagram page.

Close observers noticed on Sunday, October 10, 2021, that the movie star and mother of two had deactivated her page.

The wife to Nigerian music icon, 2Face Idibia, who had over 7 million followers on the social media platform, has been in the news for a while for reasons accruing to marital challenges, and infidelity.
In September, the actress called out her husband over his ‘suspicious’ relationship with one of his baby mamas, Pero. She also accused his family of not loving and caring about her since their marriage.

A few weeks later a leaked audio taping of the movie star surfaced where she threatened fire and brimstone. But 2face later released a statement asking the public to back off his marital issues.

Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2021/10/11/annie-idibia-deactivates-her-instagram-account/

Hakeem Odumosu, the Lagos Commissioner of Police, issued a warning on Monday against any planned protests in the state.

The State Police Command’s Spokesperson, Adekunle Ajisebutu, said in a statement that the command had received information of a planned demonstration to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the #EndSARS protest.

Following the experience of the previous #EndSARS protest, Ajisebutu warned that the police would not hesitate to use all legal measures to prevent the protest from taking place.

Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2021/10/11/lagos-cp-warns-against-planned-october-20-endsars-protest/

World Health organisation has endorsed a malaria vaccine produced by African scientists in Africa, with Sub-Saharan Africa expected to benefit the most from it.

After a two-year pilot phase involving more than 800,000 people, to roll out the vaccine in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi, the global health body finally approved the vaccine in a programme held on Wednesday, the 6th of October.

“WHO has said consistently that we need new tools to get malaria control back on track. Two years ago, WHO and our partners began a pilot programme to roll out this vaccine in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi,” Dr. Tedros Gebreyessus, the Director-General of the WHO said.

Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2021/10/06/w-h-o-endorses-malaria-vaccine-produced-in-africa-by-africans/

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has dismissed claims that it is disqualifying Nigerians below 18 years of age from getting Subscriber Identity Module (SIM).

This came following publication in a section of the media, purporting that the Commission is developing a regulation to disqualify Nigerians who are below the age of 18 from getting SIM.

In a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, he stated that the report is not only misleading and inaccurate; but misinformation of the proceedings of the Public Inquiry on the Reviewed/Draft Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulations.

“The Commission considers it necessary to set the record straight for the purpose of serving existing and potential telecom subscribers, investors and other stakeholders in the industry accurate information for making informed decisions.

Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2021/10/07/ncc-not-disqualifying-nigerians-from-getting-sim/

Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have commenced restructuring the institution for a more effective service delivery to benefit all citizens in the region.

Chairperson of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway said the restructuring, as part of broad reforms, would reduce the number of commissioners from 15 to seven.

While giving her opening remarks at the one-day extraordinary session of the council of ministers, Botchway said the restructuring also aimed at creating a more cost-effective administrative structure.

Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2021/10/06/ecowas-set-to-restructure-reduce-commissioners-from-fifteen-to-seven/

Wife of the Governor of Nigeria’s Northern state, Kano, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Hafsat Ganduje who was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following a petition against has been released.

It was gathered that her son, Abdulazeez who is the petitioner had said he was approached by a property developer to facilitate the acquisition of some plots of land in Kano with some hundreds of thousands of US dollars as commission.

He said three months later, the property developer discovered that the plots of land he paid for had been allocated to other buyers and he requested a refund.

Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2021/10/05/arrested-wife-of-kano-state-governor-hafsat-ganduje-regains-freedom/

Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has issued an unreserved apology early on Tuesday, October 5, after the three social media platforms, Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp experienced a six-hour outage.

“Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger are coming back online now. Sorry for the disruption today — I know how much you rely on our services to stay connected with the people you care about,” Zuckerberg said in a Facebook post.

Facebook says the outage – which Downdetector, an outage tracker, said was the largest failure it had ever seen, with 10.6 million problem reports around the world – was caused by a faulty configuration change.

Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2021/10/05/zuckerberg-apologises-for-facebook-instagram-whatsapp-downtime/

In the evening of Tuesday, unknown gunmen shot dead Dr Chike Akunyili, the husband of late former Information Minister, and NAFDAC DG, Prof. Dora Akunyili in Anambra.

Akunyili, a medical doctor was killed on his way from Onitsha to Umuoji at Eke Nkpor. He was said to have been killed alongside his driver and police escort. The deceased has been taken to the University of Nigeria Nsukka Alumni Association (UNAA) where the late Dora was honoured some hours before he was killed.

A source close to the family confirmed the news to newsmen, the source said: “God, pls render the devil and his agents powerless and useless.

Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2021/09/29/gunmen-kill-chike-akunyili-husband-of-late-nafdac-dg-in-anambra/

Nigeria Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen has moved to the top as a joint leading goal scorer across the top five leagues in Europe that comprises; the English Premier League, Italian Seria A, French Ligue 1, Spanish La Liga and German Bundesliga.

The Nigerian international has scored six goals this season in Serie A, a feat only matched by Real Madrid’s Karem Benzema.

Despite his slow start, Osimhen has improved massively in front of goals for his Napoli side scoring amazing goals this season.

Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2021/09/28/victor-osimhen-now-joint-leading-goalscorer-in-europe/

An unknown gang of masked men on Monday, September 27, abducted Air Vice Marshal Sikiru Smith (retd.) in Ajah, Lagos.

The gunmen invaded the scene of the abduction shooting sporadically in the air as when the retired general was supervising work on a site in Ajah on Monday.

The gunmen were said to have taken the retired general away in a speedboat through the lagoon.

According to an SOS voice note shared by his driver, Corporal Odiji, the retired general struggled with the gunmen but was overpowered before he was eventually taken away.

Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2021/09/28/masked-gunmen-abduct-air-vice-marshal-smith-in-lagos/

September 27 is World Tourism Day.

World Tourism Day is observed globally to highlight the travel industry’s social, economic, political, and cultural significance.

World Tourism Day has been celebrated annually, across the world on September 27, since 1980. It was on this day in 1970 that the Statutes of the United Nations World Tourism Organization were adopted and considered a milestone in global tourism.

World Tourism Day is celebrated to raise awareness on the importance of tourism and how it affects the social, cultural, political and economic values internationally.

This year’s World Tourism Day theme is ‘Tourism for inclusive growth.

The #WorldTourismDay2021 theme, Tourism for Inclusive Growth, points not only to opportunities for employment & growth for youth and local communities but also the opportunity to share the stories of our land & origins in tones that unite us across societal divides. It also ensures preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the travel industry.

Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2021/09/27/world-tourism-day-2021-theme-history-and-significance/

Despite the 7 year hiatus of Gulder Ultimate Search, the show remains popular among young Nigerians and millions of Africans.

The 16 contestants who are made up of four females and 12 males will be competing to win the ₦50 million prize in the 12th edition of the survival reality show.

The contestants, who were selected among 20 finalists, comprised four ladies and 12 men. Two more contestants will join when their fates are decided by viewers who have 24 hours to vote in two more contestants among the remaining four finalists.

Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2021/09/27/first-16-contestants-of-the-gulder-ultimate-search-season-12-unveiled/

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has berated Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State over the latter’s comment on anti-open grazing law.

Governor El-Rufai described the anti-open grazing laws being signed by some of the southern governors as unrealistic and not implementable.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in a statement said “From all indications, Governor Nasir El-Rufai, if he was properly quoted and his views not misrepresented, is struggling hard to export banditry to the South under an expressed opinion that is laced with mischief.


Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2021/09/23/gov-el-rufai-is-struggling-hard-to-export-banditry-to-southern-nigeria-gov-akeredolu-opens-up/

As a nationwide strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) enters its seventh week, data from the official register of medical practitioners in the United Kingdom indicate that at least 353 Nigerian doctors have been registered to work in the United Kingdom in the last 100 days.

The General Medical Council, UK has between June 10, 2021, and September 20, 2021, licensed at least 353 Nigerian-trained doctors.

The statistics also indicated that about 862 Nigeria-trained doctors were licensed in the UK between July 24, 2020 and September 21, 2021in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, 8, 737 doctors who obtained their degrees in Nigeria currently work in the UK.

Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2021/09/22/uk-hires-over-300-nigerian-doctors-in-100-days/

An Oyo State High court has ordered the Federal Government of Nigeria to pay Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, a.k.a. Sunday Igboho, the sum of N20 billion.

Justice Ladiran Akintola awarded the sum on Friday as compensation for the invasion of Igboho’s house and for what was described as exemplary and aggravated damage done against the activist.

Recall that the residence of the Yoruba rights activist, Sunday Igboho was invaded by soldiers on the 1st of July.

Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2021/09/17/court-orders-nigeria-to-pay-sunday-igboho-%e2%82%a620-billion-for-invading-his-house/

The Chairman of Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, was rushed out of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday, after he slumped during his speech.

Bawa was giving his goodwill message at the National Identity Day celebration when he suddenly stopped speaking.

He was talking about a man the commission arrested in Ibadan, Oyo state, with 116 SIM cards when the incident happened.

Bawa had stopped talking and covered his face with his right palm, saying, “Please, excuse me, I can’t continue.”

Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2021/09/16/efcc-boss-abdulrasheed-bawa-slumps-in-aso-rock/

The Nigerian government has set plans to recover millions of naira wrongly paid to 588 medical doctors across the country.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, stated this when he fielded questions from State House correspondents in Abuja.

He explained that affected doctors wrongly benefitted from Medical Residency Training Fund meant for a particular category of doctors.

According to him, the names of the doctors were uncovered after a thorough scrutinisation of the 8000 names submitted by Chief Medical Directors of Federal Government health institutions for the training programme.

The minister, however, revealed that a substantial amount of the money had been refunded by some of the affected doctors while efforts had been intensified to recover the remaining balance.

He maintained that the delay in making the refund by the affected doctors was holding back the Residency Fund payment by the government.

Read moe: https://newscentral.africa/2021/09/06/nigeria-moves-to-recover-millions-wrongly-paid-to-588-doctors/

At least 17 people, among them a soldier and an aid worker, were killed in attacks by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Borno State, North-East Nigeria.

The jihadists reportedly stormed Rann, a town that borders Cameroon on Tuesday, forcing troops out of a base and occupying the town for several hours.

However, security and local sources have confirmed that the Army recaptured Rann eight hours after the terrorists’ attack.

Residents in Rann had, however, fled the town towards Cameroon before the army reclaimed the town with aerial support.

According to them, heavily-armed fighters arrived at the base at 1:30am on foot like a swarm of locusts and overwhelmed the soldiers, killing no fewer than 11 people in the attack.

Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2021/08/31/iswap-kills-17-in-borno-north-east-nigeria/

The Board of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board have decided at the 2021 policy meeting held virtually and chaired by Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, to scrap the famous UTME cut-off mark for schools.

JAMB Registrar Prof. Is-haq Oloyede said some universities such as the University of Maiduguri proposed 150, Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto proposed 140, Pan Atlantic University proposed 210, University of Lagos 200, Lagos State University 190, Covenant University 190, Bayero University Kano 180.

The stakeholders also unilaterally approved October 29, 2021, as the deadline for the closure of amendments for 2021 admissions.

Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2021/09/01/jamb-scraps-utme-cut-off-marks/

The executive Governor of Ondo State, southwest Nigeria, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has signed the Anti-Grazing Bill passed by the State House of Assembly into law.

Akeredolu signed the bill into law at his office in Akure, the state capital, on Tuesday.

“The move is in line with the resolution of the Southern Governors’ Forum at its last meeting in Lagos where September 1st was set as the deadline for Governors in Southern Nigeria to sign the Anti-Open Grazing Bill into law,” Donald Ojogo, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, quoted the governor to have said.

Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2021/08/31/governor-akeredolu-signs-anti-open-grazing-bill-into-law/

The Governor of Nasarawa State, Nigeria, Governor Abdullahi Sule has partially dissolved his cabinet members, including special advisers and senior special assistants.

The governor made the announcement during an emergency state executive council meeting, which was held at the Government House, Lafia, the state capital on Monday.

Governor Sule equally announced the sack of his special advisers and senior special assistants, except for those manning humanitarian services and sustainable development goals. He, however, used the opportunity to appreciate them for their commitment and services rendered to the administration, stressing that his administration would continue to count on their support in the future.

Read more: https://newscentral.africa/2021/08/30/governor-sule-dissolves-cabinet-in-nassarawa-state-nigeria/