A member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Sowunmi, has said that President Bola Tinubu should be blamed for the crisis rocking the party.

He said this while criticizing Tinubu’s appointment of the former governor of Rivers State and PDP member, Nyesom Wike as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Speaking in an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today programme on Wednesday, Sowunmi lamented that the president didn’t consult the elders of the party before making the appointment.

He said: “President Tinubu is the problem of the PDP, he has no business taking Wike from our party and appointing him as minister without talking to us.”

Sowunmi said Tinubu ought to have learnt from former president, Olusegun Obasanjo who consulted the Peoples Democratic Party before forming a government of national unity.

He explained that for the crisis in the PDP to be resolved, Wike should be relieved of his duty by the president and returned to the party.

According to him, once that is done, the opposition party will have the stamina to move fast in unity and clear ambition.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has nominated Super Falcons stars Rasheedat Ajibade and Chiamaka Nnadozie for the prestigious 2024 CAF Women’s Player of the Year award.

The pair, who have consistently showcased their exceptional talent on both national and international stages, are part of a ten-player shortlist for the coveted honor.

Ajibade and Nnadozie were key members of the Nigerian women’s national football team at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Despite the team’s overall performance, the duo stood out with their remarkable contributions, solidifying their status as two of Africa’s finest female footballers.

Beyond their national exploits, they also excelled with their respective clubs, further cementing their reputation as world-class players.Rasheedat Ajibade, a dynamic forward, played a crucial role for Atletico Madrid during the 2023/24 season.

Her performances were instrumental in helping the Spanish club secure a third-place finish in the highly competitive Spanish Iberdrola league.

Ajibade’s ability to deliver in critical moments and her consistent goal-scoring prowess have made her one of Atletico Madrid’s most dependable players.

Her agility, vision, and knack for finding the back of the net have earned her widespread acclaim and recognition.

On the other hand, Chiamaka Nnadozie has continued to redefine the goalkeeping position with her exceptional talent and composure under pressure.

The Paris FC shot-stopper played a pivotal role in her club’s qualification for the UEFA Women’s Champions League, a feat that underscored her importance to the team.

Known for her quick reflexes, commanding presence in the box, and remarkable shot-stopping abilities, Nnadozie has consistently proven to be one of the best goalkeepers in Africa and beyond.

Her outstanding performances during the year also earned her the Best Goalkeeper award at the 2023 CAF Awards, a testament to her excellence between the posts.

The nomination of Ajibade and Nnadozie reflects the growing recognition of Nigerian female footballers on the global stage. It also highlights the legacy of excellence maintained by Nigerian players, with Asisat Oshoala winning the Women’s Player of the Year award in 2023.

As the countdown to the 2024 CAF Awards begins, fans and football enthusiasts eagerly await the final announcement.

Whether Ajibade or Nnadozie clinches the title, their nominations alone are a testament to their hard work, dedication, and exceptional contributions to the beautiful game.

The Nigerian naira has resumed its depreciation against the United States dollar, recording significant losses at both the official and black market foreign exchange (FX) platforms on Wednesday.

Data from the FMDQ Securities Exchange reveals that the naira weakened further to ₦1,687.52 per dollar at the official FX market, down from ₦1,678.93 per dollar traded on Tuesday.

This decline represents a loss of ₦8.59 in just one day, signaling continued challenges for Nigeria’s currency amidst ongoing economic uncertainties.

Similarly, in the parallel or black market, the naira exchanged for ₦1,750 per dollar on Wednesday, reflecting a ₦10 drop from the ₦1,740 rate recorded the previous day.

The sustained weakness in the naira is a source of concern for businesses, investors, and citizens, as it exacerbates inflationary pressures and increases the cost of imported goods and services.

The depreciation occurred despite a rise in FX transaction turnover, which climbed significantly to $173.29 million on Wednesday compared to $128.59 million on Tuesday.

This 34.7% increase in trading volume indicates a higher demand for foreign exchange, which may have contributed to the naira’s weaker performance.

Market analysts believe the persistent volatility of the naira stems from a variety of factors, including high demand for foreign exchange, speculative trading activities, and limited supply of dollars in the economy.

The widening gap between the official exchange rate and the black market rate further underscores the inefficiencies in Nigeria’s FX management system, raising concerns about the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) intervention strategies.

Over the past several months, the naira has been on a fluctuating trajectory against the dollar, despite various policy measures and interventions implemented by the CBN.

These measures, aimed at stabilizing the currency, include adjustments to interest rates, efforts to attract foreign investments, and targeted funding for critical sectors of the economy.

However, the results have been mixed, with the naira continuing to face significant headwinds.

The challenges with the naira’s value reflect broader economic issues, such as dwindling foreign reserves, heavy reliance on oil exports, and subdued revenue generation from non-oil sectors.

Experts are urging the government to adopt more holistic and sustainable economic reforms to address structural problems and restore confidence in the naira.The current depreciation trend highlights the urgent need for coordinated policy responses to stabilize the FX market, manage inflation, and ensure long-term economic stability in Nigeria.

Benin Republic’s Cheetahs head coach, Gernot Rohr, has weighed in on the shocking defeat of Nigeria’s Super Eagles against Rwanda in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.

The match, which took place at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Monday, saw the underdog Rwandan side claim a memorable victory over the three-time African champions.

Despite the result, the Super Eagles had already secured their qualification for the tournament in Morocco after Libya’s earlier triumph over Rwanda.

However, the defeat on home soil has raised questions, and Rohr, who previously managed the Super Eagles, offered insights into what might have gone wrong.

In comments attributed to him via Fraternit, Rohr suggested that Rwanda’s victory was partly due to Nigeria’s perceived complacency following their confirmed qualification.

He highlighted that this overconfidence often leads to a lack of intensity, allowing opponents to capitalize.

“Against Nigeria, we were pegged back by Osimhen a few minutes before the end,” Rohr explained, reflecting on his own experiences coaching against the Super Eagles.

“I know this team well from having coached them. They sometimes tend to take their foot off the gas when they think they have qualified.

This can give their opponents the opportunity to spring a surprise, as was the case with Rwanda.”

Rohr’s analysis resonates with a recurring issue in football where already-qualified teams approach subsequent matches with reduced urgency.

For the Super Eagles, this complacency might have given Rwanda the motivation and space to exploit their vulnerabilities, especially in front of their home crowd.

Nigeria’s squad, filled with star players like Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze, was expected to dominate the match.

However, the team seemed to lack the sharpness and determination typically required to overcome a resilient opponent like Rwanda.

Rohr’s comments suggest that while the Super Eagles possess immense talent, maintaining focus and intensity, even in seemingly inconsequential matches, remains a challenge.

Rwanda’s victory is a significant milestone for the East African nation, underscoring the unpredictable nature of football and the importance of mental preparedness.

For Nigeria, the loss serves as a wake-up call as they prepare for the main tournament in Morocco, where they will face stronger teams with little room for error.

The defeat has sparked discussions among fans and analysts, with many hoping that the Super Eagles will address these lapses in future matches.

As one of Africa’s football powerhouses, Nigeria’s expectations remain high, and performances like this serve as reminders that success requires consistent effort, regardless of prior achievements.

A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Kaduna has sentenced a 30-year-old unemployed man, Vincent Danladi, to sweep the court premises for three weeks after he was found guilty of theft.

The items stolen included a carton of floor tiles and other materials valued at ₦130,000.

Danladi, a resident of Ungwan Pama in Kaduna, was charged with theft under the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.

He pleaded guilty to the offence during his court appearance on Wednesday, admitting to the allegations brought against him by the prosecution.

In his ruling, Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel emphasized that the court had taken into account Danladi’s status as a first-time offender when determining the sentence.

Instead of imposing a fine or custodial punishment, the magistrate ordered Danladi to report to the court daily to sweep its premises for a period of three weeks.

This judgment reflects a rehabilitative rather than punitive approach, particularly for minor offences.According to the prosecution, led by Inspector Chidi Leo, the theft occurred on November 9 at a house under renovation in Sabon Tasha, Kaduna.

Danladi, along with two accomplices who are still at large, was accused of stealing a carton of 3×3 floor tiles, a bucket of paint, and a carton of wall tiles.

The total value of the stolen items was estimated at ₦130,000.Leo explained that during the course of the investigation, the stolen items were recovered, and Danladi was apprehended. His accomplices, however, remain unidentified and are yet to be arrested.

The prosecutor further stated that the theft contravened the provisions of the Kaduna State Penal Code, highlighting the legal consequences of such acts.

While delivering the sentence, Magistrate Emmanuel highlighted the importance of justice tempered with mercy, particularly for first-time offenders.

The court considered Danladi’s economic circumstances and his admission of guilt as mitigating factors. The decision to impose community service instead of imprisonment or a fine aims to provide an opportunity for Danladi to reflect on his actions and reintegrate positively into society.

This judgment has drawn mixed reactions from the public.

While some praise the court’s decision as a progressive move toward restorative justice, others argue that stricter measures are necessary to deter criminal behaviour.

Nonetheless, the case underscores the judiciary’s efforts to balance justice with compassion, particularly for individuals who show remorse for their actions.

Danladi is expected to begin his court-ordered community service immediately, sweeping the premises under the supervision of court officials for the stipulated three weeks.

Value-added tax (VAT) has boosted Nigeria’s revenue for the month of October 2024 as the Federal Government (FG), states and Local Governments (LGs) shared N1.411 trillion.

A total of N668.291 billion was collected in October as VAT as against the N583.675 billion collected in September, increasing the revenue available for sharing to the three tiers of government.

This amount is higher than the N1.298 trillion that was shared in September by N113 billion.

The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) announced this on Wednesday at the end of its November 2024 meeting which took place in Bauchi State.

The meeting, which was chaired by the Accountant General of the Federation. Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, was held after the 2024 National Council on Finance and Economic Development (NACOFED) hosted by the Bauchi State Government.

FAAC in a communique issued at the end of the meeting said the Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue in October 2024 was higher than what was available in the month of September 2024 by N84.616 billion.

It said that the N1.411 trillion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N206.319 billion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N622.312 billion, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N17.111 billion and Exchange Difference revenue of N566.000 billion.

The communiqué indicated that total gross revenue of N2.668 trillion was available in the month of October 2024. Total deduction for cost of collection was N97.517 billion while total transfers, interventions and refunds were N1.159 trillion.

According to the communiqué, gross statutory revenue of N1.336 trillion was received for the month of October 2024.

“This was higher than the sum of N1.043 trillion received in the month of September 2024 by N293.009 billion,” it said.

The communiqué stated that from the N1.411 trillion total distributable revenue, the Federal Government received a total sum of N433.021 billion and the State Governments received a total sum of N490.696 billion, while Local Government Councils received a total sum of N355.621 billion and a total sum of N132.404 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue.

On the N206.319 billion distributable statutory revenue, the communiqué stated that the Federal Government received N77.562 billion and the state governments received N39.341 billion.

The Local Government Councils received N30.330 billion and the sum of N59.086 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.

From the N622.312 billion distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue, the Federal Government received N93.347 billion, the State Governments received N311.156 billion and the Local Government Councils received N217.809 billion.

A total sum of N2.567 billion was received by the Federal Government from the N17.111 billion Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL). The State Governments received N8.555 billion and the Local Government Councils received N5.989 billion.

From the N566.000 billion Exchange Difference revenue, the communiqué stated that the Federal Government received N259.545 billion and the State Governments received N131.644 billion.

The Local Government Councils received N101.493 billion, while the sum of N73.318 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.

The communique noted that in October 2024, Oil and Gas Royalty, Excise Duty, Value Added Tax (VAT), Import Duty, Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), and Companies Income Tax (CIT) increased significantly while Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) and CET Levies decreased considerably.