Hence, the CBN has instructed all financial institutions to immediately close accounts belonging to crypto exchanges and businesses transacting in cryptocurrencies. According to the CBN, failure to comply will result in “severe regulatory sanctions”.

While there has been an uproar in the country, the CBN earlier warned of taking such measures in a circular they released on January 12, 2017, citing the risks associated with transactions in cryptocurrency. In September 2020, the country’s Securities and Exchange Commission further said it would regulate trade in digital currencies to protect investors and promote transparent transactions.

However, Nigerians are particularly suspicious of this directive, believing it to be a direct attack on the EndSARS movement that occurred in October 2020. While cryptocurrency has been in Nigeria for a long time, it skyrocketed in popularity in the wake of this movement against police brutality. The central bank tried to cut funding for the protests by suspending the bank accounts of prominent supporters. However, this prompted a switch to Bitcoin (BTC) and other crypto donations.

The President of the Bank Customer Association of Nigeria (BCAN), however, stated that this new directive doesn’t stop people from trading in cryptocurrencies, but it makes it impossible to do so through the banking system. Even if this is the case, trading in cryptocurrencies will be more difficult.

Furthermore, the largest global cryptocurrency platform, Binance, has temporarily suspended deposits in Nigerian naira following this directive.

Given the country’s high unemployment rate, cryptocurrency trading has been a major way several youths in the country are making ends meet. With this source of livelihood under serious threat, only time will tell what the future holds.

The post Cryptocurrency Ban by Central Bank of Nigeria appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.

A human rights activist of Yoruba ethnicity named Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemo but popularly known as Sunday Igboho (because he hails from the Igboho clan of Oyo State) is at the forefront of these activities.

For as long as I can remember, several articles, news, pictures, and videos have been circulated unveiling the untold brutality that a certain sect of people called the Fulani Herdsmen in Nigeria have meted out on those living in or around any place or space they choose to invade.

Such is the case of the Yoruba people of Ogun state whose indigenes have been killed, maimed, had their women raped, farms destroyed, properties plundered and people kidnapped for huge ransoms by the Fulani Herdsmen. Severally, they have cried out to the government securities for help but there has been nothing done to stop further brutality or halt its occurrence.

Sunday Igboho (with the backing of voodoo, according to witnesses and evidence) then decided to take laws into his hands since no government directive was given to curb the violence. He then gave the Herdmens a quit notice to leave the Yoruba lands alone and return to their own lands since they could not live in peace.

When the date given for the quit notice expired, he and his supporters went into the Fulani settlement in Ogun State and had a confrontation with them accompanied by the Police Area Commander in that division. This confrontation led to a violent outburst that resulted in 2 people losing their lives. In an aftermath of events, the mob vandalized and burned down some of the properties belonging to the Seriki (chief) of the Fulanis, this also led to an act of similar revenge taken out on Sunday Igbohos house.

A cite taken out of the webpage of the Guardian newspaper said this: Speaking with journalists… He said: “We observe there is an injustice from the herdsmen because they are close to the Federal Government. Any Fulani herdsman who engages in kidnapping should be flushed out.”

A British Nigerian political activist known as Nnamdi Kanu; who has been at the forefront fighting for the independence of the Igbo ethnic people made a post on the 23^rd of January saying:

“Before your very eyes, Nigeria is turning to a pathetic APARTHEID State, mercilessly implementing the supremacy of one tribe over all others. And you do nothing. Incredible!”

Amidst all these, there has not been any solid order made for or against the banditry and incessant killings in the areas the Herdsmen have ravaged.

In an interview carried out by the Punch Newspaper, Sunday Igboho made this statement: “We are Yoruba people in our own right, we can fight for freedom. Our fathers and brothers were killed by herders while our people die in silence. Our mothers and sisters are raped, farmlands are vandalized and crops are eaten up by their cattle. They kidnap and take big ransom. Just as the case in Igangan, our people in Ogun could not bear it any longer, so they called for help. That was what happened.”

When asked if he had discussed with the governors on how to handle the issue of the herdsmen menace, he had this to say:

“No, but obviously if they call me for a meeting to discuss the burning issue of security to end the impunity by the killer herders, I shall gladly oblige. I am ready for any genuine approach to stopping the herders’ madness against our parents, brothers, and sisters in Yorubaland. Why should our people, harmless for that matter, be going through all the horrible experiences without getting justice? And everybody folds their arms, looking on as if nothing is wrong.”

What seems to be utterly fascinating is the authority and audacity with which Sunday uses to go about his fight for justice even at the expense of his life, making bold declarations and authoritative statements such as an excerpt taken from www.idomavoice.com which says: ‘In an interview with PUNCH on Sunday, Igboho said no human being can kill him and he will not be distracted. The Yoruba warlord was quoted as saying, “I am not afraid of anything or anyone but God. God is the owner and controller of every soul. It is only God who can kill me. No human being can kill me, so I cannot be afraid of any mortal.’

The post Voodoo and Politics appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.

Nigeria is among the 5 most populous countries in the sub-region and currently leads the board. Yet, barely 50% of her population has access to electricity. Those who do, experience power supply outages 60% of the time.

According to a report released by World Bank Indicators, by 2030, there will still be about 650 million people without access to electricity. Nine out of ten of them will live in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Additionally, in a report by one of the country’s most-read newspapers, PUNCH said that there has been no significant improvement in the electricity generated by the Transmission Company of Nigeria since 2015.

ANED (Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors) is a body dedicated to Advocacy on issues of common interest and relevance for the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry. Recently it released a briefing blaming the lack of improvement for the year 2020 on the impact of the COVID-19, and partially on the increasing number of electricity users.

Due to this ever-decreasing production of electrical energy, it is a norm and has become almost compulsory for every family and business owner to procure a power generating machine to substitute for lack of power.

The costs of owning a standard generating set ranges anywhere from $100 to thousands of dollars. That, of course, is excluding the cost of purchasing the fuel needed to power it regularly.

Providing more insight into this issue is the following taken from a report on npr.org:

“Jonathan Phillips, director of the Energy Access Project at Duke University… says Nigeria’s power problems date back decades to the country’s early days of independence, when the government set up a heavily subsidized electrical grid.

The energy system was often a prime target for corruption, he says, and has never been able to generate enough profit to offset the massive cost needed to build enough new power plants and distribution lines to keep up with the country’s rapidly growing population.

As a result, he says, Nigeria has one-fifth the total power supply of North Carolina, with a population of 200 million people, 20 times the state’s — and blows through up to $8 billion per year on diesel fuel for generators.”

While Nigeria is a land of opportunities, the issue of an unstable power supply continues to crumble start-ups. As a result, many never make it through their first 3 years of business.

While it is uncertain whether the root cause is from corruption, a misappropriation of funds, or rapid overpopulation, the fact still remains that it must be solved.

The post Nigeria’s Electricity Supply Crisis appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.

According to a report released by the Washington post: ‘Amnesty International said it has recorded 82 cases of SARS abuses over the past three years, including beatings, hangings, mock executions, sexual assault and waterboarding.’

(Note: the images below in this article were shared on Whats app and other social media platforms and obtained by this reporter on the scene in Nigeria.)

What started locally in Lagos (the former capital of the country) sprung across every state of the nation within 24 hours.

In less than 48 hours Nigerians in diaspora joined the same #EndSars protest with local and international celebrities like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Cardi B, Yara Shahidi and others showing concern, additionally a lot of social media influencers have extended their voice to the cause.

The democratic nominee for President of the United States, Joe Biden, also had this to say, “The United States must stand with Nigerians who are peacefully demonstrating for police reform and seeking an end to corruption in their democracy”.

At around 2 pm on the 20^th of October 2020 some men were spotted removing the security cameras stationed where the Lagos Lekki protest was ongoing. When questioned, they answered they were directed to do so.

During the late hours the same day the LED billboards providing light where shut down and the streetlights were turned off.

A few minutes later, while the protesters where singing the countries national anthem, a bloody massacre blew out as the group of #endsars protesters were shot at by some troops of the Nigerian army.

This left hundreds scrambling for their lives, some dead and some seriously injured.

According to a report by Amnesty International, ‘At least 12 people killed at Alausa and Lekki Toll Gate Lagos, Hundreds severely injured, CCTV dismantled to cover murder’.

Protesters had to run and hide. Those severely injured could not be treated as, it was reported, the military persons on the scene would not allow the ambulance and paramedics get access to the people.

The countries’ Vice president Yemi Osinbajo said on twitter : “My heart goes out to all the victims of the Lekki shootings, and also the policemen and all other men and women who lost their lives in the past few days in different parts of Lagos & other states”.

Stephane Dujaric, spokesman for the United Nations Secretary General said in a statement that “He condemns the violent escalation on 20 October in Lagos which resulted in multiple deaths and caused many injuries. He expresses his condolences to the bereaved families and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured…. He reiterates the readiness of the United Nations to support national efforts towards finding a solution.”

In a twist of events, during the protest a warehouse was found, at the Mazamaza community of Amuwo Odofin Local Government, hoarding tons of food which was supposed to have been distributed to the residents during the covid-19 national lockdown.

On the 22^nd of October the president of the country Muhammadu Buhari made a nationwide speech to calm and end the protest. The speech was, however, accepted with mixed feelings as the president did not address the killing of the protesters #Lekkigenocide, nor did he address the hidden covid-19 palliatives found in the warehouses.

So far, Nigerians have had a lot of lives lost, a lot of properties vandalized, and a lot of voices forcefully silenced.

The post A New Nigeria #EndSars appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.

Millions of Nigerians continue taking to the streets, and to social media under the hashtag #ENDSARS, protesting against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a branch of the Nigeria Police Force. Even as the demonstrations against the alleged brutality by the group escalate, more casualties are being reported by local media.

Reports of armed thugs attacking protesters in the capital, Lagos, and the military opening fire on peaceful protestors signify that the campaigns could be turning ugly. As reported by Sky News, the police allegedly shot at demonstrators in the city’s Lekki suburb on Tuesday, sparking anger amongst its supporters on social media.

In the northern state of Kano, the death of a 17-year-old teenager at the hands of the police has sparked even more protests. Both Benin City and the Edo state government have declared an indefinite curfew in light of reported attacks and vandalism.

Protests against brutality, harassment, and murder

SARS, formed during the 1984 military rule, has long been accused of extortion, torture, and murder. However, it was not until just recently that a series of videos of individuals allegedly being killed by police surfaced online.

Immediately after the videos, the campaign gained fame with Nigerians creating shockwaves on Twitter with #ENDSARS trending for days. The government finally gave in and disbanded the notorious group.

But the disbandment, according to the protestors, isn’t enough and has since morphed into calls for wider reforms in the government. Already, there’s a 24-hour curfew on the 20 million people who live in Lagos, the heartbeat of the protests. Despite the restrictions, the protests show little sign of slowing down.

Lots of local and international celebrities have joined a growing list in support of the protests. The list includes Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, artists Diddy, Kanye West, Trey Songz, Tiwa Savage, Widkid, and Davido, and others.

Sports superstars led by Mesut Ozil, Marcus Rashford, and countless Nigerian internationals have also been at the forefront, voicing their support for the demonstrations.

The latest hashtags, #EndBadGovernance, #BetterNigeria, and #FixNigeriaNow, and a series of diaspora protests in Canada, England, Germany and the United States signifies a new twist. It remains to be seen how the protests will go.

Meanwhile, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has promised comprehensive reform and compensation to victims of the brutality.

The post #ENDSARS Protests Turn Ugly as More Celebrities Voice Support appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.

Speaking on an aired TVC broadcast on Tuesday, Tinubu urged the electorates of Edo State not to vote for Obaseki, the candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the upcoming September 19 gubernatorial election.

“I want to appeal to you to reject Godwin Obaseki in this coming election. I have suffered, with many others, to bring about this democratic regime that today we are enjoying in the country. Then, Godwin Obaseki didn’t participate in any aspect of the struggle to enshrine democracy in the country. Therefore, he could not understand the pains associated with the democratic struggle”, Tinubu said.

He further described Obaseki as a dictator, who disregarded the rule of law and his constituents during his tenure by preventing 14 of the 24 elected members of the state assembly from being sworn in.

Many Nigerians have called Tinubu a hypocrite, who uses the veneer of democracy to expand his political gains.

The Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media and Strategic Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, has said Tinubu cannot extend his political reach to Edo state because the people are determined to end godfatherism.

In response to Tinubu’s inciting remarks, he issued a statement, saying, “He should take note that Edo people do not yield their will, liberty, and power of choice to oppressive figures because they are perceived to have economic and political means”.

Tom Ikimi, the former minister of Foreign Affairs, has told Tinubu that his cash-laden ‘bullion vans’ cannot buy the election. He further stated that Tinubu did not have a lot of money back in 1999 but is now an alleged billionaire, suggesting that the source of his wealth is through his shady political ties. “You carry money in trucks all over the place to disfigure democracy and you are preaching democracy”, he added.

One Prince Zephaniah commented that Nigerians were now awake to the vices of Tinubu. “We saw the democratic struggle that turned him (Tinubu) to Lagos landlord. The generation that was deceived in this country is dead. You can’t deceive this generation again.”

For Ben Adeleye, Tinubu is simply a selfish and greedy fellow because he supported Obaseki when he was a member of APC. But now that he has switched to PDP, Tinubu wants the people to reject him.

As Saturday approaches, tensions are high in the state. That day will determine the future of Edo state for the next four years.

The post Tinubu Under Fire from Angry Nigerians over attack on Obaseki appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.

Chairman of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation, Publicity Committee, Akintunde Akinsemola, spoke to a reporter from The PUNCH about the incident recently.  Akinsemola said Sodje’s  body was found on September 1.

The remains were located in a forest area situated at Idoani, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria.

According to reports, Sodje’s brother had been kidnapped a few days before. He was on his way to meet with the kidnappers and pay them a ransom.

Unfortunately, as often happens, the kidnappers had no intention of returning Sodji’s bother, and instead killed him.

The incident highlights the continued issue of kidnapping in a large number of countries around the world. In many areas this is still used by criminals as a way to make money – often with deadly consequences.

According to a report from theglobaleconomy.com, in 2017 there were an average of 1.8 kidnappings per 100,000 people across the globe. The countries with the highest rates were Belgium and Canada – tied at 10.3 kidnappings per 100,000 people.    

to Mr. Akinsemola, “Chris (Paul Sodje’s bother) was going for his uncle’s funeral in Okwagbe, Delta State on August 28, when he was kidnapped at Ifon, Ondo State. The Fulani men demanded N100 million but later reduced it to N1 million.”

“His wife Flora and friends rallied round to raise the ransom. Then his elder brother, Paul, and a friend took the ransom to them, yet the Fulani men murdered the two of them. Chris has not been found and the kidnappers have stopped communicating with the family”.

While searching for some of their own relatives who had been kidnapped, several Idoani elders came across the bodies of Sodji and his friend.

In 2012, Sodje led the national Nigeria Scrabble team to the African Scrabble Championship in Zambia.

To pay tribute and honor the memory of their former leader, scrabble federation held a virtual posthumous birthday for Sodje who would have turned 55 this week.

“We keep mourning, he was to celebrate his 55th birthday today (Wednesday), which would have been a great landmark for him but his life was nipped in the bud”, said NSF President, Sulaiman Gora.

The post Former Nigeria Scrabble Team Captain ‘Sodje’ Murdered by Kidnappers appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.

The OPWS is a full-scale military operation unit that collaborates with other security agencies to restore law and order to densely terrorized communities with their focus on Northern Nigeria.

Formed in May 2018, the OPWS draws its forces from the Army, Air force, Police, Navy, DSS, among others. On Wednesday the 26^th of august, the Defense Headquarters announced that the group put a stop to the gruesome activities of the Dural Salam gang that has been a menace to the society for a long time.

The news of the gang’s surrender was made public during a statement by Mr. John Enenche, the Coordinator of the Defense Media Operations. 

Mr. Enenche, a Nigerian army major general, also stated that while the OPWS were surrounding the terrorists, their operations patrol intelligence team was able to uncover a makeshift bomb-making factory used by the gang to build locally made ammunitions.

According to Mr. Enenche, the troops were able to recover several local materials used in the factory. He stated, “In the course of the operation, troops recovered several Improvised Explosive Device making materials at the location including 2 scales, 6 rocket launcher bombs, one bag of fertilizer, half a bag of gun powder, 10 locally made hand grenades, one Rocket Propelled Grenade bomb fuse, one locally made Rocket Launcher, 2 Improvised Explosive Devices, 13 Improvised rocket bombs, amongst others.”

He also stated that the terrorist camp was destroyed and several of them fled into the surrounding forests as the troops implored all measures to hunt them down.

The terrorists that were apprehended totaled 410 and they surprisingly included women and children. The gallant troops of ‘Operation Whirl Stroke’ were commended for their notable achievement by the Military High Command. They were also urged to continue curtailing the criminal activities prevalent in Northern Nigeria.

The post Nigerian Special Forces Capture Terrorists and Destroy Bomb Facotry appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.

In a viral social media video, Fani-Kayode was seen pouring invective on the Daily Trust reporter for asking him a “stupid question”.

Fani-Kayode, who visited six Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South-South and South-East states ended his tour at Calabar, where he held a press conference and showered encomiums on the state governor, Ben Ayade, for the impressive progress of the projects in place.

After the floor was opened for questions, Eyo Charles asked Fani-Kayode who was bankrolling his recent trips. To which Fani-Kayode angrily replied, “What type of stupid question is that? What type of stupid question is that? Bankrolling who? Do you know who you’re talking to? What type of insulting question is that?”.

Mr. Ita’s – the governor’s spokesperson – effort to pacify Fani-Kayode was to no avail as he continued to lambast the reporter, “I could see from your face before you got here how stupid you are. Don’t ever talk to me like that. Don’t ever judge me by your standards”.

Charles was seen standing and apologizing to the ex-minister, “I’m sorry sir”. The other reporters appeared stupefied by the incident and didn’t ask any more questions before Fani-Kayode stormed out of the press room.

Charles said the former minister sent one of his security aides to further threaten him after the press conference.

With many on social media condemning his outbursts, Fani-Kayode has released a statement saying he has no apology to offer, insisting that the journalist’s comment was insulting.

The Nigerian Union of Journalists has condemned his actions. In a statement made by the Union’s president, Chris Isiguzo, on Tuesday, he remarked that the former minister assaulted and threatened a journalist for asking a simple question. In Isiguzo’s opinion, the question was appropriate because Fani-Kayode has been touring several states without revealing his true intentions.

He said, “By denigrating the journalist, Fani-Kayode has exposed himself more as an intolerant person who will not want his activities closely scrutinized by the media. It is instructive to remind the likes of Fani-Kayode that it is the constitutional right of journalists to monitor and keep a check on people and institutions in power. By delving into politics and holding political office, Fani-Kayode is very conversant with the watchdog rule of the media”.

As many people on social media pointed out, it was ironic that Fani-Kayode who is highly critical of the government took fault in the question.

The NUJ president’s further comment succinctly encapsulates that point, “We are more shocked that the same Fani-Kayode who had in recent times used his social media handles to call leaders to account is at the same time attacking a journalist for a simple demand for him to unmask those behind his nationwide tour. He had already visited six states. This is indeed, terribly disappointing”.

The post Nigerians Criticize Ex-minister Fani-Kayode for Calling Reporter ‘Stupid’ appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.

This decision comes at a time where the coronavirus has disrupted businesses on a global scale, and Nigeria’s economy, in particular, is struggling due to the plunge in global oil prices and currency-induced inflation.

In an Operation and Voluntary Trading report released by the company on Monday, it stated, “Following approaches from various potential investors, and in line with our reevaluation of the Group’s operating model in Nigeria, the Board has decided to initiate a formal process to consider the potential sale of all, or majority stake, in Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Shoprite International Limited”.

Shoprite employs about 2,000 Nigerians and partners with several vendors around the country. This transition can have a significant impact on the livelihood of many.

In an analysis by Nduka Orjinmo of BBC, Lagos, although Shoprite is a working-class supermarket in South Africa, it is for the upper class in Nigeria. Shoprite is more popular for taking pictures than actual shopping among average Nigerians. The difficult economy and global pandemic have crippled the spending power of many and although they want quality services, they want it cheap.

Shoprite entered the Nigerian market in 2005, and has, over the years, expanded to over 25 stores across 8 states. However, the past few years have been tough.

Just last year, the retailer’s major stores in Lagos and Abuja became a flashpoint of violence, following a series of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa, as many youths picketed Shoprite’s branches. Moreover, the rise of indigenous brands like JustRite, Ebeano, Hubmart, and Globus has considerably shrunk their market share. As potential investors are interested in taking over Shoprite’s operations in the country, the company has expressed its willingness to part with a majority stake in its Nigerian subsidiary or even an outright sale.

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