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Senate Probes Alleged $3b Fraud, Financial Waste at NPA

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By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Senate Committee on Marine Transport has been given four weeks in investigate the allegation of “monumental recklessness and financial waste” at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

The agency is under the leadership of activist, Hadiza Bala Usman, who is the Managing Director of the NPA.

At the plenary on Wednesday, Senator Omo Ovie Agege cited orders 42 and 52, appealing to the Senate, through the Committee on Marine Transport, to move quickly to the stop alleged monumental recklessness and financial waste in the Nigerian Ports Authority.

The lawmaker said the alleged fraud was carried out through series of contracts awarded to different companies in 2005 purportedly to dredge the Calabar channels in Cross River State. He said till now, the project was yet to be carried.

According to Senator Agege, “In continuation of NPA’s manifestly questionable and reckless financial commitments, Lagos Channel Management (LCM) Limited and the BCM, through the NPA, have respectively requested for the sums of N23 billion and N20 billion in the NPA’s 2017 budget.”

He said further that, “Although these joint ventures were supposed public-private partnerships (PPP) conceived to reduce financial burdens on the Federal Government, the NPA has expended over $1 billion and $2 billion respectively on LCM and Bonny Channel Company (BCC) Limited from 2005 till date, but significant dredging is yet to commence on the Calabar channel notwithstanding that it is an economic gateway to the North Central and North East geo-political zones of the country.”

He said records from the LCM, BCC Limited, and the Calabar Channel Management Company (CCMC) Limited, which are into joint venture with the NPC revealed the alleged fraud.

“In spite of the so far unjustified huge financial commitment of the NPA to these supposed PPP joint ventures, empirical facts, evidence and data, including current Admiralty Charts from Lloyds of London clearly confirm that the depth profiles of the channels, particularly the Lagos and Bonny channels, remained significantly the same at 13 meters between 2005 and 2016, notwithstanding the purported claims of daily maintenance dredging of the channels by the JVs – a curious situation which must be looked into no matter any form of siltation,” the Senator said.

Senate President Mr Bukola Saraki, while commenting on the issue, said “these were the issues we will be bringing out from agencies so as to fight and protect the interest and rights of our people.”

Modupe Gbadeyanka is a fast-rising journalist with Business Post Nigeria. Her passion for journalism is amazing. She is willing to learn more with a view to becoming one of the best pen-pushers in Nigeria. Her role models are the duo of CNN's Richard Quest and Christiane Amanpour.

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Airtel Nigeria Wins Most Preferred Telecom Brand Award

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Airtel Most Preferred Telecom Brand

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Another award has been added to the shelves of Airtel Nigeria for the quality service it offers its numerous subscribers.

At the 14th Nigerian NewsDirect Awards held at the Lagos Oriental Hotel on Friday, December 6, 2024, the company went home with the Most Preferred and Admired Telecommunications Brand award.

The chief executive of Airtel Nigeria, Mr Dinesh Balsingh, thanked the news platform for the recognition, reiterating the dedication of the organisation towards the growth of Nigeria.

“At Airtel, we remain steadfast in our mission to enrich lives and contribute to the sustainable growth of our nation, and we are proud to receive this award as the Most Preferred and Admired Telecommunications Brand.

“This recognition reaffirms our commitment to connecting Nigerians, driving digital inclusion, and empowering communities through innovative solutions,” he said.

The ceremony, themed Achieving Economic Prosperity: The Role of Human Capacity Development, Fiscal Prudence, and Revenue Generation, celebrated outstanding contributions made by individuals and corporate organisations to national development across sectors and industries.

The chairman of Odu’a Investment Limited, Mr Bimbo Ashiru, thanked all participating entities for their “continuous contributions and support to the nation’s growth.”

“You have demonstrated excellence and have significantly contributed to Nigeria’s progress and we believe this platform will continue to highlight and encourage best practices across industries,” he stated.

The event attracted several persons, including the chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), Mr Ayodele Subair; and the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Mr Hussaini Ishaq Magaji; among others.

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Rite Foods Backs 2024 Ibadan Chops, Chills Festival

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Rite Foods Ibadan Chops and Chills Festival

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The second edition of the Ibadan Chops and Chills Festival held on December 1, 2024, received the backing of Rite Foods Limited.

It was a platform for young entrepreneurs, food vendors, and entertainers to showcase their talents and promote the rich cultural heritage of Oyo State in particular, and Nigeria in general.

Rite Foods used the event to foster growth and innovation among enterprising youths in society in demonstration of its commitment to youth empowerment and community engagement.

The Corporate Communications Manager at Rite Foods, Mr Innocent Adulugba, said, “As a manufacturing company driven by innovation, Rite Foods Limited believes in the power of young people and the importance of providing platforms that enable them to showcase their skills and talents.”

“The Ibadan Chops and Chills Festival aligns with our mission to inspire, support, and add value to talents and entrepreneurs across Nigeria,” he added.

“Rite Foods Limited recognizes the Ibadan Chops and Chills Festival as a platform for growth and that is why the company is here today to leverage support so the participating food exhibitors can benefit via joint marketing efforts, co-promotions, and expanded distribution channels under one roof,” Mr Adulugba stated.

“We are partnering with food vendors to offer consumers a more comprehensive and enjoyable experience, such as pairing beverages like Bigi, Sosa or Fearless with complementary food options of their choice,” he noted.

Also speaking, the convener of the programme, Ms Chinwendu Festus of Wendy’s Kitchen, said, “The first edition of Ibadan Chops and Chills was a success, which inspired us to aim higher this year.

“Our goal is to provide young people with the space to showcase their culinary talents, grow their businesses, and connect with a broader audience.”

The Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Ms Wasilat Adefemi Adegoke, stated, “This initiative is one of the best I have seen. It aligns perfectly with our administration’s goals of empowering the youth, promoting cultural heritage, and fostering talent.”

It was gathered that the festival featured cooking competitions, entertainment shows, guest tours and vendor exhibitions, which highlighted the diversity and ingenuity of participants and the diversity of food options on display.

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Why Waste Your Subscription? Here’s How to Get the Best of it!

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In this economy, you can’t be paying for things and not getting the full value. Unfortunately, that’s how most cable TV subscribers feel. It’s like there’s a lot on TV, but nothing for you. Here’s a solution to that problem. We’ve taken the time to sieve through everything, so you don’t have to. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your GOtv subscription during the holidays.

Take Advantage of the Golden Window Offer: The best entertainment sits on GOtv Supa Plus – and there’s an easy step to get there. To celebrate, GOtv is extending the Golden Window deal for Supa+ subscribers. Instead of paying the regular ₦15,700, you can now enjoy the Supa+ package for just ₦13,900. That’s where all the Premier League games sit. There’s a game almost every day this period. You also get Africa Magic Showcase for a little family drama – relive the easy-to-watch TV series, suitable for the family. Don’t miss out on this premium offer; take advantage of the savings while you can.

Check Out New Channels: Why not try something new and explore different channels this Christmas? It’s a great chance to step outside your usual picks and discover some festive gems and fresh content you might not expect. From comedy specials to music concerts. For example, the Holiday Pop-Up Channel will have the most recent stand-up comedy show from Nigeria’s best stand-up Comedian – Bovi — Christmas with Bovi (December 24th–26th). It’s also better to watch the Calabar Rocks Music Concert, Naija Most Wanted, and the Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival 2024 on TV than under the sun.

Set Reminders for Special Movies and Shows: With all the festive activities going on, it’s easy to forget and get lost in pointless scrolling online. A simple reminder can remind you to take a break from triggering social media posts and enjoy wholesome entertainment on TV. From new Africa Magic originals like ‘The Jump’ and ‘10th Anniversary’ to classic favourites like Bad Moms and Problem Child – a classic, there’s so much to enjoy. Set those reminders so you can enjoy all the festive cheer without the fear of missing out.

Host Watch Parties: The holidays are all about spending time with loved ones, and what better way to do that than by hosting a watch party? With your GOtv subscription, you’ve got everything you need for a fun-filled day. Picture this: Christmas Day, surrounded by family and friends, all gathered together to enjoy the Bovi Comedy Special—Christmas with Bovi. Whether it’s a comedy special, a classic holiday movie, or the latest Africa Magic original, there’s something to bring everyone together. So, make it a date, prepare the Christmas rice and chicken, and enjoy.

Stream Online via the GOtv App: During the festive season, homes are often buzzing with family members coming together to celebrate. If your household is anything like this, the battle for control of the remote and deciding what to watch can get intense. To avoid the remote wars, you can make use of the GOtv Stream app. The real owners of the remote can watch what they want while you stream yours – everyone wins.

So, go ahead and subscribe now or upgrade to unlock the cheer and excitement of the season with GOtv. Take advantage of the GOtv Supa Plus Golden Window and pay just N13,900 instead of the usual N15,700.

To upgrade, subscribe, or reconnect, simply download the MyGOtv app or dial *288#. To catch up and for on-the-go viewing, don’t forget to download the GOtv Stream App and enjoy your favourite shows anytime, anywhere.

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