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UK advises citizens against travelling to 12 Nigerian states
The United Kingdom has warned its citizens against travelling to 12 states in Nigeria, saying Boko Haram insurgents are likely to kidnap foreign nationals in those states.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) announced this on Friday in a travel advisory for its nationals.
The UK government said there was a high threat of kidnap throughout Nigeria for ideological, financial or political gain and listed some of the areas to avoid as Borno, Katsina, Kaduna, Niger, Bauchi and Adamawa states. Others are Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Abia and Anambra.
The advisory read in part, “The groups have previously shown intent and capability to conduct kidnaps in Nigeria. Foreign nationals, including humanitarian workers, are likely targets for kidnap. Humanitarian hubs and humanitarian workers have been targeted during attacks in the North-East, including Monguno, Borno State on 13 June 2020.
“There’s a high threat of kidnap throughout Nigeria. Kidnaps can be motivated by criminality or terrorism and could be carried out for ideological, financial or political gain. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the risk of kidnap increases after dark.
“The security environment in the North East has deteriorated since 2018 and there is a heightened risk of kidnap. Kidnaps in the North-East have included humanitarian and private sector workers. There are also reports that Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) are continuing to actively plan to kidnap foreigners. As well as in North-East Nigeria, extremist groups operate in some northern and middle belt states including Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Kogi, Kaduna, Niger and Adamawa states. If you’re working or travelling in these states then you should be aware of the risk of terrorist kidnapping.”
The UK government also advised its citizens to be careful as events to mark the one year anniversary of #EndSARS protests may lead to additional protests in Lagos and Abuja.
The government also said the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), scheduled for October 21 may lead to protests and heightened security presence in Abuja and in the south-east.
The advisory further stated, “Since 9 August, there has been an increase in protests and demonstrations in the South East region of Nigeria. Protests, including “Stay at Home” protests, are likely during October in the South East region. There have been reports of violence during stay-at-home protests previously. You should monitor local media, avoid any demonstrations or large gatherings and follow any instructions from local police and security forces.
“There have been a number of attacks and targeted killings in the South-east and South-South regions of Nigeria, including in the states of Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Abia, Anambra, Delta, Edo and Ebonyi. Some of these attacks have been on isolated roads and in remote locations, but there is a chance that they could occur in metropolitan areas. There is also a heightened risk of indiscriminate attacks on police and security infrastructure, which may inadvertently affect bystanders.
“A number of states have imposed curfews. Travellers to these regions are advised to exercise caution if travelling in remote areas at night and follow local news and information outlets for further information, including on local curfews.”
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IMF predicts 3.3% growth for Nigeria’s economy in 2024
IMF predicts 3.3% growth for Nigeria’s economy in 2024
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has adjusted upwards it’s forecast for Nigeria’s economic growth for the year 2024 to 3.3 percent.
This revision was announced in the IMF’s World Economic Outlook for April, which was released on Tuesday during the 2024 Spring Meetings of the World Bank and IMF in Washington, United States.
The updated forecast marks an increase of 0.3 percentage points from the previous 3.0 per cent growth prediction published in the IMF’s January 2024 World Economic Outlook.
However, the IMF has taken a more conservative stance for the year 2025, reducing Nigeria’s economic growth forecast to 3.0 per cent, a slight decrease from the 3.1 percent projected earlier in January.
Within the broader Sub-Saharan Africa region, the IMF has maintained its 3.8 per cent economic growth forecast for 2024 but has revised the 2025 forecast downward to 4.0 per cent, from the previously projected 4.1 percent.
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The global economic outlook also received a modest boost, with the IMF raising its growth forecast for 2024 to 3.2 percent, up from the 3.1 percent projected in the January 2024 World Economic Outlook. The forecast for 2025 remains unchanged at 3.2 percent.
The IMF stated, “Global growth, estimated at 3.2 per cent in 2023, is projected to continue at the same pace in 2024 and 2025.
“The projection for 2024 is revised up by 0.1 percentage point from the January 2024 WEO Update and by 0.3 percentage point to the October 2023 WEO forecast. Nevertheless, the projection for global growth in 2024 and 2025 is below the historical (2000–19) annual average of 3.8 per cent, reflecting restrictive monetary policies and withdrawal of fiscal support, as well as low underlying productivity growth.
The report further elaborates on the expected trends in various economies.
“Advanced economies are expected to see growth rise slightly, with the increase mainly reflecting a recovery in the euro area from low growth in 2023, whereas emerging market and developing economies are expected to experience stable growth through 2024 and 2025, with regional differences.”
Specifically for sub-Saharan Africa, the IMF projects an increase in growth from an estimated 3.4 per cent in 2023 to 3.8 per cent in 2024 and 4.0 per cent in 2025.
This positive outlook is attributed to the diminishing impact of previous weather shocks and gradual improvements in supply issues.
The forecast for 2024 remains consistent with the January 2024 WEO update, as negative adjustments for Angola due to a contraction in the oil sector are largely balanced by positive revisions for Nigeria.
IMF predicts 3.3% growth for Nigeria’s economy in 2024
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Naira abuse: EFCC moves against Cubana chief priest
Naira abuse: EFCC moves against Cubana chief priest
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will, on Wednesday, arraign Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief priest, over alleged naira abuse.
This comes few days after popular cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky, bagged a six-month jail term over naira abuse.
According to the anti-graft agency, Cubana Chiefpriest will appear before the Federal High Court in Lagos for spraying and tampering with the naira.
This was contained in charge sheet filed on April 4, 2024, by EFFC’s prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) alongside seven other lawyers representing the chairman of the anti-graft agency.
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It reads: “That you, Okechukwu Pascal on 13th Feb. 2024, at Eko Hotel, within the jurisdiction of the court, while dancing during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007”.
Cubana Chief Priest: Exhibit 1. pic.twitter.com/AV9RfemO5l
— YabaLeftOnline (@yabaleftonline) April 16, 2024
“That you Okechukwu Pascal sometime in 2020, in Lagos during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.”
”That you Okechukwu Pascal sometime in January 2024, in Lagos during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.”
EFCC is arraigning Cubana Chief Priest on a three count charge of mutilating the Naira. I guess we are moving towards equity in Nigeria finally pic.twitter.com/FL0K9B5thi
— Dr Penking™🇳🇬🇦🇺 (@drpenking) April 16, 2024
Naira abuse: EFCC moves against Cubana chief priest
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Kano anti-corruption agency slams fresh charges against Ganduje
Kano anti-corruption agency slams fresh charges against Ganduje
The Kano State Anti-Corruption and Public Complaints Commission has filed a fresh corruption charges against former Governor of Kano Abdullahi Ganduje.
The commission’s chairman, Muhuyi Magaji disclosed this in an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Tuesday.
According to Magaji, investigations uncovered the diversion of N51.3 billion from local government funds to unauthorized individuals during Ganduje’s tenure.
Magaji alleged that the Ganduje administration withdrew N1 billion monthly from state coffers before its tenure ended in May 2023, purportedly for road renovation, but diverted to Bureau de Change operators instead.
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He also cited a case involving N4 billion transferred to an agricultural company from Kano’s consolidated revenue account.
“What is happening now is a tip of the iceberg. As I am talking to you, we are investigating a case whereby N51.3bn local government funds were directly taken from the government coffers (and) sent to other individuals, and we traced it to people.
“We have filed a series of cases. We have a case whereby N1bn in April last year (2023) was removed from government coffers under the allocation of renovating 30 roads in the metropolis, and it was taken away and sent to Bureau de Change.
“We have a case of N4bn whereby it was sent from the consolidated revenue account of Kano State to an agricultural company. All these cases are before the court,” he said.
Recall that the state government has said it will arraign Ganduje, alongside his wife and son, for money laundering, later this week.
Kano anti-corruption agency slams fresh charges against Ganduje
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