The Lagos state government has issued statement approval burial of 103 dead bodies been victims of the protest across the state.
Statement by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health Dr. Olusegun Ogboye said contrary to misinformation being peddled around the 103 bodies were not picked from Lekki gate but from different parts of the state where the protests touched.
” it is public knowledge that the 2020 #ENDSARS crisis that snowballed into violence in different parts of Lagos recorded casualties in different areas of the state and NOT from Lekki Toll Gate as being inferred in the mischevious publications” Dr.Obgoye said.
Read Full Text of Lagos State Statement:-
LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT
MINISTRY OF HEALTH
PRESS STATEMENT
RE: MASS BURIAL OF ENDSARS VICTIMS (MISCHIEF MAKERS AT WORK).
The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to some social media publications about a purported mass burial plan for casualties of the 2020 #EndSARS incident. Peddlers of the news are deliberately misinterpreting and sensationalizing a letter from the Lagos State Government Public Procurement Agency titled: Letter of No Objection – Mass Burial for the 103, the Year 2020 ENDSARS victims, to misinform the public,stir public sentiment and cause public disaffection against the Lagos State Government.
It is public knowledge that the year 2020 #EndSARS crisis that snowballed into violence in many parts of Lagos recorded casualties in different areas of the State and NOT from the Lekki Toll Gate as being inferred in the mischievous publications.
For the records, the Lagos State Environmental Health Unit (SEHMU) picked up bodies in the aftermath of #EndSARS violence and community clashes at Fagba, Ketu, Ikorodu, Orile, Ajegunle, Abule-Egba, Ikeja, Ojota, Ekoro Ogba, Isolo and Ajah areas of Lagos State. There was also a jailbreak at Ikoyi Prison. The 103 casualties mentioned in the document were from these incidents and NOT from Lekki Toll-gate as being alleged. For the avoidance of doubt, no body was retrieved from the Lekki Toll Gate incident.
Contrary to disingenuous narrative weaved around the recently approved mass burial , the #EndSARs Panel subpoenaed the Lagos State chief pathologist to produce full records of unclaimed bodies of dead deposited with state central morgue during the days immediately preceding and following the event at Lekki tollgate on 20/10/20 . The list with their autopsies of provable cause and circumstances of death were duly submitted and testified to before the panel .
This subpoena was at the request of lawyers who represented #EndSARS protesters and the chief pathologist complied . There was not a single finding in the report or ensuing white paper attributing the death of any named citizen listed in the autopsy to the Lekki incident.
In the aftermath of the #EndSARS violence, the office of the Chief Coroner invited members of the public through public adverts and announcement (November 18,2020, Punch and November 19,2020 THISDAY) who had lost loved ones or whose relatives had been declared missing between 19th and 27th October 2020 from various clashes as mentioned above, to contact the department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) to help with identification of these casualties deposited in State-owned morgues. Relatives were to undergo DNA tests for identification purposes. It is important to state categorically that nobody responded to claim any of the bodies.
However, after almost three years, the bodies remain unclaimed, adding to the congestion of the morgues. This spurred the need to decongest the morgues – a procedure that follows very careful medical and legal guidelines in the event that a relative may still turn up to claim a lost relative years after the incident.
The Government,therefore, appeals to social media rumour mongers to please allow the hapless families of the unclaimed loved ones a deserved closure.
Dr Olusegun Ogboye
Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Health
July 23, 2023.
[24/07, 10:29] Rex Sawa Boy: “NNPC Limited: From Losses to Profits – A Remarkable Turnaround in 3 Years”
By Daniel Edu
In 2018 and 2019, the company had incurred significant losses of N807 billion and N1.7 billion, respectively. However, in 2020, it recorded its first profit in 44 years, amounting to N287 billion.
The company’s profit ratio grew by an impressive 183 percent from 2018 to 2021, despite the challenging global oil market conditions and the drastic drop in crude oil prices during this period.
One significant factor contributing to NNPC Limited’s improved financial performance was the deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry, which freed up cash flows for trading activities after the end of petrol subsidies.
Furthermore, the company took measures to reduce operational costs and enhance profit margins. It shut down unviable Strategic Business Units (SBUs) and streamlined its operations by merging certain entities to achieve better efficiency and profitability.
The ongoing rehabilitation of its three refineries, located in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna, is being managed as rehabilitation projects supervised by a refinery coordinator. Once completed, the assets will be handed over to reputable third parties with experience to operate and maintain them.
With the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and the incorporation of NNPC Limited, the net book value of assets transferred to the company amounted to $58.8 billion as of July 1, 2022. This made NNPC Limited one of the most valuable companies in Africa. The company also manages assets held on behalf of the government by the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), and its upstream assets were taken over by NNPC Limited.
To enhance its global presence and improve trading efficiency, NNPC established NNPC Trading Limited (NTLD) to manage the sale of its crude oil. This move was in response to complaints from oil industry experts about NNPC selling all its crude through middlemen, leading to illegal arbitrage and corruption. However, the company clarified that trading operations include selling to end-users, refineries, or international companies and that the term “middlemen” is often misunderstood in this context.
Overall, NNPC Limited has taken significant steps to boost its financial performance, streamline operations, and enhance its standing in the global energy market.
[24/07, 10:31] Rex Sawa Boy: Forex Crisis Hampers Growth of Marine Insurance Business in Nigeria
By Daniel Edu
The ongoing crises in Nigeria’s foreign exchange market have had a detrimental impact on the projected growth of marine and shipping insurance business in the country. Recent data reveals that the growth rate in this sector is significantly lower than what industry operators had expected, despite the implementation of enabling laws aimed at stimulating growth.
The Insurance Act 2003, specifically Section 67-(1), mandated insurance underwriting for all goods imported into Nigeria. Additionally, the adoption of the Nigeria Insurance Industry Database (NIID) for marine insurance was expected to boost premium income in the industry.
However, findings indicate that the highest recorded premium income so far was N18 billion in the first quarter of 2023, falling short of expectations. Importers, faced with the harsh foreign exchange market, have resorted to minimal insurance coverage, such as third-party marine insurance, impacting the overall premium income.
The NIID, launched in 2019 by the Nigerian Insurers Association, was aimed at curbing the activities of fake marine insurance operators and increasing premium income substantially. Nonetheless, the fluctuating exchange rates and scarcity of foreign exchange have hindered importers from securing adequate insurance, leading to lower premiums.
Importers who obtain foreign exchange facilities from banks to conduct their business also face challenges due to the scarcity of foreign currency. As insurance is mandatory for imports, those who have partnerships with banks must obtain foreign exchange through them. The lack of available foreign exchange has led to a decline in underwritten imports and, subsequently, a reduction in premium income.
To address these challenges, industry stakeholders suggest enforcing marine insurance laws rigorously, increasing awareness among importers about the benefits of insurance in foreign trade, and undertaking massive awareness campaigns within the insurance sector. These measures are seen as crucial steps towards overcoming the obstacles posed by the forex crises and revitalizing growth in the marine insurance business in Nigeria.
[24/07, 10:36] Rex Sawa Boy: Real Estate and Construction Firms Secure N21.89tn in Loans Amid Rising Interest Rates
By Daniel Edu
Real estate and construction firms in Nigeria have successfully obtained loans totaling N21.89tn over the past four years, as revealed by recent investigations. Despite the Central Bank of Nigeria’s decision to increase the benchmark interest rate from 11.5% to 18.5% in May this year, these sectors have managed to secure substantial credit facilities. The real estate industry acquired N8.22tn in loans, while the construction sector accessed an even more impressive N13.77tn in credit.
The increase in interest rates has raised concerns about its impact on housing development, making it less attractive for developers. Higher interest rates lead to reduced profitability, especially when housing projects require patient funds and extended timelines for return on investment. As a result, many developers have resorted to minimal insurance coverage and scaled down projects, affecting the overall growth of the sectors.
Additionally, the stringent financial conditions caused by the interest rate hikes have influenced commercial property prices, making it more expensive for investors to finance new deals or refinance existing loans. Consequently, this has led to lower investment in the sector and reduced demand for commercial properties like shops, restaurants, and industrial buildings.
Despite these challenges, infrastructural activities in the housing and construction sector have experienced growth, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product. The data indicates that the industry contributed N93.14tn to the country’s GDP during the analyzed period.
While the real estate and construction sectors have shown resilience in accessing loans amid rising interest rates, industry experts emphasize the importance of creating a level playing field for private investors and offering support to the private sector to stimulate further growth and investment.
[24/07, 10:38] Rex Sawa Boy: “Daring Abduction: Gunmen Kidnap Anambra Native Doctor, Leaving Two Bodyguards Dead”
By Daniel Edu
Gunmen in Anambra State have carried out a daring abduction, targeting an Anambra-based native doctor, Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki, in the Idemili North Local Government Area of the state. The armed men stormed the popular witch doctor’s hotel in the Oba community on Sunday night, taking him hostage.
Tragically, during the operation, the two bodyguards of Tiwaraki were shot dead by the gunmen before they kidnapped him and spirited him away to an unknown location. The ease with which the abduction was carried out has raised concerns in the community about the witch doctor’s perceived status and power.
Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki was reputed for his claims of being powerful and wealthy, and his mansion in the community attracted people seeking anti-bullet charms and money rituals.
The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident, stating that it occurred around 11:30 p.m. The Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye, has ordered his operatives to pursue the abductors and ensure the safe release of the native doctor.
[24/07, 14:58] Yakubu NDPH: Nigerian Music Icon, Davido Deletes Controversial Video Amidst Backlash
Nigerian music star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has deleted the much-controversial music video of his signee, Logos Olori, After receiving a lot of negative feedback.
The 45-second video which was posted on Saturday, featured some men wearing white jalabia and caps, and dancing in front of a mosque. Olori also sat on a speaker mounted on the roof of the building. This and the fact that the singer mentioned the word— Alhamdulillah (praise be to God)— did not go down well with some of their fans, especially Muslims, who condemned it.
Davido posted the video on Instagram with the caption, “Allow me to re-introduce Logos Olori with his new single, ’Jaye Lo.’ Let us run it up one time! Let’s take over the world. DMW.”
Davido came under fire from many Muslims on social media after posting the video on his Twitter page.
They accused the singer of disrespecting Islam by mixing their religious rites and rituals with song and dance.
Davido finally caved to pressure and deleted the video two days after receiving criticism, despite the musician having remained largely mute on the subject and offering no formal apologies.
Checks on the singer page on Monday showed that the controversial video had been deleted.