Who is Oluwatimileyin Ajayi?

By

-

January 14, 2025

Oluwatimileyin Ajayi, a fitness enthusiast and a former gospel singer was caught with a fresh human head, which has been identified as that of his former lover, Salome Enejo.

Ajayi was apprehended by the Nasarawa State Police Command on Sunday, 12th of Janaury 2025, near a church in Orozo, bordering Nasarawa and Abuja for allegedly killing and dismembering his 24-year-old girlfriend, Salome Enejo, a member of the National Youth Service Corps, for suspected ritual purposes.

According to an eyewitness, Ajayi was found carrying a polytene bag with a swarm of flies on it containing the severed head of Enejo.

A Deep Dive

Timileyin Ajayi who hails from Kabba in Kogi State is a content creator popularly known on TikTok as caeser.t, a professional photographer known for posting a lot of motivational videos and content about staying fit. Timileyin also has a YouTube channel, where he has posted a number of gospel songs.

Ajayi was questioned and stated that he had been dating the victim for about a year.
He explained that an argument had ensued when he discovered his girlfriend was chatting with another man. During the altercation, she cut his hand with a knife, and in the heat of the moment, he grabbed the knife and fatally stabbed her in the neck.
He then admits to dismembering her body to facilitate disposing of the remains.
Ajayi also claimed the remaining parts of the body were in his house.

Who is Salome Enejo, Timileyen’s Girlfriend?

Salome Adaidu Enejo, a 24 year old youth corper in Abuja was behe@ded by Gospel Singer Timilehin Ajayi. There are reports that she has been Timilehin’s girlfriend for a year but the family has said that they don’t know him. Salome was an easy going and kindhearted lady as stated by her friends. The family is seeking for Justice for their daughter whose life was cut short at her prime.

The incident has shocked many, especially considering Ajayi’s public persona as a gospel singer. The police are continuing their investigation and he has not been prosecuted yet while the video of Ajayi’s confession has gone viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage and concern about such violent crimes.
Authorities are working to determine the full extent of the crime and to uncover any possible motives behind the brutal act.

Arsenal Win Martin Zubimendi Transfer Race with £51m Deal

By

Yemisi Lanre-Idowu

-

January 14, 2025

0

Arsenal are set to seal a deal for long-term target Martin Zubimendi, beating Liverpool and Manchester City to the Real Sociedad man’s signature.

WHAT HAPPENED?

According to The Daily Mail, the Gunners are in advanced talks with Real Sociedad to seal a transfer for their star midfielder Martin Zubimendi, with the deal now ‘virtually completed’. Arsenal ideally would have wanted the Spaniard to join the club in January, however, Real Sociedad remain determined to retain his services until the end of the 2024-25 campaign

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The Gunners will see two of their current central midfielders, Jorginho and Thomas Partey, leave the club at the end of the current season after the expiry of their contracts. As a result, the English side went all-out to secure Zubimendi’s signature. The Spain international has a release clause of €60 million (£51m/$61.5m) which Arsenal are ready to trigger.

DID YOU KNOW?

Liverpool and Manchester City were also in the race to sign the Real Sociedad star. Despite facing a rejection from Zubimendi in the summer, the Reds were planning to go after him once again this month. City, on the other hand, had put the Spain international on their shortlist after Rodri ruptured his ACL earlier in the season.

WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

After securing Zubimendi’s transfer, Arteta will now look to strengthen his attack. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus have been sidelined with long-term injuries, while Kai Havertz has failed to perform consistently. After two consecutive setbacks in the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, Arsenal will aim to get back to winning ways on Wednesday when they take on local rivals Tottenham in the Premier League.

National Assembly Threatens to Cut JAMB’s Allocation

By

Tosin Onisuuru

-

January 14, 2025

0

The National Assembly Joint Committee on Finance has raised concerns over what it described as reckless spending and inadequate remittances by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). Lawmakers warned that the examination body might receive zero allocation for 2025 if financial practices are not improved.

During a 2025 budget defense session, JAMB’s Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, highlighted that the agency operates as a revenue-generating entity but still receives government grants. Despite remitting N4 billion to the Consolidated Revenue Fund in 2024, JAMB received a N6 billion federal grant, prompting criticism from committee members.

Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Abiodun Faleke, questioned the logic of simultaneous remittance and allocation. “Why not retain the N4 billion and cease government funding?” Faleke queried.

Further scrutiny revealed that JAMB had not submitted an updated audited financial report since 2022, according to Victor Murako, Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission. Committee members also criticized excessive expenditures, including N1.1 billion on meals, N850 million on security and fumigation, and N600 million on local travels.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole condemned the spending, stating, “You are using funds from struggling students to finance exorbitant expenses.”

In response, lawmakers suggested that JAMB could function without government grants, urging a review of the agency’s funding practices. Chairman Sani Musa called for a comprehensive financial report ahead of JAMB’s next budget defense session.

South Africa Launches Rescue Mission for Trapped Illegal Miners

By

Tosin Onisuuru

-

January 14, 2025

0

The South African government has initiated a rescue mission to save potentially hundreds of miners trapped in an illegal mining site. Authorities had previously blocked access to food, water, and medicine last year to force the miners out.

The operation commenced on Friday following a court case filed by the sister of one trapped miner. This move came in response to letters reportedly received from underground miners, highlighting the dire situation.

One miner is believed to have died at the Buffelsfontein gold mine near Stilfontein, located about 100 miles southwest of Johannesburg.

Illegal mining has surged in South Africa due to the decline of many industrial mines. Analysts estimate that approximately 30,000 “zama zama” miners operate in abandoned sites, contributing up to 10% of the nation’s gold production.

Who is Lagos State’s First Female Speaker, Mojisola Meranda?

By

Tosin Onisuuru

-

January 14, 2025

0

On January 13, 2025, following the impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda was unanimously elected as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. Her election is a historic milestone, making her the first female Speaker in the state’s history since 1999.

Early Life and Royal Lineage

Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, born on August 16, 1980, in Lagos, Nigeria, hails from a distinguished lineage, being a descendant of the Ojora, Aromire, Onitana, Oloto, and Oniru royal families in Lagos. Her late father, Chief T.A. Lawal-Akapo, served as a legislator before becoming the Ojora of Lagos, while her mother, Princess Muinat Lawal-Akapo, is from the Oniru royal family.

Educational Background

Meranda’s educational journey began at Randle Primary School. She proceeded to Lagos Anglican Girls Grammar School and later Ansar-Ud-Deen Secondary School, where she completed her secondary education in 1998. Demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning, she obtained a Certificate in Software Development (Network Engineering) from NIIT in 2005. In 2013, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Lagos State University (LASU).

Her pursuit of higher education continued with a Master’s in Public and International Affairs (MPIA) from the University of Lagos in 2020. Currently, she is undertaking a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Public Sector Management at the University of York, United Kingdom.

Professional and Political Career

At the age of 23, Meranda commenced her professional career as a personal assistant to Dr. Olumuyiwa Gbadegesin, the Senior Special Assistant on Information Technology to then-Governor Bola Tinubu. She later served as a procurement manager at Cirrus Nigeria Limited. Her foray into public service continued at the Apapa Local Government Area, where she held positions including Senior Special Assistant on Intervention and Inter-Governmental Relations and Supervisory Councillor for Health.

Her political journey began with the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD), transitioning through the Action Congress (AC) and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), before aligning with the All Progressives Congress (APC). In 2015, she was elected to represent Apapa Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly and has been re-elected twice since.

During her tenure, she has held significant roles, including Chief Whip of the Ninth Assembly and Deputy Speaker. Her legislative focus has been on amending outdated laws and implementing impactful constituency projects such as medical outreaches, educational initiatives, and water supply programs.

Advocacy and Leadership

Meranda is a vocal advocate for women’s rights and greater representation in politics. She challenges stereotypes and emphasizes that women are equally capable of holding leadership positions. Her dedication to public service and community development is evident through various initiatives, including support for petty traders and widows, as well as training programs for artisans.

Mojisola Meranda’s journey from a young political enthusiast to the first female Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly is a testament to her dedication and resilience. Her leadership marks a new chapter in the assembly’s history, with the promise of increased inclusivity and a renewed focus on good governance.

IPMAN Seeks FG’s Support to Deploy More CNG Stations

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

-

January 14, 2025

0

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has sought the Federal Government’s financial backing to upgrade their stations to refueling points for Compressed Natural Gas.

IPMAN said its members would need more funds to make CNG available in their filling stations, saying the business is capital-intensive.

National Vice President of IPMAN, Hammed Fashola in a recent interview, said the association is interested in selling CNG in its filling stations but has yet to do so because of the capital required.

Fashola urged the Federal Government to allocate funds for the oil and gas sector, saying that commercial banks are hindering their business due to the high interest rate.

The IPMAN VP said the government’s backing is needed because of the huge investment required to start the CNG business.

He said, “In IPMAN, we have been soliciting for a situation whereby we have a bank of oil and gas like we have the Bank of Industry. If we have a bank of oil and gas, it will be able to understand our language and understand the dynamic in the business. No marketer can go to the Bank of Industry and get anything because it’s not made for us.

“But when you look at the huge investment required for our business now, you will agree with me that we need the government’s backing. We need the government’s help by way of a grant.

“Look at the CNG programme that is going on. IPMAN is fully in support and we are even presenting our stations now for CNG. And when you look at that CNG alone, it is capital intensive.”

He disclosed that without refilling stations, the adoption of CNG would be slow, saying this is one of the barriers to the Presidential CNG initiative.

Fashola mentioned that the association has already presented itself to the Federal Government as far as CNG is concerned, saying it is just waiting to meet with the government.

“Without CNG stations, people will not be able to access it. Even when you convert your car or your truck, the other problem is, where do you get it refilled?

“So, the government needs to look at the side of IPMAN, we are the best partner and we already presented ourselves to the Federal Government. So it’s just for them to sit with us, then harmonise things and work out how things will be done properly,” he noted.

Fashola expressed concern with the long queue of trucks in the few stations selling the product.

“Today, when you move on our highways, and see some of these trucks, you will see that they will line up in the few stations that are operating the CNG. It takes days before they can refill gas. Even the car owners too, are going through the same problem, which is not supposed to be so.

“I think that people are already supporting the CNG programme, but the government has to be proactive now by partnering with IPMAN. Our stations are there. Even for conversion, we have a location that is already good for the conversion centre. Then we have our stations, it’s just an add-on. You don’t need to go and buy sites and start removing trees and all that.

“The stations are already there. The facilities are already there, it’s just an add-on. But it is capital-intensive. The government needs to look at this and consider how we can partner together and make this thing work,” Fashola stated.

Following the removal of fuel subsidies in 2023, President Bola Tinubu’s administration adopted CNG as a cheaper and cleaner source of fuel.

The Federal Government urged the masses to convert their petrol-powered vehicles to CNG.

It also signed agreements with some organisations to build CNG stations and conversion centres.

However, the CNG initiative is still dragging due to the unavailability of refilling stations across the nation.

In October, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority said only 50 CNG stations were serving 200 million Nigerians.

FG launches Desk to Push Nigerian startups Funding

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

-

January 14, 2025

0

The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched the Technology Export and Digital Trade Desk aimed at attracting more investments into the Nigerian tech sector and pushing annual funding for the country’s startups up to $5 billion.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who announced this on Monday, said the initiative was launched in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.

According to the Minister, this marked a significant milestone in the Ministry’s efforts to strengthen the contribution of ICT to Nigeria’s Economy.

Bosun Tijani

Tijani noted that trade, which is the 5th Pillar of the Ministry’s strategic blueprint, represents an opportunity to promote Nigerian technology export and the launch of the Trade Desk provides a strong foundation to offer bespoke support to local technology companies, enabling them to access and compete in markets across Africa and around the world.

“With a bold vision, the initiative seeks to increase the technology sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP from the current 14–18% to 21% within the next three years.

“Additionally, the Desk aims to amplify annual funding for Nigerian startups, scaling up from $1 billion to $5 billion over the same period, thereby fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and global competitiveness,” he said.

The Minister added that the establishment of the Trade Desk which would provide a comprehensive suite of programs, partnerships, and policy-driven interventions, also aligns with Nigeria’s ambition to improve its position in the Economic Complexity Index (ECI), showcasing the country’s commitment to diversifying its trade and advancing its position in the global digital economy.

The ECI is a ranking system that assesses a country’s productive knowledge and the complexity and diversity of its exports.

Countries with a high ECI have a range of specialized capabilities and can produce a wide variety of complex products.

Nigeria’s ECI in 2022 was -1.67, placing it in 127th rank out of 133 countries.

Tijani said the efforts also form a critical component of President Bola Tinubu’s overarching goal of achieving a $1 trillion Nigerian economy, underpinned by innovation, investment, and international trade.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Nigeria, once the leading destination for startups funding, slipped to the second position in 2023 as Kenya overtook the country as the top destination for startups funding.

In 2024, available records show that the country’s startups managed to raise slightly over $400 million, but still far behind Kenya, which attracted $638 million.

Nigeria’s startup funding figure for 2024 was boosted by two companies that were able to secure mega deals.

The deals were Moove’s $110 million Series B round led by Uber and Moniepoint’s $110 million Series C round.

DMO Announces January FGN Savings Bonds, Offers up to 18.24%

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

-

January 14, 2025

0

The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Debt Management Office (DMO), has announced the subscription window for the Federal Government Savings Bonds (FGN Savings Bonds) for January 2025.

This initiative invites both individual and institutional investors to participate from January 13 to January 17, 2025.

The bond offering for January 2025 features two options: a two-year savings bond maturing on January 22, 2027, with an interest rate of 17.235%, and a three-year bond maturing on January 22, 2028, offering 18.235%. 

Each bond unit is priced at N1,000, with a minimum subscription requirement of N5,000. Investors can increase their investment in multiples of N1,000, up to a maximum limit of N50 million.

The settlement date for successful subscriptions is January 22, 2025, with the first quarterly coupon payment scheduled for April 22, 2025, followed by payments on July 22, October 22, and January 22 annually.

This offering provides Nigerians with an opportunity to invest in FGN Savings Bonds, promoting secure and consistent returns.

RISING INTEREST RATES DRIVE HIGHER YIELDS

The Federal Government of Nigeria’s (FGN) three-year savings bond for 2025 offers an interest rate of 18.235%, a substantial increase from the 12.033% rate recorded in January 2024—representing a sharp rise of 6.20 percentage points in just one year.

This adjustment reflects the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) consistent efforts to tighten monetary policy since February 2024.

The increased appeal of longer-term securities comes amid Nigeria’s rising interest rate environment.

Higher yields have drawn interest from foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) seeking competitive returns, further solidifying Nigeria’s position as a viable destination for bond investments.

December Inflation to Hit 35.20%

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

-

January 14, 2025

154

The inflation figure for December 2024 is expected to rise further on the back of price pressure.

This was revealed in the Cowry Weekly Financial Markets Review & Outlook published over the weekend, which projected that inflation would hit 35.20 per cent in December.

Nigeria’s inflation rate rose to 34.60 per cent in November 2024, according to the data reported by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics in its last Consumer Price Index.

The figure marks a 0.72 per cent rise from the 33.88 per cent recorded in October 2024. The rise is largely driven by food price increases, which continue to place a strain on Nigerian households.

inflation food inflation

Inflation has continued to rise despite the hawkish stance of the Central Bank of Nigeria, which has seen it hike interest rates by more than 800 bps in 2024. At the close of the year, the benchmark interest rate was 27.50 per cent.

The analysts said, “Early projections from Cowry Research suggest a rise in headline inflation to 35.20 per cent, up from 34.60 per cent recorded in November 2024. This marks a continuation of the inflationary trend observed over the past months. The annual average inflation rate for 2024 is also expected to climb significantly, reaching 33.21 per cent, compared to 24.52 per cent in the preceding year, underscoring persistent price pressures across the economy.

“Several factors have contributed to this anticipated rise in inflation. The festive season played a critical role, as heightened demand for goods, services, travel, and accommodation during the holiday period exerted significant upward pressure on prices. This seasonal spike in spending added to an already challenging inflationary environment, driven by structural and economic issues.”

Highlighting some of the reasons inflationary pressures have proven resistant, Cowry Assets analysts stated, “Structural bottlenecks such as inadequate infrastructure, high energy costs, and logistical inefficiencies continue to undermine the effectiveness of monetary policy measures, leaving consumers and businesses grappling with escalating costs.”

The experts also warned that while inflationary pressures may begin to moderate in 2025 due to base effects, “the method of financing the Federal Government’s projected budget deficit of N13.08tn for 2025 could create additional inflationary pressure.”

Food inflation has also continued to be a major driver of overall inflation. In November 2024, it surged to 39.93 per cent year-on-year, compared to 32.84 in November 2023, and this trend was expected to persist into December. Imported food inflation has also seen a steady increase, reflecting the higher costs of commodities such as fish, rice, and dairy products due to global price trends and local currency challenges. Core inflation has equally exhibited an upward trajectory, reaching a historic high of 28.75 per cent year-on-year in November.

Lagos Assembly Swears in First Female Speaker

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

-

January 14, 2025

60

Lagos State House of Assembly has sworn in its first female Speaker, Mojisola Meranda.

Meranda took her oath of office after the impeachment of the former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, on Monday during a plenary session.

obasa lagos assembly

She represents the Apapa 1 state constituency in the assembly.

Taking her oath of office, Meranda said, “I affirm that I will be faithful as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly; that I will perform my functions honestly to the best of my ability, faithfully, and in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Details later…