The Johnsons Finally Taking A Bow After 13 Years – Charles Inojie

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March 5, 2024

Comic and actor, Charles Inojie has revealed that the Nigerian TV series, The Johnsons will be rested after airing for13 seasons.

The series focused on an average Nigerian family in Lagos and the challenges they face.

Inojie who plays the role of the patriarch, Mr Lucky Johnson revealed this on his Instagram handle on Monday, ”After 13 years of absolute magic,13 years of awesomeness,,13 years of being Africa’s most-watched show on television,,13 years of being every family’s favourite,” ”THE JOHNSONS is finally taking a bow,” he said

His character, a scientist known as a spendthrift usually confuses his family with his choice of words. His character would later become a well-known scientist after making Jedimaicin, a cure for “jedijedi”

”I thank my co-travellers, the wonderful team of cast and crew, without whom these past 13 years could not have been spectacularly outstanding as THE JOHNSONS made it.”

”I am immensely grateful to our fans across the African continent for the love and support we got unconditionally.”.

”Indeed, while it is the beginning of greater exploits from every individual member of the team, like every good thing that must have a terminal point, it is the end of the road for THE JOHNSONS.”

The announcement of the show’s cancellation comes almost two years after the death of Ada Ameh at 48 where she had played Mrs. Johnson, wife to Mr. Johnson.

After Ameh’s death, fans and critics alike agreed that an integral essence of the series had been lost, leading to an outpouring of tributes.

The Johnsons also had a cast array of Kunle Bamtefa, Chinedu Ikedieze among others.

Malia Obama Makes Directorial Debut With ‘The Heart’

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Emenike Agu

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March 5, 2024

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Malia Obama, the eldest daughter of former US President Barack Obama, showcased her directorial debut at the Sundance Film Festival, while seemingly opting to use a stage name to distance herself from her father.

In the 18-minute short film ‘The Heart’, Malia is credited with writing and directing under the name Malia Ann, conspicuously omitting her well-known surname.

According to the film’s description, it tells the story of a lonely man grieving the death of his mother “after an argument about groceries and an odd request in her will”.

After his presidency, Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama established Higher Ground Productions, which has since achieved acclaim with an Academy Award in 2020 for the ‘American Factory’ documentary.

According to Vanity Fair, Donald Glover’s production company, Gilga, helped produce ‘The Heart’.

Glover, who mentored Malia Obama, told GQ last April that he’d said to her: “You’re Obama’s daughter. So if you make a bad film, it will follow you around.”

Malia Obama has, in fact, been working in the industry since graduating from Harvard. She previously worked as a staff writer on Glover’s Amazon Prime series ‘Swarm’ and as a production assistant on Halle Berry’s ‘Extant’ series.

The reception on the film-review websites has been less than complimentary of the 25-year-old’s efforts with so many critics attributing her growth in the industry to the popularity of her parents and not her creativity.

The Minister Of Education Lauds Buk For Rapid Science Development In Education

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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March 4, 2024

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The Minister of Education, Prof. Mamman Tahir, has commended Bayero University, Kano (BUK) for being a positive, progressive and a rapid science development in the education sector.

The Minister commended BUK while inaugurating the center for teaching, learning, reading and research development among others in the institutions in Kano State.

According to a statement, the centers include Teaching and learning, Micro teaching laboratory, department of anatomy, faculty of veterinary medicine as well as reading and research development.

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Bayero University,Kano, Prof. Sagir Abbas,who described the Center for teaching and learning as one of the best around the world, explained that the center is meant for lecturers to rule brisk on teaching profession on how to design and set up lectures.

Prof. Abbas appreciated government support and assisting the institution in 2022 towards ensuring timely completion of the center, noting that micro teaching is meant for taking students of education in all areas on how to manage their professional calling.

Do Not Redeploy, NYSC DG Urges Anambra Corps Members

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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March 4, 2024

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Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brig General Yashau Ahmed, has advised Corp Members deployed to Anambra not to relocate out of the state, saying the State is peaceful.

The DG gave the advice while addressing 2024 Batch ‘A’ Stream 1 Corp Members at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Unity Orientation Camp Umuawulu/ Mbaukwu in Awka South Local Government Area of the state during the Scheme Cultural Carnival ceremony over the weekend.

He said the essence of the ceremony is to promote the oneness of Nigeria and its diverse cultures and traditions.

He urged the Corp Members to respect the customs, norms traditions and values of their host communities.

He adviced them to continue to be good citizens of Nigeria and not to do anything that would destroy the institution they are coming from or their family members.

His statement read, “You must be prepared to serve anywhere you are posted to within Anambra State and please don’t waste your time asking for any relocation out of the State, the State is peaceful, security is sure and the people here are good people.

“You must respect the culture, norms, traditions, and values of your host communities.

“Ensure that you remain peaceful, resilience, prepared, and ready to contribute your quarter to your host community, add value to the community you are posted to, and ensure that you carry out community development services for them to feel your impact and that is the major essence of your one-year mandatory service to your father’s land.

The NYSC boss, while commending the State Coordinator of the Scheme, Blessing Ekene Iruma, and her management team for keeping the Camp environment clean, also urged the Corp Members to participate actively in the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme for self-reliance after service.

In her address, the NYSC State Coordinator, Blessing Iruma said that the reason behind the carnival display was to promote the oneness of Nigeria and bring the corps members together to promote unity.

According to her, NYSC Carnival is deliberately set up to give power to the cord of unity among Corps members as it unites people of different cultures together and gives them the opportunity to learn and appreciate things from other cultures.

“It is also a programme organized to showcase different cultures, tribes, and traditions within the country and celebrate the uniqueness of Nigeria, through songs, dressing, and different festivities.

“This unique NYSC Camp Carnival is among the numerous activities here that give long-lasting memories. The activities are done based on platoons. Each platoon selects a group of talented Corps members who represent them with cultural heritage of many tribes that is showcased and Corps members avail themselves of the opportunity to learn from the cultures that are entirely different from theirs.

“Camp carnival creates an opportunity for Corps members to gather, ease stress, and rejoice with one another during their stay in the orientation camp, hence the introduction of the cultural carnival in the orientation course.

Nollywood Filmmakers, Fans Pay Tribute To Mr Ibu

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Koko Lawrence

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March 4, 2024

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Filmmakers, industry watchers and fans of Nollywood have continued to pay tributes to the late veteran actor John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu.

Okafor who had been ill since 2023 reportedly died of cardiac arrest at 62 on Saturday in Evercare hospital in Lekki, Lagos State. According to reports, industry stakeholders, eminent Nigerians, including President Bola Tinubu, were among those who have mourned the late thespian.

Read More: Nollywood Actor Mr Ibu, Dies At 62

However, amidst the shock, fans and filmmakers, especially those that have worked closely with Okafor, have extolled the life and times of the comic actor in the Nigerian film industry.

While some continued to buzz social media with posts of scintillating memories of the actor, others who spoke in an interview on Sunday said his exit has created a vast vacuum in the entertainment Industry.

Blessing Ebigieson, National President of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP), said although Nollywood was currently mourning, the passion and resilience of the late actor would not be forgotten in hurry.

“Mr Ibu fought to stay alive, his friends also fought for him, everyone donated to make sure that he stayed alive but when God says it is time, nothing one can do.

“It would have been fine if he stayed alive after all the stress and pains he went through, but who am I to question God.

“We have lost a veteran and this is very heartbreaking to us; may his soul rest in peace.

“I pray his family come together as one in this trying period and let the man rest in peace,” she said.

Also, Emma Eyaba, Chairman of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) FCT chapter, said the late actor played key role in the progressive trajectory of Nigerian film industry and would be greatly missed.

He said Okafor was passionate with his job even in his down-moments, adding that he was supposed to feature in the sequel of the 2001 Nollywood classic ‘Issakaba’, where he was among the cast.

“You know he has been away from the public for some time now as he was recuperating and still receiving treatment.

“He was trying to get himself back before that attack came again, and unfortunately we lost him.

“He was supposed to be part of shooting of ‘Issakaba’ , a film in which he featured 23 years ago, but because of ill health, we could not even have access to him,” he stated.

The late actor’s fan on X (formerly twitter) @Adele_lide said : “Rip to the finest actor of all time.You made our childhood memorable.

John Okafor, born on October 17, 1961 in Nkanu West Local Government of Enugu State, was an actor, singer and comedian, acclaimed to have appeared in over 200 Nollywood films.

He is well known for the ‘Mr. Ibu series’, which include Mr. Ibu (2004), Mr. Ibu 2 (2005), Mr. Ibu and His Son, Coffin Producers, Husband Suppliers, International Players, Mr. Ibu in London (2005).

Some of his iconic films include Police Recruit (2003), 9 Wives (2005), Ibu in Prison (2006) and Keziah (2007). Okafor also ventured into music for a short period of time, as he released his debute songs titled “This girl” and “Do you know” in October 2020.

In October 2023,Okafor revealed that he was suffering from an ailment that threatened to make it necessary to amputate one of his legs. He said he was struck by the problem while on a movie set with other actors, and appealed to his fans and the public for prayers and financial assistance to cover his medical bills.

In November 2023, he underwent a leg amputation, as his family said the amputation was done to keep him alive and increase his chances of recovery.

Nollywood Actor Mr Ibu, Dies At 62

By

Koko Lawrence

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March 4, 2024

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Nollywood actor, John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, is dead.

He was said to have died on Saturday, March 2, 2024.

In October 2023, the veteran actor was reported ill and required financial assistance.

But in November 2023, Okafor’s family confirmed that one of his legs had been amputated to keep him alive.

It was reported that he passed away in Evercare hospital in Lekki, after being moved to the intensive care unit a few days ago.

Meanwhile, celebrities and colleagues of the Nollywood veteran have mourned Mr. Ibu in various social media posts.

Mercy Johnson Okojie wrote, “It is well… Rest well sir…”

Ruth Kadiri wrote, “Sleep well Papa.”

N’Assembly Plans Budget Review Over Naira Fall

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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March 3, 2024

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The Nigeria Senate says the National Assembly would need to revisit the approved N28.77tn 2024 budget.

The Red Chamber explained that there was a need to revisit the budget following the incessant fall of the naira against the United States dollar.

The National Assembly has passed a harmonised 2024 budget Appropriation Bill totalling N28.77tn which was eventually passed on January 1, by President Bola Tinubu.

The National Assembly increased the bill by a total of N1.2tn, moving the budget from N27.5tn to N28.7tn.

N’Assembly Raises Budget to N28.77tn, Passed Bill

The Senate also benchmarked the exchange rate at N800 per dollar, moving it from the initial N750 per dollar initially pegged by the Federal Government.

Proffering reasons for the increment, in December, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Solomon Adeola, explained, “The current price of the dollar at the black market is between N1200 and 1300, and in the Central Bank of Nigeria, it is between N950 and N1000 and we have a budget which was pegged at N750, if you look at the gap, you’d realise that has covered a lot of gaps already.

“Again, we did some external consultations, most especially in the area of oil benchmark and petroleum resources, if we had gone in that line, we’d have pegged it at N850/N900 to a dollar and we agree that we want to be conservative in our approach, so that nobody will think that we want to increase the budget for any ulterior motive, that was why we left it at N490bn out of which N44bn is for statutory transfer, so effectively, the increment is about N446bn that is going into the Federal Government pocket as consolidated revenue.”

In an exclusive interview on Sunday, Senator Adeola said certain actions need to be taken concerning the 2024 budget as the variables upon which the budget was built could no longer stand.

He said, “Yes, it is true that the budget was passed at N800 to a dollar but as we speak, it’s no longer visible as the dollar currently stood at N1450 to a naira.

“And I can tell you that there is a need for us to revisit the budget as the variables upon which the budget is predicated are no longer there. So all we need to do is just take our time and do some internal workings within the landing cost of petroleum product per litre of fuel.

“After this, we can now collaborate with the current budget that we have so that we can give NNPC what the actual figure for this landing cost will be, and then any savings arising from that can be planned upon for a supplementary budget or reallocation of some project within the budget,” he added.

Reps Seek to Stop N’West, S’West, S’South Presidential Candidacy

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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March 3, 2024

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The House of Representatives is set to consider a new bill that seeks to stop the North-West, South—South and South-West from presenting presidential candidates in the 2027 general election.

The bill is seeking an alteration to various sections of the 1999 Constitution to prevent the three geopolitical zones from presenting candidates in the next general election.

The bill “For an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) to make provisions for rotation of power among the geo-political zones, senatorial zones and federal constituencies in presidential, governorship and senatorial elections in Nigeria,” is currently before the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review.

Sponsored by member representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency, Benue State, Ojema Ojetu, the proposed legislation, if passed into law, will bar zones that have produced the President of Nigeria since the return to democratic governance in 1999.

INEC begins review of the 2023 General Elections

The bill seeks to alter Section 133 of the constitution by inserting sub-sections 2, 3 and 4 to the nation’s extant laws.

“The Office of the President of Nigeria shall revolve round the six geo- political zones, with each state holding the office for a maximum of two terms of four years each, to give every section and state in Nigeria a sense of inclusion, participation and representation in Nigeria’s democracy,” a copy of the bill indicated, according to Punch.

It continued: “Any zone in Nigeria which has produced a President of the Federal Republic shall not be eligible to produce another President until the other zones take their turns.

“The effective date for consideration in the rotation of power shall be 29th of May, 1999 when the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) became effective.”

The bill, according to Ojotu, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also seeks alteration to the 1999 Constitution with the insertion of sub-sections 6 and 7.

In (6), the proposed law provides that “The office of the governor of a state in Nigeria shall revolve round all the three senatorial zones in the state, to give every indigene of the state a sense of inclusion, participation and representation in the development of the state; while (7) states that “Every senatorial zone in a state which has produced governor of that state in a democratically conducted election shall not be eligible to produce a governor, unless and until other senatorial zones produce governors of the state.”

That is not all as Ojotu’s proposed legislation also seeks an alteration of Section 48 of the Constitution with the introduction of sub-sections 1 (a) and (b).

1(a) provides that “Senatorial election shall rotate round all the federal constituencies in the Senatorial zone to give a sense of inclusion, participation and representation in the constituencies to engineer social progress and development;” and (b) says that “Every federal constituency in a Senatorial district which has produced a Senator shall not be eligible to produce a Senator, unless and until all other Federal Constituencies produce a Senator.”

Tinubu To Deal With Entities Undermining Investors Confidence

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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March 3, 2024

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu says his administration will deal decisively with any official who undermines investors confidence in the Nigerian economy.

President Tinubu stated this during a Nigeria-Qatar Business and Investment Forum in Doha, on Sunday.

Assuring the International business community that Nigeria is ready for serious business, the Nigerian President urged Qatar’s captains of industry to report any government official who demands a bribe or any form of inducement at any point in their business, thereby assuring them of their direct access to the President’s Office.

President Tinubu affirmed that Nigeria’s identity is now being shaped by the present and future actions, urging investors not to let perceptions hinder their willingness to invest in Africa’s largest economy.

Tinubu Welcomes Multi-sectoral Agreements with Qatar

The President pledged to remove all bottlenecks standing in the way of profitable and legitimate enterprise, emphasising that Nigeria and its systems are being reformed and upgraded.

“I am here to give you the assurance that reforms are going on; forget about whatever you heard in the past. Whatever is the obstacle or problem that some of you might have experienced; it is in the past, because there is no obstacle in the future.

“Do not offer a bribe to any of our people, and if it is requested or taken from you, report to us.

“You will have access to me. Nigeria will no longer be defined by the past, but by what we do now and moving forward. Do not let perceptions become a hindrance to your will to invest. Nigeria is serious about revolutionizing investment promotion. We are removing obstacles today and we are going to continue to remove all obstacles. We have done so much within nine months. And I am assuring you, it is free entry and free exit. Your funds will flow smoothly into and out of our country. Bring your investments,” the President stated.

The President further noted that the war against corruption and insecurity in Nigeria had been significantly strengthened with the appointment of the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, as National Security Adviser (NSA).

“We have a man who has won many global awards for anti-corruption as an anti-corruption czar.

“My responsibility is to tell you that Nigeria is open for business, and to assure you that your investments are safe in our hands. We have men and women of great reputation here. And we believe we can forge a good committee that will advance our discussions to fruitful conclusions.

“A nation is an artificial entity unless there are good people to drive it. People build great nations and we have great people. We are ready,” the President affirmed.

The President also noted that Nigeria possesses vast opportunities in various fields, telling his host: “We have oil and gas; we have solid minerals. I do not see why we cannot become prolific partners in exploring iron ore, as well as steel production, and energy across the board.

“I am here to give you assurances in all spheres: tourism, hospitality, healthcare, and in many other opportunities that abound around us. Do not be the investors who miss out on the golden opportunity we present,” the President added.

Import Duty on Vehicles Gets 90-day Window

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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March 3, 2024

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The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a 90-day window to regularise import duties on specific categories of vehicles.

The National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

Maiwada said that the development was a proactive move to enhance compliance and streamline import processes.

Recall that the NCS in February said it intends to grant waivers to vehicle owners to pay duties within a specific time frame to avoid sanctions.

Nigerian Customs Urges Transparency In Vehicle Imports

Speaking further, Maiwada added that the initiative applies solely to vehicles imported into Nigeria where the requisite customs duty has not been fulfilled or vehicles detained due to under-valuation.

“In a proactive move to enhance compliance and streamline import processes, the NCS, under the directive of the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, is pleased to announce a 90-day window for regularising import duties on specific categories of vehicles,” he said.

He said that a 25 per cent penalty would be paid.

“Valuation and assessment of the vehicles would be carried out using the Vehicles Identification Number valuation method. Import duty and a 25 per cent penalty shall be paid in tandem with the import guidelines, procedures, and documentation requirements for used vehicles under the Destination Inspection Scheme in Nigeria (2013) and the NCS Act 2023. Also, duty payments must be made using the procedure code specifically created for this exercise.” Maiwads said.

Maiwada explained that vehicles seized and condemned would not be released.

“While we strive for inclusivity, it is important to clarify that vehicles seized and condemned will not be released under this arrangement and shall be forfeited to the Federal Government in accordance with extant regulations.”

The NCS spokesperson reiterates that all owners and importers seeming to regulate their vehicle imports should visit the different zones of the service.

“All vehicle owners, importers/agents seeking to regularize import duties on their vehicles are required to apply to the service’s zonal coordinators (Zones A, B, C, D) and Customs Area Controller of the Federal Capital Territory Command.”

“They must submit the necessary available documents and process V-reg in line with the Federal Ministry of Finance directives for the registration of imported motor vehicles.”

Maiwada said that the initiative reflects the service’s unwavering commitment to facilitating compliance. We encourage all stakeholders to capitalise on this opportunity within the stipulated timeframe.