PDP Lists Eight Proxy Companies Allegedly Used By Governor Akeredolu To Siphon Ondo State Funds

PDP had on Sunday accused Akeredolu of using his wife and children to loot the state through the registration of various companies.

According to a report by SaharaReporters, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ondo State chapter, has released the names of eight proxy companies allegedly used by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s family to get contracts in the state, and siphon funds from the state coffers.

The listed companies were; Erudit Limited, Pentabon Limited, Egimka Nigeria Limited, Terrenovo Agro, Claribet Consulting Limited, Limerite Limited, Pentagon Motusi Ltd and Jakovie Energy.

PDP had on Sunday accused Akeredolu of using his wife and children to loot the state through the registration of various companies.

They noted that the governor’s family particularly his wife, Betty and his son, Babajide had been using the companies to get contracts in the state.

However, the Ondo State government in statement issued by Donald Ojogo, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, on Monday asked the PDP, to publish details of companies linked to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s family and report to EFCC funds spent on Countdown Show.

“PDP’s latest misadventure mistaken for opposition is not to glorify the rudderless camp; it is to counsel the seemingly disorganised ilk and for the sake of general public at the mercy of PDP’s disingenuous misinformation.

“Their assertions in respect of 13 companies they claimed were registered by the Governor’s family in 2017 without evidence exposes the juveline and pedestrian composure of the PDP. It is sheer waste of precious media space to assert without evidence to prove. We challenge PDP to publish the names of the Directors of those companies as well as the names of those companies," he said.

Meanwhile, PDP on Wednesday revealed the names eight proxy companies allegedly used by Akeredolu’s family,

The party affirmed that action had begun towards petitioning the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC for appropriate action.

This was made known in a statement on Wednesday by the Publicity Secretary of PDP in the State, Kennedy Peretei. He noted that findings showed that the companies were either owned by the governor’s wife or his son with most of the transactions through the account of the companies emanating from them.

“For those who think we are peddling “beer parlour” rumours, it is better to wake up from your slumber to join the rest of us to rescue and rebuild Ondo State.

“Take your time to glean through the documents. We are not arm-chair critics. We do our due diligence. As critical stakeholders, we cannot fold our hands and allow this to continue.

“As to the request to petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the advice is un-necessary as, action is already being taken,” he said.

ROAD SAFETY TIPS FOR THOSE RETURNING FROM FESTIVE CELEBRATION

 

1. Obey the rules of the road and carry your driver’s license with you.

2. Plan the route to your holiday destination and allow yourself enough time to reach the destination

3. Make sure that your vehicle is in a roadworthy condition before departure. All lights and indicators, windscreens, windscreen wipers, brakes, steering, shock absorbers, exhaust system and tyres should be carefully examined for faults.

4. Do not overload.

5. Try to avoid driving after dark if possible.

6. Have a good rest before you embark on your journey

7. Take safety breaks every 2 hours or 200km. Rest, have an energy drink and continue once well-rested.

8. Do not drink and drive

9. Try to recognize potentially dangerous drivers on and pedestrians alongside the road and keep well clear of them

10. Be visible - drive with your lights on

11. Headlights should be dipped well before an approaching vehicle is within the range of the main beam.

12. Always wear your seat belt and see that everyone in the car is wearing theirs.

13. Drive defensively

14. Stay within the speed limit at all times

15. Only overtake when it is absolutely safe to do so

16. Maintain at least a 2-second following distance - this distance should be increased at night, in foggy or rainy conditions and when the road is wet.

17. Expect others to not be as obedient to the law as yourself

18. Avoid distractions on the road such as texting, conversations on cellular phones etc

19. Be courteous towards fellow road users - keep your temper and resist the temptation to retaliate

20. Know your emergency numbers - When you need assistance you can call the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) its toll-free 122 line to report emergencies.

FRSC also has a 12-digit emergency line – 0700 2255 3772

Experts say Bitcoin could soar to $200,000 in 2022

Bitcoin’s price could reach $200,000 in 2022, according to prominent cryptocurrency experts.

After reaching a new high this year, Bitcoin is recovering from its worst month since May. Crypto Trading has dropped 16% in the last month with many blaming the new variant of Covid-19.

However, both Brock Pierce and Tom Lee, co-founders of Fundstrat Global Advisors, believe Bitcoin will hit $200,000 in 2022.
What you should know

In the interview with Fox, Pierce talked about BTC’s performance over the past month. He said “People like to speculate, claiming they have answers, but in truth, BTC’s market is volatile. According to him, BTC’s poor performance in December is a result of multiple events.”

Pierce stated that BTC is a risk asset. According to him, BTC is a store of value but not an inflation hedge like gold and real estate.

However, it has a more interesting return profile than the above assets. Sharing what he believes will drive BTC beyond $100,000.00, Pierce said financial uncertainty in the broader financial system.

He said, “I would not be surprised if BTC goes beyond $100,000.00. It’s conceivable for it to break $200,000 for a moment and come back again.”

He predicts that the top cryptocurrency could briefly reach the aforementioned price mark before retracing lower.

Bitcoin’s price performance in 2022 depends on “external factors,” pointing to massive money printing that is happening in the world.

Ton Lee predicted $200,000 for BTC in the December 23 Market Rebellion Roundtable discussion.

He said: “So, maybe Bitcoin is in that $200,000 range. I think that’s achievable, and I know it sounds fantastical, but it’s very useful.”

Lee previously maintained his 2021 BTC price prediction of $100,000 as late as October in light of ProShares launching the first Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the United States.
Why Bitcoin price is down

While many believe the Omicron variant of COVID-19 started and drove the current bear market, Pierce adopted a more technical approach, noting, “BTC’s price is down because there are more sellers than buyers in the market.”

He confessed that one of the reasons for BTC’s bad performance is that some investors are putting their money into other cryptos.
“Other coins snatching some attention from BTC is crucial for the market,” he argues.

Some cryptocurrencies, according to Per Pierce, are assisting in the development of the Bitcoin concept.

He explained that Bitcoin is a digital currency, whereas Ethereum aims to construct programmable contracts. Pierce compares the crypto space to the internet in 1999, because each idea is unique.

The rich with access to weapons, drugs, behind Nigeria’s insecurity — Hamza Al-Mustapha

Major Hamza Al- Mustapha, one time Chief Security Officer ( CSO) to former Nigerian military ruler, General Sani Abacha, has alleged that rich people with access to weapons and hard drugs were behind the insecurity bedevilling Nigeria.

Al-Mustapha said dealing with the situation would require the contribution of all and sundry that are patriotic about the country, while the authorities would have to step on toes in the effort to normalise the security situation.

Major Al-Mustapha who spoke in a viral VOA Hausa interview, said ” it is high time that every patriotic Nigerian, anyone who has Nigeria, Africa or the entire world at heart, everyone should stand up and make a personal contribution. Things are not moving as expected.”

“There are people spending their money to cause crisis and it appears they are succeeding.”

“From the way, they’ve access to weapons today in Africa, and different kinds of drugs, and from the kind of people that are given such things and they are using it, these have shown that the strength they have has started to overpower the laws of African countries, especially here in Nigeria. “

“That is why in my remarks, I delved on these issues and other issues pertaining to world affairs.”

He said many bad things are happening in the country as some few individuals were so powerful to have acquired the means of exploring, refining and exporting the nation’s mineral resources.

He alleged that these few Nigerians benefitting from the country’s mineral resources seemed to be unstoppable.

” If you want to stop them, they are ever ready to use all means at their disposal to fight you. They can even do that in collaboration with their local and foreign allies,” he alleged.

” They are powerful and can fight any government that tries to stop them. Fighting them. will require tact, reverting the laws and educating those carrying out the laws and those in government. They should know where they lag behind and where they are found wanting. “

” If this arises, from what I’ve said if things are to be corrected, toes must be stepped upon People must be shown the right thing to do so that peace and harmony would be restored, ” he said.

Singapore lifts travel ban on Nigeria, nine others

Singapore on Monday lifted the travel ban imposed on Nigeria and nine other African countries over the new variant of the COVID-19 pandemic, Omicron.

The other countries are Botswana, Eswatini (former Swaziland), Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

In a statement issued by its Health Ministry, the South-East Asian nation said it expected a new wave of local cases soon given the higher transmissibility of the Omicron variant.

The ministry added that passengers arriving in Singapore with travel history to the 10 countries within the last 14 days would come under the Category IV border measures.

The Singaporean government imposed a travel ban on Nigeria and the other affected countries over the discovery of the Omicron variant on December 3.

READ ALSO: Canada lifts travel ban on Nigeria, nine others

The statement read: “In the coming days and weeks, we should expect more community (local) cases and rapid doubling of cases. This is again a process we need to go through, in order to live with COVID-19.


“However, the peak of the wave can be blunted and we can avoid overwhelming our healthcare system again if everyone plays their part to get their vaccinations and booster doses, self-test regularly and self-isolate if tested positive.

“In particular, those who have recently arrived from overseas or been in contact with an infected person should reduce their social interactions.

“We have done whatever we can to prepare ourselves for it; especially in administering boosters to our population and starting vaccinations for our children. We seek the cooperation and understanding of everyone, as we weather through an Omicron wave in the next one to two months.

“Instead of being isolated in dedicated facilities by default, Omicron cases will be placed on home recovery or treated at community care facilities depending on their clinical presentation.”

“With the new measures, travellers with links to Nigeria and other listed countries must take a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test within two days before departure to Singapore, as well as an on-arrival PCR test. They will also have to serve a 10-day stay-home notice at a dedicated facility. Another PCR test will be administered at the end of their quarantine period.”

Conjoined Twins Abandoned By Their Parents Land First Jobs With Two Salaries (Photo)

Conjoined twins

A conjoined twins have gotten a good shot at life after landing two jobs with two salaries.

The twins were abandoned by their parents when they were born.

Sohna and Mohna Singh, from Punjab, India, are working for the first time having received government jobs.

The 19-year-old twins will be working as electricians at the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited and earning the equivalent of £100 a month.

The twins had been living at a shelter ever since they were abandoned by their parents when they were babies in New Delhi.

They have two hearts, kidneys and spinal cords, as well as two pairs of arms, but share a liver, gallbladder, spleen and legs.

Doctors refused to separate the twins due to the risky nature of the procedure which could lead to the death of one of them.

While living in the shelter, they showed a knack for fixing things and would try to help out by attempting to mend any broken appliances at their shelter, Mirror reports.

Speaking to the Independent, the twins said: "We are thankful to the Punjab government for recognising our talent."

Officials at the power company were impressed with the twins after they visited a training site and demonstrated a keen interest in electrics.

Venu Parsad, chief managing director of PSPCL, told The Telegraph that the twins showed great technical knowledge and took them on under a disabled person quota.