Metro
Diri Gets Bayelsa Assembly’s Approval To Borrow N17bn
Gov. Douye Diri has secured the approval of the Bayelsa House of Assembly to obtain N17 billion loan from multiple sources.
The approval followed a motion moved on Thursday by the House Leader, Monday Obolo, (Southern Ijaw Constituency 2) and seconded by Charles Daniel, (Brass Constituency I).
Diri had in three separate letters dated Oct. 26 and Nov. 9, addressed to the speaker, solicited the assembly’s approval for the loan.
He requested approval to access N4 billion for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) counterpart fund and N10 billion facility from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for oil palm project.
In another request, the governor sought approval for N3 billion loan – a revolving temporary credit facility, to fund state financing gap.
“As part of this administration’s efforts to cushion the effect of the global economic downturn occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic and the dwindling oil revenues, we seek to take advantage of intervention funds from the Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) programme.
“The facility from the Central Bank of Nigeria will aid the state government to develop our oil palm potential, while the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) counterpart fund is a pre-requisite for the state to attract a matching grant under the SDGs,’’ he said.
He explained that the N4 billion Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) counterpart fund would be obtained from a commercial bank.
On the N3 billion loan, Diri said, “Due to the global economic downturn and dwindling revenue, it has become imperative to source for a revolving short-term credit finance line to fund gaps when there is a shortfall in monthly revenue accruing to the state.
“This credit line will enable the state government to respond appropriately to critical monthly financial obligations. The standing instruction will eliminate reoccurring documentation costs.
“The facility shall be for a tenure of 12 months as a temporary overdraft with short-term cleanup circle.’’
The assembly also approved the governor’s request to appoint additional 10 special advisers.
Metro
Chief Asaga commissions house for staff in Abakaliki
As the 2024, yuletide approaches, popular Abuja-based hotelier, philanthropist and CEO/MD of C-Sagas Group, Architect Chief Christian Asaga Nwali, PhD, has once again commissioned a house for one of his staff in Ebonyi State, in appreciation of his contributions to the successes of the company over the years.
Chief, who holds the chieftaincy title of Ide Ji Ulo 1 of Izzi Nnodo, Uzochukwuwara 1 of Ekpelu Kingdom, Odozie-Obodo 1 of Ameka, Ikwo, gifted the building, a 4-bedroom bungalow with boy’s quarters, properly fenced with gate, to Engr Donatus Azunku, aka MTN who hails from Abakaliki LGA of Ebonyi State, on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.
Speaking to our reporter on what prompted the magnanimity, Architect Asaga said, for over a decade, Engr. Donatus Azunku served as the dedicated Project Engineer of C-Sagas Group, “exemplifying unwavering commitment, humility and a willingness to learn.”
He said: “For me, the purpose of living is to make a profound and lasting impact on the people and environment surrounding me. Therefore, I strive to ensure that this impact is decidedly positive, transformative and continuous, leaving a ripple effect of goodness that resonates beyond my lifetime and creating a legacy of goodness that endures.
“To the glory, on behalf of C. Sagas Group, today being Tuesday, November 19, 2024, I am honoured to dedicate this magnificent home to Engr. & Mrs. Donatus Azunku and family. The truth is that, for over a decade, Engr. Donatus Azunku has served as our dedicated Project Engineer, exemplifying unwavering commitment, humility and a willingness to learn.
“Therefore, as I officially commission this beautiful house today, I pray that Almighty God will continue to bless his family abundantly. May this home be filled with love, joy, and prosperity and may your family be blessed beyond measure in Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
Architect Chief Christian Asaga Nwali is particularly popular for having the interest of his staff, family and those around him at heart, whether in Enugu, Abakaliki or Abuja, apart from also lifting numerous people from poverty by establishing businesses for them or building houses for them.
Following his philanthropic activities and humanitarian interventions, Dr. Christian Asaga Nwali, has in his employment over 1000 Nigerians in his establishments like Cirenes Hotels in Kpiri-Kpiri, Abakaliki, Exclusive Serene Hotel and Suites in New Haven, Enugu and Exclusive Serene Hotel and Suites in Wuye, Abuja, C.Sagas Luxury Homes Ltd, taking in his stride scholarship programs and marriage sponsorship of his employees, among others.
It is an annual culture for the hotelier to distribute cars to his staff and those around him. In 2019, be bought and distributed 8 cars to members of his staff.
Again, in December, 2023, Architect Asaga Nwali also distributed exotic cars to his staff in Ebonyi State, in appreciation of their contributions to the successes of the C-Sagas Group.
In March, this year, the C-Sagas Group built and donated a church building to Deeper Life Bible Church (DLBC), Ameka, Ikwo, Ebonyi State.
Many beneficiaries of his magnanimity are presently thanking the hotelier for lifting them from poverty in different ways.
Metro
Man attempts crippling wife with pestle in Anambra
Delight Chinedum
A middle-aged man identified as Tochukwu Obumneme from Obosi has allegedly attempted crippling the wife Chizoba Obumneme with a pestle over a minor misunderstanding.
Our Correspondent gathered that the incident which took place in their house in Asaba, Delta State reportedly escalated after the suspect abandoned the victim at her parent’s house in Onitsha for delaying him without remorse.
According to Chizoba, “It initially started as a threat before he dashed to the kitchen, brought the pestle and hit me on my leg.
“This is not the first time he has raised his hands on me.”
The suspect who was invited for a peaceful mediation at the office of the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare was said to have turned down the invitation.
He was said to have rather threatened his wife and the Social Welfare Officer for inviting him.
Reacting, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Ify Obinabo promised to get justice for the victim.
Metro
NDLEA arraigns man for illegal hemp transaction
Adesokan Olalekan, 56, has been charged with drug trafficking by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and brought before a Federal High Court in Lagos.
The defendant faces a single count of illegally dealing in cannabis sativa, commonly referred to as hemp, and is currently on trial before Justice Ayokunle Faji.
He entered a guilty plea to the revised accusation.
Following his plea, Mr. Peter Ereche, an NDLEA agent, testified for the prosecutor, Mr. Aondofa Korinjo, who went over the case’s facts.
The witness told the court how a group of NDLEA agents brought the defendant in while hiding packaged cannabis sativa in a black nylon bag.
He informed the judge that once samples were extracted from the drug, an analysis revealed that it contained cannabis sativa.
The prosecutor then used the witness to present some evidence, including the drug analysis report, a request for scientific assistance form, and the certificate of test analysis.
The bulk of the material, the substance package form, the defendant’s confessional statement dated September 28, and the remaining material that was analyzed were among the additional pieces of evidence that were presented.
Mrs. Vivian Ekwegh, the defense attorney, raised no objections to the evidence being presented.
As a result, the court acknowledged them and noted them as exhibits.
Considering the defendant’s plea and the facts presented to the court, the prosecution then urged the court to convict him appropriately.
As a result, Justice Faji found the defendant guilty of the charges.
Defense attorney Ekwegh pleaded with the court to give the convicted person pity in order to temper justice.
According to her, the convicted individual was a first-time offender who promptly entered a guilty plea to the charge, saving the court’s time.
She claimed that the 56-year-old defendant had five dependent children and that the convicted felon was now regretting his actions after realizing his mistake.
The court postponed sentencing until November 18 after hearing the allocutus.
The offender was remanded to the detention facility for sentencing, the court ordered.
The accusation states that the act was committed on September 28 at the Ajara axis of Badagry, Lagos State.
He allegedly dealt in 120g of cannabis without the required legal license.
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