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Nigeria searches for $7 billion to combat COVID-19 issues

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The Nigerian government has drafted several requests to international lenders requesting a total number of $6.9 billion in order to keep their economy afloat as well as continue their battle against the novel Coronavirus.

Although the country has not seen too much of the virus, compared to Europe and the United States at least, the government still decided to impose a 2-week shutdown in order to prevent the spread. Currently, the country has 232 confirmed cases and 5 deaths in total, but more cases are expected in the coming weeks.

Who is Nigeria asking for help?

The Nigerian government has addressed multiple international lenders. These include the International Monetary Fund ($3.4 billion), the World Bank ($2.5 billion) and the African Development Bank ($1 billion).

All of this was announced by the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed herself.

However, considering the serious economic implications of the Coronavirus, many Nigerian politicians believe that asking these organizations for a loan is not the right thing to do at the moment.

Criticism has been heard of the Nigerian government for worrying about the economy much more than the pandemic spreading across the country, and only imposing the shutdown just a couple of days ago.

Although it is true that most of the funds requested from these international organizations will be dedicated to keeping the economy alive before the pandemic stops, it needs to be highlighted that Nigeria is still in serious danger of having the virus spread out of control.

Although most commercial states are on lockdown, there are some regions in the country where movement is relatively free.

Why is Nigeria asking for so much?

The next big question is finding out why Nigeria needs so much money and where most of it is going to be spent. It’s quite an easy question to answer. Nigeria is the largest oil producer on the African continent, which means that it is going to dedicate these funds to solidifying that position well into the future.

You see, the COVID-19 didn’t only topple stock prices of large corporations worldwide, it also seriously impacted oil prices, which were already significantly weakened well before the outbreak.

To put this in perspective. The Nigerian government devised a national budget when oil prices were around $59 per barrel. The price is somewhere in the range of $30 per barrel nowadays, and demand keeps on dropping as fewer people drive or use oil-consuming machinery and technology.

Due to this massive change in pricing, the Nigerian government had to adjust by cutting costs during 2020, but that is simply not enough. Having your country’s biggest income effectively be cut more than half is a serious hit to all of the plans created not only for that year but for the future.

Criticism floats up once more

Naturally, whenever a government plan has some kind of issues that could have been avoided, there will always be opposition members or just freelance politicians criticizing these policies. In this case, it’s very hard not to agree with what is being said in most of the cases.

Most of the politicians were advocating a more diverse economy, investments into different industries rather than re-investment into the oil. Tricks that have worked in the past are not necessarily going to work in the future, and considering oil is a finite resource, Nigeria is seriously advised to look into diversification.

And this is not only about Nigeria as well. The largest oil-exporting countries in the world such as Norway, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and even the United States have considered this issue seriously.

But most surprisingly, there are countries that normally don’t have too large of oil production for export that are already deviating away from the commodity, and in that sense, Germany is a perfect example.

What can Nigeria learn from Germany

Naturally, it’s very hard to compare these two economies as Germany is a production powerhouse that has already diversified beyond anything that Nigeria could achieve in the next decade or so, but there are still some nice hints as to what could be changed.

Let’s talk about taboo industries as an example. In this sense, both Nigeria and Germany have quite a lot in common. Banning or discrediting taboo industries such as gambling, for example, is present in both countries, but both of them have seen huge demand for these services.

The difference is seen when we look at the actions taken by both countries. Germany, for example, does not charge any fines to its citizens playing online roulette or any other game of chance. The only fine goes to the company providing this service. In Nigeria, it’s a bit different as the country has only a few companies operating in the country which tend to be untrustworthy in terms of service and tax.

Germany is easily able to pinpoint websites that provide these services and fine them pretty much on a monthly basis. This pretty much acts like a monthly tax which is always fixed. It’s a small loophole, but mutually beneficial nonetheless.

In Nigeria though, the trust in government-approved companies is fading as people switch to unlicensed platforms, thus depriving the authorities of tax and information. It would be much better for the local government to either allow commercialization of gambling or introduce a similar system as in Germany.

Back to the topic – will Nigeria get the funds it is requesting?

There is one thing to consider. Nigeria is a country that has the capacity to repay the debt it is asking the IMF and other organizations for, but the question is whether these organizations will be able to deliver.

There are quite a lot of middle eastern and central Asian countries that have requested the same organizations for financial assistance, therefore some serious budgeting is to be expected.

It’s unlikely for every country to get what they asked for, but some funds could be covered. One real issue that Nigeria could face is a serious deficit in what it asked for. At that point, there will be no other way than asking China for financial assistance, and that is something that Nigeria could simply not afford at this point, considering how much it already owes to China.

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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

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Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.

The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP  Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.

CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.

The students, led by  Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.

According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.

The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.

Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.

He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.

Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.

The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.

He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.

CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.

He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.

Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.

The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.

The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.

According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.

The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.

Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.

He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.

CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.

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College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

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The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.

International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.

Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.

He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.

Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.

He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.

“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.

Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.

Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.

He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.

According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.

Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.

The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.

Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.

By: John Bibor

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Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.

Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.

The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.

He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.

Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.

On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.

The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.

Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.

On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.

He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.

The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.

Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.

By; King Onunwor

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