The first thing he did was to remind that cryptocurrency is enabled by a technology with applications far beyond the disputed virtual currency. “The world is fast evolving,” he said, “But there’s no plan to stifle any technology or innovation in Nigeria.” If Nigeria were a startup, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, as the Director-General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), would function as a leading technical officer and this made me yield to the temptation to engage him when we caught up last Tuesday. The week before, I wrote about the outright ban of cryptocurrency in Nigeria, and this encounter…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele has explained that the banking and financial sector regulator acted in the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians by ordering banks, non-banking and other financial institutions to stop facilitation of trade and dealings in cryptocurrencies. The governor stated this while briefing a joint Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, ICT and Cybercrimes, and Capital Market, on why it gave directives banning cryptocurrency trading. Emefieke described the operations of cryptocurrencies in the country as dangerous and opaque. “Cryptocurrency has no place in our monetary system at this time…
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN, on Tuesday said virtual assets and cryptocurrencies are risky for implementation in Nigeria. Prof. Owasanoye made this known in his presentation to the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions during its hearing on the Central Bank of Nigeria’s decision to stop financial institutions from transacting in cryptocurrencies and matters arising therefrom. He said, “Virtual and cryptocurrencies pose serious legal and law enforcement risks for Nigeria. The current National Identification Number registration and linking with SIM cards is a pointer to…
Hours after military troops successfully recaptured Marte and cleared its environs from ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists, heavy explosions have engulfed some parts of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state. PRNigeria gathered that suspected Boko Haram fighters launched multiple motar bombs at the outskirt of the city. The explosions occurred at Gwange, Layin Bori and Bulabulin axis of Maiduguri city. The terrorists were suspected to have sneaked into Ngomari through Kaleri, forcing residents of the area to scamper for safety. A team of special forces headed by one Lt. Col. Ponfap Wuyep, Commander 195 Battalion Jere engaged the terrorists around Baram Karwa…
Nigerian troops have recovered New Marte and adjoining communities in Borno, killing scores of Boko Haram/Islamic States West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists who had laid siege on the area for some days. The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima said in a statement that the feat was achieved on Tuesday at about 3 p.m. Yerima said the troops achieved the success in less than the 48 hours, after the Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, had given the troops a 48-hour directive to recover the town. He said the troops, backed by air cover from the Nigerian Air…
The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has directed Commanding Officers across all formations of the Corps, to commence immediate clampdown on rickety vehicles plying Nigerian roads. This is contained in a statement by the spokesperson of the Corps, Bisi Kazeem on Tuesday. According to him, the riot act to operators of rickety vehicles gives Zonal Commanding Officers and Sector Commanders, express directive to commence nationwide arrest, impoundment and prosecution of owners or operators of such vehicles. FRSC said the operation is aimed at creating safer motoring environment in the country as well as realise its 2021 strategic goals of reducing…
…Terrorists’ infiltration of civilian population hampers air bombardment In less than 48 hours after receiving the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru’s order to get rid of Marte and its neighbouring communities of Boko Haram elements, the Nigerian troops have successfully destroyed several mines laid on their paths by terrorists. PRNigeria investigation revealed that apart from landmines, the terrorists’ infiltration of the civilian population in Marte prevented the military Air Task Force from launching aerial bombardments, to avoid collateral damages. The troops have de-mined some communities and villages on the major routes to Marte. Recall that Attahiru…
A bill for the establishment of the Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA Teaching Hospital, was read for the first time at the plenary of the Senate on 18th February 2021. The bill titled, “Federal University of Technology Akure Teaching Hospital Establishment Bill 2021 (SB638)”, was sponsored by the senator representing Ondo Central Senatorial District, Ayo Akinyelure. The spokesperson of the university, Adebayo Adegbenro told ASHNEWS on Tuesday that the process for the establishment of the FUTA Teaching Hospital was initiated through the commencement of the School of Health and Health Technology in the 2015/2016 academic session. “This followed the National…
The Zonal Commanding Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps in charge of Plateau, Benue and Nasarawa states, ACM Kayode Olagunju, mni, HAS arrested 305 motorists for offering bribe to men and officers of the Corps. A statement by the spokesperson of the zone, RC Olusegun Owoeye made available to ASHENEWS on Tuesday, warned motorists to stop offering bribes to marshals, while reminding road users that both bribe givers and takers were committing criminal offences as in Sections 8, 9 an 10 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences (ICPC) Act, 2000 and also Section 10 (5) (i)…
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned a suit by filed by the former governor of Abia state and Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Kalu seeking to stop his retrial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on the same alleged money laundering charges, to April 20. The adjournment followed court’s position that EFCC, listed in the case as the first defendant in the suit, was not properly served with the originating summons. The EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs at the resumed hearing, drew the attention of the court to the fact that the originating summons was served on…