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N7 Trillion 2017 Budget, Not Sufficient- VP Osinbajo

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Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday confirmed that the Federal Government has proposed about N7 trillion as budget estimate for the 2017 fiscal year but said it could not make a huge difference in a N90 trillion economy like Nigeria’s.

Speaking yesterday after visiting two agricultural factories in Sagamu, Ogun State, Osinbajo said the Federal Government believed very strongly that it could not deliver on its economic agenda without a serious partnership with the private sector.

He stated: “Our entire budget size for 2016 is something in the order of just over N6 trillion, and we will probably be moving to about N7 trillion in the 2017 budget. But N7 trillion is certainly not the kind of money. It does sound like a fair amount of money, but certainly, it is not the kind of size that can really make a huge difference in a N90 trillion economy such as we have.

“So, the real issue is that the contribution of the Federal Government is catalytic, the Federal Government can only make some catalytic contributions in terms of infrastructure and some incentives for the private sector.

“The real contribution is going to come from the private sector and that is why these partnerships are absolutely important to us, and what we are looking at is some game-changing type of projects, such as we have here. The types of projects that can make a real difference, because when we are talking about backward integration, the whole rural value chain.”

The vice president said President Buhari had talked very much about diversifying the economy as a way out of the current recession, saying “It’s the right and proper thing to do for the country.”

Osinbajo said: “When we’re saying agriculture is the way to go, from agriculture, we can employ a lot of people and then the whole value chain, from farm to table; we can do so much. That requires serious investment, it requires the types of enterprises where significant amounts of resources will have to come, in order to make that difference. So, we’re trying to partner with the kinds of serious investors, serious businesses that can really make a difference.

“And I think that this project is one such investment that I believe will make a significant difference. From listening here today, especially all about the local products, the crops and grains that are going to be used in this factory; Sourgum, the feed mill factory, wheat; all these are for us right on point. With some of what we’re getting, the better yields coming from the wheat that we see today, we think that what you’re doing is going to be really tied to that, because we must be self-sufficient, even in wheat production.

“We thought that was impossible a few years ago, but what we’re seeing now is that there are actually better yielding seeds that we can lay our hands upon, that can increase the yield, especially in wheat, and I think that this tied very well with that. At the moment, there is a shortage of animal feed everywhere, especially because of the shortage of maize. So, the feed mill is going to be absolutely important in achieving some of our objectives.

“The sorghum mill is really a big attraction, so we think that what you are doing is really spot on, it’s really the right way to go and we’re committed to supporting the Honeywell Group in ensuring that this happens and we’ll do all that’s required to make sure that this projects succeeds. We think that there are very very important synergies with other areas of the economy as well and we naturally expect that lots of jobs will come from this, as that is important to us here will be plenty of industrial opportunities, quality jobs that’ll mean more taxes as well.”

 

 

 

 

 

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FOREIGN

Ben Affleck & Jennifer Lopez Officially Finalise Divorce Settlement 2 Years After Marriage

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Ben Affleck & Jennifer Lopez Finalise Divorce Settlement | fab.ng

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck will finalise their divorce on February 20, 2025, following a mutual agreement confirmed in court documents obtained by E!

News on January 6. The couple reached an amicable settlement that allows each party to retain their individual earnings from their two-year marriage, with no spousal support requirements.

Lopez filed for divorce in Los Angeles on August 20, 2024, citing April 26, 2024, as their separation date. The filing date coincidentally aligned with the anniversary of their 2022 wedding ceremony in Georgia, which followed their initial Las Vegas elopement.

The settlement stipulates that Lopez will revert to her maiden name after previously changing it to Affleck during their marriage. Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez agreed to the terms without dispute.

Their relationship history spans over two decades, beginning on the set of their film “Gigil” in 2002. At that time, Lopez was married to her second husband, Cris Judd. Following her divorce from Judd in 2003, Lopez and Affleck publicly announced their relationship.

Lopez’s marriage to Affleck marked her fourth union. Her previous marriages include a brief partnership with Ojani Noa (1997-1998). Marriage to Cris Judd (2001-2003) followed. Furthermore, a decade-long marriage to Marc Anthony (2004-2014) produced twins.

Between her marriages, Lopez maintained a high-profile relationship with former baseball player Alex Rodriguez from 2017 until their engagement ended in 2021.

The 55-year-old Lopez and 52-year-old Affleck’s divorce proceedings concluded a relationship that garnered significant public attention.

This is throughout its various phases, from their initial meeting in 2002 to their reunion and subsequent marriage in 2022.

Check out more updates here.

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NEWS

Speed Darlington’s ₦300m Rights Suit Against I-G Set For Hearing January 13

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Speed Darlington: ₦300m Rights Suit Set For January 13 | fab.ng

On December 23, 2024, Justice Liman issued an order directing the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Kayode Egbetokun, to charge Speed Darlington to court or release him unconditionally within 48 hours.

This order stemmed from an ex-parte motion filed by Speed Darlington’s lawyer, David Ihuoma.

Following this, on January 13, 2025, the Federal High Court in Abuja scheduled a hearing. The hearing is for a ₦300 million fundamental rights enforcement suit. It was filed by the detained singer against the I-G.

This date was set after the singer’s counsel, Abubakar Marshal, requested an adjournment. The adjournment would allow the I-G’s lawyer, Garba Audu, sufficient time to review the legal documents served upon him.

Speed Darlington, a 39-year-old singer, was initially arrested by the police on allegations of “defamation and cyberstalking” against Burna Boy.

Although released on bail on October 8, 2024, Speed Darlington was subsequently rearrested and detained.

Human rights activist Deji Adeyanju alleged that Speed Darlington’s arrest followed a petition filed by Burna Boy. Consequently, he was transferred to Abuja for detention.

During the January 13th hearing, the court confirmed that the police had been duly served with the legal documents.

Despite the I-G’s lawyer claiming he had not yet received them, the court directed Marshal to provide Audu with a copy in open court.

When questioned by the court, Marshal confirmed that Speed Darlington remained in detention. In response, Audu explained that the police had already filed a criminal charge against the singer before the ex-parte motion for release was filed.

He further stated that while the singer was granted administrative bail, he allegedly violated the terms.

Audu elaborated that the initial hearing for the criminal charge, scheduled before Justice Ekerete Akpan, was postponed.

Subsequent attempts to reassign the case to a vacation judge for a timely arraignment were unsuccessful. The court ultimately rescheduled the arraignment for January 15, 2025, before Justice Akpan.

Audu emphasised that the police did not deliberately defy the court’s order. He cited the logistical challenges of arraignment during the Christmas holiday.

In conclusion, Marshal requested the court to order the police to release Speed Darlington to his custody pending the upcoming arraignment.

“We shall be applying pending the trial and arraignment of the applicant that your lordship makes an order admitting him to bail.

“If my lord will, as ministers in the temple of justice, we will ensure his presence in court on the day of arraignment,” he said, but Audu opposed the application.

Justice Liman acknowledged that the police did not intentionally defy the court order. However, she advised Audu, the I-G’s lawyer, to ensure the release of Speed Darlington to Marshal, his legal counsel.

This release was contingent on Marshal’s agreement to produce Speed Darlington in court as required.

“I don’t see anything the police will lose if granted bail,” the judge advised.

The judge adjourned the case to January 13 for the hearing of the substantive matter. According to reports by NAN, the fundamental rights suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1832/2024, was filed by Speed Darlington. He named the Inspector-General of Police (I-G) as the sole respondent.

In the suit, the artist urged the court to declare his arrest and detention as violations of his fundamental rights guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution. He sought four specific orders to address these violations.

In another filing by Adeyanju, he requested an order directing the I-G to immediately and unconditionally release him from the detention facility where he is currently held.

Alternatively, Adeyanju sought an order compelling the I-G to produce him in court.

This would allow the court to assess the circumstances surrounding his arrest and detention. Also, if deemed appropriate, he would be granted bail.

He also sought “an order directing the respondent to pay the applicant the sum of ₦300,000,000.00 (Three Hundred Million Naira) only as general, exemplary and aggravating damages for their unlawful and continued detention since 2024 till date.”

In an affidavit sworn by Esther Eyisi, a secretary at the law firm, she alleged that officers arrested Speed Darlington on October 4, 2024. This was over allegations of defaming Burna Boy.

She stated that the police detained him illegally for five days. During these days, he endured severe torture and maltreatment without being formally charged in a court of competent jurisdiction.

Eyisi further revealed that the police eventually granted the artiste bail after subjecting him to inhumane conditions for five days.

On November 27, 2024, Eyisi claimed, officers of the respondent arrested and detained Speed Darlington again, accusing him of jumping administrative bail.

She asserted that this arrest occurred despite her client notifying the officers of a medical emergency, his inability to report on the scheduled date, and obtaining their permission to travel to Owerri, Imo State, for a performance.

Eyisi argued that the continuous detention of Speed Darlington without arraignment violated his constitutional rights. She emphasized his role as the “breadwinner” of his family and called the detention unjust and unlawful.

Check out more news updates here.

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MOVIES

Funke Akindele Breaks Records Again As “Everybody Loves Jenifa” Surpasses ₦1 Billion In 12 Days

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Everybody Loves Jenifa Surpasses ₦1 Billion In 12 Days | fab.ng

The latest cinematic triumph by Funke Akindele, “Everybody Loves Jenifa,” has shattered box office records, surpassing the ₦1 billion mark in 12 days.

This unprecedented feat, achieved within two weeks, sets a new standard of success in Nollywood, a milestone many can only aspire to.

This achievement, however, is not a stroke of luck for the multi-talented actress, producer, and entrepreneur.

Akindele consistently dominates the Nigerian box office, as evidenced by her impressive track record.

Last year, her film “A Tribe Called Judah” made history as the first Nollywood film to cross the ₦1 billion threshold. Further, this solidified her reign as the undisputed queen of the big screen.

With “Everybody Loves Jenifa,” Funke Akindele unequivocally demonstrates that her success is not a fleeting phenomenon but a consistent pattern.

She has proven that she can replicate her triumphs repeatedly, shattering expectations and defying limitations.

The anticipation surrounding “Everybody Loves Jenifa” was palpable even before its official release. At an exhibitor soiree preceding the premiere, Akindele confidently made a bold proclamation, foreshadowing the film’s imminent success.

“I have faith that this film will make ₦5 billion,” she said.

While some may have initially dismissed her ambitions as overly ambitious, her resounding success has silenced all doubters.

A cursory glance at the list of Nollywood’s highest-grossing films reveals a recurring name: Funke Akindele. From “Omo Ghetto: The Saga” to “Battle on Buka Street” and now “Everybody Loves Jenifa,” she consistently reigns supreme at the box office.

This commercial success can be attributed to her unique ability to seamlessly blend humour, compelling drama, and relatable narratives into her films.

Furthermore, Akindele continually demonstrates her ability to evolve and adapt. Whether it’s through the enduring popularity of her iconic character Jenifa, her skilful assembly of all-star casts, or her innovative marketing strategies, she has mastered the art of staying relevant and captivating audiences across all age groups.

The “Jenifa” franchise transcends the realm of a mere movie series; it has become a cultural movement.

Jenifa, Akindele’s beloved character, first captivated the hearts of viewers in “Jenifa’s Diary,” a hit television series that delivered a potent blend of humour and life lessons.

With “Everybody Loves Jenifa,” Akindele has elevated her iconic character to new heights, crafting a narrative that is both side-splittingly funny and profoundly heartwarming.

Check out more movie updates here.

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