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EFCC Boss says Cyber Crime threatens Nigeria’s Assets 

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EFCC
EFCC

Ola Olukoyede, the Chairman,  of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday said cyber crime activities threaten the nation’s most significant assets, its reputation, and economic well-being”. He also warned that it poses grave dangers globally and nationally, urging collective action.

The EFCC boss made the call at the opening ceremony of the Commission’s National Cybercrime Summit at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, emphasizing the devastating impact of cybercrime on Nigerian youth, eroding traditional values and promoting a get-rich-quick mentality.

Speaking at the summit with the theme: “Alternatives to cybercrime: Optimizing cyber skills for National Development”, Olukoyede noted that global cybercrime losses have been projected to reach $10.5 trillion, ranking it the world’s third-largest economy, with approximately 2,328 daily cases.

He said Nigeria has suffered significantly, losing over $500 million to cybercrime in 2022, even as the EFCC recorded 3,455 convictions in the past year, with a substantial portion attributed to cybercrime.

According to him, the commission recovered significant assets for local and foreign victims. Olukoyede addressed concerns about the EFCC’s focus on internet crimes, reaffirming cybercrime’s threat to Nigeria’s reputation, economic well-being and key assets.

The EFCC chairman stressed the importance of engaging state governors in tackling cybercrime at all levels. ”This time around, we are not only interrogating the problems, we are aggregating workable solutions to it. What alternative do we have for our youth? And that’s where it has become imperative to bring the state governors so that as we are tackling it at the federal level, sub nationals will also have a role to play.

“The enormity of challenges posed to us as individuals and as a country by cyber crimes are grievous as individuals. Youth involvement in these crimes is distorting and corrupting acceptable family values. The tendency towards quick riches no longer positions our young people for enterprise, resourceful intellectual aspirations and technological innovations.

“Projections by multiple sources show that the global loss to cyber crimes may reach a staggering $10.5 trillion, as a matter of fact, the research I did earlier this year confirmed that cyber crime has become the third largest GDP in the world, with approximately 2328 cases recorded daily.

“The implication of all this is that, if left unchecked, cyber crimes portend grave dangers to the entire world. “Bringing it to Nigeria, in 2022 alone, Nigeria lost over $500 million to cyber crimes. These are the realities stalking the Commission’s fight against these crimes. Cyber Crime accounts for a significant percentage of the 3455 convictions recorded by EFCC in my one year as the Executive Chairman of EFCC.

“A significant portfolio of choice assets have also been recovered and returned to both local and foreign victims of cyber crimes by the Commission. We are not oblivious of insinuations and misconception in some quarters that the commission is concentrating its operational works on the fight against internet crimes.

“While this narrative is not really true, the fact remains that cyber crime threatens the nation’s most significant assets, its reputation and economic well being”, he said.

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GRPolitics

Prosecute Obaseki over Edo Mayhem, Ban Yiaga from election monitoring, INEC Told

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Godwin Obaseki of Edo State
Godwin Obaseki, Governor of Edo State

The Federal Government has been told to end the anarchy being perpetuated in Edo state by prosecuting the out-going Governor Godwin Obaseki, who is bent on burning down the state after his party lost election during the last governorship election in the state.

The Centre For Political Orientation and Leadership Training, Professor Mike Otabor, made this known while delivering a paper in a workshop titled, “Governance for 21st Century African Leaders” in Abuja.

Otabor who is also an Executive Director and Resource Person at the Centre questioned the rationale for African politicians reacting so negatively each time they lose election but will not revert otherwise when they win nor appreciate the voting public.

Siting the ongoing situation in Edo state, Professor Otabor condemned Governor Godwin Obaseki for sponsoring violent protests in Benin city just because his party lost the governorship election of 21st September 2024.

He went further to reflect on the past when the governor won two previous governorship elections and a recent local government election where results were being announced even when the voting was still ongoing.

He stated; “I monitored the local government election. One popular young man got so much support from his community in Edo north and was leading with a huge margin when the result was announced.”

“The young man did not burn down his community. If he did, Obaseki would have arrested him for causing mayhem. I think Obaseki is not above the law.”

“The Federal Government should arrest him when he hands over power in November for causing mayhem and for ‘burning down’ the state. That is how to make laws work. Tinubu should use him to set example.”

Professor Otabor also admonished politicians who believed that power must remain with them like Obaseki. He was so high-handed and has even dragged one prominent election observer into the mud.

He went further to criticise Yiaga Africa for allowing politicians to use them in a sensitive election like this.

Even before they could submit their report, they quickly went on air to condemn INEC which was what Obaseki needed to cause mayhem in the state.

The government and INEC should take notice of the election observers like Yiaga as they are not acting for the interest of the people but for their own.

“I used to respect Yiaga Africa. The way they came out to condemn the election, which was highly monitored by many local and international agencies, shows that Yiaga Africa was biased.”

“We had representatives in Edo state throughout the election, and report revealed that on Sunday, a day after the election, Yiaga was with Governor Obaseki in the government house.”

“At the time Yiaga was invited to government house, he already got feelers that he was losing the election, and he quickly recruited Yiaga to do the dirty job of mudslinging a perfect election.”

“Let Yiaga explain to the world what they went to do in Government House, Benin City, when the results of the election were still being compiled. We have records. If they deny we will expose them.”

Prof Otabor also called on INEC to investigate Yiaga and ban them from observing future  elections in Nigeria if found culpable in the Edo election report.

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Governor Peter Mbah Signs Multi-million Dollar Joint Venture To Birth Job Opportunities, Promote Sports And Youth Development In Enugu State

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The Governor Of Enugu State, Governor Peter Mbah has disclosed a recent deal he signed for the good of the people of Enugu. On his Facebook page he wrote;

“I was delighted to sign a multi-million dollar joint venture agreement with the Del-York Group for “The 042 Arena and Entertainment Park” over the weekend.

The multi-purpose sports and entertainment hub is designed to focus on key areas of development, training, innovation, education, talent discovery, hospitality, and entertainment, among others.

The Sports Arena will on completion feature training facilities, athlete housing, a physical therapy and sports medicine centre, and a performance centre, while the Entertainment Park will have a variety of designs, including screening rooms, stages, amphitheaters; and live, work and play facilities, among others.

It gladdens my heart that investors are now favouring our dear state as a location for businesses and investments. This demonstrates the success of our ceaseless efforts to make Enugu the safest place to live, invest, play sports, and enjoy leisure.

I’m hopeful that this project will create thousands of jobs for Ndi Enugu and also attract more investors and tourists to our state. It will also provide a platform for our young people to showcase their talents, thereby promoting sports and youth development in our state and the entire South-East region.

Many thanks to the CEO of Del-York, Linus Idahosa, who came up with the concept and chose Enugu as the planting soil. My administration will give him and his team all the needed support to flourish.”

Here are pictures from the signing ceremony.

We commend the Governor on this development.

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Governor Peter Mbah Appreciates Dave Umahi Over Swift Response To Work On A Recently collapsed Bridge In Enugu State

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Governor Peter Mbah Appreciates The Minister For Works, Dave Umahi Over Swift Response To Work On A Recently collapsed Bridge In Enugu State

The bridge which is on the federal road, had sunk in on Monday.Thank God no casualties were recorded due to the less movements around the area on the it happened.

Here’s what the Governor wrote;

“Yesterday evening, I had the pleasure of welcoming the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, to Enugu State. The minister who came to inspect the collapsed bridge between the New Artisan flyover and the Naira Triangle, at the Enugu – Port Harcourt expressway, assured me of its immediate reconstruction.

“He commended me for ameliorating the plights of my people by undertaking to dualise the Enugu State’s part of the Enugu-Abakaliki road, and also assured me that the federal government would expedite the necessary approvals.

“I sincerely appreciate the minister for the prompt response, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for inclusive leadership. This, for us, underscores the president’s commitment to his oath of office.”

Here are pictures from the scene visit

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