Former governor of Lagos State and presidential aspirant, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has donated an N1billion centre to the Lagos State University (LASU).
Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Tunji-Bello, the Vice Chancellor of the institution announced the donation after Dr Obafemi Hamzat, the deputy governor of Lagos State delivered the 25th convocation lecture on behalf of Asiwaju Tinubu who is unavoidably absent at the event.
Leading the dignitaries present at the occasion is Governor Olusola Aduragbemi Sanwo-Olu of Lagos. Also gracing the occasion are Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, representatives of Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State, Deputy Governor of Borno State, Vice Chancellors of various universities across the country.
Also present were two former governors of Lagos State, Princes Adejoke Adefulire and Dr Idiat Adegbule.
Meanwhile, Prof. Peter Okebukola has been decorated as Professor Emeritus by Lagos State University.
A safe, comfortable and modernised taxi scheme has taken off in Lagos State, with the rollout of the first batch of 1,000 brand-new GAC-branded automobiles by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday.
The scheme, codenamed “LAGOS RIDE”, was launched at a well-attended ceremony held at the State House in Alausa according to a release by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Gbenga Akosile revealed.
He stated that, “the ride hailing taxi initiative, which is being operated on a lease-to-own basis, is a component of the State Government’s multimodal transportation blueprint being executed under the Traffic Management and Transportation pillar of the THEMES agenda of the Sanwo-Olu administration.
The initiative is a partnership between Lagos State-owned IBILE Holding Limited and CIG Motors Company Limited, with the objective to provide clean and reliable means of taxis movement across the metropolis at affordable cost, using brand-new vehicles.
Operators are required to pay about N1.9 million down payment, of which the sum covers the 20 per cent equity of cost of vehicle, registration and insurance. Each car being used in the scheme comes with technology-enabled security features that monitor every journey undertaken.
Sanwo-Olu, while launching the scheme, said the State had moved another step forward in its drive to develop an efficient transportation model in tune with modernity and comfort.
The Governor said the aim was not to run existing hailing ride operators out of the business, but to offer safer alternative and clear the roads of rickety cars being used for taxi business. The scheme, he said, will provide opportunities to the operators to become owners of the vehicles within three to four years period.
He said: “The need to provide better, dignifying and more rewarding means of transportation and livelihood for unemployed and underemployed population gave birth to the new ‘Lagos State Taxi Scheme’, which will be operated on a lease-to-own basis. Under this arrangement, a beneficiary will be provided a brand-new car which will become the driver’s property after completion of the payment of the vehicle’s subsidised cost.
“This taxi scheme will complement the various bus services which are making significant impact in the lives of our people; the water transport service, which is recording unprecedented patronage, as well as the Blue and Red Line Rail services which are on course to commence commercial operations between the last quarter of this year and the first quarter of 2023.”
To improve riders’ and passengers’ security, Sanwo-Olu said a full security gadget, including a 360 dashboard camera that will give 24-hour audio-visual feeds to the control centre, had been pre-installed on each car deployed for the scheme.
He added that each car came with a physical panic button that could be used by anyone on board in case of assault or emergency. The panic button, the Governor said, is also on the mobile application and is connected to the Control and Command Centre.
Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the automobile assembly plant being set up in Lagos – another component of the partnership between CIG Motors’ and the State Government – stood at 60 per cent completion, with anticipated launch and start of operations expected in September.
He said: “What we are witnessing today is that, Lagos is moving away from the era of rickety kabu kabu to brand-new, comfortable and safe transport system. The multiplier effect of this singular initiative on job creation, youth employment and economic growth and development in the State cannot be overstated.”
Commissioners for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladehinde, described the scheme as “another milestone achievement” by the State Government, noting that the initiative had joined an array of other innovative solutions initiated in the transport sector, which were targeted at redefining public transportation.
To make the rides affordable, the Commissioner said the technology on which the scheme is operated had made ride-sharing possible for passengers, who would agree to share ride and share transit costs.
Chairman of CIG Motors in Nigeria, Mrs. Diana Chang, said the roadmap for the urbanisation of the transportation system in Lagos started in November 2019 when the Governor and members of his cabinet visited the Republic of China for bilateral partnership. The launch, she said, is the glorious end of the partnership sealed with Chinese investors.
“We are using this partnership to promote a Greater Lagos where opportunities abound for citizens of the State, while creating a win-win model for all stakeholders,” she said.
Managing Director of IBILE Holding, Mr. Abiodun Amokomowo, said over 5,700 drivers had downloaded the driver’s mobile apps as at last Tuesday, out of which 1,786 drivers submitted applications.
Registration and enrolment fee has been accepted from 359 drivers, while others were awaiting screening, Amokomowo said.
He said: “As part of the process each operator will go through for the safety and security of life and effective operations of the scheme, we will conduct full verification of applicants’ Lagos State Drivers’ Institute (LASDRI) ID cards, medical history, background check and verification of NIN and Lagos resident registration numbers.”
The launch of the taxi scheme was received with a warm embrace by ride hailing drivers, who described the initiative as “unique, better alternative”.
Sam Mfuk, who is the first successful driver to get onboard of the scheme, said: “When we first heard about LAGOS RIDE, we were sceptical. But, when we attended the stakeholders’ meetings, we changed our minds. LAGOS RIDE has become the answer to our prayers in ride hailing sector. The details and features they shared with us were clearly thought out and our input was well included in the final model.”
Popular Nigerian Scammer, Ramon Olorunwa Abbas popularly known as HushPuppi, has been caught Again Carrying Out $400,000 Scam behind bars.
Few years ago, the internet was awash with news that popular Gucci Millionaire and Instagram Influencer, Hushpuppi was arrested in the UAE for fraud and extradited to the U.S.
He’s at it again. This time, right behind bars. US prosecutors presented documents before the United States District Court of California on Wednesday 16th March 2022 with fresh evidence indicting HushPuppi of committing fraud and money laundering in U.S Federal correctional facility.
In court documents obtained from the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the Central District of California, Hushpuppi, while in U.SFederal correctional facility, participated in the purchase and laundering of Economic Impact Payment debit cards fraudulently obtained from compromised data of U.S citizens and residents.
Economic Impact Payments are financial support offered by the US government to U.S residents according to the CARES Act.
It is also called stimulus package or stimulus check. One of the ways eligible US residents obtain their Economic Impact Payments is by debit cards. From the documents presented in court, it was found that hackers use data of U.S residents to file and obtain Economic Impact Payments debit cards. They sell off these EIP cards in underground marketplaces to other cyber criminals.
U.S prosecutors said Hushpuppi’s recent frequent internet usage triggered a red flag and they monitored and recorded his internet activity.
The court document read:
Security Alerts on ABBAS Activities
Inmates in correctional facilities across the US are allowed certain activities which includes access to phone calls, video calls, the internet, and computers with limited and regulated usage.
Inmates have constitutional rights to their privacy. Phone calls from correctional facilities by inmates are not recorded except when necessary and a warrant is obtained for this purpose. Inmates internet activities are not logged or recorded except when necessary and a warrant is obtained for this purpose.
ABBAS was also allowed these privileges like every other inmate.
Between 28th January 2022 and 4th March 2022, security officers at the US Federal correctional facility, Central District of California, observed more frequent usage of the internet by ABBAS. With the knowledge that the crimes ABBAS committed which he is being charged for are all internet related crimes, security officers were concerned and informed the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”).
On 7th March 2022, investigators obtained a federal search warrant, issued by Central District of California, to monitor and record ABBAS internet activities.
Security officers at the US Federal correctional facility, Central District of California, were instructed to setup a dedicated computer for ABBAS. Any time ABBAS requests for access to the internet, he should be given that dedicated computer.
Only ABBAS should be given that computer.
From 7th March 2022 to 13th March 2022, investigators monitored and recorded ABBAS internet activities. In this period, he requested internet access daily. He spent an average of 55 minutes for each session.
During this period, we found out that ABBAS was actively buying Economic Impact Payments debit cards from an underground cyber criminal marketplace where hackers sell Economic Impact Payments debit cards for Bitcoins.
The document went further to detail out their shocking findings while recording Hushpuppi’s activities.
Economic Impact Payments Debit Cards Purchase and Money Laundering
Investigators found out that ABBAS uses underground cyber criminal marketplace called StimulusCard (“https://stimuluscard.com/”) which is a marketplace for hackers to sell Economic Impact Payments debit cards for Bitcoins.
On Stimuluscard.com, hackers listed Economic Impact Payments debit cards with different balances. Investigators found Economic Impact Payments debit cards with $1,400 balance to as high as $8,000. These EIP cards were applied for by hackers using compromised and stolen data of US citizens and residents.
Investigators found out that criminals can order a virtual option of Economic Impact Payments debit cards and receive it instantly.
They use this for online purchases. Criminals can also order for the plastic version of Economic Impact Payments debit cards and they receive it to their mail address.
ABBAS bought between 7 to 10 Economic Impact Payments debit cards daily for the period he was recorded. He purchased a total of 58 Economic Impact Payments debit cards in this period, with a total value of $429,800.
Of the 58 Economic Impact Payments debit cards, ABBAS chose the virtual card option for 36 EIP cards and he selected the plastic physical card option for 22 EIP cards.
ABBAS was in constant communication with one AJ. ABBAS sent all the cards he bought from stimuluscard.com to AJ. ABBAS gave instructions to AJ on what to shop online. He gave instructions on what to do with the purchased items.
ABBAS also gave instructions on cash withdrawal from ATMs with the plastic cards.
In the document, the prosecutors mentioned Hushpuppi was constantly buying high end gadgets such as iPhones, gaming consoles, Macbooks, and iPads through his primary contact AJ. Investigators could not ascertain the total proceeds Hushpuppi has laundered from this fraud. Their recorded evidence was for a total of $429,800.
US prosecutors said they are on a mission to unmask the identity of ABBAS’s accomplice “AJ”. They said they are also working with relevant authorities and bodies to take down the underground cyber criminal marketplace called StimulusCard (“https://stimuluscard.com/”).
Ahead of 2023 Presidential election, the National leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked the Senate Caucus of the party to support his ambition to be the President of Nigeria.
Tinubu said he has informed President Buhari about his ambition and promised not to step on his toes but rather step in his shoes. He said, “I told Mr. President that my ambition is not blind to the extent that I will step on his toes. I just want to step into his shoes and not on his toes”.
“I came for your counsel, partnership and support. I believe that you can back me for my life time ambition.”
“I want to beg you to look at my capacity and my experience. I am perhaps the only one who has been in the Senate, who has been a governor and aspiring to become President.”
The APC National Leader was received by the APC Senators as led by the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan in room 301.
Tinubu who hailed the National Assembly for sustaining the nation’s democracy, said that the interest of women is necessary, adding that APC is doing its best to include the interest of women.
Governor Seyi Makinde Presenting Staff of Office The New Olubandan
Oba Mohood Olalekan Ishola Balogun Alli is the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadan land. The official installation of the paramount ruler of Ibadan land was held on Friday March 11, 2022 at the Mapo Hall in the Oyo State capital.
Adorned with a white crown and wine traditional attire popularly known as ‘Aso Oke’, the new Olubadan ascended the throne in grand style to usher in a new dawn in the former capital of old Western Region of Nigeria.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, presented the staff of office to Oba Balogun, now Okumade II, in the presence of prominent traditional and religious leaders from various parts of the country, as well as hundreds of residents of the state.
Some of the prominent traditional rulers physically present at the coronation were the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi; the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, among others.
The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also graced the occasion.
It would be recalled that the late monarch who was crowned on March 4, 2016, died two months ago at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan. He was aged 93.
Following his death, Oba Balogun emerged as the next Olubadan, but not after a controversy over who would succeed Oba Adetunji.
Dashmino 