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ERA/FoN Wants An End To ECAs Facilities In Africa, Nigeria

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By Joseph Kanjo, Benin

Dr. Godwin Uyi Ojo, Executive Director, Environmental Rights Actions/Friends of the Earth, Nigeria, Monday called on developed countries to as a matter of urgency put an end to activities of Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) facilities in Africa Nigeria in particular, saying they are injurious and negative to the development of renewable energy in the continent, Nigeria inclusive.

ECAs are business enterprises who obtain money from industrialised countries as a loan and deploy such loans to developing countries and forced the recipient countries government to guarantee such loans.

Dr. Uyi Ojo, while briefing newsmen on a research carried out by ERA and four other bodies from different countries on activities of ECAs, described their (ECAs) activities in Africa particularly Nigeria as huge obstacles to development and transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy by developing countries.

He called on African governments to stop the acceptance of fossil fuel projects driven by European countries via their Export Credit Agencies(ECAs).

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“We consider the ECAs of the industrialised countries as a huge obstacles to development and transition from fossil fuels to renewable by developing countries.

“Therefore, we are calling on developed countries to dismantle, as a matter of urgency, Export Credit Facilities because they are inimical to development, and they are highly injurious and negative to the development for renewable energy sources in Africa (sic), and Nigeria is one of the countries suffering this. The impacts are so severe.

“The locals have continued to blame especially Shell Oil Company, and the Nigerian government for their impoverishment and human rights violations.

“To ensure improved clean energy access, there is the need for a post-petroleum economy devoid of oil and gas and embracing renewable energy sources to reduce carbon footprints and address climate change impact”, he said.

While stating that as far as energy transition in Africa is concerned ECAs activities have been double standard, the ED noted that from 2013 to 2020 $80b has been given to developing countries-Ghana, Nigeria, Togo and Uganda mainly to develop oil and gas, and that only 1% was assigned to renewable energy, adding that this 1% was for Nigeria only.

READ ALSO: ERA/FoEN Crisis: Nnimmo Bassey Advised Not To Convene “Illegal Board Meeting”

Further speaking on double standard of ECAs in Africa, Dr. Uyi Ojo said these companies involved in energy development in their countries while undermining that of Africa, saying “they tell us that they are supporting Africa in energy transition whereas reverse is the case.”

He continues, “Secondly, double standard in the sense that they involved in energy transition in their own countries while undermining countries like Nigeria and continually infringing on their development plan with huge debt which they know may likely cripple the countries’ economy.

“Between 2013 and 2020, some industrialised countries have put together over $80billion for Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, and Uganda, mainly to develop oil and gas that is been phased out in Europe.

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“ECAs- Export Credit Agencies is a business enterprise purely for business. but the money is given by industrialised countries to these companies as a loan, and they go to the developing countries such as Nigeria and deploy these loans and force the Nigeria government to and other recipient countries to guarantee those loans.”

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‘Dey Play,’ Nigerians Mock Prophet Who Claims World Ends Today

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A self-acclaimed cleric identified as Prophet Metuh has stirred reactions on social media after claiming that the world will end on Thursday (today).

He claimed to have gotten the ‘clear message’ and the date was clear that the world will end on April 25, 2024.

In a video that has since gone viral on X, Metuh said, “By the 25th of April, the world is going to end. If you like take this serious, if you don’t like don’t take it seriously.

“But this is real, rapture is coming, on the 25th of April 2024, I saw it very clear, do you understand? I saw the date very clear and the lord ministered to me. He mentioned it twice, it has happened twice.”

READ ALSO: VIDEO: Meet Nigerian Pastor Who Predicted World Will End April 25

He also berated social media users attacking him over his rapture claim.

This is not a joke, this is a reality. Rapture is coming, prepare yourself. The message was very clear and the date is also very clear, 25th of April 2024. Rapture is coming. The world has come to an end and that is just the reality.

“I have seen a lot of reactions and comments on social media but it doesn’t really matter. What matters is that you have to prepare yourself. The message was very clear, it is not for me to finetune for you to be happy or for you to like it. It is to pass the message as I got it and that is what I have done.

“So, prepare yourselves. This is not a joke, rapture is coming. The world is coming to an end.”

READ ALSO:Prophet Drowned During Baptism, Torn To Pieces By Crocodile

But reacting to his claims, some social media users faulted his claim, saying even Jesus Christ was not given knowledge of the exact time of the rapture.

Ufezime Nelson Ubi wrote, “Go and sit down, even our saviour Jesus Christ do not know the day rapture will take place if at all there is going to be one.”

@jayshualoffixial said, “The man even called his name😂😂😂. Wetin we use your name dey do on rapture dey abi you wan chase clout for heaven?”

Also, @tamtamsege wrote, “The problem is you have all followed a well funded propaganda. And now there is confusion everywhere.”

READ ALSO: How Nigerian Prophet Rejected $300,000 Cash Gift From A Nigerian Politician

@Supremebeing241 wrote, “The same Oyibo that sold religion to you are busy forecasting the weather and drinking beer in the pub every other weekend. But this man who possibly has no less than £2,000 to his name believes “God” spoke to him? What’s that saying again? “Dey play”?

Victor Osemudiame said, “Day don break. It’s almost noon, I never hear horn since I enter office how much more trumpet? The day God go show these fake pastors him other side eh.”

@josephine_ngg wrote, “Make I go sell all my properties use the money chop life B4 I go heaven 😌”

@official_wyreG said, “Please those going please send your remaining funds to my account oooo.”

@IVY_MIKE_SirB wrote, “Government needs to step in and stop all these misleading people because their actions and inactions are a great threat to the existence of humanity. Such a thread shouldn’t be allowed to continue. He needs to be prosecuted for spreading such fake information.”

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Edo To Sanction Property Owners Over Nonpayment Of Land Use Charge, Gives Ultimatum

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The Edo State Government has urged residents and property owners in the state on prompt payment of the land use charges associated with properties under their ownership/occupation to avoid enforcement of actions stipulated by the state Land Use Charge Law 2023, as amended.

The Managing Director of the Edo Geographic Information Service (EdoGIS), Mrs. Osaro Grace Aihie, in a notice made available to journalists in Benin City, said the enforcement action include seizure of the property, imposition of penalties and interests and institution of legal actions to recover the debt, among others.

She said the notice was in accordance with the provisions of Section 30 of the Land Use Charge Law of 2023.

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According to her, “In accordance with the provisions of Section 30 of the Land Use Charge Law of 2023, this notice serves to inform you that there are outstanding land use charges associated with properties under your ownership/occupation. It is imperative that these charges are settled promptly to avoid further enforcement actions as stipulated by the Edo State Land Use Charge Law 2023 as amended.”

Aihie explained that enforcement action will include but may not be limited to the following steps, “Seizure which involves the closure of the property until payment is made in full; imposition of Penalties and Interest as penalties and interest will continue to accrue on the outstanding amount until full payment is made, and legal action”, adding that “If the outstanding amount is not settled within 30 days upon receipt of this notice, legal action will be taken to recover the debt.”

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She further stated, “We would like to avoid taking such drastic measures and urge you to settle the outstanding land use charge as soon as possible to avoid any further escalation of the situation.”

Please contact us immediately at our office to discuss payment options or to seek clarification on the outstanding amount. Failure to respond to this notice and settle the outstanding land use charge will result in legal action being taken against you,” the EdoGIS MD charged.

She also warned, “Please do not pay cash to anybody; ensure you pay your money to a dedicated account specified on your LUC demand notice, and please do not deal with middle men.”

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JUST IN: Senator Ayogu Eze Is Dead

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A former Senator who represented Enugu North Senatorial district in the National Assembly, Senator Ayogu Eze is dead.

A reliable source told Vanguard that Eze who was in the National Assembly between 2007 and 2015 died on Thursday in an Abuja hospital at the age of 66 after suffering from a protracted illness.

For the 8 years he spent in the Senate, Eze served as Committee Chairman on Information and Media during the first four years and after his reelection to the senate in 2011, was appointed chairman committee on works.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Protesters Storm APC Secretariat, Demand Ganduje’s Resignation

Eze also served as a member of committees on Police Affairs, National Planning, Marine Transport and Federal Character & Inter-Government Affairs and also member of the Constitution Drafting and Amendment Committee that made some novel changes to Nigeria’s 1999 constitution.

A youth leader from his community, Umuiyda autonomous community in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, Ikechukwu Eze who confirmed it, said he can’t talk now because they are in shock over the sad news.

He said the death of Senator Eze was a big loss to the zone and Nigeria in general.

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We heard the sad news. We are mourning him now. His death is a loss to us, the state and Nigeria,” he said.

Sen. Eze, born 23 November 1958, was elected Senator for the Enugu North Senatorial District of Enugu State, Nigeria, taking office on June 5, 2007.

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