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  • Beijing simplifies marriages to encourage Chinese to wed

    Beijing simplifies marriages to encourage Chinese to wed

    China on Saturday announced measures to simplify the marriage registration process and lessen the financial burden on couples, the latest initiative by Beijing to boost births.

    Couples having children outside of marriage is rare in China, where there is social stigma and fewer protections for such families.

    Measures have already been taken to tackle the decline in couples tying the knot and having children, such as cash incentives and pledges to build more childcare infrastructure.

    The latest step allows people to register their marriage where they live, state broadcaster CCTV reported Saturday citing a government document.

    “This reform is aimed at addressing the needs of people who live or work away from their registered hometowns, particularly younger generations,” state news agency Xinhua reported.

    Until now, couples have had to travel to wherever the bride or groom is named in the civil registry, which has created travel and financial burdens.

    For example, a couple living in Beijing in the country’s north, would not have been able to register their marriage in the capital if they came from different parts of the country.

    “To better respond to public expectations and based on the success of pilot projects, the registration of marriages in the whole country will be implemented,” CCTV announced.

    As China faces an uncertain economic outlook, the country saw marriages decline by one-fifth last year and experienced a third consecutive year of overall population decline.

    In a further step to address the issue, the Ministry of Civil Affairs will promote the “fight against certain harmful customs such as high ‘bride prices’ and wasteful expenses for weddings,” according to CCTV.

    The “bride price” is usually cash offered by the groom’s family to his future wife.

    It is often seen as a mark of respect towards in-laws and a contribution to a young couple’s life together.

    But the cost can sometimes be prohibitively high and create financial pressure on the groom’s family, as well as increasing social inequality.

    Among the numerous reasons young Chinese hesitate to wed and have children is a shortage of savings to buy an apartment, a step which usually comes before marriage.

    Education fees are also a key factor, whether daycare costs or private tuition that is seen as almost essential for a child’s academic success.

  • Female Naval officer abducted in Abuja, Police mum

    Female Naval officer abducted in Abuja, Police mum

    Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a Nigerian Navy officer attached to the Defence Headquarters, Lt. Cynthia Akor, along with two others in Abuja.

    Sources said the officer and others were kidnapped from their residence in the Mpape area of the Federal Capital Territory on Friday night.

    A source said the kidnappers have contacted the families of the hostages, demanding a ransom of N100 million for their release.

    Among the three people who were kidnapped on Friday night in the Mpape area is a DHQ official, Akor.

    The kidnappers have already reached out to their families and are demanding N100m ransom,” the source said.

    FCT Police authorities have refused to comment on the development but Vanguard gathered that investigations have commenced with the matter.

    Meanwhile, joint Police, Navy and Defence headquarters teams have launched a manhunt for the abductors as well as a search and rescue effort.

    Both the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, and the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau are yet to comment on the development

  • Fed account receives N2.3trn as FAAC shares N1.7trn to FG, states, LG

    Fed account receives N2.3trn as FAAC shares N1.7trn to FG, states, LG

    The Federation Account received a gross revenue of N2.344 trillion in the month of February 2025, out of which the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) shared the sum of N1. .678 trillion to the federal, states and local government councils for their expenditures in the month of March.

    Total deduction for cost of collection was N89.092 billion while total transfers, interventions, refunds and savings stood at N577.097 billion.
    A statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Bawa Mokwa, in Abuja, on Saturday revealed that the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, personally chaired the FAAC meeting, which was attended by the Accountant General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi.

    The total distributable revenue of N1.678 trillion comprised distributable statutory revenue of N827.633 billion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N 609.430 billion, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N35.171 billion, Solid Minerals revenue of N28.218 billion and Augmentation of N178 billion.

    Details of the revenue showed that the N1.653 trillion shared by FAAC this month was lower than the sum of N1.848 trillion shared to the three tiers of government last month by N194.664 billion.
    The sum of N654.456 billion was available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) which was lower than the N771.886 billion available in the previous month by N117.430 billion.
    Out of the total distributable revenue of N1.678 trillion, the Federal Government received the sum of N569.656 billion; the State Governments received N562.195 billion; while the LGs received N410.559 billion.
    A separate sum of N136.042 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the oil-producing states as derivation revenue.
    On the N827.633 billion distributable statutory revenue, the Federal Government received N366.262 billion and the State Governments received N185.773 billion.
    The Local Government Councils received N143.223 billion and the sum of N132.374 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared with the benefiting States as derivation revenue.
    Out of the N609.430 billion distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue, the Federal Government received N91.415 billion, the State Governments received N304.715 billion and the Local Government Councils received N213.301 billion.
    The sum of N5.276 billion was received by the Federal Government from the N35.171 billion Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL).  The State Governments received N17.585 billion, while Local Government Councils received N12.310 billion.
    From the N28.218 billion Solid Minerals revenue, the Federal Government received N12.933 billion and the State Governments received N6.560 billion.
    The Local Government Councils received N5.057 billion and a total sum of N3.668 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.
    The Augmentation of N178 billion was shared as follows: Federal Government received N93.770 billion, the State Governments received N47.562 billion and the Local Government Councils received N36.668 billion.

    The statement said the analysis of revenue in the months under review indicated that Oil and Gas Royalty and Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), increased significantly, while Value Added Tax (VAT), Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Companies Income Tax (CIT), Excise Duty, Import Duty and CET Levies headed the opposite direction.

  • Reps deny collecting $5,000 to endorse Rivers emergency declaration

    Reps deny collecting $5,000 to endorse Rivers emergency declaration

    The House of Representatives has denied allegations that each member was induced with $5,000 to ratify President Bola Tinubu’s request on the State of Emergency declaration in Rivers State.

    Deputy spokesman of the House, Hon. Philip Agbese (Benue, APC) while responding to the issue in an interview with journalists in Abuja on Saturday, described the allegation as false, malicious and emanating from “the pit of hell.”

    According to Agbese, Thursday’s resolution of the House on the State of Emergency declaration in Rivers was done out of patriotism and in the interest of restoring lasting peace to River State.

    He said, “The allegation that members of the House of Representatives were induced with $5,000 to pass a resolution, is unfair to the Parliament. Very, very unfair to the Parliament. What we did on Thursday was to align ourselves with what I call the wisdom of King Solomon.

    “All insinuations that any individual was given money to give to members is nothing but lies from the pit of hell. The opposition should see the good things that we are doing day and night for the country.

    “At no point did members of the House engage in any financial inducement in relation to the state of emergency declaration. The decision was taken after extensive deliberations on the security and political situation in Rivers State, in line with our constitutional responsibilities to safeguard national stability. Any suggestion that lawmakers were bribed is pure fiction, designed to serve the interests of those who seek to distort facts and create unnecessary tension in the country.

    “The House of Representatives remains an independent institution guided by democratic principles, the rule of law, and the collective will of the Nigerian people. Our duty is to make decisions that align with the national interest, not to succumb to baseless distractions aimed at eroding public trust. The allegations of bribery are a desperate attempt to discredit the House and must be dismissed as the political comedy that it is.

    “What the President did was like what King Solomon did when the two women who were fighting over the propriety of a child came to him. These people in Rivers, are all interested in the progress and development of Rivers State. They love the state, and they are working hard for it. But one way or the other, disagreements arose among the parties which escalated, and Mr. President, in his wisdom, decided to impose a state of emergency for a period of time so as to allow the two parties to come together, in order to further deepen our democracy.”

    He said as members of Parliament interested in the peace and well-being of the people of Rivers State, they approved the State of Emergency declaration in Rivers out of patriotism and not for any pecuniary consideration as being alleged.

    “We have seen some of the developments in River State. The government is not doing badly. But what we are saying is that we don’t want the breakdown of institutions as far as River State is concerned,” said Agbese.

    “We deployed our wisdom as a Parliament, not to pander to sentiments or views expressed by groups outside. Yes, we are a people’s Parliament. We listen to the voices of Nigerians. Of course, some people say the state of emergency by Mr. President is wrong. Some also believe that it was done in the right manner to ensure that there is peace in that state.

    “As a Parliament, our interest is to form a bridge, to ensure that our democracy continues to work. As a Parliament, our interest is to protect our democracy and democratic institutions. We resolved as a Parliament to make certain amendments to the proclamations made by Mr. President.

    He said the Parliament in its wisdom made some key adjustments to Mr President’s emergency proclamation before ratifying it.

    “One is that, the Parliament remains the law-making body as far as the country is concerned. We resolved that the National Assembly would take over the legislative duties of the Rivers Assembly within the time that the state of emergency is enforced.

    “Secondly, we resolved as a Parliament that it must not necessarily be for six months for the parties to come together and resolve. Even if it is within two weeks, that these parties can resolve their differences and show that they are on the same page, Mr. President, in his wisdom, should also reduce the period from 180 days.”

    Agbese said he believes that Tinubu as a true democrat will not work against democratic institutions in the country.

    “We know Mr. President very well. He is a democrat. He has fought for the institutions of our democracy as far as Nigeria is concerned. And he is one man who would always want to protect this democracy. He is a President that we know as a Parliament,” he said.

    “We have been relating with him as the President of the country for the past almost two years now. We have been relating with him as our President. We have seen his concerns. The 10th House of Representatives has seen the genuine concerns and we believe and trust that if these issues are resolved in less than six months, Mr. President is going to put an end to the state of emergency in that state.”

    Agbese said the House, in its wisdom, equally resolved that a tri-partite committee comprising eminent Nigerians, members of the Parliament and members of the Executive Council, on the other hand, be constituted to ensure that the warring groups in Rivers State are brought to a roundtable and an amicable resolution is reached.

    Agbese, while disabusing the minds of Nigerians over the allegations of inducements of members, blamed “fifth columnists” and oppositions, whom he said, are out to tarnish the image of the parliament.

    The Benue lawmaker urged Nigerians to continue to extend the kind of support they have always extended to them, assuring that they will always work in the people’s interest as ‘Peoples’ House’.

    He expressed optimism that at the end of the State of Emergency, both the Rivers State Government and the Rivers Assembly will bounce back stronger for the overall good and progress of the state.

    On the controversy over quorum, Agbese said the House satisfied the requirement of quorum with 243 members in attendance during the exercise.

  • Heavyweight boxing legend George Foreman dies aged 76

    Heavyweight boxing legend George Foreman dies aged 76

    Boxing heavyweight legend George Foreman has died aged 76.
    Known as Big George in the ring, the American built one of the most remarkable and enduring careers in the sport, winning Olympic gold in 1968 and claiming the world heavyweight title twice, 21 years apart – the second making him the oldest champion in history aged 45.

    He lost his first title to Muhammad Ali in their famous Rumble in the Jungle fight in 1974. But overall, he boasted an astonishing total of 76 wins including 68 knockouts, almost double that of Ali.
    Foreman retired in 1997 but not before he agreed to put his name to a best-selling grill – a decision that went on to bring him fortunes that dwarfed his boxing earnings.
    His family said in a post on Instagram on Friday night: “Our hearts are broken. A devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great grandfather, he lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility, and purpose.”
    The statement added: “A humanitarian, an Olympian, and two time heavyweight champion of the world, He was deeply respected – a force for good, a man of discipline, conviction, and a protector of his legacy, fighting tirelessly to preserve his good name – for his family.”
    Tributes poured in from others across the sport, with former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson saying Foreman’s “contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten”.
    The Ring magazine, often dubbed the Bible of Boxing, described him as “one of the greatest heavyweights of all time”.

    “[He] will be remembered as an icon of the sport forever.”

    Foreman was born in Marshall, Texas, on 10 January 1949, and raised along with six siblings by a single mother in the segregated American South.

    He dropped out of school and turned to street robberies before eventually finding his outlet in the ring.

    Foreman won the heavyweight gold medal at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, aged 19, before turning pro and winning 37 consecutive matches. He lost only five bouts over his career.

    He beat previously undefeated reigning champion Joe Frazier in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1973 knocking him down six times in the first two rounds.

    His 1974 Rumble in the Jungle against Ali in Kinshasa, Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of the Congo, remains one of the most famous boxing matches ever.

    Ali, the older man, was the underdog after he was stripped of his crown seven years earlier for refusing to be drafted into the Vietnam War.

    Foreman reflected on the legendary fight 50 years later in an October interview with BBC World Service Newshour, explaining that everyone thought he was going to decimate Ali.

    “Oh, he’s not going to last one round,” the boxer said experts were predicting at the time.

    Foreman told the BBC he typically would get “real nervous” and have “butterflies” before any boxing match, but that night – it was the “most comfortable” he had felt.

    But the wily Ali used a tactic that later became known as “rope-a-dope”, which wore out Foreman, causing him to throw out hundreds of punches before Ali unloaded on him in the eighth round and scored a knockout.

    After a second professional loss, Foreman retired in 1977 and became an ordained minister at the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Texas, which he founded and built.

    He told the BBC his defeat to Ali became the “best thing that ever happened to me” as it ultimately led him to “get my message out” through preaching.

    Foreman launches his grill in London, UK, in 2001

    He recalled that his preaching started small, on street corners and with friends, then grew.

    “We began meeting informally at various homes in Houston, and before long, the crowds became too large for most houses to accommodate,” Foreman said on his website.

    “Eventually, we bought a piece of land and an old, dilapidated building on the north-east side of Houston.”

    Foreman came out of retirement in 1987 to raise money for a youth centre he founded. He won 24 matches before losing to Evander Holyfield after 12 rounds in 1991.

    In 1994, Foreman knocked out undefeated Michael Moorer to become the oldest ever heavyweight champion at age 45.

    He became ad pitchman for his George Foreman Grill, which millions have purchased since it hit the market in 1994, thanks in part to his memorable catchphrase, the “Lean Mean Grilling Machine”.

    Foreman was married five times. He has a dozen children, including five sons who are all named George.

    He explained on his website that he named them after himself so they “they would always have something in common”.

    “I say to them, ‘If one of us goes up, then we all go up together,” he explained. “And if one goes down, we all go down together!’”

  • Police detain suspected car thief, recover 2 stolen vehicles in Lagos

    Police detain suspected car thief, recover 2 stolen vehicles in Lagos

    The Police Command in Lagos State has detained a 22-year-old member of an armed robbery syndicate specializing in car theft.

    The command’s spokesman, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest and detention in a statement to journalists on Saturday in Lagos.

    Hundeyin said that the suspect was apprehended in the Ikotun area of the state through intelligence gathering.

    “The syndicate targets vehicles in the Eastern part of Nigeria and transports their victims’ cars to Lagos and sell them.

    “During interrogation, he confessed to receiving three Lexus 330 and one Lexus 350 2017 model from an accomplice, a woman, who is still at large,” Hundeyin said.

    The police image maker said that the suspect led a team of operatives to where he sold the cars.

    “One Lexus 350 silver in color and a Lexus 330 black in color were recovered,” he said.

    According to him, efforts are in top gear to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and possible recovery of all the stolen vehicles.

    The spokesperson said that the suspect was assisting team of police operatives to recover the remaining two Lexus cars.

  • Ifon/Ilobu crisis: Adeleke extends curfew to 24 hours

    Ifon/Ilobu crisis: Adeleke extends curfew to 24 hours

    Following the raging communal clash between Ifon and Ilobu communities, the Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has declared a 24-hour curfew in two local government areas of the state.

    The communities have been at loggerheads with each other over land disputes which resulted in killings and razing of houses. On Friday, three people were reportedly killed including an ex-councillor. Several people sustained gunshot wounds leading to the displacement of women and children in the area.

    Osun State Government, in a statement on Saturday through the Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, said: “Adeleke has approved that the curfew be extended to Erin-Osun town. The curfew time is now 24 hours daily.”

    “Governor directs all security agencies such as the Military, Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp NSCDC, Immigration, NDLEA, and Amotekun among others to extend its security surveillance to the community.

    “All the security agencies are to ensure strict compliance to the curfew, which is now 24 hours daily until peace is restored. The imposed curfew was necessary to forestall escalation of the crisis and breakdown of law and order due to the communal clashes in the communities.”

    Similarly, in a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke assured the people of Ilobu and Ifon communities that speedy conflict resolution steps are being taken to restore peace even as he directed the emergency services agency to activate its operations

    The governor said his administration has re-strategised on resolving the conflict with multiple peacebuilding options which are being unveiled and implemented.

    “I assure the people of Ilobu and Ifon that I am committed to securing their lives and properties. I have updated the presidency of development in the state. We are on top of the situation,” the governor said.

    “Meanwhile, we seek to bring to the attention of the public that old videos of communal conflicts in some parts of Osun state are being circulated by opposition elements to spread false pictures of insecurity in Osun state.

    “While the ongoing conflict is regrettable and while all hands are on deck to stop the violence, we inform the public to take note of the activities of fake news merchants who are digging up old videos to discredit the state government.

    “The videos being circulated of violence in other towns and villages in Osun are fake news and should be disregarded by the members of the public.”

  • Hearing on DSS ₦5bn defamation case against SERAP begins

    Hearing on DSS ₦5bn defamation case against SERAP begins

    ABUJA: A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on Friday began hearing the case of defamation instituted by two operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

    The officers instituted the case last September following SERAP’s refusal to apologise to the DSS after accusing operatives of the secret police of invading its Abuja office.

    Miffed by the action of the civil society organisation, the DSS officers, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, filed the defamation lawsuit in October 2024, seeking ₦5 billion in damages from SERAP.

    In addition to the remedy sought by the officers for what they called reputational harm, the two officers also demanded that SERAP should publish an apology on its website, national dailies and television stations.
    The duo also demanded the payment of N50 million for legal costs and 10 per cent annual interest on the N5 billion until payment is completed.

    At the resumed hearing, the court advised the defence (SERAP) to go through all the six documents tendered by the plaintiffs.
    The judge stressed that all objections would be part of the final written address.
    The hearing kicked off with the cross-examination of the first claimant, John, referred to as PW1 (plaintiff witness 1) by the counsel to the first and second defendants.

    SERAP was represented in court by Divine Oguru, while its deputy director was represented by Oluwatosin Adesoye, who apologised for the absence of his client.
    Akinolu Kehinde, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who represented the plaintiffs, said he was fully prepared for the hearing.
    The defence counsel cross-examined the DSS operative John on events surrounding the alleged invasion of SERAP’s office last year.

    Both counsels pushed the argument that the claimants’ names were not mentioned by SERAP hence not justified in the claims before the court.
    But John stated that SERAP’s allegations negatively impacted her reputation, that of her colleague, as well as all personnel of the DSS.

    After a session that lasted about an hour, the judge adjourned to May 8, 2025, for continuation.

  • FAAC: FG, states, LGs share N1.678trn for February

    FAAC: FG, states, LGs share N1.678trn for February

    The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), has shared N1.678 trillion among the Federal Government, states and the Local Government Councils (LGCs) for the month of February.

    This is according to a communiqué issued by FAAC and made available by Bawa Mokwa, the Director, Press and Public Relations, Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF).

    According to the communiqué, the total revenue of N1.678 trillion comprised statutory revenue of N827.633 billion and Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N 609.430 billion.

    It also comprised Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N35.171 billion, Solid Minerals revenue of N28.218 billion and Augmentation of N178 billion.

    It said that a total gross revenue of N2.344 trillion was available in the month of February.

    “Total deduction for cost of collection was N89.092 billion while total transfers, interventions, refunds and savings was N577.097 billion,’” it said.

    The communiqué said that gross statutory revenue of N1.653 trillion was received for the month of February, which was lower than the sum of N1.848 trillion received in January by N194.664 billion.

    It said that gross revenue of N654.456 billion was available from VAT in February, lower than the N771.886 billion available in January by N117.430 billion.

    The communiqué said that from the total distributable revenue of N1.678 trillion, the Federal Government received total sum of N569.656 billion and the state governments received total sum of N562.195 billion.

    It said that the LGCs received total sum of N410.559 billion, and a total sum of N136.042 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue.

    “On the N827.633 billion statutory revenue, the Federal Government received N366.262 billion and the state governments received N185.773 billion.

    “The LGCs received N143.223 billion and the sum of N132.374 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue,” the communiqué said.

    It said that from the N609.430 billion VAT revenue, the Federal Government received N91.415 billion, the state governments received N304.715 billion and the LGCs received N213.301 billion.

    “A total sum of N5.276 billion was received by the Federal Government from the N35.171 billion EMTL. The state governments received N17.585 billion and the LGCs received N12.310 billion.

    “From the N28.218 billion Solid Minerals revenue, the Federal Government received N12.933 billion and the state governments received N6.560 billion.

    “The LGCs received N5.057 billion and a total sum of N3.668 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue,’” it said.

    It said that Oil and Gas Royalty and EMTL, increased significantly while VAT, Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Companies Income Tax, Excise Duty, Import Duty and CET Levies recorded decrease.

  • President Tinubu donates 7,000 bags of rice in Zamfara

    President Tinubu donates 7,000 bags of rice in Zamfara

    President Bola Tinubu has donated 7000 bags of rice to the All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Zamfara as a Ramadan package.

    The State Publicity Secretary of the party, Yusuf Idris, disclosed this in a statement issued in Gusau on Saturday

    He said that the distribution of the largesse was inuagurated on Friday in Gusau by the Minister of State, Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle.

    Represented by the State APC Chairman, Alhaji Tukur Danfulani, the minister handed over the commodity to the party’s executives at the APC Secretariat, Gusau.

    He said the gesture was a personal donation from Tinubu to reduce the economic hardship among the APC members and less-privileged persons in the state.

    The minister explained that the 7000 bags of rice were to be distributed free to all the targetted beneficiaries including the state executives, local governments’ and wards’ executives.

    Matawalle urged the party members to continue to pray for sustainable peace and stability in the state and the country in general.

    According to him, the Federal Government under Tinubu was taking all the necessary steps in tackling the menace of banditry and other criminal activities in the state and the North-West region.

    “This gesture is to appreciate the efforts of the APC leadership in the state for their hard work, dedication, and loyalty and making the party stronger and more united,” he added.

    Matawalle called for continued understanding and tolerance among the party members at all levels to bolster the unity of the party in the state.

    The minister assured,”As leaders, we will continue to support the party in whatever form to succeed.”
    The State Secretary of the party, Ibrahim Dangaladima, while receiving the gesture on behalf of the party’s members thanked Tinubu and the minister for what he described as ‘quick food intervention’.

    Dangaladima said the free rice came at the right time when the people were in the dire need of an urgent food assistance.