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FG never gave N570 billion to 36 States – Seyi Makinde counters President Tinubu

Following President Bola Tinubu’s announcement that his administration has given a total sum of N570 billion to the 36 states as a palliative measure to ease the citizens’ economic condition, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has come out to say the President’s comments are not accurate.

Tinubu made this statement while addressing the nation last Sunday, appealing that
those protesting halt their demonstration and return to the negotiation table.

According to the president, the State received this huge sum as a grant from the
federal government.

He said, “Also, more than N570 billion has been released to the 36 states to expand
livelihood support to their citizens, while 600,000 nano-businesses have benefitted
from our nano-grants. An additional 400,000 more nano-businesses are expected to
benefit.”

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has countered claims by President Tinubu. In a newsletter signed by the governor and published on the state’s official website on
Thursday, Makinde said the funds disbursed were not a direct allocation from the
federal government.

The governor clarified that the money received by the states was World
Bank COVID-19 funds, with the federal government acting only as an intermediary
between the international creditor and the 36 states.

He further explained that the funding was contingent on what the states had already
spent on COVID-19 programs, meaning the World Bank was simply reimbursing what
the states had used to address the pandemic crisis.

The Statement read as follows:

“Before I speak more on further actions we have taken to show our commitment to
productivity and sustainability, let me respond to a long message I received earlier in
the week from a concerned citizen. The message was about a purported N570 billion Hardship Fund “given” to the 36 States by the Federal Government. I was queried about what I used the money for. Let me state categorically that this is yet another case of misrepresentation of facts. The said funds were part of the World Bank-assisted NG-CARES project—a Program for Results Intervention. The World Bank facilitated an intervention to help States in Nigeria with COVID-19 Recovery. CARES means COVID-19 Action Recovery Economic Stimulus.

“It was called Programme for Results because States had to use their money in
advance to implement the program. After the World Bank verified the amount
spent by the State, it reimbursed the States through the platform provided at the
Federal level. The Federal Government did not give any State money; they were simply the
conduit through which the reimbursements were made to States for money already
spent,” Makinde said.

According to Makinde, the funding from the World Bank that was given to the state was not
a grant, but a loan that is expected to be paid back by each state.
He said the NG-Cares loan, as it is dubbed, predates Tinubu’s administration as the
facilities were received in different batches.
According to him, Oyo State received N5.98 billion in the first instance and N822
million in the second instance as reimbursement which was part of the investment of
the State government under the program.
“It is important to note that the World Bank fund is a loan to States, not a grant. So,
States will need to repay this loan. Note also that NG-CARES, which we christened
Oyo-CARES in our State predates the present federal administration.
So, in direct response to the message, the Federal Government did not give Oyo
State any money. We have reimbursed funds (N5.98 billion in the first instance and
N822 million in the second instance) we invested in the three result areas of NGCARES, which includes inputs distribution to smallholder farmers within our State”
When the World Bank saw our model for the distribution of inputs preceded
by biometric capturing of beneficiary farmers, they adopted it as the NG-CARES
model,” Makinde added.

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NIMC Cracks down on Illegal NIN Centres after discovering Unauthorised Enrolment

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has arrested several illegal NIN operators and seized registration equipment in Gwagwalada. Officials warned Nigerians to avoid unapproved roadside agents to protect themselves against identity theft and extortion.

If you’ve ever been tempted to register your National Identification Number (NIN) through a roadside “agent” who promised to get it done faster, you may want to think twice. The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has stepped up its fight against illegal NIN registration and unauthorised data modification, arresting several suspects during an enforcement operation in Gwagwalada and other locations.

The Commission said officers from its Inspectorate Compliance and Enforcement Unit (ICEU) carried out the operation seizing machines and other equipment allegedly used for illegal NIN enrolment.

According to NIMC, the crackdown is aimed at protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s National Identity Management System and stopping people from exploiting Nigerians through unauthorised registration and extortion.

The agency explained that many of the complaints and problems experienced by NIN holders often happen because some people choose to bypass the Commission’s approved registration process.

It reminded Nigerians that NIN enrolment can only be done at NIMC-approved enrolment centres, while changes to personal information, such as names, phone numbers or dates of birth, should only be made through the Commission’s official self-service modification platform.

NIMC also encouraged NIN holders to download the NINAuth mobile application from the Google Play Store or Apple’s App Store. The app allows users to access extra security features, print their NIN slips, and manage other identity-related services securely.

Reaffirming the agency’s position, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, said the Commission has no room for extortion or unethical practices.

She said the Commission remained committed to providing “seamless and hitch-free NIN enrolment services” for Nigerians and legal residents. The Commission urged members of the public to avoid unofficial registration centres and use only approved channels for NIN enrolment and related services.

It also advised Nigerians to visit its official website and verified social media platforms for accurate information and updates, warning that dealing with unauthorised operators could expose them to fraud, identity theft and invalid records.

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Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru to be buried in Imo State

The family of late Nollywood actor Francis Duru has released details for his final burial rites. Services of songs will be held in Abuja and Imo State before he is laid to rest on December 11, 2026. The family made the announcement in a statement shared on the actor’s official Instagram page on Monday, November 2, inviting relatives, friends, colleagues and well-wishers to join them in honouring his life and legacy.

According to the announcement, a service of songs will be held on Wednesday, November 25, at 5 p.m. at Family Worship Centre, Idris Gidado Street, Wuye, Abuja. A second service of songs is scheduled for Thursday, December 10, at the late Pa Theophilus Ogide Duru’s family compound in Okai, Eziama, Isiala Mbano, Imo State.

The funeral and interment will follow on Friday, December 11, at the same family compound.

The statement, signed by the actor’s son, Ebuka Duru, and sister, Anthonia Chenyi, described him as a cherished husband, father, brother, uncle and friend.

The family also expressed appreciation to those who had supported them with prayers, calls, messages, and other gestures since his death. The statement read, “A remarkable life, a beautiful legacy, a star that will never stop shining. Though our beloved Chief Francis Duru has taken his final bow, his memories will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.”

The family added that the love and support received throughout the difficult period had been a source of strength as they prepared to give the actor a final farewell.

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Pastor Jimmy Odukoya remarries years after his first marriage ended

Pastor Jimmy Odukoya has remarried years after his first marriage ended, introducing his new wife, Mo Jasyme, to The Fountain of Life Church congregation during a Sunday service in Lagos. Pastor Jimmy Odukoya has found love again, more than a decade after marrying his first wife, Oluwakemi Sade Banjoko, with whom he shares two children.

The senior pastor of The Fountain of Life Church, Lagos, introduced his new wife, identified as Mo Jasyme, to his congregation during Sunday service on November 1, 2026. The announcement came a day after Odukoya sparked curiosity on social media by sharing a photograph of two hands wearing wedding rings with the caption, “To New Beginnings.”

His followers, especially popular celebrities like Broda Shaggi, Ifedayo Agoro and Bisola Aiyelola, congratulated him.

Standing beside his wife in church, Jimmy spoke about how he had been navigating life alone since taking over the leadership of the church following his father’s death. He then introduced her to the congregation as his wife and the church’s new first lady.

The couple subsequently knelt before Pastor Tunde Bakare, the General Overseer of Citadel Global Community Church, who prayed for and blessed their union.

Before his new marriage, Odukoya was married to Oluwakemi Sade Banjoko, popularly known as Kemi. The couple married in London on March 9, 2013, after meeting in Lagos in 2011. They eventually welcomed two children together before their marriage ended in separation.

Interestingly, their relationship began at Ooh La La, a restaurant in Ikeja, Lagos, when Kemi accompanied her cousin to meet Jimmy and a mutual friend.

In a 2013 interview with ThisDay, republished by YNaija, the couple opened up about their courtship ahead of their wedding. Jimmy recalled that although he initially paid more attention to Kemi’s cousin, they eventually started talking at another family gathering.

Their conversations became so frequent that they sometimes spoke from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m.Interestingly, Kemi revealed that Jimmy did not initially tell her he was a pastor. When he eventually disclosed it, she reportedly went silent for about 30 seconds.

Jimmy also recounted how he proposed to her in London, using a sweet wrapper to playfully ask her to marry him before revealing the actual engagement ring.

However, their marriage eventually came to an end. Pastor Jimmy Odukoya’s new wife is Mo Jasyme, a designer and creative entrepreneur who is now known as Pastor Mo Odukoya.

Mo was previously married to British-Nigerian music producer Mosadoluwa Adegboye, popularly known as itsMOSA. The former couple reportedly collaborated on several creative projects during their relationship.

Mo made her first public appearance as Jimmy’s wife at The Fountain of Life Church on November 1, 2026, where she described it as an honour to stand alongside her husband.

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