Deep-Dive EP5: Beneath The Surface: The Dark World of Illicit Tin Mining in Plateau
The source is an article published by Premium Times, a Nigerian
investigative journalism platform, focusing on the booming but illicit tin mining industry in Plateau State. The article highlights how the rising global demand for tin, driven by the transition to renewable energy, has fuelled illegal mining operations, bypassing regulatory frameworks and denying the government revenue.
Despite the surge in production, the solid mineral sector remains a small contributor to Nigeria’s GDP. The article underscores the challenges faced by the government in tackling illegal mining and its impact on the local community.
[Credit: This podcast was produced using Google's NotebookLM]
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16:51
Deep-Dive EP4: INVESTIGATION: Dasuki Money Trail: How ex-NSA approved suspicious billions for family friends
This excerpt from the Premium Times website is an investigative report examining the financial dealings of former Nigerian National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, and his alleged embezzlement of public funds. The report details how millions of dollars were transferred from Dasuki's office to a US-based couple, Robert and Mimie Oshodin, for purported consulting and special operations services.
The article highlights the purchase of luxury properties by the Oshodin couple in Los Angeles and Washington D.C. with these funds, suggesting a pattern of illicit financial flows and potential money laundering.
The report raises serious concerns about corruption within the Nigerian government and the role of the US in facilitating these activities through lax real estate regulations and a lack of enforcement.
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10:57
Deep-Dive EP3: Dubious Contracts: How fugitive arms broker made millions of dollars from Nigeria
Premium Times, investigates the dealings of Hima Aboubakar, a Nigerien arms broker who received millions of dollars from the Nigerian government for contracts to supply military equipment. The investigation reveals that Aboubakar, despite lacking a company or bank accounts in Nigeria, managed to secure contracts and receive payments through shell companies, ultimately using the funds for personal gain. Premium Times further examines the Nigerian government's history of corrupt arms contracts, which contribute to ongoing security issues and a lack of transparency in defence spending. The article also highlights the human cost of this corruption, with the survivors of Boko Haram attacks suffering from displacement and loss of life.
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18:40
Why are ex-BB9ja winners unsuccessful in the music industry? Will Kellyrae be different?
Ever noticed all 3 former winners of the BB9JA TV show who ventured into music never made it to A-List?
Efe, Laycon and White Money, previous winners of the show, all ventured into the making music in Nigeria after winning millions of Naira. But today, they are less relevant in the music industry than previous anticipated.
With Kellyrae winning the 9th edition of the show, some industry experts are sceptical about his prospects in the music industry, should he decide to toe the path of his predecessors.
Nigeria’s illegal lithium trade is thriving online, costing the government billions in lost revenue while fuelling a shadow economy in rural mining communities.
Traders make million weekly by selling illegally mined lithium through Facebook and TikTok.
Key potshots for illegal lithium mining include Bani, Oyo, and Kwara states, where traders transport the mineral to cities like Abuja, Nasarawa, and Shagamu.
PREMIUM TIMES reporter, Yakubu Muhammed, investigated the growing trend of trading these illegally mined products on social media.
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