THE Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has insisted that today’s protest against fuel subsidy removal would hold, as talks with the Federal Government on short-term palliatives collapsed yesterday.

This came as the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, warned that police would not tolerate any violent protest called by the NLC, and Trade Union Congress, TUC.

The Federal Government had, at yesterday’s meeting of Presidential Steering Committee on Palliatives, pleaded with labour to shelve the planned protest, saying it was doing everything possible to address its concerns.

The IGP’s warning came on a day the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, directed its affiliates and the 36 state councils to fully participate in the protest.

This is even as Pro-labour civil society groups, under the aegis of the Joint Action Front, JAF, and Campaign for Democratic Workers Rights, CDWR, asked members across the country to mobilise and join the protest.

Recall that the Nigeria labour Congress, NLC, had earlier directed it affiliates nationwide to also mobilise for the protest scheduled for today

But the IGP said the warning became necessary because of the ugly experiences of such protests in most major cosmopolitan cities in the country in the past.

Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, who disclosed the IGP’s warning in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, said: “The Acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, is deeply concerned about recent developments regarding planned nationwide protests by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress, TUC.

“While being mindful of the right to peaceful protest, as enshrined in our constitution, the IGP urges all parties involved to ensure that the planned demonstrations are conducted in a peaceful manner to prevent being hijacked by miscreants.

“The IGP, however, acknowledges the grievances raised by the labour unions and the importance of constructive dialogue, which is sine qua none, in addressing these issues.

“In light of this, the IGP orders the Commissioners of Police in charge of various commands, and supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, to engage in fruitful discussions with the NLC/TUC leadership to foster understanding and reach common grounds on the planned protests.

“A peaceful and coordinated approach is crucial to achieving meaningful solutions and preventing any form of violence or disruptions to public order, should the protests persist.

“The Nigeria Police Force reiterates its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens during the period of the planned protests as all necessary measures to facilitate the peaceful conduct of these demonstrations have been emplaced.

“However, it is hereby reaffirmed that any attempt by miscreants to exploit the situation for violent purposes viz-a-viz vandalism, gangsterism, and extortion will be met with firm, professional and commensurate lawful approach.

“The Police will not tolerate any act that threatens the peace and well-being of our country. In the light of the potential challenges posed by the planned protests, the Nigeria Police Force is fully prepared to deploy all available resources to maintain law and order and to protect the lives and property of our citizens.

“The IGP, therefore, calls on all officers to be vigilant, professional, and uphold the highest standards of conduct during this period.

“The Police boss urges all stakeholders, including the NLC, TUC, and other civil society groups, to embrace peaceful dialogue as the most effective means of resolving grievances

“He also re-emphasized that the Police is committed to ensuring a secure and conducive environment for open dialogue, constructive engagement and mutaul understanding for a seamless exercise of civil rights.”

FG appeals to labour to suspend protest

The IGP’s warning notwithstanding, the federal government pleaded with organised labour to suspend the proposed strike, saying it was doing everything to ensure the hardship occasioned by the petrol subsidy removal was sorted out.

But the organised labour said the palliatives rolled out by the President in his nationwide broadcast on Monday night, was very insignificant to cushion the effect of the suffering in the country.
This is as the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero was conspicuously absent at the meeting.

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, specifically said it was going ahead with the proposed national protest on Wednesday.

Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Presidential Steering Committee on Palliatives held at the State House, Abuja, the Chief of Staf to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, appealed to organised labour to suspend the planned protest.

He said: “We have laid out the plans, the interventions of Mr. President, as you all heard in his broadcast yesterday (Monday), we made it clear that this was just Mr. President’s initial rollout and interventions and that conversations will be ongoing as we go along.

“We appealed to Labour, we did appeal to labour to call off the protests for tomorrow (today). We found listening ears here and they did agree that they all accepted that Mr. President’s broadcast was a welcome development and that they will go back home to talk to the other leaders that are not present today (yesterday). ‘’So we’re hopeful that they will do the right thing and call off the strike tomorrow.”

However, the NLC, led by its Deputy President, Comrade Titus Amba, said there was nothing new, apart from the broadcast of President Bola Tinubu, that was presented to the committee, adding that the palliatives as rolled out by the President in his broadcast could not remedy anything.

Briefing journalists on the outcome of the meeting, the TUC President, Festus Osifo said: “We told Nigerians that we’ll be meeting today (yesterday) by 12 noon, so we came here much later. We had the conversation, and again the government team told us that what the President has put on the table is more or less like a starting point, and it’s a baseline.

“So we on our path also said yes, that we would have been surprised if that is everything that will be put forward because for us, we felt there are some gaps. For us, we felt that the President has said that N1 trillion has been saved in the last two months, that what has been proposed is not far-reaching.

“For us, you know, as part of the principle of negotiations, when anything is put on the table, you accept, but you push for more. So, on our part, we said what has been put on the table is not sufficient, it’s not enough, and that they can do more.

“So part of what we put forward was that, we will look at those things the President highlighted. We think, for example, that 3000 CNG buses are not sufficient, we think it is not sufficient. By the time you divide 3000 by 37, you can see how many they can come up to, so it’s not sufficient, it’s grossly inadequate.

“We also think that some of the measures put on the table are not far-reaching. So we are also going to demand for what we think will do, so if we think 30,000 buses could do it or 40,000 buses could do it in the immediate.

“Yes, we’ll push it forward. So those were all the conversations that we had. Then on the government part, they also appealed that we should shelve the protests. Our response was that we are going to go back this evening (yesterday) and also have a conversation around that and you will hear from us at the end of that conversation.

Asked the position of labour on minimum wage increase, Osifo said: “On our part, what we’re demanding was wage award. For example, you’ve heard some states that have said we’re paying N40,000 minimum wage, so more or less they are the ones giving it. It is not the law, they are doing above the minimum wage.

‘’So for us, we felt the federal government could on their own, do above the minimum wage without much conversation, because the committee on the minimum wage has not been constituted.

“But what we have been advocating on the part of labour is wage award that doesn’t have bureaucracies, that doesn’t have much issues around the law, because the law that prescribed minimum wage said five years.

“Until you amend that, no other thing can kick in. But we said for the immediate, let government come out just as some state governments have announced that paying N40,000. Some say N50,000, so they should do something like that.

“We have also heard some state say that they are going to pay PMS allowance of XYZ amount. So those are the wage awards that we are thinking and we are pushing governments to do. What they have proposed like you have heard the President say yesterday, we are taking that as a baseline. We believe strongly that the President, the state governments should do more.”

Protest ‘ll hold, NLC insists

On his part, the Deputy President of NLC, Titus Amba, when asked whether the proposed protest will still hold today, he answered in the affirmative.

He told journalists: “We’re on the same page, like the TUC national president said. Yeah, we met today (yesterday), and we discussed based on what we all left yesterday, with the mind of coming back today. We all listened to the President’s speech with an appeal that time should be given to this very government.

“We sat down, analysed it very, very well, and we came up with some issues, which I believe you heard from the TUC President where he said the president of this country did mention that within two months, the government of Nigeria was able to save at least N1trillion from subsidy removal.

“To the ordinary Nigerian out there, he will conclude that there are a lot of funds kept because of this subsidy issue. So why can’t this monies be made available to cushion the suffering and yearning of all Nigerians. So these were some of the things we discussed.

“We also said the 3000 buses proposed to be made available are not sufficient. If you divide 3,000 by the number of states we have, it won’t take us anywhere. So, the government came with an appeal of shifting the intended protest tomorrow. “

On the plea for the suspension of the protest, he said: “We said no, it is not something we can discuss here, because we have other organs of the union that we have to go back to for them to look at it critically.

‘’The truth is that every Nigerian out there is boiling and waiting to see what will come out of this very meeting.

“We had to go back and maybe make a presentation to them that this is what the government has said and this is what we’re thinking, how we should go about it. So this is the decision we have now.”
Asked if the protest still would hold, he simply said “Yes, of course.”

On the absence of the NLC President, Comrade Amba said “he is indisposed to be sincere.”

TUC mobilises affiliates, others

Meanwhile, mobilisation for the protest continued yesterday, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, directed its affiliates and the 36 state councils to fully participate in the protest.

Similarly, Pro-labour civil society groups under the aegis of the Joint Action Front, JAF and Campaign for Democratic Workers Rights, CDWR, also directed members across the country to mobilise and join the protest.
Recall that Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, had last week directed its affiliates and 36 state councils including the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, to mobilize civil society allies, market women, traders, artisans and informal sector workers among other Nigerians for the mass protest from today.

Already, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, has asked workers in all port formations, including jetties across the country, to actively participate in the protest.

TUC in a statement by the President and Secretary General, Festus Osifo and Nuhu Toro, respectively, directed all its state councils in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, to mobilise for the protest against what it described as draconian policies of the Federal Government.

While lamenting the hardship the recent removal of subsidy on petrol had inflicted on Nigerians and that though TUC was not averse to the removal of subsidy, the union insisted that measures ought to have been in place to ameliorate its effect on Nigerians before the removal.

The statement read: “Such measures include fixing of the refineries and possibly building more, functional transportation system, living wage, good medical facilities and employment. The policy was not thought through, which is why its impact is excruciating on Nigerians.

‘’Sadly, when Nigerians cried out, the Federal Government proposed a paltry N8,000 for poor families without details on the mode of payment. Annoyingly also, the same government is giving a whopping N70 billion to 469 lawmakers and N39 billion to the judiciary. Injustice and impunity cannot be tolerated.

“Three days ago, organized labour (TUC/NLC) was at the Villa for a meeting with the Federal Government to discuss further the palliatives but the government boycotted the meeting, slowing down the negotiation process. Nigerians are dying and we cannot afford to keep quiet any longer.

“The Federal Government must realise that governance goes beyond the declaration of emergency on food security. It is time to swing into action to avert starvation in the land. The government promised to attract investors when they win elections which we have not seen.

‘’The government should get investors, create more decent jobs and provide an enabling environment for investment in terms of security and others. It is when more people get employed that taxes can be paid and governments will make more money.

“The exchange rate is abysmally high and stifling businesses. This has affected the cost of production and the inflation rate. Naira should not be in a free fall. No country allows that. Nigeria is dollar-dependent and our only major source of forex is oil and painfully, we cannot refine our crude locally. ‘’The Federal Government has failed to manage its forex well and it is taking a toll on the pockets of Nigerians.

Government must come up with good monetary policies that will help investments and also empower the naira.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration has said that so far, the sum of N1trillion has been saved from the removal of subsidy in two months. If they knew the country would save that much within two months, why then borrow the sum $800million World Bank facility?

‘’It shows improper planning or it could also be that some people somewhere took advantage of the situation to rip-off the country.

“All affiliates and state councils of congress are, hereby, directed to mobilise their members for action by midnight of today, 1st August, 2023.”

JAF mobilises members

On its part, the Joint Action Front, JAF, has equally directed all members nationwide to join the protest.
Already JAF members in Kano State, yesterday, trooped into the ancient city to protest perceived anti-poor’s policies of the Federal Government, including the removal of subsidy on petrol.

JAF in a statement by Achike Chude said: “JAF supports the decision of the NLC to call Nigerian workers and poor masses out on protest, starting from Wednesday, August 2, 2023, (today) against the wicked and neoliberal policies of the President Tinubu’s government, including, the severe hike in the price of petrol and devaluation of the naira.

“JAF urges unity of the NLC and the TUC in their engagement with the Federal Government and encourages them to jointly mobilize for the Wednesday August 2nd mass action. We call on the Nigerian working people and youth to see the August 2nd date as the beginning of nationwide resistance against fuel price hike and other anti-poor policies.

“We call on the Nigerian working people, the poor masses and youth to prepare for mass action on Wednesday (today) by organizing democratically-constituted action committees in their workplaces, communities and campuses.

‘’We agree that the minimum aim of the forthcoming struggle is reversal of the criminal hike of petrol from N617 to N195, reversal of other criminal policies like fee hike in public tertiary institutions, devaluation of the naira, which has added to the untold hardships the people are facing from fuel price hike, and rejection of the planned electricity tariff increase.

‘’Others include meeting of demands of doctors, other health workers, education workers like ASUU and all other unions, adequate funding of public education, payment of all owed salaries and pension and the signing of a new National Minimum wage agreement to save working people from penury.”

CDWR backs protest

Similarly, CDWR in a statement by Rufus Olusesan and Chinedu Bosah, national chairperson and National Publicity Secretary, respectively, said: “We fully support the mass protest called by the NLC to begin on Wednesday (today).

‘’It is high-time mass actions, including a general strike, began to respond to the barrage of attacks on the living standards of already pauperized Nigerian workers and the poor masses.

“By virtue of the removal of petrol subsidy, hike in school fees, hike in taxation, devaluation of the naira, consolidation of privileges and emolument of political office holders, the Tinubu-led government and the capitalist ruling elite have declared war on workers and the poor masses.

“It is an irony for the Tinubu-led government and its apologists to tell workers and the poor masses to bear the hardship, while the rich oil marketers and political officeholders smile to the banks and continue in opulence and insane privileges.

Nigeria is too rich in human and material resources to become a country with one of the highest numbers of poor people; the problem, however, is the massive exploitation and looting by a few capitalists, in connivance with IMF, World Bank and multinational companies.

“It is a clear error on the part of the NLC and TUC leadership to enter into a palliative discussion after the government had unleashed a series of attacks on living standards. CDWR calls on the NLC leadership to stop investing hope in any palliative programme of the government.

“We call on the NLC leadership to take these planned mass actions seriously and consolidate them with a 48-hours warning general strike afterwards, should government refuse to reverse all the anti-poor policies.
‘’Labour should not allow itself to be enslaved by court orders from the bourgeois court that closes its eyes when hardship is imposed on workers and poor masses but comes alive when the people choose to resist.

‘’We call on the TUC leadership to join forces with the NLC and other pro-labour organizations in mobilizing for sustainable resistance. Labour should also lead a principled ideological struggle against capitalist policies by putting forward socialist alternatives as the only way to sustain a resistance struggle and liberate the working class and poor masses from the shackles of exploitation and poverty.”

Police responsible for the protection of Nigerians — NLC

Replying to the IGP yesterday, NLC advised the Police hierarchy to ensure there was no violence as Organized Labour and its allies begin mass protests today over the harsh economic policies of the Federal Government, saying it was the constitutional responsibility of the police to protect lives and property.

Responding to the Inspector General of Police, IGP’s threat that the force would not tolerate any form of violence during the protest nationwide, a senior officer of NLC, said “We in Organized Labour are law-abiding and decent leaders who do not believe in violence.

‘’It is the constitutional responsibility of the police to protect the lives of Nigerians and their property anywhere in the country, whether in the place of worship, at work, in the school, on the street, at home and other public and private places.

‘’We advise the IGP not to allow himself to be used to unleash mayhem on innocent Nigerians who are paying his salary and other benefits to give him the comfort he now found himself.”

[Vanguard]

FIFA has announced that the 2023 World Cup prize money will be paid directly to the players — without interference from a third party.

In a viral video on social media, Fatma Samoura, FIFA secretary-general, said the policy change is due to unpaid allowance issues involving Nigeria’s Super Falcons.

During the lead-up to the World Cup, Randy Waldrum, Falcons head coach, revealed that some players are owed “per diem and bonuses” from two years ago.

The development caused a stir and almost affected the preparation of the Nigerian players.

However, in the video, Samoura acknowledged that “things have been tough” for the Falcons.

She added that FIFA — for the first time — will monitor that match bonuses get to the players directly.

“I know that things have been tough. We have to face the realities of Nigeria. It pains me a lot. It is because of you [the Super Falcons] that, for the first time, the prize money has been ring-fenced in the history of FIFA to ensure that it goes to you,” the FIFA secretary-general said.

FIFA had announced that every player participating in the World Cup group stage will earn $30,000.

The match bonuses will increase to $60,000 in the second round of the competition.

The Falcons have qualified for the round of 16 after finishing second in group B. Every player on the team will be earning at least $60,000 for the feat.

Nigeria is billed to take on England in the second-round contest on Monday.

[TheCable]

Three decades and two years ago, General Babangida, a flamboyant and self-styled military president, hurriedly relocated the federal capital to Abuja after the failed violent coup staged by Major Gideon Gwaza Orkar in April 1990. And Aso Rock, a more befitting edifice, became the seat of power, but Nigeria was never the same ever since.

Yes, the country had suffered inexplicable leadership misfortunes before General Babangida, but moving to Aso Rock opened yet new chapters of woes unfolding in torrents and confirming the claims of Mr Rueben Abati (one-time special adviser to President Jonathan) that evil spirits rule the Villa.

Incontrovertibly, the quality of leadership from the Aso Rock Villa leaves one speechless. It appears the extraterrestrial always imposes its evil agenda on mortals who trudge that corridor of power such that one of the progenitors of leadership in the Villa was famed as the EVIL GENIUS.

Starting from the evil genius himself, General Babangida paints a picture of a smart, intelligent, renowned coup maestro and accomplished military strategist with tentacles and boys spreading across the nation, even amongst the civilian population. From a well-crafted transitional programme to return the country to civil rule, he ended up being the undertaker of the widely adjudged freest and fairest election ever, which ultimately culminated in the incarceration and death of the presumed winner, Chief MKO Abiola, in the draconian rule of the dark goggled-eyed, Gen Sani Abacha.

Indeed, the mysteries and godless interplay of the spirits seem feverishly peaked, or why would Gen Babangida annul the June 12 election and slide into national disrepute at the verge of what would have enshrined him as a national hero with a cult following? The spirits in Aso Rock made men mad!

While trying to recover from that whirlwind democracy misadventure, Gen Sani Abacha elevated the madness to a crescendo. He did not only commune with the spirits but assumed their roles and unleashed terror on the political class, and for the first-time, merciless snippers, the infamous Strike Force and Presidential Guard overran the country, yet Reuben Abati stands disparaged when he declared that Aso Rock Villa needs spiritual cleansing.

Abacha went down in history as one of the most notorious and ruthless military despots with insatiable kleptomaniac prowess second to none. The country is still gathering Abacha’s loot from around the world to date.

Sadly, the self-professed born again, former Military General and Head of State, Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo, who should know better having miraculously escaped the death row of General Abacha, had deep conversations with the spirits in the Villa who announced his messianic roles and only a third term in office will confer on him the father of the nation status. Otherwise, what business had Olusegun Obasanjo with a third term agenda, even when he had denied it, but the footprints were unmistakable. If you doubt me, ask Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, his former Vice or the former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani.

Probably the spirits hindered President Musa Yar’dua from serving out his tenure as the cold hands of infirmities seized him barely two years after he assumed office. Again, as Rueben Abati stated, Mr Death lurks around the Villa menacingly and is ready to devour like it did the wife of Obasanjo.

For me, the story of Goodluck Jonathan was a sad tale. The spirits were so trickery that they made almost the whole nation, call Mr President clueless, despite having a doctorate in his kitty. The gods went mad in this instance, as massive treachery within, opposition venom, and international community complicities booted out an incumbent president for the first time through the ballot in Nigeria. These spirits are not small boys in the realm.
If you think you have heard tales about the wonders of the spirits that rule Aso Rock, then the eight years of President Buhari will send chills down your spine. The anti-corruption czar, Mr Integrity and the custodian of national pride in terms of discipline in his first coming seem to have a brutal encounter with the spirits in the Aso Rock. In the words of respected and revered Bishop Kukah, the Buhari administration turned out the most corrupt since the turn of this democratic dispensation, and on top of that, the regime was branded the most divisive along ethnic and religious lines in our history as a people.

So, here we are at last, wondering what is the ongoing conversation between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his men and the spirits in Aso Rock Villa. So far, it appears it is a mixed grilled. It seems the fangs of the Spirits are beginning to set in but with steady and visible resistance from the power that be.

Otherwise, why would a NADECO Tinubu supervise the gymnastic of the DSS over Mr Emefiele after all he, Tinubu suffered in those dark days? Why is so much energy dissipated on this Emefiele man such that the fundamental tenants of democracy - the rule of law, are transgressed under our supposed champion of democracy and hero against the dare-deviled Abacha junta?

Yes, Nigerians demand accountability from the poorly executed Naira redesign policy foisted on us by Mr Emefiele under the direct supervision of Mr Buhari, but should this be outside the precinct of decency, decorum and the rule of law? Flaunting court orders and the bravado of a re-arrest against the pronouncement of a competent court of law is not what one will want to associate with Mr Tinubu. Haba, not him, except the gods are beginning to lay their cold hands over his mind.

True, Emefiele would have resigned under Buhari but show me one Nigerian that would have done the same under that cabal-driven government and not regret the day he was born. How come Mr Emefiele has become the fall guy or scapegoat for the sins of the Buhari administration? With accusations and counter-accusations of painted aircraft, billions of naira freighted away, oil subsidy scams, crude oil theft running into billions, and refineries enmeshed in corruption, yet the best we get is people tearing their shirts on national television about who will keep the bible clinging Emefiele? By the way, at what point do we separate the man and the orders he carried out from the commander-in-chief? Indeed, this Emefiele must die, but how convenient it is to hit the weakest.

If Mr Emefiele has committed any verifiable crime, he should face the music, but to disobey court orders under the watch of this President, a Democrat and one touted as the most prepared politician ever to vie for the highest office, smacks of tact and maybe another case of the evil spirits in Aso Rock doing what they know how to do best. Else how come the Presidency recently appointed investigators on the matter after the show of shame? These spirits are African brands!
It is time for deeper reflection and elevating the economy from the ruins inherited from Mr Buhari. While we commend the President on his recent broadcast, translating these ideals and blueprint into concrete socio-economic fortunes requires eagle-eyed concentration and avoiding such frivolities and charades the Emefiele witch hunt brings.

May the evil spirits lurking around Aso Rock Villa allow Mr  President some respite, since it is too early in the day for executive rascality because the land mourns and groans in pain, poverty and penury, gradually replicating same consequences that puts Emefiele in this mess at the first place.

President Bola Tinubu has submitted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar failed to justify their request for the presidential election tribunal to overturn the outcome of the 2023 presidential election.

Tinubu in a submission on Tuesday through his lawyer, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) said PDP and its presidential candidate, failed to address the court on their score and how Atiku can be returned as the winner of the presidential election.

Olanipekun urged the tribunal to consider the provisions of the constitution and the electoral act in taking a final decision.

He argued that the FCT is the 37 states for the purpose is the presidential election and the law does not mandate any candidate to win it in order to be declared the final winner of a presidential poll.

The lawyer also accused the PDP and its candidate of dumping documents before the court and expecting the court to investigate the documents.

Tinubu through his lawyer added that presidential elections are not set aside as a matter of cost and thereafter prayed the court to dismiss the petition for lack of merit as the petitioner have abandoned their petition.

Presidential Tribunal Adopts Atiku, PDP’s Final Addresses Against Tinubu

The Presidential Election Petitions Court (PEPC) sitting in Abuja has adopted the final written addresses of all parties in the petition filed by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 25 election, Atiku Abubakar.

This followed the adoption of the final written addresses of all parties involved in the petition filed by Atiku and the PDP, seeking to nullify the electoral victory of President Bola Ahned Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election.

Naija News reports that the PDP and Atiku are the petitioners while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), President Tinubu, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are the respondents.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disclosed that over N15 billion has been recovered and refunded to customers from Deposit Money Banks resulting from failed transactions, illegal deductions among other complaints.

The Director, Corporate Communications Department of CBN, Dr Isa Abdulmumin, who spoke in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti capital on Tuesday during an event tagged, ‘ CBN Fair : Promoting Alternative Payment Channels as Tools for Financial Inclusion ‘ said the apex bank also recovered $22 million from 2012 till May 2023.

He noted that the funds were refunded from the 33, 437 complaints by people across the country, adding that the CBN was committed to the protection of rights of financial consumers.

At the event attended by stakeholders in agriculture, business, education and youth sectors in the state, papers on consumer protection, financial markets, currency operations, payment system management and the e-Naira platform were delivered.

He said that the monies were recovered from the banks in response to various complaints lodged by their customers ranging from excess charges being deducted from their bank accounts, failed transactions, fraudulent debits among other complaints.

The CBN spokesperson stated that the essence of the recovery initiative was to enhance consumer confidence in financial service and promote financial stability as well as growth.

Represented by an official of the bank, Esu Imo, the CBN Director explained that the event was conceptualized, ” to interact with members of the public on the policies and strategic interventions of Central Bank of Nigeria for a sustainable economic development of the country.”

According to him, the apex bank over the years has remained committed to the growth and development of the nation’s economy with constant support to small and medium enterprises and interventions in critical sectors of the economy.

He said that the public should take advantage of the different initiatives of the bank to advance the economy towards embracing modern payment infrastructures to ease business transactions.

Abdulmumin said, ; Let me assure you that the CBN will continue to ensure that it delivers on its core mandate of ensuring monetary and price stability. However, it is instructive to state that the Bank shall also continually roll out proactive and innovative policies which would ensure that all economic sub-sectors receive the desired support.

“The Bank, as a responsible and responsive corporate citizen, has continued to demonstrate its passionate commitment in supporting businesses and promoting diversification through arrays of interventions in agriculture, health, manufacturing and other key sectors of the economy.”

The UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, James Cleverly, has stated that the UK government does not support a military intervention to restore democracy in Niger Republic. He said this on Tuesday at a press briefing in Lagos.

Cleverly said, “The use of force to redraw borders or to take political control of countries is something we do not support. We believe in democracy. We value ECOWAS’s explicit commitment to democracy and we sincerely hope that democracy will be established in Niger without the need for military intervention.”

On Sunday in Abuja, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) leaders in a statement demanded the immediate release and reinstatement of elected President Mohamed Bazoum within one week. It added that “In the event the authorities’ demands are not met within one week (ECOWAS will) take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger. Such measures may include the use of force.”

Cleverly added that “When it comes to Niger, the UK is very pleased to see regional African leaders take fast decisive actions to communicate their intentions because the message that that sends about African leaders being engaged and taking responsibility for the actions in their region and continent is incredibly important.

“I will be meeting with President Tinubu tomorrow and we will discuss what the UK can do to support African initiatives and actions rather than the UK trying to push ourselves to the front of this.

“It is absolutely right that African leaders are taking the primary position in response to the situation in Niger.”

The UK Foreign Secretary, who is in Nigeria on an investment drive, also noted that “Prosperity and security go hand in hand. Security gives confidence for foreign investors to invest in a country, and this means the potential of Nigeria is optimised.”

He added that primary responsibility of governments is security for their own people

“We will always look for opportunities to help the Nigerian government enhance security for the people of Nigeria. We will continue to look for ways to enhance our mutual security.”

The acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun, has ordered tight security across the country ahead of planned protests by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) during the week.

Naija News reports that the IGP, in a statement by the spokesperson for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, expressed fear even though he acknowledged the right to peaceful protest by the unions.

The police boss, in the statement, however, noted that he had ordered the Commissioners of Police in charge of various commands and supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to engage in fruitful discussions with the NLC/TUC leadership to foster understanding and reach common grounds on the planned protests.

The statement said, “While being mindful of the right to peaceful protest, as enshrined in our constitution, the IG urges all parties involved to ensure that the planned demonstrations are conducted in a peaceful manner to prevent being hijacked by miscreants, owing to the previous ugly experiences of such protests in most major cosmopolitan cities in the country.

“The IG, however, acknowledges the grievances raised by the labour unions and the importance of constructive dialogue, which is sine qua none, in addressing these issues.”

The IG also appealed to the NLC, TUC, and other civil society groups, to embrace peaceful dialogue as “the most effective means of resolving grievances,” while warning against violence.

The NPF said the police are committed to ensuring a secure and conducive environment for open dialogue, constructive engagement, and mutual understanding to exercise civil rights seamlessly. Still, it will not tolerate any act that threatens the peace and well-being of the country, adding that perpetrators will be dealt with.

The statement submitted that “A peaceful and coordinated approach is crucial to achieving meaningful solutions and preventing any form of violence or disruptions to public order, should the protests persist.

“The Nigeria Police Force reiterates its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens during the period of the planned protests as all necessary measures to facilitate the peaceful conduct of these demonstrations have been replaced.

“However, it is hereby reaffirmed that any attempt by miscreants to exploit the situation for violent purposes viz-a-viz vandalism, gangsterism, and extortion will be met with the firm, professional, and commensurate lawful approach. The Police will not tolerate any act that threatens the peace and well-being of our country.

“In light of the potential challenges posed by the planned protests, the Nigeria Police Force is fully prepared to deploy all available resources to maintain law and order and to protect the lives and property of our citizens. The IGP, therefore, calls on all officers to be vigilant, professional, and uphold the highest standards of conduct during this period.”

After beating China 6-1 in their last group stage game in the ongoing 2023 Women’s World Cup, the reigning European champions, England will now face the Super Falcons of Nigeria in the round of 16.

The Three Lionesses of England took their form from the European Championship to the 2023 Women’s World Cup and they have been beating every team they come across convincingly so far at the global event.

In their opening Group stage game, England beat Haiti 1-0 and followed that up with a 1-0 victory over Denmark. They crowned their World Cup group stage campaign with a stunning 6-1 victory over China to finish top of Group D with a perfect 9 points and eight goals.

Interestingly, out of their three group-stage games, they have conceded just a goal which means that they are as good in defense as in their attack.

At 8:30 a.m. on Monday, August 7, 2023, the Three Lionesses will face the Super Falcons in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Women’s World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

The Nigerian team would have avoided England if they had finished top of Group B. Unfortunately for them, they drew with the Republic of Ireland in their last group game which forced them to finish second, a point behind first-placed Australia.

Hence, the Super Falcons who have never gone beyond the quarter-finals stage of the tournament will have to beat England to stand a chance of reaching the last eight and probably break the semi-final jinx.

The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Abubakar Atiku filed a plea on February 25 asking for Bola Ahmed Tinubu to be declared the winner of the presidential election, and the Presidential Election plea Tribunal on Tuesday in Abuja reserved judgement.

Justice Simon Tsammani, the tribunal’s chair, said that while he reserved judgement, the parties to the case will be informed of the day it would be delivered.

Atiku, the primary petitioner, requested that the Tribunal provide his case substantive justice rather than a technical ruling that would taint the flow of justice.

He insisted that Tinubu be disqualified on the strength of the American Court judgment where he was made to forfeit $460,000 on narcotics and money laundering-related offences.

Atiku’s final address was adopted by his lead counsel, Chief Chris Uche SAN.

However, counsel to the All Progressives Congress, APC, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, urged the Court to dismiss the arguments on the ground that the purported judgement was delivered over 30 years ago.

On his own part, President Tinubu, represented by legal luminary Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, canvassed that the petition be dismissed because the grievances of Atiku and PDP are targeted at the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC.

Details later.

In a recent chat with popular media personality, Teju Babyface, veteran Nollywood actress Stella Damasus opened up about one of her marriages, which lasted only eight months.

The actress, who was a choir member at the time, said that she and her friend were not meant to be married. She described them as “fantastic friends” but said that they “didn’t work” as a couple.

Damasus said that she and her best friend were pressured into getting married by their church, even though they were not meant to be together. She described the marriage as a “mistake” and said that they “m*ssed it up.”

“It lasted eight months. Biggest mistake of my life because the guy was an amazing guy. But he was my friend, my best friend. And religion is what caused that problem that made us marry when we were not supposed to be married. We were supposed to be very good friends because as my friend, he was awesome. But as a married couple, we didn’t work. We just m*ssed it up. And we knew it.

Damasus said that she was pressured into the marriage by her church, which told her that it was “God’s will” for them to be together. She said that she now believes that she was “wrong” to give in to the pressure.

However, Damasus said that she and her ex-husband parted ways amicably and still have a good relationship. She said “So when we went our separate ways, we were like out of love and respect for each other, let’s just leave it. We don’t talk about it, we just leave it so that at least we can still say, hello, are you okay? How are you?”

[Guardian]