The call for a Nationwide protest against hardship on Thursday, August 1st, 2024, has caused anxiety among Nigerians. There are divergent views about whether the protest should be held or not. Using what happened during the ENDSARS protests, which led to the loss of lives and properties, as a precedent, it will be difficult to predict the outcome of such a protest. There are fears it may be hijacked by hoodlums and become violent.

The question arises: how did we get here? The economic policies introduced by the administration have brought untold hardship, though they were expected to be short-term and yield long-term economic benefits for the nation. Apart from the hardship, there is also an issue of trust in the government. The current level of unease and anger among Nigerians could have been avoided if the government had handled its affairs better.

Words can start and end a war. Government officials and political office-holders should be sensitive, and avoid careless statements while communicating with the public through press interviews, press releases, social media, etc. Additionally, the Nigerian Government should match its words with actions to build trust. Also giving timelines that cannot be met should be discouraged.

The government, having promised Nigerians that their sacrifices will pay off; should also be seen to be making sacrifices and cutting costs. For example, political office holders should be encouraged to reduce the sizes of their convoys, the number of their aides, the number of foreign trips, and the size of their delegations. Flamboyance should be discouraged.

The approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes for the importation of certain food commodities, including husked brown rice, wheat, maize, and cowpeas through land and sea for 150 days, and the proposed importation of 250,000 metric tonnes of wheat and maize by the Federal Government should have come earlier. It is worrisome that weeks after the announcement, food prices are still soaring, as it seems full implementation of the food importation policy has not commenced.

One would have thought that a sensitive matter like a new national minimum wage would have received prompt attention from the government; and be implemented by now without the need for labour unions going on strike. The delayed approval of the new national minimum wage sent wrong signals to Nigerians, portraying the Government as indifferent to their plight. Actions speak louder than words.

Nigerians should be made more aware of the achievements of the Tinubu administration and their significance. Some major achievements include the payment of the seven billion dollars in forex backlogs, the unification of the forex market, the student loans scheme, the consumer credit scheme, and the Renewed Hope Housing scheme. Ironically, many people aware of these achievements do not understand their significance and may therefore trivialize them. The National Orientation Agency has a big role to play in this regard.

The Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative has dragged on. Nigerians still await the CNG buses promised by the Federal Government; aimed at reducing transportation costs, which have been a significant challenge. The high cost of transportation has made it difficult for people to commute to their places of work or business. It has also significantly impacted the prices of goods and services. Any government intervention that reduces transportation costs would be appreciated.

The call for a nationwide protest is understandable given the hardship Nigerians are going through, however, it should be discouraged as it may result in a worse outcome than the ENDSARS protest. The Government has once again called for patience. Do Nigerians trust the Government? The current situation calls for more patriotism from Nigerian leaders and citizens alike. The government should not wait for strikes or protests before acting appropriately.

The recent passing of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah has sparked a range of emotions across Nigeria, from grief to celebration. As a journalist and writer, I find it essential to address the reactions on social media platforms, particularly those rejoicing over his demise.

Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South in the Senate, was a multifaceted figure. His background as a businessman, politician, and philanthropist shaped his impact on society. Ubah's contributions to media, sports, and the petroleum industry were remarkable, and his commitment to community development and service cannot be overlooked.

In the digital age, social media platforms serve as powerful tools for communication, expression, and mobilization. However, they can also amplify negativity, misinformation, and inanities. When news of Ubah's death broke, some Nigerians took to social media to express their joy, labeling him a "criminal" and celebrating his demise. Such reactions raise questions about our collective values and humanity.

As Africans, particularly as Igbos, we have a rich cultural heritage that emphasizes empathy, compassion, and respect for the deceased. Celebrating someone's death, regardless of their perceived flaws, goes against these values. In Igbo culture, where communal bonds are strong, it is considered disrespectful to rejoice over someone's passing. We should remember the adage: "When one finger touches oil, it spreads to all the other fingers." Our interconnectedness demands empathy, even for those with whom we disagree.

Rather than celebrating death, we should engage in constructive dialogue. Senator Ubah's life was complex, and his legacy includes both positive and controversial aspects. Let us discuss his achievements, shortcomings, and the lessons we can learn. 

As we mourn Senator Ifeanyi Ubah's passing, let us honor his memory by promoting unity, empathy, and understanding. It is not only African but also human to recognize the value of life, even when faced with disagreements. Let us rise above negativity and celebrate our shared humanity.

In many African cultures, there exists a longstanding tradition that discourages speaking ill of the dead. This custom reflects a deep respect for those who have passed away and recognizes their inability to defend themselves or respond to criticism.

The aphorism "De mortuis nil nisi bonum", is a saying in Latin which interpretatively mean, "Of the dead, say nothing but good", and it encapsulates this belief. It emphasizes that when someone has died, it is socially inappropriate to speak negatively about such person. The phrase acknowledges that the deceased cannot justify or defend himself or herself, and therefore, it is our duty to remember the dead in a positive light.

While this tradition is not exclusive to Africa, particularly the Igbo, it holds particular significance on the continent. African societies often emphasize communal bonds, ancestral reverence, and the interconnectedness of the living and the dead.  This is as African cultures honor their ancestors, believing that they continue to influence the living. Therefore, speaking ill of the dead disrupts this connection and dishonors their memory.

In fact, some African belief systems hold that negative words about the deceased can harm the speaker or their family. It is believed that spirits can retaliate if offended. Before burial, it is customary for people to settle any debts, both financial and emotional, with the deceased. This practice ensures a peaceful transition for the departed soul.

Without a doubt, the recent death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah highlights the complexity of this tradition. While some dignitaries across the country are already calling for cherishing Ubah's contributions, others are remembering his alleged controversial legacy, which to this writer is unkind to the just departed soul. Unarguably, Ubah's actions during his earthly journey sparked both admiration and criticism, making it challenging for some Nigerians, particularly those of Igbo extracts, to reconcile their feelings about his passing.

In African, particularly in Igbo tradition in this context, speaking ill of the dead is more than a social norm; it reflects a profound understanding of life, death, and our interconnectedness. While opinions may differ, this tradition reminds us to approach the deceased with empathy and respect, allowing their memory to endure positively.

It is sad that in our modern era of social media that the instinct to speak ill of the dead often prevails. However, the ancient aphorism "De mortuis nil nisi bonum", "Of the dead, say nothing but good", reminds us to exercise restraint. This is as the saying acknowledges that both revered and reviled public figures will eventually pass away. It is a reminder of our shared humanity and the fleeting nature of life.

While we cannot predict if our words will reach mourning family or friends, the custom encourages us to be mindful of their grief. Even wicked figures had loved ones who mourned their deaths.

To this writer’s view, it could have been sensible if those who are rejoicing over Ubah’s death refrain from expressing disdain in public immediately after his passing, to later engage in honest discussions about his legacy. In a world where opinions clash, this ancient wisdom invites us to pause, reflect, and find common ground even when discussing those who've left us.

One of the expectations of column writing is that it will not just advance the journalistic goals of educating, informing and entertaining the society, but also serve as a watchdog for both the government and the governed. This role of surveillance to check developments that could tear the society apart is, probably, the most important of all the expectations from both professional and occupational journalists, especially in a developing country like Nigeria.

Trouble has a habit of sleeping until rudely stirred. Only those who have never really experienced anarchy or war talk glibly about the deployment of violence to advance any cause. Anyone who has ever truly participated in protest marches in the real tradition of grievance ventilation knows that there is a world of difference between a march for a cause and a march on a city.

If you have ever been in the trenches as some of us have, you won’t have any problem drawing a line: Thus far and not an inch further!

Protests Legitimate

For the avoidance of doubt, protests are legitimate. We all have a right to demonstrate against anything we consider inimical to our wellbeing. It is a fundamental human right; no less. It has been said over and over again that President Tinubu himself was a veteran protester both during military rule and the current 4th Republic. Having enjoyed that fundamental right, he shouldn’t be seen denying others of the same entitlement.

The president’s men say that he believes in allowing people to express themselves as long as that can be done peacefully. In other words, the authorities want the protesters to note the undercurrents attending this intended demonstration which point to the fact that some other agenda — notably regime change — is already being smuggled into the mix by fifth columnists and opposition elements with partisan political agenda.

Speaking when he received the new US ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Richard Mille Jr, President Tinubu acknowledged his past role as a notable protester: ”During the military era, we made our voices heard against dictatorship, and I was part of the group that engaged in peaceful protests without resorting to the destruction of property. As much as we believe that demonstrations are part of democracy, we will never encourage any protests that lead to the destruction of lives and property.”

There is ample evidence on social media that some groups, with violence as their main weapon, are battle ready to cause mayhem under the pretext of the #EndBadGovernance protest. Their online meetings have been freely circulated, perhaps to encourage fence sitters to join in. If their words are to be taken seriously — and there’s no reason why not— they are primed for violence. Many of the instigators are overseas but they have pledged to foot the bill of the proposed insurrection.

Civilian Coup

One of the arrogant rabble-rousers in an online meeting actually boasted that by the time they are through with the insurrection, they would have got rid of the democratic dispensation and installed a ‘clean and politically neutral’ leader in the country — a civilian coup!

Now, no government in the world will sit idly by while a group of disgruntled people plan its forceful exit through the instrumentality of anarchy.

A protest is a far cry from a riot. When a civil protest is infiltrated by faceless war mongers, the protesters themselves are in danger of being caught in the crossfire. Considering that the key conveners of the proposed August days of rage are not known, unlike the situation in ‘normal’ demonstrations where the leaders and their agenda are well advertised, many social media influencers who had earlier signed on, have now withdrawn their participation.

Fears have been expressed that if the protest is allowed to degenerate to the anarchical level of the #ENDSARS campaign in which criminal elements hijacked what had started out as a beautiful celebration of the culture of civil resistance, Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos, will be further reduced to a modern jungle of ruins after the billion dollar damages inflicted on the city in the earlier demonstration from which it is yet to fully recover.

Ethnic Baiting

Then there is palpable evidence of ethnic baiting in comments made by those in favour of the protest and those against. As usual in such situations in Nigeria, some groups of people have already been marked down by their political opponents in the event that the handshake goes beyond the elbow. Mark my words, if push turns to shove, we shall be dealing with cases of ethno-religious cleansing in some parts of the country.

I don’t find the announcement of an ‘Oro’ cult festival  intended to ‘cleanse the land’ on exactly the same dates as the planned protests funny at all. When ‘Oro’ eats, there are no leftovers. Remember the case of Alfa Bisiriyu Apalara (1918-1953), a fiery Islamic preacher who clashed with the Oro cult in Lagos in the early 1950s? He suddenly disappeared. To this day, the cleric’s body has never been found, although the authorities used circumstantial evidence to convict and hang the 11 perpetrators of the crime.

Anything that will make society regress to such savage means of silencing opponents should not thrill any rational human being. Unfortunately, we seem to find it all theatrical, even hilarious. But I insist that we must not give room to such developments because they are designed to rend the cord of amity between man and fellow man.

In their bid to find a deeper meaning in their planned protest, some of the identifiable activists supporting the demonstration have declared that it is not just another protest but a revolution! Former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore is of that persuasion. My dictionary defines ‘revolution’ as, “A forcible overthrow of a government or social order, in favour of a new system.” I am not sure that a democrat will want to take power by force as a preferred alternative to the ballot box.

Those advocating Kenya-style perpetual sit-out protests make the mistake of wrong equivalency. The lizard and the crocodile may both be reptiles but, whereas one is a staff sergeant, the other is an admiral. There are many things to admire and learn from the Kenyan protests just as there were many lessons from the last #ENDSARS protests in Nigeria. But you can’t transplant one into the other. Each clime with its own spirit and vibes and peccadilloes. If I may borrow a line from Afrobeat superstar Asake, “Ogogoro no be Vodka!”

Combustible

There is so much tension caused by economic hardship in Nigeria at the moment that many people are just one inch away from blowing a fuse. If any kind of anarchy is added to the mix, you’re going to have a really combustible situation that could easily degenerate into mini gang warfares or full scale tribal wars.

To douse tension, the president has been consulting widely and massively publicising measures already taken by the government to address the concerns of the youthful protesters. Traditional rulers, religious leaders, political bigwigs and captains of industry have added their voices to appeal to the protesters to cancel the protest so as not to start what they may not be in a position to finish.

‘Revolutionary’ images from other lands, featuring fire-spitting youthful leaders and clips of internally displaced people may look fascinating because they’re from afar. If those images reflect our local circumstances, there may not even be a columnist to write about it. That is why I have taken the liberty to adapt Gil Scott-Heron’s song as a melody and prayer: This revolution shall not be televised.

Officers who enlisted into the Armed Forces after university education face a looming mass exodus following the proposed Revised Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service HTACOs 2024 awaiting presidential approval.

The document, according to aggrieved officers, if approved by the president, will frustrate them out of service with long stays on ranks.

The document sighted by LEADERSHIP indicates that the military authorities are contemplating a policy change that would increase the duration required for promotion for Direct Short Service (DSS) officers who join as professionals while leaving the promotion timeline unchanged for regular service officers commissioned through the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).

While junior regular service officers spend five years on a rank, short service officers spend seven years before being promoted.

Chapter 17 of the proposed Revised HTACOS states that; “Substantive promotions up to the rank of Maj/Lt Cdr/Sqn Ldr shall be by time among other conditions. These time requirements include; (a) Cadet to Lt/SLt/Fg Offr. Commission to these ranks shall be automatic after five years from the date of commencement of cadet training except on disciplinary grounds (Period of 2Lt/Mid/Plt Offr inclusive).

(b) Lt/SLt/Fg Offr to Capt/Lt(NN)/Flt Lt. Promotion to these ranks shall be after 5 years for RCC and 7 years for SSCC, DRC, DSSC and EC/SD/BC in the rank of Lt/SLt/Fg Offr.

© Capt/Lt(NN)/Flt Lt to Maj/Lt Cdr/Sqn Ldr. Promotion to these ranks shall be after 5 years for RCC and 6 years for SSCC, DRC, DSSC and EC/SD/BC in the rank of Capt/Lt(NN)/Flt Lt.

(d) Additional Requirements. In addition to Sub-Paragraphs (b) and (c) above, a candidate should:

(1) Have satisfactory PER/Confidential Report for 3 consecutive years.

(2) Be recommended by his Unit Commanding Officer/ Commander.

(3) Be successful in the prescribed promotion examinations (to a maximum of 3 attempts and have been awarded pjsc/pjlsc or equivalent for Sub-Paragraph c only).

(4) Have satisfied other conditions as may be prescribed by Service Council/Board.

Meanwhile, for senior officers, the regular officers five years while the short service, executive officers are to spend six years on the rank before being considered for promotion.

The chapter also stated that promotion of senior officers (17.05) “All promotions above the rank of Maj/Lt Cdr/Sqn Ldr shall be by selection, 3 good PERs/Course Report preceding the time of presentation, and success in a Promotion Board. In addition, the following conditions shall apply:

(a) Promotion to Lt Col/Cdr/Wg Cdr. For an officer to be promoted to Lt Col/Cdr/Wg Cdr, he must fulfill the following conditions:

(1) Awarded psc/pslsc or equivalent.

(2) Deployable to Staff/Comd appointments.

(3) Have stayed a minimum of 5 years for RCC and 6 years for SSCC, DRC and EC/SD/BC in the rank of Maj/ Lt Cdr/Sqn Ldr.

(4) Other conditions not mentioned here but covered by individual Service guidelines.

(b) Promotion to Col/Capt (NN)/Gp Capt. For an officer to be promoted to Col/Capt (NN)/Gp Capt, he must fulfill the following conditions:

(1) Awarded psc or equivalent.

(2) Eminently deployable.

(3) Have stayed a minimum of 5 years for RCC and 6 years for SSCC and DRC in the rank of Lt Col/Cdr/Wg Cdr.

(4) Fulfill other conditions that may be introduced by the individual Services from time to time”

While this policy may seem to address certain administrative concerns, it poses significant disadvantages that could undermine the effectiveness, morale, and unity of the armed forces says some of the aggrieved officers.

They said the discriminatory promotion timelines can lead to feelings of resentment and division within the ranks.

“DSS officers, already essential due to their specialized skills, may feel undervalued and unfairly treated, leading to decreased morale and motivation. This internal division can undermine unit cohesion, which is critical for operational effectiveness,” they said.

The military as a profession relies on the expertise of professionals in fields such as medicine, engineering, and logistics.

“Extending the time for promotion for DSS officers could deter highly skilled professionals from joining the armed forces, opting instead for civilian careers where their expertise is more readily recognized and rewarded,” they added.

They said slower promotion rates for DSS officers can lead to a bottleneck in leadership positions within specialised units, adding that this delay can impede the timely development of experienced leaders, which is essential for maintaining operational readiness and responding to emerging challenges effectively.

“A promotion policy that discriminates based on commissioning source rather than performance and competence undermines the principles of meritocracy. Promotions should be based on demonstrated abilities, leadership qualities, and performance rather than the method of entry into the armed forces,” they said.

They cautioned that implementing a discriminatory policy may open the armed forces to legal challenges and ethical scrutiny.

“It could be perceived as violating principles of equality and fairness, which are cornerstone values in both national and international contexts,” they added.

It is instructive to note that in the United States military, promotion policies are standardized and focus on merit, performance, and time-in-grade, regardless of the commissioning source.

Officers, whether they come from the United States Military Academy (USMA), Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), or Officer Candidate School (OCS), are evaluated on the same criteria. This approach ensures that promotions are fair and based on the individual’s contributions and leadership potential.

Likewise, the British Army also follows a merit-based promotion system. Officers from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS), Direct Entry, and Late Entry are all subject to the same promotion criteria.

The system is designed to ensure that promotions are awarded based on leadership qualities, experience, and the ability to perform at higher levels of responsibility, thereby maintaining fairness and equity within the ranks.

Therefore, the proposed policy to increase the time spent on each rank exclusively for DSS officers in the Nigerian armed forces is fraught with significant disadvantages.

According to the affected officers “It risks eroding morale, deterring skilled professionals, creating operational inefficiencies, undermining meritocracy, and raising legal and ethical concerns. Adopting international best practices from countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, where promotion is based on merit and performance rather than the commissioning source, would ensure a fairer and more effective promotion system. It is crucial for the Nigerian armed forces to consider these factors to maintain a professional, motivated, and cohesive military force”.

At the time of filing this report,the Acting Director Defence Information Brigadier General Tukur Gusau did not respond to enquiries on the development.

The Director of Information, Ministry of Defence, Mr Henshaw Ogubike, did not respond to enquiries on the issue when contacted.

[Leadership]

The Federal Government has tightened security across all the nations borders ahead of the planned nationwide protests scheduled for August 1.

Kemi Nandap, Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service, (NIS) said this in a statement issued by the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Kenneth Udo, on Saturday in Abuja.

Nandap directed all Zonal Heads, State Command Comptrollers and Divisional Immigration Officers (DIOS) of the Service across the country to be extra vigilant.

She said officers and men of the service should intensify surveillance in view of the planned protest by some groups.

She also said that the directive was to ensure that foreign elements do not come into the country to participate in the protests.

“In keeping with the responsibility of safeguarding the nation’s gateways placed on the shoulders of the Service, officers especially Heads of Border Commands, are tasked to rise to the occasion.

“This is by ensuring that no foreign element can take advantage of the protest to distabilise the country,” she said.

The NIS CG directed temporary suspension of all leave applications and charges officers to exercise utmost professionalism and patriotism in the discharge of their duties.

This, she said should enduring and after the protest, saying, “Nigeria is the only country we have as our own.”

Nandap assured all Nigerians of the Service’s preparedness to safeguard the nation’s borders towards enhancing national Security.

(NAN)

In hours, Nigeria’s biggest reality TV show, Big Brother Naija, BBNaija, will premiere its ninth season.

The twistful nature of the reality show makes it almost unpredictable.

However, the opening ceremony of the ninth edition of the Big Brother Naija reality show holds some expectations.

Here are what viewers should expect at Big Brother Naija Season 9 premiere:

Ebuka’s Return

Media personality, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, is expected to return as the host of the show for the eight consecutive seasons.

Ebuka has hosted every season of the show excerpt season 1 which he participated in.

Over the years, the ace TV host has added flavour to the show not just with his classic blend of upper echelon and street-friendly anchoring style but with his rich fashion sense.

He has been behind most of the twists and suspense during the live show.

Dual Introduction

Big Brother Naija recently added an exciting new dynamic to the show, announcing that contestants must enter the house in pairs.

This means that unlike previous seasons, viewers will see the housemates introduced in pairs this season.

Return Of Live Audiences

Recent Big Brother Naija open ceremonies were witnessed by live audiences except the 2020 ‘Lockdown’ season which was restricted due to COVID-19 safety protocols.

It’s expected that live audiences will be present at the ninth season’s premiere later tonight.

Over the years, live audiences have added sparkle and grace to the reality show.

Live Music Performances

Like previous seasons, the opening ceremony of the ninth edition of the Big Brother Naija reality show is expected to be graced by electrifying musical performances.

Although the organisers are yet to confirm any artiste for the launch event, performances from top Afrobeats’ musicians are expected to be among the surprise packages of the night.

Fave Lock-In Returns

Not only the housemates will be competing for prizes this season, the fans can grab cash prizes, too.

Viewers can participate by predicting the pairs they think will win the Immunity Challenge. Lucky fans can win N1 million weekly.

Reveal Of ‘Hidden’ Theme

Unlike previous seasons, the theme of Big Brother Naija Season 9 is yet to be unveiled hours to the premiere.

It’s expected that the theme will be officially revealed during the launch event.

“Everyone curious about the theme should watch out for the premiere on Sunday, July 28. The show holds lots of fun, vibes, emotion, drama, dynamics and intriguing twists,” said Dr. Busola Tejumola, the Executive Head, Content and West Africa Channels, MultiChoice.

The Big Brother Naija Season 9 premiere will air across all Africa Magic channels on DStv and GOtv at 7 PM WAT.

Subsequently, viewers can follow the housemates competing in pairs for the N100 million grand prize on DStv Channel 198 and GOtv Channel 49 for 71 days.

[DailyPost]

• •Says, thousands of terrorists, bandits’ cases pending in courts

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa has expressed concern that efforts being made by the military to end insecurity especially in the Northern part of the country  has been frustrated by the judicial system, poor border management amongst other socio-economic challenges.

 General Musa noted that the security situation in the north is complex and characterised by multiple challenges mitigating against efforts of the nation’s military’s readiness and effectiveness to bring insecurity to an endurable end in the country.

 The Defence Chief spoke on Friday night in Zaria as the Guest Lecturer at a one-day dialogue organised by the Institute for Development Research and Training (IDR&T), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

 The CDS spoke on the topic ‘Assessing the Present Security Situation in Northern Nigeria’.

 He said the military in conduct of its operations had engaged itself in the kinetic and non-kinetic aspects in a bid to positively resolve its operations, disclosing that traditional use of force had been complemented with the non-traditional approaches such as civil-military relations and civil-military cooperation. 

 According to him, “Despite the successes achieved so far, several challenges still affect the Armed Forces’ efforts towards curbing the various security threats in the Northern part of Nigeria.

 “These challenges include complexities of border management as well as the erroneous perception of security as a task only for uniformed personnel and a lack of patriotism. Others are low human capacity index and perception of lack of justice.

 “Slow Judicial process and a perception of lack of justice, fairness and equity amongst citizens within the country is also a major challenge. Although essentially contested, it is a multifaceted issue which has grown over time with delays in cases leading to frustration, disappointment and challenges in addressing systematic issues. For instance, the armed forces have thousands of apprehended terrorists and bandits whose cases are still not yet concluded in the courts.

 “Other issues such as seeming favoritism and inaccessibility to justice, particularly for the poor are also perceived to have affected the dispensation of justice in the society. These issues breed apprehension and dissatisfaction which in turn could cause unnecessary tensions.

 “Therefore, it is essential to restore efficient processes to resolve disputes that may arise from the perception of injustice especially across the teeming youth population of the north.

 “This will largely assuage the citizenry to provide a feeling of belonging to the society. The perceptions of lack of justice, fairness and equity in the allocation of national resources have also been advanced as the reasons for some threats to our collective security in several instances.

 “Equally, complaints of oppression and unjust treatment by individuals and groups will need to be revisited so as to give them closure. Furthermore, specific reforms to allow for special courts to address only cases on terrorism, kidnapping, treason and other similar cases to aid speedy trial could be considered and set up.

 “Such courts could also allow the military to prosecute those cases it is involved in only in such special courts. To this end, a sustained effort from government, civil society and citizens will be required.

 “Nigeria has 364 approved international border points and 1,497 other illegal migration points into the Country. Further to this, Nigeria is a signatory to the ECOWAS Protocol on free movement of persons, goods and services within the West African sub-region.

 “The obligation to abide by the ECOWAS Protocol on free movement coupled with the nature of our border management, further instigates the challenges to our nation’s security. This has manifested in increased insurgency, terrorism and religious extremism, as well as the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, human and drug trafficking amongst others.

 “The underlying causes of these complexities could be attributed to the inadequacies in the implementation of frameworks for our border management systems as well as structures to adapt to systemic changes. Equally, the impact of these complexities on Nigeria’s national security particularly in the Northern parts of the country has brought to the fore the need to improve our border control measures and overall architecture to provide a more effective system that would improve the check of illegal entry through our borders.

 “Thus, we need to continue our collaboration with political leaders and relevant stakeholders in the implementation of essential protocols and action plans towards strengthening our border management systems for improved national security.”

[TheNation]

Hours after Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun issued guidelines for the planned nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest scheduled for August 1, opposition parties have kicked against the conditions, saying they are against Nigeria’s constitution.

They insisted that the right to protest is recognised as a fundamental human right in Nigeria and is protected by the constitution.

Egbetokun had in response to requests to protest across the country set guidelines for all organisers and groups planning to participate.

He specifically directed them to submit their details, proposed routes, and assembly points to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states. 

The IG also said commissioners of police in states where protests would be held must be provided with details of measures put in place to prevent the demonstration from being hijacked by criminal elements.

The police chief  had earlier raised concerns about the legitimacy of the gathering, adding that arrangements had been made to arrest suspected hoodlums disguising as protesters.

The Department of State Services, on the other hand, claimed it uncovered a plan by some criminal elements to hijack the protest and cause unrest in the country.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the DSS, through its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, described the motive behind the planned protest as political.

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters also warned intending protesters against any form of violence, stating that the right to protest did not include unleashing terror.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, who conveyed the message in Abuja, raised concerns that the planned nationwide protest could escalate into chaos based on the military’s analysis and intelligence.

Concentrate on protecting protesters – NNPP

Speaking exclusively with Sunday PUNCH, the National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Ladipo Johnson, said going after protesters was a violation of their constitutional right. He said instead of clamping down on those legitimately exercising their civic rights, efforts should be made to protect them.

Johnson said, “I don’t think there is a need to clamp down on protesters. Nigerians have a right to exercise their constitutional right to protest. They should not be harassed in any way. On the other hand, protesters must do their best to ensure that the protest is not hijacked either by hoodlums or by people sent. Hoodlums are one thing, people sent by unscrupulous politicians to cause friction and mayhem are another. These people should be resisted. The police also must secure the protesters in a peaceful atmosphere and ensure they are not infiltrated by people who want to cause chaos and damage properties. That is what they should be doing, not threatening or scaring people.”

PDP not surprised by threats to gag opposition – Spokesman

Also, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party, Ibrahim Abdullahi, said it was unfortunate that the presidency would be planning to use the security apparatus to intimidate its citizens.

He said, “What you see the police and the DSS doing is a prepared script. It is quite unfortunate. The attempt by the government to suppress the voices of dissent is not something we are surprised about because they had demonstrated this long before. They made it known before coming into power that they wouldn’t entertain opposition. So, what they first did was to take some persons they believed were going to have a voice and make them part of their team. Now, even after winning the election, they have not stopped. It is clear that the intention of this government is to inflict maximum pain and injury on Nigerians and suppress voices of dissent, who will probably raise objections to their approach. They have inflicted untold hardship on Nigerians. They have also gone further to ensure that fear and intimidation is the only way they would rule this country.”

Tinubu should tread carefully – LP

Similarly, the opposition Labour Party has advised the presidency and security agents to tread carefully, warning that any threat to clamp down on the people may prove counterproductive.

In an exclusive with Sunday PUNCH, the National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiorah Ifoh, said the country should borrow a leaf from what transpired in neighbouring Kenya, and the government’s response to the people.

He said, “As a party, we are not going to support any violent protest. We are not speaking for them (protesters). But a hungry man is an angry man. These people can’t feed, transport freely, can’t even afford to send children to school and receive pittance as wages. Yet, you want them not to talk? I think that is undemocratic. We saw what happened in Kenya a few weeks ago, where people spoke their minds peacefully and the Kenyan government did the right thing. Nobody is asking for violence. Everybody that goes into violent protests should be made to pay the price. But we are insisting on allowing Nigerians to speak up their minds through peaceful means.”

Yunusa Tanko, the campaign spokesman for LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on his part, said Nigerians deserved better treatment. The activist emphasized that it would be unfair to threaten people planning to demonstrate with arrest as protest is one of the rights provided for in a democratic setting.

Accusations against opposition insult to Nigerians – Northern CAN

The Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern states, including Abuja, says the planned nationwide hunger protests are an indication that things have gone really bad in the country. CAN insisted that Nigerians have been “suffering and smiling” for too long and the government showed no concern.

In a statement through its Secretary, Elder Sunday Oibe, in Kaduna on Saturday, the body expressed concern over the planned nationwide protest and urged the President to take concrete steps to address the economic hardship and insecurity plaguing the country. It also admonished Nigerian politicians to be mindful of their actions and inactions.

CAN recalled the ‘Occupy Nigeria’ protest held in 2012, led by President Tinubu, meant to force former President Goodluck Jonathan to retrace his steps over the removal of the petrol subsidy during his administration, and noted that those in government must acknowledge the fact that in a democracy, citizens had the right to embark on peaceful protests over issues affecting their welfare. “Rather than trying to induce and influence some religious and traditional leaders to stop the protest, as it is being speculated in certain quarters, the government should apologise for its ineptitude and failure to address challenges threatening the very foundation of the country and improve the living condition of the people. Since the removal of the subsidy on petrol by President Bola Tinubu over a year ago, Nigerians have yet to enjoy its benefits; insecurity continues to remain undermined by the Nigerian state. We call for prayers for peace, unity, and stability in our country. Pray for God’s intervention in our country,” the Northern CAN stated.

‘Security agencies harassing organisers’

Meanwhile, in a telephone interview with our correspondents, one of the organisers of the protest, Deji Adeyanju, said the IG was trying to rewrite the constitution with his directives.

The human rights activist maintained that Nigeria’s constitution conferred on citizens the right to protest.

He said, “When the constitution was conferring the right to protest on the citizens, did the constitution give conditions for protests? Is the IG trying to rewrite the constitution? Is he trying to donate rights to the citizens or what? He has no such powers. The constitution and other laws of the land do not give the IG the power to dictate how citizens should protest.”

Further speaking, Adeyanju accused security agencies of harassing organisers of the protest and freezing their accounts.

He revealed that some of them had been arrested in states like Kano, Sokoto, and Zamfara, only to be released after widespread condemnation and outcries.

The human rights activist noted that it was a tactic to intimidate them so as not to go ahead with the protest, adding that they remained resolute.

Speaking in the same vein, the Director of Mobilisation, ‘Take It Back Movement’, Damilare Adenola, emphasised that the organisers were not bound by the directives.

He said, “The constitution doesn’t mandate us to get the government’s approval for protests. With or without the minister or President’s approval, the protests will go on. We’re not bound by the dictates of the Inspector General of Police or anyone in government.

“The rule of law and our conscience are our guiding principles, and the Nigerian Constitution (1999 as amended) grants Nigerian citizens the right to peaceful assembly and peaceful demonstrations.”

Adenola alleged that aside from freezing the organisers’ accounts, social media influencers had been engaged to attack activists and those who indicated interest in the protest.

He added, “They’ve blocked the ‘Take It Back Movement’ bank account with UBA. We’ve been informed that they’re now paying social media influencers to discredit human rights activists and peaceful protesters.”

Also making his stance known on the IG directive, the Convener of the Revolution Now Movement, Mr Omoyele Sowore, on X.com, said the police could not dictate to citizens how to go about protests.

He, however, called on all security agencies to submit the names of their officers who would be deployed for the protest.

Sowore stated, “The #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria #DaysOfRage revolt is not subject to any conditions; the @PoliceNG cannot dictate to Nigerians how to organise themselves during a mass action of this magnitude. However, the IG of @Policeng is advised to submit the list of police officers that would be deployed to cover these direct actions to our lawyers so that we’d know who to hold accountable should anything go wrong; the same applies to the @OfficialDSSNG, @HQNigerianArmy, and any security agency(IRS) that may be deployed by the state or federal government of Nigeria.”

Shelve planned protest – Kwankwaso

The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party during the 2023 election, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, said shelving the planned protest would be in the interest of the country. The one-time former governor of Kano State, in a post on his X handle on Saturday, called on Nigerians to put the country’s interest first before any other consideration. The national leader of NNPP called on Nigerians to remove a non-performing government through the ballot rather than through a protest.

Tinubu’s govt after solution, not protesters – APC

But the ruling All Progressives Congress sees the issue from another perspective.

The National Publicity Director of the APC, Bala Ibrahim, believed the response of the government was being misinterpreted.

Ibrahim stated that unless the organisers of the protest and the opposition had ulterior motives, they would appreciate that the President had even gone the extra mile to assure the citizens that he was working assiduously to address their concerns.

He said, “When you are devilish in your thinking or planning something cynical, you will believe everybody is thinking that way. There is no way a government that is doing everything with civility, and is always at the forefront for human rights, will clamp down on people fighting for their right.

“This is not a government that is brutish or brutal when it comes to lawful protests. The only thing is that a protest must be peaceful, lawful and done in a manner that is democratically accepted. Anything to the contrary will go against the law. A government that is law-abiding will not fold its arms and allow people trample on the law.

“Don’t forget that the President has appealed to the nation to shelve the demonstration, saying whatever their grievances are, it will be looked into with a view to resolving them. It is not a government that has promised to do miracles. No, it is one that seeks to ensure the sufferings of Nigerians are addressed.”

[Punch]

Lorenzo Colombo scored two first-half goals and Marco Nasti netted the game-winner to give AC Milan a 3-2 victory over English Premier League champion Manchester City on Saturday at New York.

Nasti lifted Milan ahead to stay in the 78th minute, the 20-year-old Italian striker taking a centering pass from Belgian right wing Alexis Saelemaekers and firing an inside right foot blast into the goal.

Several European sides are playing pre-season tune-ups in US venues ahead of next month’s start of their league campaigns.

Norwegian striker Erling Haaland opened the scoring for Manchester City in the 19th minute, but Italian forward Colombo answered for AC Milan in the 30th and 34th minutes to lift the Italian side ahead 2-1 at half-time at Yankee Stadium.

City equalized in the 55th minute when Manchester hometown winger Micah Hamilton crossed the ball from the left side into the box.

English striker James McAtee headed the ball into the net, setting the stage for Nasti’s decider.

At Los Angeles, Gabriel Martinelli scored for Arsenal in the 81st minute to give the Gunners a 2-1 victory over Manchester United in a friendly at SoFi Stadium.

Danish 21-year-old striker Rasmus Hojlund opened the scoring in the 10th minute for United.

Marcus Rashford lofted a clearing pass down the left wing and Hojlund took the ball and battled Arsenal defender Ayden Heaven into the box, where he got a step ahead and blasted a goal between the legs of Gunners goalkeeper Karl Hein.

Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus netted the equalizer in the 26th minute, the Brazilian tapping in a centering pass from point-blank range as the Red Devils appealed in vain for an offside call.

Martinelli, who helped Brazil to Tokyo Olympic gold, came in from the left side and flicked in a right-footed shot inside the near post to give Arsenal the winning margin.

– Celtic rip Chelsea –

Earlier, Japan’s Kyogo Furuhashi and Denmark’s Matt O’Riley scored first-half goals to power Celtic over Chelsea 4-1.

Luis Palma and Michael Johnston added second-half goals for the Glasgow side, while Christopher Nkunku averted a shutout for the Londoners with an 89th-minute penalty kick.

Celtic, who beat Man City 4-3 on Tuesday, dominated the match at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.

Celtic seized the lead in the 19th minute on O’Riley’s left-footed blast from the right side of the box inside the far post.

An unguarded Furuhashi tapped in a left-footed shot in the 33rd minute from point-blank range off a centering pass from O’Riley to give the Scottish side a 2-0 advantage at half-time.

Honduran striker Palma boosted the lead in the 76th minute and Johnston netted the Hoops’ final goal in the 79th.

AFP

The youths plan a public protest. The land has been feverish with hunger and suffering.  The grounds for a protest can’t be more legitimate and compelling. The cost of living has become punishing.

The weak naira has pauperised everyone, and the poor have been left without hope. The new government arrived with the old cluelessness. Its mode is the boring Business As Usual.

The youths believe that besides pervasive ineptitude, the political class has been chronically aloof and wasteful. Rather than engage the youths, the political class has opted for scaremongering, delegitimisation and demonisation. The government is going for the kitchen sink.

The most troubling tactic is the equation of peaceful protest with violence. Some elders have been co-opted to warn the young not to partake in the protests because they have information that the planners of the protests want to burn the country. Even during the military regimes, students were allowed to protest. The military dictatorships, striving to be seen as humane, didn’t employ this disingenuous tactic.

If every government treated public protests as inevitably destructive then the citizens’ right to protest would have been effectively abolished long ago. It’s heart-wrenching to see politicians and former Rights activists who championed protests under the military say only ugly things about the right to protest. Their forgetfulness is painful. They are carefreely painting protesters as arsonists and vandals even before the protests have started.

 It’s been a hard watch these last few days. Security agencies have been addressing press conferences to warn protesters. Those whose duty it is to protect protesters are announcing in advance that they are incapable of performing those duties. The situation is pathetic. At these press conferences, no effort is made to give the protesters the benefit of the doubt. Almost all the security agencies have exhibited a blanket disdain for protesters. Rather than engage in this shameful and self-humiliating scaremongering, the federal government should outlaw the right to protest. In North Korea, nobody can protest. That’s a more honest path. Politicians are always slippery. So seeing self-anointed progressives eulogise the right to protest in one breath and in the next send out messages that protests will destroy the country isn’t all that shocking.  But watching noblemen sink into barefaced lying to deny the youths a voice has been unbearable.

It hasn’t stopped at scaremongering. When the government isn’t gathering and persuading traditional and religious leaders to help it delegitimise protests, it’s allowing its officials to engage in naked bigotry and divisiveness. Not long ago, a special adviser to the president pointed accusing fingers at Peter Obi and his supporters. He had no evidence. All he sought was to drive a wedge between ethnic groups to have the protests truncated. The people paid with taxpayers’ funds to promote national unity have sunk into political skulduggery. This recourse to political agbeorism may not end with fishing for advance scapegoats. It has the potential to set up a conflagration between ethnic groups if the peaceful protests are hijacked and derailed by thugs, as is being speculated.

Before this government, opposition parties used to champion or promote public protests against bad governance at the centre. In 2012, President Tinubu and his comrades led pretests against the then President Jonathan, who had partially removed fuel subsidies. Then, it was the duty of the opposition, acting as an electable alternative, to use protests to keep the ruling government in check. Today,  protests are taboo. Even opposition leaders are forbidden by bigots in the boys’ quarters of power to engage in any protests.

Nothing has been spared in this attempt to stop the protests. Now, some local priests in Lagos have announced that they will be engaging in a spiritual cleansing called Oro for 15 days. In other words, they have casually outlawed any movements in the evenings for the ten-day period the planners of the protests plan to engage in peaceful protests. The Lagos State Govt has said it wasn’t consulted. Yet, it doesn’t intend to condemn or stop the Oro priests. The Constitution explicitly states that citizens have the right to reside wherever they like and to move freely. Such a constitutional right can only be curtailed by the government in pursuit of overriding public good. The idea that some priestesses or cults can wake up and declare a part of the state out of bounds to residents at certain times without the approval of the state government is ridiculous. To employ such arbitrariness to sabotage the right of free citizens to protest against bad governance is the final descent into anarchy.

These bad precedents being laid cheerfully may seem innocuous. But once they prove effective, they will be exploited on a larger scale to destroy our democracy. It’s noteworthy that Oro is making a second ignoble entrance. During last year’s elections, it was used to scare away and disenfranchise voters who were not indigenes of Ikorodu. This time, it appears it will be used to undermine the protests. Who knows what next this cleansing process might be used to corrode? If some local priests in every town in this country can wake up and prohibit the movement of people as long as they like in the name of one religion or the other, then we are in a mess.

During the Endsars protest, some agents of that government mobilised counter-protesters with cudgels to chase and hound protesters in certain parts of the country. Janjaweed style. They called it fighting fire with fire. If those who protested against the  Obasanjo government in the early 2000s were chased away by machete-wielding thugs, all those protests that shaped our political culture during the Adams Oshiomhole NLC days wouldn’t have held. Perhaps we might have killed this protest culture many years ago. Perhaps the ruling APC might have remained in the opposition forever as the PDP had bragged.

 If our political leaders no longer believe that protests are part of the democratic culture, they should say it aloud. So that everybody can allow the country to slip into a one-party state, and we all watch peacefully to see where we will end. Since our political leaders now think that protests can never be peaceful and are inherently violent, they should outlaw protests so that the citizens can understand the boundaries of our democracy. We can help them by forgetting that the president and his party leaders led protests in the past. They need not subject themselves to this dehumanising level of hypocrisy. Senator Akpabio can arrange laws and constitutional amendments, like fast food. The governors run the state legislatures like rubber stamps. So they can help with a lightning constitutional alteration.  We can quickly amend the constitution and repeal the right to protest until further notice. That is more honest than the scaremongering, shameless witch-hunting, and the bastardisation of a cleansing process like Oro.