Twenty-four hours before the planned 10-day hunger protest, the Federal Government took some proactive steps to quell the demonstration.

Recall that recently, a group, the Take It Back movement called for a nationwide protest against hunger and bad governance in the country.

The group tagged the protest, “Days of Rage” which it said would hold nationwide from August 1 to 10.

However, there have been calls from top government personalities, groups, and religious bodies, including the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Muslim Student Society of Nigeria (Lagos chapter), and the Muslim Rights Concern, citing a palpable fear that it might be hijacked by infiltrators who do not mean well for the country.

Even the former Niger Delta freedom fighter, Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, warned organisers of the protest to desist from coming to Niger Delta.

Dokubo-Asari said the agenda of those behind the protest do not capture the problems of the people of the Niger Delta.

While daring them to come to the oil and gas-rich region, he said they would be resisted, alleging that they were merely interested in the resources coming from the Niger Delta, describing them as ‘anarchist.

Additionally, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has urged all groups planning to participate in the proposed nationwide protest to submit their details to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states.

He stated this was to ensure the protest remains peaceful.

Egbetokun said, “We acknowledge the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens to peaceful assembly and protest.

“However, in the interest of public safety and order, we urge all groups planning to protest to provide the necessary details to the Commissioner of Police in the state where the protest is intended to take place.”

Although the protest, which has gained traction on social media, has been endorsed by presidential candidates Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

Going forward, this report by PUNCH Online highlights the major steps the Federal Government has taken to stop the protest from being held, as they considered the demonstration unnecessary while demanding time for President Tinubu to govern.

1. Tinubu created centres across the country where Nigerians can purchase a 50kg bag of rice for N40,000.

The FG said it was one of the several initiatives by the Tinubu administration to ease living conditions for citizens.

2. Tinubu directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to sell crude to the Dangote refinery and other upcoming refineries in naira.

The approval given by Tinubu for the sale of crude oil to the Dangote Petroleum refinery in naira is going to force the prices of domestically refined petroleum products to crash, oil marketers, refiners, and experts stated.

Operators in the downstream oil sector commended the move by the President, stating that it would boost the outputs of domestic refineries, shore up the country’s foreign exchange reserves, and strengthen the naira.

3. He met with governors from the All Progressives Congress, under the aegis of the Progressives Governors Forum at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to discuss the growing calls for nationwide protests against economic hardship.

4. Although Tinubu had earlier announced that he may stop the importation of import duties on food and essential commodities, Tinubu suspended import duties to cushion the effect of the inflationary trend in Nigeria. On Monday, he removed the duties on the food importation.

5. The President held emergency meetings with prominent traditional rulers and Ulamas (Islamic religious scholars) at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja as part of efforts by the government to ensure the planned hunger protest, slated for August 1 to 10, is averted nationwide.

6. FG unveiled the Youth Internship Scheme initiated by the NDDC for 10,000 youths of the Niger Delta region and approved N50,000 monthly stipends for them.

7. The Nigerian Communications Commission has directed telecommunications operators to immediately restore all blocked phone lines due to the non-linkage of National Identification Numbers to SIM cards.

This directive was disclosed in a statement on Monday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka.

The telecom industry regulator explained that this directive was in response to the widespread disruption caused by the blockages and to prioritise consumer convenience.

8. President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, signed the new Minimum Wage Act into law.

The brief ceremony was witnessed by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, and the House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvberem, who represented the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.

It came nearly two weeks after President Bola Tinubu and the organised labour unions—comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria—agreed on N70,000 as the new minimum wage.

Police operatives in Zamfara State have arrested a lawmaker in the state House of Assembly, a District Head and a former local government chairman over alleged kidnapping and banditry in the state.

A BBC Hausa report monitored by our correspondent in Kaduna, alleged that Aminu Ibrahim, who represents Kaura Namoda state constituency in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, was nabbed by the police for complicity in banditry and kidnapping.

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Aminu Ibrahim was allegely involved in the abduction of Ibrahim Fada in Kasuwar Daji village, a man said to be about 80 years old.

The Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Dalijan, has confirmed the lawmaker’s arrest, adding that the District Head of Kaura Namoda, Jafaru Kumburki and a former Chairman of Kaura Namoda LGA, Nasiru Muhammad, are also cooling their heads in police custody due to similar charges.

He said: “Three District Heads of Danjibga, Bukkuyum and Unguwar Gyauro in Tsafe and Bukkuyum LGAs, are also under investigation for alleged involvement in kidnapping and banditry.”

He said the District Head of Kaura Namoda connived with two suspected associates of bandits and kidnapped nine locals in Gidan Sambo village of Kaura Namoda LGA, and were paid a ransom of N800,000.

He explained that the former council boss collaborated with two others and abducted Ango in Kumurya community of Zamfara State.

He said: “The District Heads of Danjibga, Unguwar Gyauro and Bukkuyum will face an investigative panel set up by the state government over their involvement in banditry activities.

“Prior to the formation of the panel, the police had conducted an investigation into the matter and submitted report to the state governor for further action. Police authorities will continue to identify, arrest and subsequently prosecute anybody found participating in banditry and other related crimes.

“Investigation is still ongoing and I can assure you that whoever is found directly or indirectly involved in this case will be invited for questioning.”

The Federal Government has urged Nigerians to reconsider the planned nationwide protest set for Thursday, August 1.

Naija News reports that this appeal was made on Wednesday by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, during a press conference in Abuja attended by key government officials.

Akume emphasized that protests are not the solution to the country’s challenges, which the government is actively working to address.

To achieve this goal, Akume highlighted the importance of peace and stability, as these are crucial for building trust, fostering cooperation, and achieving shared objectives.

Akume said: “Economic prosperity for the nation remains the ultimate goal of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because it is the engine that drives progress, lifts families from poverty, and builds strong, resilient societies.

“To achieve this goal, we must enjoy peace and stability because it is the cornerstone upon which we build trust, cooperation, and shared purpose. When peace reigns, policies yield results, businesses thrive, investments flourish, and creativity is unleashed.

“This administration at inception in May 2023 inherited an economy in need of urgent , bold and imaginative reforms. Policy measures including removal of an unsustainable fuel subsidy regime had to be taken. This, it must be admitted has resulted in unexpected adjustments that impacted all facets of the economy and our daily lives.

“The administration similarly inherited a security situation that had existed for two decades and required greater attention in terms of upgrade of security architecture, infrastructure, systems, capability and capacity of personnel. This has compelled massive infusion of scarce resources from our already dwindling revenue. The objectives have been to secure lives and property, build foreign investors’ confidence, and increase food production by returning our communities to their homes and farm lands in safe and secure environment.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sought the mandate of Nigerians to lead the nation at this difficult time because he knew that effective leadership was required to address the challenges that had accumulated over several years. That was why he sought to renew the hope of Nigerians. Within a space of 14 months of purposeful leadership, the administration has recorded tremendous accomplishments that laid the foundation for immediate, medium and long term prosperity of Nigerians, in an inclusive manner.

“Let me avail you a few concrete cross cutting examples of achievements. This is in addition to those specific accomplishments from twenty Ministries as contained in the annex to this briefing.”

Senator Akume provided several examples of these achievements, in addition to specific accomplishments from various ministries:

(I). Labour Sector and the Masses

(a). Consequent upon the impact of the removal of subsidy, the President, working with the Governors released the sum of five billion Naira to each State to cushion the impact in an inclusive manner that prioritised the poor, vulnerable and the elderly;

(b).Mr. President approved a Wage Award of Thirty-five Thousand Naira for a period of six months to cushion the effect on workers. This award was higher than the minimum wage

(c). Mr. President has just signed into law a new National Minimum Wage Act which prescribed ₦70,000:00. This represents more than 100% increase from the last minimum wage (₦30,000) and takes retroactive effect from April

(d). Currently, as we speak, States, through their Governors, are receiving twenty trailer loads of assorted grains per state, approved by the President for distribution to citizens. This is intended to cushion the high cost of foodstuff

(e). Government has removed tariffs on imported food items to bring down the prices of food stuff

(g). Farm inputs including fertilisers, are also being made available to farmers at highly subsidised rates to boost food production and reduce cost. Mr President has also approved the release of sixty four trailer loads of fertizers to each state to boost agricultural production.

(h) The Agricultural land development Agency has also been repositioned to facilitate land preparation for farmers

(h). Recently the President established the Ministry for Livestock Development in order to address the challenges in the sector and facilitate access to affordable protein by Nigerians and boost export.

(ii). Infrastructure Development & Industries

Road and other critical infrastructure are being developed across the nation as part of long term measures to reposition the economy and ease movement on the roads and by rail.

The Bank of Industry is also being supported to fund the growth of MSMEs in the industrial sector

Recently, the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Plan was unveiled as a catalyst for economic boom.

Railways infrastructure is also being developed across the nation to facilitate affordable transportation by the citizens

(III). SOCIAL SAFETY NET PROGRAMS

Curently, over 15 million indigent, poor and highly u=vunerable families are beneficiaries of the family support cash grants by the FG

(iv) LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY

(a). As part of the efforts of the FG to take development to the grass roots, the government approached the Supreme Court for a decision on the funding of LGAs in Nigeria. The favourable judgement has now set the LGA on the path to their financial and development autonomy.

(v). Ministry of Livestock development:

(a). For the first time in our nation, the President created a stand alone Ministry for the Youth that account for a large percentage of our population

(vi) YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

(a). Under the ₦35 Billion Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) approved beneficiaries have exceeded the 40 thousand mark, of the expected 70 thousand beneficiaries.

In light of these achievements, Akume urged Nigerians to recognize that the country is a work in progress, and relief from economic hardships is forthcoming. He called on all citizens, regardless of background, to reject calls for protests against hunger and prioritize peace and progress.

“It is in the light of these aforementioned situation and accomplishments that we wish to inform you that Nigeria is work in progress and in due course, we shall breath a sigh of relief. The on-going economic hardships would abate very soon and we shall all enjoy endless prosperity.

“We therefore appeal to Nigerians of whatever persuation, belief, demography, gender and status to shun calls for protest against hunger by prioritising peace and progress.

“For the avoidance of doubts, the government of President Tinubu recognises the right to peaceful protest but circumspection and vigilance should be our watch words. Government is weary of the dangers associated with protests that are vulnerable to being highjacked by bandits, insurgents and other criminals. Rather, we request that dialogue should be advanced and we remain open to such.

“Our appeal is that Nigerians should please pursue the path of peace, dialogue and collaboration in addressing the challenges that collectively confront us. Please go about your legitimate businesses and avoid actions and/or association that are capable of disturbing the peace of the country. Remain vigilant as well .

“Let me reassure you that together, we shall create a Nigeria where peace and stability are not merely aspirations but realities, where economic growth is not just a goal but a tangible outcome, and where the dreams of our people are transformed into a shared national destiny,” the SGF pleaded

A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has alleged that the Federal Government is employing every weapon at its disposal, including cash, threats of arrests, fear-mongering, and intimidation to stop the August protest.

Naija News reports that Lawal made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, criticising the Nigerian military and police for their stance on the looming nationwide protests by aggrieved Nigerians.

The former SGF slammed the military high command and Police for issuing threats to Nigerians in an attempt to discourage them from participating in the upcoming protests.

According to Lawal, the security agents are the most affected by pervasive government corruption, especially the loss of lives due to poorly equipped fighting forces.

The statement “Egged on by the political class and probably to pander to the huge ego of their Commander-in-Chief, the military high command has been issuing threats to Nigerians to discourage them from participating in the proposed hunger protests.

“The military has blatantly ignored the fact that internal security is wholly the constitutional responsibility of the Nigerian Police Force.

“Meanwhile, bandits, kidnappers, insurgents, and the so-called ‘unknown gunmen’ are controlling large swaths of Nigerian territory with thousands of citizens held in captivity with no near-hope of redemption.

“The military appears unable or unwilling to effectively tackle these challenges but instead is intending to dabble into domains for which they are ill-equipped.

“Furthermore, the military high command pretends to be oblivious to the fact that their rank and file also frequent the same markets as the hapless civilians. They are also victims of the pervasive low purchasing power, extreme poverty, high cost of living, and the all-encompassing insecurity that has enveloped the nation.

“Indeed, one could argue that they are most affected, seeing as they are the ones losing more lives due to poorly equipped fighting forces, a result of pervasive government corruption.

“Indeed, it is common knowledge that bandits and insurgents are sometimes better equipped than the fighting troops. So, the argument could be made that the military stands to benefit more if the government were to act responsibly and accountably.

“And since, by virtue of their calling, they cannot organize or participate in protests, who else could come to their rescue but the protesting civilians?

“The police high command has also been issuing murderous threats to the would-be protesters. This is particularly sad because the Police Force knows that its duty should be to protect the protesters and ensure the protests proceed smoothly, devoid of violence and anarchy.

“However, given that the Police Act has just been speedily amended, with the primary motive appearing to be the extension of the tenure of the current Inspector General, it is not unreasonable to assume that the police high command intends to show its gratitude to the President through an overzealous suppression of the planned protests.

“Messrs Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Inspector General of Police, Director General, State Security Service, and National Security Adviser, please calm down!

“The protesters are your relations, friends, and fellow countrymen and women who are severely overwhelmed by lack and want. Some of them are dying from hunger, malnutrition, and diseases.

“They are despondent because they see no hope on the horizon and receive no empathy from the government whose interests you are overzealously defending.

“The people’s backs are against the wall, and they see no alternative ways of communicating their discontent to an apparently deaf and dumb government.

“The government itself is in full panic mode, employing every weapon at its disposal, including cash, threats of arrests, fear-mongering, and intimidation.

“The Presidency has deployed its most virulent propagandists and attack dogs against its citizens in full force.

“Their preferred methodologies are threats and fear-mongering. The system is awash with cash to fund the activities of anonymous emergency and unregistered NGOs that threaten would-be protesters with violence and counter-protests.

“But their methods are not working. On the contrary, these methods have exposed the underbelly of the government and emboldened the organizers of the protests.”

Tragedy struck on Tuesday night as Nigeria’s legendary singer and songwriter, Onyeka Onwenu, passed away shortly after performing at a birthday party in Lagos.

The music icon, affectionately known as the ‘Elegant Stallion,’ reportedly collapsed at a private function and was later pronounced dead at Reddington Hospital in Victoria Island, Lagos. Sources close to the family confirmed the shocking news to The Guardian.

Onwenu was attending the birthday celebration of Mrs Stella Okoli, founder of Emzor Pharmaceuticals when she took to the stage to perform.

Eyewitnesses said she returned to her seat after her performance and suddenly slumped. Emergency services were immediately called, and she was rushed to the hospital, where she was later declared dead. The exact cause of death is yet to be confirmed.

A source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said, “It is very sad. Onyeka Onwenu had just performed at the birthday of Mrs. Stella Okoli of Emzor Pharmaceuticals this night, and after performing, she slumped. She was taken to Reddington Hospital but couldn’t make it.”

Onyeka Onwenu, born on May 31, 1952, had a career that spanned over four decades.

She was not only a renowned singer and songwriter but also an actress, journalist, and politician. Onwenu’s music, which blended genres such as highlife, reggae, and pop, often addressed social and political issues.

Some of her most popular songs include “One Love,” “Iyogogo,” and “Ekwe.”

A Lagos High Court has issued a restriction on protesters willing to participate in the proposed August 1 nationwide protest, limiting them to the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota and Peace Park in the Ketu area of the state.

The ruling was handed down on Tuesday by Justice Emmanuel Ogundare following a preemptive ex parte application filed by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro, SAN.

The application aimed to maintain public safety and prevent potential loss of lives and property during the protests.

Justice Ogundare’s order restricts the protests to the two designated parks, effectively preventing demonstrations from spreading to other parts of Lagos.

The application listed Adamma Ukpabi and Tosin Harsogba (representing Active Citizens Group), Comrade Juwon Sanyaolu and Hassan Soweto (representing Take it Back Movement), persons unknown, and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, as co-defendants.

Mr Pedro argued that, as the Chief Law Officer of the State, he was aware of various groups planning to participate in the protest, both for and against it.

He emphasized the need to protect critical infrastructure and prevent a repeat of the irreparable loss of lives and property witnessed during the EndSARS protest in 2020.

Pedro pointed out that the police in Lagos State lack sufficient manpower to provide adequate security for protests across all local government councils, public highways, and other public areas.

He stressed the importance of preventing the protest from being hijacked by hoodlums who could disrupt law and order under the guise of protesting against alleged bad governance.

The ruling comes amidst heightened tensions and preparations for the nationwide protest set to commence on August 1.

According to Pedro, “In recognition of the citizen’s fundamental right to stage a public protest against government policies and actions but prevent unlawful destruction of lives and properties in the process, the Lagos State Government has designated two public spaces and locations in the State where citizens can meet and converge to protest or express their displeasure against government. The locations are Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota, Lagos State and Peace Park, Ketu, Lagos State.

“Public protest in all the local government councils and public highways as well as other areas of public access in the State for 10 days is a deliberate plan to shut down the State, and if this is allowed it will amount to economic sabotage.

“An order of the court is required in the circumstances so as to protect the fundamental rights of 1st to 5th Defendants/Respondents to protest and other residents opposed to the protest to go about their lawful without harassment, disturbance and destruction of public buildings/properties.”

After listening to his argument, Justice Ogundare granted all the reliefs sought in the application.

He held, “AN ORDER OF PRE-EMPTIVE REMEDY by way of interim injunction is hereby granted restraining the 1st to 5th Defendants/Respondents, whether by themselves, their agents, privies, servants or any other person(s) acting through them from converging and carrying out their proposed peaceful public protest, rallies, procession and meetings in Lagos State from the 1-10″ August 1-10, 2024 excerpt in the approved designated location for peaceful public protest, rallies and meetings, to wit: Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ikorodu Road, Ojota, Lagos State and Peace Park Ketu Lagos from 8 .00 am to 6 pm pending compliance with the pre-action protocol by the Claimant.

“AN ORDER OF PRE-EMPTIVE REMEDY by way of interim preservative order is hereby granted directing the 6th Defendant to protect the fundamental rights of the 1st to 5th Defendants/Respondents to freedom of association, peaceful public protest, procession and tallies in the approved designated location for peaceful public protest, rallies and meetings in Lagos State, To wit: Gani Fawehinm Freedom Park, Ikorodu Road Ojota, Lagos and Peace Park, Ketu Lagos from 8 am to 6 pm on August 1-10, 2024 pending compliance with the pre-action protocol by the Claimant.

“AN ORDER OF PRE-EMPTIVE REMEDY by way of interim preservative order is hereby granted directing the 6th Defendant to provide security support and traffic management support to the 1st to 5th Defendants at the approved designated location for their proposed peaceful public protest, rallies and meetings in Lagos State, To wit: Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ikorodu Road, Ojota, Lagos State and Peace Park Ketu Lagos from 8 am to 6 pm on 1st -10% August, 2024 pending compliance with the pre-action protocol by the Claimant.

“An Order of substituted service of the Order of this Court in this matter, the Memorandum of Claim/Letter of Claim and all other pre-action protocols documents on the 1st- 5th Defendants/Respondents by Newspaper publication in a National daily to wit: any other widely read newspaper and the service shall be deemed as good and sufficient service on the Defendants/Respondents.”

The Coalition of Igbo Political and Social-Cultural Groups, as well as market leaders in Lagos State, on Tuesday, distanced themselves from the planned nationwide protest expected to kick off on Thursday.

Made up of 16 large groups, which included the Council of Ndieze in Lagos, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, South-East Forum in Lagos, Igbo Mandate, seven Igbo Towns Unions, Igbo Speaking Community, Igbo Vision APC Lagos, Igbo Market Men and Women Associations, and Ndigbo in APC, the coalition advised Igbo traders to stay home and not open their businesses on days of the protest to avoid being attacked.

While acknowledging that there is no dispute that there is hardship in the country, the Igbo stakeholders noted that the current economic situation bedevilling the country is not limited to Nigeria and was not caused by the incumbent government led by President Bola Tinubu.

According to them, the present situation of things in the country is a cumulative effect and result of past bad governance, which cannot be attributed to Tinubu’s administration, which is a little above one year in the saddle.

Speaking during a press conference held in Ikeja, the Coordinator of the Coalition, High Chief Anselm Njoku, said a national protest at a time when the Federal Government is trying to revamp the economy is going to be counterproductive, hence ill advised.

He said, “We are distancing ourselves and the entire Ndigbo in Lagos from the planned protest by some unscrupulous faceless elements, who are partly using Igbo nomenclatures to fan the embers of unsounded agitation. Nigerians should develop a culture of dialogue with the government and deploy constructive criticism without resorting to unnecessary provocative protests and violence.

“It is in this regard that we enjoin all Igbo of all extraditions, stakeholders, residents, traders, and captains of industries not to join in the protest. Lagos is Yoruba land, and Ndigbo, who are residents here, have contributed immensely to its development, so they cannot be used, coerced in whatever form, to destroy assets.

“We are not destruction-prone and cannot be part of those seeking to destroy what we partly built. Ndigbo are not wired for destruction but develop wherever we are residing.

“Let it be known that from all intelligence gatherings, the faceless organisers of this planned protest are not known to us, not Igbos, and are merely hiding under Ndigbo names, dropping Igbo names to create confusion and gather credibility.”

Njoku expressed gratitude to Tinubu for approving the South East Development Commission and appealed to him to expedite action on the release of Nnamdi Kanu through a political process rather than judiciary means.

“We are also using this opportunity to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the South-East Development Commission, for deeming it right, and due to appoint an Igbo illustrious son as the Chief of Naval Staff, therefore allowing the Igbo ethnic group a say in the National Security structure. We will greatly appreciate it if the President makes the Commission rewarding and beneficial to Ndigbo in general, touching the lives of people in that zone.

“In line with the robust relationship between our President and the South-East people, we appealed to the President, as a gentleman Democrat, to expedite action on the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu through a political process rather than judicial means, just as many prominent Ndigbo leaders had recently appealed and advocated,” he advised.

Also speaking, the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos State, Chief Sunday Ossai, said the Igbo in Lagos have always been wrongly accused of organising protests in the state, and appealed to Ndigbo in the state to be cautious.

“Ndigbo have always been wrongly accused, so we have come out to deny accusations against us. We don’t know anything about organising the protest. Ndigbo are not part of it. We are innocent. I appeal to Ndigbo to be cautious of their movements and urge them to stay home and not go for their businesses on the day of the protest,” he said.

The Eze Ndigbo Ikeja and Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Council of Ndieze in the state, Eze Dr. Uche Dimgba, declared that Igbo will not participate in the protest, adding that all Ndigbo have been advised not to take part in the protest.

On his part, the President-General, Igbo Speaking Community, Sunday Eze, who noted that Igbo are legitimate businessmen and women, appealed to the Lagos State Government to protect their businesses, homes and their families during the protest as they are not part of it. “We cannot leave our hometown and come to Lagos to destroy property,” he said.

President Bola Tinubu has approved a monthly stipend of N50,000 for 10,000 Niger Delta youths to mitigate current hardship in the country.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, announced this during the Niger Delta Sensitisation Conference for ethnic nationalities and youths and women in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

He said the payment would be made under the NDDC Youth Intensive Scheme and would last for an initial 12 months with the possibility of extension.

Akpabio emphasised that this move was part of Tinubu’s efforts to address the region’s challenges and urged against participation in the national protest scheduled for August 1.

“The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) will implement this scheme immediately to support 10,000 youths with N50,000 monthly to cushion the current hardship.

“We acknowledge the severe impact caused by oil and gas activities in the Niger Delta and are taking prompt action to address these issues.

“The economic challenges in our nation are known by President Tinubu and are already receiving required attention to address them,” he said.

Akpabio said that Tinubu had also approved the simultaneous commencement of the Lagos to Calabar coastal highway project from both states, which is expected to create thousands of jobs for the region’s youths.

According to him, the forthcoming national protest was orchestrated by faceless people aiming to instigate chaos and damage across the country.

“There is nothing in the 10 points agenda for the national protest that captures the interest of the Niger Delta.

“The organisers are merely copycats imitating the situation in Kenya, not minding the potential anarchy their protest will bring upon this country.

“The issues facing the country are currently being addressed, and so, there is absolutely no need to protest,” he stated.

The senate president pointed out that necessary funds were being allocated for critical projects to meet the needs and dreams of the Niger Delta people.

He urged for patience as the Federal Government’s policies and programmes take effect, emphasising that one year was too short a timeframe to measure its success.

Earlier, Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, called for calm and support for Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He stressed the immediate implementation of resolutions from the recent Niger Delta Summit to accelerate regional development.

“Do not go out to protest, but rather let us consolidate on the gains this administration has made,” he pleaded with the youths.

Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, the Chairman, Senate Committee on NDDC, warned that the protest would further damage the nation’s economy, which could take years to recover.

He linked the current hardship to the removal of the corrupt petrol subsidy and the unification of the naira, asserting that these initiatives were necessary to prevent Nigeria’s collapse.

The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, stated that Tinubu met a very bad economy and had already initiated programmes to revive the economy.

According to him, the Niger Delta was beginning to see the fruits of long-standing militant agitations for development under the present Federal Government.

“The Project HOPE is bridging the skill gaps among our youths, while we are working with the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce to train youths and young entrepreneurs of the region.

“We are also collaborating with the chamber to support small and medium scale enterprises as well as partnering the Bank of Industry to fund our empowerment initiatives.

“Youths should avoid participating in protest that could destabilise the country and hinder development, ultimately impoverishing the people,” he pleaded.

Mr Jonathan Lopkobiri, President of the Ijaw Youth Council, reiterated that Niger Delta youths, particularly Ijaw youths, should refrain from joining the national protest.

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has grounded the aircraft of Arik Airlines over $2.5m debt owed Atlas Petroleum International Ltd.

NAMA said the grounding of the aircraft follows a Supreme Court judgment in favour of Atlas Petroleum.

The agency disclosed the development in a statement signed by Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Alhaji Abdullahi Musa and obtained by THE WHISTLER on Tuesday.

The statement is titled, ‘Grounding Of Arik Aircrafts By The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.’

NAMA said, “On the 19th day of July 2024, the enforcement department of the FCT High Court enforced an Order made by the Court regarding a debt of $2.5m owed by Arik Airline to one Atlas Petroleum International Ltd. by attaching their aircraft.

“Arik was further given a notice of Public Auction of the planes by the Court which was slated to hold on the 26th day of July 2024 if they fail to pay the Judgment debt. All these were served on our agency and also on our Supervising Minister, the Minister of Aviation.”

NAMA said the records show that on the 8th day of March, 2016, the Judgment Debtor (ARIK) appealed the decision of the High Court of Lagos State entering judgment against it to the Court of Appeal and on 30th September, 2021.

But the appeal was dismissed by the Court of Appeal in a unanimous decision with cost, NAMA said.

The agency said, “ARIK again appealed to the Supreme Court for leave to appeal the decision of the Court of Appeal, and on the 9th day of January, 2024, the Supreme Court, per Okoro, J.S.C., delivered its Ruling dismissing the Judgment Debtor’s application for leave to appeal.”

According to NAMA, the judgment Creditor registered the Judgment of the Lagos State High Court in the High Court of FCT and On the 26th day of June, 2024, Justice O. A. Adeniyi, then sitting in Court 8, Maitama, Abuja) made an order after hearing Motion No: M/9785/2024 filed on behalf of Atlas Petroleum attaching all the moveable properties belonging to the Judgment Debtor, including the Judgment Debtor’s aircraft with Registration No: B737-700/ 5N-MJF, B737-800/ 5N-MJQ, DASH8-Q400 and 5N-BKX in satisfaction of the judgment debt.

NAMA said, “Copies of the Order and Certificate of Judgment were also served on us and the Minister. We understand too that Arik has obtained an exparte order stopping further execution of the order, though we have not been formally served. In the circumstances, since the first execution took place by attaching the aircrafts, further execution by way of sale can be halted whilst the parties go back to court to resolve the issues.

“However, in order to preserve the subject matter of the present dispute which are the aircrafts in question (the res), which have already been attached, we have decided to comply with the effect of the Supreme Court order, by grounding the aircrafts (subject of dispute) so that they are not taken out of the jurisdiction of the court or tampered with in a way as to frustrate the courts.”

NAMA said the Minister, Festus Keyamo being a Senior Advocate (SAN) understands the implication of the Supreme Court Order dismissing the motion for leave to appeal and will not risk his license as a legal practitioner or his privilege as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria by engaging in acts that will frustrate an order of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“The parties to the dispute are encouraged to resolve their issues as quickly as possible so that the Arik aircraft in question can resume flight operations,” NAMA said.

Atlas Petroleum International is privately held and is registered in Nigeria. Stock in the companies is held by the Eze family, according to the company’s profile.

Arthur Eze is the company’s Chairman, according to the company’s profile.

Nestle Nigeria Plc has recorded another half-year loss after tax, following the foreign exchange reform introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Nestle posted a N176.9bn loss after tax which is a 254 per cent fall from the N49.98bn it lost in the same period last year.

This was disclosed in the company’s half-year financial statement seen by THE WHISTLER.
The company’s challenges began last year when it declared a full-year loss of N79.5bn which is 280 per cent down compared to 2022 when it posted a profit after tax of N48.96bn.

Although the company’s sales revenue surged by 55 per cent to reach N406.9 in June 2024 as against the N261.8bn recorded in June 2023, Nestle said it has continued to struggle with government policies.

The company which is famous for its brands like Maggi, Milo, Golden Morn and Nescafé posted a gross profit of N63.07bn, a rise of four per cent from the N60.79bn recorded in June 2023.

But Nestle’s profit after tax for the six months ending June 2024 was negatively impacted by the depreciation of the naira which sold nearly N1,600 per dollar earlier in 2024.

“The devaluation of the Naira led to the revaluation of our foreign currency obligations and had an adverse impact on the profit after tax resulting in a net loss of -N176.9bn for the first half of the year,” the manufacturer said.

The company’s net finance cost rose form N129.9bn last year to N315.6bn in June 2024.

As a result of the loss, diluted earnings per share which measures per-share profitability fell from a loss of N63.06 per share last year to N223.19 loss per share.

Nestle’s total assets grew to N868.95bn but the company’s liabilities valued N973.8bn exceeded its assets.

The Chief Executive of Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Mr. Wassim Elhusseini said, “We are confident in our ability to navigate the current challenges to deliver long-term value to our shareholders while contributing positively to our communities.”

Data from the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) showed that the company has a market capitalisation of N729.2bn while its shares closed at N920 on Monday, July 29,2024.