Street beggars in Kano have called on the organizers of the ongoing nationwide protests to pause their activities in the interest of humanity.

Baba Haliru, a 70- year-old beggar from Rigiyar Zaki, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that survival has become extremely challenging due to the protests.

Haliru explained that many beggars relied on daily earnings to feed their families, but the protests have prevented them from doing so.

He lamented, “We have not eaten anything in our household of 14 for two days in the last four days except water.

”For God’s sake, please reach out to those who organised the protests to end them by negotiating with the government.”

Other beggars re-echoed Haliru’s sentiments, calling for an end to the protests and the total lifting of the curfew.

Malama Mario Kabiru of Hotoro quarters said: “We have run out of foodstuffs and we can’t go out to buy more. We don’t have money, and the situation is unbearable.”

Malam Isa Musa of Dorayi quarters also appealed to the government to introduce measures that would cater for the needs of elderly individuals who have no support.

He urged, “We are begging because we have no one to support us. Since the curfew was introduced, we have not eaten anything in the last three days with our families.

”We can’t continue like this; kindly let the protests stop.”

The Commissioner of Police, Niger State Police Command, CP Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman has recovered 15 pump action rifles from suspected gunrunners and arms dealers in the state.

The Commissioner made the disclosure on Wednesday during a press briefing and the parade of some 23 suspected criminals at the State Police Command headquarters.

According to him, on 4th August, 2024, at about 1900hrs based on intelligence received, Police patrol team of Anti-Kidnapping Unit attached to SCID Minna, while on routine patrol along Maikunkele-Tegina Road, Minna, intercepted a Toyota Corolla vehicle, red in colour, with Reg. No. DKA 877 HJ.

He added, “The vehicle was intercepted with three occupants, including the driver, and in the course of interrogation, surprisingly on the guise to ease themselves, the occupants took to their heels and upon the search of the vehicle, fifteen (15) automatic pump action rifles were found with thirty (30) cartridges concealed in a sack in the vehicle.”

The Commissioner explained that concerted effort was ongoing through the investigative process to track the owner of the said vehicle and arrest the fleeing culprits towards unraveling the source and purpose of the pump action rifles.

Danmamman added that if the fleeing suspects were found and arrested in conjunction with the owner of the vehicle, the culprits would be arraigned in court and charged for prosecution.

According to him, the case was still under investigation in the State Criminals Investigations Department (SCID) Minna.

On Wednesday, August 8, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, the 16th Emir of Kano, lamented the destruction and looting of properties during the hunger protest in the state.

Sanusi spoke when he inspected the Kano Printing Press, NCC Digital Industrial Park and Barakat Stores which were among public and private properties attacked during the incident.

He accused the security of allowing the destruction to happen despite the notice sent beforehand.

He said his grandfather worked with the Kano printing press adding that “it is sad that a place like this is destroyed by their grandchildren”.

According to him, “As we used to say, whoever had a hand in this is an enemy of Kano and he is an enemy to its people.

“My grandfather had worked here (Kano printing press). It is sad that a place like this is destroyed by their grandchildren.

“Before this happened, the security operatives were notified in writing that it is going to happen but instead of preventing it, it was allowed to happen”, he noted.

“We pray that God comes to the aid of these youth and whoever is behind it God will deal with them. We pray that we may not witness anything like this in the future”.

The Kano printing press was established in 1938 and has been serving the state since then.

Veteran Nollywood actress, Ngozi Nwosu, has stated that infidelity is not enough reason for a woman to walk out of a marriage or relationship.

Nwosu, in an interview with her junior colleague, Biola Adebayo, on her YouTube show, ‘Talk to B’, opened up about her regret in choosing her career over marriage.

The movie star also recounted cancelling her wedding with her former partner over battery.

According to Ngozi Nwosu, her ex was physically assaulting her even while she was pregnant, and she decided to call off their wedding two days before the event.

She stated that when a man cheats, it is not enough to end the relationship but when he is abusive, a woman should leave.

She said, “I had to choose between my profession and to marry a guy, and I chose my job. He gave me an option, and I chose my job.

“At one point, I regretted that decision, but after that, I was like, ‘Oh wow, thank God I chose my path’.

“I didn’t talk about it to the press; this is the first time I am saying it. I left him because of the battery. For me, infidelity, yes, but it isn’t enough for you to let go of your man. But, if it’s battery, I advise any woman to, in fact, not take any of their property and run for your life because they will never stop. Once a man lifts his hand on you, he won’t stop.

“For me, infidelity, yes. But it’s not really enough for you to let go of your man. I called off my wedding two days before because that day, he gave me a beating of my life. I was pregnant then, and I was like, is this what I’m entering? Because he has never done it before.”

Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman says challenges and protest against government policies are not peculiar to Nigeria.

Ganduje reacted to the ongoing protest on Wednesday in Abuja, when he played host to some leaders of the party from the United States of America. 

The APC national chairman, who said even developed economies have their challenges, assured that whatever challenges that was being faced in Nigeria currently, would soon be over.

“There is no doubt, as a developing country, even the so called developed economies have their turbulence in one way or the other.

“So, it is not surprising that Nigeria is having its own share of the problem. This is not the first time.

“You will recall that whenever there is a reform agenda, obstacles must be on the way, as a result, people must suffer in one way or the other.

“But, in the long run, everything will be according to the plan,” the APC national chairman assured Nigerians.

He also emphasised that President Bola Tinubu came into power with the intention to introduce reforms that would secure the country’s future.

He explained that the country’s institutions were weak, adding that strong institutions were needed to implement whatever good policies the government had.

Ganduje assured the people that President Tinubu was doing all he needed to secure the country’s future in the interest of all.

He expressed optimism that in a matter of time, the country would come out from its current challenges because Tinubu was working very hard on the economy.

Ganduje, who said that positive results would be achieved soon, described the visit of the party’s U.S. leaders as historic and a day that would not be forgotten in a hurry.

“Today they came from one of the farthest places in the world, from the U.S. to show commitment, love and loyalty that they are truly Nigerians serving abroad and we are highly delighted with that.

“From history, we have checked, since the time of military politics down to today, some of you have been in such associations that led into political parties.

“So, there is no doubt that you are committed party men and women, and we appreciate your coming,” Ganduje said.

Prof. Adesegun Ladejo, who led the delegation, said they were in the party’s secretariat to show support for its leadership and the Tinubu-led administration in spite of the challenges.

This, he said, was even with the discouragement they got from some Nigerians in the diaspora, adding that their visit was to also harmonise their relationship with the party’s national leadership.

“In spite of the discouragement, we insisted on coming, in the face of all the turmoil that they projected will happen or is happening,

“We are here to support our President and Ganduje, our party’s national chairman and our country’s leaders,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the delegation includes Mr Oyakhilome Bello, APC U.S. National Youth Leader, Alhaji Sama’ila Maigyara, National Publicity Secretary and Alhaja Khirat Ajiboye, Deputy National publicity Secretary.

• Nigeria lose 74-88 to USA

The D’Tigress bowed out of the Paris 2024  Women’s Basketball event but not without a fight as they lost  a closely fought encounter  74-88  to Team USA.

The coach Rena Wakama-led side  only on Sunday  became the first African side – male or female – to reach the quarter-finals of an Olympic Games after beating Canada in their final group game.

Last night, the Americans raced in front  in the first quarter with  26 to 19 points and followed up with an identical  26 points as against the D’Tigress  16 in a pulsating gritty encounter in the second quarter.

Ezinne Kanu  and Murijanatu Musa  proved pivotal to Nigeria’s aspirations  yet the D’Tigress  were back on the back foot in the third  quarter  losing  15-24. 

Remarkably, the D’Tigress  showed  their  strength in depth  in the last quarter with an amazing  26 points as against America’s 12.

But  it was a case of too little, too late as the Americans  won the encounter  88-74.

 Defeat notwithstanding, the D’Tigress  can be proud of their achievement at this Paris 2024  Olympics  as they earned  huge salutation  for their gusty performance  against the Americans who progressed to the semi-finals.