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Senator representing Southern Borno, Ali Ndume has raised concerns about the electoral process in Nigeria, stating that it is deliberately complicated to facilitate manipulation.
Ndume, a former Senate Majority Leader, made the remarks on Sunday during an interactive session with journalists in Kano after attending the Senate retreat on constitutional review.
“I support local government autonomy and the idea of INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) conducting local government polls. One issue being discussed in the National Assembly is the creation of a National Local Government Electoral Commission, and I am not in support of it,” Ndume said.
He questioned the need to create a new body solely for conducting elections every four years, arguing that the existing INEC is underutilized and could handle these responsibilities. He also expressed frustration with the complexity of Nigeria’s electoral process, which he believes is designed to encourage manipulation.
“The elections in Nigeria are deliberately complicated to allow for manipulation. Why don’t we make laws that ensure the votes count? Why not enable citizens to elect someone from their phones? Why not allow INEC to monitor elections through technology and create a situation room? Google can tell you your location in real time, so why can’t we leverage technology for our elections?” he asked.
Ndume added that the underlying problem with Nigeria’s electoral system is a lack of sincerity, honesty, and fear of God among political leaders.
Beyond the issue of elections, Ndume also addressed the rampant corruption in Nigeria, lamenting that those who steal public funds often move freely and are celebrated. He shared his experience attempting to pass a law on unexplained wealth in the National Assembly, a proposal that has repeatedly failed to gain traction.
“Our major challenge in this country is corruption. We have no proactive law to address it. In Nigeria, if someone who was poor last week suddenly buys ten cars and a jet, they are celebrated, and people say, ‘God has blessed our son.’ In developed countries, they ask how, when, and where the money came from,” Ndume stated.
He explained that he had tried multiple times to push for a law addressing unexplained wealth but was unsuccessful. “I even approached a former Head of State, hoping he could sign an executive bill on the issue. But to this day, there is no Unexplained Wealth Act or executive order addressing it in Nigeria,” Ndume concluded
Controversial social media personality, VeryDarkMan, has issued a legal counterattack against Bobrisky, threatening a N1 billion countersuit following an earlier defamation claim.
Bobrisky’s legal team had previously demanded an apology from VeryDarkMan for allegedly posting an AI-generated audio to damage the crossdresser’s reputation.
In response, VeryDarkMan took to Instagram, claiming that he stands by the recording in question while threatening to countersue the crossdresser for N1,000,000,020.
His words, “Bobrisky, did you not say you wanted to ‘Kpai’ yourself? Are you not doing it again? Anyway, in this case, they will exchange their credibility for my publicity again as usual. I will suffer them. The integrity of a lot of people will go down. You will hate why you take this case like this. I promise you that. From now, Bobrisky now has the strength to sue me and gave me 24 hours. That means they are working together. I am thinking what I have exposed is bigger than what it is,” he said.
“Did Bobrisky later pay someone N3 million when he did not get it from Falz? I can stand for myself anywhere. Bobrisky has sued me N1 billion but I will caricature it more with N1,000,000,020 billion and N20 gain. I will make all of you stupid in this country.
Background:
In April, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested Bobrisky on six counts of money laundering and Naira mutilation.
During his trial at the Federal High Court in Lagos, Justice Abimbola Awogboro dismissed the money laundering charges (counts five and six) but sentenced the social media personality to six months in prison for Naira abuse.
However, a little over a month after his release, VeryDarkMan, posted a leaked audio recording on Instagram, in which Bobrisky narrated the events that transpired during his prison term.
In the audio, Bobrisky can be heard discussing with a friend how EFCC officials allegedly extorted N15 million from him to drop the money laundering charges.
VeryDarkMan explained that he released the audio after Bobrisky refused to repay N4 million borrowed from one of the people he approached to raise the N15 million.
The ongoing dispute between the two influencers has captivated social media, while investigations by relevant authorities continue.
Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, a former governorship candidate in Zamfara State, has alleged that influential politicians are behind the surge of banditry in Nigeria’s North-West region. Shinkafi made this claim in a statement on Saturday, amidst the growing insecurity in the region, which has seen numerous attacks and kidnappings.
Shinkafi, also the Executive Director of the Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development (PAPSD), expressed his support for the ongoing investigation by the Defence Headquarters into the sponsorship of banditry in the North-West. He condemned politicians who he claimed were using banditry for selfish political gains and called for an investigation into those politicizing insecurity.
He applauded recent military operations that have led to the elimination of notorious bandit leaders, including Kachalla Halilu Sububu, Jamilu Nazakiru, Sani Black, Danbaleri Mashekari, and Wala Baburki, describing these actions as essential for peace, security, and development in the region.
Shinkafi stated, “The spate of killings, kidnappings for ransom, destruction of property, imposition of levies and taxes, and displacement of people from their communities by these criminal elements is alarming. It calls for a concerted military effort to crush them and restore national security.”
He further urged that anyone found guilty in the ongoing investigations should face the full weight of the law, regardless of their status. Shinkafi also defended the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, against blackmail allegations, praising his performance in President Tinubu’s cabinet.
A tragic incident at an Ibadan-based white-garment church has resulted in the deaths of five worshippers with several others receiving treatment at the Infectious Disease Centre (IDC) in Olodo, Oyo State.
The church feast, known locally as “Ipese,” took place during a service last Sunday and has raised concerns regarding its safety.
As of Saturday night, approximately 50 worshippers have been discharged from the IDC after receiving medical care.
Vanguard gathered that the local church community is grappling with the aftermath of this unsettling event, which has drawn the attention of various governmental agencies, including the police and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), as well as the World Health Organization (WHO).
A church source hinted to Vanguard that the cause of the deaths remains unconfirmed, saying, “I ate the prepared beans like every other member, including the victims, and nothing happened to me.”
He emphasised that the situation should not be solely attributed to the “Ipese” feast, adding that, “The incident is being investigated thoroughly, and it is not just about the “ipese” as some are suggesting.”
Officials from multiple organisations have visited the church for fact-finding missions, although their findings have yet to be publicised.
“There’s no truth to the rumour that the church premises have been shut down. The Shepherd-in-Charge has been attending to visitors and is currently undergoing tests,” the source further clarified.
A senior medical staff member at IDC Olodo, who spoke anonymously, confirmed the ongoing treatment of affected individuals.
“As of today, 50 patients have been treated and discharged, while others remain under care. “We expect the state commissioner for health to address the press about the incident next week.”
While contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adewale Osifeso confirmed the incident and mentioned that investigations are currently underway.
Former governorship candidate in Zamfara State, Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has alleged that certain politicians are attempting to remove the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, through a fabricated Federal High Court suit.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Shinkafi described the suit as a desperate attempt to tarnish Matawalle’s image and discredit him.
According to him, court records indicate that the suit lacks a judge’s assignment, casting doubts on its legitimacy.
He noted that the suit, filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, accuses Matawalle of involvement in banditry.
However, Shinkafi, who also serves as the Executive Director of Patriots for Peace and Social Development, claimed the court has not assigned, heard, or determined the suit.
He explained that the suit is a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and damage Matawalle’s reputation, citing Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution, which presumes innocence until proven guilty.
He further added that the Defence Headquarters and security agencies are investigating banditry sponsorship in the North West.
Shinkafi called for an investigation into the source of the misleading reports and urged media regulatory bodies to impose sanctions.
He sought accountability from the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Guild of Editors, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and National Media Complaints Commission.
He stated, “A case filed is not a case heard, and a case heard is not a case determined until the pronouncement of the court. Every person charged with a criminal offense shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
“They want to oust the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, through a fabricated Federal High Court suit. We have no doubt that the Honourable Minister will be exonerated.
“It is evident that the allegations and suit were fabricated by his political opponents, hoping he would be dropped in the proposed cabinet reshuffle. Matawalle’s towering influence in Zamfara State politics is astonishing, hence the plot to pull him down by all means.
“Specifically, his rising profile as an outstanding minister of the Federal Republic and a loyalist of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu intimidates these failed politicians.
“It is time to stop media trials and propaganda against highly esteemed public office holders like Matawalle. We urge the Honourable Minister to remain focused in the quest for a strong, unified, progressive, equitable, and just democratic nation.”
Former Oyo State governor, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has shed light on his impeachment saga, naming former President Olusegun Obasanjo as the powerful figure responsible for his removal from office.
In an interview on a Fresh FM radio program hosted by Isaac Brown, Ladoja addressed longstanding misconceptions surrounding his impeachment.
He clarified that it was widely believed that the late Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu and his former deputy, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, orchestrated his ousting.
However, Ladoja contended that the true architect of his impeachment was, in fact, Obasanjo.
He said, “You see, some people said, it was Akala, it was Adedibu. No, it was not any of them. It was Obasanjo.”
Narrating the story of the event that shook the country, Ladoja recalled his experience with Chief Obasanjo and how he went along other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors like Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Chief Gbenga Daniel and Dr Segun Agagu to beg the former president in Abeokuta no to go ahead with the plan to impeach him.
He added “It was during the time of Ileya [Muslim festival Eid-el-Kabir]. We went to see Baba Obasanjo. I think it was on a Friday or Saturday that we went to see him in Abeokuta. I was there with Oyinlola, Daniel and Agagu.
“We did not call Fayose, because we knew that Fayose was Baba’s son. So they knelt down and I knelt down with them. They were begging him, ‘Baba, please, let Ladoja be’.
“Baba then said ‘Rashidi, go and resign!’ I said ‘No, I won’t resign!’ He said, ‘if you don’t resign, you would be removed’. I said ‘No, they cannot do it.’ He said ‘why’”. I said ‘because you cannot get two-thirds.’
“He said ‘two-thirds my foot’ and then he left the place in fury. [Gbenga] Daniel ran after him.
“While we were reflecting on what we were going to do, myself, Agagu and Oyinlola, a man came in; it was the former World Court Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola.
“He said ‘what is wrong with you?’ He said ‘I know your problem. Your problem is that you don’t want Ladoja to be impeached. They [Oyinlola, Agagau and Daniel said yes.
“Justice Ajibola said ‘well, I’ve talked about it to Segun, he’s just adamant. He said ‘but you’re leaders in your own rights. There comes a time when you must have to stand up and fight.’
“Then he told us the story of ‘Jafitafita’. The story of ‘Jafitafita’ is simple. It is about tortoise and his wife, yannibo.”
Oba Ladoja revealed further that Prince Ajibola helped him a lot in his legal battle to reclaim his mandate.
Ladoja said, “I must put it on record that Prince Ajibola did wonderfully for us because he told us exactly what to do: we “jafitafita”.
“When eventually we got the judgement of the Appeal Court. Baba said no. People said this is a declarative judgement; he said they going to stay its execution. And eventually, it stayed until the Supreme Court confirmed the judgement of the Court of Appeal.”
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, on Saturday, confirmed that his appointment was facilitated by the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Lokpobiri spoke on Saturday at an event organised in honour of Wike by the Ijaw Peoples Congress (IPC) in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.
He said, “It is important to tell you my brothers and sisters that me that is standing before you today as the minister of state for petroleum resources was also made possible by Nyesom Wike.
“You also heard the account of the MD of the NDDC who said that the minister of the FCT played a direct role in his appointment.
“My own case could have been a more direct role. Some of you may not know. It all started in Wike’s house in Port Harcourt and it all got concluded in his house in Abuja.
“My second journey of becoming a minister started at the house of the minister in Port Harcourt and it was concluded in his house in Abuja. It is important for me to complete this history.
“Because when I was looking at the welcome address, our names were not included among those who have benefitted from his benevolence. I thought that my name, Heineken Lokpobiri, would have been included amongst those that he has helped.
“But since my name is not included, I have to complete it. I want you Ijaw people to know that we have a brother, we have a friend.
“It is always better to have a good friend than to have a bad brother. Of what use is a bad brother? It is of no use. But if you have a good friend in the case of the FCT minister, you are already blessed.
“Your excellency, the FCT minister, let me on behalf of the Ijaw people all over the world, express our gratitude to you for your show of love to Ijaw people.
“We Ijaw people are very grateful people. If you do us good, we will not pay you back with evil. So, we will always be grateful to you for what you have done for our Ijaw people. We are looking forward to you to do more for our Ijaw people.”
Lokpobiri, who hails from Bayelsa, served as minister of state for agriculture and rural development between 2015 to 2019 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
He was appointed minister of state for petroleum resources by President Bola Tinubu in August 2023 — the same time Wike was named FCT minister.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, has dismissed ASCII Maikano Sarkin-Tasha, over his alleged aiding and abetting of bandits terrorizing Zamfara State.
ASCII Maikano Sarkin-Tasha was accused of supplying hard drugs and ammunition to bandits and terrorists. Sarkin-Tasha was among the 17 suspected bandits paraded by the police command in Zamfara on Friday.
The Zamfara State NSCDC Commandant, Sani Mustapha, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Gusau on Saturday.
Mustapha said Sarkin-Tasha was arrested at a checkpoint, between the Damba and Sabon Gida axis, while on his way to his hometown, Mada village of Gusau Local Government Area of the state.
He confirmed that three armour G3 rifles and one armour anti-rocket launcher were allegedly found on him. He also confirmed that some elements suspected to be cannabis and other hard drugs were found on him.
Mustapha said, “He was allegedly found with some elements suspected to be cannabis and other hard drugs in possession.
“Other items found on him were three armour of G3 rifles and one armour of anti-rocket launcher.
“I wish to state that the Commandant-General of the Corps, Dr Ahmed Audi, who also received the news with shock and disappointment has condemned the alleged barbaric behaviour of the officer.
“He has directed me to take necessary administrative actions, including immediate dismissal of the personnel from the Corps’ nominal roll.”
Nigerian crossdresser and social media influencer, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, has taken legal action against Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, demanding ₦1 billion in damages over allegations of defamation stemming from an audio clip.
Dispute began when an audio clip released by VeryDarkMan went viral, in which Bobrisky was accused of paying ₦15 million to unnamed Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives to dismiss money laundering charges.
The audio clip further alleged that he had bribed the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) to avoid serving time in prison.
Bobrisky, however, denied the allegations, calling the audio “fake” and maintaining that he had not paid any bribe. He stated, “I served my term in prison.”
Bobrisky’s legal team claims the audio was artificially generated and falsely implicated him in inappropriate relationships with prominent figures, including politicians and law enforcement officers.
Bobrisky shared the details of the lawsuit on his Instagram page on Sunday. His legal representatives accused VeryDarkMan of exploiting Bobrisky’s public image for personal gain, making baseless allegations without any credible proof.
The lawsuit asserts that VeryDarkMan maliciously released an AI-generated audio recording that falsely linked Bobrisky to high-ranking figures in politics and law enforcement, suggesting inappropriate relationships.
The suit further criticized VeryDarkMan for his careless dissemination of harmful content, ignoring Bobrisky’s mental health, privacy, and fundamental rights.
Bobrisky’s legal team has called on VeryDarkMan to immediately remove the audio clip, issue a public apology in two national newspapers, and create a video apology to be posted on all social media platforms.
The lawsuit also demands that VeryDarkMan stop sharing defamatory content about Bobrisky and pay ₦1 billion in damages within 24 hours.
In a formal statement, Bobrisky’s legal representatives said, “Our client has informed us that in your quest for social media stardom, you have continued to exploit his name, personality, and social media influence to create media buzz for your personal gains.
“Recently, you alleged in one of your trending videos on various social media platforms that various Deputy Inspectors General of the Nigeria Police Force, lawmakers, senators, and politicians generally were in the habit of having sexual intercourse with our client, yet you have not provided any proof of these claims to date.
“You have persisted in making reckless and unfounded statements, including hearsay that you cannot prove against our client, disregarding his mental health, general wellbeing, right to privacy, right to freedom of thought, right to life, and other fundamental constitutional rights.
“One would expect that after such attempts against our client, you would exercise some level of caution or restraint, considering the safety and wellbeing of our client. However, your goals are personal and self-serving, and thus you have made it a lifelong task to fulfil them by any means, regardless of the negative effects on our client and others caught in your unfounded attacks.
“Our client has become aware that you recently published an AI-generated audio call, claiming it was between an unnamed individual and our client. For the record, our client has never had any audio conversation with this individual, and your act of defamation and blackmail should be retracted within 24 hours of the service of this letter of demand via social media platforms.
“Your AI-generated audio conversation is the result of you and any other individuals who collaborated with you to create it. Therefore, we warn you that you must remove our client’s name from the said recording or anything that may connect our client to the alleged recording. For the record, our client had no knowledge of such a telephone conversation with you or anyone else.
“Our client has suffered immense damage since the publication of the defamatory content by you, leading to several damaging reviews of his persona, brand, and everything he holds dear. This is akin to what you threatened in a video published on Tuesday, 24th September 2024, where you stated that if our client failed to pay the demanded sum, you would publish a damaging video, which would cause him to lose friends. You have not only created a defamatory recording to put our client in a bad light for your purposes of blackmail but, astonishingly, you continued to publish false information about our client even after payment, revealing your ulterior motives against him.
“Our client, by this letter, demands strict proof regarding the authenticity of the said audio recording, affirming that he never had a phone conversation with you or anyone you represent. It is shocking that you would publish an AI-generated audio recording to damage our client’s social standing and place his life in jeopardy solely for your selfish personal goals.
“You and anyone collaborating with you owe the authorities, security agencies, and respected legal and human rights advocates an explanation regarding how you created the audio recording and the defamatory words used, including your confident defamatory commentary before and after the AI audio recording.
“For the record, our client has not alleged any agency or person of bribery or wrongdoing; thus, the burden lies with you to prove your allegations to the authorities and the respected personalities you have defamed. It is laughable that anyone would believe your AI audio recording stating otherwise, given that our client served his prison time within a correctional facility in Lagos State.
“As it relates to our client, we demand that you immediately remove the said AI-generated audio recording published as a video by you, along with your defamatory commentary voiceover, which you recklessly and dangerously attributed to our client. None of this material is a product of our client; thus, any name, description, or attribution to our client in the process of publishing the said defamatory material is false.
“We, therefore, demand, on behalf of our client, a written apology published in two national daily newspapers, a video recording of your apology to our client shared on all your social media platforms, a commitment to refrain from reporting or publishing defamatory content against our client, and the payment of ₦1,000,000,000 in damages within 24 hours of this letter via social media or any other means.
“Take notice: should you fail to take advantage of the alternative dispute resolution mechanism introduced in paragraphs 10 and 11 of this demand notice, we shall seek legal redress in a court of competent jurisdiction immediately without any further notice to you. We hope this matter can be resolved within the next 24 hours.”
Israel said it struck “dozens” more Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Sunday, after dealing the Iran-backed group a seismic blow by killing its leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
Nasrallah’s killing and the past week’s waves of strikes on Hezbollah strongholds around Lebanon have plunged the tiny Mediterranean country and the wider region into fear of even more violence to come.
Hezbollah launched low-intensity cross-border strikes on Israeli troops after its Palestinian ally Hamas staged its unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, sparking the war in the Gaza Strip.
Nearly a year later, Israel announced a shift in its focus to battling Hezbollah on its northern front with Lebanon.
Hezbollah confirmed Nasrallah’s killing on Friday in a massive strike on the group’s main bastion in south Lebanon’s capital, Beirut.
The Lebanese health ministry said the strikes on the densely populated area also left 55 people dead, while thousands of others have fled their homes in the neighbourhood.
“I can’t describe my shock at this announcement… we all started crying,” Maha Karit told AFP in Beirut after Nasrallah’s death.
With Lebanon already deep in political and economic crisis, the escalation has pushed it to the brink, with the bombardment killing more than 700 people in a week, according to health ministry figures.
The Israeli military said on Sunday its air force had struck “dozens of Hezbollah terror targets” after carrying out “hundreds” of strikes on Friday and Saturday.
Lebanon’s National News Agency reported a string of raids in and around the city of Baalbek in the east, with “factories, warehouses” and residential areas among the targets.
At least six people were killed in a strike on a house in the northeastern Hermel region, the agency reported, while an emergency response group affiliated with Hezbollah ally Amal movement said five of its rescuers were killed in the south.
Hezbollah said its fighters launched “a volley of Fadi-1” rockets at an Israeli base in the Golan Heights early Sunday.
The Israeli military reported “approximately eight” launches from Lebanon that fell in unpopulated areas near the Israeli-annexed territory.
Cult status
Nasrallah was the face of Hezbollah, enjoying cult status among his supporters.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had “settled the score” with Nasrallah’s killing, while Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said the world was “a safer place” without him.
US President Joe Biden – whose government is Israel’s top arms supplier – said it was a “measure of justice for his many victims”.
Analysts told AFP that Nasrallah’s death leaves bruised Hezbollah under pressure to respond.
“Either we see an unprecedented reaction by Hezbollah… or this is total defeat,” said Heiko Wimmen of the International Crisis Group think tank.
The assassination also showcased Israel’s military and intelligence prowess in its battle against its foes.
“It demonstrates not only significant technological capacity but just how deeply Israel has penetrated Hezbollah,” said James Dorsey of Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.
Hezbollah backer Iran has condemned Nasrallah’s assassination, with First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref threatening it would bring about Israel’s “destruction”.
Iran’s UN envoy Amir Saeid Iravani urged diplomacy to prevent Israel “from dragging the region into full-scale war”.
Hamas, which has fought Israeli forces in Gaza since the October 7 attack, condemned Nasrallah’s killing as a “cowardly terrorist act”.
Lebanon, Iraq, Iran and Syria all declared public mourning.
Allied armed groups across the region like Yemen’s Huthi rebels, already drawn into the Gaza war, have vowed action against Israel.
An “unmanned aerial target” approaching Israel over the Red Sea – where the Iran-backed Huthis have launched attacks before – was intercepted on Sunday, the Israeli military said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
[DailyTrust]
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Senator Ali Ndume has decried the level of corruption in Nigeria, saying the trend is a major challenge facing the nation.
Ndume stated this during an interactive session with newsmen in Kano on Saturday.
“Our major challenge in this country is corruption.Uptill now, we have no law that can proactively or reactively address the issue of corruption in the country.
“If you see somebody in our system, especially in politics or government,and he is not corrupt,then he is lucky that he is God-fearing.
“Otherwise,it is only in Nigeria that you steal money and you walk freely and you are celebrated.
“If you come into an area like this, people would start lobbying you and prostrate before you even when they know that the money was stolen.
“It is only in this country that somebody had no money yesterday or last week,but the following week he buys 10 cars; buy jets and his family will celebrate with him,” he said.
The lawmaker said that in other developed countries, people would ask how, when and where he made his money but the reverse is the case here.
Ndume said he had made several efforts to pass a law on unexplained wealth in Nigeria,but that such endeavours never saw the light of the day.
He said he approached a former Head of State if he could sign an Executive Bill to that effect but he declined.
“Up till now, there is no law on unexplained wealth Act in Nigeria and there is no Executive Order on it,” Ndume said.
He expressed concern over the hunger in the country and called for an increased cultivation of food crops to address the problem.
“There is hunger in the land and up till now we have not cultivated up to five per cent of our land, Nigeria is blessed with massive arable land.
According to him, Nigeria is blessed with cultivable land everywhere such that could be used to grow food crops and feed the nation.
[DailyPost]
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as Director-General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership.
This move follows the president’s visit to China in early September, where Nigeria and China agreed on key areas of cooperation.
This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday, September 29, by Special Adviser to the President on Information on Strategy, Bayo Onananuga.
Tegbe, a 1988 first-class graduate in civil engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, will report directly to the President.
He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.
He will immediately submit a strategic action plan to enable Nigeria to benefit from the agreements between the two countries in Beijing.
As the czar of the strategic partnership, he will lead day-to-day operations, engage continuously with the Chinese counterparts, and ensure that all deliverables are met and synchronised with national development goals.
In the strategic plan, he will outline the specific deliverables, timelines, and key performance indicators for each area of cooperation. This will include priority projects, projected investments and expected socioeconomic outcomes.
At the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), President Xi Jinping pledged 360 billion yuan, or about $51 billion, in new financing to African nations in the next three years. He also pledged support for 30 infrastructure projects to boost connectivity across the continent and create one million jobs.
During his official visit before the FOCAC, President Tinubu also obtained a commitment from President Xi to support Nigeria’s economic diversification plans, infrastructure development, technology transfer, and job creation.
The two countries committed to establishing hospital alliances and collaborating on medical research. Under the agreement, Chinese healthcare professionals will be deployed to support Nigeria’s healthcare system.
China and Nigeria agreed to collaborate to advance education and talent development, focusing on vocational training, STEM education, and academic exchanges. Joint initiatives, such as establishing engineering technology academies and providing scholarships, will help equip Nigerian youth with skills needed in a modern workforce.
The two countries also planned to improve Nigeria’s agricultural practices through knowledge sharing, technology transfer and investment in sustainable farming techniques.
Tegbe, who will ensure the actualisation of the agreements, is 58 years old.
After his education at Federal Government College, Ogbomosho, and Obafemi Awolowo University, he had about 35 years of experience in business strategy.
He was the senior partner and head of advisory services at KPMG in Africa, with a portfolio and responsibilities that included the Middle East.
He has worked for many Fortune 500 companies and African conglomerates, advising on strategic planning, investment, and portfolio reviews.
He also led subnational governments, such as Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, Benue, and Bayelsa, in investment drives to South Africa, Denmark, China, India, Singapore, and the UAE.
[TheNation]
BARELY two months after the August 1-10 protests tagged #EndBadGovernance, some Nigerians are warming up for fresh nationwide protests planned to hit the streets on October 1, that is, about 48 hours away.
The date coincides with the 64th Independence Day celebration of Nigeria, and the protests are basically to reinforce demands earlier made by protesters but largely greeted with silence from the Federal Government despite President Bola Tinubu’s promise in a broadcast to dialogue with protest leaders.
Another reason perhaps is that #EndBadGovernance protesters, numbering over 1,000, remain in various prison facilities across the country after being charged with treason by the government.
Some of the protesters have been granted bail but under the stringent condition of paying N10 million each, particularly the 10 that were charged in Abuja.
Meanwhile, some Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, speaking with Sunday Vanguard, expressed worry over the demands made by the protesters that are yet to be addressed about two months after President Bola Tinubu, in a national broadcast in August and amidst the #EndBadGovernance protests across the country, promised to dialogue with them.
Time for dialogue is now – ANEEJ
In his reaction to the October 1 proposed protests, the Executive Secretary, African Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, Rev David Ugolor, said, “The government’s response to the October 1 protests could depend on the scale and public reaction. If the protests gain significant traction, media attention, and public sympathy, the government may feel pressured to engage”, Ugolor said.
“But in the absence of a well-defined strategy for dialogue, the demonstrations would encounter opposition rather than cooperation which might escalate tensions.”
He further stated that after the August protesters presented their demands to the government, “there has been no widely reported or concrete dialogue between the Federal Government and the protesters since President Bola Tinubu mentioned the possibility”.
“Despite the fact that a few government representatives indicated they were open to negotiations, no meaningful interaction has been seen”, the activist stated.
“The government has expressed readiness for dialogue in principle, but practical steps towards initiating structured discussions with protesters remain unclear. This hesitation suggests that the government might not yet have a clear strategy or timeline for engaging directly with protesters.”
Ugolor also spoke on the protesters still remanded in prison, saying: “The ongoing detention of protesters raises serious concerns regarding human rights violations and civil liberties.
“Due process rights for those who are still in detention are being violated in an attempt to quell criticism, which can exacerbate social unrest and erode public confidence in the legal system.”
On the intervention by the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, and National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, to release the protesters in prison unconditionally, Ugolor asserted, “Both the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, and the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, have historically intervened in cases of rights violations.
“There have been efforts by these bodies to advocate for detained protesters, but the scope and success of their interventions vary. These organizations are crucial in pressuring the legal system to ensure fair trials and respect for human rights.”
No guarantee govt. will take a different approach to protests – Global Rights
On her part, the Executive Director, Global Rights Nigeria, Abiodun Baiyewu, said, “There is no indication that the Tinubu administration will take a different approach to handling protests.
“Since the August protests, the government has intensified its crackdown on civic actors such as Omoyele Sowore and the NLC President. The government has also taken the extreme step of besieging the offices of SERAP.
“This is a government that has shown a deep intolerance to dissent, and there is little reason to believe they will be more receptive to protesters’ demands this time around.
“The citizens are angry. The spurious charge of treason has also driven dissent underground. At this point, no one knows what is next. If it does not happen on the 1st of October, it would eventually spontaneously combust.”
On the Federal Government engaging protesters for dialogue as mentioned by Tinubu, the Global Rights Nigeria boss said, “Not in any meaningful way. The President addressed the nation on August 4th during the initial days of the protests.
“In his speech, he avoided addressing the core issues driving the protests, namely, high inflation, widespread poverty exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidies, and the increasing insecurity across Nigeria.
“He highlighted programs and initiatives his administration was implementing and urged citizens to be patient with economic reforms, insisting things would improve in the future.
“However, his speech lacked clarity on how the government would share the burden of these challenges. Many civic actors and commentators expressed disappointment with the substance of the address.
“On August 8th, the Head of Media, Presidential Community Engagement Office, Ms. Seun Ajayi, stated that she and six Senior Special Assistants to the President on Community Engagement had been tasked with engaging citizens about the protests. However, none of us is aware that such engagements took place or what their outcomes were.
“The frustrations that fuelled the #EndBadGovernance protests largely persist. In fact, there has been an increase in the price of petrol since the protests, worsening citizens’ discontent.”
Asked if she thought the government was ready for dialogue with protesters, she asserted, “I don’t believe so. The initial reaction to the #EndBadGovernance protests was to dismiss them as politically motivated by opposition forces.
“The government then paid lip service to understanding the grievances, but its actions did not reflect this. In his August 4th speech, President Tinubu advocated for patience, but the government cannot in good faith expect Nigerians to bear the economic burden while it continues to spend taxpayer funds recklessly.
“The President frequently embarks on extravagant foreign trips accompanied by large entourage, with no benefits felt by Nigerians. The recent purchase of a presidential yacht and plane is just as wasteful, especially when citizens struggle to afford the barest necessities.
“Moreover, Tinubu has insisted that there will be no reversal on the fuel subsidy removal, a central demand of the protesters. Given these fundamental differences in viewpoints, it is unlikely the government is genuinely interested in engaging with protesters.
“The government has also gone to great lengths to suppress the protests, infringing on protesters’ human rights. From obtaining court orders to limit the protests’ scope to the unlawful arrests and prosecution of protesters for charges as serious as treason, the government has little appetite for dialogue. In some instances, protesters were even killed by Nigerian law enforcement!”
Baiyewu also spoke about her concerns about protesters still remanded in prison custody.
“The main concern is that the Nigerian state is violating their constitutionally guaranteed rights to peacefully assemble, associate, and express themselves”, the activist stated.
“Another issue is the judiciary, which was once regarded as the ‘Last Hope of the Common Man,’ being wielded by the state as a tool against the people. It is absurd that peaceful protesters were arrested and charged with crimes like treason.
“Equally troubling is that some judges are imposing extreme and excessive bail conditions for their release, rather than dismissing these baseless charges. Additionally, some of the arrested protesters are children who have no business being detained.”
She expressed her view on intervention by the NBA and the NHRC for the release of protesters in prison custody: “The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has worked with civil society organizations to secure the release of protesters in Kano.
“However, regarding the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, while the Commission acknowledged human rights violations during the #EndBadGovernance protests, there is no information that suggests that they are working to ensure the release of the protesters.”
Don’t leave protesters’ release for the NBA, NHRC alone – HOMEF Director
The Executive Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation, HOMEF, Arc Nnimmo Bassey, counselled that Nigerians should take it upon themselves to pressurize government to unconditionally release protesters in prison facilities across the country instead of leaving that effort to the NBA and the NHRC.
“The issue of detention of peaceful protesters is not a matter to be left to the Nigerian Bar Association or the National Human Rights Commission. It is a matter for all Nigerians. Arresting, detaining and prosecuting peaceful protestors is against the basic tenets of democracy”, Bassey said.
“It is a very dangerous situation for citizens to be muzzled and stopped from expressing how they feel or what is affecting them. It is a clear indicator of a slide into dictatorship, a harbinger of harsher actions ahead.
“Having a protest announced weeks ahead should give the government time to act on the demands of the people. Refusing to take steps in response to demands built around conditions that are known to all citizens is not strategically sound at all.
“And if the government insists that the actions they are taking will yield positive outcomes in the future, they have to tell the people when that future will arrive and how the people are to bear the current pains and deprivations until such a time.
“Government should not forget that in all planning scenarios, there must be key indicators for expected short-term, medium term and long-term outcomes. Defending actions with only long term outcomes is not a saleable option”.
October 1 protests likely to happen – ActionAid Director
Meanwhile, the Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, AAN, Andrew Mamedu, said, “There is a hint of another protest likely to happen on the 1st of October 2024 tagged the ‘Take It Back’ Movement. This is a great opportunity for the government to organize dialogues with Nigerians especially the youth to fathom what they want and what can be done very fast.
“I cannot quite say. The indications for dialogue so far have been discouraging; although, we have seen some minute dialogue and conversations with intended protesters by the Lagos State police, we need this discussion on a larger scale and by the President himself.
“Like I said earlier, the government would save itself a lot of frustrations by listening to the grievances of the young people. Fighting civil society is not the answer, we are here to help the government and ensure it stays on track. We are not the enemy and should not be seen to be so.”
He added, “There’s been no clear indication that the Federal Government has engaged protesters in dialogue as promised by President Bola Tinubu.
“The call for dialogue is not new, as many have advocated for this approach to address Nigeria’s challenges. Unfortunately, without concrete evidence of engagement, it’s difficult to assess the government’s commitment to a dialogue on this matter.
“Recently we learnt that six protesters were released by the DSS in Kaduna after an investigation was carried out, this is just six out of the 2,111 protesters arrested during the protests nationwide.
“The Nigerian government’s response to the #EndBadGovernance protests has been concerning, to say the least. Despite President Bola Tinubu’s promise of dialogue, there’s been no concrete evidence of engagement with protesters. It’s been nearly two months since the nationwide protests, and the government’s inaction and irresponsiveness suggest they’re not ready for dialogue.
“We cannot speak for the government, but we think whatever demands the protesters are making, the government should try to meet them mid-way. Mr. President is the father of the country and a formidable activist in his days.
“He has contributed immensely to promoting democracy through many means including dissent and protests. He should be able and willing to dialogue with the young people who are today frustrated about the economy, insecurity in the country.”
‘Protesters remanded for 60 days without bail violates right to life’
The AAN boss expressed concern about protesters still remanded in prison custody for 60 days without bail.
“The fact that there are still protesters in detention is a sad commentary on the freedom to express our disagreement in a civil manner”, Mamedu said.
“Protest is a legitimate means of registering disagreement with the government. How it has suddenly turned to a charge of treason is beyond everyone.
“We are all concerned about the shrinking civil spaces, and I think it is about time the President steps in and halts the descent and needless war against civil society. Every Nigerian watching the trial is also concerned about the bail conditions which are too stringent.
“You could see those accused of planning treason, is it even logical that those boys are capable of such an act? Protest, we must say again, is not treason and Mr. President should not allow certain elements to deem it so.
“This detention so far clearly violates their human rights and undermines the fundamental principles of justice and freedom. Being remanded for 60 days without the possibility of bail violates their right to life, the dignity of the human person, health and freedom of movement.
“I still stand that the Nigerian authorities must take immediate action to address these concerns, ensure the release of detained protesters, and guarantee their safety and well-being. The right to peaceful protest is a fundamental human right, and it’s essential to protect and promote this right.”
According to him, the NBA and NHRC have been able to secure the release of some protesters.
“The detention of protesters is a clear violation of their human rights, undermining justice and freedom. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has expressed deep concern over human rights abuses during these protests, urging Nigeria to respect peaceful protest, end excessive force, and conduct independent investigations”, Mamedu said.
“The Nigerian Bar Association is providing pro bono representation to detained protesters and has set up a monitoring committee to track interactions between law enforcement and protesters.
“We currently learnt that through their intervention six protesters were released in Kano, that is an applaud-able effort, but we need more effort from them to ensure more protesters are released.
“The Nigerian government is expected to respond to these concerns and take necessary actions to protect human rights and prevent further violations”.
Choi Soon-hwa, the 80-year-old South Korean fashion model, has made history as the oldest-ever contestant in the Miss Universe competition.
Born in 1943, Choi became a sensation after she made it to the final of the annual Miss Universe Korea competition.
The fashion model will go head-to-head with 31 other finalists who are young enough to be her granddaughters for the crown on September 30.
Suppose Choi wins the Miss Universe Korea competition, she gets the chance to represent her country at the 73rd Miss Universe pageant in Mexico City on November 16, making her the oldest contestant in the history of the international pageant.
Speaking with CNN on why she took part in the beauty pageant, the fashion model, who divorced in her 40s and has two children and three grandchildren, said she aims to show the world that “we can live healthily even when we get old”.
Choid, who turns 81 in October, said she hopes to inspire people to understand that wellness and weight can be maintained well into old age.
“I want to stun the world, like, ‘How is an 80-year-old lady so healthy? How did she maintain that body? What’s your diet?’” she said.
“When you get old, you gain weight. So, I want to show that we can live healthily even when we get old.
“A lot of people do their eyes or raise their nose. Back in the day, it used to be something others spoke ill of, but it’s not like that now. It’s not just Koreans — a lot of women around the world are undergoing plastic surgery?”
While this is Choi’s first pageant, she began modelling at 72. She debuted at Seoul Fashion Week at 74 in 2018 and appeared in major magazines like Harper’s Bazaar and Elle.
The Miss Universe Organization recently lifted its upper age limit for contestants, previously set at 28, making Choi eligible to participate in the beauty contest.
Last year, the organization also updated eligibility criteria to remove a longstanding ban on pregnant women or mothers, and women who were — or ever had been — married.
[TheCable]