- FG releases details, insists pact won’t hurt Nigeria
- Disregard fake news about agreement, govt tells clerics
- Ex-British Diplomat: Reports linking deal to LGBT rights irresponsible
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, yesterday said there was no clause on $150 billion for Nigeria in Samoa Agreement.
He said what Nigeria signed was the “Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Members States and members of the Organization of the Caribbean and Pacific States”.
He denied that the agreement had anything to do with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) rights.
He said Nigeria’s signing of the agreement was accompanied by a declaration clarifying its understanding of it.
He said the agreement Nigeria entered into contained 103 foundational articles and 79 African region specific protocols.
He said “none of the protocols offends our laws.”
He said the agreement has no clause on LGBTQ+ rights or any agreement indicating that Nigeria support LGBTQ rights. He said: “Anything we sign must be in tandem with our constitution and laws. Anything beyond that is null and void.
“Tinubu respects Nigeria’s sensitivity and diversity and will never approve anything that will be seen as damaging our sensitivity.”
Bagudu spoke at an emergency press briefing on Abuja in the company of the Minister of information and Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and the Special Assistant to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.
FG threatens to drag Daily Trust to Ombudsman, court
Taking the first shot, the Minister of information and Orientation described as fake news and disinformation the report that the government has signed the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) agreement in exchange for $150 billion, saying the government would consider legal actions against the media House.
He said the agreement has no provision for LGBT in whatever form, adding that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will never sign any agreement that is against the country’s constitution, law, culture and religion.
He said the government would drag Daily Trust newspaper to an Ombudsman and the court to prove that it misled Nigerians on the agreement.
Idris advised some clerics already inciting Muslims in the country against being misdirected by fake news.
He said contrary to what was reported, there is nothing in the agreement that is of concern.
Idris said that following the report in the national daily, Ulamas started to use it in their Friday sermons to castigate the government.
The minister cautioned against media publication that continued to advance the erroneous narrative that the Samoa Agreement recently signed by the Federal Government was to promote the LGBT agenda in the country.
He said the affected media outfit would be dragged before the, Ombudsman of the Newspaper Proprietors of Nigeria (NPAN).
He, however, assured that the Tinubu administration will not trample on press freedom.
He said: “We are alarmed by the level of reckless reporting and statements by some media organisations and individuals that border on national security and stability.
“While we sometimes view and treat those occasional reporting as part of media’s normal work, we have now seen a pattern that is difficult to be wished away as normal journalism.
“The insidious and inciting publications by Daily Trust these past months have come across as nothing but a deliberate effort to brush the government with a tar.
“On many occasions we have restrained ourselves from believing that this was the case, but the consistency of the jejune and mischievous publications leaves us with no option.
“In the aftermath of the coup in Niger Republic, Daily Trust championed a jaundiced narrative that the Federal Government was driving the country into a war and twisted it with regional sentiment to cause disaffection.
“The same newspaper gave a banner headline to a baseless accusation that the government was working on citing foreign military bases in the country. Neither Daily Trust nor originators of that imaginative allegation provided any shred of evidence.
“Then just two weeks ago, Daily Trust concocted and popularised a lie that the Federal Government had renamed the Murtala Mohammed Expressway in Abuja to Wole Soyinka Way.
“In all those instances all that the paper depended on were falsehood and hearsays. They also showed no remorse or the humility to recant.
“We however did not envisage that Daily Trust and people behind it could descend to the reckless level of attempting to set the country on fire by falsely accusing the government of signing a deal to promote LGBTQ.
“We found that despicable and wicked because the allegation is nowhere in the document signed. Surprisingly, the paper put forward no evidence nor provided the agreement allegedly signed to prove their point.
“The baseless and sensational story unfortunately formed a basis for Khutba (sermons) by some of our respected imams who were misled by the story, thereby raising tempers.
“On the part of the government, we continue on the honourable path of civility by restraining ourselves from taking self-help or draconian measures.
“While past governments clamped down on the media for infractions much lower than this, we are however toeing the path of civility and the rule of law.
“But beyond this, the Federal Government is lodging a formal complaint to the NPAN Ombudsman on this irresponsible reporting.
“In addition, the Federal Government will use every lawful means to seek redress in the court of law.
“The Federal Government once again restates its friendly policy towards ethical media and free speech. We would however not take fake news and disinformation that would injure the peace of our country and its national security lightly.”
Idris insisted that the Federal Government has nothing to hide.
He said the Tinubu administration was committed to Probity and Transparency.
He added: “The Ministry of Information and National Orientation under my leadership will do everything possible to ensure transparency, honesty in the dissemination of credible information.
“We made this solemn pledge at the beginning when we were new to office and we will continue to do that.
“We call on you, members of the media, to please help us to spread only what is correct and what you know you can verify.
“It is normal and indeed within the right of the media to scrutinise the affairs of government.
“Nobody can take that away but it is important that care is taken so that when information is being passed, we only present what we know to only the true, credible, honest and in the best interest of our nation.
“Whenever information is being spread that will harm our unity, that will harm our political existence as a nation, then of course there must be something to be asked there.
“We will continue to provide information to the media as needed.
“I would also implore the media to please report only what is factual.
“The series of headlines we think that we have received from the newspaper has given us a cause for concern.
“For me, as a member of this industry, I am really particularly pained that I have to come to address a particular medium in this regard.
“But it is important because we have made this pledge that we are only going to provide what is credible, what we know to be factual.
“The President and this administration will not in any way, in any way, I repeat, the President will not sign or cause any office official to sign anything that will harm our nation, not in any way.
“So to all those who come on in that there is a signature out there that gives away our country as an LGBT-compliant country or seeking to do that, it is mischaracterization, misrepresentation.
“The current government insists that our laws will be respected, our norms will be respected, our traditions will also be respected and our values will be respected.
“The two major religions here are against it.
There is a law existing against the issue of LGBT. The current government of Nigeria would not go against that.
“I think it is important that we put this out there for those who have reacted largely due to ignorance.
There is also a Surah, Surah Al-Hujurat in the Holy Quran.
“Before you put out any information out there, it is important that you cross-check and be sure of your facts.”
He also called on religious leaders to show understanding, while promising that the government will continue to engage with them.
He added: “We call on our Ulamas and we are already engaging them and all religious leaders from both the Muslims and the Christian faith to show understanding that this is a very difficult time.
“We will continue to engage them, we will continue to put out the truth there, we will continue to give them.
“That is why we came, not just with the document that Nigeria sent, but the entire document relating to the whole issue of Samoa, the so-called Samoa agreement, the cross-cultural agreement.
“There is nothing we have examined, the Attorney General of the Federation has examined it, and there is nothing that is said there that is of concern.
“But of course, the government is there to continue to clarify, to continue to explain and to continue to appeal for the understanding of not just the media but for the Nigerian population, for us to continue to grow on the path of progress and unity of our country.
“Please, we call on all of you, and I want to use this opportunity to thank those media organizations that have provided clarity by fact-checking some of these claims put forward by this particular newspaper.
“It has been fast-checked, the statements and all the documents are actually out there, and the equality of this agreement has also been shared.”
Bagudu clarifies agreement
Bagudu clarified that the agreement signed by Nigeria was for cooperation and the economic development of the country.
He said: “President Bola Tinubu did not authorise anything that is damaging or hurtful to our sensitivity and we have not signed any such agreement.”
“Mr. President has undertaken, consistent with his campaign promise, a very demanding diplomacy in order to convince the world that we need all the support and the world is taking it seriously, because there is so much transparency, because there is so much clarity.
“I recall when we visited Saudi Arabia for the first time, the Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia stated that they compare what President Nasser al-Baghdadi is doing to that of his brother, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, taking on courageous measures that they should have been taking decades ago.
“Development partners, as you very well know, are also media savvy. They see what is happening. So let us not ridicule our nation based on misrepresentation.
“Let us support the commendable endeavours and reward the hard work so that the development partners we are relating with, the investors we are looking for will be interested in our resolve.
“When industrialists or development partners see a lie coming too far, they will have the right to worry.”
Bagudu cautioned against reports beclouded with political expediency.
He said: “So we know that some will do it because it is politically expedient. We can do nothing about it, but we believe the majority of Nigerians are able to see paths for themselves and support so that Nigeria can continue to be respected, Nigeria can continue to be an investment destination.
“And also appreciate that hardworking men and women in service, in ministries are dealing with these issues and they will be demoralised if all they see is their effort being misrepresented by somebody with a big voice in society, using their power wrongly, a media house or a group of media entrepreneurs.
“So I appeal to all Nigerians to support the bold, courageous endeavoors we are taking, so that our development partners will also be strengthened and continue to relate with us and to know that we appreciate what they are doing for us.
Giving insights into the contents of the agreement, Bagudu said Nigeria did not sign an agreement only with the EU but with many other countries.
He added: “It’s a requirement by those countries so that they set out the parameters of the cooperation.
“When you get a copy of the document, you will see that this is a broad agreement.
“It is about education; it is about food security; it is about water and sanitation; it is about decent work; and it is about demography.
“It is about youth. It is about culture and sustainable development. It is about inclusive economic development. It is about private sector development. It is about human rights, democracy and rule of law. It is about good governance, public administration, personal data, peace and security.
“So those are the articles. Each article is about an area of cooperation. We signed an agreement with the EU to say that we believe we can cooperate in these areas, in the several areas, which are about 100 and almost 200 distinct areas.”
Bagudu, who was visibly upset by the narration in the public domain, said Nigeria was painstaking in signing the agreement.
He added: “Even when we signed this agreement, we had to also sign a specific implementation agreement.
“For example, we have a rule of law agreement. We have just signed one about four months ago. “The EU will say that for this period of time, between 2024 and 2027, for example, we are going to give you this amount of money.
“The rule of law is $30 million to support ICPC, to support the EFCC, to support the Ministry of Justice.
“We have the migration agreement also. We also have on the democratic institutions.
“So what I say is that within this agreement, there is nowhere where it is mentioned that Nigeria is going to receive $150 billion or any sum for that money.
“But these areas of cooperation are areas which will develop further and grow further.
“And they will lead to capital, will lead to support, will lead to technical support that we can enhance good production.
“One of the biggest supports we are receiving from the EU, for example, is called IDICE, which is our digital. About $300-600 million worth of projects are coming under that.
“So I would say that there is nowhere in the world of development where you see 150 billion.
“But these are agreements which I believe, like with other countries, define what you want to relate with those countries in and how to go about it.”
Responding to a question, Bagudu said: “So you can imagine what about 79 other countries are like. That is why the agreement provides a proviso where a country, each country, not just Nigeria, can issue a declaration, clarifying some basis in which it is signing.
“Like I gave the example, one of the obvious ones; we didn’t provide it because of concerns about misrepresentation about LGBT, for example. We are clear.
“But I gave the example of what we were worried about. We were worried that because of the way Europe is moving to clean energy, we don’t want to sign something that limits our capacity to develop our oil and gas sector clearly.
“One of the declarations you see made it clear that even though we signed any agreement on climate, we were categorical that it was not to limit us in any way because those are developmental rights and we kept within our constitution.”
Reports linking Samoa Agreement to LGBT rights irresponsible, says ex-British diplomat
A former British diplomat in Nigeria, Mr David Roberts, yesterday condemned reports linking the Samoa Agreement Nigeria signed penultimate Friday to the protection of LGBT rights as irresponsible, saying the document was a partnership pact on the growth and development of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and the Pacific States that signed it with EU Member countries.
There had been a backlash against the Federal Government after a national newspaper published a claim that some provisions of the agreement protect the rights of LGBT, contending that Nigeria signed on the back of a proposed $150bn loan.
Despite the rebuttal by the Federal Government through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Mohammed Idris, social media remained agog with the condemnation of the agreement, forcing the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu to address a press conference yesterday to clarify the content of the document further.
“I found it incredible that anybody could believe that the Samoa Agreement, which is a protocol of economic and social development between the EU and its member states and the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) on the other hand is to further Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) rights,” Roberts said in a statement yesterday.
He said nothing could be further from the truth, adding that except the reports were deliberate misinformation, he failed to see how anybody could have read the agreement and come to such a conclusion.
According to the former diplomat, “the agreement is a document that journalists can read. You do not need a Freedom of Information Act request to read it. It is a public document on the EU’s website.
“It is a harmless treaty that aims to reduce and eradicate poverty in the ACP nations and lead to the financial integration of African and Caribbean nations into the world economy.”
He said the best predictor of future events was the past, explaining that it was an agreement that over 50 countries had signed.
“How many of those countries have been forced to implement the LGBT agenda? Zero. None,” the former Director British Council in Nigeria said.
Saying that the reports were capable of inciting violence and civil unrest in a country as conservative as Nigeria, Robert said there ought to be punitive consequences for the publishers of the false reports if such irresponsible reportage was to be avoided in future.
[TheNation]
Stop this reign of impunity, flagrant violation of citizens’ rights, Atiku flays Nigeria Police
Admin
Atiku Abubakar, former Nigeria’s vice-president and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, has slammed the Nigeria Police for their blatant breach of citizens’ rights and disregard for court orders.
Atiku’s outrage follows the arrest and transportation of Yusuf Sheriff Banki from Abuja to Maiduguri, Borno State, in defiance of a standing court order.
Justice M. A. Madugu of the Bwari Judicial Division had on the 13th of June, 2024, granted an order restraining the IGP, AIG Zone 15, CP FCT, their agents, privies, or anybody acting on their authority from arresting, intimidating, harassing and threatening Yusuf Sheriff Banki and his families pending the determination of the suit before the court.
But the Nigeria Police acted in breach of that order. Atiku is incensed by the Gestapo-style arrest, which flagrantly violated a valid and subsisting court injunction restraining the Inspector General of Police, the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 15, and the Commissioner of Police FCT from arresting Banki.
Condemning the action, Atiku berated the police for their impunity and lack of respect for the rule of law and citizens’ rights. He decried the incident as reminiscent of the oppressive military dictatorship era when citizens were detained without adherence to legal processes.
Emphasising that Nigeria is a nation of law and order, Atiku called on the police to unconditionally release Yusuf Sheriff Banki.
He also highlighted a worrying trend of journalists being arrested under the guise of the cybersecurity law for holding leaders accountable.
[Nigerian Tribune]
Abia State Governor Dr Alex otti will on Thursday, launch the Abia State Cooperatives Support Scheme through which an estimated 10, 000 men, women and young people running different micro and small scale businesses in their various communities will benefit from a revolving interest-free loan programme initiated and promoted by the State Government.
Beneficiaries are members of registered community cooperative groups with clearly defined businesses interests that are relevant within their communities.
In the selection of the present batch of beneficiaries, priority was given to women and young people with established micro and small scale businesses in sectors such as agriculture, food and consumables, petty trading, and local crafts, amongst others.
The process is managed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Cooperatives, Ishmael Onuoha, working very closely with the relevant community stakeholders across the 184 wards in the State- including elected and appointed officials from various parts of the State.
Beneficiaries will be required to repay the loan at no interests within a defined period so that other members within the community cooperatives structure can also benefit as the programme is designed as a revolving loan scheme.
Through this initiative, the Dr. Alex Otti administration is working to enhance business consciousness amongst the people at the grassroots by providing support to those who already have something they are doing but would do better through improved access to funds.
The initiative will help revive many micro and small scale businesses that have shut down in the various communities on account of economic difficulties, and peculiar circumstances.
Importantly, this effort will also support the people at the grassroots to fend for themselves through the proceeds of their businesses, enhancing their productive abilities and opening for them, the doors of bigger opportunities.
No fewer than 15 persons have reportedly lost their lives due to the widespread flooding experienced across the country within the last seven days.
Several properties, including houses, cars and other valuables were destroyed by the disturbing disaster.
DAILY POST recalls that on June 24, the popular Trademore Estate, Abuja, was submerged following a sustained torrential rainfall that led to the death of two residents.
Apart from many houses almost completely destroyed, the flood which overflowed the estate canal, also swept away several cars.
In Yobe State alone, about 30 communities were destroyed on July 1st when heavy downpour was experienced in the area, leading to the death of about nine persons.
The State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, while confirming the ugly incident, revealed that over 10,845 individuals across 12 LGAs of Yunusari, Nguru, Nangere, Gujba, Damaturu, Fika, Bade, Bursari, Yusufari, Geidam, Machina and Karasuwa were affected by the floodings.
On Wednesday, movements were restricted while economic activities were crippled in Lagos State due to the persistent rainfall that caused unexpected flooding in many parts of the state.
It was more worrisome in some residential areas in Ibeju-Lekki and other strategic locations where thousands of residents were unfortunately displaced.
DAILY POST gathered that some of the worst affected areas included Epe, Eredo, Bogije, Labora, Abijon, Sangotedo, Awoyaya and Ibeju-Lekki.
A primary six pupil was reportedly swept away by the flood in the Ikosi-Ketu area of Lagos.
Also, seven occupants, including a one-year-old baby girl, were rescued alive from a collapsed two-storey building at the Mushin area of the state, following the heavy downpour.
Similarly, the Lagos State Police Command on Thursday confirmed that a yet-to-be-identified 61-year-old man lost his life after being electrocuted during the flood incident.
Nigerians knock federal and state governments over failure to be proactive
The recurring cases of flooding in the country have raised concerns among stakeholders who lamented that the Federal and the state governments failed to be proactive in tackling the menace.
DAILY POST recalls that in 2022, over 662 Nigerians lost their lives to flood across the country.
According to the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, 662 people were killed, while 2,430,445 others were displaced.
About 3,174 people also suffered various degrees of injuries during the flood disaster.
In 2023, the National Emergency Management Agency said over 45 Nigerians died, while 171,545 persons were displaced as a result of widespread flooding experienced across the country.
DAILY POST reports that despite the warnings and previous cases recorded, Nigeria was still caught unprepared in 2024.
Reacting to the Wednesday incident in Lagos State, a former governorship candidate in the state, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, said the Lagos State Government has not been proactive on flood management.
In a television interview monitored by DAILY POST, the Labour Party chieftain said, “What is more painful to me is that I see a government that is in your face and very active when it comes to demolition but you have this kind of thing (flood) you don’t see any emergency response or protocol.
“We are not seeing men on the ground. We are not seeing intelligence being given out early: ‘avoid these routes’. There were no diversions.
“I don’t feel a sense of ‘I told you so’. Anybody who loves Lagos well enough and has looked at the history of Lagos would see these things way before they happen”.
Similarly, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the Head, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, told DAILY POST on Saturday that it is not enough for the government to alert Nigerians of imminent danger of flooding, urging both the Federal and the state governments to take proactive actions.
He said, “Environmental issues like flooding are things that are even beyond the government. The only thing is that the government needs to be ready for remediation and rescue if it happens eventually.
“The government should be able to evacuate people from the flood-prone areas. Telling Nigerians that there is going to be flooding in 31 states is not enough.
“Sometimes the government needs to force these residents to move out of the danger areas. Some people may not want to leave willingly because it is their ancestral home.
“The Nigerian government should provide ecological funds that will resettle victims of flooding in the country.
“When these flood-prone areas are identified, the government is expected to inform the residents of the danger of staying back especially during the season of heavy rainfall.
“The state government should build camps where they can possibly relocate the affected people, not allowing people to be stranded when it happens”.
Poor urban planning, deforestation, others responsible for flooding in Nigeria – Expert
An environmentalist, Dr Gabriel Ajeh told DAILY POST on Saturday that poor urban planning and inadequate infrastructure development were the major causes of flooding in Nigeria.
According to him, “as most cities continue to expand, encroachment of settlements into flood-prone areas have also continued among citizens, leading to flood disaster.
“The urbanization in many parts of the country is very poor. There are places even in Abuja that people should not be allowed to reside.
“Unfortunately, you see these places being occupied by people despite knowing that floods usually occur in those places.
“For example, the issue of Trademore Estate in the FCT is not new. Every year we hear about people dying in the area due to flooding, yet people are allowed to continue living there.
“Another issue we must consider, especially as we battle climate change, is deforestation and environmental degradation.
“This has significantly reduced the natural flood protection that is usually provided by forests, wetlands, and mangroves, thereby heightening the risk of floods in Nigerian communities.
“We need to understand that the degradation of natural ecosystems contributes to soil erosion, which can worsen flooding by increasing sedimentation in rivers.”
FG places 18 states on red alert
Tension was heightened on Thursday when the federal government placed at least 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, on red alert over possible severe flooding expected from the end of July 2024.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Terlumun Utsev, who raised the alarm while addressing reporters in Abuja, said Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Rivers and Taraba, as well as the FCT may be adversely affected in the coming days.
According to the Minister, from the end of July, the country might start experiencing river flooding, which might be more devastating than the current situation.
The Water Resources minister said river flooding was expected from major rivers like the Niger and Benue, urging continuous monitoring and proactive measures.
[DailyPost]
Bandits have abducted two journalists and their family members in Kaduna State.
The armed men stormed Danhonu community in Millennium city of Chikun local government area of Kaduna and raided houses of the reporters of The Nation newspaper, Alhaji AbdulGafar Alabelewe, and that of Blueprint Newspaper, AbdulRaheem Aodu, their wives and children .
Alhaji Alabelewe is also the current chairman of the correspondents chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council.
A family member of one of the victims Taofeeq Olayemi, who confirmed the incident, said the bandits stormed the community at about 10:30pm on Saturday and started shooting sporadically before carrying out their action.
He said they kidnapped Alhaji Alabelewe, his wife and two of his children, while Alhaji Aodu and his wife were kidnapped, leaving behind their sick daughter.
“Initially, they picked Alhaji Abdulgafar, his wife and three of his children and a girl staying with them before asking the girl to return back with one of the children, leaving with Abdulgafar, his wife and two children.”
“They shattered their doors, windows and removed their burglary after scaling the fence.”
Olayemi, a family member of Mr. Aodu, who lives close to the victims’ houses said,” They came around 10:30pm on Saturday and started shooting sporadically. They first burst Aodu’s door open and picked him and his wife and left their sick daughter behind.
“Then, they entered Abdulgafar’s house through the fence and jumped into his house. They went straight into his bedroom and picked him, his wife and two of their kids. They left immediately, after which the vigilantes arrived and started shooting into the air.”
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Kaduna, ASP Mansir Hassan could not be reached for reaction as his phone was not connecting as at the time of filing this report.
[DailyTrust]
Some bandits in large numbers on Saturday night invaded Dahjonu Community in Millennium City of Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State and abducted two journalists -The Nation’s Abdulgafar Alabelewe and Blueprint newspaper’s AbdulRaheem Abdu as well as their wives and children.
Alabelewe is also the current chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kaduna State Council.
One of the victims’ family member, Taofeeq Olayemi, who confirmed the incident, said the bandits invaded the area around 10:30pm and shot indiscriminately before carrying out their dastardly act.
Olayemi said the bandits kidnapped Alabelewe, his wife and two of his children while Aodu and his wife who was also sick were kidnapped, leaving behind their sick daughter.
He said, “Initially, they picked Abdulgafar,his wife and three of his children and a girl staying with them before asking the girl to return back with one of the children and left with Abdulgafar, his wife and two children.
“They shattered their doors, windows and removed their burglary after scaling the fence.”
Olayemi, who is also a neighbour to the victims, added, “they came around 10:30pm on Saturday night and started shooting sporadically. They first bursted Aodu’s door open and picked him and his wife and left their sick daughter behind.
“Then, they entered Abdulgafar’s house through the fence and jumped into his house. They went straight into his bedroom and picked him, his wife and two of their kids and left immediately, after which the vigilantes arrived and started shooting into the air.”
As of the time of filing this report, the State Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, ASP, could not be reached because his telephone was not connecting.
![[PRESS RELEASE] First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Says Women Should Lead The Food Security Campaign](/media/k2/items/cache/0354094d39b085af1cbf639765713bda_S.jpg)
The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu says women must be seen at the forefront of the Food Security Campaign in the country.
She stated this at the State House Residence while unveiling her vegetable garden which she planted to encourage first time women farmers to join the ongoing Every Home A Garden Competition.
The First Lady who has planted Seven vegetables including spinach, water leaf, bitter leaf, Ewedu, lemon grass, scent leaf and Okro says a little effort on the part of every individual will go a long way in ameliorating food insufficiency.
“This little garden will be able to provide healthy vegetables enough for my house hold and I would definitely be able to let some of my staff have as well. The solution to any problem lies in everyone contributing their own quota to getting that solution. As a leader I must show example and plant my own garden”.
She encouraged first time women farmers all over the country to join the competition by planting a garden in their homes such as the produce will be sufficient to feed them and their neighbours.
“This will also enhance communal living and help drive the food security campaign of the Federal Government. The vegetables are medicinal and the garden is to lead by example for other women to embrace smart gardening”.
She showed off the garden to the Wife of Imo State governor, Chioma Uzodinma and Wife of the Minister of State for Defence Mrs Aisha Matawale.
The Every Home A Garden Competition is open to first time women farmers all over Nigeria. Entries are to be submitted to the Office of the Wives of the State Government of the competitors in the format of a 30 seconds short video with the details of the competitor by the close of work on September 25,2024. The winner would get N25 million naira.
SIGNED
Busola Kukoyi
SSA Media to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
See Photo Below:
The All Progressives Congress has expressed conviction that President Bola Tinubu will be re-elected in 2027 despite the economic hardship and planned alliance between mega opposition parties.
The lingering economic hardship resulting from ongoing reforms such as fuel subsidy removal and floating of the naira has given rise to palpable fear that Nigerians may vote out Tinubu in 2027.
But the Deputy National Organising Secretary of the ruling party, Nze Chidi Duru, in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, said the ongoing reforms had to come into play to steady the sinking ship of the economy.
He said, “Our party has always recognised the fact that the current challenging economic environment has not in any way got better. When Mr President took over, he asked Nigerians not to pity him. It is an office that he craved and worked hard for before offering himself to provide leadership to Nigeria.
“What gives confidence is that Mr President is very much aware of the expectations of the person on the street. The minimum expectation will be that they need to be comfortable. So, the discussion around 2027 (election) is not out of place. In the life of a country, four years is like yesterday.
“Let me say every political office holder or politician knows that the first date in office is key because the citizens who elected you into office and those who did not elect you will begin to track your performance as a result of that. They can then decide whether or not to re-elect you.
“Concerning whether we will be re-elected, as a democrat and my personal view, we have always canvassed that unless His Excellency President Bola Tinubu will not contest, the APC government is bound to be represented by our candidate in 2027 to fly the flag for the simple reason that I want to bring up. And, of course, there is the incumbency factor.”
- 148 members to work in nine strategy committees
Last Thursday’s judgement on Edo state PDP governorship primary by Justice Inyang Ekwo is a distraction and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has resolved to appeal against it, chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council for Edo State, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has said.
Fintiri who spoke during the inaugural meeting of the campaign council at PDP national headquarters in Abuja where nine strategy committees were constituted to undertake special roles towards actualizing PDP’s victory in the September 21 governorship election, also described the judgement as a ‘child’s play’ that cannot stop PDP’s victory.
During the event, party leaders introduced two defectors – former Deputy Commissioner of Police and ex-National President of the Road Transport Employers’ Association (RTEAN), Alhaji Musa Isiwele who said that he just led 5, 200 All Progressives Congress members to join the Asue Oghodalo campaign along with former Edo State Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Francis Inegbeniki who said that he only knew the APC governorship candidate as a welder in Jos, years ago, as latest additions to the party’s army of experienced campaigners.
In his address to members of the Edo State PDP National Campaign Council and party stakeholders, Governor Fintiri who said that the task ahead of the campaign council won’t be easy further stated that immediately after the launch of PDP governorship campaign in Edo State, many members will remain in the state until election day.
“Like I said, this is not an easy assignment, it requires a lot of sacrifice and commitment on our part and for us to have accepted this appointment, I know also that we have really agreed to do whatever is required of us to win the election.
“We are all politicians, the only thing we understand in politics is to win elections and that is why there is no second position in any election; you either win or you are lost but in this outing, we are out to win.
“And yes, there is a little setback, temporarily but God will see us through it; the court judgement of three days ago, anybody who perused and looks through the entire process, you know that is a child’s play,” Fintiri stated, adding that PDP has resolved to immediately go ahead with an appeal against the judgement.
In his speech, PDP National Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) who said that the ‘somersault’ done by Justice Ekwo does not invalidate Edo state PDP governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo’s candidature also urged party stakeholders not to feel dismayed.
In a brief speech, PDP governorship candidate in Edo state, Asue Ighodalo who expressed concerns about current indicators and distractions also expressed hope that the capacity and experience of those in the PDP National Campaign Council for Edo state will see things through.
His words: “It is not going to be easy, it is going to be very difficult, we are already seeing the signs; it is going to be a difficult election; not on the issues, but on the distractions but sometimes, the distractions are more difficult to deal with than the issues.
“But I know we have leaders who are more than capable to set the ball rolling and to lift us higher than some others, so, I am truly grateful.”
As Nigeria battles an economic crisis sparked by the government’s twin policies of petrol subsidy removal and unification of FX windows, United Kingdom-based Diageo joined about 15 other multinational companies that have exited the country in the past three years.
Diageo is the latest to announce its departure on Tuesday, June 11 when it said it will sell its 58.02% stake in Guinness Nigeria to Tolaram.
Diageo joins others like Kimberly-Clark, manufacturers of Huggies and Kotex brands of diapers; US-based Procter and Gamble (P&G); GlaxoSmithKline (GSK); Unilever and Sanofi-Aventi Nigeria, who are either exiting completely or reducing their exposure in a country facing its worst cost-of-living crisis in decades.
Unilever Nigeria announced its exit from the home care and skin cleansing markets in Nigeria in November 2023, saying it did so “to find a more sustainable and profitable business model.”
Procter & Gamble was the last to announce its exit from the country the same year.
Similar reasons given by these and other companies include high energy costs, currency depreciation, insecurity etc.
The Federal Government itself acknowledged these challenges in an interview granted by Minister of Finance, Wale Edun on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme, where he said “lack of a liquid foreign exchange market was the major reason why some multinational companies exited Nigeria,” explaining that the inability of the exiting multinationals to access foreign exchange was a major impediment to their operations in the country.
Weighing-in, the Director-General of Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA, Adewale Oyerinde, disclosed that at least 15 multinationals have either divested or partially closed operations in the country in the last three years.
Oyerinde, in his assessment, stated: “Over 15 organisations, with a combined value-chain staff strength of over 20,000 employees, have either divested or partially closed operations,” lamenting that this has “dire consequences not only for organised businesses but also for labour, government revenue and the households; massive job losses across sectors, which would continue to create insecurity challenges”.
Oyerinde added, “When NECA examined the exit of prominent companies like GSK, Sanofi, Procter & Gamble, Nampak, and others, who had been doing business in Nigeria for decades and were huge employers of labour, it was worried about the ripple effect on the broader business ecosystem.
“Within the value chain, numerous enterprises serve as suppliers to these major corporations, and their sustainability is significantly compromised when the primary businesses they cater to face extinction.
“The survival prospects of these secondary businesses are at stake, and their employees are also at risk, as the departure of the main clients could lead to their demise. The crisis within the value chain deserves more attention than it currently receives”.
Other sectoral group leaders and analysts maintain that the continuous exit of multinational firms would dampen Nigeria’s $1trn GDP target of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The President had, at the 29th Nigeria Economic Summit in Abuja, told business leaders and Nigerians that Nigeria’s economy can grow to $1 trillion by 2026.
Analysts believe the persistent exit of multinational companies from the country is set to impact negatively on this target.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that the performance of the GDP in the first quarter of 2024 was driven mainly by the services sector, which recorded a growth of 4.32 per cent and contributed 58.04 per cent to the aggregate GDP, whereas the nominal GDP growth of the manufacturing sector in the first quarter of 2024 was recorded at 8.21 per cent (year-on-year), 9.64 per cent points lower than the figure recorded in the corresponding period of 2023.
Real GDP growth in the manufacturing sector in the first quarter of 2024, on its part, was 1.49 per cent (year-on-year), lower than the same quarter of 2023.
Reacting to this, President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Otunba Francis Meshioye said, “MAN expects the government to frontally address insecurity, improve electricity supply, promote fiscal sustainability and ensure policy consistency.
“Among other priorities, the fiscal authority must also lend supportive measures by adequately incentivising the manufacturing sector and other productive sectors.
“This is very important to boost non-oil export earnings in addition to the increase in oil export proceeds occasioned by increased oil production, rising global oil prices and the coming on stream of the Dangote Refinery”.
Director-General of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Chinyere Almona, also speaking on the issue, said: “Over the last few months, there has been a consistent increase in exit plans or a reduction in involvement in the Nigerian market by the multinationals, and this trend is worrisome.
“We have seen the likes of Unilever Nigeria, GlaxoSmithKline, and recently now Guinness Nigeria Plc.
“In Nigeria, lingering foreign exchange scarcity, poor power supply, port congestion, multiple taxation, insecurity, and poor infrastructure, among others, have taken a toll on many businesses in the country.”
The chamber recommended that the government should implement measures to stabilise and ensure the availability of foreign exchange for businesses, particularly those operating in dollar-denominated environments, also imploring the government to create a more flexible and transparent foreign exchange policy to address scarcity issues.
“Further, the Chamber urges the government to engage multinational corporations and the business community to understand their challenges and gather input and feedback on policy decisions to collaboratively develop solutions that will forestall the exodus of businesses from Nigeria. The CBN should prioritise the stability of the country’s currency and adopt the right policy mix to ensure price stability,” Almona said.
National President of the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria, ASBON, Femi Egbesola, maintained that multinationals are among the companies that contribute largely to the country’s GDP and earnings.
“We cannot be talking of growing our economy when the real investors are leaving. Assuming they are leaving and the indigenous ones are increasing, it would have been a different thing. But that is not the case. You make income as a nation when you have investments and investors,” he said.
However, since the coming of the Tinubu administration, Tinubu and Edun, among others, have been speaking on efforts being put in place towards revamping the economy, encouraging Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and also making local industries vibrant and competitive.
Whether the assurances of Edun, who, on the Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme, said, “recent executive orders signed by President Bola Tinubu have improved the investment climate … and also disclosed that tax reform proposals aimed at simplifying doing business for local and foreign manufacturers are being considered as part of an Economic Stabilisation Package,” would stem the flow of multinationals exiting the country, only time will tell.
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…as Reps plan zonal town hall meetings
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen has reaffirmed the commitment of the parliament to transparency, accountability, good governance and citizens engagement.
Speaking at a dinner to mark the end of the end of the first ever Legislative Open Week, the Speaker disclosed that in response to calls for grassroots engagement, the House will soon roll out citizens’ engagement town hall meetings across the six geopolitical zones in collaboration with the Ford Foundation.
The Speaker stressed that in the face of declining interest and trust in democracy, transparency and regular citizens’ engagement have become more crucial than ever as transparency ensures that government actions are open to public scrutiny and fostering accountability.
He argued that regular engagements with citizens empowers them to voice their concerns, participate in decision-making processes, and feel a sense of ownership over their governance as such mutual interaction strengthens the social contract, rebuilds trust, and revitalizes democratic values.
He said, “Over the past twenty-five years, there have been challenges in ensuring accountability and engagement from leaders and democratic institutions, resulting in a sense of disconnection, cynicism and even distrust among the populace.
“However, through activities like the Open Week, we have a unique opportunity to strengthen our commitment to good governance and re-establish a robust connection with the citizens.
“In the face of declining interest and trust in democracy, transparency and regular citizens’ engagement are more crucial than ever. We strongly believe that transparency ensures that government actions are open to public scrutiny and fostering accountability.
“Regular engagements with citizens, such as we have witnessed this week, empowers them to voice their concerns, participate in decision-making processes, and feel a sense of ownership over their governance. This mutual interaction strengthens the social contract, rebuilds trust, and revitalizes democratic values.
“Our constitutional amendment process will also adopt a citizen-inclusive approach. The onus is now on citizens to actively engage with their representatives. I urge everyone to seize this opportunity to ask questions about governance, participate in public hearings, constituency engagements, town halls, and other forums for engagement. As the saying goes, eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.
“As we look ahead, let us reaffirm our commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance. The spirit of openness and engagement that defined this week must continue to guide us in all our endeavors”.
Speaker Abbas said the open week has vividly demonstrated the vibrancy and strength of the nation’s evolving democracy and reaffirmed the commitment of the House of Representatives to uphold transparency and accountability.
He described citizens’ engagement as the cornerstone of any effective legislature, adding that the 10th Assembly has embraced the ‘OPEN NASS’ Project, which enhances not only oversight and law-making, but also the transparency of the National Assembly itself, saying “as we hold other branches of government accountable, we must equally welcome scrutiny from the public.”
He maintained that through the House Open Week, the House is reclaiming the legislature for its rightful owners, namely, the citizens and the constituents.
The Speaker said “Over the past few days, in line with the commitments of the House, we have opened our doors to the public, inviting them to witness the workings of the House firsthand. We have engaged in meaningful discussions, welcome feedback, and showcased our dedication to serving the Nigerian people.
“We addressed critical issues such as gender mainstreaming in governance, economic growth and diversification, inclusive political participation, and the constitutional role for traditional rulers. The diverse attendance demonstrated the people’s keen interest and high expectations from the People’s House.
“Our presentation of the House’s performance scorecard in its First Session reassures Nigerians that our commitment to transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement is not merely a duty but a guiding principle of our actions as elected representatives.
“The various activities and discussions during the House Open Week have provided valuable insights into the concerns and aspirations of our people and nation. As highlighted in our scorecard, the essence of representative democracy is that it empowers citizens to choose their leaders and demands those leaders to give a satisfactory account of their stewardship.
Calls on women to lead food security campaign
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has urged women to take the lead in the food security campaign, emphasising the importance of individual contributions to addressing food insufficiency.
Unveiling her own vegetable garden at the State House Residence, First Lady Tinubu encouraged first-time women farmers to participate in the Every Home A Garden Competition.
A statement issued by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, said the competition, open to women across Nigeria, aims to promote smart gardening and enhance communal living.
The First Lady’s garden, featuring seven vegetables, showcases the potential for individual efforts to make a significant impact.
The vegetables in the First Lady’s garden include spinach, water leaf, bitter leaf, ewedu, lemon grass, scent leaf and okro.
She emphasised that every small contribution can collectively drive the food security campaign forward.
The First Lady said: “This little garden will be able to provide healthy vegetables enough for my household and I would definitely be able to let some of my staff have as well.
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“The solution to any problem lies in everyone contributing their own quota to getting that solution. As a leader, I must show example and plant my own garden.
“This will also enhance communal living and help drive the food security campaign of the Federal Government. The vegetables are medicinal and the garden is to lead by example for other women to embrace smart gardening.”
She showed off the garden to the Wife of Imo State Governor, Chioma Uzodinma, and Wife of the Minister of State for Defence, Mrs Aisha Matawale.
The competition, which closes on September 25, 2024, and offering a N25 million prize for the winner, is open to first time women farmers all over Nigeria
The statement said entries must be submitted in a 30-second video format to the Office of the Wives of State Governors.
Abdourahamane Tiani, Niger Republic’s military leader, says the people of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have “irrevocably turned their backs” on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Speaking on Saturday at the first summit of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) held in Nigerien capital city Niamey, Tiani accused ECOWAS of not doing enough to combat jihadist violence.
The AES was set up after the three Sahel nations pulled out of ECOWAS in February.
The military-run states fell out with the West African regional bloc following the coup d’etat which brought Tiani to power in Niger in July 2023.
ECOWAS imposed sanctions — including border closure and halt of the export of electric power to Niger — against the junta-led countries as part of efforts to reverse the coups in the nations.
The sanctions were however lifted in February, and few days later, the countries pulled out of ECOWAS.
“Our people have irrevocably turned their backs on ECOWAS,” Tiani said.
The AES also alleged that ECOWAS is being manipulated by former colonial ruler France, with Tiani calling for the AES to become a “community far removed from the stranglehold of foreign powers”.
The countries said they would instead turn towards Russia, Turkey and Iran — their “sincere partners”.
“The AES is the only effective sub-regional grouping in the fight against terrorism,” he said.
Meanwhile, ECOWAS is due to hold a summit of its heads of state in Abuja on Sunday.
Part of the agenda to be discussed at the summit is the issue of relations with the AES.
Afam Victor Ogene, the Leader of the Labour Party Caucus of the House of Representatives, has said the victory of opposition Labour Party in the United Kingdom, UK, is a sign that its Nigerian version would triumph in the 2027 general elections.
In a statement made available to journalists in Awka, Friday, Ogene said the election told vivid tales of hope for the opposition, and competence and integrity of the electoral umpires in the UK, in a manner that elicits public confidence and trust in the electoral process.
“Unlike what was witnessed in Nigeria in the last general elections, the process in UK was free of glitches, as about 40 million voters took part. Polls closed around 10 pm Thursday and by daybreak, the results were out.
“There was no judicial ambush, as immediate transition took place to the admiration of all lovers of democracy and free and fair elections.
“If we must practice democracy, we must also love, copy and abide by the transparency and accountability of democratic institutions in nations of the world that allow the rule of law and democratic principles to thrive.
“In deed, one of the potent lessons of the British elections is the fact that, the concept of ‘snatch it, grab it, and run away with it,’ has no place in modern democratic practice,” he said.
Relating the development in the UK to the 2027 election in Nigeria, Ogene said: “I urge the Nigerian Labour Party to draw inspiration from its British counterparts, close ranks, rally the people, and prepare to take the reins of power in 2027.
“Let us work together to build a better future for our nation, guided by the principles of democracy, transparency, and accountability.”
Ogene congratulated Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party in Britain, for his party’s victory over the outgoing UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak and his Conservative Party, in what has been described as the most emphatic election victory by any British political party this century.
The opposition Labour Party won a huge parliamentary majority in the UK general election, unseating the incumbent Conservatives after 14 years.
While the Labour Party got 412 seats, the incumbent Conservatives got just 121