The Abia State Police Command yesterday lost two personnel following an attack on the convoy of the state Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Industry, Dr Chimezie Ukaegbu, at Aba.
The police public relations officer(PPRO) of the Command, ASP Maureen Chinaka, said in a statement that “the distressing incident” took place at about 4.00pm on Tuesday at SAMEK Junction along Faulks Road Aba.
According to the police spokesperson, a group of hoodlums had launched an attack on the commissioner’s convoy during his familiarisation tour of markets in the commercial city.
The convoy of the commissioner was said to be en route to Ekoha shopping plaza “when the armed assailants opened fire.”
“Regrettably, amidst the chaos, two police officers lost their lives in the line of duty,” the PPRO said.
She identified the victims as a police constable who was part of the security convoy and a police inspector, who was not initially part of the convoy but happened to be on a separate assignment with a police Hilux.
The commissioner and other people on his entourage, including some members of government house press corps escaped the attack unhurt.
Aside the tragic killing of the two police officers, the hoodlums also set ablaze a vehicle belonging to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, and Investment.
“The Commissioner of Police assures the public that every possible effort will be exerted as discreet investigations are ongoing to ensure justice is served.
“We condemn this cowardly act of violence and remain steadfast in our resolve to bring the perpetrators to justice,” the police spokesperson said.
She urged the public “to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies” in their efforts to nab the hoodlums behind the fatal attack and bring them to book.
“Any information, regardless of how insignificant it may seem, could prove pivotal in identifying and apprehending the culprits responsible for this heinous act”.
The PPRO assured Abia residents of the “unwavering commitment” of the State Police Command “to pursuing justice and upholding the triumph of good over evil”.
“Together, as a united community, we shall prevail against such senseless acts of violence,” the PPRO stated.
Nigerien soldiers have announced taking over power from President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been in detention since the early hours of Wednesday.
The soldiers announced the coup in televised broadcast in the early hours of Thursday.
In the broadcast, 10 senior officers said the National Council of the State Guard of the Nation had decided to “put an end to the regime you are familiar with”.
They claimed to have seized power because of deteriorating security situation as well as bad social and economic management.
“We reaffirm our support to all commitment undertaken by Niger,” the soldiers said.
They had earlier cordoned off office and residence of Bazoum with military vehicles.
Crowds had taken to the streets of the capital city, Niamey, in support of the president, but soldiers fired shots to disperse them.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had intervened by sending the President of Benin, Patrice Talon, to the country.
Talon proceeded after meeting with President Bola Tinubu, ECOWAS Chairman, in Abuja.
Tinubu had earlier condemned the development, warning that the regional body, as well as the global community, would not condone disruption of constitutional order within the sub-region.
• Senate split over plan to suspend annual recess for ministerial nominees’ screening
• Akpabio makes last minute move to postpone recess
• Recall option for senators, another drain on treasury
After a blistering start to the Bola Tinubu presidency, marked by some boldfaced policy drive and reordering of the economy, the President may have driven himself into a false start, requiring a serious rebooting as he clocks 60 days in office today.
Indications emerged, yesterday, that President Tinubu might be without a constituted Federal Executive Council (FEC) till September, if the Senate embarks on its 2023 end of session recess today as scheduled, leaving a nearly four-month hiatus in the new administration.
Arising from this, President Tinubu may not only be escaping the constitutional liability of presenting his ministerial list to the Senate for screening and confirmation on deadline day, but by leaving this critical decision-making to the last day and thereby stalling governance, he is against, all expectations, infamously toeing the path of his predecessor, former President Muhammadu Buhari, who didn’t constitute his cabinet during his first term until after six months.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan sent the list of ministerial nominees to the Senate on June 28, 2011, a month after being sworn in, while Muhammadu Buhari submitted his list on September 30, 2015 for his first term and July 23, 2019 for the second term in office.
However, unlike Buhari, President Tinubu has appointed some Special Advisers (SAs) to man strategic areas of governance.
But should President Tinubu fail to submit his ministerial list today, he could face impeachment by the 10th National Assembly as the Constitution will have been breached.
Buhari had on March 17, 2023, assented to the bill mandating the incoming President and governors to submit their nominees within 60 days of taking oath of office in a bill sponsored by Ben Rollands Igbakpa, who represented Ethiope Federal Constituency in the Ninth House of Representatives.
The lawmakers had on Tuesday, stepped down important items on the Order Paper and adjourned plenary as senators, including the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, left the National Assembly to attend the 60th birthday anniversary lecture and book presentation in honour of Bamidele.
On Wednesday, with 24 hours to the constitutional deadline, the Senate adjourned without the list. The lawmakers, who resumed for plenary a little late, took on a couple of motions and other legislative businesses as listed in the Order Paper without any mention of communication with respect to the list. All eyes will therefore be on the Senate chamber today for the unveiling of the much-guarded cabinet nominees.
Yesterday, some Senators were said to be considering the options of suspending their yearly recess to screen and confirm ministerial nominees should President Tinubu transmit the list to the chamber today. Tinubu is faced with the constitutional deadline of July 27, to transmit the list of ministerial nominees to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Section 42 of the Constitution as amended, states that “(a) the nomination of any person to the office of a Minister for confirmation by the Senate shall be done within sixty days after the date the President has taken the oath of office; (b) not less than ten per cent of persons appointed as Ministers shall be women: Provided that the President may appoint a Minister at any other time during his tenure and such appointment shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate.”
As at yesterday, some states including Lagos, Enugu, and Cross River have also not constituted their cabinets.
But following his delay in sending the list, Senators have begun consultations on how to assist the administration in early formation of the cabinet to facilitate good governance.
However, sources at the Senate hinted that opinions are divided on whether or not the Senate should proceed on the recess even if the list of ministerial nominees is read out today (Thursday).
This category of senators, it was learnt, preferred that a formal request for re-convening the Senate for the purpose of screening of the nominees should be sent to individual senators, which will be at an extra cost to the treasury if senators are recalled from recess.
The other category, which is getting the support of the leadership of the Senate, wants the recess to be suspended so that the screening can begin immediately after tomorrow.
Expectations are high in the National Assembly that the list will be sent to the Senate before sitting today. The expectation arose from public disclosure by the Senate Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, on Tuesday that Tinubu would submit the list today.
By Senate’s procedure and tradition, screening of nominees for ministerial appointments is done in the Committee of the Whole. This means that the screening cannot be referred to any of its standing committees, a development that is compelling the Senate to ask all its members to be present at the screening.
Bamidele, had at a book launch, in Abuja, disclosed that Tinubu will make available the much-expected list of ministerial nominees within the next 48 hours, adding that the President had gone into seclusion to avoid undue influence.
Meanwhile, a Professor of Public Administration and World Bank consultant, Oladipo Adamolekun, has advised President Tinubu to attach a portfolio to the ministerial list to be sent to the Senate for proper screening.
He also urged him to consider reducing the cost of governance by reducing the number of political appointees to reflect the hardship Nigerians are going through in the country. The university don said it is important for the Senate to screen the ministerial nominees based on the proposed ministry to ascertain their competence.
Tinubu assumed office amid high expectations from Nigerians and the international community that governance would no longer be as usual.
Sixty days into the administration, there have been mixed reactions with many observers — not all — submitting their assessment that the ruling APC government has, so far, failed to live up to expectations and other attendant hype.
Many Nigerians also, are inclined to conclude that it is this development that may have conspired to put a clog in Tinubu’s drive even as he strives to keep pace with the rigours and the attendant challenges of governance.
Having spent 60 days in office, some Nigerians have juxtaposed the difference between Tinubu and former President Buhari’s styles of leadership in their first 60 days in office.
Paradoxically, others seem to agree that the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari and the incumbent share similarities in many ways especially in the first few months of their assumption of office.
Buhari took over six months before he constituted his cabinet-level appointments and almost seven years of his eight years to set up an economic advisory team and he got lots of criticisms.
While Tinubu may have learnt a lesson from the criticisms regarding the economic team’s formation, which took the former President many years to constitute, he may not have learnt the lesson from the general displeasure of millions of Nigerians over the lethargic approach to solving basic and fundamental economic problems that may have conspired to afflict the nation.
For example, President Tinubu is said to have started by making what many described as staccato appointments of a few of his friends and associates into what he calls Presidential committee on taxation.
Just like his predecessor, Tinubu is taking longer to select those that will form his cabinet even when there is a constitutional prescription of 60 days. So, the striking similarity between the two is that they find it a bit difficult to take decisions on very key items such as the formation of a cabinet to help pilot the affairs of state.
Weighing in on the matter in a no-holds-barred opinion, Emmanuel Onwubiko, head of Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, last week, said President Tinubu has so far made over five foreign trips in less than two months of coming into power.
“This frightening record of foreign trips within such a short time is already causing discomfort to millions of Nigerians who are asking whether this current President wouldn’t replicate the tendencies of his predecessor in the area of globetrotting.
According to Onwubiko, President Tinubu has also created what he described as “massive economic dislocation by removing subsidy on petrol without thinking through what remedial measures he ought to have implemented before effecting whatever subsidy withdrawal he intends to do and he is groping in the dark literally searching frantically for what palliative measures to implement. Already more Nigerians are becoming poorer in the 60 days of his administration.
“But in the case of Buhari, in less than two years he made Nigeria the poverty capital of the World in 2018 and overtook India which has over two billion population and just before he left in 2023 May, about 130 million Nigerians became multidimensionally poor.”
Shortly after President Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidy on the day of his inauguration, the prices of essential commodity skyrocketed with the speed of light, compelling urgent measures to alleviate the sufferings of the masses, majority of whom were reportedly basking in the euphoria of the dawn of a new era.
Despite the hardship Nigerians are passing through since he took over the reins of administration, occasioned by his removal of petrol subsidy, President Tinubu’s loyalists are optimistic that he has come to salvage the battered economy and restore hope to the beleaguered citizens.
Whether there will be light at the end of the tunnel is left to the president and his lieutenants to decide. But for now, it is not yet uhuru as things have already begun to fall apart for the poor masses in the country.
[Guardian]
There was a tense atmosphere at the National Assembly (NASS) yesterday, 24 hours to the unveiling of the lists of the leadership of the standing committees of the two chambers of the legislature.
The Presidency, which had hijacked the statutory functions of the presiding officers of the Senate and House of Representatives in selecting the leadership and membership of the various committees of the two chambers of NASS, had forwarded the lists to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.
Reliable sources at NASS confided in LEADERSHIP that Akpabio and Abbas received correspondence containing the names of the chairmen and deputy chairmen of the standing committees from a senior aide in the Presidency yesterday evening. The presiding officers are expected to just read out the names during plenary on today.
LEADERSHIP learnt that uncertainty over the fate of the lawmakers in the allotment of the chairmen and deputy chairmen of the various standing committees of the two chambers had ignited anger and resentment among the lawmakers ahead of the official presentation of the controversial lists today.
LEADERSHIP gathered that most lawmakers are fuming that they were unfairly treated in the allocation of the leadership of the committees. The panic-stricken lawmakers clustered in groups at NASS yesterday to review their fate.
Abbas was absent at the plenary yesterday apparently to avoid pressure from his colleagues.
Also, members of the ‘Lagos cabal’ and their cronies in the House were also absent, similarly to ward off pressure from their embittered colleagues.
Reports available to LEADERSHIP yesterday revealed that some aggrieved lawmakers, who felt slighted by the outcome of the exercise, have formed a dissident group named “Reformation Group.”
A lawmaker from the North East was fingered as the founder and financier of the group.
It was learnt that the group is planning to hire a space at an elitist hotel in Abuja to serve as its secretariat.
Already, the dissenting group is rallying opposition against the leadership of the two chambers.
A majority of the members are drawn from the South-West and North-Central geopolitical zones. The lawmakers from the North-Central, according to one of our sources, are still nursing the wounds of the exclusion of the zone from allocation of the six main offices in the Presidency and NASS.
Findings also revealed that some contenders for the office of the Speaker of the House, who stepped down for Abbas ahead of the June 13th election in NASS, have given tacit approval and support to the group.
They were said to be livid that the Presidency reneged on the promises made to them to entice them to backpedal on their aspirations.
According to one of its promoters, the group has been embraced by a large number of lawmakers from the South West, the geopolitical zone, where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, hails from.
The source said lawmakers from the South-West were also disenchanted by the dominant roles Lagos State was playing at the detriment of other states in the zone in the scheme of things at the national level.
Investigation by this newspaper further showed that lawmakers from South-West states of Ekiti, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo and Osun were unhappy that Lagos State was being treated as synonymous with the zone in power sharing arrangement at the federal level.
According to him, the South West lawmakers easily pointed at the report that four of the seven juicy committees allocated to the zone were unilaterally allotted to lawmakers from Lagos State, leaving the remaining three slots to their colleagues, from other five states in the belt, considered loyal to the “Lagos cabal.”
It was gathered that the mission of the group would be unveiled during the six-week recess commencing on Friday.
Consequently, LEADERSHIP learnt that the selection committee raised by the House to pick the leadership and membership of the various committees had become redundant following the hijacking of their functions by the Presidency.
The activities of the committee were aborted after two futile sessions.
Fears of possible backlash of the announcement of the composition of the committees were palpable yesterday. This informed counsel by some members of the inner circles of the House Speaker to tinker with the idea of deferring the announcement of the committees’ leadership.
But it was gathered that Abbas was compelled by forces from the Presidency, which insisted that the exercise be concluded and made public today.
Meanwhile, there are reports of protests by the South-East caucus of the House over the composition of the committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The caucus insisted that the South-South could not pick the leadership of the NDDC committees in both chambers. The group asked that either of the committees in the Senate or the House be ceded to the members from the oil producing states of Abia and Imo states.
One of the sources said, “The presiding officers of the Senate and House of Representatives have received the lists of the committee leadership and membership from a top presidential aide. In fact they got the list on Wednesday evening. So, all is now set for the announcement of the chairmen and deputy chairmen of the committees tomorrow (today).
“There are rumblings and grumbling in the NASS but I think all this will be laid to rest by tomorrow (Thursday) when the lists are officially unveiled. There is no doubt that senators and House members are unhappy because many of them didn’t get what they bargained for. Many promises made before the June election were reneged. There is likely to be a backlash after the announcement but the exercise has to be completed and we move forward.
“There was a suggestion that the announcement be suspended due to the envisaged backlash but the presidential aide and members of his Lagos cabal and their collaborators outside Lagos State dismissed the advice that whatever protest that come up would be crushed and that whatever has been done are iron cast and no Jupiter can halt the process, and that it has to run through and be completed on Thursday. You can see that these Lagos guys are unrepentantly arrogant. That’s the style of the latest cabal in the Villa.”
Another of our sources added, “There are so many issues. Even the South-East caucus is also asking for the leadership of the NDDC committee in either the Senate or House of Representatives. They are saying that the South-South cannot continue to monopolise the two committees in both chambers. The lawmakers from the zone, mainly the aggrieved members elected on the platform of Labour Party (LP) are demanding that one of them be ceded to either Abia state or Imo state.”
“Even some lawmakers in the two chambers are already ganging up. They have formed a group they named Reformation Group, ostensibly to confront the leadership of NASS after the recess. This is to show the depth of the resentment in NASS. Majority of the lawmakers are not happy and many members are signing for the group.
“The response from the South-West and North-Central is unimaginable. The cabal is collecting money and the committees are for sale. The selection committee became moribund as its roles were hijacked by forces who helped our presiding officers to secure their jobs. The presiding officers are frustrated and dejected.
“You can see that Mr. Speaker didn’t come for plenary today (Wednesday) despite that he’s in Abuja. He is obviously avoiding members of the House because he didn’t know what to tell members, who are going to pose some questions to him over the turn of events,” added a House member, who requested anonymity.
As usual, neither Akpabio nor Abbas responded to enquiries by our correspondent.
Similarly, the chairman, House Ad-hoc Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Khadija Bukar Abba, did not respond to calls and messages sent to her to get her reaction to the report.
On Deadline, Tinubu Sends Ministerial List To Senate
To beat the constitutional deadline, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sent the ministerial list of his cabinet to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
A principal officer of the Senate told LEADERSHIP yesterday that the list had arrived at the Senate adding that the Senate President Godswill Akpabio will make the formal announcement at plenary.
It was gathered that the list is coming on the last day the Senate sits in a week and only hours before the expiration of the 60 days provided by law for the president to send the list of his ministers to the National Assembly for screening and confirmation.
Despite speculations, the Senate leader, Bamidele Okpeyemi, on Tuesday, said the long awaited ministerial list of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was ready and that it will be presented to the Senate in 48 hours, a timeline that expires today.
Bamidele, a lawyer who served as a legislative aide to Tinubu when he served as senator, said he spoke with the President who said he needs to be alone because of the crucial decision he has taken concerning the ministerial list.
Nigeria’s Constitution gives the president 60 days to submit a list of his ministers and Tinubu, who was sworn in on May 29, 2023, still has a window until tomorrow for the submission of the list of his ministers.
Section 42 of the 1999 constitution, as amended, states that “(a) the nomination of any person to the office of a Minister for confirmation by the Senate shall be done within sixty days after the date the President has taken the oath of office;
(b) Not less than ten percent of persons appointed as Ministers shall be women: Provided that the President may appoint a minister at any other time during his tenure and such appointment shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate.”
The constitution also adds that the president shall appoint at least a minister from each of the 36 states of the federation, and the federal capital territory.
But speaking to LEADERSHIP, a principal officer said: “that the list of the ministers is now at the Senate. The president of the Senate will now be the one to announce the official communication between the presidency and the National Assembly. So, the list of the ministers is at the National Assembly and will soon be announced.”
The federal government has reacted to the seven-day ultimatum issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to embark on a nationwide strike over the hike in the price of petrol and the high cost of living in the country.
On Wednesday, NLC issued a seven-day ultimatum to the federal government to reverse all “anti-poor” and “insensitive” policies.
The policies, the union said, include the recent hike in the price of petrol, and the sudden increase in public school fees, among others.
In the communique signed by Joe Ajaero, NLC president, and Emmanuel Ugboaja, the union’s general secretary, the union accused the federal government of showing enormous disdain and contempt for the Nigerian people and declared a war of attrition on citizens.
However, in a statement, B.E Jedy-Agba, the permanent secretary at the ministry of justice, said the union is restrained by the order of the national industrial court from embarking on any strike regarding the removal of petrol subsidy.
She said the court had on June 5 granted an injunctive order restraining the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) “from embarking on the planned industrial action/or strike of any nature, pending the hearing and determination of the pending motion on notice”.
Jedy-Agba advised the union to explore other means of negotiations with the federal government rather than “resorting to self-help and undermining the orders of the court”.
“It is noted that the issues (removal of fuel subsidy, hike in prices of petrol and consequential increase in the cost of living, etc) which precipitated the above court action are the very same issues over which NLC has now issued another strike notice,” the statement reads.
“The NLC has submitted to the jurisdiction of the court and is being represented by the reputable law firm of Femi Falana, SAN. It is therefore our minimum expectation that the NLC will allow the courts to perform their constitutional roles rather than resorting to self-help and undermining the orders of the court.
“We note with dismay that this latest strike notice is consistent with the inexplicable disdain which the NLC leadership has visited on the authority of the court in recent times following earlier inciting and derogatory remarks made by the NLC president against the court.
“Aside from the above legal inhibition against any strike action of any nature, we also note that both the federal and state governments are engaging with stakeholders to cushion the collateral effect of the removal of fuel subsidy and increment in fuel price.
“It would be a great act of service to Nigerian workers and the nation’s economy for NLC to explore negotiations rather than embark on any strike action.”
[TheCable]
The Enugu State Government has reacted to Wednesday’s protest by traders of the popular Ogbete Main Market, saying they “defied the instruction on how the shops should be re-opened and resorted to self-help by removing the seals”.
The state government’s reaction to the protest which halted commercial activities in the capital city was contained in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Chidiebere Onyia.
Channels Television reported that at least two were reportedly killed as traders protested the sealing off of their shops by the state government for observing the illegal Monday sit-at-home order by a faction of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
According to the government, the ensuing confrontation resulted in a protest, which they said was infiltrated and hijacked by “dangerously armed hoodlums and miscreants, who broke shops and looted traders’ wares.”
It added that attempts by security operatives to restore order and prevent further looting were violently resisted by “the imported and armed hoodlums.”A video grab showing an officer of the Enugu State Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA) sealing a shop on Monday, July 24, 2023 in line with the government’s clampdown on the IPOB sit-at-home order in Enugu State.
The state government also said that it is receiving further briefings on the development, adding that investigation to unravel the circumstance surrounding the incident, including the reports of casualty, is already ongoing.
It called on the people and residents of Enugu to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses, as adequate security measures were in place to secure lives and property in the state.
The state government had earlier warned that it would seal off shops of those who refuse to open business on Monday in the name of sit-at-home.
In protest, traders whose business premises were sealed trooped out on Wednesday to express their displeasure over the development.
It resulted in a clash with the police who came out to disperse them from the streets.
[Channels TV]
The chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Muheeba Dankaka, has finally appeared before the House of Representatives Investigative Committee after the threat of sanctions.
She appeared before the committee on Wednesday and alleged that government officials are notorious for selling job slots.
“Before I came to this place, they were selling slots. The place was like a market, and you can find out from people who live in Abuja if I am lying.
“When I came in, I met all the commissioners, and I told them that they gave us the Qur’an [to swear on]. I don’t want anything that would destroy me or my family,” she stated.
DAILY POST recalls that Mrs Dankaka was scheduled to appear before the committee on Tuesday but claimed that she had a medical appointment.
She was, however, countered by some FCC commissioners, who said she lied about her health status to avoid appearing before the committee.
The chairman of the committee, Yusuf Gagdi, subsequently summoned the Head of Service and Chairman of the Civil Service Commission.
[DailyPost]
The Federal Government, with the adoption of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Personnel Information System (IPPIS), has discovered 1,618 ghost workers in the civil service. The Head of Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan, in a media interaction on Tuesday on the preparations for the 2023 civil service week, disclosed that 1,618 ghost workers possessed fake employment letters.
Yemi-Esan said that the discovery was made after the introduction of control mechanisms, the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Personnel Information System (IPPIS), by the Service to tackle loopholes in the Service.
The Head of Service stated that 69,854 civil servants have been captured in the core Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) across the six geopolitical zones of the country and the Federal Capital Territory.
[NationalDaily]
The presidency says federal universities in the country remain tuition-free.
Some federal universities and unity schools recently announced a hike in school fees for freshers and returning students.
The development led to an uproar on social media platforms, amid the ballooning cost of living and soaring inflation caused by some of the federal government’s recent economic policies.
In a statement on Wednesday, Dele Alake, special adviser on special duties, communications and strategy to President Bola Tinubu, said the hike in school fees by some universities are “discretionary charges for hostel accommodation, registration, laboratory and other charges. They are not tuition fees”.
“It was widely reported earlier this week across some news media outlets that the Federal Government had increased tuition fees in federal universities in the country. These reports are inaccurate and not correct,” the statement reads.
“We are aware that some universities have in recent weeks announced increase in the amount payable by students on sundry charges.
“However, the fact remains and we have confirmed that these are discretionary charges by each university for hostel accommodation, registration, laboratory and other charges. They are not tuition fees.
“Authorities of these universities even made this fact clear enough in explaining the rationale behind these new fees. For avoidance of doubts, federal universities in Nigeria remain tuition-free.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to his promise of ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of the economic situation of their parents, have access to quality tertiary education.
“In addition to the Students’ Loans Scheme, under the Student Loans Bill signed into law by President Tinubu last month, which will go into implementation ahead of the next academic session in September, the Federal Government will also strengthen other mechanisms to support indigent students.
“Parts of the government’s plans to make sure all diligent students complete their education on time, notwithstanding their parents’ financial situation, include work-study, merit-based scholarships and grants.”
[TheCable]
President Bola Tinubu has said the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, would not tolerate actions that incapacitate democratically-elected government in the sub-region, a direct message to soldiers who have held Niger Republic’s President, Mohamed Bazoum, hostage at the palace.
President Tinubu gave the warning in his capacity as the ECOWAS Chairman in a statement on Wednesday, describing the blockade of the presidential palace in Niamey by soldiers as ‘unpleasant developments’.
A source said disgruntled members of the guard sealed off access to the President’s residence and offices, and, after talks broke down, they “refused to release the president.
“The army has given them an ultimatum,” the source said.
Meanwhile, Tinubu’s statement read: “I wish to say that we are closely monitoring the situation and developments in Niger and we will do everything within our powers to ensure democracy is firmly planted, nurtured, well rooted and thrives in our region.
“I am in close consultation with other leaders in our region, and we shall protect our hard-earned democracy in line with the universally acceptable principle of constitutionalism.
“As the Chairperson of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, I state without equivocation that Nigeria stands firmly with the elected government in Niger and equally conveys the absolute resolve of leaders in our sub-region that we shall not waiver or flinch on our stand to defend and preserve constitutional order.”
[Vanguard]
More...
The Senate has rejected a motion to release from the detention the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
The motion which was moved by Senator Osita Izunaso (Imo West) sought to address the constant sit-at-home order enforced by unknown gunmen in the South-East.
The lawmaker, in the motion co-sponsored by other lawmakers from the South-East, noted that the senators were aware that thousands of innocent lives had been lost since the action started, and properties worth over a trillion had been destroyed resulting in investors leaving the region.
He said, “The sit-at-home civil disobedience actions in the South-East have led to the disruption/destruction of economic activities and immeasurable financial losses for businesses, workers, and the local economy. Because, when people are forced to stay at home and businesses remain closed, productivity declines and income is reduced, affecting livelihoods and economic growth.
"The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of the government." Section 14 (2)(b) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended).
The Coalition of #EndSARS Protesters and Supporters, national and globally are horrified by the planned mass burial of 103 protesters and civilians who tragically lost their lives in the October 2020 state-sponsored violence and murder at the Lekki Toll Gate, and the callous and insincere statement by the Lagos State Government in response to the leaked memo approving the contract for the mass burial.
The Babajide Sanwo-olu led Lagos State Government continues to disinform the global community in an attempt to manipulate public perception and evade justice and accountability.
Between October 21-23, 2020, Mr Sanwo-olu had contradicted himself thrice, first, he said, “Nobody died at Lekki Toll Gate”; next day, “One person died and it was from blunt trauma to the head”; and on the 3rd day, he said, “Two deaths have now been confirmed among the protesters in Lekki.”
#EndSARS protesters and investigative journalists are convinced that many people died at Lekki Toll Gate. The report of the Judicial Panel set up by Mr Sanwo-Olu, established there was a massacre at Lekki Toll Gate, and pages 297 & 298 of the report (copy attached) clearly name nine people that were killed,1 with four more missing, but presumed dead.2 Therefore, to state that no one died at Lekki Toll Gate or only two persons were confirmed is a wicked and brazen lie.
In addition, the panel found that the Lagos State Government, the Nigerian Military and the Police were culpable in the massacre of peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate. The report noted that the military and the police shot at peaceful protesters on October 20, 2020 at the Lekki Toll Gate. The military, on the invitation of the Lagos State Governor, Mr Sanwo-Olu, took away the bodies and corpses of the dead protesters in their vans, in an attempt to cover up and clean up the crime scene.
Despite its own findings, the Lagos State Government continues to shamelessly try to divert attention from the undeniable evidence, which includes the FIJ and CNN reports, that innocent citizens were killed by security forces during the #EndSARS protests. The government portrayed these citizens as "unscrupulous elements," dismissing the leaked memo as the work of "mischief makers'', thereby exacerbating the pain and suffering endured by the families of the
Kolade Salami, Folorunsho Olabisi, Victor Sunday Ibanga, Abouta Solomon, Jide, Olalekan Abideen Ashafa, Olamilekan Ajasa, Kenechukwu Ugoh, Nathaniel Solomon,Ifeanyi Nicholas Eji, Tola, Wisdom, and Abiodun.
victims as well as citizens, whose crime was to protest against injustice and for a better quality of life.
It is important to remind the global community that the #EndSARS protests were a plea for justice, an end to police brutality, a review of the welfare package for law enforcement officers and accountability for the actions of renegade officers. This was clearly articulated in the #5for5 Demands that were accepted by the federal and Lagos State governments. Not only were peaceful protesters killed at the Lekki Toll Gate, they were also murdered statewide - over 100 protesters and non-protesters alike! The government's attempt to downplay the magnitude of the casualties is a disservice to the memory of those who lost their lives and the pain endured by their families. They are not nameless. Lagos State says some of the 103 people are from a jailbreak at Ikoyi Prison - even if you don’t know the names of the others, how can inmates be nameless? They were sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and friends. Each life lost had dreams, aspirations, and loved ones left behind.
We advise TOS Funeral Services to be careful not to get involved in an attempt to cover-up murder. There must be dignified burials for these victims, which must not happen until family members have the opportunity to identify their loved ones. Since 2020, the Lagos State government has tried unsuccessfully to cover up its tracks. The government must stop using deceitful tactics and face the reality that their actions led to the death of defenseless Nigerians.
We must all be very concerned about this government's continued lack of empathy and conscience in addressing this important issue, as it is deeply distressing that the government chooses to continue to evade responsibility for the atrocities committed against peaceful protesters, but engages in a blame game, instead of addressing the grievances of the affected families and the public.
Given the current climate and disaffection amongst youths and Nigerians generally; the high cost of living, occasioned by the fuel price increase among others, and in order to ignite much needed peaceful protests, we make the following demands to the Lagos State government to appeal to the conscience of the public:
- Suspend the planed mass burial of 103 bodies in TOS Funeral Services immediately.
- Implement the recommendations of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry’s White Paper.
- Establish a one-month notice for citizens to access the 103 bodies, in the hopes of identifying their loved ones.
- Conduct a DNA mapping of all 103 bodies using a reputable private organisation.
- Pay compensation and provide therapy for the trauma they have caused families over the last 3 years.
As #EndSARS protesters worldwide, we will not be silenced or deterred by the government's failed attempts to discredit our actions. We will not rest and will continue to peacefully protest until justice prevails. As we mourn the innocent lives lost during the #EndSARS protests, we call on Lagos residents, and people of conscience to stand in solidarity with these victims and join us in demanding justice and accountability for the innocent lives lost during the #EndSARS protests. Together, we will ensure that the sacrifices of those who lost their lives during the #EndSARS protests will not be in vain.
Signed:
#EndSARS Frontliners
#EndSARS
Google has partnered with Verve to make digital transactions on Google Play Store easier for Nigerians.
The firm noted that as from Wednesday (today), Nigerians can now use their Verve cards to make purchases on the Google Play Store.
It stated that under its new partnership, Google will process Verve transactions within Nigeria and the transactions will be undertaken in naira and treated as local transactions by the country’s banking institutions.
Commenting on the development, the Head of Retail and Payment Partnerships, Google Play, Anthea Crawford, said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Verve, expanding Google Play access for more Nigerians. The introduction of local payments with Verve cards is a significant milestone, enabling more Nigerians to participate in the app economy and access the apps they need.”
The Managing Director, Verve International, Vincent Ogbunude, added, “The integration with Google Play is a significant stride towards achieving Verve’s vision of promoting financial inclusion. We are excited to bring digital content and services closer to Verve cardholders, hence bridging the digital divide.”
The Nigeria Labour Congress on Wednesday said Nigerians lost their peace of mind following the “Subsidy is gone” comment made by President Bola Tinubu during his May 29, 2023, inauguration.
The labour congress in a statement jointly signed by the national president, Joe Ajaero and Secretary-General, Emmanuel Ugboaja, in Abuja, faulted the Tinubu administration over its “unfriendly” policies while adding that the administration had continued to treat Nigerians as slaves.
The NLC, however, noted that it would mobilise a nationwide strike on August 2,2023 should the government fail to meet all its demands namely the immediate reversal of all “anti-poor policies such as the hike in price of Premium Motor Spirit; increase in public schools’ fees; increase in Value Added Tax among others”.
The statement partly reads, “The Central Working Committee of the NLC observed that the Federal Government has shown enormous disdain and contempt for Nigerian people and workers having acted and continued to act without regard to the welfare and cries of the citizenry.
“That Government seems to have declared a war of attrition on Nigerian workers and masses without any care leaving them to the throes of hopelessness and helplessness; the Federal Government has refused to put in place safeguards to protect Nigerians from the harsh economic situation that its policies have inflicted on the people rather it has decided to insult the sensibilities of Nigerian masses by offering us N8,000 per family and offering themselves N70bn.
“That the Federal Government has frustrated and abandoned its own committee which was a product of social dialogue between the government and workers’ organisations in the country. While the committee has not met, the government embarked on unilateral actions and programmes.
“That since Mr. President’s “subsidy is gone forever” speech at the inauguration day; the peace of mind of Nigerians has gone; decent living gone increasing despair of unimaginable dimensions. That the federal government has continued to treat Nigerians as slaves and conquered people which it treats with impunity without any concern on the consequences.
“That the Federal Government has continued in an unholy mission of robbing the poor to pay the rich in Nigeria as typified by its continued frustration of the activation of the agreed alternatives to Premium Motor Spirit and new hike in prices of PMS to N617 per litre.”
Speaking further, the NLC noted that the Federal Government has continued to promote the “gang-up of the ruling elite against the Nigerian people and workers; churn out without relenting policies designed to emasculate Nigerian wor