The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has sent a message of hope to Nigerians ahead of the country’s 64th Independence Day.

Nigeria is observing a public holiday Today Tuesday, October 1, commemorating the country’s Independence from British rule. 

In his message celebrating Nigeria’s 2024 independence, Ajaero urged Nigerians not to give up their hope for a better Nigeria.

However, the NLC president called upon citizens to hold their government accountable at all levels.

He praised Nigerian workers’ determination and sacrifices while addressing the ongoing issues of betrayal and corruption within the nation’s political framework.

He noted that for many years, Nigerians, especially those in the working class, have suffered from unfulfilled promises and exploitation.

Ajaero stressed that the marginalized citizens, who continue to endure the consequences of these broken commitments and corruption, should maintain their hope for a better future in their country.

Furthermore, the NLC President advocated for change, encouraging Nigerians to engage in lawful protests against injustices and the undermining of democratic values. He asserted that only through persistent advocacy can the political elite be motivated to prioritize the welfare of the nation.

The NLC President’s statement reads:

“THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA

“Being the text of the goodwill mesage by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero on the occasion of Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary.

“On the ocassion of Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary celebration, we congratulate all Nigerians, especially workers for their sacrifice, resilience or robust spirit in spite of serial acts of betrayal of monumental proportions by the political leadership at various times and levels.

“We urge the downtrodden Nigerians who bear the marks or burden of these broken promises, exploitation and corruption to not give up hope on their country.

“In light of the fact that their sacrifice has been taken for granted for so long, they should learn to protest within the limits of the law against injustices and subversion of democratic norms, culture and values by the dominant political elite.

“It should be apparent to the citizenry that the leading political elite are not ready to do the right thing except they are compelled to do so.

“In the same vein, we would like to sound a note of caution to our political elite whose preoccupation is to circumvent the principles and practice of popular democracy that undermining of our democratic institutions can no longer be business as usual.

“The consequences of their acts of commission or omission brought us this far. It is time to turn a new leaf. Let it be the beginning of a new low.”

Nigerian-born British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua has been banned from boxing for at least 28 days.

This is coming after Anthony Joshua was defeated by a lowly rated Briton heavyweight boxer, Daniel Dubois on September 21.

Recall that on the said date, Dubois knocked out Anthony Joshua in the fifth round after the 27-year-old Briton had knocked down AJ four times in front of a massive crowd of 96,000 at Wembley Stadium in London.

As a result of this victory, Dubois successfully defended his IBF heavyweight title, while Anthony Joshua’s future was subjected to uncertainty.

By standard procedure, the British Boxing Board of Control has enforced a 28-day suspension for Joshua, preventing him from entering the ring in the said period.

This action is in line with the regulations of the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports, which require fighters to be issued medical suspensions following knockouts (KO) and technical knockouts (TKO).

This means that Anthony Joshua can be permitted to box from November 2024 as he had insisted that he is not thinking of retiring from the sport despite suffering four defeats in the last three years.

After his humiliating defeat to Dubois, Anthony Joshua said, “You’re probably asking if I still want to consider fighting. Of course, I want to continue fighting.

“We took a shot at success and we came up short. What does that mean now? That we’re going to run away? We’re going to live to fight another day. And that’s what I am – I’m a warrior. Always walk with your head high. We rolled the dice for the third time. There have been 13 world title fights; not every one of them has been successful, but everyone has been fun.

“There were a few mistakes in there but that’s the name of the game. Fine margins will cost you at the top level. Also, before I finish, we have to give credit to our opponent, Daniel. When I sign up to fight opponents, I don’t really like them in my head any more. But now that it’s done, I take my hat off to him and say well done.”

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch (OPWP) has destroyed the terrorist logistics base at Yadi Forest in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna state.

This is contained in a statement by the deputy director, public relations and information, NAF, Group Capt. Kabiru Ali, on Monday in Abuja.

Mr Ali said the operation was executed following credible intelligence indicating huge presence of terrorists and their weapons cache in the Yadi Forest.

He said the intensive intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance confirmed the consistent presence of terrorists and their motorcycles at the location.

According to him, additional intelligence revealed that the logistics base belonged to the notorious terrorist kingpin, Kadade Gurgu, a close ally of Dogo Gide.

He added that available intelligence at the disposal of the NAF revealed that Kadage Gurgu had been providing shelter for notorious terrorist kingpins following the aggressive military operations in Sokoto and Zamfara States.

Mr Ali said the air component dispatched an aircraft, supported by an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform, to attack the target.

According to him, the target area initially appeared uninhabited but as the aircraft approached, some of the terrorists were seen emerging from under the shrubbery and running away from the area.

“Subsequently, the targets were engaged, recording successful hits on the logistics facility, which was engulfed in flames with thick black smoke seen.

“Reports from independent sources, including local informants around the general area, later confirmed that the logistics base was totally destroyed and scores of terrorists were killed as a result of the attack.

“The NAF, in collaboration with surface forces, will continue to dominate the battlespace through extensive situational awareness, constant patrols, and targeted interdiction of bandits’ safe havens within its area of responsibility and neighbouring states.

“This aims to decimate and flush out terrorism and criminal activities within the North-West and North-Central region,” he said.

(NAN)

President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, 30th September, swore in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

Kekere-Ekun was sworn in as the 23rd CJN at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

It would be recalled that the Nigerian Senate last Wednesday, confirmed Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the highest-ranking justice of the Supreme Court, as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

She received confirmation following a rigorous two-hour question-and-answer session with senators.

She had been serving in this role on an acting basis since August, when Justice Olukayode Ariwoola retired from the post.

Her confirmation follows a request to the lawmakers by President Tinubu.

Speaking during her screening, Kekere-Ekun, vowed to ensure that petitions are dealt with speedily to foster integrity within the judiciary.

Justice Kekere-Ekun, a 1974 Queens College Alumnus and a Life Bencher, pledged to do her best and uphold the integrity of the judiciary, the rule of law and defend the Constitution of Nigeria.

She also advocated for better legislation to boost the country’s autonomy, while highlighting the need to limit the volume of cases that terminates at the Supreme Court.

She specifically recommended that all cases related to elections conclude at the Court of Appeal.

She believed that improving behaviour during elections is crucial to eliminate the necessity of constantly going to court.

Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag stated that his team must learn from the humiliating 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday and focus on self-improvement.

A third defeat in United’s first six league games of the new campaign has left the Red Devils down in 11th and time is surely running out for the Dutchman.

“But we definitely have to learn and make things better. We have to get better in the pressing, and better on the ball because there were situations where we could have played better to find the spare man or play over the press to keep the ball and play from there,” Ten Hag said in the post-match interview.

“We didn’t do that and that’s disappointing,”  he said.

“I don’t want to talk about progress after such a defeat. We have to deal with this, show resilience, but don’t talk about in this moment today about progress.

“We just focus now on Porto. We will close this game down, deal with it, and then we move on.

Tottenham showed they were the better side as they made a flying start when Brennan Johnson tapped in from Micky Van de Ven’s storming run after three minutes.

Ten Hag speaking on his side’s lacklustre performance in every aspect of the game said, “It’s a bad start to the game. Tottenham were dominant, we couldn’t get the right press and we also made many mistakes in possession.

“But we could have come back into the game and I think the red card changed the game.”

On the first half performance: “It was no good. It’s not possible for a player from the back can dribble through the whole team and then bring a cross in.

“The press was no good in the first half, but we concede some counter-attacks after we countered and we had some bad decision-making. We had a lot of space.”

“We then lost a little bit of confidence and we were also poor in possession. We can do better there and all the players know this.”

When asked about the referee’s decision to award a red card for Bruno Fernades’cynical tackle, the United boss said

“I don’t think it’s a red card.”

United face daunting trips to Porto in the Europa League and Aston Villa on league duty next weekend before a two-week international break that clubs often use to implement managerial change.

The travelling support taunted Ten Hag with chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” during the second half.

United’s new football leadership team handed the Dutchman an extension to his contract less than three months ago.

How quickly they backtrack on that decision now appears a matter of time.

The Federal Government of Nigeria says it is not discussing debt forgiveness with China, noting that Beijing is willing to lend Nigeria more money and invest more in the economy of Nigeria.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, stated this on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme.

Nigeria has been making proposals for debt forgiveness at the United Nations General Assembly for some years now but this hasn’t been achieved.

At the recent 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, pushed for reform of the international financial system to include “comprehensive debt relief measures, to enable sustainable financing for development”.

Asked whether any of the multilateral or bilateral loans obtained by Nigeria was cancelled at this year’s UNGA, the foreign minister said, “Under President Obasanjo, we benefited from debt forgiveness. It’s a process; it’s not just an event, it takes time but you have to be there, you have to be present, and then these things happen, they don’t happen overnight.

“The effect that we felt the last time we had debt forgiveness did not just happen with one UNGA.”

According to the Debt Management Office (DMO), Nigeria’s external debt stock as of March 2024 was N56trn ($42bn) while domestic debt stood at N65trn ($46.29).

China is one of the lenders of Nigeria. Asked whether Nigeria is in talks with Beijing for debt relief considering that Tinubu met with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping of late, the minister said that was not the case.

Tuggar said, “No, that is not what we are discussing with China. And when it comes to the issue of debt, look at the debt-to-GDP ratio of Nigeria, we are not even among the critically indebted nations.

“When you talk about the debt of a developing country, Nigeria is not in that sort of precarious situation. As a matter of fact, China is prepared to lend more, China is prepared to invest more in Nigeria in terms of infrastructure development and other things.”

The minister also said Nigeria would join BRICS+, a nine-member economic and political force, at the right time.

As of December 2004, Nigeria owed a total of $36bn (which amounted to N4.8trn at the exchange rate of N134/$1). $30.84bn of the country’s external debt at the time was borrowed from the Paris Club, alongside other bilateral and multilateral facilities.

The Paris Club is an official group of money lenders formed in 1956 with headquarters in Paris, France. Nigeria borrowed funds for developmental projects from members of the group such as the UK, US, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands and eight other countries. Some of the funds borrowed were long before Obasanjo’s administration.

President Olusegun Obasanjo’s debt relief campaign in 2005 saw the Paris Club grant Nigeria a debt relief of $18bn out of the $30.8bn outstanding. As an exit strategy, Nigeria paid Paris Club creditors $12.4bn which represented $6.3bn regularisation of arrears and a balance of $6.1bn.

China-Nigeria trade relations has hit $22.5 billion in 2023, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai has disclosed.

This is as the Speaker of House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas said the National Assembly would deploy the necessary legislative framework to support the implementation of China-Nigeria agreements.

China-Nigeria recently signed 13 new agreements during President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to China.

The duo spoke at the weekend during the reception in Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Dunhai said: “In 2023, bilateral trade between our two countries reached $22.5 billion. Our practical cooperation has achieved fruitful results in areas such as infrastructure, investment, trade, agriculture and green economy, covering projects for the aviation, on the land and in the sea.

“The projects have brought tangible benefits to both Chinese and Nigerian people, and provided concrete support for Nigeria’s social and economic development.”

The envoy stressed that “Nigeria remains China’s largest project contracting market, the second largest export market, third largest trading partner, and a major investment destination in Africa.”

He added that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1971, both countries have been enjoying a long-standing friendship, with strengthened high-level engagements, consolidated political mutual trust, deepened people-to-people exchanges, and fruitful outcomes of practical cooperation.

On his part, Speaker Abass assured the Chinese envoy that the National Assembly would put in place necessary laws to ensure the implementation of the agreements. 

He said: “The National Assembly would deploy the necessary legislative framework to support the implementation of these agreements.”

The Speaker also revealed that the House of Representatives would be engaging with its Chinese counterpart as part of the efforts to explore more opportunities.

He said: “I am pleased to announce that the House of Representatives will be actively engaging through our China-Nigeria Parliamentary Friendship Group. 

“This initiative aims to explore various areas for collaboration and cooperation, focusing on sectors such as trade, technology transfer, infrastructure development, and cultural exchange.

“By learning from China’s experience in leveraging its legislature for national advancement, we can better position ourselves to address the challenges facing our own country.

“As we look forward to future endeavors together, let us reaffirm our commitment to enhancing cooperation between Nigeria and China. It is imperative that we work hand-in-hand to address common challenges while seizing opportunities for growth that benefit both nations.”

The Speaker also explained that the recent agreements reached during this forum with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signify a renewed commitment to strengthening our bilateral ties.

“These agreements will pave the way for further investments in critical areas such as energy production and technology transfer—areas that are vital for Nigeria’s sustainable development.

“The National Assembly would deploy the necessary legislative framework to support the implementation of these agreements.”

He also added: “The National People’s Congress (NPC) has demonstrated how a robust legislative framework can serve as an instrument for national development.

“By fostering a collaborative relationship with this esteemed body, we can exchange ideas and best practices that will enhance our own legislative processes.

“The success story of China is not merely one of economic prowess; it is also a testament to the power of effective governance and legislative action in driving national progress.”

Despite appeals by some stakeholders and the Federal Government calling for calm, organisers of the October 1 protests against hardship in the country have insisted on going ahead with tomorrow’s action.

Giving reasons, one of the lawyers to the detained August 1 protesters, Mr Deji Adeyanju, yesterday, asserted that the fresh round of protest is on the heels of the Federal Government’s failure to address protesters’ earlier demands.

Speaking with Vanguard, Adeyanju said the government intentionally kept the issues aside, adding that President Bola Tinubu’s promise to engage with protesters had not been fulfilled.

Meanwhile, the Jigawa Police command will deploy its men today in readiness for the protest, just as Lagos command met with protest organisers and assured them of security.

Also, Lagos State government said the restriction of the action to two designated venues still stands, warning that protesters will not be allowed in other areas to avoid a breakdown of law and order.

Refrain from any acts of violence —FG

Reacting to the planned protest, the Federal Government, yesterday, urged the protesters to sheathe their swords and refrain from acts of violence.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, in a chat with Vanguard, said: “The Federal Government is appealing to all Nigerians to remain calm and refrain from any acts of violence as Nigeria celebrates its 64th Independence anniversary and 25 years of unbroken democracy.

“The government of President Bola Tinubu is committed to ensuring peace, unity and prosperity for all. It is also important for Nigerians to see opportunity in the various policies of the government, and use it for their betterment.”

‘Why we’ll protest’

However, Adeyanju said there is no going back on the protest because: “the issues from the August 1 nationwide peaceful protest have not been addressed, citizens have the right to protest.

“Irrespective of insinuations of government, arraignment of protesters, intimidation, and attempts to criminalize protest, citizens have insisted and expressed their rights that they must protest. It is a constitutionally guaranteed right that cannot be derogated in any circumstances.

‘’I believe that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that citizens enjoy constitutionally guaranteed rights, and all must protect their rights.

“They are hitting the streets on October 1 because the protesters’ demands have not been met. Not one has been met, and even the promise by the President that ‘please shelve the protest I am going to engage with you’; none and nothing has happened. The President has refused to engage, which means that the President really takes the people for granted.”

Nigerians have made up their minds

He also said the protest would hold as planned by the organisers because “even under the military, people were allowed to protest. The police are aware of the protest, and the organisers of the ‘Take it Back Movement’ have written to the police in Lagos, Abuja, Oyo and other parts of the country. The protest is nationwide.”

Recalling that security agents during the August 1 protest arrested and remanded peaceful protesters and might repeat the actions during the October 1 protest, he said the protesters are not deterred.

“That would be the intention of government anyway but I can tell you that would not deter citizens at all in exercising their franchise. And this is an opportunity to call on citizens to blaze the trail and ensure that their rights are enforced during this October 1 protest.’’

Police need to protect protesters

Adeyanju also said the Police Act mandated the police to protect protesters exercising their guaranteed constitutional rights, of which protest is one.

“In fact, the police had tried to say they were inviting the protesters for a meeting but the protesters had declined; the protesters had offered a zoom meeting, which the police did not oblige.”

On the days the protest will last, he said it was only the organisers who could decide how many days the protest will last, and he added that as soon the protest commences, the organisers will give details of activities.

We’re working aggressively to release all protesters

On the issue of protesters still in prison custody and yet to be arraigned, he said: “Many have been granted bail in Abuja, Kano, Sokoto, and other places across the country but so many more are still in custody. We are working aggressively to ensure that they are all released.”

He added that they will be in court today because “they said they have plans to arraign more protesters that were arrested and not released. We are optimistic that they will keep to their words and arraign them.”

Bail requirements are hard for protesters

However, Adeyanju explained that meeting the N100 million condition for 10 protesters recently granted bail was not the issue but landed property requested by the court.

“No, it is not payment of monetary sum or whatsoever, the hardest part of meeting that condition was just the issue around landed property.

“We have put in an application for variation, we have met some of the demands for some of the protesters. Three protesters that could not meet the demands we have put in an application for variation and that application is coming up on Friday, October 4, 2024”, he said.

On the condition of protesters in prison custody, the human rights activist said: “They have largely been incarcerated from their loved ones and it is definitely not a palatable one but it shows that the government is tyrannical in nature, and the government can do better.”

NBA’s efforts led to the release of protesters

Speaking on the efforts of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, to release protesters in prison custody, he asserted: “The NBA is doing a lot, even at the last adjourned date the NBA was in court on behalf of the protesters. We have been to Kano, we have done interventions in Sokoto, Lagos and other parts of the country.”

Need for diplomatic community intervention

He lamented that so far, there had been “no foreign intervention on this matter. The diplomatic community has been quiet over the issue, and this is not comfortable. That is why we have called on the diplomatic community and development partners of the country to lend their voice to ensure that freedoms are exercised and citizens’ rights are not unnecessarily suppressed in the country.”

Give FG more time to fix economy — Kogi Police

In Kogi State, the Commissioner of Police, Bethrand Onuoha, appealed to protest organisers to sheathe their swords and give more time to President Tinubu to address challenges facing the country.

In a statement by the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Williams Anya, the CP, shortly after the organisers visited the command, appealed to them to be patient and give the Federal Government some time to fix the economy and other related demands.

The statement read: “Given the October 1 planned nationwide protest, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State police Command, CP Bethrand Onuoha engaged with the executives of “Take It Back Movement” Kogi State chapter at the command headquarters, Lokoja.

“The CP advised the group to reconsider their planned protest and give the government more time to fix the economy of our dear Nation.

“He further stated that he called for the engagement meeting in response to their letter received on Friday, September 27, 2024.

“Leader of the group assured the CP that as enlightened and law-abiding youths in Kogi State, they accept his advice as a father and promised to remain committed to the peace, progress, and development of the state.

“Present at the meeting were DCP Chike Nwabuwa, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations and his Assistant, ACP Aigbe Aghahowa, SP William Ovye Aya, PPRO, SP Emmanuel Abogonye, 2-I-C SID/OC Monitoring Unit, DSP Christopher Okoebor, PA to CP, while members of the Group include Moses Opeyemi, Coordinator, Oloruntoba Segun, Muhammed Abdul, Ande Joel, Michael John, Musa Matthew, Usman Alfa, Mohammed Usman Ahmed, Ibrahim Shaibu, and Adama Shaibu.”

Lagos CP meets protest organizers

In Lagos, the Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola, met with the protest organizers in his office at the state headquarters, Ikeja, and assured them that arrangements had been perfected with sister security agencies to provide maximum security for them and other Lagosians. He urged them to remain peaceful and law-abiding in all their actions.

CP Ishola also ordered the immediate deployment of human and operational resources across strategic locations in the state, charging the deployed officers to be professional, and civil but firm.

The protest organizers, on their part, gave assurances that they and their followers would be peaceful and law-abiding during the exercise.

In attendance at the meeting were Dabiradura Adeyinka, Alex Omotehinse, I. Tobiloba, Lawal Adewale, Adewale Ojo, Declan I., Funmi Jolade Ajayi, Akintunde Adedeji, Balogun Hameed, Aghedo Stephen, Edafe Oghenebrume, H.O.T. Duro, Isaac Obasi, Soweto, Oloye Adeniji, Aishat Omolara, Barristers Chuks Nwobi, Emmanuel Ajide., Femi Akinyemi (Falana & Falana Chambers) and Comrade Oguntunji.

We are ready for the October 1 protest —Lagos organizers

Rising from the meeting, the organisers said the protest procession will be from Ikeja to Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota.

Coordinator of the movement, Mr Hassan Taiwo, aka Soweto, who is also the National Coordinator, Education Rights Campaign, ERC, said: “We are ready for the October 1 protest in Lagos. As you are already aware, the #EndBadGovernance movement has declared Tuesday October 1, 2024, as a ‘National Day of Survival’ to protest the condition of hunger and hardship precipitated by Tinubu’s anti-poor and neo-liberal capitalist policies.

“Here in Lagos, the movement has also announced Ikeja Under-bridge as the take-off point and the time is 7:30am. As a movement, we wholeheartedly believe in the unity of all fighting forces as a prerequisite for a successful struggle.

“October 1, a ‘National Day of Survival.’, is a day for the Nigerian people to come together at barricades across the country to reflect on the journey of nationhood so far and make a decision on how to rescue our country from the condition of mass poverty amid abundance.

‘’Here in Lagos, our peaceful protest march will take place as follows: Take off point is Ikeja Under-bridge. From there, we shall march around several roads and streets of Lagos to sensitize the long-suffering people of Lagos.

“By this announcement, we are informing the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State of our planned October action. We are also by this means, informing the Police of their obligation under Section 83 (4) of the Police Establishment Act 2020 which imposes a duty on the Nigeria Police Force to provide adequate security for citizens who may wish to participate in public meetings, rallies and protests.

“We hereby call on the Nigerian people, progressive organisations, community groups, trade unions, students unions, youth groups to come out massively on October 1 in peaceful protest and demonstration.

‘’The October 1 action is an urgent cry to the Tinubu administration to address our demands immediately. Unless our demands are met, more protests will follow the ‘National Day of Survival.’’

Demands

Some of the group’s demands include rejection of IMF neo-liberal policies; reversal of hike in fuel price and electricity tariff back to pre-May 29, 2023 levels, making government-owned refineries work to guarantee affordable fuel products, reducing food prices, supporting farmers to ensure sustainable food production, ending insecurity, banditry, terrorism and violent crimes, prosecuting culprits and their sponsors.

Others are a robust security architecture and adequate support for soldiers at the front and their families, release of Adaramoye Michael Lenin, Mosiu Sodiq, Daniel Akande and all #EndBadGovernance protesters, activists, journalists, whistle-blowers and other victims of state repression unconditionally, implement N70,000 New National Minimum wage at all levels, and reduce the cost of governance.

Other coordinators of the protest are Francis Nwapa, National Secretary, Youth Rights Campaign, YRC; Oloye Adegboyega Adeniji, Chairman, Movement for Fundamental Change, MFC; Abiodun Aremu, Secretary, Joint Action Front, JAF; and Mr Wale Balogun, National Coordinator, Yoruba Revolutionary Movement, YOREM.

Restriction of protests to two designated venues stands – LASG

Meanwhile, Lagos State government has advised organisers of the protest not to disrupt the social and economic activities in the state during the protest, saying the directives of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to the Commissioner of Police for maintenance and securing of public safety and public order during the protest stands.

The state government also said a Lagos High Court order which restricted the protest to Freedom and Peace Parks in the Ojota and Ketu areas of the state is still binding.

Responding to questions by some journalists on the issue, yesterday, Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro, SAN, noted that Governor Sanwo-Olu is not opposed to any group of residents expressing their view about any government by way of public protest, but insisted that such expression must be done within the confines of the law.

Pedro stated that a Lagos High Court had restricted the protest in the state to Freedom and Peace Parks in the state and urged the protesters to respect the court order by confining themselves to the two venues.

He said: “We have and shall continue to engage the civil societies and NGOs in Lagos who are genuinely interested in the development of Lagos State to explain and enlighten them that the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is not opposed to any group of residents to express their view about any government by way of public protest as it is their fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution of Nigeria 1999.

“However the fundamental rights to freedom of speech, association and assembly is not absolute and by virtue of Section 45, Section 215 (4) of the Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) and section 4 & 10(2) of the Police Act, it is lawful for the Governor of Lagos State or the Attorney General of Lagos on his behalf to give the Commissioner of Police of Lagos State directive for maintenance and securing of public safety and public order that may impact on the exercise of these fundamental rights.”

Pedro insisted that the state government would not permit any street protest that could be hijacked by criminal elements whose agenda is destruction of government or other residents’ properties.

“In that respect, we advise that the organisers should utilise the designated venues in the state for public protest to wit; Freedom Park and Peace Park for adequate protection and coverage of the protest by members of the press.

“It is the same set or group of people that organised the last protest that are planning the October 1 protest, so they should be guided by the interim preservative order of injunction of court restricting public protest in the State to designated venues for the purpose.

“More so, a substantive action is pending in court against them wherein an order of interlocutory and perpetual injunction are being sought to permanently restrict any person or group of persons that wish to organise public protest in Lagos State to do so at designated venues.

“It is settled principle of law that a defendant who is aware of a pending claim or application for injunction against him in a court of law, has an obligation to respect the court process and not engage in the same act sought to be restrained.

“Therefore, whether the interim preservative order is subsisting or not, by the subsisting suit, it will be unlawful for anybody, civil society or NGO in Lagos to convene any public protest outside the designated venue. They should use the designated venues for their protest so that adequate security protection and traffic management can be provided for them to exercise their recognised fundamental right to freedom of speech, association and assembly without fear of the protest being hijacked and turned violence as experienced during the #EndSARS protest.

“The last End bad governance protest in Lagos was violence-free and successful because it was held in designated venues for public protest in the state.”

Jigawa Police deploy men today

In Jigawa State, the Police said they werr ready to provide adequate security for residents of the state.
Towards this end, the command said it would be deploying its men to protect all critical national assets in the state.

Jigawa State was one of the states that witnessed massive destruction of public and private properties during the August 1-10 #EndBadGovernance protest.

Spokesperson of the command, DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam, in an interview, yesterday, said though no group had approached it in respect of the protest, the police would not be leaving anything to chance.

“So far, we do not have any group that has approached us in respect of the planned protest, we have been monitoring the development around the state.

‘’In-fact, we will begin to deploy our men to all critical assets around the state. Apart from that, we have initiated dialogue with some critical groups such as the labour unions and they have assured us that they are not planning any protest in the state.”

No public interest yet in Katsina

In Katsina State, no group has publicly expressed interest in participating in the October 1 protest. It was also learned that those who participated in the last protest are still facing legal proceedings.
Efforts to contact Kabiru Yandaki, the leader of the “Struggle for Good Governance” protest, were unsuccessful. His associates also couldn’t be reached for comments.

When contacted, spokesperson, Katsina Police Command, ASP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, confirmed the development. He said the command is yet to receive any official notification about a protest and has not been contacted by any group planning to participate in the October 1 protest. Nevertheless, ASP Sadiq said the Command has made all necessary arrangements, including adequate deployment of personnel’ to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order during the protest.

Don’t join any protest, NAUS tells varsity students

Meanwhile, the leadership of the National Association of University Students, NAUS, has said that students in the nation’s universities will not participate in the October 1 protest

To this end, the body has called on the students to stay away from any form of protest instigated by any individual or groups on Independence Day.

NAUS,at a press conference in Abuja, yesterday, said that it was making arrangements to engage in dialogue with relevant authorities to protect the interest of students.

NAUS National President, Mr Josiah Oche Peter, urged NNPCL to take proactive steps to ensure all filling stations sell PMS at a uniform price.

The body also charged NNPCL to ensure that the nation’s refineries begin operation.

“We urge all university students to shun all forms of protest, as we will engage in dialogue with relevant authorities to protect NAUS’s interests, except as a last resort if our demands are not met,”he said.

The university students’ body called on the Federal Government to distribute 3,000 Compressed Natural Gas, CNG buses to all institutions to help cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal on university students.

Budget and Economic Planning Minister Atiku Bagudu has said the Federal Government through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund had approved over N350 billion to support dams and expand other facilities across Nigeria.

Bagudu said this while addressing reporters after condoling with former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman AbdulRasheed Bawa on the passing of his mother yesterday in Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital.

“The flooding is a dramatic change. It is a global challenge. We saw what happened in Borno, among other states. If you watch the footages coming from around the world, particularly in Europe, you will see a lot of flooding incidents.

“Climate change is real. Luckily enough, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu recognised it and took proactive steps, ensuring that money was given to states.

“A number of interventions have been approved by the President, in addition to numerous timely releases of Federal Allocation Account (FAC) money.

“The Federal Government allocated N3 billion to each state of the federation to mitigate the effects of flooding.

“Governor Nasiri Idris of Kebbi State has told me that the state has taken possession of its share of the fund.

“The Federal Government had, in the Federal Executive Council (FEC) last week, approved over N350 billion under the President’s Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund to support dams and expansion of irrigation facilities,” he said.

Bagudu also said FEC had approved N900 billion for the Kebbi component of the Sokoto-Badagry Highway, saying: “It is the single biggest contract awarded under the current administration.”

According to him, there is another approval for the construction of Zaria-Kala-Kala road in Koko/Besse Local Government Area of the state.

The road, Bagudu said, joins other roads, particularly the awarded Melando–Warra in Birnin Yauri, Ngaski Local Government Area of the state.

“Kebbi is blessed. We are lucky that infrastructural projects, among other numerous interventions in agriculture, animal husbandry, hospitals, and schools, will complement the ongoing developmental projects taking place in the state,” he said.

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has said Nigeria will save N5.4 trillion from fuel subsidy at the end of this year, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s removal of the funding last year when he assumed office.

The governor said it would have been disastrous for Nigeria to pay such a huge amount, if the nation was still operating the fuel subsidy regime against the Federal Government’s budget of N6.7 trillion for the same fiscal year.

Abiodun said this during a special church service commemorating the 64th National Day celebration at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter’s at Ake in Abeokuta, the state capital.

The governor said the money had been channeled to the development of infrastructures across the country.

“The Federal Government, under the amiable leadership of our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, wasted no time in embarking on some very bold and audacious initiatives aimed at repositioning our economy and saving us from bankruptcy. We must persevere.

“Mr. President removed the subsidy, which, if not curbed, would have cost us N5.4 trillion by the end of 2024.

“We have been busy subsidising our neighbours. These are funds that can be invested in improving our infrastructure and other social services.

“Our budget this year for infrastructure was N6.7 trillion; meanwhile, the subsidy would have consumed N5.4 trillion, if not curbed or checked,” he said.

Abiodun urged fellow Nigerians to engage the government constructively and not join those fanning the ember of discord.

The governor noted that protests would not achieve anything other than looting and vandalism of public properties.

“Let us be resilient, let us continue to pray, let us persevere, and let us hold on to our faith in Almighty God.

“Let us not join those who continue to fan the flames of discord in our land and those who are calling for protests, violence, and civil disobedience, which only leads to vandalism, looting, and destruction of public property.

“Let us engage constructively and work with the government, knowing that this administration is an inclusive one,” he added.