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FG evacuates Nigerians in Sudan as expulsion deadline looms

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FG evacuates Nigerians in Sudan as expulsion deadline looms

The Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission said the Federal Government has evacuated citizens in Sudan willing to return home following the two-week expulsion notice issued to foreigners by the Sudanese authorities.

NiDCOM Chief, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, disclosed this in Abuja on Friday.

Sudanese security authorities have ordered all foreigners to leave the capital Khartoum and the surrounding region.

They gave the foreigners two weeks to do so, according to a statement from the section of the police dealing with foreigners.

The police said foreigners should leave for their own safety amid the fighting still raging between government troops and the Rapid Support Forces militia.

According to media reports, hostility towards foreigners, especially those from other African countries, has been on the rise following reports of foreign mercenaries in the RSF ranks.

A few days ago, more than 150 foreigners who did not have valid residence papers were detained.

A bloody power struggle has been raging in Sudan for more than a year between de facto ruler Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohammed Hamdan Daglo.

According to the UN, the conflict has caused almost 10 million people to flee their homes, and risks a famine in the country.

According to Dabiri-Erewa, the Federal Government the war in Sudan has escalated and no one was left behind.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that when it enquired further on the matter, she said “I suggest you enquire from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs directly.”

International aid organisation staff and diplomats still in the country left Khartoum after the outbreak of fighting and are now working from Port Sudan, where the situation is comparatively stable.

NAN

UK plans early release for thousands of prisoners

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UK plans early release for thousands of prisoners

Thousands of prisoners are to be released early from September in order to prevent the “collapse” of the prisons system, the UK’s new justice minister, Shabana Mahmood, announced on Friday.

Mahmood said failure to do so risked the “total breakdown of law and order”, with just 700 places left for men, and jails operating at 99 per cent capacity since 2023.

England and Wales have the highest per capita prison population in Western Europe.

The release initiative would not apply to violent offenders serving more than four years, sex offenders and those in prison for domestic abuse offences as well as those on life sentences.

The chief inspector of prisons, Charlie Taylor, said this week that urgent action was required, as prisons were at “breaking point”.

Mahmood, appointed last week after Labour’s general election win, warned in dramatic language that if prisons ran out of cell space, there could be “van-loads of dangerous people circling the country with nowhere to go”.

“With officers unable to act, criminals could do whatever they want, without consequence. We could see looters running amok, smashing in windows, robbing shops and setting neighbourhoods alight,” she said in a speech at a prison.

“In short, if we fail to act now, we face the collapse of the criminal justice system. And a total breakdown of law and order.”

Under the plans, prisoners who are eligible for automatic release after serving half their sentence will be freed earlier than normal.

The plans involve a temporary reduction of how long prisoners must serve behind bars, from 50 per cent to 40 per cent of their sentence.

The releases will start in September to give the Prison and Probation Service time to plan.

The total number of prisoners hit over 87,505 on Friday — of whom over 83,800 were men — leaving just 1,451 spaces available, official figures showed.

Since the start of 2023, the average occupancy rate in men’s prisons had “routinely been higher than 99 per cent”, according to the Ministry of Justice.

Officials say the prison system needs a buffer of around 1,425 cell spaces in men’s prisons at all times to deal with sudden influxes of inmates.

Six new prisons to create an extra 20,000 places are being built.

The Prison Governors’ Association said it welcomed the speed of the new measures while demanding a “full review” and that “the public must never be placed in this position again”.

PGA chairman Mark Fairhurst said the measures would free up around 4,500-5,000 more spaces and give prisons around 12 to 18 months before further steps would be needed.

AFP

Japan committed to peace, stability in Africa -Ambassador

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Japan committed to peace, stability in Africa -Ambassador

The Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, on Friday said his country is committed to peace and stability in Africa by providing assistance including human resource development, border control support, and assistance for building judicial and administrative systems.

This, according to him, is for the purpose of consolidation of democracy and the strengthening of the rule of law.

Kazuyoshi, who was represented by the Deputy Head of Mission in Nigeria, Hiromi Otsuki, spoke at the graduation of Participants of Comprehensive Protection of Civilians Course 37/24, in Abuja.

He said Japan has been committed to peace and stability in Africa by providing assistance, including human resource development, border control support, and assistance for building judicial and administrative system for the purpose of consolidation of democracy.

He also called for the protection of civilians during armed conflict.

According to him, civilians, especially women and children, were often the most vulnerable victims of armed conflict, often forced to flee their homes, lose loved ones, and face constant threats of violence.

Kazuyoshi said, “The protection of civilians in armed conflicts is the most important, yet very, very challenging one, and your commitment to improving your skills and knowledge is truly commended.

“The protection of the civilian is a fundamental principle of international law. It is also a moral responsibility. Civilians, especially women and children, are often the most vulnerable victims of armed control. They are forced to feed their homes, lose loved ones, and face the constant threat of violence

“Japan’s commitment to civilian protection is reflected in our financial support for UN peacekeeping operations and other initiatives aimed at protecting civilians. We also provide training and capacity-building assistance for countries, particularly in post-conflict situations.”

The Commandant, Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, Maj.-Gen. Ademola Adedoja, reminded the participants that their expertise was crucial in a world where conflicts and violence had continued to affect the innocent, vulnerable and persons living with disability.

Adedoja said that their training was organised to give realistic training to potential peacekeepers.

He said, “You have learned the importance of humanitarian principles, international laws, Causes and Nature of Conflicts in Africa, United Nations Legal Policy Frameworks on the Protection of Civilians, Mission Life Cycle and Integrated Assessment Planning.

“You have also learned about the Tactical Decision-making process, Mission Analysis and coordination with various stakeholders to ensure the safety of those affected by Conflicts.

“As certified UN-CPOC experts, you are now better equipped to navigate the full spectrum of peacekeeping operations, coordinating, communicating and leading in the pursuit of peace, stability and ultimately ensuring the protection of civilians,”.

Abba Moro blasts Benue Deputy Speaker, Lami for not supporting creation of Apa State

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Abba Moro blasts Benue Deputy Speaker, Lami for not supporting creation of Apa State

Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, has slammed Benue State Deputy Speaker, Danladi Lami Ogenyi over her stand on the ongoing agitation for the creation of Apa State.
Benue Deputy Speaker, Lami Ogenyi, has fired back at Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, for accusing her of refusing to support the agitation for the creation of Apa State.
TVN reports that there are ongoing clamours across the country for the creation of additional states.
The people of Benue South have been agitating for the creation of Apa State from present-day Benue State.
Moro made this known recently during a recent virtual meeting with Idomas in the diaspora.
Speaking during the meeting, Abba said the draft got the endorsement of the nine local government chairmen in the senatorial district and ⅔ of members of the Benue State House of Assembly.
He, however, lamented that the Benue State Deputy Speaker, who represents Ado State Constituency, Danladi Lami Ogenyi, refused to sign “for reasons best known to her.”
Lami, in her response, claimed Moro has been avoiding her calls and attempts to form a synergy with him for the greater good of Idoma land.
Moro, in a statement by his media adviser, Emmanuel John Eche-Ofun, warned Lami to stop playing politics with an important agitation.
His statement reads.
This is just as the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro (Benue South), has sent a draft for the creation of Apa State to the constitution review committee to that effect.
The attention of the senator representing Benue South Senatorial District and Senate Minority Leader, Comrade Abba Moro PhD has been drawn to a tirade by the Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Lami Ogenyi against him over Apa State creation.
Hon. Lami’s vitriolic and insults-laced statement is in reaction to Senator Moro’s explanation at a virtual meeting with Idomas in the Diaspora when he was asked to tell the audience his efforts so far with Apa State creation. In his response to the probing question, the senator said a memo had been drafted in line with section 8 of the 1999 constitution (as amended) and submitted through him to the Senate Constitution Review Committee. He stated that all the relevant signatories were required to sign the document except the deputy speaker. Senator Moro stands by the fact that all members of the Benue State House of Assembly irrespective of party affiliation signed the request except Hon Lami.
The senator is not a member of the Benue State House of Assembly and it was the leadership of the State House of Assembly from Benue South Senatorial District that organized the request.
Hon. Lami, by her position, is the second highest public office holder from Zone C at the state level, after the deputy governor, and is expected to have her signature on an important document as that advocating for the creation of Apa State. Senator Moro only reported the content of the memo. Nothing more.
In the poorly written and incoherent statement by Madam Lami, she said Abba Moro was supposed to reach out to her personally and not through a third party. As laughable as that claim is, Lami should know that Senator Moro was only a signatory to the said memo and he didn’t reach out to all the other stakeholders who signed the document as that wasn’t his responsibility.
Lami also went ahead to say that she didn’t understand the memo and didn’t want to sign any document that would be used to impeach his governor who, according to her, Senator Moro has been fighting. The deputy speaker’s hallucination of the request for the creation of Apa State being an instrument to impeach her governor beats Senator Moro’s imagination. But that goes to show why only she refused to sign the request in her imaginary fear that her governor would be impeached if Apa is created. That also shows the quality of representatives we elect.
On her allegation that Senator Moro refused to attend her Thanksgiving and fund-raising, the senator is not surprised because from Ado it’s always believed that he doesn’t attend their functions even when he may not have been invited.
“We want to urge Hon. Lami to think twice and retrace her steps. Her outburst is needless, unwarranted and very disappointing. She should look closely at Senator Abba Moro’s cycle of friends and associates and she will find so many former deputy speakers in there. She should not allow her current position to get into her head to insult the senator with who she has no meeting point.
“If Abba Moro wants to play politics, as alleged, it’s not with Hon. Lami, it would be with a more powerful and influential person. The deputy speaker remains a daughter to the senator and he will continue to see her as a daughter, and not a political opponent.
“We enjoin her to direct her anger and complaints to those who contacted her for her signature on the all-important memo and who she turned down, and not the senator who’s only a messenger and reporting proceedings to the good people of Benue South who inquired to know more from him about Apa State creation.”
Abba Moro blasts Benue Deputy Speaker, Lami for not supporting creation of Apa State

Ndidi signs contract to remain at Leicester until 2027

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Ndidi signs contract to remain at Leicester until 2027

Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has signed a new three-year contract with Premier League club Leicester City.
His previous contract expired last month, sparking rumors of his departure.
However, Ndidi has decided to stay at King Power Stadium, turning down offers from clubs both within and outside England.
“I feel great, I feel excited, I feel at home,” Ndidi told the club website.
Read Also: Ndidi, Iheanacho return to Premier League with Leicester
“That is the most important thing. I feel really happy to continue with the club. My family is settled here, and when everyone back home says ‘Ndidi’, they say ‘Leicester’ also.”
Ndidi joined Leicester from Belgian Pro League team KRC Genk in January 2017.
The 27-year-old has scored 17 goals and made 17 assists in 273 appearances for the club.
He played a crucial role in Leicester’s FA Cup and Community Shield victories in 2021 and was instrumental in their Championship title win last season, helping the Foxes return to the Premier League immediately.
The post Ndidi signs contract to remain at Leicester until 2027 appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

Islamic group kicks against Samoa deal, urges FG to withdraw from pact

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Islamic group kicks against Samoa deal, urges FG to withdraw from pact

As controversy continues to trail the Samoa Agreement, a group under the aegis of the Islamic Forum of Nigeria, has called on the Federal Government to withdraw from the agreement as it was signed without consulting relevant stakeholders.

Rising from a one-day meeting on Thursday, the Forum with headquarters in Kano, said the Samoa agreement signed by the Nigerian government without consulting the people, stands condemned and rejected.

A professor of law, Bayero University Kano and a member of the forum. Prof. Shuaibu Zunnurain said though LGBTQ+ is not explicitly written in the Samoa agreement, but said Gay and homosexual rights were enshrined using other terms.

The law professor said the 2018 agreement which had protection of the rights of Gay, Lesbian and transgender was rejected by 30 countries including Nigeria.

He said though the LGBTQ were removed in the new draft, terms like gender, and reproductive rights were actually meant to protect LGBTQ+ and abortion rights, explaining that framers of the 1999 constitution were sensitive enough to use the term sex instead of gender in section 42 dealing with non-discrimination against a person on account of his sex, ethnicity or religion.

He noted that the Samoa agreement has, for example, a provision that says ‘the parties’ reaffirms commitment to achieving gender equality, the full enjoyment of human rights by all’ and that the agreement shall take precedence over national or domestic laws.

Also speaking, a member of the forum, Prof. Babangida Muhammad, said for a long time in Nigeria’s history, Muslims, Christians, North, and South and people from across the political divide were united against the Samoa agreement.

He faulted the Samoa agreement for no concise definition of terms as is usually the case in any law, agreement or academic publication.

Another member of the Forum, Prof. Aminu Sagagi, advised parents to be vigilant and take more than a keen interest in what their children watch on social media saying the + sign in LGBTQ+ could mean something fundamentally contrary to morality, religion, culture and tradition.

The immediate past chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, Kano State chapter, Reverend Father Adeyemo Samuel, said there is nowhere in the Bible that God allows gays or Lesbians.

“Any man that sleeps with a man should be stoned to death immediately,” the cleric said.

While calling on the meeting to say no to the agreement, Samuel said Gender equality also stands for lesbianism and homosexuality.

A lecturer with Bayero University, Kano, Dr Bala Muhammad, recalled how Reverend Idowu Fearon, as secretary of the Anglican Church rejected the ordination of a gay Bishop in London, saying Exit clauses in agreement like Samoa may make it difficult for countries to leave.

The meeting called on the Nigerian government to withdraw from the agreement because it is in conflict with political, economic, religious and cultural rights of Nigerians

Ministers meet Spanish firm over Nigeria airspace security

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Ministers meet Spanish firm over Nigeria airspace security

Following the quest to keep Nigeria’s airspace safe, a Nigerian delegation led by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo and his counterpart in the Defence Ministry, Mohammed Abubakar, met the CEO of Indra Systema of Spain, José Vicente de los Mozos, and his team to boost the security framework within Nigeria’s airspace.

This was disclosed through a statement signed by a Special Adviser to the minister, Tunde Moshood, and made available to journalists on Friday.

According to the statement, the meeting was to discuss and assess their capability for Dual Surveillance Systems integrated with a Command and Control system for the military. This state-of-the-art system aims to boost the security framework within Nigeria’s airspace significantly.

Moshood said, “This visit underscores the Nigerian government’s commitment to enhancing the country’s airspace security and surveillance capabilities through the adoption of advanced technologies.

“The collaboration with Indra is expected to significantly bolster Nigeria’s air traffic management and defence infrastructure, ensuring the safety and sovereignty of its airspace.”

Others present at the crucial meeting were the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar; and the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Engr. Farouk Umar, among other lists of Nigeria delegates.

According Online gathered that plans are in top gear to develop a centralised Air Traffic Management system at NAMA’s corporate headquarters.

This system is expected to streamline and enhance civil aviation operations across the country, reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to adopting advanced technological solutions for airspace management.

The aviation minister who is still in Spain working on an itinerary together with other delegates may brief the press on his return to the country.

You cannot stop salaries, arrest chiefs arbitrarily – Ekiti govt warns Monarch

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You cannot stop salaries, arrest chiefs arbitrarily – Ekiti govt warns Monarch

The Ekiti State Government, has resolved the escalating chieftaincy brawl in Odo Ayedun Ekiti, Ikole Local Government Area of the state and directed the town’s traditional head, Oba Solomon Ajibade and his backers to halt alleged arbitrary arrests of Chiefs and withholding of their salaries.
The government’s troubleshooting intervention was sequel to a petition written by some chiefs, led by Obajemu of Odo Ayedun Ekiti, Chief Ayoposi Ayoola, against Oba Ajibade and the Ajagunna of Ayedun, Biodun Ogunyebi.
The accusations raised by the petitioners against the defendants include intimidation and harassment by way of reckless arrests and detention of subjects, stoppage of stipends to some Chiefs and neglect of traditional festivals in Odo Ayedun Ekiti.
The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye, gave the directive on Thursday while presiding over the petition written by the aggrieved traditional chiefs.
Mrs Afuye, in a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, urged the monarch to deploy every means to forge unity among his subjects to foster peace in line with the advocacy of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration.
To quell the festering upheavals and disunity in Odo Ayedun, Mrs Afuye, urged the monarch to stop those instigating arbitrary arrests of subjects, initiate immediate payment of stipends to all alienated Chiefs and show interest in all traditional festivals as the leader of all religions in the town.
The Deputy Governor, who asked the monarch to stop the alleged diversion of stipends meant for the Chiefs to palace maintenance, appealed to the angry Chiefs to return and reunite with the monarch to move the town forward in all spheres.
“No town can witness peace when some people are being arrested anyhow. Let the Kabiyesi begin a process of reconciliation with all his Chiefs. You are a traditional ruler, you should take an interest in all traditional festivals, that is the essence of your being a monarch.
“Let me also emphasize this, you can’t use the stipends for Chiefs for any other purpose even if they are not performing their traditional roles. Try and settle all these matters for your reign to enjoy peace. When you are making these efforts, the angry Chiefs too must be receptive to your reconciliation moves”, Mrs Afuye stated.
Speaking during the parley, the petitioner, Chief Ayoola, lamented how his position was being allegedly undermined by the monarch, using his influence as the prescribed authority of the town.
Ayoola also accused the monarch of arbitrarily installing traditional chiefs without resorting to laid down traditions and customs, by way of circumventing quarter chiefs perceived as “non-conformists.”
Dispelling the allegations, the defendants, the duo of Oba Ajibade and Chief Biodun Ogunyebi, commended the government for the peace initiative,
The traditional ruler added that at no time did he order the arrest of anyone by security agencies on trumped-up charges as being peddled by the petitioner.
Specifically, Oba Ajibade, maintained that he hadn’t stopped traditional festivals in the kingdom, saying he has always been fair and maintained a strong affinity with Christians, Muslims and traditionalists in the town.
“There was nowhere I instructed anybody to arrest any of my subjects. Concerning the monthly stipends to Chiefs, those not paid were chiefs who refused to perform traditional roles and in the running of the town”.
You cannot stop salaries, arrest chiefs arbitrarily – Ekiti govt warns Monarch

Makinde presents staff of office to Olubadan

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Makinde presents staff of office to Olubadan

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Friday, presented the Staff of Office and the Instrument of Office to the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan.

The governor, who made the presentation at the ancient Mapo Hall in Ibadan, the state capital, said, “By the power conferred upon me as the Governor by sub-sections (1) and (2) of Section 20 of the Chiefs Law Cap 28 Vol.1 Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000, I hereby present the Instrument/Staff of Office, which symbolises your authority as the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.”

The According reports that the seat became vacant after the demise of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, who joined his forefathers at the age of 81 after ruling for two years.

Dignitaries at the coronation include the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland and former Oyo State Governor, Rashidi Ladoja; Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, who represented President Bola Tinubu; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Oyo State Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar;  among others.

Details later…

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My message not cryptic nor coded – El-Rufai reacts to LG autonomy news

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My message not cryptic nor coded – El-Rufai reacts to LG autonomy news

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai on Friday denied sending a cryptic message to unsettle President Bola Tinubu-led Presidency, following the Supreme Court judgement that granted autonomy to local governments in Nigeria.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled that all federal funds for local government councils be paid directly into their accounts.
Justice Emmanuel Agim, who led a seven-member panel of justices, delivered the judgment in a suit filed by the federal government against the 36 state governors.
According to the judgment, henceforth, no more payments of local government area allocations will be made to state government accounts.
The court also prohibited the governors from receiving, tampering with, or withholding funds meant for local governments.
Furthermore, the court barred the governors from dissolving democratically elected officials for local governments and deemed such actions a breach of the 1999 Constitution.
But, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, posted the details of the Supreme Court’s judgement on his X page.
Reacting to the post, El-Rufai said, “From God, we all came and to Him, we shall all return.”
El-Rufai’s post had drawn backlash from some Nigerians who deemed it a cryptic message.
However, the former governor said his message was misinterpreted to mean a cryptic message by those obsessed with him.
Posting on X, El-Rufai wrote: “FRIDAY MESSAGE: It seems to me that my translation of “inna lillahi wa inna ilaihir raa ji’un “ meaning “from God, we all came and to Him, we shall all return” has been reinterpreted by those obsessed with reading me as a “cryptic message” to some unnamed persons.
“It seems to me that the reminder has unsettled some people and distressed a lot more. It is neither a cryptic nor a coded message. Just a reminder of the ultimate accountability and judgment of God, not that of infallible humans.
“I will end it here and today as I do not want to unsettle or distress anyone. Enjoy the weekend. -@elrufai”
My message not cryptic nor coded – El-Rufai reacts to LG autonomy news

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