Television Nigerian

says stand force deployment preparations are in high gear.

According to Omar Touray, the president of the Economic Community of West African States Commission, neither the sub-regional organisation nor any plans to invade the Niger Republic have declared war on its citizens.

This was stated by Touray on Friday at a press conference on the Niger and ECOWAS Member States in Transition held at the Commission’s Abuja headquarters.

A standby ECOWAS force was activated to restore constitutional order in Niger after leaders of the Economic Community of West African States Commission bloc pledged to explore all options for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

On July 26, a military coup led by Abdourahamane Tchiani, the former head of the presidential guard in Niger, overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum.

Following the coup, former colonial powers France and the European Union cut off their financial and security assistance to Niger, and the United States issued a warning that its own assistance might be in jeopardy.

Britain had denounced attempts to undermine Niger’s democracy, peace, and stability and declared its support for ECOWAS in its mission to bring about stability in the country.

Touray said that there have been inaccurate representations of ECOWAS decisions or actions in reestablishing democracy in the Niger Republic to support his point.

He declared that the ECOWAS would use all necessary means, including standby force, to bring back civil rule in the Niger Republic.

Touray also mentioned that the Niger Republic, as a member of the bloc of countries in the West African region, abided by its rules and regulations regarding the deployment of measures to support its fight against terrorism in order to ensure the restoration of democracy, peace, and security in the community.

The President emphasised that plans are well under way to send the standby force to Niger and urged the Niger junta to pay attention to ECOWAS because it will not accept a coup d’état.

According to Touray, ECOWAS will not permit Nigeriens to suffer at the hands of the Niger junta.

Later on, more information…

The Nigeria Customs Service’s Kebbi State Command has confirmed that two of its employees were killed by gunmen in the state on Thursday who were thought to be bandits.

In a press release he made available to newsmen in the state on Friday morning, the command’s spokesman in the state, Assistant Superintendent of Customs Mubarak Mustapha, confirmed this.

According to the statement, a shootout broke out between the team and suspected bandits driving a Toyota Corolla along the Bunza-Dankingari-Koko road as they conducted a stop-and-search operation.

“On Thursday, August 24, 2023, at around 01:30 a.m., while conducting a stop-and-search operation based on reliable information along the Bunza – Dakingari – Koko Road, a team of Kebbi Area Command officers and men of the Nigeria Customs were engaged with heavy gunfire by suspected bandits in an ash-colored Toyota Corolla vehicle.

Alhaji Kabiru Shehu, a customs inspector, and Abdullahi Muhammad, a customs assistant II, both members of the Command, paid the ultimate price in the ensuing melee.

The officers have since been buried using Islamic customs.

The Command has started a manhunt for the suspects in order to apprehend and prosecute them while also praying for the deceased’s peace.

According to the statement, Comptroller Ben Oramalugo, the Customs Area Area Controller, expressed his condolences to the families for the tragic event and prayed that God Almighty would give them the strength to deal with the loss.

Assuring such informants of strict confidentiality, the CAC also exhorts members of the public to offer information regarding the whereabouts of alleged smugglers and other criminals.

7,000 Kano natives are enrolled at Bayero University Kano, and the Kano State Executive Council has approved the disbursement of N700 million to pay their tuition.

N854 million was also set aside for the Auren Zaurawa Mass Wedding Initiative.

On his verified X page, formerly known as Twitter, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf made this information public.

In response to the nation’s economic crisis, the State Executive Council decided to approve N700 million for Kano students attending the BUK on Wednesday, according to the governor.

The governor stated, “As part of our efforts to soften the biting effects of our current economic reality, the Kano State Executive Council under my leadership has today approved the release of the sum of N700m to settle tuition fees for 7,000 students of Bayero University Kano.

“Further information about the initiative will be made available as soon as possible.”

the creation of a special committee to resolve outstanding pension arrears for retirees from the Kano State Civil Service; the rehabilitation of three pedestrian bridges at Bayero University Kano Old Campus, Aminu Kano College of Legal and Islamic Studies; and the release of the sum of N854 million for the first phase of the Auren Zaurawa Mass Wedding Initiative. The governor added this on Thursday.

Golden Tripod Limited, a Chinese company with offices on Ikot Ekpene Road in Uyo, has been ordered to move to the Akwa Ibom State’s Ibom Industrial Park in the state’s Itam, Itu Local Government Area.

He also gave the Environment Commissioner and the Internal Security Commissioner instructions to look into the company’s operations and submit a report within 48 hours.

Eno said it was improper to locate factories in the middle of a city when he gave the order on Thursday as work on the 2.2 km Tabernacle Road project off Ikot Ekpene Road began. He claimed that according to the report he had, there were consistently harmful emissions coming from the factory.

I need a report on the products this factory produces in the next 48 hours, Commissioners for Environment and Internal Security.

I am aware that there are frequently harmful emissions in this area. Please first ascertain what they do, then relocate them right away to the industrial park. The governor said, “It is not appropriate to cite factories in the middle of a city.

The governor promised that with new government innovations, the industrial park would provide a favourable environment for industries to thrive while urging investors to use it.

“That park has been divided into 150 plots, each between 4,000 and 5,000 square metres in size.

“What we’re saying is that people who are prepared to launch businesses should visit and research the industry they want to launch. We will allot land for them after they inform us of the anticipated start date and the anticipated workforce size.

“We’ll enclose it with a fence. We’ll build a police station there, secure a power plant for the area, and provide water access as well. It will function just like any other industrial park anywhere in the world, allowing us to allocate land for your project there,” he continued.

It was your wish to have a government that will come and remember the poor and rural residents, the governor said when discussing the Tabernacle Road project. You selected that type of government. I kept my promise to you, and this is the democratic dividend. We came here to express our gratitude to the Uyo and Itu communities for their support during the election.

In providing an overview of the Tabernacle Road project, Commissioner for Works and Fire Service Professor Eno Ibanga stated that in addition to road construction, the project involves significant de-flooding work to reclaim the entire area and will provide relief for the residents of Uyo and Itu LGAs.

He assured that his Ministry would make sure that contractors met the requirements provided to them by the state government by saying that the 2.2 km road project will be completed with a 0.97 km underground drain that will empty into the Calabar-Itu road drainage.

A Magistrate Court in Isabo, Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State, sentenced two individuals, Emmanuel Choice and Ojuola Akande, to three months in prison on Thursday for stealing motor parts from a truck that belonged to the Dangote Cement Transport company.

In a separate ruling, the court also handed down a six-month prison term to one Olaiya Abdulrahman for reckless driving that resulted in Olusegun Olusanya’s injury.

The prosecutor, Lawrence Olu-Balogun, noted that on August 22, 2023, Emmanuel and Ojuola stole two sets of tyres, two sets of rims and one drum hub worth N976,715.00 from the trailer body marked DT/7579/CH and two sets of tyres, two sets of rims and one drum hub worth N976,715.00 from the trailer body marked DT/7736/CH belonging to Dangote Cement Transport, Ibese.

The defendants, he said, violated Sections 516 and 383 of the Criminal Code Vol. II Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2004, by committing offences that were on the verge of being felonies, such as stealing.

The charge stated, in part, “That you Emmanuel Choice “M,” Ojuola Akande “M,” and one other now at large on August 22, 2023, at or about 3:00 a.m. at Dangote Cement Transport Premises, Ibese, in the Ayetoro Magisterial District, did conspire within yourself to commit felony to wit stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Vol.

“That you Emmanuel Choice ‘M’, Ojuola Akande ‘M’, and one other currently at large on the same date, time, and location in the aforementioned Magisterial District did steal Four tyres, Four rims, and Four drum hub from Trailer body marked DT/7736/CH and Two tyres, Two rims, and one drum hub from Trailer body marked DT/7579/CH valued at N976,715.00k only property of Dangote Cement Transport

The victim, 53-year-old Onasanya, suffered body injuries as a result of Abdulrahman’s careless driving on August 12, 2023, Olu-Balogun noted. The incident occurred along Afami Road in the Yewa-North local government area of Ogun State.

According to Olu-Balogun, the Federal High Way Act, CAP 135 of Federation of Nigeria, 2004, which is applicable in Ogun State, violated and penalised Abdulraham’s offences under sections 6(1) and 13(1)(a).

The charge stated, in part, “That you OLAIYA ABDULRAHMAN ‘M’ did drive the şaid vehicle on the Public Road in a manner which was dangerously, recklessly and knocked down one Onasanya Olusegun’m’ 53 years a security operative at Dangote Cement Transport, Ibese, as such caused bodily injuries includ…”

“That you OLAIYA ABDULRAHMAN ‘M’ on the same date, time, and location in the aforementioned Magisterial District did cause bodily injuries to one Onasanya Olusegun’m’ but failed to stop or attend to the injured person in order to secure for him medical attention nor report the accident to the nearest Police Station, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 13 (1) (a) (c) and punishable under Section 13 (2) of the Federal High Court Rules

The two-count charge levied against them was accepted as guilty by all of the defendants.

Emmanuel and Ojuola were sentenced to three months in prison without the option of a fine after Chief Magistrate E. O. Idowu found the defendants guilty of the crimes, while Abdulrahman was given a six-month sentence with the option of a N10,000 fine if he could pay N200,000 to the victim who had been injured.

According to President Bola Tinubu, Africa’s chances of resolving its economic and security problems are higher if it finds indigenous solutions and is consistent with its promises and commitments.

At the State House in Abuja on Thursday, Tinubu was receiving letters of credence from three envoys when he made this statement.

The ambassadors are Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, from the United Arab Emirates; Mr. Awall Wagris Mohammed, from Cuba; and Mrs. Miriam Morales Palmero, from Ethiopia.

The President gave the ambassador of Ethiopia assurances that Nigeria would keep fortifying its connections with African nations in the fields of trade, security, and economic development during a side discussion with the ambassador.

Africans must put in effort to advance their continent. Our internal issues ought to be amenable to group resolution. We need to make that significant commitment, though.

“We are the only ones who have a true understanding of our people. Homemade cures work better for everyone and last longer, he asserted.

Assuring the President of his commitment to enhancing ties between Nigeria and Ethiopia, Mohammed praised the President for the decisions he had made in the nation and the impact of his policies on the continent.

Tinubu praised Cuba’s proficiency in indigenous medical sciences, accessible healthcare at the community level, and maintaining the stability of their surrounding region during a separate meeting with the Cuban ambassador.

The president mentioned that there are some cultural parallels between Cuba and Nigeria that may be explored in order to better the lives of the populace, particularly in the tourism and other economic areas.

It would improve the lives of our people, especially the young generation Nigeria is so fortunate to have, Tinubu added. “We should collaborate more in science and technology.”

When the UAE Ambassador was welcomed, the President gave the order that problems impacting relations with Emirates Airline and the issuing of visas to Nigerians should be “quickly” handled. He also added that, if necessary, he would “personally” interfere.

“Even if we only have our own rooms, we are a family with UAE, and we all live in the same home. We ought to approach the problems as a family matter and find a peaceful solution.

“As you well know, there are oddities in every family. Even if your son or daughter makes mistakes, we still need to cooperate. Core aviation and immigration concerns must be resolved, the President added.

Given the historical roots of the nation, its longstanding leadership position in Africa, and its well-known reputation for welcoming visitors, the UAE ambassador claimed that he already considers himself to be “Nigerian.”

“I’ve been working on 24 agreements since I got here. Our progress is encouraging. They will be remedied because they are only minor problems that affect one family.

Thank you for having me in Nigeria. Furthermore, I am glad for the opportunity to speak with His Excellency, President Tinubu, a superb figurehead for both Nigeria and Africa. Consider me a member of your team and accept me as a Nigerian, he pleaded.

The Centre for Transparency Advocacy, experts in election monitoring, on Thursday proposed additional amendments to the 2022 Electoral Act to address some of the difficulties the Independent National Electoral Commission faced in the general elections of 2023.

As a result, they argued in favour of creating an electoral offences commission and tribunal to handle electoral offenders.

Faith Nwadishi, the executive director of CTA, made the suggestion while presenting three reports on the general elections of 2023 in Abuja.

The reports included ‘The 2023 General Elections Observation Report: A Perception Study on the Understanding of the Mandate of the Electoral Umpire by Stakeholders’ and ‘The 2023 Local Elections Observation Report: A Perception Study on the Local Elections “A compendium of the 2019 general elections and off-season elections conducted by INEC up to 2022,” etc.

Nwadishi claimed that despite ongoing difficulties, the Nigerian electoral system has improved despite concerns being raised about voting procedures, logistics, vote buying, intimidation, and violence.

There are some areas we suggested be reviewed, the speaker said. The Electoral Act, for example, mentions civic and voter education, and INEC was given the responsibility. However, we also know that civic education should fall under the purview of a national orientation organisation. Voter education is distinct from civic education. Voter education is included in civic education. We must be able to actually transfer INEC’s responsibility for civic education to the agency designated by law to carry out the task.

“We’re also urging the parties involved to quickly establish an electoral offences commission. The course we are currently on is unsustainable. People are committing crimes, but we assert that INEC is the prosecuting agency most often because INEC has that authority.

“On election day, we encountered members of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practises and Other Related Offences Commission. How successful was that, though? It would greatly improve our electoral system if we had a dedicated commission tasked with prosecuting those who violate the law regarding elections. With high profile cases and all of that, I believe it will greatly aid in the rule reforming of our electoral system itself.

Additionally, Nwadishi called for sanctions against political parties that fail to send enough agents to polling places on election day.

“Polling units determine the outcome of elections because that is where voters gather to cast their ballots and where the results are announced prior to being collected. Therefore, she said, “There should actually be a sanction for a political party running for office but unable to deploy party agents at that level. If you don’t have people representing you at that level, that means you won’t have a copy of your result.

The issues surrounding political party primaries should be reviewed by INEC, according to Emeka Ononammadu, a former resident electoral commissioner in Enugu State.

While highlighting the need for INEC to continue utilising technology in the electoral process, Ononammadu insisted that INEC must be given the freedom to concentrate on the technical administration of elections.

First of all, the Electoral Act as it relates to political party primaries needs to be reviewed, he said. This is because, as Nigerians who are party members, that particular law doesn’t seem to make political party primaries more inclusive of a larger population of party members. Of course, we all know that the test of political party primaries almost graduates to the general elections.

“I believe that whether the election administration agency performed well or poorly each year, there always seems to be a problem with how people view it, and advancing technology in our elections is the key to lowering either a positive or negative perception.

The creation of the Electoral Offences Tribunal has also been under discussion, but I believe that adding INEC’s investigative authority would be excessive.

He also urged INEC to reconsider the hiring and use of ad hoc staff, arguing that the problem of impersonation needs to be thoroughly examined.