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Police justify raid on NLC building, say operation targeted criminal suspect

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Police justify raid on NLC building, say operation targeted criminal suspect

The Nigeria Police Force on Friday said detectives traced a suspect under investigation to a shop in the Nigerian Labour Congress building.

The NLC  had accused personnel from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services of invading its Abuja office on Wednesday night.

According to statement by NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah, the operatives arrested the security guards and forced them to hand over keys to the offices on the second floor.

Upah added that the operatives broke into the floor, ransacked the bookshop, and stole hundreds of books and publications.

Reacting, the police, in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the operation was to arrest a foreign national implicated in numerous criminal activities across Nigeria and other African countries.

Adejobi said, “The Nigeria Police Force has noted a publication alleging that the Nigeria Labour Congress  national secretariat, known as the Labour House, located in the Central Business District, Abuja, was raided by the Police.

“The Nigeria Police Force wishes to clarify that a prime criminal suspect in an ongoing investigation was traced to a shop within the building in the Central Business District, Abuja. Detectives, armed with the appropriate legal authority, conducted an operation at the location, which turned out to be the NLC building.

“This well-coordinated, lawful operation was solely aimed at apprehending the prime suspect—a foreign national implicated in numerous criminal activities across Nigeria and other African countries.’

Adejobi said the operation had no connection with the NLC secretariat or leadership.

He said, “We emphasize that this operation had no connection with the NLC, its secretariat, staff, or leadership. The NLC secretariat was not the focus of the operation, which was targeted at a rented shop within the building used by the suspect as a front for his criminal activities in Nigeria.

“The Nigeria Police Force seeks the cooperation and support of the NLC leadership as we continue this investigation, which is vital to safeguarding our nation. The high-profile nature of the suspect poses a significant security threat to Nigeria and other African nations, making this investigation crucial for the safety of all involved, including the NLC.”

COAS charges officers to uphold high standards of professionalism

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COAS charges officers to uphold high standards of professionalism

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has charged the graduating officers of Logistics Staff Course 21 of 2024 at the Nigerian Army College of Logistics and Management, NACOLM, to maintain the high standards of professionalism and excellence instilled in them during their training.
Major George Okupe, College PRO, in a statement, while commending them for their dedication, emphasised that logistics is vital to contemporary military operations and called on the graduands to uphold these principles as they take on new responsibilities.
“The graduation ceremony, held on August 9, 2024, at the TY Buratai Hall of the NACOLM permanent site in Ojo, Lagos, marked an important milestone in the professional development of 32 middle cadre officers,” he said.
General Lagbaja, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Major General Farouk Mijinyawa, commended the commandant, faculty and entire college community for their effective fulfilment of the college’s mission. He highlighted the significance of training more officers to fill logistics roles across various Army Headquarters’ departments, formations and units, crucial for sustaining effective operations nationwide.
He urged NACOLM to continue enhancing its efforts in this essential area.
General Lagbaja reiterated his command’s philosophy of “transforming the Nigerian Army into a well-trained, equipped and highly motivated force towards achieving our constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment.”
In his welcome remarks, Major General Wisdom Etuk, commandant, NACOLM, noted that the college is graduating 32 officers, comprising 29 officers of Nigerian Army, one officer each from Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force and an allied officer from the Gambia Army.
He emphasised that the presence of the allied officer reflects the Chief of Army Staff’s commitment to fostering strong military ties and enhancing regional security, particularly in West Africa.
Major General Etuk assured the COAS that the graduates were well-prepared to meet the leadership and staff demands of the Nigerian Army and encouraged them to continue building on the professional foundation established during their training.
The event also featured a presentation of certificates, awards and honours and the induction of graduates into the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria, CIPSM, and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, CILT.
COAS charges officers to uphold high standards of professionalism

Amnesty International condemns siege to CDHR Lagos office

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Amnesty International condemns siege to CDHR Lagos office

Amnesty International has expressed concern over the invasion of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights’ office in Ikeja, Lagos, by armed security personnel.

The Country Director of AI, Isa Sanusi, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

Policemen, soldiers and other security operatives reportedly invaded the Lagos venue for public symposium and candlelight in honour of those who died during the nationwide #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protest in the country.

The venue, Right House, located at 43 Adeniyi Jones, Oba Akran, Ikeja, is the headquarters of the CDHR.

Sanusi said, “Amnesty International is deeply concerned by the unlawful invasion of the Ikeja Lagos office of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights.

“This coming days after the headquarters of Nigeria Labour Congress was ransacked, is a dangerous dimension to the attacks escalating attacks on human rights.

“Human rights defenders are increasingly at risk of violations by security agencies.

“The siege, which began at 5:00 am, has forced businesses in the area to close and prevented CDHR from carrying out its vital work promoting freedom.”

He emphasised that such attacks on human rights defenders and their offices “sent a message that authorities condone these violations.

The Nigerian authorities must investigate this incident and direct security personnel to immediately vacate the office, Amnesty International demanded.”

The organisation also condemned the
crackdown on protesters against hunger nationwide since August 1, 2024, and the subsequent attacks on civil society organizations, citing “a worrying indication of President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s disregard for human rights and determination to crush dissent.

“As of 4:30 pm on Friday, the heavily armed contingent of policemen, soldiers, and other security personnel remained, laying siege to the area around the CDHR office,” the statement added.

Amnesty International urged the Nigerian authorities to end “attacks on human rights, respect the right to freedom of expression and association, and protect human rights defenders and civil society organizations from fear and intimidation.”

NGX: Julius Berger leads gainers as investors make N270bn in five hours

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NGX: Julius Berger leads gainers as investors make N270bn in five hours

The Nigerian equities market closed the week’s trading with N270 billion gain by investors on Friday.
This followed an increase in the share prices of stocks like JULIUS BERGER, ETERNA and UCAP amongst others on the trading floor today.
After five hours of trading at the capital market, the equity capitalization rose to N55.9 trillion from N55.7 trillion recorded by the bourse on Thursday.
The All-Share Index (ASI) also increased to 98,592.12 from 98,116.27 recorded the previous day.
The market breadth was positive as 36 stocks advanced and 18 declined, while 59 others remained unchanged in 9,529 deals.
READ ALSO: Investors lose N113bn amid suspension of stocks by NGX
JULIUS BERGER, ETERNA and UCAP led other gainers with 10% each in share prices to close at N110.00, N19.80, and N14.50 from the previous N100.00, N18.00, and N14.50 per share.
On the flip side, UNION DICON, UPL and CUSTODIAN led other price decliners as they shed 9.88%, 8.79% and 8.59% each to close at N7.30, N2.18 and N11.70 from the initial N8.10, N2.39, and N12.80 per share.
On the volume index, VERITASKAP led trading with 103 million shares valued at N125 million in 356 deals followed by OANDO which traded 52 million shares valued at N2.1 billion in 242 deals.
UBA traded 42 million shares valued at N691 million in 633 deals.
On the value index, OANDO recorded the highest value for the day trading stocks worth N2.1 billion in 242 deals followed by ZENITH BANK which traded equities worth N1.2 billion in 540 deals.
GTCO traded shares valued at N1.024 billion in 417 deals.
By: Babajide Okeowo
The post NGX: Julius Berger leads gainers as investors make N270bn in five hours appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

ECOWAS still negotiating return of Niger, Mali, B’Faso — Tinubu

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ECOWAS still negotiating return of Niger, Mali, B’Faso — Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu says the Economic Community of West African States will continue to persuade the military leaders of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso to return their nations to the fold.

“We will do everything to offer a hand of friendship to them and give them reasons to come back to us,” Tinubu, who chairs the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, reaffirmed at a meeting with ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff on Friday in Abuja.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed the outcome of the meeting in a statement he signed Friday evening titled ‘ECOWAS’ hand of friendship still open to Niger, Mali, And Burkina Faso, says President Tinubu.’

Tinubu’s comments come nearly three weeks after he hinted at plans for a special extraordinary session to discuss the future of the economic bloc.

The president, who spoke at the Sixth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union in Accra, Ghana, on July 21, did not state the date of the meeting.

However, he said leaders will discuss ongoing talks with the estranged member states.

Tinubu was re-elected for another one-year tenure as ECOWAS Chairman at the 65th Ordinary Session of the Authority held at the State House, Abuja, on July 7.

After his mandate was renewed, the Nigerian leader appointed his Senegalese and Togolese counterparts, Bassirou Faye and Faure Gnassingbé, respectively, to lead ECOWAS’ mediation efforts with Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.

The civilian governments in Burkina Faso and Mali and Niger fell to military control in May 2021, September 2022 and July 2023, respectively.

Consequently, the ECOWAS announced economic sanctions that isolated the three states alongside Guinea, where the military took over since September 2021.

Although ECOWAS later agreed to lift some economic and travel sanctions in February, the junta-led states maintained their stance to exit the union.

On July 6, Niger’s General Abdourahmane Tchiani, Burkina Faso’s Captain Ibrahim Traore, and Mali’s Colonel Assimi Goita signed a confederation treaty which, they said, would strengthen a mutual defence pact announced last September, the Alliance of Sahel States.
Nonetheless, the ECOWAS says it is still championing efforts towards reintegrating the sister states into the nearly 50-year-old bloc.

Speaking on Friday, Tinubu said, “It is in our hearts to make sure that security is enhanced and that constitutional government is defended and promoted in our region.

“It has been a challenging tenure for me since three members indicated their exit. We will work hard to persuade them to return, whichever way.

“No one man is smarter than the group of heads that is here.”

The ECOWAS Chairman commended the defence chiefs for their commitment to regional stability and protection of constitutional governance.

He also affirmed the commitment of member states to invest in its $2.6bn Standby Force, describing the initiative as the solution to terrorism in the Sahel.

“The solution to terrorism and other challenges lies in our hands. We have to do it together. The ECOWAS standby force must be ready.

“We will continue to invest in this, as well as in the economic prosperity and opportunities across our region,” President Tinubu said.

In his remarks, the Chairman ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, informed the President that the defence chiefs had agreed that challenges in the region, such as insurgency and unconstitutional changes in government, must be addressed collectively.

Musa said discussions at the meeting also focused on enhancing the capacity of the ECOWAS military component, including the proposed standby force.

He announced that a decision had been made to deploy 1,200 troops to Sierra Leone, with countries making pledges to support this effort.

“We are aware that the ECOWAS ministers of finance will meet to discuss the issue of funding, which is another very critical aspect. We also looked at the issue of logistics,” he said.

Highlighting the balance between military efforts and the political components of good governance, peace and security as essential for achieving long-term stability, General Musa pledged the commitment of the defence chiefs to work in unison to ensure the security and safety of the West African sub-region.

ECOWAS to activate standby force

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ECOWAS to activate standby force

The Economic Community of West African States is preparing to activate its standby force.

The regional bloc is also considering extending security support to Sierra Leone and operationalising its logistics depot there.

Christopher Musa, Chairman of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff, disclosed this at the close of the 42nd Ordinary Session of the Committee in Abuja on Friday.
Musa said, “Some of the key discussions during this conference covered the proposed ECOWAS security support in Sierra Leone and the activation of the ECOWAS standby force.

“Furthermore, we deliberated on issues pertaining to the operationalisation of our logistics depot in Sierra Leone and other ECOWAS peace support operations, among others.”

He urged the different countries to fulfil their pledges towards the activation of the region’s standby force.

Musa said, “In all of our deliberations, the importance of our collective effort and shared commitment has been evident.

More important are the pledges made by member states towards the activation of the ECOWAS standby force and security support mission in Sierra Leone, among others.

“Nevertheless, I have no doubt that we will not renege on our promises.

“I am confident that the incredible ideas and noble solutions
proffered will undoubtedly enhance our individual and collective capacity to confront and support contemporary and future security challenges.”

Musa expressed regret over the absence of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso from the deliberations.

He noted that their non-attendance, despite invitations, demonstrates that they are not considered enemies.

He stated, “We regret the absence of our colleagues from Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. You can see from the table that we have their flags. They were invited to the meeting. This shows the entire world that they are not enemies; they are our brothers, and we look forward to their return to ECOWAS. As nations, no single country can withstand the current challenges alone.

“We need to work as a team. We are stronger together. We look forward to restoring the relationship to its proper state. It is also imperative that we continue to encourage collaboration among other countries by advancing progress, sharing resources, and leveraging each other’s strengths to maximise our impact and achieve shared objectives.”

Musa reminded the Defence Chiefs that the security landscape in the region requires ongoing collaboration to address emerging threats.

He said, “Let me remind us that the security landscape is evolving and will require continuous collaboration to address emerging threats effectively. Equally, we must uphold our democratic values and support our governments in line with our responsibilities to ensure economic growth and development.”

Musa also urged the Defence Chiefs to support democratic systems of government in their countries.

He said, “We should stand by democracy. All non-constitutional takeovers of government are foreign and must not be encouraged.”

ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, said all member countries have pledged support for the activation of the standby force.

He stated that the activation aims to combat terrorism in the region.

Musah said, “One of the key agenda items is the continued activation of the ECOWAS standby force in its kinetic mode to fight terrorism in our region.

“All our member states have pledged support for this initiative. The committee has been fine-tuning the roadmap towards the eventual activation of the kinetic force. We need to combat terrorism.

“Terrorism is moving from the Sahel to the coastal countries. In recent weeks, we have experienced several powerful attacks in our region, including Niger, northern Mali, and cross-border incursions into the coastal countries of Benin and Togo.

“No one is entirely safe from terrorist attacks, which is why the committee of chiefs of defence has met here to work out modalities for confronting this existential threat facing our sub-region. We are pleased that they have reaffirmed their commitment to the fight against it.”

Ex-Govs Oyinlola, Dankwambo listed in PDP committee to reconcile members

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Ex-Govs Oyinlola, Dankwambo listed in PDP committee to reconcile members

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set up a 25-member National Reconciliation Committee to resolve differences in the party.
The committee is headed by former Osun State governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola while his Gombe State counterpart, Ibrahim Dankwambo, will serve as secretary.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
He said the establishment of the committee was approved by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
Members of the committee are – Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, Chibudom Nwuche, Alhaji Bello Gusau, Senator Ben Obi, Senator Tunde Ogbeha, Senator Shuaibu Isa Lau, Dame Esther Uduehi, Sen. Zainab Kure, Kabiru Turaki and Alhaja Mutia Ladoja
Others are- Dr. Abimbola Ogunkelu, Ude Oko-Chukwu, Dr. Boyelayefa Debekeme, Dr. Eddy Olafeso, Chief Dan Ulasi, Abdulsamad Dasuki, Mr. Segun Showunmi, Amina Faruk, Alhaji Hamza Koshe, Evang. Mike Ikoku, Jumoke Akinjide, Bisi Fakayode, and Chief Anicho Okoro as the Administrative Secretary.
Ologunagba said the committee would be inaugurated on a date to be communicated in due course.
The post Ex-Govs Oyinlola, Dankwambo listed in PDP committee to reconcile members appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

Christian group worries over idol worship among Igbo youths

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Christian group worries over idol worship among Igbo youths

The Christian Association of Igbo Ministers, CAIM, has expressed worries that youths of Igbo extraction are jettisoning their Christian faith and returning to idol worship, saying that the trend does not portend well for the Christian faith and the Igbo nation.
The international president of the group, Solomon Chukwuemeka Okorie, said this on Friday in Umuahia while briefing the press on the World Igbo Prayer Summit, which is holding from August 14 to 16 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia.
He noted that the future of the Christian faith in Igboland is challenged if the youths are not shown the way of God. According to him, the 95 per cent Christian population recorded in the recent past among the Igbo may plummet if nothing is done.
He lamented that despite the individual strength of the Igbos, they are not collectively united when compared with their counterparts from the South West and the North.
The group, which called for unity among all Igbos in the South East and those in Benue, Delta, Edo, and Rivers, also urged clergymen of Igbo extraction to form a united front in praying for the Igbos to get out of their present condition in the country.
The group expressed worries about the deaths of prominent Igbo personalities, including Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Ifeanyi Ubah, and Onyeka Onwenu, among others. It advised the Igbo to go into prayer to avert the tragic loss of their leaders.
Okorie said that the summit would be used to seek the face of God for the survival of the Igbos through prayers and also to seek an end to the present situation of insecurity in the South East.
“The killings and other forms of insecurity in the South East are not what we were known for and we are going to use the World Igbo Prayer Summit to pray for the return of peace and unity,” he said.
Christian group worries over idol worship among Igbo youths

Doctors must live by example, says NMA

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Doctors must live by example, says NMA

The Federal Capital Territory of the Nigerian Medical Association has tasked its members to stay together to achieve a common goal.

The outgoing chairman of the association, Charles Ugwuanyi, who said this at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, also urged the incoming executive not to condole any divisive tendency capable of causing disunity among members while highlighting the need for mutual respect among members.

He said, “As doctors, we must live by example, it doesn’t matter where you come from, your religion, or your ethnicity. All doctors must conform and align with the code of conduct and ethics as obtained in a civilized egalitarian society, make all the sacrifices, and attain mental maturity.

“In the past two years, we came to office on August 5, 2022, exactly two years now with few days, we came with high hopes to achieve our desire, and we have made some achievements based on our campaign manifestos. There are also some points of our manifestos that we are unable to achieve, but as you are aware, governance is a continuous programme. We are hoping that the people we are handing over to will continue from where we stop.

“The high point of our achievement is that we have been able to keep the association together, as you are aware, Abuja is a cosmopolitan city, and Abuja is a project Nigeria city. All part of the country is represented in our association here.

“NMA FCT must maintain that tradition of giving every part of Nigeria equal opportunities, in my administration that is about to end, we have been able to carry everybody along across religious, ethnic, political, and others. The biggest achievement is that we inherited our association intact and we are handing over it intact.”

He said his administration was able to increase public awareness to socially re-engineer the chapter, provide welfare support for members, and acquisition of land from the FCT administration.

According to him, some of the reasons the association is losing many doctors to other countries are because of poor condition of service and poor remunerations.

Ugwuanyi said that NMA-FCT had engaged the National NMA to engage the relevant agencies of the Federal Government to increase doctors’ salaries.

He noted that the campaign against violence against health workers has yielded positive results.

He, however, called on the government to improve the working environment of health workers and stop the continuous dwindling of the workforce.

He added that the NMA council has made significant progress with the Federal Ministry of Health on implementing one-for-one replacement of health workers.

Cost of healthy diet highest in South-West, says NBS

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Cost of healthy diet highest in South-West, says NBS

The national average Cost of a Healthy Diet per adult in a day has continued to increase, reaching N1,241 per person in June.

A report by the National Bureau of Statistics on Friday revealed that CoHD increased by 19.2 per cent.

According to the NBS, the average CoHD was highest in the South West Zone at N1,545 per day, while the North West Zone was the lowest at N956 per day.

The CoHD per adult has steadily been increasing since January this year. It was N1,041 in May, N1,035 in April, N982 in March, 938 in February and N858 in January.

The NBS’s report on a healthy diet in June reads partly, “The National Average Cost of a Healthy Diet was N1,241 per adult per day in June 2024.

“At the State level, Ekiti, Ogun and Osun states recorded the highest cost with N1,640, N1,599, and N1,557, respectively. Katsina, Kano and Jigawa accounted for the lowest costs with N878, N926 and N937.

“At the zonal level, the average CoHD was highest in the South-West Zone at N1,545 per day, followed by the South-South zone with N1,376 per day.

“The lowest average Cost of a Healthy diet was recorded in North West Zone with N956 per day.

“The Cost of Healthy Diet (CoHD) has been steadily rising over the past six (6) months, since January 2024.

“In June 2024, the CoHD was 45% higher than it was in January 2024 (N858). It was also 19% higher than the cost in May 2024 (N1,041). The main drivers of this increase in CoHD are vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, and starchy foods.”

NBS explained that CoHD is the least expensive combination of locally available items that meet globally consistent food-based dietary guidelines, used as a measure of physical and economic access to healthy diets.

“In recent months, the CoHD has risen faster than general inflation and food inflation.

However, the CoHD and the food CPI are not directly comparable; the CoHD includes fewer items and is measured in Naira per day, while the food CPI is a weighted index,”  said NBS.

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