Take It Back Movement, one of the key organizers of the EndBadGovernance nationwide protest, has scheduled Saturday for a one-million-man protest in all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja.
Mr Sanyaolu Juwon, National Coordinator of the movement, stated this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
He said, “the Take It Back Movement (TIB), side-by-side with other organizers and organizations will on August 10, lead a monumental one-million-man protest in each of the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.
“This event will mark a critical juncture in our nationwide EndBadGovernanceInNigeria campaign, which began on August 1, 2024.
“It started as a planned 10-day protest but has evolved into a sustained and widespread movement, drawing participants from every corner of Nigeria and the diaspora.”
TVN reports that the protest which aimed at drawing the attention of the governments at all levels to the hardship bedeviling the citizens, commenced on August 1 and is expected to end on Saturday, August 10.
Although the protest was hijacked by criminal elements, the exercise recorded large turnout across the country, especially in the northern states.
Despite the appeal by President Bola Tinubu in a nationwide broadcast on Sunday, asking the protesters to back down and give his administration more time, the protest had continued in Abuja, Kano and some other parts of the country.
EndBadGovernance: Organizers plan one-million-man protest in 36 states, FCT Saturday
EndBadGovernance: Organizers plan one-million-man protest in 36 states, FCT Saturday
Soludo inaugurates youth initiative to boost human capital development
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has launched the second batch of the “One Youth, Two Skills” initiative.
Soludo inaugurated the programme at the International Convention Centre, Awka, the state capital, on Thursday.
Speaking at the event, which saw the participation of about 8,620 qualified individuals for the second batch, the governor described youth as the bridge to the future, emphasising that this is why his administration prioritises human capital development.
He said, “Today, we are beginning phase two of that significant journey to ensure that our youth are empowered on a sustainable basis, teaching them how to fish and eliminating hunger.
“Phase one of the programme trained 5,000 youths through a unique system of ‘igba boi,’ mentorship, and more. Many of them have been empowered and several are now employers of labour.
“In this second batch, we received 183,000 applications, and over 8,000 people were selected due to limited available spaces.
“As we launch this phase, I thank Anambra youth for being responsible citizens. Thank you for deciding not to protest—not because you don’t feel the pain of the moment, but because of our age-old value system.
“Anambra people celebrate nothing but hard work. I thank our youth for deciding to take their destinies into their own hands.
“Protesting has its place, but it’s even better to take action. For decades, we’ve been singing songs of lamentation, but now, we are doing something to ensure our youth are useful to society.
“This is a unique training programme. Many artisan skills are now in short supply. Looking at your faces today, I see the future millionaires and the youth who will take Anambra and Nigeria to the world.”
He outlined five systematic pillars of the programme: an apprenticeship scheme, entrepreneurial skills training, the formation of cooperatives, a business financing scheme, and a mentorship scheme. He noted that a ₦2 billion grant was disbursed to those who qualified in the last batch.
He added that another ₦2.5 billion start-up capital had been set aside for beneficiaries willing to access it through the Anambra Small Business Agency.
“This is becoming an organic movement. We expect that in every kindred, there will be one person benefitting from the scheme, so that it permeates the whole of Anambra.
“We are recommending this Anambra model to the world. We are upgrading and digitising the system to ensure that former applicants do not reapply and participate.
“The number of applications shows that Anambra youth are eager to take their destinies into their own hands. We will continue to provide the enabling environment. I implore you to take this very seriously.
“This is not a programme for the government to distribute free money, but for those who are ready to make a decent living. It will benefit only qualified trainees. Make the most of it,” he added.
According to the governor, community development has helped Anambra to scale up very quickly, noting that Anambra people believe in collaborative development as well as the “leave no one behind” mantra.
“I encourage friends of Anambra to join us. Public-Private-Community Partnership is the fastest way to scale up the development of Anambra.
“We are determined to deliver good value, but we need partners. To developmental partners who have funds, this is an opportunity,” he added.
The Commissioner for Youth Development, Patrick Aghamba, praised the governor for his support of the initiative, which he described as a model worthy of emulation.
Aghamba said, “This is a historic event. 8,620 youths have qualified in various skills across the local government areas of the state. Mr Governor, you have developed a model worthy of emulation that will live beyond you, with an emphasis on ‘quality.’
“You are determined to give the youth the best and nothing but the best. You believe in the youth, and you are changing the narrative, with a target of raising 1,000 youth millionaires annually.
“We appreciate your interest in quality assurance. The ministry is determined to ensure that your model becomes the benchmark.”
The Commissioner assured that the lessons learned during the first phase will be used to improve and modify the second phase, expressing optimism that the achievement rate will be scaled up to 95 per cent.
He commended the beneficiaries for enduring the rigorous process.
Nigeria in political, economic intensive care unit – Bode George
A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode George, on Thursday, urged President Bola Tinubu to revisit some of his policies to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians.
George, who gave the advice while addressing a news conference on the state of the nation in Lagos, called on the President to unravel issues around oil and gas, as well as power sectors to get the country out of the woods.
“Having been trained by this nation and worked for this country, if I see things not going the right direction and keep quiet, I will be failing. So, it is not a matter of fighting.
“Our country Nigeria is in a political and economic intensive care unit. So, we need proper surgeons- political surgeons and economic surgeons.
“We are talking about people who have gone through this before, who should be able to come to give us that freshness of breath to get out. We must put smiles on the faces of Nigerians no matter where they reside.
“Well, some of us can manage, but what about the myriads of so many young Nigerians who cannot even have any meal,” George said.
Speaking on the oil and gas sector and issues around fuel subsidy, the elder statesman urged the President to speak the truth to Nigerians.
On electricity, the PDP leader decried the high cost of power, saying that the development had killed so many small businesses out of markets.
George, who expressed surprise that not one of 18 gas turbines bought by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo had been fired, said that regular and cost effective power supply remained the backbone of the economy.
On the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest, George commended young Nigerians who went out peacefully to give feedback on policies to the government.
On food insecurity, the PDP leader, noting that the solution was not in the importation of food, said there should be short, medium and long term policies to empower farmers.
He urged the President to assemble former and current managing directors of banks in a closed door meeting for the way forward.
George, who advocated restructuring, power devolution, resources control and electoral reforms, urged the President and the National Assembly to revisit the 2014 National Conference.
On the recent Supreme Court’s ruling granting full autonomy to local governments, he said that the Federal Government did not have any business with local governments.
Speaking further, the elder statesman decried the alleged high-handedness of Lagos State task force in impounding and auctioning motorcycles and vehicles of traffic offenders, describing it as wickedness.
The elder statesman said that Nigeria must bury the problem of tribalism and religious bigotry slowing down its progress.
Nigeria in political, economic intensive care unit – Bode George
NUPRC set to amend domestic crude supply regulations
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission is set to amend the Domestic Crude Supply Obligations Regulations 2023.
The commission stated this in a notice signed by the Chief Executive of the NUPRC, Gbenga Komolafe, on Thursday.
According to the NUPRC, the National Data Repository Regulations will also be reviewed.
In the notice, the commission said it wanted to consult with stakeholders for their input.
“In line with Section 216 (1) of the PIA 2021, which requires the commission to consult with stakeholders before finalising regulations or amendments to regulations, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission hereby invites inputs from lessees, licensees, permit holders, host communities and other stakeholders of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum sector, within 21 days from the date of this publication.
“The matters to which this stakeholder’s inputs and consultations relate are National Data Repository Regulations; Amendment to the Production Curtailment and Domestic Crude Oil Supply Obligations Regulations 2023,” the notice read partly.
It enjoined stakeholders to download and review the proposed regulations at development-pia-2021/.
“Accordingly, submissions of inputs to the regulations are requested as part of the process of stakeholder’s consultation before finalisation of the regulations, to give meaning to the intent of the PIA 2021,” the NUPRC announced.
It directed that all submissions must be made using the format accessible through a link on its site and must be received no later than 21 days from the date of the publication of this notice.
“Kindly forward your submissions to the Head Regulations and Statutory Compliance Unit of NUPRC, Kingston Chikwendu, at [email protected],” the statement concluded.
This is coming amid alleged noncompliance of crude producers with the current DCSO regulations.
Ondo monarch jailed three years for contempt of court
An Ondo State Chief Magistrates Court sitting in Igbokoda has sentenced the Baale of Ebute Ipare Community in Ilaje Local Government Area of the state, Francis Ogundeji, to three years imprisonment for disobedience to court order .
The judgement was delivered on Monday by Senior Magistrate E.A. Manuwa but a copy of the judgement was made available to According Metro on Thursday.
According to the judgement, Ogundeji and one Ikuejamoye Thomas were charged to court for selling a land in the community in November 2022, against a court order. It was gathered that the state High Court sitting in Okitipupa and a Magistrates Court, Igbokoda had restrained people from selling the land but the traditional ruler in collaboration with Thomas went ahead and sold it.
The convicts were also arrested and charged with falsehood as he backdated the receipt of the sale of the land . They were charged on four counts bordering on contempt of court and falsehood.
At the proceeding, the charge was read over to the defendants in English Language and interpreted to them in Yoruba Language to the satisfaction of the court.
The charge sheet read, “That you, Francis Ogundeji, ‘M’, a farmer, (2) Ikuejamoye Thomas, M’, a pensioner, and others at large sometime in month of November 2022 at about 12 pm at the Ebute Ipare Community in the Igbokoda Magisterial District did conspire together to commit an offence to wit, contempt of court and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 517 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
“That you, Francis Ogundeji, ‘M’, a farmer, (2) Ikuejamoye Thomas, ‘M’, a pensioner, and others at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did disrespect the order of the court delivered on the 10th of April 2019 in Suit No: HOK/51/2018 by selling Ebute Ipare Ogunowo descendant land and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 133 (9) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
“That you, Francis Ogundeji, ‘M’, a farmer, (2) Ikuejamoye Thomas, ‘M’, a pensioner, and others at large on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did forge the land receipt of Ebute Ipare Community Ogunowo descendants land by backdating the receipt of sales to read month of November 2022 instead of 16th April, 2017 knowing same to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 467 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
“That you Francis Ogundeji ‘M’ a farmer (2) Ikuejamoye Thomas ‘M’ a pensioner and others at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did disrespect the court order delivered on the 11th of September, 2018 in Suit No: MKD/3M/2018 which was presided by His Worship E.A Manuwa Magistrate Grade I as then was on the rank, over the tussle of land committee of Ebute Ipare Community and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 133 (1 & 9) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.”
The Magistrate, Mr. E.A. Manuwa, found Ogundeji and Thomas guilty of the offence in count three and were sentenced to three years imprisonment with an option of a fine of N150,000 each. But the court discharged and acquitted Thomas on community counts one, two and four.
The Magistrate ruled, “The first defendant, Ogundeji Francis, is hereby sentenced to three months imprisonment on count one or pay the sum of N30,000.00 to the purse of the state government as fine.
“The first defendant, Ogundeji Francis, also sentenced to three months imprisonment or pay the sum of N30,000.00. The second defendant is hereby discharged and acquitted of the offence in count two.
“In count three, both the first and second defendants are sentenced to three years imprisonment each or pay a fine of N150,000.00 each to the purse of the state government
“The first defendant, Ogundeji Francis, is also sentenced to only months imprisonment or pay the sum of N30,000.00 to the purse of the state government. The second defendant is hereby discharged and acquitted of the offence in count four.”
The court, however, ruled that the terms of imprisonment of the first defendant would run consecutively in count.
Adekuoroye crashes out of wrestling
Odunayo Adekuoroye lost her quarterfinal women’s wrestling 57 kg fight, narrowly missing out on a place in the semifinals on Thursday.
Her loss further blighted Nigeria’s medal hopes in the event following Blessing Oborududu’s futile quest for a medal in the women’s freestyle 68 kg earlier this week.
After defeating Fouzia Aouissi by a VIN (Victory by Injury) in the second round also on Friday, Odunayo was looking good in the quarterfinal against China’s Kexin Hong, leading 4-0 at some point.
But the witty Hong came fighting back, scoring 8 points in quick succession and eventually winning the fight 10-8.
She lost to Sweden’s Sofia Mattsson at the same stage of the 2016 Olympics.
Bello, Otuedo fail to advance in canoeing
Nigeria also exited the women’s canoe single 200m event on Thursday, as both
Ayomide Bello and Beauty Akinaere Otuedo failed to progress to the semifinals.
Bello finished 6th in the second quarterfinal with a time of 49.24s, while Otuedo came in 8th in the 3rd heat, crossing the line in 1:01.82.
Ibadin out of 800m
Edose Ibadin missed out on a place in the semifinals of men’s 800m after the Nigerian record holder finished 7th in his repechage heat with a time of 1:49.09 on Friday.
Botswana’s Kethobogile Haingura took the automatic spot with a time of 1:45.05.
4x100m relay teams flop
Nigeria’s hopes of securing medals in the 4x100m relay events came crashing on Thursday.
The quartet of Favour Ashe, Kanyinsola Ajayi, Alaba Akintola, and Usheoritse Itsekiri finished 7th with a season’s best of 38.20s in the men’s heat, which was not enough for them to go through.
South Africa grabbed an automatic spot in the final, finishing 2nd in an SB of 37.94s, with the USA winning the race in 37.47s.
In the women’s category, the quartet of Justina Eyakpobeyan, Favour Ofili, Rosemary Chukwuma, and Tima Godless finished 6th in heat 2, running a Season’s Best of 42.70s, but missing out on an automatic position into the final.
Lawal misses out on weightlifting medal
Folashade Lawal missed out on a medal in women’s 59kg weightlifting, finishing 5th in the event with a total lift of 230kg in the Snatch and Clean & Jerk.
She came so close to finishing on the podium, missing out on 3rd place by 5kg overall.
She gave it her all, smashing her personal best in the Clean and Jerk by 5 kg.
Lawal, however, didn’t lift her two attempts of 103 kg, finishing the Snatch with a lift of 100 kg. She will start the Clean & Jerk with 120kg.
Bandits kill woman, daughter escapes with bullets in Plateau
Bandits have killed a woman identified as Mrs Shoni Michael in Plateau State.
Residents said her daughter, who was with her, escaped when she was also shot by the terrorists before they fled into the bush.
It was learnt that the victims were cooking food in their house in the Mangu community when the gunmen attacked them, killing the woman on the spot while her daughter sustained injuries.
The incident, According Metro further gathered, happened in Kikyau village in Mangu Local Government Area on Wednesday evening.
A resident of Kikyau village, Charity Jatau, confirmed the attack to According Metro in Jos on Thursday.
Jatau said, “An aged woman was killed in our Kikyau village last night after she was shot by armed men who we know to be Fulani terrorists. Her name is Shoni Michael but her daughter sustained gun shot injuries.
“It’s very sad because the victims were at their residence while preparing food for the family at 4:30 pm on Wednesday when the terrorists suddenly appeared and opened fire on them.”
The resident who condemned the attack called on the security agents to beam their searchlight on Kikyau and the neighbouring communities to stop the activities of the terrorists that had become more regular in recent time.
The spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command was not readily available when contacted on the incident as his phone indicated that it was unreachable.
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Two Beninese arrested for alleged car theft in Lagos
Two nationals from the Republic of Benin, Kosoko Rafiu and Nunayo Sunayo, have been apprehended for allegedly stealing a vehicle in Lagos State.
The suspects were arrested while attempting to flee with the stolen vehicle along the Mile 2-Badagry Expressway on August 6, 2024.
According Metro gathered that the suspects, after hijacking the vehicle, tried to evade a police checkpoint by speeding.
However, they were eventually caught at the Abule Ado area of the state.
Confirming the incident, on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, stated that the suspects had stolen the vehicle from a function in the Anthony Village area.
“These suspects, who specialise in stealing vehicles from events, thought the ongoing protests would provide them an easy escape route out of Nigeria,” Hundeyin said.
He further explained the circumstances leading to their arrest.
“Luck ran out on them after stealing the vehicle at about 12am.
“While on a special duty due to the ongoing protests, the Divisional Police Officer of Trade Fair received intelligence that a red Toyota Corona was heading their way.
“The vehicle was suspiciously moving at a high speed, prompting the DPO to alert his team for a stop and search operation,” he said.
Hundeyin added that upon reaching the checkpoint, the suspects sped off again.
He said, “They were immediately given a hot chase and eventually flagged down at Abule Ado, where they were promptly arrested along with the stolen vehicle and taken to the police station for further investigation.”
According to him, during the investigation, the suspects confessed to travelling from the Republic of Benin specifically to steal vehicles in Nigeria.
The police spokesperson also said that the Toyota Corona, with registration number JJJ 741 EJ, was recovered from the suspects along with various charms, adding that the investigation into the matter was ongoing.
Bode George to Tinubu: Revisit your policies to address hardship in Nigeria
A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, on Thursday urged President Bola Tinubu to revisit some of his government’s policies to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians.
George, who spoke at a media briefing on the state of the nation in Lagos, asked the president to address the problems in the petroleum and power sectors to get the country out of the woods.
The former Ondo State military governor was reacting to the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests arranged by some group of Nigerians to express their frustration over the hardship and other socio-economic challenges occasioned by the policy initiatives of the Tinubu administration.
He said: “Having been trained by this nation and worked for this country, if I see things not going the right direction and keep quiet, I will be failing. So, it is not a matter of fighting.
“Our country Nigeria is in a political and economic intensive care unit.
“So, we need proper surgeons- political surgeons and economic surgeons.
“We are talking about people who have gone through this before, who should be able to come to give us that freshness of breath to get out.
“We must put smiles on the faces of Nigerians no matter where they reside.
“Well, some of us can manage, but what about the myriads of so many young Nigerians who cannot even have any meal.”
On the oil and gas sector and issues around fuel subsidy, the elder statesman urged President Tinubu to tell Nigerians the truth.
“In the oil sector, we hear about fuel subsidy today, the next day we hear there is no fuel subsidy.
“So, what exactly is the truth? We want to know. My perception of the handling of the oil sector of our country is very disappointing,” he added.
The PDP chieftain also decried the high electricity tariff, saying the development had kicked so many small businesses out of markets.
George, who expressed surprise that none of the 18 gas turbines bought by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo had been fired, said regular and cost-effective power supply remained the backbone of the economy.
“Even this office, we spend nothing less than N3 million a month now for only electricity and I wonder how small businesses can survive in this kind of situation,” the former chairman of the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA) lamented.
George commended the young Nigerians who embarked on protests against the government policies.
“It is normal, especially in a democratic governance. The government is supposed to listen to those who voted for them.
“The Gen Zs are restless, and what is happening in the north is a reflection of the restlessness of the youth.
“They have been to university and graduated. Where is hope, where is the job and where is food? They are bound to react,” he concluded.
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Terrorists’ arms supplier arrested in Kaduna – Army
The Nigerian Army, on Thursday, said it successfully dismantled a gun-running syndicate supplying arms and ammunition to terrorist groups operating in the North-West.
In a post on its official X handle on Thursday, the Nigerian Army said toops also apprehended a notorious kidnapping syndicate and recovered a substantial cache of arms and ammunition from the suspects.
The army, in another raid, apprehended a member of a kidnap syndicate responsible for the assassination of the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in the Orelope Local Government Area of Oyo State, Alhaji Mairuga Abubakar.
The army said the troops, working in coordination with other security agencies, on Wednesday, seized a notorious gunrunner, Mallam Yau Ibrahim.
The post said the suspect was nabbed at Babinga Kudaru village of Saminaka, in the Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, following an earlier apprehension of another syndicate member on July 31 by the troops of Operation Safe Haven in Jos, Plateau State.
“Among the items recovered are one AK-47 rifle, AK-47 rifle magazine, 1,641 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, and 49 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition,” it said.
In Katsina State, the Nigerian army said its troops laid an ambush and neutralised a terrorist at Anguwa Boka in Faskari Local Government Area.
It added that the troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 Magazine, three rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition, a mobile phone and assorted items.
The army also said its troops, in a separate operation, tracked and apprehended one Abubakar Shehu (25) in the Ijebu-Ode area of Ogun State.
“Shehu is a member of a kidnap syndicate responsible for the assassination of Alhaji Mairuga Abubakar, the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in Orelope Local Government Area of Oyo State.
“Following preliminary investigation, the suspect led troops to Okoka forest in the Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State.
“They recovered four AK-47 rifles, a locally fabricated pistol, eight magazines, one cartridge, and 110 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition.
“The troops are continuing their pursuit of other members of the kidnap syndicate,’’ it added.