Senator Ned Nwoko has denied reports claiming that he died in Switzerland.
Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District, in a statement on Friday in Abuja, said that the reports were entirely false and malicious.
”In recent weeks, I have also been subjected to unwarranted insults and accusations regarding the purchase of a car for a little content creator.
“These claims are baseless and misleading. Whether this is a misguided joke or a deliberate act of malice, it has gone too far and will not be tolerated.
“I am taking immediate legal action against those spreading these falsehoods. Arrests will be made, and anyone involved should be prepared to face the consequences.
“This is not a matter of influence; it is about holding those responsible accountable for their harmful actions.
”I will not tolerate any attempts to malign my character or to downplay the seriousness of this situation.
“If you are involved in these activities, expect to face legal repercussions without delay,” Nwoko warned.
I’m alive – Nwoko denies death rumour
I’m alive – Nwoko denies death rumour
Victims, families recount ordeals, demand bailout
As the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest fizzles out, many Nigerians, especially in the north, will live with the wounds, scars and financial losses for a long time to come.
The protests against economic hardship, which started August 1, continued even after President Bola Tinubu called for an end to the demonstrations that faced a crackdown from security forces, who reportedly shot at the protesters in various states in the northern part.
The cost-of-living crisis was fueled by surging inflation, at a 28-year high, and government economic policies that pushed the naira to record lows against the dollar.
At least 17 persons were reportedly killed in Abuja, Kano, Niger, Borno, Kaduna and Jigawa, with several others injured on the opening day of the protest against the nation’s worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation and against the corruption and alleged bad governance that have stifled its development.
In Suleja, a major town in Niger State, six people were feared killed when the protesters reportedly attempted to invade a police station. Four people allegedly died on the spot while others who sustained gunshot wounds were rushed to the Gwagwalada General Hospital. Two of the wounded died on the way to the hospital.
The country’s security forces have been accused of using excessive force in the nationwide protests and even though Muyiwa Adejobi, the Nigeria Police Force spokesman, admitted instances of killings during the protests, he claimed none were carried out by the police.
However, the Nigerian Army, through its spokesman, Major-General Onyema Nwachukwu, admitted on Wednesday that one of its soldiers killed a teenager Ismail Muhammad in Zaria, Kaduna State, thus admitting that security agencies deployed to monitor the activities of the #EndBadGovernance protesters across the country used live bullets on protesters.
The confirmation of the use of ammunition by the military immediately contradicted the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun’s claim that none of the nation’s security agencies applied excessive force, including the use of live bullets on the protesters.
Amnesty International condemned the use of deadly action against the protesters, accusing the security operative of killing at least 21 protesters during a week of rallies against economic hardship.
The global body stated, “Our findings, so far, show that security personnel at the locations where lives were lost deliberately used tactics designed to kill while dealing with gatherings of people protesting hunger and deep poverty.”
In a statement, Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka also slammed the government for the use of live bullets against unarmed protesters.
“Live bullets as state response to civic protest – that becomes the core issue. Even tear gas remains questionable in most circumstances, certainly an abuse in situations of clearly peaceful protest. Hunger marches constitute a universal S.O.S, not peculiar to the Nigerian nation,” Soyinka wrote.
Aside the dead, the protest recorded other casualties who barely survived to recount their near-death experiences as the nationwide demonstrations fizzled out.
A cameraman with the African Independent Television cameraman, Femi Kuku, narrowly escaped being shot by security operatives, who reportedly opened fire on journalists covering the protest at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja last Saturday.
Kuku noted that the security operatives knew that they were all journalists yet opened fire on them.
While Kuku ran for his dear life, he fell into an uncovered manhole and suffered a dislocation on his left leg.
“It was my colleagues who picked me up and pushed me inside the Toyota Sienna vehicle we came with because I could not walk at that point,” he said. “When we moved forward a bit, we stopped to check if everybody was okay, and that was when we saw them coming towards us again with their vehicles. They came down and started shooting again, so we sped off into town.
“From that point, we went to the office, and I was taken to the hospital to check my leg. I had no bruises but the left leg and ankle are swollen, it’s very painful, so I leap walk now.”
Gombe victims
On Saturday, officials at the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe said no fewer than eight persons were brought in for medical attention following the demonstrations, with six still receiving treatment.
“Five of the patients are in Accident and Emergency (ward) with multiple fractures, lacerations and another is in Intensive Care Unit,” an official of the hospital told The According.
It was learnt that the patient in ICU had two bullet wounds and was on life support.
One of the patients, Mohammed Abdulrawuf, 18, who had his right leg heavily bandaged, sobbed as he recounted how he was shot at by security personnel in Gombe.
The teenager, who denied being among the protesters, said he was hit by a bullet as security personnel chased irate youths who looted shops in Gombe.
He added that his dream of becoming a military officer might be dashed if he didn’t receive adequate medical attention.
He said, “I was at my uncle’s house when area boys (hoodlums) attacked people, burgled shops, and caused chaos. As I left for my house, police and soldiers started pursuing everyone, including me, despite not being part of the protest.
“In the midst of the chaos, I fell into a gutter. One of them shot me in the leg. He wants to end my lifetime ambition of serving in the Nigerian Army. I don’t have a father and I’m the only one fending for my family,” he added.
He begged the Federal Government to come to his aid, saying he is still hopeful of becoming an army officer in the future.
“I pray can walk properly after treatment, which will still make me eligible to join the army, so, I’m calling on the government to financially support the victims of the protest in our time of need,” he said.
The patient at the Accident and Emergency ward, Rabiu Ibrahim, a 27-year-old commercial motorcyclist, was visibly helpless following a fracture and several cuts he sustained.
“I need emergency assistance. As you can see I have a fracture on one hand and on the other is a tendon injury and multiple lacerations,” the native of Balanga Local Government Area, told The According.
He claimed he was not part of the protest.
“I had just returned from my grandfather’s house, and I was in front of my house around Central Primary School when men of the PMF 99 accosted me and beat me up, giving me multiple fractures, lacerations and a tendon injury.”
Also, Hassan Haruna, 18, a fish seller, recounted how he found himself at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe.
“I went to the peaceful protest but police shot teargas around the roundabout. As I tried to escape I was cut by an abandoned glass that pierced my leg, which led to excessive bleeding, I lost a lot of blood and became very weak.”
No fewer than 205 church chairs, musical instruments and other equipment worth millions of naira were reportedly stolen by hoodlums, who invaded a Living Faith Church in Daura Local Government Area of the Katsina State, on the first day of the nationwide protest against hardship.
“They packed everything inside the church auditorium, including the digital wall clock, musical instruments, pastor’s chairs, plastic chairs and a desktop computer at the reception, as well as a scoreboard where the accountant usually kept church documents. They scattered everything,” the church pastor, David Jato, said.
“The protest began around 10am and the hoodlums, many of them in Keke Napep (tricycle), just diverted to the church, destroyed the door and glasses and penetrated the church auditorium.
“Three churches were their target and while they succeeded in invading the Living Faith Church and Deeper Life, they couldn’t gain access into the third, the Anglican Church.”
A viral video showed policemen wrestling with Hamza Waziri, a physically challenged person, on his wheelchair in front of the Bauchi State Government House.
Waziri, who relies on a wheelchair for mobility, was peacefully exercising his constitutional right to protest when he was attacked by the police officers.
Leader of the Initiative for the Liberalisation of Physically Challenged People Waziri said he was with other physically challenged persons exercising their constitutional rights of peaceful demonstration when they were attacked by the security personnel.
He told The According, “I decided to organise this protest to show my displeasure with the current economic situation of the country. In the process, I was doing a live video and one of the policemen came to me and said that I had filmed him and they were trying to grab the phone from me. And they were hustling me to grab the phone from my hand and that is how they kept brutalising me. They gave me a couple of punches as you could see from the video.
“So, basically I was very peaceful. We were not more than 10, just to raise our placards which read ‘Employment should be for all’ and ‘Inclusive Society.’”
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Bauchi State Governor, Mukhtar Gidado, said Governor Bala Mohammed had ordered a “thorough investigation into the incident involving a person with a disability and security personnel at the Government House.”
Gidado stated, “Governor Bala Mohammed has made it clear that the welfare and rights of all citizens, especially vulnerable groups, remain his top priority. He directed a thorough investigation to ascertain the facts surrounding the incident and ensure that justice is served.”
The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities demanded justice following the assault.
“The actions of the police officers involved are a clear violation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (prohibition) Act of 2018 and the fundamental human rights enshrined in our constitution,” executive secretary, NCPWD, James Lalu, said.
“This reprehensible act, captured in a video currently circulating on social media, shows Mr. Waziri being brutally battered while exercising his constitutional right to peaceful protest in front of the Bauchi State Government House.
“Hamza Waziri is not only a person with a disability but also a respected member of the CODE Board of Trustees, a Mandela Washington Fellow, a Chevening Fellow, and the founder of the Initiative for the Liberalisation of Physically Challenged People in Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has called on the Federal Government to investigate the killings of some protesters in some parts of the country.
The body stated this in a communiqué issued at the end of its meeting held at the residence of its leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, at Ogbo Ijebu, Ogun State on Thursday.
The communiqué, which was signed by Adebanjo and the National Publicity Secretary of the organisation, Justice Faloye, read, “The Federal Government should investigate deliberate violation of rights, particularly the circumstances of the killing of those who died in the protests and bring to book those – including security agents – proven to be culpable in these regard.”
The group urged President Bola Tinubu “to see the nationwide protest, the diversity of its prosecution and outcome in different regions, as a clear verdict for the restructuring of the Nigerian federation in tandem with the well-considered foundational covenant of true federalism and in honest demonstration of statesmanship immediately set in motion irreversible machineries, in this regard as the panacea for the unity, peaceful coexistence and development of a nation where no man, woman or tribe is oppressed.”
Also on Thursday, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, pledged to ensure justice for Ismail Muhammad, the 16-year-old who was killed by a soldier during a protest in Samaru, Zaria.
Sani stated on X.com, “Today (Thursday), I dispatched a high-powered delegation made up of top government officials and heads of security agencies to condole with the family of the teenager, Ismail Muhammad, who was killed when troops of the Nigerian Army mobilised to disperse a mob in Samaru area of Sabon Gari LGA during the last protest.
“The team was led by the Overseeing Commissioner for Internal Security, Samuel Aruwan. While the team was with the family, I spoke on the phone with the father of the deceased, Muhammad Hussaini, and expressed our deepest condolences.
“I told him that we are deeply pained by the unfortunate incident and will leave no stone unturned to ensure that justice is served. A full and thorough investigation will be conducted and the culprit will be brought to book.
“I will stay in close contact with the family of the deceased in these trying times.”
Barakat N5bn loss
In Kano, several public and private facilities, including the Nigerian Communications Commission, Kano State High Court and a number of vehicles parked within the court’s premises were vandalised and looted, as well as the Kano State Printing Press among several others.
Popular supermarket in the city, Barakat Stores, was among the worst hit with a reported loss of over N5bn to hoodlums during the anti-hunger protest in Kano.
The General Manager of the supermarket, Alhaji Muhammad Sani, made the disclosure in a telephone interview with The According on Wednesday.
He said the hoodlums, who stormed their warehouse located along State Road, near Government House, vandalised and looted the warehouse, including three containers of items that were imported from China and Turkey.
“Just a few days into the protest we imported two containers of items we deal in from China and a container of King’s Oil (vegetable oil) from Turkey and we have not even paid for them,” he said.
The General Manager, who lamented the colossal loss, called on the government for assistance.
“We have already lost our investment to the hoodlums, but any assistance from the government will be appreciated.”
Similarly, another victim and proprietor of She-She Supermarket located along Hadeja Road, Ammar Khalil, said he lost over N30m to the hoodlums.
According to him, items stolen from the pharmacy and supermarket include computers, machines for testing ailments, as well as drugs and other essential commodities.
“I have never witnessed such in Kano. These are youths who don’t have anything doing in the town. I think the government has to do something about youth unemployment in Kano otherwise in the next 10 years even the state governor will not escape from their attacks,” Khalil said.
He called on the Federal Government to help victims who suffered huge losses as a result of the protest in the state and other parts of the country.
One of our correspondents reported that the Gombe State Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Bima Lodge, Kumbiya-Kumbiya Primary Healthcare Centre, Gombe Main Market and Blue Jay Motor Park – a commercial motor company where six Sienna vehicles were destroyed – were all vandalised, among others in Gombe city.
Papa Ejinma, an Igbo trader, had his shop destroyed in Gombe and is still counting his financial losses.
“What I lost is over N10m, they swept all my goods. I’m pleading with the Gombe State Government and the Federal Government to intervene.”
Anambra State-born Ekene Ihechuoha, who deals in spare parts for vehicles, told our correspondent that he lost his goods on Friday to hoodlums following the protest.
“I’m at Michika House BCG, Gombe. Many thought I had passed because of the injuries I sustained. They inflicted cuts on my head, back and neck.
“They made away with the spare parts outside my shop, things like two wind shafts; bearing and they took my phone. I lost over N210, 000, my phone amount not inclusive.”
In Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, Boko Haram extremists killed four protesters but sources told The According others suffered varying injuries after protesters clashed with the police, which led to sporadic shootings and alleged use of grenade by the security operatives.
One of the victims, Mohammed Dauda, was allegedly shot at in a mechanic workshop in Maiduguri.
Dauda’s sister, Fatima, said he was currently being treated at an undisclosed location.
She said, “My junior brother Mohammed was out for work on Thursday. Our elder brother, who works in the same place with him, said he witnessed the incident live. He told us that Mohammed wanted to cross the road, but police stopped him from crossing. He insisted and in the process of crossing the road, police shot at his leg.”
A crying Halima Ali, mother to one of the victims, Habila, added, “I was at home in Bulumkutu Kasuwa on the protest day when Habila said he was going out. I warned him to stay indoors because of the situation that very day. He insisted that he was only going to see his friend.
“When they (him and his friends) were outside, I didn’t know what happened, but his friends said there was chaos and police unleashed grenade and everybody ran for cover; it was in the process that the friends said police shot my son.”
Halima added that the Federal Government should treat the victims of the protest, as well as compensate them and their families.
“People came out to protest against hunger and poverty, so, where do you expect them to get the money to treat themselves? Government should set up emergency centres to treat those injured and also compensate families of the ones killed,” she said.
Despite the use of lethal force against protesters and the arrest of over a thousand of them, which many believed led to the gradual withdrawal of the demonstrators, Damilare Adenola, Director of Mobilisation, Take It Back Movement, one of the organisers of the protest, said they had not backed out of the protest, adding that the issue was the government clampdown on activists and protesters.
“The protest has not died down. We should be talking about how the government continually cracks down on free speech, making it unsafe for activists and citizens to express their human rights,” Adenola stated.
•Additional reports: Katsina Tukur Muntari, Isah Ojo Peter Dada, Godwin Isenyo, Lara Adejoro
APC, opposition clash over NLC secretariat invasion
Opposition parties in the country, on Thursday, condemned Wednesday’s raid on the Nigeria Labour Congress national headquarters in Abuja by security agents.
The According reports that the armed men, allegedly from the DSS, invaded the NLC office and carted away several documents.
According to the congress, the raid took place around 8:30 pm, with operatives reportedly breaking into the Labour House.
NLC’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Benson Upah, said the attackers ransacked the bookshop on the second floor, confiscating hundreds of books and other publications.
“The invading team claimed that they were searching for seditious materials allegedly used during the #EndBad Governance protests,” Upah said.
But the DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, denied the allegation.
“Please, kindly note that the Service (DSS) did not carry out any operation at the NLC office in Abuja,”Afunanya told The According.
Opposition parties, in separate interviews with The According, condemned the action,
But the ruling All Progressives Congress urged for restraint, saying it was too early to rush to a conclusion and start casting aspersions.
The PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, characterised the action as an attempt to suppress the labour union.
“What happened yesterday is condemnable. As a party, we do not subscribe to that approach. Security agencies shouldn’t be deployed to go to institutions of the state, like the labour office, to ransack them and then suspect or blackmail them into sponsoring what you call a protest. Nigerians are entitled to their rights. Nigerians can see through them and through the government, and they have decided that they will go on the street.
“It is condemnable. As a party, we do not support it, and we see it as a further attempt to coerce the citizens and get them into silence. That is just the attempt or the decision of the APC,” the PDP chieftain said.
Similarly, the chief spokesman for the Labour Party presidential candidate, Yunusa Tanko, also condemned the action.
Tanko said, “The action of the security agencies is totally condemnable. No one needs to come into the NLC office in a commando style. These are people who are accessible to you. At any point in time, you can easily walk into the NLC office and issue them a warrant and say you suspect something is going on and you want to charge them if you find anything incriminating. So what is all this showmanship of barging into the NLC office unannounced and saying you are investigating some documents? These are respected union leaders, not criminals.”
Also condemning the invasion, the National Publicity Secretary of New Nigeria People’s Party, Ladipo Johnson, “One begins to wonder whether they are going back to the military days. One begins to wonder about their propensity to tolerate constructive criticism or protests, which is an aspect of democracy for that matter. It would seem that from Mr. President’s speech, he feels that the people do not understand. He hasn’t expressed that he will look again at some of his major policies that people believe have brought the economy to the stage it is at.”
Also, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), described the invasion as a “shameful reminder” of the dark days of military dictatorship in a statement he personally signed on Thursday.
“For genuine democrats, it’s utterly regrettable that official actions in a democratic dispensation could be reminiscent of the atrocities that defined the dark days of military dictatorship.
“It is incontestable that it is illegal for security forces to invade the homes and offices of law-abiding citizens and corporate bodies under a democratic dispensation,” Falana said.
Also, the Civil Liberties Organisation described the invasion as “an egregious abuse of democratic principles,” in a statement by its Executive Director, Ibuchukwu Ezike.
“We demand that the police return carted NLC property without delay and tender an apology to them for this flagrant and heinous act,” the CLO said.
However, the ruling APC called for calm, saying it was too early to start trading blame over the alleged invasion.
In an exclusive phone call, the National Publicity Director of the party, Bala Ibrahim, said, “It is something that can be multidirectional and one thing leads to another. Unless and until you are able to get information from those who are investigating as to what prompted their action, you cannot just pre-empt and jump to a conclusion by saying a particular action is wrong.
“You don’t know from the angle they are coming. It might be some information given to them and, in their course of investigation and in an attempt to leave no stone unturned, they will invade premises, with a view to getting clues. One thing about crime is that no matter how smart you are, you always must leave behind something that will give clue to it. So that is the ugly side of crime.
“I think for now, it will be too early to jump to a conclusion and say action A or action B is wrong. It has to be after the investigators have been debriefed and got information with regard to what led to their action. Let’s not begin to paint political pictures, based on emotions and sentiments. We will be one-sided and wrong.”
Court declines jurisdiction on El-Rufai’s fundamental rights suit
The Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna, presided over by Justice R.M. Aikawa, has declined jurisdiction in the suit filed by former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, seeking to set aside the Adhoc Committee report of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, among other declaratory reliefs.
In two separate rulings before delivering the judgment, Justice Aikawa held that the applicant failed to prove any of the circumstances that would necessitate setting aside the court’s trial as sought by the applicant.
The court also struck out the application for the judge to recuse himself, citing the applicant’s failure to provide convincing reasons or facts for the court to do so, as determined by a plethora of decided cases.
The court declined jurisdiction rather than dismissing or striking out the suit, as prayed for by both counsels to the respondents.
Additionally, the court exercised its powers under Section 22(2) of the Federal High Court Act and transferred the suit to the Kaduna State Chief Judge for determination by the High Court of Kaduna State.
Femi Falana, SAN, and Sani Katu, SAN, were counsels to the 1st respondent, while Sule Shuaibu, SAN, Attorney General of Kaduna State, and Jummai Danazumi, Esq., were counsels to the 2nd respondent.
After the judgment, some lawyers stated that the ruling should be seen as a victory for the rule of law and a testament to the independence of the judiciary.
“It sends a strong message that the courts will not be swayed by attempts to undermine the legal process,” they said.
Court declines jurisdiction on El-Rufai’s fundamental rights suit
Jigawa offers free healthcare to hypertension, diabetes, sickle cell Patients
The Jigawa State Government said hypertension, diabetes and sickle cell patients will receive free healthcare services in the state.
The Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sport and Culture, Mr Sagir Musa, made this known in a statement in Dutse, the state capital, on Friday.
Musa said the State Executive Council, during its meeting on Thursday, approved that the state programme for Free Maternal Neonatal and Child Healthcare should also cover people with hypertension, diabetes and sickle cell for free treatment in all government-owned hospitals across the 27 Local government areas.
He explained that the council also approved the disbursement of N179.2 million as Direct Facility Financing to the accredited Primary Healthcare Centers.
Council, he said, also approved an additional 17 PHCs across the 281 political wards of the state for the first and second quarters of 2024 by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.
The commissioner added that N69.1 million was also approved for the payment of monthly stipend for 79 Midwives and Community Influencers, Promoters and Services (CHIPS Agents).
According to him, a work plan for the implementation of Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services Project presented by the Ministry of Health, was also approved.
“The IMPACT Project is supported by World Bank with a total amount of N1.2 billion only in the Work plan for the year 2024 for Jigawa for the revitalisation of 161 Primary Healthcare Centres in the state,” Musa said.
NAN.
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Kogi: Explain whereabouts of 20 rice trucks from Nigerians govt – Okai to Gov Ododo
The immediate past candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Dekina/Bassa federal constituency, Usman Okai Austin, has called on the Kogi State Government, led by Governor Usman Ododo, to clarify the whereabouts of the 20 trucks of rice sent to the state by the federal government to alleviate hunger among its citizens.
In a recent announcement, the federal government emphasized its commitment to addressing food insecurity across the nation, particularly in states like Kogi, which have been significantly affected by economic challenges and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The rice distribution initiative was part of a broader strategy to provide immediate relief to vulnerable populations and ensure that no citizen goes hungry.
But, addressing journalists on Friday, Okai expressed deep concern over the state government’s silence regarding this significant issue.
According to Okai: “Withholding information about such essential aid sends a troubling message to the people of Kogi State. The citizens deserve to know where the rice is and how it will be distributed. This is not just a matter of food; it is about transparency and accountability in governance.”
Okai further elaborated on the importance of the rice distribution, noting that it is a critical lifeline for many families struggling to make ends meet.
“The people of Kogi State are waiting for their rightful share of this aid. It is the government’s responsibility to ensure that these resources reach those who need them most,” he added.
In light of the federal government’s announcement, Okai urged Governor Ododo to take immediate action and provide clarity on the situation.
“Silence on such an important issue is not acceptable. Governor Ododo must speak up and assure the people that the rice will be distributed fairly and transparently,” he said.
Moreover, Okai stressed the need for credible individuals to be appointed to oversee the distribution process.
He pointed out that in previous instances, aid has often been diverted or sold instead of reaching the intended beneficiaries.
“We cannot allow history to repeat itself. The rice is not a political tool for the All Progressives Congress (APC) but a resource meant for all citizens, regardless of their political affiliations,” he emphasized.
Okai’s call for action resonates with the broader concerns of Kogi State residents, who are increasingly frustrated with the lack of transparency and accountability in government operations.
As the state grapples with economic challenges, the need for effective governance and equitable distribution of resources has never been more crucial.
Okai urged Ododo to address the situation surrounding the 20 trucks of rice as not just about food distribution; “it is a broader call for responsible governance and a commitment to serving all citizens of Kogi State.”
Kogi: Explain whereabouts of 20 rice trucks from Nigerians govt – Okai to Gov Ododo
SON to prosecute substandard iron rods’ manufacturers, distributors
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria has stated that it will wield the big stick on erring manufacturers and distributors who indulge in the illicit trade of substandard steel in the country.
The Chairman, Special Task Force, SON, Enebi Onuchenyo, at a stakeholders meeting with manufacturers and distributors of steel and iron rods in Lagos on Thursday, said the agency has been inundated with complaints from distributors expressing concerns over the quality of steel and iron rods in the country.
Onuchenyo said, “There was a claim that there are substandard iron rods in the market and this is why we called the manufacturers and distributors and they have both given us useful information that will help us track whoever is behind this unscrupulous act.
“We have also told them that anyone caught in the act would be prosecuted and there is no going back on that.
“My warning to everyone is that as a distributor, do not accept substandard iron rods from manufacturers and as manufacturers, do not produce substandard iron rods. The next phase of this journey is prosecution.”
He said the meeting was meant to bridge the gap between the manufacturer and the distributors in the organisation’s bid to chart a way forward to the nation’s steel sector.
He added, “We have asked the manufacturers to engage in self-regulation because all over the world, the best form of regulation is self-regulation because it is more stringent. If they decide to check themselves to ensure that none of their members toll the wrong path, the sector will be robust and it will make a lot of positive impact on the economy.
“This is what we have been able to discuss today and all of them have agreed to do what we want them to do and we have also given them seven days to provide useful information on their suppliers and distributors to support our fight against substandard goods.
“SON as an organisation is saddled with the responsibility to check the quality of the material used and as per the building department, we have a body that takes care of the building construction.
“We will come in to ensure that whatever goes out from the manufacturer meets the requirements of the relevant standards. From our market surveillance if we see any substandard products we will arrest the distributor. We have told them today that they are as guilty as the manufacturers,.”
Also speaking, the Coordinator, Steel Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Group Felix Oba-Okogie, said there were wrong accusations over the quality of the steel produced locally, stating the urgent need to find out the details of whatever allegations that are against steel manufacturers and come strong on that allegation.
“Until today’s meeting, we regarded those people alleging that we are producing substandard steel other than SON that is by law empowered to say such a thing is basically baseless.
“This meeting that we are having today has put to rest all the allegations. They are not only rubbishing manufacturers, they also smear the reputation of SON. This is not healthy for the country.
“From what we have seen, these “ghost petitions” are coming from a divided unit. These groups are not even manufacturers, but buyers. They have the right to buy elsewhere, but they should not smear the name of SON in the allegation,” he said.
According to him, apart from the government who is the highest employer of labour, steel comes third or fourth, urging local manufacturers to sustain the position in all aspects.
He, however, urged SON to go heavy on illicit dealers of fake and substandard products in its bid to protect the unsuspecting consumers in the country.
“Apart from what SON has been doing, they should go all out beyond their schedule to find out who these distributors are that are trying to tear SON and manufacturers apart. We are also going to play our own part on that. We will do our own part to support this fight.
“For over 60 years, we have been doing the right thing and we were impressed with their regulation. We have been partners in progress and we want it to remain so,” he stressed.
On his part, a member of the Iron Dealers Association of Nigeria, Anambra State chapter, Chukwudi Umeh, commended SON for regulating the steel and iron rod sector, while pledging the association’s support to SON.
He advised that every manufacturer must identify their customers to make it easy for SON to trace products that fail to meet the Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS).
“So anytime there is an issue, they must trace who they sold the products to. It will also help SON to trace the product.
“In other climes, they monitor companies and they also make sure that you cannot produce without the government’s approval,” he advised.
He also stated the need for raids to be carried out from factory to markets, adding that SON must also conduct market research on manufacturers and suppliers to check against substandard products.
“SON must intensify their efforts in their enforcement by paying courtesy visits or enforcement exercises to sites where the iron and steel are being sold to interrogate the dealers. Some people might be supplying from dumpsites,” he urged.
Group to partner Benue lawmakers on gender-based violence
A Non Governmental Organisation known as, ‘Side by Side Movement ‘ has said that plans are ongoing to partner with Benue State Assembly to have relevant laws on gender-based violence.
The Co-chair of the group, Archbishop Cephas Okwori, stated this on Thursday at a press briefing in Makurdi, Benue State capital.
According to him, gender-based violence has become a scourge to Nigerian society and stressed that the scourge had placed Kano state in the red on the index.
He, however, stated that the mission of the group is to ensure equity and justice for both genders when it comes to giving their needs.
He said, “We shall be working together with the religious leaders of both Christians and Muslims, traditional institutions, the media and state legislators to see how relevant laws on gender-based violence can be passed.
“Gender Justice is having the understanding that male and female, boy and girl child are of equal before God.
“It is to be fair to all persons in the way we treat them recognizing either male or female, boy or girl child are all made in the image of God.”
The clergy promised that the organisation is ready to work assiduously to increase awareness creation on gender base violence in some parts of the country.
Okwori lamented the gender base violence ravaging some parts of the country, particularly, Kano state and promised that the group would intensify its mission towards transforming the society that will mitigate and bring to a remarkable reduction the case of gender-based violence.
He added that the African Center for Leadership, Strategy and Development just ended a three day capacity building training for some religious leaders of Christian and Muslim clerics and ethnic community leaders in the state.
The clergy promised that that the organisation will be working to ensure to have a center where victims of gender-based violence can speak out and get justice.
NLC HQ: Hold those responsible for invasion – TUC to Nigerian Govt
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, has urged the Federal Government to hold accountable those responsible for authorizing and executing the invasion of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, headquarters in Abuja.
TUC President, Festus Osifo, who made the call in a statement in Abuja, described the invasion as a grave violation of fundamental rights, particularly the freedoms of speech and expression.
He called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the incident.
According to him, the invasion represents an overreach by security forces and poses a direct threat to the rights of Nigerian citizens.
“We must ensure that our rights are protected and that security agencies operate within the legal boundaries set by our Constitution,” he said.
Osifo called for the prompt return of all confiscated materials and an official explanation for what he termed as an unjustified action.
TVN reports that the NLC confirmed that its national office in Abuja was invaded by security operatives.
According to a statement by NLC spokesperson Benson Upah, late on Wednesday, the operatives arrested the security guards, forcing them to hand over keys to the offices on the second floor.
The operatives then broke into the floor, ransacked the bookshop, and stole hundreds of books and publications.
NLC HQ: Hold those responsible for invasion – TUC to Nigerian Govt
Hold invaders of NLC headquarters accountable, TUC urges FG
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria has urged the Federal Government to hold accountable those responsible for authorising and executing the invasion of the Nigeria Labour Congress headquarters in Abuja.
TUC President, Mr Festus Osifo, said this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.
Osifo described the invasion as a grave violation of fundamental rights, particularly the freedoms of speech and expression.
He called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the incident.
According to him, the invasion represents an overreach by security forces and poses a direct threat to the rights of Nigerian citizens.
“We must ensure that our rights are protected and that security agencies operate within the legal boundaries set by our Constitution,”he said.
Osifo called for the prompt return of all confiscated materials and an official explanation for what he termed as an unjustified action.
NAN reports that the NLC confirmed that its national office in Abuja was invaded by security operatives.
According to a statement by NLC spokesman, Benson Upah, late on Wednesday, the operatives arrested the security guards, forcing them to hand over keys to the offices on the second floor.
The operatives then broke into the floor, ransacked the bookshop, and stole hundreds of books and publications.
(NAN)
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