Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State on Thursday further relaxed the curfew imposed on the Jos-Bukuru metropolis.
He also stated that residents are allowed to go about their lawful activities between 12 noon and 6 pm until further notice.
DAILYPOST recalls that the state government had, on Sunday imposed a 24-hour curfew on the aforementioned areas, citing the need to enhance security and maintain public order.
The curfew was reviewed on Wednesday, allowing residents to move between 2 pm and 6 pm.
The further relaxation of the curfew was announced in a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor, Gyang Bere, and made available to journalists in Jos, the state capital.
It reads: “In light of the improved security situation in the Jos-Bukuru metropolis, the Plateau State Government has further relaxed the curfew, effective today, Thursday, August 8, 2024.
“Residents are now permitted to move freely for their lawful activities from 12 noon to 6 pm daily until further notice.
“The State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, in consultation with security agencies, has authorized this relaxation.
“He assured the public that the government will continue to make decisions in the best interest of the people.
“The Governor, however, commended the residents for their peaceful conduct during the curfew and appealed for continued cooperation with security agencies to ensure the safety and security of the state.”
BREAKING: Gov Mutfwang reviews curfew on Jos-Bukuru metropolis
BREAKING: Gov Mutfwang reviews curfew on Jos-Bukuru metropolis
NLC demands policy reversal, condemns govt’s response to #EndBadGovernance protests
The National Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress has issued a strong condemnation of the Federal Government’s handling of the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests, calling for an immediate reversal of the policies that have plunged the nation into economic hardship.
The NEC convened an emergency meeting on Wednesday to assess the impact of these policies on Nigerian workers and the broader population.
In a communiqué signed by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja, the NEC expressed deep concern over the government’s response to the mass protests, which began on August 1, 2024.
The protests, triggered by widespread discontent over the government’s economic policies, have been met with violence, resulting in the deaths and injuries of several civilians at the hands of the police.
“The NEC is deeply troubled by the government’s high-handed and mismanaged response to the peaceful #EndBadGovernance protests. Instead of addressing the legitimate and fundamental grievances of the people, the government has resorted to violence,” the communiqué stated.
The NLC criticised the government’s decision to implement policies based on advice from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which it described as “anti-poor.” According to the statement, the labour union had previously warned that these policies would lead to severe hardship, but its concerns were dismissed by the government.
The NEC also condemned the government’s trivialisation of treasonable felony charges, which it argued were being used indiscriminately against peaceful protesters.
“The continuous trivialisation of treasonable felony by Government operatives abuses and makes a mockery of it as a high crime against the state,” the communiqué said.
In response to these issues, the NLC issued several resolutions, including a demand for the reversal of the government’s economic policies and the implementation of immediate relief measures to alleviate the suffering of workers and the general populace.
The NLC also called for a National Day of Mourning to honour those who lost their lives during the protests and demanded an independent investigation into the killings and maiming of protesters.
Furthermore, the NEC urged the federal government to engage in meaningful dialogue with representatives of the protesters, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to resolve the ongoing crisis. The NLC warned that failure to do so could compel the union to direct its members to stay home for their safety.
“The NEC-in-session urges the federal government to engage in meaningful dialogue with representatives of the protesters, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to resolve all the issues at stake to end the national carnage. This is to avoid NLC being compelled to direct its members to stay home for the safety of their lives,” the communiqué said.
The NEC also expressed strong disapproval of the government’s interference in the affairs of the NLC, particularly the actions of the Minister of Labour and the Registrar of Trade Unions.
The communiqué called for the immediate withdrawal of a “politically motivated” letter sent to the NLC by the Registrar of Trade Unions.
NSCDC parades fake naval officer in Anambra
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Anambra State Command, has arrested a suspect impersonating Nigerian Navy personnel and engaging in fraudulent activities in Anambra State.
The suspect, Chukwugozirim Christian, a 39-year-old male from Nnobi in the Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, was apprehended at Kwata Junction in Awka on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, by NSCDC operatives on a routine visibility patrol.
The Anambra State NSCDC Commandant, Maku Olatunde, while parading the suspect at the command headquarters in Awka, on Thursday, said preliminary investigations uncovered that the suspect, had been masquerading as a naval officer, duping innocent civilians and engaging in a string of criminal activities.
Olatunde commended the NSCDC operatives for their vigilance and professionalism in apprehending the suspect.
He said, “On Tuesday, August 6, 2024, our personnel were on patrol to enforce the directive issued by the Commandant General, Ahmed Audi, to prevent undesirable elements and undemocratic forces from causing chaos and disrupting the peace among law-abiding residents of the state, particularly during the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest.
“The suspect was observed exhibiting an unusual appearance while impersonating military personnel, and his dubious behaviour caught the attention of our operatives, who promptly pursued and apprehended him, subsequently bringing him in for questioning at our office.
“Upon questioning, the suspect alleged to be a naval rating, prompting the command to contact the Naval Base in Onitsha for verification. However, the Naval authorities confirmed that he was an impersonator, with no affiliation to the Nigerian Navy.
“A search of the suspect’s residence yielded a trove of incriminating evidence, including various military gear like a walkie-talkie, a black beret and belt, a complete blue combat uniform, a lanyard, a camouflage top, a matchet, a white naval shirt and a blue belt.”
He added that the parade of the fake naval rating serves as a testament to the relentless pursuit of the NSCDC to stop those using the cover of security personnel to perpetrate criminal acts in Anambra.
“The Corps remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding the citizens of Anambra State from impostors and criminals, and we will continue to take decisive action against those who threaten the security and well-being of Anambra residents,” he added.
Meanwhile, the NSCDC state boss has directed the Intelligence and Investigation Department to launch a comprehensive investigation aimed at identifying and apprehending the suspect’s accomplices, who are currently a large and upon the conclusion of the investigation, the suspect will be charged in court.
He assures members of the public that the command under his watch will leave no stone unturned in the fight against crimes and criminality in the state, urging them to remain vigilant and provide the command with timely and accurate information that will lead to the arrest and prosecution of criminal elements.
Court insists Ecobank deposit N1.089bn to settle former Oceanic Bank staff pending final judgment
A National Industrial Court in Lagos has mandated that Ecobank Nigeria deposit N1.086 billion into the account of the Chief Registrar of the National Industrial Court.
This decision comes as the court hears Ecobank’s appeal against a previous judgment.
The order, issued by Justice R. Gwandu, was made in response to Ecobank’s request for a stay of execution regarding a judgment requiring the bank to pay N1,086,611,589.11 to 1,742 former Oceanic Bank employees. The employees had alleged that the bank had failed to pay their Staff Savings and gratuities.
Additionally, the court had previously issued an order nisi for the attachment of all outstanding funds held by Ecobank with the Central Bank of Nigeria and other banks in Nigeria to ensure satisfaction of the judgment debt.
In its recent ruling, the court denied Ecobank’s application to stay the execution of the judgment and upheld the order nisi, requiring the judgment sum to be deposited into the Chief Registrar’s account until the appeal is resolved.
Read also: Tinubu’s aides at war over old video
The case began when the 1,742 ex-Oceanic Bank employees filed a suit against the bank for not providing their entitled benefits. The National Industrial Court subsequently ordered Ecobank to pay the specified amount.
Displeased with this decision, Ecobank filed an appeal and requested a stay of execution. In response, the former employees sought an order nisi for the attachment of funds to satisfy the judgment.
Justice Gwandu, in ruling on both the stay application and the order nisi, stated: “Bench ruling read on motion for stay, order nisi is granted as prayed, stay of execution is denied.”
He further emphasized the court’s responsibility to protect the integrity of its judgment and ensure the subject matter is preserved during the appeal process. The judgment debtor was instructed to pay the amount into the Chief Registrar’s account pending the appeal’s outcome.
The representative action was filed by Mr. Nwabu Okoye, counsel for Mr. Babajide Bayode, Yemisi Adesote, Adeboyejo Oladimeji, Seun Aina, Yusuf Kadiri, Segun Alasan, Adetayo Familugba, and Lolade Olaribigbe, who represented themselves and 1,733 other ex-employees of Oceanic Bank, now Ecobank Nigeria Limited. The claimants had sought various orders from the court.
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Hardship: Prioritise Nigerians’ welfare – NLC tells federal govt
The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has urged the Federal Government to implement policies that would alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.
President of NLC, Mr Joe Ajaero, said this in a communiqué jointly signed by Mr Emmanuel Ugboaja, NLC General Secretary at the end of an emergency meeting on Wednesday in Abuja.
The communiqué was issued at the end of an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council, NEC, to assess the welfare of Nigerian workers and the general populace in light of the hardship.
Ajaero said that the NECin session demanded the reversal of all the “ill-conceived policies” that have led to the current economic crisis.
He said that for accountability, NEC calls for an independent investigation into the killings and maiming of protesters.
“Those responsible for these heinous acts must be held accountable, and justice must be served to the victims and their families.
“All the peaceful protesters held illegally and unconstitutionally in government’s custody must be free without delay,” he said.
He urged the Federal Government to engage in meaningful dialogue with representatives of the protesters, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders.
Ajaero called on the government to implement immediate relief measures to alleviate the suffering of workers and the general populace.
He said these include the provision of direct food aid, subsidies on essential commodities, and other social safety nets.
He added that NEC directs all workers across the country to continue to keep themselves safe in the posttest as the masses try to make their voices heard.
“You must maintain our commitment to non-violence and ensure that our actions are lawful and disciplined as the people protest,” he said.
Hardship: Prioritise Nigerians’ welfare – NLC tells federal govt
Net FX flows increase by 55% to $25.4 billion in six months
The Central Bank of Nigeria has revealed that the net foreign exchange flows into the country increased to $25.4bn in the first six months of 2024, marking a 55 per cent increase from the figure recorded year-over-year.
It stated that the evident progress is a result of its policy measures.
This new development comes against the backdrop of its $876m auction to 26 banks to resolve unmet FX demands.
A statement from the apex bank on Thursday noted that this growth has been fueled by a rise in capital importation, which reached $6bn in June 2024, and record inflows from diaspora remittances through formal channels.
The statement read, “The CBN’s policy objectives are yielding tangible results and bolstering market confidence. Net foreign exchange flows rose to $25.4bn between January and June, marking a 55 per cent year-over-year increase.
“This growth has been driven by a rise in capital importation, which reached $6bn in June 2024, and record inflows from diaspora remittances through formal channels.”
The CBN further noted that over $305m of foreign exchange has been sold to authorized dealers in the last three weeks through a two-way quote system, which has been deployed over the past few months to enhance liquidity in the interbank market.
According to the statement, the CBN offered $876m to meet bids submitted by customers during an auction concluded on Wednesday, August 7, 2024.
This was done through the Retail Dutch Auction System, which is designed to facilitate FX sales to end users directly, promoting a more transparent market, reducing information asymmetry, and aiding in price discovery.
The statement read: “In the latest testament to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s ongoing commitment to support the proper functioning of the foreign exchange market by enhancing liquidity when necessary, the apex bank offered $876m to fulfil bids submitted by customers at an auction concluded on Wednesday, August 7, 2024.
“In line with its pledge to provide transparent access to foreign exchange for all legitimate customers, the CBN’s leadership has introduced an additional mechanism through the Retail Dutch Auction System to directly facilitate FX sales to end users.
“This approach aims to foster a more transparent market, reducing information asymmetry and supporting price discovery. It complements the two-way quote system deployed over the past few months to enhance liquidity in the interbank market, through which over $305m of foreign exchange has been sold to authorised dealers in the last three weeks.”
The apex bank also said that it contributed less than 5 per cent of the $43bn foreign exchange turnover recorded on the official market as of July 2024.
In its statement, the CBN noted that the FX market is showing signs of improvement and increased depth, with more robust and diversified sources of liquidity contributing to the sustained convergence of exchange rates across all market segments.
The statement added, “The foreign exchange market is also showing signs of improvement and increased depth, with more robust and diversified sources of liquidity contributing to the sustained convergence of exchange rates across all segments of the market. The official market recorded a turnover of $43 billion in customer transactions by the end of July 2024, with CBN-supplied liquidity representing less than 5 per cent of total market activities.”
The CBN also stressed that it is committed to fostering a transparent, market-driven foreign exchange environment and will continue to strengthen the market’s capacity to meet the needs of all legitimate participants.
Since he assumed office last year, the CBN under the leadership of Olayemi Cardoso, has employed a variety of policies to stabilise the foreign exchange market and boost productivity.
While government officials claim there have been massive improvements, the lives of average citizens have yet to improve due to soaring inflation and the high cost of living.
Tinubu’s aides at war over old video
Two of President Bola Tinubu’s aides, Bayo Onanuga and O’tega Ogra are at logger heads following an old video that was posted on X yesterday by Ogra who is a Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media.
In the video posted on Ogra’s X handle on Wednesday afternoon, President Tinubu is seen urging Nigerians to be patient as he is working hard to turn around the pains and hardship in the country.
Ogra had captioned the video,
“A Passionate Plea from President Bola Tinubu @officialABAT to all Nigerians,” making it look like it was a recent video by Tinubu.
“As we navigate through these temporary pains, please remember that every effort is being made to ensure a stable and prosperous future for all Nigerians,” Tinubu is heard saying.
READ ALSO:Tinubu appoints new governing councils for varsities, institutions
“Our collective strength and unity will pave the way for a brighter tomorrow. We are in this together, and we will overcome.”
A Passionate Plea from President Bola Tinubu @officialABAT to all Nigerians.
: STATEHOUSE pic.twitter.com/Jz5gUR3xdA
— O'tega Ogra (@otegaogra) August 7, 2024
However, on Wednesday night, there was a twist to the video when Onanuga, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, posted the same video with a different text, this time saying it was an old video as Tinubu has not spoken since his nationwide address on Sunday.
“Trending video of President Tinubu is an old video,” Onanuga wrote.
He went on to explain further:
“A trending video of President Tinubu which came out on Wednesday is not a new video. It’s a clip from the broadcast he made last year.
“President Tinubu has not made any other public statement since his last broadcast on Sunday,” he added.
The post Tinubu’s aides at war over old video appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
Nigerian govt takes delivery of Jet Motor hybrid vehicles for mass transit
In continuation of efforts to provide affordable and comfortable transport solution for Nigerians, the federal government on Wednesday received fleets of hybrid Jet Mover buses from Jet Motor Company, an indigenous car manufacturing company.
The hybrid Jet Mover runs on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) commonly called PMS.
The vehicles were handed over to a team made up of officials from the Ministry of Finance and representatives of the Presidential Initiative for Compressed Natural Gas (P-CNGi) during a brief ceremony at the company’s plant in Ajah area of Lagos State.
Speaking at the event, Dimas Hamidu, the Technical Assistant to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance acknowledged the good quality of the Jet Mover vehicles, and commended the company for its good work.
He said the hybrid vehicles were a testimony to the commitment of the President Ahmed Bola Tinubu administration to alleviate the hardships that may have been brought on with the removal of fuel subsidy.
According to him, the vehicles will go a long way in helping to solve the transportation needs of the citizens, and help to cushion the impact of rising costs in the economy.
“I’m happy with what I’ve seen here. This will go a long way in alleviating the pains and sufferings of the people with the removal of fuel subsidy”.
Hamidu recalled, “I was here earlier with the Honorable minister of finance, and we were taken round the plant. The minister even drove one of the vehicles, and he was very impressed.”
READ ALSO:Jet Motors intensifies clean mobility push, delivers locally-produced electric vehicles to Nigerian govt
He also noted that the federal government had awarded contract of the CNG vehicles to different companies to deliver different number of units.
“Nigerians were becoming agitated, and asking why they were not seeing these vehicles on the road. This is why the ministry of finance decided to have a tour of the factories, and their facilities to see how soon they can deliver. We are impressed with Jet Motor for sticking to the terms of the contract, and the vehicles are in accordance with specification”.
Hamidu, while noting that some contractors had complained of challenges, said the ministry was ready to step in to ensure that the CNG vehicles were delivered on time.
“A few weeks ago when we had a meeting with the contractors, they complained of a number of challenges. Some complained of SON (Standard organisation of Nigeria), others complained about issues with Customs to clear their goods, but Jet Motor did not lodge any complaints because they were on top of their game.
“And, we hope that very soon they will invite us again to take delivery of more of these vehicles that the president can use to alleviate the transportation challenges of the country”.
Also speaking at the event, Derek Ewelukwa, managing director of Jet Motor Company thanked the team for the opportunity to contribute in the delivery of an efficient and comfortable transport model to the citizens of the country.
He explained that each of the hybrid vehicles had two CNG tanks with a combined capacity of 220 liters of gas and capable of doing 300 kilometres, and a petrol tank with capacity for 80 litres.
According to him, the CNG tanks have a lifespan of 15 years, and the engine switches from gas to petrol and back seamlessly.
Other members of the team from the Finance ministry included, Balarabe Tukui, representing the director, Finance and Account; Okeke Osita Gabriel, also a Technical Assistant to the Minister of Finance and Mr Suleman, representing the Director, Legal Services, while Oluwole Akinwunmi represented the Pi-CNG.
The post Nigerian govt takes delivery of Jet Motor hybrid vehicles for mass transit appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
Immigration suspends officer seeking bribe from traveller
The Nigeria Immigration Service has suspended an Assistant Superintendent of Immigration II, Okpravero Ufuoma, for allegedly soliciting financial gratification from a traveller.
NIS Comptroller General, Mrs Kemi Nandap, made this known in a statement issued by the Service Public Relations Officer, Mr Kenneth Udo, on Thursday in Abuja.
According to Nandap, the officer’s conduct, captured in a video circulating on social media, does not reflect the values and ethics of professionalism upheld by the NIS.
She condemned the alleged misconduct, saying that it undermined the ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing service standards.
She, however, assured all that the officer had been indefinitely suspended pending the outcome of disciplinary procedures, in accordance with the law and Public Service Rules.
She said NIS received a video currently circulating on social media titled “This is how immigration officers treat tourists in Nigeria,” showing one of its officers soliciting financial gratification from a traveller.
“This disgraceful act is not a representation of our commitment to hospitality, reception, and courtesy.
“As a result, the officer in question has been indefinitely suspended pending the outcome of disciplinary procedures,” she said.
The NIS boss also reiterated the NIS commitment to identifying and removing corrupt elements within its ranks, in line with its zero-tolerance for corruption policy.
The comptroller general further assured all that the NIS would continue to strive for excellence in service delivery, in alignment with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of the Federal Government.
Nandap added that electronic gates (e-gates) are being installed at all international airports to facilitate smoother travel for passengers and prevent incidents like the one involving the suspended officer.
She urged the public to report any form of misconduct or corruption by its officers to the appropriate authorities.
(NAN)
Nigeria behind in global passport power, ranks 92nd
Nigeria has been ranked 92nd on the Henley Passport Index, highlighting the challenges its citizens face regarding international travel freedom.
The index, which ranks countries based on the number of destinations their passport holders can access without a prior visa, shows Nigeria lagging behind many other nations.
The Henley Passport Index, recognised as the authoritative ranking of global passports, is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association and enhanced by Henley & Partners’ research team. This is according to its website.
It includes 199 different passports and 227 different travel destinations, making it the standard reference tool for global citizens and sovereign states assessing passport power.
According to the latest update, Singapore tops the list, boasting the world’s most powerful passport.
France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Japan share the second position, followed by South Korea, Finland, Sweden, Austria, Ireland, Netherlands, and Luxembourg in the third spot.
European countries dominate the top positions, with Denmark, Belgium, New Zealand, the UK, Norway, and Switzerland all tied for fourth place.
Australia and Portugal rank fifth, while Greece and Poland come in sixth. Malta, Canada, Czechia, and Hungary share the seventh position, followed by the United States in eighth.
Other notable rankings include the UAE, Estonia, and Lithuania in ninth place, with Iceland, Latvia, Slovakia, and Slovenia rounding out the top ten. In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia ranks 56th, and Iran is positioned at 94th, just beneath Nigeria.
African countries also feature in the lower half of the index, with South Africa ranking 47th and Egypt at 87th. The lowest ranks are occupied by war-torn and politically unstable countries, with Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan positioned at the bottom of the list.
“With historical data spanning 19 years, the Henley Passport Index is the only one of its kind based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA). The index includes 199 different passports and 227 different travel destinations. Updated monthly, the Henley Passport Index is considered the standard reference tool for global citizens and sovereign states when assessing where a passport ranks on the global mobility spectrum,” the Henley Passport Index site said.
Meanwhile, According editorial board, on Thursday, assessing the ranking provided suggestions to which the Federal Government can make investments to improve the Nigerian passport.
“President Bola Tinubu should evaluate and invest in Nigeria’s perception management. He should combat corruption, improve the various developmental indices, tackle insecurity, and improve living standards to curb the pull-and-push factors of irregular migration,” the assessment said.
See full list
1. Singapore 🇸🇬
=2. France 🇫🇷
=2. Germany 🇩🇪
=2. Italy 🇮🇹
=2. Spain 🇪🇸
=2. Japan 🇯🇵
=3. South Korea 🇰🇷
=3. Finland 🇫🇮
=3. Sweden 🇸🇪
=3. Austria 🇦🇹
=3. Ireland 🇮🇪
=3. Netherlands 🇳🇱
=3. Luxembourg 🇱🇺
=4. Denmark 🇩🇰
=4. Belgium 🇧🇪
=4. New Zealand 🇳🇿
=4. UK 🇬🇧
=4. Norway 🇳🇴
=4. Switzerland 🇨🇭
=5. Australia 🇦🇺
=5. Portugal 🇵🇹
=6. Greece 🇬🇷
=6. Poland 🇵🇱
=7. Malta 🇲🇹
=7. Canada 🇨🇦
=7. Czechia 🇨🇿
=7. Hungary 🇭🇺
8. USA 🇺🇸
=9. UAE 🇦🇪
=9. Estonia 🇪🇪
=9. Lithuania 🇱🇹
=10. Iceland 🇮🇸
=10. Latvia 🇱🇻
=10. Slovakia 🇸🇰
=10. Slovenia 🇸🇮
~
=17. Argentina 🇦🇷
=17. Brazil 🇧🇷
22. Mexico 🇲🇽
30. Ukraine 🇺🇦
42. Venezuela 🇻🇪
=45. Russia 🇷🇺
=45. Turkey 🇹🇷
47. South Africa 🇿🇦
56. Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦
59. China 🇨🇳
65. Indonesia 🇮🇩
73. Philippines 🇵🇭
82. India 🇮🇳
83. Niger 🇳🇪
87. Egypt 🇪🇬
92. Nigeria 🇳🇬
94. Iran 🇮🇷
96. North Korea 🇰🇵
=97. Bangladesh 🇧🇩
=97. Palestine 🇵🇸
100. Pakistan 🇵🇰
101. Iraq 🇮🇶
102. Syria 🇸🇾
103. Afghanistan 🇦🇫