The Department of State Service (DSS) has commenced the interrogation of seven Polish nationals arrested during the #EndBadGovernance protests in Kano State.
The DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, disclosed at a meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and members of the Diplomatic Corps on Wednesday in Abuja.
The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, were also at the meeting.
He said the Polish citizens were arrested for displaying foreign flags during the protests in some states in the North-West.
Afunanya, however, added that the foreign nationals were not targeted by the secret police.
Several people have been arrested by security agents in many states in the North for displaying Russian flags during the protests organized by a group of Nigerians to express their frustration over the current hardship and other socio-economic problems in the country.
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Protests: DSS quizzes seven Polish nationals
Edo, APC bicker over civil unrest allegation
The Edo State Government and the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress are at loggerheads over allegations of orchestrating unrest in the state.
At a press conference on Wednesday in Benin, the state capital, Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare said APC has resorted to a devious plan by orchestrating civil unrest in the state.
However, the Director of Publicity, Edo APC Governorship Campaign Council, Orobosa Omo-ojo, in a statement, described the accusation as incessant noise meant to cover up Governor Godwin Obaseki’s alleged economic corruption committed against Edo people.
Nehikhare said, “Our attention has been drawn to the All Progressives Congress plans to orchestrate civil unrest and cause mayhem in the state under the guise of protests and rallies to advance their obnoxious political agenda.
“The APC is resorting to this devious plan because it has realised the folly of presenting an unlettered and incompetent candidate for governor.
“Their candidate, Monday Okpebholo, has continued to embarrass the party and his handlers in private and public fora with his poor grasp of basic concepts and intellectual immaturity, consistently displaying an inability to articulate and coherently sell his vision to the electorate and other key stakeholders.
“Reeling from the pains of selling a bad and unmarketable candidate and having failed in their desperate resort to lies and propaganda to hoodwink Edo people ahead of the September 21 governorship election, the only path the APC in Edo State now sees to promote their campaigns is to cause chaos and crisis in the state.
“Our findings reveal that the APC plans to incite civil unrest in the state and cause chaos under the guise of riots and protests to disrupt the peace and stability of the state. They will also divert attention from their candidate’s weaknesses and buy time to avoid debates and meaningful engagement with the people.
“The Edo State Government is aware of their evil plans and will not sit idly and watch them unleash mayhem on the people and cause chaos in the state.
“While we call the attention of all security agencies in the state, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Brigade Commander, 4 Brigade, Benin, among others, to take notice of this planned heinous plan by the APC to orchestrate civil unrest and cause mayhem in the state, we assure members of the public to be rest assured that the government will spare no effort within the ambits of the law to forestall this planned attack on the state and its people and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.
“We urge the APC to refrain from their divisive tactics and resort to violence. They should instead bring their candidate out to speak to the people, even if it is in pidgin or his local Esan dialect, and as well debate with other candidates. Edo people deserve to hear directly from him to enable them to make informed decisions ahead of the state’s September 21 governorship election.
Omo-ojo noted, “Governor Godwin Obaseki’s continued rehash of phantom puny stories reflects their fear of reprisals from Edo State people who recently capitalized on the End Bad Governance protest sponsored by Obaseki against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to search for their hidden palliatives, which the governor stored in the houses of PDP leaders.
“Edo people will recall how the governor organized the anti-federal government protest at Oba Ovoranmwen Square with N200 million, all in his bid to demonize Tinubu and APC and punish Edo people who he has deprived of their palliatives.
“But contrary to Obaseki’s expectation, while he was addressing his PDP members and political aides he gathered as protesters, the real protesters harkened to the call by APC to locate their rice and other palliatives hidden in Edo State Government warehouses and houses of PDP members.
“The real protesters that were present in Ovoranmwen square hurled water sachets at Obaseki. Since our charge to the Edo people to take back their rice, over four warehouses and private homes have been busted by hungry men and women to collect what rightly belongs to them.
“The fear of losing the entire hidden grains had led to Obaseki’s sudden hatred for organisers of the protest who he now calls, hoodlums and thugs. Same group of persons he praised for causing hardship on the streets of Edo State.
“This allegation is incessant noise to cover up for the grand economic corruption the governor has committed against the Edo people.
“It is also a panic measure by them to curry support in the face of impending disqualification of PDP and its candidate by the Independent National Electoral Commission over the forging of voter’s card.
“Finally, the APC in Edo is using this medium to notify our people that Obaseki on Tuesday, applied and got the approval of Edo State House of Assembly to borrow N8.550 billion for the purchase of his imaginary CNG buses. We reject the fresh loan on the heels of N11.1 billion Obaseki received from the Federal Account in the month of June.”
DSS quizzes seven Polish nationals in #EndBadGovernance protests
The Department of State Service (DSS) has commenced the interrogation of seven Polish nationals arrested during the #EndBadGovernance protests in Kano State.
The DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, disclosed at a meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and members of the Diplomatic Corps on Wednesday in Abuja.
The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, were also at the meeting.
He said the Polish citizens were arrested for displaying foreign flags during the protests in some states in the North-West.
Afunanya, however, added that the foreign nationals were not targeted by the secret police.
Several people have been arrested by security agents in many states in the North for displaying Russian flags during the protests organized by a group of Nigerians to express their frustration over the current hardship and other socio-economic problems in the country.
The post DSS quizzes seven Polish nationals in #EndBadGovernance protests appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
Tinubu appoints governing councils for federal colleges of education
President Bola Tinubu has made appointments of governing councils to head selected federal colleges of education in the country as follows:
Federal College of Education (Technical), Yauri, Kebbi State:
Ismaila Gadaka (Chairman), Abdulhakeem Adegoke, Pam Ishaya, Abubakar Sadique Fakai and
Zara Duamlong Usman.
Federal College of Education (Technical), Isu, Ebonyi State:
Mohammed Sani Takori (Chairman),
Dauda Onipede, Victor Mela Dan Zaria, Solomon Ayuba and Mario Eno Owumi.
Federal College of Education, Odugbo, Benue State:
Baba Alphonsus Homsuk (Chairman), Kayode Ajiboye, Rex Ogbonna, Jude Ngaji and John Yada Viko.
Federal College of Education , Jama’are, Bauchi State:
Aisha Yelwa Ibrahim Tahir (Chairman), Dorren Ikedi Udechukwu, Barr Brass Yaji, Mustapha Shehu and Joshua Oludare Adewale.
Federal College of Education, Gidan Mado, Sokoto: Abdullahi Adam (Chairman), Olatunji Akinbiyi, Mohammed Adamu Malala, Saleh Musa Audu and Lami Ehi Oguogho.
Federal College of Education (Technical), Benin City, Edo State:
Tukur Jikamshi (Chairman), Abdullahi Adamu Loko, Asimiyu Alarape, Abubakar Abubakar Bello and
Christopher Okaeben.
A statement by Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity on Wednesday, noted that the President anticipates that the new members of the boards of these institutions will serve with dedication and commitment to improving the standards of learning in the nation’s federal colleges of education.
Tinubu appoints governing councils for federal colleges of education
Senate queries $1.5bn approved for P’Harcourt refinery’s maintenance
The Senate has raised questions over the $1.5bn approved in 2021 for the Turn-Around Maintenance of the Port Harcourt Refinery with little or no result.
The upper chamber lamented that it is “unfair and wrong to treat government businesses or public companies as an orphan while private businesses were flourishing and thriving.”
The Senate Leader and Chairman, Senate ad-hoc Committee to investigate the alleged economic sabotage in the Nigerian Petroleum Industry, Opeyemi Bamidele, raised the questions at a session with stakeholders in the industry at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja on Wednesday.
The session was attended by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, Mele Kyari; Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Mr. Gbenga Komolafe and the Chief Executive Office, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Mr. Farouk Ahmed, among others.
The Federal Executive Council had approved the plan by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to rehabilitate and turn around the Port Harcourt Refinery with $1.5bn under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Despite the huge investment, the government-owned refinery is yet to function effectively, a situation that compelled the country to depend almost entirely on the importation of petroleum products.
At the session with stakeholders on Wednesday, Bamidele expressed concerns over the dysfunctionality of the government-owned refineries despite investments to carry out turn-around maintenance.
Bamidele observed that the country “is undergoing a truly challenging period,” pointing out that the distribution and supply of refined petroleum products “has been irregular and problematic in the recent history of our fatherland.
“The long queues at filling stations are obviously a testament to this challenge. A situation, whereby we now depend almost entirely on the importation of these products, even when we daily supply the global oil market. No fewer than two per cent of its crude oil requirements are, to say the least, highly worrisome.
“We also have at hand a grievous issue of national concern that directly borders on the importation of hazardous petroleum products and dumping of substandard diesel into the country.”
Under different administrations since 1999, Bamidele observed that the Federal Government “has invested billions of dollars to maintain and turn around the state-owned refineries in Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Warri. But the refineries are not functioning.
“In 2021, specifically, the Federal Executive Council approved $1.5bn for the turn-around maintenance of the Port Harcourt Refinery. Yet, this investment has not yielded significant returns.
“For us, in the Senate, we believe it is unfair and unpatriotic to treat government businesses or public corporations as an orphan while private businesses are flourishing and thriving.”
To permanently nip these challenges in the bud, Bamidele disclosed the Senate’s plan to jointly investigate diverse allegations of economic sabotage in the petroleum industry along with the House of Representatives.
He noted that there would be no room for grandstanding during the investigative hearing, promising that the committee would carry out its mandate fairly and impartially.
While insisting that nobody will be untouchable, Bamidele said the task of ridding the petroleum industry of malfeasance “is urgent and must be carried out in the spirit of nationalism and patriotism. We are ready to carry it out with all senses of honour and responsibility.
“We are also taking it seriously to address fundamental issues that pose grave threats to our economic prosperity, fiscal stability and public health as a Federation. In line with our mandate, we will definitely unravel factors and forces aiding sabotage in our petroleum industry.
“From our findings, we will craft a legislative framework that will entrench global best practices in the industry, open it up for more investments, especially in the midstream and downstream sectors and end vicious regimes of subterfuge in the petroleum industry.”
Nigerians will soon see positive results from Tinubu’s reforms
The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, has assured Nigerians that the dividends of President Bola Tinubu’s nail-biting reforms will soon come to fruition.
The former Kano governor gave the assurance when he received a five-man delegation of the United States chapter of the APC at the party secretariat in Abuja.
His appeal for patience and support to the president is coming amidst the ongoing hunger protest tagged ##EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, which officially entered Day Seven on Wednesday.
Nigeria has been plagued with hyperinflation and hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidies, the floating of the naira, and other economic policies implemented by the Tinubu administration.
The economic challenges have made it tough for the masses to keep up with the skyrocketing cost of foodstuffs and the cost of living.
But Ganduje insisted that the hardship being experienced by the people was a temporary teething problem, which is expected of every positive reform.
He said, “There is no doubt also that even in the so-called developed countries, they have their turbulence (protests) in one way or the other. So, it is not surprising that Nigeria has its own share of the problem. This is not the first time. You will recall that whenever there is a reform agenda, obstacles must be on the way.
“As a result, people must suffer in one way or the other. In the long run, everything will go according to the plan. We are aware that our president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, came in with the intention to introduce reforms. Our institutions are weak, and unless you have strong institutions, you will find it difficult to implement whatever good policies you have.
“So, Mr President is doing all that is needed to be done. In a matter of time, we will come out of this because he is working very hard on the economy. Very soon, we will see positive results.”
Continuing, the APC national chairman praised the US delegation, saying they are quite proud of the massive support the current administration has been getting from them.
“I welcome members of our great Party from America. Today, history is made. It’s a day we cannot forget. They came from one of the farthest places in the world, from the USA to show commitment and love.
“From history, since the time of military politics where we have political parties involved during the AD, AC, ACN, and down to the APC of today, some of you have been in such associations that led to the merger of political parties. So, there’s no doubt that you are committed party men and women, and we appreciate your coming.”
Earlier in his speech, the leader of the five-man delegation of the APC-USA, Prof Adesegun Labinjo, told newsmen they were in the country to show solidarity with the president and the party leadership following the hunger protest that rocked the country.
“We are glad to pay you this courtesy visit in support of the great way you have been leading this party. We cherish you and admire your leadership style. We acknowledge your role as our leader.
“In support of you and our great President, we said since this country is facing turbulence at this time, we’re going there to show our support for our president, for the national leadership of our party, and our great country.
“Despite the discouragement, we insisted on coming. In the face of all the turmoil that they projected will happen or is happening, we are here to support our president, the APC national chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, and our country,” he said.
NCAA to unveil portal for real-time airline complaint resolution
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has commenced training its consumer protection officers and the airlines’ staff representative on using the soon-be-launched consumer protection portal to solve real-time passenger complaints against airlines.
Najomo made this known in a statement sent to journalists on Wednesday.
The two-day training began on Wednesday at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja and was opened by acting Director General Captain Chris Najomo, represented by Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection.
He added that the portal will also ensure the on-time performance of all the airlines operating in Nigeria.
“There has never been a consumer protection portal in the NCAA. This is the first. This is historic. When you check the time frame it took us to get to this point, you will see the determination to make it work” he said adding that the building of the portal started when he was the Director Public Affairs and Consumer Protection.
He also noted that the portal has made the job easier for the 260 CPOs across all the airports in Nigeria.
Najomo said the portal building is a fulfillment of one of his action points for 2024 because it speaks to the ease of doing business environment the Authority is consciously creating.
The portal makes the processes of complaints and complaints resolution very easier.
“This postal is also for data collation. You will agree that data is a major issue in Nigeria. In the aviation industry, you can’t make a proper plan and get things right without data. This portal makes it easier for everyone including stakeholders.
“The portal will ensure transparency as we are onboarding all the airlines where people get to see all the number of complaints that have been sent to each airline. You can track the resolution process. We don’t need to name and shame because it is a self-reporting system. You are already naming and shaming yourself if you don’t perform well” he emphasized.
The Acting DGCA stressed the need for thorough training for NCAA officers and airline staff to effectively use the new portal before its launch.
Assistant General Manager, Consumer Protection, Ifueko Abdulmalik, said the portal is in line with NCAA’s automation of its processes amid reforms.
The portal represents the DG’s aim to automate NCAA processes to meet international standards. “In the past, we did it manually, which was inefficient. With automation, everything is simplified, and we will achieve better results in resolving consumer complaints,” she assured.
“We are onboarding the staff of the airlines so that they are also seeing the complaints in real-time. This makes the processes smoother, and faster and the consumers happier because that’s the ultimate goal” she noted.
“Regarding monitoring, she mentioned that both the minister and the DGCA will have access to the portal to continuously track complaint resolutions.
“Additionally, airlines can use the portal to log delayed flights, allowing the NCAA to oversee regulatory compliance, she added.
Protests: DSS quizzes seven Polish nationals for displaying foreign flags
The Department of State Service (DSS) has commenced the interrogation of seven Polish nationals arrested during the #EndBadGovernance protests in Kano State.
The DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, disclosed at a meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and members of the Diplomatic Corps on Wednesday in Abuja.
The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, were also at the meeting.
He said the Polish citizens were arrested for displaying foreign flags during the protests in some states in the North-West.
Afunanya, however, added that the foreign nationals were not targeted by the secret police.
Several people have been arrested by security agents in many states in the North for displaying Russian flags during the protests organized by a group of Nigerians to express their frustration over the current hardship and other socio-economic problems in the country.
The post Protests: DSS quizzes seven Polish nationals for displaying foreign flags appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
24-hour curfew stands – Kaduna govt warns residents
The Kaduna State Government said the Security Council has not reviewed the 24-hour curfew.
TVN recalls that Governor Uba Sani alongside heads of security agencies on Tuesday, went round the state to see the level of damages caused by criminals during the protests in the state.
However, after the inspection tour, Governor Uba Sani urged residents to continue to adhere to the 24 hours curfew imposed in the state.
On Wednesday, The Overseeing COMMISSIONER for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, further warned some aggrieved residents who tried to defy the curfew that the 24 hours curfew has not been reviewed
Aruwan wrote on his verified Facebook page: “The Kaduna State Security Council has not reviewed the 24-hour curfew imposed on Kaduna and Zaria towns and their environs.
“The 24-hour curfew remains in place and is being actively enforced by security agencies, contrary to insinuations that it has been reviewed.
“Citizens are enjoined to observe the curfew strictly, and to shun rumours or unverified reports.
“Reliable and accurate updates will be duly communicated to the public through official channels.”
24-hour curfew stands – Kaduna govt warns residents
Tinubu appoints governing councils for aviation, maritime colleges
President Bola Tinubu has appointed 10 persons to serve on the governing councils of two federal tertiary institutions: the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Akwa Ibom State, and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, Kaduna State.
The Presidency announced the appointments on Wednesday in a statement signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, titled ‘President Tinubu appoints governing councils of two federal tertiary institutions.’
At the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Akwa Ibom State, Tinubu appointed the following:
Kehinde Akinola — Chairman
Shehu Maigari Doguwa — Member
Samuel Isichei — Member
Faisal Lawal Halidu — Member
At the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, Kaduna State, he appointed:
Anthony Manzo — Chairman
Ngozi Okuoma — Member
Durungunwa Abdulmalik — Member
Biodun Taiwo — Member
Florence Toyin Olorunfemi — Member
The President expects members of the governing boards of these institutions to “serve with integrity and devotion to the enhancement of their structural, academic, and all-around standards,” the statement added.
With three years of experience, Stephen, The According correspondent, has been covering Nigeria’s presidency, politics, security, immigration and trafficking in persons
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