The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kebbi has withdrawn from the August 31 local council election in the state.
The PDP Chairman in the state, Alhaji Bello Usman-Suru, disclosed this to journalists at a media briefing on Wednesday in Birnin Kebbi.
He said: “Having made a wider consultation with some segments of the party membership and prominent elders; it becomes pertinent to inform you that the party is no longer participating in the local councils elections slated for August 31 due to the following reasons:
“The Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIECOM) and all the commissioners are card carrying members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi State.
“Therefore, organising free, fair, and credible elections will be a mirage.
“We voiced out our discomfort with their appointments in several communications to the Kebbi State Government and relevant agencies involved in elections management in the state.
“PDP, therefore, does not have any confidence in the leadership of the State Independent Electoral Commission to conduct the elections freely.”
Usman-Suru also decried the creation of administrative fees for chairmanship, vice chairmanship, and councillorship as prescribed in the elections guidelines.
This, according to him, not only disenfranchised some candidates but also grossly violates freedom of choice to candidates, political parties and the electorates.
The chairman added: “The released election guidelines specified that the administrative fees can be paid up to August 30, but abruptly shifted backward to August 7.
“This amounts to changing the rules in the middle of the game and a clear attempt to discourage opposition parties from participating in the elections.
“It is against this background that PDP wishes to inform its teeming supporters statewide that our participation in the elections will only signify acceptance of an illegality, fraudulent system, and stage-managed elections as done in the previous exercise conducted in 2022 under the same leadership.”
He expressed optimism that the National Assembly would pass a bill for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take over the conduct and management of local council elections in the country.
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PDP withdraws from Kebbi local council election
Hike in food prices: Ogun govt embarks on sensitisation, calls for fair pricing in market
With the aim of making food more affordable for citizens, the Ogun State government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, has embarked on a sensitisation to markets in the state, in order to promote fair and realistic pricing strategies and achieve an equitable market environment.
Commissioner in the ministry, Adijat Adeleye, who, on Wednesday, led the team to markets in Ogun Central and West senatorial districts, including Siun and Kuto, said the present administration is passionate about the welfare and well-being of citizens.
Adeleye noted that the visit is to facilitate a beneficial understanding among stakeholders, prevent exploitation of consumers, and reduce hardship on low-income households.
The commissioner maintained that the government has been providing dividends of democracy through various intervention programmes, such as Oko’Owo Dapo, through which soft loans and grants were given to empower women and boost their businesses.
“Our goal is to ensure that markets operate fairly and equitably, benefiting both traders and consumers, ” she said.
She added: “We believe this visit marks the beginning of a fruitful collaboration between the government and market stakeholders.”
Adeleye appealed to traders to cooperate with the government to achieve a positive outcome, promote economic development, protect consumer interests, and encourage healthy competition.
Responding ,Iyaloja, Egba market, Mrs Kemi Oloyede, commended the federal and state governments for initiating policies and programmes to support agriculture and transportation, pledging continuous efforts to ensure market women adopt fair pricing which will alleviate the suffering of the masses.
Some market women also lent their voices and promised to adjust their pricing.
Hike in food prices: Ogun govt embarks on sensitisation, calls for fair pricing in market
Mbappe completes first Real Madrid training session
Real Madrid’s star summer signing, Kylian Mbappe, engaged in his first training session with the Spanish champions on Wednesday.
“Day 1. Hala Madrid!” wrote the France captain in a post on X, accompanied by photos of the day’s session.
After undergoing pre-season medical tests, the players worked out in the gym at Madrid’s training centre, the club said in a press release.
They also added the full squad had reported to training, with the return of the players who had taken part in Euro 2024 this summer.
Attacker Mbappe was eliminated with his country in the semi-final stage of the tournament by eventual winners Spain.
The 25-year-old superstar was officially unveiled as a Madrid player on July 16 at the Santiago Bernabeu, where he told the 80,000 fans present in the stadium that “(his) dream has come true”.
AFP
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Tinubu appoints new governing councils for varsities, institutions
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of several individuals to the governing councils of the federal universities and other institutions in the country.
The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Ajuri Ngelale, who confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, said his principal appointed Temi Harriman as Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State.
The quartet of Adeola Adeogun, Benedict Aguele, Freeman Kasa, Babangida Abdullahi will serve as council members.
The president also appointed Rabe Mudi Bala as Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian University of Science and Technology, Abuja, while Akinola Fagbemi, Rakiatou Bagnou, Alwel Egwurugu and Femi Osabinu are members.
Other appointments are: Bram Baifa as Chairman of Board of the Federal University of Agriculture, Bassam-Biri, Bayelsa, with Richard Odigbo, Yomi Johnson, Fatima Owuna and Christy Omoruyi as members.
Ahmadu Salisu now heads the Governing Board of Federal University of Health Sciences, Kwale, Delta as Chairman, and Aragbaye Oluwatosin Gbolagunte, Talba Bauchi, Akaninodo Adekunle and Chibuike Ikenga as members.
For the Federal University of Medical Sciences, Katsina State, Tinubu appointed Habib Ibrahim Board Chairman and Yau Abdulkadir, Shehu Kaka, Ibrahim Abbah and Isijola Rasaki, members.
The Federal University of Agriculture, Mubi, Adamawa, now has Rukayyatu Gurin as Board Chairman, and Peter Dogara, Amina Ndala, Owolabi Oseni and Olufemi Lawson, as members of the Council.
Similarly, the president appointed Yusuf Mohammed as Chairman of the Board of Admiralty University, Ibusa, Delta, and Sani Ndanusa, Abdul Oroh, Mary Agbo and Omasan Agbajoh as members of Council.
The Nigeria French Language Village, Badagry, Lagos State, also gets a new Chairman of Governing Board in the person of Labiru Kafur and Ibitoye Philips, Musa Ayas and Ogenyi Emmanuel as members.
President Tinubu also appointed Victor Ukaogo as Chairman of the Board of the National Institute of Nigerian Languages, Aba, Abia, with Anjare Samuel, David Ismaila, Adimchinaka Onwukwe and Princess Ify Okoye, as members.
“The president expects that the new members of the governing boards of these institutions will perform their functions effectively and creditably and within the ambits of their statutory responsibilities,” the statement added.
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FRSC gets new sector commander in Akwa Ibom
The Federal Road Safety Corp, FRSC, RS6.3 Akwa Ibom State Command, has received Mr Edward Odiete as its new sector commander.
This is contained in a statement issued by the command’s Public Enlightenment/Public Relations Officer, Paul James, in Uyo on Wednesday.
James said that Odiete took over from Lasisi Ogundele, who has retired after his meritorious years of service to the nation.
According to him, the appointment is aimed at strengthening the system for enhanced performance and efficiency in road traffic management and safety administration in Nigeria.
He said: “Following the retirement of the former sector commander, Lasisi Ogundele, a new sector commander has been appointed for Akwa Ibom State.
“He is Corps Commander Edward Odiete who hails from Delta State. A graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, he holds a Bachelor and Masters degree in Law and was called to Nigerian Bar in 1994.
“He was head of litigation in the National Headquarters, and until his appointment, he was Corps Commander Special Duties, Operations Department, Abuja.”
James said that Ogundele in his farewell address thanked the state government, major stakeholders and Akwa Ibom people for the cooperation and support he enjoyed during his stay in the state.
He added that the former sector commander enjoined all to extend the same hand of fellowship to the new sector commander to serve the state better.
FRSC gets new sector commander in Akwa Ibom
25 more suspects arrested in Plateau over curfew violation
No fewer than 25 persons were arrested by soldiers in Plateau State on Wednesday for violating a curfew imposed on the state capital by the state government.
This brings the total number of persons arrested by security agents to 51 since the curfew was imposed in Jos on Sunday, as part of measures to prevent hoodlums from hijacking the EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests and causing mayhem in the state.
The Plateau Police Command spokesman, Alabo Alfred, who confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday, commended the youths for complying with the curfew imposed by the government.
“However, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbemiga Adesina, expresses disappointment at the way certain youths flagrantly disregarded government directives by coming out of their residences to attack armed policemen at Yen Tire market and other parts of Jos North LGA.
“The Command wishes to reiterate that the decision of the State Government to impose the curfew is in the best interest of all Plateau residents; hence, we will ensure that this directive is fully complied with,” Alfred said in a statement.
The police spokesman explained that the commissioner, alongside heads of other security agencies, had carried out an on-the-spot assessment and surveillance patrol of the nooks and crannies of the state capital to ascertain the level of compliance.
He said that during the outing, 26 suspects were arrested for non-compliance with the curfew and attempting to burgle people’s shops to loot their wares.
“Additionally, on 07/08/2024, 25 suspects were arrested by the STF operatives for similar crimes and handed over to the Plateau State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation,” the statement added.
He said the suspects had been investigated and charged to court accordingly.
“Again, the Plateau Police Chief wants to use this medium to sternly warn against the brandishing of foreign flags in any part of the state, stressing that Nigeria is a sovereign nation and anyone caught indulging in such a treasonable act will be apprehended and prosecuted accordingly.
“The Plateau State Police Command is committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property and will not condone any form of looting, vandalisation, or any act capable of truncating the fragile peace on the Plateau.
“We call on all Plateau residents to report any suspicious activity around them to the police control room emergency,” it added.
The According reports that the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, had on Wednesday relaxed the 24-hour curfew earlier imposed on Jos, noting that residents in the affected Jos and Bukuru metropolis can now move freely between 2 pm and 6 pm daily until further notice.
The governor urged residents within the Jos-Bukuru metropolis to cooperate with security personnel and report any suspicious activities for prompt action.
Naira gains N5, trades N1,596/$1 at official window
The naira recovered further against the American dollar on Wednesday.
Data from Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) showed that the domestic currency gained N5 to trade at N1, 596/$1, down from N1, 601/$1 it traded on Tuesday.
The intra-day high and low recorded during the day were N1,628/$1 and N1,520/$1 respectively, representing a lean spread of N108$1.
The naira lost N13 against the dollar at the parallel section of the forex market to trade N1,620/$1 as against the N1,607/$1 it traded the previous day.
The naira, however, lost N10 against the British Pound to trade at N2,100£1 as against the previous N2,090£1.
The Canadian dollar continues to close flat against the naira to trade at N1,200/CA$1.
The naira gained N10 against the Euro to trade at ₦1,730/€1 as against the previous ₦1,740/€1.
By: Babajide Okeowo
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NGX: Oando, RT Briscoe among top gainers as investors make N96bn
Investors in the Nigerian equities market gained N96 billion at the close of trading on Wednesday.
This followed the growth in the share prices of stocks like REDSTAREX, OANDO, and RT BRISCOE, amongst others on the trading floor today.
After five hours of trading at the capital market, the equity capitalization increased to N55.1 trillion from N55.03 trillion recorded by the bourse on Tuesday.
The All-Share Index (ASI) also increased to 97,098.98 from 96,928.52 recorded the previous day.
The market breadth was positive as 26 stocks advanced and 21 declined, while 68 others remained unchanged in 9,744 deals.
REDSTAREX, OANDO, and RT BRISCOE led other gainers with 10%, 9.98%, and 9.90% growth each in share prices to close at N4.18, N33.60, and N1.11 from the previous N3.80, N32.60, and N1.01 per share.
On the flip side, NEIMETH, HONYFLOUR, and SOVRENINS led other price decliners as they shed 7.69%, 6.10%, and 5.56% each to close at N1.80, N3.85, and N0.51 from the initial N1.95, N4.10, and N0.54 per share.
On the volume index, ACCESS CORP led trading with 112 million shares valued at N2.1 billion in 665 deals followed by UCAP which traded 74 million shares valued at N1.19 billion in 1,424 deals.
GTCO traded 74 million shares valued at N3.3 billion in 456 deals.
On the value index, GTCO recorded the highest value for the day trading stocks worth N3.3 billion in 456 deals followed by ACCESS CORP which traded equities worth N2.1 billion in 665 deals.
ZENITH BANK traded shares valued at N1.31 billion in 469 deals.
By: Babajide Okeowo
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NELFUND records 7,975 student loan applications in 24 hours
The Nigeria Education Loan Fund on Wednesday announced what it described as a significant milestone, receiving the highest number of student loan applications within 24 hours since the launch of its portal on May 25, 2024.
A statement released by the fund in Abuja and made available to our correspondent said, “the fund recorded 9,687 student registrations, with 7,975 completed loan applications on August 7, 2024.”
The statement noted that the surge in “interest highlights the crucial role NELFUND plays in enabling access to higher education” for students facing financial challenges.
It further noted that the high number of applications underscores the pressing need for financial assistance among Nigerian students.
“Since the portal’s opening, NELFUND has seen a steady influx of applications, demonstrating the importance of its mission to support students struggling with tertiary education financing. This achievement aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision and actions,” the statement said.
NELFUND further urged eligible students experiencing financial difficulties to take advantage of this opportunity.
It said the fund’s streamlined application process is designed to be user-friendly, with a dedicated support team available to assist applicants.
NELFUND for the first time on Wednesday, July 31,2024 reeled out data supporting disbursements of student loans, a move which its Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr said was to ensure accountability.
The implementation of the student loan scheme is President Bola Tinubu’s flagship project in the education sector.
Barely a month after his inauguration as president, Tinubu signed the Access to Higher Education Act, which creates a legal framework for granting loans to indigent or low-income Nigerians to facilitate the payment of their fees in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The law, reenacted earlier this year, created the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
NELFUND is saddled with the responsibility of handling all loan requests, grants, disbursement, and recovery.
The fund, according to the act, is to be funded from multiple streams and will engage in other productive activities.
Tension in Taraba over alleged soldiers’ invasion of Catholic priest’s house
There was tension in Wukari Local Government Council of Taraba State following an alleged assault on a Catholic priest by members of the Nigerian Army.
The incident reportedly occurred on Monday at the residence of Rev. Richard Unom in Ikyaior village, Wukari Local Government Council.
Confirming the incident, Rev. Unom, who is the current Catholic priest of Wukari Diocese, expressed deep concerns over the invasion of his home by heavily armed soldiers.
He claimed that the soldiers tortured him and his cook, Terhemen Cornelius, without any provocation or justification.
Recounting the ordeal to journalists, he said the soldiers threatened to kill him despite identifying himself as a priest.
“I had just reported to my new station at the All Saints Pastoral Centre on August 2, 2024. On August 5, around 9 am, six military vehicles and motorcycles entered the church premises. I approached them, introduced myself as the priest in charge, and inquired about their presence, ” he said.
The soldiers, according to him, claimed to be on a mission to search for some criminals in the area.
He said the cries of his cook brought him out after he went inside to prepare for a trip to Wukari Town.
Upon rushing outside, he said he found his cook being brutalised by the soldiers.
“Despite my pleas for mercy, they knocked me to the ground and targeted my face. I turned away to protect myself. Fortunately, one soldier intervened and prevented further injury,” he recounted.
Affirming that his cook sustained severe injuries, including the loss of an eye, he called on the relevant authorities to wade in by bringing the soldiers to justice.
Commenting on the incident, the spokesperson for the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army in Jalingo, Captain Oni Olubodunde, stated that the soldiers involved were not from the unit.
“I am aware of the incident, but those responsible are not personnel from our brigade. I doubt if they are even genuine army personnel,” he said.
The alleged attacks, at the time of filing this report, has sparked widespread concern among residents of Wukari council, who are demanding justice and assurances of safety from such military excesses.
Tension in Taraba over alleged soldiers’ invasion of Catholic priest’s house