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Police warn protesters against clamour for coup, display of foreign flags

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Police warn protesters against clamour for coup, display of foreign flags

The Nigeria Police Force has issued a stern warning against the display of foreign flags during protests and calls for a military coup.

The police said such actions are treasonable felonies under Nigerian law.

This statement follows recent violent protests in Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina States, where demonstrators were seen brandishing foreign flags.

According to a statement released by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, via X on Tuesday, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, emphasised the gravity of these actions, stating, “The use of foreign flags during protests and openly calling for a military takeover of the government is a capital offence under Nigerian law.”

The statement said that police investigations have found that some protest organisers are behind these activities.

The statement said, “Evidence shows that these sponsors have paid significant sums to exploit the hardship protests, brainwashing, and misleading innocent children into aiding this campaign against the government.”

Over 90 suspects have been arrested, including tailors involved in producing the flags and their sponsors. The police are actively pursuing others believed to be funding these “treasonable acts.”

Adejobi said, “The display of foreign flags and calls for a military takeover constitutes a clear treasonable offence, revealing the motives of protest organisers to destabilise Nigeria’s democratic government.”

In response to the ongoing situation, Egbetokun has deployed Deputy Inspectors General of Police, DIGs Bala Ciroma and Bello Makwashi, to oversee operations in the affected Northwest and Northeast zones.

The police have also warned Nigerian youths to be cautious of individuals and groups turning protests into business ventures, funded by local or foreign sponsors aiming to destabilise the country.

While acknowledging that tensions have eased following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s address on August 4, the police noted that some groups continue to engage in subversive campaigns in the form of violent and unlawful protests.

“Some groups persist in subversive campaigns in the form of violent and unlawful protests, characterised by the destruction of public infrastructure and private property, looting, display of foreign flags, and calls for a military takeover. These individuals and groups will be treated as subversive agents and charged accordingly,” the statement said.

The police expressed gratitude to citizens who refrained from participating in these protests and those who withdrew when demonstrations turned violent.

Stakeholders demand six-month maternity leave for working mothers

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Stakeholders demand six-month maternity leave for working mothers

Stakeholders on nutrition have advocated six-month maternity leave for working mothers and an increased budget for nutrition activities in Sokoto State.

This is contained in a communique issued at the end of a one-day policy dialogue on the extension of paid maternity leave from three months to six months in the state.

Maternity leave is a period for women’s absence from work after child delivery.

The stakeholders comprised representatives of civil society organisations, state government officials from the Ministries, affiliated agencies, NAFDAC and the Media.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the stakeholder meeting was organised by an NGO, Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria, in collaboration with UNICEF on Tuesday in Sokoto.

In the communique read by Malam Rabi’u Gandi of Save The Child Initiative, the stakeholders described the extension as necessary in view of infants’ needs for proper care as well as the mothers’ improved health conditions.

The participants agreed that exclusive breastfeeding of babies could easily be achieved through the extended period while after the expiration of the six-month period, mothers could better concentrate on their jobs without side attractions.

They said that an extended maternity leave would allow women to have enough time to rest and work diligently with dignity along satisfaction of safe workplaces.

The group highlighted that quality nutrition was an immune booster to both children and adults, with increased health and economic benefits as healthy individuals were productive in society.

They urged the government to secure maximum commitments of community members and policy makers in order to facilitate the implementation of policy for enhanced well-being of the citizens.

The participants enjoined the government to ensure increased budgetary allocations and timely releases of nutrition funds to adequately cater for the lined up services.

They stressed the need for the timely payment of partnership counter funds, engagement of active players such as corporate bodies and the implementation of the right policies on nutrition.

NAN reports that during the session, CS-SUNN Programme Officer, Mr Ambrose Euhoesor, made a presentation on the overview of existing maternal and protection laws and the need for a six-month maternity leave.

Head of Nutrition Department, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Prof. Rabi’u Umar, also made a presentation on the importance of quality nutrition among families and for society’s progress.

NAN.

MARKET MONOPOLY: Google moves to appeal ruling in massive antitrust case  

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MARKET MONOPOLY: Google moves to appeal ruling in massive antitrust case  

Search engine giant Google is making moves to appeal a guilty ruling by a US court, which found it culpable for illegally acting to maintain a monopoly in online search.
A US District Court Judge ruled on Monday morning that Google exploited its dominant status in the search industry, in part by paying firms like Apple to make its search engine the default choice on their devices and web browsers.
Judge Amit P. Mehta of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia issued the verdict, which is a significant blow for Google and may change the way the company does business.
READ ALSO: Russia slaps Google, Tiktok with sanction over failure to do away with ‘forbidden content’  
“After having carefully considered and weighed the witness testimony and evidence, the court reached the following conclusion: Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly,” Mehta wrote in his opinion filed Monday. “It has violated Section 2 of the Sherman Act.”
Google’s VP of Global Affairs, Kent Walker, told TechCrunch that the corporation expects to appeal the judgment. Walker reiterated Google’s prior claims that it leveraged its dominating position to create the best and most useful search engine, which benefited both users and advertising.
The post MARKET MONOPOLY: Google moves to appeal ruling in massive antitrust case   appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

Protest: We’re after those behind call for unlawful change of govt – CDS, Musa

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Protest: We’re after those behind call for unlawful change of govt – CDS, Musa

The Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Christopher Musa, has said the military and security agencies are after those behind the call for undemocratic change of government in Nigeria.
Musa said this on Tuesday during a combined news conference by the heads of security agencies and Service Chiefs at the Defense Headquarters.
He said the military found that some protesters calling for regime changes were sponsored, adding that the military and other security agencies were trailing the unpatriotic sponsors to bring them to book.
“I want to appreciate Nigerians for their understanding, for their commitment to upholding the law and order.
“We have had issues in the past few days, but you can see that people have seen reason for us not to continue with the destruction, to stop the looting, to stop giving opportunities for others to subvert our nation and to destroy our nation.
“They have also seen reasons to join hands together with the security forces to make Nigeria better.
“We want to assure them that we are fully committed to Nigeria, we love the country, we are mindful of the fact that we have been equipped and so we are duty bound to protect the country.
“We are only after those that are against the states, not those that are innocent.
“So I want to make that very clear and we will continue to work together as a team to support Mr President in achieving his mandate of peace and tranquility in our dear country Nigeria,” he said.
The CDS called for the collaboration of all other agencies to ensure that they achieved success and appealed for calm, mediation, discussion, dialogue towards national unity and cohesion as one great country.
He said the Nigerian military was people centric in all its activities, adding they were not interested in anybody being killed or injured or being prosecuted, except those that have crossed the line.
He said the joint news conference was an opportunity to show that the military and all the security agencies were working as a team in line with the mandate of the president.
“So this morning we’re here to give you some brief on the issue on ground, what we are doing, and then to have interactions with members of the Media,” he added.
Protest: We’re after those behind call for unlawful change of govt – CDS, Musa

UK opens application for Chevening scholarships

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UK opens application for Chevening scholarships

The United Kingdom, on Tuesday, announced the opening of the application for Chevening Scholarships.

The announcement, which was contained in a statement from the British High Commission in Abuja, noted that prospective scholars can apply from August 6 to November 5, 2024, through the online portal at chevening.org/apply.

This announcement follows the selection of 32 scholars from Nigeria for the current academic year.

The statement reads partly, “Applications for Chevening Scholarships to study in the UK open today – from August 6 to November 5, 2024. Applications are to be submitted via the online application form at chevening.org/apply. 

“The scholarship offers full financial support for scholars to pursue any eligible master’s degree at over 150 UK universities, along with access to a wide range of exclusive academic, professional, and cultural experiences.

“The call for new applicants follows the selection of 32 scholars from Nigeria, who won an award to study at a UK university this year.”

The Head of Scholarships at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, Emma Hennessey, highlighted the programme’s impact.

“Chevening Scholars, Fellows, and Alumni use the skills and knowledge they gain while studying in the UK to drive change, promoting better lives and safer places for people around the world to live, work, and thrive.

“Chevening represents the very best of the UK and the world, and our scholars become part of the global Chevening network of over 57,000 alumni. I am continually inspired by the passion and commitment of those in the Chevening community and I look forward to receiving applications from the next generation of leaders,” Hennessey noted.

British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, emphasised the programme’s inclusivity and the transformative potential for successful applicants. 

Montgomery stated, “If you are passionate about driving change, whether on a local or global scale, if you want to be the best at what you do and have the imagination to inspire others, then a Chevening Scholarship could be the perfect opportunity for you.

“There is no such thing as a ‘typical’ scholar. Your age, race, gender, religion, and cultural background do not matter to us. We want to see that you have energy, curiosity, compassion, a clear vision for your future and the ability to achieve your goals.

“Our alumni network is full of dynamic influencers who have shared the same experience that you will. They can offer encouragement, mentorship, advice, and contacts. When you return home after your studies you should feel well-equipped to start making a real difference in Nigeria.”

Chevening Scholarships are awarded to individuals from all backgrounds who can demonstrate that they have the commitment and skills required to become future leaders, and can show how a UK master’s degree will help them to create positive change in their country.

The scholarship offers full financial support for scholars to study for any eligible master’s degree at over 150 UK universities while gaining access to a wide range of exclusive academic, professional, and cultural experiences.

Since the programme started in 1983, over 57,000 professionals have had the opportunity to take their careers to the next level through Chevening.

Over the past five years, Chevening has awarded almost 8,000 scholarships. Over 57,000 Chevening Alumni around the world comprise an influential and highly regarded global network.

Seyi Law reacts to video of northern leader decrying insecurity in the region

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Seyi Law reacts to video of northern leader decrying insecurity in the region

Nigerian comedian Lawrence Oluwaseyitan Aletile aka Seyi Law has reacted cynically to a video on social media of a Northern leader decrying the spate of insecurity in the region.
The humour merchant was reacting to a throwback video of a Northern leader, Professor Usman Yusuf, decrying the state of security in the region despite having leaders in high places.
Usman Yusuf also stated that President Tinubu could not come and bring peace to the North but the Northerners must bring peace to themselves without the intervention of the military.
‘’We had a Northern President from Katsina for eight years. Before he came, we did not have a single IDP. All our local governments were safe. Now, in Katsina state, 22 out of 34 local governments are under siege. Borno is more secure and safer than Katsina. We had a President who was from there.
READ ALSO: Comedian Seyi Law calls out President Tinubu over new CBN 0.5% charge policy
‘‘That is the feeling of Northerners. We need to look at ourselves. And now here we are, we have a Vice President who is from the North. We have a Speaker who is number four and is from the North. We have an SGF from the North. We have the most senior Military officer who is from the North. We have all the Ministers of Defence from the North. We have the Minister of Police from the North. We have the National Security Adviser from the North.
‘‘President Tinubu would look at us and say you guys have no excuse not to bring peace to your land, so it is up to us to look at ourselves in the mirror. President Tinubu from the SouthWest cannot come and bring peace to us. It is us that must bring peace to ourselves. It is not the military that will bring peace to us,” Yusuf said.
While reacting cynically to the video, Seyi Law in a post on his X account, Seyi wrote that Northerners ”continue to damage their territory” because they want to reclaim power or because they ”hate another group.’’
‘’If you like, continue to ruin your region because of the quest for power or the hate for another tribe.”
The post Seyi Law reacts to video of northern leader decrying insecurity in the region appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

Shehu Sani tells Senators how to impeach Akpabio

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Shehu Sani tells Senators how to impeach Akpabio

Shehu Sani, a former Kaduna Central Senator, on Tuesday highlighted the only possible way to impeach Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Sani said a senator must initiate Akpabio’s impeachment by consulting his colleagues and garnering enough numbers to push for his impeachment.
He, however, warned that such a senator would be suspended till the next election if the move fails.
Posting on X, Sani wrote: “Removing Akpabio is only possible if a Senator consults his colleagues and gets enough votes to initiate an impeachment.
“If the plot fails, the Senator may go on suspension till the next election.That is it.”
This is coming when a popular activist, Aisha Yesufu had called for Akpabio’s impeachment following his comment before the commencement of the EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest.
Yesufu has said: “Dear Senators. “It is time to impeach Godswill Akpabio. It is still one of you that will replace him as Senate President.”
Her remark came as Akpabio said they would be eating while aggrieved Nigerians hit the streets to protest against President Bola Tinubu.
Shehu Sani tells Senators how to impeach Akpabio

Delta pays N130bn out of N465bn inherited debt

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Delta pays N130bn out of N465bn inherited debt

The Delta State Government says it has so far paid over N130 billion out of N465 billion to reduce the debt profile of the state.

The Executive Assistant (New Media) to the Delta State governor, Mr Felix Ofu disclosed this on Tuesday while speaking to journalists in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

He said “This administration inherited N465 billion and as of March 2024, Sheriff Oborevwori-led government had been able to pay over N130 billion to reduce the debt profile of the state.

“The government of Sheriff Oborevwori know that every debt accumulated will not only be at the neck of the people but our unborn children.

“Before now, surplus is being misused but this Oborevwori-led government has saved over N205 billion surplus through prudent management. It has never happened since the creation of Delta State. 

“In all this, the Oborevwori-led government has not borrowed any money since he assumed office on May 29, 2023. So, when people are asking what he is doing with the huge money coming to the state, it baffles me.”

Ofu said that the government had executed a lot of projects in the state with the money accruing to it, noting that Oborevwori can not be accused of mismanagement of funds

In addition, the Executive Assistant (Media) to the governor, Mr Nobert Chiazor described the N78 billion contract by Julius Beger as iconic in the history of Delta State.

He said that the contract is currently changing the look of the Warri axis, insisting that Oborevwori runs an open and transparent government.

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EndBadGovernance: Group demands release of activists arrested by DSS

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EndBadGovernance: Group demands release of activists arrested by DSS

The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights, CDWR, has called for the unconditional release of some activists arrested by the Department of State Service, DSS at the nationwide protests.
TVN reports that some activists, who are among the organisers of the ongoing end bad governance protests have been arrested by DSS.
The arrested activists  include Michael Adaramoye and Babatunde Oluajo.
The group in a statement made available to TVN on Tuesday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bosah Chinedu, commiserated with the families of those who lost their kinsmen during the protests.
The group said it considers President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broadcast speech of Sunday August 4, 2024 as a display of arrogance and insensitivity towards the harrowing plight and hardship of Nigerians.
It maintained that Tinubu used the broadcast to double down on his failed anti-people reform policies that have imposed monumental hardship on Nigerians.
“CDWR commiserates with the families of the injured and those whom security agents killed. We appeal to the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Nigerian Bar Association and other pro-masses organisations to openly condemn this ongoing repression of the protesters.
“CDWR at this moment demands the reversal of all anti-people policies including the reversal of petroleum prices to pre-May 2023 level; reversal of electricity tariff to pre-May 2023 rate; an end to the floating and devaluation of the Naira; an end to all neo-liberal and anti-people policies such as privatisation and deregulation of the power and oil and gas sectors; for free and quality education and healthcare; respect for democratic rights to freedom of protest and dissent etc.
“CDWR considers President Tinubu’s broadcast speech of Sunday August 4, 2024 as a display of arrogance and insensitivity towards the harrowing plight and hardship of Nigerians. He actually used the broadcast to double down on his failed anti-people reform policies that have imposed monumental hardship on Nigerians and tokenist programmes that make no real impact.
“Aside from the usual grandstanding, Tinubu did not address the demands of Nigerians put forward by the protesters. Since President Tinubu increased the price of petrol and electricity tariffs astronomically including the floating of the Naira (Naira devaluation) and hiked school fees, monstrous hardship has been imposed on Nigerians, crushing many Nigerians into deeper poverty and misery.
“The ideal expectation from a listening and sensitive president is to reverse all the anti-people reform policies but that did not come from Tinubu, typical of a capitalist leader who fully subscribes to neo-liberal program, as he arrogantly reiterated the continuation of these ruinous anti-people policies. President Tinubu’s speech also ignored the current repression of protesters by the security operatives”.
EndBadGovernance: Group demands release of activists arrested by DSS

Police, military didn’t fire live ammunition during protests

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Police, military didn’t fire live ammunition during protests

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Tuesday, said the police, military and other agencies involved in the management of the #EndBadGovernance protest did not use excessive force on protesters.

He noted that rather, there were attacks on security agents deployed to manage the protests.

Egbetokun disclosed this at a meeting of security agencies heads in Abuja.

He also said the military and police did not use live ammunition during the protests.

Egbetokun said, “The police and the military and indeed no other security agency involved in the management of this protest has deployed excessive use of force. Instead, what we had were attacks on security agents during the protest. From our record, there were no shooting incidents by the police.

“The police or military did not use any live ammunition in the management of these protests. Instead, we have had cases where our officers were injured and are in critical condition as we speak.

“I will dismiss that as fake news and very wrong allegations. We didn’t use excessive force at all. We didn’t even deploy the whole of our strength in this protest even when it turned violent. We have water cannons we did not deploy, we have rubber bullets, we didn’t use. All that we have used is teargas and nothing more. “

Egbetokun also disclosed that the police were not overstretched by the protests, adding that during the protests, several other criminals were nabbed.

He added that other criminal activities were recorded during the protests except for kidnapping.

Egbetokun said, “We were not overstretched; we had standby units that we didn’t deploy in managing this protest. Even while the protests were going on, a number of them were arrested.

“Hoodlums who committed armed robbery were arrested. The only thing we didn’t have was kidnapping. But any other offence that was committed we paid due attention to those criminal activities. “

Egbetokun said no Armoured Personnel Carrier was hijacked by the protesters in Kaduna state.

He said, “The situation in Kaduna is that we didn’t even deploy APC for the protest. The APC you saw was deployed to the Government House in Kaduna. Protesters went to the gate and as the driver was driving out, those protesters climbed the APC. And what the driver did was to make a U-turn and go back to the front of the Government House gate. It wasn’t a case of hijacking APC.”

Speaking on the takeover of the Abuja stadium by police, the IG said personnel were deployed there to ensure the protection of peaceful protesters.

He said, “We didn’t take over the stadium, we provided security there. We assured those who approached us and told us about their intentions to stage peaceful protests. We asked them to go to a particular location and that if they went there we would provide security.

“We have said on several occasions that we recognise the rights of citizens to protest peacefully and that for as long as they remain peaceful, the police will be there with them. We didn’t take over the stadium.”

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