Renowned political economist, Professor Pat Utomi has warned the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force to stop reducing everything to racketeering.
Utomi reminded them that God’s vengeance can visit generations, urging them to fear for the future of their children.
The statement comes amid allegations of killings of protesters by police during the nationwide protests across the country.
Police have denied the allegations.
However, in a post on his X handle on Sunday, the political economist said he prayed for the police to realise that the blood of innocent people slaughtered in cold blood and disposed of can cry to heaven for vengeance.
Utomi posted: “I have spoken now to one person who was arrested and has been released. I want to plead with the police to stop reducing everything to racketeering and to pray that they realize that the blood of innocents slaughtered in cold blood and disposed of can cry to Heaven for vengeance like that of Abel and that God’s vengeance can visit for generations so if they respect not their conscience or justice of a Nigeria with collapsing institutions, they should fear for the future of their children.”
Alleged killings: God’s vengeance can visit for generations – Pat Utomi warns police
Alleged killings: God’s vengeance can visit for generations – Pat Utomi warns police
American, Noah Lyles, wins men’s Olympic 100m gold
World champion Noah Lyles roared to victory in 9.79sec to claim the men’s Olympics 100m gold in Paris on Sunday.
Lyles became the first American, male or female, to win the event since Justin Gatlin won in the 2004 Athens Games.
Details later…
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WHO considers convening emergency committee on mpox
The World Health Organisation’s chief said on Sunday that he is considering convening an expert committee to advise on whether the growing mpox outbreak in Africa should be declared an international emergency.
Since last September, cases have surged in the Democratic Republic of Congo due to a strain of the virus which has recently been detected in nearby African countries.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the UN health agency, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, local governments, and partners were increasing their response to the outbreak.
“But more funding and support for a comprehensive response are needed,” Tedros said on the social media platform X.
“I am considering convening an International Health Regulations emergency committee to advise me on whether the outbreak of mpox should be declared a public health emergency of international concern.”
A PHEIC is the highest alarm the WHO can sound. Tedros, as WHO Director-General, can declare such an emergency on the advice of a committee of experts in the field.
In a statement to the journal Science, Tedros added: “This virus can and must be contained with intensified public health measures, including surveillance, community engagement, treatment, and targeted deployment of vaccines for those at higher risk of infection.”
Different Strain
Formerly known as monkeypox, mpox is an infectious disease caused by a virus transmitted to humans by infected animals that can also be passed from human to human through close physical contact.
It was first discovered in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The disease causes fever, muscular aches, and large boil-like skin lesions. There are two subtypes of the virus: the more virulent and deadlier Clade I, endemic in the Congo Basin in central Africa, and Clade II, endemic in West Africa.
In May 2022, mpox infections surged worldwide, mostly affecting gay and bisexual men, due to the Clade IIb subclade.
The outbreak led the WHO to declare a PHEIC, which lasted from July 2022 to May 2023. That outbreak has now largely subsided. Since September 2023, a different strain of mpox, the Clade Ib subclade, has been surging in the DR Congo.
On 11 July, Tedros said more than 11,000 cases and 445 deaths had been reported in the DRC this year, with children the most affected.
The African Union said on Friday that it had “urgently approved $10.4 million from Covid funds to support Africa CDC’s efforts to continue to combat the mpox outbreak across the continent”.
It will help increase monitoring, laboratory testing, regional and national data collection, case and infection management, and access to vaccines, the AU added.
In late July, Burundi reported three cases and Kenya registered a single case.
Then on Saturday, Uganda announced that its first two cases had been detected, with indications that the infections took place in the neighbouring DRC.
The International Health Regulations are the framework defining countries’ rights and obligations in handling public health events that could cross borders. The IHR is legally binding on 196 countries.
Under the IHR, the WHO chief can declare a PHEIC, triggering emergency responses under the regulations.
A PHEIC has only been declared seven times from 2009 onwards: over H1N1 swine flu, poliovirus, Ebola, Zika virus, Ebola again, Covid-19 and mpox.
AFP.
Plateau #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria suspends protests for two days
The Jos #EndBadGovernance Protest 2024 Coalition in Plateau State said it has suspended its street protests for two days to give room for dialogue with relevant stakeholders.
The coalition spokesperson, Mr Enoch Vilret, who announced the suspension while briefing newsmen on Sunday in Jos, Plateau State capital, said that the suspension took effect from Sunday, August 4, to Tuesday, August 6.
Vilret stated that the decision was to allow for dialogue with relevant authorities, as stated by President Bola Tinubu in his broadcast to the nation on Sunday.
He further said that the coalition remained committed to its cause and hoped this period would facilitate constructive discussions.
According to him, should the dialogue not occur within the stipulated time, they will resume their peaceful protests.
“However, we would like to clarify that we are not the organisers of this protest. Instead, we are leaders in our own right on the Plateau, who have stepped in to coordinate and ensure that the protests remain peaceful and orderly.
“Our primary aim is to guide and support the voices of our fellow citizens in a responsible and constructive manner.
“We wish to categorically disassociate ourselves from any group of protesters carrying the Russian flag or any other flag that is not the Nigerian flag.
“Such actions are not representative of our movement, and we urge security forces to arrest any individuals seen engaging in this behaviour, as it undermines the integrity of our cause.
“It has also come to our attention that certain elements, opposed to the peaceful manner in which we have conducted our protests over the past four days, are planning to incite looting and vandalism,” he stated.
The spokesperson pointed out that the coalition strongly condemned such actions and called on security forces to arrest anyone found engaging in such activities.
He added that the movement was dedicated to peaceful advocacy.
“We would not tolerate any form of violence or destruction,” he said,.
Vilret called on Nigerians to continue to be law-abiding and to hold onto the hope that Nigeria would be great again.
He emphasised that the coalition’s commitment to positive change remained steadfast, and they believe that through collective effort and peaceful advocacy, they could achieve a better future for the nation.
NAN.
Protesters change tactics, move to occupy Abuja Monday
A few hours after President Bola Tinubu’s plea in a nationwide address on Sunday seeking an end to the ongoing #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest which started on August 1, the protesters have vowed not to heed his call.
Rather than ending the protest, the demonstrators, tweeting on X.com under #OccupyAbuja on Sunday, said they would be shifting focus to the nation’s capital, Abuja.
One tweep, Stephen Osemwegie, tweeting as #PeterObiUSA, tweeted, “What Next? #EndBadGovernancelnNigeria. All roads lead to Abuja. Nigerians, wake up now. Every state, region, religion and people. Stand up for your country now or never.”
Also, a pro-democracy activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress in the 2023 general elections, Omoyele Sowore, in a response to Senator Ireti Kingigbe, wrote, “You have a chance to lead the #EndBadGovernmentInNigeria protest to the Eagle Square tomorrow (Monday). If your current health situation allows you to collect an SUV and all those jumbo allowances at the #NGRSenate, a trip to the protest ground would not kill you, Senator!”
One tweep, Morior Invictus, tweeting as #PeterObIsComing, wrote, “Abuja protesters are doing their best but the number needs to quadruple for Tinubu and Wike to understand how angry Nigerians are. 100,000 people can #OccupyAbuja and shut it down. But many are still scared to join the protest. We must #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria.”
One X.com user, Chulo, tweeting as #felixbuezecyrus tweeted, “As protesters from anywhere around the country, it’s important that we all head to Abuja because any protests that didn’t hold strong in the capital city of a country holds no water.”
A user, Unity, tweeting as #Unityforum1, tweeted, “Summary of the president’s speech: I have heard you. I’m busy working. Go back home. Subsidy is forever gone (Forget it). Continue to endure the hardship/hunger. Your protest is politically motivated Thank you for listening. Congratulations, Nigeria #OccupyAbuja.”
Another tweep, Oladeyforyou, with the username #trendwithola, wrote, “Tomorrow is Monday. It is time to #OccupyAbuja if we want to #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria.”
Since its commencement on Thursday, August 1, 2024, Nigerians have continued to air their frustrations and concerns with regards to the low standard of living of the citizenry.
Under the tag, #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, protests have erupted across the country, with protesters calling on the Federal Government to return the fuel subsidy, reduce the high cost of food items, enhance the nation’s security architecture, decrease the electricity tariff, among other demands.
Gov Mbah, Umahi commend South East for shunning nationwide protests
Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah and the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi have commended the South East zone for heeding the call not to join in the August nationwide protests.
Both leaders spoke on Sunday during an inspection tour of various road projects by the Federal Government and the Enugu State Government on the Enugu-Onitsha, Enugu-Abakaliki, and Enugu-Port Harcourt expressways.
Speaking to newsmen, Mbah and Umahi said the people of the region had by shunning the protests in the South East and beyond prevented needless loss of Igbo lives, businesses, and property, while also showing good faith to the President Bola Tinubu administration.
“I also want to take the opportunity to commend our people greatly for heeding our call to shun the protests and go about their business. We commend them highly because they understand the value of hard-work.
“Sometimes, you may not be able to appreciate the effect of government policies immediately, but I tell you that some of these policies are well-intentioned. With time, if we can just exercise a little more patience with the Federal Government, we are going to begin to see the values of these reforms.
“We want to continue to call on our people to go about their business and know that if they destroy our assets, we are still going to use the wealth of our common patrimony to fix those assets. So, we must remain focused and continue to do our work,” Mbah stated.
In the same vein, the Minister of Works said the people of South East and the Igbo community all over Nigeria had made a loud statement by not protesting.
“We are not going to protest. We want proper integration in the affairs of this country. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Mr President, started it by giving an Igbo man the Minister of Works, appointing an Igbo Man as a service chief, among others.
“We have been excluded from governance and development in the past. But now, you can see infrastructural developments in South-East. So, why should we protest against a man who has given to us what was never given to us before?
“I thank Governor Mbah very much for showing leadership not only in development strides, but also when it mattered most. I appreciate other governors and other states that did not protest,” he concluded.
Gov Mbah, Umahi commend South East for shunning nationwide protests
Mbah, Umahi commend South East for shunning nationwide protests
The Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, and the Minister of Works, David Umahi, praised the South East region for not joining the recent nationwide protests during an inspection tour of Federal and State road projects on Sunday.
Addressing journalists during the inspection tour, they disclosed that the region’s decision to abstain from the protests helped avoid potential losses and demonstrated goodwill towards the Federal Government.
The leaders commended the region’s restraint, which they believe prevented unnecessary risks to life, property and business.
Mbah said, “I also want to take the opportunity to commend our people greatly for heeding our call to shun the protests and go about their business. We commend them highly because they understand the value of hard work.
“Sometimes, you may not be able to appreciate the effect of government policies immediately, but I tell you that some of these policies are well-intentioned. With time, if we can just exercise a little more patience with the Federal Government, we are going to begin to see the value of these reforms.
“We want to continue to call on our people to go about their business and know that if they destroy our assets, we are still going to use the wealth of our common patrimony to fix those assets. So, we must remain focused and continue to do our work.”
Umahi said the people of South East and the Igbo community all over Nigeria had made a loud statement by not protesting.
“We are not going to protest. We want proper integration in the affairs of this country. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Mr President, started it by giving an Igbo man the Minister of Works, appointing an Igbo Man as a service chief, among others.
“We have been excluded from governance and development in the past. But now, you can see infrastructural developments in South-East. So, why should we protest against a man who has given to us what was never given to us before?
“I thank Governor Mbah very much for showing leadership not only in development strides but also when it mattered most. I appreciate other governors and other states that did not protest,” he stated.
Protest: Investigate killing, looting in Kano – APC stalwart urges Tinubu
A stalwart of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Kano State and former commissioner, Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso, has asked, President Bola Tinubu to hasten the launch of an investigation into the nefarious actions of some hoodlums in the name of protests in Kano.
Kwankwaso stated this on Sunday in Kano while addressing journalists about the protest.
“In Kano, it was the governor who called the hungry and angry people to come out to protest. Now that people have been killed and property vandalised, he should take responsibility and pay the compensation.
“Let the victims seek the services of competent lawyers, go to court and seek compensation from the state, because it was the governor who asked you to come out to protest, even as his boss, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has called on the people not to protest. He must pay for the compensation,” he said.
Kwankwaso said further: “We are drawing the attention of Mr President to instruct the Kano State governor to pay the compensation for the damages, looting and loss of lives suffered by the people of Kano.”
He also blamed governors for the hardship being faced by the citizens, saying that President Bola Tinubu had shared about N570 billion to all the states and was confident that Kano State had gotten not less than N50 billion.
According to him: “With this availability of funds given to the governors, Nigerians should not be crying of hunger if properly utilised in human development projects.
“As I have stated, even the flyovers they are constructing are not part of the special allocation they received, it is the local government money, up to N15 billion. How can you take money from my local government and come and build bridges in the city? It’s wrong. What I am saying here is that the problem is not with Mr President, but with the governors.”
He stressed: “You did not hear any of the 36 governors complaining over the removal of fuel subsidy because they are beneficiaries of the money. But they have not explained this to the grassroots. So, let us be realistic.”
He urged the public to desist from destruction of property meant for their benefit.
“The ICT hub of the NCC which was about to be commissioned when it was vandalized, if it had been allowed to be put to use, more than 11,000 persons would benefit from it in Kano,” he said.
Protest: Investigate killing, looting in Kano – APC stalwart urges Tinubu
Kano residents seek end to #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests
Some residents of Kano have called on protesters to sheath their swords and embrace the path of dialogue.
They made their position known while reacting to President Bola Tinubu’s Sunday broadcast.
Speaking in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria in Kano metropolis, the residents described dialogue as the best means of solving critical issues.
They observed that it was apt for the protesters to stop the protest and opt for dialogue as proposed by the president.
Mr Taiye Hassan, an entrepreneur, who commended the president for the broadcast, called on the protesters to retreat, “because the president has listened to your complaints.
“I want to emphasise the need for the youth to allow dialogue to take place because every dispute ends with dialogue and understanding.
“You have the right to protest against hunger, hardship, and insecurity, however, the president has called for dialogue, therefore, give him a chance,” he advised.
Another resident, Bala Muhammad, a businessman, who described the president as humane and true democrat, urged the protesters to accept dialogue as suggested by Mr President, for the good of the nation.
He cautioned the protesters to be mindful of infiltration by some people with sinister motives, who only wanted to take advantage of the protest to loot and vandalise people’s property.
Similarly, A’isha Ibrahim, a school teacher, who also lauded the president for calling for dialogue, appealed to the protesters to calm down in view of the fact that the protest had been hijacked by hoodlums.
“I want to use this medium to appeal to the president to match his words with action and dialogue with true protesters as promised,” she advised.
Nura Imam, a journalist, said that dialogue was the best and only option to settle any dispute or crisis.
Imam, who acknowledged the fact that Nigerians were economically pressed, enjoined the leaders of the protest to retreat since their voices were heard.
He urged the protesters particularly the youth to be united and be their brothers’ keepers irrespective of their ethnic or religious leaning.
Imam urged them to be patriotic and cautioned them against being used by selfish individuals to destroy their motherland.
“Remember, this is your country and you do not have any other country except Nigeria.
“Don’t allow some unpatriotic individuals to use you to destroy your motherland; enough is enough,” he maintained.
(NAN)