A former Presidential spokesperson, Dr Doyin Okupe, says President Bola Tinubu has not disappointed Nigerians in his address to the nation on the nationwide protests on Sunday.
Okupe, a former Director-General of the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Council, made this while reacting to the president’s broadcast on Sunday.
“President Bola Tinubu’s speech has not disappointed Nigerians in that for the first time, the president clearly stated the daunting economic situation his administration met on ground at inception.
“He also amplified the strenuous efforts made by his government to reduce the prevailing crippling and stagnating debt servicing ratio from 97 per cent of earned revenue to 68 per cent.
“In truth, this has been the major cause of our present economic woes and sufferings.
“It is now self-evident that if the fuel subsidy was not removed, it would have been impossible for the government to function.
“And the government will not be able to meet its obligations, without continuing the profligacy of massive and sustained borrowing to fund the subsequent national budgets,” Okupe said.
Nationwide protest: Tinubu hasn’t disappointed Nigerians – Okupe
Nationwide protest: Tinubu hasn’t disappointed Nigerians – Okupe
Protesters persist in Kano on Day 4 despite Tinubu’s plea
On Sunday, hundreds of demonstrators continued their protest in Kano, marking the fourth day of the nationwide demonstration against hunger and poor governance.
The protest occurred just hours after President Bola Tinubu addressed the nation, urging the youth to halt their demonstrations, claiming he had heard their concerns clearly.
Simultaneously, the Kano State government eased the previously imposed 24-hour curfew, reducing it by six hours to run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to alleviate its impact on residents.
The protesters, primarily young people, were seen rallying in areas such as Bakin Zuwo and Koki in Dala Local Government Area, Sharada in Kano Municipal, and Gadon Kaya in Gwale Local Government Area.
Read also: Falana criticizes Nigerian govt’s violent response to protests
Observers reported that demonstrators were waving Russian flags, suggesting they might seek assistance from Russian President Vladimir Putin. An eyewitness in Bakin Zuwo, Malam Salisu, described the scene, stating, “I saw the protesters in their numbers around 10 a.m. They were holding the Russian flag. They were protesting against the bad governance issues of insecurity and hardship among others.”
Another resident posted a video on X, using the handle @Tkr__khalifa, showing protesters in Bakin Zuwo with Russian flags and chanting “koya gyara sai ya sauka,” which translates to “whether he adjusts or not, he must go.” The tweet was accompanied by the caption, “Hunger protest continues in Kano for the fourth day. This is coming after the hopeless speech by the President of the country.”
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Kwara seeks army’s help for cleaner environment
In a bid to ensure a clean and healthy environment across the state, the Kwara State Government has sought the collaboration of the 22 Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Olufemi Williams, for the sustenance of a cleaner Kwara.
The state Commissioner for Environment, Nafisat Buge, disclosed this on Saturday when she paid a courtesy visit to the 22 Brigade Commander at its Sobi headquarters, Ilorin, the state capital.
According to her, “We are here to seek the collaboration of the Nigerian Army to achieve a cleaner Kwara, most especially on the enforcement of laws, during the monthly sanitation exercise as well as curbing deforestation, in order to sustain a clean and hygienic environment, capable of paving the way for healthy living.”
According to a statement by the Press Secretary in the Ministry, Abolarinwa Esther, and made available to journalists on Sunday, Buge revealed that indiscriminate dumping has become rampant in the metropolis, and, if urgent action is not taken, may lead to the outbreak of cholera that is presently ravaging almost 33 states of the country.
She, therefore, reiterated the commitment of the present administration under the leadership of the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to making sure that our environment is safe and healthy for residents.
Responding, the 22 Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Olufemi Williams, commended AbdulRazaq for his efforts at repositioning the state to be safe for healthy living and also attractive to investors for even development.
Willians also appreciated the commissioner for taking the right step to tackle the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the metropolis, assuring her of the Force’s readiness to give the ministry all necessary support, to enforce environmental laws and other areas their services might be needed, to achieve a healthy environment in the state.
Imo CP vows to apprehend killers of community heads
The Commissioner of Police Imo State Command, Aboki Danjuma, has assured the general public, particularly the residents of the Umucheke community in Onuimo Local Government Area of Imo State that the Command under his watch will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the killers of Eze Umucheke’s cabinet members are all arrested and brought to justice.
In a release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye and made available to newsmen, said, “The Command’s tactical units, in synergy with the other security agencies and the local vigilantes, are presently combing the surrounding forests in Onuimo communities, for possible apprehension of the fleeing suspects”.
Danjuma gave this assurance during his condolence visit to the Umucheke Community in the early hours of Sunday together with the Sole Administrator of Onuimo LGA, Dr. Emeka Obi, representative of the Commander 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, Major AI Maikarifi, Commandant NSCDC, Comdt. Mathew Ovye, and other security agencies, for an on-the-spot assessment of the heinous crime.
The Commissioner strongly condemned the tragic killings of the innocent community chiefs, describing it as a barbaric, inhumane, and senseless act of violence. He commiserated with the families of the bereaved and the entire Umucheke community over the unfortunate demise of their loved ones and vowed that their deaths would certainly not go in vain.
He assured that a detachment of the command’s tactical unit would be stationed permanently at the Community to evade any further threat of attack until peace returned to the community.
Meanwhile, preliminary findings revealed that the attack was perpetrated by gunmen, suspected to be members of the proscribed IPOB/ESN, numbering about six on three motorcycles.
The Police spokesperson said the residents of the Umucheke community allegedly saw the hoodlums but didn’t report them to the police or other security agencies until they perpetrated the dastardly killings and left the community.
Emphasizing the imperativeness of community participation in the fight against violent crimes, the commissioner urged the residents of Onuimo and other communities in the State to continue to support the Police and other security agencies in the State by remaining security conscious and reporting any suspicious person or activity within their vicinity to the nearest police station.
Widow, six kids hospitalized after taking poisoned pap
A widow, Amina Isah alongside her children and grandchildren numbering six were reported to have fallen sick and were rushed to the hospital after taking a pap at Egba in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
The children are identified as; Benjamin, Piko, Esther, Hassan Emmanuel and one other.
A source from the community who identified himself as Adaji told our correspondent on Sunday that the widow and her six family members were vomiting after taking a pap and were rushed to a private clinic in the community.
A resident stated that the elderly widow and three of the children were unconscious at the time they were taken to the hospital.
Speaking to our correspondent on the phone, the doctor who doubles as proprietor of the clinic, known as ‘Dr Gana Clinic’, Dr Oyaje Sule, confirmed that the seven patients were in his clinic.
According to him, three of the patients including the widow were brought in unconscious, adding that the family were reported to have used the remnants of guinea corn already mixed with chemical for planting to make a pap.
Dr Sule said, “It is true they brought a woman who I have known in the community, alongside her children and grandchildren numbering seven to my clinic this morning.
“The woman is a widow with her three children and three grandchildren, their ages range from three to 30 years aside from their grandmother who is elderly.
“As at the time they were brought, the woman and two others were unconscious but thank God they have been revived.
“What I was told is that the family had mixed chemicals with guinea corn they were to plant, after planting the guinea corn, the remaining was brought home and they washed it and went and ground it to make pap.
“It was after they took the pap this morning that they started vomiting and some of them were unconscious before they were rushed to my clinic.”
Falana criticizes Nigerian govt’s violent response to protests
Femi Falana, a leading Nigerian lawyer and human rights advocate, has harshly criticized the government’s handling of the nationwide protests against economic hardships and poor governance.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Falana accused the government of waging “a vicious campaign of blackmail and calumny” to undermine the valid grievances of the demonstrators.
“Instead of addressing the demands of the youths, the federal government and some state governments embarked on a vicious campaign of blackmail and calumny,” Falana said.
He also took issue with disparaging remarks from senior officials, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who reportedly said, “while you protest, we shall be eating,” and Vice President Kashim Shettima, who referred to the protesters as “idiots.”
Falana condemned the government’s measures to quell the protests, such as obtaining ex parte orders to limit protest locations and deploying thugs to disrupt demonstrations.
The statement detailed that Nigerian youths had planned protests against bad governance from August 1-10, 2024, presenting various demands to the government. Instead of addressing these demands, the federal and some state governments engaged in a “vicious campaign of blackmail and calumny,” accusing the youths of being manipulated by disgruntled politicians without evidence.
Read also: NCC, Maida deny granting MTN, Glo, others permission to increase tariff
The Senate President’s comment, “while you protest, we shall be eating,” and Vice President Shettima’s description of protesters as “idiots,” were deemed provocative by Falana.
Efforts to prevent the protests included meetings with selected leaders, misleading withdrawals by fake groups, and the mobilization of thugs to either disrupt or stage counter-protests in support of the government, Falana said.
On the eve of the protests, Lagos, Ogun, and the Federal Capital Territory secured court orders to confine protesters to specific areas. Despite these orders not being formally served to organizers, the protesters complied and assembled in the designated locations.
Contrary to the government’s expectations, the protests were largely peaceful in many states. However, the media reported attacks by thugs and overzealous police officers, resulting in several deaths and injuries among protesters. Journalists were also harassed.
Falana criticized the police for failing to protect protesters and allowing thugs to cause chaos. He pointed out that some police officers, lacking proper equipment, resorted to using live ammunition.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has threatened military intervention if the protests continue. Falana argued that such threats are illegal and unconstitutional, citing precedents that restrict military involvement in civil matters unless specifically mandated by law.
Falana also urged the federal and state governments to investigate the killings, provide compensation to the victims’ families, and ensure that peaceful protests are not criminalized. He called for a response to the protesters’ demands, particularly the reversal of the fuel subsidy withdrawal and a commitment to combat corruption in the oil sector.
He concluded by emphasizing that peaceful protests are a fundamental democratic right and criticized the government’s efforts to restrict this right, urging that Nigeria’s democracy be preserved and enhanced.
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Tinubu’s speech failed to address protesters’ demands-Falana
Human rights lawyer and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Femi Falana, has called on President Bola Tinubu to address the demands of the peaceful protesters.
In a statement on Sunday, Falana said the Presidential speech delivered this morning faliled short of addressing the key demands of the protesters.
Recall that in a nationwide broadcast on Sunday, the President addressed the nation amid #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests, which began on August 1.
Protesters have made several demands, which include a return of fuel subsidies, improvements in living standards, cuts in the cost of governance, reduction in electricity tariffs, and solutions to escalating insecurity, among others.
Falana said, “If the government takes the fight against corruption to oil dealers and crude oil is processed in government-owned refineries, there will be no basis for fuel subsidy, which is induced by the importation of petroleum products. A positive response to the key demands of the youths to review the protesters could make them review their actions. Insensitivity to their demands can only provoke continued action.”
While congratulating the protesters for drawing the attention of politicians who are eating in Abuja to the plight of millions of Nigerians who are hungry, Falana demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all protesters that were arrested and detained saying they had not committed any criminal offence.
Falana also condemned the repression of the peaceful protesters while commiserating with all those who lost loved ones in the protest.
He called on the government to set up commissions of inquiry to bring to justice those responsible for the reckless killings.
“We commiserate with the families of the patriots’ peaceful protesters that were killed and call on the Federal and State Governments to set up Commissions of Inquiry, which should include representatives of credible human rights organisations and the NBA to investigate the killings with a view to bringing to justice prosecute the reckless murderers in Police uniform and ensuring that.
“The family members of the deceased should be adequately compensated by the federal government. The victims of the barbarous police killings should be identified and celebrated as heroes and heroines of the struggle for the emancipation of the downtrodden Nigerian people. Participation in peaceful protests should never be criminalised in Nigeria.”
Violence won’t be tolerated, UK warns far-right protesters
The United Kingdom Government warned Sunday that violent disorder would “not be tolerated” after police made dozens of arrests at far-right rallies following clashes between protesters and officers.
Unrest linked to disinformation about a mass stabbing that killed three young girls last week spread to multiple towns and cities Saturday as anti-immigration demonstrators faced off against counter-protesters.
About 90 people were arrested after skirmishes broke out in numerous English cities, including Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol, Blackpool and Hull, as well as Belfast in Northern Ireland.
In some instances, rioters threw bricks, bottles and flares at police — injuring several officers — looted and burnt shots, while demonstrators were also heard shouting anti-Islamic slurs.
The government’s policing minister, Diana Johnson, told BBC News that the rioting would “not be tolerated,” and that there would be “penalties and consequences” for the disorder.
The skirmishes marked the fourth day of unrest in several towns and cities following Monday’s frenzied knife attack in Southport, near Liverpool on England’s northwest coast.
They were fuelled by false rumours on social media about the background of British-born 17-year-old suspect Axel Rudakubana, charged with several counts of murder and attempted murder over the attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance party.
Rudakubana is accused of killing Bebe King, six, Elsie Stancombe, seven, and Alice Aguiar, nine, and injuring another 10 people.
Police have blamed the violence on supporters and associated organisations of the English Defence League, an anti-Islam organisation founded 15 years ago whose supporters have been linked to football hooliganism.
Agitators have targeted mosques in Southport and in the northeastern English city of Sunderland, leading to hundreds of Islamic centres to bolster security amid fears for its worshippers’ safety.
The violence is the biggest test yet of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s short premiership. He came to power early last month after leading Labour to a landslide win over the Conservatives.
He has accused “thugs” of “hijacking” the nation’s grief to “sow hatred” and pledged that anyone carrying out violent acts would “face the full force of the law.”
After talks with senior ministers on Saturday, Starmer “reiterated that the government backs the police to take all necessary action to keep our streets safe,” said a statement from his office.
Police have warned of more demonstrations on Sunday.
AFP
Kano judiciary probes looting of court premises
The Kano State Judiciary, on Sunday, disclosed that it has commenced an investigation to track and account for the property that was vandalised and looted by hoodlums on August 1, 2024, during the national hunger protest in Kano.
The spokesperson of Kano State High Court, Baba Ibrahim, who confirmed the commencement on Sunday, assured that the Kano High Court will make the report public as soon as it is completed.
He recalled that on Thursday, August 1, the rioters who claimed to be #EndBadGovernmentInNigeria protesters, “broke into the premises of the High Court of Justice State Headquarters, and stole an unspecified amount of money and guns seized from kidnappers and kept as exhibits in ongoing cases.”
He added, “Private and official vehicles parked at the premises of the court were razed, while some were vandalised by the protesters. Offices, including the chief judge and other judges in the court, were vandalised.
“The (protesters) destroyed the new and old case files and scattered everything in the buildings. The case exhibits, including guns kept in the court’s store, were also looted.”
Also, he explained that some of the burned vehicles parked at the court premises are exhibits in an ongoing case.
“This is the first time the Kano State Judiciary had witnessed such an incident, noting that vehicles parked at the court’s promises were also vandalised, and looted”, he said.
JAMB asks institutions to disclose illegal admissions
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has directed all higher institutions in the country to disclose, within one month, details of all candidates they illegally admitted before 2017 or risk recognition and condonation.
The board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin, disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the board’s headquarters on Sunday, in Abuja.
Benjamin said that the board had resolved that it would no longer entertain absorption of illegal admissions by institutions through the window of “Condonment of Illegal Admissions”, without a registration number.
The move, he explained, was aimed at curbing illegal admissions, falsification of records and ensuring compliance with the provisions of the Central Admissions Processing System.
He said that all institutions were being reminded that JAMB had previously requested the disclosure of all illegitimate admissions offered to candidates outside CAPS, between 2017 and 2020, due to abuse of window.
“This directive followed the waiver on the recommendation of JAMB by the former Minister of Education, which allowed institutions to transit to conducting admissions exclusively through the CAPS platform in 2020. We then opened the window of Condonment of Undisclosed Institutional Illegal Admissions, 2017 to 2020.
“Regrettably, the board has observed that some institutions have continued to admit candidates outside CAPS and subsequently apply for this CUIIA. It is quite embarrassing that some institutions have been found to backdate such recent admissions to 2020 to fit within the time frame of CUIIA.
“Consequently, the board is terminating the aspect of the CUIIA process which allows completely unregistered candidates to be introduced to the system.
“CAPS is the only authorised platform for admissions; those who have registration but were illegally admitted between 2017 to 2020 would soon be denied the opportunity of the waiver unless they are disclosed within the next month,” Benjamin said.
Benjamin also disclosed that the period of disclosure begins on August 1.
He added that the board would not tolerate further, undisclosed admission by any institution, while urging candidates to pursue education through legitimate and recognised means, so they don’t fall victim.
He also advised candidates seeking admissions to be cautious of illegitimate and unrecognised part-time programmes, which he added, would also not be tolerated under “regularisation or condonment.”
Benjamin stated that the board distanced itself from trending and strange admissions practices by some institutions, claiming to enrol candidates into “daily part-time” by some polytechnics and “Top-up” by some universities.
“It is crucial to clarify that no such programmes are approved by the National Board for Technical Education or National Universities Commission,” he said.
Both programmes, Benjamin added, were alien to the education system in Nigeria and any attempt to enrol into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme with it would be flawed and futile.
He also reiterated the board’s decision that only candidates who were at least; 16 years old at the time of admissions would be considered eligible for the 2024 admission cycle.
This decision, he explained, followed the directive from Prof. Tahir Mamman, Minister of Education and chairman of the 2024 tertiary admissions policy meeting, that the policy of 6-3-3-4 would be enforced from 2025.
“Only those below 16 years will not and should not be admitted in accordance with the decision of the 2024 Policy meeting,”he said.
NAN