The Ogun State House of Assembly has approved the request of the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission, OGSIEC, for revised election guidelines in line with the provisions of sections 3(i)(i) and 5 of the Ogun State Regulations Approval Law 2020.
The approval followed the presentation of the report by Deputy Speaker Bolanle Ajayi, in respect of the request of the commission, at a plenary presided over by the Speaker, Oludaisi Elemide, at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Tuesday.
Deputy Whip Tella Babatunde moved the motion for its adoption, seconded by Damilare Bello, and unanimously supported by all the other lawmakers through a voice vote.
Consequently, Majority Leader Yusuf Sheriff later moved the motion converting the committee’s recommendations to a House resolution, which was seconded by Lukmon Adeleye, the Minority Leader, and supported by the whole house through a unanimous voice vote.
Earlier, the speaker acknowledged and read a letter from the chairman of the OGSIEC, Babatunde Osibodu, requesting the assembly’s approval for the revised guidelines in line with the Ogun State Regulations Approval Law 2020.
In another development, the speaker acknowledged the receipt of correspondence from Governor Dapo Abiodun, proposing a bill for a law to improve electricity generation, transmission and distribution within Ogun State; establish an electricity marker and key power sector bodies; enforce consumer rights and obligations; and for other connected purposes.
The letter partly reads: “I am pleased to forward the above-captioned bill, through your good self, to the House of Assembly for due consideration and passage into law.
“The bill, which was approved at the Executive Council Meeting held on the 1st of August 2024, is necessitated by the passage of the Electricity Act 2023, which empowers states to provide a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for the power sector in the areas of generation, transmission, distribution, trading and enforcement of consumer rights and obligations, amongst others.”
Ogun Assembly approves revised LG election guidelines
Ogun Assembly approves revised LG election guidelines
Nigeria seeks specialised court to tackle piracy in Gulf of Guinea
Nigeria has called for the creation of a specialised court to handle piracy cases in the Gulf of Guinea.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, made the appeal during the 6th ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Gulf of Guinea Commission in Accra, Ghana, on Tuesday.
Addressing the assembly, Tuggar stressed the importance of establishing a court to bring maritime criminals to justice, emphasising piracy as an international criminal offence.
“The importance and significance of the Gulf of Guinea to Africa cannot be overemphasised. To this end, Nigeria takes this opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to the work and mandate of the Gulf of Guinea Commission.
“As a demonstration of our commitment to the Gulf of Guinea Commission, Nigeria’s National Assembly passed the Suppression of Piracy Other Maritime Offences Act in 2019 to prevent and suppress Piracy, Armed Robbery and any other unlawful acts against any vessels unlawfully operating in the Gulf Region.
“Nigeria continues to deploy significant resources towards tackling piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. This has resulted in a significant containment of threats. We are proud to state that since 2022 till date, there have been no incidents of piracy recorded in Nigeria’s territorial waters”, the minister noted.
He proposed agreements with regional states to facilitate the trial of offenders, highlighting the need for a competent jurisdiction within the Gulf of Guinea.
Tuggar added, “Your Excellencies, to counter the soft bigotry of low expectations, we must consider setting up a specialised court in our region to try maritime piracy cases. Piracy is regarded as an international criminal offence; international jurisdictions are replete with examples of bringing offenders to book.
“The time is apt for the GGC to step forward and lead the way in establishing a specialised court to handle the trials of maritime crimes. This requires agreements with regional states and setting up processes to facilitate the trial of offenders in the court of competent jurisdiction that we would establish.”
Tuggar also urged the commission to enhance efforts to protect the environment from degradation, prevent the dumping of radioactive material and nuclear waste, and guard against pollution by ships.
He called for the endorsement of a Combined Maritime Task Force to promote regional synergy in safeguarding the Gulf’s waters.
According to the European Union, the Gulf of Guinea is crucial for global oil transport, containing 10 per cent of the world’s oil reserves and serving as a major route for ships carrying oil and other goods. However, piracy remains a significant threat in the region.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea noted that piracy involves illegal acts such as violence, detention, or robbery on the high seas for private ends. In 2020, the Gulf of Guinea experienced 78 piracy and armed robbery incidents at sea, with 130 seafarers kidnapped for ransom, highlighting the region’s ongoing security challenges.
Protest: Be wary of foreign actors – Zamfara coalition warns govt, residents
The Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG, in Zamfara State, has appealed to stakeholders to remain vigilant against the infiltration of foreign actors as the nationwide protest persists.
The group lamented that the nationwide protest, which started as a peaceful protest, has tragically degenerated into violence, especially in Kano and Jigawa states.
According to a statement issued by the Zamfara State coordinator of the group, Hassan Hussein, CNG has been monitoring developments across the 19 states of northern Nigeria.
“Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) allows citizens to peacefully protest and demand accountability, transparency, and good governance.
“In the last few days, what began as a peaceful protest in northern states has tragically degenerated into violence, particularly in Kano, Kaduna, and Jigawa states, among others.
“Public and private properties were destroyed; shops and stores were looted; hundreds of protesters and security personnel sustained various injuries; and many people lost their lives.
“In Zamfara State, the last three days of the protest were peaceful, devoid of harassment and maltreatment of protesters by security agents deployed to ensure their safety and prevent the infiltration of criminal elements.
“We observed young men and women’s procession through the various routes of the state’s capital, escorted by the security agents.
“However, on Monday, August 5, 2024, the protest took on a different dimension. We noticed the infiltration of criminal elements who manipulated the protesters (mostly underage) and triggered violence.
“The criminal elements succeeded in hijacking the peaceful protest and subsequently making it violent.
“Subsequently, many protesters sustained serious injuries; public and private properties were destroyed; businesses, public offices, and schools were shut down. This dire situation makes this moment critical in the history of Zamfara State.
“As tensions rise between the protesters and security agents and hoodlums that hijacked the peaceful protest for personnel gains, CNG feels that it is essential to issue this press statement, clarify issues as they unfold, and call for calm and restraint.”
The statement added that Zamfara State has long been a beacon of resilience amidst adversity, and if the current violent protest persists, it may threaten the fragile peace in the state and trigger another cycle of insecurity.
“In light of this, we urgently appeal to all parties involved to exercise restraint and engage in peaceful dialogue and constructive engagement to air their grievances.
“Our collective response to this situation will determine not only the immediate resolution but also the long-term stability and unity of our dear state.
“In the light of Monday’s events in Zamfara State, where a peaceful protest has regrettably turned violent, and given the fragile state of peace in the state, it is crucial that we prioritise dialogue and non-violence to achieve the peace and security that our dear state’s desire.
“The CNG has noticed that some of the protesters in Zamfara State were flying foreign flags, chanting anti-democratic songs, and calling on President Putin of Russia and the military to intervene in Nigeria’s governance.
“The infiltration of foreign agents and governments into Nigeria’s affairs could undermine the genuine grievances of the protesters and distort the objectives of the protests.”
“The CNG appeals to all stakeholders to remain vigilant against the infiltration of foreign actors and ensure that the protests reflect the genuine will of our people and are conducted within the framework of the law,” the group added.
Protest: Be wary of foreign actors – Zamfara coalition warns govt, residents
Ondo promises to pay N70,000 minimum wage
The Ondo State Government, on Tuesday, expressed its readiness to pay the N70,000 national minimum wage to the state civil servants.
The state Head of Service, Mr. Bayo Philip, stated this while speaking in his office, in Akure, the state capital.
The minimum wage was approved by President Bola Tinubu after a series of negotiations with the organised labour unions in the country.
According to him, the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, had repeatedly assured all that his administration would not do anything less than whatever is approved by the Federal Government as the national minimum wage for workers.
He noted that the state government also extended the gesture to retirees and workers in all state-owned tertiary institutions as a way to ameliorate the current economic situation in the country.
He said, “Before the bill was assented to by the President, the governor had given his words that Ondo State would pay whatever minimum wage may be agreed upon and assented to by Mr. President.
“As I speak, we are doing all the preliminaries, that as soon as the details of the salary table for the minimum wage is out, we will be at it, and I know for sure that the state will implement it without delay.”
On the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest in the country, Philip said the people of the state could not protest against themselves as they had seen Aiyedatiwa’s government as theirs.
“Here, no one is protesting. Not the youths, not the market women, not the students, not the public servants. As you can observe, we are in our various offices carrying out our statutory duties and there is tranquillity across the state.
“The reason is that we have a governor who is in touch with the feelings and aspirations of the people. A governor who is well-connected with the people. In fact, the government that is being run in Ondo State is the government owned by the people themselves. So we cannot organise a protest against ourselves,” the HoS stressed.
GCR affirms Dangote Industries’ AA+ positive ratings
GCR Ratings has affirmed Dangote Industries Limited with national-scale long-term and short-term issuer ratings of AA+ and A1+, respectively.
In its report on Tuesday, GCR also affirmed the national scale long-term issue rating of AA+(NG) for each of Dangote Industries Funding Plc’s Series 1 NGN10.5bn Tranche A and NGN177.1bn Tranche B Bonds, as well as the Series 2 NGN112.4bn Senior Unsecured Bond.
GCR said the outlook on these ratings has been revised to Evolving from Stable.
“The ratings were affirmed on the prospects of significant growth in earnings following the commencement of operations at the new petrochemical refinery and robust earnings expectation from the other businesses,” it said.
The rating agency highlighted the impact of naira devaluation on Dangote Industries’ performance, stating, “the ratings are constrained by the adverse impact of the currency devaluation on the profitability and financial position of the group, given its significant foreign debt exposure.”
Recognising the potential of the Dangote Group, GCR noted, “The group’s business profile is bolstered by the commencement of refining operations in February 2024 (with the production of diesel, naphtha, heavy fuel oil, and aviation fuel), which now complements the already well-diversified group businesses.
“We expect the group’s business fundamentals to become increasingly tilted towards oil refining, given its size as the largest refinery in Africa and Europe. We also expect strong export sales potential given the recent debut exports of refined oil to Europe. The non-oil businesses continue to demonstrate strong earnings generating capacity and market leaderships in their respective sectors, underpinned by the above-peer production capacities and favourable demographics.
“We have maintained a positive peer comparison consideration for DIL underpinned by the importance of the refinery to the Nigerian economy. However, we have lowered the extent of support applicable under this rating component because we expect the support factors to translate to substantive enhancements to the group’s business and financial profiles over the outlook period. In 2022, DIL raised a cumulative NGN300Bn in Series 1 (Tranches A and B) and Series 2 Senior Unsecured Bonds issued by its sponsored special purpose vehicle, Dangote Industries Funding Plc. Being senior unsecured debt sponsored by DIL, the Series 1 Tranches A and B Bonds and the Series 2 Bond rank pari passu with all other senior unsecured creditors of the group.
“Therefore, the Bonds bear the same national scale long-term rating as that accorded to DIL and any change in DIL’s long-term corporate rating would impact the Bonds ratings. We have reviewed the draft trustees’ bond performance report dated 24 May 2024 and note that the coupons have been paid as and when due and there were no breaches to any covenants and pledges in the trust deeds.
“However, the group remains highly exposed to volatile energy cost dynamics and is reliant on importation of gypsum for cement, raw sugar input, and crude oil for the refinery.”
I passionately beg you, my children suspend #EndBadGovernance protest
A frontline traditional ruler in Delta State and Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, King Obukowho Whiskey, has commended Nigerian youths over their #EndBadGovernance protest just as he “passionately” begged them to suspend the protest and embrace dialogue with the Federal Government saying they have made their point.
“I passionately beg you, my children, to suspend the protest in the interest of our country”, the monarch said in a personally signed statement, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri, Delta State on Tuesday.
The traditional ruler said, “The core messages of hunger, insecurity, inflation and the noticeable disconnect between the ruling class and the ordinary Nigerian have been well passed, and it’s time for true reflections and frank talk.”
The monarch urged the protesting Nigerian youths to redirect their energy and human resources “towards using dialogue and alternative dispute resolutions to address issues of national interest, as the patriotic desire of mass protest promoters has now been hijacked and serious care is required to come out of this without collateral damages”.
Udurhie however appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, “as a true Democrat and father, to look between the lines and adopt a more people-oriented approach to resolving this national uprising.
“The issue raised should be critically appraised and the needed solutions that can address those issues that are affecting the living standards of ordinary Nigerians should be looked into using the father-and-son relationship approach”, he exhorted.
The statement partly reads, “In the last five days, I have watched and followed the hunger and #EndBadGovernance protests across our motherland with keen interest. The protests have recorded mixed feelings. I commend the protesters who peacefully made their demands to the Nigerian government.
“I am also bewildered to watch the destruction of private and public property by some elements who hijacked the protest to loot our people. I cannot help but conclude that the core messages of hunger, insecurity, inflation, and the noticeable disconnect between the ruling class and the ordinary Nigerian have been well passed, and it’s time for true reflections and frank talk.
“The avoidable deaths and destruction of properties, including outright looting businesses, in the course of the protests in some parts of the country cannot and will not bring needed solutions. But I must commend our young children, who have conducted themselves well during the period of the protest. No doubt, there is hardship on the land. Our people are hungry, but the government has assured us they are doing everything to lift Nigerians out of this present phase.
“We should redirect our energy and human resources towards using dialogue and alternative dispute resolutions to address issues of national interest, as the patriotic desire of mass protest promoters has now been hijacked and serious care is required to come out of this without collateral damages.
“I passionately beg you, my children, to suspend the protest in the interest of our country. Peaceful protest, as enshrined in the nation’s constitution, does not give room for these wanton destructions of private and public properties.
“The President, as a true Democrat and father, should look between the lines and adopt a more people-oriented approach to resolving this national uprising.”
The statement further quoted the King as saying, “The issue raised should be critically appraised, and the needed solutions that can address those issues that are affecting the living standards of ordinary Nigerians should be looked into using the father-and-son relationship approach.
“Let’s look inward and promote things that unite the nation rather than things that divide us. Let peace reign supreme in our land.
“I solemnly call on the government at all levels in the country to urgently design policies and programmes, especially in the areas of security and agriculture, to tackle the nation’s multifaceted problems. The federal government cannot do it alone. The states and local governments must collaborate with the centre irrespective of political linings, to save our motherland.”
Katsina govt reviews curfew in Dutsinma LGA
The Katsina State government has relaxed the 24-hour curfew in the Dutsinma local government area of the state.
The Director of Media in the office of the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaj Abdullahi Aliyu-Yar’adua, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Katsina.
He said the Acting Governor of the state, Alhaji Faruq Jobe, approved the review of the curfew from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., after receiving a report on the improved security situation in the area.
The state government had earlier imposed a 24-hour curfew on Dutsinma after the #EndBadGovernance protest in the area turned violent on Thursday.
The government also banned unusual gatherings and all types of protests in the state.
The post Katsina govt reviews curfew in Dutsinma LGA appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
Katsina urges FG to revisit 74 abandoned projects
The Katsina State Government has appealed to the Federal Government to look at the possibility of revisiting over 74 abandoned projects spread across the state.
The state Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, Dr Faisal Kaita, made the call at a stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Katsina on Tuesday.
The meeting was organised through the Pffice of the Personal Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Constituency Affairs, Alhaja Khadijat Omotayo-Kareem.
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Kaita said that some of the projects were started by the previous administrations, but abandoned either from the start or at various levels of completion.
“Out of the projects, the dualisation of Katsina-Kano road, expansion of the Umaru Musa-Yar’adua airport, and Katsina-Daura-Maradi rail projects are most important.
“On Katsina-Kano road, the project starting from Kano to Gidan Mutum-Daya has been completed, but the Katsina part has been abandoned.
“We understand that the Katsina part was left due to non-payment of compensation to residents of the areas the road project will affect,” Kaita disclosed.
According to him, the payment of compensation for Kano part was done by the Federal Government, “therefore, that of the Katsina part should be considered by the president.”
Kaita said that the road did not only link Katsina and Kano State but also linked Nigeria with some parts of other African countries.
He further revealed that the state government had earlier expressed its stand on the compensation, but was discouraged by the decision of the Federal Ministry of Works.
According to Kaita, the Federal government has decided to appoint property valuers to evaluate the affected areas and submit to the state government for payment.
“If the Federal government insisted that we should pay the compensation, then, we have our building valuers that can do the job,” the commissioner said.
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Military after only enemies of state – Defence chief
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has said that the military and security agencies are after those behind the call for undemocratic change of government.
Musa said this on Tuesday during a combined news conference by the heads of security agencies and service chiefs at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
He said the military knew that some protesters calling for regime changes were sponsored, adding that the military and other security agencies were trailing them to bring them to book.
He said, “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, we on this side, 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.”
The CDS called for the collaboration of all other agencies to ensure that they achieved success and called for calm, mediation, and 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.
On his part, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, said the main operational commitment of the army was to deploy resources to combat the protests that have turned riots to ensure sustainable peace in the country.
Lagbaja said the army under his command was more concerned about bringing the country to a state of sustainable peace and security, adding that attention had not been diverted from its main operational commitment in combating terrorism and banditry.
“I checked the number of patrols that troops conduct, the number of ambushes that are undertaken on daily basis, the number of violent insurgents that have been eliminated, incapacitated and other indices, and it has not dropped by whatever measure.
“Also we have continued to expand the frontier of peace and security in Borno state.
“Internally Displaced Persons are being returned back to Kukawa and some other places as I speak to you, which are indices of return to peace and stability.
“So the troops are not relenting in their operational commitment in the field on our contingency plan in the event that the situation degenerates.
“I want to also assure you that our estimates looking into the future suggests that the situation will not degenerate but we need cooperation of every stakeholder in Nigeria to achieve that,” he said.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, said the navy had continued to work with other services and security agencies to ensure safety and security in the maritime domain.
Ogalla reiterated the commitment of the Navy to sustain its operations in the Niger Delta to ensure that the nation’s meets its oil production capacity
He said the operations had led to an increase in oil output and boosted the revenue generation from oil that would help the nation to meet the needs of the citizens.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, said the Nigerian Air Force remained committed to ensure successful operations in all operational engagements of the armed forces.
He said the military was mindful of its commitment to defending the
territorial integrity of the nation.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Chiefs of Army, Navy, Air Force and Defence as well as the Inspector-General of Police and representative of the Director-General of the Department of State Service, made presentations.
Also in attendance are the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller-General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Commander-General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
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Soldiers stop protesters from invading Niger market
Niger State protesters who attempted to invade the Suleja Modern Market over the alleged killing of six protesters on the first day of the protests were stopped by soldiers detailed to prevent violence and vandalisation.
The protesters, on Monday, attempted to invade the market and unleash terror on the marketers to avenge the killing of protesters but were resisted by soldiers.
The protesters came in their hundreds and gathered at the Suleja Junction, along the ever-busy Kaduna-Suleja-Abuja highway, with the determination to invade the biggest market in the state, when security agents, mainly soldiers, quickly mobilised to the area and dispersed them.
The planned nationwide protest in Niger State started in Suleja Local Government Area, and the town has remained the epicentre of the ongoing nationwide protest in the state.
On the first day of the protest, it turned bloody when six people were killed and several others injured.
The According learnt that the Monday protest was informed by the killing of the six protesters.
While the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, said that no protester was killed during the August 1 protests, the protesters insisted that six people were killed while over 15 people were injured during an encounter with the police.
The police spokesman stated, “The Niger State Police Command wishes to respond to a report in some online media that six persons lost their lives during the violent protest in the Tafa/Suleja area of Niger State, which is untrue.
“The Command, therefore, re-emphasized as earlier stated that violent miscreants stormed the Tafa LGA Secretariat, looted, vandalized, and partly set the building ablaze. Vehicles were damaged and burnt while security agencies responded, made arrests, and dispersed the hoodlums.
“During this process, there was no loss of life, and there was no report of such as the violent protesters were dispersed with the use of minimum force. However, some miscreants were mildly injured during a stampede and most of them were taken to different medical facilities for treatment”.
In another development, a group of protesters attempted to block the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway in Sabon Wuse, the headquarters of Tafa Local Government Area of the state, but they were prevented by the military. They were quickly dispersed and went into hiding when they sighted the detachment of soldiers on patrol in the area.
A member representing the Tafa constituency in the Niger State House of Assembly, Mohammed Idris, expressed worries over the influx of miscreants into the town, warning that if the situation was not checked, Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, would be affected by the activities of miscreants.
The lawmaker pointed out that in recent times, the activities of miscreants in the area have made life difficult for the residents, stressing that it was on record that the #EndBadGovernance protesters began in the area because of the activities of hoodlums.
“The situation is because the LGA shares a boundary with Kagarko in Kaduna State, where criminals move into the area to wreak havoc.
“There were several high profile kidnapping incidences in the area with millions of money paid as ransom by relations of the victims to secure their release, That is why we strongly appeal to the government to beam its searchlight on the area,” Sani said.