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Abbas appeals for peace, says FG addressing protesters’ demands

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Abbas appeals for peace, says FG addressing protesters’ demands

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajuddeen Abbass has urged Nigerians on the streets to suspend the ongoing nationwide protests, saying top officials of the government are currently discussing the issues affecting the country.

In a statement signed on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Kirishi, Abbas said he has since reported the grievances and demands made by the youth to President Bola Tinubu after he engaged with them at a town hall meeting on Wednesday.

The statement stated that the Speaker said this during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, following the ongoing protests by Nigerians, especially the youths, which began on Thursday.

Abbas recalled how he led the House to engage with leaders and representatives of various youth organisations at the National Assembly, noting that he had fruitful deliberations with over 25 youth groups.

He said after listening to their complaints and demands, he communicated the same to President Tinubu to find solutions.

“We have already started reporting what we discussed with the youths to the President. He was okay with our discussion, and he was equally happy with what we did. He also assured me that he would do his best to see that all the issues raised are well addressed one after the other.

“We’ll continue to engage with the President on every issue that we know will affect the lives of Nigerians so that necessary measures can be taken. I, therefore, call on all Nigerians, young and old, men and women, to be cautious. We shouldn’t allow the protests to destroy our country”, the Speaker said.

He stated that Nigerians have the right to peaceful protest, but history has shown that in most cases, even in advanced countries, unpatriotic elements hijack protests and cause the destruction of lives and property.

Abbas also noted that the House is aware of the state of the nation and that the Tinubu administration is working hard to address insecurity, inflation, and unemployment in the country, adding that Nigerians will soon start seeing positive changes.

He said some ministers from key sectors were part of the engagement, where they offered explanations to the youth on what the government was doing to address their plight.

NNPCL uses fuel subsidy savings to sustain current pump price – Budget Minister, Bagudu

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NNPCL uses fuel subsidy savings to sustain current pump price – Budget Minister, Bagudu

The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Abubakar Bagudu has explained that Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, is using fuel subsidy savings to sustain the product’s current pump price.
The minister made this known on Channels Television on Saturday, noting that Nigeria’s 2024 budget did not have an arrangement for fuel subsidy.
When asked about the amount saved from fuel subsidy since its removal in June 2024, he explained that NNPCL’s contribution because of fuel import outweighed the pump price sold to Nigerians.
“That is the issue. If NNPCL is supposed to contribute the most it cannot contribute because I have to use the money to import fuel. NNPCL is obligated to provide energy security. Consequently what they are to provide is affected,” he said.
This comes amid uncertainties surrounding the government’s fuel subsidy payment despite its removal in June 2023, which led to the increase in the product pump price to above N600 per liter from N238.
TVN reports that one of the demands of the ongoing hunger protests, tagged #EndBadGovernance is the return of fuel subsidy.
The protest, which entered Day 3 on Saturday, is expected to last for 10 days.
Speaking on the protesters’ demand, the minister said the government is listening to Nigerians and making reforms in line with the yearning of the people.
When asked if NNPCL had remitted funds to the Federal Government, he said, “I am not aware. Not necessarily, the Accountant-General should know. I will be surprised if they have done so.
“Let’s face it, you told somebody to import fuel and he says the cost of import is higher than the cost of the product being sold.
“We have the NNPCL, the Petroleum Industry Act makes its private liability company and at the same time mandated it with energy security. So only NNPCL can say this is the price fuel is arriving in Nigeria.
“And if it is selling below that price, then obviously it is an NNPCL issue. It means it is NNPCL that is taking the loss. We don’t have the provision for fuel subsidy. That is not to say that NNPCL is not suffering a loss as a result of the difference between the landing cost and what it is being sold.
“President Tinubu is listening to Nigerians so that we do things differently.”
TVN recalls that the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria announced that the landing cost of fuel stood at N1,170 per liter. Meanwhile, depending on the location, fuel is between N617 to N850 per liter.
NNPCL uses fuel subsidy savings to sustain current pump price – Budget Minister, Bagudu

Foundation seeks help for widows in Africa

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Foundation seeks help for widows in Africa

The African Widows Summit, an initiative of the Almanah Hope Foundation in Nigeria, has called on African leaders to promote sustainable and universal empowerment for African widows by taking constructive action on issues that have to do with them.

Speaking at an event in Lagos, on Saturday, on the outcome of the first African Widows Summit held in Zanzibar, Tanzania in June, the Founder of the Almanah Hope Foundation in Nigeria, Hope Nwakwesi, said the government should protect and empower windows.

Nwakwesi, who is also the President of the Union of African Widows and the African Widows Summit, said the landmark event for African widows’ reform provided a platform where widows and various stakeholders explored and addressed the challenges faced by widows across the continent.

The event, she noted, aimed to drive the narrative that focused on widow’s empowerment through inclusion, emphasising the role of government in providing political leadership and intervention through strategic policy, planning, and allocation.

She explained, “As African women in widowhood continue to grapple with persistent challenges and the prevalence of discrimination and disinheritance measuring across five key pillars: cultural practices and beliefs, economic opportunity; political empowerment; social services and security.

“Having a policy within these borders is an action that will promote sustainable and universal empowerment for African widows, which must be provided by the government, hence the initiative of The African Widows Summit.”

She commended the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar and its President Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, for supporting the summit believing in their mission, and welcoming the historic first-ever summit for widows on the continent.

Nwakwesi noted that the African Widows Summit held from June 20-22, 2024, in Zanzibar, Tanzania, had set a new benchmark in addressing the critical issues surrounding widowhood in Africa

The women advocate said the three-day conference, under the theme “Women in Widowhood: Reforming the African Space,” brought together a diverse group of leaders, advocates, and widows to focus on widows inclusion, economic empowerment, and policy reform with delegates from over 10 countries of Africa.

“The objectives of the summit were: to deepen the understanding of widowhood issues and policy development; improve access to knowledge and information related to widows’ rights and to provide political leadership to addressing widows’ issues and catalyzing solutions that will improve the values of African widows.

“It also discussed the social and economic roles of widows in their communities and the need for supportive frameworks through government planning and allocation.

“The summit had a compelling keynote address from Ms. Prudence Nonkululeko Ngwenya, the African Union Director of Women, Gender and Youth.

“Among her contributions were on how to ensure widows’ rights are upheld. Widows should be empowered economically to improve their livelihood and support their families to live in dignity.”

According to her, the summit also stated the need for the establishment of a dedicated fund to support widows, aiming to provide financial resources and opportunities for self-sufficiency, and for donor policy and politics to begin the allocation of funds to widows empowerment.

In her submission, Nwakwesi highlighted that sustainable and universal empowerment for African Widows was key to unlocking the invisible women (widows).

“It’s the responsibility of the government which involves the inclusion of widows in policy, economy, education, health, and housing plans”, she said.

APC, PDP clash over #EndBadGovernance protests in Zamfara

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APC, PDP clash over #EndBadGovernance protests in Zamfara

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of sponsoring attacks on its members by protesters in the state.
The APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Malam Yusuf Idris, made the allegations at a press briefing on Friday in Gusau.
He alleged that the PDP leadership in the state had used the protests to attack the residence of the Minister of State, Defence, Bello Matawalle.
He added that PDP thugs also attacked the residence of Senator Sahabi Ya’u in his hometown of Kaura Namoda and destroyed valuable items, including a Toyota Hilux van.
Idris said” “We have earlier forecast the possibility of hijacking the protests by hoodlums and other miscreants in the state.
“We commend the proactive action of the security agencies in the state for their quick intervention.
“We urge them to do more and immediately arrest the culprits who infiltrated the peaceful protests.
“The Zamfara APC chapter is disturbed by the dimension of the nationwide protests, which are supposed to be peaceful.
“We have observed that many PDP thugs were strategically deployed to attack and maim personalities as well as destroy properties of the APC.”
He urged Governor Dauda Lawal to call the PDP members to order for peace to reign in the state.
Responding, the PDP acting Chairman in the state, Alhaji Mukhtar Lugga, described the allegations as unfortunate.
READ ALSO: Zamfara APC, police explain arrest of PDP members
Lugga, who is the Chief of Staff to the governor, wondered why the APC always came up with baseless allegations to attack the current administration.
He said: “This is very unfortunate, It is very sad for the APC leadership in the state to relate the nationwide protests against hunger and bad governance with politics.
“I wonder why the APC leaders in Zamfara always politicise issues related to the development of the state and Nigeria.
“You know, we don’t want to join issues with the APC. We are on governance now. We are focusing on the development of our dear state.”
The post APC, PDP clash over #EndBadGovernance protests in Zamfara appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

Police arrest 90 suspected looters in Gombe

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Police arrest 90 suspected looters in Gombe

Following the looting of the Gombe Bureau of Public Reforms, shops and main market, the Gombe State Police Command on Saturday said no fewer than 90 suspects have been arrested.

Confirming the arrest to According Online, the Public Relations Officer, ASP Buhari Abdullahi, said some of the items stolen have been recovered.

He disclosed that among those arrested were looters and violent protesters, adding that they were found with the items allegedly stolen.

According to him, “Gombe State Police Command wishes to inform members of the general public that normalcy has been restored in the state, as the command arrested 90 suspected looters, violent protesters and recovered some stolen properties and no loss of life was recorded.”

Speaking further Abdullahi noted that the state is generally calm, “as people are moving on with their lawful activities and the command is committedto maintaining this progress, as close monitoring and extensive patrols continue.

“The return to normalcy is a testament to the act of professionalism, resilience and restrain exhibited by the police officers and other security agencies in the State.”

While lauding one of the communities for its support to the command, Abdullahi said, “However, the Command appreciates the Bolari community members for their efforts towards recovering some of the looted property and to everyone who contributes towards this positive turnaround.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Hayatu Usman, urges the members of the general public to continue cooperating with the security agencies in preserving and maintaining law and order in the state.”

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Sports minister vows to unravel mystery behind Ofili’s exclusion

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Sports minister vows to unravel mystery behind Ofili’s exclusion

The Sports Minister, John Enoh, has vowed to find out why Nigerian athlete, Favor Ofili, was excluded from the 100m race at the ongoing 2024 Olympics taking place in Paris.

Ofili, a strong medal contender, was notably absent from the event which began on Saturday (today).

The minister expressed his disappointment in a statement on Saturday on his X.com handle.

According to him, he had been working tirelessly to resolve the issue, as he engaged with officials from the Nigeria Olympic Committee and World Athletics.

Enoh’s statement partly read, “The 100m race got off to a start today, sadly without Favor Ofili. I was on the matter until the early hours of today, with the hope of giving Nigerians something to be happy about. From the moment I stated my position on this, officials of the NOC haven’t slept, they have been on their toes.

“The NOC President, Engr Habu Gumel, and his team kept vigil, traversing between the Director of Competition, the Technical Committee and the World Athletics. I have been duly informed that some other countries have similar issues, and these aforementioned bodies do not want to open a floodgate that would become difficult to manage.

“Howbeit, I am not concerned about other countries. My interest is with my own country Nigeria and who is responsible for the non-listing of Favor Ofili. Furthermore, I have been briefed that World Athletics submitted, that when the final list was published in July by it, AFN should have called its attention to the omission of Favor Ofili’s name. This still doesn’t address the issue.”

While admitting that other countries had encountered similar setbacks, the minister stated that Nigeria’s situation required urgent attention.

He questioned the circumstances leading to Ofili’s omission from the 100m race, demanding to know at what point was her name dropped from the list and who was responsible.

“What’s the motivation behind this? What’s the trail of communication from AFN to NOC and IOC and/or World Athletics?” he queried.

However, he vowed to probe the matter religiously after the Olympics.

“At what point did her name drop out of the 100m race? Who’s responsible for this? What’s the motivation behind this?
What’s the trail of communication from AFN to NOC and IOC and/or World Athletics? All these are questions that must be answered immediately after the Olympics.”

Despite the setback, Enoh urged Ofili to remain focused on her other events, assuring her of his support. He also called on the rest of Team Nigeria to stay motivated and strive for victory.

“For now, I appeal to Favor Ofili to refuse to allow this to distract her concentration in the remaining races for which she has been listed(I’m in touch with her on this).

“And for the rest of Team Nigeria, particularly the Athletics team, let them stay motivated to win.”

Abducted local council chairman escapes from kidnappers in Kogi

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Abducted local council chairman escapes from kidnappers in Kogi

The abducted chairman of the caretaker committee in the Kabba/Bunu local government area of Kogi State, Mr. Zacchaeus Dare-Michael, has escaped from his kidnappers’ den.
Dare-Michael was kidnapped alongside some of his aides by gunmen along the Kaba-Okene road on Friday.
The spokesman for the Kogi State police command, Williams Ovye-Aya, confirmed the development to journalists on Saturday in Lokoja.
He said: “I can confirm that the chairman graciously escaped from kidnappers in the early hours of Saturday.
READ ALSO: Gunmen abduct Chinese nationals, kill five security men in Kogi
“Our Divisional Police Officer in Kabba has confirmed that to me.
“It’s the work of God that the chairman was able to escape from his abductors
“We give God the glory that he has returned to his family hale and hearty.
“All the same, our officers and men are already trailing the kidnappers to arrest them and rescue other people in their possessions.”
The post Abducted local council chairman escapes from kidnappers in Kogi appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

Kwara IRS denies victimising Igbo traders

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Kwara IRS denies victimising Igbo traders

Kwara Internal Revenue Services has debunked the alleged victimisation of Igbo business owners in the state over noncompliance with tax payment laws.

The clarification was contained in a press statement signed by the Head, Corporate Affairs of the agency, Funmilola Oguntunbi, and made available to the press in Ilorin, the state capital on Saturday

The agency explained that the alleged victimisation of Igbo traders by the agency published by an online platform  (not According Online) against the personality of the state governor, Mallam AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq and KW-IRS was a falsehood that targeted ethnic sentiment to gain undue public sentiment.

The statement read, “The attention of the Service has been drawn to a false, malicious, and inciting publication on 31st July 2024 by one online publication, International Centre for Investigative Reporting, against the personality of the Governor of Kwara State and the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service respectively.

“We are tempted to believe that this false narrative was at the instance of some members of the Kwara State Igbo Traders Association (KWAITA), which has recently instituted a legal action against the Service on 12th July 2024 on the same subject matter before the Kwara State High Court.

“In suit KWS/308/24 – NWANKWO SYLVESTER & 90 ORS VS KWARA STATE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE & 2 ORS. This action of twisting the facts through a media publication is, therefore, in bad faith.

”In response to the deliberate misinformation, we clarify as follows: Contrary to the unfounded allegation contained in the publication, at no time did the Governor of Kwara State explicitly or impliedly direct the Service to victimise or act in a particular way towards anyone based on their religion, ethnicity, or other personal social identity.”

While maintaining that the execution of tax judgment against traders in the state was non-discriminatory, KW-IRS said, “the execution of judgments was effected on six judgment debtors/taxpayers. Three of them are Igbo traders, while the remaining three are Yoruba traders.”

The judgment on debtors, according to the agency included, “Electrical appliances, Boutique dealers and a dealer in Automobile spare parts who were all Igbo traders with their shops located at Ibrahim Taiwo road area while three Yoruba traders/judgment debtors included a dealer in phone accessories, Trader and another providing Educational Services, also at Ibrahim Taiwo Road.

“The Service has adopted a non-discriminatory policy on prohibition of Associations on assessment and collection of personal income tax in compliance with relevant provisions of the federal law which is the Personal Income Tax Act, 2011 (as amended. The Service will not join issues with the publisher and cohort over issues that are already pending for adjudication before a court of competent jurisdiction as doing same will be Sub Judice.

“Against this background, and as a reputable Agency that firmly believes in the principles of the rule of law and judicial process, we would not allow anyone to drag the Service’s hard-earned reputation in the mud.

“We advise ICIR and those behind the unpatriotic publication to refrain from heating up the polity by subjecting matters already before a competent court to a court of public opinion where players sometimes intentionally choose which facts to state and which facts to suppress in the pursuit of their agenda. We urge the platform to refrain from interfering with the constitutional powers and functions of the Court”, it said.

Police discovers 6 grenades abandoned by terrorists in Borno

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Police discovers 6 grenades abandoned by terrorists in Borno

Police operatives in Borno State have discovered six projectile grenades allegedly abandoned by Boko Haram terrorists at Ajilari Cross area in Maiduguri, the state capital.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, Yusuf Lawal, who disclosed this on Saturday while providing a situation report to journalists in Maiduguri, said the projectiles were discovered on Friday.
He said the personnel of the Explosive Ordnance Device (EOD), Base 13, deployed to the scene to assess the grenades and discovered that they were manufactured with incendiary chemicals.
READ ALSO: Protest: One killed, 11 injured in Borno explosion
He said the affected area was thoroughly screened and the projectiles were recovered intact.
The CP said: “In a separate incident, 20 suspects were arrested for burning tyres and inciting disturbances in Maiduguri.
“They are currently under interrogation and investigation for transparent prosecution.”
Lawal revealed that another violent incident occurred on the same day in Bassam Galomari Village, Gubio II Ward, Gubio local government area of the state.
The post Police discovers 6 grenades abandoned by terrorists in Borno appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

Makinde commends Oyo residents for peaceful protest

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Makinde commends Oyo residents for peaceful protest

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has expressed his appreciation to all youths and parents in the state for ensuring peaceful demonstrations across the state against hunger and hardship in the country.

The governor made this known in a statement on Saturday issued by the state Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, following the sustenance of the peaceful protest which began on Thursday, 1st of August.

The statement said Makinde was among the first set of leaders across Nigeria to publicly embrace the constitutionality of the #EndHungerProtest, with an admonition that the protest must be peaceful to achieve the desired result.

Makinde further appealed to Nigerians to be law-abiding and to ensure that their agitation was without rancour and incitement throughout the period.

The governor praised the people and, most especially the youths, for keeping their end of the bargain as they expected the Federal Government to make life better for all and sundry.

Makinde equally called on Nigerians in states where various degrees of violence had been recorded during the protest, to allow peace to reign as the search for good governance continued.

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