Amnesty International has condemned in strong terms the alleged killing of 13 protesters by security personnel across Nigeria.
It described the development as “unjustified and unacceptable”.
In a statement on Friday, issued by its Country Director, Isa Sanusi, the organisation urged the Nigerian authorities to investigate the incidents impartially and effectively and ensure that security personnel suspected of responsibility for the alleged deadly use of force were held to account through fair trial.
The organisation noted the situations in Suleja, Niger State, where six persons were killed and dozens wounded, Maiduguri, where four persons were killed and Kaduna, where three other persons were killed.
It, therefore, expressed concern over the Nigerian authorities’ growing hostility to dissent and the relentless repression of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly.
The statement explained, “Our findings, so far, show that security personnel at the locations where lives were lost deliberately used tactics designed to kill while dealing with gatherings of people protesting hunger and deep poverty.”
It called on the Nigerian government to take concrete steps to address the impact of recent reforms on economic, social and cultural rights, including people’s rights to health and education, saying that all those arrested for taking part in the protest must be released immediately and unconditionally.
It added that authorities should also end the rampant violations of the people’s rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
EndBadGovernance: Amnesty International condemns arrest of 13
EndBadGovernance: Amnesty International condemns arrest of 13
African Central Bank governors decry high borrowing costs
Central Bank Governors in Africa have expressed their concern over the rising cost of borrowing by African nations, stressing that the efficient development of the continent cannot be achieved at the current rates.
The governors, advocating a drastic cut in the cost of borrowing, said this position will be submitted at the forthcoming International Monetary Funds and World Bank’s annual meetings while canvassing for the adoption of a common position by the African continent.
The Governor, Bank of South Sudan, and Chair of the Monetary Affairs Committee for the East African Community, Dr James Garang, stated this in an interview with journalists at the sidelines of the 2024 African Caucus Meeting held on Friday in Abuja.
The African Caucus, established in 1963, aims to strengthen the voice of African Governors in the Bretton Woods Institutions on development issues pertinent to Africa.
Representing all 54 African countries, the Caucus meets twice yearly to consolidate views and convey them to the heads of the IMF and World Bank through a Memorandum.
In the first five months of this year, Nigeria’s debt servicing gulped about N2.2bn, data from the Central Bank of Nigeria revealed last month.
This is almost half of the $4.8bn projected for the entire year by Fitch Ratings in a report that predicted Nigeria’s external debt servicing would rise by $400m to $5.2bn next year.
According to the CBN International Payments Data, the FG spent the highest on debt financing in May at $854.36m, which is also the highest paid in a single month in the past year.
Addressing the issue of equitable financing, a stance supported by the governors of Central Banks from African nations, Garang emphasised that the forum needed to discuss equitable financing solutions considering the continent’s potential.
He said, “Equitable Financing is one of the issues that will be tackled in the memorandum and also in the declaration. There is a need to reform global financial architecture.
“It revolves around many things but I will just highlight three things. One is there is a need to reduce the cost of borrowing and enhance access to finance and also harmonise policies among ourselves and ensure that the voices of Africa are heard on the table.
“This is the point that we heard earlier, where Ambassador Amina Mohammed was talking about the G20. And also Ambassador Albert Muchanga of the EU Commission. They were talking about what can be done to ensure that Africa sits at the table where decisions around global financial architecture are met. So these are some of the things that are going to be coming up in the memorandum.”
He added that the forum will also focus on access to energy while seeking support from international lenders.
He also noted that the Central Bank governors from the African continent were concerned about the growing youth population and emphasized that an actionable plan would be developed to address this issue.
“The governors are very conscious about the level of unemployment today in the region and the continent. There is going to be a section in the memorandum that focuses on improving youth employment and opportunities across the board because we have not seen this not just for one country. The governors are very conscious and they will ensure that policies that focus on youth employment will be addressed.
“The other two things will of course be around issues that have to do with access to energy. And this is the area where the African Development Bank and the World Bank are taking the lead role to support the continent,” the governor added.
Kwara: Police invite protest leaders
Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Victor Olaiya, has invited leaders of the August 1-10, 2024, nationwide hunger protests in the state.
A statement by the spokesperson of the state police command, DSP Ejire Adeyemi Toun, in Ilorin, also cautioned against holding protests outside the court-restricted Metropolitan square in Ilorin.
The statement read, “The Kwara State Police Command wishes to inform the public about the ongoing protest.
“It is evident that the protests in states like Niger, Borno, Kano, and Yobe have been hijacked, resulting in loss of lives and properties. Citizens wishing to exercise their franchise must comply with the recent court ruling in the state.
“We urge all groups to follow the court ruling, which stipulates that protests must take place at the Metropolitan Square along Asa-Dam Road. The Post Office is not an approved location for such gatherings.
“We also request that protest leaders meet with the Commissioner of Police to strategize on security measures and ensure the safety of all participants.”
Kwara: Police invite protest leaders
Venezuela authorities ratify Maduro’s victory as more nations recognise rival
Venezuelan authorities on Friday ratified Nicolas Maduro’s election victory as a growing number of nations recognized his opposition rival as the true winner.
Gripped by anxiety after Sunday’s disputed presidential vote, the oil-rich nation braced for fresh protests as both Maduro and the opposition called for their supporters to demonstrate this weekend.
Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama and Uruguay on Friday recognized opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as the president-elect of Venezuela, joining the United States and Peru in rejecting the official results.
Venezuela’s election authority meanwhile ratified Maduro’s win with 52 percent of the vote and said Gonzalez Urrutia had garnered 43 percent of ballots.
Maduro, 61, has reacted fiercely to criticism of his victory and threatened opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and her presidential candidate Gonzalez Urrutia, saying they “should be behind bars.”
Gonzalez Urrutia did not show up to a hearing at the Supreme Court after Maduro requested the tribunal investigate and certify the election result.
However, other opposition candidates summoned to the hearing called for a detailed vote count to be made public.
Voting records “are fundamental for transparency, they are fundamental for peace,” said Enrique Marquez, who also ran against Maduro, as part of a smaller opposition group.
– ‘Fearing for my life’ –
Machado, who had been barred from running herself, wrote in the Wall Street Journal that she was in hiding and “fearing for my life,” along with other opposition leaders.
She called on supporters to gather on Saturday in cities across the country to “assert the truth” about the opposition’s victory.
“We have the evidence and the world already recognizes it,” Machado wrote on social media platform X.
Maduro, for his part, has called for daily mobilization, with “the mother of all marches to celebrate the victory of peace” to be held Saturday.
He accused the opposition of plotting “an attack” and ordered police to protect Caracas “and these areas that are under threat.”
In a news conference from the presidential palace, Maduro denounced “a coup led by the United States, the international far right and unbridled capitalism.”
The NGO Foro Penal reported 11 dead in protests Monday and Tuesday as Venezuelans took to the street in anger, saying their votes had been stolen. Machado said at least 20 people had been killed.
The crackdown on protests has sparked fear among opposition supporters.
“We have dead, wounded, detainees, missing people… People know it. They are afraid. They know they are going to find themselves facing armed people … ferocious wolves,” said Katiusca Camargo, an activist in the Petare slum in eastern Caracas.
The opposition this week launched a website with copies of 84 percent of ballots cast, showing an easy win for Gonzalez Urrutia. The government claims these are forged.
– ‘Overwhelming evidence’ –
Top US diplomat Antony Blinken said Thursday there was “overwhelming evidence” that Gonzalez Urrutia had won the election.
On Friday, Argentine Foreign Minister Diana Mondino said that Gonzalez Urrutia was the “legitimate winner and president-elect.” Peru has also recognized the 74-year-old retired diplomat as the rightful winner.
Uruguay said it was “clear” Gonzalez Urrutia had obtained the majority of votes. Ecuador called him the “legitimate winner” and Costa Rica said his victory was “indisputable.”
In a joint statement, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico urged an “impartial verification” of the result, also calling for Caracas to publish voting data broken down by polling stations.
Sunday’s elections were held in the shadow of Maduro’s warnings of a “bloodbath” if he were to lose, and amid widespread fear the vote would be rigged.
Authorities said more than 1,000 people were arrested in post-election protests.
Maduro has led the oil-rich country since 2013, presiding over a GDP drop of 80 percent that pushed more than seven million of once-wealthy Venezuela’s 30 million citizens to emigrate. Experts blame economic mismanagement and US sanctions for the collapse.
He is accused of locking up critics and harassing opponents in a climate of rising authoritarianism.
On Friday, prominent opposition figure Roland Carreno — a journalist who was previously accused of “terrorism” and imprisoned from 2020-2023 — was arrested in Caracas, his party Popular Will said.
Maduro’s previous reelection, in 2018, was rejected by dozens of Latin American as well as the United States and EU members.
Years of damaging US sanctions have failed to dislodge the president, who enjoys loyalty from the military leadership, electoral bodies, courts and other state institutions, as well as the backing of Russia, China and Cuba.
AFP
Trump agrees to debate Kamala Harris September 4
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said late Friday he had agreed with Fox News to debate Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris on September 4.
“I have agreed with FoxNews to debate Kamala Harris on Wednesday, September 4th,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, but it was not immediately clear if Harris had agreed to the debate.
AFP
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Top 10 stories from across Nigerian Newspapers, Saturday, August 3, 2024
Here are the top 10 stories making headlines across the country.
1. Defence spokesman claims troops killed 572 Nigerian terrorists in July
The Defence Headquarters claimed on Friday troops deployed to theatres of operation killed 572 suspected terrorists in July.Read more
2. Amnesty Int’l claims 13 #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters killed Day 1
Amnesty International stated on Friday that 13 protesters were allegedly killed by security forces across Nigeria, on the first day of the #EndBadGovernance protests across the country.Read more
3. My govt’s policies will propel Nigeria out of downturns – Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu said on Friday his administration has implemented bold policies to propel Nigeria out of the downturns occasioned by multiple shocks in the global economy.Read more
4. Police detains 320 suspects for vandalizing properties in Kano #EndBadGovernance protest
Police operatives in Kano State have arrested 320 suspects for allegedly vandalising public buildings during the nationwide protests in the state.Read more
5. Obi debunks protest video as fake, rubbishes reports of declaring war on northerners
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has denied a trending video alleging that he declared war on northerners, describing the video as a manipulated, deliberate and well-orchestrated efforts by some persons to blackmail him into conforming to some of their nefarious agendas.Read more
READ ALSO:Top 10 stories from across Nigerian Newspapers, Friday, August 2, 2024
6. Atiku condemns #IgboMustGo campaign, calls for immediate arrest of promoters
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned a social media campaign tagged #IgboMustGo, calling for Lagosians and people of the South-West to forcefully chase out Igbo people from Lagos and other South-West states from August 20 to 30, 2024.Read more
7. NGX: Equities market close week on bullish trend as investors gain N219bn
The Nigerian equities market reversed several days of bearish trend as investors gained N219 billion at the close of trading on Friday.Read more
8. FG reacts to WhatsApp’s threat to exit Nigeria over $220m fine
The Federal Government of Nigeria has reacted to the threat by Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram that it may be forced to exit the country over the recent $220m fine slammed on it by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).Read more
9. Protest: One killed, 11 injured in Borno explosion
One person was killed and 11 others sustained serious injuries in a bomb explosion in Borno State on Friday.Read more
10. Enekwechi into final of men’s Shot Put in Paris
Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi has advanced to the final of the men’s Shot Put at the 2024 Olympic Games.Read more
The post Top 10 stories from across Nigerian Newspapers, Saturday, August 3, 2024 appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
Police recover loot from Kano protests, continue search operations
Operatives of the Kano State Police Command have initiated a house-to-house search to recover items stolen during the #EndbadgovernanceinNigeria protest in Kano.
The protest, initially peaceful, was hijacked by suspected hoodlums who embarked on a looting spree, as reported by Daily Trust.
The looters raided stores, houses, and government establishments, including the yet-to-be-inaugurated office of the Nigerian Communication Commission, taking away furniture, electronic items, and more.
They also vandalised streetlights and other public decorations.
In response, the police arrested over 400 suspects and recovered some of the stolen items.
Social media user, Sa’adatu Baba Ahmad, reported that policemen stormed the Yakasai and Durumin Zungura areas in Kano Municipal to retrieve the stolen goods on Friday.
She wrote, “Since 10:30am, looted items are being recovered from the houses of people who stole property of the government and innocent people in the name of protest. Up till now, they are there invading the houses.”
At a briefing earlier on Friday, the Kano Police Command reiterated its commitment to ensure that perpetrators of the mayhem which broke out during the protest are brought to book.
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EndBadGovernance: Profiling of Ndigbo must stop – South-East NASS caucus warns
The South-East caucus of the National Assembly has expressed dismay over the dangerous ethnic profiling of lgbos in the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests across the country.
The caucus appealed to Ndigbo across the country to stay away from the protests and remain law abiding.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, leader of the Senate caucus and Rt Hon lduma lgariwey, leader of the House of Representatives.
The statement reads in Part, “The attention of the South East Caucus of the National Assembly has been drawn to the unfortunate and dangerous ethnic profiling of Igbos in the ongoing mass protests across the country.
“For the records, the Igbo nation, in obedience to the advice of their leaders- Governors, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, parliamentarians and others in the private sector- had taken a reasoned and strategic decision not to participate in the on-going nationwide protests.
“This is evident in the relative calm experienced in the five South Eastern states. We are, therefore, surprised and disappointed, that Igbos are still made scapegoats, and targeted as instigators of protests, as shown in several statements (such as the Igbo Must Go hashtag and call by a certain ‘Lagospedia’ X (Twitter) handle) and videos seen online.
“This dangerous ethnic profiling is unwarranted, and must stop. It was such profiling that led to the millions of deaths in Nigeria from the 1950’s to the unfortunate civil war in 1967 to 1970.
“Elsewhere in Africa it led to genocide in Rwanda and the xenophobia in South Africa. Such should not be our fate again in Nigeria.
“We demand that the security agencies bring to book the purveyors of these hate speeches in line with the cybercrimes act.
“We continue to appeal to Igbos across the country to stay away from the protests, and remain law abiding.”
EndBadGovernance: Profiling of Ndigbo must stop – South-East NASS caucus warns
EndBadGovernance: Peter Obi decries death of protesters
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, during the 2023 elections has commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives during the #EndBadGoverance protests.
Several citizens have died since the nationwide protests began on Thursday, August 1.
Obi took to his verified X account to mourn those who died “in their struggle for a better nation.”
The former Anambra State governor wrote on Friday night: “I wish to most sincerely pass my condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives in the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests.
“I deeply mourn these brothers and sisters of ours, who have lost their lives in their struggle for a better nation.”
EndBadGovernance: Peter Obi decries death of protesters
Over 100 duplexes, land ready for subscription at PMB Estate – Housing Commissioner
The Ogun State Government has announced that over 100 units of detached and semi-detached duplexes are ready for subscription by members of the public at the President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) Estate in Abeokuta.
It also stated that plots of land are available for sale to individuals willing and ready to build their dream houses in the estate.
Commissioner for Housing, Jagunmolu Akande Omoniyi, stated this on Friday while conducting over 100 Realtors and Estate Agents around the PMB Estate, along Kobape Road, Abeokuta.
Speaking further on what subscribers stand to gain in the estate, Hon. Omoniyi said that apart from being built on virgin land with great scenery, the estate would feature a shopping mall, perimeter fence and gatehouse, children’s playground, recreational center, and other facilities comparable to those in major estates around the world.
“This estate is going to be top-notch. It will have facilities that can be compared to first-class estates across the world. It will have adequate security, a mall, a recreational center, a playground for children, and other facilities that will make living in this estate a pleasurable experience.
“As you can see, the buildings are constructed with the best materials available anywhere in the country. The buildings are of modern design with ample space. We are building this estate for those who want to live in a quiet environment devoid of the hustle and bustle of the cities and for Nigerians in the Diaspora who want to enjoy the same environment they are used to overseas,” he said.
The estate, the commissioner added, is strategically located close to the OgunTechHub, the State Judiciary Complex, and just a five-minute drive to the Governor’s Office, and 50 minutes to Lagos State. He assured that subscribers, upon full payment, would be given all their title documents.
Jagunmolu Omoniyi stated that the success recorded so far, especially with the Ibara Regeneration Scheme, informed the need for the government to also develop the PMB Estate to make more houses available to the people.
He maintained that the tour aimed to sensitize the housing market through the gathering of more than 100 Realtors and Estate Agents on the facilities being put in place to transform the once-abandoned project into one of the best estates in the country.
He noted that the PMB Estate, started by the past administration, was conceptualized as a site-and-service project with over 500 hectares of land, adding that the state government is currently developing the first cluster of over 50 hectares.
The commissioner further disclosed that the more than 100 buildings, made up of detached and semi-detached duplexes, were being constructed to demonstrate what the state government is capable of achieving.
Omoniyi lamented that despite its huge potential, the PMB Estate was lying fallow with many unfinished and vandalized infrastructures, but has now been transformed into a city of great value for the people of the state and Nigerians in the Diaspora who desire to live and work in the state.
The Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration, the commissioner emphasized, operates an inclusive policy on housing delivery as all segments of the populace in the state have been taken into consideration.
According to him, the present administration, in the last four years, has provided affordable houses to all categories of people, ranging from low to medium and high-income earners. He added that the government’s desire is to ensure that all citizens in the state have a roof over their heads.
“This is the only state that has, within the first four years of its inception, constructed over 4,000 affordable homes in all three Senatorial Districts across the state. Ogun State is the only state that has provided truly affordable houses that are not beyond the reach of the people.
“Our low-income houses go for between N10 million and N15 million, medium-income goes for about N70 million, while the high-income goes for about N175 million. With this, we have engaged over 50,000 artisans through direct labor and turned several unknown villages into smart cities.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the governor on the Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation (OPIC), Prince Farooq Adenugba, said that Cluster 1 in the estate, currently being developed, is provided with facilities like a gatehouse, service building, children’s park, clubhouse, street lights, and a standard drainage system, describing it as “an estate of valleys and hills.”
Prince Adenugba emphasized that the buildings are of high quality that could be compared with the best anywhere in the world.
He stated that the fully detached and semi-detached duplexes are provided with boys’ quarters, just as the fully detached duplexes sit on 900 square metres and the semi-detached duplexes on 500 square metres of land.
While assuring subscribers of getting the right value for their money, Adenugba added that the choice of housing units is strategically located, while each cluster would be fenced to provide the needed security for occupants.
A property practitioner and builder, Mr. Babatunde Denton, while fielding questions from newsmen after the tour of the estate, applauded the state government for siting the project at a strategic location to showcase the state, adding that with the standard of infrastructure and facilities available, the PMB Estate is poised to be a prime estate in the future.
The General Secretary of the Real Estate Developers’ Association of Nigeria, Ogun State chapter, Mr. Ojikutu Olusola, commended the state government for ensuring that quality materials were used in the construction of the buildings, noting that with the government’s involvement in the projects, buyers would have peace of mind after purchasing the properties.
Over 100 duplexes, land ready for subscription at PMB Estate – Housing Commissioner