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Reactions as Abel Damina joins Dunamis midnight prayer

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Pastor Abel Damina of Power City on Thursday joined the Dunamis International Gospel Center’s Commanding The Day Midnight Prayer.

The daily virtual prayer, hosted by Dr Paul Enenche and his wife, attracts thousands of viewers from across the globe.

Abel, who has been picking on Dr Enenche and other ministers, was, however, seen among viewers while the programme lasted.

The development has sparked mixed reactions among believers and non-believers alike, with many describing his constant attacks on men of God as hypocritical.

Others believe he came to also seek the face of God.

Many owners of looted, vandalised property hospitalised– Police

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The Police in Kano have confirmed that some of the owners of looted and vandalised property during the first day of the EndBadGovernance protest are currently receiving treatment at the hospitals. The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Haruna, who confirmed the development while addressing a news conference on Friday, said some of the affected

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Hunger protest turns violent in Delta, council chair escapes lynching

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A previously peaceful hunger protest in Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, turned violent on Friday as Policemen stationed at the Otovwodo axis of the East-West road allegedly shot and injured a yet-to-be identified protester.

The incident triggered other protesters to burn tyres and pelt local government officials with sachet water.

For the second day running, protesters converged at the popular Otovwodo junction, causing traffic gridlock on the East-West Road.

Travelers from Benin to Port Harcourt and other parts of the Eastern region were stranded for several hours.

Following the alleged police shooting, the protesters, including market women, forcefully chased away the Chairman of Ughelli North LGA, Jaro Egbo and his aides when his motorcade was sighted at the scene.

Egbo narrowly escaped being lynched by the angry protesters and Otovwodo market women for allegedly instructing his aides to dislodge the protesters.

However, the press secretary to the Council Chairman, Efe Ekete, denied the allegation, stating that the Chairman had come to appeal to the protesters not to attack the security agents.

One protester, who wished to remain anonymous, told journalists that they “were not carrying anything dangerous except for the placards when the police double-crossed them and started shooting tear gas.”

“While shooting tear gas, the police were being pelted with sachets of water by the protesters. As they were driving away, they opened fire on the protesters, and one person was hit in the chest,” the source alleged.

The injured protester was rushed to a hospital by security agents.

A human rights activist, identified as Comrade Silver, blamed the police from ‘A’ Division, Ughelli, and Ughelli Police Area Command for arresting and shooting at the protesters.

Silver said, “I pleaded with the protesters not to disrupt the Otovwodo market because today is Otovwodo market day and hoodlums could seize the opportunity to molest the market women and loot their goods.

“I appealed to them to start their protest from Agbarha-motor junction to Afiesere junction. Suddenly, while still in the market area, I saw police officers chasing a car, stopping the driver, and tear gassing the occupants. The market women and protesters resisted the arrest and the police started shooting teargas and live bullets.

“When the DPO arrived, I approached him and we both went to the station, and the boy was released, restoring peace.”

He continued, “I learned they shot a person. Though I did not see him, I was told that the Army rushed him to the hospital.”

When contacted, the leader of the military personnel deployed to Otovwodo junction, Bukar Dabo, said he did not see anyone shot by police, as claimed by some.

Protesters reportedly set Red Cross vehicle ablaze, vandalise office in Yobe

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Despite a 24-hour curfew order, reports indicated that protesting youths in Potiskum town of Yobe State have set ablaze a vehicle belonging to the Red Cross Divisional Office.
The protesters were said to have looted items in the divisional office.
TVN had earlier reported that, three protesting youths were gunned down when they attempted to vandalise food stores belonging to some non-governmental organisations operating in the area.
Potiskum, Gashu’a and Nguru towns have been under 24-hour curfew when the August 1 nationwide protests against bad governance turned violent.
As of the time of filling in this report, the Yobe State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has not yet confirmed the incident.
Protesters reportedly set Red Cross vehicle ablaze, vandalise office in Yobe

Benue SUBEB opens bid for school projects

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The Benue State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, has flagged off the public opening of bids for the SUBEB-UBEC intervention fund projects from matching grant under the 1st to 4th quarter 2002 to 1st to 4th quarter 2003.
The flag off ceremony which was attended by contractors and representatives of regulatory bodies took place at the board’s headquarters in Makurdi on Tuesday.
In a remark Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Dr. Grace Adagba, reiterated the commitment of the board to transparency and accountability in the execution of its projects.
She said: “I want to assure and reassure that we will ensure our best to see that, transparency and due process and accountability is seen here.”
Dr . Adagba added that Benue SUBEB was the only SUBEB that had announced coordinates and locations of intended projects, a proof of transparency in the whole process.
She stressed the need for contractors to ensure that all projects are executed to specifications and in good time too.
She gave assurance that the process was going to be the most transparent ever to be witnessed in Benue State.
She commended the Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Dr Hyacinth Alia, for his prompt release of counterpart funding, which was a testament to his passion and zeal for development in the education sector as well as the entire state.
The Commissioner of Education and Knowledge Management, Rev. Dr. Frederick Ikyaan, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Agbo Ochekpe, highlighted the significance of the public opening of the bids, noting that it arose from a collective resolve to implement projects and policies with transparency, accountability, and adherence to the highest standards of quality and ethics.
The ceremony was attended by members of the board and management staff, the chairman House Committee on Education, Cephas Dyako, UBEC State Coordinator, Mr. Idzi Baba, UBEC Supervisor of Projects North Central Zone, Isah Yakubu, representatives of EFCC, ICPC, BPP, and the Nigerian Institute of Builders, and civil society organizations among others.
In their separate remarks, the representatives of UBEC and financial institutions present dwelt extensively on the fact that standards must be maintained, and that adequate sanctions will be meted out to contractors who do not perform in accordance with set guidelines.
Responding on behalf of the contractors, Emmanuel China expressed gratitude to the Governor, the SUBEB Executive Chairman, and all those involved in the contract process, while praying that the board will fulfill its mandate of ensuring that only deserving contractors get awarded, and the process is carried out transparently as promised.
The highlight of the event was the symbolic opening of bids for matching grants under the 1st to 4th quarter 2002 and 2003.
Benue SUBEB opens bid for school projects

Grassroots football key to producing more talents

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A former Super Eagles player and 1997 African Footballer of the Year,  Victor Ikpeba, has called for more grassroots football competitions to produce more talents for Nigeria.

Ikpeba made the call on Friday in Akure at a news conference ahead of the finals of annual Akogun Football Competition holding in Oka-Akoko, Akoko South-West area of Ondo state.

The former 1994 African Cup of Nations winner, who said he was also a product of grassroots football, added that football development should not be left for government alone.

Ikpeba also said that for his teammates to have graced the occasion in the past, showed that the competition was on the right track of discovering more talents for Nigeria.

”It’s a privilege to be in Akure, I am here to support Akogun Gbenga Omole for what he has been doing, I think this is the sixth edition, i am also a product of grassroots football.

”Personally, I do believe that though i have stopped playing,I still get myself involved in football.

”I am still part of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) technical committee, so it’s our role to support grassroots football.

”So when the honourable contacted me and I saw what he has been doing in the past six years, I was impressed and I think there is no better way to give something back to the community and see how you can develop these young boys and girls.

”I know the people love their football in Ondo State, I decided to come and my teammates have been here before to support what he is doing,” Ikpeba said.

He also pledged his support for the initiative, adding that it would be a privilege to be in Akoko.

“I want to commend him and also appreciate the governor, he saw us yesterday, I want to thank the people of Ondo state, it was peaceful when we got here yesterday,” the 1996 Olympics gold medalist said.

The organiser of the competition, Gbenga Omole, said the competition had produced more talents for local teams, with about five of them already playing outside Nigeria.

Omole said that apart from discovering talents the competition was also initiated to promote unity and love, peace and progress among the youths.

He further stated that, over the years, the likes of Ben Iroha, Dosu Joseph, Mutiu Adepoju and Peter Rufai had graced the occasion.

He said that being anfootball lover, who had invested in football before he ventured into politics, he regarded football as a way to execute youth empowerment programmes while also uniting them.

”Their presence and other soccer scouts has yielded results as we have had talented players exported to join clubs and teams outside the shore of our state.

”Football is a big business globally, spinning over $4 Billion income in 2023 and it’s to projected to rise to $5.65 Billion by 2031; we want to be part of this.

”And with proper grooming, the talents discovered in this competition can be turned to stars, and this will rub off on the thier families and communities,” he said.

NAN

US election: Biden reacts after Kamala Harris emerges as Democratic candidate

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US president, Joe Biden, has said “he couldn’t be prouder” after Vice President Kamala Harris emerged as the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee.
Harris effectively secured the nomination Friday.
She will now face off with Republican Donald Trump during November elections.
In the two weeks since Biden ended his re-election bid, Harris has smashed fundraising records, packed arenas and erased the polling leads Trump had built over the president.
“I couldn’t be prouder,” Biden posted on X after her nomination.
Harris has become the first Black and South Asian woman ever to secure a major party’s nomination.
The 59-year-old will be officially crowned at a Chicago convention later this month.
US election: Biden reacts after Kamala Harris emerges as Democratic candidate

Ogun woos subscribers for PMB Estate 

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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 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, 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 centre, and other facilities comparable to those in major estates around the world.

He said, “This estate is going to be top-notch. It will have facilities that can be compared to first-class estates worldwide. It will have adequate security, a mall, a recreational centre, 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.”

The commissioner added that the estate is strategically located close to the OgunTechHub, the State Judiciary Complex, 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 conceptualised 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 commissioner emphasised that the Dapo Abiodun-led administration 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 desires to ensure that all citizens in the state have a roof over their heads.

He said, “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 labour and turned several unknown villages into smart cities.”

Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on the Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation, 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.”

Adenugba emphasised that the buildings are of high quality and 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.

My govt’s policies will propel Nigeria out of downturns – Tinubu

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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.
The president stated this when he declared open the 2024 African Caucus Meeting held at the Transcorp Hotel, Abuja.
Tinubu, who was represented at the event by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said his administration remains committed to optimising the country’s economic potential to deliver favourable outcomes for citizens.
He said his government would ensure the overall sustainable development of Africa’s economy.
The president said: “As a government, we have initiated bold economic reforms aimed at steering our economy away from the downturns caused by multiple shocks in the global economy.
“We believe it is a path of recovery and resilience through significant economic transformation.
“Our reform efforts have been strategically focused on fostering fiscal and monetary efficiency, driving sustained long-term economic growth, and catalysing job creation in alignment with the SDGs’ priorities.
”Our efforts are yielding positive results, with improved macroeconomic stability and increased investment.”
He urged African countries to improve the quality of life for people across the continent.
READ ALSO: Protest: Tinubu approves N50K monthly stipend for Niger Delta youths
The president also stressed the need for African leaders to ensure that democracy, good governance, and economic institutions worked together.
”We need enhanced international tax cooperation to combat illicit financial flows and ensure that multinationals contribute fairly to our economies.
”We must also foster global economic cooperation to tackle shared challenges and leverage opportunities.
“However, we must also acknowledge the need to take responsibility for our development by undertaking the difficult structural and fiscal reforms required to boost long-term growth,” he added.
The post My govt’s policies will propel Nigeria out of downturns – Tinubu appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

EndBadGovernance: Tinubu has not done well – Dele Momodu

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Ovation publisher, Dele Momodu, has hit out at conspiracy theories over the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests around Nigeria.
In a tweet on Friday, Momodu insisted that “nobody instigated anyone or anything.”
The media guru also absolved the Igbo of any blame during his conversation with a ‘Tinubu apologist.’
Momodu wrote: “This unfortunate conspiracy theory was forwarded to me this morning by a Tinubu apologist. Here’s my response: It is all a cheap blackmail. The people are hungry while government is living large.
“The Igbo are largely traders. They look after their own globally. Nobody instigated anyone or anything.
“You guys should accept the reality that Tinubu has not done very well. Leave the Igbo out of your excuses. To ethnicise the protests is to be disingenuous…”

This unfortunate conspiracy theory was forwarded to me this morning by a Tinubu apologist. Here’s my response:
“It is all a cheap blackmail. The people are hungry while government is living large. The Igbo are largely traders. They look after their own globally. Nobody instigated… pic.twitter.com/fiNPpOFarC
— Dele Momodu Ovation (@DeleMomodu) August 2, 2024

EndBadGovernance: Tinubu has not done well – Dele Momodu