Members of the Taraba State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, have praised the youths of the state for their peaceful conduct of the ongoing nationwide protests.
In a statement jointly signed by the state chairman of the association, Sani Suleiman and the secretary, on Sunday, SWAN commended the youths for their maturity and restraint in contrast to violence seen elsewhere in the country.
The association, while recognising the positive example, encouraged the youths to continue promoting peace and constructive dialogue.
SWAN also commended the state government under the leadership of Governor Agbu Kefas and the security agencies for their efforts at maintaining peace and order.
The protest tagged #EndBadGovernance which commenced on August 1, 2024, across the country, has been peaceful in the state, in contrast to other parts of the country where wanton destruction of lives and property were recorded.
The protesters in Taraba State were addressed by Governor Kefas, who announced his administration’s willingness to put in place additional measures that will alleviate the current economic challenges confronting the people of the state.
SWAN commends Taraba youths over peaceful protest
SWAN commends Taraba youths over peaceful protest
Tinubu’s speech diversionary failed to address issues
The Peoples Democratic Party has labelled President Bola Tinubu’s speech to the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters as a distraction.
In a Sunday statement, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the speech failed to address the protesters’ concerns.
With economic hardships worsening, many Nigerians are struggling to afford basic necessities.
In reaction to these conditions, youths began protests on Thursday, which have continued through Saturday in cities such as Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, Kano, Rivers, and others, demanding an end to hunger and poor governance.
In his Sunday broadcast, President Tinubu urged the protesters to stop their demonstrations.
He explained that removing the fuel subsidy and unifying the foreign exchange systems were necessary steps to prevent exploitation by smugglers and rent-seekers.
Tinubu added that these measures also stopped unjust subsidies benefiting neighbouring countries at Nigerians’ expense, which had severely weakened the nation’s economy.
He emphasized that the Nigerian economy had been stagnant for decades due to numerous misalignments that hindered its growth.
However, Ologunagba stated that Tinubu’s speech clearly demonstrates the All Progressives Congress administration’s insensitivity towards Nigerians and the dire situation in the country.
The statement reads, “Our party is appalled that despite the fact that it took President Tinubu the prodding of the PDP to speak to the nation, it is distressing that the speech failed to offer any concrete measure to address the excruciating hardship in the country.
“Mr President’s speech failed to respond to the demand by the citizens for immediate measures to reduce the price of petroleum products, halt the fall of the Naira and urgent intervention in the provision of food items to starving Nigerians.
“It is equally shocking that the speech did not order an investigation into the brutal killing of unarmed Nigerians by certain unscrupulous operatives of the APC-controlled security agencies while demanding good governance, protection, security and welfare, which are the primary purposes of government.
“Instead, the speech dwelt on APC’s counter-productive action of disregarding the feelings and pains of the people by focusing on self-praise, claims of imaginary achievements and empty projections in the face of the apparent and obvious failure of the APC in every aspect of governance.
“Such only reinforces public apprehension that the APC administration is uncaring and impervious to the suffering and pains of millions of Nigerians, particularly the youths whose dreams, hopes and aspirations are being dashed by the APC.”
The PDP urged Tinubu to reduce the size of the government and cut spending on luxury items to free up more resources for immediate efforts to improve the well-being of Nigerians.
It continued, “It is clear that the APC administration is overwhelmed and has no answers to the myriads of problems occasioned by its anti-people policies that are suffocating life in the country.
“The APC must admit failure and be willing to accept alternative views and suggestions at this moment recognizing that what Nigerians need now is solution and not rhetoric.
“Our party calls on President Tinubu to come to terms with the fact that the nation is in dire straits under his watch. He should address the demands of the people, particularly to reduce the cost of petroleum products, stabilize the Naira and take immediate steps towards the provision of food items to Nigerians.”
PDP nominates 31 chairmanship, 368 councillorship candidates
The Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State has nominated 31 chairmanship and 368 councillorship candidates in preparation for the state’s Local Government polls scheduled for October 5, 2024.
The candidates were nominated in the party primaries held throughout the state on Saturday which stakeholders described as “peaceful and successful.”
Speaking in his Nsit-Ubium LG, the state governor, Umo Eno, hailed the peaceful conduct of the primaries ascribing the success to the peace being enjoyed in the state
He appreciated the people of the state, particularly the party faithful, for conducting themselves throughout the exercise, especially in a period when several parts of the country were not still in turmoil generated by the hunger protest.
“I want to appreciate all of us for the peaceful conduct of the primaries. The success of our party primaries is largely due to the peace enjoyed in our state and the general disposition of my administration,” Eno stated.
The governor, who reiterated his commitment to unveil and implement more welfare packages for the youths, congratulated the chairmanship candidate of Nsit Ubium, Mr Alfred Charles and all councillorship candidates who emerged from the nomination exercise.
Eno urged them to be ready to work and maintain the party’s democratic ethos, as well as contribute to driving the community development efforts encapsulated in his ARISE agenda.
In Oron LG, the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, hailed the party’s peaceful primaries, saying the PDP has once again shown a good example of “orderliness and peace” in the conduct of its affairs in the state.
In his remarks, the state PDP chairman, Aniekan Akpan, who witnessed the nomination of Uyo Ukpanah in the
Ukanafun LG, lauded the delegates and party faithful for the successful conduct of the exercise, saying it is an indication of the party’s “readiness to win at the polls and continuing to deliver good governance to the people.”
In Abak LG, the primaries ended on a peaceful note as delegates converged on the Independence Hall to elect Mrs Ime Charles as the party’s flag bearer in the forthcoming LG elections.
Speaking after the exercise in Abak, the Speaker of the state House Assembly, Udeme Otong; a former National Assembly member, Aniekan Umanah, and other leaders in Abak predicted a massive victory for the party in the October polls.
Adamawa intensifies surveillance after cattle disease outbreak in neighbouring Taraba
The government of Adamawa State has intensified surveillance against possible outbreak of hemorrhagic septicemia, a deadly cattle disease.
Hemorrhagic septicemia, a bacterial disease that mainly affects cattle and usually causes high mortality, is dreaded in Adamawa State which has a large population of cows.
After the outbreak of the suspected hemorrhagic septicemia in the Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State, the Adamawa State Government commenced surveillance and monitoring assessments, particularly along the seven LGAs bordering Taraba.
Disclosing this to newsmen in Yola, the Permanent Secretary of Adamawa State Ministry of Livestock and Aquaculture, Dr Aminu Mohammed, said in light of the documented case in the Sardauna LGA from where the disease has spread to other LGAs in Taraba State, the Adamawa State Ministry of Agriculture directed all divisional veterinary officers to intensify efforts in conducting thorough examinations to prevent the disease from entering the state.
Mohammed, a veterinary doctor, described hemorrhagic septicemia as a disease that predominantly affects not only cows but buffaloes, goats and pigs, with symptoms that includes high fever, swelling (particularly in the neck area), depression, breathing difficulties, among others, often leading to the death of affected animals within 24 hours.
He disclosed that recognizing the substantial economic and social benefits of livestock, his Ministry has submitted a proposal to Governor Ahmadu Fintiri for the procurement of medications for mass vaccinations.
He said although Adamawa State shares borders with Taraba in the seven LGAs of Toungo, Ganye, Jada, Mayo Belwa, Demsa, Numan, and Lamurde, his Ministry has expanded its surveillance to the other Adamawa LGAs of Mubi North, Mubi South, and Maiha.
He urged the general public to remain vigilant and to promptly report any suspected cases to the Ministry or veterinary clinics or officials.
Adamawa intensifies surveillance after cattle disease outbreak in neighbouring Taraba
Man found dead in Kwara well
A yet-to-be-identified man was recovered dead in a well in the Manjasurawa area of Ilorin, Kwara State capital.
The incident, according to a statement by the Kwara State Fire Service Head of Media and Publicity, Hassan Adekunle, occurred in the early hours of Sunday.
He noted that residents had alerted the fire service about a man who was reportedly found floating in a well which prompted the firemen to embark on a rescue operation.
Upon arrival at the scene of the incident, Adekunle noted that the man was recovered dead.
He said, “On Sunday, August 4, 2024, at approximately 08:23 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service was summoned to a rescue operation at Aliara Street, Manjasurawa Area, Ilorin.
“An unidentified man, estimated to be about 38 years old, was found drowned in a domestic well. The firemen promptly commenced their rescue operation and recovered the man dead.”
Adekunle noted that the body was handed over to the police in the area for further investigation.
“His body was handed over to DCO Olatunji of the Nigeria Police Force, Ganmo Division. An investigation is ongoing to ascertain the cause of the incident,” he concluded.
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JAMB reaffirms age requirement for admission, cracks down on illegal practices
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has reiterated its stance that candidates under the age of 16 will not be admitted for the 2024/2025 academic session.
This follows a directive from the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, emphasizing that only candidates 16 years and older are eligible for admission this year.
At a press conference held at its national headquarters in Bwari, Abuja, JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, stated, “For the 2024 admission cycle, candidates who will be at least 16 years old at the time of admission will be considered eligible.”
He further explained that the decision aligns with Prof. Tahir Mamman’s directive during the 2024 National Policy Meeting, which mandates the enforcement of the 6-3-3-4 education policy starting from the 2025 session.
Benjamin expressed concerns about the rising submission of falsified affidavits and doctored documents, saying, “The alarming avalanche of obviously false affidavits and upsurge of doctored upward age-adjustments on NIN slips being submitted to JAMB to upgrade recorded age is dangerous, inimical and unnecessary.”
Read also: Protesters persist in Kano on Day 4 despite Tinubu’s plea
He added, “Only those below 16 would not and should not be admitted in accordance with the decision of the 2024 Policy Meeting.”
Additionally, Benjamin noted that JAMB will no longer accept admissions under the “Condonement of Illegal Admissions” policy, which had been used to regularize pre-2017 unofficial admissions.
Benjamin criticized the abuse of this policy, which was introduced alongside the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) in 2017 to enhance transparency and accuracy in admissions.
He stated, “The Board’s position is informed by the discovery of widespread and unwholesome practice whereby some institutions were colluding with candidates to falsify vital details.”
In response to these abuses, JAMB has instructed all institutions to disclose any illegally admitted candidates from before 2017 by August 2024, emphasizing that such admissions will no longer be recognized if not disclosed within this timeframe.
The Board also denounced unauthorized part-time programs, such as the Daily Part-Time (DPT) program recently advertised by Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic. Benjamin described these programs as fraudulent, stating, “They are fraudulent devices to side-line quality, approved quota for full-time admission, falsify records, and consequently, rake illegitimate income.”
He urged institutions to retract misleading advertisements and warned candidates to avoid unrecognized programs. “Part-time programs are strictly regulated and should not be confused with full-time programs,” he said.
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Nationwide protest: Tinubu hasn’t disappointed Nigerians – Okupe
A former Presidential spokesperson, Dr Doyin Okupe, says President Bola Tinubu has not disappointed Nigerians in his address to the nation on the nationwide protests on Sunday.
Okupe, a former Director-General of the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Council, made this while reacting to the president’s broadcast on Sunday.
“President Bola Tinubu’s speech has not disappointed Nigerians in that for the first time, the president clearly stated the daunting economic situation his administration met on ground at inception.
“He also amplified the strenuous efforts made by his government to reduce the prevailing crippling and stagnating debt servicing ratio from 97 per cent of earned revenue to 68 per cent.
“In truth, this has been the major cause of our present economic woes and sufferings.
“It is now self-evident that if the fuel subsidy was not removed, it would have been impossible for the government to function.
“And the government will not be able to meet its obligations, without continuing the profligacy of massive and sustained borrowing to fund the subsequent national budgets,” Okupe said.
Nationwide protest: Tinubu hasn’t disappointed Nigerians – Okupe
Protesters persist in Kano on Day 4 despite Tinubu’s plea
On Sunday, hundreds of demonstrators continued their protest in Kano, marking the fourth day of the nationwide demonstration against hunger and poor governance.
The protest occurred just hours after President Bola Tinubu addressed the nation, urging the youth to halt their demonstrations, claiming he had heard their concerns clearly.
Simultaneously, the Kano State government eased the previously imposed 24-hour curfew, reducing it by six hours to run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to alleviate its impact on residents.
The protesters, primarily young people, were seen rallying in areas such as Bakin Zuwo and Koki in Dala Local Government Area, Sharada in Kano Municipal, and Gadon Kaya in Gwale Local Government Area.
Read also: Falana criticizes Nigerian govt’s violent response to protests
Observers reported that demonstrators were waving Russian flags, suggesting they might seek assistance from Russian President Vladimir Putin. An eyewitness in Bakin Zuwo, Malam Salisu, described the scene, stating, “I saw the protesters in their numbers around 10 a.m. They were holding the Russian flag. They were protesting against the bad governance issues of insecurity and hardship among others.”
Another resident posted a video on X, using the handle @Tkr__khalifa, showing protesters in Bakin Zuwo with Russian flags and chanting “koya gyara sai ya sauka,” which translates to “whether he adjusts or not, he must go.” The tweet was accompanied by the caption, “Hunger protest continues in Kano for the fourth day. This is coming after the hopeless speech by the President of the country.”
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Kwara seeks army’s help for cleaner environment
In a bid to ensure a clean and healthy environment across the state, the Kwara State Government has sought the collaboration of the 22 Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Olufemi Williams, for the sustenance of a cleaner Kwara.
The state Commissioner for Environment, Nafisat Buge, disclosed this on Saturday when she paid a courtesy visit to the 22 Brigade Commander at its Sobi headquarters, Ilorin, the state capital.
According to her, “We are here to seek the collaboration of the Nigerian Army to achieve a cleaner Kwara, most especially on the enforcement of laws, during the monthly sanitation exercise as well as curbing deforestation, in order to sustain a clean and hygienic environment, capable of paving the way for healthy living.”
According to a statement by the Press Secretary in the Ministry, Abolarinwa Esther, and made available to journalists on Sunday, Buge revealed that indiscriminate dumping has become rampant in the metropolis, and, if urgent action is not taken, may lead to the outbreak of cholera that is presently ravaging almost 33 states of the country.
She, therefore, reiterated the commitment of the present administration under the leadership of the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to making sure that our environment is safe and healthy for residents.
Responding, the 22 Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Olufemi Williams, commended AbdulRazaq for his efforts at repositioning the state to be safe for healthy living and also attractive to investors for even development.
Willians also appreciated the commissioner for taking the right step to tackle the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the metropolis, assuring her of the Force’s readiness to give the ministry all necessary support, to enforce environmental laws and other areas their services might be needed, to achieve a healthy environment in the state.
Imo CP vows to apprehend killers of community heads
The Commissioner of Police Imo State Command, Aboki Danjuma, has assured the general public, particularly the residents of the Umucheke community in Onuimo Local Government Area of Imo State that the Command under his watch will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the killers of Eze Umucheke’s cabinet members are all arrested and brought to justice.
In a release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye and made available to newsmen, said, “The Command’s tactical units, in synergy with the other security agencies and the local vigilantes, are presently combing the surrounding forests in Onuimo communities, for possible apprehension of the fleeing suspects”.
Danjuma gave this assurance during his condolence visit to the Umucheke Community in the early hours of Sunday together with the Sole Administrator of Onuimo LGA, Dr. Emeka Obi, representative of the Commander 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, Major AI Maikarifi, Commandant NSCDC, Comdt. Mathew Ovye, and other security agencies, for an on-the-spot assessment of the heinous crime.
The Commissioner strongly condemned the tragic killings of the innocent community chiefs, describing it as a barbaric, inhumane, and senseless act of violence. He commiserated with the families of the bereaved and the entire Umucheke community over the unfortunate demise of their loved ones and vowed that their deaths would certainly not go in vain.
He assured that a detachment of the command’s tactical unit would be stationed permanently at the Community to evade any further threat of attack until peace returned to the community.
Meanwhile, preliminary findings revealed that the attack was perpetrated by gunmen, suspected to be members of the proscribed IPOB/ESN, numbering about six on three motorcycles.
The Police spokesperson said the residents of the Umucheke community allegedly saw the hoodlums but didn’t report them to the police or other security agencies until they perpetrated the dastardly killings and left the community.
Emphasizing the imperativeness of community participation in the fight against violent crimes, the commissioner urged the residents of Onuimo and other communities in the State to continue to support the Police and other security agencies in the State by remaining security conscious and reporting any suspicious person or activity within their vicinity to the nearest police station.
