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FCE governing council removes Provost, appoints replacement

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FCE governing council removes Provost, appoints replacement

Days after lingering protests by the students and staff members on the leadership crisis that erupted in the Federal College of Education, Technical, Akoka, Lagos State, the Governing Council has announced the appointment of Isaac Miller as the acting provost of the institution.

This was contained in an internal memo released by the management on Wednesday.

In the memo referencing FCE/T/AK/RO/IM/2/206 and signed by the college Registrar, Rasheed Dada, the council said Wahab Azeez should “step down” as the provost effective July 31.

According Metro reported that the ongoing leadership crisis in the institution escalated on Monday when videos emerged showing protesting students vandalising the official vehicles of the governing council members, who reportedly narrowly avoided being physically attacked.

“This is to inform the College Community that at the inaugural meeting of the 8th Governing Council of the College on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, the council directed that Wahab Ademola Azeez should step aside from office as the Provost of the College with effect from July 31, 2024,” the statement reads in part.

“Sequel to the above, the council unanimously resolved to appoint Dr. Isaac Oluwatoyin Miller as the acting Provost with immediate effect.”

In previous separate interviews with According Metro, the students claimed that their protests were in response to poor campus welfare and the treatment they received from the provost.

A student, speaking anonymously out of fear of victimisation, sent a voice note to our correspondent claiming that police officers “came and started shooting students.” The student further alleged that the school management had invited the police to the campus.

In his defence, the embattled provost claimed in a separate interview with our correspondent that the protesting students were being incited by staff members eyeing his position.

To quell Monday’s violence and restore law and order, the state police command arrested 32 suspects for allegedly attacking the Federal Government inspection team.

Four nabbed as hoodlums burn police compartment at FCT checkpoint

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Four nabbed as hoodlums burn police compartment at FCT checkpoint

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command, on Thursday, said hoodlums burnt a police container compartment at the Nyanya checkpoint.

The command also said there was an attempt to vandalise the Tipper garage Police Post at the Nyanya area of the FCT.

This was contrary to viral reports claiming that the Nyanya Divisional Police Headquarters had been razed by hoodlums.

The command in a statement by its spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said four suspects who attempted to vandalise the Tipper Garage Police Post were arrested.

She said, “Contrary to the news making rounds about the Nyanya Police Division being burnt down by violent protesters, the FCT Police Command wishes to state that it wasn’t the police division that was burnt but rather the police container compartment at the Nyanya checkpoint that was set ablaze and the attempt to vandalise the Tipper Garage Police Post by four suspects, Mathias Jude, 29, ‘M’ of Nyanya Area D, Mohammad Ahmed, 23, Abba Jibril, 18 and Mohammad Haruna, 18, who have been arrested.”

Adeh said the FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, had frowned on the destruction of public and police infrastructure during the protest.

She added that anyone caught would be made to face the wrath of the law.

Adeh said, “The Commissioner of Police FCT, Benneth C. Igweh, while acknowledging the right of residents to protest, frowns on the destruction of public or police infrastructure, as any violent protester arrested for destroying public property will be caused to face the wrath of the law.”

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Anxiety as Edo residents loot truckload of rice

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Anxiety as Edo residents loot truckload of rice

Anxiety was in the air when residents of Urora in Benin, Edo State, on Thursday, looted a truckload of rice parked in the vicinity on the opening day of the protest against bad governance and hunger, which took place across the nation.

In a 40-second viral video, watched by our correspondent, residents were seen running to a section of a street in Urora and emerged with mini bags of rice.

The person who shot the video was heard shouting, “This is our rice that (the) government gave us, this is where they hid it. We have located it. This is Urora. Look at rice everywhere, come and collect your rice. Look at the rice that (the) Edo State Government gave us, this where they hid it.”

In another video, a resident said the truck was packed behind Bethel Faith Secondary School, Urora, describing the Edo State Government’s action as wicked.

However, the All Progressives Congress stated it was not surprised by this discovery as the Godwin Obaseki government in the state had succeeded in converting everything received from the Federal Government on behalf of the Edo people to donations made by his administration.

The state chairman of the APC, Jarrett Tenebe, who stated this in an interview with According Metro, said it was clear that the Edo State Government did not care about the people of the state.

He said, “Last month, the Federal Government confirmed that the 36 states, including Edo, had received 20 trucks of rice, yet Obaseki has failed to account for them.

“In his usual deceptive style of governance, Obaseki has converted everything he received from the APC Federal Government on behalf of the Edo people, to donations made by his administration.

“He has achieved this by repackaging the rice and other grains in branded mini bags with Edo State insignia. He has announced also that his PDP government spends N1bn each month for the purchase of rice.

“If the Edo people were ever in doubt, the video that emerged on social media today, where an abandoned truckload of repackaged Federal Government rice with the Edo State Government inscription was discovered by Urora residents, has exposed Obaseki’s deliberate plan to deprive the people of accessing the different palliative measures.

However, the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said the state government did not have a warehouse in Urora and only distributed relief materials through a religious body.

He said, “The Edo State Government has received information about the looting of bags of rice from an unidentified truck and private residences in parts of Benin City in the wake of the #EndBadGovernance protests.

“The videos making the rounds are said to have emanated from the Urora area of Ikpoba Hill, Benin City, and the government does not have a warehouse in that location.

“The government supports the vulnerable with relief materials through religious organisations particularly the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and the Edo State Muslims Pilgrim Welfare Board.

“The state government does not keep any relief material by itself but reaches out to the people through these channels.

“We will not put this tactic past the All Progressives Congress, which is spreading malicious content to score cheap political points. This condemnable action is intended to cause chaos in the state and the APC is discouraged from such ignoble practice.”

Sanwo-Olu condemns #IgboMustGo call, orders probe

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Sanwo-Olu condemns #IgboMustGo call, orders probe

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has condemned a post made by @Lagospedia on X (formerly Twitter) that called on the Igbo to vacate Lagos and the South-West.

The post by the user on July 27, 2024, asking Lagosians to brace up for a massive #IgboMustGo protest from August 20 to 30, 2024 has since generated controversy on social media.

Sanwo-Olu’s media aide, Gboyega Akosile, in a statement late Thursday, noted that the governor and indeed, the Lagos State Government “wish to distance themselves from the reckless, divisive and dangerous rhetoric, saying Lagos remains home to every Nigerian citizen regardless of their ethnic nationality.”

According to him, Sanwo-Olu views the post as not only reckless and divisive but also an attempt to sow a seed of discord between the Yoruba in the South-West and other tribes, “especially those who have made Lagos their permanent place of abode.”

“The governor appeals to Lagosians not to allow any person or group of individuals to create tensions in the state, calling on the security agencies to promptly investigate those behind the handle and bring them to justice.

“Mr Governor enjoins Lagosians to ignore the post and any post of that nature, promising to double his efforts towards ensuring lasting peace in the state,” Akosile said.

The governor’s message is coming hours after the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, called on the Federal Government to investigate and take action against those responsible for the hashtag “IgboMustGo” on X.

In a post on his verified Facebook page on Thursday, the former Vice President labelled the hashtag as divisive and a threat to peace and security.

“The recent call on X (formerly Twitter) for a protest under the hashtag #IgboMustGo, demanding the forced relocation of Igbo people from Lagos and other South-West states, is deeply troubling and fundamentally opposed to the principles of unity and coexistence that define our nation. Such rhetoric is not only divisive but also endangers our peace and security, as our Constitution guarantees every Nigerian the right to live and work freely anywhere in the country,” Atiku’s post partly read.

UBA emerges most visited Nigerian banking website

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UBA emerges most visited Nigerian banking website

The United Bank for Africa has been named the most visited banking website in Nigeria, as it received 2.36 million visits in June.

According to the data published by Semrush recently, titled, ‘Top websites in Nigeria (Banking Industry)’.

In recent years, Nigerian financial institutions have increased their investment in technology and boosted their digital channels and offerings which their customers have been embracing.

Following UBA on the ranking is payment platform, Paystack, which recorded 2.23 million visits.  With 1.25 million visitors, Guaranty Trust Bank came in third.

Others include Zenith Bank (1.17 million), Access Bank (1.15 million),  wise.com (950, 250) First Bank (855,360), xe.com (817,150), Providus Bank (713,760) and Mastercard.com (400,100).

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NBA launches free legal services in 130 branches

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NBA launches free legal services in 130 branches

The Nigerian Bar Association, in recognition of the fundamental and guaranteed constitutional rights of citizens to assemble and protest, has set up pro bono legal support services for anyone whose fundamental human rights may be violated as a result of the protest.

The protest by citizens, calling for an end to bad governance in the country, took off on Thursday across many states of the federation.

The President of the association, Mr Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), in a statement on Thursday, through the NBA National Publicity Secretary, Akorede Lawal, disclosed that a direction had been sent out to all chairpersons of the 130 branches of the association to take up any case of breach of fundamental human rights of persons involved in the protest.

He, however, advised participants to go about the protest peacefully, while he urged law enforcement agents to be professional and respect the human rights of others in the discharge of their duty.

He also noted that a situation monitoring committee had been set up to monitor activities between law enforcement agents and protesters.

The statement read: “The President of the Nigerian Bar Association Mr Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), yesterday, 31 July 2024, directed all the Chairmen/Chairpersons of the 130 branches of the NBA to ensure that their respective human rights committees take up observed or reported cases of breach of fundamental right(s) of any citizen, harassment, intimidation or torture perpetrated by law enforcement agents, the protesters or other identified members of the public in the course of the protest.

“Chairmen/Chairpersons of NBA branches have also been directed to set up situation monitoring committees to monitor and report activities and interactions between law enforcement agents and protesters.

“Members of the SMC and other members of the NBA engaged in the monitoring exercise are encouraged to complete the form and submit the same for the NBA’s record and further action where necessary.

“To ensure effective coordination of this endeavour, the NBA has established Legal Support Services teams across the country headed by the 1st Vice President of the NBA, Mrs Linda Rose Bala; the Chairman NBA-SPIDEL, Sir Steve Adehi (SAN); and the Chairman, NBA Human Rights Institute, Mr. Chinonye Obiagwu, (SAN). The NBA President has also written to the Inspector General of Police to collaborate with the NBA in this regard.”

The association urged citizens and security agencies to exercise their rights within the bounds of the law

“As the protest commences today, August 1, 2024, the NBA wishes to encourage citizens, including members of the NBA who are joining the protest, to exercise their rights peacefully and within the bounds of the law.

“The security agencies are also urged to be professional and observe human rights in their duty to enforce the law,” the statement read.

Okonkwo, others’ defection won’t stop 2027 victory – LP

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Okonkwo, others’ defection won’t stop 2027 victory – LP

The leadership of the Labour Party has said it was neither losing sleep nor in any form of panic over the recent exit of some chieftains and party bigwigs.

The party also claimed that some of the chieftains leaving its fold were working for the opposition parties to create a semblance of crisis in the LP.

On January 8, 2024, a former Director General of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council, Doyin Okupe, resigned from the party due to what he called ideological differences.

In March, The According reported that six members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, elected on the platform of LP, formally defected to the Peoples Democratic Party.

On May 18, a lawmaker representing Onicha East constituency at the Ebonyi House of Assembly, Chief Celestine Ogba, switched allegiance to the All Progressives Congress.

Last week, a high-ranking senator representing Imo East Senatorial District, Francis Ezenwa, and the House of Representatives candidate for Abeokuta South Federal Constituency at the 2023 election, Tolulope Philips, also dumped the party for the APC and PDP, respectively.

In a more dramatic twist, the actor-turned-politician and former spokesman for LP Presidential Campaign Council, Kenneth Okonkwo, announced that he had cut ties with the party and its presidential standard-bearer, Peter Obi.

Amidst all these defections, the National Working Committee of the LP insisted that it had not in any way unsettled the party.

Speaking with The According in an exclusive interview, the National Legal Adviser of the party, Kehinde Edun, said the exit of some bigwigs had rather opened the way for more notable and committed personalities to come into the party.

He said, “There is no need to lose sleep over it. Things like this happen a lot in politics, especially in Africa. As they (chieftains) are leaving, more people are coming in. In fact, we have more people coming into the party without making noise about it.

“The truth is that some of these people leaving LP are working for opposition parties. What they are trying to do is create a semblance of crisis in our party. That is the situation they want to create so they can have an excuse for leaving the party.

“But as I told you, more people are coming in as some left. When five persons leave, 50 people come in. Our membership strength is getting bigger by the day. All this noise about people leaving us is sponsored to distract us. It is better to lose fats and gain muscle.”

The National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh, also shared his sentiment when he said they had no doubt the internal strife in the party was being sponsored by external forces.

Ifoh, however, insisted that the party’s national leader was also not giving up on his plan to reconcile all aggrieved members and stakeholders of the party, to have a united front in preparation for the 2027 general election.

“I think some external forces are propelling this distraction and the NLC agitation. That is exactly what Peter Obi is trying to resolve. But I can tell you that Obi’s reconciliatory effort has not collapsed. It is having an effect. You know reconciliation does not happen in a day. It takes time, depending on the people on both sides.

“This in-fighting is happening because LP has already confirmed Obi as our candidate for 2027. It is the handiwork of the APC and PDP. All these fights are against Obi, not the party. They (parties) easily buy some members over to cause a crisis in the Labour Party because they don’t want Peter Obi to emerge as the president.

“That is why we are having all these issues you are seeing. But we are working seriously to hold on to our members and party chieftains,” he said.

FG extends civil servants’ verification

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FG extends civil servants’ verification

The Federal Government has extended the deadline for workers’ verification from July 31 to August 15, 2024, The According has learnt.

Civil servants are to verify their identities on the portal of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System amidst the planned stoppage of salaries and sanctions for ghost workers.

Our correspondent gathered that civil servants had been in haste to generate their Taxpayers Identification Number.

Part of the requirement for verification is the TIN alongside the IPPIS number and salary account number.

Our correspondent sighted on Thursday an official notice on the extension of the verification exercise.

“This is to inform the Federal Government workers who receive monthly salary via treasury that the IPPIS verification portal has been extended to 15th August 2024.

“Therefore, all federal employees are expected to conclude update of their payroll information on or before 12 midnight of Thursday, August 15, 2024,” the notice read.

Confirming the development, a senior civil servant told our correspondent: “Yes, it is true. Initially, some civil servants, especially university workers, refused. I think this is why it was extended to August 15.”

President Bola Tinubu had directed that all civil servants drawing salaries from the government after relocating abroad be made to refund the money.

The President also directed that the culprits’ supervisors and department heads be punished for aiding and abetting the fraud while they were in charge.

“During my recent visit to South Africa, I kept abreast of the week’s activities.

“I was particularly struck by the revelations shared by the Head of the Civil Service, regarding employees who had relocated abroad while drawing salaries without formally resigning.

“It is heartening to hear that measures have been taken to address this issue, but we must ensure those responsible are held accountable and restitution is made.

“The culprits must be made to refund the money they have fraudulently collected.

“Their supervisors and department heads must also be punished for aiding and abetting the fraud under their watch,” Tinubu said.

He reiterated that the government would take appropriate measures to ensure they were punished and the money refunded to the government treasury.

Passengers shun Lagos, Ogun motor parks over protest

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Passengers shun Lagos, Ogun motor parks over protest

As Nigerians observed the nationwide protest on Thursday, According Metro reports that passengers abandoned numerous motor parks in Lagos and Ogun states.

Our correspondent, who visited motor parks in Akute, Alagbole, and Ojodu-Berger, reports that commercial buses were in large numbers while drivers anxiously waited for passengers to arrive.

“It was yesterday that I heard that there would be a protest today. I cannot cancel my appointment for it,” a motorist identified only as Sola said.

Roadside vendors were seen operating openly, while motorists sat idly in the shaded areas of the parking lots.

The #EndHungerProtest organisers stated that the nationwide demonstration aimed to urge the government to change certain policies that were causing the public significant financial hardship.

When According Metro visited roadside stores and commercial banks along Akute-Alogbole Road on Thursday morning, nearly all were locked up by around 11:30 am.

Our correspondent observed a similar scene in Ojodu-Berger, Lagos State. Except for a newsstand where people gathered to read daily newspapers, retail stores along the roadways were closed, and commercial buses filled the motor park without passengers.

No police officers were in sight, and commercial institutions in Ojodu, such as First Bank, Union Bank, and Access Bank, were also closed for business.

A small group of roadside vendors loitered around the market grounds, waiting for potential customers to arrive.

“People are afraid to come out because they thought there was going to be violence,” a commercial driver identified as Saka said.

He added, “They (passengers) will come out before evening.”

According to the organisers, the nationwide protest, themed “Days of Rage,” is expected to run until August 10.

LASG empowers 1,500 artisans

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LASG empowers 1,500 artisans

The Lagos State Government has empowered over 1,500 artisans with various tools of trade.

The artisans were empowered under the 2024 edition of the Micro-Enterprise Support Initiative.

They received various items, such as aluminum fabrication machines, manicure and pedicure kits; hairstyling kits, tile-laying machines; gas burners, cooking pots,  and cake mixers, among others.

The ministry also gave out over 200 Point of Sale machines to some of the beneficiaries with start-up funds and offered free registration at the Corporate Affairs Commission.

MESI, a programme coordinated by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, is tailored towards reaching out to  socio-economically disadvantaged women, indigent youths, and students through skill acquisition, and distribution of basic empowerment tools.

Speaking at the event on Wednesday, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu explained that MESI reflected his administration’s commitment to consistently empowering residents of the state to create an inclusive and prosperous society..

He said, “This Micro Enterprise Support Initiative is designed to uplift vulnerable women and indigent youths by providing them with the tools and support they need to start and grow their businesses. By empowering this population segment, we aim to continue stimulating economic growth, reducing poverty, and creating a more inclusive Lagos.

“To the beneficiaries of this programme, I offer my sincere congratulations. I urge you to make judicious use of this opportunity and resources. This equipment is not given as gifts to be kept away, but they are tools to make you economically and financially independent and become worthy ambassadors of this great state.”

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bolaji  Dada, said the gesture was to alleviate poverty in the state.

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