An Abuja-based social crusader, Mr Kehinde Alagbada has called on President Bola Tinubu to hastily address the rising hunger in the country so as to end protest by angry Nigerians.
TVN reports that despite earlier efforts by the government, Nigerians trooped out in their numbers across the country, protesting the level of hardship and suffering they are going through.
In an open letter to the President amid the ongoing protest, Alagbada told Tinubu that, “while I still have faith in your administration and your vision for Nigeria, you must act quickly now.
“Hungry people are angry people, and I have witnessed this firsthand. I urge you to take immediate action to address the issue of hunger and prevent violent protest.”
“Please do everything you can to address these issues and bring Nigerians with better ideas to the table,” he appealed.
Alagbada, who said that he is a lover of Nigeria and President Tinubu, noted that he has seen several letters and complaints from Nigerians, with both realistic and unrealistic demands.
He said he was making a case for the realistic demands of Nigerians to be addressed as quick as possible.
“I share in President Tinubu’s vision and dream for our country where the children of the poor can breathe, the blind can see again, farming becomes attractive, and every child can access quality education.
“I commend you for your achievements so far, including local government autonomy, student loans among other life touching policies.
“For instance, the millions of naira allocations given to federal lawmakers for rice distribution in December was a waste as the rice never reached the intended beneficiaries.
“Instead, some lawmakers used only about five percent (5%) of the funds for the project and pocketed the rest for personal gain.”
“Mr. President, even those who love and believe in you are angry, mainly due to the ineffective of your cabinet members.
“Most of them have not performed well, and the Renewed Hope agenda is bigger than these individuals,” Alagbada, who is also an entrepreneur added.
He advised President Tinubu to also act quickly and replace cabinet members who were cogs in the wheel of the progress of his administration, adding that there were thousands of Nigerians out there with the capacity to bring better results to his administration if he employed them.
He also urged the President to create employment and empowerment opportunities for Nigerian youths “so that they won’t be idle and become devil’s workshop”.
Protests: Act quickly, address hunger issues – Alagbada urges Tinubu
Protests: Act quickly, address hunger issues – Alagbada urges Tinubu
Activist begins seven-day hunger strike in Anambra
A human rights activist and the Chairman of the Civil Liberties Organisation, Anambra State, Vincent Ezekwueme, has embarked on a seven-day hunger strike as his means of protest.
Ezekwueme said the hunger strike was his way of expressing dissatisfaction with the current socio-economic situation in the country.
“The escalating hardship, hunger, anger, poverty, unemployment, high cost of foodstuff, insecurity, and hopelessness forced me to embark on this journey as self-sacrifice since all pleas for leaders especially politicians to curtail the sufferings of Nigerians fell on deaf ear.
“I took the decision (hunger strike) also in support and solidarity with Nigerians protesting for available, accessible affordable foodstuff, overarching benevolent servant governance, employment, goods and services, conducive business environment and socio-economic justice,” said the human rights activist while fielding questions from journalists in Onitsha on Thursday
On palliatives, the CLO boss appealed to the Federal Government to channel palliatives to citizens through religious leaders, Civil Society Organisations, and not political leaders.
He said the politicians said they used it to compensate their cronies, loyalists, relations, and friends, thereby defeating the laudable intention of the government.
Major Nigerian cities are witnessing protests against bad economic situation that they said has pushed many into extreme poverty.
In Abuja, the nation’s capital, some protesters who converged at the MKO Abiola Stadium said the protests would continue unless President Bola Tinubu meets their demands.
They called on the president to do the needful and the protests would be immediately called off.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the Director of Mobilisation, Take It Back Movement, Damilare Adenola, lamented that the oppression under the president’s leadership had lasted too long.
He said, “The various court orders restricting protesters to particular locations are an aberration.
”Our presence here today is an announcement that we have been oppressed for too long.
“Today, we have risen. We saying to the president that unless President Bola Tinubu accede to our demands we will remain on the streets. We want to see the president on the street. During the protest, he was on the street.”
One of the leaders of the Take It Back Movement, Ayoola Babalola, said the show of force around the premises of the Moshood Abiola is an embarrassment to the nation.
He vowed that protesters would not be intimidated.
Russia slaps Google, Tiktok with sanction over failure to do away with ‘forbidden content’
Russia punished Alphabet’s Google and TikTok on Wednesday for failing to comply with a communications regulator Roskomnadzor ruling about illegal content, according to the Moscow courts’ press service.
The court punished TikTok 4 million roubles and Google 5 million roubles (approximately $58,038) for their failure to find and remove previously listed as illegal information.
This latest stringent measure applied by Russia illustrates its tough constant demand that foreign digital platforms erase any content it considers illegal.
According to reports, social media platform compliance has repeatedly been an issue, resulting in several fines despite multiple directions and penalties.
READ ALSO: TikToker sentenced to 24 years in prison for insulting president, first family
For many years, Russia has imposed tiny but consistent fines on multinational technology companies for failing to erase content it considers illegal.
According to Reuters, Google has come under pressure from Moscow, specifically for removing YouTube channels associated with well-known Russian media figures and state authorities.
This development reflects the continuous and escalating dispute over the regulation of digital information, with Russia steadfast in maintaining its laws and IT businesses caught in the crossfire of differing international norms and expectations.
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Protest: Residents stay indoors in Imo, no demonstration recorded
Residents stayed indoors, and no protest was recorded, in Imo State as the nationwide protest kicked off on Thursday.
TVN reports that roads were deserted while ships and offices were closed.
Residents stayed at home to monitor events.
Our correspondent who went round Owerri, the state capital, observed that security agents were seen patrolling the metropolis.
A resident, who identified himself as Chinaza Nwosu, told our correspondent that the major reason why people did not come out was because of the recent killings and shootings that took place in the state.
“People were afraid of coming out for fear of being killed following what they have witnessed recently in the city where some people including security officers were killed,” he said.
The resident added that people may likely go about their businesses on Friday, having used Thursday to monitor the situation.
The Imo State Police Command, in a statement by the Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye, said security operatives drawn from the Armed Forces, Police, DSS, Civil Defense, Road Safety, Immigration and Fire Service have been deployed across the length and breadth of the state.
“This is in addition to the strategic deployment of tactical units who are mandated to clamp down on miscreants hibernating in the State. The state is relatively peaceful,” the statement said.
Protest: Residents stay indoors in Imo, no demonstration recorded
Police warn hoodlums against hijacking protest in Bauchi
The Bauchi State Police Command has said that the planned nationwide hunger protest in the state was hijacked by hoodlums who took advantage of the situation to carry out illicit activities.
This was disclosed by the command’s police public relations officer, Ahmad Wakil, in an interview with journalists in the state.
According to Wakil, “The police had received intelligence reports that some miscreants had planned to hijack the protest, which was meant to be a peaceful demonstration against hunger and poverty.
“The hoodlums intended to use the protest as a cover to carry out their nefarious activities, including looting and vandalism.”
He stated that to prevent this, the police command deployed its personnel to strategic locations across the state to maintain law and order and had also engaged with the organisers of the protest to ensure that the demonstration was peaceful and did not disrupt the normal activities of residents.
Wakil also warned the hoodlums who intended to hijack the protest that the police would not hesitate to deal with them decisively.
According Online reports that a major protest erupted Thursday, August 1, across Nigeria, driven by public dissatisfaction with current economic and social conditions.
Demonstrators voiced their frustrations nationwide, calling for reforms and greater accountability.
Earlier, President Bola Tinubu appealed for patience with his policies and urged citizens not to let hoodlums exploit the unrest.
The protest underscored the nation’s desire for change while highlighting the need for peaceful and constructive dialogue.
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WhatsApp may exit Nigeria over $220m fine
One week after Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission imposed a $220 million fine on WhatsApp for a data privacy breach, the Meta-owned company may suspend its operations in the country due to further regulatory demands.
Sources close to the situation indicate that Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, is contemplating withdrawing certain services from Nigeria.
Alongside the substantial fine, the FCCPC has directed WhatsApp to cease sharing user data with other Facebook companies and third parties without explicit user consent. The commission also requires WhatsApp to disclose details about its data collection practices and to enhance user control over data usage.
“It would be impossible to provide WhatsApp in Nigeria…” READ MORE
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#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria: Abians shun hunger protest
Abians shunned the hunger protest that started on Thursday across the country and have opted for a sit-at-home for reasons best known to them.
Our correspondent reports that due to the electricity supply and the early morning rain that began at 4:30 am, many Abians stayed indoors.
An Abian, Chika Nwoke, who spoke to our correspondent on Thursday said, “The rain worked in our favour, not only Abians but the south-east”.
Meanwhile, in Umuahia, there was no unusual assembly of people and therefore no protests, even though some shops were closed, including banks.
While in Aba, there were skeletal movements, but no mass assembly or protest anywhere. Though shops were closed and streets deserted. Aba remained peaceful as of the time of filing this report.
Similarly in the Ohafia area, there was no protest as the area was peaceful.
Earlier in the week the state Commissioner of Police, Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, had revealed the preparedness of the police to ensure peaceful protest.
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Kaduna: Protesters set KASTLEA office ablaze, loot property
What started like a peaceful protest on Thursday morning in Kaduna eventually turned violent as protesters set ablaze the office of the Kaduna Traffic Law Enforcement Agency, KASTLEA.
Our correspondent reports that the protesters also looted property in the agency.
It was gathered that the protesters went on the rampage when they discovered that they outnumbered the security operatives.
The protesters also looted property at private residences around the KASTLEA office.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state is yet to speak on the incident as he did not pick his calls
Kaduna: Protesters set KASTLEA office ablaze, loot property
Kano gov declares 24-hour curfew
The Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, has declared a 24-hour curfew in the state after the protest against economic hardship in the state turned violent.
This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Tofa, on Thursday.
According to the statement, the decision comes after an Emergency State Security Council meeting dedicated to addressing the escalating violence and disruptions that have emerged amid civil demonstrations.
Tofa said to safeguard lives and preserve public and private property, the decision to implement a curfew was made unanimously during the emergency meeting.
“The imposition of this curfew is a necessary measure to restore order and ensure the safety of our communities.
“It is paramount that we protect our citizens from further harm and preserve the sanctity of our state’s institutions and businesses,” he said.
The governor called on all citizens to remain vigilant and united during this challenging time.
“Let us not allow the actions of a few selfish individuals to divide us.
“Together, we can navigate these challenges and fortify our resolve to build a stronger, more resilient Kano State,” he said.
The statement noted that all security agencies in the state have been directed to ensure full compliance with the curfew, and citizens are urged to heed this directive for their safety and the well-being of all.
According Online reports that hoodlums earlier looted the newly built Nigeria Communication Commission Industrial Park in Kano State.
Photos and videos circulating online shows the hoodlums setting the building on fire and making off with valuable equipment like computers, furniture, and electronics.
Octogenarian calls for end to #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest
An octogenarian, Olasupo Oluleye, has pleaded with the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria demonstrators to end the ongoing protest on Friday, August 2.
Nigerians have stormed major cities, protesting against the dire economic situation in the country.
While offering his support for the demonstration, Pa Oluleye emphasised the need for efficient resource management.
“Nigerians do not need to suffer, depending on palliatives. President Bola Tinubu must sit up now and take bold steps to alleviate the plight of the masses.
“Probably maintaining the removal of the oil subsidy while putting the complete revival of electricity tariff in place,” the 85-year-old said.
The elder statesman proposed merging the ministries to around 25, a task he believes can be confidently managed by three permanent secretaries to avoid undue lobbying.
Looking ahead, he expressed hope that the next election in 2027 would be conducted in a better environment.
The According reports that some protesters said the protests would continue unless President Tinubu meets their demands.
They called on the president to do the needful and the
protests would be immediately called off.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the Director of Mobilisation, Take It Back Movement, Damilare Adenola lamented that the oppression under the president’s leadership had lasted too long.
He said, “The various court orders restricting protesters to particular locations are an aberration.
”Our presence here today is an announcement that we have been oppressed for too long.
“Today, we have risen. We are saying to the president that unless President Bola Tinubu accedes to our demands, we will remain on the streets. We want to see the president on the street. During the protest, he was on the street.”
One of the leaders of the Take It Back Movement, Ayoola Babalola, said the show of force around the premises of the Moshood Abiola is an embarrassment to the nation.
He vowed that protesters would not be intimidated.