The family of the late President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Engr. Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu, and the entire Umuohii Atta in Ikeduru LGA, Imo State, have begun to receive more condolences as groups and personalities from all walks of life thronged the residence of the late patriarch to commiserate with the family.
Among the callers was the Senator representing Owerri Senatorial District, Sen. Ezenwa Onyewuchi, who described Iwuanyanwu as one of the patriarchs of the Igbo nation who sacrificed most of his lifetime fighting the Igbo cause.
He said that his demise has created an indelible vacuum both in the national political sphere and in the Southeast region.
In his own tribute, the Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu, said that the demise of the late President General is a monumental loss to the people of Ndigbo in particular and the Nigerian nation in general.
Paying his own tribute, the gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party in the November 11, 2023, Imo Governorship Election, Sen. Nneji Athan Achonu, described the late President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo as a dedicated father who bore the plight of Ndigbo at heart.
He said that he had the opportunity to visit him at the hospital, not knowing that it would be the last time he would see him, and maintained that the departure of the late chief marks the end of an era.
Senator Achonu hinted that the efforts of the late Iwuanyanwu towards the release of Nnamdi Kanu demonstrated his unwavering commitment to justice and his people.
His words: “As we mourn his loss, we also celebrate a life filled with extraordinary achievements and unwavering commitment to the Igbo nation and Nigeria as a whole. As the president of Ohaneze Ndigbo, he was a formidable force in advocating for the rights and interests of the Igbo nation. His leadership was marked by wisdom and an unrelenting pursuit of justice for Ndigbo.”
In the same vein, an Igbo social-cultural organization under the aegis of Umunna Lekki Association (ULA) has also expressed shock over the death of the sitting leader of Ohaneze Ndigbo.
In a press statement issued to journalists, the President General of the association, Chief Michael Onuoha, described the late Chief Iwuanyanwu as an epitome of Igbo renaissance.
He noted that Chief Iwuanyanwu’s leadership of the Apex Igbo Organization has brought many benefits to the people of Ndigbo who needed a courageous and outstanding leader like him, especially during this challenging political period.
“We, as Umunna Lekki Association, are saddened by the news of the passing of our dear father, a symbol of love and compassion, a true patriot and leader of Ndigbo, as well as a committed Nigerian. We are, however, consoled by the fact that he lived a worthy life with an outstanding legacy of achievements in his effort to rebuild the Igbo nation, as well as his contributions to the greatness of Nigeria,” the release stated.
In their own tribute, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Imo State chapter, described Iwuanyanwu as a lifelong champion of the Igbo cause through his steadfast commitment to the growth of the Igbo tribe and his tireless efforts to promote the value of nationalism.
They further stated that he was a man of many parts—a politician, businessman, inventor, and sportsman—who has touched the lives of many through his philanthropic gestures.
The Institute informed that the late Chief Iwuanyanwu was a dedicated fellow of NIPR and a shining example of excellence in public relations practice, also advocating for the development of the profession.
Iwuanyanwu’s demise: More tears, tributes pour in for late Ohaneze Ndigbo leader
Iwuanyanwu’s demise: More tears, tributes pour in for late Ohaneze Ndigbo leader
Tinubu Mourns Queen of Songs, Onyeka Onwenu
President Bola Tinubu has extended his profound condolences to the family of the late singer, songwriter, actor, journalist, activist, and politician, Ms. Onyeka Onwenu.
Tinubu conveyed his condolences through a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, titled ‘President Tinubu Mourns Iconic Artiste, Onyeka Onwenu.’
Onwenu, aged 72, was said to have died on Tuesday night at Reddington Hospital in Lagos after collapsing at the birthday party of the CEO of Emzor Pharmaceuticals, Mrs Stella Okoli, where she had performed.
According to Ngelale, “President Tinubu mourns the passing of the Queen of Songs, whose edifying and mellifluous rendition of ‘One Love’ in the 1990s evoked a fervour of fellowship and harmony.
“The President recalls the many artistic interventions of the late musical icon in promoting the public good, noting her classic collaboration with King Sunny Ade on ‘Wait for Me’, a melodic campaign on family planning in the 1980s.”
“Ms Onwenu lives on in her immortal masterpieces,” the President stated.
Tinubu celebrated the life of the versatile and extremely gifted artiste who devoted herself to a wide range of artistic endeavours and expressions, bringing joy and laughter to many.
He extended his condolences to the entertainment industry, the Imo State Government, and the numerous fans of the departed star over this immeasurable loss.
The President prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased artiste and that “she finds a place yonder where the music never fades and where there is ‘Dancing in the Sun.’”
With three years of experience, Stephen, The According correspondent, has been covering Nigeria’s presidency, politics, security, immigration and trafficking in persons
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Police, PSC settle quarrel over 10,000 new recruits
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Police Service Commission (PSC) yesterday resolved their differences on the newly recruited 10,000 constables.
The police spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement, noted that said the police had finally accepted the list of the recruits.
The police earlier rejected the allegation that the process was marred by corruption.
Adejobi also confirmed Monday’s statement by the PSC that the training of the recruits would begin on August 10.
Recall that the NPF had in June rejected the list of 10,000 recruits released by the PSC under its immediate-past chairman, Solomon Arase.
The police had alleged that some qualified candidates were replaced with unqualified ones and demanded a cancellation of the entire process.
The PSC, however, denied the allegation and flatly rejected the demand for cancellation.
The stalemate prompted the Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam, and other stakeholders to step into the matter.
On Monday, in a statement by its spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, the PSC announced that the training of the recruits would commence on August 10.
READ ALSO: Police recruitment confusion as PSC denies rumours, warns of imposters
The police spokesman, Adejobi, in his own statement on Tuesday, quoted the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, as confirming that the police and the PSC were now on the same page concerning the 10,000 recruits.
Adejobi said the police and the PSC came to an agreement following extensive deliberations.
He said: “The Nigeria Police Force and the Police Service Commission have finally reached an agreement regarding the final merit list for the recruitment of police constables into the Nigeria Police Force.
“The Inspector General of Police expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that the agreement on the final merit list is a testament to the commitment of both the Nigeria Police Force and the Police Service Commission to work together in the best interest of the country.
“In light of this development, training for the newly recruited officers is scheduled to commence on Saturday, August 10, 2024. The training programme will be intensive and designed to equip the recruits with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their duties effectively and uphold the core values of the Nigeria Police Force.
“In furtherance of the directive of the IGP, the trainees are to be schooled in modern policing ethics and principles, community policing strategies, ICT, artificial intelligence, human relations, attitudinal and behavioural change etc.
“The Inspector General of Police extends gratitude to all stakeholders and the general public for their patience and support throughout this process.”
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Gombe can’t pay N70,000 minimum wage
The Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, has disclosed that with the lean allocation to the state, it would be difficult to meet the N70,000 minimum wage.
The minimum wage was recently assented to by President Bola Tinubu following an agreement with joint labour unions.
Speaking on Tuesday during a meeting held with stakeholders on the planned nationwide #Endbadgovernance protest at the banquet hall of Gombe Government House, Yahaya declared, “I cannot pay the N70,000 minimum wage, and I suspect many other states are in the same predicament.”
On the donated rice to the states, Yahaya commended the Federal Government for the initiative.
He, however, expressed concern over the delay in receiving these essential supplies in Gombe.
He said, “We are yet to receive the Federal Government’s 20 trucks of rice to Gombe State.”
Despite this, he emphasised the state’s commitment to providing relief to its citizens, citing previous palliative distributions and ongoing investments in human capital development, education, health, and agriculture among others.
Speaking on the protest, Yahaya reiterated the importance of peaceful and orderly conduct, acknowledging the role of civil society organisations, labour unions, and traders in maintaining social stability and economic resilience.
He called for continued cooperation and dialogue to collectively navigate these challenging times.
Presenting a list of demands on behalf of Non-Governmental Organisations, the Chairman, the Gombe Network of Civil Society Organisations, Yusuf Ibrahim, urged the governor to release the list of stocked palliatives.
August 1: Protest, we’ll be eating – Akpabio to Nigerians
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has charged aggrieved Nigerians Nigerians willing to protest to go ahead “but let us be there eating.”
Akpabio said all Nigerians are feeling the impact of the situation in the country but it’s for a short time.
He spoke at an event organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Rivers state.
Hardship, high cost of living, and sufferings of Nigerians had sparked A nationwide protest that would commence on Thursday.
However, Akpabio said: “All of us feel the impact of what is happening now. But we are aware it will be for a short while.
“MD, I want to thank you for what you said. You said we are not interested in regime change, let us own this government.
“Those who want to protest can protest, but let us be there eating — I must thank the Niger Delta.
“So in conclusion, we acknowledge the fact that the impact of oil and gas activities in our region has done immeasurable damage to our people.”
He added that the national assembly is ready to help with legislation to curb oil spillage and environmental pollution in the region.
“The specific issues faced by the Niger Delta must be contained in that communique because we are going to make it available to Mr President,” he said.
August 1: Protest, we’ll be eating – Akpabio to Nigerians
57 hospitalized as mass food poisoning at TikTok HQ
Dozens of staff at ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, have been hospitalized due to a food poisoning outbreak in Singapore.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, affected 60 people who experienced symptoms of gastroenteritis. Of these, 57 were treated in hospital.
ByteDance does not prepare or cook food at its offices, instead, it uses third-party caterers to supply meals.
Reports revealed that at least seventeen ambulances were dispatched to ByteDance’s office building in Singapore’s business district to assist those who had fallen ill. READ MORE
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Onyeka Onwenu’s last performance before her death
Renowned Nigerian singer and actress Onyeka Onwenu’s final performance at the birthday celebration of Mrs. Stella Okoli, shortly before her passing at the age of 72.
She was said to have died on Tuesday night at the Reddington Hospital in Lagos after slumping at the birthday party of Mrs Stella Okoli.
TheNiche reported that an eyewitness who was at the party confirmed the news.
The eyewitness said, “It is very sad. Onyeka Onwenu just performed at the birthday of Mrs. Stella Okoli today (Tuesday, July 30, 2024), and after performing, she slumped.”
Click the link below to watch video:
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FACT CHECK: Did three ‘youngest’ lawmakers reject SUVs from Nigerian govt?
Claim:Three youngest Nigerian lawmakers rejected Sport Utility Vehicles from the Federal government.
Verdict: No reliable evidence the lawmakers rejected the SUVs.
Full Text:
A YouTube channel recently made a video to claim that three Nigerian lawmakers rejected SUVs from the government.
The 8-minute, 47-second video was posted on InterVlog YouTube channel with 194,000 subscribers. So far, the video has amassed 123,000 views and 2,000 likes within two months. The video has also been shared on various social media platforms.
The huge cost of governance in Nigeria has been critically condemned by citizens and groups. So when the Senate proposed to buy SUVs for the 360 lawmakers in the National Assembly last year, critics vehemently opposed the move though the Senate justified its decision to purchase the foreign-made exotic vehicles.
The proposal to purchase the SUVs had been debated as far back as 2019. The lawmakers had tackled Nigerians for being against the buying of N5.5 billion worth of vehicles.
Even though Nigerians urged the lawmakers to reject the exotic vehicles, last year, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Services, Sunday Karimi, had said the leadership of the two chambers of the National Assembly decided to buy the luxury cars for lawmakers because of durability and maintenance for the period of four years.
The viral video, titled, “Politicians returned exotic cars to Nigerian President. Demand for money to build factories (sic)”, also contains a caption stating that “Bello El-Rufai, a member of the Federal House of Representatives and son of the former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir, El-Rufai disclosed his rejection of the SUV in an interview with Seun Okinbaloye, a broadcaster with Channels TV.”
A screenshot of the YouTube channel taken on July 28th, 2024
The channel also attached a link to an article. In the article, titled, “SUV saga: Bello El-Rufai reveals why he rejects luxury cars offered to lawmaker”, the lawmaker is quoted to have told the programme host that “None of us took those SUVs for the kind insult wey we chop. Why would I take an SUV, Seun? You just said I am a son of privilege. I have had an SUV since working with Huawei”.
The channel, which claims to be “promoting employment and good governance”, narrated in the video: “Good governance started in Africa, and it is not coming from president neither is it coming from ministers but three youngest lawmakers in Nigeria. These three lawmakers in Nigeria went into office and where given three SUV Toyota land cruiser that cost $150,000 each and these people refused the SUVs and the reason will marvel you. They are all from northern part of Nigeria.”
“They said they cannot collect SUVs and be enjoying when the north is the poorest part of live in Africa. Why should they be driving such a car”. Even they told the other lawmakers not to collect the car from the federal government because it is not a good idea for people in government to be enjoying when the people they govern are suffering. Instead let the government give them the money… so that they can use it to build factories in their communities and employ these people that are suffering”.
READ ALSO:FACT-CHECK: Does Nigeria lose $50m to oil theft every week as a Facebook user claimed?
The video also includes a clip of an interview by Bello El-Rufai. “I am not the youngest lawmaker; he is 27 years old. Ibrahim Bello. He is in PDP. A brilliant young man. There is honorable Muktar Shagaya. You should have him here. And none of us took those SUVs. Why should I take an SUV?”
“Their names are Bello El-rufai from Kaduna state, Honorable Ibrahim Bello from Kebbi State and Honorable Muktar Shagaya from Kwara State. They are presently the youngest lawmakers in Nigeria”, the voice over in the video says.
TVN decided to verify the claim as it has potential to distort public discourse.
Verification:
Claim 1: Bello El-rufai, Honorable Ibrahim Bello and Muktar Shagaya are the youngest lawmakers in Nigeria.
Bello El-Rufai (Kaduna North) is a serving Senator in the 10th National Assembly. A member of the incumbent All Progressive Congress, Bello (34) was among the senators elected during the February 25th, 2023 elections.
Muktar Shagaya Tolani is representing the Ilorin West/Asa Federal constituency in the national assembly. The 32 year old is also an APC member.
Ibrahim Muhammed, representing Birnin-Kebbi/Kalgo/Bunza, is a Peoples Democratic Party member. The 27 year old emerged as the PDP candidate after the demise of his his brother, Abba Bello Mohammed demise.
The above age is the age of the lawmakers when they registered with the Independent National Electoral Commission during the election period.
Another young lawmaker in the National Assembly is 37-year-old Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong representing Cross River south senatorial district.
Claim 2: Bello, Ibrahim and Shagaya rejected SUVs.
TVN observed that a clip of an interview with Bello El-Rufai was inserted within the viral video.
We tracked the video and discovered that it was a cut out from an interview the lawmaker had on Mic on Podcast on March 9, 2024.
In response to a question from the host, Seun Okinabloye, asked regarding the SUVs purchase, the lawmaker said, “I am not the youngest lawmaker; he is 27 years old, Ibrahim Bello. He is in the PDP; a brilliant young man. There is also honorable Muktar Shagaya. You should have him here. And none of us took those SUVs. Why should I take an SUV?”
He further said many lawmakers did not take the SUVs contrary to public assumptions.
Meanwhile, the development has not been made public by the other lawmakers.
However, our correspondent has reached out to the lawmakers via email to get their comments on the claim. They are yet to respond. (This article will be updated with their responses later.)
Further checks
The use of artificial intelligence has become pervasive, sometimes misused to manipulate images, videos, and audios with the intent to mislead.
It was observed that the voice-over in the video does not sound like a human reader, with names pronounced with foreign accent; an indication that it was generated using AI software.
Conclusion:
While it is true that the lawmakers are among the youngest members that constitute the 10th National Assembly, the claim that they rejected SUVs cannot be immediately verified.
By: Quadri Yahya
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Ekiti yet to recover from EndSARS, Oyebanji tells youths
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, on Wednesday, appealed to Nigerians, especially people of the state against falling into the agenda of those interested in wreaking havoc while pretending to be fighting for the interest of the ordinary people.
Oyebanji spoke in a Special State Broadcast, titled, ‘Need to uphold peace during the August 1 planned nationwide protest’ to the people of the state ahead of the planned nationwide protest.
The governor, who said that the strike had obvious potential to degenerate into violence and reverse the state’s steady progress to shared prosperity, reminded residents that Ekiti had not recovered from the violence and destruction of the 2020 EndSARS protest.
However, he appealed to Ekiti residents to go about their daily routine without any fear or hesitation.
According to him, nobody will be allowed to obstruct, intimidate, impede, or harass anyone in the name of protests in Ekiti.
Oyebanji said, “On our part, we want to assure our citizens that we are more than resolved to protect our state and to ensure no breakdown of laws and orders. The security agencies will be on high alert and will not allow anybody to bloodstain our immaculate name as a peaceful and progressive state.”
The governor appealed to parents and guardians, traditional rulers, and religious leaders “to appeal to the youths not to submit themselves to the evil merchants who want to use them to cause violence in our state as protests can easily be hijacked by hoodlums. No matter how peaceful a protest might seem at the beginning, no one can predict its eventual dynamics and its ending.”
He admitted that the Constitution granted citizens the right to freedom of expression, including the right to air their views freely.
“It is therefore expected that a protest will be conducted under a peaceful atmosphere without recourse to any violent disturbances to other citizens who also enjoy their inalienable right to unhindered movement and life,” the governor said.
Oyebanji said that violence would be “counterproductive now that everything is being done to re-set the economy to productivity through different fiscal and monetary measures that are already showing early indication of success and we cannot afford a rollback of the present gains.
“As a people, we cannot also afford another expensive destruction of our economic base as we did in 2020 during the #EndSARS protest that led to the destruction of many private and government infrastructures. Multimillion naira businesses were completely ruined and the owners destroyed forever.
“Till today, the Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency’s store room and other government institutions remain in ruins because of the arson and looting that were visited on the State by retrogressive elements masquerading as protesters.
“Many of our silos which serve as national strategic reservoirs for food and seedlings were burnt, looted, and vandalised. Government is still struggling with replacing or repairing these infrastructures, even in the face of scarce resources.”
August 1 protest: Stop spreading fear – Oby Ezekwesili charges Nigerian govt
Former Education Minister, Oby Ezekwesili, has charged Nigerian Government against spreading fear ahead of the EnBadGovernance protest scheduled for August 1st.
Ezekwesili said the protest is a valid way of Nigerians expressing their grievances over their situation.
Posting on X, the former Minister declared her stand with the organisers of the protest.
She wrote: “This unrelenting media propaganda all over the country by the @NigeriaGov and their supporters is just because their badly governed and suffering Citizens finally got distressed and discomfited enough to collectively raise their Voice and ask them to please #EndBadGovernance?
“Your Citizens are asking for Good Governance and instead of seeing this as an Opportunity, you are escalating Fear in the Land? Truly sad to see.
“At least one good thing from this massive propaganda machinery that has been unleashed is the BIG evidence that
*The Power of the People* is indeed greater than the *The People in Power*.
“We need no further proof.
“The #EndBadGovernanceProtest is a valid exercise of the right of the People to peacefully say to their Public “Leaders”, “Enough is Enough!”.
“I laud and stand with the Nigerian Citizens for the resilience shown in a season of severest economic hardship.
“May our country experience better days just because the People have discovered their Power to set their Public Leaders aright.”
August 1 protest: Stop spreading fear – Oby Ezekwesili charges Nigerian govt