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Decades of bad governance igniting protests

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Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, on Tuesday decried decades of maladministration in Nigeria blaming it cause of incessant protests.

Yahaya made this disclosure when he received a coalition of Gombe youths and Gombe students groups on a solidarity visit to the Gombe State Government House against the planned nationwide strike.

The governor said, “I have heard the demands and protest that you have brought on behalf of the youths. No leader in his senses will encourage violence to prevail in society. If violence is allowed it means there will be no peace and when there is no peace you can’t go to school and what will follow is the universities will be closed, colleges, secondary and primary schools will you allow that to happen?”

Lamenting the possible consequences of violent protest, Yahaya added, “If violence comes and takes place it will mean all our markets will have to close and there will be disruption will you allow that to happen?”

Blaming the root cause of the protest on decades of maladministration Yahaya added, “The leadership under my humble self is ready to give you protection, support you and we have been doing that that is what President Bola Tinubu is doing at the Federal Government.

“You see there are issues that is happening in Nigeria about maladministration, and miscalculations that took place over the past decades and it’s we as leaders that will now correct all the mistakes and take this country forward to the next level that is the target, that is why President Tinubu introduced students’ loan scheme, it’s support for students and parents and that is why despite calls in Gombe State for students fees to be increased I said no.

We didn’t increase because we want you to get free, quality education to the best of our ability.”

He urged those insisting on protest to get necessary approvals, adding “We say no to protests, demonstrations, we say no to the trouble people are trying to cause in the country despite the economic hardship that will take Nigeria to prosperity.”

Three Kebbi lawmakers dump PDP for APC

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Three members of the Kebbi State House of Assembly on Tuesday dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
The defectors are Umar Na’amore (Argungu), Hashimu Usman, (Yauri), and Yusuf Abubakar –Tilli (Bunza).
The Speaker of the Assembly, Alhaji Muhammad Usman-Zuru, read out three different letters written to the Assembly by the defectors in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.
In the letters, the former PDP members formally informed the House and the people of their constituencies that joined the APC because of the crisis in PDP in their areas.
READ ALSO: Kebbi State Governor, 24 elected lawmakers receive certificates of return from INEC
“There has been a crisis due to the mismanagement of PDP by the leaders in our respective constituencies that led to its factionalisation and division.
“In such circumstances, the constitutional provisions allow us to join another party and retain our seats if there is a crisis,” they stated.
The speaker also read a different communication signed by Governor Nasir Idris to the House seeking the confirmation of Muhammad Ashiru-Garba as the new Chairman, Kebbi Local Government Service Commission following the death of the former chairman, Mansur Shehu.
The post Three Kebbi lawmakers dump PDP for APC appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

FG warns FRSC against corruption

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The Federal Government has warned it will not tolerate any form of corruption and indiscipline among officers and men of the Federal Road Safety Corps.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, stated this on Tuesday in Abuja during his first strategic meeting with Sectors and Zonal Commanding Officers across the 36 states and FCT.

Akume, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Dr Maurice Mbaeri, said that the present administration was expecting greater efforts towards achieving Zero road accidents in the country.

The SGF urged the senior officers to live above board and monitor the activities of personnel for effective traffic control.

Akume expressed delight at the zeal with which the Corps was poised at preparing its grounds for the formidable task of delivering safer roads to the general public.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that President Bola Tinubu approved the appointment of Malam Shehu Mohammed, as the FRSC Corps Marshal in May 2024.

The SGF said that the appointment came with great expectations and confidence in his ability to deliver desired results based on his antecedence and pedigree.

He said that the theme of the strategy session “Equipping Commanding Officers for Effective Performance” demonstrated the essence of the exercise.

This, he said were to enable the corps take stock of activities, undertake necessary review and explore areas of improvement towards attaining its mandate.

According to him, FRSC should work assiduously and create a safer motoring environment towards the realisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration.

“There is no doubt that this strategy session is a means to coordinate the big bold steps needed to realise your ambitious goals for the corps.

“With the government’s support, the corps can record substantive achievement of its Corporate Strategic Goals as envisaged in the 2024 Agenda.

“You are all to note, therefore that your agency is critical to the achievement of the developmental goals of this government, being a front-line service delivery entity.

“You are therefore enjoined to commit to achieving these mandates and to live above board while doing so.

“The Federal Government will not tolerate any form of corrupt practices and indiscipline among officers and men,“ he said.

Akume said the Federal Government of Nigeria recognised the fact that the development of the corps to this magnitude required collaborative efforts of governments at all levels and united sector as well as other stakeholders.

The SGF assured that the administration of Tinubu would continue to collaborate with the international partners including the World Bank and others to ensure the provision of the needed logistics for the corps.

He added the administration would also continue to support all noble aspirations of FRSC, especially as it concerned provision of adequate funding, other necessary administrative and strategic support for sustainable growth and development of the corps.

Akume said the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda ‘was not just a political statement by the government, but a covenant between the government and the people that required all hands on deck to enable efficient service delivery.

He assured that the future generations of Nigerians would be better for the modest efforts to today.

He, however, urged the management of FRSC not to rest on its oars and strived to take the corps to the next level.

He also charged the management to collaborate with other security operatives and traffic management agencies in their respective commands as the present administration would provide necessary assistance to enhance FRSC operations.

“I am optimistic that Commanding Officers will be better equipped by the proceeds of this strategy session to work assiduously towards the creation of safer motoring environment in Nigeria.

“It is therefore expected that the judicious pursuit of further working tools and subsequent implementation of the corps’ current policy thrust will pave way for the entrenchment of a sustainable road safety culture.

“It will also accelerate the alignment to the Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration.

“I therefore charge the corps to commit to deliberate actions that will ensure its operations are geared towards area that will add value and improved safety, adherence to traffic rules and sustained safety management in Nigeria,” he said.

NAN.

Okuama IDP camp seeks more support as seven babies born

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The management committee for the Okuama community Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom, Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, has announced the safe delivery of seven babies by the camp’s medical team since its establishment in May, this year.

Chairman of the IDP Camp management committee, Mr Abraham Ogbodo, while disclosing this to journalists on Tuesday, praised the Delta State Government alongside various groups and individuals for their continuous support in maintaining the camp since its initiation by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

Ogbodo disclosed that seven babies were successfully delivered by the camp’s medical staff “with all mothers and infants in good health and receiving appropriate care”.

He said, “Seven babies have so far been safely delivered in the camp. Just yesterday, another one was delivered.

“We have run this camp for nearly three months without any casualties of any kind. This success underscores the effectiveness of our team, particularly the medical staff.

Ogbodo also mentioned that the camp is equipped with a standby ambulance for emergencies and that two primary and secondary healthcare facilities are available in the town, with severe cases referred to Ughelli Central Hospital.

He assured that the reconstruction of the Okuama community is receiving serious attention from the state government.

Ogbodo, however, called upon Nigerian citizens and international humanitarian organizations, including the National Emergency Management Agency, to provide additional relief materials for the upkeep of the inmates.

“This support is especially crucial as the rainy season approaches, bringing heightened challenges to the hundreds of children, women and men seeking refuge in the camp,” he stated.

Ogbodo, a former Editor of The Guardian newspapers, joined by Committee members including the Committee Secretary, Chief Austin Emaduku and the Camp Commandant, Mr. Austin Ohwofaria, further detailed recent developments at the Okuama-Ewu IDP camp in Ewu town, Delta State just as he emphasized the ongoing efforts to meet the immediate needs of the Camp’s residents notably food and healthcare.

He highlighted the Camp’s significant strides in aiding the Okuama community following their displacement, noting “the urgency of additional support as the rainy season intensifies, which will bring new demands for resources.”

Ogbodo said, “This camp was opened in May and has been operational due to your cooperation and understanding. The Delta State Government has fulfilled its promises, ensuring the camp remains active. Our efforts have been supported by generous individuals and groups supplementing government assistance.

“We have received considerable help from the public and we express our gratitude for their role in our journey toward restoring the Okuama community.

“The final phase, the rebuilding of the community, is in focus.”

Ogbodo stressed the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of the displaced people, saying, “For the people to return to their homes, they must first remain alive”.

Ogbodo spoke further, “Our mission is to sustain their lives so they can reclaim their ancestral land when the time is right. While we continue our efforts, we urge the public, including the Urhobo people and the international community, to contribute to this cause”.

The committee’s secretary, Olorogun Austin Emaduku, who is also the Head of Personnel Management at Ughelli South LGA, added that the camp’s facilities are sufficient for the number of IDPs currently residing there.

However, he added that the existing facility needs to be expanded to accommodate more displaced persons from the Okuama community ahead of predicted flooding this year.

He assured that all donations would be used to improve the comfort and well-being of the Okuama community residents within the camp.

EFCC grills Hajj commission chairman over alleged mismanagement of N90bn subsidy

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday grilled the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Jalal Arabi, over alleged mismanagement of 2024 Hajj exercise fund.
Arabi was invited by the commission to answer questions on how the commission spent the N90 billion subsidy for the exercise.
This followed petitions against the chairman and the commission’s management over alleged fund mismanagement, especially during the 2024 hajj exercise.
A source at the EFCC to journalists that Arabi was invited to provide detailed explanations on how NAHCON managed the funds allocated to it for the pilgrims.
He said: “As of now, the NAHCON chairman has been invited, he is already being interrogated by our crack detectives to provide explanations on some issues that border on allegations of fund mismanagement in the commission.
“The investigation is ongoing; it is dated back to 2021 when the issue of fraud in the commission became messier.
“There is an ongoing investigation on alleged misappropriation of N200 million before now and some officials of the commission were invited for questioning.
According to the source, three directors from the commission have been invited to explain what they know about the issue.
‘’Now, the Chief Executive Officer has been invited to explain how the fund allocated to the commission is being spent.
“The investigation will continue until EFCC gets to the root of how the fund allocated to the commission was spent.”
However, he added that the chairman may not be detained if he promised to himself available when asked to do so.
“He may not be detained but will be asked to come back if the need be at the end of the day, but presently, he is still being interrogated.
‘’The CEO has been invited and honoured the invitation; he will go back, there is no reason to keep him in custody when he is already cooperating.
‘’The new EFCC is operating in accordance with international best practices; you can see that most of the people invited are always allowed to go if they comply,” he added.
The post EFCC grills Hajj commission chairman over alleged mismanagement of N90bn subsidy appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

Abuja woman murders husband, dumbs body in uncompleted building

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A woman identified as Rahimat Salaum has allegedly killed her husband in the Pegi area of the Federal Capital Terrritory, FCT.
The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh confirmed this in a statement Tuesday.
She said the woman was arrested by operatives of the Command attached to Pegi Police Division on Monday July 29, 2024.
Josephine said that the woman was attempting to flee with the belongings of the husband before Police operatives swooped in and apprehended her.
According to the Police spokesperson, the woman had during interrogation, confessed that she killed her husband after a disagreement.
“She subsequently led the Police operatives to an uncompleted building where she had dumped the gruesomely burned body.
“While investigation is still ongoing, the Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Benneth C. Igweh, wishes to affirm that justice will be served in the matter, as he urged residents to be wary of their environment and report suspicious activities to the police,” the statement added.
Abuja woman murders husband, dumbs body in uncompleted building

Call for protest invitation to chaos — Ekiti monarchs

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The Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro, on Tuesday, expressed deep concern about the planned protest set to begin on Thursday and its potential implications for the security of Ekiti State and Nigeria.

The traditional ruler, speaking in a statement after the monthly statutory meeting of the council held on Tuesday, where the monarchs deliberated on important matters of state and national security, among others, described the call for the protest as an invitation to chaos and instability.
Oba Ilori-Faboro recalled with sadness the results of a similar protest that took place in October 2020 and the attendant destruction and carnage.

Consequently, the traditional council chairman appealed to all Ekiti sons and daughters in Ekiti and across Nigeria to “shun such a protest and instead engage the government at all levels in productive dialogue, especially since most of the issues being demanded cannot be accomplished by fiat.”

He said, “The Council took notice of a call for public protest on August 1, 2024, tagged #NationalDayofRage.

“While the Council recognises the right of Nigerians to peaceful protest, it is the view of the Council that a call to protest of this nature is a potential invitation to chaos and instability, as witnessed in 2020.

“Council appeals to the Ekiti State Government and the security agencies to do everything possible to ensure nothing compromises the current peace and tranquillity of Ekiti State.

“While we commend the government for its frantic efforts to resolve the myriad of economic and food challenges facing our country, we appeal to the government at all levels to accelerate policy actions and do everything to address the current challenges,” the traditional ruler stated.

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Iwuanyanwu: Ohanaeze skips 2024 Igbo Day Celebration in honour of late President General

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Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has skipped the 2024 Igbo Day Celebration in honour of its late President General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
TVN recalls that the late President General passed on last week.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday after an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the organisation and opening of register for the late elder statesman at Ohanaeze’s National Secretariat, Enugu, the Secretary-General, Okey Emuchay explained that the decision was part of efforts to honour and respect Iwuanyanwu.
Emuchay, who signed the register on behalf of Ohananeze, called on its chapters in Nigeria and abroad to open condolence registers for the late icon.
Emuchay said the registers would give people opportunity and platform to express their views about the late elder statesman.
He expressed pains over the demise of the Igbo icon and promised to move Ohananeze forward despite his absence.
He stated that they were in touch with the family of the deceased, stating that soon, the central burial committee would be announced.
While describing Iwuanyanwu as a rare human being, who had wonderful ideas and visions for the Igbo nation and for Nigeria, Emuchay explained that a central burial committee would be established very soon.
“All activities especially, the Igbo Day Celebration of 2024 scheduled to hold on the 29th of September 2024 in Imo State, we will be skipped in respect and honour of the departed President General,” he said.
Speaking further, he said “We want to assure that the ship of Ohanaeze is in safe hands, collectively as NEC, we want to give assurance that we shall match on from where he stopped.”
Iwuanyanwu: Ohanaeze skips 2024 Igbo Day Celebration in honour of late President General

Don’t allow non-state actors destroy Nigeria, Yoruba monarchs warn protesters

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Yoruba Obas Forum, a group comprising of monarchs from South West and North Central geo-political zones of Nigeria, has warned those planning to exploit the proposed national hunger protest to cause chaos in the country to perish the thought.

The royal fathers made their stand known in a statement obtained in Osogbo, Osun State capital,on Tuesday.

The statement was jointly signed by its National President, who is the Molokun of Atijere, Oba Samuel Adeoye, Oba Michael Ajayi, who is the Elerinmo of Erinmo, and the Public Relations Officer of the Forum, the Alayandelu of Odo Alayandelu, Oba Asunmo Aderibigbe.

The forum members said, as traditional rulers, they felt the pains and frustration being faced by many Nigerians at the moment, but suggested that the situation demands a strategic approach, noting that dialogue remains the best option.

 

“Protest has never been a solution for nations to solve their challenges, but rather an avenue for the destruction of human lives and properties.

 

“We, Yoruba Obas Forum, acknowledge the role of protests in democracy and that is why we are warning against those who might exploit these events for malicious purposes as certain groups are looking to use this protest to incite violence and crime. Please, don’t let non-state actors disrupt the already existing peace and stability of our land, please be cautioned.

“While protest is your democratic right, please consider the broader implications on our national stability and progress as dialogue, round table conference and collaboration are far more effective solutions and antidote.

“We Yoruba Obas again, implore all our youths not to follow the part of anarchy, or destruction, we too are also aware that there is hunger, insecurity and unemployment in the land. But the signals out there clearly indicate that another nationwide protest will definitely plunge this nation into more economic mess and insecurity. As your fathers, we earnestly appeal to you all to shelve the planned protest in the interest of our dear nation,” the statement partly read.

The Forum also warned that since Nigeria may not be able to afford another unrest considering the current state of the economy, people should draw solace in the fact that the relatively young administration of President Bola Tinubu was working hard to improve the standard of living of the common man.

Navy hands over 85 bags of cannabis to NDLEA

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The Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS, BEECFROFT on Tuesday handed over 85 bags of illicit substance suspected to be cannabis sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.
Executive Officer, NNS BEECFROFT, Navy Capt. Mutalib Raji, disclosed this at the handing over which was held at NNS BEECFROFT, Apapa, Lagos State.
Raji, who represented the Commander of the ship, Commodore Rafiu Oladejo, said that each bag weighed 85kg.
The captain said that the illicit substances were arrested on July 14 due to actionable intelligence by the combined team of Quick Response Team in the base and Deep Blue Boats.
“We got credible intelligence about some individuals who were seen at Mobile Beach offloading the items thereby, deployed our men to go there for investigation and arrest.
“They met the criminals offloading the bags of cannabis sativa but on sighting our men, the criminals fled, leaving their boat and items behind.
“About 60 bags of cannabis sativa were initially arrested but as we combed the entire area, 25 other bags were discovered,” he said.
Raji said that an investigation was ongoing to determine the source of the items and those behind the illicit act.
According to the NDLEA Marine Commander, Paul Ahom, intelligence has it that most of the drugs are loaded from Togo and Ghana en route Republic of Benin down to Nigerian waterways.
“However, if there is no lead or suspect arrested in the operation, it makes it difficult for us to ascertain the route of where these substances are coming from,” he said.
Ahom said that the market value of the drugs would be close to N400 million and its effects on society could be quite devastating.
He said that if they didn’t, the long arm of the government would catch up with them and that they would be brought to book.
“I thank the efforts of NNS BEECFROFT for joining us in policing crime and illicit trafficking on our waterways as well as tracking down syndicates that ferry drugs into Nigeria.
“The Nigerian Navy in collaboration with the NDLEA is working tirelessly particularly in the marine domain to curtail the influx of these illicit substances into our waterways,” Ahom said
Navy hands over 85 bags of cannabis to NDLEA