Gunmen on Tuesday abducted a former Delta state Commissioner for Technical Education, Joan Onyemaechi.
The spokesman for the state police command, Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident to journalists in Asaba.
He said Onyemaechi was abducted at her church along DBS road in the state capital.
The attackers shot dead one police officer attached to the ex-commissioner while another was seriously wounded.
The injured police officer is receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital in the state.
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Gunmen abduct ex-Delta education commissioner
Olympics 2024 men’s football quarter-finals time, dates
The anticipation is palpable as the quarter-finals of the men’s football tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics approach.
All four games will be played at two-hour intervals on August 2, 2024.
Among the most exciting matchups is the face-off between France and Argentina.
The two football powerhouses will reignite their rivalry on French soil.
This match is particularly noteworthy, as it comes more than eighteen months after Argentina’s dramatic World Cup victory over France in Qatar.
Here is the full list of games and times:
14:00: Morocco vs United States
16:00: TBD (Group D winner) vs Spain
18:00: Egypt vs (Group D runner-up)
20:00: France vs Argentina
N.B: All games will be played on August 2 and TBD means To Be Decided.
According Online reports that the Japan vs Israel and Paraguay vs Mali Group D matches are currently ongoing.
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FCT NSCDC deploys 5000 personnel ahead of hunger protest
The Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps, Federal Capital Territory Command, has deployed 5,000 personnel across the command to monitor developments and prevent attacks on critical assets and infrastructures during the planned nationwide protests.
The command said the measure was in line with the directives of the Commandant General of the Corps, Ahmed Audi, for all commands and zonal commands of the Service.
The Commandant of the FCT, Olusola Odumosu, also warned anyone planning to attack public utilities in the FCT to have a change of plan or face the full wrath of the law.
In a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Samuel Idoko, the Commandant urged personnel to ensure that the protest is not hijacked by miscreants and mischief makers who intend to cause chaos in the nation.
He said, “Following the directive of the Commandant General on the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure during planned nationwide, the Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory Commandant, Olusola Odumosu has warned anyone planning to attack any public utilities in the FCT to have a change of plan or face the full wrath of the law.
“To this end, he directed an immediate deployment of 5000 personnel of his command for strategic deployment to cover all the nooks and crannies of the FCT, including all the Area Councils.
“He stated that, although peaceful protest is the civic right of every citizen, the fear of it being hijacked to cause violence, looting, arson, destruction, and unleash mayhem on law-abiding citizens necessitates the call for peace enforcement and prevention of violent insurrection.”
Odumosu also called on the organisers of the planned protest to embrace dialogue, stating that much more will be achieved at the round table than embarking on actions that are detrimental to public peace and safety.
“Our job is to provide robust security before, during and after the protests for all residents, visitors and CNAI in the FCT.
“There is a high chance of breakdown of law and order, and because the FCT is the seat of power and host to the diplomatic headquarters of countries of the world, everything must be done professionally to manage and contain the situation”, the statement added.
Be patient with Tinubu’s reforms, minister urges Nigerians
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Tunji Alausa, on Tuesday appealed to Nigerians not to take to the street in protest as the president is restructuring the country.
He made the appeal during an interview with journalists shortly after unveiling the Thompson Abayomi Oshin Physiotherapy Building donated to the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State.
Alausa, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the event, lauded the gesture of the donor, who also turned 98 years.
He further appealed to all Nigerians to emulate the physiotherapist and his family in supporting the government in its Renewed Hope Agenda.
“There is no need for anyone to take to the street in protest because President Bola Tinubu is restructuring the country bottom up in a very strategic manner. In a matter of few years, Nigerians will not need to ‘japa’ or think of leaving the country as many of the ongoing reforms would have been yielding the desired results.
“Let me talk to Nigerians about the people saying they want to protest. There’s no need to protest. We have a president, President Bola Tinubu, who is restructuring this country bottom up in a very strategic manner. The president has done so many things that no president in the history of Nigeria in the last 45 years.
“The president, when he came in, he spoke to Nigerians on May 29 at the inauguration day, he said ‘I will not deceive you Nigerians. I’m here to serve you, I’m your servant. I’ll be honest with you in everything I do’ and that’s why the president took the bull by the horns. Rome was not built in a day.
“We have to take difficult decisions for a better tomorrow. For the future of our children and that’s what this president has done, President Tinubu. You know what happened to our exchange rate. Scam going on for decades. The president fixed it. We were subsidising fuel with money that we didn’t have, no president for fear of it’s not politically right, they just didn’t do it,” he said.
According to him, the President knows what he has to do to set the country on the part of sustainability.
“Now you talk about banditry, security is better in the country now. Are we where we want to be? No, but significantly better, roads are being constructed all over the country,” he said.
He said by the time all the efforts and foundation of development being laid for the country begins to materialise, citizens of the country will not want to go out and seek any greener pastures elsewhere.
Speaking on the project, Chairman, Thompson Abayomi Oshin Foundation, Segun Oshin, said they embarked on the project to honour him in response to a request from the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.
“What motivated this, our father is the first ever African Physiotherapist and he started the Physiotherapist training in Nigeria. So, we are children of a very well renowned physiotherapist and even at the College of Medicine, UI, he was the one that started the department and so when the College came to the family to ask to support the building that would enhance the development of physiotherapist and will support the idea of moving physiotherapy from a Department to a Faculty, we supported the idea and we tried our best.”
CSOs set to hit Lagos streets over economic crisis
Some civil society organisations in Lagos have vowed to storm the streets of Lagos on Thursday to commence the protest against the economic hardship in the country.
The CSOs – Education Right Campaign, Joint Action Front, Campaign for Democratic and Workers Rights, and others made this known while addressing a press conference at Abule Egba in Lagos.
Addressing journalists on behalf of the CSOs, the National Coordinator, ERC, Hassan Taiwo, stated that the protest would be a peaceful one, warning that no one should come to foment violent acts.
Hassan said, “The peaceful protest will be held in Lagos like other parts of the country starting from August 1 to 15, 2024 and the take-off point will be at Ikeja under Bridge, Lagos State, at 7 am.”
He stated the demands for the protest which include the reversal of the fuel price to what it was before May 29, 2023.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu during his swearing-in on May 29, 2023, announced that the fuel subsidy was gone. The declaration opened doors for the hike in petrol pump prices across the country and attendant hikes in prices of goods and commodities.
The CSOs also demanded the reversal of the electricity tariff to the initial cost prior to May 29, 2023.
Other demands are: “An end to hardship and hunger, recall all victimised activists, free all #EndSARS detainees, end to the school fee hike, provide study grants, not loans, placement of all political office holders on minimum wage, and reversal of all anti-poor and neo-liberal capitalist policies.”
“We are demanding the fixing of all public refineries and building new ones under democratic control and management, reversal of all privatisation of public enterprises and placing them under democratic control and management. We are demanding an end to insecurity, police brutality, and kidnapping, we are saying no to illegal demolition/forced eviction, we are demanding the creation of decent jobs and payment of unemployment benefits to those unemployed, we are demanding the prosecution of all corrupt politicians and return all stolen wealth,” the CSOs said.
They called for an end to the security vote and demanded free quality health care for all Nigerians.
They also called for an end to attacks on press freedom, and the release of all political detainees “including journalists and bloggers.”
They said political parties in favour of the interest of Nigerian citizens should be established.
Other parties and CSOs that backed the demands include the Yoruba Revolutionary Movement, Mafoluku Community, Amilcar Cabral Ideological School Movement (ACIS-M), Youth Rights Campaign, People’s Redemption Party Vanguard, and the Movement for African Emancipation.
In the same vein, the Lagos State Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, one of the key organisers of the August protest, Adekunle Taofeek, said, “We are not coming out to loot or destroy properties but to demonstrate peacefully to seek for good governance.”
In a statement sent to According Online, he said the protest aimed to put an end to hardship “eating us up.”
“We will also work with the police and be on red alert to hand over any suspected hoodlums in our midst to the police for questioning and trial,” he said, urging the police to cooperate with the protesters “so that what happened during the #EndSARS protest wouldn’t repeat itself.”
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, held a virtual meeting on Tuesday with key members of the Take It Back Movement, including prominent lawyers, Femi Falana (SAN) and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN).
According to a statement released by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the meeting addressed the group’s planned nationwide protest and aimed to ensure citizens’ safety while upholding their constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
UN Security Council lifts arms embargo on CAR forces
The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday lifted the arms embargo on the Central African Republic (CAR) government forces.
The Council, however, urged all nations to take all necessary measures to prevent the direct or indirect supply of all types of weapons and related materials to armed groups operating there.
The arms embargo was established in 2013 in response to a brutal inter-communal conflict after the predominantly Muslim Seleka rebels seized power leading to the mostly Christian militias fighting back.
Thousands of people were killed and many were forced from their homes during the conflict.
The Security Council which unanimously adopted resolution 2745 (2024), also authorised Member States to “seize, register and dispose” of prohibited items – weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment, and spare parts – destined for armed groups and associated individuals operating in the CAR.
Member States are required to notify the CAR Sanctions Committee within 30 days of disposing of such items.
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Osun LG poll: OSSIEC releases election guidelines
In preparation for the February 2025 local government election, the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, has released the election guidelines.
This information was made available in a statement by Omoyemi Badru, the Press Secretary to OSSIEC Chairman, Hashim Abioye, on Tuesday in Osogbo.
The statement also revealed that participating political parties have all submitted dates for their party primary elections.
The statement urged political party candidates and stakeholders involved in the electoral process to access the guidelines.
It added that the guidelines contained key information and guiding procedures regarding the poll.
TVN reports that this is coming on the heels of arrangements by political parties who have shown interest in participating in the election.
According to the statement: “Nomination fee payable to the Commission by chairmanship candidate is N500,000 while that of councillorship candidate is N250,000 non-refundable.
“Documents to accompany a candidate’s nomination form shall include a tax clearance certificate issued in the last 2-3 years in the personal name of the candidate.
“Choice of chairmanship and vice chairmanship candidates by a political party in any local government shall reflect the peculiarities, history, custom and geographical spread of the local government.
“Withdrawal and replacement of candidate shall be subscribed by both the state chairman and secretary of the political party affected and shall be before final publication of names by the Commission except in the case of death (if any) of a candidate which may be at any time before or during the election.
“An aspirant who is a political appointee at any level must resign the appointment before the date of primary election.
“Procedure for voting requires a voter to possess a valid Permanent Voters Card (PVC) issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).”
The statement also includes procedures for collation and declaration of results, election tribunal procedure and election appeal tribunal procedure.
Osun LG poll: OSSIEC releases election guidelines
Kano unveils committee on new minimum wage
The Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on Tuesday, inaugurated a State Advisory Committee on the new national minimum wage, just 48 hours after President Bola Tinubu approved the N70,000 minimum wage as agreed with the organised labour unions.
The unveiling which took place at the Government House, was conducted by the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo, on behalf of the governor.
In a statement by the Deputy governor’s spokesman, Ibrahim Shuaibu, said Governor Yusuf emphasised the committee’s responsibility to plan effectively for the newly approved minimum wage and to present a practical recommendation for the state government’s immediate implementation.
Yusuf assured that the implementation of the new minimum wage would increase the development of the state across all sectors, as the welfare of workers is a government priority.
“The committee has been tasked with delivering results within three weeks. The Governor reminded the committee members that their selection was based on merit and urged them to deliver convincing results,” the statement said.
The newly inaugurated Chairman of the Committee, Special Adviser to the governor on state Affairs, Usman Bala, expressed his gratitude to the state government for its confidence in the committee.
He noted that the exercise would significantly impact thousands of workers in both the private and public sectors by balancing the interests of employers, employees, and the public.
He assured that the committee would use thorough data analysis and consider all relevant factors to arrive at a sustainable minimum wage recommendation for the state government.
Other members of the committee include Commissioner of Finance, Ibrahim Fagge, and Commissioner of Planning and Budget, Alhaji. Musa Shanono and Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Baba Halilu Dantiye.
Others are Baffa Gaya, Prof. Aliyu Isa Aliyu, Salahudeen Habib Isa, Ibrahim I. Boyi, Ibrahim Muhammad Kabara, Mustapha Nuraddeen Muhammad, Abdulkadir Abdussalam, Umar Muhammad Jalo, Hassan Salisu Kofar Mata and Yahaya Umar.
Ohanaeze skips Igbo Day, opens condolence register for Iwuanyanwu
The National Executive Council of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has opened a condolence register in honour of its late President, General, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
Iwuanyanwu, who passed away at the age of 82, served as the 11th President-General from April 30, 2023, following the death of his predecessor, George Obiozor, in December 2022.
The NEC held an emergency meeting at the organisation’s national secretariat in Enugu, where Secretary General Okey Emuchay expressed sadness over Iwuanyanwu’s passing, noting that it occurred less than two years after the organisation lost Obiozor.
Iwuanyanwu’s son, Jide, had confirmed his father’s death in a statement on July 25, stating that he died in Abuja after a brief illness.
While describing Iwuanyanwu as a rare human being, who had wonderful ideas and visions for the Igbo nation and Nigeria, Emuchay explained that a central burial committee would be established very soon.
“All activities, especially, the Igbo Day Celebration of 2024 scheduled to be held on the 29th of September 2024 in Imo State, 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.”
He urged all state Secretariats of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the chapters in Nigeria and the diaspora to open condolence books so that people could come and write and convey whatever thoughts and prayers they have for the departed President General.
Kogi commits to sustaining eye care programme
The Kogi State Government has pledged the timely release of the Blindness Prevention Fund in the approved state budget, adding that the residents would continue to have access to quality eye care services.
The state governor, Usman Ododo disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday at the ceremony marking the end of the Sightsavers Kogi State Eye Care Programme project.
Ododo, represented by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Abdulazeez Adeiza, said, “My office will ensure the timely release of the blindness prevention vote in the approved budget of Kogi State. We will also provide the retention and maintenance of the eye care Hilux donated by the International Society of the Blind to enhance the logistics of the eye care programme team.
“I won’t call it a closing ceremony but rather a transition ceremony of Sightsavers rendering eye health services to the people in the state. They have rendered diagnostic and therapeutic interventions to thousands of persons in the state. They have also helped in training health workers, nurses and doctors on how to give quality eye care to people.
“We are grateful for the support and resources provided by Sightsavers International which has enabled us to establish comprehensive eye care centres, train doctors and provide equipment and resources. We are committed to sustaining the achievements of this programme and ensuring that the people of Kogi State continue to have access to quality eye care services.”
The Country Director, Sightsavers Nigeria, Dr. Joy Shu’aibu noted that stakeholders developed the state’s eyecare committee, which will help sustain the gains of the three-year partnership with the organisation.
Shu’aibu said, “We have examined an average of 14,000 people across the areas where we have worked. We have dispensed approximately 8,000 spectacles. We have refracted about 10,000 people, and we have offered life-changing cataract surgeries to several people in Kogi State and other related eyecare surgeries,” among others.
Speaking on some of the key achievements of the project, Sightsavers’ Senior Programme Manager for Eye Health, Selben Penzin disclosed that they invested in the control of avoidable blindness in the state.