The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has said that poverty and hard times have always been major concern of Nigerians from time immemorial.
MURIC noted that inflation was global and that hunger was common around the world.
The group described the proposed nationwide hunger protest as an invitation to the mother of all hunger.
It said the organisers should rather toe the path of patience and dialogue.
MURIC made this known in a statement signed on Tuesday, by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
“We warn clearly, categorically and emphatically that what the organisers call hunger protest is an invitation to the mother of all hunger.
“Instead of unleashing anger on the government and its paraphernalia, the organisers should engage the government in dialogue bearing in mind the consequences of violent protests around the world.
“Two other things that should be considered are the fact that inflation is global and hunger is common around the world.
“Nigeria is affected because we are not an island. The second consideration is the antiquity of hardship in Nigeria.
“Poverty and hard times have always been major concern of Nigerians from time immemorial. It is therefore too hasty and unfair to hang it all on a regime that is barely one year old,” part of the statement read.
Protest: Poverty, hard times have always been with Nigerians – MURIC
Protest: Poverty, hard times have always been with Nigerians – MURIC
You’ve no right to destabilize Nigeria – Akpabio to protesters
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has warned those planning to stage protests across Nigeria that while they have the right to do so, they do not have the right to destabilize the country.
Akpabio also accused politicians who lost out during the last general elections of being the brains behind the protest to take over the government through the backdoor.
The Senate President stated this during the signing of the new Minimum Wage by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Monday.
He said that he was excited about the Nigerian worker and the National Minimum Wage amendment.
“It is a great day for the workers in the country. We are not only doubling the minimum wage, we have added something on top. Initially, it was N30,000, now it is N70,000.
“I want to use this opportunity to call on those who are attempting to foment trouble; that you have a right to protest. It is your fundamental right. It is there in the constitution.
“But you don’t have a right to destabilize the country. The right to protest should not be turned into the right to unleash violence. It’s very clear that people who are behind this are very amorphous, very faceless.
“So what it means is people are preparing to loot and go round and do all sorts of things. Where we are today was not caused by one year’s administration,” he said.
You’ve no right to destabilize Nigeria – Akpabio to protesters
Top 10 stories from across Nigerian Newspapers, Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Here are the top 10 stories making headlines across the country.
1. IG orders police to safeguard #EndBadGovernance protesters nationwide
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has instructed senior police officers to ensure the protection of participants in the #EndBadGovernance protests set for August 1-10, 2024.Read more
2. Tinubu signs minimum wage bill
President Bola Tinubu on Monday signed the minimum wage bill into law.Read more
3. #EndBadGovernance protests possibly on agenda as National Assembly holds emergency plenary on Wednesday
The National Assembly will hold an emergency plenary session on Wednesday to deliberate on issues of national importance.Read more
4. Niger youths begin hunger protest on Abuja-Kaduna Road
In anticipation of the nationwide hunger protest scheduled for August 1 to 10 under the hashtag #EndBadGovernment, some youths in Niger State, on Monday, took to the streets to voice their discontent with the current economic hardships facing Nigerians.Read more
5. Nigerian govt claims no more need for planned hunger protests
The Federal Government has announced that the planned nationwide hunger protests scheduled for August 1 to 10, 2024, are now unnecessary.Read more
READ ALSO:Top 10 stories from across Nigerian Newspapers, Monday, July 29, 2024
6. Police denounce vandalism of MTN office in Lagos
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, has strongly condemned the vandalism of the MTN office in the FESTAC area on Monday.Read more
7. FEC orders NNPC to sell crude to Dangote, other refineries in naira
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has ordered the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to sell crude oil to Dangote Refinery and other local refineries in naira.Read more
8. Keyamo overrules NAMA’s 800% levy increase, cites economic hardship
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has announced the suspension of its previously proposed 800% increase in navigational charges, following an intervention by Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.Read more
9. CSOs to Nigerian Govt: Nationwide protests against hunger unstoppable despite threats
On Monday, the United Action Front of Civil Society, a coalition of organized Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), issued a stern warning to all levels of government, cautioning against any attempts to intimidate protesters during the nationwide demonstrations planned from August 1 to 10.Read more
10. FG praises D’Tigress after incredible victory over Australia at Paris Olympics
Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has showered praises on D’Tigress after the team defeated Australia 75-62 in a thrilling Olympics encounter on Monday morning.Read more
The post Top 10 stories from across Nigerian Newspapers, Tuesday, July 30, 2024 appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
Viral video: Imo Police debunks rumoured attack on Avu Market
The Imo State Police Command has described as fake, a recent viral video on social media showing that Avu Market has been set on fire by angry protesters.
The Command, in a press release by its spokesperson, ASP Henry Okoye stated that the said video was fake.
He enjoined members of the public to disregard it, noting that it was a deliberate and calculated attempt by mischief makers to mislead the general public.
He stated that the video was an old incident that took place in 2023 where there was a fire outbreak at the market.
He reassured residents of that area of adequate security and asked them to go about their lawful businesses, as the police in synergy with other security were on guard to ensure that Imo remained safe.
Following the development, Okoye stated that the State Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, has tasked the State Intelligence Department to quicken action to unravel the originator and peddlers of the misleading information.
He also stated that the CP has urged residents of the State to exercise caution when reading or watching news content as all forms of misinformation were harmful to public safety.
Viral video: Imo Police debunks rumoured attack on Avu Market
US election: Iran trying to sabotage Trump’s campaign – American Intelligence
A United States intelligence official has claimed that Iran is trying to sabotage the Republican candidate, Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.
The US intelligence official with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, ODNI, said Iran planned carrying out the action through online influence operations, Fox News reports.
Addressing journalists at a press briefing on Monday, the official whose name was not disclosed, said US spy agencies “observed Tehran working to influence the presidential election,” likely because Iranian leaders want to avoid increased tensions with the US.
The official noted that American spies “haven’t observed a shift in Iran’s preferences” since 2020, meaning that Iran was still targeting Trump.
The official also said Iran is utilizing “vast webs of online personas and propaganda mills to spread disinformation,” in addition to different online campaigns.
US election: Iran trying to sabotage Trump’s campaign – American Intelligence
How 300-level Bauchi varsity student slumped, died in bathroom
A female student of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Naja’atu Salisu, has been confirmed dead after slumping in the bathroom.
The 300-level student of computer science died after she was found unconscious by her sister in the bathroom on Friday.
Her roommate, who pleaded for anonymity, explained to Arewa According that “she had done every routine preparation for the morning class before going into the bathroom.
“Naja’atu has selected clothes to wear to the class and kept them by the side of her bed.”
Our correspondent gathered from the university’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Zailani Bappa that “Naja’atu, after bringing out her study materials in the morning entered the bathroom to shower while her sister waited for her so that they could both attend lecture together.’’
“Her sister was the one who discovered her body after she observed her undue long stay in the bathroom and followed up to check on her only to find her lying unconscious on the floor of the bathroom in the female hostel at the Gubi campus of the university.”
Zailani stated that after her sister raised the alarm, she was rushed to the university’s clinic for transfusion, but medical personnel were unable to find a vein in her body.
“This is when the personnel at the clinic noticed that the situation was serious and rushed her to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital where she was certified dead by medical doctors,” he added.
Bappa maintained that “having been notified of the situation, Naja’atu’s parents who reside in Abuja accepted the development and directed that a funeral prayer and burial be accorded her according to Islamic rites.”
He further stated that Naja’atu has been buried according to Islamic rites.
Also, the leadership of the Students Union Government, SUG ATBU Bauchi, as well as other student unions, clubs, and society groups have issued various condolence messages to the parents of the deceased and the school authorities, describing the development as “unfortunate.”
IGP Egbetokun to meet Adegboruwa over August 1 protest
The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun has invited a human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa to a meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.
Recall that last week, Adegboruwa had written to the police boss to provide police protection for protesters, under the Take It Back Movement.
The IGP, in his response letter dated July 29, 2024, directed senior police officers to attend to the request of the senior lawyer.
The police boss’s response was conveyed in a letter signed by his Principal Staff Officer, CP Johnson Adenola.
The IGP also requested to have a meeting with Adegboruwa in Abuja on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, “to deliberate further” on his request.
“…I am to also inform you that the Inspector General of Police wishes to have a meeting with you at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Tuesday, 30th July 2024 to deliberate further on your request,” CP Adenola said.
Recall that Nigerian security operatives have warned against violent protests in the country as was done in Kenya.
Nigeria’s secret police had raised alarm over plans by plotters to cause violence during planned hardship protests.
Organizers of the planned protest had expressed dissatisfaction over the rising cost of living and economic misery in Nigeria.
This comes as core and food inflation have hit the rooftop at 34.19 percent and 40.87 percent, respectively.
IGP Egbetokun to meet Adegboruwa over August 1 protest
Nigeria’s Oscars committee seeks entries for 97th Academy Awards
The Nigerian Official Selection Committee for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has called on filmmakers in the country to submit their feature films for consideration in the International Feature Film category of the 97th annual Academy Awards, fondly called the Oscars.
The NOSC, accredited by AMPAS, is responsible for choosing Nigeria’s official entry for the IFF award.
In a statement sent to According Online on Monday, the IFF stated that the submission portal will go live on August 1, 2024, and will remain open until August 30, 2024.
The IFF award is a dedicated category for feature-length motion pictures produced outside the United States, and which contains 50 per cent or more of dialogue in a language or languages other than English.
The academy stipulates that submitted films must meet specific criteria, including providing accurate, legible English subtitles, adherence to particular shooting formats, and evidence of theatrical release.
Meanwhile, the NOSC also announced the addition of new members into its fold, including the Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation, Ali Nuhu; producer and Director, Blessing Egbe; an actress, Ijeoma Agu; co-founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Filmhouse Cinemas, Kene Okwuosa; and a journalist, author, and film critic, Victor Akande.
The returning members of the committee include actress and filmmaker Stephanie Linus, who leads the team; President of the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria, Victor Okhai; actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde; former DGN President, Andy Amenechi; theatre practitioner, Yibo Koko; writer and director, Izu Ojukwu; filmmaker, Emem Isong; director, Dimeji Ajibola; writer/director, Jude Idada; filmmaker, John Njamah; and actress, Meg Otanwa.
Linus stated that the new members were from diverse creative backgrounds, and would invariably enhance the process of selecting the best film from Nigeria.
The NOSC was constituted in 2012 by filmmaker, Chineze Anyaene-Abonyi, and she served as the chairperson until 2023 when she handed over to Linus.
The committee submitted the first film for the global awards in 2019. Titled ‘Lionheart’, the film, which was directed by popular actress and filmmaker, Genevieve Nnaji, was eventually disqualified on account of not meeting the requirement of 50 per cent non-English dialogue.
In 2021, the movie titled, ‘Milkmaid’ became the first Nigerian film to be in the reckoning for the IFF category. However, it did not make the final cut for that year’s edition.
In 2023, the committee submitted the film, ‘Mami Wata’, which was directed by CJ Obasi, for the IFF category, but it did not make the eventual list of nominees.
The 97th Oscars ceremony is set for March 2, 2025, broadcasting live from the Dolby Theatre in Ovation Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
Delta Police Commissioner gives conditions for protest to hold
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda has given conditions for the planned nationwide protest scheduled to be held from 1st to 10th August, 2024, to hold in the state.
He called on organizers of the protest in the state to submit details of their activities as regards the protest.
The required details are: the proposed protest/assembling point and routes, expected duration of the protest, names and contact details of protest leaders and organizers, measures to prevent hijack by criminal elements.
Abaniwonda urged both the organizers and those embarking on the protest to cooperate with the command to ensure that the proposed protest was carried out peacefully without being hijacked by unscrupulous persons.
The CP assured residents that the command would deploy all available resources to ensure that residents were protected during and after the protest and would continue to maintain law and order throughout the state.
“Those participating in any form of protest are therefore advised to ensure that they maintain the sanctity of public gathering and lawful assembly and avoid acts capable of leading to a breakdown of law and order in the state,” he said.
The CP ordered massive deployment across the state to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
“Undercover Police operatives from the State Intelligence Department have also been deployed to monitor activities during the protest and also identify miscreants who want to cause mayhem during the protest,” he added.
Delta Police Commissioner gives conditions for protest to hold
PAU partners CORA on book reading series
The Pan-Atlantic University Press, the publishing arm of Pan-Atlantic University has partnered with the organisers of the Lagos Book and Arts Festival, the Committee for Relevant Arts, to initiate a quarterly book reading and discussion series called PAU Booklogue.
In a press statement made available to The According on Monday, the Head of Press and Senior Lecturer at the School of Media and Communication, PAU, Dr Nwachukwu Egbunike, stated that the PAU Booklogue, a ‘town-gown’ initiative aimed at ‘bringing scholarship to bear on society’ by featuring books and authors published by PAU Press.
The first edition of the event is slated for August 2024, culminating in a book discussion segment during the annual Lagos Book & Arts Festival in November.
Egbunike said, “The initiative is expected to generate robust conversations revolving around the thematic engagements of our publications while addressing critical social issues.
This also advances the idea of a dynamic press as conceived by the Vice-Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University, Prof. Enase Okonedo, who is keen on the press meeting the University’s strategic goals.
“Since restructuring PAU Press in 2022, it has grown from modest origins into a full-fledged unit of the university, advancing the scholarly conversation in many disciplines with a wide range of books.”
Similarly, the Programme Chair of CORA, Mr Jahman Anikulapo, said, “The idea of the Booklogue fits in well with CORA’s mandate to deepen literacy in society, especially through its literacy campaign project, BOOKTREK, launched over a decade ago alongside our prime project, the Lagos Book & Art Festival, which will celebrate its 26th year this November.”