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.
This demonstration comes just a week after Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago declared that Niger youths would refrain from street protests, asserting that the state’s youth are generally peace-loving.
A group of youths from Niger State assembled to protest the escalating cost of living crisis. They were spotted along the Expressway in Tafa Local Government Area, holding signs that read ‘Enough is Enough,’ ‘Stop Anti-Masses Policies,’ ‘We Are Not Slaves In Our Country,’ ‘Hardship Is Unbearable,’ and ‘Fuel Subsidy Must Be Back,’ among others.
The protesters were observed marching along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, chanting anti-government songs.
Sule Ndaji, an eyewitness, told reporters that the protest occurred and noted that it was the intervention of soldiers stationed on the highway that persuaded the youths to postpone their demonstration until the officially scheduled protest date.
“I saw the protesters early this morning carrying placards and chanting protest songs. It was the soldiers on the Expressway that calmed the youths, telling them to wait until the date of the protest,” Ndaji said.
Several organizations and agencies in Niger State had previously assured that the youths would not participate in the hunger protest, citing concerns that the organizers might be faceless and that the protest could be hijacked by hoodlums and other miscreants.
Read also: FEC orders NNPC to sell crude to Dangote, other refineries in naira
In response, the governor announced palliatives for Niger residents to prevent involvement in any protests. “We have over 100,000 metric tonnes of food in our reserves, out of which we will be releasing 50,000 metric tonnes to be sold at 50% of its present price. Before the end of the year, we will slash food prices by 90%,” Bago declared at a town hall meeting.
Abiodun Wasiu, spokesman for the Niger State Police Command, confirmed the protest and noted that some youths were seen on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway but were eventually dispersed by law enforcement officers.
“The issue is that some few boys were discovered around Kaduna road, and immediately, Area Commander Suleja moved to the scene with his men and the situation was brought under control. They were dispersed immediately.
“There was no blockade of the road along Abuja Kaduna road. We also heard rumours that there was an issue around Madalla, but as I’m speaking with you, there was no issue, there was no problem in Madalla.
“However, the Area Commander is on a show of force and monitoring the situation within Suleja and its environs. As I speak with you, the area is calm, and people should continue their lawful businesses,” Wasiu stated.
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Niger youths begin hunger protest on Abuja-Kaduna Road
UNILORIN expels two, rusticates three students for misconduct
The management of the University of Ilorin has punished five students of the institution for alleged misdemeanours committed on campus of the institution.
While two of the affected students were outrightly expelled from the institution, the three other students were rusticated for one academic session.
A statement by the Director, Corporate Affairs of the University, Kunle Akogun on Monday said that the Vice Chancellor had approved the rustication and expulsion of the students after the recommendation of the Students’ Disciplinary Committee recommendation on Friday, July 5, 2024.
The expelled students according to the statement are Olayoonu Amos of the Department of Human Kinetics and Ibrahim Taoreed of the Department of Education Management.
The statement said that the rusticated students, identified as Olabanji, Toluwanimi David, Dosunmu Ezekiel Olabanji and Obadairo-Yusuf Adedoyin Babatunde were asked to leave the school for one academic session.
The details of the affected students include: “Olabanji, Toluwanimi David, (Matric.No.21/52HL103), Department of Communication and Information Science, Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences – Rusticated for one academic session.
“Dosunmu, Ezekiel Olabanji, (Matric. No. 20/66MG101), Department of Marketing, Faculty of Management Sciences – Rusticated for one academic session.
“Obadairo-Yusuf Adedoyin Babatunde, (Matric. No. 20/52HP052), Department of Telecommunication Science, Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences – Rusticated for one academic session.
“Olayoonu Oladayo Amos, (Matric. No. 19/25OA142), Department of Human Kinetics, Faculty of Education – Expelled from the University.
“Ibrahim Taoheed, (Matric. No. 19/25OE111), Department of Education Management, Faculty of Education – Expelled from the University.”
Youths hold anti-protest march in Lagos
Some youths in Lagos State on Monday held a solidarity march, which is to counter the planned nationwide hunger protest, scheduled for August 1.
According Online reports that some Nigerians were planning to protest across the country against hunger and economic hardship in the country.
The protest, which has gained traction on social media, has been endorsed by the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi, respectively.
The youths, who came from different locations, converged on the Lagos Island area of the state and moved across areas like Obalende, Ikoyi, and Lekki.
Speaking with reporters, the youths expressed their support for the Tinubu-led administration and called on Nigerians to plan the demonstration to shun violent protests.
Referencing the 2020 #EndSARS protest that led to the destruction of property and loss of lives in the state, the youths claimed that the planned protest might have a recurrence and they would stop it from happening again.
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JUST IN: Arsenal sign Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori
Arsenal Football Club has officially announced the signing of Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna.
The club disclosed this on Monday in a post on X.
The Gunners wasted no time welcoming their new acquisition, posting on their official page, “Benvenuto, Riccardo Calafiori. Meeting new teammates for the very first time.”
The use of “Benvenuto” means “Welcome” in Italian.
Meanwhile, giving details of the transfer, football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano said, “Official, confirmed. Riccardo Calafiori joins Arsenal from Bologna on a five-year deal.”
Details later…
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Protest: Tinubu’s reforms led to high cost of living – National Youth Council
The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has said while it recognised President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to improve the national economy and modernise outdated systems, his reforms have led to high cost of living in the country.
It added that these changes have significantly made life difficult for majority of Nigerians, especially the youth, as many young people are struggling with unemployment and underemployment.
NYCN Vice President (North East), Bishop Kanatapwa, made the call while addressing a press conference on Monday in Abuja ahead of the planned August 2 protest.
The youth organisation called on the federal and state governments to introduce subsidies on food commodities as part of efforts to ameliorate the economic hardship faced by Nigerians, ahead of the August 1 nationwide protest.
The national youth body noted that there was a need for both the federal and state governments to swing into action to reduce prices of daily consumable goods like bread, garri, beans, yam, rice, among others to enable the downtrodden feed.
Kanatapwa stated: “We recognise President Tinubu’s efforts to improve the national economy and modernise outdated systems. However, these changes have significantly increased the cost of living, making life difficult for many, especially the youth. Many young people are struggling with unemployment and underemployment.
“These tough conditions have led many youths to support the planned hunger protests. The protest has gained strong backing from various youth leaders.”
He further called on government to grant importers of food items tax holidays immediately to help reduce prices of daily consumable goods.
Kanatapwa expressed concern that NYCN was being left out of important national programs and projects that require youth involvement, despite its support for national development and President Tinubu’s plans.
“Government at the federal and state level should swing into action to reduce prices of daily consumable goods like bread, garri, beans, yam, rice etc, to enable the downtrodden feed.
“Importers of consumable items should be granted granted Tax Holiday immediately to help reduce prices of daily consumable goods,” he said.
Protest: Tinubu’s reforms led to high cost of living – National Youth Council
Nadal to decide on future ‘after Olympics’
Rafael Nadal said he will make a decision on his future in tennis “after the Olympics” in the aftermath of a shattering straight-sets defeat to old rival Novak Djokovic at the Paris Games on Monday.
“When this tournament is over, I will take the necessary decisions based on my feelings and desire,” said Nadal, after losing 6-1, 6-4 in his 60th career meeting with Djokovic.
Nadal, playing in just his seventh tournament of the year after another campaign disrupted by injuries, admitted that at 38 he did not “have the legs of 20 years ago”.
The Spaniard, a gold medallist at the Olympics in singles in 2008 and doubles at Rio eight years later, won the last of his 22 Grand Slam titles when he captured a 14th French Open in Paris in 2022.
His ranking, which once stood proudly at number one, has slumped to 161 in the world.
In May, he suffered his first ever opening-round loss at the French Open and then skipped Wimbledon to focus on the Olympics.
“For many people it makes little sense, I have been suffering for two years,” added Nadal who described Monday’s loss as “tough”.
“If I feel that I am not competitive I will make the decision to stop. I just try my best every single day, trying to enjoy a thing that I have been enjoying for so much time.
“I have been suffering a lot of injuries the last two years. So if I feel that I am not competitive enough to keep going or physically I’m not ready to keep going I will stop and let you know.”
Despite his defeat, Nadal still has hopes of a gold medal in the men’s doubles where he is playing alongside Carlos Alcaraz.
Monday’s win was 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic’s 31st in a rivalry which began on the same Roland Garros clay courts in 2006.
Nadal was largely outclassed in the much anticipated encounter, only coming briefly to life when he won four games in a row in the second set.
“I’m very relieved,” said Djokovic after the second round win.
“Back in 2006, I don’t think we would have thought we would be playing against each other on the same court at the Olympics.”
Nadal conceded that Djokovic was the better player throughout the contest.
“Playing against Novak, without creating damage to him and without having the legs of, 20 years ago is, is almost impossible now.”
• Signs of age –
In a sign of the wear and tear the pair have endured in recent months, Djokovic wore protective strapping around his right knee while Nadal’s right thigh was heavily strapped.
Djokovic raced to 4-0 lead, on the back of a double break, and held for 5-0 before Nadal stopped the rot much to the relief of a packed, sweltering crowd.
Djokovic pocketed the one-sided opener when Nadal ballooned a forehand wide of the mark.
The statistics made grim reading for Nadal who managed to eke out just four points off the Djokovic serve in the first set.
There was no respite as Djokovic again carved out a double break for a 4-0 lead in the second set.
Djokovic, seeking a first Olympic gold medal, surprisingly handed Nadal a lifeline when he served up a double fault to be broken for the first time.
Nadal retrieved the second break to claw his way back from 0-4 to 4-4 as the top seed went suddenly off the boil.
Djokovic responded in style, a drop-shot leaving Nadal flat-footed as the Serb broke for 5-4 on a fourth break point and clinched victory in style with an ace.
AFP
Soldiers take over Enugu airport ahead of hunger protest
Soldiers have taken over the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu and other strategic points ahead of the August 1st nationwide hunger protest.
This is coming as Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing declared that Igbo Youths will not participate in the protest, which is scheduled for August 1st to 10th, 2024.
However, our correspondent observed heavy movement of military personnel, especially those of the Nigerian Army, in the Enugu metropolis.
At the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Junction along the old Abakaliki-Emene road, several military personnel were seen stationed with weapons.
Also, at the Abakpa Junction and New Heaven Junction along the Enugu-Abakaliki road, an Armored Personnel Carrier was seen mounted with surveillance cameras.
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Reps to hold emergency session on Wednesday ahead of protest
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen has convened emergency plenary session ahead of the planned nationwide protest.
The notice of the emergency session was contained in a memo sent by the Clerk of the House, Yahaya Danzaria to the members of the House.
It would be recalled that the House adjourned till September for their long holiday. However, they are to convene for an emergency session on Wednesday.
In the memo, Danzaria did not provide the details of the emergency session.
However, the spokesperson of the House, Akin Rotimi, in a statement, said the emergency session is to discuss a vital national issue.
“It is customary for the House to reconvene from recess to address pressing national issues. The forthcoming session will focus on critical matters requiring immediate legislative attention. Honourable Members are expected to make the necessary arrangements to ensure their presence,” he said in the statement.
This session is coming on the eve of the planned nationwide protest which is to commence on Thursday.
Reps to hold emergency session on Wednesday ahead of protest
Niger youths begin hunger protest on Abuja-Kaduna Road
Ahead of the August 1 to 12 hunger protest by Nigerian youths under the hashtag #Endbadgovernment, some youths in Niger State have taken to the streets to protest the hardship Nigerians are currently facing.
This is coming barely one week after the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, announced that Niger State youths would not go out on the streets to protest, saying the youths of the state were peace-loving.
Reliable information reaching According disclosed that some youths of the State trooped to the streets of Niger State to protest the ongoing cost of living crisis in Nigeria.
The youths were seen along the Expressway on Tafa local government carrying placards which read ‘Enough is Enough’; ‘Stop Anti-Masses Policies’; ‘We Are Not Slaves In Our Country’; ‘Hardship Is Unbearable’, ‘Fuel Subsidy Must Be Back’, among others.
The protesting youths were said to have marched the streets of the Abuja-Kaduna expressway as they chanted anti-government songs.
An eyewitness, who gave his name as Sule Ndaji, told According that the protest actually took place, and it was the intervention of soldiers stationed on the highway that entreated the youths to sheath their swords until the date slated for the nationwide protest.
“I saw the protesters early this morning carrying placards and chanting protest songs. It was the soldiers on the Expressway that calmed the youths, telling them to wait until the date of the protest,” Ndaji said.
So many organisations and agencies in Niger State had given assurance that youths in the state would not be part of the hunger protest stressing that the organisers were faceless and hoodlums and other miscreants may hijack the protest.
The governor had also announced palliatives to Niger residents to ensure that the State did not involve in any protest.
“We have over 100,000 metric tonnes of food in our reserves, out of which we will be releasing 50,000 metric tonnes to be sold at 50% of its present price. Before the end of the year, we will slash food prices by 90%,” Bago had announced at a town hall meeting.
The Niger State Police Command spokesman Abiodun Wasiu who confirmed the protest, disclosed that some youths were seen on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway but were later dispersed by law enforcement agents.
“The issue is that some few boys were discovered around Kaduna road, and immediately, Area Commander Suleja moved to the scene with his men and the situation was brought under control. They were dispersed immediately.
“There was no blockade of the road along Abuja Kaduna road. We also heard rumours that there was an issue around Madalla, but as I’m speaking with you, there was no issue, there was no problem in Madalla.
“However, the Area Commander is on a show of force and monitoring the situation within Suleja and its environs. As I speak with you the area is calm, people should continue their lawful businesses,” Wasiu said.
Political parties must follow guidelines, says INEC chair
The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has charged political parties and their candidates for the Edo and Ondo governorship elections to comply with the established rules.
He voiced his worry about the hostility and tension that are defining the campaigns.
During the quarterly meeting with political party leaders, on Monday in Abuja, Yakubu also brought attention to the recent attack on the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Edo state, which led to the death of a security officer.
The INEC chairman also pointed out that, with only 53 days remaining until the Edo State election, some political parties had still not submitted the list of their polling and collation agents, even though the portal was set to close on Tuesday, July 30.
He said: “Campaign by political parties and candidates is in full swing in both Edo and Ondo States. This is the time for party leaders to demonstrate compliance with the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022, especially the aspect dealing with rallies, processions and campaigns already available on our website.
“As a reminder, however, hard copies of the document have been included in your folders for this meeting. The campaign period has often been characterised by acrimony and tension. Sadly, it is also a period of verbal abuse and physical confrontation among parties, candidates and their supporters.
“The commission finds the recent event in Edo State resulting in the death of security personnel worrisome. Happily, there has been no incident known to the Commission since then. Nevertheless, the Commission will meet with the security agencies under the auspices of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
“I want to assure you that security in Edo and Ondo will be a major issue to discuss at the meeting. We are as concerned about the safety of your candidates, agents, and supporters as we are about the security of our officials, observers, journalists, service providers, and, above all, the voters.
“It is now 53 days to the Edo State Governorship election coming up on Saturday 21st September 2024. Our preparations are going on in earnest. I am glad to report that we have recovered from the torrential rainfall that resulted in the severe flooding of our State Headquarters in Benin City two months ago.”
The INEC Chairman revealed that additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines have been provided to Edo State for training election duty personnel and contingency support on election day.
He continued “The damage to the physical infrastructure has been fixed. Vehicles have been repaired while other movable and immovable facilities have been serviced, refurbished or are being gradually replaced.
“We have delivered additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines to Edo State for the training of election duty personnel as well as contingency for Election Day support.
“We have since published the final list of candidates but we are once again sharing the list with party leaders at this meeting given the recent Court Order mandating the Commission to replace the running mate of the candidate of the Labour Party. The amended list is already published on our website.”
Yakubu added that after completing the Continuous Voter Registration process, the register was displayed for claims and objections from citizens.
He explained that data clean-up was performed using the Automated Biometric Identification System, and the final register for the 2024 Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States is currently being completed.
He said, “Before the end of this week, the Commission will publish the final figures of new voters in the two States as well as their distribution by gender, age, occupation, and disability. Thereafter, the timetable for the collection of uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) from previous registration and new registrants from the latest CVR will be published.
“The Commission is aware that according to our Timetable and Schedule of Activities, the voter register will be published no later than 30 days before the date fixed for the election.
“We wish to reassure the chairmen of political parties that each party fielding candidates in the forthcoming Governorship election in Edo State will receive the softcopy of the register on 20th August 2024 while that of Ondo State will take place on 15th October 2024.
“As at yesterday, Sunday 28th July 2024, 14 political parties have uploaded the details of 38,354 polling agents and 819 collation agents for the Edo State Governorship election.
“Three parties are yet to upload a single polling agent while five parties have not uploaded a single agent for Ward, Local Government and State collation centres. The deadline is tomorrow Tuesday 30th July 2024 when the portal automatically shuts down at midnight. I urge you to ensure that you meet the deadline so that the Commission can produce the accreditation tags and deliver them to you for distribution to your agents in good time.”
Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Yusuf Dantalle, stated that as a key player in the political process, IPAC remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring electoral integrity.
He added that the organisation is dedicated to upholding the sanctity of the ballot box, respecting the will and mandate of the people, and promoting political stability and the well-being of Nigerians.
Dantalle emphasised that IPAC’s efforts are focused on maintaining the credibility of elections and supporting the democratic process to benefit the entire nation.
The IPAC Chairman called for the immediate scrapping of the States Independent Electoral Commissions as a way of deepening democracy in the country, saying “the charade called elections they conduct is an aberration, dent and mockery of our emerging democracy; a waste of tax payers’ money that ought to have been channelled to developmental projects.”
He stated “To restore confidence in the electoral system, INEC should be empowered to conduct all Local Government elections. Politics is local, citizens should be encouraged to actively participate in grassroots politics and contribute to building a better society.
“In this vein, IPAC calls for the amendment of the Constitution and the Electoral Act to empower INEC to conduct all local government polls. Council rejects the proposed bill by the Senate to create the so-called Local Government Independent Electoral Commission, bearing in mind that it would be another SIEC in disguise.
“It is unacceptable, ill-conceived, another electoral jamboree that will impede the nation’s democracy and waste public funds at a time when citizens demand a smaller government to reduce the cost of governance.”
Speaking on the elections in Edo, he said: “For the Edo State governorship election, the die is cast. There is no substitute for a free, fair, credible, transparent, inclusive and peaceful poll.
“The success of this election along with Ondo’s will go a long way in restoring trust in the democratic process essential for enduring representative governance. Flawed elections that produced incompetent leaders are the remote cause of economic stagnation, political upheavals and socio-religious disharmony in the polity as the imposed leaders seek personal interests in place of national interest.”