Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim GCON has celebrated a young Nigerian serial investor, Dr Stanley Uzochukwu on his 40th birthday.
Senator Anyim’s felicitation was contained in a statement he personally signed tagged, “Congratulations At 40: Dr Stanley Uzochukwu.”
The statement reads in full: “As you mark your 40th birthday today, I am filled with immense pride and joy to celebrate this milestone with you.
“From the moment I first met you, I recognized the spark of ambition and drive that sets truly exceptional individuals apart.
“Over the years, I have watched with admiration as you’ve channeled that ambition into remarkable achievements. Your journey from a bright-eyed young man to the accomplished leader we know today is a testament to your unwavering commitment to excellence and growth.
“Dr Stanley, you embed the spirit of industry and innovation that Nigeria so desperately needs. Your contribution to our nation’s economy through your various business ventures has not gone unnoticed.
“You’ve not only created wealth but also opportunities for countless others, demonstrating that success is sweetest when shared.
“As a son, you’ve brought honor to your family name. As a younger brother, you’ve been steadfast and true.
“At 40, you stand at the threshold of even greater possibilities. Your best years lie ahead, and I have no doubt that you will continue to shine brightly, illuminating the path for others to follow.
“May this new decade bring you continued success, good health, and fulfillment in all your endeavors.
“Happy 40th birthday, my dear brother. May your days be long and prosperous.
“With warm regards and best wishes.
“His Excellency Dr. Anyim Pius Anyim, GCON
Fmr. Senate President
Fmr. Secretary to the Government of the Federation”
Former SGF, Senator Anyim celebrates Stanel CEO, Dr Stanley on 40th birthday
Former SGF, Senator Anyim celebrates Stanel CEO, Dr Stanley on 40th birthday
US sanctions firms in China, Iran for aiding Tehran’s missile programme
The United States sanctioned five people and seven companies in China and Iran on Tuesday, accusing them of aiding Tehran’s ballistic missile and drone programmes.
The sanctions targeted individuals and companies in China, Hong Kong and Iran involved in procuring key components for “subordinates” of Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, the US Treasury Department said in a statement.
“Today’s action exposes additional key front companies and trusted agents through which Iran has sought to acquire these components,” Treasury Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson said.
He added that the US “will continue to impose costs on those that facilitate Iran’s ability to produce these deadly weapons.”
The sanctioned individuals and firms were involved in procuring accelerometers and gyroscopes used for guidance, navigation and control systems by MODAFL’s ballistic missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programs, according to the Treasury.
They include a front company based in China called Beijing Shiny Nights Technology Development Company, and another in Iran called Electro Optic Sairan Industries.
The sanctions unveiled Tuesday are the latest in a raft of designations from the Treasury and the State Department aimed at punishing actors who have contributed to Iran’s ballistic missile and UAV programmes.
AFP.
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Meta to pay Texas $1.4bn for biometric data breach
Meta Platforms, the owner of Facebook, has agreed to pay $1.4bn to settle a lawsuit filed by the state of Texas over the illegal use of facial-recognition technology to collect biometric data of millions of Texans without their consent.
This landmark agreement, reported by Reuters on Tuesday, is the largest of its kind with a single state, according to Texas’ legal team, which included the law firm Keller Postman.
The lawsuit, filed in 2022, was the first major case to be brought under Texas’ 2009 biometric privacy law, according to law firms tracking the litigation. A provision of the law provides damages of up to $25,000 per violation.
Texas accused Facebook of capturing biometric information “billions of times” from photos and videos that users uploaded to the social media platform as part of a free, discontinued feature called “Tag Suggestions.
In a parallel issue, the social media giant was fined $220m by Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission a few weeks ago.
The Nigerian consumer protection watchdog headed by the acting Executive Chairman, Adamu Abdullahi, said that Meta had denied Nigerian users control over their data, shared data without consent, and abused its market dominance.
“Denying Nigerian data subjects the right to self-determine; unauthorised transfer and sharing of Nigerian data subjects personal data, including cross-border storage in violation of then, and now prevailing law; discrimination and disparate treatment; abuse of dominance; and tying and bundling,” FCCPC said.
Meta disagrees with the decision and the fine, stating that in 2021, they explained to users globally how talking to businesses would work, and while there was initial confusion, it has proven quite popular.
TADI urges Nigerians to shelve protest, dialogue with government
Ahead of the August 1 planned nationwide hunger protest, a civil society organisation, Transparency Advocacy for Development Initiative, TADI, has called on Nigerians to give peace a chance by engaging in dialogue with government and stakeholders at all levels.
This was made known in a statement signed by the Executive Director TADI, Yomi David, and Convener CSOs/ CBOs Muhammed Basah, on Tuesday.
The organization acknowledged the harsh economic situation and high cost of living in the country, but pointed out that protest would further deepen the situation as disgruntled elements will take advantage of the situation to cause mayhem.
“We are very much aware of the volatile situation the country had been so enmeshed in particularly the harsh economic situation and standard of living that is at the low at the moment but we are convince that a protest at this point would further deepen the situation as disgruntled elements are looking for opportunities to create more chaotic situation for them to strike.
“We wish to also sue for calm while every groups continue to engage with the right channels on ways by which the country should be piloted towards the right direction for the general good of all Nigerians,” the statement read.
TADI also called on states and local governments authority across the country to put in place a platform for dialogue with youth groups within their domain for a reassurance of government’s readiness for good governance.
The organization equally urged those organizing the protest to pull out of the mobilization or cancel the exercise in the interest of peace and safety of all.
TADI urges Nigerians to shelve protest, dialogue with government
August 1: We can’t snub our elders – Katsina youth coalition shuns protest
The Nigeria First Project Initiative has called on Nigerian youths give the government of President Bola Tinubu a little more time to tackle pressing economic challenges.
The group also urged the government to ameliorate the suffering of the masses by implementing more welfare schemes.
The group said this while speaking on the upcoming nationwide protest, slated to hold on the 1st of August, 2024.
It made the call during an inclusive roundtable with civil society organizations that include youth-based organizations, students’ unions, people with disabilities, women groups, faith-based groups, academia, indigenous leaders, and human rights defenders.
The gathering, held in Katsina on Tuesday, was attended by the Governor of Katsina State, who represented the acting Governor, Alhaji Farouk Lawal Jobe.
The group which said it acknowledged the fact that the common people, who are the majority in Nigeria, are facing severe hardship, including a high cost of living and low purchasing power, added that street protests are not the best method of addressing challenges.
“We premised our reason on historical facts, which show that most of the protests conducted in Nigeria were usually characterized by blockage of roads, harassment of passersby, intimidation, killings, looting of public warehouses, and destruction of critical national assets, among others.
“Our position is also guided by the outcome and impact of street protests in some neighboring African countries, such as Sudan, Libya, and Egypt, which include violence, coup d’état, and civil war.
“Moreover, we have decided not to plunge into the streets because our dear country, Nigeria, is being confronted by multiple challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and vandalism, and therefore, we don’t want to add salt to injury by acting out of anger, which will further divert the attention of our leaders and our gallant security forces.
“More important is the appeal and exhortations by our leaders and elders, including learned ulamas, royal fathers, and senior citizens, who all advised us to rescind our earlier option of staging street protests.
“We are people of culture; hence, we can’t snub our wise elders.
“In view of the aforementioned, we therefore unanimously agreed to shun the upcoming nationwide protest tagged ‘End Bad Governance.”
“All members of this coalition will not partake in the protest. Instead, we are going to continue to explore non-confrontational approaches to channeling our grievances and those of our members,” the group said.
August 1: We can’t snub our elders – Katsina youth coalition shuns protest
NNPCL projects two million barrels of oil daily production
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has announced its goal to increase crude oil production to 2 million barrels per day by the end of the year.
The country’s daily production rose from 1.27 million barrels in June to 1.6 million in July.
Speaking during a meeting with Maritime Stakeholders at the Nigerian Navy Headquarters on Tuesday, the Group Managing Director of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, expressed optimism that the target would be met, emphasising that NNPCL was fully committed to achieving it.
Represented by Folorunsho Karim, Managing Director of Pipeline NNPCL, Kyari urged security agencies to continue their efforts against oil theft and pipeline vandalism to help the company meet its target.
He said, “The target is to increase production to 2 million barrels by the end of the year, and we are fully committed to doing that. I appreciate the support of the Nigerian Navy in making this possible.
“They have been providing significant support, which has resulted in a reduction in oil theft.
“Pipeline vandalism has also decreased significantly, and there is a lot currently happening in the industry. We hope to sustain this progress to achieve our target of 2 million barrels per day by the end of the year.”
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, stated that Nigeria’s development has faced numerous complex security challenges over the past few decades, including violent agitations, oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and piracy/sea robbery.
Ogalla added that these issues were driven by the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, communal clashes, poverty, and unemployment.
“The traditional methods of addressing these security challenges have not yielded the desired results. Hence, the meeting also aimed to address emerging security issues arising from the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act.
“The Federal Government’s drive to develop the nation’s Blue Economy requires the support of all stakeholders,” he added.
He stated that the Navy was working to ensure its operations did not hinder operators but instead supported them in performing their duties and optimally producing.
Ogalla said, “Providing security is a way to promote ease of doing business because if there is no security, operators cannot function.
“We also ensure that our arrests and detentions do not impede legitimate business operators. When we make arrests, we conduct preliminary investigations quickly and release vessels if the information is found to be incorrect, so as not to disrupt businesses. This is our general contribution.
“We aim to promote ease of doing business by ensuring our operations and patrols do not create problems for operators. Instead, we support them by assuring them of protection from criminal elements who seek to disrupt business activities in Nigeria.”
Gov Ododo urges Nigerian youths to shun protest
Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo has appealed to youths in the country to shun the proposed protest scheduled for August 1st to 10th, 2024.
Ododo made the appeal on Tuesday during an event held in Lokoja to mark the empowerment of 500 women and youths in the poultry value-chain credit support programme.
He argued that President Bola Tinubu’s administration inherited the current economic hardship, adding that protest will bring about destruction of the nations economy.
“As a state, we will continue to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu laudable initiative in making Nigeria great. To those Nigerians who are bent on violent protests, let reasoning prevail. We are making progress. We are moving forward. Our hopes are back.
“Any violent protest at a time like this will no doubt reverse our gain in the past 13 months. The intent of the promoters of protest in Nigeria are concealed in political desperation.
“I call on all the youth of our dear nation to rise behind Mr. President in his determination to fix the nation back on track. Mr. President is trying. What we are facing today is not caused by him. He inherited this economic crisis and hardship and he is trying to pull us out of it. I urge everyone of us as a state to support Mr. President’s programs and policies so that together we can jointly pull ourselves out of this economic hardship.
“Tell those that are telling you to go on the street to protest to bring their children.You cannot send your children abroad, thinking we are fools. We are not fools. Mr. President is trying. We will continue to support him so that we will be pulled out of this inherited economic crisis,” he stated.
Gov Ododo urges Nigerian youths to shun protest
Gov Ododo urges Nigerian youths to shun protest
Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo has appealed to youths in the country to shun the proposed protest scheduled for August 1st to 10th, 2024.
Ododo made the appeal on Tuesday during an event held in Lokoja to mark the empowerment of 500 women and youths in the poultry value-chain credit support programme.
He argued that President Bola Tinubu’s administration inherited the current economic hardship, adding that protest will bring about destruction of the nations economy.
“As a state, we will continue to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu laudable initiative in making Nigeria great. To those Nigerians who are bent on violent protests, let reasoning prevail. We are making progress. We are moving forward. Our hopes are back.
“Any violent protest at a time like this will no doubt reverse our gain in the past 13 months. The intent of the promoters of protest in Nigeria are concealed in political desperation.
“I call on all the youth of our dear nation to rise behind Mr. President in his determination to fix the nation back on track. Mr. President is trying. What we are facing today is not caused by him. He inherited this economic crisis and hardship and he is trying to pull us out of it. I urge everyone of us as a state to support Mr. President’s programs and policies so that together we can jointly pull ourselves out of this economic hardship.
“Tell those that are telling you to go on the street to protest to bring their children.You cannot send your children abroad, thinking we are fools. We are not fools. Mr. President is trying. We will continue to support him so that we will be pulled out of this inherited economic crisis,” he stated.
Gov Ododo urges Nigerian youths to shun protest
Police nab three rice thieves in Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested three suspects for allegedly stealing 96 bags of 50 kilograms of rice from a businessman in the Nassarawa Eggon Local Government Area of the state.
The businessman was said to have bought 700 bags of rice in Nasarawa State and transported them to Abia State when the hoodlums numbering about 15 attacked his vehicle on the road and carted away with the foodstuffs.
The Commissioner of Police, Umar Nadada, disclosed on Tuesday at the command’s headquarters while parading a total of 31 suspected criminals who were recently arrested for committing various crimes in the state.
He narrated that the suspects who made several moves to escape, were arrested following painstaking efforts by the gallant officers of the command.
He said, “On 26/07/2024 at about 0330hrs, a complaint was lodged by a truck driver at Akwanga Area Command that on the same date, he loaded seven hundred (700) bags of rice at Rukubi, Doma LGA of Nasarawa State en route Abia State, but his truck developed a mechanical fault at Nassarawa Eggon, forcing him to pass the night at the spot.
“Suddenly, armed men numbering about 15 attacked him and forcefully tore the truck’s tarpaulin and carted away some bags of rice.”
The Commissioner of Police further narrated that upon receipt of the report, police operatives swiftly swung into action and pursued the hoodlums, adding that luck ran out of them as their vehicle was intercepted by the police officers.
“Three suspects were arrested namely Auwal Abubakar, Danrimi Mohammed, and Habibu Adamu, all males of Masaka, Karu LGA.
“Consequently, ninety-six bags of Mama Gold Rice and a Citroen Bus with Registration Number OGUN 419 XZX were recovered from them as exhibits,” the CP added.
CP Nadada further mentioned that the command recovered a total of 1,080 pieces of ammunition, 13 laptops, television and phones, five magazines, four motorcycles, and five firearms, among others.
While warning all criminal elements to leave the state without further delay, the Commissioner of Police said the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Lafia.
In an interview with one of the suspects, Habibu Adamu denied being a member of the criminal gang and explained that he and the other two suspects arrested were merely conveying the bags of rice to a destination as transporters when they were arrested by the police.
“We are transporters (Driver and Loaders). We did not know if the bags of rice were stolen or not. We are appealing to the police to release us because we know nothing about the matter,” he said.
Ifeanyi Ubah: Igwe Orizu declares 3-day mourning in Nnewi
His Royal Highness, Igwe Dr. K.O.N Orizu III of Nnewi has declared a three-day mourning period to honour late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who passed away in the United Kingdom.
In a statement signed by Prince Dr. Obi Orizu, Principal Secretary to Igwe Nnewi, the monarch urged the people of Nnewi and non-indigenous residents to join in mourning the loss of the senator.
The statement also invited clergies from different religious groups to lead their congregations in prayers for the peaceful repose of Ubah’s soul.
The three-day mourning period commenced on Tuesday, July 30th, and will come to an end on August 1st, the statement read.
The monarch’s declaration is a testament to the profound impact Ubah had on the community.
The late senator was a popular figure in Nnewi, and a benefactor to many. While alive, he was celebrated for his contributions to the community’s development.
His passing left a void in the hearts of many, and the mourning period has been described as a fitting tribute to his memory.
Ifeanyi Ubah: Igwe Orizu declares 3-day mourning in Nnewi
