Here are the top 10 stories making headlines across the country.
1. Police justify request for protest details, cite security concerns
The Nigeria Police Force has defended its request for details from organisers of the planned nationwide protests, explaining that the move is driven by security concerns.Read more
2. South-East monarchs beg for release of IPOB leader, Kanu
The Council of South East Traditional Rulers has told the Federal Government that releasing the incarcerated leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, will reduce tension in the region.Read moreo
3. Bandit kingpin Bello Turji accuses Defence Minister Matawalle of sponsoring terrorism (Video)
Notorious bandit kingpin, Kachallah Bello Turji, has accused Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, of sponsoring terrorism in the North-West.Read more
4. Lawyer urges NCC to probe telcos for restricting internet access, frustrating protest
Human rights lawyer and member of the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry into the outcome of the #EndSARS protest, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa has urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to probe telecommunication operators’ alleged disconnection of subscribers.Read more
5. Kenneth Okonkwo leaves Labour Party, splits with Peter Obi
Kenneth Okonkwo, former spokesperson for the Labour Party’s presidential campaign council, has announced his departure from the party and his separation from Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate.Read more
READ ALSO:Top 10 stories from across Nigerian Newspapers, Saturday, July 27, 2024
6. SERAP files suit against CBN to account for missing N100bn dirty notes
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over its “failure to account for and explain the whereabouts of the over N100 billion ‘dirty and bad notes’ and ‘other large sum of cash awaiting examination’ which are kept in various branches of the CBN.”Read more
7. CBN unveils plans to create new office to manage dormant account funds
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has unveiled plans to create a dedicated office to manage dormant accounts and unclaimed balances.Read more
8. NAF dismantles 12 illegal refining sites in Abia, Rivers
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has destroyed 12 illegal refining sites across Abia and Rivers states following a series of targeted airstrikes.Read more
9. Gunmen kill Police Inspector in Borno station attack
Early on Sunday, July 28, 2024, unknown gunmen attacked the Jakana Police Station in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, resulting in the death of an unnamed Police Inspector.Read more
10. Super Falcons lose against world champions Spain
Super Falcons were condemned to yet another defeat at the ongoing Olympic Games as they fell to a 1-0 loss against world champions Spain.Read more
The post Top 10 stories from across Nigerian Newspapers, Monday, July 29, 2024 appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
Top 10 stories from across Nigerian Newspapers, Monday, July 29, 2024
Kenneth Okonkwo remains my trusted ally — Obi
A former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has cautioned Labour Party members and supporters against attacking the party’s ex-Presidential Campaign Council spokesman, Kenneth Okonkwo, over his differing opinions.
The According reports that a few hours after Okonkwo announced his resignation from LP, the party’s leadership described him as one of the moles in their camp.
Okonkwo dumped LP on Sunday over the lingering internal strife and leadership crisis threatening to tear the party apart.
But reacting to the development, Obi, who was the party’s presidential candidate during the last general elections, said despite dumping the labour party, Okonkwo remains his trusted ally.
In a series of posts on his X account on Monday, the former governor said Okonkwo’s differing opinion does not make him an enemy, but rather a strong voice and friend.
He wrote, “Yesterday, I read my dear brother Kenneth Okonkwo’s open letter in which he expressed differing views with me on the skirmishes in our party. And today, I saw various responses to the letter.
“I want to, therefore, categorically and emphatically declare that Okonkwo remains my beloved brother and a trusted ally. I sternly caution against referring to him as a mole or making any negative remarks. Kenneth Okonkwo has stood by me through thick and thin, and his loyalty and commitment cannot be overstated or diminished.
“Disagreements and differing opinions are a natural part of any group, society, or movement, and it is essential to maintain a level of respect and decorum even when we disagree. Having differing views does not make someone an enemy, and it is crucial to engage in constructive dialogue rather than resorting to personal attacks or negative remarks.
“In fact, to me personally, I don’t want to work with anyone who always agrees with me, because as a leader, learning and listening are critical components of leadership. I want to listen to those who have different opinions and try to convince them otherwise or take their advice if it is better.
“I urge all believers of a New Nigeria to remain strong, resilient, and focused, and to refrain from discouragement or negative remarks towards Barrister Kenneth Okonkwo or anyone who leaves or disagrees with our views, strategies, or tactics. My message is clear and simple: unity, respect, and civility must prevail, even in the face of disagreement and variance.”
Nigeria doesn’t need nationwide protest
Peaceful demonstrations to convey felt needs are rights enshrined in our nation’s constitution, which also highlights ways and means by which such rights and dissents are disposed.
But are protests and demonstrations necessary at the time our national ecosystem is recovering from a grievous pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the great depression? I profoundly, with all sense of responsibility, do not think so.
In the apparently challenging circumstances this nation finds itself as it tackles headlong the triggers left unattended to in its 25 years of democratic practices, you would agree with me, that it is only germane that the present structural reforms put in place by the Federal Government, together with its many cushioning interventions are just the only way to get this nation out of the wood.
When the mandate to govern this nation was given to President Bola Tinubu, you can recall he took it as an honour of a lifetime to serve in that capacity and immediately went to work to rebuild this country. We have as a result seen historic progress made in the area of clearing about $16bn (18 per cent) from the nation’s external debt. There has been an addition of $4bn to the nation’s external reserves, and all forex backlogs owed to foreign airline operators have been cleared. The Tinubu administration has started the path to full local government autonomy to bring decision-making closer to the people; the most essential victory of which was got at the Supreme Court. There are also the student loan for undergraduates in federal and state universities, and relief emergencies in liquidity and palliatives sent through the subnational governments in line with the federation principles.
Closing these yawning gaps together with the emergencies declared in the oil and gas sectors where this government continues to bear the cost of variations in the unsteady fluctuations in the price of crude and its refined components, is critical to addressing the balance of trade deficits, low manufacturing and production, producing to meet domestic demands, and decentralised aggregation and production network of small medium enterprises, which could mean the nation would earn forex and tax to pay back the Federal Government loans to meet capital and recurrent expenditures.
Given these strides and the visible signs of turning from the headwinds, I consider that the present attempt by the conveners of the August 1 protest to want to go ahead with their planned protest would be premature, counterproductive, distractive and dissuasive.
Let’s not lose sight of the fact that there are persons who when they look at Nigeria in its present path to economic recovery, see carnage, despair and darkness. They spread fears and lies for profit and power. They daily pray that this government fail to justify their misplaced idiosyncrasies and the concomitant effect is the avoidable gaps where they take advantage of the short-term difficulties to create artificial scarcity, price gouging, food and double-digit inflation. They only seek to use our people to fund their plot, having failed in previous successive attempts to destabilise the Federal Government.
There is the hope however that the governmental interventions would slice through the double-digit food inflation and provide a more abundant life for the teeming number of our citizenry.
Be that as it may, we can’t soon forget how previous unhealthy demonstrations were hijacked and used to perpetrate unrest. Properties worth billions of naira were destroyed, prison breaks became normative and very dangerous criminals were let back into society who soon became rapists, carjackers, kidnappers and killers. They foist back on society the very issues the present protest hopes to achieve.
It is in this regard that I use this medium, as the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme to appeal to all ex-agitators not to be part of any protest, and not to allow themselves to be used to settle political scores or be used to unleash destruction of government infrastructure.
In closing, I remember the words of the third-century Greek philosopher, Sextus Empiricus, who said, “The mills of God grind slow, but they grind exceedingly sure.”
Taken from this, let me say no radical surgery to remove a malignant tumour is pleasant ab initio, but once it is removed, it automatically impacts the quality of life of the index case.
This should provide a renewed source of hope for us as we look forward to a greater, bigger, and better Nigeria.
- Dr Dennis Otuaro, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, writes from Abuja
Gunmen attack customs base, kill officer in Kebbi
Gunmen suspected to be hoodlums have reportedly attacked a Nigeria Customs Service patrol base in Koko, Kebbi State killing one officer and abducting one other in the process.
A press statement made available to newsmen on Sunday evening by the Public Relations Officer, Kebbi Area Command, Mohammed Tajuddeen Salisu, said the incident occurred on Thursday.
“With deep regret, we announce a distressing incident which occurred at our Koko Besse patrol base on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at approximately 2100 hours.
“A group of hoodlums attacked the patrol base, destroying properties and targeting our officers in a contest to the recent boost to anti-smuggling activities in the area.
“The armed men after causing mayhem to the base trailed and attacked two of our officers, one was shot and the other abducted. Unfortunately, Assistant Superintendent Customs I, Dabo Umar, lost his life while Superintendent of Customs, Babagana Abba Kabiru, was abducted and a hefty ransom was demanded for his release.”
The statement said the deceased officer’s body was retrieved and conveyed to Kaduna for burial according to Islamic rites.
“While a manhunt was launched for the killers and abductors of the officers, the Customs Area Controller, Iheanacho Ernest Ojike, has commiserated with the family of the deceased and prayed for the release of the abducted officer.”
The statement however urged the public to provide any information that might lead to the safe return of the abducted officer, while assuring them that other relevant security services were involved in the matter.
“We will continue to provide updates as the situation develops. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the affected officers and the deceased’s.”
Ogun seeks better waste disposal in Redemption Camp, others
The Ogun State government has expressed the need to pay particular attention to the handling of waste at religious camps to avoid either an outbreak or the spread of diseases.
It noted that given the huge number of people are religious camps, it had become imperative to pay attention to the handling of waste in the interest of public health.
According to a statement on Sunday, the Chairman of the Ogun State Waste Management Authority, Abayomi Hunye, stated this when he led the management team of the agency on an inspection tour of the Redemption City of the Redeemed Christian Church of God along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Hunye said there was a need for the RCCG Camp to collaborate with OGWAMA to ensure proper waste handling.
Hunye said, “Part of the collaboration will be to expose the environmental health management teams of these camps to the best waste management practices which will safeguard the immediate and general environment as well as public health.
“Our experts will be visiting them periodically to organise training, workshops and inspect their dumpsite and other facilities, especially that of medical waste with the sole aim of instituting global best standards in their operations, so that their camps will not only be clean but also safe and healthy for human visitation and habitation.”
Hunye, therefore, called on various campgrounds across the state to cooperate with OGWAMA officials who will be visiting them to inspect their waste management facilities so that they will get it right going forward and save the state any outbreak of diseases emanating from improper waste management.
Responding, the National Overseer of the RCCG, Pastor Sunday Akande, said the church had given the waste management and environmental sector the attention it deserve as all its facilities were top-notch and comparable to any of its contemporary worldwide.
He, however, said the church would collaborate with OGWAMA in its mandate to standadise waste management in all religious camps across the state for the well-being of everyone.
Foreign scholars write minister, reject 56% allowance cut
Stranded foreign scholars under the Federal Government’s Bilateral Educational Agreement Scholarship have written to the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, and pleaded for the reversal of the 56 per cent deduction in allowances.
The BEA scholarship is for the purpose of education exchange between Nigeria and the partnering countries.
The Federal Scholarship Board is supervising the scholarship under the Federal Ministry of Education.
The According exclusively reported how the Federal Ministry of Education announced a slash in allowances for foreign scholars, who are currently stranded in Russia, Morocco, and Algeria, among others.
The ministry attributed the development to economic crises.
The government’s decision to slash the scholars’ allowances was contained in a memo signed by the Director of the Federal Scholarship Board, Ndajiwo H.A., on behalf of the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman.
“After due consultations, the Federal Scholarship Board has come up with adjustments in line with budgetary provisions in the payment of BEA scholar’s supplementation allowances for the 2024 academic year,” the memo, dated July 23, 2024 and addressed to the scholars’ association, read.
In a letter addressed to the minister on Friday and obtained exclusively by our correspondent, the scholars begged the minister to reverse the deduction.
The scholars said they wrote “to formally express our concern and strong opposition to the recent decision to reduce the supplementation allowances, as communicated in your letter dated 23rd of July 2024.”
“Honorable Minister, Sir, we appreciate the efforts of the Nigerian government in ensuring that we, the beneficiaries of this scheme, are well taken care of so that we can pursue our education without distractions. On our part, we have remained committed to our studies despite the financial hardship and have never been found wanting for crimes or any illegal activities.
“Sir, we have been struggling to survive for 13 months without the stipend and many of us have resorted to taking loans to pay our bills in the hope that this payment will be made to offset them. In the face of increasing global economic challenges and inflation.
“The 56% reduction in this stipend will leave us with little or no means of survival, as it is not even enough to pay our house rent, light and water bills, transport and food, as well as other necessities. The monthly allowances provided to overseas scholars are critical in ensuring that they can focus on their academic pursuits without undue financial stress. These allowances cover essential living expenses, such as housing, food, transportation, and educational materials, all of which are often significantly higher in foreign countries,” they added.
Speaking further in the letter, the scholars demanded full payment of the amounts owed over the past 13 months
“The UNBEA scholars have, therefore, decided not to accept this payment as stated in the mandate. We request that the FSB pay us the number of months that this total amount paid to various embassy’s account can afford to at the 500 USD per month as stated in our award letter, and that the remaining months be completed when the funds are made available.”
NAF destroys 12 illegal refineries in Abia, Rivers
The Nigerian Air Force said on Sunday its Operation Delta Safe destroyed 12 illegal refining sites and two reservoirs in airstrikes in Abia and Rivers states.
The Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, AVM Edward Gabkwet, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
Gabkwet said the NAF had intensified efforts to minimise the activities of oil thieves and other economic saboteurs in the Niger Delta.
He said the armed reconnaissance undertaken by the aircraft revealed several illegal refining sites located in many fenced households at Umueze in Abia.
He said the information was subsequently relayed to ground troops for further exploitation and necessary action.
According to him, the illegal refining sites, which were subsequently destroyed, were observed hidden under thick vegetation around Owaza.
“Thereafter, the crew followed the river line down to Komkom and Okoloma in Rivers State, where nine illegal refining sites and two reservoirs were discovered and destroyed.
“In total, 12 illegal refining sites and two reservoirs were destroyed.
“The sighting of illegal refining sites in fenced living environments is indicative of the sophistry of the illegal oil refining trade that would require other means beyond air strikes to checkmate,” Gabwet said.
He said that those engaged in these acts, especially in fenced living environments, should be reminded that such illegal activities were dangerous to human lives and health as well as the environment.
“Be that as it may, armed reconnaissance missions as well as destruction of illegal refining sites will continue unabated until crude oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage are reduced to the barest minimum,” he said.
Woman arrested for attempting to sell off three-year-old daughter
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 25-year-old woman, identified as Yetunde Gbadebo, for attempting to sell her three-year-old daughter on Aladiye Street in Sagamu.
Our correspondent gathered on Sunday that the incident occurred at about 10:00 on July 25, 2024.
According Metro learnt from a police source at the command that the suspect was caught while negotiating a N700,000 price for the toddler with a 38-year-old man identified as Sunday None.
A team of police detectives from the Sagamu Division stormed the area after a resident reported witnessing the duo during the negotiation.
During interrogation, the spokesperson for the command, Omolola Odutola, stated that Gbadebo denied the allegation, while None had confessed to the crime.
She said, “The woman was about to sell her three-year-old daughter to another suspect. A resident who saw the two suspects negotiating the price approached our station in Sagamu to report what she saw.
“The Sagamu Police Division detached a team of detectives who stormed the scene and arrested the two suspects. The man has confessed to the crime.
“The case will be transferred to the state Criminal Investigation Department as soon preliminary findings are concluded.”
In January 2024, According Metro reported a similar incident in which a 38-year-old woman, identified as Chinyere Chukwu, was arrested in Anambra State for attempting to sell her two sons, aged nine and seven.
The suspect allegedly conspired with her eldest daughter, Joy Chukwu, 17, to sell the minors to Mrs. Ify Obinabo, the Anambra State Women and Social Welfare Commissioner, who posed as a buyer after receiving a tip-off.
Nigeria may lose N400bn daily, says CPPE
A planned nationwide protest, scheduled to commence on August 1, 2024, has sparked concerns among economic experts, who warn of devastating consequences if not properly managed.
The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise has cautioned that the protests could inflict an estimated daily loss of N400bn, with severe consequences for the country and its citizens.
The Director/CEO of CPPE, Dr. Muda Yusuf, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
“The protests could inflict an estimated daily loss of N400 billion, if not properly managed. The consequences of such a huge loss for the country and the citizens would be very severe,” he said.
The protests, organised by various groups in the country, are aimed at drawing attention to the country’s economic woes, including high inflation, production costs, unemployment and hunger.
However, economic experts fear that the protests could lead to shutdowns and disruptions in major sectors of the economy, including trade and commerce, manufacturing, and financial services.
“There is a high risk of shutdowns and disruptions in major sectors of the economy. This is in addition to risks to lives and properties of innocent citizens and corporate bodies,” Yusuf warned.
The CPPE has urged the protest organisers to cooperate with the police to ensure peaceful and orderly protests and advised that the duration of the protests should be short, possibly one day.
“Prolonged protests create opportunities for hoodlums, miscreants, and other criminal elements in the society to build momentum to unleash mayhem and destruction on the country,” he said.
The organisation has also urged the administration to implement its economic stabilisation plan to ease production costs and reduce inflationary pressures.
Sanwo-Olu, minister to grace Jakande memorial lecture
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, and a former Ogun State governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, will grace the second Alhaji Lateef Jakande Annual Memorial Lecture on Tuesday in Lagos.
At the event, the Chairman, THISDAY/Arise Media Group, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, is expected to share with editors, media executives and other stakeholders, the survival strategies as Nigerian media grapple with a harsh economic environment.
With the theme “Rapidly Changing Media Landscape: Survival Strategies,” the lecture, which is slated for 10 am at Radisson Blu Hotel, Isaac John Street, Ikeja, Lagos, will be chaired by Idris; while Governor Sanwo-Olu will be the Special Guest of Honour.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by the Nigerian Guild of Editors President, Eze Anaba and the General Secretary, Dr Iyobosa Uwugiaren, it was revealed that the Publisher of Vanguard Media Group, Uncle Sam Amuka; former governor Osoba and an ex-minister of foreign affairs, Gen. Ike Nwachukwu (retd.), will be Fathers of the Day.
According to the professional body of editors and media executives, the annual lecture, which was instituted in 2023 by the NGE – in honour of its Founding President, the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, is both a testament to the cherished service rendered by Jakande, and an acknowledgment of the significance of having such a conversation for the overall good of the media and the country.
The NGE was formed on May 20, 1961 to serve as an elite organisation of editors, through which editors as professional heads of their publications could enhance their professional interests by networking to discuss/address common challenges and developing relationships with their various audiences in the media itself, governments, professional and trade associations.
Originally named the Guild of Newspaper Editors of Nigeria, it was later renamed the Nigerian Guild of Editors to accommodate colleagues in the broadcast/online media.
According to the NGE, Jakande rallied his professional colleagues to form the body that was conceived to occupy the strategic middle ground of editorial senior managers between media owners and the general workforce of journalists.
The guild said after discharging “uncommon duties” to the Nigerian media, Alhaji Jakande went on to render appreciable service as the first civilian governor of Lagos, and as a federal Minister of Works and Housing.
The statement said, “Sixty-three years after, the NGE, the professional body of editors and media executives, remains a respected organisation among professional associations, and a leader in the media landscape.
“And Alhaji Lateef Jakande’s name remains treasured whenever committed service is mentioned in the media and public service.
“Consequently, as part of nurturing a culture of appreciation, the NGE, in 2023, instituted an Annual Lecture in honour of its late pioneer president, Alhaji Jakande – to continue to interrogate developments affecting the media and society.”