The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday conducted a ward congress in Rivers State in defiance of court orders.
Justice Charles Wali of the Rivers State High Court, Port Harcourt, on Friday, restrained the party and its National Executive Committee (NEC) from holding any congress in the state.
Those affected by the ruling are the PDP National Chairman, Iliya Damagum and National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
The judge, who delivered the ruling filed by some members of PDP in the state, also restrained their agents from gathering anywhere in the 319 wards of the 23 local government areas of the state for congresses pending the hearing and determination of suit no: PHC/2400/CS/2024 before him.
He said the order specifically prevented the respondents from conducting any congresses at the ward, local government, or state levels scheduled for July 27, August 10, and August 31 respectively.
Justice Sobere Hambo of the same court had a few days earlier restrained the party leadership from conducting congresses in the state while ruling on an application brought by the caretaker committee chairman of Emohua local government area of the state, David Omereji, and 10 others.
Saturday’s congress was witnessed by the PDP leaders at various levels in the state.
At the party’s secretariat along Aba Road in Port Harcourt, members of the party were seen with materials for the congress in their various wards.
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PDP defies court orders, holds ward congress in Rivers
Protest: Give us time – Wike begs FCT residents
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, while inspecting ongoing road projects in the Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory on Saturday, called on residents to shun any action that could jeopardise the efforts of the government.
The roads inspected are the 11 km Highway 105, which links the Outer Southern Expressway to the Kuje township and the 5 km emergency asphalt carriageway running through Kuje town.
Addressing the residents, Wike called on them to be patient and support the government’s efforts to improve their wellbeing.
The minister, who spoke in pidgin English, said that while hope was lost before, the present administration has brought back hope to the people, adding that the government is taking measures to alleviate the current economic hardship in the country and will also continue to provide basic infrastructure to the people.
This, he said, will ensure that residents have good roads to access their farms and markets, standard hospitals and good schools for their children.
Wike stressed that the challenges in the country cannot be fixed overnight and urged residents to exercise more patience and support the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, adding that with the people’s cooperation, the economic hardship will soon be a thing of the past.
He used the opportunity to call on residents to shun acts that could sabotage efforts made by the administration to bring hope back to the people, urging residents to protect the peace of the nation’s capital.
He said: “For FCT na the centre of the country, the indigenes and the residents, wey dey here, we must protect FCT.
“Even if problem go dey for anywhere, e no go be FCT. Because na here all of us stay. So I appeal say those of una wey get am for mind to dey go do something wey no good, say una wan go do follow people wey no know where dem dey go, wey de do things wey no get head, no get tail, make una withdraw, give us time.”
The minister assured that the projects inspected would be completed before the end of the year and urged the contractors to ensure they deliver the projects at the scheduled time.
Both contractors for the projects, Arab Contractors and Gilmor Nigeria Limited assured that the projects would be completed as soon as possible.
Present at the inspection were the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud; Coordinator, STDD, Hon. Abdulkadir Zulkiflu; Director, Engineering Services, Richard Dauda; other senior officials of the FCTA; former senator representing the FCT, Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda; and officials of Arab Contractors and Gilmor Nigeria Ltd.
Protest: Give us time – Wike begs FCT residents
Don’t allow anybody to lure you with N5,000 or N10,000
The Minister of State for Environment, Ishaq Salako, on Saturday, assured Nigerians that the economy is on its way to full recovery following the radical economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu in the past year.
This came as the Special Adviser to the President on Tourism, Prince Ademola Adetokunbo begged Nigerians ‘not to allow anybody to lure you with N5,000 or N10,000 to go and protest.
Salako expressed the conviction at the inauguration of new National Working Committee members for the youth league of the All Progressives Congress in Abuja.
The minister’s reassurance was in response to calls for all APC youths to boycott the August 1 nationwide planned protest.
The demonstration, scheduled to run from August 1 to 15, has continued to generate tension and elicit mixed reactions from Nigerians
Several groups who indicated interest in championing the campaign said the call for protest was provoked by the soaring cost of living and economic hardship in the country.
But Salako disagreed, saying the anticipated demonstration is an attempt by some unscrupulous politicians to use the youthful population to destabilize governance in the country.
He said, “Do not allow yourself to be used by people who want to destabilise Nigeria. What the country is going through now is like a patient who has cancer. The cancer has been embedded in his body for so many years. All the past leaders lacked the courage to tackle the problem. Instead of addressing the problems, what did they do? They postponed the evil days.
“Mr President has tackled the cancer by doing a radical surgery. And when you conduct a radical surgery on anything, it takes time for it to heal. Aside from taking time to recover, a cancer that is so long will need to undergo chemotherapy. I believe we all know what it is. During such a process, you will notice that the person will lose weight, hair, and all kinds of things all in a bid to get well.
“So I want to crave your indulgence as your APC youths league president has directed that you should go to your various ward and local governments and let people know what! r President is doing. Before he assumed office, things were extremely bad. That was why I used the example of a cancer that is at a terminal stage. If Tinubu had not done what he did, Nigeria would have been on its way to the mortuary by now. But God forbid it.”
Special Adviser to the President on Tourism, Prince Ademola Adetokunbo, also shared his sentiment when he appealed to the young politicians to discourage their friends and neighbours from going to the protest.
Adetokunbo stated that despite the political shenanigans being deployed by the enemies of the country, Tinubu will complete eight years of his tenure.
“This protest is not for us. Don’t allow anybody to lure you with N5,000 or N10,000. We are pleading that this protest is not in the interest of Nigerians. Just recently, we now have the North West Development Commission along with others. This are avenue for we youths to benefit. Don’t let some people take us for granted. These people’s children are in the UK and the United States. They are not passing through all these things as you are. They will now come up with ways to separate you.
“It is only when they want to use us they will remember we have Nigerian youths. Has any of them called you to come and pick up certain jobs or appointments? But here is a President who has the youth in mind with all the lofty policies he has created. The student loan is there. So why can we give out total support to this present administration? We will use this four years and by the grace of God, we are going to eight years,” he stated.
Earlier in his address, the newly sworn-in President of the APC Youths, Olamide Lawal, called on members of the party at all levels to snub the proposed demonstration
“As progressive youths, Mr President needs our utmost support, not demonstration. He needs our empathy and not protest against the hike in food prices and cost of living. We must demonstrate virtuous ethos to make sure the Renewed Hope agenda is achieved. Let me emphatically call on my comrade youths in the country to stand by President Bola Tinubu so that he to focus on his progressive mission for this country.
“We all worked hard to get him into office last year. Let’s not allow some disgruntled elements who have their political agenda to truncate the present administration’s steady efforts to take Nigeria to greater heights. Let’s avoid being used for demonstrations or protests against this government. Remember that no pain, no gain. The painful moments we are presently passing through shall bring enormous gains to our generation and generations yet unborn,” he assured.
Embrace digital technology to preserve cultural heritage — UNESCO urges Nigeria
The UNESCO Institute for African Culture and International Understanding has urged the Nigerian government to harness the power of digital technology to preserve and promote its diverse cultural heritage.
The director of the institute, Professor Emeritus Peter Okebukola, stated this during a workshop held on Friday in Abeokuta.
The workshop is themed “Cultivating Cultural Entrepreneurship: Fostering Diversity of Cultural Expression Through the Digital Environment.”
The director explained that the workshop aimed to provide a platform to share knowledge, insights, and creative ideas on how education can help cultural entrepreneurs thrive in a digital world.
According to him, Nigeria has a diverse culture, which should be preserved and promoted.
Okebukola, while addressing the participants, called for a collective commitment to nurturing a vibrant and inclusive cultural landscape in Nigeria.
He said: “In an era where digital technology has become an integral part of our lives, it is crucial that we harness its power to preserve, promote, and enrich our diverse cultural heritage.
“This programme aims to provide a platform for sharing knowledge, experiences, and innovative ideas on how education can empower cultural entrepreneurs to thrive in a digital environment.”
Embrace digital technology to preserve cultural heritage — UNESCO urges Nigeria
Lagos CP warns against attack of #EndBadGovernance protesters
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adegoke Fayoade, has warned the people of the state against attacking protesters.
Fayoade made the call while addressing traditional rulers and community leaders in Eti-Osa, Ibeju-Lekki, Epe, and Lagos Island local government areas at a town hall meeting on Saturday.
A group of Nigerians had called a nationwide protest tagged: #EndBadGovernce to express their displeasure over the economic hardship and other problems plaguing the land.
The protest is slated to take place from August 1 to 10.
He said: “If there must be a protest, it must be peaceful. We want to know those who want to protest so that we can make arrangements for their security.
“It is your right to protest legitimately as long as it does not affect the rights of others.
“Any group planning a violent protest should rethink. Such a group will meet police and other security agencies. We don’t want a repeat of the #EndSARS.
“The duty of residents is to give the police timely information about any group planning a violent protest, it is not for them to attack them.’
The traditional rulers and community leaders resolved there would be no protest in the state.
They commended the Commander of Area J Police Command, Mrs. Yemisi Ojo, for tackling crime in the area.
The leaders also praised the CP over the recent killing of nine kidnappers in the Mushin area of the state.
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FG flags-off work on Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Highway
The Federal Government has commenced work on the dualisation of the 375.9-km Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Highway in the North-West geopolitical zone of the country.
Minister of Works David Umahi stated this during the flag-off of work and the site handover of the 38-km dual carriageway section of the road to Dangote Group of Companies on July 27, 2024.
Speaking during the flag-off and handover ceremony, Umahi charged the three companies handling the three sections of the project to show absolute devotion to the completion of the project.
He noted that the ministry would look at the need for a project rate review to cushion the effects of the increase in material costs, given that the last review was done about nine months ago.
This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Uchenna Orji.
In the statement made available to TVN, he said: “The first section is 38 kilometres by two, which is 76 kilometres. The work is starting today, with palliatives and earthworks, and then they will now start to put in reinforced concrete pavement.”
The minister used the opportunity to launch the federal government’s ‘Operation Free Our Roads,’ which is aimed at making sure that all the federal roads under rehabilitation are made motorable starting this rainy season.
He said: “We are using this as a point of contact to flag off ‘Free our Roads’ all over the country. They will use a stone base to fill and free all the potholes. In failed portions or where we have potholes, they will all be filled, both carriageways.
“They will continue to maintain one carriageway for vehicles to follow while they consistently work on one carriageway.”
He emphasised the need for the ministry’s engineers to take the task seriously, including those of FERMA.
According to him: “Operation ‘Free Our Roads,’ is not only for the Ministry of Works, but also for FERMA. We’re going to put our eyes; all the directors and all the Zonal engineers of FERMA must take this thing very seriously.”
At the section handled by Julius Berger, the minister commended the contractor for already starting work and doing a good job and maintained that the federal government expected the entire project to be completed and delivered by May 2025.
“What we will be discussing with Berger is what we can do to finish this job by May 29. This is very important because we don’t want to stay here beyond May 29, 2025. What Berger cannot finish, we would also have to take it over and give it to Dangote under tax credit for reinforced concrete pavement,” he said.
FG flags-off work on Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Highway
Foreign mercenaries involved in planned protest – AIG alleges
The Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone Six, Jonathan Towuru, has alleged foreign mercenaries’ involvement in the planned public protest scheduled to hold August 1–10, 2024.
The zonal PRO, Nelson Okpabi, disclosed this in a statement he signed on behalf of the AIG on Saturday evening.
The AIG said they have taken cognizance of those who have spoken out against any form of protest and expressed fear that enemies of the country may be manipulating the process.
Towuru said: “It is confirmed that these fears are genuine based on credible intelligence on foreign mercenaries’ involvement in the planned protest.”
He added: “The police commend patriots who have withdrawn from the protest due to the apparent sinister motives and ignorance of those calling for violence.”
Towuru called on all Akwa Ibom and Cross River state residents to exercise caution and think twice before joining any protest group, stressing that even a peaceful protest at this time is ill-timed.
“The Zone is therefore issuing a stern warning to clandestine groups plotting to destabilise the country and hoodlums seeking to exploit protests for their criminal intentions that the police and other security agencies will not tolerate the killing of innocent citizens, destruction of public infrastructure and private property, or looting of private businesses,” he warned.
He advised all groups planning to protest to provide necessary details to the Commissioners of Police in the states where the protest is intended to facilitate a successful and incident-free protest.
He urged them to identify the routes and assembly points where the protest is to hold, the duration, names and contact details of protest leaders and organisers, amongst other necessary information.
Foreign mercenaries involved in planned protest – AIG alleges
HOSTCOM backs Dangote refinery, slams govt on fuel import
The Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas has thrown its support behind the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals and other domestic refineries in a bid to end Nigeria’s reliance on imported petroleum products.
During a visit to the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Ibeju Lekki, HOSTCOM’s National President, Dr. Benjamin Tamaramiebi, emphasised the need for Nigeria to refine its crude locally.
“We HOSTCOM have come today to drum up support for Dangote Refinery. We will stand with Dangote to put an end to continuous importation of less quality and costly refined Petroleum Products into Nigeria,” he was quoted as saying in a statement made available to According Online on Saturday.
The group criticised the long-standing issues with government-owned refineries, which have been inactive for over two decades despite billions spent on maintenance.
HOSTCOM warned of monumental corruption in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, threatening to expose those responsible if necessary.
Furthermore, HOSTCOM called for the immediate dismissal of the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed.
The group accused Ahmed of being conflicted and incapable of performing the duties of a regulator for the downstream sector due to his past associations with downstream companies.
The group stated, “We therefore unequivocally call for the immediate sack of Farouk Ahmed. It is now clear that he as the CEO of NMDPRA is responsible for issuing import licenses to his cronies outside the government to continue to import Sub-standards Refined Petroleum Products into the Country.
“In hindsight, this is not surprising given that he has served on the boards of some downstream companies in the past. He is therefore obviously conflicted and incapable of performing the duties of a regulator for the downstream sector. It is important to immediately replace him with an individual who is not encumbered by such conflict.”
HOSTCOM also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to support the Dangote Refinery project, highlighting its potential to enhance the economy, create jobs, and ensure product sustainability and affordability.
“We called on President Bola Tinubu to support and sustain this refinery which is in his own state. He must do away with the cabals holding the oil sector to ransom,” the group added.
The organisation further criticised International Oil Companies for their reluctance to sell crude oil to local refineries, describing it as economic sabotage.
HOSTCOM warned of potential agitation for greater Autonomy and control of our resources if the situation persists.
“We call on Mr President to direct NNPC OR NNPCL to compel the IOCs operating in our communities to sell and supply Crude Oil to Dangote Refinery and other Local Refineries in line with section 109 of the Petroleum Industry Act PIA 2021 particularly section 109(4)(b) “the supply of crude oil shall be commercially negotiated between the lessee and the crude oil refining licensee, having regard to the prevailing international market price for similar grades of crude oil,” it added.
Meanwhile, the VP of Gas and Oil at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, explained that the refinery was designed to process various crude types due to insufficient Nigerian crude supplies.
He emphasised the refinery’s commitment to producing high-quality products that meet international standards and its dedication to environmental protection and local content development.
Police arrest five for selling two-month-old baby
The Police Command in Lagos State has arrested five persons, including a couple, over their alleged involvement in selling a two-month-old baby.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrests on Saturday in a statement in Lagos.
Hundeyin said that detectives from the Oko-oba Police Division arrested the suspects following a report from the mother of the baby boy.
According to him, the mother of the child reported that one of the suspects absconded with her son to an unknown destination on July 11.
”Detectives swung into action, which led to the arrest of one Gloria, who during interrogation confessed to selling the baby for ₦500,000 to one Pastor Peter.
”Pastor Peter, who was subsequently arrested in Ikene Town, Ogun, admitted reselling the child for N1.4 million to one Loretta.
”Loretta was then also arrested in Festac Town, Lagos. She confessed to selling the baby for N2.3 million,” he said.
The image maker said that further investigations led to the arrest of the final buyers of the baby, one couple, simply identified as Mr and Mrs James, during the naming ceremony of the stolen child.
”All suspects will be arraigned in court after investigation,” he said.
(NAN)
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Djokovic eyes Nadal Olympic clash as Alcaraz, Swiatek cruise
Novak Djokovic set up a potential Olympic Games blockbuster with Rafael Nadal on Saturday as French Open champions Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek made winning returns to a rain-swept Roland Garros.
Djokovic, chasing a first Olympic gold to add to his 24 Grand Slams, brushed aside Australia’s Matthew Ebden 6-0, 6-1 in just 53 minutes under the roof of Court Philippe Chatrier.
Alcaraz, fresh from defeating Djokovic in the Wimbledon final, eased past Hady Habib of Lebanon while Swiatek enjoyed a straight-sets win against Irina-Camelia Begu.
Nadal, who has been carrying a thigh strain, will take on Djokovic for the 60th time if he gets past Marton Fucsovics of Hungary on Sunday.
He warmed up for that clash by partnering Alcaraz to a 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 win over Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni of Argentina.
It was the players’ first match as a pair as Nadal, with his right thigh bandaged, started his bid for a second doubles gold after Rio in 2016, having also captured singles gold in Beijing in 2008.
The torrential rain which swamped the opening ceremony on Friday also brought havoc to Roland Garros, where play on the outside courts was wiped out.
Only a handful of the day’s matches were completed on the covered Chatrier and Suzanne Lenglen arenas.
“Playing him is like finals for me. His record at Roland Garros speaks for itself,” said Djokovic of potentially facing Nadal, who has won the French Open 14 times.
“If we face each other, it’s possibly going to be for the last time on the big stage.”
On Saturday, Djokovic was barely pushed by 36-year-old Ebden, who only made the tournament as an alternate after a series of injury pullouts.
Without a singles ranking, doubles specialist Ebden had not played a singles match for two years before he got an unexpected Olympics call.
Djokovic needed just 24 minutes to wrap up the first set and was 4-0 up in the second before the Australian won a game.
Ebden, playing to a sympathetic crowd, celebrated by pulling his shirt over his head.
But that was as good as it got for the Australian Open doubles champion, who was broken six times and hit just seven winners to the 24 of Djokovic.
“The only goal I had was not to get injured. I was never going to win. I got one game at least and I said to Novak I was sorry I couldn’t give him more of a hit,” said Ebden.
Alcaraz enjoyed a winning start to his Olympic Games career when he swept aside Lebanon’s Hady Habib, the world number 275, in just 70 minutes winning 6-3, 6-1.
• ’Incredible experience’ –
“It was an incredible experience, the energy of the crowd was crazy,” said third-ranked Alcaraz.
Also going through on a curtailed day was fourth seeded Daniil Medvedev, the Russian former world number one playing as a neutral, who defeated Rinky Hijikata in straight sets.
Women’s world number one Swiatek battled to a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Begu as the 23-year-old Pole returned to the court where she captured a fourth French Open title last month.
“I’m happy to get through. The atmosphere was a little bit different so I was a little more nervous,” she said.
“But I have the chance to work on a few things tomorrow so my level can be higher in the second round.”
Swiatek, who only made the second round on her Olympics debut in Tokyo three years ago, will face either Diane Parry of France or Argentina’s Nadia Podoroska for a place in the last 16.
Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, easily defeated by Swiatek in the French Open final, also made the second round with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Romania’s Ana Bogdan.
“It’s great to come back here, it’s a different kind of tournament when it’s the Olympics,” said Paolini.
“I really love to play for my country but I feel a little more pressure.”
Saturday’s night session will close with Naomi Osaka, a four-time major winner, taking on fellow former world number one Angelique Kerber, the 36-year-old German, who will retire from tennis at the Olympics.
AFP