Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has described the death of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu as a colossal loss to Nigeria, particularly the Igbo nation and the media industry.
Sanwo-Olu said this in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, in Ikeja, on Friday.
The octogenarian, who was President-General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide and President of Owerri Peoples Assembly, died on Thursday after a brief illness.
“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Lagos State, I mourn the death of the President General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
“Iwuanyanwu was an active participant in Nigerian politics, having served his party in different capacities and contested for Nigeria’s presidency on three occasions.
“He contributed his quota for the development of his people and the country at large. He was very passionate about the interest, growth, and development of all Igbo at home and in the diaspora.
“As a media proprietor and accomplished businessman, he contributed his quota to the economy of Lagos State by providing job opportunities for many young Lagos residents in the media and other companies he established.
“He was a philanthropist who dedicated his life to the service of his community, state, and the country in different sectors,” the governor said.
Sanwo-Olu described the late founder of Champion Newspaper and Heartland FC as a passionate sport supporter.
He said, “His footprints in sports development in Nigeria as the founder of Iwuanyanwu Nationale Football Club (now Heartland F.C.), which won several national and international championships would not be forgotten in many years to come.
“I pray for the repose of the soul of the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and pray that God grants the Ndigbo, the deceased’s family, friends, and associates the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
He also consoled the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, and the entire people of Imo over the death of their illustrious son.
The governor sympathized with the wife of the deceased, Lady Frances Iwuanyanwu, children, friends, and associates, as well as the management and staff of Champion Newspaper and other businesses of the statesman.
Iwuanyanwu’s death colossal loss — Lagos Gov, Sanwo-Olu
Iwuanyanwu’s death colossal loss — Lagos Gov, Sanwo-Olu
PDP, Kwara disagree over palliative distribution
The Kwara State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Kwara State government have clashed over the timing of palliative and empowerment programmes being distributed across the state’s 193 wards.
The PDP alleged that the N50,000 empowerment given to 150 people in each ward under the Kwara State Investment Programme is a tactic to attract voters for the upcoming local government elections on September 21.
The government, however, contended that it has been equipping youths with empowerment tools to expand their businesses since 2020.
In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Adewara, the PDP urged the people of Kwara to “be vigilant and not be swayed by the recent reintroduction of the Subsidised Transport Palliative Programme by the state government, ahead of the forthcoming local government elections scheduled for September 21, 2024.”
The statement continued, “Aside from the subsidised transport palliative, the state government has reportedly directed that a list of 150 individuals from each of the 193 wards be compiled and submitted to KWASSIP for a purported N50,000 empowerment, with this exercise expected to cost about N700 million.”
The PDP expressed concern that these measures are desperate attempts by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to deceive the public and buy their votes after six years of hardship and poor governance under his administration. It further alleged that the governor is contemplating borrowing an additional N20 billion to finance the elections in favour of his party and selected candidates.
The statement also noted that with the recent Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to local governments, the power now rests with the people, especially those at the grassroots level.
“We must seize this opportunity to ensure that the governor’s handpicked candidates do not prevail. Allowing these candidates to win would mean the continuation of the Transition Implementation Committees imposed by the governor since 2019, which have crippled the administration of the 16 local government areas and squandered resources without mercy.
“The PDP urges the people of Kwara to see through these deceptive tactics, accept whatever ‘Greek gifts’ offered by the government, but uphold their conscience and reject candidates handpicked by Governor Abdulrazaq. Now more than ever, we must remain united and steadfast in our commitment to bring about a new era of local government administration that genuinely serves the people and addresses insecurity.”
In response, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, dismissed the PDP’s allegations as baseless, asserting that the government does not need to bribe the electorate to win the upcoming local government elections.
Ajakaye stated, “The achievements of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq through various projects and programmes over the past five years are sufficient proof for the people to continue supporting the APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.”
He further explained that the government has been supporting youth business expansion through KWASSIP since 2020.
“The PDP’s claims are unfounded and petty. The state government, led by Governor Abdulrazaq, has been supporting business growth for the people since 2020. The government does not need to bribe anyone to win elections in the state,” Ajakaye concluded.
Why anti-subsidy protests didn’t turn violent under Jonathan
A former Director, Department of State Services, Mike Ejiofor, has said the protest staged to kick against attempts by former President Goodluck Jonathan-led government to remove petrol subsidy in 2012 didn’t turn violent partly because of ‘the body language’ of the former President.
Ejiofor, who is the President of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Security Studies, also said that the protesters also didn’t go irate because the situation in the country was not as bad as it is presently.
The former DSS boss gave the explanation while speaking on the planned #EndBadGovernance August 1 – 10 protests, and the moves of government to dissuade the organisers from storming the street.
Recall the DSS on Thursday warned the organisers of the planned nationwide protests against proceeding with the action, saying it uncovered a plan “by some elements to infiltrate the protest and use it to cause chaos and extreme violence in the land.”
Also, the military and police have also warned against the protest scheduled to be held from August 1 to 10 in response to the economic hardship experienced in the country.
“The level of violence being envisaged can only be described as a state of anarchy. The armed forces on its part will not stand by and allow anarchy to befall our nation,” defence spokesman, Major General Edward Buba said on Thursday.
Meanwhile, speaking during an interview on Arise TV Morning Show, Ejiofor on Friday while answering question on why the protest of 2012 was not subjected to threats and a clampdown by security agencies, said it was partly because of the body language of Jonathan who was the then president and the situation of the country as of 2012.
He, however, said the present situation in the country has left a hard condition posing fears that the planned protest if staged, has the tendency to be hijacked because people are now “hungry and desperate”.
“The 2012 protest didn’t turn violent, one, because of the body language of the sitting president then. He allowed everything to go and the situation was not as bad as what we have now. Now, it can be exploited because people are hungry, desperate and want to use anything to vent their anger,” he said.
Arguing that while the right of the people to protest remains sacrosanct, the fear of the protest being hijacked remains high, and could be exploited by people who may seize the situation to push their personal interest.
“It is their legitimate right to protest as enshrined in the constitution. But I think they (organisers of protest) did us a lot of good by giving sufficient notice to the government of their intentions to go on protest and you can see the grounds of appeals from various stakeholders, interests groups appealing to them to shelve the plan.
“No matter how good their intentions are, I believe this will be hijacked eventually,” he said.
Maintaining that “the fear is very high that this protest will be hijacked”, he added that “Some people see this government as the best government whatever because of their personal interest not because of national interest… they would also represent their own interest, not the interest of the government, so that’s why we are afraid it might be hijacked.
“Some people might tell you that this APC government is not doing well, others will tell you that this is the best government.
“So, you have conflicting interests. That is why it is necessary that for now because of the enormous security challenges we have, we should not compound our problems by engaging in more protest.”
Recalling the #EndSars 2020 protest which according to him led to properties being destroyed with losses incurred by the nation and individuals, he added that though the organisers pf the #EndBadGovernance protest may have a course to protest, considering the hardship in the country, people of ulterior motives may hijack the process.
“Looking at their demands, we will all agree that there is economic hardship in the country, there is hunger and anger in the land, but again people who are more hungry now will explore the opportunity to loot people’s shops and it will eventually turn violent and that’s why we will continue to appeal to organisers to shelve the plans and give government time to look at it,” he said.
On the warnings by security agents, Ejiofor said the security agents have the duty to respond with force should the protest turn violent.
“Nobody is saying they should not protest but if you protest and it turns violent, the government has the statutory mandate of protecting the state and the innocent citizens. The point remains that people have the right to protest as long as it doesn’t turn violent,” he said.
He, however, warned against comments by some aides of the President Bola Tinubu which he described as “provocative” and could engender provocations with ethnic colouration and religious connotations.
“There are other issues agitating my mind; the issue of some provocative statements that the president’s aides are making that is likely to provoke people, giving it political meaning, ethnic colouration, religious connotations and what a view. These are not helping issues,” he said.
He called on President Tinubu not just to stop at consulting with interest groups in the country, but to also extend the reach to the common Nigerians at the grassroots while stressing the need for the President to address the nation in a broadcast.
“The ordinary man in the street needs also to know what is happening because some people do not even have electricity to look at the nation to know what is going on. I think the president needs to directly speak to the people, maybe make a national broadcast, this will help in relaxing the situation,” he said
Maintaining a similar position, the National Coordinator, the Grassroots Mobilisation Initiative and former spokesperson for the Coalition of Northern Groups, Sama’ila Musa, called for dialogue, submitting the presidency should “come out and address the people and sympathise with them.”
Also featuring on Arise TV morning show on Friday, Musa mentioned that current cases of rampage and looting of goods of private individuals, particularly as experienced in the Northern part of the country pose a risk of what may become of the protest should it go on.
“There is so much anger in the land. A lot of people are not happy because of some kinds of hardship in the land. It’s obvious people are complaining, prices are rising and all that, and people are suffering and you believe with me that is why people are actually calling for this protest.
“We are afraid with the level of anger right now in the Country, especially in the North as it is, we’ve seen cases where truckloads of food stuffs belonging to traders, maybe got spoilt somewhere on the road and people just move in and start offloading it, helping themselves out and that’s without riot. How much more what’s going to happen when you call for a mass protest, to what extent can the police curtail the excesses when you have situations like this?”, he queried.
He mentioned the situation may degenerate to criminal elements of the protesters “going to start looting people’s properties and vandalising ordinary citizen’s properties, carting away their goods.”
Nationwide protest: CSO accuses DSS of freezing bank account
A civil society organization, The Take-It-Back Movement, has alleged the freezing of its bank account with one of the first generation banks on the instructions of the Department of the State Services, DSS.
The group said the action follows its involvement in the forthcoming proposed nationwide protest.
In a a post on its X handle on Friday, the organization described the action as lawless.
It, therefore, demanded that the account be unfrozen within the next 24 hours, failing which it said a legal action will be instituted against UBA Group.
“It has now come to our attention that @UBAGroup has frozen our account on the instructions of the DSS over our involvement in the forthcoming protest.
“We describe this action as lawless, and demand our account be unfrozen immediately within the next 24hours, without which a legal action will be instituted against @UBAGroup,” the post read.
Reacting to the development, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, described it as a conspiracy against the Nigerian people.
TVN reports that some Nigerians are mobilising for nationwide protest slated for August 1 to August 10, 2024.
Tagged #EndBadGovernace, organisers of the protest have cried out over widespread hunger and inflation in the country.
It has now come to our attention that @UBAGroup has frozen our account on the instructions of the DSS over our involvement in the forthcoming protest. We describe this action as lawless, and demand our account be unfrozen immediately within the next 24hours, without which a legal pic.twitter.com/K7xwecxmDn
— Take it back Movement (@TIBmovement) July 26, 2024
Nationwide protest: CSO accuses DSS of freezing bank account
NIS intercepts baby, 3 other suspected victims of human trafficking in Lagos
The Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, Lagos Border Patrol Command at Seme, in Badagry, has intercepted a six month-old baby and three others children, suspected to be victims of human trafficking.
Comptroller Peter Adache, the Controller of the Command ,who disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Badagry on Friday, said the victims were intercepted with their traffickers – a couple.
Adache said the victims were intercepted by operatives on Monday around 1.30.p.m., along Kankon Owode Road in Badagry.
According to the controller, they were travelling to Burkina Faso, through the Republic of Benin, without any relevant documents.
“None of them was in possession of any travel documents, when they were intercepted at Owode Border,” he said.
Adache said that during interrogation, it was revealed that one of the suspected traffickers, who is a food vendor and citizen of Burkina Faso, lured the victims to travel with her to the country.
“The three ladies decided to follow her because she promised to give them a good job and good salary.
“She called her husband, who is a citizen of Benin Republic, and they arranged how to transport the three ladies and the child to Burkina Faso.
“The traveling expenses and feeding for the 6 persons were paid by the couple,” he said.
The controller said that the victims would be handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, to help reunite them with their families.
“It is a painful situation and under this situation we cannot in any way look away.
“I have been directed by the Assistant Controller General of Immigration in charge of Zone A to hand them over to NAPTIP.
“The Lagos Border Patrol command of NIS will continue to ensure compliance to immigration rules and regulations and equally ensure protection of Nigerians and reintegration of victims to their families,” he said.
One of the victims, who is a mother of a six-month-old child, said she and the child were abandoned by her husband, hence her decision to travel with the couple to survive hardship.
“Shortly after I delivered my child, my husband left me alone to take care of the child.
“Since there is no help from any quarters, when she (suspected trafficker, approached me to go to Burkina Faso, I agreed because she said I will make money and do good jobs there.
“The journey had been tedious until we were arrested by immigration officers, I want to go back home,” she said.
The victims were later handed over to Mr Ibraheem Ogunbiyi, the Assistant Director and Head, Counseling and Rehabilitation Unit of NAPTIP, Lagos Zonal Command.
NIS intercepts baby, 3 other suspected victims of human trafficking in Lagos
CBN sells $148m to 29 authorised dealers
The Central Bank of Nigeria has disbursed $148m to 29 authorised dealers as part of steps to stabilise the foreign exchange market amidst the recent free fall of the naira.
A statement posted on the apex bank’s website on Friday noted that the sales were made to the dealers on Monday, July 22 and Tuesday, July 23, 2024, between an exchange rate of N1470.00/$1 and N1510.00/$1.
This development comes two weeks after the CBN sold $122.67 million to 46 authorised dealers in a move aimed at promoting market stability and reducing volatility.
A week ago, it also announced that $20,000 is to be sold to each BDC at the rate of N1,450/$1.
Despite this move, the naira has depreciated against the US dollars, trading above N1,600 on Thursday at the official market.
The statement read, “The Central Bank of Nigeria sold a cumulative sum of US S148,000,000.00 in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange market to authorised dealers on July 22 and 23, 2024.
“The sale of foreign exchange was to 29 authorised dealer banks at an exchange rate of 1470.00/US$1-1510.00/US$1.”
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Fraud: Kano Judicial Service Commission dismisses court registrar, sanctions others
The Kano Judicial Service Commission, JSC, has sanctioned six court officials over alleged fraud, extortion and forgery.
The JSC took the decision during its 74th meeting held on 22nd July, 2024.
Baba Jibo Ibrahim, spokesman Kano State Judicial Service Commission, made this known in a statement on Friday.
He said the Judiciary Public Complaint Committee, JPCC, investigated a petition brought against two court registrars (Mustapha Makama Registrar C.M.C 27 and Yusuf Muhammad Yakasai Registrar C.M.C 14 Gyadi-Gyadi) who conspired and extorted the sum of N130,000 from a petitioner under the pretense of releasing a suspect on bail, which turned out to be false.
The Committee found that their action amounts to extortion and conspiracy, involving unlawful receipt of funds.
Ibrahim maintained that the Judicial Service Commission, acting on the recommendation of the JPCC, directed Mustapha Makama to proceed on compulsory retirement, having been found not to be fit and proper to continue in the service of the judiciary, while Yusuf Muhammad Yakasai, who is an accessory to the misconduct, has been demoted one grade level downward.
“The JPCC also investigated a petition against a syndicate comprising Salisu Ado (Secretary at High Court Complex Bompai), Bilya Abdullahi (Senior Registrar High Court No. 9), Ismail Garba and Auwalu Ibrahim Khalil (Court Registrars) and found their action amount to conspiracy, forgery and cheating by issuance of forged bank reversal court order and also forging the signature of a magistrate.
“The Judicial Service Commission upon adoption of the recommendation of the JPCC has suspended the above mentioned staff with immediate effect.
“The Commission will continue to apply the appropriate sanctions against any erring staff particularly those saddled with judicial responsibilities in order to safeguard the integrity and accountability of the judicial system and maintain public confidence,” the statement added.
Fraud: Kano Judicial Service Commission dismisses court registrar, sanctions others
Iwuanyanwu’s death great loss to Nigeria, Igbo nation — Sanwo-Olu
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the passing of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
The governor joined numerous local and international well-wishers in mourning the passing of the late icon.
He described Iwuanyanwu’s death as a colossal loss to Nigeria, with a particular impact on the Igbo nation and the media industry.
The governor also described Iwuanyanwu, an accomplished businessman and media mogul, who died on Thursday at 81 after a brief illness.
He described the deceased as “a respected elder statesman and detribalised Nigerian.”
Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, sympathised with the Ndigbo at home and abroad over the demise of their President-General.
It was titled, “Sanwo-Olu mourns Ohanaeze Ndigbo president Iwuanyanwu.”
He also consoled the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum and Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, and the entire people of Imo State over the death of their illustrious son.
The governor also sympathised with the deceased’s wife, Frances Iwuanyanwu, children, friends, and associates, as well as the management and staff of Champion Newspaper and other businesses of the late Iwuanyanwu.
He said, “On behalf of my family, the Government, and the people of Lagos State, I mourn the death of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
“Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu was an active participant in Nigerian politics, having served his party in different capacities and contested for Nigeria’s presidency on three occasions.
“He contributed his quota to the development of his people and the country at large. He was very passionate about the interest, growth, and development of all Igbo at home and in the diaspora.
“As a media proprietor and accomplished businessman, he contributed his quota to the economy of Lagos State by providing job opportunities for many young Lagos residents in the media and other companies he established.”
Sanwo-Olu also prayed that God should repose the soul of the deceased.
“He was a philanthropist who dedicated his life to the service of his community, state, and the country in different sectors. His footprints in sports development in Nigeria as the founder of Iwuanyanwu Nationale Football Club (now Heartland F.C.), which won several national and international championships, would not be forgotten for many years to come.
“I pray for the repose of the soul of the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and pray that God grants the Ndigbo, the deceased’s family, friends, and associates the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” the statement stated.
According Online reports that official communication about the details of his burial has yet to be announced by the family.
IED explodes at Yobe livestock market
An explosion suspected to be a planted Improvised Explosive Device, IED, has exploded at the popular Buni Yadi market in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Channels Television reports that the incident occured around 12.30 pm this afternoon, injuring a girl, according to a resident of Buni, Ali Hassan.
Details to follow….
IED explodes at Yobe livestock market
Police foil attempted carjacking, kill two, arrest others in Abuja
Two suspected armed robbers were killed on Thursday night while trying to hijack a Prado Jeep at gunpoint in the Jahi area of Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.
This was confirmed by FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, during a press briefing at the police command in Abuja on Friday.
There, he also presented two arrested members of the robbery gang, according to Daily Trust.
The incident occurred around 10.45pm on Thursday.
He said, “A four-member robbery gang encountered a crime prevention patrol led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Mabushi Police Division.
“The robbers initiated a gunfight upon spotting the police, leading to a fierce exchange of fire.
“Two of the robbers were shot dead during the confrontation.”
The CP revealed that the two arrested suspects, identified as Joshua Godfrey, also known as Dogo, and Abdulsalam Mamuda, both residents of Mabushi village, were apprehended following the shootout.
“While during the crossfire with our men, two among the four-men robbery gang whose names were identified as Joshua Godfrey A.K.A. Dogo and Abdulsalam Mamuda both of Mabushi village were arrested,” he said.
Two other vehicles were recovered by the police.
“A blue Toyota Matrix with the registration number BWR 626 JB, used by the robbers, was recovered at the scene.
“The suspects also led the police to another stolen vehicle, a Toyota Corolla with the registration number RBC 743 AH, believed to have been taken from another victim,” he added.
Reaffirming the police command’s dedication to ensuring public safety, Igweh “urged residents and medical facilities in the Federal Capital Territory to report any individuals seeking treatment for gunshot wounds.”
Earlier in 2021, the police gunned down two suspected armed robbers at Gwarimpa, Abuja.
The deceased, who were members of a four-man gang were killed while robbing their victims at 7th Avenue, Gwarimpa.