Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili has cautioned the Nigerian government against taking the youths and organisers of the #EndBadGovernance protests scheduled to commence on August 1st for granted.
Ezekwesili who gave the advise in a post on her X handle on Thursday night, also told the government at all levels and security agencies not to take the protests lightly by threatening the organisers as that could lead to the protests turning violent.
She called on the government to “use the opportunity of the planned protests to engage dissatisfied and disaffected young citizens with utmost civility.”
In the post titled ‘My Position on the nationwide protest of our young citizens,” Ezekwesili said:
“All reasonable people know that majority of our citizens – especially the young ones – are distressed on many counts, from biting economic hardship that is prevalent in the country today.
“They blame it on Bad Governance and are therefore demanding an end to it.
READ ALSO:Lagos govt denies involvement in Oro Festival amid plans for #EndBadGovernance protest
“What is there to contest on a clearly established matter like this?
“Unfortunately, the language and actions of politicians, public officials and their allies to the distress of citizens are far from democratic and empathetic.
“News in the media suggest that our young citizens are planning to protest nationwide. And as we all read the reactions on social and other media, it does appear that the planned protests already agitate the federal and state governments.
“I hope the @NigeriaGov and its allies can quickly and wisely cease from threatening those among our citizens who wish to exercise their constitutional right of expression, association and movement through a nationwide protest.
“I urge the @NGRPresident @NGRSenate @HouseNGR leadership and members as well as Governors across the country to not waste the golden opportunity that the planned protests are offering them as holders of public positions.
“Use this opportunity of the planned protests to engage your dissatisfied and disaffected young citizens with utmost civility.
“Here are at least 2 wise actions that @NigeriaGov and Governors can take:
1. Ensure that the protesters are protected and supported by the @PoliceNG and related agencies like the Civil Defense Corp to protest peacefully and orderly in presenting their demands and agitations to the authorities. Be guided by the terrible lessons of the mishandling of #EndSARSProtests.
2. Respond to the protesters with a convincing pathway and plan to achieve Good Governance on each specific issue they are protesting against or for at this time.
“I hope that our politicians and public officials will heed counsel and allow themselves the humility of listening and learning from their citizens at a time like this.
“I wish the protesters a well-organized, orderly and peaceful protest.”
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#EndBadGovernance Protests: Don’t take Nigerian youths for granted, Ezekwesili advises govt
Obi mourns Iwuanyanwu
The Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, in the 2023 election, has described the death of Ohanaeze Ndigbo President -General, Mr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu as shocking.
The former governor of Anambra expressed his sadness over the demise of the Ohanaeze president on his X handle on Friday.
Obi said he was a bridge builder who would be remembered for so many positives.
“I am greatly disheartened by the death of an elder statesman and President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Mr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
“The devastating reports of his death have left all who knew him heartbroken.
“He was not just a father to many, but a bridge builder who remained committed to the peaceful coexistence of the nation,” he said.
Obi said that Iwuanyanwu was undoubtedly a patriotic Nigerian whose desire for justice, equity, progress and development of the nation transcended tribal boundaries.
“He was one of those revered father figures, who had always given me useful advice.
“He promised me that he would soon be alright to continue with his contributions to the progress of the nation. I continued to pray for his quick and full recovery.
“I sincerely condole with his immediate family, the Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, and the entire nation over the death of this revered patriarch,”he said.
Obi prayed that God should grant us all the fortitude to bear his sad loss and grant him eternal rest.
(NAN)
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Police nab bandits informants in Katsina, recover rustled animals
The Police Command in Katsina State said it has succeeded in arresting two suspects for aiding and abetting banditry and recovered suspected rustled animals from them.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu disclosed this in a statement issued in Katsina on Thursday.
He said the success was recorded in Jibia Local Government Area, in collaboration with the state’s Community Watch Corps and Hunters.
“On July 25, 2024, a team of police operatives attached to Jibia Divisional Police Headquarters while on routine patrol in collaboration with the KSCWC and Hunters, successfully arrested two suspects, all from Zandam village, in Jibia LGA.
“The suspects were arrested along Magama cemetery in possession of two rams, one sheep, and a goat, suspected to have been rustled,” he said.
He added that in the course of investigation, the duo confessed to having received the rustled animals from a suspected notorious bandits’ leader called Nura of Mazanya village in Jibia, now at large.
The image maker said the suspects were on their way to dispose of the animals at Magama market, in Jibia Local Government Area.
According to him, the suspects have confessed to having severally received suspected rustled animals from the bandits’ kingpin and disposed of them.
Sadiq-Aliyu confirmed that efforts were being intensified to ensure the arrest of the fleeing suspect, while investigation continues.
He explained that the success was achieved due to the sustained efforts of the command in the fight against armed banditry, under the leadership of the Commissioner, Mr Aliyu Abubakar-Musa.
NAN.
Surge in job applications slows down NNPC website
A massive influx of job applications has caused technical issues on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s website, leading to slow load times and difficulties for applicants.
This is coming hours after the NNPC announced that it is set to hire new workers.
The NNPC had announced a major recruitment, seeking talented and dedicated individuals to fill various positions across its departments.
However, the overwhelming response from job seekers has put a strain on the company’s website, resulting in technical glitches.
Checks by According Online show a 404 error on the website.
“Due to unprecedented traffic to the NNPC Ltd. career page from applicants applying for vacancies, the site is currently experiencing slow load times.
“Our technicians are working diligently to rectify the problem as quickly as possible.
“Please be assured that the application process deadline remains August 20, 2024,” the NNPC confirmed in a statement on X.
According Online reports that the recruitment exercise may be the largest since NNPC’s transformation into a limited company in 2022.
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Govt officials, traditional rulers aiding, abetting illegal mining in Nasarawa – Lawmakers
Officials from the Nasarawa State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, along with traditional rulers, have been accused of aiding and abetting illegal mining activities within the state.
The allegations were made by the Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Mr Adamu Omadefu, during a recent plenary session in Lafia in a motion of public importance sponsored by Daniel Ogah Ogazi(APC, Kokona East).
Ogazi expressed concern that the criminal activities are being carried out with the connivance of ministry officials.
Omadefu (APC, Keana) described the situation as worrisome and called for a concerted effort among stakeholders to eliminate illegal mining in Nasarawa State.
Adding to the discussion, Musa Ibrahim, a former Commissioner of Environment and Natural Resources and current representative of Doma South Constituency, explained that illegal miners cannot operate without the knowledge of officials.
Ibrahim alleged that government officials and community leaders are being bribed with U.S. dollars to facilitate these illegal activities.
Mr Onarigu Onah Kana (SDP, Loko/Udege) echoed these sentiments, noting that traditional rulers are also implicated in contributing to the menace of illegal mining in the state.
Govt officials, traditional rulers aiding, abetting illegal mining in Nasarawa – Lawmakers
Typhoon Gaemi displaces nearly 300,000 in eastern China
Authorities evacuated nearly 300,000 people and suspended public transport across eastern China on Friday, as Typhoon Gaemi brought torrential rains already responsible for five deaths in nearby Taiwan.
Gaemi was the strongest typhoon to hit Taiwan in eight years when it made landfall on Thursday, flooding parts of the island’s second-biggest city.
Typhoon Gaemi exacerbated seasonal rains in the Philippines on its path to Taiwan, triggering flooding and landslides that killed 30 people, according to police figures on Friday.
A tanker carrying 1.4 million litres of oil sank off Manila on Thursday, with authorities racing to offload the cargo and avoid an environmental catastrophe.
It had weakened by the time it made landfall in China’s eastern Fujian province shortly before 8:00 pm local time (1200 GMT) on Thursday, state media said.
China is enduring a summer of extreme weather, with heavy rains across the east and south coming as much of the north has sweltered under successive heatwaves.
The country is by far the world’s largest emitter of the greenhouse gases scientists say are driving climate change and making extreme weather more frequent and intense.
– Heavy rains –
Chinese authorities warned Typhoon Gaemi was bringing with it torrential rains that could cause flooding.
They have relocated more than 290,000 people in Fujian and shut down public transport, offices, schools and markets in some cities.
In neighbouring Zhejiang province, footage aired by state broadcaster CCTV Friday showed streets turned into rivers, trees strewn over roads and bikes struggling through knee-high waters.
The province’s Wenzhou city — home to nine million people — has issued its highest warning for rainstorms and evacuated nearly 7,000 people, CCTV said.
The typhoon will also bring heavy rainfall to central Jiangxi and Henan, state media said.
Guangdong, China’s most populous province, on Friday suspended some passenger train services ahead of the typhoon’s expected arrival, CCTV said.
Citing the official China Weather Network, the broadcaster said the typhoon was moving northwestward at about 20 kilometres per hour.
It will “gradually weaken” as it makes its way to Jiangxi on Friday late afternoon, it said.
No deaths or injuries have yet been reported in mainland China.
The north of the country has this week also been hit by showers, with state media saying Friday that heavy rains had killed one and left three missing in the northwestern province of Gansu.
At a meeting of the country’s top leadership chaired by President Xi Jinping on Thursday, officials urged local authorities to stay “highly vigilant and proactive” as the country entered peak flooding season.
AFP
Peaceful protest is part of democracy, not destructive protests —Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Thursday, reiterated his administration’s dedication to democratic values and the rule of law on Thursday while receiving the Letter of Credence from new US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr, at the State House, Abuja.
Tinubu, a former pro-democracy activist, reflected on his experiences participating in peaceful protests against military dictatorship during Nigeria’s transition to democracy. He emphasized the importance of maintaining 25 years of unbroken democracy while acknowledging the role of demonstrations in a democratic society.
However, the President drew a clear line, stating that his administration will not support protests aimed at wreaking destruction. Instead, he emphasized promoting peaceful expression and protecting lives and property.
Tinubu praised the US-Nigeria relationship, citing shared goals and democratic values. He expressed gratitude for the support of previous US ambassadors during Nigeria’s transition to democracy.
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”Our relationship with America is rich. We believe in democracy and freedom. Some of your predecessors worked hard during our transition to democracy, and we remember the likes of Ambassador Howard Jeter.
“We look forward to Nigeria and the United States continuously working to expand cooperation on shared goals and democratic values.
“During the military era, we made our voices heard against dictatorship, and I was part of the group that engaged in peaceful protests without resorting to the destruction of property.
”We have worked hard to ensure 25 years of unbroken democracy and I will continue to maintain this democracy.
In as much as we believe that demonstrations are part of democracy, we will never encourage any protests that lead to the destruction of lives and property,” the President stated.
The President’s statement comes amidst growing concerns about protests and demonstrations in Nigeria. Tinubu’s administration has vowed to strike a balance between allowing peaceful expression and preventing destructive protests that threaten lives and property.
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Nationwide protests: Nigeria cannot be copying ‘smaller countries’ like Kenya – Kalu
Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, has said that the planned nationwide protests will not only do Nigeria a disservice but africa.
Kalu said Nigeria cannot be seen to be copying the footsteps of ‘smaller countries’ like Kenya.
He stated this while fielding questions on Arise Television’s News programme.
He said: “Nigeria cannot be seen to be copying the footsteps of ‘smaller countries’ like Kenya. We play the big brother role in Africa, this protest will be emulated across Africa if not discouraged. President Tinubu is only asking for patience to correct the 16 years of PDP rule in Nigeria.”
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 lamented about widespread hunger and inflation in the country.
Nationwide protests: Nigeria cannot be copying ‘smaller countries’ like Kenya – Kalu
JUST IN: Obama endorses Kamala Harris
Former President of the United States Barrack Obama has announced his support for Kamala Harris’s presidential bid.
Obama made the announcement in a post on X on Wednesday.
“Earlier this week, Michelle and I called our friend @KamalaHarris. We told her we think she’ll make a fantastic President of the United States, and that she has our full support.
“At this critical moment for our country, we’re going to do everything we can to make sure she wins in November. We hope you’ll join us,” he wrote.
More details later…
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Russian car bomb suspect extradited from Turkey
A Russian man suspected of carrying out a car bombing that wounded two people in Moscow has been extradited from Turkey, the interior ministry said Friday.
Evgeny Serebryakov, born in 1995, was detained in the Turkish city of Bodrum on Wednesday, hours after an unidentified explosive device tore apart a car in the north of the Russian capital.
“Serebryakov has been taken to Russia and handed over to investigators,” interior ministry spokeswoman Irina Volk said on Friday on Telegram.
The attack reportedly injured a Russian military officer. Officials have not confirmed the victim’s identity.
Serebryakov has been charged with attempted murder and the illegal acquisition or transportation of explosives.
In a video filmed by Russia’s FSB security service and aired on state media, Serebryakov said he was acting “on the instructions of a Ukrainian security services operative”.
Several Russian military and pro-Kremlin public figures have been targeted in car bombings since Moscow launched its offensive on Ukraine in February 2022.
Ukraine typically denies responsibility but often cheers attacks on Russian officials and military personnel.
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