President Bola Tinubu has revealed that Nigerians living abroad remitted about $646 million in the first five months of 2024 to the country.
Speaking at the 2024 National Diaspora Day Celebrations in Abuja on Thursday, with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, representing him, the president highlighted the substantial contribution of the Diaspora to Nigeria’s economy with the $646 million in remittances from January to May 2024.
He detailed the monthly remittances, stating, “The CBN has recently introduced some reforms in the sector, and the reforms are yielding fast results. In January, remittances totalled $138.56 million. We recorded $39 million in February, $104 million in March, $193 million in April, and $365 million in May 2024. The progression reflects the level of trust and the positive impacts of the mandatory reforms implemented by the Central Bank.”
Speaking further, Tinubu noted that estimates from the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa, Canada, suggest approximately 200,000 to 250,000 Nigerians live in Canada, with between 10 million and 14 million Nigerians in the diaspora overall, many in other African countries. Recent data from the Nigerian Immigration Service indicated that 3.7 million Nigerians emigrated between 2022 and September 2023, while Nigeria received 1.3 million immigrants during the same period, making it the 46th country with the most immigrants globally.
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The President, however, urged Nigerians living abroad to remember that “there is no place like home”.
Reflecting on his own experience of living and working abroad before returning to Nigeria to contribute to its development, the President said: “As someone who once lived and worked abroad, I can attest that migration can be transformative and serious. In the 1970s, I went to the United States, where I studied and worked, before returning to Nigeria to contribute to nation-building. I, therefore, urge our citizens who relocate abroad to remember that there is no place like home. We expect them to bring back their experiences to support our development agenda.”
He acknowledged the benefits of migration but emphasized the importance of not forgetting one’s homeland, saying, “As we celebrate our diaspora community, we must acknowledge the implication of this phenomenon for our collective growth. We cannot begrudge our citizens who are seeking better opportunities abroad, but we must urge them not to forget their homeland.”
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Nigerians in Diaspora remitted $646m in five months —Tinubu
Senator Ndume mobilising youths in my LG against me – Bwala cries out
Former lawmaker, Senator Daniel Bwala has alleged that Senator Ali Ndume has mobilised some youths from his local government to go all out against him.
Bwala said the youths following the plan have set out to hold a press conference against him.
In a post on his X handle on Friday, the former lawmaker said the development is because he had called Ndume’s hypocrisy out for his grandstanding and fanning the embers of violent protest.
He said: “This morning I was awakened by a credible intelligence that Senator Ali Ndume allegedly mobilized some youth from my local government to go all out against me for calling his hypocrisy out.
“They allegedly crafted strategies, one of which is to first do a press conference against me.
“It seems he believes he can call out the president, but he cannot be called out.
“This planned press conference is actually a follow up to their death threats of last week.
“For the records, I called him out because of his grandstanding and also fanning the embers of violent protest.”
Senator Ndume mobilising youths in my LG against me – Bwala cries out
NNPC set to recruit new staff
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited is set to hire more workers.
The NNPC spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, confirmed this in a statement on Friday.
Soneye said the recruitment would be for various positions across various departments within the energy company.
He directed interested applicants to visit the NNPC careers page for application instructions.
“NNPC Ltd is pleased to announce that we are currently hiring for multiple positions across various departments. We are seeking talented and dedicated individuals to join our team. Visit our careers page for application instructions,” Soneye stated.
In an update, Soneye disclosed that due to unprecedented traffic to the NNPC Ltd career page from applicants applying for vacancies, the site is currently experiencing slow load times.
“Our techs are working diligently to rectify the problem.
“Please be assured that the application process deadline remains Aug 20, 2024,” he disclosed.
According Online reports that this may be the major recruitment exercise since the NNPC fully transformed into a limited company in 2022.
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Ogun Muslim leaders condemn planned hunger protest
The Consultant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Islamic Affairs and the Wakeel Muslimeen of Yoruba Land, Edo and Delta State, Sheik Iskeel Sugar, on Thursday alongside other Muslim leaders in Ogun State condemned the planned national protest scheduled for August 1 by #EndbadgovernanceinNigeria movement
Speaking at an engagement held with the League of Alfas and Imams as well as security agencies at Kobiti Central Mosque, Abeokuta, Lawal said the planned protest was needless and an avenue to destabilise the country.
The Muslim leader, according to a statement on Friday, said that it was quite important the Muslims in the state are properly briefed and enlightened over the antics of those promoting this protest, hence his office organised this stakeholder’s engagement to ensure that no stone is left unturned.
Lawal explained, ”The reasons why the faceless protesters said they want to protest is not only peculiar to Nigeria, it is all over the world and we should endure. Our leaders, President Bola Tinubu and the governors too are not working round the clock to make life better for us all.
“We must not support any rash decision to destroy this only one country that we have and by the mercy of Almighty Allah, all of these challenges will soon become history”.
Speaking at the engagement, representatives of the Department of State Services, Kolawole Sikirulai admonished Muslims to stand as one and brief their families on the danger of engaging in the planned protest as those behind it are faceless and enemies of the nation.
Sikirulai said, “The problem we are facing is not limited to Nigeria like it has rightly been pointed out, it’s across the globe but elements of bad character in our society will make it look as if it is limited to Nigeria alone. It is a worldwide phenomenon, things have gone up, and what we have seen is that the solution to the high cost of living does not start and end with demonstrations.”
Similarly, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Haruna Adamu, Ogun State police command also urged the people to warn their wards from being willing tools and should therefore stay away from any activity that can jeopardise the peace of the state and the nation at large.
Adamu said, “We should learn how to live together, we should learn how to support the government, we should learn how to table our grievances before the government, the president is a listening person, he can listen to you.
“The police are assuring you that, we are going to do our best, with your cooperation, we have mapped out strategies on how to go around to ensure that the relative peace we are enjoying in Ogun State is not allowed to be compromised under whatever guise”.
The Secretary to the Ogun State League of Imams and Alfas, Tajudeen Adewunmi, said that they are totally against the protest and have sensitised their members not to be part of it.
Among those present at the engagement were the Chief Imam of Egba, Yewa, Ijebu and Remo and other Muslim leaders and Association representatives.
Lagos shuts hotels, poultry over noise, air pollution
The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency has shut down several businesses in the Ikorodu area of the state over environmental infractions.
The state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a statement on X.com on Friday.
The statement read, “In a bold move to tackle noise, air pollution, and other environmental infractions, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency recently conducted a comprehensive enforcement operation in key areas of Lagos State, including Agric, Ibeshe, and Ikorodu.
“Despite prior warnings, several establishments, including hotels, bar, gas filling station, poultry farms, and lounge, continued to flout LASEPA’s directives.
“As a result, these establishments have been temporarily shut down to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.”
The affected businesses were said to include Victory Hotel, Wendy Bar, Moore Gas Plant, Provider Farm and Poultry, Cloud 24, Little Palace Hotel, City Groove Lounge and Bar, Destiny Castle, and B.S. Gold Warehouse.
In the statement, LASEPA stated that it has repeatedly warned businesses about the need to adhere to environmental standards.
The agency also vowed to intensify its enforcement efforts to ensure compliance with state environmental laws.
According Online reported in May that LASEPA shut down two popular restaurants, a church, and three other establishments for noise pollution in the Surulere and Orile Iganmu areas of the state.
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Hamas leader in West Bank dies in Israeli custody
A Hamas leader in the West Bank died in Israeli custody, Palestinian authorities and the militant group said Friday.
Mustafa Muhammad Abu Ara, 63, died after being moved from a prison in southern Israel to a hospital, according to a joint statement by the Palestinian Authority’s prisoners affairs body and the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club watchdog.
“We mourn the passing of the leader and prisoner Sheikh Mustafa Muhammad Abu Ara and hold the occupation responsible for his assassination through deliberate medical neglect,” Hamas said in a statement.
Abu Ara was arrested in October while suffering severe health problems, the Palestinian body and the watchdog said.
During his detainment he was subjected to torture and starvation, they added.
Israel’s military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Palestinian authorities accused Israel this month of waging an abusive “war of revenge” against Palestinian detainees since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
At the time, the Israeli military said it “rejects outright allegations concerning systematic abuse of detainees”, adding that it acts within international law.
AFP.
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SEDC Act: Ohanaeze youths back Kalu’s call for suspension of agitations
Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has lauded the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Benjamin Kanu for sponsoring the newly signed Southeast Development Commission Bill, describing him as the new face of hope for the Igbo race.
The group urged the various agitating groups in the zone to stay action.
In a statement made available to journalists on Thursday, the National President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, who earlier eulogized President Bola Tinubu as a man of history, said the signing of the bill had justified the group’s support for Kalu.
Okwu, who said the Commission would accelerate development in the South East region, noted that “this is a landmark step since after the civil war, which will help in bringing rapid development to the South East.
“There is no doubt that the South East has the highest concentration of decayed infrastructure. So, this Commission will go a long way in transforming the level of infrastructure in the zone.”
According to Okwu, “we recall that during the inauguration of the current National Assembly, we stood solidly behind Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu to emerge as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. We saw in him what some others could not see.
“Today, we have been vindicated with the historic signing of this bill, which he sponsored. The SEDC Act is undoubtedly the best thing to have come the way of Ndigbo since the civil war ended 54 years ago.
“We can’t thank the Deputy Speaker less for his foresight, for pushing through what other lawmakers from the zone could not achieve tens of years ago.”
The Igbo group then asked their kinsmen to heed to Kalu’s appeal for an end to every form of agitation in the region.
This comes as Kalu at a press conference on Wednesday, called on his Igbo kinsmen to stop agitation.
Okwu, who said the call was in order, noted that the current federal government, having taken the first major step towards addressing cries of marginalization in the zone, there was no longer any need for any form of agitation or protest in the region.
“We want to reiterate our call that no Igbo man should participate in the planned nationwide protest.
“In line with the call by Igbo leader, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, we also advocate that every form of protest and agitation should end forthwith.
“This is as the bill will address the key issues of concern to Ndigbo, as it centres on the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses and other infrastructural damage suffered by the region as a result of the effect of the civil war after 54 years.
“We, therefore, call on all Ndigbo to key behind the Rt Hon Benjamin Kanu, the new face of hope for the Igbo race, as we are sure of having our demands met through him under the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Okwu further stated.
SEDC Act: Ohanaeze youths back Kalu’s call for suspension of agitations
Violence in the name of protest crime, Matawalle warns
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle has lamented that the proposed protest being planned from August 1-10, 2024, is being led by faceless people as against previous protests where those behind them were known.
He said it was strange that the protest organisers were unknown, challenging them to reveal themselves.
The Minister’s comment comes amidst warnings from security agencies in the country against the nationwide protests in response to the economic hardship experienced in the country.
In a statement on Thursday by the Director of Information, Ministry of Defence, Henshaw Ogubike, he called on Nigerians to remain calm and ignore the planned national protest scheduled for next week.
“The persons behind the protest, the sponsors and their facilitators are unknown. Who is the masquerade behind the so-called protesters? We need to know. This is strange and ominous that they are unknown,” he was quoted as saying.
He reminded the protest planners and sponsors that their plans should not be drawn to thwart the effort of the Federal Government to protect citizens from violence and to impose law and order, as such would be counterproductive and unacceptable.
The minister said, “Let it also be clear that while our laws and international law allow peaceful protest, assembly and association; it does not legitimise violence and destruction. And no democracy will allow its citizens to be threatened by either internal or external aggression.
“Protests are constitutional rights; violence in the name of protest is a crime. There are clear provisions against crime in Nigeria as they are under international law. Both our laws and other international conventions are clear on the legality of restricting violent assembly and enforcing the law to protect the rights of others, to ensure national security, and to guarantee public safety and public order.
“We must be vigilant and not allow those with malicious intentions to disrupt our peace and unity.”
Matawalle also said those trying to replicate the situation in Kenya in Nigeria should have a rethink, noting, “Those moving to unleash the Kenyan episode on Nigeria should look back and examine the consequences for Kenya. That experience should have no place in Nigeria because it will set us back instead of moving forward,”
Matawalle called for collective responsibility in maintaining national peace and unity, urging Nigerians to reject any action that could lead to instability as he affirmed the FG’s readiness to listen to and address the concerns of the citizens through constructive engagement and dialogue.
Hamas war: Kamala Harris calls for ceasefire, urges Israeli PM to release Palestinian hostages
United States Vice President and the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, Kamala Harris, has called for a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group, Hamas.
Harris said she raised “serious concerns” with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu in discussions at the White House on Thursday.
In a press chat after the meeting, the VP revealed that she urged Netanyahu for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Palestinian hostages.
She also lamented over the “dire humanitarian situation” in Gaza.
“What has happened in Gaza over the past nine months is devastating. The images of dead children and desperate, hungry people fleeing for safety, sometimes homes displaced for the second, third or fourth time… We cannot look away in the face of these tragedies. We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to the suffering. And I will not be silent,” she said.
“Let’s get the deal done so we can get a cease-fire to end the war. Let’s bring the hostages home, and let’s provide much needed relief to the Palestinian people.”
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu was in the U.S. for a meeting with President Joe Biden, who is pressing for a ceasefire and hostage release deal to be signed off by Israel and Hamas.
The Israel-Hamas war began on October 7 after the terrorist group launched an attack on the Jewish state.
Hamas war: Kamala Harris calls for ceasefire, urges Israeli PM to release Palestinian hostages
France denounces rail line sabotage ahead Olympics opening ceremony
A “massive attack” against France’s high-speed TGV rail network was an “outrageous criminal act”, Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete said Friday, hours ahead of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.
There would be “very serious consequences” for rail traffic throughout the weekend with connections towards northern, eastern and northwestern France halved, Vergriete said, while rail operator SNCF chief executive Jean-Pierre Farandou said 800,000 passengers were affected.
Details later
AFP
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