President Bola Tinubu has signed into law bills to accelerate development across geopolitical zones in the country.
The president first assented to the North-West Development Commission (Establishment) Bill 2024, then the South-East Development Commission (Establishment) Bill 2023.
A statement by the presidency on Wednesday explained that the North-West Development Commission is set up to facilitate the reconstruction of roads, houses, and business premises destroyed by multidimensional crises, as well as tackle poverty, literacy level, ecological problems, and any other related environmental or development challenges in North-West states.
In addition, the South-East Development Commission is established to ensure the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses, and other infrastructural damages suffered by the zone, as well as tackle ecological problems and other related environmental or developmental challenges in South-East states.
The president said he believes in building the nation on the fulcrum of fairness, equity, and unity; hence, he is committed to ensuring equitable development, inclusive governance, and the provision of qualitative services to all Nigerians, no matter where they reside, while knitting even more tightly together the national fabric.
Tinubu assents to North-West, South-East Development Commission bills
Tinubu assents to North-West, South-East Development Commission bills
Kaduna Assembly repeals laws that established Zaria, Kafanchan authorities
The Kaduna State House of Assembly on Wednesday repealed the laws that established the Zaria Metropolitan Authority.
The parliament also repealed the law that created the Kafanchan Municipal Authority and the Kaduna Capital Territory Authority in 2021.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Dahiru Liman, passed the bill that sought to repeal the law after the Chairman, Joint Committee on the three authorities’ law and judicial law presented its report to the House.
The House also repealed the law establishing the Fire and Public Safety Law No.20 of 2018 and enacted the Kaduna State Fire and Public Safety Law, 2024.
The law was enacted after the chairman of the Joint Committee on Security and Intelligence and Judiciary, Munirat Suleiman, presented a report on the bill at the plenary.
READ ALSO: Kaduna Assembly sets up panel to probe El-Rufai’s govt
Speaking after the plenary, the chairman of the joint committee Zaria Metropolitan Authority and judiciary, Mahmud Lawal, said the repeal of the law was necessary.
He said: “With the recent judgement by the Supreme Court and going through the provisions of our constitution which stipulated the functions of local governments in Nigeria.
“We come to realize that the existence of the metropolitan authorities was not possible if we go by the functions of the local governments.
“Many of the activities of the metropolitan authorities by the law are supposed to be carried out by the local governments.”
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Shelve planned nationwide protest, Oba of Benin urges organisers
The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has called on the Federal Government to speed up efforts in implementing its economic policies to ease the current hardship faced by Nigerians.
The monarch, speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Osaigbovo Iguobaro, in Benin on Wednesday, appealed to Nigerians to postpone the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1, 2024.
The monarch said this will allow the government time to execute its economic strategies.
Oba Ewuare II’s plea follows an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, held in Abuja.
“Following the emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, the Omo N’Oba wishes to appeal to the general public to give the Federal Government sufficient time to implement its economic policies aimed at alleviating the present hardship experienced by Nigerians,
“The Omo N’Oba appeals to those planning the August 1st nationwide protest to shelve the plan. The Omo N’Oba also urges the Federal Government to intensify efforts in the implementation of its economic and security policies,” the statement added.
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Man arrested for impersonating Lagos neighbourhood safety corps operative
Men of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps have arrested a 35-year-old suspect, Mevo Alex Sunday, for impersonation.
This was made known in a statement Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Agency on it’s Website on Wednesday.
According to the statement released by the Agency, Sunday claimed that he purchased the uniform from an unknown LNSA officer, Mr. Femi, in November last year for N25,000.
He alleged that Mr. Femi promised to secure him a job with the Neighbourhood Corps in exchange for the payment.
The statement said, ” One Mevo Alex Sunday, 35 years (male) of No 1, Shillon Street, Ilupeju, Lagos has been apprehended by Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps Officers on duty at Badagry Roundabout for impersonating an operative of the Agency.
“A statement issued by the Agency said upon investigation and interrogation of the suspect at the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Agency Command office at Badagry, Mevo alleged that the uniform found on him was sold to him around November last year by one unknown LNSA officer, Mr. Femi whom he met at Odi-Olowo LCDA Command.
“He further claimed that the said Mr. Femi promised to help secure employment with the Neighbourhood Corp after collecting the sum of N25, 000:00, adding that a week after payment, the Mr. Femi gave him a full uniform.
The General Manager of LNSA, Ifalade Oyekan warned the public to be cautious of impostors posing as Agency officers.
He emphasized that the management has a zero-tolerance policy for impersonation and is committed to ensuring top-notch service delivery.
“Mr. Governor expects top-notch service delivery from the Agency and will not subscribe to any form of indiscipline. We are on our toes to ensure the safety and security of Lagosians”, he added.
The suspect has been handed over to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at the Nigerian Police Headquarters, Badagry, for further investigation.
The Agency has vowed to intensify efforts to identify and apprehend Mr. Femi, the alleged mastermind behind the impersonation scheme.
UK fines TikTok over safety data reporting
British telecommunications regulator Ofcom said Wednesday it had handed video sharing platform TikTok a £1.9 million ($2.4 million) fine for failing to timely make available safety data.
Ofcom criticised the platform, which is owned by Chinese group ByteDance, saying it communicated inaccurate information last year and failed swiftly to address that.
“Ofcom has today fined TikTok £1.875 million for failing to accurately respond to a formal request for information about its parental controls safety feature,” the regulator said in a statement.
In a statement to AFP, TikTok recognised it had furnished Ofcom with inaccurate data on the use of a parental controls tool that underestimated “considerably” the number of people using the tool.
“While we subsequently provided the correct information, we fell short of our obligations by not reporting the error sooner, and apologise for any disruption this caused.
“We are committed to fully cooperating with all of Ofcom’s requests and have implemented improvements to our internal processes,” a TikTok spokesperson said, adding that Ofcom had recognised the oversight was not deliberate.
Noting the breach was a first for the platform, bringing a fine 25 percent below its maximum, Ofcom said “significant weight was also given to the fact that, notwithstanding its failings, TikTok proactively self-reported the error to us and has since taken steps to improve its internal processes.”
But the regulator said the failing had forced it to remove details on the effectiveness of TikTok’s parental controls in an upcoming transparency report.
Ofcom said it received only partial, if accurate, information data seven months after a deadline last year.
It added it believed that the penalty was appropriate for a company of TikTok’s size, given its resources and awareness of regulatory obligations.
The move comes a week after TikTok lost an appeal to escape new EU digital rules that seek to rein in the power of big tech after a court rejected its challenge.
AFP
I’m making plans to join APC – Atiku’s former Spokesman, Bwala
Former spokesman to the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Daniel Bwala has opened up on his defection plans, saying he would soon cross over to the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC.
He made the declaration on Wednesday, shortly after meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House Abuja.
Confirming the move, he said, “Yes, the last time I was here, I was still in PDP. I have officially left PDP and I’m making plans to join APC. And the intention is just like somebody who is planning his wedding, you don’t just wake up one morning and go to church. You have to do a committee of friends, you have to notify relatives and well-wishers so that they will be there to grace the occasion. So yes, I’m on my way to APC and that is where I have always belonged.
“Remember, we’ve been in APC for eight years and I am sure that my efforts in APC and my support since you are in the media, you all know right from the days of President Buhari for eight years. I left because of differences but I’m back and I think at this time the party is about us coming together as a country to make sure that the country not only survives but that it is on a good trajectory. When that time for politics comes those who are there will do. But I’m fully committed to President Bola Tinubu and in the coming days I will do my official re-entry to APC”.
I’m making plans to join APC – Atiku’s former Spokesman, Bwala
Chaotic Argentina vs Morocco match restarts after almost two-hour delay
24th July 2024
Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg (6thL) looks on as Argentina’s (R) and Morocco’s players prepare to start playing again in an emptied stadium following incidents, a two-hour interruption and the cancellation of Argentina’s equalizing goal, in the men’s group B football match between Argentina and Morocco during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium in Saint-Etienne.
A chaotic Olympic men’s football match between Argentina and Morocco on Wednesday restarted almost two hours after the apparent end of the game in Saint-Etienne.
Cristian Medina thought he had grabbed a 2-2 draw for Argentina in the 16th minute of added time, sparking a pitch invasion, but after a lengthy delay his goal was ruled out by VAR for offside.
After returning briefly to play three more minutes of injury time, the referee blew the final whistle, handing Morocco a 2-1 win.
AFP
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Katsina govt sets up panel to investigate alleged torture by Hisbah officers
The Katsina State government has set up a seven-member panel to investigate the allegation of torture by personnel of the state’s Hisbah Board.
This followed the emergence of a video showing the board’s personnel torturing individuals in the state.
The Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Garba-Faskari, said in a statement on Wednesday the decision followed complaints received by the government.
He said the acting governor, Faruk Lawal-Jobe, ordered the establishment of the committee to investigate the allegations and make recommendations.
Garba-Faskari revealed that the committee would be headed by the state’s Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Alhaji Aliyu Lawal.
Members of the committee were drawn from the Ministries of Religious Affairs, Internal Security and Justice, the Department of Public Service Administration, and Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), while the Director of Security, SSG Office would serve as secretary.
The committee was mandated to investigate the veracity or otherwise of the alleged torture of individuals by the Hisbah personnel.
The SSG said: “Investigate other allegations of victimisation and torture being perpetuated by the operatives; study the law establishing Hisbah board to determine lapses (if any) leading to violations of human rights.
“To come up with recommendations that will address findings, identify Hisbah personnel who are involved in the act of victimisation and torture of people and recommend sanctions.”
The committee is expected to submit its report within 10 days.
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APC, NNPP bicker over Ndume’s removal as chief whip
The leadership of the New Nigeria People’s Party has raised concerns over the removal of Senator Ali Ndume as chief whip of the Senate last Wednesday.
Following his sack, Ndume was immediately replaced by the Senator representing Borno North, Tahir Monguno.
Ndume’s replacement by the Senate followed a directive issued to that effect in a letter written by the National Chairman of the party, Umar Ganduje and National Secretary, Senator Bashir Ajibola.
The request was put to voice votes by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and loudly affirmed by all the APC senators.
In an exclusive interview with our correspondent, the National Publicity Secretary of NNPP, Ladipo Johnson disclosed that they are happy Nigerians are beginning to see the true character of the ruling party unfolding.
He said, “That is the party at the centre, the APC playing their gymnastics. A party that does not believe in freedom of expression, even among its senior members; a party whose national chairman (Dr Abdullahi Ganduje) refused to obey a valid court summon. I am talking about himself and his family.
“This same party dares to tell Nigerians they believe in the rule of law. No, they don’t and that (sacking of Ndume) is what they are showing. Anyway, it is their internal problem or whatever they decide to call it.”
The NNPP’s criticism is coming in the wake of a similar condemnation by the leadership of the Labour Party.
Earlier, the National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh, also voiced concerns that the APC government is fast becoming intolerant of the same system that brought it into power.
Ifoh stated that with Ndume’s removal as chief whip, speaking truth to power is gradually becoming a crime in the country.
According to him, the humiliation of Ndume by the Goodwill Akpabio’s led Senate has portrayed the dictatorial inclination of the APC.
The ruling APC, however, disagreed with the notions of the two opposition parties.
In an exclusive phone chat with our correspondent, Deputy National Organising Secretary of the APC, Nze Chidi Duru said many people seemed to miss the point of why Ndume was removed.
He said, “The reality is that there was a concern whether as chief whip, he did not have access to the leadership of the country and the leadership of the party. We are unaware that he was denied the opportunity to meet with Mr President. He should be in a position to enjoy such liberty.
“It is only on that account if he had said that he is not enjoying that privilege, that it could be something to put on the table. But a blanket statement of him saying Mr President has become insular may be what informed the position of Senate to remove him from his position as chief whip of the party.”
Continuing, Duru disclosed that the fear that the APC government is beginning to wear a toga of a dictator is unfounded.
This was even as he maintained that the ruling party would always welcome constructive criticism from the opposition and aggrieved members of the public.
“We welcome every view, whether positive or contrary. It is the beauty of democracy. Parties must be allowed to ventilate their views and people must again be allowed to express their opinion on any matter, so long as it coheres to party discipline, and members interaction and ensuring that it does not disturb the cohesion within the party.
“As for the Labour Party and NNPP releasing statements, it is what an opposition should do. I am happy they are doing what they should do as an opposition party. If other parties release a statement in that account, again, it is what they should do as the opposition.
“But we are confident that as APC, given the fact that we took over power from a party that was in government in 2015, we would never do anything that would suggest a stifling of alternative views and constructive criticisms in Nigeria. We are noted for being a party that allows all shades of opinion to bloom and be canvassed.”
Planned nationwide protest wrongly timed, says Uzodimma
Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodinma, has said the planned nationwide protest is coming at the wrong time.
Uzodimma cited the EndSARS movement of 2020, emphasising the fragile political environment and warning about the potential for hijack by criminals.
Speaking with State House correspondents on Wednesday after meeting with President Bola Tinubu, the governor urged citizens to protect the nation’s stability and avoid actions that could worsen economic hardships.
His appeal follows growing public outcry and calls for nationwide protests from August 1-10, in response to economic hardship and policy decisions.
So far, no persons have come forward as leaders of the planned protest.
Details shortly…
With three years of experience, Stephen, The According correspondent, has been covering Nigeria’s presidency, politics, security, immigration and trafficking in persons
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