The Kebbi State government has removed the sole administrators in the 21 local government areas in the state.
The government announced the dissolution in a circular addressed to the sole administrators and signed by the Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Aliyu Hassan-Kalgo.
The circular was made available to journalists on Wednesday in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.
The circular read: “I am directed to write and notify you that Gov. Nasir Idris has directed the dissolution of Local Government Administrators in the state with immediate effect.
“All the local government sole administrators are to hand over the affairs of the Local Government (LG), including all the LG property in their possession, to the Director of Administration of their respective LG councils on or before Thursday, July 25, 2024.”
The sole administrators were appointed on March 6 at the expiration of the tenure of the elected chairmen in the local councils.
The elected chairmen came into office on February 5, 2022.
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Kebbi govt removes sole administrators in 21 LGAs
Hardship: Oba of Benin urges Nigerians to shelve planned protest
The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II has urged the proponents of the nationwide protest against the Federal Government over the economic hardship in the country to shelve the proposed protest.
The Benin Monarch made the appeal in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Osaigbobo Iguobaro and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Benin City.
The monarch, however, advised aggrieved Nigerians to give the federal government enough time to implement its economic policy, which is expected to alleviate the present hardship being experienced by Nigerians.
TVN recalls that some youths had proposed August 1, 2024, to begin a 10-day nationwide hunger and hardship protests to draw the federal and state government’s attention to the worsening situations in the country.
He said the Oba opined that for things to get better, it has to be tough for a while.
He, however, appealed to the federal government to intensify efforts in the implementation of its economic and security policies.
Hardship: Oba of Benin urges Nigerians to shelve planned protest
Biden to address US as clock ticks on presidency
US President Joe Biden will give what could be his final Oval Office speech Wednesday to explain why he dropped out of November’s election and deny that he will spend six months as a lame duck.
With the world’s eyes already on a looming clash between Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, Biden will insist that he still has work to do, despite his historic decision to bow out.
The 81-year-old Democrat said on X he would discuss “what lies ahead, and how I will finish the job for the American people” in the primetime televised event at 8:00 pm (0000 GMT Thursday).
The speech, expected to last eight to ten minutes, will be Biden’s first since stepping aside from the race on Sunday after weeks of pressure following a disastrous debate performance against Trump.
He had promised in his withdrawal announcement — made while he was isolating with Covid at his Delaware beach home — that he would give Americans more details on his stunning decision.
It comes just over a week since his last Oval Office address, following an assassination attempt against Trump on July 13, but is only the fourth of his presidency overall — and could well be his last.
With Harris, who has effectively clinched the Democratic presidential nomination, and Trump both back on the campaign trail, Biden will be fighting an uphill battle to show Americans he is not yesterday’s man.
Republicans have called for Biden to step down altogether, saying that if he is not fit to stand for reelection then he is not fit to serve as president.
The veteran Democrat insists he still has much to offer, with a particular focus on the economy and on achieving an elusive ceasefire in Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.
– ‘Not going anywhere’ –
Biden, who will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Thursday, has said that they are on the verge of reaching a ceasefire in Gaza.
He would not be the first US president to chase a legacy-defining Middle East peace deal, after Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and even Donald Trump before him.
But in a sign of how quickly things are already moving on, Netanyahu will sit down separately Thursday with Harris — who was skipping his address to Congress on Wednesday due to a previously scheduled campaign trip.
Trump, meanwhile, said in a post on Truth Social that he will meet with the Israeli leader Friday at the Republican’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
With the clock ticking on his presidency, Biden said on X late Tuesday that it was “great to be back at the White House” after returning from Delaware, and that he had met his national security team for a briefing.
His decision to drop out has injected a huge dose of enthusiasm into a Democratic Party that had been plunged into chaos by the debate over his age.
An exuberant Harris was cheered to the rafters on Tuesday as she held a campaign rally in the battleground state of Wisconsin, her first since saying she had secured the delegates necessary for the nomination.
She could be nominated as soon as early August in a virtual vote by Democratic delegates ahead of the party’s convention in Chicago just over two weeks later.
For Harris, the challenge will now be to maintain that enthusiasm — and then to translate it into ballot box success in November.
Trump is due to appear in Charlotte later Wednesday for his first rally since Harris became the de facto nominee.
He is expected to ramp up his attacks on her, as at least one national poll conducted after Biden’s exit showed Harris slightly ahead.
Meanwhile, the impact of Biden’s decision on Americans unenthused by the long slog between him and Trump was coming more into focus.
Non-profit voter registration group Vote.org said Wednesday that it had registered nearly 40,000 voters in the 48 hours after Biden’s bombshell announcement, an almost 700 per cent daily increase.
“That’s the largest number of new voters registered over a 48-hour period we’ve seen this entire cycle,” posted Vote.org CEO Andrea Hailey on X.
AFP
Ohanaeze hails Tinubu, Kalu over assent to South East Development Commission bill
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the South East Development Commission, SEDC into law.
TVN reports that President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday signed into law bills creating two new regional development commissions in Nigeria.
The bills include the North West Development Commission, NWDC, sponsored by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, and the South East Development Commission, SEDC, sponsored by Ben Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Reacting, Ohanaeze in a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, described the bill as “a quantum leap, a hope renewal and a significant part of a new beginning”.
The statement noted that the President General of Ohanaeze, Chief Engr. Dr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu was highly elated by the development.
Ohanaeze said the SEDC, which will cover Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States would go a long way to “assuage the feelings of the Igbos with respect to the 3R sophistry by General Yakubu Gowon in January 1970”.
“Ohanaeze seizes this opportunity to commend the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu and the co-sponsors of the all-important Bill.
“During a courtesy call to the National Assembly by the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the exceptional quality of Kalu did not go unnoticed.
“His suave, assertive, sagacious and visionary dispositions were very inspiring and a veritable source of hope. More importantly, he commands the respect and confidence of most members of the House of Representatives.
“It needs a mention that the SEDC which has remained in the pipeline for decades has come on stream through Kalu and his team.
“The Southeast Development Commission (SEDC) is expected to manage funds allocated from the Federation Account for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, and other infrastructural deficits suffered by the region due to age-long neglect.
“The SEDC will tackle ecological problems and related environmental challenges that have devastated the Southeast for decades”, the statement added.
Ohanaeze hails Tinubu, Kalu over assent to South East Development Commission bill
33 Nigerian students bag $2.92m scholarships from US varsities
No fewer than 33 Nigerian students have received full scholarships totaling $2.92m to attend American universities and colleges for the 2024/2025 academic session.
The scholarships were received through the Opportunity Funds Programme of the United States Consulate General in Lagos.
The programme is designed to increase access to US higher institutions for highly qualified international students who have limited resources to cover the upfront costs of attending a university in the United States.
“The 33 departing students — 10 undergraduate and 23 graduate students — will be studying a variety of subjects including biomedical engineering; computer science; mechanical engineering; earth and planetary sciences; organic and medicinal chemistry; civil, construction, and environmental engineering; among others.
“Following a competitive selection process, the successful students received financial aid that covered expenses involved in the college application process such as standardized tests, application fees, U.S. visa and SEVIS fees as well as air travel to the United States. EducationUSA advisers worked closely with the students through regularly scheduled meetings, seminars, and bootcamps, to assist them throughout the application process,” the Consulate announced in a statement on Wednesday.
Speaking at a reception in Lagos in honour of the US-bound students, Consul General Will Stevens urged them to take advantage of the opportunities American universities have to offer and become actively involved in the many organizations and clubs that will enrich their experience as international students.
“This Fall, you will join the over 17,000 Nigerian students studying in the United States. You have successfully navigated the daunting U.S. college and university admissions process and we are so excited for your future. You have excelled in Nigeria, and I have no doubt that you will continue that path of academic excellence,” Stevens told the departing students.
One of the 2023 Opportunity Fund Programme scholars, Chigozie Odo, received full funding for a Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of South Carolina.
His doctoral research will focus on immuno-therapy to contribute to lasting solutions to the treatment of cancer.
Odo, who lost his father and sole breadwinner for his family during his second year at university, expressed appreciation to the US government for covering the upfront costs of applying to U.S. universities through the Opportunity Funds Program.
“My dream of studying in the United States which seemed impossible is now a reality,” he added
Canada football coach sent home for spying on New Zealand
An assistant coach and an analyst with the Canadian women’s football team were on Wednesday sent home from the Olympics
Head coach Bev Priestman also announced she will take no part in the opening game of Canada’s gold medal defence, against New Zealand.
The decisions come after a staff member was detained by French authorities for flying a drone over a New Zealand training session this week in Saint-Etienne.
The Canadian Olympic Committee said it had since learned of a second incident involving New Zealand, which formally lodged a complaint with the IOC integrity unit and demanded answers from Canada.
“The COC is in contact with the IOC and in contact with FIFA. Canada Soccer has been transparent and cooperative throughout the process.
“The COC will continue to review this matter and may take further action if necessary,” the COC said.
It named the staff members sent home as Joseph Lombardi, an unaccredited analyst with Canada Soccer, and Jasmine Mander, an assistant coach to whom Lombardi reported.
Priestman said she did not think it would be appropriate to be on the bench for the clash against New Zealand on Thursday.
“On behalf of our entire team, I first and foremost want to apologise to the players and staff at New Zealand Football and to the players on Team Canada.
“This does not represent the values that our team stands for.
“I am ultimately responsible for conduct in our programme. Accordingly, to emphasise our team’s commitment to integrity, I have decided to voluntarily withdraw from coaching the match on Thursday,” she said.
AFP
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Troops arrest 10 suspected kidnappers in Taraba
Troops of the 6 Brigade Nigeria Army on Monday arrested 10 suspected kidnappers in multiple operations in Taraba State.
The Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade, Capt. Oni Olubodunde, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Jalingo.
He said the operations conducted in collaboration with other security agencies followed a tip-off from a credible source.
He added that the operations took place at Galeri and Kwondo Villages of Ardo-Kola and Bali local government areas of the state.
The spokesman listed the items recovered from the suspects to include an AK 47 rifle and 33 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
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Police arrest four suspects laundering ransom money for kidnappers in Delta
Men of the Delta State Police Command have arrested four suspects who use their bank accounts to receive and launder ransom payments for kidnappers.
According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, on X.com on Wednesday, the suspects would take a 15 per cent cut of the ransom money and withdraw the remaining 85 per cent via Point of Sale machines, handing over the cash to the kidnappers.
The suspects also confessed to using the proceeds to fund their plans to build a cryptocurrency website, allegedly for internet fraud purposes.
Sharing a video of the suspects, Edafe wrote, “The suspects were receiving kidnapping ransom money with their accounts, taking 15 per cent and withdrawing the balance 85 per cent via PoS nd giving to the kidnappers in cash.
“They also stated that they were using the proceeds to build a crypto website for Internet fraud. Pls listen to their modus.”
Click the link below to watch video:
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Police arrest 90 suspects in Lagos midnight raid
Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command’s Rapid Response Squad have arrested 90 male suspects during a raid on suspected criminals in the late hours of Tuesday.
The operation, which was done in collaboration with Area A Command, targeted notorious hotspots in Obalende, Adeniji, and Lagos Island areas of the state.
The RRS disclosed this in a statement on Facebook on Wednesday.
The statement read, “Last night, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, in collaboration with Area A Command acting on intelligence, raided 90 suspects in Obalende, Adeniji, and Lagos Island.
“The exercise, which started around mid-night, witnessed the teams combing notorious spots in Obalende, Adeniji, and Lagos Island. The exercise was aimed at reducing criminal activities in the areas.”
It added that all the suspects have been handed over to the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit for further investigation and prosecution.
The statement further read that the RRS Commander, CSP Shola Jejeloye, has ordered an expansion of the squad’s operations to cover Lekki, Jakande Roundabout, and V.G.C.
“The extension is to complement the agency’s vehicular patrol of the Lekki-Epe Expressway and to curb the activities of miscreants harassing motorists in traffic on the highway,” it added.
According Online reported in April how RRS operatives arrested 43 suspects across black spots in Oshodi and its environs during an overnight operation.
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INEC’s absence didn’t invalidate Abure’s reelection — LP
The leadership of Labour Party on Wednesday said the absence of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission at the March 27 national convention does not invalidate the election that returned its National Chairman, Julius Abure, and members of the National Working Committee to office.
This was disclosed by the National Legal Adviser of LP, Kehinde Edun, at the party’s secretariat in Abuja.
Edun’s statement comes three days after INEC announced that none of its officials attended or monitored proceedings at the disputed convention held at Nnewi, Anambra State.
In the past four months, Abure has been at loggerheads with the Nigeria Labour Congress over the legitimacy of his re-election.
The party’s internal rift remains unresolved as the NLC and its stakeholders continue to distance themselves from the current NWC.
The situation escalated further when INEC responded to a request by a lawyer for a Certified True Copy of its report on the convention and the party’s constitution.
In the letter referenced INEC/DEPM/LP/CTC/885/1 dated July 18 and signed by Acting Secretary, Haliru Aminu, the commission declared that it couldn’t report on the convention because it did not monitor it.
The letter, which was sighted by The According, partly read, “The commission has received your request for the Certified True Copy of the monitored report of the Labour Party convention at Nnewi, Anambra State, held on the 27th of March 2024, and the Labour Party constitution.
“The Certified True Copy of the Labour Party Constitution has been forwarded to your firm earlier.
“Regrettably, the commission did not monitor the Labour Party Convention of 27th March 2024 and cannot therefore report on the convention.”
The position of the electoral umpire has since led to a chain reaction, with the NLC insisting that it has been vindicated.
But addressing newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, Edun said the INEC letter was wrongly interpreted.
According to the national legal adviser, the presence or absence of INEC officials does not any affect the legitimacy of the national convention.
He said, “On the deliberate misinterpretation of INEC’s reply to an application by Messr Steve Adehi, SAN & Co, this letter is very clear and unambiguous and shouldn’t have been the subject of any argument. However not finding anything to hold against us, they went to import what is not contained in the letter into it. The applicant (an agent of the NLC) requested for the CTC of INEC to monitor the report of the Labour party convention 2024 and the constitution. Even though the applicant and his principal were dishonest, mischievous, dubious, and manipulative, INEC’s response was accurate and unpretentious.
“How on earth could there be an INEC monitored report when we have made it clear that INEC did not attend, a position also confirmed by INEC and is in the public domain. The NLC and its cronies including the applicant knew INEC didn’t attend. Why then ask for the INEC report and what is their business with it?
“In paragraph 3 of the INEC’s response, the commission expressed regret that it did not monitor the convention and could therefore not have an INEC-monitored report. Now, did the non-attendance of INEC invalidate the convention? The answer is capital no and INEC never said so. The law did not make it mandatory for INEC to attend any party’s convention. INEC knew they were at liberty to come or not. What the law requires is proper notice. Take note that the law did not say the failure of INEC to attend shall render the convention invalid. What then is the essence of the dishonest, dubious, and misconceived hue and cry by the NLC?”
Continuing, the party counsel warned that it can’t be intimidated or cowed by any external aggressor and wouldn’t fold it hands to watch the party being hijacked.
