An erstwhile Foreign Affairs Minister, Bolaji Akinyemi, says Kamala Harris will be a strong opponent for Donald Trump in the next election, highlighting that she will be a hard nut for Trump to crack.
TVN recalls that Joe Biden on Sunday dropped out from the US presidential race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s fresh nominee, shaking up an already extraordinary race for the White House.
In the letter announcing his withdrawal, Biden said it was in the best interest of his party and the country to leave the race.
“It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve as your president. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” Biden had said.
Reacting to the development during an appearance on Arise News on Monday, Akinyemi praised Biden’s choice of Kamala Harris as his successor.
He said, “President Biden’s choice of Kamala Harris as the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party is a good choice, not necessarily because of her own character but because she is the Vice President.”
“I hope nobody is going to underestimate Kamala Harris. She had to keep a low profile, and I said three weeks ago that when you are the Vice President, you cannot be seen outshining the President. You do what the President tells you to do.”
“Kamala Harris is going to be a hard nut for Trump to crack. Be careful of lawyers, especially someone who has been an attorney general and a prosecutor. She will take you to pieces with the way she will put her own questions and the way she will use you to wipe the floor. She won the Senate seat by 60% from California when she ran, so you see that she is not an easy nut to crack.”
Kamala Harris will be hard for Trump to defeat – Ex-Foreign Affairs Minister
Kamala Harris will be hard for Trump to defeat – Ex-Foreign Affairs Minister
Reps move to boost funding for farmers
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, on Monday, hinted at plans by the parliament to enact laws that would boost funding for agricultural activities to achieve the national goal of food security.
Describing the fate of crude oil as uncertain, the speaker emphasised the importance of diversifying the nation’s economy, particularly in respect to agriculture.
Speaker Abbas made these remarks on Monday at “The ‘Second Interactive Session and Workshop on Developing Bankable Business/Proposal Business Plans for Youth and Women in Agriculture,” organised by the African Development Bank Group, in partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Commission.
Represented by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, Abbas urged the AfDB to continue its collaboration with the Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa, noting that the partnership is vital for advancing initiatives capable of driving significant progress across the continent.
He said: “We are dedicated to establishing a robust legislative framework that supports agricultural banks or financial institutions, enabling them to provide low-interest loans to farmers. This framework is essential for fostering a thriving agricultural economy.
“As we gather here, it is crucial to acknowledge that our over-reliance on oil as our primary export has become neither sustainable nor prudent.
“The future of oil is increasingly uncertain, especially as the global community shifts towards greener, more sustainable energy sources. This reality makes it not just necessary but urgent for us to explore and invest in alternative sectors, with agriculture standing out as a critical area for development.
“Agriculture and Information Technology offer a vast potential for economic growth and sustainability.
“By focusing on developing and implementing bankable business proposals, we can empower our youth and women—two of the most vital demographics in our society—to become key players in these sectors.”
The 10th House, he noted is committed to supporting youth development, stressing that “By working closely with the executive branch, we aim to launch public work programs targeting young people, particularly in infrastructure development and agriculture.
“I urge the African Development Bank to continue its collaboration with the Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa,” he added.
Party chieftains trade words over chairmanship
The Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Chief Godwin Udu, has raised the alarm over an alleged plot by Chief Edozie Njoku and his cohorts to destabilise and ‘sink’ the party for their selfish interests.
Recall that APGA was recently enmeshed in a fresh crisis, prompting Mr Njoku to announce he had the support of the Independent National Electoral Commission and a Supreme Court order to become the national chairman of the party.
The party, last week, said it filed a lawsuit in an Abuja Federal High Court challenging INEC’s purported failure to provide evidence showing Njoku ever occupied a national office within the APGA.
But reacting to the development in a statement, on Monday, Udu observed the matter surrounding the alleged misconduct and eventual expulsion of Njoku from APGA was still pending in a competent court, saying he was heating the polity to distract the genuine leadership and owners of the party.
“Edozie Njoku thinks that he can outsmart the National Chairman, not knowing that the current Chairman like his predecessor, Victor Oye understands the game of politics than him. Our case with Njoku is coming up in October; so, let’s see which court gave him (Njoku) an order to be APGA’s national chairman”, he said.
According to him, Njoku was subtly scheming on how to become the national chairman of the party ahead of the Anambra State governorship election in 2024, adding, “The whole idea is to reap where he did not sow.”
He said, “It’s obvious to party faithful and supporters that Edozie Njoku is merely using hook-and-crook skirmishes to launch himself into becoming the chairman of APGA. And this he has started doing lately again because of the Anambra governorship election, which is coming up next year. But we can not allow him. ‘’His style is immediately after every election he would disappear and you won’t see him again until the next election. He’s only interested in the affairs of APGA when elections are around the corner.
“He likes hobnobbing from one failed APGA candidate to another promising them tickets. It’s on record Njoku does not do anything straightforward. This is someone who never participated in any APGA convention anywhere yet he’s claiming the position of the national chairman of the party.
“I have a message he sent to the former APGA national chairman, Ozonkpu Oye, that he wanted to buy a ticket to contest in 2019, but they told him at the office the sale of tickets had closed.
“We shall not fold our hands and leave him to destroy APGA and use the party as his meal ticket. We won’t allow you again because Oke anagi eri ihie onye mu Anya (meaning that rats don’t eat a portion of food belonging to a man who’s awake). You should go and look for what to do and leave APGA alone. Enough of people using Njoku to form APGA faction, because APGA is bonded from wards, local governments to states and national executives.”
He further alleged that Njoku was desperately plotting to ascend the national championship of the party to gain the needed grounds to trade off its pieces of property.
“Njoku’s sole plan is to sink APGA and sell off what the party has laboured for under Victor Oye and his executives, then lavish the proceeds on whiskey, champagne etc, but we won’t allow that to happen”, he added.
Reacting, the embattled Njoku said the Independent National Electoral Commission had recognised him as the national chairman of the party, describing the current National Working Committee of the APGA as a failure.
Painting a sorry picture of the current state of APGA, Njoku vowed to reshape and reposition the party very soon.
He said, “All I could say is that INEC has recognised me as chairman based on the Owerri convention, any person coming from the Awka convention is an impostor. That’s just the fact, and I’m not going to start mincing words with Godwin. I have been in this fight for the past five years. You should know that. It’s a fight of principle whereby the right thing must be done. APGA must come back to the top burner. I was reading an article the other where they were claiming to have mobilised and got over 1000 youths.
“This is a pure lie. Which election did they conduct and have ever won? For instance, in Imo State they got just 826 votes. Can you imagine? The whole of Imo State? Is it not a disgrace for the whole of APGA to get 826 votes? They should show me the results of what they have achieved. I ran for a Federal House under former governor Peter Obi and in those days we were winning elections. They should tell us where they have won elections apart from Anambra State because they have a governor there.
“So, all the noise about 1000 youths is a rise. Where were the youths when the party got 826 votes in Imo State? They are the distraction themselves and, we don’t need it. I’m not even interested. We are being recognised by INEC and we have a big job to do. This is because the next thing they would say is this thing has gone outside Anambra and we have spoilt it.
“APGA will not die in my hands; so whatever I am doing now is to move the party from where they left it, to the next level. So, Udu and the rest of them should rather be hiding their faces in shame. Why? In all the elections they have been participating in, which one of them have they garnered more than 1000 votes apart from Anambra State”, he concluded.
NYSC making steady progress on policy objectives – DG
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier-General Yusha’u Ahmed, says he is making ‘steady progress’ in his five-point policy thrust for the scheme, adding that he will achieve his vision before the end of his tenure as the DG.
Ahmed stated this while speaking to pressmen at the 4th edition of the DG’s Community Development Service Awards and the launch of the 2024 CDS Activities, held in Abuja on Monday, themed “Excellence in Action: Celebrating NYSC CDS Success Stories”.
Among his five-point policy thrust, as outlined by the DG are to improve the security and welfare of corps members and staff, engender optimal service delivery to the nation, provide an enabling environment for development and research for the advancement of the scheme, and strengthen stakeholders’ engagement for the promotion of the frontiers of the scheme.
Ahmed said he had gone “more than halfway” in the targets he set for himself, adding that he would achieve it before the end of his tenure.
“I’ve not met up, but I’m making steady progress, and we will continue to do that. You know I’m just one year, six months now. We are more than halfway out of the target I have set for myself, very progressive development, and we have gone far. We will achieve it before the end of my tenure, God’s willing”, he said.
The DG also presented awards to deserving beneficiaries across four categories: Best Group CDS, Best Schedule Officers, Best Individual CDS, and Best Collaborative Partners.
Speaking on the awards during his address, the DG said ‘the programme reinforces our hope of a brighter future for the country given the immense sense of devotion to service and sacrifice for which these young men and women are being recognised.
“The contributions of the corps members to the development of their host communities in the areas of health, education, agriculture as well as advocacy on development issues have undoubtedly transformed them into societal custodians and vanguards, which are the salient qualities of visionary leaders”, he stated.
Meanwhile, Legal Aid CDS Group (Taraba State), Education and ICT CDS Group (Adamawa State), and NEMA CDS Group (Borno State), won the awards for the Best CDS Groups in third, second and first place, respectively.
In the Best CDS Schedule Officers category, Ituma Omenka (Ebonyi State) won third place, Mr Mohammed Maunde (Borno State) won second place and Mr Buhari Karaye (Katsina State), claimed first place.
For Best Individual CDS, Matthew Maxwell Ohiare (Edo) and Akwuobi Ebuka Stephen (Taraba) both tied for third place, and Abdullahi Alhaji Nuhu came in second place, while, Wisdom Wealth Nduchika (FCT) came in first place.
Onyebuchi Chris Ifediora Foundation (third), the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (second) and Jobberman Nigeria (first) were awarded as the Best Collaborative Partners.
Speaking earlier, the National Director of the NYSC Community Development Service and Special Projects, Hajiya Zainab Isah, thanked the DG for “exhibiting passion and support for all our programmes”, as well as the Directors, State Coordinators, Heads of CDS and the corps members for their various contributions.
Arrangements concluded for LG election in August – Zamfara Govt
Zamfara State Government on Monday said it has made all necessary arrangements to conduct local council elections by August 2024 to enable LGAs in the state collect their allocations.
The Senior Special Assistant, SSA, on Communication and Mobilization, Mallam Farouk Ahmad Shettima Rijiya, disclosed this while addressing newsman at the Government House in Gusau, the state capital.
“Zamfara State Government supports the Supreme Court verdict on Local Government autonomy as it will attract more development,” he added.
According to him, the PDP-led government would ensure a perfect and credible local government election in the state and prior to that, the party will fill all the vacant positions in its leadership.
According to him, these include three delegates across 147 wards of the state and one national officer each, apart from some key positions at the state level that are on acting capacity.
He further said that the national leadership of the party had authorized the state chapter to fill all the vacant positions by selection instead of mini congress that is expected to be held.
“Now, we are waiting for the arrival of the Chief Executive of the State, Governor Dauda Lawal, to carry out the task before notifying the national leadership for permission on the local government election preparations,” he added.
Arrangements concluded for LG election in August – Zamfara Govt
Police rescue corps members, others kidnapped in Ondo
The Ondo State Police Command said it had rescued all the Corps members kidnapped by bandits along the Benin-Owo Expressway.
The kidnappers, numbering about 15, armed with AK-47 rifles, were said to have accosted the Sienna bus conveying the travellers, who include corps members, at about 11 pm last Friday at Omi Alafa Village in Ifon, Ose LGA, and dragged the victims into the forest.
It was gathered that the driver and one traveller sitting in front of the vehicles were shot dead by the bandits.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed the release of the victims to our correspondent on Monday.
The PPRO said, “We have rescued all the victims, I will issue a press statement on the development shortly.”
Details later…
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Hamas: Two October 7 hostages confirmed dead by Israel
Israel, on Monday, confirmed the deaths of two hostages seized by the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, during the Oct. 7 attacks, including a prominent Polish-Israeli historian.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said in a statement that the families of Alex Dancyg, 76, and 35-year-old, Yagev Buchshtab have been informed of their deaths in captivity.
Their bodies are still being held by Hamas, the IDF said.
The decision to publicly confirm the two men’s death is based on intelligence information and was approved by an expert committee.
The circumstances of death while in Hamas custody is being investigated, the military said.
A body established by the relatives of those abducted on Oct. 7 called ‘Missing Persons Families Forum’ and the Hostages, led tributes to the two men.
Dancyg, a Polish historian, had worked at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem and dedicated himself to fostering closer relations between Israel and Poland, including organising school trips.
Hostages who were freed in negotiations between Israel and Hamas said that Dancyg had given history lessons during their captivity in Gaza.
“Yagev and Alex were captured alive and should have returned alive to their families and their country,” the forum stated.
It called the deaths a tragic consequence of delays in negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza, which would involve the release of the 120 remaining hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
The forum demanded that the Israeli government immediately agree to a hostage deal. “Every week that passes means less time for the hostages,” it said.
Hamas: Two October 7 hostages confirmed dead by Israel
Coalition unveils campaign to reduce price of insulin in Nigeria
The National Action on Sugar Reduction, in partnership with Persons Living with Diabetes in Nigeria, have launched a campaign to raise awareness of the high cost of diabetes treatment in the country.
The groups also urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently address the exorbitant cost of insulin and other medications for people living with diabetes.
The Vice President, Diabetes Association of Nigeria, Mr Bernard Enyia lamented the situation during the launch on Monday in Abuja.
Enyia lamented the cost of insulin in recent times, making it unaffordable for many diabetic patients across the country.
“With an estimated 11.2 million Nigerians living with type 2 diabetes, it is crucial for the government to take action.
“Also, implementing higher taxes on sugary drinks can generate substantial revenue for the government, which can be used to fund diabetes treatment and care, ultimately saving and safeguarding lives,” Enyia said.
He said that through this campaign, the NASR aims to drive policymaker action towards supporting people living with diabetes through policy best buys such as raising taxes on the consumption of sugary drinks.
“Since 2022, the price of 10 millilitres of insulin has soared from N3,500 to approximately N11,000 in 2024. Additionally, insulin pens now cost around N65,000 each.
“Managing diabetes requires substantial funds, with people living with diabetes spending over N100,000 monthly on insulin, syringes and vital equipment such as glucometers to monitor blood sugar levels,” he stated.
Enyia called on the president to increase and allocate revenue from Nigeria’s sugary drinks tax towards the treatment and care of people living with diabetes and other non-communicable diseases in the country, saying that currently, the tax stands at 1.67 per cent of the retail price, while the World Health Organisation recommends a minimum of 20 per cent.
He said, “Research suggests that raising the tax to this level could generate N729 billion ($471.8m) annually, supporting much-needed healthcare initiatives, including diabetes care.”
“Diabetes took my eye. Insulin prices could take my life.”
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the WHO issued a warning indicating that NCDs are poised to become the leading cause of mortality in Africa by 2030 unless swift actions are taken by member states.
The 2018 WHO country profiles showed that NCDs accounted for 29 per cent of all deaths in Nigeria with Cardiovascular diseases responsible for 11 per cent of all NCD deaths.
NAN reports that the NASR is a coalition dedicated to raising awareness of the health harms of sugary drinks and advocating policies that promote public health in Nigeria.
NAN
You’ve surrendered Nigeria’s sovereignty to IMF, World Bank – HURIWA knocks Tinubu
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s recent economic policies, saying they have undermined Nigeria’s sovereignty.
HURIWA noted that the condemnation comes in the wake of Tinubu’s dramatic policy shift, which starkly contrasts with his previous stance against similar policies under former President Goodluck Jonathan.
In a press statement, HURIWA recalled that before ascending to the Presidency, Tinubu was a vocal critic of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank’s economic prescriptions.
According to the group, during Jonathan’s administration, Tinubu, and other prominent figures, including then-opposition leader Muhammadu Buhari, fiercely opposed the IMF and World Bank’s recommendations such as the removal of subsidies and the devaluation of the Naira, arguing that these policies would harm Nigeria’s economic stability and undermine the nation’s sovereignty.
“However, since taking office, Tinubu has adopted and intensified these very policies, leading to accusations of hypocrisy from various quarters.
“Critics have criticized Tinubu for this reversal, labeling it a betrayal of his earlier principles. According to them, Tinubu’s current endorsement of the IMF and World Bank measures, which he previously opposed, represents a significant departure from his earlier stance and effectively compromises Nigeria’s economic independence,” HURIWA stated.
HURIWA echoed these concerns, arguing that the devaluation of the Naira and the implementation of foreign-influenced economic policies weaken Nigeria’s financial sovereignty.
The association pointed out that by aligning Nigeria’s economic strategy with foreign interests, the current administration is ceding control over the country’s financial system to external forces, stressing that this shift not only diminishes the nation’s economic autonomy but also places Nigeria at the mercy of international economic pressures.
In addition to criticizing the economic policies, HURIWA also linked these measures to broader security concerns.
The association contended that the failure of Nigeria’s security agencies to effectively protect the country’s borders is directly related to the administration’s economic strategies.
According to HURIWA, inadequate border security has allowed armed non-state actors and criminals to infiltrate the country, further threatening Nigeria’s sovereignty. This situation, HURIWA argues, is a consequence of prioritizing foreign economic directives over national stability and security.
HURIWA’s critique extended to a call for the government to adhere to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act, which obliges the administration to stabilize the Naira.
The association emphasized that protecting the national currency is crucial for maintaining Nigeria’s economic sovereignty and stability. Additionally, HURIWA urged the government to improve efforts to secure Nigeria’s borders, reinforcing measures to prevent the infiltration of terrorists, arms smugglers, and other illicit actors.
Drawing comparisons with other nations, HURIWA highlighted how countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom have successfully defended their economic and territorial sovereignty.
“These countries have implemented policies that prioritize national interests, maintaining strong control over their economic systems and borders. For instance, the United States has resisted external pressures to devalue the Dollar, ensuring a stable currency that supports its economic strength. Similarly, Australia and Canada have fortified their borders against illegal entries, safeguarding their territorial integrity”, HURIWA added
HURIWA further argued that Nigeria’s political leaders should adopt similar strategies to protect both economic stability and national security.
The association suggested that by resisting foreign-imposed economic measures and focusing on strengthening border protection, Nigeria can safeguard its sovereignty and ensure a more secure and prosperous future.
“HURIWA’s criticism of President Tinubu’s policy reversal underscores the broader implications of adopting IMF and World Bank directives. Our call for adherence to the CBN Act and the enhancement of border security highlights the interconnectedness of economic policies and national sovereignty.
“As Nigeria faces ongoing economic and security challenges, Our recommendations offer a pragmatic approach to achieving stability and defending the nation’s interests against external influences,” the statement added.
You’ve surrendered Nigeria’s sovereignty to IMF, World Bank – HURIWA knocks Tinubu
Tinubu appoints John Obafunwa NIMR boss
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Professor John Obafunwa as the new Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, with effect from July 24, 2024.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, stated this in a statement titled “President Tinubu appoints new Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research” on Monday in Abuja.
According to the statement, Professor Obafunwa succeeds Professor Babatunde Salako, whose tenure expires on July 23, 2024.
The President also extended his appreciation to the outgoing DG for his service to the nation and wished him well in his future endeavours.
The statement added, “The President expects the new Director-General to bring his immense wealth of experience and qualifications to bear in this role to further drive the NIMR’s objective of leading research into diseases of public health importance in Nigeria.
“The President expects him to develop structures for the dissemination of research findings while providing the enabling environment and facilities for health research and training in cooperation with the federal and state ministries of health.”
Profile of Obafunwa
Obafunwa qualified in medicine from the University of Lagos in 1980, following which he specialized in Anatomic Pathology (morphological study of diseases), graduating in May 1987.
He later sub-specialized in Forensic Pathology in Scotland in 1991 and obtained a law degree from England in 2004. He has a number of other academic qualifications and holds membership in various professional bodies in the UK, USA, and Nigeria.
Obafunwa had worked in the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, and the UK before returning to Nigeria in November 2004 to take up an appointment as a Professor of Forensic Pathology at the Lagos State University College of Medicine.
He is a former provost of LASUCOM, Chief Medical Examiner for Lagos State, and former Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University. Before his appointment, he was the International Regional Advisor of the Royal College of Pathologists (UK) for Sub-Saharan Africa.
Obafunwa has authored several scientific publications and contributed chapters to textbooks. His research spans anatomic and forensic pathology, and he is currently involved in research in forensic entomology and taphonomy at the University of Nebraska, USA.