Enugu State governor, Peter Mbah, has accused the self-styled Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), Simon Ekpa, of feeding on the emotions and suffering of Igbo people to hold them hostage.
The governor who stated this on Saturday when he received members of the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence, during an oversight working visit to the state, said the Finland-based Ekpa was taking advantage of the people of the South-East to manipulate them at will for his own selfish interests.
He however, called on the people to reject new calls by Ekpa for another sit-at-home as such would further impoverish them and truncate their businesses.
Mbah reiterated his administration‘s commitment to ending illegal sit-at-home enforced by non-state actors that held the people hostage both psychologically and economically.
“Simon Ekpa creates some kind of siege atmosphere and thrives on it to make a living, continuing to extort and exploit our people, who may not be aware, and telling them that he is fighting for their interest.
READ ALSO:Enugu Gov. Mbah, vows to hunt down attackers of Nimbo community
“He feeds fat on the emotions and sufferings of Ndigbo for his selfish motives. How can you claim you love our people, a people known for hard work in our DNA, and sit somewhere to dictate to us when to go to work and when not to go to work? So, I want to also take this opportunity to call on our people to disregard this threat.
“We have demonstrated our capacity to provide security for our people and we will continue to do so through the help of our security agencies.
“We cannot be intimidated. We cannot submit ourselves to this siege atmosphere he wants to create in the South-East. We treasure our hard work as a people.
“So, you cannot love a people and all you do is at the very expense of their existence just to grow followership and gain cheap publicity.
“I’m also calling on the youths, not to fall for these sorts of cheap antics because this is completely antithetical to our belief system. It contradicts our values and opposes our work ethics,” Mbah said.
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Simon Ekpa feeding on emotions, sufferings of Ndigbo for selfish gains —Enugu Gov, Mbah
Anti-government protest: Pat Utomi replies presidency on allegations of being organiser
A Nigerian political economist, Pat Utomi, has reacted to a comment by the presidency alleging that he was one of the organizers of the planned August nationwide protest.
TVN recalls that Bayo Onanuga, a senior spokesperson to President Bola Tinubu on Saturday accused supporters of the Labour Party presidential candidate in the last election, Peter Obi, of organizing the End Bad Government protest scheduled for August 1st to 10th.
According to Bayo, some X users, including one “FS Yusuf, another rabid Obi supporter, and Professor Pat Utomi, a Labour Party chieftain and a guy on X who goes by the pseudonym Peter Obi’s First Son” are behind the planned protes.
Reacting, Utomi in a post on his official X microblogging handle, said he has nothing against the planned nationwide demonstration.
He said, “Let it be clear that I have nothing against protests. It is a legitimate instrument of democracy for raising the voice of citizens.
“I have participated in many in my time. From my undergraduate days at UNN to marching with concerned professionals following the June 12 election annulment.
He noted that, though he did not know the organizers of the 2020 EndSARS protests, “I supported it”.
“So if I were part of whatever is being planned for August, I would wear it as a badge of honor and not wait to be called out by Bayo Onanuga.”
Anti-government protest: Pat Utomi replies presidency on allegations of being organiser
Monopoly, low quality fuel allegations: Dangote kicks as Reps call for probe
Aliko Dangote, owner of the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Plant has debunked claims by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) on the quality of petroleum products from the refinery and allegation of attempted monopoly of the industry.
He spoke during a tour of both Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Dangote Fertiliser Limited complex located at the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos by members of the House of Representatives.
Dangote insisted on the quality of products from the refinery.
This is even as the leadership of the House of Reps called for an investigation into the allegations by NMDPRA.
Reps Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and his deputy Benjamin Kalu led the delegation from the House which included Hon Ikenga Ugochinyere.
Trouble started when the Chief Executive Officer of NMDPRA Farouk Ahmed in a recent interview with journalists, a video of which is currently circulating on X noted that Dangote was trying to entrench monopoly in the oil and gas sector, that the products are inferior and that the 650,000-bpd refinery is still in the pre-commissioning stage and about 45 per cent completed.
Ahmed added that the country cannot risk dependence on Dangote Refinery alone by suspending petroleum products, especially Automotive Gas Oil and Dual-Purpose Kerosene, DPK.
He said: “That is not so. Dangote Refinery is still in the pre-commissioning stage. It has not been licensed yet. We haven’t licensed them yet. I think they are about 45 per cent to completion.
“We cannot rely on one refinery to feed the nation, because Dangote is requesting that we suspend or stop imports, especially of AGO and DPK, and direct all marketers to his refinery. That is not good for the nation in terms of energy security, and it is not good for the market because of the monopoly.”
Ahmed said that in terms of quality, Dangote’s current AGO (diesel) suffers from the lowest quality in terms of sulphur content, falling short of West Africa’s requirement of 50 parts per million (PPM).
“Dangote Refinery, as well as some modular refineries like Watersmith Refinery and Aradel Refinery, are producing between 650 and 1,200 PPM. Therefore, in terms of quality, their products are much, much, more inferior to imported ones,” he stated.
Reacting, Dangote said his team tested diesel bought from two filling stations and that from his refinery at the refinery’s laboratories.
The tested diesel from other stations was bought in the presence of the lawmakers, while that from the Dangote Refinery was taken from production also in the presence of the lawmakers.
Two tests were reportedly conducted; a test of the sulphur level and a flash test. While all crude-based products contain some level of sulphur, high sulphur levels cause damage to engines and vehicle components.
The flash point refers to the lowest temperature at which the application of the ignition source causes the vapours above the liquid to ignite with the minimum expected flash point at 66.
The results showed that the sulphur content in the diesel from other stations was above 2,631 and 1,829; much higher than the recommended level while the tests for the flash point showed results of 26 and 63 respectively for the diesel from other stations. Both results fell short of the recommended minimum of 66.
The results for the diesel from Dangote turned out to be 87.6 ppm for sulphur and 96 flashpoints.
He called on the House of Representatives to investigate the quality of diesel and petrol at filling stations.
To carry out the investigation, he urged the House to set up a committee to test products at various filling stations across the country.
READ ALSO:Against criticisms, Nigerian govt makes case for imported fuel, carpets Dangote refinery, others (Video)
Decrying the damage being done to vehicles and engines by substandard products, he also called on the House to investigate the quality of laboratories being used to test imported products and compare that with the one at the Dangote Refinery.
“Our quality is about 600 to 650 ppm and is one of the best in terms of quality at that time when we started. But as at today, we’re at 87 ppm,” he said
“I want to plead with the regulator to come at any time, whether Sunday or Monday, or take the sample and I guarantee you before he gets here, our PPM will be even below 10.
“When we’re coming here, his excellency, the speaker said, can we please wait to pick up samples from two filling stations? And also when we get into our plant, they will pick a sample to check the results.
“The results are actually out and I’m going to share the same results with you.
“The sample from TotalEnergies’s diesel showed 1,829ppm sulphur concentration. The sample from Matrix Retail showed 2,653ppm. Matrix was 61 below 66 and Total is 26 flash point
“Our flash point showed 96. If you want to do the rest, we can run it at any given time.
“Today I want to announce to Nigerians that our parameters today are extremely, very good parameters.
“By the end of next week, we should be on 50ppm and by August, it should be down to 10ppm.”
Dangote also said the claim in some quarters that his group of companies enjoy monopoly is not true.
“If you look at all our operations at Dangote (Group), we add value; we take local raw materials and turn them into products, and we sell.
“We have never consciously or unconsciously stopped anybody from doing the same business that we are doing.
“When we first came into cement production, it was only Lafarge that was operating here in Nigeria…Nobody ever called Lafarge a monopoly,” he said, adding that labelling his group of companies as monopolistic is disheartening.
“Monopoly is when you stop people, you block them through legal means. No, it is a level playing field whereby whatever Dangote was given in cement, for example, other people were given because some of them even got more than us.”
The billionaire business tycoon said his refinery did not enjoy any incentive from the Federal Government.
“In the refinery, we did not, and I repeat, we did not collect one single incentive from the Federal Government of Nigeria or even Lagos State. Yes, the Lagos State gave us a good deal but we paid $100m for the land. It wasn’t a free land; we paid for it,” he said.
“Majority of the population are with us. So, we are not discouraged, we will continue what we are doing.”
Addressing the speaker, he said, “The most important thing, your excellency, is to note that the imported one they are encouraging, is the spec in test, but in certain cases when you check (independently), different results will show.”
This, he said, is “because those people who have the lab have been told what to write.”
He said the best way to determine the quality of products being imported and sold to Nigerians is by going to the filling stations, buying and testing them.
In his response, the Speaker disclosed that going by the presentation and the contradictory claims, there was a need for an investigation.
“I don’t know how we have this contradiction of two players representing the public and private sector,” he said.
“I think it is something we need to investigate further to find out if there are ulterior motives.”
By: Babajide Okeowo
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Killings: Insecurity thrived under APC government in Zamfara – Group
Concerned Patriotic Citizens Forum, CPCF, has slammed the Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for shifting blame for the state’s insecurity to Governor Dauda Lawal of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
According to the CPCF, the insecurity was created by the APC’s previous administration in the state, adding that it was unjust for them to mock the victims and blame the current governor.
In a statement made available to TVN on Sunday, Comrade Moses Toro, President of CPCF, berated the Zamfara State APC for accusing Governor Lawal of disregarding the state’s insecurity and “celebrating” at a PDP Governors’ Forum meeting in Enugu.
Toro stated that if anyone was to be blamed for the security situation, it was the APC and not Governor Lawal.
He highlighted that the insecurity in Zamfara State began during the tenure of the previous APC administration and worsened during that time.
“The attempt by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to lay the blame for the dire security situation in Zamfara State entirely at the feet of Governor Dauda Lawal is beyond preposterous,” the statement read.
“It’s on record that the insecurity in Zamfara State started during the tenure of the immediate past APC administration in the state.
“The then APC-led administration in the state sat on their hands and watched the insecurity worsen further.
“Contrary to the APC’s claims that Governor Lawal has done nothing but ‘celebrate in Enugu’ amid insecurity in Zamfara State, the Governor has done more in tackling insecurity in just one year in office than the past APC administration did in eight years.
“Under the immediate past APC administration, Zamfara went from being one of the most peaceful states of the federation to the most terrorized state in the North-West.
“A report showed that 327 people were killed in Zamfara State in the first quarter of 2022 alone. This was during the APC administration in the state. During the same regime, two local governments in Zamfara State, Anka, and Bukkuyum, were shut down by the state government due to insecurity.
“Therefore, those who brought about the killings and the mess Governor Lawal is trying to clean cannot turn around to mock Zamfarans and the rest of Nigerians simply because they have been rejected by the electorates.
“We consider the statement by APC as an attempt to mock the dead and families of those who have lost their loved ones to the insecurity inflicted on the North West in general and Zamfara in particular.
“The Concerned Patriotic Citizens Forum (CPCF) expects the APC to be remorseful rather than play politics with the insecurity it created. The party is hereby advised to desist from politicizing the plights of the victims of the insecurity it created.
“But if they want to continue to play the blame game, they should heap the blame on themselves as they are the chief architects of the insecurity in the state.”
Killings: Insecurity thrived under APC government in Zamfara – Group
Nigerian govt slams Meta with $220m fine over alleged data privacy breaches
The Federal Government of Nigeria has slammed Facebook’s parent company, Meta with a $220 million fine for alleged data privacy breaches.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) announced the penalty at the weekend, citing violations of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018 and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection (Administrative Penalties) Regulations 2020 (APR).
According to Adamu Abdullahi, the FCCPC’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Meta was found guilty of several infractions, including unauthorized transfer and sharing of Nigerians’ data, cross-border storage violations, discrimination and disparate treatment, abuse of dominance, and tying and bundling practices.
Meta was also accused of denying Nigerian data subjects the right to self-determination over their personal information.
“On May 2021, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (Commission) based on available evidence and sufficient probable cause issued an Order and Notice to Show Cause (ONSC) to WhatsApp LLC and Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly called Facebook Inc.) jointly referred to as ‘Meta Parties’ in respect to this investigation,” FCCPC said.
“The subject of the ONSC was to relay the Commission’s investigative report in respect of its findings that the Meta Parties by their conduct have violated the above stated provisions of the FCCPA and NDPR (which was in force prior to the enactment and operationalisation of the NDPA (Nigeria Data Protection Act), 2023) and for the Meta Parties to show reasonable cause why the Commission should not proceed to enter its orders as final and enforceable under the FCCPA, particularly sections 17, 18, 155, and 159.
“Between May 2021 and December 2023, and over this period of 38 months, a joint investigation by the Commission, and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into Meta Parties conduct, privacy policies, the operation thereof, and Meta Parties practices have evolved.
READ ALSO:EU doubles down on Meta, says its ‘Pay or Consent’ model violates Digital Markets Act
“Meta Parties have provided some information/evidence that is in part responsive to document requests and summons under the joint investigation.
“Meta Parties by themselves, and retained counsels have also repeatedly engaged with, and met with investigators and analysts from the Commission, and the NDPC, including as recently as April 4, 2024.
“The totality of the investigation has concluded that Meta Parties over a protracted period have engaged in conduct that constitutes multiple and repeated, as well as continuing infringements of the FCCA and NDPR, particularly, but not limited to abusive, and invasive practices against data subjects/consumers in Nigeria, such as appropriating personal data or information without consent, discriminatory practices against Nigerian data subjects/consumers or disparate treatment of consumers/data subjects compared with other jurisdictions with similar regulatory frameworks, abuse of dominant market position by forcing unscrupulous, exploitative, and non-compliant privacy policies which appropriated consumer personal information without the option or opportunity to self-determine or otherwise withhold or provide consent to the gathering, use, and/or sharing of such personal data.
“Being satisfied with the significant evidence on the record, and that Meta Parties have been provided every opportunity to articulate any position, representations, refutations, explanations or defences of their conduct and practices under law, the Commission have now entered a Final Order, and issued a penalty against Meta Parties.
“The Final Order more elaborately describes the specific conduct or practices of the Meta Parties, relationship between Meta Parties with respect to the infringements, particularly with regard to: Denying Nigerian data subjects the right to self-determine; Unauthorized transfer and sharing of Nigerian data-subjects personal data, including cross- border storage in violation of then, and now prevailing law; Discrimination and disparate treatment; Abuse of Dominance; and Tying and bundling.
“The Final Order of the Commission mandates steps and actions Meta Parties must take to comply with prevailing law and cease the exploitation of Nigerian consumers and their market abuse, as well as desist from future similar or other conduct/practices that do not meet nationally applicable standards and undermine the rights of consumers.
“The Final order also imposes a monetary penalty of Two Hundred and Twenty Million U.S. Dollars only ($220,000,000.00) (at prevailing exchange rate where applicable) which penalty is in accordance with the FCCPA 2018, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection (Administrative Penalties) Regulations 2020 (APR).”
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Umahi lauds Nwifuru for sustaining democratic LG system
Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi has commended the Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru for sustaining democratic governance in the State’s Local Government System.
Umahi stated this yesterday after voting at his polling unit 013 Onuofukwuru Market, Umunaga Ward, Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
He expressed confidence that the Chairmanship and Councillorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, would cruise to victory having regard to the governance records of the State Governor, which has endeared his government to the people of the State.
He urged Nigerians to continue to support the Renewed Hope agenda of the administration of President Bola Tinubu who he said came on board at the most challenging moment of Nigeria’s history, and was determined to creating lasting infrastructure for economic advancement.
Umahi lauds Nwifuru for sustaining democratic LG system
Allow graduates with part-time ND background participate in NYSC – NANS
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has appealed to National Youths Service Corps to allow Higher National Diploma holders who passed through part-time during their National Diploma to serve their fatherland.
NANS noted that students who completed their National Diploma (ND) programs under the Daily Part-Time (DPP) mode and subsequently enrolled in full-time Higher National Diploma (HND) programs are being denied the opportunity to serve the NYSC.
The association said this in a statement made available to TVN on Saturday through its Senate President, Afeez Babatunde Akinteye.
Akinteye in the statement said that the affected students are being denied NYSC registration due to the “(P)” designation attached to their JAMB registration numbers, which signifies their part-time status during the ND program.
He maintained that the “(P)” designation is making NYSC portal to reject their registration.
He lamented that this was preventing the affected students from participating in the mandatory national service.
Akinteye while speaking further maintained that this had caused distress and uncertainty among the affected students.
He then used the opportunity to appeal to the federal ministry of education to urgently intervene in the matter.
He urged the ministry to issue a directive to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and NYSC to collaborate and find a swift resolution to the problem.
Akinteye said, “We wish to bring urgent attention to a critical issue affecting students who completed their National Diploma (ND) programs under the Daily Part-Time (DPP) mode and subsequently enrolled in full-time Higher National Diploma (HND) programs.
“These students are being denied NYSC registration due to the “(P)” designation attached to their JAMB registration numbers, which signifies their part-time status during the ND program.
“This problem has arisen despite these students having completed the required JAMB regularization process.
“The “(P)” designation, which is a remnant of their part-time ND status, is causing the NYSC portal to reject their registration, thereby preventing them from participating in the mandatory national service.
“This has caused significant distress and uncertainty among the affected students, who have otherwise fulfilled all necessary criteria for NYSC registration.
“We appeal to the Ministry of Education to urgently intervene in this matter. It is imperative that directives be given to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and NYSC to collaborate and find a swift resolution.
“Specifically, we request that JAMB initiate a consolidation process to update the registration status of these students, reflecting their transition from Daily Part-Time ND to full-time HND. This update will ensure that their JAMB registration numbers are accepted by the NYSC portal.
“Furthermore, we call on the Ministry of Education to instruct the NYSC to recognize the unique situation of these students and facilitate their registration.
“This can be achieved by overriding the system’s rejection of the “(P)” designation for students who have progressed to full-time HND programs. Ensuring that these students are not unfairly excluded from the NYSC program is crucial for their academic and professional futures.
“NANS stands in solidarity with the affected students and will continue to advocate on their behalf until a satisfactory resolution is achieved.
“We urge the Ministry of Education to act promptly to address this critical issue and ensure a just outcome for all affected students.”
Allow graduates with part-time ND background participate in NYSC – NANS
We have just 2,000 staff – NAFDAC laments
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has lamented inadequate personnel to carry out its functions in the country.
The Director-General of the agency, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, stated this in Abuja when the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, NCTC, Maj-Gen. Adamu Laka, visited her office.
The NAFDAC boss, who expressed the agency’s readiness to partner with the NCTC, said they needed more personnel.
According to her, the agency has just 2,000 staff, stating that they need more than 12,000 personnel, citing the country’s population.
”As a regulatory agency, we are supposed to have 12,000 staff, but we are barely 2,000 in a country of more than 230 million.
”NAFDAC staff work round the clock. We are not just a civil service organisation but a regulatory body that is mandated to protect lives on a daily basis from food to drugs, to water, precursors and chemicals that can fall into the hands of the terrorists,” she said.
She said NAFDAC was suitably positioned to fight drug counterfeiting, drug abuse, unwholesome food and unauthorised handling of chemicals fuelling terrorists operations and other criminal activities in the country.
According to her, NAFDAC, being a World Health Organisation Maturity Level 3 Regulatory Authority, has highly qualified experts and well equipped laboratories.
We have just 2,000 staff – NAFDAC laments
Afam Osigwe emerges new NBA president
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Afam Osigwe, has emerged as the president-elect of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA.
Osigwe, the former Secretary-General of NBA, got the highest number of votes for the position of the president from the results of the 2024 NBA election held online.
Similarly, Mrs Bridget Ijeoma Edokwe emerged as the Publicity Secretary of the association.
The voting, which started at 12am on Saturday, ended at 1.59pm with the live results for all positions displayed real-time.
Osigwe secured 20,395 votes, defeating his closest rival and chairman of the NBA Institute of Continuing Legal Education Governing Council, Tobenna Erojikwe, who scored 10,970 votes, while former chairman of NBA Lagos Branch, Chukwuka Ikwuazom, SAN, got 9,007 votes.
Osigwe will take over from the outgoing president of NBA, Yakubu Maikyau, SAN.
Afam Osigwe emerges new NBA president
Euro 2024: Police ‘foiled ISIS attack’ before England vs Spain final
It has emerged that German Police foiled a suspected ISIS terror attack hours before the Euro 2024 final between England and Spain last Sunday.
The game saw thousands of fans from both countries travel to the fan zone in Berlin’s Breitscheidplatz.
ISIS had threatened to carry out an attack during the quarter-finals of this season’s Champions League.
And ahead of the Euros, both the organisers and German security forces took a heightened approach to policing during the tournament.
According to The Sun, the police raided different addresses in the nearby city of Potsdam.
This came after fears arose over a potential imminent attack on the England fan zone.
The five men police were searching for are said to be known ISIS supporters and were already under German police surveillance.
The men were placed under investigation and three suspects have since been released under investigation.
German police said in a statement: “The homes of three men were searched at three addresses in Potsdam.
“Forces from the special task forces were involved in the operation. The measures were carried out in connection with an immediate threat from the Islamist spectrum.”
Spain won their first major trophy in 12 years, defeating England 2-1 in the final.
Euro 2024: Police ‘foiled ISIS attack’ before England vs Spain final