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100 Civil Society Groups Pledge to Boycott Protest Against Federal Government

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***Laud Tinubu’s Ministers for Implementing Key Reforms

One hundred civil society groups in Nigeria, under the United for Greater Nigeria Coalition (UGNC), have announced their decision to boycott the planned mass protests against President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The coalition cited the administration’s progress in key sectors and the implementation of impactful reforms by some ministers as reasons for their decision.

According to UGNC, the Tinubu administration has made tangible and impactful achievements in just one year in office, rendering any negative criticism or demonstration against his administration moot.

The coalition praised ministers Festus Keyamo, Abubakar Kyari, and Joseph Terlumun Utsev for their innovative ideas and pragmatic approaches, which have positively impacted the common masses.

“After thorough deliberation, we have unanimously decided to boycott the planned mass protests against President Bola Tinubu’s administration,” said a statement by its co-coveners Comrade Timothy Achaluda and Abubakar Babangida Abubakar.

“Our decision is informed by the fact that the tangible and impactful achievements of Tinubu’s administration in just one year in office have ultimately rendered any negative criticism or demonstration against his administration moot.

“Before arriving at this decision, we took time to carefully reassess the performance of Tinubu’s administration in the last year and found the achievements to be beyond expectations.

“The efforts and dedication of some Ministers like Festus Keyamo (Aviation and Aerospace Development), Abubakar Kyari (Agriculture and Food Security), and Joseph Terlumun Utsev (Water Resources and Sanitation) towards achieving President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda are particularly commendable.

“The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has revitalized the sector and reshaped the ministry with his innovative ideas. He has improved infrastructure and restored dignity at the nation’s airports.

“H.E. Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, has revolutionized farming in the country. His promotion of the all-year-round farming initiative is a good step towards addressing food and nutrition security.

“The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has demonstrated a pragmatic approach to solving the many problems confronting the country’s surface and groundwater resources, thereby catalyzing socio-economic growth and prosperity.

“The performances of the ministers show that the Tinubu’s administration is on track and needed a little more time to meet the yearnings of the masses. We are satisfied with developments in some of these key sectors and will not allow enemies of the country to roll back the progress being made by Keyamo, Utsev, and Kyari, whose policies and reforms have positively impacted the common masses.

“We have it on good authority that the planned mass protests, allegedly aimed at addressing poor governance in Nigeria, are being orchestrated by individuals with hidden agendas.

“These protests do not genuinely reflect the will of the people but rather constitute a reckless attempt to incite violence, sow disorder, and divert the government’s attention from addressing the people’s priorities.

The coalition, therefore, urged Nigerians, especially youths, to shun the protests and instead continue to support the Tinubu administration’s efforts to steer Nigeria towards a prosperous future.

“We urge Nigerians to give the Tinubu administration the necessary support and time to implement its policies, which are designed to benefit all citizens,” the statement noted.

“We call on the police and other relevant agencies to be on alert to forestall any breakdown of law and order during the planned mass protests.

“We urge them to be vigilant and ensure that the protests do not degenerate into violence and chaos.”

NDLEA seize N9.8bn shipment of codeine cough syrup at Onne Port

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Nigeria’s drug enforcement agency has scored a major victory in the fight against prescription drug abuse.
In a major operation, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted seven containers containing over 1.2 million bottles of codeine cough syrup with a street value of N9.8 billion.
The seizure took place on Thursday, July 18th, 2024, at the Onne Ports in Rivers State. According to a statement by NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the containers originated from India and arrived on the Maersk Vigo Vessel. All seven containers were found to be carrying a total of 8,774 cartons of codeine-based cough syrup, weighing over 184,000 kilograms.
A statement by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy, said, “The latest seizure made on Thursday 18th July 2024 is the fourth and last set of such consignments that have been under the watchlist of the Agency’s Maritime Special Operations Unit Targeting Team, which worked in partnership with the Port Harcourt Ports Command of the Agency and other security agencies.
“The agencies included the Nigeria Customs Service for a 100 percent joint examination of the targeted containers.
READ ALSO: India-based Nigerian couple wanted by NDLEA, four cartel members arrested
“This followed credible intelligence and months of diligent tracking of the consignments from their port of departure.
“At the joint examination of the containers with other security agencies on Thursday, all seven containers were found bearing a total of 8,774 cartons of codeine-based cough syrup, with 1,229,400 bottles weighing 184,410 kilograms.
“A breakdown of the shipments that came from India via the Maersk Vigo Vessel shows that the container marked SEKU 6439421 has 875 cartons with 175,000 bottles of codeine weighing 26,250kg.
“Other items in the container include 70 cartons of chilli cutters and 55 cartons of hyregra tablets weighing 1,100 kg.”
This is the second major seizure of codeine cough syrup at the Onne Ports in recent weeks. Just three weeks prior, NDLEA intercepted another shipment containing 6,125 cartons of codeine syrup, valued at N7.4 billion.
The surge in codeine interceptions raises concerns about a potential rise in prescription drug abuse in Nigeria. Codeine, an opioid pain medication, can be highly addictive when misused.
The post NDLEA seize N9.8bn shipment of codeine cough syrup at Onne Port appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

Attack on Okpebholo: We have no hand in police officer’s death – PDP

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The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State on Friday in Benin said that the party had no hand in the attack that led to the death of a police officer attached to the All Progressives Congress, APC governorship candidate, Monday Okpebholo.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the incident occurred on Thursday, when Okpebholo and the reinstated deputy governor of the state, Mr Philip Shaibu, arrived Benin airport from Abuja
Briefing newsmen in Benin, a chieftain of PDP, Dr Tony Aziegbemi described the incident as unfortunate and avoidable.
Aziegbemi called on the Inspector General of Police to do a post-mortem investigation on the late police officer to determine the cause of death.
” We want to state that the PDP is a very peaceful and law abiding party that would never kill anyone.
” We are a party whose leadership is only interested in development, institutional reforms, among others.
“So we want the IGP to carry out investigation to know how he was shot and the bullet that was used.
“PDP has expressed shock over the wanton destruction of property and the death of a police officer as a result of the violence orchestrated by thugs of the opposition party
“The incidence that happened yesterday at the Benin Airport was unfortunate and unacceptable. It shows how desperate the opposition are in their bid to foist their candidate on Edo people.
” It is quite disheartening that an innocent Police officer lost his life due to the violence unleashed on innocent citizens
” The PDP expresses deep sorrow over the death of this gallant officer. We commiserate with the family of the deceased and pray that our good Lord grants him eternal rest.
“It is common knowledge that when a court of first instance gives a judgment, once there is a notice of appeal and an appeal for a stay of execution, the parties are expected to maintain the status quo.
He urged Shaibu to wait for the outcome of the judgements of the Appeal and ultimately the Supreme Court, ” Aziegbemi said.
According to him, In whose interest is it to cause any mayhem in Edo a few months to an election that the PDP is 100 per cent sure of winning.
He stated that PDP could not work against its interest, adding that the opposition party planned to cause maximum fear in our people before the election.
He, therefore, called for a thorough investigation of the incident, carry out an autopsy on the officer and make its finding public.
Attack on Okpebholo: We have no hand in police officer’s death – PDP

Edo: Philip Shaibu appoints Chief of Staff, other aides

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The embattled Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu has appointed nine aides to help him discharge his duties.
The appointments was announced by his Chief Press Secretary, Comrade Musa Ebomhiana.
The appointees are Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants.
According to the statement, their appointment takes immediate effect.
Shaibu appointed Kingsley Ehigiamusor as Chief of Staff, Comrade Musa Ebomhiana as Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Akhaba as Senior Special Assistant, Mustapha Lawal as Senior Special Assistant and Mr Charles Olubayo as Senior Special Assistant.
Others are Mathias Akhanemhe as Special Assistant, Comrade Robinson Akhenoba as Special Assistant, Robert Ojele as Special Assistant, and Isioma Ogochukwu also as Special Assistant.
Recall that the Edo State House of Assembly had impeached Shaibu following his rift with Governor Godwin Obaseki.
However, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, reinstated Shaibu as the deputy governor.
Following his reinstatement, Shaibu had vowed to resume his office, stressing that he remains deputy governor till November when the Edo State governorship election would be conducted.
Edo: Philip Shaibu appoints Chief of Staff, other aides

Nigerians are suffering, it’s patriotic to speak truth to power – Ndume blows hot

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The lawmaker representing the Borno South, Senator Ali Ndume on Friday insisted that Nigerians are angry over the prevailing harsh economic situation in the country.
The lawmaker spoke on Friday during a chat with newsmen in Maiduguri, Borno State capital while reacting to his removal as Chief Whip of the Senate.
TVN recalls that the Borno lawmaker was removed on Wednesday following his criticism of the President Bola Tinubu government.
Ndume had raised the alarm over the untoward hardship bedeviling Nigerians, urging the Federal Government to urgently address the situation.
His criticism, however, cost him the position of Chief Whip in the upper legislative chamber.
Addressing journalists on the matter on Friday, Ndume wondered why he was sanctioned, stating that he expected those in power to take his views seriously.
According to him, it is unpatriotic to always be on the side of the President, urging patriotic Nigerians to always speak truth to power.
He said, “It is unpatriotic to stand by Mr President with whatever he does, it is patriotic to speak the truth not only to the President but anybody for that matter. It unpatriotic not to speak the truth to power or anybody and still stand by that.
“People are not happy, people are suffering and angry. Leaders in this country need to take a review; they should get back to me to tell me whether I said anything that is not true or is wrong.
“It is God that gave me that position and it is God that took it, so I bear no grudge against anyone. Afterall, I didn’t contest to be the Chief Whip, I didn’t contest to be the Vice Chairman Appropriation Committee, I contested to be a senator of Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Nigerians are suffering, it’s patriotic to speak truth to power – Ndume blows hot

Govs will turn state police to militia – ex-Reps Speaker Dogara

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A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, on Friday warned against the establishment of state police.
Dogara warned that establishment of state police would enable governors to build militias in their domains.
Appearing on Channels Television’s Inside Source with Laolu Akande, the former Speaker described as “laughable” the calls for state police.
He also accused governors of mismanaging state-controlled electoral commissions to have their way during local government elections.
Dogara said, “Look at this country, what is it that has been outsourced to a state that has been properly managed?
“Look at how the state electoral commissions have turned out to be. If I were a governor and I wanted to be a pretentious democrat, I can even say three, four, or five local governments are less consequential to me; let me cede them to oppositions but when they (governors) run these elections, the ruling parties take 100% of the local government chairmen seat.
“If we have state police, what will play out is that we will be giving a hangman the free man to hang, we will enable state governors to build militias.
“They control 100% state assemblies, they control 100% magistrates, area court justices and even the state high court.
“So, when you now reinforce that or strengthen that with the state police, you are making them a judge in their own case, which even runs counter to the principle of democracy.
“What will happen is that if you disagree with your governor, you dare not go home. The state police then becomes a militia used to rig elections by the sitting governors.”
Govs will turn state police to militia – ex-Reps Speaker Dogara

Kidnap incident: We rescued 13 passengers, three missing – Enugu Police

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The Police in Enugu State, on Friday, said three persons are still missing after kidnappers attacked passengers at the Amechi-Idodo area of the Enugu/Abakaliki highway in Enugu State.
TVN had reported that a relative of one of the victims told the media that about 11 persons were abducted by the gunmen, and that they were demanding N30 million.
Giving update on the incident, DSP Danied Ndukwe, Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Police Command, said the command rescued 13 passengers.
He, however, said three of the passengers were yet to be seen.
According to him, “a Joint Security Operatives, upon receipt of a distress call on the incident, moved to the Enugu/Ebonyi States border point along the Enugu/Abakaliki Expressway, on the said date and time.
“Thence, they rescued thirteen (13) occupants of a Nissan commercial bus.
“However, three (3) others, who scampered into nearby bushes upon the attack, are yet-to-be located.”
Ndukwe said the Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, had ordered the sustenance of ongoing operations to locate and rescue the three (3) missing victims, and also hunt down the assailants.
“He reassures commitment to sustain collaborative efforts with internal and neigbouring States’ security forces to ensure watertight security on major highways,” he added.
Kidnap incident: We rescued 13 passengers, three missing – Enugu Police

Nigeria not affected by global IT outage – ngCERT

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Nigeria was not affected by the global information technology outage which grounded airline operations and other activities in several countries.
The Nigeria Computer and Emergency Response Team, ngCERT, disclosed this in a statement through its official X account on Friday, noting that there has not been any reported outage of IT services in the country.
The update comes amid the global IT outage that grounded activities in the US, UK, India, Australia and New Zealand.
“ngCERT is aware of the global IT outage affecting various services and platforms.
“So far, we have not received any reports of impact on our cyberspace. We will issue an advisory as soon as valid information is available. Please report any noticed impacts for prompt action,” the organization stated.
TVN reports that a global tech outage grounded major US airlines on Friday.
 
Nigeria not affected by global IT outage – ngCERT

Pakistan police arrest bin Laden’s former Afghan bodyguard

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Counter-terrorism police in Pakistan have arrested Aminul Haq, a former Afghan bodyguard of the late al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.
Usman Akram Gondal of the counter-terrorism police said Haq, who once headed bin Laden’s elite security unit, was arrested in the city of Gujrat.
He said that Haq’s name is on the United Nations’ list of global terrorists and he was previously arrested in Pakistan in 2007.
Haq went into hiding after he was released from a Pakistani jail in 2011 and reappeared in the Afghan region of Nangarhar in 2021 after Afghanistan fell to the Taliban.
Gondal said Haq recently entered Pakistan and that the purpose of his visit was being investigated.
The al-Qaeda leader carried Afghan and fake Pakistani identity documents that he used to travel with, the officer said.
The counter-terrorism police raided the compound he was staying in on an intelligence tip suggesting his presence in the Gujrat area, Gondal said.
Haq is the first high-profile al-Qaeda figure who has been arrested in Pakistan since the fall of neighbouring Afghanistan to the Taliban.
U.S. forces killed bin Laden in his residential compound in the northern Pakistani city of Abbottabad in a raid in 2011.
Several Arab, Afghan and Pakistani al-Qaeda leaders were killed in the country in U.S. drone strikes in subsequent years, resulting in the weakening of the once formidable global terror network.
According to recent UN reports, the group has been seeking a resurgence in the region since Kabul fell to the Taliban in August 2021.
Pakistan police arrest bin Laden’s former Afghan bodyguard

Reps to scrutinise N6.2tn supplementary budget – Spokesman, Agbese

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The House of Representatives is set to review the N6.2tn 2024 supplementary budget submitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu.
This budget, which targets critical infrastructure including education, healthcare, and public welfare, was transmitted on Wednesday, 17th of July 2024.
Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, revealed the details and purpose of the supplementary budget during an interview with journalists in Abuja on Friday.
Agbese stated the parliament is dedicated to a comprehensive examination of the budget.
“The 2024 supplementary budget, totalling ₦6.2tn, aims to fund critical infrastructure projects, education, healthcare access, and public welfare initiatives.
“The budget is divided into two main components: ₦3.2tn for renewed hope infrastructure projects and other critical infrastructure projects across the country, and ₦3tn to meet further recurrent expenditure requirements necessary for the proper operation of the Federal Government.”
Agbese, who represents Ado/Ogbadigbo/Okokwu Federal Constituency of Benue State, assured that every aspect of the budget proposal will be scrutinized to ensure efficient utilization and alignment with the best interests of constituents.
“We will scrutinize every bit of the budget proposal to ensure that ultimately each kobo is well utilized and that the budget is in the best interest of our constituents,” he said.
Agbese also pointed out the legislative body’s plans to engage with stakeholders, conduct public hearings, and meticulously review the executive bill.
Reps to scrutinise N6.2tn supplementary budget – Spokesman, Agbese