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
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
NiMet predicts 3-day thundery, rainy, weather conditions from Sunday
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, has predicted thunderstorms and rains from Sunday to Tuesday across the country.
NiMet`s weather outlook released on Saturday in Abuja, forecast thunderstorms on Sunday with rains over parts of Adamawa, Taraba, Borno, Kebbi, Kaduna, Gombe, and Yobe States during the morning hours.
It said later in the day, thunderstorms are expected over the entire northern region. Rains are expected over the North Central region in the morning hours.
NiMet further revealed that moderate thunderstorms with rains are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Benue and Kogi states.
According to the agency, intermittent rains are anticipated in the morning hours over parts of Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Delta states.
The agency said intermittent rains are expected to prevail over parts of Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, and Bayelsa states during the afternoon/evening hours.
It predicted morning thunderstorms on Monday with rains over parts of Kebbi, Sokoto, Bauchi, Kaduna, Borno, Taraba and Katsina States.
NiMet envisaged moderate thunderstorms later in the day over parts of Jigawa, Kebbi, Kaduna, Sokoto, Borno, Zamfara, Yobe, Adamawa and Katsina States.
The agency anticipated rains over parts of the Federal Capital Territory and Plateau states during the morning hours.
It said that there are prospects of intermittent rains over parts of Edo, Rivers and Delta states with Cloudy atmosphere over the remaining southern states.
Then, later in the day, moderate/intermittent rains are expected over parts of Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta and Rivers States.
According to NiMet, morning thunderstorms are predicted on Tuesday with rains over parts of Yobe, Adamawa, Borno, and Taraba States.
The agency forecast thunderstorms over the entire northern region later in the day.
It predicted rains over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger and Kwara states with cloudy skies over the remaining states during the morning hours.
In the afternoon or evening hours, intermittent rains are expected over part of the Federal Capital Territory, Kwara and Niger states.
There are prospects of morning rains over parts of Edo, Delta, Imo and Anambra States with cloudy skies anticipated over the remaining parts of the southern region.
Later in the day, intermittent rains are expected over parts of Ondo, Edo, Osun, Ekiti, Oyo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Delta and Bayelsa states.
NiMet advised the public to take adequate precaution as strong winds might precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms were likely to occur.
It further advised the residents to avoid flood-prone areas as high likelihood of urban flooding in major cities could occur due to downpours.
NiMet predicts 3-day thundery, rainy, weather conditions from Sunday
Top 10 stories from across Nigerian Newspapers, Sunday, July 21, 2024
Here are the top 10 stories making headlines across the country.
1. I’m not in APC, but appreciate Tinubu’s bold reforms —Okupe
A former Director-General of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, Dr. Doyin Okupe, said on Saturday he is not a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) but appreciates the bold reforms initiated by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.Read more
2. Edo Deputy Gov Shuaibu defects to APC from PDP in surprise move
Philip Shuaibu, the reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, on Saturday, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC).Read more
3. PROTEST: Presidency accuses Peter Obi supporters of plotting mayhem
The Presidency, on Saturday, alleged that supporters of Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, are planning a nationwide protests aimed at destabilizing the country.Read more
4. Obi accuses presidency of blackmail on planned protest
The Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has rejected an attempt by the presidency to link him with the planned protest in the country.Read more
5. Ganduje inaugurates campaign council, vows to reclaim Edo for APC
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Umar Ganduje, on Saturday vowed to reclaim Edo State for the party in the September 21 election in the state.Read more
READ ALSO:Top 10 stories from across Nigerian Newspapers, Friday, July 19, 2024
6. Why we didn’t participate in Ebonyi local council election – PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State has given reason for its non-participation in the local council election in the state.Read more
7. Rights group demands probe as politician is brutalized by security agents for allegedly criticizing Kaduna Gov, Sani (Video)
The United Nigerians Against Crimes (UNAC), a prominent civil society organization, has strongly condemned the alleged brutalization of a politician Alh. Abdulmajid Danbilki Komanda as captures in a viral video.Read more
8. NSCDC arrests nine illegal fuel dealers, others in Akwa Ibom
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested nine suspects for illegal dealings in petroleum products and other offences in Akwa Ibom State.Read more
9. Charly Boy challenges Odumeje to save Nigeria from ‘burning’
The former President of the Performing Musicians’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Charles Oputa aka Charly Boy, has urged controversial preacher, Chukwumeka Cyril aka Odumeje to use his power to save Nigeria.Read more
10. ‘Team Nigeria must surpass 1996 Olympics performance’
Minister of Sports Development, John Owan Enoh, says his 2024 Olympic Games goal is for Team Nigeria to exceed the nation’s best Olympic performance, which was achieved in 1996.Read more
The post Top 10 stories from across Nigerian Newspapers, Sunday, July 21, 2024 appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
Banditry: Katsina residents stage protest
Residents of the communities affected by banditry in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State on Saturday urged the government to intensify efforts in protecting their lives and property.
The people made the call during a peaceful protest to show their concern on how bandits were recurrently perpetuating their nefarious activities in the area.
The residents blocked the ever-busy Marabar-Kankara to Katsina and Kano State road, as well as the road linking Malumfashi to Funtua and Kaduna State.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, one of the residents who gave his name as Muhammad Sabiu, said they wanted the government to hasten tackling the problem, lamenting that “what is happening in these areas is bad.”
“The most affected areas include Malumfashi West, Burdugau, Unguwar-danguna, Yar-teba, Dangume, up to Yargoje.
“Right now, there are corpses of people killed by the bandits in the bush and they have prevented us from evacuating them.
“The killings happened three days ago. That is what is happening day and night in our communities.
“We are calling on the government and the authorities concerned to hasten intensifying measures to curtail the problem.
“They have even prevented some of us from farming, so life in those places has become extremely difficult,” he said.
Another resident, Alhaji Salmanu Yusuf, said: “We blocked the roads to show our sadness over the high rate of insecurity in the communities.
“Most of the children around us are orphans and they don’t have food to eat, so we need urgent support”.
On his part, Sagir Sa’ad, also decried the high rate of insecurity in their areas.
“Right now, there are over 12 corpses of people killed by the bandits that have not evacuated,” he bemoaned.
When contacted, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasiru Muazu-Danmusa, said, ”’It was over and the protesters were already addressed by the Galadiman Katsina, District Head of Malumfashi.”
It would be recalled that the North-West Governors’ Forum and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recently organised a security summit with a view to addressing the lingering insecurity in the zone.
The two-day summit, held in Katsina on June 24, had the theme: “Regional Cooperation for securing lives and livelihoods”.
The state governor, Dikko Radda, who is the Chairman of the forum, stressed the importance of confronting the menace collectively.
Radda said that their goal was providing peace and ensuring the security of lives and property in the region.
Banditry: Katsina residents stage protest
