Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has said that the three new Second Class Emirates were created to enhance economic viability and bring the people closer to the government.
The governor said this while signing into law the new Second Class Emirates Council Bill presented to him by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Jibrin Falgore on Tuesday.
He said the Assembly has discharged yet another constitutional responsibility by passing the bill into law.
“The action of the State Assembly is yet another testament of the government’s commitment to recognize the constitutional roles of local government and the Emirates Council and the role they play in developing the state.”
The governor urged the newly established Emirate Councils to work in tandem with constitutional provisions and be law abiding in the discharge of their duties.
“The Councils will enhance local government and traditional cultural viability and preserve their heritage, the passage was in response to the yearning of the people.
“I urge the newly established Emirates to work in harmony with Kano Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II, for the betterment of the state,” the governor added.
He said the government would soon announce the new Emirs who will take charge of the new emirates.
Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Jibrin Falgore, said the Kano State Emirate Council, 2024, Act is aimed at improving the economy of the areas and bring people closer to the government,
The newly established second class Emirate Councils are Rano, Karaye and Gaya.
Kano: Three second class emirates created to enhance economy – Gov Yusuf
Kano: Three second class emirates created to enhance economy – Gov Yusuf
LP chieftain seeks constitution amendment to deepen LG autonomy
The Labour Party candidate in the 2023 governorship election in Enugu State, Chijioke Edeoga, has urged the Attorney General of the Federation to initiate moves that will saddle the Independent National Electoral Commission with the conduct of local government elections in Nigeria.
This was just as he stated that only through an amendment of the 1999 Constitution would Nigerians reap the benefits of the recent Supreme Court judgement which affirmed autonomy to local councils in the country.
In a statement made available to According Online on Tuesday, Edeoga who recently hailed the Supreme Court’s judgement on local government autonomy, called for the deletion of Section 197 1(b) of the Constitution which created state INEC, while an amendment should be made to Section 153 (1) to empower INEC to conduct LG elections.
He noted that although Nigerians welcomed the judgment, they have equally pointed out that the judgment would be ineffectual without a corresponding amendment that guarantees relatively fairer and freer council elections.
Edeoga admitted that an amendment process of some critical sections of the Constitution was going on, the particular section that affects local government autonomy should be isolated and its amendment fast-tracked to key into what he described as the “national consensus” that trailed the Supreme Court judgement.
“To this end, an Executive Bill to excise Section 197 1(b) of the Constitution which created the state Independence Electoral Commissions should be initiated by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation. Section 153 (1) which created the INEC should also be amended to fully vest the national elections management body with the powers to conduct elections to local government councils.
“Efforts should be made to isolate the sections relating to local government elections from the basket of other amendments that have been proposed to the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly and give it immediate attention to attain quick passage and Presidential assent”, he stated.
He called on both the AGF and the National Assembly to address the matter urgently to ensure a quick return of responsible local government administration in Nigeria.
“Speed is of the essence, given that at least 22 of the 36 states currently run the local government areas in their respective states under undemocratic caretaker arrangements. This means that if the amendment is fast-tracked and approved by the President, elections in the local councils can be arranged to fall into a single calendar,” the Enugu State Labour Party leader stated.
He explained that the sense of urgency stems from the possibility of state governors continuing to exercise undue influence on local government council Chairmen through the instruments of the state electoral commissions.
“Given the clear and present possibility that the intendment of the judgment which is transparency and accountability in the use of local government resources by duly elected officers of local governments might still be manipulated by governors in whose powers it still is to determine who gets elected as Chairmen of the councils.”
He stressed the importance of the third tier of government to national development, insisting that the autonomy being restored to elected officers of local governments would spark off rural development in ways that have not been witnessed in Nigeria since 1999.
“Local government administration is to national political and infrastructure development what micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises are to national economic development – just as MSMEs represent the biggest employers of labour in most economies, council administration touches more lives on the aggregate than both states and federal government.
“In Nigeria for instance, where MSMEs are said to be capable of employing an equivalent of 84 per cent of the population, the 774 local government areas in the country, if granted full financial and administrative autonomy, will have the potential to not just employ more people than all the 36 state governments, but also spike the incubation and growth of more businesses at the grassroots level,” he said.
FG evacuates 190 Nigerians from UAE
The Federal Government has evacuated 190 Nigerians from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Director for the North- Central, Bashir Garga.
He said the returnees arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at 5:57 a.m. and were received by government officials.
READ ALSO: FG declares Nigerian passport holders now free to obtain UAE visas
The statement read: “The federal government urges all Nigerians, wherever they may be, to act as exemplary ambassadors of their country, upholding the fundamental values of patriotism, rule of law, decency and integrity.”
The government evacuated 542 Nigerians from the Gulf State in October 2022.
The post FG evacuates 190 Nigerians from UAE appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
NNPP petitions CJN over Ondo caretaker committees
The New Nigeria People’s Party on Tuesday wrote the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, over the appointment of transition committees by the All Progressives Congress-led government in the 18 local governments and 33 council development areas of Ondo State.
The opposition lamented that the move was a gross violation of the recent judgment of the Supreme Court affirming the right of local governments to receive monthly allocations directly from the federation account.
The party also stressed the appointment rubbished the June 20 ruling of Justice A.O Adebusuoye of the Ondo High Court in line with the Local Government Creation Law (2023).
The NNPP’s petition was in reaction to the letter from the Attorney General of Ondo State and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Olukayode Ajulo, clarifying the position of the state on the engagement of transition committees.
In the letter dated July 11, sighted by our correspondent, Ajulo emphasised that the appointment was a lawful exercise of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s constitutional powers.
He said, “The committees are intended to ensure seamless transition and continuity of government business in the affected areas.
“The judgment of Hon Justice A.O Adebusuoye on 20th June 2024, only declared the Local Government Creation Law 2023 unconstitutional, but did not invalidate the executive and administrative powers of Ondo State governor to take steps that will ensure effective and good governance of any part of the State.
“The legality of the LCDAs is currently the subject of ongoing legal proceedings, which are presently under appeal. The court has taken notice of this appeal.
“Therefore, the Governor’s appointment of Transition Committees is not in contempt of the court’s judgment, but rather a prudent action to ensure that the business of government continues uninterrupted in the affected areas.”
However, the NNPP disagreed with his position.
In the petition jointly signed by Ondo NNPP Chairman, Peter Olagookun and the state Secretary, Adekunle Oluwayomi, on Tuesday, the party described the appointments as a ‘gross misconduct and flagrant disobedience of court judgements.’
The opposition party also demanded that Ajulo be stripped of his Senior Advocate of Nigeria title over his action.
The letter partly read, “We are constrained to bring to your attention the report of gross misconduct and flagrant disobedience of court judgement against Dr. Kayode Ajulo, the Attorney-General and the Commissioner of Justice of Ondo State, bordering on the ignoble role he played in the matter.
“In flagrant disobedience to the validly given judgement of the Ondo State High Court given on 20/06/2024 and in an attempt to over-reach the judgment of the Supreme Court delivered on 11/07/2024, the governor of Ondo State announced the constitution of caretaker committees for the 33 LCDAs and the 18 LGAs and under the cover of the night, surreptitiously swore them in, in flagrant disobedience to these subsisting orders of Court.
“This act of Dr Kayode Ajulo has been widely criticised by the people of Ondo State and there have been calls for him to resign his position as the Attorney-General and the chief Law officer of the state. Attached herewith is a press statement by the Peoples Democratic Party, condemning the act of Dr. Ajulo and marked Annexure II.
“This act is to say the least unbecoming of the person occupying the exalted position of the office of the Attorney-General and the chief law officer of a state, and also a member of the inner bar. It is therefore reasonable to say that his membership of the inner bar and position as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria is unmeritted and therefore should be withdrawn. We are aware of the fact that persons found not to be worthy of holding the position of SAN have had such position stripped off them by this August office.”
The According reported that the apex court granted full autonomy to the 774 local governments in the country as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution (amended).
The seven-man panel in a unanimous decision agreed that it is illegal and unconstitutional for governors to continue to receive or retain funds allocated to the local governments.
The court further declared that a state government has no power to elect caretaker committee and a local government council is only recognizable with a democratically elected government.
Ogun Assembly condemns harassment of residents by Lagos police operatives
The Ogun State House of Assembly has decried the continued invasion of the state by officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, Lagos State Command.
The House alleged that operatives of the Lagos Police Command, especially from Zone 2 Command Headquarters and FCIID, Alagbon, invade Ogun State with the sole aim of carrying out incessant arrests of innocent residents, thereby aiding the activities of land grabbers and illegal claimants to chieftaincy stools in the state.
The Speaker, Oludaisi Elemide, condemned the act while responding to the submissions of the member representing Ipokia/Idiroko State Constituency, Adebisi Oyedele and his Yewa North I counterpart, Adeyanju Adegoke, who spoke under Personal Explanation at the plenary on Tuesday.
Elemide pointed out that the actions of the security operatives who carry out operations beyond their jurisdictions was as a result of the vested interest of some criminal elements using them to perpetrate unlawful activities.
He noted that the illegal operations had continue to affect the security of lives and properties of the people in the state.
Recalling that the State Governor, Dapo Abiodun had zero tolerance for land grabbing and other criminal activities, the Speaker noted that the governor was committed to rid the state of criminal elements.
He called on the State Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner of Police and the Commander of the State Amotekun Corps to activate all security apparatuses to curtail criminal activities in the state.
He equally called on the Inspector General of Police to wade in, noting that there is a Police Command domiciled in the state, and stressed that Ogun State would not submit its sovereignty to any other authorities under any guise.
Ogun Assembly condemns harassment of residents by Lagos police operatives
Nnamdi Kanu ill with low BP, DSS denied him access to doctors – Ejimakor
Aloy Ejimakor, lead Counsel of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has raised the alarm over the health status of the agitator.
Ejimakor said Kanu is ill with shortness of breath, low blood pressure and general malaise.
He lamented that the Department of State Services, DSS, refused doctors from having access to Kanu despite his ill-health.
Ejimakor disclosed this after a routine meeting between Kanu and his legal team at the DSS facility in Abuja.
According to Ejimakor: “Yesterday, during our visitation with MAZI NNAMDI KANU, we found him ill, with shortness of breath, low BP and general malaise.
“For this reason, he requested to see his Doctor and we submitted a letter in this regard. Today, the Doctor arrived the DSS but was denied access to #MNK.”
The IPOB leader has been detained at DSS facility since he was rearrested and repatriated to Nigeria from Kenya.
Kanu has earlier decried his ill-health and after much back and forth between his legal team and the DSS, he was allowed to seek medical attention.
Nnamdi Kanu ill with low BP, DSS denied him access to doctors – Ejimakor
Nigerian shatters world record with 75-hour videogame marathon
A 24-year-old Nigerian man, Oside Oluwole, known as “Khoded,” has set a new Guinness World Record for the “longest videogame marathon playing a soccer game.”
According to Guinness World Records in a report via its website on Tuesday, Oluwole played for an astonishing 75 hours, far surpassing the previous record of 50 hours held by Englishman David Whitefoot since 2022.
The biochemist-turned-car dealer from Ijebu Ode chose Dream League Soccer 2023, a mobile game he’s been passionate about since 2016, for his record attempt.
Unlike previous record holders who used FIFA or Pro Evolution Soccer, Oluwole played on his iPhone connected to a TV screen.
“I really enjoyed myself playing for 75 hours straight with just some hours of rest. It wasn’t an easy task, but I must say it was all fun. It was such a great moment; the event was very interesting and I’m grateful to God that it was successful,” Oluwole said.
Following GWR rules, Oluwole was allowed five minutes of rest for every hour of gameplay. During his marathon, he played over 500 matches.
The record attempt was not just for personal glory as Oluwole used the opportunity to raise funds for a local hospital in his hometown.
His achievement has garnered praise from local officials, including Seun Adesanya of the Ogun State House of Assembly, who called it a testament to Mr Oluwole’s dedication, determination, and the countless hours of practice he invested in mastering the game.
Adesanya wrote, “The Guinness World Record for longest videogame marathon playing a soccer game is a testament to Mr Oluwole’s dedication, determination, and the countless hours of practice he invested in mastering the game.”
Oluwole’s feat is particularly noteworthy as he broke the record by an unprecedented margin. Since its establishment in 2010 with a 24-hour time, the record had been broken seven times in 11 years before reaching 50 hours.
Inspired by Chef Hilda Baci’s cook-a-thon that captured Nigeria’s attention last year, Oluwole now aims to set more world records in soccer video games, including console games like FIFA and PES.
4 people killed in shooting near a mosque in Oman
At least four people were killed and several others wounded in gunfire near a mosque in Oman on Tuesday.
The attack took place early in Wadi al-Kabir, a district east of the capital city, Muscat, as Muslim Shiites were carrying out a religious ritual.
Police said in a statement on X platform that security forces took the necessary measures to calm the situation.
The Pakistani Embassy in Oman confirmed that the country’s two nationals were among the fatalities.
READ ALSO: Eight die in Iran hospital fire
Oman, which is located on the Arabian Peninsula, is considered one of the safest countries in the Arab world and is popular with foreign tourists.
In a video purporting to show the incident, dozens of people can be seen fleeing the Imam Ali Mosque as the sound of repeated gunfire could be heard.
It remained unclear whether one or more gunmen opened fire.
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Kogi Govt doles out N26.5m to 1,326 newly posted Corp members
A total of 1326 newly posted Corp members will receive N20,000 each, amounting to N26,520,000, from the Kogi State Government to ease their welfare.
Governor Ahmed Ododo disclosed this on Tuesday during the closing ceremony of the 2024 Batch B Stream 1 Orientation Course held at the NYSC permanent orientation camp at Asaya in Kogi State.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Joel Salifu Oyibo, said the gesture was to motivate the Corps members deployed to the state.
Ododo, who promised to reward outstanding Corp members after their service year, implored them to be diligent, selfless and hardworking to enable them make the needed impact at the end of their stay in Kogi State.
“I am urging all employers of labour to accept Corps members posted to their organisations for their service year. I am assuring the Corps members deployed to Kogi State of my administration’s commitment to their safety and welfare during and after their service year in the state,” he stated.
Earlier, the Kogi State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Monday Anyebe, advised the Corps members to avoid acts and places that can endanger their lives during and after their service year in the state.
The commissioner, who is also the Chairman, Governing Board of the NYSC in the state, urged them to be security conscious and be vigilant at all times, stressing that they should also avoid moving around during odd hours in their places of primary assignment.
In his remarks, the Kogi State Coordinator, NYSC, Femi Osungbobun, advised the Corps members to make use of the knowledge acquired from the camp to impact on their various places of primary assignment.
Kogi Govt doles out N26.5m to 1,326 newly posted Corp members
Delta court sentences man to death for killing twins for ritual
A High Court sitting at Asaba, the Delta State capital, has sentenced one Onuwa Ijie to death, and Nwanozie Uzor to 14 years imprisonment for murder and conspiracy to commit the murder of twin boys, Chidalu and Chigozie Agwunobi.
The court presided over by Justice Onome Marshal-Umukoro sentenced two convicts over the murder of the seven-year-old boys.
The prosecution conducted by a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Justice, Mrs Paula Akpoguma, in proof of the case called five witnesses.
The court held that the testimony of the five witnesses proved the case against the two defendants beyond reasonable doubt.
The prosecution stated that tragedy struck the family of Olise Agwunobi of Oko-Ogbele Community on March 5, 2020, when their seven-year-old twin boys were lured by the defendants to a bush and they proceeded to cut off their penis, eyes, tongues and hands which they hurriedly took to a native doctor at Aguleri in Anambra State.
“One of the defendants had earlier gone to the school of the twin children to take them but was turned down by the school teacher, one Mrs Emelda Ezekwude,” she said.
Delivering his judgment, Justice Marshal-Umukoro stated that after carefully evaluating the evidence presented before him, the prosecution had discharged the burden of proof as the first defendant from his confessional statement was the person who sowed the seed of committing human rituals in the mind of the second defendant by giving the phone number of one Chukwudi Edemuzor who was alleged to be searching for twins to kill for money.
The court maintained that the law is settled that the testimony of an investigating police officer was not hearsay evidence, and the court can rely on it.
Speaking with journalists after the judgment on Tuesday, the prosecuting counsel, Akpoguma thanked the court for upholding the cause of justice, “reaffirming that the judicial system works.”