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Kano NUJ Suspends Boycott Of Government Activities, Cites Public Interest As Reason

June 16, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Kano State Correspondents Chapel has suspended its earlier decision to shun all activities relating to the kano Government and its officials.

It will be recalled that the body had on June 3, 2024, at an emergency Congress voted to boycott all Kano State Government activities citing alleged intimidation, harassment, outright physical assault of its members in the State, as well as a general unconducive working environment as reasons.

But in a statement issued at the end of a Congress meeting on Sunday June 16 ,the Chairman of the Kano State Correspondents, Aminu Ahmed Garko, said the pressing need to keep the public informed about the situation in Kano necessitated the lifting of the boycott.

According to him, the continued observation of the boycott will negatively impact on the responsibility of the Journalists to the reading public.

“The Chapel has, however, come to realize that the boycott has had unintended consequences on its members actions particularly during this time of crisis in Kano.

“As Journalists our constitutional mandate is to inform the public and hold those in power accountable ,..But our boycott has limited our ability to fulfill that role and we have come to realize that it is the public that is suffering the most from our absence .

“We are aware that our boycott has created a vacuum in the reporting of Government activities,and we do not want our absence to be exploited by those who peddle fake news to misinform the public.

“After a careful consideration, we have decided to call off the boycott and resume our reportage of Government activities. We believe that our presence at Government events and activities is crucial in ensuring that the public is well Informed .

“We want to assure the public that we will continue to hold Government accountable for its actions,but will do so in a manner that will not harm the public interest.

“We appreciate the support and understanding of the public during this period and promise to rededicate ourselves to our constitutional mandate of informing and educating the public.

“We also hope that our decision to call off the boycott will be seen as a positive step towards resolving the issues that led to the development. in the first place .

“We look forward to working with the Government to address the issues that affect our members and the journalism profession as a whole,” the statement reads.

LG Poll In Kwara Holds September 21, Electoral Body Releases Time Table

Ayodele Oni

June 16, 2024

Independent National Electoral Commission - INEC

By Ayodele Oni

Local government election will be held in Kwara state in September, according to the state electoral body.

The Kwara state Independent Electoral Commission, (KWASIEC) on Sunday released the timetable for the state’s local government election scheduled for September 21,2024.

A statement signed by the Chairman of KWASIEC, Alhaji Mohammed Okanla, noted that the activities for the election will commence on Friday, June 21, 2024 with a meeting with the leadership of the registered political parties.

The statement reads: “Following the recent announcement of September 21, 2024 as the date for the conduct of elections for the offices of chairmen and councillors for the 16 local government areas of Kwara State, the Kwara state Independent Electoral electoral commission on Sunday released the timetable of activities leading to the exercise.”

It said that the primary elections of the political parties would be held between Monday, June 24 and Sunday, June 30,2024.

“Political parties will obtain and return nomination forms KWSIEC 01 and KWSIEC 02 for Chairmanship and Councilorship Elections between Monday July 1st– 5th July, 2024, while the “Verification of Candidates’ credentials will hold between Monday 8th — Friday 19th July, 2024.”

The statement further said that “Display of names of Candidates Nominated by Political Parties to be posted on KWSIEC notice board between Monday July 22nd and Friday 26th July ,2024.

“Training of Ad-hoc Staff in all the three senatorial Districts will hold between Saturday July 27th and Wednesday July 31st, 2024.”

“It also said that the last day for withdrawal of Candidate for the election by the political parties if the need be is Monday August 5th, 2024, while the last Day for publication of list of nominated candidates is fixed for Tuesday, August 6th, 2024.

It added that campaign for the elections by the political parties will start on Monday August 19th and end on the midnight of Thursday 19th September, 2024, while the election day for chairmanship and councilorship positions is scheduled for September 21, 2024.

The statement also said that collection of certificate of returns by winners of the elections at the KWASIEC office will hold on Monday, September 23rd, 2024.

Cholera Outbreak: Ekiti Sensitizes Populace, Sets Up Rapid Response Team

Ayodele Oni

June 16, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Following reported outbreak of cholera in neighbouring States of Lagos and Oyo, Ekiti State government has called on residents of the state to be on alert against the epidemic.

A statement by the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, at the weekend, urged residents to keep a clean environment, drink safe water, wash their hands regularly, among others.

According to him, the state government has set up a Rapid Response Team, (RRT), to actively look out for cholera cases across the 16 LGAs.

He enumerated other measures to guide against possible infection to include “Washing of hands frequently with soap and water, before eating and after using the toilet and ensure access to safe drinking water sources. Boil or treat water from questionable sources.

“Food Safety: Practice safe food handling, cooking and storage to prevent cholera. Hygienic Sanitation: Use proper toilet facilities and maintain clean sanitation practices.

“Stay up-to-date with vaccinations against diarrheal diseases particularly for children. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, especially during episodes of cholera and keeping the surroundings clean and free from faecal contamination.

“The State has an operational readiness strategy, based on previous epidemiologic data, risk assessment and identified hotspots, to prevent the outbreak of cholera in Ekiti State through the Incident Management System (IMS) with functional areas/pillars.

“The State has an already established Rapid Response Team (RRT) at both State and Local Government Areas (LGAs) to actively search for cholera cases.

“As a result of this, there is a heightened surveillance for Cholera and other priority diseases across the 16 LGAs in the State.”

He added that the State is utilizing a multi sectoral approach for line response.”to curtail community spread of secondary infections, thorough contact tracing, optimal communication strategy for community engagement and mass sensitization and to also ensure adherence to standard infection, prevention and control measures at both community and health facility levels.”

The commissioner added that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs); have been tasked to collaborate with development partners to ensure an effective monitoring.

According to him, practicing good hygiene habits and promoting community-wide preventive measures are essential in combating cholera and promoting public health.

No EndSARS Protester In Our Custody, NPF Replies Shehu Sani

Ayodele Oni

June 16, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Following recent calls that President Bola Tinubu should facilitate release of those still being held for endSARs protest, the Nigeria Police has said there are no more detainees in its custody.

The endSARs protest was held four years ago to complain against brutality of some policemen in the country .

The Nigeria Police Force on Sunday categorically denied the recent allegations made by Senator Shehu Sani at the 2024 Democracy Day Dinner on June 12, 2024, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where the former Senator falsely claimed that some young people have been detained since the 2020 EndSARS protest.

Force PRO, ACP Olumuyuwa Adejobi in a press statement, said “the Nigeria Police affirms that no individual is being unlawfully detained by the Nigeria Police Force or any other security agency in Nigeria due to the EndSARS protest.

“All arrested individuals have been processed according to the law, and none remain unlawfully detained.

“In Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu pardoned approximately 100 suspects arrested by the Police during the protest.

“For emphasis, no one anywhere in Nigeria is under Police detention or being wrongly persecuted for participating in the EndSARS protest.

“The issues surrounding the protest have been debated, researched, and documented, and lessons have been learnt. We have forgiven ourselves and moved on.

“We urge the public to disregard this claim and remain assured of our commitment to upholding justice, the rule of law, and human rights. We encourage verifying information before making public statements to avoid harm and incitement.”

Police Probes Cause Of Death Of Two Lovers In Ondo, Corpses Found In Apartment

Ayodele Oni

June 16, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

It was an untimely end for two lovers in Ondo State as their dead bodies were discovered at a new rented apartment in the ancient town of Ondo.

Their death still remains mystery even as the Ondo State Police Command said it has commenced investigation into the circumstances that led to the death of a man and his girlfriend at an apartment.

The middle-aged man, identified as Eric and his yet-to-be identified girlfriend were reportedly found dead at a new apartment located at Ayeyemi area of Ondo town, Ondo State last Thursday.

An account stated that the lifeless bodies of the lovers were found stuck together in a sexual position, indicating that they were having intimate affairs before the incident happened. They were said to have been separated by a doctor but they had died.

However, police account of the incident explained that their dead bodies were seen inside the room separately.

The real cause of the death of the secret lovers was yet to be unravel but another source claimed that the lovers might have been electrocuted while having an affair.

The source said, “The generator was still running at the apartment and a phone was found charging plugged to a socket and placed on the bed. It may be possible that they had contact with a naked wire, resulting in their electrocution.”

Another source said, the relatives of the deceased found them dead when they checked on the man after he didn’t answer his phone calls the following day. They looked through a window, spotted the bodies, and then forced the door open to enter.

When contacted the state Police Public Relations Officer Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed the incident, saying investigation had commenced.

“The man and the woman are lovers who were known by both relatives. They died in the room, but they were not stuck together. We are yet to know the cause but investigation has commenced.”

Emir Sanusi Defies Police Order, Holds Eid Durbar In Kano, With Governor Yusuf In Attendance

Ayodele Oni

June 16, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

In defiance of the Police order banning holding of durbar in Kano state after the Eid prayer, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II on Sunday, held a Sallah Durbar in the State.

The durbar was conducted after the Emir led the Eid prayer and sermon at the Kofar Mata Jumu’at mosque.

The Eid prayer was observed at the Kofar Mata Jumu’at mosque due to heavy rain that made it impossible to use the premises of the Eid ground.

The State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf and other cabinet members were part of the dignitaries who observed prayer with the Emir while a combined team of law enforcement agents were on hand to provide security.

After the Eid prayers, Emir Sanusi took the usual route back home and casually stopped along the way intermittently to receive greetings and homage from individuals and groups riding on a horse.

The Kano State Police Command had earlier banned Sallah durbar after a joint security meeting in the State.

However, Governor Yusuf disagreed with the position of the Police on the durbar, saying he wasn’t carried along before such a decision was taken.

The Kano State Government, on Saturday, expressed concern over how the Police command in the state has been disobeying the “legitimate instructions” of Governor Abba Yusuf, Chief Security Officer of the State.

The Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice in the state, Haruna Isah Dederi, while speaking at a press conference in Government House, Kano, said, “I am compelled to ask the question: who is usurping the authority of the Commander-in-Chief.

“Because some people are dishing out directives to security chiefs in the State so much so that the State Police Commissioner without any consultation with the Chief Security Officer of the State or approval from the State Security Council had issued an order banning Eid-el-Kabir festivities in Kano State.”

VIEWPOINT: New York Times Report On Nigeria’s Economy Jaundiced

James Orji

June 16, 2024

By Bayo Onanuga

Ruth Maclean and Ismail Auwal’s feature story with the title ‘Nigeria Confronts Its Worst Economic Crisis in a Generation’, published on June 11, reflected the typical predetermined, reductionist, derogatory, and denigrating way foreign media establishments reported African countries for several decades.

Because of the misleading slant of the report, we need to clear up some misconceptions conveyed by the reporters as regards the economic policies of the Tinubu administration that came into power at the end of May 2023.

Most significant about the report was that it painted the dire experiences of some Nigerians amid the inflationary spiral of the last year and blamed it all on the policies of the new administration. The report, based on several interviews, is at best jaundiced, all gloom and doom, as it never mentioned the positive aspects in the same economy as well as the ameliorative policies being implemented by the central and state governments.

To be sure, President Tinubu did not create the economic problems Nigeria faces today. He inherited them. As a respected economist in our country, once put it, Tinubu inherited a dead economy. The economy was bleeding and needed quick surgery to avoid being plunged into the abyss, as happened in Zimbabwe and Venezuela. This was the background to the policy direction taken by the government in May/June 2023: the abrogation of the fuel subsidy regime and the unification of the multiple exchange rates.

For decades, Nigeria had maintained a fuel subsidy regime that gulped $84.39 billion between 2005 and 2022 from the public treasury in a country with huge infrastructural deficits and in high need of better social services for its citizens. The state oil firm, NNPC, the sole importer, had amassed trillions of naira in debts for absorbing the unsustainable subsidy payments in its books. By the time President Tinubu took over the leadership of the country, there was no provision made for fuel subsidy payments in the national budget beyond June 2023. The budget itself had a striking feature: it planned to spend 97 percent of revenue servicing debt, with little left for recurrent or capital expenditure. The previous government had resorted to massive borrowing to cover such costs. Like oil, the exchange rate was also being subsidized by the government, with an estimated $1.5 billion spent monthly by the CBN to ‘defend’ the currency against the unquenchable demand for the dollar by the country’s import-dependent economy. By keeping the rate low, arbitrage grew as a gulf existed between the official rate and the rate being used by over 5000 BDCs that were previously licensed by the Central Bank. What was more, the country was failing to fulfil its remittance obligations to airlines and other foreign businesses, such that FDIs and investment in the oil sector dried up, and notably Emirate Airlines cut off the Nigerian route.

President Tinubu had to deal with the cancer of public finance on the first day by rolling back the subsidy regime and the generosity that spread to neighbouring countries. Then, his administration floated the naira.

After some months of the storm, with the naira sliding as low as N1,900 to the US dollar, some stability is being restored, though there remain some challenges. The exchange rate is now below N1500 to the dollar, and there are prospects that the naira could regain its muscle and appreciate to between N1000 and N1200 before the end of the year. The economy recorded a trade surplus of N6.52 trillion in Q1, as against a deficit of N1.4 trillion in Q4 of 2023. Portfolio investors have streamed in as long-term investors. When Diageo wanted to sell its stake in Guinness Nigeria, it had the Singaporean conglomerate, Tolaram, ready for the uptake. With the World Bank extending a $2.25 billion loan and other loans by the AfDB and Afreximbank coming in, Nigeria has become bankable again. This is all because the reforms being implemented have restored some confidence.

The inflationary rate is slowing down, as shown in the figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics for April. Food inflation remains the biggest challenge, and the government is working very hard to rein it in with increased agricultural production. The Tinubu administration and the 36 states are working assiduously to produce food in abundance to reduce the cost. Some state governments, such as Lagos and Akwa Ibom, have set up retail shops to sell raw food items to residents at a lower price than the market price. The Tinubu government, in November last year, in consonance with its food emergency declaration, invested heavily in dry-season farming, giving farmers incentives to produce wheat, maize, and rice. The CBN has donated N100 billion worth of fertiliser to farmers, and numerous incentives are being implemented. In the western part of Nigeria, the six governors have announced plans to invest massively in agriculture.

With all the plans being executed, inflation, especially food inflation, will soon be tamed.

Nigeria is not the only country in the world facing a rising cost of living crisis. The USA, too, is contending with a similar crisis, with families finding it hard to make ends meet. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen raised this concern recently. Europe is similarly in the throes of a cost-of-living crisis. As those countries are trying to confront the problem, the Tinubu administration is also working hard to overturn the economic problems in Nigeria.

Our country faced economic difficulties in the past, an experience that has been captured in folk songs. Just like we overcame then, we shall overcome our present difficulties very soon.

Onanuga, is Special Adviser To President Tinubu On Information and Strategy

“How Police Commissioner Ignored Governor Yusuf, Banned Durbar on His Own” – Kano Govt Insists

Suleiman Anyalewechi

June 16, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Kano State Government has disputed claims that it banned durbar activities ahead of the Eid-El-Kabir celebration.

The Source reports that the State Police Authorities, in a statement earlier on Saturday, June 15, 2024, had announced that resulting from a Security Council meeting, the Kano State Governor has banned all durbar related activities in the State during the Sallah period, citing the need to ensure peace and stability in the State as a major reason.

But addressing the media early Saturday night, the Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Haruna Dederi, debunked the claim and accused the State Commissioner of Police of taking directives from some unknown persons.

The Commissioner, also, raised the alarm that some forces are bent on plunging the State into chaos using the issue of the amendment of the 2019 Emirates laws as a smokescreen.

He faulted the recent Court judgement that slammed N10m damages on the State Government for rights abuses against the deposed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero .

He insisted that nobody arrested nor confined Emir Bayero under house arrest as being claimed, insisting that he moved into the Nasarawa mini palace on his own volition on return from Abuja on May 25 .

Faulting the decision to ban durbar activities, Dederi accused the Commissioner of Police of consistently displaying insubordination to legitimate and constituted authorities ..

“How can anybody in his right senses ban Sallah festivities in Kano? And when did the State Governor cease to be the Chief Security Officer of the State that he will see such a ban in the social media?

“When the former Emir came in accompanied by hoodlums clearly threatening the peace of and security of the State, the Governor was duty bound to act to ensure peace and that was why he issued the arrest order. And the order was never carried out by security agencies.

“No one forced the deposed Emir into Gidan Nasarawa (mini palace). He went in there and stayed on his own volition accompanied by Security Operatives Therefore ,no one put him under house arrest ” the Commissioner of Justice noted .

According to Dederi, the decision to ban durbar activities is a unilateral one by the state Commissioner of Police, without consulting the Governor and/or Security Council.

“The truth is that certain individuals have been accused of attempting to destabilize the state. Some people are desperately scheming to unjustly penalize the people of for keeping to the tradition of radical politics of voting with their conscience” Dederi further stated

On NPF’s Allegations That Recent Police ‘Recruitment Process’ Was ‘Marred With Irregularities, Alleged Corruption’

The Source

June 16, 2024

By Okechukwu Nwanguma

Former President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had on January 24, 2023, appointed Solomon Arase as the new chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) following the resignation of its former chairman, Musiliu Smith, who is also a former Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

When he assumed duty as Chairman of PSC, Arase immediately commenced rounds of consultations with various stakeholders, including the media, civil society, and NPF management. One of his oft-repeated commitments was to take measures to end the recurrent rift between PSC and the NPF over police recruitment. He also solicited the support of the media to foster unity between the PSC and the NPF.

At every forum, he reiterated his commitment and determination to ensure cordiality in the oversight relationship between the commission and the Nigeria Police Force.

Addressing journalists at a media parley in his office in the week he assumed office, Arase requested stronger cooperation between the media and the police force with a view to changing the public’s negative narratives about the police in the country.

Arase said, “I did mention yesterday that there is going to be some paradigm shift in our relationship and oversight function with the Nigeria Police Force. Most of the things we have had in recent times are disquiet about the relationship when it comes to who has the responsibility to do one thing or the other.

It was in keeping with that commitment that he held several engagements with the IGP to reach understanding and ensure mutual cooperation.

In carrying out the recent recruitment exercise, the PSC Chairman set up a recruitment board comprised of representatives of the PSC, NPF, Ministry of Police Affairs (MOPA), Federal Character Commission among others.This was to ensure inclusiveness and transparency of the process.

To ensure the integrity and accountability of the process, the PSC engaged the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to handle the computer based test (CBD) for the candidates who had been shortlisted following the conclusion of the application stages.

Those of us in the civil society working on police reform issues and engaging with both the NPF and the PSC on a daily basis know that the transparency of the process of the recent recruitment puts it ahead of others before it. Previous recruitment exercises, as earlier said, were characterized by scandalous irregularities and corruption. The process was compromised, and the recruitment guidelines were circumvented, allowing misfits and criminals to gain entry into the Nigeria Police.

The process put in place by the PSC under Arase, including setting up a multistakeholder recruitment board that had representatives of the police and other government agencies, was designed to close the gap that allowed irregularities and corruption.

There was no complain or objection by any of the institutions represented in the recruitment board until the result was released by the PSC when suddenly the NPF/IGP came up with surprising allegations of ‘irregularities’ and ‘alleged corruption’. Why is it only the police of all agencies in the board complaining?

It is, however, reassuring to see that the PSC has accepted the NPF’s call for a review and even went ahead to call for a forensic audit of the now disputed process.

But it is also interesting to see that the NPF is complaining about corruption. We are aware that previous recruitments conducted by the NPF revealed massive irregularities including smuggling in of names of candidates who never applied or didn’t qualify, manipulation and imbalance in geopolitical representation (in line with federal character) which gave some states/regions undue advantage owing to inflated quota while shortchanging other states/regions which got less quota of recruits than they were entitled to.

We are also aware that following the discredited recruitment exercises of 2019, 2020 and 2021, the PSC had, in discharge of its oversight powers, issued queries to the NPF regarding specific cases of police officers allegedly involved in recruitment fraud and corruption The same NPF has not, to date, responded to those queries.

It must be pointed out that although recruitment is the statutory and constitutional mandate of the PSC, the Commission has been open and magnanimous enough to carry the police and other stakeholders along in the process. This is in its bid to ensure an inclusive, participatory, transparent, efficient, and merit-driven process devoid of manipulation and rancor. Yet, the police hierarchy continues with its scheme to maintain undue control of the process in order to achieve some only-god-knows-what motives. Yet, the outcomes in the past have been discreditable.

The president should step in decisively and ensure that agencies of government restrict themselves and operate within their statutory and legal boundaries and mandate.

Nigerians and the Nigeria Police deserve transparent, merit driven, and credible recruitment processes as opposed to the compromised process that allows misfits and criminals to gain entry into the Nigeria Police.

Nwanguma Is Executive Director, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC)

Gunmen Set Ablaze Anambra LG Secretariat, Four Security Vehicles

Ayodele Oni

June 15, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Police in Anambra State has confirmed an early Saturday morning attack by gunmen on the Ogbaru Local Government Secretariat in the State.

The attack which caused panic in the area, led to destruction of some of the Council’s properties including four vehicles, which were set ablaze.

There was no casualty recorded, but eye witness account said the hoodlums shot indiscriminately into the air thereby sending panic to residents around the area.

This was coming barely few days after two soldiers conveying oil workers to a location in the community were ambushed and killed at the Amaja axis(Ogwu-Ikpere).

Anambra State police command spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident, said the attack led to destruction of four patrol vehicles belonging to the state vigilantes.

“The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Police Command, Nnaghe Obono Itam, has condemned the morning attack at the Ogbaru Local Government Area Headquarters Secretariat by armed arsonists.

“The attack, which resulted in the destruction of four patrol vehicles belonging to the vigilantes, has been described as an act of cowardice.

“Notably, there were no casualties. Preliminary information indicated that the assailants, arriving in large numbers on motorcycles and a vehicle, began shooting indiscriminately.

“However, they faced strong resistance from the vigilante operatives until the police response team arrived.

“Due to the superior firepower of the security operatives, the gunmen fled the scene. Unfortunately, four operational vehicles of the security operatives were engulfed in flames and severely damaged.

“Ongoing onslaught operations are being carried out to apprehend the culprits. The Commissioner of Police commends the security operatives for their bravery and assures the public of continued and strengthened collaboration in the fight against criminal elements in the State.”

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