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Ikpa’s Declared Week Long Sit-At-Home, Nationwide Protest: Imo Police Mounts 24 Hour Security Surveillance

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Aboki Danjuma - Imo Commissioner of Police
Aboki Danjuma, Imo state Commissioner of Police

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Security has been enhanced in, and around some strategic areas in Imo State.

This followed renewed threats by some elements suspected to be  members of the Simon Ikpa-led Autopilots, a breakaway faction of the Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous Peoples of Biafra IPOB to  enforce a week long sit-at-home on residents,  effective from Monday July 29 2024.

The Imo State Police authorities said they have deployed enough men and materials to ensure the protection of lives and properties of law abiding residents.

In a statement issued by the Command’s Spokesperson Henry Okoye, the State Police Commissioner, Aboki Danjuma, informed that collaborative efforts have been made with sister security agencies to forestall the break down of law and order in any part of the state .

CP Danjuma, therefore, called on law abiding residents to go about their normal activities without fear of molestation.

The Source reports that Ikpa had proclaimed a one week sit-at-home order in all the South-east States beginning from Monday July 29.

The Enugu State Police Commissioner, CP kanayo Uzuegbu, had, on Tuesday July 22, warned that dire consequences await anyone and/or groups that will attempt to enforce sit-at-home under any conceivable guise.

CP Uzuegbu who spoke at the end of a security council meeting presided over by Governor Peter Mba, noted that:  “Sorry will be the name of any anyone who try to impose the proclaimed week long sit-at-home order in Enugu state.

“We are just coming out from a Security Council Meeting with His Excellency, the Governor, with all the Security Chiefs in attendance.

We took some strategic and Threat Of Simon Ikpa Declared Week Long Sit-At-Home,Nationwide Protest ; Imo Police Mounts 24 Hour Security  Surveillance.

By Suleiman Anyalewechi.

Security has been enhanced in and around some strategic areas in Imo state ..

This followed renewed threats by some elements suspected to be  members of the Simon Ikpa led Autopilots ,a break away faction of the Nnamdi Kanu led Indigenous Peoples of Biafra IPOB to  enforce a week long sit-at-home on residents  effective from Monday July 29 2024 .

The Imo state police authorities said they have deployed enough men and materials to ensure the protection of lives and properties of law abiding residents.

In a statement issued by the Command spokesperson Henry Okoye ,the state Police Commissioner Aboki Danjuma ,informed that collaborative efforts have been made with sister security agencies to forestall the break down of law and order in any parts of the state .

CP Danjuma therefore called on law abiding residents to go about their normal activities without fear of molestation.

The Source reports that Ikpa had proclaimed a one week sit-at-home order in all the Southeast states beginning from Monday July 29.

The Enugu state police Commissioner CP kanayo Uzuegbu had last week Tuesday July 22, warned that dire consequences await anyone and or groups that will attempt to enforce sit-at-home under any conceivable guise .

CP Uzuegbu who spoke at the end of a security council meeting presided over by Governor Peter Mba ,noted that ” sorry will be the name of any anyone who try to impose the proclaimed week long sit-at-home order in Enugu state “.

“We are just coming out from a Security council meeting with His Excellency ,the Governor and with all the security chiefs in attendance.

“We took some strategic and critical decisions to ensure that the security architecture in the state is further strengthened .We have to give the good people of Enugu state security guarantee .

“We, also, resolved that sit-at-home remains an aberration in Enugu State. People should go about their lawful businesses.

“Any activities and/or actions by any persons and or group of persons that are considered inimical to the existing peace of the State will be ruthlessly dealt with”, the Enugu CP insisted.

The Imo State Commissioner of Police in the statement assured that under his watch, security of lives and properties will not be compromised

Further speaking, CP Danjuma sounded a note of warning to would be trouble makers who may wish to capitalize on the planned nationwide protest to breach the peace and security of the State, to rather have a rethink.

He insisted that the Imo Police Command will not tolerate any forms of violent demonstration that will lead to the destruction of properties of law abiding citizens and loss of lives

He called on parents and guardians to caution their wards against involving themselves in acts capable of attracting the ire of security agencies.

The Imo CP, however, expressed the readiness of security agencies to provide adequate security within the period of the nationwide protest.

According to him, security personnel drawn from the police, army, and other security arms have been strategically deployed and tasked to carry out a 15-day show of force and confidence building patrol of all the 27 Local Councils of the State.

Edo Guber Update: INEC Closes Registration Of Party Agents Tuesday

By
Ayodele Oni
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Prof Mahmood Yakubu

By Ayodele Oni

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged political parties to upload the details of their polling agents on the dedicated portal ahead of the forthcoming Edo and Ondo Governorship elections.

INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, who made this call on Monday during the third regular quarterly consultative meeting with political parties, said that Tuesday is the deadline and that the commission’s portal will automatically shut.

According to INEC Chairman, 14 political parties have so far uploaded the details of 38,354 polling agents and 819 collation agents for the Edo State Governorship election.

Three parties are yet to upload a single polling agent and five parties have not uploaded agents for Ward, Local Government and State collation centers.

Yakubu urged political parties to meet the deadline of Tuesday, July 30, when the portal automatically shuts down at midnight, to enable the commission produce accreditation tags and deliver them to their agents in good time.

“As the Edo State Governorship approaches, I wish to remind leaders of political parties of your obligation to submit the list of your agents by uploading the required information, including photographs, to the dedicated portal.

“This requirement is listed as item 9 on the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election released by the Commission nearly a year ago on 26th September 2023.

“As at yesterday, Sunday 28th July 2024, 14 political parties have uploaded the details of 38,354 polling agents and 819 collation agents for the Edo State Governorship election.

“Three parties are yet to upload a single polling agent while five parties have not uploaded a single agent for Ward, Local Government and State collation centers.

“The deadline is tomorrow Tuesday 30th July 2024 when the portal automatically shuts down at midnight. I urge you to ensure that you meet the deadline so that the Commission can produce the accreditation tags and deliver them to you for distribution to your agents in good time.”

The INEC chairman also reminded political parties that campaign is in full swing, urging them to demonstrate compliance with the commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022, especially the aspect dealing with rallies, processions, and campaigns.

President Tinubu Signs Minimum Wage Bill To Law

By
Ayodele Oni
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Bola Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu has signed the minimum wage bill into law, ending months of deliberations between government authorities, labour unions, and the private sector.

Tinubu signed the Bill at the State House in Abuja days after the National Assembly had passed it.

The brief ceremony was witnessed by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, among others.

The Senate had last week passed the National Minimum Wage Act from N30,000 to N70,000 after the first, second, and third readings on same day.

President Tinubu had earlier on  sent the bill to the House of Representatives to make ₦70,000 the new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

This comes after the President and labour leaders agreed earlier on the amount .

All the senators unanimously adopted the motion when it was put to voice vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

With the President’s assenting to the bill, governments at all levels and employers of labour are now bonded to pay their workers the wage.

The law is however subjected to another review after three years of implementation.

FG Orders Crude Sale To Dangote In Naira As Petrol Scarcity Bites

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Mele Kyari - NNPC GMD
Mele Kyari

The federal government has directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC Limited to sell crude oil to the Dangote Refinery in Naira.

The development comes after a resolution to that effect by the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting held on Monday, according to Bayo Onanuga, a spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The magazine reported a spat between the owner of the refinery and Africa’s Richest Man, Aliko Dangote,  and the NNPCL after the former accused  the government-controlled oil firm of plot to kill the refinery.

Dangote had accused NNPCL and International Oil Companies, IOC, of frustrating production after they refused to supply crude to the refinery.

In a statement Onanuga posted on his X handle, the federal government has offered to sell to the refinery four cargoes of crude out of the 15 crude cargoes it required annually to support production in the refinery owned by Africa’s Richest Man, Aliko Dangote.

The aim, according to the presidential spokesman, is to ensure stable price of pump price of petrol in the country.

Onanuga said Dangote would be used as a pilot for the Naira-for -crude arrangement as other domestic refineries will also benefit, adding that Afreximbank would serve as the facilitator of the deal between Dangote and NNPCL.

The statement said, “To ensure the stability of the pump price of refined fuel and the dollar-Naira exchange rate, the Federal Executive Council today adopted a proposal by President Tinubu to sell crude to Dangote Refinery and other upcoming refineries in Naira.

“Dangote Refinery at the moment requires 15 cargoes of crude, at a cost of $13.5 billion yearly. NNPC has committed to supply four.

“But the FEC has approved that the 450,000 barrels meant for domestic consumption be offered in Naira to Nigerian refineries, using the Dangote refinery as pilot. The exchange rate will be fixed for the duration of this transaction.

“Afreximbank and other settlement banks in Nigeria will facilitate the trade between Dangote and NNPC Limited. The game changing intervention will eliminate the need for international letters of credit. It will also save the country of billions of dollars used in importing refined fuel.”

Meanwhile, the petrol scarcity which started last week is having a serious toll on businesses and movement across the country, according to on-the-spot assessment by The Sources correspondents, who said a litre of petrol is now being sold for as much as N1,250 in some parts of the country, even as long queue have returned to many filling stations.

The NNPCL has says a hitch in the discharge operations of some vessels carrying fuel is the cause of the current scarcity. .

Bailout: NCC Orders Telecom Operators To Reactivate Disconnected GSM Lines

By
Ayodele Oni
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Nigeria Telecom Operators

By Ayodele Oni

Nigeria Communication Commission, (MCC) has directed telecom operators in the country to reactivate all lines that were disconnected over the weekend in view of the short time available for consumers to undertake the verification of their NINs with their SIMs.

This was contained in a statement on Monday by  Reuben Muoka Director Public Affairs of NCC.

Citing inadequate time for subscribers to link their lines with their NIN, NCC however advised those affected to make use of the extension period to regularize their numbers.

The statement reads ‘Over the weekend many telecom subscribers/consumers were unable to access their phone lines because of the inability of many telecom consumers to verify their National Identification Numbers (NINs) with their Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs).

“This meant that their numbers were blocked by their telecom service providers in keeping with laws and policies of the NIN-SIM linkage.

“Telecoms consumers and the public will recall the compulsory linkage of NIN with SIM which began in December 2020 when the government directed telecommunication companies to bar unregistered SIM cards and SIMs that were not linked to NIN.

“Since December 2023, the Commission has since reviewed the deadline a few times; April 15, 2024 was set as the deadline for the full network barring of subscribers with four or fewer SIMs that had unverified NIN details.

“This deadline was then reviewed to July 31, 2024, to give consumers more time to ensure their submitted NIN details are properly verified. Despite these extensions, many phone lines have yet to be linked with verified NINs.

“The objectives of this exercise by the Federal Government of Nigeria include enhancing national security and ensuring the national SIM ownership database is accurate.

“The NIN-SIM linkage policy aids in verifying and protecting users’ identities while also providing a critical infrastructure that assures access to the benefits of a robust digital economy for the citizenry.

“The consumer is our priority, therefore, considering the challenges the blockages have caused, the Commission has directed all operators to reactivate all lines that were disconnected over the weekend in view of the short time available for consumers to undertake the verification of their NINs with their SIMs.

“Reactivated consumers are to note that this is for a limited period to allow them to properly link their NIN to their SIM.

“Members of the public who have yet to verify their SIMs are encouraged to do so as soon as possible to maintain access to their lines.”

Nationwide Protest: FG Directs Vice Chancellors To Secure University Community

By
Ayodele Oni
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Prof Tahir Mamman - Minister of Education

By Ayodele Oni

The federal government has placed vice chancellors of universities on alert, ahead of the planned nationwide protest, scheduled to begin on August 1.

In a statement on Monday, titled “Urgent Arrangement For Security and Safety of University staff, students and Property During Proposed Nationwide Protest,” it directed the Vice Chancellors to take proactive actions to safeguard the academic community.

The circular, from the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, was passed through the National Universities Commission, (NUC) to respective institutions and signed by the acting Secretary, Chris Maiyaki.

The circular reads “The Federal Ministry of Education has directed that the attention of the Vice Chancellors of all Nigerian Universities  be formally drawn to the plan by unknown groups to embark on nationwide protest.

“The Federal Government is not unaware of the right of any Nigerians to peaceful protest, but is concerned about the safety of staff, students and universities property should there be protest.

“Consequently, the Honourable Minister of Education has directed that Vice Chancellors of all Nigerian Universities should take proactive steps to ensure the security and safety of the University community including staff and students.

“In addition, Vice Chancellors are to please issue specific statement to assure staff  and students of their safety.

“It is also advisable that students remain on campus and focus on their academic pursuits so as to avoid exposure to any potential danger during the planned protest.”

Hunger: Tinubu’s Daughter Stages “Say No To Protest” Rally In Abuja

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0
Tinubu Ojo stages protests

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu daughter, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo has kicked off her own protest to express her support for the federal government against the upcoming hunger and hardship protest by some Nigerians.

Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, the controversial daughter of the president started the protest In Abuja, on Monday, in support of her father few days after she warned women not to allow their children participate in the hunger protest slated for August 1-10 by angry Nigerians.

Tinubu-Ojo, the Iyaloja of Lagos state had last week, warned the women not to allow their children to be killed by security agents while addressing a crowd of people in the state.

The remark had not been well received  by many Nigerians who insisted that the protest must go ahead in less than 72 hours, despite the government’s efforts to get it canceled.

The government has been meeting religious, traditional and other opinion leaders to ensure that the protest did not hold.

Leading some women at the Eagle Square, on Monday in Abuja, the Market Leader who has been appealing to Nigerians to give the president time to correct the ills in the country, saying Tinubu is not a magician, was seen in a viral video shaking hands and exchanging hugs with some women groups across the country.

The crowd, mostly women representing some states in the country, carried placards captioned “Say No To Protest” signaling the president daughter’s opposition to the 10 days planned protest tagged ‘Days of Rage” by the organisers.

Speaking against the Hunger Protest last week, Tinubu-Ojo said the country has made noticeable progress since her father came to office last year, pleading to Nigerians to give Tinubu’s government more time.

She called on the protesters to engage the government on how to move the country forward.

Tinububu-Ojo said, “Let’s talk to ourselves, our children and our families that there is nothing like protesting in Lagos, it is just a ploy to destroy the country. See the last protest and the damage that was caused. Let’s not because a party is paying some people to fight, let’s not allow our children to participate.”

“There is nothing like protest in Lagos State because the government of Lagos State is making us proud. They are making us happy, they give us a sense of belonging.

“The government at the center just assumed office. Before you say a government is not doing well, let it last three years, at least.

“Prevention is better than treatment. We will not suffer loss of lives. Let everyone warn her children.”

Kenneth Okonkwo is a Beloved Brother, Cannot Be A Mole” – Peter Obi Reacts To The Actor’s Attack Against Him

By
The Source
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Kenneth Okonkwo and Peter Obi

Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 Presidential Election, Peter Obi, has dismissed the insinuations that Kenneth Okonkwo was a mole planted around him and in Presidential Campaign Organization.

Okonkwo, an Actor, Lawyer, Politician, was the Spokesperson for the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Organization in the 2023 Election.

Okonkwo, to the disappointment of not a few people, resigned from the Labour Party and Obidients on Saturday,  but not quietly.

In his resignation notice, he expressed disappointment in Obi’s leadership capabilities and qualities. He doubted Obi’s competence in handling bigger issues if he couldn’t manage the crisis in the LP.

Since his resignation and such unexpected comments against Obi, not a few people have dismissed Okonkwo as a mole planted around Obi. They insist that he quit the LP because “his job” as  an alleged spy in Obi’s Campaign Organization and Party is finished. He is an Actor, they insist, and acted the part he was assigned to act in Obi’s Presidential Campaign Organization.

But Obi disagrees and describes Okonkwo as his beloved younger brother who played a positive role during “the struggle”.

In a release, Yunusa Tanko, Spokesperson for Peter Obi’s Media Reach, quoted Obi as, also, saying there is no personal disagreement between him and Okonkwo.

Tanko: “Following the announcement of the former Spokesperson of the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Organization in the 2023 election, Kenneth Okonkwo that he was leaving both the Labour Party and the Obidients, I as Chief Spokesman of the Campaign contacted our principal Obi for his reaction and he told me he was sad by the development because he sees Okonkwo as a junior brother who played his role diligently during our struggle.

“Obi told me succinctly that Okonkwo cannot be called a mole in our family with the services he rendered and still renders in our struggle to create a new Nigeria that is possible.

“When I asked Obi if I could make his views on Okonkwo public he said yes because the public needs to know that there is no personal misunderstanding between us and Okonkwo but only a disagreement based on style and approach to problems.

“Signed:
Yunusa Tanko
POMR Spokesman”

Good Riddance To Okonkwo; He’s A Mole, Smuggled Self Into Labour Party

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Kenneth Okonkwo
Kenneth Okonkwo

The Labour party, LP, has described Kenneth Okonkwo’s exit from the party as a good riddance to to bad rubbish, saying one of the spokespersons to the 2023 Obi/Datti Presidential Campaign was a mole who smuggled himself into the party.

The LP said other moles in the party will soon be offloaded in due course, saying “today, it is the turn of Mr. Okonkwo, a former member of APC, who smuggled himself into the presidential campaign, and his destination is already known to us.”

The magazine reported that Okonkwo, a lawyer left the party at the weekend citing the failure on the part of Peter Obi, the 2023 Presidential candidate of the party to provide leadership.

Okonkwo had said in a statement on his X handle that he lost confidence in Obi after he failed to call the LP leadership to order in their quest to destroy the party.

Reacting the party in a statement signed by Obiora Ifoh, its

National Publicity Secretary described Okonkwo and others who have left the party as “political jesters and jobbers whose stomach are their gods,” saying the LP will not be distracted  by their decisions to abandon the party.

According to the party, their actions will not detract Obi from realising his quest to become president in the next election slated for 2027, saying the trust Nigerians have in the former Anambra state governor still remains intact.

Below the LP statement: 

 

Kenneth Okonkwo’s resignation from the Labour Party didn’t come to us as a surprise. We also think that his attack on the party’s leader, Peter Obi is rather unfortunate however we will continue not to dignify him with any response as we understand that his attention craving attitude knows no bound.

 

If you recall, recently a former Director General of the party’s presidential campaign organisation resigned and rejoined the APC. Only last week, a former deputy Director General of the presidential campaign organisation also resigned and rejoined the APC. Today, it is the turn of Mr. Okonkwo, a former member of APC, who smuggled himself into the presidential campaign, and his destination is already known to us.

 

Needless to say that Nigeria is not in want of political jesters and jobbers whose stomach are their gods. Labour Party is not perturbed by his decision to move on and in fact, we wish him well in his future endeavours, whether in acting, law practice, politics or otherwise.

 

We also wish to note here, that the party is aware of a few other persons who are planted as moles, who are presently instigating crisis within the party, and who have unsuccessfully attempted to hijack the party for the use of their paymasters. We urge them to act fast and do the needful before they are exposed and fumigated out of the party.

 

Labour Party is keeping to its decision to stand with Peter Obi as its leader and presidential hopefully come 2027 presidential election and we are not apologetical about that position. Coordinated attacks from some quarters will not in anyway diminish the trust Nigerians, particularly, the Obidients and youths in Nigeria have in him. We know that with him, a new Nigeria will be possible. Nigerians spoke loudly in 2023 and they will speak even louder come 2027.

 

SIGN

 

Obiora Ifoh

National Publicity Secretary

Labour Party

CBN Corruption: SERAP Sues Apex Bank Over N115bn Graft

By
James Orji
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0
Yemi Cardoso - CBN Governor

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has been dragged to a Federal High court in Lagos by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, to account for over N115 billion.

The amount, the human rights body said , include the N100 billion dirty notes kept in various branches of the apex bank that have yet to be accounted for since 2007.

The dirty notes were supposed to have been destroyed, according to SERAP citing the Auditor General of the Federation, but may have been released into circulation by some corrupt CBN officials,

The suit filed at the weekend by SERAP lawyer, Kolawole Oluwadare, also demanded accountability from the CBN of the N7.2 billion meant for the construction of the CBN Dutse branch building in 2010 and the N4.8bn meant for the renovation of the CBN Abeokuta branch in 2009.

SERAP prayer  to the court also include an order on the CBN to explain an allegedly missing outstanding loan of N1.2 billion granted to the Enugu State government in 2015, and the exceptional loan of N1.9 billion granted to the Anambra state government between 2015 and 2016.

Nigerians must know what has happened to these funds, the body said.

The group said whoever is found to have been responsible for the alleged missing funds should be punished in line with the law to serve as deterrent to others who might want to tamper with public funds, insisting that the missing fund must also be recovered.

According to SERAP, the alleged sleaze has also hindered the CBN from performing its statutory duty, adding that the apex bank’s operation must be operated with transparency and accountability, noting that the allegation has undermined the country’s anti-corruption act.

Part of the statement said: “Nigerians have the right to know where the public funds are. Granting the reliefs sought would advance the right of Nigerians to restitution, compensation, and guarantee of non-repetition.

“Paragraph 708 of the Financial Regulations 2009 provides that, ‘on no account should payment be made for services not yet performed or for goods not yet supplied.

“Section 35(2) of the Public Procurement Act 2007 provides that, ‘once a mobilisation fee has been paid to any supplier or contractor, no further payment shall be made to the supplier or contractor without an interim performance certificate.

“Section 16(6) of the Public Procurement Act states that ‘all bidders shall possess the necessary professional and technical qualifications to carry out particular procurements; the financial capacity and adequate personnel to perform the obligations of the procurement contracts.

“SERAP notes that Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution requires public institutions to abolish all corrupt practices and abuses of power.” Section 13 of the Constitution clearly imposes a responsibility on the CBN to conform to, observe, and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the Constitution.

“Paragraph 3112(ii) of the Financial Regulations 2009 provides that, ‘Where a public officer fails to account for government revenue, such officer shall be surcharged for the total amount involved and handed over to either the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

“Nigeria has made legally binding commitments under the UN Convention against Corruption to ensure accountability in the management of public resources. Articles 5 and 9 of the UN Convention against Corruption also impose legal obligations on the CBN to ensure proper public affairs and public funds management.

“The Nigerian Constitution, Freedom of Information Act, and the country’s anti-corruption and human rights obligations rest on the principle that citizens should have access to information regarding their public institutions’ activities.

“According to the recently published 2020 audited report by the Auditor General of the Federation (AGF), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been keeping over N100 billion [N100,672,999,000.00] ‘dirty and bad notes’ since 2017 and another large sum of cash awaiting examination in various branches of the CBN,” SERAP said.

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