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Tobi Amusan Charged With Anti Doping Violation, May Miss World Athletics Championships

July 19, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

Nigeria’s Athlete and 100 Meters Hurdles World Record Holder, Tobi Amusan, could miss the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary next month if she fails to clear herself of the charges leveled against her by the Anti Doping Body.

Amusan was charged by Athletics Integrity Unit, AIU, for missing three Anti Doping tests within 12 months.

The Athlete who recently broke the 100 meters Hurdle Meet Record at Diamond League in Silesia, Poland, setting a new meeting record of 12.34 Seconds took to her Instagram Page to reveal the Anti Doping Charges against her.

She wrote, “Today the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has charged me with an alleged rule violation for having 3 missed tests in 12 months,” she posted.

Amusan set a new world record for the women’s 100m hurdles after clocking 12.12 seconds at last year’s World Athletics Championships.

Meanwhile, the 26-year-old athlete has vowed to clear herself of the charges before the World Championships next month.

“I intend to fight this charge and will have my case decided by a tribunal of 3 arbitrators before the start of next month’s World Championships,” she said.

“I am a clean athlete, and I am regularly; (maybe more than the usual) tested by the AIU – I was tested within days of my third ‘missed test.’

“I have faith that this will be resolved in my favour and that I will be competing at the World Championships in August.”

Obi @ 62: A Consistency in Charity

The Source

July 19, 2023

By Ike Abonyi

Today, Wednesday, July 19, 2023, the Former Governor of Anambra state and the Presidential Candidate of the LABOUR Party in the February 25, 2023 election, Peter Obi is 62 years old. On Monday he alerted his friends and well-wishers of the date and reminded them how his birthday is usually celebrated devoid of owambe but a time to think about the poor, the less, and the underprivileged in our society.

According to him in his reminder message “Wednesday 19th July 2023, marks my 62nd Birthday. While I remain immensely grateful to God for His infinite mercies, I still maintain my decision of over 20 years, that I will not celebrate my birthdays in today’s Nigeria, with the current deplorable state of the nation.

“However, some friends, members of the Labour Party, and OBIdient Family and supporters have asked how they can join me in celebrating that day, and even present some gifts. Let me humbly and respectfully appeal to all those who desire to celebrate me with any kind of gifts, to look around them, and extend such gifts to the people in need, especially in these difficult times.

“I urge them to visit hospitals, orphanages, and homes for the aged and people with disabilities, and offer them such generous gifts. They can also visit schools of basic studies in remote areas and support them with the basic amenities they need.

‘Those who wish to do more can visit various IDP camps in different parts of the country. I intend to do the same thing. Aside from sharing my time and resources with the less fortunate people around me, I plan to raise money for schools, hospitals, etc.

“I have already said that the sacrifices for a better Nigeria must now start from us, the leaders and the well-placed. The state of our nation must give us cause to pause and ponder. There is far too much insecurity, violence, and bloodshed. This month alone over 200 lives have been lost to sustained violent attacks in Mangu LGA in Plateau State. Similarly, in Benue State, over 100 lives have been lost in recent times, the latest being 27 persons killed in Adogo Ugbaam, Akpuuna, and Diom communities in Ukum LGA.

Peter Obi has over time established one thing that is not commonly identified with Nigerians especially politicians, that is, stealing the slightest opportunity to showcase oneself. Instead for Obi, he turns around those times to pass a strong message about the divinity of our being.

At any available opportunity Obi tries to draw everybody’s attention to what is dear to his heart, the poor in our midst. He brought this sentiment into his politics and it has endeared him to the downtrodden. No wonder every attempt by the selfish elites to diminish him hits the rock because the people see and value his consistency and sincerity in his love for the less privileged.

Politics is not driving his charity and that explains why he has remained consistent in and out of public office.

To show that OBI’S charity is constant and regular and not window dressing or politicking, here are some samples of his birthday activities in the past.

When he was 53 years, Fidelity Bank where he was Chairman gave him N5 million to commemorate his birthday anniversary and he quickly donated the money immediately to Holy Name Secondary School, Umuchu., in Anambra state.

Presenting the cheque to the owner of the school, the Catholic Diocese of Awka led by the Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor on the premises of the school at Umuchu, Obi said that part of his mission since leaving office was to solicit funds from organizations and his friends to assist missionary-owned schools and the poor through support to Churches in the State to start faith-based revolving micro-credit scheme.

Obi thanked Fidelity Bank Plc for the gift and for respecting his wish that rather than place adverts for him, organizations and friends should use the money to assist the poor or give to him to donate to schools and the poor.

Two years ago when he celebrated his 60th birthday when many of his friends wanted to showcase him, he dodged all the fanfare and decided to be with the disabled.

He donated to the Disabled, Tramps, equipped school computer lab and the sum of N5 million to the Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled, Old, and Tramps (RECDOT) Ozubulu, in Anambra state. He also equipped the computer laboratory of RECDOT Comprehensive Secondary School, Ozubulu.

Obi, who visited RECDOT Family and RECDOT Secondary School on that day explained that it was more fulfilling for him to celebrate his birthday with the downtrodden and the poor people in the society. He said it would do neither him nor society any good if he lavished huge amounts of money on exotic celebrations when people were hungry on the streets.

“Anyone who knows me knows that I don’t do parties. How can I be drinking expensive champagnes in Abuja when millions of Nigerian youths are roaming the streets hungry and unemployed? I would rather invest whatever money I have into making our society better by building schools, upgrading hospitals, and lifting people out of poverty. That to me, is more rewarding and fulfilling”, Obi explained.

Handing over the cheque of N5 million to RECDOT Centre and 10 laptop computers, 2 printers, and a generator set to Recdot Comprehensive Secondary School, Obi encouraged their founder, Mrs Rosemary Odunukwe, to keep up her good work.

Addressing the students, Obi encouraged them to take their education seriously, for it remains a pathway to greatness. Obi reiterated that education remains the greatest contributor to national development and urged the students not to take it lightly.

In her words of appreciation, Mrs. Odunukwe said that Obi has always come to their aid and always contributed to their welfare. She prayed to God to bless Obi always.

So for Peter Obi, his charity job did not start today and may not stop today because he believes that sharing with the people gladdens his and their hearts and may also be pleasing to heaven. Obi strongly believes in the words of English writer and Puritan preacher, John Bunyan that “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you” Happy birthday to Okwute Ndigbo, the phenomenal figure of contemporary Nigeria. God bless.

Abonyi, Journalist, Columnist, Political Commentator, sent this from Abuja

Obi and Endless Possibilities: Tribute To Obi @ 62

The Source

July 19, 2023

By Valentine Obienyem

Nigeria is crying for liberation. A lot of things go wrong in the country. Anambra was once like that but underwent a profound transformation from 2006 to 2014. In those years, the state witnessed an interregnum of peace and progress. At the end, the state was left with over N75 Billion and other surpluses amidst recording the highest development among all the states. Unfortunately, his successor ended up destroying everything that he built; proving that from civilization to barbarism only take years provided a barbarian lurking around the gate is offered a little inroad. To whom, more than any other one man, do we owe that precious and epochal liberation? To Mr. Peter Obi

As Obi turns 62 today, how do we rate him? How shall we, who fret at the pinpricks of private tribulations, understand a man who came far ahead of his time? I am perhaps among the most privileged to talk about him. The fact is that if we should subpoena even his most virulent critics to the judgment box of truth they will speak eloquently of him when hatred and subjectivity are cast aside.

Born on the 19th of July, 1961, he started early in life and at every age engaged in what ordinarily his mates were considered as too young to do. With a little modification, we can say of him as Achebe said of Chimamada, “he came fully mature.” As a pupil of primary school he was already a successful trader. In secondary school, his trading craft further blossomed and as an undergraduate was already bearing fruits.

With the same commitment with which he conquered every challenge he had faced, he entered politics and at once made his marks. If one cares to study his life as a model of growth and development, one would be happy to include unusual political achievements that really introduced new order to the country. This will be our focus today as we celebrate his 62nd year on earth – the boundless possibilities of man’s contributions to his society.

The Nigeria we all used to know was a place nobody had ever taken post-election litigation seriously. At the end of each election, those that were obviously cheated would threaten to bring down heavens only to later chicken out. They do this either out of promise by the crooked “winners” to carry them along or because they had been paid off using the resources of the state. However, when Obi felt cheated, he went to court and defied all odds and became the first Governor to ascend the throne through the arbitrament of the tribunals. Soon after Obi succeeded, he proved to Nigerians the infinite possibilities of our courts when approached with sense of duty, commitment and godliness.

His initial governance of Anambra State was perilous. Coming into Government with an entirely different orientation unknown to the “ekperima’s” of politics, he started by trying to upturn the old, entrenched system. It did not go well with the old, they ended up impeaching him. Undaunted, he fought the impeachment vigorously, trusting in the judicial process. Eventually he was returned. Again, he set the record that impeachment is not a death sentence, especially when you mess with the wrong person. I recall that momentous period in the history of Anambra State, when impunity was the order of the day and decency took a flight.

Added to his very nature, his peculiar experience in the state and the unusual challenges imposed on him the task of changing the psyche of the people to see politics for what it is supposed to be and not the congregation of gangsters. He succeeded because, under him, Anambra moved many notches up in the scale of human and infrastructural developments and became an exemplary state. As the Governor, he displayed abilities rarely combined: rugged zeal and administrative skill. He showed us the infinite possibilities of the state once it is rightly governed. Even at times he was drawn into controversies; he attacked ideas, not characters.

In 2009, when the time for election was approaching, Obi wrote to INEC informing them that constitutionally he was supposed to serve out his tenure, excluding the period Sen. Chris Ngige served wrongly. INEC not only refused, but went ahead to conduct an election. Again, Obi returned to court and successfully won, because the court agreed that he was constitutionally bound to complete his tenure. This was the reason Sen. Andy Ubah, the interrex King, lasted just seventeen days. This is the reason Anambra holds gubernatorial election on a different day. Soon, other States followed his footsteps, regained their states from usurpers and today hold elections on different days. This remains a precedent by Obi, showing the nation the infinite possibilities of one man to change a corrupt system.

Many years after he left office, he goes about like the Sophist of Socrates time, dishing out in full scale, words of political and economic wisdom that if imbibed by our leaders would restore the glory of the country. However, the president we had at that time, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari was impervious to good governance and reason which was why many people regarded him as a disaster. He is one of the many men of his time of whom it might be said that it would have been better for the country and humanity if they had never been born. His years were unmitigated disaster such that for once, noting the danger, Nigerians became united in the clamour for Obi to come on a rescue mission.

His involvement has exposed to us the true nature of man and has made some of us lose faith in humanity. One particular person and a class mate I had considered as a genuine activist was the most surprising. The election exposed him and his ilks as fake. It also exposed us to the antics of many Nigerians for what they really are. In some of the fora I belong to, it was distressing seeing human beings turning truth and our values topsy-turvy in the name of politics. What lessons are we teaching the young ones when we have failed at our ages to follow the example of the reasoner who is seeking truth, and not of the eristic who is contradicting for the sake of what Nigerians call “stomach infrastructure”? We can now speak or write vividly about some characters we encountered during electioneering for the simple reason of using them to teach Nigerians what to embrace and what to run away from. This is in line with actions associated with Obi always being didactic by their very nature.

Who remembers the group whose two members were shamefully named in the recent EU report on the 2023 election? They think that politics is about eloquence aimed at hair-splitting and quibbles of words. I once describe their tribe as that of the depraved who carry paunches of poison under their tongues; when they speak this venom mingle with their words and pollute all the surrounding air. Clearly they speak with their hopes and wishes rather than with their brains. The unfortunate sequel is that they usually end up overwhelming little minds without illuminating any mind. What of our Anambra brother? He is like an orange in their hand; one squeezes the orange, and throws away the peel. During the election, they all made themselves targets for public contumely where they will remain for the reminder of their years.

On the contrary, we also witnessed men, amidst the political decay, who preferred edifying ethics to those of their time. We are not ashamed to mention their names. We have our own Chimamanda Adichie, whose voice came when it was needed most; Prof. Okey IKechukwu, who knows how to make thoughts shine through words; Mr. Atedo Peterside, a worthy representative of ennobling expectations from elders; Prof. Pat Utomi, who always teaches us that to give life a meaning and chart a new course for a country like Nigeria, that Nigerians should strive to have a purpose larger than selves; Aisha Yesuf, is always ardent at escalating unjust instances on a bravely broadening scale; the young Ndi Kato reminds us of the ancient “Cato the Younger”, admired for his integrity and insistence that dictatorship must be resisted; Kenneth Okonkwo deliberately made himself seem fierce by his actions accentuated by a full jaw ready to masticate stupidity. Their speeches and releases are warm with love of freedom, democratic ideals, toleration, justice and reason.

The dynamics of the election also exposed us to the hypocrisy of some Nigerians. Here, I had a personal encounter. I have a good friend who I usually send my broadcast messages to. Recently, when I shared a particular message, he replied in words as shocking as they were revealing. Why must our people see things from ethnic prisms? Why must our people prefer their tribesmen for the governance of the state when it is clear to them that the man is wholly incapable of governance on account of age and infirmities? The “gragra” of strength we are witnessing is a case of a man using the last burst of his dwindling energy to deceive Nigerians and himself – it will not last.

Today Obi is at the Tribunal trying to regain the mandate, which, by popular acclaim, Nigerians gave to him. We hear side talks of the impossibility of removing a sitting president through the courts. Those saying this may have forgotten that he did it at the State level and could do it again. Today all eyes are on him and on the judiciary.

Showing the interest as they never did in the past, Nigerians have been following his case and are astonished at the sheer weight of evidence he brought to the table. It was clear that the All Progressives Congress (APC) deliberately rigged him out of the first position to the third position so that he would not go to court. You could even see the disappointment of his followers by incessant lamentations that a person that got third position went to court rather than resting in his house.

All hands must be a deck to stop the grand buffoonery that is the present Government founded on rigging. As the case at the Court of Appeal is gradually coming to the end, may I once again remind the Lord Justices to go beyond legalism and do the right things. Besides ennobling the judiciary, they would have written their names for ever in the hearts of Nigerians. Because they also live in the society, they are as aware of the nonsense that INEC did like the man next door. They should understand that continued acquaintance with the pervasive pertinacity of nonsense will destroy the society their children are part of. Buhari was very bad, we wanted him out and voted for a better man, Mr. Peter Obi. To allow the thieves of election to succeed is to ignore how Nigerians successfully delivered themselves from the foxes only for the judiciary to deliver us to the wolves.

As Obi turns 62, he offers us the opportunity to reflect about our lives and that of our country Nigeria. Things are really very bad and history beckons on him to salvage the country. May no institution be an obstacle towards this great re-birth. Having seen how far men could go for the sake of power and to thwart this re-birth, we must advise ourselves to continue to love and cherish our country, but must at all times keep our gunpowder dry within the laws of the land.

Obienyem, a Lawyer, sent this tribute from Awka, Anambra State

In A Bloody Encounter, Troops Neutralize Alleged ESN/IPOB Fighters

Adesina Soyooye

July 19, 2023

By Adesina Soyooye

The Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police and Operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, have in a combined operation, neutralized alleged two IPOB/ESN fighters. The troops, also, arrested five others after a deadly encounter on Monday 17 July 2023. The battle ground was Fuji Junction general area in Asaba, Delta state.

It started when distressed calls were received to the effect that the community was under attack by the terrorists. The combined troops quickly responded. The result was the routing of the terrorists by the fire power of the troops. The troops overwhelmed them.

Two terrorists were neutralised, while others fled to their hideout located around the Okpanam river. But the troops did not give up.

They pursued the fleeing terrorists and trailed them to their hideout in a house around Okpanam river and arrested them.

In a statement signed by Brigadier General Onyema Ugochukwu, Director Army Public Relations, the Army said “the gallant troops ecovered one AK 47 Rifle, one Pump Action Semi Automatic Rifle, 15 Live Cartridges, one AK 47 Rifle Magazine and a Baofeng Radio Receiver.”

The statement, also, called for cooperation from members of the public in the efforts to rout the criminals.

It said: “We implore members of the public to continue to cooperate with the security agencies by providing actionable information to support their operations to tackle security challenges.”

It also expressed the appreciation of the Chief of Army Staff to the troops for the successful operation.

“The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja has lauded the combined troops for their effort and urged them to sustain the synergy, as they restore peace and tranquility in the region.”

NLC Pulls Out Of Fuel Subsidy Committees, Urges Nigerians To Reject FG Palliatives

Ayodele Oni

July 19, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Nigeria Labour Congress has resolved to pull out of the various committees on fuel subsidy palliatives. It has, also, rejected any further increase of the product.

This was contained in a release signed by NLC President, Joe Ajaero and titled: “The Proposed Palliatives, Cash Transfers, Robs The Poor And Pays The Rich: We Reject It.”

It pointed out that the Labour movement insisted that “it has restrained itself and allowed to be in some palliatives committees, to avoid any misinterpretation from the new government in power, but it appears workers patience are being taken for granted.

“It is important to inform Nigerians that despite having shown our readiness to commence work in the Committees, the federal government which convenes the meetings is yet to inaugurate the National Steering Committee thus stalling the Work of the Proposed Committees.

“If the Government had wanted an expedited action which Nigerians want more, the best approach would have been to quickly inaugurate the Committees and allow them do their work but as we write, nothing has been done except the continuation of the borrowing spree and subsequent allocation to themselves.”

The NLC explained that since June 19, 2023, when it was agreed to set up Committees with a National Steering Committee, Government is yet to make any move to inaugurate the committees, but news flying around of further hike in pump price.

“The NLC warns that the current government must watch clearly and observe that the impunity displayed by the immediate past government, is not allowed to rare its ugly head, and that the workers are fully ready to stop any anti-people policy.”

On the proposed N8000 palliatives to 12 million families, the Labour movement says it stands rejected as it is another charade of the Nigerian ruling class to deceive the poor masses.

Labour argues that it does not have confidence on how the data of the 12 million poor family was arrived at, calling on Nigerians to reject it as it is most likely to go the way of the homegrown school feeding programme and the covid-19 palliative, which were more or less conduit pipes for corruption.

“The federal government has insisted on threading the path of dictatorship and seeking to impoverish the people further by taking steps that can only be described as robbing the people of Nigeria to pay and feed the Rich.

“It is on this basis that the NLC strongly condemns the decision of the Tinubu led administration to seek the approval of the National Assembly to obtain another

tranche of external loans worth N500b from the World Bank for the purposes of carrying out a phantom palliative measure to cushion the effect of its poorly

thought-out hike in the prices of Premium Motor Spirit.

“Remember that the U$800m

which was already proposed before the devaluation of the Naira by this government was worth about N400b then but is now worth about N650b after devaluation.

“It is from this, it proposes to bring out N500b for distribution.

The proposal to pay N8,000 to each of the so-called 12 million poorest Nigerian households for a period of six months insults our collective intelligence and makes a mockery of our patience and abiding faith in social dialogue which the government may have alluded to albeit pretentiously.

“The further proposal to pay National Assembly members the sum of N70b and the Judiciary N36b is the most insensitive, reckless and brazen diversion of our collective patrimony into the pockets of public officers whose sworn responsibility it is to protect our nation’s treasury.

“We believe that this may amount to hush money and outright bribery of the other arms of government to acquiesce the aberration.

“It is unconscionable that a government that has foisted so much hardship on the

people within nearly two months of coming into office will make a proposal that clearly rewards the rich in public office to the detriment of the poor.

“What this means all this while is that the government is seeking ways of robbing the very

poor Nigerians so that the rich can become richer.

“There is no other way to explain

the proposal to pay a misery sum of N8,000 Naira to each of the mysterious poorest 12 million Households for six months which amounts to N48,000 and pay just 469 National Legislators N70b or about N149m each, while the Judiciary that has about 72 Appeal Court Judges, 33 National Industrial Court Judges, 75 Federal High Court Judges and 21 Supreme Court Judges and a total of about 201 Judges receives a total of N35b or N174m each.

“If these other two arms are projected to receive this, what members of the Executive Council will receive is better left to the imagination of Nigerians perhaps, the balance N150b will go to them.

“These proposals are not just unacceptable to Nigerian workers but are also dictatorial thus undemocratic. It is not a product of social dialogue which would have produced collectively negotiated outcomes by critical national stakeholders.”

Uzodimma: Imo Records Fastest Growth In New Businesses In Nigeria

The Source

July 18, 2023

The Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, Tuesday declared that the State has taken a leap in economic advancement as it has recorded the fastest growth in birth of new businesses in Nigeria.

“Out of 36 States and Abuja, Imo State has the highest birth-rate of new businesses (70 percent). Imo also has the highest entrepreneur index in the country, including business performance, Skill acquisition, innovation and technology adoption and perception of opportunities,” Uzodimma said at a lecture he delivered in Lagos.

At the lecture entitled 2023- 2027: ELECTED LEADERS, NIGERIANS AND EXPECTATIONS, Uzodimma said the 42 months of his administration has ensured that the economy of the State recorded phenomenal growth.

The Governor who was represented at the occasion by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba, noted that under him, Imo State has grown to be the fourth biggest economy in Nigeria with GDP of 7.658 trillion Naira.

He disclosed that statistics available to the government also showed that Imo State has the biggest natural gas power reserve in West Africa as well as the highest density of hospitality in Nigeria.

Governor Uzodimma noted that with the giant strides recorded by his administration in road revolution, industries, youth empowerment, education, health and human capital development, Imo State was poised to take its rightful place as one of the investment destination points in Nigeria.

He said Imo State, like most States, has been working hard to meet the expectations of the Nigerian electorate.

According to him, with Imo State as a case study, it was clear that the elected leaders understood perfectly that only good governance will meet the expectations of Nigerians.

The Governor was emphatic that Nigerians of the 60s were the same in 2023 as regards their expectations of good governance.

He said contrary to the opinion of some people that there is a disconnect between the leaders and the electorate, both strata of the society understand good governance as a common language.

Governor Uzodimma commended the management of Freedom Online Newspaper, the organisers of the lecture, for the opportunity given him to be the fifth lecturer.

Governor Uzodimma said that it was commendable that the Freedom Online Newspaper, apart from engaging in mainstream journalism, also decided to organise the lecture series to stimulate discourse on national issues.

Emefiele: Arewa Leader, Banker-wife Arrested, Detained; Arewa Council Protests

The Source

July 18, 2023

By Gideon Njoku

Alhaji Aminu Yaro, Chairman, Arewa Council of Chiefs, Lagos, and his wife, reportedly, a banker with Zenith Bank Plc, are, allegedly, in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS. They have been in the past four days.

Yaro, who is also the Sarkin Hausawa of Lagos and his wife were allegedly invited by the DSS for interrogation following the arrest and detention by the DSS, of suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.

While the DSS has been tight-lipped on the reason for the alleged detention of Yaro and his wife, the Social Media is alive to speculations as to why.

A WhatsApp post which has gone viral alleges that Yaro deposited the sum of N130 billion into his wife’s account in Zenith bank. The allegation continued: “In three of his accounts, there is a total of N407 billion.”

There is no confirmation to these allegations, just as not a few people are wondering why he would deposit such an obscene amount of money in a bank where his wife works.

But in a swift reaction, the Council of Arewa Chiefs in Southern Nigeria has condemned the arrest and detention of Yaro and his wife, and asked for their immediate release from custody.

The Council, in a statement signed by Jarman of Lagos, Yarima Shettima, declared their detention as unlawful, and asked the DSS to grant an immediate access to legal representation, medical attention and family members to the couple.

The statement stated:

“The attention of the Council of Arewa Chiefs, Lagos State has been drawn to the unexplained detention of the Sarkin Hausawa of Lagos and Chairman of the Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Aminu Idris Yaro with his wife by the Department of State Services (DSS).

“We note also that the Sarkin Hausawa has been held by the DSS incommunicado for the last three days following what initially was a routine invitation which he dutifully honoured.

“The Council of Arewa Chiefs also understands that Sarkin Hausawa is being held in connection with the ongoing investigation of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele.

“The Council is not unaware of the friendship relationship between Sarkin Hausawa and Mr Godwin Emefiele just the way Emefiele is friends with many other chiefs and dignitaries all over the country and around the globe.

“What is regrettable is, however, the unexplained connection of a friend with the ongoing investigation of Mr Emefiele who till this moment, as far as the public is concerned, is only being accused of possession of unlicensed firearms.

“The Council is concerned that the DSS might typically be used to hunt down respected leaders of the community using terrorism fight as a smoke screen,” the statement partly read.

Shettima said while the council was not challenging the power of the DSS and any security service in the country to invite any person for any of its investigations, the detention of the Yaro beyond 24 hours as stipulated in the law by the DSS, is “repugnant to the sensibilities of the traditional rulership system, the Arewa community and the Council of Chiefs.”

The statement asked the DSS to arraign Yaro before “a competent court of law rather than holding him indefinitely without any trial.”

Petrol Pump Price Increase: NUJ Fumes, Says Market Forces Unjustified; Residents Of Ondo Lament

Ayodele Oni

July 18, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ) reacting to the hike in petrol Pump price called for its reversal as it will lead to more suffering for Nigerians.

In Akure, Ondo state, some resident were caught unaware with the new pump price, asking President Bola Tinubu not to put more load on them.

NUJ statement, signed by the national secretary, Shuaibu Usman Leman, states “NUJ is alarmed at the just announced increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to N617 per litre in Abuja and N568 in Lagos respectively.

“This development has already triggered astronomical increases in transportation costs, with prices of food items soaring almost beyond the reach of many citizens, even as users of generators to power their homes are already groaning uncontrollably under the present situation.

“While we applaud the decision to remove the costly subsidies on fuel, however we had cautioned against a hasty implementation of the policy without putting mitigating measures in place to cushion the excruciating effects.

“We are saddened by the fact that today most people can hardly commute to work or other places of business without too much stress because the embarrassing sudden surge in petrol prices has made it so.

“We believe that this sudden decision is an over kill and we urge that the situation should be reversed immediately, while adequate measures are considered and put in place to lessen the effects on ordinary Nigerians.”

Residents of Akure who reacted to the situation in an interview with newsmen lamented that people were caught unaware by the sudden increase which they said would have a devastating effect on the already battered economy with inflation more than 22.8%.

They charged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to look into the devastating situation of the economy occasioned by fuel subsidy removal, in order to reduce suffering of the downtrodden in various parts of the country.

Two of the residents, Mr Peter James and Mr Olusegun Adeola described the development as inflicting more hardship on Nigerians.

Adeola said, “we didn’t elect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to inflict on us more suffering that is killing. Any policy that doesn’t have human face is bad policy.

“He (Tinubu) should review the situation immediately before people troop out to the streets against him and his government.”

Also Mr James lamented that “can you imagine that we have elected more suffering. We suffered for 8years under (Muhammadu) Buhari, we are now suffering; we can’t take our children to schools, we can’t do business effectively before now and this is another increase in pump price. What is our offence, they should have mercy on poor Nigerians before it is too late.”

They appealed that Tinubu’s government should urgently roll out reasonable palliatives for the masses or reverse to considerable prices.

Investigation from a fuel dealer in Ikare Akoko said that they refused to sell as they didn’t know how much to sell as it will be very difficult for them to lift the new product with the recent outrageous pump price.

The dealer disclosed that many will be forced out of business and many workers will loose jobs.

NIMASA: US Assures Nigeria On ISPS Code Implementation

James Orji

July 18, 2023

The United States Coast Guard says it is committed to Nigeria’s quest to implementing the International Ships and Ports Security, ISPS, Facility Code in line with acceptable global best practice.Lt. Cdr. Jonna L. Clouse who is leading a team from the US Coast Guard in Nigeria for peer review, disclosed this while on a working visit to the headquarters of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA.

She noted that engaging NIMASA on a constant basis is to ensure more Ports and Jetties in the country implement ISPS Code, thus enhancing safety of the entire Nigerian maritime domain.

We are in Nigeria to assess the level of compliance with the International Ships and Ports Security (ISPS) Facility Code. Our desire is to enhance cooperation between the Nigerian maritime sector and the United States Coast Guard. We will also offer our expertise to NIMASA in closing identified gaps. We hope to work with NIMASA and reduce or end the Conditions of Entry regime for Vessels from Nigeria to the United States”, she said. Lt. Cdr. Clouse further commended the NIMASA Management for efforts made in cooperating with the USCG.

The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, OFR, noted that due to the dynamism of maritime threats and patterns, NIMASA has been fortunate to have peer review partners that create avenues for developing capacities needed for effective ISPS Code implementation.

While elucidating steps taken by NIMASA to ensure ISPS Compliance in over 90% of Ports and Jetties in the country, Dr. Jamoh highlighted the need for the United States to review the Conditions of Entry regime for vessels calling at some Ports in the United States.

HisHisds “It is worthy of note that despite efforts taken by NIMASA in improving Port Security and ISPS Code implementation in Nigeria, the issue of Condition of Entry (COE) still hovers over vessels from Nigeria calling at Ports in the United States. For vessels leaving Nigeria to undergo stringent port controls before being granted access to US ports, it has adverse effect on the aggregate shipping economies of Nigeria. The delays lead to additional costs that strain an already present high freight cost within the Gulf of Guinea. This is adversly affecting Shipping in Nigeria.

We have reviewed this decision taken by the USCG and proposed an action plan to enable the US Coastguard physically determine the compliance levels of these facilities in the Condition of Entry list. We at NIMASA are calling on the US Coast Guard to facilitate the removal of Nigeria from the Condition of Entry list”.

Dr. Jamoh also declared the readiness of NIMASA to cooperate with the US Coast Guard team to close all identified gaps before the full Audit in August

It may be recalled that in 2013, NIMASA was appointed as the Designated Authority for the administration of the ISPS Code in Nigeria. The visit of the USCG is part of the assessment processes in monitoring compliance level, while enhancing cooperation and Peer Review exercise.

”

Ogene Describes Obi As Hope And Light For New Nigeria On 62nd Birthday

James Orji

July 18, 2023

Leader of the Labour Party, LP, caucus in the House of Representatives, Afam Victor Ogene, has said that more than ever before, the presidential candidate of the LP in the last Presidential election, Mr. Peter Obi, remains a golden fish and an irrepressible force for a much desired new Nigeria.

“With an ever-growing army of converts, desirous of partnering with you in the search for a new order, you can be rest assured, Your Excellency, that the struggle would endure, until victory is achieved,” Hon. Ogene said.

Hon. Ogene, who represents Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Anambra state, in the House of Representatives, made these assertions in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, to felicitate the former governor of Anambra state, on his 62nd birthday celebration.

Ogene contended that recent national political consciousness, which was ignited by supporters of the Obidient Movement and richly resonated across the nation, is indicative of the fact that Obi remains the undoubted symbol of the People’s Revolution geared towards the enthronement of a new Nigeria.

Ogene said further: “Obi’s simple lifestyle, discipline, integrity and commitment to equitable development and prosperity of Nigeria, give hope and belief to all generations of Nigerians , irrespective of social, economic, ethnic or religious divides.

“I, therefore, join many well-meaning Nigerians across board to congratulate this great Nigerian and to also pray for good health, sound mind, strength and wisdom to continue on the path of honour and national rebirth, without discouragement and distractions.

“My leader and brother, Keep the light of this great movement alive, you are not alone. Majority of Nigerians are already in consensus that Nigeria deserves better. Be the light to that better future!” Ogene added.

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