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WTO: France, Germany 104 Others Back Okonjo Iweala For Top Job |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Ngozi-Okonjo-Iweala

By Akinwale Kasali

Nigeria and Africa is set to make history following the backing of Germany, France, and 104 other countries, including European  of  Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to head the World Trade Organization, WTO.

Earlier, the African Union, AU, had backed the former Nigeria’s Finance Minister, and urged all members of the WTO to back her.

An EU official made the position of the EU public on Monday, sending a signal of trust in Africa.

South Korean Trade Minister, Yoo Myung-hee, is the only stumbling block to the actualisation of Okonjo-Iweala’s dream, as she is also eyeing the  position to be the first female leader in the WTO’s 25-year history.

One of the last Two will replace Brazilian, Roberto Azevedo, who quit a year earlier than expected at the end of August.

The EU’s support for Okonjo-Iweala is considered a strong signal to reinforce the multilateral order and a sign of mutual trust between the bloc and Africa, the official said.

An European source told AFP that seven member states had asked that their preference for Yoo be recorded in the statement, but another said backing Okonjo-Iweala was “a clear signal to Africa and a sign of mutual trust.”

With the EU backing, Okonjo-Iweala has emerged as the favourite to replace Brazil’s Roberto Azevedo at the WTO, and to become the first director general from Africa and the first woman to lead the institution.

The WTO’s consultation process ends on Tuesday and the new leader is expected to be named in November.

The WTO faces dual challenges and criticism from United States of America’s President, Donald Trump, whose administration  froze its appeals body by blocking its appointment of judges, and worsening U.S.-China trade relations.

She wants the WTO to help poorer countries access COVID-19 drugs and vaccines.

EndSARS: Access Bank Empowers Youths, SMEs With N50 Billion, As Banks Count Loses

By
Bayo Bernard
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By Tosin Olatokunbo

Access Bank has taken the lead to address the problem of youth restiveness in the country following its announcement of N50 billion interest free-loans to youths, small scale businesses and community development in the country.

Coming on the heels of recent destruction of private and public property, including banks, by miscreants masquerading as EndSARS protesters, the bank said it is poised to supporting the nation rebuild and put businesses back on their feet.

Recall that the forward moving bank, last week, denied allegation that it aided soldiers who shot at EndSARS protesters in Lekki, Lagos state.

“We are deeply saddened to hear about the unfortunate loss of innocent lives yesterday at the Lekki Toll. We pray that the souls of the innocent rest in peace, noting that “We wish to address the statement by Arise TV alleging that Military Snipers were allowed access to our Head Office Tower for operations at the Lekki Toll Gate area.

“This is absolutely untrue. The video shared on Arise TV featured an employee of the bank conducting routine maintenance at the Tower location. It is unfortunate that this was reported as a sniper without any proof. As a corporate citizen with the purpose of impacting lives positively, we will never endanger the lives of Nigerians.” The Herbert Wigwe led bank said.

Putting the event of the last two weeks behind, the bank stated that “now more than ever, we remain committed to our purpose of impacting lives positively.  In the light of recent occurrences, we will be supporting Nigerian businesses with 50 billion Naira interest free loans and grants.”

Meanwhile, some banks are still counting their loses from the 14 days protests, as hoodlums damaged, looted and set on fire their business premises across the country.

The cost of the damage is still being estimated by investigators and will be known in the next few days or weeks, the magazine has learnt.

Various bank sources who spoke with The Source stated that the damage could run into several millions.

 

 

 

 

Ekiti APC, PDP Trade Words Over Attacks |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

The  Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has  accused the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) of subversive activities.

The party, also, noted that a faction of the opposition was behind the recent looting and brigandage that attended last week’s peaceful protest by the youths in the state.

But PDP, in its reaction, pointed accusing fingers at Governor Kayode Fayemi as sponsoring thugs to unleash terror on members of the opposition in the state.

A statement in Ado Ekiti, by the Public Relations Officer, of APC, Mr Ade Ajayi reads:

“The attention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been drawn to a statement credited to the (Fayose) factional Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti State, and that of its failed gubernatorial candidate in the 2018 election, Olusola Eleka, alleging that Ekiti is not safe and that the looting of the silo containing seedlings preserved with chemicals  and the State Emergency Management Agency’s warehouse, is a failure of the Fayemi’s government.

“Even the least discerning in the state would confirm that the looting was masterminded by PDP leaders in Ekiti state in their failed attempt to discredit the Fayemi government.

“We wish to make it clear that Ekiti is safe for the law abiding citizens, but very unsafe for criminals and their sponsors.

“We also wish to alert the general public that Ekiti state government has no COVID-19 palliatives stored anywhere in the state, as they have been distributed long ago during the pandemic.

“The real motive of the PDP in Ekiti State after failing woefully at the 2018 gubernatorial elections has been to sneak back to power through the back door.

“We also recall that Ekiti was the only state in the southwest that enjoyed some level  of peace when other states went up in flames”. the statement added.

However in a statement by the PDP, it accused Dr Fayemi of unleashing armed thugs on Ekiti people, saying people being attacked will defend themselves if Government could not.

The party warned that  Governor Kayode Fayemi will be held responsible should there be further breakdown of law and order in the State,  alleging that “armed  thugs sponsored by the governor are now going about attacking people and destroying properties.”

The party alleged that a guest house owned by a musician and former House of Assembly member, Dayo Akinleye was invaded Saturday night by armed thugs led by one Marshal, where four persons were abducted and gun shots fired indiscriminately.

State Publicity Secretary of the PDP,  Raphael Adeyanju, in a statement on Sunday,  said it would get to a point that the people would be forced to defend themselves, if government that should protect them was the one unleashing thugs on them.

EndSARS: NEBPRIL Warns NBC Not To Muzzle Free Press |The Source

By
Bayo Bernard
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By Fola James

The Network for Best Practice and Integrity in Leadership, NEBPRIL has cautioned the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC against inflaming passions by seeking to truncate the free flow of information to the citizenry.

On the heels of fines imposed on the broadcasting trio of ARISE News Channel, African Independent Television(AIT), and Channel’s Television, NEBPRIL stated that the NBC could ill afford to act as complainant, prosecutor and judge in one fell swoop.

In a statement signed by the group’s chairman, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, a former member of the House of Representatives, NEBPRIL wondered why the NBC did not query the television stations before arriving at the magisterial decision to impose fines on them, especially for carrying out their constitutional mandate.

“Like many Nigerians, we read with consternation the fines of between two to three million naira imposed on the stations over their coverage of the #ENDSARS protests which recently swept across the country.”

The current situation calls for sober reflection, NEBPRIL said, warning NBC that its action is capable of inflaming passion.

It stated that “These are tenuous times that require circumspection by public officials in the discharge of their duties; leaving many to wonder what the rush to fine the stations was all about, especially as the Panel of Enquiry and Restitution for Victims set up by the Lagos state government was yet to be inaugurated when the NBC slammed its hammer.

“The rationale for the sanctions, as announced by the NBC’s Acting Director-General, Professor Armstrong Idachaba, does not sound plausible to us and in fact, to every sane Nigerian who followed the protest via the media channels while it lasted.”

It said Nigeria cannot be an exception in the world where free speech is the norm, describing the sanction on the notable television stations as attempt to muzzle the press.

According to the group “From what we know, these sanctions by the NBC are an affront to the Journalism profession. We, therefore, view it as an attempt to muzzle free press and cow the media from informing the public about the goings-on in the society and to chiefly  hold the government accountable to the people.

“Recently, the world witnessed #Blacklivesmatter protests in the United States of America occasioned by the unlawful execution of a citizen, George Flyod, by a police officer.

‘Despite replaying footage gotten from the different sites of the protests, oftentimes from participants of the various marches, no station was fined for discharging their constitutional mandates of informing the members of the public.

“If indeed, Professor Idachaba was to do anything noble, he would have commended the Nigerian media for ensuring all-sides, all-angles coverage of the #EndSARS protests rather than imposing the infamous sanctions on the three TV houses.”

NEBPRIL, therefore called on the NBC to immediately withdraw the fines and also desist from acts that will gag free press and free speech in Nigeria.

 

Fayemi Presents 2021 Budget Proposals to Ekiti Assembly |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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Kayode Fayemi Presents 2021 Budget

By Ayodele Oni

Building of health centres in 174 wards and payment of the new minimum wage to some categories of workers, were some of the highlights in the over N110 billion 2021 budget proposal presented to the Ekiti state House of Assembly on Tuesday by Governor Kayode Fayemi.

The budget, christened Budget of  Recovery and Economic  Restoration, had an increment of  20 percent over that of the outgoing year.

According to the Governor, recurrent expenditure will gulp over N57 billion  while  Capital expenditure has N51 billion .

Addressing the house, Governor Fayemi  explained that the budget proposal was a product of consultation and meetings with members of the public through town hall meetings

Dr Fayemi explained that the budget was in tune the current economic realities occasioned by the global pandemic, corona virus and targeted at rebuilding the economic drive of the state.

He was confident that 2021 appropriation bill would lift the people of the state out of poverty through massive empowerment and social security schemes.

Sources of funds for the budget, he revealed are federal allocation, value added tax, Internally Generated Revenue as well as support from development partners.

Speaking on the implementation of 2020 budget, Governor Fayemi explained that  though the pandemic created a big challenge, his government was able to deliver on the budget through prompt payment of salaries, free education, free health care for the vulnerable members, inauguration of many noble projects among others.

The Governor, however, announced his determination to commence the payment of the consequential adjustment for the N30K thousand new minimum wage for workers from grade level eight and above, noting that the necessary requirements have been captured in the budget.

Earlier in his address of welcome, the Speaker of the house, Mr Funminiyi Afuye said the budget proposal would be thoroughly scrutinized and given prompt passage by the assembly.

Burutai, Army Chief Lied About His Military Career |The Source

By
Bayo Bernard
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0
Burutai

By Fola James

The claim by Nigeria’s chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai that he never traveled abroad until he became a general may be untrue after all.

Burutai, on Tuesday while speaking to top Army commanders claimed that “The first time I travelled outside of this country, I was already 50 years and a general, so I don’t mind if I live the rest of my life here.”

But facts check by the magazine has revealed that the four-star Army General who was made COAS by President Muhammadu Buhari when he became the leader of Africa’s most populous country in 2015, has attended several military training abroad since he joined the Army in 1983 as a cadet officer, including the Bangladesh University of Professionals, Dhaka and National Defence College, Mirpur, Bangladesh, according to Wikipedia.

Only a few past and present military officers in the country did not travel out of the country or attend  military schools abroad.

President Buhari and other top military officers attended various military schools abroad, including the Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot , United Kingdom, UK.

But speaking on Wednesday on the EndSARS protest and the need to beef up security across the country against miscreants and hoodlums, poised to hijack the protest for their own selfish ends, Burutai said nothing would stop the military from bringing peace to the country, even in the face of clamour for Visa ban on some military top brass, believed to have ordered soldiers the shooting of protesters in Lekki last week.

Before President Buhari became military heads of state in December 1984 he had attended several military trainings abroad. Not let out also, are other military leaders who have ruled the country, including Generals Aguiyi Ironsi, Yakubu Gowon, Murtala Muhammed and Ibrahim Babangida.

Obi Appeals To The Youth To End Protest, Commends Various Groups |The Source

By
The Source
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0

The Vice-Presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2019 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has again appealed to the youth across the country, including the youth from the South-East, particularly those from Anambra  State, to go off the streets in order not to allow their well thought-out protest which has been supported by people that have the good of the country at heart, to be hijacked by forces of darkness.

The appeal was made known in a Release to the press today, personally signed by Mr. Peter Obi.

Recalling his various tweets and statements thus far on the protest, Obi said it was pertinent at this time to continue to remind Nigerian youths that they have done very well commencing the process of extricating their future from those who do not care about them. “Your message is taken seriously by Nigerians and the international community when disseminated through peaceful means or in an environment where peace reigns, which is what the bad eggs who have infiltrated the protest are not happy with,” he observed.

He especially pleaded with the youth of Anambra State to hearken to the words of Governor Willie Obiano and stop the protest now so that “our dear State does not become notorious for looting, arson, rape, rapine and other criminal activities.” These, according to him, are not vices any State or people should be proud of. “As the Light of the Nation, we shall strive to continue to show the light,” Obi declared.

In an earlier message to Nigerians sent out through his tweeter handle on Thursday, October 22, Mr. Obi had noted that: “Our purposeful and peaceful #Endsars and enthrone good governance protest appears to have been hijacked by the enemies within. They are now using it to kill or harm innocent people, and to destroy public assets and property of hard-working Nigerians. For every life lost, we all lost; for everyone harmed, we are all harmed; for every public or private asset destroyed, our collective assets are destroyed. This is not in our character and must not be allowed to continue. Ours is to build, not to destroy.”

On the threat by reckless fringe that Igbos should leave the South-West, Obi thanked South-West leaders for rising to the occasion by condemning it, describing it as a “barbaric and atavistic throw-back to old and superseded ways.” He asserted that such threats should be condemned by all men and women of goodwill as part of the grand plan to trivialise the spontaneous statement by the youth that ‘Enough is enough’!

He also thanked leaders from other zones who are working round the clock to check the menace of  enemies who have hijacked  the  peaceful #End Sars protest.

Similarly, Obi pleaded with Igbo youths in wherever part of the country they are to continue to be of good behaviour. To those in the East, he appealed to  them to continue to maintain harmonious co-existence with those from other parts of the country residing among them.

Obi was also full of praise for the leadership of Ohaneze under its President-General, Chief Nnia Nwodo for his strong presence of mind: “I commend Chief Nwodo for staying alert to the situation, issuing statements and appearing on electronic media to clarify the position of the Igbo. This is in sync with the position of all well-meaning organisations worldwide.”

Concluding, Mr. Peter Obi advised the youth to closely monitor the implementation of their demands which Government has already accepted. He also urged all those that have suffered brutalities and other indignities at the hands of the now defunct SARS to report to the various panels set up for that purpose.

We Will Not Allow You Set Nigeria On Fire – Nigeria Army |The Source

By
The Source
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0
Burutai

The Nigeria Army is talking tough. After a look at the embarrassing security situation in the country, the Army warns that it would no longer tolerate anybody, or group of people whose wish is to set Nigeria on fire.

It reviewed, in particular, the deteriorating security in the country since after the #EndSARS protest by youths  which has left the country vulnerable. Nobody seems to be in charge.

Hoodlums hijacked the protest. And have since been in charge, and embarked on a looting spree and destruction of public and private businesses and residences. They stormed prisons and released prisoners. They burnt police stations and looted arms.

On Saturday, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, ordered the Police to “occupy the space.”

That has not worked.

The looting has continued.

And, on Monday in Lagos, for example, there was no presence of policemen, or any security personnel on the streets.

Now, totally embarrassed at the terrible security situation, the Army on Monday said it would no longer tolerate the situation, accusing unnamed local and international interests of working to tarnish the Nigeria Army’s image and destabiliise the country.

According to a release by the Acting Director Public Army Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai  at a meeting  with Principal Staff Officers (PSOs), General Officers Commanding(GOCs) and Field Commanders this morning  at the Army Headquarters Conference Room,  made it unambiguously clear that there will be no room for disloyalty amongst all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army (NA).

Sagir: “He directed that they (PSOs, GOCs and Field Commanders) must reiterate to all their subordinates that the NA is determined to ensure democratic stability in Nigeria as the only panacea for development and progress.

“The best system of governance is democracy and we must all ensure that Nigeria’s democracy remains stable and steady. We will not allow any force, elements or destabilising agents in or outside our country to set our beloved country on fire. We remain resolute in doing everything possible to ensure that subversive elements, detractors and other enemies of this great nation do not achieve their aims and objectives of destabilisation.

“General Buratai drew the attention of all the participants at the meeting that the events of the past few days in our dear nation have shown the determination of some unscrupulous individuals and groups to destabilize Nigeria by all means.

“These individuals, groups and other undesirable elements have hijacked the peaceful #ENDSARS protest marches resulting to widespread violence, acts of wanton destruction and looting of public and private properties in many parts of the country. These acts led to the imposition of curfew in several states of the federation”

Sagir said Buratai, also, said that right from the onset of ENDSARS protest, the NA has been aware of the grand design by the sponsors of the protests to draw it into the crisis. The plan was to embark on massive propaganda to discredit the military and the government so as to set the people against the NA once it is called out to aid the civil authorities.

“The NA being aware of the devilish plan was careful not to be dragged in and issued the initial warning through a press release on 14 October 2020 of our resolve to secure and safeguard a United Nigeria.

“Now the detractors alongside their local and international collaborators have mischievously and deliberately misrepresented troops’ efforts to ensure compliance with the curfew imposed by legitimate civil authorities in Lagos and other states.

“These agitators are falsely accusing the NA of being responsible for the activities of the miscreants despite glaring evidence to the contrary. They have continually threatened to report the NA to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and also threatened various forms of sanctions against personnel and their families.

“Thankfully, however, a large percentage of Nigerians and the international community have started seeing through the smokescreen of falsehood and deliberate misrepresentation of facts being orchestrated by enemies of Nigeria and have retracted their earlier false publications.

“The COAS further said Despite all these, the NA has continued to exercise restraint applied all the Principles of Internal Security Operations and fully abided by the internationally recognized Rules of Engagement as contained in our published Standard Operating Procedures for Internal Security Operations which are derived from the International Human Rights Laws and are in accordance with the international principles guiding the use of force.

“He used the opportunity to re-emphasize that none of the PSOs, GOCs, Field Commanders and other officers and soldiers of the NA should be afraid of the ICC for carrying out their legitimate duties as stated in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and other extant laws, rules and regulations of Nigeria. He further averred that -“They have every right under the Constitution to carry out assigned and legitimate roles of maintaining law and order in aid of civil authorities and other security agencies. He reiterated that anyone who doubts their commitment to their constitutional responsibilities must be made to know that they remain committed, loyal and unwavering in ensuring the unity, stability and security of our dear country Nigeria.

“He charged them to show the detractors and other elements of destabilization that they are neither part of them nor in anyway supportive of their activities at all times. He directed that any act of arson or attempt to kill or maim any military or security personnel and other law abiding civilians must be responded to quickly and decisively.

According to him, “In dealing with any security threat, they must fully cooperate with personnel of the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies and must ensure that everyone is in full compliance with imposed curfews and any other extant security instructions in force.”

General Buratai also alerted the PSOs, GOCs and Field Commanders that;

“The recent activities by unscrupulous elements have shown their desire to acquire arms and ammunition at all cost from security personnel. No less than 10 AK-47 rifles have been lost to these miscreants in the past 2 weeks across the country with attendant lost of lives of personnel. He charged Commanders to nip in the bud this emerging trend at all cost, and directed them to warn their troops on internal security or on guard duties outside the barracks to be at maximum alert at all times and to also deal decisively with any attack on their duty locations”.

General Buratai concluded that: “There is no choice between a democratically United, strong and prosperous Nigeria and a nation disunited in a state of anarchy and retrogression. We must all strive for a united, strong, stable and progressive Nigeria”.

  1. At the end of the meeting, the PSOs, GOCs and Field Commanders resolved to:
  2. Remain Loyal to the Federal Government of Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari.
  3. Ensure the unity and indivisibility of our country.
  4. Assist the Federal Government to bring an end to insecurity across the country and to prevent miscreants and criminals from hijacking the ENDSARS protest nation wide.
  5. Remain focus and not to be deterred by any local or international threats.
  6. All Commanders have been directed to intensify joint training with the Nigerian Police and other Sister Security Agencies to enhance interagency collaboration and cooperation.

“Finally, I wish to extend the appreciation and best regards of the COAS. You are please requested to give this maximum publicity.”

President Buhari Finally Breaks Silence On Lekki Killings |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

After over three weeks of silence on the Lekki Toll Gate shooting at the #EndSARS protesting youths by soldiers,  President Muhammadu Buhari has broken his silence.

The Youths had embarked on.a nationwide protest against Police brutality and extra-judicial killing, and for days, blocked the Lekki Toll Gate.  But on the evening of October 20, armed soldiers had shot live bullets at them, injuring and killing many. Since then, there have been claims and counter claims over the number of deaths. While the Lagos state Government says the fatalities stand at two, and that they died in hospitals, the Youths claim many were mowed down.

On the day Buhari finally finally addressed the nation, he pointedly snubbed the Lekki incident to the shock of most Nigerians.

In a belated statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Sunday, October 25, 2020,

Buhari explained he decided not to talk on the shooting incident until he had access to all the facts.

He stressed that he would ensure that Justice is served for peaceful Protestants, who lost their lives.

He also said his ‘government has launched a massive crackdown on corruption, brought in strong laws for a decisive battle against corruption, pursue loot recovery at home and abroad, and taken strong decisions against those who thought they were above the law, will not fold its arms when an otherwise legitimate and peaceful protest is turning into free-for-all vandalism and looting.’

He promised property owners and business owners affected by the arson across the nation would get justice.

“As the Judicial panel of inquiry set up by the Lagos State Government, one of the more dozen states to do so, starts sitting on Monday, President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his full support and optimism that it will assist the nation to give justice to peaceful protesters who lost their lives, security men who were murdered and property owners whose assets were vandalized and looted.

“The President, who said he had all along avoided going into a debate about the Lekki Toll Gate incidents until all the facts are established, appealed to the people all over the country to maintain peace and brotherhood as the machinery of the government and the wheel of justice turn against the perpetrators of murder, arson, stealing, rape, assault and malicious damage to public and private property.

“The President advises that peace, brotherhood, and inter communal harmony are central to our ethos and urges Nigerians “not to turn against one another in hate.

“He said it is important that the police and other security agencies move everywhere to restore calm and normalcy as quickly as possible.

“President Buhari said while his administration is working hard through many pragmatic ways to reduce the hardship of the millions of our unemployed, poor citizens and those whose lives have been thrown into disarray by the harsh economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, he warned that resort to widespread attacks and the organized looting and plundering of public and private property in many states are inimical to public good and stand condemned.

“A government that has launched a massive crackdown on corruption, brought in strong laws for a decisive battle against corruption, pursues loot recovery at home and abroad, and taken strong decisions against those who thought they were above the law, will not fold its arms when an otherwise legitimate and peaceful protest is turning into free-for-all vandalism and looting.

“While the administration has, for its part, blocked so many means of looting public money in a war against corruption, it is the expectation that all civil authorities, community and religious leaders in the country must rise against the organized looting and plunder we are witnessing in parts of the country. Families must turn back children who bring home unaccounted goods, in the same way wives must ask their husbands to return looted items brought home.

“What is more, is that criminal actions as we have so far witnessed can weaken and erode the confidence of our people and that of foreign businesses in investing in the economy. Looting and vandalism will hurt trade and investment growth in our country, both large and small industries, as well as our hardworking people in the informal sectors of the economy.

“These incidents do not reflect well on any society. They are wrong and condemnable and should not be supported by reasonable members of the society.

“In line with this, President Buhari commends the decision of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice to prosecute 229 suspects arrested by the police for allegedly using the # EndSARS protest to destroy and loot public and private property.

“As mentioned in two successive statements on the issues, the President and his administration have taken note of the grievances of the people.

“We have heard you loud and clear,” he said, and has shown a clear determination to take all necessary measures to address the complaints. The violence must stop.

“President Buhari also condemned hate messages and eviction notices to ethnic and religious groups asking Nigerians to take pride in the fact that our diverse people have been living with one another in harmony for ages. The right of all citizens to live and work in any part of the country is a constitutional right and will be defended by the government.”

Most Nigerians say the reaction by Shehu, on behalf of the President comes late, and wonder why the President would not directly speak to the people.

SW Govs: Destruction In Lagos Deliberate To Weaken South-West Economy |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

The South-West Governors Forum has alleged that the wanton destruction of public and private assets and properties in Lagos, by hoodlums was a planned attempt to weaken the region’s economy.

Four out of the Six South-West Governors converged in Lagos, alongside Ministers from the South-West  to commiserate with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State over the destruction of public and private facilities by hoodlums who had hijacked the #EndSARS protests by youths.

The Governors expressed shock over the monumental havoc the State experienced this past week when Governor Sanwo-Olu received them at the State House in Marina, showing  them pictorial evidence of the violence before visiting some of the torched assets – the Lagos High Court, the Nigeria Port Authority building, the Bus Rapid Transit Buses set ablazed and the Forensic Lab.

At a joint press conference held after the tour, Chairman of the Forum and Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu likened Lagos to a war zone, given the extent of the destruction.

The Forum demanded an investigation into the circumstances that led to the destruction of public assets and private businesses in Lagos.

Akeredolu said the attacks in Lagos State were planned and targeted at weakening the economy of South-West states.

“The regression into savagery exposed South-west’s vulnerability to manipulation by divisive elements bent on annihilating the region’s economic prosperity and destroying its common heritage.

“We are deeply concerned with the ease with which public buildings, utilities, police stations, and investment of our people have been burnt despite the proximity of security agencies in those areas. The development leaves us with no other option than to believe that there may be other reasons for continued protests, well-coordinated and funded.

“We are particularly worried that 48 hours after the unfortunate incident at the Lekki Toll Gate by persons adorning military outfit, there has been no definitive statement from the military authorities on the incident. Our anxiety becomes heightened by the categorical denial of the Governor of Lagos State concerning the military deployment. No Governor has powers to authorise deployment of military personnel in Nigeria.”

Governor Seyi Makinde and his Ekiti State counterpart, Governor Kayode Fayemi were on the delegation with other Federal Executive Council members.

They include: Minister for Sport and Youth Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, Minister for Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of Industry, Trade and Development, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Minister of State for Health, Sen. Olorunimbe Mamora, Minister of State for Niger Delta, Sen. Omotayo Alasoadura, and Minister for Mines and Steel Development.

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