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“We lost N5bn  During #EndBadGovernance Protest – Jigawa Govt

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Umar Namadi - Governor of Jigawa State

By Akinwale Kasali

The Governor Umar-Namadi led Jigawa State Government is counting its losses during the #EndBadGovernance Protest which rocked the country in 2024.

The State Government  disclosed that it  lost properties worth a staggering five  billion Naira to destruction.

This disclosure was made by the Chairman of the Fact-finding Committee on the protest, Bello Fanini, during the presentation of the Committee’s Report to Governor Namadi at the Council Chambers of the Government House in Dutse.

Fanini who is the State Commissioner for Justice, stated that the destroyed properties belonged to the Federal, State, and Local Governments, as well as private individuals.

He further explained that the committee had outlined recommendations aimed at preventing such incidents in the future.

The Governor  expressed appreciation to the Committee for their dedication and assured that the Government would carefully review and implement the recommendations

He stressed the need to protect lives and property across the state.

Ondo: CP Moves Against Cult, Boundary Clashes

By
Ayodele Oni
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Wilfred Afolabi - Ondo CP

By Ayodele Oni

Following the increase in cult and boundary clashes, the Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, Mr. Wilfred Afolabi has organised  town hall meetings with communities in Idanre Local Government Area of the State.

The commissioner also visited the Deji and Paramount ruler of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo, at his palace discussing the need for the collaboration of the traditional institutions with the police in nibbing crime in the bud.

Fielding questions from newsmen, the CP said: “The essence of this meeting is for us to get acquainted with the security challenges they may be having and at the same time for them to give us an assessment of service delivery of the police in this community.

“But most importantly is for police to get closer to the stakeholders in the community to enhance free flow of information and at the same time look at areas to exploit so that police can discharge its duty effectively and more efficiently.

“It’s one of the beauty of this community safety partnership forum. If I did not come, I would not have had access to some of this information that was brought to my knowledge this afternoon.

“So, having gotten this information, we’ll go back to our drawing boards and see how some of these issues can be tackled and resolved.

“I will do system analysis and by doing that, I will be in a better position to know the security modalities to put in place to address most of the issues which they brought to our knowledge.”

During the meeting, the people tabled their various security challenges in the individual communities.

They emphasized on the need to beef up security in the communities by deploying more policemen to the local government and the wherewithal they will work with for timely response to emergencies.

Residents of Gbalegi community solicited for establishment of a Police Post in the community to check activities of criminals that usually infiltrate their farms to steal their farm produce, especially cocoa and tree felling.

Earlier, the commissioner said the meeting became necessary for them to see how they could work together on the programme, community safety partnership, initiated by the commissioner.

He said the programme is focusing on how to ensure good service delivery through feedback and review of activities of residents as it affect security of the community and the state in general.

Northern Group Flays NCC Telecom Tariffs Hike

By
Ayodele Oni
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Nigeria Telecom - MTN -GLO - Airtel - 9Mobile - Telecoms

By Ayodele Oni

Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has condemned the Nigeria Communications Commission’s (NCC) recent approval of a 50 percent increase in telecom tariffs. It  described  the hike as exploitative.

The tariff hike, as approved by the Federal Government, will see the cost of calls rise from N11 to N16.50 per minute, SMS rates increase from N4 to N6, and data prices surge from N350 to N431.25 per gigabyte.

In a statement on Wednesday by  Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, its National Coordinator, the coalition argued that the increase is “coming at a time when Nigerians are reeling in immense economic hardship.

“The CNG totally and unequivocally rejects the recent astronomical 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs in the country as sanctioned by the NCC.

“The CNG avers that this decision, coming at a time when Nigerians are reeling in immense economic hardship, is nothing short of an assault on the dignity and livelihoods of the people that have been economically pauperized.

“We are appalled by the insensitivity and lack of foresight demonstrated by the NCC and the Federal Ministry of Communications in approving such an exorbitant tariff hike.

“The CNG observes that at a time when millions of Nigerians are struggling to make ends meet due to hyper-inflation, rising unemployment, and the pervasive effects of economic mismanagement, this decision is utterly indefensible.

“it is unjustifiable for the NCC to cite operational cost increases and industry sustainability as reasons for the increase devoid of considering the current economic realities bequeathed to ordinary Nigerians.”

The group argued that the assertion that the decision followed “extensive consultations” with stakeholders is complete misrepresentation of reality as certainly the millions of struggling telecom consumers were not part of the consultation.

“By approving this hike, we contend, the NCC has jeopardized access to communication, education, healthcare, and commerce for the average Nigerian and further expanded the frontiers of the digital divide in the country.”

The CNG therefore “recommends instead a more reasonable adjustment of a maximum of 10 percent which balances industry sustainability with the current economic realities in Nigeria.”

Ekweremadu Released From London Jail, Returns To Nigeria

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Ike Ekweremadu

By Adesina Soyooye

This is good news for the family and friends and associates of Professor Ike Ekweremadu, a two-term Deputy Senate President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Both the former Deputy Senate President and his wife, Dr. Beatrice Nwanneka Ekwwremadu, were, on 5th May, 2023, jailed in London.

The couple was found guilty and convicted alongside a London-based Nigerian-born Medical Doctor, Obinna Obeta.

They were jailed in  controversial and emotional circumstances for  taking one David Nwamini to London from, Lagos, Nigeria in order to harvest his kidney to save their daughter, Sonia, whose life was on the line over a bad kidney disease.

The Ekweremadus, after a six-week trial at London’s  Central Criminal Court, were found guilty of violating the Modern Slavery Act.

While the Senator  was sentenced to a jail term of nine years, eight months, his wife, Dr. Ekweremadu, was sentenced to a jail term of four years and six months. Dr Obete was handed a 10-year jail term, and his medical license, revoked.

The good news as reportedly  confirmed by a family source is that the Senator’s wife, Dr Nwanneka Ekweremadu, has been released from jail. According to reports, she has not only regained her freedom, but returned to Abuja, Nigeria, Tuesday night.

It is not known under what circumstances she was released, but it gives hope that her husband, the Senator, may soon enjoy same freedom. She is said to be finally home at her Abuja residence.

Since the news of her release became public, it is celebration galore at their hometown, Mpu, Aniri Local Government Area, Enugu State.

The couple and Dr Obeta were the first to be jailed under Britain’s Modern Slavery Act.

President Donald Trump’s Executive Orders

By
The Source
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Donald Trump
President Donald Trump

Here is the list of all 42 Executive Orders, Memoranda, and Proclamations Signed by President Donald Trump.

*Declaring a National Emergency at the Southern Border

*2.Designating Mexican Drug Cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations

*3.Reinstating the  ‘Remain in Mexico’ Policy

*4.Ending Birthright Citizenship for Children of Illegal Immigrants

*5.Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism

*6.Eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs in Federal Agencies

*7.Withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement

*8.Declaring a National Energy Emergency

*9.Reversing Electric Vehicle Mandates

*10.Implementing ‘Schedule F’ for Federal Employees

*11.Relocating U.S. Space Command Headquarters to Alabama

*12.Pardoning Individuals Convicted in Relation to January 6 Events

*13.Halting Federal Funding for Abortion Services

*14.Suspending Security Clearances for Officials Linked to Hunter Biden Scandal

*15.Establishing a Federal Bitcoin Reserve

*16.Releasing Classified Documents on JFK, RFK, and MLK Assassinations

*17.Reversing AI Regulation Policies

*18.Imposing Tariffs on Imports from China, Mexico, and Canada

*19.Reinstating the Ban on Transgender Military Service

*20.Prohibiting Transgender Women from Participating in Women’s Sports

*21.Halting Government Offshore Wind Leases

*22.Renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America

*23.Reverting Mount Denali to Mount McKinley

*24.Freezing Federal Workforce Hiring

*25.Easing Regulations on Oil and Gas Production

*26.Pausing Congress’ TikTok Ban to Seek a U.S. Buyer

*27.Reversing Biden-Era Immigration Policies

*28.Pulling Out of the World Health

organisations

*29.Eliminating Federal Funding for DEI Programs

*30.Establishing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)

*31.Reinstating the ‘Muslim Ban

*32.Ending Birthright Citizenship

*33.Reforming the Criminal Justice System

*34.Banning Critical Race Theory in Federal Agencies

*35.Demanding Increased NATO Contributions

*36.Confronting China on Trade Practices

*37.Ending the War in Ukraine

*38.Supporting Law Enforcement

*39.Promoting School Choice

*40.Restricting Refugee Admissions

*41.Increasing Federal Focus on Fentanyl Trafficking

*42.Launching a National Infrastructure Plan

Abia To Recruit 2,500 Teachers

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Alex Otti - Governor of Abia State
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Abia State Government has informed that no fewer than 2,500 teachers will be recruited for the State’s Primary and Secondary Schools.

This is just as Government reaffirmed its commitment towards the  strict implementation of  its  Out-of School policy.

At a media briefing at the end of this week’s Executive Council meeting in Umuahia, the State capital, Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, stated that the recruitment exercise which is the first phase of a wider process, is aimed at improving the Primary and Secondary education sector in the State .

According to him, Council, in arriving at the decision, took into consideration the observed shotfalls in the required number of teachers, particularly in some core science subjects.

He explained that the decision further underscores the importance the State Government attaches to the growth and development of the education sector.

Prince Kanu however, noted that the modalities for the exercise will be worked out in less than no time.

“This, of course, is another pointer to how important the Education Sector is to the current administration in the State.

The modalities for this recruitment exercise will be made public before the end of the week”,  the Commissioner stated.

According to Kanu, the State Government has launched an enforcement team known as “School Marshalls” to ensure the full implementation of its  new law prohibiting children of school age from  loitering about during school hours.

The Source reports that the State Government recently enacted a law on free basic education (Primary and Junior Secondary).

Under the law, it is an offence for parents and guardians not to send their children to school.

Similarly, the law  also frowns at  children of school age seen either loitering about or hawking on the streets during school hours.

The Commissioner for Information informed that the School Marshall will comprise officials of  the Abia state Harmonized Task Force, Security agencies, the Judiciary, as well as other relevant stakeholders within the education sector.

As part of its enforcement strategies, the School Marshall, he noted, will be patrolling the streets and other areas, with a view to identifying school-age children not attending schools.

Apprehended children will subsequently lead the School Marshalls to their parents for questioning and possible punishments, Kanu warned.

The Commissioner appealed to Parents and guardians to avail  themselves this golden opportunity to give their wards basic education.

CSOs Faults Amnesty International’s Report on End Bad Governance Protest

By
Akinwale Kasali
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EndBadGovernance Protest

By Akinwale Kasali

Amnesty International, AI, has come under strong criticism from a Coalition of Civil Society Organizations, CSOs.  The coalition faulted the recent report by the Amnesty International on the August, 2024, #End Bad Governance Protest in Nigeria.

The protest led to the arrest of several youths who waved Russian Flags in some part of the country, particularly, the North.

Gbenga Soloki, one of the Converners and Leader of the Coalition who spoke at a Press Conference in Lagos said it has reviewed the report by Amnesty International with great concern and disappointment.

The Coalition acknowledged that Amnesty International is a respected global human rights organization, but it found their report to be ill-conceived, biased, and an inaccurate reflection of the events that characterized the protests in Northern Nigeria in August 2024.

It said: “We are particularly alarmed by the deliberate omissions and misrepresentations in the report that paint a one-sided, distorted picture of the protests.

“Amnesty International’s report claims that at least twenty-four (24) people were killed by security forces during the protests in six Northern States.

“While we do not condone the use of excessive force by security personnel, we must highlight that the report fails to acknowledge key facts that would provide a clearer understanding of the situation.

“The violence that erupted during the August protests was not one-sided. Yes, there were tragic incidents where innocent lives were lost, but the report completely disregards the widespread violence, looting, and destruction that took place during these protests in several northern states, including Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, and Gombe.

“The Amnesty report fails to mention the violent attacks on security personnel, including the brutal murder of a police officer and the injury of several others.

“These facts are not inconsequential, as they point to the escalation of violence during the protests, which could not have been ignored in any accurate account of the events.

“We are particularly surprised by Amnesty International’s glaring omission of the truth surrounding the violence that marked the protests.

“In several Northern States, protesters did not merely engage in peaceful demonstrations. In fact, many of these protests devolved into violent riots that saw large-scale looting, destruction of public property, and assaults on security personnel.

“Markets, businesses, and private properties were ransacked in broad daylight by those claiming to protest the government.

“How does Amnesty International fail to acknowledge the violent elements among the protesters? How is it that the organization chose to ignore the reality on the ground, where criminal elements infiltrated the protests, causing chaos, terror, and harm?”

According to the coalition, these elements were not protesting governance; they were criminal actors engaging in robbery, arson, and violence.

It noted that the report failed to account for this critical aspect of the protest, which is essential to understanding the security agencies’ response.

Again, Rivers Tragic Boat Accident Claims Lives

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Boat Mishap

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Rivers State Police Command has  confirmed that three persons lost their lives in tragic  boat mishap in Bonny Island.

This is even as it assured that a comprehensive inquest will be instituted to ascertain details of the sad incident

A statement from the Command’s spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko informed that 19 passengers were rescued from the accident. Preliminary findings, she disclosed, blamed  a sudden windstorm for the tragedy.

The boat, she noted was heading from Port Harcourt, the state capital ,to Bonny Island when suddenly it ran into stormy weather at about 5pm, within the area popularly known as ” Yellow Platform, a short distance to Bonny Island and subsequently capsized.

A total of 22 passengers were on board the ill-fated boat. Two males  and a female were confirmed dead.

“The unfortunate boat had put out to sea from the Bonny/Nembe/Bille Waterfront Jetty in Port Harcourt with 22 passengers .

“While 19 of them were rescued, two male adults and a young girl lost their lives.

“It is very sad . The boat capsized at Yellow Platform in Bonny Island while enroute from Port Harcourt”, the police spokesperson stated.

According to her, the Command has commenced full investigation into the incident with a view to  unraveling the actual circumstances which surrounded the incident.

Minister Blames Cost Of ‘Diesel’ For MTN, GLO Others Telecoms Tariff Hike

By
James Orji
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Glo World

The federal government has no other options than to approve a new telecommunication tariff regime, according to the Minister of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani.

The minister spoke on the heels of the recent tariff increase for telecoms operators in the country, including MTN, Glo, Airtel and others by 50 percent.

The operators had earlier demanded 100 percent increase.

The hike will affect what the operators charge on phone calls and data from their consumers, according to analysts.

Not a few consumers said the hike undesirable in the fact of the current economic situation in the country. The increasing will exacerbate the problem, analyst say.

Defending the government’s decision to approve a new tariff regime on Tuesday, the minister said there was no other way out, as the government had to act to keep the operators in business in the face of the rising cost of production, including the cost of diesel which have gone up in the last few months.

Tijani while speaking after a closed-door budget defence session with the National Assembly Joint Committee on Information, Communication, and Technology, said what’s happening in the country is similar to other part of the world where the cost of services has shot up as a result of global inflation.

He said the approval was made after months of pressure from the operators over the cost of operations, adding that the government will ensure that the providers “deliver the best quality services.”

“The hike in price is based on inflation globally. This is a sector that has not increased prices for a long time; what the government has been doing is managing the situation,’ Tijani said.

Adding that, “They have been crying out for a long time that they are struggling with the cost of diesel. This is not a problem that is unique to Nigerians..

“We will ensure that MNOs can continue to deliver the best quality services to the people. The NCC is doing a lot of tracking now to ensure that the quality of the services people will get is of good quality.”

CBN Counters World Bank, Projects Over 4 Percent Economic Growth

By
James Orji
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Yemi Cardoso - CBN Governor

The Yemi Cardoso-led Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has predicted and economic growth of over four percent for Nigerian in the current year. The government bank said the figure is based on the recent realities which show that the economy is gradually picking up.

The apex bank made this known on Tuesday, saying it expected the economy to grow by 4.17 percent, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN reports.

The Deputy Governor of the CBN, Economic and Policy Directorate, Muhammad Abdullahi made the disclosure yesterday during the 11th edition of the National Economic Outlook event orgainsed by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN, and others.

The projection is however different from that of the World Bank which had earlier predicated an economic growth of over  percent for Nigeria.

The apex bank said the projected growth is however dependent on the effective manaement of noth fiscala and monetary policies by the federal government, noting that sustained implementation of government reforms, stable crude oil prices, stable Naira exchange rate  and improvements in domestic oil production are very key if this is to be achieved.

Failure to do any of these will lead to a downturn in the projected growth, the CBN said.

According to the World Bank economic outlook for Nigeria released in January, the country’s economic growth is expected to climb to .6 percent this year. This is based on the effective implementation of reforms by the federal government, the report said.

“Growth in Nigeria is forecast to strengthen to an average of 3.6 per cent a year in 2025-26. Following monetary policy tightening in 2024, inflation is projected to gradually decline, boosting consumption and supporting growth in the services sector, which continues to be the main driver of growth,” the Bank said.

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