Politics

We’ve lifted 10.5m Nigerians out of poverty in two years – President Buhari

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President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration has lifted 10.5 million Nigerians out of poverty in the last two years.

Buhari stated this during his Democracy Day speech on Saturday, June 12.

“In the last two years we lifted 10.5 million people out of poverty – farmers, small-scale traders, artisans, market women and the like,” he said.

The President said his administration is strongly committed to lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.

He said; “I will be the first to admit that in spite of our efforts and achievements which are there for all to see, there is still much more to be done and we are doing our best in the face of scarce resources and galloping population growth rate that consistently outstrips our capacity to provide jobs for our populace. Our over-all economic target of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years is our goal notwithstanding COVID-19.

“I am very convinced that this 100 million target can be met and this informed the development of a National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy. The specific details of this accelerated strategy will be unveiled shortly.”

Buhari disclosed that his administration disbursed N5,000 to 1 million Nigerians using a rapid response register and advanced N20,000 to 750,000 beneficiaries of the conditional cash transfer progamme and provided 1.37 million Nigerians with palliatives from the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID), a private sector-led organisation established to assist the government in combating COVID-19 pandemic.

At the same time the Federal Government released 109,000 metric tonnes of food reserve stocks and 70,000 metric tonnes of grains to the poor and vulnerable in all 36 states of the federation.

“In addition, Government reduced interest rates from 9% to 5% for struggling businesses and extended credit facilities to 548,345 beneficiaries,” he said.

Politics

Buhari replaces NBC Director-General amid Twitter ban

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President Muhammadu Buhari, has approved the appointment of Balarabe Shehu Ilelah as the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, announced the appointment in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

He the appointment of Ilelah, a veteran broadcaster “is for a tenure of five years in the first instance.”

Ilelah replaces erstwhile DG, Prof Armstrong Idachaba, amid the Twitter ban.

Recall that the NBC had directed broadcast stations to deactivate their Twitter accounts shortly after the ban issued by the Federal Government.

Politics

Nigeria needs Twitter – Senate President breaks silence on Twitter ban

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President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan has broken his silence on the suspension of Twitter by the federal government.

According to Lawan, the country needs Twitter as much as the social networking service needs Nigeria.

Speaking with journalists at the national assembly in Abuja on Friday, he said the senate is optimistic that the federal government and Twitter will eventually resolve their differences.

The honorable minister of information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, informed Nigerians that they are talking with Twitter to resolve this matter. Our belief is that Nigeria needs Twitter just as much as Twitter needs Nigeria.

We believe that the matter between Twitter and the federal government of Nigeria will be resolved.

“But beyond that, I’m an optimist, I believe all of us will have learnt our lessons,” the Senate President said.

Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, announced the suspension of the social media platform a week ago.

But when the national assembly resumed sitting on Tuesday, the senate, unlike the house of representatives, kept mum over the ban.

Politics

US condemns Nigeria’s Twitter ban, calls for reversal

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The United States on Thursday condemned the Nigerian government for suspending Twitter and threatening to prosecute persons still using the social networking platform.

In statement from the US Secretary of State, signed by spokesperson Ned Price, the United States government called for Nigeria to reverse its decision.

“The United States condemns the ongoing suspension of Twitter by the Nigerian government and subsequent threats to arrest and prosecute Nigerians who use Twitter,” U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, announced the suspension of Twitter last week after the social media giant removed a tweet from President Muhammadu Buhari that threatened to punish secessionists.

Price added that US was concerned that the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC ordered Television and radio stations to stop using Twitter.

Read the full statement below;

The United States condemns the ongoing suspension of Twitter by the Nigerian government and subsequent threats to arrest and prosecute Nigerians who use Twitter. The United States is likewise concerned that the Nigerian National Broadcasting Commission ordered all television and radio broadcasters to cease using Twitter.

Unduly restricting the ability of Nigerians to report, gather, and disseminate opinions and information has no place in a democracy. Freedom of expression and access to information both online and offline are foundational to prosperous and secure democratic societies.

We support Nigeria as it works towards unity, peace, and prosperity. As its partner, we call on the government to respect its citizens’ right to freedom of expression by reversing this suspension.

Politics

Boko Haram fuelled by unemployment, poverty – Buhari

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President Muhammadu Buhari says the Boko Haram insurgency in Northern Nigeria is largely fuelled by youth unemployment and poverty, noting that the “level of poverty is almost unimaginable.”

He said this in an interview with Arise TV on Thursday, June 10, 2021.

According to Buhari, his government has done a lot to fight the terrorists but the problem in the “North-East is very difficult.”

He said he believes majority of the Boko Haram members are Nigerians after being told so by the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, who according to him, is working very hard and taking a lot of risks.

He noted that he recently changed service chiefs to re-energise the fight against Boko Haram and other security challenges.

Condemning the Boko Haram terrorists, President Buhari said: “You can’t kill innocent people and say God is great.”

He, however, added that his administration has recorded significant achievements, noting that Nigerians know the difference between when he came in and now.

Politics

Sunday Igboho to join nationwide protest on June 12

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Yoruba rights activist, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, says he will join a nationwide protest fixed for June 12, 2021.

The freedom fighter alongside other Nigerians, will stage a protest on Saturday calling for Yorubaland to become a sovereign nation among other demands.

Recall that the National Association of Nigerian students, NANS, and civil societies have alerted the federal government that a protest will hold on Saturday to press Buhari’s regime to address insecurity, economic stability, unemployment and other rising matter in the country.

Adeyemo, represented by his spokesman, Olayemi Koiki, in an interview on Wednesday, called for the South-West governors’ support.

He said; “Let us warn the federal government that if there is bloodshed this weekend, the international community is watching. If the military kills any Nigerian this weekend, it is going to be very hot.”

He added; “The Yoruba Nation rally will go ahead in every part of Yoruba land and the rest of the country where it will hold.

“Red alarm will begin on Friday. People should stock up food Items from Friday night.

“We are not backing down this weekend. We are ready to take back what belongs to us.”

Politics

Nigeria moves to sell electricity to four West African countries

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Nigeria is in talks with four West African countries expected to buy unused electricity from it.

The deal will be done through a planned $570 million Northcore Power Transmission Line.

The acting Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and Chairman, Executive Board of the West African Power Pool (WAPP), Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, stated this on Wednesday during the WAPP meeting on the Northcore project in Abuja.

According to Daily Trust, about 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity is said to be unutilised daily across the Generation Companies (GenCos) in Nigeria and could be exported.

“The power we will be selling is the power that is not needed in Nigeria. These generators that are going to supply power to this transmission line are going to generate that power specifically for this project. So it is unutilised power,” Abdulaziz said.

He also noted that Nigeria is expecting new generators to participate in the energy export for the 875 kilometre 330 kilovolts Northcore transmission line from Nigeria through Niger, Togo, Benin to Burkina Faso.

“In addition, there are some communities that are under the line route, about 611 of them which will be getting power so that there won’t be just a transmission line passing without impact.”

The project is funded by World Bank, French Development Council and the African Development Bank.

Speaking on the benefits, the WAPP chairman noted, “Nigeria has the greatest advantage among these countries because the electricity is going to be exported from Nigerian GenCos. So from that, the revenue is going to be enhanced and a lot of people will be employed in Nigeria.”

The Secretary General of WAPP, Siengui Appolinaire Ki, said: “The cost is about $570 million and the part of the investment in each country is funded by the country and they are supported by the donors, and Nigeria is taking its own.”

He also said the funding agreement is ready as they await the disbursement.

Politics

Twitter must be registered in Nigeria before ban will be reversed – FG

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The federal government on Wednesday, said the management of Twitter has reached out for a “high-level discussion” to resolve the issue that led to the suspension of its operations in Nigeria.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, made the disclosure to state house correspondents after the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday, June 9, 2021.

The meeting, which held at the presidential villa, Abuja, was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mohammed listed conditions that must be met before even considering a reversal of Twitter ban – which includes that it must now be registered in Nigeria as a business concern, The Cable reports.

He said other social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram must also be registered in the country.

The minister said freedom of speech was not stifled by the suspension of Twitter, adding that Nigerians can still use other platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.

He added that Twitter’s loss of money as a result of the suspension is an indication of its effectiveness.

Mohammed said the suspension was necessary because the micro-blogging site provided a platform for those that are threatening the existence of Nigeria.

The minister alleged that Twitter allowed Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to use its platform to call for the killing of security agents.

He revealed that the microblogging platform failed to take down Kanu’s tweets despite repeated requests to do so.

Politics

Nigerians should emulate politicians, we are united – Yahaya Bello

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Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has urged Nigerians to eschew violence and promote peace, saying political elites are united and do not exchange blows.

Bello made the call on Wednesday in Abuja when he received members of the Ex-Agitators Forum from the Niger Delta on a solidarity visit to him for his achievements in security and unity in Kogi.

“I do not think you have ever seen our leaders exchanging blows during our meetings. We, as elites, are united, some only create the fights for you, and you fight yourselves. God forbid, I will not belong to that,” he said.

He noted Nigeria could only be fixed if everybody, irrespective of ethnic origin, religious and political views, came together

Bello also urged youths to resist being used in perpetrating criminal activities, especially by those who do not have the interest of Nigeria but to stand up to become part of the leadership process at all levels.

He said; “Let us come together as Nigerians, whether you are from Niger-Delta, whether you are from East, North, West, South, or not, let us come together.

“Enough of this divide and rule, enough of this ethnic sentiment, enough of these religious sentiments.

“The time has come to produce the next leaders across the board; leadership at top levels comprising of all these ethnic groups and religions.”

He urged the Nigerian youths to be wary of selfish politicians, “who do not have the interest of Nigeria at heart to use these sentiments to divide us and take our resources away, and crumbs are thrown at us.

“Nigeria is blessed; all it takes is good leadership to harness these blessings”.

The governor added that the Kogi strategy would bring the desired change and solution to the country’s challenges if copied across the board.

Politics

Nigerians just sit and complain but do nothing – Cardinal Onaiyekan

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Cardinal John Onaiyekan says Nigerians are used to “just sitting and complaining about everything” but do nothing to challenge bad leaders.

The former Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese stated this on Tuesday in Abuja during the North Central Zonal Dialogue Conference, organised by Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, in partnership with Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy, and Development.

Onaiyekan urged Nigerians to put elected leaders on their toes and hold them accountable.

He said; “Nigerians have gotten used to just sitting and complaining about everything. They complain about government and politicians, but they do not take their role of citizen participation seriously.

The leaders are happy about this and take full advantage of the docile nature of most Nigerians.”

According to the cleric, only when Nigerians actively use their right of “citizen participation” in governance will the leaders be on their toes and live up to their responsibilities.

The religious leader reminded leaders that once they took their oath of office with either Bible or Quran, they had put themselves under the judgment of God.

Another panellist, Bola Abimbola, Executive Director of Savannah Centre, noted that some of the problems in the country stemmed from a trust deficit between the government and citizens.

Abimbola, represented by Felix Pwol, a director at the centre, said the government needed to focus on national unity, national security, and development.

Politics

#TwitterBan: Don’t access social media via VPN – APC warns Nigerians

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned Nigerians against the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) to access social media.

Following the federal government’s ban on Twitter and subsequent disconnection by network providers last week, many Nigerians turned to VPN to access the microblogging platform.

But National secretary of the APC caretaker committee, John Akpanudoedehe warns that hackers could steal data and money from bank accounts through the use of VPN.

In a statement released on Tuesday, he said; “The APC alerts Nigerians of the many risks involved in accessing contents, especially social media using the Virtual Private Network (VPN) which is vulnerable to the heinous activities of criminal hackers who can steal data and money in bank accounts.

“The APC warns legitimate private and public entities operating in the country to avoid the many dangers of exposing themselves to cybercrimes through the use of VPN which is not adequately secured.

“This advisory is necessary because despite the massive compliance by Nigerians to the federal government’s suspension of Twitter operations in the country, some individuals in the country have resorted to VPN to assess Twitter whose unwholesome activities were detrimental to peace and public order in the country.”

“The APC emphasises that VPN users expose their devices to vulnerabilities, because the network allows third parties access to personal data and changes user location to another country which compromises data integrity.

Your record can be traced to another country that is not yours, with all the risks that entails. Many individuals and organisations using VPN have lost their investments after compromising the security of their devices.

The APC strongly advises that Nigerians should avoid installing or using VPN to access social networking sites in order to protect their privacy and security online.

“This is in our individual and collective interest.”

Politics

Buhari dragged to ECOWAS court over Twitter ban

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Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and 176 concerned Nigerians have filed a lawsuit against the government of President Muhammadu Buhari over “the unlawful suspension of Twitter in Nigeria.

Information and Culture minister, Lai Mohammed last week announced the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria days after the social media platform deleted Buhari’s tweet for violating its rules.

The government has also threatened to arrest and prosecute anyone using Twitter in the country, while the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has asked all broadcast stations to suspend the patronage of Twitter.

At the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja, SERAP and the concerned Nigerians are seeking, “An order of interim injunction restraining the Federal Government from implementing its suspension of Twitter in Nigeria, and subjecting anyone including media houses, broadcast stations using Twitter in Nigeria, to harassment, intimidation, arrest and criminal prosecution, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.”

In the suit filed by the solicitor to SERAP, Femi Falana, the plaintiffs contend that “if this application is not urgently granted, the Federal Government will continue to arbitrarily suspend Twitter and threaten to impose criminal and other sanctions on Nigerians, telecommunication companies, media houses, broadcast stations and other people using Twitter in Nigeria, the perpetual order sought in this suit might be rendered nugatory.”

The suit read; “The suspension of Twitter is aimed at intimidating and stopping Nigerians from using Twitter and other social media platforms to assess government policies, expose corruption, and criticize acts of official impunity by the agents of the Federal Government.

The free communication of information and ideas about public and political issues between citizens and elected representatives is essential. This implies a free press and other media able to comment on public issues without censor or restraints, and to inform public opinion. The public also has a corresponding right to receive media output.

“Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and the full enjoyment of this right is central to achieving individual freedom and to developing democracy. It is not only the cornerstone of democracy but indispensable to a thriving civil society.

The arbitrary action by the Federal Government and its agents have negatively impacted millions of Nigerians who carry on their daily businesses and operational activities on Twitter. The suspension has also impeded the freedom of expression of millions of Nigerians, who criticize and influence government policies through the microblogging app.

“The suspension of Twitter is arbitrary, and there is no law in Nigeria today permitting the prosecution of people simply for peacefully exercising their human rights through Twitter and other social media platforms.

“The suspension and threat of prosecution by the Federal Government constitute a fundamental breach of the country’s international human rights obligations including under Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 19 of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party.

“The suspension has seriously undermined the ability of Nigerians and other people in the country to freely express themselves in a democracy and undermined the ability of journalists, media houses, broadcast stations, and other people to freely carry out their professional duties.

A lot of Nigerians at home and abroad rely on Twitter coverage of topical issues of public interest to access impartial, objective and critical information about ideas and views on how the Nigerian government is performing its constitutional and international human rights obligations.

“The implication of the decline in freedom of expression in Nigeria is that the country is today ranked alongside countries hostile to human rights and media freedom such as Afghanistan, Chad, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Zimbabwe and Colombia.”

Politics

Senate screens Buhari’s aide, Lauretta Onochie as INEC commissioner

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Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on Wednesday, asked the Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission to screen for confirmation, the appointments of Lauretta Onochie, and five others as INEC commissioners.

The development came eight months after the President Muhammadu Buharisent the list of the nominees to the Senate for screening.

It was learnt that protests among the Peoples Democratic Party members in the red chamber halted the process of the screening as the opposition federal lawmakers were said to have accused Onochie, who is presently a presidential spokesperson, of unnecessarily casting aspersions on their party.

They also faulted the idea of making Onochie, a card-carrying member of the All Progressives Congress as an INEC Commissioner to represent Delta State on the board of the commission.

Other names on the list are, Prof. Muhammad Kallah (Katsina); Prof. Kunle Ajayi (Ekiti); Saidu Ahmad (Jigawa); Prof Sani Adam (North- Central); and Dr Baba Bila (North-East).

The Senate INEC panel, which has Senator Kabiru Gaya as Chairman, has four weeks to conclude the screening and report back to the red chamber at plenary.

Politics

Speaker, Gbajabiamila shuts down motion to reverse Twitter ban

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Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila on Tuesday shut down a request seeking the federal government’s reversal of the ban on Twitter.

Kingsley Chinda, a PDP lamwker from Rivers state, in a point of order, asked the House to lobby the executive arm of government to lift the ban on the microblogging site, Twitter pending when the committee set up to look into the ban concludes its investigation.

He argued the ban infringed on the rights of Nigerians to freedom of expression.

Shutting down the point of order, Gbajabiamila said when a matter had been concluded and ruled upon, it cannot revisited.

He said; “It will be out of order to attempt to reconsider any specific matter which the House has concluded upon… unless there is a substantive motion.

“The matter has been sent to relevant committees of the House to investigate, and they will report to us in 10 days.

“Even though you have got a motion here, we would have referred it to the same committee, the motion would have been killed. You have not complied with order 9 rule 6, you are rued out of order.”

Undeterred, Chinda insisted on his demand, leading to a rowdy session. He subsequently led other PDP members as they staged a walk out during plenary.

Speaking with journalists after the walkout, Chinda, who is the leader of the PDP caucus, said the speaker’s ruling on the matter should have been debated to reflect the opinion of the lawmakers.

“Let me commend the decision of the leadership of the house to mandate relevant committees to investigate the ban on Twitter operations in Nigeria.

“We just want to add that the federal government should lift the ban pending the outcome of the investigation,” he said.

Politics

Twitter is Nnamdi Kanu’s platform to destabilise Nigeria, says Lai Mohammed

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Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has said Twitter is the social media platform of choice for the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, to “destabilise Nigeria”.

Mohammed made this known during an interview with BBC News Africa on Monday evening .

The minister, while defending the Federal Government’s Twitter ban, maintained that the administration won’t allow any separatist set the country on fire.

He said; “The government has suspended indefinitely the operations of Twitter in Nigeria because of the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.

The government also directed the regulatory agency which is the National Broadcasting Commission to immediately commence the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria.

“The main reason for this is because of the persistent use of Twitter in particular for activities that are inimical to the corporate existence of Nigeria.”

Mohammed added, “IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu in particular, his platform of choice to destabilise the country is Twitter.

“Twitter is actually the platform of choice for the separatist leader who resides outside Nigeria but issues directives for his members to attack the symbols of authority such as policemen, soldiers, correctional centres, electoral offices and this has been done willfully and consistently without consequences using always the Twitter platform.”

Politics

Ex-US President Trump congratulates Nigeria for banning Twitter

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Former U.S. President Donald Trump has hailed the federal government’s ban on Twitter, saying it was a victory for the people of Nigeria and a needed check on the excesses of social media giants.

Trump also said he wished he had taken a similar measure when he was banned from the micro-blogging platform in January.

He called on other world leaders to take take similar measures against Facebook, Twitter and other big tech players.

Congratulations to the country of Nigeria, who just banned Twitter because they banned their President.

More COUNTRIES should ban Twitter and Facebook for not allowing free and open speech — all voices should be heard. In the meantime, competitors will emerge and take hold. Who are they to dictate good and evil if they themselves are evil? Perhaps I should have done it while I was President. But Zuckerberg kept calling me and coming to the White House for dinner telling me how great I was. 2024?” Trump said in a statement issued Tuesday night.

Trump’s approval is coming days after Nigeria suspended Twitter last Friday. The government made the decision days after the microblogging platform deleted President Muhammadu Buhari’s ‘civil war’ tweet for violating its abusive behaviour policy and several calls by Nigerians to take it down.

Politics, World News

Fulani Leader Evicted From Oyo Community Speaks On Recent Killings By Suspected Herders, Allegations Against Him.

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The evicted Seriki Fulani of Oyo State, Saliu Abdulkadir, has denied media reports that he was behind the fresh attack on the Igangan community of Ibarapa north local government area of the state.

Abdulkadir, who was evicted from the area about four months ago, condemned the attacks on Igangan and tasked the security agencies to do their job in arresting the perpetrators of the attacks, Leadership reports.

His denial was in reaction to the comment by the Asigangan of Igangan, Oba Lasisi Adeoye, who accused him of masterminding the recent attack on Igangan where suspected herders killed no fewer than 10 residents.

According to the Seriki, many herders also suffered casualties during the attack stating that a Fulani man who was neither a cattle rearer nor trader and who has been living in Igangan since the 1960s was killed on Monday in a reprisal on several Fulani settlements.

The Seriki stressed that he has no hand in the attacks and has no mercenary anywhere to attack the people on his behalf.

He said since he was evicted from the community by armed youths led by Sunday Igboho, he has lost many of his people, properties and all his investments.

The evicted Seriki who is currently in Ilorin, Kwara State, blamed the attack on the failure of security agencies, saying if the security agencies had been proactive and working, such would not have occurred.

Abdulkadir, however, tasked them to go after the perpetrators, insisting that the unrest in Ibarapa was worsened by ethnic profiling where only Fulani herders were tagged as criminals.

He said on many occasions, Yoruba people were arrested for kidnapping and other criminalities in the Ibarapa zone but their arrests never got prominence because they are not Fulani.

He said since his eviction in January, Fulani herders have been living in fear in the communities in Ibarapa including Aiyete, Tapa and Igangan, adding that he has advised those who are afraid to flee for their lives to refrain from taking the law into their hands.

The Seriki called on the Federal Government to intervene in the happenings in the Ibarapa zone, saying while the state government was doing its part to restore peace to the warring communities, there was the need for the federal government to provide support to achieve lasting peace in the area.

Politics

House of Reps summon Lai Mohammed over Twitter ban

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The House of Representatives on Tuesday, summoned the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed over the suspension of Twitter’s operations in Nigeria.

Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila announced the summon on Tuesday morning during plenary.

A joint committee of the House, Commerce, Information and National Ethics, and Justice, was mandated to carry out an investigation within 10 days.

Gbajabiamila said; “The House of Representatives recognises that Twitter, like other social media networks, is an important tool for communication and commerce in Nigeria, particularly amongst the younger generation who have used these networks for enterprise and innovation with great success.

It is in service of our obligations under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and our moral duty to the Nigerian people, that the leadership of the House has decided to mandate the House Committees on Communication, Justice, Information and Culture, and National Security and Intelligence to immediately commence an investigation to determine the circumstances of the decision by the Federal Government of Nigeria to suspend the operations of Twitter in Nigeria, and the legal authority for the ban on the operations of Twitter in Nigeria.

“The Committees are additionally mandated to invite the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed to brief the House of Representatives on the objectives, intent, and duration of the suspension on the operations of Twitter in Nigeria, and to report to the House within ten days.”

Politics

Nigerians should rise against herdsmen savagery – Governor Akeredolu

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Ondo state Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has called on peace-loving Nigerians to rise against herdsmen savagery after the latest attack in Ibarapa.

The South-West Governors’ Forum chairman also directed all commanders of the South-West Security Network (Amotekun) to immediately begin joint operations to stem the spate of insecurity in the region.

Akeredolu, disclosed this in Akure on Sunday, while describing the attack on Igangan as “a cowardly onslaught,” urged security agencies “to get to the root of this latest act of provocation.”

Suspected herdsmen had on Saturday attacked Igangan in Ibarapa North local government area of Oyo, leaving no fewer than 10 people dead.

Akeredolu also called on all well-meaning Nigerians to condemn the attack in the strongest possible terms, saying, “this latest assault is on decency and communal harmony.”

He added, “We must reiterate the fact that certain elements are bent on causing friction among the people of this country with the sole aim of achieving a pernicious end.

“We have just received, with rude shock, premeditated attacks on our people at Igangan in Ibarapa area of Oyo state, in the early hours of today (Sunday).

“This cowardly onslaught on a peaceful community has occasioned loss of lives and property on a large scale. It is horrendous, callous, and highly provocative. They will stop at nothing until their set goal is realised.”

Speaking further, the governor stated, “It is, therefore, incumbent on all lovers of peace and freedom to rise against this current regression into savagery.

“We, on our parts, are resolved to defend our people, their property, and all legitimate means of livelihood against both internal and external aggression.

“On this, there will be no compromise. We cannot afford to fail.”

Akeredolu called on people in the South-West to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement in their communities.

He also urged them to be united in the task of defending their lives and property.

(NAN)

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