Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has approved the appointment of Akinwale Sarafadeen Adeyemi as the new Chairman, Governing Council of Osun State College of Education, Ila-Orangun.

The news of his appointment was contained in a statement signed by Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed on Friday.

Peter Babalola, the former chairman who was also a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state was suspended by the party in his Ward 7, Irewole local government area.

Prior to his suspension by the PDP in his ward and sacking as Governing Council chairman of the college, he had faced public backlash over alleged financial misconduct.

The statement reads, “Governor Ademola Adeleke has approved the appointment of a tested educationist, Mr Akinyele Sarafa Adeyemi, as the new Chairman, Governing Council of the Osun State College of Education, Ila Orangun.

The statement, which described the new Chairman, Adeyemi as a tested educationist, said he will be replacing Peter Babalola, the former chairman who was dismissed by the state government early in September.

“Mr Adeyemi replaces Dr. Peter Babalola, who resigned his appointment after a controversial tenure at the College of Education.

“Adeyemi, who holds a first and Masters degree in Education from the University of Ibadan, is a retired principal of the Federal Girls College, Ipetumodu.

“The swearing-in ceremony for the new Council Chairman holds by 10am on Monday at the EXCO lounge.”

Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris, held a star-studded rally hosted by talk show legend Oprah Winfrey on Thursday in a bid to dazzle voters, as rival Donald Trump criticised Jewish Americans for not voting for him.

Hollywood stars including Jennifer Lopez, Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Chris Rock and Ben Stiller beamed remotely to lavish praise via screens on the United States Vice President.

Sitting on a chat-show-style stage, Winfrey started by asking Harris about what seemed a sudden burst in confidence — “a veil or something dropped” — after she replaced President Joe Biden as the nominee.

“We each have those moments in our lives when you have to step up,” the 59-year-old Harris replied at the live-streamed “Unite for America” event.

The pair hugged as Harris arrived on stage at the rally in Michigan, one of the seven crucial battleground states that will decide the knife-edge November 5 election.

Harris urged Americans to unite against the “powerful forces that would try to divide us”, represented by Republican former president Trump.

The Democrat then talked through her key campaign points, ranging from abortion to the economy and immigration and gun control, as audience members told stories about their experiences.

Former prosecutor Harris also made a pitch to gun owners, a key part of the electorate in a country with more firearms than people, even as she called for an end to high-powered assault weapons used in a string of school shootings.

“I’m a gun owner too, if somebody breaks in my house they’re getting shot,” Harris said with a laugh, before adding: “I probably shouldn’t have said that… my staff will deal with that later.”

TV superstar Winfrey, who also spoke at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August, said as she introduced Harris that she felt “hope and joy rising.”

Groups including “Swifties for Harris” (made up of fans of Harris-backing pop star Taylor Swift) and “Cat Ladies for Kamala” (women mocking comments by Trump’s running mate J.D. Vance on childless people) tuned in remotely.

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo sued Senator Adams Oshiomhole over comments on the Planwell scheme.

Ighodalo slammed the former governor with a N20 billion lawsuit.

The governorship candidate, through his counsel, Ayo Asala (SAN) & Associates, also sought an immediate retraction and apology for the false, defamatory, and malicious comments which should be published in at least two (2) National Television Networks and three (3) nationally circulating newspapers.

He noted that the allegations by Oshiomhole were baseless, false, and malicious, describing them as another of such defamatory fabrications and statements made by the Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District in the recent past.

According to him, the fabrication of the unfounded and false story is a figment of Oshiomhole’s imagination intended to denigrate his good character and reputation for the political purpose of advancing the sinking fortunes of Oshiomhole’s party and candidate in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Edo State.

A letter by Ighodalo’s lawyers dated September 16, 2024, and addressed to Oshiomhole reads, “We are counsel to Dr. Asue Ighodalo, who is the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the forthcoming Edo State Governorship election.

“It is our information that at a campaign rally of your Party on Saturday, 14th of September, 2024, you made statements to the effect that our aforesaid client, Dr. Ighodalo, was associated with or participated in an alleged pyramid scheme known as ‘PLANWELL’ in which numerous Nigerians were defrauded of their hard-earned funds.

“This false and unfounded statement of yours was broadcast live on television and has received extensive exposure on electronic and social media.

“It is sad to note that despite your status as an elder and holder of a public office, you appear to have developed a pattern of spewing false statements in the public domain purely for the achievement of your political ends.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Nigeria over two weeks after a visit to China and the United Kingdom.

In a video released by a presidential spokesperson, Dada Olusegun, the President was seen alighting from Nigerian Air Force at the presidential wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja on Sunday.

Olusegun wrote, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after his working visit to China and the United Kingdom”.

The President was welcomed by his cabinet members, including the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

President Tinubu was billed to return on Sunday from the UK.

Recall that Tinubu departed Nigeria for China on August 29, 2024, before proceeding to the UK.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday, September 5, pledged over $50 billion in financing for Africa over the next three years.

More than 50 African leaders and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres are attending this week’s China-Africa forum, according to state media.

Addressing the leaders at the forum’s opening ceremony in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People on Thursday, Xi said ties with Africa is in their “best period in history”.

Xi promised to deepen cooperation in infrastructure and trade with Africa.

“China is ready to deepen cooperation with African countries in industry, agriculture, infrastructure, trade and investment,” Xi said.

“Over the next three years, the Chinese government is willing to provide financial support amounting to 360 billion yuan ($50.7 billion),” Xi said.

Over half of that will be in credit, he said, with $11 billion “in various types of assistance” as well as $10 billion through encouraging Chinese firms to invest.

He also promised to help “create at least one million jobs for Africa”.

The Chinese leader pledged $141 million in grants for military assistance to the continent as well.

Beijing would “provide training for 6,000 military personnel and 1,000 police and law enforcement officers from Africa”, Xi said.

Also addressing the meeting, UN chief Guterres told African leaders that growing ties between China and the continent could “drive the renewable energy revolution”.

“China’s remarkable record of development — including on eradicating poverty -– provides a wealth of experience and expertise,” he said.

China is Africa’s largest trading partner and has sought to tap the continent’s vast troves of natural resources including copper, gold, lithium and rare earth minerals.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping will host over two dozen African leaders at a lavish dinner in Beijing on Wednesday, kicking off the city’s biggest summit in years with promises of cooperation in infrastructure, energy and education.

China, the world’s number two economy, is Africa’s largest trading partner and has sought to tap the continent’s vast troves of natural resources including copper, gold, lithium and rare earth minerals.

It has also furnished African countries with billions in loans that have helped build much-needed infrastructure but also sometimes stoked controversy by saddling governments with huge debts.

Twenty-five African leaders have arrived in Beijing or confirmed attendance at this week’s China-Africa forum, according to an AFP tally, including some whose countries face a rising risk of debt distress.

The forum will kick off Wednesday evening with a family photo and a lavish dinner in the Great Hall of the People, followed by an opening ceremony in which Xi will deliver a speech the next day.

Chinese state media has this week lauded Xi as a “true friend of Africa”, claiming Beijing’s ties were reaching “new heights” under his stewardship.

As of Wednesday, the Chinese leader had held talks with over a dozen African counterparts in Beijing, a tally of state media reporting showed.

Meeting Tuesday with Bola Tinubu, president of Nigeria — one of China’s biggest borrowers on the continent — Xi called for great cooperation in the “development of infrastructure, energy and mineral resources”, state news agency Xinhua said.

And in talks with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa that same day, he promised cooperation in “investment, trade, infrastructure, mineral resources” and others.

He also backed Zimbabwe in its struggle against “illegal sanctions” — imposed by the United States in response to corruption and human rights abuses by the country’s leadership.

Analysts say that Beijing’s largesse towards the continent is being recalibrated in the face of economic trouble at home — and that geopolitical concerns over a growing tussle with the United States may increasingly be driving policy.

“Deepening economic engagement with Africa across the board” is one of Beijing’s key goals this week, Zainab Usman, director of the Africa Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told AFP.

“In specific areas, even where such an expanded engagement may not make economic sense, it will be driven by geopolitical reasons,” she explained.

One goal may be narrowing the growing trade imbalance between China and Africa through increasing imports of agricultural goods and processed minerals, Usman said.

“Meeting these African demands is in China’s geopolitical interest to keep them onside in the tussle with the US.”

For their part, African leaders are likely to seek backing for big-ticket items as they have in the past, but also place greater emphasis on debt sustainability, analysts say.

Recent deadly protests in Kenya were triggered by the government’s need “to service its debt burden to international creditors, including China”, said Alex Vines, head of the Africa Programme at London’s Chatham House.

In light of such events, Vines and other analysts expect African leaders at this week’s forum to seek not only more Chinese investment but also more favourable loans.

The United States, US, Republic presidential candidate, Donald Trump, on Sunday warned Americans against his counterpart from the Democrat, Kamala Harris.

Trump warned that Harris would bring about poverty and chaos to Americans if voted president.

The former US president described Harris as a threat to America’s democracy.

Posting on X, Trump said the Vice President is the weakest presidential candidate in US history.

He wrote: “Think of it, America, Pocahontas, sometimes referred to as Elizabeth Warren, is considered far more Conservative in the U.S. Senate than Comrade Kamala Harris ever was.

“Is this really what we want to be President of the United States? She will only bring us Poverty, Chaos, and Heartache! Kamala is rated, by far, the Number One Most Liberal Senator.

“Kamala Harris is the Weakest Presidential Candidate in History on Crime. She’s allowed millions of people to pour through our Borders, many from prisons, mental institutions and, indeed, terrorists, coming in at levels never seen before.

“What gives her the right to run for President? She got no votes to Biden’s 14 Million. She failed in her previous attempt, was the first one out of 22 people to quit, never made it to Iowa, and now she’s a Presidential Candidate? This is a Threat to Democracy!”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has established a committee to review and manage the various risks facing the country.

Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Dr Olasupo Olusi made this known at the annual conference of the Chartered Risk Management Institute, CRMI in Lagos on Thursday.

He noted that the committee was expected to submit findings within four weeks to the presidency.

According to him, President Tinubu understands the importance of risk management in the country’s economy, the reason for setting up a committee.

“I am delighted to say that His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, who understands the importance of risk management and its implications for our economy at large, has recently set up a committee to look into ways we can manage risks, credit risks better and he gave us a mandate to report back to him within the next four weeks,” he said.

On his part, the Chairman of the Council at CRMI, Ezekiel Oseni said the council has put forward legislation at the National Assembly on Risk Management.

He noted that the bill on risk management at the National Assembly has already passed the first reading.

“One of the key initiatives of the institute is sponsoring a bill at the National Assembly, as I promised last year.

“The bill has already passed its first reading. This legislation mandates that every ministry, department, and agency establishe a risk management function”, he said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has established a committee to review and manage the various risks facing the country.

Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Dr Olasupo Olusi made this known at the annual conference of the Chartered Risk Management Institute, CRMI in Lagos on Thursday.

He noted that the committee was expected to submit findings within four weeks to the presidency.

According to him, President Tinubu understands the importance of risk management in the country’s economy, the reason for setting up a committee.

“I am delighted to say that His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, who understands the importance of risk management and its implications for our economy at large, has recently set up a committee to look into ways we can manage risks, credit risks better and he gave us a mandate to report back to him within the next four weeks,” he said.

On his part, the Chairman of the Council at CRMI, Ezekiel Oseni said the council has put forward legislation at the National Assembly on Risk Management.

He noted that the bill on risk management at the National Assembly has already passed the first reading.

“One of the key initiatives of the institute is sponsoring a bill at the National Assembly, as I promised last year.

“The bill has already passed its first reading. This legislation mandates that every ministry, department, and agency establishe a risk management function”, he said.

Obi Aguocha (LP-Abia) says the planned protest by a group was meant to discredit him on allegations concerning lack of constituency projects and accountability.

Mr Aguocha, the lawmaker representing Ikwuano, Umuahia North, and Umuahia South federal constituencies, said this in a statement on Monday.

”A group going by the name of Niger Delta Youth Peace Builders is being sponsored by certain individuals to cast aspersions on my person in Abuja,” the legislator explained. “The said group is being sponsored to protest under the guise of lack of constituency projects, accountable representation, and the management of rice palliatives in our great constituency.

He questioned the business of the Niger Delta youths in the affairs of Ikwuano, Umuahia North, and Umuahia South federal constituency.

“While I respect and recognise their rights to a peaceful assembly of citizens and freedom of expression as enshrined in Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

“These rights are fundamental to our democracy. We encourage them to carry out their activities peacefully and in compliance with the existing laws.”

Mr Aguocha said he valued the safety and well-being of all his constituents, regardless of their political persuasion. He urged them to ensure that their protest remained a positive and constructive engagement.

He said the concerns raised in their notice were not out of place, adding that he had consistently worked hard to secure viable projects for the constituency.

The lawmaker added that this includes infrastructure and human capital development opportunities in the Appropriations Act 2024 for the federal constituency.

“The Appropriation Act is open source and easily verifiable. This is in line with his avowed campaign promises for projects aimed at improving the lives of our great people,” stated the legislator.

He explained that the projects would be executed when the federal government released funds to contractors for their implementation. Mr Aguocha, however, stated that it was significant to note that projects in the Appropriation Act undergo rigorous due process, including their award to eligible contractors.

”We are committed to maintaining transparency and accountability. We will continue to provide regular updates to our constituents,” the federal legislator said.

The acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has vowed to increase Nigerians’ trust in the judicial system.

She maintained that such a task would not be hers alone but the collective duty of all Nigerians.

“We will take the judiciary to new heights. We will improve its reputation and ensure that people have greater confidence in the judiciary.

“I believe that it is not a one-person job. We all have to be involved because we all recognise the areas that need improvement. I believe there will be cooperation because we all want to see a better judiciary.”

Kekere-Ekun made these remarks at her swearing-in ceremony as the 23rd acting Chief Justice of Nigeria at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.

She also noted that her administration would reform the appointment process for judicial officers, promising a better judiciary by the end of her tenure.

“We’ll also be more particular about the process of appointments, which is a significant concern.

“So, this is one of the aspects we will address, and I believe that by the grace of God, by the end of my tenure, we will have a judiciary we can all be proud of. A better judiciary benefits the entire nation; whatever shortcomings we see today, our duty is to improve as members of society

“So, if you want to see improvement, let it start with each of us and our approach to justice. Let us all also have faith in the system,” added Kekere-Ekun.

The NJC had, on August 15, after its 106th meeting, recommended Kekere-Ekun to the President to replace the outgoing CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

Announcing its decision, the council said, “The NJC, at its 106th meeting presided over by Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who steps down today, recommended Justice Kekere-Ekun to President Bola Tinubu for appointment as the CJN.”

She succeeds Ariwoola, who assumed office on June 27, 2022, and stepped down on Thursday upon reaching the statutory retirement age of 70 years.

At 66, Kekere-Ekun is expected to serve until her retirement in 2028. She assumes office in an acting capacity pending her confirmation by the Senate.

The ceremony was attended by the President, Senate President Godswill Akpabio; the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.

Also in attendance were the retired CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, and members of the National Judicial Council and the Nigerian Bar Association.

Vice President Kamala Harris has assured that she would be president for every American if given the mandate.

Harris gave this assurance on Thursday in Chicago when she officially accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for president, delivering a passionate speech that outlined her vision for the future of the nation.

Speaking on the final night of the Democratic National Convention, Harris shared her personal journey, reflecting on her roots and experiences before directly challenging Trump and addressing key issues like the ongoing conflict in Gaza, immigration policies, and reproductive rights.

“I promise to be a president for all Americans,” Harris declared.

“You can always trust me to put country above party and self, to hold sacred America’s fundamental principles, from the rule of law to free and fair elections to the peaceful transfer of power.”

She added: “It is now our turn to do what generations before us have done. Guided by optimism and faith, to fight for this country we love, to fight for the ideals we cherish and to uphold the awesome responsibility that comes with the greatest privilege on earth, the privilege and pride of being an American.”

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said Nigeria would have been much better and occupied a place of pride in the world if not for the self-centred leaders the country has.

Obasanjo said this while speaking at the 2024 edition of the Leadership Empowerment International Conference on Saturday, August 17.

“There is no end to leadership and service to your community until you breathe the last. And you can never be too old to be a leader and to give something to the community in which you lead and serve as a leader, to serve your state, your country, the continent and the world.

And if you asked me in one word, what is the bane of Nigeria today? I will not think about it twice. I will say it is leadership. Leadership that is self-centred, leadership that is a deficit in knowledge and understanding and leadership that does not see service as the centrepiece of what leadership is all about.

If we can get the leadership right, we will get all other things right. ” Obasanjo said

The Police Command in Katsina State on Wednesday said it has foiled a kidnapping attempt at Yan Shantuma village, in Danmusa Local Government Area and rescued seven victims.

The spokesman of the command, ASP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, disclosed this in a statement issued in Katsina on Wednesday.

He said, ”On Wednesday, at about 4:30 pm, a distress call was received at the Danmusa Divisional Police Headquarters that some suspected bandits attacked the village.

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has inaugurated the six new commissioners whose appointments were confirmed by the state House of Assembly.

The new commissioners are Professor Ogbonnaya Uche, Mr David Kalu, Kingsley Chibueze Nwokocha, Dr Uwaoma Ukandu, Dr Queen Ijeoma Aghukwa and Ubochi Goodluck Chinedu.

Addressing the new appointees, Otti said they were chosen on merit and not through the traditional recruitment pattern of filling strategic government offices with cronies who do very little in terms of execution of the business of governance.

He promised to intensify efforts geared towards making life comfortable for Abia people and assured the new commissioner of his support.

The Abia Governor, who warned the new appointees to avoid infighting among their colleagues, also made it clear that his administration had zero tolerance for corrupt practices.

He further disclosed that a dynamic restructuring would be carried out in the ministries to rejig their operations.

Three former commissioners resigned their appointments from the cabinet.

Former Nigeria President, Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday, expressed disapproval at the current state of the country, saying that the majority of its leaders should be behind bars or gallows instead of public offices.

Obasanjo, who spoke while addressing six lawmakers from the House of Representatives, maintained that in choosing good leaders, characters must be considered and questioned.

The former president asserted that until leaders changed their mentality, the country would never see the change it desired.

“Our main problem is ourselves and until we take care of ourselves, we may have one term of four years, one term of six years, one term of seven years, if it’s the same people and same mentality and way we do things, then it won’t change.

“Yes system, yes democracy, we have to rethink democracy, we have to rethink the form of government, but what is the character of the people in government?

“With all due respect, most of them should be behind bars, some should even be in the gallows and that is the truth.

“Now if these are the people that are ruling us, then what do you expect? So, the point is the character of the people that are coming to the government. Their attributes, the sort of people they truly are.

“We need to really think about how we select leaders, what should be the character of a leader we select? What should be their track record ?

“Where should we find them? Are they role models? And I think those are the first things we have to think about,” he stated.

The lawmakers’ entourage included Abdulmalik Danga from Kogi, Dr Usman Midala from Borno, Matthew Nwogu from Imo, Peter Aniekwe from Anambra, Kama Nkemkanma from Ebonyi and Ugochinyere Ikenga from Imo.

President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, approved the appointment of some Nigerians onto the board of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

The list was contained in a statement signed by the presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale.

The board has Alhaji Aminu Masari as the chairman and six others as members.

Tinubu expects the newly-appointed members of the TETFund board “to be dedicated and committed to driving TETFund’s objective of providing the needed support for tertiary education with a view to enhancing the productivity and quality of higher education.”

They include:

Alhaji Aminu Masari — Chairman

Senator Sani Danladi — Member

Mr. Sunday Adepoju — Member

Mr. Nurudeen Adeyemi — Member

Mrs. Esther Onyinyechukwu Ukachukwu — Member

Mr. Turaki Ibrahim — Member

Mr. Aboh Eduyok — Member

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of seven persons to head agencies and programs under the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

Ajuei Ngelale, Tinubu’s spokesperson disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

The appointments include: Chief Executive Officers for the National Social Investment Programme Agency, Badamasi Lawal, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Lami Bello, Programme Manager, National Social Safety-Net Coordinating Office, Funmilola Olotu.

Others are Programme Manager, Grant for Vulnerable Groups, Aishat Alubankudi, Programme Manager, Home Grown School Feeding, Aderemi Adebowale, Programme Manager, National Cash Transfer Office, Abdullahi Imam and Executive Secretary, National Commission for People with Disabilities, Ayuba Gufwan.

The president tasked the new appointees to “facilitate the needed relief to Nigerians and ensure the effectiveness of humanitarian and social development programs.”

This comes after the suspension of Dr. Betta Edu as minister eight months ago over the scandal surrounding the transfer of N585.189 million to a private account.

Edu’s suspension came after Halima Shehu was also suspended as the National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency over the alleged misappropriation of N40 billion.

Meanwhile, the public is yet to know the outcome of an investigation by the anti-graft agencies on Edu and Shehu.

Apex Igbo socio-cultural Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has faulted the nationwide broadcast by President Bola Tinubu, saying that reversal of fuel price would have ended the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.

It, however, commended him for addressing the economic challenges facing Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Sunday by Ohanaeze’s factional Secretary-general, Okechukwu lsiguzoro, he said the economic policies outlined in the speech were promising and could potentially address the long-term economic hardship in the country.

The lgbo Organisation stated that Ndigbo were concerned about the ongoing hunger protests and the heightened tension across the country.

The statement reads in part, “The anticipation of the resumption of protests from August 5th to 10th, 2024, is a cause for worry, as the protesters are demanding immediate action from the government.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s speech had the potential to sway the protesters off the streets if there had been a pronouncement of the reversal of fuel prices or any of the demands put forward by the organizers of the protests.

“The economic policies outlined are commendable, but the immediate challenge is how to address the protesters’ demands and prevent further chaos.

“We are aware that there are local sponsors, in conjunction with international conspirators, who may be waiting for an opportunity to escalate the protests into violence.

“The Southeast region is not a target for protests, but the North, Southwest, and Niger Delta regions are vulnerable to further unrest.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has the opportunity to address the demands of the protesters through other means and prevent the situation from escalating.

“While the implementation of the economic policies may take time, immediate action is needed to quell the protests and prevent any further destabilization of the country.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider making a pronouncement, through his media aides, to address the demands of the protesters.

“A reversal of fuel prices or any other gesture of goodwill towards the protesters could go a long way in restoring peace and stability in the country.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has the chance to demonstrate his leadership and resolve in addressing the concerns of the people.

“It is not too late to act and prevent any further escalation of the protests. We urge him to take swift and decisive action to save our democracy and give the government the opportunity to implement the promising economic policies outlined in his speech.”

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said late Friday he had agreed with Fox News to debate Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris on September 4.

“I have agreed with FoxNews to debate Kamala Harris on Wednesday, September 4th,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, but it was not immediately clear if Harris had agreed to the debate.

Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili has said only the Nigerian government and its supporters can turn the EndBadGovernance protest into a “bloody affair.”

Ezekwesili urged the Nigerian and the state governments to see the protest as an opportunity for deep introspection.

Posting on X, the former Minister called on the government to ensure the full protection of protesters expressing their grievances.

According to Ezekwesili: “As we can all already see, the only group that will turn the #EndBadGovernaceProtest into the ‘bloody affair’ that @NigeriaGov propagandists are predicting and prophesying is the Government and its supporters.

“The People are simply saying ‘We are Hungry and therefore Angry’. We want you to know this and ACT correctly to solve our problems.

“Simple. Again, I ask the Governments @NigeriaGov, State Governments and Governors, the Lawmakers, @nassnigeria
and State Assemblies to make this nationwide expression of dissatisfaction and disapproval of Citizens their opportunity for Deep Introspection.

“Consider your ways. Produce convincing evidence-backed Responses and Plans of Action to Citizens’ Demands.

“@NGRPresident has a Duty to ensure full protection of Citizens who wish to exercise their constitutional right to protest #BadGovernance across the country.

“@PoliceNG must do EVERYTHING right by the People.

“We must remind the @HQNigerianArmy that they cannot in any guise abuse the rights of Citizens. Nigerian Citizens will win. Ultimately.”