Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo has commiserated with the people of Oyo over the passing of Olubadan of Ibadan, Lekan Balogun.

Mr Balogun, 81, died on Thursday at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

He was the 42nd monarch of the ancient town.

Mr Aiyedatiwa, in a statement by his spokesman, Ebenezer Adeniyan, on Friday, condoled with the Oyo State government and Governor Seyi Makinde over the death of Mr Balogun.

He described the death of Mr Balogun, who passed on after two years of ascending the throne, as a monumental loss. The Ondo governor said the late king was a silent achiever and peacefully lovely.

Mr Aiyedatiwa added that within a short period, Mr Balogun ensured communal peace and stability while deploying his rich experience in the traditional leadership of Ibadan.

“While praying to God to give the Oyo State government the wisdom to fill the vacuum the late monarch has left behind, he (Aiyedatiwa) also prayed for the repose of the soul of the amiable king,” the statement added.

The late Olubadan was buried according to Islamic rites at his Aliwo ancestral home in Ibadan.

The Olubadan-in-council said there was no specific date yet for the coronation of the new Olubadan of Ibadanland.

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in 17 federal commissioners of the National Population Commission, which he nominated last November.

The 17 new and returning commissioners took the oath of office – in three batches of six, six, and five – on Wednesday afternoon at the Council Chamber of the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

On November 8, 2023, President Tinubu appointed 20 federal commissioners to the NPC, nine of whom were appointed for a second term in office.

A month later, on December 12, he forwarded the names of 19 of the 20 nominees to the Senate for confirmation.

However, only 17 appeared for the Senate’s screening on February 24, 2024, and were subsequently confirmed.

They include Emmanuel Eke (Abia); Clifford Zirra (Adamawa); Chidi Ezeoke (Anambra); Isa Buratal (Borno); Alex Ukam (Cross River); Blessyn Brume-Maguha (Delta) and Jeremiah Ogbonna Nwankwegu (Ebonyi).

Others are Tony Alyejina (Edo); Ejike Ezeh (Enugu); Abubakar Damburam (Gombe); Uba Nnabue (Imo); Sa’adatu Garba (Kaduna); Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa (Kano); Yori Afolabii (Kogi); Mary Afan (Plateau); Saany Sale (Taraba) and Ogiri Henry (Rivers).

Two nominees, Olakunle Sobukola (Ogun) and Temitayo Oluwatiyi (Ondo) were not screened as they did not appear before the Committee.

That day, Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Population, the recently suspended Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central, PDP), explained that Sobukola and Oluwatiyi were absent because of “recent political developments in their states”.

After observing a minute’s silence in honour of a former Minister of State for Health, Gabriel Aduku, the Federal Executive Council proceeded into its ninth meeting in the administration.

The Federal Government has postponed the launch of the Nigerian Students Loan Scheme indefinitely. The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Education Loan Fund, Akintunde Sawyer, disclosed this during an interview on Arise News on Thursday.

“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to commit to a specific date. We are sort of waiting to ensure that all the stakeholders are aligned to make sure that nobody is blindsided, then we can actually roll this out in a meaningful, comprehensive, wholesome, and sustainable way,” he said.

The scheme, which was initially scheduled to commence on Thursday, has been delayed once again with the government citing the need for corrections before the launch could proceed.

The initiative to establish a Students Loan Fund to provide interest-free loans to Nigerians pursuing higher education was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023.

Sponsored by Femi Gbajabiamila, ex-speaker of the House of Representatives, the bill was initially expected to kickstart between September and October 2023.

Mr Tinubu, acknowledging the delay in meeting the October deadline, announced that the scheme would commence by January 2024.

Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Sununu, confirmed during a Federal Executive Council meeting in January that preparations for the scheme’s launch had been completed.

He mentioned the finalisation of the Student Loan Scheme website and the conclusion of technical plans to facilitate the kick-off.

President Tinubu further assured leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students during their visit to the State House, Abuja, that the scheme would commence once expanded to include additional features such as vocational studies.

Ghana’s electoral body has rejected a plan by the main opposition party to use drones during the upcoming polls.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) says the use of drones will be aimed at preventing potential irregularities in December’s general election.

But the electoral commission said such a move would contravene security protocols and jeopardise the confidentiality of the voting process.

Ghana has a history of closely fought but peaceful elections.December will see a new president elected as Nana Akufo-Addo is stepping down after completing his second term in office.

The presidential election is expected to be a two-horse race between current Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and the NDC’s John Mahama, who has already served as president between 2012 and 2017. He was also the losing candidate in the 2020 election.

Mr Mahama has alleged that plans to rig the vote in favour of the NPP are already in place. But both the Electoral Commission and the governing NPP have denied the allegation.

On Monday, a senior NDC official revealed plans to deploy drones in the region around the capital, Accra, in an effort to enhance election monitoring.

Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore said the plan was part of the strategy to secure over two million votes for the party in the region, which they believe will be crucial in determining the outcome of the poll.

“Next week, we are going to train constituency executives on how to use drones to monitor what happens during the elections,” Mr Moore was quoted as saying.

He did not give further details about the planned deployment of drones but stressed the party’s commitment to securing all necessary resources for a smooth electoral process.

However, the country’s director of electoral services Serebour Quaicoe opposed the move, saying it might compromise voters’ electoral privacy and security.

Mr Quaicoe said the commission was yet to receive an official request from the party regarding the deployment of drones.

“They have to apply but it will be very difficult for the Electoral Commission or the police to approve people to be using drones at polling stations,” he said.

“Polling stations are security zones and we want to ensure the secrecy of the ballot.

“But Mustapha Gbande, the NDC deputy general secretary, said the party would strictly observe all the laid down electoral rules by flying the drones outside of the voting areas.

Mr Mahama, who is determined to make a comeback after the 2020 defeat, has urged opposition members to uphold vigilance throughout the electoral process.

The opposition candidate has maintained Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, a former education minister, as his running mate.

The NDC and the NPP have dominated Ghanaian politics since 1992, and the upcoming presidential vote is expected to be keenly contested.

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir-Yusuf, on Monday inaugurated a fleet of modern refuse collection vehicles and 30 motorcycles to enhance waste collection and management in the state.

The vehicles were inaugurated to fast track implementation of a new waste clearance scheme tagged “Operation Nazafa.’’

Mr Kabir-Yusuf said that his administration was committed towards ensuring a clean environment in the Kano metropolis and environs.

He also pledged to settle outstanding entitlements of workers of the Kano Refuse Management and Sanitation Board, affected when the previous administration reorganised the board.

The governor expressed readiness of his administration to address their plights, and directed the relevant agencies to compute comprehensive lists of the affected workers for immediate action.

He commended the Managing Director of the Board, Ahmadu Dan-Zago, and engineers in refurbishing the fleet through effective utilisation of resources.

Earlier, Mr Dan-Zago thanked the governor for his support to the board, adding that the gesture would enhance waste clearance and management in the state.

He said, “With the improved capabilities of the trucks, each is capable of performing the work equivalent to 20 workers, significantly advancing Kano’s cleanliness objectives.’’

Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda has inaugurated a 28-kilometre road project constructed at the cost of N6 billion in the Kafur Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Dr Bala Salisu-Zango, said in Katsina on Monday that the project was awarded by the administration of the former governor Aminu Masari.

He said the project was designed to open up the state, enhance transportation and ease movement of goods and services.

Mr Salisu-Zango said the 23.2 kilometre road starts from Kafur town – Gurai – Buguwa-Sabon – Layi-Siran-Kahara-Mahuta, while the Gurai – Rugoji road is about five kilometres.

He said the Mr Radda administration paid, completed and inaugurated the project in Kafur, adding that, “governance is a continuous process.

“Governor Dikko Radda will complete all the projects awarded by the previous administration. He is committed to pay liabilities for completed contracts awarded by the immediate past administration.’’

He said the Mr Radda administration accorded priority to road infrastructure development, hence the huge investment in the sector to have a multiplier effect on the socio-economic lives of the people in the state.

He quoted the governor as commending the company for quality work, and urged the people to protect the road and other facilities provided in their communities.

Following the adoption of red berets as an insignia by the supporters of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, some residents of the state have been raising eyebrows.

Supporters of the governor, under the umbrella of Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot Soldiers (LACO-FS), have been wearing red berets as their symbol.

While inaugurating the group, Aiyedatiwa was seen putting on the beret, which has been described as a symbol of cultism.

With the development causing uproar within the social media space of the state, some people stated that such a move will further embolden cultists in their activities across the state.

They also stated that cultists can use the avenue to perpetrate crime by disguising themselves as supporters of the governor.

Speaking on the issue, a public affairs analyst, Oluwagbega Ajongbolo, said, “What exactly are Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his supporters bringing into Ondo State with their berets? What’s the idea and ideology behind donning red berets on the streets of Akure and Akoko? What’s the socioeconomic belief of a typical Aiyedatiwa supporter? What does Aiyedatiwa stand for?

If this is not about their economic and political beliefs, should we be scared that a set of people, led by Mr Governor, have now adopted a style of clothing that has significant meaning and messages it is passing across? Are we safe in Ondo State?”

On his part, Sunday Terebo said, “Ondo State, which way, when I saw this in Ondo town yesterday, I thought Vikings were having converged in Ondo state. Make una fear God ooo, but no withstanding fight, no dey always guiding yellow still remains the victory colour.”

For Niyi Arogbo, “Now that Aiyedatiwa has adopted a red beret, let Chief Olusola Oke use a yellow beret, while Senator Jimoh Ibrahim uses a blue beret, and Wale Akinterinwa chooses black. Make sure we systematize everything. Make sure we start the battle from there. Ondo 2024 will be so interesting.”

Omoduni Olamide: “Red Beret is known for cultism and violence. Now that the state governor has aligned with the brand. Are we safe in Ondo State?”

Reacting, the State Director of Information of LACO-FS, Kayode Fasua, distanced the group from cultism-related activities.

It is benumbing to come across grave expressions on social media, especially through some Twitter handles (now rebranded as X), that our group is bringing cultism to Ondo State for the simple reason that we don red berets to our campaign rallies.

“While those bandying the insinuations of thuggery or cultism have bombarded the net with their tar brushes, they fail woefully to prove any instance of violence in our activities and find it hard to produce any pictorial or camera evidence of where Aiyedatiwa supporters under the aegis of LACO-FS are armed with any weapon at all, much less a dangerous one.”

Governor Caleb Mutfwang says he will work closely with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to mitigate criminal activities from Plateau’s borders.

According to a statement Thursday by the r spokesman, Gyang Bere, Mr Mutfwang made the pledge when he visited the newly appointed NIS comptroller general, Kemi Nandap.

The governor expressed confidence in Nantap’s ability to contribute to President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’.

According to Mr Mutfwang, Plateau, being the ‘Home of Peace and Tourism’, welcomes visitors, especially foreigners, who come to invest in the state with the aim of growing the economy and improving the people’s living standards.

He, however, urged the NIS to intensify efforts and identify those whose motives were always to infiltrate the state to cause harm.

While stating that his administration was taking bold steps also to address some security concerns, such as drug abuse, Mr Mutfwang urged the NIS to play its role in stemming the tide of illicit drug trade in Plateau.

He further called on the Service to collaborate with relevant government agencies to produce authentic, reliable and credible global standards data to facilitate planning and effective implementation of government programmes.

The governor pledged support to the NIS boss to enable her to succeed in the great task ahead. He advised her to be fair to all regardless of faith, ethnicity, and regional background and to foster unity in diversity.

She expressed her desire to work on the state’s security to restore its lost glory, noting that the pleasant weather had previously attracted many foreigners.

Ms Nandap promised to cooperate with other security agencies to provide timely and reliable intelligence to flush out criminal elements from the state.

Ms Nandap said innovations would be introduced to enhance the nation’s security through optimal border security management.

Suspected bandits, on Tuesday night, shot dead a former general manager of Jigawa State Housing Authority, Babangida Abubakar Sadeeq and two others.

A resident told DAILY POST that the incident occurred on Yalwandamai road, while the ex-government official was en route Birnin Kudu, his home town after leaving his farm in Dutse.

According to the source: “late Babangida was coming back from Dutse, he branched to a village near Yalwandamai to see his people who are working in his farm.

“Shortly after he left the farm, some few meters, one of the people in his vehicle noticed they were approaching strange people, he quickly alerted Babangida.

“Babangida, who is driving the car switched to full light to see the strangers; as they noticed the full light, they opened fire on the moving vehicle.”

He said Babangida and others were taken to the Federal Medical Center Birnin Kudu and confirmed dead by a medical doctor.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Lawan Shiisu, confirmed the incident, stating that efforts were underway to apprehend the culprits.

The Kebbi State Government has distributed 24 operational vehicles to members of the state House of Assembly.

Distributing the vehicles to the lawmakers in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday, Governor Nasir Idris reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing enabling environment for government officials to operate.

“We are making history again today, because we are handing over 24 vehicles to members of the state House of Assembly to ease transportation challenges in their official engagements.

“This will also enable them to be visiting their people to find out their predicaments and challenges. The gesture is in fulfilment of our campaign promise, in addition, we have distributed 30 operational vehicles to security agencies operating in the state and 28 to members of the State Executive Council, among others,” the governor said.

Mr Idris advised the lawmakers to exhibit the fear God Almighty, adding, “Let me also enjoin you to be just and fair to people of the state in your legislative businesses.”

We have more than five million people in this state, and God has given us the mantle of leadership to govern our people, not because we are better than them but for Him to try our capability and ability to see how we can treat the people.”

The governor thanked the Speaker, Muhammad Usman-Ankwai, alongside other members of the assembly for the cordial relationship the state executive council was enjoying.

This, according to him, had paved the way for rapid growth and development of the state.

The Federal Government is to introduce a $100 million World Bank funded Nigeria for women project, President Bola Tinubu (P-BAT) Cares for Nigerian Women project, amongst others to economically empower women.

Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, made this known while briefing journalists after a solidarity walk with women groups as part of activities to mark the 2024 International Women’s Day celebration in Abuja.

She said the programmes were targeted at empowering women across the country and improving their productivity in whatever capacity they may find themselves.

She stated, “The President will officially be launching the P-BAT Cares for Nigerian Women alongside other programmes such as the Nigeria for Women project and the Integrity Brigade which I want all of you to be part of.

As a people, let us start realising who we are because this is the greatest nation in the whole of Africa.

As members of the integrity brigade, you play a crucial role in helping us fight some of these challenges.

Not just the media, the royal fathers and the religious leaders are also part of this vanguard that the President will be launching. But the media is important to me because it is only you that I can use to achieve our goals for this country.’’

She noted that most of the intervention programs in the form of loans aimed at empowering women, ended up in the hands of a few greedy persons.

The minister expressed worries that some of those she called greedy approached donor organisations in the name of the vulnerable in Nigeria for funds which they ended up pocketing, rather than using them to assist the poor and vulnerable.

“They use terms like consultancy, advocacy, research to get these monies but for how long should we allow this as Nigerians. I want you people, (the media), to join the integrity brigade, that the integrity brigade is to fight these ills. So I am pleading that for the sake of our country we use this opportunity well to get things right,” she said.

According to her, the integrity brigade will aid in preventing misappropriation and discourage counterproductive protests among women, with NGOs expected to play a pivotal role in disseminating information.

Calling on the media to closely monitor projects and programmes to ensure they reach their intended beneficiaries, the minister reiterated the government’s commitment to sustainability and women empowerment.

Also, a former Country Director of ActionAid, Nigeria, and gender activist, Ene Obi, who represented women in the media, highlighted the media’s commitment to supporting initiatives beneficial to women.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured that the ongoing reforms by the President Bola Tinubu-led administration will soon guarantee a future for the country.

Mr Shettima gave the assurance in Gombe State at the launch of the “Outsource to Nigeria Initiative,” a drive to redirect the talents and skills that abound in the country.

The initiative is significant to capturing a portion of the global Business Processing Outsourcing Market valued at 8.79 trillion dollars.

Mr Shettima described President Bola Tinubu as “a visionary leader, refined economic strategist who has a firm grip on the distinction between the current situation in Nigeria and the route within the global landscape.”

He assured that all Nigerians would be grateful to Tinubu for the resilience and foresight displayed in navigating the nation towards economic prosperity.

The vice president appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the administration in respect of the economic decisions taken so far.

He explained that the decisions might have presented some temporary challenges, but they were strategic at strengthening the fabric of the nation’s economy.

“The tough decisions we have taken may pose short-term challenges, but rest assured, they are strategic investments to fortify the foundations of our economy. As your guarantee, I affirm that the reforms in progress will not only weather the storms but usher in a future where we shall stand grateful for the resilience and foresight displayed in propelling our nation towards economic prosperity,” he said.

Shettima expressed the confidence that OTNI would turn around the economic fortunes of the country.

He said the initiative would produce millions of job opportunities and spur Nigeria’s BPO and Information Technology-enabled services sector into growth that had never been witnessed before.

The vice president also said that the initiative would link global firms with the abundant talents and skills in Nigeria.

He said that spotlight was now beaming on Nigeria, following the nation’s “abundance of talent, a competitive cost structure, a rapidly improving ICT infrastructure, and a strategically advantageous location.”

He stated, “Outsourcing is also a strategy to counteract brain drain and channel our talents and skills into reconstructing a Nigeria that works. The Outsource to Nigeria Initiative symbolises a pivotal alliance, a collaborative dance between the public and private sectors.

This is a mission to produce millions of job opportunities and propel Nigeria’s Business Process Outsourcing and IT-enabled services sector into unprecedented growth.’’

Earlier, Gombe State governor, Inuwa Yahaya, noted that the decision to launch the initiative in the state was not a mere coincidence.

He pointed out that it was a testament to the state’s burgeoning potential and the exemplary strides it had made in fostering an enabling environment for technology innovation and economic growth.

For her part, the Founder/CEO of OTNI, Amal Hassan, pegged the value of the Global BPO & ITES Market at USD 8.79 trillion in 2024.

According to her, India and the Philippines have at least 60 per cent of the market.She stated, “Nigeria has the highest potential among key African countries and is expected to register the fastest growth in the African BPO industry backed by various tailwinds.’’

She explained that the initiative would be accomplished through streamlined processes, using the initiative’s digital platform WorkNation to help partners find, train, and deploy talents according to their requirements.

“Our goal is to showcase Nigeria as the preferred outsourcing destination, connecting Nigerian youths to global job opportunities and attracting investments,” she said.

Wife of the late Ondo State Governor, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has described her late husband’s niece, Funke Akeredolu Aruna, as shameless for supporting the sitting governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, ahead of the November governorship election in the state.

Betty spoke through her Instagram account on Monday morning.

The governor, who was formerly Akeredolu’s deputy, was sworn in on 27th December following the death of his former boss.

Before the governor’s death, internal wrangling had severed his relationship with Aiyedatiwa, bordering on alleged disloyalty of the then deputy governor, which led to the disbandment of his aides.

The State Assembly, through the backings of the governor, also attempted to impeach Aiyedatiwa, even though the details of the duo’s quarrel remained sketchy till Akeredolu’s death.

Speaking through her post alongside the picture of her husband’s niece wearing a cap with an inscription “I am lucky”, Betty said, “Behold the face of Aketi’s niece, Funke Akeredolu Aruna, the former deputy chief protocol to Aketi, shamelessly parades as ‘I am lucky’ Bloody serpent! Time will tell if she is truly lucky!”

This outburst has, however, generated outrage on social media as many believe she should be mourning her husband and not engaging in a fight with anyone.

Some appealed to her to maintain her cool on issues relating to the election.

The US Congress has passed a bill to temporarily avoid a partial government shutdown ahead of a Friday deadline to approve a budget deal.

The bill will go to the White House for President Joe Biden’s approval, after the Senate ratified it on Thursday.

The stop-gap bill extends funding for federal agencies later into March.

Lawmakers in the Senate voted 77-13 to pass the legislation on Thursday, hours after it passed in the House by a 320-99 margin.

Under the legislation, the funding deadline for several departments, including Transportation, Housing, Agriculture and Veterans Affairs, will be pushed to 8 March.

Funding for some other federal government agencies will expire 22 March.

Speaking on the Senate floor before the vote, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said lawmakers had “overcome the opposition of the Maga hard right” and provided a way to “not shut the government down and capitulate to extremists”.

“Now, let’s finish the job of funding the government so we don’t have to do this again,” he said.

In a statement, Mr Biden also called the passage of the bill “good news for the American people”.

“But I want to be clear: this is a short-term fix—not a long-term solution,” he added.

Democrats and Republicans have been far apart in the budget negotiations on border security and aid to Ukraine.

Republicans control the House by a slim majority, while Democrats hold the Senate by a single seat.

The Republican House speaker has faced fierce opposition from right-wing lawmakers in his ranks who want spending cuts and insist any further support for Ukraine should be tied to more money for US border security.

There have been 10 US government shutdowns or partial shutdowns over the past four decades.

If a deal had not been reached, around 20% of government departments would have had to temporarily close this weekend.

Past shutdowns have also led to furloughs of government workers and the closure of national parks.

A bipartisan group of House and Senate lawmakers were finally able to strike a deal to avoid a shutdown on Wednesday.

The measure, known as a continuing resolution, or CR, includes agreements on six of the 12 annual spending bills. That leaves six other spending measures that lawmakers still have to decide on and pass over the coming weeks to avoid a shutdown.

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson hailed the passage of the measure, arguing that it was a smart move to break up the budget into “smaller pieces”.

“This was an important thing,” he told reporters.

President Bola Tinubu is set to leave Lagos State for a business forum in Qatar.

This was disclosed on the official X handle of the Presidency Nigeria on Thursday, February 29.

Following an invitation from the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Tinubu will be visiting the country to honour the invitation.

The statement reads: “President Tinubu honours invitation to visit Qatar and participate in business and investment forum”.

Qatar earlier rejected the business forum trip stating that there was no agreement signed between the state of Qatar and the Federal Republic of Nigeria on investment and promotion.

The Senate on Thursday, approved four nominees out of five from President Bola Tinubu to serve on the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

In a report which was submitted to the Chambers by the Committee Chairman on Banking, Insurance, and Other Financial Institutions, Senator Mikhail Adetokunbo Abiru, representing Lagos East Senatorial District, the nominees were satisfactorily screened.

The lawmaker maintained that their nomination by President Tinubu was in line with Section 6(1)(10)(D) of the CBN Act.

While he sought their confirmation, Abiru told his colleagues that there was no petition against any of the nominees, adding that there were no security reports about them by the Department of State Service, DSS or the Nigeria Police and that they had also fulfilled the Code of Conduct Bureau requirements.

He said: “He also said, the nominees have knowledge of the industry and have the capability to serve on the CBN board ”Meanwhile, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu representing Abia North Senatorial District disclosed that Urum Kalu Eke who is his constituent excused himself from the nomination for another engagement with the World Bank.

He said: “Mr President and Distinguished Colleagues, Mr Urum is my constituent and he called to say, there will be a conflict of interest in his nomination as CBN board director.

“That he wishes to decline, while he has already informed the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.”

After contributions, the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau who presided over the plenary confirmed the nominees through a voice vote: The nominees confirmed are:

1. Mr Robert Agbede

2. Mr Ado Yakubu Wanka

3. Professor Muritala Sabo Sagagi

4. Mrs Muslimat Olanike Aliyu.

Governor Seyi Makinde has pleaded with Nigerians to endure the current hardship, saying it will end soon.

Mr Makinde made the plea while addressing Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) leaders and other protesters at the Total Garden Roundabout in Ibadan on Tuesday.

The labour leaders and youths began a two-day peaceful protest declared by the NLC over the hardship faced by Nigerians.

The leadership of the NLC initially restricted the governor from addressing the protesters, alleging that he was among the nation’s leaders causing the hardship.

Mr Makinde urged the labour leaders to make their demands to his government, stating areas they would want the government to assist in ameliorating the hardship faced by the masses.

He said his administration had been living up to its expectations as regards the welfare of its workforce.

“The government has started paying N25,000 and N15,000 wage awards to all state civil servants and pensioners, respectively, since October,” he said.

The governor assured the people that his government remained committed to implementing programmes which would cushion the removal of the fuel subsidy effect.

He appealed to the NLC to let the protest remain peaceful.

The Police Command in Kano State has placed its personnel on red alert ahead of Tuesday and Wednesday’s proposed protest by members of the organised labour unions in the state.

The state Commissioner of Police, Hussaini Gumel, said in Kano that proactive security measures had already been adopted to ensure peaceful and orderly protest in all parts of the state.He said the deployment was in recognition of the right to peaceful protest, in line with extant laws, as a fundamental right of citizens.

Mr Gumel explained that an operational order for the personnel had been issued to area commanders, tactical commanders, and divisional police officers across the 44 local government areas of the state.

He said the command was working with other security agencies in the state to ensure crisis-free movements of those who wanted to protest.

“We have mobilised sufficient armed personnel to provide security at all flashpoints, including political party offices, banks, commercial areas, recreation centres and motor parks before, during and after the protest.

“I am giving 100 per cent assurance to all law-abiding residents of the state to go about freely with their legitimate daily activities without threat to lives and property,” the commissioner said.

He said armed security personnel would be in identified strategic locations in different parts of the state, to ensure surveillance duties and provide physical security during the protest.

The commissioner expressed optimism that security measures already put in place would promote peaceful coexistence amongst the residents during and after the protest.

He said that the command would not tolerate any form of violence during and after the protest as officers were on red alert to confront any form of security threats in and outside the metropolis.

He added, “We call upon those that want to protest to go about it in a civilised manner as our professional security personnel would carefully monitor the entire exercise.’’

The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered adequate deployment of police operational and intelligence resources to ensure security and peaceful conduct of the NLC protests in the state.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and its affiliate organizations had proposed two days nationwide protests slated for Tuesday and Wednesday.

The commissioner gave the order in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, on Tuesday in Enugu.

The commissioner, however, cautioned the leadership of the NLC in the state against conducting the exercise in ways capable of breaching public peace.

The police boss noted that, while it is within the organizers’ statutory rights to express their grievances through protests, “they must also ensure that persons within their ranks do not disrupt the exercise or cause havoc.

“I warn miscreants to steer clear of the protests, as police will not hesitate to deal decisively with individuals found acting contrarily.

“I enjoin residents of Enugu State to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and report to the nearest police station, suspected criminals or anyone found acting in ways contrary to the peaceful conduct of the protest,” he said.