Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River has lifted the 25-year embargo on employment in the state’s civil service.

The Commissioner for Information, Dr Erasmus Ekpang, announced this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Calabar on Wednesday.

Noting that the last mass employment in the service occurred in 1999, Ekpang said 2,000 people would be recruited in the first phase.

He said the recruitment exercise, which will commence immediately, will be carried out across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

“The immediate past administration attempted to employ, but when the present government took office, many flaws were discovered in that exercise.

“As we speak, the state civil service is almost depleted, and we are indeed happy that the governor has deemed it necessary to recruit at this point,” he stated.

When asked if the state will pay the N70,000 minimum wage, the commissioner said: “That will be considered at the appropriate time.”

In another development, Otu has commended the people of the state for not participating in the nationwide “Hunger Protest” which began on 1 August.

He specifically commended the youth for choosing to maintain peace in the state.

Governor Abba Yusuf’s government has approved N502 million to procure 10 water pumps for the Tamburawa and Chalawa water treatment plants.

The decision was taken during the 17th meeting of the State Executive Council held on Tuesday at the Government House, Kano.

According to a statement by the Kano governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature, on Wednesday, the approval demonstrates the government’s commitment to improving public infrastructure and services.

“The procurement of the water pumps is part of our ongoing efforts to enhance infrastructure and public services in Kano state,” Mr Bature said.

He said the Tamburawa and Chalawa water treatment plants played a vital role in providing clean water to Kano’s growing population.

Mr Bature said introducing new factory pump machines was expected to significantly boost the capacity and efficiency of the two plants, ensuring a more reliable water supply for the residents.

“This investment will address current challenges and meet the increasing demand for water in our communities,” the spokesperson said.

He also disclosed that the council approved several other infrastructure projects, restating the government’s commitment to comprehensive development throughout the state.

“These projects aim to improve public services and infrastructure, contributing to the overall well-being and economic growth of Kano. The approval of these initiatives reflects the administration’s proactive approach to addressing water access challenges and enhancing the quality of life for the citizens,” he said.

Mr Bature added that the state government would continue to prioritise investments in key areas to support sustainable development and ensure that essential services were accessible to all the residents.

Christianah Ogunsanya of Team Nigeria on Wednesday crashed out of the women’s freestyle 53 kilogramme event of the wrestling competition at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Ogunsanya lost 1-3 to Khulan Batkhuyag of Mongolia in her round of 16 bout at the Champ-de-Mars Arena, making her the team’s second casualty in the competition.

Blessing Oborududu had earlier failed in Nigeria’s opening quest to win medals in the sport at the games.

She got to the semi-finals though, but then lost in the bronze medal match.

But Ogunsanya did not have such a luxury, as she lost the bout right in the first period

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has mourned the passage of Emeritus Archbishop of Benin, Archbishop Patrick Ebosele Ekpu, saying he was a great ambassador of the Catholic faith.

Obaseki, in his condolence message, said he was deeply saddened by the news of the passing of the cleric.

According to him, Archbishop Patrick Ekpu was compassionate and kind and had an illustrious history as a Catholic priest who worked assiduously for the growth of the Christian faith.

“He was an inspiration to many and a model that a lot of young people looked up to.

“I celebrate his impactful service to humanity and God and appreciate his work for Christ in Edo State, where he served for many years in promoting peace and societal cohesion. He is a great ambassador of the Catholic faith.

“Archbishop Ekpu was devoted to Christ and has done enviable work in the Lord’s vineyard, building a community of Catholic faithful who have continued to sustain his legacy of service, compassion, and sacrifice,” the governor said.

Obaseki commiserated with His Grace, Most Rev. Augustine Obiora Akubeze, the Archbishop of the Benin City Catholic Archdiocese, and the entire Edo Catholic community.

He prayed God to grant the Catholic community the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Lagos State Police Command on Wednesday arraigned two men and two women at a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged fraud.

The defendants, Zainab Abdullahi, 26; Olanrewaju Mariam, 25; Sulaimon Abdulatif, 24 and Yehuza Jubril, 23, of no fixed addresses, are standing trial on a three-count charge of felony, stealing and fraud.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp Edet Ekpo, informed the court that the defendants committed the offences between January and July at a Low-Cost Housing Estate, in Badagry, Lagos.

Ekpo said that the defendants conspired among themselves to obtain money under false pretence.

“The defendants obtained N1,600,000 from one Abdul-Salam Idris, the complainant, under the pretence of taking him to Manchester City Football Club in England to play football, knowing full well that they were agents to any club.

“The defendants converted the money to their use,” he said.

The offences, he said contravene Sections 411, 314 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr N.A. Layeni granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million each with two sureties each in like sum, saying that each of the sureties must be a company director.

Layeni also said that each of the sureties must deposit N25,000 to the Chief Registrar of the court and thereafter, adjourned the case till August 15 for a hearing.

Gunmen suspected to be herders have attacked some farmers in Bachi community, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, injuring four persons in the process.

The President of the Berom Youths Moulders Association, Solomon Mwantiri, confirmed the incident in Jos on Wednesday, adding that the victims were attacked in their farms.

According to him, the attack took place on Tuesday afternoon. He added that the injured victims were rushed to the hospital and are currently receiving treatment.

He explained, “At about 2:00 pm on August 6, 2024, a group of over 20 well-armed Fulani attacked some natives of Lwa in Bachi District, Riyom LGA, who were farming around the Seheng area of the village.”

One of the victims, Caleb Bachen, speaking from his hospital bed, said that he was at a different location from other farmers when he heard them crying out for rescue as gunshots rang out in the area.

Benson added that he never knew what was happening, but on trying to run back home, some of the attackers holding arms, machetes, and sticks came after him and hacked him mercilessly despite repeated pleas.

Another victim said that they got permission from the Fulani some months ago before they went to cultivate their farms after many years of denial of access.

He added that the Fulani started threatening them last week that they won’t be allowed to harvest their crops this year.

He further explained that while they were on their farms, he saw over 20 armed Fulani, who started shooting sporadically, chasing them away from the farmlands.

The spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, could not be reached when contacted on the incident as calls put to his mobile phone indicated that it was switched off.

Some residents of Katsina State came out en masse on Tuesday to observe a special prayer session to seek Allah’s intervention against the lingering economic hardship and insecurity in the state.

The prayer session, which was held at the premises of Katsina Arabic Teachers College playground, was widely attended amid tight security.

The residents prayed to Almighty Allah to bring an end to the lingering economic hardship, hunger, and insecurity, among other challenges bedeviling them.

The residents performed the ‘Al-Qunut prayer’, a type of supplication offered during prayer at a specific point while standing and was recommended especially when a calamity befalls any community.

A similar prayer session was conducted at the Filin Samji, Filin Yammawa and Filin Canada football grounds, all within the Katsina metropolis.

According to some of the participants, they resorted to such prayers as the last option for them towards addressing hunger, insecurity and other challenges.

The decision was apparently due to the persistent clash between security operatives and the Nigerian youths protesting against the high cost of living.

Organisers of the EndBadGovernance protests had earlier scheduled Saturday for such prayers to be held across various Mosques and Churches nationwide to seek divine intervention.

The Nigeria Police Force has warned against the display of foreign flags and a call for a military takeover of the democratically elected government during the ongoing nationwide protests, describing such actions as treasonable felonies.

A statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, explained that the police frowned at the wave of violent protests, particularly in Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina states, where protesters brandished foreign flags.

According to the statement, ongoing investigations reveal that protest organisers in the states mentioned above are luring innocent children into participating in this unpatriotic and criminal act, saying that over 90 suspects have been arrested, including tailors who sewed the flags and their sponsors.

The statement added that efforts are underway to apprehend others who sponsored the production of the flags and fuelled these treasonable acts.

The statement said: “The display of foreign flags and calls for a military takeover constitutes a clear treasonable offence, revealing the motives of protest organizers to destabilize Nigeria’s democratic government.”

It noted that tensions from the ongoing protests have eased following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s address on August 4, 2024, stressing that some groups persist in subversive campaigns in the form of violent and unlawful protests, characterised by the destruction of public infrastructure and private property, looting, the display of foreign flags, and calls for a military takeover.

According to the statement, the individuals and groups would be treated as subversive agents and charged accordingly.

The statement further disclosed that Inspector General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun has directed Deputy Inspectors General of Police for the Northwest and Northeast zones, DIGs Bala Ciroma and Bello Makwashi, to take charge of operations in the states within the two geopolitical zones where subversive campaigns are ongoing under the guise of protests.

It added that they are tasked with stabilising the situation and preventing further violence in the affected states, assuring that the Nigeria Police Force reiterates that the use of foreign flags during protests and openly calling for a military takeover of the government is a capital offence under Nigerian law.

The Nigeria Police Force also saluted Nigerians who have refused to participate in and indeed spoke out against the ill-timed protest out of sheer patriotism and belief in the government’s genuine efforts to put the country on the path of economic recovery and growth and acknowledged the patriotism of those who peacefully participated in the protests but withdrew when they turned violent, and those who heeded the President’s call to embrace dialogue by withdrawing from the protests.

It assured that the police force remained committed to maintaining peace, protecting the nation’s heritage, and working with the public to ensure the safety and stability of Nigeria.

The Nigerian Customs Services has assured protesters that there will be a drastic reduction in prices of food items as soon as possible.

This was made known by the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Services, Bashir Adeniyi, at Defence Headquarters, Abuja, on Tuesday.

The Customs boss told newsmen that some of the imported food items have already arrived in the country and will be cleared without duties and taxes to facilitate a price reduction on them.

He said, “The protest was premised on a number of things, one of them being to end hunger. We discovered that a significant amount of food consumed in Nigeria is imported.

“Importation takes some time. So one of the things the president has done to cushion the effect of the cost of importation is to suspend customs duties and taxes on imported food items for some time.

“We believe that when this is implemented, it will help to bring down prices of food items in the markets. Nigerian Customs is committed to the implementation of this particular fiscal policy as enunciated by the government”.

Adeniyi also emphasized the importance of accommodating the interests of all stakeholders before putting the policy into effect while encouraging Nigerians to remain patient.

Thousands of Nigerians stormed the streets on August 1, asking the government to address the high cost of food and inflation in the country.

The #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protesters have reportedly stormed the residence of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to demonstrate against the hike in the cost of living in the country.

The protesters, seen in large numbers in a viral video on Tuesday, were chanting and carrying placards with various inscriptions.

The house was guarded by heavy security personnel wielding rifles.

While the protesters were reciting the old national anthem, one of the demonstrators said, “That’s Wike’s house.”

Climate activists on Tuesday spray-painted a mansion on the Spanish holiday island of Ibiza belonging to Argentina football star, Lionel Messi, to highlight the “responsibility of the rich for the climate crisis.”

Campaigners from the group, Futuro Vegetal, released a video showing two members standing in front of the house near the cove of Cala Tarida on Ibiza’s western coast holding a banner that read: “Help the Planet — Eat the Rich — Abolish the Police.”

The activists then sprayed the white facade of the building with red and black paint.

In a statement, the group said they wanted to show “the responsibility of the rich for the climate crisis” by targeting the mansion which they said was an “illegal construction.”

Futuro Vegetal cited a 2023 Oxfam report that found that the richest one per cent of the world’s population generated the same amount of carbon emissions in 2019 as the poorest two-thirds of humanity, even though the most vulnerable communities are the ones suffering the “worst consequences” of this crisis.

Messi, who currently plays for Inter Miami in the United States, reportedly bought the property on the Mediterranean island — which includes a spa with a sauna and a cinema room — in 2022 from a Swiss businessman for around 11 million euros ($12 million).

But the mansion lacked a certificate of occupancy, a document issued by a Local Government agency certifying it is in a liveable condition, due to the construction of several rooms in the property without a licence, according to Spanish media reports.

Futuro Vegetal, which is linked to similar international groups, has staged dozens of similar protests, including one in 2022 where they glued their hands to frames of paintings by Spanish master Francisco de Goya at Madrid’s Prado museum.

Last year, activists from the group spray-painted a superyacht moored in Ibiza with red and black paint that reportedly belonged to Nancy Laurie, the billionaire heiress of US retail giant, Walmart.

Spanish police in January said they had arrested 22 members of the Futuro Vegetal, including the two who staged the protest at the museum and the group’s top three leaders.

The UN has said nine employees working for its Palestine refugee agency UNRWA will be sacked for their involvement in the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks against Israel.

The development follows the conclusion of an investigation by the UN Office of Oversight Services (OIOS), launched earlier this year.

Israel alleged that several UNRWA personnel took part in the assault on its territory in which some 1,200 people were killed, and another 250 were taken to Gaza as hostages.

However, OIOS could not authenticate the information used by Israel independently to support the allegations.

OIOS is the highest investigative body in the UN system, and its reports are confidential but can be made available to member states on request. Investigators made findings in relation to 19 UNRWA staff alleged to have been involved in the attacks, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq told journalists in New York.

“In one case, no evidence was obtained by OIOS to support the allegations of the staff member’s involvement, while in nine other cases, the evidence obtained by OIOS was insufficient to support the staff members’ involvement,” he said.

Regarding these 10 cases, he said that appropriate measures will be taken in due course, in conformity with UNRWA Regulations and Rules. Concerning the remaining nine cases, the evidence obtained by OIOS indicated that the UNRWA staff members may have been involved in the October 7 attacks.

UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini issued a statement acknowledging the completion of the probe.

“I have decided that in the case of these remaining nine staff members, they cannot work for UNRWA. All contracts of these staff members will be terminated in the interest of the Agency,” he said.

Asked about the extent of the staff members’ alleged involvement, Mr Haq responded that he did not have specific information about the specific allegations.

He said the OIOS investigation involved visits to Israel for discussions with officials and to see and review information held by authorities there. The investigators also travelled to Amman, Jordan, to obtain and review relevant information held by UNRWA, including on its staff and operations.

They also reviewed information and communications technology data, such as email records, information on agency vehicles, and information from various other sources.

These include releases to the media and other public sources, as well as communications with several member states.

“However, one thing I’d like to point out is that since the information used by Israeli officials to support the allegations have remained in Israeli custody, OIOS was not able to independently authenticate most of the information provided to it,” he said.

The accusations surfaced in January when Israel informed UNRWA of the alleged involvement of 12 staff members in the attacks. UNRWA immediately identified and terminated 10, while two were confirmed dead.

The UN later received information from Israel about seven more cases – five in March and two in April.

Following the initial allegations, UN secretary-general António Guterres immediately ordered OIOS to investigate. He also appointed an independent review panel to conduct a separate assessment of UNRWA to determine its neutrality and responses to allegations of serious breaches.

The panel – headed by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna – published its report in April.

At the time, Ms Colonna said, “The set of rules and the mechanisms and procedures in place [at UNRWA] are the most elaborate within the UN system.

“Precisely because it is such a difficult issue to work in such a complex and sensitive environment,” Ms Colonna stated.

Mr Lazzarini said that UNRWA has started implementing the panel’s recommendations and is fully committed to them.

“Finally, I reiterate UNRWA’s condemnation of the October 7 attack in the strongest possible terms. I call – once again – for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and their safe return to their families,” Mr Lazzarini said.

Mr Haq was asked about the secretary-general’s views regarding the OIOS findings. The UN chief “believes that it is important that we go through this very carefully, given that any involvement in these attacks would constitute a major betrayal of trust.

“Obviously, there were actions that were taken for the benefit of the agency that were very swift and very decisive in terms of dealing with the individuals who had been named at first, and now it’s good to have all of the information available,” he said.

Referring to the Gaza war, Mr Haq also underlined the importance of remembering that a “huge number” of UNRWA staff have been taking enormous risks for months. He said they are keeping hundreds of thousands of people alive, whether in shelters or by providing food and services.

“And we want to make sure that the reputation of our UNRWA staff, our dedicated staff, including about 200 people who have lost their lives since 7 October, is fully recognized and that UNRWA gets the support that it needs,” he said.

An Imo State High Court presided over by Justice T.N. Nzeukwu has sentenced a pastor to eight years imprisonment for raping the wife of his church member.

Pastor Desmond Eke, founder of Deliverance Ministry of the Good Shepherd, Umuihita Avu, Owerri West LGA Imo State was found guilty of taking advantage of the woman who had vested so much trust in him.

Pastor Eke faced trial on a three-count charge of raping the woman who is also a member of his church and administering a stupefying substance on his victim which made her dizzy and weak.

According to the prosecution counsel, Chioma Emuka, it was while in the dizzy state that Pastor Eke took advantage of the woman who woke up to consciousness while he was still inside her.

Emuka said on enquiry on why he had to violate her, the pastor told the 25-year-old woman that his semen is holy enough to deliver her of the marine spirit that was disturbing her.

Delivering his Judgement on the matter, Justice Nzeukwu convicted Pastor Eke on two count charge of breaching trust and raping the woman, but discharged him on the third count which bothering on inflicting injuries during the rape.

The jurist reasoned that since the woman was not completely conscious during the incident, there was no way injuries could result since there was no resistance.

Before the judgement, defense counsel, Ohaka, standing in for Nwaneri of Dauda chambers had pleaded that his client had been of good behavior having been present in the court throughout the trial without jumping bail.

He pleaded that instead of a full sentence, that his client be put on probation.

Recall that this is the first case to be prosecuted under the Violent Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act in the State.

A civil society organisation, Onurube reported the matter and has followed it up to its logical end.

Speaking on the case, convener of Onurube, Marjorie Ezihe lauded the court for convicting the pastor.

She believed the conviction would serve as a deterrent to those intending to indulge in such inhuman acts of seeking to have carnal knowledge of women without their consent.

The death of High Chief Moses Ade Akinmade, the Obamoluwa of Idanre Kingdom, has been announced.

The late Obamoluwa is the father of the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the Ogun State governor, Hon. Kayode Akinmade.

Announcing the passing of the nonagenarian in a statement issued on behalf of the Akinmade family of Idanre, Ondo State, on Tuesday, Hon. Akinmade, who served as Special Adviser on Media to the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole, stated that the sad event took place on Monday evening.

The statement said that even though the family has been hard hit by the demise of the agriculturist and culture enthusiast, it finds solace in the fact that the deceased lived a highly distinguished life.

The veteran journalist and two-time Commissioner for Information in Ondo State described the deceased as a great community leader, cocoa merchant, and socialite.

The nonagenarian is survived by his wives and children.

Burial arrangements will soon be announced by the family.

Governor Godwin Obaseki has approved the appointment of Tijani Ugbodaga as the chairman of the Edo Local Government Service Commission.

In a statement by Crusoe Osagie, the governor’s spokesman, the appointment is with immediate effect.

Mr Ugbodaga is to replace Tom Uloko.

Mr Osagie said the government appreciated Mr Uloko’s service and wished him well in his future endeavours.

He said the swearing-in of the appointee would be held at a date to be announced.

Russia’s foreign intelligence service (FIS) has hit out at an alleged U.S. campaign to discredit several sports in which Russia has dominated in an attempt to further isolate it as a sports nation.

In a rare public statement, the FIS said that the most powerful blow is being prepared against the most “Russian’’ disciplines: rhythmic gymnastics, artistic swimming and figure skating.

The plan is to shower the famous sports schools, outstanding coaches and athletes with outrageous lies.

“According to American plans, slanderous materials are intended to convince fans around the world that the strength and beauty of Russian gymnasts, synchronised swimmers and figure skaters are allegedly result of deception.’’

Russia said that former Moscow anti-doping laboratory head Grigoriy Rodchenkov and his deputy, Timofei Sobolevsky, were the curators of the campaign.

It said informants were lured with lucrative payments and a move to the Western world, accusing the U.S. of unsportsmanlike conduct.

Mr Rodchenkov helped uncover wide-ranging doping practices in Russia, including at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, as a whistleblower, he now lives in the U.S.

He had accused Russia’s domestic intelligence service of being involved in the Sochi schemes.

After his revelations, Russians have not been allowed to compete with their national symbols at Olympics since the 2018 Winter Games.

At the current Olympic Games, only 15 Russians are competing as neutral athletes due to sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Nigerian military has condemned protesters waving Russian flags, warning that such actions are treasonable and punishable by death.

General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, issued this warning on Monday after a security meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa.

He said, “We have all seen foreign flags being flown within the sovereignty of Nigeria, which is totally unacceptable. We are issuing a clear warning, and the President has also instructed us to convey this: we will not tolerate anyone, any individual, flying a foreign flag in Nigeria. That is a treasonable offence, and it will be treated as such. No one should allow themselves to be used by any individual.”

“We wanted to brief Mr President on the situation on the ground, and we know that since the riots began, all the security agencies have been working together. Initially, when the riots started, they were described as peaceful, but we have realised that there are individuals who are willing to take advantage of the situation to cause mayhem. And we can clearly see what has happened since it began: criminals have taken over, with a lot of looting, stealing, and all sorts of criminal activities occurring,” Mr Musa added.

A large crowd of protesters waving Russian flags stormed the streets in Kaduna, Kano, and Bauchi on Monday, the fifth day of nationwide protests over the lingering economic crisis in the country.

The State Security Service (SSS) also announced the arrest of several tailors who allegedly sewed Russian flags that were distributed and waved during the #EndBadGovernance protest in Kano state.

#EndBadGovernance protesters have returned to the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota after rejecting N5,000 offered to many would-be demonstrators not to return to the park on Monday.

With “Sanwo-Olu is a thief” chorus in the background, a protester speaking with a megaphone said in a video posted on X on Monday. “Make price of garri come down. They came to deceive us with N5,000, but we rejected it. We don’t need their money. We will continue to protest. This is our nation.”

Several Lagos residents returned to the streets 24 hours after President Bola Tinubu’s nationwide broadcast calling for the end of the protests.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had warned Lagos residents on Sunday to be wary of divisiveness.

“Now it is fit and proper to, once again, warn our citizens to be very vigilant. Those who seek to divide us are yet to give up,” said Mr Sanwo-Olu.

Activist lawyer, Madubuachi Idam, on Monday, said President Bola Tinubu’s address in the wake nationwide protest brought more hopeless situation on Nigerians.

Idam said Tinubu was yet to address the real agitations behind the EndBadGovernance protest.

Speaking with DAILY POST, the constitutional lawyer said Tinubu only reeled out his unimpressive achievements instead of addressing issues.

Since Thursday, Nigerians have been protesting over the hardships in the country.

The protesters are demanding a return of fuel subsidies, improvements in living standards, cuts in the cost of governance, reduction in electricity tariffs, and solutions to escalating insecurity, amid other demands.

But, Tinubu, in his address on Sunday, had expressed his displeasure over the ongoing protest during a nationwide broadcast on Sunday.

Condemning the broadcast, Idam said: “President Bola Tinubu may need a second chance to address the nation.

“He merely reeled out his unimpressive achievements, which in actual sense occassioned the protests. He’s yet to address the issues causing the agitation.

“His handlers may need to choreograph or shoot another video of him which will directly speak to the yearnings of Nigerians.

“From the recorded speech, it’s obvious that President Tinubu allowed his handlers to mislead him into believing that the protests is sponsored by his political opponents. Sad!

“He must quickly shoot another video since live broadcast appears impossible, where he must address the issues of food crisis, high cost of petroleum price, Naira devaluation. Etc which are the real issues here.

“His address has brought more hopeless situation upon Nigeria. He can do better than he has just done.”