Politics

Okorocha to Buhari: Sack all your cabinet members, aides, they have failed

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Former Governor of Imo state, Senator Rochas Okorocha has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sacked all the Minister’s and presidential aides he appointed to help him run the government as they have failed to perform their duties.

He made the call Wednesday in Lafia when he paid a condolence visit to Governor Abdullahi Sule in Government House and the family of the late Nasarawa State Chairman, Mr. Phillip Tatari Shekwo who was murdered by gunmen.

According, to him, “President Muhammadu Buhari should fire the people he hired to work for the country, because they have failed and are not performing in the national assignments assigned them.

“He should do the needful to save the nation from the insult on the leaders. The people are angry with the recent events in the country.

“The culprits who killed people in Borno, the people in Nasarawa and other parts of the country should be arrested and prosecuted. As the killing of people by gunmen should not happen again as it is an insult to the country.

“President Buhari should hire competent hands to develop the country as many countries suffered similar fate before the experience growth and development,” Okorocha said.

Okorocha called on Nigerians to be patient, cooperate with the government to reduce unemployment and hunger ravaging the nation.

In his remarks, Governor Abdullahi Sule said three suspected criminals linked with the death of the late APC Chairman were killed by the military, while one was arrested few days ago and he confessed to the crime and we are waiting for the report from the police.

Politics

Buhari wrong on diversity and youth population

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In his interactions with four new ambassadors presenting their letters of credence on Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari said, among other things, that Nigeria’s youthful population and ethnic diversity presented peculiar challenges. According to him, “As you may know, Nigeria is an ethnic and culturally diverse society with various opportunities which we seek to creatively utilize for the benefit of our people. We are also a country with a huge population which is predominantly youthful. These pose peculiar new challenges.” Even though he also invited the international community to take advantage of the youth population, in other words seeing the problem as opportunity, it is more significant that his mindset frames the burgeoning youth population and ethnic diversity as a problem. For him, therefore, it is a question of whether the cup is half full or half empty  only that from the context of his statements, not to say the experience of his administration, he sees the cup frequently as half empty.

Nigeria’s youth population, as disproportionately large as it is, presents itself as an opportunity both for the international community, which is more adept at cashing in on such things, and the domestic economy. It is not a challenge in the sense the president tremulously expressed, not to say a new and peculiar one. Furthermore, contrary to how the Buhari presidency has insouciantly handled ethnic suspicion, Nigeria’s ethnic diversity is a great opportunity to forge a country out of its diversity into a uniquely blended one. As the United States motto says, e pluribus unum — out of many, one. President Buhari may be unaware of the nuances emblazoned on the statements he expressed before the four ambassadors, but the indisputable fact is that he worries about the consequences of rising youth population and ethnic diversity, two factors that a more enterprising government would see as an opportunity to manage and forge greatness.

Going by the president’s mindset on youth population and ethnic diversity, the country will continue to wrestle with an issue which if it had been properly framed as a solution and opportunity would have led to a pleasant and great outcome. Why is anyone surprised that until the EndSARS problem manifested, the government paid no heed to the looming youth crisis? Pursuant to this, would the government then wait until ethnic conflict ensued on a scale clearly more unmanageable than the youth crisis of today before seeing and exploiting it as an opportunity?

Lifestyle

Nigerians attack Buhari over petrol price hike

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A cross-section of Nigerians on Friday lashed out at the Muhammadu Buhari administration over a further increase in the price of petrol. The Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), had on Friday announced that the retail pump price of petrol would now be N172.17 per litre.

It cited an increase in the ex-depot price of petrol from N151.56 in September to N155.17 in November for the increase in the pump price of the commodity. The agency conveyed the new development in a memo dated 11 November, 2020 and signed by Ali Tijani.

The new price took effect from Friday, 13 November, 2020, according to the memo. Pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo described the increase as a wicked act from the government, while a branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) said the Buhari government was being “heartless.”

The secretary of a unit of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), reacted by declaring that the increment would lead to a hike in transport fares which would also cause an increase in prices of foodstuffs.

Senator Shehu Sani, in his own reaction, said on Twitter that “petrol price is catching up with the number of Nigeria’s ethnic groups.”

There are more than 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria. A Nigerian, Adams Wadas (@Adamsy_wadas), said, also on Twitter: “My Nigeria, the last time the price was increased to N168/litre, crude oil/barrel was $45 and now the price of crude oil is less than $40, they increased the price of petrol again.”

It is wicked —Ohanaeze

Deputy National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chuks Ibegbu, described the increment as inhuman and wicked. Ibegbu queried the rationale for fuel price increase when Nigeria is an oil-producing country. In an interview with Saturday Tribune Ibegbu said: “The hike in the price of petroleum products will further cause untold hardship for the masses who at the moment are living below the poverty level.

“I am yet to understand the delay in resuscitating the nation’s refineries. Perhaps they are interested in acquiring oil blocks instead of making the products available to the masses.

“We at the Ohanaeze Ndigbo condemn the fuel price increase in its entirety. It is unacceptable to us and the Ndigbo. Nigerians should resist the increment. I don’t know why our rulers are interested in making life difficult for the people.”

Buhari’s market forces crooked —Afenifere

Afenifere said it could not see anything to justify the latest increment in the international oil market. The group’s spokesman, Mr Yinka Odumakin, in a telephone interview with Saturday Tribune, said nothing could justify the punishment being meted out to Nigerians through the latest fuel price hike.

“Well, it’s Abuja and President Buhari’s NNPC market forces that have played the crooked one again because we don’t know what has happened in the international oil market to warrant this latest increment and the punishment they are inflicting on Nigerians,” he said.

Odumakin noted that the citizens were just coming out of the pains of the EndSARS protest which was hijacked by hoodlums and resulted in killings and destructions and were still battling with the coronavirus pandemic.

He said with the increment, Buhari’s government seemed to be a worse affliction on Nigerians than COVID-19. The Afenifere chieftain recalled that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had during the 2014 campaigns promised to repair all the country’s refineries and produce fuel locally but had been unable to fulfil the promise as the country continues to import fuel five years after.

“When they were campaigning in 2014, what they told us was that they were going to repair all the country’s refineries and produce fuel locally. There were lots of other promises they made would happen under Buhari’s regime. But in the last five years, we have not produced fuel in any of our refineries. We have continued to import and the last five years have been a lot of suffering for Nigerians.

“Just coming out of EndSARS protest and its aftermath and still battling with COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, with what they have done now, it seems this government is a worse affliction on Nigerians than COVID-19,” Odumakin said.

Costs of foodstuffs, transport to rise –RTEAN

Speaking to Saturday Tribune, the General Secretary of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigerian (RTEAN), KLT 1 Chapel, Mr Ifeanyi Ekwunife, explained that the increase in the price of petrol was expected to jack up the costs of transportation and goods in the markets. Ekwunife said: “Obviously transport operators will have to adjust their rates to reflect the current realities of the cost of petrol. This will also affect the costs of goods and foodstuffs in the markets because most of the market suppliers depend on public transport to ferry their goods to the markets from the farms or warehouses.

“So, the increase in transport fares and costs of foodstuffs is expected because these things are moved using vehicles that consume petrol.”

We’ve got a confused, wicked govt –NBA

The chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Effurun branch, Delta State, Mr Jonathan Ekperusi, described the Buhari government as “confused, heartless, mindless and wicked” for inflicting pains on Nigerians with yet another increase in the pump price of petrol. Speaking to Saturday Tribune on telephone on Friday, Ekperusi stated that the Federal Government had no justification for increasing the petrol price to N172 per litre following its earlier claim that market forces determine the prices.

He said: “It shows that the government does not care about the plight of the people. The global economy is in recession because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Global countries are thinking and doing palliatives, safety consciousness to cushion the effects of the economic hardship occasioned by the pandemic.

“For our own government to think of making life more difficult shows we have a government that does care about the people.

“Constitutionally, the safety and welfare of the people are the major functions of government. “In our case, the two plagues are here: insecurity at a very high scale and government begins to increase pump price which affects every other thing as government is indirectly causing inflation.”

Ekperusi added: “It is sad and very sad that at a time our economy is in recession, the government is hiking the pump price of petrol.

Fuel price hike wicked, unbearable –PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rejected the petrol price increase, describing it as wicked, unbearable and unacceptable. It said this was particularly so given the prevailing economic crunch which it said was already foisted on Nigerians by the Buhari-led APC administration.

In a statement on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the main opposition party insisted that the latest increase in the pump price of petrol would worsen the “already suffocating economic situation” in the country, saying that such hike would also be an additional log tied on the economic neck of Nigerians.

The PDP held that the APC and its administration had no justification to increase the cost of fuel to anything above N100 per litre let alone N170 when there are practical options to maintain affordable price, given the country’s production capacity and potentialities.

The statement added: “It is evident that the continuous increase in the pump price of fuel under opaque and nebulous indices is a product of incompetence and large scale corruption being perpetrated by a few individuals in the Buhari administration who are bent on fleecing Nigerians and holding our nation to ransom.

“Our party notes that the APC administration has failed to come clean on the parameters being used for the hike in prices vis-a-vis our production, export and accruing revenue.

“Indeed, the APC administration is not being honest with Nigerians regarding the status and volume of oil production, sales and accruing revenue.

“This is in addition to its failure to fix our refineries and end crude oil theft, allegedly to aid APC interests.

“This appears to provide answers to why the APC administration has failed to offer any explanation on huge fraud going on in the management of our nation’s oil resources including the alleged stealing over N9.6 trillion ($25 billion) by APC interests, as detailed in the leaked NNPC memo. The PPMC’s memo, which announced the fuel price increase, said: “The EDC may please refer to the management directives in respect of the above subject as per the attached memo. “In line with the above, we propose PPMC November 2020 actual prices for PMS with effect from 13 November, 2020 as follows: PPMC ex-Coastal Price: N130, PPMC ex-Depot Price (collection): N155.17,” the memo read.

Ex-depot price is the amount at which the PPMC sells the commodity at the depot to retail outlet owners and fuel marketers across the country.

In May, the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) put the pump price band between N121.50 to N123.50 per litre.

In July and August, the pump price band was increased to N140.80-N143.80 and N145.86-N148.86, respectively.

However, in September, the price was further adjusted to N151.56 per litre. This remained unchanged throughout the month of October.

Politics

#EndSARS : If Buhari had not acted like a father, we would have been talking about something else — Femi Adesina

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President Buhari’s media aide, Femi Adesina, has said that if President Buhari hadn’t exercised the restraint and tolerance of a father, blood would have flowed in the wake of the EndSARS protest.

According to Adesina, Nigerians would have been talking about something else in the wake of the crisis that enveloped the country after the #EndSARS protests were hijacked by hoodlums, which led to the loss of public and private businesses.

“There is truly a huge difference between an instructor, a tutor, and a father. One is a hireling, procured to pass knowledge, while the other is an insider, an interested party who is “pater familias,” (as my late dad would say).

All through the EndSARS protest and the riots, mayhem and looting that followed, President Buhari acted like a father. And though we have millions of instructors in this country, we have not many fathers. President Buhari is one.

If President Buhari hadn’t exercised the restraint and tolerance of a father, at a time that even hitherto respected people instigated the protesters to carry on (and they promptly went underground when anarchy ensued), we would have been talking of something else in the country,” he said.

Politics

Presidency expresses worry over Police absence on Nigerian roads

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The Presidency has expressed worry over the absence of policemen on the streets despite violence taking over most parts of the country.

POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, had on Saturday ordered policemen to immediately stop the violence, killings, looting and destruction of public and private property in the country.

Adamu, in a statement, also directed police commanders to reclaim the public space from hoodlums and miscreants masquerading as protesters in some parts of the country.

However, days after the IGP’s order, some police officers have failed to comply with the directive. This has allowed hoodlums to take advantage of the lack of security to extort and rob members of the public of their valuables.

In some parts of the country, hoodlums took to the streets, brandishing weapons and attacking people. They were also seen barricading roads, and disturbing the peace of the area.

But a Presidency source expressed concern over the continuous looting of warehouses, public and private properties, NYSC Camp in Abuja, and in different parts of the country. He said the Inspector-General of Police was the right person to explain why there is still escalating insecurity in the country.

The source said the police boss should tell Nigerians the reason his men failed to comply with his order and why they have not been carrying out their duty of protecting lives and properties.

Politics

Buhari told to take full responsibility for Lekki toll gate shooting

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The Pan Niger Delta Forum has told President Muhammadu Buhari to take full responsibility for the shootings of peaceful #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki toll gate on October 20.

The forum, in a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Ken Robinson, on Tuesday called on Buhari to order an immediate commencement of actions that would bring the perpetrators of the dastardly act to book.

PANDEF backed the calls made by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria for a thorough investigation into the tragic incident.

“PANDEF calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to, as Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation, take full responsibility for the horrible occurrence at the Lekki Tollgate on Tuesday, 20th October 2020 and direct the immediate commencement of actions to bring to book those behind that incident.

“The ramifications of the Lekki Tollgate incident go beyond portraying Nigeria to the world in a bad light; it is a threat to the nation’s democracy if it is true that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had no foreknowledge of the incident.

“It raises further questions on the viability of the nation’s security architecture and its configuration vis-a-vis the need for a holistic overhaul.

“PANDEF has backed the call by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria for a thorough investigation into the shooting of peaceful #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Tollgate, Lagos, on Tuesday, last week.

“We are supporting the Catholic Bishops’ resolution, and similar expressions by patriotic individuals and groups in the country, as well as, the International Community, for an immediate and transparent probe of the incident, whereby persons in Army uniform indiscriminately shot at young Nigerians that were peacefully protesting against police brutality.

“Whoever ordered the barbaric action, and those who carried it out, should be identified and made to face the consequences. The government must ensure that justice is served. While the Federal Government had said it would investigate the incident, the seemingly delay is unbecoming,” the statement read in part.

Politics

Lawyer sues President Buhari, General Buratai, others over Lekki toll gate shootings.

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A lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, has filed a N10bn fundamental rights suit against President Muhammadu Buhari, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, and 10 others over last Tuesday night shootings at #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos.

In the suit before the Federal High Court in Lagos, Ogungbeje is urging the court to declare that “the brutal shooting and killing and use of brute force against unarmed, defenceless and peaceful protesters/Nigerian citizens engaging in the #ENDSARS peaceful protest on October 20, 2020, at the Lekki tollgate was illegal, unlawful, undemocratic, oppressive, wicked and unconstitutional.”

Ogungbeje wants the court to compel the defendants to “immediately pay N10bn compensation to all the victims of the mindless shooting and brutal killing at Lekki tollgate.”

According to him, the unleashing of brutal force and shooting at the peaceful protesters were a violation of the protesters’ constitutional “right to life, fair hearing, right to peaceful assembly and association guaranteed under sections 33, 36, 38, 39 and 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.”

Ogungbeje is urging the court to make an order “compelling the immediate prosecution of all the culpable security agents, soldiers and persons directly or indirectly or remotely involved in the dastardly shooting and killing of unarmed, defenceless and peaceful protesters/victims of the #ENDSARS peaceful protests at the Lekki Tollgate on the 20th of October 2020.”

Apart from Buhari and Buratai, also joined as defendants in the suit are the Federal Government, the Nigerian Army, Chief of Defence Staff, Inspector-General of Police; Nigeria Police Force; State Security Service; Director-General, SSS; Lagos State Government; Attorney General of Lagos State; and the Attorney General of the Federation.

Politics

Buhari told security agents to obey the law – NSA

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The National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd.), on Thursday said the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has directed security agencies to operate within the confines of the law in addressing the violence being witnessed in parts of the country.

Monguno disclosed this in an interview with State House correspondents at the end of a meeting of the National Security Council presided over by the President.
He said since the government had conceded to the demands of the protesters, it appeared that “the riots are taking a different and unwanted dimension.”

 “It is not Mr President’s desire to see any loss of lives and he is determined to ensure that things do not cascade into unpleasant situation.

“Therefore, he has directed all the security agencies to operate within the confines of legitimacy, the confines of legality, not to do anything that will aggravate the situation,” he added.

Politics

FULL SPEECH: Buhari’s address on #EndSARS protests

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ADDRESS TO THE NATION BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE ENDSARS PROTESTS, 22ND OCTOBER, 2020

Fellow Nigerians,

It has become necessary for me to address you having heard from many concerned Nigerians and having concluded a meeting with all the Security Chiefs.

2. I must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well-intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

3. On Monday 12th October, I acknowledged the genuine concerns and agitations of members of the public regarding the excessive use of force by some members of SARS.

4. The choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments; but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the law.

5. As a democratic government, we listened to, and carefully evaluated the five-point demands of the protesters. And, having accepted them, we immediately scrapped SARS, and put measures in place to address the other demands of our youth.

6. On approving the termination of SARS, I already made it clear that it was in line with our commitment to the implementation of extensive Police reforms.

7. Sadly, the promptness with which we have acted seemed to have been misconstrued as a sign of weakness and twisted by some for their selfish unpatriotic interests.

8. The result of this is clear to all observers: human lives have been lost; acts of sexual violence have been reported; two major correctional facilities were attacked and convicts freed; public and private properties completely destroyed or vandalised; the sanctity of the Palace of a Peace Maker, the Oba of Lagos has been violated. So-called protesters have invaded an International Airport and in the process disrupted the travel plans of fellow Nigerians and our visitors.

9. All these executed in the name of the ENDSARS protests. I am indeed deeply pained that innocent lives have been lost. These tragedies are uncalled for and unnecessary. Certainly, there is no way whatsoever to connect these bad acts to legitimate expression of grievance of the youth of our country.

10. The spreading of deliberate falsehood and misinformation through the social media in particular, that this government is oblivious to the pains and plight of its citizens is a ploy to mislead the unwary within and outside Nigeria into unfair judgement and disruptive behaviour.

11. On the contrary, both our deeds and words have shown how committed this administration has been to the wellbeing and welfare of citizens, even with the steadily dwindling revenues, and the added responsibilities and restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

12. Government has put in place measures and initiatives principally targeted at youths, women and the most vulnerable groups in our society.  These included our broad plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years; the creation of N75 billion National Youth Investment Fund to provide opportunities for the youths and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Survival Fund, through which government is:

a. paying three months salaries of the staff of 100,000 micro, small – and medium – enterprises,
b. paying for the registration of 250,000 businesses at the Corporate Affairs Commission,
c. giving a grant of N30,000 to 100,000 artisans; and
d. guaranteeing market for the products of traders.

13. These are in addition to many other initiatives such as;
a. Farmermoni,
b. Tradermoni,
c. Marketmoni,
d. N-Power,
e. N-Tech and
f. N-Agro.

14. No Nigerian Government in the past has methodically and seriously approached poverty-alleviation like we have done.

15. With regard to the welfare of police personnel, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force. The emoluments of other paramilitary services are also being reviewed upwards.

16. In order to underscore the importance of education in preparing youths for the future, this administration has come up with a new salary structure and other incentives for our teachers.

17. Let me at this point reaffirm the Federal Government’s commitment to preserving the unity of this country.

18. We will continue to improve good governance and our democratic process, including through sustained engagement.

19. We shall continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens are protected.

20. But remember that government also has the obligation to protect lives and properties, as well as the right of citizens to go about their daily businesses freely and protected from acts of violence.

21. To our neighbours in particular, and members of the international community, many of whom have expressed concern about the ongoing development in Nigeria, we thank you and urge you all to seek to know all the facts available before taking a position or rushing to judgment and making hasty pronouncements.

22. In the circumstances, I would like to appeal to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of this administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful, and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating our nascent democracy.

23. For you to do otherwise will amount to undermining national security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances will this be tolerated.

24. I therefore call on our youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage government in finding solutions. Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding.

25. And I call on all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, and enjoin security agencies to protect lives and properties of all law abiding citizens without doing harm to those they are meant to protect. Let me pay tribute to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.

26. I would like to thank those state Governors, traditional and religious leaders who have appealed for calm and restraint. I also thank youth leaders who have restrained their followers from taking the law into their hands.

27. This government respects and will continue to respect all the democratic rights and civil liberties of the people, but it will not allow anybody or groups to disrupt the peace of our nation.

Thank you all. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Politics

Pro-Buhari group seeks police protection for 10 million-man march.

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A group, ‘I stand With Buhari’, has informed the police in Abuja of its plan to hold a 10 million-man march in support of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

The Convener of the group, Ogochukwu Ezeaku, said this.He was positive that they would get a favourable response from the police. He said the march would take place at the Unity Fountain, Maitama, Abuja, on Wednesday. Ezeaku said, “We have informed the police and I am sure there will be no problem.”

When asked if there would be no clash with #EndSARS protesters, Ezeaku said,
“We know the End SARS people to be peaceful. Besides, our protest will take place in one spot which is the Unity Fountain.”
The convener said the march was conceived to show the President that the majority of Nigerians were still with him.
In a separate message on Facebook, the group stated that they would support the #EndSARS movement as long as it focuses on police excesses. It said the moment the protesters called for Buhari’s resignation, they would also launch a counter-offensive.

Many Buharists support #EndSARS but the moment you change the protest to any other silly hashtag you will know that we are 15 million strong!” it said.

Politics

Save the people, Buhari’s wife tweets

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The wife of the President, Aisha Buhari,  has called on her husband, Muhammadu Buhari, and service chiefs to “save the people”.

Mrs Buhari tweeted a video of her husband Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), in a meeting with service chiefs at the Presidential Villa, accompanied with the Hausa word, #Achechijamaa, which means “save the people”.

A Hausa song calling on the President to save the North was also playing in the background.

The song loosely translates as “Please look at our condition. We need your help. The North is crying. There is insincerity. Our blood is being spilled. Our property is being destroyed. Intervene in our situation, baba.”

Thousands of Nigerians, mostly youths, have been protesting across major cities in the country demanding an end to police brutality and killings.

Some northern elements have also begun a protest calling on an end to banditry and insecurity across Nigeria.

Politics, World News

We will meet in court.- Former presidential aspirant threatens C.E.O of Twitter, Jack Dorsey, for supporting “END SARS” protest.

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During the late hours of yesterday , the co-founder and C.E.O of Twitter, Jack Dorsey solicited for support towards the ongoing “end sars” protest in Nigeria.

He did this through his verified Twitter account and of course, this caused a lot of controversial comments on Twitter. Many Nigerians praised him for showing his concern for Nigerian youths , while others criticised his action.

Jack wrote ;

“Donate via #Bitcoin to help #ENDSARS.”

However, amongst those who criticised Jack Dorsey , is a former presidential aspirant for the 2019 presidential election and C.E.O of IPI group limited, Adam Garba.

Adamu Garba replied Jack Dorsey by tweeting the following statements;

“Dear @jack, It’ll do you a lot more good if you stay away from Nigerian Politics. You should know that the so-called #EndSARS protest have transformed into political agitation, capable of breaking law & order in our country. You should not be a moral & financial sponsor to this.”

“This is Nigeria, most of the demands initially presented was attended to by the responsible authorities. SARS no longer exist in this country. Your support for a disbanded entity was a needless interference. We cannot allow killings again in Nigeria in the name of protests.”

“I understand that this may play well to your business, you have more content, more people & more activity on your platform, but to us is about life, peace & security of our dear Country, we cannot allow you to be part of the people sponsoring disorder. We need peace & prosperity.”

“I can see you are even sharing a link for people to donate money for this protest, an event capable of escalation beyond our already overstretched security management. If this protest continues to evolve into disorder (hopefully not)…As a Nigerian citizen, we’ll meet in court. Thank you. @jack”

Lifestyle

#ENDSARS: Youths march in support of Buhari, IGP in Abuja

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A group under the auspices of Coalition of Civil Society organisations has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Muhammed Adamu for disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

At a rally in support of police and other security agencies which took place at the Unity Fountain, Abuja, the coalition condemned the continuation of the #ENDSARS protests across the states.

Chief Convener of the Coalition, Comrade Olayemi Success, described the actions of the protesters as “totally uncalled-for and unacceptable, originally, the protest was ill conceived as the advantages and usefulness of SARS in curbing crimes in Nigeria overwhelmingly outweighed their few mistakes, therefore, such protests can be highly demoralising”.

Olayemi added: “Today, we the leaders of different Civil society organizations are gathered here from far and near with some of our members from every nook and cranny of Nigeria in solidarity with our security agencies especially the Nigeria Police force, recently, we are all aware of pockets of protest demanding for the scrap of Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS).

“The Inspector General of Police (IGP) in display of his 21st century Police officer’s compliance, highest level of professionalism and best regards for Democracy yielded to the call and disbanded the SARS, surprisingly, the protesters still continue with their trade of protest.

“In view of the above, this solidarity march is very important to boost the morale of the police men and women, for them to know that well -meaning Nigerians appreciate their sacrifices in securing Nigeria, we are convinced that Police is our friend and everyone that sees police as enemies are suspects.

“Let us use this opportunity to commend the world best Inspector General of Police for creating SPECIAL WEAPONS AND TACTICS TEAM (SWATT), which we believe will discharge all the responsibilities of the disbanded SARS more professionally and effectively, also, it is very important to call on the National Assembly to approve more funding for Nigeria Police force for adequate security”.

The coalition called on all Nigerians to collectively join hands with the Nigeria Police Force for an enduring security and peace in Nigeria.

Lifestyle

End SARS: Details of Sanwo-Olu’s meeting with Buhari revealed

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The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has disclosed details of his meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday.

In a Twitter post, Sanwo-Olu said he presented the demands of protesters to the president.

According to him, Buhari restated his commitment to a holistic reform of the Nigeria Police Force.

“Today, I met President @MBuhari to present the demands of the Lagos #EndSARS protesters.

“The President restated his commitment to embark on a holistic reform of the entire Police Force,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He added that “Just today, the President has approved a panel made up of Civil Society leaders to look at all the cases of abuse by the police.

“The benefits of this genuine protest will be fully realized and I will continue to work to defend the rights of all Lagosians any and every day.”

Lifestyle

#SARSMUSTEND: Buhari’s govt to address protesters’ demands — Presidency

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The demands include halting use of force against protesters and the unconditional release of arrested citizens.

The presidency has released the statement below indicating the government’s readiness to meet the demands of the #ENDSARS protesters.

The demands include halting use of force against protesters and the unconditional release of arrested citizens.

The decision was taken at a meeting between the government, the police, and civil society, a statement by presidential spokesperson Femi Adesina said.

“The Ministry of Police Affairs and Police Service Commission were also present at the meeting that affirmed that the five-point demands of the protesters and the ENDSARS movement are genuine concerns and will be addressed by the Government,” the statement says.

Politics

FG set to give 774,000 jobs to youths.

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The government will continue with policies of social protection and people empowerment despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic, President Muhammadu Buhari said on Monday.

The President spoke at the State House during the launch of the Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme (P-YES). He restated his administration’s commitment to youth development and poverty alleviation.

The President, who described P-YES as a cornerstone of his administration’s social and economic development strategies, said it was part of the overall policy of ensuring that 100 million Nigerians were lifted out of poverty in 10 years.

The P-YES launch, which is aimed at creating 774,000 jobs across the local government areas, was attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi.

The President said: “The P-YES is also part of the plan that we adopted in 2016 in which we empowered One hundred youths from each of the 774 local government areas with the necessary tools to acquire skills and establish small businesses.

“Given the success of that initiative, we are now committed to creating 774,000 jobs across all the LGAs, through the P-YES programme.”

President Buhari, who took a tour of P-YES tools and equipment displayed at the forecourt of Presidential Villa expressed delight that the materials showcased represent the fruits of the initiatives by his administration in 2016.

“All the tools, machines and equipment that are exhibited here, are products of the efforts of these empowered youth entrepreneurs.

“I note with particular pleasure that they were all fabricated in Nigeria by Nigerian youths using locally sourced materials. This is a wonderful and uplifting achievement.

“As an entrepreneurship empowerment project, the P-YES programme aims to address the needs of unskilled and less educated youth.

“It targets key areas of activities that are of practical importance and are essential to every aspect of our economy.

“These include areas such as agriculture and food processing, restaurant and catering, tailoring and fashion design, technical skills such as in the Information and Communications Technology sector, artisanship, welding, carpentry and joinery, other small businesses and activities associated with the micro-economic sector of this economy.”

The President urged states, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAS) of government to factor the P-YES into their programmes to assist the youth to realise their potentials in their chosen fields.

He urged local and foreign private sector operators to contribute their share to the expansion of the programme through channelling their corporate social responsibility efforts towards skills acquisition, creation of start-ups, and other intervention measures.

President Buhari declared that the expansion of the P-YES would be vigorously pursued, adding that more resources would be committed to the achievement of its goals and objectives towards youth empowerment and entrepreneurship development.

The President commended the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Youth and Students Affairs, under Hon. Nasiru Saidu Adhama, for driving the P-YES programme in accordance with the mandates prescribed for the office and the programme.

Lifestyle

End SARS: Danger looms, listen to Nigerians – Saraki tells Buhari, Police

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Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigeria Police to listen to End SARS protesters.

He warned of looming danger if the protests are not cautiously handled.

In his opinion on Sunday, Saraki said the nation is bearing witness to a well-organised and largely orderly youth protests, a clear manifestation of the frustration felt by the youthful citizens.

He stated that Nigerians are voicing their response to the increasingly harrowing scenes of random and unjustified harassment, intimidation, detention and extrajudicial killings by SARS.

Saraki said the current situation is too important and above individual vanities.

He urged all those who can to stand up and speak out on the issues Nigerians collectively face.

The former lawmaker said in his opinion, #EndSarsNow, #EndPoliceBrutality is not one bit about politics.

He stressed that it’s about young people whose agitation and raised voices are demanding protection of their daily rights and liberties, to live, associate, and work, productively in peace.

Saraki described as awful, the manner SARS arbitrarily pick up youths simply because of dress, hairdo, and others.

“There is a danger in the escalation of any protest movement, and #EndSARS is no different. Escalation happens when each hour that passes is an hour when we seem to have not listened to the protesters and taken their grievances seriously.”

Saraki said the initial response of the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu to #EndSARS, in which he gave various directives about the squad can be read as an admission that many things are wrong.

The former Kwara Governor noted that in analyzing the atrocities of SARS, it is clear that its history has been beleaguered by the institutional vandalism and emasculation of leadership in policing, the militarisation of policing for regime security and impunity of security services and neglecting long-standing reforms designed to improve public confidence.

Saraki told leaders that ignoring the wishes of the people is never a good stratagem.

He paid tribute to the victims of Police excessive reaction to the #EndSARSProtest, including Jimoh Isiaka who was murdered in Ogbomoso, and protesters injured in different locations and states.

Politics

FEC approves #654m to monitor illegal frequencies in South East.

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The Federal Executive Council has approved the sum of N653,886,584 to procure and deploy a hybrid spectrum monitoring system that will cover the southern part of the country, most importantly the south-east.

The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Issa Pantami, disclosed this on Wednesday, at the end of the 18th virtual Federal Executive Council meeting presided by President Muhammadu Buhari at State Hūouse in Abuja.

According to him, the investigation carried out in five geo-political zones; the north-east, north-west, north-central, south-west and south-south, revealed that out of the 320 frequencies discovered, 106 were illegal and based on the advice of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the illegal frequencies will be prosecuted.

Mr Pantami described the use of illegal frequencies in the country which according to him, has become very rampant, as worrisome.

He explained that the initial monitoring did not cover the southeastern part of the country, hence the need for the council’s approval.

Politics, Videos, World News

Youths protest in Lagos, “END SARS”.

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Following the recent outburst of Nigerian youths on social media, youths have taken to the streets of Lagos to intensify the “END SARS” protest.

Below are pictures of many youths walking around the streets of Lagos, calling on the government to come to their aid.

Below is also a video of youths making their grievances known.

Politics

President Buhari set to present 2021 budget on Thursday.

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The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), will on Thursday present the 2021 budget estimate at a Joint session of both chambers of the National Assembly.

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, made the announcement at plenary on Tuesday.

Lawan confirmed the receipt of a letter from the Buhari which he read to his colleagues.

“May I crave the kind indulgence of the distinguished senate to grant me the slot of 11:00hrs on Thursday, 8th October, 2020, to formally present the 2021 Appropriation bill to the Joint Session of the National Assembly.
While I look forward to addressing the joint session, please, accept Mr Senate President, the assurances of my highest regard.”

Meanwhile the Senate will on Wednesday (today) consider the report of its committee on finance on the 2021-2023 Medium Term Expenditure and Fiscal Strategy Paper which would be presented by the panel Chairman, Senator Solomon Adeola.

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