Ask Niger Republic to immediately refund N1.4 billion and use it to offset ASUU funding – SERAP tells Buhari administration

SERAP has asked the Buhari administration to demand a refund of the N1.4billion it gave to Niger Republic authorities and use the refund to offset ASUU funding.

The Nigerian government on Wednesday, August 3, confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the purchase and donation of vehicles, worth N1.4 billion, to neighbouring Niger Republic.

This revelation sparked outrage and the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, said that the donation was to help Niger address its security concerns. Reacting, civil society group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) tweeted:

“The Buhari administration must immediately ask Niger Republic authorities to refund the N1.4 billion approved for them to buy vehicles, and use the money to offset the funding for ASUU, so that poor children can go back to school.”

Arrest attackers of Kuje Prison – Tinubu tells FG

Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, has called on relevant authorities to go after Tuesday’s attackers of Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Tinubu who is also one of the leaders of the APC, made the call in a statement by his Media Officer, Mr Tunde Rahman, in Abuja.

He particularly condemned the terrorist attack on the centre, saying the incessant terror attacks plaguing the country was worrisome.

The former two-term Lagos State governor, while calling on Nigerians to remain vigilant and united behind constituted authorities, said fleeing inmates from the facility must be re-arrested and returned to the facility.

“These incessant attacks on government’s institutions and innocent citizens are a sad reminder that we still have a lot to do to put these evil forces in check.”

He condemned the dastardly attack, urging the government to immediately go after the attackers and fleeing inmates of the facility.

While calling for full investigations of the incident, Tinubu said Nigerians must all remain vigilant and united.

He added that the moment called for national unity and deep introspection.

He, however, said Nigerians should continue to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in its battle against insurgents and determination to confront agents of darkness.

He commiserated with families and relations of those who lost their lives in the attack and called on the government to continue to provide succour and medical attention to those injured.

Lifeless body of a young woman who is yet to be identified has been found in Kubwa, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Lifeless body of a young woman who is yet to be identified has been found in Kubwa, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

A heartbreaking pictures revealed that the young woman was butchered and dumped among refuse waste.

Details of the incident are still sketchy but residents of the area said they don’t know who dumped the body.

The body was discovered in the early hours of today, June 20, one of the eyewitnesses said, adding that the young lady might be a prostitute.

The eyewitness also suggested that the young woman might be used for rituals by one of her customers.

Beware of graphic content, see more pictures below…

It feels good to be back home, Tinubu says as he arrives in Lagos.

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, has arrived in Lagos following his victory at the primary election of the APC.

The candidate, who landed in Lagos on Sunday, was welcomed by an excited crowd from the airport.

On his Instagram story, Tinubu noted that it felt good to be back home, as he was seen waving at ecstatic supporters who hailed him.

The supporters who were waving brooms, which is an APC symbol, were chanting “Emilokan” as they followed his entourage.

Tinubu, who was also waving back a broom, captioned the video, “Feels good to be back home.”

Several videos available on the Internet showed that Tinubu was received by the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, upon his arrival.

APC United Kingdom on Facebook wrote, “Aṣíwájú Bọ́lá Ahmed Tinubu arrives Lagos after weeks of absence.

“He left Lagos as a presidential aspirant, but came back as a presidential candidate. It could only be God!”

Tinubu scored 1,271 votes to defeat his closest contenders, Rotimi Amaechi and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, two weeks ago.

Amaechi obtained 316 votes while Osinbajo polled 235.

He contested against 13 other aspirants – Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Mr Ahmed Rufai, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Mr Jack Rich, Governor Ben Ayade, Governor David Umahi, Senator Ahmed Yarima, Dr Ahmed Lawan, Osinbajo, Amaechi, Governor Yahaya Bello and Mr Ogbonnaya Onu.

Watch below the arrival of Tinubu in Lagos…

I want new tanker and not national honour – Man who drove a tanker of fire and saved a Delta community from explosion says.

Ejiro Otarigho, the driver who drove a burning fuel tanker away from a community in Delta state has disclosed that he needs a new vehicle. 
 
Speaking after the senate asked President Buhari to confer him with a “befitting national honour as he may deem fit for his extraordinary act of bravery, courage and skill that prevented the loss of human lives and property on a massive scale”, Ejiro said it’s not been easy since losing the tanker as it was the only way he fed. 

 
He also told Punch that the thought of hundreds of lives and property engulfing in flames as a result of the tanker fire, gave him the spunk to drive the truck to a location where there will be no disaster.
 
Ejiro said; 
 

“I have received calls from them (Delta state government) but I am not interested in any national honour of any sort right now.

“I know God has brought me to a good place where my story is now being told. All I want is a replacement for my burnt tanker so I can go back to my job.
“I have just been at home and truck driving was the only way I fed. It has not been easy for me since I lost my tanker.”

 
When asked if he would like to get a new job and abandon the dangerous business of tanker driving, he said;
 

“of course, I will. It is a risky job.
“Imagine if I had died that day, nothing would have been said of me. If the government has something better for me, I will do it without looking back. All I want is to be able to take care of myself and my family legitimately.”

Lagos NURTW Caretaker Chairman accuses MC Oluomo.

The newly appointed Caretaker Committee Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State, Fatai Adeshina, aka Akeweje, has accused the Chairman of the Parks Management Committee in Lagos, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly called MC Oluomo, of snatching his wife.

Adeshina’s allegation was contained in a tell-all interview published by The Punch.

The Caretaker Chairman also detailed how Oluomo hijacked his branch and unit from him despite all his efforts to make peace.

He said the age-long rivalry between them took another dimension when he contested the NURTW Chairmanship position with Oluomo in 2019.

Adeshina said despite him being the popular choice amongst the unionists, the Lagos state government settled for MC as the preferred choice, and offered him a Vice Chairman position instead

However, to his dismay, his name was struck out from the executive members list with a pen on the day of inauguration as no position was offered to him.

“When he took over as the NURTW chairman in Lagos. The worst thing he did to me that made me part ways with him was that after his inauguration, I bought a foreign used car for N13m and took it to him as a gift.

“I added N10m to the car gift, but he rejected them. I begged him but he refused to make peace. I am not MC Oluomo’s peer and he knows this, but I prostrated before him to make peace,” Adeshina said.

The Caretaker Chairman alleged that Akinsanya’s rejection of the peace offering was because he had his eyes on his second wife at the time.

He accused Nollywood actress and an associate Ronke Oshodi Oke of helping Oluomo to snatch his then second wife.

“Yes, there was a lady called Ronke Oshodi Oke, a popular actress. She was a friend to my second wife. Though they met outside my residence, Ronke started visiting my home at one point. So, I challenged her and warned her not to ever step into my house again.

“Yes, Ronke was an associate of MC Oluomo and I know what Oluomo is capable of doing. When I challenged Ronke, she told me that she came to see her boss, adding that my second wife was her boss. I told her not to come to my house anymore, because MC Oluomo and I did not belong to the same camp.

“My second wife and Ronke knelt and apologised, but after five days, I met Ronke in my house again. I was furious and I accused her of trying to carry out a mission in my house. I sent the two of them out of my house that day. To my surprise, Ronke took my second wife, who I sent packing, to MC Oluomo.”

Adeshina said his wife was housed in MC’s hotel for over one month before he purchased a house for her.

“Some concerned close allies at MC’s hotel in Oshodi phoned me that they saw my second wife at MC’s place. They asked whether MC and I had settled our issues, but I said we were yet to resolve our differences. They told me that MC had asked them to give my second wife a room in his hotel. She was there for one month and seven days in his hotel.”

“Yes, my second wife, Queen B. She stayed in his hotel for one month and seven days before he bought her a house. Unionists in the state know this story very well.”

Recall that the national body of the NURTW had sacked MC Oluomo as the Lagos branch chairman.

The union said the decision was based on the provisions of the union’s constitution.

‘Stop IPOB from using your platform to incite violence in Nigeria,’ FG tells Facebook

The Federal Government on Tuesday asked the social media giant, Facebook, to stop the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) from using its platform to incite violence in the country.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, made the call at a meeting with a team from Facebook in Abuja.

He said several people had been killed in the South-East because of the group’s activities, adding that Facebook has no reason whatsoever for allowing the use of its platform to the organisation whose goal was to destabilise the country.

The latest warning came about one year after the federal government suspended another social media platform, Twitter, for allegedly promoting hate speech and other activities undermining the country’s existence.

Mohammed said: “I have called this meeting to enable us to discuss the increasing use of Facebook by separatists and anarchists, especially those of them based outside the country, to instigate violence and ethnic hatred in Nigeria.

For whatever reason, they seem to have now chosen Facebook as their platform of choice. And their tools include disinformation, incendiary statements and hate speech.

They use Facebook broadcasts to reach their followers, who are in thousands. They tag those opposed to their violent ways as ‘saboteurs’ who must be attacked, maimed and killed. They use both English and their local language as it suits them.

“Our social media people have been monitoring these separatists, anarchists and purveyors of hate, and have been reporting their atrocious actions to Facebook, but all they get are default responses that their complaints have been received and are being looked into.

“Most often than not, nothing is done about such complaints. The truth is that whatever Facebook is doing to check these people is mere tokenism and is totally ineffective.”

FG begs Nigerians over fuel scarcity

The Federal Government on Sunday called for understanding from Nigerians as the fuel scarcity entered its second week.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, made the call in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Horatius Egua.

The minister assured Nigerians that the federal government was working assiduously to ensure the adequate distribution of petroleum products in the coming days.

“It is not a time to trade blames as is customary in Nigeria. It is, therefore, not a time to query anyone but a time to come together to salvage the plight of the average Nigerian.

After the storm settles, there will be time enough to investigate and get to the bottom, so that this does not repeat itself.

“President Muhammadu Buhari’s charge to all parties and agencies concerned is to work together to ensure that normalcy returns quickly.

The Nigerian people deserve the best and the government is determined to set the country on the right path of petroleum products availability and sustainability.

“In the last weeks, Nigerians have grappled with fuel scarcity not because of the absence of supply of products but due to inspection failure, which allowed adulterated products into the country.

“This is regrettable, and the Federal Government sympathises with the citizenry over the unforeseen hardship, occasioned by the inevitable scarcity.

“Let me once again appeal to Nigerians to be patient with the government in finding lasting solutions to the crisis.”

FG debunks reports of free DNA tests for Nigerians

The Minister of State for Health, Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora on Tuesday, debunked reports claiming that the Federal Government is set to commence free DNA tests for Nigerians.

Mamora made the clarification in an interview with The PUNCH while reacting to some Nigerians’ comments on social media that the minister had said government hospitals and clinics would start conducting free DNA tests in June.

The tweets had generated several reactions. While certain individuals expressed joy at the opportunity of exposing paternity fraud, other citizens wondered if the government would be able to finance the free tests.

A tweep, with the username Chijioke, P.HD, was among the first to tweet about a free DNA test attributing the statement to a Health Minister.

He wrote; ‘There will be free DNA test in government owned hospitals from June this year. -Nigerian Health Minister.’

Another tweep, with the username, Maxvayshia, stated; With this news on free conducting of DNA tests in Government Hospitals and Clinics (if implemented), the High Courts are really going to get very busy in the coming months, another user.

However, the minister debunked it saying; “This is a false claim. At no point did I or the minister say this. The claims about free DNA tests are not true.”

We’ll regulate Netflix, other streaming services – FG

The Federal Government says it plans to regulate streaming and online content providers such as Netflix, expressing worry that they can be exploited to “cause chaos” and undermine Nigeria’s democratic processes.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed made the disclosure at a two-day conference, adding that the popularity and demand of streaming services in Nigeria has grown with the COVID-19 pandemic, “hence its regulation.”

Federal government and industry stakeholders discussed “the implication of Nigeria censorship laws and regulatory framework for Over-The-Top (OTT) streaming services and content providers in Nigeria.”

Mohammed who was represented by Director, Information and Technology in the ministry, Comfort Ajiboye, reiterated his position that social media and streaming services can be used “to cause chaos and undermine democratic processes.”

The conference was organised by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) on Wednesday in Lagos, along with practitioners and stakeholders in the entertainment and creative industry.

In his opening address, Executive Director and CEO of the NFVCB, Adedayo Thomassaid the conference was to brainstorm on creating policies to regulate streamers and content providers in Nigeria.

With over 50 per cent internet penetration, it has become imperative to convene this conference to bring together stakeholders and legislators in a conversation so as to come up with crystal policies on the regulation of streamers and content providers,” Thomas said.

The NFVCB boss said streaming service providers were unable to self-regulate, reason why their operations were now being discussed at the conference with the theme, “Nigeria Digital Content Regulation”.

Thomas, however, pledged that, “the goal of regulation is not to stifle creativity but to create sanity and encourage healthy competition for socio-economic gains.”

At the conference as a panelist was Netflix Director of Public Policy, Sub-Saharan Africa, Shola Sanni.

Participants include members of the various Guilds in Nollywood which included the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) and Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN).

Others are the Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Theatre and Movie Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), among others.

FG claims to have spent borrowed money on us but we didn’t receive anything – Adamu Garba

Former presidential aspirant, Adamu Garba on Wednesday tackled government over its claims that it has spent billions of naira on Nigerians in the past few years under different social intervention programmes.

In a post on his Facebook page, Garba wondered why government keeps borrowing and saying that the monies were spent on the citizens whereas no one can prove that government indeed disbursed money to the people.

The All Progressives Congress chieftain said that its is time to ‘retire’ old politicians who are no longer trust worthy.

He wrote; ”They borrowed & borrowed, they claimed to have spent it on us, yet we can’t substantiate anything from it.

Now théy want to pay for it. Yes! We must pay our debt. But can we trust them with our votes again? We need to retire them. Time is up!”

See his post:

FG claims to have spent borrowed money on us but we didn’t receive anything – Adamu Garba

Former presidential aspirant, Adamu Garba on Wednesday tackled government over its claims that it has spent billions of naira on Nigerians in the past few years under different social intervention programmes.

In a post on his Facebook page, Garba wondered why government keeps borrowing and saying that the monies were spent on the citizens whereas no one can prove that government indeed disbursed money to the people.

The All Progressives Congress chieftain said that its is time to ‘retire’ old politicians who are no longer trust worthy.

He wrote; ”They borrowed & borrowed, they claimed to have spent it on us, yet we can’t substantiate anything from it.

Now théy want to pay for it. Yes! We must pay our debt. But can we trust them with our votes again? We need to retire them. Time is up!”

See his post:

If you can’t declare bandits terrorists, declare them federal civil servants – Shehu Sani tells FG

Former Nigerian senator, Shehu Sani has condemned the federal government’s refusal to swiftly declare bandits as terrorists.

According to him, if government cannot declare them terrorists, they might as well declare them as federal civil servants.

This comes a week after 36 state Houses of Assembly Speakers called on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare bandits as terrorists and enemies of the nation.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has said the need to follow due process is responsible for the delay in declaring bandits as terrorists.

Taking to his verified Twitter handle on Monday to express his displeasure with the delay, Sani lamented that the bandits are killing people regardless of religion and place of worship.

“They killed Muslim worshipers in their mosques in Niger and Katsina states; they killed Christians in their Churches in Kaduna state; if the Government doesn’t want to declare them terrorists, it should declare them federal civil servants,” he wrote.

Nigeria will start producing airplanes before President Buhari leaves office – FG

The Federal Government has said that production of airplanes in Nigeria will commence before President Muhammadu Buhari leaves office in 2023.

Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika stated this on an inspection visit to the Magnus Aircraft Industry in Pogany, Hungary.

He hinted that Nigeria will partner with the Hungarian firm to begin the production., Guardian reports.

“If we venture with them, we may start with assembling plant and later manufacturing”, the ministry’s spokesman James Odaudu, quoted him in a statement.

Giving an appraisal of the Magnus aircraft, Sirika said it is lightweight, good for military training, made of high-strength composite materials and has an aerobatic manoeuvre.

According to the minister, it uses normal car petrol and outperforms any training aircraft of its kind.

The minister expressed satisfaction with the features and readiness to facilitate the production in the country.

Sirika said the partnership will boost the growth of Nigeria as a regional aviation super power as maintenance and repair facilities will attract patronage from neighbouring countries.

FG evacuates 100 Nigerians from Libya

The Federal Government has evacuated 100 Nigerians stranded in Libya.

The Chargé D’affaires en titre of the Nigerian Embassy in Libya, Kabiru Musa, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Tripoli.

He said the returnees are expected to arrive at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Friday night.

The official added that another set of 100 stranded Nigerians would return home in the next 10 days.

Musa said among those to be repatriated are victims of human trafficking and persons detained in Libyan prisons for migration offences, among others.

He revealed that the exercise was coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the support of the Ministry of Defence

.

The embassy official said: “Under the special arrangements, NAF aircraft C-130 H evacuated 100 stranded Nigerians detained in various Libyan prisons after they had served respective jail terms.

“The aircraft arrived in Tripoli on Friday, 13th August 2021 at 2.00 pm local time for the evacuation exercise.

The repatriated Nigerians included men, women, and children some of whom were either victims of human trafficking or ISIS reign of terror. They were held captives for several years until their captors were killed.

“Others were jailed for committing migration offenses.

“The Embassy in fulfilling its obligations to Nigerian citizens exerted efforts with coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure the return of the Nigerians home and to reunite them with their families.

“The exercise was successfully carried out with the support of the Ministry of Defense which provided the aircraft.

The exercise will be a continuous one until all Nigerians stranded in Libya are returned home. Already, another batch of 100 Nigerians will be evacuated in 10 days.”

He thanked the Libyan authorities for ensuring the smooth conduct of the exercise.

FG approves $11.17bn rail project in Nigeria

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved the release of $11.17billion for a rail project in the country.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of the FEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja.

The project, which is expected to be completed in six years, will link Nigeria’s coastal cities by rail.

Mohammed said the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, presented two memos detailing the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding and consolidating on the rail project.

He said: “The first one has to do with the Kano-Jibia rail and the other one has to do with the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail.

“Actually, what was approved today was funding to ensure that work starts immediately on those two rails.

“And then, also, another memo that was approved today was the ratification of the president’s approval for the award of contract for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Standard Gauge.’’

FG begs ILO to solve Nigeria’s unemployment crisis

The federal government has appealed to the UN’s International Labour Organisation (ILO) to provide technical support to address Nigeria’s rising unemployment rate.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, said this when the new ILO Country Director to Nigeria visited him in his office on Thursday in Abuja.

Ngige noted that the support had become necessary as the number of unemployment and underemployed keep rising.

”We want to use this opportunity to ask for more technical support. It is not easy, especially in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on countries. We are hoping that ILO will carve a special place for Nigeria so that we can make (an) impact on job creation.

We need to create jobs here. We are battling unemployment, and the figure of unemployment here in Nigeria is mind-boggling,” he said.

According to him, it has risen to 33 per cent, adding that when underemployed and unemployed are computed, it will rise to 35, or 36 per cent.

Ngige seeking the help of the organisation, stated, ”So, we need some ILO experts to be giving to us or for them to be visiting our country on (a) quarterly basis. That is, every three months so that we can work together to fashion out things we can do to reduce the high rate of unemployment in our country.”

On the issue of labour laws, the minister disclosed that the laws were obsolete and currently undergoing review.

”We have got everybody, the lawmakers on board after an initial setback, through adequate liaison with the National Assembly Committee, on Labour. We are hopeful that after the recess of the National Assembly, final legislative work on the review will commence,” he said.

The minister further said the National Labour Advisory Council, previously dogged by budget constraints, was inaugurated, with its first sitting already held.

“After budgetary constraints over the years, this 2021, we were able to weather the storm and inaugurated the body in Owerri,” Ngige added.

He commended ILO for supporting the government.

The ILO Country Director, Vanessa Phala, said, “Over the years, the ILO has enjoyed quite a favourable working relationship and collaboration with the ministry, and it is my intention to maintain such.

”The purpose of our visit beyond the courtesy call is to touch base on a number of issues so that we will be able to respond accordingly to the technical requirement of the ministry”.

Ms Phala explained that her visit was to inquire about Nigeria’s efforts of Nigeria to review its labour laws and progress made after the inauguration of the NLAC.

FG Appoints Mikel Obi As Youth Ambassador

The Federal Government has appointed former Super Eagles Captain, John Mikel Obi as a Youth Ambassador.

The appointment which took place at the NOC secretariat, National Stadium, Surulere Lagos on Friday was given to the footballer in a bid to inspire young Nigerians to strive for excellence.

It is another of the Sports Minister, Sunday Dare’s initiatives geared towards driving a vibrant youth for national development.

Speaking at the event, Dare, described the former Chelsea player as a role model whose lasting legacies in football development have continued to have a positive impact on youths in the country.

The minister promised to support Mikel’s vision and the vision for sports development in the country and also assured the Stoke City midfielder of the Federal Government’s unalloyed support whenever he chooses to invest in the country.

“Time will not permit me to say much about Mikel’s success as a footballer. He is our legend and a role model who has continued to impact the lives of youth positively.

“It is my pleasure to appoint you as Nigerian Youth Ambassador. It’s a new portfolio and your role as youth ambassador will be made known to Nigerians,” the minister asserted.

In his response, Mikel expressed delight with his new portfolio and promised to work with the sports ministry to foster youth development in the country.

“I feel highly honored to be appointed as Youth Ambassador of this country, it is a great feeling. I am happy with this partnership and I promise to do my best to encourage and inspire the youths towards national development not just in football but in other sports like Basketball, Boxing among others”, Mikel said.

The event was followed by a tour of the National Stadium, Surulere which is undergoing rehabilitation.

FG seeks amendment of NBC act to allow for regulation of social, online media

The federal government has asked the House of Representatives to enact a law to regulate social and online media in Nigeria.

At a public hearing organised by the house on Wednesday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, asked the lawmakers to amend the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) act to empower the agency to regulate social and online media.

The public hearing was organised by the house committee on information, national orientation, ethics and values on a bill to amend the NBC act.

Section two (b) of the NBC act states: “(1) The Commission shall have [the] responsibility of: Receiving, processing and considering applications for the establishment, ownership or operation of radio and television stations including (i) cable television services, direct satellite broadcast and any other medium of broadcasting.”

Mohammed, however, wants the commission to also be able to regulate the online media in addition to other channels of broadcasting.

The minister said: “I want to add here specifically that internet broadcasting and all online media should be included in this because we have a responsibility to monitor contents, including Twitter.”

Mohammed’s proposal comes about six days after the NBC asked all social media platforms and online broadcasting service providers operating in Nigeria to apply for a broadcast licence.

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