Politics

#ASUU said we should go & learn new skills , says Nigerian student who revealed his business.

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A young Nigerian student, Oluwasegun who buys and sells consumables has taken to Twitter to reveal the type of business he does, following an advise from the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.

ASUU had given a 7-point advise to students who have been at home for 8 months owing to the ongoing strike action by the body.

They urged undergraduates to learn new skills, travel, intern at organisations, read books, and have fun amongst other things. The young man who referenced ASUU’s advise in his post revealed that he is into selling of rice.

https://twitter.com/oflondonn/status/1327223228381728768?s=19

Oluwasegun wrote;

“ASUU said we should go & learn new skills. Prior to that, I’m now selling rice at Daleko Market, in Mushin. We sell Made in Nigeria rice, no stone, no dirt & we sell at an affordable price, starting from 23k upward….”
Kindly do & patronise me…..Thank you 

Lifestyle

Coronavirus: Nigeria records 152 new cases, two deaths

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Nigeria recorded 152 new cases of COVID-19 and two deaths, new data from the country’s infectious disease agency, NCDC, showed Tuesday night.

With the latest update, Nigeria’s COVID-19 total case count increased to 64,336, keeping it fifth on the list of African countries hit hardest by the disease, behind Ethiopia, Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa.

The total death toll is now 1,160 with the two new fatalities added to the tally.

Meanwhile, more people have recovered from the virus even as fears of an imminent and more devastating second wave of infections gain momentum.

Of the over 64,000 infections, about 60,333 persons have been discharged from hospitals after treatment, but about 3, 000 active cases remain in the country.

The 152 new cases were reported from nine states – Lagos (93), FCT (21), Oyo (15), Rivers (11), Bauchi (7), Kwara (2), Bayelsa (1), Edo (1), Plateau (1).

With 93 new infections on Tuesday, more than half of the daily tally, Lagos further stretched its lead on the number of infections to over 22,000, about a third of the country’s total.

Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and the second-most impacted city with a total of over 6,000 cases also came second on Tuesday with 21 infections.

Currently, Nigeria has tested about 687,952 of its 200 million population.

Videos

INEC: Yakubu Mahmood to handover to Acting Chairman on Monday.

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The incumbent Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu will be handing over to an acting Chairman on Monday November 9. 

While President Muhammadu Buhari has re-nominated Yakubu and sent his name to the Senate for confirmation, it is expected an acting chairman will pilot the affairs of the commission till the Senate confirms Yakubu’s re-nomination or otherwise.

Yakubu will reportedly be handing over to one of the National Commissioners whose tenure has not expired. It was learnt that five of the ommissioners have served two terms and are not eligible for re-nomination or appointment.

Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Lawrence Oyekanmi told Daily Trust;

“The Hon Chairman’s (Yakubu) handing over ceremony to be held on Monday 9th November 2020 at the Conference Hall, INEC Headquarters.”

World News

China Suspends Entry of Non-Chinese Nationals from Nigeria

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The Chinese government has announced the temporary suspension of entry into China of non-Chinese nationals in Nigeria holding visas or residence permits.

The Chinese Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria in a statement issued Wednesday, however, said that holders of diplomatic, service, courtesy or C visas would not be affected.

It however added that foreign nationals visiting China for emergency needs may apply for visas at Chinese Embassy or Consulate.

It stated: “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, China has decided to temporarily suspend entry into China by non-Chinese nationals in Nigeria holding visas or residence permits still valid at the time of this announcement. The Chinese Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria will no longer issue Certified Health Declaration Form for the above-mentioned personnel.

“Entry by holders of diplomatic, service, courtesy or C visas will not be affected. Foreign nationals visiting China for emergency needs may apply for visas at Chinese Embassy or Consulate. Entry by non-Chinese nationals in Nigeria with visas issued after 3 November 2020 will not be affected.

“The suspension is a temporary response necessitated by the current situation of Covid-19. The above-mentioned measures will be assessed in accordance with the evolving situation and any adjustment will be announced accordingly.”

Lifestyle

Nigeria: Military Pensions Board Seeks Increased Budgetary Allocation

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The Military Pension Board (MPB) has appealed to the Senate to increase its budgetary allocation to enable it to meet payment of benefits of retirees of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The Chairman of the MPB, Commodore Saburi Lawal, made the call in Abuja on Wednesday when he appeared before Senate Committee on Defence, to defend MPB 2021 budgetary estimates.

He said: We apeal to your committee to favourably consider the MPB 2021 budget estimates.

“We appeal to your committee to kindly increase the amount recommended by the Budget Office of the Federation for the pensions, gratuities, death benefits and allied costs to the figures proposed by the board.

“We appeal to your committee to kindly increase the military pensions board overhead and capital cost allocations to accommodate the rising inflationary trend in the society and to enhance infrastructure development of the board.”

According to him, MPB is charged with the responsibility of administering pensions of military retirees, payment of death benefits to next-of-kins of deceased personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria through funds allocated to it by the National Assembly.

He said the annual budgetary allocations to the MPB are divided into pensions, gratuities, death benefits, allied cost, overhead cost and capital expenditure.

Giving a breakdown of 2020 budget performance of MPB, Lawal said:

“In 2020, the sum of N270,593,565,984. was appropriated to the board for payment of pensions, gratuities, death benefits and payment of outstanding arrears to retired personnel.

“As at date the sum N163,195,174,488 only has been released to the board representing 75 per cent of the appropriated figure.”

For 2020 capital budget performance, Lawal said that the sum of N187 million was appropriated for the MPB.

He said that N93,901,500 representing 50 per cent of the approved capital budget has been released to the board.

“The sum of N96,459,482 was appropriated as an overhead cost, while N56 million, representing 58 per cent has been released.

He said the capital and overhead cost allocations for the MPB were negligible, noting that the amount allocated was the same figure in the last three years.

“All efforts to ensure that the allocation goes up has not yielded any effort.

“We urge the committee to assist in increasing the allocation as the MPB has hospitals housing complex, road networks to maintain, among other services for the smooth running of the MPB.

For 2021 budget estimates, he said that N216,48,604,822 was proposed to carter for pensions, gratuities, death benefits and allied matters.

He, however, said that the Budget Office of the Federation recommended to the National Assembly the sum of N183,748,495,159.

This, Lawal said, had a shortfall of almost N27 billion of what the MPB proposed initially for 2021.

“We know what is going on in the North East, there is an increased number of casualties.

“We are now having higher number of our personnel retiring and those with arrears that have been captured on the payroll need to be paid.

“So I am appealing to the distinguished committee to kindly help us grant the actual proposal that we had forwarded, so as to discharge our duties to our fatherland.

For 2021 capital estimates, he said the board proposed N309,151,880.

He said the amount was based on the budget ceiling allocated to MPB by Ministry of Defence.

He, however, said the amount was too meagre to handle the MPB capital expenditure needs, noting that many of the MPB personnel did not have official accommodations.

For 2021 overhead cost, Lawal said the sum of N96 million was proposed, noting that the figure was grossly inadequate.

Responding, the Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Aliyu Wammakko (APC-Sokoto), said the Committee would critically look into the issues raised by the MPB.

Politics

I wasn’t born with a silver spoon- Senator Dino Melaye.

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Senator Dino Melaye in an interview with BBC revealed how he moved from grass to grace. He mentioned how his father was sacked from work as a result of his religious belief.

He also mentioned how he survived as a child , sponsored himself and siblings through school. Dino Melaye revealed how the grace of God and hard work helped him to sail through the storms of life.

The senator further revealed his intention to become the President of Nigeria someday. Watch below the video to find out the full details of Senator Dino Melaye’s interview.

Business

Iraq and Nigeria undermined OPEC’s efforts

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Shafaq News / Iraq and Nigeria undermined OPEC’s efforts to boost crude oil prices, even as the organization and its allies postponed production increasing, according to Bloomberg.

OPEC production extended their rally by 470 thousand barrels per day in October, taking the total to 24.74 million barrels per day.

“Iraq and Nigeria are falling behind on their cutting commitments for the month of October.”

Iraq, OPEC’s second-largest producer violated OPEC’s decision pumping 3.78 million bpd in October — some 160000 bpd more-, while Nigeria was among the other laggards, pumped about 1.61 million bpd.

Last April, OPEC+ agreed to cut supply by a record 9.7 million bpd from May 1 to offset the virus- and lock-down-induced demand slump, bringing to an end the period of flooding the market.

Iraq had previously violated its commitment to reduce production and then pledged to reduce by one million barrels per day, or one percent of global supplies.

Politics

Rescue of American in Nigeria, proof of Buhari’s incompetence – PDP

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THE Peoples Democratic Party has said the military operation by United State troops, which led to the rescue of an American citizen, who was captured in Niger Republic and was being held on Nigerian soil, was further proof of the incompetence of Nigeria’s President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, said this in a statement titled, ‘US rescue operation again confirms Buhari’s incompetence, says PDP’, in Abuja on Sunday.

The statement read in part, “It is indeed grossly disconcerting that under our Commander-in-Chief, a general, who had consistently promised to lead from the front, it took a foreign country to come on our soil to rescue their citizen, while hordes of our citizens are reportedly being held, tortured and killed in various kidnappers and insurgents’ dens in various parts of our nation.”

It also recalled that not too long ago, the Chadian President, Idriss Derby, led his troops into Nigerian territory to secure victory over Boko Haram.

In response, the APC in a statement titled, ‘The world remembers PDP government’s negligence in Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction – APC’, signed by the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, said, “The PDP again chooses to play politics with our national security in its tired, baseless and dull attacks of the President Muhammadu Buhari government.

“To refresh the PDP’s memory, former British prime minister, David Cameron in his book, ‘For the Record’, said the Goodluck Jonathan PDP government was sleeping on the wheel when the schoolgirls were abducted.”

World News

NIGERIA IS LIKE HEAVEN?

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Good day Nigerians. Our gist early this morning features the words of Rev Kunle Ajayi

I was told this story about a Reverend Father who was being sent forth after 30 years of ministry in Nigeria.

At his “send forth” he was asked to say a word and he said plenty. He said “Nigeria is like heaven” why?

That first day at the church, the padre was presented a brand new Morris Marina car. Church told him they would pay for driver, fuel, maintenance and service, but any damages will be paid for from the padre’s pay.

Fada agreed and no sooner did they step out of the church at Yaba than a Danfo driver began to strive with them in the ensuing go-slow. The struggle ended finally with a brutal dent on the fender as the broken headlight of the new Morris dangled from a collision courtesy of the crazed Danfo driver.

Instantly, the Danfo driver got down from his bus, examined the damage, placed his two hands on his head and wept bitterly. Shortly after that he fainted face down by the side of the oyinbo man’s window.

Turning to his driver, the terrified Fada asked for explanations as to the fainting. He was informed that prostrating was a Nigerian apology not a medical condition.
“He is sorry, sir.” Padre’s driver explained.
“Very very sorry!” He repeated.
“I see. That is good. Can you please tell him to get up from the floor?” Padre answered relieved.
Danfo driver got up, thanked the padre profusely and began to walk away.
“Where is he going?” Padre asked, blinking.
” Away, sir. The matter has ended.” Driver explained.
“How? Why?” Fada asked.
“He has begged you and you accepted.” Driver explained a bit exasperated.
“So who is paying for my car?” Oyinbo asked
“You, sir!” The driver retorted.
“Me? But I thought you SAID HE WAS SORRY.” Padre recalls.
“He is, sir, but you are the big man, and he is a small man. U have forgiven him.”
“Where I come from, when you damage something and you are SORRY. The first thing you do is repair or restore it. Anybody can feign being sorry to escape the consequences of their errors.” The JJC announced.
“Is not like that here sir.”The Morris driver explained. “Here in Nigeria, sorry excuses you from all liabilities. Sorry is an art. An act. A trump card you play once nemesis appears imminent. You can damage anything, Wreck any havoc. You quiickly say sorry, and you can walk away under the sorry canopy without repairing anything.”
“The victim bears the consequences? You just walk away?” Oyinbo asked
“Yessir!” The driver grinned. This oyinbo na fass learner..
After 30 years, the white man informed us, he had concluded Nigeria was a strange place to be. You guys are peculiar people, he said. I can never get over Nigeria, he said, weeping.
Wow, Nigeria is like heaven. Offenders can always repent and get away for free without righting their wrongs. The people forgive over and over again, and vote yesterday’s thieves and killers over and over again. If you know your way, all your sins are forgiven. All you have to do is prostrate for the right people.”
Just like heaven. Jesus is a big man. Once you are sorry, He will bear the cost of your damages and offences while you walk away.”

Politics

Stolen staff: Ruling house wants Oba of Lagos palace cleansed.

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The Akinsemoyin Ruling House of Lagos State has called for the cleansing of the palace of Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, following its invasion on October 21 by rampaging youths, who carted away the royal staff of authority.

The palace and the monarch were attacked amid the mayhem that broke out following the shooting of #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos by soldiers on the evening of October 20.

In a statement on Sunday, the ruling house described the invasion of the palace and the removal of the royal staff of authority as a sacrilege.

The statement, titled, ‘#EndSARS protest: Akinsemonyin ruling house condemns attacks on Oba’s palace,’ was co-signed by the Olori Ebi Akinsemoyin Ruling House of Lagos, Chief Musliu Anibaba; Prince Saminu Akinsemoyin; Prince lbrahim Adekunle; and the Chairman of Egbe Omo Eko Nimi Lagos Forum, Prince Ademola Akinsemoyin.

Members of the ruling house said they watched with shock rioters’ “forceful entering, ransacking, looting and desecration of lga ldunganran (Oba Ado Palace) which is the Palace of Oba of Lagos.”

Politics

Nigeria: attempt to cover up killing of #EndSars protesters exposed

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Detailed timeline of events leading up to Lekki Toll Gate massacre released

Bodies reportedly removed in apparent attempt to dispose of evidence

 ‘What happened at Lekki Toll Gate has all the traits … of a cover-up’ – Osai Ojigho

 The Nigerian authorities must end their attempts to cover up last week’s Lekki Toll Gate massacre, Amnesty International said, as it released powerful new findings from a fresh investigation into the atrocity a week on.

 In a detailed timeline – available here – Amnesty’s Crisis Response experts have investigated and verified social media videos and photographs that confirm the Nigerian security forces were present at the Lekki Toll Gate when the shootings occurred.

 The evidence confirms that Nigerian Army vehicles left Bonny Camp, a military base approximately a seven-minute drive from the toll gate, at 6.29pm local Lagos time on 20 October. 

 Footage then tracks the vehicles to the toll gate – with four vehicles apparently belonging to the Nigerian military and police seen with flashing lights heading in a convoy heading east along Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue – which changes its name to the Lekki-Epe Expressway – in the direction of the

toll gate. En route, the vehicles passed several international buildings, including the Japanese Embassy and the Australian High Commission.

 Further photographs and footage capture the vehicles arriving at the toll gate, before the peaceful protest is disrupted by men in military uniform, and gunfire is heard at approximately 6.45pm as the soldiers opened fire on #EndSars protesters who were peacefully calling for an end to police brutality.

As night time descended, protesters continued to film and share videos of the shootings. Later in the evening, videos of the victims were also shared on social media

Amnesty is again calling on the Nigerian authorities to bring to justice those behind the shooting and to protect those who are exercising their right to freedom of assembly.

Amnesty is meanwhile still investigating the shooting and the reported removal of bodies of those killed by the military in an attempt to cover up the incident.

Osai Ojigho, Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, said:

“What happened at Lekki Toll Gate has all the traits of the Nigerian authorities’ pattern of a cover-up whenever their defence and security forces commit unlawful killings.

“One week on, the Nigerian authorities still have many questions to answer: who ordered the use of lethal force on peaceful protesters? Why were CCTV cameras on the scene dismantled in advance? And who ordered electricity to be turned off minutes before the military opened fire on protesters?

“The initial denials of the involvement of soldiers in the shooting was followed by the shameful denial of the loss of lives as a result of the military’s attack against the protests.

“Many people are still missing since the day of the incident, and credible evidence shows that the military prevented ambulances from reaching the severely injured in the aftermath.”

#EndSars protests

Amnesty has been monitoring developments across Nigeria since the #EndSars protest began on 8 October.

Nigerians have been taking to the streets peacefully demanding an end to brutality, extortion and extrajudicial executions by the Special Anti-Robbery

Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigerian police tasked with fighting violent crimes. 

 At least 56 people have died across the country since the protests began. In multiple cases, the security forces have used excessive force in an attempt to control or stop the protests. 

Business

Nigeria received $26.94bn in foreign donations in six years

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Nigeria received the sum of $26.94 billion as development assistance funds from international donors from 2015 to 2020, Minister of State for Budget and National Planning Clement Agba said on Tuesday.

He made the disclosure in Abuja while briefing the House of Representatives Committee on Civil Society and Development Partners on transfers and disbursements to government agencies, donor fund receipts, civil society and non-governmental organizations in Nigeria.

$2.34 billion was received in 2015, $1.15 billion in 2016, $774.93 million in 2017, $22.02 billion in 2018, $655.64 million in 2019 and $5.64 million in 2020.

The donations, according to Agba, came from the United Nations Development System, the European Development Fund and China.

Other donors include the German International Cooperation, Japan via the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Korean International Cooperation Agency, Department for International Development and United States Agency for International Development.

The minister said his ministry did not receive donor funds and, for that reason, could not transfer or disburse what it did not receive.

He added that the country did not qualify for budget support as it was not classified as “very poor” but a lower income country that was only eligible for projects/programmes.

“The implication of this is that donors do not give us the funds for management. Rather, donors work with the sectoral stakeholders to fund the projects directly, after identifying the needs by the MDAs/states, in line with the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness.

“For the purpose of clarification, the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning is responsible for coordinating Nigeria’s multilateral and bilateral economic cooperation, including development Aid and Technical Assistance Programmes by signing of Cooperation Agreements, facilitating the implementation of programmes and projects as well as monitoring and evaluation.”

Agba went further to say the ministry has a duty to coordinate the bilateral and multilateral institutions, non-governmental organizations, international non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations.

“Interventions in these identified areas are done directly in collaboration with the relevant ministries, departments and agencies as well as states and local government areas through their implementing agencies.

“In view of the above, procurement is carried out directly by the donors,” he said.

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.

Lifestyle

Adeboye declares 30-day fasting and prayer over situations in Nigeria

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Apparently worried by the current situations in Nigeria, General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, on Tuesday declared a 30-day fasting and prayer across the country.

Nigeria has in the past week been embroiled in a series of crises which started with the protest against police brutality now widely known as #EndSARS protest and also the shooting of protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20.

However, based on the situation in the country, the RCCG General Overseer has directed that its members and the entire country should embark on 30-day fasting and prayer which is expected to begin on Sunday, November 1.

According to a statement by Pastor J.O. Odesola, the Assistant General Overseer in charge of Administration and Personnel on behalf of Pastor Adeboye, the prayer is to hold from November 1 to November 30 from midnight to 6.00 p.m. daily while the marathon fasting is to hold from November 1 to November 14.

The statement entitled: ‘Fasting and Prayer for Nigeria’, reads: “We hereby wish to inform you all members of RCCG that the General Overseer has directed that we should commence thirty days fasting and prayer exercise from Sunday 1st November 2020.

“1st-30th November 2020 from midnight to 6 pm daily. Marathon Fasting – 1st-14th November 2020. Prayer guide shall be forwarded soon.

“Where possible, brethren should be encouraged to come together for prayers while ensuring that all COVID-19 government regulations and safety precautions, social distancing, use of nose mask, provision of hand sanitizers or wash hand basin are put in place.

“You are to kindly inform and encourage all and sundry to participate in this exercise.”



Politics

Sunday Dare meets Seyi Makinde, as he plans to meet with #EndSARS Protesters

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Following the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari that all ministers and aides should go back to their constituents and appeal to youths in their state and region to eschew violence, the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare has arrived in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital to hold a meeting with representatives of youth wings in the state.

Sunday Dare, while briefing the state house correspondents, shortly after he met with governor Seyi Makinde on the directive of the presidency, said he will meet with the aggrieved youths this Monday.

He added that at the end of the consultative meeting with the youths, he will make use of the 25 empowerment programs designed by the federal government to engaged the youths with the help of the Oyo state government.
The Minister of youth who disclosed that he had paid on the spot assessment visit to Lagos state and areas where casualties were recorded during the #EndSARS protest, maintained that federal government will get Justice for those who lost their lives and those attacked during the protest.

As at the time of filing this report, Local Government Chairmen, Local Council Development Chairpersons, PDP chieftains, as well as Clerics and traditional rulers have arrived at the house of chiefs, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan to dialogue with the state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde on how to move the state forward.

Politics

President Buhari despatches cabinet members to home states.

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President Muhammadu Buhari has asked his ministers to relocate to their home states for the purpose of dousing the tension created by the #ENDSARS protests and the lawlessness that followed.The ministers are scheduled to meet with stakeholders to explain federal government’s efforts to meet the demands of the youths.

Water Resources Minister Sulaiman Adamu, who confirmed the development during a courtesy call to Governor  Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State in Dutse, said  the cabinet members were directed to “go to our states to solicit the support of political, traditional, religious and community leaders against the violence that emanated from # EndSARS  protests.”

Adamu said he was therefore in the state to meet with leaders on “promoting tolerance, peace and stability in this critical moment and hear from them and report back to him (Buhari) immediately.”.

He acknowledged that the #ENDSARS protests started well and was in line with the Nigerian constitution only to be hijacked along the line by those who infringed on the rights of other citizens, killed innocent persons, looted and engaged in other criminal acts.

He said: “President Muhammad Buhari is soliciting the support of all other political leaders in the state to properly address the people of the state on the need to dispel any rumour that is tantamount to creating disunity among Nigerians and also throw the nation into crisis.”

Niger Delta Affairs Minister Godswill Akpabio who is on a similar mission to Akwa Ibom landed in Uyo on Saturday accompanied by other federal appointees from the state, including Senior Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang.

He urged youths of the state to embrace peace as President Buhari is committed to meeting their demands with regard to police reforms.

Akpabio said government was doing a lot in terms of job creation and development of key economic infrastructure in the state and the Niger Delta region.

He asked youths of the state to take advantage of social and economic job intervention programmes of the FG, adding that the Buhari administration is desirous of combating poverty and unemployment in the country.

Akpabio said the EndSARS protest was capable of scaring away existing and expected investors with the negative economic effects on the state and the region.

He commended Governor Udom Emmanuel and other governors for setting up a Judicial Commission of Enquiry to address the concerns of victims of SARS brutality, adding that the Federal Government was ready to work with governors to achieve justice for victims.

The minister urged all those who have lost their properties in the Thursday carnage to channel their petitions to the judicial commission of enquiry.

Also speaking, Senator Ita Enang condemned the wanton destruction of lives and property by miscreants under the guise of EndSARS.

Politics

Nigeria’s police order massive mobilization to ‘dominate the public space’ after unrest over SARS

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LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria’s top police official on Saturday ordered the immediate mobilization of all officers to “reclaim the public space from criminal elements masquerading as protesters” after days of unrest and demonstrations over police abuses that left at least 69 people dead.

The police order could further heighten tensions in Africa’s most populous country after some of its worst turmoil in years. Nigeria’s inspector general of police, M.A. Adamu, ordered colleagues to “dominate the public space” while announcing that enough is enough, a statement said.

Nigerians on Tuesday evening watched in horror as soldiers fired on a peaceful crowd of mostly youthful demonstrators singing the national anthem in the country’s largest city, Lagos, with Amnesty International reporting at least 12 killed.

Some dismayed Nigerians then criticized President Muhammadu Buhari for not mentioning the killings and instead warning citizens against “undermining national security.” The government has insisted that the protests, while well-intentioned, were hijacked by thugs who looted and burned vehicles and businesses in the two days after the soldiers opened fire.

The scenes in Nigeria have struck a chord with the Black Lives Matter movement in the United States, and the shootings by soldiers sparked immediate international condemnation.

By not taking action against security forces, some Nigerians have warned, the president could inspire further abuses.

The new police order came even as a 24-hour curfew loosened for the first time Saturday in Lagos, a city of some 20 million where glittering wealth and grinding poverty are in sharp contrast, inflaming grievances over inequality and corruption.

The police inspector general “enjoins law-abiding citizens not to panic but rather join forces with police … to protect their communities from the criminal elements,” the statement said.

Elsewhere in Lagos, some youth took to the streets again Saturday, but this time to clean up some of the debris after the turmoil. Charred vehicles remained in some parts of the city.

“A lot of harm has happened to people’s business and our heart goes out to them,” said one volunteer, Monica Dede.

As for the way forward in Nigeria, she said, “we will still be heard, we will not be shut up, we will definitely push for what we believe in as the youths of Nigeria. We are part of the system, we are part of this governance.”

Politics

Nigerian Army Reduces Academic Requirement To Attract More Citizens To Join The Military Unit.

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The Nigerian Army has reduced the academic requirement needed to join the military unit.

This is to allow more citizens join the army and make more soldiers available to execute the war against terrorism in the North-East region of the country, documents sighted by SaharaReporters have revealed.

As part of the basic requirement for enlistment into the Nigerian Army, interested applicants must now possess “a minimum of four passes in not more than two sittings in WASSCE, GCE, NECO or NABTEB at O’ Level including English Language”, the document said.

In the internal memo dated August 20 and signed by Lieutenant General L. O. Adeosun on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, he lamented that soldiers were reluctant to dedicate themselves to the fight against insurgency and banditry in the country.

He said that soldiers preferred to take less risky jobs or further their education in order to avoid being enlisted into battle zones.

Adeosun therefore directed that the academic requirement for enlistment into the Nigerian Army be lowered to encourage more members of the public to join the army.

The memo reads, “It has however been observed that a sizeable number of enlisted men and women are reluctant to dedicate themselves to the ongoing Nigerian Army operations against insurgents and bandits.”

They prefer instead to pursue other less risky endeavours or further their education in view of possessing their requisite educational qualification to gain admission into tertiary institutions.

This is all in a bid to avoid participating in Nigerian Army operations which ought to be a priority. This undesirable trend could be attributed to the emphasis placed on educational qualifications at the expense of passion and commitment to what a soldier stands for.

Consequently, I am directed to convey that henceforth, the minimum educational qualification for enlistment into the Nigerian Army shall be the SSCE or its equivalent with minimum of passes including English Language.

“This review would ensure that more willing and committed young Nigerians are given the opportunity to serve in the Nigerian Army without laying emphasis on educational qualifications.”

Last part the memo signed by Lieutenant General L. O. Adeosun

This reduction in academic qualification has now been put in place and effected by the Nigerian Army.

Politics

Angry youth invade ex-House of Reps deputy speaker’s office.

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There is violence in Osun State as angry youth on Saturday morning attacked the Iwo Local Government Secretariat. Youth are currently looting valuables in the office. Pictures and videos of perpetrators were seen carting away items and properties belonging to the local government.

Three witnesses said parts of the secretariat building have been set ablaze while the youth are currently moving to Iwo East LCDA.

Some hoodlums are said to be moving towards the house of Adelere Oriolowo, a senator representing the Osun West Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, an associate of the Senator who pleaded anonymity, said efforts were going on to rescue Mr Oriolowo’s building from damage.

In the same vein, hundreds of youth have invaded the office of the immediate past Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lasun Yusuff.It was gathered that they came on motorcycles, with many of them armed with machetes and axes of different sizes.

World News

A failure of leadership in Nigeria

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In 1983, the novelist Chinua Achebe published a short treatise called The Trouble With Nigeria. With characteristic acuity, his very first paragraph answers the question posed in the title. 

“The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership. There is nothing basically wrong with the Nigerian character. There is nothing wrong with the Nigerian land or climate or water or air or anything else. The Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to rise to the responsibility, to the challenge of personal example, which are the hallmarks of great leadership.”

Decades later, these words ring just as true. This month, Nigerian citizens have risen up in their tens of thousands to protest against the brutality with which they are treated by state security forces. The specific target of their anger was the notorious special anti-robbery squad (Sars), which has been implicated in routine harassment and intimidation, torture, assault and even extrajudicial killings.

These protests were overwhelmingly peaceful. But, as if to prove their point, the response of the state has been anything but.

At least 56 people have been killed over the past two weeks, according to Amnesty International. Some 38 of those deaths occurred on Tuesday. That day, in Lagos, security forces corralled protesters onto the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge; and then, when there was no escape, they opened fire with live ammunition. Ambulances and first responders were prevented from accessing the scene.

As tragic as this violence is, it is not surprising. As political strategist Chude Jideonwo noted in an opinion piece this week, for as long as there has been an independent Nigeria, its government has been killing its people. “It killed them in several protests during and against military rule in the 1970s long before I was born, and killed them again in the 1980s when I was just a child. It killed them in the 1990s when citizens dared to step into the streets to demand the announcement of the winner of the historic 12 June elections, and killed them again in my teens, under the presidency of General Sani Abacha.”

This is not, of course, a uniquely Nigerian phenomenon. On this continent alone, we have seen civilians killed this year by state security forces in Ethiopia, Kenya and South Africa, among others.

For too long, our governments appear to have fatally misunderstood their purpose. Political leaders are supposed to serve and protect their citizens — not the other way round. Brutality on the scale of what we have witnessed in Nigeria this week has no place in any democracy. That it can happen at all is, ultimately, a failure of leadership — exactly as Achebe pointed out all those years ago.

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