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Showing posts from July, 2024

Amuwo Odofin LCDA warns protesters not to gather around its area council

The council chairman says none of the two locations approved for the planned protest in Lagos is in Amuwo Odofin. The Amuwo Odofin Local Government (AOLG) Area of Lagos State has warned residents against gathering or participating in the planned protest, within the council area. The warning was contained in a statement signed by the Chairman of the Council, Valentine Buraimoh , on Wednesday in Lagos. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a nationwide protest against hunger and the rising cost of living is planned to hold from Aug. 1 to Aug. 10. The locations for Lagos State are Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota and Peace Park in Ketu. According to Buraimoh, none of the locations approved for the planned protest in the state was in AOLG. “As your Executive Chairman, I am compelled to warn that any gathering or protest within AOLG will be in contravention of the court’s judgement. “I urge you all to respect the law and refrain from participating in any protest or gatheri

Police strike agreement with protest organisers in Edo hours before D-Day

The commissioner noted that the police were committed to democratic policing and would protect the rights of peaceful protesters while maintaining law and order. The Police Command in Edo says it has reached an agreement with the alleged organisers of the proposed nationwide protest on the modalities for the protest. The state Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye announced this on Wednesday in Benin while briefing newsmen. Adegboye, who did not disclose the identity of the organisers, said the protest would be held but would not take the form of a demonstration or march. Instead, he said, it would be an “ occupy ” protest, where protesters would converge on a designated venue, the public park around Ring Road, Benin City. “The police have assured that they will provide adequate security and support for the peaceful protesters, and have agreed to provide amenities such as water and medical services. “This is to ensure that the protesters are comfortable and safe during the pr

3 northern factions boycott August 1 nationwide protest

They urged citizens to focus on constructive dialogue and engagement with the government and commend the tireless efforts of regional and national leaders in maintaining peace and striving for the nation's well-being. After a constructive interaction with the Minister of Water Resources, Prof. Joseph Utsev, three groups, Take It Back (North Central), Middle Belt Economic Forum, and Renewed Hope Prosperity Ambassadors, have withdrawn from the planned nationwide protest on August 1. They announced the cancellation of their planned protest across the Northern states, including Abuja. This decision, disclosed at a joint press conference on Tuesday, July 30, in Abuja, stems from concerns about the potential destabilisation and harm to their communities. Speaking at the event, Dr Amodu Ben commended the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and other critical stakeholders for their efforts in maintaining peace and order in the region. "We have

5 possible things to expect during August 1 nationwide protest

As Nigeria braces for the August 1 protest, these potential outcomes highlight the widespread impact such a movement can have on everyday life. As the August 1 protest against President Bola Tinubu's government approaches, various scenarios are anticipated that could impact daily life across Nigeria. The protest, driven by grievances over economic hardship and rising living costs, will likely see widespread participation. Here are five possible outcomes to prepare for: 1. Poor Banking Network People queue outside a bank in Lagos on February 22, 2023 during the cash crunch saga. [Getty Images] One of the immediate effects of large-scale protests is disruption to essential services, including banking. During previous protests, banks have shut down operations to ensure the safety of their staff and assets. On August 1, banking networks may become unreliable or inaccessible, as many financial institutions might close branches in anticipation of unrest. This could affect tra

Wike says FCT youths' decision to avoid strike shows maturity.

Wike assured the residents, government’s continued commitment to the provision of basic infrastructure to improve the lives of the people. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, said on Monday that President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of a Mandate Secretariat for Youth Affairs in the FCT. Wike disclosed an interactive engagement with residents of Bwari Area Council of the FCT, Abuja on Monday. He explained during the interactive section in furtherance of his peace-building process across the FCT, given the planned nationwide protest slated for August 1 to 10. A similar interactive section was held with residents of Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and Abaji to sensitise the people, particularly the youths against participation in the planned strike. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the youth from the AMAC during an interactive session with the minister, appealed to the minister to create a youth s

Lagos LG chairman vows to hunt down cultist in Agboyi-Ketu

Oshinowo said some parents are supporting their children, who are cultists. The Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) on Monday cautioned cultists in the area to desist from their activities or face the ultimate consequences. The Executive Chairman of the LCDA, Dele Oshinowo, read the riot act while responding to some residents’ concerns about the nefarious activities of cultists in different parts of the council. Oshinowo, who spoke at a Stakeholders’ Engagement on Peace and Security Issues in the council, said that his administration had a marching order to hunt down all cultists. He urged residents and parents not to hide the criminals but to identify and report them. “Our parents and our youths must wake up and report these criminals. We cannot do it alone without your support. “If you give the council and security agencies 100% support, many of the security issues will end. Cultists do not deserve to live among us because they are murderers. “If you know you a

Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Ebonyi wants Igbos to ignore protest and support Tinubu

The group said it aligned with its national leadership’s stance of not identifying with the protest. The Ebonyi chapter of the Ohaneze–Ndigbo Worldwide on Monday, denounced the planned, nationwide hunger protest scheduled for on Aug. 1, urging the state’s citizens not to participate in it. The state chapter of the apex Igbo social-cultural organisation denounced the protest in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Chief Anya Okorie on behalf of its leadership under Dr Peter Mbam. The chapter in the statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki, noted that it aligned with its national leadership’s stance of not identifying with the protest. “Our national leadership has appealed especially to Igbo youths not to participate in the protest as the tribe is always the scapegoat of such issues. “We join our national leadership in appealing to Igbos to support President Bola Tinubu as his administration’s policies would definitely address hardship in

Planned protest poorly timed - Young professionals defend Tinubu

The group argued that President Tinubu inherited a nation with decades of accumulated issues, including economic and security challenges. A group, under the aegis of Young Professionals for Tinubu (YP4T), has described the planned nationwide protest over economic hardship as poorly timed and counterproductive to the efforts of the President Bola Tinubu administration. Some Nigerians are making plans to hit the streets for a 10-day nationwide demonstration starting from August 1, 2024. Dubbed the 'End Bad Governance in Nigeria' protest, the proposed action has continued to gain traction on social media drawing the attention of many top government officials, including the President. Last week, Tinubu appealed to organisers of the demonstration to reconsider their decision to avoid creating a situation that could potentially be hijacked by people with sinister motives. Security agencies have also cautioned that the planned protest may lead to violence as intelligence repor

Lagos govt diverts traffic from Osborne to Adeniji Adele link bridge

Osiyemi said that the state traffic management personnel would be on the ground to manage vehicular movement and reduce inconveniences. The Lagos State Government says traffic will be diverted from Osborne/Dolphin Estate to Sura en route to Adeniji Adele Link Bridge for asphalt pavement of the road. The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi , confirmed this in a statement on Saturday in Lagos. Osiyemi added that the traffic would be diverted from 12.00 a.m. tonight, July 27 to 5.00 a.m. on July 29. “Consequently, motorists are advised to use the following alternative routes; motorists from Osborne/Dolphin Estate are advised to connect Sura Link Bridge to Adeniji Adele to access the 3rd Mainland Bridge to continue with their journeys. “Motorists from the State House at Marina are to connect Obalende to link Simpson Bridge inward Sura to access Adeniji Adele to link the 3rd Mainland Bridge for their desired destinations, ” he said. Osiyemi said that the st

Oyo TESCOM adjusts recruitment exam dates over planned nationwide protest

The chairman added that the examination would now be held between July 29 and July 31 while assuring applicants that the adjustment would not pose any threat. The Oyo State Post-Primary Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) on Friday in Ibadan said it has adjusted the Computer-Based Test (CBT) timetable for prospective applicants. The TESCOM chairman, Akinade Alamu , made the disclosure while speaking with newsmen about the revised timetable for the CBT initially slated for between Monday and Friday. Alamu said the timetable’s adjustment was a result of the planned nationwide protest by some Nigerians which may begin on Wednesday. “To forestall any unforeseen circumstance, TESCOM and its partnering agencies, including the management of the Distance Learning Centre (DLC) at the University of Ibadan, agreed to compress the examination to three days, ” he said. The chairman added that the examination would now be held between July 29 and July 31 while assuring applicants that the adj

Rising tobacco use among girls in Uganda worries experts

11% of young people in Uganda are using tobacco products There is a disproportionate rate of tobacco use among young females, with only 1.4% of women using tobacco Stakeholders in education and youth development discussed strategies to combat drug and substance abuse at the 3rd National Prefects Conference A growing concern has emerged over the alarming rate of tobacco use among young girls in Uganda, with experts warning of the detrimental impact on their health and future. According to a recent “Global Youth Tobacco Survey in Uganda,” conducted by the Ministry of Health, 11.7% of young people are consuming tobacco products, including cigarettes, shisha, and kuber. While the overall figures might not seem alarming, a deeper analysis reveals a disturbing trend. Dr. Hafsah Lukwata Ssentongo, the Acting Assistant Commissioner of Mental Health and Substance Use Control, expressed deep concern over the disproportionate rate of tobacco use among young females. The survey indicates t

Zimbabwe react to reports of sending 7 athletes and 67 officials to Olympic Games

The Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC) has responded to reports that the country took a contingent of seven athletes and 67 officials to the 2024 Olympic Games. According to ZOC president Thabani Gonye, Team Zimbabwe is made up of just 17 people, which includes both athletes and officials. Breaking down the delegation sent to Paris for the Olympics , he said there are seven athletes and eight officials, while himself and the Chief Executive Officer of the ZOC, Marlene Chiedza Gadzirayi, are the only non-technical officials on the team. Zimbabwe GOC denies sending 67 officials to Olympics He explained that although there are many Zimbabweans in Paris for various reasons, they are not part of their delegation for the Games. “We are aware though that there are many other technical officials, dignitaries invited to the games directly to officiate and as guests and many other hundreds of Zimbabweans in Paris in various capacities, some to support our team at the Games, who as ZOC we ca

Reps Deputy Speaker urges Southeast youths to avoid planned protest

The Deputy Speaker also called on all Nigerians to trust the current administration's reform agenda. In a significant plea for unity, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, urged the people of the Southeast to refrain from participating in planned anti-government protests. This appeal came on Wednesday, July 24, following President Bola Tinubu 's signing the South East Development Commission (SEDC) bill into law. Kalu emphasised that President Tinubu's action demonstrates a commitment to addressing longstanding regional grievances and developmental challenges. "To my fellow South-Easterners, I implore you not to join the planned looming anti-government protests," Kalu stated during a press briefing in Abuja, the nation's capital. He highlighted that the SEDC bill aims to tackle ecological problems and infrastructural damages resulting from the civil war, marking a crucial step towards regional rehabilitation. READ ALSO: Sen

You can protest but don’t destroy — LASG warns against repeat of #EndSARS

Salu-Hundeyin affirmed citizens’ right to register their grievances with the government but advised against the destruction of public properties. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, the Secretary to the Lagos State Government has urged residents to protest peacefully and avoid any demonstration that could lead to a repeat of the 2020 #EndSARS protest during which public properties were destroyed. Salu-Hundeyin advised those intending to participate in the upcoming protests while speaking to journalists at the state secretariat in Alausa, Lagos on Tuesday, July 2024. Recall that during the 2020 #EndSARS protests, the Lagos Bus Rapid Transit terminal at Oyingbo and the state’s DNA and Forensic Laboratory on the Lagos Island were set ablaze. However, due to the rising cost of living and food inflation in the country, some Nigerians are planning to stage another protest tagged “End Bad Governance in Nigeria. ” The protest is expected to start from Thursday, August 1 to Saturday, August 10. Abim

EndSARS, Aba women riot & 3 historical protests that shook Nigeria

These protests underscore the resilience and activism of the Nigerian people in their pursuit of justice, equity, and better governance. Ahead of the planned nationwide protest against President Bola Tinubu's administration, lawmakers and other government officials have appealed to Nigerian youths to shun the protest and seek dialogue for resolution. It is believed that the federal government has already stepped up advocacy and appeals to avoid what happened in Kenya a few weeks ago. The planned demonstration slated for Thursday, August 1, further stretches Nigeria's rich history of civil protests driven by various socio-political and economic issues. These protests have significantly influenced the country's trajectory. Here are five historical protests that have left an indelible mark on Nigeria: 1. Aba Women's Riot (1929) Aba Women's Riot (1929) The Aba Women's Riot, also known as the Women's War, was a major anti-colonial revolt by women in sou

Wike says Nigeria is rotten but planned protest is politically motivated

Wike says Tinubu's administration is not responsible for the current level of unemployment in Nigeria. Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) says the planned protest against President Bola Tinubu's administration is politically motivated. Wike stated this on Tuesday while interacting with journalists after an inspection of the Karshi to Apo Road construction project awarded 13 years ago. “Let’s tell ourselves the simple truth. If we are playing politics let’s say we are playing politics; if we want to be sincere to ourselves, let’s be sincere to ourselves and help our country. “The country is rotten. You know that the country is rotten, and a government has just come to see what it can do to at least, move it from where we are to a certain level, and you say that miracle must be performed within one year. “You are here now, we are talking about a project that was awarded 13 good years ago, what has happened? Nothing. “Now a government has come to

Bayo Onanuga dares Peter Obi, says he’s not afraid of any legal action

Obi’s legal team said Onanuga’s tweet has damaged his reputation, depicting him as someone who condones violence. Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, has dared Peter Obi to bring his defamation and libel charges against him, saying he’s not afraid of any lawsuit. Obi had earlier on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, threatened to sue Onanuga if he failed to apologise and retract an allegation linking him to an impending mass protest. Obi threatened to sue Onanuga after the latter accused him of instigating ‘his mob’ to destabilise the country. In a tweet on Monday, the president’s spokesperson said Obi’s comment about the Nigerian economy at a time when some youths are planning to stage a mass protest is an attempt to ‘work up his mob’ ahead of the protests to ‘ destabilize the country.’ In an earlier tweet, Onanuga said “Peter Obi’s supporters are the people planning mayhem in Nigeria and that Obi should be held responsible for anarchy.”

Dangote saga: 'Don't chase businessmen away' - Momodu tells FG

Momodu also warned of the broader implications for Nigeria’s business climate. Renowned publisher Dele Momodu has cautioned against policies of the President Bola Tinubu administration that may drive away businessmen from Nigeria. Speaking on Channels Television’s flagship program, Politics Today, Momodu emphasised the need for government policies that attract and retain investors. “It’s almost like it is a crime to be an investor in Nigeria,” Momodu remarked, referencing reports from Financial Times and Bloomberg. “It will not help Nigeria.” The conflict between Dangote Refinery and Federal Government has been intensifying, prompting Momodu to urge a private resolution of such disputes. “He should call him into a bedroom. Let them go and settle it behind closed doors. We cannot afford to wash this dirty linen in public. It is going to boomerang for all of us. That is my attitude,” he stated. Highlighting Dangote’s significant investments in Nigeria and other countries, Momod

Appeal Court affirms Ighodalo as PDP candidate

The court dismissed the appeal filed by the embattled Deputy Governor of the state, Philip Shaibu. The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has rejected an appeal to nullify the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election that produced Asue Ighodalo as its candidate for the upcoming Governorship Election in Edo. The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel led by A. M Lamido, on Monday, dismissed the appeal filed by the embattled Deputy Governor of the state, Philip Shaibu. Shaibu was earlier impeached from office but was recently reinstated by the court. While dismissing the appeal marked: CA/ABJ/CV/642/2024, for want of merit, Lamido held that it found no reason to set aside the May 27 judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The court further ruled that the trial court was right for refusing to invalidate the outcome of the PDP primary election based on the suit by the appellant. It awarded ₦1 million cost against the appellant. Justice James Omotosh

How astrologer predicted Kamala Harris would run for US President in 2024

A resurfaced tweet, allegedly posted on 11 August 2020 by Amy Tripp, a professional astrologer and licensed therapist known as @starheal on X, has gained significant attention. Tripp predicted Kamala Harris’ presidential run , stating, "Kamala Harris will be 60 in 4 years. I see her running for President in 2024 since this coincides with her Saturn return." Earlier this month, Tripp also wrote that if Biden were to step down, it would likely happen at the Capricorn Full Moon at 29 degrees Capricorn, explaining that Capricorn rules government and old age, and 29 signifies an ending. When asked for a specific date, she said 21 July. Tweet of how astrologer predicted Kamala Harris would run for US President in 2024 This prediction aligns with recent events, such as President Joe Biden's announcement on Sunday, 21 July, that he will not seek the Democratic nomination for the 2024 presidential election. Instead, he plans to focus on his presidential duties for the rema

List of America's one-term presidents & why they were not re-elected

U.S. President Joe Biden becomes the most recent entrant in a list of president who served for only one term. U.S. President Joe Biden announced that he would not be seeking re-election for a second term in the November 5, 2024 elections. Biden, in a statement said that he would be focused on completing his remaining term, endorsing his Vice President Kamala Harris as his most preferred nominee for the Democratic Party to take on former President Donald Trump. Joe Biden endorses Kamala Harris as Democrats' candidate after withdrawing from race [X:@JoeBiden] Biden now joins a list of former U.S. Presidents that only served for one term. John Adams (1797-1801) The second president of the United States, John Adams was a Founding Father who faced significant challenges during his presidency, including conflicts with political adversaries and foreign nations. His support for the Alien and Sedition Acts, perceived as a violation of civil liberties, contributed to his unpopulari