₦airaland Forum

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has warned Nigerian parents against sending their children to universities in Northern Cyprus over the incessant and mysterious killing of Nigerians.

Chairman/CEO of the commission, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who gave the warning on Monday, said it was too risky to send children to the schools in Northern Cyprus as hundreds of Nigerian students had been killed there mysteriously without any conclusive investigations carried out.

Dabiri-Erewa said this when she received in her office, a delegation led by Justice Amina Bello, mother of a Nigerian student, Ibrahim Khaleel, who was allegedly killed in inexplicable circumstances in that country.

She stressed that the death of Khaleel, a third-year engineering student, had brought to a tipping point the incessant killing of Nigerian students in Northern Cyprus under baffling circumstances.

The NIDCOM boss, who read out 15 names of Nigerians from a list of more than 100 who were killed in Northern Cyprus, said it was difficult to employ international diplomacy in investigation as the country is only recognised by Turkey.

“The death of Ibrahim Khaleel should be the tipping point to a stop in the killing of our children anywhere in the world, particularly Northern Cyprus.

“It is not only Ibrahim. Kennedy Dede, 28; Augustine Ngok, Gabriel Sorewei, Osabanjo Owoyale, Augustine Wallace, Stanley Eteno, Hassan Babatunde, Temitayo Adigun, and Kubat Abraham are just a few of the ones that we even know.

“The problem is that most Nigerian parents do not know that Northern Cyprus is not recognised by any country in the world.

“It is not a UN-recognised country. It is only recognised by Turkey. That is why we have not been able to do much.

“Who do you report to? Thousands of Nigerian students are schooling there and I tell you that hundreds have been killed. Who do you take these cases to?

“And they are killed in similar circumstances. The school just tells you, ‘Well, they committed suicide,’ and nothing happens.

“We are going to list all these names of Nigerians that have been killed and we demand justice. There has been no prosecution and no compensation.

“No Nigerian parent should send their children to any university in Northern Cyprus – there is a collaboration which we do not understand that makes them kill blacks, particularly our Nigerian students,” she said.

She assured the mother of the deceased student that the commission would work with her to demand justice, not only for her son but also for other Nigerians who have been killed while studying in Northern Cyprus.
She said the case had already been transferred to INTERPOL through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

The NIDCOM chairman recalled that when she was a serving lawmaker and Sorewei’s killing was on the front burner in Nigeria, the school which seemed unapologetic about the killing had already sent its agents to lure more Nigerians with juicy scholarships.
While acknowledging that Nigerian schools needed improvements, she gave an assurance of President Muhammadu Buhari’s dedication to improving the education sector and insisted that many Nigerian schools were better than some of the acclaimed foreign universities in spite of the odds.

She said that there were already reports that many of the courses being offered by the “shoddy” universities in Northern Cyprus were not accredited, pledging that NIDCOM would work with the Nigerian Universities Commission for a possible blacklist of certificates from the country.

“Yes our universities have challenges. There are strikes and you don’t (always) know when you are going to finish but there are some of these universities that you will regret you even went to, including some in Africa.

“It is better to go to a private university here than to go to some of these places that we go to in the name of ‘our children are in Europe’.

“We have written the NUC. The key thing is to blacklist Northern Cyprus and to stop our children from going to that country to study.

“We will be working with the NUC to list all the universities in Northern Cyprus and blacklist them. We cannot be letting them kill our children.

She said that NIDCOM had met with the Ambassador of Turkey to Nigeria, who being new, said he was unaware of the killing but promised to look into the matter.

She added there were plans by NIDCOM to visit Northern Cyprus after the COVID-19 Pandemic to see thing as clearly as they were.

She admonished Nigerians schooling abroad to make it a point of duty to always report to the Nigerian mission in that country upon arrival.

Speaking earlier, the mother of the late student said that she was yet to come to terms with the death of her son whom was reported to have committed suicide but circumstances showed otherwise.

She said that autopsy reports and investigations which she had requested in the past seven months were yet to come, adding that the school authorities were being evasive.

She said that while she was told by authorities that her son jumped from the 7th floor of a building, there was no visible injury on his body or head to suggest that.


Source: https://punchng.com/

Sodiq Oyeleke and Grace Edema

Professor Folasade Ogunsola has secured the highest number of votes in the election held by members of the University of Lagos Senate to choose an acting Vice-Chancellor.

She was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development Services at UNILAG before her emergence.

The result of the election obtained by one of our correspondents showed that she secured 135 of 167 votes.

Prof. Ben Ogbojafor, who was also considered for the post by members of the Senate, secured 31 votes.

One void vote was recorded.
According to her Wiki citation, Folasade Tolulope Ogunsola was born in 1958. She is a professor of medical microbiology who specializes in disease control, particularly HIV/AIDS.

Ogunsola was also an ex-provost of College of Medicine, University of Lagos and is reputed as being the first woman to occupy the position.

She became the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Development Services) of the institution since 2017.

“Her research areas have been centered on the regulation and management of viral diseases, particularly HIV.

“She is the principal investigator at AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria (APIN) at the University of Lagos.

“She has also been the chairman of Infection Control Committee of Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Additionally, she is the chairman of the National Association of Colleges of Medicine in Nigeria.

“In 2018, she expressed concern on disease prevention and control in Nigeria. She identified poor hygiene and overuse of antibiotics as practices that foster antimicrobial-drug resistance.

“Providing a solution, she maintained that sustained Infection Prevention and Control infrastructure and programmes should be built around a set of core components which include guidelines, training, surveillance, multimodal strategies for implementing IPC, monitoring and evaluation among others,” the citation added.

The paramount ruler of Owo kingdom, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, was enthroned as the monarch of the community on August 23, 2019. The former director in the Ondo State Civil Service tells PETER DADA about his experience on the throne, among other issues

You have spent one year on the throne as the paramount ruler of Owo. How has it been?

It has been fun, interesting and challenging, and it has also been fulfilling. But I thank God for everything.

You said the past one year has been challenging. What are the challenges?

I cannot say there is no challenge. There are challenges. Why are we living? We live to face challenges. We have challenges of funding. I have plans for this kingdom. To have an industrial base requires funding. To ensure that our youths are trained requires funding, especially with the fact that some of our youths are limited by education or other things. But I believe with time, with focus and purposeful leadership, we believe we will be able to surmount our challenges and when you overcome a problem, another will come. That is the essence of life. We face challenges, we strive to overcome and development will start taking place. Life is not static.

We are equally challenged by security. Before I became a king, a lot of our youths were involved in cult activities. It was in the open. Immediately I came in, I ensured, using the instrumentality of our tradition, that they renounced their membership. And they did. A lot of them, I think close to about 500 renounced cultism. And to God be the glory, we are seeing the results, though a time came, during political activities when some of them became party thugs. But we were able to overcome that also. Now, the town is peaceful. As I said earlier, no society is without challenges but it is the ability to face and surmount them that matters. I am sure that any challenge, in terms of security, that comes around now, we can easily overcome it. A lot of those youths that I said were involved in cultism are now into farming. Some are also learning a vocation.

What are those things you miss? People say it is not easy to be a king of a big community like Owo.

Ordinarily, I must say I have missed majorly my freedom. Before I became the king, I had the freedom to move about and do other things I used to do. For instance, in those days, from home, I would go to the office and at weekends. I could move anywhere I like. Nobody really recognised me except those that were close to me. I could do whatever I liked to do. But now, what we have is a contrary situation. I cannot just move out without being recognised by many people now. People now know me virtually everywhere and wherever I go, people throng around me, showing affection. And all the things I used to do, I cannot do them anymore – no freedom to go out anyhow I like.

How are you coping with that kind lifestyle now?


I think I have been coping simply because my people are always around me from morning until very late in the evening. They are always around me and before you know it, from morning to evening, the day is over. So, people around me have prevented me from having nostalgia or feeling that I have missed something. It is good to be among one’s people to serve them and that is just the satisfaction – to ensure that justice is served, to take care of their welfare, to provide while able to tend to their desires and their wants. That is the essence of humanity and that is why someone should be on this throne and I think it has been fulfilling in this regard.

Now that you have been confined to the palace, how is your social life now?


Have many indigenes of the town in the corporate world shown interest in your planned programme?

Yes. They are already coming. We have been talking to them. Even those in the diaspora are already desirous of how to bring industries. We equally have a committee on commerce and industry that will propel the industrialisation of this kingdom and to ensure that our youths engage in commerce. Maybe you are aware that commercial activities in the town are in the hands of settlers – our brothers from the eastern part of the country, our brothers from Osun and Oyo states. They are the ones really in charge of commerce, whereas our youths are there without any concrete involvement. Now, we are encouraging them to work with those people, partner with them and compete fairly with them so that they will be so entrenched in our commercial activities.

With this plan, where do you see Owo in the next five years?

I see a great development in this town. I see Owo becoming a global attention. A centre of culture and industry is coming here. Youths will be engaged, agriculture will be rekindled. We used to be the best in cocoa production. The state governor has encouraged us in that direction, too. Our youths are there in the forest, planting maize, cassava, plantain. By this time next year, you will see trailers transporting plantain from this kingdom, and in the next two to three years, you will see more cocoa being produced on a large scale. I see a turnaround and I am hopeful in the kingdom and I believe in purposeful leadership. We can turn things around. I have the support of virtually everyone. If you can remember how I became king, it had never been experienced in this kingdom. The contest for the Olowo stool had always been violent. It had never been easy. The Olowo has always been a very powerful oba. The contestation for the stool had never been easy but the way I emerged has never been experienced in the history of Owo – for a man to be easily chosen. Those who were saddled with the selection were 15 and 14 voted for me, while one voted against. It was unprecedented. If you saw the mammoth crowd when the selection was done, you would know these people are in love with me and I am also in love with them. That is why I am ready to serve them.

Some of your subjects expressed their interest in becoming the state governor, how were you able to settle the matter without being perceived as biased or partial?

The political development of the South-West of Nigeria had its foundation from this town. The people of this town are politically sophisticated. The fact remains that the Constitution allows an individual to desire political offices. That is the more reason our people, a lot of them eminently qualified, came out to be governor. But at times, we find a situation whereby as brothers and sisters, we must still sit down and talk with those who came out. We advised them that the sitting governor has been performing and been representing us well. You know the governor has been able to espouse the Owo person in him.

Also, I am the father of all. I am not biased. What I am after is the interest of this kingdom. Whenever I see the interest of this kingdom, I have no option than to support it. It is an open thing that we know that the race to the Government House in Ondo State, come October 10, is like a 100-metre race. Believe me or not, he (Governor Rotimi Akeredolu) has covered 70 per cent. That is what I tell some people. Why are we disturbing ourselves and not just supporting him? He can easily be elected again, rather than somebody just starting afresh. It will be difficult to meet somebody that has covered 70 per cent in a 100-metre dash and for the fact that he has not disappointed us, it is better we support him. But the good news is that our brothers and sister from this town who showed interest in the race have now rallied round him, supporting him. We are from the same family. It has been well with us and, continuously, it will be well us.

You had a career in the civil service before you became a monarch. Do you miss the office activities?

Well, at times, when I look back, I miss those people around me then in the office because I used to be a jolly good fellow either to the junior or senior members of staff. I mixed and interacted with a lot people no matter their status. I am a man of the people. My people in the civil service loved me so much. They celebrated me when I was to depart. I miss them and you know I was at the top echelon of the civil service and I believe coming here (to the throne) is a call to service and there is nothing too much to sacrifice for one’s people because before I came here, I thought that if I could become a king, I could achieve a lot to impact my people positively. That is the essence, the major reason I have to do it. This kingdom is a known kingdom, a culturally-based kingdom. Our culture and tradition are superb. This is a treasure that I have desired and this should not only be preserved but also promoted.

We have a major festival here called Igogo festival. I have decided and I am working with my people to make it an internationally embraced festival and expose it to the rest of the world so that when people come, they will see that this is a culture to behold. I started that already in September, the usual month of the festival, immediately I became a king, I participated in the first Igogo festival and it was interesting. A lot of our people came from far and near to see culture at its best. It is a festival of love dedicated to Oranse, the queen of Olowo.

Do you have plans to marry more wives later?

I am an African. If need be, why not? Let me tell you something. Every man is polygamous by nature, even white men. The only difference is the application of laws. When I was in the university studying Law, I used to have a lecturer who taught us Marriage Act. He told us then that every man, whether white, brown or black, is patently polygamous. He asked us to underline the word ‘patently’. He said that in the West, the law allows them to have one wife but they still do polygamy. How? After marriage for like six months, there could be a problem and a man divorces and picks another woman. After that, if he is no more interested, he divorces again and picks another woman. If at the end of two years, he sees another beautiful lady, he may divorce the one at home and go for the new one again. He (the lecturer) asked whether that was not polygamous. Ours here, our culture allows us to keep them within. Ours is even better because it has solved a lot of social problems. Instead of divorcing and sending her to perpetual sadness, you keep her; you marry another one, you keep, instead of throwing them away. Ours has solved the social problems than that of the West. So, there is nothing special. So, if a man desires more than one wife and he has the sustenance capacity, let him marry.

Are you saying you can now sustain more than one wife now?

Before I became the king, I had the sustenance capacity. If I wanted then, I had the capacity. The thing is that I still have one ‘Olori’ (wife) here but I will not tell you that I will rule it out that I will not have another one. If you see me with another tomorrow, it is possible. And if I still keep one, so be it. It is an individual decision.


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Ade Adesomoju, Abuja

The Supreme Court has issued notices scheduling the hearing of three appeals challenging the election of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State for Tuesday.

Our correspondent confirmed on Saturday that two on the three appeals coming up for hearing were filed by the Peoples Democratic Party and the Socialist Democratic Party along with their respective candidates to challenge Bello’s victory at the November 16, 2019 poll.

The hearing notices sent as short phone messages to the law firms involved in the cases indicated that COVID-19 protocols would be strictly enforced during Tuesday’s proceedings.

The apex court’s Director/Head of Department, Litigation, Ibrahim Gold, who signed the hearing notices seen by our correspondent on Saturday, stated that in line with the COVID-19 protocols, only lawyers with names on the counsel’s list would be allowed to enter into the courtroom.

Gold added that only five lawyers per appearance would be allowed entry.

Our correspondent sighted the hearing notices sent out in respect of the appeals filed by the PDP and the SDP.

One of the notices read, “Take notice that the above Appeal will be listed for hearing before the Supreme Court of Nigeria on Tuesday, August 25, 2020.

“And further take notice that in accordance with the Supreme Court Rules, this Notice is deemed sufficiently served on you if it is delivered on your Information and Communication gadgets.
Further take notice that COVID-19 protocols shall be fully and strictly enforced. It’s only the Counsel who are appearing and whose name is entered in the Counsel List (not more than 5 Counsel per Appearance) will be admitted into the Court and no more.”
The three appeals coming up for hearing at the Supreme Court on Tuesday are against the July 4, 2020 judgments of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal which affirmed the victory of Bello in the November 16, 2019 governorship election in the state.

In separate judgments of the Court of Appeal, all of which were unanimous, the five-man panel of the court led by Justice Adamu Jauro had dismissed the four appeals for lacking in merit.

The appeals dismissed were filed b PDP, SDP, Democratic People’s Party, and Actions Peoples Party.

Although the Court of Appeal had in separate judgments dismissed four cases challenging the outcome of the poll, only three of the appellants were able to file their appeals at the Supreme Court within the time stipulated by law.

Earlier on May 23, 2020, the three-man of the Kogi State Governorship Election Tribunal which sat in Abuja had in a split judgment of two-to-one dismissed the petition by PDP and its governorship candidate, Musa Wada, and affirmed Bello’s election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

The majority judgment of the Justice Kashim Kaigama-led three-man tribunal dismissed Wada’s petition, while the minority judgment by Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele upturned Bello’s victory and ordered a rerun in seven local government areas of the state.

The Court of Appeal in its July 4, 2020 judgment unanimously affirmed the tribunal’s majority judgment.


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…Warns of uprising in the region …Regrets African politicians dividing their people along ethnic, religious lines …Says they have rubbished elections, benefits of democracy By Sam Eyoboka Africa is sitting on keg of gun powder, says Duncan-Williams FOLLOWING the seeming threat to democracy in Africa, especially with the recent coup de’tat in Mali, an eminent Ghanaian Charismatic preacher has proposed a startling political model to replace all the Western models that have proved incapable of solving Africa’s socio-political challenges. In a discussion on future of African politics and West Africa in particular, the presiding Archbishop and General Overseer of the Action Chapel International (ACI) ministry with headquarters in Accra, Ghana, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams advocated an end to party politics and in its place a coalition of all political associations that will rotate political offices without elections. He said greed that has led to unbelievable corruption and immaturity on the side of African politicians informed his advocacy. He emphasised on Ghana and other West African countries. “Let’s have a national agenda as a people and let’s agree that in the next 25 years there would be no elections every four years. Instead, let’s get traditional rulers, religious leaders, Labour, business community, the youths and the security agencies. Bring them all together, let’s have a national agenda of what we want in this country. For example, in Rwanda it is a law that nobody sleeps in mud houses. You don’t build a mud house, they will pull it down,” he said. Archbishop Duncan-Williams who is also the founder and president of Prayer Summit International (PSI) and in 2017 named by the New African Magazine as one of “The 100 Most Influential Africans” believes that one of the things that will help the nations of Africa is “for us to have national coalitions from all political parties.” Strange and unorthodox his recommendations might sound, the first non-American to lead the prayer at the inauguration of American President and Vice President, maintained that African nations should jettison elections which are almost always acrimonious and characterized by corruption and violence and jointly adopt leaders that will actualise the national vision. According to him, “every five years, we should appoint a president from among the people that form a nation coalition. This year it is your party and the next five years it is our party. There will be no election, no party politicking, no rallies and our agenda is to follow, prosecute, perform the national agenda for the sake of the next generation. He said the pull-down syndrome of the African politician was so prominent that it has affected true democracy and growth badly. He maintained that the selfish interests of politicians have destroyed the sanctity of elections which have not endangered growth. Rather, he said politicians work for the failure of government in power just for them to win elections and that the cycle was not promoting development. “What we are doing right now, we are not going anywhere,” he said, arguing that what is currently happening is “if I am in the opposition and you are in the office, I hold your leg down or do something to sabotage you until you leave office. And when I also come, you will do the same thing to me.” With particular reference to Nigeria and Congo DRC which he said are rich nations but their citizens are living in abject poverty because the nations are bleeding and there is no continuity because “when you come everything that I have done, you will condemn and let the people know that I was a failure, a disappointment and you have come to fix it. “Then, when you assume office and faced with the reality of what is on the ground, you realize that it is not easy to fix these things. And then, I am also going to expose you and let people know that you circumvented me to come, so you must not succeed. I will make sure you fail. The vindictiveness, hatred, bitterness continue and we are dividing the people on ethnic and religious lines. “Look at Nigeria with all the resources that they have. Congo DRC with all the wealth in that country and looking at the poverty level of that country, it breaks your heart. You go in there and start asking yourself, what is going on here. “It is the way our party politics is structured. This winner-takes-all syndrome has to stop….the habit of once I am in office, I am coming after you and your people to call them to accountability.” The Archbishop further warned that if Africa, especially the West African sub-region, does not do something fundamental to change now, there might be a wind coming that politicians may not be able to contain. “Jesus said any kingdom or house divided against itself cannot stand and the depth of division in this continent with the hatred that goes with it and the level of bitterness and anger, because of party affiliations, I am telling you that we are sitting on a time bomb and I am speaking as a spiritual man and as a watchman upon the walls of this country that we are sitting on a time bomb and it would not be long we will face situations and there is nothing national security organisations can do about it,” he warned.

Something similar to the Arab uprising is coming not just to West Africa, but all over if we don‘t do something. Look at a lot of these youths who graduated from schools and are home, no jobs. Some of them are involved in car washing. You see about 10 young graduates washing one car and they will have to wait for some hours before another car comes. “Some of them live in kiosk estates, which are situated right opposite the wealthy areas and they know some of the people in these communities, they went to school with some of their kids, some of them know their families. Some of them go into politics and they have everything. “They drive the best cars, their children go abroad for everything. And these youths are sitting there and marveled. After a while, if we do not give them hope and a sense of direction…the most dangerous thing in life is to fight somebody who has nothing to lose and nothing to live for and who do not mind dying,” he warned, stressing that what he sees in Africa especially West Africa was both scary and worrisome

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/08/archbishop-duncan-williams-to-w-africa-lets-stop-elections-rotate-presidents/

By Charly Agwam

Bauchi state Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mohammed Al-Hassan Sadiq has resigned. Al-Hassan Sadiq resigned after posting his resignation on his Facebook page on Wednesday evening. “Alhamdulillah, Masha Allah. Every beginning has an end. Today, the 19th day of August 2020, I have honourably tendered my voluntary resignation as a Commissioner (Ministry of Commerce & Industries) and a Member of the State Executive Council in the Government of Bauchi State. ”It was a rare privilege and opportunity to have served my state in such an exalted position. I thank H.E the Executive Governor – Sen. Bala A. Mohammed (Kauran Bauchi) for the wonderful opportunity accorded to me. ”In the same vein, I must appreciate my boss, H.E, the Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara for his usual support and the role he played in influencing same.

“I sincerely thank all my colleagues in the EXCO and the Ministry, whom we have worked with as a formidable team. I have enjoyed the understanding of my family at such a trying time. ”I beseech God to forgive all my wrongs and the general public/colleagues to pardon me. I urge you to help me, pray God to grant me success, contentment and peace of mind in my new endeavour. Thank you all and remain blessed.”

Sadiq is the second commissioner to resign from Governor Bala Mohammed’s cabinet since his ascension to office last year

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/08/bauchi-commissioner-resigns-prays-for-forgiveness/

Afeez Hanafi

A 40-year-old man, Gbenga Taiwo, has been arrested by the police for allegedly defiling his daughter, Folake (not real name).

Taiwo, a widower, and his 15-year-old daughter live together in a rented apartment at Baruwa, Ipaja area of Lagos State.

City Round learnt that the father had been constantly molesting the girl since she was 13 by dipping his fingers into her private parts.

Folake, having got tired of the molestation, was said to have reported his father to their landlord who warned Taiwo to desist from the act.

He allegedly persisted which prompted the girl to report him to her uncle recently. While the uncle was trying to handle the case discreetly, a neighbour got wind of it and escalated it.

Our correspondent learnt that the matter was reported at the Ipaja Police Station and Taiwo was arrested last Saturday.

The Coordinator of a child rights group following up on the case, Advocates for Children and Vulnerable Persons Network, Mr Ebenezer Omejalile, told City Round that Taiwo claimed to have suspected Folake of going out with men and decided to conduct “a virginity test” on her with his finger.

He said, “The girl said she had been constantly abused by her father since she was 13. He is about 40 years old and a retired electricity worker.

“Before the intervention of the girl’s maternal uncle, one Mr Alagba, the girl got tired of the wickedness of her father and informed their landlord who confronted the father to stop the evil act and he let him know the consequence of his action.

“But the survivors turned a deaf ear to it and kept doing it to the extent that whenever he was on night duty, he went to the office with girl to keep having her to his satisfaction.

“The man claimed that he saw some pictures in her daughter’s phone and suspected that she was wayward. He said he did not have sex with her but only used his finger to check if she is a virgin or not.”

It was gathered that Taiwo’s relations claimed that he had mental illness in 2018 and was admitted at a private rehabilitation centre, Ise Oluwa Hospital in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

A report signed by the hospital’s Medical Director, Dr Kayode Ojomo, indicated that Taiwo was admitted at the facility on October 1, 2018 “for complaints suggestive of a mild depressive episode.”

The report added, “He is currently on admission and will be discharged soon as he has made remarkable improvement.”

“He has been exhibiting strange behaviour inside the cell. At times, he would just remove his clothes,” a source said.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Bala Elkana, confirmed Taiwo’s arrest.

He said, “Investigation has commenced on the case and tests will be carried out on to determine the suspect’s mental health.”

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Tragedy struck on Friday evening as some unknown gunmen attacked the Ikolaba Police Station in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, leaving a Police corporal on duty dead.

The News Agency of Nigeria gathered that the gunmen shot continuously into the Police station as they came into the premises.

The reason for the attack could, however, not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, Olugbenga Fadeyi, confirmed the incident.

He said investigation was ongoing to determine the cause of the attack.

“We just got information that the station was attacked, but I haven’t gotten the details of the officer allegedly killed.
“We have deployed men to the area and as soon as details are available, we will get back to you,” he said.

Joseph Olaoluwa

The Accident Investigation Bureau has commenced an investigation into an accident that occurred at the General Aviation Terminal of the Lagos Airport on Friday.

The PUNCH gathered that brake failure caused a private charter airline, King Air Jet, to ram into a fence while the pilot was reparking it.

The accident was said to have occurred around 10 am at a tarmac beside Bristow Helicopters.

READ ALSO: Chinese loan probe, others stalled as Reps suspend panels’ sittings

However, no one was aboard the jet and the pilot suffered no injury.

A spokesman for the Accident Investigation Bureau, Tunji Oketumbi, confirmed the accident
Oketumbi said the bureau had sent its investigators to access the level of damage as of press time.

“We have been notified of an accident that occurred at the local airport and our investigators have gone there to commence investigations,” he added.

Daud Olatunji, Abeokuta

Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo has said he wished to live beyond 100 so as to have more opportunities to celebrate with the Agura of Gbagura, Oba Sabur Bakare, Jamolu II.

Obasanjo was part of the dignitaries present at the first anniversary of the monarch held in Abeokuta on Tuesday.

Oba Bakare received the staff of office from former Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, on May 21, 2019, as the 9th Agura of Gbagura in Egbaland.

The monarch while commemorating his anniversary held interdenominational service with believers of all faiths and commissioned a borehole for the community.

Obasanjo, who clocked 83 this year, while speaking at the interdenominational service, said he wished to be at the 20th anniversary of the monarch.

He said, “I will be here to celebrate your 20 years anniversary with you whether I am invited or not.

“By the time I also partake in celebrating your 20th anniversary with you, if God wishes, He can call me to come and meet Him in heaven because I know by that time, I will be above 100 or more .”

The former president, however, advised the monarch to propagate unity among traditional rules in Yorubaland.

There are times that Kabiyesi don’t listen to words and there are times he does listen to words. If we are united, there is nothing we can’t do in Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole,” Obasanjo added.

In his remarks, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, noted that the past one year of the reign of Oba Bakare had been characterised by direct engagement of Egba monarchs, leaders, and other stakeholders for social cohesion and unity of purpose.

Alake expressed that the entire Egba Traditional Council was satisfied with the all-inclusive leadership of the Agura monarch and congratulated him for a successful anniversary.

The Agura appreciated his guests, adding that the unity and love among the Egbas would continue to wax stronger.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/i-wish-to-live-beyond-100-obasanjo/%3famp=1

Nigerian music star, Wizkid, has ‘smiled’ his way into the ears of Barack Obama, making the former US president’s 2020 summer playlist.

Wizkid, whose real name is Ayodeji Balogun, is at No. 15 with his new single “Smile”, featuring American Grammy winner, H.E.R.

Obama shared the selection with his followers on Twitter on Monday evening, in continuation of an annual tradition.

“Over the past few months, I’ve spent a lot of time listening to music with my family.

“I wanted to share some of my favorites from the summer, including songs from some of the artistes at this week’s @DemConvention. Hope you enjoy it,” he wrote.

Nigerian-American rapper, Chika, also featured in the list with her uplifting single, “Crown”.

The list features 53 songs from a range of genres, including reggae, hip-hop, country, pop, and rock.

American RnB superstar, Beyoncé, also made the list with “Already” from her new visual album, “Black is King.”

Others in the collection are Rihanna, Bob Marley, OutKast, Nas, J. Cole, Nina Simone and Frank Ocean among others.

Eilish, Leon Bridges, The Chicks, Common and Jennifer Hudson, who also made the list, were scheduled to perform at the ongoing National Convention of the Democratic Party.

NAN recalls that Mavin Records singer, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, made the Obama playlist in 2019 with his hit single “Dumebi”

By Nwafor Sunday

The All Progressives Congress, APC, Monday faulted the claims of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Uche Secondus, accusing Buhari-led Federal government of rigging elections. The party through its deputy spokesman, Yekini Nabena, submitted that under President Muhammadu Buhari, elections in Nigeria have been free and fair. Disclosing this in a statement obtained by newsmen, Nabena said: “Under Secondus, the PDP has never had it this bad with the opposition Party’s stakeholders detached from the party activities as was witnessed with notable PDP leaders boycotting the Party’s 2019 presidential campaigns and the recent Bayelsa State Governorship bribe-for-ticket scandal that indicted Secondus. “Little wonder, the recent months have witnessed many PDP members resign their membership due to Secondus activities which has brought the PDP to its knees.

The PDP under Secondus is in willful denial of the obvious that under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration, free, fair and credible elections is the new normal. “Voting power is fast returning to the people and the era of stolen and procured votes is fast-fading. We reiterate that President Buhari’s declaration that the APC could have used the military and other security services to overrun opposition states in the 2019 general election but chose free, fair elections is a solid pointer and demonstration of our proven democratic and progressive credentials.”

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/08/elections-are-free-fair-under-buhari/

Former Super Eagles midfielder John Obi Mikel has joined Championship side Stoke City

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/08/breaking-mikel-joins-championship-side-stoke-city/

Oladimeji Ramon

A Lagos petty trader, Regina Stanley, has accused the police Special Anti-Robbery Squad of illegally detaining her son, Sunday Stanley, over her inability to pay N500,000 demanded for his release.

In a suit before the Federal High Court in Lagos, Regina said her son was running an errand for her in the morning of March 28, 2020 in the Morogbo area of Lagos State when he was picked up by SARS operatives raiding the area. I went to my place of trade together with my son who assists me in my trade.

“At about 11.30am, I sent my son on an errand only to be informed by my fellow traders that my son had been arrested and locked up inside the Black Maria by armed agents of the 3rd respondent.

“I hurriedly closed my trade and went to the place where my son and other persons had been arrested and locked up.

“Every effort made by me to secure the release of my son proved abortive.

“My son, together with other persons, was driven to SARS office at Ikeja police command. Agents of the respondents levied all sorts of trumped-up allegations against my son and told me to bring N500,000 to secure his release.

“Because of my inability to get the money my son has been detained since the 28th of March, 2020 till date.

“He is my only child and my husband has passed away since 2019,” Regina said in affidavit attached to a fundamental rights suit, seeking an order for the release of her son.

In the suit filed in the name of the detained boy, a Lagos-based lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, urged the court to declare that Sunday’s arrest was unlawful, oppressive and violated his fundamental right to personal liberty and fair hearing provided for under sections 33, 35, 36 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution.

He prayed the court to order the immediate release of the boy from custody and for police to tender a public apology to him in a national daily newspaper while he should be paid N50m as general and exemplary damages for his unlawful arrest, detention and humiliation by SARS.

Adeyinka Olaseni, Benin

Factional Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Victor Edoror, has warned state Governor, Godwin Obaseki , not to violate constitutional provisions, if he does not want to be impeached.

Edoror, who spoke to The PUNCH after Wednesday’s sitting of his faction at an undisclosed address at the Government Reserved Area of the state, said the decisions taken at the sitting were binding, noting that if the executive refused to implement them, it would have grave constitutional implications.

When reminded that he had always maintained that his group was not out to impeach the governor, Edoror replied, “If they refuse to carry out our instructions, it has huge constitutional implications. I don’t think they can afford to make that mistake.

“We are not ready to impeach, unless they demand it by trying to flout provisions of the constitution. You cannot just impeach anybody unless he commits an offence

“We can’t impeach anyone who does not go against the law. Offences must have been committed, constitutional provisions must have been violated before talking about impeachment. For us, we don’t intend to impeach anyone.”

He praised members of the faction for a rancour-free deliberation, adding,” We received petitions, we deliberated and made pronouncements on issues of state importance.

He also assured the people of the state of quality representation and deliberation. The factional speaker said, “We are going to make sure that the people of Edo receive the dividends of democracy. We are not out to impeach anybody contrary to what is being peddled around. We are out to give legislation to the people and provide quality service. We have no ulterior motive.”

The group, while condemning the destruction of the Anthony Enahoro Complex of the State House of Assembly, said it was unsafe for members to sit there.

The faction also debated the petitions brought before it. It described as unlawful the removal of the chairmen of Etsako East, Esan West and Etsako West, saying their removal was an infringement to their fundamental human rights and abuse of office.

The Speaker also set up a five-man committee to investigate the matter and report back to the house.
The house adjourned to 18 August, 2020.

They have no power to carry out any action – Okiye

But another Speaker of the House of Assembly, Frank Okiye, said that the Victor Edoror -led group had no power to carry out any action or call for their resolutions to be carried out.
He described their action like a comic scene from a Nollywood movie, noting that Edoror and his co-travellers had no authority to carry out any legislative function

He said, “They have no power and nothing gives credence and authority to them. No one should listen to them. Whatever they are doing is merely a joke. I do not see how their resolutions will work and they must understand that section 99 has some criminal provisions so I still believe that they are just joking.

“But there is a point it will get to, we will invoke the relevant section of the law to deal with them. I still want to advise people not to bother themselves by what they are doing. Those nocturnal discussions cannot stand before the state.

“I have chronicled all that has been happening and I asked the public to disregard them and go about their normal duty. Their actions are merely comic scenes for a Nollywood movie.”

17 members are not lawmakers, they are APC supporters – Obaseki’s aide

Also the governor’s Spokesman, Crusoe Osagie, in a chat with The PUNCH, said “The Edoror group are not legislators. They are just a mere group of APC supporters who meet in Ize Iyamu’s living room. Their decision have no consequence on neither the governor nor our great state, Edo State.”

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/well-impeach-obaseki-if-he-flouts-laws-edo-assembly-faction-boasts/%3famp=1

James Abraham, Jos

The Department of State Services has invited a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr Obadiah Mailafia, to its Jos office.

Mailafia confirmed the development to our correspondent in Jos on Tuesday.

He said, “Yes, it true. The DSS invited me to appear in their Jos office tomorrow (Wednesday) by noon.”

Mailafia said his invitation was not unconnected to an interview he granted an Abuja radio station, 95.1FM, on Monday.
In the interview, he said repentant terrorists told him that a serving northern governor was the Boko Haram leader.

Mailafia, who was the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress in the 2019 election, said the terrorists moved weapons even during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Eniola Akinkuotu, Abuja

A former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Obadiah Mailafia, says repentant terrorists revealed that a serving northern governor is a Boko Haram leader.

Mailafia said this on ‘Morning Crossfire’ programme on Nigeria Info Abuja 95.1FM on Monday.

The former CBN deputy governor said he had a chat with two repentant terrorists who identified the northern governor.

He said the terrorists and bandits were one and the same.

Mailafia, who was the Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress in the last election, said the terrorists moved weapons even during the lockdown caused by the COVID-19.

He said, “Some of us also have our intelligence networks. I have met with some of the bandits; we have met with some of their high commanders – one or two who have repented – they have sat down with us not once, not twice.
“They told us that one of the northern governors is the commander of Boko Haram in Nigeria. Boko Haram and the bandits are one and the same. They have a sophisticated network. During this lockdown their planes were moving up and down as if there was no lockdown.

“They were moving ammunition, moving money, and distributing them across different parts of the country.”
Mailafia said Boko Haram had already infiltrated southern Nigeria, adding that their plan was to spark a second civil war.

The former CBN deputy governor, who holds a PhD from Oxford University in the United Kingdom, said he was not one to make spurious and unfounded allegations.

He added, “They are already in the South, in the rain forests of the South. They are everywhere. They told us that when they finish these rural killings, they will move to phase two. Phase two is that they will go into urban cities, going from house to house killing prominent people.

“I can tell you this is the game plan.

“By 2022, they want to start a civil war in Nigeria. Don’t joke with what I am saying I have a PhD from Oxford University. I am a central banker, we don’t talk nonsense. I have this from the highest authority, some of the commanders of Boko Haram.”

Raphael Ede, Enugu

The Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministries, Enugu, Fr. Ejike Mbaka, says the country goes ‘gaga’ anytime he declares prophecies.

Mbaka made this known on Sunday during the first physical service of his church after about five months of closure due to lockdown occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.


The Ministry had suspended all its physical programmes in March 2020 following the directive of the federal and state governments that all public places be shut to curb the community spread of the virus.

But following the lifting of the ban on worship centres, Mbaka, on Sunday, resumed physical services at his Adoration Arena in Enugu.

Speaking during the service in a homily themed, “Save Me, Lord,” Mbaka warned detractors to desist from planning evil against him and his ministry to avoid incurring divine wrath.

He said, “Like you know, whenever we declare prophecy here, the whole country goes gaga and they begin to plan evil. But woe betides whoever that should allow himself to be used to try any attack on me or this ministry.

“You may not like me; I may not be among those you consider as good people, but I know that God is using me to save people and minister succour to mankind.”
Mbaka had said in January that the Imo State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the March 2019 election, Hope Uzodinma, would take over the governance of Imo State.

The Supreme Court later in January removed Governor Emeka Ihedioha and declared Uzodinma as governor.

The preacher had also said 39 more prophecies of his will come to pass in 2020

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, ordered substituted service of a suit seeking the disqualification of the All Progressives Congress’ governorship candidate in the forthcoming election in Edo State, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and his running mate, Audu Ganiyu.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo, granting the plaintiffs’ application for substituted service, ordered that Ize-Iyamu and Ganiyu be served with the suit by pasting the court documents and the hearing notice for next sitting at the residences of the duo in Benin, the Edo State capital.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo adjourned the proceedings till August 24.

The plaintiffs are also APC members, Momoh Abdul-Razak and Zibiri Muhizu, who asked the court to disqualify their party’s candidates.

The plaintiffs’ grounds for the suit included the allegation that Ganiyu gave false information to INEC to aid his qualification for the governorship election.

The plaintiffs, in the suit filed on July 10, 2020, through their lawyer, Friday Nwosu, also alleged irregularities in Ganiyu’s name and academic credentials.

Defendants in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/758/2020, are the APC, the Independent National Electoral Commission, Ganiyu, and Ize-Iyamu, who were sued as 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants, respectively.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/court-orders-substituted-service-of-disqualification-suit-on-ize-iyamu/%3famp=1

Abiodun Nejo, Ado Ekiti

Students in Senior Secondary Schools Three in Ekiti State resumed on Monday preparatory to the commencement of West African Senior School Certificate Examinations.

This was as the state government on Monday announced the suspension of a school principal who was not available in the school on Sunday when the governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, visited some schools in the state on the level of compliance with the COVID-19 protocols.

The Commissioner for Education, Foluso Daramola, who announced the suspension of the Principal of Methodist Girls High School, Ifaki Ekiti, directed her to “hand over the management of the school to the most senior vice principal in the school pending the conclusion of appropriate disciplinary action by the Teaching Service Commission.”

A public service announcement signed by the Assistant Director (Information), Kunle Adeniyi, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, stated, “At Methodist Girls High School, Ifaki Ekiti, the principal was not available to receive the governor and his entourage and making the monitoring exercise impossible in the school in spite of the notice from the Ministry of Education.”
The statement quoted Fayemi as saying that schools must ensure that the sitting arrangement of students was done to conform with COVID-19 protocol for physical distancing and to allow teachers’ unhindered movement around the classrooms.

Willian is closing in on a move to Arsenal after reportedly completing his medical on Monday.

The Evening Standard reports that the former Chelsea man had a medical with the north London club this morning.

The Brazilian announced his departure from Chelsea on Sunday by releasing a statement confirming his exit after seven years in west London.

The 32-year-old wanted a three-year deal to extend his stay with the Blues but that his demands were refused and was offered a two-year deal.

Willian therefore decided to leave and Arsenal were willing to give him the three-year deal he craves, albeit on slightly less than his £120,000-a-week salary at Stamford Bridge.

Peter Dada, Akure

The Ondo State Deputy Governor, Mr Agboola Ajayi, has resigned his membership from the Peoples Democratic Party.

Ajayi, who lost the primary of the PDP to Mr Eyitayo Jegede, was said to have sent the letter of resignation to the PDP secretariat at Apoi Ward 2 in Kiribo town, Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State on Monday.

While thanking the national leadership and members of the PDP for their warm reception and acceptance in the short period he rejoined the party, Ajayi said his decision was based on the call from his people, that he should contest the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

It was gathered that the PDP in the ward, under the chairmanship of Mr Festus Oboro, acknowledged the receipt of the resignation letter.

The Chief Press Secretary to the deputy governor, Mr Tope Okeowo, confirmed the development to our correspondent.

“The deputy governor has resigned and would declare his defection to the Zenith Labour Party before the end of the work,” Okeowo stated.

However, the state PDP said the exit of Ajayi would not have any effect on the chance of the party in winning the governorship election. The party said the action of the deputy governor showed he was a desperate politician.

In a statement issued by the Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Kennedy Peretei, the PDP declared that it remained solid, strong, and more determined than ever before to win the election.

The statement read, “Agboola Ajayi has abused the welcome and privilege accorded him by our party supporters during his brief stay in the party. He also proved that he is desperate to become the governor of Ondo State. In the days to come, it will dawn on him that, he has squandered whatever was remaining in his goodwill with this decision.”

By Boluwaji Obahopo

A former House of Representatives, Hon. Sunday Karimi has said that the impasse in the Edo state House of Assembly was due to Governor Godwin Obaseki’s overbearing attitude and complete disregard for Nigeria Constitution, which makes the governor deserving of impeachment. The ex – reps member, therefore, urged the members of the Edo State House of Assembly to immediately impeach the governor in order to serve as a deterrent to other governors who wantonly breach the nation’s constitution with impunity. Karimi, a two-term Reps Member, who made the disclosure while speaking with newsmen in Lokoja, said, “A situation where a governor will take laws into his own hands and, stop duly elected legislators from being sworn in to perform their constitutional responsibilities for eighteen months, such governor’s needs to be taught a lesson for his reckless abuse of power.

“Any attempt to muzzle the legislature is tantamount to killing the nation’s hard-earned democracy. The abuse and autocratic disposition of Governor Obaseki must not be allowed to go unpunished

The impeachment according to Karimi who was a member of the sixth and seventh National Assembly, and Represented Yagba Federal Constituency, will be a good lesson for democracy, “It will be an oversight and rewarding impunity of the highest order if an autocrat brazenly renders the Nigerian constitution useless, he should not be allowed to go scot-free. “Governor Obaseki is not fit to be in power, must be impeached; to serve as deterrent to others and to protect the nation’s democracy.” Hon. Karimi also lends support to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami’s call for the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu to provide security for the 18 members of the Edo State House of Assembly to hold plenary within the Assembly complex.

All Progressives Congress candidate, Ismail Danbaba, has won the bye-election for the Nasarawa Central State Constituency in the state House of Assembly.

The Independent National Electoral Commission Returning Officer, Mr Iiyasu Umar, announced the result of the bye-election conducted on Saturday in Nasarawa
Announcing the result, Umar said the APC candidate scored 7,475 to defeat Mr Bage Nuhu of the Peoples Democratic Party, who got 4,608 votes.

He said during the bye-election, 12,217 votes were cast, while 12,083 valid votes were recorded with 134 rejected votes.

“By the power conferred on me as the Returning Officer of this election, I hereby declared the APC candidate the winner, having scored the highest number of votes cast,’’ he declared.
INEC scheduled the Nasarawa Central bye-election following the death of the member representing Nasarawa Central constituency at the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu, on April 30.

By Adeola Badru THE people of Iseyin were in the panicky mood when an officer of the Nigerian Customs was reported to have shot an executive member of the proscribed National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Lateef Aboki at Iseyin-Moniya park in Iseyin. The said officer, name withheld, among three others in mufti and in a private Lexus Jeep was said to have chased a public transport vehicle to the park on suspicion of the vehicle carrying a bag of rice
The head of the park, Mr Lateef Shittu (Alias Akue) said he got a call that one of his executive members was shot by a customs officer at the park and he immediately contacted the Divisional Police officer (DPO) Iseyin, who got to the spot immediately to take control of the situation before it degenerated to chaos. When this correspondent arrived the scene, the men of the Nigerian Customs were said to have fled when Aboki was hit by a bullet. He was later reported to be responding well to treatment at a hospital in the town which calmed members of the transport union who were earlier spoiling for a showdown with the alleged shooters. In an interview, the head of the park, Mr Lateef Shittu stated: “I was called around 4 pm that some customs officers in mufti chased a vehicle which they believed was carrying a bag of rice to our park and in the process, hit one of our buses.” “They were asked to identify themselves as they wore no uniform and were in a private Lexus Jeep and instead of doing that, they started shooting, unfortunately, one of the bullets hit one of my executive members, named Lateef Aboki in the chest. “We thank God that he is responding to treatment and we also call on the authority to warn the Nigerian Customs officers to apply decorum and professionalism when doing their job.” “The vehicle they chased did not carry any rice when they eventually searched it, why chasing vehicles with private vehicle and in mufti? Do they even need to chase vehicles in the town and be shooting when they know there are many people walking by or those unknowingly driving by.” The Divisional Police officer who was at the scene persuaded the motorists not to take the law into their hands and later towed the Lexus Jeep belonging to the Customs Officer to the police station for further investigation.

ARSENAL are set to wrap up a second transfer after 'agreeing personal terms' with Barcelona's Philippe Coutinho, according to reports.

The £145m former Liverpool star will arrive at The Emirates in a season-long loan deal - after a whistle-stop tour of their training ground.
Arsenal also have other transfer targets as they give boss Mikel Arteta cash to gatecrash the top four next season - just days after making 55 staff redundant.

The Catalan newspaper claims the North Londoners have fixed up a deal with Nou Camp chiefs.

Coutinho, linked with Chelsea, is not wanted at Barca, who tried to offload him to Bayern Munich, where he spent this season on loan.
The Brazilian's agent has fixed up a deal with Arsenal, according to reports.

But Coutinho, 28, will not sign terms until he has completed the season with Munich.

The Germans are in a great position to win the Champions League this term, with a healthy 3-0 lead over Chelsea in the last 16, ahead of the second leg today.
According to The Catalan Coutinho visited the Gunners' Colney Heath training complex and is keen to join this summer.

The FA Cup winners are also lining up a move for Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey.

Arsenal also want to wrap up a new contract for skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Samson Folarin

The National Association of Nigerian Students, South-West Zone, has given the Department of State Services till Monday to release detained #RevolutionNow protesters.

The students condemned the arrest and brutalisation of the peaceful protesters in Osun, Lagos, Ogun, Abuja and demanded their release.
NANS, in a statement on Saturday, vowed to stage a demonstration if the demand was not met.

The statement was signed by the NANS Zone D Coordinator, Kowe Amos; Secretary-General, Giwa Temitope; and Public Relations Officer, Kazeem Israel.

“We find it disturbing that despite the fact that several international protocols guarantee human rights to protest, successive governments in Nigeria have not done enough in the aspect of respect for these rights.

“In Nigeria, dissent is criminalised. The ruling class aims to assume the position of the all-mighty; they do not want to be questioned,” NANS said.

According to the students’ body, the manner the affairs of the country is being managed is heart-wrenching.

It added, “The association having studied the demands of the protesters make bold to assert that they are legitimate, many of which we have also in our capacity as an association raised in a series of interventions since we came on board last year.

“Nigerians, especially in the North, are being killed like games by rising insurgency. Rate of poverty, hopelessness and unemployment is alarming. Education and health have been completely abandoned.
Corruption has taken over the entire administration, with rising foreign debt profile capable of compromising the nation’s sovereignty. Respect for democratic ideals of freedom, human dignity, rights and rule of law has been thrown to the winds. The country has been subjected to the whims of jackboot absolutism.



“These are legitimate issues raised by the #RevolutionNow protesters. But, the posture of the Nigerian government towards issues has shown that they would rather empower/embrace sycophancy than agree with those with dissent because they are not ready to be held accountable which is why there is always a clampdown on protests.

“It is to this end that we demand that the government unconditionally frees the detained protesters.

“We warn that the leadership of the zone would be forced to mobilise students down to the barricades should the government fail to release the protesters at the latest Monday,” the statement concluded.

The group also lamented the increase in the pump price of fuel and the absence of palliatives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, wondering where the billions of donations and the recovered Abacha loot went to.

Eniola Akinkuotu, Abuja

There was a mild drama on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Thursday when the President’s most senior spokesman, Femi Adesina; and the National President of Revolutionary Lawyers Forum, Mr Tope Akinyode, exchanged words over the #RevolutionNow protests that took place in various parts of the country on Wednesday.

Akinyode, who took part in the protests which were disrupted by security operatives, said the aim of the demonstrations was to demand good governance, poverty eradication, a stop to the insecurity and many other issues.
In his response, however, Adesina described the protests as an irritation and a child’s play.

He said, “Well, was it really a protest? By my estimation, it just seemed like a child’s play because protests by their very nature are spontaneous things, mass things. These are just a sprinkle of people trying to be funny. As far as I am concerned, it is nothing to worry about.

“A revolution is always a mass thing, not a sprinkle of young boys and girls you saw yesterday (Wednesday) in different parts of the country. I think it was just a funny thing to call it a revolution protest.”

When asked if the government determines the seriousness of a protest only by its size, Adesina responded, “Revolution is something that turns the normal order. What happened yesterday, would you call it a revolution?

“It was just an irritation, just an irritation and some people want to cause irritation in the country and what I will say is when things boil over, they boil over because you continue to heat them.”

However, Akinyode mocked Adesina for having a shallow understanding of the concept of revolution despite being a veteran journalist.
The lawyer said, “We have to forgive Mr. Adesina and the Buhari government for all the things they speak. They don’t understand these things. They are bereft of the fundamental workings of democracy and the rule of law. They don’t know what protest means, they can’t appreciate it
“Buhari is a dictator. He doesn’t obey court orders so he doesn’t know that Nigerians or the people have the right to protest which is why Mr. Adesina was continuously talking down on Nigerians, saying it was a child’s play and an irritation.”

Akinyode said Buhari’s regime seemed to be dedicated to failure hence its aversion to criticism.
The lawyer wondered why unarmed protests would be attacked by soldiers and policemen for demanding good governance.
He said, “I am disappointed by the myopic definition that Mr. Adesina gave the word revolution especially being a journalist who should have fundamental knowledge of the English Language. Revolution has many meanings to it. You cannot attach a single meaning to the word.

“For those who have a deficiency in the use of English, revolution can also mean an improvement, an advancement in a system which has a positive long-lasting impact. The demands of the protester are well articulated. They are engaging the government in its failings – unemployment, insecurity, non-payment of minimum wage N30,000 and many other things.

“And if the protesters are demanding the removal of the present government that is constituted, it is a constitutionally guaranteed right. The law allows for impeachment of any validly elected government and for a government that has woefully failed, is it not right for it to resign?”

Adesina, who appeared irked by Akinyode’s response, however, took issue with Channels Television for pairing him with “such a character”.
He said henceforth, the TV station must let him know who he is up against when next he is invited to a programme.

The President’s spokesman said, “Let me make this point. Channels TV should have been ethical and professional enough to tell me that I was appearing with somebody and then I could decide whether to appear or not to appear.

“The way this young man is talking, if I had a chance, I wouldn’t want to share a platform with him because he is irascible, he is irrational and he doesn’t understand and I could have decided whether to appear with him or not.”

Akinyode, however, stated that he was a lawyer and a learned individual.

“It is not just the way Mr. Adesina sees it, that I am a young guy. I am a lawyer and I have an understanding of the law. It is a constitutionally guaranteed right of Nigerians to protest. It is the law,” he replied.

I was having a conversation with a friend and how he feels about about a couple having a sex when a toddler is sleeping on the same bed as the couple?
Is it moral or those it have a bad spiritual omen ,and I don't know if am guilty of of this same act if it's bad.
Because we go to work in the morning and come back late and the only time for intimacy is in the night. Except weekends. Is it even idea in the same room with the baby while sleeping.

Kayode Oyero

The Federal Government on Tuesday raised the fine for hate speech from N500,000 to 5 million naira, The PUNCH has learnt.

The government also mandated broadcast stations to devote airtime for public education on emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, made this known in Lagos on Tuesday while unveiling the Reviewed Broadcasting Code.

This was contained in a statement by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, titled, ‘Remarks By The Hon. Minister Of Information And Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, At The Unveiling Of The Reviewed Broadcasting Code In Lagos On Tuesday, Aug. 4th 2020’.

According to the statement made available on the verified social media platforms of the ministry, Mohammed said the amendments were necessitated by a Presidential directive in the wake of the 2019 general elections for an inquiry into the regulatory role of the National Broadcasting Commission as well as the conduct of the various broadcast stations before, during and after elections.

The minister noted that the recommendations were approved by the President, Major General Mohammed Buhari (retd.), to reposition the NBC to better perform its regulatory role in the areas of political broadcasting, local content, coverage of emergencies, advertising, and anti-competitive behaviour.

Mohammed, who explained that section 2h of the NBC Act empowers the commission to establish and disseminate a National Broadcasting Code, said, “There are many desirable provisions in the new Broadcasting Code:

“The provisions on Exclusivity and Monopoly will boost local content and local industry due to laws prohibiting exclusive use of rights by broadcasters who intend to create monopolies and hold the entire market to themselves. It will encourage Open Access to premium content.
The law prohibiting backlog of advertising debts will definitely promote sustainability for the station owners and producers of content.
“The law on registration of Web Broadcasting grants the country the opportunity to regulate negative foreign broadcasts that can harm us as a nation. Such harms could be in the area of security, protection for minors, protection of human dignity, economic fraud, privacy etc.

“The provision on responsibility of broadcast stations to devote airtime to national emergencies mandates terrestrial and Pay TV channels to make their services available to Nigerians at time of national emergencies – like the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic – for their education and enlightenment.

“The provision raising the fine for hate speech from 500,000 Naira to 5 million Naira.”

He added, “The Broadcasting Code is not a static document. As we often say, broadcasting is dynamic. Therefore, even the 6th Edition of the Code shall be reviewed at the appropriate time. But, as it currently stands, the 6th edition and the amendments, which we are unveiling today, remain the regulations for broadcasting in Nigeria.

“For those who still have misgivings about the amendment to the 6th Edition of the Code, we expect you to meet with the regulator and present your views. As I said, there are opportunities for constant review of the Code, but please note that this latest amendment is signed, sealed and delivered, and we are committed to making it work for the good of the country.”

Chidiebube Okeoma, Owerri

Hoodlums on Tuesday assaulted pensioners who were at the Imo State Government House in Owerri, the state capital to protest their five months unpaid pension and gratuities.

This is the fifth time in less than a month the senior citizens were protesting their nonpayment of pensions and gratuities by the governor Hope Uzodinma led administration.

Trouble started when thugs clutching canes formed a barricade, stopping the pensioners from approaching the Government House’s main gate.

The senior citizens who were resolute in their demands defied the situation which led the flogging by the thugs.

While the retirees were shouting and sobbing, a detachment of police operatives led by an assistant commissioner of police, AJ Moses, arrived at the scene.

While the cops dispersed the thugs, the police chief started appealing to the pensioners.

Our correspondent, who monitored the situation, heard the police chief telling the pensioners to work with the appropriate organs of the government but the pensioners in return told the ACP that they had exhausted all avenues of reconciliation with the government.

The pensioners accused the government of being insensitive to their plights.

One of the pensioners, Ebenezer Ibekwe, who spoke to journalists said that the thugs were sent by the government.

Ibekwe, who mentioned that he retired as a secondary school principal in 2011, said the thugs had poured water on them on their way to the government house in a bid to stop them from embarking on the protest
The retiree said that no amount of intimidation by the state government would stop them from continually demanding that their pensions and gratuities be paid to them.

He said, “Thugs were flogging us their, fathers and mother. I pity them because they have dug their graves. At Warehouse junction, why we were coming, they accosted us and were pouring water on us. This has never happened in this state before.

“The monies we worked for and the government is sending urchins, idiots and never do wells to assault people who are old enough to be their fathers, mothers, and grandparents.”

When contacted, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on print media, Modestus Nwamkpa, said that thugs did not flog the pensioners.

He, however, said that the state government was frowning at illegal protests in the state.

Nwamkpa said that the government had discovered that most of the protesters were ‘ghost pensioners’ who were being used by the opposition politicians to discredit the performances of the government.