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  • Oyo Distributes FG’s 21,000 Bags Of Fertiliser To 250 Farmers

    Oyo Distributes FG’s 21,000 Bags Of Fertiliser To 250 Farmers

     

    Oyo Distributes FG’s 21,000 Bags Of Fertiliser To 250 Farmers

     

    The federal government, in collaboration with Oyo State government, has began the distribution of 21,000 bags of fertilisers to over 10,500 farmers in the state.

     

    At the flag-off ceremony held at OYSADA Ware House, Fertiliser Store, Laniya, Ojongbodu area of Oyo town, no fewer than 250 farmers from Akinyele local government received two bags of fertilisers each to boost their agricultural businesses.

     

    The commissioner for agriculture and rural department , Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye flagged off the distribution .

     

    He explained that the fertilisers donated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, are aimed at cushioning the effects of oil subsidy removal on farmers across the country.

    Commissioner for agriculture and rural development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye,

     

    He therefore encouraged farmers not to resell the fertilizer but apply it on their farmland for abundant food items in the state.

     

    Oyo State coordinator, federal ministry of agriculture and food security, Dr. Florence Kakulu represented by agriculture officer of the ministry, Mrs. Bilikis Abdulateef, said in its support to cushion economic effect on food production, CBN donated 2,000,000 bags of assorted fertilizer to federal government to enhance food security in Nigeria.

     

    She, therefore, charged beneficiaries to let the efforts of both state and federal governments reflect in their productivity during the harvest.

     

    Some of the farmers that benefited from free distribution of the 21, 000 bags of fertilizer, pledged to reciprocate gestures of federal and state governments which they described as timely for dry season farming, assuring that the impact would be felt among the populace through better yield.

     

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    Also, in a gesture aimed at supporting education and alleviating the burden of school expenses on parents, First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, has distributed free notebooks to students in public schools across Oyo State.

     

    The distribution, which continued on Monday in Ibadan, the state capital, was flagged off in Iseyin by the Oyo First Lady who was represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs Toyin Balogun.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Nigerians behind success stories of many foreign nations —- Collins Idahosa

    Nigerians behind success stories of many foreign nations —- Collins Idahosa

    Nigerians behind success stories of many foreign nations —- Collins Idahosa

    The National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, Europe chapter, led by Ambassador Collins Idahosa has urged the youths in the Diaspora to consolidate their stay in Europe by investing greatly in the economy in order to create jobs for other youths and also grow the home economy.

     

    Idahosa, a graduate of Philosophy from the University of Lagos, in this interview with Saturday Vanguard commended President Bola Tinubu on his initiative on the local government autonomy, just as he reflected on the activities of the council created in 1964, as well as plans to roll out the drums in celebration of 60th anniversary of the council.

     

    Excerpts:

    How does a Nigerian youth fare in Europe?

     

    The first thing is to be integrated into the system in Europe and this can be done by buying shares in any company that is being controlled by the government. This is another way of investing and impacting their society. As their shares grow, they will be able to recommend people to work in such organisations. This is what the Chinese are doing. In Sweden, Chinese have bigger shares because they started early to invest in shares. Today, any Chinese who is coming into any country in Europe knows where he is going to work. I expect Nigerians in the Diaspora to do the same, integrate into the system by way of making substantial impact in the economy.

    Those who go into all sorts of crime should desist, because crime does not pay. They should consider how they can make enduring contributions to the system positively. I initiated the idea of buying shares in one of the biggest companies, and from there we can continue to have a positive impact in the economy.

    Who knows, we can be the biggest shareholders in some companies and make a positive impact in the lives of other Nigerians. If you become the Chairman, you can decide to have a branch in your country, and that will create jobs for people at home. If you have more jobs for the youth, the crime rate will reduce.

    So, I encourage all the youth Ambassadors to also do the same. You can start small and grow with it. Many Nigerians are looking up to us to change their lives. If you don’t have a good structure, you cannot build others. But if we integrate and invest in the system, nobody will disturb any Nigerian looking for a job here.

    Your 10 or 20% contribution into the economy gives you and other Nigerians leverage for employment. So, it is something we can do if we come together.

     

    A group in the UK said recently that many Nigerian youths were becoming a nuisance after failing to get jobs that they were promised before leaving Nigeria for the UK. What is your council doing about this?

     

    Europe is a well organised place. Those who are desperate to leave Nigeria should also be desperate to verify which job is available for them to do. Right now, the world is a global village. Nobody lies to you about what is happening in another country. With a click on your phone, you can know what is happening around the world. Nigerians are doing well in Europe generally, but that is not to say there are no bad ones. Unfortunately, we are always hearing negative reports about them. There is no country where you won’t find Nigerians, and when it comes to African commerce, Nigeria takes 40 to 50%. So, we should not always concentrate on the negative side. If you are working and earning a salary, you will do better than anyone who is into crime. If you do your research well, you will find some bad citizens in some of these countries, so, we don’t have to dwell on the negative side of Nigerians, we should see the impact they are making in the economy of their host country.

     

    Tell us about the activities of the NYCN in Europe.

     

    The Council was created in 1964. I was privileged to be the first to be appointed to manage the youth affairs in the Europe chapter and the Diaspora in 2023. The Europe chapter of the council is just one-year-old. But we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Council in Switzerland. The occasion will attract almost all the Nigerian youth across Europe and America, including the home country. We are also expecting our leaders from Nigeria as well as individuals from around the world. Apart from our leaders from the home country, we are also expecting some eminent personalities in Europe and other parts of the world. A committee has been set up, headed by a youth ambassador in the Diaspora. The event will be held on September 21, 2024. We expect all our dignitaries to arrive by September 20, and the following day, we will have a World Press conference and lecture, which will be followed by panel discussion. On Sunday, there will be a Thanksgiving in the church before people leave for their respective countries. It is not sponsored by anybody other than the youth themselves, who have been contributing to the success of this programme.

     

    What has the council done in the area of capacity building, empowerment, and skill acquisition to make the youth, especially the jobless, self-reliant?

  • Police stray bullet hits dispatcher during protest in Ughelli

    Police stray bullet hits dispatcher during protest in Ughelli

    Police stray bullet hits dispatcher during protest in Ughelli

    1st August planned protestIGP Egbetokun

    • Says motive was to collect her valuables

    By Akpokona Omafuaire, Ughelli

    THE peaceful protest by protesters in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State yesterday took another twist as policemen stationed at the Otovwodo axis of the East-West road allegedly shot and injured a dispatcher in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

    The victim identified as Kester Eloho Ben in his 20s, was said to be heading Uwheru community to deliver a herbal drug to his company client when the unfortunate incident occurred.

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    The shooting triggered the protesters who took to burning of tyres and pelting sachet water at the police.

    Speaking to newsmen at his hospital bed, Mr Kester said, “I was on my way to Uwheru community to deliver an item and while I was waiting for either motorcycle or tricycle when I suddenly felt a strange object in my left arm.

    “I was about to board a bike when I felt something strange on my left hand and my phone fell of my hand, as I was about to pick up the phone I noticed that my hand was shaking.

    “It was a stray bullet from the police that hit me and it was an Okada man that rushed me to the hospital when the police never showed concern.”

    “I was not among the protesters, I was only going to deliver an item to a customer when I was shot and the medical team attended to me immediately I was brought in.”

    A protester who spoke to Vanguard said, “They were protesting this morning with placards towards the Otovwodo junction and the police bracket them from coming towards the junction.

    “They were not carrying anything dangerous except for the placards in their hands when the police double cross them and started shooting tear gas.”

    “While shooting tear gas, the police were being pelted with sachets of water by the protesters and as they were driving away, they opened fire on the protesters and one person was hit on his chest.

    “Their sister security agents helped to rush the injured protester to one of the hospitals probably for the hospital to accept him since it was a bullet injury.The anonymous source alleged.

    A Human rights activist who identified himself as Comrade Silver said, “This morning we were here and it was very peaceful as were pleading with the protesters to calm down.

    “We made them to understand that today being Otovwodo market day, some hoodlums might use the opportunity of their protest to loot items of the marketers.

    “We told them to go towards Agbarha junction to start their protest and they obeyed and as I was sitting down at the market,I saw a police van chasing a format car, they blocked the car and threw a tear gas inside the vehicle.

    “As they were about to take the boy away, I pleaded with the police and the boy was released to me as the boys were about to leave, another police vehicle came and insisted that the boy must be arrested.

    “It was at that moment the market women began to pelt them with water and stones and the police started shooting tear gas and live bullets in that place and in that process, they took the boy to the police station.

    “When the DPO came, I approached him and we both went to the station and the boy was released and peace returned.

    “I learned they shot a person, though I did not see him, but I was told that the Army rushed him to the hospital, I do not know the name of the hospital they took him to but all I know was that there were gunshots.”

  • Ignore ‘Igbo must go’ reports, Sanwo-Olu tells Lagos residents

    Ignore ‘Igbo must go’ reports, Sanwo-Olu tells Lagos residents

    Ignore ‘Igbo must go’ reports, Sanwo-Olu tells Lagos residents

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu

     

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has condemned and dismissed reports on a social media platform, calling on Igbo people to vacate Lagos and Southwest Nigeria.

     

    Sanwo-Olu remarked in a statement through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile.

     

    According to the statement, “The attention of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been drawn to a post by LagosPedia, a social media handle on X (formerly Twitter) that calls on the Igbo to vacate Lagos and Southwest of Nigeria and brace up for a massive hashtag IgboMustGo protest from 20th to 30th August, 2024.

     

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    “The Governor of Lagos State and indeed, Lagos State Government wish to distance themselves from the reckless, divisive and dangerous rhetoric, saying Lagos remains home to every Nigerian citizen regardless of their ethnic nationality.

     

    “Governor Sanwo-Olu views the post as not only reckless and divisive but also an attempt to sow a seed of discord between the Yoruba in the Southwest and other tribes, especially those who have made Lagos their permanent place of abode.”

     

    Sanwo-Olu, therefore, appealed to residents not to allow any person or group of individuals to create tensions in the state, calling on the security agencies to promptly investigate those behind the handle and bring them to justice.

     

    The governor, urged residents to ignore the post and any post of that nature, promising to double his efforts towards ensuring lasting peace in the state.

     

     

  • A Nation Divided by Hardship: How hunger protests exposed Nigeria’s growing divisions

    A Nation Divided by Hardship: How hunger protests exposed Nigeria’s growing divisions

    A Nation Divided by Hardship: How hunger protests exposed Nigeria’s growing divisions

     

    People protest against hardship on the street of Lagos, Nigeria, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. Thousands of mostly young people poured onto the streets across Nigeria on Thursday as they protested against the country’s worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation. Security forces fired tear gas to disperse some of the protesters in the capital, Abuja. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

     

     

     

    Early Morning Tension in Abuja

    On Thursday, Abuja awoke to a city steeped in tension. At the MKO Abiola National Stadium, hundreds of anti-government protesters gathered, their voices rising against a backdrop of severe economic hardship and corruption. Prominent activists like VeryDarkMan, Deji Adeyanju, and Barr. Kingdom Okere led the charge, with chants of “End Bad Government” and “Bring Back Subsidy” reverberating through the air. Their placards bore stark messages: “We are hungry” and “Tinubu, where is the change?”

     

    Personal Stories of Struggle

     

    Among the protesters was 32-year-old Jane Hingir, who shared her emotional struggle to make ends meet. “I’ve been struggling to make ends meet, but it’s getting harder every day,” she said, her voice filled with a mix of frustration and determination. Jane’s personal story mirrored the broader national struggle, highlighting the everyday challenges faced by many Nigerians.

     

    Pro-Government Rally: A Contrast

    Meanwhile, in stark contrast, a pro-government rally took place at the Tinubu/Shettima campaign office same day. Organized by the Tinubu Support Group, the demonstration was marked by a calm and orderly atmosphere. Participants in this rally were given branded T-shirts and faze caps, displaying their support for President Tinubu. Led by Minister of State for Police Affairs, Hajia Iman Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the rally showcased a divided political landscape.

     

    The Dynamics of Hired Protesters

    A parallel demonstration involving hired protesters emerged. These individuals, recruited to oppose the anti-government protests, carried placards reading “No Protest.”

     

    Organized by a man who identified himself as Blessing Joel, they said that they were paid N5,000 each to participate. Many of these hired protesters came from the suburbs, highlighting how financial desperation influenced political demonstrations.

     

    Gabriel, an unemployed man from the capital, admitted that he joined the pro-government rally for the N5,000 offered. “I know things are bad in the country and the economy is not working, but the money was a big reason why I joined them,” he revealed. This highlighted how economic hardship often sways political participation.

     

    The March and Its Consequences

    Back to the story: at 12:02 pm on Friday, the anti-government protesters began their march towards Eagle Square. A heavy police presence, including FCT Commissioner of Police Bennett Igweh and security personnel from the Army Headquarters Garrison Command, NSCDC, and DSS, added to the tension. A helicopter hovered overhead, intensifying the atmosphere.

     

    By 12:39 pm, the protesters faced a harsh response at the Central Business District junction near the United Nations building. Security forces deployed tear gas, and reports emerged of a protester being feared shot dead while trying to escape. Despite this, the protesters regrouped at the MKO Abiola National Stadium by 1:50 pm, their determination undeterred.

     

    A Moment of Solace: Friday Juma’at Prayers

    In a poignant display of resilience, the Muslim faithful among the protesters observed Friday Juma’at prayers amidst the turmoil. This moment of solemnity stood in stark contrast to the earlier chaos, symbolizing their unity and unwavering commitment to their cause.

    “We pray for peace, but we also pray for justice,” said Shehu Ibrahim, who led the prayers. The prayers not only provided spiritual solace but also renewed their resolve.

     

    Contrasting Responses: Anti-Government vs. Pro-Government

    The treatment of different protests revealed stark discrepancies. Anti-government protests faced severe crackdowns, while pro-government rallies proceeded with relative ease.

     

    This discrepancy drew criticism and highlighted perceived double standards in the government’s approach to dissent. The contrast became a focal point for critics, raising concerns about fairness and justice.

     

    Voices from the Government

    Amid the turmoil, government officials weighed in on the situation. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, addressed the nation on Wednesday, warning that the protests could lead to further violence and setbacks. His speech aimed to quell the unrest but failed to appease many.

     

    Additionally, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, called for dialogue, urging protesters to come forward for discussions. “The government is ready to listen,” Wike stated, hoping to ease tensions.

     

    However, his call for dialogue was met with skepticism from the protesters, who felt their voices were not being heard.

     

    The Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, also attempted to address the protesters in Abuja but was met with resistance. His efforts to mediate were overshadowed by the escalating violence and the protesters’ frustration.

     

    Violence and Casualties

    The protests escalated into violence, particularly in the North. At least 14 people, including a policeman, were killed in several states, including Niger, Borno, Kaduna, and Kebbi. The violence prompted a 24-hour curfew

     

    in Borno and Kano to curb further unrest. The destruction and chaos in these regions highlighted the depth of frustration and desperation felt by many protesters. Hoodlums joined and caused mayhem in these places.

     

    Historical Context: #EndSARS Protests

    The current protests hold special significance given the historical context. During the #EndSARS protests in 2020, Northerners largely abstained from participating. This was partly due to former President Muhammadu Buhari, who is from their region.

     

    The lack of participation at that time contrasted sharply with the current widespread involvement of Northern Nigerians, reflecting a shift in political sentiment and regional engagement.

     

    Personal Stories: Maryam and Gabriel

     

    Personal stories from the protests underscored the human cost of Nigeria’s economic turmoil. Maryam Abdul, a trader from the North, shared, in Hausa language, her struggles with a failing business and an uncertain future for her children. “I march because I have no choice,” she said, emphasizing the need for change.

     

    In contrast, Gabriel, an unemployed man from the capital, revealed his financial desperation as the reason for participating in a pro-government rally. His story highlighted the complexities and contradictions within the protest landscape.

     

    Government Response and Public Reaction

    The government’s response to the protests, including the deployment of security forces and the imposition of curfews, aimed to quell dissent but also risked stifling democratic expression.

     

    Public reaction was mixed, with some supporting the government’s actions while others condemned the excessive use of force. This response raised questions about the implications for democratic processes and civil liberties.

     

    Long-Term Impact and Future Uncertainty

    The aftermath of the protests cast a long shadow over Nigeria’s future. The heavy-handed response risked deterring public dissent and impacting democratic expression. The economic reforms introduced by President Tinubu were scrutinized more closely, and the long-term effects on Nigerian society and politics remained uncertain.

     

    Resilience and Determination

    Ultimately, the personal stories of protesters like Maryam and Gabriel resonated deeply. Their struggles and determination highlighted the enduring human spirit amidst adversity. Despite the political and economic complexities, these narratives underscored a persistent quest for justice and change in Nigeria.

     

    As Abuja and the nation moved forward, the echoes of the protesters’ chants and their personal stories served as a powerful reminder of the enduring quest for rights and justice in a challenging and uncertain landscape

  • Olympic Games: Team Nigeria’s bag of scandals

    Olympic Games: Team Nigeria’s bag of scandals

    Olympic Games: Team Nigeria’s bag of scandals

     

    The enthusiasm and optimism exuded by the Minister of Sports Development Senator John Owan Enoh at Team Nigeria’s send forth to the Olympics must be eroding and gradually turning to frustration, one week into the Paris 2024 Olympics. He was full of hope; not just for medals, but also for a hitch-free participation in the games that would be free of controversies.

     

    The Paris 2004 Olympics is the minister’s first. Coming from a background, not too conversant with the demands of the sporting sector, he had hoped to start on a clean slate, using his early months as a learning curve. On resumption of office, the Cross River State-born minister told Nigerians that “it is no longer going to be business as usual.” He hardly knew the magnitude of what he was into.

     

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    If the Senator must know, the story of Nigeria’s participation in the Olympics is one of twists and turns, dotted with pockets of successes and failures. Above all,hardly had there been one Olympic Games in which Team Nigeria would not have one scandal or another, coupled with the administrative ineptitude of officials. This has become a recurring decimal.

     

    In the 1980 Moscow Olympics, Team Nigeria was engulfed in a reported sex scandal. A Lagos-based national newspaper published a story which alleged that the country’s delegation was rocked by a sex scandal in Moscow. Although it turned out to be a hoax, that scandal did a lot of damage to the psyche of Nigerian athletes.

     

    Hameed Adio was team Nigeria captain to the Moscow 1980 Olympics held in Russia. He told www.aclsports.com that the story was not true but it had a negative impact on athletes’ concentration, training and mental toughness during the Olympics. Nigeria returned empty-handed.

     

    Fast forward to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Team Nigeria was again distracted by so many scandals. The failure of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria to properly guide Nigerian athletes on doping regulations led to the disqualification of ten athletes of Team Nigeria. The athletes were disqualified from competing after they failed to undergo mandatory out-of-competition tests before the global sports fiesta.

     

    Events at the Tokyo Games snowballed into the hunting down and subsequent ban on Blessing Okagbare, Divine Oduduru and lately Grace Nwokocha by the the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) . Blessing Okagbare was handed a 10-year ban in 2022, while Divine Oduduru got a six-year ban in 2023. Grace Nwokocha was given a three-year ban for using prohibited substances.6 June 2024.

     

    Apart from the failure to properly guide her athletes on doping regulations, the AFN and the Sports Ministry under the leadership of Sunday Dare were locked in a kitting controversy.

     

    A picture shared by the team after the visit of the Nigerian Ambassador to Japan, Abubakar Moriki, to the team’s camp, showed many of the athletes and officials in different attires, with one of the officials in the picture wearing an Arsenal jersey. Other videos shared by Nigerian athletes in Japan also showed them in different sportswears, like Nike and Adidas.

     

    This came to the fore when Nigeria’s shot putter, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, washed the lone jersey issued to him by the Nigerian officials ahead of his final game at the Olympics.

     

    The TikTok video, uploaded by the athlete on his Instagram page, @thechuksay, before he deleted it due to pressure from the Ministry, had the caption: “When you made the Olympic Finals, but you only have one jersey.”

     

    This drew a social media rant which described the video as the “latest embarrassment from Team Nigeria Tokyo2020 drama series.”

     

    The one jersey per athlete issue was brought about by Sunday Dare’s rejection of the jerseys supplied by PUMA to the Nigerian contingent. The former Minister of Youth and Sports Development insisted that the contingent would not wear the German sportswear kits because of a leadership tussle between the AFN board lead by Ibrahim Gusau and another faction championed by the Minister, Sunday Dare.

     

    This crisis came to a head when the German company announced the termination of the four-year deal with the AFN in a letter dated August 4, which was signed by PUMA’s Director Manuel Edlheimb. It was rumoured that Puma would sue Nigeria for breach of contract. Nobody knows what became of that case, four years after.

     

    When Senator Owan Enoh sent forth the Team Nigeria contingent to the ongoing Paris Games, his thoughts were on how well it would end as he believed, like most Nigerians, that Team Nigeria could pull the chestnuts from the fire this time round. The likes of Tobi Amusan, Ese Brume, Favour Ofili, Blessing Oborodudu, Oduayo Adekuroye, the D’Tigress were all seen as very bright medal prospects. No Nigerian boxer had qualified for the boxing event at the Olympics since 2016. This time, three qualified. Unfortunately, one got injured while preparing for the games and he withdrew, the other got beaten in the first fight; while the third, a lady was disqualified for doping offences.

     

    In the main, Senator Owan Enoh’s young era has not escaped from tradition. Cynthia Ogunsemilore’s drug failure and subsequent expulsion from Team Nigeria camp and the Olympic village is another scandal bound to leave a huge impact on the Nigerian contingent.

     

    As if that is not enough, the mishandling of Favour Oifili’s omission from the 100 mtrs race has raised a lot of questions. The affected athlete cried blue murder as she had trained and conditioned herself to participate in the race having qualified. Ofili won the Nigerian national title in June with a time of 11.06 seconds . Her personal best time of 10.93 may have probably put her in the final of the event at the Olympics. She will, however, be available for the 200 metres 1×400 mtetres relay.

     

    A senior colleague, Onochie Anibeze believes the exclusion of Ofili from the 100 mtrs dash could have been deliberate by an official. “He could have done that for the good of the athlete,” he reasoned, adding, “she is expected to concentrate on 200 mtr which is her speciality and the relays,” Onochie guessed. Even at that, he was of the opinion that “if it is as I think, the said official should have done that with her consent. She should have been consulted and guided. Not telling her before now makes it bad.” But Anibeze did not also rule out an oversight, a complete error on the side of the officials.

     

    After one week of competition, Nigeria no longer has any stake in boxing, badminton, women’s football among others, swimming, etc. The minister must be realising the cleansing he has to champion in Nigerian sports.

     

     

  • Hunger dey o’: Police tear-gas protesters in Abuja, thugs threaten in Lagos on day 2

    Hunger dey o’: Police tear-gas protesters in Abuja, thugs threaten in Lagos on day 2

     

    ‘Hunger dey o’: Police tear-gas protesters in Abuja, thugs threaten in Lagos on day 2

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    ‘Hunger dey o’: Police teargas protesters in Abuja on day 2

    As the #End-bad-governance nationwide protest enters its second day today, security agents are clashing with protesters in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

     

    Also, in Lagos, thugs threatened to behead protesters and journalists as policemen looked on, while protesters were converging in the Federal Secretariat area in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

     

    An activist, Zokira Ibeh, told Vanguard at their Ojota protest grounds: “We gathered here as early as 7 a.m. It was peaceful until about 20 thugs came in, raising tension.

     

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    “They told me and a media person that they would behead us.

     

    “It should be on record that the Police who are obligated to protect us as we go about the peaceful protest were present, while thugs were disrupting the protest.”

     

    Meanwhile, in Ibadan, Oyo State, there seems to be calm so far in the metropolis, as businesses are opening.

     

    ‘Hunger dey o’

    In Abuja, a detachment of fully-armed men of the Nigerian Police forcefully dispersed a group of protesters around the Berger Bridge in Abuja.

     

    The protesters were chanting ‘Hunger dey oo, hunger dey ooo” (There’s hunger, there’s hunger), before the officers dispersed them forcefully, including using tear gas.

     

    Some passers-by and motorists, who were caught off-guard, could be heard accusing the Police of high-handedness.

     

    Follow live updates of the protests across the country HERE.

  • Vandals destroy 2 transmission towers in Yenagoa – TCN

    Vandals destroy 2 transmission towers in Yenagoa – TCN

    Vandals destroy 2 transmission towers in Yenagoa –

    Electricity

    The Transmission Company of Nigeri (TCN) says two transmission towers, T98 and T99 along the Ahoada/Yenagoa 132kV line in the Igbooghene community of Bayelsa were destroyed by vandals.

     

    TCN’s General Manager Public Affairs Mrs Ndidi Mbah, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Friday.

     

    Mbah said that the incident caused the collapse of both towers, cutting off power supply to Bayelsa including TCN’s Yenagoa Sub-station and the Gbarain Power Station.

     

    TCN said that presently, Yenagoa Metropolis and the entire Bayelsa are still without power supply.

     

    The company said engineers led by Mr Emmanuel Akpa, General Manager Transmission, Port Harcourt Region, Emmanuel accompanied by operatives of the Department of State Services have inspected the site of the destroyed towers.

     

    ” Plans are already ongoing to mobilise a contractor on an emergency basis to reconstruct the collapsed towers.

     

    “This follows an incident on June 16, where an individual was caught destroying tower T238 along the Owerri/Ahoada 132kV double circuit transmission lines.

     

    ” Another act of vandalism occurred on June 10, at the Ahoada Transmission Substation, ”the company said.

     

    The company urged the public to help in the ongoing fight against the vandalism of power infrastructure nationwide.

     

    TCN said it will continue to collaborate with security operatives and host communities including the DSS and Civil Defence Corps to combat the menace.

     

    ” Meanwhile, we are interfacing with stakeholders including security operatives in Yenagoa to put in place other initiatives geared towards helping TCN curtail the menace within the State.

     

    ” As we continue to work towards a robust grid, it is pertinent to note that a nation’s power sector cannot grow efficiently if funds intended for infrastructural expansion are repeatedly used to replace vandalised equipment,” TCN said. NAN)

     

     

  • NNPC targets two million barrels oil production daily

    NNPC targets two million barrels oil production daily

    NNPC targets two million barrels oil production daily

    31st July 2024

    Mele Kyari

    Group CEO, NNPCL, Mele Kyari

    Kindly share this story:

     

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has announced its goal to increase crude oil production to two million barrels per day by the end of the year.

     

    The country’s daily production rose from 1.27 million barrels in June to 1.6 million in July, according to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.

     

    Speaking during a meeting with Maritime Stakeholders at the Nigerian Navy Headquarters on Tuesday, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mele Kyari, expressed optimism that the target would be met, emphasising that NNPC was fully committed to achieving it.

     

    Represented by the Managing Director of Pipeline NNPC, Folorunsho Karim, the oil firm’s boss urged security agencies to continue their efforts against oil theft and pipeline vandalism to help the company meet its target.

     

    He said, “The target is to increase production to two million barrels by the end of the year, and we are fully committed to doing that. I appreciate the support of the Nigerian Navy in making this possible.

     

    “They have been providing significant support, which has resulted in a reduction in oil theft. Pipeline vandalism has also decreased significantly, and there is a lot currently happening in the industry. We hope to sustain this progress to achieve our target of two million barrels per day by the end of the year.”

     

    The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, said Nigeria’s development has faced numerous complex security challenges over the past few decades, including violent agitations, oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and piracy/sea robbery.

     

    Related News

    Ogalla added that these issues were driven by the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, communal clashes, poverty, and unemployment.

     

    “The traditional methods of addressing these security challenges have not yielded the desired results. Hence, the meeting also aimed to address emerging security issues arising from the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act.

     

    “The Federal Government’s drive to develop the nation’s blue economy requires the support of all stakeholders,” he added.

     

    He stated that the Navy was working to ensure its operations did not hinder operators but instead supported them in performing their duties and optimally producing.

     

    Ogalla said, “Providing security is a way to promote ease of doing business because if there is no security, operators cannot function.

     

    “We also ensure that our arrests and detentions do not impede legitimate business operators. When we make arrests, we conduct preliminary investigations quickly and release vessels if the information is found to be incorrect, so as not to disrupt businesses. This is our general contribution.

     

    “We aim to promote ease of doing business by ensuring our operations and patrols do not create problems for operators. Instead, we support them by assuring them of protection from criminal elements who seek to disrupt business activities in Nigeria.”

  • ICYMI] Step-by-step guide on unblocking your MTN, Airtel, others using shortcode

    ICYMI] Step-by-step guide on unblocking your MTN, Airtel, others using shortcode

    ICYMI] Step-by-step guide on unblocking your MTN, Airtel, others using shortcode

     

    MTN, Airtel

    Kindly share this story:

     

    Nigerian telecommunication companies have provided clear guidelines to help subscribers unblock their SIM cards, following recent disconnections due to the ongoing National Identification Number (NIN) -SIM harmonisation exercise.

     

    This initiative, aimed at enhancing the integrity of the national SIM registration database, has left many users facing temporary service disruptions.

     

    To assist affected customers, telecom companies outlined in a statement on Monday step-by-step to restore connectivity.

     

    1. Airtel: Dial *121# and enter your eleven-digit NIN. A confirmation message will indicate that your Airtel SIM card has been successfully unbarred.

     

    2. 9mobile (EMTS): Dial *200*8#.

    3. Glo: Dial 109 followed by your NIN number (e.g., *109*12345678901#) and follow the prompts to submit your NIN.

     

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    4. MTN: Visit [nin.mtn.ng](http://nin.mtn.ng) to check NIN status. If not linked, proceed to link it. An OTP and NIN will be required. Once linked, your line will be automatically unbarred.

     

    5. Smile: Send your NIN

     

    to customercare@smile.com.ng or call 07020444444. After providing consent and verifying your NIN, your line will be unbarred.

    6. Spectranet: Call 8002345678 or email care@spectranet.com.ng to submit your NIN. KYC verification at a Spectranet store is required. You can also submit your NIN online but must complete KYC at a Spectranet store.

     

    7. Ntel: Visit any Ntel store with your NIN. Your fingerprint will be used to verify your existing KYC profile. Upon verification and consent, your line will be updated and unbarred.