KICNEWS

Tag: Protest

  • Planned Protest: FG begins to sell 50kg rice at N40,000

    Planned Protest: FG begins to sell 50kg rice at N40,000

    Planned Protest: FG begins to sell 50kg rice at N40,000

    importation of Rice

    — Distributes an additional 10 trucks to each state

    — As FEC insists, no need for protest, says most demands are being attended to

    By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, ABUJA

    THE Federal Government on Monday said it has started to distribute an additional 10 trucks of 50kg rice to each state to be sold at designated centres at N40,000

     

    This is as the Federal Executive Council, FEC, has insisted that there is no need for the protest as most of the demands put forward by the organizers are being addressed.

     

    Already, ahead of the August 1 national protest, President Bola Tinubu has said that he is protesting on behalf of the youth by addressing most of their grievances.

     

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    Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Council meeting, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed that 10 trucks of rice to each state was a measure put in place to address poverty and high cost of living.

     

    The Minister said, “And the position of the FEC is that most of the demands that the protesters are making are actually being addressed by the federal government and therefore it is the view of the government that there is really no need for the protests again because most of those things that the protesters are putting forward are already actually been addressed or are being addressed by government and like we have said repeatedly, this is a listening government.

     

    “The President has listened to be voices of all those who are planning this protest. And the message is that there is no need for it.

     

    “Indeed, the President is already protesting on their behalf by doing those things that they want a government to do for example, the effort that government is making, in ensuring that food is being made available.

     

    “The last Council meeting here at the briefing, we announced that a number of trucks 20 precisely had been given to the state governors for onward distribution to those who actually In need of them to poorest of the poor in society and those who are actually in need, but government did not stop there there is also rice that is being sold at about 50% of its cost, a bag of rice is being sold at N40,000 as we speak now.

     

    “This rice have been taken to various centers across all the states of the federation, and is being sold at 40,000 Naira, centers have been created. So that those who need this rice can go there and buy this rice at 40,000 naira

     

    “In the first instance, about 10 trucks have been made available to each of these states and indeed, this is just the beginning I know that some of the comments you hear is that it is never enough. Government has not pretended that this supplies are indeed enough. But these are necessary first steps that are being made and more of such interventions are being made in the interim.

     

    “Of course, this is like I I said an interim measure because there is so much investment that is going into the agricultural sector. And the rainy season is here. We expect that the prices of food items will come down as investments are also being made not just for the traditional agricultural produce, but also for the irrigation activities in many of these states of the federation. So we expect that as we move forward, prizes of food items, commodities will of course, come down.

     

    “These are part of of the measures and the President feels and the federal executive council believes that already some of the youth wont protest, some of the answers that they are looking for are already actually being provided. For example, only recently the federal government has begun the disbursement of the students loans. There’s a provision already for

    over two million students.

     

    “Only about 110,000 applications have thus far been received as at last week, of course, more are going to come. So there’s adequate provision for all those who are qualified, who can access these loans and who have fulfilled this condition.”

     

    He said that the desire of the President is to ensure that no student, no young person that has gained admission into any of the nation’s tertiary institutions will be left out because his parents or his guardian is unable to pay for his fees.

     

    “But beyond that, there is also the provision that is being made for these young people. We are aware of the effort that is being made to ensure that about three million of them are being put into employment through the MTT program.

     

    “There is also for the general public the reduction that is envisaged by the time the CNG initiative of the federal government actually takes full course .

    Already, some of these buses have been imported. Some of the conversion kits are already available. The conversion centers are already beginning to get active. The delays are largely because you don’t just go to the market and get these things off the shelves.

     

    “First the procurement processes have to be followed. And then of course you have to place order for them and it is envisaged that as we make the transition from fossil fuel to renewables, there is going to be a reduction of over 60% in the cost that people put in transportation.

     

    “If you have your car, it is envisaged that you’re going to spend about 60% less and that money that comes back to your pocket, but the emphasis at the beginning is going to be on commercial busses, for mass transit so that workers especially and those who are moving around will have reduction in the fares that they pay.

     

    “Now this in combination with so many other things that government is doing government is appealing once again, to those who have the intention of embarking on this protest to please think about it once again. There is just no need for that.

     

    “Of course, it is the democratic right of every Nigerian to engage in peaceful protests. And the government is not an opponent to that .But what government is doing is to ensure that while there is this right for you to protest, your right will also end where someone else‘s own begin.

     

    “Therefore, while you are thinking of protesting, government is appealing to you to first shelve it because it has the great likelihood that this protest may be hijacked and may turn violent by unscrupulous elements, and Nigeria will not be good for it.

     

    “Of course, we know that people are saying that there is no intention for violence in this, but our history has shown that there’s the possibility that this protest can be hijacked and could turn violent.

     

    “It is an appeal again that the federal government is making to ensure that as government is making an effort to satisfy the demands of Nigerians in several respects in health care, in agriculture, in the provision of infrastructure in ensuring that our youth the young population go to school, and that they can also get employed when they finish and even before they do that.

     

    “The Social Security system is being put out there so that no one is left behind. Please, there is no need for this protest.”

     

     

  • Hardship protest: US, UK, Canada issue security alerts, traders fear looting

    Hardship protest: US, UK, Canada issue security alerts, traders fear looting

    Hardship protest: US, UK, Canada issue security alerts, traders fear looting

    29th July 2024

    PROTEST

    File photo: Protesters

     

    Foreign missions foresee violence as FG, Obi differ on protest sponsorship.

    The united States, United Kingdom and Canada have raised the alarm over the likelihood of violence during the planned August 1 #EndBadGovernance protest in the country.

    The three countries, in separate travel alerts, cautioned their nationals in Nigeria to avoid getting caught in the confrontation that might occur between the security agencies and protesters, citing past incidences.

    The advisories come as apprehensive market leaders in Abuja, Sokoto, Kano, Katsina, Ogun, Osun, Zamfara, Gombe and other parts of the country requested strong security around markets during the rallies.

    Also in preparation for the demonstration, the police authorities have recalled all personnel on non-essential duties.

    A memo dated July 25, 2024 and signed by CSP Okon Moses directed the withdrawal of riot policemen ahead of the protest.

    The message titled, ‘Notification of temporary withdrawal of personnel for national assignment,’ read, ‘’In view of the planned nationwide protest, it becomes imperative to temporarily withdraw some of the personnel attached to you in order to muster sufficient officers to dominate the public space.

    “This is part of the proactive necessary measures to enhance the operational capacity/capability of the squadron and your understanding in the above regard is highly solicited.’’

    Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, told The PUNCH that the personnel withdrawal was in line with the Inspector-General of Police’s directive.

    He added that this was done to bolster the strength of the police, adding that the men would be deployed to fortify banks and other critical national assets.

    He said, “The IG ordered the withdrawal of policemen from some beats to augment our strength. Those withdrawn are those on non-essential duties. We’re going to have men to fortify banks and critical assets. That is where we will have our men, we want our men to be back to base.”

    The PUNCH reported that the military had cancelled leaves and passes for its personnel.

    In the past weeks, the organisers of the protest, under the #EndBadGovernance tag, have intensified the mobilisation of youths and civil society groups to participate in the rallies against the economic hardship in the country and the alleged failure of the Tinubu administration to address the people’s plight.

    On assuming office in May 2023, President Bola Tinubu announced an end to fuel subsidy, promising to utilise the savings on infrastructural development, but the policy, compounded by insecurity in farming communities, sparked high transport costs leading to food inflation.

    Tinubu also unified the foreign exchange rates to curb currency arbitrage and floated the naira resulting in a slump in the value of the national currency.

  • #Endbadgovernment: Take leadership of protest to avoid anarchy – CSO tells organisers

    #Endbadgovernment: Take leadership of protest to avoid anarchy – CSO tells organisers

     

    #Endbadgovernment: Take leadership of protest to avoid anarchy – CSO tells organisers

    #Endbadgovernment: Take leadership of protest to avoid anarchy – CSO tells organisers

     

    A coalition of civil societies in Osun State, The Osun Masterminds, TOM, has stressed the need for the organisers of planned mass protests against bad governance to take leadership of the protest to avoid anarchy.

     

    The group, at its July state-of-the-State address, through its Executive Director, Professor Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli in Osogbo, disclosed that a protest without proper leadership and coordination is a recipe for anarchy.

     

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    While admitting that protest is a right of every citizen who deemed it fit to voice out on how a country is governed but warned the youth to be wary of a poorly organised protest to avoid being infiltrated by hoodlums.

     

    He said, “We strongly hold that the right to protest is that of every citizens of this country and no one should attempt to subdue people’s voices whenever they chose to cry out about how they are been governed or misgoverned. The state of affairs in Nigeria is truly worrisome and people have a right to voice their disapproval as guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for freedom of association, gathering, and speech.

     

    “We condemn threats by security agencies, groups, and political office holders against any form of protest. Our democracy as presently enjoyed, was borne out of agitations, therefore, if there is any component of democracy that is germane, it is that of freedom.

     

    “At a time that we have not fully recovered from the woes of the EndSars, the looting, maiming and destruction of lives and public facilities that were and still being replaced by our common patrimony or lost forever, we CAN’T afford to have a repeat of such as a nation and that is why the note of caution is been sounded to the ears of particularly the youths, than an uncoordinated protest or one that is without leadership is a very dangerous.

     

    “It is in this light that we caution that the protest be conducted peacefully, and no form of infiltration must be allowed by hoodlums and those whose intentions are not patriotic. We already are having a shortage in critical infrastructure in the country, and we can not afford to by ourselves destroy the very few functional national assets, in the name of showing grievances against the government.

     

    The group charged government at various levels to be proactive, transparent and accountable to gain the people’s trust.

     

    “We advise the government to be more proactive and engage the citizens more by being accountable, transparent, and showing empathy in their dealings and demand from the system that accommodate their representation and leadership”, he added.

  • Protest: Shelve proposed nationwide protest, IG tells organisers

    Protest: Shelve proposed nationwide protest, IG tells organisers

    Shelve proposed nationwide protest, IG tells organisers

    The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, yesterday warned groups planning and mobilising for a nationwide protest against economic hardship in the country scheduled to begin August 1, 2024, to have a re-think and jettison the plan because it is ill-advised.

     

    He spoke against the backdrop of viral social media campaigns about the proposed protest which is gaining momentum, adding that the country had had its fair share of violent protests with dastardly consequences.

     

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    Speaking at a meeting with DIGs, AIGs and command police commissioners of the 36 states and FCT in Abuja, Egbetokun reminded Nigerians that the last #EndSARS protest aggravated crime rates and insecurity in several parts.

     

    He said: “Before concluding this address, it is important I address an issue of urgent national importance which appears to have gained some momentum, particularly on social media, in the past few weeks.

     

    “Some groups of people, self-appointed crusaders and influencers, have been strategizing and mobilizing potential protesters to unleash terror in the land under the guise of replicating the recent Kenya protests.

     

    “While the force acknowledges the right to peaceful protest as enshrined in our constitution, we must ensure that these protests do not snowball into violence or disorder.

     

    “As a nation, we have had more than our fair share of violent protests, with rather dastardly consequences.

     

    “The last #EndSARS protest led to one-tenth destruction of public assets, including police stations, courts, and transport infrastructure, as well as the loss of several lives. Tales of sorrow, tears, and blood followed what was supposedly intended to be a well-intentioned exercise.

     

    “Rather than lead to any positive outcome, #EndSARS merely aggravated crime rates and insecurity in several parts of the country. Indeed, we are yet to fully recover from the huge economic losses and deep-seated psychological and emotional trauma inflicted upon our people by these protests.”

     

    Consequently, Egbetokun urged the citizens to jettison the proposed protest, insisting that the police had a responsibility to protect citizens and their properties.

     

    “Our position is that the proposed violent protests are ill-advised and should be jettisoned fortuitously. We have the responsibility to protect properties and everyone, irrespective of their race, colour, ethnicity, or tribe, who are lawfully embarking on their daily activities.

     

    “We will, therefore, not sit back and fold our arms to watch violent activities unleashed on our peaceful communities or destroy any of our national critical infrastructure and assets again,” he added.

     

    The IGP said measures were in place to ensure that any hoodlums attempting to disguise themselves as protesters would be apprehended.

     

    He said: “We have mapped out plans to ensure that no individual or group succeeds in fostering a reign of terror and anarchy on other law-abiding and dissolving Nigerians.”