Folarin Kehinde

An All-Progressives Congress, APC, support groups coalition Thursday cautioned recalled envoys and ambassadors to stop denting the country’s image abroad.

At a world press conference held in Abuja, the coalition accused some of the envoys, chiefly the Ambassador to Zambia, of sponsoring spurious media campaigns against the Federal Government and the person of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Addressing journalists at the Press Conference, Amb. Haj. Rabi Garba Dangizo, Director General, Progressive Arewa People Support, ASIWAJU/Shattima, PAPSA, and Amb. (Dr.) Adewale Adeogun, Founder/National Coordinator, Asiwaju Progressive Forum And National Coordinator, Tinubu National Think Tank, TNT, said that some of the envoys were not only undermining the powers of President Tinubu, but were engaging in activities that were in breach of Nigeria’s security.

According to the group; “what was supposed to be a routine Diplomatic Process has turned into a campaign of calumny against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, government officials and symbols of the country.

“We have called this press conference to register our dismay and outright displeasure on the uncharitable behaviour of a few that were chosen out of hundreds of millions to represent Nigeria.

“We, the Coalition of APC Political Support Groups for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wish to register the dismay of our members on this show of shame being exhibited by some recalled envoys.”

Speaking further, the coalition said that the recalled envoys have been waging a media war against their employer, stressing that they have also “gone ahead to release documents that flout the Official Secrets Act.

“These documents have found their ways into the media and digital media space. This action not only undermines the oath sworn to by the envoys, but it is also against the extant rules and regulations guiding public officials in Nigeria. Thereby making them knowingly committing an offense.”

They appealed to Nigerians to support the government “instead of derailing it with malicious publications, half-truths and outright misinformation.

“This caution also applies to those who will be appointed as ambassadors in the coming weeks, that they are first representatives of Nigeria’s interests and Mr President in their country of residence.”

Concerning the issue of the pending entitlements by the envoys, the coalition said “according to our investigations, we have discovered that severance payments known as passages have been sent to the recalled envoys, through the Central Bank of Nigeria, this is verifiable information.

“Also they are well aware that severance payments in Nigeria and all over the world follow due diligence and other forms of bureaucracy before payments are received.

“At this juncture, we must thank those envoys who have not only written to their host governments but have registered their return in Abuja. Most importantly we thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving these payments as a testimony to the appreciation of the work of the envoys to Nigeria.”

They warned that, “This orchestrated media war must end to protect the integrity of Mr President and sovereignty of Nigeria. The country is bigger than all of us.

“The recalled Nigerian High Commissioner To Zambia, Ambassador Ominyi Eze and his cohorts should therefore desist from the international embarrassment they are causing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the government of Nigeria.

“The general public is hereby advised to pay no heed to what is purely an administrative and procedural matter that has become the basis of misrepresentations in the media intended to undermine the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

“We the members of Coalition of APC Support Groups stand firmly with the APC-led Government and hereby call for an end to actions tantamount to insubordination and disrespect to our country and its symbols,” they further stated.

Supporters of Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky’s Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) otherwise known as Shi’ites, have staged a protest against the military invasion in Gaza.

The protest took place on Thursday, November 16, in Kaduna State.

The male members of the group were seen carrying placards and other protest materials.

The women were seen carrying white clothes wrapped like dead babies with blood stains, symbolizing the children killed in the Israel/Hamas war.

Leading reporters gathered that 11,000 persons, including children, have been killed in Israel’s attacks against attack on the Hamas terrorist group.

The Nigerian Senate has officially confirmed Aminu Maida’s appointment as the executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC).

The confirmation came following the presentation and adoption of a report by the Committee on Communication, chaired by Bilbis Ikra (APC- Zamfara), during the committee of the whole session.

Mr. Ikra presented the report, urging the Senate to consider President Bola Tinubu’s request to confirm Maida as the NCC Chairperson, per Section 8 (1) of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) Establishment Act, 2003.

During the presentation, Mr. Ikra highlighted that the committee had thoroughly screened Mr. Maida.

He assured that Maida had successfully passed all security clearances and possessed the necessary qualifications, professional experience, competence, and regulatory capacity vital for the continued success of the NCC.

Consequently, based on the committee’s recommendation, the Senate approved the nomination, confirming Aminu Maida as the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC.

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has apologised to the organised labour over the attack on the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, in Owerri, Imo State capital, on November 1.

Ribadu added that Ajaero’s attackers have been arrested.

In a statement signed by the Head of Strategic Communications in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Zakari U Mijinyawa, on Wednesday, Ribadu urged the labour movement to rescind its decision on the ongoing strike, adding that the attackers of Ajaero had been arrested and investigations had commenced.

The statement read, “The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) is concerned by the declaration of a nationwide strike by the leadership of the Organized Labour led by the NLC and TUC.

“The NSA is particularly worried about the implications of the strike action on the livelihood of ordinary Nigerians and its potential impact on economic security and other strategic national interests.

“As attested by the NLC leadership, the NSA immediately intervened on learning about the travails of the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joseph Ajero who was assaulted in Owerri, Imo State.

“The NSA regrets the incident and condemns it in its entirety as it was against the rule of law and the principles of freedom of association and expression subscribed to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration.

“The Federal Government will never condone such an act.

“As a fallout of the incident relevant authorities were directed to conduct thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the assault and bring to book the culprits. Available update indicates that some arrests have already been made in this regard. The outcome of the investigation will be made public as soon as it is concluded.

“The Federal Government, through the Office of the NSA, therefore, appeals to the labour leadership to call off the current strike action and allow the dialogue process underway to be exhausted.”

Ajaero, who had travelled to Owerri to lead a protest, was severely beaten and detained for several hours. In response, the organised labour gave the government an ultimatum to meet certain demands, including the arrest of those responsible for the attack on Ajaero. It threatened to launch a nationwide strike if the demands were not met. The labour unions jointly commenced a nationwide strike on Tuesday.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has named Setonji Koshoedo as its acting National Secretary following a decision by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

Koshoedo, who previously served as the Deputy National Secretary, will assume the role pending the outcome of a legal case currently before the Enugu High Court.

The announcement was made by PDP acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, following an NWC meeting held on Tuesday.

Damagum explained that Koshoedo’s appointment was necessary to ensure the smooth functioning of the party in the midst of the ongoing legal proceedings.

“We decided that the Deputy National Secretary should take over in an acting capacity pending the resolution of the Court case,” Damagum stated. “We also direct parties involved in the Court case to stand down action for the party’s due process.”

Damagum further disclosed that the appointment was made in light of conflicting court orders regarding the position of National Secretary. The PDP is currently embroiled in a legal dispute over the legitimacy of Samuel Anyanwu, who was allegedly removed from the position by a court order.

An aircraft belonging to ValueJet skidded off the runway at the Port Harcourt International Airport in Rivers State on Tuesday afternoon.

Details of the incident are still sketchy, but it is gathered that the aircraft landed in an emergency way around 3:30 pm. There are reports of injuries, but no deaths have been reported.

This is the third plane accident in Nigeria in as many weeks. On Sunday, an Aero Contractors Airlines Boeing 737 jet crash-landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. Last week, a private HS25B aircraft operated by Flint Aero narrowly avoided tragedy when it crash-landed on the runway at Ibadan Airport in Oyo State.

More to follow…