Andrew Mailafia

Hundreds of Niger citizens on Thursday, August 3 has gathered for a mass rally in the capital city, Niamey to back the coup in the country.

Protesters were seen brandishing giant Russian flags and placard in support of the military government.

The demonstrators converged at Independence Square in the heart of the city, following a call by a coalition of civil society associations on a day marking the country’s 1960 independence from France.

Issiaka Hamadou, one of the demonstrators, said that it was “only security that interests us,” irrespective of whether it came from “Russia, China, Turkey, if they want to help us.”

He further alleged that the French had been looting and exploiting the natural resources of the country since 1960.

France has some 1,500 troops in Niger in a bid to fight against jihadism in the Sahel.

“I have no job after studying in this country, because of the regime (of Bazoum), which is supported by France,” said one student who only gave his first name Oumar.

“All that has to go!”The coup has triggered alarm bells in Western countries struggling to contain a jihadist insurgency that flared in northern Mali in 2012, advanced into Niger and Burkina Faso three years later, and now threatens the borders of fragile states on the Gulf of Guinea.

The Organised Labour has suspended its proposed strike action.

This is coming barely after embarking on nationwide protests against the removal of fuel subsidy,

Speaking on Arise TV on Thursday, August 3 in Abuja, the President of Trade Union Congress, Festus Osifo said the Labour leaders who had earlier met with President Bola Tinubu.

Explaining the suspension of the strike was based on their meeting, he noted that Tinubu reiterated his commitment to address some of the issues raised during the meeting for immediate implementation

LEADINDREPORTERS earlier reported that in a press release issued on Tuesday, the Nigeria Labour Congress had announced that it would proceed with the nationwide mass protest as initially planned across the country, following a meeting with the Federal Government.

The NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero noted that the outcome of the meeting with the government did not yield positive any changes or concessions that would alter their course of action.

President, Bola Tinubu, has sent the second batch of ministerial nominees list for screening to the National Assembly.

The Chief of Staff and the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajamiabila presented the new batch of ministerial list before the Senate, on Wednesday, August 2 in Abuja.

The Rules of the chamber were suspended at 3:15 pm to allow for the Chief of Staff to enter the hallowed Red Chamber.

The nominees are: Ahmed Tijani Kwazo, Bosun Tijani, Dr Isiak Salako, Dr Tunji Alausa, Dr Yusuf Tanko Sununu, Adegboyega Oyetola, Atiku Bagudu, Bello Mattawale, Ibrahaim Gaidam, Simon Lalong and Lola Ade John.

Others include: Dr Mariam Shetti, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, Dr Mariam Prof Taye Mamman, Sen Sabi Abdullahi, Senator Alkali Ahmed Saidu, Senator Heineken Lokpobori, Uba Maigari Ahmadu and Zaphaniah Bitrus Jisalo.

A Judge of FCT High Court sitting in Maitama, Hon. Justice E Okpe has granted an order restraining a Abuja Property developer and Managing Director of KYC Interproject Ltd, Ayuba Michael from as its orders investigation of his alleged fraudulent activities.

KYC Interproject Limited And its Managing Director Michael Ayuba Auta Under Criminal Investigation over Suspected Fraud As FCT High Court Seals the Construction Site.

This investigation is sequel to an Order of the Court over suspected fraud of N200M paid to Mr Michael Ayuba Auta and his company by ARODIOGBU ENTERPRISES LTD which monies was alleged to have been fraudulently diverted for his electioneering campaign in Kaduna South, under Labour Party, during the 2023 general election instead of the properties that it was paid for.

The FCT Police Command are already on the heels of the Company and its MD.According to a court order signed on Friday, July 28 sighted by Leadingreporters, “An Order of Interim Injunction is granted restraining the defendants either by themselves, their servants, agents, privies and friends however called or named from tampering with, disposing, selling the two plots known as and called Plots 1 and 2. at KYC HOMES PHASE 3, DELAROGUE CITY, more particularly known as Plots 1 and 2, (KYC HOMES PHASE 3 KYC DELAROGUE CITY, Properties) Guzape District Abuja FCT whereas the subject matter is before this.”

The Court made the Order while ruling on an application filed by Ugo Nwofor Esq. and A.C. Orji Esq. asking the court to halt the construction process on the properties situate at Guzape Abuja FCT pending the hearing of the Motion of Notice.

The judge stressed that the order was granted to seal Plots 1 and 2, at KYC HOMES PHASE 3. KYC DELAROGUE CITY, more particularly known as Plots 1 and 2 (KYC HOMES PHASE 3, KYC DELAROGUE CITY. Property) Guzape District Abuja FCT.

The court however postponed its hearing till Wednesday, August 9, 2023

A former Lagos State commissioner of information and strategy and ministerial nominee, Dele Alake, has called for the need to strengthen social media regulations in Nigeria.

Fielding questions from senators at the screening on Wednesday, August 2, Alake stressed that despite the advantages benefitted from social media, it downside is detrimental to a decent society like Nigeria.

Stressing that regulations must be strengthened to ensure that social media is not used in a manner that threatens the internal security of the country.

According to Alake, “The downside of social media is that it is detrimental to a good and decent society. What I would support is the strengthening of regulations.”

“There are laws that guide our conduct in every area of human endeavour but the application of these laws have been shut.

Noting that the victims of libel, aspersions, defamation and all kinds of negative things find it difficult to prosecute culprits, Alake recommended the strengthening of Nigeria’s regulations and the applications of those laws.

“The laws must be tested so we can know the proficiency of those regulations.

“I will support anything that comes from this hallowed chamber that promotes that course of action,” he stressed.

Alake however, added that if there are laws, bills and motions in line with this, please be sure of our full cooperation.

Operatives of the Department of State Services have arrived at the Lagos State Assembly complex where members of the Nigeria Labour Congress are currently protesting.

The operatives of the state security were seen in the premises of the complex while protesters converged at the entrance of the gate.

Earlier, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, had pacified the members of the organised labour, calling for peace.

LEADINDREPORTERS earlier stated that angry protesters pulled down the gates of the National Assembly in Abuja to gain entrance into the complex.

The protesters were also heard chanting “You must go” in the course of the procession.

The protesters marched from the Unity Fountain to the NASS Complex to demand the reversal of the pump price of petrol, amongst other demands.

The stock category of Fidelity Bank Plc has been reclassified and upgraded by the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) in the equity market.

Fidelity Bank shares as well rose by 32 percent this year making it the nation’s best-performing bank share as of half year (June 30).

The bank is said to have moved from the small-price stock level to the medium-price stock region.

NGX noted that the reclassification became necessary because Fidelity Bank shares have been trading above N5.00 mark since February, 2023.

“Fidelity Bank traded above the N5.00 mark on February 20, 2023 and has remained above the N5 mark up until close of business on 30 June 2023.This indicates that Fidelity Bank has been trading above N5 for at least four months in the last six months. Therefore, it should be reclassified from small price stock to medium price stock,” the NGX pointed out.

Speaking on the development, Mr Boniface Okezie, the National Co-ordinator, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria stressed that Fidelity Bank has paid its dues in the financial services sector.

Noting that the bank has contributed massively to the development of the small and medium enterprises (SME) sector and paid dividends to shareholders, Okezie said that investment in ICT and effective branch network had improved the the service delivery of the bank to customers and shareholders.

“Last year, it took the market by surprise by declaring a dividend of 50k per share which had not happened in previous years.”

Expressing his concern on the performance of the bank, the National Co-ordinator, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Prince Anthony Omojola emphasised that “Fidelity Bank is moving up in terms of performance. They have joined those paying interim dividends and they have also dipped their hand into big money tills for huge investment. They have borrowed big to be able to handle bigger contracts and be able to reap big. The reclassification is welcomed and I hope they will not disappoint us. If they are able to meet expectations, the benefit will be for Nigeria”.

Similarly, a Doyen of Nigerian Stockbrokers and non-executive director at UIDC Securities Limited,Sam Ndata pointed out that Fidelity Bank that would be rewarded with earn investors’ confidence if it continues in present stride.

The Lagos State Working Committee of the Labour Party, led by Pastor Dayo Ekong, has disclosed that there is no faction in the chapter, stating any other group or exco as illegal and unconstitutional.

A statement released on Monday by the Lagos State LP Publicity Secretary, Mrs Olubunmi Ekong noted that the splinter group led by one Mr Olumide Adesoyin as impostors who were hell-bent on troubling the peace in the chapter.

Disowning the Ekong-led exco that led the party into the 2023 general elections in the state, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) earlier reported that Adesoyin on Friday announced a new LP executive committee in the state,

He said the Ekong-led exco was no longer recognised by law following the sacking of the Mr Julius Abure-led National Working Committee of the party, which appointed the Ekong-led excos into office.

However on Monday, Ekong insisted that Adesoyin and his cohorts remained impostors, who interpreted court orders to suit their selfish interest

Stressing the need for the general public should disregard Adesoyin’s claim because neither the party’s constitution nor INEC recognises them, she maintained that she remains the incumbent chairperson of the state.

“The properly constituted Lagos LP exco is still in force, and all party activities are still being carried out from the party secretariat situated at No. 59, Oduduwa Way, GRA, Ikeja.

She emphasized that there is no faction in the Labour Party, either at the national or state level.

There is only one legally constitutional and recognised national chairman and secretary of the party in the persons of Mr Julius Abure and Alhaji Umar Farouk, respectively.”

Ekong said Labour Party was focused on reclaiming its allegedly stolen mandate and would n

The Federal Government has said that the planned industrial action by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is illegal.

In an earlier letter dated July 28 signed by Sam Ogala of Falana’s Chamber stated that the right to peaceful protest has not been removed from the constitution

In response, a letter released on Monday, July, 31 signed by the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Beatrice Jedy-Agba addressed to Falana Chambers on, noted that there is a subsisting interim order restraining NLC from embarking on any industrial action.

It partly read, “We reiterate that the interim order clearly restrained NLC from embarking on industrial action of any nature. It is common knowledge that a strike is only a form of industrial action. NLC has expressed intention to embark on nationwide action to force the government (employer) to agree to its demands.

According to the letter, “the participation of workers in the protest will result in restriction, or limitation on, or a delay in the performance of work. The foregoing, inclusive of the purported peaceful protest (in view of its intended aims or purposes) undoubtedly amounts to industrial action. We assert that it is grossly inappropriate to lead the public protest in respect of issues relating to or connected with the fuel price increase, which is currently before the court!”

Urging Falana to enlighten the NLC that peaceful protests are no justification for shutting down essential services, she noted that it is apparent that the current move by NLC goes beyond peaceful protest by issuing a seven-day ultimatum for government to meet its demands and also embark on a nationwide action to compel the government to reverse alleged anti-worker policies.

She was emphasized that uncontroverted media reports have established that NLC is not planning a peaceful protest but intends to ground the government by endangering public peace by instilling fear in the masses and precipitating a further crisis.

“It is incumbent on your law firm to sensitise the labour unions that peaceful protests are no justification for disrupting or shutting down essential services, which is tantamount to strike action. Based on the foregoing, you may wish to advise your clients accordingly,” the statement added.