Headlines

Tragedy struck in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Saturday, when a 14-year-old boy, Malik Kareem, was brutally beheaded in a suspected ritual killing, sending shockwaves through the Olorisaoko community in the Akinyele Local Government Area.

According to multiple sources, Malik and three friends had contacted a Muslim cleric (now on the run) for a money ritual.

Unknown to Malik, his friends had conspired with the cleric to use him as a human sacrifice.

Family sources revealed that Malik’s lifeless body was found in the cleric’s house, beheaded and in a pool of blood.

The head had already been cremated. The friends had planned to use Malik’s remains to make a ritualistic pap (a local dish).

In a retaliatory move, unidentified youths set the cleric’s house ablaze. The Oyo State Police have commenced investigations into the incident, according to the Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso.

A dynamite explosion has rocked the secretariat of the Action People’s Party (APP) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The incident occurred on Monday morning around 1 am and has reportedly caused damage to the building and its contents.

According to eyewitnesses, unknown assailants hurled dynamite-like substances into the building, shattering windows and doors, as well as destroying party property.

The explosion comes amid rumours that Governor Siminalayi Fubara plans to defect to the APP with his supporters, following allegations that his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, has taken control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

A party official, who wished to remain anonymous, described the attack as politically motivated.

“Yes, I’m a member of the APP. I was informed of the attack at about 3 am today. This is politically motivated, and there’s no doubt about it. They know that the APP is a fast-growing political party in the state. We call on the police to investigate this and arrest the culprits.”

The police command in the state said it is currently unaware of the incident.

Nigerians have expressed their displeasure over the recent terrible network, data depletion and shortchange recently witnessed by service network providers across the country.

Recall that following the #Endbadgovernance protest which began on the 1st of August, 2024, protesters accused the federal government of aiding network efficiency to disrupt sending of information even as the protest progresses.

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani categorically denied government’s involvement in the network disruptions.

“There’s no instruction to tamper with the network, absolutely no instruction from my office,” Tijani stated. He explained that the high volume of online activity, as many people were not at work, could contribute to the network issues. “You also need to understand when you have a significant amount of people not at work, people are online. So you expect the traffic will be extremely high. And I’m not saying that’s the cause,” he added.

The minister emphasized that the government’s role is not only to ensure responsiveness from service providers but also to drive investments in the necessary infrastructure to provide quality service. He highlighted a significant lag in Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure, noting that the country needs 125,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable but has only invested in 85,000 kilometers so far.

“We need 125,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable lead. We’ve only invested as a nation, the private sector, 85,000 kilometres.

“This is the project that this government is prioritising. FEC has already approved this. Unfortunately, it won’t be done in six months,” Tijani said, indicating that the government is working to improve the telecommunications and connectivity services in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) issued a directive to telecommunications operators to simplify their tariff plans, bundles, and promotional activities.

This move aims to provide clear, easy-to-understand, and accurate information about the cost of voice, short messaging service (SMS) and data services to subscribers.

The directive, titled “Guidance on the Simplification of Tariffs in the Nigerian Communications Sector,” was issued on July 29, 2024. It mandates Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to publish a comprehensive table showing the features of their tariff plans and bundle offers.

Additionally, “operators must offer stand-alone data bundles at fair prices to avoid tying consumers with products they do not need; bonuses on promotions must be stated in actual value; access fees and asymmetric fee structures must be eliminated,” among other conditions.

The NCC emphasised that while complying with these guidelines, operators must also meet the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) standards set out in the Quality of Service (QoS) Regulations.

Despite reactionary measures by the regulators, Nigerians still believe that the government is working with the telecoms to disrupt call and data usage, reacting to the network downtime and disruption, a user Mr. Solomon Oseagha who spoke with Leading Reporters lamented the current state of the network.

According to him, network service providers have given worse services in recent times despite huge money Nigerians dedicate to enjoying good and seamless service.

Mr. Solomon noted that it is time the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) wade in and expedite action by sanctioning the telecoms who has continued to shortchange data and calls usage at the expense of Nigerians.

The United Kingdom government has issued an impressive 430,000 visas to Nigerians seeking to study and relocate to the country in the first seven months of 2024.

This information was revealed by British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, during a meeting with the chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in Abuja.

Dr. Montgomery’s announcement comes on the heels of his assurance to the Nigerian Government that adequate security measures are in place for its citizens amid the ongoing riots in the UK.

Despite the unrest, the High Commissioner emphasized that the UK remains a safe haven, highlighting the country’s diverse population.

To address the ongoing unrest, Montgomery reported that 60 special courts have been established to tackle criminal activities related to the riots.

Additionally, approximately 400 individuals have been arrested in connection with the violence, with the government actively pursuing justice against those inciting unrest through hatred and disinformation online.

NiDCOM chairperson Abike Dabiri-Erewa confirmed that no Nigerian casualties have been reported so far.

She noted that NiDCOM is in touch with the Nigerian High Commission in London and other diaspora groups, none of which have reported any incidents involving Nigerian nationals.

Dabiri-Erewa commended the UK government for its prompt actions, particularly the arrests of perpetrators, and urged Nigerians to stay safe, vigilant, and follow the travel advisories issued by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Friday, has warned that Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gunpowder that could explode if the nation fails to take the right step.

According to Obasanjo, Nigeria will not progress towards achieving its goals unless both leaders and citizens embrace what he termed moral rearmament.

Obasanjo described Nigeria as a nation that takes two steps forward, one step aside, and four steps backwards.

He deemed the demands of #EndBadGovernance protesters as very legitimate, stating that the government should heed the people’s grievances and cease pretending that all is well.

Obasanjo made these remarks when he received six members of the House of Representatives, who are co-sponsors of bills proposing a single six-year term, rotation of the presidency between the North and South, and rotation of governorship slots among the three senatorial districts of each of the 36 states.

The legislators visited Obasanjo at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta.

The lawmakers included Abdulmalik Danga from Kogi, Dr Usman Midala from Borno, Matthew Nwogu from Imo, Peter Aniekwe from Anambra, Kama Nkemkanma from Ebonyi, and Ugochinyere Ikenga from Imo.

Obasanjo lamented that succeeding governments have failed to build on the foundation he established, resulting in significant setbacks for the country.

He said, “As I have warned earlier, we should recognise that we are all sitting on a powder keg if we fail to begin doing the right thing. For instance, what the youth are demanding is very legitimate and should be listened to. Why should they be denied what rightfully belongs to them?

“They are frustrated, they are hungry, they are angry, they are unemployed, and they deserve to be heard.

More than anything else, such as changing our system of government or adopting a single term of six or four years, we must change our ways of doing things. We must reform our thinking and character.

“I wish that succeeding governments had built upon the foundation we laid, even if not as quickly as hoped, but sadly, the blocks we put in place are being removed.

“What I know about Nigeria is that if we get it right — both leadership and team — because one tree does not make a forest, you need a good leader but also a good team for a well-done job.

“If we get it right in about two and a half years, we could overcome some challenges, and in about 10 years, we will have a solid foundation. In about 25 years, we could be there.

“But we always take one step forward, two steps aside, and four steps backward, which is why we are where we are.

“For me, it is not just about the system; we may need to rethink our liberal democracy. In Africa, we often talk about loyal opposition, but what we do is reach a consensus, and then there is no opposition; everyone is on the same page and moves together.

“In many African languages, the word for opposition translates to ‘enemies.’ What do you do with loyal enemies? Once you take power, you claim everything, and the opposition is left in the wilderness. This approach is not beneficial. We need everyone to join hands to advance society.

“Our main problem is ourselves. Whether we adopt a single term of six years or two terms of four years, if we maintain the same mentality and approach, nothing will change.

“The real issue is ourselves. Yes, the system needs rethinking, but the character of people in government must change. With all due respect, many in government should currently be behind bars or on the gallows.”

…….… seeks special attention for Ogun State Industrial Clusters

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has commended the effort of the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu for the improved power supply witnessed across the country and the total overhaul of the nation’s power sector.

Special Adviser Strategic Communication and Media Relations to Minister of Power, Bolaji Tunji in a recent statement stated that Governor Abiodun during a recent visit applauded Adelabu for the overwhelmingly noticeable improvements in power supply across the country and the ongoing turnaround being witnessed in the nation’s power sector while enjoining him to sustain the momentum, which he said would help further galvanize the economy.

In his words “I came to visit my dear brother, our very brilliant Minister of Power who is performing wonders in the power sector and to further encourage him to sustain the noticeable improvement”.

Governor Abiodun also seized the opportunity to canvass for special attention to Ogun State being the nation’s key industrial cluster. He also acknowledged the recent working visits of the Minister to some power plants and industries in the State.

“As part of my visit, I want to make a special appeal to you for special attention to further enhance power infrastructures and supply to Ogun State, which is a key industrial hub in the country. I am aware that since your assumption of duty, you have visited some major industries and Power plants in the state like Momas Electricity Meters Manufacturing Company, Coleman Wires and Cables and Splendor Electric, producer of Porcelin high voltage electric insulators as well as the Olorunsogo NDPHC NIPP Power plant in Papa Lanto. However, we have a lot more to show you”.

The Governor thereafter officially Invited the Minister to Ogun State to meet with the industrialists in the State and also visit some of the government key initiatives in areas of modern agriculture, CNG and Electric vehicles projects as well as in renewable energy exploits.

“We would want to invite you to address our industrialists and expantiate on the Ministry’s immediate and long-term plan to further boost supply beyond current improvements. Your visit will also enable us to showcase what we have in the state and to further explore areas of collaboration with the ministry”, he said.

The Minister expressed appreciation to the Governor for the visit and his words of encouragement. He also used the opportunity to inform the Governor of the $500m Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA)’s intervention project aimed at strengthening transmission infrastructure along the Lagos – Ogun Industrial corridor, covering the Agbara, Mowe and Shagamu industrial clusters.

“We also have the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) projects, the highlights of which include boosting power transmission infrastructure within and outside the Ogun industrial corridors. Also ongoing are some Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN)’s projects aimed at enhancing power supply to Ogun State”, the Minister said.

According to the Minister, all these will involve building additional power transmission substations and upgrading existing ones as well as reconductoring existing weak high voltage power lines and new extensions for capacity strengthening and expansion.

Adelabu also appealed to the governor to collaborate with the Ministry to impress it on gas pipeline operators to improve the pipeline infrastructures passing through the state to boost the pressure quality and quantity of gas supplies to power plants and industries within the state.

He also promised to undertake an official visit to the state soon as requested by the Governor to enable him meet with the industrialists within the corridor to explore possible areas of cooperation and collaboration.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has successfully targeted and destroyed a suspected Boko Haram terrorist Improvised Explosive Device (IED) factory in Borno State, northeast Nigeria.

This operation was part of the ongoing Operation Hadin Kai, aimed at combating terrorism in the region.

According to NAF Spokesman AVM Edward Gabkwet, the airstrikes were conducted on August 2, 2024, targeting terrorist enclaves at Grazah, a location in the Mandara Hills.

The strikes were carried out after intelligence reports revealed the presence of a possible IED factory and storage area for other logistics.

The IED factory had been relocated multiple times, from Gwoza to Timbuktu Triangle in Sambisa Forest, and finally to Grazah in the Mandara Hills.

This frequent relocation was attributed to the intense pressure from the combined efforts of the security forces under Operation Hadin Kai.

The NAF had been monitoring the IED factory location at Grazah for weeks, observing various installations and activities consistent with those protecting a strategic location. Two gun trucks were also spotted near the suspected factory, further confirming the need for an air strike.

The air strike was carried out, and the targets were effectively destroyed. A thick cloud of smoke was seen after the strikes, indicating that the suspected IED factory and the two gun trucks were successfully destroyed, and several terrorists were neutralized.

The Take It Back Movement is gearing up for a massive nationwide protest, set to take place this Saturday in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

This unprecedented event promises to be an important moment in the fight against bad governance in Nigeria.

According to Mr. Sanyaolu Juwon, National Coordinator of the movement, the protest will be a culmination of their #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria campaign, which launched on August 1, 2024.

What began as a planned 10-day protest has evolved into a full-blown movement, drawing support from every corner of the country and beyond.

The protest’s primary objective is to bring attention to the widespread hardship faced by Nigerian citizens, and to demand action from governments at all levels.

Despite being marred by the involvement of criminal elements, the movement has witnessed significant turnout across the country, particularly in northern states.

This protest is coming despite pleas from President Bola Tinubu, urging protesters to stand down and give his administration more time.

The protest has continued unabated in Abuja, Kano, and other parts of the country, with this Saturday’s event shaping up to be the largest and most impactful yet.

Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, Founder and CEO of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing, has revealed plans to introduce Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered buses, which will provide cheaper transportation options for the commuting public.

He also urged Nigerians to exercise patience with the Bola Tinubu administration, asking them to “give him time.”

After a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma told journalists that he had discussed plans with the President to introduce more Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses on the roads, saying “I’ve discussed with him, and soon the masses will have plenty of CNG buses on the road.”

The automobile entrepreneur described the Presidential CNG Initiative as “the way forward” for the country.

The Innoson CEO explained, “The government’s initiative on CNG is the best idea for transportation in this country because CNG offers many benefits for Nigeria.

That benefit is what I recognised before I started the factory to produce vehicles that run on CNG. I began producing CNG kits before the announcement.

“So today, everyone who tries CNG will find that it is the way forward for this nation.”

Thursday’s meeting follows President Tinubu’s nationwide broadcast five days earlier, in which he promised to distribute “a million kits at extremely low or no cost to commercial vehicles that transport people and goods and who currently consume 80 per cent of the imported Premium Motor Spirit and Automotive Gas Oil.”

Tinubu argued that despite Nigeria’s abundance of oil and gas resources, the country had relied solely on oil-based petrol, neglecting its gas resources to power the economy. He stated that the CNG initiative would save the country N2 trillion monthly.

“We were also using our hard-earned foreign exchange to pay for and subsidise its use.

To address this, we have launched our Compressed Natural Gas Initiative to power our transportation economy and reduce costs.

“This will save over two trillion Naira a month, which is currently used to import PMS and AGO, and free up our resources for greater investment in healthcare and education,” said Tinubu.