News
We feel unsafe during riots – Nigerians in UK
Nigerians living in the United Kingdom have expressed fear over the recent attacks on immigrants in the country, saying they feel threatened and unsafe.
Britain has been plunged into a series of protests that erupted early last week following the death of three young girls in a knife attack in Southport, northwest England.
The police arrested a 17-year-old male as the suspected killer of the victim. However, rumour soon spread that the suspect was an Islamist migrant.
Consequently, several thousand far-right natives gathered near Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Downing Street office in Central London to protest.
The protest soon turned into riots as security agents arrested 100 suspects.
There have been riots in more than 20 cities across Britain, including Sunderland, Plymouth and Belfast.
Protesters attacked mosques, buildings housing asylum seekers, cars and houses, including a library, which was set ablaze. Shops were also looted.
Starmer warned that the rioters would be sentenced within a week.
Despite the assurance given, some Nigerians told Saturday PUNCH that the rioters targeted immigrants, and some homes belonging to Nigerians were attacked.
A Nigerian engineer living in London, Toyyib Adelodun said, “London has been generally safe, but the Nigerian community is feeling unsafe in places where the riots were intense like Middlesborough and Plymouth. We have reported attacks on some Nigerian homes and some people couldn’t leave their houses for some days.”
Another Nigerian IT professional, Dr Evelyn Okpanachi, blamed the riot on misinformation.
“It’s deeply saddening to witness the rise in violence in the UK, especially the unjust targeting of immigrants. Misinformation has fueled unrest across cities. While law enforcement is doing its best to intervene, more must be done to end this violence,” Okpanachi added.
Another Nigerian student at Cambridge University, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Black British were not excluded from the attacks.
The source said, “I feel threatened because it is targeted towards immigrants. Even the immigrants who are already citizens are also targeted because they are not whites. I feel threatened because it’s been violent and lives have been lost.”
Also, a senior lecturer in London, Dr Oyedele Ogundana said, “As a Nigerian and a person of colour, it’s natural to feel concerned for one’s safety and that of loved ones. Nonetheless, we remain hopeful that peace will be restored.”
But a realtor, Maxwell Adeyemi, who lives in Bradford, said the unrest did not get to the ward, adding that there was peace in the area.
He said, “The tension has created panic almost everywhere in the UK. However, my area in West Yorkshire, the city of Bradford is calm. I can say it’s the headquarters of immigrants in the UK.”
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, assured that Nigerians in the UK are safe.
Montgomery spoke on Wednesday during a meeting with the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
The envoy said, “We will not, as a country, accept discrimination or attacks against any community.”
News
FRSC expresses worry over fatal crashes
*** Orders strict traffic law enforcement
By Francesca Hangeior.
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed, on Thursday, lamented the spate of fatal road crashes in September.
He specifically raised concerns about the accidents that occurred on September 8 in Niger, September 12 in Sabon Wuse, and September 15 in Kaduna State.
These three incidents, according to him, resulted in the tragic loss of at least 91 lives.
Speaking during a meeting with fleet operators and other stakeholders in Abuja, Mohammed expressed frustration that despite the government’s efforts to provide and maintain transport facilities according to global standards, many drivers continue to undermine these efforts with reckless behaviour on the roads.
He said, “While the Government continues to do its best to provide and maintain transport facilities in accordance with global best practices, some road users, especially drivers, have continued to make a mockery of this concerted effort by exhibiting a high level of recklessness on the roads.
” In the last month or thereabout, the Corps witnessed 3 landmark crashes that were caused by negligence, fatigue, speeding, night trips and dangerous driving. These three landmark crashes include that of Niger State which occurred on 8 September 2024 and killed 48 people, that of 12 September 2024 which killed 18 people in Sabon Wuse and that of 15 September 2024 which happened in Kaduna State leading to the death of 25 people.
“These 3 crashes alone, which proved to have been obviously avoidable, claimed the lives of 91 people. This is alarming and it calls for concern.”
Mohammed ordered commanding officers to ensure round-the-clock enforcement of traffic laws.
He also disclosed that a special operation would be conducted to checkmate the incessant accidents recorded across the country.
Mohammed said, “I am compelled to state that the spate of the crashes recently recorded is, however, very disturbing and every step must be taken to avert continued future occurrences. It is against this backdrop that I have directed Commanding Officers to ensure round-the-clock enforcement of traffic offences to mitigate these excesses. A special patrol operation will be instituted and enforcement will be carried out nationwide.”
Speaking, the President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria, Abubakar Shettima, dismissed the allegations linking the group to some of the accidents in the country.
He said, “We transport highly inflammable products through our trucks, and all the allegations being made are unfounded. We collaborate with NARTO and PTD.
” NARTO represents the truck owners, while the tanker drivers are our drivers. We always come together to make important decisions regarding safety, as it is our top priority, and we take it very seriously.
” Mohammed has been doing his best to reduce road accidents involving trucks. We’ve taken precautions, such as prohibiting our members from driving at night and advising them to rest if they feel sleepy. NARTO has also begun building rest parks for drivers to use when they need to take a break.”
News
Tinubu to skip 79th UNGA to focus on pressing challenges at home
By Francesca Hangeior
President Bola Tinubu has decided to skip the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, opting instead to focus on Nigeria’s pressing domestic challenges, particularly the recent devastating flooding that has affected the country.
A statement issued on Thursday by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, which disclosed President Tinubu’s decision, also said Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead Nigeria’s delegation in his place.
The President’s move is seen as a prioritization of local concerns over international diplomacy, as President Tinubu aims to address the immediate needs of Nigerians affected by the floods.
The UNGA, scheduled to take place from September 24 to 28, 2024, will feature discussions on sustainable development, peace, and human dignity.
VP Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend key sideline events, and engage in bilateral meetings, ensuring the country’s interests are represented on the global stage.
“President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year.
“The President has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation.
“President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the United Kingdom, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.
“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings.
“The high-level General Debate, with the theme ‘Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations’, will run from Tuesday, September 24, through Saturday, September 28, 2024”, the statement said.
News
Tinubu Loyalist, Yemi Adenuga under fire after asking Igbos to leave Lagos but contesting for Elelection In Ireland
By Francesca Hangeior
President Tinubu staunch loyalist and Igbo-Must-Leave-Lagos-Election-For-Yoruba campaigner, Yemi Adenuga is under fire in Ireland, where she is vying for nomination for position in the general election.
The Irish nationals who watched her video calling for the Igbo to leave elections in Lagos for the Yoruba, have called on Nigerians to enquire if it is morally right for her to leave Irish election for the Irish?
Yemi Adenugais facing avalanche of serious criticism over nominations to contest in Irish general election.
Irish and Nigerian critics have questioned her conscience and moral right to take part in Ireland election when she was involved in hate election campaign that asked the Igbo to leave Lagos for Yoruba during the last election in February 2023.
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