News

Sanwo-Olu Ambassadors DG, Alhaja Tai Elemesho Tells Lagosians To Reject Planned Protest*

Published

4 months ago

July 17, 2024

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Director-General of a political support group, Sanwo-Olu Ambassadors, Alhaja Tai Elemesho-Okesanjo, has cautioned residents of Lagos against participating in the planned #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests scheduled for August 1-10, 2024.

The protests are reported to be organised by various pressure groups in the country, aim to express frustration and displeasure over escalating living costs and hardships faced by Nigerians.

Alhaja Tai in a released statement on Wednesday, explained the need for relevant security agents not to allow Lagos State to be seen as epicenter for fresh demonstrations or protests, stressing that the government and people of Lagos still nurture the wounds of Endsars violence that wrecked havocs across the state.

The Director-General added that while she believed things are tough presently for Nigerians also acknowledged that the current administration of President Bola Tinubu and his team will make sure in few months things are better and as well ensured new lease of life for the citizenry.

Elemesho-Okesanjo equally used the opportunity to commend the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his exemplary leadership in the last five years of his administration, maintaining that it would be uncharitable, thoughtless and insensitive for anyone to stage a protest against such government that has touched many lives and performed creditably.

Her statement reads in part;

“In the last five years, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has made giant strides in several sectors; including education, health, infrastructure, agriculture, and housing among others. He has embarked on several projects since assuming office in 2019 and continuing with greater vigour in his second term to improve lives and values to humanity. The administration has also established several new state universities which open the space for more youths to access tertiary education.

“Other projects are the first intra-city rail line which was inaugurated by the immediate past Federal government. The Lagos Blue Line light rail is a 27km long rail and is part of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) system managed by the state transport agency Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA). The first phase of the Blue Line, a 13km stretch from Marina to Mile 2, was completed in 2023 and subsequently launched and began commercial operations in September 2023.

“The Sanwo-Olu administration within the last year unveiled a new transport policy to further the developmental goals of the state, with key objectives and strategic initiatives in traffic management and transportation for the people of Lagos. In the health sector, the Sanwo-Olu’s government is building hospitals and other healthcare delivery facilities. The Massey Children’s Hospital on the Island, the Ojo General Hospital, mental health facility, Ketu-Ereyun, among others, are being completed.”

Elemesho again disclosed that the planned demonstration was ill-timed, while also urging parents and guardians to discourage their children or wards from embarking on any protest in the state. She added that the “possibility of hijacking it by armed hoodlums to cause grieve and pains like the recent past is evident. Therefore, there is need for all our law enforcement agents not to lose their guard by identifying and mitigatng violence in Lagos”

She declared that whilst protest remains a fundamental right of every citizen as enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution, it is evident that beyond genuine complaints, these recent calls to protest have been highly exaggerated and sensationalized by disgruntled political elements who never wished Nigeria well.

The DG further noted that as the call for the #EndBadGovernance protest gains momentum, Nigerian youths should however redirect their zest and prowess towards dialogue, collaboration, and constructive engagement and utterly dissociate themselves from destructive and vituperative tendencies that could ruin the country and damage their future.

News

SEE Black Market Dollar (USD) To Naira (NGN) Exchange Rate Today, 22 November 2024

Published

17 minutes ago

November 22, 2024

Naijablitznews

The black market dollar to Naira exchange rate on Friday 22 November 2024 can be accessed below.

NewsOnline Nigeria has obtained the official naira black market exchange rate in Nigeria today including the Black Market rates, Bureau De Change (BDC), and CBN rates. Please note that the exchange rate is subject to hourly fluctuations influenced by the supply and demand of dollars in the market. As of now, you can purchase 1 dollar at a certain rate now, however, it’s important to remember that the rate can shift (either upwards or downwards) within hours.

How much is a dollar to naira today in the black market?

Dollar to naira exchange rate today black market (Aboki dollar rate):

According to Bureau De Change (BDC) sources, the exchange rate for a dollar to naira at Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market) players bought a dollar for N1710 and sold it for N1750 on Friday, November 22, 2024.

Please note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not recognize the parallel market (black market), as it has directed individuals who want to engage in Forex to approach their respective banks.

Dollar to Naira Black Market Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) Black Market Exchange Rate Today
Buying Rate N1730
Selling Rate N1740
Dollar to Naira CBN Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) CBN Rate Today
Buying Rate N1745
Selling Rate N1750
Please note that the rates you buy or sell forex may be different from what is captured in this article because prices vary.

News

Simon Ekpa to Face Extradition, DHQ Declares

Published

21 minutes ago

November 22, 2024

Naijablitznews

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters, Abuja, has declared that Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed prime minister of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) will be extradited to the country to face charges against him.

Speaking on the arrest of Ekpa in a short press statement made available to journalisrs, the Director of Defence Information, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Chris Musa, was pleased with Ekpa’s trial.
Gusau wrote: “CDS is happy with his arrest in Finland, with the hope this will be a step towards his extradition to Nigeria so that he will face justice.”

Recall that the Finland district court in Lahti had ordered the remand of Simon Ekpa on probable cause for public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent in Nigeria. Ekpa was accused of using social media platforms to spread separatist propaganda linked to IPOB, a group advocating for the secession of southeastern Nigeria.

The court alleged that the offences dated back to August 23, 2021. Finland authorities have also investigated Ekpa in the past for alleged financial crimes, including the collection of funds through questionable means.

The head of the investigation, crime commissioner Otto Hiltunen of the Central Criminal Police, stated, “The police suspect that the man has promoted his efforts from Finland with means that have led to vi3lence against civilians and authorities as well as other crimes in the region of South-Eastern Nigeria. The man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels.”

News

Oil theft: DHQ rubbishes Tompolo’s allegation against Navy

Published

23 minutes ago

November 22, 2024

Naijablitznews

Defence Headquarters, Thursday, described as ‘laughable’, allegation by Chairman, Tantitta Security Services, Mr Government Ekpemuopolo, alias Tompolo, that the Nigerian Navy was sabotaging the fight against crude oil theft.

Noting that it cannot be seen to be joining issues with Tompolo, the DHQ, said the work of the Navy and its determined efforts to rid the Niger Delta of economic saboteurs and crude oil thieves which is reflecting on the nation’s crude production, was there for everybody to see.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba disclosed this while commenting on Tompolo’s allegation made on Monday.

He said: “What I will say is that such allegation is just laughable. We will not join issues with anybody. What we seek is cooperation not conflict. We don’t want all these back and forth. We don’t want all this blackmail. What we want is working to ensure increased production of crude oil.

“The efforts of our Navy is very obvious. It is there for everybody to see and we are seeing the increase in crude oil production. We are ready to work in collaboration with stakeholders to continue to increase oil production. That is what we want.”

Recall that Tompolo had on Monday accused Navy personnel of being a clog in Tantitta’s fight against oil theft in the Niger Delta, calling on Nigerians to join hands in the battle to save the country’s economy.

Also, Major General Buba disclosed that those (IPOB/ESN) members responsible for the killing of three soldiers at a checkpoint in Abia State would be tracked down and made to pay the price for their murderous act.

Urging innocent citizens of the area not to panic, he said: “Our troops were attacked on November 13, and we recorded three casualties in the South East. To those expressing fear that troops will come and start killing everybody, this is not true.

“We are a professional force with rules of engagement. We will not go about killing people, but there will be consequences for those responsible for the attack. Our target will be against the terrorists and we will get them and I will give you the good news.”