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Bandits, insurgents may hijack hunger protest — FG warns
By Francesca Hangeior
The Secretary to Government of the Federation, Senato George Akume, on Wednesday, raised concerns over the planned hunger protest billed for August 1-10, claiming that the demonstrations may be hijacked by bandits and insurgents.
He said rather than protest, Nigerians should engage the government through another means to ensure the current administration delivers on its promise.
“Government is weary of the dangers associated with protests that are vulnerable to being highjacked by bandits, insurgents and other criminals.
“Rather, we request that dialogue should be advanced and we remain open to such,” Akume said while briefing journalists and media executives at the Radio House in Abuja on Wednesday.
He added that demonstration is not the solution to the challenges, which the President Bola Tinubu-led administration is working to solve.
“It is in the light of these aforementioned situations and accomplishments that we wish to inform you that Nigeria is a work in progress and due course, we shall breathe a sigh of relief. The ongoing economic hardships would abate very soon and we shall all enjoy endless prosperity.
“We, therefore, appeal to Nigerians of whatever persuasion, belief, demography, gender, and status to shun calls for protest against hunger by prioritising peace and progress. For the avoidance of doubts, the government of President Tinubu recognises the right to peaceful protest but circumspection and vigilance should be our watchwords.
“Our appeal is that Nigerians should please pursue the path of peace, dialogue, and collaboration in addressing the challenges that collectively confront us. Please go about your legitimate businesses and avoid actions and/or associations that are capable of disturbing the peace of th country. Remain vigilant as well.
“Let me reassure you that together, we shall create a Nigeria where peace and stability are not merely aspirations but realities, where economic growth is not just a goal but a tangible outcome, and where the dreams of our people are transformed into a shared national destiny,” the SGF said.
Akume added, “Economic prosperity for the nation remains the ultimate goal of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because it is the engine that drives progress, lifts families from poverty, and builds strong, resilient societies.
“To achieve this goal, we must enjoy peace and stability because it is the cornerstone upon which we build trust, cooperation, and shared purpose. When peace reigns, policies yield results, businesses thrive, investments flourish, and creativity is unleashed.
“This administration at inception in May 2023 inherited an economy in need of urgent, bold, and imaginative reforms. Policy measures including the removal of an unsustainable fuel subsidy regime had to be taken. This, it must be admitted has resulted in unexpected adjustments that impacted all facets of the economy and our daily lives.
“The administration similarly inherited a security situation that had existed for two decades and required greater attention in terms of upgrade of security architecture, infrastructure, systems, capability and capacity of personnel. This has compelled a massive infusion of scarce resources from our already dwindling revenue. The objectives have been to secure lives and property, build foreign investors’ confidence, and increase food production by returning our communities to their homes and farmlands in safe and secure environments.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sought the mandate of Nigerians to lead the nation at this difficult time because he knew that effective leadership was required to address the challenges that had accumulated over several years.
That was why he sought to renew the hope of Nigerians. Within a space of 14 months of purposeful leadership, the administration has recorded tremendous accomplishments that laid the foundation for the immediate, medium, and long-term prosperity of Nigerians, in an inclusive manner.”
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PHOTO: Courtesy visit to Priesthood Orphanage by Just Friends Club of Nigeria Founder
Dr. (Mrs) Blessing Echenwo, left, founder of Priesthood Orphanage, Karamajiji, Abuja and Mrs. Maria Cardillo, a member of Just Friends Club of Nigeria, during the visit of the club to the orphanage in Abuja…recently
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Just in: NYSC Releases Batch ‘C’ Corps Members Call Up Letters
The National Youth Service Corps has announced the release of the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Stream I call-up letters for prospective corps members.
The corps made the announcement in a series of post on its official X (former Twitter) handle on Monday.
It said orientation camp for the stream is expected to start on November 27, 2024 and closes on December 17, 2024.
According to the post, “some prospective corp members posted to Lagos will have orientation in Ogun and Osun.
“While some of those posted to Zamfara will have in Kebbi and Sokoto etc”
The corps, however, advised prospective corps members to print and sign an addendum, which will be submitted during registration at the orientation camp.
Tips to guide Deployed Prospective Corps Members
Do not travel to the Orientation Camps at night. Break your journey when necessary.
Report on your scheduled reporting date.
Apply for spelling error and name rearrangement on your dashboard.
After documentation in the Camp, you cannot change your Date of Birth, Date of Graduation, Course of Study and Passport Photograph.
Do not report to the Camp if there is any discrepancies in your course of study or with the Date of Graduation on your Statement of Result and your Call-up Letter. Contact your Institution to sort it out.
ATTENTION TO ALL 2024 BATCH ”C” STREAM I MARRIED FEMALE PROSPECTIVE CORPS MEMBERS
All married female Prospective Corps members (PCMs) who are deployed to States where their husbands are not domiciled should report to the nearest NYSC Orientation Camp for their State of Deployment to be changed.
They are to report during the period of Registration at the Orientation Camps with the copies of their marital and other relevant documents as evidence. Once the change is made it will reflect on theirM dashboard for reprinting.
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Oba of Benin to withdraw suit as Okpebholo restores rights
The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, and the Benin Traditional Council may withdraw the suits they filed against the state government as Governor Monday Okpebholo, on Sunday, restored the full statutory rights of the Oba and reversed the policies of the previous administration that impacted the Benin Traditional Council.
A statement on Sunday by Okepebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, said the governor abolished the new traditional councils in Edo South created by the immediate-past governor, Godwin Obaseki.
Okpebholo also backed the Federal Government’s recognition of the Oba’s palace as the custodian of repatriated Benin artefacts looted during the 1897 British colonial expedition.
Providing an insight into the governor’s gesture, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Samson Osagie, said it signaled the resolution of the crisis between the Oba of Benin and the Edo State government leading to lawsuits duringt the Obaseki’s administration.
Osagies said, “The cases in court are cases which the Oba of Benin himself and the Benin Traditional Council instituted against the state government, and they are all civil matters. And you know that in civil suit or in any suit, parties are encouraged to settle amicably.
“So, if the parties are already settling and one side is already meeting the condition of settlement, the next step you are going to hear is that the party who went to court, which is the Oba of Benin, and the Benin Traditional Council, will instruct their counsel to withdraw the cases from court and that will be the end of the matter.
“The two parties are now settling for harmony and peace to reign, so the government is doing its own side of it.
“This statement is a prelude to discontinuing all legal proceedings with respect to the twin issues of the concession of the Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre by government to the Benin Traditional Council for 30 years and the creation of additional councils.”
The statement by Okepebholo’s Chief Press Secretary outlined the administration’s commitment to restoring the dignity and authority of the Benin monarch.
“This administration also hereby abolishes the new traditional councils in Edo South, created by the last administration,” the statement noted.
Additionally, Governor Okpebhol revoked the decision of the Obaseki’s administration to convert the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre into a motor park.
The government announced plans to restore the cultural centre to its original purpose.
“This administration is restoring the Oba Akenzua Centre to a suitable condition for its original purpose,” the statement added.
The governor also reinstated the financial entitlements of the Benin Traditional Council, ordering that the status quo before the creation of the abolished councils be maintained.
According to the statement, Okpebholo affirmed support for the Federal Government’s official gazette, which recognizes the Oba of Benin as the rightful owner and custodian of the repatriated Benin artefacts.
He also distanced his administration from the Museum of West Africa Art, instead backing the Benin Royal Museum project to house the artefacts.
“The Federal Government has also issued a gazette for the recognition of ownership and custody of the repatriated Benin artefacts to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II,” the statement explained. “Governor Okpebholo respects the rights and privileges of the traditional ruler of Benin kingdom… and pledges the support of his administration to ensure the monarch plays his role as the custodian of the rich cultural heritage of the Benin people.”
Okpebholo reiterated his administration’s respect for traditional institutions and vowed to avoid interference in the internal affairs of the Benin Traditional Council. “The Oba of Benin, as the father of all Benin people, is the sole custodian of the customs and traditions of the Benin people, and my administration respects customs and traditions in the land,” he stated, emphasising the government’s efforts to uphold the cultural and historical integrity of the Benin Kingdom.
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