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Just in:NBA confirms K!lling of Protesters at Suleja, Vows to wade in immediately
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has confirmed the tragic deaths that occurred in Suleja, Niger State, amidst recent protests and vowed to wade in immediately.
The violence erupted when security operatives forcibly dispersed a crowd of protesters who had blocked a major road, leaving passengers stranded for hours.
Despite initial silence on the issue, the NBA is now actively addressing the situation. Wasiu Abiodun, the spokesman for the Niger Police Command, had initially promised to verify the details of the shootings but failed to provide further updates. His later statement on the protests only mentioned the arrest of some hoodlums, without addressing the fatalities.
Abdullahi Liman, Chairman of the Suleja branch of the NBA, confirmed that, following directives from the NBA’s national president, he personally visited the residence of one of the deceased, Yahaya Nda Isah, to gather credible information. Liman stated, “The national level of the NBA has asked all branches to constitute monitoring committees in respect of the protest. I went to confirm the situation and have seen the body. We are currently gathering information to report to the national level and determine the next steps.”
The NBA had previously pledged to provide pro bono legal assistance to peaceful protesters who faced assault or intimidation. NBA President, Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau (SAN), instructed all 130 NBA branches across the country to monitor the protests, emphasizing the importance of protecting citizens’ constitutional rights to assemble and demonstrate.
The NBA’s proactive stance reflects a commitment to ensuring justice and accountability amidst ongoing unrest and highlights the need for transparent handling of such critical incidents.
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Tinubu Approves Fresh Appointment Amid Cabinet Reshuffle Plan
President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, reappointed Bitrus Chinoko as the Director General of the Centre for Management Development (CMD).
According to reports, the appointment was disclosed by the Minister for Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu in a letter dated Aug. 28.
“Further to your letter, CMD/DGO/ABJ/02/2024, I am pleased to inform you that His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria has approved your re-appointment as Director General, Centre for Management Development, for a second term with immediate effect,” the letter read.
It should be recalled that former President Muhammadu Buhari confirmed the appointment of Chinoko as substantive CMD DG on April 28, 2020.
The appointment is for a final term of four years.
Chinoko took over from Dr Kabir Usman, whose two terms of four years each, ended at the time.
Meanwhile, NewsPOnline Nigeria reports that his appointment is coming at a time when the presidency has confirmed that a cabinet reshuffle is on the horizon, with indications that up to 11 ministers could soon be relieved of their positions.
This development was shared during a media briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Joining Onanuga at the briefing, O’tega Ogra, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital and New Media, did not provide a specific timeline for the reshuffle but hinted that an announcement could be made later this week.
Insiders who spoke with the Guardian noted that the long-anticipated changes were postponed following the conclusion of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Monday.
“It’s true President Bola Tinubu has plans to reshuffle his cabinet, but I can’t say specifically whether that will be done before the Independence celebration on October 1,” Onanuga stated, emphasizing that the President initially appointed his ministers in August of last year.
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FG To Toll Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Second Niger Bridge, Others
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, says the Federal Government will toll all major roads in the country upon completion of construction and renovation.
“We have the Lagos-Ibadan (Expressway), we are completing it and we are tolling it,” Umahi said on Thursday in Abuja at an Inter-Ministerial Press Briefing, part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary.
He listed some of the roads as Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Second Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kano Road, and Makurdi-9th Mile, among others.
The former Ebonyi State governor said the tolling of federal roads “is going to bring a lot of money to the Federal Government”.
Umahi said private sector members have been engaged “to bring in funds, construct these roads, work with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Works to toll these roads”.
The minister said the government would start with the Keffi-Makurdi Road that has been completed, stating that his ministry has been engaging with the Ministry of Finance for a paperless mode of payment.
He said, “For example, we are completing the Lagos-Ibadan, we are working on Makurdi to 9th Mile in Enugu State, we are working from Abuja to Lagos. These roads are going to be tolled. But we are not just tolling them, we are bringing confidence in the use of these roads.
“If people can travel at night because we are bringing security, where the response time will be 10 minutes on the entire corridor, where you have solar light permanently there and then reduce travel time, and through the tolling, the roads are maintained, then, there will be confidence because Nigerians will pay if the roads are good.”
He said before now, road developments have not been handled as investments but the administration of President Bola Tinubu has been handling road developments more professionally.
He said the present administration inherited a total of 300 damaged roads and bridges, adding that more road constructions would commence from October 1, 2024, across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
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