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Most protesters carrying Russian flag from Niger Republic –Prof Akinterinwa

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A former Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Prof. Bola Akinterinwa, says those carrying the ‘Russian’ flag during the nationwide harship protest in Kano are mainly Nigeriens.
 
He said “the foreigners” displayed the Russian flag to register their displeasure at the position of the Nigerian government and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) chaired by President Bola Tinubu against the military takeover in Niger.
 
The display of the Russian flag during the protest which started on Thursday gained momentum on Monday in Kano, leading to a crackdown on the brains behind the trend.
 
A man believed to be producing the flag was among those arrested by security agents.
 
Prof Akinterinwa, in an interview with Daily Trust, said the waving of the Russian flag was a warning to the Nigerian government to be more conscious.
 
He said, “Those who are carrying the Russian flag, what does it mean to them? I’m not sure they know anything beyond the fact that they are supporting Russia rather than the West. Are the carriers Nigerians from Kano? My position is that, far from it, they are not likely to be Nigerians. It is only when you consider them Nigerians that you can seriously be more concerned about the implications.
 
“There is a porous border between Nigeria and Niger, and you have the same ethnic community on both sides of the border; there is no true border between Nigeria and Niger. Consequently, all those who are carrying the Russian flag are basically from Niger. They only came to Kano. These are basically foreigners taking advantage to tell the government of Nigeria that Nigeriens are in support of the military junta.”
 
The diplomat further warned that the incident could pit Nigeria against Ukraine, which is at war with Russia, and throw Nigeria into crisis.
 
“The government of Nigeria is not likely to be taken seriously by Niger because they see Nigeria as a disappointment.
 
There is a need to explore citizen diplomacy, whereby citizens of the two countries come together and resolve not to be divided by foreign interests.
 
“The Russian flag is a notice to Tinubu government to be more conscious. It’s a warning. Ukraine is at war with Russia, but does not have a war with Mali. But knowing full well that Wagner (a Russian mercenary) is a major war ally for Russia, Ukraine decided to take a war to Mali.
 
“By implication, they (Israelis) are saying anywhere you find Russia, we can go there and attack. If people are carrying Russian flags in Nigeria, we can expect the anger of the Ukrainian government as well, the same way Israel is attacking its enemies anywhere in the world. So, we need to tread more cautiously,” he added.
 
THIS STORY FIRST APPEARED IN DAILYTRUST
 
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Delta govt reacts as EFCC arrests, quizzes, detains Okowa

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Director General, Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, has said that the arrest of former governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa by the officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, as reported by a section of the media does not in any way fracture his enviable reputation.

Dr Oghenesivbe made the assertion on Monday night, saying that under the legal principle of presumption of innocence, Senator Okowa may be interrogated and released without criminal prosecution or until proven guilty by a Court of competent jurisdiction

He noted that EFCC usually invite suspects based on criminal allegations, which may be true or false, and the Law recognizes the innocence of all accused persons until proven otherwise.

The Bureau Chief further stated that in the instant case, former governor Okowa, made himself available to EFCC, and did not abscond from Nigeria as we are made to understand in somw.cases under investigation.

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Dr Oghenesivbe Latimore, who was Okowa’s Executive Assistant on Communications from 2017 to May 29, 2023, appealed to the good people of Delta State, to keep their fingers crossed, pray for Senator Okowa, adding that he may be innocent at the end of EFCC investigation.

“The news of former governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa’s arrest by EFCC is trending on social media platforms based on reports by section a of the traditional media.

“There is no cause for alarm. It’s an established procedure in criminal matters to have a suspect arrested based on allegations in form of a petition to the commission.

“Arrest is not a proof of guilt, and not a judgment by a Court of competent jurisdiction. The allegations shall be tested in Court or Courts is the need arises. It’s important for us to keep our fingers crossed.”

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No going back on forex, subsidy reforms – Finance minister

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The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, says there is no going back on the current administration’s reforms in the forex and oil and gas sectors.

Edun made this known when he received the newly assigned Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka Anitez at the Ministry’s headquarters, on Monday.

“Nigeria now have a foreign exchange rate that is market based and also a deregulated oil market pricing which are two reforms that are long overdue over many decades that President Tinubu is currently implementing.

“Therefore as co-ordinating minister of economy, we stand on a threshold of a new dawn to implement these reforms and increase productivity, create jobs and reducing poverty and we are glad to have a minister of state that will help in actualizing the President’s reforms,” he said.

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According to him, consultation and collaboration is key to achieving these key reforms both from public and private sector, stressing that ongoing economic policies are showing sustainability and sign of success.

The Minister of State for Finance, in her response, restated her commitment to work with stakeholders in both private and public sectors to ensure economic growth is materialized.

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Rivers: Fubara fond of disobeying judgements, – Amaewhule-led Assembly

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The Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly in Rivers State said Governor Siminialayi Fubara has a penchant to disobey courts’ judgements and constitutional provisions.

This is as the lawmakers also vowed to make Fubara’s appointees and permanent secretaries aiding him to circumvent the law have their date with the law.

They stated this during their 65th sitting on Monday in the legislative quarters.

In a statement by Martin’s Wachukwu, Special Assistant on Media to the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, said the lawmakers reviewed the governor’s actions while deliberating on the recent judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division.

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The state legistators comnended the verdict of Justice J.O. Abdulmalik barring government from withdrawing from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State, until the 2024 Appropriation Bill is presented before a properly constituted Assembly describing it as a sound and well considered ruling.

The statement also pointed out that the Assembly on 15th July, 2024 deliberated and resolved on the continuous refusal of Fubara to present the 2024 Rivers State Appropriation Bill to the House.

The lawmakers then took the decision to write to the governor to shut down on expenditure pursuant to Section 122 of the 1999 Constitution.

Enabled by its resolution, the House and Amaewhule filed an action before the Federal High Court to determine whether Fubara could expend or continue to expend from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State without a valid 2024 Appropriation Law by the State House of Assembly.

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The lawmakers prayed the court to invoke the consequences of such constitutional breach by ordering the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Accountant- General of the Federation, some Money Deposit Banks among other defendants to stop the release of moneys or permit the withdrawal of Rivers State funds until Fubara complied with the Constitution which he swore to uphold; and the court decided in favour of the House and the Speaker.

Commenting on the judgement, Amaewhule said, “Since 1st of July, 2024, Governor Fubara has been spending moneys of the State without approval hence the declaration of the shutdown of expenditure.

“Yet, the Governor in his characteristic manner of disobeying judgements of Courts, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and extant laws has continued to circumvent the Law with the aid of Permanent Secretaries, and some individuals who parade themselves as Commissioners. They will certainly have a date with the Law”.

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