Christiane speaks with Nigerian rapper Falz about the #EndSars protests gripping his country and the Nigerian rapper he is demonstrating against.
Reaction as Nigeria male national team, Super Eagles has dropped in the latest broadcasted FIFA World Ranking released today.
The world football governing body, FIFA announced the latest rankings on it’s official website.
Top 10 Countries In Latest FIFA Rankings
1.Belgium (Lukaku & Co)
2.France (Mbappe & Co)
3.Brazil (Neymar, among others)
4.England (Kane)
5.Portugal (Ronaldo)
6.Spain (Ramos)
7.Uruguay (Cavani)
8.Argentina (Messi)
9.Croatia (Modric)
10.Colombia (Rodriguez)
The next FIFA Country World Ranking will be shared on 26th of November, 2020.
With this latest Fifa World rankings what is your thought ?
Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Juventus’ Champions League game against Barcelona next week after returning another positive coronavirus test.
The Portuguese superstar picked up the virus last week – ruling him out of action for Portugal in the Nations League and forcing him into a period of quarantine and ramping up fears that he would miss the club’s huge clash against the La Liga side.
But the 35-year-old has tested positive yet again, according to Spanish outlet Marca, ruling out a mouthwatering reunion with his old rival Lionel Messi.
*A report from Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha claims Ronaldo’s test gave a very low viral load despite returning positive, with Juventus not giving up hope completely of their talisman featuring in the game.
It claims that the club will ask UEFA for permission to test Ronaldo 48 hours before the game on October 28. It will be up to the European football body to decide whether or not to allow such a request to go ahead.
Ronaldo and Messi, who have battled for the honour of world’s best player for over a decade, have not faced each other in the Champions League since the semi-final between Real Madrid and Barcelona in the 2011-12 season.
The news of a second test on Thursday didn’t appear to phase the five-time Ballon D’or winner, as he posted a selfie of himself on Instagram sitting at his dinner table with the caption: ‘Thursday style!’
The former Real Madrid and Manchester United star has been showing off pictures of himself keeping fit at home as he battles to fight off the virus after his initial test on international duty.
Unable to feature at all for Juventus, or use the club’s facilities at their training ground, Ronaldo has been keeping busy in his home gym to ensure he stays fit for their upcoming games, but he will have to stay away for a while longer after his latest set-back.
He appeared in high spirits as he shared a clip on his Instagram page where he is seen dancing and singing while cycling on the gym bike, sporting an eye-catching new buzzcut.
Ronaldo will be keeping himself separated from his family members during his time at home in quarantine, with the rest of his loved ones on a different floor, and the forward is able to maintain his fitness levels by using an outdoor gym.
There had been claims from Italy’s sports minister, Vincenzo Spadafora, that Ronaldo may have broken coronavirusprotocols by flying back to Italy from Portugal.
However, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner quickly quashed that claim after taking to Instagram Live, claiming he complied with all necessary procedures.
The 35-year-old said on Instagram: ‘I’m always at home, now I’m sunbathing, also to let the days pass. I’m respecting the protocol, I did not break it, as has been said: It’s a lie.
‘I returned from Portugal because my team and I made sure to comply with all the procedures. I returned to Italy by air ambulance and I have had no contact with anyone, even in Turin.
Arsenal spent £70 million ($93m) to bring in Thomas Partey and Gabriel during the off-season and that is already looking like money well spent.
We saw the two big-money summer additions start for the first time for the Gunners on Thursday night and each produced a top class display as Mikel Arteta’s side edged past Rapid Vienna to get their Europa League campaign off to a winning start.
Partey was superb in the middle of the park, showing exactly why Arsenal opted to trigger his £45m ($60m) Atletico Madrid release clause in the final hours of the transfer window.
And behind him, Gabriel continued his impressive start to the season with another showing that suggests the north London club have landed themselves a £25m ($33m) bargain from Lille.
The two newsboys were the stars of what was otherwise an unconvincing show for Arsenal, who looked on course for a somewhat embarrassing defeat when they fell behind six minutes in the second half.
But goals from David Luiz and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the space of just four minutes ensured the Gunners avoided an opening-day slip up in Group B and returned to London with all three points.
The victory will have delighted Arteta, but he will know his side need to improve quickly – especially in the final third – if they are to compete at home or abroad this season.
As has been the way for the majority of games so far this season, Arsenal looked relatively toothless in an attacking sense – with the visitors devoid of the type of creativity that Mesut Ozil – who spent the evening live tweeting the game on social media – can provide.
They managed just 11 shots on the night, one fewer than their hosts. It wasn’t until they went behind and Aubameyang and Hector Bellerin were sent on that they started to really cause the home side problems.
The fact that Aubameyang had three of Arsenal’s 11 efforts on goal and was only on for 29 minutes said it all. But building a new side takes time and, although Arteta’s Arsenal clearly remain a work in progress, there is no doubt the additions of Partey and Gabriel have improved them immeasurably.
Partey started in the defensive midfield role, but demonstrated throughout the 90 minutes that his game is about far more than just breaking up play and protecting the back four.
He had 92 touches, 57 of which were in the Vienna half. No-one in the Arsenal side had more. He also topped the charts for aerial duels (5), tackles (5) and possession gained (8).
It was a superb all-round performance from the Ghana international, one that prompted BT Sport pundit Owen Hargreaves to describe his full debut as “one of the best I’ve ever seen.”
And the fact that Partey can come in and perform like that after just a few training sessions with his new team-mates offers a tantalising glimpse at what could be to come for Arsenal from the 27-year-old.
The performance of Gabriel just behind him was equally as encouraging. The way the Brazilian centre-back has adapted to life in England belies his tender years and lack of top-level experience.
The 22-year-old has already picked up Arsenal’s Player of the Month award for September and could well be on his way to taking the honours again for October given the way he has been playing this month.
Gabriel made five clearances, four interceptions and won possession eight times throughout the 90 minutes and already looks like the dominant figure at the heart of Arteta’s defence.
The recruitment of the Brazilian and Partey has to be applauded, as does the character Arsenal showed to come from behind and get the points against Vienna.
Bernd Leno’s error, when his pass out from the back presented Taxiarchis Fountas with the opening goal for Rapid, could have seen them go into their shell – but it did the opposite.
They battled back well with the introduction of Aubameyang and Bellerin proving decisive. A header from David Luiz off Nicolas Pepe’s header drew the visitors level 20 minutes from time before the two substitutes combined for Aubameyang to turn home the winner.
Arsenal will know they have to improve as the season progresses, but, in Partey and Gabriel, they have two players who are going to make a huge difference in north London.
Chelsea settled for a 3-3 draw against Southampton while Mourinho’s Tottenham got a draw despite going 3 goals up at half time.
The apprentice, Mikel Arteta was up against his former boss Pep Guadiola, but the Gunners lost 1-0 courtesy of Raheem Sterling’s goal.
The Mersyside derby ended 2-2 with Van Dijk getting injured and Richarlison seeing red.
EPL is always full of drama.
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24. I therefore call on our youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage government in finding solutions. Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding.
25. And I call on all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, and enjoin security agencies to protect lives and properties of all law abiding citizens without doing harm to those they are meant to protect. Let me pay tribute to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.
27. This government respects and will continue to respect all the democratic rights and civil liberties of the people, but it will not allow anybody or groups to disrupt the peace of our nation.
This was disclosed by the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun on his personal twitter handle.
Read full statement below:
We invite the public to monitor the following criminal cases against defendant police officers in Ogun State:
1. The State v. Inspector Wasiu Lawal – Murder trial coming up for hearing on 10 November 2020 at the Ipokia Division of the High Court of Ogun State.
2. The State v. Okoi Obi – Manslaughter trial coming up for hearing on 2 December 2020 at the Ijebu-Ode Division of the High Court of Ogun State.
3. The State v. Inspector Niyi Ogunsoro – Murder trial at the Abeokuta Division of the High Court of Ogun State. Date of hearing to be communicated.
4. The State v. Inspector Ahmed Mohammed – Murder charge ready to be filed at the Ilaro Division of the High Court of Ogun State. Date of hearing to be communicated after filing.
Additional cases will be added as soon as charges to be filed against defendants are concluded.
As noted in the attached press release, we also invite members of the public to submit petitions or information on human rights abuses by security personnel to endsarsjudicialpanel@ogunstate.gov.ng.
The following numbers may also be contacted – 07080601223, 07080601224 and 07080601225.
Mr. Akingbolahan Adeniran
Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Ogun State, Nigeria.#ruleoflaw #EndSARS #policereform #humanrights #judicialpanel
The Managing Director of Dangote Tomato Processing plant in Kadawa, Kano State, Abdulkarim Kaita has on Thursday called on the Federal government to ban importation of tomato paste like it ban rice importation into the country.
This was as he decried importation of tomato paste which he said was still thriving as the commodity was being imported from Cameroon and Cotonour in Benin Republic.
Kaita made the call while flagging off the distribution of tomato seedlings to 5,000 farmers under the Anchor Borrower of Central Bank of Nigeria on Thursday at Kadawa village in Kura LGA of the state.
The MD also dropped hint that plans are underway by the company to ensure that Nigeria is self sufficient and positioned to export tomato by establishing the biggest greenhouse in Africa which has the capacity to produce 350 million seedlings annually.
According to him, “We are appealing to the Federal Government to put a total ban on the importation of tomato like what it did to rice.
“The ban is necessary so as to boost local production of the commodity and ensure that Nigeria is self sufficient in tomato production.
“the ban on the importation of tomato paste would lead to the establishment of more tomato processing plants thereby creating job opportunities for many people in the country.
“The company had on several occasions visited the Customs Headquarters and met with the Controller General with a view to lodging complaint over the issue but nothing was done to check the ugly trend.
“It is only by putting a total ban on tomato importation that the government can encourage farmers to grow the commodity for the country to be self sufficient.
“The company was working with the Central bank of Nigeria under the anchor Borrower programme to provide tomato farmers with high yield seeds which will enable them to produce a minimum of 40 tons per hectare.
“Similarly, the company is putting a lot of effort to ensure that Nigeria is self sufficient in tomato production by establishing the biggest greenhouse in Africa which has the capacity to produce 350 million seedlings annually.
“There are 12 major tomato producing states in the country which if fully cultivated, in the next one year, Nigeria will be able to start exporting tomato.
“The greenhouse which is the largest in Africa, is established to provide tomato growers with high yield tomato seedlings in the country,” Kaita said.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Kano State chapter, Tomato Growers Association of Nigeria, Sani Danladi-Yadakwari commended the Federal Government for including tomato value chain in the anchor borrower programme noting that it would go a long way in boosting tomato production in the country.
Some of the items benefitted by the tomato growers include seedlings, fertilizer, water pump and other inputs.
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said two deaths have been confirmed from the Lekki shooting that occurred on Tuesday.
Mr Sanwo-Olu said this in an interview with Arise TV on Thursday.
He had earlier said there was no death from the Lekki shooting.
On Wednesday, however, Mr Sanwo-Olu said one death was recorded in the hospital but the state was still investigating whether it was as a result of the shooting.
“Information reaching us now is that a life was lost at Reddington Hospital due to blunt force trauma to the head. It is an unfortunate and very sad loss. This is an isolated case. We are still investigating if he was a protester,” he posted on his Twitter handle.
On Thursday, Mr Sanwo-Olu said two deaths have now been confirmed among the protesters in Lekki. It is unclear whether the patient he formerly posted about is among the confirmed deaths.
Lekki Shooting
The Lekki shooting occurred around 7 p.m. on Tuesday when soldiers opened fire on unarmed protesters who were holding a peaceful protest at Lekki toll gate.
The #EndSARS protest, a campaign against police brutality and for the reform of the police, has been holding in different states of Nigeria for more than two weeks.
The protesters at the Lekki toll gate had been protesting peacefully for about a week before Tuesday’s incident, which has been condemned locally and internationally, including by Mr Sanwo-Olu.
While the protest in some parts of the country had turned violent, mainly after security officials attacked protesters, that of Lekki remained peaceful and well organised with the protesters even clearing their garbage.
However, on Tuesday, hours after a curfew announced by Mr Sanwo-Olu on the state was to commence, soldiers opened fire to disperse the protesters.
Amnesty International estimates that 12 people died from the Lekki shooting and a similar one in Alausa, Ikeja.
Mr Sanwo-Olu has condemned the attack and said he was not involved in the deployment of the soldiers.
Speaking on the shooting on Thursday, Mr Sanwo-Olu said he has “no knowledge about the protocols of the military and how they come out of their chain of command”.
“I don’t know how the officers got it all wrong because the instruction was that police won’t be out until 10-10:30 p.m. when all citizens should have gotten to their various homes. This is totally against what we stand for.
“The army does not report to me, I have reported the matter to the highest command in the military,” he said.
The governor said the state will investigate the incident and urged residents with factual evidence on additional deaths from the Lekki shooting to submit them to a panel of inquiry he intends to set up on the shootings.
“It’s not something we are going to gloss over. A judicial panel will be set up to investigate it. I have escalated it to the highest level of the military,” he said.
President Muhammadu Buhari has told the International Community that has expressed concern about the use of excessive force on the #EndSARS protesters to have all the facts before taking hasty decision.
The President disclosed this Thursday during his address to the nation, days after the shooting of unarmed #EndSARS protesters at Lekki Toll Gate which ignited violence in several parts of the country.
#INEC Postpones Bye Elections in 6 Senatorial Districts, 9 State Constituencies.
ADDRESS TO THE NATION BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE ENDSARS PROTESTS, 22ND OCTOBER, 2020
Fellow Nigerians,
It has become necessary for me to address you having heard from many concerned Nigerians and having concluded a meeting with all the Security Chiefs.
2. I must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well – intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
3. On Monday 12th October, I acknowledged the genuine concerns and agitations of members of the public regarding the excessive use of force by some members of SARS.
4. The choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments; but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the law.
5. As a democratic government, we listened to, and carefully evaluated the five-point demands of the protesters. And, having accepted them, we immediately scrapped SARS, and put measures in place to address the other demands of our youth.
6. On approving the termination of SARS, I already made it clear that it was in line with our commitment to the implementation of extensive Police reforms.
7. Sadly, the promptness with which we have acted seemed to have been misconstrued as a sign of weakness and twisted by some for their selfish unpatriotic interests.
8. The result of this is clear to all observers: human lives have been lost; acts of sexual violence have been reported; two major correctional facilities were attacked and convicts freed; public and private properties completely destroyed or vandalised; the sanctity of the Palace of a Peace Maker, the Oba of Lagos has been violated. So-called protesters have invaded an International Airport and in the process disrupted the travel plans of fellow Nigerians and our visitors.
9. All these executed in the name of the ENDSARS protests. I am indeed deeply pained that innocent lives have been lost. These tragedies are uncalled for and unnecessary. Certainly, there is no way whatsoever to connect these bad acts to legitimate expression of grievance of the youth of our country.
10. The spreading of deliberate falsehood and misinformation through the social media in particular, that this government is oblivious to the pains and plight of its citizens is a ploy to mislead the unwary within and outside Nigeria into unfair judgement and disruptive behaviour.
11. On the contrary, both our deeds and words have shown how committed this administration has been to the wellbeing and welfare of citizens, even with the steadily dwindling revenues, and the added responsibilities and restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
12. Government has put in place measures and initiatives principally targeted at youths, women and the most vulnerable groups in our society. These included our broad plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years; the creation of N75 billion National Youth Investment Fund to provide opportunities for the youths and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Survival Fund, through which government is:
a. paying three months salaries of the staff of 100,000 micro, small – and medium – enterprises,
b. paying for the registration of 250,000 businesses at the Corporate Affairs Commission,
c. giving a grant of N30,000 to 100,000 artisans; and
d. guaranteeing market for the products of traders.
13. These are in addition to many other initiatives such as;
a. Farmermoni,
b. Tradermoni,
c. Marketmoni,
d. N-Power,
e. N-Tech and
f. N-Agro.
14. No Nigerian Government in the past has methodically and seriously approached poverty-alleviation like we have done.
15. With regard to the welfare of police personnel, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force. The emoluments of other paramilitary services are also being reviewed upwards.
16. In order to underscore the importance of education in preparing youths for the future, this administration has come up with a new salary structure and other incentives for our teachers.
17. Let me at this point reaffirm the Federal Government’s commitment to preserving the unity of this country.
18. We will continue to improve good governance and our democratic process, including through sustained engagement.
19. We shall continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens are protected.
20. But remember that government also has the obligation to protect lives and properties, as well as the right of citizens to go about their daily businesses freely and protected from acts of violence.
21. To our neighbours in particular, and members of the international community, many of whom have expressed concern about the ongoing development in Nigeria, we thank you and urge you all to seek to know all the facts available before taking a position or rushing to judgment and making hasty pronouncements.
22. In the circumstances, I would like to appeal to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of this administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful, and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating our nascent democracy.
23. For you to do otherwise will amount to undermining national security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances will this be tolerated.
24. I therefore call on our youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage government in finding solutions. Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding.
25. And I call on all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, and enjoin security agencies to protect lives and properties of all law abiding citizens without doing harm to those they are meant to protect. Let me pay tribute to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.
26. I would like to thank those state Governors, traditional and religious leaders who have appealed for calm and restraint. I also thank youth leaders who have restrained their followers from taking the law into their hands.
27. This government respects and will continue to respect all the democratic rights and civil liberties of the people, but it will not allow anybody or groups to disrupt the peace of our nation.
Thank you all. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), has said directed the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission to finalise new salary structure for members of the Nigeria Police Force.
Buhari made this known in a live broadcast on Thursday evening.
Better welfare package for police officers is one of the five-point demands of #EndSARS protesters in the country.
Addressing Nigerians on Thursday, the President said, “With regard to the welfare of police personnel, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force. The emoluments of other paramilitary services are also being reviewed upwards.”
Lagos State Government has today condemned the vandalization of the warehouse at Mazamaza housing the food palliative packages donated to the State government by the Private Sector Coalition against COVID-19 (CACOVID) group.
The State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu had on September 22nd 2020 formally taken receipt of the food palliatives from the CACOVID team meant for distribution to the indigent.
The Government notes that the warehouse in question is not State owned and its usage was made available to the CaCOVID group. The State Government had been allowed to commence rebagging of food items allotted to it from the quantities meant for South West States.
The rebagging was being done to account for each beneficiary receipt, as was required and monitored by the CACOVID team.
The distribution was on-going but had to be halted due to protests, before the invasion of the warehouse today. For effective distribution of the food palliatives, groups such as Transport Unions, Ethnic Groups, Religious Associations, Artisans and Tradesmen Association, Marketmen and Women Association, People Living with Disabilities, Orphanages and Old Peoples’ Homes among others were being used as distribution channels to their members.
The State Government however regrets the invasion of the warehouse and appreciate the support offered by the CACOVID group to the citizenry of Lagos.
A judge has dismissed the third degree murder charge against white cop Derek Chauvin over the killing of black man George Floyd after he knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes.
The former Minneapolis police officer, 44, still faces other charges including the more serious charges of second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill announced the ruling Thursday morning.
Cahill also denied motions to dismiss the charges of aiding and abetting against the three other fired officers charged in connection with Floyd’s death.
Hennepin County Government Center was seen being boarded up ahead of the judge’s ruling as authorities braced for further protests from people demanding justice for Floyd.
A judge has dismissed the third degree murder charge against white cop Derek Chauvin (left) over the killing of black man George Floyd (right) after he knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes
The dismissal of Chauvin’s third-degree murder charge will stay for five days to allow the state time to appeal the decision.
Cahill ruled that ‘probable cause does not exist’ for the third-degree murder charge against the officer, according to court documents.
Under Minnesota law, a person is guilty of third-degree murder if ‘without intent to effect the death of any person, [the defendant] causes the death of another by perpetrating an act eminently dangerous to others and evincing a depraved mind, without regard for human life’.
The charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 25 years.
Cahill said the state did not satisfy the following three requirements for the charges to stand against Chauvin: proof of Floyd’s death, proof that Chauvin caused Floyd’s death, and proof that Chauvin’s intentional conduct that caused Floyd’s death was ’eminently dangerous to other persons’ and done with a disregard for human life.
However Cahill denied a request to dismiss the disgraced former cop’s more serious second-degree murder and manslaughter charges.
Popular TV host, Frank Edoho , has described Vice- President Yemi Osinbajo as one of the biggest disappointments of the year .
Edoho , who was the host of the Who Wants To Be a Millionaire show for over 10 years, said this in a tweet on Thursday while reacting to a statement by Osinbajo on Thursday .
Osinbajo had in reaction to the shootings at the Lekki toll plaza said , “My heart goes out to all the victims of the Lekki shootings , and also the policemen and all other men and women who lost their lives in the past few days in different parts of Lagos and other states . ”
Responding, however, Edoho said it was unfortunate that Osinbajo had failed to say more on the matter.
“ With your impeccable speaking talent you have managed to be quiet throughout the tragedies of # EndSARS only to mutter the words, my heart goes out. Your heart goes out. Your heart na lantern ? You are one of the true disappointments we have seen this year . ”
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd . ) , has come under fire for deploying soldiers in the Lekki toll plaza who shot at unarmed protesters , injuring many .
According to Amnesty International , at least 12 people were killed in Lekki and Alausa .
The International Criminal Court has received reports of crimes during the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria.
ICC prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, made this known in a statement posted on the Twitter handle of the organisation.
She noted that the court is monitoring developments from the # EndSARS protests in Nigeria .
Bensouda said:
My office has been closely following the events around the current protests in Nigeria and the reaction of Nigeria ’ s law enforcement and security agencies.
Any loss of life and injury is concerning . We have received information alleging crimes and are keeping a close eye on developments, in case violence escalates and any indications arise that Rome Statute crimes may have been committed. I call for calm and restraint.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Thursday said he called President Muhammadu Buhari, to inform him of the killings of #ENDSARS protesters at Lekki Toll Gate, by the Nigerian Army on Tuesday, but was told he was not available.
“I made calls to the President twice yesterday but was told he wasn’t in the office. The second time he was said to be at the FEC meeting; I haven’t spoke to him directly but I have reached the Chief of Staff to the President”, he said in an interview with Arise TV.
When asked to explain why CCTV at Lekki Toll Gate was removed before the dastardly act, he said:
“The cameras removed were not security cameras, it is a laser camera for cars; it picks tags for cars and plate numbers; it is not a security camera; it is an infrared camera; security cameras are still available and that is what we are using for our own investigation.
“They did the removal because of curfew. As regards the light LCC put off the light because of the curfew order issued by Lagos State Government. I have never spoken to the owner of the company ( Tinubu’s son), I am very certain their decision was purely a corporate decision.
“I will not stop to continue to apologize to Lagosians. Is it possible to make CCTV footage public; Sanwo-Olu agreed to make the phone call public.”
Recall that Nigerians have expressed deep emotions over the shooting and perhaps killing of innocent #ENDSARS protesters by soldiers at Lekki.
Many International bodies have also lent their voices over what is happening in the country.
Video of army shooting at protesters at Lekki toll Gate is Fake- Army Spokesman
See Video
Mob break into a warehouse in Monkey Village, Maza-Maza area of Lagos State.
Gunshots were also fired at warehouse in Monkey Village, Maza-Maza area of Lagos State where a mob broke into and carted away COVID-19 palliatives.
It is speculated that the foodstuff items which was donated by the private sector coalition against COVID-19 was diverted
Watch The Video Below
https://www.instagram.com/p/CGppTaLpmd3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
The Federal Government has directed that all victims and casualties of the ongoing protest across the country, who arrive at Federal Tertiary Hospitals with injuries should be treated immediately and free.
The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, has therefore informed all the Chief Executive Officers of all Federal Tertiary Hospitals to immediately comply with the directive.
A statement issued on Thursday by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour, Mr A. M. Abdullahi, said casualties of the civil unrest should not be rejected on account of inability to pay and must be treated immediately.
The statement read: “The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, has considered the probability of the need for emergency medical services as a result of civic unrest in some parts of the country and directed that casualties arriving Federal Tertiary Hospitals with evocative injuries should not be rejected on account of inability to pay for service.
“All such persons are to receive treatment without delay. This Administration places a priority on the health and wellbeing of citizens and residents and is committed to assuring that lives are not lost needlessly.
“Meanwhile, all persons are reminded to still adhere under all conditions to non-pharmaceutical measures when outdoors, especially the use of face masks and hand sanitizers, as well as social distancing, in order to preserve the gains we have made in stemming community transmission of COVID-19 in Nigeria.
“Federal Ministry of Health reiterates that continuation of routine service delivery is imperative, using a high index of suspicion for COVID-19, to assure staff protection from infection, considering the ease of transmission.
“Chief Executive Officers of all Federal Tertiary Hospitals are to note this directive for immediate compliance please.”
@US Secretary of State
The United States strongly condemns incidents of military forces firing on unarmed protestors in Lagos. Those involved should be held to account under the law. We extend our condolences to the victims of the violence and their families. #EndSARS
FOLLOWING the alleged killing of seven #EndSARS protesters by soldiers at Lekki Tollgate, a wealthy suburb of Lagos, on Tuesday, Wikipedia has listed “killing of peaceful protesters at Lekki Tollgate, Lagos” among engagements by the Nigerian Army.
A visit to the Wikipedia page of the Nigerian Army on Wednesday confirmed this development.
There were nine other engagements attributed to the Nigerian Army, namely Boko Haram insurgency, invasion of The Gambia, Northern Mali war, and Nigeria-Cameroon border conflict.
Others are Nigerian Civil War, Congo Crisis, First Liberian Civil War, among others.
About two weeks into the #EndSARS protests, the Nigerian Army reportedly deployed soldiers to the Lekki Tollgate, an epicentre of the protests, on Tuesday.
Eyewitnesses said soldiers fired live ammunition at unarmed protesters around 7pm after lights at the tollgate were switched off and CCTV cameras removed by some persons.
The Nigerian Army has denied involvement in the killings, despite several pieces of video evidence.
But the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in a live broadcast on Wednesday morning, said the army deployed troops to the protest ground – after announcing a curfew that was to start at 9pm.
Sanwo-Olu regretted the killings but noted that as a governor, the control of military forces was not under his purview.
However, he said he was currently engaging the leadership of the Nigerian Army on the development.
A Special Broadcast by the Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano on the Growing Tension Across Nigeria Sparked up by the EndSars Protests, October on Thursday, 22, 2020.
Ndi Anambra ekenem unu
I am compelled to address you today by the growing tension across the country ignited by recent efforts by Nigerian youths to ask for a better Nigeria.
The events of the past few days remind me of the words of Franz Fanon, the influential political philosopher who observed that “each generation must discover its mission, fulfill it or betray it in relative opacity.”
This generation of Nigerian youths has discovered its mission. But the question everyone is asking is; will they betray or fulfill it?
Great Anambra youths, I am immensely proud of what you have achieved so far. But we must not succumb to the morbid attractions of violence; no matter the provocation, no matter how justified our anger and no matter how easy it all might seem. Violence does not yield fruitful results.
The founder of modern India, Mahatma Ghandi warns that “when violence appears to do good, the good is only temporary; but the evil it does is permanent.”
Umu nnem, while our beloved state remains largely safe and isolated from the boiling sea outside, we have also recorded a few unpleasant incidents in our domain and there is justifiable anger in the land. But we cannot give it a chance to consume us all.
Consequently, we are taking precautionary steps to prevent further descent to lawlessness in Anambra State by imposing a 24 hour curfew with effect from 8pm today until we bring this rising tension under control.
Therefore, all schools and markets in Anambra State are hereby closed. All gatherings by groups and associations under any name or label from 8pm are banned. The law enforcement agencies in the state have been duly directed to enforce compliance.
However, all law enforcement officers charged with ensuring compliance to the restriction on movement must resist the temptation of applying excessive force while attempting to bring the situation under control.
We cannot afford to repeat the same mistakes that created the problem we are trying to solve in the first place.
Meanwhile, I wish to assure all non-indigenes living among us in Anambra State of their safety and security wherever they live in our dear state. The government of Anambra State will not allow you to come to any harm.
Ndi Anambra, we may do well to recall that in response to the nationwide demand by Nigerian youths for an end to the gross violation of their human rights by the defunct SARS, my administration had taken proactive measures to enthrone justice and peace in our dear state.
I have personally visited all the facilities used by the defunct SARS and freed all the prisoners in unlawful detention. I have set up a Judicial Panel of Inquiry to listen to petitions from victims of human rights violations by the defunct SARS.
And more importantly, I am happy to announce that we have set aside the sum of N200m to be disbursed as compensations to people who have proven cases of rights violations, torture and deaths from the activities of the defunct SARS in Anambra State.
This provision is part of the 2021 Budget which shall be presented to the State House of Assembly in a matter of days.
Ndi Anambra, this effort is made essentially in pursuit of a better society. We know that no amount of money can equate a human life.
But we believe that a symbolic gesture delivered at the right moment can heal old wounds and help aggrieved families to find closure in these most traumatic times.
Ndi Anambra, the peace and security we have enjoyed in Anambra State in the past seven years is under threat. All hands must be on deck to save Anambra from this danger.
I urgently call on all religious leaders, traditional rulers, market leaders, community leaders and leaders of the various youth associations across Anambra State to rise to this immediate challenge and speak to our youths and calm the boiling anger in the land.
Whatever we destroy in a feat of anger was built by us, even if they were donated to federal institutions within our state. We must do everything we can to avoid self-inflicted injuries.
Ndi Anambra, the times we live in demand extraordinary sacrifices. We must respond to it with patience, forbearance and love. This is not the time for unrestrained emotions. This is not the time for destructive rumours and conspiracy theories.
This is a time to reach out and touch one another with love, to treat each other with kindness and to say to one another with one voice; Nigeria is greater than her problems!
Umu nnem, we are the inheritors of a proud history. We carry the inventive genius of the great minds that created the famous Igboukwu civilization.
Our ancestors practiced pragmatic democracy before the Greeks stumbled upon its fine theories. We rose from the ashes of a brutal Civil War to rebuild our lives with relative ease.
Ndi Anambra, our story is different. So, we must act with a sense of history in moments like this. We must not give in to regrettable anger and throw everything away.
God bless Anambra State
God bless Nigeria
Willie Obiano
Good day, My name is Obi-Enadhuze Daniel younger brother of the now deceased Okechukwu Obi-Enadhuze @O_Okee . I, my brother and mother lived at makinde police barracks, mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos State. Today at about 11 o’clock in the morning…
.
.
… the police station at makinde was attacked by thugs who wanted to destroy the station, I my mom and brother were holed up in our house, The attack went on for hours before the thugs eventually breached the police and proceeded to set the station on fire, after accomplishing..
…this they set their sights to the barracks and began the assault, they proceeded to destroy every car in the barracks, my mom’s 2 cars where destroyed and set on fire and then they infiltrated our house by breaking the door…
… they then proceeded to ransack the house and carted away with everything we own, my brother on trying to get them to take everything but spare us was pushed to my mom’s room and stabbed on the neck, the attacker then proceeded to attack me but missed my neck…
.
…but got my chin instead, after this my mom and I carried my brothers body to the entrance of the station soliciting for help from the thugs still ravaging the barracks, we were finally able to put him in a wheelbarrow and took him to a hospital where he was…
… rejected because “he was already dead” unfazed we moved him to another hospital where he met the same treatment this was where he bled his last drops of blood and died, his body has now been moved to a morgue…
…we have lost every single thing we own, as our house was completely ransacked and set on fire the only thing left is my brothers phone and at about 8 o’clock this evening the barracks was still on fire but Okechukwu has paid with the ultimate price…
…I and my mother are homeless with nothing now but we’re safe for now, we thank everyone that has been able to reach out to us, and were able to share consoling words with us in these trying times, God bless you…
While we were holed up in the house the three of us said these words together and we say it again ” THREE OF US ARE HERE, THREE OF US ARE TOGETHER, THREE OF US ARE SAFE”…
Let it be known that my brother @O_Okee was NOT killed by a police bullet but died a hero protecting my mother and I.
If you see this please retweet, let the world know how Okechukwu died. He was NOT killed by a police bullet but thugs in his home!
Policemen and soldiers have arrived at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre in a bid to foil an attempted jailbreak.
A video sent to our correspondent by an eyewitness shows smoke billowing from parts of the centre while inmates are seen running.
It was learnt that the prison authorities had immediately notified the police and the military authorities for backup.
The eyewitness, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “I can see them from my balcony at the moment. Soldiers and policemen have arrived. I saw prisoners throwing stones and I saw fire.
“A lot of the prison officials have gathered at the entrance of the prison while some of the inmates have retreated.”
Our correspondent also heard gunshots emanating from the prisons.
As the #EndSARS protest continues, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of sponsoring the protest directly or indirectly.
According to the APC, it would rather place on record how PDP and it’s leaders are directly and indirectly sponsoring the protest and playing politics with the development.
In a statement issued Wednesday by the party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena asking APC and the Presidency to take responsibility in the killings, said: “Since the protest started, the PDP elements have taken over the social media making various unguarded assertions thereby fuelling the protest.
“It is on record that one of the leaders of #EndSARS protest in Akwa Ibom State three days ago publicly admitted that the state governor, Udom Emmanuel, gave N4 million for onward sharing to the protesting youth in Uyo, the state capital.
“Kufre Carter, one of the organisers of the protest reportedly said he got a call from the governor’s aide on youth matters whom he said told him that the governor gave N4 million to be shared to the protesters.”
Further, Nabena said: “The APC caretaker Committee Chairman, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State has righly noted the hidden agenda in the #EndSARS protests.
“Like our Chairman said all leaders (including PDP leaders) should know that it is only when the country exists in peace that one can achieve their goals, you cannot be a leader through chaos, it will not be well.
“We, however, repeat our appeal to the protesting youths to give dialogue and peace a chance while ignoring insensitive fuelling by the PDP.”
A Chinese boy who measures well over 7 feet tall is set to officially become the tallest male teenager in the world.
14-year-old Xiaoyu, from Leshan City in the southwestern province of Sichuan, measured 221cm (7.25 feet) on his birthday on October 18, according to national newspaper New.
A Red Star News journalist, who was asked to be one of the officials who confirmed the boy’s height, reported that the teen was so large that he even needed to have special furniture made.
This includes a desk and chair that he can fit in so he can study.
Xiaoyu’s grandmother Wu Mei told the newspaper: “He has grown a lot taller in the past two years.”
In June 2018, when the RSN reporter first came to meet the boy, he was still in the sixth grade of elementary school, measuring 206 cm (6.59 feet) tall.
At the time, the youth expressed his wish to challenge the Guinness World Record and become the world’s tallest teen.
In August this year, Xiaoyu and his family submitted the application for the challenge ‘Tallest Youth (Male)’ on the official Guinness website.
He said: “Since I have entered school, I have noticed that I am taller than the other kids at my age.
“Many students were mistaking me as a fellow from the senior generation.
“That did disturb me but I decided to make it something positive by applying to Guinness to see if I could get the world record.”
Lu Lei, a World Records certification officer, later came to Leshan to certify Xiaoyu’s challenge to the title.
In addition to the officer, Leshan People’s Hospital doctor Li Song and the Red Star journalist participated in the measurement and acted as witnesses for the record application.
Mr Lei said: “The challenger must be male and aged between 13-18.
“At the moment the former holder of the Guinness World Record is over 18 years old.”
But, he added that the comparison was not relevant as the new challenger is much younger.
In order to make sure they had the measurement exactly correct, the officials measured him three times in the morning, at midday and in the evening.
After the measurement certification was completed it was sent to London to be audited at the Guinness headquarters, and once confirmed, Xiaoyu is expecting to become the new world record holder.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has joined his colleagues in other states, as he declared a 48-hour curfew across the state.
The curfew would begin 6pm today, according to the governor who addressed Government House reporters on Thursday morning.
Apart from the curfew, the presentation of the 2021 budget estimates by Okowa to the House of Assembly, earlier for today has been postponed.
The decision to declare the curfew, our correspondent learnt, followed Wednesday’s night violence that erupted at Koka area of Benin-Asaba-Onitsha expressway.
Hoodlums had allegedly hijacked the #EndSARS protest to unleash mayhem in the busy area by razing the operational office of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the multi-million naira beautification garden of the state government.
Although an unidentified army officer was said to have also been burnt alive, our correspondent could not however confirmed it from official sources.
As at the time of filing this report, major roads in the metropolis were already by barricaded by protesters, while businesses that forcefully closed shop on Wednesday afternoon were yet to re-open.
Declaring the curfew, Okowa ordered the closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools till November 2, 2020.
It would be recalled that schools had resumed academic activities for first in the 2020/2021 session on October 12 after the COVID-19 induced holiday of over six months.
A Nigerian man has come to clear the air that he is not dead.
The man you can see in the pics Below has come out to say he didn’t die oo that he was just shooting a movie scene.
The host of breakfast programme, Your View, Morayo Afolabi-Brown, said she had a premonition that Wednesday’s programme would be her last at Television Continental.
Afolabi-Brown said in a Facebook post on Wednesday night that she was glad she spoke truth to power before hoodlums burnt down TVC office in the Ketu area of Lagos State this morning.
Afolabi-Brown was on air when the hoodlums besieged the station.
Narrating the event of the day, she wrote, “Many have asked this question today. The truth is, we understood our responsibility to our audience to speak.
“I told the ladies yesterday (Tuesday). I said, ‘Tomorrow’s show (today) is likely to be our last show for many reasons.’ I said, ‘We may be attacked or even fired but we must speak the truth to power.’
“I’m so glad I said these words because one of it actually happened.
“It will go down in history that when the chips were down, the ladies of YourView did not back down. We spoke up. I’m glad we did. God bless the new Nigeria of our dreams. #anewnigeria”
The TV presenter accompanied the post with a video showing her final moments on the programme on Wednesday morning when she questioned the attack by soldiers on Lekki #EndSARS protesters on Tuesday night.
She had said, “Good morning. Yesterday (Tuesday), Lagos was practically mourning the death of many.
“On our governor’s watch, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, armed men, soldiers shot at innocent protesters at Lekki.
“There were hotspots in Lagos, we had in Ajegunle, Orile Iganmu, Mushin where hoodlums took to the streets to destroy properties and attack others (but) the military did not go there. They went where peaceful protesters were sitting.
My brother was stabbed to death not killed by stray bullet – Sibling of blood bank app creator
“Nigerians have a lot of questions today. So many questions:
“How do we have military in our state and we have no control over them?
“Who ordered the alleged removal of CCTV cameras?
“Why was there a blackout yesterday?
“That’s our conversation today. We want answers. We know our leaders are watching today. Call in, speak truth to power,” she had urged her viewers.
Afolabi-Brown, who said the hoodlums entered in a van, had asked to go on a commercial break.
The station had since then been stuck.
Videos online confirmed by workers at the station said the assailants set fire to the station over its connection to a former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu.
Tragedy struck when security operatives, in a bid to disperse #EndSARS protesters, opened fire on the teeming youths at the Lekki tollgate around 7pm on Tuesday.
#EndSARS protesters have been demonstrating against police brutality and extrajudicial killings at the Lekki tollgate for about two weeks.
Similar demonstrations have been staged in different parts of the state and the country while hoodlums had hijacked the protests in some cities including Lagos.
The state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had imposed a 24-hour curfew to stem the tide of the growing violence.
However, some protesters did not vacate the Lekki tollgate which was the epicentre of the protests.
Though the governor said one victim died in a Lagos hospital but eyewitnesses said about seven persons died in Tuesday attack by the troops.
Tuesday night attack has been condemned locally and internationally.
Many have asked this question today. The truth is, we understood our responsibility to our audience to speak. I told the ladies yesterday, I said, “tomorrow’s show (today) is likely to be our last show for many reasons”. I said, we may be attacked or even fired but we must speak the truth to power”. I’m so glad I said these words because one of it actually happened. It will go down in history that when the chips were down, the ladies of YourView did not back down. We spoke up. I’m glad we did. God bless the new Nigeria of our dreams. #anewnigeria
The management of the Lekki Concession Company Limited (LCC) says the closed-circuit television system (CCTV) from the Lekki toll gate is intact.
On Tuesday, men dressed in military uniform fired live bullets at unarmed #EndSARS protesters who gathered at the Lekki toll gate; leading to wide condemnation and a breakdown of law and order in Lagos.
Nigerians had accused LCC of aiding the action by disrupting power supply and removing its CCTV hours before the shooting.
In a statement on Thursday, LCC said the picture of its staff removing equipment circulating online is part of its equipment recovery exercise to ensure the safekeeping of its equipment.
“LCC has cooperated with the protesters from the onset, identifying with the cause and need to end the police brutality. We provided lights, toilets among other items to the youth as a show of solidarity,” the statement read.
“As the protests progressed, our tolling equipment was being looted. We recovered items daily with the help of some of the protesters. Such items included air conditioners, violation alarm bells, monitors, keyboards, etc.
“On the 20th of October, we received feedback that some of the tolling equipment were being pulled off, hence we went into the lanes to recover more items including an analogue BOSCH tolling devices used to monitor transactions carried out in the toll lanes.
“The perimeter closed-circuit television system(CCTV) are Mobotrix digital cameras. They were not removed and are still installed in the lanes even now. There was no instruction from anyone to remove the perimeter CCTV cameras.
“Removing them will require the use of machinery to reach the heights that they have been installed and are still installed.”
Explaining the power outage, LCC said it withdrew staff from all its office locations hence they could not switch on the backup generators when power was interrupted.
“LCC receives power from the IPP grid, the power albeit stable is taken from time to time.
“At such times, LCC relies on the backup generators for power supply, however, following the declaration of the curfew by the state governor, LCC withdrew all her staff from the office locations.
“This is the reason why the lights could not be restored when the mains from IPP went off temporarily. This is verifiable.”
LCC condemned the shooting and said it would never support such actions.
American singer and songwriter, Janet Jackson has lent her voice to the #EndSARS campaign.
In a statement, she released to her Twitter account, the American singer praised brave Nigerian youths for their courageous fight for a better Nigeria and said those behind the killings and brutality of EndSARS protesters have brought shame to the nation.
She tweeted:
“Nigeria, I pray for you and love you so much.
#EndsSars
#LekkiMassacre
#EndPoliceBrutality”
More businesses have been affected as hoodlums take to the streets of Lagos destroying properties and looting.
Yomi Makun, the fashion designer who owns Yomi Casuals, has been affected by the lootings. His clothing store in Surulere was attacked and looted.
A video from the scene shows broken glasses and broken mannequin on the floor. The clothes on the mannequin had been stolen.
Yomi shared the video and revealed that he woke up thinking it’s now too late to educate hoodlums that this fight is for us, not against each other.
The actress lost her daughter, Godgifts, on October 20 after a surgery in Abuja.
In an emotional video she shared on her IG page this morning, the actress said she is yet to go and bury her child because of the chaos in the country. She appealed to the government to take the soldiers away from the streets so she can be able to fly to Abuja to bury her child in peace.
See Video below
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he feels he has “failed” with midfielder Mesut Ozil after leaving him out of his 25-man Premier League squad.
The German, who had also been omitted from the Europa League squad, can now only play for Arsenal Under-23s until his deal expires in summer 2021.
The 32-year-old, who joined Arsenal for a then club record £42.4m in 2013, has not played for the club since 7 March.
“My conscience is very calm because I have been really fair,” said Arteta.
“What I can say from my side is that it is just a football decision. My level of communication with him has been really high and we know what to expect with each other.
“Obviously a player of that dimension, with the career he has had, everything that happens around him has a big impact. It has been the case for the last eight years, it is nothing new that is just happening now. A lot of things have happened over these eight years.
“My job is to get the best out of every player, to contribute to the team performance.
“Here I feel at the moment, today, that I have failed. I want the best possible Mesut for the team. And in some moments I was able to get close to that, and at the moment I have not been able to do it because I have to make the decision to leave him out of the squad.”
‘Loyalty is hard to come by nowadays’ – Ozil
Earlier, in a message to Arsenal fans, Ozil said “loyalty is hard to come by nowadays”.
“I’m really deeply disappointed by the fact that I have not been registered for the Premier League season for the time being,” Ozil wrote on social media.
“Upon signing my new contract in 2018, I pledged my loyalty and allegiance to the club that I love, Arsenal, and it saddens me that this has not been reciprocated.
“I’ve always tried to remain positive from week to week that there’s maybe a chance to get back in the squad soon again. That’s why I kept silent so far.”
Since joining from Real Madrid seven years ago, Ozil has scored 44 goals in 254 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners.
He fell out of favour under previous manager Unai Emery before returning to the side under interim boss Freddie Ljungberg.
After Arteta’s appointment in December 2019, Ozil started all 10 of Arsenal’s Premier League games immediately before the coronavirus pandemic forced a three-month suspension of the top-flight in March.
Earlier in October, he offered to pay the salary of Jerry Quy, the man who plays the role of club mascot Gunnersaurus, who was one of 55 redundancies at the club.
“Before the coronavirus break I was really happy with my development under our new coach Mikel Arteta – we’ve been on a positive way and I would say my performances were on a really good level,” Ozil added.
“But then things changed, again, and I was no longer allowed to play football for Arsenal. No matter what, I will keep fighting for my chance and not let my eighth season at Arsenal end like this.
“I can promise you that this hard decision won’t change anything in my mindset – I will continue to train as best as I can and wherever possible use my voice against inhumanity and for justice.”
Former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright said he was “gutted” for Ozil.
“Football will never stop surprising me,” he said on Twitter.
“The fact that whatever has gone on couldn’t be resolved between the club and Mesut is sad. Sad for everyone involved and I can only send him strength for what will be a difficult few months knowing he won’t even have a chance to play. Gutted.”
The general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of Nigeria, Pastor Enoch Adeboye has warned that the shooting of #EndSARS protesters by soldiers at the Lekki toll gate on Tuesday may worsen the situation of things in the country,.
He stated this in a release on Wednesday.
“I condemn in the strongest possible terms, attacks launched by the Nigerian military on unarmed young people, who have been peacefully protesting police brutality over the last 12 days as #EndSARS protests,” Adeboye said.
“The condemnable actions of the military risks driving the agitations of the young people underground, thereby making the situation unmanageable.
“I call on the Federal Government to thoroughly investigate the tragic events at Lekki and other parts of the country, give justice to all victims even as it engages the #EndSARS protesters to reach a common agreement to end police brutality.”
To the youth, Adeboye said: “I am also appealing to the youths to allow peace reign & stop any form of action that would give the military any other form of excuse to attack. May the peace of God come upon our nation, now more than ever in Jesus name (Amen).”
The Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, has denied the content of a letter purportedly authorised by him, which rejected the financial contribution of the Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State in the planned renovation of the monarch’s palace vandalised by hoodlums during the #EndSARS protest on October 10.
The Soun, who spoke with the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Taiwo Adisa, said that he did not authorise the said letter in circulation.
Adisa disclosed to Governor’s Office correspondents, quoting the monarch: “If your boss sees any such letter, he should ignore it, because I didn’t ask anyone to write such a letter.”
“The Soun said that he never authorised anyone to issue a letter on his behalf and that if any such letter surfaces, some persons must have forged his signature.”
“The Soun said he wholeheartedly welcomes the intervention of Governor Seyi Makinde in the plan to fix the palace and all the damaged items.”
The purported letter claimed the monarch said the damages incurred during the unfortunate incident would be taken care of by a coordinated community effort of Ogbomoso sons and daughters.
The letter further added that a N10m released by the governor would be added to the contributions of his subjects, while it allegedly quoted the monarch saying there was no need to disburse the balance of the sum of N90m.
Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, and elder statesman, Obong Victor Attah has advocated for the scrapping of the presidential system and return to a parliamentary system of government in Nigeria. Obong Attah who spoke yesterday in Uyo while reacting to the ongoing #EndSARS protests by Nigerian youths stressed that the present presidential system of government the country operates was the cause of her failure.
He noted that Nigeria was better off when it operated a parliamentary system of government as the regions were autonomous, and controlled their resources, had their own Police and only contributed to the central government.
He stressed that the parliamentary system of government allows the people to choose their representatives based on performance and devoid of godfatherism. His words “The presidential system has become very oppressive. It seems it is in our nature to feel once you win an election, you are a conqueror, so you behave exactly as you please, nobody can talk to you, you don’t have to see anybody and that’s what is happening and we abuse it.
“I read a few days ago, that the North wants Jonathan to come back and complete his tenure. The constitution says yes, you can have two terms, but it is only if the people want you back. It does not mean that once elected, you have two tenures and if you didn’t complete your tenure, you should come back and complete it.
“That’s why I say we are not mentally prepared for this presidential system. We are not ready, and that’s one of the reasons I say scrap it and go back to the parliamentary system. In the parliamentary system, if you have a good prime minister like Britain had Margaret Thatcher, you can come back four or five times if your people want you back.
“You are a Prime Minister because you are elected from your small enclave and the whole country sees that you are good, and they insist you become prime minister. That system is what suits us now” The former governor stressed that the problem of Nigeria goes beyond governance, noting that if you bring angels, to operate the system today, it still would fail.
He system said he wants Nigeria to be reborn, adding, ” Let’s give it a new birth, let it become what it was always supposed to be: a federal system and preferably, I say preferably because some people still feel enamoured with this Presidential system, I am not” Vanguard
Militants are in jubilant mood Gives Thanksgiving at Egbesu Temple h Oporoza Community, Headquarters of Gbaramatu kingdom, Warri South West Local Government of Delta State came alive yesterday Monday, Oct. 19, 2020, following a sudden appearance of High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (popularly called Tompolo), at the Egbesu Shrine in Oporoza.
GbaramatuVoice releases never-before-seen pictures of Tompolo after 6 years His first official pictures released today by GbaramatuVoice six years after showed Tompolo, at Egbesu Shrine, located in the heart of Oporoza, joined by friends and well-wishers from the Ijaw nation and beyond worshipping and offering thanksgiving. Tompolo who is also an Egbesu priest, has been away from the public glare for six years following military and legal wars declared against him by the Federal Government of Nigeria. Within the past six years, this frontline security and peace advocate was neither seen in public gathering nor any of his recent pictures seen in the media.
It would be recalled that Ekpemupolo was charged alongside a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Patrick Akpolokemi; Kime Engozu; Rex Elem; Gregory Mbonu; and Warredi Enisuoh, at a Lagos Division of the Federal High Court.. But the court on Wednesday July 15, 2019 dismissed all the 40 counts bordering on alleged N34 billion fraud filed by the Federal Government against Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, a company linked to the former Niger Delta militant leader.
Angry protesters on Wednesday killed the Divisional Crime Officer, DSP Augustine Ogbeche, and set ablaze a police station in the Atan-Ota Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State .
The protesters also inflicted injuries on the Divisional Police Officer, SP Sikiru Olugbenga, whose whereabouts were unknown.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
Oyeyemi said one civilian also lost his life to the violence while another police station at Obada-Oko in the Ewekoro Local Government Area, which had been serving as a zonal intervention office for the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad was attacked.
Oyeyemi said, “The hitherto peaceful protest embarked upon by youths across Ogun State is unfortunately taking a dangerous violent dimension as some people with ulterior motives are now using the opportunity to commit all sorts of heinous crimes.
“Early this (Wednesday) morning, the protesters went to Atan-Ota and set the police station there ablaze and subsequently murdered the DCO, DSP Augustine Ogbeche, in cold blood.
“A civilian also died in the process while some arms were carted away. They also inflicted serious injury on the DPO, SP Sikiru Olugbenga, whose whereabouts is yet unknown.
“Also in Abeokuta, some groups of boys attacked Obada-oko divisional headquarters and vandalized it.”
The PPRO however said in view of the attacks on the police and their stations, the Commissioner of Police Ogun State Command, Edward Ajogun, had appealed to the youths to eschew violence and embrace peace.
The police boss, according to the PPRO, said, “The youths are reminded that since the commencement of the protests the police have
“We even went ahead and released all the 36 suspects we arrested. However, if in the course of handling the protests anybody feels offended, we plead understanding and not retaliatory measures, including killing and maiming policemen and burning and damaging police stations.
“We will ensure that justice is served any aggrieved person. Please and please let us continue to embrace peace rather than violence.”
“The command sincerely appeals to the youths. Parents and guardians are also enjoined to help rein in their children and wards.”
Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka has condemned the shooting of unarmed #EndSARS protesters at Lekki toll gate on the evening of Tuesday October 20.
Soyinka in a statement released on Wednesday October 21, said his enquiry so far has revealed that Governor Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state did not invite in the Army and did not complain of a ‘breakdown in law and order’.
The Nobel Laureate stated that the federal government has chosen to act in an authoritarian manner and has inflicted a near incurable wound on the community psyche. Soyinka who raised an alarm of Nigeria being back to the “Abacha days”, also alleged that the army has replaced the notorious SARS unit.
The statement read;
“It is absolutely essential to let this government know that the Army has now replaced SARS in the demonic album of the protesters.
“My enquiry so far indicates that the Lagos governor did not invite in the Army, did not complain of a ‘breakdown in law and order’. Nevertheless, the Centre has chosen to act in an authoritarian manner and has inflicted a near incurable wound on the community psyche.
“Need I add that, on arrival in Abeokuta, my home town, I again had to negotiate a roadblock? That went smoothly enough. I expected it, and have no doubt that more are being erected as this is being written.
“COVID-19 has battered the Nigerian economy – such as it is – for over eight months. Of course, it is not easy to bring down COVID under a hail of bullets – human lives are easier target, and there are even trophies to flaunt as evidence of victory – such as the blood-soaked Nigerian flag that one of the victims was waving at the time of his murder.
“It was in stark contrast to the inclusivity of the protesting ‘family of common cause’ of earlier days.
“All inherent beauty of instant bonding and solidarity evaporated. At the block just before the Lagos Secretariat, the protesters proved the most recalcitrant. In the end, they exacted from me just the one offering to the rites of passage – I could sense it coming — I had to come down from the car and addressed them. I did.
“Little did they know what was churning in my mind: This is not real. This is Back to Abacha – in grotesque replay.
“Convoke Town Hall meetings as a matter of urgency. 24-hr Curfews are not the solution. Take over the security of your people with whatever resources you can rummage. Substitute community self-policing based on Local Councils, to curb hooligan infiltration and extortionist and destructive opportunism.
“We commiserate with the bereaved and urge state governments to compensate material losses, wherever. To commence any process of healing at all – dare one assume that this is the ultimate destination of desire? — the Army must apologize, not merely to the nation but to the global community – the facts are indisputable – you, the military, opened fire on unarmed civilians.
“There has to be structured restitution and assurance that such aberrations will not again be recorded.
“Then both governance and its security arms can commence a meaningful, lamentably overdue dialogue with society. Do not attempt to dictate — Dialogue.”
Nigerian Twitter users have taken to the platform to mourn an EndSARS protester, Oke, who was allegedly killed today, October 21.
Oke, a graduate of the Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta, was reportedly shot in the neck three hours after he tweeted “Nigeria will not end me”
His heartbroken girlfriend, Derin, confirmed his death on her page. She shared photos of them posing together and then wrote: “We had forever to go Oke.”
Nigerians have taken to Twitter to express their sadness over Oke’s sudden death. See posts below.
Inmates of Benin Medium Security Correctional Centre and Oko Medium Security Correctional Centre who escaped from the facilities on Monday October 19, have been given till Friday October 23 to return voluntarily or face the wrath of the law.
Governor Godwin Obaseki gave the ultimatum while on an assessment tour of the affected NCoS centres and the police stations that were burnt in Benin City by the hoodlums. He was accompanied by his deputy, Philip Shaibu; a deputy inspector-general of police, Celestine Okoye; the state commissioner of police, Johnson Kokumo; representatives of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Road Safety Corps, among others.
Obaseki who stated that his government would not sit down and watch hoodlums operate in such a manner, added that the attacks on the security facilities were orchestrated by criminally minded people.
He said;
“You will agree with me that this is not in the spirit of the #EndSARS protest. This is sheer criminality while the real protesters were focusing on the reform of our policing system and not to destroy government property, destroy prisons, and release inmates.
“So, you can tell that there were some criminal intentions behind these acts and the #EndSARS protest in Edo was hijacked by criminal and they used the opportunity to come and release their colleagues who were held in our correctional centre.
“We condemn the act wholeheartedly and we expect that even the #EndSARS protesters would join us in condemning this dastardly act. The government cannot sit down and fold its arms to allow the breakdown of law and order in our society because everybody would be affected and having undertaken the assessment and seen the extent of destruction that has taken place, we would now move swiftly into action.
“Fortunately, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, understanding the gravity of what has happened in Edo has asked the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Celestine Okoye, to come to Benin to put the situation under control. We are also fortunate that the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces has allowed the military to join the police in stabilising the situation to bring things under control.
“I want to use this situation to thank the law-abiding citizens of the state for having the presence of mind call while different parts of the state were being attacked in the guise of EndSARS protest. What we have a problem with are hooliganism and sheer brigandage and that we will not accept or tolerate in Edo State.
“We know that some of the inmates may have been released by their plan and others used the opportunity to get out of the facilities. We are using this opportunity to appeal to all inmates in our correctional services who have escaped to come back on their own before the close of business on Friday, this week.
“If they come in and go to the Nigeria Police Force Command headquarters in Benin City, nothing will be done to them. However, those who do not report back after Friday night, we have all their records, we have their biometrics, we would go after them and ensure that we bring them and the appropriate sanction will be meted against them.”
South-African born US-based show host and comedian, Trevor Noah has reacted to the #EndSARS crisis rocking Nigeria and the killing of protesters at Lekki toll gate yesterday October 20.
Giving a detailed analysis on his Comedy Central’s ‘The Daily Show’, Trevor wondered why a police unit created to fight crime became the “crime” itself.
The comedian also pointed out that the disbanded police unit was recreated under a different name. Trevor who noted that the Nigerian police force who is accused of brutality is responding to the allegation with more brutality, further stated that the profiling of young Nigerians because of their dressing and properties is same way police profile black people in the United States. He also affirmed that Nigerians are united in this cause.
Watch the video below;
The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has reportedly ordered the withdrawal of police officers attached to very important persons (VIP) in Nigeria.
According to TheCable, the directive was issued via a police wireless message on Wednesday, October 21, and is expected to take effect immediately.
This development comes following two weeks of End SARS protests by Nigerians demanding an end to police brutality in the country.
In the directive issued to police zonal commands, only those attached to government houses, the senate president and the speaker of the house of representatives are exempted.
“Inspector-general of police directs you to withdraw all protect personnel attached to all VIPs, except those attached to government houses, senate president, speaker, house of representatives with immediate effect,” the message seen by The Cable reads.
“Any commander who violates this order will bear the consequences. Any protect personnel found escorting or guarding any VIP with or without firearm is deemed to be deployed by the commander and the commander will be sanctioned.”
All withdrawn operatives were directed to report to their commands.
2Face has slammed his former bandmate, Blackface for saying he never spoke up during the PDP administration.
This came after 2Face called for a total shutdown of activities in Nigeria in support of the widespread #EndSARS protest.
However reacting to this, Blackface took a swipe at 2Face who according to him never spoke up during the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) administration even though things were allegedly worse then.
Firing back at him, 2Face described his former bandmate as an “idiot”. See the exchange that ensued below;
A Kaduna state polytechnic student has been jailed for five years for fraud.
Babuwa Christopher, a student of Quantity Survey was convicted and sentenced by Justice Mohammed Tukur of the Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kaduna on Wednesday, October 21.
The defendant was convicted after he pleaded guilty to an amended one-count criminal charge.
The charge reads,” that you Babuwa Christopher of No. 3 Maha Close, Barnawa, Kaduna sometime in July, 2020 in Kaduna within the judicial Division of this Honourable Court with intent to commit an offence, had in your possession documents containing false pretence to wit; Union Bank Visa Card bearing Maduka M.O, Union Bank Visa Card with name Peter, Union Bank Visa Card of Jatau Richard, United Bank of Africa( UBA) debit card bearing the name ThankGod and Diamond Bank Master Card with unidentifiable name and you thereby committed an offence of attempt to commit cheating contrary to Section 57 of the Penal Code Law, 2017 of Kaduna State and punishable under section 307 of the same Law”
In view of his plea, prosecuting counsel, Y.J.Matiyak to prayed the court to convict and sentence him accordingly. But defence counsel, Abdulsalam Nurudeen, counsel asked the Court to temper justice with mercy as the defendant is a first time offender.
Justice Tukur, then convicted and sentenced Christopher to five years imprisonment with an option of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000) fine.
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the convict was arrested at a lodge in Barnawa, Kaduna based on intelligence on his involvement in cybercrime.
The officials said fraudulent documents including Debit cards of several tier-one banks in Nigeria, bearing different names were recovered from him during his arrest.
Kanye West expressed his love for Kim Kardashian to celebrate her as she turns 40 and Kim reciprocated in kind.
Kanye shared a photo from the day he proposed to her in a stadium and wrote: “Been doing empty stadiums. Happy 40th birthday!!! I love you so much.”
Kim, whose birthday it is today, October 21, quote-tweeted Kanye’s tweet and added: “I love you so much.”
Former US President, Bill Clinton has reacted to the reported killings of unarmed #EndSARS protesters in Nigeria.
Taking to his Twitter handle, Bill Clinton expressed his concern over the on going unrest in Lagos and urged the Nigerian government to engage in peaceful dialogue with protesters and end corruption.
He wrote: “I am deeply concerned over reports of violence in Lagos and urge the Nigerian government to engage in peaceful dialogue with the #EndSARSprotestors for police reform and an end to corruption.”
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