Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Doris Israel Ijeoma

  • Protesters shout down minister at Eagles Square

    Protesters shout down minister at Eagles Square

    Protesters shouted down the Minister of State for Youths Development, Ayodele Olawande, who arrived at the Eagles Square in Abuja to address the protesters.
    As the minister tried to address the crowd, the protesters continued to chant “hunger dey”, preventing the minister from speaking.
    However, after quelling the crowd, the minister said he wasn’t attempting to shut down the protest, describing himself as a comrade who has attended between a hundred and five hundred protests.
    “I’m not here to fight you, I’m not here to ask you not to protest, it is your right. Like I said, I’ve been to over 100-500 protests,” he said.
    The minister also assured that he would address the police regarding the shooting of canisters against the protesters.
    Meanwhile, protesters have insisted they would not join the others at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, noting that a few days ago, a parallel protest had been held without interference by the police.
  • Popular Nigerian Preacher Leads Protest Against Hardship 

    Popular Nigerian Preacher Leads Protest Against Hardship 

    Hunger protest in Jos, plateau state takes a spiritual dimension as popular pastor, El Buba leads protest

     

    General Overseer and President El-buba Outreach Ministries International (EBOMI), Dr Isa El-buba, personally led the August 1st hunger protest in Jos, Plateau state capital, on Thursday.
    El-buba, who is the national coordinator of Initiative for Better and Brighter Nigeria (IBBN), said the protest led by him would be peaceful all through.
    The protesters converged on the Plateau Secretariat overhead bridge as early as 6am from where they headed towards old airport roundabout Jos.
    While addressing the protesters, he highlighted the suffering of Nigerians and asked President Bola Tinubu to reverse “anti-people policies”.
    Buba specifically mentioned the removal of fuel subsidy, high electricity tariff, and high cost of living as some of the worries of the protesters.
    Security operatives were present to guide the protesters and ensure that the protest remained peaceful, Daily Trust reports.
    The Plateau State government had earlier rejected the protest, citing security concerns, but the protesters were undeterred.
    Other protesters also assembled at the British American roundabout in Jos, where most shops were closed in solidarity with the protest.
    The peaceful nature of the protest was a relief to many who had feared violence.
    As of 11am when this report was filed, there was no single incident of violence recorded.
  • Police Fire Tear Gas At Protesters In Bauchi

    Police Fire Tear Gas At Protesters In Bauchi

    The #endbadgovernance protest in Bauchi State has been disrupted as police fired tear gas at protesters.
    The protesters, who had assembled in front of the Emir of Bauchi’s palace, demanded a meeting with the Emir but were stopped by a police barricade
    As the protesters insisted on meeting with the Emir, the police deployed tear gas to disperse them.
    The youths, however, insist that they be allowed to continue their protest
  • Banks, others shut as hunger protest holds

    Banks, others shut as hunger protest holds

    Banks and other financial institutions in the country will be closed on Thursday, August 1, 2024, as the planned hunger strike begins across the country.

     

    While none of the banks outrightly announced a closure, chats with different employees of the banks indicated that they have been advised not to report for work on Thursday as the banks monitor the protest.

     

    A banker who spoke with The PUNCH said, “You saw what happened during previous protests, banks were targets. We don’t want a repeat of a similar experience, hence we have been advised to monitor the situation first and then we know where to go from there.”

     

    Another banker based in Lagos simply said, “I’m not going to work tomorrow,” when asked.

     

    However, another banker said they were not advised either way, just told to exercise caution during their commute.

     

    A Pension Fund Administrator, Leadway Pensure, in a mail to their customers on Wednesday titled ‘Business Continuity Amid Planned Protest’ said, “Due to the planned nationwide protest starting August 1, 2024, please be informed that all our office will be closed on Thursday, August 1, 2024, and Friday, August 2, 2024, at the first instance as we monitor the situation.”

     

    The PFA went on to urge its customers to adopt its digital channels for their transactions.

     

    Asset Management firm, Meristem Securities Limited, also issued a notice of closure to its customers on Wednesday.

     

    “Dear esteemed client. Due to the upcoming nationwide protest tomorrow, this is to inform you that all our offices in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja will be closed on Thursday, 1st June 2024. We will closely monitor the situation and provide further communication, depending on the developments of the protest.”

     

    Their customers were advised to reach them via their online channels.

     

    Speaking with The PUNCH in an exclusive interview, the President of the National Union of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions Employees, Anthony Abakpa, said, “Banks will monitor the National planned protest closely and see how it plays out. The regulatory body has not given express approval to close any of the bank operations amid the protest.

     

    “Banks cannot close shop without the express approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria. We will monitor closely while we have advised our members to exercise extra caution and be alert to stay safe during and after.”

     

  • Attempted Jailbreak?: Gunshots In Imo Capital

    Attempted Jailbreak?: Gunshots In Imo Capital

    There was pandemonium in Owerri, the Imo State capital yesterday as sporadic shooting was heard across Owerri, the state capital.
    While some wondered if the gunshots were a result of an attempted jailbreak, a security Eons Intelligence in post shared on X attributed the shooting to unknown gunmen.
    It wrote: “At 1130 am today 31st July, 2024, Owerri Prison under attack by Unknown gunmen as prison armed Squad in gun duel.
    “Reinforcement from military and other security formation ongoing.”
    It further tweeted, “Report of sporadic shooting across Owerri Municipal by UGM. Suspected Hoodlums also attacked the UBA bank at Wetheral Road.
    “Avoid the area until normalcy is restored.”
    While some witnesses attributed the gunshots to unknown gunmen, sources from Imo State capital, who witnessed the incident told SaharaReporters that the shooting could not be from unknown gunmen.
    According to one of Sahara Reporters sources, the shooting is simultaneously going on at the Okigwe road, World Bank, Control, in front of Government House, Onitsha road, Amaku-Ohia – Akwaku road, and Aba road and Wetheral Road.
    The source said: “We believe that the Governor Hope Uzodimma and his administration were behind the shooting to scare and send fear to the people who might be planning to come out tomorrow to participate in the nationwide ‘Day of Rage’ protests against hunger and misgovernance in Nigeria, and in the state.”
    “You must have seen the video of Owerri, the State capital, it has been completely deserted. In those videos do you see security agencies moving around to contain it. That shows you that the shooting was government plan to scare would be protesters from coming tomorrow. That’s is the main agenda.
    “Police, military and other security agencies are resided in the capital, with increased checkpoints in every streets in Owerri, from where did the so called gunmen came in from.”
  • Kano announce date for LG polls 

    Kano announce date for LG polls 

    The Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) has scheduled November 30, 2024, for the local government elections in the state.
    The Chairman of the Commission, Sani Malumfashi, announced the date while addressing a news conference in Kano on Wednesday.
    He said the notification of the election will be issued on November 15.
    Nomination forms will be available from October 1 to October 11, with submission of the forms due by October 18, 2024.
    He noted that the screening of candidates will take place from October 18 to October 20, while the list of eligible candidates will be released on October 24. The elections will follow thereafter.
    “We plan to release the results of the winners by December 10, 2024. This announcement is made under Section 103, Subsections 3 and 1 of the Electoral Act and the powers conferred on the Commission under Paragraph 3(4) of Part II, Third Schedule, Section 3(1) of the Kano Local Government Law 2004,” Malumfashi said.
    He said that the elections are being conducted following a Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments, and the conduct will be in accordance with the law.
    Malumfashi also announced that candidates are barred from placing their posters on places of worship, schools, and government buildings. Anyone violating these rules will be punished.
    He said the Commission expects all the 19 political parties to participate in the election.
    According to him, the Commission will work closely with security agencies to ensure a peaceful election.
    “Kano, with 44 local governments and over 7 million voters, presents significant security challenges, particularly in light of current economic difficulties,” he said.
    He explained that the Commission will recruit about 13,000 ad-hoc staff to man the 11,000 polling units.
  • Court bars economic hardship protest in Ghana 

    Court bars economic hardship protest in Ghana 

    Apparently scared by what appears like an emerging trend, a high court in Ghana has barred groups from holding so-called hunger protests in the capital Accra, as youth-led demonstrations in other African countries become commonplace.
    The 7-day protest dubbed ‘The Gen-Z demo’ is billed for July 31 to August 6 at the Black Star Square.
    Protest organisers said two million people would march to demand more action from President Nana Akufo-Addo on corruption and living conditions. They will also rail against delays in signing an anti-LGBTQ bill into law.
    Court documents seen by ModernGhana News said the police have warned that the planned demonstration could compromise public order.
    In a ruling on Tuesday, Abena Serwaa, high court judge, approved police request to ban a handful of organisations from carrying out protests.
    The planned protests come amid election campaigns in Ghana.
    They also arrive on the heels of a wave of demonstrations across Africa in recent weeks.
  • We’ll Be Eating While You Are Out There, Akpabio Mocks Protesters

    We’ll Be Eating While You Are Out There, Akpabio Mocks Protesters

    Reputed for series of unguarded utterances, the Senate President Godswill Akpabio has taunted those calling for demonstration over the economic hardship in the country.
    According to him, those interested in the protest can go ahead “but let us be there eating”.
    Akpabio spoke at an event organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Tuesday in Rivers state.
    His comment is coming on the heels of a planned nationwide protest by some Nigerians to demand economic and political reforms.
    Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, met with some of the organisers on Tuesday in Abuja, appealing to them for virtual protest but they insisted on going to the streets.
    However, during the NDDC event, Akpabio said he was not interested in any “regime change”.
    “All of us feel the impact of what is happening now. But we are aware it will be for a short while. MD, I want to thank you for what you said. You said we are not interested in regime change, let us own this government.
    “Those who want to protest can protest, but let us be there eating — I must thank the Niger Delta”, he added.
    He said “we acknowledge the fact that the impact of oil and gas activities in our region has done immeasurable damage to our people.”
    The national assembly, he assured, is ready to help with legislation to curb oil spillage and environmental pollution in the region.
    “The specific issues faced by the Niger Delta must be contained in that communique because we are going to make it available to Mr President,” he said.
    “The ones that need legislation will come to us, the ones that need intervention will go to NDDC, the ones that need more money will go to the president and commander-in-chief and I assure that those issues will be addressed”, he submitted.
    The National Assembly under Akpabio’s leadership has fixed an emergency session for the eve of the protest.
  • Wigwe University Registrar dies ‘mysteriously’ in Abuja

    Wigwe University Registrar dies ‘mysteriously’ in Abuja

    Another tragedy has hit the fledgling Wigwe University, as its registrar, Ms. Ulonna Inyama, has died under mysterious circumstances in Abuja, sparking concerns about medical negligence and hospital safety.
    According to a family source, Ms. Inyama died due to complications from fibroid surgery and a wrong blood transfusion.
    The source revealed that she was initially admitted to a hospital in Abuja for fibroid treatment but suffered a fatal reaction after receiving the wrong blood type.
    “She died of loss of blood due to fibroid complications under mysterious circumstances. We were told that wrong blood transfusion led to her death.
    “When her condition worsened due to complications, she was referred to another hospital, where she passed on,” the source told Vanguard on Monday in Abuja.
    The incident has raised questions about the quality of medical care and safety protocols in Nigerian hospitals. The family has demanded an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms. Inyama’s death.
    Ms. Inyama’s death comes just months after the tragic loss of Wigwe University’s founder, Herbert Wigwe, who died in a helicopter crash, February 9th, 2024 in California, USA, along with his wife and son.
    The university community is still reeling from the loss of its founder and now faces another devastating blow with the loss of its Registrar
  • WAEC sets date to release 2024 WASSCE Results 

    WAEC sets date to release 2024 WASSCE Results 

    The West African Examinations Council has officially announced that the results for the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination will be released on August 5, 2024.
    Students across the West African region are eagerly awaiting their results, which will be available online and through designated WAEC offices, Schoolpursuit reports.
    This announcement marks the end of a tense waiting period for candidates who sat for the exams earlier this year.
    The announcement read, “WAEC has officially announced that the WAEC 2024 results will be out on Monday, August 5, 2024.
    “The West African Examinations Council has acknowledged that certain challenges led to delayed releasing the results.
    “While apologising for the delay, WAEC has assured all candidates who participated in the examination that 99.5% of the SSCE results are ready and will be available online soon.’’
    Efforts to get a confirmation from the WAEC Lagos Office, Head of Nigeria Office, Dr Amos Dangut, were futile.
    Meanwhile, a notable source from the WAEC Office in Kwara State confirmed this to our correspondent on Monday.
    “This is true. A statement should be up on the website and social media handle any moment from now,” he answered when asked if the said information was true.