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  • EFCC Warns Against Planned Protest

    EFCC Warns Against Planned Protest

    While still unable to arrest fugitive former kogi state Gov Yahaya Bello, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has switched attention, issuing a strong warning to alleged promoters of a planned protest against the commission.

    A statement by the commission through its Head, Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, alerted members of the public about plans by some people to stage a protest against the commission.

    The statement reads, “EFCC wishes to alert the general public on the plan by a shadowy group to instigate a “protest” against the Commission.

    “In the last couple of days, the group has been actively campaigning in the social media, recruiting impressionable young Nigerians, including students, to take up “arms” against the EFCC.

    “This insidious campaign is being promoted as resistance to the operational activities of the Commission, especially in respect of the enforcement of the laws dealing with cybercrimes.

    The EFCC identified those behind the planned protest. 

    “The Commission, while not averse to protests by citizens, is alarmed by emerging evidence that suggest a grand design by corrupt elements under investigation or prosecution by the Commission to exploit the so-called protest to orchestrate a national uprising that may threaten the peace and security of our dear nation.

    “As a responsible law enforcement organisation, the Commission will not tolerate any breakdown of law and order anywhere in the country, especially around its office locations across Nigeria.

    “EFCC, working in concert with sister security agencies, is therefore taking necessary measures to deal with possible threats to the peace and security of Nigeria. 

    The Commission, however, appeals to parents, guardians and heads of tertiary institutions to take responsibility in ensuring that their wards are not recruited to be used as cannon fodder in a proxy war against the Commission by vested corrupt interests.

    “The war being waged by the Commission against corruption and cybercrime is to protect the future of the youth of this country. That future is imperilled if Nigeria degenerates further in global reckoning as a den of fraudsters,” the statement concluded.

  • WHO gives first-ever guideline for quitting tobacco

    WHO gives first-ever guideline for quitting tobacco

    The World Health Organisation has recommended a comprehensive set of tobacco cessation interventions, including behavioural support delivered by healthcare providers, digital cessation interventions, and pharmacological treatments in its first guideline on tobacco cessation.

    The guideline released on Wednesday focuses on helping the more than 750 million tobacco users who want to quit all forms of tobacco.

    The recommendations are relevant for all adults seeking to quit various tobacco products, including cigarettes, waterpipes, smokeless tobacco products, cigars, roll-your-own tobacco, and Heated Tobacco Products.

    “This guideline marks a crucial milestone in our global battle against these dangerous products,” said the WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus.

    “It empowers countries with the essential tools to effectively support individuals in quitting tobacco and alleviate the global burden of tobacco-related diseases.”

    Over 60 per cent of the world’s 1.25 billion tobacco users – more than 750 million people – wish to quit, yet 70 per cent lack access to effective cessation services. This gap exists due to challenges faced by health systems, including resource limitations.

    “The immense struggle that people face when trying to quit smoking cannot be overstated. We need to deeply appreciate the strength it takes and the suffering endured by individuals and their loved ones to overcome this addiction,” said the Director of Health Promotion at WHO, Dr Rüdiger Krech.

    “These guidelines are designed to help communities and governments provide the best possible support and assistance for those on this challenging journey.”

    The global health body noted that combining pharmacotherapy with behavioural interventions significantly increases quitting success rates. Countries are encouraged to provide these treatments at no or reduced cost to improve accessibility, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

    WHO recommends varenicline, Nicotine Replacement Therapy, bupropion, and cytisine as effective treatments for tobacco cessation.

    In 2023, WHO initiated a prequalification procedure for medicinal products against disorders caused by tobacco use to improve global access to recommended tobacco cessation medications.

    In April 2024, Kenvue’s nicotine gum and patch became the first WHO-prequalified NRT product.

    WHO recommends behavioural interventions, including brief health worker counselling (30 seconds to three minutes) offered routinely in health-care settings, alongside more intensive behavioural support (individual, group, or phone counselling) for interested users.

    “Additionally, digital interventions such as text messaging, smartphone apps, and internet programmes can be used as adjuncts or self-management tools.

    “WHO encourages healthcare providers, policy-makers, and stakeholders to adopt and implement this guideline to promote tobacco cessation and improve the health of millions of people in need worldwide,” it added.

  • Heavy Rainfall Causes Widespread Flooding in Ibeju-Lekki 

    Heavy Rainfall Causes Widespread Flooding in Ibeju-Lekki 

    Residential areas and major roads in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, have been inundated by floods following several hours of heavy rainfall in recent days.

    The downpour, which persisted for many hours on Wednesday, resulted in significant flooding in residential areas across Ibeju-Lekki and surrounding locations such as Epe, Eredo, Bogije, Labora, Abijon, Sangotedo, Awoyaya, and others.

    Residents attributed the flooding to the blockage of waterways caused by indiscriminate dumping of waste in the localities.

    Rasheed Ayobami, a resident of Labora, Ibeju-Lekki, described how his house was submerged due to the absence of a functional drainage system at his new residence.

    “The water flowed into my compound and completely submerged my house. We live in an area without proper drainage, forcing water into our homes and leaving us homeless,” he lamented.

    Seyi Arowosaye voiced concerns over perennial flooding on the Ibeju-Lekki Expressway, attributing it to blocked drains in the area.

    “We urge the Ibeju-Lekki local government to clear the drains and implore residents to stop dumping waste in the drainage system to prevent future flooding,” Arowosaye urged. He also called on the Lagos State government to expedite road repairs in Sangotedo.

    Bola Fadugba highlighted the impact of the flooding in Labora, emphasizing the urgent need for a lasting solution to the recurring flood challenges in the area.

    “Floods have made my house inhabitable during the rainy season. Many parts of the metropolis are affected. The government must find a lasting solution to this perennial problem,” Fadugba insisted.

    The flooding also affected key roads such as Abraham Adesanya, Awoyaya, Sangotedo, and Majek, exacerbated by ongoing road rehabilitation works in the locality.

  • UNIBEN Students Block Benin-Ore Highway Over Power Outage

    UNIBEN Students Block Benin-Ore Highway Over Power Outage

    On Wednesday, University of Benin (UNIBEN) students took to the streets, blocking the busy Benin-Ore highway to protest an ongoing power outage on campus. The students, who are just two weeks away from their first semester exams, said the lack of electricity has severely impacted their ability to study.

    The power outage is the result of a dispute between the university and the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) over a significant increase in the electricity bill. The university administration expressed frustration after the BEDC increased the monthly charges from approximately N80 million to between N200 million and N280 million. As a result, the university has been forced to rely on power generators, providing only limited electricity to the campuses and hostels.

    “We’ve had only one hour of electricity each day since this started. We’re tired of studying in the dark. We need electricity to prepare for our exams, and the university management needs to resolve this issue,” said John Afolabi, one of the protesting students.

    The protest began early in the morning, with students carrying placards and chanting slogans as they blocked the highway. “We won’t leave until something is done. We can’t afford to fail our exams because of the university’s negligence,” said Sarah Osaigbovo, a 300-level student.

    The protest caused significant traffic disruptions, leaving many passengers stranded. “I’m supposed to be at work right now, but I’ve been stuck here for hours. I understand the students’ plight, but they need to find a better way to protest,” said a frustrated commuter who wished to remain anonymous.

    Despite the rain, the students remained resolute in their protest. UNIBEN spokeswoman Benedicta Ehanire confirmed that the university Senate was in a meeting to find a solution to the issue.

  • Reps to investigate civil service promotion stagnation

    Reps to investigate civil service promotion stagnation

    Following a motion moved by Rep. Salman Idris, the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Agric Colleges and Institutions in Abuja, the House of Representatives has resolved to investigate promotion stagnation in the Federal Civil Service from 2013 to 2023.

    According to Idris, promotion remained the progression of civil servants, as well as a motivational incentive for productivity, decrying the incessant stagnation in promotions across Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government.

    He said this had resulted in loss of service delivery, decline in highly specialized skills, low levels of productivity and performance, employee unrest, corruption and dampened morale.

    “The menace of promotion stagnation in the civil service calls for urgent attention and intervention of this hallowed chamber if the policies and programmes of government must be achieved,” he said.

    He said that the civil service remained the engine room of government, adding that it required a holistic reform that could promote global best practices.

    He added that the issues of promotions and recommendations as and when due was imperative and should not be overlooked.

    Idis said some civil servants who eventually got promoted after mandatory examination as required by civil service rules were promoted notionally but not financially.

    He added that MDAs often made provision for such recurrent expenditure in the yearly appropriation.

    He said that every promotion stagnation would have an effect on the career of the officer.

    He added that every civil servant was expected to rise to the pinnacle of their career within 35 years in active service or by the retirement age of 60 year.

    The house ruled that the committee on public sector and institutional reforms should investigate promotion stagnation in the Federal Civil Service from 2013 –2023.

  • BREAKING: One killed, seven rescued as building collapses in Lagos

    BREAKING: One killed, seven rescued as building collapses in Lagos

    A child was feared dead on Wednesday when a building collapsed at 10, Cameroon street in Mushin, Lagos. 

    Seven other residents were also reportedly rescued by sympathisers from the rubbles. 

    A resident said the building collapsed following heavy downpours in many parts of Lagos. 

    She said the Lagos rescue team was yet to respond to emergency calls as of the time of filing this report. 

  • Senators beg Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu for peace in South East

    Senators beg Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu for peace in South East

    A total of 15 Senators from the South East region of Nigeria, Wednesday, pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to order the release of the detained Biafran Nation agitator, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

    Kanu has since being in the custody of the DSS on the order of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    The Senators made the plea during
    a closed door meeting with the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) where a letter begging Tinubu to release Kanu was delivered for onward passage to the presidency.

    Led by a former Abia state deputy Governor, Senator Eyinanya Abaribe, the lawmakers claimed that unless Kanu is released, the social and economic activities in the South East region will continue to be stagnant.

    Speaking shortly after the meeting, Abaribe who spoke on behalf of his colleagues lamented that the economy and social life in the South East had suffered enough due to the continued incarceration of the Biafra Nation Agitator.

    Abaribe noted with grave concern that the peaceful demand of the detained IPOB leader had been hijacked by hoodlums and criminals leading to wanton killings of innocent people, including security operatives.

    The former Abia state deputy Governor told newsmen that he had already met with Kanu at the headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja and had agreed to abide by any conditional release.

    Senator Abaribe expressed optimism that once Kanu is released, the tension and acrimonious engulfing the South East region since 2021 when he clamped into DSS custody would became event of the past.

    The Senators therefore pleaded with the AGF to convey their message to President Tinubu and for the AGF to use his position to terminate all the charges brought against the IPOB leader by the Federal Government.

    Besides the Senators, Abaribe said that virtually all political leaders, religious leaders and stakeholders have unanimously agreed that Kanu be released for peace to bounce back to the region.

    It would be recalled that Kanu was re-arrested in Kenya in 2021 by the Federal Government and brought to the country for trial on terrorism charges.

    Although, he pleaded not guilty to the charges, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja declined to admit him to bail on the ground that he jumped the earlier one in which Senator Abaribe was his surety.

  • 98 Lawyers Shortlisted For SAN Rank -LPPC

    98 Lawyers Shortlisted For SAN Rank -LPPC

    The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has shortlisted 98 Lawyers and Professors of Law for elevation to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

    The shortlisted applicants were in two categories of Advocacy and Academia.

    Among the names shortlisted are former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) National Officers – Monday Onyekachi Ubani Esq, Kunle Edun Esq, Dr. Rapulu Nduka Esq and Stanley Imo Esq.

    Also, shortlisted is the chairman of NBA, Bwari Branch, Paul Daudu Esq and notable Abuja-based lawyer, Okey Ajunwa Esq.

    This was contained in a press statement issued in Abuja by the Secretary of LPPC, Harjo Sarki Bello, on Tuesday night.

    The statement read: “The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) by this Notice announces the shortlisting of applicants for the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria for the year 2024.

    “The shortlisted applicants in the two categories of Advocacy and Academia.

    “Among shorlisted are Lateef Olaseinde Karim, Esq, Godwin Tagbo Ike, Esq.Johnson Odionu, Esq., Nnodim Marcellinus Duru, Esq., Innocent Adams Ovbagbedia, Esq., Soronnadi Anthony Njoku, Esq., Adamu Abubakar, Esq and Charles Oyaole Musa, Esq.

    “Others are Udochi Nunny Iheanacho, Esq., David Dare Onietan, Esq., Elele Chinatu Casmir, Esq., Josiah Rapuluchuks Nduka, Esq., Godwin Ikechukwu Obeta, Esq., Habeeb Orisavia Ilavbare, Esq, Moses Kolade Obafemi, Esq, and Mathew Echezonam Esonanjor, Esq. Baba Fika Dalah, Esq.

    “Among those in the academia are Prof. Osy Ezechukwunyere Nwebo, Prof. Nlerum Sunday Okogbule, Prof. Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri, Prof. Nathaniel Ahagbue Inegbedion, Prof. Collins Chijioke Obioma and Prof. Violet Aigbokhaevbo.

    “Also, in the list are Prof. Augustine Robert Agom, Prof. Ibrahim Abdulqadir Abikan, Prof. Chima Josephat Ubanyionwu and Prof. Ganiyu Adeyemi Oke.”

    The LPPC, however, called on the general public to comment on the integrity, reputation, and competence of the shortlisted applicants.

    “Every complaint(s) must be accompanied by a verifying affidavit deposed to by the author before a Superior Court of Record in Nigeria or before a Notary Public and be in twenty (20) copies.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the publication of the names of the shortlisted applicants is not an indication of their success in the process,” LPPC added.

  • Reps Introduces Bill to Create New State “Etiti” in South-East Nigeria

    Reps Introduces Bill to Create New State “Etiti” in South-East Nigeria

    A bill to amend the 1999 Constitution with the aim to create an additional state in Nigeria’s South-East geopolitical zone has successfully passed its first reading in the House of Representatives.

    Titled “A Bill to alter the 1999 Constitution as amended to create additional state in the South-East geo-political zone called Etiti,” the bill was introduced by Rep. Amobi Ogah (LP-Abia) along with co-sponsors Rep. Miriam Onuoha (APC-Imo), Rep. Kama Nkemkama, Rep. Chinwe Nnabuife, and Rep. Anayo Onwuegbu.

    The proposed Etiti state state shall encompass communities currently part of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states. It is planned to comprise 11 Local Government Areas with its administrative headquarters located in Lokpanta.

    Key amendments sought in the bill include changes to three sections of the 1999 constitution. These amendments aim to replace the reference to “36 states” with “37 states” and to insert the state of Etiti immediately after Enugu in the list of states outlined in the Constitution. Furthermore, the bill proposes reassigning 11 local government areas currently belonging to Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states to the new state of Etiti.

    The local government areas affected by this proposal include Isuikwuato and Umu-Nneochi (Abia), Orumba North and Orumba South (Anambra), Ivo and Ohaozara (Ebonyi), Aninri, Agwu, and Oji River (Enugu), as well as Okigwe and Onuimo (Imo).

    The bill is expected to undergo further readings and deliberations in the House of Representatives before potentially being passed into law, pending broader legislative and public scrutiny.

  • Provide Emergency Relief to Flood Victims: Senate Urges Federal Government

    Provide Emergency Relief to Flood Victims: Senate Urges Federal Government

    Respite may soon come the way of victims of recent flood disasters in parts of the country as the Nigerian Senate has called upon the federal government to swiftly enact emergency provisions to ease the pain of victims of recent floods in several communities within Abia North Senatorial District, Abia State.

    The Senate resolution follows a motion calling on the Federal Government to urgently make Emergency Provisions for victims of flooding in some communities in Abia North Senatorial district of Abia State.

    The motion was sponsored by Senator Orji Uzo Kalu, representing Abia North who made an impassioned plea, saying that heavy rainstorms accompanied by lightning and thunderstorms had ravaged the region, resulting in tragic loss of lives and extensive damage to property.

    Support for the motion was resoundingly echoed by Senators Austin Akobundu of Abia Central, Enyinnaya Abaribe of Abia South, and Osita Izunaso of Imo North, who joined in urging the Federal Government to intervene urgently and provide relief to the affected communities.

    Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin commended Senator Kalu for bringing the motion forward, emphasizing the ongoing efforts of the federal government in infrastructure development and pledging thorough consideration of the motion’s demands.

    The Senate observed a minute of silence in honor of those who perished in the disaster.

    The Senate further mandated the Committee on Legislative Compliance and Environment to ensure swift implementation of the emergency provisions and to report back to the Senate within four weeks.