Connect with us

News

Suspend #EndBadGovernance Protests, Embrace Dialogue, Tinubu Urges Nigerians

Published

on

96 Views

President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to suspend the #EndBadGovernance protests and embrace dialogue.

During a broadcast on Sunday, the President assured Nigerians that his administration is focused on good governance despite the socio-economic challenges confronting Africa’s most populous nation.

Tinubu expressed pain over the loss of lives and properties in some states during the nationwide protests, saying the destruction of public and private assets sets the nation back “as scarce resources will be again used to restore them”.

He also commiserated with the families and relations of those who died in the protests.

“We must stop further bloodshed, violence and destruction,” he said.

The President said his administration won’t allow a few politically minded people to tear down the country under the guise of protests.

“As President of this country, I must ensure public order.

In line with my constitutional oath to protect the lives and property of every citizen, our government will not stand idly by and allow a few with a clear political agenda to tear this nation apart.

“To those who have taken undue advantage of this situation to threaten any section of this country, be warned: The law will catch up with you. There is no place for ethnic bigotry or such threats in the Nigeria we seek to build,” he said.

‘FG Will Address Your Concerns’

“Fellow Nigerians, I have heard you loud and clear. I understand the pain and frustration that drive these protests, and I want to assure you that our government is committed to listening and addressing the concerns of our citizens.

“But we must not let violence and destruction tear our nation apart. We must work together to build a brighter future, where every Nigerian can live with dignity and prosperity.

“I speak to you today with a heavy heart and a sense of responsibility, aware of the turmoil and violent protests unleashed in some of our states,” he added.

Protesters’ Demands

Since the protests started on Thursday, opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Tinubu’s contenders in the last election ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi have loudly called on him to address defiant youths who have taken to the streets to express their displeasure over the wobbling economy and the attendant hardship in the country.

Prices of food and basic commodities have gone through the roof in the last months, as Nigerians battle one of the country’s worst inflation rates and economic crises sparked by the government’s twin policies of petrol subsidy removal and unification of forex windows.

Propagated on social media, the #EndBadGovernance protests against economic hardship planned for 10 days entered its third day on Saturday as resilient youths pushed on, insisting that Tinubu meets their demands.

Some of the protesters’ demands include the restoration of petrol subsidies and the forex regime. They also want the government to address food shortages, unemployment, and the wasteful spending of those in power.

Other demands are a reduction of the President’s cabinet and general cost of governance, immediate reforms of the electoral umpire INEC and anti-graft agency EFCC with renewed vigour in the fight against corrupt politicians.

The protests turned awry in Kano, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Jigawa, Nasarawa and other states where rampaging hoodlums took advantage of the situation and burned vehicles, and looted warehouses and private stores.

Police said seven persons died during incidents around the protests but denied that security agents killed any of the victims.

Till Day 3, policemen were seen dispersing protesters using tear gas, even as civil society organisations condemned the action of the police.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

NNPCL says rising cooking gas price caused by PENGASSAN strike

The strike, triggered by the dismissal of Nigerian workers at the Dangote Refinery, disrupted fuel and gas operations nationwide before it was suspended on October 1 following federal government intervention.

Published

on

By

12 Views

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Mr. Bayo Ojulari, has attributed the recent spike in cooking gas prices to the temporary halt in operations caused by the strike action of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

Ojulari emphasized that the industrial action disrupted loading and distribution for several days, creating an artificial price surge.

“The increase you saw was relatively artificial because during the strike, movement and loading were delayed by about two to three days,” he explained.

“As operations normalise, it will take a little time for distribution and pricing to stabilise.”

He also accused some retailers of exploiting the brief supply gap to inflate prices, noting that “some people with existing stock took advantage of the situation to raise prices.”

Ojulari assured Nigerians that cooking gas prices would gradually return to pre-strike levels as supply chains recover.

The strike, triggered by the dismissal of Nigerian workers at the Dangote Refinery, disrupted fuel and gas operations nationwide before it was suspended on October 1 following federal government intervention.

The Dangote Group later agreed to reinstate the affected workers, paving the way for normal operations and stabilisation of gas prices.

Continue Reading

News

National Assembly warns parliamentary staff against picketing during plenary

In a circular issued on Sunday by the Secretary, Human Resources and Staff Development, Essien Eyo Essien, on behalf of the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the management warned that any attempt to disrupt legislative activities would attract severe disciplinary measures.

Published

on

By

23 Views

The management of the National Assembly has cautioned aggrieved parliamentary workers against carrying out their planned protest and picketing of the complex as lawmakers resume plenary on Tuesday.

The warning followed threats by some members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria to embark on industrial action over alleged unresolved welfare and constitutional issues affecting staff.

In a circular issued on Sunday by the Secretary, Human Resources and Staff Development, Essien Eyo Essien, on behalf of the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the management warned that any attempt to disrupt legislative activities would attract severe disciplinary measures.

Essien stated, “It must be emphasised that membership of PASAN or any union is entirely voluntary.

Any staff member, whether an executive or regular member, who is dissatisfied with the conduct of union affairs may freely withdraw their membership in accordance with established rules.”

He explained that within seven months of assuming office, the current management had embarked on several administrative reforms aimed at improving efficiency and boosting staff morale.

Essien further warned, “In light of recent developments, the Management hereby instructs all Staff to ignore any calls for industrial action, including ‘work-to-rule’ or ‘unlawful picketing’.

Your safety and security within the National Assembly Complex are assured, and we urge you to proceed with your official duties without any fear or intimidation.”

Continue Reading

News

Hon Rotimi Olowo, Chief Zebrudaya alias 4.30, and other top Nigerians for Virtuous Widows Int’l Foundation Awards

Ambassador Ifenyinwa Benice Egbosiuba, the Founder and International President, informed journalists in Lagos that the awards will be presented during an empowerment seminar scheduled for November 22, 2025.

Published

on

By

32 Views

Ambassador Ifenyinwa Benice Egbosiuba, Founder/International President, addressed the widows during one of their outreach programmes, recently.

The Virtuous Widows International Foundation, a local non-governmental organisation focused on empowering Nigerian widows nationwide, has finalised plans to honour prominent Nigerians with prestigious awards in recognition of their services to humanity, particularly for indigent widows and the less privileged in society.

Ambassador Ifenyinwa Benice Egbosiuba, the Founder and International President, informed journalists in Lagos that the awards will be presented during an empowerment seminar scheduled for November 22, 2025.

The theme of the seminar is “Come, Let’s Build Together,” and it will take place at the auditorium of Queens College, Sabo-Yaba, Lagos.

“During the event, we will recognise men and women who have a passion for helping widows,” she stated.

“We have identified several individuals who will receive awards to appreciate their support, belief in our mission, and understanding of the challenges faced by Nigerian widows.”

When asked about the notable figures receiving the awards, Mrs Toyin Badmus, the NGO’s Vice President, revealed that one of the honorees is Honourable Rotimi Olowo from Somolu Local Government in Lagos State. She emphasised that Hon. Olowo is passionate about assisting the less privileged.

During his tenure as a House of Assembly member representing Somolu, he empowered numerous people and helped thousands of youths, many of whom might have otherwise become vagabonds.

“He provided buses and tricycles for them to operate, giving them meaningful lives,” she explained.

“He has also reached out to physically challenged individuals, touching the lives of women, orphans, and widows.

He has proven himself to be committed to humanitarian service, which is why we have deemed him worthy of this award.

“Another personality on the list is Dr Hamza Al-Mustapha, who has been a strong supporter of the foundation.

“Our board of directors has also selected Chief Chika Okpala (alias ZB 4.30) for his role in the memorable defunct television comedy series ‘New Masquerade’ on NTA.

In the 70s and 80s, he brought joy to many viewers across the country through this program.”

Additionally, Dr Mrs. Oyindamola Obabori, the current principal of Queens College, Yaba, Lagos, will be honoured.

“She has made significant contributions in her capacity, particularly in training young girls at Queens College.

As we know, training women empowers the entire nation, and her leadership has produced many successful individuals.

“Chief (Dr.) Alexander Chika Okafor of Chikason Group of Companies will also receive the prestigious award.

For 17 years, he has consistently uplifted people’s spirits through his philanthropic activities.

Regarding the membership strength of the NGO, Mrs Badmus shared that it started with just nine members and gradually grew to 11, then 21, and 200 at its inception.

“Today, if there are seven million widows in Nigeria, I have five million under our umbrella as members. They come out in large numbers wherever I go, unless I do not call them.

Our membership spans across Nigeria and extends to countries like Ghana, Burkina Faso, Cotonou, Senegal, and Tanzania, all seeking to establish chapters.

However, as the saying goes, ‘charity begins at home’; I have not yet completed outreach in all 36 states of Nigeria due to the challenges of insecurity.”

Continue Reading

Trending