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
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
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.
UNIVERSITY OF ABUJA: THE END OF AN INGLORIOUS REIGN
By Samson Gbemiga Ogunwoye The controversial reign of Prof. Abdul Rasheed Na’Aallah as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja has come to an end. It is worth noting that his administration left a bitter-sweet taste in the mouths of many, with many believing that the tenure of the Kwara State born academic was characterized by an Osama-like terror, Hitler’s bullying, and Abacha’s impunity. As it is to be expected, the end of every reality is sacrosanct, and hence, this farewell dirge to a man many dreaded like a tyrant Upon his assumption of office, many were under the euphoria that he was coming to make a positive difference, seeing as the university was several years behind its growth projections as a befitting Ivory Tower in the national capital of Africa’s largest country. Unfortunately, this turned out to be a mistaken perception that was largely fueled by his initial grandstanding and loquacious posturing about his leadership acumen and a nonexistent developmental footprint. Prof. Na’Allah, was discovered to be a braggadocio that sees himself as a superior entity to every mortal. No student, not even a lecturer, could look into his eyes and dare to offer a contrary opinion; even the people that facilitated his appointment were pushed down the ladder; used and discarded. When Prof. Na’Allah took over management of the University of Abuja, it was ranked 9th best university in Nigeria by the National University Commission (NUC) in 2019. Within five years of a ruthless act of misgovernance, he is handing over a citadel of learning that now ranks 27th in the country. His tenure is therefore a tragic moment of management that should never befall any institution in Nigeria again. During his five years in office, Na’Allah raised the school fees five times. When he arrived in 2019, school fees were as low as N23,000, but as of today, when he is departing, some are as much as N250,000. The acceptance fee was arbitrarily increased from N4,500 to N50,000. Arbitrary fee increments forced many known students out of school. Our association found itself in a puzzling situation most times, where it had to raise funds for affected students. Many students had to wait for more years because they could not write exams due to late payment of school fees or delays in course registration due to the continuous technical glitches experienced with the so-called Integrated Portal that he imported from his former University, which consumes more funds than necessary. There is no doubting the fact that he took commendable strides in the effort to improve physical infrastructure of the university, but virtually all the structures he built were alleged to be at astronomically inflated prices. A testament to the overloaded contracts with substandard delivery were the dilapidated and moribund state of buildings, barely two years after completion. Many of the build structures have had their roofs repaired with unabated leakages. Bad furniture, substandard facilities like air conditioning, electronics, amongst others have been consigned unserviceable, several years ahead of their expected lifespan. It is pathetic that Malam Na’Allah built more mosques than hostels and libraries within the campus. Numerous recruitment exercises were ill-fated because they were largely underscored by impeccable mediocrity, bigotry and impunity. In several instances, he imported second class lower as a graduate assistant at the expense of internally qualified candidates with first class and strong second-class lower degree. He did a great disservice to the University of Abuja graduates by projecting us as unemployable. The fact that 90% of his employees are from other universities lends credence to that assertion. If the illegal recruitment is allowed to stand, the repercussions of the deleterious exercise will be indelible, not only within Abuja but throughout the larger society, that will feel the impact of the half-baked graduates that this new set of lecturers will produce. The VC is alleged to show total disregard for federal character in a university that prides itself on being a university of national unity. About 90% of the people employed are from one region or religion. A lady from Baze University who got employed into my department reportedly said she got the job against her wish even though her father paid for it. Na’Allah was not alone, as there was evidence that top officials in the ministry of education and some top politicians were accomplices, thus turning an ivory tower into a cash and carry market. The sordid incident that occurred at the Department of Sociology is worthy of recount just to buttress the degree of high-handedness of the departing Vice Chancellor. Na’Allah brought in a graduate with a second-class lower degree from another university and engaged the fellow as a lecturer. But the then lady HOD stood her ground and refused to sign the guy into the department. The following day, the lady was abruptly removed as HOD, and a junior lecturer who was hired by Na’Allah less than a year earlier was made the new HOD to do all the dirty work. These are not fallacies, but realities. It happened. Na’Allah met a functional Alumni Association but paralysed it in his bid to silence all the prospective dissenting voices and opinions. The divide and rule tactic adopted as strategy by the VC weakened ASUU for several years, as it took the union almost five years to introspect and re-strategize before they could confront the monster in Na’Allah. It’s pathetic to know that Na’Allah met a University of Abuja without strike but left the school on strike. With his gangs of academic hooligans, Na’Allah practically killed the Student Union. Two variants of student union leaders were nurtured by Na’Allah: the lollipop generation with milk spilled all over their mouths and the crumble eaters who survive from patronage, most especially from National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). The former were bullied to acute silence, and Na’Allah feasted on their credulity and timidity, while the latter were fed with crumbs, and he rode on their gluttonous appetite. The few dissenting voices, who
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
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.
‘We Are In A State Of War’ — Army On Borno Suicide Bombings
The Nigerian Army has declared that the recent bombings in Borno State signify that Nigeria is slipping into a state of war. This was revealed in a statement by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, on Tuesday. He recounted the tragic events that led to multiple deaths in the Gworza Local Government Area of Borno State over the weekend. Buba detailed the terror attacks, which involved multiple Person-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (PBIED), commonly known as suicide bombings, all occurring on Saturday, June 29, 2024. The first attack happened around 3:00 PM, when a female suicide bomber, disguised as a beggar, detonated an explosive device at a wedding reception on Mararaba Hausari Street. Shortly after, around 5:00 PM, as efforts were underway to stabilize and transport the initial casualties to the hospital, a second female suicide bomber detonated another device on the same street, close to the first explosion site. In response, troops immediately imposed a curfew on the community to keep residents indoors and prevent further casualties. However, while enforcing the curfew, a third explosion targeted the troops. “The third explosion targeted the troops enforcing the curfew. The troops were attacked from behind by a third woman strapped with an IED vest, killing a soldier and two members of the hybrid forces,” Buba explained. A fourth incident was averted when a suspect was identified early and detonated the bomb prematurely, resulting in only her death. In total, 20 people were killed, and 52 sustained various injuries and are receiving treatment. Buba emphasized that the armed forces regard every life lost, whether civilian or military, as a significant tragedy. “The sad loss of lives is a tragedy for society, the community, and the nation,” he said. On behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen CG Musa, and all officers and members of the armed forces, Buba extended condolences to the victims’ families and those needing healing and recovery. He explained that the terrorists’ actions are a response to recent military successes that have weakened their leadership, resources, and influence. “The terrorists embarked on these cowardly attacks against innocent citizens to project an image of strength to cover their weakness and decline,” Buba noted. He urged citizens to see through the terrorists’ tactics and remain vigilant and united, supporting the armed forces’ efforts to ensure a secure and peaceful future. “The fate of the terrorists that perpetrated this insecurity will be violent and short, as troops will stop at nothing to take them out of the battlefield,” Buba concluded.
Nnamdi Kanu’s Legal Team Reacts As Court Dismisses IPOB Leader’s Suit Against FG, DSS
The legal counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, the embattled leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Aloy Ejimakor, has rubbished the recent ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which dismissed his client’s case against the federal government. Ejimakor said, contrary to the court’s ruling, the IPOB leader’s legal team had presented a legion of evidence to back their claims. Recall that Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed the fundamental human rights suit filed by the detained IPOB leader against the Federal Government. Kanu had sued the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Department of State Service (DSS) for N1 billion in damages for alleged rights violations. The IPOB leader, in the suit marked FHC/CS/1633/2023, claimed that the DSS and its Director General violated his right to a fair hearing by allegedly preventing his lawyers from having unhindered interactions with him while he was being detained in preparation for his defence in his criminal trial. However, Justice Omotosho, while delivering judgment on the suit on Monday, held that Kanu failed to provide credible evidence to sustain his claims that his interactions with his lawyers were interfered with. The judge also said there was no evidence that Kanu was denied unhindered access to his lawyers or that the DSS officials had eavesdropped his conversations with his lawyers, which constituted a breach of his right to a fair hearing. Reacting, however, to the court’s ruling, Ejimakor vowed to appeal Justice Omotosho’s ruling. According to him, some of the shreds of evidence presented before the court are even in the public domain. “I am already preparing the notice of appeal. The evidence submitted before the court was legion. Some of it is even in the public domain,” Ejimakor told Daily Post on Tuesday
FG Clears $850 Million Debt to EU Airlines
The Federal Government of Nigeria has cleared a backlog of debts amounting to $850 million owed to European airlines. This development was announced by the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Samuela Isopi, during the 9th edition of the Nigeria – EU Business Forum held in Abuja. Ambassador Isopi lauded the Nigerian government’s efforts not only in settling the airline debts but also in lifting foreign exchange restrictions on the import of forty-three items. These measures are seen as pivotal steps towards smoothing trade relations between Nigeria and the European Union. During her address, Isopi highlighted the robust trade partnership between Nigeria and the EU, noting that Nigeria remains the EU’s largest trading partner with trade volumes reaching approximately 35 billion Euros last year. “Nigeria is also the EU’s biggest foreign investor, with investments estimated at 26 billion Euros, which accounts for one-third of Nigeria’s foreign direct investment,” Isopi added. The presence of over 230 European companies in Nigeria has been instrumental in job creation, particularly for the youth and women, reinforcing the EU’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s economic development. The forum, themed ‘Investing in Jobs and Sustainable Future’, saw notable attendees, including Myriam Ferran, Director General at the EU, Minister of Budget and National Planning Atiku Bagudu, and Ambassador Nura Rimi, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
Breaking: FG Shuns ASUU, Announces Date For Inauguration Of Universities Governing Councils
The Federal Government has announced that the Governing Councils of Federal universities, polytechnics and other tertiary institutions will be inaugurated on July 4, 2024. This comes amidst the rejection from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) regarding the composition of the newly constituted governing councils for federal universities across Nigeria. According to Prof Osodeke, the new list of council members is dominated by retired politicians rather than experts in academia or relevant fields. ASUU’s national President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, expressed concerns last week in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune, highlighting a worrying trend in the appointment process. Recall that President Bola Tinubu approved the reconstitution of the Governing Councils and Boards of federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. In an earlier statement, the Permanent Secretary, General Services, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Nnamdi Mbaeri, noted that the approval was given for the effective management of Nigerian tertiary institutions across the country. According to Punch, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. Aisha Maikudi, announced the inauguration date during her acceptance speech on Monday, while assuming the institution’s affairs. A total of 560 individuals were appointed to the governing councils and boards of Federal Government-owned tertiary institutions. For the University of Ibadan, the President appointed Chief Bisi Akande as the Chairman of the governing council. The board members are Alexander Ajipe, Nelson Alapa, Ifeoma Nwankwo, and Prof. Emmanuel Alo. Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) was appointed as the Chairman of the governing council of the University of Lagos. The council members are Bello Kumo, Prof. Idowu Mark, Niyi Akande, and Bola Njoku. Isa Yuguda chairs the board of the National Open University. The council members are Goddy Etta, Yomi Balogun, Deborah Apah, and Hingah Biem. Siyan Oyeweso was appointed to head the governing council of Obafemi Awolowo University, while Edward Sarki, Joseph Abaagu, Wahaab Owokoniran, and Abubakar Kachaalla are members of the council. Adebayo Shittu, Muiz Banire, and Senator Florence Ita Giwa were appointed as the chairpersons of the governing boards for David Umahi University of Medicine in Ebonyi State, Federal University of Transportation in Katsina State, and Federal Polytechnic in Ugep, Cross River State, respectively among others.