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Things you need to know this Friday Morning 1st July, 2022.
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1. The Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court, on Thursday, adjourned the trial of a former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, on charges of conspiracy and organ harvest. With the adjournment, the lawmaker will remain in custody until his next court date on July 7, 2022.
2. The Nigerian Army has confirmed the attack in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State by bandits who killed scores of security operatives, including soldiers and police. Report has it that 43 people, including 30 soldiers and seven mobile police personnel and civilians were killed when the armed men stormed the Gold mining site.
3. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), says it will embark on a one-day nationwide protest to compel the Federal Government to find immediate resolutions to contending issues with education sector unions. The NLC President, Mr Ayuba Wabba, stated this in Abuja yesterday.
4. The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill to establish the election offences tribunal. The bill, which is a consolidation of several bills including a Senate version, was debated upon on Thursday.
5. Following the crisis that engulfed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the choice of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as vice presidential candidate of the opposition party, the Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has vowed to put in place measures to placate all aggrieved members.
6. President Muhammadu Buhari has said Nigeria is ready to fill the natural gas gaps in Europe predicated by the current Russian-Ukrainian war. The President spoke about the country’s readiness Thursday in his statement on areas of cooperation between Nigeria and Portugal delivered at the Presidential Palace in Lisbon.
7. Governors who are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the North-West and other zonal leaders have met over the vice presidential slot of the ruling party. The zonal stakeholders from the North West boasted that the zone is the biggest political region in the country, adding that it produced more votes for the ruling party in the last elections.
8. Kinsmen of a former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, have demanded that due process be followed in his ongoing trial over alleged organ harvesting in the United Kingdom. The group made the call in a statement on Thursday in Enugu signed by the traditional leaders of Mpu communities.
9. Tension engulfed communities, towns and cities in Ondo State on Thursday following the rumour that bandits were preparing to attack Ilara-Mokin community in the Ifedore Local Government Area of the State. The apprehension among residents was hinged on a rumoured letter allegedly sent to Adaba FM, a popular radio station in the State over plans by bandits to launch an attack in the community.
10. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Thursday confirmed the arrest of a suspected drug dealer, Celina Ekeke, in Obunku community, Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State. The spokesperson for the agency in the State, Emmanuel Ogbumgbada, in a statement, said the female suspect was arrested with 24 sacks of cannabis sativa weighing 231.2kg.
11. We Want The Best For You – Buhari Tells Nigerians In Diaspora
President Muhammadu Buhari, who is currently in Portugal for a four-day official visit, has said his administration wants the best for Nigerian citizens.
Buhari said this while addressing Nigerians in the diaspora, urging them to strive for excellence in all their endeavours in foreign lands.
In a chat with some selected Nigerians in Lisbon, the president urged them always to contribute their quota to the development of the nation.
While urging them also to ensure they use social media platforms to promote unity in the country rather than spread disunity, Buhari said the government would continue to take frantic actions against excesses on some platforms.
According to him, while these platforms have continued to reshape the world, some people have been using them negatively.
12. APC North-West Leaders Make Demand, Set To Meet Tinubu
The leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the North-West region have demanded that the vice presidential slot of the party for 2023 must be filled by them.
The demand was made at the end of their meeting in Kaduna on Thursday as contained in a statement issued by the APC National Vice-Chairman (North-West), Dr. Salihu Lukman.
He stated that the regional APC leaders are set to engage the party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other stakeholders to ensure their demand becomes a reality.
The Kaduna meeting was attended by APC Governors, gubernatorial candidates, Ministers and other leaders from the North-West region.
According to them, the region is a major contributor to party victories, providing 39% of the votes that gave APC victory in the 2015 and 2019 presidential elections.
13. Wike Expected To Feel Bad, Atiku Owes Him Explanation – Makarfi
Former Kaduna State Governor, Ahmed Makarfi has recommended a discussion between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike as a way to tackle the lingering dissatisfaction in the party.
It is believed that the fallout of the PDP presidential primaries and the emergence of Ifeanyi Okowa as the party’s Vice Presidential candidate has caused bad blood between Wike and the party
The silence of the Rivers State Governor following the happenings is also believed to be causing jitters within the PDP leadership.
However, giving his opinion on the matter, Makarfi submitted during a chat on Thursday with newsmen in Kaduna that while Wike has every right to feel bad about the issues, the disagreements are resolvable.
The former Governor added that Atiku must visit Wike and explain why he took the decisions that led to the emergence of Okowa after the PDP National Working Committee and other party leaders had endorsed the Rivers State Governor as his running mate.
14. Actions Have Been Taken To Address Aggrieved PDP Members – Atiku
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has said that the opposition party is working behind the clock to address the grievances of some party stakeholders ahead of the 2023 election.
Some PDP members have expressed displeasure over happenings in the party following the emergence of Atiku and Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa as the party’s presidential candidate and running mate for the 2023 election.
The rancour also affected the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike who came second at the party’s primaries and also lost the running mate’s ticket to Okowa despite expectations.
Taking to his verified Twitter page on Thursday, Atiku said PDP will remain united in spite of the current issues in the party.
15. Reps To Probe Alleged N10 Billion Loss On Fuel Subsidy Payment Under Buhari Govt
The House of Representatives has decided to probe payments for subsidy on petroleum products, especially petrol under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate the Petroleum Products Subsidy from 2017 to 2021 will be formed by Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, and it will have eight weeks to provide a report to the House for future legislative action.
The investigation is based on a resolution by a member of the House, Sergius Ogun that was overwhelmingly approved by the lawmakers on Wednesday and it’s titled “Need to Investigate the Petroleum Products Subsidy Regime in Nigeria from 2017 to 2021.”
16. Two Chinese Nationals Kidnapped As Bandits Kill Security Operatives In Niger
Bandit terrorists have reportedly kidnapped two Chinese nationals and killed thirteen security agents during an attack on a mining site in Niger State.
The attack happened on Wednesday afternoon in Ajata, Aboki in Gurmana ward of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
Speaking with reporters on Thursday, the Co-convener, Concerned Shiroro Youth of Niger State, Sani Kokki said the gunmen attacked the mining site and opened fire into the air.
He also stated that the bandits kidnapped a yet-to-be-identified number of people including two Chinese expatriates and killed some security operatives.
It was learned that Major Anara, and Capt Abubakar Samido, were among the military casualties in the attack carried out by terrorists.
An unspecified number of security agencies were killed including police officers.
Reacting to the development, the Niger State Government confirmed the attack on the mining site in a statement on Thursday.
17. INEC Continues PVC Registration, Sends Warning To APC, PDP, Others
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has vowed to shut down its portal for submission of particulars of governorship and state assembly nominees from all parties on July 15, 2022.
The electoral body warned all political parties including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties in the country, not to wait until the last day before submitting the required documents.
The National Commissioner in charge of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye made the electoral body’s stand known in a statement on Thursday.
In the statement, Okoye stated that Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will continue nationwide until further notice. He said the Resident Electoral Commissioners and Electoral Officers have been directed to continue with the exercise pending further directives from the Commission.
18. FG Moves To Raise Nigeria’s Oil, Non-Oil Revenue Potential
The Federal Government has revealed plans to accelerate the country’s revenue mobilization reforms.
The disclosure was made on Wednesday shortly after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Speaking with State House correspondents after the FEC meeting, the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, said the government via the new revenue boost scheme, is aiming to annually generate N3.8tn and N160bn from non-oil and oil ventures respectively.
Akande who briefed the press on behalf of the Minister for Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, said “Amongst several of the memos presented today, was the one by the Minister for Finance, Budget and National Planning on accelerating revenue mobilisation reforms, which is a derivative of the Federal Government’s strategic revenue growth initiative. The significant progress that has been made in this initiative includes the raising of the VAT from 5 per cent to 7 per cent and other measures since 2019.
19. Lagos State Approves Increase In BRT Fare
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved a flat rate increase for all Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Standard routes in order to cushion the effect of the harsh operating environment, safeguard private partnership investment, and forestall the demise of formalised bus operations in the state.
A bus ride from Ikorodu – TBS will now cost N600 from N500 while Berger to Ajah is now N700, up from N600. Oshodi to Abule Egba will cost N450 from N350 and Abule-Egba-CMS-Obalende will attract a fare of N600.
According to reports, the increase, which will come into effect on Wednesday, 13 July 2022, is aimed at ensuring the sustainability of the BRT and standard route schemes.
The Governor further added that it will be providing support for the Bus Operating Companies in view of the continuous increase in fuel price. This is to ensure that the increment to the passenger is kept to a minimum.
20. We’re Not Terrorists Like You, IPOB Replies Ansaru
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has refuted the statement credited to Ansaru terror group that it is responsible for the killing of Muslims in the South East.
Earlier reported that the terrorist group had in a 16-minute video accused IPOB of killing a pregnant Muslim woman, Harira Jubril, and her four children in Anambra State.
Ansaru also alleged that the unknown gunmen terrorising the South-East were IPOB members, adding that the group was being supported to kill Muslims.
But in a swift response by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, IPOB said it will not drag issue with a terrorist group like Ansaru who only represent terrorism.
Speaking with SaharaReporters on Thursday, Powerful said IPOB is a separatist group and not a terror group, stressing that the world knows the difference between the two groups.
21. Reps commence inquest into Nigerian govt’s $1.177bn contribution to ECOWAS
Nigeria made a large financial commitment to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) totaling $1.177 billion over a period of 16 years, for which the House of Representatives has demanded an explanation.
22. Ebonyi Dep Gov debunks reports of defection, as APC struggles to halt tide
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) continues to struggle to stem the tide of defections as the Ebonyi State Deputy Governor, Kelechi Igwe, denied any plans towards that effect.
23. APC leaders in North-West demand VP slot
Some leaders and members of the All Progressive Congress in the North-West on Thursday demanded the party’s vice presidential candidate’s slot.
24. Ekweremadu, wife to remain in custody as UK court moves organ harvesting case to July 7
A former Senate deputy president, Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice are to still remain in custody of the British government, as the Oxbridge Magistrate Court on Thursday adjourned hearing in the case of alleged human trafficking against them to July 7, 2022.
25. Borno PDP suspends chairman for alleged anti-party activities
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Borno State on Thursday suspended its chairman, Alhaji Zannah Gadama, for alleged anti-party activities.
26. Investors pocket N7.33bn as Nigeria’s stock market rebounds from bearish trading
Nigerian capital market shareholders went home with N7.33 billion following the rise in equity capitalization by 0.02 percent on Thursday.
27. Nigerian stock market authority fines Honeywell Flour, Japaul Gold, two others N10m
Four companies in the stock market have been fined by the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) for their failure to release their financial statements in line with the regulatory rules.
28. Dismissed police sergeant sentenced to death for killing bus driver over N100 bribe
A dismissed Police Sergeant, James Imhalu, has been sentenced to death by hanging by a High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, after he was found guilty of killing a commercial bus driver, Legbara David, for refusing to pay a N100 bribe the police demanded.
29. Bandits attack Niger community, four Chinese, others kidnapped
The Ajata Aboki village, Shiroro Local Government Area, of Niger State, was the scene of a bandit attack on a mining facility, according to the Niger State government.
30. Ndidi returns from three-month injury lay-off, resumes training with Leicester
Super Eagles and Leicester City midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, has returned from a three-month long injury layoff that kept him out towards the end of last season.
PLEASE BE INFORMED...
332 new confirmed cases of #COVID19Nigeria;
Lagos-251
Rivers-50
FCT-21
Kano-7
Delta-2
Oyo-1
257,290 confirmed
250,229 discharged
3,144 deaths
*#TakeResponsibility*
This report includes:
▪️Data for 25th - 29th June 2022
▪️8 States with zero cases reported: Bayelsa, Ekiti, Kaduna, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Plateau and Sokoto
For a breakdown of cases by state visit covid19.ncdc.gov.ng
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