Over 18 Protesters Arrested at Lekki Toll Gate During #EndSARS Anniversary

No fewer than 18 protesters were reportedly arrested by the Nigeria Police while marking the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos. The protest, originally held in October 2020, was against police brutality, with many lives lost during the demonstrations, particularly on October 20, 2020.

The arrested individuals, including the Youth Rights Campaign spokesperson Hassan Soweto, were allegedly tear-gassed and detained. Reports indicate that they were later moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCIID) in Panti, Yaba. Calls to the Lagos State Police Command for further details went unanswers.

Nigerian Police Arrest Six Foreigners With Explosives in Cross River State

The Cross River State police command has arrested six suspected Ambazonian rebels, believed to be involved in the ongoing Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon. The suspects, aged between 18 and 36, were found with weapons, explosives, and other items after they invaded Akamkpa Local Government Area. This arrest, described as a major breakthrough, was made following intelligence gathered by law enforcement.

In a separate incident, Sokoto State police arrested an 18-year-old suspect, Abba Aliyu, for the kidnapping of his neighbor’s two-year-old son. The suspect confessed to the crime, and the boy was released after a ₦500,000 ransom payment. Both cases highlight ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat crime in the country.

Black Market Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate Today, 20th October 2024

The exchange rate for the US dollar to the Nigerian naira in the black market (parallel market) stands at ₦1700 for buying and ₦1710 for selling as of Saturday, 19th October 2024. These rates are provided by sources from the Bureau De Change (BDC) in Lagos. It’s important to note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not recognize black market transactions and advises individuals to approach their banks for foreign exchange needs.

Additionally, the CBN’s official rate for the dollar is ₦1651 for buying and ₦1652 for selling, with market variations possible depending on transaction points.

Afenifere Cautions Tinubu Administration on World Bank’s 15-Year Economic Plan

The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has urged the administration of President Bola Tinubu to exercise caution in adopting the recent recommendations made by the World Bank regarding Nigeria’s economic policies. This follows comments made by World Bank Senior Vice President Indermit Gill at the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) meeting in Abuja, where he suggested the government reduce support for social services and continue the naira’s floating, with the benefits only expected to manifest in 10 to 15 years.

Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, responded by advising the government to approach such recommendations critically. He highlighted the delayed benefits of these policies and warned that Tinubu’s administration could be remembered solely for the hardships faced by Nigerians, while future administrations might enjoy the rewards.

Ajayi emphasized the need for policies that support local businesses and reduce dependence on imported goods, pointing out that many countries, like Mexico, Ghana, and Argentina, have suffered by following similar advice from the World Bank and IMF. He urged the government to focus on local solutions rather than relying on international prescriptions that may not suit Nigeria’s unique economic challenges.

National Grid Collapses for the Third Time This Week

The national power grid in Nigeria has collapsed for the third time in one week, with power generation failing early on Saturday morning at around 8:16 AM. This latest outage follows similar incidents on Monday and Tuesday during restoration efforts.

At 8 AM, power generation was reported at 3,042 megawatts, peaking at 3,968 MW earlier that morning. However, by 9 AM, generation had plummeted to just 47 MW, leading to zero allocation for power distribution companies.

The cause of this latest collapse remains unclear, as the Transmission Company of Nigeria has not been reachable for comment. This ongoing issue continues to raise concerns about the stability and reliability of Nigeria’s power infrastructure.

FG Committed to Strengthening Water Users’ Associations, Says Minister

The Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello Goronyo, has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to bolstering Water Users’ Associations (WUAs) in public irrigation schemes, viewing this as vital for food security and economic development.

This announcement was made during the South-South Regional Workshop on the establishment and strengthening of WUAs, held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. According to a statement from Funmi Imuetinyan, the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry, Goronyo emphasized the importance of participatory water management for the sustainability of Nigeria’s irrigation infrastructure.

He highlighted the critical role of irrigation in tackling food insecurity, promoting economic growth, alleviating poverty, and empowering youth, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.

“The success of the World Bank-sponsored Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) project illustrates the significance of a structured framework for irrigation management,” Goronyo stated. He noted that under the TRIMING project, WUAs have actively engaged in maintaining irrigation systems and ensuring agricultural productivity.

The minister stressed the need to replicate the success of TRIMING in other irrigation schemes nationwide, emphasizing that effective water management and active involvement of water users are essential for achieving national food security goals. He praised Oyeronke Oluniyi, the Director of Irrigation and Drainage, for her efforts in promoting irrigation and organizing the workshop.

Tinubu Celebrates Gowon’s 90th Birthday: ‘Father of National Infrastructure’

President Bola Tinubu has paid tribute to former military head of state General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) as he celebrates his 90th birthday. In a heartfelt statement released on Saturday, Tinubu recognized Gowon as “the father of national infrastructure” and praised his significant contributions to Nigeria.

Reflecting on Gowon’s legacy, Tinubu emphasized the former leader’s role in shaping the country’s history, particularly during the challenging period following the Nigerian civil war. He credited Gowon’s philosophy of “No victor, no vanquished” for promoting national healing and reconciliation.

“General Gowon is a gentleman extraordinaire, one of Nigeria’s longest-serving leaders,” Tinubu stated. “His life story, from being a brilliant officer trained at Sandhurst to reluctantly becoming our leader at 32, has inspired many Nigerians.”

Tinubu highlighted Gowon’s impact on regional cooperation, noting that he was instrumental in founding the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 1975. He also acknowledged Gowon’s continued role as a source of wisdom and guidance, particularly in fostering unity among nations.

“Since I became President, General Gowon has been my counsellor, offering advice when needed,” Tinubu remarked. “He has remained committed to the ‘Nigeria Prays’ Programme, advocating for religious tolerance and stability in the country.”

In closing, Tinubu expressed gratitude for Gowon’s service and leadership, praying for his continued health and wisdom to benefit Nigeria and humanity.

Obi of Onitsha Warns Tinubu of Declining Well-Being Among Nigerians

The Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Achebe, has voiced his concerns about the deteriorating well-being of Nigerians due to economic and security challenges under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Speaking at the 2024 Ofala Festival in Onitsha, Achebe highlighted the sharp decline in the country’s living standards, pointing to the rise in insecurity, soaring inflation, and increasing unemployment.

Achebe criticized the government’s response to the escalating economic crisis, emphasizing the surge in petrol prices and the continued depreciation of the naira. He urged President Tinubu to convene a non-partisan national summit to address the country’s pressing economic and security issues collaboratively.

In addition, the monarch condemned the ongoing violence in the South-East, stressing the impact of unknown gunmen on the region’s schools, markets, and public spaces, which remain closed on Mondays. Achebe also called for better funding for local vigilante teams to combat the rising wave of armed criminal activities.

Lawyer for Mozambique Opposition Candidate Venancio Mondlane Killed in Attack

Elvino Dias, the lawyer representing Mozambique’s leading opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane, was tragically killed in a brazen attack in Maputo on Saturday, 19th October 2024. Dias was gunned down alongside Paulo Guambe, a Podemos party candidate who also supported Mondlane in the October 9 elections.

Eyewitnesses reported that two gunmen opened fire on their vehicle while it was stationary in the heart of the capital. The killings have sparked outrage across the political spectrum, with various parties condemning the act of violence.

Civil society group Mais Integridade condemned the murders, calling them an “intimidation tactic” aimed at disrupting Mozambique’s democratic process. Police have launched an investigation, while tensions remain high as the country awaits the official election results. Mondlane has called for demonstrations, further raising the stakes in an already volatile political climate.

Delays In Election Materials Disrupt Local Government Elections In Kaduna

Local government elections in Kaduna State have faced significant disruptions due to delays in the arrival of election materials and officials. Voting, which was scheduled to begin at 8:00 AM on Saturday, had not started in many polling units by 10:00 AM, causing widespread frustration among voters and party agents.

Key areas such as Tudun Wada, Badiko, Magajin Gari, and Unguwar Sarki were notably affected by the delay, with officials and materials yet to arrive at several collection centres. Zubairu Shan’una, former councillor of Unguwar Sarki Ward, expressed concerns over the delay, stating, “We are still here waiting. The election was to commence by 8:30 AM, but as of 10:00 AM, the materials have yet to arrive.”

Party agents, like Malam Idris at Maimuna Gwarzo Secondary School, also shared their frustration, having arrived early only to find no officials or materials. “We have been here since 6:30 AM, but the officials are yet to arrive,” Idris reported, echoing the sentiments of many affected voters.

In Magajin Gari, the delay led to chaotic scenes, with party agents voicing concerns about the potential impact on voter turnout and the overall credibility of the election process. The situation continues to evolve as officials work to distribute the necessary materials.