Second Assassination Attempt on Trump at Florida Golf Course

Former U.S. President Donald Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday. This marks the second attack on Trump in under two months, following a previous incident in July at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a rallygoer was killed and Trump was injured.

Secret Service agents on patrol noticed an AK-47-style rifle near the golf course, approximately 300 to 500 yards from Trump. The armed suspect, later identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, fled when confronted by agents but was eventually apprehended after a brief car chase.

Routh, who has a criminal record and controversial social media activity supporting foreign fighters and various political causes, is set to appear in court on Monday. Thankfully, Trump was unharmed, and his campaign reassured the public of his safety.

The FBI is leading the investigation, and the incident has drawn concern from political leaders, including President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Enhanced security measures have been in place since the July attack, but authorities warn that political violence remains a serious threat.

Telcos Begin Disconnection of 66 Million Unlinked SIM Cards in Nigeria

Telecom companies in Nigeria have commenced the disconnection of around 66 million mobile lines that are yet to be linked to the National Identification Number (NIN) in compliance with a directive from the federal government. The move comes after multiple deadline extensions aimed at encouraging Nigerians to link their Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards to their NIN, a policy introduced to bolster national security and simplify identity verification.

As of March 2024, 153 million out of 219 million active lines had been linked to the NIN, leaving the remaining 66 million at risk of disconnection. Despite earlier disruptions caused by service outages, major telecom operators, including MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile, have urged subscribers to complete the NIN-SIM linkage process to avoid losing access to essential mobile services.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), issued this directive to combat the misuse of unregistered phone lines in criminal activities such as fraud, kidnapping, and terrorism. The NCC representative confirmed that any unlinked SIMs would be prevented from making calls, sending messages, or accessing mobile data until the verification process is completed.

Despite criticism and technical challenges with the NIN-SIM registration process, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has maintained its commitment to the policy. The president of the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers, Adeolu Ogungbanjo, has called for an extension of the deadline due to the technological issues experienced during the registration process, but so far, the government has stood firm on its decision.

Telecom subscribers who are affected can still reactivate their lines by visiting service centers to complete the NIN-SIM linkage.

NNPC Clarifies Error in Petrol Price Statement

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has corrected an error in the petrol price statement it released earlier on Monday. Initially, NNPCL provided a chart detailing the estimated petrol prices based on refined petrol obtained from Dangote Refinery. However, the breakdown of transaction details between NNPCL and Dangote Refinery required revision.

In the updated statement, NNPCL confirmed that the prices are based on negotiated terms reflecting current international gasoline prices and the prevailing foreign exchange rates, in accordance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021. NNPC also stated that it is paying Dangote Refinery in U.S. dollars for petrol in September 2024, with Naira transactions starting on October 1, 2024. They reassured the public that any discounts from Dangote Refinery would be fully passed on to consumers.

The main difference between the two statements is the change in fees. The first statement included a Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority NMDP

Atiku’s Aide Criticizes Tinubu’s Cap Design as Symbol of Oppression

Phrank Shaibu, the Special Assistant on Communications to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has labeled the symbol on President Bola Tinubu’s signature cap design as a representation of oppression. In a statement titled “De-cap-itated!” released on Monday, Shaibu criticized Tinubu’s leadership after one year in office, arguing that he has failed both his supporters and the Nigerian populace.

During the 2023 election campaign, Tinubu had claimed that the design on his cap represented a “broken shackle” and promised to break the shackles of poverty in Nigeria. However, Shaibu now argues that the cap, once a symbol of hope, has become a relic of broken promises, especially in relation to human rights and the economy.

Shaibu added that vendors who once proudly sold the “Emilokan” caps during the campaign now find themselves burdened with unsellable stock, symbolizing the growing disappointment among Tinubu’s supporters and a shift toward authoritarianism under his administration.

Reps Speaker Abbas to Inaugurate Africa Regional Conference on Equal Opportunity in Education

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, is set to inaugurate the first-ever Africa Regional Conference on Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education (ARCEAHED) on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, in Abuja. The event will take place at the National Universities Commission, Maitama, with prominent figures in the education sector expected to participate.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, will serve as the Special Guest of Honour, while the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, will deliver remarks. The keynote address will be delivered by Prof. Ali Tijjani Abdullahi, President of the National Association for Exceptional Children at Bayero University, Kano.

Other notable speakers include Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, Chairman of the Organising Committee, and Prof. Peter Okebukola, Chairman of the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group. The Registrar and Chief Host, Prof. Is-haq O. Oloyede, will also give significant remarks.

Goodwill messages will come from key officials such as the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Prof. Olusola Oyewole, Secretary-General of the Association of African Universities, Prof. Juma Shabani of the Burundi National Commission for Higher Education, and several education leaders from across Africa.

The two-day conference aims to tackle the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in higher education, while promoting inclusivity and fostering collaboration among African nations. Representatives from countries like Malawi, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, and more will attend, with the goal of advancing education for all, particularly those living with disabilities.

274 Inmates Missing After Flooding Causes Maiduguri Prison Wall Collapse

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed that 274 inmates are missing after heavy flooding caused the collapse of the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Maiduguri, Borno State. NCoS spokesman, Umar Abubakar, revealed on Sunday that the incident occurred following the collapse of the Alau Dam due to intense rainfall, which has displaced over a million residents and claimed at least 30 lives.

The flooding, the worst in 30 years, has caused widespread devastation in Maiduguri, submerging large areas and damaging infrastructure. Despite ongoing rescue efforts led by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), which has saved over 400 people, the situation remains dire.

The flood overwhelmed the prison walls, leading to the escape of 281 inmates. While seven have been recaptured, efforts are underway to find the remaining 274. NCoS, alongside other security agencies, has activated both covert and overt measures to locate and recapture the missing inmates.

Obasanjo, Abdulsalami, Gusau Hold Strategic Meeting with Babangida in Minna

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, alongside former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar and General Aliyu Gusau, visited ex-Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida at his Hill Top residence in Minna, Niger State, on Sunday.

Obasanjo arrived at Minna International Airport around 4:30 pm and proceeded to Babangida’s home, where the four elder statesmen held a closed-door meeting lasting about an hour.

Sources suggest the meeting may have focused on addressing pressing national issues, particularly the current economic challenges facing the country. However, details of the discussion were not officially confirmed.

NNPCL Confirms Petrol Purchase Price from Dangote Refinery at ₦898 Per Litre

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has disclosed that it purchased Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, at ₦898 per litre from the Dangote Refinery, dismissing earlier reports of a lower price. In a statement on Sunday, NNPCL spokesperson Olufemi Soneye clarified the true cost, countering claims of a ₦760 price tag.

The NNPCL has mobilized about 300 trucks to the refinery, with over 70 already loaded. As part of the agreement, NNPCL remains the sole buyer of petrol from Dangote Refinery, while diesel will be available to other off-takers. From October 1, crude oil will be supplied to the refinery, and payments for both crude and petroleum products will be made in Naira.

Bill Gates Warns of Potential Global Pandemic Within 25 Years

Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, has issued a stark warning about the possibility of a new global pandemic within the next 25 years, assuming a major war is avoided. In an interview with CNBC’s Make It, Gates highlighted the likelihood of a future pandemic, attributing his concerns to the world’s inadequate response to the COVID-19 crisis.

Gates emphasized that while global unrest could lead to significant conflicts, the emergence of a new pandemic remains a more pressing concern. He pointed to the need for enhanced global preparedness, citing the U.S. as having fallen short of expectations in leading pandemic response efforts.

In his 2022 book, How to Prevent the Next Pandemic, Gates outlines strategies for improving readiness, including better quarantine measures and increased investment in vaccine research.

NNPCL Begins Petrol Lifting Operations from Dangote Refinery

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has officially commenced the lifting of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from the Dangote Refinery in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos. Over the weekend, the first batch of petrol was loaded onto over 100 NNPCL trucks, marking a significant milestone for the refinery’s operations.

A video shared on Dangote Group’s verified X page confirmed the initiation of the petrol lifting process.

This development follows an announcement by Zacch Adedeji, Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and a member of the Presidential Committee on the Sale of Crude Oil and Refined Products, who stated that NNPCL will be the sole buyer of petrol from the Dangote refinery. Other products, such as diesel, can be lifted by independent off-takers.

Starting October 1, NNPCL will begin purchasing crude oil from the Dangote refinery in Naira.

However, despite this progress, there remains uncertainty about potential changes in petrol pump prices, as neither NNPCL nor Dangote has provided details on the pricing structure for the newly lifted petrol. Market observers and consumers are waiting for further updates.