Nigeria Times

On August 7, 2024, Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State approved the hiring of 31 medical doctors, 22 pharmacists, and 153 nurses to address a critical shortage of healthcare professionals in the state.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, announced this decision in Calabar, highlighting it as a key initiative to improve healthcare services in the state. The move comes in response to the high demand for health services and a notable deficit in medical personnel, with only 20 doctors and 938 nurses currently serving Cross River’s approximately 3.4 million residents.

Dr. Ayuk emphasized that this recruitment will significantly enhance the capacity of public health facilities and better meet the healthcare needs of Cross Riverians.

On August 7, 2024, both Plateau and Bauchi State governors announced the relaxation of curfews previously imposed due to security concerns.

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has lifted the 24-hour curfew in Jos and Bukuru, allowing residents to move freely from 2 pm to 6 pm daily. This decision follows an improvement in the security situation and consultations with security agencies.

In Bauchi State, Governor Bala Mohammed reduced the curfew in Katagum Local Government Area from 24 hours to 12 hours, from 6 pm to 6 am daily. This change reflects improvements in the area’s security conditions after the initial curfew was imposed due to looting and unrest.

Both governors emphasized the need for continued vigilance and cooperation with security personnel to maintain order and ensure public safety.

From Lateef Taiwo

A lawmaker representing Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo State in the House of Representatives Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere has debunked allegations that he gave $1.7 million to the House leadership to secure the committee Chairman position.

Ugochinyere is currently the Chairman House of Representative Committee on Downstream Petroleum.

The federal lawmaker in a statement issued on Wednesday, by his Chief of Staff Ernest Njesi, which was made available to Journalists in Abuja explained that It’s only a stupid and childish mind that can believe that he gave the Speaker 1.7m dollars to get his current position.

According to the statement: it’s a false and nonsensical belated attempts by individuals with vested interests who wants to provoke and divert attention from endemic corruption in the oil and gas industry”.

Ugochinyere further informed that any attempt to drag the Speaker and his name into a Hollywood fiction story is dead on arrival threatening that those who aided the stories will face the wrath of the law.

The lawmaker equally used the opportunity to pass vote of confidence on the decision of the House leadership to dissolve the joint committee investigating challenges in the oil sector, maintaining that he trusts the Speaker’s decision on the matter.

Ugochinyere stated:, “The allegation is a belated nonsensical, childish and unprofessional fiction work aimed at creating division in the House to aide some criminal elements who are long over due for prison to think they can escape justice which is impossible as the demand for transparency and reform is a task that will be pushed.

According to him: “Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and Deputy Speaker Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu’s all-inclusive administration style has kept the 10th House stable in the last one year. Their approach to governance has played a pivotal role in fostering a sense of inclusivity within the parliament. They embraced a collaborative approach that transcends party lines, fostering an environment where all voices are not only heard but also valued.

“So we are not bothered by the disjointed attacks and smear campaign against our Hon. Speaker, and the House leadership. These are efforts of unprofessional corrupt elements pollute the media space in a desperate bid to seek cover from the inevitable that is coming. I remain focused in my fight for good governance.”

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, announced the arrest of several key sponsors of the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests, which have seen rioters hoisting foreign flags and calling for governmental change in states such as Kano, Kaduna, and Zamfara.

During a joint media briefing, Egbetokun stated that the police had identified and apprehended the financial backers of the riots, some of whom reside abroad. The Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, confirmed that these sponsors have been placed on a watchlist to ensure their arrest upon entry into Nigeria.

Key Arrests and Security Measures

In Kano, the state police command, led by CP Salman Garba, arrested six Spanish nationals and 76 others, including a tailor found sewing Russian flags. The detainees have been transferred to the Force Headquarters due to the charges of sedition and national security concerns.

The Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, reported that the accounts funding the protests have been blocked, and the identities of these sponsors will be made public soon. Service chiefs, including the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja, warned that the military would not permit the country to descend into anarchy.

Protests in Rivers State and Other Regions

In Port Harcourt, protests intensified as demonstrators blocked major roads, including the East-West Road, and marched to the private residence of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. Police restricted the protests to designated areas to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

In contrast, Abuja and Lagos remained calm, and the Kaduna state government’s curfew brought relative peace to the city.

Government and Security Response

The security agencies’ coordinated efforts have led to numerous arrests and a significant reduction in protest activities. In Kano, Governor Abba Yusuf relaxed the 24-hour curfew to 12 hours daily to allow residents to conduct their business, with the curfew resuming from 6 pm to 6 am.

In Abuja, protests dwindled significantly, with only a small group of demonstrators continuing their sit-out at the Moshood Abiola Stadium.

Conclusion

The Nigerian authorities have responded with stringent measures to control the protests, arresting key figures and disrupting the funding sources. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing efforts to maintain peace and prevent further escalation.

Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has denied allegations of his involvement in sponsoring the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests across Nigeria. In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by Michael Ohiare, Bello’s Media Office refuted the claims, describing them as part of a plot by his enemies to frame him.

The statement, released in Lokoja, stated: “We have uncovered a high-wired plan by some disgruntled enemies of the nation and persons on the ‘Project Bring Down Yahaya Bello,’ to frame him up as one of the sponsors of the #EndBadGovernance protests across the country.”

The statement continued to dismiss the allegations as “reckless and irresponsibly malicious,” emphasizing Bello’s dedication to national unity and prosperity. It highlighted Bello’s previous efforts in mediating between northern food transporters and their southern counterparts to prevent a major crisis in Nigeria, earning him commendations from national leaders.

The statement also defended Bello’s support for President Bola Tinubu, citing his efforts in mobilizing Kogi residents for the presidential election and his role in challenging the naira redesign policy at the Supreme Court, which was seen as a critical intervention during a national crisis.

Bello’s media office reiterated his commitment to Nigeria’s unity and his longstanding support for President Tinubu. Meanwhile, Bello’s whereabouts remain unknown since the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission declared him wanted over an alleged N80.2bn fraud. Despite his status as an APC chieftain and ally of the President, Tinubu has not intervened in the criminal case against him.

Tensions soared in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests continued for the sixth day. Over 50 protesters besieged a mansion owned by Nyesom Wike, former governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, in the Ada George area.

The protesters, who marched from Agip Junction, gathered in front of Wike’s residence singing the old national anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots.” Armed policemen, along with an Armoured Personnel Carrier, formed a barrier to keep the protesters at a distance and prevented them from approaching the mansion.

The group dispersed after about 49 minutes and continued their march, passing Hyper City Mall, another property belonging to Wike, but were met with a heavy police presence. The state police command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed that no property belonging to Wike was attacked and that the police maintained order.

Chairman and CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), announced that the recent training and certification of NDLEA Marine Command officers in advanced diving techniques will significantly deter large cocaine shipments to Nigeria. Marwa highlighted this achievement while receiving a training report from DCGN Omolade Faboyede, Director of Seaports Operations.

The training, supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), took place in Bombinhas, Brazil, and included officers from Nigeria, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, and Senegal. The program aimed to enhance public safety diving skills for conducting thorough ship hull searches.

Marwa praised the NDLEA officers for their exemplary performance, emphasizing that the agency’s new capabilities will discourage international drug cartels from smuggling drugs into Nigeria. He reiterated NDLEA’s commitment to staying ahead of drug cartels through continuous training and the use of modern technology to combat illicit drug trafficking and substance abuse.