The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have praised the judiciary for canceling the sale of Nigeria Air to Ethiopian Airlines, calling the move a victory for truth. They also commended the new Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, for suspending the project initiated by his predecessor, Hadi Sirika. AON President, Alhaji Abdulmunaf Yunusa, noted the court’s ruling invalidated the sale due to violations of multiple regulatory acts, criticizing the deal as an exploitative scheme detrimental to Nigeria’s aviation market.
Biden and Obama Applaud Harris’ Selection of Tim Walz as Running Mate
President Joe Biden has commended Vice President Kamala Harris’s choice of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate for the 2024 presidential race. Biden, who has endorsed Harris, shared his support on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, describing the Harris-Walz ticket as a strong advocate for working people and America’s middle class.
Biden tweeted, “The first major decision a party nominee makes is their choice for Vice President. And Kamala Harris has made a great decision in choosing Governor Tim Walz to be her running mate. I’ve known Tim Walz for nearly two decades, from his time in Congress to his tenure as governor. He’s a dedicated husband, father, former school teacher, high school football coach, and a 24-year veteran of the Army National Guard, achieving the rank of the highest enlisted soldier to serve in Congress. As governor, he’s demonstrated strong, principled, and effective leadership.”
Biden emphasized that the Harris-Walz ticket would be a powerful voice for working people and America’s middle class, defending personal freedoms and democracy while ensuring the country’s leadership on the global stage.
Former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, also praised the Harris-Walz ticket. Obama tweeted, “Like Vice President Harris, Governor Tim Walz believes that government works to serve all of us. That’s what makes him an outstanding governor and will make him an even better Vice President. Michelle and I couldn’t be happier for Tim and Gwen, their family, and our country.”
This endorsement follows Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race after a debate performance raised concerns about his fitness for office. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has agreed to debate Kamala Harris on Fox News on September 4, 2024, following an assassination attempt he recently escaped.
Immigration Chief Reveals Watch List for Diaspora Protest Sponsors
The Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nandap, announced that individuals financing the #EndBadGovernance protests from abroad are now on a watch list. She stated that these individuals will be arrested upon their arrival in Nigeria.
Nandap disclosed this during a news conference held at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, which was attended by the heads of security agencies and Service Chiefs. She emphasized that the NIS has increased its monitoring of entry points, including borders and airports, to prevent any foreign intervention and ensure proper management of these entry ports.
In addition, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, revealed that the police had identified some of the protest sponsors and had blocked their accounts, though he did not provide further details. Egbetokun noted that many of these individuals reside overseas.
The Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Yusuf Bichi, through spokesperson Mr. Peter Afunanya, confirmed that the DSS is also monitoring these individuals. The service is collaborating with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit to track down additional funders of the protests.
The briefing followed a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and security chiefs addressing the recent nationwide protests and the associated violence.
Obasanjo Warns of Sabotage Against Dangote Refinery Amidst Allegations of Malpractice
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has raised alarms over potential sabotage of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, asserting that individuals profiting from Nigeria’s fuel importation industry may be working to undermine the $20 billion project. This follows claims by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who accuses certain ‘mafias’ of attempting to sabotage his investment.
Obasanjo expressed that the success of the refinery could encourage increased investment in Nigeria from both local and international sources. However, he pointed out that international oil companies might be obstructing the refinery’s operations by either refusing to sell crude oil or charging above-market prices.
The Dangote Group has also alleged that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority is complicating their efforts by issuing licenses for importing contaminated fuel. The NMDPRA has denied these allegations, suggesting instead that Dangote’s diesel quality is inferior compared to imported alternatives.
Obasanjo further criticized Nigeria’s historical focus on oil, neglecting the potential of gas and agriculture. He recalled his own attempts to involve Shell in the management of Nigeria’s refineries, which were rejected due to corruption and poor maintenance. Additionally, he challenged President Bola Tinubu’s handling of fuel subsidy removal, arguing that the administration should have better addressed the resulting economic hardships.
NDLEA Enhances Capabilities to Tackle Cocaine Shipments
The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.), announced that the recent training of the agency’s Marine Command officers in diving will significantly deter large shipments of cocaine to Nigeria. Marwa made this statement upon receiving a report on the training from the Agency’s Director of Seaports Operations, Deputy Commander General of Narcotics, Omolade Faboyede.
In a statement by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, on Tuesday in Abuja, it was highlighted that this new capability will send a strong message to international drug cartels that hiding illicit consignments on ships or vessels coming to Nigeria will no longer be feasible.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the officers underwent training in basic diving, advanced open-water diving, and full-face mask diving. Eight officers were selected from four countries, including two from Nigeria, by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for certification training in Bombinhas City, Brazil, in two phases: November 2023 and July 2024.
According to the UNODC, this diving training initiative aims to bolster the fight against drug trafficking and transnational crime in Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria, and Senegal. The second phase of the training qualified professionals in public safety diving to conduct ship hull searches and enforce the law, thereby enhancing public safety in the fight against transnational drug trafficking.
Marwa commended the two NDLEA officers who participated in the training for their exemplary performance. He stated, “Their new ability to dive into the sea to search ship hulls will no doubt discourage global drug networks from attempting to send any large consignment to Nigeria. This is so, knowing full well that our men now have the capacity to search every nook and cranny of ships and vessels coming to Nigeria.”
The NDLEA boss affirmed that the agency would continue to stay ahead of drug cartels in skills and capability to prevent the smuggling of illicit drugs into Nigeria. “We will also continue to expose our officers, men, and women to training and the use of modern technological tools. This is in our determined bid to keep our country safe by curbing the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking,” he added.
Atletico Madrid to Sign Julian Alvarez for £81.5 Million
Atletico Madrid have reached an agreement with Manchester City to secure the services of forward Julian Alvarez for £81.5 million. The transfer fee includes an initial £64.4 million along with potential add-ons amounting to £17.1 million.
This transfer deal sets a new record for Manchester City, surpassing the £50 million paid by Chelsea for Raheem Sterling in 2022.
Julian Alvarez, who decided to finalize his move after Argentina’s participation in the 2024 Olympics football tournament, was part of the team that was knocked out by hosts France last Friday.
Despite manager Pep Guardiola’s desire to retain the 24-year-old forward, Alvarez is open to deciding his future at the club. In line with previous situations involving players like Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez, and Aymeric Laporte, Manchester City have chosen not to obstruct the departure of any player wishing to leave.
Atletico Madrid, who have also secured a deal to acquire Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, are currently negotiating personal terms with Julian Alvarez.
Alvarez initially joined Manchester City in 2022 for a fee of £14.1 million from River Plate. He has scored 36 goals in 106 appearances for the club. Additionally, he played a crucial role in City’s successful campaign, including achieving the treble in his first season at the Etihad and prominently featuring during Argentina’s triumph in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Defence Chief Convenes Security Heads Over Tinubu’s Crackdown Order
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, is scheduled to hold a strategic closed-door meeting with all heads of security forces in the country on Tuesday, Daily Trust reports.
Although the agenda of the meeting was not disclosed, it is understood that the discussions will focus on how security forces will implement the crackdown order issued by President Bola Tinubu.
A source at Defence Headquarters, where the meeting will take place, revealed that heads of intelligence agencies such as the DSS, NIA, and DIA, as well as the Inspector-General of Police, will be in attendance. Additionally, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja; the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, are expected to be present.
The official also mentioned that heads of Correctional Services, Immigration, Customs, NSCDC, and other paramilitary organizations have been invited to the meeting.
“The meeting will start any moment from now. It is a strategic meeting on the implementation of the order given by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,” the official said.
Daily Trust reports that President Tinubu had canceled the Federal Executive Council meeting on Monday and summoned all the Service Chiefs to ensure that the ongoing hardship protest does not escalate with the spread of Russian flags.
Russian flags have increasingly appeared on the streets of major Nigerian cities, including Kano and Kaduna, as the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest entered its fifth day on Monday. Protesters, carrying Russian flags, were seen marching and chanting various slogans.
Russia, currently in a cold war with the West, has been linked to coup d’états in West African countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Following a meeting with the President at Aso Rock Villa, the military chief stated that President Tinubu had directed security agencies to clamp down on those involved in what he termed a “treasonable felony.”
In line with this directive, the police have disclosed that they have arrested 31 individuals, including one Ahmed, in connection with the spread of Russian flags.
Lagos Seaports Face N141m in Damages and N103m in Theft Over Six Months – Police Report
In the first half of 2024, property valued at over N141 million was destroyed at Lagos’ major seaports, Apapa and Tin-Can Island Ports, according to a recent police report.
The Western Zone of the Police Authority released these figures during the second quarter meeting of the Nigeria Port Consultative Council (NPCC) held in Lagos. The report, presented by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, DCP Ibrahim Abdul, highlights significant security issues at the ports.
The report indicates that theft alone led to a loss of N102.9 million, with only N10.013 million recovered. Between January and June 2024, a total of 103 suspects were arrested in connection with various security breaches, including attacks on vessels and theft of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) property.
DCP Abdul noted that while the overall security situation at the ports remains relatively stable, 57 cases were reported during this period. Of these, 26 cases have been charged to court, 27 are still under investigation, and 3 have been closed. The reported cases include six assaults, two misdemeanours, six stowaways, and 18 thefts.
“Theft alone resulted in a property loss of N102,885,198, with only N10,012,500 recovered,” DCP Abdul stated. He attributed the relatively stable security situation to ongoing crime prevention measures implemented by the police command.
Call for Urgent Focus on Human Capacity Development to Boost Nigeria’s Economy
PORT HARCOURT – Prof. Kingdom Orji, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), has urged Nigerian leaders and stakeholders to prioritize human capacity development. He emphasized the need for organizing skills training and job placement programs for Nigerian youths, women, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups to support the government’s efforts in enhancing their well-being.
In an interview following the 42nd Convocation ceremony at IAUE, Orji highlighted the importance of engaging in dialogues with major companies and professionals to create pathways for growth and success for Nigerians. He stressed that adequate remuneration and job placement are crucial aspects that need attention.
“Moving from poverty to prosperity requires a concerted effort from leaders and stakeholders. They must engage in ongoing discussions and implement effective training and job placement programs,” Orji stated.
He also called for well-sequenced economic reforms to stabilize Nigeria’s economy, noting that even the most beneficial reforms could have negative impacts if not properly executed.
On a positive note, Orji commended Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for his remarkable contributions to the university’s economic turnaround over the past year, praising the governor’s dynamic and result-oriented approach.
Orji also advised students to stay focused on their studies and avoid social vices such as cultism and examination malpractices. He encouraged graduates to serve as ambassadors for the values and knowledge they have gained during their time at the university.
Security Agencies Urge Protesters to Embrace Dialogue
ABUJA – The Strategic Communications Interagency Policy Committee (SCIPC) has called on protesters across Nigeria to engage in dialogue with the government. In a joint press briefing hosted by the Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday, security, defense, and response agencies emphasized that dialogue, rather than protests, is a more effective means of addressing Nigeria’s issues.
Dr. Peter Afunanya, Director of Strategic Communication and Public Relations for DSS, highlighted that while the right to protest is constitutionally protected, recent protests had been marred by attempts to hijack the process by subversive groups and vandals. He praised the efforts of security agencies to restore order and called for patriotism and collective effort in nation-building.
The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) confirmed that no genuine protesters had been arrested during the protests. ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi explained that arrests were made only of individuals involved in violent riots and criminal activities, not of peaceful protesters. He distinguished between lawful protests and unlawful riots, emphasizing that security agencies acted to protect national assets and maintain public order.
In a related incident, a tailor in Kano was arrested for producing Russian flags, allegedly for use in the protests. This, along with other arrests of individuals with similar flags, raised concerns about the motives behind the demonstrations.
The security agencies also reported significant successes in their operations, including the neutralization of terrorists, the arrest of suspected criminals, and the interception of stolen oil. They stressed their commitment to national security while urging all stakeholders to support efforts to build a secure and prosperous Nigeria.