President Muhammadu Buhari has urged governors to stop waiting for him to solve every problem for them, saying they should stop attacks by herdsmen in their states.
Many states have been experiencing deadly attacks on agrarian communities by Fulani herdsmen, putting pressure on the President as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces with the power to control the country’s centralised security system.
Since he is Fulani, many Nigerians have also accused him of bias and lacking the political will to curb attacks by the nomadic herdsmen, who are also largely Fulani.
But Buhari in an interview with Arise TV on Thursday, recalled two South-West governors recently visited him to complain about encroachment by herdsmen on farmlands in their states.
Describing it as a threat to food security, Buhari said, “You know these people more than I do, and you are democratically elected to protect your people. Don’t sit idly expecting me to do everything, take action.”
The Amalgamated Union of Foodstuffs and Cattle Dealers in Nigeria, AUFCDN, has threatened to resume its strike and cut off food supply nationwide to protest the failure of the Federal Government to pay the N4.75 billion compensation agreed with them.
The union went on strike in February this year to demand payment of N475 billion compensation for the lives of members and properties lost during the #EndSARS protest and Shasa market chaos. They also demanded that all roadblocks on federal highways be removed as they are being used to subject their members’ serious hardship.
The strike was later to be called off after Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello, mediated.
At a meeting chaired by its President, Comrade Muhammad Tahir and held in Abuja on Tuesday, June 8, the Northern traders threatened to go on strike if the Federal government doesn’t fulfil its promise to pay them the said compensation.
They gave the government a three-week ultimatum to implement the signed agreement that led to the calling-off of their strike in March. They also alleged that their members were still being extorted by security agencies and harassed in the South – East.
The inspector-general of police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has said that all existing vehicle tinted glass permits, duly issued by the Nigeria Police Force, remain valid.
A statement released by Frank Mba, spokesperson of the state police force, says this clarification is coming on the heels of public inquiries following the announcement of the suspension of issuance of new tinted permits by the IGP during the meeting with Senior Police Officers at the Force Headquarters, Abuja on Monday, June 7.
According to PM News, Mba said the suspension, which is a temporary measure, will remain in force pending the release of a new protocol that would regulate the issuance of tinted permits for vehicle owners and operators in the country.
He added that the IGP also mentioned at the meeting that existing SPY number plates must be used by authorized users, for vehicles specified by law while the issuance of new SPY number plates remains on hold pending the release of a new protocol that would guide its issuance and usage in the country.
Mbah mentioned that the IGP has directed commissioners of police (CPs) in the thirty-six (36) states of the federation and the federal capital territory, as well as their supervisory assistant inspectors general of police (AIGs), to ensure that all SPY number plates currently in use by unauthorized users or affixed to unauthorized vehicles are retrieved forthwith.
”The IGP however warned that while carrying out these assignments, officers must ensure the rights and privileges of citizens are respected in line with the laws of the land and in accordance with international best practices. Members of the public are enjoined to cooperate with the Police in this regard as the moves are aimed at strengthening our internal security order. ”the statement in part read
The United States is increasing the pressure on President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration after the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria.
On Wednesday, June 9, 2021, the US Mission in Nigeria conveyed the message of top American official, Samantha Power.
The senior diplomat is the current Administrator of the US Agency for International Development, USAID.
Power said: “There are nearly 40 M Twitter users in #Nigeria, and the country is home to Africa’s largest tech hub.
“This suspension is nothing more than state-sanctioned denial of free speech and should be reversed immediately. #KeepitOn.”
Power was the 28th US Ambassador to the United Nations from 2013 to 2017.
Last Friday, federal authorities sanctioned Twitter indefinitely after Buhari’s tweet was deleted.
The President had stated that many of those misbehaving in the South-East region were young and did not witness the destruction and loss of lives that occurred during the civil war.
“Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand”, the former General warned.
After the deletion, Information Minister, Lai Mohammed, condemned “the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence”.
The government directed the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, to start the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations.
The NBC was also ordered to force broadcast stations – Television and Radio – to stop using Twitter or face the consequences.
The actions are being criticized by Nigerians, countries, local and international organizations.
On Tuesday, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, and concerned citizens filed a lawsuit against Buhari administration over “the unlawful suspension of Twitter”.
The plaintiffs, in the suit filed by legal luminary, Femi Falana (SAN), want an end to the criminalization of Nigerians using the microblogging site, the repression of: human rights, freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced the reopening of its passport application and payment portal.
Nigeria Passport
This is contained in a statement by NIS Spokesman. Mr Amos Okpu, in Abuja on Tuesday.
The Comptroller-General of the service, Mr Muhammad Babandede, said the portal became effective from 12 midnight on Tuesday.
Babandede said the portal would allow eligible applicants to apply and make payments for the various categories of passports of their choice.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the passport portal was closed on May 17, following a directive by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola.
The minister had directed the closure of the portal to enable the service to clear the backlog of applications in issuing centres across the country in the past few months.
Babandede further explained that with the reopening of the portal, a new passport application and payment regime had begun.
He said: “Applications and payments for passport services shall be made through the service website, www.immigration.gov.ng.
“Applicants are expected to visit the portal to apply and upload their support documents for vetting and processing.
“A chat room facility to guide applicants through the application and payment process has been provided on the portal.
“Upon successful applications, applicants shall make their online booking interview/enrollment appointment on any day, time and location they consider convenient.
“The new timeline for passport production and issuance after a successful enrollment at the selected issuing centre shall be six weeks for fresh applications and three weeks for re-issue (renewal applications).”
According to him, no applicant who has yet to make online application and payment shall be allowed into any of the issuing centres for passport processing.
The comptroller-general added that applicants would be contacted through the email addresses and phone numbers they provided during application when their passports were ready.
He, however, cautioned Nigerians to avoid patronising touts as the entire process had been made seamless for effective and efficient service delivery.
Babandede warned passport racketeers to desist from acts capable of undermining the NIS reform efforts to avoid very strict sanctions.
The Secretary to Anambra Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu says that government is unyielding on the ban on use of motorcycles, tricycles and shuttle buses for commercial transportation across Anambra.
Chukwulobelu said this in a press statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Awka.
He said that the ban is between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. for one month in the first instance.
According to him, the temporary ban is aimed at improving the security situation in state and to curtail criminal activities often perpetrated using motorcycles and tricycles.
The SSG restated that the earlier ban on the use of commercial motorcycles in greater Onitsha and Awka areas during the day and night remained in force.
Chukwulobelu warned that any commercial motorcycle found within these areas would be impounded, forfeited and urged the operators to comply with the directives.
He also said that shuttle buses were banned from using tinted glasses or curtains while plying Anambra roads.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that government had ordered all other vehicles either with factory fitted tinted glasses or plain glasses to always wind down while approaching any security checkpoint to avoid embarrassment.
The government had also charged community leaders to take responsibility for the supervision and compliance to the directives.
It also directed youths and stakeholders in communities to take ownership of security in their environments to complement law enforcement agents in order restore law and order in the state.
A section of the Umuahia Timber Market along Ahiaeke Road in Abia State has been set ablaze by angry traders.
This was after vigilantes tried to enforce the payment of N18,000 annual levy imposed by the Abia State Internal Revenue Board.
The vigilantes who had tried to close the shops of those who failed to pay the levy were resisted by the traders who angrily set ablaze the office of the local guards in the market.
This was after one of the traders identified as Indomie was shot dead and five others injured.
Vehicles were also torched during the confusion that ensued at the market.
Reacting, the Secretary to the State Government, Chris Ezem, condemned the incident and ordered for it to be investigated.
He said in a statement, “The impunity of burning buildings and other public institutions must stop forthwith, as arson remains a very serious crime against the state and humanity, which attracts severe consequences under our laws.
“Government will promptly discipline any Abia Vigilante Service personnel who harasses or intimidates citizens.”
The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, has expressed concern over the resignation of 105 doctors in the service of Ondo in the last year.
Its State Chairman, Dr. Stella Adegbehingbe and State Secretary, Dr. Olorunfemi Owa in a statement released in Akure blamed the trend on irregular and percentage payment of salaries by the state government.
According to the leadership of the association “Some Departments in the State-owned Teaching Hospital, which could hitherto boast of between 6 and 8 Doctors are now left with 1 or 2 Doctors.
”This makes it practically impossible for the hospital to function at a minimum acceptable level.
“Consequential vacancies in the medical officer cadre need to he urgently tilled. About 50 medical Doctors in this cadre have left the employment of the Hospital Management Board without replacement over the last few months.
“Yawning vacancies exist in the Resident Doctor and Consultant cadres at the Teaching Hospital.
“These have remained difficult to till due to the haphazard safety payments.
“We have it on good records that about 105 medical doctors have resigned their employment from the Teaching Hospital in the last year alone.
“Ondo State has not been able to engage requisite numbers of House officers since 2019.
“This has made our work almost impossible because this group of Doctors have a peculiar role in Health service delivery.
“It is troubling to note that only three (3) house officers are left in the service of the Ondo State Government across the three senatorial zones.
They added that “There is no gainsaying that the ongoing laudable efforts at having a Contributory Health Insurance Scheme in the state can only be successful if the urgent issue of manpower need is adequately addressed,”
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are now a family of four! The Duchess of Sussex welcomed the couple’s second child — a baby girl — on Friday.
“It is with great joy that Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, welcome their daughter, Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, to the world,” read a statement from the couple released on Sunday.
“Lili was born on Friday, June 4 at 11:40 a.m. in the trusted care of the doctors and staff at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, CA. She weighed 7 lbs 11 oz. Both mother and child are healthy and well, and settling in at home,” the statement continued. “Lili is named after her great-grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen, whose family nickname is Lilibet. Her middle name, Diana, was chosen to honor her beloved late grandmother, The Princess of Wales.”
“This is the second child for the couple, who also have a two-year-old son named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. The Duke and Duchess thank you for your warm wishes and prayers as they enjoy this special time as a family.”
Meghan and Harry also took to their Archewell website to share a personal message, writing, “On June 4th, we were blessed with the arrival of our daughter, Lili. She is more than we could have ever imagined, and we remain grateful for the love and prayers we’ve felt from across the globe. Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family.”
The couple announced meghan’s pregnancy on Valentine’s Day, sharing, “We can confirm that Archie is going to be a big brother. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to be expecting their second child.”
During their interview with Oprah Winfrey in March, they revealed that they were expecting a baby girl.
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Archie
“To have a boy then a girl — what more can you ask for?” Harry said.
They also shared they won’t have any more children following their baby girl’s arrival: “Two is it.”
Prince Harry added of his feelings upon learning the baby is a girl, “Grateful, having any child, any one or a two would have been amazing, but to have a boy and then a girl . . . now we’ve got our family and we’ve got four of us.”
Meghan and Harry announced their pregnancy news with a stunning black-and-white photo that was taken remotely via iPad by their friend and longtime photographer, Misan Harriman. A smiling (and barefoot!) Harry looks lovingly at Meghan, who cradles her baby bump as she rests in his lap.
The happy news came after Meghan revealed she suffered a miscarriage last July. “Losing a child means carrying an almost unbearable grief, experienced by many but talked about by few,” she wrote in a searingly honest and heartbreaking New York Times essay on November 25.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s pregnancy reveal on Feb. 14
Meghan, 39, and Harry, 36, officially stepped down from their roles as senior royals last year. Their desire to have a normal family life played a role in their groundbreaking decision.
A palace source previously told PEOPLE that by the time of Archie’s birth, “they knew they were going to hit the nuclear button” on their royal exit.
The Duke of Sussex/@SaveChildrenUK Meghan Markle and Archie
When Archie was born, the couple’s focus shifted, even more, to “doing what’s right for their family,” added another friend.
