News
Human rights abuses using DSS, police rising under Tinubu – Atiku
Human rights abuses using DSS, police rising under Tinubu – Atiku
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has bemoaned the shrinking of civil space and brazen disregard for democratic ideals under President Bola Tinubu.
Atiku slammed Tinubu’s administration for the rise in human rights abuses in the country.
His remarks came amid the slew of arrests and torture of journalists and citizens who are critical of Tinubu’s government by security agencies.
Atiku, in a release signed by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, decried the arrest of citizens in a Gestapo manner without the knowledge of their relatives.
He said Tinubu has turned against the people by allowing the Department of State Services, DSS, the Police and even the military to abuse the rights of citizens without any consequences.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate in the last general election said since Tinubu took office journalism has becoming a perilous endeavour as government goes after journalists for simply doing their jobs.
He argued that the Cyber Crime Prevention Act 2015 has a tool for abducting Nigerian citizens.
READ ALSO:
- NAF airstrikes kill terrorists in Kaduna, Zamfara, destroy 25 illegal refineries
- Napoli agree deal with Man Utd for McTominay
- Court freezes 32 bank accounts linked to #EndBadGovernance protest, orders holders arrest (+FULL LIST)
“The dangerous trend of enforced disappearances has become a national embarrassment for a country which claims to be practising democracy. On May 1, 2024, Daniel Ojukwu of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism went missing and was presumed abducted by kidnappers until he was later discovered to be in police custody on the orders of IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
“Ojukwu’s crime was that he exposed the corruption of a government official who currently serves in Tinubu’s administration. On July 23, the DSS arrested one Aliyu Sanusi in Sama Road of Sokoto, the state capital for printing and distributing materials ahead of the #EndBadGovernanceProtest. Even the arrest and release of the former BBC Pidgin Editor and current West Africa Regional Editor of the Conversation, Adejuwon Soyinka, clearly shows a pattern, whose objective is to intimidate journalists for speaking the truth to this government.
“Now, the police have arrested Bristol Tamunobiefiri, who owns the PIDOM Nigeria blog on X, formerly Twitter. After detaining him for over two weeks, he was granted an administrative bail, which would be impossible to meet. This is despite the fact that the Appeal Court, in the case of EFCC V. Emem Uboh (2022) LPEIR – 57968 (CA) held that administrative bail is illegal. Bristol should, therefore, be arraigned in court immediately or released.”
Atiku urged Tinubu to take cases of human rights abuses seriously or Nigeria would remain at risk of being slammed with sanctions by foreign nations.
Human rights abuses using DSS, police rising under Tinubu – Atiku
News
School teachers begin indefinite strike in Abuja
School teachers begin indefinite strike in Abuja
Teachers in government-owned schools across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have started an indefinite strike. This action follows the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT Chapter, to the six area councils in the territory.
On Wednesday, pupils who arrived at school were sent home by their teachers upon reaching the school gates, leaving them disappointed.
Comrade Ameh Baba, the NUT Chairman in Kubwa, confirmed the strike, explaining that it was initiated to push for the payment of 60 percent of the minimum wage arrears owed by the area councils.
He also criticized the councils for failing to implement the payment of 40 percent peculiar allowances and the 25 percent and 35 percent salary increments for teachers.
READ ALSO:
- Police parade suspected ritualists, armed robbers in Osun
- Students can reapply for loans, we’ve resolved BVN verification glitch – NELFUND
- PDP govs, NWC move to remove Damagun, Wike’s loyalist, as acting national chairman
Comrade Ameh stressed the importance of primary education as the foundation of human development and urged the government to treat the matter seriously.
The union warned that if the government does not respond within seven days, they will escalate the strike by picketing the area council secretariats and organizing protests, with secondary school teachers joining in solidarity. He also noted that the strike would impact Junior Secondary School 1 students, as their results are due for release.
School teachers begin indefinite strike in Abuja
News
Students can reapply for loans, we’ve resolved BVN verification glitch – NELFUND
Students can reapply for loans, we’ve resolved BVN verification glitch – NELFUND
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced the resolution of a technical issue that disrupted the BVN (Bank Verification Number) verification process for students applying for loans.
The issue, which began over the weekend and persisted through the public holiday, caused delays for many applicants.
In a statement posted on NELFUND’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, the organization confirmed that the issue had been fully resolved by Tuesday morning. NELFUND advised all affected students to log back into the portal, complete their BVN verification, and proceed with their loan applications.
READ ALSO:
- PDP govs, NWC move to remove Damagun, Wike’s loyalist, as acting national chairman
- Troops kill many terrorists in Kaduna, hostages rescued, arms recovered
- Obasanjo reveals how Abdulsalami almost awarded $280m telecom deal for $3m to friends
“Dear Students,
“We have observed that many of you experienced issues with BVN verification while applying for the student loan over the last weekend, including the public holiday.
“We are pleased to inform you that the issue has been addressed and fully resolved as of yesterday morning.
“We kindly advise all affected students to log back into the portal, complete the BVN verification process, and proceed with your loan application,” the statement read in part.
NELFUND also expressed gratitude to students for their patience during the disruption and reassured them that the application process can now continue smoothly without further issues.
Students can reapply for loans, we’ve resolved BVN verification glitch – NELFUND
News
Obasanjo reveals how Abdulsalami almost awarded $280m telecom deal for $3m to friends
Obasanjo reveals how Abdulsalami almost awarded $280m telecom deal for $3m to friends
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has recounted how the former military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), almost shortchanged Nigeria in a lucrative telecommunications deal.
Obasanjo revealed that Abdulsalami almost robbed Nigeria of a $280 million deal during nation’s transition to mobile telecommunications.
Obasanjo said when Nigeria was about to make the switch from landline telephones to mobile phones, some major telecommunication companies approached the country and promised to provide mobile lines for the citizenry, but Abubakar wanted to award the deal to his friends for $3 million.
The former President, however, said he suggested that the contract be made public for investors to bid and the highest bidder was awarded the contract, leading to the $280 million sale.
He made the revelation at the launch of a book titled ‘The Catalyst: Nigerian ICT Evolution through a Journalist’s lens,’ authored by an immediate past Editor of The PUNCH Newspapers, Mr Dayo Oketola, in Lagos.
He also disclosed that he was able to get Etisalat to pay $450 million to get the licence to operate in Nigeria.
READ ALSO:
- Woman’s dog digs up infant body reportedly buried alive by 22-year-old granddaughter in garden
- $900m FG bond: United Capital leads with 180% subscription
- UK invests £1.9m in West African economies
Speaking at the event, Obasanjo said: “The story of telecommunications, particularly mobile telecommunication, is a very interesting one. Before mobile telecommunication, we had spent a lot of money, we had all sorts of companies invited from America, France and even from Britain, but we did not get more than 500,000 lines. People had to queue at the telephone kiosk to call their loved ones abroad. And then, of course, the mobile telephone age came in.
“When it came in, my predecessor in office was trying to give it away, I think, to their friend for $3 million. Then we said, what we would do was to auction it. The three that came in first, I think, paid $280 million for the line. $280 million for something about to be given away for $3 million. That was the first thing we did. Not only that, we achieved competition.
“The three of them were competing. And, of course, the one that had the upper hand in terms of spread, I think, was MTN, followed by Glo. And then, there was Econet. They are now Airtel. And then, of course, later on, we had the fourth one, Etisalat. When Etisalat came, I told them the last one we did was $280 million. We told Etisalat to pay $450 million. They did.
“When they paid $450 million, the ball went in the post and then we were playing. That was how we got money to do what we did at the time we did it. That opportunity can still be made available. The money to develop Nigeria is out there, but that money will not come in unless we create a conducive atmosphere for that money to come in.
“What we did or what Nigeria has done in the good days when things were going well, are still there and can still be done today only if we put ourselves and we are honest to ourselves. We have to show character and attitude.”
Obasanjo reveals how Abdulsalami almost awarded $280m telecom deal for $3m to friends
-
Business2 days ago
Dangote refinery to transport 75% of fuel locally by sea
-
metro1 day ago
Four burnt to death, eight others injured in Ore-Ijebu Ode road crash
-
Politics2 days ago
Why I’ll work against Obi as running mate – Aisha Yesufu
-
Business3 days ago
JUST IN: Northern regions to pay more for petrol after NNPC announces Dangote price
-
Business3 days ago
NNPC hints petrol may rise above N1,000/litre, releases fresh price list
-
metro2 days ago
Updated: Controversial church testimony occurred in a dream, says Lord’s Chosen
-
Business3 days ago
Dangote Refinery: Tinubu committee to announce petrol price on October 1
-
metro1 day ago
Lady laces food with laxatives to know those eating it