Insecurity: Northern groups plan mass protests in 19 states Thursday – Newstrends
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Insecurity: Northern groups plan mass protests in 19 states Thursday

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4 years ago

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inspector general of nigerian police
The Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG, has said it will begin non-stop protests against the wave of insecurity in the Northern region on Thursday.
The plan, according to the group, aimed at drawing the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari and the 19 northern states governors to the plight of the region.
The CNG said the ineptitude and an apparent failure of elected and appointed leaders from the North to either protect the lives and property of northerners or address the myriad distresses the region faced had pushed them to the wall.
Explaining that the government has failed woefully in many fronts, the group argued that the authorities appear bent on sustaining the hikes in electricity tariffs.
According to the CNG, it also appears President Buhari and the governors are not keen on resolving the lingering dispute with the university lecturers.
The CNG noted that it was no longer an exaggeration that the security situation in the country and in particular in the North had deteriorated, while the authorities did not deem it fit to extend the swift spirit deployed against FSARS into security the North.
The group told the President point blank that he has abandoned hundreds of thousands of people in northern communities exposed to insurgents and bandits’ attack.
It, therefore, urged the citizens (northerners), who would participate in the peaceful protest to conduct themselves peacefully, while urging the government to respect their rights to protest.
Briefing journalists in Abuja, the spokesman of CNG,
Abdulazeez Suleiman, said, “The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has followed developments around the bold and necessary steps taken by Nigerian citizens to call attention to Police brutality, the deteriorating national security and other pressing concerns.
“The CNG notes the appreciative progression of the citizens’ action that climaxed with government’s swift response to one of the concerns raised with the scrapping of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police, and its immediate replacement with Special Weapon And Tactics Team (SWAT)
OBSERVATIONS
“In the unfolding scenario, the CNG hereby inevitably arrives at the following observations and inferences:
“That while the southern elected and appointed leaders and representatives are quick to identify with their people at the time of need, their counterparts from the North, including the President, the Senate President, Senators, Rep members, governors, state legislators and other government appointees would rather abandon the hundreds of thousands of people in northern communities exposed to crime, lawlessness and insecurity in the hands of bandits, insurgents, kidnappers, rapists rustlers, and other violent criminals without any form of protection.
“That it is contradictory that despite several protests and pleas northerners have made, the authorities never deemed it fit to extend the swift spirit deployed against FSARS into securing the North, or addressing the myriad distresses faced by northerners.
“That the authorities appear bent on sustainig the harsh, unacceptable regime of exploitative hikes in electricity tariffs for which the North shall bear the brunt more than other parts of the country.
“That the federal government appears not keen on resolving the lingering dispute with the Academic Staff Union to enable the recommencement of university education.”
RESOLUTIONS
“In the light of the foregone observations, the CNG has no other option but to direct the extension of the protests to all northern states, commencing from Thursday, October 15, 2020.
“By this, all CNG state chapters and student wings are mandated to resume the mobilization of responsible sections of the civil society, NGOs, women groups, professional associations, artisans and concerned parents in their respective states for the continuation of our protests started in Katsina state in June.”
DEMANDS
CNG will lead the protest to: “Demand the federal government to immediately declare a state of emergency on security and take practical steps to end all manifestations of insecurity in northern Nigeria and other parts of the country.
“Demand thorough reorientation of the entire police force and its empowerment by way of additional personnel, modern training and adequate equiptment to be able to reclaim its universal internal security function. .
“Mount pressure on leaders to show real commitment to protecting lives of citizens, ending the prolonged closure of our universities, reconsidering hiked commodity prices, reducing youth unemployment, and checking the rise in poverty level.
“Publicly condemn and pass a vote of no confidence on those office holders and elected leaders who have abandoned the bulk of northerners to the mercy of a vicious insurgency, destructive banditry, rape and sexual assaults, violent communal clashes amidst mounting poverty and entrenched fear of widespread kidnappings for ransom.
“To declare the agreement reached by labour with the
government on new electricity tariff unacceptable and demand the immediate, unconditional reversal to the old rates.”
Suleiman noted that while CNG welcomed the creation of the SWAT to replace SARS, it urged the government to expedite action in improving the professionalism of the personnel drafted into SWAT
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JUST IN: Release files on Tinubu, US judge orders FBI, DEA

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11 hours ago

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April 13, 2025

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

JUST IN: Release files on Tinubu, US judge orders FBI, DEA

A United States District Court in Washington, D.C., has directed the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to make public records concerning President Bola Tinubu.

Judge Beryl Howell issued the order on Tuesday in response to a motion filed by Aaron Greenspan, an American citizen seeking a review of a previous ruling.

In her decision, Howell dismissed the agencies’ justification for withholding the information, stating that shielding such documents from the public “is neither logical nor plausible.”

Greenspan alleged that the agencies violated the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) by failing to produce documents regarding alleged federal probes into both President Tinubu and Abiodun Agbele within the legally mandated timeframe.

In 1993, Tinubu forfeited $460,000 to the U.S. government after officials linked the funds to proceeds from narcotics-related activities.

The issue resurfaced during proceedings at Nigeria’s Presidential Election Petition Court, where opposition candidates Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi cited the forfeiture in challenging Tinubu’s eligibility for office. The court ultimately dismissed the petitions and upheld his election.

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Judge Howell’s latest ruling partially supports Greenspan’s claims, particularly concerning the agencies’ reliance on what’s known as a “Glomar response”—a refusal to confirm or deny the existence of records.

According to the judge, the FBI and DEA failed to demonstrate that their use of the Glomar principle was appropriate in this case.

She wrote, “the claim that the Glomar responses were necessary to protect this information from public disclosure is at this point neither logical nor plausible,” noting that Tinubu had already been publicly identified as a subject in investigations by both agencies.

Further explaining the legal framework, Howell stated that a FOIA requester can challenge a Glomar response either by disputing the claim that disclosure would cause identifiable harm, or by proving that the agency has already officially acknowledged the information in question.

In this instance, Greenspan made both arguments. He contended that: “The plaintiffs’ argument that (1) DEA has officially confirmed investigations of Agbele’s involvement in the drug trafficking ring, (2) the FBI and DEA have both officially confirmed investigations of Tinubu relating to the drug trafficking ring, (3) any privacy interests implicated by the FOIA requests to the FBI and DEA for records about Tinubu are overcome by the public interest in release of such information, and (4) the CIA has officially acknowledged records responsive to plaintiff’s FOIA request about Tinubu.”

JUST IN: Release files on Tinubu, US judge orders FBI, DEA

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US envoy meets Tinubu in Paris over economic war

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2 days ago

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April 11, 2025

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U.S. envoy meets Tinubu in Paris

US envoy meets Tinubu in Paris over economic war

The United States has opened discussions with President Bola Tinubu on expanding economic cooperation across Africa as part of efforts to deepen trade, investment, and development ties on the continent.

This was disclosed following a meeting on Thursday between President Tinubu and U.S. State Department Senior Advisor for Africa, Massad Boulos, in Paris, where the Nigerian leader is currently on a short working visit.

According to a statement posted Friday on the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, and shared by President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the talks also touched on key security concerns in the region.

“State Department Senior Advisor for Africa Massad Boulos met with President Tinubu on Thursday to discuss regional security, including working together with partners to build a durable peace in eastern DRC,” the U.S. Mission stated.

“They also discussed expanding opportunities for economic cooperation throughout Africa,” it added.

The meeting comes at a time when Nigeria is working to reposition itself as a hub for investment and economic growth on the continent.

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President Tinubu has consistently called for stronger global partnerships to drive industrialization, job creation, and infrastructure development in Africa.

Though specific details of the economic discussions were not disclosed, analysts say the meeting reflects growing American interest in engaging with African leaders on development-focused diplomacy, with Nigeria seen as a critical anchor in West Africa.

President Tinubu has been in Paris since Wednesday, April 2, undertaking a short working visit aimed at reviewing his administration’s midterm performance and setting strategic priorities for the next phase of his tenure.

While abroad, the President has remained actively engaged in state matters, and Thursday’s high-level engagement with the U.S. State Department underscores Nigeria’s central role in regional affairs and global economic conversations.

Tinubu is expected to return to the country shortly, with public attention focused on the outcome of his consultations and the anticipated direction of new policies in the coming months.

US envoy meets Tinubu in Paris over economic war

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US honours Soyinka, Okundaye at African Cultural Festival 2025 Pennsylvania

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4 days ago

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April 9, 2025

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US honours Soyinka, Okundaye at African Cultural Festival 2025 Pennsylvania

The United States government through the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the Pennsylvania Senate has honoured the Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka and the renowned African art icon, Chief Nike Okundaye of Nike Art Gallery, Lagos for their contributions to art in Nigeria and globally.

While Soyinka was conferred with “Distinguished Honors” for his extraordinary contributions to literature, culture, human rights, and global discourse, Nike Okundaye was honored for her revolutionary impact on contemporary African art.

She was recognized for being the pioneer of the Adire resist-dyeing technique, which has seamlessly blended ancestral motifs with modern aesthetics, earning global acclaim, thereby solidifying her legacy as a custodian of African heritage.

The honor was bestowed on them on March 26 at the unveiling of African Cultural Festival 2025 held at the Pennsylvania State Capitol . The festival will take place from September 19 to 20, 2025, in Pennsylvania.

The Senate of Pennsylvania lauded Professor Soyinka for his pioneering role in modern African literature and his relentless advocacy for free speech, social justice, and democracy.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives, led by Speaker Joanna E. McClinton, also commended him for his unparalleled literary achievements and for inspiring critical thoughts across generations.’

For Okundaye, she was honoured for giving hope to marginalised women, training and equipping over 5,000 women with Adire-making, weaving, and traditional craft skills.

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“Her mission to foster economic independence and cultural continuity has empowered communities across Nigeria and beyond, ensuring that African artistry thrives in future generations,” the House and the Senate stated.

Speaking about the upcoming festival, Wole Adeniyi, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO of ACI234, said the festival was designed to celebrate African heritage, foster international collaboration, and stimulate trade and cultural exchange between Africa, the United States, and the world.

Adeniyi emphasised that the festival will solidify Africa’s cultural influence while creating pathways for sustainable growth and artistic innovation.

He thanked the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, the Senate, and the State of Pennsylvania for honouring the two Nigerian icons of art.

Part of activities lined up for the festival includes the launching of Duduplugs, an innovative digital platform by ACI234 Entertainment LLC, designed to connect creative industries across continents, and elevate Africa’s creative economy.

Commenting on the upcoming event, Festival Director Foluke Michael described the African Cultural Festival as a celebration of tradition and innovation — a vibrant fusion of Africa’s timeless heritage with contemporary expression.

She acknowledged the pivotal role of the Lagos State Government in laying the foundation for this global movement through the Lagos Black Heritage Festival, which was steered by Professor Wole Soyinka during his tenure as Festival Consultant.

“That era gave birth to a cultural renaissance,” Michael noted. “It was during that time that the iconic Rhumble in Lagos — featuring President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and boxing legend Evander Holyfield — became a symbolic moment that planted the seed for what we now know as the African Cultural Festival.”

She further revealed that the official countdown to the 2025 edition will begin in Lagos at the end of April, setting the stage for a global celebration of African excellence.

 

US honours Soyinka, Okundaye at African Cultural Festival 2025 Pennsylvania

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