On July 11, 2024, the supreme court of Nigeria delivered a judgement, ruling that all the 774 local government areas across the federation shall henceforth be financially autonomous.

The apex court, in a landmark judgement, ruled that it is unconstitutional for governors to hold onto funds meant for local governments.

The Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision by a seven-member panel of justices, barred governors of the 36 states of the federation from receiving, withholding, tampering or utilizing funds that stand to the credit of the local government areas.

The ruling, however, generated mixed reactions.

WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that while President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, Labour Party, LP, and Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP hailed the Supreme Court judgement, former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, said the verdict has dealt a severe setback to the principle of federalism in the country.

Recall that the Federal Government had in a suit marked SC/CV/343/2024, filed on May 24, 2024, prayed to the Supreme Court to give full autonomy to local governments.

It also urged the court to issue an order prohibiting state governors from embarking on unilateral, arbitrary and unlawful dissolution of democratically elected local government leaders.

Besides, the Federal Government prayed to the Supreme Court for an order, stopping governors from further constituting caretaker committees to run the affairs of local governments, against the constitutionally recognised and guaranteed democratic system.

It equally applied for an order of injunction, restraining the governors, their agents and privies, from receiving, spending or tampering with funds released from the Federation Account for the benefit of local governments when no democratically elected local government system is put in place in the states.

It argued that Nigeria, as a federation, is a creation of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, with the President, as Head of the Federal Executive Arm, swearing on oath to uphold and give effects to provisions of the Constitution.

The details of the Supreme Court ruling giving 774 local councils financial autonomy includes;

“The Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that all federal funds for local government councils should be paid directly into their accounts.

“Justice Emmanuel Agim, who led a seven-member panel of justices, delivered the judgment in a suit filed by the federal government against the 36 state governors.

“According to the judgment, henceforth, no more payments of local government area allocations will be made to state government accounts. The court also prohibited the governors from receiving, tampering with, or withholding funds meant for local governments.

“Furthermore, the court barred the governors from dissolving democratically elected officials for local governments and deemed such actions a breach of the 1999 Constitution.

“The federal government had approached the Supreme Court with a suit seeking to compel the governors of the 36 federating states to grant full autonomy to local governments in their domains. The suit, marked SC/CV/343/2024, was filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), on behalf of the Federal Government.

“The Federal Government accused the state governors of gross misconduct and abuse of power in its suit, which was based on 27 grounds. In the originating summons, the FG prayed the Supreme Court to make an order stating that funds standing to the credit of local governments from the Federation Account should be paid directly to the local governments rather than through the state governments.

“The justice minister also requested an order restraining governors, their agents, and privies from receiving, spending, or tampering with funds released from the Federation Account for the benefit of local governments when no democratically elected local government system is in place in the states.

“Finally, the Federal Government sought an order stopping governors from constituting caretaker committees to run the affairs of local governments, contrary to the constitutionally recognized and guaranteed democratic system.”

However, nearly six months after the Supreme Court ruled that local governments’ monthly allocations be paid into the individual accounts of the 774 local government councils; the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) is still paying the funds to joint states/LG accounts.

WITHIN NIGERIA local government councils’ allocations for November 2024 were paid into the states/Local Governments Joint accounts by the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) contrary to what Nigerians were made to believe that the funds would go directly into the local governments’ individual accounts as ordered more than five months ago by the Supreme Court.

Findings showed that the sum of N1.727 trillion was shared by the federal, states and local government councils as revenue for the month of November 2024 by the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) – the highest in the history of the country.

By and large, an analysis of communiqués released after the monthly meeting of Federation Accounts Allocation Committee by our reporter showed that from July to December 2024, the total distributable revenue amounted to N8.351 trillion, which was shared among the federal government, states, and local government councils.

Further analysis showed that the total amount allocated to the local government councils was N2.075tn.

The said amount, despite being allocated to the 774 local government areas in the country, are still being held and managed by their respective states.

How governors plan to thwart the judgment

Since the judgement was passed by the apex court some state governors have resorted to both covert and overt action to thwart the full implementation of the judgment.

In Anambra state for instance, the governor, Prof. Charles Soludo on October 15, 2024 passed into law, Local Government Law after the bill was read three times in the state House of Assembly Chambers.

The Anambra state local government law

The bill, submitted to the Anambra State House of Assembly on aThursday, was signed into law despite stiff opposition by some state lawmakers.

The law compels local governments in the state to remit a portion of their federal allocations into a consolidated account controlled by the state government.

Observers said the law was at variance with the Supreme Court ruling which affirmed the financial autonomy of the country’s local governments.

WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that Mr Soludo, after signing the bill into law, stressed that local governments are not usually considered as federal units.

The governor said that although the Supreme Court ruling affirming local government autonomy was intended for transparency, granting absolute autonomy to the local governments would breed chaos.

According to Prof. Soludo, “absolute autonomy would mean that each LG would have its own primary education policy, employ its own teachers, and pay them whatever it can afford and whenever it can do so, etc.

“This would be a recipe for humongous chaos, not only for the administration of local government and pensions but more so in the primary education and primary health sectors,” he said.

He argued that the new local government law in Anambra was not at variance with the Supreme Court ruling.

Soludo explained that Section 7 of the Nigerian Constitution empowers the State legislatures to make laws for the management of local government finances.

“The new law by Anambra House of Assembly is therefore consequential to give operational life to the Supreme Court judgment and not to undermine it,” he argued.

The governor suggested that the new law was intended to prevent local government chairpersons from mismanaging their finances.

“The law seeks to create a framework to ensure that the basic functions mandated by the (Nigerian) Constitution for the local governments are discharged as a matter of first-line charge or the irreducible minimum.

“With these laws, workers and retirees from the local government system in Anambra, such as primary school teachers, primary health workers, workers in the local government system under the local government service commission, can sleep with their two eyes closed,” he said.

Continuing in his justification for the new bill, the governor posited that  “No tier of government can function without the collaboration of others. The three tiers have the objective of the people.

“The federal government is not completely autonomous of the state. It is a collaborative arrangement to achieve the same objective,” he said.

ALGON kicks

The Secretary-General of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Mohammed Abubakar, while speaking on the delay in the direct payment of federal allocation to local governments, lamented the non-implementation of the Supreme Court ruling.

He said, “Sincerely, we are all in the dark as we stand now. People who don’t want this local government autonomy to work are having a field day.

“Ordinarily, the Supreme Court judgment should not be left unattended. We are in the dark, to the extent that we cannot pinpoint what the government is trying to achieve by not enforcing the Supreme Court judgment allowing allocation to be paid directly to local government accounts.

“We had made our submissions that the local government accounts should be opened across board and submitted to the Office of The Accountant-General for the allocation to be disbursed directly, but the governors are claiming that they already utilised funds for the interest of the local governments. They also argued that the local governments’ money is not enough to take care of all the health and the primary school teachers. But we are saying they should allow the implementation first, and then we can make a case for whatever deficiencies we have.”

He said further that, “But in a situation where you don’t act but worry about some issues raised by the governors which include that they have incurred a lot of loans on behalf of the local government, then we may not have a way forward.

“So, these are the bottlenecks that we understand are causing these delays, but again, there can be a way out of these issues and we have proffered some solutions to the committee. It is best known to the committee why it has not carried out the advice we gave to them.”

Similarly, a former local government chairman of Igbo-Eze North in Enugu state, Tony Ugwu, said “if Nigeria is talking about local government autonomy without the councils getting allocations directly from the federal government,” the essence of the much-talked about autonomy would have been defeated.

He said, “Many local government chairmen in Nigeria are new in the seat, and have not received any allocation from the federal government. Until that is done, one will be able to know if they are going to match their words with action.

“As far as I am concerned, talking about LG autonomy without the councils receiving allocations directly from the federal government will negate that good intention.

“If the new found autonomy for local governments is religiously implemented, the positive multiplier effect will be much. The important impact it will have is to ensure development of the rural communities which hitherto had suffered serious neglect.”

NULGE reacts to the delay, calls on President Tinubu

Reacting to the delay, the National President of the National Union of Local Government Employee, NULGE Mr. Hakeem Ambali said the delay is not necessary.

In an interview with newsmen recently, on Thursday, NULGE  Ambali, decried the delay and called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently enforce the directive.

“We are surprised that up till now, this has not been implemented. However, we received encouraging news during the Yuletide that it would take effect in January. It is disheartening that after six months, we are still discussing this issue.

The court judgment left no room for delays in implementation, and we believe this should have started since October. That is why we are urging Mr. President to act now,” Ambali said.

He highlighted assurances from the President and recent developments indicating that direct allocations to LGAs would commence by the end of January.

“I also recall that the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum paid a visit to Mr. President during the Yuletide, and the President reiterated his commitment to implementing this directive. Our expectation is that by the end of January, local governments will have their funds credited directly. We do not want the practice of routing local government funds through intermediaries anymore—enough is enough. The court’s judgment is final and must be respected.”

Ambali also criticised the actions of certain governors, including Prof. Charles Soludo of Anambra State and Dr Alex Otti of Abia State, who allegedly passed laws that conflicted with the Supreme Court’s ruling.

“Governors like Soludo and Otti rushed to pass laws that conflicted with the Supreme Court’s judgment. Such laws are null and void because they cannot override the court’s decision. The Attorney General has already clarified that their actions are illegal and cannot stand in the face of the law,” he stated.

To safeguard the integrity of the allocation process, Ambali explained that a technical committee had submitted key recommendations, including increased transparency and oversight mechanisms.

“The technical committee has submitted recommendations to the presidency to safeguard the process. For example, we have proposed that the Federation Account Allocation Committee publish local government allocations in national newspapers monthly.

“We also recommended the establishment of a monitoring committee to track disbursements. Furthermore, the Minister of Special Duties should organise capacity-building conferences for councilors tasked with oversight functions. Let us not forget that the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit is now operational at the local government level.

“Once local governments receive direct allocations, we will see a significant difference. It’s one thing for someone to take your money and give you a fraction; it’s another for you to control your own funds. With direct allocations, local governments will finally be in charge of their finances.”

Ambali warned governors against attempts to derail local government autonomy, emphasising that LGA officials would also be held accountable for any lapses.

“The apprehensive actions by Governors Soludo and Otti will not succeed. Unlike governors, local government chairmen and officials do not enjoy immunity. Anyone who violates the law will face the full wrath of the law,” he added.

Confusion in the local government system

Also, some top officials in some local government councils in Enugu state, who spoke under anonymity told WITHIN NIGERIA that while they were looking forward to the new dispensation, there were still no sufficient and clear indications that their financial autonomy would be without encumbrances from the governors.

One of them said, “It remains to be seen if the newly found financial autonomy by local governments in the country would be allowed by the state governments to thrive.

“The body language of the governors in response to the new arrangement is eloquent and audible enough. It is not only in this state, but all over the country. But as things stand now, no one can categorically state how the whole arrangement will pan out. We are only waiting to see how things will unfold.”

Another anonymous official told our reporter that “Elected Council chairmen are under severe pressure to perform. They are yet to begin work because no kobo has been released directly to the council’s treasury.

“They were hoping that the November allocations from the federation account would be given directly to the local governments, but their hope was dashed.”

He also disclosed that all eyes were “now on the elected chairmen and members of the legislative councils to deliver,” adding that if they got the money he was certain that they would do well.

“Honestly, we are under enormous pressure from the people to deliver and the people also know how much that comes to the councils from the federation account every month because it is usually published on the national dailies. Now, the people from my local government already know that the council receives approximately N300 million every month and sometimes slightly higher.

“From September to this November the council would have received close to a billion naira and the people know that. But as it is now we have not resumed work because there is no fund yet. Initially, we had hoped that the governor would have given us the November allocations, but it was not so. As I speak nothing is happening right now because the funds are not available. Hopefully, if we get this December allocations directly then work will start, “he said further.

Citizens, civil servants react to the delay

A cross-section of citizens, who spoke with this reporter, said it would be nice for local government chairmen to receive their allocations directly.

A primary school who gave her name as Georgina said  that “this is the time for the newly elected Council chairmen to account for why they were elected.

“Let them prove to us why they were elected; they have a lot on their shoulders, let them provide good governance in the rural areas. They should strictly detach themselves from the state government and usher in true local autonomy,” he said.

According to Mrs. Georgina “ if the state governors should allow these elected local government chairmen to operate, perhaps all these unpaid local government gratuities and pensions would be liquidated in no distant time.

Mrs. Stella Afolabi, an Ibadan-based fashion designer, urged governors to allow local government chairmen to be truly independent. She wants the Council chairmen to look at the rural roads in her community and address the menace of herdsmen infiltrating into their farms.

“It’s a welcome development, but we don’t want a situation where the chairmen are controlled by the governor, they should truly be independent and provide good roads in the rural areas, our farmers need protection too, they should address the problem of herdsmen destroying our crops in our villages,” she said.

A civil servant, Nanjul Marcus, from Edo state, said, “It is sad that the federal government itself has not started implementation of the direct remittance of allocations to local government councils.

“I heard local council chairmen in other states complaining of financial strangulation by their governors. The story is not different in Edo state.

It would be a welcome development for local councils to receive FAAC allocations directly.”

The post LG Autonomy: Six Months After, FG Yet To Allocate Funds Directly To LG Accounts appeared first on WITHIN NIGERIA.

The year, 2024 is indeed one of the most challenging years in the history of Nigeria. The said year is full of both economic, social and political challenges, some of which have shaped the year, 2024 and determined how the entire populace view the situation in the country.

However, despite these daunting socioeconomic challenges, there are some events, people that equally helped in shaping the 2024 and of course history around us.

Aliko Dangote

The outgoing year 2024 saw the coming on stream of the Dangote Refinery, which effectively ended the country’s decade of the importation of refined petrol products. The new 650,000 barrel-a-day oil refinery in Nigeria owned by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man has been widely described as a game changer as it is expected to in the medium term boost the country’s forex earning, boost employment and help the country save the huge billions of dollars.

Despite all the ding dong affairs that followed the opening of the Refinery and eventual lifting of the petroleum products from the company, Dangote was able to weather the storm and navigate through the bottlenecks.

Bishop Matthew Kukah

In the face of the threats, political perfidy and other daunting challenges in the country, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah remained resolute, tireless and determined, advocating for justice and democracy and human development. Nigeria. He has remained vocal in his call for good governance and a free and fair electoral process in the country.

Peter Obi

Despite his seemingly disappointed declaration as the third best in the 2023 presidential election, Mr. Peter Gregory Obi, a member of the Labour Party and the presidential candidate of the party in the 2023 Nigerian presidential election continues to keep his hope of getting to the presidency alive with characteristic political moves befitting of his leadership style and persona.

Though, it may seem his ‘Obidients’ waves have gone to rest, the former two- term governor of Anambra State remains active in the political space this year, making speeches that speak to the heart of the people.

In the coming 2027 general election, this seem to be paying off as a coalition of Northern groups, under the umbrella of Northern Obidients Youth Assembly (NOYA), warned against alleged plots to sabotage Peter Obi’s legacy following the internal wrangling within the Labour Party. Already, there has been talks of alliance between his party and other parties for the 2027 presidential election.

Siminalayi Fubara

The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara’s attempt to maintain the political control of Rivers State in 2024 pitched him against his godfather, Mr. Nyesom Wike, who is the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

The relatively not so known Fubura, who is determined to assert control over his government and the party structure that brought him into office, is proving he was well-schooled in the shenanigans of Nigerian political office holders. Rivers state, the oil-rich base of the country has been staggering and swaggering from one political crisis to another precipitated by the feud between Gov. Fubara and Ex Gov. Wike.

The local government election held this year is one major highlight, which did go down well with him and his predecessor, Mr. Wike.

Ademola Lookman

On Monday, December 16, 2024 Super Eagles and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman was named the 2024 CAF African Footballer of the Year.

The 27-year-old clinched the prestigious prize at a glittering ceremony held at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday.

The Nigerian star edged out tough competition from Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/PSG), Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast/Brighton), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea/Borussia Dortmund), and Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns) to claim the prestigious title.0

Lookman’s victory adds his name to the illustrious list of Nigerian footballers who have won the award, joining legends such as Rashidi Yekini (1993), Emmanuel Amuneke (1994), Nwankwo Kanu (1996 and 1999), Victor Ikpeba (1997), and Victor Osimhen (2023).

His win marks Nigeria’s sixth triumph in the award’s history, as he takes over the mantle from Osimhen, the 2023 winner and his national team mate.

Dele Farotimi

Dele is an activist, a political commentator and author of the book “Do Not Die In Their War”, a treatise on Nigeria’s contemporary political trajectories, and the book “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System”.

On 3 December 2024, he was arrested following his allegation of perversion of justice leveled against Afe Babalola. His arrest and eventual detention by the Department of State Security, DSS sparked off widespread condemnation by notable Nigerians, leading to the immediate past presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi soliciting for his pardon and release.

His latest book was ranked as the amazon best seller.

Davido

In the entertainment industry, the music superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido was also very much visible in the year under review. He married the love of his life Chioma Rowland in a grand affair. The multi-billion naira glamorous wedding ceremony dominated social media space days after the wedding.

The occasion marked the culmination of years of friendship and love, characterised by setbacks, series of scandals, drama and trolls.  Davido also bagged a Grammy nomination for the second time, ahead of the 67th Grammys taking place early next year. He also continued his tradition of giving back with plans to donate N300 million to orphanages as part of his 32nd birthday celebration. 2024 also renewed the feud between Davido and Wizkid.

Burnaboy

Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu MFR, professionally known as Burna Boy, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer.

In 2024, Burna Boy became embroiled in a public dispute with fellow Nigerian musician Speed Darlington. The feud began when Darlington questioned the legitimacy of Burna Boy’s 2021 Grammy Award for Twice as Tall, which was co-produced by American rapper and producer Sean “Diddy” Combs. Darlington alleged that Burna Boy’s association with Diddy might have influenced the award outcome, suggesting that external factors played a role in his Grammy win. In response to these allegations, Burna Boy filed a defamation complaint, leading to Darlington’s arrest by the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja. Following his arrest, Darlington’s mother publicly pleaded with Burna Boy to forgive her son and facilitate his release. Darlington was later granted bail after meeting stipulated conditions.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was during a special General Council meeting on 29 November, 2024, reappointed Director General of the World Trade Organisation by the General Council for a second four-year term, which will commence on 1 September 2025.

In recent years, the WTO has played a vital role in helping Members navigate pressing global challenges, including the pandemic, conflict, and heightened geopolitical tensions.

The DG is deeply committed to working alongside the talented and dedicated staff of the WTO to build a more inclusive, equitable, and rules-based multilateral trading system that benefits all.

The dead

The year 2024 saw the demise of many prominent Nigerians, some of their deaths seemed to be questionable and unbelieving.

Junior Pope

John Paul Obumneme Odonwodo (May 7, 1981 – April 10, 2024), popularly known as Junior Pope, was a Nigerian actor and film producer who appeared in various Nollywood films, including Secret Adventures (2007), Bitter Generation (2010), and Nkoli Nwa Nsukka.

Odonwodo was a Christian and married Jennifer Awele Okpuno on 26 July 2014. They had three children together.  Pope died in a boat accident on the River Niger in Anambra State while traveling to Asaba, Nigeria, to shoot a movie. Three crew members also lost their lives in the incident.

Initially, the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) declared him alive after videos circulated online showing him on the boat and villagers attempting to revive him. However, he was later officially announced dead.

Junior Pope was buried on 17 May 17 2024, in his hometown of Ukehe in the Igbo Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria

Amechi Muonagor

Amaechi Muonagor  (20 August 1962 – 24 March 2024) was a veteran Nigerian actor, comedian, and movie producer. He was nominated for the 2017 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards for Best actor. He joined the Nigerian movie industry Nollywood in 1998 and had starred in many movies including Taboo 1 (1989), Aki and Pawpaw, Karishika (1998), and Aki na Ukwa (2002), Igodo (1999).

In 2016, it was reported that Amaechi was suffering from diabetes and had left the film industry. In 2023, he suffered from a stroke that resulted in partial paralysis of his left leg.  On 24 March 2024, Amaechi died of kidney failure, at the age of 62. His death threw the entire Nollywood industry and even beyond into inexplicable mood of loss and tragedy.

Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah

Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah  (3 September 1971 – 27 July 2024) was a Nigerian politician and businessman who served as the senator representing Anambra South senatorial district from 2019 until his death on 27 July 2024. He was the CEO of Capital Oil (CCO), which he founded in 2001.

On 27 July 2024, Ubah reportedly died of a cardiac arrest in London, at the age of 52. He was said to have departed Nigeria for the United Kingdom two days earlier on 25 July.

A close family source said he died in a hospital where he went for surgery. Before his death, he had declared his interest to contest for Anambra state gubernatorial election in 2025 under the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC.

Onyeka Onwenu

Onyeka Onwenu MFR  (31 January 1952 – 30 July 2024) She was born January 31 1952 in Imo state.  She was a Nigerian singer and songwriter, actress, human rights and social activist, journalist, politician, and X Factor series judge. Dubbed the “Elegant Stallion” due to her significant impact on African culture and entertainment, Onwenu was a chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture. In 2013, she was appointed the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development.

On 30 July 2024, Onwenu passed out after performing at the 80th birthday party of The CEO Emzor Pharmaceuticas Stella Okoli in Lagos State.  She was immediately taken to Reddington Hospital where she was confirmed dead. Onwenu was 72.

However,  Prior to her death, Onwenu wrote in an opinion piece on Premium Times in 2021 on how she’d like to be buried; “Do it quickly, quietly and privately,” she said, emphasising that her burial should be devoid of unnecessary fanfare. “Celebrate me with prayers, lunch or dinner afterwards. Share some jokes about me and laugh. “Make merriment and then go about your business. If my friends want to celebrate me, they should do so while I am alive, so that I can enjoy it with them, not when I am gone and have no idea about this. That is me Onyeka Onwenu,” she said.

John Okafor

John Ikechukwu Okafor (17 October 1961 – 2 March 2024), popularly known as Mr. Ibu, was a Nigerian legendary Veteran actor and comedian. He appeared in over 200 Nollywood films including those from the Mr. Ibu series.

In October 2023, Okafor revealed that he was suffering from an ailment that threatened to make it necessary to amputate one of his legs. He said he was struck by the problem while on a movie set with other Nollywood actors.

He appealed to his fans and the public for prayers and financial assistance to cover his medical bills. He also shared a video of himself lying in a hospital bed, expressing his fear of losing his leg.

The Abubakar Bukola Saraki Foundation, which was established by the former Senate President of Nigeria, paid off Okafor’s entire medical expenses as of 18 October 2023. The foundation also stated that Okafor still required a lot of financial assistance to sustain him in the hospital and for his travel abroad for further treatment.

In November 2023, Okafor underwent a leg amputation after suffering from an illness that required seven surgeries. His family said the amputation was done to keep him alive and increase his chances of recovery.

Okafor died at Evercare Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria on 2 March 2024 at the age of 62 as a result of cardiac arrest. The burial took place in his home town on the on Friday 28th of June 2024.

Following his death, his adopted daughter Jasmine renamed his million-follower TikTok account to her own name and deleted all of the videos that did not feature her.

Sisi Quadri

Tolani Quadri Oyebamiji, popularly known as Sisi Quadri is reportedly died on March 1, 2024.

Oyebamiji celebrated his 44th birthday on December 25, 2023.

His death was announced by some of his colleagues in the Yoruba movie industry.

The Nigerian film industry entered a mourning period with the demise of the famous comic actor Tolani Oyebamiji, better known as Sisi Quadri. He was 44.

Sisi Quadri, who gained fame for his role in ‘Seranko Seniyan’ (2004), starred in various films, including “Aje Ni Eegun,” “Iya Oko Mi,” “Omo Iya Oko,” “Oluwa-Burna.”

He also appeared in a skit with Mr Macaroni, Isbae U, and others.

Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu

Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu (4 September 1942 – 25 July 2024) was a Nigerian politician and businessman. He was considered one of the richest Igbo men in Nigeria. Iwuanyanwu was until his death the 11th president-general of Ohaneze Ndigbo; preceded by George Obiozor.

On 25 July 2024, Chief Iwuanyanwu died following a brief illness. He was 81.

Herbert Wigwe

Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe CFR (15 August 1966 – 9 February 2024) was a Nigerian banker and businessman. He was the group managing director and CEO of Access Bank Plc, one of Nigeria’s top five banking institutions, after succeeding his business partner, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede.

Wigwe was married from 1994 to Doreen Chizoba Wigwe (née Nwuba), born 12 July 1967, and had five children.

Wigwe was among six people who died on 9 February 2024 after the Eurocopter EC130 in which they were travelling crashed near Nipton, California.

Also involved in the crash were his wife Doreen Chizoba Wigwe, his 29-year old son Chizi Wigwe, former Nigerian Exchange Group Plc Chairman Abimbola Ogunbanjo, and two crew members.

The passengers were on their way from Palm Springs International Airport to Boulder City, Nevada on a charter flight operated by Orbic Air to attend the Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.

The remains of Wigwe and his family were repatriated to Nigeria, where they were buried in his hometown in Isiokpo, Rivers State, on 9 March, following a week-long wake in Lagos that was attended by several prominent personalities, including billionaire and Africa’s richest person Aliko Dangote, who pledged to rename the road leading to his oil refinery in his honor, amidst other tributes.

 Events/ activities/groups

National Anthem

On May 29, 2024 President Bola Tinubu signed the National Anthem Bill 2024, officially reinstating the old national anthem “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”. This announcement was made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday during a joint session of the National Assembly, marking the Silver Jubilee of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

The event, which also commemorated the first anniversary of President Tinubu’s administration, saw the President confirming ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’ as the new official national anthem.

The Senate and the House of Representatives had earlier passed the legislation to revert the national anthem from “Arise, O Compatriots” to “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” in separate sittings. This legislative move was aimed at reconnecting with the country’s historical roots and restoring a sense of national pride tied to Nigeria’s early post-independence era.

Approval of new minimum wage

After months of writhing  and wrangling, President Bola Tinubu on July 28, 2024 signed the new minimum wage into law.

President Bola Tinubu signed the executive order establishing a minimum wage of N70,000 ($45) for workers across Nigeria at the State House in Abuja, thereby ending months of industrial dispute between various levels of government with their workers.

The move comes after months of intense deliberations between the Federal Government, labour unions, and the private sector to agree on the welfare of workers in the country.

According to experts, the increase form N30,000 to N70,000 is expected to provide much-needed relief to workers struggling to cope with inflation amid the rising cost of living in the country.

Hunger protests

On August 1, 2024, protests erupted in multiple cities across Nigeria as frustrated citizens took to the streets, voicing their anger over increasing hunger and “bad governance.”

The demonstrations are part of a larger wave of unrest spreading across Africa in places such as Kenya, Uganda, Ghana and now Nigeria.

The demonstrations spiraled out of control in parts of the country, including the northern Yobe and Kano states where authorities declared a 24-hour curfew as private and public properties were looted in chaotic scenes that also saw many vehicles burned.

In Kano, protesters stormed and looted a digital innovation park scheduled to open the week after.

Gunshots rang out in the capital Abuja and also in the neighboring Niger state as police lobbed tear gas to disperse defiant protesters. In Niger, at least six people are now feared dead, local media reported.

Another three people were reportedly killed in the northwestern Kaduna state, according to Reuters, citing eyewitnesses. The Kaduna Police Command did not return many request for comment.

In Abuja, protesters gathered outside the national stadium, where they faced off with pro-government supporters.

Activist and lawyer Deji Adeyanju told newsmen that there were counter-demonstrations by pro-government protesters who arrived in buses accompanied by a security vehicle. Josephine Adeh, a police spokesperson in the city, denied this.

“The protesters became violent and began throwing stones at the police, reasons why the police had to disperse them,” she said.

Demonstrators gathered under the ‘End Bad Governance in Nigeria’ coalition, using the slogan “10 Days of Rage,” and are demanding the reinstatement of a fuel subsidy whose abrupt removal last May caused a dramatic spike in the cost of food, transportation, and other commodities.

These increases have hit a populace already struggling with widespread unemployment and soaring inflation rate of 34%, the highest level in nearly 30 years.

Emergence of Lukawaras terror group

On November 7, 2024 the Defence Headquarters confirmed the emergence of a new terror group known as ‘Lukarawas’ in the Northwestern states of Sokoto and Kebbi.

Addressing a news conference in Abuja,  the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, said the new terror group is exacerbating insecurity in the North-West region but the Armed Forces of Nigeria are already containing them.

In his words, “Troops are confronted with a new terrorist sect in the North-West. This sect is known as Lukawaras, the Lukawaras are affiliated to terrorists in the Sahel particularly from Mali and Niger Republic.

“They began incursion into Northern part of Nigeria, mainly Sokoto and Kebbi states, and like I mentioned, they came in from Niger and Mali axis,” General Buba said.

He added that the new terror group emerged from Mali and the Republic of Niger after the coup that led to the breakdown of military cooperation between Nigeria and Niger.

The military also declared nine terrorists wanted for their roles in the security challenges bedevilling the nation.

Borno flood disaster

Borno State faced flooding after the collapse of the Alau Dam on 10 September 2024. The Maiduguri and Jere local government areas were particularly affected: according to the National Emergency Management Agency, over 70% of the residents in Maiduguri were displaced. At least 150 people died.

The United Nations refugee agency in Nigeria described it as the worst to hit the city in thirty years, affecting over one million people.

The flooding was a part of the 2024 Nigeria floods.

The flooding displaced over 70% of the residents in Borno state and over 70% of Maiduguri town was affected, according to National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). It said at least 30 people died and over 400,000 were displaced.

The state General Hospital and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital were also affected as a result of the flood. The IDP camps were also affected as people were relocated from the El Miskin Camp to the Bakasi Camp for safety according to the director-general of NEMA.

After the flooding caused the wall to collapse, 270 prisoners escaped from the medium security Nigerian Correctional Service prison in Maiduguri. So far seven prisoners have been recaptured with Governor Zulum alleging that some members of the Islamist militant group Boko Haram were among those who had got out.

The post #Endbadgovernance Protest, Farotimi, Minimum wage: People, events that shaped year 2024 in Nigeria appeared first on WITHIN NIGERIA.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced ahead of the election that 2,053,061 registered voters would decide the outcome across 2,846 polling units in 18 local government areas. As the election commenced, one thing was notably clear. Amidst the ink-stained thumbs and voters scrutinising the ballot papers, one thing stood out: the strikingly low representation of female candidates.

The November 16 Ondo State Governorship election, which had 18 governorship aspirants—all men with no woman, highlighted a glaring lack of women’s political inclusion, further deepening the gender gap in Nigerian politics.

Ondo women in political participation

Women formed 49.64 per cent (1.019 million) of registered voters in the Ondo election, slightly lower than their male counterparts: 50.36 per cent (1.034 million males), 35.41 per cent (726,944 youths), and 35.17 per cent (721,982 middle-aged individuals).

Despite this percentage of women voters – which shows their involvement in the electoral process, only two women appeared on the ballot paper as deputy governorship aspirants. Labour Party and Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidates, who are not major political parties in the state selected women as running mates.

Aside from the inclusion of women in the governorship race, women’s acceptance in primary elections remains a lingering issue. While the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had no female representation in the primary election, the All Progressive Congress (APC) had two aspirants, who garnered low results, making it impossible for them to be flagbearers. Also, only two parties of the governorship aspirants selected women as running mates.

A political expert and former Cross River State sports commissioner, Gladys-Otemnep Festus sees this as a problem. According to her, any society interested in growth must engage women,  and allow them to participate and occupy high office places. 

“They are naturally administrators and so not giving them opportunity could mar a lot of things and it might not be too good for us as a society,” she added.

A reflection on a broader scale

This reality reflects the country’s current political situation. A report by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace revealed that Women’s representation in Nigerian politics has been on a downward slide since 2011, emphasising that the 2023 elections confirmed the expectations of poor outcomes for women.

Despite women constituting 49.3% of Nigeria’s total population, they only managed to secure 4.69% of the executive and legislative positions at the federal and state levels in the elections held between February and March 2023. 

In the 2023 National Assembly elections held on 25 February, 17 women were elected into the 10th National Assembly of the upper and lower chamber. These women were among the 286 women who competed in the party primaries for the 360 House of Representative seats and the 92 who contested for the 109 Senate seats, resulting in a 3.62 per cent representation for women in the 10th Assembly.

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, while relying on the 2023 data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), noted that Nigeria lags behind many other similarly positioned states in sub-Saharan Africa, falling far short of the 26 percent regional average of women in national parliaments.

While this issue still lingers, the underrepresentation of women in political participation has gained root due to the patriarchal practice inherent in our society.  The national average of women’s political participation in Nigeria has remained 6.7 percent in elective and appointive positions, which is far below the Global Average of 22.5 percent, Africa Regional Average of 23.4 percent and West African Sub Regional Average of 15 percent.

Also, no female has been elected president in Nigeria’s history. For the presidential race in 2023, only one candidate, Chichi Ojei of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), appeared on the ballot paper. This was a reduction of six women who were featured on the ballot paper as presidential candidates in the 2019 election.  

Damilola Agbalojobi, political scientist and gender specialist, noted that the mandatory expression of interest and nomination forms required by political parties to run for positions have led to the underrepresentation of women in Politics. 

She added that “election campaign costs are exorbitant unpaid labour burdens, unequal inheritance rights and outright discrimination also mean that women are less likely to be able to afford to follow through the process of getting leadership positions.”

Solutions despite obvious challenges

Having women represented in higher political offices has been a major hurdle. In March 2022, the national assembly rejected a constitutional bill seeking to create special seats for women in the federal legislative arm. 

The bill, titled ‘Bill For an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for special seats for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly; and for related matters,’ was thrown out despite advocacy from the then-First Lady of Nigeria, Aisha Buhari. 

Also, the National Gender Policy in Nigeria has not been achieved. The policy was formulated in 2006 to promote a 35 percent affirmative action for women in all governance processes. Despite this policy being recognised, Nigeria has not achieved the proposed allocation of 35% of legislative seats and political party leadership positions to women. 

For women to effectively get involved in politics, Gladys wants the 35% gender policy to be fully implemented. She said this would make women not just participate in politics, but be in higher positions. 

“If this can be considered, and bring more women into places of authority, I think there will be a reformation in our economy and the entire system” 

The post Low Representation of Female Candidates Worsens Gender Parity in Nigerian Politics appeared first on WITHIN NIGERIA.

On October 25, 2021, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN introduced eNaira. The eNaira is a Central bank digital currency issued and regulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria. Findings showed that it was the first of its type in Africa.

In any case, according to the Nigerian government under former president, Muhammadu Buhari, in 2021, during the launching eNaira was going to be pivotal and key to enabling more remittances and growing Nigeria’s economy.

The eNaira is a Central bank digital currency issued and regulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria. Hence it was the first of its type in Africa.

Denominated in naira, the eNaira serves as both a medium of exchange and a store of value and claims to offer better payment prospects in retail transactions when compared to cash.

Nevertheless, describing the eNaira launch, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), had noted that eNaira uses the same technology as Bitcoin and Ethereum and is stored in digital wallets which can be used for payment transactions.

The move to launch eNaira 2021 came few months after the country banned cryptocurrency trading by commercial banks in the country.

Nigeria had banned cryptocurrency trading in February 2021, which made the eNaira to ensure that digital currencies are still used for trading in the country.

There have, however, been concerns on the digital currency since its launch.

According to the United Nations outline, digital payments can help countries: to access essential services, grow their economies, be more competitive in the global economy, reduce inequalities and deliver essential services as well as foster social inclusion.

Enabling a digital payment currency or payment systems also helps to deepen the digital public infrastructure (DPI) in any country.

What is eNaira all about?

The eNaira is a digital currency similar to other digital currencies including, cryptocurrency, virtual currency, and central bank digital currency. A digital currency typically is any currency, money, or money-like asset that is primarily managed, stored, or exchanged on digital computer systems, especially over the internet.

One might wonder what are the benefits and basic features of the eNaira and if it is worth using in a country like Nigeria where government financial policies are oftentimes opaque and flippant.

The eNaira is meant to provide financial inclusion to the populace by making financial services available to people or communities who do not have enough banking opportunities. The eNaira basically eases transactions and offers digital stability, thus reducing the need for physical cash.

Again, the eNaira is meant to ease trade both locally and internationally by making financial transactions cheap, quick and better. Offline banking and payments with cash take time for processing but with the eNaira, the delay is eliminated. Nigerians in the diaspora can send money into Nigeria using the eNaira and earn some incentives for doing so.

More so, the eNaira has a unique identity and security feature which makes it secure and cannot be counterfeited, unlike the paper Naira.

Another thing you need to know about the eNaira is that it aids the revenue collection process since it reduces cash handling costs. Revenue collection agencies would find this very useful in their line of work.

Unlike cryptocurrencies that have no government institutional backing, the eNaira is backed by the government and is pegged against the traditional Naira. It will not fluctuate due to market influence at a different rate from the traditional Naira. Thus 1 eNaira is equivalent to N1.

The eNaira has transaction and balance limits for individual eNaira wallets imposed by the CBN:

For Tier 0, the daily transaction and balance speed wallet limits are N20,000.00 and N120,000.00, respectively.

For Tier 1, daily transaction and balance speed wallet limits are N50,000.00 and N300,000.00, respectively.

For Tier 2 customers, daily transaction and balance speed wallet limits are N200,000.00 and N500,000.00, respectively.

Finally, for Tier 3 customers, daily transaction and balance speed wallet limits are N1,000,000.00 and N5,000,000.00, respectively, while there isn’t any limit for Merchants.

The use of the eNaira comes with charges however, the CBN stipulates that while charges for transactions that originate from the eNaira platform shall be free for the first 90 days commencing from October 25, 2021, it would revert to applicable charges as outlined in the Guide to Charges by Banks Other Financial and Non-bank Financial Institutions.

Nigerians yet to embrace eNaira

Findings by WITHIN NIGERIA showed that as of March this year, the currency in circulation stood at N3.87 trillion, out of which CBN Digital currency (eNaira) stood at N13.8billion representing a merely 0.36% of the total currency in circulation.

According to findings by our reporter, one of the biggest challenges of eNaira is that cash is the prevailing method of transaction in Nigeria.
Hence there is fluctuation in the penetration of digital currencies meant to ease the use of cash as a mode of financial transaction.

In May 2023, the International Monetary Fund noted that 98.5% of the eNaira wallets were inactive.

Findings also showed that as of September 2024, the currency in circulation stood at N4.3 trillion out of which that which was outside the bank was estimated at N4 trillion representing 93% of the currency in circulation, which shows that Nigerians still prioritise cash as against Digital currencies.
Challenges of operation of eNaira

Technology infrastructure: further checks showed there is infrastructure deficit in the eNaira implementation. The Central Bank of Nigeria needs to ensure that a robust technology infrastructure is in place to manage the eNaira. This doesn’t appear to have been clearly thought out before the launch. In February 2023, it was announced that Nigeria was in talks with a new technology provider to develop a new system to run and manage the eNaira.

The original system was built by Bitt, a global financial technology company.

It is believed that the Central Bank of Nigeria wants to develop its own software for the digital currency. The new partner would help the central bank to control the underlying technology.

A change of the technology provider two years into the project suggests the country does not have the right programme for rolling out a robust system.

Training: The idea is that financial institutions would give users access to central bank digital currency wallets while the central bank oversees the ledger and manages the system. It is, however, reported that banks and financial institution staff do not appear well trained to get users on board. So the system is not fully ready for adoption.

 Data privacy: Under the current design, the central bank will be able to see all transactions of users of the eNaira. Potential users are apprehensive about this and a solution is needed.

 Prevention of financial crimes: A tiered mechanism is in place for the issuance of eNaira wallet, depending on the level of identification documentation users provide. Each tier has certain balance and transaction limits to prevent abuse of the system.

But this is likely to limit access for the people who need financial inclusion the most.

This is so as they are likely to find it difficult fulfilling the more stringent identification requirements needed for a larger transaction limit. Also, the eNaira design uses the existing Bank Verification Number and National Identity Number regime. Poorer people are likely to be challenged getting the documentation needed for this and it can be an expensive and cumbersome process.

As this system is currently only accessible to those with bank accounts, it does not facilitate financial inclusion.

Nigeria’s electricity and internet crisis: The electricity crisis and lack of widespread access to internet connectivity across the country, especially in rural communities, is a challenge. There would be a need for offline access to the eNaira platform.

Non-functional eNaira shortcode, Never-Arriving OTP

The activeness of the platforms created by the CBN for eNaira wallets use is also susceptible, for instance, a shortcode *997# was said to have been introduced for people without smartphones to create an eNaira wallet. However, checks by WITHIN NIGERIA as of Thursday is showed that the code was inactive.

If shortcodes do not work, it would mean those with access to smartphones may be the ones that may have the chance of using eNaira.

A GSMA report noted that 68% of Nigerians in rural areas lack access to smartphones as of 2022. Only 58% of persons in Urban areas own smartphones, technically only 45% of Nigerians have access to smartphones.

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The travails that have befallen the self-acclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra, Simon Ekpa following his arrest by the Finnish authorities may have been worsened by the denial of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

 The situation might have been aggravated by the dissociation of the troubled Biafra chieftain by the Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB.

WITHIN NIGERIA had a chat with  Fidelis Kenneth Okwudili Chief  Minister of Biafra Independence Movement/Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, BIM/MASSOB in Enugu North zone of Enugu state.

The secessionist group said Simon Ekpa was never a MASSOB/BIM, and so, they don’t have any business with him whatsoever.

The group also talked about 13th Ojukwu Memorial Day celebration scheduled to hold on November 26.

Excerpts

What is the memorial all about?

It is for the commemoration of Okemba Nnewi who fought for the liberation of Biafrans. BIM/ MASSOB gives Ojuwu that honor because Ojuwu is father of Igbo Nation. We celebrate him every 26th Nov to the tell the world  that Ojuwu still alive

What is the position of MASSOB/BIM on the arrest of Simon Ekpa in Finland?

BIM MASSOB welcome all the groups but never support group that preach violence

Is his arrest a challenge to MASSOB/BIM?

MASSOB stands for non-violence non exodus. We are not ready to speak for any body that thinks he or she can get Biafra independence through violence.

So, Simon Ekpa should be given Nnamdi Kanu’s treatment, right?

My leader Chief Ralph Uwazuluike is the father of peace in Igbo Nation and in Nigeria at Large. BIM/MASSOB can’t be happy when our properties are destroyed, our business collapses, killing going on in South East in the name of sit-at-home order. This is totally unacceptable in our land.

What crime did Simon Ekpa commit for championing the cause of Biafra in this regard?

He is the one to answer this

But, remember some MASSOB members are also accused of violence. What do you say about it?

MASSOB condemned  and continues to condemn any violence in South East in the name of Biafra.

Can you say that MASSOB/BIM is completely free from violence?

Anybody or security agent that  accusing MASSOB of violence that person is not well.

Let’s talk about Ojukwu memorial. You said MASSOB don’t support violence to actualize Biafra but Ojukwu whom you remember every Nov. 26 went to war for Biafra. What do say about this contradiction?

Point of correction Ojuwu never go to war to actualize Biafra.Is  Gowon that forth war against Biafra. Even do Ojuwu never one day prepared for war but he used his own money fight the war to defend Igbo Nation , that is why Ojuwu is a father for ndigb. That is why Biafra celebrate him every 26th Nov.

Mr. Okwudili, do you believe that Biafra can be actualized without violence?

100%  sure. Uwazuluike is the only person that started it in Africa and I believe he have already succeeded

Do you MASSOB support sit-at-home order?

MASSOB started sit-at-home in 2004 by Chief Ralph Uwazuluike. The order of sit-at home in 2004 is voluntary not by killing innocent people and destroying properties

MASSOB under the leadership of chief Ralph Uwazuluike can never support sit-at home that killing and destroying properties become the order of the day.

But remember initially that MASSOB was accused of starting violence when Uwazuluike engaged security agents in violence.

You can never have Biafra by adopting violence, the division of Nigeria must discus in round table, any body that is killing people to actualize Biafra independence is number one enemy of Ndigbo

Do you remember, MASSOB was accused of violence when the leader engaged security agents in violent confrontation?

Uwazuluike never engaged any security agent in violence, He adopted the principle of non violence non exodus from India. He was arrested more than 17 times Uwazuluike had never been accused of any violence

How far is Biafra from us, I mean the actualization of Biafra sovereignty?

Recently the enemy of Biafra hired a  bishop to destroy Uwazuluike house in Owerri just to know if Uwazuluike will revenge. Nonsense. To answer your question Biafra is with you.

When will the Biafra Actualization pull through?

To ask when Biafra will come, Biafra is with you. The only thing that is remaining is Biafra recognition. We are asking UN to recognize Biafra.

And what did UN tell you about the recognition?

They said that the recognition of Biafra will start from Nigeria.

Why has Biafra not being recognized by other foreign countries?

We have 25 stages to go

What are those steps?

It is best known to us.

So, how close is MASSOB with Simon Ekpa in this lofty dream?

 MASSOB never knew who is Simon Ekpa.

Even in the struggle for Biafra?

Every body can talk about Biafra just like Simon Ekpa.

Nnamdi Kanu has been in prison for years. Now Simon Ekpa has been arrested and may be extradited to face criminal charges in Nigeria. Don’t you think all these may hinder the actualization of Biafra sovereignty?

It is only Uwazuluike that can decide anything about Biafra, no body can stop Biafra actualization

What are the events line up for Ojukwu memorial day?

 Just to honor Eze Igbo gburugburu.

The post INTERVIEW: We Don’t Know Simon Ekpa— MASSOB appeared first on WITHIN NIGERIA.

Recently, President Bola Tinubu transmitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly to streamline tax collection, ensure compliance, and optimise revenue.

In a letter to the Senate and House of Representatives that Thursday, the president said the bills will provide a clear and concise framework for the efficient administration of all tax laws, ensuring compliance and reducing tax disputes.

The bill is entitled, “An Act to Repeal Certain Acts on Taxation and Consolidate the Legal Frameworks Relating to Taxation and Enact the Nigeria Tax Act to Provide for Taxation of Income, Transactions and Instruments, and for Related Matters.”

The president transmitted the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill which seeks to repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service Bill N0. 13 of 2007 and establish the Nigeria Revenue Service, to access, collect and account for revenue accrued to the federation.

The president also transmitted the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill which seeks to establish the Joint Revenue Board, the Tax Appeal Tribunal, and the Office of the Tax Ombudsman for the harmonisation and coordination and settlement of disputes arising from revenue administration in Nigeria.

The other bills are the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024 which is expected to provide the fiscal work for tax in the country, and the Tax Administration Bill which will provide a clear and concise legal framework for all taxes in the country.

In his words, President stated that “I write to forward herewith the Fiscal and Tax Reform Bills by the Federal Inland Revenue Service for consideration and passage by the Senate.

“The proposed tax bills present substantial benefits to align with my government’s objectives on fiscal reform and economic growth by enhancing taxpayer compliance, strengthening our fiscal institutions, and fostering a more effective and transparent fiscal regime.”

The president urged the Senate to give the bills expeditious consideration.

Godswill Akpabio, the Senate president, referred the bills to the Senate committee on finance and mandated the committee to report back in three weeks.

Key provisions in the new proposed tax bill

Expectedly, since its transmission, the bill has sparked significant controversies and protests among Nigerians.

By and large, Governors and traditional rulers of Northern Nigerian states convened have convened and unanimously rejected the bill. They said the contents of the proposed tax bill do not align with the interests of the North and other sub-national entities.

Facts to know about the proposed bill

In any case, there are salient issues, clauses that are attached to the proposed tax bill, which have led to the oppositions and punches the bill has continued to receive from some sections of the country.

Increase in VAT

WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that according to Section 146 of the bill, it proposes to raise the value added tax (VAT) from 7.5 percent to 10 percent by 2025, with further increases to 12.5 percent from 2026 to 2029, and 15 percent from 2030 onwards.

Our findings also revealed that the value of taxable supplies includes the total consideration plus VAT for monetary transactions or the market value for non-monetary transactions. In cases where the transaction is part of a larger arrangement, only the relevant portion will be taxable.

For transactions between related parties or those involving non-monetary exchanges, the taxable value is determined by the equivalent market value.

More so, VAT collected by a taxable person will be called output VAT. Government bodies (federal, state, and local), their ministries, departments, agencies, and other designated agents are required to collect or withhold VAT and remit it to the tax authority as prescribed.

VAT Exemptions

The bill also explained that certain supplies will be exempted from the proposed VAT. These categories include oil and gas exports, crude petroleum oil, and feed gas. Other exempt items include: goods purchased for humanitarian projects (where the donor pays VAT upfront), baby products, locally manufactured sanitary products, military hardware, arms, and ammunition supplied to security agencies.

Additionally, electricity generated by generation companies (GENCOs) and supplied to the national grid or to the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET) will be exempt, along with electricity transmitted by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to electricity distribution companies (DISCOs).

27.5% Company Tax

According to Section 56 of the bill, it  outlines tax rates to be imposed on the total profits of companies, with small firms taxed at 0 percent. All other companies will face a tax rate of 27.5 percent in 2025, which will reduce to 25 percent from 2026. If a company’s effective tax rate is less than 15 percent in any assessment year, it must recompute and pay an additional tax to bring it up to the 15 percent threshold.

This provision applies to companies within multinational enterprise groups and any company with an aggregate turnover exceeding N20 billion in the relevant year.

4% Development Levy on Companies

Also Section 59 stipulates a development levy on the assessable profits of companies, excluding small and non-resident companies. The levy will be four percent for 2025 and 2026, three percent from 2027 to 2029, and two percent from 2030 onwards. The levy will fund the Student Education Loan Fund.

The revenue distribution is as follows: The Tertiary Education Trust Fund will receive 50 percent in 2025 and 2026, 66 percent from 2027 to 2029, and zero percent from 2030 onwards. The Student Education Loan Fund will receive 25 percent in 2025 and 2026, 33 percent from 2027 to 2029, and 100 percent from 2030 onwards.

The National Information Technology Development Fund will receive 20 percent in 2025 and 2026, and zero percent from 2027 onwards. The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure will receive 5 percent in 2025 and 2026, and zero percent from 2027 onwards.

5% Excise Tax on Lottery and Gaming Income

Section 62 and Schedule 10 of the law propose 5 percent excise duty on revenue of lottery and gaming trade or business. In determining the assessable profits of lottery and gaming trade or business, the following deductions shall be allowed, in addition to others permitted under Chapter Two of the Act: Any amount paid as winnings, prizes or similar payments from the relevant Prize Fund; statutory contributions to the Lottery Trust Fund; agency commission expenses incurred; and levies paid to relevant regulatory and government authorities as contained in relevant federal or state laws.

‘Gaming’ includes gambling, wagering, video poker, roulette, craps, bingo, slot or gaming machine, drawings or other games of chance conducted by any person;

‘Lottery’ or ‘Lotteries’ includes any betting, game, scheme, arrangement, system, plan, promotional competition or device for the distribution of prizes by lot or chance, or as a result of the exercise of skill and chance, or based on the outcome of real or virtual sporting events, or any other game, scheme, arrangement, system, plan, competition or device.

5% Telecoms Tax

The bill proposes a five percent excise duty on telecommunications services, including postpaid and prepaid services regulated by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

National Assembly adjourns plenary till November 19

In the midst of the growing opposition against the bill, the Senate and House of Representatives on Thursday adjourned plenary sittings till November 19, 2024.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abass, made the announcement during plenary in both Chambers respectively.

The lawmakers said the two weeks would afford their relevant committees to carry out oversight functions on ongoing projects to determine the level of performance of the 2024 capital budget.

The oversight function by the lawmakers is coming ahead of the expected presentation of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework ans Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) and the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly.

The Speaker Tajudeen had announced at plenary on Wednesday that the House will adjourn plenary for a few days while asking members to actively participate in the oversight activities.

He said the oversight is part of the constitutional obligation of the House to the Nigerian people and requested for cooperation from all MDAs to ensure the success of the oversight.

Northern governors forum reject the bill

However, in what could be a setback for the proposed law,  governors of 19 states under the aegis of Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF), on Monday, rejected the proposed tax amendment bill.

In a communique issued at the end of a joint meeting with Northern Traditional Rulers Council at Government House, Kaduna, the governors urged the National Assembly to “oppose any bill that can jeopardise the well-being of our people”.

Governor of Gombe State/Chairman of NSGF, Mohammadu Yahaya, who read the group’s communique, called for equity and fairness in the implementation of all national policies and programmes to ensure that no geopolitical zone was short-changed or marginalised.

Nonetheless, Yahaya said, “Forum notes with dismay the content of the recent Tax Reform Bill that was forwarded to the National Assembly. The contents of the bill against the interests of the north and other sub-nationals, especially the proposed amendment to the distribution of Value Added Tax (VAT) to Derivation-based Model.

“This is because companies remit VAT using location of their headquarters and tax office and not where the services and goods are consumed.

“In view of the foregoing, the forum unanimously rejects the proposed Tax Amendments and calls on members of National Assembly to oppose any bill that can jeopardise the well-being of our people.”

The governor added, “For the avoidance of doubt, the Northern Governor’ Forum is not averse to any policies or programmes that will ensure the growth and development of the country.

“However, the forum calls for equity and farness in the implementation of all national policies and programmes so as to ensure that no geopolitical zone is short-changed or marginalised.”

On the present economic hardship in the country, the northern governors appealed to all citizens to remain calm, saying the states and the federal government are working hard to implement measures that will cushion effects of the hardship.

The forum emphasised that the traditional institutions were critical in the quest for lasting peace and security in the north and urged them to cooperate with security agencies in the fight against banditry, cattle rustling, communal clashes, farmers/herder clashes, and other forms of criminality.

The communique further stated, “With the recent ‘End Bad Governance’ protests that took place in August, it has resolved to scale up efforts to tackle the root causes of youth restiveness by investing in education, skills development, job creation and pathways for the youth to channel their energy into productive ventures, thereby reducing their vulnerability to crime and social vices.”

The forum also decried the current electricity blackouts in most parts of the northern states and called on the federal government and relevant agencies to urgently address the situation, caused by vandalisation of electricity transmission infrastructure.

“This matter not only underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure, but also the need to build additional transmission lines and diversify our energy supply so as to better connect our region and improve our energy resilience,” the communique said.

It stated that the north held immense agricultural potential, which, if fully harnessed, could significantly alleviate hunger and boost economic growth.

It said, “To achieve this, we resolved to provide adequate support to our farmers, including access to financing, modern farming techniques and infrastructure, such as roads and irrigation systems.

“Agriculture should not only be seen as a means to feed our people but also as a catalyst for industrialisation and job creation across the region.

“That can be achieved through re-industrialisation of the north, especially by reviving the textile value chain and development of other agro-allied industries.”

Yahaya said, “Forum commends His Excellency, the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the reform initiative in the livestock sub-sector and agreed to provide the necessary political will and commitment to ensure the success of the Federal Government livestock development initiatives.

“The forum also agreed to sustain engagement and cross-fertilisation of ideas with the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee to achieve greater results.

“Forum acknowledges the fact that climate change has greatly affected our environment resulting in the recent flood incidents in many parts of the north and, therefore, resolved to partner with the federal government and other stakeholders to build irrigation infrastructure like canals and waterways to divert excess water and channel them towards irrigation activities, thus, enhancing rural livelihoods and safeguarding food security.”

The meeting was attended by the governors of Zamfara, Borno, Bauchi, Adamawa, Kogi, Yobe, Gombe, Kaduna, Nasarawa and Kwara states.

The governors of Plateau, Benue, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Taraba and Niger were represented by their deputies and secretaries to the state governments.

Ndume opposes the bill

Meanwhile the lawmaker representing Borno South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Ali Ndume, has  also criticized the bill, stating they are “dead on arrival”.

His remarks come amid widespread opposition to the proposed increases in Value Added Tax and other tax measures.

Ndume, who spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Tuesday, expressed the strong sentiment among Nigerians against new tax initiatives, particularly in light of the ongoing economic challenges facing the nation.

“The governors and traditional rulers have said that the bill is not good. So, the best course of action is to withdraw it immediately.

“Right now, our people don’t want the VAT bill; they don’t even want to hear about it. That is why we are going to make it dead on arrival,” he stated.

Ndume also highlighted that while Nigerians are willing to pay taxes, they must first be able to afford to do so.

“People are struggling to survive. Let people live first before you start asking them for taxes,” he said.

Ndume noted that he has begun rallying support among his colleagues to reject the tax proposals.

He called for a focus on self-reform within the government rather than imposing additional financial burdens on citizens.

NEC asks President Tinubu to withdraw tax bill

The National Economic Council, asked President Bola Tinubu to withdraw the Tax Reforms Bills from the National Assembly to allow for wider consultations and consensus building.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, said this formed part of resolutions reached at the 144th meeting of the National Economic Council at the State House, Abuja.

Makinde told journalists that the council members agreed that it was necessary to allow for consensus building and understanding of the bills among Nigerians.

“NEC noted the need for sufficient alignment on the proposed reforms and recommended the withdrawal of the tax reform bills,” he stated.

Makinde stated that this decision was made for the benefit of the country and emphasized the need for further consultations regarding the bills.

“We saw the gap and decided that there is a need for a wider consultation,” he added.

By and large, NEC’s decision came days after the Northern Governors kicked against the reform bills.

However, despite the mounting opposition against the bill, President Bola Tinubu has remained resolute on the bill, saying he will not back down on the introduction and lobbying to make the bill come to reality.

Sen. Shehu Sani on the Reform Tax Bill

In any case, the former Senator who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani has stated that the tax reform bill which was  not against or inimical to the interest of the North.

Sani gave his opinion in light of insinuations trailing the bill since it was brought to the National Assembly as an executive bill, saying that northerners or anyone whosoever should move beyond sentiments and look at the benefits that are inherent in the bill.

In a statement with newsmen recently, the former lawmaker in the 8th National Assembly described the bill as one of President Bola Tinubu’s bold moves to strengthen tax administration in Nigeria, in which its operations and enforcement are simplified.

According to him “The Tax reform Bill is not inimical to the North or any part of this country.

“It is in fact economically beneficial and fair to all parts. People should keep aside sentiments and read the Bill carefully.

“It’s a comprehensive and bold move to harmonise and simplify tax administration and streamline its operations and enforcement. The Bill will actually generate and safeguard more revenue for the country and the States.

“It will also combat the corruption in the so-called tax waivers granted to business cabals. There is nowhere in the document where any region will be shortchanged or taxes will be increased or jobs will be lost.

“Northern Governors should rescind their decision to reject the Bill and take time to read it and make inputs where necessary. NASS must treat this important Bill with all seriousness.”

The post Senators Ndume, Sani Differ As Controversy Over Reform Tax Bill Rages appeared first on WITHIN NIGERIA.

Born on Feb. 28, 1968, in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area, Osun State, Lagbaja was admitted to the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987 as part of the 39th Regular Course.

Lagbaja held command positions in several military operations, including Operation Harmony IV in the Bakassi Peninsula, the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Operation ZAKI, before being appointed COAS by President Bola Tinubu on June 19, 2023.

The COAS, the highest office in the Nigerian Army and held by an appointed high-ranking officer, is responsible for formulating and executing national security policies in direct collaboration with the Defence Minister. Lagbaja spent 499 days in office before his demise.

His death followed weeks of controversy over his absence from office and the Nigerian Army’s refusal to provide specific details about his whereabouts. Sahara Reporters had earlier reported on Oct. 15 that Lagbaja’s prolonged absence from official duties sparked concern among top generals in the Army, emphasising that he was sick and had been secretly flown abroad by family members for medical attention.

The report, made three weeks earlier, cited multiple undisclosed sources and revealed his absence from notable events, including the combined passing-out parade of the 71 Regular Course of the Army, Navy, and Air Force on September 28 from Army headquarters. 

Lagbaja was also said to have missed the Army War College Nigeria Course 8/2024 graduation dinner and award night in Abuja on Oct. 2, 2024, where he was supposed to be the chief host.

After facing intense criticism following the Sahara Reporters report, which also highlighted a suspected leadership vacuum, the Army disclosed on Oct. 19 that Lagbaja was abroad on an annual leave and medical checkup and refuted claims of a leadership vacuum. 

However, on Oct. 20, social media was flooded with claims that the COAS had died of cancer and that his death was being kept a secret due to “intense lobbying by some generals who want the position.” The Army dismissed these claims as fake news.

On Oct. 31, President Tinubu appointed Lagbaja’s coursemate, Olufemi Oluyede, as acting COAS. Confirming reports of Lagbaja’s incapacitation, Tinubu officially promoted Oluyede to lieutenant-general on November 5.

The following day, headlines reported Lagbaja’s death, relying on a statement by Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser on information and strategy to the president, stating that Lagbaja “passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness.”

“Lagbaja’s Death Is Human-Influenced”— Family Speculates

Pa Tajudeen Lagbaja, head of the Lagbaja family and the younger brother of the late COAS’s father, was quick to suggest that the COAS death may have been caused by diabolical means. He mentioned that the COAS could have fallen victim due to a lingering land dispute in the family’s hometown.

Speaking to The Nation, Pa Tajudeen said the dispute began in 2023 and involved the Nigerian Army’s plans to establish a hospital in Ilobu, the headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area in Osun State.

Regretting that he was the one who obtained the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) form for the late COAS, Pa Tajudeen lamented, “The death that took Taoreed Lagbaja ought to have taken me. I took him as one of my children.” He added, “His passing has left us deeply bereaved.”

Cancer, Poison, What Exactly?

While the death of Lagbaja Taoreed was announced on November 6th by Bayo Onanuga, the statement noted that the COAS passed away after a period of illness, avoiding any specific details. Social media users, not entirely trusting the statement, especially due to the Army’s initial denial that Lagbaja was ill, speculate he may have died of cancer or poisoning.

In a post he made on Facebook on November 7th, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, the Group Head of Current & Public Affairs of News (TVC News) at TVC Communications, indicated he knows the late COAS, suggesting he died of pancreatic cancer. Also, one Jackson Ude on X, in an unconfirmed claim, said the late COAS died from poison.

The Army is still yet to disclose the exact cause of his death and might not, as the late COAS burial has been scheduled for Friday, November 15th, at the military cemetery in Abuja.

Nigerians Mourn His Passing

To many, Lagbaja’s passing may seem like just another loss of a high-ranking military officer, prompting the usual wave of public condolences. But for his family, this loss is a bitter pill, far too painful to swallow. Pa Tajudeen noted that the late COAS had given the family hope, with many promises that were left unfulfilled. However, his only consolation was the reports of Lagbaja’s good deeds before his demise. 

Still grieving the COAS death, some traditionalists in Osun State described it as unnatural. According to Tribune, one of the traditionalists, Awopegba Ifagbemi, said the town’s residents are still mourning the loss and urged the Federal Government to release Lagbaja’s corpse to them to conduct necessary spiritual exercises.

More waves of condolences also greeted Lagbaja’s demise, from government officials to political leaders and the entire country. 

Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State and 2023 presidential candidate, called Lagbaja’s death a painful loss that has created a significant vacuum in the country. Reflecting on the loss, Obi extended prayers and heartfelt sympathy to Lagbaja’s family, Nigeria’s military, and government, describing the COAS’s passing as irreplaceable.

“General Taoreed Lagbaja is a patriot,” former President Muhammadu Buhari declared, praising the late COAS as one of Nigeria’s finest soldiers.

National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, too, hailed him as among Nigeria’s most exemplary military officers.

Adding to the tributes, Minister of Women Affairs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim led a delegation of women leaders to offer their condolences to Mariya Lagbaja, the COAS’s widow, encouraging her to find strength in the country’s support. 

Acting COAS Olufemi Oluyede, accompanied by high-ranking officers, also visited to offer sympathies and support, honouring the late COAS’s dedication and praising him as a “gallant and extremely dedicated leader” who will surely be missed.

In tribute, the Nigerian Army flag flies at half-mast, honouring the legacy of the late COAS.

Like Lagbaja, Others Have Died in Office

Just like Lagbaja, other high-ranking military officers have been defeated by death. Joseph Akahan, appointed COAS in May 1967 under General Yakubu Gowon shortly before the Nigerian Civil War, was among them.

Akahan was reportedly the strategist behind the sea-borne operations led by Lt. Colonel Benjamin Adekunle, which resulted in the capture of Bonny in July 1967. Tragically, he died in a helicopter crash in May 1968, after which General Hassan Katsina succeeded him as COAS.

More recently, on May 21, 2021, a plane crash claimed the life of Ibrahim Attahiru, the COAS appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2021. Attahiru, along with ten others on board, lost his life while travelling on a Nigerian Air Force Beechcraft King Air 350. He was heading to Kaduna on May 22, 2021, for an official visit to attend the 80RRI’s Passing Out Parade at Depot Nigerian Army.

The memories of all the deceased COAS, however, live on in the heart of the country they served and their loved ones.

The post How Controversies Surrounded the Death of COAS, Lagbaja Taoreed appeared first on WITHIN NIGERIA.

This is certainly not the best of time for both commercial and private vehicle owners in Nigeria as the high cost of petrol has literally fuelled the skyrocketing cost of living in the country.

Recall that on May 29, 2023, the new Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during his swearing-in speech removed fuel subsidy, thereby throwing the entire country’s economy into hyperinflation. Since then, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd, has consistently continued to make an upward adjustment in the pump price of the Premium Motor Spirit, PMS popularly known as petrol.

However, WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that most vehicle owners have resorted to use of motorbike instead of car due largely to the high cost of petrol. In the same vein, most parents have also adopted cost-effective method of transportation on their children who go to far-from-home schools, during the resumption of the 2024/2025 academic year in September 2024.

Such parents have changed their children’s schools to near-home schools to save cost of transportation which has doubled in recent time.

In any case, when our reporter visited Nsukka mechanic village, Enugu state on Saturday, most of the car repairers were seen idling away their time.

One of them, Mr. Frederick Ujah who spoke to our reporter lamented low level of work in recent time.

“Since this year, I have not seen this kind of hardship in my life. I have been in this work for close to twelve years but I have not experienced this kind of low patronage of business in my life.”

Lamenting further, Mr. Ujah told WITHIN NIGERIA that “imagine a situation whereby so many car owners abandon their car for motorbike. Some of them even abandon their cars in my workshop, telling me that they cannot maintain those cars. This is because their spare parts are now out of reach just as petroleum price has skyrocketed.”

In any case, our reporter visited a spare parts dealer at Nsukka market village, it was discovered that none of the spare parts has a specific price tag. One of the dealers who spoke to WITHIN NIGERIA explained that “right now, all these spare parts have no price. Before we tell you the price, we must consult our supplier or suppliers in Nnewi or Onitsha to tell us the current price. We don’t just sell goods like that so as to avoid selling before cost price.”

Explaining further, the dealer narrated that “price changes every hour these days. For instance, you can buy something at N5,000 this afternoon, but before 5pm, the price has changed to say N5300. It keeps on changing like that every day. The worst is that there is no hope of the situation getting better. We are living in a situation of uncertainty. You may sell an item at say N20,000 today. When you want to buy it back by next, the price will be N22,000. So, this is the situation in which we have unfortunately found ourselves in.”

By and large, another seller told our reporter that “right now, we are confused as to either to sell our wares or to wait a bit before selling them. This is because when you finish selling your wares say at N15,000 each, you can never buy them at N17,000. This has been the lot of Nigerians for months now.”

Petroleum sellers experience low sale

In November 2024, it was reported that the latest data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMPDRA) put nationwide fuel consumption at 4.5 million litres per day in August 2024.

The figure represents a significant drop from 60 million litres per day in May 2023, a staggering 92% decline.

According to the data, only 16 out of the 36 states received fuel from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited in August, leading to widespread shortage.

The report further explained that fuel prices have been rising at an exponential rate since President Bola Tinubu came to office in 2023.

The continuous price increases have further stifled the already battered economy, driving up the cost of food and transportation, and fuelling inflation to a three-decade high.

The situation has plunged many Nigerians into chronic hardship as lamentation becomes the order of the day.

However, a report by a French news agency also detailed how Nigerians have been forced to abandon their vehicles, opting instead for public transportation as the hardship permeates every strata of the nation.

Oil marketers raise the alarm

The national leadership of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) lamented that the drop in petrol consumption had caused its members huge losses, adding that 10,000 of them were on the verge of closing shop.

The PETROAN National Public Relations Officer, Dr Joseph Obele, said the cost of loading a truck of fuel had risen from ₦7m to ₦47m in the last 16 months.

“Three days ago, there was a meeting at the national headquarters of PETROAN. At the meeting, there was, an indication that about 10,000 of our members would quit the business in the next 45 days because their trading capital had been severely affected,” Obele told newsmen.

He also warned of the potential job losses as the affected marketers had a combined total staff strength of about one million.

“That was why we wrote a letter to Mr President, dated October 21, requesting a grant of N100bn to save the affected marketers’ businesses from shutting down in the next few weeks,” the PETROAN spokesman added.

For his part, the President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Abubakar Maigandi, also confirmed the massive reduction in fuel consumption, adding that members of the union were equally affected.

“There is a drop in consumption and the price of a truckload is higher now. So, we have reduced the quantity of fuel we buy. For instance, someone who bought 10 trucks before can only buy eight now. So, we haven’t been getting the right quantity that we are supposed to get. We sell only the little quantities we get,” he said.

PENGASSAN reacts to the ugly situation

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (PENGASSAN) stated that the inability of the oil marketers to buy products had resulted in job losses for truck drivers and petrol station workers in the country.

“The economy is not smiling at all. Many petrol station owners cannot even buy a single truckload, and this has affected our members. Those of them that are truck drivers hardly get loads to carry anymore. Many petrol stations have closed down and our members who are petrol station workers have lost their jobs,” NUPENG Secretary-General, Afolabi Olawale told the platform.

Asked to state the actual number of NUPENG members affected, Olawale said, “This is an unfolding situation. It’s evolving, so I may not be able to give you the actual number of people affected now because we have those in the informal and formal sectors. We have people in the upstream, downstream, and midstream. But I don’t have the statistics right here with me to give you.

“Though everybody is affected, those in the downstream are the most affected. It affects those in the downstream sector directly because they are truck drivers, station workers, and the representatives of the marketers at different depots.”

The post Hardship: Nigerians abandon their cars, resort to motorbike, trekking as fuel price hike bites harder appeared first on WITHIN NIGERIA.

They have been in prison since their arrest by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force at several locations in Abuja, Gombe, Jos, Kano, and Kaduna. They were arraigned on ten counts, including treasonable felony and destruction of public property.

Before their  arraignment at the high court, they spent three months in custody, breaching existing laws, including the Child right Acts 2003, which explicitly states in section 204 that “ No child shall be subjected to the criminal justice process or to criminal sanctions, but a child  alleged to have committed an act which would constitute a criminal offence if he were an adult shall be  subjected only to the child justice system.”

As the court commenced proceedings, one could see how malnourished these children were. Available videos from the court displayed a stark reality of the Nigerian state— a hungry population struggling to afford food. Sadly, these children bore the brunt of speaking up and were not even adequately fed while in detention.

In the courtroom, they were seen hastily eating right there in the dock, seemingly oblivious to their surroundings, with their focus divided between their food and the proceedings, clearly revealing the hardship they’ve endured. And then, five of them fainted, halting proceedings for a while. 

The government, however, came under heavy criticism from Nigerians and civil society bodies who tagged their action as a breach of existing laws and a dent in Nigeria’s global image. 

They Are Not Minors, FG Counsel Says Blindly

Under the Child Rights Act of 2003, a child is defined as someone who has not attained the age of 18, but the federal government believes otherwise. Among the 119 protesters arraigned were 32 minors from the age of 13. However, the counsel for the Nigerian government, Rimazonte Ezekiel, refuted the claim that they are minors, alleging instead that they are married men.

“All of these boys that we brought to the court today are adults. Most of them are married men; none of them is a minor. Some of them are university graduates,” the counsel said. “The small kids you see here came with their parents to greet their loved ones. They are not even the real suspects standing trial in this case.”

He added, “These boys were arrested in Kaduna and Zaria. These boys were using the Russian flag and calling on the military to remove our president.”

Meanwhile, the governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, stated that he was not aware of the arrest of dozens of minors arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

In response to these events, the police justified the arrest and arraignment of minors. According to the spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Muyiwa Adejobi, children above the age of seven can be charged in court. This contradicts the statement by the government’s counsel, who told journalists that there were no minors among the arraigned protesters.

Muyiwa clarified that children under seven are exempt from criminal liability under the law, emphasising that the individuals arraigned are 13-year-olds and above.

Tinubu Frees Arraigned Protesters After Hard Knocks

At the resumption of proceedings on Tuesday, Oct. 5, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Federal Ministry of Justice, Abubakar Babadoko, appeared in court on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation. He informed the presiding Justice, Egwuatu, that the Federal Government had decided to take over the case from the Inspector General of Police and discontinue it under Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution.

According to available reports, this directive came from President Tinubu on Oct. 4 following widespread backlash from Nigerians– the same day, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) condemned the detention of minors. In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the organisation called on First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu to intervene, urging her to view these young detainees as “her children.” 

CISLAC noted that the treatment of these minors is both disturbing and damaging to Nigeria’s global image, as they were only exercising their constitutional rights. The organisation argued that their detention violates national and international human rights standards.

After the court set bail at N10 million for each defendant, their counsel, Femi Falana (SAN), filed a preliminary objection, arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction over the case. He emphasised that, according to Section 18(3) of the 1999 Constitution, Section 15 of the Child Rights Act, Section 2 of the Universal Basic Education Act, and Article 17 of the African Charter, minors should not be subjected to criminal trials.

Falana stressed that both national and international laws protect the rights of these minors, calling on the government to fulfil its duty and provide for their education instead.

After their eventual release, Falana threatened to take the Federal Government to court if these minors were not reintegrated and sent to school, relying on the legal provisions in the 1999 Constitution, the Child Rights Act, and the Universal Basic Education Act.

Protest Is Now Dangerous In Nigeria

Nigeria is gradually becoming a no-protest zone, as anyone who dares to protest in the streets risks arrest, detention, and sometimes death on the protest grounds. Citizens have yet to recover from the historic #EndSARS movement, which took place across the country from Oct. 8, 2020, primarily led by young people. This movement, now commemorated annually, claimed the lives of 56 people, left scores badly injured, and resulted in many arrests.

The Nigerian state cracked down on the #EndSARS protesters, ordering military and police operatives to open live rounds on peaceful demonstrators.

The attacks on protesters have persisted, with demonstrators facing violence even during peaceful demonstrations. In an interview with Vanguard, Tony Ojukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), reported that 27 protesters were killed by police, and about 800 people were arrested during the August #EndBadGovernance protests across the country.

Despite Attacks, Peaceful Protest Remains a Right

Two Sections of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantee the right to protest. The first is Section 39 (1), which provides for the right to freedom of expression and the press. It states: “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.”

The second is Section 40, which guarantees freedom of association and peaceful assembly. It states “Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular he/she may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests.” 

Under regional law, the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, Article 9 provides for the right to freedom of expression, Article 10 provides for the right to freedom of association, and Article 11 provides for the right to freedom of assembly.

The Universal Declaration on Human Rights also guarantees these rights under International Human Rights Law. Article 19 provides for the right to freedom of opinion and expression. Article 20 provides for the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. 

It is also guaranteed under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Article 19 provides the right to freedom of expression, and Article 21 provides the right to peaceful assembly. 

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The army chief’s death was officially revealed on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a press statement titled ‘Announcement of the Passing of Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.

According to Onanuga, Lagbaja died on Tuesday night in a hospital in Lagos.

Onanuga’s statement further revealed that Lagbaja displayed expected leadership and devotion during his service as a platoon commander in the 93 and 72 Special Forces Battalions.

He further stated that Lagbaja was instrumental in a number of internal security operations, including Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in Southeast Nigeria, and Operation Forest Sanity in Kaduna and Niger States.

According to findings by WITHIN NIGERIA, Lt. Lagbaja’s untimely death would mark the third time in history that a Chief of Army Staff would die while in office.

Here are brief details of ex-Chiefs of Army Staff who died in office:

JOSEPH AKAHAN

Joseph Akahan, born on April 12, 1937, was a Nigerian military officer who served as the Chief of Army Staff from May 1967 until May 1968. Akahan was named Chief of Army Staff in May 1967, shortly before the Nigerian Civil War began. He was killed in a helicopter crash during Nigeria’s civil war. He was succeeded as COAS by General Hassan Katsina.

Akahan was an indigene of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State. He attended Government College Keffi where he obtained his Cambridge School Certificate (1952–1956). He trained as an officer cadet at the RWAFF Training School Teshi, Ghana (1957–1958) and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, United Kingdom (1958–1960). He was commissed on 23 July 1960.

He was said to be the brain behind the concept of the sea-borne operations led by Lt. Colonel Benjamin Adekunle that captured Bonny in July 1967. The popular Joe Akahan Barracks is named after him. The Barrack is located in Makurdi, capital of his home state, Benue. [Wikipedia].

ATTAHIRU IBRAHIM

Attahiru Ibrahim, a Nigerian military commander born on August 10, 1966, served as Chief of Army Staff from January 28, 2021 to May 21, 2021. He was killed along with ten others in the 2021 NAF Beechcraft B300 King Air 350, which crashed near Kaduna International Airport while attending the Passing out Parade of 80RRI in Depot Nigerian Army on May 22, 2021.

The Doka [Kaduna] native was a graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, and Nigerian Army School of Infantry. He commenced officer cadet training in January 1984 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in December 1986 as an Infantry Officer.

He held a master’s degree in Strategic Management and Policy Studies from the Nigerian Defence Academy. He also attained a Masters of Science in Human Resources Management and Development from Salford University in the United Kingdom and a Graduate Diploma in International Studies from the University of Nairobi.

TAOREED LAGBAJA

Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, born February 28, 1968, was a Nigerian military commander who served as the Chief of Army Staff of Nigeria from June 2023 until November 2024. He assumed control from Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya.

Lagbaja was born in the town of Ilobu in Irepodun, present day Osun State on 28 February 1968. He spent his early life in Osogbo where he attended the St Charles Grammar School and Local Authority Teachers College.

He was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987 as a member of the 39th Regular Course. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant on 19 September 1992 into the Nigerian Infantry Corps. Between 1992 and 1995, Lagbaja was platoon commander of the 93 Battalion.

From 1995 to 2001, he was platoon commander of 72 Special Forces Battalion. In 2001, Lagbaja obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from the Nigerian Defence Academy. He studied Strategic Studies at the US Army War College at the Master’s level.

Lagbaja participated in Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi Peninsula; United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC); Operation ZAKI Internal Security Operation in Benue State; Operation “Lafiya Dole”; Operation MESA/Operation UDO KA – March 2021 – August 2022 – Internal Security Operation in South-east Nigeria (Anambra/Abia/Ebonyi/Enugu and Imo States); and Operation “Forest Sanity” – Aug 2022 to 2023 – Internal Security Operation in Kaduna/Niger states.

The post From Akahan to Taoreed Lagbaja: Chiefs of Army Staff Who Died in Office Since 1960 appeared first on WITHIN NIGERIA.

In October 2020, Nigerian youths in their tens of thousands took to the streets across the federation to protest the alleged police brutality in the country.

This popular protest which came to be known as #ENDSARS witnessed unprecedented daring of the security forces in the country who are said to have compromised in their job of security and resorted to massive extortion, brutality and outright killing of innocent Nigerians throughout the length and breadth of the country.

Widely written as #EndSARS, it was a decentralized social movement and series of mass protests against police brutality in Nigeria that mainly occurred in 2020.

WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that the movement’s slogan called for the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a notorious unit of the Nigerian Police known for its long record of abuse against Nigerian citizens. This abuse cuts across all spectra of the society, and mostly on youths and the poor who have no political connection.

Findings by our reporter revealed that the protests originated from a Twitter campaign in 2017, using the hashtag #EndSARS to demand the unit’s disbandment by the Nigerian government.

The movement experienced a resurgence in October 2020 following further revelations of the unit’s abuses, leading to mass demonstrations across major cities in Nigeria, and widespread outrage on social media platforms.

The hashtag #EndSARS accumulated over 28 million tweets on Twitter alone. Solidarity protests and demonstrations by Nigerians in the diaspora and sympathizers occurred in many major cities around the world.

Notably, the movement was predominantly led by young Nigerians and expanded to include demands for good governance and accountability, amidst unprecedented hardship in the country.

Within a few days of protests, on 11 October 2020, the Nigerian Police Force announced the dissolution of the unit with immediate effect. The move was widely perceived as a triumph for the demonstrators. However, it was noted in many quarters that similar announcements had been made in recent years to placate the public without the unit actually being disbanded, and that the government had merely planned to reassign and review SARS officers to medical centres rather than disband the unit entirely.

Protests continued accordingly, and the Nigerian government maintained a pattern of violent repression, including the killing of demonstrators. International demonstrations in solidarity with those in the country occurred, and the movement also grew increasingly critical of Muhammadu Buhari’s government response to the protests.

SARS officers were alleged to profile young Nigerians, mostly males, based on fashion choices, tattoos and hairstyles. They were also known to set up illegal road blocks, conduct unwarranted checks and searches, make arrests and detain without warrant or trial, rape women, and extort young male Nigerians for driving exotic vehicles and using laptops and iPhones.

Nigerians shared stories and video evidence of how SARS officers engaged in kidnapping, murder, theft, rape, torture, unlawful arrests, humiliation, unlawful detention, extrajudicial killings and extortion of Nigerian citizens. A large number of the victims of the abuses of SARS were young male Nigerians.

The End SARS protest movement was ultimately suppressed by the Nigerian military, leading to the death of several harmless protesters at Lekki tollgate, Lagos.

How it all started

The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) was a unit of the Nigeria Police Force under the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID). It was founded in late 1992 as one of the 14 units in the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, which was established to detain, investigate, and prosecute people involved in crimes like armed robbery, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.

WITHIN NIGERIA findings showed that the squad was created as a masked police unit to perform undercover operations against violent crimes like armed robbery, car snatching, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and the bearing and use of illegal firearms.

Accusations against the unit

SARS had been accused of several human rights violations, illegal “stop and searches”, illegal arrests and detentions, extrajudicial killings, sexual harassment of women and brutalising of young male Nigerians. The human rights abuses were documented in trending videos on social media.

In 2017, Nigerian activists, youth and celebrities across the nation took to the streets in a peaceful protest to spread awareness of SARS brutality and extortions and to demand its disbanding. The protests also moved to social media using the hashtag #EndSARS.

A 2016 report by Amnesty International, indicted SARS maintaining that the squad was responsible for human rights abuses, cruelty, degrading treatment of Nigerians in their custody, and other widespread torture. Some of the human rights abuses by SARS include the shooting of their detainees in the leg, mock executions and threats of execution, hanging and physical assault. A 2020 publication by the organisation documented 82 cases of abuses and extra judicial killings by SARS between January 2017 and May 2020.

October 2020 video and ENDSARS protest

On Saturday 3 October 2020, a video showing a SARS police officer shooting a young Nigerian in front of Westown Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos State trended on the Internet. It was alleged that the police officers took away the young man’s vehicle – a Lexus SUV. The trending video caused public outcry on social media, especially on Twitter, with the #ENDSARS hashtag trending.

Just as the ENDSARS began to trend on Twitter, on Monday 5 October 2020, another report surfaced of SARS officers killing a 20-year-old up-and-coming musician named Daniel Chibuike, popularly called ‘Sleek’ in his neighbourhood.

According to eyewitnesses, Sleek was sitting in front of a hotel with a friend when some SARS officers approached them, prompting them to flee. The officers chased after the pair, shouting “thief”, before shooting Sleek as they ran through a supermarket. His friend was then arrested.

On Thursday 8 October 2020, nationwide protests on ENDSARS started after weeks of outrage and anger with videos and pictures showing police brutality, harassment and extortion in Nigeria. The protests were led predominantly by young Nigerians in different cities alongside many activists and celebrities.

Nigeria Police Force disrupted the protests in some cities, throwing teargas, using water cannons and shooting at unarmed peaceful protesters as seen in Abuja and Osun. This led to the death of Jimoh Isiaq in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

By Wednesday, 14 October 2020, the End SARS protests were still on-going with young people in different parts of Nigeria intensifying their calls for reforms and accountability in police operations.

On October 20 the Nigerian Army murdered protesters at the Lekki tollgate. The government and army deny these allegations till date.

However, four years after the protest, nothing seemed to have changed, rather the situation has continued to deteriorate.

Killings, abuse and extortion by the Nigeria Police Force has continued to be on the increase with no sign of solution or sanction against the suspect except the usual detention, prosecution and subsequent release.

For instance, in April 2024 the Abia State Police Command apprehended an officer who allegedly killed an Abiriba-born business man, Emmanuel Michael Okocha, in Aba.

This comes on the heels of the recent outcry by the Abiriba community in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State over the alleged killing of the businessman by an officer attached to the Rapid Response Unit of the Nigerian Police Force.

It was gathered that Okocha was allegedly shot dead along Aba-Owerri road in Aba for allegedly refusing to bribe some policemen despite having a complete vehicle license.

The Abia State Police Command while disclosing the arrest of the officer in a statement by its spokesperson, ASP Maureen Chinaka, revealed that necessary disciplinary measures have been initiated and the culprit will be made to face the full course of legal consequences.

The statement read: “The Abia State Police Command is aware of trending online news regarding the incident resulting in the death of Mr Emmanuel Okocha, shot by a police officer. The Command hereby issues the following statement for the purpose of informing the public.

“Preliminary Inquiries into the matter reveal that a Police Corporal Obagi Njok, attached to Abayi Police Division under Abia State Police Command, shot at Mr Emmanuel Okocha along Aba-Owerri Road.

“The officer has been apprehended, and necessary disciplinary procedures have been initiated. Appropriate disciplinary actions and sanctions will be effected soonest, and he will face the full course of appropriate administrative and legal consequences.

“In this regard, representatives of the bereaved family and stakeholders will be carried along as the proceedings progress.

“The Abia State Police Command states without prevarication that the incident is unfortunate, and regrettable.

“The Command uses this medium to publicly commiserate with the family, friends, and well-wishers of the deceased.

“The Abia State Police Command remains steadfast in upholding professionalism and the rule of law.

“We unequivocally condemn any act of misconduct, unprofessionalism and indiscipline among our officers.”

However, in Anambra state, in January 2021 former, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+), NPM, NEAPS, fdc, CFR,  set up a special investigation panel under the IGP Monitoring and Mentoring Unit to commence investigations into some weighty allegations of unprofessionalism, high-handedness, and extra-judicial killings leveled against its officers serving at the Zone 13 Command, Ukpo-Dunukofia, and the Anambra State Command on social media platforms.

In light of the serious allegations leveled against the officers – CSP Patrick Agbazue, officer-in-charge of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Anambra State Command; SP Nwode Nkeiruka, the PPRO of the Zone 13 HQs, Ukpo-Dunukofia, and Inspector Harrison Akama attached to the RRS, they reported at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja today Friday 17th February, 2023, on the directives of the IGP for commencement of investigations to ascertain the veracity of the allegations for further necessary action, while the panel has been given a period of two weeks to come up with a report of investigations.

By and large, in 2023 , the Adamawa State Police Command arrested the cop, Sergeant Aliyu Yusuf, who killed an 80-year-old Maryam ‘Yerbure’ Abdullahi, according to reports.

The octogenarian was shot and killed at Doubeli, a surburb in Jimeta-Yola around 9:45pm on Thursday, February 16, 2023.

It was gathered that the policeman shot the woman while attempting to arrest a youth in the area.

Yusuf, who was on patrol alongside other policemen attached to the Doubelli police division, had accosted the young man believed to be related to the deceased at the entrance of their residence but was resisted by locals who demanded an explanation for his arrest.

During the ensuing argument, Sergeant Yusuf allegedly pulled the trigger to disperse the unruly crowds but instead gunned down the woman while another victim, identified as Arfad, sustained gunshot wounds to the chest.

The state Commissioner of Police, CP Afolabi Babatola, who condoled with the deceased’s family on Friday, confirmed that the killer cop has been arrested.

A statement signed by the spokesperson of the command, SP Suleiman Nguroje, said the CP has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge CID to take over investigation. The statement

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Afolabi Babatola on behalf of Adamawa state police command, Condole with the family and relative of Lt Maryam Abdullahi over the sudden and unfortunate incident that claim her life,”

“The incident occurred in the late hours on Thursday 16th February, 2023, along Doubeli Culvert, Yola North local government area.

“The Commissioner of Police, acknowledges the command’s cordial working relationship with the good people of Adamawa state. He hereby condole with the immediate family, relatives and friends of the deceased and prays for the repose of her soul.”

“The CP directs Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge CID to take over investigation and ensure law take it course.”

One could say that the North Central zone had the full share of the ugly trend as in July 2024,  a  soldier  reportedly shot and killed a civilian, Habibu Aminu, on Wednesday in Lere Village, Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The Bauchi State Police Command confirmed the incident to Channels Television in a telephone conversation.

According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakili, the situation escalated following an altercation between members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Lere Village and personnel of Operation Safe Haven stationed in Tafawa Balewa.

According to reports,  some members of the PDP from Lere Village in Tafawa Balewa LGA were travelling in three Sharon vehicles for a campaign in Lere District ahead of the upcoming local government elections. While returning, they were stopped at a checkpoint by Operation Safe Haven personnel. They refused to stop and proceeded to Lere town.

The troops subsequently arrested one of the drivers at his home in Lere. This action incited further aggression from the group, leading them to return to the checkpoint to attempt to free the arrested driver. The troops then opened fire, resulting in the death of Habibu Aminu and injuries to several others.

Wakili explained that the police responded promptly upon receiving the information.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Auwal Muhammad, dispatched a unit of the Mobile Police Force to the area for reinforcement. Additionally, a team of seasoned detectives has been constituted to conduct a thorough, professional, and timely investigation to ensure that justice is served,” he said.

He stated that the officers involved in the incident would be identified and held accountable according to the law, assuring that the Commissioner of Police is committed to a meticulous investigation process using all necessary protocols, including technical and scientific tools, to ensure justice and resolution in this matter.

On May 30, a 40-year-old man, Benalayefa Asiayei, has been shot dead by a policeman along Azikoro Road in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

It was gathered that Asiayei was returning from work in his vehicle, a Toyota Sienna, around 8pm on Tuesday when he was shot by the policeman.

When contacted about the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Musa Mohammed, said the policeman responsible is attached to the state security outfit, Operation Doo Akpo.

The deceased, who was an electrician and hailed from the Bobougbene community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, was carrying a passenger in the front seat when the incident occurred.

An eyewitness said the Operation Doo Akpo patrol stopped him and demanded N200 as their usual collection package from motorists, which he said he did not have.

The eyewitness said Asiayei complained that he was carrying only one passenger when the policeman suddenly fired at him.

It was further gathered that it was at the scene of the shooting that the deceased’s in-law, simply identified as Zaiky, saw the car and corpse, raised the alarm and one of the policemen pointed at the officer who shot him.

The policeman allegedly escaped in the patrol van, but some eyewitnesses had already taken pictures of him.

The police took the corpse to Government House Hospital, Yenagoa and later to the mortuary of the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.

Meanwhile, the family is seeking justice, urging Governor Douye Diri, the Inspector General of Police and the Ijaw Youth Council to take the necessary steps against police brutality in the state.

“We are calling on the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Sen. Douye Diri and the Inspector General of Police in a matter of urgency, to bring to book, the policeman who shot Bena to death, face the law, and also calling on Ijaw Youth Council IYC Worldwide to take necessary action against police brutality in Bayelsa State,” the family said.

As the trend continues, on Saturday, October 25, 2024 A popular Nigerian musician, Okezie Mba, was shot dead by a police inspector in Enugu state.

Mr Mba, otherwise known as Igbo-Jah, is a popular Ogene musician whose popularity spreads across the zone and even beyond.

WITHIN NIGERIA source revealed that Mr Mba had attended an event at the anti-cult unit of the Enugu State Police Command when some police operatives began shooting indiscriminately.

“Igbo-Jah was then hit by a bullet. They tried rushing him to a nearby hospital, but he died on the way,” the source said.

Police confirms the incident

The police in Enugu State have confirmed the ugly development.

In a release on Saturday, the police spokesperson in Enugu State, Daniel Ndukwe, said the operative has been arrested and detained for the murder of the musician.

Mr Ndukwe, a deputy superintendent of police, did not mention the name of the operative.

The spokesperson simply said the operative is a male inspector serving in the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad of the police in Enugu State.

How it all happened

“The musician was reportedly leaving the Squad’s headquarters after a friendly visit when, for reasons yet to be ascertained, the police officer fired his rifle, hitting the victim,” Mr Ndukwe said.

“He (Mba) was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead by the attending doctor. His body has been deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.”

Mr Ndukwe said the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered the deputy commissioner of police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to investigate the incident.

Mr Uzuegbu asked the deputy commissioner of police to also ensure “appropriate disciplinary actions” against the police inspector.

He commiserated with the family of the musician and described his death as “unfortunate and unacceptable.” 

The police commissioner assured that the police inspector and anyone else found culpable would be sanctioned in line with the law to serve as a deterrent.

He urged family members and friends of the slain musician to remain calm and cooperate with the police to ensure that justice is served.

Protest rocks Enugu over the incident

Following the ugly incident, angry in the state capital took to the streets, protesting the murder of the musician.

However, the protesters blocked roads in some parts of the state capital including Onu Asata where they burnt tires and chanted angry songs.

According to the protesters, the killing of the musician was an indication of the resurrection of the police brutality in the state which can no longer be tolerated.

The protesters demanded the arrest, detention and prosecution of the suspect with a view to bringing justice to the incident.

Enugu government mourns the musician, pays visit to the family

The Enugu state government has paid a condolence visit to the family of the slain Ogene musician, Okezie Mba, popularly known as Igbo-Jah, at Ogui Nike Enugu, restating its determination to ensure that justice is served.

The government delegation led by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Victor Udeh, among other senior government officials, underscored the sanctity of human life in the state, saying it would not tolerate the killing of any Enugu citizen or resident.

The condolence visit followed the fatal shooting of the popular Ogene musician on his departure from the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad facility after what the police described as a friendly visit on Friday.

Governor Mbah on Saturday sympathised with Igbo-Jah’s family and fans on social media, noting that he had ordered full investigation into the untimely death of the artiste.

Addressing the elders of the family and the deceased’s young children, Prof. Onyia said: “We have come as a delegation from His Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah to the family to extend our deep condolences on the passing and brutal killing of your son, your brother and our brother. The governor has directed us to come and share in your deep pain and to deliver his message that we are going to make sure that justice is done.

“The state government will work with this family every step of the way because enough is enough. Every single life in Enugu counts, and for us to wake up to such a sad news is something that we will never take lightly.

“We appreciate the emotions because we see what is going on outside, but we want to importantly commend the eldest in the family and the rest of the family for how they have received us well as a government delegation. You have also shown that maturity in working with us.

“To the children, His Excellency is saying take heart. We will ensure that justice is served. That is one thing we can assure the family; we cannot sit down and fold our hands and allow such an incident to go without consequence.

“We are really sorry about your loss, our loss. May God strengthen and bless this family as we go through these difficult times.”

Responding, the family representative and Igbo-Jah’s elder brother, Chief Joseph Mba, said that Governor Mbah’s dispositions since the unfortunate incident underscored the determination to ensure that justice is done.

“I want to appreciate our governor, Dr. Peter Mbah for the way he has responded to this incident and for his determination to ensure that justice prevails.

“We are also counting on government’s help towards the welfare and education of his children and family – two boys, one girl, and of course, his wife.

“But importantly, we want to thank the governor from the bottom of our hearts for the way he has shown human feeling and leadership on this matter. We have seen his determination to do things differently,” he said.

The Enugu Police on Saturday announced the arrest of the suspected killer cop, Inspector Ozonwanji Joseph and released his photographs, assuring that “he will be made to face the full weight of the law upon the conclusion of the investigation.”

Amnesty International releases report on extra-judicial killings in Nigeria

On October 20, 2024, the Amnesty International released a report, indicting Nigeria government on the increase in abuse by the Nigeria police, four years after the Endsars protest.

The report signed by Isa Sanusi, Director Amnesty International Nigeria and

entitled, “Nigeria: Rampant police atrocities continue 4-years after #EndSARS protests” accused police of impunity

“The Nigerian authorities must address human rights violations by the police to effectively end years of atrocities that emboldened impunity and left many Nigerians vulnerable to the horrifying abuses that triggered the nationwide #EndSARS protests exactly four years ago.

“Amnesty International continues to receive – almost daily – reports of human rights violations by the police across Nigeria, including unlawful detention, extortion, torture, sexual violence and in some cases extrajudicial execution.

“The Nigerian authorities still have the opportunity to reform the police and make it an institution with zero tolerance for human rights violations. The opportunity must not be allowed to slip away by the failure to hold the police to account for human rights violations.

“Gradually, we are returning to the horrific pre-endSARS days when the police behave as if they have the carte blanche to violate human rights,” said Isa Sanusi Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.

“Our investigation shows that four years after #EndSARS, only two states – Ekiti and Osun, and FCT-Abuja are publicly known to have paid full compensation to the survivors and relatives of the victims of police brutality. Lagos and Nasarawa are known to have made partial payments.

“Seven states—Bornu, Jigawa, Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara—have yet to set up any form of judicial panel. Lagos is the only state to have made its #EndSARS judicial panel’s report available to the public.

“The failure of the #EndSARS investigative panels to deliver justice is unacceptable and reveals the authorities’ lack of commitment to ensure justice for victims of police brutality across Nigeria.”

Extrajudicial execution by the police has continued since the #EndSARS protests:

According to AI, “on 3 July 2021 during the Yoruba nation rally at Ojota, Lagos state Jumoke Oyeleke (25) met her untimely death. Jumoke is a salesgirl who was displaying her drinks before she was hit by a bullet shot by a police officer, Tajudeen Bakare. On 11 September 2021, Mosurat Ojuade, an 18-year-old fashion designer, was shot and killed by a police officer, Sgt. Samuel Phillips.

“On 22 January 2022, Paul Durowaiye was shot dead by a police officer over a fight for sachet water. It was said that Paul picked up a pure water belonging to the police officer and the fight erupted which later led to his demise. On 4 June 2022, one Oliver was shot dead along Jalingo-Zing Road by a police sergeant, Haruna Idi, over a minor argument. On December 7, 2022, Gafaru Buraimoh was shot and killed by Inspector Imeh Johnson in Ajah, Lagos State.

“On 25 December 2022, Bolanle Raheem, a female lawyer, was returning from church with her family when they encountered the police and she was shot at close range by a police officer, Drambi Vandi, in Lagos. On 15 February 2023, a soldier in mufti was stabbed to death by a police officer due to an altercation with some policemen at the Odogunyan axis of Ikorodu, Lagos state. On 5 April 2023, Onyeka Ibe was shot to death for refusing to pay a N100 bribe to police officers on stop-and-search duty.

“Since the leak of a government memo dated 19 July 2023, which was addressed to the Lagos State Ministry of Health indicating that the state government had approved more than N61 million Naira for the mass burial of 103 persons identified as victims of the #EndSARS protests in October 2020, the identities of the 103 victims are yet to be disclosed, while those suspected to be responsible for the killings are yet to be brought to justice in fair trials.

“The Nigerian authorities’ promises of addressing human rights violations by the police must be fulfilled to meet the country’s obligations under Nigerian and International law. All atrocities before and after #EndSARS protests must be investigated and suspected perpetrators brought to justice,” said Isa Sanusi

In any case, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun has expressed concerned over the increasing cases of the police brutality and killings in the country.

Egbetokun in a recent workshop organized for the senior ranking police officers in Lagos warned members of the Force to desist from unprofessional conduct said that any officer found in such act will face disciplinary which also included dismissal.

IGP Egbetokun assured the public that the Force is doing everything possible to checkmate all the members with a view to preventing such incessant occurrence.

The post #ENDSARS: 4 years after, nothing has changed as police continues to brutalize, kill innocent citizens appeared first on WITHIN NIGERIA.

Suraju was initially held for ten agonizing days at Ifo Police Station in Ogun State before being transferred to Abuja, where he spent weeks—totaling 80 days of detention without a single charge filed against him—before his eventual release on July 12.

On May 3rd, news of the abduction of Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Inspector General of Police was made public.

His organization, FIJ, had to file a missing person report and contracted a private investigator who was able to locate his last known location before he was taken by the police. Ojukwu, who was accused of violating the 2015 Cybercrime Act, spent days at Panti before being transferred to Abuja.

Ojukwu’s arrest was related to a story alleging that a top government official in the Presidency caused N147 million, originally allocated to build a school, to be paid into the account of a restaurant in Abuja.

Before his release on the 10th of May 2024, following a series of protests, Ojukwu spent ten days in police custody.

Just like Ojukwu, many journalists have been arrested and detained under the Cybercrime Act of 2015, which many—including human rights lawyer Femi Falana—have argued is outdated. Falana stated that “the section of the Cybercrime Act on which the police rely to arrest journalists has been repealed,” referring to Section 24 of the act.

Police Human Rights Violation Calls For Concern

Human rights violations by the Nigeria Police Force raise major concerns. A recent report by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) revealed that nearly 70% of civic space infringements in Nigeria were committed by police officers and politicians.

The report, titled “Journalism & Civic Space,” shows that the Nigeria Police, tasked with maintaining law and order, were involved in 49% of the reported cases of civic space violations. With 45 out of the 91 documented instances, the police stand out as the most significant perpetrator of infringements, often targeting journalists and activists.

In an earlier report, Amnesty International raised alarms over persistent human rights abuses by the Nigeria Police, including unlawful detention, extortion, torture, and sexual violence, four years after the October 2020 #EndSARS protests.

In the report, Amnesty International called on the Nigerian government to address these ongoing human rights violations, which continue to foster a culture of impunity and leave citizens vulnerable to the same abuses that sparked the #EndSARS movement. They further stated that “the Nigerian authorities still have the opportunity to reform the police and create an institution with zero tolerance for human rights violations.”

The post Analysis: Rights Violations Under the Watch of IGP Kayode Egbetokun appeared first on WITHIN NIGERIA.

President Tinubu recently fired some ministers, causing controversy in some parts of the country. Each President, from Olusegun Obasanjo to Umaru Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari, and Bola Tinubu, has a history of dismissing ministers during their tenure.

A check by WITHIN NIGERIA reveals that 23 ministers have been ousted or sacked since the reinstatement of civil administration in 1999.

Here is a list of previous Ministers dismissed since 1999, along with the reasons for their dismissal:

FABIAN OSUJI

Fabian Ngozichukwu Chinedum Osuji was a Nigerian politician who served as an associate professor at the University of Ibadan’s Department of Zoology from 1973 until 1981. He served as Nigeria’s Federal Minister of Education from July 2003 until March 2005.

He was fired by President Olusegun Obasanjo in March 2005 after being indicted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for reportedly proposing N55 million ($400,000) in bribery to the National Assembly to adopt an inflated budget.

According to the article, Osuji allegedly bribed the head of the Senate and six other members of the National Assembly to ensure the smooth approval of his yearly budget.

PROF. ADENIKE GRANGE

Professor Adenike Grange is a Nigerian pediatrician. In 2007, she became the first female minister of health. She was dedicated to improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria, lowering maternity fatalities and disease rates among vulnerable populations.

She was arrested on the orders of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua for handling 300 million naira in unspent monies. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigated her and brought her to trial.

She and Gabriel Aduku, the then-minister of state in the Ministry of Health, bowed to criticism and abruptly left President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s government over a N300 million scam.

Grange claims that her directors misled her. The President reportedly requested that all unspent funds in the budget be returned, but they were purportedly distributed as incentives to Health Ministry officials.

MICHEAL AONDOAKAA

Michael Kaase Aôndoakaa, SAN, is Nigeria’s former Justice Minister and Attorney General. In 2007, he was appointed by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

However, he was deposed in a political power struggle by Goodluck Jonathan, who served as acting president in 2010.

BARTH NNAJI

Bartholomew Nnaji is a Nigerian engineer, innovator, and one of the originators of the E-Design concept. He was Minister of Power under President Goodluck Jonathan’s government.

According to sources, Nnaji was tactically pushed to retire after a barrage of charges linking him to attempts to undermine the bidding process for the sale of the Afam Power Plant.

However, sources claim that President Jonathan asked the minister to retire rather than be fired in order to rescue his administration from the massive embarrassment that such an action would cause.

BUKAR TIJANI – BUKAR

Bukar Tijani-Bukar is a former Minister of State for Agriculture during Jonathan’s tenure as President.

He was sacked from office by former President Goodluck Jonathan in September 2013. According to reports, he was a victim of cabinet overhaul.

OLUSOLA OBADA

Olusola Obada is a lawyer and former Minister of State for Defence from 2011 to 2012.

According to reports, she was sacked alongside eight other ministers in a major reshuffle in September 2013. Unconfirmed sources claimed that she was a victim of intensive powerplay and cabinet overhaul.

ZAINAB IBRAHIM KUCHI

Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi is a former Minister of State for Power and Niger Delta Affairs from 2011 to 2013 respectively.

According to reports, she was inadvertently sacked as Minister during a FEC meeting alongside eight others in a major reshuffle during the Jonathan led administration.

AMAL IYINGIALA PEPPLE

Amal Iyingiala Pepple is a former Minister of Housing, Land, and Urban Development. President Jonathan dismissed her during a significant cabinet reshuffle. She was a casualty of a cabinet reform aimed at ensuring political stability.

RUQAYYATU AHMED RUFAI

Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai is a former Minister of Education. She was the first female education minister from the northern part of Nigeria.

According to reports, she was dismissed during a major cabinet reshuffle by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2013.

SHAMSUDEEN USMAN

Shamsudeen Usman is a former Minister of National Planning. He was appointed as Minister by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. He was the longest-serving cabinet member.

According to reports, he was dismissed during a major cabinet reshuffle by President Goodluck Jonathan.

YERIMA NGAMA

Yerima Ngama is a former Minister of State for finance. He was appointed as a Minister by President Goodluck Jonathan.

According to reports, he was sacked as the Minister for finance. However, Ngama had declared his ambition to rule Yobe State in 2015.

CALEB OLUBOLADE

Caleb Olubolade is a former Minister of Police Affairs. He was appointed as Minister by President Goodluck Jonathan.

He was dismissed by President Jonathan in a surprise major cabinet reshuffle.

Olubolade was reportedly dismissed as a Minister to enable him to pursue his gubernatorial interests in Ekiti State.

STELLA ODUAH

Stella Oduah is a former Minister of Aviation. She was appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

She was dismissed in February 2014 by former President Goodluck Jonathan over corruption allegations.

GODSDAY ORUBEBE

Godsday Orubebe is a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs. He was appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan.

He was dismissed alongside three other ministers in 2014. According to reports, Orubebe was removed to pursue his interest in the Delta State governorship election in 2015.

SABO NANONO

Sabo Nanono is the former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. President Muhammadu Buhari fired him on September 1, 2021.

A source revealed that he was fired after constructing a mosque for N30 million for herders.

Another source revealed that Sabo Nanono was fired due to failings in Nigeria’s agriculture industry.

SALEH MAMMAN

Saleh Mamman was a former Minister of Power. President Muhammadu Buhari terminated him due to failed power agreements. According to reports, the departure was the result of cabinet reshuffle following a ‘independent and critical self-review,’ which helped reveal ‘weak spots’ in this government.

BETTA EDU

Betta Edu is a medical doctor and the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction. President Tinubu suspended her over allegations of money laundering.

Edu became a national story after a memo surfaced in which she directed the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer N585 million to a private account owned by one Oniyelu Bridget, who the ministry claims currently serves as the Project Accountant, Grants for Vulnerable Groups.

She was initially suspended to allow for an investigation, but as of the time of making this report, she had not yet returned to work.

UJU KENEDY OHANENYE

Uju Kenedy Ohanenye is a former Minister of Women Affairs. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently terminated her appointment as a Minister.

According to sources, Uju disrupted two ongoing events with visitors and participants because they had not been permitted by her ministry.

She reportedly filed a lawsuit against Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, the speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, after he announced plans to marry off 100 orphaned girls in his state. She filed a petition with the Inspector-General of Police, or IGP, about the situation.

She also spoke with the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development about the suspected theft of N1.5 billion intended for contractor payments.

These are situations as opined by many that likely contributed to her dismissal as a Minister of Women Affairs.

TAHIR MAMMAN

Tahir Mamman is a former Minister of Education. He was sacked by President Bola Tinubu.

Findings revealed that many situations such as controversial 18-year limit for writing senior school certificate examinations, inaccurate claims about the accreditation of universities in Benin Republic, mishandling foreign students’ participation in the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC scheme, age limit policy for universities among others were likely factors responsible for his dismissal.

LOLA ADE-JOHN

Lola Ade-John is an ICT expert and a former Minister of Tourism. She was appointed as a Minister on 16 August 2023. She assumed office on 21st August, 2023.

She was dismissed by President Bola Tinubu in a major cabinet reshuffle. Sources disclosed that she was sacked due to low or little gains in the Tourism sector.

DR. JAMILA BIO IBRAHIM

Jamila Bio Ibrahim is a medical doctor former Minister of Youth and Sports Development. She was appointed as a Minister by President Bola Tinubu.

She was dismissed by President Tinubu in a major cabinet reshuffle. According to sources, low performance in office led to her dismissal.

ABDULLAHI MOHAMMED GWARZ

Abdullahi Mohammed Gwarzo is a former Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development. He was appointed as a Minister by President Bola Tinubu.

He was sacked in a major cabinet reshuffle. Sources claimed that low performance in office led to his dismissal.

The post Nigerian Ministers dismissed since 1999 – How and Why appeared first on WITHIN NIGERIA.

The initial wage was N30,000, sparking agitation from labour unions as the cost of living rose and inflation increased.

However, despite the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage on July 29, several states have yet to do so.

With the October deadline approaching, the Organised Labour has given all governors an ultimatum to implement the new wage or face industrial unrest. 

In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu approved an increase in the minimum wage for Nigerian workers from N30,000 to N70,000.

However, the implementation across states has been gradual, with some still not adopting the new minimum wage.

While several states have pledged to meet the N70,000 minimum wage, others have gone further, committing to pay amounts higher than the federal mandate.

However, some states have started making announcements regarding the minimum wage to beat the Labour union deadline of October 31. Some states like Rivers and Lagos States have announced N85,000 respectively making it the highest minimum wage in the country above the N70,000 naira minimum wage benchmark.

It is noteworthy that Edo State started paying its workers N70,000 in June, two months before it was signed into law, while Adamawa State started implementing the N70,000 new minimum wage in August.

States where wages have been announced are as follows: 

Lagos

Among states that have displayed preparedness to pay the new wage is Lagos.

Recall that Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on October 16, said his administration was ready to pay N85,000 as minimum wage.

The decision was said to have been made unilaterally without negotiations or agreement with Organised Labour in the state.

Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu, in an interview, said: “I just want to let you know that the minimum wage in Lagos as we discussed with our workers’ union is N85,000 as of today. It is not a competition. I’m not saying that we are paying more than other states. It is a function of affordability and the function of capacity. I would like to come back in January to say that I have been able to increase the minimum wage of Lagos’ public workers to N100,000, not because I want to make anybody look bad, but because I want my people to have a living wage.”

However, concerns from workers in the state have been raised towards the Governor’s announcement as it fell short of economic realities. 

Ondo 

Like its counterpart in Lagos state, the Ondo State government have agreed to pay the N73,000 minimum wage to its workers. This is slightly above the N70,000 minimum wage benchmark by the federal government. However, the announcement was said to have been similar to that of Lagos state without negotiations and agreement with the Labour Unions. 

Kogi

On October 7, Governor Ahmed Ododo of Kogi State approved N72,500 as minimum wage for the least-paid workers. The N72,500 wage is N2,500 higher than the amount approved in July. Also,  Governor Ododo has approved tax relief for all workers in the state.

Gombe

In Gombe State, Governor Inuwa Yahaya approved N71,500 as minimum wage for civil servants effective October 2024.

Chairman of NLC in the state, Yusuf Aish-Bello, disclosed this after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, on the new national minimum wage in Gombe on October 14, 2024.

Edo

Edo State led first with the payment of N70,000 minimum wage in June 2024. This was before the Federal Government agreed to pay N70,000 following the economic hardship in the country.

Adamawa

The Adamawa State government, like its counterpart in Edo State, pays the new minimum wage. The payment of the N70, 000 minimum wage began in August 2024 to all categories of civil servants. It was however gathered that the implementation of the new wage at the Local government councils is expected to commence this October.

Rivers

In Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara approved the payment of N85,000.00 to civil servants in the state, starting from November 2024. However, reports said an agreement was reached during a closed-door meeting presided over by the governor and attended by representatives of Organised Labour under the auspices of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council.

Ebonyi

In September, Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, approved the payment of N70,000 minimum wage to civil servants under the employ of the state.

Ogun

In Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun agreed to pay N77,000 to the lowest worker. He said payment would begin in October. The amount is also N7,000 above the baseline of N70,000 at the federal level. Nevertheless, it was noted that the decision to peg it at N77,000 was after a meeting with the leadership of the Organized Labour in Ogun State.

Jigawa 

On October 26, Gov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa approved the payment of the new N70,000 National Minimum Wage to workers in the state.

Mr Sagir Musa, the Commissioner for Information, Youths, Sports and Culture, disclosed this to newsmen in Dutse on Saturday.

He said that Namadi made the pronouncement on Friday after receiving a report from the state’s Minimum Wage Committee led by Muhammad Dagacire, the Head of Service.

Enugu

Enugu Governor Peter Mbah has approved N80,000 as the minimum wage for workers with immediate effect.

Mbah announced this at the Government House after receiving the report of the committee set up to look into the minimum wage issues.

“Today, I’m happy to announce a new minimum wage for workers in Enugu state, reflecting our fidelity to their welfare in regard to which we’ve been resolutely committed. “We’ve approved the sum of 80,000 Naira to take immediate effect as the new minimum wage in Enugu State,” he said.

Akwa Ibom

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, on Wednesday, announced a new minimum wage package of N80,000 for public civil servants in the state.

Eno also constituted an Implementation committee with a mandate to deliver its report within one month.

Niger

In Niger State, Governor Mohammed Bago has approved N80,000 as the new minimum wage for workers in the State. The minimum wage, however, would take effect from November 2024.

Disclosing this to newsmen after an extensive meeting between the State Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC), the Governor said that the State would be able to sustain N80,000 minimum wage for its workers.

Delta

The Delta state government officially announced that it would start paying a minimum wage of N77,500 to its workers from the end of this month. The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu, announced this at a meeting of the committee on the new minimum wage with the leadership of the state’s organized labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC).

Kebbi

Governor Nasir Idris on Wednesday, October 23 approved 75,000 naira as a new minimum wage for the state civil servants. Confirming the development, the chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress in the state, Murtala Usman, stated this while speaking with correspondents.

Kwara

The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has approved the payment of the new minimum wage of N70,000 to workers in the state from October.

The approval is contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the state’s Commissioner for Finance, Hauwa Nuru.

The statement said the approved wage will be implemented across the Kwara State public service, with effect from October 2024.

Abia

The Abia State Government has announced that it will begin payment of the new N70,000 minimum wage to its workers in October.

This was disclosed during a briefing by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, at the end of the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.

Bayelsa

Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri has approved N80,000 as a new minimum wage for workers in the civil service with effect from November 1, 2024.

Diri also approved an increase in the monthly pension of retired workers as well as N7 billion to reduce outstanding gratuity liabilities.

His spokesperson, Daniel Alabrah, who disclosed these in a statement, said the Bayelsa Governor acknowledged the challenging times workers face in the state due to the rise in the cost of living.

With eighteen states agreeing to implement the minimum wage benchmark of N70,000, only twelve states increased their minimum wage slightly above the benchmark with River’s and Lagos States paying N85,000 naira minimum wage as the highest in the country.

States Yet to Implement Minimum Wage

States like Zamfara have yet to announce the implementation of the minimum wage adjustment while Osun State and Benue State have also expressed readiness to adopt the new minimum wage.

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, announced that the state will commence payment of the new minimum wage starting October 2024 and Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, said his administration is committed to implementing the new minimum wage.

Meanwhile, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State declared that his administration would commence the payment of the minimum wage once the issue of consequential salary adjustment has been addressed.

The other six states yet to give any sign of implementing the minimum wage before the NLC deadline are Bauchi, Ekiti, Imo, Kano, Kaduna, and Nassarawa.

The post Analysis: Two Months After, States Yet To Implement New Minimum Wage appeared first on WITHIN NIGERIA.

The country was thrown into tragedy on October 17th, as a petrol tanker explosion killed scores of people and injured many others. Media reports currently estimate the death toll at 166, and this number continues to rise daily.

Within Nigeria gathered that the accident occurred at midnight in Majiya town, northern Jigawa State, when the tanker driver lost control on a highway. Residents rushed to the scene to scoop petrol before the tanker exploded.

ariThis devastating event follows a 15% increase in petrol prices, further plunging the country into hardship. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) recently raised the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, by 15%, from ₦897 per liter to ₦1,030 per liter. This marks the fourth increase since Bola Tinubu came to power.

In a press statement, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) commiserated with the victims and explained that the fire was ignited when villagers rushed out to scoop fuel from the detached tanker of a DAF vehicle about an hour after the crash. The Corps directed commanding officers to expedite actions ensuring all tankers meet minimum safety standards before transporting flammable substances.

A similar accident occurred in September, killing at least 48 people. That incident took place along the Bida-Agaie-Lapai Road in Niger State, when a petrol tanker collided with a trailer truck carrying travelers and cattle from Wudil in Kano State, en route to Lagos. At least 48 people lost their lives, with many others injured, and around 50 cows died on the spot.

These events have led to the deaths of more than 190 people, raising concerns about the state of tankers plying Nigerian roads.

According to Timothy Iwuagwu, president of the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria, one major cause of such accidents—and the resulting explosions—is that many petrol tankers are not designed according to international best practices.

In 2020, more than 500 people died from about 1,500 tanker accidents, according to the FRSC.

Efforts to Prevent Recurring Accidents

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to investigate the tragic petrol tanker explosion that occurred in Jigawa State.

In a recent meeting with the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, in Abuja, Lokpobiri noted that the government is exploring technological solutions to secure pipelines against vandalism and support the operation of local refineries.

He reiterated the importance of reducing Nigeria’s dependence on road transport, which has contributed to the frequent tanker-related accidents, but added that replacing tankers with alternative transport options is extremely capital-intensive.

President Bola Tinubu has also called for a swift and comprehensive review of safety protocols for the transportation of gasoline, adding that this review will be carried out in partnership with various state authorities and that offenders of the new regulations will be punished. However, it is not yet clear what the review of these safety protocols will entail.

The post Nigeria: Over 190 People Die From Petrol Tanker Explosions in 2 Months appeared first on WITHIN NIGERIA.

October has been marked by several significant national events. From protests on Independence Day to rising fuel prices and a bill proposing the establishment of a university in the President’s name, these developments have attracted public attention and are reshaping the current state of the country. Within Nigeria analyzes them all.

Independence Day Protest

The #FearlessInOctober protest, held in October, was a continuation of the EndBadGovernance protest, which took place between August 1st and 10th. The nationwide protest proceeded despite various controversies.

Sowore, a key figure in the October 1st protest, joined protesters in Lagos State. He stated that the protest was a crucial step towards taking Nigeria to the “promised land”; however, the event saw a low turnout.

“This is one of the actions that will take us to the promised land. We did it in August, and today is a symbolic day to reject their independence as we want our own independence,” Sowore said.

He listed several demands, accusing the current government of imposing severe challenges, including hunger, insecurity, and economic hardship, on Nigerians.

Several protesters were arrested but later released.

Bill Seeking to Establish Bola Tinubu University

A bill sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and eight other lawmakers—Inuwa Garba, Nasiru Shehu, Alex Ikwechegh, Bako Useni, Amobi Ogah, Akin Rotimi, Halims Abdullahi, and Felix Nwaeke—proposes the establishment of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal University of Nigerian Languages. It has passed its first reading in the House of Representatives.

This proposal comes despite the current state of tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Nigerian universities have been struggling with underdevelopment, unpaid salaries, and frequent strike actions in recent years.

The President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Emmanuel Osodeke, recently revealed that 84 of its members had died between May and August this year due to economic hardship and unpaid salaries. He also described the state of tertiary institutions as being “in ruins.”

Nigeria currently has 274 universities, comprising 149 private, 63 state, and 62 federal universities.

A review of the 2024 budget shows that the education sector received N1.54 trillion, representing 6.39% of the total budget, far below the 15% recommendation by UNESCO.

Increase in Petrol and Cooking Gas Prices

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) increased the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, by 15%, raising it from ₦897 per liter to ₦1,030 per liter. This marks the fourth price increase since Bola Tinubu assumed office.

As a result, customers in Lagos will now pay ₦998 per liter, while those in Abuja will pay ₦1,030 per liter. In other southwestern states, the price will be ₦1,025 per liter, and in the southeastern states, customers will pay ₦1,045 per liter.

Nigerians fear that this price hike will exacerbate the already difficult living conditions in the country, making it harder to afford transport and other essentials. The increase in fuel prices has also affected food prices in the market.

Additionally, the price of cooking gas has risen to ₦1,500 in parts of Ogun State and ₦1,400 in some areas of Lagos State.

Super Eagles Face Harsh Ordeal in Libya

The Super Eagles of Nigeria faced a difficult situation at a Libyan airport on Sunday, October 13, 2024, ahead of their second-leg Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya, scheduled for Tuesday, October 15.

As their aircraft approached Benghazi, the control tower instructed the pilot to divert to Al-Abraq International Airport, over 200 kilometers away, despite a prior agreement to land in Benghazi.

The Nigerian squad was stranded for over 15 hours without food or water. As a result, they had to boycott the qualifier and return to Nigeria.

The post Analysis: Events Shaping the Month of October appeared first on WITHIN NIGERIA.

World Food Day is an international day celebrated every year worldwide on October 16 to commemorate the date of the founding of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO) in 1945. The day is celebrated widely by many other organizations concerned with hunger and food security, including the World Food Programme, the World Health Organization and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

Findings by our reporter showed that WFP received the Nobel Prize in Peace for 2020 for their efforts to combat hunger, contribute to peace in conflict areas, and for playing a leading role in stopping the use of hunger in the form of a weapon for war and conflict

World Food Day (WFD) was established by FAO’s Member Countries at the Organization’s 20th General Conference in November 1979.

Checks by WITHIN NIGERIA equally showed that The Hungarian Delegation, led by the former Hungarian Minister of Agriculture and Food Dr. Pál Romány, played an active role at the 20th Session of the FAO Conference and suggested the idea of celebrating the WFD worldwide. It has since been observed every year in more than 150 countries, raising awareness of the issues behind poverty and hunger.

Since 1981, World Food Day has adopted a different theme each year in order to highlight areas needed for action and provide a common focus. FAO issued World Food Day medals each year to commemorate and promote the anniversary.

Most of the themes revolve around agriculture because only investment in agriculture – together with support for education and health – will turn this situation around. The bulk of that investment will have to come from the private sector, with public investment playing a crucial role, especially in view of its facilitating and stimulating effect on private investment.

In spite of the importance of agriculture as the driving force in the economies of many developing countries, this vital sector is frequently starved of investment. In particular, foreign aid to agriculture has shown marked declines over the past 20 years.

However, this year’s World Food Day theme is “Right to foods for a better life and a better future”.

Nevertheless, according to World Food Programme, WFP, “this year’s theme spotlights the importance of diversity, nutrition, affordability, accessibility as well as the safety and sustainability of foods, raising awareness about how a greater diversity of nutritious foods should be available in our fields, fishing nets, markets, and on our tables, for the benefit of all.”

WFP further states that “today, hunger is often worsened by frequent weather changes, economic downturns and conflicts. World Food Day 2024 looks at solutions to ensure that all people have enough adequate and regular access to diverse, safe, nutritious food, leaving no one behind.”

World Bank Release on Food Security in Nigeria

The World Bank’s recent Food Security Update Report sounds the alarm on Nigeria’s escalating food crisis, with an additional one million people plunged into severe food insecurity in 2024.

According to  World Bank, this alarming increase places Nigeria alongside Ethiopia and Yemen as countries facing significant escalations in food security challenges.

WITHIN NIGERIA findings showed that the report highlights the dire situation of Nigeria, where a complex interplay of factors has contributed to the growing crisis. Climate-induced issues, coupled with socio-political instability in various regions, have exacerbated the country’s food security woes.

The report indicated that Nigeria, alongside Ethiopia and Yemen, witnessed a significant rise in the number of people facing acute food shortages.

“Conversely, some countries saw improvements. Nations such as Afghanistan, Guatemala, and Kenya reported declines in food insecurity, with more than one million fewer people facing acute food crises, although these countries remained in significant food crisis situations.

“On the other hand, 18 countries experienced worsening situations due to factors including intensified conflict and climate-related shocks, such as droughts. Notable examples include Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Yemen, each witnessing an increase of more than one million people facing high levels of food insecurity from the previous year”, according to the report.

The report attributed Nigeria’s growing crisis to a mix of climate-induced issues and socio-political instability in various regions.

It noted, “In Nigeria, an estimated 1.6 million hectares of land have been inundated, including 342,650 hectares of cropland, affecting 685,770 vulnerable individuals. In Mali, 344,000 people were affected and 1.6 million hectares of land flooded, including nearly 500,000 hectares of cultivated land.

“Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Togo have also faced flooding, and northern and northeastern Nigeria and Ghana are experiencing dry spells, with adverse effects on crop production and thus food insecurity.

“In total, floods and droughts have affected approximately 3.5 million people, who require emergency support. It is estimated that $50m is needed to help 760,200 communities meet their basic food needs.”

Data from the report further showed that domestic food price inflation in Nigeria remained among the highest globally, with food prices increasing by 37.5% year-on-year as of August 2024.

The surge in prices had put a strain on household incomes, making it increasingly difficult for low-income families to afford basic food items.

The report called for urgent intervention to address the immediate food needs of affected populations while also focusing on long-term solutions to improve resilience against climate shocks.

The impact of environmental factors on Nigeria’s agricultural sector has been particularly devastating.

This extensive flooding has not only destroyed crops but also displaced communities, further straining the country’s food production capabilities.

While some nations like Afghanistan, Guatemala, and Kenya have seen improvements in their food security situations, Nigeria’s crisis continues to deepen.

The report attributes this to a combination of factors, including “intensified conflict and climate-related shocks, such as droughts.”

How Climate change and conflict fuel food insecurity in Nigeria

There no gainsaying the fact that Nigeria relies heavily on agriculture, with approximately two-thirds of its labour force dependent on farming or herding to make a living. Since both activities rely heavily on weather patterns like rainfall, Nigeria’s agriculture industry is very susceptible to the effects of climate change.

It is also worthy of note that Nigeria is one of the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change and natural hazards. It has experienced a variety of climate disasters, including rising temperatures, gully erosion, drought and increased flooding.

For instance, in 2022, Nigeria was hit by devastating floods that killed more than 500 people, displaced more than 1.4 million and destroyed about 90,000 homes. Analysis from the World Weather Attribution group found that climate change was likely responsible for the heavy rains that caused the flooding.

Also in September 2024, flood hit the Maiduguri, the Borno state capital and rendered thousands of hectares of crops useless.

The floods destroyed thousands of hectares of farmland, worsening the already severe food insecurity in the country. Crops were destroyed and the floods cost the agricultural sector about billions of naira in damages.

In addition, the arid regions of the northwest and northeastern parts of Nigeria are currently facing substantial challenges from drought and land degradation. Both issues have a significant impact on food security, as they result in less water being available for crops.

Violence fueling food crisis

Compounding the climate change crisis is the rise in violence orchestrated by armed groups like the Boko Haram extremist group.

Violence, armed banditry and kidnappings have affected food access across Nigeria. This violence has affected northern Nigeria in particular, where the bulk of food production occurs and 8.4 million are currently food insecure.

Boko Haram terrorists, bandits and armed herders have forced at least 78,000 farmers to abandon their farmland in Borno, Katsina, Taraba, Plateau and other northern states.

More than 2,000 Benue farmers have been displaced, according to the chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, disrupting farming activities in the affected regions.

Farmer-herder conflict

The Boko Haram insurgency is also a contributing factor in the farmer-herder conflict in the Middle Belt region, a key crop-producing area of Nigeria.

The insurgency, along with land and water scarcity, has forced nomadic herders from the north to migrate south in search of grazing lands and water for their livestock. As a result, the herders have clashed violently with local farmers over resources.

Although ethnicity and religion play a role in the conflict — many of the herders are Fulani Muslims while the farmers are Christian and from other ethnic groups — climate change is exacerbating it. Increasing temperatures and unpredictable rainfall patterns have intensified the resource competition between the two groups, leading to more disputes.

Herders have allegedly destroyed the crops of farmers and chased some of them off their land.

Over the past eight years, an estimated 6,000 Benue people have been killed and two million farmers have been displaced. The violence has largely disrupted the food supply chains between northern and southern Nigeria, as many roads are too unsafe for farmers to transport their crops.

Addressing the crisis

Nigeria is currently at a crossroads. Without taking immediate action, the number of Nigerians who are food insecure will continue to increase.

More than 5.9 million children in northwest and northeast Nigeria experienced acute malnutrition between May 2022 and April 2023. More than 1.6 million of these children suffered from severe acute malnutrition.

The government has recently made announcements regarding these issues. In May, Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s president, pledged to implement “best modern practices” to address the conflicts between farmers and herdsmen in the country.

These modern practices include building agricultural hubs to enhance productivity, guaranteeing minimal prices for certain crops and animal products, and creating storage facilities to reduce food waste.

The government should adopt a multi-faceted approach to address the food insecurity crisis. This kind of approach would integrate climate action, modern livestock and farming techniques, and security measures to mitigate the impacts climate change and violent conflict are having on Nigeria’s food insecurity.

The post Nigeria Faces Worsening Food Crisis In Decades As The World Celebrates World Food Day 2024 appeared first on WITHIN NIGERIA.

As the country commemorates its 64th anniversary, many Nigerians are dissatisfied with the degree of growth and development achieved thus far despite abundant natural and mineral resources. Some believe that the country’s population is growing geometrically, whereas physical or economic development is growing arithmetically. 

Some also argued that the country, at 64, has not fared better in the hands of those who have controlled or are still leading it because major complaints over the years, such as epileptic power supply, fuel scarcity, corporate or public corruption, and poor infrastructure, among others, persist.

However, the work of warriors who battled tirelessly for the country’s independence must not be forgotten. They believed so strongly in Nigeria’s existence and rule by Nigerians that they gave up practically everything to achieve the country’s independence.

As Nigeria commemorates its 64th anniversary, WITHIN NIGERIA spotlights notable figures/legends that helped pave the way for independence in 1960.

From Tafawa Balewa, Nigeria’s first prime minister, to Nnamdi Azikiwe, the country’s first elected president, to Obafemi Awolowo, a regional leader who believed in the ‘Nigeria’ vision, they all carved out a statue of honor for themselves as they guided Nigeria to independence.

HERBERT OLAYINKA MACAULAY

Macaulay was born on November 14th, 1864. He was a Nigerian nationalist, surveyor, and politician. Macaulay, usually regarded as the founder of Nigerian nationalism, was the grandson of Ajayi Crowther, the first African Anglican Bishop of West Africa.

According to historical records, he was a political leader who actively fought and pushed against colonial policies in Nigeria. In 1923, he established Nigeria’s first political party, the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP). Macaulay co-founded the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) with Nnamdi Azikiwe in 1944 and served as its president.

The NCNC was a patriotic group that brought together Nigerians of all backgrounds to desire independence. In 1946, Macaulay became ill in Kano and died in Lagos. He made significant contributions to Nigeria’s march to independence.

ABUBAKAR TAFAWA BALEWA

Balewa was born in December of 1912. He was a Nigerian politician who became Nigeria’s first and only prime minister after the country gained independence. He defended Northern interests and advocated for Nigerian reform and unification. 

In 1946, he was elected to the Northern House of Assembly, followed by the Legislative Council in 1947. He supported the North’s reluctance to declare independence, arguing that the north and south regions were not on equal footing.

Balewa, as prime minister, played a vital part in the continent’s early indigenous rule. He played an essential role in establishing the Organisation of African Unity and developing cooperative relationships with French-speaking African countries.

In the 1950s, he was actively involved in the fight for indigenous authority and constitutional change, which eventually resulted in independence in 1960.

OBAFEMI JEREMIAH AWOLOWO

Awolowo was born on March 6, 1909. He was a Nigerian nationalist, lawyer, and politician who was instrumental in Nigeria’s independence campaign from 1957 to 1960.

He formed the Yoruba nationalist group Egbe Omo Oduduwa and served as the first Leader of Government Business, Minister of Local Government and Finance, and Premier of Nigeria’s Western Region under the legislative system from 1952 to 1959. From 1959 until 1963, he was the official opposition leader in the federal parliament under the Balewa regime.

Awolowo also penned the Influential Path to Nigerian Freedom (1947), in which he argued for the importance of a federal form of government in an independent Nigeria to protect the interests of each ethnic nationality and region while also establishing a long-term basis for Nigerian unity. As leader of the Action Group, he spearheaded calls for a federal constitution, which were included in the 1954 Lyttleton Constitution.

The Action Group (AG) was a Nigerian nationalist political party established in Ibadan on 21 March 1951, by Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

NNAMDI BENJAMIN AZIKIWE

Azikiwe was born on the 16th of November, 1904. He was a Nigerian politician and revolutionary leader who served as Nigeria’s third and first black governor general from 1960 to 1963. He was also Nigeria’s first president during the First Nigerian Republic, which lasted from 1963 to 1966.

He is widely considered as the father of Nigerian nationalism, as well as one of the primary motivators for the country’s independence in 1960. He was instrumental in promoting nationalist emotions through his writings and speeches. He promoted nationalism and a pro-African ideology through his newspaper chain, the West African Pilot being the first.

Before completely entering politics, Azikiwe joined the Nigerian Youth Movement and was an active member of the country’s first nationalist group. 

Following his resignation from the NYM, he co-founded the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), a political party that advocated for independence and self-government. In 1996, he died in Enugu at the age of 91.

AHMADU IBRAHIM BELLO

Bello was born on the 12th of June 1910. He was well-known as Sardauna of Sokoto. He was a conservative Nigerian statesman who was one of the main northern politicians in 1960, serving as the region’s first Premier. 

He was a leader of the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC). He led the party to a majority win in the 1959 pre-independence parliamentary elections. He was a formidable force behind the throne and widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most influential men.

The historic 1959 general election, which effectively ushered in Nigeria’s independence in 1960, saw the NPC under Bello form an alliance with the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), led by Nnamdi Azikiwe. 

Bello elected to remain the Premier of Northern Nigeria and has always wanted to be among his people in the north. His tenure ended in January 1966, when he was slain by Chukwuma Nzeogwu in a coup that overthrew Nigeria’s post-independence administration.

ANTHONY EROMOSELE ENAHORO

Enahoro was born on July 22nd, 1923. He was one of Nigeria’s most prominent anti-colonial and pro-democracy activists.

Anthony Enahoro initiated the self-government proposal in the Western House of Assembly in 1953, which led to Nigeria’s independence on October 1, 1960. In 1953, at the age of 30, he introduced a motion for Nigerian independence.

He also followed through by serving as a delegate to the majority of the constitutional discussions that led to Nigeria’s independence, despite ongoing pressure from other activists and nationalists. In December 2012, he died in Benin City at the age of 87.

ERNEST OKOLI

Okoli was the Daily Times’ first editor, devoting his skills and efforts to the independence cause. He was a pioneering figure in Nigerian solution journalism.

The findings revealed that Okoli co-founded the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) in 1934 to campaign for self-government and independence from British colonial control.

Okoli’s New Nigeria Movement emphasized Nigerian welfare and self-rule. With its ardent independence activities, the political group played an important part in Nigeria’s nationalist movement.

In his writings, he highlighted the problems that Nigerians suffered under colonial authority and advocated for changes and independence. He died in 1960.

FUNMILAYO RANSOME-KUTI

Funmilayo was born on October 25, 1900 in Abeokuta, which is now the capital of Ogun state. She was a Nigerian feminist and political activist who was the primary campaigner for women’s rights in her country throughout the first part of the twentieth century.

After being dismissed from the Council of Nigeria and Cameroons, Ransome-Kuti founded the Commoner’s People’s Party in 1959 to oppose the colonial rule.

She led the movement for extending the right to vote to women while also championing Nigeria’s independence, which arrived in 1960.

The post October 1: Meet Key Heroes Who Led Nigeria to Independence. appeared first on WITHIN NIGERIA.

The protest, also themed #FearlessInOctober, will hold, according to Omoyele Sowore, a Nigerian activist and former presidential aspirant, despite the deployment of police officers at strategic locations in different states.

According to Sowore, he and other Nigerians are prepared to come out to protest peacefully. Sowore, who listed several demands, said that the current government has inflicted severe challenges of hunger, insecurity, and economic hardship on Nigerians.

He calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all individuals detained during previous protests, as well as the liberation of all political prisoners in Nigeria ahead of the #FearlessInOctober mass protest.

Sowore also demanded from the President Bola Tinubu-led administration the urgent need to revamp the economy, create jobs, guarantee security, and enact constitutional reforms. He stressed that the suffering of the Nigerian populace is a direct consequence of what he described as insensitive government policies.

Sowore also demanded the release of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the implementation of a living wage for Nigerian workers, and the reversal of the subsidy removal policy that adversely affects the masses, among other demands.

National Coordinator Speaks

The National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, a key figure in the #EndBadGovernance protest and the forthcoming October 1st protest, told *Within Nigeria* that the October protest is a continuation of the protest held in August, but with increased demands.

According to him, Nigeria has become worse since the end of the 10-day protest in August, and there is enough reason for Nigerians to join the nationwide protests, which he said is an effort to “defend their rights to life.”

“No one should be arrested for exercising their constitutional right, but if we get to the situation where journalists have to wear bulletproof vests and helmets as if going to war, and protesters are not sure of sleeping in their homes because they simply want to exercise their constitutional right, that tells you something. We are in a difficult time,” Sanyaolu noted.

He emphasized that the TIB is working with lawyers to secure the release of protesters arrested during the August 10-day #EndBadGovernance protest.

How To Stay Safe During Protests

As police officers have been deployed to different strategic points to strengthen security across various states, it is essential always to ensure your safety.

While joining the nationwide protests, make sure to communicate with a friend or close relative about your whereabouts at all times. If needed, switch on your location to allow proper monitoring from relatives and friends.

Also, we advise Nigerians to maintain peace and avoid the destruction of properties. Take enough water, wear comfortable shoes, and do not walk alone.

The post OCTOBER 1ST PROTEST: What Nigerians Should Expect appeared first on WITHIN NIGERIA.

Few months to the end of year 2024, some events in the month of September have remained indelible in the minds of Nigerians and gone a long way in shaping not only the month but the future and aspirations of many Nigerians.

For millions of Nigerians, September 2024 is another month full of frustrations, deception and an alleged federal government display of insensitivity towards the citizenry.

By and large, on September 3, 2024, Nigerians woke up to discover that they were no longer buying premium motor spirit, PMS popularly known as petrol at their former price.

To the chagrin of millions of Nigerian, the retail arm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company has announced an increase in the price of premium motor spirit (petrol) from N617/litre to N897/liter with effective from that day.

Surprisingly, this was coming barely 48 hours of  Dangote refinery’s plan to distribute its petrol in Nigeria’s market. WITHIN NIGERIA findings showed that most retail stations of the NNPC adjusted to the new price of between N855 to N897/litre that September 3.

Our reporter also gathered that Aliko Dangote, the chairman of Dangote Group has earlier announced that the refined petrol from the refinery will be distributed in the Nigerian market in less than 48 hours.

He had further explained that the refinery has enough capacity to satisfy the petrol demand of not just Nigeria, but the entire sub-Saharan region of Africa.

Investigations also revealed that the fuel price is being increased for the third time since the commencement of President Tinubu-led administration in 2023.

President Tinubu, upon assumption of office in May 2023 announced the removal of fuel subsidy, which led to the increase in transportation, and hardship for many Nigerians, as the prices of goods and services increased significantly.

Following the President’s announcement, fuel price jumped from N197 to between N480 and N570. Also in July 2023, the petrol price was again increased to N617/litre at various outlets of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), while independent marketers sold the products for as high as N800/ litre.

The latest review however follows the recent revelation made by the NNPCL, stating that the cost of supplying petrol was putting financial strain on the company. This it said poses a threat to the sustainability of fuel supply in the country.

As Nigerians seemed to be lost on how to grapple with the latest price hike, on September 16, 2024, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, (NNPC Ltd)  announced new fuel pump  prices nationwide.

This is after it lifted the first batch of fuel from the 650,000 barrel per day capacity  from Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical at Free Zone, Lekki, Lagos that was built with about $20bn.

Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd, Olufemi Soneye, revealed this in a statement titled: “NNPC Ltd Releases Estimated Pump Prices of PMS from Dangote Refinery, Based on September 2024 Pricing.”

According to the template, fuel pump price in NNPC Ltd stations in Lagos State is N950.22; Oyo, N960.22; Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, N992.22; Rivers, N980.22; Sokoto, N999.22; Kano, N999.22, Kaduna, N999.22; and Borno State, N1,019.22.

Soneye said: “The NNPC Ltd has released estimated prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as Petrol (obtained from the Dangote Refinery) in its retail stations across the country.

“The NNPC Ltd also wishes to state that, in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), PMS prices are not set by the Government, but negotiated directly between parties on an arms length.

“The NNPC Ltd can confirm that it is paying Dangote Refinery in USD for September 2024 PMS offtake, as Naira transactions will only commence on October 1st, 2024.

“The NNPC Ltd assures that if the quoted pricing is disputed, it will be grateful for any discount from the Dangote Refinery, which will be passed on 100% to the general public.

“Attached to this statement are the estimated pump prices of PMS (obtained from the Dangote Refinery) across NNPC Retail Stations in the country, based on September 2024 pricing.”

However, according to the new prices, it showed thus; Lagos State, N950.22; Oyo, N960.22; Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, N992.22; Rivers, N980.22; Sokoto, N999.22; Kano, N999.22; Kaduna, N999.22; Borno State, N1,019.22.

Expectedly, with the new pump price of fuel, prices of goods in the market also jumped astronomically.

The 2024 Edo guber polls

The 2024 Edo State gubernatorial election took place on Saturday, 21 September 2024, to elect the governor and deputy governor of Edo State in their joint ticket.

Nevertheless, the incumbent PDP governor, Godwin Obaseki, was ineligible to contest for re-election, having already served two terms as allowed by the constitution of Nigeria.

He won his first tenure under the platform of All Progressives Party, APC but later decamped to Peoples Democratic Party, PDP during the 2020 election.

Political analysts have continued to see the 2024 Edo guber election as one of the most fiercely contested guber elections in Nigeria in recent times.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, a serving Senator was declared the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on 22 September 2024.

Sen. Okpebholo won with a total of 291,667 votes, defeating the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes, and the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Olumide Akpata, who came a far distant third with 22,763 votes.

Godwin Obaseki of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was term-limited and ineligible to run for re-election in 2024. His tenure was marked by a shift from the APC to the PDP, and his exit from the political scene in Edo State paved the way for a highly contested election.

The 2024 election was seen as a three-horse race among the APC, PDP, and LP.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the results on 22 September 2024. Senator Monday Okpebholo of the APC won the election, securing victory in 11 of the state’s 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs), including key areas like Etsako West, Akoko Edo, and Oredo. PDP’s Asue Ighodalo won in seven LGAs, while Labour Party candidate Olumide Akpata did not win in any LGA.

PDP Primaries

The PDP primary was held on 22 February 2024, with lawyer and businessman Asue Ighodalo emerging as the party’s candidate after securing 99.83% of the vote. The primary was relatively smooth, despite a parallel primary that attempted to nominate the incumbent deputy governor, Philip Shaibu.

APC Primaries

The APC primary produced Senator Monday Okpebholo as its candidate. Okpebholo, a senator representing Edo North, ran on a platform to continue the developmental projects initiated by former governor Adams Oshiomhole.

Labour Party Primaries

On February 23, 2024, the Labour Party held its own primaries at Benin city.

However, the former President of Nigeria Bar Association, NBA Mr.  Olumide  Akpata scored 316 votes to win the LP governorship primary election in Benin City, Edo State, that Friday.

The Deputy Governor of Abia State Ikechukwu Emeta, who was the chief returning officer for the election, declared Mr Akpata as the winner of the election.

This is the first time the former NBA president is actively involved in politics, having joined the LP in August last year.

In his speech while joining the Labour Party in August, Mr. Akpata said that“I decided to take the plunge and to try to be part of the solution rather than agonising continually over the problem (of Nigeria),”

He said on Friday that winning the LP ticket is a “heavyweight” on his shoulder.

“LP is a people-centric party… The expectations are high on the part of the people,” he said.

Controversies trailing the election

Like every other off season election in Nigeria, the Edo 2024 gubernatorial election was not without controversy, as PDP and Governor Obaseki alleged electoral malpractices, accusing INEC of favoring the APC. The PDP also raised concerns about arrests of its members during the lead-up to the election, and some protests occurred at the collation center.

In the meantime, both PDP and LP have rejected the result of the election, calling it a charade.

The acting national chairman of the PDP, Ambassador Umar Damagum, in a broadcast, at the Wadata Plaza national headquarters of the party on Monday, said the results declared by INEC did not reflect the true picture of the election saying Edo people voted for Ighodalo.

Damagum said the election did not meet the 2022 Electoral Act and INEC guidelines in accordance with the state election. He described the election as an assault on the democratic rights of Edo people, adding that the party will embrace legal means to retrieve its ‘stolen’ mandate.

The Labour Party caucus in the House of Representatives has rejected the results of the election.

Speaking to reporters at the National Assembly Complex on Wednesday, House Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi denounced the exercise and said that the party’s candidate was rigged out on behalf of the other thirty-two members elected on the LP platform.

He said, “The Labour Party presented the best candidate in the election, who was brazenly rigged out of the process. Our candidate, Olumide Akpata, a renowned legal professional and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, garnered significant support from the electorate but enemies of democracy thwarted his efforts and excellent standing in the election.

“It is on record that our leader and presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, campaigned vigorously for our gubernatorial candidate in every nook and cranny of the state.

“Of course, the whole world witnessed the massive crowd that the Obedient Movement pulled wherever he went during the campaign yet; Chief Akpata was allocated paltry votes in a state where LP just about a year and seven months ago, had one Senator and two House members. This is very grateful to the perpetrators of this crime.

“We are deeply concerned over the irregularities and alleged malpractices that marred the electoral process ranging from vote buying by the so-called big parties, intimidation of voters, mass thumb printing of ballot papers and pre-writing and alteration of election results, among others.”

Ozodinobi faulted INEC officials including security operatives for the alleged election rigging.

The post Fuel price hike, Edo guber election: Events that shaped September 2024 appeared first on WITHIN NIGERIA.