The Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) has decried how some individuals and groups are laying the groundwork for insurrection under the cover of a peaceful protest. In a statement signed by its Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju, the policy analyst group noted that although protests are acceptable in a democracy, no government will tolerate a call to anarchy, riots, disturbance of public peace, purposeful violence, and destruction of private or public property. The Policy Group counselled that a peaceful protest is often organised, orderly, and non-violent. It is supposed to be orderly, a situation where protesters are not expected to go…
Author: Michael Chibuzo
President Bola Tinubu has allayed fears of manipulation by any interest group in the ongoing economic reforms, saying his campaign was self-sponsored, without strings, or indebtedness to any individual or institution. The President, who received a delegation of Islamic leaders led by Sheikh Bala Lau, at the State House on Thursday, said his victory at the polls was purely by divine intervention, careful planning, and diligence in getting support from Nigerians. “I have no cabal. I have no sponsors. The money I spent on the elections was my personal fortune. At some point, the odds were against me; banks were…
By Dada Olusegun Protests are an inalienable right of every citizen in a democratic setting. Nigeria, being the largest democracy in Africa, can not be an exception. As a matter of fact, section 40 of the Nigerian constitution guarantees the right to PEACEFUL assembly and association. Section 39 of the constitution also guarantees the right to freedom of expression and the press. It is therefore normal for a citizen or group of citizens to assemble PEACEFULLY while also exercising their right to freedom of expression on anything happening in their country that they wish to talk about or voice out…
President Bola Tinubu has signed into law bills to accelerate development across geo-political zones in the country. The President on Wednesday assented to the North-West Development Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2024, and the South-East Development Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2023. According to the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the North-West Development Commission is set up to facilitate the reconstruction of roads, houses, and business premises destroyed by multidimensional crisis, as well as tackle poverty, literacy level, ecological problems, and any other related environmental or development challenges in North-West states. In addition, the South-East Development Commission is…
The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewaure II, has appealed to the Nigerians especially the youths to give the federal government enough time to implement its economic policies. The Oba of Benin made this appeal following plans by some Nigerians to carry out a ten-day nationwide protest which they have slated to commence on August 1, 2024. In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Osaigbovo Iguobaro, the Oba appealed to aggrieved Nigerians to give the Federal Government enough time to implement its economic policies which are expected to alleviate the present hardship. Oba Ewaure II noted that for…
The Senate has amended the 2023 Finance Act after passing the Finance Act 2023 Amendment Bill sent to the upper chamber by the President. As part of the amendments, the Senate has now imposed a one-time windfall tax on banks for foreign exchange (forex) gains. The Senate passed the bill on Tuesday after the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Sani Musa (Niger East) presented the committee’s report. Senator Musa said that the windfall tax is not meant to be paid by banks to their shareholders as dividends. He said that the bill provides that any bank that withholds…
Nigeria’s foreign reserves has hit $37.05 billion after increasing by $2.35 billion within a period of 18 days. This was made known on Tuesday by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Yemi Cardoso, at a press briefing at the end of the 296th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in Abuja. The CBN Governor noted that the external reserves rose from $34.70 billion as at the end of June 2024 to $37.05 billion. “As of July 18, 2024, external reserves stood at US$37.05 billion, compared with US$34.70 billion as of June 2024. This represents eleven (11) months of…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has hit back at the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections and former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi over his latest statement on Nigeria’s economic situation. The APC in a press statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka, Esq. described Mr. Peter Obi as a loquacious and disruptive backseat driver. The APC Spokesman, said that Mr. Peter Obi has continued, unabashedly, to showcase his obsessive devotion to self promotion against the best interest of Nigeria. “Mr. Obi’s latest statement on the country’s economic situation…
The ranks of the Labour Party has continued to deplete with latest defection of the Senator representing Imo East Senatorial District, Francis Ezenwa. Senator Ezenwa on Tuesday dumped the Labour Party for the All Progressives Congress. His defection was announced by the Senate Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, during the plenary. In his defection letter, Onyewuchi cited the crisis within the LP as the reason for his defection. Senator Ezenwa after his defection was welcomed by APC lawmakers and was escorted to his new seat in the APC section of the Senate Chamber. Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma who is also…
The senate has passed the new minimum wage bill that sought to enact N70,000 as the new national minimum wage among other provisions. The bill was sent to the national assembly by President Bola Tinubu after last week’s meeting with the organised labour where he announced N70,000 as the new national minimum wage. The bill was first read by the Senate President and passed first reading, which paved the way for the second reading where the lawmaker debated on the general principles of the bill. Thereafter the senators passed the bill to be read for the third time. Upon the…