Landmark

The BenKalu Intellectuals Network (BIN), a think tank of young intellectuals, has launched a nationwide campaign to de-escalate the growing feeling of disunity, hatred, and animosity in the country. In a statement signed by its intellectual leader, Comrade Benedict Aguele, the group expressed commitment to building honest and patriotic leaders based on the philosophy of its mentor, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu. While admitting that frustrations are high, and emotions are running deep due to the economic hardship, Aguele added that protests and violence are not the solution.  The group, therefore, said it is committed to supporting the laudable reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration which are geared towards building a more prosperous and equitable society. The BenKalu Network said it has met with over 1,000 groups in the last one week and all have assured that it will not protest against the administration. Aguele s...

Barely few hours to the planned nationwide hunger protest, a former federal lawmaker in Rivers State, Senator Magnus Abe, yesterday said it would be most unfair to blame the nation's collective woes on the actions of one government that is barely two years in office. Senator Abe in a statement who expressed doubts that the protest would be peaceful, added that the protest would disrupt economic activities and make a difficult situation, even for hard working Nigerians who are already suffering so much. He said the proposed protest is totally unacceptable and unhelpful, stating that he had seen a lot of hate speech against the Tinubu government circulating online to justify the planned protest. He said President Bola Tinubu’s administration is making concerted efforts to solve the myriads of challenges confronting the nation. The statement reads "I am not silent on the planned protest. I do not believe in it and I don’t believe it will achieve much. Even if it is peaceful which...

The Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has charged Lagos residents to acquire waste bins for domestic storage of waste, to promote a clean home and sustainable environment. He gave the charge at LAWMA headquarters, Ijora Olopa, on Tuesday, during the demonstration of evacuation of LAWMA smart bins, by waste evacuation trucks. Gbadegesin stated  that the introduction of the smart bins in the state’s waste management system, was a game changer, as it would quicken the process of waste collection by assigned PSP operators. He said, “The smart bin has added features that improves the functionality. For example, this smart bin has a RFID chain that will enable us to know when it is emptied by the PSP operators. With this bin, we are able to know if they are working, so that we can use that to monitor and assess their performance”.  "The smart bin is geolocated to a specific residence. That means when you buy the smart bin, ...

The Federal Government of Nigeria led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has finally listened to the advice of Nigerian prophet, Primate Elijah Ayodele regarding the reduction of hardship in the country. Primate Ayodele who warned Nigerians that the All Progressive Congress (APC) would cause Nigeria to sink made it known months ago that the only way Nigeria can end hardship is by subsidizing the price of food items in the country. The prophet, to show the government how to do it right, launched a palliative market initiative where prices of food materials were ridiculously crashed. So far, Primate Ayodele has held five different editions in Lagos, Ogun and Ekiti states to support the government and to let them know that what he advised them to do is possible. At different editions of the Palliative Markets, Primate Ayodele sold bags of rice for as low as N10,000, beans for the same price, cartons of noodles for N1,000, litres of groundnut oil for N2,000, bags of garri, crates of eggs, tube...

The Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 General Elections, Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran (JANDOR) has welcomed Mr. Funso Doherty, the former gubernatorial candidate of the Action Democratic Congress (ADC) to the  PDP. Mr. Funso Doherty yesterday announced his defection from the ADC to the PDP.  Dr. Adediran described the defection of Mr. Doherty as a welcome development and a reflection of the readiness of all well meaning Lagosians to come together to rescue Lagos state from the grip of the corrupt and clueless ruling party.  These were contained in a statement signed by Mr Gbenga Ogunleye, the Spokesperson of Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran. He stated that Mr. Funso Doherty will not be the last to join the Lagos PDP for the actualization of the mission to offer a breath of fresh air in governance in 2027, that many more chieftains of other political parties including the APC and key opinion leaders across the state will declare f...

The Southern Youth Coess (SYC) has praised Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for delivering on the N100 million reward for the killing of wanted cult leader Gift Okpara, also known as 2Baba. Okpara and his gang members were responsible for the murder of Divisional Police Officer, Superintendent Bako Angbashin, in the Oduemude area of the state. In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its co-chairmen, Comrade Jack Okpobiri Ofili, Dr. Oluwasanmi Ayoola, and Chief Mbanefo Okoye, the forum commended Governor Fubara's integrity in fulfilling the pledge and his consistent support for security operatives in the state. SYC stated that Governor Fubara has restored public confidence in the police as well as building the capacity of the force to fight crime. The group urged other public officials to follow Governor Fubara's example by honouring their pledges to security agencies, as this will serve as motivation for them to carry out their duties effectively. "The South...

After careful consideration and deliberation in Lagos, some tech entrepreneurs said they have decided to withdraw from the proposed August 1 nationwide protest. Despite the current economic hardship affecting even the tech ecosystem, the Nigerian Tech Community (NTC) believes that protests do not provide solutions to the nation's challenges. A statement signed by its President-General, Benedict Aguele, said the EVC/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Dr Aminu Maida was instrumental in this turnaround.  Moreover, Aguele expressed concerns that protests of this magnitude could be funded by foreign interests, which would have far-reaching implications for the tech world. "The tech community is aware of the difficulties faced by Nigerians, but we also recognise that protests can disrupt the fragile economic progress made so far," he said.  "We cannot afford to compromise the stability of our nation, especially when it comes to the tech sector, which is a ...

Over one million youths under the aegis of Northern Christian Youths have expressed their disapproval of the planned protest scheduled for August 1st to 10th across the country. In a statement signed by Rev. Samson Job, the leader of the coalition of Christian youth groups, hinged their decision not to participate in the protest because of the president's critical appointments from the country's middle belt region. "President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, since assumption of office, has demonstrated an unalloyed commitment to addressing the socioeconomic challenges in the country. The president has made critical appointments as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, as well as the Chief of Defence Staff, among others from northern Christians, which is unprecedented." The group posited that its refusal to be a part of the planned protest is a sign of appreciation for the recognition the president had accorded northern Christians by the quality of their positions in th...

About 10,000 Arewa youth groups have withdrawn from the planned August 1 protest after the intervention of Hon. Abubakar Bichi, a respected member of the House of Representatives and chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations. In a statement co-signed by Mallam Abdullahi Muazu and Pastor Kyune Bibi, the groups said they would instead hold prayers in mosques and churches across the 19 northern states. The group believes that protests often lead to violence and destruction, which can hinder the progress of the north hence their decision to seek divine guidance and wisdom for the country's leaders. According to the statement, Hon. Bichi's support for President Bola Tinubu's administration was instrumental in this decision. "Hon. Bichi has shown that there are leaders who genuinely care about the welfare of their people, his efforts have inspired us to adopt a more constructive approach, focusing on prayer and dialogue to address our challenges," the groups sai...

The Energy Transparency Initiative (ETI) has disowned a statement made by individuals claiming to be its representatives, criticizing Hon. Philip Agbese, the Deputy Spokesperson of the Federal House of Representatives. The group's President and Secretary, Francis Nedu and Ismaila Bello in a joint statement, revealed that the persons were expelled long ago due to fraudulent activities and other abuses that contravened the group's objectives. "We are shocked and dismayed that these individuals would continue to impersonate ETI and make statements that do not reflect our values and mission," the statement read. "Their actions are a clear attempt to blackmail and extort money from innocent parties, and we condemn their behaviour in the strongest terms. "The leadership of ETI is aware that some government agencies have released as huge as $500,000 to the impostors to blackmail Hon. Philip Agbese and other National Assembly members who want sanity in the oil and g...

As Lagos State Government intensifies its monthly sanitation awareness programme, it has hinted of plans to introduce smart waste bins for every tenement in the state. This statement was made by the Special Adviser on Environment, Mr Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu when he led other state officials during the ongoing weekly sanitation awareness and cleaning exercise held at Ajeromi Local Government adding that indiscriminate Waste disposal is a major contributor to prevalence of communicable diseases. Akodu who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Mr. Gaji Omobolaji and Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services Engr Mahamood Adegbite said the issue of a cleaner environment is a serious issue that requires the collective effort of Government and the Citizens. Akodu said the Smart Bin had become neccesary to monitor the activities of PSP operators as well as the refuse disposal rate of Lagosians, appealing to residents and market leaders in the area ...

In continuation of the community sanitation and advocacy campaign recently kicked off by the state government, LAWMA Academy interns, the 34th set, also known as Team Eco Resilience, on Wednesday, sensitised residents of Otto Community, Lagos Mainland, on the need to imbibe proper waste management. Speaking at the event, the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, represented by the Executive Director, Mr. Kunle Adebiyi, told residents to make personal hygiene and proper waste management, a way of life.  He said the task of ensuring a clean environment was not LAWMA’s alone, but a collective responsibility, adding that residents should get covered bins for disposal of their waste, to avoid the spread of diseases.  Gbadegesin also invited interested youths in Otto community, to register as interns at LAWMA Academy, noting that, "When graduate youths from the community register as interns, they can spread awareness about what they have learned. Various opportuniti...

The Labour Party National Transition Committee (NTC) has issued a public disclaimer, exposing Julius Abure's fraudulent court victory and warning of electoral doom for party aspirants who participate in his congresses and primaries. According to the NTC, Abure's court case was a "Nollywood drama" staged with his proxy friend, Lawrence Erewele, to procure a favorable judgment from an unsuspecting judge, Justice J.K. Omotosho. The NTC claims that Abure deliberately excluded the Labour Party NTC from the suit to ensure an uncontested victory. The NTC points out that Justice Omotosho's ruling explicitly stated that the court lacked jurisdiction over the internal party matter and dismissed the case. The NTC argues that this dismissal means the case never had legal standing, rendering Abure's celebration of victory baseless. The NTC alleges that Abure's motive was to use the court judgment as a cover to conduct lucrative congresses and elections across Nigeria, ...

About three thousand youths drawn across different frontiers in gathered together to participate at the weekend for the inaugural Youth Convention at the SCOAN'S headquarters Ikotun-Egbe Lagos under the auspices of TBJoshua Foundation. With the theme: "Legacy of purpose - investing in a life that outlives us", the convention also drew various experts from different professions to educate and inspire the youths for laudable lifestyles and greater heights.   Declaring the convention open, SCOAN leader, Pastor Evelyn Joshua stated that youths are the future leaders and it's too dangerous not to properly guide the youths in the right paths of life that would engender impactful and purposeful life in the society. In an age when the youths are facing critical challenges including the miasma of distorted souls where the ethical, social and cultural foundations are being gradually destroyed, Pastor Evelyn Joshua admonished the youths to open their hearts for the transformativ...

By Samson Oche Zamfara state is in the news again. Accusations are flying around, and fingers are pointing in different directions with regard to the immediate and remote causes of banditry that almost crippled the state. Undoubtedly, the state government is pointing accusing fingers at the immediate past governor of the state and current minister of state for Defence, Bello Matawalle. This is expected because politics is a game for only those with balls. However, there is a lot at play in the state that the general public is unaware of. To start with, I have my suspicions. My suspicion arose from the ferocity of the attacks on the personality of the former governor and to think that a notorious bandit leader had joined the fray, echoing the position of the Zamfara state government. This is indeed comical. Wonders shall never end in Nigeria. There is a challenge in the Zamfara state imbroglio, and it started almost immediately after the new governor was sworn into office. The former go...

By Usman Garuba Every individual is a thread in the tapestry of creation, yet some unique individuals stand outside of the weave, directing the thread and painting pictures that become reality. Professor Joseph Utsev, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, fits into this rare illustration. A former commissioner of water resources and environment in Benue State, Professor Utsev has carved a niche for himself as a water engineer. Undoubtedly, one of the brightest but self-effacing skilled professionals in the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, Professor Utsev covets neither paeans nor rhapsodies for his unwavering commitment towards the actualization of the current administration's Renewed Hope Agenda in the water, sanitation, and hygiene sector. Before he assumed office, the ministry was barely struggling to achieve just a fraction of its core mandate. Already, there was perennial water scarcity across the country, especially in the northern region. Similarly, the ...

About 1,000 youth groups in Benue State have decided to cancel the proposed nationwide strike scheduled for August 1.  The Benue Youth Good Governance Movement (BYGGM), Benue Advancement Forum (BAF) and Benue Pro-Active Network (BPN) in a joint statement said this followed careful consideration and intervention by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev. The statement co-signed by Comrade Abajih Terhide Gabriel and Oche Daniel Itodo expressed concern over the security situation in Benue, as the state is currently volatile and prone to violence. The groups said that they do not want to exacerbate the situation with a rally that could lead to unrest and further destabilization. The youths also pledged to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu and his administration, adding that his leadership has the potential to bring about positive change in Nigeria. "We have been monitoring the situation closely, and we believe that a strike wo...

France’s high-speed train lines were targeted by multiple “malicious” acts including arson on Friday, in what has been described as “an attack on France” and “coordinated sabotage” to disrupt travel ahead of the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. The French state railway company SNCF said in a post on X that “a large number of trains were diverted or canceled,” and asked “all travelers who can to postpone their trip and not go to the station.” By Friday afternoon its services had partially resumed though widespread disruption continued. The operator said the Atlantic, Northern and Eastern high-speed lines were impacted, with damage caused to several of its facilities, adding that one of the acts was “foiled” in the east after SNCF agents scared off several individuals. The Atlantic line services the west and southwest of France from Paris, the Northern line takes travelers from the French capital to Lille and the Eastern line journeys from Paris to Strasbourg. This is in fulfillme...

By John Peters The affirmative impacts of the water value chain on the entire universe and global communities cannot be overstressed. Many logicians support the aphorism "water is life" because human existence in every ramification relies on the availability of the water value chain. The entire universe cannot function for a second without H2O; thus, water is the air we breathe. It shelters us, and machines cannot be made without water. Every living and non-living thing begins and ends with water. Subsequently, "water is indeed life." Life without water is meaningless. Thanks to the late Afro-beat artist Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who praised the neutrality of water in one of his albums. Though many may interpret Fela's song on water as having no time to keep enmity, if he were alive today, I would have given him accolades for praising water's neutral stance. Fela anchored that water has no enemy, as even adversaries cannot do without water. Besides, the Bible des...

The Socio-Economic and Human Rights Campaigners Network (S-EHRCN) has applauded the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Terlumun Utsev, for his pragmatic leadership and innovations in river basins. Since assuming office, the group said Professor Utsev's exceptional leadership has improved the 12 Lower Benue River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs). A statement signed by its Executive Director, Rotimi Babatunde, said the Minister started his assignment by introducing creative ways and means of reviving the ailing irrigation schemes in the country. Alongside partial commercialisation to make the RBDAs self-sustaining, Babatunde said Utsev established a monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress and identify areas for improvement. "The Minister toured the river basin development authorities to assess their viability and areas that need improvement," Babatunde added.  "He pledged to reward the best-performing managing director to encourage...