The Police Anti-Kidnapping Operatives in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja have reportedly engaged in gun battle with suspected kidnappers, killing one of them while others escaped with wounds.
Information had it today, August 5, said that the criminal was killed when operatives of the squad responded to a distress call on operation of a kidnapping gang, along Kabi Mangoro axis.
A police source confirmed that the attackers were repelled, and eventually the officers subdued one of them after a heavy gun battle.
“We successfully repelled them, killing one of the suspects. But the other members of the gang escaped with bullet wounds.”
A Nigerian human rights and international law expert, Adeola Austin Oyinlade, has been declared the 2021 American Bar Association (ABA) International Human Rights of the Year Laureate by American Bar Association (ABA). The award event took place virtually today, August 5, at the ongoing annual meeting of the association in Chicago, United States of America.
A statement by the ABA President, Patricia Lee Refo, said that Oyinlade has “advanced solutions to human rights issues across Africa, including the South Sudan political crisis, the Central African Republic crisis, the Congo Democratic Republic armed conflict and Libyan peace talks.” She praised his contribution to the African Union on the implementation of the African Youth Charter. This was even as Jinny Choi, on behalf of the Association said that the award was being presented to Adeola Oyinlade in recognition of his exceptional commitment and contribution to the advancement of human rights in Nigeria. While accepting this year’s American Bar Association International Human Rights Award, Oyinlade thanked the American bar and everyone involved in his recognition. “I am sincerely humbled by this recognition, particularly honouring my human rights work that has arrested my heart, soul and tireless efforts for over a decade in my home country, Nigeria. “In the last 13 years, I have seen that all I needed to contribute to expanding the frontiers of human rights was courage. It is by courage that speaking truth to power and standing for the oppressed can keep hope alive. Courage that super power that we all have but only few decide to use. It is only courage that can make one believe in a vision when it appears that one is alone. It can only take courage to fight injustice even in the face of danger. Only the courageous act when others look away. Mine is a journey of standing for human rights, offering pro-bono legal services to the poor, pioneering new ideas and developing new methods for human rights empowerment to help prevent destabilization of societies and for non-violent interrelation in Nigeria.” Oyinlade recognized the importance and impacts made by several human rights activists both alive and late in Nigeria. “Today, I recognize the human rights community in Nigeria, particularly those who use the instrumentality of laws for justice, those on the streets and virtually championing the cause of human rights and justice in Nigeria. They are our heroes and I dedicate this honour to you all.” He charged lawyers to play more roles in advancing human rights across the globe, adding: “just like I emphasized in Rome, Italy in October 2018 when I was receiving the IBA Human Rights Lawyer of the Year Award, the world is looking up to we lawyers in using our legal expertise as tools of problem-solving. The world, more than before, needs our collective efforts to sustain peace and ensure inclusive sustainable development and respect for human rights for all. “Let us remain courageous individuals and groups committed to shining the light on the dark corners of the globe, whenever human rights violations occur.”
In October 2018 in Rome, Italy, the world body of Lawyers, International Bar Association (IBA), named Adeola Oyinlade the IBA Human Rights Lawyer of the year for his outstanding contribution as a Legal Practitioner to human rights advancement.
This is the second time the Nigerian lawyer, who doubles as the Principal Partner of Adeola Oyinlade & Co; a law firm based in Lagos and founder of Constitutional Rights Awareness and Liberty Initiative (CRALI) would by recognized by global legal professional community for his human rights work in three years.
Oyinlade, a member of the National Committee against Torture (NCAT) pioneered and unveiled the first ever human rights empowerment app in multiple languages called “Know Your Rights Nigeria’ in 2016 in order to reach more people and break barriers posed by language and location. On the “Know Your Rights Nigeria” app, there is an option to chat with the lawyer and his team of 50 lawyers on human rights issues daily and they respond to all inquiries and follow up on complaints. Users of the app report abuse of rights anonymously, and even choose to access the content in English or Pidgin (widely spoken in West and Central Africa), and in major local languages like Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba spoken by over 100 million people in Nigeria with over 280,000 issues responded to on all the organization’s platforms over the years.
His simplifying of rights and safeguards to the understanding of the ordinary people on the streets, thereby making it accessible in languages of choice for users with mere tap of buttons in the palms, has proved effective for its free access, speedy dissemination of information and free legal support with thousands of people empowered. His rights empowerment app in major local languages has made a real difference for the situation of women and the poor as the platform which people use to report abuse has been instrumental in uncovering systemic violations of rights in Nigeria.
In 2019, Oyinlade was engaged by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, a German foundation promoting democracy in Nigeria to train some senior government officials nationwide on human rights and social justice. Aside inspiring university students within and outside Nigeria on human rights and public interest careers, he has set up a training unit for young lawyers and volunteers to enhance the quality of the empowerment offered locally to victims of human rights abuse in Nigeria.
At the regional level, through advocacy, the Nigerian international law expert has proffered solutions to armed conflict issues in African countries including the South Sudan Political Crisis, the Central African Republic Crisis, the Congo Democratic Republic Armed conflict, and the Libyan peace talks among others with impact. While Oyinlade has contributed his expertise to the African Union Commission by delivering papers on the implementation of African Youth Charter and made recommendations on reforming national laws in compliance with the regional youth charter, he has equally graced the United Nations’ speaking platforms on his human rights work and social innovation across many countries of the world.
Former military administrator in both Kano and Benue States at different times, retired Brigadier General Dominic Obukadata Oneya is dead. He was aged 73.
His death was announced today, August 5, by the current NFF President, Amaju Pinnick.
Oneya, a native of Agbarho Kingdom in Ughelli, died today morning in his home at Effurun GRA in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State. He was born on May 26, 1948.
The deceased served in various capacities in CAF committees and recently headed the ministerial committee on reforms in Nigerian football.
From 1996 to 1998, he was military administrator of Kano State. He was also the military administrator of Benue State during the reign of Abdulsalami Abubakar between 1998 and 1999.
The management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has said that there is no COVID-19 positive corps member at any of the 37 orientation camps nationwide.
The NYSC spokesperson, Adenike Adeyemi, said in Abuja today that the rumours making the rounds in both the mainstream and new media that 109 corps members had tested positive is unfounded.
“Management wishes to state that the caption and body of the story are very misleading. Please, note that before any prospective corps member is admitted into the 37 camps, they must undergo COVID-19 test. Only those that test negative are admitted, the same rule applies to camp officials. Those that test positive are handed over to the NCDC for treatment and management.
“It is pertinent to state that there is a gulf of difference between a Corps Member and a Prospective Corps Member.
“One becomes a Corps Member after admittance to the camp, registers and administered the Oath of National Allegiance.
“Anyone mobilised for Service, but has not gone through the aforesaid process is not a Corps Member.
“Consequently, our partners-in- progress, members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm should kindly take note of this explanation for proper guidance in their reportage.
“In view of the foregoing explanation, there is no red alert in NYSC Orientation Camps, as all Corps Members, as well as camp officials admitted in the camps are COVID-19 negative.”
The future of Uche Secondus as the national Chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently hanging in the air as chieftains of the party are calling on him to resign.
The PDP party’s National Youth leader, Udeh Okoye, in a statement today, August 4, threatened to dump the party if Secondus fails to resign from his position, accusing him of lacking the capacity to take the party to the next level.
Udeh Okoye, who described the national chairman as a weak and incompetent leader, said: “he (Secondus) is not willing to take us anywhere; he is just there to make sure he enriches himself.
“I am here to make it very clear to all Nigerians that if Secondus does not resign, I am going to leave the party and resign for him to eat the party and own the party.
“The governors, if they don’t wade into this matter right now, if the leaders don’t wade into this matter right now, I assure every Nigerian that within the next 3, 4 days, my letter will be public.”
This came on the heel of the resignation from their positions yesterday of seven members of the National Working Committee of the party.
The seven officials – the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Diran Odeyemi; Deputy National Legal Adviser, Ahmed Bello; Deputy National Women Leader, Umoru Hadizat; Deputy National Auditor Divine Amina Arong; Deputy National Organizing Secretary, Hassan Yakubu; and Deputy National Financial Secretary, Irona Alphonsus; resigned from their positions on Tuesday.
They cited the poor handling of the party’s affairs by the National Chairman, Uche Secondus; as the major reason for their decision to resign from key party organ.
In efforts to resolve the in-fighting, the committee presided over by the Deputy National Chairman North, Senator Suleman Nazif met at ‘Legacy House’ from 9pm Tuesday to about 3am on Wednesday in a desperate move to save the party and give the embattled National Chairman a soft landing, Ripples Nigeria gathered exclusively from a high-placed source.
The meeting reviewed recent developments in the party and resolved to continue deliberations on Sunday August 8, to enable all members to be in attendance before taking a final decision.
Sources close to the meeting which was well attended further disclosed that the chairman was excluded to allow members of the NWC express their minds dispassionately.
Members are said to be unanimous on the failure of the National Chairman and resolved to take ‘painful but decisive’ actions to save the party.
They may in their next meeting, call for the immediate resignation of Prince Uche Secondus in order to save the Party.
A member of the NWC who refused to be recorded said Nigerians are looking up to PDP to save the country and “we cannot fold our hands and allow the selfish interests of one person dash our collective National redemption mission”.
The world umbrella cultural body of the entire Igbo people, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has made it clear that Ndigbo is a major stakeholder in the Nigerian project, even as it commended the Nigerian Army for restoring peace to the trouble Southeast. The President General of the body, Ambassador George Obiozo, at a meeting today, August 4, in Enugu, with the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, remarked: “without peace, nations cannot progress and without the Armed Forces, there will have been more problems.” George Obiozo, who is former diplomat, described the Nigerian Army among the best in Africa and charged troops to continue to do safeguard the nation. This was even as the Major General Taoreed Lagbaja commended the leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo for the pronouncement against threats and violence by the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB). The GOC assured the South-East people of safety, and warned those planning to cause further chaos to have a rethink.
The entrance to the Sultan’s palace, Sokoto, Nigeria
The Sokoto State Commissioner for Health, Mohammed Iname, has confirmed outbreak of gastroenteritis, also known as stomach flu in13 out of the 23 local government areas of the state, leading to the death of 23 people.
Speaking to news men today, August 3 in the state capital, Mohammed Iname said that 260 people have so far been infected with the disease, saying that some of the affected local government areas are Dange/Shuni, Kebne, Gwadabawa, Tangaza, Isa, Bodinga, Wamakko, and Silame.
The commissioner called on the residents to be very careful during this period as the disease is highly contagious and easily transmitted from person to person through casual contact.
He advised them to limit the rate of visitation to affected areas as this has been discovered to be a major source of transmission.
The commissioner also warned medical practitioners and other health workers to stop treating infected persons at home.
He said the state government has made adequate provisions to tackle the outbreak and seeking help from experts and relevant agencies to curb the spread.
The commissioner assured that the state government is addressing the issues around the disease.
Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by bacterial toxins or viral infection and marked by diarrhoea, cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever in an infected person.
It is typically spread by contact with an infected person or through contaminated food or water.
In Sokoto, authorities say Gwadabawa Local Government Area has recorded the highest infection rate with over 47 confirmed cases.
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has sent a bill to the National Assembly to strengthen its power to withdraw the operating licenses of state universities and others which cannot be adequately funded in line with the rules setting them up.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, who announced this at the sideline of a meeting with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in Abuja yesterday night (August 2), said: “a bill has been sent to the National Assembly by the NUC to strengthen its arms in terms of delisting universities where funding and other parameters are inadequate. This effort was commended as all the parties agreed that mushrooming and proliferation of state universities, some of which mock the ideals of an ivory tower, should stop.
On the issues discussed at the meeting, the minister said that the inconsistencies in the IPPIS payment were part of it, adding: “there was good interaction and documents were exchanged between IPPIS and ASUU.
“ASUU is to go back to its members so that we can have a proper update on the extent of the inconsistencies in payment. We expressed our displeasure that these things are happening – amputation of salaries, not-too-clear, foggy things happening over peoples monthly emoluments. So we have asked IPPIS and ASUU to work together over this.”
The minister said that the meeting evaluated seven key issues, with both parties expressing satisfaction with the implementation stages of what he termed “work in progress. ”
He said that some of the items in the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) were nearly done hundred percent within the timeline.
Dr. Nigige also said the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) was directed to expedite action on the integrity test on the University Transparency Accountability Solution (UTAS) which if successful, would eliminate the challenges posed by the peculiarities of the university system to the current payment platform.
The minister said that government had paid the sum of N30 billion as the University Revitalization Fund as contained in the MOA since January 2021.
The money, according to him, “is however, still lodged with the Central Bank of Nigeria, pending the conclusion of the audit report of the Implementation Committee on the use of previous funds disbursement to universities by the Ministry of Education and the National University Commission.”
“The report has been turned in , deliberated upon and both the Education Ministry and the NUC have promised to write to the Accountant General of the Federation next week for the release of the money to the NEEDS Special Account for onward disbursement to universities shortly.”
The minister said that the monies would be paid to successful universities based on the evaluation report of the committee, while those with shortcomings would be made to make up before accessing the fund.
He said that apart from the N40 billion earned allowance which the federal government had already paid, the Budget Office of the Federation showed evidence that N22 billion Earned Allowances for year 2021 was already captured in the 2021 supplementary budget of the federation, and would soon be accessed.
Dr. Ngige said that evidence was presented that promotion arrears had been paid to some universities while the Budget Office of the Federation and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation were asked to liaise with ASUU to sort out the rest.
The minister said that the standing committee on the matter had been expended to include National Income Salaries and Wages Commission .
“A situation where a university professor is paid N107, 000 out of mistake or over deduction is unacceptable.”
In his remarks, ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke expressed satisfaction with the outcome and promised that ASUU would reach out to members.
Pensioners in Nigeria, under the aegis of Nigeria Union of Pensioners have given glory to President Muhammadu Buhari for the payment of their 18 out of 24 month pension arrears.
In a letter of appreciation and commendation to the President today, August 3, the pensioners described Buhari as a leader who listens to the yearnings and aspirations of his subjects.
The letter, signed by the Secretary of the group, Elder Actor Dal commended the President for making deliberate efforts to positive put smiles on the faces of the members of the association.
The text of the letter reads thus:
“The leadership and entire members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners wishes to express her profound appreciation to His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for the release of enabling circular for the payment of the consequential adjustment of pension and the immediate release of funds for the payment of the accrued two years arrears.
“Despite the economic odds, the moment the circular was released, the President through the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) commenced payment to pensioners nationwide by the initial release of 12 months in June, and another payment of six months in July, leaving the balance of six months pending. We do sincerely hope that the balance will be cleared in due course.
“The Union notes with great nostalgia the deliberate efforts being put in place by your government to put smiles on the faces of our members nationwide and we are appreciatively indebted to your government.
“This singular action of yours goes to attest to the fact that you are, indeed, a listening President who listens to the yearnings and aspirations of your subjects.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said that it had not yet issued a new operating license to MTN Nigeria as claimed in a publication in an online media, entitled “Govt renews MTN Nigeria license amid 20 years of GSM Phones.”
The online publication had cited regulatory filings by the NCC as its source, adding that “MTN Nigeria, the nation’s largest mobile network operator, has secured regulatory approval of the renewal of its operating license for another 10 years with effect from September 1, 2021.”
But in a statement today, August 3 by the spokesman, Ikechukwu Adinde, the NCC admitted that MTN Nigeria had applied for the renewal of the Unified Access Service License ((UASL) granted to it by the Commission, but that “the application is yet to be approved as it is still undergoing required regulatory processes.”
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The management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has said that there is no COVID-19 positive corps member at any of the 37 orientation camps nationwide.
The future of Uche Secondus as the national Chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently hanging in the air as chieftains of the party are calling on him to resign.
The world umbrella cultural body of the entire Igbo people, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has made it clear that Ndigbo is a major stakeholder in the Nigerian project, even as it commended the Nigerian Army for restoring peace to the trouble Southeast.
Pensioners in Nigeria, under the aegis of Nigeria Union of Pensioners have given glory to President Muhammadu Buhari for the payment of their 18 out of 24 month pension arrears.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said that it had not yet issued a new operating license to MTN Nigeria as claimed in a publication in an online media, entitled “Govt renews MTN Nigeria license amid 20 years of GSM Phones.” 
