Author: Ifeanyi N.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq has stated that she has pardoned those who accused her of hiding COVID-19 palliatives meant for the poor. Minister Farouq said this while fielding questions from journalists in Gusau on Monday. “I’m aware many people have made various spurious allegations and accusations against my person and my ministry over the way we distributed Federal Government palliatives to cushion the effect of COVID-19. “I have always said I am carrying out my duties and responsibilities to the best of my ability and with fairness to all parts of…

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has strongly condemned the fines imposed on Channels TV, AIT and Arise TV by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). TheInfoStride had earlier reported that the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, on Monday said they aired online photos and videos of the End SARS protests. Acting NBC Director-General, Armstrong Idachaba, at a press conference in Abuja accused the outfits of “unprofessional coverage” of the protests. Reacting, PDP in a statement released via its official Twitter account on Monday said the NBC should rescind this rushed clampdown and handle its regulatory role more professionally. “The PDP has condemned…

The President of Senate, Ahmed Lawan, has announced that the National Assembly (NASS) would ensure justice for victims of alleged abuses by the personnel of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Lawan announced this in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday. He stated that the NASS would also ensure that the government fulfils the commitment it has made to the youths agitating for police reform and good governance. “I want to re-assure our youths that the NASS will collaborate with the Executives to ensure justice for victims of misconduct and rights abuses by personnel of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad…

The Nigerian Governors have denied hoarding COVID-19 palliatives. They made the denial in reaction to the looting of several warehouses nationwide. Soon after the End SARS peaceful protests were hijacked, thousands of people in different states burgled storage facilities that housed tonnes of foodstuff. Most of the items were donated by the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID). The body comprises business moguls and companies. At the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, they contributed funds and used the same to procure palliatives to assist the federal and state government. On Monday, the governors insisted that the items were not hidden as widely…

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola  Ahmed Tinubu, has reacted to the shooting of Nigerian youths at Lekki Tollgate. It was alleged that some men in army uniform shot innocent youths protesting against police brutality, extra judicial killings, maltreatment and of course an end to the Special Anti Robbery Squad, popularly known as SARS. Many were reportedly killed and since then Nigerians have condemned the act, calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to take action. Breaking silence on Saturday, Tinubu after meeting with the governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu told journalists his purpose of visiting the…

The Osun State Governor, Governor Gboyega Oyetola, has given an ultimatum to those who looted government and private property. He warned them to return all items taken within 72 hours. Governor Oyetola announced that failure to strictly follow this directive will lead to the prosecution of anyone arrested for the act. He spoke with newsmen on Sunday during an assessment tour of some of the locations attacked. The governor told the culprits to surrender all stolen items to the security agencies, traditional rulers, local government chairmen and community leaders close to them. He noted that defaulters would be tracked and…

An Igbo group, Igbo National Stakeholders Assembly (INSA), has disclosed that only restructuring of Nigeria would address the myriads of challenges bedeviling the country. The group called for reduction of high cost of governance and advocated that salaries of the President, Governors, National Assembly members and all elected and appointed political office holders should take the shape of Nigerian civil service. The socio-political organization stated the President, vice president, governors and deputy governors should be placed on level Seventeen (17) salary scale of Nigerian civil service, while the National Assembly members should be placed on level fifteen (15). The Igbo…

The Kwara State Governor, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has announced a N500m fund to support businesses affected during last Friday’s looting spree in Ilorin, the state capital. He stated that the fund was part of government’s efforts to bring them back on their feet following the mindless incident. Governor Abdulrazaq condemned again the ” mindless looting” of people’s businesses in the state capital on Friday, insisting that there can be no justification for such criminal behaviour. TheInfoStride recalls that Friday’s looting affected both public and private facilities in Ilorin where food stuffs and valuable items were carted away by hoodlums under…

The Taraba State Government has declared a 24-hour curfew on Jalingo, the State capital, following the invasion of government warehouses by hoodlums on Saturday. The Deputy Governor of the State, Alhaji Haruna Manu, announced the order in a state wide broadcast in Jalingo on Saturday night. Manu expressed his worry that some hoodlums invaded government warehouses containing palliatives and carted away items meant for distribution to members of the public. “Some hoodlums and vandals forced their way into government warehouses and looted items meant for distribution as palliatives. “The government has therefore imposed a curfew on Jalingo from 11 p.m.…

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has promised youths in the state of 60 percent representation in his new cabinet as part of his administration’s efforts to redress their grievances. Governor Obaseki gave the assurance on Thursday, when he held an interactive meeting with youth groups at the Government House, Benin. He described the Edo protest as politically motivated, following its hijack by agents allegedly determined to cause political instability in the state. Governor Obaseki stated: “I am worried about the level of criminality. “Part of the fight we had in our first term was the issue of maintaining law…

The Governor of Enugu State, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has adjusted the 24-hour curfew announced in some parts of the state. Recall that the Governor had declared curfew in Enugu East, Enugu North and Enugu South Local Government Areas of the state. But a statement issued by the State Commissioner for Information, Mr Chidi Aroh, on Saturday stated that the adjustment followed the hardship occasioned by the 24-hour curfew. “In its place, a 13-hour curfew from 6 pm to 7 am daily, is imposed in Enugu East, Enugu North and Enugu South Local Government Areas, with effect from 6 pm on…

The Governor of Imo State, Governor Hope Uzodinma has relaxed the 24-hour curfew in the State. Uzodinma made this known in a statement on Saturday. The Governor had imposed the curfew following security situation which was sparked by the recent mass protests across the country. But speaking on Saturday, he announced that he relaxed the curfew because the tension which led to the imposition of the 24-hour curfew in the state had been controlled. He further stated that security operatives were trailing those who hijacked the peaceful protest of the youths and caused heavy destruction of both public and private…

The Federal Government, on Saturday, assured that President Muhammadu Buhari would address Nigerians over the shooting in Lekki toll gate area of Lagos State on Tuesday. The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, announced that Buhari will address Nigerians when he has all the facts on the incident. Gunmen believed to be soldiers had shot at End SARS protesters demonstrating against police brutality in Lekki toll gate. Few days after the gunshot, Buhari had addressed Nigerians in a nationwide broadcast but failed to mention the shooting. Buhari’s nationwide speech had attracted some backlash from Nigerians. But, the Presidency…

The Governor of Osun State, Governor Gboyega Oyetola on Saturday afternoon, declared a 24-hour curfew across the whole state with immediate effect till further notice. The state government had on Friday lifted a 24-hour curfew earlier declared in the state to forestall the breakdown of law and order to protect the lives and property of citizens and residents, TheInfoStride reports. However, Governor Oyetola stated that after an Emergency Security Meeting on Saturday afternoon, where the whole situation was reviewed and assessed, the state government came to the inevitable conclusion to declare a curfew. The Governor, while speaking, said it is…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it has put on hold all its political and electioneering activities. The party announced this in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, in Abuja on Friday. Ologbondiyan stated that the decision was a further mark of honour for Nigerian youths who were killed at the Lekki Toll Gate as well as other killings that had occurred in various parts of Nigeria over the fall-out of the #EndSARS peaceful protests. The PDP had earlier on Thursday night directed that its flags in all its offices nationwide be flown at half-mast…

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has condemned the massacre of End SARS protesters by the military men at Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos on Tuesday. The former president in a statement released on Friday, also called for peace, adding that no nation wins against its people. He further said that the use of deadly force against citizens only worsens the tensed situation while condoling with the families of victims who lost their lives. “My deepest condolences to the families of young Nigerians who have lost their lives in the past few days as a result of End SARS protests. “I pray…

The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has prolonged the ultimatum issued to the escaped prisoners to return by a week. Governor Obaseki had initially given the fleeing inmates until Friday, October 30 to return. In a statement on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, the governor said this was the outcome of a Security Meeting held with heads of security agencies in the state today. “The extension of the ultimatum is as a result of the positive response from the prisoners, as a good number of them have since returned to the two…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed indefinitely, the outstanding 15 bye-elections earlier scheduled to hold on October 31, 2020. The commission made the announcement in a statement issued by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye, in Abuja after INEC’s meeting held on Thursday. He cited the security situation in the country, following the EndSARS protests going on in some parts of the country, adding that the commission would meet in the next two weeks to review the situation for a possible date for the bye-elections. Okoye said that INEC met with…

The President of the federation, President Muhammadu Buhari is currently presiding over a crucial virtual meeting with former Nigerian head of states at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the former leaders participating virtually from their homes include Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Goodluck Jonathan and Ernest Shonekan. Those physically present at the Council Chambers with the president include Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and National Security Adviser, retired Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno.…

President Muhammadu Buhari advised the #EndSARS protesters to put an end to their demonstrations. Buhari made the appeal while stressing that his administration has heard their complaints. He also warned hoodlums who have hijacked the peaceful protest to desist. The president spoke during his nationwide address, on Thursday. Read full address below: Fellow Nigerians, It has become necessary for me to address you having heard from many concerned Nigerians and having concluded a meeting with all the Security Chiefs. 2. I must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well-intended protest of some of our youths…