“Osun CSOs Demand Return of Subsidies and Release of Protesters from Tinubu or Face Renewed Protests”

President Bola Tinubu has been urged by the Osun State Civil Societies Coalition (OSCC) to reinstate subsidies on electricity and fuel or face an escalation in public demonstrations. The coalition, which represents various civil society organizations in the state, issued a statement at the conclusion of the official 10-day period for the #EndBadGovernance protest.

In a statement signed by OSCC Chairman Waheed Lawal, the coalition criticized President Tinubu’s nationwide broadcast addressing the protests, arguing that it failed to address the core issues raised by the demonstrators. Lawal emphasized that the government’s current palliatives are insufficient and that substantive policies are needed to alleviate the economic hardship facing Nigerians.

Lawal stressed the coalition’s demands:
The removal of fuel and electricity subsidies has led to hyperinflation, increased cost of living, and economic strain. The OSCC called for the immediate restoration of these subsidies to mitigate these issues.
The OSCC demanded the release of all protesters detained during the #EndBadGovernance and previous #EndSARS protests. They also called for adequate compensation for violations of human rights experienced by those arrested.
The coalition urged the federal government to implement policies that provide genuine relief rather than distributing palliatives that do not address the root causes of the economic crisis.

Lawal warned that if the government does not respond to these demands, the OSCC would organize a larger, more organized movement, signaling a potential for renewed protests. The coalition remains committed to advocating for better governance and improved living conditions for Nigerians.

“Tony Elumelu Demands Transparency on Crude Oil Theft, Urges Government to Reveal Perpetrators”

Nigerian billionaire businessman Tony Elumelu has called on the government and security agencies to disclose the identities of those involved in the country’s crude oil theft. In a recent Financial Times interview, Elumelu highlighted that 18% of Nigeria’s daily crude production—amounting to 42,000 barrels—is stolen. He questioned why the government has not revealed those responsible, comparing the situation to high-profile incidents in other countries where perpetrators are quickly identified. His comments come amid the ongoing challenge of illegal oil refineries and a crude supply crisis affecting major infrastructure like the Dangote Refinery.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has stated that Nigeria will continue to face setbacks unless its leaders take courageous and decisive steps to address the country’s numerous challenges. During a meeting with six members of the House of Representatives at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta on August 9, 2024, Obasanjo emphasized that a proposed six-year single-term presidency is not the solution to Nigeria’s problems.

Obasanjo warned that Nigeria is metaphorically “sitting on a keg of gunpowder” that could explode if leaders fail to act decisively. He highlighted the legitimacy of the demands made by the #EndBadGovernance protesters, urging the government to address these issues rather than merely covering up problems.

The former president also criticized the opulent lifestyles of some government officials, particularly when the majority of Nigerians are struggling. He expressed regret that successive governments have not built on the foundation he laid during his tenure, leading to significant setbacks for the nation.

Obasanjo argued that the country’s main problem is not the system of government or the length of presidential terms but the mentality and character of those in power. He called for a change in the way things are done in Nigeria, emphasizing the need to “decarbonise our brains” and rethink the approach to leadership and democracy.

He pointed out that simply changing the system or the length of terms will not resolve the underlying issues if the same mentality persists. Obasanjo suggested that true progress requires both effective leadership and a strong, unified team working together for the common good. He called for an end to the “winner-takes-all” mentality and urged for greater collaboration and consensus-building to move the country forward.

Obasanjo concluded by stating that the root of Nigeria’s problems lies within the people themselves, and until there is a change in character and mentality among those in power, the country will continue to struggle regardless of any systemic changes. He even went so far as to suggest that many current government officials should face legal consequences for their actions.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima expressed strong confidence in the current administration’s ability to address various concerns raised by different segments of the Nigerian population. During a courtesy visit from the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) youth wing, led by the National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Shettima emphasized President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the youth of Nigeria.

Shettima highlighted that President Tinubu holds Nigerian youths in high regard, a sentiment reflected in his appointments, policies, and initiatives. Among these are the Youth Investment Fund, the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises Program (iDICE), and the National Youth Development Bank. These initiatives, according to Shettima, demonstrate the administration’s focus on addressing the genuine concerns of young Nigerians and its confidence in the potential of the youth.

He further assured the youth leaders that the administration is working diligently to ensure all concerns and requests are addressed. He also appealed for patience, noting that the government’s plans and programmes would begin to manifest over time.

Dayo Israel, the APC National Youth Leader, expressed gratitude to the vice-president for his support of youth affairs. He informed Shettima about the APC Youth Wing’s programmes, designed to engage and empower young Nigerians regardless of their socio-political backgrounds. He highlighted the development of a four-year strategic plan aimed at helping young Nigerians navigate challenges and harness opportunities within and outside the country. Some of the initiatives include the Enterprise-Skills Development Training (EDET) Programme and the Workplace Readiness and Employability Skills Training Programme (WREST-P).

Israel also invited the vice-president to participate in the upcoming Progressive Youth Leadership Summit, themed “Shaping the Future We Want: Restiveness, Inclusion, Development, Action,” which aims to further engage the youth in the country’s development.

Nigerian investigative journalist David Hundeyin has accused an international Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) called Dialogue Earth of offering him an ₦800,000 bribe to write a negative review about the Dangote Refinery. In a detailed post on his X account on August 10, 2024, Hundeyin revealed that the NGO approached him last week with a brief that required him to criticize the refinery, using climate change and environmental concerns as justifications.

Hundeyin identified Dialogue Earth, formerly known as China Dialogue Trust, as a London-based NGO headed by Oxford professor Sam Geall. He alleged that the organization is funded by American intelligence fronts such as the Ford Foundation and ClimateWorks, the latter being blacklisted in India for funding organizations working against India’s national interest.

Despite suspecting the NGO’s intentions from the outset, Hundeyin decided to play along to gather evidence. He claimed the brief implied that a prominent local voice, like his, should advocate for the Nigerian government to shut down the refinery, citing “energy transition commitments” and “environmental policy” as reasons. After obtaining the brief, Hundeyin shared screenshots to substantiate his claims.

He stated that he exposed this plot to highlight what he perceives as a concerted effort by American and European state and private interests to keep Africa impoverished. Hundeyin argued that these entities are invested in maintaining the status quo in Africa and regularly use covert means to sabotage progress on the continent.

This revelation comes amid ongoing tensions between the Dangote Refinery and Nigerian oil sector regulators. Aliko Dangote, the owner of the refinery, has accused International Oil Companies (IOCs) in Nigeria of attempting to sabotage the $20 billion facility by refusing to supply it with crude oil. Additionally, he has alleged that some government officials and regulators, who have stakes in foreign refining plants, are deliberately frustrating the refinery’s operations to protect their interests.

The Nigeria Police Force has clarified that their recent raid on Labour House in Abuja was not aimed at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) headquarters. According to ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the raid, which occurred on August 7, was part of an investigation targeting a prime suspect linked to criminal activities. The suspect, a foreign national, was traced to a shop within the Labour House building.

The police have emphasized that the operation was solely focused on apprehending the suspect and had no connection to the NLC or its operations. The raid was conducted with legal authority and aimed to address a significant security threat posed by the suspect. The police have called for cooperation from the NLC and urged Nigerians to be vigilant and perform security checks on individuals seeking to rent spaces within their premises.

Imane Khelif made history by becoming the first Algerian woman to win an Olympic boxing title at the 2024 Games in Paris. She claimed the welterweight gold medal with a unanimous decision victory over China’s Yang Liu.

Khelif, who had previously won silver at the 2022 World Championships, was a focal point in the media due to a gender dispute controversy at the Paris Games. She firmly stated her identity and expressed her triumph as a response to her critics. At 25, Khelif’s victory represents the culmination of eight years of hard work and dedication, and she expressed her joy and gratitude for the support she received from Algeria and beyond.

This gold medal also marks Algeria’s first boxing gold since Hocine Soltani won at the 1996 Atlanta Games. Khelif’s achievement underscores her perseverance and the significant milestone for Algerian sports.

Mrs. Esther Wilson-Jack, the newly appointed Head of Service of the Federation, has expressed her gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for her appointment. During a formal presentation at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the outgoing Head of Service, Mrs. Folashade Esan, officially introduced Wilson-Jack to the President.

Esan praised the smooth transition process, noting that Wilson-Jack had spent several weeks with her, learning the responsibilities of the role. She expressed confidence in Wilson-Jack’s capabilities, describing her as intelligent, hardworking, and empathetic. Esan emphasized the importance of the civil service in delivering on the President’s promises and expressed her belief that Wilson-Jack would excel in her new role.

In her remarks, Wilson-Jack acknowledged the significance of her appointment, viewing it as a divine assignment. She assured President Tinubu of her commitment to the role and pledged to work collaboratively with the entire civil service to fulfill the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Former Kano State Governor, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, has urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to reassess its policies, acknowledging mistakes and making necessary adjustments to alleviate the widespread hunger and hardship in Nigeria. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Shekarau emphasized the importance of learning from errors and called on the government to identify and correct policies that have contributed to the current economic crisis.

Shekarau’s advice comes in the wake of significant economic challenges triggered by the Tinubu administration’s decisions to remove fuel subsidies and unify the exchange rate. These measures have led to a sharp devaluation of the naira and a surge in the prices of petrol, food, and other essential commodities, resulting in heightened inflation and widespread discontent among Nigerians.

Despite efforts by the government to mitigate the impact of these reforms—including distributing food palliatives, signing a new minimum wage bill, and providing stipends to vulnerable groups—many citizens continue to face severe economic hardship. Nationwide protests have erupted as a response to the escalating hunger and inflation, with the public demanding immediate and effective solutions.

Shekarau stressed the need for the government to acknowledge its mistakes and take corrective action. He urged the Tinubu administration to review its policies, recognize the errors that have been made, and address the issues causing the current crisis.