Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has voiced strong criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of exacerbating the issues that troubled Nigeria under the previous government. Atiku, speaking through his Media Adviser Paul Ibe, expressed frustration that the current government did not fully grasp the severity of the nation’s suffering until protests began. He argued that the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) should have been better prepared to tackle the country’s challenges and suggested that the economic difficulties under the previous administration have worsened under Tinubu’s leadership.

Atiku highlighted the rising cost of essential goods and ongoing insecurity as key areas where the current government has failed. He also questioned the management of the Dangote Refinery, a significant investment from the previous administration, implying that the current government might have compromised this critical asset. His remarks reflect a broader sense of dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of Nigeria’s pressing issues, leading many to doubt its commitment to effective governance and economic management.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has launched an investigation into an incident where a woman, Favour Igiebor, destroyed her husband’s Nigerian passport at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos. The NIS has identified the woman and invited her for questioning, emphasizing that her actions potentially violate Section 10(b) of the Immigration Act 2015. The Act stipulates penalties for altering or destroying travel documents, which can include up to five years of imprisonment, a fine of one million naira, or both. The NIS reiterated its commitment to enforcing the Immigration Act to maintain national security and the integrity of the country’s legal documents.

A recent opinion poll by the Election Business Development Agency (EBDA) shows Asue Ighodalo, the PDP candidate, leading in the Edo State governorship race. The survey, which included 1,179 registered voters and was audited by BusinessDay, reveals that 68% support Ighodalo, compared to 18% for Monday Okpebholo of the APC and 14% for Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party.

Conducted through randomized telephone interviews, the poll has a 95% confidence level and a 3% margin of error. Despite Ighodalo’s significant lead, there are concerns about voter turnout, which could be as low as 20% according to Sharon Orisakwe, MD of EBDA. The main voter concerns include the rising cost of living, poor road infrastructure, and insecurity.

Dr. Asue Ighodalo’s candidacy for the Edo State gubernatorial election has been confirmed after a Court of Appeal ruling on July 22, 2024. The court upheld his nomination from the PDP primaries and dismissed an appeal from Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu.

Despite claims from Edo APC leader Senator Adams Oshiomhole suggesting otherwise, the court’s decision has solidified Ighodalo’s position. Ojieh Ejehi, convener of the Young Edo Professionals Group, welcomed the ruling and criticized efforts to mislead the public. Dr. Ighodalo’s name remains on the final candidate list released by INEC, ensuring his place in the race.

The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has released the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results for school candidates. The examination, conducted from April 30 to June 24, involved 1,805,216 candidates out of 1,814,736 registered.

Key details:

• Results Released: 93.39% of candidates have had their results fully processed.
• Results Pending: 119,327 candidates (6.61%) are awaiting the processing of some subjects.
• Results Withheld: 215,267 candidates (11.92%) had their results withheld due to reported cases of examination malpractice, reflecting a 4.37% decrease from the previous year.
• Performance: 73.79% of candidates obtained credits in at least five subjects, while 72.12% earned credits in five subjects including English and Mathematics. However, there is a 7.69% decrease in the pass rate compared to 2023.

To check WASSCE 2024 results:

1. Visit the WAEC website: waecdirect.org
2. Input your login details.
3. Select the year and period of the exam.
4. View your results.

Iran’s Vice-President Mohammed Javad Zarif resigned just 11 days after taking office, citing dissatisfaction with his work and inability to meet expectations. Zarif’s resignation marks the second major crisis for President Massud Pezeshkian’s administration since he assumed office at the end of July. The first crisis was the killing of Palestinian Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

Zarif’s resignation followed his dissatisfaction with the selection of ministers for Pezeshkian’s cabinet. Zarif felt that several of the 19 nominated ministers were not his preferred choices and implied that the hardline conservative faction influenced the selections. Zarif had been instrumental in Pezeshkian’s presidential campaign and was expected to play a key role in implementing new foreign policies and resuming nuclear negotiations to lift economic sanctions on Iran.

Mrs. Igiebor, who made headlines for tearing her husband’s passport at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, has shared her reasons for the drastic action. In a video statement, she explained that their family issues had been ongoing for a long time and that she felt compelled to act out of frustration. She mentioned that the problems were not new and had persisted since their return from Europe. She also indicated that her actions were partly driven by a desire to prevent her husband from returning to Europe.

Mrs. Igiebor apologized to Nigerians and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) for her actions, though she did not provide detailed specifics about the family issues involved.

Her husband has responded to her statement, suggesting that her remarks might not fully capture the situation. He revealed that he has the full video of the incident and plans to share it, which he believes will provide a clearer picture of what transpired at the airport. He also noted that some airport officials were involved in restraining his wife to prevent further damage.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has issued a statement addressing the incident and has promised to conduct a thorough investigation.

A pilot has tragically died following a helicopter crash into the roof of a hotel in Cairns, Australia. The incident occurred early on Monday, August 12, 2024, around 1:50 am. According to Queensland police, the twin-engine helicopter collided with the hotel roof, causing a fire on top of the building. Fortunately, the hotel was evacuated as a precaution, and there were no other reported casualties.

The sole occupant of the helicopter was confirmed dead at the scene. Forensic investigations are underway to formally identify the pilot. An exclusion zone has been established around the crash site, and the Forensic Crash Unit, along with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, will prepare a report for the Coroner. The investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing.

The Nigerian Senate has refuted allegations that it determines its own salaries or receives special financial packages from the Presidency. Senate Spokesman Sen. Yemi Adaramodu, in a statement issued on August 11, 2024, described these claims as “sordid and telltale assertions.”

Adaramodu clarified that the Senate’s salaries are solely determined by the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMFAC), and not by the legislators themselves. He challenged anyone with contrary evidence to come forward, calling the allegations a misguided attempt to discredit the legislature.

The Senate also denied receiving any monetary patronage from the Presidency. Adaramodu explained that the so-called “consistency projects” are part of a broader federal budgeting process, where projects are suggested by legislators but executed by the executive arm of government through its ministries and agencies. He emphasized that these projects are meant to ensure federal presence across Nigeria, rather than providing extra perks to legislators.

The statement concluded by affirming that the 10th Senate is committed to its responsibilities and would not engage in practices that could harm the nation’s economy or growth.

The University of Benin (UNIBEN) has imposed a ban on the use of hot plates, ring boilers, and gas cookers in its hostels to address rising energy costs. This prohibition, detailed in a circular signed by the university’s Registrar, Ademola Bobola, is aimed at reducing the institution’s electricity expenses, which recently surged from ₦88 million to ₦250 million per month.

The increased billing from the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) led to a power crisis and subsequent student protests, which prompted the university’s Senate to temporarily close the campus.

The circular stipulates that any student found violating the ban will be rusticated from the university. It also emphasizes that students must settle any outstanding school fees before resuming classes and that adherence to the new electricity management policies is mandatory. Additionally, students are warned against engaging in any unauthorized gatherings or demonstrations on campus.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made several significant drug seizures recently.

On August 7, 2024, at the Tincan Seaport in Lagos, the NDLEA intercepted 532 parcels of “Loud,” a synthetic strain of Cannabis Sativa, which weighed a total of 265.25kg. The drugs were found inside a black Toyota Sienna bus that was part of a container from Montreal, Canada. This interception occurred during a comprehensive joint examination with the Customs Service and other stakeholders.

The following day, the NDLEA seized an additional 75 parcels of the same substance, weighing 37.5kg, from another container coming from Canada.

In a separate incident, NDLEA operatives in Adamawa detained 49-year-old Joseph Peter with 425 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa, totaling 291.2kg, found in his Toyota Camry. Peter claimed he was transporting the drugs from Edo to Yola.

In Kano, two suspects, Adekunle Adebayo and Yahaya Mamuda, were apprehended with 29.5kg of cannabis.

Furthermore, NDLEA operatives in Lagos recovered 1,169kg of cannabis from a bus along Orchid Road, Ajah. Additionally, 1,230kg of cannabis was destroyed at a farm in Kogi, with the farm owner, Danjuma Maji, being detained.

These actions are part of ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and ensure the integrity of Nigeria’s borders.

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi has issued a stern warning to Local Government Chairmen and Coordinators of Development Centres about contractual sabotage and “empowerment diversion” within his administration. Speaking during a church service at the Government House Chapel in Abakaliki, he emphasized that any form of sabotage in government contracts would not be tolerated.

Nwifuru instructed that Town Unions and other community development groups should oversee local projects to ensure compliance with government specifications. He stressed the importance of local officials being actively involved in their communities, stating that coordinators should handle projects worth at least ₦10 million monthly, while local government chairmen should manage projects of no less than ₦20 million monthly.

The governor also praised the youth for their restraint in not participating in a recent nationwide protest. He acknowledged that while the government is not perfect, their decision to refrain from protesting is a challenge to government officials to improve. He highlighted that the empowerment programs are intended to benefit the youth and urged officials to manage public utilities with a sense of ownership and responsibility.

Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has sharply criticized Nigeria’s performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the country failed to win any medals despite substantial financial investment. Obi expressed his frustration through social media, accusing Nigerian sports authorities of “rascality and recklessness” in managing the Olympic project.

He highlighted that Nigeria’s Olympic contingent, consisting of 88 athletes and costing around ₦12 billion, yielded no medals, a stark contrast to Jamaica, which spent significantly less yet won six medals, including one gold. Obi questioned how Nigeria could spend so much and achieve so little compared to Jamaica’s minimal investment.

Obi criticized the mismanagement of resources and the prioritization of personal interests over competence in Nigerian sports leadership. He cited specific issues, such as the removal of sprinter Favour Ofili from the 100m race list and the frustrations of Annette Echikunwoke, who switched allegiance to the U.S. and won a medal for them.

He also condemned the presence of injured and unfit athletes in Paris, receiving allowances, and the embarrassment faced by cyclist Ese Ukpeseraye, who had to borrow a bicycle to compete.

Despite the disappointing results for Nigeria, Obi acknowledged the successes of Nigerian-born athletes representing other countries, such as Yemisi Ogunleye, Annette Echikunwoke, and Ebelechukwu Agbapuonwu. He also praised Nigerian-American Rena Wakama, named the best coach at the Olympics.

Obi called for a reevaluation of Nigeria’s leadership and sports management, urging for reforms to build a “New Nigeria” with a focus on competence and accountability.