Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has approved the appointment of Tijani Ugbodaga as the new Chairman of the Edo Local Government Service Commission, replacing Chief Tom Uloko. The appointment is effective immediately, as stated by Crusoe Osagie, the Special Adviser on Media Projects to the governor.

The government expressed its gratitude to Chief Tom Uloko for his service and wished him well in his future endeavors. The swearing-in ceremony for Tijani Ugbodaga will be held on a date to be announced later.

The FCT Chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has called on President Bola Tinubu to address the critical issues that have led to the nationwide protests. Dr. Charles Ugwuanyi, the chairman of the association, highlighted that the primary cause of the protests is widespread hunger, driven by the escalating cost of food, which is severely affecting Nigerians.

Dr. Ugwuanyi urged the president to implement measures to make the economy more accommodating, allowing Nigerians to afford basic necessities. He emphasized the need for Tinubu to review and improve the country’s security situation, as it has significantly impacted various aspects of life in Nigeria.

“In recent times, President Tinubu’s desire to rescue the country from so many issues that have bedeviled it has thrown severe hardship on Nigerians,” Dr. Ugwuanyi noted. He added that despite the president’s efforts, hunger and harsh living conditions persist in many parts of the country, fueling public discontent and posing a threat to national security.

Dr. Ugwuanyi stressed that the government must urgently address the core issue of hunger and the high cost of food, as well as other economic challenges such as the soaring fuel prices, which are exacerbating the hardships faced by the people. “The president should address all these challenges and other economy-related issues like the cost of fuel that is injecting pain on the people,” he concluded.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed concerns about the efforts by vested interests in the fuel importation sector to undermine the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. Speaking to the Financial Times, Obasanjo highlighted the importance of the $20 billion refinery project spearheaded by Aliko Dangote and its potential to inspire both local and international investments in Nigeria.

Obasanjo remarked, “Aliko’s investment in a refinery, if it goes well, should encourage both Nigerians and non-Nigerians to invest in Nigeria.” However, he warned, “If those who are selling or supplying refined products for Nigeria feel that they will lose the lucrative opportunity, they will also make every effort to get him frustrated.”

This warning comes amid allegations from Dangote that both government and non-government officials are attempting to sabotage the refinery. The Dangote Group has accused international oil companies of either refusing to sell crude or selling it at inflated prices, up to $4 above the standard rate.

In response, the Federal Executive Council has instructed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to sell crude oil to Dangote Refinery and other local refineries in naira instead of U.S. dollars.

Additionally, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has faced criticism for allegedly granting licenses to import substandard fuel. The regulator defended its actions, claiming Dangote’s diesel is inferior to imported versions and emphasized the necessity of preventing a monopoly.

Despite these challenges, the Dangote Refinery, which began operations in Lagos last December, has started supplying diesel and aviation fuel. The refinery aims to reach its full capacity of 650,000 barrels per day by year-end, with petrol supply expected to commence in August, despite ongoing regulatory resistance.

Kenneth Okonkwo, the former Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council spokesman, has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s recent broadcast addressing the #EndBadGovernance protests. Okonkwo described the speech as “bland and uninspiring,” arguing that it failed to address the pressing demands of the Nigerian people, who are protesting against hunger, hardship, deprivation, and degradation.

On Channels Television’s *Sunrise Daily*, Okonkwo stated, “The people are protesting for hunger and hardship, deprivation and degradation. And the president was compelled to speak. I wish they did not compel him. If I were a media aide, I would have preferred there was no speech at all because a bad speech is worse than no speech at all.”

Additionally, Okonkwo highlighted that the speech was leaked before its official release, calling for the dismissal of some of the president’s media aides responsible for the leak. He emphasized that President Tinubu should have directly addressed the protesters’ demands, including reversing the decision to purchase a new presidential jet and reducing the size of the cabinet.

Okonkwo also argued that the government should reinstate subsidies on petrol and electricity tariffs, describing subsidies as a form of palliative. He criticized the current administration for depreciating the standard of living in Nigeria and called for the restoration of productivity through the creation of a business-friendly environment.

Prominent figures, including Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, senior lawyer Femi Falana, and representatives from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), have echoed Okonkwo’s sentiments, criticizing Tinubu’s speech for inadequately responding to the protests and failing to meet the demands of the Nigerian populace.

The Labour Party (LP) has called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to cease its interference in the party’s affairs, as directed by Falonipe Amos, the Registrar of Trade Unions in Nigeria. This request follows a contentious dispute where the NLC has claimed ownership of the LP.

In a statement issued in Abuja by Obiora Ifoh, the National Publicity Secretary of the LP, the party highlighted that the registrar’s intervention came in response to a letter from LP National Chairman Julius Abure, dated July 10, 2024. The letter, titled “Request for Your Urgent Intervention the Need to Define the Roles of NLC,” prompted Amos to clarify that the NLC is not permitted to engage in the political activities of any party according to the Act establishing the NLC.

Amos referred to Section 15 (1) (2) (3) of the Trade Unions Act ‘Cap T14 & TI5 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, which explicitly states that the NLC should not be involved in the running or patronizing of political parties or supporting political candidates. The Act also prohibits the use of funds generated by trade union members for political objectives or expenses related to political campaigns.

Amos urged the NLC leadership to adhere to these legal provisions when dealing with the Labour Party and other political parties.

A Kano State Mobile Court has ordered the remand of 632 protesters who are accused of vandalizing public and government properties during the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest. The charges against the defendants include criminal conspiracy, theft, unlawful assembly, inciting disturbance, trespass, and mischief by fire. The case is being presided over by Senior Magistrate Ibrahim Mansur-Yola, Senior Magistrate Hadiza Rabiu-Bello, and Chief Magistrate Abba Muttaka-Dandago.

The court session has been adjourned until August 19 for further hearing. According to the State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Salisu Tahir, the alleged offenses were committed on August 1. Tahir claimed that the defendants not only trespassed and vandalized properties but also looted goods from people’s shops.

These actions reportedly contravene sections 97, 287, 229, 336, 349, and 247 of the Penal Code. While some defendants pleaded guilty to the charges, others pleaded not guilty.

Following the court session, State Attorney General Haruna Isa-Dederi announced that the State Government had set up three mobile courts to handle the high number of defendants. He also mentioned that the Ministry of Justice would review the case diaries and provide appropriate advice before the next court date.

Human remains believed to belong to a missing 40-year-old man from New South Wales have been found inside a crocodile in north-eastern Australia, according to police. The man went missing near the Annan River Bridge in Far North Queensland on Saturday afternoon while at a popular fishing spot with his wife and children. A formal identification process is underway, and further testing will be conducted to confirm the identity.

The Queensland police suspended the search and rescue operation following the discovery. On Monday, local media reported that a large crocodile believed to be responsible for the attack was humanely euthanised. The reptile, nearly five meters in length, was located about four kilometers from where the man went missing, recognized by distinctive markings on its snout, and was believed to be decades old.

Authorities are also investigating reports that people were seen feeding crocodiles near the scene of the incident, which is a criminal offense in Australia, punishable by a fine of around $6,452 Australian ($4,188 US). On average, two fatal crocodile attacks are reported annually in Australia, with the latest incident prior to this involving the death of a 12-year-old girl in the Northern Territory in July.

The organizers of the #EndBadGovernance protest in Lagos have temporarily suspended their activities to evaluate progress and develop new strategies. This decision comes in response to a statement by Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, declaring that protests in any part of the state are now illegal. Fayoade cited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent speech, claiming it addressed the protesters’ demands.

Despite this, Comrade Hassan Taiwo Soweto, a key organizer, stated that the protesters would not be intimidated by security operatives’ threats. He clarified that the suspension was a tactical move, not a response to police warnings. “The constitution allows for peaceful protest. We decided to take the day off to enable us to assess progress and to also re-strategize. We won’t bow to any idle threat,” Soweto said, emphasizing the group’s determination to continue their cause.

Soweto assured that an announcement regarding their next steps would be made before the end of the day. The protesters remain resolute, refusing to yield to what they perceive as the authorities’ coercion. The suspension is seen as a strategic pause rather than an end to their movement against bad governance.

The police in Borno have confirmed the arrest of nine protesters for allegedly displaying Russian flags in Maiduguri. This incident took place on August 5, 2024, in the Zannari Tamsu area of Gwange Ward, Maiduguri. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Yusuf Lawal, provided this information in a situation report to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The arrested individuals in the Zannari Tamsu area were identified as Khalafi Abdulhamid, Mohammed Abubakar, Mohamed Ibrahim, and Abba Hassan. Additionally, five more protesters were apprehended in the Bulumkutu area of Maiduguri while carrying Russian flags. These suspects were named Bashir Ahmad, Musa Lawan, Abba Mallam, Habibu Auwal, and Inusa Abdullahi.

Lawal stated that these suspects were transferred to the Crack Squad for discreet investigation and diligent prosecution. He emphasized that the situation of the protest had remained calm and assured that the police would continue to monitor and patrol the area to ensure public safety.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that the fuel subsidy, which was removed by the Federal Government in 2023, has been reintroduced due to rampant inflation. This announcement comes despite President Bola Tinubu’s firm declaration during his May 29, 2023, inaugural address that the subsidy had been abolished.

The removal of the subsidy had led to a steep increase in petrol prices, which skyrocketed from around ₦200 to over ₦600 per litre, causing significant economic strain on the populace.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Obasanjo criticized the government’s approach to the subsidy removal, suggesting that more preparatory measures should have been in place. He stated, “There’s a lot of work that needs to be done. Not just wake up one morning and say you removed the subsidy. Because of inflation, the subsidy that we have removed is not gone. It has come back.”

Obasanjo also emphasized the importance of building investor confidence in Nigeria, advocating for a shift from a transactional to a transformational economy. He underscored the necessity of creating a stable and attractive investment climate to foster sustainable economic growth.

Meanwhile, the reinstatement of the fuel subsidy is among the key demands of the ongoing nationwide protests. Despite this, President Tinubu, in a recent broadcast, dismissed the possibility of reintroducing the subsidy. He acknowledged the decision’s difficulty but defended it as necessary, describing the subsidy as a “noose around the economic jugular of our Nation” that had stifled economic growth and development.

This development highlights the complex challenges facing Nigeria’s economy and the need for strategic and well-considered policies to address them effectively.

President Bola Tinubu has instructed security agencies to take decisive action against individuals flying Russian flags in Nigeria. This directive was announced by General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, following the National Security Council meeting, which was convened in response to the ongoing nationwide protests that have escalated into violence in several states.

General Musa explained that while the protests began peacefully, they were quickly hijacked by individuals intent on causing chaos, resulting in widespread looting and disorder. The display of foreign flags, particularly Russian ones, within Nigeria’s borders has been deemed a serious concern and an affront to national sovereignty.

“We are warning in clear terms and the President has also said we should convey this, that we will not accept anybody, any individual flying any foreign flag in Nigeria. That is a treasonable offence, and it will be viewed and treated as such. So, nobody should allow himself to be used by any individual,” Musa stated.

He noted that many of those flying foreign flags were children being manipulated by certain individuals. The authorities have identified the sponsors behind these actions and plan to take stringent measures against them. Musa emphasized that these acts are seen as crossing a red line and will not be tolerated.

“The President is clear on his instructions for us not to accept anyone that wants to disrupt the peace and tranquility of Nigeria,” he said. All security agencies are prepared to defend the country’s democracy and sovereignty against any attempts to destabilize it.

President Tinubu, in a national broadcast, urged the organizers of the protests to suspend their activities due to the violence that has erupted, leading to loss of lives and property damage. He warned that the government would not tolerate actions aimed at undermining democracy and would take necessary steps to maintain order.

The meeting was attended by all the service chiefs and Vice President Kashim Shetima, who discussed the security challenges and measures to address them effectively.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has given the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) an October deadline to complete the collapsed New Artisan Bridge on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway. This directive was disclosed in a statement by Uche Anichukwu, the Senior Special Assistant on External Relations to Governor Peter Mbah, and was made available to the press in Enugu on Monday.

Umahi, along with Governor Mbah, inspected several key Federal Government projects in the state, during which Umahi emphasized the urgency and importance of the bridge project. He expressed satisfaction with the quality and speed of CCECC’s work and stated that this aligns with the governor’s expectations.

“I have been here more than 10 times since the collapse of the bridge. The governor went to see Mr. President, who directed immediate work on the bridge. This work is being done by CCECC. I must commend them very highly for their quality of work and speed. This is the speed that the Enugu governor desires and he is also very happy with this. I am giving them October 2024 to deliver this project,” Umahi said.

Furthermore, Umahi indicated that due to a lack of funds, the Federal Government would permit the Enugu State Government to complete the remaining part of the 61km road, starting from Naira Triangle, under the Federal Government’s Highway Development Management Initiative. This initiative will be executed through a Public-Private Partnership arrangement.

Umahi praised Governor Mbah for his strategic efforts and partnership with President Bola Tinubu’s administration to enhance infrastructure development in the state. Anichukwu also noted that Umahi reaffirmed his commitment to completing the remaining sections of the Enugu-Onitsha and Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, as well as the dualization of the Enugu-Abakaliki Road.

Governor Mbah commended the Federal Government’s dedication to addressing road infrastructure challenges in the South-East, highlighting the positive impact of such initiatives on the region.