Farooq Oreagba, celebrated for his striking presence at the 2024 Ojude Oba Festival, where he donned a flamboyant green and yellow Asooke Agbada while riding on horseback, has been recognized as an Honorary Ambassador for the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC). Obi Asika, Director General of NCAC, announced this distinction on his Instagram, praising Oreagba for his vibrant representation of Nigerian culture at the festival, which celebrates the Awujale of Ijebu Ode.

Oreagba’s remarkable journey includes his battle with osteosarcoma and carcinoma, from which he recovered to resume his career as Managing Director and CEO of NG Clearing. His resilience and stylish presence at the festival have made him a symbol of hope and Nigerian spirit.

The Kaduna State Police Command recently recovered a stolen 2013 Honda Accord that was taken from its owner in Abuja. According to ASP Mansir Hassan, the Police Public Relations Officer, the recovery followed a tip-off received in the early hours of July 6. Acting swiftly on this information, police operatives from the Katari Division intercepted the stolen vehicle around 3:47 AM at Gidan Dan Busa village along the Kaduna-Abuja express road.

Upon approaching the suspects, they abandoned the stolen Honda Accord and fled in another vehicle. The police secured the recovered vehicle and transported it to the station for safekeeping. Commissioner of Police Ali Dabigi commended the officers for their prompt action and urged them to maintain vigilance in responding to incidents. He also encouraged the public to continue providing valuable information to support the police in combating crime.

In response to Omoyele Sowore’s criticisms of Peter Obi, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, the chief spokesman of the Obi-Datti campaign organization, defended his principal and refuted the claims of fraud leveled against him. Tanko emphasized that the allegations lacked verifiable evidence and suggested that attempts to tarnish Obi’s reputation have consistently failed to substantiate any wrongdoing.

Tanko acknowledged that criticisms against political figures are common but asserted that Peter Obi has maintained a clean record despite scrutiny. He dismissed Sowore’s characterization of Obi as a “repackaged fraud,” suggesting instead that the public’s preference for Obi over other candidates indicates a resonance with Obi’s message and plans for Nigeria.

Tanko concluded that if Sowore’s proposals had resonated more strongly with the electorate, they would have chosen him over Obi. He hinted at the need for candidates to adjust their messaging to better align with the electorate’s priorities and sentiments.

The situation surrounding the Agbara fire station in Ogun State reflects a stark contrast in explanations from government officials regarding its prolonged inactivity since its inauguration in February 2023. The station, intended to bolster emergency response along the Agbara-Atan road, has remained closed and unused, prompting scrutiny and concern.

Ogun State Commissioner for Special Duties, Olufunmilayo Efuwape, attributed the station’s dormancy to the recent employment and ongoing training of firefighters who are slated to work there. She emphasized that operational readiness requires adequate staffing, which is currently in progress.

On the other hand, Emmanuel Ojo, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abiodun on New Media, cited the ongoing road construction along the Atan-Lusada-Agbara Road as the primary reason for the station’s non-operation. He assured residents that once the road project concludes, the fire station will commence full operations, safeguarding the welfare and security of the area.

However, the contradictory explanations suggest a potential delay in the station’s activation, particularly since the completion of the road construction appears distant. This ambiguity raises concerns about the effectiveness of emergency response in the region, highlighting the need for clarity and prompt action to address community safety needs.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ondo Command, recently disclosed that it has destroyed approximately 56 hectares of suspected hemp farmland in the state as part of its efforts to combat drug cultivation and trafficking. This announcement was made by the State Commander, Kayode Raji, during an event in Akure where 51 personnel of the command were decorated following their recent promotions.

Raji highlighted that in addition to the farmland destruction, the command has seized over 18,000 kilograms of assorted drugs this year, primarily hemp. They have also arrested over 140 suspects, with 41 convictions recorded so far in 2024.

Emphasizing the agency’s approach, Raji noted that while enforcement actions such as arrests and seizures are crucial, the NDLEA has equally intensified its awareness campaigns across Ondo State. He stressed that raising awareness about drug abuse and its consequences is vital in complementing enforcement efforts.

The NDLEA’s awareness campaigns have extended to schools, public institutions, markets, and various communities, aiming to educate people about the dangers of drug abuse and encourage prevention. Raji highlighted that these efforts have included counseling sessions at over 120 locations and successful rehabilitation of 12 individuals who were previously addicted to drugs.

In conclusion, Raji congratulated the promoted personnel, underscoring that promotion in the para-military is a privilege earned through hard work and dedication. He urged them to see their promotion as an opportunity to serve with greater responsibility and commitment to the agency’s mission.

Students of Lagos State University (LASU) recently staged a peaceful protest against the introduction of a ₦10,000 Computer Based Test (CBT), forensic, and counselling fees by the institution. The protest, led by LASU’s Student Union Leader, Dolapo Tobun, and other union executives, saw students carrying placards with slogans denouncing the fees as extortion.

According to Tobun, the union was not consulted or informed about the introduction of these fees. The students discovered the additional charges only when they appeared on the school portal, prompting them to organize the protest to demand immediate clarification from the university management.

Following the protest, the university management engaged with the student union leaders and agreed to withdraw the mandatory fee. Samuel Kappo, Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Students’ Union Affairs (Tertiary Education), commended the students for their peaceful conduct during the protest and emphasized that the welfare and academic success of students remain priorities for the Lagos State Government.

In response to the students’ concerns and after discussions with the protesting students, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello confirmed the withdrawal of the fee, ensuring that the university remains sensitive to the financial challenges faced by its students.

Overall, the protest highlighted the students’ advocacy for transparency in fee adjustments and the responsiveness of university management to student concerns.

Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture, recently announced significant measures aimed at addressing food security challenges in Nigeria. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, he disclosed that the Federal Government has suspended taxes, duties, and tariffs on essential food items such as maize, wheat, husked brown rice, and cowpeas. These measures are part of a 150-day duty-free import window to facilitate the importation of these critical food commodities through land and sea borders.

Kyari emphasized the government’s commitment to combating food inflation and ensuring that every Nigerian has access to affordable food. He assured the public that imported food items under this initiative will be subject to a Recommended Retail Price (RRP) to maintain affordability and regulate market prices.

In addition to facilitating private sector imports, the government plans to import 250,000 metric tons (MT) each of wheat and maize. These imports will primarily target small-scale processors and millers across Nigeria, enhancing domestic food processing capabilities and distribution.

Furthermore, Kyari highlighted the establishment of the Renewed Hope National Livestock Transformation Implementation Committee. This committee’s mandate is to formulate and implement policies aimed at advancing livestock development nationwide, thereby supporting agricultural sustainability and economic growth.

In conclusion, the Minister underscored that these initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to revitalizing the agricultural sector, ensuring food security, and uplifting livelihoods across Nigeria.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, has expressed concern over the deteriorated state of the Ikoyi Correctional Centre and pledged to undertake comprehensive reforms and redevelopment efforts. Speaking to reporters after inspecting various agencies under the Ministry of Interior in Lagos, Tunji-Ojo highlighted the need for structural improvements and interagency collaboration to enhance efficiency and management within correctional facilities.

He emphasized the government’s commitment to transforming correctional centres into environments conducive to education and rehabilitation. Tunji-Ojo criticized the current conditions at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, suggesting the possibility of relocating some facilities due to urbanization and non-compliance with legal buffer zones.

The minister underscored the administration’s adherence to the law and its determination to correct any existing deficiencies within correctional centres. He emphasized the importance of genuine transformation and rehabilitation, advocating for a shift from mere name changes to substantive ideological and operational reforms that promote inmate reformation and societal reintegration.

In conclusion, Tunji-Ojo reiterated the government’s vision for correctional centres to serve as places of hope, education, and positive transformation rather than contributing to security concerns. He emphasized the need for meaningful changes to ensure that inmates leave these facilities with renewed prospects and a sense of optimism for their future.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has attributed the fuel queues in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and parts of the country to disruptions in the ship-to-ship transfer (STS) of fuel due to recent thunderstorms. These disruptions have affected the movement of fuel between Mother Vessels and Daughter Vessels, as well as operations at jetties, truck load-outs, and transportation to filling stations.

Dapo Segun, the Executive Vice President, Downstream of NNPC Ltd., emphasized that adverse weather conditions, including rainstorms and lightning, have hampered the safe discharge of petroleum products. This has led to delays in truck loading at depots and overall logistics challenges in supplying fuel to stations.

To mitigate the situation, NNPC Ltd. has announced several measures. Fuel stations are instructed to operate longer hours to enhance petrol availability, and there is a concerted effort to collaborate with marketers to redistribute stocks more effectively among stations. This initiative aims to reduce long queues and ensure a smoother distribution of fuel across affected areas.

Furthermore, Ogbugo Ukoha, Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), assured the public of efforts to prevent hoarding and monitor stations for compliance. He emphasized that there are no plans to increase fuel pump prices and reaffirmed the commitment of both NNPC Ltd. and NMDPRA to ensuring energy security and stable pricing.

The regulatory bodies are actively monitoring the situation and working towards operationalizing national strategic stocks to further stabilize supply and prices in the future.

The High Court of Justice in Rivers State, under Justice Jumbo Stephen, has issued an interim injunction prohibiting the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Someone Amadi, from implementing any resolutions made by 27 lawmakers who recently defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This legal action follows a contentious dispute over the lawmakers’ defection.

The court order, dated July 8, 2024, directs that the clerk of the Rivers State House of Assembly refrain from acting on resolutions, articles of impeachment, or any communications from these lawmakers pending further legal proceedings. It also mandates the maintenance of the status quo ante as of July 5, 2024, until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction scheduled for July 15, 2024.

Furthermore, the court has ordered substituted service of legal documents on the lawmakers by pasting them at the gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters in Port Harcourt.

The presiding judge adjourned the case to July 15, 2024, for further proceedings regarding the interlocutory injunction. The lawmakers affected by this order include Hon. Dumle Maol, Hon. Major Jack, Hon. Franklin Uchenna Nwabochi, and others who switched allegiance to the APC.