Days after his disqualification from contesting the May 29 elections, former South African President Jacob Zuma lashed out at the country’s apex court judges, saying their ruling was wrong.

“I expected that from our judges, but they are definitely wrong. Not correct,” Mr Zuma said in his first interview with BBC on Thursday.

The 82-year-old politician further said the judges misinterpreted the country’s constitution by disqualifying him from the contest, adding, “I am a freedom fighter. I am going to fight it because it is unfair and undemocratic.”

“The judges of the Constitutional Court have acted very funny to me – towards me in particular,” Mr Zuma said. “They are not taking into account the will of the people of this country; they use their own will.”

The South African apex court barred Mr Zuma from running for parliament seat days before the country’s election on Monday, citing his 15-month jail sentence for contempt of court in 2021.

“It is declared that Mr Zuma was convicted of an offence and sentenced to more than 12 months’ imprisonment,… and is accordingly not eligible to be a member of, and not qualified to stand for election to, the National Assembly,” South Africa’s constitutional court said in its ruling.

In 2018, Mr Zuma was pressured to resign from his party, the ANC, over allegations of corruption. Having fallen out with his party, he floated a new party, uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), named after the ANC’s former armed wing during Nelson Mandela’s time.

MK Party’s national secretary, Sihle Ngubane, expressed disappointment in the court judgment.

“We are disappointed about the judgement. But I’d like to emphasise this: former President Jacob Zuma will be on the ballot paper when we are going to vote. When we leave here, President Zuma will lead us on what to do,” Mr Ngubane said.

Mr Zuma’s imprisonment in 2021 triggered riots that led to the death of over 300 people in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal.

When asked if Mr Zuma’s disqualification would not trigger violence, President Cyril Ramaphosa, in an interview with local radio 702 on Monday, said, “I’m not concerned about this instigating violence.”

Mr Ramaphosa added, “We have a rule of law in South Africa that governs us. Once a constitutional court has decided, that is it, and should there be any threat of violence, our security forces are ready.”

“Katsina Grain Sellers and Consumers Advocate for Federal Government Intervention with Price Controls Amid Escalating Food Inflation Concerns”

In the face of mounting food inflation concerns, grain sellers and consumers in Katsina have united in their plea to the Federal Government (FG) for immediate intervention through the implementation of price controls. This urgent call was voiced during a comprehensive market survey conducted by journalists in collaboration with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Thursday.

Aliyu Maje, the esteemed chairman of grain sellers in Katsina, emphasized the critical necessity for this intervention, highlighting its potential to alleviate the financial burdens inflicted by the relentless surge in food commodity prices. Maje attributed the unsettling spike in prices, particularly of grains, to the nefarious activities of hoarders within the state, as well as the heightened demand from neighboring countries.

Detailing the exacerbating factors, Maje revealed, “People come from Niger Republic and other neighboring countries to buy grains, paying whatever prices they are quoted. This relentless external demand has significantly contributed to the exorbitant price hikes witnessed in our markets.” He shared a distressing anecdote, recounting how the price of maize surged by over N10,000 within a week, illustrating the alarming volatility in prices.

Echoing Maje’s sentiments, Kabiru Lawal, the vice-chairman of the grain sellers association at Chake market, underscored their reluctance to incessantly raise prices. Lawal expressed hope that the government’s implementation of price controls, coupled with a vigilant monitoring committee, could help alleviate the prevailing hardships faced by both sellers and consumers.

The sentiments of distress were echoed by consumers at the Katsina Central Market, who bemoaned the profound impact of skyrocketing food prices on their livelihoods. Yahaya Mohammed, one of the concerned consumers, lamented, “This has caused untold hardship to my family immensely.”

Abdulkarim Othman-Shehu, the North-West zonal coordinator of FCCPC, reaffirmed the commission’s unwavering commitment to addressing key consumer protection and competition issues plaguing the food sector. Othman-Shehu condemned the clandestine practices of certain market participants, including conspiracy, price gouging, and hoarding, which significantly contribute to market distortions and unjustifiable price hikes.

In light of these findings, Othman-Shehu pledged the FCCPC’s dedication to compiling a comprehensive report of its inquiry and presenting actionable recommendations to the government. Furthermore, he outlined the commission’s strategic initiatives aimed at fostering market competition, curbing anti-competitive practices, and ensuring fair pricing for consumers.

Through concerted efforts and strategic interventions, stakeholders in Katsina are fervently urging the FG to implement decisive measures, including price controls, to mitigate the adverse impacts of escalating food inflation and restore stability to the market.

The National Bureau of Statistics says the average retail price of a litre of kerosene increased from N1,354.40 recorded in March 2024 to N1,439.64 in April 2024.

The bureau said this in its Kerosene Price Watch for April 2024, released in Abuja on Friday. It said the April price of N1,439.64 represented a 6.29 per cent increase compared to what was obtained in March 2024 at N1,354.40.

The report said the average price per litre of kerosene increased on a year-on-year basis by 24.04 per cent from N1,160.67 recorded in April 2023 to N1,439.64 in April 2024.

The report showed that based on state profile analysis, Benue recorded the highest average price of N1,788.47 per litre of kerosene, followed by Kaduna at N1,761.62 and Plateau at N1,717.78.

On the other hand, the lowest price was recorded in Katsina at N1,222.22, followed by Jigawa at N1,240.74 and Kwara at N1,252.38.

The NBS said the analysis further showed that the North-Central recorded the highest average retail price per litre of kerosene at N1,525.27, followed by the South-West at N1,479.24.

It said the South-East recorded the lowest average retail price per litre of kerosene at N1,391.68.

The report said the average retail price per gallon of kerosene paid by consumers in April 2024, was N5,174.23, indicating a 5.61 per cent increase from N4, 899.33 in March 2024.

On a year-on-year basis, the average price per gallon of kerosene increased by 24.17 per cent from N4,166.94 recorded in April 2023.

State profile analysis showed that Kano recorded the highest average retail price, N6,862.50, followed by Adamawa at N6,266.05 and Yobe at N6,120.41.

On the other hand, the report said Kwara recorded the lowest price at N4,226.40, followed by Delta and Akwa Ibom at N4,300.00 and N4,356.67, respectively.

Analysis by zone showed that the North-East recorded the highest average price per gallon of Kerosene, N5,922.63, followed by the North-West, N5,538.58.

The North-Central recorded the lowest average price per gallon of kerosene at N4,634.60.

he House of Representatives Committee on the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has frowned at the agency’s director-general, Mojisola Adeyeye’s failure to implement its resolution on sachet alcohol.

The House said the action taken by NAFDAC management was disrespectful to the parliament.

The committee’s vice-chairman, Uchenna Okonkwo, said at a news conference on Friday in Abuja that the agency was duly served with the resolution.

He said that, to the committee’s greatest surprise, no action had been taken to implement the resolution.

“The agency had failed to comply with the directives two months after it was passed; you need not be told that the parliament is the centre-piece of our democracy.

“If the Nigerian parliament, which is the fulcrum and giant of African democracy, is abused in this manner, the future of not only Nigeria but also African democracy is doomed,” Mr Okonkwo said.

He said the committee regretted the sudden deteriorating mutual relationship between the agency and the parliament, which, according to him, is counter-productive to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

“We view the director-general’s action as a direct affront to the rule of law and the people’s parliament.

“If this display of impunity is allowed to go through, it will set a dangerous precedent for future abuse and disregard for legislative directives,’’ he said.

The committee chairman also claimed that the NAFDAC boss’s action suggested insensitivity to the plights of Nigerians.

On March 21, the House adopted a motion sequel to the consideration of the committee on NAFDAC to suspend the ban imposed by the agency on sachet alcohol and less than 200ml pet bottles.

The House directed that the ban be lifted because of the ban’s wrong timing and the unstable state of the economy, which has a staggering unemployment rate and a soaring inflation rate.

Mr Okonkwo said the paucity of FOREX also informed the action at the time.

(NAN)

he Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam, has said President Bola Tinubu’s one year in office has recorded significant investment in e-policing.

The minister said this on Friday in Abuja at a ministerial briefing ahead of Mr Tinubu’s first anniversary in office on May 29.

He said the investments were directed towards surveillance systems, drones, and communication technologies to bolster the Nigerian police’s capacity for real-time data collection and response.

Mr Gaidam said the integration of forensic technology has played a pivotal role in criminal investigations and perpetrator identification.

“Within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Nigerian police has deployed various cutting-edge intelligence gathering and verification tools.

“The tools include digital reconstructive analysis devices, drones, pen and watch cameras, as well as infrared telescopes.

“The implementation of ICT applications and platforms like the RescueMe App, the Electronic Central Motor Registry (e-CMR) and Police VGS has amplified e-policing strategies, enhancing operational efficiency across all domains,” he said.

The minister said the administration had established the National Criminal Data Fusion Centre (NCDFC) for the Nigeria Police Force in the year under review.

He said the centre would serve as a platform for collaboration among various law enforcement agencies to consolidate criminal data, conduct analysis and share key intelligence products.

Mr Gaidam said the idea was to bolster internal security operations and facilitate intelligence sharing among security agencies in Nigeria and the broader international security community.

He said the administration had also strengthened the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) by strengthening its legal framework.

According to him, key security institutions are now equipped with WAPIS terminals, enabling access to crucial information that has greatly enhanced collaborative efforts to combat criminal activities.

He said the administration’s other achievement was automating the police specialised services, including issuing unique reference numbers that could be globally validated through online applications.

Mr Gaidam explained that the automation had streamlined and significantly improved the application and processing of police character certificates.

He said the administration’s other achievement was the inauguration of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) in the FCT to address the rise in violent crimes within the territory.

According to him, since the inauguration, the squad has achieved notable successes, including the arrest of 23 suspects over kidnapping, armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearms.

He said the squad had also recovered multiple arms, ammunition and over 20 stolen vehicles.

lban Igwe, a United Nations Committee on Trade and Transport Location member has advised the federal government to integrate all transport modes.

Mr Igwe gave the advice in an interview with journalists on Friday in Lagos while reacting to a statement by the Minister for Transport, Saidu Alkali, that freight services on the Lagos-Kano Narrow Gauge would begin in May or June.

The minister had also said the Lagos-Kano Narrow Gaug, linked to the Dala dry inland port, would facilitate the conveyance of freight from Lagos to the northern part of Nigeria.

According to Mr Igwe, the country needs to fully exploit multimodality to ensure smooth freight services on the Lagos-Kano rail.

He said that if the country did not exploit multi-modalism, it would be doing a disservice to itself and robbing itself of huge contributions multi-modalism makes to the growth of the economy.

“I think it will be possible if we put the enabling conditions on ground, as the rail alone cannot do it. We need to see rail and road talk with each other.

“We need to see how this will happen because the rail cannot go to the warehouse to pick up goods.

“Someone will bring it from the warehouse. How do we connect that? So, we need to talk multi-modalism – how can these modes complement each other?” he said.

According to him, there is a need to make the rail line more active for optimal operations.

“We need to be more intentional in using rail for freight movement in the country, not just in Lagos.

“We need to think about inter-connected access to all the modes of transport. We need to see what is on the ground and improve on it,” he said.

Mr Igwe said Nigeria’s transport sector had been divided into aviation, marine and blue, and land.

“We should not dismiss the fact that these modes of transport need to be connected to function efficiently.

“For instance, if there is no road network, there will be no flight because you cannot access the flight; it will not come to your house to pick you,” Mr Igwe said.

The federal government has called on business concerns in the South East region to take advantage of opportunities offered by the ECOWAS Free Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) to boost their businesses.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, made the call on Friday during a workshop on ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

The workshop, with the theme “Exploring the Benefits of ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme in the Region,” was organized by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for manufacturers, importers, exporters, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the five states of the South East region.

The minister, who was represented by the Director of the Department of International Organization in the ministry, Ambassador Obinna Onowu, enumerated some of the benefits and opportunities offered by ETLS.

He said, “The primary goal is to establish a customs union among all member states (ECOWAS) with the ultimate objective of completely eliminating customs duties and implementing a unified customs policy.

“The ETLS represents an ideal opportunity to foster greater economic integration and unlock the immense potential of intra-regional trade.”

He stated that the ministry had already organized similar sensitization workshops in Kano in 2020 and in Lagos in 2023 for manufacturers, importers, and exporters in the Northwest and Southwest zones, respectively, but emphasized that the ministry viewed holding the program in the Southeast as very critical due to the huge number of stakeholders in the region.

Another official of the ministry, Mr. Yohanna Zacks, Head of the ECOWAS Unit on Trade, stated that ETLS synergizes with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and that the relationship creates a seamless gateway for free customs duties trade for bona fide manufacturers and traders under ETLS.

Earlier, Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the sensitization workshop.

He stated that the awareness being created among manufacturers and traders would help them improve their income and contribute to boosting the economy of the region.

The Global Hope for Women and Children Foundation has decried the alarming rate at which thousands of women die of cervical cancer in Nigeria annually.

Speaking at a one-day community engagement on human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and cervical cancer prevention in Lokoja, Kogi State, the Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director of the foundation, Mrs Christy Abayomi Oluwole, said that over 8,000 women die annually from cervical cancer in Nigeria.

While calling on all stakeholders to join hands to support the intake of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to prevent the deadly disease, Mrs Oluwole said that in Nigeria, cervical cancer has been recorded as the second most common cancer among women and the fourth most common worldwide.

“We are here this morning to have a community engagement on the introduction of the human papillomavirus vaccine, which will be rolled out on May 27, 2024, in Kogi State and other states in the second phase of the HPV introduction,” she stated.

“The HPV vaccine is to prevent our women and girls from the infection of human papillomavirus, which mainly causes cervical cancer.”

In Nigeria, research has shown that every year, there are approximately 12,000 new cases of cervical cancer, and at least 8,000 women die from the disease annually.

This is why the federal government is passionate about curbing the spread of cervical cancer through the HPV vaccine.

Mrs Oluwole emphasized that the target audience for the intake of the HPV vaccine are girls within the ages of 9 to 14 years.

“We want to ensure that these target girls get vaccinated. All eyes are on deck; the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, the Federal Ministry of Health, and partners like IVAC are working together to mobilize eligible girls within the age range of 9 to 14 to get vaccinated against HPV, so that the issue of cervical cancer can be minimized in our society and country at large.”

She noted that while HPV affects both males and females, the burden of cervical cancer is the primary concern, which is why the focus is on girls within the age range of 9 to 14 years old, as they are not sexually active and are less exposed to HPV, which is mainly transmitted through sexual contact and body contact.

The Executive Secretary of the Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KSPHCDA), Dr. Abubakar Yakubu, appreciated the convener of the meeting, stating that measures have been put in place to ensure a hitch-free campaign.

He added that they have reached out to several groups for proper dissemination of the vaccines across the state and are optimistic that with the preparation in place, they will have a successful vaccine launch.

Dr. Abimbola Adesanya, a consultant with the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja, admonished parents not to be scared to have their girl children take the vaccine.

She shared her personal experience of paying for her daughter’s vaccination two years ago and encouraged mothers to ensure their girls receive the vaccine, emphasizing that it is essential for their health.

The Medical Women Association has been appealing to the Federal Government to add this vaccine to the routine, and now that it has been done, they are overjoyed and strongly support the campaign. The human papillomavirus vaccine will be launched on May 27, 2024, in Kogi State. The one-day community engagement had representatives from CPI, Red Cross, WHO, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Medical Women Association of Nigeria, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders in attendance.

Hon Harrison Ogara, member representing Igbo Eze South in the Enugu State House of Assembly has decried the move by the state government to demolish the Ogige market and Nsukka Motor park.

DAILY POST reports that Governor Peter Mbah had recently directed the issuance of a 72-hour demolition notice to shop owners to vacate the market.

The move, however, is being resisted by some stakeholders who are worried over the economic crisis the planned demolition may impose on the citizens.

About three national and state assemblies members had in a joint statement, appealed to Governor Peter Mbah to suspend the exercise.

In a similar vein, Hon Harrison Ogara, in a statement on Friday drew the attention of the state government to the “dangers of evicting over 7000 traders from Ogige Nsukka Market without any alternative market to relocate them.”

According to him, the traders with “market value of over N10 billion have moved their wares to their homes because there are no alternative markets”.

He said, “As of the last time I checked, the Aku road market was essentially conceptualised by the then Nsukka Local government under Barrister Tony Ugwu to be a GSM market with less than 150 shops.

“It is then surprising that that was where the “Ahithophels” of our time wrongly advised the Enugu government to move the thousands of traders.

“The worst anybody close to His Excellency could do to him is to continue to sycophantically advise him to shut his eyes against the impending catastrophe and deaths that could be recorded in time to come because of this singular action.

“The current chaotic situation at Ogige Market is better imagined than experienced.

“Inside the market, there are thousands who are just traders as well as tenants. There are thousands who picked facilities from the nearby community banks to stock up these shops, paying back as they make sales.

“If we compensate the shop owners, what do we do to the displaced traders who feed from their daily incomes?

“It is even more scorching when we learnt that these traders in the past few months have paid 25k as yearly taxes to the government. If we knew we would be demolishing the market, why did we force them to pay the tax for the year 2024.

“My advice was that the Government could release funds, go to the Ikpa market some three kilometres away from town and get the market fixed for the traders to move in.

“The other suggestion I made was that to avoid heavy collateral damage, an interchange like this will not be too good inside the town Opi junction (the gateway to the North) with a large expanse of land could have made more sense to serve vehicles coming to and from the Northern region and other parts of Nigeria.

“It is dangerous to continue to urge the government, on an issue as delicate as this.

“It will certainly be an act of cowardice if I decide to keep mum in the face of the impending tragedies that may follow an action such as this. I salute you all.”

Residents of nine communities in Minna, Niger State capital, have called on the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to as a matter of urgency restore electricity supply in the area to avert imminent breakdown of law and order.

They alleged that since rainstorm disrupted their power supply from the Birgi feeder two months ago, supply from the Lapai feeder to which they are currently connected, have been epileptic.

The residents alleged that the distribution company appears unconcerned, and does not seem prepared to reconnect them back to their original feeder.

Speaking on behalf of the communities, the Chairman of Imani City community, Mallam Abdul Idris told newsmen that the problem started two months ago after poles conveying power from their transformer were brought down by rainstorm.

“From our observations, AEDC is trying to play on our collective intelligence. When rainstorm brought down our poles, they connected us from the Birgi feeder where we have been for over 16 years with over 10 hours supply to Lapai feeder which has been very epileptic. They want to leave us there.

“Now that they have decided to reconstruct the poles, they are asking us to wait until they are done with that of Alhaji Sani Basket while also using some of our poles to complete the work they are doing for him.

“So, because, we can’t trust them to finish and attend to us, we mobilized and stopped the work on Wednesday. We have observed that they don’t want to take us back to the Birgi feeder with better power supply.”

The community chairman added that appropriate authorities that include the state government, the police, TRADOC, NAF among others have been adequately communicated on the issue in the event of any outbreak of crisis as a result of the development.

Some members of the communities, who spoke to our correspondent, called on the electricity company to fix their power supply to Birgi feeder by retrieving some of the poles in the possession of Alhaji Sani Basket, an uncle to former Governor Abubakar Sani Bello and owner of a rice and leather factory, to ensure peace in the area.

They insisted that they will mobilize and resist any attempt by AEDC to fix the poles supplying power to Sani Basket’s company before those of the communities.

According to them, “The company is asking us to wait for one week that they have applied for poles from Abuja. We have written over 15 letters to AEDC asking for transformers, poles among other things and have never gotten any response. How do we believe that they will keep to their promise now? That is why we are insisting that our poles in possession of Sani Basket should be returned. We can contribute and get the additional ones required ourselves.”

The AEDC, in a letter of complaint against the Imani Community addressed to the Niger State Police Command and other relevant authorities, which made available to the DAILY POST, alleged that despite its commitment to fulfilling its obligations and providing essential services, the community’s actions have hindered its efforts.

The letter, signed by the Regional Manager, Engr Samuel Odekina, dated 24th May, 2024, with Ref. No. AEDC /273/NGR/143/2024, explained that a tripartite agreement on the issue was reached between AEDC, Sani Basket and representatives of the communities where it was agreed that the company should undertake the temporary reconstruction of Sani Basket’s industry, pending the arrival 22 44 feet high tension poles, since the communities are already temporarily connected to the Lapai feeder.

AEDC alleged that upon arrival of its workers on site, members of the Imani community denied them access and prevented them from performing their duty, hence the decision to involve the law enforcement agents.

However, when DAILY POST visited the Sani Basket Rice and Leather factory for a reaction, the security guards at the gate said no one was on ground to speak on the issue.

“Professor Amechi Enyi Denies Involvement in Ebonyi Student’s Suicide Amid Threats from Deceased’s Relatives”

Professor Amechi Enyi of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, has refuted any connection to the tragic death of Miss Favour Ugwuka, who recently took her own life. Enyi, a lecturer in the Department of English Language, revealed that he had been threatened by the deceased’s relatives on multiple occasions prior to the incident.

Speaking to journalists in Abakaliki, Enyi addressed the allegations, particularly those made by a woman claiming to be the mother of the deceased student in a viral video. He emphasized that Ugwuka’s death was not linked to academic issues and questioned why someone who hadn’t faced victimization would resort to suicide over an exam failure.

Enyi recounted his interaction with the student’s mother, stating that she accused him of unfairly targeting her daughter after she failed his course. However, he asserted that the examination process is governed by university rules and that any grievances should be addressed through proper channels, not through threats or intimidation.

Despite the challenges he has faced, Enyi remains firm in his denial of involvement and his commitment to the university’s procedures for handling academic matters.