Dons Eze
- Foreign Affairs
- September 21, 2024
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HOW MEDIA WAR BETWEEN US, RT AFFECTS NIGERIA
HOW MEDIA WAR BETWEEN US, RT AFFECTS NIGERIAAll governments have tried to shape public opinion by establishing international media outlets. Governments had shortwave radio stations during the Cold War, they have had international satellite news stations since the 1990s and they have also had internet sites. They have set up organisations like the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the Voice of America (VOA), France 24, Deutche Welle (Voice of Germany), China Global Television Network (CGTN) and Russia Today (RT).I followed RT and the BBC at the start of the War in Ukraine so that I could get information from both sides and make up my own mind. However, Western Governments accused RT of running a disinformation campaign and they banned the station. RT’s YouTube channel was initially restricted and then it was removed. The broadcaster was banned from many social media sites and its officials in the United States were required to register as agents of a foreign power.On Friday, September 13th, the United States Secretary of State announced new sanctions on RT.The United States Secretary of State is the most senior minister in the United States Cabinet. He is 4th in the line of succession to the presidency (President → Vice President → Speaker of the House → Senate President Pro Tempore → Secretary of State). The Secretary of State is basically the US foreign minister. The current secretary of state is Anthony Blinken.Anthony Blinken said that they discovered that RT was not only spreading disinformation, it had also started acting as an arm of the Russian Armed Forces. He said that cyber experts from the Russian Armed Forces had been embedded in RT. He said that RT was raising funds for weapons for the military and he also said that RT was using certain organisations as fronts to distabilise democracies all over the world.Of particular relevance to Nigeria is the fact that he said that RT created and is funding and running the online media outlet Africa Stream.Here is a full transcript of Secretary Blinken’s media conference.Secretary Antony J. Blinken Remarks to the Press RemarksAntony J. Blinken, Secretary of StatePress Briefing RoomWashington, D.C.September 13, 2024SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good afternoon, everyone. And for those of you who were traveling, welcome home.Accurate information is vital to the health of any democracy. It helps citizens understand the issues and effects – and events that are affecting their lives. It empowers them to engage meaningfully in their communities, their country, the world. When state or non-state actors spread disinformation, material deliberately meant to deceive or divide our public, they attack the very foundations of our free and open society.In March, I laid out the comprehensive steps the administration is taking to address this threat to our national security and to our national fabric.First, we’re building a more resilient global information system, where objective facts are elevated and deceptive messages gain less traction. We’re doing that by promoting policies and programs that protect a free, vibrant, and independent press and that foster greater civic and media literacy so that people can better distinguish fact from fiction.Second, we’re working to expose, to disrupt, to deter disinformation. Through the State Department Global Engagement Center, we’re coordinating government-wide and with other countries to identify, to analyze, to undercover attempts by governments and non-state actors to manipulate information.Third, we’re taking steps to hold accountable those who weaponize disinformation to undermine our democracy. That’s what we did just last week when the State Department, the Justice Department, the Treasury Department, the FBI took a series of coordinated actions to counter Russian influence and interference in our elections and in our democracy.In addition to imposing sanctions, visa restrictions, and other measures, the State Department also designated the Russian state-funded and directed media company…
SACK EFCC BOSS, OLUKAYODE, FOR SHAMEFUL HANDLING OF YAHAYA BELLO’S CASE – CD
SACK EFCC BOSS, OLUKAYODE, OVER SHAMEFUL HANDLING OF YAHAYA BELLO’S CASE – CD The Campaign for Democracy (CD) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately remove the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing its handling of a former governor’s case as “shameful.” In a statement, CD President Comrade Ifeanyi Odili slammed the EFCC for allowing a former governor, Yahaya Bello previously on its watchlist and pursued by Interpol, to walk into its office without being arrested or interrogated. The anti-graft agency later claimed it could not act because the ex-governor was accompanied by a sitting governor, which Odili called an unacceptable excuse. Governor Ododo Allegedly Shields Yahaya Bello from EFCC Arrest AgainOdili also condemned the EFCC’s actions later that night, when gunshots were fired during a raid on the governor’s Abuja residence, labeling the incident a “show of shame” that suggests the commission may have ulterior motives beyond fighting corruption. He emphasized that, in more accountable societies, the EFCC chairman would have been removed the next day. The CD is now calling on President Tinubu to restore public trust by swiftly replacing the EFCC leadership.
DESPITE PREVAILING HARDSHIP, TINUBU WANTS MORE TIGHTENING OF BELT, SAYS NO FREE BEER PARLOUR ANYMORE
DESPITE PREVAILING HARDSHIP, TINUBU WANTS MORE TIGHTENING OF BELT, SAYS NO FREE BEER PARLOUR ANYMORE President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has told Nigerians that there is no free beer parlour anymore. He said the people must work hard, focusing on agriculture and should be patient with the government. Tinubu said his administration was in the process of retooling and rebuilding the country’s economy and should be given the time to achieve this. Tinubu made this known when the Forum of Former Presiding Officers of the National Assembly, led by former Senate President Ken Nnamani, paid him a visit in Abuja. “People say we’re hungry; yes, I understand that. We don’t want to keep the people hungry and angry, but we say be patient— we must work hard. There is no free beer parlour anymore. We’ll retool and rebuild Nigeria’s economy,” said President Tinubu. The President is saying this at a time Nigerians grapple with economic hardship occasioned by the twin policies of fuel subsidy removal and Naira floating. Recall that the removal of the petrol subsidy on the president’s first day in office had tripled the pump price of fuel. As of Friday, filling stations in Abuja sell between N950 and N1,100 per liter of petrol. Additionally, the move to unify exchange rate windows, also a day one policy, pushed the naira to an all-time low, trading at above N1,500 to a dollar from N600 to one dollar he met on May 29, 2023. As of Friday, the Naira to Dollar stood at N1,544 at the official market.
HIGH PETROL PRICE HAS WIPED OUT N70,OOO MINIMUM WAGE – NLC PRESIDENT
HIGH PETROL PRICE HAS WIPED OUT N70,000 MINIMUM WAGE – NLC PRESIDENT The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised concerns that the current price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol has eroded the benefits of the proposed N70,000 new national minimum wage, which is yet to be implemented. NLC President Joe Ajaero made this statement during a two-day workshop in Lagos, emphasising the urgent need for the government to address the impact of rising fuel costs on workers’ lives. Ajaero accused President Bola Tinubu of misleading organised labour into accepting the minimum wage with the promise of stabilising petrol prices. He stressed the dire conditions many Nigerians are facing, advising the government to tackle the widespread hunger, poverty, and frustration before the situation worsens. Reflecting on prior discussions with Tinubu, Ajaero stated, “We were betrayed by Mr President,” reiterating that the administration has denied their claims of betrayal. He recounted how the president had positioned them against a choice between a N250,000 minimum wage and increasing petrol prices, leading to a one-week adjournment for further consultations. He argued that even a N250,000 wage would be insufficient if fuel prices continue to rise, stating, “In fact, that N250,000 may not be enough to even buy fuel.” The union president also highlighted the government’s proposal to fund a trip to West African countries to investigate their fuel pricing, insisting that the government should instead focus on curbing smuggling at the borders. He said, “Mr President equally offered to fund our trip to tour some West African countries, where the least price of petrol is selling at N1,700. He even said in Cameroon, they are selling N2000 and that none of them has a refinery but they are getting their products from Nigeria. “We responded by telling him to check the borders because that is why they are smuggling those products to those countries. We equally said no because Nigerians will say they have given us money; they won’t say it’s money for us to visit those West African states.” Ajaero said at the adjourned meeting, the labour union made it clear that their priority was not negotiating petrol prices but rather ensuring the implementation of the minimum wage. He acknowledged the challenges from private sector employers during the discussions, noting their resistance to wage increases and the need for solidarity among labour representatives. The NLC president also noted that there are plans for the union to meet next Thursday with the federal government on how workers could survive the recent hike in the pump price of petrol.
EDO 2024: THE THREE HORSE RACE: HOW THE CANDIDATES STAND
EDO 2024: THE THREE HORSE RACE: HOW THE CANDIDATES STANDEligible voters in Edo State will go to the polls on Saturday, September 21, to elect a new governor that will take over from the incumbent, Godwin Obaseki, who will complete his statutory eight-year tenure by November 12, 2024.Campaigns for the coveted seat have been intense. Candidates from 17 political parties are in the contest. THISDAY examines the candidates and the factors that may swing victory in their favour, as well as their strengths and weaknesses in the fierce contest.The political atmosphere in Edo State is reaching a feverish pitch. The frenzy is on, typical of elections in Nigeria, as electioneering has always been characterised by the usual carpet-crossing, alignments and realignments; horse-trading and violence. No doubt, the election is a three-horse race, but this particular contest is peculiar in several ways.The rivalry between PDP, the governing party in Edo State, and APC, the party in charge at the national level, is more of a status and influence contest between two former allies, Governor Godwin Obaseki, and his predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, now a senator.Before the duo parted ways, they were political bedfellows, such that against all protestations, Oshiomhole, as the outgoing governor in 2016, ensured that Obaseki, who then was a political neophyte, became the governor of the state on the platform of APC. But soon after the inauguration of Obaseki, the honeymoon between him and his then benefactor, Oshiomhole, was over. Both men became political enemies and never agreed again politically.Saturday’s election will rekindle the rivalry between the duo, which began in 2019, when 14 elected state lawmakers loyal to Oshiomhole, were prevented from being sworn in as members of the House of Assembly, a situation orchestrated by Obaseki. To get back at Obaseki, Oshiomhole, then as National Chairman of APC, had denied Obaseki APC’s second term governorship ticket, an issue that would later cost him his own job.Oshiomhole is looking to reassert his influence in the state. But Obaseki is determined not to yield an inch. And with both men backing the opposing front runners, the stakes couldn’t be higher. And, of course, the candidate of Labour Party, Olumide Akpata, is poised to take advantage of the numerical strength of the zone he hails from.The three leading candidates are Asue Ighodalo of the governing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olumide Akpata of Labour Party (LP), and Monday Okpebholo of All Progressives Congress (APC). Since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared campaigns open for the off-cycle election some months ago, the stakes have increased daily, with political tension in full swing.There have been threats to security at different times, but the campaigns have also degenerated to character debate, with two of the frontline candidates – Ighodalo and Okpebholo – staying away from a debate organised for the candidates. Things got to a head last week, when PDP and its candidate, Ighodalo, declined to sign the peace accord, an electoral ritual, on the allegation that the police, an institution meant to provide security, was biased and working for APC.APC, also, initially refused to sign the agreement because an orderly to its candidate was killed during the campaigns and his killers had yet to be apprehended. But it eventually signed the peace pact. These scenarios have significantly coloured the tenor of campaigns, preparatory to the election this weekend. And they have further exposed the strengths and weaknesses of each of the candidates, inadvertently hinting at how they may stand in the election.Asue IghodaloQuite a few factors are going well for the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo. These include his pedigree and sound education. A lawyer, economist, and head of various blue-chip companies, with eloquence and the ability to sell his manifesto, “Pathway to Prosperity For…
I WAS ASKED TO PAY BRIBE FOR FCC JOB SLOTS – WABARA
I WAS ASKED TO PAY BRIBE FOR FCC JOB SLOTS – WABARA Former Senate President and current Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Adolphus Wabara, has called for the sacking of the Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Muheeba Dankaka, over corruption allegations.Speaking in an exclusive interview with Saturday PUNCH, the former Senate President shared his experience during a visit to the FCC, where he sought job placements for individuals in his constituency.He revealed that he was informed that jobs were not available without a bribe.“I physically went to the FCC, requesting two or three jobs for some people in my wards. You will not believe that up till now, nothing has been done for the simple reason that I have not dropped any money and that they cannot even ask me to drop money. But I found out from some people there that they wouldn’t give any job to my ward for free,” he stated.This is not the first time such allegations of job racketeering have surfaced regarding the FCC.During one of the House of Representatives Committee public hearings tasked with investigating job racketeering, 14 witnesses testified about paying money to a former Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System desk officer at the FCC, Haruna Kolo, for job placements.Kolo, during an interrogation, admitted to collecting money from job seekers and claimed to have handed it over to Dankaka.However, the committee investigating the matter led by Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau) has yet to release its findings one year after, raising suspicions that the inquiry may have been suppressed.A source within the House of Representatives, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, indicated that substantial evidence was collected but went unaddressed due to the influence of those implicated.Wabara criticised the APC-led government and the National Assembly for allegedly ignoring the matter bordering on corruption.“Despite the serious allegations, nothing has been done. I expected the same swift action that was taken against Betta Edu (former minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation) to be applied here,” he said.He accused the ruling party of failing to uphold its commitment to combat corruption, claiming that the current administration had seen a rise in corrupt practices.Meanwhile, efforts to get the committee chairman, Gagdi, to react to the issue were unsuccessful as calls made to his mobile phone went unanswered.He also did not respond to SMS and WhatsApp messages sent to him as of the time of filing this report.Similarly, attempts to get the House of Representatives spokesman, Akin Rotimi, to speak on the matter proved abortive.He did not respond to calls to his phones and a message to his WhatsApp.In response to the allegations, an APC chieftain and former minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, demanded for thorough investigations.He revealed that he had spoken with an FCC member who confirmed the claims of job racketeering.Shittu emphasised the need for accountability, saying, “If the President acted quickly against Betta Edu, similar actions should be taken in this case. We must ensure that there are no selective investigations into corruption.”He stated that there should be an urgent action to address the issues within the FCC and restore public confidence in the commission.“This is not a political issue and not about our party, the APC, but about the need to do the right thing. People have accused this woman, and it is only through public investigation that we can certify that the woman was indeed a victim of blasphemy.“So, I want to appeal to Mr President and the Senate President that something concrete should be done about it by way of proper investigation.”
MINIMUM WAGE IMPLEMENTATION BACKDATED TO JULY 29
MINIMUM WAGE IMPLEMENTATION BACKDATED TO JULY 29 The Committee on Consequential Adjustments in Salaries for civil servants has agreed that the new minimum wage will be implemented from July 29, 2024. This was stated in a Memorandum of Understanding issued at the end of the committee’s meeting, which was seen by our correspondent in Abuja on Friday. The MoU reads: “The NSIWC will generate the appropriate salary templates for other consolidated salary structures for implementation; the effective date of the implementation shall be July 29, 2024.” The committee was established to implement the provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act 2024, which raised the national minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000. The committee consists of 16 members. Its terms of reference include negotiating and agreeing on consequential adjustments in salaries and developing a template for the implementation of the approved minimum wage.
COURT DISMISSES SUIT SEEKING TO REPLACE 27 PRO-WIKE LAWMAKERS
COURT DISMISSES SUIT SEEKING TO REPLACE 27 PRO- WIKE LAWMAKERS The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a defection suit instituted against the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Ezenwo Wike. The suit seeking to replace the 27 lawmakers on account of their alleged defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was on Friday thrown out on various grounds. Among others, Justice Peter Lifu who delivered the judgment held that the suit instituted by the Action People’s Party APP was statute-barred, having not been filed within the 14 days allowed by law. While the defection was said to have been carried out in December last year, the APP filed the case on July 12, a period of 8 months after the cause of action emanated. Besides, Justice Lifu held that the case was a gross abuse of court processes on the ground that several suits on the alleged defection of the same 27 lawmakers had been adjudicated upon by the federal high court. The Judge who quoted the previous judgments of the federal high court said the request for replacement of the lawmakers had earlier been rejected due to lack of sufficient evidence to establish the defection of the legislators. He specifically recalled the judgment of Justice James Omotosho of the federal high court in Abuja delivered in July this year where the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC was restrained from declaring the seats of the lawmakers vacant and from conducting any fresh election to replace them. Justice Lifu said that since the judgment has not been set aside and not appealed against, it remains binding with the force of law as far as the issue of defection is concerned for the 27 legislators. He said that it would amount to a display of judicial rascality for him to sit as an appeal court in the judgment of the same court. The Judge subsequently dismissed the suit on the three major grounds.
I CAME TO WORK, NOT TO MAKE MONEY – TINUBU
I CAME TO WORK, NOT TO MAKE MONEY – TINUBU President Bola Tinubu said on Friday he was not in office for personal gain but to serve the country.He argued that his administration is focused on delivering tangible results and making a positive difference in the nation’s infrastructure, food and energy security, education and long-term economic stability.“I didn’t come to look for money and exploit the situation; I came to work. I asked for the votes, and Nigerians gave them to me,” said Tinubu at a meeting with the Forum of Former Presiding Officers of the National Assembly, led by former Senate President Ken Nnamani, at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed details of Friday’s talks in a statement titled, ‘I didn’t come to look for money, I came to work’, President Tinubu tells forum of former NASS presiding officers.’Sixteen former presiding officers attended the meeting. They include former senate presidents, former speakers of the House of Representatives, former deputy senate presidents, and former deputy speakers of the House of Representatives.The President acknowledged the support and encouragement from the Forum members, irrespective of party affiliations, imploring them to continue fostering unity and camaraderie to achieve national development goals.He highlighted the complex nature of legislative activities, constitutional reviews, and nation-building processes, expressing confidence that Nigeria can progress through collaboration and inclusiveness.“Regardless of party differences of the past and difficulty of the present, you still believe in me and what we all plan for this country. I thank you very much; no one will do it better than us. I have travelled the world and seen how developed countries have done it for themselves through collaboration, inclusiveness, and financial structure.“Yes, there is hardship, but how did we get here? What did we do when we had very high crude production? We neglected our communities; we neglected the goose that lays the golden eggs; we forgot even to give them a good standard of living.“We forgot to educate our children. Go around and look at the dilapidated schools. The education environment must be decent enough for pupils to want to learn. We can complain from now till eternity that the school enrolment is low. But did we do anything to encourage the enrolment process? We must ask ourselves because it is a matter of conscience,” he said.The President outlined his administration’s focus on addressing these challenges, including improving infrastructure, ensuring compliance with financial regulations, exploring alternative energy sources and providing energy security.“We have come a long way, and I promise we must do our best,” he said.He urged the former presiding officers to continue sharing their wealth of experience in nation-building and governance, noting that they were uniquely positioned to provide “clear interpretations of where we are” to Nigerians.Senator Nnamani, who spoke on behalf of the delegation, expressed full support for President Tinubu’s administration and its efforts to address Nigeria’s pressing challenges.He congratulated the President, noting that the meeting was the president’s first official engagement with the group since his assumption of office.“Mr President, history has never been the burden of one man alone, but some are called to meet a special share of its challenges. Though not of your creation, it has fallen onto you to end the pervasive insecurity across the nation, the economic downturn that has resulted in hunger and anger, infrastructural decay due to years of neglect, and myriads of other national challenges.“As difficult as these problems are, we believe that with your experience, you can face the difficulties and surmount them. What gives us more hope is the courage with which you handled the issue of local government autonomy, which has won you open admiration from friends and foes alike.“We are…
POLICE RESTRICT MOVEMENT AS LOCAL GOVT ELECTION HOLDS IN ENUGU TOMORROW
POLICE RESTRICT MOVEMENT AS LOCAL GOVT ELECTION HOLDS IN ENUGU TOMORROW Ahead of tomorrow’s local government election in Enugu state, the Commissioner of Police, (CP), Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered the deployment of personnel across the state for seamless election. The CP also ordered restriction of human and vehicular movements from 12:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the election day except for those on essential services such as the medical and fire services, media practitioners, election officials, and accredited observers. Kanayo stated these in a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, on Thursday in Enugu state. He said, “armed security agents on VIP protection duties have also been restricted from escorting VIPs to the polling boots. Mr Kanayo emphasized that the election’s security management would be jointly executed by all the security agencies in the state, warning that electoral violence of any kind would not be tolerated before, during, and beyond the elections. He, therefore, cautioned political parties and their stalwarts to conduct themselves orderly and in line with the election guidelines provided by the ENSIEC. Furthermore, the CP warns unrepentant criminal elements that may want to foment trouble during the elections to steer clear, as the security forces are geared up to deal decisively with such criminals and their activities. He cautioned parents and guardians to dissuade their children and wards from being used as thugs to disrupt the elections, adding that anyone caught would be made to face the full weight of the law. “Meanwhile, the electorate has been advised to go out in their numbers to exercise their franchise, ensure orderly conduct, and promptly report any criminal acts or electoral infractions to the nearest police station or security agents.