AGGRIEVED YOUTHS CHASE AWAY SANUSI’S REPRESENTATIVES IN KARATE LGA
AGGRIEVED YOUTHS CHASE AWAY SANUSI’S REPRESENTATIVE IN KARATE LGA Some aggrieved youths in Karaye Local Government Area of Kano State chased away the representative of the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, on Thursday. According to an eyewitness who asked not to be named, the incident happened when the Emir’s representative was on his way to the palace in company of the Local Government interim chairman, Wada Nababa Tudun-Kaya. Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar II, former Emir of Karaye, is one of the five monarchs sacked by the Kano state government. The witness said, “What happened was the Emir’s representative came into town and was received by the interim chairman first. So, on their way to go and register his presence, angry youths attacked them. “You know we still want our emirates that were dissolved and we are yet to recover from what happened. What happened isn’t violent at all but one of the glasses of their vehicle was destroyed.“There is a police station in front of Karaye palace; that helped in bringing the situation under control as the police dispersed the crowd.”
WIKE’S WIFE, EBERECHI, 21 OTHERS MAKE FINAL LIST OF APPEAL COURT JUDGES
WIKE’S WIFE, EBERECHI, 21 OTHERS MAKE FINAL LIST OF APPEAL COURT JUDGES Justice Eberechi Suzette Wike, wife of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and 21 others have made it to the final list of the Court of Appeal judges. The President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice M.B Dongban-Mensem had requested the appointment of 22 new Justices to the Court of Appeal, which included Eberechi Suzette Wike. Justice Eberechi Suzette Wike from Rivers Judicial Council was on the list of priority nominees sent to the Federal Judicial Council Commission. The National Judicial Council had at its plenary of 105th meeting held on May 15 and 16, 2024, approved the appointment of 86 Judicial Officers for Federal and State courts. The council at the meeting also considered the recommendation of its Interview Committee on the Appointment of Judicial Officers of all Superior Courts of Record in Nigeria and resolved to recommend the 86 Judicial Officers for appointment to the Court of Appeal, High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Sharia Courts of Appeal and Customary Courts of Appeal of States in Nigeria. It noted that all recommended candidates were expected to be sworn in after the approval of the NJC recommendations to the President and their respective state governors. Eberechi Suzette, whose husband was also the immediate former Governor of Rivers State, was on the list. Apart from Wike’s wife who made the final cut, the following judges also made the list: Polycarp Tema Kwahar (Benue), Ruqayat Ayoola (Kogi), Eneche Eleojo (Kogi), Asmara Akanbi Yusuf (Kwara), Abdullahi Muhammad Liman (Nasarawa), Abdu Dogo (FCT), and Fadahu Umaru (Borno). Others are Ishaq Mohammed Sani (Kaduna), Zainab Bage Abubakar (Kebbi), Abdulaziz M. Ankara (Zamfara), Nnamdi Okwy Dimga Victoria (Abia), Toochukwu Nwoye (Anambra), Henry Aja-Onu Njoku (Ebonyi), Donatus Uwaezuoke Okorowo (Enugu), Ngozika N Okaisabor (Imo), Ntong Festus Ntong (Akwa-Ibom), Nehizena Idemudia Afolabi (Edo), Lateef Babajide Lawal-Akapo (Lagos), Abiodun Azeem Akinyemi (Ogun), Oyewumi Oyejoju Oyebiola (Oyo), and Bayo Ademola Taiwo (Oyo). Members of the Federal Judicial Service Commission had advised the National Judicial Council to nominate Wike’s wife and the other 21 judges as their priority for appointment as Justice of the Court of Appeal. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola is the head of both the FJSC and the National Judicial Council. In 2022, Ariwoola attended a dinner held in his honour in Port Harcourt by the Rivers State Government under then-Governor Wike. At the event, Ariwoola backed his kinsman and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for his membership of the G5, which was led by Wike. The G5 comprised five aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party governors – Wike, then-Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, then-Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and then-Enugu Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. The aggrieved governors called for fairness in the PDP, insisting that the then-National Chairman of the party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, must step down to pave the way for someone from the South to succeed him, since the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, hails from the North. “That is why we should not be scared to have these men of the integrity group. And I am happy that my own governor is among them because he would try to imitate his friend and in-law because we came here to marry for my governor. “So, Governor Wike will always threaten that he will call back his sister if my governor fails to play ball. That is why you see him following his Excellency (Wike) because my governor is afraid of his wife being recalled,” Ariwoola had said.
FUBARA SPEAKS ON REINSTATEMENT OF PRO-WIKE LAWMAKERS, SAYS ‘I’VE CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S GUIDANCE’
FUBARA SPEAKS ON REINSTATEMENT OF PRO-WIKE LAWMAKERS, SAYS ‘I’VE CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S GUIDANCE’ Rivers State Governor, Similanayi Fubara, has broken his silence on the recent Appeal Court ruling that reinstated the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers. He commented on the issue while speaking to journalists in Khana, Khana Local Government Area on Friday. Governor Fubara expressed his confidence in God’s guidance and provision, citing Psalm 23:5. He assured the people of Rivers State that his administration remains committed to delivering good governance despite challenges. He said: “I know that a lot of you will be wondering what is going on and all that. Government has its own challenges. If you go to the book of Psalm 23 verse 5, in the Bible, it said that God prepares a table before you; it can be before anybody. But there is an underlined word that should be noted there: it said ‘in the presence of your enemies’. So, it means that nothing comes easy. “I want to assure everyone of you and the good people of Rivers State, that we are not deterred. We have made our promises, we will continue to give you good governance, no matter how difficult it is. “But, like I said before, the worse is over. We are moving on to ensure that we continue to provide what is needed for the development of our state.” Governor Fubara also highlighted his administration’s priority sectors: health, education, and agriculture. He announced plans to visit project sites in Degema, Ahoada, Omoku, and Rumuigbo to inspect the progress of the Modern General and Psychiatric Hospitals. The Governor expressed satisfaction with the ongoing zonal hospital project in Khana, which will benefit not only the people of Khana and Gokana but also his own constituency, Opobo/Nkoro. He assured the people that his administration would complete and utilize the facility for quality healthcare. Governor Fubara noted that his administration inherited non-functional zonal hospitals and released funds last month for the reconstruction and expansion of four zonal hospitals to provide quality healthcare facilities for the people.
Dons Eze
- Foreign Affairs
- July 6, 2024
- 87 views
WHAT STARMER’S ELECTION VICTORY MEANS FOR JAPA
WHAT STARMER’S ELECTION VICTORY MEANS FOR JAPA The United Kingdom has a new leader. After more than a decade of Conservative rule, Labour Party’s Keir Starmer has been named the new British prime minister following a landslide victory at the general elections on Friday. “The work for change begins immediately,” Starmer said in his first speech outside of 10 Downing Street. “We will rebuild Britain…Brick by brick we will rebuild the infrastructure of opportunity.” But Starmer’s vision for a new Britain poses implications for the country’s international appeal and raises eyebrows on Labour’s immigration policy plan, particularly among Nigerians, who make up a large percentage of its migrant population. Starmer’s net migration plan Since last year, the Labour party has made clear its intentions to slash net migration numbers and build the country from within. “The overall [immigration] level must be properly controlled and managed. So, Labour will reduce net migration,” Starmer stated. “We will reform the points-based immigration system so that it is fair and properly managed, with appropriate restrictions on visas, and by linking immigration and skills policy.” Though Labour has not set a specific target, it has said it will reduce net migration to “a couple of hundred thousand a year.” This comes after the Conservative Party under Rishi Sunak had tightened its visa restrictions to stop up to 300,000 people from coming to the UK yearly. The Office for Budget Responsibility’s most recent forecast from March 2024 suggests that net migration should settle at around 350,000 per year from 685,000 in the next five years. “We will end the long-term reliance on overseas workers in some parts of the economy by bringing in workforce and training plans for sectors,” said the prime minister, who plans to reform the apprenticeship levy to upskill resident workers in its construction, IT and engineering industry. “The days of a sector languishing endlessly on immigration shortage lists with no action to train up workers will come to an end.” Salaries, dependants and minimum income Last year, the UK raised tensions in the country and across the world after announcing unprecedented major changes to its migration policies, including increases in minimum income requirement for family visas from £18,600 to £29,000. Starmer said he will ask the Migration Advisory Committee to review the effectiveness of these policies in achieving its migration goals, but has asserted that he will retain the ban on care workers’ bringing dependants into the UK. In 2023, the UK, under Sunak, implemented increases to UK immigration fees by 35 percent to £490, and the Immigration Health Surcharge from £15 to £115. Starmer is yet to decide on these fees, but it is expected he will make one in line with his party’s migration goals. Implications for the UK If the Labour Party is to implement its proposed decisions on immigration, it will come at a cost. Notably, a high proportion of the UK’s net migration figure are international students, and Nigeria and India account for the most increases in student or sponsored study visas granted by the UK in the past five years, according to official immigration data. BusinessDay reported that the majority of the increase in main applicants between 2019 and 2023 were from India (an addition of 85,849) and Nigerian (35,366) nationals. The Migration Advisory Committee has observed that the tuition fees paid by these students subsidise that of domestic students and help to expand the range of courses offered while making up for financial losses on domestic students and research, increasingly participating as a short-term labour supply for UK businesses, both as students and graduate route participants. Since the ban on bringing families, the United Kingdom has already witnessed a decline in the number of international students, including Nigerians…
- Foreign Affairs
- July 6, 2024
- 227 views
ABOUT CHI ONWURAH, LABOUR UK MP
ABOUT CHI ONWURAH LABOUR UK MP I was born in Wallsend, grew up on Hillsview Avenue in Kenton and went to Kenton School before studying Electrical Engineering in London. I have lived in many different cities around the world, without ever for a moment forgetting where I am from: Newcastle. My values and beliefs were formed in Newcastle based on the people I grew up with and my own experiences. My family My maternal grandfather was a sheet metal worker in the shipyards of the Tyne during the depression. My mother grew up in poverty in Garth Heads on the quayside. In the fifties she married my father, a Nigerian student at Newcastle Medical School. In 1965 I was born, whilst they were living in Long Benton where my father had a dental practise. I was still a baby when my father took us to live in Awka, Nigeria. But two years later the Biafran Civil War broke out bringing famine with it and, as described vividly in an Evening Chronicle article in 1968, my mother, my brother and sister and I returned as refugees to Newcastle, whilst my father stayed on in the Biafran army. This early experience of the impact of war on ordinary families left me with a strong sense of my own good fortune in living in a peaceful parliamentary democracy where it is possible to bring about change without taking up the gun or the sword. I am not a pacifist, I believe that our country is worth defending and fighting for. But we do live in a democracy and, increasingly, there are international institutions at the European and global level to enable us to pursue and defend our legitimate interests through debate and discussion. My education I benefited from a comprehensive, inspirational and free education for which I will always be grateful. I attended Hillsview nursery, infants and junior schools. A good start in a good school is critical in determining a child’s experience of education and the opportunities that it can bring. At Hillsview I learnt to enjoy learning, and to think that anything was possible. My mother made sure I understood how lucky I was to be able to walk two hundred yards to a great school when some children had to walk for hours to share a classroom with a hundred others. At 11 I went to Kenton Comprehensive School. I studied for my O and A levels, but also played for our netball and hockey teams, had my first taste of public speaking and learnt to play the saxophone moderately badly. My education enabled me to hold my own with people from every walk of life, and to earn my living doing something I love, engineering. I want every child in Newcastle to have that opportunity. When I was 17 I was elected Kenton School’s MP in a mock election. My working life Newcastle’s great industrial past was my inspiration to become an engineer and I enjoyed a fulfilling career in engineering after I graduated from Imperial College in 1987. I worked in hardware and software development, product management, market development and strategy for a variety of mainly private sector companies in a number of different countries – UK, France, US, Nigeria, Denmark. During this time I also studied for an MBA from Manchester Business School and gained Chartered Engineering status. As an engineer I specialised in building out infrastructure in new markets and standardising wholesale Ethernet access. My last role before entering parliament was as head of Telecoms Technology for Ofcom the Communications Regulator My interests I have always campaigned for the causes I believed in. As a student I campaigned against the Federation of Conservative Students at Imperial College. Later I…
PETER OBI SALUTES STARMER, UK LP, ON ELECTION VICTORY
PETER OBI SALUTES STARMER, UK LP, ON ELECTION VICTORY The Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 Nigeria election, Peter Obi, has congratulated the United Kingdom Labour Party and their leader, Keir Starmer,, for recording a historic victory in Thursday’s election. Reacting to the victory in his X handle on Friday, Mr Obi said he hopes the incoming prime minister will follow his campaign promises that made UK voters look his way. “I sincerely congratulate Mr Keir Starmer and the Labour Party UK on the landslide victory they recorded in Thursday’s election. “May the victory translate to a better and new chapter for all the UK residents as you remain committed to your electoral promises. “I also hope that your government will promote stronger ties between the UK and Nigeria and help in deepening our democracy, especially during these challenging times. Nigeria is grappling with issues such as insecurity, education, healthcare, and poverty and could greatly benefit from the support of the UK. “Let us work together to build a brighter future commonwealth for all”. Signed Dr Yunusa TankoPOMR SPOKESMAN
- Foreign Affairs
- July 6, 2024
- 193 views
YORUBA PARTY FAILS TO WIN SEAT IN UK PARLIAMENT, GARNERED ONLY 261 VOTES
YORUBA PARTY FAILS TO WIN SEAT IN PARLIAMENT, GARNERED ONLY 261 VOTES The Yoruba Party in the United Kingdom (YPUK) failed to secure a seat in the general election. YPUK only put forward one candidate for the Peckham constituency. As of the time of reporting, the party has garnered 261 votes. The Labour Party has secured 410 seats, with Keir Starmer, its candidate, set to become the next prime minister of the UK. In June, YPUK, a party founded by Olusola Oni, said it was fielding candidates in the election to empower the Yoruba voice in British politics. The party’s campaign promises included climate change action, reduction of taxes, quality national health service, immigration and “assisting Yoruba domiciled in the United Kingdom to achieve full potentials”. “Labour doesn’t know what to do. Tory don’t know what to do. We know what to do. Vote for the Yoruba Party,” the party said in a campaign post last month. “The Yoruba Party provides a political voice for the UK Yoruba community.” Other parties that secured zero seats in the election include UK Independence Party, Alliance for Green Socialism, Animal Welfare Party, Aontú, Ashfield Independents, Blue Revolution, Christian Party, Christian Peoples Alliance, Communist League, English Democrats, and Liberal. Others are Libertarian Party, Lincolnshire Independents, Monster Raving Loony Party, National Health Action Party, People Before Profit, Psychedelic Future Party, Rebooting Democracy, Scottish Family Party, Social Democratic Party, Socialist Equality, Socialist Labour Party, Socialist Party of Great Britain, The Common Good, The Common People, and The North East Party. Others are The Peace Party, The Yorkshire Party, Women’s Equality Party, Workers’ Revolutionary Party, Alba, Workers Party of Britain, Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition, True & Fair, Climate, Communist Party of Britain, Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party, New Open Non-Political Organised Leadership, Consensus, Alliance for Democracy and Freedom, Rejoin EU, British Democratic Party, Heritage Party, Scottish Libertarian Party, Independence for Scotland, Freedom Alliance, Independent Network, Liverpool Community Independents, Transform, One Leicester, Volt, Kingston Independent Residents Group, Independents for Direct Democracy, Stockport Fights Austerity No to Cuts, Confelicity, and English Constitution Party. Rishi Sunak, outgoing prime minister, said he takes responsibility for the loss of the Conservative Party. “Britain has delivered a sobering verdict. On this difficult night, I’d like to express my gratitude to the people of Richmond and Northallerton constituency for your continued support,” Sunak said. “The Labour Party has won this general election and I’ve called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory. “Today, power will change hands in a peaceful and orderly manner, with goodwill on all sides. That is something that should give us all confidence in our country’s stability and future. “There is much to learn… and I take responsibility for the loss.“To the many good, hard-working Conservative candidates who lost tonight, despite their tireless efforts, their local records and delivery, and their dedication to their communities, I am sorry.”
- Foreign Affairs
- July 6, 2024
- 226 views
SIX NIGERIAN-BRITISH CANDIDATES WIN ELECTION TO UK PARLIAMENT
SIX NIGERIAN-BRITISH CANDIDATES WIN ELECTION TO UK PARLIAMENT Six British-Nigerian candidates have been elected to Parliament in the just concluded UK elections. According to reports, Chi Onwurah (Labour MP for Newcastle Central and West), Kemi Badenoch (Saffron Walden), Kate Osamor (Edmonton), Florence Eshalomi (Vauxhall and Camberwell Green), Taiwo Owatemi (Coventry North West), and Bayo Alaba (Southend East and Rochford) all won their respective seats. In the past, other Nigerian-British politicians have also made history in UK politics. Helen Grant, a British-Nigerian politician, became the first African-born Conservative MP in 2010. Similarly, Chuka Umunna, a British-Nigerian politician, was elected as a Labour MP in 2010 and later became the chair of the Vote Leave campaign. This latest crop of Nigerian-British MPs joins a growing list of trailblazers who are making a significant impact in UK politics.The successful candidates have been praised for their hard work and dedication to their constituencies, and are expected to bring a unique perspective to the House of Commons.
- Foreign Affairs
- July 6, 2024
- 186 views
NEW UK PRIME MINISTER, KEIR STARMER, CANCELS RWANDA DEPORTATION PLAN
NEW UK PRIME MINISTER, KEIR STARMER, CANCELS RWANDA DEPORTATION PLAN On his first day in office, newly elected UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has put an end to the Conservative’s contentious plan to deport illegal migrants to Rwanda. Starmer faces pressure to address the UK’s migration challenges, especially regarding asylum seekers arriving via small boats from France. On his inaugural day as Prime Minister, Keir Starmer has acted decisively to terminate the Conservative government’s controversial plan to deport migrants arriving illegally in the UK to Rwanda. The announcement was reported by the Telegraph, citing sources from the Labour Party. Starmer had previously vowed to eliminate the policy, which had sparked widespread debate and criticism. However, with migration being a pivotal issue in electoral politics, the new Prime Minister faces significant pressure to find alternative solutions for managing the influx of asylum seekers arriving across the English Channel.The move signifies a dramatic policy shift and raises questions about the future of the UK’s broader migration strategy, as tens of thousands of people continue to make the perilous journey from France to British shores in small boats.
- Foreign Affairs
- July 5, 2024
- 218 views
BREAKING: NEW UK PRIME MINISTER, KIER STARMER, MAKES TEN CABINET APPOINTMENTS
BREAKING: NEW UK PRIME MINISTER, KEIR STARMER, MAKES TEN CABINET APPOINTMENT Newly-elected UK Prime Minister, KeIr Starmer, has made his first set of appointments into the cabinet, BBC reports Friday. This follows his centre-left Labour Party’s landslide general election victory that ended 14 years of Conservative rule. Starmer arrived as the party’s first Prime Minister since Gordon Brown in 2010, and had been asked by King Charles III to form a government during a meeting at Buckingham Palace on Friday. Below is the list of the 10 new cabinet members: Angela Rayner – Deputy Prime Minister Rachel Reeves – Chancellor David Lammy – Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper – Home Secretary John Healey – Defence Secretary Pat McFadden– Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Ed Miliband – Energy Secretary Bridget Phillipson – Education Secretary Wes Streeting – Health Secretary Shabana Mahmood – Justice Secretary