Suspected herdsmen have attacked operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, otherwise known as Amotekun Corps, in the Igoba community near Akure in the Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State. The herdsmen launched the attack on the Amotekun operatives while the latter enforced the anti-open grazing law operational in the state. The spokesperson for the Amotekun Corps in the state, Jimoh Adeniken, confirmed the attack in a statement on Saturday. He said the officers were acting on complaints from farmers in the Igoba and Osi communities about cows’ constant destruction of their farms.   It was gathered that one of the officers, yet to be identified, was hacked by the armed herdsmen during the attack. Adeniken disclosed that the herdsmen were armed with stones, bottles and cutlasses, which they used to attack the officers. “Upon constant complaints from many farmers in the Igoba and Osi areas of Akure North Local Government since the 6th of May 2024 till date, the agency of Amotekun corps from the Headquarters in Alagbaka Akure, responded today dated 5th of July 2024, at about 1600 hours,” he said. “During the operation, the corps surveillance team was led to the farms by the owners. On getting there, they met over one hundred and twenty cows ravaging the farms and there was nobody with the cows. “Determined to enforce the anti-open grazing law of the state, the operatives of the Amotekun corps moved the cows out of the farms, and while passing by the Sango Area, at Igoba, along Ado Road in Akure, groups of armed Fulani herdsmen attacked the officers with stones, bottles, cutlasses, and guns.” According to Adeniken, the officers had to quickly retreat to base on the order from the Command, as the attackers continued throwing stones and bottles till the Amotekun operatives escaped to the main road.

  The International Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), both implementing partners of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EUSDGNII) project within Component 4: Support to Media are set to hold two virtual events. The first is a Roundtable on Issues, Trends and Challenges in Coverage of The Electoral Process while the second is an Annual Stakeholders’ Meeting to review the Media’s Performance Scorecard. The initiatives seek to enhance democracy in Nigeria by harnessing the media encompassing broadcast, print, and online platforms—to actively engage with and provide professional coverage of the electoral process. Scheduled to convene virtually on July 8 and 9, the inaugural meeting aims to tackle challenges related to misinformation and disinformation, examining the media’s role in upholding information integrity during the 2023 electoral processes and its impact on promoting voter education. The outcome of the deliberations will inform the development of novel insights aimed at fostering enhanced strategic collaborations and achieving more impactful outcomes leading up to the 2027 elections. The second meeting will evaluate the Media’s Performance Scorecard in the elections and processes, assessing the effectiveness of media interventions in achieving their intended objectives. Key stakeholders, encompassing media professionals from print, broadcast, and online platforms, as well as prominent figures in the media industry, will participate. This meeting aims to foster dialogue, exchange experiences, and share success stories to further enhance media conduct at elections. The sessions will focus on key topics, including measures to elevate the professionalism of media professionals, strategies to combat electoral misinformation and disinformation, enriching the coverage of the electoral process, improving the dissemination of civic and voter education, fostering media awareness, utilising the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act to bolster accountability, strengthening the capabilities of broadcasting regulatory entities, and encouraging media involvement in advocating for the representation of women, youths, and marginalised groups in the political sphere. In a statement, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, the Executive Director of IPC said: “The initiatives provide a platform for diverse stakeholders including journalists, election officials, and civil society representatives to collaboratively address emerging issues such as misinformation, voter suppression, and evolving electoral laws which in turn foster greater understanding and promote best practices” Dr. Akin Akingbulu, Executive Director of CEMESO, said: “Both organisations are consistently exploring strategies that enhance transparency and accountability in media practices at elections”. “By evaluating critical metrics such as accuracy, fairness, and responsiveness to public concerns, stakeholders can gauge the media’s effectiveness in serving the public’s interest.” He added. These initiatives are supported by the European Union, highlighting its commitment to promoting democratic values and media integrity in Nigeria.

  Saturday 06 July 2024 I’m not worried about A’Court judgment, says Fubara Lagos, Edo, A’Ibom, Ebonyi plan camps for flood victims Armed Robbers Shoot Road Safety Officer In Kogi New UK PM Starmer Vows To ‘Rebuild Britain’ After Election Win Shettima Asks Investors To Unlock Potential In Nigeria’s Non-Oil Sector Starmer names cabinet members less than 24 hours after becoming UK PM Ruto scraps budget for first lady’s office, cuts government spending after Kenya riots Crude Oil Theft: Why govt can’t stop Lagos, Abuja cartel — PANDEF, N-Delta leaders, activists It’s shameful we’re still generating 4.5GW of electricity — Tinubu 59 dead persons, 40 retired staff, people living abroad, earning salaries in Anambra LG system Stop Posting Camp Activities On Social Media, NYSC DG Warns Corps Members FG to design 70% of Nigerian roads on concrete — Umahi   Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  The Anambra State Local Government Service Commission said it had discovered over 427 ghost workers earning salaries from the state government without being staff members. The Chairman of the Commission, Vin Ezeaka, disclosed this to journalists in Awka, the state capital, on Friday. Ezeaka said the commission also discovered that about six senior employees at the various local government areas forged their certificates purportedly to have been issued by the Imo State University. According to him, among the ghost workers include 59 staff of the commission who had died a long time ago, 40 others who had retired and are still on the payroll of the commission, and about 11 others living abroad are on the payroll of the state government. He said, “The discovery was made during a staff personnel audit launched to sanitise the local government system in the state. In the process, a startling revelation of over 427 workers were discovered to have been on the local government payroll without being staffed. “Out of the 427 ghost workers uncovered, 59 were staff of the commission who had died a long time ago, 40 others had retired and are still on the payroll of the commission, while about 11 others are staff living abroad whose names were still on the payroll of government. “Others were some staff members of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe. We discovered 59 deceased staff who are still receiving salaries, 40 retirees also receiving salaries, and above all, we discovered 222 workers on the payroll who nobody could identify as workers in any of the 21 LGAs and we have many of them living abroad and still receiving salaries. “So we wrote to the Joint Account to remove them from the payroll. Some of them have come to voluntarily retire, but we refused because you can’t cheat the government and want to retire. “We are going to finish our investigation and those we caught in this unholy act will face the full wrath of the law in accordance with civil service rules. “Apart from this discovery, made at the end of May 2024, something dramatic happened, we descended on the certificate racketeering cartel within the local government system. We set up a committee that came up with reports of people with suspicious certificates working in various local government areas of Anambra State and we then set up a screening committee that indicted so many of them. “Those indicted were identified and we started investigating the certificates they presented to the committee and went as far as going to the universities whose certificates they brandished and out of the 20 persons who tendered Imo State University certificates, we screened 14 so far, where we discovered that six out of the 14 were fake certificates. “So we have dealt with that aspect also. It is our duty to sanitise the system in line with the mandate given to us by the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo so that the genuine workers who sacrifice their time and energy can get value for their service and not looters who do not contribute anything to the development of Anambra state.” The commission chairman further disclosed that the ongoing local government and certificate verification was not for any witch-hunt, but purely to sanitise the system, adding that even senior local government staff, including deputy directors and treasurers, were also sacked for fake certificates. Ezeaka said those working with forged certificates in the LGA system in the state had been given a grace period to come and voluntarily report themselves or be sacked when the amnesty would elapse.

  Kenyan President William Ruto has announced measures to cut government spending after a finance bill meant to raise taxes triggered violent protests across the country. Ruto said he declined assent to the controversial bill after reflecting on the conversation around its content. The protests had left over 23 people dead as demonstrators breached the national assembly for the first time in Kenya’s history. During an X-Space engagement with Kenyans on Friday, Ruto said the bill was marred with “falsehood and propaganda”. The president explained that the bill provided interventions that would have created more jobs and protect Kenyan industries. The presidency said the bill was meant to plug Kenya’s ballooning budget deficit and reduce reliance on borrowing. Kenya’s public debt currently stands at 68 percent of GDP, significantly higher than the 55 percent recommended by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). AUSTERITY MEASURES Ruto said his administration has settled on slashing various governance costs after wide consultations. The president announced the resolutions in a separate speech at the State House in Nairobi. Part of the cuts include the removal of budgets in the offices of the first and second lady. “The budgetary provisions for confidential budgets in various executive offices, including my office, shall be removed, and the budget for renovations across the government reduced by 50 percent,” he added. Ruto also dissolved 47 state corporations with overlapping functions “resulting in the elimination of their operational and maintenance costs”. “Their functions will be integrated into the respective line ministries,” he said. “Staff currently employed by the affected corporations will be transferred to ministries and other state agencies.” Other measures include the suspension of the hiring of chief administrative secretaries and a reduction of advisers in government by at least 50 percent and with immediate effect. Civil servants who attain the age of 60 will be required to retire immediately and no extensions will be allowed, the president said. Ruto also directed the suspension of the purchase of new cars in government for a year — except for security agencies — alongside the suspension of non-essential travel by state officers. A new policy on transport for public officers will be developed, he said. Ruto mandated the attorney-general to prepare and submit legislation to this effect and develop a mechanism for structured and transparent contributions for public, charitable, and philanthropic purposes.

  Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said that he is neither deterred nor worried by Thursday’s Appeal Court judgment which returned Martin Amaewhule and 24 other lawmakers to the state House of Assembly. The Appeal Court had nullified the order of a Rivers State High Court which restrained Amaewhule and the other lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, from parading themselves as lawmakers. The court also said only the Federal High Court has the jurisdiction to entertain the matter of the lawmakers. Meanwhile, Fubara has assured all that his administration will not waver in its commitment to providing the critical infrastructure required for the speedy development of the state. Fubara gave the assurance after he inspected the extent of reconstruction work done at the Zonal Hospital at Bori Town, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area on Friday. This was contained in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary , Nelson Chukwudi. The governor addressed the concerns expressed by Rivers people over recent pronouncements of the court and said there was no cause to worry because God has prepared him a table of blessings in the presence of his enemies. He said, “I know that a lot of you will be wondering what is going on and all that. The government has its challenges. If you go to the book of Psalms 23 verse 5, in the Bible, it says 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 every one of you and the good people of Rivers State that we are not deterred. We have made our promises, and we will continue to give you good governance, no matter how difficult it is. “But, like I said before, the worst is over. We are moving on to ensure that we continue to provide what is needed for the development of our state.” Commenting on the project, Fubara pointed to sectors like healthcare, education, and agriculture as top priority areas that his administration will not compromise attention, and will do everything possible to ensure optimal services can be accessed by the people. He added, “We are here today. I believe that from next week, we should be visiting Degema, Ahoada, and Omoku, and also ensure that we visit the site of the Modern General and Psychiatric Hospitals in Rumuigbo to see the extent of work that is going on. “But for now, we are satisfied with what we are seeing here. When we say: zonal hospital, this project is not just for the people of Khana. It is not just for the people of Gokana, even my own constituency, Opobo/Nkoro will also benefit from this facility. “So, we are assuring the good people of this senatorial district that we will make sure that we put it to completion and good use.”

  Nigeria’s debt to suppliers of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, has surpassed $6bn, doubling what it was since early April, as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited struggles to cover the gap between fixed pump prices and international fuel costs, six industry sources told Reuters. Although this was swiftly described as false by NNPC on Thursday, the Reuters report stated that the national oil company began struggling early this year when late PMS payments surpassed $3bn. The company has still not paid for some January imports, traders said, and the late payments amount to between $4bn and $5bn. Under contract terms, NNPC is meant to pay within 90 days of delivery. “The only reason traders are putting up with it is the $250,000 a month (per cargo) for late payment compensation,” one industry source said. At least two suppliers already stopped participating in recent tenders after hitting self-imposed debt exposure limits to Nigeria, the sources said, meaning they will not send more PMS until they receive payments. Traders thrive in risky environments, but they place limits on how much credit they allocate per trade in order to avoid too much exposure on one borrower. These limits vary by company based on their size and where they operate. As a result, Nigeria’s tenders to buy gasoline in June and July were smaller, traders said. NNPC will import via tender about 850,000 tonnes in July, two of the sources said, down from the typical one million tonnes in previous months. But when contacted by our correspondent and asked to react to the claims by traders as captured in the report, the spokesperson of NNPC, Olufemi Soneye described it as “false.” He went ahead to say, “False. Did they name the marketers they claim we supposedly owe? Let them name them.” President Bola Tinubu announced an end to expensive fuel subsidies in May last year, allowing pump prices to triple. But NNPC capped pump prices shortly afterward as citizens chafed under rising cost of living. The cap, coupled with a naira currency crash, allowed the subsidy to creep back, according to industry analysts, though NNPC has denied the return of PMS subsidy. Analysts, NGOs and even government officials have slammed the subsidy for years as wasteful and corrupt. But Nigerians, who get few government services, have long seen cheap fuel as their right, especially in the current cost-of-living crisis. Last week, deadly riots forced Kenya’s debt-burdened government to cancel planned tax rises, casting a shadow over efforts elsewhere to inflict any further pain on citizens stung by rising inflation. Senegal’s energy subsidy bill remains high, at 3.3 per cent of GDP, while Egypt and Angola are also trying to axe subsidies to shore up state finances. Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil exporter, imports virtually all its fuel due to years of neglect at its state-owned oil refineries. The newly opened 650,000 barrel-per-day Dangote refinery has not yet produced marketable petrol, and is selling other fuels abroad. The country has few savings to fall back upon as corruption and wasteful spending have eaten up decades of oil revenues. Cash-strapped NNPC has also mortgaged much of its spot oil cargoes, limiting what it can sell for cash. In late 2023, NNPC secured its biggest-ever oil-backed loan worth $3.3bn from Afreximbank and a consortium of traders, including Gunvor, and opens new tab, to shore up the country’s foreign exchange.