LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT REFUNDS 145 FORMER SUBSCRIBERS OF EGAN HOUSING ESTATE
admin The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, yesterday condemned the destruction of property at the Kano State Printing Press by hoodlums.
Emir Sanusi spoke shortly after inspecting the affected sites in the protest, including the NCC Digital Centre, to ascertain the level of destruction.
He denounced the acts, lamenting that ‘the mission of these disgruntled elements is to destroy Kano, but by Allah’s grace they will not succeed’.
Emir Sanusi called for an investigation of the incident, saying it was clear some individuals are hell-bent on destroying Kano. He alleged that youths who participated in the attacks were recruited by enemies of the state to act against the city’s interests.
He highlighted the press’ historical significance, which was built in 1933, and his family’s connection to it.
The monarch also emphasised the importance of taking proactive measures to protect lives and property, particularly when credible security threats have been identified. He hoped that Kano State would overcome these challenges and bounce back for optimal growth.
51 suspects arrested as Plateau relaxes curfew
The Plateau State Police Command arrested 51 suspects for flouting the curfew and attempting to vandalise private properties in Jos.
A statement yesterday by the police spokesperson, Alfred Alabo, said some youths disregarded government directives and attacked policemen at Yen Tire market, and other parts of Jos North council.
According to Alabo, despite the challenges, the command praises the people for complying with the curfew and cooperating with security agencies.
Security agencies had arrested 26 suspects for non-compliance with the curfew and attempting to loot shops during an on-the-spot surveillance patrol of the state capital.
Alabo added that another 25 suspects were arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) operatives for similar offences and handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
However, the government has relaxed the curfew in the Jos-Bukuru metropolis. Residents are now permitted to move freely between 12noon and 6pm daily until further notice.
A statement by Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s spokesperson, Gyang Bere, said the decision was taken after consultation with security agencies. He assured the people that the government will continue to take decisions in their best interest.
Yusuf engages business community to combat post-curfew inflation
Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has convened an interactive meeting with the business community to find ways to tackle the post-curfew inflation.
A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Dawakin-Tofa, lamented that within hours of relaxing the curfew, ‘the prices of basic commodities, especially staple foodstuff, skyrocketed to an unimaginable level’.
He said the situation makes it imperative for stakeholders to work together to effectively control the trend.
The governor urged the business community to consider the plight of the people, ‘particularly during this trying time of nationwide protests that have affected the economy of thousands of households’.
Yusuf restated the government’s initiatives and other economic policies aimed at reviving Kano’s commercial position in the north. He also urged the businessmen to unite and revive the moribund industries across the state.
The governor proposed the establishment of a Price Control Board with the cooperation of the business community, to address the artificial inflation created by unscrupulous traders.
Chairman of the State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) Muhuyi Rimin-Gado said the commission has received 156 complaints in the last two days about increase in prices of basic commodities.
He pledged to collaborate with the business community to ensure ‘stable business interactions in the state’.
Kano sex workers decry poor patronage, urges dialogue
Commercial sex workers in Kano State have appealed to organisers of the nationwide protests to engage the Federal Government in dialogue.
They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday that the protests had crippled social-economic activities, leaving them without customers and struggling to survive.
Monica James, who operates on France Road, said dialogue was the only option to address the grievances of the protesters.
“I have not eaten for two days because of the curfew; our customers are nowhere to be found,” she said.
Deborah Iliya, who operates on Yoruba Road, re-echoed James’ sentiments, describing the situation as horrible, as she has not been able to find customers.
Hannatu Ibrahim of Weather Head Area also called for an end to the protests, joining the growing calls for a return of normalcy.
Caroline James, who operates from a brothel on Enugu Street, Sabon Gari, said the infiltration of hoodlums and subsequent violence ‘spoilt our business’.
According to her, she had booked clients who were willing to pay between N30,000 and N40,000, but were unable to keep their appointments due to the tension and curfew.
Another one, who preferred anonymity, said some of her colleagues were forced to share rooms due to the lack of customers during the protest. She appealed to the authorities to relax the curfew, saying it has severely impacted their ability to conduct business.
UNIBEN reopens Monday, directs students to produce sworn affidavit
The University of Benin (UNIBEN) will reopen on August 11 after a closure occasioned by student protests and agitations.
The institution’s Senate, on July 4, announced the school closure following protests by students over weeks of power outage on campus.
According to a circular by the Registrar, Ademola Bobola, students are expected to return to their halls of residence on Sunday, while lectures resume on Monday.
According to Bobola, the university management addressed issues that led to the shutdown, including electricity and water supply, as well as renovation of halls of residence.
He added: “The decision to reopen the university was made by the Senate at its July 23 and 24 meetings, in tandem with the position of the Governing Council, critical stakeholders, and after a review of the current atmosphere in the country.
“As part of the conditions for resumption, each returning student is required to swear an affidavit of undertaking to be of good conduct while in the university. The affidavit must contain cardinal points as captured in the document attached to the circular.
“Students are expected to upload the sworn affidavit on their Kofa page of the university and submit the hard copy to their departmental course adviser within two weeks of resumption. Failure to comply with the directive might result in the withholding of results of defaulting students.”
Bobola also assured students that necessary actions had been taken to address issues that led to the closure, expressing the confidence that normal academic activities would resume without any hitch.
Police release 10 minors in Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Police Command has released 10 minors detained during the nationwide protest.
Spokesperson Ramhan Nansel stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday.
The police arrested 50 protesters in four different councils on the first day, for allegedly attacking their personnel and looting.
According to Nansel, the 10 minors out of the 50 were released to their parents and guardians while the remaining 40 had been charged to court.
Plateau adjusts council election timetable
The Plateau State Independent electoral commission (PLASIEC) has hinted at adjusting timetable of the scheduled local government council election following delays caused by the protests.
PLASIEC chairman Daniel Cishak, at a news conference yesterday, said: “On July 10, I addressed a press conference on the release of election timetable preparatory to the October 9 Local Government Elections.
“However, latest events have made it necessary for us to adjust activities in the build-up to the elections. This is to ensure that political parties that have earlier scheduled their primaries and have notified the Commission within the period of protest and curfew in the Jos-Bukuru metropolis are not disenfranchised.
“These adjustments will ensure that the election process continues smoothly while maintaining the integrity and fairness of the electoral system.”
Cishak added that PLASIEC remains fully committed to ensuring that all political parties can participate in the elections without any disadvantage.
“We reassure the public and all stakeholders that the rescheduling will not affect fairness or transparency of the process. Our focus is to provide a level playing field and equitable opportunity for all parties involved,” he added.
