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Protest: Nigeria Warns Foreign Diplomats Against Interference
Protest: Nigeria Warns Foreign Diplomats Against Interference
By: Michael Mike
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar has warned that Nigerian government would not tolerate any form of foreign interference in the ongoing protest in the country.
The Minister said the government will deal with any entity within the country found to have directly or indirectly supported the protest.
He however assured Nigerians and the world at large that President Bola Tinubu understands the pains and frustration driving the protest and is doing everything to address them.
He said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu understands the pain and frustration that drive the protests and has assured that his government is committed to listening and addressing the concerns of Nigerians. He has appealed particularly to the youths and advised them not to let violence and destruction tear the country apart. While admitting that there have been many dashed hopes in the past, he affirmed that Nigeria is in a new era of Renewed Hope as the government is working hard, and that the results will soon be visible and concrete for everyone to see, feel, and enjoy.
“Consequently, the President has directed that the security operatives should continue to maintain peace, law, and order in the country in line with the necessary conventions on human rights to which Nigeria is a signatory, as the safety and security of all Nigerians are paramount.
“Members of the diplomatic corps, I have provided you with a lot of detail, and some of the facts and figures that reflect where we are and what we, as a responsible, elected government, are trying to do. But this is about more than the numbers. The President led the campaign against military dictatorship in the 1990s and believes in a democracy, in Nigeria’s democracy that freedom of assembly, freedom of expression and the right to dissent are fundamental.
“But Nigeria is a country under the rule of law. No one can tolerate the thuggish behaviour of fringe elements and those who stand behind them.
“While the government continues to work hard through the various reform programs and measures to address the challenges facing Nigeria and Nigerians, it is pertinent to remind us that no nation tolerates foreign interference in its domestic affairs and that of its citizens. Nigeria is not an exception.
“The government would take appropriate action against any foreign entity residing in Nigeria that is found to have directly or indirectly supported the protesters by whatever means or seeks to interfere in the internal affairs of the country.
“Nigeria cherishes and continues to value the cordial relationships that happily subsist between her and your individual countries and organizations and will not do anything to undermine or take for granted such relationships. Indeed, more than any time before now, we solicit your understanding and collaboration in the ongoing efforts of the Federal government in addressing the economic challenges confronting the country, to achieve a better life for every Nigerian at home and abroad.”
Also addressing the Diplomatic corps, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris said the government respects the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, which are cornerstones of all democratic societies, but stressed that what began as a peaceful protest in some States and the Federal Capital Territory, was soon hijacked by elements who infiltrated the protest and orchestrated violent activities that destroyed lives and properties.
He said: “There were reports of arson, vandalism, looting, and clashes with law enforcement agents in several cities. Tragically, these incidents led to the loss of innocent lives and significant damage to properties.
“In response to these unforeseen events, the Federal Government acted swiftly to restore peace and order. It is important to emphasize that the security forces were instructed to exercise maximum restraint and adhere to international standards in managing civil protests.
“They have indeed put in a lot of work to ensure the safety of all law-abiding Nigerians, and to maintain order, in the last week. But they have also been decisive in their response to criminality, and it is important to separate these from their commendable approach to legitimate protests,” he said.
He assured the Diplomatic Community that it was not the primary focus of the administration to impose hardship on Nigerians but to correct poor policies and dysfunctional choices of the past.
He said President Tinubu is determined to implement reforms that would drive sustainable growth and improve the quality of life for all citizens, stressing that the current challenges are only temporary.
“It is important to kick off on this note: that President Tinubu did not come to office to cause hardship or make life difficult for Nigerians. He has come to office with bold solutions to historical problems; with the determination to correct many of the poor policies and dysfunctional choices that have held us back as a nation for decades.
“The President assumed office during one of Nigeria’s most challenging periods in its history, where the country was spending 97% of all its revenue on debt service; coupled with widespread poverty, rising unemployment, dilapidated infrastructure, and insecurity. Faced with these daunting realities, the administration took decisive action and implemented long-overdue reforms to save the economy from collapse,” he said.
The Minister said for decades, the costly, wasteful and unsustainable fuel subsidy regime had denied Nigeria the opportunity to invest in critical infrastructure, social service, and the welfare of its citizens hence the President took a very painful decision to abolish the fuel subsidy and redirect the funds towards critical sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and security, which directly impact citizens’ well-being and the development of the country.
He said the President was not under any illusion that the withdrawal of fuel subsidy and the harmonization of foreign exchange rates would not come with some transitional pains – situation that informed the decision of the Federal Government to design comprehensive intervention programmes to cushion the transitional pains.
“We have been very determined about ensuring that these interventions are fully implemented, and bring the intended relief to Nigerians,” he stated.
Idris, while informing the Diplomatic Community that the worst is over, said the Federal Government has launched an investigation into the violence that occurred during the protest in order to identify and bring to justice all those responsible.
“We are committed to preventing the recurrence of such unfortunate incidents in the future,” he said.
Protest: Nigeria Warns Foreign Diplomats Against Interference
One killed, another abducted as bandits attack Katsina farming communities
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits have attacked farming communities in Tashar Mangwaro and Dogon Ruwa villages in Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing one farmer and abducting another.
The incident occurred on Thursday at about 6:32 p.m. while residents were working on their farmlands.
One of the victims, identified as Hamza Usman, 45, of Tashar Mangwaro, was shot by the assailants and later confirmed dead at the General Hospital, Dutsinma.
Another farmer, Tukur Nalanga, 53, from Dogon Ruwa Village, was abducted during the attack.
Security operatives responded promptly following a distress call and engaged the attackers, forcing them to flee the area. However, the gunmen escaped with the abducted victim before reinforcements arrived.
Efforts are currently ongoing to track the bandits
One killed, another abducted as bandits attack Katsina farming communities
Speak Out Africa Initiative Calls on FG to Involve LGAs in FAAC meetings.
By: Michael Mike
The Lead Director, Speak Out Africa Initiative (SOAI ), Engr.. Kenneth Eze. has made four demand that will allow local government authority work effectively in Nigerià most especial complete Financial Autonomy through the expansion of the Federal Account Allocation Committee meetings to include LGA officials.
Eze also ask for political Autonomy by calling the on the Independent National Electoral Commision (INEC) to conduct all local government elections that will guranteed fairness,, other demans for the local authority include, asking the CBN to make it mandatory for LGA to have account with Bank and asking development partners to support the Open Government Partnership (OGP) at the local government level
The lead Director, stated this during The Local Open Governànce Initiative in Nigerià (LOGINAIJA) close out session and the presentation of Report for the pilot LGA.
Speak Out Africa Initiative is a non-governmental organization focused on empowering marginalized communities, particularly women and youth, through evidence-based advocacy, capacity building, and service delivery. Whose mission is to prioritizes gender equity, health advocacy, and social inclusion .
According to Eze, LOGINAIJA which aim to access the workings and the functionality of the Local Government Areas to make work was launch in April 2024 with the objective promoting Accountability at the local level, building capacity for the personnels and political office holders at the local level and the domestication of the freedom of Information Act at the grassroot “.
The LOGINaija project is a 12-month pilot initiative implemented by Speak Out Africa Initiative (SOAI) to strengthen Open Government Partnership (OGP) adoption at Nigeria’s local government level. The project focuses on three pilot LGAs:
” This pilot phase was carried out in the selected three Local Government Areas in Nigerià, Gwagwalada Area Council in FCT, Umuahia North LGA in Abia State and the Ibadan NorthWest LGA of Oyo State which represent the Zones in the country and cut across political party lines and we are happy to announce that today’ this three LGA has perform creditably with functional Website, freedom of information desk officers in place and we have strenthening the capacity of both the executive and the legislative arms of the three Local Government. we expect to scale it up to 50 LGA in second phase of the project “.
“We in speak out Africa are thanking the Mac- Arthur Foundation that supported this project, and other partner for making this a reality.
The Executive Chairman, Umuahia North Local Government Area. Hon. Smart Iheoma, while appreciate all what has done by the speak out Africa Initiative to the LGA, said the problem we have as a nation is leadership, what we met on ground was not good but we have turn around every aspect of the LGA and the people are the beneficiary of this positive reforms, we are following the footsteps of His Excellency the Governor of Abia State which come c am e in with capacity to build the State and he is the best so far”. Iheoma said
Speak Out Africa Initiative Calls on FG to Involve LGAs in FAAC meetings.
FG Plans Nationwide Audit Of Skills Centres To Transform Workforce
** As VP Shettima demands urgent action to bridge nation’s skills gap
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for immediate and united action to close Nigeria’s widening skills gap, describing it as a national priority critical to economic transformation.
This is just as the federal government has hinted at a proposal for the review of existing skills training centres across several Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government to align their work and functions with national development goals.
The Vice President, who spoke on Thursday during the 6th meeting of the National Council on Skills (NCS) at the Presidential Villa, noted that the council’s mandate is to develop a strategic workforce capable of meeting Nigeria’s evolving economic demands.
“What binds us together supersedes whatever divides us. We have to make this country work. We need to fill in the skills gap,” he said.
VP Shettima pointed out that the council has a mission to strategically position Nigeria’s workforce to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy.
“This council was established with a clear mandate to drive the strategic development of the skilled workforce that can contribute meaningfully to national growth and prosperity,” he added.
The Vice President described the session as an open forum where positions were aired and important decisions were taken, emphasising that stakeholder engagement, consensus-building, and decisive leadership are essential to fixing Nigeria’s skills and employment crisis.
A major highlight of the meeting was the proposal for a National Skills Infrastructure Audit to create a centralised database of all training facilities, verify their functionality, and identify gaps or overlaps in infrastructure.
“The government’s policy trajectory is to strengthen human capital development for national growth and industry through skills development. However, unless the skills infrastructure across MDAs is optimised, this vision will remain unattainable,” the council noted.
The audit will also involve physical verification of centres and a detailed cataloguing of operational training facilities, ensuring alignment with national occupational standards and labour market needs.
Earlier, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa made a presentation on the National Artisan Skills Acquisition Programme (NASAP), an initiative aimed at training 10,000 artisans annually in high-demand construction trades.
The programme is designed to formalise Nigeria’s informal artisan sector by providing certification and onboarding qualified artisans onto a Digital Artisan Marketplace.
“The overall goal of NASAP is to establish a reliable and competent artisan workforce to drive the Ministry’s housing and infrastructure agenda while empowering Nigeria’s youth with employable skills,” the Minister said.
He noted that NASAP seeks to tackle youth unemployment while simultaneously addressing the skilled labour shortage in the construction sector, just as he said it is projected to have a significant impact on both job creation and long-term infrastructure development.
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