Nigeria experienced a number of noteworthy occurrences last week. Some of the newsworthy ones were used as newspaper headlines and as the main topic of conversation on radio and television. The top national and political stories from Nigeria past week have been meticulously compiled by WITHIN NIGERIA.
IGP orders arrest of Fela’s son
On Saturday, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba directed the arrest of Seun Kuti, the son of legendary Afrobeat musician Fela Kuti.
This was contained in a statement released by the Force’s Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
Recall that Seun Kuti was seen in a video assaulting a police officer who was wearing a uniform.
Different responses had been elicited by the video. What motivated the singer’s son to act in that manner is unknown.
“The IGP has equally ordered a speedy and full investigation into the remote and immediate cause(s) of the assault and prosecution of the suspect accordingly.”
“IGP Usman Alkali Baba assures Nigerians that acts of contempt/disdain for symbols of authority will not be tolerated while offenders of such hideous crimes will be surely brought to book,” Adejobi said in a statement.
NSCDC officials protest receiving N10,000 instead of N100,000 for election duties in Osun
On Friday, officials of the Osun Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) employed in 2019 decried the payment of N10,000 instead of N100,000 as an allowance for election duty.
Recall that the Osun governorship election was held on July 16, 2022, while the presidential and National Assembly elections were held on February 25, 2023. Likewise, elections for the state assembly were held on April 18, 2023.
An official with the NSCDC claimed that other security officials received an allowance payment of N40,000 following the Osun 2022 gubernatorial election, but we (the 2019 intakes) did not.
“We asked for the allowance, but the NSCDC leadership ignored us. For the presidential/national Assembly elections and state assembly elections, N60,000 was evenly distributed to other security personnel, but we did not receive a single kobo.
Nigerian Chef Hilda extends marathon cooking records, surpasses 96-hour target
On Monday, Nigerian Chef, Hilda Effiong Bassey also known as Hilda Baci who had previously set a goal of 96 hours surpassed the 100-hour record.
Hilda had originally planned to finish at 4 PM today, surpassing the previous record holder for the “longest cooking marathon by an individual” with a 96-hour run.
The Lagos-based chef began the competition on Thursday after she turned on her cooker at 4 pm and surpassed the current world record holder on Monday morning.
If certified after the 100th hour, she will be displacing the current world record holder, Lata Tondon, an Indian chef who achieved the feat in 2019 with 87 hours 45 minutes record uninterrupted cooking.
Labour Party factions clash after tribunal proceedings
On Wednesday, there was a clash within the leadership of the Labour Party after a faction of the party strongly resisted journalists from interviewing the Lamidi Apapa-led group.
According to report, the group waited to block the interview with Apapa and booed him while chanting “ole”, “thief” and other uncomplimentary words.
The police quickly intervened as Apapa was swiftly taken outside the court premises even as the chanting continued.
The Presidential Election Petition Court had declined to acknowledge any representative of the Labour Party other than the first petitioner, Peter Obi, who was there.
The court, presided over by Justice Haruna Tsammani, made the judgement after hearing that there was a dispute between two sections of the party before the court commenced hearings.
When the subject was called, Obi stood up to proclaim his arrival, followed by Dudu Manuga, the Party’s National Women’s Leader who sat next to Obi.
Meanwhile, before the court could register Manuga’s name on the list, Lamidi Apapa swiftly stepped up to declare his attendance as the Labour Party’s representative.
However, Justice Haruna interjected and said, ” It appears there was a little disagreement… We are not recognizing any representative from the party.”
Tinubu discusses Nigeria-US relations with Sec Blinken
Ahead of the 29 May inauguration, Nigeria’s President-elect Bola Tinubu discussed strengthening US-Nigeria relations in a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday.
The US Department of State in a press release on its website said, “Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Nigerian President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu this morning to emphasise his continued commitment to further strengthening the U.S.-Nigeria relationship with the incoming administration.”
The statement noted that Mr Blinken looks forward to continuing to strengthen the US-Nigeria partnership which is built on shared interests and strong people-to-people ties after Mr Tinubu is sworn in as president on 29 May.
The two leaders also discussed the importance of inclusive leadership representing all Nigerians, continued comprehensive security cooperation, and reforms supporting economic growth.
Also, in a statement from the office of the president-elect signed by Tunde Rahman, Tinubu pledged to work to ensure continued positive relations with the United States.
“He (Bola Tinubu) urged the US to factor in Nigeria’s important place in Africa and provide needed assistance in the areas of security and economic investment for the nation to lead the way and be a shining example to the rest of the continent,” Mr Rahman said.
The president-elect said without national unity, security, economic development and good governance, Nigeria would not become a better place to live or play her proper role in the comity of African nations.
According to Mr Rahman, Mr Blinken assured Nigeria of a good and mutually-beneficial relationship with the US, promising to play his part in bringing a sustained and cordial relationship between the two nations to fruition, “saying a democratic and peaceful Nigeria is important to the United States as it is to Africa.”
Additionally, the president-elect said among his immediate priorities is to deliver institutional reforms and development programmes to deepen our democratic institutions and bring help to poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
Again, Suspected Fulani Herders Storm Nasarawa Communities, Kill 38
On Tuesday, Suspected marauding Fulani militia wreaking havoc in the middle belt part of the country reportedly killed 38 persons in Takalafiya, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Children and women are among those killed in the latest attack.
The latest killing was engendered by earlier standoff between a farmer and a herder, trouble began two weeks ago when a farmer in Gwanja, a community close to Takalafiya, challenged a herder who allowed his cattle to eat the newly planted crops.
“As the farmer was talking to the herder to send his herds out of his farm, a fierce disagreement ensued.
“We heard that the herder brought out a cutlass but the farmer snatched the cutlass and fought him back and unfortunately the herder died instantly,” Daily Trust quoted a local as saying.
NYSC at 50: Buhari gifts 65 ex-corps jobs, scholarships, awards
On Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari honored some 65 former National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members as part of the celebration of the scheme’s 50 years anniversary.
The president also highlighted the numerous achievements of the scheme since its establishment 50 years ago.
Speaking at the NYSC 50th Anniversary Honours Award held at the State House Conference Centre on Thursday, the President said out of the 65 recipients, 52 individuals received the Presidential Honours Awards, while the remaining 13 were physically challenged ex-corps members recognised under the NYSC Hope Alive Programme.
In addition to the employment, President Buhari also disclosed that both groups would be awarded scholarships to pursue their education up to the doctorate level at any university they choose within the country.
Furthermore, he announced a cash prize of N250,000 for each of the top award winners and N200,000 for other award recipients, including the physically challenged ex-corps members under the NYSC Hope Alive Programme.
Consequently, the President issued a directive to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Federal Civil Service Commission and the Minister of Education to ensure adherence to the employment offer and the granting of scholarships.
APC’s gov Matawalle to EFCC: You need to probe Buhari’s govt
On Thursday, Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State said the fight against corruption and probe of public office holders by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) must not be selective and partial.
He implored the commission to go after officials of the Presidency and members of the outgoing Federal Executive Council (FEC).
Matawalle was reacting to a statement credited to Abdulrasheed Bawa, Chairman of the anti-graft agency, that the EFCC had sent invitations to all outgoing governors and commissioners in a bid to commence investigation.
He said such probe should not be limited to outgoing governors and commissioners, but those working at the Presidential Villa as well.
He also said EFCC moves and actions as anti-graft agency do not inspire public confidence as it’s increasingly becoming a shelter for some unscrupulous characters.
Matawalle also urged the EFCC chairman to ensure that the investigation is not politicised and that all those who are found to be involved in corruption were brought to justice.
Report: Kwankwaso to join Tinubu’s cabinet after four-hour meeting with president-elect
On Monday, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the president-elect, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, candidate of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the February 25 presidential election, met for four hours in Paris, France.
The subject of their discussion centred around the formation of national government and the likelihood of Kwankwaso being part of such arrangement in the in-coming administration.
Tinubu plans to form a “government of national unity” — which means giving certain positions to opposition parties.
Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house of reps and presumptive chief of staff to the president-elect, attended the meeting while Abdulmumin Jibrin, an NNPP rep-elect and former leader of a Tinubu campaign organisation, accompanied Kwankwaso.
Oluremi Tinubu, senator and wife of president-elect received Kwankwaso’s wife, Salamatu.
The meeting also discussed issues around the election of the legislative leaders ahead of the June 13 inauguration of the 10th national assembly, according to TheCable.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has zoned the two top positions in both chambers but some of its members are kicking against the formula and threatening to go into an alliance with the opposition to upend the arrangement.
While APC has 59 senators and 175 members of the houses of reps, NNPP has two and 19 respectively.