National
DSS should name nationwide protests sponsors – APC diaspora chieftain
Mr Ayoola Lawal, former Secretary, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Committee of Diaspora Chairmen, has urged the Department of State Services (DSS) to publicly reveal the sponsors of the planned nationwide protests.
Lawal in a statement on Tuesday stressed the need for transparency in the matter to maintain public trust and for Nigerians to know the motives of the people behind the protest.
He said that the DSS’s recent warnings about the protest had sparked significant concerns.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the DSS, in a statement on Thursday by its spokesperson, Mr Peter Afunanya, described the motive behind the protest as political.
The DSS in the statement said the protest organised to address economic hardships and governance issues in Nigeria, was allegedly being manipulated by certain individuals and groups.
Lawal, the immediate past APC Chairman in the Scandinavian countries, noted that publicly naming the sponsors would serve several purpose.
“Firstly, it will clarify whether these individuals or groups genuinely represent the interests and grievances of Nigerian populace or if they are pursuing personal or political agendas.
“Transparency is vital to ensure the public can distinguish between legitimate calls for action and potential manipulation by those with nefarious intentions.
“Moreover, the DSS has expressed concerns that the protest can lead to violence and disrupt public peace,” he said.
Lawal said that while maintaining security was paramount, it was equally important to respect Nigerians’ fundamental rights.
“But the DSS’s warning, without specific details or evidence, risks being perceived as an attempt to suppress dissent and can further erode public trust in governmental institutions.
“It is essential to approach this situation with a commitment to democratic principles. President Bola Tinubu’s administration has made efforts to address the underlying issues driving public discontent.
“The present administration is addressing such economic hardship in Nigeria, social inequities, taking the blame for the non-performance of state and local governments.
“President Tinubu cannot be tagged as suppressing the protest because he has been seen working around the clock, dialoguing and pleading for more time.
“There is a need for patience so Nigerians can start enjoying rewards of their patience and fruits of the prosperity foundation the present administration has already been laying,” he said.
Lawal called on all elected representatives, government appointees, traditional leaders, and ruling political party members to engage in open dialogue with the organisers of the protest.
“Constructive engagement can lead to peaceful resolutions and demonstrate the government’s responsiveness to the needs and concerns of its citizens.
“While the DSS has a duty to prevent violence and ensure public safety, it must also uphold Nigerians’ constitutional rights.
“Naming the sponsors of the protest is a step toward transparency and accountability, fostering a more open and democratic society.
“I appeal to all potential protesters to reconsider their approach and give President Tinubu more time to deliver on his mandate,” Lawal said.
He urged Nigerians to hold their state and local government leadership accountable. (NAN)
A total of 92 visually impaired candidates participated in the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) at the Kano centre.
Prof. Muhammad Yahuza-Bello, JAMB Coordinator for the Kano centre, made the announcement while monitoring the exercise on Monday.
The examination took place at the School of Continuing Education, Bayero University Kano (BUK), under the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) initiative for candidates with special needs.
Yahuza-Bello, a former vice-chancellor of BUK, explained that the 92 candidates were drawn from Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara, and Kaduna States.
He added that among the candidates, two had Down syndrome, while two others had autism.
The candidates, both male and female, were provided with specialized gadgets such as typewriters, braille machines, slates, styluses, and paper to facilitate their participation in the exams.
The coordinator also said over 500 candidates with special needs-ranging from visual impairments and albinism to Down syndrome and autism-had registered to take the exam at 11 centres across the country.
He said, unlike regular Computer-Based Testing (CBT) centres where candidates interact with screens and keyboards, special needs candidates benefit from adaptive materials to eliminate barriers to education.
Since its introduction in 2017, JEOG has seen positive results, with an increasing number of special needs candidates gaining admission into tertiary institutions.
Yahuza-Bello pointed out that while approximately 25% of regular candidates gain admission, over 33% of special needs candidates are successful in securing placements.
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National
Court Approves Federal Government’s Request to Protect Witness Identities in Nnamdi Kanu Trial
A federal high court in Abuja has authorized the federal government’s request to keep the identities of witnesses in the trial of Nnamdi Kanu confidential.
Kanu, who leads the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been held by the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2021 on charges of terrorism and treasonable felony.
On Tuesday, prosecution attorney Adegboyega Awomolo informed the court that he had submitted an ex parte application on April 10 to safeguard the identities of the witnesses. He requested that the court provide screens and masks to ensure their anonymity.
“The purpose of this request is to ensure the safety and security of state officers who will serve as witnesses,” he stated.
Kanu Agabi, the defendant’s counsel, did not contest the application.
The trial is underway, with the first witness, a DSS operative, already called to testify.
Kanu was re-arraigned on March 21 before Judge James Omotosho of the federal high court in Abuja.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Aisha Achimugu.
The managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of Felak Concept Group was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Achimugu was taken in around 5am on Tuesday after arriving in Nigeria from London.
More to follow…