News
Stampedes: Police should be held responsible for deaths of 115 Nigerians – Falana
Human Rights Lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has said that the Nigerian Police Force is to be blamed for the deaths of 115 Nigerians during the recent food stampedes in Ibadan, Abuja and Anambra States.
Falana stated this in Akure, Ondo state capital while delivering a public lecture organised by the Ondo State government in memorial of former governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
The title of the lecture, which is the first in the series is “Security Sector Reform in Promoting Peace, Stability, and Development: The Ondo State Example.”
According to him, the unfortunate incidents happened because the police were negligent of their constitutional duties.
He said: “The deaths of 115 Nigerians in the recent incidents in Ibadan, Abuja, and Okija are unacceptable. The police failed to protect the people, and I hold them responsible. The government must pay compensation to the families who lost their loved ones because of these failures.”
He called on the Nigerian government to combat social insecurity, evident in the night rate of poverty, unemployment, hunger and illiteracy in the country.
He emphasised that without social security in place, physical security, that is security of lives and property of the citizenry cannot the guaranteed.
Falana commended the virtues of the late Akeredolu for fighting for justice, to secure the lives and property of the people.
He noted that Akeredolu’s establishment of Amotekun has made Ondo State a reference point in security matters across Nigeria.
“Today, all 36 state governors have come together to approve state police, but it was Akeredolu who laid the groundwork by enacting the law that legitimized Amotekun. That singular action has made Ondo State the most peaceful state in Nigeria,” he said.
Falana highlighted the importance of preserving Akeredolu’s legacy, noting that the greatest tribute to Akeredolu is the sustainability of his legacy.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa while speaking extolled the virtues of his former boss, noting that his achievements in the areas of security, infrastructure, education, and health are numerous and enduring.
His words: “His administration’s achievements remain profound—roads, bridges, health centres, and education reforms that continue to inspire us. Akeredolu’s legacy of progress is evident everywhere, and his passion for the security of lives and property has made Ondo State one of the safest and most peaceful in Nigeria,”
Aiyedatiwa who was deputy governor of Akeredolu in his second term in office as governor noted that Akeredolu was a courageous leader who spoke truth to power and fought for the advancement of democracy and the Rule of Law.
He vowed that his administration would continue in Akeredolu’s vision of development and good governance.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the occasion, Afenifere Chieftain, Chief Sehinde Arogbofa praised Akeredolu for his boldness in prioritizing the security and development of Ondo State.
He commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for sustaining the Amotekun initiative and called for continued efforts to deepen Akeredolu’s vision.
Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu was governor of Ondo State from February 2017 till his demise at a German hospital on December 26, 2023, at the age of 67, after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer.
Channels
Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communications to Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has responded to the recent appointment of Bashir Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
Olayinka took to X (formerly Twitter) to address discussions surrounding this leadership transition. His post aimed to clarify that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not dismiss Mele Kyari, a northerner, to replace him with a southerner, as some speculated. Instead, Olayinka pointed out that Ojulari, like Kyari, hails from the northern region of Nigeria.
According to Olayinka’s post on his official X account, he emphasised that Bashir Ojulari is from Kwara State, located in North Central Nigeria. Additionally, the new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, originates from Borno State in the North East.
His post stated: “Bashir Ojulari, the new NNPCL CEO, is a northerner from Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. The new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is also a northerner, from Borno State, North East Nigeria.”
Olayinka’s statement came in response to narratives suggesting that the appointment was politically motivated to favour one region over another.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State, while warning against retaliatory violence targeting Southerners in Northern Nigeria.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, MBF Spokesman Luka Binniyat denounced inflammatory threats from individuals claiming to represent Northern interests in response to the killings.
Recalled that the victims, were allegedly armed hunters, traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano when they were attacked by a mob that accused them of being kidnappers.
“The MBF strongly condemns the unlawful killing of any Nigerian citizen, including those who lost their lives in Uromi,” the statement read. “However, we categorically reject any attempt to use this tragic incident as a pretext to unleash violence against Southerners residing in Northern Nigeria.”
The forum assured that the Middle Belt would not become a battleground for reprisals, emphasizing that it remains a safe haven for all law-abiding Nigerians. It urged community leaders and youths to remain vigilant and prevent any attempts to instigate violence, calling for anyone with such intentions to be handed over to authorities.
The MBF also reaffirmed its commitment to justice for all victims of violence across Nigeria. The statement highlighted the ongoing security challenges facing Middle Belt communities, citing persistent attacks by armed herdsmen with little government intervention.
” We hope that the swift response to the Uromi killings would serve as a precedent for broader action against criminal elements terrorizing the region.
“Thousands of our people remain in captivity, and vast portions of our land are still under the control of violent outlaws—primarily Fulani militants,” the statement noted.
“Justice must be served across the board.”
The MBF concluded by reiterating its support for the ongoing investigation into the Uromi incident and calling for a fair and decisive crackdown on all forms of criminality across the country.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.
Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.
“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.
This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.
Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.
Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.
The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.
“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”
He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.
Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.
“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.
“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.
“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.
The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.