Falz To CNN: I Am Not Afraid To Die, Buhari’s Promise Frustrating

Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana, singer, actor and activist, has said Buhari’s promise to reform the police was infuriating and frustrating as his administration had been making the same promise of reform since 2017.

He said this in an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, when a short clip of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Thursday’s speech was played.

In the clip, Buhari said SARS was scrapped in response to the #EndSARS campaigners’ demands and extensive police reforms were underway.

When Amanpour then asked him how much stock he puts in Buhari’s pledges, Falz, who had been shaking his head cynically as the clip played, said: “It’s infuriating, annoying and frustrating. And I think that’s how everyone is feeling right now.

“They have been reforming the police for a long time and we have never seen actual action. They announced that SARS had been disbanded in 2017, 2018, 2019 and now 2020.

“They just think we are stupid. It is insensitive.”

‘I am not afraid of dying’

When Amanpour asked him if he wasn’t scared, as many young people refused to appear on camera, Falz said he was not afraid for his life, as the Nigerian situation has made death a commonplace occurrence.

Falz told Amanpour: “I am not afraid for my life because where we are right now, I feel like I can easily die by anything else anyway.

“We have a non-existent healthcare system, for example. We have a seriously high level of poverty; there is unemployment.

“We are in a critical state because of the level of corruption and mismanagement of funds that we continue to see on a daily basis.

“I can have an accident on my way to work and die because the state of healthcare is nothing to write home about. People have to travel abroad to have proper healthcare.

“We keep on saying that every single Nigerian is one sickness away from passing away.

“So what kind of life am I living any way? Why should I be afraid of dying? I am going to die anyway, so what is the point?” Falz asked Amanpour.

#EndSARS #vanguard

EndSARS: Sanwo-Olu Lists Names Of Police Officers Currently Being Prosecuted

Good morning Lagos,

Today seems like a good day to get on to the work of rebuilding Lagos and ending police brutality.

To show our commitment to the latter, here is a list of ongoing prosecution of police officers for offences related to the violation of human rights in Lagos.

1. State of Lagos v. 1. Insp. Surulere Irede 2. Sgt. Sunday Ogunyemi 3. Corp. Hezekiah Babatunde - Manslaughter. Adjourned to 13/11/2020. Justice Ogunsanya

2. State of Lagos v. Ogunyemi Olalekan - Murder. Adjourned to 5/11/2020. Hon Justice Coker.

3. State of Lagos v. Sgt. Gbanwuan Isaac - Grievous Bodily Harm. Set for arraignment. Justice Sholadoye.

4. State of Lagos v. Aminu Joseph - Murder. Adjournment date to be announced. Hon Justice Nicole Clay.

5. State of Lagos v. Sgt. Alechenu Benedict - Armed Robbery. Arraigned. Hon Justice Coker.

6. State of Lagos v. Sgt. Adebayo Abdullah - Involuntary Manslaughter. Adjourned to 28/11/2020. Hon Justice Coker.

7. State of Lagos v. Insp. A Mohammed and 2 ORS - Armed Robbery. Adjourned to 10/11/2020. Hon Justice Sonaike.

8. State of Lagos v. Matthew Ohansi - Murder. Adjourned to 19/11/2020

9. State of Lagos v. 1. Sgt. Segun Okun 2. Capt. Adekunle Oluwarotimi - Manslaughter and Attempted Murder. Last adjournment date 15/7/2020, Court to give next date. Hon Justice Nicole Clay.

10. State of Lagos v. Adamu Dare - Murder. Last adjournment date 29/09/2020, Court to give next date. Hon Justice Nicole Clay

11. State of Lagos v. Sgt. Mark Argo and 5 ORS - Conspiracy and Armed Robbery. Next adjournment date 18/11/2020. Hon Justice Nicole Clay.

12. State of Lagos v. Corp. Pepple Boma - Manslaughter. Court to give next date. Hon Justice Nicole Clay.

13. State of Lagos v. Insp. Emmanuel Akpobana - Attempted Murder. Court to give ruling date. Hon Justice Balogun.

14. State of Lagos v. Emmanuel Uyankweke - Involuntary Manslaughter. Case part held. Hon Justice Akintoye.

15. State of Lagos v. Akanbi Lukmon - Involuntary Manslaughter. Information filed.

16. State of Lagos v. Edokhe Omokhide - Murder. Adjourned to 12/11/2020. Hon Justice Akinkigbe

17. State of Lagos v. Afolabi Saka - Murder. Newly filed.

18. State of Lagos v. Monday Gabriel - Murder. Newly filed.

19. State of Lagos v. Yahya Adeshina. Involuntary Manslaughter. Ready for filing.

20. State of Lagos v. Aremu Museliu - Murder. Ready for arraignment. Hon Justice Shonaike

Ban tomato importation – Dangote tells FG

The Managing Director of Dangote Tomato Processing plant in Kadawa, Kano State, Abdulkarim Kaita has on Thursday called on the Federal government to ban importation of tomato paste like it ban rice importation into the country.

This was as he decried importation of tomato paste which he said was still thriving as the commodity was being imported from Cameroon and Cotonour in Benin Republic.

Kaita made the call while flagging off the distribution of tomato seedlings to 5,000 farmers under the Anchor Borrower of Central Bank of Nigeria on Thursday at Kadawa village in Kura LGA of the state.

The MD also dropped hint that plans are underway by the company to ensure that Nigeria is self sufficient and positioned to export tomato by establishing the biggest greenhouse in Africa which has the capacity to produce 350 million seedlings annually.

According to him, “We are appealing to the Federal Government to put a total ban on the importation of tomato like what it did to rice.

“The ban is necessary so as to boost local production of the commodity and ensure that Nigeria is self sufficient in tomato production.

“the ban on the importation of tomato paste would lead to the establishment of more tomato processing plants thereby creating job opportunities for many people in the country.

“The company had on several occasions visited the Customs Headquarters and met with the Controller General with a view to lodging complaint over the issue but nothing was done to check the ugly trend.

“It is only by putting a total ban on tomato importation that the government can encourage farmers to grow the commodity for the country to be self sufficient.

“The company was working with the Central bank of Nigeria under the anchor Borrower programme to provide tomato farmers with high yield seeds which will enable them to produce a minimum of 40 tons per hectare.

“Similarly, the company is putting a lot of effort to ensure that Nigeria is self sufficient in tomato production by establishing the biggest greenhouse in Africa which has the capacity to produce 350 million seedlings annually.

“There are 12 major tomato producing states in the country which if fully cultivated, in the next one year, Nigeria will be able to start exporting tomato.

“The greenhouse which is the largest in Africa, is established to provide tomato growers with high yield tomato seedlings in the country,” Kaita said.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Kano State chapter, Tomato Growers Association of Nigeria, Sani Danladi-Yadakwari commended the Federal Government for including tomato value chain in the anchor borrower programme noting that it would go a long way in boosting tomato production in the country.

Some of the items benefitted by the tomato growers include seedlings, fertilizer, water pump and other inputs.

#vangaurd

Trailer Loaded With Goats And Other Livestock Looted By Hoodlums (Video).

Trailer fully loaded with goats and other livestock looted amid nationwide attacks in Nigeria

Governor Ugwuanyi Condemns Acts Of Violence And Criminality In Enugu.

#EndSARS protests:

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi addresses Ndi Enugu

*Sympathizes with victims of protests

*Condemns acts of violence and criminality in the state

*Appeals most passionately to youths of Enugu involved in the mayhem to have a rethink, pull back and allow measures instituted to address our collective pains to play out.

Watch the video clip

Sanwo-Olu Confirms Two Deaths From Lekki Shooting.

The Lagos governor promised to investigate the Lekki shooting.

Ifeoluwa Adediran

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said two deaths have been confirmed from the Lekki shooting that occurred on Tuesday.

Mr Sanwo-Olu said this in an interview with Arise TV on Thursday.

He had earlier said there was no death from the Lekki shooting.

On Wednesday, however, Mr Sanwo-Olu said one death was recorded in the hospital but the state was still investigating whether it was as a result of the shooting.

“Information reaching us now is that a life was lost at Reddington Hospital due to blunt force trauma to the head. It is an unfortunate and very sad loss. This is an isolated case. We are still investigating if he was a protester,” he posted on his Twitter handle.

On Thursday, Mr Sanwo-Olu said two deaths have now been confirmed among the protesters in Lekki. It is unclear whether the patient he formerly posted about is among the confirmed deaths.


Lekki Shooting

The Lekki shooting occurred around 7 p.m. on Tuesday when soldiers opened fire on unarmed protesters who were holding a peaceful protest at Lekki toll gate.

The #endsars protest, a campaign against police brutality and for the reform of the police, has been holding in different states of Nigeria for more than two weeks.

The protesters at the Lekki toll gate had been protesting peacefully for about a week before Tuesday’s incident, which has been condemned locally and internationally, including by Mr Sanwo-Olu.

While the protest in some parts of the country had turned violent, mainly after security officials attacked protesters, that of Lekki remained peaceful and well organised with the protesters even clearing their garbage.

However, on Tuesday, hours after a curfew announced by Mr Sanwo-Olu on the state was to commence, soldiers opened fire to disperse the protesters.

Amnesty International estimates that 12 people died from the Lekki shooting and a similar one in Alausa, Ikeja.

Mr Sanwo-Olu has condemned the attack and said he was not involved in the deployment of the soldiers.

Speaking on the shooting on Thursday, Mr Sanwo-Olu said he has “no knowledge about the protocols of the military and how they come out of their chain of command”.

“I don’t know how the officers got it all wrong because the instruction was that police won’t be out until 10-10:30 p.m. when all citizens should have gotten to their various homes. This is totally against what we stand for.

“The army does not report to me, I have reported the matter to the highest command in the military,” he said.

The governor said the state will investigate the incident and urged residents with factual evidence on additional deaths from the Lekki shooting to submit them to a panel of inquiry he intends to set up on the shootings.

“It’s not something we are going to gloss over. A judicial panel will be set up to investigate it. I have escalated it to the highest level of the military,” he said.

#premuimtimes #endsars

Governor Jide Sanwo-Olu Apologises To Lagosians.

We mourn the lives we have sadly lost across the state. To the families that we could have better protected, I sincerely apologise.
To the police and law enforcement that lost members, we also mourn them. Every life is important to us. And we do not take anyone for granted.

I was on Arise TV where I spoke on the efforts we’re making to return normalcy to our state. I mentioned my call to the President after which the Chief of Defence Staff called to assure us on helping to restoring security to our state.

Lagos will be stronger. We will rebuild bridges, we will deliver on the good work we started on ending police brutality and providing justice.

The unfortunate incident that happened served as a catalyst that fueled anger and looting by thugs across the state. False news and baiting was also spread across social media further causing more chaos. We indeed apologize for all the losses.

We are working to stabilise things across the state as we look to rebuild. The state team is working with the hospitals and emergency services to verify the details of everyone involved in incidents across the state.

I understand that tempers are high but we are beginning to get a clearer picture of what led us to this point, and I want to ask us to be circumspect to avoid further losses and triggering other sentiments. Do not encourage conflict through parody and innocent but inciteful words.

On our work to end police brutality, our panel is ready to begin work. We want to find justice and provide compensation for victims to the best of our abilities.
We encourage the youth to provide 2 representatives to join the judicial panel.

I want to implore Lagosians on the need to come together for genuine reconciliation to forge a better and stronger Lagos

Lagos is the center of excellence, a symbol of national pride and we need to protect it.
Once again, for all that has gone wrong in the past few days, I totally apologize.

It is my Lagos, your Lagos, our Lagos.

We will protect our home.

God bless Lagos State

#endsars #instagram

Soldiers Who Shot Protesters Must Face The Law, US Officials Tell Osinbajo.

Senior officials of the United States Government on Thursday met with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and expressed displeasure over the shooting of unarmed protesters at the Lekki toll plaza on Tuesday.

The US also demanded that the soldiers behind the shootings must be brought to book.

The Spokesperson for the State Department, Morgan Ortagus, said in a statement that the officials were led by Counselor of the US State Department, Ulrich Brechbühl.

Others at the meeting include: Assistant Secretary Robert Destro and Assistant Secretary Denise Natali.

The officials, according to the statement, raised concerns over the ongoing violence in Nigeria as well as human rights violations and human trafficking.

The statement read in part, “Counselor T. Ulrich Brechbühl met with Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo today in Abuja, Nigeria as part of a previously scheduled delegation, which included Assistant Secretary Robert Destro and Assistant Secretary Denise Natali, to raise US concerns about ongoing violence in Nigeria, human rights, religious freedom, and trafficking in persons, and to hear from senior Nigerian government officials how they are addressing those issues.

“The counselor expressed the US condemnation of the use of excessive force by military forces that fired on unarmed demonstrators in Lagos. He expressed condolences to the victims of these shootings and urged the government of Nigeria to abide by its commitment to hold those responsible accountable under the law.”

According to the statement, Osinbajo as well as the counselor noted that the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are essential human rights and core democratic principles.

“Counselor Brechbühl and Vice President Osinbajo emphasised the importance of US and Nigerian collaboration on common goals of improving security cooperation and strengthening economic partnership to foster mutual prosperity,” the statement read.

The Nigerian Army had on Wednesday denied that soldiers were at the toll plaza despite video evidence showing soldiers shooting.

#punchng #endsars

End SARS: ‘Your speech was useless, insensitive’ – Apostle Johnson Suleman attacks Buhari.

Apostle Johnson Suleman of Omega Fire Ministries, has rubbished President Muhammadu Buhari’s nationwide address over End SARS protest.

Suleman described Buhari’s speech as insensitive and useless.

He questioned the president’s failure to address the Lekki Toll Gate shooting in Lagos State.

In a tweet, the clergyman insisted that the broadcast was a waste of time.

According to Apostle Suleman:

Never had a more 'wasted 12mins' all my life...insensitive and useless speech..who gave the orders for people to be killed?.what's d repercussions of such blatant impunity?nobody was fired for lives wasted?.no compensation for victims family?..I wish I can"unwatch" it..

https://mobile.twitter.com/APO....STLESULEMAN/status/1

Summary of the speech-"youths,dont take my quietness for weakness...intl community,face your front..I will soon give youths palliatives,we are in shoprite buying them..police,una welldone..oba of lagos,ema binu sir...youths,dont go out again o,ask of me,I dont have joy

#endsars #twitter

Kola Ologbondiyan: Buhari's Speech Was Depressing And Failed Empathy Test

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described President Muhammadu Buhari’s address to the nation on Thursday evening, as disappointing and completely disconnected from the realities of the tragic occurrences in our country in the last two weeks.

This was contained in a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan.

PDP, however, appealed to Nigerians to remain calm and allow a return to normal life.

“Our party and, indeed, all lovers of peace in our country, were shocked that Mr. President glossed over the immediate trigger of violent protests – the widely condemned killing at the Lekki Toll Gate by security operatives. A situation which created a global concern and drew the attention of the world to the abuse of human rights going on in our country under his watch,” it read in part.

opposition party also criticized Buhari for his silence on the demand for investigation into the Military’s involvement in the shootings.

It added that “Nigerians had expected that Mr. President will provide the lead for the much-needed overhauling of our security architecture to meet the demands of professionalism and respect for rules of engagement.”

#nairaland #endsars