Pastor Adeboye's Son Leads EndSARS Service Outside Lagos Government House.(video)

Leke Adeboye, one of the sons of Enoch Adeboye, general overseer of the Redemeed Christian Church of God (RCCG), led a service for #EndSARS protesters in Lagos on Sunday.

The service which held at the protest ground in front of government house, Lagos, had Christian faithful in attendance.

The protesters have been on the streets for over a week, demanding an end to police brutality.

#thecable #EndSARS

Soro Soke: #endsars Protesters Launch Online Radio

#endsars protesters launch online radio, Soro Soke

Youths calling for a total overhaul of the Nigeria Police Force have launched an online radio, Soro Soke, The PUNCH has learnt.

The channel, through effective and timely communication, is expected to aid the coordination of #endsars protests nationwide.

When our correspondent tuned in to the station around 1pm on Sunday, programmes and live reports of missing and found #endsars protesters were escalated on the radio, https://s4.radio.co/s99d55c85b/listen

Songs calling for a reformed Nigeria were also heard on the station.

Soro Soke, a Yoruba sentence which translates as ‘Speak Up,’ had last week become a mantra of the #endsars campaign after protesters in Lagos State urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ‘soro soke’ whilst addressing the youths.

Soro Soke is also a metaphor for all Nigerians to speak up against bad governance and resist corrupt leaders.

The Twitter handle of the station, @Sorosoke247, reads, “24/7 update on all things protest. We are for a better nation powered by value for life and good governance.”

The PUNCH had earlier reported that the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad approved the five-point demands put forward by the youths protesting against the brutality and extrajudicial killings by ex-SARS operatives.

Although the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, scrapped the police unit last Sunday and announced a replacement, the protesters want the police authorities to carry out psychological evaluation and re-training of all disbanded SARS officers before they are redeployed.

They demand the release of all arrested protesters, justice for all deceased victims of police brutality and appropriate compensation for their families. They also want increased salaries for police officers as well as the establishment of an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of police misconduct.

The government and some business leaders had tried to persuade the youths to leave the streets but the protesters have insisted that until the government implements their demands, the demonstrations would continue.

Over N80m has been raised for the #endsars campaign which has gained the support of well-meaning people at home and abroad.

#endsars #punchng

I Have Not Defected To APC – Umahi

Ebonyi Governor Dave Umahi has denied reports making the rounds he has left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

A House of Representatives from Ebonyi, Chinedu Ogah had claimed on Saturday the Governor had defected to the APC.

Ogah, who is the only APC federal lawmaker from Ebonyi, also commended the Governor for defecting to APC.

According to Ogah, Umahi defected to the APC after meeting several leaders of the party, including President Muhammadu Buhari.

He described it as a bold step and move in the right direction and asked About, Enugu and Anambra Governors to join the APC for stability in the polity and South East.

“Yes, Governor Umahi’s defection to our great party, APC is a step in the right direction.

“We cannot afford to remain in opposition. We must join the ruling party to continue to reap the dividends of democracy.

“I am calling on other Governor in the southeast to toe the line of Governor Umahi and join APC. We have to be at the center, we have to join mainstream politics for the overall development of our zone and the country in general.


President Muhammadu Buhari has done well. Everybody should join the APC to encourage him”, Ogah said.

But when contacted, Governor Umahi, in a terse reply simply told The Nation “it is not true.”

The Governor’s Media Aide, Maze Francis, also debunked the report.

He said: “My attention has been drawn to the news making the round in some quarters of the media, alleging that the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi has defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC)”.

“The news is a product of a figment of imagination on the part of the carriers as Governor Umahi was, is, and is still flying the flag of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)”.

“It is, however, difficult to observe how people are easily persuaded to believe in fake dummies in the name of rumours.

“If for any reason, Governor Umahi wishes to leave People Democratic Party (PDP), it will be officially communicated and can never be a product from rumour mongers”.

“The general public is advised to jettison such unfounded rumour”.

#nationonline

EndSARS: Mr. President Has Spoken And He Means Every Word - Laolu Akande

The SSA On Media And Publicity to the Vice President, Mr. Laolu Akande reteirated the commitments of President Muhammadu Buhari towards bringing an end to brutality by the Nigerian Police and the ongoing efforts on all the related issues including matters of compensation for victims of #endsars.

In a tweet that seems to be an engagement, Mr. Laolu also said that in line with the directive by the Vice President, Prof, Yemi Osinbajo to the governors during the NEC meeting, some states have already setup judicial panels with a span of six (6) months to complete their tasks.

In a closing remark, he said "Let's work together to move country forward. There is indeed a global economic downturn but its actually an opportunity to fix things and deliver better results".

#twitter

ASUU To Fg: Why Do You Want To Spend Money On IPPIS When UTAS Is Free?

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has challenged the Federal Government to tell Nigerians why it prefers to spend money on enrolling workers on the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, IPPIS, when the union’s University Transparency and Accountability System, UTAS, can be used for the same purpose free of charge.

The National President of ASUU, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, threw the challenge on Sunday in a chat with Vanguard.

He wondered why the government would insist on wasting scarce public resources on an investment that would in the end fail to meet expectations.

“We are close to actualising UTAS’ integrity process. We wonder why the government is insisting on IPPIS that cannot meet expectations in terms of performance. Does it make sense for the government to waste money on IPPIS?

“For everyone listed on the IPPIS platform, they pay some money to those who brought the platform. But for UTAS, they don’t need to pay a dime. They should tell Nigerians why despite the economic challenges in the country, they are insisting on something that would take money from the national purse when some people have a better alternative that costs nothing. Definitely, something must be wrong somewhere,” he said.

On the claim by the government that most university lecturers have been enrolled in IPPIS, Ogunyemi said it was untrue.

“From our investigations, not up to one quarters of our members are on the platform. The few ones on the platform are of three categories. The first being those close to retirement or those retiring who felt being enrolled would help secure their entitlements.

“The second category is the newly-recruited staff who also felt they wanted to secure their jobs and those who were cajoled into enrolling. The government only listed names of our members on the platform without the biometric being done by the listed lecturers and when the biometric is not done, the listing amounts to nothing.

“If they are still boasting that they have our members on the IPPIS, what are they sending teams to universities to list members on the IPPIS,” he stated.

On last week’s meeting, ASUU had with the government delegation, Ogunyemi said nothing was really achieved because matters for discussion were just opened before the meeting ended.

He added that another meeting would take place during the week but could not confirm the date yet.

ASUU has been on strike since late March this year over issues such as the revitalisation of the university system, setting up of Visitation Panels to universities, implementation of an earlier agreement reached with the government among others before the IPPIS issue cropped up.

#vanguard

ASUU To Fg: Why Do You Want To Spend Money On IPPIS When UTAS Is Free?

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has challenged the Federal Government to tell Nigerians why it prefers to spend money on enrolling workers on the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, IPPIS, when the union’s University Transparency and Accountability System, UTAS, can be used for the same purpose free of charge.

The National President of ASUU, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, threw the challenge on Sunday in a chat with Vanguard.

He wondered why the government would insist on wasting scarce public resources on an investment that would in the end fail to meet expectations.

“We are close to actualising UTAS’ integrity process. We wonder why the government is insisting on IPPIS that cannot meet expectations in terms of performance. Does it make sense for the government to waste money on IPPIS?

“For everyone listed on the IPPIS platform, they pay some money to those who brought the platform. But for UTAS, they don’t need to pay a dime. They should tell Nigerians why despite the economic challenges in the country, they are insisting on something that would take money from the national purse when some people have a better alternative that costs nothing. Definitely, something must be wrong somewhere,” he said.

On the claim by the government that most university lecturers have been enrolled in IPPIS, Ogunyemi said it was untrue.

“From our investigations, not up to one quarters of our members are on the platform. The few ones on the platform are of three categories. The first being those close to retirement or those retiring who felt being enrolled would help secure their entitlements.

“The second category is the newly-recruited staff who also felt they wanted to secure their jobs and those who were cajoled into enrolling. The government only listed names of our members on the platform without the biometric being done by the listed lecturers and when the biometric is not done, the listing amounts to nothing.

“If they are still boasting that they have our members on the IPPIS, what are they sending teams to universities to list members on the IPPIS,” he stated.

On last week’s meeting, ASUU had with the government delegation, Ogunyemi said nothing was really achieved because matters for discussion were just opened before the meeting ended.

He added that another meeting would take place during the week but could not confirm the date yet.

ASUU has been on strike since late March this year over issues such as the revitalisation of the university system, setting up of Visitation Panels to universities, implementation of an earlier agreement reached with the government among others before the IPPIS issue cropped up.

#vanguard

ASUU To Fg: Why Do You Want To Spend Money On IPPIS When UTAS Is Free?

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has challenged the Federal Government to tell Nigerians why it prefers to spend money on enrolling workers on the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, IPPIS, when the union’s University Transparency and Accountability System, UTAS, can be used for the same purpose free of charge.

The National President of ASUU, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, threw the challenge on Sunday in a chat with Vanguard.

He wondered why the government would insist on wasting scarce public resources on an investment that would in the end fail to meet expectations.

“We are close to actualising UTAS’ integrity process. We wonder why the government is insisting on IPPIS that cannot meet expectations in terms of performance. Does it make sense for the government to waste money on IPPIS?

“For everyone listed on the IPPIS platform, they pay some money to those who brought the platform. But for UTAS, they don’t need to pay a dime. They should tell Nigerians why despite the economic challenges in the country, they are insisting on something that would take money from the national purse when some people have a better alternative that costs nothing. Definitely, something must be wrong somewhere,” he said.

On the claim by the government that most university lecturers have been enrolled in IPPIS, Ogunyemi said it was untrue.

“From our investigations, not up to one quarters of our members are on the platform. The few ones on the platform are of three categories. The first being those close to retirement or those retiring who felt being enrolled would help secure their entitlements.

“The second category is the newly-recruited staff who also felt they wanted to secure their jobs and those who were cajoled into enrolling. The government only listed names of our members on the platform without the biometric being done by the listed lecturers and when the biometric is not done, the listing amounts to nothing.

“If they are still boasting that they have our members on the IPPIS, what are they sending teams to universities to list members on the IPPIS,” he stated.

On last week’s meeting, ASUU had with the government delegation, Ogunyemi said nothing was really achieved because matters for discussion were just opened before the meeting ended.

He added that another meeting would take place during the week but could not confirm the date yet.

ASUU has been on strike since late March this year over issues such as the revitalisation of the university system, setting up of Visitation Panels to universities, implementation of an earlier agreement reached with the government among others before the IPPIS issue cropped up.

#vanguard

IGP Lists Requirements For SWAT Operatives As Training BeginsToday Being Monday

Mohammed Adamu, on Sunday, revealed the requirements for officers to be trained in the new police tactical team to replace the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

He said the training of selected officers for the Special Weapons and Tactics team would commence on Monday, October 19, 2020.

The IGP noted that no ex-SARS operatives were shortlisted in the SWAT team.

Adamu also explained that “the officers selected for the training are young, smart and energetic officers who have acquired not less than seven (7) years working experience with clean service records – no pending disciplinary matters, no record of violation of rights of citizens or misuse of firearms – and are physically fit to withstand the rigour of SWAT Training and Operations.

“The selected officers shall be subjected to physical fitness test, medical and toxicology screening etc and those found to be unsuitable shall be discharged.”

This was contained in a statement on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba. The statement was titled, ‘NPF New Tactical Team Commences Training Monday Oct 19’.

Adamu promised Nigerians that the SWAT team “will operate within very high professional and ethical standards, rule of law and dictates of best international policing practices.”

He also disclosed that to ensure adequate training and screening of SWAT operatives, the Nigeria Police Force has partnered the International Committee of the Red Cross and other development partners for the training which begins tomorrow at the Police Mobile Force Training School, Ila Oragun, Osun State and the PMF Training School, Ende Hills, Nasarawa State.

He said the ICRC “will handle topics touching on humanitarian laws, police conduct in conflict situation, human rights standard especially in the use of force and firearms, arrest and detention amongst others.

“Other areas of the training program will include modern-day police ethics and values, intelligence-led policing, operation planning/tactical decision-making processes, hostage rescue tactics and operation, weapon handling, first aid/basic life-saving skills, stress/fear management, police-citizens relations and emotional intelligence etc.

“The training modules will be handled by other carefully selected development partners, security experts as well as veterans from the civil society and human rights community.”

The IGP sought the cooperation of Nigerians “in the ongoing development drive for a new and reformed Nigeria Police Force” while “he enjoined them to be patient and to believe in the reform processes which are all directed at ensuring the security, safety and rights of all.”

For about two weeks now, the #endsars protests have been taking place across major cities in the country with youths calling for the reform of the police force.

Major highways across the country have been blocked thereby grounding economic activities.

The youths have been resolute and firm in their stand that they would not leave the streets until the much-needed reforms were actualised.

#punchng

#endsars Protesters At CBN Headquarters In Abuja, Say We Are Sleeping Over

A new Nigeria is Possible.
Youths block CBN Headquarters in Abuja this night, say, "we are sleeping over".

#twitter

Watch video here.

#EndSARS Protesters At CBN Headquarters In Abuja, Say We Are Sleeping Over

A new Nigeria is Possible.
Youths block CBN Headquarters in Abuja this night, say, "we are sleeping over"

#nairaland

Watch video here.