The Nigeria Labour Congress, on Wednesday, threatened a showdown as the Governor of Gombe State, Muhammad Yahaya, declared that the state would not be able to pay the N70,000 new minimum wage.
President Bola Tinubu signed the new minimum wage bill into law on Monday, making N70,000 payment mandatory.
But the Gombe governor, while speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on Tuesday at the state Government House in Gombe, said, “I cannot pay the N70,000 minimum wage, and I suspect many other states are in the same predicament.”
In an interview with our correspondent on Wednesday, the NLC Secretary in Gombe State, Ibrahim Fika, said the declaration by the Gombe governor, who is also the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, was a recipe for renewed struggle by organised labour.
The NLC scribe said, “The governor has said his mind before us. We are anticipating the table of the national headquarters for the adjustment; from there we will start our own struggle because as we all know, the new minimum wage is now a law after passing through scrutiny in the legislature and getting the presidential assent.
“We don’t see the reason why a governor will say he can’t afford to pay N70,000. We are expecting governors to pay more than that, not less. We will do our possible best to see that Gombe enjoys the new minimum wage by God’s grace.”
THE Senate has asked Nigerians and promoters of the nationwide protests to halt their plans in the interest of the country.
According to the Senate, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has, within one year in office, initiated policies that would benefit Nigerians in the near future.
Speaking after an executive session that lasted close to two hours yesterday, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said the Senate, having reviewed the situation, with regards to the nationwide protests slated today, is urging those warming up for the action to shelve their plan.
Akpabio had on Sunday summoned an emergency session of the upper legislative chambers, ahead of the nationwide protest.
Meanwhile, there was a heavy security presence in and around the National Assembly complex in Abuja yesterday, as lawmakers held an emergency plenary.
Contrary to the usual practice, the Sergeant-at-arms, barricaded the entrance to the National Assembly, with strict adherence to the provision of identification cards for entry at the Mopol gate.
Policemen in their numbers, hovered around the entrance of the National Assembly with their guns.
The heightened security, it was gathered, was allegedly intended to prevent protesters from gathering at the venue.
According to the President of the Senate, initiatives such as the signing of the national minimum wage bill into law, establishment of the North West and South East Development Commissions, granting of local government autonomy, among others, will reduce hunger and poverty in the country.
He said the various bills passed by the National Assembly would also help in resolving the economic challenges bedeviling the country.
Akpabio said: “The senate in a closed session, deliberated on issues bothering on the workings of the Senate in particular and the national assembly in general.
“The Senate particularly reviewed the current situation as regards the impending protest set to be slated for tomorrow August 1.
“This protest is slated for tomorrow, the 30th of August, 2024 and I kindly urge you that one year is not long enough for the policies being implemented by the current administration of President Asuwajibola Bola Tunibu to yield the desired results.
“The Senate urges the protesters to give the government more time to address their demands, considering the measures being put in place to ameliorate the situation in the country, such as the National Minimum Wage Act, the sale of crude oil to local refiners in naira, the implementation of Students Loan Act, the assent recently granted to the Southeast Development Commission and the Northwest Development Commission, bills passed by the National Assembly to further address developments at the grassroots.
“The Senate, and in fact the entire National Assembly, is willing to legislate on all matters that will bring succour to Nigerians in general.”
Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Cross River State, Alphonsus Eba on Wednesday said the party has secured police permit to march in all the 196 political wards of the state against the nationwide protest.
He made this known during an interaction with journalists at the APC Secretariat in Calabar.
Eba said he will lead the APC members to move about in designated routes in Calabar for 14 days.
According to him, other party officials and registered members will engage in similar marches in their different local government and wards as from August 1st.
“We are embarking on solidarity march in support of Mr President’s and our amiable state governor’s feats in office which altogether changed the backward strides and charted positive and progressive dividends for Nigerians.
“Those that may be misguided, the security agencies will handle and lead them to psychiatric and other confined homes,” he said.
The Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, said the major concern of President Bola Ahmed ahead of the planned August 1, 2024, hardship protest is how to safeguard the gains of his government in the past 15 months.
Edun disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing in Abuja.
According to him, the president desires that protests be peaceful so that Nigeria’s economic recovery momentum will not be dislodged.
Edun noted that Tinubu understands the concerns of Nigerians and is working round the clock to proffer lasting solutions.
“He is concerned that the protests will remain peaceful and orderly, such that the gains that have been made over the past 12 to 15 months should not be dissipated. The momentum that has been achieved in the Nigerian economy should not be dislodged, disturbed or dissipated.
“I think, amongst many other well-meaning Nigerians, the President truly understands the concerns that are being expressed, particularly the high and limited cost of living, which is not beneficial to Nigeria at this stage,” he said.
The minister commented barely hours before the planned August 1 protest nationwide.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has issued an ex-parte order, restricting Abuja protesters to the National Stadium otherwise known as the MKO Abiola stadium.
The order followed an application that was brought before the court by the Minister of the FCT, Mr. Nyesom Wike.
The scheduled nationwide protest against economic hardship in the country is slated to commence tomorrow..
In the ex-parte application that was moved by Chief Ogwu Onoja, SAN, the FCT Minister, prayed the court for an order of interim injunction restraining the five leaders of the protesting groups from gathering or parading themselves along any roadway, streets, offices and public premises within the FCT between August 1 to August 10, or any other day thereafter, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
He equally applied for order of interim injunction mandating security agencies to prevent the protesting leaders from gathering or parading themselves along any roadway, offices or public premises within the FCT between August 1 and 10, pending the determination of the suit.
Insisting that the Federal Government was not opposed to the planned protest, the FCT Minister told the court that intelligence and security reports reaching him indicated that some elements within the leadership of the protesters were planning to capitalize on the protest to cause havoc and irreparable damages to public facilities and to also block roadways to prevent movement of persons and vehicles and disturb public peace.
He claimed that when he contacted the security agencies to ensure that the planned protest will not degenerate into criminality and disturbance of public peace and order, he was told that they are not well equipped to manage any crisis that may arise from the planned protest at a short notice.
The Minister tendered an exhibit from the “Take it Back Movement, FCT,” signed by one Damilare Adenola, in which they threatened to invade the Presidential Villa and also threatened to pull down the outer wires facing the Aso Rock villa during the protest
The said exhibit further indicated that the organisers demanded that they should be provided with light as well as toilet during the duration of the protest.
After he had listened to the Applicant, Justice Oriji, while acknowledging the right of individuals to embark on the protest, however restricted them to the Stadium in view of the fears expressed by the minister.
“In the light of the above, the court considers it appropriate and expedient to grant an order under the omnibus or general prayer to ensure that the rights of the protesters are guaranteed and that the protest does not negatively or adversely affect the rights of other citizens to move about and to ensure that that properties and other public facilities are not destroyed,” the judge held.
He, therefore, ordered the 1st to 5th respondents to “use the Moshood Abiola Stadium” only for the protest.
More so, the court ordered the service of processes in the suit as well as the confinement order on the respondents by placing same on the newspapers.
Cited as 1st to 12th Defendants in the suit, are; Omoyele Sowore, Damilare Adenola, Adama Ukpabi, Tosin Harsogba, persons unknown, Inspector General IG of Police, Commissioner of Police, Director General of the State Security Service, Director General, Nigeria Civil Defense Corps, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air staff and the Chief of Naval Staff.
Ahead of the planned nationwide protest scheduled to begin on August 1, the Organised Civil Society has issued guidelines to protesters to ensure the success of the protest against hunger and hardship in the country.
The guidelines, according to a statement signed by the Head, Coordinating Secretariat of the United Action Front of Civil Society, Olawale Okunniyi on Wednesday, followed a meeting with the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
The group urged protesters to be civil and orderly, and not allow anyone to provoke or distract them, from the agenda of the protest. They also urged protesters to record with their phones in the event of any external aggression and send such recordings to the Civil Society Situation Room on Protests Ethics Monitoring.
Okunniyi also implored protesters not to go to the venues of the protests with sharp objects or weapons as any such person will be handed over to security agents.
The statement read in part, “Citizens participating in the protest rallies and processions are advised to be civil, orderly and focused and not allow anybody or forces to provoke or distract them from the agenda and goal of the protest, which is to compel government to end Hunger and Hardships in the country
“Protesters should endeavour to come out with their small pack of bottle of water and snacks if possible and should be smartly dressed. Protesters are advised not to come to protest ground with sharp, hard and violent objects or weapons as anybody seen with such objects and weapons shall be apprehended and handed over to security agents or protest monitoring team for prosecution.
“For help and support during the nationwide protests, citizens are enjoined to contact protest monitors at the situation room of the organised Civil Society via WhatsApp of the following hotlines: +23481-884-51511, +234 814 286 4904,+234 703 504 6101, +234 803 582 3617. Please note that the above hotlines are for WhatsApp messages only”.
The group also urged the government and its agents to “demobilise and caution those being recruited to threaten and intimidate peaceful Protesters to desist to avoid unnecessary clash and battle in the interest of peace and stability of Nigeria.”
He added that any such sponsored mobilisation against the protesters will “may lead to another unwanted riot in the mode of #EndSars debacle in Nigeria.”
#EndBadGovernance: First lady urges Nigerians to be patient with her husband’s administration
AFOLABI
The first lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has urged Nigerians, particularly youths, to be patient with the present administration as it works earnestly to ensure that things get better.
The first lady gave the advice in the State House on Wednesday during an interview with journalists on the planned nationwide hunger protest by some youths.
“I appeal to the youths to be patient, we did not come to the state house to play, we are here to work because I know we will leave this place one day.
“The government has been working day and night to make sure that our country is put back on its feet.
“The respect we have now as Nigerians in the international community is higher than what we had in the past.
“People now want to do business with Nigerians legitimately and that will create jobs. Therefore, our youths should try and engage themselves, be creative and do more,” she said
The first lady said Lagos state was yet to recover from the impact of #EndSars protest, and it saddened the hearts.
“When people beat drums for protest, they may not know the backlash and what will happen after.
“That is why we are appealing to the youths to restrain from the planned protest, give peace a chance and embrace dialogue,” she said
(NAN)
#EndBadGovernance: Protest is democratic right, I’m ready to join protesters - Kano Governor
AFOLABI
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano has thrown his weight behind the #EndBadGovernance protest over the heightened cost of living crisis under President Bola Tinubu’s watch, adding that he is ready to join the protests because it is the democratic right of citizens.
“For us, protest is a democratic right of every citizen. I want the protesters to carry out their procession with caution, as some criminal elements plan to hijack the protest,” Mr Yusuf said.
He added, “If you embark on a peaceful procession, I will receive you, and if you wish, I’ll join you. “
Mr Yusuf’s statement comes on the eve of nationwide protests over economic hardships exacerbated by soaring food prices under Mr Tinubu’s government.
Though Mr Tinubu’s government has begged that the protest be shelved, Nigerians have vowed to hit the streets across the country to vent their displeasure over the prevailing cost of living crisis.
The Lagos State Police Command, on Wednesday, confirmed that three domestic staff have been arrested in connection with the murder of the daughter of Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court in Lagos.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who made the revelation to journalists, said that the arrest of the three suspects was initiated in line with a directive from the State’s Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, to investigate the death thoroughly.
SP Hundeyin further disclosed that the arrested three domestic staff members have been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department, which has since taken over the investigation.
The deceased, Aribemchukwu, was reportedly killed in her Parkview Estate residence in the highbrow Ikoyi area of the state on Wednesday morning.
A family source who craved anonymity because of the current state of the family, said she was killed on Tuesday night, and her body was discovered Wednesday morning outside the gate of her residence.
“It would appear that new household staff might have been responsible and tried to stage as if she was outside when it happened.
“There are signs of an attempt to clean up blood inside the house and in the compound. This was indeed the handiwork, and we observed that they were newly employed less than a month, and she was alone in the house with them.
“Newly employed domestic staff, who had been with the family for less than a month, are suspected to have staged the scene to make it appear that Aribemchukwu was outside the house when the incident occurred. Evidence suggests an attempt to clean up blood inside the house and within the compound, pointing to a different narrative,” the source narrated.
Aribemchukwu’s father, Soboma Ajumogobia, is the younger brother of Odein Ajumogobia, SAN, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and later one-time Minister of Foreign Affairs.
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has restricted participants in the August 1 hunger protest against the federal government to the MKO Abiola stadium, also known as the National Stadium.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji issued the order on Wednesday in Abuja while delivering a ruling in an ex-parte application brought before him by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
In the ex parte application argued by Chief Ogwu James Onoja, the FCT Minister had applied for an order of interim injunction restraining the five leaders of the protesting groups from gathering or parading themselves along any roadway, streets, offices and public premises within the FCT between August 1 and 10, or any other day thereafter, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
He also applied for another order of interim injunction mandating the security agencies to prevent the protesting leaders from gathering or parading themselves along any roadway, office or public premises within the FCT between August 1 and 10, pending the hearing of his motion on notice.
The minister, who said that the federal government was not averse to the protest, claimed that intelligence and security reports reaching him indicated that some elements within the leadership of the protesters intend to capitalise on the planned protest to cause havoc and irreparable damage to public facilities and block roadways to prevent movement of persons and vehicles and disturb public peace.
He claimed that when he contacted the security agencies to ensure that the planned protest did not degenerate into criminality and disturbance of public peace and order, he was told that they are not well equipped to manage any crisis that may arise from the planned protest at short notice; hence, they advised him that prevention is better than cure.
The minister tendered an exhibit from the “Take it Back Movement, FCT”, signed by one Damilare Adenola, in which they threatened to invade the Presidential Villa and also threatened to pull down the outer wires facing the Aso Rock villa during the protest
Besides, they demanded that the FCT provide them with light as well as toilets during the duration of the protest.
In his ruling, Justice Oriji, who recognised the rights of the protesters to embark on the protest, restricted them to the stadium because of the genuine fears expressed by the minister.
“In the light of the above, the court considers it appropriate and expedient to grant an order under the omnibus or general prayer to ensure that the rights of the protesters are guaranteed and that the protest does not negatively or adversely affect the rights of other citizens to move about and to ensure that properties and other public facilities are not destroyed,” the judge held.
He therefore ordered the 1st to 5th respondents to “use the Moshood Abiola Stadium” only for the protest.
Meanwhile, the court ordered the service of processes in the suit as well as the confinement order on the respondents by placing the same in the newspapers.
Defendants in the suit are Omoyele Sowore, Damilare Adenola, Adama Ukpabi, Tosin Harsogba, persons unknown, Inspector General IG of Police, Commissioner of Police, Director General of the State Security Service, Director General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, and Chief of Naval Staff as 1st to 12th respondents.
More...
The police command in Lagos says it has deactivated an improvised explosive device (IED) from exploding in the Ikeja area of the state on Wednesday.
Benjamin Hundeyin, the police spokesperson in Lagos, said the IED, which was contained inside a bag, was dropped by the roadside near the federal operations unit (FOU), Zone A of the Nigeria Customs along Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way in Ikeja.
Hundeyin said an officer on patrol identified the man who dropped the package, adding that the suspect came down from an unregistered Toyota Corolla vehicle.
He said the command’s anti-bomb squad immediately came to the scene to implode the IED before it went off.
“The officer sighted a young man who alighted from the car and carefully dropped a bag by the side of the FOU Zone A fence. The young man returned to his car and zoomed off,” the police spokesperson said.
“Based on the report, a team of EOD-CBRN experts from the base quickly mobilised to the scene to identify the object.
“On arrival, it was confirmed that truly the item is IED. Subsequently, the area was cordoned off, and the IED was rendered safe and thereafter detonated accordingly.
“Meanwhile, the residual of the IED was collected for further analysis and investigation.”
[TheCable]
Press Statement issued by the Inspector General of Police on the Proposed Protest Planned by the Take it Back Movement
Admin
Further to the earlier statement made in respect of the proposed/ planned country-wide protest by the TAKE IT BACK MOVEMENT, particularly, to the effect that while the Nigeria Police Force recognizes that protest by any group of citizens in a democracy can be organized, subject to compliance with rules and regulations, decency, respect for rule of law, as well as respect for the right of other citizens to move freely and carry out their normal duties and business without any threat or inhibition. The Nigeria Police hereby wishes to bring the attention of the general public to the following:
2. The Nigeria Police Force has in the last few days engaged with the leadership of the TAKE IT BACK MOVEMENT and also through their accredited solicitors, and made it clear that in line with what operates in any civilized climes, they should submit to the respective State Commissioners of Police where they intend to carry out their protests, including the FCT, the venue/ route of their assembly, congregation or procession; the commencement and closing time during the day, the modus operandi of the protests and all other information necessary to guide the Police, as well as other members of the public, who are equally entitled to their constitutional right of movement. This is a necessary measure in the interest of the organizers and those who may want to participate in the protest, as the Nigeria Police Force equally owes them a duty of protection.
3. While liaising with the Police Commissioners in the respect States, an undertaking has to be given or entered that the organisers shall be in a position to control, guide and manage any congregation or assembly that comes up for the protest, so that the protests are not hijacked by unscrupulous elements who may want to hide under the guise of the protest to unleash terror or perpetrate mayhem on the innocent public, we are also concerned particularly, that there shall be no loss of lives or destruction of property, private or public.
4. Regrettably, the organizers of the proposed protest have not deemed it necessary to supply the simple and basic information required by the Police, under the Constitution, the Police Act and all other enabling Laws in this regard. To this extent, the Nigeria Police still demands from the organizers of the proposed protest that they furnish it with the said essential information/ details mentioned commencement of the protest.
5. above before the Intelligence at the disposal of the Nigeria Police reveals that the protests are practically aimed at unleashing mayhem on the polity, innocent citizens markers, stores, private and public properties, as well as critical infrastructure of government across the country. The name given to the movement - "TAKE IT BACK MOVEMENT" has far reaching undemocratic, unconstitutional and illegal connotations.
6. In the above circumstances, no responsible Law enforcement agency in any part of the civilized or democratic world would fold its arms and watch a degeneration of the situation into a state of anomy. Accordingly, therefore, all Police formations across the country are hereby put on alert and directed to protect innocent lives and properties from attack, harassment, molestation or destruction. Furthermore, pursuant to the essential duties of the Nigeria Police under the Constitution, the Police Act and other enabling Laws, all officers and men of the Nigeria Police are hereby directed to act and deal decisively with any act of arson, intimidation or harassment of any citizen, threat to lives and properties, breach of public peace and any act of criminality that may arise or flow from the planned protest in any part of the country. Perpetrators of any crime will be arrested and promptly prosecuted.
7. The attention of the general public is also drawn important statement, in order for every Nigerian guided, guarded and properly advised.
Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph. D, NPM
Inspector General of Police
Text Of An Address By Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu On The Eve Of The Planned Nationwide Protest
Admin
1. My Dear Lagosians,
Today, I stand before you as your governor and steward of your sacred trust, deeply committed to the well-being and prosperity of our great state and all residents. Lagos has always been a beacon of hope, a city of refuge, a city of resilience and melting port of our diverse cultures. No other State reflects the assemblage of the brilliance and energy inherent in our diversity as a people like Lagos.
2. For a few weeks now, the nation has woken up to threats of protests aimed at what the organisers of have called “an end to bad government” beginning from 1st to the 10th Day of August 2024. While the original proponents of the idea of the peaceful protests may have noble intents, some of the narratives it has occasioned about its instrumentality for change of government by another means other than the one constitutionally provided for are disturbing.
3. It is pertinent to ask, is protest the practical catalyst for progress the nation require at this time? Will such a protest suddenly ensure that all of our challenges disappear in ten days? Will the protest suddenly ensure the prices of food stuff drop by the 11th day? Will shutting down the economy for 10 days inspire economic growth we earnestly desire? I hold the strong view that a protest at this time will do none of these things for us as a nation. Rather, it would roll back the modest gains that we have made in various facets of our socio-economic life as a people.
4. Are there challenges in our land? Yes. Is the government addressing them? Yes. So much is being done in many sectors to alleviate the pains of the people and prepare the path to lasting prosperity.
5. Are quick fixes options available to government? I doubt that.
6. Just this week, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR signed the new minimum wage into law.
7. As I address you today, student loans are being disbursed to relieve indigent parents and students of the financial burden of getting tertiary education. As part of the promised devolution of power, the Local Governments have been granted financial autonomy to guarantee efficiency of that tier of government and bring governance closer to the people. Also, the foreign exchange crisis is being tackled in a creative manner that will surely yield the desired results. Besides, the Federal Executive Council has approved the sale of crude oil to local refineries in Naira denomination. This, experts have said, will save the nation at least $7.9 billion annually and strengthen the Naira.
8. The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is attracting private investments into the establishment of conversion and refueling centers across the country. We know that CNG will bring down the cost of transportation and commuting significantly.
9. Why then should there be a protest? All that we require now is to be patient for the benefits of the economic recovery policies to blossom. Protests can never achieve in 10 days what carefully crafted economic reforms can achieve in matter of weeks and months. More than ever before, our nation is blessed with a courageous leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR). Let me assure you that, Nigeria is headed in the right direction and the benefits of these hard reforms will percolate to all.
10. As a State, we are not unaware of the effects of the economic reforms on our people. To cushion the effect, you would recall we launched the EKOCARES, our bespoke social protection initiative. Under this programme, we introduced the popular Sunday Discount Markets where residents bought basic foodstuff at 25% discount rate across the State. Our Ounje Eko came as a form of immediate relief to hundreds of homes and millions of our vulnerable people. Similarly, under the EKOCARES Initiative, we reduced transportation cost by 25% on all our public transport services. We introduced free delivery for expectant women in all our public health facilities. Besides, our Health personnel ran a Medical Outreach under which thousands of residents were treated free of charge.
11. To cater to our tertiary institution students, we have increased bursary and scholarship awards to Lagos students to reflect the current economic realities. New entrants into our elementary schools do not pay a dime. Our workers earn the Wage Award announced by the Federal Government. In fact, the least paid Lagos State Worker earns more than the National Minimum Wage.
12. Can we do more? Yes; we can do more and we will!
13. Just this morning, over 2000 graduands of our skill acquisition center were supported with various equipment to start their micro businesses-barbing, tailoring, hairdressing, welding etc.
14. The popular Sunday Ounje Eko Discount Markets will return. So will the Medical Outreach to continue providing free medical care for our people. I have also signed an Executive Order to broaden the Ilera Eko Health Insurance Scheme.
15. Against the backdrop of all these efforts and interventions-and many more that time will not permit me to list-we should sincerely ask ourselves: what will a protest be seeking to achieve at this time?
16. Dear Lagosians, let me again assure that, we are committed to improving the living standard of our people. That is the solemn pledge that we made to you while seeking your mandate and we intend to keep this pledge till our last day in office.
17. Peaceful protests are fundamental rights protected by the constitution in a democracy as ours. But vowing to sack an elected government in 10 days by means of protest is alien to our constitution. To the organisers of the protest, I repeat, while your intention may be noble, do not substitute your intentions with the motives of other forces. Your gathering is all they perhaps require to perpetrate theirs acts. Afterall, there cannot be fifth columnists if there are no columns. If your protest gathering becomes a column, then there can be fifth columnists.
18. I appeal to you all that we reflect on our past experiences during the tragic events of the EndSARS protest in 2020. What began as a peaceful demonstration was, unfortunately, hijacked by elements with devilish intentions. They unleashed an unprecedented war on our state. We saw the destruction of valuable properties, the disruption of businesses, and sadly, the loss of lives in several parts of our dear state. These events left deep scars on our state and hurt our psyche.
We are yet to fully recover from the mindless destruction of some symbols of our rich and enviable heritage – the Lagos High Court, Igbosere, the oldest and most recognisable court building in Nigeria built in the early 1860s and 15 other court buildings, over 45 police stations were set ablaze, 12 Local Government offices burnt, 7 Fire Stations burnt, the Forensic Centre that was the best in West Africa, the iconic City Hall, the secretariat of the oldest Local Government in Nigeria, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) headquarters and traditional rulers’ palaces. They were all destroyed. So were several bank facilities, malls, shops, offices, hundreds of brand-new BRT buses and several other public assets.
No true Lagosian or friend of Lagos will encourage us to go this route again. That is not who we are; that is not our way and that is not our style.
19. Fellow Lagosians, we must remember that our shared goal is a peaceful and prosperous Lagos. The consequences of unrest are not just measured in the damage to property or disruptions to daily life; they are also felt in the loss of confidence, the fear instilled in our communities, tourists and foreign investors and the setback to our economic and social progress.
20. As your governor, I assure you that our government is open to dialogue and committed to addressing the concerns of all citizens. We are actively engaging with various stakeholders to find solutions that promote justice, equality, and fairness. It is through constructive dialogue, not destructive protests, that we can achieve meaningful change.
21. I urge you all to consider the potential repercussions of joining a protests that may, once again, expose us to the fiendish actions of those who do not admire our unity and common compassion for our dear state. Let us not allow our city to be plunged into chaos again. Let us work together to build a Lagos that is safe, secure, and prosperous for all. Our strength lies in our unity, and our future depends on our collective efforts to maintain peace and stability.
22. In these challenging times, we must stand together as one community. We must reject violence and disorder and, instead, embrace dialogue and collaboration. Let us show the world that Lagos remains a city of resilience, where the voices of its people are heard and respected through peaceful and lawful means. Let us say NO to violence!
23. It is important for me to also share a word of caution that we have begun to see a trend in which fake news, false news appear on via video and audio recording on social media. They are are meant to destabilize us, to break us and to make this place completely ungovernable and unliveable for us.
24. We have also seen the outcome of the court judgement that the government needed to get clarification, that if it is a true and peaceful protest, two locations, which were part of the recommendations coming from the event of four years ago.
25. I am therefore reiterating that the Police have confirmed to us that the Gani Fawehinmi Park and the Peace Park that we all jointly set up are two locations where the Police have assured us that they would cover and provide all the necessary security arrangements to all of our citizens.
23. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Together, we can continue to build a brighter future for our beloved Lagos.
24. God bless Lagos State.
25. God bless Nigeria
Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Governor, Lagos State
Security Alert – U.S. Embassy Abuja And U.S. Consulate General Lagos, Nigeria (August 1-2, 2024)
Admin
Location: Nigeria, nation-wide
Date: July 31, 2024
Event: Security Risks related to Potential Nation-wide Protests
Out of an abundance of caution, the U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos will operate with essential staff only on Thursday August 1, 2024, and on Friday August 2, 2024. Non-essential staff are advised to remain at home to avoid any disruptions that may result from the potential nation-wide protests that continue to be reported in the media.
Media reports indicate that protesters are expected to begin gathering at Eagles Square in Abuja mid to late morning. In Lagos, protests may start as early as 8:00 a.m. or 9:00 a.m. and primary locations have been identified as Alausa Park, Freedom Park, and Peace Park. Additional possible protest sites in Lagos include Nahco Bus Stop (Airport Road), Marwa Bus Stop (Lekki-Epe Expressway), and Ikeja “Under the Bridge” (Intersection of Obafemi Awolowo and Allen Avenue). However, protests may occur at other times and locations in Abuja and Lagos, as well as in other cities and population centers in Nigeria over the coming days. Based on past occurrences, protests may involve roadblocks, checkpoints, traffic congestion, and physical confrontations.
There is a risk of terror attacks in Nigeria and terrorist groups may take advantage of opportunities created during the potential nation-wide protests to conduct attacks.
Actions to take:
- Avoid the areas of the protest.
- Avoid crowds.
- Exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests.
- Monitor local media for updates.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Keep a low profile.
- Verify flight schedules with your airline, if you have travel plans.
- Review your personal security plans and keep your cell phone charged in case of emergency.
- Carry proper identification.
The Consular Sections of Embassy Abuja and Consulate General Lagos will offer reduced emergency American Citizen Services only. All visa appointments have been cancelled.
Please monitor our website for updates.
U.S. Embassy Abuja, Nigeria
Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive
Central District Area, Abuja, Nigeria
Phone: (234)-209-461-4000
Fax: (234)-209-461-4036
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
U.S. Consulate General Lagos
2 Walter Carrington Crescent
Victoria Island, Lagos
Telephone: (234)-201- 460-3400
Fax: (+234)-201-460-3717
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