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INSECURITY: NBA’s Fear Vindicates Our Position -Secondus …As Bandits Give Police Condition To Killing In Zamfara

Published

7 years ago

June 24, 2019

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus has said that the alleged fear of insecurity and intimidation of judges raised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), vindicates party’s position that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was using devious means to obstruct justice in the nation’s courts.
It would be recalled that the NBA President, Paul Usoro SAN, in a speech, last Thursday, which was unanimously adopted by the National Executive Committee of the association, had alerted the nation that, “the level of insecurity in the country and the attack on the independence of the Judiciary and the legal profession constituted a threat to the rule of law, and by extension, the country’s democracy”.
The NBA boss said that the climate of fear instilled by the Federal Government undermined the independence of the Judiciary and the ability of judges to act confidently without fear or favour in dispensing justice as they were purportedly threatened, intimidated and blackmailed by mostly the Executive and their agencies at the federal and state levels.
Secondus, who made the party’s view clear in a statement signed by his spokesman, Ike Abonyi, in Abuja, yesterday, said the “PDP has continuously raised alarm at the gradual erosion of the doctrines of separation of powers by the APC administration as the nation watch helplessly as the Executive continues to muzzle the other arms of government, including even the press”.
He added that the opposition has remained resolute in crying out loud against harassment of those with opposing views because it clearly envisages the danger of concentration of power in one hand, especially with “a leader who has no history of appreciating and respecting democratic tenets and principles”.
The PDP national chairman, however, expressed the hope that even in the face of harassment and intimidation, the Nigerian Judiciary, knowing their critical position in the sustenance of democracy in the land and being citizens who are resident in the country, know that the Judiciary was the last hope of the ordinary people and that no nation grows on injustice.
Meanwhile, bandits in Zamfara State have given conditions for laying down their arms.
One of the conditions is that extra-judicial killings of Fulani, especially in local markets, should be halted.
The bandits are also demanding that they be allowed to attend local markets without fear or intimidation.
The Zamfara State Police Commissioner, Usman Nagogo, disclosed these demands of the armed bandits terrorising the state during a meeting with vigilantes and volunteers popularly known as Yan Sakai.
Nagogo said authorities had recently reached out to the armed men, explaining that they had assured that they would stop the carnage in the state only on conditions.
“Part of the conditions they gave was that the Yan Sakai should halt the extra-judicial killings of Fulani, especially in local markets. The bandits said they should be allowed to attend local markets without fear or intimidation.
“That is why we are holding this meeting to intimate you about the new peace roadmap being designed by the government. In a situation whereby a local vigilante will kill one of the bandits and the armed men would slay about 30 persons in retaliation, what is the gain here?” Nagogo asked.
The police boss urged leaders of the vigilantes to reach out to their followers and ask them to stop unlawful executions of suspected criminals, adding that “it is part of what is fuelling the crises.”
In his reaction, the Secretary of the Yan Sakai group in Zamfara State, Sani Babbar Doka, said: “In the peace pact that took place about three years ago, we surrendered our arms as demanded by the government, but the armed criminals did not. We are ready for anything that will ensure that peace returns to our communities, but not at the detriment of the opposing group,” he said.

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Tinubu Hails NGX N100trn Milestones, Urges Nigerians To Invest Locally

Published

7 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu yesterday celebrated the Nigerian Exchange Group’s breakthrough into the N100tn market capitalisation threshold, saying Nigeria has moved from an ignored frontier market to a compelling investment destination.

Tinubu, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged Nigerians to increase their investments in the domestic economy, expressing confidence that 2026 would deliver stronger returns as ongoing reforms take firmer root.

He noted that the NGX closed 2025 with a 51.19 per cent return, outperforming global indices such as the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, as well as several BRICS+ emerging markets, after recording 37.65 per cent in 2024.

“With the Nigerian Exchange crossing the historic N100tn market capitalisation mark, the country is witnessing the birth of a new economic reality and rejuvenation,” Tinubu said.

He attributed the stellar performance to Nigerian companies proving they can deliver strong investment returns across all sectors, from blue-chip industrials localising supply chains to banks demonstrating technological innovation.

The President added, “Year-to-date returns have significantly outpaced the S&P 500, the FTSE 100, and even many of our emerging-market peers in the BRICS+ group. Nigeria is no longer a frontier market to be ignored—it is now a compelling destination where value is being discovered.”

Tinubu disclosed that more indigenous energy firms, technology companies, telecoms operators and infrastructure firms are preparing to list on the exchange, a move he said would deepen market capitalisation and broaden economic participation.

He also cited what he described as a sustained decline in inflation over eight months—from 34.8 per cent in December 2024 to 14.45 per cent in November 2025—projecting that the rate would fall below 10 per cent before the end of 2026.

“Indeed, inflation is likely to fall below 10 per cent before the end of this year, leading to improved living standards and accelerated GDP growth. The year 2026 promises to be an epochal year for delivering prosperity to all Nigerians,” he said.

The President attributed the trend to monetary tightening, elimination of Ways and Means financing, and agricultural investments, which he said helped stabilise the naira and ease post-reform pressures.

Nigeria’s current account surplus reached $16bn in 2024, with the Central Bank projecting $18.81bn in 2026, reflecting a trade pattern shift toward exporting more and importing less locally-producible goods.

Non-oil exports jumped 48 per cent to N9.2tn by the third quarter of 2025, with African exports nearly doubling to N4.9tn. Manufacturing exports grew 67 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter.

Foreign reserves have crossed $45bn and are expected to breach $50 billion in the first quarter, giving the CBN ammunition to maintain currency stability and end the volatility that previously fuelled speculation, according to the President.

Tinubu also highlighted infrastructure expansion in rail networks, arterial roads, port revitalisation, and the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways, alongside improvements in healthcare facilities that are reducing medical tourism costs, and increased university research grants funded through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.

“Our medicare facilities are improving, and medical tourism costs are declining. Our students benefit from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, and universities are receiving increased research grants,” he said.

He described nation-building as a process requiring hard work, sacrifices, and citizen focus, pledging to continue working to build an egalitarian, transparent, and high-growth economy catalysed by historic tax and fiscal reforms that came into full implementation from January 1.

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RSG Kicks Off Armed Forces Remembrance Day ‘Morrow …Restates Commitment Towards Veterans’ Welfare

Published

8 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment towards the welfare of veterans, serving officers and widows of fallen officers in the State.

?The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, in a statement by ?Head, Information and Public Relations Unit, SSG’s ?Office, ?Juliana Masi, stated this during the Central Planning meeting of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

?Anabraba thanked the Committee for their contributions to the success of the Emblem Appeal Fund Ceremony recently held in the State and called on them to double their efforts so that the State can record resounding success in the remaining activities.

?According to him, the remembrance day events will begin with Jumaàt Prayers on Friday, 9th January at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt Township, while a Humanitarian Outreach/Family and Community Day will be hosted on Saturday, 10th January, by the wife of the governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, for widows and veterans.

?”On Sunday, 11th January, an Interdenominational Church Thanksgiving Service will hold at St. Cyprian Anglican Church, Port Harcourt Township while the Grand-finale Wreath- Laying Ceremony will hold on Thursday, 15th January at the Isaac Boro Park Cenotaph, Port Harcourt”, he said.

?The SSG noted that one of the highlights of the events is the laying of wreaths by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Heads of the Security Agencies.

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Fubara Redeploys Green As Commissioner For Justice

Published

1 week ago

December 30, 2025

The Tide

The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.

Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.

According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.

The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.