News
#EndSARS: Tambuwal Denies Hoarding COVID-19 Palliatives
Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has denied hoarding COVID-19 palliatives meant for citizens amid coronavirus pandemic.
Tambuwal stated this yesterday while addressing stakeholders on government’s effort to quell any instigations on the nationwide EndSARS protests.
He said the protests had eventually snowballed into ransacking of many warehouses suspected to be hoarding the COVID-19 palliative across some states in the country.
”Sokoto state has no case of hoarded relief materials meant as COVID-19 palliative.
”The state never recorded both the protest and the attendant mayhem,” Tambuwal said.
According to him, the state has received two categories of COVID-19 palliative since the pandemic broke out.
”There was one by Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID), which was a donation by an ensembles of philanthropists.
”The distribution of this category was a bit delayed months ago because the donors wanted the donations to be pooled.
”As soon as that was achieved, we distributed the materials under the supervision of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Alhaji Sa’idu Umar.
”The other category were those items brought by the Federal Government through the office of the Minister of Disaster Management, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouk.
” The items were received on Oct. 17, precisely nine days ago. The little delay we had in distributing the FG palliatives was as at the instance of various requests by the minister.
”She needed to be personally around when the exercise started. She made the requests five times before turning up.
” So, it is not our fault that the items are still being distributed as we speak. It was the minister who said we should wait until she comes. And that was what happened. “ Tambuwal explained.
The governor appealed to the beneficiaries to cooperate with the distributors at all levels for a seamless and successful hitch free exercise.
He commended the people of the state for maintaining peace amidst all that had happened in some parts of the country since the EndSARS protests began.
The governor further appealed to the citizens to continue to live in peace and harmony and respect the individual rights of each other.
Tambuwal lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for sending ministers to their respective states to meet with their governors to discuss the way forward in maintaining peace in the country, in the wake of the violence that had trailed the protests.
He said the President’s gesture would in no small measure assist in maintaining peace and unity of the country, stressing that on its part the state government was working hand in hand with the federal government to maintain peace and harmony in the country.
He thanked the youth in the state for not involving themselves in the crises and assured of his administration’s commitment to continue to execute various programmes on empowering youths.
Also, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, assured his continued fatherly role in preaching peace in the country.
Abubakar commended security agents in the state for efforts to maintain peace in the state.
Abubakar said the meeting was summoned in order to discuss the security issues confronting the nation.
The Sultan also thanked the Northern governors for the steps taken to maintain peace in their various states, urging youths not to harass anybody irrespective of their tribe or religion.
Our correspondent reports that Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi had earlier held a news conference and interactive sessions with community and religious leaders.
Dingyadi said the purpose of the meetings was to engage the people who meant well for the country in order to fashion out a way forward to ensure peace and security in the country.
The minister assured that messages received at the meeting bordering on peace, unity, progress and well-being of all Nigerians would be delivered to President Muhammad Buhari.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.