Police vow to clamp down on persons spreading fake news.

Police vow to clamp down on persons spreading fake news.

The Nigeria Police Force has condemned the spread of fake news and the perpetuation of cyberbullying, to discredit officers and the police system in the country.

The force warned citizens to exercise caution in the consumption and sharing of information online, noting that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had ordered that persons found engaging in cyberbullying or spreading false information should be prosecuted “to the full extent of the law”.

This was contained in a statement on Monday signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

Earlier in January, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, had in a statement, debunked reports of over 200 persons kidnapped in the Bwari and Kuje Area Councils of the FCT between December 23, 2023, and January 4, 2024, stating that there were only “pockets of abductions”.

Again on January 21, 2024, the police debunked reports of an abduction at River Park estate along the Lugbe-Airport Expressway in Abuja, clarifying that the supposed victim, one Nnandi Agu, had faked his kidnap to defraud his brother who lived in the estate.

On January 24, the FCT Police Command also debunked reports of an explosion in Maitama, noting that preliminary findings had shown that the explosion was caused by an overheated metal refuse bin, causing injuries to two refuse evacuators.

Adejobi said the police had observed that individuals and groups maliciously spread old content and misinformation on various online platforms, with the intention “to undermine public trust in the policing system”, adding that the act was criminalised by “the combined effect of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015 and other extant criminal laws”

He described the spread of fake news as an assault on the security architecture of the country and disclosed that the IGP had ordered the NPF National Cybercrime Centre, to monitor online platforms, and to clamp down on individuals and groups bent on jeopardising Nigeria’s national security

The statement read in part, “The Nigeria Police Force condemns in the strongest terms the dissemination of fake news and the perpetuation of cyberbullying aimed at discrediting the diligent efforts of our officers in maintaining law and order. It has come to our attention that certain individuals and groups have been maliciously spreading old content and misinformation across various online platforms, seeking to undermine public trust in the policing system.

“Fake news and cyber bullying which are criminalised by the combined effect of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015 and other extant criminal laws, not only pose a threat to the reputation of the Force but also have the potential to incite fear and discord within the country.

“In response to this alarming trend, the NPF is intensifying its efforts to combat fake news and cyberbullying through increased vigilance and monitoring of online platforms as the IGP has ordered the NPF National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) to clamp down on those individuals and groups of people who are bent on jeopardizing our national security and stability via the spread of fake news and misinformation”

“The IGP also ordered that all perpetrators found spreading false information or engaging in cyberbullying be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The Police will work closely with relevant authorities to ensure swift and appropriate legal action against offenders.

“The NPF, therefore, calls upon all citizens to exercise caution and discernment when consuming and sharing information online. Together, we must stand united against the spread of misinformation and cyberbullying, recognising that the safety and well-being of our country depend on our collective efforts to uphold truth and integrity. Similarly, we urge members of the public to report any instances of fake news or cyberbullying to the Police for prompt investigation and action.”

Power supply in South East beyond our control -Enugu Disco.

Power supply in South East beyond our control -Enugu Disco.

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc has explained that the poor power supply currently being experienced by its customers across the South-East is beyond the control of the organisation.

The company attributed the situation to low energy generation, which has resulted in a drop in power supply.

The Head, Corporate Communications, EEDC, Emeka Ezeh, who made this known on Monday, appealed to customers to bear with the firm.

There have been power outages across the region leading to a slowing down of commercial and economic activities, as many operators of business entities have shut operations due to the high cost of fuel and diesel to power their operations.

According to Ezeh, the development has resulted in low generation, leading to a reduction in the quantum of daily megawatt hours of energy allocated to distribution companies nationwide, thereby impacting the quality of service to its customers.

He said, “We understand the inconveniences this situation has caused our esteemed customers and appeal for their understanding as it is beyond us.

“We can only distribute what is allocated to us. Efforts are being made by the various stakeholders in the power sector to address this issue, and we hope this yields positive results so that normal distribution will return.

“EEDC remains committed to providing improved services to her esteemed customers.”

Tinubu committed to road infrastructure revolution, safety – Umahi.

Tinubu committed to road infrastructure revolution, safety – Umahi.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to the nation’s road infrastructure advancement, aiming to establish safe and well-maintained roads that promote economic growth.

To realize this objective, Umahi expressed support for collaboration between the Ministry and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).

He announced that contractors handling federal government road projects would be directed to procure signage from the FRSC production plant.

The remarks were made on Monday, February 12, during a courtesy call by the management team of FRSC, led by Corps Marshal Dauda Aliu Biu, to the Minister in Abuja.

Represented by Permanent Secretary Yakubu Kofamata, the minister underscored the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that contractors responsible for constructing and rehabilitating roads nationwide deliver high-quality infrastructure to bolster the country’s economic development.

According to a statement by the Ministry’s Director of Information, Olusola Abiola, the FRSC boss while emphasising the importance of the partnership disclosed that previous collaboration with the Ministry in 2023 had resulted in a reduction in road accidents by 22% and number of deaths by 25%.

The statement reads: “Sen. Umahi called on all the stakeholders in the road sector to join hands together to ensure that the mandate of the Ministry under the Renewed Hope Agenda of Tinubu administration is achieved for the wellbeing of the people.

“While expressing the readiness of the Ministry to collaborate with FRSC, the Minister assured the delegation of adequate patronage of the Commission’s signage plant, stressing that henceforth, contractors handling the Ministry of Works’ road projects would be directed to patronise the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) signage production plant.

“This he said would be in line with the commitment to bequeath quality and motorable road network to the citizens. Earlier, in his brief remarks, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Commission, Dauda Aliu Biu disclosed that the collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works in 2023 led to a reduction in road accidents by 22% and a number of deaths by 25%.

“He appealed for a strong collaboration with the Honourable Minister stressing the Commission will always welcome robust engagements with the Ministry, especially on issues of road signages, overhead bridges, adequate signs diversion, and other road amenities.

“The FRSC boss also requested the construction of trailer packs along Federal Highways and called for contractors to patronise the FRSC signage plant for the purchase of signages.

“He added that “this will improve the safety of our highways and easy travelling for economic development.”

Blame Buhari for current economic crisis – Oshiomhole.

Blame Buhari for current economic crisis – Oshiomhole.

The biting economic hardship facing Nigerians is due to the ”reckless policies” of former President Muhammadu Buhari, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) has argued. 

He recalled he opposed several of the policies, claiming they were intended to dehumanise the already suffering populace.

He spoke on Channels Television Politics Today at the weekend.

The former All Progressives National National Chairman said: “My first loyalty is to Nigeria. At some point, before the last President left office, I lamented loudly what I saw as reckless policies that were designed to dehumanise the population that was already in pain.

“I felt that it was not what the then-president promised. I dissociated myself from those policies and I’m happy that I was not the only one.

“There were Governors who approached the court to denounce some of those policies. It is the long-term consequences of those policies that we are still grappling with now.”

The former Edo Governor stated President Bola Tinubu shouldn’t be held accountable for the actions taken by the outgoing administration.

“Yes, it is our party platform. Like Tinubu also said, he was not a minister or adviser. He never took a contract in that government and he cannot be held responsible for what the government did right or wrong,” he said.

Prioritise fight against drug abuse, Remi Tinubu urges Govs.

Prioritise fight against drug abuse, Remi Tinubu urges Govs.

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), have charged state governments to prioritise the fight against drug abuse to ensure a safe and secure society.

The charge was given on Monday in Abuja, at the opening ceremony of a two-day training on Drug Prevention Treatment and Care, organised by the NDLEA for spouses of state governors.

In her keynote address at the event, Senator Tinubu who was represented by the wife of the Inspector General of Police, Elizabeth Egbetokun, commended Marwa and the Nigerian Governors’ Spouses Forum for the initiative.

She said, “I commend the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, under the leadership of His Excellency, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.), for organizing this vital training and for your ongoing efforts in combatting drug abuse in Nigeria.

“We must recognise that drug abuse is not just a law enforcement issue but a public health crisis that requires a compassionate and multi-faceted response. We must challenge the stigma and discrimination associated with addiction, and foster a culture of empathy, understanding and solidarity towards those struggling with substance use disorders.

“As mothers, we understand the profound impact that drug abuse can have on our children’s lives. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to protect, nurture, and guide them toward a future free from the shackles of addiction. As leaders in your respective states, you wield a unique platform to drive meaningful change.

“The role of Governors’ spouses in combating drug abuse cannot be overstated. Through advocacy, we can ensure access to prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation services for those affected by addiction

“However, our efforts must not end with this training. We must translate knowledge into action, collaborating with stakeholders such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, other government agencies, civil society organizations, healthcare providers, educators, and

students. Together, we can implement evidence-based strategies for prevention, early intervention, and holistic treatment approaches.”

The AGF, Fagbemi, SAN in his remarks, commended the resourcefulness of the NDLEA leadership in utilising the Nigerian Governors’ Spouses Forum to cascade the drug war into the grassroots and the community level.

Fagbemi noted, “The issue of drug use is not confined to any region or social strata, but affects every corner of our nation, and propagates crime and other criminalities across the world. The critical role of the attendees in shaping policies and practices in the communities is therefore recognized.

“The NDLEA boss in his remarks said the devastating effects of substance abuse on public health, the environment and its nexus with the spate of insecurity faced across the country has made it mandatory for a whole-of-society approach to curb the scourge. He said this has been the focus of the War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy campaign emplaced by the NDLEA since 2021.”

Meanwhile, Marwa urged the governors’ wives to take advantage of their positions to mobilise support for drug prevention and treatment in their states.

Marwa said, “Our commanders and officers in your states are always available to work with you and the governors; please create the needed access for them so that they can serve you and the society better. Together, we can effect meaningful change and create healthier, safer communities for all. Your collective effort can become the biggest catalyst for the nation to triumph over the illicit drug challenge.”

He noted that as part of efforts to curb the cultivation and production of illicit drugs in Nigeria, the agency is adopting an alternative development plan that will encourage cannabis farmers to switch to other licit crops.

He added, “I’d also like to draw your attention to the devastating impact activities of drug cartels involved in illicit drug cultivation are causing humanity; that is deforestation, which results in environmental degradation. In search of a lasting solution, we are working to implement an alternative development plan.

“This will provide cannabis farmers with better options, like switching to other crops. I have recently set up an Alternative Development Unit in my office. We need you to make this reality and our alternative development plan one of your takeaways for the immediate consideration and support of our governors. We will keep you posted as we flesh out the plan on this, this year.”

Also, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, SAN, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, stressed the pivotal role of first ladies in the fight against the scourge of substance abuse.

The minister assured of collaboration between his ministry and NDLEA in combatting substance abuse among students.

“The curriculum in schools has been updated to include the added spice of drug issues with the necessary knowledge to avoid drug use. Drug-free clubs in federal unity colleges enable children to make healthier choices,” she noted.

Other speakers at the opening ceremony were the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Country Representative Dr Oliver Stolpe; a representative of the European Union, Letizia Torretta, and the Director General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr. Gambo Aliyu.

Economic hardship: Kano traders slash prices of essential goods.

Economic hardship: Kano traders slash prices of essential goods.

Traders of essential commodities in Kano State on Monday disclosed their resolve to reduce prices of their commodities.

Chairman of the marketers, Ibrahim Danyaro, disclosed the resolution of the marketers while addressing newsmen shortly after a meeting with the Chairman, Kano State Public Compliant and Anti-Corruption Commission. reports The Vanguard.

This development followed the confiscation of 10 warehouses with hoarded assorted foodstuffs in the state by the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission.

The commission’s chairman, Muhyi Magaji, said owners of the warehouses were nowhere to be found during the operation but those opened were stacked full of commodities, including spaghetti, rice, pasta, sugar, and other food items.

But Danyaro said the traders were currently selling their commodities in the market at a price less than the company prices.

He said the decision by the traders followed the public outcry over the soaring prices of essential commodities and the high cost of living in the country.

The market leader also vowed to assist the commission in fishing out bad eggs among those who are arbitrarily increasing prices of commodities and hoarding.

He said, “We are here to disassociate ourselves from hoarding. We have come forward to the commission with our pieces of evidence and the commission is convinced that we are not involved in hoarding.

“The rising prices of commodities which are recorded in the market was not arbitrarily done by our members. This development is brought about by the companies. And we suggested measures to address the situation at hand.

“One of them is for the commission to hold similar meetings with the manufacturers of these commodities to find out why the inflation of prices.

“We have expressed our resolve to cooperate with the commission to bring down prices of commodities to bring succour to the people. However, this, we can only do with the stocks we have at hand now. The prices we sold our stock in the market is not up to the current company prices.”

Another market leader, Hamisu Rabi’u, assured the residents of maintaining the old prices of the stocks at hand against the skyrocketing prices being experienced at various markets across the state.

“Take for instance, spaghetti that we sold at N11,500 or N11,700 in the market is now sold for N12,800 in companies. Sugar in the company is sold for N72,000 but we sold it N70,000. Rice is sold at N65,700 now but we sold it at 57,000 to 60,000.

“We will ensure that our stock at hand won’t go beyond the company prices for the sake of our people. We agree to run at a loss than to throw our people into difficulties”.

Exploring Trade and Investment Opportunities: Gov. Oyebanji Meets Austrian Ambassador.

Exploring Trade and Investment Opportunities: Gov. Oyebanji Meets Austrian Ambassador.

By Olamide Akinwumi.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State convened a significant meeting on Monday, February 12th, with His Excellency Thomas Schlesinger, the Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to Nigeria, in Abuja. The primary agenda of the meeting was to explore potential areas of collaboration in trade and investment opportunities between Ekiti State and Austria.

In attendance at the meeting was Mrs. Tola Adeola, the state Commissioner for Investment, Trade, and Industry. Under Governor Oyebanji's leadership, the administration is keen on fostering partnerships with various stakeholders, including institutions, development partners, and private sector entities. The overarching aim is to bolster economic growth and development in Ekiti State through strategic collaborations.

Governor Oyebanji reiterated the state's commitment to creating an enabling environment for investment and trade activities. Collaborating with international partners like Austria presents an opportunity to leverage expertise, resources, and networks for mutual benefit. Discussions during the meeting focused on identifying areas of mutual interest and potential projects that could drive economic development and prosperity in Ekiti State.

The meeting underscored the administration's proactive approach to seeking partnerships that align with its vision for sustainable growth and prosperity. Further details on specific areas of collaboration and actionable outcomes from the meeting are expected to emerge in the coming days

Stay tuned for updates as Ekiti State continues to engage with international partners to unlock new opportunities for economic advancement.