The declaration was made by a coordinator from the Youth Rights Campaign during a meeting at Gani Fawehinmi Park on Saturday.
Despite a court injunction confining protests to the park, the coordinator announced that demonstrators would leave the park in Ojota and start marching through the streets if their requests are not fulfilled by Sunday night.
He stressed that their next target would be Alausa, the administrative center of the government.
He also encouraged residents to spend Sunday attending their places of worship and praying for national peace. He appealed to the police to monitor and prevent the actions of potential troublemakers aiming to disrupt the protests.
The police have blocked off the service lane on Ikorodu Road for the protesters, leaving the BRT lane and two other lanes accessible to motorists. Traffic congestion was higher on Saturday compared to previous days, and commercial activities in Ojota and nearby areas have started to resume, with additional shops reopening.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adegoke Fayoade, along with other security personnel, has been present to ensure the safety of the protesters for the third consecutive day. According to SP Benjamin Hundeyin, the Command’s spokesperson, no protesters were detained on Friday.
The tragic event occurred in Samaru, Zaria, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. The family received the compensation on August 7, 2024, prompting significant backlash on social media.
Many Nigerians are expressing disbelief and anger over the compensation, deeming it as grossly insufficient for the loss.
The outrage is visible in various online reactions, where users are condemning the government and military for what they view as a disrespectful valuation of human life.
For example, one user commented that N300,000 is not enough even to buy a cow, let alone compensate for a human life, while another labeled the payment an “extreme insult.”
Several commentators are questioning the value assigned to northern lives and the overall effectiveness of the government in addressing grievances.
Critics argue that the compensation highlights broader issues with governance and societal values, and point out inconsistencies in handling similar cases across different regions of Nigeria.
The frustration extends beyond this specific case, with many Nigerians using it to highlight broader dissatisfaction with the current administration’s approach to issues like security and economic hardship.
The discussion around this case has amplified calls for a reassessment of how the government handles victim compensation and values human life.
In a video posted on Biola Adebayo Ent’s official YouTube channel during an interview with Dr. Biola Adebayo, she shared that a stranger approached her in public and slapped her, accusing her of being a cruel woman and a murderer.
In her statement, she said, “I had an experience at a bus stop when I wanted to take a public bus because I didn’t have enough money with me that time.
“A stranger came to me and slapped me in public, he said I’m a killer and a wicked woman.
“I was wondering what I did wrong to deserve the treatment I got from him, so he said that I was very wicked to my colleague in a movie and he said he would tell his wife that he took revenge on me.
“That’s one of the days I can never forget in my life, and since then, I’m always vigilant whenever I’m walking around in public to avoid such occurrence again.”
Doyin mentioned that a couple should proceed if the unfaithful partner admits and expresses regret.
She made these remarks during a recent episode of her podcast, Doyin’s Corner, featuring singer Iyanya as a guest.
Doyin said: “I didn’t mean say cheating was sweet. But if I open my mouth and tell you that I’ve done this thing, move on.
“If I apologize after cheating on you, let’s move on.”
Asked by her guest how she intend to apologise to her partner after cheating, she said, “Babe, I am sorry, I met this really nice looking guy. He was a lot finer, nicer, richer than you. So, I decided to step out. I was just telling you so that you are aware. It doesn’t mean I love the guy more. It just means in that moment, my urges took over me.
“But now that I am back to my normal senses, I still love you. So, let’s make it work.”
She added that she is a better person than her estranged boyfriend would ever be.
Her guest, Iyanya also debunked the cheating allegations against him saying, “When a girl dates you and you’re such a lovely guy, she doesn’t want other girls to know.
“So, I feel like most of the people who come out to say I broke their hearts, don’t want you to know I am such a sweet guy.”
He pleaded with ladies to give him more chances despite the cheating rumours around him.
Obasempire reports that Eedris Abdulkareem, a former member of the defunct band The Remedies, has remarked that the Nigerian Armed Forces’ operation ‘Python Dance’ would have been trivialized if Russian flags were discovered with an Igbo person in the East.
The veteran artist, responding to the surprising display of Russian flags by #EndBadGovernance protesters on his Instagram, noted that the reaction would have been different if Igbos were involved.
According to the multiple award-winning musician, in that scenario, Python Dance would have been a farce, turning into a relentless ‘gwo gwo’ dance in that region.
‘‘Let’s assume that the Russian flag was found with an Igbo man? Python Dance will be a joke, it would be a ceaseless ‘gwo gwo dance,’’ Eedris wrote on his Instagram page.
Obasempire reports that President Bola Tinubu has once again called on Nigerians to stay calm and patient as his administration tackles the nation’s economic issues.
This appeal comes amidst ongoing protests in several states across the country.
Protesters are calling for the reinstatement of the fuel subsidy, which was abolished by Tinubu on May 29, 2023, following his inauguration as president.
In an official video released by the State House on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, President Tinubu acknowledged the challenges faced by Nigerians, conceding that the transition has been more difficult than anticipated.
He attributed the hardship to an “avoidable lag” between the subsidy removal and the execution of his administration’s plans.
Nevertheless, President Tinubu assured Nigerians that his policies would eventually bring positive outcomes.
He said, “Fellow Nigerians, this period may be hard on us and there’s no doubt that it is tough on us but I urge you all to look beyond the present temporary pains and aim at the larger picture. All our good and helpful plans are in the works. More importantly, I know that they will work. Sadly, there was an avoidable lag between subsidy removal and these plans coming fully on line.”
“I plead with you, please, have faith in our ability to deliver and in our concern for your well-being. We will get out of this turbulence and due to the measures we have taken, Nigeria will be better equipped and able to take advantage of the future that awaits her.
“For example, we shall fulfill our promise to make education more affordable to all and provide loans to higher education students who may need them. No Nigerian students will have to abandon higher education system because of lack of money.
“Our commitment is to promote the greatest good for the greatest number of our people. On principle, we shall never falter, I assure you, my fellow countrymen and women, that we are exiting the darkness to enter a new and glorious dawn. Now, I must get back to work in order to make this vision come true.”
This is the second time President Tinubu has addressed the nation amid the ongoing protests and unrest. He previously addressed the nation in a national broadcast on Sunday, August 4, 2024.
Obasempire reports that a 38-year-old unmarried Nigerian entrepreneur has turned to social media to offer N50 million to any man willing to marry her.
The woman, named Ella Ada, who runs a substantial poultry farm, is looking for a spouse who won’t have to concern himself with financial burdens.
A video shared by TikTok user @signedollar features her holding a sign that reads:
“I need a husband. N50 million to anyone that will marry me.”
In the video, she openly shares her desire for a submissive man who will be willing to marry her and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle without financial worries.
”Just be a submissive husband. All I need is a very caring, submissive man. Don’t bother about the wedding; I’ll be the one to sponsor it. I don’t want my husband to suffer at all.
Obasempire reports that fugitive former Kogi State Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello is seeking political asylum in Niger Republic, following an arrangement facilitated by Nigerian Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.
Bello, whose eight-year tenure in Kogi was marked by authoritarianism, violence, and alleged elimination of political rivals, has been evading capture since the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) issued a warrant for his arrest over accusations of embezzling over N80 billion.
Sources indicate that Matawalle has a close relationship with General Abdourahamane Tchiani’s military regime, which has assured protection for his investments in Niger.
Sources in Abuja and Niamey, the capital of Niger, reveal that Matawalle negotiated the arrangement to keep Yahaya Bello secure in Niger, with representatives of Tchiani’s military junta involved in the discussions.
“Part of the deal involves the former Kogi Governor investing in Niger Republic and paying millions of unspecified sums to support his asylum.
“The asylum will guarantee his free movement in Niger Republic, Burkina Faso and Mali, the three countries with military governments and bilateral relations,” a source privy to the development told our correspondent in confidence.
Recall that after Yahaya Bello was smuggled out of his home in Zone 4, Wuse District Abuja, by his successor, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo when officials of the EFCC arrived to arrest him, he has not been seen again in public.
Matawalle, a close friend of GYB as the ex-Kogi State is fondly known, arranged an asylum for him, allegedly using military personnel under his watch to smuggle him through Kebbi state via illela border with two dark tinted hilux pick up vans and a Land Cruiser Sports Utility Vehicle.
Credible intels accused Matawalle of aiding the military junta in Niger Republic with information from the Nigerian government in exchange for protection of his huge investment in the tiny country running into millions of dollars.
Some of the offshore investments are allegedly proceeds from the financial windfall from the office of ex- National Security Adviser, Col Ibrahim Dasuki, oil bunkering and looting of Zamfara State resources where he served as Governor for four years.
Obasempire reports that the House of Representatives is proposing a 25-year prison term, a fine of N15 million, or both for anyone convicted of attacking or disrupting schools, abducting or holding students or teachers hostage with the aim of undermining educational progress in the country.
According to the House, if the offence results in death, the convicted individual will face the death penalty.
This proposal is outlined in a bill aimed at criminalizing actions that damage public or private infrastructure due to sabotage against Nigeria’s security and national interests, among other issues.
The proposed legislation, titled the ‘Counter Sabotage Bill 2024’ (HB1651), is sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. Introduced in parliament on July 23, 2024, the bill is currently awaiting a second reading to debate its general principles.
The bill also includes a fine of N10 million or a 25-year prison term, or both, for those convicted of aiding, funding, inciting, supporting, or procuring others to sabotage the Federal Government or a state.
Furthermore, the proposed legislation prescribes life imprisonment, without an option of fine, for any person convicted for intentionally setting “fire on a farm or plantation in Nigeria with intention to sabotage food security in Nigeria. While a person who rustles, destroys or kills animals commits an offence, and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of seven years or to a fine of N3 million or to both.”
According to the bill, “A person who sets fires on the road either with tyres or other inflammable materials to obstruct or for the purpose of celebration and causes damage to the road, whether or not the burning of fire was for an unlawful purpose, commits an offence of sabotage under this Bill and is liable on conviction to a fine of N5 million or imprisonment for a term of three years or both.”
It stated that in the event the action “causes injury to a person or damage to property, the offender shall be liable on conviction to a fine of N5million or imprisonment for a term of seven years or both, while the offender shall, in addition, to the penalty prescribed, be liable on conviction to pay adequate compensation to the victim of the offence.”
The bill added that if the action results in the death of a person, the offender shall, on conviction, be liable to death.
Similarly, Section 4(1) of the proposed legislation stipulates that “A person who engages in a conduct that destroys or affects any water treatment facility or causes the facility to shut down, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to life imprisonment without an option of fine.” However, when the offence results in the death of a person, the offender shall on conviction be liable to death.
Also, Section 5(1) of the bill prescribes a fine of N15 million or imprisonment for a term of 25 years or both for any person convicted for blowing up a gas pipeline, oil pipeline, electricity facility or water supply pipeline, and disrupting the supply of gas, oil, electricity, petroleum products, or water supply. Nonetheless, when the offence results to the death of a person, the offender, on conviction, shall be liable to death.
Section 6(1) of the bill provides for a fine of N25 million or imprisonment for a term of 20 years or both for a contractor or foreign company “that abandons work intentionally on a critical national infrastructure without reasonable cause in order to damage the facility or project and jeopardise the security and progress of Nigeria.
In addition, the contractor or foreign company shall be blacklisted from doing business in the country.
Furthermore, the bill in Section 7 states that: “A person who uses cyber means by hacking or corrupting data, or by installing malware that destroys critical national data or systems or prepositions a hostile activity to take place at a future date to the detriment of Nigeria’s national security and interest, commits an offence, and is liable on conviction to a fine of N10 million or imprisonment for a term of 15 years or both.”
Similarly, the proposed legislation prescribes life imprisonment, without an option of fine, for anyone convicted of hijacking or disrupting the flight of an aircraft, as well as disrupting the operation of a train. Nevertheless, when the action results in the death of a person, the offender shall, on conviction, be liable to death.
Sections 10, 11, 12 and 13 of the bill states that, “A person who destroys a ship or vessel belonging to the government of Nigeria or a private ship or vessel operating within the Nigerian waters, or a naval ship belonging to the Nigerian Navy, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for life without an option of fine.
“A person, who, with intent to prejudice the safety, security or defence of Nigeria (a) impairs the efficiency or impedes the working of any ship, vehicle, aircraft, arms, munitions, equipment, machinery, apparatus or atomic or nuclear plant; or (b) damages or destroys any property which is necessary to keep intact for the safety or health of the public, commits an offence of sabotage and is liable, on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 20 years, or to a fine of N15 million or to both.
“A person, who trespasses on, injures, or destroys any of the works, property or materials of any submarine, mine or torpedo, or fortification or harbour defence system owned, constructed or in the process of construction by Nigeria; interferes with the operation or use of any such submarine, mine, torpedo, fortification or harbour-defence system, or violates any order or regulation issued under an the Act of the National Assembly governing persons, or vessels within the limits of defensive sea areas for the purpose of national defence, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N5 million or imprisonment for a term of 10 years or both. Where the violation of subsection (1) results in the death of a person, the offender shall be liable on conviction to death.”
Obasempire reports that former President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticized the way President Bola Tinubu’s administration removed the fuel subsidy, cautioning about the increased difficulties it will create for ordinary Nigerians.
He issued this caution during an interview with the Financial Times.
Obasanjo argued that the government should have focused on alleviating the challenges resulting from the subsidy removal instead of rushing the implementation of the policy.
“There’s a lot of work that needs to be done. Not just wake up one morning and say you removed the subsidy. Because of inflation, the subsidy that we have removed is not gone. It has come back,” he stressed.
The former President stressed the need for investor confidence in Nigeria, advocating for a shift from a transactional economy to a transformational one. “You have to go from transactional economy to transformational economy,” he said.
Obasanjo also expressed deep concern over the growing restiveness among Nigerian youths, triggered by widespread unemployment.
“Our youth are restive. And they are restive because they have no skill. They have no empowerment. They have no employment. We are all sitting on a keg of gunpowder. And my prayer is that we will do the right thing before it’s too late,” he warned.
Obasanjo also said that sinister forces are working against the progress of the Dangote Refinery. He alleged that powerful cabals in the oil and gas sector are determined to frustrate the project because it threatens their lucrative business of importing refined petrol.
“Aliko’s investment in a refinery, if it goes well, should encourage both Nigerians and non-Nigerians to invest in Nigeria.
“If those who are selling or supplying refined products for Nigeria feel that they will lose the lucrative opportunity, they will also make every effort to get him frustrated,” Obasanjo stated.
