Nigeria Twitter ban: Pastor Adeboye says tweets are within human rights

The general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) on Monday insisted on using his Twitter account despite the ban on the social media platform by the Nigerian government.

“The Redeemed Christian Church of God is domiciled in more than 170 Nations & Territories,” Pastor Adeboye tweeted on Monday.

“The tweets here are in accordance to Article 19 of the UN universal declaration of Human Rights.”

The Nigerian government last Friday announced the indefinite ban of Twitter, citing “the persistent use of the platform (Twitter) for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence” for the reason of the ban.

“Federal Government has also directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately commence the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria,” Nigeria’s information and culture minister Lai Mohammed said.

Barely 24 hours after the government announced the Twitter ban on Twitter, the government threatened to prosecute Nigerians violating the order.

The ban came into effect on Saturday with millions of users blocked from accessing the site. Many young Nigerians are, however, circumventing the ban by using virtual private networks (VPN).

Nigeria’s attorney-general Abubakar Malami said the ministry of justice will “swing into action and commence in earnest the process of prosecution of violators of the Federal Government De-activation of operations of Twitter in Nigeria.”

The minister of justice directed “the DPPF to liaise with the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, National Communication Communication (NCC) and other relevant government agencies to ensure the speedy prosecution of offenders without any further delay.”

APGA Group Launches Atiku/Soludo 2023 Presidential Campaign Bid In Abuja

 

All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) group under the aegis APGA Movement for United Nigeria (AMUN) has today launched the Atiku/Soludo Presidential campaign in Abuja.

Addressing newsmen on Monday at a press conference, the National Coordinator of the AMUN, Comrade Andy Ekwe, said Nigeria is on the brink of collapsing and only decisive action in getting a good leadership can save the country now.

“A reading of the body language of the PDP in an obvious search for a fitting and credible candidate to field in the forthcoming presidential election leaves one no doubt that the former Vice President to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar remains the only hope and the only person endowed with the requisite political machinery and wizardry, financial capacity, knowledge of the political structure and economy of the nation; a man who has been tested and proven with such impeccable track record of success in his political career and private business life.”

“The PDP stakeholders choice favours Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the man that can steer the wheels of this nation back onto the right tracks without wavering of hands”, he said.

The group said that in consideration of the unity and stability of the country come 2023, it has unanimously endorsed the alliance of the two largest and most powerful opposition parties PDP and APGA to produce the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates as being worked out by powerful opposition forces to fix Buhari ongoing destruction of Nigeria.

The group claimed that without deliberate action to determine who the President of the country would be in 2023, forces that are in enmity with the Nigerian people may determine the candidates and perpetuate the long suffering of Nigerians for the foreseeable future.

The group said that the alliance between Atiku and Soludo “becomes imperative and crucial if Nigeria must come out of its current rudderlessness, political doldrums, state of manifest insecurity and uncertainty bedeviling the entire country.

“Our nation which was once tagged the giant of Africa is at the brink of imminent collapse and requires desperate measures to reverse the trend and to calm the eerie sounds of the drums of war.”

AMUN said that winning the APGA ticket to become the governor of Anambra state, would be a big opportunity needed for Soludo to have a joint ticket with Atiku in the 2023 presidential election.

The group said: “APGA Movement for United Nigeria after due consultations and deliberations therefore urges the APGA national leadership to ensure it presents Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as its governorship candidate for the November, 2021 Anambra governorship election.

“Prof. Soludo at the moment remains the most viable man from the South with the mental sagacity and God given ability to lead/bring APGA to the national table to negotiate the future and destiny of the South and also repair Buhari’s damage to Nigeria.

“This will make it easy for the works of the opposition to oust the incumbent failing government. There can be no better person than Prof. Soludo in the political space from the South now.”

Recall that at the weekend, it was reported that Atiku/Soludo campaign posters flooded the street of Abuja.

Reacting to this development on Monday, Atiku, in a statement by his Media Aide, Paul Ibe said, “we know nothing about the posters or those who may have promoted it.

“It is obvious that this is a work of mischief. For the avoidance of doubt, Atiku Abubakar is of the PDP while Charles Soludo is of APGA. It is silly of anyone to attempt to drag the former Vice President into an election in Anambra which outcome will be determined by the people of the state.

“Atiku Abubakar is presently preoccupied with joining hands with other well-meaning Nigerians to help in finding solutions to the myriad of challenges plaguing our nation such as insecurity and economic downturn marked by joblessness and extreme poverty.

“That explains why last Monday, the Waziri of Adamawa commissioned the headquarters of Standard Micro Finance Bank and two manufacturing plants, promoted by him in Yola to provide much-needed jobs and opportunities.

“We wish to restate that the purported 2023 campaign posters in circulation linking Atiku to Soludo is the handiwork of mischief makers and should be ignored.”

Onion traders to stop supply of onions to Southern Nigeria

The Onion Producers and Marketers Association (OPMAN) has said it will discontinue the supply of onions to Southern Nigeria from Monday.

“If the government fails to adhere to the demands of the association, we are shutting down the supply of onions to the entire South by Monday, June 7, 2021,” OPMAN national president Aliyu Isa said at a press conference in Sokoto on Sunday.

“During the last EndSARS protests, other people were compensated leaving out our members.

“In Shaha where we lost 27 lives, 5 trailers, 5,600 bags of Onions, 12 utility cars and other valuables.”

Isa said about N4.5 billion worth of onions and properties were destroyed by suspected hoodlums across Southern states in the last few months in addition to the loss of lives of members of the association without any compensation.

The group listed incidents in Aba, Abia State, Shasha in Oyo State, and Mbaise local government area of Imo State, saying it lost three members, 30 trailers, nine utility cars, 50 stores, and 10,000 bags of onions and other valuables.

He said in Imo State, two trucks of onions worth about N13,000,000 were lost in February.

“The above problems resulted in our earlier action to suspend the supply of foodstuffs to the Southern States in February through our parent union,” Isa said.

“After full deliberation by the executive of members of this association and the failure of the government to respond to our cry, we have thereby reached these decisions.”

Isa also called on the federal and state governments to assist them so that they could sustain their businesses.

“We are calling on the state and federal government to restore law and order in the state.

“We also call on the good people of the Southern part of Nigeria to live with the Hausa community in peace, as we are only there for our lawful businesses.”

He also called on the state government to collaborate with the federal government to set up a committee to investigate the incident that leads to the loss of lives and properties of their members.

Delta pastor, others arrested over killing of 13-year-old girl for ritual: photo

A yet-to-be identified clergyman and an accomplice have been arrested by operatives of the Delta State Police Command over alleged murder of a 13-year-old girl, Nwafor Blessing, in Agbor.

Sources said the victim’s heart was ripped open with other vital organs removed from her body.

It was gathered that the late Nwafor Blessing and her mother, a petty trader, were members of the Pastor’s Church located along Board road, Boji Boji, in Agbor.

Witnesses said the remains of the deceased were a gory site to behold as the corpse of the little girl was dumped close to the Central Hospital, Agbor, from where the police removed it on Friday.

According to a community source, the pastor had taken a decision to ‘help’ the girl after an evening service by calling for a motorcycle to convey her home.

“After waiting endlessly without seeing the girl at home, the mother went to the man of God to ask about her child. The cleric did not deny getting a commercial motorcycle to convey the girl home. He pacified the troubled woman that the child was safe,” the source who would not want his name in print said.

However, the motorcyclist who was later apprehended by the police, during interrogation implicated the pastor of being in the know of what happened.

The suspects later led detectives to the spot where the girl’s mutilated body was dumped behind the state School of Nursing by Central Hospital.

The state acting Police Public Relations Officer Bright Edafe, said, “We have arrested the pastor of the church and one other suspect who is a member of the church.

JUST IN: Umahi resigns as leader of Eastern Security Outfit, Ebubeagu

Major General Obi Abel Umahi(rtd) has tendered his resignation as the chairman of the South East Security Committee also known as ‘Ebubeagu’ which was formed on August 31, 2019

Umahi announced his intention to leave the position via a letter to the chairman of the South East Governor’s Forum. The letter was dated June 4th 2021.

The letter read in part: “I chaired a 21-man Committee set up to draft a legal framework for the SE Security outfit. The committee was composed of members of SE Security committee, the Attorney generals of the five Se States and some prominent Igbo sons and daughters. The 21-man Legal Framework Committee was funded to completion by the Governor of Ebonyi State.”

“On 11th April, 2021, SE Governors announced the formation of EBUBEAGU at Owerri. Subsequently, the draft legal framework produced by the 21-man Committee was reviewed by SE Security Committee members and the Attorney Generals of the five Se States to suit South East Ebubeagu Security outfit.”

Umahi explained that he would like to leave the position as chairman adding that he will always be available to give advice and help from the sidelines.

“At this juncture that EBUBEAGU will soon come fully on-stream, I respectfully request that Your Excellencies kindly permit me to resign my appointment as the chairman, SE Security Committee. in the spirit of my love to serve Ndigbo, i can assure you that i will always be available to advice on the success of EBUBEAGU at no cost, just as i served as the Chairman of South East Security Committee from 31 August 2019 till date at no cost directly or indirectly to the five South East State Government, groups and individual. I highly appreciate Your Excellencies for the opportunity you gave me to serve Ndigbo.”

BREAKING: Nigerian government gives condition to lift Twitter ban

The Nigerian Government has stated that it will only lift the ban on Twitter if the social media platform is used ‘responsibly’.

Nigeria’s minister of foreign affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama disclosed that Twitter’s operations in Nigeria will be restored only if the platform can be used ‘responsibly.’ He said this at a meeting with some envoys from UK, US and other countries on Monday.

He added that there was no definite timeline for when the ban will be reversed. “The condition would be responsible use of the social media and that really has to be it.”

“We are not saying that Twitter is threatening the country or any such thing; why we have taken this measure is to stop them to be used as platforms for destabilisation and facilitation of criminality or encouragement of criminalities,”.

Nigeria made headlines all over the world last week when Twitter’s activities in Nigeria were suspended by the government. The suspension came a day after the micro-blogging platform deleted a tweet from President Muhammadu Buhari’s account.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle welcome baby daughter named Lilibet Diana: Photo

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have confirmed the arrival of their second child.

The couple said Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, who was born on Friday, 4 June at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, was "more than we could have ever imagined" and is now "settling in at home". 

Harry and Meghan's second child, who weighed 7lb 11oz, has been named after the family nickname for her great-grandmother the Queen, while her middle name honours her late grandmother, the Princess of Wales, the couple said.

Lilibet is the couple’s second child, after Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, who turned two in May. 

Harry and Meghan confirmed the birth of their second child Lilibet, who was born on Friday, 4 June. (PA)

She is eighth in line to the throne, and the highest in line to be born in the US.

Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor has been named after the family nickname the Queen. (PA)

In a message of thanks from Meghan and Harry on the Archewell website, they said: "On June 4, we were blessed with the arrival of our daughter, Lili.

"She is more than we could have ever imagined, and we remain grateful for the love and prayers we’ve felt from across the globe.

"Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family.”

The couple asked anyone wishing to send a present to support organisations working for women and girls.

A message on the Archewell website reads: "For those inquiring on sending gifts, we would ask that you support or learn more about these organisations working for women and girls: Girls Inc., Harvest Home, CAMFED or Myna Mahila Foundation."

Lilibet is the couple's second child after older brother Archie, who turned two in May. (PA)

Congratulations quickly poured in to the couple on the birth of their second child, including from the Royal family.

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: “The Queen, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, and The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been informed and are delighted with the news of the birth of a daughter for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.”

Others to congratulate the couple including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, charities close to Harry's heart and Star Trek actor William Shatner.

Monguno Orders Dismantling Of Illegal Security Outfits

The National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, has directed the immediate dismantling of all illegal security outfits all over the country.

Monguno, who gave the order in a statement by the Head, Strategic Communication of ONSA, Zakari Usman, on Sunday in Abuja, said the security outfits are being used to extort, harass and intimidate Nigerians across the country.

He also cautioned individuals, organisations and foreign partners particularly on the activities of a security outfit known as NATFORCE.

Monguno added that outfit was illegally formed as a taskforce to combat illegal importation and smuggling of small arms, ammunitions and light weapons into the country.

He noted that the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) domiciled in it, was the national co-ordination mechanism for the control and monitoring of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country.

The NSA added that the government Babagana Mongunohas observed with concern the proliferation of illegal security outfits in the country.

“These illegal outfits have been masquerading and acting as part of the Nigerian security architecture while extorting, harassing and intimidating Nigerians.

“One of such groups is NATFORCE which seeks to combat illegal importation of arms, ammunition, light weapons, chemical weapons and pipeline vandalism and has been involved in mounting of illegal roadblocks, conducting illegal searches, seizures and recruitment.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the general public and all stakeholders are to note that NATFORCE is an illegal outfit without any mandate or authority to carry out these functions.

“This trend is unacceptable and the promoters of NATFORCE are warned to dismantle their structures and operations immediately,” it said.

NBC orders all Nigerian radio, television stations to stop tweeting

Acting Director General of NBC, Prof Armstrong Idachaba, on Monday said it will be unpatriotic for any broadcaster in Nigeria to continue to patronize the suspended Twitter as a source of its information and called for strict compliance.

Idachaba noted that the directive is in line with Section 2(1) of the NBC Act, which entrusts the commission with responsibility to ensure strict adherence to the national laws, rules and regulations.

Also, section 3.11.2 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code provides that “the broadcaster shall ensure that law enforcement is upheld at all times in a matter depicting that law and order are socially superior to or more desirable than Crime and Anarchy,” Idachaba said.

“Attention is also drawn to section 5.6.3 of The Code which requires Broadcasters to be mindful of materials that may cause disaffection, incite to panic or rift in the society in the use of a User Generated Content (UGC).”

The Commission also asked the media house to deactivate their handles.

Two feared dead as security operatives, IPOB members clash in Anambra

Security operatives and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), yesterday, clashed in Oraifite community, Ekwusigo Local Council of Anambra State, with two persons dead.

It was gathered that trouble started when some security operatives stormed the residence of the IPOB lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, around 2:00 a.m.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed that the bloody attack, which started at about 2:00 a.m., ended at about 5:00a.m.

He said: “Some men suspected to be unknown gunmen allegedly attacked a Hilux vehicle conveying unknown number of soldiers. The soldiers were transferred to another vehicle after which the Hilux was set ablaze.

The IPOB spokesperson, Mr. Emma Powerful, has condemned the reported attack on the residence of Ejiofor.

He said: “Ejiofor’s house has been invaded by Fulani Jihadist soldiers now and they want to eliminate him.

MEANWHILE, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Tochukwu Ikenga, when contacted on phone, said he had not got the details of what happened in Oraifite.

He, however, corrected the impression that security operatives were responsible for the attack, saying: “Security operatives protect life and property and not attack.”

IN another development, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Chekwas Okorie, yesterday, lamented the spate of killings and insecurity in the South-East region, stressing that it was aimed to de-market Ndigbo over the 2023 presidential election.

He said that the situation could not be compared with what obtains in other zones of the country where people are being kidnapped and killed, among others.

ALSO, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide said that the Ndigbo needed fair treatment.

In a statement in Abakaliki, the Secretary-General of the group, Nazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said that southeastern Nigeria had been mistakenly shoved out of the corporate existence of Nigeria, based on the fact that the Federal Government had sidelined one section of the country and perpetually excluded the region from all essential ingredients that promote the continuous unity of Nigeria.

Culled from the guardian...