News
Group expresses concern as Police invite Ibadan Neighbourhood Safety Volunteers’ leaders
A socio-political association under the aegis of Ibadan For Peace, (IFP) has expressed its dissatisfaction over the invitation of the heads of Ibadan Neighbourhood Safety Volunteers, (NSV) by the Force Criminal Investigation Department, (FCID).
Established and sanctioned by late Oba Saliu Adetunji, Olubadan of Ibadan, on October 9, 2021, Ibadan Neighbourhood Safety Volunteers, (NSV) has succeeded in assisting security agencies in fishing out hoodlums and criminal elements.
The trio of Chief Kehinde Ege, Kazeem Abija and Iyan, who have been leading the local security team in conjunction with security agencies to rid Ibadan and neighboring towns of crimes and criminal elements had last Thursday been served letter for interrogation by the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, Alagbon, Lagos.
Ibadan For Peace (IFP), in a statement by its chairman, Kehinde Ajeigbe, on Sunday noted that apart from weakening the moral, the invitation may also resort in rise in criminal activities again.
Ajeigbe opined that there is need for clarifications from the Inspector General of Police, saying, “The relative peace being enjoyed in Ibadanland and Oyo state is been threatened by the continuous usage of some policemen/ authority who are outside the jurisdiction of Oyo state by some people who are suspected to be working against the peaceful coexistence and violence-free society.
“Since some Ibadan Security Volunteer Corps members started working to assist the police and other law enforcement agencies, criminal activities have reduced drastically within Ibadan metropolis, especially within the hinterlands where the hoodlums normally hide under the core parts of the city to terrorise the people.
“All these hoodlums have been fished out with the help of government’s security operatives, in collaboration with this local security group and handed over to Oyo State Police Command for proper police investigation.
“It is therefore a surprise that series of notifications are been extended from the Force CID , AIG office in Alagbon Lagos and not from Oyo State Police Command and AIG office Zone 11, Osogbo , Osun State under whose jurisdiction Oyo command belongs.”
IFP further alleged that “It is suspicious that some unscrupulous elements who are not happy with the anti-hoodlums crusade within Ibadan metropolis and Oyo State are the brains behind this intimidation and harassment.
“It is against this background that appeal is been sought for Inspector General of Police, Oyo State Police Command and AIG Office Zone 11, Osogbo, Osun State under whose jurisdiction Oyo state commands belongs to assist in looking into the matter
“This Ibadan Neighborhood Safety Volunteers is a known outfit. The day it was established, we had in attendance several Mogajis and the Chiefs and was presided by the President General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, CCII, Prince Yemisi Adeaga. Also in attendance were the special adviser on security to Governor Seyi Makinde who is a also a former commissioner of police in Lagos and a distinguished son of the soil, CP Fatai Owoseeni (Rtd). He gave a keynote address at the gathering on the review of the security situation in Ibadanland.
“To ensure they achieve the desired results, 9 working committees were set up that day with our eminent Ibadan indigenes like Professor Remi Raji, AIG Mogaji Fatai Oladipupo (Rtd), Oloye Adegoke Adegboyega, Mogaji Olasunkanmi Tegbe, Mogaji Sunday Akinlabi, Ayodele Olusola, Chief Lowo Obisesan, Chief Niyi Akintola SAN, Mogaji Basorun Fajinmi, Mogaji Anisere saddled with different responsibilities.
“We want to urge the police the police authorities to be diligent in their work. These individuals are partners in progress and not the other way round. They need commendation and not condemnation. With them, the security agencies can achieve a lot.
“By the invitation of the trio, it is a clear attempt at rubbishing the work of Governor Seyi Makinde, the AIG in charge of Oyo State and the commissioner of police,” the statement continued.
News
FG Targets 15m Households for Conditional Cash Transfer Scheme
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Nentawe Yilwatda, has announced the Federal Government’s plan to reach 15 million households, representing 75 million people, through its conditional cash transfer scheme.
Speaking on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Yilwatda explained that the initiative is part of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to mitigating the economic hardships faced by vulnerable Nigerians.
“The president was so specific,” Yilwatda noted.
“There are policies that he brought in to see if that can ease those challenges for people at the lower end of the pyramid. One of those policies is to reach out to 15 million beneficiaries under the conditional cash transfer, targeting households rather than individuals. Each household will receive ₦25,000 monthly, paid three times a year.”
Yilwatda further clarified that the 15 million households being targeted translate to 75 million Nigerians, assuming an average of five persons per household.
So far, the Federal Government has reached five million individuals but is facing challenges in fully sanitizing the social register, particularly with the implementation of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) policy mandating digital identities for transparency and traceability of payments.
“Currently, only 1.4 million people on the social register have digital identities. Many of those we are targeting are outside the formal banking system,” the minister disclosed.
Yilwatda emphasized that women are specifically targeted as household leaders under the program to ensure the funds are used effectively for the benefit of children and other vulnerable members of society.
The conditional cash transfer programme, which is administered under the National Social Investment Programme, had earlier been suspended by President Tinubu in January due to allegations of corruption. However, the scheme was reinstated in February, with plans to extend the initiative to an additional 12 million households.
News
Fuel Price Relief: PETROAN Promises Pump Price Drop This Week
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has assured Nigerians of a reduction in the pump price of petrol within the week, following adjustments to the ex-depot price by key players in the industry.
Last week, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and the Dangote Refinery announced a reduction in the ex-depot price of petrol to ₦899 per litre in Lagos. Despite this, the pump price at many filling stations across the country has remained unchanged.
However, PETROAN President, Billy Gilly-Harry, during a Monday appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, expressed optimism that the price change would soon reflect in retail outlets.
“But I believe from today when members start loading from both NNPC and Dangote at this new price reduction, it will reflect in the market,” he said.
Gilly-Harry lauded some members of PETROAN, particularly in Abuja, for proactively reducing their pump prices to below ₦1,000 even before the official announcement. He emphasized that while members strive to serve Nigerians by providing affordable fuel, they must maintain marginal profitability to sustain operations.
“We don’t encourage our members to try to sell products at a loss because our focus is to serve Nigerians. And the only way we can serve Nigerians is when we have the resources to do so. The resources can only be there if we’re making marginal profit enough to pay for the cost of money and ensure continuity in business,” he noted.
Addressing concerns over the delay in implementing the price reduction, Gilly-Harry explained that some retailers are still selling old stock purchased at higher prices.
“This reduction, if you apply it immediately, don’t forget that some of them bought at ₦970, paid transportation costs and logistics that have taken it quite high,” he said. “By the time it gets to their retail outlets, it’s quite much more than that. And so they must also sell at a profit – minimal marginal profit as provisioned by the PIA. So, that’s the reason.”
The PETROAN boss commended both the NNPCL and Dangote Refinery for their efforts in reducing the ex-depot price, which he described as a significant step toward easing the burden on Nigerians.
Nigerians are now hopeful that the price adjustment will translate into tangible relief at filling stations in the coming days.
News
FG Declares Festive Public Holidays
The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, December 25, and Thursday, December 26, 2024, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day, respectively. Additionally, Wednesday, January 1, 2025, has been declared a public holiday to celebrate the New Year.
This announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani. The minister extended warm greetings to all Nigerians, urging them to embrace the festive period as an opportunity to reflect on the values of love, peace, and unity that the season represents.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized the significance of the season in fostering harmony and strengthening family and community bonds.
“The Christmas season is a good moment for both spiritual reflection and national renewal. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, let us demonstrate kindness and extend goodwill to one another, irrespective of our differences,” he stated.
He further encouraged citizens to remain committed to peace, unity, and progress for the development of the nation, stressing the Federal Government’s dedication to ensuring security and prosperity across the country.
While wishing Nigerians a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year, the minister expressed confidence in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
He assured citizens that the coming year would usher in a stronger and more prosperous economy that would set Nigeria on a global pedestal.
The minister concluded by calling on Nigerians to celebrate responsibly, maintaining peace and unity throughout the festive season.
-
Metro3 days ago
Grim Friday: Man, Wife, Grandson Perish in Ibadan Fire
-
News3 days ago
NNPCL Refutes Shutdown Claims: Port Harcourt Refinery Fully Operational
-
News4 days ago
Bank Robberies Now History in Lagos Since 2014 – IGP
-
Crime & Court4 days ago
Human Rights Lawyer, Dele Farotimi, Granted ₦30m Bail