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Obasanjo’s ex-PA on Security, Protocol, Joins APC

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Mr Simeon Eze, Ex-Personal Assistant to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Security and Protocols, has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Eze, who is from Echara/Isiagu Ward in Igboeze-South Local Government Area of Enugu State, joined APC on Tuesday at the local government party secretariat, Ibagwa-Aka, where he registered.

Sen.

Jonathan Zwingina, the Chairman of APC Registration and Revalidation Committee in Enugu State attended the event.

Sen. Zwingina who supervised the registration of Eze was accompanied by some of his committee members, Mr Ben Nwoye, the Caretaker Committe Chairman of APC in Enugu State, some state executives and party chieftains.

It was also an opportunity for the party to receive some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youths from Unadu Ward of the LGA who defected to APC.

Eze said that he decided to join APC not only because it is the ruling party at the centre but because of good performance of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“I decided to join the ruling party at the centre because President Buhari has done very well especially in his war against corruption.

“I will support APC faithful in the state to change the narrative in Enugu state.

“A situation where PDP wins all the elective positions in the state will longer be possible in 2023 general elections,” he said.

The former Obasanjo’ Aide expressed appreciation to all APC members in his ward for admitting me into the great party.

“I am optimistic that my membership in APC will bring lots of benefits to me, my people and to APC in the state.

“I have the capacity to make things happen, with the support of the leadership of the APC, because many people in my ward, LGA and state have benefitted from me,” he said.

Eze, who was PA to former President Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007, said that this was his first time of joining a political party.

In a remark, Zwingina, expressed satisfaction with Eze’s joining of the party as well as the youths of PDP in Unadu defecting to APC which, he said, was good omen for the party.

“My promise to Eze and PDP defectors is that they will be given equal treatment like every other APC member.

“I am happy on the level of enthusiasm being shown by members and stakeholders of the party in the state.

“I call on the people of Enugu state to avail themselves of the opportunity of the ongoing Registration/Revalidation exercise of APC to join the progressive party,” he said.

Also in a remark, Nwoye said that the party was being repositioned to take over Enugu State by 2023.

“Members from PDP joining APC today is a clear indication that people have fully embraced APC and are tired of PDP’s empty promises in Enugu State.

“It is now clear that APC will take over the Lion Building (Enugu State Government House) in 2023,” he said.

The state chairman expressed special appreciation to Chief George Ogara, a Governorship aspirant of APC in Enugu state in 2019 for his many financial donations to APC in the state which had helped in running the party.

Some of those who defected from PDP to APC include: Mr Eze Ayogu, former Executive Assistant to Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Mr Lucky Idoko, former councilor, Unadu ward; and Mr Ikechukwu Ameh former PDP youth leader, Unadu ward.

Speaking on behalf of other defectors, Ayogu said that they decided to join APC because of the failure of the PDP-led government in Enugu state.

“All the promises of Enugu state government to our ward since 2015, none has been fulfilled.

“Ogara’s good works in Unadu as well as his empowerment of youths on skills acquisition inspired us to join his party, APC,” he said.

Earlier, the Chairman of APC in Igboeze-South LGA, Mr Matthias Ugwuanyi, pledged continued support of party members in the area for APC.

Some party chieftains present were: Ogara, a gubernatorial aspirant of the party in the 2019 general elections; Chief Eugene Odo, former speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly; and Chief Okey Ezea, a former APC governorship candidate in Enugu state.(NAN)

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NEWS

NBA Slams Ibom Air over Passenger’s Undignified Treatment

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The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the treatment of Ms Comfort Emmanson aboard Ibom Air, describing it as reckless, unlawful and a grave violation of her right to dignity.This is contained in a statement signed by the NBA President, Mr Afam Osigwe (SAN) and the General Secretary, Dr Mobolaji Ojibara.

Report says that on Aug.
10, an incident occurred aboard an Ibom Air flight involving Emmanson.
NBA described the manner in which Emmanson was removed from the aircraft as dehumanising.NBA noted that video footage showed an Ibom Air hostess blocking Emmanson’s exit from the plane.The association noted that the conduct could constitute false imprisonment and provocation, potentially escalating the situation.
NBA expressed outrage over allegations that Emmanson was publicly stripped of her clothing, humiliated, filmed and had the footage circulated online.The association viewed the photographing, dissemination and online circulation of indecent images of her as both degrading and a serious invasion of privacy, constituting a criminal act.“Even if the incident had to be reported, the footage should have been blurred or edited in a way that did not expose her nudity to the public,” NBA said.The association stressed that those responsible for capturing and distributing the unedited footage must be identified and prosecuted.They warned that such acts erode public trust and undermine the rights of all citizens to be treated with dignity and respect.NBA considered the lifetime ban on Emmanson from flying Ibom Air or any other, as heavy-handed, legally and morally indefensible, and in breach of the principle of fair hearing.The association argued that only the relevant statutory regulator had the authority to suspend or restrict a passenger’s flying privileges, not private entities or airlines.The NBA demanded that Ibom Air lift the lifetime ban on Emmanson and issue a public apology.NBA urged the Minister for Aviation, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation and sanction those responsible.The association pledged to provide Emmanson with pro bono legal support to protect her rights and seek redress for the violations she suffered. (NAN)

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NLC Urges Crude Sales to Dangote in Naira

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Lagos State chapter, has urged the Federal Government to prioritise selling crude oil to the Dangote Refinery in Naira. Lagos NLC Chairperson, Funmi Sesi, made the appeal during a Tuesday tour of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Ltd.

by Labour Writers Association of Nigeria (LAWAN) members and NLC officials.
Sesi said compelling the refinery to import crude or buy locally in dollars undermined the promise of reduced fuel prices for Nigerians.
“This country has crude oil in abundance. Why is Dangote still importing crude or paying in hard currency for locally produced crude?” she asked. “If the government truly wants to lower fuel prices and support local refining, it must sell crude oil to Dangote in Naira,” she added.
According to her, sourcing crude locally in local currency would significantly reduce operational costs and lead to a sustainable drop in fuel prices. The union leader praised Dangote Ltd. for creating a transformative national asset that helps bridge Nigeria’s fuel supply gap, creates jobs, and boosts industrial capacity. She said the scale and strategic importance of Dangote Group’s investments were already delivering measurable benefits to Nigerians. “Today, we have seen the refinery, the fertiliser plant, and other investments in this axis. The size and impact are enormous and impressive,” she said. She described the projects as clear efforts to improve essential product availability, create jobs, and advance Nigeria’s industrialisation. Following the removal of petrol subsidies, Nigerians faced a sharp rise in Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) costs. She said Dangote’s refinery entry helped stabilise prices. Sesi noted that Dangote’s operations had significantly lowered PMS and other refined product prices, demonstrating private sector leadership in the industry. “With a 650,000-barrel daily capacity, this refinery can serve Nigeria and West Africa. We also saw large vessels exporting fertilisers to other countries,” she said. She praised Aliko Dangote for building a fully operational, world-class refinery that meets domestic and regional refined petroleum needs. Sesi also commended the production of Euro-5-compliant fuel with reduced sulphur content, aligning with global environmental standards and enhancing Nigeria’s market reputation. “This is the pride we want — a Nigerian company producing at global standards, changing the narrative, and boosting our global standing,” she said. She also lauded Dangote Fertiliser Company, which already exports to international markets, urging government support to improve food security and reduce imported agricultural inputs. Dangote Industries Vice President, Oil and Gas, Devakumar Edwin, said the refinery was addressing Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined products. He said it was setting a foundation for a sustainable, competitive refining industry that would benefit the national economy. Edwin revealed plans to deploy 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks to distribute refined petroleum products nationwide. He said the CNG trucks would ensure domestic refining benefits and lower fuel prices are fully passed to Nigerian consumers. According to him, the CNG fleet would reduce logistics costs — a major contributor to pump prices. “The deployment of 4,000 CNG-powered trucks will help pass down domestic refining benefits and lower product prices to consumers,” he said. He clarified the aim was to improve distribution efficiency, not displace existing operators. Edwin added that CNG trucks are environmentally friendlier and cheaper to run, helping to make refined products more affordable nationwide. (NAN)

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Gaza: UNESCO Condemns ‘Unacceptable’ Killing of Journalists

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The United Nations Educational, Social and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), has strongly condemned the killing of six journalists in Palestine by an Israeli drone on Sunday.UNESCO’s Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, made this known in a statement on Tuesday.“I condemn the killing of journalists Anas Al-Sharif, Mohammed Qreiqeh, Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, Moamen Aliwa, and Mohammed Al-Khaldi and call for a thorough and transparent investigation, she said.

Five of the six worked for the influential Qatari-based media organisation, Al Jazeera.
Anas Al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh were on-air correspondents, while Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa worked as camera operators.
Mohammed Al-Khaldi was a freelance photojournalist.They were reportedly killed by an Israeli attack on a tent used by media personnel at the entrance of Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) alleged that the 28-year-old al-Sharif was a serving Hamas operative.Al Jazeera strongly denies this, describing the attack as an “assassination” and “yet another blatant and premeditated attack on press freedom.”The UN Human Rights Council-appointed independent expert on freedom of expression had on July 31 denounced an Israeli military spokesperson’s “repeated threats” and “unfounded accusations” against Al-Sharif.The council had described the allegation as “a blatant attempt to endanger his life and silence his reporting” in Gaza.Two Special Rapporteurs on Tuesday described the killings as “an attempt to silence reporting on the ongoing genocide and starvation campaign” in Gaza.“It is outrageous that the Israeli army dares to first launch a campaign to smear Anas Al-Sharif as Hamas in order to discredit his reporting and then kill him and his colleagues for speaking the truth to the world,” they said.The experts demanded an immediate investigation into the killings and full access to international media, which Israel currently bars from entering Gaza.Special rapporteurs and other independent experts are appointed by and report regularly to the Human Rights Council.They work in their individual capacity, are not UN staff and receive no payment for their work.UNESCO chief Azoulay stressed that targeting journalists reporting on conflicts is unacceptable and violates international law.She also reiterated her call to respect UN Security Council Resolution 2222, which was unanimously adopted in 2015 to protect journalists, media professionals, and associated personnel in conflict situations.UNESCO reports that since Oct. 2023, at least 62 journalists and media workers have been killed in the line of duty in Palestine.This excludes deaths in circumstances unrelated to their work, while OHCHR reports that at least 242 Palestinian journalists have been killed in the same time frame. (NAN)

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