COVER
Protesters Dare FG as Tinubu Pleads for More Time
By Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu will deliver a nationwide broadcast this morning as part of activities marking the Independence Day.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga announced this in a statement yesterday entitled, October 1st 2024 Independence Day: President Tinubu Addresses the Nation.
According to him, “Television, radio stations, and other electronic media outlets are encouraged to connect to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria for the broadcast.
”Despite warnings from the Federal Government and the Nigerian Police Force, organisers of the October 1 protest against hardship in the country have vowed to proceed with the planned demonstration.
Similarly, The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday charged Nigerians to use the 2024 Independence Day Anniversary to reawaken the spirit of nationalism in defence of the nation’s democracy and national sovereignty against the emerging All Progressives Congress (APC)’s totalitarianism and exploitation.
Omoyele Sowore, a presidential candidate in the 2023 general election and activist leading the protest confirmed on his social media platform yesterday that the protest will hold peacefully across the country with the main event taking place at the Eagle Square Abuja.
Sowore maintained, “The protests will hold across all parts of Nigeria because the scale of the devastation, hunger, insecurity, and hardship that this government has unleashed on Nigerians is national.”
He stated, “We’ll not be deterred by threats or violence. Our only weapon is truth, and no amount of force will prevent us from speaking truth to power.”
According to him, the protest is a response to the widespread devastation, hunger, insecurity, and hardship inflicted on Nigerians by the current government, citing the recent increase in petrol prices, devaluation of the naira, and rising market prices as justification for the demonstration.
He asked, “Under these circumstances, can anyone be surprised that Nigerians want to voice their displeasure with this government’s failure to address the issues affecting them?”
The PDP, in a statement by its Spokesman, Hon. Debo Ologunagba asked Nigerians not to surrender to the bullying tactics of the APC administration which sought to undermine the Constitution, emasculate citizens, compromise institutions of democracy and turn Nigeria into a fiefdom where APC leaders carry on like lords and treat other citizens as conquered people.
The statement said Independence Day celebration is not the symbolic marching at parade grounds, taking of salutes, inspection of guards and making of speeches but it is the freedom of the citizens to express themselves, pursue legitimate endeavors and freely participate in the process to choose those who lead them through an unhindered expression of their will at elections.
“The independence of a nation is embedded in the respect for the rule of law and constitutionally guaranteed rights of citizens by a transparent and responsible government that is democratically elected, answerable and committed only to the good of the people.
“Since its calamitous arrival in the Nigerian political space, the APC continues to barefacedly stifle these fundamentals of our nation’s independence.
“It is therefore an irony that the APC deludes itself that Nigerians should celebrate independence which essence has been completely diminished by the anti-people policies and programs of the APC that have not only discounted the lives of citizens but also deprived them of the independence to legitimately pursue their endeavors and freely participate in governance,” the statement said.
It noted that it was clear that APC is not interested in the wellbeing of the people, saying it was returning the nation to a state of bondage, where government is a cabal that has no respect for citizens but relishes in inflicting pain and hardship.
PDP accused APC of treating dissenting voices as enemies of the state, noting that corruption, treasury looting, election manipulation, suppression and exploitation of citizens through excruciating tariffs and taxes are now instituted as state policies.
“It is indeed agonizing that all the gains achieved by the PDP in the development of our democracy and credible electoral process; personal freedom, liberty and security of citizens; good governance that resulted in better living standards and flourishing investments in education, healthcare, electricity, housing, railways and roads infrastructure, manufacturing, hospitality, real estate among others have all been reversed by the APC.
“Our party is alarmed by the inexcusable insensitivity being exhibited by the APC which continues to resort to lies, false performance claims and empty promises in the face of abysmal failure.
“The PDP calls on the APC to recognize that Nigeria is an independent nation and that sovereignty belongs to the people.
“The APC-led administration must therefore listen to Nigerians and review all its anti-people policies and actions that are suffocating life in the country,” the statement said.
It called on the Federal Government to reduce the pump price of fuel and stem the slide in the value of the naira by immediately reordering resources to jumpstart the ailing productive sector.The statement urged Tinubu to “listen to the heartbeat of Nigerians” as Nigerians “are hurting” and therefore act by channeling resources to projects that have direct bearing on the wellbeing of the people so that they could have the life they deserve as free citizens of an independent nation.
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
As part of efforts to reposition the newspaper for optimum corporate performance, the management of Asset Newspapers Limited, Publishers of DAILY ASSET, has announced the appointment of David Torough as the Editor of the Abuja-based national daily.
A statement by the management said the appointments were part of the company’s new strategy to further penetrate the various states in the country and raise its readership and patronage.
“DAILY ASSET is widely acceptable across the country and to maintain our leadership position, we need to increase management presence, hence the need to create new Bureau offices in some locations outside Abuja and Lagos,” the statement quoted the Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief, Dr Cletus Akwaya to have said.
In a statement yesterday, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the fast-growing daily, Dr. Cletus Akwaya said the appointment was part of the new strategy to properly situate the paper for better productivity.
“DAILY ASSET has a commitment with the Nigerian people. We are determined to weather the storm and give Nigerian readers a Newspaper that satisfies their yearnings and reading pleasure and we can only do that with the right set of professionals,” the statement said.
Akwaya, a former Commissioner of Information from Benue State said the difficult times being faced by Nigerians posed a great challenge to the media as the people deserved credible information with which to make choices.
“We have a bond with the people, to offer credible information at all times in the best tradition of the Nigerian Press and on this scale of objectivity, truth and fairness, we pledge to remain steadfast no matter the challenges,” Akwaya was quoted to have said.
He said the newspaper will maiantin its daily print run and circulation to all states of the federation and urged advertisers to take advantage of the deep penetration of the Daily Asset brand to send their messages.
Torough, the new Editor has had a steady rise in the Newspaper in the last five years.
A graduate of Mass communication of the Benue State University, Makurdi, Torough joined the company in 2022 as Benue State Correspondent. He was spotted for his brilliance and redeployed to Abuja the following year and promoted to Deputy News Editor. He was subswuently named Deputy Editor of the paper, a position he held until the recent appointment.
Torough has attended several journalistic workshops and trainings to properly equip himself for the task ahead.
The statement also said the Management named Eze Okechukwu as Deputy Editor.
Before his elevation as Deputy Editor, Eze has been Deputy Politics Editor and DAILY ASSET Newspaper correspondent covering the Senate, having joined the organization in 2021.
Born on March 10, 1975, Eze holds a Masters Degree in Mass Communication from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Eze began his journalism career with Daily Star, Enugu and later worked with Daily Trust Newspaper, Abuja as sports reporter.
Aside from his journalistic excellence, he has a great deal of passion for sports.
From Ngutor Dekera, Kaduna and Aliyu Askira, Kano
Northern governors and traditional rulers yesterday called for the suspension of mining activities across the region for six months, blaming illegal mining for worsening insecurity in many states.The resolution was contained in a communiqué issued after a joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna.
The meeting, chaired by the Gombe State Governor and NSGF Chairman, Muhammadu Yahaya, had in attendance the 19 northern governors and chairmen of the 19 states’ traditional councils. The Forum expressed concern over the escalating violence in parts of the North, including the killings and abductions recently recorded in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kano states, as well as renewed Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe.“The Forum extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the governments and good people of the affected states,” the communiqué said, noting that the attacks on schoolchildren and other citizens had become “unacceptable tragedies” that required urgent collective action.It commended President Bola Tinubu for what it described as the Federal Government’s “firm response” to recent abductions and insurgency threats, especially the rescue of some abducted pupils.The governors also saluted security agencies for their sacrifices on the frontlines.“We resolved to renew our support for every step taken by the President and Commander-in-Chief to take the fight to insurgents’ enclaves in order to end the criminality,” the Forum stated.A major highlight of the meeting was the North’s renewed push for the establishment of state police, with governors and traditional rulers insisting that decentralised policing had become inevitable.“The Forum reaffirms its wholehearted support and commitment to the establishment of state police,” the communiqué added, urging federal and state lawmakers from the region to “expedite action for its actualisation.”On illegal mining, the governors said criminal mining networks were fuelling violence and providing resources for armed groups.As a corrective measure, they asked Tinubu to direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to impose a six-month suspension of mining activities in order to allow for a full audit and revalidation of licences.“The Forum observed that illegal mining has become a major contributory factor to the security crises in Northern Nigeria. “We strongly recommend a suspension of mining exploration for six months to allow proper audit and to arrest the menace of artisanal illegal mining,” it said.To strengthen the fight against insecurity, the governors also announced the creation of a regional Security Trust Fund.Under the proposed arrangement, each state and its local governments will contribute ₦1bn monthly, to be deducted at source under an agreed framework.They said the fund would help provide sustainable financing for joint operations, intelligence-driven interventions and coordinated security responses across the region.At the end of the meeting, the Forum reaffirmed its commitment to unity and collective responsibility.“Only through unity, peer review and cooperation can we overcome the pressing challenges before us,” it declared.The Forum agreed to reconvene on a date to be announced.Meanwhile, Nigeria’s worsening security crisis took a grim turn on Monday as bandits launched fresh attacks in Kano State, abducting 25 villagers, even as the Federal Government raced to secure the release of more than 300 Catholic school children kidnapped in Niger State.In the early hours of Monday, armed bandits invaded Unguwar Tsamiya—popularly called Dabawa—in Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State, whisking away nine men and two women after shooting into the air and assaulting residents. The attackers also rustled two cows.A resident lamented the community’s helplessness: “We cannot do otherwise; most of us cannot leave because we have nowhere to go. This is our place, our land and everything is here.”The assault came less than 24 hours after a similar attack on Yan Kamaye in Tsanyawa LGA, a community along the volatile Katsina border.In Niger State, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has assured distraught families of St. Mary’s Co-Education School, Kontagora that the more than 300 students and staff abducted on November 21 will return home “soon.” Ribadu, who led a high-level federal delegation to the school on Monday, said the abductees are safe, though he offered no specifics on their location or the status of rescue operations.According to Daniel Atori, spokesman for the Catholic bishop overseeing the school, the NSA reassured officials: “The children are where they are and will come back safely.”The St. Mary’s attack is part of a worrying resurgence of mass kidnappings reminiscent of the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction. Security analysts warn that banditry has evolved into a “structured, profit-seeking industry,” with hundreds of Nigerians abducted in November alone.The Kontagora school abduction occurred the same week 25 girls were kidnapped in Kebbi State—victims who authorities say have since been rescued through “non-kinetic” means. About 50 of the St. Mary’s hostages have also managed to escape.Ribadu’s delegation, which included the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), reaffirmed the government’s commitment to securing the freedom of all abducted citizens.As communities from Kano to Niger continue to bear the brunt of these violent incursions, the escalating spate of kidnappings underscores the urgent national demand for a more decisive and coordinated security response.
By David Torough, Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said former Attorney‑General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, will face a team of interrogators at its office daily throughout December.A credible source in the EFCC said on Monday that the daily appearance was part of an ongoing investigation into the whereabouts of an alleged 490 million dollars Abacha loot secured through a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLAT) request.
The source said that Malami, who was summoned for interrogation by the EFCC on Saturday, was barred from leaving Nigeria for the next one month.According to the source, one of the conditions for his release on Saturday was that he should report daily to the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja for further interrogation.The source said Malami would have to appear daily at the anti-graft office due to the volume of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against him.”We seized his passport, it is the normal routine during investigation, but he has to report at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja every day for the next month.”He will be reporting for further investigation throughout December.”He will be reporting every day, starting from Dec. 1st to Dec. 31st.He will appear before the team of investigators for the entire month of December.”He will be reporting to EFCC for investigation for the period because of the volume of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against him,” the source added.According to the source, a fact sheet on the former minister revealed that Malami had several issues to clarify with the EFCC within the coming weeks.“We have asked him to explain the whereabouts of the $490 million Abacha loot secured through MLAT.“We didn’t say he stole money, but he should account for the loot. This is one of the issues he will clarify to our investigators.”The commission cited the large volume of documents he must review and the need for extensive interviews as reasons for seizing his passport.The source said EFCC would not engage in a war of words but would release its findings after a thorough investigation.Malami, in a statement by his media aide, Mohammed Doka, on Monday in Abuja, however, described the EFCC investigation as a political witch‑hunt.He confirmed he honored an EFCC invitation on Nov. 28, describing the engagement as fruitful and expressing confidence that the probe would vindicate him.Malami described the EFCC’s allegations as baseless, illogical and devoid of substance, insisting they collapse under factual scrutiny.
OPay Leads Conversation on Africa’s Next Financial Frontier at Fintech Summit 2026
Share OPay, a leading financial technology company in Nigeria, took center stage as the Headline Sponsor of the inaugural BusinessDay...
2027: Tinubu, INEC Working Against Opposition – Adebayo
ShareWhile many political actors insist that only a united front can unseat the ruling party, Prince Adewole Adebayo of the...
Agbomhere Declares Interest for Etsako Federal Constituency Seat
ShareBy Eze Okechukwu, Abuja Blessing Agbomhere, has declared his interest to represent the Etsako Federal Constituency, Edo State, under the platform of the All Progressives Congress...
Gov Alia Keeps Going to Abuja to Get Things for Benue People – Aide
ShareThe Technical Adviser to Benue State Governor on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communication, Solomon Iorpev, spoke with our correspondent, Attah...
Sule Seeks Increased Dangote’s Investments in Nasarawa
ShareThe Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, has urged the Dangote Group to scale up its investments by leveraging the state’s...
LBHF Tournament Honours Edun at 70 with Thrilling Bouts
ShareThe Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF) monthly tournament returns on Saturday, celebrating founder Wale Edun’s 70th birthday marked on Monday, April...
Tinubu Hails Nigerian-American Basketball Star Anosike on Historic Feats in China
SharePresident Bola Tinubu has congratulated Nigerian-American basketball star Ejimofor Anosike of the Hong Kong Bulls for his outstanding performance in the 2026...
NEMA Begins Massive Sensitisation on 2026 Flood Prediction in Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu
ShareFrom Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has concluded arrangements for a massive sensitisation in some council areas...
Kogi Pledges Support for Fight against Malaria
ShareFrom Joseph Amedu, Lokoja The Kogi State Government has assured residents of its commitment to providing the support and enabling environment needed to eliminate malaria in the state. Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazees Adeiza,...
FCT Teachers Suspend Strike
ShareThe Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has suspended the ongoing strike by primary and secondary school...