Developing Stories: Heightened tension greets eve to Presidential Tribunal’s verdict as NANS warns DSS
The presidential tribunal sitting in Abuja is expected to deliver judgment on Wednesday, September 6, 2023.
The tribunal had on August 1, 2023, reserved judgment on the petitions filed by the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party’s Peter Obi.
The tribunal reserved judgment on the petitions after adopting the parties’ final written addresses.
The duo of Atiku and Obi according to report are challenging the declaration of President Bola Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 election.
Registrar, Court of Appeal Umar Bangari while confirming the date, said that September 6 has been fixed for the judgment.
Protest: NANS warns DSS
The National Association of Nigerian Students has warned the Department of State Services not to deter students from exercising their rights to protest, saying this is a universally recognized human right.
The National Public Relations Officer of the union, Giwa Temitope, was reacting to the statement made by DSS that some politicians were mobilizing student leaders for violent protest against the Federal Government over socioeconomic matters.
The spokesperson for the security agency, Peter Afunanya yesterday stated that Intelligence reports have indicated that the plotters include certain politicians who are desperately mobilising unsuspecting student leaders, ethnic-based associations, youth, and disgruntled groups for the planned action,”
The NANS PRO, in a statement today said the student body would be storming UNILAG for the protest and urged the DSS not to infringe on the rights of students.
Renewed Hope: Education Ministry gets 8-man committee
An eight-man committee has been inaugurated by the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, to set up a roadmap for the education sector in line with the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
The committee, headed by Dr. Nuhu Yakubu, has as one of its members a former Deputy Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Ernest Ojukwu, and Professor Sa’ad Umar.
While inaugurating the committee today, the minister said, the President has clearly laid out his vision for his administration and it is anchored on improving the lives of Nigerians in a manner that not just reflects our humanity but encourages compassion towards one another, and duly rewards our collective efforts to resolve the social ills that seek to divide us.
Addressing the committee members on the task ahead, Mamman “highlighted some of the issues that required urgent attentions.
He noted that it is important that the curriculum, from basic to tertiary level meets the demands and needs of the society as Nigeria looks towards having quality education.
Zamfara State embarks on massive recruitment
The Zamfara State Executive Council has approved the recruitment of 4,200 members for the civilian Joint Task Force to complement the efforts of security agencies in tackling insecurity in the state.
The governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris in a statement today said that the recruitment of the civilian JTF was among the critical issues deliberated upon at the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Dauda Lawal.
The statement noted that the meeting also approved the construction of new classrooms, renovation and furnishing of the schools as part of the government’s commitment to increasing educational opportunities.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mannir Mu’azu Haidara said the governor had begun implementing a road map that would see the state emerge from years of banditry.
He also noted that the governor would place priority on rebuilding communities shattered by years of insecurity and engage in projects of urban and rural development that would fast-track recovery.
The civilian JTF according to report is an initiative adopted by the conflict-ridden states in the North-East and North-West to contend with the Boko Haram terrorists and bandits which involves engagement of civilian volunteers who work side by side with the regular armed forces deployed in the battlefields to enhance security.
