Varsity students declare three-day prayer for Buhari (Read full details)

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President Muhammadu Buhari.

Forum, NGO hold supplication in Akure, Gombe

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has set aside three days of prayers for the quick recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari and his early return to the country.

NANS President, Chinonso Obasi, who disclosed this in a statement yesterday, said Nigerian students would within the three days starting from Wednesday, February 8, 2017 join other patriotic citizens to intercede on behalf of the President who is on medical vacation in the United Kingdom.

According to him: “As leaders of tomorrow and champions of a better Nigeria, we should not be left out in the national call for prayers for the President.”

Also, a political platform, Sunshine Integrity Forum (SIF) has urged Nigerians to pray for good health for the President so that “his task of cleansing the country of corruption to engender socio-economic development” can be successfully completed.

The platform is a group within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, which is under the leadership of Senator Robert Ajayi Boroffice who represents Ondo North in the upper legislative chamber, stated this during a prayer session it organised for the president in Akure, Ondo State capital yesterday.

Leading the prayers, Pastor Kehinde Zacheaus of Complete Bible Church expressed optimism that “President Buhari will live to fulfill the good purpose of God for Nigerians.”

Personalities who attended the event at Boroffice’s former campaign office were the ex-Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Kenneth Olawale, Chief Bailey Arohunmolase, Mrs. Julie Ajegunmo, Mrs. Nireti Akinyele, Messrs Dayo Bello and Olusola Aturu among other APC politicians.

Boroffice, in a speech delivered by Elder Ebenezer Ogunrinde, urged Nigerians to support President Buhari in the task of rebuilding the country.And in Gombe, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Community for Peace and Corrupt-free Society, Nigeria yesterday held special prayers for President Buhari and the nation.

Speaking at the prayer session, the National Chairman of the society, Zakari Ahmed, said it is part of their responsibility as Nigerians to pray for the speedy recovery of the President and the country’s development.

The Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu-Abubakar, who was represented by Alhaji Lamido Abubakar thanked the organisers, the clerics and the participants for their cooperation.

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Passengers panic as Med-View plane develops fault

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Med-View

Turkish Airlines denies travellers fainted onboard

Air passengers yesterday panicked as the Med-View plane VL 2102 they were travelling in developed fault, with the cooling system shutting down.
It was, however, not clear where the fault occurred, either prior to takeoff or mid-air. While some passengers claimed that the plane had to abort mid-air after takeoff, the airline explained that the plane did not even takeoff after noticing the fault.

In a related development, Turkish Airlines has also denied that at least three of its passengers fainted onboard following cooling system failure mid-air on Monday.

The European airline said contrary to claims in the social media, only a passenger had medical issue at the airport and was taken care of following the rescheduling of the Monday night flight.The Med-View incident was recorded barely 24 hours after an Air Peace aircraft allegedly busted a tyre, rattling all 105 passengers onboard.

A passenger on the mid-day Med-View flight said passengers had suspected that the plane was faulty before takeoff, but they were assured by the pilot and crew that all was normal.

The plane was Abuja bound, before a final journey to Yola, Adamawa State.Spokesperson of the airline, Oyibotha Obuke, told The Guardian that the fault was a minor snag on the cooling system, noticed by the pilot prior to takeoff.

Obuke said that the fault was not unusual, as the cooling system would normally come on upon takeoff. “But the pilot decided not to takeoff in that circumstance, since the cabin was already hot and passengers uncomfortable. I can tell you that the plane didn’t even takeoff,” he said.

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BEDC to roll out 39,000 meters, pledges improved services

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Electricity Distribution Company

Benin Electricity Distribution Plc (BEDC), said it would roll out 39,000 meters in the first half of 2017, in compliance with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) directive to distribution companies (discos) on massive metering of customers.

This initiative followed the conclusion of the Disco’s first quarter customer forums across its coverage states of Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti with a pledge by the management to improve service delivery, according to a statement from BEDC.

With this roll out, electricity consumers in these states can heave a sigh of relief, as they can now get value for their money. This is because Discos have often been accused of ripping off their customers through crazy estimated billings that have no relationship with actual electricity consumption. To this end, most customers have refused to pay the bills, preferring instead, to either remain in darkness or provide their own power through generators.

The meter roll-out was announced at each of the customer forums held in Benin, Warri, Akure and Ado-Ekiti, and across the BEDC franchise areas with a view to ensuring that power generated and distributed to customers were utilised in a most efficient manner. This is to avert illegal consumption of electricity so that it will be made available to paying customers.

Head of Metering, BEDC, Meshach Okhumeode, said the meter installation will be preceded by enumeration of customers on feeders servicing the earmarked locations, to reduce power theft through bypass and illegal connections.

He added that the meters will be mounted on the poles instead of residential premises, saying this will engender collective monitoring by residents within a neighbourhood and the service provider.

He also affirmed BEDC’s readiness to ensure total metering of its customers within the next five years, urging customers to be patient, as the metering will be done in batches.

In his opening remarks, Head, Key Clients Services Group, Abel Enechaizam, said the forum was designed to dialogue with BEDC customers on ways to serve them better, adding that issues bordering on operations and services and customers’ expectations were being resolved.
He identified some critical issues affecting BEDC’s ability to give customers the expected service delivery, which include non-payment of bills, low power generation, high energy theft, illegal connections and funding constraints occasioned by capital expenditure (CAPEX) limit and foreign exchange factor.

Addressing customers in Benin, the Chief State Head, Edo, Fidelis Obishai, assured them of BEDC’s readiness to improve service delivery especially in the area of power supply, but warned against the habit of vandalising the company’s properties at the slightest anger.

Obishai, who pointed out that the task of providing power supply to customers on regular basis was being affected by the challenge of system collapse and low generation of power to the grid, said this was invariably slowing down BEDC’s ability to meet customer expectations.

In Warri, the Chief State Head, Delta, Ernest Edgar, pledged that despite the challenges, BEDC will ensure that customers got the needed service delivery, but warned them to avoid all forms of illegal deals with some corrupt staff. He equally decried the high rate of theft of BEDC equipment and vandalism.Edgar urged customers to pay all outstanding debts owed BEDC; saying that it was the only way the company can work effectively to satisfy their needs.

In Ondo and Ekiti states, the Chief States’ Head, Kunbi Labiyi, reiterated the Disco’s commitment to serve customers better despite the challenges, noting that the metering roll-out is to gradually reduce the incidence of estimated billing.

Reiterating BEDC’s determination to provide better service delivery, Labiyi noted that 3,000 megawatts current generation output is grossly inadequate to satisfy 160million Nigerians, adding that BEDC gets only nine per cent as allocation, which it distributes to about 800,000 customers in the four states.

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To activate live theatre we need to encourage more performances, says Ewenla…Read full details

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Oluwafiropo Ewenla<br />

OLUWAFIROPO EWENLA is not a green horn in theatre practice. He is passionate about the art form and would do anything to project it. For quite some time now, Ewenla, Deputy Director of Media, University of Ibadan and Coordinator, Ibadan Playhouse, has performed different plays in Lagos and Ibadan to give hope to the sick, prisoners and children in different orphanages. The thespian, who, apart from performance, is in the forefront of growing talents, recently spoke with OMIKO AWA on what he does among other issues

Why are you presenting stage plays in unconventional places in Lagos?
There is theatre everywhere and you will only get it if you know how to look for it. As a practitioner, we don’t consider anywhere to be a strange place; prisons, hospitals and orphanages are all suitable for performance. This is because we believe the value theatre has needs to be explored beyond the spaces assigned to it. Theatre can do a lot for our collective humanity; it helps to build minds, calm down people, educate and pass on messages. And I am passionate about it.

How come theatre lovers know so little of your performances?
We have been doing a lot of social media awareness. We printed handbills in Lagos, but it’s sad to know that after sending out about 400 free invitation to people to come and watch our performance, only 10 of those invited showed up. We are not calling them to pay for the performance, but to come and see it for free!

Why do people not always respond to theatre, as they do with other art shows?
I think there is a disconnection somewhere because it was never like this in the past, when theatre had a large following. In the past, you could see people queuing to buy tickets for a live play. Now, other forms of entertainment are competing with theatre; you can watch movies from your home, go to cinemas and so on. This also takes the degree of our higher consciousness because the few people you might have encountered who are passionate about going to stage play are people who are not just regular people. The whole idea of coming to the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja, Lagos, was as a result of a member of the club, who visited Ibadan and saw the play titled, The Engagement. Seeing the three-man cast made him laugh for an hour while watching and still continued laughing when he got home. So, he decided to bring The Ibadan Playhouse to Lagos to put up similar performance.

How can we make live theatre active and encourage people to come?
There should be a concerted effort from different stakeholders ––government, corporate bodies and individuals –– to achieve this. For instance, if you bring MTN and Airtel to help fix the National Theatre of Nigeria, you will be helping theatre and also creating that kind of partnership between those who have the means and those who have the ends. To activate live theatre, we need to encourage performance. We need to involve more people, encourage them to come to theatre to watch live performances; we need to encourage them by giving them tickets, buy for yourself and others. I have done it before and every month we keep reinventing our strategies like ‘buy 10 tickets and get two more,’ bring five persons and get a complementary ticket for yourself. We need people to tell others about theatre; we need people to write about plays and performances. We need people to report theatre, doing all these can never be too much.

You plan to take theatre to hospitals, orphanages and prisons. Why do you intend to do this and when will that be?
The orphanage project has started; it began in February 2016. We brought pupils from the orphanage to the theatre; it was like an outdoor experience for them. Every second Saturday, we go there to read for them. Even before I started the theatre project, I usually go to the orphanage with friends; we do spend two and half hours reading different books with them. They read to us and we read to them. When we started the Ibadan Day Out, they automatically became part of the audience that we brought to see the performance, and we are still looking for more people.

We are doing this because we believe those in prison, hospitals and orphanages are also part of our collective humanity and we can’t pretend that we do not owe them. We may not owe them as individuals, but what we are paying them is what we owe ourselves. It is just like asking what are we living for? You might have millions of naira to buy them gifts, but when they come around to celebrate their birthdays and you take them out to celebrate it, you make them happy.

Doing this in the prison too is part of our ethical responsibility. It can come with a small cinema, where people can watch because the prison is supposed to be a correction centre and not a death chamber. This is part of what government is expected to do, which they are not doing; but we have decided to take it up and that is why we are doing it.

For the hospital, I once spent more than six months on a sick bed and you can imagine what the effects of theatre can do there. While on admission, I used to bring my musician friends and seek for permission from the doctors for them to sing to people in the ward and we made friends and today, some of them are still in touch with me.

I know what theatre and the musical performances did for them, because I know what good music does to me each time I am down. Performance lifts my spirit. Healing in the hospital is not just about using drugs, but about creating that enabling environment that would hasten healing. We hope some kind of support will come for this project and we shall be pleased to extend it to more places.

Looking back, will you say you are fulfilled with what you are doing?
I feel great because it is all about giving. I have always received from people and I have not had the opportunity to give back something tangible and substantial. But each time I look into the eyes of those children, when they come to see my plays, I am always filled with joy. And when they ask if they are to come the next day, it is like touching my soul. Apart from the fact that this is an avenue for me to personally exercise my body and brain, amazingly as I am giving, I am also receiving with the kind of support I get from friends.

Why do some troupes keep on repeating old plays?
It is a strategy for audience development. A lot of people, who are attracted to see live theatre, are people who have nurtured themselves on the old, traditional plays. It is our intention that once you have been able to grow that audience, we can from there stylishly present new plays. New plays do not yet have the crowd as the traditional plays do. I am seeking for the permission of a bank to do a collection of new plays and if I get it I will roll on the floor thanking God for it. When I told my producer of it, he said I should not take the risk now, but to let us wait until we have been able to nurture our crowd. We want to make this a platform for Nigerians to see generation of new writing or plays. We have to first build the crowd before going into that.

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‘One Voice’ protest goes on without Tuface, organisers insist

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Tuface

It came like a piercing anticlimax as millions of Nigerians already geared up for the much-publicized February 6 anti-government protest, woke up in rude shock yesterday to read that award-winning hip-hop musician, Innocent ‘Tuface Idibia’, who was leading the protest, has canceled the march.

The singer, up till late Friday, had maintained there was no going back on the planned protest, despite warning by security agencies that the rally was capable of being hijacked by hoodlums.

However, in a video released on Saturday night, Tuface, who eventually yielded to security advice, said it was not wise to go on with the protest, as the rally is not worth the blood of any Nigerian.

He noted that consultations have shown clearly that the ‘One Voice’ protest scheduled to hold in Lagos and Abuja today, is under serious threat of hijack by interests not aligned with the ideals of his group.

“The point I am making is that the intent is not worth the life of any Nigerian. It is motivated by the need to negotiate a better deal for the ordinary Nigerian. I therefore announce the cancellation of the planned protest,” said the singer, in the audio-visual message that has since gone viral on the internet.

While critics of the protest continue to praise him for taking a wise step by desisting from an activity they thought was shifting his focus from his music career, his supporters have been divided in their reactions.

To some, it was an act of cowardice to bow to pressure from security agencies while to others, the singer’s outcry in the last two weeks has created enough awareness on the grievances of the people against some of the unfavorable policies of government.

However, indications emerged yesterday that the protest will continue without Tuface, as a group called Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution (CDNDC) has vowed to continue with the protest, saying it was never about Tuface alone in the first place.

In a press statement issued by one Ariyo-Dare Atoye, co-convener, CDNDC, “the cancellation of #IStandWithNigeria rally is not the consensus of Nigerians, majority of fellow planners and not a true reflection of the sincere plan to organize this rally in public interest.”

He said: “Let it be known that Mr. Idibia merely keyed into an ongoing public discourse over this protest to take a lead. It was never his singular idea but the concerns of the suffering masses.

“Therefore, we wish to inform concerned Nigerians and the international community that there is a national and public consensus for this protest to hold as scheduled in all venues. There are hundreds of groups and thousands of Nigerians who are leading this initiative and we will not back down.”

Meanwhile, the Police Assistance Committee (PAC) of Nigeria has kicked against the planned protest. In a statement signed by the Director-General of PAC, Dr. Martins John Oni, the body said the proposed protest, which had elicited much tension among the citizenry and was giving the police and other security agencies serious concern, could disrupt public peace and bring hardship on innocent Nigerians who might want to go about their normal businesses.

The organisation said what the country needed at this time was to support President Muhammadu Buhari and his government to continue in his anti-corruption drive without any distraction, and also concentrate on his economic policies being packaged to bring Nigeria out of recession, adding “ with a little patience, government will deliver the dividends of democracy to Nigerians.”

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‘Committee on rising food prices not to discourage farmers’ (Read full details)

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A food retail market in Lagos SOURCE: Google

The Federal Government has said the inter-ministerial task force set up to address causes of rise in food prices is not to discourage farmers. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, yesterday, said that the task force would rather balance and equalise food prices across the country.

“There is no attempt by the government to regulate prices because it cannot work. What government is worried about is the high cost of transporting commodities in some parts of the country.

He said the Federal Government was exploring the possibility of creating centres to enhance movement of the items from areas of production to other areas that needed them as a way of drastically reducing their eventual prices.

“Where there is a surplus of yam, the trains will move them down to other parts,’’ the minister said. Ogbeh, a member of the committee, expressed concern about some illegal checkpoints and revenue collectors along transportation routes for food items, saying the development also had its negative impact on food prices.

“It will take an articulated vehicle a week to move from Yola to Lagos because these illegal citizens close the road and say they are collecting revenue.”

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Kaduna relaxes curfew in Zangon-Kataf (Read full details)

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Nigerian Army

•Maikori Apologises For Hoax Killings
•PFN Condemns President’s Silence Over Worrisome Deaths
•Buratai Pledges Neutrality Of Nigerian Army

Following the gradual return of peace to the troubled Southern Kaduna, the state government has relaxed the 24-hour curfew imposed on Zangon-Kataf Local Council of Kaduna State.

This is as the chief executive officer of Chocolate City, Lagos State, Audu Maikori, who is an indigene of the area, has apologised for tweeting about the alleged killing of five students of the College of Education, Gidan Waya, Kafanchan, by Fulani herdsmen.

Media aide to Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Samuel Aruwan, in a statement, yesterday, said that the 24-hour curfew has been relaxed, and it “is now in effect only between 6pm and 6am every day.”

According to him, the Kaduna State Security Council took the decision to relax the curfew following a review of the situation in the affected council.
Maikori, remarked that after the school and the state government refuted the alleged killings, he decided to further investigate the story in order to present the evidence to the authorities.

Things, however, took a different turn after his driver, who claimed his younger brother was one of the victims, failed to, upon his return from the purported burial, provide the deceased’s identity card and pictures of the casket to enable him (Maikori) buttress his claim, and clear his name.

“The long and short of this is that on February 2, 2017, I went in company of his relative to the Lekki Police Station for questioning after his inability to provide any concrete evidence of the death of his brother and fellow students.”

Meanwhile, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has condemned the killings of Christians in Southern Kaduna, just as it maintains that President Muhammadu Buhari, has kept silence over the killings for so long.

The body, however, commended the efforts of Federal Government in its fight against insurgency, stating that the menace of the Fulani herdsman could prove to be worse than Boko Haram.

Speaking at a conference in Lagos on the state of the nation, Chairman, PFN, Lagos Chapter, Bishop Sola Ore, said: “We are left with no alternative than to conclude that there is something in the offing that is not clear to many Nigerians. What is happening in Southern Kaduna presently is worrisome, to say the least.

“Who has been prosecuted for the killings of innocent lives in Kaduna if I may ask? Who has been sent to jail? As a matter of fact, which of the Boko Haram insurgents has been prosecuted? Is this government saying it does not know the masterminds of these dastardly acts?” he queried.

The chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, has said that the army, which is in Southern Kaduna to restore peace would not take sides in the conflict.

The Army chief made this known when he paid courtesy visits to the Chief of Kagoro, Ufuwai Bonet and Emir of Jema’a, Alhaji Muhammad Isah at their palaces, yester. He said: “We are not going to spare anyone that is fomenting trouble in the area, no matter his standing.”

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Boundary Crisis: Taraba, Benue Governors sue for peace (Read full details)

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Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom

Darius Dickson Ishaku

Pledge To Maintain Status-quo

Not comfortable with the crisis that erupted between the people of Benue and Taraba States, following the recent boundary adjustment, Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku of Taraba and his Benue counterpart, Samuel Ortom have agreed to put aside the adjustment and maintain status-quo.

The governors, yesterday, embarked on a peace mission to Moon Village in Kwande Local Government of Benue State and Kashimbilla Village in Takum Council of Taraba State, admonishing the people of the affected areas to bury their hatchet as the state governments were leaving no stone unturned to restore peace back to the deserted communities.

The said boundary adjustment, which was recently carried out by the National Boundary Commission, ceded parts of Taraba State to Benue and parts of Benue State to Taraba, resulting in the affected communities taking up arms against one another.

Ortom said both states have a lot in common, beckoning on all those taking refuge in neighbouring states and local government councils to return home. On his part, Ishaku said the two governors have agreed to be on same page on the issue to ensure peace; aside they are working assiduously to make sure the problems are resolved amicably.

“We want peace to reign. We have sat and we have agreed to maintain status quo. The details of the boundaries would be worked out as produced by the boundary adjustments of 1923-1924.” The peace meeting, they agreed would be a continuous process.

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Vandalisation: TCN contemplates using drones (Read full details)

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Transmission Company of Nigeria

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is currently considering use of drones for monitoring of some of its installations at very dense locations nationwide.

Although TCN has not concluded on the available options for the protection of its transmission equipment nationwide, it said due to huge resources it would entail to acquire its own drones, it would either be on rent or contract basis, as the need arises, so as to minimise costs.

Seun Olagunju, TCN General Manager, Public Affairs, made the clarification, saying the proposed use of drones is only to cover some dense locations, where transmission equipments of TCN are, but not for the entire power sector.

She said: “It is not that we are buying drones. It is some sort of arrangement, whereby some people will provide it. The use is only for very dense areas, which people cannot easily access. But we are not buying drones.”

On whether it is TCN’s technical partner that is providing the drones, she replied in the negative. Although the exact value or cost of the vandalised equipment was not readily available, Olagunju explained that because of the timeframe of 18 months it takes TCN to replace vandalised equipment, people are advised to desist from the nefarious act.

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Anti-Government Protest: Police warn Tuface, groups (Read full details)

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Idibia, whose foundation, 2Face Foundation, is organising the protest said it would commence at 8am in Lagos and 9am in Abuja, asking participants to wear green attires.

• Organisers Insist On Going Ahead
• BBOG Dissociates Self

The Nigeria Police High Command, yesterday, warned Nigerians planning mass protest against the Federal Government to shelve such plans to avoid loss of lives and property.

But organisers of the protest led by hi-hop musician, Innocent Idibia aka Tuface, have insisted on going ahead with the protest slated for tomorrow in Lagos and Abuja.

Idibia, whose foundation, 2Face Foundation, is organising the protest said it would commence at 8am in Lagos and 9am in Abuja, asking participants to wear green attires.

The protest, according to the organisers, was to draw attention to the hardship in the country, and for the various levels of government to urgently address the economic challenges.

Lagos State police boss, Fatai Owoseni had warned against the planned protest, stating that hoodlums might hijack it and wreck havoc on innocent Nigerians. Also, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command said it has not been notified of the protest.

Spokesman of the police, Jimoh Moshood, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) in a statement late on Friday night, said: “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to publications in the media on the planned protests slated for 5th and 6th February, 2017 in Lagos and other states by different groups, one to be led by the popular musician Innocent Idibia, Aka Tuface and other opposing groups.

“Nigeria Police Force is deeply concerned with the security implications with regard to the planned protest/demonstrations, and as the lead security agency in the country, is fully aware and recognizes the constitutional rights of every citizen (including Tuface and his group) to assemble and move freely in any part of the country.

“The Nigeria Police Force is currently in possession of credible intelligence reports that other interest groups are equally planning to hold a counter protest/matches on the same days at the same places/cities as the Tuface Group. If these various planned protests/ demonstrations are held as scheduled, that there may be breakdown of law and order, with attendant loss of lives and property.”

The statement warned people to stay off any act that would compromise the security of the nation under whatever guise, as the Police would not hesitate to use whatever means possible to maintain the peace of the country.

Meanwhile, Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria has warned the organisers of the protest to be wary of hoodlums that may want to hijack it to create confusion in the system.

The group of security practitioners said it was not against anyone expressing his views, but must be done within the confines of law. The Chairman of the Association, Mr. Wilson Esangbedo, who disclosed this during a press conference in Lagos, yesterday, said the present prevailing security situation in Nigeria does not encourage the planned anti-government protest at this time because miscreants and hoodlums may hijack the protest and unleash mayhem on members of the public.

Esangbedo said terrorists might see the peaceful protest as a soft target for terrorist activities. Also, the Bring back Our Girls (BBOG) has dismissed insinuation that it is in partnership with the organisers of the protest, saying though the general ideals of the march tallies with the good governance and accountable leadership the BBOG has been advocating for, it is not involved in the planned protest

However, Convener of the group, Dr Oby Ezekwesili said on her twitter handle that the Federal Government or police have no right to repress citizens who have decided to speak out against obnoxious policies.

Her Twitter handle, @obyezeks reads in part: “Please all join in praying for the #IStandWithNigeria Citizens that their march goes well & for the FG that it hears their agitation.”

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Buhari’s arrival shrouded in secrecy (Read full details)

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President Muhammadu Buhari at Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport Abuja . PHOTO: PHILIP OJISUA

Barring any last minute changes, President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to resume work on Monday, February 6, 2017, but his arrival in the country is still shrouded in secrecy.

Also, preparations for his arrival are still being kept secret, as nothing on ground yesterday showed that the president was being expected today. Hitherto, the President’s return after several days away was heralded with pomp and activities.

His Special Adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina was not categorical when contacted by The Guardian regarding official preparations to receive the president at the expiration of his holiday. He simply said: “When the information is out you’ll be told.”

However, other sources in the Presidency confirmed on Friday that the president would be received by top government officials at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Meanwhile, workers of construction giant, Julius Berger were seen on Friday carrying out routine cleaning of the forecourt in the villa and putting other aesthetic touches on the building housing the president’s office.

Although there was no indication of a grand reception being planned, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), said it has mobilised no fewer than 15,000‎ of its members to welcome President Muhammadu Buhari at the Nnmadi Azikwe International Airport Abuja.

Malam Gambo Jagindi, Special Adviser on media and publicity to the President of NYCN made the disclosure in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday in Abuja.

According to the statement, “ The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has concluded arrangements to mobilise not less than 15,000 of its members to be at Abuja airport on Feb. 6, to welcome President Buhari from vacation.”

Recall that President Buhari wrote to the Senate on Friday, January 21, that the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo would act on his behalf as President for the 10 days that he would be on medical vacation.

In a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, President Buhari said he was writing in line with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 constitution as amended.

According to the letter, which was read on the floor of the Senate at plenary by Saraki, President Buhari said he will be away from Monday 23rd January to Monday 6th February.

However, since President Muhammadu Buhari left the shores of Nigeria on Thursday, January 20 to the UK on a 10-day medical vacation, the country, indeed the media, had been inundated with the rumour of his death in a London hospital, with his media aides, Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu, battling to debunk the many fabricated news items that flooded the social media.

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