June 26 is the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The day was created to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving a world free of drug abuse with this year's theme focused on stopping stigma and discrimination.
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Video - 5,000kg of cannabis seized in Lagos
Nuhu Ribadu promises to stabilise Nigeria
Ribadu, who was appointed by President Bola Tinubu on June 19, took over from retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno.
“This is a work for Nigerians and we intend to continue with what has been done".
“We will stabilise this country, we will secure our country and we will make Nigeria peaceful,” the new NSA said.
He said that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has the firm belief that “time has come for this country to enjoy peace, restore order and rule of law just like any other country in the world.
“Securing the nation is a continuous process. We will look at what has been done and build on it. We will count on your support in the course of discharging our responsibilities.
“Mr. President has a huge commitment to securing every inch of our country. We will work with all stakeholders to deliver on this vision."
“This enormous task of securing our country is that of all Nigerians, and all friends of Nigeria.”
Ribadu solicited the full cooperation of all servicemen and women, as well as all Nigerians.
He said there was need for Nigerians to unite to accomplish the administration’s quest for a more stable, peaceful and prosperous nation.
In his remarks, the former NSA said “Ribadu is well equipped, well qualified, well educated and have a very deep understanding of the complexity of the security challenges confronting the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
He added that the new NSA has the capacity to tackle whatever challenge that he might encounter having served in various related positions.
Monguno said he had submitted comprehensive handover note to his successor and briefed him extensively.
“For me, I want to give gratitude to the Almighty God for giving me the grace to serve for such a long time.
“And also allowing me to depart in good health and enjoy the rest of my life in an atmosphere that is bereft of the type of pressure that are associated with this all important office.
“I am also wishing in the same vein, that Mallam Nuhu Rubadu will have a very successful tenure and depart in good health when the time comes for him to depart.”
Monguno said the ever changing 21st security environment demand complex approach.
“Today we are dealing with a situation in which we have terrorists and insurrectionists.
“The way and manner you will deal with the situation is such that you will have to rely on collection of competent staff,” he added.
He urged the staff to support and cooperate with the new NSA to achieve the desired national security oobjectives.
Related stories: Nuhu Ribadu uncovers large scale oil fraud
Nigerian accused of blasphemy stoned to death
A man was stoned to death after being accused of blasphemy in northwest Nigeria, authorities and activists said, sparking outrage on Monday from rights groups worried about what they said were growing threats to religious freedom in the region.
Usman Buda, a butcher, was killed Sunday in Sokoto state’s Gwandu district after he “allegedly blasphemed the Holy Prophet Muhammad” during an argument with another trader in a marketplace, police spokesman Ahmad Rufa’i said in a statement Sunday night.
Residents shared videos that appeared to be from the scene showing a large crowd that included children pelting stones at Buda on the floor as they cursed him.
Rufa'i said a police team was deployed in the area but when they arrived, “the mob escaped the scene and left the victim unconscious." He was later declared dead at Usmanu Danfodiyo Teaching Hospital in Sokoto, Rufa'i said.
The killing was the latest attack rights campaigners have said threatens religious freedom in Nigeria’s predominantly Muslim northern region. Blasphemy carries the death penalty under Islamic law in the area.
Amnesty International Nigeria’s office said the failure to ensure justice in such cases would encourage more extrajudicial killings. “The government is not taking the matter seriously and that has to change,” Isa Sanusi, acting director of Amnesty International Nigeria, said.
Sokoto Governor Ahmed Aliyu said residents should not take laws into their hands. But he also warned that his government would “deal decisively” against anyone found guilty of blasphemy.
“Sokoto people have so much respect and regard for Prophet Muhammad ... hence the need for all the residents to respect [and] protect his dignity and personality,” Abubakar Bawa, his spokesman, said.
Many of those accused of blasphemy never make it to court for trial. Last year, a student in Sokoto was beaten and burnt to death for alleged blasphemy while a man was killed and set ablaze for the same reason in the capital city of Abuja also in the northern region.
The police in Sokoto said it has opened an investigation into the latest incident, though arrests are rare in such cases.
“Even where arrests were made, there were serious allegations that those arrested were either later released or the whole case is jeopardized. This is very dangerous, and it shows the Nigerian authorities are deliberately not willing to do the right thing to fix this dangerous situation,” Sanusi added.
Related stories: Imam Sentenced to Death Over Blasphemy in Nigeria
Mob kills student over ‘blasphemy’ in northern Nigerian college
Nigerian singer sentenced to death for blasphemy in Kano state
Shell's Trans Niger pipeline spill under investigation by Nigeria
Nigerian authorities and Shell's local subsidiary were on Monday investigating the cause of a spill on the Trans Niger pipeline that lasted several days.
The 180,000-barrel-per-day pipeline is one of two conduits to export Bonny Light crude.
The spill at Eleme in Rivers state was detected on June 11 and four days later, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) confirmed it in a statement.
Environmental rights groups said the spill lasted a week before it was contained.
A team comprising SPDC, Nigerian Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency and local communities were at the site on Monday to gather information, analyse data, examine physical evidence, and assess the causes of the leak, said Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre which monitors spills in the Niger Delta.
A Shell spokesperson confirmed Monday's visit to the site.
The investigation will determine the volume of oil spilt.
Shell has over the years faced several legal battles over oil spills in the Niger Delta, a region blighted by pollution, conflict and corruption related to the oil and gas industry.
The oil major blames most of the spills on pipeline vandalism and illegal tapping of crude.
Thandile Chinyavanhu, Greenpeace Africa climate and energy campaigner, said the latest spill compounded Shell's record in one of Africa's leading oil producers.
"Shell must be held accountable and financially responsible for this spill and for its neocolonial role in causing climate loss and damage," Chinyavanhu said.
By Tife Owolabi, Reuters
Monday, June 26, 2023
Nigeria Football Federation lets fans decide coach’s future
Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro's job is in the hands of the fans after football federation (NFF) president Ibrahim Gusau said he will let them decide if the Portuguese should stay on.
Peseiro, who has coached Porto and Sporting in his home country and took over Nigeria in May last year, has led his side to the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ivory Coast starting in January but his contract ends on June 30.
There is now a national debate over whether the 63-year-old should be retained and Gusau said the people can decide.
"We have the plan to push the votes to Nigerians to hear their views and thoughts," Gusau said on the LovingFootball radio show.
"We've tried the foreign coaches and also the local coaches.
"Maybe we didn't get it right in the area of getting the right person. We are going to push it to the public, whether we should continue with Peseiro or he should go."
Despite Nigeria's continental qualification, results have been mixed under Peseiro even as he has been able to select from an array of players plying their trade in Europe’s top leagues.
Since failing to qualify for last year's World Cup in Qatar, Nigeria have won four and lost five of their games.
By Nick Said, Reuters
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