News

Nationwide Protest: The Killer Is Afraid Of Death [OPINION]

Published

2 years ago

July 25, 2024

By Icon-James Tam

I read from the nation’s newspaper where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu spoke through Information Minister Mohammad Idris, urging Nigerian youth to halt the proposed August 1-10th protest tagged “Protest Days of Rage”. The President appealed to Nigerians that their concerns would be addressed but emphasized the need for more time to do so.

He cited the recently launched student loan scheme and the new minimum wage bill signed into law as swift interventions on his part to justify caution amidst the hardships facing Nigerians.

I almost made this opinion immediately, but I was delayed because I was hungry and had to settle my stomach first. This is the daily plight of every average Nigerian, going to bed with barely half a meal.

While I searched for food and considered sharing my opinion, I listened to some persons who believed the protest was unnecessary. They argued that the Nigerian state is too fragile and feared the protest might escalate or be hijacked, potentially leading to anarchy. Some referred to the 2020 EndSARS protests which turned bloody a few days after commencing.

Although I respect their concerns for the country’s well-being, I am troubled not only by their call to stop the protest but also by President Tinubu’s claim of addressing Nigeria’s concerns.

With our memories intact, he vociferously led a nationwide protest against Goodluck Jonathan in 2012 over fuel subsidy removal, even parading an artificial casket labeled with the former president’s name as if for a funeral. No protest could be more intense than that. In every legitimate cause, there may be elements seeking to distort it, often sponsored by the state. The 2012 protest saw property damage and loss of lives across the country, which I condemn. Yet, the message was loud, and there was some level of consideration from the federal government at the time, just as the EndSARS movement achieved a landmark victory against unruly SARS operatives.

President Tinubu’s plea for time did not address the reasons for the proposed protest. His claim that the recently enacted minimum wage could alleviate the suffering of Nigerians has had little meaningful impact, as the prices of basic necessities continue to rise. Insecurity worsens daily, and fuel prices vary widely from one filling station to another within the same community or state.

Here is a president who, as an opposition leader even during military rule, staged protests against purported bad governance, now seeming afraid of protests. As a historical irony, it’s akin to “a one-time killer afraid of death as tables turn”.

Protest is our fundamental right and must be protected at all costs. The world must hear us narrate our ordeals under President Tinubu’s leadership. Therefore, I urge security agencies to act professionally and provide necessary coverage as we carry out the protest from August 1-10 to voice the hardships we endure.

Icon-James Tam
Writes from the creeks of Ogidigba 2, Ese-Odo LGA of Ondo State, Nigeria
08106294449

News

Six Corps Members Receive N10m Grants To Boost Agribusiness

Published

2 days ago

September 22, 2026

Editor

Six members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have received a total of N10 million in grants to expand their agribusiness ventures under the Farmers for the Future Programme.

The programme was organised on Monday by the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) in collaboration with the NYSC to encourage young Nigerians to embrace agriculture and develop sustainable businesses.

Presenting the cheques to the beneficiaries in Abuja, the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, urged Corps members to maximise the opportunities provided by the service year by venturing into commodity marketing and other viable businesses.

Nafiu said agribusiness remained a viable avenue for young people to build sustainable enterprises, create employment and generate wealth.

He also stressed the importance of value addition to the success and sustainability of business ventures, while commending BATNF for placing Nigerian youths at the centre of its entrepreneurship initiatives through value-chain development, employment creation and its partnership with the NYSC.

“I charge you to spread the news around. We have seen the outcome, and it is a good idea,” he said.

The beneficiaries are Dominic Olufemi (FC/25C/1143), who received N3 million; Temitope Adewole (ED/26A/2251), N2 million; Abdulwaheed Bala (ED/25B/1402), N2 million; Olanike Mayungbe (OG/26B/1037), N1 million; Kingsley Udoeyen (KG/26A/1735), N1 million; and Lorember Lorsue (JG/25B/1742), N1 million.

Speaking on the selection process, the Acting Director, Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED), Mrs Winifred Shopeka, said the programme began with an online registration portal through which Corps Members engaged in agribusiness submitted their business plans.

She said nearly 3,000 Corps members applied and underwent a rigorous selection process that produced 20 finalists.

According to her, the finalists participated in a boot camp and a final pitching session, which produced the 10 best presenters before the six ultimate winners were selected.

Shopeka said the beneficiaries had also been mentored and attached to established market operators to assist them in marketing their products.

She added that Corps Members who did not make the final stage of the competition were also trained by BATNF.

The BATNF Team Lead, Mr Oludare Odusanya, congratulated the beneficiaries and urged Corps Members engaged in agribusiness to master the fundamentals and acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed.

“We are happy with our collaboration with the NYSC, and it will continue,” he said.

Odusanya explained that BATNF was an independent organisation established to contribute to poverty reduction in Nigeria through sustainable agricultural practices and other interventions.

He said the Farmers for the Future Programme was instituted in collaboration with the NYSC to encourage Corps Members to venture into agribusiness and become job creators.

He added that the beneficiaries would be attached to mentors who would guide them towards achieving success in their respective businesses.

According to him, the programme has, since its inception, continued to enhance the entrepreneurial capacity of Corps Members.

News

CBN Reduces Interest Rate To 23%

Published

2 days ago

September 22, 2026

Editor

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Tuesday announced the reduction of the interest rate, also known as Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) to 23 percent.

Briefing the media in Abuja, the Governor of the CBN, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, said at the 307th MPC meeting held on September 22, 2026 agreed the resetting of the MPR and recaliberation of the monetary policy market.

According to Cardoso, the committe is satisfied with the disinflation progress, adding that members noted stable banking sector following successful recapitalisation.

Meanwhile, according to Nigerian Tribune, reports that that the MPC, at its 306th meeting in July 2026, disclosed its resolution to retain the interets at 26.5 percent.

According to the Governor of the CBN, Olayemi Cardoso, “the Committee’s decision to maintain the current policy stance followed a thorough assessment of the balance of risks. Although headline inflation moderated marginally in June 2026, global uncertainties have heightened, due mainly to the renewed hostilities in the Middle East.

“In view of the evolving developments, maintaining a cautious monetary policy stance remains appropriate. In arriving at its decision, the Committee noted the recent resurgence of hostilities in the Middle East, with particular attention to its spillover effects on global energy prices and the potential pass-through to domestic inflation.”

News

NURTW: KWAM1 Settles Long-time Rift Between MC Oluomo, Tafa Sego

Published

3 days ago

September 22, 2026

Editor

Nigerian Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM1, has brokered a peace deal between the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) National President, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, and the Lagos State Chairman of the union, Mustapha Adekunle, aka Tafa Sego.

The reconciliation took place at Ojusagbola in Ijebu, Ogun State, where several NURTW chieftains gathered for the meeting.

The development was announced on Tuesday on KWAM1’s digital media page on Instagram, alongside photographs from the meeting.

According to the post, the two union leaders have resolved their differences after years of strained relations.

“After years of an age-long rift, MC Oluomo and Tafa Sego have finally settled their differences. And from what we know now, this is final,” the post said.

The musician was said to have intervened as the Mayegun of Yorubaland, with the aim of bringing an end to the longstanding disagreement between the two NURTW figures.

“K1 acted in his role as the Mayegun of Yorubaland by seeking an end to the long-standing rift, once and for all,” it said.

The post also described the meeting as a significant step beyond previous public displays of reconciliation.

“This time, it was not just another handshake for the cameras. The two old friends and colleagues came together at Ojusagbola, with King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K1) playing the peacemaker.”

Both MC Oluomo and Tafa Sego were reported to be pleased with the outcome of the intervention.

“Both parties are delighted about the new development,” the post said.

The two men had previously been allies and prominent figures within the Lagos NURTW before their relationship became strained amid disagreements linked to leadership of the union in the state.