It was learnt that most countries have been disturbed with the ongoing protest which started about two weeks ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Currently, the protest has turned violence in some areas as hoodlums are unleashing mayhem on Endsars protesters and innoccent citizens. In some states, the hoodlums have started looting shops and carting away properties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Onyeama briefs international community on happenings in Nigeria","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"onyeama-briefs-international-community-on-happenings-in-nigeria","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=755","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":45},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The meeting which is at the instance of Onyeama is to provide the government the opportunity to brief them on the ongoing nationwide protest against police brutality and bad governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was learnt that most countries have been disturbed with the ongoing protest which started about two weeks ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Currently, the protest has turned violence in some areas as hoodlums are unleashing mayhem on Endsars protesters and innoccent citizens. In some states, the hoodlums have started looting shops and carting away properties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Onyeama briefs international community on happenings in Nigeria","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"onyeama-briefs-international-community-on-happenings-in-nigeria","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=755","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":45},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama is currently briefing members diplomatic community on the current happenings in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The meeting which is at the instance of Onyeama is to provide the government the opportunity to brief them on the ongoing nationwide protest against police brutality and bad governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was learnt that most countries have been disturbed with the ongoing protest which started about two weeks ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Currently, the protest has turned violence in some areas as hoodlums are unleashing mayhem on Endsars protesters and innoccent citizens. In some states, the hoodlums have started looting shops and carting away properties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Onyeama briefs international community on happenings in Nigeria","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"onyeama-briefs-international-community-on-happenings-in-nigeria","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=755","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":45},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\u201cMay God bless and keep you all. And may God bless and keep our Federal Republic of Nigeria\u201d.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lekki Tollgate: Gbajabiamila calls for thorough investigation, urges calm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"lekki-tollgate-gbajabiamila-calls-for-thorough-investigation-urges-calm","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-21 16:02:48","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-21 16:02:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=793","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":755,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_date_gmt":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_content":"\n
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama is currently briefing members diplomatic community on the current happenings in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The meeting which is at the instance of Onyeama is to provide the government the opportunity to brief them on the ongoing nationwide protest against police brutality and bad governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was learnt that most countries have been disturbed with the ongoing protest which started about two weeks ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Currently, the protest has turned violence in some areas as hoodlums are unleashing mayhem on Endsars protesters and innoccent citizens. In some states, the hoodlums have started looting shops and carting away properties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Onyeama briefs international community on happenings in Nigeria","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"onyeama-briefs-international-community-on-happenings-in-nigeria","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=755","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":45},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\u201cIn Lagos and everywhere else, too much blood has already been spilled in our country, let there be no more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMay God bless and keep you all. And may God bless and keep our Federal Republic of Nigeria\u201d.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lekki Tollgate: Gbajabiamila calls for thorough investigation, urges calm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"lekki-tollgate-gbajabiamila-calls-for-thorough-investigation-urges-calm","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-21 16:02:48","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-21 16:02:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=793","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":755,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_date_gmt":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_content":"\n
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama is currently briefing members diplomatic community on the current happenings in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The meeting which is at the instance of Onyeama is to provide the government the opportunity to brief them on the ongoing nationwide protest against police brutality and bad governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was learnt that most countries have been disturbed with the ongoing protest which started about two weeks ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Currently, the protest has turned violence in some areas as hoodlums are unleashing mayhem on Endsars protesters and innoccent citizens. In some states, the hoodlums have started looting shops and carting away properties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Onyeama briefs international community on happenings in Nigeria","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"onyeama-briefs-international-community-on-happenings-in-nigeria","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=755","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":45},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
While urging Nigerians to remain calm and law-abiding, Gbajabiamila noted that no blood needed to be spilled any more, saying, \u201cI urge for calm whilst we get a truer picture of events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn Lagos and everywhere else, too much blood has already been spilled in our country, let there be no more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMay God bless and keep you all. And may God bless and keep our Federal Republic of Nigeria\u201d.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lekki Tollgate: Gbajabiamila calls for thorough investigation, urges calm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"lekki-tollgate-gbajabiamila-calls-for-thorough-investigation-urges-calm","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-21 16:02:48","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-21 16:02:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=793","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":755,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_date_gmt":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_content":"\n
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama is currently briefing members diplomatic community on the current happenings in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The meeting which is at the instance of Onyeama is to provide the government the opportunity to brief them on the ongoing nationwide protest against police brutality and bad governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was learnt that most countries have been disturbed with the ongoing protest which started about two weeks ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Currently, the protest has turned violence in some areas as hoodlums are unleashing mayhem on Endsars protesters and innoccent citizens. In some states, the hoodlums have started looting shops and carting away properties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Onyeama briefs international community on happenings in Nigeria","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"onyeama-briefs-international-community-on-happenings-in-nigeria","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=755","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":45},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\u201cTherefore, there needs to be a quick and thorough investigation to determine the facts of what happened last night in Lagos. Our nation urgently needs and the Nigerian people deserve an accounting of the acts that led to the events of last night\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While urging Nigerians to remain calm and law-abiding, Gbajabiamila noted that no blood needed to be spilled any more, saying, \u201cI urge for calm whilst we get a truer picture of events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn Lagos and everywhere else, too much blood has already been spilled in our country, let there be no more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMay God bless and keep you all. And may God bless and keep our Federal Republic of Nigeria\u201d.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lekki Tollgate: Gbajabiamila calls for thorough investigation, urges calm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"lekki-tollgate-gbajabiamila-calls-for-thorough-investigation-urges-calm","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-21 16:02:48","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-21 16:02:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=793","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":755,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_date_gmt":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_content":"\n
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama is currently briefing members diplomatic community on the current happenings in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The meeting which is at the instance of Onyeama is to provide the government the opportunity to brief them on the ongoing nationwide protest against police brutality and bad governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was learnt that most countries have been disturbed with the ongoing protest which started about two weeks ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Currently, the protest has turned violence in some areas as hoodlums are unleashing mayhem on Endsars protesters and innoccent citizens. In some states, the hoodlums have started looting shops and carting away properties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Onyeama briefs international community on happenings in Nigeria","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"onyeama-briefs-international-community-on-happenings-in-nigeria","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=755","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":45},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\u201cIt is unavoidably and painfully clear that there were a number of casualties as a result of gunfire at the Lekki Toll Gate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTherefore, there needs to be a quick and thorough investigation to determine the facts of what happened last night in Lagos. Our nation urgently needs and the Nigerian people deserve an accounting of the acts that led to the events of last night\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While urging Nigerians to remain calm and law-abiding, Gbajabiamila noted that no blood needed to be spilled any more, saying, \u201cI urge for calm whilst we get a truer picture of events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn Lagos and everywhere else, too much blood has already been spilled in our country, let there be no more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMay God bless and keep you all. And may God bless and keep our Federal Republic of Nigeria\u201d.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lekki Tollgate: Gbajabiamila calls for thorough investigation, urges calm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"lekki-tollgate-gbajabiamila-calls-for-thorough-investigation-urges-calm","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-21 16:02:48","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-21 16:02:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=793","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":755,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_date_gmt":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_content":"\n
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama is currently briefing members diplomatic community on the current happenings in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The meeting which is at the instance of Onyeama is to provide the government the opportunity to brief them on the ongoing nationwide protest against police brutality and bad governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was learnt that most countries have been disturbed with the ongoing protest which started about two weeks ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Currently, the protest has turned violence in some areas as hoodlums are unleashing mayhem on Endsars protesters and innoccent citizens. In some states, the hoodlums have started looting shops and carting away properties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Onyeama briefs international community on happenings in Nigeria","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"onyeama-briefs-international-community-on-happenings-in-nigeria","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=755","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":45},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\u201cAfter sixty years, our democracy should have grown beyond the point where conflicting visions of nationhood result in violence on the streets and blood on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is unavoidably and painfully clear that there were a number of casualties as a result of gunfire at the Lekki Toll Gate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTherefore, there needs to be a quick and thorough investigation to determine the facts of what happened last night in Lagos. Our nation urgently needs and the Nigerian people deserve an accounting of the acts that led to the events of last night\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While urging Nigerians to remain calm and law-abiding, Gbajabiamila noted that no blood needed to be spilled any more, saying, \u201cI urge for calm whilst we get a truer picture of events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn Lagos and everywhere else, too much blood has already been spilled in our country, let there be no more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMay God bless and keep you all. And may God bless and keep our Federal Republic of Nigeria\u201d.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lekki Tollgate: Gbajabiamila calls for thorough investigation, urges calm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"lekki-tollgate-gbajabiamila-calls-for-thorough-investigation-urges-calm","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-21 16:02:48","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-21 16:02:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=793","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":755,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_date_gmt":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_content":"\n
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama is currently briefing members diplomatic community on the current happenings in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The meeting which is at the instance of Onyeama is to provide the government the opportunity to brief them on the ongoing nationwide protest against police brutality and bad governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was learnt that most countries have been disturbed with the ongoing protest which started about two weeks ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Currently, the protest has turned violence in some areas as hoodlums are unleashing mayhem on Endsars protesters and innoccent citizens. In some states, the hoodlums have started looting shops and carting away properties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Onyeama briefs international community on happenings in Nigeria","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"onyeama-briefs-international-community-on-happenings-in-nigeria","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=755","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":45},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker said: \u201cEvents in my home State Lagos, last night (Tuesday) and up until this afternoon (Wednesday), have left my heart heavy and my spirit disturbed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAfter sixty years, our democracy should have grown beyond the point where conflicting visions of nationhood result in violence on the streets and blood on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is unavoidably and painfully clear that there were a number of casualties as a result of gunfire at the Lekki Toll Gate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTherefore, there needs to be a quick and thorough investigation to determine the facts of what happened last night in Lagos. Our nation urgently needs and the Nigerian people deserve an accounting of the acts that led to the events of last night\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While urging Nigerians to remain calm and law-abiding, Gbajabiamila noted that no blood needed to be spilled any more, saying, \u201cI urge for calm whilst we get a truer picture of events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn Lagos and everywhere else, too much blood has already been spilled in our country, let there be no more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMay God bless and keep you all. And may God bless and keep our Federal Republic of Nigeria\u201d.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lekki Tollgate: Gbajabiamila calls for thorough investigation, urges calm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"lekki-tollgate-gbajabiamila-calls-for-thorough-investigation-urges-calm","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-21 16:02:48","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-21 16:02:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=793","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":755,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_date_gmt":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_content":"\n
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama is currently briefing members diplomatic community on the current happenings in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The meeting which is at the instance of Onyeama is to provide the government the opportunity to brief them on the ongoing nationwide protest against police brutality and bad governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was learnt that most countries have been disturbed with the ongoing protest which started about two weeks ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Currently, the protest has turned violence in some areas as hoodlums are unleashing mayhem on Endsars protesters and innoccent citizens. In some states, the hoodlums have started looting shops and carting away properties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Onyeama briefs international community on happenings in Nigeria","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"onyeama-briefs-international-community-on-happenings-in-nigeria","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=755","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":45},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Gbajabiamila, who expressed grief over the sad event and the consequent civil disturbances around the state, called for a quick and thorough investigation into the incident that led to the avoidable victims at the Lekki Tollgate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker said: \u201cEvents in my home State Lagos, last night (Tuesday) and up until this afternoon (Wednesday), have left my heart heavy and my spirit disturbed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAfter sixty years, our democracy should have grown beyond the point where conflicting visions of nationhood result in violence on the streets and blood on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is unavoidably and painfully clear that there were a number of casualties as a result of gunfire at the Lekki Toll Gate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTherefore, there needs to be a quick and thorough investigation to determine the facts of what happened last night in Lagos. Our nation urgently needs and the Nigerian people deserve an accounting of the acts that led to the events of last night\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While urging Nigerians to remain calm and law-abiding, Gbajabiamila noted that no blood needed to be spilled any more, saying, \u201cI urge for calm whilst we get a truer picture of events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn Lagos and everywhere else, too much blood has already been spilled in our country, let there be no more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMay God bless and keep you all. And may God bless and keep our Federal Republic of Nigeria\u201d.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lekki Tollgate: Gbajabiamila calls for thorough investigation, urges calm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"lekki-tollgate-gbajabiamila-calls-for-thorough-investigation-urges-calm","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-21 16:02:48","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-21 16:02:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=793","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":755,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_date_gmt":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_content":"\n
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama is currently briefing members diplomatic community on the current happenings in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The meeting which is at the instance of Onyeama is to provide the government the opportunity to brief them on the ongoing nationwide protest against police brutality and bad governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was learnt that most countries have been disturbed with the ongoing protest which started about two weeks ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Currently, the protest has turned violence in some areas as hoodlums are unleashing mayhem on Endsars protesters and innoccent citizens. In some states, the hoodlums have started looting shops and carting away properties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Onyeama briefs international community on happenings in Nigeria","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"onyeama-briefs-international-community-on-happenings-in-nigeria","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=755","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":45},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Gbajabiamila said the said killings not reflective of the nation's growing democracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gbajabiamila, who expressed grief over the sad event and the consequent civil disturbances around the state, called for a quick and thorough investigation into the incident that led to the avoidable victims at the Lekki Tollgate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker said: \u201cEvents in my home State Lagos, last night (Tuesday) and up until this afternoon (Wednesday), have left my heart heavy and my spirit disturbed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAfter sixty years, our democracy should have grown beyond the point where conflicting visions of nationhood result in violence on the streets and blood on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is unavoidably and painfully clear that there were a number of casualties as a result of gunfire at the Lekki Toll Gate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTherefore, there needs to be a quick and thorough investigation to determine the facts of what happened last night in Lagos. Our nation urgently needs and the Nigerian people deserve an accounting of the acts that led to the events of last night\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While urging Nigerians to remain calm and law-abiding, Gbajabiamila noted that no blood needed to be spilled any more, saying, \u201cI urge for calm whilst we get a truer picture of events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn Lagos and everywhere else, too much blood has already been spilled in our country, let there be no more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMay God bless and keep you all. And may God bless and keep our Federal Republic of Nigeria\u201d.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lekki Tollgate: Gbajabiamila calls for thorough investigation, urges calm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"lekki-tollgate-gbajabiamila-calls-for-thorough-investigation-urges-calm","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-21 16:02:48","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-21 16:02:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=793","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":755,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_date_gmt":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_content":"\n
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama is currently briefing members diplomatic community on the current happenings in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The meeting which is at the instance of Onyeama is to provide the government the opportunity to brief them on the ongoing nationwide protest against police brutality and bad governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was learnt that most countries have been disturbed with the ongoing protest which started about two weeks ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Currently, the protest has turned violence in some areas as hoodlums are unleashing mayhem on Endsars protesters and innoccent citizens. In some states, the hoodlums have started looting shops and carting away properties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Onyeama briefs international community on happenings in Nigeria","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"onyeama-briefs-international-community-on-happenings-in-nigeria","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=755","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":45},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has described the reported killing of protesters at Lekki toll gate as very disturbing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gbajabiamila said the said killings not reflective of the nation's growing democracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gbajabiamila, who expressed grief over the sad event and the consequent civil disturbances around the state, called for a quick and thorough investigation into the incident that led to the avoidable victims at the Lekki Tollgate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker said: \u201cEvents in my home State Lagos, last night (Tuesday) and up until this afternoon (Wednesday), have left my heart heavy and my spirit disturbed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAfter sixty years, our democracy should have grown beyond the point where conflicting visions of nationhood result in violence on the streets and blood on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is unavoidably and painfully clear that there were a number of casualties as a result of gunfire at the Lekki Toll Gate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTherefore, there needs to be a quick and thorough investigation to determine the facts of what happened last night in Lagos. Our nation urgently needs and the Nigerian people deserve an accounting of the acts that led to the events of last night\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While urging Nigerians to remain calm and law-abiding, Gbajabiamila noted that no blood needed to be spilled any more, saying, \u201cI urge for calm whilst we get a truer picture of events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn Lagos and everywhere else, too much blood has already been spilled in our country, let there be no more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMay God bless and keep you all. And may God bless and keep our Federal Republic of Nigeria\u201d.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lekki Tollgate: Gbajabiamila calls for thorough investigation, urges calm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"lekki-tollgate-gbajabiamila-calls-for-thorough-investigation-urges-calm","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-21 16:02:48","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-21 16:02:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=793","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":755,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_date_gmt":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_content":"\n
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama is currently briefing members diplomatic community on the current happenings in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The meeting which is at the instance of Onyeama is to provide the government the opportunity to brief them on the ongoing nationwide protest against police brutality and bad governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was learnt that most countries have been disturbed with the ongoing protest which started about two weeks ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Currently, the protest has turned violence in some areas as hoodlums are unleashing mayhem on Endsars protesters and innoccent citizens. In some states, the hoodlums have started looting shops and carting away properties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Onyeama briefs international community on happenings in Nigeria","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"onyeama-briefs-international-community-on-happenings-in-nigeria","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=755","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":45},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has described the reported killing of protesters at Lekki toll gate as very disturbing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gbajabiamila said the said killings not reflective of the nation's growing democracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gbajabiamila, who expressed grief over the sad event and the consequent civil disturbances around the state, called for a quick and thorough investigation into the incident that led to the avoidable victims at the Lekki Tollgate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker said: \u201cEvents in my home State Lagos, last night (Tuesday) and up until this afternoon (Wednesday), have left my heart heavy and my spirit disturbed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAfter sixty years, our democracy should have grown beyond the point where conflicting visions of nationhood result in violence on the streets and blood on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is unavoidably and painfully clear that there were a number of casualties as a result of gunfire at the Lekki Toll Gate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTherefore, there needs to be a quick and thorough investigation to determine the facts of what happened last night in Lagos. Our nation urgently needs and the Nigerian people deserve an accounting of the acts that led to the events of last night\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While urging Nigerians to remain calm and law-abiding, Gbajabiamila noted that no blood needed to be spilled any more, saying, \u201cI urge for calm whilst we get a truer picture of events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn Lagos and everywhere else, too much blood has already been spilled in our country, let there be no more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMay God bless and keep you all. And may God bless and keep our Federal Republic of Nigeria\u201d.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lekki Tollgate: Gbajabiamila calls for thorough investigation, urges calm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"lekki-tollgate-gbajabiamila-calls-for-thorough-investigation-urges-calm","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-21 16:02:48","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-21 16:02:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=793","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":755,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_date_gmt":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_content":"\n
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama is currently briefing members diplomatic community on the current happenings in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The meeting which is at the instance of Onyeama is to provide the government the opportunity to brief them on the ongoing nationwide protest against police brutality and bad governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was learnt that most countries have been disturbed with the ongoing protest which started about two weeks ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Currently, the protest has turned violence in some areas as hoodlums are unleashing mayhem on Endsars protesters and innoccent citizens. In some states, the hoodlums have started looting shops and carting away properties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Onyeama briefs international community on happenings in Nigeria","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"onyeama-briefs-international-community-on-happenings-in-nigeria","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-20 15:32:32","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=755","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":45},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on the government to call the military and other security agencies to desist from using brute force against the #EndSARS protesters Obasanjo warned that shooting and murder of unarmed protesters has never been effective in suppressing public frustration. The former President in a statement titled \u201cNIGERIA: AN APPEAL FOR CALM\u201d, also called for calm. The statement reads: \u201cIt is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of concern about the ongoing violence, chaos, and unrest in many parts of Nigeria that I make this appeal to the government and people of our dear country, Nigeria, to eschew violence and embrace peace and dialogue in finding solutions to the challenges we face as a country. \"I particularly appeal to President Muharnmadu Buhari, in his capacities as President of Nigeria, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and as a parent of youth like the ones who have in the last week come out in peaceful protest against police brutality and for improvement in their lives and their living conditions, to restrain the military and other security agencies from using brute force as a way of ending the crisis. \"The shooting and murder of unarmed protesters, no matter the level of provocation, has never been effective in supressing public anger and frustration. Instead, such actions only reinforce the anger and frustration of the populace and close the window of dialogue and peaceful resolution. It is clear that Mr. President and his lieutenants did not exhaust the opportunities for dialogue with the protesters before resorting to use of force. It is worse that there is denial of wrongdoing in spite of overwhelming visual evidence. Great harm has been done but it can be stopped before it completely spirals out of control. \"We are at a critical moment in this crisis and Mr. President must act now before it is too late. This time demands leadership and mature leadership at such. \"Most of the demands of the protesting youth, which Governor Babajide Sanwo-0lu of Lagos State swiftly took to the President, e-mail: obasanjonig@yahoo.com are not unreasonable and can be met without anyone\u2019s political interest or arnbition being threatened. \"It is imperative that leaders at all levels, starting with Mr. President, must demonstrate meekness, humanity, and sincerity in meeting the legitimate demands of the protesters and ensuring that justice is served where it must be served. These are the most potent ways of ending this crisis now. \"The youth too must give peace a chance while making their legitimate demands. They must be mindful of miscreants who will infiltrate their ranks and give the protests a bad name only so that trigger-happy forces will kill them. The destruction and looting of public and private properties will only hurt all of us and set us back. The targeting of individuals and groups for attacks and reprisal attacks will only further widen our divisions, escalate the crisis and threaten our fragile unity. \"This is yet another moment when our nation is on the edge of a cliff. Our individual and collective actions now and in the next few days will determine where we will go as a nation. May God help us in taking the right steps in the right direction.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"EndSARS Protest: Obasanjo urges Buhari to call military, security agencies to order","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"endsars-protest-obasanjo-urges-buhari-to-call-military-security-agencies-to-order","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=795","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":45},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on the government to call the military and other security agencies to desist from using brute force against the #EndSARS protesters Obasanjo warned that shooting and murder of unarmed protesters has never been effective in suppressing public frustration. The former President in a statement titled \u201cNIGERIA: AN APPEAL FOR CALM\u201d, also called for calm. The statement reads: \u201cIt is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of concern about the ongoing violence, chaos, and unrest in many parts of Nigeria that I make this appeal to the government and people of our dear country, Nigeria, to eschew violence and embrace peace and dialogue in finding solutions to the challenges we face as a country. \"I particularly appeal to President Muharnmadu Buhari, in his capacities as President of Nigeria, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and as a parent of youth like the ones who have in the last week come out in peaceful protest against police brutality and for improvement in their lives and their living conditions, to restrain the military and other security agencies from using brute force as a way of ending the crisis. \"The shooting and murder of unarmed protesters, no matter the level of provocation, has never been effective in supressing public anger and frustration. Instead, such actions only reinforce the anger and frustration of the populace and close the window of dialogue and peaceful resolution. It is clear that Mr. President and his lieutenants did not exhaust the opportunities for dialogue with the protesters before resorting to use of force. It is worse that there is denial of wrongdoing in spite of overwhelming visual evidence. Great harm has been done but it can be stopped before it completely spirals out of control. \"We are at a critical moment in this crisis and Mr. President must act now before it is too late. This time demands leadership and mature leadership at such. \"Most of the demands of the protesting youth, which Governor Babajide Sanwo-0lu of Lagos State swiftly took to the President, e-mail: obasanjonig@yahoo.com are not unreasonable and can be met without anyone\u2019s political interest or arnbition being threatened. \"It is imperative that leaders at all levels, starting with Mr. President, must demonstrate meekness, humanity, and sincerity in meeting the legitimate demands of the protesters and ensuring that justice is served where it must be served. These are the most potent ways of ending this crisis now. \"The youth too must give peace a chance while making their legitimate demands. They must be mindful of miscreants who will infiltrate their ranks and give the protests a bad name only so that trigger-happy forces will kill them. The destruction and looting of public and private properties will only hurt all of us and set us back. The targeting of individuals and groups for attacks and reprisal attacks will only further widen our divisions, escalate the crisis and threaten our fragile unity. \"This is yet another moment when our nation is on the edge of a cliff. Our individual and collective actions now and in the next few days will determine where we will go as a nation. May God help us in taking the right steps in the right direction.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"EndSARS Protest: Obasanjo urges Buhari to call military, security agencies to order","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"endsars-protest-obasanjo-urges-buhari-to-call-military-security-agencies-to-order","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=795","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":45},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Thank you all. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.<\/p>\n","post_title":"ADDRESS TO THE NATION BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE ENDSARS PROTESTS, 22ND OCTOBER, 2020","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"address-to-the-nation-by-his-excellency-muhammadu-buhari-president-of-the-federal-republic-of-nigeria-on-the-endsars-protests-22nd-october-2020","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=840","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":795,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_date_gmt":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_content":"\n
<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on the government to call the military and other security agencies to desist from using brute force against the #EndSARS protesters Obasanjo warned that shooting and murder of unarmed protesters has never been effective in suppressing public frustration. The former President in a statement titled \u201cNIGERIA: AN APPEAL FOR CALM\u201d, also called for calm. The statement reads: \u201cIt is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of concern about the ongoing violence, chaos, and unrest in many parts of Nigeria that I make this appeal to the government and people of our dear country, Nigeria, to eschew violence and embrace peace and dialogue in finding solutions to the challenges we face as a country. \"I particularly appeal to President Muharnmadu Buhari, in his capacities as President of Nigeria, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and as a parent of youth like the ones who have in the last week come out in peaceful protest against police brutality and for improvement in their lives and their living conditions, to restrain the military and other security agencies from using brute force as a way of ending the crisis. \"The shooting and murder of unarmed protesters, no matter the level of provocation, has never been effective in supressing public anger and frustration. Instead, such actions only reinforce the anger and frustration of the populace and close the window of dialogue and peaceful resolution. It is clear that Mr. President and his lieutenants did not exhaust the opportunities for dialogue with the protesters before resorting to use of force. It is worse that there is denial of wrongdoing in spite of overwhelming visual evidence. Great harm has been done but it can be stopped before it completely spirals out of control. \"We are at a critical moment in this crisis and Mr. President must act now before it is too late. This time demands leadership and mature leadership at such. \"Most of the demands of the protesting youth, which Governor Babajide Sanwo-0lu of Lagos State swiftly took to the President, e-mail: obasanjonig@yahoo.com are not unreasonable and can be met without anyone\u2019s political interest or arnbition being threatened. \"It is imperative that leaders at all levels, starting with Mr. President, must demonstrate meekness, humanity, and sincerity in meeting the legitimate demands of the protesters and ensuring that justice is served where it must be served. These are the most potent ways of ending this crisis now. \"The youth too must give peace a chance while making their legitimate demands. They must be mindful of miscreants who will infiltrate their ranks and give the protests a bad name only so that trigger-happy forces will kill them. The destruction and looting of public and private properties will only hurt all of us and set us back. The targeting of individuals and groups for attacks and reprisal attacks will only further widen our divisions, escalate the crisis and threaten our fragile unity. \"This is yet another moment when our nation is on the edge of a cliff. Our individual and collective actions now and in the next few days will determine where we will go as a nation. May God help us in taking the right steps in the right direction.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"EndSARS Protest: Obasanjo urges Buhari to call military, security agencies to order","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"endsars-protest-obasanjo-urges-buhari-to-call-military-security-agencies-to-order","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=795","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":45},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
These are in addition to many other initiatives such as; a. Farmermoni, b. Tradermoni, c. Marketmoni, d. N-Power, e. N-Tech and f. N-Agro.<\/li>
No Nigerian Government in the past has methodically and seriously approached poverty-alleviation like we have done.<\/li>
With regard to the welfare of police personnel, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force. The emoluments of other paramilitary services are also being reviewed upwards.<\/li>
In order to underscore the importance of education in preparing youths for the future, this administration has come up with a new salary structure and other incentives for our teachers.<\/li>
Let me at this point reaffirm the Federal Government\u2019s commitment to preserving the unity of this country.<\/li>
We will continue to improve good governance and our democratic process, including through sustained engagement.<\/li>
We shall continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens are protected.<\/li>
But remember that government also has the obligation to protect lives and properties, as well as the right of citizens to go about their daily businesses freely and protected from acts of violence.<\/li>
To our neighbours in particular, and members of the international community, many of whom have expressed concern about the ongoing development in Nigeria, we thank you and urge you all to seek to know all the facts available before taking a position or rushing to judgment and making hasty pronouncements.<\/li>
In the circumstances, I would like to appeal to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of this administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful, and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating our nascent democracy.<\/li>
For you to do otherwise will amount to undermining national security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances will this be tolerated.<\/li>
I therefore call on our youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage government in finding solutions. Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding.<\/li>
And I call on all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, and enjoin security agencies to protect lives and properties of all law abiding citizens without doing harm to those they are meant to protect. Let me pay tribute to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.<\/li>
I would like to thank those state Governors, traditional and religious leaders who have appealed for calm and restraint. I also thank youth leaders who have restrained their followers from taking the law into their hands.<\/li>
This government respects and will continue to respect all the democratic rights and civil liberties of the people, but it will not allow anybody or groups to disrupt the peace of our nation.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Thank you all. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.<\/p>\n","post_title":"ADDRESS TO THE NATION BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE ENDSARS PROTESTS, 22ND OCTOBER, 2020","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"address-to-the-nation-by-his-excellency-muhammadu-buhari-president-of-the-federal-republic-of-nigeria-on-the-endsars-protests-22nd-october-2020","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=840","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":795,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_date_gmt":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_content":"\n
<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on the government to call the military and other security agencies to desist from using brute force against the #EndSARS protesters Obasanjo warned that shooting and murder of unarmed protesters has never been effective in suppressing public frustration. The former President in a statement titled \u201cNIGERIA: AN APPEAL FOR CALM\u201d, also called for calm. The statement reads: \u201cIt is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of concern about the ongoing violence, chaos, and unrest in many parts of Nigeria that I make this appeal to the government and people of our dear country, Nigeria, to eschew violence and embrace peace and dialogue in finding solutions to the challenges we face as a country. \"I particularly appeal to President Muharnmadu Buhari, in his capacities as President of Nigeria, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and as a parent of youth like the ones who have in the last week come out in peaceful protest against police brutality and for improvement in their lives and their living conditions, to restrain the military and other security agencies from using brute force as a way of ending the crisis. \"The shooting and murder of unarmed protesters, no matter the level of provocation, has never been effective in supressing public anger and frustration. Instead, such actions only reinforce the anger and frustration of the populace and close the window of dialogue and peaceful resolution. It is clear that Mr. President and his lieutenants did not exhaust the opportunities for dialogue with the protesters before resorting to use of force. It is worse that there is denial of wrongdoing in spite of overwhelming visual evidence. Great harm has been done but it can be stopped before it completely spirals out of control. \"We are at a critical moment in this crisis and Mr. President must act now before it is too late. This time demands leadership and mature leadership at such. \"Most of the demands of the protesting youth, which Governor Babajide Sanwo-0lu of Lagos State swiftly took to the President, e-mail: obasanjonig@yahoo.com are not unreasonable and can be met without anyone\u2019s political interest or arnbition being threatened. \"It is imperative that leaders at all levels, starting with Mr. President, must demonstrate meekness, humanity, and sincerity in meeting the legitimate demands of the protesters and ensuring that justice is served where it must be served. These are the most potent ways of ending this crisis now. \"The youth too must give peace a chance while making their legitimate demands. They must be mindful of miscreants who will infiltrate their ranks and give the protests a bad name only so that trigger-happy forces will kill them. The destruction and looting of public and private properties will only hurt all of us and set us back. The targeting of individuals and groups for attacks and reprisal attacks will only further widen our divisions, escalate the crisis and threaten our fragile unity. \"This is yet another moment when our nation is on the edge of a cliff. Our individual and collective actions now and in the next few days will determine where we will go as a nation. May God help us in taking the right steps in the right direction.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"EndSARS Protest: Obasanjo urges Buhari to call military, security agencies to order","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"endsars-protest-obasanjo-urges-buhari-to-call-military-security-agencies-to-order","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=795","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":45},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
a. paying three months salaries of the staff of 100,000 micro, small - and medium - enterprises, b. paying for the registration of 250,000 businesses at the Corporate Affairs Commission, c. giving a grant of N30,000 to 100,000 artisans; and d. guaranteeing market for the products of traders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These are in addition to many other initiatives such as; a. Farmermoni, b. Tradermoni, c. Marketmoni, d. N-Power, e. N-Tech and f. N-Agro.<\/li>
No Nigerian Government in the past has methodically and seriously approached poverty-alleviation like we have done.<\/li>
With regard to the welfare of police personnel, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force. The emoluments of other paramilitary services are also being reviewed upwards.<\/li>
In order to underscore the importance of education in preparing youths for the future, this administration has come up with a new salary structure and other incentives for our teachers.<\/li>
Let me at this point reaffirm the Federal Government\u2019s commitment to preserving the unity of this country.<\/li>
We will continue to improve good governance and our democratic process, including through sustained engagement.<\/li>
We shall continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens are protected.<\/li>
But remember that government also has the obligation to protect lives and properties, as well as the right of citizens to go about their daily businesses freely and protected from acts of violence.<\/li>
To our neighbours in particular, and members of the international community, many of whom have expressed concern about the ongoing development in Nigeria, we thank you and urge you all to seek to know all the facts available before taking a position or rushing to judgment and making hasty pronouncements.<\/li>
In the circumstances, I would like to appeal to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of this administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful, and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating our nascent democracy.<\/li>
For you to do otherwise will amount to undermining national security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances will this be tolerated.<\/li>
I therefore call on our youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage government in finding solutions. Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding.<\/li>
And I call on all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, and enjoin security agencies to protect lives and properties of all law abiding citizens without doing harm to those they are meant to protect. Let me pay tribute to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.<\/li>
I would like to thank those state Governors, traditional and religious leaders who have appealed for calm and restraint. I also thank youth leaders who have restrained their followers from taking the law into their hands.<\/li>
This government respects and will continue to respect all the democratic rights and civil liberties of the people, but it will not allow anybody or groups to disrupt the peace of our nation.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Thank you all. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.<\/p>\n","post_title":"ADDRESS TO THE NATION BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE ENDSARS PROTESTS, 22ND OCTOBER, 2020","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"address-to-the-nation-by-his-excellency-muhammadu-buhari-president-of-the-federal-republic-of-nigeria-on-the-endsars-protests-22nd-october-2020","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=840","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":795,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_date_gmt":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_content":"\n
<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on the government to call the military and other security agencies to desist from using brute force against the #EndSARS protesters Obasanjo warned that shooting and murder of unarmed protesters has never been effective in suppressing public frustration. The former President in a statement titled \u201cNIGERIA: AN APPEAL FOR CALM\u201d, also called for calm. The statement reads: \u201cIt is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of concern about the ongoing violence, chaos, and unrest in many parts of Nigeria that I make this appeal to the government and people of our dear country, Nigeria, to eschew violence and embrace peace and dialogue in finding solutions to the challenges we face as a country. \"I particularly appeal to President Muharnmadu Buhari, in his capacities as President of Nigeria, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and as a parent of youth like the ones who have in the last week come out in peaceful protest against police brutality and for improvement in their lives and their living conditions, to restrain the military and other security agencies from using brute force as a way of ending the crisis. \"The shooting and murder of unarmed protesters, no matter the level of provocation, has never been effective in supressing public anger and frustration. Instead, such actions only reinforce the anger and frustration of the populace and close the window of dialogue and peaceful resolution. It is clear that Mr. President and his lieutenants did not exhaust the opportunities for dialogue with the protesters before resorting to use of force. It is worse that there is denial of wrongdoing in spite of overwhelming visual evidence. Great harm has been done but it can be stopped before it completely spirals out of control. \"We are at a critical moment in this crisis and Mr. President must act now before it is too late. This time demands leadership and mature leadership at such. \"Most of the demands of the protesting youth, which Governor Babajide Sanwo-0lu of Lagos State swiftly took to the President, e-mail: obasanjonig@yahoo.com are not unreasonable and can be met without anyone\u2019s political interest or arnbition being threatened. \"It is imperative that leaders at all levels, starting with Mr. President, must demonstrate meekness, humanity, and sincerity in meeting the legitimate demands of the protesters and ensuring that justice is served where it must be served. These are the most potent ways of ending this crisis now. \"The youth too must give peace a chance while making their legitimate demands. They must be mindful of miscreants who will infiltrate their ranks and give the protests a bad name only so that trigger-happy forces will kill them. The destruction and looting of public and private properties will only hurt all of us and set us back. The targeting of individuals and groups for attacks and reprisal attacks will only further widen our divisions, escalate the crisis and threaten our fragile unity. \"This is yet another moment when our nation is on the edge of a cliff. Our individual and collective actions now and in the next few days will determine where we will go as a nation. May God help us in taking the right steps in the right direction.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"EndSARS Protest: Obasanjo urges Buhari to call military, security agencies to order","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"endsars-protest-obasanjo-urges-buhari-to-call-military-security-agencies-to-order","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=795","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":45},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
I must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well - intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).<\/li>
On Monday 12th October, I acknowledged the genuine concerns and agitations of members of the public regarding the excessive use of force by some members of SARS.<\/li>
The choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments; but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the law.<\/li>
As a democratic government, we listened to, and carefully evaluated the five-point demands of the protesters. And, having accepted them, we immediately scrapped SARS, and put measures in place to address the other demands of our youth.<\/li>
On approving the termination of SARS, I already made it clear that it was in line with our commitment to the implementation of extensive Police reforms.<\/li>
Sadly, the promptness with which we have acted seemed to have been misconstrued as a sign of weakness and twisted by some for their selfish unpatriotic interests.<\/li>
The result of this is clear to all observers: human lives have been lost; acts of sexual violence have been reported; two major correctional facilities were attacked and convicts freed; public and private properties completely destroyed or vandalised; the sanctity of the Palace of a Peace Maker, the Oba of Lagos has been violated. So-called protesters have invaded an International Airport and in the process disrupted the travel plans of fellow Nigerians and our visitors.<\/li>
All these executed in the name of the ENDSARS protests. I am indeed deeply pained that innocent lives have been lost. These tragedies are uncalled for and unnecessary. Certainly, there is no way whatsoever to connect these bad acts to legitimate expression of grievance of the youth of our country.<\/li>
The spreading of deliberate falsehood and misinformation through the social media in particular, that this government is oblivious to the pains and plight of its citizens is a ploy to mislead the unwary within and outside Nigeria into unfair judgement and disruptive behaviour.<\/li>
On the contrary, both our deeds and words have shown how committed this administration has been to the wellbeing and welfare of citizens, even with the steadily dwindling revenues, and the added responsibilities and restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic.<\/li>
Government has put in place measures and initiatives principally targeted at youths, women and the most vulnerable groups in our society. These included our broad plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years; the creation of N75 billion National Youth Investment Fund to provide opportunities for the youths and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Survival Fund, through which government is:<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
a. paying three months salaries of the staff of 100,000 micro, small - and medium - enterprises, b. paying for the registration of 250,000 businesses at the Corporate Affairs Commission, c. giving a grant of N30,000 to 100,000 artisans; and d. guaranteeing market for the products of traders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These are in addition to many other initiatives such as; a. Farmermoni, b. Tradermoni, c. Marketmoni, d. N-Power, e. N-Tech and f. N-Agro.<\/li>
No Nigerian Government in the past has methodically and seriously approached poverty-alleviation like we have done.<\/li>
With regard to the welfare of police personnel, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force. The emoluments of other paramilitary services are also being reviewed upwards.<\/li>
In order to underscore the importance of education in preparing youths for the future, this administration has come up with a new salary structure and other incentives for our teachers.<\/li>
Let me at this point reaffirm the Federal Government\u2019s commitment to preserving the unity of this country.<\/li>
We will continue to improve good governance and our democratic process, including through sustained engagement.<\/li>
We shall continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens are protected.<\/li>
But remember that government also has the obligation to protect lives and properties, as well as the right of citizens to go about their daily businesses freely and protected from acts of violence.<\/li>
To our neighbours in particular, and members of the international community, many of whom have expressed concern about the ongoing development in Nigeria, we thank you and urge you all to seek to know all the facts available before taking a position or rushing to judgment and making hasty pronouncements.<\/li>
In the circumstances, I would like to appeal to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of this administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful, and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating our nascent democracy.<\/li>
For you to do otherwise will amount to undermining national security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances will this be tolerated.<\/li>
I therefore call on our youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage government in finding solutions. Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding.<\/li>
And I call on all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, and enjoin security agencies to protect lives and properties of all law abiding citizens without doing harm to those they are meant to protect. Let me pay tribute to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.<\/li>
I would like to thank those state Governors, traditional and religious leaders who have appealed for calm and restraint. I also thank youth leaders who have restrained their followers from taking the law into their hands.<\/li>
This government respects and will continue to respect all the democratic rights and civil liberties of the people, but it will not allow anybody or groups to disrupt the peace of our nation.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Thank you all. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.<\/p>\n","post_title":"ADDRESS TO THE NATION BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE ENDSARS PROTESTS, 22ND OCTOBER, 2020","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"address-to-the-nation-by-his-excellency-muhammadu-buhari-president-of-the-federal-republic-of-nigeria-on-the-endsars-protests-22nd-october-2020","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=840","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":795,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_date_gmt":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_content":"\n
<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on the government to call the military and other security agencies to desist from using brute force against the #EndSARS protesters Obasanjo warned that shooting and murder of unarmed protesters has never been effective in suppressing public frustration. The former President in a statement titled \u201cNIGERIA: AN APPEAL FOR CALM\u201d, also called for calm. The statement reads: \u201cIt is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of concern about the ongoing violence, chaos, and unrest in many parts of Nigeria that I make this appeal to the government and people of our dear country, Nigeria, to eschew violence and embrace peace and dialogue in finding solutions to the challenges we face as a country. \"I particularly appeal to President Muharnmadu Buhari, in his capacities as President of Nigeria, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and as a parent of youth like the ones who have in the last week come out in peaceful protest against police brutality and for improvement in their lives and their living conditions, to restrain the military and other security agencies from using brute force as a way of ending the crisis. \"The shooting and murder of unarmed protesters, no matter the level of provocation, has never been effective in supressing public anger and frustration. Instead, such actions only reinforce the anger and frustration of the populace and close the window of dialogue and peaceful resolution. It is clear that Mr. President and his lieutenants did not exhaust the opportunities for dialogue with the protesters before resorting to use of force. It is worse that there is denial of wrongdoing in spite of overwhelming visual evidence. Great harm has been done but it can be stopped before it completely spirals out of control. \"We are at a critical moment in this crisis and Mr. President must act now before it is too late. This time demands leadership and mature leadership at such. \"Most of the demands of the protesting youth, which Governor Babajide Sanwo-0lu of Lagos State swiftly took to the President, e-mail: obasanjonig@yahoo.com are not unreasonable and can be met without anyone\u2019s political interest or arnbition being threatened. \"It is imperative that leaders at all levels, starting with Mr. President, must demonstrate meekness, humanity, and sincerity in meeting the legitimate demands of the protesters and ensuring that justice is served where it must be served. These are the most potent ways of ending this crisis now. \"The youth too must give peace a chance while making their legitimate demands. They must be mindful of miscreants who will infiltrate their ranks and give the protests a bad name only so that trigger-happy forces will kill them. The destruction and looting of public and private properties will only hurt all of us and set us back. The targeting of individuals and groups for attacks and reprisal attacks will only further widen our divisions, escalate the crisis and threaten our fragile unity. \"This is yet another moment when our nation is on the edge of a cliff. Our individual and collective actions now and in the next few days will determine where we will go as a nation. May God help us in taking the right steps in the right direction.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"EndSARS Protest: Obasanjo urges Buhari to call military, security agencies to order","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"endsars-protest-obasanjo-urges-buhari-to-call-military-security-agencies-to-order","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=795","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":45},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
It has become necessary for me to address you having heard from many concerned Nigerians and having concluded a meeting with all the Security Chiefs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well - intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).<\/li>
On Monday 12th October, I acknowledged the genuine concerns and agitations of members of the public regarding the excessive use of force by some members of SARS.<\/li>
The choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments; but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the law.<\/li>
As a democratic government, we listened to, and carefully evaluated the five-point demands of the protesters. And, having accepted them, we immediately scrapped SARS, and put measures in place to address the other demands of our youth.<\/li>
On approving the termination of SARS, I already made it clear that it was in line with our commitment to the implementation of extensive Police reforms.<\/li>
Sadly, the promptness with which we have acted seemed to have been misconstrued as a sign of weakness and twisted by some for their selfish unpatriotic interests.<\/li>
The result of this is clear to all observers: human lives have been lost; acts of sexual violence have been reported; two major correctional facilities were attacked and convicts freed; public and private properties completely destroyed or vandalised; the sanctity of the Palace of a Peace Maker, the Oba of Lagos has been violated. So-called protesters have invaded an International Airport and in the process disrupted the travel plans of fellow Nigerians and our visitors.<\/li>
All these executed in the name of the ENDSARS protests. I am indeed deeply pained that innocent lives have been lost. These tragedies are uncalled for and unnecessary. Certainly, there is no way whatsoever to connect these bad acts to legitimate expression of grievance of the youth of our country.<\/li>
The spreading of deliberate falsehood and misinformation through the social media in particular, that this government is oblivious to the pains and plight of its citizens is a ploy to mislead the unwary within and outside Nigeria into unfair judgement and disruptive behaviour.<\/li>
On the contrary, both our deeds and words have shown how committed this administration has been to the wellbeing and welfare of citizens, even with the steadily dwindling revenues, and the added responsibilities and restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic.<\/li>
Government has put in place measures and initiatives principally targeted at youths, women and the most vulnerable groups in our society. These included our broad plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years; the creation of N75 billion National Youth Investment Fund to provide opportunities for the youths and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Survival Fund, through which government is:<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
a. paying three months salaries of the staff of 100,000 micro, small - and medium - enterprises, b. paying for the registration of 250,000 businesses at the Corporate Affairs Commission, c. giving a grant of N30,000 to 100,000 artisans; and d. guaranteeing market for the products of traders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These are in addition to many other initiatives such as; a. Farmermoni, b. Tradermoni, c. Marketmoni, d. N-Power, e. N-Tech and f. N-Agro.<\/li>
No Nigerian Government in the past has methodically and seriously approached poverty-alleviation like we have done.<\/li>
With regard to the welfare of police personnel, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force. The emoluments of other paramilitary services are also being reviewed upwards.<\/li>
In order to underscore the importance of education in preparing youths for the future, this administration has come up with a new salary structure and other incentives for our teachers.<\/li>
Let me at this point reaffirm the Federal Government\u2019s commitment to preserving the unity of this country.<\/li>
We will continue to improve good governance and our democratic process, including through sustained engagement.<\/li>
We shall continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens are protected.<\/li>
But remember that government also has the obligation to protect lives and properties, as well as the right of citizens to go about their daily businesses freely and protected from acts of violence.<\/li>
To our neighbours in particular, and members of the international community, many of whom have expressed concern about the ongoing development in Nigeria, we thank you and urge you all to seek to know all the facts available before taking a position or rushing to judgment and making hasty pronouncements.<\/li>
In the circumstances, I would like to appeal to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of this administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful, and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating our nascent democracy.<\/li>
For you to do otherwise will amount to undermining national security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances will this be tolerated.<\/li>
I therefore call on our youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage government in finding solutions. Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding.<\/li>
And I call on all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, and enjoin security agencies to protect lives and properties of all law abiding citizens without doing harm to those they are meant to protect. Let me pay tribute to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.<\/li>
I would like to thank those state Governors, traditional and religious leaders who have appealed for calm and restraint. I also thank youth leaders who have restrained their followers from taking the law into their hands.<\/li>
This government respects and will continue to respect all the democratic rights and civil liberties of the people, but it will not allow anybody or groups to disrupt the peace of our nation.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Thank you all. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.<\/p>\n","post_title":"ADDRESS TO THE NATION BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE ENDSARS PROTESTS, 22ND OCTOBER, 2020","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"address-to-the-nation-by-his-excellency-muhammadu-buhari-president-of-the-federal-republic-of-nigeria-on-the-endsars-protests-22nd-october-2020","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=840","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":795,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_date_gmt":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_content":"\n
<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on the government to call the military and other security agencies to desist from using brute force against the #EndSARS protesters Obasanjo warned that shooting and murder of unarmed protesters has never been effective in suppressing public frustration. The former President in a statement titled \u201cNIGERIA: AN APPEAL FOR CALM\u201d, also called for calm. The statement reads: \u201cIt is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of concern about the ongoing violence, chaos, and unrest in many parts of Nigeria that I make this appeal to the government and people of our dear country, Nigeria, to eschew violence and embrace peace and dialogue in finding solutions to the challenges we face as a country. \"I particularly appeal to President Muharnmadu Buhari, in his capacities as President of Nigeria, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and as a parent of youth like the ones who have in the last week come out in peaceful protest against police brutality and for improvement in their lives and their living conditions, to restrain the military and other security agencies from using brute force as a way of ending the crisis. \"The shooting and murder of unarmed protesters, no matter the level of provocation, has never been effective in supressing public anger and frustration. Instead, such actions only reinforce the anger and frustration of the populace and close the window of dialogue and peaceful resolution. It is clear that Mr. President and his lieutenants did not exhaust the opportunities for dialogue with the protesters before resorting to use of force. It is worse that there is denial of wrongdoing in spite of overwhelming visual evidence. Great harm has been done but it can be stopped before it completely spirals out of control. \"We are at a critical moment in this crisis and Mr. President must act now before it is too late. This time demands leadership and mature leadership at such. \"Most of the demands of the protesting youth, which Governor Babajide Sanwo-0lu of Lagos State swiftly took to the President, e-mail: obasanjonig@yahoo.com are not unreasonable and can be met without anyone\u2019s political interest or arnbition being threatened. \"It is imperative that leaders at all levels, starting with Mr. President, must demonstrate meekness, humanity, and sincerity in meeting the legitimate demands of the protesters and ensuring that justice is served where it must be served. These are the most potent ways of ending this crisis now. \"The youth too must give peace a chance while making their legitimate demands. They must be mindful of miscreants who will infiltrate their ranks and give the protests a bad name only so that trigger-happy forces will kill them. The destruction and looting of public and private properties will only hurt all of us and set us back. The targeting of individuals and groups for attacks and reprisal attacks will only further widen our divisions, escalate the crisis and threaten our fragile unity. \"This is yet another moment when our nation is on the edge of a cliff. Our individual and collective actions now and in the next few days will determine where we will go as a nation. May God help us in taking the right steps in the right direction.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"EndSARS Protest: Obasanjo urges Buhari to call military, security agencies to order","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"endsars-protest-obasanjo-urges-buhari-to-call-military-security-agencies-to-order","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=795","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":45},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
It has become necessary for me to address you having heard from many concerned Nigerians and having concluded a meeting with all the Security Chiefs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well - intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).<\/li>
On Monday 12th October, I acknowledged the genuine concerns and agitations of members of the public regarding the excessive use of force by some members of SARS.<\/li>
The choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments; but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the law.<\/li>
As a democratic government, we listened to, and carefully evaluated the five-point demands of the protesters. And, having accepted them, we immediately scrapped SARS, and put measures in place to address the other demands of our youth.<\/li>
On approving the termination of SARS, I already made it clear that it was in line with our commitment to the implementation of extensive Police reforms.<\/li>
Sadly, the promptness with which we have acted seemed to have been misconstrued as a sign of weakness and twisted by some for their selfish unpatriotic interests.<\/li>
The result of this is clear to all observers: human lives have been lost; acts of sexual violence have been reported; two major correctional facilities were attacked and convicts freed; public and private properties completely destroyed or vandalised; the sanctity of the Palace of a Peace Maker, the Oba of Lagos has been violated. So-called protesters have invaded an International Airport and in the process disrupted the travel plans of fellow Nigerians and our visitors.<\/li>
All these executed in the name of the ENDSARS protests. I am indeed deeply pained that innocent lives have been lost. These tragedies are uncalled for and unnecessary. Certainly, there is no way whatsoever to connect these bad acts to legitimate expression of grievance of the youth of our country.<\/li>
The spreading of deliberate falsehood and misinformation through the social media in particular, that this government is oblivious to the pains and plight of its citizens is a ploy to mislead the unwary within and outside Nigeria into unfair judgement and disruptive behaviour.<\/li>
On the contrary, both our deeds and words have shown how committed this administration has been to the wellbeing and welfare of citizens, even with the steadily dwindling revenues, and the added responsibilities and restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic.<\/li>
Government has put in place measures and initiatives principally targeted at youths, women and the most vulnerable groups in our society. These included our broad plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years; the creation of N75 billion National Youth Investment Fund to provide opportunities for the youths and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Survival Fund, through which government is:<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
a. paying three months salaries of the staff of 100,000 micro, small - and medium - enterprises, b. paying for the registration of 250,000 businesses at the Corporate Affairs Commission, c. giving a grant of N30,000 to 100,000 artisans; and d. guaranteeing market for the products of traders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These are in addition to many other initiatives such as; a. Farmermoni, b. Tradermoni, c. Marketmoni, d. N-Power, e. N-Tech and f. N-Agro.<\/li>
No Nigerian Government in the past has methodically and seriously approached poverty-alleviation like we have done.<\/li>
With regard to the welfare of police personnel, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force. The emoluments of other paramilitary services are also being reviewed upwards.<\/li>
In order to underscore the importance of education in preparing youths for the future, this administration has come up with a new salary structure and other incentives for our teachers.<\/li>
Let me at this point reaffirm the Federal Government\u2019s commitment to preserving the unity of this country.<\/li>
We will continue to improve good governance and our democratic process, including through sustained engagement.<\/li>
We shall continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens are protected.<\/li>
But remember that government also has the obligation to protect lives and properties, as well as the right of citizens to go about their daily businesses freely and protected from acts of violence.<\/li>
To our neighbours in particular, and members of the international community, many of whom have expressed concern about the ongoing development in Nigeria, we thank you and urge you all to seek to know all the facts available before taking a position or rushing to judgment and making hasty pronouncements.<\/li>
In the circumstances, I would like to appeal to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of this administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful, and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating our nascent democracy.<\/li>
For you to do otherwise will amount to undermining national security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances will this be tolerated.<\/li>
I therefore call on our youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage government in finding solutions. Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding.<\/li>
And I call on all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, and enjoin security agencies to protect lives and properties of all law abiding citizens without doing harm to those they are meant to protect. Let me pay tribute to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.<\/li>
I would like to thank those state Governors, traditional and religious leaders who have appealed for calm and restraint. I also thank youth leaders who have restrained their followers from taking the law into their hands.<\/li>
This government respects and will continue to respect all the democratic rights and civil liberties of the people, but it will not allow anybody or groups to disrupt the peace of our nation.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Thank you all. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.<\/p>\n","post_title":"ADDRESS TO THE NATION BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE ENDSARS PROTESTS, 22ND OCTOBER, 2020","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"address-to-the-nation-by-his-excellency-muhammadu-buhari-president-of-the-federal-republic-of-nigeria-on-the-endsars-protests-22nd-october-2020","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=840","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":795,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_date_gmt":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_content":"\n
<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on the government to call the military and other security agencies to desist from using brute force against the #EndSARS protesters Obasanjo warned that shooting and murder of unarmed protesters has never been effective in suppressing public frustration. The former President in a statement titled \u201cNIGERIA: AN APPEAL FOR CALM\u201d, also called for calm. The statement reads: \u201cIt is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of concern about the ongoing violence, chaos, and unrest in many parts of Nigeria that I make this appeal to the government and people of our dear country, Nigeria, to eschew violence and embrace peace and dialogue in finding solutions to the challenges we face as a country. \"I particularly appeal to President Muharnmadu Buhari, in his capacities as President of Nigeria, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and as a parent of youth like the ones who have in the last week come out in peaceful protest against police brutality and for improvement in their lives and their living conditions, to restrain the military and other security agencies from using brute force as a way of ending the crisis. \"The shooting and murder of unarmed protesters, no matter the level of provocation, has never been effective in supressing public anger and frustration. Instead, such actions only reinforce the anger and frustration of the populace and close the window of dialogue and peaceful resolution. It is clear that Mr. President and his lieutenants did not exhaust the opportunities for dialogue with the protesters before resorting to use of force. It is worse that there is denial of wrongdoing in spite of overwhelming visual evidence. Great harm has been done but it can be stopped before it completely spirals out of control. \"We are at a critical moment in this crisis and Mr. President must act now before it is too late. This time demands leadership and mature leadership at such. \"Most of the demands of the protesting youth, which Governor Babajide Sanwo-0lu of Lagos State swiftly took to the President, e-mail: obasanjonig@yahoo.com are not unreasonable and can be met without anyone\u2019s political interest or arnbition being threatened. \"It is imperative that leaders at all levels, starting with Mr. President, must demonstrate meekness, humanity, and sincerity in meeting the legitimate demands of the protesters and ensuring that justice is served where it must be served. These are the most potent ways of ending this crisis now. \"The youth too must give peace a chance while making their legitimate demands. They must be mindful of miscreants who will infiltrate their ranks and give the protests a bad name only so that trigger-happy forces will kill them. The destruction and looting of public and private properties will only hurt all of us and set us back. The targeting of individuals and groups for attacks and reprisal attacks will only further widen our divisions, escalate the crisis and threaten our fragile unity. \"This is yet another moment when our nation is on the edge of a cliff. Our individual and collective actions now and in the next few days will determine where we will go as a nation. May God help us in taking the right steps in the right direction.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"EndSARS Protest: Obasanjo urges Buhari to call military, security agencies to order","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"endsars-protest-obasanjo-urges-buhari-to-call-military-security-agencies-to-order","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=795","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":45},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
It has become necessary for me to address you having heard from many concerned Nigerians and having concluded a meeting with all the Security Chiefs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well - intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).<\/li>
On Monday 12th October, I acknowledged the genuine concerns and agitations of members of the public regarding the excessive use of force by some members of SARS.<\/li>
The choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments; but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the law.<\/li>
As a democratic government, we listened to, and carefully evaluated the five-point demands of the protesters. And, having accepted them, we immediately scrapped SARS, and put measures in place to address the other demands of our youth.<\/li>
On approving the termination of SARS, I already made it clear that it was in line with our commitment to the implementation of extensive Police reforms.<\/li>
Sadly, the promptness with which we have acted seemed to have been misconstrued as a sign of weakness and twisted by some for their selfish unpatriotic interests.<\/li>
The result of this is clear to all observers: human lives have been lost; acts of sexual violence have been reported; two major correctional facilities were attacked and convicts freed; public and private properties completely destroyed or vandalised; the sanctity of the Palace of a Peace Maker, the Oba of Lagos has been violated. So-called protesters have invaded an International Airport and in the process disrupted the travel plans of fellow Nigerians and our visitors.<\/li>
All these executed in the name of the ENDSARS protests. I am indeed deeply pained that innocent lives have been lost. These tragedies are uncalled for and unnecessary. Certainly, there is no way whatsoever to connect these bad acts to legitimate expression of grievance of the youth of our country.<\/li>
The spreading of deliberate falsehood and misinformation through the social media in particular, that this government is oblivious to the pains and plight of its citizens is a ploy to mislead the unwary within and outside Nigeria into unfair judgement and disruptive behaviour.<\/li>
On the contrary, both our deeds and words have shown how committed this administration has been to the wellbeing and welfare of citizens, even with the steadily dwindling revenues, and the added responsibilities and restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic.<\/li>
Government has put in place measures and initiatives principally targeted at youths, women and the most vulnerable groups in our society. These included our broad plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years; the creation of N75 billion National Youth Investment Fund to provide opportunities for the youths and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Survival Fund, through which government is:<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
a. paying three months salaries of the staff of 100,000 micro, small - and medium - enterprises, b. paying for the registration of 250,000 businesses at the Corporate Affairs Commission, c. giving a grant of N30,000 to 100,000 artisans; and d. guaranteeing market for the products of traders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These are in addition to many other initiatives such as; a. Farmermoni, b. Tradermoni, c. Marketmoni, d. N-Power, e. N-Tech and f. N-Agro.<\/li>
No Nigerian Government in the past has methodically and seriously approached poverty-alleviation like we have done.<\/li>
With regard to the welfare of police personnel, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force. The emoluments of other paramilitary services are also being reviewed upwards.<\/li>
In order to underscore the importance of education in preparing youths for the future, this administration has come up with a new salary structure and other incentives for our teachers.<\/li>
Let me at this point reaffirm the Federal Government\u2019s commitment to preserving the unity of this country.<\/li>
We will continue to improve good governance and our democratic process, including through sustained engagement.<\/li>
We shall continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens are protected.<\/li>
But remember that government also has the obligation to protect lives and properties, as well as the right of citizens to go about their daily businesses freely and protected from acts of violence.<\/li>
To our neighbours in particular, and members of the international community, many of whom have expressed concern about the ongoing development in Nigeria, we thank you and urge you all to seek to know all the facts available before taking a position or rushing to judgment and making hasty pronouncements.<\/li>
In the circumstances, I would like to appeal to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of this administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful, and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating our nascent democracy.<\/li>
For you to do otherwise will amount to undermining national security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances will this be tolerated.<\/li>
I therefore call on our youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage government in finding solutions. Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding.<\/li>
And I call on all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, and enjoin security agencies to protect lives and properties of all law abiding citizens without doing harm to those they are meant to protect. Let me pay tribute to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.<\/li>
I would like to thank those state Governors, traditional and religious leaders who have appealed for calm and restraint. I also thank youth leaders who have restrained their followers from taking the law into their hands.<\/li>
This government respects and will continue to respect all the democratic rights and civil liberties of the people, but it will not allow anybody or groups to disrupt the peace of our nation.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Thank you all. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.<\/p>\n","post_title":"ADDRESS TO THE NATION BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE ENDSARS PROTESTS, 22ND OCTOBER, 2020","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"address-to-the-nation-by-his-excellency-muhammadu-buhari-president-of-the-federal-republic-of-nigeria-on-the-endsars-protests-22nd-october-2020","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=840","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":795,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_date_gmt":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_content":"\n
<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on the government to call the military and other security agencies to desist from using brute force against the #EndSARS protesters Obasanjo warned that shooting and murder of unarmed protesters has never been effective in suppressing public frustration. The former President in a statement titled \u201cNIGERIA: AN APPEAL FOR CALM\u201d, also called for calm. The statement reads: \u201cIt is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of concern about the ongoing violence, chaos, and unrest in many parts of Nigeria that I make this appeal to the government and people of our dear country, Nigeria, to eschew violence and embrace peace and dialogue in finding solutions to the challenges we face as a country. \"I particularly appeal to President Muharnmadu Buhari, in his capacities as President of Nigeria, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and as a parent of youth like the ones who have in the last week come out in peaceful protest against police brutality and for improvement in their lives and their living conditions, to restrain the military and other security agencies from using brute force as a way of ending the crisis. \"The shooting and murder of unarmed protesters, no matter the level of provocation, has never been effective in supressing public anger and frustration. Instead, such actions only reinforce the anger and frustration of the populace and close the window of dialogue and peaceful resolution. It is clear that Mr. President and his lieutenants did not exhaust the opportunities for dialogue with the protesters before resorting to use of force. It is worse that there is denial of wrongdoing in spite of overwhelming visual evidence. Great harm has been done but it can be stopped before it completely spirals out of control. \"We are at a critical moment in this crisis and Mr. President must act now before it is too late. This time demands leadership and mature leadership at such. \"Most of the demands of the protesting youth, which Governor Babajide Sanwo-0lu of Lagos State swiftly took to the President, e-mail: obasanjonig@yahoo.com are not unreasonable and can be met without anyone\u2019s political interest or arnbition being threatened. \"It is imperative that leaders at all levels, starting with Mr. President, must demonstrate meekness, humanity, and sincerity in meeting the legitimate demands of the protesters and ensuring that justice is served where it must be served. These are the most potent ways of ending this crisis now. \"The youth too must give peace a chance while making their legitimate demands. They must be mindful of miscreants who will infiltrate their ranks and give the protests a bad name only so that trigger-happy forces will kill them. The destruction and looting of public and private properties will only hurt all of us and set us back. The targeting of individuals and groups for attacks and reprisal attacks will only further widen our divisions, escalate the crisis and threaten our fragile unity. \"This is yet another moment when our nation is on the edge of a cliff. Our individual and collective actions now and in the next few days will determine where we will go as a nation. May God help us in taking the right steps in the right direction.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"EndSARS Protest: Obasanjo urges Buhari to call military, security agencies to order","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"endsars-protest-obasanjo-urges-buhari-to-call-military-security-agencies-to-order","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=795","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":45},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\u201cThe choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments; but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the law.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Protest 've been hijacked, misdirected\u2026.Buhari","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"protest-ve-been-hijacked-misdirected-buhari","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 20:46:46","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 20:46:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=844","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":840,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_date_gmt":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fellow Nigerians,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It has become necessary for me to address you having heard from many concerned Nigerians and having concluded a meeting with all the Security Chiefs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well - intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).<\/li>
On Monday 12th October, I acknowledged the genuine concerns and agitations of members of the public regarding the excessive use of force by some members of SARS.<\/li>
The choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments; but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the law.<\/li>
As a democratic government, we listened to, and carefully evaluated the five-point demands of the protesters. And, having accepted them, we immediately scrapped SARS, and put measures in place to address the other demands of our youth.<\/li>
On approving the termination of SARS, I already made it clear that it was in line with our commitment to the implementation of extensive Police reforms.<\/li>
Sadly, the promptness with which we have acted seemed to have been misconstrued as a sign of weakness and twisted by some for their selfish unpatriotic interests.<\/li>
The result of this is clear to all observers: human lives have been lost; acts of sexual violence have been reported; two major correctional facilities were attacked and convicts freed; public and private properties completely destroyed or vandalised; the sanctity of the Palace of a Peace Maker, the Oba of Lagos has been violated. So-called protesters have invaded an International Airport and in the process disrupted the travel plans of fellow Nigerians and our visitors.<\/li>
All these executed in the name of the ENDSARS protests. I am indeed deeply pained that innocent lives have been lost. These tragedies are uncalled for and unnecessary. Certainly, there is no way whatsoever to connect these bad acts to legitimate expression of grievance of the youth of our country.<\/li>
The spreading of deliberate falsehood and misinformation through the social media in particular, that this government is oblivious to the pains and plight of its citizens is a ploy to mislead the unwary within and outside Nigeria into unfair judgement and disruptive behaviour.<\/li>
On the contrary, both our deeds and words have shown how committed this administration has been to the wellbeing and welfare of citizens, even with the steadily dwindling revenues, and the added responsibilities and restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic.<\/li>
Government has put in place measures and initiatives principally targeted at youths, women and the most vulnerable groups in our society. These included our broad plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years; the creation of N75 billion National Youth Investment Fund to provide opportunities for the youths and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Survival Fund, through which government is:<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
a. paying three months salaries of the staff of 100,000 micro, small - and medium - enterprises, b. paying for the registration of 250,000 businesses at the Corporate Affairs Commission, c. giving a grant of N30,000 to 100,000 artisans; and d. guaranteeing market for the products of traders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These are in addition to many other initiatives such as; a. Farmermoni, b. Tradermoni, c. Marketmoni, d. N-Power, e. N-Tech and f. N-Agro.<\/li>
No Nigerian Government in the past has methodically and seriously approached poverty-alleviation like we have done.<\/li>
With regard to the welfare of police personnel, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force. The emoluments of other paramilitary services are also being reviewed upwards.<\/li>
In order to underscore the importance of education in preparing youths for the future, this administration has come up with a new salary structure and other incentives for our teachers.<\/li>
Let me at this point reaffirm the Federal Government\u2019s commitment to preserving the unity of this country.<\/li>
We will continue to improve good governance and our democratic process, including through sustained engagement.<\/li>
We shall continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens are protected.<\/li>
But remember that government also has the obligation to protect lives and properties, as well as the right of citizens to go about their daily businesses freely and protected from acts of violence.<\/li>
To our neighbours in particular, and members of the international community, many of whom have expressed concern about the ongoing development in Nigeria, we thank you and urge you all to seek to know all the facts available before taking a position or rushing to judgment and making hasty pronouncements.<\/li>
In the circumstances, I would like to appeal to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of this administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful, and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating our nascent democracy.<\/li>
For you to do otherwise will amount to undermining national security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances will this be tolerated.<\/li>
I therefore call on our youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage government in finding solutions. Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding.<\/li>
And I call on all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, and enjoin security agencies to protect lives and properties of all law abiding citizens without doing harm to those they are meant to protect. Let me pay tribute to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.<\/li>
I would like to thank those state Governors, traditional and religious leaders who have appealed for calm and restraint. I also thank youth leaders who have restrained their followers from taking the law into their hands.<\/li>
This government respects and will continue to respect all the democratic rights and civil liberties of the people, but it will not allow anybody or groups to disrupt the peace of our nation.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Thank you all. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.<\/p>\n","post_title":"ADDRESS TO THE NATION BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE ENDSARS PROTESTS, 22ND OCTOBER, 2020","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"address-to-the-nation-by-his-excellency-muhammadu-buhari-president-of-the-federal-republic-of-nigeria-on-the-endsars-protests-22nd-october-2020","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=840","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":795,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_date_gmt":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_content":"\n
<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on the government to call the military and other security agencies to desist from using brute force against the #EndSARS protesters Obasanjo warned that shooting and murder of unarmed protesters has never been effective in suppressing public frustration. The former President in a statement titled \u201cNIGERIA: AN APPEAL FOR CALM\u201d, also called for calm. The statement reads: \u201cIt is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of concern about the ongoing violence, chaos, and unrest in many parts of Nigeria that I make this appeal to the government and people of our dear country, Nigeria, to eschew violence and embrace peace and dialogue in finding solutions to the challenges we face as a country. \"I particularly appeal to President Muharnmadu Buhari, in his capacities as President of Nigeria, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and as a parent of youth like the ones who have in the last week come out in peaceful protest against police brutality and for improvement in their lives and their living conditions, to restrain the military and other security agencies from using brute force as a way of ending the crisis. \"The shooting and murder of unarmed protesters, no matter the level of provocation, has never been effective in supressing public anger and frustration. Instead, such actions only reinforce the anger and frustration of the populace and close the window of dialogue and peaceful resolution. It is clear that Mr. President and his lieutenants did not exhaust the opportunities for dialogue with the protesters before resorting to use of force. It is worse that there is denial of wrongdoing in spite of overwhelming visual evidence. Great harm has been done but it can be stopped before it completely spirals out of control. \"We are at a critical moment in this crisis and Mr. President must act now before it is too late. This time demands leadership and mature leadership at such. \"Most of the demands of the protesting youth, which Governor Babajide Sanwo-0lu of Lagos State swiftly took to the President, e-mail: obasanjonig@yahoo.com are not unreasonable and can be met without anyone\u2019s political interest or arnbition being threatened. \"It is imperative that leaders at all levels, starting with Mr. President, must demonstrate meekness, humanity, and sincerity in meeting the legitimate demands of the protesters and ensuring that justice is served where it must be served. These are the most potent ways of ending this crisis now. \"The youth too must give peace a chance while making their legitimate demands. They must be mindful of miscreants who will infiltrate their ranks and give the protests a bad name only so that trigger-happy forces will kill them. The destruction and looting of public and private properties will only hurt all of us and set us back. The targeting of individuals and groups for attacks and reprisal attacks will only further widen our divisions, escalate the crisis and threaten our fragile unity. \"This is yet another moment when our nation is on the edge of a cliff. Our individual and collective actions now and in the next few days will determine where we will go as a nation. May God help us in taking the right steps in the right direction.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"EndSARS Protest: Obasanjo urges Buhari to call military, security agencies to order","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"endsars-protest-obasanjo-urges-buhari-to-call-military-security-agencies-to-order","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=795","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":45},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
He said: \u201cI must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well \u2013 intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments; but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the law.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Protest 've been hijacked, misdirected\u2026.Buhari","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"protest-ve-been-hijacked-misdirected-buhari","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 20:46:46","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 20:46:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=844","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":840,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_date_gmt":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fellow Nigerians,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It has become necessary for me to address you having heard from many concerned Nigerians and having concluded a meeting with all the Security Chiefs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well - intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).<\/li>
On Monday 12th October, I acknowledged the genuine concerns and agitations of members of the public regarding the excessive use of force by some members of SARS.<\/li>
The choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments; but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the law.<\/li>
As a democratic government, we listened to, and carefully evaluated the five-point demands of the protesters. And, having accepted them, we immediately scrapped SARS, and put measures in place to address the other demands of our youth.<\/li>
On approving the termination of SARS, I already made it clear that it was in line with our commitment to the implementation of extensive Police reforms.<\/li>
Sadly, the promptness with which we have acted seemed to have been misconstrued as a sign of weakness and twisted by some for their selfish unpatriotic interests.<\/li>
The result of this is clear to all observers: human lives have been lost; acts of sexual violence have been reported; two major correctional facilities were attacked and convicts freed; public and private properties completely destroyed or vandalised; the sanctity of the Palace of a Peace Maker, the Oba of Lagos has been violated. So-called protesters have invaded an International Airport and in the process disrupted the travel plans of fellow Nigerians and our visitors.<\/li>
All these executed in the name of the ENDSARS protests. I am indeed deeply pained that innocent lives have been lost. These tragedies are uncalled for and unnecessary. Certainly, there is no way whatsoever to connect these bad acts to legitimate expression of grievance of the youth of our country.<\/li>
The spreading of deliberate falsehood and misinformation through the social media in particular, that this government is oblivious to the pains and plight of its citizens is a ploy to mislead the unwary within and outside Nigeria into unfair judgement and disruptive behaviour.<\/li>
On the contrary, both our deeds and words have shown how committed this administration has been to the wellbeing and welfare of citizens, even with the steadily dwindling revenues, and the added responsibilities and restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic.<\/li>
Government has put in place measures and initiatives principally targeted at youths, women and the most vulnerable groups in our society. These included our broad plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years; the creation of N75 billion National Youth Investment Fund to provide opportunities for the youths and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Survival Fund, through which government is:<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
a. paying three months salaries of the staff of 100,000 micro, small - and medium - enterprises, b. paying for the registration of 250,000 businesses at the Corporate Affairs Commission, c. giving a grant of N30,000 to 100,000 artisans; and d. guaranteeing market for the products of traders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These are in addition to many other initiatives such as; a. Farmermoni, b. Tradermoni, c. Marketmoni, d. N-Power, e. N-Tech and f. N-Agro.<\/li>
No Nigerian Government in the past has methodically and seriously approached poverty-alleviation like we have done.<\/li>
With regard to the welfare of police personnel, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force. The emoluments of other paramilitary services are also being reviewed upwards.<\/li>
In order to underscore the importance of education in preparing youths for the future, this administration has come up with a new salary structure and other incentives for our teachers.<\/li>
Let me at this point reaffirm the Federal Government\u2019s commitment to preserving the unity of this country.<\/li>
We will continue to improve good governance and our democratic process, including through sustained engagement.<\/li>
We shall continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens are protected.<\/li>
But remember that government also has the obligation to protect lives and properties, as well as the right of citizens to go about their daily businesses freely and protected from acts of violence.<\/li>
To our neighbours in particular, and members of the international community, many of whom have expressed concern about the ongoing development in Nigeria, we thank you and urge you all to seek to know all the facts available before taking a position or rushing to judgment and making hasty pronouncements.<\/li>
In the circumstances, I would like to appeal to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of this administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful, and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating our nascent democracy.<\/li>
For you to do otherwise will amount to undermining national security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances will this be tolerated.<\/li>
I therefore call on our youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage government in finding solutions. Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding.<\/li>
And I call on all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, and enjoin security agencies to protect lives and properties of all law abiding citizens without doing harm to those they are meant to protect. Let me pay tribute to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.<\/li>
I would like to thank those state Governors, traditional and religious leaders who have appealed for calm and restraint. I also thank youth leaders who have restrained their followers from taking the law into their hands.<\/li>
This government respects and will continue to respect all the democratic rights and civil liberties of the people, but it will not allow anybody or groups to disrupt the peace of our nation.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Thank you all. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.<\/p>\n","post_title":"ADDRESS TO THE NATION BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE ENDSARS PROTESTS, 22ND OCTOBER, 2020","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"address-to-the-nation-by-his-excellency-muhammadu-buhari-president-of-the-federal-republic-of-nigeria-on-the-endsars-protests-22nd-october-2020","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=840","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":795,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_date_gmt":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_content":"\n
<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on the government to call the military and other security agencies to desist from using brute force against the #EndSARS protesters Obasanjo warned that shooting and murder of unarmed protesters has never been effective in suppressing public frustration. The former President in a statement titled \u201cNIGERIA: AN APPEAL FOR CALM\u201d, also called for calm. The statement reads: \u201cIt is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of concern about the ongoing violence, chaos, and unrest in many parts of Nigeria that I make this appeal to the government and people of our dear country, Nigeria, to eschew violence and embrace peace and dialogue in finding solutions to the challenges we face as a country. \"I particularly appeal to President Muharnmadu Buhari, in his capacities as President of Nigeria, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and as a parent of youth like the ones who have in the last week come out in peaceful protest against police brutality and for improvement in their lives and their living conditions, to restrain the military and other security agencies from using brute force as a way of ending the crisis. \"The shooting and murder of unarmed protesters, no matter the level of provocation, has never been effective in supressing public anger and frustration. Instead, such actions only reinforce the anger and frustration of the populace and close the window of dialogue and peaceful resolution. It is clear that Mr. President and his lieutenants did not exhaust the opportunities for dialogue with the protesters before resorting to use of force. It is worse that there is denial of wrongdoing in spite of overwhelming visual evidence. Great harm has been done but it can be stopped before it completely spirals out of control. \"We are at a critical moment in this crisis and Mr. President must act now before it is too late. This time demands leadership and mature leadership at such. \"Most of the demands of the protesting youth, which Governor Babajide Sanwo-0lu of Lagos State swiftly took to the President, e-mail: obasanjonig@yahoo.com are not unreasonable and can be met without anyone\u2019s political interest or arnbition being threatened. \"It is imperative that leaders at all levels, starting with Mr. President, must demonstrate meekness, humanity, and sincerity in meeting the legitimate demands of the protesters and ensuring that justice is served where it must be served. These are the most potent ways of ending this crisis now. \"The youth too must give peace a chance while making their legitimate demands. They must be mindful of miscreants who will infiltrate their ranks and give the protests a bad name only so that trigger-happy forces will kill them. The destruction and looting of public and private properties will only hurt all of us and set us back. The targeting of individuals and groups for attacks and reprisal attacks will only further widen our divisions, escalate the crisis and threaten our fragile unity. \"This is yet another moment when our nation is on the edge of a cliff. Our individual and collective actions now and in the next few days will determine where we will go as a nation. May God help us in taking the right steps in the right direction.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"EndSARS Protest: Obasanjo urges Buhari to call military, security agencies to order","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"endsars-protest-obasanjo-urges-buhari-to-call-military-security-agencies-to-order","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=795","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":45},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
In a nationwide speech on Thursday night, he warned those who have hijacked the protests, saying government would not tolerate violence of any form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said: \u201cI must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well \u2013 intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments; but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the law.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Protest 've been hijacked, misdirected\u2026.Buhari","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"protest-ve-been-hijacked-misdirected-buhari","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 20:46:46","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 20:46:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=844","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":840,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_date_gmt":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fellow Nigerians,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It has become necessary for me to address you having heard from many concerned Nigerians and having concluded a meeting with all the Security Chiefs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well - intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).<\/li>
On Monday 12th October, I acknowledged the genuine concerns and agitations of members of the public regarding the excessive use of force by some members of SARS.<\/li>
The choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments; but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the law.<\/li>
As a democratic government, we listened to, and carefully evaluated the five-point demands of the protesters. And, having accepted them, we immediately scrapped SARS, and put measures in place to address the other demands of our youth.<\/li>
On approving the termination of SARS, I already made it clear that it was in line with our commitment to the implementation of extensive Police reforms.<\/li>
Sadly, the promptness with which we have acted seemed to have been misconstrued as a sign of weakness and twisted by some for their selfish unpatriotic interests.<\/li>
The result of this is clear to all observers: human lives have been lost; acts of sexual violence have been reported; two major correctional facilities were attacked and convicts freed; public and private properties completely destroyed or vandalised; the sanctity of the Palace of a Peace Maker, the Oba of Lagos has been violated. So-called protesters have invaded an International Airport and in the process disrupted the travel plans of fellow Nigerians and our visitors.<\/li>
All these executed in the name of the ENDSARS protests. I am indeed deeply pained that innocent lives have been lost. These tragedies are uncalled for and unnecessary. Certainly, there is no way whatsoever to connect these bad acts to legitimate expression of grievance of the youth of our country.<\/li>
The spreading of deliberate falsehood and misinformation through the social media in particular, that this government is oblivious to the pains and plight of its citizens is a ploy to mislead the unwary within and outside Nigeria into unfair judgement and disruptive behaviour.<\/li>
On the contrary, both our deeds and words have shown how committed this administration has been to the wellbeing and welfare of citizens, even with the steadily dwindling revenues, and the added responsibilities and restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic.<\/li>
Government has put in place measures and initiatives principally targeted at youths, women and the most vulnerable groups in our society. These included our broad plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years; the creation of N75 billion National Youth Investment Fund to provide opportunities for the youths and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Survival Fund, through which government is:<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
a. paying three months salaries of the staff of 100,000 micro, small - and medium - enterprises, b. paying for the registration of 250,000 businesses at the Corporate Affairs Commission, c. giving a grant of N30,000 to 100,000 artisans; and d. guaranteeing market for the products of traders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These are in addition to many other initiatives such as; a. Farmermoni, b. Tradermoni, c. Marketmoni, d. N-Power, e. N-Tech and f. N-Agro.<\/li>
No Nigerian Government in the past has methodically and seriously approached poverty-alleviation like we have done.<\/li>
With regard to the welfare of police personnel, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force. The emoluments of other paramilitary services are also being reviewed upwards.<\/li>
In order to underscore the importance of education in preparing youths for the future, this administration has come up with a new salary structure and other incentives for our teachers.<\/li>
Let me at this point reaffirm the Federal Government\u2019s commitment to preserving the unity of this country.<\/li>
We will continue to improve good governance and our democratic process, including through sustained engagement.<\/li>
We shall continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens are protected.<\/li>
But remember that government also has the obligation to protect lives and properties, as well as the right of citizens to go about their daily businesses freely and protected from acts of violence.<\/li>
To our neighbours in particular, and members of the international community, many of whom have expressed concern about the ongoing development in Nigeria, we thank you and urge you all to seek to know all the facts available before taking a position or rushing to judgment and making hasty pronouncements.<\/li>
In the circumstances, I would like to appeal to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of this administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful, and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating our nascent democracy.<\/li>
For you to do otherwise will amount to undermining national security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances will this be tolerated.<\/li>
I therefore call on our youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage government in finding solutions. Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding.<\/li>
And I call on all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, and enjoin security agencies to protect lives and properties of all law abiding citizens without doing harm to those they are meant to protect. Let me pay tribute to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.<\/li>
I would like to thank those state Governors, traditional and religious leaders who have appealed for calm and restraint. I also thank youth leaders who have restrained their followers from taking the law into their hands.<\/li>
This government respects and will continue to respect all the democratic rights and civil liberties of the people, but it will not allow anybody or groups to disrupt the peace of our nation.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Thank you all. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.<\/p>\n","post_title":"ADDRESS TO THE NATION BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE ENDSARS PROTESTS, 22ND OCTOBER, 2020","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"address-to-the-nation-by-his-excellency-muhammadu-buhari-president-of-the-federal-republic-of-nigeria-on-the-endsars-protests-22nd-october-2020","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=840","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":795,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_date_gmt":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_content":"\n
<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on the government to call the military and other security agencies to desist from using brute force against the #EndSARS protesters Obasanjo warned that shooting and murder of unarmed protesters has never been effective in suppressing public frustration. The former President in a statement titled \u201cNIGERIA: AN APPEAL FOR CALM\u201d, also called for calm. The statement reads: \u201cIt is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of concern about the ongoing violence, chaos, and unrest in many parts of Nigeria that I make this appeal to the government and people of our dear country, Nigeria, to eschew violence and embrace peace and dialogue in finding solutions to the challenges we face as a country. \"I particularly appeal to President Muharnmadu Buhari, in his capacities as President of Nigeria, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and as a parent of youth like the ones who have in the last week come out in peaceful protest against police brutality and for improvement in their lives and their living conditions, to restrain the military and other security agencies from using brute force as a way of ending the crisis. \"The shooting and murder of unarmed protesters, no matter the level of provocation, has never been effective in supressing public anger and frustration. Instead, such actions only reinforce the anger and frustration of the populace and close the window of dialogue and peaceful resolution. It is clear that Mr. President and his lieutenants did not exhaust the opportunities for dialogue with the protesters before resorting to use of force. It is worse that there is denial of wrongdoing in spite of overwhelming visual evidence. Great harm has been done but it can be stopped before it completely spirals out of control. \"We are at a critical moment in this crisis and Mr. President must act now before it is too late. This time demands leadership and mature leadership at such. \"Most of the demands of the protesting youth, which Governor Babajide Sanwo-0lu of Lagos State swiftly took to the President, e-mail: obasanjonig@yahoo.com are not unreasonable and can be met without anyone\u2019s political interest or arnbition being threatened. \"It is imperative that leaders at all levels, starting with Mr. President, must demonstrate meekness, humanity, and sincerity in meeting the legitimate demands of the protesters and ensuring that justice is served where it must be served. These are the most potent ways of ending this crisis now. \"The youth too must give peace a chance while making their legitimate demands. They must be mindful of miscreants who will infiltrate their ranks and give the protests a bad name only so that trigger-happy forces will kill them. The destruction and looting of public and private properties will only hurt all of us and set us back. The targeting of individuals and groups for attacks and reprisal attacks will only further widen our divisions, escalate the crisis and threaten our fragile unity. \"This is yet another moment when our nation is on the edge of a cliff. Our individual and collective actions now and in the next few days will determine where we will go as a nation. May God help us in taking the right steps in the right direction.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"EndSARS Protest: Obasanjo urges Buhari to call military, security agencies to order","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"endsars-protest-obasanjo-urges-buhari-to-call-military-security-agencies-to-order","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=795","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":45},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The #ENDSARS protests across the nation have been hijacked and misdirected, President Muhammadu Buhari has declared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a nationwide speech on Thursday night, he warned those who have hijacked the protests, saying government would not tolerate violence of any form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said: \u201cI must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well \u2013 intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments; but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the law.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Protest 've been hijacked, misdirected\u2026.Buhari","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"protest-ve-been-hijacked-misdirected-buhari","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 20:46:46","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 20:46:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=844","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":840,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_date_gmt":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fellow Nigerians,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It has become necessary for me to address you having heard from many concerned Nigerians and having concluded a meeting with all the Security Chiefs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well - intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).<\/li>
On Monday 12th October, I acknowledged the genuine concerns and agitations of members of the public regarding the excessive use of force by some members of SARS.<\/li>
The choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments; but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the law.<\/li>
As a democratic government, we listened to, and carefully evaluated the five-point demands of the protesters. And, having accepted them, we immediately scrapped SARS, and put measures in place to address the other demands of our youth.<\/li>
On approving the termination of SARS, I already made it clear that it was in line with our commitment to the implementation of extensive Police reforms.<\/li>
Sadly, the promptness with which we have acted seemed to have been misconstrued as a sign of weakness and twisted by some for their selfish unpatriotic interests.<\/li>
The result of this is clear to all observers: human lives have been lost; acts of sexual violence have been reported; two major correctional facilities were attacked and convicts freed; public and private properties completely destroyed or vandalised; the sanctity of the Palace of a Peace Maker, the Oba of Lagos has been violated. So-called protesters have invaded an International Airport and in the process disrupted the travel plans of fellow Nigerians and our visitors.<\/li>
All these executed in the name of the ENDSARS protests. I am indeed deeply pained that innocent lives have been lost. These tragedies are uncalled for and unnecessary. Certainly, there is no way whatsoever to connect these bad acts to legitimate expression of grievance of the youth of our country.<\/li>
The spreading of deliberate falsehood and misinformation through the social media in particular, that this government is oblivious to the pains and plight of its citizens is a ploy to mislead the unwary within and outside Nigeria into unfair judgement and disruptive behaviour.<\/li>
On the contrary, both our deeds and words have shown how committed this administration has been to the wellbeing and welfare of citizens, even with the steadily dwindling revenues, and the added responsibilities and restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic.<\/li>
Government has put in place measures and initiatives principally targeted at youths, women and the most vulnerable groups in our society. These included our broad plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years; the creation of N75 billion National Youth Investment Fund to provide opportunities for the youths and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Survival Fund, through which government is:<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
a. paying three months salaries of the staff of 100,000 micro, small - and medium - enterprises, b. paying for the registration of 250,000 businesses at the Corporate Affairs Commission, c. giving a grant of N30,000 to 100,000 artisans; and d. guaranteeing market for the products of traders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These are in addition to many other initiatives such as; a. Farmermoni, b. Tradermoni, c. Marketmoni, d. N-Power, e. N-Tech and f. N-Agro.<\/li>
No Nigerian Government in the past has methodically and seriously approached poverty-alleviation like we have done.<\/li>
With regard to the welfare of police personnel, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force. The emoluments of other paramilitary services are also being reviewed upwards.<\/li>
In order to underscore the importance of education in preparing youths for the future, this administration has come up with a new salary structure and other incentives for our teachers.<\/li>
Let me at this point reaffirm the Federal Government\u2019s commitment to preserving the unity of this country.<\/li>
We will continue to improve good governance and our democratic process, including through sustained engagement.<\/li>
We shall continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens are protected.<\/li>
But remember that government also has the obligation to protect lives and properties, as well as the right of citizens to go about their daily businesses freely and protected from acts of violence.<\/li>
To our neighbours in particular, and members of the international community, many of whom have expressed concern about the ongoing development in Nigeria, we thank you and urge you all to seek to know all the facts available before taking a position or rushing to judgment and making hasty pronouncements.<\/li>
In the circumstances, I would like to appeal to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of this administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful, and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating our nascent democracy.<\/li>
For you to do otherwise will amount to undermining national security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances will this be tolerated.<\/li>
I therefore call on our youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage government in finding solutions. Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding.<\/li>
And I call on all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, and enjoin security agencies to protect lives and properties of all law abiding citizens without doing harm to those they are meant to protect. Let me pay tribute to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.<\/li>
I would like to thank those state Governors, traditional and religious leaders who have appealed for calm and restraint. I also thank youth leaders who have restrained their followers from taking the law into their hands.<\/li>
This government respects and will continue to respect all the democratic rights and civil liberties of the people, but it will not allow anybody or groups to disrupt the peace of our nation.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Thank you all. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.<\/p>\n","post_title":"ADDRESS TO THE NATION BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE ENDSARS PROTESTS, 22ND OCTOBER, 2020","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"address-to-the-nation-by-his-excellency-muhammadu-buhari-president-of-the-federal-republic-of-nigeria-on-the-endsars-protests-22nd-october-2020","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=840","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":795,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_date_gmt":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_content":"\n
<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on the government to call the military and other security agencies to desist from using brute force against the #EndSARS protesters Obasanjo warned that shooting and murder of unarmed protesters has never been effective in suppressing public frustration. The former President in a statement titled \u201cNIGERIA: AN APPEAL FOR CALM\u201d, also called for calm. The statement reads: \u201cIt is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of concern about the ongoing violence, chaos, and unrest in many parts of Nigeria that I make this appeal to the government and people of our dear country, Nigeria, to eschew violence and embrace peace and dialogue in finding solutions to the challenges we face as a country. \"I particularly appeal to President Muharnmadu Buhari, in his capacities as President of Nigeria, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and as a parent of youth like the ones who have in the last week come out in peaceful protest against police brutality and for improvement in their lives and their living conditions, to restrain the military and other security agencies from using brute force as a way of ending the crisis. \"The shooting and murder of unarmed protesters, no matter the level of provocation, has never been effective in supressing public anger and frustration. Instead, such actions only reinforce the anger and frustration of the populace and close the window of dialogue and peaceful resolution. It is clear that Mr. President and his lieutenants did not exhaust the opportunities for dialogue with the protesters before resorting to use of force. It is worse that there is denial of wrongdoing in spite of overwhelming visual evidence. Great harm has been done but it can be stopped before it completely spirals out of control. \"We are at a critical moment in this crisis and Mr. President must act now before it is too late. This time demands leadership and mature leadership at such. \"Most of the demands of the protesting youth, which Governor Babajide Sanwo-0lu of Lagos State swiftly took to the President, e-mail: obasanjonig@yahoo.com are not unreasonable and can be met without anyone\u2019s political interest or arnbition being threatened. \"It is imperative that leaders at all levels, starting with Mr. President, must demonstrate meekness, humanity, and sincerity in meeting the legitimate demands of the protesters and ensuring that justice is served where it must be served. These are the most potent ways of ending this crisis now. \"The youth too must give peace a chance while making their legitimate demands. They must be mindful of miscreants who will infiltrate their ranks and give the protests a bad name only so that trigger-happy forces will kill them. The destruction and looting of public and private properties will only hurt all of us and set us back. The targeting of individuals and groups for attacks and reprisal attacks will only further widen our divisions, escalate the crisis and threaten our fragile unity. \"This is yet another moment when our nation is on the edge of a cliff. Our individual and collective actions now and in the next few days will determine where we will go as a nation. May God help us in taking the right steps in the right direction.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"EndSARS Protest: Obasanjo urges Buhari to call military, security agencies to order","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"endsars-protest-obasanjo-urges-buhari-to-call-military-security-agencies-to-order","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=795","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":45},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The #ENDSARS protests across the nation have been hijacked and misdirected, President Muhammadu Buhari has declared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a nationwide speech on Thursday night, he warned those who have hijacked the protests, saying government would not tolerate violence of any form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said: \u201cI must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well \u2013 intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments; but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the law.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Protest 've been hijacked, misdirected\u2026.Buhari","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"protest-ve-been-hijacked-misdirected-buhari","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 20:46:46","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 20:46:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=844","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":840,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_date_gmt":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fellow Nigerians,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It has become necessary for me to address you having heard from many concerned Nigerians and having concluded a meeting with all the Security Chiefs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well - intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).<\/li>
On Monday 12th October, I acknowledged the genuine concerns and agitations of members of the public regarding the excessive use of force by some members of SARS.<\/li>
The choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments; but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the law.<\/li>
As a democratic government, we listened to, and carefully evaluated the five-point demands of the protesters. And, having accepted them, we immediately scrapped SARS, and put measures in place to address the other demands of our youth.<\/li>
On approving the termination of SARS, I already made it clear that it was in line with our commitment to the implementation of extensive Police reforms.<\/li>
Sadly, the promptness with which we have acted seemed to have been misconstrued as a sign of weakness and twisted by some for their selfish unpatriotic interests.<\/li>
The result of this is clear to all observers: human lives have been lost; acts of sexual violence have been reported; two major correctional facilities were attacked and convicts freed; public and private properties completely destroyed or vandalised; the sanctity of the Palace of a Peace Maker, the Oba of Lagos has been violated. So-called protesters have invaded an International Airport and in the process disrupted the travel plans of fellow Nigerians and our visitors.<\/li>
All these executed in the name of the ENDSARS protests. I am indeed deeply pained that innocent lives have been lost. These tragedies are uncalled for and unnecessary. Certainly, there is no way whatsoever to connect these bad acts to legitimate expression of grievance of the youth of our country.<\/li>
The spreading of deliberate falsehood and misinformation through the social media in particular, that this government is oblivious to the pains and plight of its citizens is a ploy to mislead the unwary within and outside Nigeria into unfair judgement and disruptive behaviour.<\/li>
On the contrary, both our deeds and words have shown how committed this administration has been to the wellbeing and welfare of citizens, even with the steadily dwindling revenues, and the added responsibilities and restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic.<\/li>
Government has put in place measures and initiatives principally targeted at youths, women and the most vulnerable groups in our society. These included our broad plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years; the creation of N75 billion National Youth Investment Fund to provide opportunities for the youths and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Survival Fund, through which government is:<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
a. paying three months salaries of the staff of 100,000 micro, small - and medium - enterprises, b. paying for the registration of 250,000 businesses at the Corporate Affairs Commission, c. giving a grant of N30,000 to 100,000 artisans; and d. guaranteeing market for the products of traders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These are in addition to many other initiatives such as; a. Farmermoni, b. Tradermoni, c. Marketmoni, d. N-Power, e. N-Tech and f. N-Agro.<\/li>
No Nigerian Government in the past has methodically and seriously approached poverty-alleviation like we have done.<\/li>
With regard to the welfare of police personnel, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force. The emoluments of other paramilitary services are also being reviewed upwards.<\/li>
In order to underscore the importance of education in preparing youths for the future, this administration has come up with a new salary structure and other incentives for our teachers.<\/li>
Let me at this point reaffirm the Federal Government\u2019s commitment to preserving the unity of this country.<\/li>
We will continue to improve good governance and our democratic process, including through sustained engagement.<\/li>
We shall continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens are protected.<\/li>
But remember that government also has the obligation to protect lives and properties, as well as the right of citizens to go about their daily businesses freely and protected from acts of violence.<\/li>
To our neighbours in particular, and members of the international community, many of whom have expressed concern about the ongoing development in Nigeria, we thank you and urge you all to seek to know all the facts available before taking a position or rushing to judgment and making hasty pronouncements.<\/li>
In the circumstances, I would like to appeal to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of this administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful, and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating our nascent democracy.<\/li>
For you to do otherwise will amount to undermining national security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances will this be tolerated.<\/li>
I therefore call on our youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage government in finding solutions. Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding.<\/li>
And I call on all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, and enjoin security agencies to protect lives and properties of all law abiding citizens without doing harm to those they are meant to protect. Let me pay tribute to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.<\/li>
I would like to thank those state Governors, traditional and religious leaders who have appealed for calm and restraint. I also thank youth leaders who have restrained their followers from taking the law into their hands.<\/li>
This government respects and will continue to respect all the democratic rights and civil liberties of the people, but it will not allow anybody or groups to disrupt the peace of our nation.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Thank you all. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.<\/p>\n","post_title":"ADDRESS TO THE NATION BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE ENDSARS PROTESTS, 22ND OCTOBER, 2020","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"address-to-the-nation-by-his-excellency-muhammadu-buhari-president-of-the-federal-republic-of-nigeria-on-the-endsars-protests-22nd-october-2020","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 20:39:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=840","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":795,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_date_gmt":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_content":"\n
<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on the government to call the military and other security agencies to desist from using brute force against the #EndSARS protesters Obasanjo warned that shooting and murder of unarmed protesters has never been effective in suppressing public frustration. The former President in a statement titled \u201cNIGERIA: AN APPEAL FOR CALM\u201d, also called for calm. The statement reads: \u201cIt is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of concern about the ongoing violence, chaos, and unrest in many parts of Nigeria that I make this appeal to the government and people of our dear country, Nigeria, to eschew violence and embrace peace and dialogue in finding solutions to the challenges we face as a country. \"I particularly appeal to President Muharnmadu Buhari, in his capacities as President of Nigeria, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and as a parent of youth like the ones who have in the last week come out in peaceful protest against police brutality and for improvement in their lives and their living conditions, to restrain the military and other security agencies from using brute force as a way of ending the crisis. \"The shooting and murder of unarmed protesters, no matter the level of provocation, has never been effective in supressing public anger and frustration. Instead, such actions only reinforce the anger and frustration of the populace and close the window of dialogue and peaceful resolution. It is clear that Mr. President and his lieutenants did not exhaust the opportunities for dialogue with the protesters before resorting to use of force. It is worse that there is denial of wrongdoing in spite of overwhelming visual evidence. Great harm has been done but it can be stopped before it completely spirals out of control. \"We are at a critical moment in this crisis and Mr. President must act now before it is too late. This time demands leadership and mature leadership at such. \"Most of the demands of the protesting youth, which Governor Babajide Sanwo-0lu of Lagos State swiftly took to the President, e-mail: obasanjonig@yahoo.com are not unreasonable and can be met without anyone\u2019s political interest or arnbition being threatened. \"It is imperative that leaders at all levels, starting with Mr. President, must demonstrate meekness, humanity, and sincerity in meeting the legitimate demands of the protesters and ensuring that justice is served where it must be served. These are the most potent ways of ending this crisis now. \"The youth too must give peace a chance while making their legitimate demands. They must be mindful of miscreants who will infiltrate their ranks and give the protests a bad name only so that trigger-happy forces will kill them. The destruction and looting of public and private properties will only hurt all of us and set us back. The targeting of individuals and groups for attacks and reprisal attacks will only further widen our divisions, escalate the crisis and threaten our fragile unity. \"This is yet another moment when our nation is on the edge of a cliff. Our individual and collective actions now and in the next few days will determine where we will go as a nation. May God help us in taking the right steps in the right direction.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"EndSARS Protest: Obasanjo urges Buhari to call military, security agencies to order","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"endsars-protest-obasanjo-urges-buhari-to-call-military-security-agencies-to-order","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-22 06:34:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/newsspecng.com\/?p=795","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":45},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
