President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday was reported to have been in a meeting with the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and the Speaker House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.
This was revealed in a tweet by Bashir Ahmad, the Special Assistant to the President on New Media.
After the meeting, the NASS representatives, Lawan and Gbajabiamila, “appealed to Nigerian youth to end the #EndPoliceBrutality protests across the country as the government heard and accepted their genuine demands and working to address all of them.”
Speaking, the Senate President, Lawan said; “Since the issues [raised by the protesters] have been accepted [by the government] the time has come for the protests to stop, government needs to have time to implement the demands of the protesters”.
Since the #EndSars protests began Nollywood’s leading lady, Genevieve Nnaji has not kept quiet. While she has not made any physical outing anywhere she has made sure her voice was loud and clear.
First to feel her wrath is the governor of Rivers State Nyesome Wike who warned against any form of protest in his State. Next was President Muhhamadu Buhari, to whom she wrote an open letter which she posted on her Instagram page.
In the five paragraph letter, Genevieve gave an account of how she came to know of SARS and their unfriendly tactics.
“ My niece was harassed by SARS for carrying a laptop. Her own laptop. She was slapped across the face for simply asking why her laptop was being seized. At only 13, she had to deal with police brutality. Complaints were made and nothing was done. No one is spared and we are all affected,” she writes.
To the President, she continues, “ Mr President, this is the current state of your country. The stability of a nation is largely dependent on leadership. And every head of house has one chance to build their legacy. Sir, you have had two.
What our country is today is a reflection of your leadership, your legacy. I’m getting weary and tired of being optimistic about change but even then I can’t complain. I am one of the privileged few but that doesn’t mean that I get to give up now.”
Bishop David Oyedepo of Living Faith Church Worldwide, has joined the call for an end to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
Oyedepo, who spoke on Sunday at Canaan land, said that the youths have a right to express their displeasure and pains.
The cleric said he was silent over the protest because he warned Nigerians in 2015 but was humiliated.
He said “We have been having spades of protests across the nation, Every man has a right, legitimately so to express their displeasure and pain, everybody does. Amen
“I kept quiet for a while because in 2015 I warned this nation vehemently consistently because I saw the danger ahead and you can tell. the most gruesome season in the history of this nation is the last 5 years, where lives have no value, quantum killing, now they have face the youth, and because they don’t know who is next, they have a right to say enough is enough.
“Any system that has no value for human-right is irrelevant, if they were killed when they were youths will they be where they are today? and now it would be a sacrilege to shoot the protesters who are not looting, who are not ravaging.
“When you push a goat to the wall then you will know that goats have teeth to bite.
“It is a sacrilege to kill youths during a protest, this protest is legitimate,” he added.
Some armed thugs were arrested by civilians at the #EndSARS protest ground in Lekki toll gate on Sunday morning.
It was gathered that the gang had been terrorising and robbing people when going home from the protest using a commercial bus.
The suspects were beaten to a pulp before been driven to a nearby police station, following a quick intervention of a private security outfit hired by the organizers of the protest.
Interior designer and consultant, Ehizogie Ogbebor-Bramoh seems to have confirmed her relationship with NURTW lord, Mc Oluomo. When you read her shades and what she says about her happiness and finding love at a strange place, then you might just agree with us, that she is probably talking about their love relationship.
So news went out days ago that NURTW No 1 man in Lagos, Mc Oluomo and the beautiful mother of three are in a relationship, and now the Interior designer who is at the moment in Turkey has this to say
She took to social media -- Instagram precisely saying she is living her best live at the moment.
Showing herself and a group of friends dancing she said 'living my best life'.
In other posts she spoke about finding love, and how love could be strange, and how two adults can meet and just know they should be for each other. She also slammed blogs carrying her news, saying there are more important things to blog about such as ENDSARS.
To round it up. Do we say Jaywon bust the bubbles? Because when the news broke many said they found it difficult to believe. And then, Jaywon left Naija for İstanbul, Turkey and ran into Mc Oluomo. He shared the video and then....gbosa bubble busted lol.
She's in Turkey, Mc is in Turkey and now her 'confirmation'? No doubt, love is a beautiful thing!
Mc is married to three wives and has many adult children.
Aisha Buhari has called on her husband President Muhammadu Buhari to “save” Nigerians.
Aisha made the call on Saturday as she tweeted a video of President Buhari in a meeting with service chiefs at the Presidential Villa.
Aisha accompanied the video with a Hausa word, #Achechijamaa, which means “save the people”.
A Hausa song calling on the President to save the North also played in the background.
The song translates as “Please look at our condition. We need your help. The North is crying. There is insincerity. Our blood is being spilled. Our property is being destroyed. Intervene in our situation, baba.”
Aisha’s message to the President is coming at a time Nigerian youths are protesting across major cities in the country demanding an end to police brutality and killings -- ENDSARS.
The Federal Government has said that the ongoing nationwide protest is no longer peaceful, warning that it will not fold its hands and allow the country to be thrown into anarchy.
This is following the violence that has trailed the #EndSARS protests in some parts of the country, specifically the attack on Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State on Saturday.
Lai Mohammed, the minister of Information and Culture, gave the warning on Saturday when he featured on a late night Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) news programme, “Weekend File”.
He said the assassination attempt on Oyetola was a clear confirmation that the protests had been hijacked by hoodlums and people with ulterior agenda.
According to Mohammed, the original conveners of the #EndSARS protests might have meant well, but are no longer in control of the movement.
“Peaceful protest is an integral part of democracy and that is why the Federal Government in the last 11 days has treated the protesters in a very civilised manner,” Mohammed said.
“But, if you look at what happened to the governor of Osun state,it has gone completely beyond peaceful protest against excesses and abuse of power by the police.
“There is no where in the world where a government will folds its arms and allow the country to descend into anarchy.
“We are no longer dealing with #EndSARS but a volatile situation that can lead to anarchy if government does not take some very firm steps to protect the lives and livelihood of innocent Nigerians,” he said.
Mohammed said a protest where protesters are now blocking the roads and highway, cannot be said to be peaceful because workers are finding it difficult to get to their offices and back home while many Nigerians are stranded on the roads.
“We have nothing against peaceful protest but there are civilised ways of doing so,” he said.
“This is by going to a venue where you are not going to disturb other Nigerians because where your own right stops, other persons’ right begins,” he said.
Pandemonium broke out as hoodlums clashed again at Ogolonto roundabout, in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State on Sunday.
During the clash, the hoodlums, involving the Ogolonto Boys and Idiroko Boys, used cutlasses, axes, stones, and bottles to engage themselves in a fight.
It was learnt that the hoodlums took advantage of the clash to rob unsuspecting members of the public of their valuables.
Speaking with punch correspondent, an eyewitness, who gave his name simply as Bolaji, said the clash had been ongoing since Friday and usually happens between 7am to 10am.
Another eyewitness, who identified himself as Adigun, said, “The hoodlums have been robbing people of their phones and other valuables. They don’t want anybody to record the clash. When commercial drivers get to Ogolonto, they usually disembark passengers from their vehicles and turn back so that their vehicles won’t be destroyed.”
As of the time of filing this report, stranded passengers had to stay in people’s houses, shops, and commercial centres to escape being attacked.
Broken bottles had littered the roundabout at Ogolonto in Ikorodu.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said, “The problem is not group versus group, protesters were there yesterday (Saturday), they barricaded the road, the tension was high and there was no movement.
“According to our investigation, around 6.30 pm yesterday (Saturday), they started fighting, breaking vehicle windscreens, burgling shops at Ogolonto and they left.
“When they started coming this morning for the protest at Ogolonto, those whose property were damaged yesterday (Saturday) defended their property and insisted that there will be no protest. So, it became confrontational and that is what led to the issue this morning.
“We cannot separate those fighting from the protesters because the protesters are many and everybody is now a protester; and the protest has been hijacked. The Area Commander is there with some Divisional Police Officers and they are trying to persuade them.”
Pastor of the Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleiman has warned against using the military to stop the #EndSars protests in Nigeria.
The pastor said this in reaction to the Nigerian Army which is set to begin its annual exercise, Operation Crocodile Smile despite the nationwide protest in the country.
The military exercise set to begin is believed by many to counter the protest that has lasted over two weeks. Hence, the cleric has warned that any attempt to clampdown on the peaceful protesters would be disastrous.
Apostle Suleiman said “Attempting to break the youths by unleashing the military will only open up new demands. That will be disastrous and regrettable.
Attempting to break the youths by unleashing the military will only open up new demands..that will be disastrous and regrettable..the reactions to years of oppression cant stop in a week...@MBuhari if kolade johnson,jimoh ishaq etc were your children will you be quiet?..
Nigerian-born lawyer and minister of justice in a Canadian province, Kaycee Madu, said his cousin, Chrisantus Korie, was killed by the police in Nigeria in 2013.
Mr Madu, who disclosed this in a series of tweets on Saturday, said his cousin’s murder was not investigated by the police and all efforts to get justice were unsuccessful.
He also showed his support for the #EndSARS protests and encouraged all Nigerians to lend their voices to the fight for freedom from police brutality and injustice.
“I support the people of Nigeria as they protest to end police brutality and extrajudicial killings. My own cousin Chrisantus Nwabueze korie was murdered by Nigerian police in April 2013.
“Despite my best efforts, the police would not investigate his murder and did everything to obstruct. I also helped to petition a committee of Nigeria’s National Assembly to probe the killing and report back to the house within a timely manner.
“Fundamental human rights like peace, security and freedom from police brutality are universal. The Nigerian government has an obligation to protect its citizens and deliver substantive police reform.
“Changing the name of SARS and reconstituting it without significant reform won’t be sufficient to satisfy the cry of the Nigerian people for justice.
“Edmund Burke wrote that “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” I encourage all Nigerians to stand up and be heard.”
Despite my best efforts, the police would not investigate his murder and did everything to obstruct. I also helped to petition a committee of Nigeria’s National Assembly to probe the killing and report back to the House within a timely manner. pic.twitter.com/DOx9QYgODm
The Osun State government has spoken on the attack on Governor Gboyega Oyetola and some of his cabinet members by some hoodlums during #EndSARS protest in Osogbo, the state capital on Saturday.
The government was however, silent of the report that two people died during the attack.
Some thugs armed with cutlasses and other weapons attacked Mr Oyetola while he was addressing protesters at Olaiya junction.
During his engagement with the youth, some men started shooting and hurling stones at the governor’s car.
He was taken away from the scene by security operatives. Several protesters were attacked also by the armed men, and two died.
Speaking about the incident, the state Commissioner for Information, Funke Egbemode, kept mum on the deaths of the protesters.
Mrs Egbemode in her statement said what happened on Saturday was an assassination attempt.
“This was certainly beyond the #EndSARS protest. The people who launched the attack were not protesters at all,” she said.
“Protests have been going on in the State for some days now, and there had been no attack on any government official since the beginning of the protest. However, today’s attack changed the narrative.
“It was not a spontaneous attempt. The attackers had it all planned. They had guns and other weapons. In fact, it was a woman who smashed the windscreen of the vehicle of the Secretary to the State Government, Wole Oyebamiji where I was.
“It is really sad that these people infiltrated the ranks of the peaceful protesters and took advantage of the Governor’s walk with the youths to execute their sinister intentions.
“It was simply a street coup to take out the Governor, his Deputy and the Secretary to the State Government, all of whom were exposed during the protest and had to be smuggled into vehicles when the attack was launched,” she wrote.
At least 12 people have died in the nationwide protests.
The Nigeria Official Selection Committee For the Academy Awards Submissions says the Oscars has approved Nigerian Pidgin English as a non-English (Foreign language) recording dialogue in films.
Chineze Anyaene, the chairperson of the committee, who announced this on Saturday, said the request for approval began in December 2019.
She said she visited the Academy’s office in Los Angeles in February 2020 where she met with representatives of the International Feature Film (IFF) Executives.
She added that the outcome of the meeting was wider consultation with the IFF executives; ensuring approval is benchmarked and consistent with their screening matrix.
Ms Anyaene, who has then been having a series of conversations with the Academy to secure quicker approval as the 93rd Oscars was fast approaching.
Nigeria’s first-ever submission for Oscar contention was Genevieve Nnaji’s ‘Lionheart’ movie. However, the film fell short in terms of spoken language and was struck out of the Oscar race.
In its response, the Nigeria Official Selection Committee acknowledged that ‘Lionheart’ departed from the requirement that contenders feature “a predominantly non-English dialogue track’’.
The 95-minute comedy is mostly in English, with a short section in the Igbo language.
Ms Anyaene explained that with every submission in the International Feature Category this year, the minutes and percentage of all individual languages in the country-selected film will be required by the Academy.
‘‘In addition, this is in line with the Academy’s rule and definition of an international film as “a feature film with a predominantly (more than 50%) non-English dialogue track”.
“This approval as secured by the NOSC is a new feat for the industry and It is untrue if any other individual or entity claims such achievement as this is beyond mere writing to the Academy without knowing the approval intricacies,” she noted.
Following the approval, she said the NOSC might consider re-opening the portal for submission, which was closed at 11:59pm on October 2, to allow over five other filmmakers with Pidgin English films to submit their films.
She affirmed that this would only be a one-time opportunity as individual countries have their respective deadlines, which is always earlier to accommodate other processes so as not to miss the Academy’s deadline slated for December 1, 2020.
Nigerian artist, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun popularly known as Wizkid, has revealed that he turned down collaborations while recording his highly anticipated Made In Lagos album.
He made the revelation while speaking in an interview with D boy Dayo and Marsour Bellow of The Beat London 106.3 fm.
When asked about the album, Wizkid said:
“Made in Lagos’ has been 3 years coming and I’m just excited that I’m putting this out cause it’s like… The title of the album is self-explanatory, I’m made in Lagos, that’s where I’m from, that’s what I represent, it runs in my blood and I never run away from that. I live, breathe that place mehn because I love that place, that place made me who I’m today.
“I just really wanted to tell a dope story, that Yo! this is where I’m from, this is where I represent, that no matter the success, no matter how far we go, this is what it is. We make amazing music, we make amazing art and so with this album, I want to make amazing music. Just really music, I wasn’t trying to make anything for radio or for like the clubs or anything. I’m just making real music, just showing my strength.
“As human beings, we grow and evolve in life, this album is another step for me, taking another step in my music career like this is what I can do and this is where we taking it too. So it was very important telling that story. I worked with a lot of creatives from Nigeria, for my videos, my photoshoots like to everything. Like there’s so much talent there though the government is sh*t yeah but there’s still so much magic that comes out of that place, so I’m just trying to tell that story to the best way that I can.”
When asked how he treated the collaborations on the album and how he was able to turndown some collaborations for this album. The Fever singer said:
“I feel bad, I kinda broke a lot of relationships with this album, you know, guys, it is love forever, it’s nothing personal, we just making music. They know that every artiste I ever worked with like, before I even work with any artiste, we are on a wave, we are on an understanding, I work with normal people.
“I hate hype artiste, I like it normal. So when we work and I’m like yo, this is a dope record but its not going to be on this album but on the next one, like we get it, we keep it real at all times. I wasn’t the one picking, I was making music and whatever feels great, we put it on the body of the work.”
Sierra Leone captain Umaru Bangura and two other members of Leone Stars Phillip Kor, a fitness coach, and Eric Fomba, an official, have tested positive for coronavirus.
Nigeria host Sierra Leone in next month’s 2022 Africa Cup of Nations on November 9, before traveling for the reverse fixture billed for the Siaka Stevens Stadium in Freetown the following week.
The trio contracted COVID-19 while on international duty with the Leone Stars in Niger and they are self-isolating, a statement from the Sierra Leone Football Association confirmed.
Bangura featured in the Leone Stars’ recent 2-1 loss to Mauritania in a friendly, but missed their 1-0 defeat to Niger at the General Seyni Kountche stadium in Niamey due to injury.
Sierra Leone have recorded only one win in their last six games ahead of their clash with the Super Eagles.
The Eagles lead Group L of the qualifiers with the maximum six points, after their opening double victories against Benin and Lesotho.
The Squirrels of Benin Republic are second on the log, followed by Lesotho and Sierra Leone.
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, the last movie Chadwick Boseman shot before his death is set to premiere December 18.
The film, set in 1920s Chicago, tells the story of “Mother of the Blues” Ma Rainey, who is fighting with her white manager and producer for control of her music.
Netflix confirmed the release date of the movie featuring Viola Davies and deceased actor, Chadwick Boseman.
The movie is an adaptation from August Wilson’s 1984 play of the same name. Chadwick Boseman acted as a trumpeter in Ma Rainey’s session band called Levee.
Levee is “determined to stake his claim on the music industry” and “spurs his fellow musicians into an eruption of stories revealing truths that will forever change the course of their lives”.
The movie wrapped production in August 2019, six weeks after production began meaning Boseman was aware of his cancer diagnosis.
Suspected hoodlums on Saturday attacked Osogbo City Mall, vandalised shops and stole electronic gadgets, phones and laptops.
Witnesses told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the hoodlums stormed the mall on motorcycles at about 7pm, forcing security guards and shops owners to run for safety.
The attack came on the day the state governor’s convoy was attacked by some hoodlums, who infiltrated #EndSARS protesters.
Two persons reportedly died.
One of the witnesses told NAN that the fierce approach of the hoodlums sent everyone in the mall running for safety.
He said that the hoodlums came in large numbers and had a free day, as no policeman or any other security personnel intervened to save the situation.
“They rode on over 20 motorcycles with about three passengers each on the bikes, and they came with dangerous weapons.
“The private security guards at the mall had to run for safety, because they didn’t carry arms.
“The hoodlums destroyed the glass doors of the electronics stores within the mall and carted away phones, laptops and other items,” the witness said.
There were also reports of arson at a public facility in Osogbo, allegedly carried out by the hoodlums.
The Police spokesperson in the state, SP Opalola Yemisi, confirmed the incident and said that efforts were on to bring the situation under control and arrest the perpetrators.
Young Nigerians protesting against police brutality (ENDSARS), today blocked major entry points into Abuja.
The demonstrators have occupied the Kubwa and Mararaba highways and rendered all roads within the city centre impassable.
The youth divided themselves into groups to carry out the protest simultaneously at different locations and this has led to traffic snarls across the city. Unfortunate, but ENDSARS now!
Folarin Falana popularly known as Falz has mocked former Senator, Dino Melaye in the wake of the #EndSars protest.
The ex-Senator had tweeted in support of #EndSars protesters, but Falz was fast to correct him saying, he shouldn't act like he is 'one of us' and said the youths would be coming for them soon.
Melaye had said the government had no power to place a ban on protests.
Melaye's tweet and ofocurse, Falz brutal response.
Former Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, Dolapo Badmus, has described the reports of her demotion as fake news.
Reports had emerged on Saturday that Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP, Abayomi Shogunle and Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, Dolapo Badmus have been demoted.
24 other ex-SARS operatives were also reportedly dismissed for various acts of misconduct.
But reacting on her Twitter page, Badmus said the reports were fake.
She tweeted, “Ignore Fake News.
“Whoever slotted my name in that list is a joker. I will forever respect people’s human rights, my name will never be put up as one who has violated another’s right.”
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Saturday visited the widow of the man, Okechukwu Iloamuazor who was shot dead during #EndSARS protest in Surulere.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Saturday visited the widow of the man, Okechukwu Iloamuazor who was shot dead during #EndSARS protest in Surulere area of Lagos.
The governor assured the widow, Ngozi, of justice, saying that he had come with the Attorney General, Moyosore Onigbanjo to ensure that the family got justice.
The governor told the Attorney General to take over the case immediately to ensure justice was done.
The governor also visited the home where Okechukwu, 55, worked as a driver to his boss.
His boss narrated to the governor how the incident occurred on that fateful day.
Sanwo-Olu also gave further updates on what the government would be doing going forward, saying that the panel setup would be inaugurated on Monday.
He assured that this case would not be swept under the carpet.
