A Lagos High Court has issued an interim injunction restricting the upcoming nationwide protest from August 1 to 10, 2024, to two designated areas in Lagos: Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota and Peace Park in Ketu.

The ruling, granted by Justice Emmanuel Ogundare, follows an ex parte application from the State’s Attorney General, Lawal Pedro SAN, who sought the order to manage the protests and prevent potential disruptions.

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The court’s directive limits the protests to these locations between 8 am and 6 pm each day.

The application listed as defendants Adamma Ukpabi and Tosin Harsogba (Active Citizens Group), Comrade Juwon Sanyaolu and Hassan Soweto (Take it Back Movement), as well as unspecified individuals and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police.

Pedro argued that the protests could lead to significant disruptions and damage, recalling the chaos of the EndSARS demonstrations in 2020.

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He highlighted concerns over inadequate police resources and potential hijacking of the protests by individuals intent on causing violence.

The Attorney General stressed that while acknowledging citizens’ right to protest, it is crucial to safeguard public infrastructure and prevent economic disruption.

The court’s order aims to balance the right to protest with maintaining public order and protecting property.

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Justice Ogundare’s ruling aligns with the Lagos State Government’s stance to confine protests to controlled environments to ensure security and minimize disturbance to residents and businesses.

Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has established a State Advisory Committee to oversee the implementation of the newly approved N70,000 national minimum wage.

This decision follows President Bola Tinubu’s recent approval of the wage increase, which was agreed upon with organized labor unions.

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The committee was inaugurated at the Government House by Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo on behalf of Governor Yusuf.

According to a statement from the Deputy Governor’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Shuaibu, the committee’s primary role is to devise a strategic plan for implementing the new minimum wage and to provide actionable recommendations for immediate execution by the state government.

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Governor Yusuf highlighted the importance of the committee’s work, emphasizing that the new wage is expected to drive state-wide development by prioritizing workers’ welfare.

The committee has been given a three-week deadline to produce results.

The committee will be chaired by Usman Bala, the Governor’s Special Adviser on State Affairs.

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Bala expressed his appreciation for the trust placed in the committee and committed to balancing the interests of both employers and employees through comprehensive data analysis.

Other key members of the committee include Ibrahim Fagge, Commissioner of Finance; Alhaji Musa Shanono, Commissioner of Planning and Budget; and Baba Halilu Dantiye, Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs. Additional members are Baffa Gaya, Prof. Aliyu Isa Aliyu, Salahudeen Habib Isa, Ibrahim I. Boyi, Ibrahim Muhammad Kabara, Mustapha Nuraddeen Muhammad, Abdulkadir Abdussalam, Umar Muhammad Jalo, Hassan Salisu Kofar Mata, and Yahaya Umar.

The federal government has reported an impressive response to the relaunch of the N110 billion National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), receiving 80,000 applications within just 72 hours of opening the application portal.

Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, revealed this during a town hall meeting with North Central stakeholders in Abuja.

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The surge in applications highlights the eagerness of Nigerian youths to tap into the fund for their entrepreneurial and innovative ventures.

According to a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Omolara Esan, the ministry is committed to a transparent selection process to ensure that the most promising and impactful projects are funded.

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“The NYIF aims to provide targeted financial support to youth-driven businesses and innovations, with the goal of engaging youth in productive activities. The program has been redesigned to concentrate on high-potential enterprises and to establish strategic clusters, which are projected to create up to two million jobs—both directly and indirectly—within three years,” Bio-Ibrahim said.

The minister emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts among all stakeholders, including government bodies, the private sector, traditional and religious leaders, civil society, and the media, to support and mobilize youth across Nigeria.

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She invited stakeholders to contribute to the initiative as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at fostering a supportive environment for young entrepreneurs.

Dr. Bio-Ibrahim underscored that the NYIF is a key federal initiative designed to harness youth potential for national economic growth and innovation, focusing on empowering young entrepreneurs across the country.

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Sukubo expressed appreciation for President Tinubu’s dedication to improving the lives of Nigerian youths and urged patience as the government navigates current challenges.

He expressed optimism that Nigeria will soon overcome its difficulties, with youths playing a central role in the administration’s economic recovery plans.

The Federal Government has unveiled a new initiative to provide N50,000 monthly stipends to 10,000 youths from the Niger Delta.

This announcement comes as Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Managing Director Dr. Samuel Ogbuku urge the region’s residents to abstain from participating in the upcoming nationwide protest against economic hardship.

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The Youth Internship Scheme, recently launched by Akpabio and implemented by the NDDC, aims to engage local youth and enhance their skills. Participants in the first phase of the scheme will receive a monthly stipend of N50,000.

During an NDDC Executive Management engagement in Port Harcourt, Akpabio declared the Niger Delta a “protest-free zone,” emphasizing that the planned nationwide protests should not extend to the region’s nine states.

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Akpabio highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the Niger Delta’s development, noting that the NDDC has recently inaugurated five major infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, and electrical works.

Despite ongoing issues, Akpabio assured that the NDDC has successfully executed projects benefiting local communities and will receive its full statutory allocations in the future.

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NDDC Governing Board Chairman Mr. Chiedu Ebie praised the National Assembly for quickly passing the 2024 budget, which will support the Commission’s development projects.

Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, NDDC Managing Director, highlighted the shift from militant activism to intellectual and economic development in the region.

He showcased Project HOPE, a digital database of Niger Delta youths’ qualifications and skills, and announced collaborations with the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce and the Bank of Industry to support youth training and Small and Medium Enterprises.

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Ogbuku called on Niger Deltans to avoid protests that could disrupt national stability and hinder development efforts, which ultimately affect ordinary citizens.

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu underscored the importance of unity and peace for progress, commending the NDDC’s regional development efforts.

PANDEF National Chairman Senator Emmanuel Ibokessien also endorsed the NDDC’s achievements and urged youths to disregard protest calls.

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Ijaw Youth Council President Jonathan Lopkobiri criticized the protest organizers, stating that their demands do not address long-standing issues such as the East-West Road.

He praised the NDDC’s efforts to improve road conditions despite ongoing challenges.

Organisers of the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests scheduled for August have declined a proposal by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to restrict demonstrations to specific, confined locations.

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During a meeting on Tuesday, the IGP recommended that protests be limited to designated areas to prevent potential violence, citing concerns that street rallies could be hijacked by those intending to cause unrest.

Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), representing the Take It Back Movement and other groups involved in the protests, rejected this proposal.

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The virtual meeting included notable figures such as human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and various civil society organizations.

The protests, aimed at addressing rising economic hardships and inflation, have been gaining momentum on social media.

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The demonstrations are planned to take place nationwide, including the capital, Abuja.

The protests come amid widespread discontent over the government’s removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of forex windows, which have led to soaring prices of essential goods.

Authorities, including the police and military, have expressed concerns that the rallies might mimic the EndSARS protests of October 2020.

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Despite these warnings and appeals from politicians, the organisers remain committed to proceeding with the protests.

Adegboruwa had previously requested police protection for the protesters in a letter dated July 26, 2024.

In response, the IGP agreed to a meeting on July 30, 2024, but Adegboruwa chose a virtual meeting instead, involving Falana, NBA members, and other stakeholders.

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During the discussion, Egbetokun highlighted that individuals inciting violence had been apprehended.

He emphasized that restricting protests to certain locations would mitigate risks, as terrorists and disruptors might infiltrate larger street gatherings.

Adegboruwa countered by asserting that there would be street processions leading up to the confined locations specified to the police.

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He assured that the organisers are committed to maintaining peace and requested that police focus on preventing violence from rogue elements.

The IGP stated that while security could be assured at designated locations, he could not guarantee safety for street processions.

He suggested that state police commissioners, if adequately staffed, might be able to manage security for street protests.

Organisers were advised to coordinate with local police for security arrangements related to both street and confined protests.

Chief Dele Momodu, a prominent journalist and publisher, has responded sharply to former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose’s recent comments about impoverished men with multiple wives and children.

In a recent interview with Channels TV, Fayose claimed that such family structures are detrimental to Nigeria’s development, particularly drawing from his observations in the North.

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Momodu took to social media to address Fayose’s statements, questioning whether the real threat to the nation is the poor man with many wives and children or the politician who, despite having only one wife, squanders public funds on lavish lifestyles and high-maintenance relationships.

In his response, Momodu wrote: “Dear Brother Ayo Fayose, I have two pressing questions: Who is more harmful to our nation—the poor man with numerous wives and children or the politician who, with one wife, indulges in extravagant lifestyles and wasteful expenditures including private jets?

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“Who contributes more positively to society—the politician who embezzles public funds or the impoverished man who supports his large family by cultivating crops for everyone?

“Let us acknowledge that we have collectively failed this country and that an urgent reset is needed. At this critical juncture, we must move beyond blame games.

“May we seek forgiveness for our shortcomings.

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“Warm regards, Chief Dele Momodu.”