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.