BY ANTHONY OCHELA, ABUJA 

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned the molestation of journalists by the Nigerian Police at Eagle Square during the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest.

According to the Executive Secretary (ES) of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu SAN, the act is a clear violation of their fundamental human rights and a blatant attempt to suppress the freedom of press.

The position of the Commission was contained in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by Obinna Nwakonye, Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages.

The NHRC emphasized that journalists have the constitutional right to carry out their duties without fear of intimidation, harassment, or molestation” he said.

He lamented that those molested, including Jide Oyekunle, Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ ) FCT Correspondents Chapel and journalist with Daily Independent Newspaper; Yakubu Mohammed of Premium Times; Mary Adeboye of News Central Television and Kayode Jaiyeola, a Photojournalist with Punch Newspaper, did not deserve the treatment that was meted on them.

According to the ES, the Police’s actions undermined the principles of democracy and the rule of law. 

“We call on the Nigerian Police to respect the rights of journalists and protesters, and to ensure that their actions align with international human rights standards. 

Ojukwu said the Commission is calling on the Inspector General of Police to investigate the incident and take necessary steps to hold perpetrators accountable and report the action taken to NHRC within 10 days. 

“We reiterate our commitment to protecting human rights and promoting a culture of respect for the rule of law in Nigeria” he added.
[4:15 AM, 8/4/2024] Jake: Good morning. You can get links for your stories from aljazirahnews.com

The Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II, has expressed sadness over destruction of infrastructure in the ongoing hunger protest in Kano.

The Emir specifically condemned the destruction of the Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC, Digital Center which he said was set up to train Kano youths.

Sanusi, who addressed journalists at the Emirate Palace on Friday, said, “Today is a sad day for the people of Kano due to what happened in the state. We sympathize with the entire indigenes of Kano.

“What happened is unacceptable and the people of Kano should ensure that it does not happen again.

“All the facilities destroyed were for the entire people of Kano.

“In the entire protests, Kano suffered most among various states that engaged in the nefarious actions. People should not allow themselves to be used. I urge citizens to report anybody they suspect trying to cause havoc in their areas.

“People should do the right thing by rebuilding the state and doing what is right by refusing to be used by the enemies of Kano.”

By ABAH ADAH, Abuja

Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN, yesterday announced the postponement of its forthcoming 32nd COREN Engineering Assembly slated for August 5 – 7, 2024.

Briefing newsmen in Abuja, COREN President Prof. Sadiq Abubakar explained that the postponement became necessary following the 10-day nationwide protest started by Nigerians on Thursday over hunger and general hardship in the land.

The COREN President said, “Everything has been put in place to ensure that our expected participants at the Assembly from around the world are here as is the case annually, but due to the new development, the protest, we are compelled to inform all concerned that the scheduled date has now been postponed.

“And having consulted widely, we are now going to hold the the same 32nd Engineering Assembly from Monday 2nd  to Wednesday 4th September, 2024, i.e. by month, in Abuja. Venue and every other thing remain the same”, he added.

The COREN boss appealed to all Nigerians to see dialogue as the only sustainable path to peaceful resolution of issues such as being highlighted by the protesters.

“We appeal to all Nigerians to toe the path of dialogue for peaceful and sustainable resolution of the issues at stake here.

“On our part, we join hands with government in the quest for amicable resolution, and wish our great country a very quick resolution of the impasse”, he said.

COREN had earlier called a media briefing in respect of the 32nd Assembly where it hinted of some innovative steps it had taken in partnership with relevant stakeholders to standardise the practice of engineering as well as check infrastructure failure, particularly the incessant cases of building collapse in the country.

The nationwide protest which entered its second day yesterday assumed a less active dimension in and around the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, with limited movement of persons and vehicles on the major roads, most shops, especially those along the roads, under lock and key, amid heavy presence of security personnel.

This shot up transport fare by almost 50%. For instance, people paid between 800 to 1,000 Naira from the Mararaba axis to Berger Bus Stop in Wuse which was 500 Naira before now.

By Blessing Otobong-Gabriel

EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters in Abuja have regrouped at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

AljazirahNigeria reports that the protesters and journalists were teargassed at the popular Berger roundabout.

But that did nothing to their resolve to continue with the protest, as it took them only a few minutes to regroup after the teargas incident.

Immediately after arriving at the stadium, the protesters chanted that they would not back down until the Federal Government met their demands.

Speaking to journalists, a protester identified as Tari, lamented the actions of the police officers.

She stated that they (the protesters) remain resolute and wouldn’t be intimidated by the actions of the police.

Tari said, “The police must explain to us why they are harassing us. There is hunger in the land. We remain resolute, we will remain on the streets unless the President listens to us. “

Another protester, Michael Zayi, said, “It is very bad. When a child cries and the parent doesn’t listen, the results are always not palatable. We are peaceful protesters. The issue behind the issue is that if the president had listened to us, we would not have been in this situation.

“Hope is alive when persistence is in motion. The worst thing in life is not death but hunger. People are hungry. No amount of teargas will stop us from demanding better lives for ourselves.”