NEWS
Ride Bicycle, Avoid Smoky Vehicle – FRSC Tells Commuters
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has issued a warning to the public regarding the usage of smoky vehicles, urging them to avoid such vehicles and consider using bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation.
Frederick Ogidan, the Commandant of the FRSC in Kwara State, delivered this cautionary message in Ilorin on Friday as part of the observance of the 7th United Nations Global Safety Week (UNGRSW).
Mr Ogidan underscored the need to embrace sustainable transportation means that are sustainable in terms of social and environmental impacts.
He said “Smoky vehicles are harmful and dangerous to health. The carbon emissions coming out are unsafe for your health and the environment.
“We encourage people to ride bicycles. Apart from health benefits or exercise; it does not emit any smoke that affects the environment.
“Smoke can block those coming from behind and cause an accident. We always arrest smoky vehicles because it is dangerous,” he added.
He further elaborated that the 2023 UNGRSW carries the theme “Transport Sustainable,” aiming to increase consciousness about road safety and implement measures that would effectively lower the number of road fatalities.
During the safety week, which commenced on May 15 and will concludes on May 21, the Kwara Command of the FRSC has diligently arranged various programs to commemorate this significant occasion.
As part of these efforts, Mr. Ogidan mentioned that a stakeholders’ engagement took place on Thursday, gathering representatives from transport unions, special marshals, and NGOs to actively participate in the awareness campaign.
Additionally, the commandant highlighted that the FRSC command arranged a workshop specifically designed for members of the Road Safety Club.
During this workshop, children were educated on important road safety practices such as how to safely cross roads, and discussions centered around various safety tips.
Furthermore, Mr. Ogidan mentioned that the FRSC would conduct a mosque advocacy campaign to raise road safety awareness among the congregation.
A similar initiative will be held on Sunday in churches, combining thanksgiving and a sensitization talk focused on safety tips.
“On Saturday, tomorrow, Wives of Road Safety Officers, our women wing, will be visiting orphanage homes and hospitals to make some donations to them and as well talk to them,” he said.
The commandant described a sustainable transportation system as one in which fuel consumption, vehicle emissions, safety, congestion, social and economic access are of such levels can be sustained into the indefinite future without causing irreparable harm to future generations.
“UNGRSW is a biennial global road safety campaign which brings together individuals, governments, NGOs and other stakeholders around the world to raise awareness on road safety.
“We are advocating the use of electric vehicles, bicycles, trains and low carbon vehicles as the best means of sustainable transport.
“Avoid smoky vehicles, bad tyres and always try to consistently visit mechanic workshops for routine service. Do not wait until a serious breakdown occurs before you start finding a solution.
“Sustainable transport is the best for our environment and health. We must embrace it,” he said.
However, Mr. Ogidan made an appeal to the government at all levels, urging them to prioritize the provision of dedicated lanes or passages for individuals who choose alternative means of transportation.
Furthermore, he emphasized the need for the establishment of bicycle tracks to facilitate smooth and safe movement of bicycles, while also fostering an environmentally sustainable transportation system.
NEWS
N1.7trn Loan: Atiku Blames NASS For Worsening Nigeria’s Debt Burden
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has criticized the federal government’s plan to secure an additional N1.7 trillion loan through Eurobonds to cover a shortfall in the 2024 budget, describing the borrowing as unsustainable and harmful to Nigeria’s economy.
In a statement shared on Thursday via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Atiku accused the Bola Tinubu-led administration of burdening Nigerians with debt while failing to provide clear answers about the country’s fiscal challenges.
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He also faulted the National Assembly for enabling what he called a “voracious appetite” for loans.
The former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate expressed alarm over a recent World Bank report ranking Nigeria as the third most indebted country to the International Development Association (IDA), calling the development troubling.
“The recent report released by the World Bank, showing Nigeria as the third most indebted country to the International Development Association (IDA), is very concerning,” Atiku stated.
He raised further concerns about the government’s decision to benchmark the proposed loan at an exchange rate of 1 USD to N800, despite the Central Bank of Nigeria’s official rate being over N1,600.
“What makes this particular loan proposal even more concerning is that it is benchmarked at the exchange rate of 1 USD to N800, whereas the current exchange rate from the Central Bank of Nigeria stands at over N1,600 to 1 USD,” he said.
Atiku questioned the need for additional borrowing, given the government’s earlier claims of record-high revenue collection.
“In July this year, Tinubu boasted that the FIRS and Customs under his watch had collected all-time high revenues to finance the budget. Why are they still borrowing?” he said
He accused the government of a lack of transparency, describing the borrowing spree as detrimental to Nigerians already struggling under economic hardship.
“There is something that they are not telling Nigerians, even as they are being crushed by a combination of their failed trial-and-error policies and loan rackets.”
Atiku also referenced a report by BudgIT, a budget monitoring group, which criticized the 2024 budget for its inefficiencies.
He alleged that corruption, rather than infrastructure or development needs, was driving the government’s borrowing decisions.
“These loans are powered by corruption and not for infrastructure and development needs. This voracious appetite for humongous loans is deeply concerning,” he said.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s financial history, Atiku lamented the return to significant foreign indebtedness just years after former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration cleared the country’s debt.
“It is agonizing to see that just a few years after the Obasanjo administration took us out of foreign indebtedness, we are today back at the top spot in the same conundrum,” he stated.
He called for a more cautious approach to borrowing, urging the government to prioritize fiscal responsibility and transparency to avoid worsening Nigeria’s economic challenges.
International News
ICC Issues Arrest Warrants For Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Others
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has taken a historic step, issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The charges include crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed during Israel’s recent assault on Gaza.
In a detailed statement, the ICC accused the Israeli leaders of “intentionally and knowingly depriving the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity.”
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The ICC’s move marks a significant escalation in international scrutiny of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Netanyahu and Gallant are alleged to have orchestrated policies that caused severe harm to the civilian population in Gaza, leading to widespread condemnation from human rights organizations.
Alongside the charges against Israeli officials, the ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif. Deif has long been a central figure in Hamas’s military operations. Israel’s military claims to have killed him in a July airstrike, although this has not been independently verified.
The warrants highlight growing calls for accountability amid the ongoing conflict in the region. The ICC’s actions are likely to provoke heated debate and may complicate diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the crisis.
With the warrants issued, global attention now turns to how the international community will respond and whether any practical steps will be taken to enforce them.
NEWS
Edo State Governor Sets Up Committee To Recover Missing Gov’t Vehicles
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has inaugurated a 12-member committee tasked with recovering government vehicles reportedly in private hands.
The committee, led by Kelly Okungbowa, has been given a two-week mandate to retrieve the vehicles and ensure their return to the state government.
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Speaking during the inauguration ceremony in Benin City, Governor Okpebholo emphasized the importance of accountability in the management of public resources.
He urged the committee to carry out its assignment thoroughly and within the bounds of the law.
In his response, Okungbowa expressed gratitude to the governor for entrusting the team with the assignment, vowing to deliver results within the stipulated timeframe.
“A lot of vehicles used by the past administration are missing, as those in custody of the vehicles have refused to return them,” Okungbowa said.
“The governor deemed it fit to inaugurate us today with a mandate to recover all government vehicles in private hands.”
The committee, which includes representatives from Edo’s three senatorial districts, is set to investigate and recover the vehicles based on credible intelligence already at their disposal.
“We already have vital information regarding some persons still holding government vehicles,” Okungbowa stated. “We will do the job according to the law, and both the government and the people will be satisfied with the outcome.”
He also called on members of the public to assist the committee by providing information about any government vehicles that may still be in private possession.
“We want to appeal to members of the public who might be aware of anyone still keeping government vehicles in their houses to please inform us to enable the committee to recover such for the Edo State Government,” Okungbowa said.
The committee’s vice chairman, Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror, a former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, will work alongside other members to ensure the success of the initiative. The public can reach the committee at 08110165121.