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Stop arresting Youths wearing dreadlocks, tattoos – Group tells Police
Stop arresting Youths wearing dreadlocks, tattoos – Group tells Police
Some Non-Governmental Organisations have urged the Nigerian Police to stop arresting youths based on their physical appearance or fashion like wearing dreadlocks and bearing tattoos.
Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative, also known as Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN) and the Rule of Law and Accountability Centre (RULAAC), made the call at a one-day media townhall awareness on human rights, the Police Act and Regulations in Enugu on Thursday.
The Executive Director of RULAAC, Mr Okechukwu Nwanguma, in his presentation, said the Nigeria Police Act, 2020 provided for the protection of rights of citizens.
Nwanguma, however, noted that it was regrettable that not many Police nor members of the public knew about the document for lack of awareness.
He said the Police act as amended, prohibited personnel from stereotyping like arresting a person based on tribe, religion, wearing dreadlocks or bearing tattoos.
“The general objectives of the Act, the provision of an efficient and effective police service are based on the principles of accountability and transparency, protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
“It prohibits against gender discrimination by Police, torture, no arrest of persons on a civil wrong, no arrest of person in lieu of suspect.
“The Act prohibits arrests based on stereotypes, for example. hair, age, dressing, skin colour or tattoos,” he said.
Nwanguma called on the Police to engage the media on creating awareness of the Police Act while urging journalists to be abreast of the provisions of the document in order to exercise their role as watchdogs of the society better.
On his part, Mr Bash Oluwasupo, a facilitator, in his lecture, said the media under Nigeria’s constitution, played a crucial role in holding the government accountable.
Oluwasupo said it was the duty of the media to investigate corruption and abuses of power, inform citizens about their rights and provide a platform for discussion and debate on policies and governance issues as well as give voice to the marginalised.
“The media plays a crucial role in this framework by acting as a watchdog and facilitating the dissemination of information to the public.
“Through investigative journalism, the media can uncover issues of misconduct and corruption, thereby supporting the objectives of the Freedom of Information Act.
He said though not explicitly stated, the Police Act protected journalists from undue harassment and ensured they could report on issues related to policing and public safety.
“The Nigeria Police Act underlines the necessity of a constructive relationship between the police and the media, balancing the need for transparency with the need for operational security,” he said.
Earlier in her opening address, Mrs Nkem Okereke, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, PWAN said the event aimed to enhance the understanding and implementation of the Police Act 2020 and its associated regulations among the Nigerian Police management team.(NAN)
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Multichoice announces price increase for GOtv, DStv subscription packages
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Multichoice announces price increase for GOtv, DStv subscription packages
A leading pay-TV operator, Multichoice Nigeria, has announced another round of price increases across its subscription plans for both DStv and GOtv services. The new prices will come into effect on March 1, 2025.
In a notice sent to customers on Monday, the company outlined the upcoming changes, which will see significant price hikes across various packages.
The DStv Compact bouquet will rise from N15,700 to N19,000, reflecting a 25% increase. The DStv Compact Plus package will see a 20% jump, from N25,000 to N30,000.
The highest-tier DStv Premium package will also experience a 20% hike, increasing from N37,000 to N44,500.
For GOtv users, price adjustments are equally notable. The Jinja package will increase from N3,600 to N3,900, while the Jolli package will rise from N4,850 to N5,800.
The GOtv Max package will go up from N7,200 to N8,500, and the GOtv Supa package will climb from N9,600 to N11,400. The GOtv Supa Plus package will now cost N16,800, up from the previous N15,700.
The official notice from Multichoice, titled “Price Adjustments for DStv and GOtv Packages,” explained that the new prices were necessary to maintain the delivery of high-quality content and service.
The company noted that the adjustments were essential to ensure the continued provision of both local and international content through advanced technology.
“Dear Customer, please note that effective 1 March 2025, there will be a price adjustment on all DStv packages. This is to enable us to continue to offer our customers world-class home-grown and international content, delivered through the best technology,” the statement read.
This price increase follows a similar one implemented in May 2024, with Multichoice citing inflationary pressures, rising operational costs, and currency depreciation as the key reasons for the hikes.
The company pointed out the challenges posed by the significant drop in the naira’s value and the growing expenses tied to inflation in the country.
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You got it all wrong – Presidency replies Osinbajo over IBB tormenting Tinubu’s comment
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You got it all wrong – Presidency replies Osinbajo over IBB tormenting Tinubu’s comment
The Presidency through the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has strongly disagreed with Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s assertion that former military President Ibrahim Babangida was a “tormentor” of President Tinubu.
The controversy arose during the public presentation of Babangida’s autobiography, A Journey in Service, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja last week. Osinbajo, who reviewed the book, reflected on Tinubu’s role in resisting the military’s dissolution of the Senate after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
He humorously remarked that Tinubu, who was then a senator, was “tormented” by the military, including Babangida, for his attempts to reinstate the Senate, even suggesting that Tinubu was at the event to honor one of his tormentors.
However, Onanuga, speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, rejected Osinbajo’s characterization of Babangida. He emphasized that Babangida had actually been a significant source of inspiration for Tinubu’s political career.
According to Onanuga, Tinubu’s resistance to the military government, and the political course he charted thereafter, was deeply influenced by Babangida’s leadership and the broader political context of that era.
“I think the former Vice President got it wrong. I think Babangida was not really a tormentor of President Tinubu, don’t forget that President Tinubu said in his own extempore speech that he held Babangida as something, that he was the person that inspired him to get into politics.
“When Babangida came in, he was talking about new breed politicians and so on, and Tinubu like many of them were already technocrats or in private business and so on. All of them came out to participate in politics, that was what brought him in. So, he came there to pay homage,” Onanuga said.
Onanuga clarified that the real torment began under General Sani Abacha’s regime, when Tinubu, alongside some colleagues, made an effort to reconvene the Senate in Lagos.
He also praised Babangida for eventually acknowledging that MKO Abiola won the 1993 presidential election, although he noted that the admission came too late.
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President Tinubu promises renovations of Police Barracks, improving mobility, robust Police welfare package
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President Tinubu promises renovations of Police Barracks, improving mobility, robust Police welfare package
President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administration is working to enhance the nation’s security capabilities to effectively address the growing security challenges.
Speaking through his Vice, Senator Kashim Shettima, at the opening of the fifth edition of the Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers (CARSPO) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, President Tinubu emphasised the government’s commitment to improving the security infrastructure across the country.
The President noted that security is a key pillar for Nigeria’s socio-economic development, and his administration is focused on bolstering the operational readiness of security agencies. This includes providing the necessary equipment to handle emergencies and combat crime effectively.
“While the Nigeria Police Force is constitutionally empowered to maintain internal security, protect lives and property, and uphold public order, it is essential to recognise that security is a shared responsibility. Communities and citizens must actively collaborate with the police to foster a safer society,” Tinubu stated through his representative, Senator Shettima.
He highlighted that no matter how well-funded or equipped the police force is, it cannot succeed without the active support and trust of the public.
“Public engagement and trust are central to the process of inclusive policing,” the President affirmed.
Further reaffirming his administration’s commitment, President Tinubu pledged to enhance the Nigeria Police Force’s capacity to meet its constitutional duties, ensuring it is both effective and well-positioned to handle internal security.
He revealed that the federal government is focused on bridging gaps in security, infrastructure, and recruitment through a comprehensive program.
This initiative will include renovations of police barracks, improving police mobility, and upgrading essential combat and protective gear.
Additionally, Tinubu emphasised the importance of welfare for police personnel, pointing to the recent implementation of the new minimum wage as part of broader efforts to improve the living conditions of the Nigerian workforce, including law enforcement officers.
He assured that his administration will continue to collaborate with police leadership to provide financial incentives and motivate officers to perform at their highest levels.
The President also reiterated his administration’s commitment to reforming the country’s economic and security frameworks to restore investor confidence, stabilise the macroeconomic environment, and tackle inflation, marking his government’s multi-pronged approach to strengthening both the nation’s security and its economic foundation.
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