Month: October 2020

Lekki: The story of Bashorun Gaa By Lasisi Olagunju

Emporium Reporters

Everything Nigeria finds impossible to do, the Lekki protesters did. Orderliness, organisation, security, equity and equality. They forged peace and flaunted it with good music. They provided electricity for themselves to charge their phones. Food was available; there was water for all. There was no class, no creed. Everyone was fed without favour in an atmosphere of decorum. They cleaned up their space after each day of protest. The sick got medicare; the scared got assurance. They cared for one another, they looked out for one another. There was no…

4 feared dead in stampede for palliatives in Kogi

Emporium Reporters

Four persons were said to have died yesterday in Kogi State as hundreds of residents throng the warehouse in Lokoja, the state capital, in search of COVID-19 palliatives. Daily Trust learnt the fatalities resulted from a stampede as residents, mostly women, rushed to the warehouse located along the Murtala Mohammed Way, close to Kpata market in Lokoja.   The state government had last week commenced distribution of COVID-19 palliatives to the 21 local government areas. Each local government area got at least, one trailer load of palliative items, including rice, semovita,…

How soldiers involved in Lekki shooting took 8 bodies to MRS Hospital

Emporium Reporters

Nigerian soldiers involved in the killing and maiming of peaceful protesters at Lekki Toll Gate area of Lagos have now confirmed that they were actually drafted in for the operation on the request of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu contrary to his denials.   Recall that soldiers had on Tuesday night opened fire on the protesters, killing and injuring many of them. The army personnel also prevented ambulances from accessing the scene to evacuate those injured to the hospital after opening fire on them. The soldiers also seized and carried away eight…

CNPP demands immediate release of Nigerian Journalist, Tom Oga

Emporium Reporters

Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has called for the immediate release of a Nigerian journalist, Tom Oga who have been in detention for 15 days without trial. The CNPP in a statement signed by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu wondered why “the Nigerian government is paying lip service to police reform if the police will continue to detain citizens indefinitely without trial. “The CNPP strongly condemn the detention without trial of Nigerian journalist, Tom Oga since October 13, 2020 at a time Nigerians are clamouring for police reform.…

Dear Femi Adesina, If Nigeria Dies, Failed Leaders Killed Her! By Pelumi Olugbenga

Emporium Reporters

Injustice breeds nothing but pains in the hearts of its victims. To the orchestrators of injustices, the hues and cries of those at the receiving end are nothing but amplified noises. In reality, however, these hues and cries come from a place of real-time hurt, pains and heartbreak.   I just finished reading Femi Adeshina’s latest article on the #EndSARS protest, and the first thing that jumped out of me is the erroneous way he painted the Buhari administration as a victim of hate. Contrary to what Adeshina wants us…

THE #ENDSARS PROTESTS; A FUNDAMENTAL LESSON IN DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Emporium Reporters

I heavily grieve for those who have lost their lives or been injured during the period of these protests. My deepest sympathies go to their families and loved ones for none should have been made to pay such a dear price. My career as an active politician spans nearly three decades. In that time, I have seen many things as Nigeria has struggled, sometimes against itself, to undertake the often painful yet inexorable push toward democratic government accountable to, and protective of, the people. Though this journey, I have traversed…

Free land awaits Kano citizens in Diaspora -Ganduje

Emporium Reporters

Kano state Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has said the state government would provide free land for the state indigenes in diaspora to develop residential building where they will reunite with their families especially during holiday visits. “We are doing this to our citizens some of whom have been away for very long time and when they come visiting during holidays, they need spaces to settle and meet their families and loved ones,” he said. He made the commitment during a virtual Kano in Diaspora Town Hall meeting organised by the…

#ENDSARS: Kwara Govt to support looted businesses with N500m · as Gov AbdulRazaq visits affected Malls,commends security agencies

Emporium Reporters

Kwara State Governor ,AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has again condemned “the mindless looting” of people’s businesses in the state capital on Friday, insisted there can be no justification for such criminal behaviour. He commiserated with owners of all the businesses affected and announced a N500m fund to assist them as part of the administration’s efforts to bring them back on their feet following the incident. In a visit to the Kwara Mall and Agro Mall on Saturday evening, the Governor said the incident may bring businesses to their knees, and cause massive…

#EndSARS: The Untold Story Of Lekki Shooting

Emporium Reporters

More victims and eyewitnesses of the alleged Lekki Toll Plaza shooting by soldiers have taken to the social media to share their accounts of the incident. They claimed many protesters were killed. One of them, Anthony Ogbe, who said he was shot in the chest on the night, is currently receiving free treatment at Grandville Medical and Laser Centre, Lekki. He said several hospitals rejected him before he ended up at Grandville. In a short video shared by a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Kokun Foundation, Ogbe said he was one of those…

#EndSARS: Picking Up The Pieces By Simon Kolawole

Emporium Reporters

How can a peaceful protest end up with killing and maiming, burning and looting in a matter of days? For those of us who have seen plenty “peaceful” protests in our lives, it is not too hard to explain. The moment you hit the streets and fail to read the road signs — so that you will know where and when to turn, reverse or park — you are at the risk of losing control of the steering wheel. You will end up carrying all kinds of passengers — thugs,…