• Firm Condemnation: The Federal Government strongly condemned ongoing “Afrophobic” violence against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa, urging Pretoria to take immediate steps to halt the attacks.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• • Presidential Directive: Amid diplomatic tensions, President Bola Tinubu did not personally meet with a special envoy sent by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Presidency sources explained that the delegation arrived on Friday without prior notice, leading Tinubu to direct them instead to meet with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye.

  • Strategic Warning and Death Toll: During the meeting in Abuja, Enikanolaiye warned that continued violence threatens the strategic ties between both nations. He revealed that 98 Nigerians have been killed in mob and hate-related attacks in South Africa since 2022 alone, pointing out a recurring pattern of anti-migrant violence spanning over three decades.

  • Rule of Law vs. Mob Justice: While clarifying that Nigeria does not condone criminal acts like drug peddling, Enikanolaiye insisted that any accused citizen must be treated in accordance with South Africa’s constitution and international human rights standards.

  • Targeting of Legal Residents: Enikanolaiye expressed deep concern that attacks have increasingly targeted law-abiding Nigerians legally residing and running businesses, noting worries that South African police have sometimes failed to intervene during mob assaults.

• Attack on Collection Centre: Suspected hoodlums raided an INEC Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection centre at Oyinlola DC School, Ward 2, Okuku, in Osun State, attacking officials and stealing PVCs along with Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• • Police Investigation: Dayo Oketola, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, confirmed that the incident was reported to the police, expressing confidence that law enforcement will apprehend the suspects and recover the stolen equipment.

  • Preparations Unaffected: Oketola stressed that the raid will not distract the commission or disrupt preparations for the August 15 governorship election, noting that INEC has configured 4,427 BVAS devices, including 664 backup machines to handle such incidents.

  • Security of the Vote: Reassuring the public, Oketola stated that stolen PVCs cannot be used for fraudulent voting because the BVAS technology requires mandatory biometric authentication.

  • Protection of Voter Rights: INEC promised to take administrative steps to ensure no registered voter whose PVC was stolen will be disenfranchised on election day, while urging traditional rulers, community leaders, political actors, and security agencies to collaborate in safeguarding electoral facilities.

The Federal Government and the Rivers State Government have partnered by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Government House in Port Harcourt to boost tourism, arts, culture, and the creative economy. Signed by the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, for the Federal Government, and Permanent Secretary Tomonialadeokuma Ishmael for the state, the initiative aims to expand economic opportunities and develop Nigeria’s creative industries through collaborative state efforts.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶