Good Evening. Here is today’s News Brief from The Matrix:
1. First Lady Empowers 37,000 Petty Traders With N1.85 Billion
On Thursday, the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, launched a program to provide N1.85 billion in capital empowerment support to 37,000 women petty traders across Nigeria.
The initiative, part of her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Programme, will see 1,000 pre-selected women petty traders in each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) receive a grant of N50,000 each.
The First Lady’s announcement was met with enthusiasm by the beneficiaries, who expressed their gratitude for the financial support and their hope for a brighter future.
2. Jigawa Pension Board Disburses N3.4 Billion To Pensioners
The Jigawa State and Local Government Contributory Pension Board has begun disbursing N3.4 billion in pension entitlements to 1,331 beneficiaries.
The acting Executive Secretary of the board, Nasiru Haruna, made the announcement in a statement by the spokesman of the board, Ismail Ibrahim, on Thursday in Dutse.
Haruna said that payments were being made to pensioners who retired from the service and those who died between January and July, 2024.
He said that more than N2.5 billion was disbursed to 1,001 beneficiaries, who retired either by reaching the mandatory retirement age of 35 years or 60 years of age.
3.Kebbi Assembly Passes Bills To Establish Service Commission
The Kebbi House of Assembly has approved two significant pieces of legislation: a bill to amend the Local Government Law, 2024, and a bill to establish a Local Government Service Commission.
These bills were passed following the consideration of a report from the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, which was presented during the assembly’s plenary session on Thursday.
The Committee Chairman, Alhaji Salihu Dangoje (APC-Sakaba), reminded lawmakers that the executive bills had undergone initial readings on August 20 before being referred to the committee for thorough examination.
4. British High Commissioner Visits Abia, To Explore Economic Partnerships
The recent visit of British High Commissioner Dr Richard Montgomery to Abia State has opened doors for potential economic collaborations between the United Kingdom and the Nigerian state.
According to a statement released by Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, Senior Communications and Public Diplomacy Officer at the British High Commission (BHC) on Thursday in Abuja, Montgomery’s visit to Umuahia, the state capital, between August 20 and 21 involved high-level discussions with Abia State Governor Alex Otti, government officials, and business leaders.
During the two-day visit, the high commissioner and Governor Otti explored opportunities for mutual benefit between the state and the UK. These discussions are expected to pave the way for future economic partnerships and investments.
5.Team Nigeria Arrives In Paris for Paralympic Games
The Nigerian Paralympic team has officially arrived at the Paralympic Village in Paris, France, ahead of the 2024 Paralympic Games.
The 35-member contingent, comprising 23 athletes, seven coaches, and five medical personnel, touched down in the French capital on Thursday after a training camp in Germany.
According to Suleiman Isah, the Secretary General of the Paralympic Committee of Nigeria (PCN), the team was warmly welcomed at the Paralympic Village by PCN President Sunday Odebode.
6. Court Discharges Six EndSARS Participants
An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court has discharged and acquitted six men who were accused of breaching public peace during the 2020 #EndSARS protests.
The defendants, identified as Daniel Joyinbo (31), Adigun Sodiq (28), Kehinde Shola (32), Salaudeen Kamilu (29), Sodiq Usseni (33), and Azeez Isiaka (34), had initially pleaded guilty to a single count of breach of the public peace in a plea bargain agreement with the Lagos State Government.
However, after reviewing the plea bargain agreement, Magistrate Mrs Bola Osunsanmi found the defendants not guilty and acquitted them of the charges.
The court’s decision brings to a close the legal proceedings against these individuals, who were among the many Nigerians arrested during the widespread #EndSARS demonstrations.
7. President Abbas Setup Committee To Prepare For Historic Gaza Visit
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree to form a committee to prepare for his visit to the Gaza Strip.
The decree highlighted the goal of stopping the aggression in Gaza and ensuring an immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces.
It also emphasises that the State of Palestine has jurisdiction over the entire territory, including Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Earlier, Abbas announced his intention to visit Gaza with other members of the Palestinian leadership.
The visit is aimed at restoring national unity under the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and enabling the government to function effectively across all Palestinian territories, particularly in relief and reconstruction work, according to the decree.
8. Malawi Electoral Commission Introduces New Technology For 2025 Election
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has adopted Electoral Management Devices (EMDs)
to streamline the electoral processes for the country’s general elections scheduled for September 2025.
The MEC Spokesperson, Sangwani Mwafulirwa, said that the electoral body has procured a total of 6,500 EMDs from the Netherlands-based
Smartmatic International Holding B. V. Company.
The new technology would replace the Biometric Voter Registration system used in the 2019 general elections, and the 2020 re-run of the presidential election.
The commission is expected to use the new system for conducting voter registration, managing the transfer of voters, and inspecting the voters’ register.
9. Flooding In Bangladesh Leaves Thousands Stranded
Heavy rains and flooding in eastern Bangladesh have left nearly three million people stranded and displaced. The government reported on Thursday that two people have died in the floods.
Over the past three days, rescuers have evacuated about 75,000 people to safety out of an estimated 2.9 million affected by the floods, Ali Reza, a senior government official said.
Reza confirmed two flood-related deaths, though local media reports suggest the death toll has risen to four.
The floodwaters have submerged homes, croplands and roads across vast areas east of the country.
