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Councillors demand better protection from abuse and death threats

Councillors demand better protection from abuse and death threats
Council leaders have demanded urgent measures to tackle what they say is a tide of abuse against councillors, potentially including a specific law against intimidating public officials and a greater willingness to prosecute those who make threats.
A meeting of senior local government leaders from across England heard of regular death threats against councillors and routine abuse or accusations of corruption on social media and in comments under local newspaper website stories.
The executive advisory board of the Local Government Association (LGA), which groups together several dozen council leaders from various parties, had already begun gathering information about the issue before the killing of the Conservative MP Sir David Amess last week.
But in a meeting on Thursday, a series of councillors recounted receiving death threats, saying that the extent of intimidation risked seeing many people put off from putting themselves up for election.
“You shouldn’t have to be a brave superhero to want to stand and represent your community,” said Tudor Evans, the leader of the opposition on Plymouth council, who said he had once been sent a death threat because of a temporary traffic light scheme.
Evans recounted how the previous week in Plymouth, a man had gone into a cafe with a knife in his belt and made threats against local councillors.
Nick Forbes, the leader of Newcastle council, said he had quit almost all social media due to a “daily background” of messages containing homophobic comments or accusations of corruption.
Forbes said he and colleagues felt things were so bad that ministers needed to act. “In the same way that there is additional protection for, for example, police officers and NHS staff, we thought that there should be a specific offence of intimidating or harassing a public official,” he said.
Forbes said the police response to even direct threats was “patchy”, and called for officers and prosecutors to adopt a “zero tolerance approach to harassment”.
While saying that councillors had to make sure their discourse was “mature and sensible”, Forbes argued that some local papers played a role in fomenting hatred: “We need the media to take a responsible attitude, to not boiling complicated, complex issues down to good or bad, demons or heroes, providing clickbait and often using the language of aggression.”
Georgia Gould, the leader of Camden council in north London, said the extent of intimidation was such that councillors should be able to opt out of having their home address publicly visible. She said: “Most of us have probably received some kind of death threat, or other difficult visits to our homes, and I just don’t think it’s a safe situation.”
Isobel Seccombe, the leader of Warwickshire county council, who heads the LGA’s Conservative grouping, said she too had received threats, but was worried that it was becoming so routine that it was seen as inescapable.
She said: “That’s the problem, that we do accept this as a consequence of being a councillor. And our acceptance of it is, in a way, contributing to the problem.”
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2025 Budget: N4.5trn additional revenue will support economic diversification – Minister

Sen Abubakar Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, has said the N4.5 trillion additional revenue in the 2025 budget would support the diversification programme of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
The minister said this while speaking to State House Correspondents on Wednesday in Abuja.
Bagudu said the N4.5 trillion additional revenue would be used to strengthen the Bank of Agriculture, Bank of Industry and support the diversification programme by putting more money in the solid minerals sector as well as infrastructure projects.
“You will recall Mr President submitted a N49 trillion budget to the National Assembly and legislative work commenced.
“The legislative work continued with interactions between the executive and the National Assembly, and the National Assembly and the Economic Management Team continued to interrogate all the figures.
“In that process, the Senate Committees on Appropriation, National Planning and Finance established that we can generate more revenue by tasking all the institutions to do more,” said the minister.
He said the Federal Inland Revenue Service confirmed that the government-owned enterprises as well as the Customs Service could contribute more revenue.
“So, additional revenue amounting to over N4.5 trillion was established, and this was taken to the President.
“He guided that this additional revenue be used to further strengthen the Bank of Agriculture, Bank of Industry, support the diversification programme by putting more money in the solid minerals sector as well as infrastructure projects,” said Bagudu.
On the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) adjustment, he said, even when the budget was submitted, the MTEF was amended.
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Tinubu directs security and intelligence agencies to harmonize operations to combat security challenges

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Armed Forces, Security and Intelligent Agencies to harmonize their operations and adopt a whole of society approach in combating evolving Security challenges.
Mr. President underscored the critical importance of joint security operational effectiveness in tackling Nigeria’s emerging security challenges.
President Tinubu who was represented by the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar gave the charge at the opening session of the Chief of Defence Staff Joint Task Force Commanders Conference held at Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
The President commended the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) for their unwavering dedication and sacrifice in safeguarding the nation. He noted that this year’s conference theme, “Enhancing Jointness across all Theatres of Operations,” aligns seamlessly with his administration’s strategic vision for a more secured Nigeria.
“This forum is expedient and timely especially at this time where the security landscape is dynamic and constantly evolving. Such a landscape undoubtedly requires us to harmonize our efforts and evolve proactive and innovative measures that can decisively address the security threats,“ he stated.
President Tinubu emphasized the necessity for enhanced collaboration among the military, police, intelligence agencies, and other security organizations to maximize operational efficiency. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the Armed Forces and all security agencies, and further highlighted the importance of continuous strategy re-evaluation, the integration of emerging technologies, and strengthening inter-agency cooperation.
“I therefore urge you to holistically explore,in detail,the concept of jointness, while harnessing the power of emerging technologies and innovation. I further implore you to continue to work together to ensure multi-agency synergy on all fronts as this will enable the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain an agile, adaptable and lethal force performing at its highest potential,“ he emphasized.
President Tinubu also expressed gratitude to the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, and all officers and personnel of the Armed Forces for organizing the conference. He reiterated his administration’s full support for Nigeria’s security forces.
In conclusion, President Tinubu wished the participants fruitful deliberations, expressing confidence that the outcomes of the conference will significantly contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s national security framework.
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Gov. Lawal mourns 17 students who died in Zamfara fire tragedy

Governor Dauda Lawal has expressed his condolences to the families of the 17 students who lost their lives in the fire tragedy at the Almajiri School in Zamfara State.
At least 17 students have tragically lost their lives due to a fire at an Almajiri school in Kaura-Namoda LGA of the state.
In a statement issued in Gusau on Wednesday, the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, described the fire incident as highly unfortunate.
“I’m heartbroken by the tragic fire on Tuesday at Makarantar Mallam Ghali, an Almajiri School located in the Kauran Namoda local government area.
“On behalf of the Zamfara State Government, we extend our condolences to the families, the school, and the entire nation as we mourn the loss of these young souls.
“During this time of sorrow, may Almighty Allah provide strength and comfort to the grieving families as they navigate this difficult period. I extend my wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured.
“As a responsible government, we would examine the underlying causes of this fire and seek methods to prevent its recurrence in the future.
“We will provide all necessary support and assistance to the victims’ families.”
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