Happy Mid Month

Happy Mid Month

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, on Monday, condemned the attack by some criminal elements on the task force officials responsible for enforcing Executive Order 003.

The incident occurred at the Bukuru market in Jos South Local Government Area, where lawless individuals assaulted members of the joint task force and set cars ablaze including houses.

In a statement issued by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, the governor said the task force was mandated to regulate buildings and vehicular traffic within the Greater Jos master plan.

According to Mutfwang, the market was designated by the government to accommodate lawful business activities with an appeal to street vendors to relocate accordingly.

Highlighting the broader purpose of Executive Order 003, Mutfwang clarified that its intent was to safeguard Jos from deterioration into a slum and a haven for criminal activities.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to collaborating with law-abiding citizens across all divides to foster peace and unity in the state.

Bere statement said, “The governor lamented the reckless behavior of the attackers, who wielded dangerous weapons to inflict harm and loot shops, resulting in the destruction of vehicles owned by innocent traders. Tragically, one of the suspects fatally shot his accomplice during the chaos.

“Governor Mutfwang condemned the incident as entirely avoidable, questioning the motives of those who flouted Executive Order 003 and resorted to violence against law-abiding citizens.

“He called on security agencies to swiftly apprehend all perpetrators and ensure that they face justice without delay. He reiterated the State government’s unwavering resolve to confront troublemakers decisively.

“Governor Mutfwang appealed to religious and community leaders in the affected area, to guide their followers against unlawful conduct and implement measures to thwart criminal elements who may exploit the situation to cause disorder.

“Governor Mutfwang expressed appreciation to all security agencies for their dedication and urged them to intensify efforts to restore calm amidst the current challenges. He sympathised with members of the public whose vehicles and other properties were vandalized as a result of the incident”.




https://punchng.com/plateau-gov-faults-attack-on-task-force-officials/

The governor of the US state of Maryland issued a mass pardon of drug offences on Monday, in a far-reaching move forgiving 175,000 low-level marijuana convictions across multiple decades.

Democrat Wes Moore said his act — “the most sweeping state-level pardon” in American history — was aimed at addressing social and economic injustices disproportionately impacting tens of thousands of Black people.

Moore, the eastern state’s first Black governor, said he intended to right the “decades of harm” wrought by drug policy that had disproportionately targeted African Americans, depriving them of access to housing, education and employment.

Nearly half of all state drug arrests during the early 2000s were for cannabis, he said, with Black Marylanders three times more likely to be detained over cannabis-related charges than white residents.

And while the state’s population of six million is 33 per cent Black, more than 70 per cent of Maryland’s male incarcerated population is Black.

“Today, we take a big step enacting the kinds of policies that can reverse the harm of the past and to help us to work together to build a brighter future,” Moore said as he signed the pardons into law in a ceremony in the capital Annapolis.

“This is a big deal. This is a really big deal.”

He said the scope of the pardons — affecting some 100,000 people — amounted to a “sweeping and unapologetic” executive action by officials looking to erase criminal justice inequities as more states nationwide ease marijuana laws.

After a state-wide referendum, Maryland legalized cannabis for adults and retail sales of the drug in 2023.

The governor said the pardons would extend to anyone with a misdemeanour conviction for possession of marijuana or paraphernalia.

“The data shows the deeply rooted bias in drug-related arrests and sentencing. Cannabis convictions for hundreds of thousands of people here in Maryland were Scarlet Letters, modern day shackles,” added Maryland’s Attorney General Anthony Brown.

“This morning, I can almost hear the clanging of those shackles falling to the floor.”

The pardons will not result in anyone being released from jail, the governor’s office said.


The action was cheered by criminal justice reform activists including Jason Ortiz, director of strategic initiatives for the Last Prisoner Project, who recounted being arrested at 16 for cannabis possession.

“I was thrown out of school, denied access to my high school education, ripped from my family and my friends, and had to endure two years of isolation for a simple cannabis possession charge,” he said.

“The Last Prisoner Project applauds Governor Moore (and) his administration’s actions to rectify the historic racial disparities caused by cannabis prohibition… Today is literally the most powerful day in cannabis justice history for the entire nation. That’s an incredible thing.”

Heather Warnken, executive director at the Center for Criminal Justice Reform at the University of Baltimore Law School, called the action a “win for thousands of Marylanders getting a fresh start,” but also a victory for the legitimacy of the justice system itself.

“We have a lot of work to do, but for this moment here today, we celebrate this first step,” she said.

“We celebrate the justice and dignity and restoration that it represents and, filled with that momentum, tomorrow, we keep forging ahead.”



https://punchng.com/marijuana-us-gov-pardons-175000-convicts/

The Labour Party Presidential flag bearer, Peter Obi, on Monday, faulted the Federal Government for contemplating adding new aircraft to the existing Presidential fleet.

Three days ago, the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence mandated the FG to buy new aircraft for President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

The committee’s recommendation was contained in a report released after it investigated the status of the aircraft in the presidential air fleet.

The recommendation comes a few months after three planes from the Presidential Air Fleet were pencilled down for sale.

But Obi described the move as unacceptable and a clear show of insensitivity to the suffering of the Nigerian people.

Reacting on his X handle on Monday, the former Anambra governor disclosed that it was rather unfortunate that at a time when the country was making headlines over the economic crisis, occasioned by hyperinflation, a falling currency and widespread poverty, the FG was contemplating securing new presidential jets.

He said, “This demonstrates extreme insensitivity to citizens’ struggles. With rising insecurity, poverty, hunger, and homelessness, this decision highlights the disconnect that is apparent between the government and the people. It is unacceptable as the situation in the country today more than ever demands a more compassionate use of resources, prioritizing citizens’ welfare.

It is on record that our presidential jets have an average age of 12 years, purchased when most Nigerians could afford necessities. Now, as our country faces significant challenges, including a high debt profile, our citizens are in even greater need. Instead of adding to our luxuries, we should be focused on alleviating their suffering and finding solutions to their problems.

“While we had earlier refurbished the old VP residence with $2 million, the over 100-year-old US Vice President’s house has only undergone wide-scale renovations twice, funded by taxpayers’ money; in 1993 and 2021. Every new US VP is free to finance any minor refurbishing from his funds.

“It is, therefore, time to stop this impunity, insensitivity, and shamelessness and refocus on the needs of our people. We must prioritize education, healthcare, and lifting our citizens out of poverty. Let us work together to build a nation that truly serves its people, not just the interests of a few.”



https://punchng.com/focus-on-alleviating-suffering-not-buying-presidential-jets-obi-slams-fg/#google_vignette

Always pray for directions before venturing into any business.

Must you keep using this same chemical. Oga change chemical before coming here to tell us to beg you to change chemical before you do so.

And let the living say Amen

Million dollar Guitar

Happy birthday Buhari. One of our greatest nightmare.

What a sad way to die

Such is life