Wednesday, December 28th, 2022 Edition

Officials and layers of Community Peace Observers in collaboration with Kaduna Youths for Good Governance during an organised novelty football march to promote the peaceful conduct of 2023 general election in Kaduna on Tuesday

Group donates food items to widows of fallen heroes is Kaduna

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

AGroup under the auspices of Matron Angelina Ogbole Memorial Foundation, has distributed food items to over 90 widows of the fallen heroes of the Nigerian Army in Kaduna.

While distributing the food items to the beneficiaries in Jaji yesterday, the Chairman of the foundation, Mrs. Winniefred Ochinyabo averred that the

gesture was to cushion the heightened rise of poverty, and to also put smiles on the widows faces.

Speaking with newsmen, Mrs. Ochinyabo explained that the foundation drives on the basis of fulfilling its goals, ensuring that the widows of the fallen heroes are not totally ignored, especially in a period of festivities that many of them may not be able to afford to put food on their tables.

“ We are not saying that this

is enough for them, but, it would definitely go a long way to help them to put food on their tables at this festive period,” the Chairman of the foundation explained.

Mrs. Ochinyabo however, said that the distribution of the food items was also in the spirit of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration to the widows of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, new barracks and its environ.

Mrs. Ochinyabo further

explained that the foundation was named after her late mother, Matron Angelina Ogbole, who she said during her time lived a sacrificial and selfless life; touching the lives of the sick, poor and the need as a Chief Nursing Officer (CNO).

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Paulina Andrew said: “We really appreciate the foundation for the show of love to us, especially at this festive period.

2023 election: Tinubu’s victory inevitable – Bayelsa ICC boss tells kinsmen

By Christiana Ekpa

The coordinator of the Independent Campaign Council for Tinubu-Shettima, Prince Preye Aganaba, has told his kinsmen in Odi, Bayelsa State, that the victory of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 election is inevitable.

Aganaba, who spoke on Tuesday while celebrating the Yuletide with his kinsmen at the famous Odi Kingdom in Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area, dismissed any possible runoff, saying Tinubu would win by landslide.

Aganaba, who threw a party for his kinsmen bringing an Ijaw music maestro, Junior Barrister and his live band to thrill them, recalled that he predicted APC’s victory in 2015.

Aganaba said “The victory of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is inevitable. The 2023 election will be won by the APC and that trajectory is inevitable.

“The Tinubu/Shettima ticket will sweep the votes at the presidential poll with a landslide victory. This is certain, just like I told most of you here in 2015 that

the APC will win the presidential election.”

He said Bayelsa State had benefited from a plethora of projects he had been able to influence in his capacity as a chieftain of the APC.

Aganaba, a former senatorial candidate and governorship aspirant, called on his kinsmen and the entire Bayelsa to identify with and work for the Tinubu-Shettima winning ticket to benefit from more projects after the poll.

He said: “Bayelsa State and Kolukuma/Opukuma LGA have enjoyed a plethora of projects I have been able to influence through

the years, from roads to healthcare centres, to schools, shore protection and many of the life-changing projects we have been able to put in place. This was made possible on the platform of the APC.

“Vote for the Tinubu/Shettima ticket and I assure you, there will be more projects done not just for Odi and Kolokuma/ Opukuma LGA, but the entire state.”

Aganaba explained that the ICC had the mandate to deliver the victory of the Tinubu/Shettima ticket at the grassroots and urged them to vote for the APC at the presidential poll scheduled for February 27, 2023.

NSCDC unveils 270 special female squad in Niger

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Niger state Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has unveiled 270 number of special weapon handling female

squad trained to complement insecurity challenges facing the country and the state.

The Commandant of the Command, Ahmed Mohammed Dandare also unveiled the Female Armed Squad in the command during the Passing Out Parade of

Mohammed

He said female squads were also trained on different techniques to engage in rescue operations, weapon handling, VIP protection, intelligence gathering and tips to tackle sexual gender base violence.

the trained personnel in Minna, Niger State.

Dandare revealed that the Female Armed Squad were trained to complement the male counterpart in the fight against abduction of school children in schools in the state.

Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila (3rd right); Hon. Desmond Elliot (1st right); Hon. Lanre Okunola (2nd right); Hon. Mosunmola Sangodara (4th right) and others at a rally in Coker Aguda and Itire Ikate areas of Surulere 2 Federal Constituency on Saturday 24 December 2022. Photo: Speaker’s Office.

Christmas: Rep. Gaza urges electorate to be spiritual, shun sentiments

Rep. Jonathan Gaza (SDPNasarawa), representing Kokona, Keffi and Karu Federal Constituency, has urged the electorate not to vote based on sentiments or money in the 2023 general elections.

Gaza made the call in his Christmas message to his constituents supporters across the three Local Governments Areas that made up the constituency, on Sunday in Keffi.

The lawmaker, who is the SDP candidate for the Constituency, commended the present administration for its commitment and determination to conduct free, fair and credible elections in 2023.

He said: ” Let first and foremost I appreciate the essence of Christmas and what it is all about. Christmas is a time of sharing and a period where our lord and savior was born into the world take the sins of the world and pay the ultimate sacrifice which was the reason he came.

” Bearing that in mind, we ought to take Christmas as a period of sober reflection when we will take stock of what had happened through the year and begin to set new goals moving into the new year.

” So, my message to each and every one this Christmas more so that it coincided with the election early next year is that please be spiritual, pray and see God first with regards to the future of the country and do not vote base on sentiment, money and intimidation. ”

Gaza said that the current administration scored high points in ensuring free and fair elections.

” And we must appreciate the innovation that has been put in place like the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

” And as for me, I take it as Christmas gift and I want to thank the present administration for that. I wish everybody a merry Christmas and most prosperous new year,” Gaza said. (NAN)

2023: Nigerians in UK task political parties, candidates on town hall meetings

Nigerians in the United Kingdom (UK) have tasked candidates of various political parties on the need to engage with the citizens on what they should expect if elected into office.

Mr Daddy Kris, a Nigerian based in London, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview that Nigerians in UK were eager to engage candidates for the 2023 general elections to know what they have in stock if elected into office.

Kris, who is the founder of

Superior Radio and Television (SRTV), said that the yearnings for the engagement led to organisation of a virtual town hall meeting tagged “#Nigeriadecide2023” scheduled to begin on Dec. 27.

“We have a candidate who is a serving House of Representatives member from Ethiope Federal Constituency of Delta State, Ben Igbakpa, coming to interact with the people on his election programme,” he said.

According to Kris, the constant demand by Nigerians for good governance and good leaders will be the defining factors in the country preparation for the 2023

general elections.

“It is on this notion that SRTV London in partnership with individuals, various platforms and organisations came up with town hall meetings.

“As the name implies, it is an avenue for our host, candidates, party representatives or supporters come virtually to discuss their manifestos.

“The importance of the town hall meeting cannot be far fetched as it will help foster unity and healthy competition among flag bearers, political parties and party members.

“It will help the political parties

to inform and educate Nigerians on their programmes and also hear from the average Nigerians on what their expectations are ahead of the elections.

“It is also expected to build a true sportsmanship among the candidates of various political parties and discourage politicians from being desperate,” Kris said.

He added that various Nigerian associations, town unions, sociocultural groups and individuals in UK have declared their interest to participate in the virtual town hall meetings, as politicians in Sokoto, Delta and Lagos have already keyed into the programme. (NAN)

YPP reps candidate, Buraimoh preaches tolerance, peace at xmas

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

Young Progressive Party(YPP), candidate

Ifako-Ijaye federal constituency, Lagos State,Hon.

Peter Folajimi Buraimoh has called for peace and religious tolerance among different adherents of faith as the antidote to conflicts in the country.

In his goodwill message to Nigerians to commemorate this year’s Christmas celebration

issued on Saturday, Buraimoh called for inter-religious cooperation that will engender peace and harmonious coexistence.

He said occasional conflicts between and among various religions would never reoccur if the inter-religious dialogue is sustained.

Buraimoh urged Christians in the country to remain steadfast in prayer to the almighty God to intervene in

the myriads of security, and socio-economic and political challenges facing the nation.

He enjoined them not to undermine the essence of the Christmas celebration on the altar of merriment, saying, “the sanctity of the birth of Jesus Christ which is the reason for the celebration is to re-enact the spirit of love, peace, good neighbourliness and forgiveness which our saviour preached.”

Hon. Buraimoh particularly

thanked the people of IfakoIjaye federal constituency, for their silence and support him come 2023 general election and enjoined them to remain steadfast to face the challenges ahead.

On the forthcoming general elections, Hon.Buraimoh called on the people of the State and Nigeria to “vote in leaders who will be committed to the security of people and promote the wellbeing and development of the

country. This is the only way we can rescue Nigeria from the poor leadership the outgoing APC administration has taken us to.

“In the 2023 elections, we must look beyond partisan political lines to elect leaders who have been tested and trusted. Not those with criminal tendencies and thrive on lies, falsehood and deceit as their signature traits,” he emphasised.

R-L: Amir/National President, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria, Alhaji (Barr) Alatoye AbdulAzeez; Deputy Chief of Staff, Office Governor, Ogun State, Dr. Toyin Taiwo; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; and Chairman, Jalsa Salana Committee, Engr Qasim Oluwa, the 68th Annual Convention Jalsa Salana held in IIaro, Ogun State, yesterday.

Bandits kill village head in Niger

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

The Village Head of Mulo Community in Mashegu local government area of Niger state, Mallam Usman Garba has been gruesomely killed by terrorists after he was abducted.

State Commissioner for Internal Security, Emmanuel Umar confirmed this during a security briefing with Journalists at government house Minna.

Umar stated that the terrorists had invaded the Mulo community last Thursday and abducted four people including the village head whose corpse was left behind while the terrorists continued their journey with the three others.

The Commissioner said that the state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has directed all security agencies to come out in full force to flush out the terrorists and completely eradicate insecurity in the local government areas.

Umar urged communities to liaise with the security agencies around them and draw their attention to anything that will cause a threat to the lives of the people to ensure peaceful festivity.

Matawalle promises to end banditry in Zamfara

unprecedented mammoth crowd of supporters, promising to end banditry.

Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle has began his second term bid campaign rallies at the ancient city of Kauran- Namoda amidst

Matawalle who was supported by all the past Governors of Zamfara State and all political bigwigs in the state, has reminded people of the state on commitments

by his administration to conquer banditry, kidnapping and other related crimes.

He further promised to consolidate the peace in the state and spread developmental projects.

Governor Matawalle who was

elated at the grand reception by mammoth supporters from across the state, promised not to let the people down.

He said that the single feat of rallying all political warlords in the state to board one ship is a step towards sustainable peace.

LP urges Nigerians to keep hope alive

According to him, civil servants in the country were not paid their monthly salaries, which resulted in most family not to have resources to celebrate the birth of Christ.

He added that this is in addition to the doubling of the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which has led to an increase in the prices of goods and services in the country.

Christmas: Cleric harps on celebration with less privileged

As Nigerians celebrate this year’s Christmas, the Senior Pastor of House of Purpose Ministry, U/Sunday in

Chikun Local government Area, Apostle Yakubu Yusuf has urged Christians to allow the joy and peace, which the birth of Jesus Christ signifies to transform their lives and cause them to extend love and fellowship to

the less privileged.

He gave the charge in the Christmas sermon he delivered yesterday.

The clergy who was reading from the Book, Neh..: 10-12 said as Christians celebrate the

season, they should bear in mind that there are less privileged people among them who need to extend the celebration to by sharing things that will make the celebration meaningful to them.

Executive Director Finance, Mr. Ayodeji Aboderin, Mr. Valentine Okelu Executive Director Pharma Sales & Marketing, MD/CEO May & Baker Nig. Plc Mr. Patrick Ajah, Mr. Godwin Obiakor Head internal Control and Compliance and Mr. Silver Ajalaye Head Pharma Plant Operations

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Director, Youth Affairs of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign

Council Isah Abubakar has urged Nigerians to keep hope alive with the party.

This was contained in a statement made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Aliyu Ilias emerges chairman of Ansar-uddeen northern youth council

Mr Aliyu Ilias has emerged the Chairman of of Ansar-ud-deen Youth Association of Northern Nigeria Youth Council.

The Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Munir Jadesimi, who made the disclosure in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said that the election was held in Kano at the 2022 Kano conference of the Ansar-ud-deen Youth Association of Nigeria (ADYAN).

Jadesimi said: ” Through Islamic shurah system Aliyu ilias emerged as the chairman to lead the Northern states council for the next three years.

” Alhaji Zakariyau Abidakun chaired the shurah committee and over 500 ADYAN members attended the conference, which featured islamic lectures, prayers, meeting, sport activities, award and youth development programmes.”

He listed the other elected leaders council to include: Hakeem Odebiyi, 1st Vice Chairman, Abbey Adeyemi. 2nd Vice Chairman, Adetola Yunusa, 3rd Vice Chairman and Sanni Taiye, as the Secretary.

Others are: Mudrakat Adebayo, the council’s Ameerah, Soladoye Nafisah, Deputy Ameerah and Mariam Abdulazeez, Secretary to the Ameerah.

The new chairman expressed commitment to run an allinclusive administration with a view to ensuring the attainment of the noble objectives of council.

” My project for the three years is tagged MashaAllahProject, which includes membership drive and development, investment, students’ support and partnering our parent body to achieve its objectives.”

Earlier, the immediate past chairman, Alhaji Abduljalil Apanpa, who shared his success stories, promised to support the new executives. (NAN)

Cleric rekindles hope for better Nigeria

The General Overseer, All Christians Fellowship Mission, Rev. William Okoye, has urged Nigerians to be hopeful and make positive utterances about the nation.

Okoye said all shall be well with Nigeria, just as Jesus Christ was born.

Okoye gave the admonition

in Abuja during the Christmas service to mark the birth of Jesus Christ.

“God loves Nigeria and has made a lot of investments; nobody can abort His love and plans for the nation.

“Right now in the face of all the challenges, it appears God is giving us a ray of hope and many

people believe what is happening in our political environment is inspired by God.

“God is going to deliver to us from the grips of men and women who have held this nation bound and down over the years and free the nation to raise to its fullest potentials and see the total fulfilment of God’s divine agenda,

plans and purpose for our nations He added that the birth of Christ in a humble and meek manner was a reminder to us that God is still with us and will do anything to save us.

Rev Okoye enjoined Christians not to take the love of God for granted and use every opportunity to serve and praise him. (NAN)

No amount of intimidation will make me unpopular – Wadada

Alhaji Ahmed Wadada, Social Democratic Party (SDP) Senatorial Candidate for Nasarawa Western Zone, says no amount of intimidation from those against his candidature will dim his popularity among voters in the zone.

The SDP chieftain made the assertion at a news briefing on Saturday in Keffi, Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

He was reacting to the alleged stoppage of his planned interactive session with the fulani stakeholders and leaders of Keffi International cattle market by the security agencies.

Wadada described the alleged action of the security agencies, particularly the police as undemocratic and against the Nigerian constitution as well as

the Electoral Act, 2010.

He said he was invited by the fulani stakeholders at the market for a meeting and he decided to write notification letters of all the Heads of the security agencies in Keffi.

Wadada said:” But surprisingly, few hours to the meeting, the fulani stakeholders informed me that they were asked not to allow the meeting to hold.”

Wadada, who is the Sarkin Yakin Keffi expressed shock and dismay over the development and wondered who was behind the abrupt cancellation hours to the meeting.

He said: “The leadership of the Keffi International cattle market sought to meet with me because I have a political history with them.

“That is because, I have

impacted, contributed and have been committed to the cause of the cattle market.

” So, they sought to meet me to interact and we agreed to meet today (Saturday).

“Being a former lawmaker who knows and adheres to the law, we decided to write the Police Area Commander here and DSS here about the proposed visit to the market.

“A message was sent to the leaders of the cattle market and when we heard about that, we felt we should stay back.”

Wadada said that they rescinded their decision about the meeting for peace to prevail.

” That is why we chose not to go for the meeting. Also,we don’t know what was planned and I don’t want to be linked to any disharmony,” he said.

Wadada said he had met the

fulani stakeholders and appealed to them to be law abiding and patient, adding, “efforts are on to unravel what led to the cancellation of the meeting and the way forward.

“I am a stakeholder not only in Nasarawa but in the Nigerian project.

” So, nobody can intimidate or scare me. Whoever feel will wrongly use his position, we are going to seek to seek for our rights lawfully.

“I will continue to fight for the interest of the people. Nobody can intimidate me, nobody can stop me.”

Earlier, the leader of Fulani stakeholders in Nasarawa West, Alhaji Damau, reiterated the resolved of the fulanis in the zone to support the candidature of Wadada.

Reacting to the development,

DSP Ramhan Nansel, Nasarawa State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) refuted the allegation that police had notified the leadership of cattle market not to allow Wadada to hold the meeting.

“It’s not true. The police cannot do that. Nobody even notified us about anything. So, how can the police now go and prevent somebody from holding a meeting?

“I also called the Area command in Keffi and they said they are not aware of any meeting. So, how can they prevent it from happening? So, I don’t think it’s the police.

“The SDP Nasarawa West Senatorial district candidate should investigate whoever instructed the cattle market leaders to cancel the meeting. It’s not the police,” he said. (NAN)

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (2nd left) with the deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai (2nd right), the PDP candidate for Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency, Engr. Vita Abba (right) and the new traditional ruler of Edem-Ani Ogwugwu Ancient Kingdom, Nsukka Local Government Area of the state, HRH Igwe Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu (Igwe Ogadagidi), during the monarch’s coronation ceremony, held at Community Secondary School, Edem, yesterday.

2023: DAG

engages stakeholders to reduce violence extremism in Jigawa

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

Anon governmental organization, Dispute Resolution and Development Initiative, formally known as Democratic Action Group (DAG) organised a two day capacity workshop to engage multi stakeholders on violence prevention in Jigawa state.

Speaking to news men shortly after the training, the executive director of DAG Dr Muhammad Mustapha Yahaya said, the workshop will provide more knowledge to the participants on how to prevent the occurrence of violence extremism in their various communities.

He explained that, DAG incollaboration with West African Network for Peace building (WANEP) embarked on peace building to reduce violence extremism in Jigawa and Kano states.

Niger Govt applauds security agencies

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has applauded the conventional and nonconventional security agencies

operating in the state.

Briefing Journalists on the security update in the state, he assured that efforts would be sustained to ensure bandits are flushed out of the state completely.

Speaking on behalf of

the governor, Commissioner for Internal Security and Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Emmanuel Umar observed that there is a relative peace in the state presently.

He however acknowledged that there are pockets of attacks

in the some communities of Mashegu, Mariga and Kontagora local government areas.

While sympathizing with the families of security personnels who lost their lives in the fight against banditry, he stressed that their sacrifices will not go in vain.

Christmas: Rep. Gaza urges electorate to be spiritual, shun sentiments

Rep. Jonathan Gaza (SDPNasarawa), representing Kokona, Keffi and Karu Federal Constituency, has urged the electorate not to vote based on sentiments or money in the 2023 general elections.

Gaza made the call in his Christmas message to his constituents supporters across the three Local Governments Areas that made up the constituency, on Sunday in Keffi.

The lawmaker, who is the SDP candidate for the

Constituency, commended the present administration for its commitment and determination to conduct free, fair and credible elections in 2023.

He said: ” Let first and foremost I appreciate the essence of Christmas and what it is all about. Christmas is a time of sharing and a period where our lord and savior was born into the world take the sins of the world and pay the ultimate sacrifice which was the reason he came.

” Bearing that in mind, we ought to take Christmas as a period of sober reflection when we will take stock of what had happened through the year and begin to set new goals moving into the new year.

” So, my message to each and every one this Christmas more so that it coincided with the election early next year is that please be spiritual, pray and see God first with regards to the future of the country and do not vote base on sentiment, money

and intimidation.”

Gaza said that the current administration scored high points in ensuring free and fair elections.

”And we must appreciate the innovation that has been put in place like the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

” And as for me, I take it as Christmas gift and I want to thank the present administration for that. I wish everybody a merry Christmas and most prosperous new year,” Gaza said. (NAN)

Lagos shooting: IGP condemns lawyer’s killing, orders speedy investigation

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba has condemned the shooting and killing of Mrs

Omobolanle Raheem, a lawyer who was allegedly shot and killed by a Policeman attached to Ajiwe Police Station, Ajah, Lagos State.

In a statement signed on Monday by the force Public

relation Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi , described the incident as unfortunate and sad, the IGP has ordered speedy investigation and prosecution of the officers responsible for the ugly and

unprofessional act.

In the same vein, the IGP commiserated with the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased as he prayed for the repose of her soul.

He further assured the general public of justice in the case, while warning officers and men of the Force to be professional and people-oriented in the discharge of their duties.

Former Executive Secretary,. Professor Suleiman Bogoro (left), discussing with former governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Isah Yuguda and former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana during the investiture of Bogoro as the first recipient of the Nigerian Prize for Leadership (NPL) that took place in Abuja recently.

We will vote those who will address issuesYoruba group

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Yoruba groups under the auspices of Yoruba Council of Youth worldwide and Yoruba community Youth wing Kaduna said Yoruba in Kaduna State are for good governance only.

This was contained in a statement by Shittu Sunday and Arch Ajisafe Najeem, Chairman Yoruba Council of Youth worldwide and chairman Yoruba community Youth wing Kaduna respectively.

The statement was reacting to recent publications (not Peoples Daily) that Yoruba Community in Kaduna State is for APC.

AA Chairman urges Nigerians to show love, embrace forgiveness

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The National chairman of the Action Alliance Party (AA), Dr Adekunle Rufai Omo-Aje has urged Christians across the nation to show love and embrace forgiveness and reconciliation during the yuletide season, in line with the spirit of Christmas.

He asserted this in his massages to Christians on the celebration the Birth of Jesus Christ.

Omo-Aje also enjoined Nigerians to seek divine guidance in choosing the right leaders for the country during the coming polls in 2023.

Cleric urges youths to shun fornication for marriage

An Abuja-based Islamic cleric, Imam Yahya AlYolawi on Tuesday in Abuja urged youths who have the means to get married and shun fornication.

This, he said, would make them to earn rewards here on earth and in the hereafter.

Al-Yolawi, Chief Imam of Nurul Yaqeen Jumma’at Mosque,

Abuja, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that marriage protects the heart from the evil of unbridled sexual desires and the concomitant dangers.

He said marriage is like an unbreakable fortress which protects those involved from going into hellfire in the hereafter.

“If a person fears the dangers of fornication he or she will prefer

to get married.

“Marriage should not be put off or delayed especially if one has the means to do so. Whoever is able to marry should marry, for that will help him to lower his gaze and guard his modesty.

“Marriage encourages reconciliation; the protection of the rights of women and children, and the production of righteous

offspring who will be happy in this life and in the hereafter,’’ he said.

Al-Yolawi stressed that marriage signified one’s commitment in following the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.

He quoted the prophet as having said that: “marriage is my teaching. Whosoever keeps away from it is not of me.’’ (NAN)

AA Chairman urges Nigerians to show love, embrace forgiveness

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

National chairman of the Action Alliance Party (AA), Dr Adekunle Rufai Omo-Aje

The

has urged Christians across the nation to show love and embrace forgiveness and reconciliation during the yuletide season, in line with the spirit of Christmas.

He asserted this in his massages to Christians on the celebration the Birth of Jesus Christ.

Omo-Aje also enjoined

Nigerians to seek divine guidance in choosing the right leaders for the country during the coming polls in 2023.

NGO empowers 180 vulnerable people in Niger

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Founder and Chief Executive Officer Ayewosai Global Foundation, Mary Noel Berje said the mission of the foundation

is to empower Nigerians at the grass-root level.

She stated this during the maiden official lunching of the Foundation’s magazine and relief distribution to about one hundred and eighty beneficiaries in Minna.

The CEO who is also the governor’s Chief Press Secretary noted that it’s further to make information available, embarked on sensitization,education, resources as well as create opportunities for them to succeed

in their businesses.

Mary Berje stated that Ayewosai Global Foundation has over the years embarked on humanitarian support to the vulnerable groups in the society.

She explained that they have

courageously gathered widows/ orphans and the less privileged yearly to support them with foodstuff and other non-food items, adding that this year, the foundation has provided for 180. families.

Community Peace Obsevers in collaboration with Kaduna Youths for Good governance, organised Novelty football march towards the Conduct of 2023 General Election

Christmas: NCWS urges christians to uphold spirit of season

The National Council of Women Societies Nigeria (NCWS), has urged Nigerians to uphold the spirit of the season as they celebrate Christmas. The National President of NCWS, Hajiya Lami Adamu Lau, said this in her Christmas message to Nigerians in Abuja.

Lau said that the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ was important to Christians because his birth brought peace and goodwill to all mankind. She urged christians to show love to one another as the bible commanded.

“As we celebrate the birth of Christ, let us consider the life of Jesus Christ and strive to emulate his selflessness.

”His ability to maintain peace even in the face of conflict and the love for all are values we should emulate. ”He was not limited by the circumstances of his birth, therefore setting for us an example of the power of faith, providing an assurance that we can be better than our current circumstances,” she said.

Lau said Nigerians, particularly the women, should have reasons to celebrate the season, in spite of the present challenges facing everyone.

”We should have cause to celebrate Christmas, irrespective of the situation. We should appreciate God for the life and health for us and our families. ”We should keep hope alive and as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, let us be committed to the peace and goodwill towards all as he teaches us.

”We should strive to be better person than we are today, combining our faith with the exemplary life of Jesus Christ,” she said. Lau also sent her gratitude to all the supporters of women in the year 2022 and look forward for a greater support in the new year. ”May the yuletide season fill your life with eternal joy and never ending happiness,” she said.(NAN)

CSOs sue NDDC over alleged failure to make available 2020 Budget breakdown

Three civil society organisations (CSOs) have dragged the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to court over alleged failure to furnish them with its 2020 Budget breakdown in line with the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act.

The CSOs; Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD), Social Development Integrated Centre (Social Action) and Abia State NDDC Advocacy groups,

filed the suit at the Federal High Court (FHC), Umuahia in Abia.

The Executive Director of FENRAD, Mr Nelson Nwafor, stated this on behalf of others in a statement he signed and made available to newsmen on Monday in Abuja.

He said in the suit marked: FHC/UMU/CS/349/2022 dated Dec 22 and filed by their lawyer, J.C. Anyigor, the CSOs are praying the court to compel the NDDC to make available details of the 2020 Budget and procurement

made within the period to them in compliance with FoI Act.

He said the groups want the commission to make available to them details of the vendors used in the procurement process, details of the bidding process, details of the contractors who executive the projects, details of the executed projects/location of the projects budgeted as well as the process of the disbursement to the contractors.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the suit, which

was filed via a motion ex-parte, was brought in pursuant to Order 34, Rules 3(1) & (2) of the FHC (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the honorable court for Judicial Review.

They said the request was made in compliance with the provisions of the FOI Act which entitles citizens, groups the right to request information from government institutions, individuals and corporate organisations. (NAN)

Primate assures Nigerians 2023 ‘ll be better

The Primate, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba has expressed optimism that the country will overcome its challenges and become stronger among the comity of nations.

Addressing the congregation in his Christmas message at the Cathedral Church of Advent, Life Camp, Abuja, Archbishop Ndukuba said the birth of Jesus Christ brought hope to mankind.

He urged Nigerians not to be afraid of the challenges but look unto God who has promised to bring the country out of the present situation and

liberate the citizens.

The Primate called on Nigerians to have faith in God and not to be afraid because the purpose of God for Nigeria would come to pass soon.

According to him, there is hope for Nigeria as the people are passing through what they are passing through as individuals, as families, as a people, and as a nation.

“At such a time as this, just as it was in the very first Christmas, when Jesus was born, the message of the Angel to the shepherds, who were like neglected people, oppressed and not regarded in the society.

“When God wanted to break

the news of the birth of Jesus, they were the first people that God told what heaven has done, which means God has regard for everybody.

“God has regard for the people, especially the downtrodden, those that are oppressed and suffering, and those that have no regard, no class”.

The Primate however called on Christains to walk righreously for things to work in their favour.

“I am believing God that a good number of people in the world are passing through challenging times and things that make them worth feel

worthless.

“But this Christmas, the message to us is, do not be afraid. Do not be overtaken by the things that are confronting you.

“Look onto God, for our sake, Jesus was born, so that He will deliver us from the bondage of sin and death, giving us salvation and freedom.

“So that we will be indeed the people that God has intended and purpose for us.

“There is a purpose for God in the life of every individual, every family, and indeed, for Nigeria, and that the purpose shall surely come to pass.

“His purpose will come to

pass in Nigeria because God has given us, His Son, Jesus Christ, the Saviour, born to us.

”So that we shall be delivered from the bondage of this world and be given hope and purpose to live the glory of God.

“As we celebrate Christmas, we encourage people to open up their hearts, that Jesus may be born in them, to open up their lives and surrender that life to the one who is the Lord our God.

”And if we will open up unto him, the purpose of God shall be fulfilled and the things that God wants to do in and through us, will be manifested,” he said.

The National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) , AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria, Princess Gloria Akobundu (middle) flanked by the Directors of the Agency, during the Organisation media briefing on the Agency Scorecard in 2022 and flag- off of Pre- election Peace Advocacy Campaigns (Say No to Election Violence) for the up coming general election, held in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Bishop

calls for creation of State, LG, Ward police to tackle insecurity

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Bishop Timothy Yahaya of Anglican communion, Kaduna Diocese has called for State, Local government and ward police to secure every situation and the people in the country.

In his Christmas message, Bishop Yahaya called for State, Local government and ward police to secure every situation and the people in the country.

According to him, it is a national shame for security experts in the country to declare some spaces ungoverned without finding solutions to such situation.

This was even as the Anglican Cleric advised that the nation’s military men should go back to the barracks, saying they have outlived their usefulness in tackling insecurity.

Atiku disowns fraudulent empowerment of cash for votes

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Atiku Care Foundation (ACF), a humanitarian component of the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku

Abubakar, has disowned a viral message promising electorate N50, 000 empowerment to vote their principal in the 2023 general elections.

This was contained in a statement signed by the

National Director, Media and Publicity, Atiku Care Foundation, Okpani Jacob made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Tuesday December 27, 2022.

According to the statement,

Atiku Care Foundation’s Director General, Ambassador Aliyu Bin Abbas disowned the fraudulent messages being circulated on the social media by a phone number, 07085932887.

Christmas: NCWS urges christians to uphold spirit of season

The National Council of Women Societies Nigeria (NCWS), has urged Nigerians to uphold the spirit of the season as they celebrate Christmas. The National President of NCWS, Hajiya Lami Adamu Lau, said this in her Christmas message to Nigerians in Abuja.

Lau said that the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ was important to Christians because his birth brought peace and goodwill to all mankind. She

urged christians to show love to one another as the bible commanded. “As we celebrate the birth of Christ, let us consider the life of Jesus Christ and strive to emulate his selflessness. ”His ability to maintain peace even in the face of conflict and the love for all are values we should emulate.

”He was not limited by the circumstances of his birth, therefore setting for us an example of the power of faith, providing an assurance that we can be better

than our current circumstances,” she said. Lau said Nigerians, particularly the women, should have reasons to celebrate the season, in spite of the present challenges facing everyone. ”We should have cause to celebrate Christmas, irrespective of the situation.

We should appreciate God for the life and health for us and our families. ”We should keep hope alive and as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, let us be committed

to the peace and goodwill towards all as he teaches us. ”We should strive to be better person than we are today, combining our faith with the exemplary life of Jesus Christ,” she said. Lau also sent her gratitude to all the supporters of women in the year 2022 and look forward for a greater support in the new year.

”May the yuletide season fill your life with eternal joy and never ending happiness,” she said.

(NAN)

Christmas: Apostle Momo urges christians to show love, kindness

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Senior Pastor and founder of Zion Flames Ministries International Apostle Promise Momo, has urged

Christians to demonstrate love and kindness as they celebrate Christmas.

In his goodwill message to Nigerians to commemorate this year’s Christmas celebration on

Sunday, he said, “The greatest commandment as we know is love . For this is the message you have heard from the beginning: we should love one another” (1 John 3:11).

According to him,”We spend time on what we deem important. For many of us these choices are valid”.

L-R: Presbyter, Methodist Church of Trinity Tinubu, Lagos. Very Rev. Dr. Jonathan B. Osin; Prelate Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence Dr. Oliver Ali Aba; Bishop of Trinity Church Tinubu Methodist Church, Lagos, Rt. Rev.Dr. Oladapo O. Bablola and Presbyter Tinubu Church Lagos, Very Rev. Bolanle Samuel Ojeyemi, during the 2022 Christmas Services at Methodist Church Nigeria in Lagos,at the weekend.

No beating Nigerian disingenuousness

Criminally minded Nigerians have wasted no time trying to work the the government’s latest monetary policy to their advantage. Last November, the Central Bank launched a redesigning of the 200, 500 and one thousand naira notes. Deposit banks began issuing them second week of December. But almost immediately, counterfeits were already in people’s hands. In a video, gone viral, a man was heard saying his wife, who operated a Point of Sale (PoS) machine, had been given a fake new 1,000 naira note. He displayed the genuine and counterfeit for viewers to spot the difference.

President Muhammadu Buhari in November unveiled the new notes, the three highest denominations of the national currency. CBN governor Godwin Emefiele, during the unveiling, said the introduction of new notes was a deliberate step taken by the government to check corruption and counterfeiting of the notes.

The CBN is, by law (Sections 17, 18 and 19 of the CBN Act), responsible for the issuance of naira notes. It is against the law for any individual or establishment, outside the CBN, to print money or be in possession of counterfeit notes. “If you are caught and convicted of a counterfeiting crime, you may face up to five (5) years imprisonment with no option of fine (Section 20),” the CBN said in a circular on its website last week.

The CBN said the new naira notes were protected by a number of security features “to enable easy recognition of genuine ones”. The distinguishing features, which can be recognized by touch and visibility, are the raised print, the security thread and the watermark. Others, such as the portrait, lettering and the denominational numerals on the obverse and reverse of the notes, are embossed.

“The raised prints provide the tactility, while the security thread, which ordinarily, looks broken but is not when held up against light, has “CBN” in small lettering printed on

OUR MISSION

“To be the market place of ideas and the leading player in the industry by putting the people first, upholding the truth, maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards while delivering value to our stakeholders”

both sides of the notes,” said the apex bank. “The notes are also protected against photocopying. There are also features which are visible under ultraviolet light. For example, the serial number on each banknote is black, but turns green under ultraviolet light.”

The CBN’s Banknote Fitness Standards also provides the general public with “clear, acceptable criteria” for determining the quality of banknotes in circulation. It shows the stages of degradation by soiling, limpness and thus defines the acceptable threshold for fit notes in circulation.

The fitness criteria include the durability and functionality of security features on the notes, structure and durability, and quality, that is, print and appearance of notes.

The Clean Note Policy was instituted by the CBN in a bid to improve the physical appearance and lifespan of the banknotes in circulation. The concept of Clean Note Policy requires that the production, issuance of new banknotes and recirculation by the DMBs/CPCs must conform to the predetermined standards. It also aims at ensuring that the quality of banknotes in circulation must be in good condition to allow for processing and acceptability by the public.

These are welcome elaborate steps the CBN has taken to ensure the integrity of the national currency. However, clearly, it has not reckoned with the disingenuousness of criminals to find a way to break through the cordon. That they have done, regrettably. Regrettably again, the CBN can do little to stop counterfeiters. But the banking public can help by being vigilant.

Secondly, we encourage all and sundry to embrace e-commerce. Cash transactions should be minimized to reduce the risk of falling into the hands of fraudsters. This way, their number will be kept small and manageable.

OUR PEOPLE

Chief Operating OffiCer /editOr, Hameed m. Bello, PhD

OUR VISION

Ease of doing business: Nigeria to be investors’ haven

By Musa Ilallah

There’s no doubting the fact that President Buhari’s administration is on record as being the first to consciously determine to address Nigeria’s perennially low ranking in global ease of doing business (EDB) and competitive ratings. This was also acknowledging the inevitability of taking composite reform actions to significantly improve Nigeria’s EDB rankings in the global business world.

In pursuance of the declared goal to improve Nigeria’s EDB ratings, President Buhari inaugurated the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in July 2016 to make recommendations on institutional reforms to promote Nigeria’s investment attractiveness.

In February 2017, PEBEC approved a 60-Day National Action Plan “with clear deliverables and timelines for federal government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) responsible for implementing each line item in the Plan, culminating in the then Acting President issuing three Executive Orders (EOs) for immediate and effective actions targeting public service improvements to touch every sphere of Nigeria’s economy.

The Executive Orders target the Promotion of Transparency and Efficiency in the Business Environment with its attendant implications on businesses and investments in Nigeria.

Far away across the Atlantic, former USA’s President, Donald Trump in May 2017 signed 36 EOs since his assumption of office in January, 2017.

On the legality or otherwise of the EOs, section 315(2) 1999 Constitution (as amended) unambiguously provides that “the appropriate authority (President or Governor) may at any time by order make such modification in the text of any existing law as the appropriate authority considers necessary or expedient to bring that law into conformity with the provisions of this Constitution.”

Since the President is the Chief Executive of the Federation, it behoves him to exercise functions of his office to drive policy direction, especially to give full effect to laws already in place, or their amendments, to ensure fulfilment of electoral promises. As mentioned previously, it is desirable that the President from time to time issues Executive Orders, to steer economic policies which promote investments in Nigeria.

Since the EO is particularly focused on improving Nigeria’s EDB through transparent and efficient service delivery by various government Ministries, Departments and Agencies to promote transparency in their dealings, the EO makes it mandatory for them to make public all the requirements for licence, permits, waivers, approvals and tax related information.

To further actualise its commitment to ensure ease of doing business in the country as a way of attracting domestic and foreign investors into the country’s economy, government in its wisdom in the area of trade facilitation recently crashed

Ship Berthing Cost From $150,000 to $20,000

Supported by a group, Convention on Business Integrity (CBI) in its collaborative efforts with Federal Government agencies has resulted in a drastic reduction in the cost of birthing ships in Nigerian ports.

A delegation of CBi led by Olusoji Apampa during a courtesy call on Vice President Yemi-Osinbajo recently stated that the government agencies that collaborated to eliminate unreceipted extortions were the Shippers Council, ICPC, DSS and the Nigeria Ports Authority, the Technical Unit on Governance & AntiCorruption Reforms, TUGAR alongside CBi through the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network, MACN.

This outstanding feat has earned international praise and won the first ever “Outstanding Achievement in Collective Action Award” of the Switzerland-based Basel Institute on Governance.

According to Apampa, the success recorded has now attracted international reviews as countries such as Egypt, Ukraine and India were planning to adopt the “Nigerian miracle” model to produce similar gains in their ports’ operations. The international award recognised the work of the Nigerian MACN, which created a real time-based Help Desk to resolve complaints and concerns of shipping companies as soon as they berth at the ports.

The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has described the drastic reduction in the cost of berthing ships in Nigerian ports from $150,000 to $20,000 as another laudable feat of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

According to the group, this has attracted international reviews and countries such as Egypt, Ukraine and India are now taking a cue from the Nigeria model to produce similar gains in their ports’ operations.

BMO in a statement signed by its Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, BMO commended government for the reductio, noting that it is a reflection of the government’s conscious effort to enable ease of doing business and trade, making investment flows into the country seamless.

According to BMO, “aside the facts that the reduction will lead to increased trade at all Nigerian ports and make them more competitive compared to our neighboring ports, it is also going to, by implication, reflect on our inflation rate whether at the level of direct consumption or manufacturing because the bulk of our raw materials come from abroad.”

In joining well meaning Nigerians to celebrate President Muhammadu Buhari for this “insight and for creating momentum for international trade”, BMO passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of President Buhari in the last seven years.

It is very heart warming seeing the country grow from strength to strength as her ease of doing business strategy is paying off and the country now stands to be the beautiful bride of foreign direct investments (FDI).

EMEKA ANYAOKU SYREET, ABUJA musahk123@yahoo.com

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The CBN’s Banknote Fitness Standards also provides the general public with “clear, acceptable criteria” for determining the quality of banknotes in circulation

Five lessons 2022 taught us about politics and nationhood

By Dakuku Peterside

Government seems to be fighting the symptoms of insecurity while the root causes deepen. The reality is that Nigerians who live in rural areas and on the fringes must develop mechanisms to live with insecurity since obviously government has failed in its primary duty of protecting them.

THE year 2022 is winding up. High-level political activities characterised it – from the dramatic to the absurd. On the eve of a crucial general election in Nigeria, 2022 is ending with a cacophony noise of optimism, cynicism and ambivalence. This year has put all our assumptions about democracy, nation building and good governance to the test.

But we can reflect – that is, assuming we learn from our experiences and we use the lessons. There are five major lessons we can learn from this year. The first lesson is that money politics has come to stay in Nigeria. Money was consequential in determining the success or failure of political office seekers during the party primaries at all levels and in all political parties.

The momentum and depth of electoral campaign so far has been shaped by the quantum of cash available to candidates, and the dominant underlining strategy of some of the parties is to buy votes. The recent off- cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states were characterised by vote-buying.

It has been empirically proven that vote-buying tends to be more prevalent in poorer societies, although a distinction has also been made between programmatic and non-programmatic distributive politics. The electorate is mostly poor and their vote is a ready commodity which they can transact and earn something to fund the next meal.

There is every indication that the 2023 general election will be marred by the negative influence of money on our politics. Even the recent CBN redesigning of the Naira is considered a ploy to reduce the monetary impact on the 2023 general election.

INEC chairman recently bemoaned this ugly situation by positing that: “The negative role of money in elections goes to the very heart of democracy as it destroys the very basis of democratic elections, which is that citizens should freely choose those who exercise power on their behalf.” Reducing or eliminating monetary inducement is vital to the success of the 2023 polls.

The government and INEC owe it as a duty to Nigerians to conduct a credible, free and fair election next year. All measures must be put in place to discourage vote-buying and other forms of clientelism. Presently, politicians and their agents seldom get punished for this dastardly act of buying power. I expect INEC to ramp up citizens’ education on the destructive effects of negative monetary influence on the democratic process. An informed

citizenry will negate the evil acts of politicians planning to rig elections through vote-buying.

The second lesson is that insecurity has become a part of our national life. Nigeria is fast becoming the crime centre of subSaharan Africa, where kidnapping for ransom, banditry, terrorism, cattle rustling, armed robbery and arms trafficking have assumed a feature of everyday living. Criminality is so pervasive that we seem to have accepted it without qualms. It is now part of our national life and economy. Politics, business and society must mainstream insecurity and adapt. Nigeria has recently been among the countries with the ‘least peace in the world’, and the Global Peace Index ranked it the world’s 17th least peaceful state.

Government seems to be fighting the symptoms of insecurity while the root causes deepen. The reality is that Nigerians who live in rural areas and on the fringes must develop mechanisms to live with insecurity since obviously government has failed in its primary duty of protecting them. And unless government prioritises security and fighting crime, we assume that 2023, an election year, may even be worse than now and insecurity is not going away soon.

The progressive degeneration of security across the length and breadth of Nigeria has far-reaching implications for citizens growth and economic well-being. Evidence abound that there is a relationship between rise in criminality and economic climate. In this case, insecurity and economic climate is pushing citizens to the brink. The third lesson is that technology is changing our lifestyle as a nation and as individuals.

Our way of life is rapidly evolving and is influenced more by technology and artificial intelligence. The old ways are being quickly replaced by new ways anchored on technology. We now have e-banking, e-politics, e-healthcare, e-learning and e-communication, and they are pervasive. The year 2022 witnessed an unprecedented increase in the adoption of new technologies in our national life than previously seen.

Nigeria is now ranked 38th in eCommerce globally and it is projected to grow by 16.30 per cent annually. Technology is changing the way we act and think as a people. If our leadership does not keep pace, it will lead to widespread discontentment by an enlightened citizenry getting more impatient with an analogue decadent ruling class. We are nearly there.

The electoral campaign we are witnessing may be the most social media election campaign ever in the history of Nigeria. Young citizens in Nigeria are not shy to fight for their political interests online, and the social media space is almost the most militant political space in Nigeria. The democratisation of the public space has allowed the voiceless to be heard.The ultimate lesson is that this wave of technology-driven change can only continue and

would not slow down soon.

The fourth lesson is that mass discontent is gathering momentum. In the past few years, we have witnessed many Nigerians disaffected and discontented with the political orthodoxy. Rather than being apolitical, these people have become active and are creating new loci or finding appropriate loci to coagulate and form a critical mass to agitate for change.

We see this group in the secessionist movements of IPOB and Sunday Igboho groups, the EndSARS agitation group, and other non-state actors’ groups that challenge the state, the elite class, and the socio-economic and political space. When each coalition fails, they re-group and quickly emerge in another group. The transmogrification of the vocal secessionist movements and other social agitators into the ‘Obedient movement’ is worthy of mention.

The lessons from a phenomenon called, “The Obedient”is the emergence of a discontented majority who find appeal in the anti-establishment rhetoric of Peter Obi. Whether Obi-Datti wins the presidential elections or not, this anger will snowball into something more significant that a different sort of social organising agent for change for sinister outcome could harvest.

The Nigerian bubble may soon burst! My concern is that mass discontent is gathering momentum without corresponding shared consciousness for change in a positive direction which may lead to anarchy. Any new government must try to douse this palpable national tension and bring about change that will reverse the trajectory of Nigeria.

The fifth and final lesson is that there is a near national consensus on restructuring but differences in meaning and understanding. All major presidential candidates are promoting and committing to restructuring, but they understand and interpret it differently. The form of restructuring will depend on who wins the presidential election and what brand of restructuring he advocates. However, any restructuring exercise must be holistic, physical, promote greater productivity and in line with Nigeria’s historical antecedents.

Anything short may touch the fault lines of the diverse multireligious and multi-ethnic society. Finally, I expect everything not to be the same again in the world and Nigeria come 2023. We either embrace change in its different dimensions, or we perish. The signs are not ominous, and there is hope.

The hope is that the new government has its job cut out from day one .. No one is under the illusion that the task of resetting the nation on the path of safety and growth is going to be straightforward. Far from it. But to make meaningful progress, we must strive to accomplish worthy goals and build on our progress, if any, in 2022.

Peterside is a Public Policy Analyst.

Highlighting the counter-productivity of the feminist movement

By Ifeanyichukwu Mmoh

Women now think it is wise to be emotionally unintelligent. For this reason, husbands are becoming endangered species to the extent that amicable solutions to marital disputes are no longer sought after because of course; there are numerous hotlines to call and nail the man. I think this is quite unfortunate and enough reason why society needed to do a rethink now.

It all started many years ago with the hues and cries against societal neglect for the girl child’s right to be as educated as her male counterpart. Then, it brought in the much offensive culture of genital mutilation especially how it was inhumane to do that to the girl child and how that led to the transmission of infectious diseases.

As time went by, domestic violence against the female gender and, sister crimes like rape also came on board. While all these were on, there was a great applaud for how the now hydra-headed issues resonated with the general public. Then, things began to go haywire when what is now known as the feminist movement finally manifested as the umbrella under which the hydra-headed issues rested.

There was no doubting the fact that the feminist movement did not sit down well with the women or with the Nigerian public. In fact, at the initial stages of its manifestation, I learnt of several well-informed elderly people who warned about the counter-productiveness of this movement in other climes. Some mentioned the fact of how lonely women in the US and the UK had become over the years.

Yet, because of the combination of the initial euphoria, gross ignorance of the youths who saw the movement as a veritable platform to vent energy and make money from international donors who were searching for platforms like those to sponsor and society’s nonchalant attitude; the movement survived through the years to give society reasons why it needed to now rethink its stands.

Quite franking, to say that the movement is far more unneeded today than it was from the very start is to state the obvious and in a manner that may portray me as being economical with the truth. The damages are indeed unacceptable. But what have we really gained at the end of the day from the movement? For it is important that knew these gains so as to know what to do next.

For me, I’d like to highlight what society gained before the feminist

movement came and then compared it with where we are after the movement started. First, without the feminist coloration, society frowned at rapists and men who abused their wives domestically. At some point, it became a criminal offence to either rape a woman or abuse her. This was a milestone advantage to society.

Women were protected by society while the men were not neglected; because two must agree before any interaction can commence. Second, there was an immediate throwing away of the practice of mutilating the female genitals by many ethnic groups. Third, the dangers of early marriage and clinical consequences like VVF were highlighted and jettisoned.

And the girl child now had as much right as society accorded the male to be educated. That Right also considered the mental well-being of the female gender as more and more empowerment programs were designed to increase the ease of the average woman in the Nigerian space. Fourth, it took care of the discrepancies in employability and gave more room for women to thrive.

In politics, women began to enter the arena and to showcase their potentials in leadership to the admiration of society. And lastly, without the feminist spice women were stirred onto more learning and more quest to improve themselves. This stir to self-awareness did not in any way encourage the women to underrate the men or vice versa. Rather, self-awareness meant understanding boundaries.

Needless to say that while all these were happening it was preparing the ground for what now stirs us in the face namely; (a) increased loneliness which has worsened the case of prostitution, (b) increased cases of divorce and (c) increased community of emotionally unintelligent women. These aforementioned 3 subtractions began to manifest with the entry of the gender equality movement.

With the manifestation of this movement, there has been a surge in prostitution, divorce and, I dare say; a steady reversal of the initial gains of seeking to protect the female gender. Just take a drive around town in the evening, what you see are girls walking about in panties and naked. They are either congregating in a beer parlor, standing aloof along the street or going to a club house.

If loneliness was not real, why would a young female DSS officer take her life by jumping into the lagoon in Lagos? In 2022 alone, the

rate of divorce more than doubled. And what baffles me and I believe everyone else is the reasons adduced for the breakup. The feminist movement has shifted societies’ focus of protecting the women gender into a focus for gender equality and equity.

Incidentally, this has created a deep cleavage in the peaceful relationship and coexistence that once existed between the male and the female gender; resulting in incessant divorce and what this portends for the next generation who are made to live mostly with their mother by custody while their father is away and made to look like the devil himself in the minds of these kids.

Women now think it is wise to be emotionally unintelligent. For this reason, husbands are becoming endangered species to the extent that amicable solutions to marital disputes are no longer sought after because of course; there are numerous hotlines to call and nail the man. I think this is quite unfortunate and enough reason why society needed to do a rethink now.

For some of us who are conversant with the trend in the US and the UK; we believe that Nigeria won’t need another 5 years from now for women to begin to lay with dogs for sexual pleasure or visit massage houses or even call in sex partners just to have sexual pleasure. For the ignorant, sex toys like Dildo and Vibrators are invading our space from climes like the US where men are scare.

Scammers on the internet are rife today; ripping off foreign women and even using their Nigerian girlfriends for money rituals because the feminist movement has more than damaged society. The growing population of LGBTQ in Nigeria is a trend that should worry us too. If Nigeria won’t reverse its stands on this feminist thing then it risks having her future leaders come from broken homes.

Think of what it’s like for a woman to pose as though she’s with the CIA or FBI in her own marriage and all the while piling up information about a man she claimed to be married to just to have him nailed tomorrow in the courts and, to get away with his children and alimony? Even in the US, court orders are required in order to wire a house with bugs; why shouldn’t the marriage rights act be reviewed to protect men’s privacies?

Comrade Ifeanyichukwu Mmoh; a Mental Health Activist writes from Abuja. 08062577718

Church, State and 2023 general elections

By Abiodun Komolafe

That the Church is presumably drawing global attention to the fielding of Tinubu and Shettima as the APC joint presidential flag-bearers as a result of these fears cannot be far from the truth. The argument is that, as Muslims, a Tinubu/Shettima presidency may not be sympathetic to the core interests of the Church, more so as they dont even understand the components of those core interests.

Originally, in the secular world, the State comes before the Church, because, by its institutional characteristics, it is the custodian of all other institutions. In other words, the State is the behemoth institution; co-existing, but superior to other social institutions. And that has been established since 1648! Thenceforward, the marriage between the Church and the State has been at the mercy of the State. The only exception is Rome, where a State exists within a State because the papacy is a state on its own.

In the United Kingdom, the Church legitimizes the State. Succinctly put, the Church is the legitimacy booster for the State. That is why, while the powers of the State protect the King or the Queen, the Church legitimizes the State. The more reason the King or the Queen can do no wrong! Again, thats why, immediately a Prime Minister is elected, he or she goes to Buckingham Palace for the blessing of the King or the Queen. And the King or the Queen will normally approve the appointment of the Prime Minister, because it is both symbolic and a symbiotic thing!

Basically, though the State is always there to protect the interests of the Church, the unfortunate thing is that, in the Nigerian circumstance, the Church is now representing a sectorial capacity of the religious sector. For instance, the Islamic faith is as formidable as the Church. As it is, the Bola Tinubu/Kashim Shettima same faith joint presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has so made the powers of the two main religions in Nigeria become so antagonistic to each other that it is now the test of religious influence!

It is also interesting to note that former Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State did add the reality of Isese (traditional worship) to the mix, which, of course, is still within the purview of religion. Gboyega Oyetola, the immediate past governor of the state, did not betray the trust! In Osun, for instance, Isese now has a recognized annual holiday attached to it. Impliedly, the indigenous religion is also qualified to be a contender to the

throne. While the Christians may put forward an advice, the Islamic world will be willing to add its voice. Ultimately, the ‘Isese adherents, who also have the recognition of the State, will also want to be heard! So, its no longer the Church, solely.

Where also lies the place of the atheists and others whose interests are not captured in the present picture? After all, Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians, irrespective of creed or race. Whats more? Elective offices in Nigeria are supposed to be secular. Thats what Article 10 of the Constitution says! Yes, the atheists may not have the population with which to push through their wishes, but, within the context of liberality, even the Boko Haram insurgents have a reason to make a demand in a democracy!

With a specific reference to the 2023 elections, theres a lot of confusion in the definition of Christianity in Nigeria. And it is deliberate! Take, for instance, the case of Peter Obi. As governor of Anambra State, its being alleged that he never gave non-Catholics free access, or Certificates of Occupancy to build their churches in the state. Added to Obis purported sins was that he almost chased everybody, who wanted to build a mosque in the State, away. As a matter of fact, these allegations have been appropriately documented and any Nigerian with disagreeing opinions has been asked to come forward and open up. Now, Obi as the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) is a regular face at Pentecostal churches and congregations. As Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 3:2-3, doesnt being a Christian go beyond being a churchgoer?

Those who still doubt the relevance of, or the influence of religion in Nigerias democratic journey had better ask Atiku Abubakar why he hurriedly deleted his tweets, condemning the gruesome murder of Deborah Samuel by religious extremists in Sokoto, on his Twitter handle. Obviously, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate did it to appease the hoodlums. Otherwise, he would lose the entire North, come February 25, 2023!

It has also been argued that Nigeria is currently not a State. Well, those who hold this notion may not be wrong after all! For example, had dear fatherland truly been a State, the Ademola Adeleke-led government in Osun would not have deliberately refused to pay the salaries of certain public workers. Thats not possible in a true democracy! No! In a thriving democracy, public administration cannot come down to the handlers personal feelings or idiosyncrasies.

All said, the immediate major interest of the Nigerian State, so to speak, is to have successful elections in 2023. Without doubt,

the point opined about the question of religion and its influence on; or, relevance to, governance is so critical to social cohesion. The State will want the cooperation of the Church, while the Church, though will want to appear neutral, will be very sensitive to its interests. So, the State must be extremely careful not to be seen as being religiously biased or partial. If it does, it could lose its legitimacy; and it will have legitimacy crises. Take for instance the Nigerian situation: the current president is a Muslim; so also are most of the key position holders in its bureaucracy and public service. Coincidentally too, the ruling party has also presented a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket for the election. Under this condition, should the handlers of the State spew words that are perceived as being against the Christian world, it can bring the country to its knees.

If I may ask, how coterminous is the interest of the Church with that of the Nigerian State? Whereas the interest of the State is as constant as the Northern Star, the Church cannot but negotiate its interests and preferences with the State within the context of the demands of other similar social institutions. The interest of the State is to have a legitimized government in place; and the interest of the Church is to have its interests protected from hindrances from the State or opposing faiths. That the Church is presumably drawing global attention to the fielding of Tinubu and Shettima as the APC joint presidential flag-bearers as a result of these fears cannot be far from the truth. The argument is that, as Muslims, a Tinubu/Shettima presidency may not be sympathetic to the core interests of the Church, more so as they dont even understand the components of those core interests.

Lastly, its a statement of fact that the burden of the success of the forthcoming elections lies squarely on the State. However, since it is a societal issue, it therefore behooves the Church and other societal groups to cooperate with the State to ensure that a peaceful atmosphere prevails before, during and after the exercise for, it is only in a peaceful atmosphere that both the interests of the State and the Religious Community (the Church inclusive) can be realized. How to get societal peace engineered in an environment of insecurity, poverty, hunger and other kinds of social malady places an enormous burden on the State. Its after these negative social indices are sorted that both the Church and the State can have peace and, effectively, a government that is legitimate.

May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace in Nigeria!

Abiodun Komolafe is a Public Affairs Analyst.

Expediency of strategizing against vote-buying to make 2023 elections free, fair, and credible

By Isaac Asabor

Without resorting to sounding overbearingly optimistic in this context, it is enough to say that if we, as Nigerians, are willfully determined to nip the phenomenon of vote-buying in the bud that it is possible, particularly if extant laws on it are literarily given sharp teeth to bite offenders.

If there is any form of electoral fraud that need to be strategized against as the 2023 general and presidential elections are fast approaching, it is unarguably “Vote buying”. For the sake of clarity, the electoral glitch simply means when a voter exchanges his or her vote for some form of compensation in an election. Without any iota of exaggeration, the fraud has been plaguing virtually all the electoral contests so far conducted in Nigeria since 1999 when Nigeria embraced a democratic system of government

The irregularity has been a cause for concern so much that in the bid to tackle it as the 2023 general elections draw closer, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) penultimate week moved to control the amount of cash in circulation by introducing new cash withdrawal limits for banks and other financial institutions. The new policy followed CBN’s recent currency redesign project in which it had expressed concerns over the high volume of cash outside the banking system.

In a similar vein, the leadership of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) during the weekend urged President Muhammadu Buhari to “urgently direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr. Abubakar Malami, and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to identify and arrest politicians who are allegedly buying Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from poor Nigerians, and promptly bring them to justice”.

SERAP also urged him to “ensure that the politicians and their sponsors who are suspected to be involved in these grave electoral and human rights crimes are named and shamed, regardless of their political affiliations.

Be that as it may, with the 2023 general and presidential elections on the horizon, the issue of “vote buying” has returned to the political arena, and several Nigerians have been encouraging the electorate to refrain from engaging in

the practice.

Against the foregoing backdrop, it is expedient to say that the call for Nigerians to eschew vote buying is not in any way illconceived as it breaks the link between candidate performance and winning elected office. It leads to reductions in the quality of services provided by the government. In other words, votebuying is a problem because the most suitable candidates may not win office, and the candidates that win will not be the best candidates to represent the interests of their voters.

In fact, vote-buying also creates a criminal opportunity for politicians to engage in corruption. For instance, politicians may give kickbacks to big businesses that funded their campaigns.

At this juncture, it is expedient to ask, “How can vote buying be stopped to make next year’s election free, fair, and credible?

Given the degree of hunger in the land, it appears unscrupulous politicians are latching on the vulnerability of the people to engage in vote-buying as some of them lure prospective voters at the polls with amount of money that is as low as N1,000. Surprisingly most of them gleefully collect the bribe, and smile to their various homes with a collective sense of achievement. It is for the foregoing that it would be difficult to urge voters to refrain from the electoral behavior of selling their votes as a way of disrupting the vote-buying marketplace.

Without resorting to sounding overbearingly optimistic in this context, it is enough to say that if we, as Nigerians, are willfully determined to nip the phenomenon of vote-buying in the bud that it is possible, particularly if extant laws on it are literarily given sharp teeth to bite offenders.

You may have asked if there are extant laws promulgated to address the electoral dereliction. The answer to the foregoing question cannot be farfetched as the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa-Ibom State, Mr. Mike Igini, a few months ago at a media parley said there are laws that can be applied to overcome vote buying, improve the conduct of elections and reduce the intervention of the courts in the electoral process.

As gathered, there are several legal provisions where rules that guide elections in Nigeria can be found. They include the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended; the Electoral Act 2022 and the Guidelines, Handbooks, Manuals, as well as Codes issued by the Electoral

Management Bodies, that is the Independent National Electoral Commission (in accordance with section 148 of the E.A. 2022) and the 36 State Independent Electoral Commissions. There are also international covenants, protocols, and conventions such as those of ECOWAS, African Union and United Nations. Each political parties also have their constitutions and electoral guidelines.

In the same vein, there are a number of sunshine provisions in the country’s electoral laws. By that, I mean anti-corruption provisions. These provisions are to be found in the Nigerian Constitution, Electoral Act, and Electoral Guidelines. Take for instance section 225 (1) of the 1999 CFRN, as amended; It says political parties shall submit to the INEC and publish a statement of its assets and liabilities. S. 225 (2) says, “Every political party shall submit to INEC a detailed annual statement and analysis of its sources of funds and other assets together with a similar statement of its expenditure in such form as the Commission may require.”

While making the point that the court has a role to play in delivering judgment on cases of electoral fraud such as votebuying, Iginni cited an example, saying “In 2013, in Kenya, we were there for the 5th of March election. On that day, we were monitoring. The campaign manager of a senatorial candidate was caught with different envelopes containing monies he was using to induce voters. He was arrested that same day, he was charged in court that same day. On the second day, he was convicted to three years imprisonment. That election was for a period of five days, we were in Kenya. Why is it that people who have been arrested overtime on this matter, we do nothing? The only way to make an impact is to quickly arraign them. In the US, over 400 cases before the 2020 elections were all determined before the 2020 elections. Why are we different here?” He asked.

However, to my view vote-buying should be strategize against by unleashing extant laws on it against unscrupulous politicians that may have been banking on massive vote-buying by virtue of their deep pockets ahead of the 2023 general and presidential election.

Isaac Asabor is a Public Affairs Analyst.

How Peter Obi will win 2023 presidential election –Doyin Okupe

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Labour Party (LP) chieftain, Doyin Okupe insists presidential candidate, Peter Obi, will win the 2023 election.

The politician made an analysis on Tuesday in response to ThisDay Election Centre Projections.

Okupe said the projections were “false, bogus and do not represent the actual situation on ground across the nation”.

The former presidential aide declared that they were “essentially aimed at misinforming the public”.

Okupe said the calculations ignored many important electoral parameters that have operated in Nigeria’s polity for over six decades.

“Without any doubt, PO will score 25% in no less than 24/25 states including Taraba, Adamawa and Gombe, and will lead all the other 3 numerically.

“He is the candidate to beat. Peter Obi will win and lead massively in the SE (South-East) averagely (70%) including all states in the SS (South-South).

“In the SW (South-West), PO will score minimum of 40% in Lagos. 25% in Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti and Ondo.

“Osun 15% min. NW (NorthWest) 40% min in Kaduna, and no less than 10% of all the other 6 states, mainly because of Igbo residents”, he tweeted.

Okupe, a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was until recently the Director General of Peter Obi/Yusuf Baba-Ahmed Campaign.

LP urges Nigerians to keep hope alive

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Director, Youth Affairs of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council Isah Abubakar has urged Nigerians to keep hope alive with the party.

This was contained in a statement made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

According to him, civil servants in the country were not paid their monthly salaries, which resulted in most family not to have resources to celebrate the birth of Christ.

He added that this is in addition to the doubling of the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which has led to an increase in the prices of goods and services in the country.

NNPP senatorial candidate in Borno urges electorate to vote right

Shehu Abubakar, Maiduguri

The persistent scourge of vote buying in Nigeria’s electoral process has constituted a matter for serious worry to the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) senatorial candidate for Borno Central Senatorial District

in the 2023 elections, Attom Mohammed Magira.

Consequently, he advised the electorate in the district: “Since they (vote-buying politicians) cannot stop buying votes, when they come to you with their money, take it, but vote the right candidate.”

Addressing his teeming

supporters at Bama, Magira attributed bad political leadership to the ‘cashfor-vote’ syndrome in the country’s electoral process.

He appealed to the Borno Central electorate to vote for him, saying, however, that he has no money to give them, but he possessed the required character, capacity and

commitment to deploy and provide them the required representation at the National Assembly.

He promised to execute qualitative constituency projects for the development of education, women and youth empowerment and health for the people of the district.

NDE trains 26 youth on environmental beautification

From

Yakubu Mustapha Minna

National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has commenced the training of 26 participants on Environmental Beautification Training Scheme

(EBT$).

The State Coordinator, Alhaji Mohammed Dantsoho Abubakar disclosed this while flagging off the scheme in Minna.

He said the programme commenced in batches, hence the

turn of Niger state which is going to be simultaneously across the nation.

Dantsoho Abubakar explained that the beneficiaries were selected fairly, adding that the participants will be entitled to soft

loans which is repayable.

He urged the trainees to pay the required attention to acquire the requisite knowledge to achieve the mandate of the federal government and NDE of job creation.

Pray for victims of Southern Kaduna killings -SKCLA

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association, SKCLA, has

urged the Christendom to use the Christmas season in praying for the repose of the souls of those whose lives were cut short by the terrorists in southern

Kaduna.

This was contained in a statement by the SKCLA Chairman, Apostle Dr Emmanuel Nuhu Kure and

made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

He said the Association noted that though the celebration is bleak in the midst of renewed

attacks on communities in Southern Kaduna, the people cannot be intimidated or cowed to vacate their ancestral land.

Katsina State Governor, Rt.Hon. Aminu Bello Masari(4th left); AGILE Project Task Team Lead, Aisha Garba(3rd left); AGILE Project Deputy National Project Cordinator, Mrs Ajanigo Abuka(6th right); other officials of the AGILE Project after the visit to the Government House recently

2023: Umahi orders immediate suspension of Aide over alleged gross misconduct

By Christiana Ekpa

Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi has ordered the immediate suspension of one of his Special Assistants, Mr Collins Eze over alleged acts of gross misconduct.

Umahi’s directive was disclosed in a statement signed and made available to newsmen in Abakaliki by the Secretary to the State Government/Coordinating Commissioner, Ugbala Kenneth Igwe.

The statement reads in parts: “The Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, has ordered the immediate indefinite suspension of the Special Assistant to the Governor on EAs STAs and TAs Affairs, Mr Collins Eze from office for acts of gross misconduct”.

The governor also withdrew the state honours conferred on the embattled aide recently.

“As a direct consequence of this indefinite suspension, His Excellency, the Governor has, in the exercise of his powers as enshrined in the State Honours Law, 2022, approved the cancellation and withdrawal of the honours award recently given to Mr Eze by the state government.

Umahi also directed Eze ”to hand over all government property in his possession to the Secretary to the State Government and Coordinating Commissioner before the close of work on Wednesday, 28th December 2022″.

In a swift reaction, Eze said it was a minor issue that existed between him and the governor, adding that the suspension will be called off.

Arthur Eze under fire for comments against Obi’s chances

By Musa Baba Adamu

Nigerian politician, Arthur Eze has come under severe criticism, over comments against the Labour Party, LP presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.

Eze had during the 2022 Ofala festival of his brother, Igwe Robert Eze, who is the traditional ruler of Ukpo kingdom, said he had advised Obi to withdraw from the race as he was incapable of winning.

But supporters and nonsupporters of Obi have descended

on Eze, saying his support amounts to less, especially as he has never supported a winning candidate in a presidential election, or even been able to produce a governor in his home state.

Many of Obi’s supporters alleged on social media that the rich politician only had money and nothing else, others berated him for supporting an outsider against his supposed brother.

Meanwhile, a former publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Olisa Metuh has advised Eze to steer clear of politics to avoid infamy.

Metuh who mimicked Eze, referred to him as “My dear Princh”, while insisting that people should focus on their candidate and leave Obi alone.

He said: “Some of us are now non-partisan and will no longer make public comments on our political choices but then, we are not expected to make certain categorical statements. For indeed, no man is God and no man should attempt to play the Almighty role.

“God has blessed you for decades, you have acquired untold riches and unimaginable wealth.

Calm down and do not allow political punditry to lead you to infamy and public opprobrium.

“Let all the mini Amadiohas in our land campaign for their candidates and leave that poor man alone.”

He recounted that similarly, Anambra power brokers had stood against him in previous elections he contested, but he won.

Metuh said Obinhas been accused severally of not having structure and not having a crowd but he has disappointed them all, adding that only God knows who the next winner will be.

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, “harvests” a bunch of plantain as the Chief Harvester at the Youth Harvest held yesterday at St Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Uzuh, Omuma...

Bolanle Raheem: Right activist decries ‘unprecedented’ rights abuses under APC

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Following the gruesome murder of Lagos lawyer, Omobolanle Raheem, by a policeman on Christmas day, Human Rights activist, Barr. Chukwudi Ezeobika, has decried what he called unprecedented level of human rights abuses under the current administration, saying it is disturbing and deeply concerning.

The rights activist also described the ‘gruesome’ murder of Lagos lawyer, Barr. Bolanle Raheem, by an officer of the Nigeria Police Force as an unlawful and reprehensible act that is worthy of condemnation.

Barr. Ezeobika, who is a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, noted that the incident brings to bare the number of undocumented actions by Officers and Men of the Nigeria Police Force which, due to their reckless, irresponsible and unprofessional conduct led to deaths of innocent Nigerian citizens.

The former National Chairman of United Patriots party, UP, maintained that this action by the Nigerian Police remains incomprehensible in this 21st century and shows to a greater extent, the rot and systemic human rights” abuses being carried out under the Buhari led - APC government against

innocent Nigerian citizens.

He stressed that the level of extrajudicial killings and human rights abuses under the current administration is unprecedented and deeply concerning.

Recall that an officer of the Nigeria Police Force reportedly shot and killed a lawyer, Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem, at the Ajiwe area of Ajah, Lagos State, on Christmas Day.

Mrs Raheem, who was a member of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, was shot at close range by an officer identified as Drambi Vandi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP.

She was said to be coming from an eatery with some family

members on Christmas Day and had tried to make a U-turn under the Ajah Bridge when the cop shot at her vehicle. The 41-year-old woman was rushed to a hospital, where she was confirmed dead.

Report has it that the woman, who had a child, was seven-month pregnant when tragedy struck.

Officer Vandi, who is now in detention for further investigation, was attached to the Ajiwe Police Station, Ajah, Lagos State and have spent 33 years in the police force.

Barr Ezeobika, who is a former Senatorial Candidate of UP in Anambra South said: “ I condemn in the strongest terms possible, this dastardly

act and unprofessional conduct by the Nigerian Police and call for a prompt and immediate arraignment and prosecution of the Police Officer(s) involved.”

The human rights activist called for compulsory mental and psychological evaluation of Police officers, stressing that this is long overdue.

Meanwhile, Nigerians have demanded the removal of the DPO of Ajiwe Police Station, saying extra-judicial killings are becoming rampant in the division.

Recall that on December 7, 2022, one Gafaru Buraimoh was shot dead by a policeman attached to the division.

Borno candidate to electorate: Take their money, vote the right candidates

Shehu Abubakar, Maiduguri

The persistent scourge of vote buying in Nigeria’s electoral process has constituted a matter for serious worry to the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) senatorial candidate for Borno Central Senatorial District in the 2023

elections, Attom Mohammed Magira.

Consequently, he advised the electorate in the district: “Since they (vote-buying politicians) cannot stop buying votes, when they come to you with their money, take it, but vote the right candidate.”

Addressing his teeming

supporters at Bama, Magira attributed bad political leadership to the ‘cash-forvote’ syndrome in the country’s electoral process.

He appealed to the Borno Central electorate to vote for him, saying, however, that he has no money to give them, but he possesses the required character,

capacity and commitment to deploy to provide them the required representation at the National Assembly.

He promised to execute qualitative constituency projects for the development of education, women and youth empowerment and health for the people of the district.

Peter Obi picks Obasanjo’s ex-aide, Osuntokun as Okupe’s replacement

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Labour Party (LP) has appointed former Political Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo, Akin Osuntokun as the new Director General of its Presidential Campaign.

This was confirmed by the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, in Abuja, on Tuesday.

According to Abure, the decision was reached after comprehensive consultations with party stakeholders across board.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by Diran Onifade, the Head of Media, Obi/ Datti-Ahmed, said “The Obi-Baba Ahmed Campaign Organization has appointed Balogun Akin Osuntokun as the new Director-General of the campaign organisation. He succeeds Dr Doyin Okupe.

2023: Soludo promising Igbo leader Southeast should follow – APC chieftain

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Aformer presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adamu Garba has disclosed why Igbos should follow Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State.

Garba said Soludo is the promising leader Igbos

should follow because he kept the promises of the late Chukwuemeka Ojukwu.

He noted that Soludo joined Ojukwu’s party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.

In a series of tweets, Garba said the Anambra State governor knows what is best for the Southeast.

He wrote “Gov. Soludo kept the promises of Chief Ikemba Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. He held on to the belief that a true Igbo identity in Nigeria is what will make Igbos stronger, not a divided, fictional & terroristic Biafra movement.

“Soludo knows what is excellent for the Igbo people.

“In line with keeping onto his promise for the dream of General Ojukwu to be alive, he joined APGA. Not APC, not PDP but APGA. This is the promising leader Igbos should all follow.

“The two statesmen, Prince Eze & HE Soludo can serve as a perfect template for Igbo Nigerian Project.”

Northerners behind Atiku due to Wike’s insults – Reno Omokri

By Musa Baba Adamu

Aformer aide of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has said the reason why northerners are behind the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, is a result of the provocations from Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.

Omokri, in a post on his social media handles, said the manner in which Atiku responded to Wike’s provocation has been the major thing that galvanised the North behind Atiku.

According to Omokri, Atiku has been able to hold his peace instead

of replying Wike, no matter the insult he threw at him.

He explained that Wike’s attacks on Atiku has made the former Vice President more popular in the North, having been able to keep a cool head in spite of the barrage of insults from Gov Wike.

Wike has been leading a team of five aggrieved governors of the PDP, known as the G-5, against the presidential candidate of their party.

The crisis started immediately after Wike lost the PDP presidential primary election to Atiku.

The Rivers governor has since then requested the resignation of the National Chairman of the

party, Iyorchia Ayu, for being a northerner like Atiku.

Wike and the other four aggrieved PDP governors said it would be unfair to the South that the presidential candidate of the party and its national chairman are both from the North.

Since then, efforts to placate the governors to support Atiku have been abortive, as they threatened to work for another presidential candidate from the South, starting from January 2023.

It is being rumoured that Wike and his team are yet to convince one another on who to support between Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP, and Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Recently, Wike shut down a campaign office of Atiku in Rivers, saying it was set up in violation of his executive order.

Speaking, Omokri said: “One other thing that galvanised the North behind Waziri Atiku Abubakar is the way he responded to Wike’s provocations. No matter the insult Wike threw at him, Atiku held his peace and never responded. If you know how popular it has made Waziri, you will thank Wike!

“In their view, a man who can command such a presence and cool head under such a continuous and one-sided barrage of insults is a man with capacity to lead under pressure.”

“Until recently, Osuntokun was the Zonal Coordinator(South) He is a Nigerian political scientist, strategist, researcher, administrator, journalist and writer, with experience in media advocacy, policy research and implementation and political analysis.

“A former Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, Osuntokun served as Political Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and as Director of the Presidential campaign of the People’s Democratic Party in 2011. He brings to his new position vast political and media experience.”

Osuntokun will now replace Doyin Okupe who resigned from the position last week.

Okupe stepped down from the position following a federal high court judgment which convicted him of money laundering.

The court sentenced him to two years imprisonment but with an option to pay a N500,000 fine on each count, totalling N13 million.

Okupe opted to pay the fine after the sentencing.

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma and the wife, Chioma, at their Christmas Thanksgiving Mass, yesterday at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Uzuh Omuma...

Nigerians in UK task political parties, candidates on town hall meetings

Nigerians in the United Kingdom (UK) have tasked candidates of various political parties on the need to engage with the citizens on what they should expect if elected into office.

Mr Daddy Kris, a Nigerian based in London, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview that Nigerians in UK were eager to engage candidates for the 2023 general elections to know what they have in stock if elected into office.

Kris, who is the founder of Superior Radio and Television (SRTV), said that the yearnings for the engagement led

to organisation of a virtual town hall meeting tagged “#Nigeriadecide2023” scheduled to begin on Dec. 27.

“We have a candidate who is a serving House of Representatives member from Ethiope Federal Constituency of Delta State, Ben Igbakpa, coming to interact with the people on his election programme,” he said.

According to Kris, the constant demand by Nigerians for good governance and good leaders will be the defining factors in the country preparation for the 2023 general elections.

“It is on this notion that SRTV London

in partnership with individuals, various platforms and organisations came up with town hall meetings.

“As the name implies, it is an avenue for our host, candidates, party representatives or supporters come virtually to discuss their manifestos.

“The importance of the town hall meeting cannot be far fetched as it will help foster unity and healthy competition among flag bearers, political parties and party members.

“It will help the political parties to inform and educate Nigerians on their programmes and also hear from

the average Nigerians on what their expectations are ahead of the elections.

“It is also expected to build a true sportsmanship among the candidates of various political parties and discourage politicians from being desperate,” Kris said.

He added that various Nigerian associations, town unions, socio-cultural groups and individuals in UK have declared their interest to participate in the virtual town hall meetings, as politicians in Sokoto, Delta and Lagos have already keyed into the programme. (NAN)

How I’ll tackle security if elected Katsina senator – Yar’adua

Abdul’aziz Musa-Yar’adua, the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Katsina Central, says finding solutions for the current insecurity in the state will be his top priority if he is elected senator 8n 2023.

Musa-Yar’adua, who is a retired lieutenant colonel in the army, disclosed this while briefing journalists on Monday in Katsina.

According to him, as a retired military officer, he has the experience and the vast knowledge of various strategies to follow and bring the problem to an end.

“If I become a senator, I have a lot of ways to present before the National Assembly with the aim to find a lasting solution for the lingering security challenges.

“I know most of the military heads in the country, some of them we had training together while some of them we worked together, hence I will find it easy to collaborate with them.

“I also have a plan if elected to collaborate with all the senators representing the areas with security challenges to work together to end the problem.

“By the grace of God, if I become a senator, I will also suggest the expansion of the North-east Commission to cover all the states with the security challenges in the north,” he said.

On the issue of empowerment, Musa-Yar’adua, who is a younger brother of late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, pointed out that he has plans for a sustainable special empowerment programme that the youth can rely on continuously.

He added that the youth must undergo training on how to utilise the empowerment for their own benefits, unlike some of the empowerment

programmes in which the beneficiaries sell the facilities given to them immediately.

“When you have sustainable empowerment programmes, you provide job opportunities for the youth, such will also assist in tackling the security situation and also boost the state’s economy.

“And regarding other critical sectors in the country, I will do

my best to see that I become a better representative of my people,” he added.

He assured the people of his constituency of fair representation at the National Assembly, adding that he will always be having physical contact with them to know their priority needs.

The APC senatorial candidate added that most politicians do

not ask electorates for their major needs, which is why in most cases they are not happy with the politicians.

He assured the people that if elected, he is going to do his best to see that the purpose of his representation is achieved through presenting their needs before the chamber.

Musa-Yar’adua explained that on issues of infrastructure

that concern the local or state governments, he will ensure a constant collaboration with them to ensure the success of their party.

He also commended the effort of President Muhammad Buhari and of Governor Aminu Masari for their commitments towards ending the security challenges and providing selfemployment. (NAN)

Governor Ortom endorses Peter Obi for 2023 Presidency

By Christiana Ekpa

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has declared his support for the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Governor Ortom described Obi as the best person who can solve Nigeria’s socioeconomic problems.

On Christmas Day, Ortom praised the presidential candidate of the Labour Party for

visiting the camps of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with them.

Ortom said, “Several presidential candidates have come here, and none of them have chosen to visit those IDPs camps and look at their plight to see how they are doing and give them hope that when they win, they will bring them succour, help, and hope.

“For you to have chosen to visit the IDPs on a Christmas Day

that you should be celebrating with your family, for me as a Christian, I say God will bless you and your aspirations. My prayer is that God will bless your aspiration to be the president of this country.

“Because I have seen capacity, faith, and hope, and I have seen someone who can bring the required equity, justice, and fairness that I have been pursuing since I became governor in 2015. If I were not in PDP, I would have been following you all over

the place to canvass and vote for you.”

“But because I’m in PDP, I’m telling Nigerians that this man can help deliver this country from its challenges,” he added.

Ortom has been a regular critic of President Muhammadu Buhari’s All Progressives Congress government.

He said Nigerians were very sorry for electing Buhari and the APC in 2015, considering the level of insecurity and biting economic hardship in the country.

Picnickers enjoying themselves at Magic Land, during the Boxing day Celebration, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

NCAA: Airline operators risk imprisonment, N5m fine for non-remittance of ticket sales charge

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says airline operators who fail to remit the mandatory five percent ticket sales charge and cargo sales charge (TSC/CSC) risk a two-year imprisonment, N5 million fine, or both penalties.

This is contained in the newly introduced civil aviation act (CAA) 2022.

The five percent TSC/CSC is statutory and deducted from the total air ticket paid by air passengers to airlines, and the same applies to cargo charge.

The sum is shared among four aviation agencies: NCAA, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).

President Muhammadu Buhari had assented to the CAA 2022 in August.

On the five percent TSC/ CSC, section 23(1) of the CAA 2022 states thus: “There shall be a 5 percent of airfare, contract, charter and cargo sales charge payable to the authority, which shall apply on all international and domestic air transportation originating in Nigeria irrespective of place of sale, issuance of air ticket or execution of the contract of carriage.”

The CAA, in section 23 (2) further stipulated that “the 5 percent of airfare, contract, charter and cargo sales charge shall be chargeable on the total amount, excluding statutory fees and taxes – (a) paid by a passenger for an airfare; in a contract relating to carriage of persons or goods for hire and reward in the case of air transportation not involving the issuance of an air ticket; (c) paid for a charter flight; and (d) of the cargo sales”.

Section 23(10) added that “an air operator, which fails to remit to the authority, within the time specified in the regulations the 5 percent charge, commits an offence and its directors are each liable on conviction to a fine of N5,000,000 or imprisonment for a period of two years or both”.

The NCAA had threatened to sanction domestic airlines for over N19 billion debt on ticket sales in August, 2022.

The industry regulator, while appealing to the airlines to pay their debts, said the N19 billion on ticket charges were collected from passengers but the aviation firms refused to remit to the agency.

Last year, Hadi Sirika, the minister of aviation, had said Nigerian airlines owed various federal agencies to the tune of N37 billion.

CBN: Over 6,000 BVNs linked to fraudulent transactions in Q1 2022 under watch

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it placed over 6,000 bank verification numbers (BVN) of customers under watchlist for transactions linked to fraud in the first quarter (Q1) of 2022.

The apex bank made this known in its recently-released financial stability June 2022 report.

According to the report, the number of watchlisted BVNs for

fraudulent activities rose by 13.09 percent to 6,047 BVNs, from 5,347 in the last quarter of 2021.

It also noted that 11,871 BVNs were watch-listed as deceased persons in the review period.

The report said the CBN conducted an assessment of 28 banks and the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NISS) to ascertain compliance with the regulatory framework for BVN operations and watchlist for the Nigerian banking industry.

It added that the assessment

revealed some infractions and regulatory actions were taken.

Meanwhile, 2.72 million BVNs were enrolled in the first half of this year, the report said, bringing the total number of enrolled BVNs to 54.65 million.

Also, the number of accounts linked with BVNs was 130.57 million out of 148.46 million active accounts in the considered period.

“The number of accounts linked with BVNs was 130,569,656 out of 148,462,947 active customer

accounts, while the number of watch-listed BVNs associated with fraud and deceased persons stood at 6,047 and 11,871, respectively,” the report reads.

In March, 2022, four Nigerian deposit money banks (DMBs) lost a total of N1.77bn to fraudulent activities involving the banks’ employees and consumers in 2021.

The banks were Access Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, First Monument City Bank, and Wema Bank.

NNPC’s transition, off-spec petrol —how oil sector fared in 2022

As the world adjusted to new economic realities in 2022, the oil industry was not left out, with major sectoral shifts occurring in the year.

The Nigerian oil sector, like other sectors, sometimes showed bolstering resilience, wading through high storms. Other times, surrounding issues affected the sector to its marrow.

In this article, Peoples Daily highlights some oil and gas events that became the cynosure of 2022.

In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, global oil prices surged to more than $130 a barrel amid a shortfall in global supplies from Russia.

Due to the increased international prices, oil-rich countries like Saudi Arabia raked in high oil revenues.

Though it was expected that Nigeria, a major oil producer, would get more revenue; the country could not produce enough crude oil to maximise the high price of the commodity, even as it struggled to meet the quota set by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

With an output of 1.39 million barrels of oil in January, the country’s production declined for four consecutive months before it increased to 1.15 million bpd in June.

Setting the pace for another

bout of decline, oil production averaged 1.08 million in July. In August, oil output hit an all-time low — falling below the 1 million mark — only rising above the level in September.

For October and November the country’s oil output averaged 1,014,485 bpd, and 1.18 million bpd, respectively.

Overall, the country failed to record above 1.4 million in the year 2022. There are also indications that the underproduction may extend till 2023.

Timipre Sylva, minister of petroleum resources, had said Nigeria should meet the production quota set by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in May 2023.

“Nigeria’s production of crude had improved to about 1.3 million barrels per day from under 1 million barrels previously, and the country hoped to meet its OPEC quota by May of next year (2023),” he had said.

In 2021, the country produced between 1.4 million bpd and 1.7 million bpd. But diverse issues, including oil theft and pipeline vandalism, culminated in the oil output dip in 2022.

Several institutions and authority figures lamented that the menace affected the sector tremendously, estimating the

monetary value and volume of loss at huge numbers.

In June 2022, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) said Nigeria lost $1 billion in the first quarter of the year.

In November 2022, the senate committee investigating oil theft and its consequent damage to the country’s economy said Nigeria lost N1.3 trillion ($2 billion) to oil theft between January and August 2022.

Apart from the losses recorded, significant volumes of crude oil were shut-in consistently due to theft.

When an oil well is shut-in, it is closed off so that it stops producing.

Mele Kyari, group chief executive officer (GCEO), Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, had said Nigeria loses 700,000 bpd to crude oil theft and production shut-ins.

“We had the capacity to do 2.1 million. You can technically say that you have lost about 700,000 barrels of oil per day of production. But it doesn’t mean 700,000 bpd are stolen,” Kyari had said.

“What in reality happens is that when those stealing take place, we probably lose up to 200,000 bpd of direct losses to thieves. And beyond this, once

you have this infraction getting to a level we cannot manage, in some instances, some of the pipeline losses get up to 80 percent to 90 percent loss at one point.”

Also speaking on the issue, NUPRC had said about 1.2 million barrels of oil are shut-in consistently due to the menace.

But the federal government said it was working with relevant stakeholders to curb the issue.

It appeared that such ‘collaboration’ paid off in the long run.

The NNPC awarded a pipeline surveillance contract — reportedly worth N48 billion annually (N4bn per month) — to an exmilitant warlord, Government Ekpemupolo, otherwise known as Tompolo.

In October, a private pipeline surveillance team, Tantita security services, led by Tompolo, arrested a vessel used for crude oil theft off the Niger Delta creeks. The vessel was subsequently destroyed.

More so, in the same month, NNPC said it uncovered an illegal 4-kilometre (km) pipeline from Forcados terminal to the sea, and a loading port that had operated for nine years.

Despite these feats, Babagana Monguno, the national security adviser, said Nigeria may lose $23 billion in 2023, if oil theft is not fully curbed.

he SDP Presidential Candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo during the party Campaigns Rally recently in Oyo State

Nigeria’s proptech startup, Propcrowdy, secures Crowdfunding Intermediary licence from SEC

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

Proptech startup, Propcrowdy Limited, has been licensed by Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a crowdfunding intermediary (CFI) company. With this, Propcrowdy becomes the first and only platform in Nigeria today authorized to perform crowdfunding business under the rules and guidelines of the SEC.

The SEC licence to Propcrowdy further gives credence to crowdfunding as a viable alternative investment

vehicle. As an SEC-licensed platform under the strict guidelines of the country’s investment regulator, Propcrowdy will be giving investors opportunities to tap into the real estate business for huge returns.

Market target: Propcrowdy, an inclusionary crowdfunding investment platform that is set up to make it possible for individuals who earn minimum wage to access and climb up the real estate investment ladder in Africa, is focusing on two main target audiences which is the population of Nigerians who earn between $80 to

$1,000 per month and Small and Medium Enterprise Real Estate Developers whose annual turnover is less than $5m.

Statistics show that over 127 million Nigerians fall into the first category, while there are over 3,600 SMEs in the second category.

Investor confidence: Incorporated in 2019 when there was no regulation for crowdfunding, Propcrowdy said it took the long and hard road to secure a crowdfunding license from SEC in order to build investor confidence.

And to sustain that confidence, the company has

assured that funded developers on the platform must meet Propcrowdy’s requirements of environmental, social, and governance factors alongside the security and financial metrics in the appraisal and investment decision-making process.

Success factors: Speaking on the approval by the SEC, the Propcrowdy founder/CEO, Dr Roland Igbinoba, emphasized that success for Propcrowdy will be measured by how much they have been able to successfully democratize real estate investments within the low and medium-income category in Africa, thereby empowering

them and improving their wellbeing.

“Furthermore, our contribution to net zero and the reduction in carbon emissions is of utmost importance,” he added.

“We recognize that lowincome earners and small real businesses in Africa lack the financial capacity to scale. At Propcrowdy, we are solving the twin problem of social impact and inclusiveness for those at the bottom of the pyramid and creating wealth and economic development for small and medium-sized real estate developers.”

WhatsApp to stop working on iPhone 5, 45 Android phones from December 31

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

Users of Apple’s old smartphone models, iPhone 5 and iPhone 5c, will not be able to use WhatsApp after December 31, 2022.

The end of WhatsApp support will also affect 45 old models of Android devices, according to the instant message platform.

The affected Android phones include several models of several Huawei, LG, and

Samsung smartphones. WhatsApp said users of the phones will be sent an alert before it stops working.

Why support is ending: Explaining why it would have to end its support for the affected devices, WhatsApp

said:

“Devices and software change often, so we regularly review what operating systems we support and make updates.

“To choose what to stop supporting, every year we, like other technology companies,

look at which devices and software are the oldest and have the fewest number of people still using them. These devices also might not have the latest security updates, or might lack the functionality required to run WhatsApp.”

Officials of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA), in group photograph with participants of the Empowerment programme.during the graduation Ceremony of the Training and Empowerment for youths and women drawn from the Niger Delta region, held recently in Karu, Abuja. Photo: Min of Niger Delta

NCAA warns pilots, airlines of hazardous weather during dry season

Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has advised pilots and airline operators to exercise caution over hazardous weather in the dry season.

The advisory was contained in a circular initiated by the directorate of aerodrome and airspace standards (DAAS), signed by Musa Nuhu, NCAA director-general, and dated December 19, 2022.

Nuhu explained that the advisory circular was a sequel to the seasonal climate prediction (SCP) issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) which reported that there would be cessation of rainfall and weather associated with dry season in Nigeria from late December 2022 to March/April 2023.

Nuhu, who enumerated the effects of hazardous weather on flight operations said “air to-ground visibility reduction due to haze dust or fog”.

“Aerodrome visibility may fall below the prescribed operating minimal and in severe conditions, dust haze can blot out runways, markers and airfield lightings over wide areas making visuals navigation extremely difficult or impossible,” he added.

“Flights are bound to be delayed, diverted or cancelled where terminal visibility falls below the prescribed aerodrome operating minimal.”

In view of the above, Nuhu said that all pilots, operators and air traffic controllers (ATCs) are obliged to abide by safety requirements.

The safety requirements, he said, include the closure of the airspace by air traffic controllers when any of the aforementioned conditions is observed or forecast by NiMet; and strict adherence to published aerodrome weather minimal by flight crews/operators and air traffic controllers (ATC).

“Pilots/flight crew members shall obtain adequate departure, en-route and destination weather information and briefing from NIMET Aerodrome Meteorological Offices and Stations prior to flight operations and exercise maximum restraint whenever an adverse weather is observed,” he added.

Nuhu said operators should ensure that all necessary measures are put in place to cushion the effects of delays or cancellations on their passengers.

The NCAA boss urged all passengers to exercise patience and understanding during the period as their safety is of utmost importance.

He further advised stakeholders to ensure strict compliance to the advisory circular, warning that violations would be viewed seriously.

Kaduna Electric says six only died in Zaria power mishap

The Kaduna Electric has revealed that contrary to some reports, six persons only, names withheld, lost their lives in the electrical mishaps which occurred in Zaria, Kaduna State last week.

A statement by the company’s Head of Corporate Communication, Abdulazeez Abdullahi in Kaduna on Tuesday, said the clarification was necessary to put the record

straight.

The statement said the management of the power company resolved to make the clarification after it carried out a thorough investigation into the incident.

While sending its condolences to the families of the deceased, the statement said the company has taken measures to avert a reoccurence.

The statement said in the

course of its investigations, the company’s officials visited Gwargwaje community and met with families of the affected persons on three occasions, since the incident occurred, to mourn with them and gather relevant information on the incident.

“All the deceased persons lived on Kagoro Close, Gwargwaje ASP Lumba who resided in the Police Barracks,” the statement said.

It added that it had not received any information of more fatalities since its last visit to the community on Saturday.

The statement said it has also gathered detailed information on all those who sustained injuries or lost properties.

It added that it has been liaising with relevant security authorities and the traditional institution in Zaria to discuss next steps.

Domestic airfares soar by 97% – NBS

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The average cost of airplane tickets in Nigeria rose from N37,022.97 in November 2021 to N73,267.57 in November 2022, latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Monday.

This represents an increase of 97.09 per cent, according to the NBS’ Transport Fare Watch report for November 2022.

The report also showed that that the average price of a single flight ticket increased by 0.09 per cent from N73,198.65 in October

to N73,267.57 in November, 2022.

The NBS report read in part, “In air travels fare, the average fare paid by air passengers for specified routes single journey, increased by 0.09 per cent on a month-on-month from N73,198.65 in October 2022 to N73,267.57 in November 2022.

“On a year-on-year, the fare rose by 97.90 per cent from N37,022.97 in November 2021.”

It also disclosed the states with the highest average prices of airplane tickets on a single journey, and they included Taraba

(N77,100), Delta (N76,500) as well as Bayelsa and Oyo with N76,100 each.

The states with the lowest prices were Niger (N67,100), Gombe (N70,000) and Nasarawa (N70,100).

The report also disclosed that the average fare paid by commuters for bus journeys within the city per drop increased by 0.12 per cent in November 2022 on a month-on-month from N636.30 in October 2022 to N637.10.

According to the NBS, on a year-on-year basis, however, the average fare paid by commuters

for bus journeys within the city per drop rose by 42.69 per cent from N446.50 recorded in November 2021.

The report also said the average fare paid by commuters for bus journey intercity per drop rose to N3,848.48 in November 2022.

This was an increase of 0.07 per cent on a month-onmonth compared to the value of N3,845.81 in October 2022.

NBS said on a year-on-year basis, the fares rose by 45.53 per cent from N2,644.50 in November 2021.

Picnickers enjoying themselves at Magic Land, during the Boxing day Celebration, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

METRO

Yuletide: FCTA heightens surveillance system over Ebola, Cholera, others

By Stanley Onyekwere

In order to swiftly mitigate the myriad of consequences of deadly diseases outbreak, the FCT Administration has heightened its disease surveillance system against diseases like Cholera, Ebola, Monkeypox, meningitis, measles and COVID-19 especially during and after yuletide season.

In particular, the FCTA disclosed that the Epidemiological Division of the Public Health Department, under FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat (HHSS), have gone into alert mode of all these diseases, posing mortal dangers to humans.

This was disclosed by Director, FCT Public Health Department, Dr. Sadiq Abdulrahaman, while briefing the media on the state of preparedness and response of the FCTA health sector, in Abuja.

Dr. Sadiq, said the FCT is on a high alert mode, as part of proactive measures taken, even though it have not witnessed any serious outbreak of the diseases within the year ending,

He added that periodically, there is a weekly review, in conjunction with FCTA partners like WHO, NCDC and Disease Surveillance and Notification officers, who are key foot soldiers at the Area Councils level.

According to him, “for Ebola viral disease, which is a big global disease of public health concern, though it is not yet witnessed in Nigeria except for the last case in 2014, but we are aware that there is already an outbreak in DRC Congo, with so much consequences from quite a number of deaths, and closure of schools. So, here (FCT) we have executed a high alert mode even though we have not witnessed any case yet.

“So, proactive measures have been taken. Our surveillance system is heightened, and the FCT Administration bought

quite a number commodities particularly for these key diseases like Cholera that we witnessed in 2021. We went on advocacy visits to key stakeholders especially in those Area Councils that had high potent of the disease during the outbreak such as AMAC, Kuje and Bwari.

“The Epidemiological Division of the Department, under FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat (HHSS), have gone into alert mode of all these diseases including incidence managers for COVID-19, Cholera, monkey pox and so on.

“Also, there is ongoing training retraining of our health workers especially those involved

in periodic reporting of these diseases.

“Of course, with awareness creation and support from stakeholders especially the media is key to getting to the grassroot, as it can only be mitigated if those in the hinterlands get timely and right information, in order to take the right decision concerning their health”.

He adds: “For cerebral spinal meningitis, from january to date, we witnessed zero case, for cholera witnessed only two suspected cases, and zero laboratory confirmed; and for viral hemorrhagic fever specially Lassa fever which is endemic, we had 11 suspected cases and only

one laboratory confirmed with no death.

“For measles, we had about 245 suspected cases, and zero laboratory confirmed. And for Monkey pox, which had brought a wave in recent past, cumulatively, we had about 58 suspected cases, with 9 confirmed in the FCT from January to date”.

On COVID-19, the Director, noted that despite the presidential directive on 12th December, 2022, relaxing of safety measures and travel advisory in the country, there is still emphasis on issues around gathering, the use of masks and travel protocols especially for the vulnerable groups, as the

deadly disease still surges in the world.

“We are not yet celebrating, as the disease has diffused in most countries including Nigeria. So, the pronouncement from the Presidential steering Committee was as a result of sustained reduction in both clinical and laboratory tests visa vice infection transmission of the disease.

“Good enough, at the FCT level, we have been recording zero case. From the ongoing test specifically from our public health facilities and registered consortium of laboratories, which have testing travelers, the report still record zero case as at week 49”, he explained.

Foundation boosts justice advocacy for SGBV victims

By Stanley Onyekwere

ANon-Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Voice of the Girl Child and Vulnerable People’s Foundation (VGCVPF), has launched an initiative aimed at boosting quest for justice for victims of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV).

The NGO developed an Guardup’ mobile internet application, to help generate and keep track of nefarious acts.

It explained that the innovation was conceived and developed to mitigate SGBV especially empowering the victims to access with proven evidence captured on

the app, as well as boost tackling some of the insecurity challenges in the society.

Speaking at the launch of the app recently, in Abuja, Executive Director of the Foundation, Aisha Bello, said the app, which is available for use on Android enabled phones, was designed to avail information as evidence and engage with critical stakeholders such as Government agencies and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), security agencies amongst others.

Bello said with the app, it is easy to monitor activities and prevent criminalities, so as to serve as a deterrence to criminal minded people, thereby help to

reduce the level of crime in the society.

She said: “The reason we decided to bring this innovation is that for years we have been advocating for victims of SGBV through a lot of sensitisation and women empowerment; thinking that was the solution, but we kept seeing that the rate keeps increasing.

“We realised that when we take SGBV cases to courts they keep asking for evidence, that’s what makes is to lose the cases. And if the perpetrator is not punished, definitely, there would be more people involved in that particular crime.

“So if it is evidence that is

required, lets come up with what can help people get the evidence ready, so as to have evidence for whatever that is done to them”.

According to her: “This is just the launching, we will definitely move down to the grass root with the app. From the available statistics, we have more of android phone users than the IOS, but very soon they will also have theirs.

“On our app, you have to create your safety group; that is the people that you are comfortable to share your information with, so as not to have regrets, because once you share it, the people will see immediately.

“Also, we have link with the security agencies, where

people can easily dial and send information for necessary action, either they are in distress or intend to share information about what they have seen.

“People can use this app to monitor other activities like electioneering process. It is not only going to be on the phone as it could be accessed on the web. So it is just as

“The security agencies need us as citizens to help them in tackling the menace and other security challenges.

“We are ambassadors. We can the phones to capture evidence even for others, who may not have Android enabled phones. So we are not going to keep quiet”.

L-R : The Chairman, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig.Gen.Buba Marwa (Rtd) presenting commendation letter of Outstanding Performance / Dedication to duty to the Assistant Commander of Narcotics & principal stàff officer Media & Advocacy NDLEA, Chidi Ndukwu, during the Chairman annual special recognition ceremony, held recently in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

world news

Deadly blizzard leaves more than 60 dead across US

The death toll in the New York city of Buffalo has risen to 28, with thousands still without power amid a monster winter storm that has battered North America.

Across the US, at least 62 people have been confirmed dead across nine states.

In Buffalo, a state official said that military police are being brought in to help manage traffic in the city, where a driving ban remains in place.

Looting has been reported in parts of the city during the emergency.

Officials have said conditions are improving, with very little snowfall on Tuesday and slightly warmer weather on the way.

The death toll, however, is expected to rise as search efforts continue.

Earlier, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said that some people had been trapped for more than two days during what was “probably” the worst storm of their lifetime.

New York’s Erie County - which includes Buffalo - is among the hardest hit areas in the winter storm, which has stretched from Canada all the way to the Mexican border. More than 4,000 people in the area remain without power, down from a high of over 20,000.

to help control traffic in the area, where conditions remained “ugly” on many local roads.

Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gragmalia said that looting is “still going on”. Four people have

so far been arrested.

“This isn’t people stealing food and medicine and diapers,” he said. “They’re destroying stores. They’re stealing televisions, couches, whatever else they can get their hands on. They’re opportunists.”

US President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration on Monday allowing federal support

for New York State. “My heart is with those who lost loved ones this holiday weekend,” he tweeted.

Neighbouring state New Jersey also sent emergency services to New York state to provide further assistance.

State Governor Kathy Hochul, a native of Buffalo, described the storm as “the blizzard of the

century”.

“It is [like] going to a war zone, and the vehicles along the sides of the roads are shocking.”

She added that many emergency vehicles had been unable to reach worst-hit areas or had got stuck in snow themselves.

New York state officials said emergency personnel were going from car to car searching for survivors of the storm, and finding bodies in cars and snow banks.

Mr Poloncarz said others died from cardiac arrest while ploughing snow, with Buffalo state issuing a “Shovel Smart” warning, notifying people that over-exertion from shovelling snow can cause heart attacks or back injuries. While three additional deaths were confirmed by Tuesday morning, two deaths that had been reported earlier were deemed a “non-storm related”, he added.

One local family with young children - aged two to six - had to wait for 11 hours before being rescued in the early hours of Christmas Day (Sunday).

“I was basically just hopeless,” the father, Zila Santiago, told CBS News. He said he managed to stay warm by keeping the engine running, and kept distress at bay by playing games with the children.

Russian sausage tycoon Pavel Antov dies in Indian hotel fall

Russian sausage tycoon Pavel Antov has been found dead at an Indian hotel, two days after a friend died during the same trip.

They were visiting the eastern state of Odisha and the millionaire, who was also a local politician, had just celebrated his birthday at the hotel.

Antov was a well known figure in the city of Vladimir, east of Moscow.

Last summer he denied criticising Russia’s war in Ukraine after a message appeared on his WhatsApp account.

The millionaire’s death is the latest in a series of unexplained deaths involving Russian tycoons since the start of the Russian invasion, many of whom have openly criticised the war.

Reports in Russian media said Mr Antov, 65, had fallen from a window at the hotel in the city of Rayagada on Sunday. Another member of his fourstrong Russian group, Vladimir Budanov, died at the hotel on Friday.

Superintendent Vivekananda Sharma of Odisha police said Mr Budanov was found to have

suffered a stroke while his friend “was depressed after his death and he too died”. The Russian consul in Kolkata, Alexei Idamkin, told the Tass news agency that police did not see a “criminal element in these tragic events”.

Tourist guide Jitendra Singh

told reporters that Mr Budanov may have “consumed a lot of alcohol as he had liquor bottles”.

Pavel Antov founded the Vladimir Standard meat processing plant and in 2019 Forbes estimated his fortune at some $140m (£118m) at the top of Russia’s rich list of lawmakers

and civil servants.

He played an important role at the legislative assembly in Vladimir, heading a committee on agrarian policy and ecology.

The assembly’s deputy chairman Vyacheslav Kartukhin said he had died in “tragic circumstances”.

Late last June he appeared

to react to a Russian missile attack on a residential block in the Shevchenkivskyi district of Kyiv that left a man dead and his seven-year-old daughter and her mother wounded.

A WhatsApp message on Antov’s account described how the family were pulled out of the rubble: “It’s extremely difficult to call all this anything but terror.”

The message was deleted and Antov then posted on social media that he was a supporter of the president, a “patriot of my country” and backed the war.

The WhatsApp message had come from someone whose opinion on the “special military operation in Ukraine” he strongly disagreed with, he insisted. It had been posted accidentally on his messenger and was a highly annoying misunderstanding, he said.

Several high-profile Russian tycoons have died in mysterious circumstances since the war began.

In September the head of Russia’s oil giant Lukoil, Ravil Maganov, apparently fell from a hospital window in Moscow.

Source: BBC

Mark Poloncarz, executive of Erie County where Buffalo is located, said that 100 military police officers and additional state police were being brought in

Wyoming County medical teams respond to a call as Buffalo deals with the winter storm

Antov had set up the Vladimir Standard company in the 2000s and became a well-regarded lawmaker in the city of Vladimir

Somalia’s opioid overdose: Young, female and addicted

It was the discovery of the body of a 22-year-old woman on the streets of the Somali capital, Mogadishu, last year that brought into the open the problem of female drug addiction in the city. Health workers said she died from an opioid overdose.

Friends of the social media influencer said she had been injecting drugs for a long time. They said she was high when she recorded some of her popular TikTok videos.

Police have registered an increase in substance abuse in Mogadishu and elsewhere in Somalia, including among women. They say people are turning to new types of drugs.

Whereas they used to chew the narcotic leaf khat - which is not illegal - drink alcohol, sniff glue or smoke hashish, more and more people are abusing opioids which they inject directly into their veins. These include morphine, tramadol, pethidine and codeine.

In early December, police seized a large consignment of prescription drugs, mainly opioids, at Mogadishu’s international airport. They arrested the importers.

Ghana police ban harmful New Year prophecies

Police in Ghana have warned faith leaders against making traditional New Year prophecies which can cause fear, anxiety or death.

The right of freedom of worship must not violate the rights of others, the police said in a statement.

Critics say the order violates the constitutional right for freedom of religion and it is therefore illegal.

Millions of Christians often gather in churches to hear their pastors make proclamations about the new year.

The messages often range from optimistic projections to those warning of impending doom.

The police order came into force last year after the public was inundated by predictions of deaths and calamity, local news site My Joy Online reported.

In a statement, the police commended religious groups for their “cooperation” and for “adopting legally acceptable means for communicating prophecies”.

But Ghanaian lawyer Sammy Darko said the police order was “illegal.”

“It is not even up for debate or interpretation by the highest court of Ghana. No law in Ghana grants the police administration

any powers to regulate prophecies in the country,” he wrote.

“Religious freedom is more than the ‘freedom to worship’ at a synagogue, church, or mosque. It means people shouldn’t have to go against their core values and beliefs in order to conform to culture or government unless it violates a specific law,” he

added.

Mr Darko told the BBC that the police lost a case earlier this year against a pastor who had been charged for allegedly making an alarmist prophesy about a celebrity musician being shot.

“This was significant,” he said.

The police said they had

adopted 27 December as Prophecy Communication Compliance Day.

“This day is being set aside to remind all of us to practice our faith within the confines of the law to ensure safe, secure environment, free of anxiety generated from predictions of impending harm, danger or death,” the statement said.

Gambia officer Sanna Fadera’s sister denies he plotted coup attempt

Asister of the alleged ringleader of a failed coup attempt in The Gambia has called for his release, saying he was not involved in any plot to topple President Adama Barrow’s government.

Lance Corporal Sanna Fadera was arrested a week ago after the government accused him of masterminding an attempted coup.

Two more officers were detained over the weekend, the government said.

This brings to seven the number of arrests over the alleged plot.

None of the accused has as yet been charged in court.

In a BBC interview, Alia Fadera, the eldest sister of the lance-corporal, said he could not have plotted a coup, as he was only a medic in the navy with no access to weapons or influence in the military.

“Since my brother’s arrest, we have not heard from him and we are worried,” she added.

Mrs Fadera said the military had detained her brother at his workplace in the capital, Banjul, before bringing him to their village in Kiang Nema, 155km (96 miles) away.

“His house and farm were searched by the military but no weapon was found,” she added.

Mrs Fadera said her brother had lived in the village with his wife and four children, who were devastated by the allegation against him.

He travelled to and from work daily and ran a reptile farm in his spare time.

“The entire village is surprised and when the military truck came, most of the villagers came out to see what was happening. I’m calling on the authorities to release my brother,” Mrs Fadera said.

Alia Fadera says she has not been given access to her brother since his arrest a week ago

Meanwhile, the government named the latest officers to be arrested as Capt Ebrima Baldeh, from the military intelligence unit, and Lt Omar Colley, from the First Infantry Battalion.

The government statement added that a panel would be established to carry out a full investigation into the alleged coup plot.

The Gambia is a largely stable country in West Africa which is popular with holidaymakers

because of its beaches and wildlife.

Life has continued as normal since the government said that it had foiled a coup attempt last Tuesday.

President Barrow first took office after a shock victory over long-time ruler Yahya Jammeh in elections in 2016.

Mr Jammeh’s 22-year rule was marked by state repression and human rights abuses.

He then went into exile in Equatorial Guinea after his defeat, though he remains an influential figure in The Gambia.

President Barrow has been distrustful of the military, with troops from neighbouring

Senegal in charge of his personal security, while the main international airport and sea port are guarded by troops from Nigeria and Ghana respectively.

This has made him unpopular with many Gambians, who feel that he has undermined the country’s sovereignty by relying on foreign forces.

Millions of Christians often gather in churches to hear their pastors make proclamations about the new year

Lance Corporal Sanna Fadera was a medic who ran a reptile farm in his spare time, his family says

Covid in China: People rush to book travel as borders finally reopen

Chinese people have rushed to book overseas travel after Beijing announced it would reopen its borders next month.

Passport applications for Chinese citizens wishing to travel internationally will resume from 8 January, the immigration administration said.

It follows an announcement on Monday that ended almost three years of strict quarantine rules for arrivals.

Travel sites have since reported a spike in traffic.

But Chinese tourists will not have unfettered access to all countries.

Japan - one of the most popular destinations for Chinese travellers - has announced that all travellers from China must show a negative Covid test on arrival, or quarantine for seven days, because of the surge in cases there.

India has also said travellers from China (as well as some other countries) must show a negative Covid test when they arrive - though this was announced before Beijing’s easing of restrictions.

The easing of travel rules in China - the last part of the country’s zero-Covid policycomes as the country battles a new wave of infections.

Resentment against the government’s policy - which sparked rare public protests against President Xi Jinping in Novemberled to a relaxation of Covid restrictions across the country.

But an increase in Covid cases followed, with reports of hospitals overwhelmed and a shortage of drugs.

The announcement on outbound travel on Tuesday came after Monday’s news, which axed quarantine rules for travellers arriving

in China. It also scrapped a cap on the daily number of flights.

On the same day, the National Health Commission announced that Covid would be formally downgraded to a Class B infectious disease on 8 January.

Before the relaxation of travel rules, people were strongly discouraged from travelling abroad. The sale of outbound group and package travel was banned, according to marketing solutions company Dragon Trail International.

Within half an hour of Monday’s notice that China’s borders would reopen, data from

travel site Trip.com - cited in Chinese mediashowed searches for popular destinations had increased ten-fold year-on-year.

Macau, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand and South Korea were the most popular destinations.

In addition, Chinese travel agency Qunar saw flight enquiries on its website increase seven-fold within the first 15 minutes after the announcement, the China Daily reports.

Before the pandemic, the number of outbound tourists from China stood at 155 million in 2019, according to Statista. This number dropped to 20 million in 2020.

This year, some people in China will hope to visit family and loved ones during Chinese New Year, which begins on 22 January.

But inside China, there has been a mixed reaction.

“I’m happy about it but also speechless. If we’re doing this [reopening] anyway - why did I have to suffer all the daily Covid tests and lockdowns this year?” said Rachel Liu, who lives in Shanghai.

She said she had endured three months of lockdown in April - but nearly everyone in her family had become infected in recent weeks.

She said her parents, grandparents and partner - living across three different cities in Xi’an, Shanghai and Hangzhou - had all come down with fever last week.

Many have also expressed concern online about borders reopening as Covid cases peak.

“Why can’t we wait until this wave passes to open up? The medical workers are already worn out, and old people won’t survive two infections in one month,” read one top-liked comment on Weibo.

People in cities like Beijing and Shanghai, which experience chilly temperatures in the winter, say they’re running out of flu and cold medicine.

It’s feared that hundreds of deaths may be going unreported as crematoriums are overwhelmed.

In the capital, Beijing, authorities say they are planning to distribute the Pfizer tablets, Paxlovid, in order to try to reduce the severity of infections. But health centres contacted by The Global Times on Monday said the drug had yet to be delivered.

On Monday, President Xi issued his first remarks on the changes, calling on officials to do what was “feasible” to save lives.

Iran protests: Family of football legend Ali Daei stopped from leaving

Iranian football legend Ali Daei says an international flight has been rerouted to prevent his wife and daughter from leaving the country.

The 53-year-old, who has voiced support for anti-government protests, said his family had tried to fly from Tehran to Dubai to join him on holiday on Monday.

But the flight was made to land on an Iranian island in the Gulf and they were removed.

No reason was given and the pair are returning to Tehran, Ali Daei added.

The latest protests were triggered by the death in custody of Iranian-Kurd Mahsa Amini, 22, in September. She had been held for allegedly wearing her headscarf improperly.

More than 500 protesters, including 69 children, have been killed, while thousands of others have been arrested, human rights activists say. Dozens of Iranian security personnel are also reported to have been killed.

• ‘No going back’ as Iran protests hit 100 days

Iran’s state-run news agency Irna said Mr Daei’s wife, Mona Farrokhazari, had pledged to inform officials before

Irna said their flight had landed at Kish Island and “Ali Daei’s wife and daughter got off the plane”.

Mr Daei said the pair “were going to Dubai for a few days trip and back”, adding: “Had they been banned (from leaving), the passport police system should have shown it. No-one has given me an answer about this.”

In a social-media post in September, he urged the government to “solve the problems of the Iranian people rather than using repression, violence and arrests”.

Earlier in December his jewellery shop and restaurant in Tehran was shut down by the judiciary.

In addition to arrests, Iranian authorities have banned several celebrities, artists and prominent figures from leaving the country following their support for the mass protests.

Ali Daei, 53, is one of Iran’s most famous sports figures. A former captain of the national football team, he has scored 109 goals at an international level in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Taiwan extends mandatory military service to one year

Taiwan will extend mandatory military service from four months to one year, President Tsai Ing-wen has said.

The decision comes amid growing tensions with China, which claims the self-ruled island as its territory.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, President Tsai announced new plans to bolster Taiwan's defence in the event of an attack from Beijing.

"Peace will not drop from the sky... Taiwan

is on the frontline of authoritarian expansion," she said.

President Tsai said conscripts will also undergo more intense training, borrowing some elements from the US and other advanced militaries. She added that the island's current defence system was inadequate to cope with aggression from China, which has one of the world's largest and most advanced militaries.

The Taiwanese army has shrunk since the early 1990s when all men over the age of

18 were required to serve in the military for up to three years. Over the next few decades, service was shortened to one year and 10 months before being further reduced to four months. The new rule takes effect in January 2024 - the same month Taiwan will elect its next president.

"This is an extremely difficult decision, but as president, as the head of military forces, it is my unavoidable duty to defend national interests and our democratic way of life,"

President Tsai said.

"No-one wants war, Taiwan and Taiwanese people are the same, and the international community is the same," she said, adding "China's military aggression has become increasingly obvious after its war game in August."

Tensions between Taipei and Beijing soared in August following a visit to the island by US Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi. Source;BBC

Olivier Vandecasteele was arrested when he returned to Tehran for a brief visit in February

leaving the country, following the couple’s “association with the groups against the Islamic revolution”.

Ali Daei took part in the final draw for the World Cup in Qatar

One careful step at a time through Lebanon’s minefields

Avisit to a minefield starts with some crucial safety notes. And they will save your life - when you are just steps away from deadly buried explosives, you need to pay attention.

Red-painted sticks dug into the ground mean danger. Tread any further and you risk stepping right onto a mine. White sticks are the sign of a safe, cleared channel. Black sticks show where an anti-tank mine used to lie, with the explosives inside now burnt away.

Wearing protective gear is vital. That means a helmet with a visor that wraps around your face from ear to ear and covers well below the chin. Protective body armour drops almost to your knees, shielding your vital organs and arteries from the impact of any accidental blast.

In the heat of the Lebanese summer, it is stifling. Deminers start their work as soon as the sun rises, to catch the coolest temperatures. Every hour they take 10 minutes to rest. As the noon sun hits its highest point they are almost finished for the day. It is too dangerous to work when the conditions mean you might lose concentration. Even a momentary slip can be fatal.

It was 25 years ago this month, on 3 December 1997, that the Ottawa treaty was signed. It’s better known as the Mine Ban Treaty - the international agreement that banned antipersonnel landmines - and it is widely considered to be one of the world’s most successful disarmament treaties. To date, 164 countries have agreed to be bound by it.

Just weeks before the treaty was signed, the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) won the Nobel Peace Prize for their mine action efforts around the world. They have been working here in Lebanon since 2001. The demining operation is huge and continues almost daily. This year alone they will clear two million square metres of land and destroy around 10,000 landmines.

As well as dealing with both cluster munitions in the Bekaa Valley and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) left by the Islamic State group (IS) in the north-east of the country, the main work involves demining the frontier between Lebanon and Israel.

The so-called Blue Line was drawn by the United Nations in 2000, designed to physically mark the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the south of Lebanon. In some parts it is a high wall, in others little more than a metal fence that you can see right through. Below the surface is a 120km (75 mile) minefield designed to form an impenetrable barrier. Around 400,000 mines were laid there, some of them barely a metre apart.

In the village of Arab Ellouaizi, the barrier that marks the end of Lebanon and the start of Israel sits right at the edge of the mined area. A metre or two beyond it an Israeli military tower rises behind the grey concrete blocks. The hills in the distance are swathed in mist.

This heavily-mined land is a dangerous problem for the large number of refugees who have come to Lebanon from Syria. They want to live on the land, and cultivate it, but they don’t know the risks.

Three quarters of Arab Ellouaizi’s population are Syrian refugees trying to carve out a living hundreds of miles from home. And that’s why there’s another vital reason - apart from safety - to clear this area. Agriculture is the main work in the south, and farmers are desperate to have the land cleaned up so they can use it. Lebanon’s crippling financial crisis, coupled with the food shortage caused by the war in Ukraine, means ever more farming is an urgent priority.

Abu Ghassan Awada has a crop of peppers that are plump and ready to harvest. Above them, peach trees reach up over our heads. He remembers the sound of explosions at night when goats, sheep and foxes strayed onto the mines. It meant that for years, he couldn’t farm

his land. “I used to just be a worker, hired by other people. But now I can hire people to work on my own plot,” he says. He still takes time to maintain and fix the metal fence that marks out the edge of his farm. Beyond it, just metres away, the land is still an active minefield. He knows not to stray towards it.

Some of MAG’s longest-serving staff have been part of the team for decades. A large cedar tree poster in the doorway of their headquarters shows their names and faces. Hiba Ghandour is MAG’s programme manager in Lebanon. She’s also passionate about making sure as many women as men are involved in the demining work. “When we’re announcing the jobs we have to fill, even adding a photo of a woman doing the job makes sure we can reach everybody,” she explains.

One of those women is Suaad Hoteit. She started the job four years ago, and even met her fiancé as they worked together in the minefield. Deftly pulling her helmet onto her head, she describes the day’s work. “I take my detector, then I go to the field and start searching. When I find a mine, I call the supervisor to check it. And at the end of the day, I make an explosion.”

I’m surprised by the matter-of-fact way she talks about something so dangerous. “It’s four years now, so it’s a daily routine,” she smiles. “In the first year of being here, I was so scared. Now I understand the danger. And I work here because I want to show people that women can do anything. We are strong and independent.”

The type of landmines Suaad is searching for still regularly injure and kill people in 60 different countries. Worldwide, there are around 15 casualties every day. Haidar Maarouf Haidar was one of them. He wears a special white elastic support on his right hand, and peels it off carefully as he recalls the day when he detonated a mine while planting trees in his garden. The moment is still clear in his memory, even though it happened two years ago. “Suddenly something exploded and I heard a sound, as if I was in a dream. I didn’t know what had happened. One moment I was leaning on the ground and the next suddenly something went off. I was knocked unconscious and when I woke up I couldn’t see my fingers. They were gone.”

Haidar turns his hand to show me what remains of the fingers - just four stumps twisting away from the palm. “My psychological state has changed, that’s the first thing. I was a daily worker, I used to do everything with my hands, breaking stones and lumber with them. My body was active. Now if I use my hands, it feels like an electric current in them. My leg injuries make it difficult to walk. My life has totally changed, I can’t do any work anymore except raising my children.”

After so much pain the finish line is now in sight - in Lebanon at least. As we stand together in the Arab Ellouaizi minefield, MAG’s Hiba Ghandour wants to point out how far they have come. “Overall in Lebanon we’ve cleared 80% of the contaminated land. We just need to keep going, and it’s the support of our international donors that makes it possible.”

Countries like the US, France, Norway, the Netherlands and Japan are at the forefront of mine action funding. The help is vital, but the amount of money pledged is decreasing. In Lebanon alone it has fallen from $19.7m (£16m) in 2019 to an anticipated $12.1m in 2023.

It is hard to predict how long it will take to clear the remaining 20% of contaminated Lebanese land. Fluctuating funding is one reason. But new technologies play a big part in the timescale, too. In the last year a new machine - called a rubble crusherhas drastically speeded-up the process of destroying mines. It swallows up both the earth and its hidden devices, breaking them to pieces before they explode. Sometimes they detonate

inside the machine, and the thick armourplating contains the blast. It doesn’t replace human deminers, because it can only work on flat terrain. But it definitely makes the job quicker.

Some of the bigger munitions - the antitank mines - are also being dealt with in a new and special way. The demining teams are now so close to the politically-sensitive boundary between Lebanon and Israel that blowing up the large mines risk physically damaging it. That would not be good for the fragile relations between the two countries. So now, special sticks of thermite are inserted into the mines in the ground where they lie. The intense heat burns away the explosives without creating a huge blast.

Within sight of the fierce flames Mohammed

Atris caresses the fresh green shoots that cover his land. For decades the ground he owns has been unusable, loaded with mines. Even walking on it was out of the question. “I felt sad, depressed and frustrated,” he tells me. “I can’t describe the feeling of being unable to use the land that we grew on earlier in our lives before it was mined and made unfit for farming. It was awful.”

The vegetables he is tending were planted just six weeks ago, only 24 hours after the land was declared clear and handed back to him. “I couldn’t wait. To all of those who made this happen, we thank you for your efforts.”

Crouching to pull up his new crops, he gently wipes the soil from their roots and breaks into a beaming smile.

Source: BBC

The demining teams in Lebanon need to wear heavy protective gear and begin their work early to avoid the stifling temperatures

Staff working with the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) have destroyed 10,000 landmines this year alone

Farmers in the area are desperate to have their land cleared so they can grow crops to help address the food shortages

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2.UGWU OBIORA HENRY (SECRETARY)

3.SOKEH CHINEME JOHN (TRUSTEE)

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO RENDER HELP TO THE FATHERLESS, MOTHERLESS, WIDOWS AND THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN THE SOCIETY.

2. TO GIVE HOPE TO THE NEEDY AND SUCCOR TO THE AFFLICTED BY TAKING CARE OF ORPHANS, EMPOWERING THEM AT THEIR MATURITY AND PROVIDING FOR THE NEEDY WITH BOTH MATERIAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

3. TO RENDER HUMANITARIAN SERVICES TO THE POOR IN THE SOCIETY, THROUGH ORPHANAGE HOMES, HOSPITALS AND SOCIAL WELFARE CENTERS.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1.IMOLE OYELADE. - CHAIRMAN

2.ADEDAYO OYELADE MONSURAT. - SECRETARY

3.SAMUEL PRECIOUS ABIMBOLA.

4.ADAMAIGBO BLESSING

5.NORBERT ALIYU.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE :

1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

RAHAJI

CHARITY FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1.BUBA IBRAHIM - CHAIRMAN

2.UMAR AHMAD BOBE - SECRETARY

3.ABDUL ADAMU

4.BAWA LEME 5.BAWA UMAR

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE :

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

GARBA CENTER FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1.GARBA KUMAGA KENNETH 2.EGUM MAUREEN MNGUSUUR

3.GARBA TERHEMEN BENJAMIN

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO DEVELOP EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS IN YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN

2. TO CREATE A PLATFORM FOR MENTORING AND NETWORKING FOR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH OF ENTREPRENEURS

3. TO RENDER HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT TO THE POOR IN THE SOCIETY, THROUGH ORPHANAGE HOMES, HOSPITALS AND SOCIAL WELFARE CENTERS

4. TO DEVELOP LEADERS FOR THE MARKET PLACE THROUGH ENTERPRISE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. UDENSI UCHENNA KINGSLEY - CHAIRMAN 2. NDUKA OKEZIE STEPHEN - SECRETARY 3. NWANKWO CHINEDU EMMANUEL 4. OJEUBI KINGSLEY CHIZARAM 5. IHEDIGBO ONYEKACHI 6. EMENIKE CHUKWUDI 7. AUGUSTINE CHINEMEZU JOSEPH

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO PROVIDE CARE, SUPPORT AND CATER FOR THE WELFARE OF THE MEMBERS 2. TO BE THEIR BROTHERS’ KEEPER IN TIME OF NEED AND WANT.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : BARR. PETERSON C. IHUNWEZE.

PUBLIC NOTICE

I AM TOWER OF GLORIOUS PEOPLE ASSEMBLY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1). OKPORIE, UKACHUKWU. - CHAIRMAN.

2). AGWU ELEKWA IBOM. - SECRETARY.

3. UKACHUKWU, BRIGHT OKPORIE.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO PREACH THE WORD OF GOD AND WIN SOULS FOR CHRIST.

2. TO ENGAGE IN CHARITY WORK IN IMITATION OF CHRIST.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : SECRETARY - 08030781682.

PUBLIC NOTICE

NDIACHUSIM AKAEME COMMUNITY ARONDIZUOGU

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.OKORO CHARLES UGOCHUKWU

2.UMEH JOEL WEST

3.NWABUEZE DAMIAN CHUKWUMA

4.EZENWA CHINEDU THANKGOD

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. TO BE OUR BROTHER ‘S KEEPER 2. TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

RICHMOND HEART OF CARE FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.OBULUNNE OLIVE ESI - CHAIRMAN 2.OKEKE JOAN - SECRETARY 3.OBULUNNE ROLAND CHINEDU - MEMBER

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. IMPROVING THE STATE OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, ENCOURAGING THE OBSERVANCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND IMPROVING THE WELFARE OF THE DISADVANTAGED.

2. WE ACCOMPLISH OUR MISSION BY INVESTING INTO IDEAS AND PROJECTS THAT BRINGS SUSTAINABILITY AND EDUCATION THROUGH RELIEF,DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING AND EQUIPPING.

3. TO PROMOTE UNITY, PEACE AND LOVE AMONG THE LESS PRIVILEGED AND MEMBERS FOR THE SURVIVAL OF THE NIGERIA NATION.

4. TO PROVIDE CHARITY FOR THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN THE SOCIETY.

5. TO PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS TO HELP RELIEVE POVERTY, UNDER PRIVILEGED AND TO CONNECT PEOPLE WITH GLOBAL RESPONSE EFFORTS.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

UNIQUE ROYAL SISTERS LEAD FOR DEPRIVED WOMEN AND GIRLS INITIATIVE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1). IKECHI, FREDRICK OKWUBUIKE... CHAIRMAN. 2). OJINMA, JOY AKUNNA.... SECRETARY. 3), ENEMO, AMAKA OLUCHUKWU. 4), IBIEFO, ALILETU BIOLA OGUNYEMI. 5). OZONNA, SAMUEL ARIZECHUKWU.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1,. TO ASSIST THE LESS PRIVILEDGED IN THE SOCIETY ESPECIALLY WOMEN AND GIRLS. 2,. TO ASSIST MEMBERS IN TIMES OF NEED.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : EZEJI GLORIA 08038769236.

PUBLIC NOTICE

SPACE FOR SALE

SECONDARY SCHOOL IHUOKPARA CLASS OF 2003

UKEHE PROGRESSIVE UNION, PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE

THE KINGDOM LIFE PURPOSE DRIVEN CHURCH INTERNATIONAL

CLAN

UKAN

IKWULAIBE OZUITEM AND FRIENDS ASSOCIATION

How Life Camp Volleyball Club is setting the pace in Nigeria’s grassroots volleyball development

By Amaechi Agbo

Private ownership of a volleyball club in Nigeria is not common. This is primarily due to the huge capital involvement to run such a project in the country.

However, Life Camp Volleyball Club in Jabi, Abuja, the first and only privately owned volleyball club in the country has been redefining volleyball private ownership and grassroots development with articulated programmes.

One of such programmes is the Life Camp Volleyball Club Championship, a traditional end-of-the-year competition that brings to an end all actives of the club each year.

The competition which has spanned six years - from 2014 till date - was held between December 16 and 18, 2022. Team White won both male and female categories.

The final played on Sunday December 18 saw prominent individuals both in politics and sports grace the tournament despite the two final matches coinciding with the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The World Cup final between Argentina and France kicked off by 4pm, same time as the Life Camp Volleyball Club Championship. But prominent personalities who love football very much, ignored the World Cup final to honour the volleyball tournament held at Jabi Lake Park, Abuja.

Dignitaries present at the 6th In-House Volleyball Tournament organised by Life Camp Volleyball Club includes: Dr Babangida Aliyu - former Governor of Niger State; Sen Olubunmi Olujimi: Sen Shehu Sani - former senator representing Kaduna Central District at the National Assembly; former minister of sports, Eng Sani Ndanusa; Nigeria Volleyball Federation President, Engr. Musa Nimrod; Commodore Aliyu Pindar, Chairman, FCT Volleyball Association, among others.

Their presence at the final justified the huge interest the Life Camp Volleyball Club Championship has generated over the past years.

The six teams that came 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each categories shared N440, 000 total prize money, a board member of the club and Chairman Technical Committee, Arc. Adamu Tanimu told our correspondent that the club is the pace setter in establishing privately sponsored volleyball club in the country.

While going back memory lane to recreate the foundation of the Life Camp Volleyball Club Abuja, he enumerated it’s achievements which include the qualification of the club to the Nigeria Volleyball Premier League, sustaining the annual competition for the past six years as the in-roads the club has made within a short time.

He mentioned key challenges facing the club as funding/ Sponsorship, publicity, among others.

Below are excerpts from our correspondent’s interaction with Arc.

Adamu Tanimu:

In the Beginning

The Life Camp Volleyball Club 6th In-house Competition is a traditional end-of-the-year competition which brings us to the end of all activities as far as 2022 is concerned.

Life Camp Volleyball Club stared by some group of players that have played the game to national level from across the country here in Abuja so that we find a platform where after we have retired from active volleyball, play the game at our own pace. It is also in consideration of the need to establish a private volleyball platform that will encourage individuals to come and support the volleyball federation so that we reach our ultimate objective of representing the country internationally.

We involve several people such that Life Camp Volleyball Club has become a household name in the country. Mark you, Life Camp Volleyball Club is the only privately sponsored volleyball club in the country that has a team in the Premier League, has a playing ground that is of standard as far as outdoor volleyball is concerned globally.

The Challenges

In any human endeavour, you can but not do without challenges. Like I said, this is the single privately owned volleyball club in the country and is taking volleyball to this level. Of course, supporting such kind of club with the facilities that you can see needs funding and that is why you don’t normally see this kind of facilities all over the country except those established by government. Funding is the number one challenge.

Trying to support the government’s intention of bringing the youth out of their conundrum so that their interest now come into sports and they develop themselves, intellect and become proper better Nigerian is also a difficulty.

Publicity is also there. We are finding it very difficult to get all over the country so that volleyball becomes that number one sport in the country, is a challenge.

Other than that, of course, we have so few minor challenges that are purely inward. How we administer ourselves and get ourselves to that practice of best club management, especially volleyball club that is found all

over the world.

Naming 2022 Competition after Nigeria Volleyball Federation President

Volleyball has been facing numerous challenges within the past years but the coming of the current president into the federation, we realized that there are so many innovations that are bringing the volleyball community in the country together which is improving our performance outrightly internationally. Therefore, such kind of individual needs to be encouraged, supported and be giving the right credit where they deserve it the more so that we will be able to bring in those ones that are sitting on the fence so that they will be able to take this our volleyball into that level we are thinking of.

Promotion To The Premier League

All the clubs that are playing in the Premier League are either owned by one corporate, some how, a government organization or mostly paramilitary organisations. So we have become the pace setters so

that other individuals that are out there, can come in and set such kind of project towards competing in the premier league.

That will boost our performance internationally as a country, in terms of volleyball competitions. That is our aim and how we think we can sustain this project towards achieving that our ultimate aim of being the premier privately owned volleyball club in the country.

Appeal For Sponsorship

Volleyball Club is a capital intensive project especially at private level. We are doing our best, we took the challenge to get the club promoted to the Volleyball Premier League. After achieving that, we now need more funding to sustain the club up there.

One of the things that we see as prime challenge is funding. To tackle this challenge, we have to think inward and from there look outward to highly spirited individuals and corporate organisations to come to our aid by sponsoring some of these competitions that we are getting into. We need sponsors, support to remain up there in the league.

Team White players celebrating their victory

“But you have not given us joy” - Super Eagles lambasted on happy Christmas message

By Amaechi Agbo

Ten months after the Super Eagles of Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and 8 days after the final, Nigeria football followers are yet to get over the disappointment and pain of the team’s absence in Qatar.

And it does appear that they waited till Christmas Day to pour out their anger as a section of the fans have lampooned the team for wishing them “merry Christmas” on December 25.

The Super Eagles took to their official Tweeter page to wish Nigerians “merry Christmas” with the following message “We hope this Christmas brings you joy and happiness”

The message however, did not go down well with some of the fans who questioned how the team could wish them “joy and happiness” when they have not given Nigerians such.

Below are reactions to the post by fans:

@PeterObi4president said “They (the) only joy una fit give me , is to win they next Afcon tournament and maybe 2026 world cup with Peter Obi attending both finals as President of Nigeria , baba God please run am for us as Christmas gift.

@Frankie2560 asked the players to show more dedication, he said “We need results pls,relate our message...we wish them and their families merry christmas. we need more dedication from the likes (of) Aribo and Lookman not strolling on the pitch (Aribo) or losing ball carelessly (Lookman)”

@Big_Bhat tweeted “But you haven’t given us joy and happiness”

@Cimmoski has this to say “This wishing is not good at all. More like from ndi na amaro ball aku to ndi Ike Uwa gwuru....

Merry Xmas to you people there.”

@JettoeUchir simply called it message a “Poor PR. Should have been our home jersey”

@JAYKAYCII “The joy and happiness you and your eagles took away from the people? you’re now hoping something else restores it?”

@Gen_Sani_111 “Ameen...Wishes the National team will live up to the task”

@DurojaiyeSegun “So your team, which consists of semi average players, can steal the joy & happiness away again by 2023 after crashing out of the AFCON group stage?”

@Babalol24830224 asked the team to ‘psrk well” tweeting “You say what?? Where is d super in the Eagles? Or what is super in these

Niger Tornadoes Chairman, Coach, Others, Bag Awards For Excellent Performance

Niger Tornadoes FC’ Fans Club have conferred an award of excellence on the chairman of Niger Tornadoes Football Club Minna, Hon. Adamu Aliyu Mohammed.

In an event that took place at the Niger Tornadoes FC Secretariat, Ministry Of Youth and Sports Development over the week, the Technical Adviser of the State owned team, Abubakar Bala Mohammed also received an award alongside four players, for their outstanding performance last season.

According to the organizers of the award ceremony (Fans Club) the essence of rewarding the outstanding performers, is to encourage other players to emulate their colleagues to always give their all when called upon.

The Fans Club which was created and registered in 2016 with the aim of volunteering to give the much needed support to the team, had Amos Silas Jako as her first Chairman, while the current chairman is Abubakar Adamu Layi.

Aside organizing an award ceremony, the FANS CLUB have always made it a duty to vote and recognize best player of the team on a weekly bases during league matches.

The Award for Excellent Performance were presented to Niger Tornadoes Chairman Hon. Adamu Aliyu, Technical Adviser, Abubakar Bala Mohammed, Teams Captains, Ifeanyi Okoye and Sunday Akinmoladun, the other two players who bagged awards are; Lukman Mohammed

and Daniel Edeh who had since departed the club and pitched tent with a foreign club.

Responding on behalf of all the recipients, Abubakar Bala Mohammed, acknowledged the important contributions of the FANS CLUB and said their efforts can not be underestimated.

While calling on the need to sustain the tempo and maintain a greater synergy between the FANS & SUPPORTER’S CLUB in the best interest of the team, Coach Bala urged them to spread their tentacles in the area of seeking partnership and sponsorship as obtainable in the most developed places.

He stressed that the issue of sponsorship which is generally lacking among Nigeria clubsides must be tackled so as reduce over dependence on government.

He said, “For instance, most clubs including Tornadoes do not have economic right of players, losing huge amount of money to agents, anytime players secure deals outside the shores of the country. In our case when Daniel Edeh secured his move away, his agent took the lion share of the whole transfer fees, as a result of inability to pay his clearance fees outrightly, so a lot need to be done in this aspect”.

Thereafter, Coach Bala made a pledge of N100,000 to the FANS CLUB.

Also speaking, the special guest of honor at the event, APC State Publicity Secretary Hon. Labaran Sarkin Kaji, while reiterating that

Niger Tornadoes is one of the famous clubsides in Nigeria with supporters spread within and outside the State, said, football is loved and cherished by many but performed by the youth, hence the need for government to give the sector a special attention. He said football if well

harnessed can boost the economy of a state, he commended the current chairman of the team, Hon. Adamu Aliyu for doing so well in terms of piloting the affairs of the team and used the occasion call on the Coaches to place special consideration on home based players.

Club Owners boycott 2022/2023 Nigeria Professional Football League season

By Amaechi Agbo

Crisis has hit the proposed kickoff of the 2022/2023 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL season slated for January 8 as Club Owners have withdrawn their participation in the new season.

The Chairman, Club Owners Association, Barr Isaac Danladi confirmed the development in a release issued on Christmas Day.

According the release, the Club Owners vowed not to attend the Wednesday, December 28 draw for the new season neither would they participate in the league if the

Interim Management Committee, IMC goes ahead to adopt an abridged format for the new season against a majority decision for a straight league.

“This is to bring to your notice that we are in receipt of the above circular inviting clubs for the 2023 NPFL draws on abridged league format.

“Consequently, I wish to further inform members and state categorically that this is not in consonance with the joint decision of clubs and IMC at the last meeting of Wednesday 21st Dec 2022 whereby it was agreed inter-alia that the abridged league

proposed by IMC and the straight league which was overwhelmingly proposed by the clubs would be communicated to NFF by the IMC for further necessary action.

“We are therefore perplexed and amazed that just few hours after the meeting, IMC came up with a circular fixing 28th December as date for draws based on abridge league format,” the release said.

“We wish to categorically dissociate ourselves with the circular and state firmly that clubs would not be part of the draws on 28th December 2022, neither would we participate in an abridged league.

The clubs remain resolute in their quest to have a “better league that will endure, hence we cannot be part of an arrangement that will not be beneficial to football development in Nigeria.

“In view of the above, a meeting of the club Owners is being proposed for 28th December 2022 in Asaba Delta state to review matters arising among other things.

“Details of the meeting and other logistics will be announced soonest, please.

“We appreciate members for their patience and good conducts since this saga started.”

Eagles??? I beg park well”

Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after they were held to a 1-1 draw against Ghana in Abuja on March 29. Ghana qualified on away goal rule.

Argentina were crowned champions of

the world on Sunday December 18 after they defeated France 4-2 on penalties to lift the diadem.

The Super Eagles will regroup in March next year as they continue qualification race for 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON.

Super Eagles Christmas message

Niger Tornadoes award reception

Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana retires from international football

By Amaechi Agbo

Less than a month after he was sent out of the Indomitable Lions camp in Qatar at the 2022 World Cup due to disciplinary actions, Cameroon first choice goalkeeper, Andre Onana has announced his retirement from international football.

The Inter Milan of Italy shotstopper retired aged 26.

In a post he made on Twitter Friday, Onana told a short story of how he dreamed of wearing the Indomitable Lions jersey stressing that “however beautiful a story it may be, has its end. And my story with the Cameroonian national team has come to an end.”

“It all started in Ngol Nkok, a small village where, from a very young age, my family passed on to me the values that identify the Cameroonian people. understood that love for this country is eternal and that commitment is nonnegotiable.

“I remember how we watch the matches as a family. Only Cameroonians can understand what it means to us to see the Indomitable Lions play. That’s when I started dreaming of one day wearing the national team jersey. And now, after endless hours of training, endless trips and a lot of perseverance, I can proudly say that I have fulfilled my great dream.

“But every story, however beautiful it may be, has its end. And my story with the Cameroonian national team has come to an end. Players come and go, names are fleeting, but Cameroon comes before any person or player.

“Cameroon remains eternal and so does my love for the national team and for our people who have always supported us no matter how difficult the moment was. My feeling will never change. My Cameroonian heart will continue to beat and wherever I go I will always fight to lift the flag of Cameron as high as possible.

“I will continue to support as a

fan, just as the more than 27 million Cameroonians do at every match. I can only thank all those who trusted me and believed that I could add and contribute to this team. The nation first and forever”

Onana who had 34 caps in a sixyear international career debuted for Cameroon in a 2–1 friendly win over Gabon in September 2016. He featured in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations thirdplace game against Burkina Faso.

On 9 November 2022, he was named in the final squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He played the first match against Switzerland, before being dropped in the second against Serbia, then he was eventually suspended from the tournament on 28 November, due to a disciplinary issue related to arguments about tactics with his coach Rigobert Song.

Onana announced his retirement from international football on 23 December 2022

Morocco to build 93, 000 capacity stadium in 2025

By Amaechi Agbo

Fresh from their historic World Cup performances in 2022 World Cup where they became the first African country to reach the Semi-final stage, Morocco is planning to build a 93, 000 capacity national stadium in 2025.

Morocco plans to launch 93,000 capacity Grand Stadium of Casablanca in 2025.

Sited in its largest city, Casablanca, the stadium will serve as the home of the Moroccan men’s national team, the Atlas Lions.

Morocco became the first African Nation to reach World Cup Semi-final in Qatar where they earned $25 million for 4th place after losing the 3rd-place playoff 2-1 against Croatia on Saturday Morocco stunned the world with their selling performances, going unbeaten up until their final four fixture against France.

Morocco’s Atlas Lions are ranked 11 in the new FIFA World Rankings released last week.

Also, Morocco’s King, Mohammed VI decorated the players, coach, Walid Regragui and the president of the

Moroccan FA, Faouzi Lekjaa with national honours following their Qatar World Cup heroics.

The team returned home to much fanfare as Moroccans took to the streets to cheer on the players, who had made history for the North African nation on the world stage, during their parade around the capital city of Rabat on an open-top bus.

Morocco became the first ever African country to qualify for the semi-final of the FIFA World Cup, after their remarkable 1-0 victory over Portugal national team and they went on to finish at the 4th spot

of the competition.

Prior to this year’s edition of FIFA World Cup in Qatar, no African country made it beyond the quarter-final of the FIFA World Cup.

The Atlas Lions played seven matches in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, they secured four victories, drew one and lost two.

The King hosted the team alone with the mothers of the players.

Morocco bided to host the 2026 World Cup but lost the hosting rights to United States of America, Canada and Mexico who are co-hosting the global tournament slated to be played in June-July 2026.

Zambia appoints Avram Grant as new coach ahead of 2025 AFCON qualifiers

By Amaechi Agbo

2012 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON champions, Zambia have named former Chelsea manager, Avram Grant as new Coach ahead of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.

The former Portsmouth and West Ham boss signed a two-year deal with an option to extend.

The former Ghana national team coach said his choice of Zambia was “for the right challenge” and expressed optimism of “doing a good job” with the team.

‘I was looking for the right challenge and that’s why I chose Zambia,’ Grant, 67, said at a press conference in Lusaka on Thursday.

“I came here because of the challenge and I hope when I leave here I will look around and say we did a good job and made a good foundation for the future.

‘I think Zambia has the potential, we have set the targets of what we want to achieve.’

Grant’s time in England was most notable for leading Chelsea to the 2008 Champions League final, which they lost on penalties to Manchester United.

The Israeli also steered Portsmouth to the 2010 FA Cup final, which they lost 1-0 to Chelsea.

But he was in charge of Portsmouth and West Ham when they were both relegated from the Premier League.

Grant later led Ghana to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final and a penalty shoot-out defeat to the Ivory Coast.

Zambia failed to qualify for the African knockout stages of 2022 World Cup qualification and parted company with Croatian coach Aljosa Asanovic in October.

Grant’s first games will be 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in March.

The Chipolopolo are currently second in the AFCON Group H qualifying race with 3 points from two matches. They will face Lesotho on March 20 and 28 next year.

Former Cameroon goalkeeper, André Onana

Avram Grant (middle) unveiled as new Zambia coach

Chelsea earned their first Premier League win since October 16 as Kai Havertz and Mason Mount’s goals secured a 2-0 home win over Bournemouth, but the hosts’ day was soured when Reece James’ comeback was ended by injury.

James was named in the starting XI by Graham Potter as he returned from more than two months out with a knee injury and excelled for nearly an hour before going down in front of the head coach and having to be replaced.

The right-back’s exit seemed to rock Chelsea, who loosened their grip on the game and allowed Bournemouth back into the contest, but the visitors lacked the quality to trouble the Blues, who had lost their last three games without scoring a goal.

But strikes from Havertz (16) and Mount (24) before James’ injury had put Chelsea in a commanding position and they were able to see out the win to relieve the pressure on Potter and close the gap on fourth-placed Tottenham to six points, with a game in hand.

Neither Chelsea nor Bournemouth went into their clash at Stamford Bridge with much to shout about, given the Blues had not win in five Premier League games and the Cherries had just one victory from their last seven matches in the competition.

Chelsea still went into the game as strong favourites and had gone a long way to wrapping up the result before the 30-minute mark thanks Havertz and Mount, who provided the end product to some vastly improved attacking play by the previously profligate Blues.

Source: skysports.com

This week, as I look forward to another calendar year rounding up, the need to take personal stock becomes more and more sacrosanct as I journey through life; just as much as we need to take stock as a people and a nation with a perpetual aspiration, the stock of what the year 2022 has served us. 2023 is a year of critical decision for us and an unbiased personal and collective auditing of events as they presented themselves in 2022 would be a very tactical decisionmaking tool for all rational Nigerians. So, I pondered randomly.

As a nation, it is now time to take stock of what we are and where we have been for both today and the future. We have made too many mistakes as a people. Can we recognise the damage we have done to ourselves and our systems? Can we unanimously make the decision to begin making things right? Can we let go of greed and personal interests for unbridled wealth for the sake of this country?

Nigeria is a nation broken - and being further broken - by men and women who grazed its nationality. We are a nation destroyed from within by its own elements; a nation begging for restitution from its own people. It would have been much better if those who impoverished us, those who take away the right and chances of better security, prosperity and greatness from us are people from other lands and nations; we would be talking of rising up in unity against foreign enemies, but who are we rising against to gain our freedom now but our own people.

This is the stock we have to take to know what and where we truly are; where we have come from and what harms we have done to ourselves up till now. 2023 would and should be an opportunity at redefining our existential structure as a nation and people, but would we take the chance and do the needful and right thing for Nigeria? Wouldn’t sentiments and emotional biases still take preeminence in our decisions and dispositions?

Economically, we went down almost irreparably; a nation so blessed with economic resources has to grasp the straw to survive economically. Our national oil resource has become more of a curse than a blessing to us in reality. A nation blessed with huge crude oil and gas resources, but couldn’t develop even at the pace of nations who are totally unblessed with the resources. Nations that hold equal blessings as us have now become the new heavens we want to repatriate to for greener pastures, to enjoy the benefit of effective and efficient management of oil money. What becomes of Nigeria’s oil wealth? How did the blessings of the dark oil become a curse dangling on our souls and tearing us apart both financially and socially? It is the jostling for the oil money at the center that broke the final link of unity among the sub-nationalities of the nation Nigeria; at the center of all regional enmity and tribal separation is the fight for the control of the black oil. Who controls the oil money? Who takes the larger share, and how do we share the

proceeds; have become the cause of the major challenges of the country. When would we develop the guts to take the needed decision about what to do with petroleum subsidy in the country? At what time precisely are we going to realise that as great as the concept of subsidy is, it has become an albatross to our journey to real development in Nigeria. The subsidy regime has for decades been hijacked by politicians who have successfully built a chain of corruption around it; a chain that is impossible to totally locate and talk less of breaking. Again and again, we have hit the streets rejecting subsidy removal, not knowing we are fighting for the continuous enrichment of those few elements who are the real beneficiaries of subsidy payment. It is because of the subsidy regime that we cannot know what quantity of the product we consume daily; because it has to be permanently inflated to remain the perpetual conduit pipe for stealing the country dry. Nigeria pays subsidies for tens of millions of liters of imported products that are either not consumed by Nigerians or are not even imported at all; we wasted billions of dollars annually feeding the pockets of the few highly privileged among us under the guise of cushioning the effect of the price on Nigerians. Beyond the fact that the continuous romance of the regime has been principally responsible for the refusal of private investors to stake their investment in the sector, we need to take stock.

The import of the just completed Second Niger Bridge must be effectively registered in the minds of all Nigerians. Beyond sentimental biases and hatred for whatever comes out of Muhammadu Buhari, this is a year of unprecedented and unique national developmental feats from the present Administration to Nigeria and Nigerians. For once and again, we see as Nigerians what it means to promise and deliver. It was in this country that our hopes were raised with the great promise of cassava bread, expended and wasted N500 billion and yet till date see no cassava bread; at a time our hopes were raised to the high heavens that we are now getting the energy production and distribution right in Nigeria, the Obasanjo administration commissioned $16 billion to revamp the sector and all that happened to us was that we waited long in vain and disappointment. Over the decade, Nigerians were served so many messages of hope that were dashed. SURE-P, as good as it was, only became unavailable to the Nigerians who truly needed the intervention. The

Second Niger Bridge was in the list of unfulfilled promises in the entire 16 years of the PDP government, with every administration using it as a bait to get the support of the Southeast region of the country, feeding us with paper works that ended at paper works; but today, in six years the Bridge is standing and open up for users. That is a monumental achievement for all Nigerians and an evidence of seriousness on the part of the APC-led Buhari government. When we find ourselves at critical times like these, when we are bewildered by confusing rhetoric with regard to what party to hand our support to in the next general elections, these are the most important things that should constitute our thinking points.

This is also the time for us to take stock of our many stands and decisions as regards other critical issues in the country. What are our reactions over the years and 2022 inclusive to politicians’ abuses of our common identities and wealth? Didn’t we stand solidly by Dasuki and his team who shared the money meant for the prosecution of the war against Boko Haram when we had the opportunity to decimate the terror group? We all stood by Saraki when EFCC made an attempt to effectively recoup national assets he had illegally cornered; when Dariye was imprisoned, rather than being happy that corruption was dealt a blow, we said it was because he is a Christian. When Orji Uzor Kalu was convicted, it was because he belongs to a particular region. And recently, we are more happy that Doyin Okupe was able to pay off N13 million and escape direct jail time regardless of the harm his action did to us all. Where do we go from here and how do we make reasonable progress taking these forms of stands? We need to take stock.

We stood by PDP from 1999 till 2015; 16 years of unprecedented backwardness for the country. It was obvious, but we chose to ignore them. All the national refineries went down, local refining totally jettisoned and 100 percent importation of finished petroleum products became the order of the system for us. The nation’s entire transport sector became moribund; the railway system closed down permanently, our airports rejected internationally, our roads became more of death traps and the only thing done was paper works that never became a reality. As a nation, we became totally dependent on imported products after a total loss of local production capacity. A population of over 200 million has to depend absolutely on others for everything, including, even ordinary toothpicks. We were sleeping

in perpetual darkness, and companies in droves were either closing shops or relocating away from the country for non-availability of power despite regular annual budgeting for the same and a huge sum of $16 billion appropriation for the sector. The same PDP is here again, and we are turning up and ramping up support for the same party and a man who decimated our systems. We need to take a deep breath and take stock.

So much was said about Peter Obi’s handling of Anambra state as a governor; much about his investing public money in his private businesses and we seem to be okay with it and even help him to explain it out; much about his religious sentimentality to the point of victimising anything and anyone that did not belong to his Catholic leaning, yet, we clap for him now as he romances all churches; much about his hatred for other tribes when he literally asked the northerners to go back to their region and offer them no help when they were been attacked in his state, yet, we are busy creating a unifier status for him now. The Anambra he governed is still the same Anambra we see today, but instead of being rational in assembling his antecedents, we are busy creating fantasies on non-existing performances for him. We need to pause and take stock.

The APC candidate has been out on the field campaigning without rest in the past weeks since the commencement of campaign but all we want to see is a weak old man who is not fit to rule the country. The man is busy selling his program for the country, delivering powerful speeches and attending to questions from Nigerians in many forums, yet, all we care about are the slips he makes. We are busy creating non-existing performance antecedents for Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, and making efforts to distant all the great works in Lagos state from Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

What do we really want in 2023? What do we want for Nigeria? It is high time we took proper audit of what is available to us in the best interest of our country and our future.

GOD BLESS THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA !