Thursday, February 2nd, 2023 Edition

729 ballot boxes, 243 voting cubicles, 256 election bags, others lost

President Muhammadu Buhari accompanied by the Jigawa State Governor, Alh. Muhammed Badaru Abubakar, Minister of Water Resources, Engr Suleiman Adamu during the commissioning of valley irrigation scheme in Birnin Kudu, Jigawa state.

Photo; State House

Suspected ritualists kill 12 year old boy in Zaria

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

A12 year old boy has been butchered to death by unknown persons in Zaria City.

Abdulkadir who was a resident of Madarkaci was said to have met his untimely

death on Monday when his remains were discovered in an uncompleted building in the area.

According to his father Aminu Saleh Muhammad, the Late Abdulkadir was sent to collect handset from a nearby charging spot on Sunday evening but he didn’t return home.

He said, they tried all they could to trace him but to no avail until on Monday when his brother called him in the evening and informed him that Abdulkadir was found dead.

Aminu said the killers were suspected rituals because they butchered him by removing his eyes, private part, tongues and

broke his leg.

Confirming the incident, the Kaduna State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSPP Muhammad Jalige said, the boy was butchered to death by unknown murderers.

He said the Police has commenced investigation in an effort to arrest the culprits.

Use of multiple currencies by ECOWAS members can hamper regional economic integration – Don

Prof. Jonathan Aremu, a don, said on Wednesday that the use of multiple currencies by ECOWAS member could hamper economic integration in the subregion.

Aremu, a professor of International Economic Relations at Covenant University, Nigeria, expressed the thought on Wednesday, while delivering a paper titled, “Conceptual Issues in ECOWAS Integration” at the First 2023 Parliamentary Seminar of the ECOWAS Parliament in Bissau, Guinea Bissau.

The university teacher, who is also a Consultant on ECOWAS Common Investment Market, said that the implementation of the ECO was a key vision on the ECOWAS integration agenda.

The seminar with the theme “ECOWAS Common Currency and the Inter-bank Payment System as Promoters of Regional Trade” was organised to provide a forum for discussions on ways to actualise the implementation of the region’s single currency, the “ECO”.

Aremu said the use of a common currency by ECOWAS countries would pave way towards achieving the Economic/Monetary Union.

“Economic/Monetary Union is the last step in an economic integration process; where in addition to a common market, it also requires integration of economic policies in both monetary and fiscal including common currency,” he said.

Aremu said that to harmonising the monetary policies of each

member state is also key to actualizing the ECOWAS economic integration to break trade barriers and the implementation of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS).

He explained that the ETLS was successfully implemented will make ECOWAS economically stronger and more attractive.

“As ETLS makes West Africa a more integrated market, that is attractive to investors both within and outside the region, the initiative indirectly creates a platform that increases Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises visibility.

“And, bargaining power when negotiating further agreements like on trade and investment across the continent into the global trading

arrangements under the World Trade Organisation.

“Effective implementation of ETLS will not only enhance trade between ECOWAS member states but create a web of positive interactions and interdependency that would build trust and reduce the risk of conflict between them,” Aremu added.

Aremu urged the bloc to learn from the experiences of other regions that have successfully integrated their regional economies.

The 15 members of ECOWAS are, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. (NAN)

Vice chairman Joint National Association of Persons withdisability, Abubakar Adamu,- presenting his paper during the Association of Deaf in Collaboration of Disability Affairs Board and Sighters One day awareneas Seminer on Hearing Loss in kaduna on wednesday 25/1/22

FG moves to train 250,000 persons on data privacy, protection

The Federal Government has unveiled plans to train 250,000 data protection officers on enhanced management of data across organisations to safeguard the privacy of citizens.

Dr Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau, (NDPB) made this known during a capacity building workshop for data protection officers in the public sector, in Abuja.

He said that there is need for data protection officers operating in the public sector to understand the difference between data security and data privacy as they carry out their duties.

He bemoaned the poor statistics of data expert operating in Nigeria, adding that the Bureau would not relent in its drive to build capacities and train data protection officers in the country.

“We will develop a pool of competent data protection experts in the country. This is first

set of data protection observers that we are training so far.

“We have gone round ministries and parastatals, we have trained them. We have done for the Attorney-General office, we have done for NTA, we have done for VON, we have done for Federal Polytechnic Nekede, we are working with the office of the secretary general to conduct their own.

“We are also working with the Federal Ministry of Health. We are pulling different people from ministries and departments and this is the first batch and I want to really congratulate all of them.

“Data privacy protection ecosystem is still emerging globally.

“In Nigeria the number of data processors and controllers that we have identified are over 500,000 and by our own estimates, those who are experts are not up to 10, 000, so there is a huge gap of over 490, 000 jobs available,” he said.

For his part, the Head, Legal

Enforcement and Regulations, NDPB, Mr Babatunde Bamigboye, said that the training is part of its activities to commemorate this year’s Data Privacy Day, celebrated yearly on Jan. 28.

Bamigboye said that the training which would be in series, is aimed at ensuring that the officers are placed aper with their counterparts in the western world.

“We are starting with a batch of 100 and the idea is to have a pool of about 250,000 data protection officers in Nigeria who are globally competent.

“We also want to ensure that they have competence to practice data privacy or protection anywhere in the world. We have our partners from META that are helping us to achieve this,” he said.

On enforcement mechanisms to checkmate data breach on data protection by any organisation, he said that the Bureau would continue to create awareness and build capacities of data protection officers in the country.

“The bureau is currently investigating two banks because of data privacy issues. We realize that it is possible that organisations could have data privacy or protection policies at the very top.

“Sometimes they have third parties and these policies do not go down the strata. We have enforcement, though it is an emerging thing but we still have to create awareness even though ignorance of the law is not an excuse,” he said.

A participant, Patrick Odeh, from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) appreciated the Bureau for the training, adding that the knowledge gained from the training would make them more effective as they handle data issues.

“I believe that what NDPB is trying to do is to ensure that we understand what it takes to be able to manage our records, manage the data, and also put the subject data into consideration,” he said.(NAN)

KASU female professor secures N34.7 million research grant from TETFund

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Prof. Hauwa’u Yusuf, Director, Centre for Gender Studies, Kaduna State University (KASU), has secured a N34.7 million research grant, under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) National Research Grant Fund.

This was contained in a statement in Kaduna, on Wednesday by Mr Adamu Bargo, the institution’s Public Relation Officer, who described the development as a “milestone” in the institution’s drive to promote research.

Bargo said that Yusuf, a Professor of Criminology and Gender Studies, accessed the grant to conduct research entitled, “Use of Intervention Strategies for Sustainable Wealth Creation Among Low- Income Women in Nigeria.”

He said that the professor would be working on the project with scholars from Covenant University and University of Ibadan among others across the country.

2023: Sen.

L-R: LP VicePresidential Cadidate, Dr. Datti BabaAhmed; Sultan of Sokoto, HRM Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar and LP Presidential Candidate Mr. Peter Obi at the Sutan’s palace today

Adeyemi empowers Kogi indigenes

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Senator representing Kogi West, Smart Adeyemi has empowered over 100 Kogi

state indigenes and donated 6 vehicles to North Central Campaign of Tinubu Shetima Renewal Hope 2023. He presented the

donations to the Niger State Governor Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello who is the Coordinator North Central Campaign Tinubu/Shetima

“The University Management congratulates Yusuf for being the first female to attain the rank of a Professor in KASU and held various positions.

“Some of the positions include pioneer Director, KASU CONSULT, Head of Sociology Department, Deputy Dean, Students Affairs, Director, Academic Planning, and pioneer Dean, Faculty of Education.

“Other positions held by the professor are the Member / Chairperson of Adhoc/Statutory committees and currently the Director, Gender Studies”, he said.

The university spokesman further said that the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdullahi Musa had congratulated Yusuf and reiterated his administration’s drive to reposition KASU as a research-based institution.

This, according to him, will put KASU on the global map of research-based universities.

in Niger

2023 in Minna.

Senator Adeyemi who also held interactive session with non indigenes berated the People’s Democratic Party

(PDP) and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for Nigerian’s economic woes.

New Kebbi Customs boss resumes duty

The newly appointed Customs Area Controller, Kebbi state, Comptroller

Ben Oramalugo has resumed duty with a pledge to build on his predecessor’s successes. Speaking shortly after taking over in a brief ceremony held

at the Command Headquarters in Birnin Kebbi yesterday, the new Area Controller expressed his commitment to deliver on his mandate even as he charged

officers and men of the Command to be committed to their duty.

“As Customs officers, we have core mandates of revenue generation, trade facilitation and

suppression of smuggling, among others. And that is exactly what we are going to do. I promise that I will leave no stone unturned in realizing those mandates.“

From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

Transparency International wants corruption cases concluded

TransparencyInternational (TI) has called on anti-graft agencies to prosecute corruption cases to logical conclusion in order to reduce the rate of corruption in the country.

TI said this through the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), its National Chapter in Nigeria atva news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mr Auwal Rafsanjani, Executive Director, CISLAC, said there was also need to address some issues that enhanced corruption which included pardon of convicted high profile individuals and increase in oil theft.

Others included opaqueness of the subsidy regime, lack of transparency and accountability in the security sector and in constituency projects as well as judicial challenges.

He said these were the weaknesses that increased Nigeria’s corruption index, so there was need to address them.

Rafsanjani said that the call was necessary because of the recently released 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPi) released by TI.

The CPI revealed that Nigeria scored 24 out of 100 points in the 2022 CPI compared to 24 points in the 2021 CPI.

He said that Nigeria ranked 150 out of 180 countries compared to 154 on the 2021 CPI results.

“The CPI for Nigeria aggregates data from eight different sources that provide perceptions by country experts and businesspeople on the level of corruption in the public sector.

“While the index does not show specific incidences of corruption in the country, it indicates the perception of corruption in Nigeria.

“The index is impartial, objective and globally acknowledged as the most widely used cross-country parameter for measuring corruption.

“It is important to stress that this is not an assessment of Nigeria’s anti-graft agencies who are making commendable efforts in the fight against corruption in Nigeria, despite the political interference they face.

“Rather, the CPI goes beyond the antigraft agencies,” he said.

Rafsanjani said that TI made some recommendations to tackle corruption in Nigeria.

He called on the National Assembly to ensure transparency in the implementation of the constituency projects.

He called on the relevant agencies to ensure that those found guilty were brought to book.

He urged the presidency, INEC, political parties, security actors and other relevant bodies to ensure that the 2023 general elections were free, fair, and credible.

Rafsanjani added that the presidency should ensure that adequate consultation was made with citizens, the media, civil society, and other actors before presidential pardons were granted.

He added that the relevant anti-graft agencies should ensure that high profile corruption cases were pursued to their logical conclusion for the benefit of Nigeria and her citizens.

“Agencies given the mandate to recover assets under the Proceeds of Crime (and Management) Act 2022 should ensure that they establish a database where information about assets in their custody is easily accessed by citizens.

“This should be in line with the Act and the proactive provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2011.

“The Federal government should address the lingering issue of oil theft in the country.”

Rafsanjani said that there should be transparency in the petroleum subsidy process and the relevant agencies should investigate and prosecute those found wanting.”

He said that there was need for relevant agencies to investigate those behind the importation of toxic fuel to Nigeria in 2022.

He added that there should be transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s Security sector. (NAN)

INEC office in Anambra attacked, razed by unknown gunmen

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, office in Idemili South Local government of Anambra State has been attacked and set ablaze by unknown gunmen.

Among the items lost to the inferno were; 729 ballot boxes, 243 voting cubicles, 256 election bags, 11 megaphones, 1 electric power generator and large quantities of indelible ink and liquid gum.

The attack on the INEC office, which occured on Wednesday has already been reported to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State, Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu.

This was confirmed in a statement

yesterday by the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education, Mr Festus Okoye in Abuja.

According to the statement, “The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State, Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu, reported that our office in Idemili South Local Government Area (LGA) was attacked and set ablaze by unknown gunmen.

“The incident occurred in the early hours of today Wednesday, 1st February 2023.

“The building was substantially damaged. All furniture and other items were destroyed, including non-sensitive materials recently delivered in readiness for the 2023 General Election.

“Among the items lost to the inferno are 729 ballot boxes, 243 voting cubicles, 256 election bags, 11 megaphones, 1 electric power

generator and large quantities of indelible ink and liquid gum.

“However, uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) kept in the fireproof cabinet were not affected by the inferno. Similarly, no sensitive materials have been delivered to the LGA office.

“The destruction appears to have been coordinated as the Nnobi Police Station in the LGA was similarly attacked.

“Despite this despicable incident, the Commission wishes to reassure the people of Idemili South LGA that contingency arrangement will be made to replace the materials and the Presidential and National Assembly elections will proceed on 25th February 2023 as scheduled, to be followed two weeks later by the State House of Assembly election”, it said.

If clean Nigerians shun politics, dirty ones will make laws – Prof. Oba

Emeritus Prof. Shuaib Oba, Kwara’s New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) governorship candidate, says politics should not be seen as a dirty game left to politicians alone if Nigeria is to be fully developed.

Oba, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, urged Nigerians, especially the youths, to be actively involved in party politics.

“Saying politics is a dirty game is wrong. Politics should be for the clean people as well, for us to reach the promised land,” the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin said.

Oba said that clean people should not leave politics for the dirty people.

He said, instead, they should be involved through active participation so as contribute to cleaning the Augean stable.

“If all clean people leave politics to dirty people, we will have a dirty nation of dirty people who will make dirty laws that will be obeyed by good people, whether they like it or not.

“So, if you are going to be a victim in that case, it’s only appropriate that good

people should also take an interest.

“Politics is too serious to be left to politicians alone. If people of goodwill attempt damage control, people will appreciate it,” the NNPP governorship candidate said.

On why he joined NNPP to actualise his Kwara governorship ambition, Oba said it is because, among other things, the party is devoid of corrupt leaders and members.

“I joined NNPP because it has people who have a clean bill of health against corruption.

“Our presidential candidate, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso is one of those who have not been chased around by anti-corruption agencies in the country,” he said

Oba said part of his “The Strategic Action for Change in Kwara (SACK)” programme is zero tolerance for corruption and, in the process, inspires good governance.

He asserted that zero tolerance for corruption is achievable through value reorientation and sensitisation of the public service, including strategic and innovative investments of workers’ pensions to assure

geometric bumper return on investment that safeguards their future.

Oba said another way was showing good leadership by example, whereby the leader would make it clear through his actions that he would not tolerate corruption.

“Waste reduction and elimination, as well as getting value for money, will go a long way in eradicating corrupt practices.

“Moreover, probity, the sanctity of property rights and good governance will inspire private sector confidence.

“These will also reduce transactional costs and attract excellent symbiotic public-private partnership investment that will unlock unparalleled socio-economic inclusive growth for Kwarans,” he said.

According to Oba, good governance is relatively inexpensive.

“Still, bad governance is destructive and has catastrophic intergenerational ramifications if not stemmed,” he said. Oba promised that he would entrench good governance from the onset once he is sworn in as the next governor of Kwara.

(NAN)

Christ evangelical and life intervention ministry church Overseer, Pastor Yohanna buru,- lunched 2023 World international interfaith week and harmony at Sabon tasha area in kaduna South with the aims of strengthening Christians and Muslims relationship, yesterday in Kaduna

...729 ballot boxes, 243 voting cubicles, 256 election bags, others lost

Naira redesign: Anti-democratic elements kicking against cashless policy, by Atiku ...Warns CBN against further extension

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku

Abubakar has said that those who have devised several means of buying votes in the coming elections and using money to corrupt the electoral system as well as destroying the principle of one man, one vote and the goal of a credible, peaceful, free, and fair poll are the ones shouting against the cashless policy and naira redesign.

Atiku added that the anti-democratic elements, who are pretending to be democrats, are the ones ganging up against the CBN because of the currency redesigning and the cashless regime it seeks to enthrone.

The PDP presidential flag bearer said this in a statement yesterday by Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Office in Abuja.

According to him, the concerned persons have been scheming and lobbying day and night to frustrate the policy.

“Now, their new measure is to lobby for a second postponement of the deadline for the change of currency”, he said.

The former Vice President has however urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to immediately review the measures it has put in place for ensuring the seamless circulation of the new naira notes to alleviate the hardship confronting ordinary people across the country, especially rural dwellers, who need cash for their daily transactions.

Atiku praised the CBN for listening to the demand of the ordinary people by granting a ten-day extension for the exchange of the old naira notes for new ones.

He advised that no further extension should be considered after February 10 so as not to destroy the purpose and objective of initiating the redesigning of the currency.

According to him, “The additional ten days will enable our people in the rural areas and ordinary people across the country to take the naira in their possession into the banks.

“It will also enable the CBN to further circulate the new currency notes among banks so that people can have easy access.

“Within these ten days, I urge the CBN to initiate measures that will alleviate the problems being encountered by the people in exchanging their old naira notes for new ones and getting more new notes into circulation.

“The CBN may have to consider printing more currency notes to eliminate the current scarcity among ordinary people,

especially rural dwellers who need them for their daily transactions.

“If the CBN thinks its officials and banks must operate at the weekend in order to address the needs of the ordinary people and rural dwellers, it may have to consider this option, after all the amount these people require is not huge.

“The essential element here is ensuring that the new currency goes around and is well distributed to the points where people can easily access them.

“Every good policy must be peoplecentred and must not bring an avoidable difficulty to the people.

“However, the CBN should be wary of the elite whose motive for crying out about more postponement of the deadline for the tenure of the old naira notes is sinister and far from being altruistic.

“I am totally in support of building a cashless economy and reducing the amount of cash in our economy.

“The cashless policy and reduction of

the cash in circulation has many advantages and every patriotic Nigerian should support the CBN on this. It will help to reduce the flow of illicit funds in our economy.

“It will help to defeat the funding of terrorism and deter the circulation of drug money in our economy. It will help our fight against corruption.

“More importantly, a cashless economy will help to save and grow our democracy.

‘Those who have devised several means of buying votes in the coming elections and using money to corrupt the electoral system as well as destroying the principle of one man, one vote and the goal of a credible, peaceful, free, and fair poll are the ones shouting against the cashless policy and naira redesign.

“The anti-democratic elements who are pretending to be democrats are the ones ganging up against the CBN because of the currency redesigning and the cashless regime it seeks to enthrone. “They have been scheming and lobbying day and

night to frustrate the policy. Now, their new measure is to lobby for a second postponement of the deadline for the change of currency.

“I urge the CBN and the government to ignore their antics. The CBN should not succumb to the current pressure.

“There should be no further postponement of the new naira regime after the expiration of the February 10 deadline.

“The vote riggers are seeking to push the CBN to extend till after the election when they would have achieved their evil plots.

“The CBN and the Presidency should be steadfast. The merits of the new naira policy far outweigh the little inconvenience we are experiencing.

“This is one policy that will benefit the country in the long term.

“We should not allow those selfish, parochial people with the narrow vision to derail it”, Atiku stated.

IGP launches ‘smartforce’ database mgt system for digitization of personnel records

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP

Usman Alkali Baba, has launched the ‘IGP-SmartForce Database Management Centre’ for Personnel Records Digitalization and Biometric Capturing of all officers of the Nigeria Police Force. He said it will ensure that all officers have their details captured and stored for record purposes and to ease administrative bottlenecks, create ease in tracking postings/transfers, and issue Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Cards for

personnel identification.

A statement by force PRO, Olumuyiwa Adejobi said, “SmartForce with Storage Servers domiciled in the Nigeria Police Force National Command and Control Centre (NPF-C4i) facilities and SmartForce office, Office of the Force Secretary in the Force Headquarters, Abuja, is aimed at integrating the Force into an ICT-Based System to simplify the management of its personnel records, manage the entire workforce of the Nigeria Police Force, uniquely manage/identify each personnel of the Force and is structured with modern

technological concepts to monitor the distribution of personnel workforce and access across the country. The system will aid the office of the Force Secretary in planning for the deployment of personnel in the Force, budgetary-related issues, tracing/identification of Police personnel, and retrieval of records as it relates to serving and retired Police personnel.

“The IGP has equally flagged off the practical training of Police Public Relations Officers (PPROs) and ICT Officers from the 36 State Commands and the FCT at the Force Headquarters on handling and use

of the gadgets provided for data capturing of all personnel including a modernized hi-tech biometric machine with unique features like Fingerprint scanner, 2D Scanner, and Smart Facial Recognition application.

“While reiterating his vision for a Police driven by the integration of cutting-edge technology, the Inspector-General of Police has ordered a total overhaul of the former system and a swift commencement of the digitalization process across all Commands and Formations of the Force for timeous upgrade and operation of the system.”

L-R: Comptroller General of Immigration Service,Idris Isah Jereh; The Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire;Minister for interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola,and Elegbeda of Egbeda Kingdom, HRM Oba Habeeb Orelope- Laka during the official commissioning of Alimosho Passport Front Office, held, yesterday in Lagos.

Tallen urges security agencies to mobilise, deploy female personnel for violence-free election

Mrs Pauline Tallen, Minister of Women Affairs, has urged the various security agencies to mobilise and deploy female personnel towards actualising a safe, violence-free and fair 2023 elections.

Tallen made the call at the third annual forum of the Women, Peace And Security Sector Reference Group, with a theme: “The role of female security personnel in the 2023 general election” on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to her, the theme is in recognition of the role female security personnel play in promoting free and fair elections as well as ensuring violence-free voting environment which will encourage increased women political participation.

She said the forum was another milestone to actualise the goal of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Nigeria.

“In a few weeks from now, we will witness major changes in the governance structure of the country, as Nigerians prepare to elect their new leaders.

“The question is how prepared are we to forestall any incidence of electoral violence that has hitherto surrounded the Nigerian elections and which has also constantly scared many women from fully participating.

“I am confident that our heightened advocacy around the involvement of more female security personnel, either as observers or as law and order enforcers, would go a long way to ensure that our forth coming general elections more than ever are free and fair.

“Dialogue and mediation are parts of the most integral aspects of peace processes and as women, we possess the natural soft skills to achieve this.

“I wish to once again stress the need for female security personnel to be fully mobilised and deployed to utilise their potential in overseeing the forthcoming general elections towards actualising a safe, free and fair elections,” she said.

Tallen also implored the public to support and vote for women vying for various political positions to enable Nigeria to restore its lost glory.

“I implore all well-meaning Nigerians to endeavour to support and vote women vying for political positions as I am very optimistic that if more women are being elected into strategic positions, Nigeria’s lost glory will surely be restored,” she said.

UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms Beatrice Eyong, said the resolution was adopted because of the significant role women played in politics.

Similarly, the Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Abubakar-Audi, emphasised the role women played in peace and security of any country.

Abubakar-Audi, represented by Dr Nnamdi Nwanyi, Deputy Commandant, in charge of crisis management reiterated their commitment towards protecting citizens from violence, ensuring peace and security.

Also, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms Catriona Laing, stressed the need for collaboration from all stakeholders to ensure smooth conduct of 2023 general elections.

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, represented by AIG Aisha Abubakar, said special trainings for personnel were on going towards the fourth coming elections. (NAN)

2023 UTME registration: JAMB arrests 6

CBT operators over sharp practices

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has arrested six operators of Computer Based Test (CBT) centres in Kano State over alleged illicit acts during registration of candidates for 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Registrar of the Board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this after monitoring the registration in the state yesterday.

He said the operators had

compromised the registration process by using their own finger prints for candidates in biometric capture as well ass other sharp practices.

Prof Oloyede added that those apprehended would be handed over to security agents for prosecution.

“JAMB will not condone any infringement on its registration flow by the technical officials of any of its accredited centres,” he said.

The registrar disclosed that over 500,000 candidates have registered for

the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination so far across the country.

He said that JAMB’s target this year was 1.8 million candidates, adding that there would not be an extension of the closing date of the registration.

The registrar said, “We do not expect any extension as about 500,000 candidates have registered out of the 1.8 million candidates that we are expecting.’’

He said that the ongoing exercise would end on February 14.

Tallen urges security agencies to mobilise, deploy female personnel for violence-free election

Mrs Pauline Tallen, Minister of Women Affairs, has urged the various security agencies to mobilise and deploy female personnel towards actualising a safe, violence-free and fair 2023 elections.

Tallen made the call at the third annual forum of the Women, Peace And Security Sector Reference Group, with a theme: “The role of female security personnel in the 2023 general election” on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to her, the theme is in recognition of the role female security personnel play in promoting free and fair elections as well as ensuring violence-free voting environment which will encourage increased women political participation.

She said the forum was another milestone to actualise the goal of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Nigeria.

“In a few weeks from now, we will witness major changes in the governance structure of the country, as Nigerians prepare to elect their new leaders.

“The question is how prepared are we to forestall any incidence of electoral violence that has hitherto surrounded

the Nigerian elections and which has also constantly scared many women from fully participating.

“I am confident that our heightened advocacy around the involvement of more female security personnel, either as observers or as law and order enforcers, would go a long way to ensure that our forth coming general elections more than ever are free and fair.

“Dialogue and mediation are parts of the most integral aspects of peace processes and as women, we possess the natural soft skills to achieve this.

“I wish to once again stress the need for female security personnel to be fully mobilised and deployed to utilise their potential in overseeing the forthcoming general elections towards actualising a safe, free and fair elections,” she said.

Tallen also implored the public to support and vote for women vying for various political positions to enable Nigeria to restore its lost glory.

“I implore all well-meaning Nigerians to endeavour to support and vote women vying for political positions as I am very optimistic that if more women are being

elected into strategic positions, Nigeria’s lost glory will surely be restored,” she said.

UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms Beatrice Eyong, said the resolution was adopted because of the significant role women played in politics.

Similarly, the Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Abubakar-Audi, emphasised the role women played in peace and security of any country.

Abubakar-Audi, represented by Dr Nnamdi Nwanyi, Deputy Commandant, in charge of crisis management reiterated their commitment towards protecting citizens from violence, ensuring peace and security.

Also, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms Catriona Laing, stressed the need for collaboration from all stakeholders to ensure smooth conduct of 2023 general elections.

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, represented by AIG Aisha Abubakar, said special trainings for personnel were on going towards the fourth coming elections. (NAN)

L-R; NYSC National Governing Board Chairman, Ambassador Fatima Balla Abubakar, Inspector General of Police, Mr Alkali Baba Usman and NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Yusha’u Dogara Ahmed when Abubakar led other members of the board on a courtesy call on the Inspector General of Police in his office at the Force Headquarters, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: NYSC

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

Insecurity: COAS tasks officers on proactive, efficient leadership

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya has tasked senior military officers to provide proactive and efficient leadership to effectively address the prevailing security threats in the country.

Yahaya made the call on Tuesday in Abuja while delivering a lecture titled, “Military Leadership in a Security Challenged Environment”.

The lecture was presented at the maiden Leadership Lectures Series of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC).

He said effective leadership was key to military plans and operations, as such military commanders must imbibe it in order to efficiently tackle the current security challenges in the country.

“The challenges are all across the globe and our own version of it is asymmetric in nature., and that is why we have continuously tried to address issues that border on leadership,” he said.

The COAS said the lecture series was part of efforts to have all levels leaders in the military to understand was needed to inspire troops to success.

According to him, the lecture has been designed to emphasise issues like courage, dedication, integrity and proactiveness in taking decisions on issues of equipment and welfare of officers and men.

Yahaya said that the military would continue to train its officers and men at strategic, operational and tactical levels to be proactive, efficient and constantly adapt to changes in the environment.

Earlier, Director General of NARC, retired Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab, said every military personnel has been trained to be a leader, as such they must constantly develop their capacity to meet strategic and operational requirements.

According to Wahab, the first requirement for every leader is to have a dream of what he or she wants the system to be.

He added that integrity was of utmost importance for every military commander, who leads his men to success or to death.

Wahab therefore said that the COAS vision of professionalism, knowledge, administration and readiness were key to effective military leadership.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lecture was attended by the Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Yusuf.

Others were principal staff officers, top commanders of army institutions and units, as well as members of the academia and research fellows, among others. (NAN)

EU commits additional €20m to DDR programme in N/E – Envoy

The Europian Union (EU) has announced additional 20 million euro for its programmes and activities related to Disarmament, Deradicalisation and Reintegration (DDR) in North East Nigeria.

The EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Samuela Isopi, made this known at a National Technical Workshop on Amnesty Management, Deradicalisation and Community-Based Reintegration, on Tuesday in Abuja.

The workshop was organised by the National Counter Terrorism Centre in the Office of the National Security Adviser, in collaboration with International Alert Nigeria.

Isopi was represented by EU Nigeria Team Lead, Ruben Alba.

He said the programmes would build on the works done to support reconciliation and integration in the region.

She said the EU has been a long standing partner of Nigeria on both DDR and Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism.

The envoy said the programmes were being implemented together with the United Nations partners, the IOM, UNDP, UNICEF.

According to her, EU has been supporting a number of activities related to amnesty management, deradicalisation and community-based reintegration.

“We have supported Operation Safe Corridor from the very beginning and I think it is the right moment to commend the immense progress that has been made to these operations.

“I think the programme is not without challenges, but recently, Operation Safe Corridor has shown what can be done, and I think it is a model for others in the region.

“I have been taking very good note of the wave of mass exit that has taken place in the North East since 2021.

“I think this workshop will definitely

help us in moving forward and you can count on our continued support and I’m happy to announce today that we have committed an additional 20 million euro for our programme in activities related to DDR in the North East.

“They will continue being implemented and this will build on the work that we are already doing to support reconciliation or integration problem.

“We will be working of course with the federal government, continuing the work on Operation Safe corridor, and also state level and that will include support to the Borno model,” he said.

Similarly, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, said the UK was proud to be supporting the initiative as part of its Wider Security and Defence Partnership with Nigeria.

Laing said that considerable progress had been made by Nigerian Government and a number of states on non-kinetic approaches to resolving conflicts across the country.

According to him, it is not possible to resolve complex conflicts by military means alone.

She said the workshop was important to ensure that emerging non-kinetic approaches were guided by national policy frameworks and grounded in domestic and international law.

This, according to her, will unlock greater international support to the efforts.

The British High Commissioner said while amnesty and voluntary DDR processes are essential components of successful conflict resolution, international law is clear that there can be no impunity for crimes against humanity.

“These approaches must therefore be complemented by robust, timely and fair criminal judicial procedures for those who have committed grave crimes.

“This is particularly important in the case of former associates of terrorist

groups as UN Security Council Resolution 1373 creates an obligation on all member states to bring terrorists to justice.

“In all cases, approaches must be compliant with international humanitarian and human rights law, even for those members of armed groups who will not undergo criminal prosecution, some form of justice may be necessary,” she said.

On his part, the Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Nicolas Lang, commended the effort of Nigeria towards ending the conflict in the North East over the last decade.

Lang said that Nigeria had not only applied military repression, but also took courageous non-kinetic initiatives, both at the federal and state level.

According to him, the Nigerian government has engaged in dialogue and mediated processes, operationalised demobilisation, disarmament, deradicalization, rehabilitation and reintegration, as well as mobilised social actors towards early reconciliation efforts.

He said that the experience in the North East had shown that DDDRR approaches could be important alternatives to military combat in weakening insurgencies.

The envoy added that it also triggered a sense that fighting does not have to be endless.

“The nature of complexity of conflicts involving non state armed groups of the kind active in the Northeast is such that there are no easy ways as history shows.

“Fewer armed conflicts have been endured through military pressure and demobilisation strategies alone.

“As competent and frustrating as it may look, a lasting solution to the conflict in the North East will probably only emerge through a political solution based on dialogue and talking, taking into account the different grievances of those affected by the conflict,” he said. (NAN)

Insurgency: ONSA, Stakeholders advocate active community involvement in DDR programme

Stakeholders on Tuesday in Abuja, called for community-based approach to address issues of Disarmament, Deradicalisation and Reintegration (DDR) of repentant extremists in Nigeria.

They made the call at a 4-day National Technical Workshop in Amnesty Management, Deradicalisation and Community-Based Reintegration.

The workshop was organised by the National Counter Terrorism Centre in the Office of the National Security Adviser, in collaboration with International Alert, Nigeria.

It was aimed at enhancing policy, and skills and the capacity of institutions to effectively implement DDR programmes in the country.

Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, represented by Deputy Comptroller of Correctional Service, Mr Sylvester Nwakauche, said the workshop was part of government’s commitment to finding sustainable solutions to the challenges posed by conflicts, extremism and violence in the country.

Aregbesola said that addressing the challenges required multi-disciplinary and collaborative approach, as well as the expertise of government, civil society, academia and the international community.

He said the issue of amnesty, deradicalization, and community-based reintegration was of paramount importance, in view of the increasing number of individuals influenced by extremist ideologies.

These individuals, according to him, posed significant threat to peace and stability in Nigeria and globally.

“Amnesty and deradicalisation efforts must be coupled with community-based reintegration programme that provides former extremists with the support and resources they need to rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society.

“It is imperative that we work together to find long-term solutions to these complex challenges.

“I am confident that this workshop will provide a platform for us to engage in meaningful discussions and share best practices,” he said.

According to the minister, the workshop is to develop a comprehensive and integrated approach to deradicalization and reintegration, leveraging the strengths of local communities and the support of international community.

“We will explore the latest research and best practices in the field of amnesty, deradicalization, and community-based reintegration,” he said.

The National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, said the workshop was to promote collaborative learning and a shared purpose for advancing DDR by key stakeholders.

Monguno was represented by the Coordinator, National Counter-Terrorism Centre, retired Rear Adm. Yaminu Musa.

He said it was an opportunity for those involved in amnesty management, deradicalisation and community-based reintegration to have strategic and operational level understanding of the concepts, approaches and new practices in effective planning, implementation and coordination of DDR.

The NSA said the scale at which youths had been joining armed groups was alarming, adding that measures to deal with the trend needed to focus on preventing radicalisation among young

people and transforming those who had taken up arms into normal civilians.

He said that DDR fundamentally aims to reestablish the state’s monopoly of violence and the control of force in a post conflict phase.

“It is a precondition for ending armed conflict, securing stabilisation and initiating a process leading to sustainable development.

“The objectives of this workshop are to understand the basic concepts, strategies and approaches of DDR and identify key requirements for successful Amnesty, Deradicalisation and Reintegration programme, including but not limited to initiating the design of a robust DDR strategy.

“It is also to identify amnesty, deradicalisation and reintegration planning processes and how it contributes to stability, peace and development.”

The NSA said the participants would gain practical skills required for implementing the programme in high-risk environments and initiate collaboration and coordination among key actors and institutions.

Monguno said the practice of amnesty in which federal and state governments repeatedly grant amnesties can be counter-productive to national security in the absence of established policy and legislation, national ownership and coordination mechanism.

He said though significant success had been achieved with the security efforts in the North-East and North-West, the shifting strategy of violent groups and the inability of troops to hold and stabilise recovered territories had created a key challenge.

He therefore said that cooperation of

communities was unavoidable in the quest for government to consolidate on the gains of ongoing counter-terrorism operations.

According to him, measures to win the hearts and minds of the population is critical, as such gradual resettlement and reintegration of affected communities is crucial for success.

“This involves military, political, civil, social, economic and humanitarian interventions implemented within a multi-stakeholder platform,” he added.

A former Chief of Defence Staff, retired Gen. Martin Luther Agwai, said that building confidence in the minds of everyone was key to achieving disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration.

Agwai said the challenge for Nigeria was to identify who the leaders of the terrorists were and bring them to the table for discussion and disarmament.

He warned that the nation would continue to have the problems of refugees and internally displaced persons, if the DDR programme was not properly handled.

Agwai said in the North East, the combination of kinetic and non-kinetic approaches were critical to addressing the issues and expressed confidence that the recent approach would greatly address insurgency in the region.

According to him, though containment is important, Nigeria must also identify and address the root causes through communication, building consensus, cooperation and coordination.

Agwai therefore said that all the military and humanitarian organisations involved, must have a comprehensive approach to counter terrorism and counterinsurgency. (NAN)

Nigerians are yet to find hope under present administrationCSN

By Albert Akota

TheCatholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) has said that Nigerians are yet to find hope under the present administration.

The Secretary General of CSN, the Very Rev. Fr. Zacharia Samjumi, who disclosed this in Abuja, while addressing newsmen at the 2023 Media Parley organised by the Church said the challenges Nigerians are passing through remain unbelievable.

He urged Nigerians to desist from selling their votes; rather they should vote by their conscience and good judgment, ensuring that only candidates that would improve their lives were voted into power.

“We’re not happy with what Nigerians are passing through with the present administration, the stuffing is too much for us to bear, I want them to vote wisely in the forthcoming election by voting their choice candidate.

“Youths should reject being used as thugs, assassins and electoral violators.

“We call on the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to eliminate the obstacles of high transaction costs associated with collecting the PVCs all over the country.

“To guarantee a level field of participation for all voters, INEC has a huge burden to guarantee that BVAS will work on election day in all the 176,846 polling units across the country,

On the Judiciary, Samjumi called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council (NJC) to make an example of judges who abused or will abuse judicial powers in the course of this election cycle.

He added that the first Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria for 2023 would hold from Feb.11 6o Feb. 17, at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja, and it would focus on the theme: Citizens’ Participation in Good Governance in Nigeria.

Earlier, Fr Michael Umoh, the National Director of Social communications thanked all journalists for the the annual media parley.

NYSC wants more police protection at orientation camps, corps lodges

By Albert Akota

The National Youth Service Corps has appealed for more Police protection at all its Orientation Camps and Corps Lodges across the country.

The Chairman, NYSC National Governing Board, Ambassador Fatima Balla Abubakar made the request yesterday when she led other members of the board on a courtesy visit to the Inspector General of Police, Mr Alkali Baba Usman at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

The Chairman, who commended the Nigerian Police Force for its numerous assistance for NYSC also requested for adequate security for the Corps Members that would participate as adhoc staff in the 2023 general elections.

“The Police has been able to keep our Corps Members safe. You have always been giving us good officers to represent you on the NYSC National Governing Board. We also request for the deployment of more Police officers in our Orientation Camps”, Balla

said.

The NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Yusha’u Dogara Ahmed in his remarks prayed for stronger collaboration between the two agencies.

In his response, the IGP lauded the contributions of NYSC Scheme to national development since inception almost fifty years ago.

The Police Chief reminiscensed on his memorable Youth Service days in 1985 at Igbo-Ora in old Oyo State, adding that the Scheme is a tool for national unity and

integration.

“The NYSC is a very good Scheme and we will do everything possible to ensure that the Scheme succeeds.

We are going to provide adequate protection for the Corps Members that would participate as electoral officers during the 2023 general elections”, he said.

The IGP promised to improve on the Force’s participation in the forthcoming general elections and also consider the NYSC National Governing Board Chairman’s request.

Group tasks NASS on bill seeking to institutionalise use of hijab

TheCoalition of Nigeria Muslim Women, on Wednesday urged the National Assembly to ensure the speedy passage of the bill seeking to institutionalise the use of hijab in schools.

Miss Amasa Firdause-AlJannah, Human Rights Officer of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), made the call at a news briefing to mark the 2023 World Hijab Day, held in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 1st Feb. of every year is marked as World Hijab Day worldwide to create awareness of the Muslim woman’s dress.

The day is also used to highlight its position, what it represents, galvanise support for its wearers, and campaign against its prohibition, castigation, or maltreatment of its wearer.

Firdause-Al-Jannah also stressed the need for NASS to pass

laws that served the interest of all citizens and protect the rights and freedoms of all.

These freedoms include education, health, employment, finance, home ownership and careers regardless of what one wears.

” The House of Representatives introduced a bill seeking to institutionalise the use of hijab in schools.

” The bill titled ‘Religious Discrimination (Prohibition, Prevention) Bill, 2021’ is seeking to provide a mechanism for enforcing certain provisions of the Constitution and other international laws that recognise the right of a female to adorn hijab in public and private establishments in Nigeria.

She said:” Therefore, we urge you in strong terms, to speedily pass the ‘Religious Discrimination (Prohibition, Prevention) Bill, 2021.

“It passed its second reading in

March 2021. The passage of this bill will surely be worthwhile for posterity.”

Firdause-Al-Jannah also said that the group would not relent in ensuring the enforcement of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the decided cases.

She added: ” We will continue to push forward and need all the support we can get from citizens, the three arms of government, media, religious leaders, traditional leaders, educational institutions, CSOs and all relevant bodies.

” The COVID-19 pandemic had truly changed the world’s perspectives and methods of virtually everything, including clothing.

” Now over 50 countries have made wearing the mask mandatory. We wait to see whether the strong objection in some climes, to face coverings by Muslim women will hold water in the near future.”

On her part, the National President, Sisters of Jannah, Ramatu Aliyu called on the Ministry of Education at the Federal and State levels to pay attention to the alleged recurring cases of ictimisation of students.

She urged: ” They should guarantee the sanctity of Nigerian laws of freedom of worship, association, and expression for all persons devoid of sentiment.

” Indeed, re-designing, recalibrating, and refocusing policies, programmes, and interventions by institutions and authorities will only result in widespread success and impact.

” We ask that the Ministry takes decisive action by issuing and reissuing circulars to these schools to remind and caution them to protect this right of girls and ladies to wear hijab in schools and Universities.”

Also, Salamatu Abubakar, a legal practitioner and a member of

the coalition, call on the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to introduce an optional set of uniforms for Muslim female corps members that desire to appear in modest clothing.

According to her, the current dress kit issued to corps members needed to be reviewed to recognise the right of Muslim corps members to conform to their values.

Abubakar urged: “They should also set up a monitoring mechanism at orientation camps to ensure no corps member is denied the right to protect the sanctity of her beliefs by removing her hijab or being forced to wear items such as short nickers.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the coalition was formed to promote and propagate issues of concern that affect the private and public life of women, especially Muslim women and girls. (NAN)

L-R: Comptroller General of Immigration Service,Idris Isah Jereh and Minister for interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola,during official commissioning of Alimosho Passport Front Office, held, yesterday in Lagos.

Taraba APC guber: S/Court nullifies Bwacha’s candidacy

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The Supreme Court Abuja, has nullified the election of Senator Emmanuel Bwacha as the gubernatorial candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) for Taraba state in the 2023 elections.

The lead judge, Justice Adamu Jauro affirmed the decision of the Federal High Court Jalingo, that nullified the election of Bwacha as the APC governorship candidate in the state.

Also, the Apex Court set aside,

the judgement of the Court of Appeal, Yola Division, which had on November 24, 2022, reinstated Emmanuel Bwacha as governorship candidate of the APC, for the election.

In it’s ruling, the five-man panel of the Supreme Court upheld the judgement of the trial court which held that there was no valid APC Primary elections conducted in Taraba state and had ordered for a fresh primary election within 14 days.

The Court agreed that the results of the primary election

were purported and fraudulently allocated to the candidate.

The Apex court said “the appeal is allowed and parties bear their respective cost”

Recalled that, the Court of Appeal, Yola division had reinstated Senator Emmanuel Bwacha as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba state.

In a unanimous decision, the three-man panel led by Justice Tani Yusuf Hassan set aside the judgment of the trial court and ruled in favour of Bwacha.

A Federal High Court sitting in Jalingo, Taraba State capital had nullified the election of Bwacha as the APC governorship candidate in the state.

The court also ordered that a fresh primary election should be conducted by the party to elect a new governorship candidate.

The High Court ruling followed a petition filed before the court by one of the aspirants, David Sabo Kente.

Kente had told the court that no governorship primary election was held in Taraba.

Yobe North APC: S/Court decides Lawan’s senatorial candidacy fate, Feb 6

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The Senate President, Sen. Ahmed Lawan will February 6, knows fate of his Senatorial candidacy on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) for Yobe North Senatorial District.

The Supreme Court will that day, lay to rest the legal battle over the authenticity of the Senatorial ticket between the incumbent Senate’s President, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan and one

FCT: GSS Gwagwalada celebrates culture

By: Usman Shuaibu

Themanagement of Government Secondary school, Hajj Camp in Gwagwalada Area council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Tuesday celebrated Cultural Day in a grand style.

In his welcome address at the occasion, the Principal of the school, Mr Ishaya Doma said: “The diverse cultures we have are the treasures of Nigerian Identity which through the years, frantic efforts are being made to preserve these cultures from extinction”.

According to the Principal, one of the major ways of sustaining these cultures is the reason we are gathered here today.

He said: “The Cultural Day is not just for entertainment. in fact, entertainment seems to be the least of all the purposes for the event. Celebrating Cultural Day educates us and helps us understanding our identity. It fosters respect for one another traditions, above all it helps to unite us”.

The principal, however, charged everyone to deem it necessary to always respect the rich cultural heritage of Nigerians.

Addressing the gathering at the occasion, the Director in charge of the Co-curricular at the FCT Secondary Education Board (SEB), Hajiya Fatima Gambo Baba, commended the management of the school for organising Cultural Day to showcase the cultures of the students.

However, at the end of Cultural Day celebration, Gbagyi cultural troupe took the 1st position, Igbo Cultural troupe maintained the 2nd position and the 3rd position went to Bassa Komu cultural troupe.

Bashir Sheriff Machina.

The five-man panel of the court led by Justice Centus Chima Nweze, fixed the date after counsel to the parties adopted their addresses as their brief of arguments.

The incumbent Senate President, Lawan is before the apex court contesting against the judgments of the federal high court and court of appeal which held Bashir Sheriff Machina as the party’s candidate.

The APC, in their argument through it’s counsel, Sepiribo Cromwell Peters, claimed that the primary election conducted on May 27, 2022 which produced Bashir Sheriff Machina is unknown to law because it was conducted by unlawful people.

According to them, another primary election conducted on June 6, which produced the Senate’s President, Ahmad Lawan is the authentic election of the party.

However, Mr Sarafa Yusuff, counsel to Bashir Sheriff Machina asked the Apex court to dismiss the APC’s appeal for being frivolous and baseless.

He informed the court that Danjuma Manga Committee set up by the APC conducted the primary election on behalf of the National Working Committee of the party.

In the affidavit deposed to by Danjuma Manga, Yusuff aver that he was mandated along with five others by the

Justice Simon Amobeda subsequently nullified Bwacha’s election and ordered a fresh primary within 14 days.

The judge also ordered the electoral commission, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stop recognizing of Bwacha as the candidate of the party.

Reacting to the Judgment in an interview, the appellant who was also an aspirant Mr. David Kente described it as land mark judgment that brought hope to the people of Taraba state.

APC National Secretariat to conduct the Senatorial primary elections in Yobe State.

He stressed that as at the time of the proceeding, the affidavit had not been disputed or denied by the APC. Consequently he prayed the court to affirm Bashir Sheriff Machina as the authentic Senatorial candidate of APC for Yobe North Senatorial District. Meantime, the court adjourned till 6th February for judgement.

Muslim Forum doles out N30,000 to 5 widows

By Usman Shuabibu

The leadership of Muslim Forum for Orphan Empowerment on Sunday doled out N30,000 to 5 widows during the general meeting of the forum which took place at the mini campus of the University of Abuja.

In an interview with newsmen, the National Ameer of the forum, Mallam Bashir Nuhu Gamagira, said the plan is underway to erect orphanage home for the benefit of the less privileged in the society.

He also said the leadership of

the forum would continue to put smiles on the faces of orphans, widows as well as the less privileged, pointing out that the forum had done a lot in terms of its responsibilities.

Gamagira, however, expressed joy over the land being donated to the forum by a good Samaritan during the meeting, saying that the land would be used to establish an orphanage home.

Also speaking, the forum’s Director in charge of investigations, Mallam saidu Mohammed, said the forum is created in order to improve

the living standard of the less privileged in the society.

According to Saidu Mohammed, before a widow or an orphan or a beneficiary enroll in this forum, we ought to investigate physically. Sometimes the investigation committee will conduct house-to-house research to ascertain the genuineness of the beneficiaries.

He informed that the executives of the forum would remain Committed to their duties, and called for the unity of the members at all times.

On his part, the national Public Relations Officer of the

forum, Mr Abdulmutalib Isah, said the forum would soon become a national organisation in the nearby future.

On his contribution, the legal Adviser of the forum, Barr. Khalid pointed out that he would not hesitate to give legal advice to the organisation whenever the need arises.

Not left out, the Director in charge of the business committee of the forum, Mr Mukhtar Adamu Jibril, expressed with happiness that he would remain committed to pursue businesses for the organisation to excel in the society.

President Muhammadu Buhari accompanied by the Jigawa Governor, Alh. Muhammed Baderu Abubakar, Minister of Water Resources, Engr Suleiman Adamu during the commissioning of valley irrigation scheme in Birnin Kudu, Jigawa state. Photo; state house

Guber candidate pledges to sustain World Bank APPEALS project in Enugu

The PDP governorship candidate in Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, has pledged to sustain the World Bank’s Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) project.

Mbah, represented by the state Commissioner for Rural Development, Dr Kingsley Udeh, disclosed this in Enugu on Tuesday during the flag off ceremony of the implementation of “Women and Youths Empowerment Programme”, by Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

According to him, he will sustain various agriculture programmes by Gov. Ugwuanyi and also expand them to accommodate others who are not in the programme.

“In my manifesto, agriculture is one of my focal areas because it is part of the tools we use as government to fight poverty and create jobs for the teeming youths.

“By God’s grace, we will use it as a tool to lift a lot of people in the state from poverty because our target is to attain a zero per cent poverty rate in Enugu state, and that is achievable,” Mbah said.

He said he would partner international community, agric developing partners, both locally and internationally, to promote and improve agriculture in the state.

The PDP governorship candidate further said that he would pursue special agricultural processing zone, introduce technology for modern agriculture and reform agricultural system in the state.

He, however, congratulated the beneficiaries of the APPEALS project, especially women and youths.

“Please note that there are millions of people in Nigeria that cannot be beneficiaries but of course, based on various factors, including very stringent processes that are followed, you were selected.

“We believe that we will use this opportunity given to you to make the best out of your life, especially in the area that you have chosen in agriculture.

“You will not only feed yourself, you will feed the nation,” Mbah prayed for them.

He urged the beneficiaries to vote for him to sustain continuity in governance, saying,” What we are witnessing here today and the good work being done through APPEALS project, can be sustained.” (NAN)

Nigerian academics hand over Covid-19 vaccine for preclinical trials

By Maryam Abeeb

Nigerian researchers engaged in the Tertiary Education Trust Fundsponsored Vaccine Development Mega Research Project at Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, have successfully handed over the Covid-19 DNA vaccine candidate for preclinical trials in Nigeria.

The academics, in a symbolic handover of the vaccine candidate in Sokoto for trial, said despite the numerous challenges faced during the procurement of some of the consumables, equipment and reagents from abroad, within 11 months of the receipt of the first tranche of TETFund grant, the vaccine was ready.

Speaking at the “Presentation of Milestone on the TETFundsponsored Vaccine Development Mega Research Project,” Vice Chancellor of Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, Prof Lawal Suleman Bilbis, said the handing over of a vaccine candidate for trials goes a long way to showcase the ability of indigenous scientists to solve the nation’s problems using home-grown resources and facilities.

Bilbis also said the “milestone portrays our expertise in the application of state-of-the art technologies to rapidly develop vaccine candidates against any emerging or re-emerging Infectious diseases in Nigeria.”

He assured that the nation is very close to reaping the benefits of the investment and confidence

bestowed upon us, adding that they will converge in the next few months to celebrate the successful completion of this project.

“Let me at this juncture Inform the Executive Secretary that through the support of TETFUND, researchers in this University have been able to work on many other high-impact projects that are already yielding promising results.

“As I speak, we have successfully designed and constructed a recombinant DNA vaccine targeting all the lineages of Lassa virus circulating in Nigeria, using a TETFUND National Research Fund (NRF) grant. Additionally, TETFUND Covid-19 Special Intervention Research Grant has supported our study on the innovative approach to rapidly identify potential therapeutics for COVID-19.

“The study identified 7 orthodox medicines for repurposing and 2 herbal medicines with significant inhibitory activities against the virus that causes COVID-19. Indeed, there are many more TETFund-supported projects, too numerous to mention, which are helping our researchers to showcase their talents and skills, while at the same time, assisting to solve the nation’s problems. We remain extremely grateful to TETFUND for its support,” he said.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc Sonny Echono, commended the efforts and output by Usman Danfodio

University in terms of research and Development, adding that the University has succeeded in accessing over 35 NRF grants over the years, placing it among the best performing Institutions in accessing the National Research Fund, NRF.

Echono appealed to Nigerian researchers not to relent on the overarching goal of delivering a homemade Covid-19 vaccine.

The TETFund boss also disclosed that the mega research project is one out of four projects supported by the fund at a total sum of N1,250,000,000.

He said the aim of the research is to “strengthen collaborative research by promoting decentralized cooperation involving clusters of researchers from different institutions to consolidate problem-solving research and promote Innovation in Nigeria.”

According to him, TETFund has been making concerted efforts to identify more innovative ways of using government and donor funding in research programmes and projects for maximum developmental impact.

“This Project has shown that collaboration among stakeholders, each adding value from their area of specialization to address issues of national priority will achieve the desired goals towards national development and tackling of developmental challenges.

“It also indicates to us that we are moving in the right

direction, as one of the mandates of the Fund’s R&D department is to promote multi- disciplinary research that will increase stakeholders’ participation in developmental matters,” he said.

On the success so far recorded by the research group, he said “Few months ago, President Muhammadu Buhari welcomed the CEO of Biotech, the patent holder for mRNA COVID-19 vaccine who had come to interact with Nigerian biomedical scientists and officials of the Federal Ministry of Health on the possibility of supporting mRNA vaccine production in the country.

“It gladdened my heart to be informed that the Vaccine development consortium sponsored by TETFund, under the Mega research project intervention was selected by the Honorable Minister of Health to interact with the BioNtech officials where they showcased their on-going vaccine development projects at the State House.

“As a result of their fruitful engagements. BioNtech expressed its immediate readiness to establish research partnership with Nigeria, in the area of strengthening local vaccine manufacturing in the country and the entire continent.

“Thus, the country leveraged on the existing Mega Research funded vaccine development consortium to gain the confidence of BioNtech in establishing a hub for mRNA vaccine manufacture in Nigeria.”

L - R: Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC; H . E. Mr. Moussa Hassane Baraze, Minister of Post and New Information Technologies, Republic of Niger; Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, Hon. Minister of Communications and Digital Economy; Mme Bety Aichatou Oumani, Chairperson of the National Council Regulation of Electronic Communications and Post, Republic of Niger; during the Signing of Bilateral Agreement on the Cross Border Frequency Co-ordination in the transboundary zones between Nigeria and Niger Republic for Terrestrial Service Providers, yesterday 1st February 2023 at Transcorp Hilton Abuja.

Group fumes over negative effects of corruption on Nigerians

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

AGroup under the auspices of Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has said the endemic corrupt practices in the country is negatively affecting Nigerians.

The Deputy Executive Director of group Mr. Leo Atakpu

asserted this during ANEEJ Cluster assessment report on the implementation of London AntiCorruption Summit and Global Forum for Asset Recovery (GFAR) commitments meeting held yesterday.

According to him Nigeria is the 154 least corrupt nations out of 180 countries, according to the 2021 Corruption Perceptions

Index reported by Transparency International.

Mr. Leo explained that the meeting is being organized under the Enhancing Anti-corruption and Social Inclusive Reform Initiatives in Nigeria project being implemented by ANEEJ and its eight partners as part of the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) project.

According to him, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently revealed that 133 million Nigerians live in multi-dimensional poverty, saying public infrastructures such as power, roads as well as social services, particularly educational and health institutions are in dire conditions necessitating an unprecedented upsurge in brain drain.

Witch persecution and dream experiences in Nigeria

By Leo Igwe

And they felt horrified upon waking up. People who see others in a dream prefer to expose and kill them before they wreak further havoc. People take the dream experiences as reallife experiences. Incidentally, this mistaken idea of dreams is real and dangerous.

The Advocacy for Alleged Witches welcomes the arrest of a young man, Joseph Friday, who allegedly murdered his father for witchcraft in Akwa Ibom. The development represents some of the best ways the police could help end impunity and beat back the tide of witch-hunting in the country. The suspect told the police that the father used to appear to him in a dream. He said that the father would hypnotize him before depositing a spell in his body. Mr. Friday said, “My Father used a charm on me; he appeared in my dream and hypnotized me. Whenever he appeared, something like a tortoise entered

my body, and I would start to behave abnormally”.

Akwa Ibom is one of the states in Nigeria where witch persecution is pervasive, and abuses linked to witchcraft beliefs are widespread. As in this case, many cases of witchcraft accusations are linked to dreams, mystical interpretations of dreams. It will take more than arresting suspects and perpetrators to end these savage acts.

In Akwa Ibom, people are taught to take their dream experiences seriously. They believe or are made to believe, that those who appear in dreams are witches or agents of the occult. People are taught that dream experiences are revealing; they disclose potential harm and harmers. So people believe that their dreams point to what would happen to them or their families. So, whenever a person

sees someone threatening or attacking them in a dream, they confront, attack, or kill the person when they wake up. Some people have noted cases where they have seen people pursuing them with a machete, or pressing their chest in the dream. And they felt horrified upon waking up. People who see others in a dream prefer to expose and kill them before they wreak further havoc. People take the dream experiences as real-life

experiences. Incidentally, this mistaken idea of dreams is real and dangerous. And as this case has illustrated, the mystical idea of dreams leads to horrific abuses. To end witch persecution, Nigerians need to change their attitudes towards dreams. Nigerians should understand that dreams are natural, not supernatural phenomena. Dreams are a stream of images and sensations that well up in the mind whenever a person is asleep. They have nothing to do with witchcraft or magic as popularly believed. People dream because their brains are not dead. Dreams are rooted in thoughts and imaginations that the mind entertained while awake. It is grossly mistaken to attack or kill someone based on another person’s dream experiences.

Leo Igwe is a Public Affairs Analyst.

Buhari’s and Emefiele’s last game

By Rotimi Fasan

The president himself, in his rigid support of Emefiele, would seem more driven by vengeance and vendetta than anything else. It’s as if Buhari cannot do certain things without bringing an element of vindictiveness into them, even when there could be merit in the originating plan.

IT would be interesting to know what finally happened to convince Godwin Emefiele, the Central Bank governor, that it was time to reconsider his singleminded pursuit of the January 31 deadline for the withdrawal of old naira bills from circulation.

Shortly after the change in decision was announced, cheeky Nigerians circulated a photograph of Emefiele and a woman holding a microphone, probably his wife, with her hand across the neck of an apparently happy Emefiele seated at a table during a ceremony. An accompanying message to this image requested appreciation for this lady, who is probably the real power behind the CBN Governor’s throne.

The truth behind the entire message may be no more than to establish the influence of women (be they spouses, daughters, etc.) behind powerful men. We all see this point at play in the recent history of the American presidency, where, Ivanka Trump, one of Donald Trump’s adult children, is acknowledged for her influence on her father.

There’s nothing strange or untoward, therefore, in the claim about Godwin Emefiele and his wife. Even his principal, President Muhammadu Buhari, is not totally impervious to the influence of his wife, Aisha. She has been known in the past to do battle with those she considered interlopers in the corridors of Aso Rock Villa, even locking some of

them out.

Patience Jonathan, Turai Yar’Adua, and even Stella Obasanjo were former first ladies known to have wielded some influence over their husbands. So, whoever is that woman in the photograph with Godwin Emefiele, Nigerians send their appreciative thanks.

But beyond the influence of any daughter of Eve, Emefiele had been under tremendous pressure to change track on his CBN decision to put a threemonth deadline between the introduction of the newly coloured naira bills and the withdrawal of the old bills. During that time, he had been accused and later exonerated of the charge of sponsoring terrorism, gone into hiding, and returned to a warm handshake and photo-op with President Buhari, from what was reframed as his annual vacation, thus dousing immediately the tension that had built up in his absence. He had hardly settled in to his job when he was summoned by the House of Representatives, whose Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, had threatened to order his arrest should he once again ignore the summons to appear before the House.

The sword of Gbajabiamila dangling over Emefiele’s head

must have swung elsewhere after he bowed to pressure. Virtually every person and group of some influence had in turn cajoled, begged and threatened Emefiele about his deadline, but he had stayed his course and ignored all entreaties.

Nobody knew who his advisers were or where he got his courage from. On his return to Abuja to resume duty about a fortnight ago, it was clear he had enjoyed the unstinting support of President Buhari. He was soon to accompany him on a rather routine and insignificant trip to Senegal, perhaps, just to prove to doubters that he was not only in the good books of the president but equally chummy with him.

He was rubbing that point in for his critics, and Buhari, who is no stranger to the kind of criticism that disdains a response such as Emefiele had been treated to lately, appears to share in the latter’s secret pleasure and derisive mistreatment of Nigerians. As the deadline drew nearer and the criticism got louder, so did Emefiele and President Buhari doubled down and refused to consider the desperate pleas of Nigerians.

The pressure worked despite the duo’s stance. It was probably such that Emefiele couldn’t bear to wait until Monday before

going before the cameras on a Sunday morning to announce an extension of the deadline by 10 days, to wit: from January 31 to February 10, with a so-called “period of grace” for Nigerians to return their old naira bills, though no longer legal tender, for new ones without any liability.

So much for all the drama that started in November. But then, the trouble is not over. The CBN’s approach to the withdrawal of old naira bills had made it clear that the deadline would be missed. If it had a good policy in place (just in case), its execution was poor in the extreme, in addition to being in bad taste.

The most persuasive justification for the extension of the deadline is the fact that even the banks continued to dispense the supposedly old bills from their available cash withdrawal points. Nigerians would go to banks with bags full of old bills, only to be dispensed freshly minted cash in the old bills at ATMs and other cash withdrawal points. This is in addition to the fact that in many parts of the country, including the insurgency-ravaged regions, there is no semblance of governance, much less the existence of banks to deposit or withdraw cash.

Why did it take almost the eve of the expiration of the CBN deadline for Emefiele to

acknowledge this as he did in his speech announcing the extension? What kind of sadness was behind his and the President’s attitude? Even though the CBN offered a number of justifications for “redesigning” the naira, it was laser-focused on just one: namely, to forestall any planned misuse of the naira by politicians that had allegedly stashed it away to influence the general elections slated for February and March 2023.

Besides this, nothing else counted, not even the pain of Nigerians who couldn’t find the new bills anywhere except at parties and the black market, where they had to use money, usually in the form of the old naira denominations, to buy (of all things!) money in the form of the so-called new bills. What type of trade has the CBN and the Buhari-led government brought upon Nigerians?

The president himself, in his rigid support of Emefiele, would seem more driven by vengeance and vendetta than anything else. It’s as if Buhari cannot do certain things without bringing an element of vindictiveness into them, even when there could be merit in the originating plan. The idea of changing the naira bills might have been motivated by good intentions aside from being a matter of national policy.

But the execution was intended to be punitive, perhaps against politicians; and besides this, nothing else matters. The same thing happened in 1984, when Buhari was a military dictator. That instinct to inflict pain and cause maximum damage, would appear to have motivated this latest gambit of the CBN and Buhari, amid the chaos of persistent fuel scarcity.

Rotimi Fasan is a Public Policy Analyst.

The sword of Gbajabiamila dangling over Emefiele’s head must have swung elsewhere after he bowed to pressure.

“

To end witch persecution, Nigerians need to change their attitudes towards dreams

“

How to build sustainable democratic culture in Nigeria

By Azuka Onwuka

Thereis always a godfather that determines who should run for which political office. If the godfather endorses you, then you are almost certain of ‘winning’ the election. But if he does not endorse you, your name changes to OYO – On Your Own!

One challenge facing Nigeria is that of weak democratic culture. Many Nigerians feel that they are powerless before powerful politicians and political godfathers. They believe that only the politicians and the godfathers have the power to determine who wins what election and who gets what favours after the election.

That is why politicians do everything possible to win the primaries for presidential, governorship and legislative positions. They spend massively to buy the votes of the delegates who will elect the candidates. The belief is that once they secure the party’s ticket, it is a fait accompli that they will be elected by the electorate, especially if their party is the preferred one within their constituency.

If the February 2023 election can change that attitude, it will have achieved a lot. The democracy in Nigeria does not have deep roots. The people don’t fully believe that power is in their hands. They believe that only the rich and powerful can win elections in Nigeria. That keeps many good people out of politics.

When our second child was in Basic 2, he came back one day from school and announced excitedly that he had been elected the Class Captain of Basic 2. It was written all over him that he was very happy. With glee and a sense of importance and accomplishment, he

narrated the proceedings of the election. According to him, he was nominated with two others to contest for the post of the class captain. The class members voted for the three of them. And at the end of the election, he got 19 votes, while his other two fellow contestants got 9 and 3 votes respectively.

I guess that the feat felt more satisfying to him because he was not appointed by the teachers. He was elected by his classmates: a testimony that his classmates found him worthy to be their leader. The classmates had known him and his other classmates. They had interacted from Basic 1 and pre-primary classes. They had played together, quarrelled, fought, made up, and competed on many fronts. They had answered questions and found out each other’s level of intelligence. They had seen who told the more interesting stories, who related with others better, who had more power to get the others to listen, or who was more confident than the others. Maybe if it was by appointment, someone else would have been chosen as the class captain. That got me thinking. Could the entrenchment of democracy from the elementary school level help to change our attitude to democracy? Why did I ask that question? Right from the colonial days, we have been displaying a poor attitude to democracy. We brook no opposition. We treat opponents as enemies that must be crushed. Even after we have ‘won’ elections, we try to victimise anyone or community that did not vote for us. If any of our kinsmen or fellow member of our ethnic group does not support our political ambition, he is branded a traitor and treated like a leper,

perhaps for life. Nobody cares to know that the man has a right not to support his kinsman.

There is always a godfather that determines who should run for which political office. If the godfather endorses you, then you are almost certain of ‘winning’ the election. But if he does not endorse you, your name changes to OYO – On Your Own!

This anti-democratic mindset seemed to have sprung from our traditional and historical background.

We grew up under the powerful kingship system. The king was a demi-god. Many a king had the power over life and death. His words were final. He brooked no opposition. Anyone who challenged him was arrested and taught a lesson, which could include death. Everybody bowed and trembled before his majesty!

Even in the communities where there were no kings, there were also a council of elders and priests whose words were final. Everyone was expected to conform to the norms, traditions, and decisions. Dissension was not tolerated. Once the community had taken a decision, that was it. You either conformed or got punished. If you hated the decision so much that you could not obey it, you had the option of leaving the community and settling in another community.

With this type of background, it is not surprising to see that Nigerians are intolerant of contrary views or orientations. Anybody who expresses a different view on an issue is treated like an enemy of the state rather than a partner in progress who just has a different idea about the route to the development of the town, state or nation. Any criticism or genuine piece of advice

from any quarter is an irritation. The purveyors of such opinions are termed ‘disgruntled elements’ or “those working for their paymasters.” The only time all seems to be well is when everyone is hailing the leader. The election that makes the heart of such leaders swell is that in which they or their party ‘wins’ in all the districts.

This cancer has even so much permeated our social and religious lives that those with minority religious or ethnic orientations are not tolerated. They are constantly attacked or victimised. Even when they are not physically harmed, they are hardly allowed to raise their heads or hold any positions in the communities. Forever, they are treated like outsiders or second-class citizens. Even the most educated and most travelled join in upholding these injustices in the name of defending their religion or ethnic group. Disappointingly, our national laws do little to defend minority rights.

Therefore, to ensure that we start curbing this ugly attitude, we need to inculcate a true democratic culture in people at an early age. For example, right from primary school, in addition to teaching civics, positions like class prefects/monitors/captains should be made elective. The pupils should be made to understand the importance of contesting elections right from the cradle. Although the teachers may know the pupil that would perform better as the captain, it is better to allow the pupils to elect their leader themselves. It helps to make the elected children see that they emerged as a result of the goodwill they have among their classmates. That will make them accountable to their

The furore about the CBN currency redesign and cash swap exercise

By Gozie Irogboli

The report from the CBN before the exercise commenced indicates that as at October, 2022 the total money in circulation was N3.23 trillion out of which only N500 billion was in the banking system but in January after the currency cash swap exercise, the money in the banking system increased to N2.4 trillion meaning that the over N800 billion that is yet to return is clearly the one hoarded by the protesting politicians for the purpose of electoral malfeasance. There is a lot of fuss about the current Central Bank of Nigeria’s currency redesign and cash swap policy.

Before Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the CBN governor returned from vacation in January there has been stories and rumors of his impending arrest by the Department of States Services (DSS) on allegation of sponsoring terrorism and some high placed individuals within the ruling All Progressives Party (APC) are accusing him of trying to sabotage them by the cash swap policy which kept many observers wondering how and why the new cash swap policy is intended to sabotage some individuals?

The Senate has passed a unilateral resolution without consulting the CBN, extending the deadline for the cash swap exercise to June 31st (a date that does not exist). The speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila was quoted to have threatened to issue a warrant of arrest against Emefiele. And the questions on the lips of concerned observers are: why is the National Assembly so quick to react on this cash swap policy deadline when there are more grave issues militating against this nation in the past eight years of the APC regime? Why did they not give matching orders to the IG of police and the service chief when the terrorists, bandits and killer herdsmen were killing the rural dwellers, they claim to speak for, preventing them from going to their farms and sacking them from

their homes? Why have they not reacted swiftly over the cases of insecurity, fuel scarcity, mounting national debt..? And why attack on Emefiele? Why have they not arrested the real terrorists? The running mate of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC presidential candidate, Alhaji Kashim Shettima is an acclaimed Boko-haram apologist, why has he not been apprehended? Why has Femi Gbajabiamila not issued warrant of arrest against the MD of NNPC over perennial fuel shortages that have lasted for over twenty months now? Nigerians are still queuing at different INEC offices for their PVC three weeks to the general election. Why has the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu not been arrested or hassled yet?

All these point to the fact that the money launderer affected by the cash swap policy are fighting back using the National Assembly as their front. At this time nobody can fool Nigerians. They are not fighting for rural people as they claim and have never fought for anybody. Rather than fight Emefiele, the members of National Assembly should work to ensure the success of the program by going down to the communities they claim to represent to carry out sensitization exercise about the policy.

Come to think of it, how much would somebody keep in his house or office if it is for— transactional, precautionary or speculative—purposes that he cannot pay into his account or swap within the 45 days window approved by the CBN to exchange the new notes? And why would somebody stash humongous sums of money in his house? Money earned from genuine economic activities should be in the bank vaults or invested in legitimate business. Money hoarded in private vaults is the one embezzled from government coffers or slush funds obtained from illegal activities. It is only those who hoarded millions at home, in their warehouses and septic tanks preparatory for vote-buying that may not be able or willing to swap their monies

within this period approved by the CBN for obvious reasons.

Clearly, on the issue of currency redesign and cash swap policy, Emefiele has not erred in any way that will warrant the level of umbrage he had received on account of this. He has acted within the purviews of his powers and responsibilities. Right from the time he was appointed the CBN governor, he has faced battles from many fronts— from those who felt that the control of the nation’s financial system is their entitlement, to those eyeing his position, to those desirous of planting their cronies in the apex bank and the government officials who lacked knowledge of the workings of the economy. But Emefiele has managed to survive all the intrigues, spurious allegations and campaign of calumny because he is a man imbued with incredible emotional intelligent skills and the knowledge of how to manage adversity.

Issuance of currency and redesign of bank notes are duties within the purviews of the Central Bank. In fact the redesign of the currency is a program that is recommended periodically for obvious reasons. So, the CBN governor has not done anything unusual that will warrant the hullabaloo the issue has generated. Apart from mopping up excess liquidity in order to control money supply, other reasons for carrying out such routine exercise include: hedging against currency counterfeiting, hoarding, improving the security features in the bank note, controlling currency in circulation and the cost of currency management etcetera. Thus, it is economic sabotage to stash huge sums of money outside the financial system. It makes monetary policy implementation difficult. The DSS and the EFCC should beam its searchlight on those attacking the CBN governor on account of the recent cash-swap policy.

The report from the CBN before the exercise commenced indicates that as at October, 2022 the total money

classmates, rather than a godfather (teacher or principal). That makes such child leaders to do their best to work in the interest of those who elected them.

This will make the child to realise that his mates elected him to ‘serve’ them, not to rule over them. He knows that they are watching to see if he is living up to expectations. He knows that even before the end of the session (tenure), his classmates can vote him out, if they are not happy with his performance. He also knows that he cannot bribe the entire classmates to vote for him if he is not living up to their expectations. In addition, his other mates will also strive to be better in all the indices, so as to be considered above him during the next election.

Beyond helping to make our democracy stronger, it will also help to make our people better. Those who have dreams of becoming leaders will start from childhood to be above board. For example, someone who has a crooked streak knows that any time he comes out to contest for any political post, such a negative will be used against him. He cannot bank on a godfather bulldozing his way through the electoral system to get him into office.

Because it is said that you can’t teach old dogs new tricks, our adults are as good as lost on the issue of tolerance of contrary opinions and minorities, but we can catch our children now that they are still malleable. We can inculcate the right democratic principles and tolerance of minorities in them. That will help us to create great leaders of the future and also a great, harmonious and progressive nation.

Twitter: @BrandAzuka

in circulation was N3.23 trillion out of which only N500 billion was in the banking system but in January after the currency cash swap exercise, the money in the banking system increased to N2.4 trillion meaning that the over N800 billion that is yet to return is clearly the one hoarded by the protesting politicians for the purpose of electoral malfeasance. This is the evil strategy of the Nigerian unscrupulous politicians who will pauperize their people and during elections distribute handouts to buy their votes. This was why during the COVID-19 period food items meant as palliatives for the people were hoarded in different warehouses across the nation by unconscionable politicians while people wallow in misery and hunger.

But before I am accused of taking sides with my oga as Nigerians are wont to tribalize and trivialize issues. Let me state here that I am one of the most ardent critics of CBN policies in recent times. Admittedly, Mr. Emefiele, the current CBN governor is my big brother and my big boss having worked with him in those days but that has never stopped me from criticizing his policies. I have in the past criticized the mechanistic and ineffectual policy of pegging the deposit and withdrawal limits in the name of promoting cashless economy just as I did during the era of Sanusi.

It is indeed strange that a program that had the approval of the president in an APC controlled regime is being kicked against by the same APC members? The APC gang is clearly exhibiting deep signs frustration and desperation as failure is staring them unblinkingly in the face as the election date draws high. Having failed woefully; their only hope is now anchored on vote-buying, the main reason behind stashing of cash at home. And now all that seems to be crumbling, hence the reason for the senseless outburst. APC as I have said from the beginning was never a political party in the real sense of it but an unholy political alliance contrived to usurp power and

having got power they abused it. The coalition is crumbling and hence the current state of affairs.

Indeed, the accusation that the CBN governor is trying to sabotage some people with the cash swap policy is the most ridiculous and mischievous assertion that I have heard in recent times. Clearly, those attacking the CBN governor on account of the policy are unnecessarily overbearing indicating that they have ulterior motives. Although, this may sound like an alarm but it is necessary that security around the CBN governor be beefed up in view of this. Some of these politicians are desperate and are ready to fight dirty to actualize their inordinate ambition as they have always confessed.

I hope Nigerians are learning from the unfolding scenario. The real problem of the nation is these politicians and their lackeys and blind supporters who have designed poverty as a tool to subvert the will of the people. Do not be deceived, these politicians are desperate. They can use their agents in many places to frustrate the new cash swap policy in order to find reason to malign the person of Godwin Emefiele and then continue to extend the deadline for the cash swap exercise for them to be able to use the billions of the old notes they hoarded in their private vaults for voters’ inducement during the election. Already, they have deployed their media hack writers for the purpose of smear campaign against Emefiele and the Agberos and the dormant unionists that refused to work all these while that the nation was in turmoil are already being mobilized for the purpose of sabotage. But, Nigeria this is the time to be resolute; your time to get even with these unconscionable politicians who peculated public funds for selfish purposes by ignoring their antics and voting them out as appropriate.

Gozie Irogboli, an economist, a novelist and public policy analyst can be reached at goziei@yahoo. com

FG replies el Rufai, says nobody working against Tinubu in Aso Rock

By Egena Sunday Ode

TheFederal Government

Wednesday reiterated President Muhammadu Buhari"s commitment to free, fair and credible general elections begining with the Preaidential election slated for February 25th..

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed disclosed this to State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhariri at the Presidential Villa. Abuja.

Lai Mohammed was responding to claims by Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai that some elements in the Presidential Villa are working

Buhari commission’s multi-million ALU farm in Jigawa

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday commissioned a multimillion farm of Malam ALU Agro Allied company in Jigawa state.

During the commissioning, Mr president unveiled the tallest National flag pole in Nigeria and the first fertilizer plant in the state situated in the farm.

Speaking shortly after touring the farm, president Muhammadu Buhari commended the chairman of the farm Alhaji Farouk Adamu Aliyu, urging others to copy from him.

President Buhari who was impressed with the technology used in the farm said, it is part of his administration’s achievement of diversifying the economy through modern agricultural system.

From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

The wife of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Presidential candidate Oluremi Bola

against the success of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, in the coming presidential election.

According to him, President Buhari, being the main occupant of the villa, had stressed times without number that he wants his administration to deliver a credible exercise.

Accordingly, he said tif there are elements within the seat of power who are working against the victory of the ruling party, it has not been brought officially to his notice.

His words: "On a more serious note, one thing I can assure you is that no matter what, this administration is focused, determined to ensure free and fair elections.

"But I think with this administration

the most important person is Mr. President, and I think he has shown by words and by deeds that he is committed to free, fair and credible election. And fair, free, credible elections actually means not favouring anybody or disadvantaging anybody.

"And everywhere he goes, he makes that very clear even as recently last Friday when he was in Daura, he said the same thing.

"If there’s anybody working against a candidate we don’t know officially.

The Information Minister also took Transparency International to task over its latest report, which saw Nigeria dropping five places in the 2021 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) ranking.

He explained: "We are not fighting

corruption because we want to impression Transparency International or any organization whatsoever.

"We're fighting corruption because we believe if we do not fight corruption, there'll be no growth either in terms of the economy or even political. Therefore, what we do and what we're putting in place to fight corruption is not because we want to be rated by anybody.

"If, for instance, what we're doing catches the attention of transparency international and they improve and give us better marks, so we’ll and go. However, I can assure you that we do not know what template TI is using.

"Whatever template they're using is clearly oblivious of what this administration is doing, to fight

L-R: The Immediate Past Acting Director General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mrs. Christy Ifeyinwa Uba presenting NYSC Journals and other documents to the new Director General NYSC, Brig. Gen. Yusha’u Dogara Ahmed, during the handing / taking over ceremony, on Monday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

corruption.

"Corruption fighting is not just by how many people have you arrested? How many people have you tried? How many people have you convicted? Of course, even in that respect, we have a very impressive record. Is it the EFCC or is it the ICPC?

You see, if you look at what we're doing even to make corrupt practices, almost impossible or difficult… I'll just give you two examples. For instance, this administration, when funds were returned from the Abacha loot and other funds were recovered from the USD, the UK, and Europe, this administration, was that rather than pay these funds into the treasury and face the possibility of it being stolen or looted, the administration decided that we will put this money into a separate account and ask the National Sovereign Investment Fund to manage these funds, and we used this money for specific projects.

"And some of our legacy projects today actually are being financed from our money that have been stolen, which were returned and which we have kept. To me, this is one example of how to fight corruption. An example of how to ensure that people do not steal what has been recovered again.

"I make bold to say that we have been more proactive in fighting corruption and people are not willing to see what we have put in place in fighting corruption. And that's why I gave that example of putting aside money aside and how those funds are being used.

"Again, the courage of this administration even to expose high ranking officials of administration who have ran foul of the law, is evidence of our determination and courage to fight corruption.

"So, we are not really worried or bothered about rating of the TI, because we know that everything we do is to ensure that we fight corruption the best way we know how to do.

"Like I said, if TI are not seeing this, then again, I think they have to change their template. But again, we're not fighting corruption to impress them."

NHRC inaugurates independent investigative panel on counter insurgency operation in North East

By Albert Akota

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) yesterday in Abuja inaugurated a Special Independent Investigative Panel on human rights violations in the Implementation of Counter Insurgency Operations in the North East (SIIP-North East).

While inaugurating the committee, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, said that the panel will among other things focus

on investigating Reuters report which alleged that Nigerian Military was involved in abortion of many pregnancies in the North East in the last 10 years.

Besides, the international media organisation had alleged that the Military was involved in massacre of children as well as other Sexual and Gender Based Violence(SGBV) in the North East.

However, the Military has refuted the allegations saying that it was a ploy to malign the image of the Nigerian Armed Forces

which has been at the forefront of the counter insurgency efforts in the North East.

It would be recalled that the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor during his visit to the Commission in December 2022 told the Executive Secretary that the Military is willing and ready for any probe, particularly as it relates to Reuter’s report as stated above.

Members of the panel are Honourable Justice Abdu Aboki, retired Justice of the Supreme Court ( Chairman), Ms

Kemi Okonyedo, representing Women Rights Organisation, Barrister Azubuike Nwankenta, representing NBA, Major General Letam Wiwa rtd (Military Law and Intelligence Expert), Dr. Maisaratu Bakari (Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynecology (Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital Yola), Dr. Fatima Akilu (Humanitarian Expert, representing Civil Society), and Ms. Halima Nuradeen (Psychologist, representing Youths).

Buhari appoints Segun Awolowo as AfCFTA-NAC Secretary

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Mr Olusegun Awolowo as Secretary, National Action Committee on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), for a tenure of four years.

Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s spokesman, who

confirmed this in a statement kn Tuesday in Abuja, said the appointment took effect from Dec. 19, 2022.

According to Adesina, as secretary, Awolowo is expected to provide direction to the national action committee on the AfCFTA for effective coordination of relevant stakeholders toward the

attainment of Nigeria’s strategic national interest.

Awolowo, a Law graduate from Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University), Ago Iwoye, has served as Special Assistant to former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

He also worked with the

Tinubu’s wife to support out-of-school children

Tinubu has promised to put incentives in place to

encourage children to go back to school if her husband won the next month’s election.

She stated this at town

Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Abuja as Secretary for Social Development and Transport from 2007 to 2011.

Awolowo was the Executive Director/CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council from 2013 to 2022, serving two tenures. (NAN)

Hall meeting organised in her honour in Birnin Kebbi. She added that educational sector would be streamlined in order for everyone to benefit.

Why I cut short LP presidential campaign in Sokoto - Peter Obi apologises to voters

By Christiana Ekpa

ThePresidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter

Obi has sent strong words of appreciation to the good people of Sokoto state for the warm reception they accorded him and his team on Wednesday when the campaign team arrived the seat of the Caliphate.

Obi while appreciating the people of Sokoto for turning out in their numbers to receive him and his team, regretted that he had to rush out of the state to attend the burial of the Emir of Dutse, Jigawa state, Royal Highness, Dr Muhammad Nuhu Sanusi.

He recalled in a short statement that he was in Dutse on Monday and the Emir who was indisposed, had graciously directed his Dogarai to receive him and his team in his Palace warmly.

The LP Candidate full of apologies to the people of Sokoto for not spending ample time with them, said that he had to leave Sokoto hurriedly to give this royal father a deserving last respect.

Obi condoled with the Dutse Emirates council and the people as well as the Governor and people of Jigawa state for the huge loss.

Mr Obi met with the Governor of Jigawa, his deputy, the Sultan of Sokoto, Emir of Kano, & other Emirs.

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Thefounding National chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Chekwas Okorie yesterday said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Nigerians generally now know that he is the authentic Presidential candidate of the party, while Edozie Njoku is the National chairman.

Speaking further in Abuja while unveiling Hadiza Muhammed as his running make, Okorie said “It is now

Wike says G-5 govs fighting guerilla warfare, can’t reveal preferred candidate

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Barely few weeks to the 2023 elections, Governor Nyesom Wike has said the G-5 governors are fighting guerilla warfare.

Wike made the remark while stressing that he never told the public how he would announce his preferred presidential candidate.

The governor had a fallout

with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, after losing out at the party’s primary election in 2022.

He had remained defiant in his opposition to the North producing both the party’s National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu and the presidential candidate.

Wike and the G-5 group have ignored Atiku because they insist

there must be equity, fairness and justice.

Speaking at Rivers State PDP campaign rally in Port Harcourt, Wike said: “Look at the man who is always failing every day. He does not understand the activities of G5.

“I have told most people who don’t know G5 that we fight like guerilla warfare. The more you look, the less you see.

“I never told anybody, one day, I will bring a camera and announce to you this is who will go.

“I said I would tell Rivers people the candidate they will support. I did not tell you the method of saying it. I did not tell you I will bring live coverage and say it. But Rivers people know.”

Spokes- Person, Coalition of United Political Party (CUPP) / PDP House of Representative Candidate in Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere (3rd right) , Former Chairman InterParty Advisory Council (IPAC) / Labour Party House of Representative Candidate in Kogi State, Chief Peter Ameh (2nd right) and other stakeholders during the World press conference on the recently gruesome attacked at the home of the CUPP Spokesman, held yesterday in Abuja.

abundantly clear to all discerning Nigerians and the Independent National Electoral Commission that APGA has only one National Chairman and that National Chairman is Chief Edozie Njoku.

“In the same token, APGA has only one Presidential Candidate and that Presidential Candidate who happens to be the Founder of the Party, is Chief Dr. Chekwas Okorie, Oje Ozi Nigeria.”

To this end, he urged Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to do the needful without further delay, adding that the 2023 general

election to which over #350 billion of tax payers’ money appropriated by the National Assembly must not be put in avoidable peril.

He said the onus is on INEC to ensure that Nigerians do not turn around to hold the electoral body responsible for truncating the 2023 general election by willfully excluding lawfully recognized APGA from participating in the elections, adding that should this unfortunate and forewarned calamity befall the nation, the repercussion shall threaten the very existence of corporate Nigeria.

“The journey of APGA has always been a journey of faith and conviction. APGA is a product of three attempts to give Nigeria the first truly political party based on progressive ideology. Without faith there will not be APGA today. APGA has produced many leaders who are making contribution in Nigeria’s political scene.

“Chief Edozie Njoku, the National Chairman of APGA has proved himself to be a man of immense faith and conviction as well. If it was not for this special attribute of his l will not be here today as Presidential Candidate of a

Political Party l founded 21 years ago. “It is out of faith and conviction that all genuine leaders and members of APGA today believe that in spite of the machinations and intrigues of human beings which have resulted to what is obviously a late entry into the democratic contest for 2023 general election.

“APGA will surprise its traducers by the outcome of its accomplishments in the forthcoming elections by the special grace of God. Again, it is written that the last shall be the first”, he said.

CNPP replies Tinubu campaigners over corruption in NNPCL

By Musa Baba Adamu

Conference Of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has responded to the insinuations by a group associated with the Presidential and Vice-presidential candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima that the CNPP was engaging in what it described as “Cheap Blackmail” for accusing the management of incompetence and corruption.

The group, Tinubu Shettima Network (TSN), had maligned the CNPP for calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to purge

the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) of an alleged corrupt management team if the president wishes to end the perennial fuel scarcity in the country.

The group had said, “We expected CNPP to blame OPEC quota on oil thieves and the recent fuel scarcity on marketers rather NNPCL. Is it NNPC staff that are stealing oil. It is a cartel and the security agencies and politicians are involved and this has been happening since 1983 in this country?”

However in a reply issued by the CNPP Secretary General, Chief

Willy Ezugwu, the CNPP noted that “in the first place, the use of a group associated with Tinubu to respond to a glary case of incompetence manifesting in fuel scarcity and unfortunate hike in pump price of petrol is a confirmation of the CNPP position.”

The CNPP added that Tinubu is the only politician in Nigeria who receives missing bullion vans according to his spokesperson, Comrade Ayodele Adewale who told the world that bullion vans pictured in his house was missing road.

“So, when one Kailani Muhammad, an associate of Tinubu speaks on corruption related

defence, no citizen can take him seriously. The corrupt will most likely defend the corrupt.

“The CNPP, as the umbrella association of registered political parties and political associations in Nigeria, reiterates that setting up a 14-man Committee by President Muhammadu Buhari to find lasting solutions to the problems surrounding the supply and distribution chain of petroleum products in the country was an open indictment of the management team of the newly registered NNPC Limited.

“The Tinubu group had argued that since the repositioning of

NNPC, nobody or leader can deep hands in NNPC’s coffers to steal money, but since the company was registered, unending fuel scarcity has worsened hardship burdens Nigerians have to bear under the APC government.

“Some experts have revealed that Nigeria losses about 600,000 barrels of crude oil per day to oil thieves while other put the stolen crude oil at 80 percent of Nigeria’s daily production.

“A vessel takes days to load crude oil and if as much as 600,000 barrels of crude oil per day is stolen, NNPCL must be complicit or incompetent.”

‘INEC knows APGA’s Chairman, presidential candidate is Njoku, Okorie’

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Niger Delta agitators endorse Peter Obi of Labour Party for 2023 President Why Ugwuanyi

By Christiana Ekpa

Agitators from the Niger Delta have backed and pledged their support for Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s (LP) presidential candidate, in the upcoming general elections.

Obi was referred to as the emblem of a new Nigeria in a statement issued by the coalition of agitators, which was co-signed by some of its leaders, including Dede Udofia, Ibanga Ekang, Ekpo Ekpo, and Ukpe Sampson.

The group, which goes by the name “Unyekisong Akwa Ibom,” claimed that based on his good track record, character, competency, and age, Obi was the most qualified of the presidential contenders.

Additionally, the agitators claimed that Obi would deal with the problems of Boko Haram and banditry in the north, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Eastern Security Network (ESN), and farmers’ and headers’ disputes in the east.”Similarly the North has produced two Presidents, Alhaji Musa YarAdua, two (2) years

and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, eight (8) years respectively. The South South geopolitical zone has also produced a President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, for six (6) years.

“It will therefore be a grave injustice, marginalization, oppression and wickedness to deny the South East the opportunity to produce the next President of Nigeria. It is therefore not logical for zones that have produced Nigerian Presidents to still seek such mandate again even when such candidates lack strength and ability to discharge such functions.

“That all the candidates presented by political parties for the forthcoming presidential elections are eminently qualified, but the only person with good records, character, capacity, young, energetic with deep knowledge of the challenges facing the citizens is Mr. Peter Obi.

“He is a symbol of a new Nigeria and we believe that giving him the presidential will be of great benefit to Nigerians as Nigeria will be returned to the path of

infrastructural development, growth and prosperity.

“The present security challenges in the country will be holistically addressed by Mr. Peter Obi, particularly Boko Haram and Bandits in the North; IPOB, ESN and unknown gunmen in the South East as well as Herdsmen in the Middle Belt, South West, South East and South South zones to ensure that Nigerian citizens enjoy safe and serene environment at all times.

“It is therefore not in the interest of our fatherland and future generation to vote a Nigeria’s President based on ethnic or religious sentiments as doing so would be disastrous for the country considering the present economic woes facing the citizens.

“We call on all the Niger Delta citizens especially the ex-agitators, present serving agitators and all the Niger Delta citizens to vote massively for Peter Obi as we trust that he shall ensure the full implementation of Niger Delta master-plan, job creation through industrialization, proper funding

of the NDDC and Presidential Amnesty Office, full implementation of the third phase Presidential Amnesty Programme as well as implementation of the reintegration phase of the Presidential Amnesty Programme to the beneficiaries which the present administration is not sincere in its implementation proper.

“We want to state that the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators is already working and willing to mobilize all the Niger Delta agitators, ex-agitators, youths and women in all the coastal, riverine and hinterland communities in across the Niger Delta states to vote massively for Peter Obi and ensure his victory at the polls as the man that ensure that a better Niger Delta and Nigeria is delivered to the Nigeria citizens.

“A vote for Peter Obi is a vote for competence, better Nigeria, stability, peace, infrastructural development, educational/ technological advancement, safety/ security, better and stabilized economy.”

Why Ugwuanyi will win Senatorial election landslide – PDP chieftain, Eya

By Musa Baba Adamu

Aformer Enugu North Senatorial District aspirant, Hon. Chinedu Eya has stated that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s achievements in the zone within the past eight years are enough indications that he (the governor) will win the election by a landslide.

Eya, who spoke in Nsukka on Tuesday, boasted that Ugwuanyi would win the election before 12 noon of February 25, 2023.

He listed some landmark achievements of the Governor in the zone to include School of Medical and Applied Sciences (SUMAS) in Igbo-ano, Nsukka, Enugu State Secretariat Annex, where some Government offices and parastatals are already occupying, as well as an international conference centre, also located in Nsukka zone for major government functions and other high profile activities, which the former aspirant stated, has given the zone a new face.

Eya also listed massive road projects across the zone, modern hospitals equipped with modern facilities, scholarships for students, including those who were sent abroad, among others.

His words: “The Governor is not in a

contest with anyone, not in Nsukka zone. As a matter of fact, he would win his senatorial bid before 12 noon later this month.

“His achievements in the zone are too numerous to mention. And they are enough to win him this election square and straight

“Some of his landmark achievements in the zone include the recent School of Medical and Applied Sciences in Igbo-ano and the new Federal Polytechnic Ohodo, all in Nsukka zone.

“And remember we also have a giant conference centre built to world standard by the governor. You will also agree with me that we have uncountable number of roads done by the governor in the zone.

“We have modern hospitals built across the LGAs of the senatorial district and they have been well equipped to standards.

“We are not discussing the opportunities given to youths to study both at home and abroad, under the governor’s scholarship scheme.”

“The list is endless. So Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who is the candidate of our party (PDP) in Enugu North Senatorial District is not in a contest with anyone.

“He is cruising home in victory before 12 noon of that election day,” Eya concluded.

APC optimistic about Tinubu’s victory in S’East

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed optimism about winning the South East in the forthcoming presidential election.

The party’s national Vice Chairman, South East, Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu stated this in a press conference on Wednesday in Awka, saying that the attendance at Tuesday’s rally of the party in Anambra has confirmed her optimism.

He said: “The popularity of the APC candidate, Senator Bola Tinubu in Anambra is very high.

will win Senatorial election landslide – PDP chieftain, Eya

By Musa Baba Adamu

Aformer Enugu North Senatorial District aspirant, Hon. Chinedu Eya has stated that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s achievements in the zone within the past eight years are enough indications that he (the governor) will win the election by a landslide.

Eya, who spoke in Nsukka on Tuesday, boasted that Ugwuanyi would win the election before 12 noon of February 25, 2023.

He listed some landmark achievements of the Governor in the zone to include School of Medical and Applied Sciences (SUMAS) in Igbo-ano, Nsukka, Enugu State Secretariat Annex, where some Government offices and parastatals are already occupying, as well as an international conference centre, also located in Nsukka zone for major government functions and other high profile activities, which the former aspirant stated, has given the zone a new face.

Eya also listed massive road projects across the zone, modern hospitals equipped with modern facilities, scholarships for students, including those who were sent abroad, among others.

His words: “The Governor is not in a contest with anyone, not in Nsukka zone. As a matter of fact, he would win his senatorial bid before 12 noon later this month.

“His achievements in the zone are too numerous to mention. And they are enough to win him this election square and straight.

“Some of his landmark achievements in the zone include the recent School of Medical and Applied Sciences in Igbo-ano and the new Federal Polytechnic Ohodo, all in Nsukka zone.

“And remember we also have a giant conference centre built to world standard by the governor. You will also agree with me that we have uncountable number of roads done by the governor in the zone.

The rally in Awka yesterday (Tuesday) has confirmed that our party is ready to take the South East.

“The people you saw during the rally are pure party members from all parts of the state. We did not hire people to come to the rally. These are people who are on ground and who are ready to vote for our party once the election comes.”

Arodiogbu said one thing that set Tinubu apart is that he knows the peculiarity of all the states in Nigeria, and has plans to solve them.

He said: “One thing that is

going for Tinubu is that he knows the peculiarity of the various states. He also knows what the problems of the various states are, and the method of solving them. That is why in Anambra he talked about manpower and industrialization.

“In Enugu, he knows that the state has a huge deposit of coal, and he plans to use it to generate electricity. He told them he would utilize the coal in their state to generate electricity.”

Arodiogbu further said: “Keeping those promises is not difficult, and if you know Tinubu, he is a man who does not see a

difficulty in anything. He will call the Anambra people and the entire South East to a roundtable when he eventually wins.

“In APC, we are very prepared for the coming election and we hope that victory is ours. You have seen the huge crowd yesterday, and even with the two Presidential candidates from the state, we still got that number of supporters.

“We are taking South East and that is sure. Even other political parties know this, and I think they are doing what they are doing to give themselves a ground for them to contest our victory after the election.”

“We have modern hospitals built across the LGAs of the senatorial district and they have been well equipped to standards.

“We are not discussing the opportunities given to youths to study both at home and abroad, under the governor’s scholarship scheme.”

“The list is endless. So Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who is the candidate of our party (PDP) in Enugu North Senatorial District is not in a contest with anyone.

“He is cruising home in victory before 12 noon of that election day,” Eya concluded.

CBN, Obi, Atiku, Aso Rock can’t stop Tinubu –Fani-Kayode boasts

By Musa Baba Adamu

Barely three weeks to the presidential election, a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has said Bola Tinubu the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) is unstoppable.

Fani-Kayode said presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party and fifth columnists from the Presidential Villa plotting against Tinubu can’t stop him.

He also noted that traitors and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) can’t come in between Tinubu and President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a series of tweets, FaniKayode wrote: “The few in the Villa plotting against @Official AbAT can’t stop him.

@atiku and @Peter Obi can’t stop him.

ING can’t stop him. CBN can’t stop him.

“Traitors can’t stop him, and neither can ANY of them come between him and @MBuhari.

“We are taking you ALL on and we shall prevail!”

Recall that Tinubu had accused some forces in the Presidential Villa of sabotaging his campaign.

Tinubu lamented that the fuel scarcity and CBN naira swap policy were aimed against him.

Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State also corroborated Tinubu’s allegation.

El-Rufai said some forces in the Presidential Villa against Tinubu’s emergence as APC flagbearer are working to sabotage his campaign.

Presidential rally: Osun APC raises alarm over plot by PDP to unleash mayhem

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Osun State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has revealed the clandestine moves of political hoodlums who are loyalists of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to unleash violence before, during and after the Presidential rally of the party scheduled for Thursday.

The APC has consequently sent a stern warning to the political hoodlums that have been unleashing violence and perpetrating series of attacks on the people of the State, particularly members of the APC, to desist from the heinous

acts in the interest of peace and tranquility.

The APC called on the security agencies to come to the aid of its members and continue to do the needful by clamping down on those that have been causing mayhem across the nooks and crannies of the state since the emergence of the PDP- led government in the State.

This is even as the party unveiled the names of the perceived hoodlums and political thugs that have been fomenting crises in the state with the backing of the incumbent Governor, Ademola Adeleke.

They are: Olalekan

Ajagungbade aka ‘Emir’ (Osogbo LGA); Sikiru Oyeniyi aka ‘Ado Igbonna’ (Olorunda LGA); Solomon Adefioye Adedimeji aka ‘Solo Iwara’ (Atakumosa); Wakeel Nurudeen aka ‘Alowonle’ (Osogbo LGA); Bode Olakayode aka ‘Bode Itaapa’ (Atakumosa); Ibukun Fadipe aka ‘IBK’ (Ilesa); Ibrahim Gbadamosi aka ‘Gbedu’ (Boripe LGA); Sanya Omirin (Ilesa); and Akogun Lere Oyewumi (Irewole LGA). Others are Clement Akanni aka ‘Olorunwa’ (Ila LGA); Wakeel Dokky (Ede); Yemi Aleba (Ede); Kareem Oladeji Aflao (Ede); Taye Trouble (Ede); Baba Ibeji Thunder (Ede); Sekere Olota (Ede) and Oriade OPC (Ede).

Addressing a Press Conference at the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Office, Tuesday, the APC chairman in the State, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, said the party has reliably gathered intelligence as regards the clandestine moves of the PDP leaders to disrupt the APC Presidential Campaign rally slated to hold in Osogbo on Thursday.

Lawal revealed that parts of the PDP’s unholy plans to frustrate and truncate the rally is to kit its political hoodlums with branded APC uniforms and face caps with a view to giving false identities to the PDP-sponsored political thugs.

Gang-up against Tinubu: El-Rufai stated the obvious – Alake

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

ThePresidential Campaign Council (PCC) of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has said that the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai only stated the obvious when he said some elements in Also Rock are working against the victory of the APC candidate, Bola Tinubu.

El-Rufai made the allegation while featuring on a television

By Christiana Ekpa

APeoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart in Enugu State, Emmanuel Jonathan has called on the G-5 Governors, also known as the Integrity Group, to come out openly to support the presidential aspiration of Peter Obi in the February 25, 2023, presidential election.

Jonathan, who made the call in a press statement he personally signed and shared to newsmen in Enugu, said that the leadership of the party appears to lack the constitutional and moral backing to punish any member of the party over alleged anti-party activities.

programme yesterday morning.

Reacting to what el-Rufai said at the launch of the “ThinkingCaps” app, aimed at gaining the support of the youth for the Tinubu-Shettima ticket, the Special Adviser, Media and Public Affairs, Mr Dele Alake, said the governor’s comment was self-explanatory.

He explained that there was nothing spectacular about what elRufai said.

This, he said, was because the party leadership is also in breach of Section 7, sub section 3c (Aims and Objectives) of the constitution (as amended in 2017) which states that the party shall pursue its aims and objectives by adhering to the policy of the rotation and zoning of Party and Public elective offices in pursuance of the principle of equity, justice and fairness.

The Enugu PDP stalwart, who said that he is speaking as a concerned Nigerian and not in his official capacity as an aide to the Governor of Enugu State, maintained that if truly the G5 Governors and Senator Chimaroke Nnamani are fighting the injustice in the PDP, they should

Alake explained that in all institutions, you cannot have 100 per cent of all the operatives in an organisation seeing issues exactly the same way.

His words: “He did say that some people, but he never said the president and in any organisation, including your own individual media houses, you have your editorial policy and there [are] elements within your organisations that don’t agree with [the] editorial

channel their support to Peter Obi of the Labour Party who is actually from the zone “whose turn it is to produce the occupant of Nigeria’s presidential seat.”

He said, “Anything short of supporting Peter Obi’s presidential ambition by the G5 Governors and Senator Chimaroke Nnamani is an act of personal interest and not a people-based interest which is not good for them as leaders.

“This is also because the Southwest and South-South have on different occasions produced the occupants of Nigeria’s presidential seat in the persons of General Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan since the return

policy but they still work there.”

Alake stressed that it is the preponderance of views that matters.

According to him: “Now, in terms of the presidency, who is the power base? It’s the Commanderin-Chief, he holds all the aces. We do not expect that all his staff will actually see eye-to-eye with him, but they are still there. But again, you also need perspective from various angles.”

of democracy in 1999.

“Deciding to support Senator Bola Tinubu by Sen. Nnamani is not in defence of justice but his personal interest. The G5 Governors and Senator Chimaroke Nnamani should read the body language of Nigerians to understand what the people want now, and the sentiment of the people across the country is to vote for someone with sound health and capacity to change Nigeria for the better bearing in mind the level of suffering in the country at the moment.

“What Nigerians want now is to vote for someone that will entrench good leadership, enhance peaceful cohesion, equity, justice and fairness.

Alake, however, said the campaign was aware that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party would twist it out of context. He added: “So, for el-Rufai, the governor of Kaduna State stating the obvious is nothing to glare about. We know that the mischief makers, the opposition would latch on to it and twist it out of context. But that is the way of the opposition, especially the opposition that we are contending with in Nigeria today.”

Peter Obi encompasses all these qualities.”

Jonathan, who noted that his view was anchored on the principle of equity, added that, “the NWC must act according to the dictates of the constitution of the party (2017 as amended) for it to be obeyed.

“Therefore, based on the dictates of section 7, sub section 3c of the PDP constitution 2017 as amended, it is obvious that the flagbearer of the party in the 2023 presidential election is supposed to come from the Southern part of Nigeria with special focus to the South East zone, considering the fact that a Northerner from North West is currently occupying the seat of the presidency.

Justice demands you support Peter Obi – Ugwuanyi’s aide, Jonathan tells G-5 govs, Nnamani

R-L:: Secretary General , Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) , Very Rev, Fr Zachariah Samjumi , the National Director of Social Communications CSN, Very Rev, Dr, Michael Nsikak Umoh and Rev Fr.Joseph Nomhwange of the CSN, during the 2023 Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria Community media parley, held yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

We’ll make sure petrol is available during elections, NNPC assures INEC

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited says it will ensure the availability of petrol during elections.

Since February 2022, Nigeria has witnessed extended periods of scarcity of petroleum products, especially petrol.

A team from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) led by Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairperson, visited the NNPC towers in Abuja on Tuesday to discuss the availability of petrol during the forthcoming elections.

Yakubu had earlier said INEC’s logistics arrangements for the elections may be affected by the scarcity of petrol.

Speaking during the meeting, Mele Kyari, NNPC’s group chief executive officer (GCEO), said the company has always, without formal request, supported INEC in making sure that petrol is available for all vehicles involved in the electoral process.

Kyari said while NNPC is the largest downstream company in the country at present, it is possible that there may be some locations where they are not present.

“We’ll work with your logistics team to identify those areas where we may not have presence so that we can bring in other marketing companies into the conversation so that the products are made available to all the 100,000 vehicles that you have indicated,” he said.

“There will be no difficulty doing this. We have presence; we are everywhere. But where we are not, we will provide commercial conversation between the commission and other marketing companies so that when you need this product, you will have it.

“Also, in addition to this, we’re the only company that has floating mega stations in the country. We will also look at this and see how we can make it available for the purpose of the marine operations in the riverine areas of our country.

“I assure you, just as you have indicated, we have taken very extreme measures to see that we can contain the current distribution challenges that we have and we believe that within the next one week, there will be significant relief, if not elimination, of the current situation that we’re facing.

“In respect of that, we’ll make arrangements to make sure their products are made available to your vehicles during the election period or as a build-up to the elections.”

Raise MOFI’s portfolio to N100trn in 10 years, Buhari tells new board members

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated the governing council, board of directors and executive management team of the ministry of finance incorporated (MOFI).

MOFI is a corporation solely vested with the responsibility to manage all federal government investments, interests, estates, easement and rights.

The ceremony was performed before the commencement of the federal executive council (FEC) meeting at the state house, Abuja, on Wednesday.

Two weeks ago, Buhari approved the appointment of the members of the board and the

executive management team of MOFI.

Buhari, speaking at the event, asked the new board, chaired by Shamsudeen Usman, a former minister of finance, to raise the value of MOFI’s portfolio from the current N18 trillion to N100 trillion by 2033.

He said the governing council was fully set up as a worldclass investment company with a new management and board, with core professionals with specialisation in portfolio management.

According to Buhari, the new leadership would take steps to mobilise capital and invest same in assets that are critical to the federal government’s revenue drive.

This, he said, would involve turning the country’s current assets into aggressive cash flow generating entities.

Buhari said the inauguration of the governing council, board and executive management team became necessary to optimise returns on existing investments.

The governing council is chaired by Buhari, with Zainab Ahmed, minister of finance, budget and national planning, as vice-chair.

Its members include Timipre Sylva, minister of state for petroleum resources; Hadi Sirika, aviation minister; Niyi Adebayo, trade minister; Mu’azu Sambo; transportation minister; Godwin Emefiele, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor; and

three experts appointed by the president: Muhammad Sagagi, Ayo Teriba, and Ken Ife.

The board members include Umar as chairman, permanent secretaries of the ministries of finance and petroleum resources, and acting accountant-general of the federation.

Others are Olawale Edun, Fatima Mede, Ike Chioke, Muhammad Nda, Alheri Nyako, and an executive from the CBN.

Members of the executive management team are: Armstrong Takang as managing director; Eric Ojo as executive director, portfolio; Sani Yakubu as executive director, investment; and Oluwakemi Owonubi as executive director, risk.

They took it from N200 to N800’ — Tinubu speaks on naira depreciation

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, criticised the country’s foreign exchange (FX) rate management system while speaking at his party’s campaign rally in Cross River state. The rally was held at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar, Cross River’s capital.

Taking a swipe at Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tinubu said he (Atiku) cannot be trusted to make the right decisions for the country.

“Don’t mind them (PDP). The lies of their 16 years, they cannot even provide electricity to roast boli. They cannot even provide electricity to roast corn. They say privatisation. Privatisation for Atiku’s pocket. We say that’s the end of that,” he said.

The former Lagos state governor further criticised the recent currency redesign policy and the rapid depreciation of the naira.

He said when the present government took over in 2015, the naira/dollar exchange rate was about N200 to a dollar but it has depreciated to about N800/$ at the parallel market.

The two developments Tinubu spoke about at the campaign rally

occurred under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

“Don’t let them lie to you about change of currency. Their families — they have never understood what inflation is about,” the APC presidential candidate said.

“They never understand (sic) what money laundering is all about. They never understand (sic) keeping our currency in the dark corner of their room.

“To change and the torture moved the exchange rate from 200 to 800. If they had repaired it, if they had arrested this, we won’t be where we are today. We will be greater. They don’t know the way, they don’t know how to think, they don’t know how to do.

“I say, follow me. Are you going to follow me? Are you going to vote for me?”

Tinuu also promised his supporters that if he is elected in the 2023 elections, economic prosperity would return to the state.

He added that he would create jobs for the unemployed youths and develop tourism in the state.

“I promise you, prosperity has come. Jobs have come. We will create jobs here. We will turn your waterfronts to be better than Miami in Florida,” Tinubu said. “Money will come in. You will enjoy it and you will be happy. Cross River will become wonder of tourism.”

L-R: Company Secretary, MTN Nigeria,Uto Ukpanah; MTN Group CEO & President,Ralph Mupita; Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Exchange Ltd, Temi Popoola; Chairman, MTN Nigeria,Dr Ernest Ndukwe (OFR); Director, Nigerian Exchange Ltd,Kamarudeen Oladosu; Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, and Chief Financial Officer, MTN Nigeria, Modupe Kadri, at the NGX Closing Gong Ceremony, which held at NGX Building, Lagos, yesterday.

Buhari: Broadband penetration now 100% Nigeria is first African country to achieve it

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari says there was currently a 100 percent broadband penetration across the country.

The president said this at the maiden digital economy conference of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), held in Abuja on Tuesday.

Broadband penetration refers to the number of subscriptions to fixed

and mobile broadband services.

In August last year, Umar Danbatta, executive vice-chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), said broadband penetration in the country climbed to 44.5 percent in July from 40.9 percent in February.

Danbatta also expressed optimism that the national broadband target of 70 percent in 2025 was achievable.

Buhari, who was represented by Isa Pantami, minister of

communications and digital economy, said reports that claimed the country had achieved only 43 percent broadband penetration were obsolete.

He explained that from 23 percent coverage in 2019, the federal government had increased broadband penetration by 77 percent in 2022 and 100 percent in 2023.

“One of the richest persons in the world announced that Nigeria, out of the 54 African countries,

has as outstanding broadband penetration. As I speak to you today, the broadband penetration in Nigeria is 100 percent,” Buhari said.

“As of today, broadband can be accessed everywhere in the country, whether in the urban area, rural area, or desert. We are the first African country to attain this and the only one so far.

“70 percent is distinction and the digital sector has surpassed it. We delivered excellently in all eight priority areas in the sector.”

According to Buhari, the communication ministry’s quarterly revenue had grown considerably, adding that “we moved from generating N51bn in three months to N408bn in three months.”

On his part, John Udeagbala, national president, NACCIMA, said the conference was put together to promote the technology ecosystem, establish the potential of digital economy for job creation, and identify opportunities that exist in the tech industry in Nigeria.

Buhari appoints Segun Awolowo, former NEPC CEO, as AfCFTA committee secretary

From Abubakar Yunusa, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Olusegun Awolowo as the secretary, national action committee on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Femi Adesina, presidential spokesperson, announced the appointment in a statement on Tuesday.

Adesina said Awolowo’s appointment took effect from December 19, 2022 and would last for a tenure of four years.

The national action committee on AfCFTA was inaugurated in 2019. It is co-chaired by Adeniyi Adebayo, minister of industry, trade, and investment and Zainab Ahmed, the minister of finance, budget, and national planning.

African Development Bank approves $50 million, 50 million Euro for ECOWAS

From Abubakar Yunusa, Abuja

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved a dual-currency Trade Finance Line of Credit for ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) comprising $50 million and EUR 50 million. An additional co-financing of $30 million for the credit line will come through the Africa Growing Together Fund (AGTF) from the People’s Bank of China (PBOC).

EBID will use the threeand-a-half-year facility to

provide direct financing to local corporates. Part of the facility will also be channelled through select local banks for on-lending to key sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, and transport. The ultimate beneficiaries will be Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), local enterprises cooperatives and farmers in the West African region.

Speaking soon after the Board approval, the Deputy Director General for the West Africa Region, Joseph Ribeiro, noted that regional development finance institutions like EBID are key partners of the

Bank

African Development Bank and serve markets and client segments critical to the overall development of the continent.

“They play an important role in promoting trade and regional integration. This is the Bank’s first financing support to EBID, and we look forward to an even stronger partnership in the near future,” he said.

The Bank’s Head of Trade Finance, Lamin Drammeh, stressed the critical need for such support in the region. “We are excited to work with EBID to increase access to trade finance in the ECOWAS region with a special focus on the agriculture

value chain, SMEs and womenowned businesses”, he said. “Regional institutions like EBID complement the Bank’s efforts to bridge the trade finance gap in Africa and serve as an effective conduit for channelling muchneeded funds to underserved countries and sectors”, he added.

The African Development Bank estimates the annual trade finance gap for Africa to be around $81 billion. Compared to multinational corporates and large local corporates, SMEs and other domestic firms have greater difficulty in accessing trade finance.

Its mandate is to partake in concluding ongoing trade reforms programmes at ECOWAS including the adoption of common trade policy, the establishment of an ECOWAS trade policy committee, resolving issues in the ECOWAS trade liberalisation scheme (ETLS); establishment of an ECOWAS Members peer review and audit mechanism, and amending article nine on ECOWAS protocol on decision making.

As secretary, Awolowo is expected to provide direction to the national action committee on the AfCFTA for effective coordination of relevant stakeholders towards the attainment of Nigeria’s strategic national interest.

“Mr Awolowo, a Law graduate from Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University), Ago Iwoye, has served as Special Assistant to former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. He also worked with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Abuja as Secretary for Social Development and Transport from 2007 to 2011,” Adesina said.

Awolowo was the executive director/chief executive officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) between 2013 and 2022.

President Buhari with Minister of Finance Zainab Ahmed, CEO MOFI Dr. Armstrong Takang, Minister of State Finance, Budget and National Planning Clem Agba and Board Chairman Dr. Shamsudeen Usman during the Inauguration of the Governing Council and the Board of Directors of Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) in State House, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: State House

BU$IN€SS

PenCom: Contributory pension scheme reforms have eased challenges faced by employees

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) says reforms under the contributory pension scheme (CPS) have eased challenges encountered by employees.

The commission said this recently in a video message to Nigerians.

The contributory pension scheme (CPS) is an arrangement where both the employer and the employee contribute towards the payment of the worker’s pension at retirement.

In a bid to improve the sector, PenCom said it has implemented several reforms including the recovery of over N10 billion outstanding pension contribution, and the payment of outstanding pension liabilities.

The commission recently approved the increase of monthly pensions for retirees on “programmed withdrawal” under the CPS.

“The online enrollment and verification exercise, multi-fund structure, non-interest fund, retirement savings account transfer system, and data recapture exercise have eased all the challenges that contributors experience,” it said.

PenCom said it has also ensured that all pension fund administrators (PFAs) increase their share capital to at least N5 billion.

“As we speak, the total pension assets in the country has amounted to over N14 trillion and PenCom has launched the new edition of pension enhancement for retirees on programme withdrawal under the contributory pension scheme,” the commission said.

“The most exciting benefit is that [it is] not only public and civil servants will be enjoying pension in our country; private sector, traders, tailors, fashion designers, shoemakers, civil societies — almost all citizens — can enrol in the pension scheme under the micro pension plan.

“This means that everyone can begin to plan for their lives and in the future, and the national security problem will end in our country.”

PenCom further lauded the federal government for revamping the pension scheme, enjoining Nigerians to make wise use of them.

Zainab Ahmed hints at gradual removal of petrol subsidy from April 2023

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

Zainab Ahmed, minister of finance, budget and national planning, says the federal government may begin the gradual removal petrol subsidy from April 2023.

Ahmed spoke on Tuesday during an interview with journalists on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

After an 18-month extension, the federal government plans to spend N3.35 trillion on petrol subsidy from January till June, 2023.

Speaking during the interview, the minister noted that the petrol subsidy regime must be exited as it is revenue that would have gone into the

government coffers.

“Where there is not enough revenue for government to buy the refined petroleum products, we have had to borrow to buy the petroleum products. So, if we take that out, that is about N3.25 trillion. That is a significant relief, that we do not incur any more than that number that we projected for in 2023,” she said.

Asked if she felt betrayed that the petrol subsidy had not been removed despite her best efforts to ensure removal, she stressed that it was a collective decision to retain the payments.

“Betrayed? No. It was a decision that was taken as a collective, recognising the fact that due to the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and

also heightened inflation, that removal of the fuel subsidy at that time, would have increased more burden on the citizen,” Ahmed said.

She added that President Muhammadu Buhari does not want to take measures that exacerbate economic hardship in the country.

“The president does not want to contemplate a situation where measures are taken that are further going to burden the citizens. So, the decision was to extend the period from June 2022 (sic) to 18 months, beginning from January 2022,” the minister said.

“So, in June 2023, we should be able to exit. The good thing is, we hear a consistent message that everybody is

saying this thing needs to go. It is not serving the majority of Nigerians.

“I listened to some of the new leaders that are campaigning for the next round of leadership in the country that are saying they will get rid of it very quickly.

“What will be safer is for the current administration to maybe at the beginning of the second quarter to start removing the fuel subsidy, because it’s more expedient if you remove it gradually, than to wait and move it all in one big swoop.

“So, the idea for us in the budget, is that the subsidy costs should not exceed that N3.23 trillion. So, whether it’s done completely 100 percent by June or by July, or whatever, it’s a process.”

FAAC accuses NNPC of using lower FX rate for crude oil revenue

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) of using an exchange rate lower than the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) official rate for the sale of domestic crude oil between 2015 and 2022.

The committee said this in a report signed by Kabir. M. Mashi, chairman of its post mortem subcommittee (PSMC).

The report was presented the sub-committee at FAAC’s monthly plenary meeting held on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.

The FAAC sub-committee said

it observed some underpayments of N185.45 billion to the federation account as a result of the low exchange rate applied by the NNPC.

“On the exchange rate application by NNPC on domestic crude, FIRS PSC crude and NUPRC royalty crude sale values, the sub-committee observed some under payments of N185,458,842,270.76 to the federation account as a result of NNPC using exchange rate lower than the CBN official rate on domestic crude sale for the period 2015 to 2022,” the report reads.

FAAC also said the CBN has confirmed that “NNPC did not use the rate advised” by the bank.

It added that the national oil firm has not yet responded to the matter after “several months of being given the analysis to review”.

“Despite the concerns of FIRS, NUPRC and other stakeholders, NNPC Limited has continued to use a different exchange rate in remittances to the federation account till date,” the committee.

Consequently, the FAAC subcommittee recommended that the plenary should take a decision on the appropriate exchange rate to be used by NNPC Limited on remittances to the federation account going forward to avoid underpayments to the federation account.

It also said the plenary should

engage a third party forensic auditor to validate the established underpayments to the federation account by NNPC.

Meanwhile, in a related development, the FAAC subcommittee said it also observed that within the post-mandated period, the issue of nonapplication of mandated rates by CBN for the months of March, April, and May 2020 resulted in the underpayment to the forex equalisation account by N67. 1 billion.

The sub-committee said it had earlier submitted its report to FAAC and awaits its investigation with CBN to ascertain why mandated rates were not used in the months under reference.

L-R: GMD/CEO, Access Corporation,Herbert Wigwe; MD/CEO, Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna, and executive director, African Subsidiaries, Access Bank Plc,Seyi Kumapayi, during the presentation of the Access Corporation’s 5-year Corporate Strategy (20232027) in Lagos, yesterday.

METRO

Rotary donates N1.5M wheel chair to 42-yr-old Polio survival

By Stanley Onyekwere

As part of its avowed commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), the Rotary Club of Abuja, Maitama has donated 1.5 million Naira worth of electric wheel chair to a 42-year-old polio survival, Festus Aziken.

Aziken, a physically challenged father of three children, is an employee of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), who was 9-year-old, when he had the physical challenge, as a result of Polio meningitis he survived.

Making the presentation, Dr. Goddy Nnadi, District Governor of Rotary International District 9125, said the initiative which is all about touching lives, will the beneficiary with the motorised wheel chair will be moving around independently.

Nnadi, described the donation as the real change, as it marks a turn around for him and the family, as he will now live a more independent life.

“It is not really dignifying for any human being to be crawling on the floor because you are meant to stand erect, but when by an impairment, you are forced into that situation, nobody will like it.

“Through the help of Rotary and other international organisations we have driven Polio out of Nigeria, and now we are celebrated two and half years in the country”, he stressed.

In his welcome remarks, President, Rotary Club of Abuja, Maitama, Yusuf Ali, members of the club decided to assist the man, after the club conducted due diligence, and found the man to be worthy, as all he needed was an assistance from them, so as to ease his movement.

According to him: “I am proud to say members of this club have been awesome in ideas and action. The RI President, Jennifer Jones has been asking Rotary members to dream big and take action. RC Abuja Maitama is where big dreams and actions thrive.

“Today, we have put our treasures together to buy a N1. 5m electric chair for Festus Emmanuel Aziken, a Polio survival, who has been crawling for 32 years.

“He has never allowed the adversity to kill his dreams. RC Abuja Maitama by this token is adding sustainable value to his life.

Hajj

His fate reminds all of us of our charity obligation because we are all pencils in the hands of God.”

On his part, Aziken, who expressed gratitude, disclosed that he went to primary, secondary, tertiary schools, and participated

in National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) crawling. He who said the wheel chair will aid his movement, revealed that he got connected with the Rotary Club through a friend in the office.

“I’m so happy that it came to pass for me. Before, me crawling on the ground, using my kneels for about 32 years, and it takes me time to get to some places, in pains.

“But right now, I can move

easily within my vicinity, go out to fend for myself and do so many things for myself and family. So Rotary Club Maitama are like second god now to me, for assisting me. They should keep doing good for humanity”, he expressed.

2023: FCT intending pilgrims urged to up deposits to N2.5m

By Stanley Onyekwere

Intending Pilgrims who have missed last year’s Hajj have been directed to update their registration with the Board while those who deposited less than the minimum 2.5 Million Naira are requested to top up deposit to book a seat for the 2023 Hajj exercise.

The Director of the Board, Mallam Muhammad Nasiru Danmallam gave the directives while briefing top Management staff on the first pre-Hajj visit to Saudi Arabia and preparation for 2023 Hajj activities.

Danmallam said the directives became necessary to enable the Board compile the actual list of Intending Pilgrims for the exercise

this year.

The Director also requested those who paid for the Hajj last year but missed the exercise due to any reason to report to the Board with original receipt of payment to declare their interest to participate on this year’s hajj or get refund.

He disclosed that a total of one hundred and eighty five Intending

Pilgrims who made complete payment last year missed the hajj due to the shortage of Hajj seat slot as a result of insufficient Hajj allocation by Saudi Arabia.

The Director disclosed that the Board has already registered over one thousand Intending Pilgrims for this year’s Hajj exercise and has since kicked started arrangement for the Hajj operation.

He stated that Board has commenced negotiations with service providers in Saudi Arabia for the provision of Feeding and a befitting accommodation in Makkah during the Hajj this year. He reiterated the Board readiness to continue to render the best services to FCT contingent to this year’s hajj in line with the desire of the FCT Administration.

L-R: The District Governor, Rotary International District 9125, Dr. Goddy Nnadi, mni; Past President, Victoria Unoarumi, District Governor 9141, Mightyman Aye Dikoru, President Nominee, Rosemond Uche, the President of the Rotary Club of Abuja Maitama, Yusuf Alli, Mrs. Augusta Aziken during the presentation of a N1. 5m electric wheelchair to a 42-year old Polio Survivor by the club in Abuja yesterday.

Why Germany delayed sending Leopard 2 tanks to

Ukraine’s argument for wanting battle tanks is clear.

It insists they can make all the difference - helping to push Russia back from Ukrainian territory and handing Kyiv the initiative.

Germany produces the vast majority of modern heavy tanks in Europe - the Leopard 2s. Around 2,000 of them are spread out amongst European allies. And Germany owns all the export licenses for them.

This meant that while it dithered, others like Polanddesperate to deliver tanks to Ukraine as soon as possible - were prevented from doing so. They lacked the green re-export light from Berlin.

Ukrainian soldiers still need to be trained in how to use the vehicles, of course, and it’s unclear how many and how soon they might arrive for use in Ukraine.

But Berlin’s prolonged hesitance, even as Russia committed human rights abuse after human rights abuse in Ukraine, led to huge pressure amongst Western allies who, up until now, had been oh so keen to display a determined sense of unity in the face of Russian aggression.

Chancellor Scholz’s indecision divided his country too, including his governing coalition and even his own Social Democrat Party. “Free the Leopards!” was the slogan shouted at regular demonstrations outside the German parliament, while inside the debate to send, or not to send tanks, raged amongst German MPs.

What was it then, causing Olaf Scholz so much consternation?

Of huge significance is the

weight of history felt by German modern-day leaders. It can’t be over-emphasised.

This Friday is Holocaust Memorial Day. A huge sign proclaiming “We Will Not Forget” hangs at the Reichstag in Berlin.

As the aggressor in two world wars, many Germans are wary of being the main provider of battle tanks in Ukraine.

The “Zeitenwende” or “turning point” in Germany, announced by Chancellor Scholz soon after Russia invaded Ukraine, is hugely significant. For Germany itself but also Europe as a whole.

Berlin promised to massively invest in its depleted, outdated military and to take a far more assertive role in European defence. A real break with Berlin’s post World War Two timidity and preference for allies to lead in

security matters.

This “transformation” has been peppered by setbacks and is by no means complete but it is certainly under way and that is a big change for Germany.

Since World War Two, Berlin has been reluctant to take the lead, but as the Europe’s biggest economy, that’s exactly what allies often look to Germany to do.

Other issues with sending tanks

Returning to the tank debate, another sensitivity for Germany to overcome is that their Leopard 2s would be used against Russian soldiers.

Germany feels deep responsibility for the slaughter of millions of Russians during World War One and Two.

A further, not entirely separate issue, is that large sections of

German society - particularly in the formerly communist east of the country, where many express a disappointment in how western society functions - feel traditionally close to Russia.

NGOs monitoring Russian disinformation in Europe. report that many Germans are fallible.

That said, the overwhelming majority of Germans sympathise with ordinary Ukrainians caught up in the current conflict.

But in a survey shortly before Christmas, 40% of Germans who took part said they understood the Kremlin’s blaming of the West for its invasion of Ukraine - because of the eastward expansion of the Nato military alliance.

Olaf Scholz is an avowed transatlanticist but his SPD party historically - though far from entirely, these days - looks east

to Moscow, with many party members a bit suspicious of the US and its Nato dominance.

For all these reasons - and a few more I’ll illustrate - Chancellor Scholz didn’t want Germany to go it alone, nor be the central facilitator on the battle-tanks-toUkraine front.

Another German concern has been that, while European countries including the UK, Poland and the Netherlands, say it’s clearly the Kremlin that is escalating this conflict, many in Germany say they fear delivering heavy tanks and other offensive weaponry to Ukraine could push Vladimir Putin to even wilder extremes. Even the use of nuclear weapons.

It’s thought one of the reasons Chancellor Scholz has pushed so hard for Washington to also send tanks to Ukraine is so Europe can feel that nuclear power US on board and by its side.

Overall, Olaf Scholz didn’t want Germany to stand out and alone in being the main provider of heavy tanks to Ukraine.

His sudden U-turn could well be because he realised if he continued to hold those tanks back, he could find himself isolated amongst his own allies.

Something else to bear in mind is that, despite the current and previous controversies over foot-dragging by Chancellor Scholz in providing and enabling the delivery of other military equipment, Germany is amongst the top three single donors of military aid and one of the main providers of humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Yevgeny Prigozhin: UK reviews rules after Wagner head sued journalist

The Treasury is considering changes to the process that allowed the head of Russia’s Wagner group to get around UK sanctions and sue a UK journalist.

Investigative reporter Eliot Higgins faced action by Yevgeny Prigozhin - whose Wagner mercenaries are fighting for Russia in Ukraine - in late 2021.

OpenDemocracy reported the UK issued special licences so he could override sanctions and pay his legal fees.

The case was dropped when he admitted his ties to the notorious private army.

Mr Prigozhin was first sanctioned by the UK in 2020 in a bid to stop anyone doing business with him.

But under a UK law defining the Russian sanction regime, provisions allow sanctioned people to cover their “basic needs”, including the ability to apply for a licence to pay for legal fees.

Decisions are taken by the Office for Financial Sanctions

Implementation, a department in the Treasury which reviews applications by people placed under financial measures.

Mr Prigozhin successfully used this route to enlist the help of Discreet Law, a London-based law firm, in order to take action against Mr Higgins, reported Open Democracy, a UK website that focuses on human rights.

Treasury minister James Cartlidge told MPs on Wednesday that the guidance for these exemptions was “longstanding” - but said the government “is now considering whether this approach is the right one and if changes can be made”.

A Treasury spokesman also said these applications are reviewed by officials with no political involvement - with Mr Cartlidge later telling the Commons “we are not aware of any decision being taken by a minister”.

Shortly before the legal case was brought, Mr Higgins’s website Bellingcat had recently published

a story naming businessman Mr Prigozhin - an ally of Vladimir Putin - as the man behind the Wagner Group.

He denied involvement until after the February 2022 invasion began, despite having already been sanctioned by the UK government over the group’s activities in Libya in October 2020.

The journalist was personally sued in the UK for tweeting articles by his publication and other outlets. He believes the decision to target him rather than Bellingcat was designed to intimidate.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Higgins called for greater transparency about how the rules are applied. He said he was left with £70,000 in legal costs despite the case being dropped.

He said: “For me the question is, ‘What is the process?’ No one seems to fully understand that. Until there has been more transparency we can’t make a judgement about if it was applied

correctly.

“Then the next question is, ‘Do we want this sort of process in place where journalists can be sued?’”

He added: “How do I know some other oligarch isn’t going to do the same thing again to me next week? This time the costs were five figures but it might be six or seven figures next time.”

Discreet Law has been under investigation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority since May 2022 following a formal complaint from Bellingcat.

Mr Prigozhin has been sanctioned by the UK, European Union and US. He has been accused of interfering in foreign elections by Western governments using online “troll farms”.

The 61-year-old rose from an obscure background working as a hot dog street vendor and serving time in prison for robbery before going on to become a key Putin ally. His lucrative catering contracts with the Kremlin earned

him the nickname “Putin’s chef”.

The Wagner Group has been accused of committing atrocities in Ukraine and was involved in the recent operation to capture the town of Soledar.

The government confirmed it was conducting an internal review of the process after Labour was granted an urgent question in the Commons on Wednesday.

Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy said “the government appears to have granted a waiver for a warlord that enabled him to launch a legal attack on a British journalist”.

He described Mr Prigozhin as “one the most dangerous and noxious members of Putin’s inner circle” and said it would be “absolutely unconscionable” if the Treasury played a role in “alleviating pressure” on the Wagner Group.

Mr Lammy also pointed out that Mr Sunak was chancellor at the time the application was granted by the Treasury office. Decisions on such waivers

A German Leopard tank during exercises

Asia&Middle-East

Beirut blast: Lebanon prosecutor charges judge leading investigation

No-one has yet been held accountable for the explosion, which killed at least 218 people

Lebanon’s top prosecutor has charged the judge leading the inquiry into the 2020 Beirut port blast and ordered the release of suspects in custody.

Ghassan Oweidat summoned Judge Tarek Bitar for questioning, accusing him of “acting without a mandate”.

But the judge insisted that Mr Oweidat had no authority to charge him.

On Monday, he unexpectedly restarted the probe after a 13-month suspension and filed unspecified charges against eight officials, including Mr Oweidat.

No-one has yet been held accountable for the blast on 4 August 2020, which killed at least 218 people and injured more than 6,000 others.

A fire triggered the detonation of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that had been stored unsafely in a port warehouse for almost six years, causing a massive explosion that devastated a large part of the Lebanese capital.

It is widely believed that officials and politicians were aware of the combustible chemical’s existence and the danger it posed but that they failed to secure, remove or destroy it.

Victims’ relatives and activists say the investigation into the disaster is being hampered by the Lebanese political leadership’s efforts to shield those responsible from scrutiny.

The power struggle at the highest levels of the Lebanese judiciary burst into the open on Wednesday when the public prosecutor dramatically announced that all of the 17 suspects being held in pre-trial detention could go free.

Mr Oweidat also accused Judge Bitar of acting beyond his jurisdiction. He told AFP news agency that the judge was “rebelling against the judiciary and usurping power”, and that he had filed charges in order to “prevent sedition”.

But Judge Bitar vowed to continue his investigation “until the indictment is issued”, Lebanon’s state-run National

News Agency cited him as saying. He declared that Mr Oweidat’s decisions were “illegitimate and should not be implemented”, noting that the prosecutor was “a defendant, and as such he cannot take any decision in this case”.

Mr Oweidat had previously recused himself from matters concerning the investigation after his brother-in-law, former public works minister Ghazi Zaiter, was charged.

Two days ago, Judge Bitar unexpectedly said he was able to restart his inquiry, after numerous legal challenges had stalled it.

He also filed charges against Mr Oweidat

and other senior figures. Local media cited judicial sources as saying they included the heads of the General Security and State Security departments, although there was no official confirmation.

Mr Oweidat has denied any wrongdoing, as have all those previously linked to the investigation.

Judge Bitar also ordered the release of five suspects arrested after the explosion, including port officials and maintenance workers.

On Tuesday, Mr Oweidat sent a letter to the judge telling him that the investigation remained suspended.

The inquiry has been dogged with problems since it was set up.

The first lead judge, Fadi Sawan, was removed from the case by a court in 2021 in response to legal complaints about his impartiality from Ghazi Zaiter and another former minister he had charged.

Several of the powerful politicians charged by his successor, Judge Bitar, have brought similar complaints against him.

It has meant that the investigation has been halted each time while a court rules on their veracity, to the frustration of victims’ groups.

Attempts have been made by some groups to remove Judge Bitar from running the investigation entirely, but despite the Higher Judicial Council approving the appointment of yet another new judge to take charge instead, that has not happened.

The Gaza family tending World War graves for 100 years

The neatly regimented lines of white gravestones, trimmed grass and flowering borders conjure up the vast war cemeteries of northern France and Belgium.

But this final resting place for soldiers killed in the two World Wars is in the Gaza Strip. It makes for an unusual green spot in the overcrowded territory, badly hit by the modern-day Israel-Palestinian conflict.

The dedication and expertise of the small team of local workers is clear. Remarkably, all come from families where this job has been passed down through the generations.

“I feel I’m the son of this cemetery,” says Ibrahim Jaradah, the current head gardener for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), who is marking exactly 100 years since his great-grandfather began doing the same role.

Now 32, he was born in the house where he still lives on the site and grew up in the garden among birdsong and butterflies.

“When I was young, it was my dream to work here,” Ibrahim tells me, describing how as a child, he helped his father with office tasks, planting seeds and making compost. “I learned from my family to love our work.”

“We feel it’s very important. These people gave their lives for their countries, and we’re trusted to take care of this historic place.”

The Gaza War Cemetery is one of two belonging to the CWGC in this tiny Palestinian territory. It contains graves for 3,691 dead - 3082 British, 263 Australians, 184 Turkish (Ottoman), 50 Indians, 36 Poles, 23 Canadians and 23 New Zealanders as well as smaller numbers who were South African, Greek, Egyptian, German, French, Yugoslavian or not identifiable.

The cemetery is funded by the UK, Australian, Canadian, Indian, New Zealand and South African governments

The vast majority are burials from the First World War, when many of those killed were men in their 20s and 30s.

In 1917, Gaza saw three decisive battles between the Egyptian Expeditionary Force

- a British Empire military formation - and Ottoman troops, until they finally captured the city.

The simple gravestones typically list the names of the fallen, their rank, regiment, the date they died and their age. There are Christians, Jews, Muslims and Hindus who are each buried with others of their faith.

“When we see the different names, of course we’d like to know who were these people, who were their families? What were they doing in their normal life?” Ibrahim reflects as we walk through row upon row of graves.

Repair and rebuild Ibrahim’s great-grandfather, Rabie Jaradah, started working for the Imperial War Graves Commission (which became the CWGC) in Beersheba in 1923.

His family became refugees during the fighting that followed the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. They fled here to Gaza, where he was soon asked to take responsibility for its cemeteries. Rabie’s son, also called Ibrahim, went on to bring his son, Essam, to help as a gardener when he was still a schoolboy.

Nowadays, tight border controls imposed by Israel and Egypt make it very difficult for foreign visitors - apart from diplomats, charity workers and journalists - to travel to the Palestinian territory. I needed an Israeli press card and a permit from Hamas, the militant group which governs Gaza, to enter.

But Essam Jaradah, who has retired, remembers different times.

“It was safe here, we used to have very big numbers of visitors. We would sit with them or show them around and life was much more beautiful,” he says. “I used to see people’s emotions, the tears in their eyes at their grandfathers’ graves.”

Since the Hamas takeover of Gaza in 2007, there have been rounds of intense, deadly, destructive fighting between armed Palestinian groups and Israel.

The cemetery has been hit three times by missile strikes. On one occasion, nearly 300 headstones were damaged and had to be replaced. The turf and flowers need to be replanted after each serious flare-up when the staff are unable to work.

“Each time we come back, we have to

return things to how they looked in the past,” Ibrahim explains. “We work in a situation that’s full of challenges.”

These include Gaza’s daily power cuts, severe water shortages and import restrictions which make it hard to replace machinery and sometimes to get fuel for lawnmowers.

Ibrahim says he and his staff have learned to be resourceful and draw on their families’ collective knowledge.

I meet Mohammed Atalah, who is 23, weeding between the graves which his father and grandfather also tended. “I love the job, every part of it,” he says. “When I walk out in the morning it gives me energy to see this green place. I feel it’s an honour to work here.”

Respecting the dead

The cemetery is dotted with local visitors. Young mothers with little children chat by an Indian war grave and three friends shelter from the sun under a jacaranda tree.

“It’s a beautiful, magnificent place. I enjoy sitting here. It’s so green, natural and historic,” one of them, Karim, tells me.

Um Iyad, wearing a black niqab or face veil, hints at troubled thoughts as she walks along solemnly with her daughter.

“We’re upset, and in the Quran, it’s said that if you’re upset and have something on your chest, then you should visit the graves,” she says. “I came here to relax my soul.”

Ibrahim exchanges a few quiet words with those spending time in the grounds. Sometimes he shows school groups and university researchers around.

“It’s so important to respect all dead people, whatever their nationalities or the reason they’re here. If the people in Gaza didn’t respect or accept the cemetery you wouldn’t see it like this,” he says, gesturing towards the immaculate gardens.

He believes that everyone, wherever they are from, takes away a powerful lesson.

“We feel they’re affected by the young ages of people buried here,” he says. “We hope that they’ll see that this is the effect of wars and that peace is the best thing in the world.”

Source: BBC

The cemetery contains graves of soldiers killed fighting Ottoman forces, among others

NEMA commences food distribution for Internally Displaced person’s in Borno

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Following an approval by the Director General National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)

Mustapha Ahmed Habib and staff of NEMA North East zonal office led by the Zonal coordinator Muhammad Usman Muhammad Aji have commenced the routine distribution of food items for Internally Displaced person’s in camps, host communities and liberated communities in Borno state with Shuwari / Ngwom Host communities.

Aji said each benefitting household is expected to recieve a ration consisting of Rice, Beans,Maize, vegetable oil, salt, Tomato paste and seasoning.

FG inaugurates presidential committee on Nguru ecological intervention

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Federal government has inaugurated the presidential committee on the implementation of the “Nguru ” ecological intervention programme.

The Minister of Environment

Muhammad Abdullahi inaugurated the committee for the project in Abuja, recently.

He said the programmme is a collaborative partnerships of all stakeholders including Royal Fathers as government alone cannot solve and mitigate afforestation.

According to the minister, “You may recall that the Emir of Nguru, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Mustafa Ibn Mai Kyari on behalf of the Forest Farmers (Nguru) Cooperative Society, requested ecological funds for the afforestation of degraded land to mitigate climate change impacts within the Emirate.

“He said the land was cleared in 2017 through the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to enable implementation of the livelihood project called Rural Agriculture Re-modelled Project Strategies Since this request conforms with the vision and developmental agenda of the present administration especially the attainment of the NDC and global emission reduction.”

He said that President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that an interministerial committee comprising relevant Ministries

and Agencies be set up to consider this lofty request and come up with recommendations that must include but not be limited to the modalities for its implementation and cost implications.

“I am confident that the Committee being inaugurated today is composed of seasoned professionals and bureaucrats that would produce results that would assist not only in the delivery on the assignment at hand but also in the achievement of the far-reaching Government policies” He stated.

He noted that the government is committed to tackling climate change and environmental challenges, food security, as well as other socioeconomic problems across the country while improving the general well-being of the people.

“This is being demonstrated through our various policies,

programmes and initiatives some of which as you are aware, are inter-sectoral”.

He said this has also being demonstrated by Mr. President’s directive to the effect that this committee should be established.

The minister said the committee membership is consists of the Federal Ministry of Environment represented by the Department of Forestry, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, National Agency for the Great Green Wall, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Agricultural and Rural and Management Training Institute Forest Farmers of “Nguru” in Yobe State Northeast Nigeria.

He said on this note, I have the pleasure to inaugurate the Presidential Committee on the Implementation of

Nguru Ecological Intervention Programme as follows while it is expected to submit its report by the 27th January, 2023:

They are Sami Hajara Umar - Director, Forestry (Chairperson), Aiwuyo Christopher O. - Deputy Director, Forestry (Member) , Bagudo Ahmed Majidadi - Deputy Director, NAGGW (Member) and Mustapha Iyabo - Assistant Director, FMA&RD (Member).

Others are: Engr. Peter Henry Sule - Chief Irrigation Engineer- Federal Ministry of Water Resources (Member) Bayo David - Head Montane Research Outstation, FRIN (Member), Dr. Olufemi A. Oladunni – ED. ARMTI (Member)

Mm,Representative - Forest Farmers of Nguru (Member)and Dr. Innocent Alenyi - Assistant Director, NGGW (Secretary).

Decorated NPS assured of environment minister’s support

The Minister of Environment, Mr Mohammed Abdullahi, has given assurance of more support from his Ministry to the National Park Service (NPS) for efficient performance in its duties.

Abdullahi gave the assurance at the NPS’s presentation of some international awards won by the Service, to him recently in Abuja.

He assured the officers of the Service of his ministry’s support in the area of better equipment, trainings and orientation.

“I know that the officers are faced with danger and their lives are being threatened in most places due to the hazards of the job,” Abdullahi said.

The Minister commended the NPS for the outstanding awards and performances in spite of the limited resources within their reach.

He added that the awards were certainly testimonies of their hard work.

”There is an unrelenting commitment to achieving the core objectives for which the National Park Service is set up over the years.

”Therefore, it is no gainsaying that the Service has taken its rightful position in the comity of conservation enclaves across the globe and has successfully written its name in gold in the international arena.

“I also want to use this

occasion to call on spirited individuals and organisations to come to the aid of the National Park Service,” Abdullahi said.

He said aid could be given by donating projects and programmes that would foster conservation and ecotourism in national parks across the country.

The Minister thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for always prioritising the programmes and activities of the Ministry whenever the need arose.

Dr Ibrahim Goni, the Conservator General (CG) of NPS, while presenting the three international Conservation Awards from 2018 to 2022,

commended the Minister for the support given to the Service which enabled it to achieve the feat.

The three awards are the 2018 African Ranger Award, Wildlife Ranger Challenge Award and the Service Management Team award.

Goni said that the Service emerged 2nd runner-up out of the 80 nominations across Africa for the African Ranger Award under the category “Best Conservation Team in Africa”.

“The contest involved 88 teams from 20 African countries in a 21-kilometre marathon race,” the CG said.

Source : EnviroNewsNigeria

The inaugurated presidential committee on the implementation of the “Nguru ” ecological intervention programme and the minister of Environment Muhammad Abdullahi, recently in Abuja .

NEMA officials carrying out post assessments at sagamu market fire incident in Ogun state, recently.

Feature

Can humanity’s new giant leap into space succeed?

There is a new order emerging in space - a race between America and China. But with the demands of space exploration, even these great superpowers won’t be able to do it alone.

Hugely technically challenging and costly goals have been touted, not least the aim of people living and working on other worlds, possibly within ten years - but in a divided world where international good will is scarce, are they realistic?

Nasa’s return to the Moon has begun with its Artemis programme. The first of three missions has been successfully launched. This uncrewed flight tested that the rockets and technology worked. The second mission will take humans further in space than they have ever gone before and the third launch will put astronauts on the Moon for a week, where they will carry out experiments. The long-term goal is to use the Moon as a jumping off point to get to Mars.

But the programme is estimated to cost $93bn (£76bn), a heavy price tag for the American taxpayer, who is already feeling the economic squeeze.

In a report to Congress last year, the US Auditor General’s office warned of an “unrealistic development schedule” and likely overruns, adding that Nasa needed to make cost estimates “more reliable and transparent”.

Yet although Nasa will get less overall funding than it asked for in 2023, Congress, at the moment, still supports its human space exploration ventures.

China has achieved its own fully operational space station, Tiangong, in orbit on schedule. The Chinese space programme has launched probes to the Moon and Mars. It plans to establish an unmanned research station on the Moon by 2025 and then land astronauts on its surface by 2030.

Pallab Ghosh and Kate Stephens look at the rapid expansion in space exploration which will lead to people living and working on other worlds.

Putting an astronaut on the Moon has been done before but the next step, to Mars, is much more difficult. It is 250 times further away than the Moon and there is no spacecraft currently capable of sending humans to the red planet.

Even if scientists can find a safe way to launch a fuel-heavy rocket and land it on a planet with such a thin atmosphere, there is the further challenge of returning the astronauts safely home after months in space.

Historically superpowers have jostled for supremacy above the Earth. America and Russia vied for dominance in the 1950s and 1960s. The Russians put the first man in orbit. The Americans

landed a man and planted their flag on the Moon a few years later.

In the 1970s a golden era of cooperation was forged culminating in the construction of the International Space Station (ISS), which began in 1998.

Along with 13 other partner nations, the two superpowers built what is now the largest structure in space. It is not owned by any one nation, and each depends on the other to operate.

It was a symbol of what humanity could achieve if nations put aside their differences and worked together.

But the reality was somewhat different. Notably America prevented China from becoming a partner in the ISS, so the Chinese went their own way.

More recently, within weeks of the invasion of Ukraine, nations stopped working with Russia. Two joint Moon missions between the European Space Agency (ESA) and Russia have been cancelled, as has a joint Mars Rover project to search for signs of life on the red planet.

Yet scratch the surface and collaboration continues on the ISS, where Western countries have to work with Russia to maintain it in orbit. Americans and Europeans even still train in the centre of Moscow at Russia’s Space HQ, Star City.

But what happens once the ISS comes to the end of its lifetime in 2030?

Juliana Suess, a space policy analyst at the Royal United Services Institute think tank in London says Russia has much less to offer partner nations than it once did because its technology is outdated. She raises the possibility that the first nation into space could be the first one out.

“If the Russians haven’t figured out an alternative by the time the ISS is decommissioned or develops its own space station, which given the current circumstances and sanctions is quite unlikely, it might not have any human spaceflight,” she says.

Russia’s plight comes at a time when China’s space programme is advancing rapidly. In the last ten years it has launched more than 200 rockets, even though America’s spending on space still makes China’s look small.

China is mindful that partnerships offer technical know-how and money. It has invited other nations prohibited from access to the ISS to join them and has made a call for proposals for scientific experiments.

Seventy-two countries now have their own space programmes because they can’t afford to be left behind in what has become a new space race.

The billionaire spacefarers

Space is a vital part of our everyday lives. We depend on satellites for weather forecasts, communications, bank transactions, not to mention valuable surveillance tools for nation states. And it’s getting busy out there. In 2021 about 5,000 satellites were launched. Going back 20 years, about 800 were launched annually.

Space is an expensive and technically difficult business. No one country can do it alone. New partnerships are being forged, notably with the new brash billionaires on the block.

Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX, is already taking passengers into orbit. The billionaire entrepreneur is bringing down costs with a reusable rocket. Not to be outdone, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos wants to build a commercial orbiting station, called Orbital Reef.

Helen Sharman, who was the UK’s first astronaut, on a mission to the Soviet Space Station Mir in 1991, believes that current international rivalries could be put in the shade by the pragmatism of the private sector.

“It really is going to be commercialisation that brings companies together worldwide,” she told the BBC. “We don’t care where they are

registered, what matters is what they do for the benefit of the world.”

The prospect of financial gain and scientific discovery drives collaboration. Private companies may help to bring a new cooperation in space but they have to obey the laws of their home country. When nations imposed sanctions on Russia in 2022 firms were obliged to withdraw from contracts with Russia.

Dr Josef Aschbacher, who is head of the European Space Agency, is determined to keep Europe in the new space race. He has recently had a £2bn ($2.4bn) increase in funding, despite the financial squeeze facing governments.

“Space is one of those sectors which is expanding very fast and much faster now than in the last few decades. We cannot lose out,” he told the BBC. “We really need to participate strongly in this sector because I want to create new business opportunities for companies in our member states to participate in.”

It will be nations that lead space exploration of the future. But the challenges will require them coming together as a single group or “bloc” of countries to share information and to compete with other blocs. The European Space Agency has been doing this successfully for years.

New laws for space

But what is potentially going to hold back the next big push to other worlds is the set of international laws governing space. The marvellously named “Outer Space Treaty” has not been updated since it was signed in 1967, when 31 nations, including the US and the Soviet Union, pledged not to have nuclear weapons in space.

According to Juliana Suess of the Royal United Services Institute, it is not fit for purpose.

“It doesn’t talk about companies; it doesn’t talk about billionaires,” she said. “Space is entirely different to what it was like in 1967.”

New rules to regulate the commercial exploitation of the Moon, Mars and beyond were introduced by the UN in 1979 but the US, China and Russia have all refused to sign it.

ESA’s Josef Aschbacher believes the new space race will be hampered until a new outer space treaty is hammered out.

“In space we are using the same orbits for satellites, using the same Moon surface for China, the US, Europe,” he said. “We need a way to work together to establish rules of engagement and establish rules of how we work there.”

Source: BBC

“ Space is a vital part of our everyday lives. We depend on satellites for weather forecasts, communications, bank transactions, not to mention valuable surveillance tools for nation states. And it’s getting busy out there. In 2021 about 5,000 satellites were launched. Going back 20 years, about 800 were launched annually. Space is an expensive and technically difficult business.

Nasa’s Space Launch System (SLS) Moon rocket lifts off for the uncrewed Artemis I mission

Yuri Gagarin of the Soviet Union was the first man into space

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ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATIONS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT420,TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, PMB 198 GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

GOVERNMENT COMPREHENSIVE SECONDARY SCHOOL BOROKIRI, CLASS 81 OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANIZATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA, FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT. 2020.

TRUSTEES

1. GREEN, BARR. CHRISTOPHER - (CHAIRMAN)

2. KIOLAWSON DATOM - (SECRETARY)

3. WILLS, INIRUO

4. ALABOSON, COLLINS DEINGIKUMO AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

(A) TO FOSTER UNITY AND UNDERSTANDING AMONG MEMBERS.

(B) TO INITIATE PROGRAMMES OR ACTIVITIES NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE THE WELFARE OF MEMBERS.

(C) TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL DEVELOPMENT AND UPLIFTMENT OF OUR ALMA MATER SO AS TO ACHIEVE A COMMON GOAL IN THE PURSUIT OF CORPORATE AND EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE FOR OUR ALMA MATER.

(D) TO ENGAGE IN SUCH ACTIVITIES AS THE CLASS MAY DEEM FIT IN ORDER TO PROMOTE ALL OR ANY OF THE ABOVE IDEALS. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATIONS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT420,TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, PMB 198 GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

GLORY EWALEFOH FOUNDATIONS

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANIZATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA, FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT. 2020.

TRUSTEES

(

1) GLORY EWALEFOH. CHAIRMAN.

(2) ESTHER OKPETE -SECRETARY .

(3). TSOLA OMATSOLA TAWIAH ORITSEJAFO

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1. TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO QUALITY TERTIARY EDUCATION FOR UNDER PRIVILEGED CHILDREN

2. TO PROVIDE DEPRIVED YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THE POWER TO EARN A REGULAR AND DECENT LIVELIHOOD BY GIVING THEM ACCESS TO TERTIARY EDUCATION

3. TO INTEGRATE CHILDREN WHO ARE MARGINALIZED BY POVERTY AND LACK OF EDUCATION INTO MAINSTREAM SOCIETY THROUGH WORK PLACEMENTS AND OTHER PROGRAMS.

4. TOASSIST IN THE PROCESS OF SOCIAL INTEGRATION TO UNDERPRIVILEGED YOUNG PEOPLE INTO THE SOCIETY

5. FACILITATING VOCATIONAL TRAINING TO THE YOUNG ADULTS TO REDUCE THEIR SKILL GAP WHICH WILL HELP THEM IN EITHER GETTING EMPLOYED OR START THEIR OWN ENTERPRISE.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATIONS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT420,TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, PMB 198 GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: MADUAKOLAM IGWE ESQ.

PUBLIC NOTICE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION

C l A ss IFI ed

TONGKOP

I, FORMALLY KNOWN AS LINUS RANGZANG. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS TONGKOP LINUS RANGZANG. ALL DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

BALE

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS BALA. ISHAYA NAPCHAK. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS BALE ISHAYA NAPCHAK. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

YAKUBU

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS YAKUB MATAH NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS YAKUBU MATAH ESTHER. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

JIBRIN

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS USMAN FATIMA WITH THE DATE OF BIRTH 08/01/1987 NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS JIBRIN FATIMA WITH THE CORRECT DATE OF BIRTH 20/08/1988. ALL FOR DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. THE GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

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. EBAH JAMES PATRICK - CHAIRMAN

2. ENWERE FRANCIS NNAMAKA - TRUSTEE/SECRATARY

3. ADEYEMI OLUWABUKOLA MOSES THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO IMPROVE THE STATE OF THE MEDICAL SERVICE, ENVIRONMENTAL STABILITY, IMPROVING THE WELFARE OF THE UNDERPRIVILEGED AND DISADVANTAGED BY PROVIDING MEDICAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES THAT WILL HELP REDUCE DISEASES PREVALENT IN URBAN AND RURAL AREAS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

ANNELLA AUTISM AND ADHD 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. ATIGWE PRISCILLA UJUNWA -CHAIRMAN

2. DAVID MERCY OSHIOMEYE-SECRETARY/MEMBER

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. THAT THROUGH AWARENESS, SENSITIZATION AND OUTREACH, AUTISM AND ADHD WOULD BE KNOWN AMONGST MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. THAT MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC GETS BEFOREHAND INFORMATION ON AUTISM.

2. TO SEEK TO REACH OUT TO THE KIDS WITH ADHD WHO ARE NOT YET DIAGNOSED; PARENTS WHO MIGHT STILL BE STRUGGLING TO TAILOR SUPPORT FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND BEING IGNORANT ABOUT THIS NEUROLOGICAL CONDITION.

3. TO REACH OUT TO FAMILIES THAT CAN’T AFFORD TO PAY FOR INTERVENTIONS AND THERAPY SECTIONS TO GET THE RIGHT SUPPORT FOR THEIR CHILDREN; MOST KIDS LACK BEHIND IN SCHOOL DUE TO THIS CONDITION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATEAFFAIRS 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. LUCKSLEY INDI IGENEGBAI (CHAIRMAN)

2. KATE MODUPE FALANA (SECRETARY)

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO RESCUE MEN THROUGH THE TEACHING AND PREACHING OF THE WORD OF GOD AND PREVAILING PRAYERS.

2. TO RUN AND ESTABLISH VIBRANT CHURCH BRANCHES AND NETWORK WITH OTHER CHRISTIAN BODIES WITHIN AND OUTSIDE NIGERIA.

3. TO ENGAGE IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, WELFARE, AND BENEVOLENCE PROJECTS. 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

PATRIOTIC ELITE CLUB OF AMASSOMA

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. YERI, WAIBODEI, PETER (CHAIRMAN)

2. AYOGOI, AYOGOI, SIMON (SECRETARY)

3. AMBAIOWEI,TARI,EBIOWEI (MEMBER)

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1.TO ORGANIZE SEMINARS AND ENLIGHTENMENT CAMPAIGNS TO EDUCATE THE PEOPLE OF AMASSOMA COMMUNITY AND BAYELSANS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION IN NATION BUILDING AND SUCH OTHER LECTURES THAT WILL AFFECT THE SOCIETY POSITIVELY.

2.TO FOSTER UNITYAMONG MEMBERSAND INCULCATETHE ESSENCE OF CITIZENSHIP,MUTUAL CO-OPERATION, PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE AND PROGRESS.

3.TO FIGHT AGAINST ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATIONS AS A RESULT OF POLITICAL, SEX, RELIGIOUS, FAMILY AND EDUCATIONAL DIFFERENCES AND TO PROMOTE PEACE AND UNITY IJAW NATION.

4.TO EFFICIENTLY HARNESS AND DIRECT THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF BAYELSANS ASSISTING DESERVING STUDENTS MORALLY AND FINANCIALLY.

5.TO BE STRONGLY OPPOSED TO ALL FORMS OF CRIMINALITY AND SOCIAL VICES IN SOCIETY.

6.TO ENCOURAGE AND FACILITATE IN ANY DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMME IN AMASSOMA COMMUNITY AND OTHER PARTS OF BAYELSA STATE.

7.TO PROMOTE THE OBSERVANCE OF THE TENET OF DEMOCRACY, RULE OF LAW, EQUITY, FAIMESS, RIGHT AND JUSTICE IN AMASSOMA AND BAYELSA AT LARGE.

8.TO ADEQUATELY ADVOCATE FOR POLICIES AND IDEOLOGIES OF GOOD GOVENSANCE

9.TO HONESTLY SEEK FOR THE INTEREST AND PROGRESS OF AMASSOMA COMMUNITY IN PARTICULAR AND BAYELSA STATE IN GENERAL.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRARGENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

TREASURE MINDS CLUB

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. KUDIRAT MOSUN ADEYEMO-CHAIRMAN

2. NOJEEMDEEN O.OLADIPO-SECRETARY/MEMBER

3. PHILLP DAMILOLA ABIOLA MEMBER

4. AWE GRACE OLUWAFUNMIKE MEMBER

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO ACHIEVE EXCELLENCE AT ALL LEVELS IN THE COMMUNITY.

2. TO CREATE AWARENESS AMONG THE LESS PRIVILEGED (ORPHANS, WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS)

3. TO SET UP ON A HUMANITARIAN GRAND.

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.

RAIN OF PRAYER ASSEMBLY

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2023

NPFL23: Ranger pick first win, Nasarawa United remain winless, Insurance keep perfect record

By Amaechi Agbo

Hadi Mohammed’s 28th minute strike against Dakkada FC handed Enugu Rangers their first win in the 2022/2023 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

The Flying Antelopes who have been winless in their past four matches, relied on the only goal scored before the half hour mark to record their first victory in the league in their adopted home ground, Awka City Stadium in Anambra State on Wednesday.

Rangers had earlier lost their first two matches, drew their last two before wining the matchday 5 encounter against Dakkada.

In other results, Nasarawa United’s search for their first victory in the league seems not to end yet as the Solid Miners lost their home match against visiting Plateau United in a North-Central derby.

The Coach Bala Nikyu led side recorded their 5th consecutive loss in the league despite playing three home matches thus far.

They lost all their four matches at the Jos Township Stadium, their first adopted home ground before they relocated to Kaduna where they also lost against Plateau United on Wednesday.

The visitors took the lead on the 20th minute through Mustapha Ibrahim but the hosts retaliated in the 38th minute through King Osanga’s goal.

Nasarawa United’s dream to at least pick a point from the encounter was dashed after Ifeanyi Emmanuel made it 2-1 for the guests in the 69th minute.

The defeat condemned Nasarawa United to the bottom of Group A with zero point from five matches.

In the other hand, newcomers, Bendel Insurance maintained their hundred per cent league performance with a hard-fought 1-0 away win against El Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri.

It is five wins out of five matches for the Benin Arsenal who became the 3rd side to win their first five matches in the NPFL after Kaduna United in 2005 and Heartland FC in

2015.

In other result, Kwara United defeated Akwa United 2-1 at home to record their first win in the league.

The technical crew of the team were issued a three-match ultimatum by the management to turn around the fortunes of the club and

it does appear the direvtive is yielding the expected result.

Full Results of matchday 5

Nassarawa United 1-2 Plateau United Remo Stars 1-0 Enyimba FC

Kwara United 2-1 Akwa United

NFF charges FIFA-badged Nigeria referees to be firm, fair, efficient

By Amaechi Agbo

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has charged FIFA-badged Nigerian referees to be firm, fair and efficient in the discharge of their duties.

The federation gave the charge through its Secretary General, Mr Mohammed Sanusi on Wednesday in Abuja when 29 Nigeria referees received their badges to officiate in FIFA matches this year.

“I congratulate you all on this very special and important day in your career. I want to admonish you to take to heart the ethos of fairness, firmness and efficiency in every task you are assigned. You are ambassadors of our great country at any match venue and you must always have that at the back of your minds.

“The new NFF administration is

determined to write a new positive story about Nigeria referees and refereeing. It is always painful to see Nigeria Clubs crashing out of continental competitions so early. Let us tell ourselves the truth; these happen because some of those teams that qualify to represent us in those competitions are somewhat aided one way or the other and not that they merit their qualification. They get exposed when they get to the continental stage.”

While commending the level of officiating so far in the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League, Sanusi assured that those who have been suspended and summoned for questioning will face stiff sanctions if found culpable.

“It is sad that championship after continental championship, we hardly get to see Nigeria referees listed for action. It makes me unhappy because I know we

have some of the best referees in Africa, if not the entire world. You just need to up your game, stay on the right lane, apply the rules strictly and shun undue influences and attempts at compromising your professional integrity.”

Also at the occasion were President of the Nigeria Referees Association, Otunba Tade Azeez; Chairman of the Referees Committee, Mrs Faith Irabor; Vice Chairman of the Referees Committee, Rabiu Gusau; Members of the Referees Committee, Kabiyesi James Odeniran, C. C. Chukwujekwu, Bello Abubakar, Abraham Zakowi and Furo Waziri and; Secretary of the Referees Committee, Sani Zubairu.

There were also Ademola Olajire (Director of Communications); Ruth David (Director of Competitions) and; Mohammed Ameenu (Special Assistant to GS).

El-Kanemi Warriors 0-1 Insurance

Gombe United 2-1 Shooting Stars

Abia Warriors 1-0 Niger Tornadoes Bayelse United 1-1 Doma United Rivers United 2-0 Wikki Tourists Ranger Int’l 1-0 Dakkada FC Lobi Stars 1-0 Sunshine Stars

FIFA Referees: Ogabor Joseph; Nurudeen Abubakr; Quadri Adebimpe; Kassim Abdulsalam; Abdullahi Abubakar; Bashir Salihu; Grema Mohammed.

FIFA Assistant Referees: Samuel Pwadutakam; Usman Abdulmajeed; Efosa Igudia Celestine; Hope Igho; Tejiri Digbori; Muhammed Yakubu; Tijjani Ahmad

FIFA Beach Soccer Referees: Jelili Ogunmuyiwa; Fawole Olawale; Olayinka Olajide; Rabiu Ahmad

FIFA Futsal Referees: Bello Zuru Alhassan; Musa Dung Davou; Paul Umuago; Ukah Ndubuisi

FIFA Women Referees: Ndidi Patience; Hannah Eliagwu; Olufunmilayo Alaba; Yemisi Akintoye

FIFA Women Assistant Referees: Mfon Friday Akpan; Beauty Kabenda Terah; Abibat Yusuf

Rangers players before their match against Dakkada yesterday in Awka, Anambra State

Golden Eaglets battle Morocco, South Africa, Zambia in U-17 AFCON group stage ...Peseiro lauds team’s preparations

By Amaechi Agbo

Five-time world champions

Nigeria must successfully negotiate a tricky Group B that includes Morocco, South Africa and Zambia in order to be eligible for a spot at this year’s FIFA U17 World Cup finals in Peru.

At the draw ceremony conducted inside the Cercle Nationale d’Armee in Algiers on Wednesday, host nation Algeria birthed in Group A and must be in attrition with Senegal, Congo and Somalia. Cameroon, Mali, Burkina Faso and South Sudan make up Group C.

Nigeria, who are champions of WAFU B zone and are coached by former Nigeria FIFA World Cup winner Nduka Ugbade, will contest their games in the city of Constantine. Group A will make home in Algiers while Annaba welcomes the teams in Group C.

All four top-placed teams at the tournament now scheduled for 29th April – 19th May will qualify to fly Africa’s flag at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Peru later this year.

Meanwhile, Super Eagles’ head coach, José Santos Peseiro has lauded the team’s preparations ahead if the tournament.

The gaffer was on hand as Nigeria’s U-17 boys, Golden Eaglets hammered Ikon Allah Academy 9-0 and Propel Sporting

Academy 6-0 in two friendly sessions played within hours at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project, Abuja on Wednesday.

“I must say I have been impressed by a number of players in this team. They are headed

for great things if they keep level heads and remain disciplined,” Peseiro said as he welcomed NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi towards the tail end of the second encounter.

The Golden Eaglets were

clinical in front of goal in both matches, after the team demolished Ikon Allah Academy 9-0 before thumping Propel Sporting 6-0 shortly after.

The five-time world champions were very assertive from the blast

of the whistle against Ikon Allah as they controlled the game scoring four goals to go into the break. On resumption, the woes of Ikon Allah were further compounded when the Eaglets added five more goals.

Paul

Onuachu joins Southampton on a three-and-a-half year deal

By Amaechi Agbo

Super Eagles striker, Paul Onuachu has joined English Premier League strugglers, Southampton on a three-and-a-half year deal. The club announced the deal on its official website after completing the agreement in time to beat the Tuesday transfer window deadline.

“Southampton Football Club is delighted to announce it has completed the signing of striker Paul Onuachu from Belgian club KRC Genk, subject to a work permit and international clearance,” the club said.

The 28-year-old joins from the Jupiler Pro League leaders on a contract until 2026, becoming the fifth signing of the month for Nathan Jones’s squad, after the transfers of Mislav Oršić, Charly Alcaraz and James Bree, as well as fellow deadline-day arrival Kamaldeen Sulemana.

Nigeria international Onuachu has been in magnificent form for Genk this season, with the 6ft 7in forward netting 17 goals in 22 appearances, making him the top scorer in the Belgian top-flight.

“Paul is a significant signing for us and completes what has been an extremely positive month in terms of recruitment”,” the club continued.

“In total, he departs with 85 goals in 134 games for the club, which he joined in 2019 from Danish side FC Midtjylland, where he scored 71 times in 181 appearances. Onuachu has also been capped 13 times for his country, scoring on three occasions.”

Southampton manager Nathan Jones said: “Paul is a significant signing for us and completes what has been an extremely positive month in terms of recruitment.

“He’s a handful to play against, has got a tremendous record throughout his career and he’s also someone who brings great experience with him, so he’ll be a really positive addition to the squad.”

Onuachu joins compatriot, Joe Aribo in the Saints’ squad.

Super Eagles’ spirit will bounce back through OsimhenTaribo West Anoints

Former Super Eagles defender, Taribo West has stated that the lost spirit of the Super Eagles will be back through the impressive form of Victor Osimhen.

The former CB was on Brila FM’s breakfast show, No Holds Barred with where he tipped the Napoli marksman to go all way and win the CAF Best Player Award ahead of Sadio Mane and Mohammed Salah.

“He is doing well, even though he still has some distance to go,” West said and was quoted by FootballLive.

“Playing in the Serie A is not easy,” he continued.

“He could be a good club player and not good for the national team, but Osimhen combines both, and if he keeps the consistency, he is not far from winning the CAF African player of the year.”

“With Salah and Mane not up to par with their standards, he (Osimhen) is ahead of them, and if he can continue to score goals, he should win it.

“With these signs, it shows that Nigerian sports can come back to reckoning, the air is clearing and the spirit will bounce back again through Osimhen in football.”

Hakim Ziyech to remain at Chelsea after failed PSG move

Chelsea winger Hakim

Ziyech’s proposed loan move to Paris St-Germain has been blocked by France’s governing body, the LFP.

A deal was agreed before the French deadline for the 29-yearold.

BBC Sport understands the player contacted Chelsea owner Todd Boehly directly in an effort to resolve the matter, but his pleas were ultimately unsuccessful.

The issues are thought to have involved legal agreements between the two clubs, which were in order and just needed signing.

Chelsea sent theirs back by the deadline, but due to a technical issue PSG did not receive it.

PSG requested a copy which was sent back at 23:00 GMT, by which time it was too late for Ziyech to be registered.

The LFP dismissed PSG’s appeal on Wednesday morning.

Ziyech was the Blues’ first signing following their transfer ban in 2020, arriving from Ajax for £33m.

However, they have signed forwards Mykhailo Mudryk, David Datro Fofana, Noni Madueke and Joao Felix this month, in addition to England’s Raheem Sterling who joined last summer.

But PSG sources were critical of Chelsea’s conduct, claiming required paperwork was not submitted on time.

Ziyech was in Paris expecting a deal to be confirmed, but the registration was not completed and so he will return to Chelsea for the rest of the season.

Enugu State Govt to appoint new General, Team Managers for Rangers

By Amaechi Agbo

Baring last minutes change in plans, Enugu State Government will this week appoint substantive General Manager and Team Manager for the Rangers International Football Club.

Both positions have been vacant for close to two years since former occupiers, Messrs Davidson Owomi (became the Chief Executive Officer of the defunct League Management Company) and Amobi Ezeaku who resigned from his position as Team Manager in August 2021, respectively.

Rangers International, prosecuted the entirety of the 2021/2022 season without a Team Manager and General Manager, a situation supporters and followers of the club believe had impact in the team’s 5th place finish in the season.

Their underwhelming performance towards the end of the season resonated in the new season as they have won one, drew two and lost two in their five league matches in Group B of the abridged league

However, after much pressure from the media and lovers of the club, the Enugu State Government set up Special Intervention Committee on Rangers in 2021

to recruit qualified individuals for the positions.

The committee headed by the Commissioner for Lands in the state, Mr Chidi Aroh sat and interviewed about eight applicants on October 5, 2022 for the position of Team Manager.

Four months after the interview, the committee is yet to make public their report neither have the appointments been made.

A Source told our correspondent exclusively that the committee will appoint a temporary General Manager for the team this week.

Although the source did not mention the exact date of the appointment, he noted that the Enugu State Government has approached a renowed football administrator and club owner for the job.

“The government and the committee are making frantic efforts to name a temporary General Manager, GM for Rangers. They have spoken to the former Chairman of Delta Force FC, Okonkwo Chidi Emmanuel to take up the job in the meantime.

“I can tell you that the commissioner for youth and sports spoke with him on Monday and they are discussing.

“I cant say anything about the Team Manager, TM position

because they have done interview for that. I believe whoever they have chosen, the name is in the cooler. They will announce the new appointment this week, all things being equal,” the source said confidentially.

Further findings by the papers indicate that Mr Okonkwo is not predisposed on taking up the job as he has his own club he is overseeing in Abuja.

But our source was not convinced.

“The government is under pressure right now to change the fortunes of the club. A lot of people will talk to him. Let’s see how far it goals but for the fact that it is a stop-gap appointment, I don’t think he will turn it down. He is one of the best football administrators in the land. He established a club in Abuja that missed promotion to NPFL last year in the club’s first league season in the NNL,” he added.

When contacted, the Chairman, Special Intervention Committee on Rangers, Honourable Chidi Aroh told our correspondent that the announcement would be made soon.

Mr Aroh who refused to disclose the name of the preferred candidate for the GM position, noted that the committee will brief the media “very soon” on the matter.

Conte undergoes surgery In Italy

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte had surgery to remove his gallbladder on Wednesday, the club have confirmed.

The 53-year-old Italian was diagnosed with cholecystitis, an inflammation of the gallbladder, after becoming “unwell with severe abdominal pain”.

Spurs’ next game is at home to second-placed Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.

The club have said Conte will

return “following a period of recuperation”.

“Everyone at the club wishes him well,” Tottenham added.

Conte’s side are currently

“We are dealing with that now,” the chairman said Our correspondent who spoke with him via telephone, wanted to know why the appointments have been delayed for over a year

“That is what I am telling you. We are dealing with that. We will soon brief the press on our decisions,”

Asked how soon the appointment would be made, Mr Aroh said “Very soon”

On whether they have penciled individuals for the positions, the commissioner retorted “Are you part of the committee? I said we will talk to the press soon. That is all”, as he ended the call.

Other members of the Special Intervention Committee on Rangers include: Mr Chuks Agu, Managing Director, Housing Corporation; Mr Steve Oruruo, Special Assistant to the Governor on Information; Mr Uwakwe Azikiwe, SA to Governor, among others.

Rangers currently play their home matches at the Awka City Stadium in Anambra State. Their home stadium, Nnamdi Azikiwe which has been under renovation since 2021, is expected to be ready by end of next month.

Rangers recorded their first win in the league on Wednesday after they defeated visiting Dakkada FC 1-0 in Awka.

Enugu State Govt to appoint new General, Team Managers for Rangers

fifth in the Premier League table on 36 points, 14 points behind league leaders and north London rivals Arsenal.

LATEST

55 Years Old Japanses striker, Kazuyoshi Miura, signs for Portuguese 2nddivision side

Oliveirense on loan

Collect your PVC, return the old currency

Procrastination is also a habit. We must learn to replace this habit with creativity, innovation, and hard work. Just as some state governments have declared work-free days to enable public servants to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC), they must also do the same for people to deposit their money in banks.

“I am not a prophet of doom, but I foresee a situation where people will get into the Owambe mood and forget to collect their PVCs or return the old currency notes. Then when the deadline approached, they would start shouting, accusing INEC and CBN of plotting to strip them of their rights. Some will call for the deadline to be extended and even suggest that people should be allowed to pick up their PVC at polling places and vote on the same day.”

Have you ever put off an important task to do it later? If you find yourself putting off important tasks over and over again, it means you are not alone. Many procrastinate, but some are so chronically affected by procrastination that it becomes a persistent behavioral pattern that interferes with daily life. To understand the mechanisms that drive us to such behavior, we look at the scientific definition of procrastination.

Guest Columnist

By Matthew Ma

His 56th birthday is just around the corner but Japanese striker Kazuyoshi Miura is still making moves in football - literally.

Miura, in his fifth decade as a professional footballer, has joined Portuguese second-division side Oliveirense on loan from J-League outfit Yokohama FC.

His new adventure in Portugal represents a sixth country in which he has played, following spells in Brazil, Japan, Italy, Croatia and Australia.

“Even though this is a new place for me, I’ll work hard to show everyone the kind of play I’m known for,” said Miura, who will celebrate his birthday on 26 February.

He has previously said he plans to continue playing until he is 60.

Miura spent last season on loan at Suzuka Point Getters, scoring two goals in 18 appearances for the Japanese fourth-tier side who are managed by his older brother Yasutoshi.

Yokohama acquired a majority stake in his new club, Oliveirense, in November.

Miura started his career with Brazilian side Santos in 1986 and became the oldest player to score in a Japanese professional league game with his 2017 goal against Thespakusatsu Gunma aged 50 years and 14 days.

Dubbed ‘King Kazu’ in Japan, he is one of the country’s most loved sportsmen and was the face of the J League when it launched in 1993.

He scored 55 goals in 89 games for Japan.

Timothy Pychyl, a professor of psychology at Carleton University in Canada, defines procrastination as the voluntary delay of an intended action, despite the knowledge that this delay may harm the individual in terms of task performance or even simply how the individual feels about the task or himself.

The paradox is that procrastinators deliberately postpone a job they have decided to do, even though they know they will face unfortunate consequences.

We are all guilty of procrastination – one way or another. Everybody procrastinates at some point for reasons best known to them. Some of which are unconvincing to anyone, including ourselves. Procrastination is an act that occurs to everyone, regardless of their situation in life. For example, in 2016, the website for registration to vote in the EU referendum crashed minutes before the deadline because of a surge. The registration for a referendum had been on for three years, but people decided to enjoy life until the final minutes of the exercise, causing the website to crash and leaving many unsure of voting. In what was seen in some quarters as a move he hoped would get more youth to register, the then Prime Minister, David Cameron, moved for and got a 48-hour extension of the deadline. Over 400,000 people registered during the extension without the technical issues that occurred with the earlier deadline. Some years ago in Nigeria, the Nigerian government procrastinated about the abduction of the Chibok girls and the attempt to eradicate the insurgents called Boko Haram. These two issues have become the born of contention in our political life because the then government decided to procrastinate rather than take decisive actions in these two matters of national interest. We are still paying for our mistakes because we have faced the disappearance and kidnapping of over 200 schoolchildren from different parts of Nigeria. Today, we continue to fight several insurgencies in our nation because of these two consequences.

Nigerians procrastinate all the time. It appears procrastination is now more

of a social norm. For example, a few months to the end of 2022, the INEC chairman called on every registered voter to go to their local government areas and wards to collect their PVCs if Nigerians want to achieve the change they desire. A series of million-person marches and movements are underway, with many voicing their views on the need for change in Nigeria. But this change will only come if registered voters collect their PVCs and cast their votes on the day of the election. INEC has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for February 23 and March 11 for the governorship and state Assembly elections. For Nigerians to get the right persons into political offices, registered voters must perform their civic duty to collect their PVCs and vote. But Nigerians will wait until the last minute to start the rush to collect their PVCs. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) continued with its nationwide sensitization and public enlightenment exercise on its naira redesign project as the deadline for the retirement of the old N200, N500, and N1,000 draws closer. It also stressed that it has enough new banknotes to go around. It urged Nigerians to return the old currency and report banks that do not dispense new notes on their Automated Teller Machines (ATM). The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, declared that the apex bank would not extend January 31, 2023, deadline fixed to return the old N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes. Emefiele urged those holding on to the old banknotes to turn them in. He assured them that the anti-graft agency would not harass them. Even at this appeal, Nigerians will not respond to the call until the last minute.

There are many times I have been a victim of procrastination. Repeatedly, I pushed forward with writing an article because I could not have the right word or phrase to start the piece. But once I get the breakthrough, I will begin writing under pressure. The result of this procrastination is I will have to work late hours to meet the deadline. An American psychologist and author, Professor Adam Grant, emphasized that people should make time to procrastinate as a way to fuel creativity. He argues that creative people tend to procrastinate more. Similarly, a British psychologist, Anna Abramowski, says people who procrastinate display a certain level of self-reliance, autonomy, and self-confidence because they are aware of the risk of subjecting themselves to last-minute pressures and still consciously decide to. That can be a good thing because it stimulates creativity and enables them to engage in multiple tasks at the same time. But it could backfire if this becomes a habit. Many Nigerians procrastinate even without knowing it. Others procrastinate to revolt against a strict system that

ensures they do things on time. Yet, others do not want to finish tasks too early to avoid an additional job. We just procrastinate for any reason (laziness, tiredness, lame excuses, peer pressure, and even sickness). The effects of this on individuals and national growth include failure, stagnation, limitation, regrets, and poor lifestyles. The danger is that procrastination becomes a killer of our collective destinies.

Sometimes, when Nigerians behave the way they do, I am tempted to think it is behavior that is peculiar to us. That procrastination may be a good thing after all. A self-published author, Alyce P. Cornyn-Selby, once said: A perfect method for adding drama to life is to wait until the deadline looms. And this idea is how Nigerians do with all deadlines, whether it is voter registration, return of old currency to banks, or PVC collection after registration. Nigerians are very dramatic. Every time any government announces a new policy, a new breed of analysts and critics is born. They never miss an opportunity to show just how. They will have press conferences, interviews, radio, and television talk shows. When it is time for action, they will all relax. They criticize and analyze but take no action until the deadline looms.

On December 12, 2022, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that the collection of PVC would begin at its offices in each of the 774 local government areas across the country. The commission also said they would decentralize the PVC collection to the 8,809 Registration Areas/Wards from January 6, 2023. To ensure it gives out all cards, the commission’s staff will also work Saturdays and Sundays. I am not a prophet of doom, but I foresee a situation where people will get into the Owambe mood and forget to collect their PVCs or return the old currency notes until the last day of the month. Then when the deadline approached, they would start shouting, accusing INEC and CBN of plotting to strip them of their rights. Some will call for the deadline to be extended and even suggest that people should be allowed to pick up their PVC at polling places and vote on the same day. Others will begin to call on the CBN to extend the deadline to enable the underprivileged and those who live in rural areas where there are no banks to be able to deposit their old notes. So, even if INEC keeps distributing this (PVC) until election eve, Nigerians will still have this (rush attitude) because people always keep things until the last minute. Even if the official position of the CBN is to extend the deadline to July 31, as suggested by some stakeholders, Nigerians will still wait until the last minute. We are chronic last-minute people by birth.

There are several types of procrastinators in Nigeria today. First, the pleasure seeker, also known as the thrill seeker or the novelty seeker. This

type of person will deliberately choose to do something that creates fun by meeting an urgent task with a deadline. Pleasure seekers wait until they want to accomplish a particular task (which may or may not happen) before engaging in it. While it is normal to feel lazy occasionally, pleasure seekers can be a source of disapproval from those around them. Second are the dreamers, also known as the optimist (over-Sabi). It is an overconfident sort. They are oblivious to the consequences of procrastination, often believing things will magically happen without intervention. They don’t pay enough attention to detail, so they can have great ideas of what to do, but they hate dealing with all these annoying details. They have thoughts about beautiful things but somehow want somebody else to do them on their behalf. So, their thinking style is uncertain, and they end up procrastinating because of this thinking. Third, the overbooker, also known as the overdoer or the busybody. They use busyness as an excuse for procrastination. This type of person deliberately overstretches to appear productive rather than completing tasks that require immediate or urgent attention. The overdoer thinks they will do everything, but they end up doing nothing rather than doing things for other people. So, what they end up often procrastinating on is what they need to do for themselves. So, they get involved in everybody else’s stuff, and then, Oh my God, my stuff is not done. Fourth, the perfectionist, also known as the indecisive or the performer. Perfectionist pays too much attention to detail so much that they often fail to finish a task. They prioritize perfection over completion. They often fail to start a project or task for fear that there isn’t enough time to get it done—and meet their high standards. And fifth, the avoider, also known as the warrior or the self-deprecation. A person in this category tells himself that he works best under pressure. So, he waits until the last minute. Often, they pull it off but not as well as they should. While we get away with things, these types of procrastination are thus cementing our reputation as lazy or unreliable people.

Rev. Ma, S.J, is a Jesuit Catholic priest and PhD candidate in public and social policy at St. Louis University in the state of Missouri, USA.

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