Monday, January 2nd, 2023 Edition

President Muhammadu Buhari receiving the President of the Senate Dr Ahmad Lawan during an audience at the State House in Abuja

PHOTO: State House

Efforts still ongoing to rescue female officer abducted in Imo – Army

The Nigerian Army says efforts are still on-going to rescue the newlycommissioned female officer, Lt. PP Johnson, abducted in Imo allegedly by the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).

Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, stated on Friday in Abuja that the female officer was abducted on Dec. 26 while visiting her grandmother in AkuOkigwe in Imo.

That was shortly after the completion of her cadet training and subsequent commissioning as a lieutenant into the Nigerian Army, he added.

Nwachukwu stated that the video footage of her abduction had emerged in the social media where her abductors claimed her abduction was in line with their fight for Biafra against the Nigerian state.

The officer’s circumstance as a woman and a Nigerian citizen of South-eastern extraction did not dissuade her abductors from dehumanising her in their mindless attempt to commit atrocities under the guise of fighting for Biafra, he added.

“This evidently is another pointer to the myriad of crimes being unleashed by IPOB/ESN on Ndigbo, the very people they claim to be fighting for their

emancipation.

“It should therefore be crystal clear to those who are still in doubt of the true status of these groups, that IPOB and ESN are terrorists.

“They are masquerading as freedom fighters and do not deserve the support of anyone particularly the good people of Southeast Nigeria.

“The Nigerian Army states that the information making the rounds that Lt. Johnson had been released or rescued from her abductors is unsubstantiated as the officer is yet to be released or rescued,’’ he stated.

Nwachukwu stressed that the video footage being circulated

and associated with the rescue claim was an old video of the arrest of a suspect by troops.

“Much as we appreciate the concern and goodwill of the general public for her safe rescue, we also wish to note that the information on the rescue of the officer did not emanate from the Nigerian Army.

“The Nigerian Army will leave no stone unturned in its effort to rescue the officer and bring the perpetrators to book.

“We appeal to the general public to provide credible and reliable information that could lead to her safe rescue and arrest of the perpetrators,’’ Nwachukwu stated. (NAN)

Ashiru, Asake sues for peace in Kaduna

Kaduna state gubernatorial candidate of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Rt Hon. Isa M. Ashiru and that of Labour Party Hon. Jonathan Asake has sued for peaceful coexistence among residents of Kaduna State, for development to thrive, stressing that nothing tangible can be achieved in an

atmosphere of chaos.

The two Governorships candidates stated this in their various statements to felicitate with the residents of the state on the New Year’s celebration.

Hon. Ashiru urged people of the state to remember that, within them lies the strength and capacity to fashion a new, peaceful State for ourselves and our tomorrow.

He advised the people that the experiences of the past should spur them in making the right decision as they go into the election period, and let the new year make them more resolute in creating a new socio-political environment for our State.

Similarly Hon. Asake said what the people of Kaduna need doing more in 2023 is to pray earnestly for God to intervene

in the affairs of the state so that they can succeed together.

The Labour Party governorship candidate assured citizens of the state that with good governance, 2023 would be better and advised that people should not sell their votes, but elects leaders that will secure the state and restore hope to everyone.

Qur’anic graduantes, during their memorization graduation ceremony of Madarasatul Furqan Gangare Jos, held at L.E.A Primary School Gangare Jos Plateau State yesterday.

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The Commandant General (CG), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) , Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has assured of adequate security during electioneering processes.

Audi, in a statement issued on Sunday by the spokesperson of the agency urged Nigerians to step into the new year with renewed hope for a greater, more prosperous and peaceful society devoid of bloodshed or any form of civil unrest and disturbances.

He stated that, although, 2022 came with its own security challenges but government’s efforts in stemming the tide of insecurity and ensuring security of lives and properties of citizens and residents though commendable could be reinforced in the new year which offers new opportunities to change the country’s security trajectory.

Dr Audi commended officers and men of the Corps for their patriotic zeal in defending the

NNPP senatorial candidate in Borno urges electorates to vote right

Shehu Abubakar, Maiduguri

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

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

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

He appealed to the Borno Central electorate to vote for him, saying, however, that he has no money to give them, but he possessed the required character, capacity and commitment to deploy and provide them the required representation at the National Assembly.

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

2023: NSCDC boss assures of security for electioneering process

mandates of the Corps at all times which brought about lots of achievements in the outgone year.

He said, “the Corps is blessed with Crops of officers and men that are loyal and dedicated to service.

“I am very happy with them all because the milestone we have achieved in the last 21 months could not have been possible without them.

“I want to task my personnel to remain committed, shun all negative vices and rededicate their loyalty to the service of our fatherland.

“Let me warn others who may be nursing mischievous ideas in their heads to find their way out of the system because the Corps will not condone any form of indiscipline, criminalities or activities against public interest and image of the organisation.”

The Corps helmsman charged personnel to sustain the tempo of professionalism especially as the nation enters election year, reminding them of the need to remain acquainted with the new electoral laws and guidelines, the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and Code of Ethics of the Corps.

“I charge you not to let down your guards but stay focused on your given assignment of ensuring our nation’s survival this election year.

“Try as much as possible to remain apolitical by not getting involved in partisan politics as anyone caught will bear his or her father’s name on the day of reckoning”, he warned.

The CG asserts that the onus is on personnel to offer the best

of service in keeping Nigeria safe and protecting critical national assets and infrastructure from vandals and economic saboteurs.

He added that, year 2023 marks a turning point in the history of Nigeria as it ushers in a new political dispensation that will oversee the affairs of the country for the next four years.

He assures of the Corps’ commitment to supporting the electioneering process by ensuring security of sensitive and non sensitive INEC materials and assets.

Audi hinted that on his order, State Commandants have deployed officers and men to protect INEC offices Nationwide

against arsonists attacks.

He assures that 2023 general elections will not only be free and fair but would be conducted in a peaceful atmosphere as NSCDC in collaboration with other security agencies have mapped out strategies and are ready to guarantee security of the electorates by confronting criminals headon.

He called on officers and men of the Corps to activate renewed zeal and vigour that will sustain the tempo of acceptance the Corps is enjoying among citizens today through avoidance of anything that will earn the service bad reputations.

He charged them to keep

defending the mandates of the Corps at all time as government’s expectations is huge regarding internal security and protection of critical infrastructure and national assets which survival of the populace depends upon.

The CG assured officers and men that year 2023 will usher in more opportunities for the Corps’ management under his leadership to promote staff welfare in all ramifications by reviewing the activities of last year and making adjustments where necessary in order to continue putting smiles on the faces of personnel to motivate them in meeting the targets set by government for the Corps.

New Nigeria possible with Tinubu – APC Deputy National Chairman

The Deputy National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) (South), Chief Emma Eneukwu, has enjoined Nigerians to follow the path of progress by ensuring massive support for the party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

“Tinubu is a man that has shown immeasurable readiness to lead us as one indivisible nation to a new Nigeria,” Eneukwu said on Saturday in his New Year message.

He noted that Nigeria needs a leader with a proven capacity to carry every body along and who would leverage on the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari in office.

He said that Tinubu had through his manifesto shown Nigerians the importance of electing him as the president at this point in time.

“I wish to welcome Nigerians

into a New Year full of hope and assurances.

“Our country made significant progress in 2022 as we were able to conquer numerous impediments impeding our growth; which has provided a path for a better Nigeria come 2023 if we can get it right and elect Asiwaju Tinubu of the APC.

“Tinubu is a man whose antecedents speaks volume for him, a charismatic leader and team player that believes in abiding by the democratic principles at all times.

“As a Nigerian who loves my country so well, I feel that 2023 is the right time to have Tinubu as a President as he would leverage on the achievements of the administration of President Buhari and give us a country that would be enviable to others,” he said.

Eneukwu urged Nigerians to jettison lies coming from people

with negative antecedents, “as all they want is to rule and not to lead”.

According to him, they have previously displayed that they are neophytes in providing progressive leadership for Nigerians.

“We can only have a new Nigeria when we support APC to continue; so as to complete our redemption activities and programmes.

“A look at Tinubu’s manifesto entitled: “Renewed Hope 2023 –Action Plan for a Better Nigeria”, which focused on national security, economy, agriculture, Power, oil and gas, transportation and education and other areas such as :healthcare, digital economy, women empowerment, judicial reform, federalism/ decentralisation of power among others.

“The manifesto provides answers to issues affecting

Nigerians especially those at the grassroot level,” he said.

He added that Nigerians could not afford to miss this golden opportunity which comes once in a while.

Eneukwu called on political parties to jettison calumnious campaigns but focus on issues as such would prevent tensions and give everybody an opportunity to participate without fear.

He advocated the salience of prayers at all times for the country “as it is only God that can make it a hitch-free country”.

The APC chieftain urged the electoral umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to organise free, fair, credible and elections in 2023.

He berated the acts of killings under religious and secessionist guises, while calling for a total stop of attacks on INEC offices across the nation.

(NAN)

2023: Minister donates delivery kits to 120 newborn babies, mothers in FCT

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu has donated delivery kits and baby items to 120 mothers of newborn babies in selected Primary Health Care Centres across the six Area Councils of the territory.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the PHC facilities included those in Aleyita, in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Dutse Alhaji in Bwari and Township Clinic in Gwagwalada Area Council.

Others were those in Township Clinic, in Kwali Area Council, Kuje Comprehensive Health Centre in Kuje Area Council and Township Clinic in Abaji Area Council.

Similarly, the minister gave a token of an undisclosed amount of cash to some nursing mothers.

Presenting the items to the beneficiaries at Kuje Comprehensive

Healthcare Centre, Aliyu described the successful delivery recorded in various primary healthcare centres as a bundle of joy.

She prayed that joy would continue to radiate in the Federal Capital Territory in 2023 and beyond.

Represented by the Director of Administration and Finance, FCT Social Development Secretariat, Mrs Justina Pawa, Aliyu tasked mothers on early training of their children, saying that children were invaluable divine gifts from God.

She called on mothers to accept all vaccines being given during government approved immunisation campaigns.

The minister enjoined mothers to ensure that their babies completed the routine immunisation before the age of two.

She also emphasised the need for them to take care of themselves, attend post natal clinics and continue

to take their routine medicines.

She said: ”On my part, I will continue to identify with you and share in your joy. Since I came to office in 2019, I have continued to implement and support a myriad of initiatives.

”They are aimed at improving the health of mothers and children particularly towards reducing maternal and child deaths from preventable causes.”

The minister revealed that she had empowered many women to contribute meaningfully to the upkeep of themselves and their families.

“I will also encourage you to always contribute to the growth of the family in particular and community at large.

” All babies born today are welcome and I pray to God to continue to grant mothers and babies good health, while the fathers continue

to have the means to support their families,” Aliyu stated.

Earlier, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs Ibrahim Kudirat, who delivered a baby boy at 12:01am on Sunday in Kuje Comprehensive Health Centre thanked the minister for the kind gesture.

She said that the items and cash donation would assist mothers at this early stage of delivery.

Other beneficiaries were: Mrs Mary Olayinka, who delivered at 12:40am, at the Dutse Makaranta primary healthcare centre in Bwari Area Council, while Mrs. Idoko Christina, delivered a baby girl at 1:52am, amongst other deliveries.

NAN reports that the high point of the event was the presentation of food items to FCT Minister of State by the community Head of Aleyita in appreciation of her efforts in boosting community health. (NAN)

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

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

The CSOs; Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD), Social Development Integrated Centre (Social Action) and Abia State NDDC Advocacy groups, filed the suit at the Federal High Court (FHC), Umuahia in Abia.

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

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

We’ve not endorsed any presidential candidate —MACBAN

Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) said it had not endorsed any presidential candidate or political party in the 2023 general elections.

The National President of MACBAN, Alhaji Baba UsmanNgelzarma, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Friday in Abuja.

He said: “First of all I will have to make clarification because there are two Miyetti Allah groups. We have the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), which is the one I represent as the National President.

” As far as my association, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria is concerned, we have not endorsed any presidential candidate.

” We are still waiting for all the presidential candidates to answer our questions on the seven- point demands we raised and presented

copies of a letter containing our demands to them.

” Uptil now, we have not received any consent from any of the presidential candidates. So, until when we receive one before we begin to analyse and consider within the shortest time we have and decide whether we can endorse or not.”

Usman-Ngelzarma said that all the major political parties have not included the challenges facing the Nigerian pastoralists in their manifestos.

” I personally presented our demands to the presidential candidates of the three major political parties, it is only the Labour Party that I didn’t personally submit but I have met with some representatives of the party and submitted the letter to them.

”So, before we decide on which presidential candidate to support, we have to sit together, analyse and discuss with the congress because that is our difference with the other pastoralists association.

” We are going to show our numerical strength in this year’s elections. Whoever we agree to vote for will get a block vote.

” And whichever candidate we endorse will win the election, because we have about 16 million registered voters from the pastoralists community in Nigeria,” UsmanNgelzarma

He said that he went through the manifestos and blueprint and didn’t see anything that has to do with the livestock.

Usman-Ngelzarma said: ” And whenever you talk of livestock in Nigeria, you are directly or indirectly talking about the Nigerian pastoralists or talking about the Fulani’s because they are the 98 per cent owners of the cows, goats and sheep in the country.

” Therefore, they are the sole suppliers of protein in the county and in fact, I think Fulanis are the largest single tribe that has the latest population in this country.

“So, we are definitely a force

to reckon with and we are also controlling a multi trillion naira investment because the South Western of Nigeria alone consumes 6,000 cows on a daily basis, talk less of the South East and the remaining part of the country.

” Unless we see how each of the political parties include our demands into their manifestos, we cannot make any move for now because in MACBAN, we have different political interests.”’

The MACBAN national president said that some of its members were registered members of APC,adding,”some are in PDP, Labour Party, NNPP, PRP and other political parties. In fact, there is no interest group in Nigeria that you will not find our members.

” MACBAN is not a political group but since we are in a political era and for us to advance our course under the present system of democratic government, we definitely have to participate.” (NAN)

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

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the suit, which was filed via a motion exparte, was brought in pursuant to Order 34, Rules 3(1) & (2) of the FHC (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the honorable court for Judicial Review.

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

L-R :Director, Education Division Nigerian Army, Brigadier- General M. O. Fakokunde; Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji; Deputy Director Welfare Department, Army Headquarters, Brigadier- General. S. A. Abdullahi; and Lt.- Col. O. C. Akubo; during a meeting on the proposed Command School in Isan –Ekiti.

JTF rescues 13 kdnapped victims in Niger state

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Operatives of Joint Task Force (JTF), in Niger State have rescued no fewer than 13 kidnapped victims abducted from different locations and abandoned by

their abductors in the state.

The victims were freed during gunfire between security forces and bandits in Gurara Local Government Area of the State.

The commissioner for Internal Security and Humanitarian Services,

Hon Emmanuel Bagna Umar, who made this known in Minna in a press statement, said the victims were rescued safely.

He explained that their rescue was made possible based on a tip-off that some roving bandits were sighted

around Bonu, Gwalu, and Chimbi areas of Gurara and Paikoro local government areas.

The rescued victims have been reunited with their families after undergoing medical checkup.

2023: North has no excuse not to vote for Tinubu - Ganduje

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State on Saturday said the north has no reason not to vote for the APC Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 general election.

Ganduje who stated this during an event organized by a group known as Patriotic Volunteers for Democracy to show solidarity for Tinubu, said the APC National leader helped President Muhammadu Buhari to become the President after several attempts nothing that it is pay back time.

Besides, Ganduje said Tinubu is the most competent for the job describing him as one who is tested and trusted as he has an unbeatable track record.

According to him, “I don’t do tribal sentiments. As at today, among the politicians I have not seen who loves Northerners than Tinubu. When PDP

refused to return Atiku, he (Tinubu) gave him the Presidential flag bearer of his party. After that, he (Tinubu) also gave Nuhu Ribadu his party’s Presidential flag bearer although he didn’t win the election. But even at that he helped him.

“What about that of Buhari? Buhari contested for the Presidential election for three times without succeeding. It was Tinubu who settled for a merger and helped President Buhari to become President. After he became President, he (Tinubu) was not given any position and he never asked for it. But for the love of Nigeria, Democracy, Buhari and the North. He supported the government. So what about now? It is pay back time for Tinubu. It is time to give him that support. Northerners don’t have any excuse not to support him? No reason. He (Tinubu) has won election in the North by God’s willing.

“Nigeria needs a leader who has capacity, experience, knowledge,

firmness, who understands governance in the country. We assure you, we have the best Presidential candidate in APC.

“We are not campaigning for him because he is a Yoruba neither because he is a Muslim but we are voting for him because he has the capacity. He has done it before and will do it again, he is tested and trusted. Since 1999 and after leaving office as the Governor of Lagos State, he has consistently lead his party to victory. No politician in Nigeria for the past 21 years, with that unbeatable track record.

“His running mate, Kashim Shettima was the former Governor of Borno for eight years, Chairman of Northern Governors Forum in APC who provided good leadership. What else do we need? We need a competent and strong team and that with foresight. Tinubu/ Shettima is the right team to rule Nigeria come 2023.

“Let’s come back to Kano, do we need any trash to rule Kano? We need people

with experience, maturity, understand governance. We don’t need a green horn, we need someone who will continue from where we stop,” the Governor said.

Ganduje commended the organizers of the event for it contribution to sensitize the populace to register and collect their PVCs as well as ensuring they carry out peaceful campaigns without carrying weapons.

Earlier, the Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado Doguwa said the party will win the election before call to the Muslim prayer by 1pm.

The Secretary to the State Government and Leader of the group, Patriotic Volunteers, Usman Alhaji vowed to deliver 600,000 votes to the party in the forthcoming general elections.

He promised to go round the nooks and crannies of the state to mobilize supporters to vote and ensure the victory of the party.

L-R: Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi; Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat; Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Olusegun Ogboye and Chief Medical Director of Eti-Osa General Hospital, Dr Mustapha Quadri, during the Goodwill visit of the wife of Lagos state Governor to Public Hospitals to welcome the 1st Baby of the Year 2023, in Lagos, at the weekend.

Ogun Govt begins renovation of MKO Abiola Stadium

Ogun Government has begun renovation of the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta, to provide adequate comfort for spectators.

The Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Dapo Abiodun, Mr Kunle Somorin, said in a statement on Saturday that the 10,000-capacity stadium would be fully covered to ensure a facelift.

He said that the renovation was part of Abiodun’s promise to raise the bar of sports and sporting activities in Ogun.

According to him, it is a follow-up to the money spent on the state’s contingent to the justconcluded 2022 National Sports Festival hosted by Delta.

He said that the reconstruction of the stadium started on Friday and had continued to Saturday morning as more materials and workers arrived the site.

The governor’s aide said that the facelift was expected to be completed in four weeks.

He noted that the stadium, named after the winner of Nigeria’s June 12 Presidential Election, Bashorun MKO Abiola, who also hailed from Abeokuta, had been used as a multisports event centre for over two decades.

He said the stadium had played host to state-owned and private football clubs, including the Gateway Football Club and Abiola Babes International Football club.

”While the stadium has played host to local and international football matches, it has also produced stars that have proven their mantle globally in the world of sports,” he said.

Somorin said that about 20 per cent of the stadium had been covered as at press time.

He said that arrangement to cover the whole spectators stand would no doubt add beauty, comfort and further raise the standard of the facility.

He added that it would also prepare the stadium for the 2023 National Sports Festival which Ogun recently got the right to host. Somorin said that about 20 per cent of the stadium had been covered as at press time.

He said that arrangement to cover the whole spectators stand would no doubt add beauty, comfort and further raise the standard of the facility.

New Year: Gbajabiamila, Wase, Minority Leaders greet Nigerians, urged for hope

By Christiana Ekpa

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has congratulated Nigerians for witnessing the New Year 2023.

The Speaker said the year 2023 will be significant for Nigerians, being the year that citizens will elect new leaders to pilot the affairs of the country.

Gbajabiamila said he is optimistic about the opportunities and possibilities that lie ahead and urged Nigerians to remain resolute and determined as a people.

He noted that 2023 is a defining year for Nigeria, which is why the citizens should be united and speak with one voice.

The Speaker wished Nigerians success individually and collectively in 2023, calling for prayers for successful elections.

Also , The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase has congratulated Nigerians on the new year, urging them not to despair inspite of the challenges facing the country.

Wase, in a New Year message signed by his chief press secretary, Umar Muhammad Puma, urged Nigerians to have faith in their leaders and continue to pray for them at all levels for the wisdom to lead right.

He said: “On behalf of my family and constituents, i wish to heartily rejoice with all our countrymen and women for seeing off the year 2022 and successfully entering 2023. I urged all Nigerians to be prayerful as we prepared to elect new leaders come February 2023.

“I thank the Almighty Allah for keeping us going and keeping Nigeria as one, I urge you not to

despair but to remain patriotic as ever and believe that no matter how difficult things may be, there will be light at the end of the tunnel.

Equally, The Minority Caucus in the House, while congratulating Nigerians on the dawning of the New year, 2023, urged them to further unite, brace up and forge a formidable front in the determination to rescue the nation from oppressive forces.

Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, Minority Leader of the House said this one a statement he issued to newsmen in Abuja

He said “Indeed, as a people, we must step into the New Year with thanksgiving to God for the miracle of surviving the suffocating economic hardship, escalated insecurity and myriads of suppressive experiences occasioned by the misrule of the incompetent, insensitive and very corrupt All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The New year presents a fresh opportunity for us as Nigerians to rekindle our sense of patriotism, love, care and commitment to one another as we redirect our productive energies, collective ingenuity, creativity and resourcefulness to reinvent our nation for the good of all.

“The year 2023 is therefore significant, being the year of the much-awaited general elections that will mark the end of eight years of asphyxiating regime of the APC, as Nigerians march to the polls to elect a new peopleoriented leadership to commence the onerous task of rebuilding our nation.

“Our Caucus therefore urges Nigerians to set aside all parochial personal, group, sectional, ethnic and religious sentiments, focus

on the larger national interest and firmly resist all selfish and anti-democratic forces that might attempt to distract or subvert their will in the elections.

“Against this backdrop, all democracy institutions and security agencies must deploy all necessary measures to guarantee a free, fair, transparent, peaceful and credible electoral process where Nigerians freely participate and in which all votes count at the end of the day.

“The Minority Caucus urges President Muhammadu Buhari to write his name in gold by ensuring that he leaves a lasting legacy of a leader that ensured free and fair election and hand over to whoever Nigerians genuinely elect in the forthcoming Presidential election irrespective of the party the individual belongs to.

“Furthermore, as the nation prepares for a new lease of life under a new Order, our Caucus demands in very strong terms that the APC administration should not continue to worsen the already perilous situation but use the turn of the year to end its unrestrained borrowing and reckless accumulation of debts with which it decimated our productive sectors and mortgaged the future of our nation.

Nigerians earnestly desire a government that truly works in their interest and 2023 holds the promise.

“The Minority Caucus greets Nigerians on the occasion of the New year and wishes the nation many fruitful years ahead under a purposeful and caring leadership” he said

Also, the Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Toby

Okechukwu, has urged Nigerians to keep hope alive in the midst of the prevailing economic hardship and security challenges in the country.

Hon. Okechukwu equally called on the citizens to soberly reflect on the nation’s journey so and its national values in order to navigate and overcome the present challenges.

The lawmaker, who represents Aninri-Awgu-Oji River Federal Constituency, stated this in his New Year message to Nigerians on Sunday.

He said: “This is no doubt a tough time for Nigerians, given the economic hardship, security and a myriad of other challenges facing the country at the moment.

“Nevertheless, I urge us to keep hope alive and seize the occasion of the New Year celebration to reflect deeply on and imbibe the themes of love, social justice, equity, unity, and responsible citizenship so that together we can overcome our challenges.

“Importantly, I urge communities to use the camaraderie of the season to find a bottom-up approach to the menace of insecurity that has crawled into our villages.

“For Ndigbo, who are particularly known for communal living and conferring among themselves both at home and in the diaspora, the New Year holiday presents a veritable opportunity for introspection on the incomprehensible and prevalent destruction of lives, property, and economy of Igbo land with a view to building lasting peace and calm in the homeland going forward”.

Okechukwu wished Nigerians a happy and hitch-free New Year celebration.

The AGILE Project Task Team Lead(r) addressing Katsina State Governor, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari(l) during the NPCU_ World Bank’s visit to the Government House recently.

Gombe IPAC kicks against appointment of

LG chairs as caretakers

From David Hassan, Gombe

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Gombe state has denied the appointment of the local government chairmen as caretakers.

Its Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Aliyu stated this while briefing Journalists in Gombe on Thursday.

He said IPAC will not support the appointment of the 11 local government chairmen by the government as caretakers.

Cleric harps on celebration with less privileged

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Senior Pastor of House of Purpose Ministry, U/ Sunday in Chikun Local government Area, Apostle Yakubu Yusuf has urged Christians to allow the joy and peace, which the birth of Jesus Christ signifies to transform their lives and cause them to extend love and fellowship to the less privileged.

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

The clergy who was reading from the Book, Neh..: 10-12 said as Christians celebrate the season, they should bear in mind that there are less privileged people among them who need to extend the celebration to by sharing things that will make the celebration meaningful to them. The clergy who was reading from the Book, Neh..: 10-12 said as Christians celebrate the season, they should bear in mind that there are less privileged people among them who need to extend the celebration to by sharing things that will make the celebration meaningful to them.

Action Alliance vows to challenge 2023 poll results

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Action Alliance (AA) party has written the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), informing the electoral umpire that the party shall definitely approach the tribunals to set aside all elections conducted without its

genuine candidate in 2023.

This was contained in a letter dated 28th December, 2022 From Oba Maduabuci SAN and Co., to the INEC Chairman and made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

The party stated that they had earlier submitted six judgments which have all affirmed that Chief

(Barr) Kenneth Udeze is no longer a member of the Party Action Alliance.

Two of those judgements according to the learned SAN are the Court of Appeal Abuja, the latest of which was delivered by the Court of Appeal Abuja on the 11th day of November, 2022.

The Letter further stated that,

“This position that Chief (Barr) Kenneth Udeze is not a member of the party has again been emphasized by the Federal Court Abuja in a judgment delivered on the 22nd day of December 2022 in the suit: Action Alliance V. INEC, Suit Number FHC/ABJ/ CS/1795/2022.”

2023: 1.6m PVCs uncollected in Lagos – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says 1,693,963 Permanent voter cards (PVCS) are yet to be collected in Lagos State as at Dec. 29.

The commission, which made this known in a tabular summary to newsmen on Saturday in Abuja, categorised the uncollected PVCs

into 916,961 old cards and 777,002 new cards.

According to the document, Lagos has received 7,510,491 cards from INEC headquarters, comprising of 6,570,291 old cards and 940,200 new cards.

It added that out of the cards received by the state, a total of 5,816,528 PVCs (5,653,330 – Old

and 163,198 new cards) had so far been collected as at Dec. 29.

Similarly, INEC disclosed that there were 460,643 PVCs (made up of 230,007 old cards from 20112019; and 230,636 new card from 2021 to 2022) that were yet to be collected in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja as at Dec. 24.

The breakdown of the

uncollected PVCs per area council in the territory showed that Abuja Municipal Area Council still had 286,868 uncollected PVCs as at Dec. 24.

Also, Abaji had 6, 598; Bwari -98,071; Gwagwala 38,802; Kuje 11,034, and Kwali 19,270 uncollected cards.

(NAN)

President Muhammadu Buhari being presented with a gift of artwork from Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj Gen S,A Adebayo during the commissioning of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) Estate at the Idu-Karimo in Abuja. PHOTO; STATE HOUSE

Nigeria in periluous situation, laments Obasanjo

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has blamed the current state of insecurity, poverty, insurgency, banditry, unemployment, hunger, debt, division and disunity in the country on the choices made, advertently or inadvertently, by her leaders.

Similarly, Obasanjo has listed four major factors that Nigerians must watch out for in electing the next President of the country come the 2023 general elections.

The former President of Nigeria between 1999 and 2007 stated these in his letter titled, “My Appeal to All Nigerians, Particularly Young Nigerians”, released yesterday.

Obasanjo further frowned at the use of terms such as ‘Emi Lokan’ (My turn) and ‘I have paid my dues’ by two of the presidential candidates contesting the next year’s election, pointing out that both are one and the same thing and are wrong attitude and mentality for the leadership of Nigeria now.

Such phrases, he argued, cannot form the new pedestal to reinvent and to invest in a new Nigeria based on an All-Nigeria Government for the liberation.

The solution, according to him, should be in ‘we’ and ‘us’ and not in ‘me’ and ‘I’.

In the words of Obasanjo, “Let me say straight away that ‘Emi Lokan’ (My turn) and ‘I have paid my dues’ are one and the same thing and are wrong attitude and mentality for the leadership of Nigeria now.

“They cannot form the new pedestal to reinvent and to invest in a new Nigeria based on an All-Nigeria Government for the liberation and restoration of Nigeria. “Such a government must have representation from all sectors of our national life public, private, civil society, professional, labour, employers, and the diaspora.

“The solution should be in ‘we’ and ‘us’ and not in ‘me’ and I’, he maintained.

Continuing, the former President said, “Let me say it again, loud and clear, Nigeria has no business with insecurity, poverty, insurgency, banditry, unemployment, hunger, debt, division and disunity.

“We are in these situations because advertently or inadvertently, our leaders have

made the choices.

“They have done the best they could do. Let them take their rest deservedly or not and let them enjoy their retirement as Septuagenarians or older”, he said.

Obasanjo wtote further in his letter, “I will, without prejudice, fear or ill-will, make bold to say that there are four major factors to watch out for in a leader you will consider to hoist on yourself and on the rest of Nigerians in the coming election and they are what I call TVCP:

“Track record of ability and performance; Vision that is authentic, honest and realistic; Character and attributes of a lady and a gentleman who are children of God and obedient to God; and Physical and mental capability with soundness of mind as it is a very taxing and tasking assignment at the best of times and more so it is at the most difficult time that we are”, he said

The former President however declared, pointedly, to the presidential candidates that the instruments used by him in 1999 to 2007 and methodology used will grossly be inadequate “for the perilous situation we now find ourselves”.

He said, “I believe that we need not be confused nor be guilible. Let us be cautious, not to be fooled again”.

Obasanjo warned the nation’s youths that if they miss the opportunity to provide Nigeria with the right leadership, they will have no one to blame but themselves and posterity will not forgive you.

His words, “Get up, get together, get going and get us to where we should be. And you, the youth, it is your time and your turn. ‘Eyin Lokan’ (Your turn).

“The power to change is in your hands. Your future, my future, the future of grandchildren and great grandchildren is in your hands.

“Politics and elections are numbers game. You have the numbers, get up, stand up and make your numbers count”, he advised.

Obasanjo added, “I am constrained to write this letter to all Nigerians especially young Nigerians, friends of Nigeria globally as well as our development partners because of the gravity, responsibility and implications of the collective decision Nigerians, both young and

old, will be making within the next two months.

“The last seven and a half years have no doubt been eventful and stressful years for many Nigerians. We have moved from frying pan to fire and from mountain top to the valley.

“Our leaders have done their best, but their best had turned out to be not the best for Nigeria and Nigerians at home and abroad.

“For most Nigerians, it was hell on earth. Those of us who are alive should thank God for His mercies, brace ourselves for the remaining few months of this administration and pray and work very hard for an immediate better futurefuture of liberation, restoration and great hope and expectation.

“We have had campaigners going up and down the country feeding us with what they mean and what they do not mean, what they understand and what they do not fully understand, what is possible and what is not possible, what is realistic and what is unrealistic, what is true and what is untrue.

“I believe that we need not be confused nor be guilible. Let us be cautious, not to be fooled again.

“I pray not to be proved right again in the bad sense but rather to be proved right in the positive and glorious sense of Nigeria becoming what God had created it to be - a land of plenty and prosperity united for common purpose of inclusive society, common security, shared prosperity, equity, egalitarianism, justice, and equal stake in the Project Nigeria with leadership role of Nigeria for the black race and fair share of global division of labour.

“One ridiculous point that has been touted to justify unjustifiable appointments and selections is ‘competence’. In truth and in reality, genuine competence can be found in any region or section of Nigeria through track record and performance if only people will honestly and sincerely look hard for people with such attainment and attribute.

“Most of us in good conscience can testify to competence when we see any anywhere. What is masqueraded as ‘competence’ is self-interest and nepotism.

“We have a unique opportunity to correct ourselves by ourselves for the good

of ourselves.

“Those who are preaching division, segregation, separation, and want to use diversity for their own self and selfish interest are enemies of the nation, no matter what else they may disguisedly profess or proclaim.

“The Challenge Is For Nigerian Youth:

If we fall prey again, we will have ourselves to blame and no one can say how many more knocks Nigeria can take before it tips over.

“To be forewarned is to be fore-armed. Future is not emotion. I challenge the youth to arise. Let nobody pull wool over your eyes to divide you and/or segregate you to make you underlings.

“Nigerian youth, wherever they come from, North or South, East or West need education which is now denied to over 20 million children; Nigerian youth also need skills, empowerment, employment, reasonably good living conditions, welfare and well-being.

“My dear young men and women, you must come together and bring about a truly meaningful change in your lives. If you fail, you have no one else to blame. Your present and future are in your hands to make or to mar.

“The future of Nigeria is in the same manner in your hands and literally so. If for any reason you fail to redeem yourself and your country, you will have lost the opportunity for good and you will have no one to blame but yourselves and posterity will not forgive you”, he advised.

Foundation urges NASS to re-establish roles of traditional rulers

The TY Buratai Humanity Care Foundation has called on the National Assembly (NASS) to reestablish the roles of traditional rulers in matters involving religion, culture, security, justice and other ancillary matters in the Nigerian Constitution. This was contained in a statement by the National Coordinator of the foundation, Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani and made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

The Foundation noted that the current constitution has relegated the traditional institution to the background with no constitutional roles.

Danfulani who is the Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi, added that the Grand Patron of the Foundation H.E. Lt Gen TY Buratai Rtd had observed that “modern Nigeria’s origin was based on the political, social and economic roots of Nigeria’s empires, kingdoms and chiefdoms firmly established before the colonial rule.

“These empires, kingdoms and

chiefdoms were well administered by the Emirs, Obas and Obis.

“These Traditional rulers wielded powers and authority that helped to douse conflicts and ensure criminals had no hiding places. Progress and developments took place in their domains.”

“As it is today, traditional rulers do not have the constitutional or other legal backings to perform effectively as they are not even mentioned in the 1999 constitution.

“This is a great departure from all

earlier constitutions that recognised them, and even gave them some functions to perform. Such functions include maintaining peace and security which made the work of the police, the military and the government officials much easier.

“The TY Buratai Foundation agrees and supports the position of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria that: “Traditional rulers should be accorded specific responsibilities for conflict and security management in their domains.”

Cleric rekindles hope for better Nigeria

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

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

Okoye gave the admonition in Abuja

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

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

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

happening in our political environment is inspired by God.

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

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

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

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo

•Blames leaders’ wrong choices for nation’s woes

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano has petioned the state Police Commissioner, accusing Shehu Wada Sagagi, a sacked chairman of the party of impersonation thereby calling on the command to “nip the sad occurrence in the bud”.

In an emergency press conference in Kano over the weekend, the secretary of the Kano PDP caretaker committee, Baba Lawal Aliyu drew the attention of the police to an Appeal Court judgement that sacked Sagagiled executives thereby returning the party to its status quo (ante bellum) before an earlier Federal High Court judgement that put them in place.

He explained that following the judgement of the Appeal Court, the Sagagi-led faction further appealed the matter at the Supreme Court and the case has been adjourned to November 20th 2023 insisting that the party leadership in the state is no more under him.

He made references to incidences where Sagagi had addressed himself as the Kano chairman of the PDP, including live programs on national television thereby violating the order of the Appeal Court.

He further described the actions of Sagagi as capable of breeding violence in the state if the police does not enforce the law on him.

“That surprisingly, Shehu Wada Sagagi jas refused to come to terms with the judgement of the Court of Appeal Abuja and desist from pretending or holding out himself as the chairman of the PDP in Kano state.

“Most recently, Shehu Wada Sagagi appeared at the State Police Command Headquarters in an event organized to harp on peaceful democratic process and the signing of peace acccord for Kano State Parties Chairmen and Gubernatorial candidates. Shehu Sagagi presented and held out himself as chairman of the PDP in Kano State at that event despite knowing that the only judgement of court that recognized

Crisis: PDP goes after sacked Chairman in Kano

him as such has been set aside by the Appeal Court, Abuja.

“That the said Shehu Wada Sagagi appeared on National Television (Arise TV) on the 23/12/2022 on a live program and held himself out as the state chairman of the PDP in Kano state for making a mockery of a valid and subsisting judgement of the Court of Appeal.

“That in the aftermath of the events mentioned above, party faithfuls and stalwarts have continue to express their anger and displeasure over the action of the saod Shehu

Wada Sagagi and I therfore deem it necessary to write this letter to your good office in order to nip this sad occurence in the bud and bring the said Shehu Sagagi to book.

“That I believe that the action of Shehu Wada Sagagi in holding himself out as the chairman of the PDP in Kano state constitutes impersonation and same is capable of bringing a breach of the peace in Kano state especially considering the fact that we are in the peak of political campaigns and other electioneering processes,” part of the petition reads.

U.S.-based care provider settles hospital bills of indigent patients in Lagos

AU.S.-based Nigerian Care Provider, Dr Oluwatoyin Iseyemi, on Thursday paid medical bills of several indigent patients at the Federal Medical Center, Ebutte-Metta, Lagos.

The donor, popularly known as Dr Tee Glam from Houston, Texas carried out the gesture through her Sauvage Charity Foundation, saying it was in fulfillment of her promise to alleviate burdens of people during the festive season.

Paying the medical expenses for all indigent patients on site, Iseyemi, who presented a cheque of an undisclosed amount to the hospital management, simply said it was in millions.

“This has nothing to do with politics. This is something I came up with independently to give back to the community. This is a festive season, I do want the people to go back home.

“I want mothers to go home to be mothers to their children. I want fathers to go home to be fathers to their children and same thing to brothers and sisters. Everybody deserves to have great healthcare.

“I think this is one of the ways I can show support for the community. I know there are a lot of challenges in the country, helping in this little way hopefully helps save some lives,” she said.

Describing the gesture as gratifying, the donor said that she hoped to do more, and go wherever her heart follows.

Commending the hospital management for providing the platform for her to serve her community, Iseyemi said that her purpose was to support the less privileged individuals families and help them to enjoy the season.

“I don’t want to have people worrying about how to pay their bills. I look forward to do even more in the future,” she said.

On the number of beneficiaries, Iseyemi said: “I will not name a figure, but I can tell you it is not a little figure. This is a big hospital and everyone is on the list that I am aware of that cannot pay.

“Can you just imagine women there who need to give birth and they

are so concerned on how they are going to pay? It is a major problem. They should not be dealing with all that in addition to the pregnancy.

“So, paying for someone like that is going to bring smiles to the faces. Again, I cannot put a figure because it is quite a huge number but I am happy to do this because I made the promise and I am keeping my promise.

“This is something I am doing personally, I can tell you it is in millions,” she said.

Calling on well-meaning Nigerians home and abroad to impact the indigent, Iseyemi said that people could give to communities and the homeless.

”A’nyone can make an impact even if it is only one person,” he said.

She urged the Federal Government to invest more in the health sector in terms of infrastructure and free healthcare for citizens.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Kate Chigozie, who had Caesarean Section, said: “It is a privilege, I am really grateful and I appreciate this so much. May God. bless and continue

to replenish wherever this is coming from.”

Another beneficiary, Mrs Blessing Nwagboniwe, who delivered a baby through surgery, said, ” May God bless them more abundantly. I delivered the baby through C-Section and there was no financial help. I really thank God for this help.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the donor and her team were received by the hospital management team led by Dr Saheed Ogumme, the Head of Clinical Services, on behalf of the Medical Director, Dr Adedamola Dada.

Speaking at a meeting with the donor before leading them round various wards, Ogumme described the gesture as commendable.

“For those of us in the field, we come across patients who need medical care but cannot afford it, so it is a big challenge.

“The government only allows us to treat people on emergency just for 24 hours, after that what happens? who is going to pick up the bill, it is a big challenge.NAN

NSIB vows to improve aviation safety

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), says it will intensify efforts towards improving aviation safety in 2023.

NSIB Director-General, Mr Akin Olateru made this known on Thursday in Abuja in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

According to Olateru, one of the fundamental objectives of the bureau is to improve aviation safety by determining the circumstances and causes of air accidents and serious incidents.

“It will also provide safety recommendations intended to prevent recurrence of similar accidents. The purpose of this is not to apportion blame or liability,” he added.

The NSIB boss said to achieve the feat, the bureau planned to train and retrain its staff to sustain best practices in 2023.

He said three Air Safety Investigators of the bureau had just completed their programme at the Nigerian College of Technology (NCAT), Zaria, to boost capacity.

He affirmed that the NSIB had partnered with Banjul Accord

Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA) to train Air Safety Investigators by organising workshops for investigator and aviation correspondents in Abuja.

Olateru explained that BAGAIA assisted its members in seven West African States, including the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Cape Verde and Sierra Leone to conduct independent investigation of aircraft accidents and serious incidents in compliance with international standard.

On partnership, Olateru said the current administration had initiated collaborations and cooperation agreements with several countries and institutions to strengthen safety in the aviation industry.

He said the partners included the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Republic of Benin, U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and the Singapore Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB).

“Also, Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses pour la sécurité de l’aviation civile (BEA- France), University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), University of Lagos (UNILAG), and

the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, are among the partners,” he said.

He said the bureau has established training institute to boost knowledge of accident investigation in the African region.

The training school, he said, would be the first of its kind in Africa with support from Cranfield University, UK, Singapore TSB and NCAT.

“This institution will serve as a source of internally-generated revenue for the Bureau with an enabling study environment, a four-star accommodation of 30 hotel rooms, training rooms and an auditorium with capacity of 250 seats.

“The new training school of Accident Investigation Mobile Site Emergency mobile satellite office will help the investigators to create a mobile office at crash sites.

“It will also help to download from Cockpit Voice Recorders (CVR) and Flight Data Recorders (FDR) right there at the crash sites without having to delay the process,“ he said.

According to him, the facility is currently situated in Abuja ready for deployment as needed in order to key

into current trends and technologies in the aviation industry, especially in the area of accident investigation.

The NSIB boss said the bureau’s equipment and laboratories had been ranked among the best in the world.

“The Flight Safety Laboratory (FSL) is where data from CVR and FDR are downloaded. NSIB flight safety lab has the capacity to download data from majority of the CVR and FDR’s available today.

“The FSL contributes greatly to our seamless investigative process with its ability to recreate simulations in animations based on data from the Flight Data Recorders (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR),“ he said.

Olateru said that FSL had capability to download from large range of undamaged recorder models and some damaged recorder models.

He said the bureau had also incorporated the use of drones, one of the ever involving techniques in accident investigation.

“These can assist in crash site assessment and hazards identification, aerial photography and mapping and serve as a guide to

access difficult terrain.

“Renovation/Maintenance work at AIB Wreckage Hangar at Abuja, so that all aircraft wreckages are stored for reassessment during the investigation,“ he said.

The director general said the Bureau was invited by the Sierra Leone Government to provide technical assistance for setting up of Sierra Leone’s Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau (SLAAIIB).

Olateru said the Bureau organised and hosted the first International Day for the Commemoration of air crash victims and their families on February 20, 2022.

He stated that funding constraints due to inflation had affected some projects implementation.

According to him, NSIB has received “Most Innovative Aviation Agency of the Year 2022 Award“ by Air Transport Quarterly and “Africa Drone for Humanity Award“ at the 2nd Drone Technology Conference and Exhibition.

“AIB Commissioner received Aviation CEO Award 2021 at the Travellers Award,“ he added. (NAN)

Shehu Wada Sagagi

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Niger State House of Assembly has passed the state’s 2023 Appropriation Bill of over N243 billion naira against over N238 billion naira presented by governor Abubakar Sani Bello.

This followed the report of the House committee on appropriation presented by the committee chairman and member representing Wushishi constituency Muhammed Bashir Lokogoma.

He said the budget was very important and essential for the take-off of a new financial year, adding that with the passage, Niger State was okay to run government in 2023 with additional N5 billion in to the budget as presented.

The approved capital expenditure stood at over one hundred and fifty two billion naira while the recurrent expenditure is over ninety one billion naira.

The committee chairman noted that the current budget structure is complicated and has made it difficult to trace a particular capital allocation for scrutiny.

The house unanimously urged the executive arm to ensure that budget is laid before the legislature at least three months before the end of the year for proper scrutiny.

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

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

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

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

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

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

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

ANon Governmental Organization under the auspices of G-15 has offered free medical services

to over one thousand poor and vulnerable people in Bosso local government area of Niger state.

The annual medical outreach carried out by the organization in its fourth year for the twenty

two exercise held at Makunkele in Bosso witnessed a huge numbers of beneficiaries due to its awareness.

The programme Coordinator, Bala Ahmed Makunkele in

an interview said the aim was to impact on the lives of others through free medical outreach to enhance community development while assuring for its sustenance.

NGO offers free medical services to over 1000 in Bosso LGA Niger Assembly passes 2023 budget with additional N5bn

Kaduna Police Commissiner, CP. Yekini Oyeku,(centre) and Poice public relation officer Muhammed Jalige,- (R) leading the Senior Police officers, during the Kaduna State Police Command Paraded 30 Suspected Kidnerppers, Car Snachers, and other Criminals activities, recently in Kaduna

Iwuanyanwu, Yakasai, Clark, Adebanjo, others plan Amechi’s burial on Feb 16

By: Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

A33-member committee of distinguished and respected Nigerian leaders has been constituted to plan a befitting burial for a foremost statesman, nationalist and one of the last remaining fathers of Nigerian Independence, Chief Mbazulike Amechi (Dara Akunwafor).

The committee, which was put in place by the Amechi’s family, in consultation with his associates and other stakeholders, has Chief (Dr) Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and Hon. CID Maduabum as Chairman and Secretary respectively.

The committee is saddled with the responsibility of planing a befitting burial for Chief Amechi, scheduled for 16th February 2023 at Ukpor, Nnewi South Local

Government Area of Anambra State.

Chief Amechi was a former Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation in the First Republic A statement yesterday by Tagbo I. Amechi (Ezeana Onodugo) on behalf of the family, reads, “Following the transition of the foremost statesman, nationalist and one of the last remaining fathers of Nigerian Independence, Chief Mbazulike Amechi (Dara Akunwafor), Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation in the First Republic on 1st November 2022, the family, in consultation with his associates and other stakeholders wish to announce the setting up of a Committee of Distinguished and Respected Nigerian Leaders to plan a befitting burial for this great Nigerian Patriot scheduled

for

“This Committee of Eminent Persons, under the Chairmanship of Chief (Dr.) Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, CFR, consists of; Alh. Tanko Yakasai; Chief Edwin Clark, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Dr. Tim Menakaya, Chief Simon N. Okeke, Sen. Dr. Adolphus Wabara, Sen. Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, and Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu.

Others include; Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Arc. Obong Victor Attah, Sen. Dr. Sam Egwu, Chief Achike Udenwa, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, Dame Virgy Etiaba, Sen. Theodore Orji, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Ambassador Frank Ogbuewu, Ambassador Dr. Mrs. Kema

Chikwe, Iyom Josephine Anenih, and Ambassador Chief Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu

The rest are; Prof. Maurice Iwu, former Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Senator Ikechukwu Obiorah, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, Hon. Prince Chibudom Nwuche, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, Chief Okey Ezenwa, Hon. (Dr). Prince Ned Nwoko, Prof. Fred Eze, Prince Emeka Udodeme and Chief Uwakwe Azikiwe.

The committee, according to the statement, will make further details indue course.

“We thank the eminent persons, who despite their tight schedules, have agreed to do this as a mark of respect to a great son of Nigeria”, the statement concluded.

NNPP senatorial candidate in Borno urges electorates to vote right

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

2023 elections, Attom Mohammed Magira.

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

Addressing his teeming

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

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

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

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

16th February 2023 at Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Shehu Abubakar, Maiduguri

EDITORIAL Merry Christmas 2022

Sunday, December 25, marked the start of the season of Christmas. As the word implies, it is a time of solemn festivities all over the world commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Though not specified in the Bible, the Christian Holy Writ, the birth of Christ is accepted generally in Christendom to have happened on December 25. However, his miraculous birth was prophesied long ago by angels and the early prophets of God. He was to come as the Messiah of humanity held down by a corrupt world system over which Satan, the Devil, presides. Therefore, Christmas celebrates the birth of this Saviour who lends His name to a faith that originates in Him.

In Nigeria, the federal government has declared today, Monday, and tomorrow as public holiday to mark the solemn occasion. Hundreds of millions of the Christian faithful are marking Christ’s birth with worship services in churches, exchanges of gifts and visits to hospitals and orphanages to comfort the sick and the less privileged.

Traditionally, on this occasion, religious and political leaders give goodwill messages. For example, President Muhammadu Buhari usually informs the nation: “The commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ is an important opportunity for us to show love to one another and encourage unity by spending quality time with our friends, families and the lessprivileged. It is also an occasion to draw inspiration from the exemplary lifestyle and teachings of Jesus Christ, who constantly stood

OUR MISSION

for what is right, true and honest... The Holy Book describes Christmas as a festival of peace, joy, healing, hope and fulfillment. It kindles great expectations in the heart, irrespective of the challenges of the moment.”

What are these “challenges of the moment”? Number one, obviously, is insecurity characterized by banditry and kidnapping. This reached its apogee on March 28 2022 when a dozen gunmen attacked a Kadunabound passenger train from Abuja and kidnapped over 200 passengers for ransom. As Christmas approached more than a half of those in captivity had been rescued and reunited with their families.

Before the train attack, there was a daring security breach at a supposedly well guarded prison at Kuje in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. How elements of the rag-tag Boko Haram terror group managed to overrun the correctional facility also housing jailed politicians is still a mystery! An answer will go a long way to resolve the insecurity conundrum

“Before the train attack, there was a daring security breach at a supposedly well guarded prison at Kuje in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. How elements of the rag-tag Boko Haram terror group managed to overrun the correctional facility also housing jailed politicians is still a mystery! An answer will go a long way to resolve the insecurity conundrum.

Another challenge is the forthcoming general elections. If we succeed at pulling off a transparent, fair and credible vote, our democracy will be better for it and the world will respect Nigeria the more. However, if we fail the consequences will be dire. This is why the Christian faithful must use the occasion of Christmas to “stand in the breech” on behalf of the nation so that God will save and prosper it.

OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

Lessons from Kwanzaa for reducing religious and ethnic conflict in Nigeria

By John Egbeazien Oshodi!

Particularly During This Tense Ethnic And Religious Presidential Campaign In 2023.

In all of Africa, religion and ethnicity have generally caused and diminished a sense of communal tolerance and coexistence, which continue to reawaken divisions, hatred, and even violence.

This dilemma is more prevalent in the most populous nation in Africa, Nigeria, which is dominated by entrenched, intense religious and ethnic tensions.

No wonder the successful planting of democratic structures that express unity, institutional healthiness, instability, national security, and an expressed positive future remain distant.

Before we get into the tradition of “Kwanzaa,” an annual festival celebrating unity and social values observed primarily by Blacks in the United States from December 26 to January 1, it is worth knowing that Nigeria is recognized for its numerous native and adopted festivals. So far, none has reasonably served to unite Nigerians across ethnic and religious persuasions.

Let’s look at Kwanzaa.

Kwanzaa derives its name from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, which translates as “first fruits” or “harvest.” Kwanzaa underlines African heritage in African American culture in the United States of America.

The celebration is observed and runs for seven days, from December 26 to January 1, and focuses on one principle each day: unity, self-determination, collective work, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

Celebrations often include the lighting of candles, singing and dancing, storytelling, poetry reading, and African drumming. Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration. Where it is celebrated, the room is often decorated in the black, red, and green colors of Kwanzaa. The table setting includes a candle holder for seven candles (one black, three red, and three green), a placemat made of straw, a crop item (vegetable), ears of corn to match the number of children in the family, a communal cup, and gifts.

Dr. Maulana Karenga, born Ronald McKinley Everett in Parsonsburg, Maryland, and a professor of Africana Studies at California State University, California, founded the African American and African-oriented observance Kwanzaa in 1966 as a celebration of family, community, culture, and unity.

Dr. Karenga created seven guiding principles. During the week of Kwanzaa, we explore each principle. The seven principles represent seven values of African culture that help build and reinforce community, especially among African Americans or American Blacks.

Kwanzaa has seven core principles, or Nguzo Saba:

Umoja: “Unity” means to strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.

Kujichagulia: self-determination: to define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.

Ujima: Collective Work and Responsibility—To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our problems and solve them together.

Ujamaa: Cooperative Economics: To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.

Nia: “Purpose: To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.”

Kuumba: “Creativity”: To always do as much as we can, in the way we can, in order

to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

Imani: “Faith is to believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.”

Kwanzaa should be understood by both continental and resident Africans as not being an African American or Black Christmas. A lot of people, especially whites, assume that Kwanzaa was intended to replace Christmas. No, Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday. It is celebrated by people of many faiths as well as those who do not embrace any religion. Its purpose is to promote unity among black people as well as an understanding of our cultural roots.

Kwanzaa may be new in terms of time out like the historic roots of Hanukkah observed by Jews, Christmas by Christians, and Ramadan observed by Muslims, but its cultural tenets are old regarding paying homage to our ancestors, forging hope and faith, and rekindling unity and pride.

A proverb often quoted during Kwanzaa reads: “I am because we are; because we are, I am.” Harambee! (Let’s pull together!)

Unlike the above religious traditions and holidays, for people of African origin, Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday; it’s a cultural one. It is about people from all different religious backgrounds, including African spiritual traditions, celebrating the holiday. which makes it more appropriate for Nigerians of all faiths as it cuts across religious and tribal lines and serves as a time for families and communities to come together to not only reflect on past struggles and difficulties but to celebrate and practice cultural unity.

The features of Kwanzaa remind this writer of his own background among the Esan people in what is now Edo State, Nigeria regarding Esan cultural events and festivals. There is what is called the New Yam Festival, among many other festivals.

Some ethnic groups in Nigeria celebrate the new yam festival, including the Esans. Every year from September to November, Esanland celebrates the new yam festival known as Huan.

It includes serving yam dishes, which come in the form of pounded yams paired with some sort of traditional soup, porridge or yams roasted yams.

Nigeria, with all its multiple divisions and intense relationships, should adopt the basic principles of African fruitage celebrations established in Kwanzaa.

These seven basic principles found in producing the harvest are vital to building unity and maintaining strong and wholesome communities.

In this way, Kwanzaa can be used to reflect on how we have applied the basic principles, to share and enjoy the fruits of our labor and struggle to combat colonialism and racism, and to recommit ourselves to the collective unity of a better life for our people.

It does not require travel to Israel or Saudi Arabia to celebrate the unity and development of any continental African community.

This call for the adoption of Kwanzaa appears timely at a time in Nigeria where many people say the outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari has ruined the nation’s unity, causing ethnic and religious groups to clash over political, educational, and cultural differences, and I perceive Kwanzaa as one of those collective cultural apparatuses that could get some of these lingering differences resolved. Let’s try it out. In fact the celebration is going on now!

Professor John Egbeazien Oshodi is an American-based police and prison scientist and forensic, clinical, and legal psychologist.

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2022: Nigeria’s year in review (Part I)

By Matthew Ma

“

The question for us is, who among these presidential candidates has the ability, character, and temperament to seek, cultivate, and maintain that elusive peace and unity that we so desire and crave? After February 2023, we will know if we responded to this question.”

This year has been turbulent for Nigeria – with a few bright spots. Like every other year in Nigeria, 2022 was more than ordinary. It has its ups and downs. At the start of 2022, Nigerians hoped that, with less than two years to the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, the government would ramp up its efforts to reduce crime, poverty, and unemployment. In his 2022 new year message to Nigerians, he was also effusive about how he intended to secure the country and address its socioeconomic challenges. But these conditions have since deteriorated. The nation continues to experience a share of financial and domestic troubles. As Nigerians put 2022 behind them to welcome 2023, Part I review a few bad events that made headlines in 2022.

Insecurity

Nigeria was overwhelmed and beleaguered by insecurity in 2022. For example, there were high-profile abductions, killings, and extremist insurgencies. The insecurity situation was at its peak as banditry, kidnappings, and killings became an everyday affair in most parts of the country. States like Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, Borno, Sokoto, and Kaduna have been the epicenters of these violent attacks. Almost all the five states in the South Eastern region of the country also suffered violence and acts of extra-judicial killings as supporters of the embattled leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were accused of launching deadly attacks on government offices, prisons, and the homes of politicians and community leaders. In March 2022, terrorists attacked an Abuja-Kaduna passenger train, killed 14 persons, and abducted 63 others. The attack forced the Nigerian Railways Corporation (NRC) to suspend operations temporarily. The government seems to be fighting the symptoms of insecurity while the root causes deepen. The reality is that Nigerians who live in rural areas and on the peripheries must develop mechanisms to live with insecurity since the government has failed in its primary duty to protect them. In June 2022, militants attacked St Francis Catholic Church in Owo during Sunday Mass, in which they killed 40 people and injured 80 others. There have been many other cases of mindless killings accentuating the challenge of insecurity in Nigeria and the increasing contempt with which we treat human lives. Of the various cases reported during the year, the most recent at the end of the year was the murder of Mrs. Bolanle Raheem by a police officer in Lagos on Christmas Day. Nigerians are used to extra judicial killings by the police, but this was horrifying because the lawyer was pregnant with twins.

Incessant Prison Attacks

The year also witnessed incessant jailbreaks in different

Putin’s

new

By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh

parts of the country, unprecedented in the annals of the country. One of the most devastating attacks in the Federal Capital Territory was the attack on Kuje prison by numerous terrorists on the Nigerian Correctional Service headquarters on Okigwe road, Owerri, Imo State. They destroyed part of the prison walls with explosives and set the building ablaze, which led to a jailbreak where at least 1,844 eventually escaped. Over 800 prison inmates escaped during the attack, while half are still at large. Those still at large include about 60 Boko Haram members. ISWAP, a breakaway faction of Boko Haram, claimed responsibility for the attack and later released a video of the incident. Nigerians have questions about how the terrorists attacked a prison close to some military installations in the Federal Capital Territory.

Worst Flood

The most recent challenge was climate-related: flooding. Severe floods in September caused the deaths of over 600 people and displaced 1.3 million from their homes. According to reports, it is the most devastating episode of seasonal floods Nigeria has seen in a decade. Heavy rains combined with poor urban planning made parts of Nigeria more susceptible to flooding. Around the River Niger bridge, which joins Lagos to Onitsha and the rest of eastern Nigeria, sizable portions of surrounding communities are submerged under water, crippling economic activity for many small traders and farmers. The situation was so dire that the Nigeria minister of humanitarian affairs asked five state governments to prepare to evacuate residents living along flood plains. In Anambra, one of those states, 76 people died trying to flee the flood after an escape boat capsized. More than 200,000 houses and 266,000 acres of farmland were partially damaged. But with the flood destroying 108,000 hectares of farmland, it will affect Nigeria’s food supply.

Sports Year in Review

The Super Eagles’ Round of 16 exits at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon was a tremendous disappointment, especially after the team had shown so much promise in the group stage. For some, the signs of a disastrous outing were noticeable when the NFF fired the team’s coach, Gernot Rohr, weeks before the tournament began and drafted Augustine Eguavoen as an emergency replacement. Eguavoen won all three group games and fueled speculation that the Super Eagles could make it to the final. However, a 1-0 loss for the 10-man Eagles team against a Tunisia team that barely scraped through the group stage marked the Eagles’ first failure to reach the AFCON last eight since 1984. Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup was the biggest disappointment of 2022. Aside from missing out on the unquantifiable excitement of Africa’s best performance ever at the Mundial, the enormous loss in revenue to Nigeria’s sports industry is massive. Ghana was again Nigeria’s nemesis as they beat the Eagles to the World Cup ticket via the away goals rule. The result means that Nigeria could not make its seventh appearance in Qatar. Consequently, the team must now prepare and play qualifying matches to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, to be

co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Death of College Student

The unfortunate death of the Dowen College student was the subject of discussion nationwide. Was there a cover-up or not? The sad and horrible death of the 12-year-old Dowen College Student Sylvester Oromoni, under questionable circumstances, is one that Nigerians may not allow to be swept under the carpet. Many were in shock when the Police and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice declared that Oromoni’s death resulted from natural causes, even though thorough investigations seem to be pending and the police investigation is still ongoing. Besides, well-documented events, videos, audio recordings, and text messages, if anything, all seem to raise more questions begging for answers. Is there a cover-up as to the cause of death of Sylvester Oromoni? Was there a dying declaration by Sylvester Oromoni? The mystery surrounding this case still amazes me today.

Domestic Violence Against Women

The recent death of one of Nigeria’s leading gospel music artists, Osinachi Nwachukwu, who was allegedly battered to death by her husband, elicited nationwide outcry. The allegations around the demise of Mrs. Nwachukwu sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s Christian communities and the larger society, raising questions about gender violence and the extent to which religious teachings and societal values condemn divorce, no matter the circumstances. Christian leaders condemned the dastardly act, with many calling for her husband to face the law. Her death, however, revealed the scary statistics of women subjected to inhumane and violent treatment at the hands of their spouses. Her husband continues to deny all allegations of abuse, telling the court that he is not responsible for the death of his wife.

Rising Suicide Cases

National statistics have shown a noticeable increase in the cases of suicide across Nigeria. People continue to jump off the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge into the Lagoon or ingest Sniper, a disinfectant and all-purpose cleaner turned into a popular and available poison, to commit suicide. In a country where suicide is erroneously associated with spiritual causes, plus a shortage of psychiatric experts, curbing the malaise is undoubtedly challenging. Why is the increasing rate of suicide a growing concern among the poor, youth, and the wealthy? What problems or challenges could make one take his own life? Why the recent increase in suicide? Could it be the hardship or depression caused by the economic recession that sparked suicide? Are government and Nigerians doing enough to curb the menace? Could the action have been intentional, psychological, or induced by unseen external forces? These pertinent questions beg for answers to unravel the causes and effects and proffer solutions to the menace in 2023.

year messages embrace Brazil, China and India (BRICS)

specially privileged strategic partnership, carry out largescale trade and economic projects.

Putin was upbeat on a number of points. Bilateral trade is breaking records. Major trans-border infrastructure projects have been completed, including the construction of a road and railway bridges across the Amur River. The years of physical fitness and sports exchanges contributed substantially to contacts between the people of our countries.

Brazil, China and India, prominently among foreign heads of state and government, that received New Year greetings from Vladimir Putin late December. The official post made available on the Kremlin administration website never mentioned South Africa. As well known, these four countries plus Russia constitute the organization popularly referred to as BRICS.

Addressing the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Putin expressed satisfaction with the fact that, during the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro, Moscow and Brasilia extensively cooperated at international platforms, especially within BRICS, and successfully advanced the friendly bilateral relationship.

In messages to President of the Republic of India Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, the President of Russia stressed that in 2022, Russia and India marked the 75th anniversary of the diplomatic relations and, relying on positive traditions of friendship and mutual respect, the countries continue to develop their

In addition, both Russia and India closely cooperate on energy, military technology and other areas, and further coordinate efforts in addressing important matters of regional and global agendas.

“I am confident that India’s recently started SCO and G20 presidencies will open new opportunities for building multi-dimensional Russia-India cooperation for the benefit of our peoples, in the interests of strengthening stability and security in Asia and the entire world,” Putin stressed in his message.

In sincere greetings for the New Year and the upcoming Spring Festival to President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping, Putin referred to strengthening the comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation between Russia and China. The mutual partnership demonstrates rapid progress and resistance to external challenges, as both continue to maintain a meaningful political dialogue.

Putin was upbeat on a number of points. Bilateral trade is breaking records. Major trans-border infrastructure projects have been completed, including the construction of a road and railway bridges across the Amur River. The years of physical fitness and sports exchanges contributed substantially to contacts between the people of our countries.

“Through joint efforts, we will be able to take bilateral

cooperation even higher for the benefit of the Russian and Chinese nations and in the interests of strengthening regional and global stability and security,” he stressed.

Putin expressed confidence that they will work together to further enhance multi-dimensional cooperation and continue their coordinated work on bilateral basis and within the framework of BRICS.

In 2023, South Africa will hold the rotating presidency of BRICS. And that implies that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has a lot more at hand, especially with the current global geopolitical changes, has work towards consolidating the growing support underway for a few countries that have applied to join BRICS. It is also pushing for the emerging multipolar world.

It is however speculated that the organization’s membership might expand to about 15, but that largely depends on certain necessary conditions and the collective decision of the organization.

Historically, the first meeting of the group began in St Petersburg in 2005. It was called RIC, which stood for Russia, India and China. Then later, Brazil joined and finally, South Africa in February 2011, which is why now it is referred to as BRICS. The acronym BRICS is derived from the members’ names in English. The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) collectively represent about 42% of the world’s population.

Kestér Kenn Klomegâh is an Int’l Affairs Analyst.

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

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo used to be a chimera. His influence was mythical yet sweeping. In the past, Nigeria was too small to contain his stature — as he dominated the horizons across Africa and beyond. He lived up to his legend of being a human Orisa. He is, perhaps, still one of the most respected leaders out of Africa.

But Obasanjo’s influence within Nigeria appears to have ebbed over the years. His words seem to have lost lustre and his presence vacant of command. Perhaps, when a masquerade comes out to perform all the time, and sometimes without an invitation, it loses its allure and charm.

From 2007 (after he left office) up until 2014, Obasanjo had his wonder and thunder. His position on national matters mattered and was sought after. His missives were denominated ‘’letter bombs’’ for their sheer quality to inflict maximum casualty on the target and sway public opinion.

In 2013, former President Goodluck Jonathan suffered ‘’casualty’’ from one of Obasanjo’s missives. Obasanjo wrote an open letter which technically put a nail to the re-election bid of Jonathan.

In the letter titled ‘’Before it is too late’’, Obasanjo accused Jonathan of many malfeasances. He said: ‘’Allegation of keeping over 1000 people on political watch list rather than criminal or security watch list and training snipers and other armed personnel secretly and clandestinely acquiring weapons to match for political purposes like Abacha and training them where Abacha trained his own killers, if it is true, it cannot augur well for the initiator, the government, and the people of Nigeria.’’

He also accused Jonathan of cleaving Nigeria apart –along the weak seams of north-south and Christian-Muslim. According to him, Jonathan was favouring and promoting his Ijaw kin to the disadvantage of other Nigerians.

Obasanjo’s letter was well-celebrated. It was held up as a definitive and summary verdict on the administration of Jonathan. Obasanjo himself was hailed for his ‘’courage and forthrightness’’, and for his audacity to look power in the eye and spit the truth. But all of that changed after the 2015 elections owing to his overbearing deportment.

In 2018, just three years after President Buhari came to power, Obasanjo applied himself to his accustomed enterprise. He dispatched an open letter to Buhari, accusing him of incompetence. According to Obasanjo: ‘’The lice of poor performance in government – poverty, insecurity, poor economic management, nepotism, gross dereliction of duty, condonation of misdeed – if not outright encouragement of it, lack of progress and hope for the future, lack of national cohesion and poor management of internal political dynamics and widening inequality – are very much with us today.’’

In the build-up to the 2019 elections, Obasanjo fired a salvo. He accused Buhari of failing to address insecurity, of nepotism and of sundry ineptitudes. But Buhari earned the endorsement of Nigerians to serve a second time as president.

Obasanjo said: ‘’For over ten years, for four of which you have been the captain of the ship, Boko Haram has menacingly ravaged the land and in spite of government’s claim of victory over Boko Haram, the potency and the activities of Boko Haram, where they are active, remain undiminished, putting lie to government’s claim. The main issue, if I may dare say, is poor management or mismanagement of diversity which, on the other hand, is one of our greatest and most important assets. As a result, the very onerous cloud is gathering. And the rain of destruction, violence, disaster, and disunity can only be the outcome.’’

In 2021, Obasanjo reprised himself in another letter

to Buhari. But over time, his take or opinion on national matters has become tepid, vapid, and lacking in magnetism to hold public interest and to sway public opinion. His opinions have lost the power to cause mortal damage. And those who once eulogised him as the incarnation of courage, truth, and honesty are now his fiercest critics.

It seems that Obasanjo wrestles with anyone he fails to control and abominates anyone who resists his impingements.

Has the Ebora Owu been demystified? What is the worth of Obasanjo’s endorsement? In the heat of the political liaisons in 2022, Obasanjo’s hilltop mansion in Abeokuta, Ogun state, became a cynosure of political pilgrimage as politicians fell over themselves to seek his endorsement of their bids. The rat race for Obasanjo’s endorsement. At the time, supporters of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party, claimed that the former governor had the blessing of Obasanjo. Although Obasanjo concealed his intentions in pretensions of statesmanship, it was wellnoised he was favourably disposed towards Peter Obi’s candidature.

But the former president has cast aside the veil, and has declared support for Peter Obi, today, January 1, 2023.

The truth is Obasanjo’s endorsement cannot take Peter Obi to the presidency. It cannot take him anywhere.

Obasanjo is a big masquerade. His place in Nigeria’s political progression is undisputed. When iconic leaders are to be counted, Obasanjo will have a place. But in the cycle of life, there comes a time when the big masquerade will have to retire – when there is no one left in the crowd.

By Fredrick Nwabufo, Nwabufo aka Mr OneNigeria is a writer and journalist.

for Nigeria!

By Abiodun Komolafe

Many years ago, Professor Ango Abdullai described Nigeria’s university system as ‘a bottomless pit’, notorious for collecting money without producing anything. Well, that was many years ago! It is unfortunate that, many years later, the university system still produces nothing! This is the Year 2023! As the New Year comes, it is custom for people to look towards new things. Unarguably, improvement over the present has always been the desire of human beings. The same goes with nations, which collectively look forward to improving their lots. Just as human beings make predictions, nations, too, do make projections. With a particular reference to Nigeria, to say that her present situation is revealingly appalling is not an overstatement. So, she needs prayers for the cure of her maladies and the betterment of her future!

As Nigeria approaches the 2023 general elections, it needs to be noted that the mood of the season is not smiling. Generally speaking, the society has become more polarised along ethno-religious divides and theatrical performances. It is like a moribund situation! At the base of this are negative social indices such as terrorism, banditry, armed robbery, kidnapping and arson, all which have become frighteningly alarming! The pressures of Yuletide, fuel scarcity, among others, have not helped matters either. Even when the much-celebrated subsidy regime is alive and kicking, Nigerians are already feeling the pains of its looming removal. They are already bearing the brunt of a nation that’s blessed with so much but dwelling in the kingdom of ‘so little.’ To say the least, the country is at the tipping point!

Matter-of-factly speaking, events around us have again shown that empires, by philosophy, are destined to collapse. They rise and they go away! In the global civilisation agenda, democracy is also key! It is the only legitimate way of getting the impossible done! However, in this clime, the institutional attributes of democracy have been compromised. Hence its inability to yield optimum benefits to the people. For the wise, therefore, the destiny of an empire is enough lesson that what goes around must surely certainly come around.

Party discipline has taken flight in Nigeria. Of course, without party discipline, there can’t be reasonable order; and, without reasonable order, there can’t be feasible and sustainable development. Tragically too, the leadership of the Church has no clear vision as to what it should stand for. Hence, it’s being propelled by the sour broth of the passion and impulses of the political gladiators.

The late Chief Obafemi Awolowo once said that in a society

where dogs kill tigers, grave danger is on the prowl! Needless to repeat that Nigeria presently harbours a spiral chaotic social situation; and the social response of individuals, groups and social institutions has been largely negative, selfish, divisive and un-coordinated. Out of sheer ignorance, people are working against the interest and survival of the country. It is a chaotic situation with no remedy in sight. The emphasis here is about cohesion in a democratic society, not a concoction of forced orderliness through dictatorship or state-induced society-policing, which is outright repression. For Nigeria to survive, there must be collective political will to survive! The more reason Nigeria needs prayers!

Time it was in Nigeria when seeing a corpse by the roadside was a major issue. Then, the affected Local Government officials would not only do all that was necessary to remove the remains in record time but also deploy environmental health experts to sanitize the area to prevent the possible spread of epidemics. Even traditionalists within the locality would want to do conduct ‘special prayers’ to ward off evil spirits. Since times and things have changed, these days, watching in amusement while the victim groans to death has become a trophy for civilization.

In the olden days, if a report was made to a Local Government Chairman about dilapidated portions of a road in his or her domain, rest assured that he or she would not rest until such a road was fixed. These days, the chairman will even sponsor social media campaigns to discuss ‘Rome-burnsNero-fiddles’ tales, just to divert the people’s attention and sway opinions from such a burning issue.

Many years ago, Professor Ango Abdullai described Nigeria’s university system as ‘a bottomless pit’, notorious for collecting money without producing anything. Well, that was many years ago! It is unfortunate that, many years later, the university system still produces nothing! While institutions of higher learning elsewhere are attempting, even solving problems of various patterns, what Nigerians have on their hands is a country whose town is being deliberately tormented by the gown. For instance, where is the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER) in the scheme of resolving Nigeria’s socioeconomic woes and what’s its impact on the exchange rate currently threatening the country’s economy?

Once upon a country, Michelin Tyre Factory was sited in Port Harcout, Rivers State and Dunlop was in Lagos State. Berec Battery, Hegemeyer, Chellarams, UTC Motors and others also pitched their tents in Nigeria’s future ‘Centre of Excellence.’ Ditto for Kingsway and Leventis Stores in Lagos and Oyo States! Osogbo Steel Rolling Mills and Nigeria

Machine Tools were established in Osogbo in the old Oyo State. Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited was in Kwara before relocating to Kogi State! At a point in Nigeria’s chequered history, we were not importing rubber because it was readily available in our backyard. Buying a good car battery wasn’t also a problem because Exide Battery, among others, was being manufactured in Ibadan. However, these industries have long walked away and it’s as if the gods were angry!

Compare also the contents of Coke in the 1980s with what we now have and one will realize that a society without firm control will soon become a lawless society! Yet, nobody is drawing world attention to what is likely to kill us dead!

Fellow Nigerians, this is a New Year! It is also another defining moment in the life of Nigeria. Precisely, it is a year power must change hands at her topmost political level! As a praying nation, we are optimistic that, with God taking the front seat in the affairs of dear country, the Year 2023 will bequeath to us fresh hopes and new gifts; new opportunities and new beginnings!

Great things, they say, start with little steps and those who cannot manage stardom cannot manage crises. So, our Father and our God, we beseech Thee, shower on our leaders the wisdom to dream dreams and the energy to pursue them to fulfilment. Grant them the wisdom to use the opportunity that the situation presents to become masters of brilliant ideas and innovations that’ll push development forward. In this hurting world of mixed fortunes, teach them to rearrange the eye of governance with a view to repairing the country’s problems. Grant unto them the power to picture into a future that is waiting to unleash its punishment for their failures.

You’re the Prince of Peace! You are also our Buckler and the Key of Life! As we go to the polls early this year to elect new leaders for this ‘Giant of Africa’ and its component states, command peace to our country! Deliver us; be our stay! Light our candle and enlighten our darkness. Gird us with strength and subdue under us those that rise against us. ‘Lift us up above those that rise up against us and let our cry come before You, even unto Your ears.’ Steer our country’s ship of state away from the locust years of uncertainty and ravenous culture of impunity and give us a Nigeria where, in the words of Governor Nyesom Wike, “every Nigerian can have hope of becoming something tomorrow.”

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

*Komolafe wrote in from Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State (ijebujesa@yahoo.co.uk)

2023: Let us pray

What’s the worth of Obasanjo’s endorsement?

Niger SUBEB pays over N2b counterpart funds

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Niger State Basic Education Board (NSUBEB) has paid its counterpart funds of over N2 billion to Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) from 2019 to date for its effective and efficient service delivery in the state.

The chairman of the board, Alhaji Saidu Ibrahim made this known while addressing journalists in Minna, saying that 224,879 consisting of pupils and students out of school children have so far returned to classrooms in the state.

Ibrahim revealed that 150 projects were executed within the year under review with the establishment of additional 24 schools of primary and junior secondary schools, 4 modern science primary school as pilot scheme aimed at catching them young.

He reiterated the commitment to restore confidence in the public schools in the state however prioritizing training and retraining of its workforce for efficient monitoring and supervision, just as most of the over 200 schools closed down due to insecurity are been reopen gradually.

The SUBEB chairman decried over the challenges and liabilities inherited but with vigor and the team spirit of the management they were surmounted hence most cases, problems like salary arrears among others have been resolved.

He commended the enabling environment created by governor Abubakar Sani Bello to strive in its mandates hence the target of 2019 to date Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) in addressing out of almajir and girl child education among others.

Alhaji Saidu Ibrahim explained that the priority of board in 2023 would focussed on supervision and monitoring of projects and schools to ensure standard and pupils get the maximum results by embarking on aggressive monitoring to achieve value for money. Alhaji Saidu Ibrahim explained that the priority of board in 2023 would focussed on supervision and monitoring of projects and schools to ensure standard and pupils get the maximum results by embarking on aggressive monitoring to achieve value for money.

Niger Gov. assures of sustainable devt

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has assured the people that he would remain central and achieve the main focus of the APC-led administration in the state.

In his New Year message to the state, the Governor noted that based on its performance thus far, the ruling party remains the most viable option for the citizens ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Governor Bello maintained that, although the administration is winding down, the government remains focused and committed to completing most of the ongoing projects stressing that, “service delivery, improvement of the general living conditions and wellbeing of the people remains sacrosanct”.

Amidst heightened political activities ahead of the 2023 general elections, Governor Sani Bello warned against campaigns of calumny and thuggery, emphasizing

the need for issue- based campaigns among all political gladiators and party loyalists.

He also acknowledged the declining banditry activities across the troubled parts of the

state and paid glowing tribute to the gallantry of the Armed Forces and other security agencies for the sustained fight against the menace of banditry and wanton kidnappings that

bedeviled the state.

While wishing citizens a blissful New Year, Governor Bello prayed for the sustenance of peace and unity in the state and country.

Rep want urgent implementation of Senate resolution on Bayelsa Atala maginal field

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives member, representing Sagbama/ Ekweremo Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State, Hon. Agbedi Frederick has call on the federal Government to urgently ensure full Implementation of the recommendations reached at the senate over Maginal field Oil block in his State

Hon. Agbedi who made call while briefing parliamentarians reporters at National Assembly Complex Abuja, disclosed that the oil block which originally belongs to Bayelsa State Government was reallocated to another company for obvious political reasons.

The lawmaker further revealed that president Buhari intervened and ordered that Atala Maginal field should be returned to Bayelsa State Government which was still pending until the Senate through it’s Committee on Ethics and Petitions through thorough investigation uncovered that all processes involved in the wrongful purchase of the oil block were fraudulent.

While expressing

appreciation to President Buhari and the Senate for it’s Patriotic and selfless interventions, Hon. Fredrick urged that the perpetrators of this act be brought to justice through the law enforcement and anticorruption agencies as a way of strengthening the nation’s institutions.

He also stressed the need to implement the resolution of the legislative arm of government on Atala Maginal field for the benefit of Bayelsans and Nigerians at large.

Fielding questions newsmen, the Lawmaker said, The Atala Marginal Field was allocated to Bayelsa State government and was managed by Bayelsa Oil Company. Sometime in 2021, we got to know that Atala that was allocated to Bayelsa has been reallocated to another company. Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation and my Federal Constituency rose in protest against it. Mr President sometime ago also ordered that 10 of such marginal fields that were allocated to the states, should be returned back to the states. Nine were returned.

Only Bayelsa Atala Farms was not returned and this was what

caused the Bayelsa government, the Bayelsa oil company and our investors to petition to the Senate Committee on Petition and Ethics.

“Even within the hearing period, Mr President further ordered that these blocs be returned to Bayelsa State government, the owners of the oil bloc. This had not happened until the Senate finally last week had resolved through proper investigation and hearings found out that all the issues canvassed as to purchase, as to sales, and as to ownership by the new company, Halkin Oil was fraudulent. And so the Senate resolved that the oil bloc should be restored back to Bayelsa State Government which is almost a last bus stop because from the executive arm of government, it has gone to the legislature, the legislature has also affirmed that this oil bloc should be restored to Bayelsa.

“And of course as a representative of where the oil block is found, where it is located, it is important that I stand on behalf of the people to appreciate what the legislature has done as well as what the executive has

done and to further urge that this process should be completed. No stumbling block should be found again in the course of restoring this oil bloc.

“And of course if the Senate in their finding, found out that the narrative for which Halkin or whichever partner claimed that the oil blocs belonged to them were fraudulent, then of course for us to strengthen our institutions, we need to hand over such individuals or corporate organizations to the anti-corruption agencies and law enforcement agencies so that criminal investigation would be carried out and then where culprits are identified, they should be prosecuted. It is only by so doing that our institutions are so strengthened.

“I am the representative of the Sagbama Ekremor Federal Constitutbcy where the Atala Marginal Field is located. I wish to on behalf of my people convey our sincere commendation to the Senate Committee on Ethics and Petitions and specifically the Senate President and the entire Senate for standing up for what is right and restoring hope as a Senate of the people.”

Niger state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello

Of attacks on political parties ahead February general elections in Nigeria

By Yakubu Mustapha Minna

As the 2023 general elections draw closer, various intrigues and reactions have trailed party rallies with supporters being attacked in parts of the country as the Police have vowed to deal with sponsors of violence before, during and after the elections.

It should be noted that attack on campaign rallies of political parties is against the spirit of the Peace Accord signed by all the political parties, organized by the National Peace Committee, led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, and the Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto State, Matthew Kukah.

In Lagos, Kaduna, Oyo, Enugu, Rivers, Kebbi and Borno States supporters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Labour Party (LP) have been attacked and or either blamed for sponsoring thugs.

However, in Niger state youths restiveness and other clashes according to analysts might degenerate to political rivalry.

The youths who are politically divided have strong support for their parties but because of the tight security by the Police in Niger State they have not had any opportunity to clash.

Political analysts believe that, those who are in the Presidential race are now resorting to recruiting political thugs and street urchins and using them to attack the supporters of their opponents ostensibly to dampen their spirit and morale.

Recently, the Inspector General of Police, Mr Usman Baba stated at a oneday Stakeholders Summit in Abuja on Addressing the Influence of Money on the 2023 General Election that concerted efforts are being made by the Nigeria Police as the lead Agency in electoral security management to ensure that the 2023 general elections is hitch free.

Baba who was represented by Assistant Inspector General of Police, Operations, Bala Ciroma said already, some political thugs have been arrested and are being prosecuted in courts.

According to him “we will ensure that the Police X-Squad, intelligence officers and investigators are moved to the field during political rallies to identify with precision, persons encouraging and perpetrating violence”.

He added that “the police is ready to deal with sponsors of violence before, during and after the elections”.

In Lagos State, our reporter gathered that, the leading All Progressives Congress (APC) was fingered in sponsoring thugs who are attacking opposition parties and causing mayhem during rallies.

A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic

Party (PDP) in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, Olaniyi Akinyemi was attacked by political thugs allegedly sponsored by the ruling APC.

The attack which occurred close to the Ikota shopping complex saw people scamper for safety as soon as the incident occurred.

It should be recalled that on Tuesday 25th October, three persons were reportedly injured after suspected political thugs attacked the campaign train of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos State, Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor.

When Journalists arrived at the scene, Mr. Olaniyi Akinyemi’s shattered vehicle was still at the scene of the attack.

According to an eyewitness who pleaded anonymity, the attackers blocked Mr. Akinyemi, shattered his vehicle windows, dragged him out and started pouncing on him.

The witness who stated that there were at least three attackers described the fearful incident saying, “the attackers dragged him out of his vehicle and started beating him and stomping on him, and when people began to gather at the scene, they, (attackers) sensing being outnumbered, jumped into their vehicle, and left the scene”.

According to the eyewitness, Mr. Olaniyi Akinyemi who is also the Assistant Secretary of the PDP in Eti-Osa local government area was later rushed to a nearby hospital by a good Samaritan with the help of sympathizers.

Commenting on the incident, Chairman of the PDP, Lagos state, Phillip Aivoji decried the frequent attacks members of the Party have suffered in the hands of the ruling APC and called on security agencies to do more to protect members of the opposition.

Accordingly, he said “we are in the period now where political parties sponsor thugs to attack, intimidate and even murder political opponents, the police should do more to protect members of the opposition parties.

“Politics should not be this bitter, we are being systematically targeted and intimidated into submission and we will not give up. We are ready to take over and free Lagos state from over two decades of misrule by the All Progressives Congress.

“The people are wiser now and are so ready to kick the APC out of Lagos state for good.”

It was reliably gathered that the thugs that attacked the campaign train were shouting APC while shooting sporadically and using dangerous weapons.

The PDP Publicity Secretary in the State, Hakeem Amode, called on the Lagos Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, Area Commander of Police in the

Eti-Osa to do everything possible to fish out those behind the attack.

Also, he confirmed the attack in a statement, saying several members of the party and some journalists sustained injuries.

One of the journalists, he stated, is in critical condition in an undisclosed hospital while those injured are being treated.

In October, after his campaign rally was attacked in Kaduna State, leaving many people injured, the campaign trail of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, was allegedly attacked in Maiduguri in November by suspected thugs, resulting in the hospitalisation of no fewer than 74 persons.

Atiku, who took to his twitter handle, further called on President Muhammadu Buhari to call on all parties to call their supporters and members to order and to ensure that campaigns are safe.

He said, “I have just received emergency reports of attacks on @ OfficialPDPNig supporters by thugs sponsored to scuttle the ongoing PDP campaign rally in Kaduna State. This is undemocratic and against the Peace Accord all parties signed up for just a few weeks ago.

In Oyo State, it was alleged that scores of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), members were attacked thereby causing pandemonium.

Confirming the attack in a statement, Yekeen Olaniyi, the media aide to Senator Teslim Folarin, described the attack as the height of lawlessness, brigandage and provocative capable of heightening the tension in the state.

Earlier this month (December), suspected armed thugs in Lakowe town area of Lekki, Lagos it was alleged

unleashed terror on some Labour Party supporters who were holding a sensitisation rally in the area at the weekend.

Chairman of the Labour Party in Lagos State, Kayode Salako, has condemned the recent attack and continued intimidation of the party’s supporters. He said, “The Labour Party and Peter Obi’s Campaign Organisation are a democratic movement and no member should be molested”.

In Kebbi State, Labour Party also lamented that thugs attacked and burnt the food vending business of the Woman Leader of its Presidential Campaign Council, Mrs Florence Ibrahim’s in November due to her uncompromising position with the PDP.

Chief Spokesperson of the LP PCC, Yunusa Tanko in a statement in Abuja, on Friday condemned the 25th November 2022 attack on its members in Kebbi State.

Suspected Gunmen numbering about four, two Sundays ago, attacked members of the Labour Party (LP) who were holding a meeting in Awgu Community, Awgu Local Government Area and Umuida, Enugu-Ezike, in the Igbo-Eze North local government area of Enugu State who were set for rally. Enugu State.

In Rivers State, suspected political thugs swooped on a team of supporters of Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party leaving three persons including Udochukwu Nwakpala who was allegedly shot and Nnamdi Nwogu, Coordinator of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council in Omuma Local Government Area were reportedly pasting campaign posters in Eberi community seriously injured and currently receiving medical attention in an undisclosed hospital.

POLITICS

2023: Lagos YPP Reps candidate urges INEC to conducts credible election

By Abubakar Yunus

The Young Progressives Party (YPP) candidate for IfakoIjaiye Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Buraimoh Peter Folajimi has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct elections that will be seen as credible and fair in the year 2023.

This was contained in the New Year message of the politician which he signed and made available to journalists in Lagos yesterday.

He also called on politicians in the country to run a peaceful campaign that would be devoid of shedding of blood, noting that no ambition was worth the life of any Nigerian.

The New Year message further read in part, “As we enter a New Year, we give glory, honour and adoration to Olodumare who has kept us to see the end of year 2022 despite all economic and security challenges that we are facing as a nation.

“2023, a year to open another chapter in the history of our great country Nigeria, as to enthroning our leaders that will rule us for another four years has come.

While we enter another electioneering moment, we beseech the Independent National Electoral Commission, to conduct a free, credible and fair election.

“Our politicians should endeavor to run a peaceful campaigning atmosphere that is devoid of shedding of blood as no ambition of any politician is worth the the life of any Nigerian.

“Therefore, let the will of the people prevail by allowing them to exercise their franchise on the election day and equally, allow their votes to count as they make decisions in electing who controls their resources for the next four years.”

Buhari’s new year message rekindles hope for credible elections in 2023 - CNPP

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Conference Of Nigeria

Political Parties (CNPP) has said that President Muhammadu Buhari has renewed hope for free, fair and credible elections this year with his recent warning and charging security agencies to maintain a high sense of professionalism and desist from behaviour that would bring disrepute to the service, as well as his new year message urging Nigerians to resist attempts by politicians to disrupt the 2023 general elections.

The CNPP, in a new year message signed by its Secretary General, Willy Ezugwu, noted that “a successful transition to a new administration will only be possible if all stakeholders

ensure the credibility of the forthcoming general elections.”

The group said, “without the neutrality of all security agencies and the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the dream of a smooth transition to the next administration on May 29, 2023 will be a mirage.

“President Muhammadu Buhari was clearly on point when he disclosed last Wednesday that he has charged security agencies to do away with anything that will soil the nation’s democratic process, saying that “Under no circumstances should they get involved in anything that could compromise the democratic process, or bring disrepute to their institutions and to Nigeria”, the President said.

“The CNPP stands with

President Buhari on the professional neutrality of security agencies in the forthcoming general elections, particularly the presidential and National Assembly elections.

“For the fact that these elections are coming first, in February this year, both security agencies and INEC have the patriotic duty to ensure that the elections were held without violence and undue interference from politicians, their agents, and the enemies of our democracy.

“We also stand with President Buhari on his charge to Nigerians to resist attempts by politicians to disrupt the forthcoming polls.

“His new year message is indeed valedictory and his words suitable for the season

as electing credible leaders will be the begging of solving Nigeria’s numerous economic and security problems.

“Nigeria cannot afford to have a new crop of corrupt politicians and their cronies take over the country’s leadership at every level.

“For this reason, we specially charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to ensure that all efforts by politicians to buy votes during the scheduled general elections, beginning from February, were unsuccessful in line with the presidential directive to all security agencies to ensure free, fair and credible elections this year”, the CNPP stated.

Nigerians won’t take excuses, justify yourself in 2023 election - APM tells INEC

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure the elections are free, fair and credible as all eyes are on the commission to justify the confidence reposed in it with improved technology to discharge its constitutional duties.

In a statement issued yesterday by the National Chairman of APM, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, the party also said Nigerians have suffered untold hardship due to imposition of leaders who carry out the bids of their godfathers at the detriment of national unity, security and prosperity.

To this end, APM also tasked the security agents to also be proactive and ensure adequate protection of lives and property, and apprehend

electoral offenders and their sponsors to face the full weight of the law which will serve as a deterrent to others.

The statement by the party said “By the special grace of God Nigerians have survived 2022 in spite of political upheavals, economic hardship, terrorism and other Socioeconomic quagmire.

“2023 provides us another opportunity to strengthen the foundations of our frail democracy, particularly the electoral process as citizens go to the polls to choose leaders that will pilot the affairs of the nation in the next four years.

“It is a year of action in our collective resolve to elect credible, visionary, purposeful and resourceful leaders. It calls for active participation of eligible Nigerians to exercise their franchise in all elections.

Yusuf Mamman Dantalle

“The forthcoming elections are crucial for voters to change the narrative and return power to the people. This is the first step to advance democracy in Nigeria and deliver its dividends to the masses.”

Be careful of betrayal by greedy politicians - Cleric cautions LP Candidate, Peter Obi

By Abubakar Yunus

The founder and Senior Pastor at Zion Flames Ministries International (ZFMI), Apostle Promise Momo, has prophesied that Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi should be careful about betrayal in the forthcoming general election by greedy politicians.

This is as he urged Nigerians to pray over the 2023 general elections because there are some

powers that do not want it to hold.

Pastor Momo released the prophecies during the church’s crossover service, which took place at the crossover night at the ZFM headquarters on Saturday.

According to him, the Lord said this is our year of Supernatural growth, believers should endeavour to seek growth spiritually and in every area of their life.

“Concerning the general

elections in Nigeria, the Lord said there are people who have betrayed Nigerans and have sold their conscience just because of what they will eat. Peter Obi be careful of betrayal.

“I saw two parties joining forces together to weaken another, one of the candidates will indirectly work for another and I saw a spirit of death on a former head of state, pray for a former head of state.

“God said he is releasing

vengeance upon some of the enemies of Nigeria, there will be strange deaths of prominent people who sow seeds of discord in this nation,’’ he said.

While Speaking in Africa, he said I saw Liberia, and I saw a great giant come out of this nation to kill people in other African nations again.

He said “There will be more police civilian riots in some African countries at a very high scale.

“South Africa is going to be pressured to sign a bill into law by the west, if they do there will be consequences, the Lord will execute judgment on the leaders but the citizens will suffer.

“God showed me Ethiopia I saw so much famine while East Africa should be prepared, because some international policies that has to do with immigration and other benefits from the west will no longer favour them.”

2023 polls, a choice between Nigeria’s recovery

decline, says Atiku

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has described this year’s general elections as a choice between Nigeria’s recovery and decline.

Atiku however assured that if elected as the next President of the country,

he and his supporters shall work together to recover Nigeria so that all Nigerians can enjoy peace, prosperity, safety and stability.

The former Vice President, who stated these in a message to his supporters on the social media yesterday, declared that he has the experience and the capacity to make this happen again.

He explained that his scorecard and the scorecard of the PDP, as compared with that of the APC, is his boldest advertisement in the ongoing campaign.

Atiku, in the message personally issued by him, said, “It’s 2023 and it’s our year to Recover Nigeria. It is with a profound sense of joy that I welcome you to the Year 2023, Atikulator.

“For sure, it’s a dateline for the Recovery of our dear country. It needs not to be reinforced that it’s one year we have all looked forward to.

“Nigeria will go through the ballot this year - specifically on February 25 and March 11.

“Those election datelines are crucial to us as Nigerians because they headline our recovery as a people from the hardship and pains that the APC has unleashed on the country in the past seven and half years.

“You already know that I shall be leading the Peoples Democratic Party in my position as your presidential candidate in the mission to defeat the APC and push back on the current hardships and economic downturn.

“When you elect me as your next president, we shall work together to recover Nigeria so all Nigerians can enjoy peace, prosperity, safety and stability.

“I have the experience and the capacity to make this happen again. My scorecard and the scorecard of the PDP, as compared with that of the APC, is my boldest advertisement in this campaign.

“None of the other contestants comes close in my capacity to building an economy from the base to enviable heights, and I make no frivolous claims about that.

“Dear friend, the next election is a choice between our recovery and our decline.

“I am sure that your choice is clear. I am sure that you will mobilise your family, friends and colleagues to go to the ballot and vote to recover Nigeria.

“Thank you very much indeed, and I wish you and your family a happy and prosperous New Year 2023”, he said.

Obasanjo’s endorsement of Peter Obi is worthless, says Tinubu

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Presidential campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has described the endorsement by former President Olusegun Obasanjo of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi as worthless and of no value.

This followed the reported endorsement of Obi in a New Year message released by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

A statement by Bayo Onanuga, Director, Media & Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Council on New Year day said “the endorsement is actually worthless because the former President does not possess any political goodwill or leverage anywhere in Nigeria to make anyone win a Councillorship election let alone win a Presidential election. He is a political paperweight.”

The statement reads in part:” Following calls by journalists from various media houses who asked for our reaction we decided to make this preliminary statement, though we didn’t consider the so-called endorsement to be of any value.

“We respect the democratic right of former President Obasanjo to support and endorse any candidate of his choice in any election.

“ Except that he made it known formally in his new year message, any discerning political watcher in Nigeria knows that Chief Obasanjo’s preference for Peter Obi is

expected. He had earlier stated his position at various public events, the last being at the 70th birthday anniversary of Chief John Nwodo, former President of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Enugu.

“We make bold to say that our party and candidate, Asíwájú Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not lose sleep over Obasanjo’s move, as Obasanjo is notorious for always opposing progressive political forces, as he did against MKO Abiola in 1993.”

The statement also said that Obasanjo is not a democrat anyone should be proud to be associated with.

“ We recall that in 2003 and 2007 general elections when he was a sitting President, Obasanjo used all the coercive instruments of State at his disposal to railroad people into elective offices against the will of Nigerians as expressed at the polls. In 2007, he declared the polls a do or die affair after he failed in his bid to amend our constitution to have a third term.

“From our records, President Obasanjo has not successfully made anyone win election in Nigeria since then.

“ Not even in Ogun State can anyone rely on his support or endorsement to become a governor or Councillor.

“We pity Peter Gregory Obi as we are confident that Chief Obasanjo cannot win his polling unit and ward in Abeokuta for Obi in the coming Presidential election on 25 February, 2023.

“Chief Obasanjo’s endorsement is not a political currency Mr. Peter Obi can

spend anywhere in Nigeria because he is not a political force, even in his part of the country.

“ Chief Obasanjo similarly endorsed Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Peoples Democratic Party candidate in 2019 against President Muhammadu Buhari. Atiku was walloped by Buhari with a wide margin in the election.

“ History will repeat itself in February as our candidate Asíwájú Bola Ahmed Tinubu will equally beat Obi by a large margin.

“ We take a particular notice of the part of the endorsement statement where Chief Obasanjo said none of the presidential candidates is a Saint,” the statement said.

It added: “We want to state here that Chief Obasanjo is not a good judge of character. He is a man who considers only himself as the all-knowing Saint in Nigeria.

“Over the years, Chief Obasanjo has also convinced himself that integrity, honesty and all good virtues begin and end with him.”

Time to decide for a new Nigeria - NNPP

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has said as the country commences the 2023 new year, a fresh start is offered to Nigerians to enthrone genuine democracy and build a new Nigeria they all desire and deserve on the platform of the NNPP.

A statement issued yesterday by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Agbo Major, NNPP said this new Nigeria will bring to an end the long national nightmare and consistent policies somersaults which crippled the economy and made Nigeria a laughing stock in the comity of nations.

The party said the tasks ahead are enormous and so are the opportunities to

build a strong, virile, united, progressive, prosperous, equitable and just democratic society, adding that Nation building is a collective responsibility of citizens and calls for prayers, unity, tolerance and shared vision.

“The new year and the upcoming general election will afford Nigerians a unique opportunity to choose patriotic, credible, courageous, honest, compassionate, versatile and God-fearing leaders who will turnaround the destiny of the nation and steer the ship of the state from its perilous course

“The general election is crucial for the survival of democracy in Nigeria. It demands citizens’ active participation in the electoral process.

“NNPP urges eligible Nigerians to collect their permanent voter cards, come out en masse and vote for its candidates in all elections, ensure their votes are counted and count in the overall result. The will and mandate of the people must be respected as power belongs to the people. The party will resist any attempt to subvert the clear mandate of Nigerians.

“Accordingly, NNPP calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide a free playing field to all political parties and their candidates participating in the elections. The commission should ensure that all electoral materials are ready and provided on time to ensure citizens discharge their civic

duties that will chart the way forward for the country in the next four years.

“Security agents should be alive to their constitutional duties and ensure adequate protection of the people and electoral materials. The wanton killings and burning of INEC offices are outrageous, barbaric and despicable, sad commentary in our political process. This madness must stop. Enough is enough”, NNPP said in the statement issued yesterday.

The party urged also political parties and their supporters to imbibe issuebased politics and eschew politics of bitterness and brigandage that has impeded the nation’s democracy”,

said.

NNPP

Bola Ahmad Tinubu

or

DSS urged to prosecute CBN’s governor’s, emeifele

By Abubakar Y. Ojima

The Northern Forum (CNF) has urged the Department of State Services (DSS) to appeal a High Court decision barring the agency from arresting Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele.

Other groups from the North and Middle Belt, however, have condemned Emefiele’s ordeals, saying it is an inappropriate way to reward a hardworking public servant.

According to the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) and the Middle Belt Youths (MBY), CBN interventions in several sectors under Emefiele saved the Nigerian economy over the last six years.

During a press conference in Kaduna State yesterday, CNF spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam stated that Emefiele is not above the law and that state security should be allowed to do their job.

On Thursday, a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Garki issued an order prohibiting the State Security Service (SSS) and its agents from arresting, detaining, or restricting the movement of the CBN governor due to alleged ties to terrorism.

The Federal High Court’s Chief Judge, John Tsoho, ruled that the SSS failed to provide sufficient evidence to warrant the issuance of an arrest warrant against Emefiele.

The SSS “acted wrongfully and illegally in instigating the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria against Emefile in respect of the exercise of his statutory duty relating to the issuance of monetary policies and directives in the interest of national security and economy,” said Justice M. A. Hassan, who issued the order while ruling on a suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of Forum for Accountability and Good Leadership (ITFAGL).

While calling on the CBN governor to resign because his character was already called into question, Abdulsalam said the DSS had done a good job over time, particularly in the area of intelligence gathering, and that the case of the apex bank should not be an exception.

He went on to say that Emefiele spending N58.6 billion to print N2.5 billion notes at a time when Nigeria was in the grip of a financial crisis, including spiraling inflation and unemployment, is absurd, and that the sooner the CBN boss is forced to face the law and answer the allegations, the better.

Buhari to sign 2023 budget on Tuesday, says Lawan

By Abubakar Yunus, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari will on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, sign the 2023 appropriation bill into law.

Ahmad Lawan, senate president, made the disclosure to state house correspondents after meeting with Buhari on Friday.

This comes two days after lawmakers in the house of representatives and senate passed a budget of N21.83 trillion for the 2023 fiscal year.

The two chambers of the national assembly increased the budget spending by N1.33 trillion

from the proposed N20.51 trillion to N21.83 trillion.

Buhari had proposed an oil benchmark fixed at $70 per barrel, but the lawmakers while passing the medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF), raised it to $73 per barrel.

Other parameters included daily oil production estimate of 1.69 million barrels (inclusive of condensates of 300,000 to 400,000 barrels daily) at exchange rate of N435.57/$.

In addition, the gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate was projected at 3.75 percent, with 17.16 percent inflation rate.

The national assembly also passed the 2022 finance bill which aims to expand the tax net to increase revenue for the federal government.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the Lawan said his discussions with Buhari centred on the 2023 appropriation bill and the recent additional loan request.

The senate president expressed regret that the 2023 budget signing is happening a bit later than that of 2022 which was signed on December 31, 2021.

According to Lawan, with the January to December budget

cycle adopted and maintained by the 9th Assembly, the delay of one week was due to anomalies discovered by the legislature in the budgetary documents submitted by the executives.

He also said the upcoming general elections were part of the national issues that were discussed.

The lawmaker assured that the legislature will ensure the that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is given adequate budgetary provisions to conduct a free and fair elections devoid of underfunding.

Lagos picks preferred bidder for Fourth Mainland Bridge construction

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Lagos state government has announced CCECCCRCCIG Consortium as the preferred bidder for the construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge (4MB) project.

Ope George, special adviser to the governor on publicprivate partnerships, disclosed this at the agency’s office in Ikeja on Thursday.

George said the 4MB project, which is a proposed PPP transport infrastructure development, will comprise the construction and operation of a greenfield tolled road and

bridge with a design speed of 120 kilometres per hour, including the development of adjacent real estate.

He added that the bridge, when completed, would become the second longest in Africa with three toll plazas, nine interchanges, a 4.5km Lagoon Bridge and an eco-friendly environment.

The project, George explained, is also expected to span about 37 kilometres, starting from Abraham Adesanya in Ajah, on the Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe corridor and traverse the north-west towards the lagoon shoreline of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway via Owutu/Isawo in Ikorodu.

“You will recall that the Lagos state government commenced a competitive bidding process for the selection of a concessionaire, by the issuance of the request for expressions of interest (REOI) on 27th of November, 2019,” George said.

“A total of 52 responses were received with 32 being responsive.

“Subsequently, a request for quotation (RFQ) was issued on February 10, 2020 to the 32 eligible applicants and responses were received on 15th April, 2020 with a total of 15 responses.

“Upon evaluation, six bidders met the criteria to progress to the request for

proposal (RFP) stage.”

The list was further streamlined to three bidders last month, as the state promised to announce the winner by year end.

George explained that the bids have now been evaluated and CCECC-CRCCIG Consortium emerged as the preferred bidder while the Mota-Engil (Nigeria and Africa) CCCC & CRBC Consortium, was chosen as the reserved bidder for the project.

The special adviser said the bridge would reduce congestion on the existing Carter, Eko and Third Mainland Bridges while opening new areas of the city for future developments.

President Muhammadu Buhari receives the President of the Senate Dr Ahmad Lawan during an audience at the State House in Abuja.

PHOTO; State House

BU$IN€SS

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

Goldman Sachs, a multinational investment bank, projects that global economic growth will slow next

GTBank suspends int’l transactions on naira cards Dec 31

Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) says it will suspend international transactions on its naira Mastercard from Saturday, December 31, 2022.

The bank, who made this known in a statement to its customers ,said customers will be unable to make international automated teller machine (ATM), and point of sales (POS) transactions on their naira Mastercards.

“We write to inform you that you will no longer be able to use your naira Mastercard for international online and POS transactions effective 31st December 2022,” the statement reads.

“Kindly note that you can use your GTBank dollar card for all your international spending requirements.”

According to the statement, the bank’s dollar card allows a daily $1,000 (or equivalent in the transaction local currency) withdrawal limit on ATM transactions.

It added that there would be no withdrawal limit on “annual spend and POS transactions” for the dollar cards.

The development is not the first time financial institutions are reducing spending limits or suspending international transactions on their cards.

In February and March, Zenith Bank and the United Bank for Africa (UBA) reduced the international spending limit on their naira cards from $100 to $20 a month.

Also, in July, Standard Chartered Bank suspended international transactions on its naira visa debit card.

Flutterwave, Eversend and other fintech platforms had also stopped virtual card services for international transactions.

Operating a multiple exchange rate system, Nigeria has been battling a foreign exchange crisis.

Recently, the country’s foreign reserves depleted from $3.0 billion in 2014 to zero in 2022.

Godwin Emefiele, governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), had said there is a shortage of foreign exchange to meet citizens’ needs.

Amid Nigeria’s FX shortage issues and its resultant effect on banks’ decision to limit international transactions, citizens’ ability to pay for services abroad and online has been impacted.

Goldman Sachs forecasts slow global economic growth at 1.8% in 2023

year.

The firm’s projection contained in its report titled ‘macro outlook 2023: this cycle is different’.

Goldman Sachs said the world’s economy is expected to grow at a slower-than-expected pace of 1.8 percent in 2023 as the United States’ resilience contrasts with a European recession and a bumpy reopening in China.

The projection is lower than the 2.7 percent estimated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

“Global growth slowed sharply through 2022 on a diminishing reopening boost, fiscal and monetary tightening, China’s ongoing Covid restrictions and property slump, and the energy supply shock resulting from the Russia-Ukraine war,” the report reads.

“We expect the world to continue growing at a below-trend pace of 1.8 percent in 2023, with a mild recession in Europe and a bumpy reopening in China but also important pockets of resilience in

the US and some EM early hikers, such as Brazil.”

The investment bank also predicted that the US was likely to narrowly avoid a recession in 2023.

“The US should narrowly avoid recession as core PCE inflation slows from 5 percent now to 3 percent in late 2023 with a 1⁄2pp rise in the unemployment rate,” Goldman Sachs explained.

“To keep growth below potential amidst stronger real income growth, we now see the Fed hiking another 125bp to a peak of 5-5.25 percent. We don’t expect cuts in 2023.

“How can core inflation fall so much with such a small employment hit? The reason, we think, is that this cycle is different from prior high-inflation periods.

“First, post-pandemic labor market overheating showed up not in excessive employment but in unprecedented job openings, which are much less painful to unwind.

“Second, the disinflationary impact of the recent normalisation in supply chains and rental housing

markets still has a long way to go.

“And third, long-term inflation expectations remain wellanchored.”

Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs said the Euro area and the United Kingdom were probably already in recession, mainly because of the real income hit from surging energy bills.

“But we expect only a mild downturn as Europe has already managed to cut Russian gas imports without crushing activity and is likely to benefit from the same postpandemic improvements that are helping [to] avoid US recession,” it explained.

“Given reduced risks of a deep downturn and persistent inflation, we now expect hikes through May with a 3 percent ECB peak.”

According to Goldman Sachs’ research economists, economic growth is likely to start 2023 on the weak side across most of the AsiaPacific as a fading reopening boost, slowing global manufacturing cycle, and past monetary tightening weigh on activity.

“China is likely to grow slowly in H1 as an April reopening initially triggers an increase in Covid cases that keeps caution high, but should accelerate sharply in H2 on a reopening boost,” the bank said.

“Our longer-run China view remains cautious because of the long slide in the property market as well as slower potential growth (reflecting weakness in both demographics and productivity).

“Several central banks in Central/Eastern Europe and Latin America started hiking rates well before their DM peers. While none has clearly achieved a soft landing yet, activity has been resilient and inflation is now coming down in some countries, especially Brazil.

“CEE is in a more difficult position because of its commodity exposure, high inflation, and ongoing monetary tightening.”

Earlier this month, there were reports that Goldman Sachs was planning to fire about 4,000 employees next year over ebbing profits.

FG should get involved in Jet A1 availability to save airlines from collapse – Expert

The Federal Government has been advised to get itself involved in the Jet A1 crisis rocking the Nigerian aviation industry or risk the collapse of many indigenous airlines.

A former Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Capt. Samuel Caulcrick made the call over the weekend during an interview with Nairametrics.

Caulcrick noted that the Federal Government had performed creditably well in the industry in 2022, but warned that the Jet A1 scarcity and its attendant high cost may negatively affect the country’s aviation industry.

The At the moment, Jet A1, otherwise known as aviation fuel in local parlance, is sold at N800 to N850 per litre, depending on the

quantity and the airport an airline is buying from.

At the beginning of the year, the commodity sold for N250 to N300 per litre. But since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the prices have skyrocketed, thereby affecting the operating costs of airlines.

Peoples Daily gathered that aviation fuel makes up over 60% of the total operating cost for airlines, a huge leap from 30% at the beginning of the year.

According to Caulcrick, the government could get involved in the supply chain, not as an importer, but through subsidy of the product to operators.

He opined that the government could purchase the product from the major oil marketers and sell to operators in the industry at a

subsidised rate, arguing that the government would benefit more through taxes in the long run.

Besides, the former NCAT helmsman explained that the government through the Nigeria Air Force had some Jet A1 reserves, which it could tap into to feed the airlines in case of the scarcity and high cost of the product as it is presently happening in the sector. He said:

“Also, when it comes to Jet A1, the government doesn’t want to get involved, but I think the government should get involved, but not as an importer. The government has a Jet A1 reserve for the Air Force because of security. So, the Air Force cannot rely on suppliers for Jet A1 to fly their jets.

“Government should be able to

look into that reserve at times to save the commercial sector especially when the scarcity of the product is alarming or if there is a price hike and the government wants to subsidise it.

“The government can also call the fuel marketers and buy the product from them and sell at a subsidised rate for the airlines. This is necessary because the government is taking money back from every airline that flies. After all, the airlines are paying charges.

“Definitely with this, the government would make its money back because if they don’t fly, the government cannot make money. For every hour the airlines fly, the government gets some money too, which would have been zero if they don’t fly. So, the government has to be very flexible.”

METRO

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, approved the creation of three new Departments, appointment of five new Directors and confirmation of four Acting Directors of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), as substantive Directors.

It was gathered that those whose appointments were confirmed include; Director of Public Building, Arc Olugbadebo Adebowale Ademo, Director, Engineering Services, Engr. Ferdinand Obiora Ezeoha, Director, Engineering Design and Evaluation, Engr. Abdulkadir Bello Tunau, Director, Department of Urban & Regional Planning, Town Planner Yahaya Abubakar while Arc. Celestine Sunday Eze was confirmed as the Director of Special Duties in the Office of the Executive Secretary.

Also, the newly appointed are Aminu Gaya Aliyu, Director, Human Resources Management Department, Hauwa Asabe Mohammed, Director, Finance and Accounts Department while the new Department of Engineering Infrastructure Rehabilitation has Engr Jatto Abdulkareem as Director, Rasheed Salimonu, Director of Procurement, while Maryam Ada Ameh is to oversee the Internal Audit Department.

Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Engr Shehu Hadi Ahmad, who disclosed this while briefing journalists in his office, explained that substantive Directors were also appointed for the newly created Departments.

Ahmad added that as part of efforts to ensure that staff enjoy their entitlements even

FCT Minister okays new FCDA departments, Directors’ appointment

after

Director in the Department of Urban & Regional Planning,

Director. Furthermore, the FCDA boss enjoined the new Directors

to live up to the confidence reposed on them by the FCT Administration.

2023: Residents urged to resist disharmony, disaffection

By Stanley Onyekwere

Abuja residents are admonished to collectively resist any attempt to cause disharmony and disaffection within their ranks, in the new year and beyond.

In particular, they are reminded that as residents of the FCT, they are obliged to live up to the ideals of the founding fathers of the Territory as a place where every Nigerian can call home.

This charge was given by the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, in a

new year message, on behalf of the FCT Administration to residents of the FCT.

Bello also called them to ensure that in the spirit of peace, unity and togetherness, they actively participate in the 2023 general elections, coming up next month.

He noted that elections in the FCT have always been peaceful, so they should ensure that the upcoming 2023 polls also reflect such.

"As we begin our journey into 2023, which holds a very important place in the democratic development of

our country, I wish to applaud residents of the Territory for your exemplary conduct not only in our collective quest of building a befitting capital Territory for our country, but also for holding true to the principles of unity and peaceful co-existence which is the foundation on which the FCT is grounded.

"Exactly a year ago, in my 2022 New Year message, I enjoined residents of the Territory to participate actively in the Area Council elections. I once more commend you all for abiding by the democratic and lawful processes in the election

of the council chairmen.

"We must therefore, collectively resist any attempt to cause disharmony and disaffection within our ranks. Elections in the FCT have always been peaceful. Let us ensure that the upcoming 2023 polls also reflect this", he stressed.

The Minister however, assured that over the next five months, heralding the end of the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, the FCT Administration will not relent in its efforts of ensuring the development of the Territory and the well-being of its residents.

New Year: Aliyu doles out items to 120 new born Babies, mothers in Abuja

By Stanley Onyekwere

No fewer than 120 mothers of new born babies in selected Primary Health Care Centres across the six area councils of the FCT were gifted with delivery kits and baby items, as part of activities to celebrate the New Year.

The selected primary healthcare facilities visited include Aleyita Primary healthcare in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Dutse Alhaji primary healthcare centre in Bwari area council, and Township Clinic primary healthcare centre in Gwagwalada area council

Others are Township Clinic primary healthcare centre in Kwali area council, Kuje Comprehensive Health Centre in Kuje area council and Township Clinic primary healthcare centre in Abaji area council.

The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu

Tijjani Aliyu, who made the donation also gave a token of undisclosed amount of cash to some nursing mothers.

Aliyu, while presenting some of the items to beneficiaries at Kuje Comprehensive Healthcare Centre in Kuje Area Council, yesterday, described the successful delivery recorded in various primary healthcare centres as a bundle of joy, just as she prayed that joy would continue to radiate in the FCT in 2023 and beyond.

The minister, who was represented by the Director of Administration and Finance, FCT Social Development Secretariat, Mrs. Justina Pawa, tasked mothers on early training of their children, noting that children are gift from God.

While calling on mothers to accept all vaccines given during government approved immunization campaigns, the minister used the occasion to remind

them of the need to ensure that their babies complete the routine immunization before the age of two.

“Remember to take care of yourselves and attend post natal clinics and continue to take your routine medicines. On my part, I will continue to identify with you and sharing in your joy.

“Since I came to office in 2019, I have continued to implement and support initiatives that would improve the health of mothers and children particularly towards reducing maternal and child deaths from preventable causes, also empowering women to contribute meaningfully to the upkeep of themselves and their families.

“I will also encourage you to always contribute to the growth of the family in particular and community at large. All babies born today are welcome and I pray to God to continue to grant mothers and babies good health, while the fathers

continue to have the means to support their families,” Aliyu noted.

Earlier, one of the beneficiaries, Hajiya Ibrahim Kudirat, who delivered a bouncing baby boy at 12:01am on the New Year’s Day, inside Kuje Comprehensive Health Centre, thanked the minister for the kind gesture.

She noted that the items and cash donation would assist mothers at this early stage of delivery.

Other beneficiaries are, Mrs. Mary Olayinka, who delivered at 12:40am, at the Bwari Comprehensive Healthcare centre in Bwari area council, while Mrs. Idoko Christina, delivered a baby girl at 1:52am, amongst other deliveries.

The highpoint of the event was the presentation of food items to FCT Minister of State by the community head of Aleyita community, in appreciation of her efforts in boosting community healthcare.

retirement, Town Planner Abioye Musibau who retired in Acting capacity as Acting

was confirmed as a substantive

world news

Lula to be sworn in as Brazil president as Bolsonaro flies to US

Crowds of people are gathering in the Brazilian capital, Brasilia, ahead of the inauguration of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as president.

The veteran left-wing politician, known widely as Lula, also led the country between 2003 and 2010 - and defeated Jair Bolsonaro in October’s poll.

There is tight security for Sunday’s ceremony amid fears that Bolsonaro supporters may try to disrupt it.

Mr Bolsonaro himself will not attend, having left Brazil on Friday.

A sea of Lula supporters gathered in front of Congress early in the morning - decked out in the red colour of his Workers’ Party. They travelled to see their leader sworn in - but also for a celebration.

More than 60 artists - including Samba legend Martinho da Vila - are due to perform on two giant stages decorated in the national flag as part of a music festival dubbed “Lulapalooza”.

“Love has won over hate,” read one banner carried by a man dressed as Lula - complete with a presidential sash.

“Brazil needed this change, this transformation,” said another backer of the incoming leader as she queued for Sunday’s festivities.

Juliana Barreto - who is from Lula’s home state Pernambuco - told the BBC that her

country was “a disaster” previously.

Formal proceedings will begin at 14:30 (16:30 GMT), when Lula and incoming Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin will parade through the city on an open-top convertible.

The men have spent the past days selecting their cabinet and appointing supporters to key state owned businesses.

In a noted change of policy from the Bolsonaro administration, Marina Silvaone of Brazil’s best known climate activists - was re-appointed to head the environment and climate ministry. She will be expected to achieve Lula’s pledge to reach “zero deforestation” in the Amazon by 2030.

More than 300,000 people are expected to flock to the capital for the inauguration, which will take place at Esplanade of Ministries, home to the country’s congress buildings.

The state of Brasilia has pledged to deploy “100%” of its police force - around 8,000 officers - to the city amid fears that some supporters of Mr Bolsonaro could seek to disrupt proceedings.

Mr Bolsonaro himself reportedly flew to the US state of Florida after delivering a teary farewell to supporters.

“We have a great future ahead,” he said in a social media video. “Battles are lost, but we will not lose the war.”

The populist incumbent has repeatedly said he does not wish to attend the

inauguration of his successor, where he would be expected to hand over the presidential sash in a sign of a stable transfer of power.

Last week, authorities arrested a supporter of Mr Bolsonaro who had allegedly placed explosives on a fuel truck near an airport in the capital on Christmas Eve. The man said he hoped to “sow chaos” ahead of Lula’s inauguration.

And other supporters of the outgoing

leader have remained camped outside army headquarters, where they have been urging the army to launch a coup. Police attempted to remove the demonstrators on Thursday, but withdrew after they reacted violently.

However, Mr Bolsonaro has condemned the protests against his defeat, urging his supporters to “show we are different from the other side, that we respect the norms and the Constitution”.

Czechoslovakia: Czechs and Slovaks mark 30 years since Velvet Divorce

31 December marked the 30th anniversary of the break-up of Czechoslovakia; one of the few cases in history when a state has been divided up without a single life being lost. Today the Czech Republic and Slovakia enjoy a harmonious, friction-free friendshiptinged with a touch of regret for what was once a happy marriage.

“This is my whole life. It’s my daily bread.” Filip Svrcek cast his eye along the snow-covered banks of the River Morava, watching the grey-green mass flowing towards a weir and hydroelectric power station from the 1930s.

Filip, chairman of the Hodonin Rowing Club, has spent all of his 41 years within earshot of the river, which forms a long stretch of the Czech Republic’s southeastern border with Slovakia.

“Over there, that’s Slovakia, but for us it’s almost the same place,” he said, explaining that his rowers follow the rules of river navigation rather than international law.

“We stray into the Slovak half of the river all the time. We don’t need official permission - and I hope we never will,” he went on.

The only conflicts - in summer months - were with local fishermen rather than the police, he said.

Filip, who lives 500m from the rowing club with his Slovak wife and two children, was just 11 when Czechoslovakia divided into two.

His memory of it is a child’s memory: some excitement, confusion, alarm perhaps. But any emotions have long since subsided.

“For me, everything stayed the same. Friends, language - everything was the same.”

In town, at Hodonin’s Masaryk Museum, I received a tour of the exhibits devoted to Tomas Garrigue Masaryk, the local boy who

went on to become the founding father of Czechoslovakia at the close of World War One.

Son of a Slovak coachman and a Moravian cook who both served the imperial court, the young Masaryk - like Filip - was equally at home on both sides of the river.

Technically each time he crossed it he would be passing from the Margraviate of Moravia to the Kingdom of Hungary, from one Habsburg crownland to another.

“But he wouldn’t have perceived it like that,” said the museum’s director Irena Chovancikova, gently scolding my efforts to apply 21st-Century understanding of statehood - with its passports and clearlydefined borders - to the Central Europe of the mid-19th Century.

I pondered what Masaryk - who forged a common state for Czechs and Slovaks out of the ashes of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918 - would have made of his treasured creation being dismembered by Czech and Slovak politicians just 75 years later.

“It’s almost impossible to say,” said Irena.

“Maybe he would have tugged them by their ears and told them off. Who knows? But one thing is for sure - if it had happened in his lifetime, there would certainly have been an intense debate about it,” she went on.

Perhaps more intense than in 1992when Czechoslovakia was divvied up quietly by the federal state’s two prime ministers, with no referendum.

After a five-minute drive I found myself trudging through the slush outside Holic castle - a rather dilapidated three-storey baroque pile just across the border in Slovakia.

The castle - once a Habsburg summer retreat - was shuttered and deserted on the day I visited, so I made a beeline for Holic’s

small Christmas market, to warm up with a cup of mulled wine.

I first had to scour my pockets for some euros. The most obvious difference between the two countries is that the Slovaks have enthusiastically embraced the single European currency. Their neighbours have stuck doggedly to their Czech crowns.

“Maybe it was a shame we split up, who knows? But we’re just the little people aren’t we,” said stallholder Jan.

“But it hasn’t divided us,” added his wife Mirka. “For us, nothing is divided.”

That evening I stopped by an evening of folk dancing at a local hotel. There I met a member of the Valsa folk ensemble, Miroslav Milota, a man from Holic who’s been commuting across the border to Hodonin for work for 42 years.

“I remember that New Year’s Eve, 1992. I remember we sang the Czechoslovak

anthem - both parts, the Czech verse and then the Slovak one. It was emotional,” said Miroslav.

“We realised that from now on, we’d only be singing our own half. So we didn’t really know was going to happen: how everything else - not just the anthem - would be divided.”

I was visiting Czechoslovakia in December 1992, and remember that sense of uncertainty and nervousness. By the time I moved here permanently six months later, the country was no more.

Today Czechs and Slovaks are best friends. Dig deep enough and you will find some nostalgia for their common state, and occasionally regret for its passing.

But their fast-track divorce - the terms of which were scribbled down in the garden of a villa - is very much in the past.

Source: BBC

Supporters have turned out in the red colour of the Worker’s Party - and one wore a presidential sash

Thirty years on since the breakup of Czechoslovakia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic enjoy a harmonious relationship

NEWS FROM AFRICA

Deadly crush during New Year festivities in Uganda

At least nine people have died in a crowd crush during New Year festivities in the Ugandan capital Kampala.

A number of children were killed in the incident, which unfolded at a shopping centre that hosted a fireworks display.

One eyewitness explained that people - including his friend - suffocated after getting caught between crowds that were moving in opposing directions.

Big gatherings for New Year’s Eve were allowed for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kampala police said people had attended a concert at Freedom City Mall

in large numbers.

A crowd surge was said to occurred when partygoers tried to head back inside - having gone outdoors to see the midnight fireworks.

Five people - described as “mostly children, juveniles” - were said to have been killed after being stepped on.

The death toll was later put at nine after a number of people were taken to hospital.

An eyewitness, Ramadhan Aphongo, told local broadcaster NTV that a friend was among the victims: “She was enjoying, she was having fun, but due to loss of breath... eventually she died.”

An investigation is under way.

A local NTV news broadcast showed people in tears after the deadly incident

How a British boxing champ returned to his Ghanaian roots on an English chicken farm

The road to the ring is rarely a straightforward one for boxers, while the path that leads away can often be perilous.

Francis Ampofo is a man who fought his way from the streets of London, where he moved as a child from Ghana, to the top of British boxing in the 1990s - yet the canvas was not to be his only source of glory.

After stepping out of the ring, he took on the world of business in 2003 with the purchase of a 26-acre farm in Norfolk with 10,000 chickens - a nod to his own early life running free in Kumasi.

“I always loved chickens from back in Ghana,” Ampofo, 55, told BBC Sport Africa.

“As soon as I came here (to the farm), I knew this is it: boxing is over - I want to get into chickens now.”

Twice holding both the British and Commonwealth flyweight titles, Ampofo also challenged for the world title on four occasions - the first coming when losing to South Africa’s “Baby” Jake Matlala for the WBO title at London’s York Hall in 1994.

In a 12-year career, Ampofo won 17 of 28 professional bouts but after retiring in 2002 he returned to something far closer to his heart.

“I was born in Ashtown, Kumasi, which is right in the Ashanti region,” he explained.

“I didn’t really know my mum that well, because she came here (to England) when I was three.

“She came to work in the National Health Service and then I was looked after by my grandmother for another three years and that’s where reality started - start working.

“I was selling mangoes, oranges, so she’d peel them all, put them in a bowl that I’d carry on my head and go around selling them, then go back for more.

Ampofo would work around his schooling in Ghana, where he loved living.

“It was a fantastic time. When I first came to this country, I really, really wanted to go back to Ghana. My mum doesn’t know this but I hated it because it was like prison to me.

“Ghana, from six in the morning, I’m out - nice and sunny - doing what I want, or I go to work in Kumasi market. In this country, it’s different.

“You are locked in all the time, you are inside the house. You don’t go out unless you’re going to school. After school, you’re home. That’s it, there’s no out.”

His sense of boredom was not helped by the fact that he “didn’t know anyone really” in England, a big contrast to his homeland.

“Where we lived (in Ghana), we had about maybe six or seven chickens and they had a little coop where I would go to get all the eggs before giving them to my nan.

“So every morning, that was my job: cleaning chickens, feeding them, giving them water - and all that played a big part in this.

“I think [of] young me and I like animals, birds, chickens, so those early days played a big part in me coming (to the farm).”

Ampofo’s early years in London were a challenge despite being reunited with his mother because his diminutive size made him a target at school, unwittingly starting his career.

Pele in Africa: The man, the myth, the legend

Being one of the very first young black sporting superstars of the television era, Pelé drew the love and affinity of Africans across the continent.

As decolonisation movements swept across Africa in the late 1950s and early 1960s, Pelé was invited by newly independent countries to play in prestigious friendlies with his club Santos FC and the Brazilian national team.

In his autobiography, Pelé said that the following decades and subsequent repeated trips to the African continent, “changed not only my view of the world, but also the way the world perceived me”.

The author of the Almanac of FC Santos, Guilherme Nascimento, correctly pointed out that the African trips were “so full of stories that there is no clear boundary between legend and fact”.

His time in Algeria, for instance, was like something out of a film.

In 1965, the 24-year-old arrived while film director Gillo Pontecorvo was shooting The Battle of Algiers.

As a result, it was perfectly normal to see battle tanks shuttle across Algiers from downtown to the Casbah.

Algeria’s football-loving President Ahmed Ben Bella scheduled two friendly matches for the occasion - one in Oran on 15 June, and one in the capital, Algiers, four days later.

However, on 17 June, Ben Bella’s own Minister of Defence Houari Boumediene carried out a coup d’etat, deposing the president and cancelling the second match.

Some credible journalists and historians believe that Boumediene may have used the commotion around Pele’s arrival as a distraction in order to carry out his coup.

Pele’s multiple visits to Morocco were

much less tumultuous, yet just as legendary.

It was said that he had very kind words for the Moroccan delegation at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, as they were the first African nation to have qualified for a World Cup since Egypt in 1934.

On another trip, he was alleged to have spoken about Larbi Ben Barek, a Moroccan contemporary of his, who played for Olympique de Marseille and Atletico Madrid.

“If I am the king of football, then Ben Barek is the god,” he supposedly declared.

Six bottle caps to see Pele

Pele’s trips to Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo have also become shrouded in lore.

During both trips, he was apocryphally credited with instilling peace in the country that was hosting him.

The Nigerian Civil War raged from 19671970, yet when Pele visited in 1969 to play in an exhibition match versus the Nigerian national team, there were claims that a 48hour ceasefire had been declared.

“I’m not sure it’s completely true,” Pelé said in his book.

“But the Nigerians certainly made sure the Biafrans wouldn’t invade Lagos while we were there,” he said, recalling a huge military presence. There was never much of a chance of that happening though, as the Biafran separatists were at least 500km (310 miles) away and being pushed back by the army.

By 1976, American soft drink company Pepsi harnessed Pelé’s popularity on the continent and sponsored an East African trip to Kenya and Uganda for the retired star.

There, “The King” successfully marketed the beverage and ran different football camps for young players in the two countries.

Pele visited Kenya and Uganda in the 1970s

In Kenya, fans gained admission to the venue by presenting bottlecaps of the soft drink - six for adults, three for children.

Throughout the years, Pelé also visited Mozambique, Egypt, Sudan, Senegal and Ghana.

Besides the high-profile visits, the symbol of Pelé meant a lot to aspiring footballers around Africa.

“When I arrived in Europe, us Africans only had Pelé, Mohamed Ali and Eusébio as visible stars,” said former Malian footballer Salif Keita.

One of Ghana’s most influential footballers, Abedi “Pele” Ayew, was even nicknamed after the Brazilian football legend.

“Personally, I was immensely inspired

by his greatness, and to be likened to him and bear his iconic name throughout my playing time and beyond, is an absolute privilege and a priceless honour,” he told the BBC.

Pelé was always a proponent of African progress at the Fifa World Cup tournaments.

His apocryphal prediction in the mid1970s that an African team would win the tournament before the year 2000 is always a hot topic before each tournament kicks off.

It is fitting that his final social media post included a few words of congratulations for Morocco’s historic World Cup run in Qatar.

“I couldn’t fail to congratulate Morocco for the incredible campaign. It’s great to see Africa shine.” Source; BBC

Ukraine war: New year in Putin’s Russia - nothing is normal

The clock in the Kremlin’s Spassky Tower strikes midnight.

The Russian national anthem plays.

Then Channel One TV kicks off 2023 with a pop song: “I’m Russian and I will go all the way…I’m Russian, to spite the world.”

Next on Top of the (patriotic) Pops: “I was born in the Soviet Union, I was made in the USSR!”

I change channels. At the Russia-1 New Year party, one of the station’s most famous war correspondents is holding a champagne glass, toasting 2023 and wishing for “more good news than bad from the front line”.

Sitting with him are men in military fatigues. A Moscowinstalled official from Russianoccupied Ukraine declares: “I wish us all peace. But peace will only come after our victory.”

You get the gist. This year’s festive extravaganzas on Russian TV are a strange mixture of let’s party and let’s win on the battlefield.

This is not normal TV fare for a New Year’s night in Russia. Then again, this is not a normal New

Year’s night. “Normal” disappeared 10 months ago when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

There was nothing “normal” about Vladimir Putin’s New Year address to the Russian people. For his annual speech the president normally stands alone outside the Kremlin. This year, standing behind him, were men and women in combat uniforms.

In his speech last year, the Kremlin leader pointed out that “New Year’s Eve is literally filled with good cheer and happy thoughts”.

Good cheer and happy thoughts were in short supply this time round.

President Putin used the address to promote the Kremlin’s alternative reality: that in this conflict Russia’s the hero and Ukraine and the West are the villains.

“For years, Western elites hypocritically assured us of their peaceful intentions…but in fact, they encouraged the neo-Nazis in every possible way,” President Putin said.

“Defending our Motherland

is the sacred duty we owe to our ancestors and descendants.”

When the Kremlin talks about “defending our Motherland”, keep in mind that it was Russia that invaded Ukraine. Not the other way around.

The Russian President claims his country is benefiting enormously

from the dramatic events of 2022: “It was a year of… important steps towards Russia’s full sovereignty.”

“We lay the foundation for our common future, our true independence.”

The assertion that, in this war, Russia is fighting for its sovereignty and independence is puzzling, to

say the least.

For a start Russia has long been a sovereign, independent nation. Even if you accept Vladimir Putin’s premise that Russia never achieved “full sovereignty” the question arises: why not? Mr Putin’s been in power for 23 years. Long enough, you may think, to sort that.

Ukraine war: Zelensky tells Russians - Putin is destroying you

Ukrainian President

Volodymyr Zelensky has told Russians that their leader is destroying their country.

Speaking after Vladimir Putin delivered a New Year address flanked by people in military uniform, Mr Zelensky said the Russian president was hiding behind his troops, not leading them.

Saturday saw a day of deadly strikes across Ukraine, and Mr Zelensky said Ukrainians would not forgive Russia.

At least one person died and dozens were injured in the attacks.

The head of Ukraine’s armed forces, Valerii Zaluzhny, said air defences had shot down 12 of 20 Russian cruise missiles on Saturday.

There were further missile strikes on Kyiv just hours into the New Year on Sunday, officials said. The Ukrainian Air force said it had shot down 45 Iranian-made kamikaze drones overnight.

But the strikes, which came in the opening hours of 2023, fuelled anger and hate among Ukrainians already tired of Russia’s unrelenting air campaign.

As explosions rocked the capital, some residents sang the national anthem, while officials accused Russia of deliberately targeting civilians while they gathered to celebrated the New Year.

Andriy Nebitov, the head of the Kyiv police, posted an image to social media of a downed drone with the words “Happy New Year” scribbled across it in Russian.

“That is everything you need to know about the terror state and its army,” he wrote on Facebook, adding that the remains had crashed in a children’s playground.

The latest wave of attacks happened two days after one of the largest air strikes since the start of the war. Dozens of attacks in recent weeks have caused repeated power cuts.

Moscow has repeatedly denied targeting civilians, but Mr Putin has recently admitted hitting critical energy facilities.

In an address on his Telegram channel, Mr Zelensky said those who carried out Saturday’s attacks were inhuman.

Switching from Ukrainian to Russian, he then attacked Mr Putin.

President Zelensky spoke in Russian to tell people that the picture President Putin painted was not correct

“Your leader wants to show you that he’s leading from the front, and his military is behind him,” he said.

“But in fact he is hiding. He’s hiding behind his military, his missiles, the walls of his residences and palaces.

“He’s hiding behind you, and he’s burning your country and

your future. No-one will forgive you for terror. No-one in the world will forgive you for that. Ukraine will not forgive.”

Mr Zelensky later gave a new year’s address to the Ukrainian people, thanking them for their “incredible” efforts in repelling Russian advances.

“We fight as one team - the whole country, all our regions. I admire you all. I want to thank every invincible region of Ukraine,” he said.

Mr Putin also issued a new year address which was

broadcast for each of Russia’s 11 time zones as they saw in 2023.

The Russian leader tried to rally people behind his troops fighting in Ukraine, saying the country’s future was at stake.

In combative mood, Mr Putin said: “We always knew, and today it is confirmed to us yet again, that a sovereign, independent and secure future for Russia depends only on us, on our strength and will.”

He presented the invasion of Ukraine’s sovereign territory as “defending our people and

our historical lands” and said “moral, historical rightness is on our side”.

Mr Putin also accused the West of “provoking” Moscow to launch its invasion of Ukraine on 24 February.

“The West lied about peace. It was preparing for aggression... and now they are cynically using Ukraine and its people to weaken and split Russia,” he said.

Ukraine and the West reject Russia’s claims about the start of the aggression.

President Vladimir Putin delivers his New Year’s address surrounded by people in uniform

President Zelensky spoke in Russian to tell people that the picture President Putin painted was not correct

Education

FG orders polytechnics, others to stop awarding degrees

By Maryam Abeeb

The Federal Government has directed polytechnics, monotechnics and other allied institutions to stop awarding degrees.

This order was conveyed in a circular, marked TEB/PRO/E/12/Vol.11/132 dated December 1, 2022, by the National Board for Technical Education, directed to heads of the affected institutions.

A copy of the document signed by the board’s Director, Polytechnic Programmes Department, Ogoh Ngbede was availed our correspondent.

Ngbede, in the circular, expressed the Federal Ministry of Education’s dismay at the increasing number of tertiary institutions in the country offering programmes for which they were not originally designed.

He however said the government has given the affected institutions four years to graduate the last set of students already admitted for such programmes.

The circular read in part, “Polytechnics and other technical institutions in the country should immediately stop admitting students into degree programmes.

“Similarly, polytechnics and allied institutions awarding Nigerian Certificate in Education should restrict themselves to technical courses.

“However, already admitted undergraduates for these programmes should be allowed to round up the programmes into which they are already admitted.

“Institutions have been given a period of four years (up to 2026) to graduate their last set of students for such programmes.”

Recall that the Academic Staff Union

of Polytechnics has over time called on the government to allow polytechnics to award degrees.

The union’s National President, Anderson Ezeibe, noted that the award of degrees by polytechnics would end the current dichotomy.

He said, “HND is no longer as attractive as it used to be to Nigerian youths because of the age-long dichotomy.

“Policymakers have made it a rule that once an individual has an HND, he cannot attain the peak of his/her career, then why are they continuing to force it on people, why don’t they phase it out and replace it with Bachelor of Technology?”

According to him, the Nigerian polytechnic system has all it takes in terms of infrastructure and human capital to award Bachelor, Master’s and Doctorate degrees in

the area of technology.

Meanwhile, the Director of Programmes, Reform Education Nigeria, Ayodamola Oluwatoyin, in an interview with our correspondent on Tuesday, backed the government’s decision.

She said, “It is a very good initiative. Universities and polytechnics exist for different reasons. While it is largely believed that universities focus on theories, polytechnics focus on practical ones. So why should one want to take over the duty of another?

“However, it is worthy of note to remind the government about to promise to eliminate the dichotomy between degrees and Higher National Diplomas. We need to understand that the two awards serve different purposes hence, one should not be seen as lower than the other.”

Scarcity of forex: Nigerians studying abroad frustrated -NANS

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has raised the alarm that Nigerians studying abroad are being frustrated due to the scarcity of Form A to procure foreign exchange for their transactions.

Speaking, the National Vice President, External, NANS, Comrade Akinteye Afeez, appealed to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to probe how commercial banks in the country are giving out the form for people to get forex.

Afeez noted that Nigerian students abroad were being exposed to embarrassment and suffering.

Many Nigerian students in the diaspora have come under colossal embarrassment, attack and humiliation by the actions and inactions of our Nigerian banks due to the way the Form A payment application is being utilized. It’s high time that everyone concerned came together to give this menace a lasting solution once and for all.

“The Form A is an application form designed by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to pay for service transactions. This allows customers to make payments for services such as school fees, technical fees, airline tickets, BTA and the like. The Nigerian students studying abroad or intending to do so are forced to use this application as their only form of transaction to pay their school fees and get other things done via Forex

“Instead of seeking Forex through the black market, they enjoy the official rate with Form A through our commercial banks. This Form A has now become a nightmare because it has stopped solving their problems but rather aggravated them year in and year out.

“The office of the Vice President, External Affairs, NANS, has been duly notified that Form A is no longer tenable and useful for the students in the diaspora due to the level of fraud and corruption going on in our Nigerian banks. This is because whenever these students abroad demand Forex, our Nigerian banks

give them at black market rates, which is not affordable for many of these students.

“Let’s not forget that many of these students studying abroad are there on all sorts of scholarships. This implies that they are not financially buoyant enough and this skyrocketed (black market) rate of Forex has

debarred many from doing what they intend to do financially and this has caused them to drop out or withdraw their studentship due to lack of fund.

Recently, some Nigerian students at Hull City University, United Kingdom, lost their scholarship. Some lost their admission and they were deported to Nigeria as a result

of this.”

Afeez called on the CBN to be more proactive in checkmating the activities of Nigerian banks in the abuse of the Form A option and the ridiculous rate of Forex.

He called on Nigerian students studying abroad to always speak out as soon as issues like that crop up.

Federal Polytechnic Bauchi Matriculates 6,268 students for the 2022/2023 session

By Maryam Abeeb

The Federal Polytechnic Bauchi has matriculated a total of 6,268 students for the 2022/2023 academic session.

This was disclosed by the school’s Rector Arc Sanusi Waziri Gumau, during the matriculation ceremony.

Gumau, who was represented by Deputy Rector Dr Dalhatu Abubakar, disclosed that the polytechnic received 9,372 applications, with 8,015 admitted and 6,268 matriculated.

He said 1,770 registered for Higher National Diploma (HND) and 4,498 were registered for National Diploma (ND), respectively.

While congratulating the new students, the rector said their registration marked the beginning of their journey as bonafide students of the polytechnic with all rights and privileges.

It is also a happy day for you because as students here, you will start to have a place for self-discovery, in not just your area of study, but also in skills acquisition, through our well-prepared and motivated Entrepreneurial Development Centre in

conjunction with the various academic departments,” he said.

“It is also a day for solicitude, reflection and thanksgiving for the opportunity God almighty has provided you, of gaining admission into the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi.

*I said this because I know, you must know about someone, who has applied for admission into the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi but was not successful, due to one reason or another.

“This is enough a reason for you to jealously guard your admission and study hard in order not to waste your time and your parents’ hard-earned resources.

Gumau, who announced that this would be his last matriculation address as the 6th Rector, as his tenure was expiring in the next coming weeks, highlighted some of his achievements to provide an atmosphere favourable to teaching and learning.

“During our five and half years of service to humanity, we were able to increase the number of courses and programmes being run,” he disclosed.

“The additional courses and

programmes include National Diploma Fisheries Technology, National Diploma Computer Engineering, National Diploma Crime Management, National Diploma Cooperative Economics and Management, National Diploma Taxation.

“Higher National Diploma Library and Information Science, Higher National Diploma Forestry Technology, Higher National Diploma Crop Production Technology, Higher National Diploma Agricultural Extension and Management and Higher National Diploma Science Laboratory Technology (Microbiology)”

He said under his watch, the polytechnic established five additional Academic Directorates and affiliated with three notable tertiary institutions for the awards of Nine Degree and 10 Postgraduate Diploma programmes.

“We equally, made a lot of efforts in changing the face of the Polytechnic and bridging the gap created by an infrastructural deficit in the Institution.

“During this period, therefore, we touched almost every nook and cranny of the Polytechnic that needed to be touched,”

he said

The rector said several structures were built during his reign while some roads with strategic importance were constructed to allow for access and provide aesthetics within the serenity of the Polytechnic campus.

He said under his watch, the polytechnic established five additional Academic Directorates and affiliated with three notable tertiary institutions for the awards of Nine Degree and 10 Postgraduate Diploma programmes.

“We equally, made a lot of efforts in changing the face of the Polytechnic and bridging the gap created by an infrastructural deficit in the Institution.

“During this period, therefore, we touched almost every nook and cranny of the Polytechnic that needed to be touched,” he said

The rector said several structures were built during his reign while some roads with strategic importance were constructed to allow for access and provide aesthetics within the serenity of the Polytechnic campus.

A cross section Wesley College of Science Elekuro Ibadan (wescosa )’95 set ( G Class ) during their hangout / Funfare at Trans amusement park, recently in Ibadan.

Maryam Abeeb

Feature

Benedict: The pope who resigned from the papacy

Benedict XVI was already 78 when he became Pope in 2005. Age and ill health quickly took their toll, prompting his resignation less than eight years later.

No other pope had stepped down since Gregory XII in 1415 and Benedict was the first to do so voluntarily since Celestine V in 1294.

When he became 265th Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church it was the culmination of the rapid, and highly controversial, rise of Joseph Ratzinger.

Supporters portrayed him as a highly intellectual man who laboured to protect the spiritual inheritance bequeathed to him by Pope John Paul II.

To his critics he was the ultimate exponent and guardian of the Church’s dogmatic approach to issues like abortion and contraception. The outrage he sometimes caused seemed typical of a man who was never afraid of upsetting people - if he believed something had to be said or done.

Joseph Aloysius Ratzinger was born into a profoundly Catholic family on 16 April 1927, in the southern German state of Bavaria. He was the son of a police officer with, as he later put it, “simple country roots”.

His youth was indelibly marked by World War Two. Forced to join the Hitler Youth, he served in an anti-aircraft unit which defended a BMW plant outside Munich.

Later he dug anti-tank trenches before deserting in the dying days of the war. “In three days of marching, we hiked down the empty highway, in a column that gradually became endless,” Ratzinger recalled.

“The American soldiers photographed us, the young ones, most of all, in order to take home souvenirs of the defeated army and its desolate personnel.”

From 1946 to 1951, he studied philosophy and theology at Munich University. And, in June 1951, together with his brother Georg, he was ordained a priest.

After completing a doctorate in theology, Father Ratzinger, as he was, became a university professor, teaching dogma and fundamental theology at a number of places, including Freising, Bonn and Munster.

At the time, Ratzinger was a champion of the reformist liberal agenda that drove the Second Vatican Council. Indeed, after taking up a post at Tübingen University, in southern Germany, in 1966, he became a close friend of the leading liberal theologian, Hans Küng.

Küng, who brought Ratzinger to Tübingen, would later be barred from teaching by his former colleague, after he rejected papal infallibility.

And, when 1,360 prominent and radical theologians signed a famous statement in 1968 asserting their freedom to explore the faith, he was among them. The group rejected the Vatican’s dominance arguing that Catholics should have the freedom to question the decisions of the Roman Curia - the Vatican departments that help run the Church.

It was the political upheavals of 1968 that led to a dramatic change in Joseph Ratzinger’s theological outlook. Student protests, mirroring those in the United States and Paris, broke out in Tübingen: literature branding the Cross as “a sadomasochistic artefact” appeared throughout the university and lectures were disrupted by tomato-throwing radicals.

Profoundly shocked by this outbreak of radical theology, which he characterised as “brutal”, Ratzinger left Tübingen for the more conservative University of Regensburg.

As his former assistant, Wolfgang Beinert, puts it: “Ratzinger believed that he was in some way responsible, guilty of the chaos, and that the university and society and church were collapsing.”

From that point on, Joseph Ratzinger no longer entertained any thoughts of reforming the Church, of breaking down its rigid hierarchical structure and of encouraging collegiality between the Vatican and Catholic bishops.

Instead, he became an enthusiastic advocate of orthodoxy and continuity, a firm bulwark against dissent in what he considered to be an increasingly disjointed and permissive world.

Joseph Ratzinger became a prime candidate for rapid advancement and it was no surprise when his ideological soulmate Pope Paul VI appointed him Archbishop of Munich, and then cardinal, in 1977.

The call to Rome was not long in coming. In 1981, Pope John Paul II appointed Ratzinger as prefect of the Vatican’s office to protect the purity of Church theologyonce known as the notorious Holy Inquisition.

Ratzinger had criticised the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith as “an all too smoothly functioning [body] which prejudged every question almost before it had come up for discussion”.

But he took to his work with typically energetic enthusiasm.

During the 1980s, he spearheaded the Church’s campaign against “liberation theology”, a potent blend of Catholicism and Marxism particularly popular in Latin America.

He also took an

uncompromising line within the Roman Catholic church. As theological enforcer for Pope John Paul, he had called priests and academics to Rome to explain themselves before requiring them to sign repudiations of their thinking.

Others would be “silenced” or even excommunicated. Liberals were appalled, soon nicknaming him the “Panzerkardinal”, while conservatives viewed Ratzinger’s actions with approval.

Later, he would attack what he saw as “religious relativism”, the belief that no one faith can claim to be the sole vessel of truth or to

represent the world’s only saviour.

In 2000, he published Domine Iesus (The Lord Jesus), a controversial document that stated, in no uncertain terms, the Roman Catholic Church’s view that it was the one true Christian denomination, and that all others were “deficient”.

In 2001, he persuaded John Paul to put the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in charge of all allegations of sexual abuse against priests. This had previously been under the control of individual dioceses.

Ratzinger argued that there should be no statute of limitations

on such allegations and for a fast-track dismissal of offenders. His determination to tackle the problem ruffled feathers at the Vatican.

Following John Paul’s death in April 2005, it was Cardinal Ratzinger, as Dean of the College of Cardinals, who presided over the funeral Mass, delivering the homily, based around Christ’s words “follow me”.

Days later, that is exactly what he did, triumphing in the papal conclave after a mere four ballots to become the spiritual leader of the world’s 1.1 billion Catholics.

His belief in the supremacy of the Catholic church was bound to cause friction and it surfaced in a controversial speech he gave in his native Germany in September 2006.

Invited back to the University of Regensburg where he’d been a theology professor, he quoted comments by a 14th-Century Christian ruler who had said that the Prophet Muhammad’s belief in a Holy war was evil and inhumane.

Although he didn’t explicitly endorse the opinion - he did go on to discuss in detailed terms the reasons why spreading faith through violence should be regarded as unacceptable.

Muslims around the world were outraged, regarding the speech as a full-blown attack on their faith - and Pope Benedict was forced to apologise. However, he didn’t withdraw the remarks as many had demanded, instead he simply said he was sorry that some of his comments had been seen as offensive.

Source: BBC

His expressions of regret failed to convince some commentators, who pointed out that the Pope believed interfaith dialogue was difficult while Christians were denied religious freedom in some Muslim countries. Source: BBC

The Ratzinger family with Joseph (top right)

In the early 1950s, Joseph Ratzinger supported a reforming, liberal agenda

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Nigerian football in 2022: The good, the ugly and one memorable annihilation

Nigeria missing out on the 2022 World Cup saddened observers but it was not all doom and gloom for the nation’s passionate supporters.

Alex Iwobi looked back to his best for Everton and the Super Eagles after an imperfect start to the year, Joe Aribo got to the Europa League final with Rangers and Victor Osimhen overcame adversity to cement his place as Napoli’s central striker.

As for the Super Eagles, a mixed year brought about Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualification failure, leading to the jettisoning of Augustine Eguavoen with Jose Peseiro announced as his replacement in May.

In this feature, GOAL reviews Nigerian football in 2022.

Undoubtedly Victor Osimhen. Despite facing intermittent criticism from Luciano Spalletti and having his commitment to Nigeria questioned, the Napoli marksman scored 18 Serie A goals and five for the Super Eagles in 2022.

Osimhen packs a punch, gives any side he plays in an edge and potentially could be one of the best frontmen in Europe’s top five leagues.

The best is yet to come.

After years of underwhelming at

Everton and following a sending-off in Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations elimination at the hands of Tunisia, Alex Iwobi was in dire straits.

Nevertheless, the resurgence since returning to Everton duty in February has been admirable. Frank Lampard has got the best out of the former Arsenal man, giving him the confidence to flourish in the middle of the park.

Despite the criticism before the World Cup hiatus and after their Boxing Day defeat by Wolverhampton, the midfielder’s body of work for most parts of 2022 cannot be dismissed because of two underwhelming showings.

Kelechi Iheanacho Leicester City. Getty Images.

Most disappointing player

Kelechi Iheanacho had a year to forget. Even though he scored that impressive winning goal against Egypt at Afcon, he was mostly out of the Leicester City team after returning from the competition in Cameroon.

Indeed, it was surprising that Brendan Rodgers did not opt to play ‘Seniorman’ in tandem with Patson Daka more often, despite the green shoots of understanding between the pair.

After a dearth of game time in 2022,

Iheanacho will hope for a turnaround in the New Year.

Victor Osimhen of Nigeria vs Sao Tome and Principe.Osimhen.

Biggest win

Nothing but a routine win was expected from Nigeria’s Afcon qualifier with Sao Tome and Principe.

However, the Super Eagles thrashed Sao Tome 10-0 to record a memorable success and set a new record for their biggest margin of victory in the nation’s history.

Osimhen netted four times, Terem Moffi scored a brace and Moses Simon, Peter Etebo, Ademola Lookman and Emmanuel Dennis all found the back of the net in the rout.

In what was Peseiro’s second competitive game in charge of Nigeria, the annihilation and elements of the Super Eagles’ play gave supporters loads to be impressed with.

Nigerian players reacts in disappointment after defeat, Leon Balogun.BackpagePix.

Biggest disappointment

The nation’s Africa Cup of Nations disappointment does not even come close to their failure to make it to the World Cup in Qatar.

The Super Eagles had played out a goalless encounter in Ghana and had the advantage of playing the reverse fixture days later in front of their fans.

They failed to take advantage of the home support, playing out a 1-1 draw with their West African rivals, thus losing by scoring fewer away goals.

The disappointment precipitated violence from the home fans in embarrassing scenes witnessed by the continent and the world.

Consequently, Nigeria played their next competitive home fixture against Sierra Leone without fans in Abuja.

Who could have a big 2023?

While he needs no introduction, Osimhen’s 2023 could be history-setting.

The Super Eagle could end the 202223 campaign as top scorer in Serie A and, more importantly, play a significant part in Napoli’s Scudetto ambition.

The Partenopei have not won the league since 1990, so the ambition to end a 33-year wait ought to drive them in the first half of 2023.

Claiming Napoli’s first Capocannoniere since Gonzalo Higuain in 2015-16 will please Osimhen but winning the Serie A will taste even sweeter.

Africa Super League: Can new competition improve club game on continent?

Morocco may well have broken barriers for African football with the country’s historic run to the World Cup semifinals, but the club game on the continent is still lagging well behind the standards in Europe.

As such, Confederation of African Football (Caf) president Patrice Motsepe is hoping the launch of the Africa Super League next year will change that.

The South African described the new competition as “one of the most exciting developments in the history of African football” when he unveiled the latest plans in Tanzania in August.

Flanked by the the boss of world football’s governing body, Fifa president Gianni Infantino, Motsepe stressed it was all about pumping more money into club football in Africa, with $100m available as prize money and the winners getting $11.5m.

The tournament had been mooted to kick off in August 2023, with plans to involve 24 clubs from 16 countries, although recent reports suggest that there may only be eight teams now.

However many there are in a format that may well follow the European Champions League, the plan is to culminate in a ‘Super Bowl-like’ final in May 2024.

The intention is the Africa Super League will run alongside the existing African Champions League, which features 16 teams in its group stage but has been dominated by North African sides over the past decade.

Caf is promising a huge investment of $200m in total - not only for the participating clubs, but also for the development of the women’s game and youth academies in its 54 member countries.

Too good to be true? Some people think so.

‘Opaque’ club selection Patrice Motsepe and Gianni Infantino at the launch of the Africa Super League

Caf president Patrice Motsepe (left) launched the Super League in August alongside Fifa president Gianni Infantino

“We’ve not been consulted once,” bridles John Comitis, the chairman and owner of Cape Town City FC, which competes in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL).

The former striker has been involved in African football for almost 40 years and is not happy about what he calls “the opaque selection process” of the clubs for the new Super League.

Comitis says he received a couple of lists of the clubs which would be included, and believes that the chosen ones are “politically positioned clubs, owned by certain rich individuals or by the state”.

State ownership of football clubs is still quite common across

Africa, although that is not the case in South Africa itself.

Comitis’ biggest concern is the effect the new continental competition might have on the PSL, which he describes as “very efficient and professional” in terms of funding and broadcasting rights.

“The infrastructure nightmare of Africa is unprecedented,” he says, highlighting how his team travelled to DR Congo for a game and could not get there and back in less than five days and describing the costs of the journey as “outrageous.”

Africa Super League - a new dawn for football?

In this context, Comitis believes it will be almost impossible to fit Super League games into the existing schedule and that national leagues will undoubtedly suffer, potentially losing broadcast money if the top clubs are fielding B-teams in domestic games.

“At the end of the day, we are protecting our businesses and South African football,” he concludes.

Some may call that sour grapes, as Comitis has clearly indicated that his team was not one of the chosen 24 once earmarked for the Super League.

It is still unclear where the planned $200m prize and development fund will come from, especially after Caf reported a loss of over $40m in its most recent audited accounts., even if Motsepe continually talks of significant interest from the commercial sector.

A Caf spokesperson said Motsepe, elected as Caf boss in March 2021, “has the best interests of African football at heart”.

There is, meanwhile, no doubt that mining billionaire Motsepe has invested a lot of his personal fortune into the game as owner of the reigning South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

Mamelodi Sundowns, owned by Motsepe, were the last club from outside North Africa to win the African Champions League when they beat Egyptians Zamalek in 2016

Should they actually happen, the sums involved would make the African Super League more valuable than the Africa Cup of Nations, which has always garnered international attention and culminated in a final which pitted then-Liverpool team-mates and global icons Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah against each other when Senegal beat Egypt in February.

Osasu Obayiuwana, a Nigerian football journalist, believes the concept for the new club competition was not designed in Africa, but was, in fact, the brainchild of Infantino.

“There is a belief outside of Africa that Africans need to be led like babies. I find this highly insulting,” Obayiuwana said.

Just like Comitis, Obayiuwana is concerned the football calendar will become far too congested.

Should 24 teams take part, the Africa Super League would feature 24 match days over a season - a lot to fit in alongside domestic campaigns spread across around 38 weeks and African Champions League commitments.

Add to that the logistics of extra

travel across the continent, which presents a challenge in itself, and the scale of the task is clear.

“You can imagine the amount of pressure that will be on the players,” Obayiuwana added.

Caf says details of the Africa Super League are still being ironed out but, amid a lot of criticism and unanswered questions, the new competition does have its big-name supporters.

South Africa’s record goalscorer Benni McCarthy played in Africa and Europe, winning the European Champions League with Jose Mourinho’s Porto in 2004, and is now first-team coach at Manchester United after spells managing in his homeland at Cape Town City and AmaZulu.

He thinks the new Super League will provide more earning potential for clubs and a better platform for players which could be transformative.

“I would love to see an African player compete against the best players in the world because it’s been too long since we had an African win the Ballon d’Or,” the 45-year-old said, referencing Liberian George Weah’s victory in 1995.

“African football is brilliant but it is not on the same level as European football. The speed and the technical side are different to what players are used to in Africa.

“I think the Super League will remove that barrier by making African football more competitive.”

Wydad Casablanca fans packed out the Stade Mohammed V for the African Champions League final against Al Ahly in May, but the

competition struggles for exposure on TV across Africa

That is the hope, but, in reality, if the new Africa Super League is to have a fighting chance of succeeding it will need to attract TV money, which is the lifeblood of football in Europe and helped make England’s Premier League the most financially successful league in the world.

But, as Obayiuwana points out, African broadcasters spend more money on the European game than African football - with their argument being that the product is not deserving of their investment.

So, how do you resolve this chicken and the egg situation? Without TV money and sponsorship, it will be a struggle to develop the quality of the football on show.

Obayiuwana believes Caf should build local leagues first, promote them on the continent and make them into brands.

Then, just as with the Champions League in Europe, fans will “get to know the players and clubs and will be invested in them, which is not the case in Africa”.

It starts with people actually being able to watch matches across the continent, which in many countries is a real issue.

“It is easier for me to watch the Europa League in Lagos than to watch a match between Esperance and Raja Casablanca in the African Champions League,” the Nigerian said.

Despite the progress by African sides at the World Cup, improving the club game could prove a tougher challenge for Motsepe.

The African Champions League, won by Wydad Casablanca last season, could be marginalised by the new Africa Super League

PEOPLES DAILY

Nigeria’s budget cycle integrity test

The National budget of Nigeria, just as of many other countries of the world, is the strongest fiscal tool that the executive arm of government uses to bring about national growth and development, the economy being a central focus. Accordingly, any delay in the budget for a fiscal year will not only retard the economy, but will slow down overall national growth and development. The percentage of the budget that is implemented, out of the total budget figure signed for a given fiscal year, is a yardstick for the measurement of the integrity of the budget cycle.

Monday Column

By Hameed M. Bello, PhD

“This is because we signed the document yesterday (Last Thursday), having lost some time because of some anomalous figures we had in the bill presented to the National Assembly (NASS).

“But thank God, the NASS in both chambers have passed the Appropriation Bill 2023 on Wednesday, and I’m sure that Mr President and his team, on the executive side, will work on what we have done.

Former Celtic and St Mirren forward Frank McGarvey has died aged 66.

He revealed his cancer diagnosis in October and appeared on the Celtic Park pitch before a game against Hibernian to thank fans for their support.

A native of Glasgow, McGarvey started his career at St Mirren then after a brief spell at Liverpool enjoyed five successful years at Celtic from 1980.

McGarvey, who won seven Scotland caps, returned to St Mirren and later played for Queen of the South and Clyde.

He scored 174 goals from 499 senior league appearances and in a later era would have played many more times for Scotland.

Celtic said in a statement that McGarvey died in the early hours of New Year’s Day, adding: “The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic are with Frank’s family at this extremely sad time.”

McGarvey helped Celtic claim two league titles and three domestic cups during his period with his boyhood club.

He helped St Mirren to their famous Scottish Cup victory in 1987 during his second spell at the club as well as being a key part of the Buddies team that won the old First Division in 1977 under Sir Alex Ferguson.

The striker joined Queen of the South as player-manager in 1990 but stayed for only one season before signing for Clyde for two seasons.

His professional career began in Paisley in 1975 and his goals over the next four years impressed Liverpool sufficiently for the twotime European champions to take him south in May 1979.

However he spent only 10 months at Anfield without making a single appearance for the first team despite continuing his goalscoring form for the reserve side.

The first tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari administration between 2015 and 2019 recorded huge amounts of budgeted funds returned to the coffers of government because the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government could not execute the projects for which the monies were meant. One of the reasons for that is the late passage of the Appropriation Act. For instance, the President had signed the 2018 budget on Wednesday June 20, 2018, six months into the fiscal year. The total budget for 2018 was N9.1 trillion, up from the N8.6 trillion estimates he submitted to the Assembly on November 7, 2017. As for 2019, he signed the appropriation bill into law on Monday, May 27, 2019, five months behind schedule. The two chambers of the National Assembly had passed the budget on May 16, six months after it was presented by the President and raising the total figure by N500 million.

As a consequence, the Presidency and some MDAs had reportedly returned the sum of N118 billion to the national treasury as unspent capital budget for the 2017 fiscal year. That amount represented 8.1 percent of N1.4 trillion which was the total capital budget released, almost four times the size of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) budget in 2017, which was put at N30.3 billion.

Out of the N10.9billion released to the presidency as its capital budget, only N10.7 billion was utilized leaving a total of N200 Million as unused which was returned to the treasury according to a document titled, “2017 capital performance for ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) as at June 12, 2018” from the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. By the document, as cited in news reports, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, then of the Ministry of Works, Power and Housing topped the list of Ministers with highest amount of capital budget balance returned to the government coffer.

While Ministries of Works, Power and Housing had N66.9billion, Ministry of Trade and Investment returned N22.8 billion as unused capital budget.

Other MDAs of the Federal Government in the category of top ten unused capital budget included

Office of the National Security Adviser with N6.1 billion, Ministry of Finance, N4.3 billion, Ministry of Health N3.5billion, office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation N3 billion.

Also, Ministry of Education had N1.8b, while Ministry of Solid Minerals and Water Resources had N1.4b and N1.1b respectively. The National Population Commission (NPC) had N33.4 million, Ministry of Environment with N24.8 million and Head of Service, N13.1 million.

The Ministry of Youth Development had N1.9 million followed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs which had N2.5 million and Ministry of Labour and Employment had N3.2million, Others were Ministry of Interior, N4.5 million, Fiscal Responsibility Commission N5.7 million, Niger Delta Ministry, N5.9 million and Defence which had N6.9 million. This amounted to N101.5 million. However, the National Emergency Agency (NEMA) with issues around its emergency preparedness had returned as much as N193 Million unused capital budget. Out of the total releases which stood at N266 million, only N72.5 million was utilized leaving a balance of N193.5 million at a time the agency’s air ambulance and rescue helicopters were reportedly grounded over expired insurance policy that cost between N20million and N17 million for the two aircraft respectively.

The document also showed that the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) did not utilize the entire N375 million released to it for capital project while the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) also failed to use its allocation of N298 million. This trend continued up until 2020 in the second tenure of the Buhari administration when concerted efforts were made to reverse the ugly trend.

To that effect, Buhari demonstrated commitment in restoring the January to December budget cycle, to be able to deliver more tangible projects and ensure that monies budgeted for infrastructure and growth plans were spent for those purposes, if at least to make governance more meaningful to the people.

Beginning from 2020, Nigeria returned to the January-December budget cycle after President Buhari signed the N10.59 trillion Appropriation Bill for that year into

law. Buhari’s assent to the budget then, less than one week after it was transmitted to him by the National Assembly, marked the third time since Nigeria’s return to civil rule that the country would begin its fiscal year in January. Except for 2001 and 2007, Nigeria since 1999 up till 2019, had had the signing of its annual budgets delayed into a new fiscal year, leading to poor implementation of the budget, with the capital component of the budget worse hit. The delay consequently restrained business leaders and operators from investing in order to know the budget direction before spending their monies.

In what seemed like a build up on the progress of 2020, President Buhari signed the 2021 budget into law on Thursday, December 31, 2020. The signing of the budget came exactly ten days after both chambers of the National Assembly passed the N13.6 trillion budget for 2021 and three days after, it was transmitted to Buhari for assent. The implementation began promptly in January 2021. The legislators had approved N13.6 trillion (13,588,027,886,107) against the N13.08 trillion earlier proposed by the President, after they had added N505 billion to the proposed budget.

And on Friday December 31 2021, the President signed the 2022 Appropriation Bill titled “Budget of Economic Growth and Sustainability” into law. The N17. 126 trillion budget was earlier transmitted to the President by the National Assembly on Friday, December 24 2021. The executive/ Legislature synergy that exists in the second tenure of the Buhari government helped to smoothen subsequent budget passage. The President had submitted the proposed 2022 Budget of N16.391 trillion to the joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday, October 7, 2021, calling on the legislators to give it a speedy consideration which they obliged.

As for the 2023 Budget, the Senate President Ahmed Lawan last week said that barring any last-minute changes, President Buhari will sign the appropriation bill on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. Lawan confirmed that to State House correspondents last Friday after a closed-door meeting with Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said: “We are looking forward to Mr President signing the Appropriation Bill 2023, by the grace of God, on Tuesday.

”And the first thing on Tuesday, the first official working day of the year, I believe that Mr President will be signing the Appropriation Bill 2023.”

Lawan lamented that the NASS would have passed the bill a week earlier but for irregularities spotted in the bill.

“We are very pleased that we have been able to, in the last four years, ensure the passage of the appropriation bills in record time before every Christmas, and Mr President had always signed before the end of the year.

“This year, particularly, is because of the anomalous, very undesirable and unfortunate situation that we had to delay a little bit.”

He said the cordial working relationship between the executive and the legislature has regularized the signing of the appropriation bills since 2018, resulting in a “predictable January to December” budget for our country.

The Executive and the Legislature can indeed collaborate more on the issue of budget passage without compromising on their core mandates. A way to achieve that is for each of the two arms of Government to treat the other with mutual respect and be more open and honest in their joint dealings to reduce the margin of conflict. Although we cannot rule out conflict in governance, they could be resolved by telling each other the truth and have the courage to abide by them. One of the reasons for the conflict in budget consideration, just as the Senate President suggested, is padding which could be done at the Executive or the Legislature end. Either way, National interest must prevail against individual or group interest to pave way for better budget performance.

hamdbelo@yahoo.co.uk