Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023 Edition

Savings bonds: DMO announces 2023 first offer

The Debt Management Office (DMO) on Monday announced its first bonds issuance for 2023, two Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) Savings Bonds for subscription.

According to a statement by the DMO, one is a two-year FGN Savings Bond due in Jan. 11, 2025, at the interest rate of 9.600 per cent per annum.

The other is a three-year FGN Savings Bond due in Jan

11, 2026, at the interest rate of 10.600 per cent per annum.

The DMO said that the opening date would be Jan. 3, while the closing date would be Jan. 6, and settlement date, Jan. 11, while coupon payment dates would be April 11, July 11, Oct. 11and Jan. 11.

“They are offered at N1,000 per unit subject to a minimum subscription of N5,000 and in multiples of N1,000 thereafter,

subject to a maximum subscription of N50 million.

“Interest is payable quaterly while bullet repayment (principal sum) is on maturity,” it added.

The DMO said that FGN Savings Bonds qualified as securities in which trustees could invest under the Trustee Investment Act.

“They also qualify as government securities within the

meaning of Company Income Tax Act (CITA) and Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) for tax exemption for pension funds.

“They are listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange Limited and qualify as liquid asset for liquidity ratio calculation for banks,” it said.

It noted that the bonds were backed by the full faith and credit of the FGN and charged upon the general assets of the country.

L-R: Chairman, Guild of Photojournalists

Nigeria, Abiodun Ajala; PR Lead, 9mobile, Chineze Amanfo and Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Adenike Sodipo, during the presentation of an award to 9mobile as the most Outstanding Brand in Arts (Telecom & IT Category) by the Guild of Photojournalists Nigeria in Lagos.

2023: NSCDC boss assures of security for electioneering process

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 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.

Adamawa Senator declares free health treatment for 558 constituents

From Umar Dankano, Yola

In

Dauda Yaroe, 558 patients have been treated in Nassarawo -Jereng ward of Mayo-belwa local government area in the state.

The 558 patients received treatment ranging from

surgeries, consultation services, laboratory, pharmacy among others.

While on the spot assessment visit at the Primary Health Care Centre (PHCC) Jereng,Senator

Binos Yaroe said, his decision to provide to free medical services to his constituents was borne out of his desire to ensure that people at the grassroots have access to quality medical services.

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.

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-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.

Niger Assembly passes 2023 budget with additional N5bn

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.

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.

continuation of the free medical outreach in Adamawa Southern Senatorial district sponsored by Senator Binos

Shehu Abubakar, Maiduguri

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

L-R: Representative of Water Resources Minister/ MD Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Commission Olufemi Odumosun, Executive Director, TruCSR & The SERAS Awards Africa, Mary Ephraim-Egbas, MD, Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Ubon Udoh, Chairman The SERAS Awards Africa Local Organizing Committee, Toyosi Thomas and CEO NECCI PR Africa Roundtable, Nkechi Ali-Balogun during the 16th edition of The SERAS CSR Awards Africa at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island,Lagos, recently.

NNPP senatorial candidate in Borno urges electorate to vote right

Shehu Abubakar, Maiduguri

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

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

Addressing his teeming supporters at Bama, Magira attributed bad political leadership to the ‘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.

NGO offers free medical services to over 1000 in Bosso LGA

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.

2023 Benue PDP urges electorate to right the wrongs of 2015

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Benue State chapter has charged the people to be vigilant against repeating the miscalculation of 2015.

The party stated this in a New Year message signed by its Publicity Secretary, Bemgba Iortyom and made available to Peoples Daily yesterday in Makurdi.

It also urged Benue

electorates, to right the wrongs of 2015, noting that it is time to sanitize the corridors of power and offices of public trust.

The PDP further, salute the people of the state on the occasion of the new year, 2023

while also reaffirming confidence in its leadership under His Excellency, Governor Samuel Ortom, and his stand on issues both at the national and local levels of the polity.

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)

L-R: Ekiti State First Lady, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji; Renowned Film maker, Tunde Kelani and Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji; when the First family hosted Kelani at their Ikogosi country home shortly before the screening of one of his movies at the Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort, Ikogosi, yesterday.

Police begin investigation into couple’s death on New Year’s Day

The police command in Ogun has begun investigation into the death of a couple, Mr Kehinde and Mrs Bukola Fatinoye, at Ibara GRA in Abẹokuta, on the New Year’s Day.

SP Abimbola Oyeyemi, the state Police Public Relations Officer, made the

disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abeokuta.

NAN reports that Kehinde and Bukola were burnt to death when suspected arsonists set their house ablaze on Jan. 1.

One of their children and their

housekeeper were also alleged to have been kidnapped by those behind the suspected arson.

According to Oyeyemi, the police will do all within their powers to reveal those behind the dastardly act.

NAN gathered that the incident

happened shortly after the couple returned from ‘Cross Over Service’ to usher in the new year.

NAN also learnt that Kehinde and Bukola were employees of the Central Bank of Nigeria and Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, respectively. (NAN)

2023: Obasanjo’s endorsement of Obi not wish of Nigerians – PDP

The Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organisation says the “subjective support” for Mr Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Candidate, by former President Olusegun Obasanjo is his personal wish.

The Spokesperson of the organisation, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, said in a statement in Abuja that Obasanjo’s wish did not reflect the opinion or position of overwhelming majority of Nigerians across the country.

He however said while the former president was entitled to his personal opinion; as remarkable as it may appear, it remained individualistic.

He added that the wish could not redirect Nigerians from their determination to rally with the more experienced, more proficient and more

accepted Presidential Candidate of PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to rescue and rebuild the nation.

Ologbondiyan said surprisingly in the face of the alarming challenges facing Nigeria, which required a tried and tested hand, Obasanjo was not suggesting a candidate with experience in governance at the national level.

Ologbondiyan said that in any case, Obasanjo’s opinion could not sway Nigerians remembering he made similar endorsement in last election.

He added that it would be extremely difficult for Nigerians, particularly the youth demography, to accept Obasanjo’s opinion as the solution to the myriad of challenges facing the nation today knowing the reality of the country today.

“Our campaign holds that none of

the Presidential candidates has the experience, capacity, tenacity of purpose, presence of mind and readiness to serve like Abubakar.

“Abubakar remains the most widely accepted candidate, whose choice is not predicated by sectional, tribal, ethnic or religious sentiments or the endorsement of any individual, high or low.

“This is predicated by record of ability and performance, authentic vision, honesty and character; physical and mental capacity; the very indices set by the former President,” he explained.

Ologbondiyan said it was instructive to state that every claim by Obasanjo on the success of his administration is a reflection of the performance of Abubakar as his Vice President and Chairman of the National Economic Council.

This, he described as the period during which our nation achieved unprecedented economic growth to become one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

“It therefore amounts to a disservice for the former president to make subjective suggestion.

“This is even when it is clear that if a hand like Abubakar with their shared experience is brought to the forefront of governance, our nation will be rescued from this current sullen state,” asserted the spokesman.

Ologbobdiyan said the PDP campaign team therefore urge Nigerians not to be distracted by subjective opinions.

He also advised the electorate to remain focused on the resolve to salvage the nation by electing Abubakar as the next president of Nigeria on Feb. 25. (NAN)

L-R: Mother of the first baby of the year in Ekiti State, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Adeyemo; Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji; and father of the baby, Mr. Gbenga Adeyemo; during the presentation of gifts to first baby of the year by the First Lady at Comprehensive Health Centre, Okeyard, Ise-Ekiti... on Sunday

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, said that 2023 will be a year of hope, socio-economic transformation and industrialisation for Enugu State.

He also congratulated the people of the state for making it

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 multi-sports 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.

(NAN)

2023: Year of hope, socio-economic transformation for Enugu State – Mbah

to another year, saying it’s a new dawn and a new beginning in the state.

Mbah stated this in his New Year message contained in a statement personally signed by him and made available to newsmen by Dan Nwomeh, Head, Peter Mbah Media Office in Enugu.

He enjoined the people of the state to keep hope alive with his candidacy and the PDP as the year would be special one in the annals of the state if elected as the next governor.

The governorship candidate noted that in spite of the economic crisis that bedeviled the nation in 2022, Enugu State recorded improvement in infrastructure, citizens and workers’ welfare, healthcare and human capital development.

He stressed that the giant stride was made possible by the Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi-led administration.

While assuring the state that he was well prepared for the task ahead, Dr Mbah stated that the state, under his leadership in 2023, would witness exponential growth.

According to him, the growth will lead to unprecedented socioeconomic transformation and Industrialisation which will be driven by technology and innovation.

The renowned oil and gas magnate reiterated his unswerving commitment to support the citizens in areas of businesses and investment by creating a friendly, transparent and enabling environment for ease of doing business.

Others are the provision of basic welfare for the people, further improvement on human capital empowerment through support for the youth, special training and skills acquisition for them.

Dr Mbah maintained that he

had set the agenda and the pace for the “New Enugu State of our dream where everyone will have a voice in the decision making process, participate actively in governance and vigorously pursue their dreams.

“This will be achieved in the most accommodating, encouraging and inspiring environment as envisioned by my social contract and manifesto,” Mbah said.

He added that nobody would be left out in the journey to make the state one of the top three states in the country in terms of gross domestic product and moving Enugu economy from its present $4.4 billion to $30 billion in the next 8 years.

“We have measurable indicators for you to assess us. We are going to make 2023 a year that will mark the beginning of unprecedented, massive development.

“I am aware of your numerous

needs and sincerely assure you that the solution you seek is not far-fetched because our tomorrow is here.

“Having prepared for the task ahead, I’m delighted to let you know that I am that person who’ll take Enugu State to the pinnacle of its dreams,” he said.

Mbah said his ambition was fueled by the desire to see the beloved Enugu state flourish.

“This journey is all-inclusive and you are part of the journey because it’s all about our future and the future of our children.

“Today, as I join you in celebrating this new year of hope and beginning of unexampled development in the history of our state, I want to reiterate my willingness to offer myself to serve you with forthrightness and diligence.

“I urge you to trust me with your votes, and together we’ll make Enugu State the pride of the nation,” Mbah said. (NAN)

Foundation urges NASS to re-establish roles of traditional rulers

From: Femi

Oyelola, Kaduna

The TY Buratai Humanity

Care Foundation has called on the National Assembly (NASS) to re-establish 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.”

L-R: Primate Olorunleke Abe; Most Rev (Dr) Nathaniel Olorunsola (JP); Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji; Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Habitat Adubiaro; Ekiti State Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev’d (Dr.) Emmanuel Adeyinka Aribasoye; Rev. Fr. Louis Omojola; during a visit by the state leadership of CAN to the Governor in Ado Ekiti.

Former President Goodluck

Jonathan, Dr Jennifer Douglas, Managing Partner, Miyetti Law Firm, Ogiame Atuwatse, the Olu of Warri and other Nigerians have been named among the 100 Most Reputable Africans.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2023 ‘roll of honour’ was released on Monday by Reputation Poll International(RPI), organisers of the annual event on its website.

The ranking released in alphabetical order, featured men and women drawn from diverse sectors across the continent including; leadership, entertainment, advocacy, education and business.

Other Nigerians who made the list include Dauda Lawal, Executive Vice Chairman/ CEO of Credent Capital and Advisory,Human Rights activist Aisha Yesufu, Arunma Oteh and Akinremi Bolaji, Director, Legal and Consular, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Another set of listed Nigerians also include Tijjani MuhammadBande, Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations,Wally Adeyemo, Deputy Secretary of the United States Department of the Treasury and Mr Cosmas Maduka, Chairman of the Coscharis Group.

Pastor William Kumuyi, Bishop David Oyedepo, Pastor

NGO offers free medical services to over 1000 in Bosso LGA

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.

Jonathan, Douglas, Olu of Warri make ‘Most Reputable Africans’ list

Paul Enenche and Pastor Enoch Adeboye, are four Nigerian clerics who made the list.

According to the organisers, the selection criteria are integrity, visibility and impact.

“The above luminaries are joined by other great Africans who are celebrated for their social impact and social entrepreneurship that are transforming businesses in Africa

and affecting lives positively without controversy.

“On Governance and Policy: Kenya’s President, Mr Wiliam K. Ruto, Lazarus Chakwera, President of Malawi and Ivory Coast Senator, Chantal Moussokoura Fanny among others were listed.

“On Business: Egypt’s Naguib Onsi Sawiris chairman of Weather Investments’s parent company,

Ghana’s Sir Samuel Esson Jonah Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, and Nigeria’s Dr Dauda Lawal, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Credent Capital and Advisory.

“On Human Rights Advocacy, Martha K. Koome, Chief Justice of Kenya, and Nigeria’s Aisha Yesufu are featured.

“On Leadership: Ethiopia’s President Sahle Work-Zedwe,

Nigeria’s Dr Paul Enenche, and Ghana’s Afua Kyei (the Chief Financial Officer at Bank of England, where she leads the Finance Directorate) are also featured,” the organisers said.

NAN reports that Reputation Poll is acclaimed globally for its annual ranking of the 100 Most Reputable People on Earth and Most Reputable CEOs in various countries. (NAN)

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.

recently

Clergy 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.

From

Corporate Communications, SIFAX Group,Philips Ojo (middle) receiving the Brand Communicators Most Outstanding Maritime Company of the year award on behalf of SIFAX Group from Comfort Oboh Nwankwo, Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Lagos State Chapter (left) and CEO, Hazon Holdings (right),Victor Gbenga Afolabi, at the 2022 BrandCom Awards which was held at D’Podium Event Centre, Ikeja, Lagos

2023 Benue PDP urges electorates to right the wrongs 2015

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Benue State chapter has charged the people to be vigilant against repeating the miscalculation of 2015.

The party stated this in a New Year message signed by its Publicity Secretary, Bemgba Iortyom and made available to Peoples Daily yesterday in Makurdi.

It also urged Benue

electorates, to right the wrongs of 2015, noting that it is time to sanitize the corridors of power and offices of public trust.

The PDP further, salute the people of the state on the occasion of the new year,

2023 while also reaffirming confidence in its leadership under His Excellency, Governor Samuel Ortom, and his stand on issues both at the national and local levels of the polity.

NNPP senatorial candidate in Borno urges electorates to vote right

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.

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)

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.

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

Shehu Abubakar,

L-R: Director of Evaluation and Compliance of Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), Dr. Bruno Nduka; President, Compliance Institute, Nigeria (CIN), Pattison Boleigha; Chairman, Education and Programmes Committee, Isioma GogoAnazodo; Compliance Institute, Nigeria (CIN), Chairman, Membership Committee, Compliance Institute, Nigeria (CIN), Oluyemisi Olukoya at the 2022 CIN Induction and Investiture Ceremony, held at the Chartered Bankers Institute of Nigeria (CIBN),Lagos, recently.

NCWS seeks prayers for better Nigeria

The National President, National Council for Women Societies (NCWS) Nigeria, Hajiya Lami Lau, has called on Nigerians to intensify prayers for the country ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Lau made the call in her New Year message to Nigerians on Sunday in Abuja.

She said that 2023 was an important year for Nigerians to make wise decisions through their votes.

Lau urged Nigerians and women in particular to pray for peace of the country as there couldn’t be free and fair elections without peace.

According to her, 2023 is an election year and there is the need to pray for free and fair

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 well-being 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.

elections.

”We need to pray for God’s intervention in the current security situation in the country. We need to use our votes to make the difference in our country.

”As mothers, we are the worst hit with the present economic situation and our prayers are that 2023 will be better,” she said.

Lau said that there was hope for Nigerians in the new year, adding: ”God promises us hope in times of despair, strength in

times of weakness, recovery after tragedies.

”God also promised that He will never forsake us in times of trouble.

“I felicitate Nigerians for making it to 2023. Let us all give God all the glory for His mercies and loving kindness.”

Lau said the year 2022 was a challenging year that put Nigeria and Nigerians through very challenging life tests that stretched our capacities for

endurance to the limits.

She added: “The economic crisis manifested in inflation, unemployment, underemployment, job losses, weak naira and general low earning capacities that brought Nigerians face to face with threats to their very survival.

“Insecurity which many citizens had wished would abate got a resurgence compounding the already difficult life for most Nigerians.”

Lau also urged women to vote for women candidates irrespective of their political parties and tribes.

”We need to support our own by voting for all women candidates, this is the only way we can change the narrative.

”Over the years, women have continued to clamour for both elective and appointive positions and the only way to change this is through our votes,” she said.

(NAN)

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.

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Rwanda Stock Exchange and newly Elected Vice President, African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA), Pierre Celestine Rwabukumba ; Chief Executive Officer, Bostwana Stock Exchange and newly elected President of ASEA ,Thapelo Tsheole and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and newly elected Executive Committee member of ASEA,Temi Popoola during the association’s Annual General Meeting and Conference in Abidjan, Cote D’ Ivoire.

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.

Association demands reversal of policy on third-party motor insurance premium

The Insurance Consumers Association of Nigeria (INSCAN), has called for the reversal of policy directive on the increase of third-party motor insurance premium by 200 per cent.

The National Coordinator of the association, Mr Yemi Soladoye, made the demand in a letter addressed to the National Insurance Commission, which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Monday in Abuja.

He said:” We, the Insurance Consumers Association of Nigeria, an affiliate of the Federal Competition and Consumers Protection Commission of Nigeria, once again introduce

ourselves to you as an organisation established in 2010 with objectives to speak for the aggrieved Nigerians on insurance Matters.

” We hereby demand that the directive to be reversed as it amounts to a deliberate breach of the fundamental principle of the utmost good faith and other decent regulatory principles that guide Insurance practice on your part.

” Our demand for the reversal of the directive is based on the facts that you failed to understand the full implications of your directive that the real organs you will punish are the Nigerian Insurance Consumers who provide the income that

accrue to the entire insurance Industry. ”

Soladoye said that consumers in Nigeria deserved more than one-week notice from the insurance commission, adding that the association was not impressed with the corresponding increase in the Indemnity limit to N3.0 million.

He added: ” You are definitely aware of the fact that even at the current N5,000 MTP premium, many Nigerians still patronise the fake underwriters and this is not because these Nigerians cannot afford the N5,000 but because they don’t see any benefit.

” We recall that even in the recent cases of currency redesign

and cash withdrawal limit introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)(which is at nil cost to the depositors) still enough time was given to the public for feed backs and adjustments to be made.

” As a Regulator in the Financial Services, you know that Companies and even governments in Nigeria must have concluded their budgets for the year 2023 latest by midDecember 2022.”

He said that the predictable outcome of the policy directive would be substantial increase in the number of fake Insurance Underwriters in the country. (NAN)

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.”

New Year: 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.

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

L-R: Provost, Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina Lagos. Very Revd. Dr. Bola Ojefeitimi; Legal Secretary Cathedral Church, Barr. Tolulope Orhiwerei; Supervising Bishop for Lagos Diocese of Cathedral Church of Christ, Rt. Revd. Dr. James Olusola Odedeji; Registrar, Lagos Diocese, Barr. Segun Ajayi; Assistant Diocesan Registrar, Mr. Gbenga Bello and People Warden, Prince Dapo Opeaye, during the 2023 New year Service at Cathedral Church of Christ Anglican Marina Lagos,

2023: More than an election year

By Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua

Their sit at home imposed rules had caused setback to the economy development of the entire region. Many business had to remain shut, while those who disobey their jungle order paid the supreme price including losing their dear lives. Will these insecurity stop in this year?

Happy New year to Nigerians. May this year bring peace,unity and prosperity. Last year was not different from precededed years. 2020 could be described as covid-19 year in which the new discovered pandemic hit the world and wrecked social and economy havoc to many countries including Nigeria. In 2021, after the pandemic seemed over, Nigerians witnessed post covid-19 era where the country struggled to recover economically. In 2022, Nigerians witnessed the good and the bad side of the year. It started with the torrential downpours which led to flood disaster that submerged many states across the country. Worst hit are: Jigawa, Bayelsa, Yobe and Anambra states. But, many environmental analysts blamed the affected states for not heeding the early warning signals by metrological agencies. The flood which caused great damages to lives and properties has raised questions about the profer utilization of ecological funds by states governors and lack of effective policies to stem the menace of flooding in the country. This year, unless government at all levels come up with robust and effective strategies to control flooding, many states will be badly affected.

Last year, there was incessant attacks on INEC offices and its facilities across the country. The rampant and continue attacks few days to elections have sent fears into the spinal cord of nigerians. The INEC chairman, professor

Mahmood Yakubu, disturbed by this sad development, expressed fears that, the continue attacks pose threat to the conduct of this year election. Though, in his new year message, president Muhammadu Buhari, has warned saboteurs who are hell bent to scuttle the forthcoming poll to stay away. However, government should match its words with actions. These sponsored thugs or political urchins may return to their nefarious activities in order to undermine free and fair elections and government’s commitment to peaceful transition. To check mate the ungodly activities of rapacious arsonists, government should deploy adequate security oppetatives to protect INEC offices and its facilities across the country. The Department of state security (DSS), should launch an intelligent investigation to unravel those who are sponsoring terrorism in the country. The arrest and prosecution of these sponsors according to the laws of land would serve as a lesson to other would-be sponsors and restore peace and security in the country.

The 2023 will inherit catalogues of insecurity bedeviled the country. While insecurity did not start last year, banditry and other sundry crimes had spike frightening. Nigerians will not forget in hurry the attacks carried out by suspected members of ansaru-deen on Kaduna-Abuja’s bound train. In the unfortunate attacks,many passengers were killed and scores of other kidnapped. For the people of Katsina, Zamfara, Niger and other communities in Kaduna state, 2022 was a bad year. Bandits had a field day, abducting and killing many helpless people. The bandits turned to another authority, imposing levies to Farmers before they could harvest their farm crops. Similarly, in the South-East, the indigineous people of Biafra (IPOB), through its armed-wing, Eastern Security Network had

waged unrelenting war against the people of the region.

Their sit at home imposed rules had caused setback to the economy development of the entire region. Many business had to remain shut, while those who disobey their jungle order paid the supreme price including losing their dear lives. Will these insecurity stop in this year?

On the economy front, year 2023, will carry over some monetary policies initiated by the apex bank (CBN), aimed at taming the high rate of inflation in the country. Last year, the country recorded 18.91 percent inflation rate. The rate was highest in last 15 years. CBN, through its monetary policies, redesigned our currencies and pegged cash withdrawal limits to 100,000 for individual and 500,000 for corporate body, before it increased it to 500,000 and 5millions respectively. The policy is geared towards implementing cashless economy. Will this policy reverse the high rate of inflation this year? It is also worrisome to know, year 2023 will inherit mountain of public debt amounted to trillions . The crude oil theft which cost the country trillions of naira revenue lost is another new year nightmare. The multi-dimesional poverty index which places 133 millions nigerians below the poverty line is another concern for the new year.

Further more, with the elections around the corner, nigerians have great opportunities to assess the candidates and their party manifestos. These multi-facet problems that affecting the country are surmountable if nigerians elect good leaders in the February general elections. We need strong leadership fully prepared to take the country to an eldarado.

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna state. 08169056963.

Loan sharks in Nigeria: To be or not to be?

By Seun Elere

As bad as all these may look, these companies are also contributing the Nigerian economy. Hundreds of graduates and youths are employed by these companies and the fact that they carried out their transactions through the usual banks means that they also pay tax. They are also helping to provide needed short term capital and access to credit to many businesses and Nigerians alike.

A Loan Shark has three (3) major characteristics: s/he gives loans at extremely high interest; s/he has strict terms of collection upon failure; and operates outside the law. They use blackmail (emotional and physical) as well as threats to enforce repayment. Loan sharks are often referred to as predatory lenders – a term interpreted to mean lending practices that impose unfair, deceptive, or abusive loan terms on borrowers. Predatory lenders take advantage of borrower’s circumstances or ignorance. They offer you loans with unimaginable interest rates, unrealistic repayment period and a repayment term that sets you up to default from the get-go.

Predatory lending assume the form of a payday loan but most of them have a tenure of 7, 8 and 14 days. Another form of predatory lending operational in Nigeria is the auto title loan. These loan companies (e.g Cashdrive) give loan to car owners and use the car as collateral for the loan. Needless to say the loan sum are usually far lesser than the value of the car.

Loan sharks have succeeded in sending many into debt trap. They thrive in societies where access to credit is restricted or impaired and demand for credit is high. Unfortunately, this affects both educated and less educated Nigerians. Education or not, one must eat, right? There are bills to be paid, food prices are soaring, ever increasing inflation rates and the resultant extremely high cost of living in Nigeria have all contributed to the misfortune of Nigerians and of course successes recorded by the loan sharks. Those who patronize these lenders are not gullible, they are only made vulnerable by the extreme economic condition in the country. Of course, only someone without a problem needs to be appeased to say Amen to the priest’s prayers.

Unfortunately, these guys have send many people to their early graves. As far back as 2017, we have started reading about several cases of suicide that were mostly linked to the operation of these loan sharks. I remember a particular story of a woman who had even jumped into the lagoon but was rescued by divers. She narrated that she was indebted to two microfinance banks (N60,000 and N90,000) and they were troubling her life so she decided to terminate her life. A Channel TV report of August 2, 2020 on the story of a man who attempted suicide because he couldn’t repay a loan he took from a microfinance bank (N390,000 six month loan with 36% interest rate) is another pointer to the grievous impact of loan shark on mental health. There has also been reported surge in number of suicides and

suicide attempts on the third mainland bridge in Lagos. We probably have far too many cases that were not reported. Also, a few of us must have received text messages labeling some persons we know (at times those we do not even know) as fraudsters just because they defaulted. These incidents probably prompted the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to set up a task force, albeit belatedly, to investigate some of the allegations of wrong doings and exploitation against the so called loan sharks. It is very interesting to note that we barely saw any open condemnation or remarks by the apex bank before the intervention of the FCCPC.

As bad as all these may look, these companies are also contributing the Nigerian economy. Hundreds of graduates and youths are employed by these companies and the fact that they carried out their transactions through the usual banks means that they also pay tax. They are also helping to provide needed short term capital and access to credit to many businesses and Nigerians alike.

In 2021, fascinated by the operation of these loan sharks and the general outcry that greets their mode of operation, I conducted a quick study to gain full insights into why, despite all these casualties and outcry, the loan sharks thrive in Nigeria. I disseminated questionnaire and encouraged anonymity to get factual responses whilst protecting the identity of the respondents. I also conducted analysis of a few of these companies I personally interacted with. The following are the top finding, many are not new and merely confirm our suspicion or reinforced them:

a. Restricted access to credit or complete lack of it is the main fertile ground breeding the loan sharks. I found that over 50% of my respondents have personally patronized a loan shark while over 47% know someone that has patronized them. Over 95% found it very easy to access fund through the loan sharks and over 40% of them had at least 2 of the loan apps they were owing at the time of the interview. Despite the fact that over 60% reported ill treatment by the loan sharks, patronage is still very high. Interestingly, over 45% of the respondents have applied for loan in at least 1 commercial Bank and over 63% of them got their application denied mostly due to the fact that they were not salary earner. A few of them mentioned credit report and documentation. Until we boost access to credit for all, it may be preposterous to think we can end loan shark in Nigeria. Banks, that used to extend their quick credit services to all customer, now restrict them to salaried customers. Others not only restrict it to salaried customers but civil servants or employees of a preprofiled organizations. Since one of the objectives of the BVN regime is to mitigate default, it might be beneficial to review our credit restrictions.

b. Regulate them, don’t ban them: 75% of the respondents want the loan firms regulated by the Federal Government but not banned. I was mildly shocked by this myself but on a second thought, these firms provide quick access to credit and

provide employment for Nigerians. Nigeria and Nigerians would benefit even more if this sector is properly regulated, properly monitored and erring ones sanctioned to serve as detterrent to others.

c. They are not ghosts: it is deceptive to think or say that these loan firms are untraceable. They market their products, call their customers and hound defaulters using regular telecommunication networks as all of us, they operate via Android application and they use known payment platforms (like Monify, Paystack, Flutterwave, etc) and very popular banks (like Wema, Sterling, Zenith, etc) as receiving banks. Definitely, they can be traced even though there are reports that some of them are owned by non-Nigerians.

d. Many of the loan apps are owned by an entity: there are no many loan sharks but a few of them operating with several applications and in different names. Apps like Palmcredit, New credit, xcash and xcrosscash are operated by Newedge Financials while loan personal, creditall, neocash, nextcredit, found one, SoftNaira, etc are operated by a firm known as Ajax. Loan apps owned by the same firm are very similar in the way they operate and even the app dashboard will indicate this.

Many are borrowing not to live big or feed their families but are borrowing to repay loans because they could not bear the embarrassment that would ensue should they fail to repay. It is also obvious that a lender that gives you N70,000 and expects you to repay N90,000 in seven (7) days has set you up for default and it is an intentional act to keep you entrapped. There is therefore a need for thorough regulation and monitoring of the activities of these lenders. The CBN cannot claim ignorance of the existence of these companies.

Improved access to credit will naturally make these guys unpopular. A policy that restricts access to loan to civil servant or bank staff only is not only discriminatory but an indication of a government that is willing to throw its citizen to the wolfs. The CBN’s policy that allows the blacklisting of BVN of customers with non-performing loans has already taken care of the tendency to default. Easy access to credit not only by individuals but SMEs will, in no small ways, help to grow the economy. Tailor-made programs and lending platforms should be considered for all income categories. Having banks that deny non-government staff access to credit will only provide fertile ground for loan sharking in Nigeria.

In conclusion, we need to learn to be human, to be our brother’s/sister’s keeper, show affection, show love, reach out to those you feel are going through rough patches. Let us be less judgmental, less gossipy and when people reach out to us for financial help, if you do have, please give. Having a friend or family member dragged everywhere over N5,000 isn’t something that should give joy to anyone.

Seun Elere is a Public Policy Analyst.

Climate change governance: Challenges and way-forward

By Muhammad Mumtaz

The issue of climate change is being tackled in short-term and only address the immediate effects of the crises. However, the ‘wicket’ problem of climate change demands proactive and concerted efforts where climate impacts must be anticipated and relevant actions should be initiated.

Climate change is real and its impacts will be severe. World is facing multiple challenges related to climate change such as floods, heatwaves, rise in temperature, unpredictable rainfall and storms among others. Martin Weitzman and Gernot Wagner in their book Climate Shock indicated that “Climate change is unlike . . . any other public policy problem. It’s almost uniquely global, uniquely long-term, uniquely irreversible, and uniquely uncertain—certainly unique in the combination of all four”.

Scientific evidences prove that the impacts of climate change will be more devastating and disruptive by 2050 than today. According to Germanwatch, it is estimated that about 500,000 people died and US$3.5 trillion was lost as a result of extreme weather event during last 2 decades. More floods, droughts, fires, and heat waves will likely to be occurred in upcoming times. However, these events may vary from region to region and country to country. These variations in impacts and uncertainties of climate change have complicated the situation and set complex challenges for global community to respond. These complexities of climate change demand proactive and long lasting sustainable governance initiatives from local to global level.

Climate change has recognized a global issue and efforts are being initiated to handle the devastating impacts of climate change. Global leaders from all over the world (almost 200 countries) gather annually in conference of parties events for climate talk, to keep the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C alive, discuss what has been achieved so far, what actions are needed to be taken and how to move forward in relation to handling climate change.

In 2015, governments adopted the Paris Agreement (PA), agreeing to hold global average temperature rise “well below 2°C” and, if possible, 1.5°C. However, according to United Nation Environment Programme, countries’ collective emission reduction pledges remain far from sufficient: if implemented, they would lead to a temperature increase of more than 3°C, with devastating consequences for both ecosystems and humans. In light of these global actions it is far to state that the world has launched a successful drive against climate change rather need to do much more. It is therefore imperative to examine the current structures

and dynamics of global climate governance so as to uncover the key climate governance challenges.

At international level, the realistic scenario of international politics is unclear with respect to climate change due to diverse political and economic ambitions and it is uncertain whether all countries especially the developed countries who are the major emitters of global greenhouse gases will consistently hold the political will to engage in climate negotiations and climate actions. Distorted perceptions of the climate crisis still exist at the global level and climate forums do not always attract the required levels of urgency or multi-sectoral leadership. Enormous promises and wishful decisions are made in international negotiations on climate change but normally they are not materialized as such or partially operationalized.

Most decisions made at the global level are not mandatory and the implementation relies on good faith. However, it has seen that multilateral institutions are normally slow to act, jeopardizing the fast, ambitious, and concerted actions required to address climate change. Climate actions are taken around the world but with a slow pace and importance is given to the responses as per requirement of their own relevancy. However, climate crisis demands aggressive, coordinated and a cross-cutting approach connecting, social, environmental, and economic efforts. The issue of climate change is being addressed on an ad hoc basis but it must be taken on planned and permanent basis in view the challenging nature of climate change.

The issue of climate change is being tackled in short-term and only address the immediate effects of the crises. However, the ‘wicket’ problem of climate change demands proactive and concerted efforts where climate impacts must be anticipated and relevant actions should be initiated. It is therefore, global community has to come out of the business as usual approach and it is high time to mobilize global resources considering the cruelty of climate change and the stakes of upcoming generations in order to produce effective climate governance.

The 2009 UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen has often been described as a turning point for global climate politics that paved the way to replace top-down universal approach to global climate governance to a much more decentralized climate policy architecture. This conference has set the ground for the ‘hybrid multilateralism’ which was institutionalized through the PA. The PA was crucial milestone in climate governance that has brought together the international community’s consensus to actively respond to climate change. The PA recognizes the role of non-

Nigeria’s year in review (Part II)

By Matthew Ma

“Despite the challenges and controversies that occurred in Nigeria in 2022, there were still some outstanding moments that happened. We are a little excited about these victories, especially noticing that many are long-awaited or coveted victories. The future looks bright for Nigeria, and we are here for it.”

The great writer Chinua Achebe once said that being a Nigerian is appallingly frustrating and unbelievably exciting. These few words sum it up quite aptly. Being Nigerian is, indeed, a bittersweet experience. On the one hand, we are undoubtedly some of the most inventive, humorous, and distinctive people on earth. But in truth, many of us would argue the bitter far outweighs the sweet, especially for those who cannot simply fly in and out of the country. How do we put the millions of sharp, creative young minds to good use when the nation is not set up for us to thrive? Fortunately, the general pidgin phrase, “Naija no dey carry last,” still rings true in particular cases. Hence, the unrelenting spirit we all seem to possess naturally has produced several notable stars, particularly in the country’s music, sports, and sociopolitical sphere. They have gone on to make us feel goosebumps with pride. With 2022 well gone, here are some of our favorite star moments.

Nigeria Shines in Sports

Despite the challenges and controversies that wobbled the Nigerian sports scene in 2022, it was still a memorable year with some outstanding performances. There were a couple of historical achievements worth noting in athletics, para-sports, and even football. Amusan’s exploits in 2022 were simply breathtaking, and they aided the fortunes of athletics in Nigeria. It was one record after another, one award after another for the inspirational ‘golden girl’ hurdler throughout the year. Though the 12.12 seconds world record set in Oregon and the World title that followed were the obvious choices for Amusan’s best moments, there was more to the year for Tobi’s performance. In Birmingham, England, Amusan retained her Commonwealth Games title with a new race record of 12.30 seconds. She also made it a successive Diamond League Trophy win with a new world record of 12.29 seconds, drawing the curtains on an incredible season that saw her win the Nigerian, African, Commonwealth, World, and Diamond League titles. Though she missed out on winning the Global Award as the Best Female Athlete of the year, she was undisputedly Africa’s best, as confirmed by the Confederation of African Athletics. Since her debut at the 1950 Commonwealth Games in Scotland, where Nigeria won a

single silver medal, Nigeria has always strived for a medal platform in the multi-sport event designed for former British colonies. Team Nigeria had a historic outing at the most recent edition, held in Birmingham, with its best medal placement ever. The country won medals in various sports, including powerlifting and setting African and Commonwealth Games records in track and field. Team Nigeria amassed an unprecedented 12 gold medals with nine silver and 14 bronze medals, making the outing in Birmingham the most productive in the country’s history. Nigeria had previously won 11 gold medals in a single Commonwealth Games edition in 1994 in Victoria, Canada; 2010 in Delhi, India; and 2014 in Glasgow, Scotland. Nigeria’s U17 girls won Africa’s first-ever FIFA World Cup bronze medal at the last U-17 tournament in India. After narrowly missing out on making it to the final, the Flamingos still made history with a 3-2 penalty shootout victory over Germany following a dramatic 3-3 draw in Mumbai. Before winning the Bronze medal in India, Nigeria, and indeed, Africa has never made it beyond the quarter-final in any of the FIFA U-17 tournaments for Women. We are a little excited about these victories, especially noticing that many are long-awaited or coveted victories. The future looks bright for Nigeria, and we are here for it.

Music Breakthrough

Just as Nigerians were about to give up on their country, Nigerian music continued to impact and retain global recognition after successfully taking over the world in 2022. The beautiful thing about the Nigerian music scene is how talented they are and the influx of new talents. Artists like P Square, Tuface, D’banj, Wizkid, Davido, Olamide, Phyno, and many others have successfully held the fort Africa’s growing afrobeat industry. Artists like Tems, Ayra Starr, Magixx, Victony, Ckay, Adekunle Gold, Babyboy AV, Fave, Ruger, Zinoleesky, and Fireboy DML successfully introduced themselves to the scene in 2022. Artists like Burna Boy, Rema, Kizz Daniel, and Oxlade had their big break in 2022 with songs like calm down, Last-Last, Buga, and Kulosa. In ten months, Afrobeat star Rema’s calm down has earned the No. 1 spot on the 2022 Most Viewed Nigerian Music Videos on YouTube. A look at the video revealed that the Calm Down video had 306 million views as of Friday. Closely following is Last-Last by Burna Boy, which garnered over 140 million views, Kizz Daniel’s Buga with 107 million views, Kulosa color show by Oxlade with 55 million views. While the Eagles were not at the World Cup, it was not all sadness for Nigeria as four of its artists performed some of their hit songs at the competition. One of the artists was David Adeleke, with the stage name Davido. Although he did not perform live at the Mundial, he

Party stakeholders in addressing climate change, including cities, other subnational authorities, civil society, the private sector and others. The shift in climate governance from top-down to bottomup promoting multi-level governance appears a promising way but it has also various challenges and hurdles that must be addressed.

The subject of climate change has been devolved to lower level of governments in many countries such as Pakistan. The formulation of climate change policies and action plans rest with subnational or local governments. However, these lower level of governments may not be fully in a position to devise comprehensive policies and plans due to lack of coordination and absence of experience dealing with such complex issue at subnational and local level. Climate change decision-making processes are complex and involve multiple actors.

Governments at local level also consist of multiple agencies, each with a defined portfolio of responsibilities. One department might work for managing water resources while other might provide sewerage services and others are engaged with other services. To manage the complex challenge of climate change, these all departments and institutions have to work in coordination. However, evidences show that there is limited coordination among the local departments while dealing with climate change. To be successful against climate drive, nations need to integrate coordination among different government levels and nongovernment actors must be involved.

The PA institutionalizes an intricate interplay between state and non-state, multilateral and transnational climate action. It is assumed that power and authority are drifting from sovereign states to non-state actors at reginal and local scale, making it complex climate regime changing mechanisms where national governments have limited power and influence in decision making. However, there is need to understand that local governments are in a better position to act against the local challenges but they need full supports from upper tiers of the governments. It is therefore highly desirable to align non-state and intergovernmental relations especially at horizontal and vertical level to produce robust climate governance and meaningful actions. Efforts are needed to accelerate climate actions by facilitating dialogue, knowledge exchange and cooperation among governmental institutions and state and nonstate actors to shape effective climate governance.

The writer is working as Assistant Professor at the Department of Public Administration, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. He can be reached at mumtaz86@hotmail.com

featured in the theme song of the competition alongside other artists. He joined Latin-American singer Trinidad Cardonna and Qatari singer Aisha to record the song titled ‘Hayya-Hayya’ (Better Together). Another popular song across the world at the moment is Buga and the singer, Oluwatobiloba Anidugbe, aka Kizz Daniel, stormed Qatar to perform his hit song at the World Cup. He wrote on June 22, God, I want to perform ‘Buga’ for the World Cup with a mass choir. A few months later, he performed not at the opening ceremony but during one of the games. Another Reggae-dancehall singer, Patrick Okorie, popularly known as Patoranking, also performed at the Al Bidda Park in the country’s capital, Doha, on November 28, 2022. The ‘Girlie’ crooner undoubtedly carved a niche for himself with his style of music. Last but not least is Chukwuka Ifeanyi, better known as Ckay. He also joined his Nigerian counterparts to perform at the tournament. It is apparent these young stars are out to take over the world, and there is nothing left to do but sit back, smile, and watch them do it.

Naira Redesign

By December 15, 2022, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) introduced the new redesigned Naira notes in 200, 500, and 1,000 denominations. Amidst speculations over the government’s intention, there is ongoing bickering between the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, and the Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed. Recall that on October 26, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced its decision to redesign the N200, N500, and N1000 notes. Commenting on the developments, CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele said that introducing new designs of banknotes was imperative following the unusual circumstances in Nigeria’s financial, monetary, and security systems. The circulation of the new currency began on December 15, 2022, while the existing notes cease to be legal tender by January 31, 2023. There were speculations that the measure is to tackle the issue of counterfeit notes and recall large amounts of money outside the banks. It will also stifle access to money used as ransom by terrorists and kidnappers. But as soon as the Central Bank unveiled the new naira note, many Nigerians took to their social media platforms to voice their displeasure at what they termed as the mere color change. They argue that this is not an actual redesign of the naira note, as the Central Bank would have them believe. To them, it is an ink stain on an old banknote with no significant changes. But is it truly the case? We wait to see how things will flow.

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.

The All Progressives Congress Committee of Diaspora Chairmen (APC-CDC) has affirmed its commitment to mobilise Nigerians to ensure victory for the party’s presidential candidate, Sen. Bola Tinubu, in the Feb. 25 election.

The committee in its New Year message signed by Prof. Adesegun Labinjo and Mr

Group hails military for peaceful Christmas, New Year celebrations

Agroup, Northern Youths Vanguard for Development (NYVD), has praised the Armed Forces of Nigeria for their efforts toward peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The group made the commendation in a statement jointly signed by its President, Mr Yakubu Dauda, and Secretary, Mrs Roseline Musa, on Monday in Abuja.

According to the group, peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations across Nigeria showed that the military was determined to keep its promises to ensure peace in the country.

The group expressed delight that Nigerians, especially those in the North-East, had peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations.

It urged the people to continue to cooperate with the military through provision of useful information.

“On the new year eve, banditary kingpin, Gwoska Dankarami, escaped death by the whiskers when air strikes of the Nigerian military targeted his hideout along Kaura Namoda Road in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

“Similarly, troops of 199 Special Forces Battalion hit out at terrorists on the eve of new year along Maiduguri to Damboa Road, killing some of them.

“Reports from the North East is cheering and gives us hope that, very soon, normalcy will be completely restored.

“We in NYVD commend the Armed Forces of Nigeria under Gen. Lucky Irabor for making all this possible.

“We are very hopeful it will get better for the North and Nigeria as a whole,” it said.

The group advised parents to monitor activities of their wards to prevent them from being recruited by criminals for nefarious activities. (NAN)

2023: Our support for Tinubu is total — APC members in Diaspora

Bola Babarinde, the APC CDC Chairman and General Secretary respectively, said that 2023 would birth renewed hope for all Nigerians.

Wishing Nigerians a Happy New Year, the group commended party members in all Diaspora chapters for their commitment, dedication and loyalty which they said would not be taken for granted.

“The APC-CDC is 100 per cent committed to the Tinubu/

Shettima ticket and would be supporting the Diaspora Directorate to deliver on its mandate in ensuring the mobilisation of resources, both human and material from the Diaspora towards the realisation of the Tinubu/ Shettima aspiration.

“The APC-CDC has donated campaign materials and souvenirs already while promising to do more in the year 2023 to support the

Tinubu/Shettima presidential campaign,” it said.

The committee said that President Muhammadu Buhari had laid a solid foundation for Nigeria and the party.

It said that the APC-CDC appreciated Buhari’s leadership and support towards the APC ticket.

“We will continue to support the country, our party and its leadership as led by Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu and all NWC

(National Working Committee) members.

“We are elated that our President Muhammadu Buhari is ready to join us on the campaign trail to campaign for the incoming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We also gearing up in Diaspora to be part of this campaign train.

“We pray 2023 will usher in progress, excellent health and success for all,” the group said. (NAN)

Crisis: PDP goes after sacked Chairman in 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 Sagagi-led 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 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.

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

Cathedral Canon-In-Residence, Venerable Samson Sule, the the Provost, Very Rev’d Joseph Olorunfemi and the Bishop of Kaduna Anglican Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Timothy Yahaya,- during the New year Service at the Cathedral of St. Michael, in Kaduna

Suspected thugs attack SDP office in Rivers

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The immediate past governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola has stated that he has come back to the state to reclaim his mandate stolen by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Oyetola made this known on Monday during an interdenominational prayer session organised by the state’s chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to herald the New Year.

Oyetola who lost July 16, 2022, Osun gubernatorial election also stated that the mandate was freely given to him by God and the people of the state.

While expressing confidence in reclaiming his mandate and leading the APC to victory for Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima in the February 16, 2023, presidential election, he added that the New Year is a year of God’s manifest promises.

Addressing party loyalists, he stated: “I am happy returning home. I wanted to come in gently and unannounced. That was why I didn’t announce my coming, but to my greatest surprise, you were already here in this huge number to welcome me.

I thank you all for your undying love and unflinching support.

“God has revealed to us that this year is a year of happiness and unending manifestations. God doesn’t fail His promises. This year is going to be a year of laudable achievements. We are going to reclaim our mandate.

“God has made us know that this year is for two victories. We will reclaim our mandate and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He has returned us back to the state to reclaim our mandate soon.”

Oyetola, debunking rumours that he

will be relocating permanently to Lagos, revealed that he has come back fully.

The former governor who announced the start of campaigns throughout the state called on party members in the state to jettison differences and work together.

He also added that the APC was the party to beat as the nation goes into the general elections in February.

He said: “I am particularly very charged and energized by what I have seen, and I want to assure you that I will lead this party to victory by the grace of God. What I see today shows that victory is assured. Asiwaju is the man, he has no rival. Social media is not the issue. We are talking of people that have demonstrated capabilities. Go to Lagos State and see what he did. Go to Borno and see what his running mate, Shettima did. With Asiwaju/Shettima ticket banditry is over, it is going to be fought with technology.”

While calling on the party members to vote massively for the Tinubu/Shettima APC ticket, he also urged party members to collect their Permanent Voter’s Cards, PVCs, as news of close to a million uncollected PVCs was a source of personal worry to him.

The former governor who gave his farewell address to the residents of the state on November 26, 2022, left the state immediately.

In his absence, the new administration of Ademola Adeleke had alleged several misdemeanours against the Oyetola Administration, including the alleged looting of the government quarters and the taking away of official vehicles by public officials who served in the administration.

In an address to the Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers, Governor Adeleke challenged Oyetola to provide details of the loans he collected on behalf of the state.

L-R: Big Brother Titans CoHost, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu; Head, Product Marketing, Flutterwave, Onyedikachim Nwankwo; Executive Head, Content and Channels West Africa, Dr Busola Tejumola; CEO, Bamboo, Richmond Bassey; and Executive Head of Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, TopeOshunkeye at the Big Brother Titan media briefing held in Lagos, yesterday.

Bwala denies claims of 11 APC govs working for Atiku by Afegbua

By Christiana Ekpa

As the 2023 general elections gather momentum, the spokesman for the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Council, Daniel Bwala has written off what he described as frivolous claims by Kassim Afegbua, a former Commissioner for Information in Edo State.

According to Bwala on Monday, Afegbua lied about his claims that 11

governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are working underground for Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said as a spokesperson of the presidential campaign, he would rather not join issues with Afegbua who has no role in the APC campaign activities.

He also took a swipe at Afegbua, describing him as a mercenary hired and paid stipends by the APC for his nuisance value.

Bwala said, “I rather not respond to Afegbua owing to the fact that I consider him quite frankly as a mercenary. A mercenary is someone who is contracted with a stipend to perform specific work”.

Speaking further, he said Afegbua was recently in PDP, where he served as a presidential spokesman but today, where is he now? He is not even a spokesman in the APC presidential campaign. He does not have any designated position. They consider him as a mercenary, they use him

for his nuisance value”.

“So, if I a presidential spokesman react to his claims, I will be condescending to his level. We are not on the same level. I will only react to people like Bayo Onanuga, Dele Alake, and Festus Keyamo. These are known spokesmen, not mercenaries like Kassim Afegbua”.

Bwala also stated that he can’t even react to Femi Fani-Kayode. Rather the party will find another person in charge of our social media to react to him.

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.”

Wamakko’s nephew, others dump APC for PDP in Sokoto

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto State on Monday received Zayyanu Wamakko, the nephew of the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Sen. Aliyu Wamakko (APC, Sokoto North) and

hundreds of defectors from other political parties.

Gov. Aminu Tambuwal, who received the defectors, appreciated them for joining the party.

Tambuwal, who is the Director General of the PDP

Presidential Campaign Council, described PDP as the best choice for Nigerians.

He advised the teeming youths to engage in house-to-house campaigns for more support and keep their Permanent Voter’s Cards, PVCs, safe.

“A PDP government, if elected, has designed workable strategies to end banditry, fight corruption, unemployment, address infrastructural decay and boost the socio-economic life of Nigerians among other issues,” NAN quoted him. (NAN)

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.”

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

2023 polls, a choice between Nigeria’s recovery or 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.

Wike mocks Atiku over Obasanjo’s endorsement of Obi for President

By Musa Baba Adamu

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has mocked the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar over the endorsement of Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The governor said the move by Obasanjo, who refused to endorse Atiku shows that there is something fundamentally wrong with Atiku who was Obasanjo’s vice from 1999 to 2003.

The Governor said it was funny that the engineer of the same legacies upon which Atiku was campaigning, failed to recommend him but instead endorsed Obi.

He was speaking during the flagging off of a road project in Emohua Local Government Area of the state on Monday.

Wike said “If you are bad product, you are a bad product, if you are a good product, you are a good product.

“You worked under somebody, the person has recommended to Nigerians another

person, is it me?

“I worked with somebody for eight years and we are using it as a campaign that when we were in office we did well, then my boss is recommending another person to be there, something is fundamentally wrong.

“I was praying that Obasanjo should not say anything, when I saw the letter last night I was touched.

“If your principal does not recommend you, then there’s something fundamentally wrong.”

and Obasanjo

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”, NNPP said.

Obi

on alcohol

ISB will transform capital market, boost investors’ confidence –Ibrahim

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The government of Dubai has cancelled its 30 percent alcohol tax in order to boost tourism in the emirate.

Dubai will also scrap the personal liquor licence fees, thereby making acquisition of the permit free for alcohol consumers in the United Arab Emirates region.

With an economy boosted by tourism, Dubai is one of the most visited cities in the UAE and globally.

The latest move is an attempt by the government to make the city more attractive to foreigners, in the face of competition stiff from its Persian Gulf neighbours like Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Following the development, two alcohol distributors in Dubai — Maritime and Mercantile International (MMI), and African & Eastern — announced the tax cut on Sunday, in a bid to woo customers.

Tyrone Reid, group chief executive officer, MMI, and Emirates Leisure Retail, said the move to end the 30 percent tax on alcohol sales came after the government’s announcement, noting that it became effective immediately.

Reid added that personal liquor licences will be free-to-obtain for those eligible to legally purchase alcoholic beverages in the city.

He said people wishing to buy an alcohol licence in the city require a valid Emirates ID, or passport for tourists, and this can be done at any of MMI’s 21 stores.

“Following the announcement by the government of Dubai to remove the 30 percent municipality tax on sales of alcoholic beverages, we are pleased to announce that this will be reflected across all alcoholic beverage products in all our 21 MMI stores in Dubai, effective 1st January,” Reid said in a statement on Sunday.

“Since we began our operations in Dubai more than 100 years ago, the Emirate’s approach has remained dynamic, sensitive, and inclusive for all.

“These recently updated regulations are instrumental to continue ensuring the safe and responsible purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages in Dubai and the UAE.”

However, while encouraging clients to “take advantage on these huge savings and stock up and apply for a free licence”, MMI said the value added tax (VAT) on its services would still apply.

While Dubai is ending the huge tax on alcoholic products, West African nations like Nigeria began the implementation of a sugar tax of N10 per litre on all non-alcoholic, carbonated, and sweetened beverages in the country last year.

Peoples Daily understands that the government of Nigeria may soon announce an additional 20 percent

The Investments and Securities Bill has been described as capable of transforming the capital market, encourage the influx of foreign investors as well as boost investors’ confidence among others.

Chairman of the House Committee on Capital Markets and Institutions, Hon. Babangida Ibrahim stated this during an interview weekend while commenting on the recent passage of the Bill by the House of Representatives.

Ibrahim said the ISA Bill seeks to repeal the existing Investments and Securities Act 2007 and to establish a new market infrastructure and wide ranging system of regulation of investments and securities businesses in Nigeria especially in the areas of derivatives, systematic risk management, financial market infrastructure and Ponzi scheme and platforms.

Other areas the bill addresses are alternative trading systems, inclusion of National Pensions Commission as part of the board of the Securities and Exchange Commission, deletion of the provisions on merger control in the current Act and amendment of the criteria of borrowing by sub nationals and strengthening and enforcement powers of the Securities and Exchange Commission in line with the requirement of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions, IOSCO.

According to him, “We owe a duty to Nigerians and Nigeria to

make sure that things work well. In the financial market we have the money market and the capital market. With the challenges facing the money market, the only option left is the capital market. What we tried to do is to build investors’ confidence and ensure that investors are comfortable. At the same time, we realised that there are areas like derivatives, commodities exchanges, Ponzi schemes and the rest of them that are new developments in the capital market. We feel it’s very important for us to provide regulations for these new developments.

“We also emphasized borrowing by sub nationals, in the past you hardly see state governments and local governments coming into the capital market to borrow. We introduced a lot of new provisions and also made provisions relating to financial market infrastructures. Also the board of the SEC was expanded to include the Pension Commission. The existing Act needed a total overhaul because of passage of time and developments in the capital market.

Ibrahim said the Bill is also to determine the type of trainings required of an operator to perform professional functions in the capital market and also provide certification for persons deemed to have met the qualifications standards.

“The Act will achieve transformation of the market, from manual to automation, from manual to multiple securities exchanges, influx of foreign professionals into the country and also need to harmonise standards.

The bill will also achieve expansion of products range in the market, equities, bonds, sukuk, derivatives and an advent of electronic share issuance.

Hon. Ibrahim stated that the House of Representatives and indeed the Committee on capital market are committed to ensuring that the Securities and Exchange Commission delivers on its core mandate of due registration of the players in the capital market, market integrity to avoid systemic risk, guarantee inspection, investigation of breaches, due surveillance, market development and law enforcement and rules making.

“This Committee is indeed proud of this bill as they seek to ensure a more robust, vibrant, prosperous and more developed capital market and also to ensure that the capital market is well institutionalised and accountable.

“We hope the resources of Nigerians in the capital market will remain safe, accountable and prosperous. The capital market is a veritable tool for wealth creation and we will ensure this is true for Nigerians. If there was any time we need to rally for the economic good of Nigeria it is now and this is the time”.

On the issue of Ponzi schemes, Ibrahim said the House has ensured that there is enough deterrent in the bill. This he said includes cash penalty, conviction as well as a combination of both cash penalty and conviction adding, “It depends on the nature and gravity of the offense but we try as much as possible that its serves as a

deterrence to anyone that wants to do any manipulation in the capital market. We have provided enough regulation in this bill that will take care of many of these issues.

“I want to see a vibrant capital market that is efficient and one that can boost investors’ confidence and where the processes are simple. One of the major challenges and complaints by investors is the issue of dividend claims.

“This act will ensure the streamlining of data base of investors and also look at the aspect of registrars. This Act has looked at the various issues and ensures it aligns with the global trend. We want a capital market that anyone can come in freely, invest and get the benefit of his investments. We have to put our hands on deck to ensure that the capital market functions efficiently, we need to ensure we boost investors’ confidence and ensure that we are as transparent as possible” He added.

Also commenting on the passage of the Bill by the house, Executive Commissioner Legal and Enforcement of the SEC, Mr. Reginald Karawusa, commended the National Assembly on its efforts at ensuring a vibrant capital market that would aid economic development.

Karawusa stated that the Bill introduced the appropriate framework for regulation of Commodities Exchanges and trading of Warehouse Receipts to strengthen the commodities market ecosystem with a view to diversifying the Nigerian economy away from a mono-product economy.

Tax clearance certificate, now available in “One Click” says FIRS

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has announced that taxpayers can now get their Tax Clearance Certificate in a single click via its flagship Taxpro Max solution.

The TaxPro Max, a tax administration solution introduced by the apex tax authority in June 2021 is a one-stop-shop for taxpayer registration, tax returns filing, tax payment, tax clearance certificate requesting, among other functionalities.

The Service made this announcement on Tuesday via its social media pages on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram where it stated that the generation of Tax Clearance Certificates, which used to be issued within a period of two

weeks would now be available on a single click by the taxpayer.

This innovation is coming on the heels of wide-scale technological reforms that the Service has embarked on in its bid to achieve hundred percent automation of its tax administration functions.

Commenting on this development, the Executive Chairman of the FIRS, Mr. Muhammad Nami explained that this functionality was in line with the objectives of the Service to make the lives of taxpayers easier and ensure the ease of doing business in the country.

“One of our objectives as a Service is to build a CustomerCentric institution,” he stated.

“That means an institution that has the customer at the heart of its innovations and solutions. It is for this

reason that we have tuned the operations of our TaxPro Max solution to be able to deliver Tax Clearance Certificates in the shortest possible time to taxpayers. At the click of a button, a taxpayer will get their Tax Clearance Certificates, as long as they have no outstanding liabilities.

“This would impact in no small measure on the Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria,” Mr. Nami stated.

Explaining further Mr. Nami stated that the taxpayer could only generate their Tax Clearance Certificates on the TaxPro Max platform when they did not owe any liabilities among other conditions set out for use of the platform.

The FIRS boss noted that this innovation was aimed at appreciating taxpayers for their trust and contributions to

national development, stating that the Service would continue to come up with innovative solutions that would make the taxpayers’ life easier.

He also used the opportunity to wish all taxpayers in the country a happy and prosperous new year, urging them to continue to trust the government to serve their interests, as the taxes paid by them directly and indirectly are what Government at the three tiers continue to use to fund social amenities, secure life and properties of the citizenries and provide critical national infrastructures including schools, hospitals, roads, among others.

Mr Nami also implored governments at all levels to continue give taxpayers value for their money.

Dubai suspends 30% tax

sales to boost tourism rack of bottles of alcohol

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Debt Management Office, DMO, on Monday announced the issuance of its first bonds for 2023, two Federal Government of Nigeria, FGN, Savings Bonds for subscription.

According to a statement by the DMO, one is a two-year FGN Savings Bond due in Jan. 11, 2025, at the interest rate of 9.600 per cent per annum.

The other is a three-year FGN Savings Bond due in Jan 11, 2026, at the interest rate of 10.600 per cent per annum.

Savings bonds: DMO announces 2023 first offer

The DMO said that the opening date would be Jan. 3, while the closing date would be Jan. 6, and settlement date, Jan. 11, while coupon payment dates would be April 11, July 11, Oct. 11and Jan. 11.

“They are offered at N1,000 per unit subject to a minimum

subscription of N5,000 and in multiples of N1,000 thereafter, subject to a maximum subscription of N50 million.

“Interest is payable quaterly while bullet repayment (principal sum) is on maturity,” it added.

The DMO said that FGN Savings Bonds qualified as

securities in which trustees could invest under the Trustee Investment Act.

“They also qualify as government securities within the meaning of Company Income Tax Act, CITA, and Personal Income Tax Act, PITA, for tax exemption for pension funds.

“They are listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange Limited and qualify as liquid asset for liquidity ratio calculation for banks,” it said.

It noted that the bonds were backed by the full faith and credit of the FGN and charged upon the general assets of the country.

Ajaokuta Steel Complex to creaes additional 500,000 jobs for youths – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari, in the course of the week, said the Ajaokuta Steel Complex would provide 500,000 estimated jobs for Nigerian youths.

The president revealed this during his one-day state visit to Kogi recently.

He also spoke of the determination of his administration to position Kogi as an industrial hub as well as a solid mineral power base.

He explained how the Federal Government achieved the resolution of all legal entanglements that had bogged down the progress of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex.

According to him, the project stands to benefit the people of the state immensely.

The president had earlier hosted the leadership of the FCT and representatives of the FCT community, who paid him Christmas homage at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, at the beginning of the week.

During the Christmas homage, Buhari lauded the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Malam Mohammed Bello for exhibiting the virtues of transparency, honesty and integrity while managing the affairs of the FCT.

According to the Nigerian leader, he deliberately appointed Mr Bello as FCT minister, and refused to redeploy him because of his good character.

He said Bello had proven to be a better manager of both financial and human resources.

Mr Buhari also told his guests that he would not be hanging around the FCT, after May 29, 2023, in order not to meddle in the affairs of the office of his successor.

He reiterated that he would return to Daura, Katsina State, his hometown, at the end of his tenure.

According to him, his decision not to make Abuja a permanent abode is to allow his successor a free hand to operate and run the affairs of government.

The president also told members of the FCT community that he had not built a new house in Daura or anywhere and hoped to live in his same house of many years.

The president also inaugurated the Defence Intelligence Agency, DIA, newly acquired Estate in Idu-Karmo,

Abuja, on Wednesday.

At the event, Mr Buhari said the befitting accommodation would enhance productivity and coordination of activities of staffers of the agency in view of the increasing the number of personnel to face new challenges and responsibilities

He also used the opportunity

to charge security agencies that would be engaged with various support services in the 2023 general elections to maintain a high sense of professionalism.

Mr Buhari urged the agencies to handle the distribution and monitoring of classified materials and other logistics ‘‘professionally and in accordance with Standing

Operation Procedures.’’

While reiterating his earlier directive to security agencies to remain apolitical, the president said they must desist from behaviour that could bring disrepute to their organisations and the country ‘‘by compromising the democratic process.’’

Motor insurance consumers reject NAICOM’S directive on 3rd party insurance

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Insurance Consumers Association of Nigeria, INSCAN, has called on the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, to reverse its directive on the increase of third Party Motor Insurance Premium in Nigeria.

This is contained in a letter signed by its National Coordinator, Chief Yemi Soladoye, and made available to newsmen.

The NAICOM had recently issued a policy directive on the increase of third party motor insurance premium in Nigeria by 200 per cent.

The INSCAN demanded the reversal of the directive, saying it amounted to deliberate breach of the fundamental Principle of Utmost Good Faith and other decent regulatory principles guiding Insurance practice.

“We hereby write with respect to

your Circular No.: NAICOM /DPR/ CIR.46/2022 dated Dec. 22, 2022, increasing the third party motor insurance premium in Nigeria by 200-400 per cent for different categories of motor vehicles.

“And by implication, giving only one week notice to the insuring public of Nigeria to comply.

“We demand the reversal of the directive as it amounts to deliberate breach of the Fundamental Principle of Utmost Good Faith and other decent regulatory principles that guide insurance practice,” it said.

The association said NAICOM failed to understand the full implications of its directive, saying those at the receiving end were insurance consumers who provided the accrued income to the entire Insurance Industry.

It said that NAICOM’s reliance on the comparison of what was paid as premium in other parts of

the world as basis for premium increment burden on Nigerians was tantamount to daylight robbery on consumers.

“Though, you threatened to sanction your Insurance Operators that fail to comply with your directive come Jan. 1, yet, the truth is that operators and NAICOM will benefit from the windfall accrued from the directive.

“The insurance consumers are, in the real sense of it, the ones being sanctioned,” it said.

The INSCAN recalled that enough time was given to the public for feedbacks and adjustments to be made on the recent cases of currency redesign as well as cash withdrawal limit introduced by the CBN.

It said the almost 20 million Motor Insurance Consumers in Nigeria deserved more than a week notice for compliance, describing the duration as a great insult to the

collective intelligence of Nigerians. The association said it had read over 500 public comments by Nigerians on the directive, saying the reputation slowly built for the Nigeria Insurance Industry was being eroded by the series of condemnations.

It said that practitioners as well as the various arms of the central government of Nigeria were being disparaged, cursed and vilified.

“How much has your commission paid out to victims and customers of Proscribed Insurance Companies over the past 20 years as required under Sec. 78 of the Insurance Act 2003 to justify astronomical increase in Premium amount?

“Where is the report of an ad hoc committee required to be set up under Sec. 52 of the Insurance Act 2003, stating the imperative of increasing Insurance Premium by a whooping 200 per cent?,” it said.

BU$IN€SS

One-third of the world will face recession this year, IMF warns

Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The managing director, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva,has warned that a third of the global economy will face recession this year.

Georgieva spoke in an interview with CBS, an American broadcast television and radio network, on Sunday.

She said economic activities in the United States, the European Union, and China are all slowing simultaneously.

“We expect one-third of the world economy to be in recession,” the IMF managing director said.

“Half of the European Union will be in a recession this year.”

Georgieva further explained that

the rapid spread of Covid-19 in China, especially now that the government has dropped its severe containment policy, means that the country faces a fresh economic blow in the short term.

She said the next couple of months will be “tough for China” due to the spread of the deadly virus.

The projection of the IMF boss aligns with that of Goldman Sachs, a multinational investment bank, that global economic growth will slow to 1.8 percent in 2023.

The IMF, had in October, cut its 2023 outlook for global economic growth, citing the continuing drag from the war in Ukraine as well as inflation pressures and interest rate hikes by major central banks.

“For the next couple of months, it would be tough for China, and the impact on Chinese growth would be negative, the impact on the region will be negative, the impact on global growth will be negative,” Georgieva said.

“For the first time in 40 years, China’s annual growth is likely to be at or below global growth, meaning it could drag down worldwide economic activity rather than propelling it. That has never happened before.”

Georgieva also said the US is likely to escape the worst of the downturn, adding that its strong labour market was likely to help it outperform most other majors.

“The US may avoid a recession because its unemployment is so low,” she said.

“If that resilience holds in 2023 the US would help the world to get through a very difficult year. The US economy is remarkably resilient.”

Last year, the bank of England said the United Kingdom’s economy was set for a five-quarter recession starting at the end of 2022 — with the gross domestic product (GDP) shrinking.

Peoples Daily gathered that China said it will scrap its quarantine measures for inbound travellers from January 8.

Following the announcement, countries have begun to impose travel restrictions on travellers arriving from China, as about 50 percent of passengers on two flights arriving in Milan, Italy, from the Asian country reportedly tested positive for COVID.

Weather: NiMet forecasts 3-day thick dust-haze in North, sunny-hazy conditions in South

Abubakar Yunus,Abuja

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, has predicted dust- haze weather conditions from Monday to Wednesday across the country.

NiMet’s weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja predicted thick dust-haze with horizontal visibility of less or equal to 1000m over the northern region during the forecast period on Monday.

According to it, moderate dusthaze with horizontal visibility range of 2km to 5km is expected over the North central region with prospects of horizontal visibility of less than or equal to 1000m over parts of Niger within the forecast period.

“Moderate dust-haze condition with horizontal visibility range of 2km to 5Km is anticipated over the Inland cities of the South during the forecast period.

“Hazy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine are anticipated over the coastal cities of the South during the forecast period,” it said.

The agency predicted thick

dust-haze on Tuesday with horizontal visibility of less or equal to 1000m over the northern region during the forecast period.

It forecast moderate dust-haze over the North central region with prospects of reduced horizontal visibility to 1, 000m or less over parts of Niger, Benue, Kwara and the Federal Capital Territory.

“Moderate dust-haze condition with horizontal visibility range of 2km to 5Km is expected over the Inland cities of the South during

the forecast period.

“Hazy atmosphere with spell of sunshine are anticipated over the coastal cities of the South during the forecast period,” it said.

NiMet envisaged thick dust-haze on Wednesday with horizontal visibility of less or equal to 1,000m over the northern region during the forecast period.

“Moderate dust-haze with horizontal visibility range of 2km to 5km is anticipated over the North central region with

prospects of reduced horizontal visibility to 1, 000m or less over parts Niger, Benue, Kwara and Nasarawa state.

“Moderate fust-haze condition with horizontal visibility range of 2km to 5Km is expected over the Inland cities of the South during the forecast period.

”Sunny and hazy conditions are expected over coastal cities of South during forecast period.

“Public are advised to take necessary precautions due to dust

particles presently in suspension over atmosphere.

”Individuals with respiratory ailments are to protect themselves as current dusty weather condition is adverse to their health,” it said.

It suggested warm clothing for the little ones as night – time cold temperatures should be expected.

NiMet urged all Airline operators to avail themselves of weather reports periodically from its office for effective planning in their operations.

World Bank: FG’s interest payment on CBN loans to gulp 62% of revenue by 2027

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The World Bank says interest payments on the federal government’s borrowing from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will gulp over 62 percent of revenue by 2027.

The international financial organisation made the projection in the latest edition of its Nigeria development update (NDU) titled, ‘Nigeria’s choice’.

The federal government has been borrowing from the CBN through ways and means advances, a loan facility through which the CBN finances the government’s budget shortfalls.

In the report, World Bank said interest payments will increase by 2.4 percentage points of the gross domestic products

(GDP) between 2018 and 2027.

“Despite the restructuring of ways and means stock in 2023, interest payments are projected to steadily increase by 2.4 percentage points of GDP between 2018 and 2027, and by 2027 interest payments will account for over 62 percent of revenues,” the report reads in part.

“Consequently, the burden of expenditure consolidation efforts is expected to be borne heavily by capital expenditures, which are projected to stay limited at 3.3 percent of GDP, well below what is needed to close Nigeria’s large infrastructure gap.

“Over the medium term, the fiscal deficit is expected to remain in breach of the legal limit set in the fiscal responsibility act (2007), and the debt stock is expected

to increase.

“Debt is expected to remain under the sustainability threshold of 70 percent on the key solvency risk measure of the debtto-GDP ratio, reaching about 45 percent of GDP in 2027.”

Peoples Daily gathered that the federal government borrowed N6.31 trillion from the CBN through ways and means advances in 10 months (January-October 2022).

The ways and means’ debt climbed from N17.5 trillion in December 2021 to N23.7 trillion in October 2022 — an increase of N6.3 trillion within 10 months.

These borrowings are currently not included in the country’s total public debt stock (federal and state governments) which currently stands at N44.06 trillion.

Last week, Buhari had written to the senate, seeking approval for the restructuring of N23.7 trillion ways and means loans given to the federal government by the CBN.

“The ways and means advances by the Central Bank of Nigeria to the federal government has been a funding option to the federal government to cater for short term or emergency finance to fund delayed government expected cash receipt of physical deficit,” Buhari had said.

But, the senate, had on Wednesday, suspended the president’s request.

The lawmakers demanded that before the upper legislative chamber could approve the request, the senate must have the details of what the funds were spent on.

METRO

By Stanley Onyekwere

The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has enjoined residents to always help protect all public assets located within their neighbourhoods, by treating such critical public infrastructure as they would treat their personal property

Bello, who gave this charge in his New Year Message to residents, decried that the nation’s capital city is confronted daily with the unwholesome and unpatriotic activities of vandals who wantonly destroy or steal public infrastructure installed by government at great cost.

He noted that replacing or repairing these critical infrastructure cost a lot of

Abuja residents file 40,000 complaints daily on service delivery- Report

By Stanley Onyekwere

The FCT Administration’s Reform Coordination & Service Improvement Department (RCSID), Dr. Jumai Ahmadu has disclosed that the department daily receives a total of 40,000 complaints from the residents on service delivery.

Ahmadu, explained that out of the 40,000 calls, genuine issues are promptly responded to by the FCT Administration, as some of them are not registered as complaint but errors, which emanated as a result of some residents calling to confirm whether the FCT Call line really existed.

Disclosing this to Journalists, during a briefing on the activities of the department, the Director further explained that most of the complaints received are for Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), considering the role it plays.

She however, linked the endless complaints about the board to traders that come out side Abuja for their businesses in the territory, which they litter the city after their day transaction.

In her words: “On a daily basis we receive so many calls, in a year if we put everything together we receive over 100,000 calls.

“These calls are not mainly on the services we render, somebody will Just get the number on radio and call to know whether the number is working, not complaints.

“When we talk about the real calls receive and actions taken, we can put them at 40,000”.

New year: Help protect public assets - Minister charges residents

money which otherwise would have been invested in other equally essential projects.

According to him, in the preceding year, the FCT Administration consolidated on its efforts of providing world class infrastructure for the Territory with efforts to complete on-going projects and investing heavily in the maintenance and upgrading of existing ones.

In a similar vein, the Minister solicited residents’ cooperation and support, as the government continues the task of removing illegal structures

and settlements within the city, both for security purposes and maintaining the sanctity of the Abuja Masterplan.

“It must be understood that these corrective measures are absolutely essential if truly our city is to evolve into one of the most aesthetically pleasing and functional cities in the world. The presence of illegal settlements and shanties will only draw us further away from attaining this goal.

“I must therefore extend our appreciation to residents for their understanding despite

the discomforts they must have endured in the course of our remedial measures. I hereby call for your continuous support and cooperation.

“Please be reminded that the maintenance of security is the responsibility of all. I wish once more to reiterate the mantra of saying ‘something when you see something’.

“I wish also to commend the security agencies in the FCT for the tremendous work they have been doing in ensuring the safety of lives and property within the Territory as the incidences of

violent crimes have witnessed a decline over the past few months.

“Some of these gallant men and women who have seen to this possibility have even paid the ultimate price in the course of discharging their responsibilities.

“I wish to reassure them of the continuous support of the Administration as demonstrated with the provision of 60 highcapacity vehicles in addition to accompanying security and communication equipment last year”, the Minister stressed.

FCTA moves to recover N29BN grand rent debt via court

By Stanley Onyekwere

There is clear indications that the Coordinating Committee on the Recovery of Outstanding Ground Rent and Other Related Charges in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is set to begin massive legal action will begin in the first quarter of 2023, so as to ensure that all debtors are brought to face justice and perhaps, have their property forfeited.

The Committee announced that it will not hesitate to institute the mass prosecution of titleholders, for allegedly refusing to pay their debt, despite several appeals for them to come forward and clear the outstanding liabilities.

It noted that since some

of the Ground Rent debtors are recalcitrant in paying their prescribed fees, as the Committee has no other option than to take this legal procedure, which might culminate into final confiscation of the affected property.

In a recent statement from Director, Information & Communication, FCT / Chairman, Media & Publicity Sub-Committee,Muhammad Hazat Sule, the Committee reiterated that it intends to consider publishing names of all those, who have refused to honour their statutory obligation by clearing their outstanding liabilities, especially those whose cases are before the appropriate court of law.

It explains: “The publication

of the names of the debtors already charged to court, the Committee believes will send a strong message to other defaulters that the FCT Administration is determined to recover the huge debt owed it by property owners in the Territory.

“It will be recalled that caveat has also been placed to deny such titleholders access to the property, and eventually forfeit same to the government.

“Accordingly, the caveat formally placed is expected to safeguard such properties from being tampered with, especially by attempting to sell or transfer ownership, because the matter is being heard in court.

“The forfeiture of the property of those that refused to clear their debts is also

of importance to the FCT Administration, because such actions will serve as deterrent to all those recalcitrant to honour their obligations”.

According to the statement, “the FCT Administration is determined to recover all Ground Rent debts owed by property owners in Abuja, and all necessary procedures will be followed to achieve this.

“It would be recalled that the FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr. Adesola Olusade inaugurated a debt recovery committee with the mandate to recover the outstanding debts owed the FCT Administration with a particular interest in ground rents and other sundry fees in the Land Administration as well as other Land related departments”.

Martina Navratilova: Tennis legend diagnosed with throat and breast cancer

Martina Navratilova has been diagnosed with both throat and breast cancer.

The 18-time Grand Slam singles champion, who previously had breast cancer in 2010, will start treatment in New York later this month.

Navratilova, 66, said both cancers had been caught at an early stage.

“The double whammy is serious, but fixable, and I’m hoping for a favourable outcome,” she said. “It’s going to stink for a while, but I’ll fight with all I have got.”

Navratilova noticed an enlarged lymph node in her neck during November’s WTA Finals in Fort Worth, Texas.

A subsequent biopsy revealed stage one throat cancer.

During the tests, a lump was also discovered in her breast, which was later diagnosed as an unrelated cancer.

Navratilova was due to cover this month’s Australian Open from the Tennis Channel studio, but will instead make some occasional remote appearances.

The nine-time Wimbledon singles champion said she felt “helpless” after she was diagnosed with cancer in 2010, but decided to go public with the news to help other women suffering similar health problems.

Prince Harry: ‘I want my father and brother back’

Prince Harry has said “I would like to get my father back, I would like to have my brother back” in an interview ahead of the release of his book Spare. He also says “they’ve shown absolutely no willingness to reconcile,” although it is not clear who he is referring to.

He made the comments during a sit down with ITV’s Tom Bradby and has also given an interview to US broadcaster CBS.

Buckingham Palace has declined to comment.

Both interviews will be broadcast on 8 January, two days before the autobiography is published.

Speaking to CBS 60 Minutes journalist Anderson Cooper in a chat the broadcaster described as “explosive”, Prince Harry claims he was “betrayed” with “briefings and leakings and planting of stories against me and my wife”.

He said: “The family motto is ‘never complain, never explain’, but it’s just a motto.

“They will feed or have a conversation with a correspondent, and that correspondent will literally be spoon-fed information and write the story, and at the bottom of it, they will say they have reached out to Buckingham Palace for comment.

Ukraine claims hundreds of Russians killed by missile attack

Ukraine says around 400 Russian soldiers have died in a missile attack on the occupied Donetsk region.

Russian officials have contested the figure, admitting to only 63 of their troops being killed in the blast. Neither claim has been verified.

The attack hit a building in the city of Makiivka, where Russian forces were thought to be stationed.

Meanwhile in Kyiv, air raids sounded on Sunday night, as the latest wave of strikes from Russia continued.

In a statement on Monday, Russia’s defence ministry said Ukrainian forces fired six rockets using the US-made Himars rocket system at a building housing Russian troops. Two of them were shot down, it added.

Daniil Bezsonov, a senior Russianbacked official in the occupied parts of Donetsk, earlier said the missile struck Makiivka two minutes after midnight on New Year’s Day.

“A massive blow was dealt to the vocational school,” he said. “There were dead and wounded.”

Although access to Russian-controlled areas is restricted, a number of Russian commentators and bloggers acknowledged the attack - but suggested the numbers were lower than claimed.

Vladimir Solovyov, a Russian presenter, shared a Telegram saying “losses were significant... but not even close” to 400.

But Igor Girkin, a pro-Russian commentator, said hundreds had been killed and wounded, although the exact number was still unknown because of the large number still missing. The building itself was “almost completely destroyed”, he said.

He added that the victims were mainly mobilised troops - that is, recent conscripts, rather than those who chose to fight. He also said ammunition was stored in the same building as the soldiers, making the damage worse.

“Almost all of the military equipment was also destroyed, which stood right next to the building without any disguise whatsoever,” he wrote on Telegram.

Girkin is a well-known military blogger,

who led Russian-backed separatists when they occupied of large parts of eastern Ukraine in 2014. He was recently found guilty of murder for his part in the shooting down of flight MH17.

Despite his pro-Russian stance, he regularly criticises the Russian military leadership and their tactics.

According to the Ukrainian military, 300 were wounded in addition to the estimated 400 killed.

Ukraine’s army claims, almost daily, to have killed dozens, sometimes hundreds, of soldiers in attacks, so caution is needed. But if the claims are confirmed, this could be one of the deadliest attacks by Ukraine on Russian targets in the war.

Ukraine has not confirmed the strikes were carried out with Himars missiles, maintaining a long-held strategy of not releasing details about its attacks.

It merely said, sarcastically, that the deaths were the result of “careless handling of heating devices, neglect of safety measures, smoking in an unidentified place”.

The Russian-installed administration said at least 25 rockets were fired at the region overnight on New Year’s Eve.

Ukrainian authorities posted a picture of a Russian drone that says, in Russian, “Happy New Year”

Hours after the strike in Makiivka, Kyiv came under fire. A drone and missile attack targeted critical infrastructure, the Ukrainian capital’s regional governor Oleksiy Kuleba said.

One man in Kyiv was injured by debris from a destroyed Russian drone, the capital’s mayor added.

Mr Kuleba said the weapons were Iranian-made Shahed drones, adding that they were “targeting critical infrastructure facilities”.

“The main thing now is to stay calm and stay in shelters until the alarm is off,” he said.

All 39 Iranian made drones were eventually shot down by Ukraine, the military said. But Vitaly Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, said energy facilities were damaged, disrupting power and heating supplies.

Russia has been targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure for several months, destroying power stations and plunging millions into darkness during the country’s freezing winter.

Australia helicopter collision: Four dead in mid-air incident over Gold Coast

Four people have died after a mid-air collision between two helicopters near Seaworld on Australia’s Gold Coast.

Queensland Police say initial investigations suggest the crash happened as one aircraft was taking off and the other was landing.

Those who died were travelling in the same helicopter. Three other passengers are in a critical condition.

Five of the six people on the other aircraft, which made an emergency landing, suffered minor injuries.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating the collision, which happened at about 14:00 local time (04:00 GMT).

The two aircraft came down near a tourist strip known as Main Beach, about

75km (47 miles) south of Brisbane.

Gary Worrell of the Queensland Police Service told reporters the four deaths and three serious injuries had all occurred in the same aircraft.

“It’s a difficult scene,” he said. “Due to the area it’s located, on the sand bank, it was difficult to gain access, to get our emergency services to the scene to manage it appropriately.”

The other helicopter has the popular marine park’s logo on its fuselage and appears to have made an emergency landing after the collision.

According to the Seaworld website the park offers sightseeing helicopter flights for tourists, as well as carrying out other charter operations.

Seaworld Drive, the main access road to the marine park, has been closed to traffic

by local police.

They urged motorists and pedestrians to avoid the area as first responders inspect the scene.

Investigators from the ATSB’s offices in Brisbane and Canberra are being deployed to the scene to gather evidence, examine the wreckage and interview witnesses.

ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell has also asked eyewitnesses who saw the collision or the helicopters in flight to contact investigators.

A preliminary report will be made public in the next six to eight weeks, with a final report to follow once the investigation is complete, he added.

The Gold Coast region is currently in its peak tourist season, with children on their summer breaks.

Source: BBC

Footage, apparently from the scene of the attack, was posted by the Ukrainian military

Uganda arrest over deadly New Year fireworks crush

Police in Uganda have arrested the highprofile events organiser behind a New Year concert that ended in a crush killing 10 people, mostly children.

Abbey Musinguzi, also known as Abitex, is a much sought-after promoter.

The crush occurred as the crowd rushed to the venue’s parking lot to watch a fireworks display at midnight in the capital, Kampala.

Only one of the four exits at the Freedom City mall was open at the time, police spokesman Fred Enanga said.

“The revellers had one point of entry and exit. Therefore several victims were trapped and trampled upon through the narrow passage which became a bottleneck for many, mostly juveniles,” he said.

He added they were investigating if “negligence” was to blame for the loss of life.

An estimated 500 people were at the

The

Ghanaian

When I heard rumours of a new contender for the world’s tallest man in northern Ghana, I set out to find out if it was true. The only problem? Measuring him.

A local hospital in northern Ghana told 29-year-old Sulemana Abdul Samed during one of his recent check-ups that he had reached the height of 9 ft 6in (2.89m).

This would make him the tallest man in the world, but there was a catch - the rural clinic could not be sure of his height because it did not have the correct measuring tools.

Diagnosed with gigantism a few years ago, the young man was attending a monthly appointment to deal with the complications of living as a giant when he was asked to stand straight against a measuring rod.

A shocked nurse told him: “You’ve grown taller than the scale.”

Better known to everyone by his nickname Awuche, which means “Let’s Go” in Hausa, he was bemused by the spectacle he was causing.

He was not surprised to hear he was taller, given he has never stopped growing - but it caused consternation for the staff, who were not prepared for such a scenario.

The duty nurse called out to her colleague, who in turn called out to another for help. Before long a group of nurses and health assistants gathered to solve the puzzle of determining his height.

One suggested they find a pole and use it as an extension above their stick to measure his height - and this is how they arrived at their estimate.

‘Still growing’

When I first came across Awuche a few months ago when travelling in northern Ghana, where his fame had spread across the area’s grasslands, I did not have a measuring tape on me to verify his height.

So in order to settle the matter - and armed with a 16ft measuring tape - I returned to the village of Gambaga last week.

The plan was to have him lean against a wall, mark it by the crown of his head and then determine his height using the measuring tape.

“The way they measure me, I cannot say everything is perfect,” Awuche admitted - happy with my plan to get an exact measurement.

He turned out to be taller than most of the houses in his neighbourhood, but after a good search we found a suitable building with a high-enough wall.

He took off his shoes - large slip-ons specially made from car tyres and nailed together for him by a local handyman as he has been unable to find shoes to fit him.

One of his neighbours clambered up on a wooden stool to reach Awuche’s height so he

venue along the Kampala-Entebbe highway when the crush happened.

The mall, which has an indoor children’s play area and a swimming pool, is a popular venue for family events.

The mother of two of the children who died said she started heading out of the venue at 23:00 local time, but the people manning the only exit leading to the parking lot closed it and ordered them back inside, trapping people in a narrow alley, local Daily Monitor news site reports.

“Many people started fainting and children started crying. My older children were holding each other and got separated from me... I then started looking for the younger children but I couldn’t move. I was also struggling to stay alive. Some people fell down.”

She managed to get out of the crowd and started looking for her children, but found

Witnesses say only one out of four exit gates at the Freedom City mall was open when the crush happened

giant reported to be the world’s

could mark the wall with a piece of charcoal.

After verifying the line, we stretched out the measuring tape firmly from the marked line to the ground as Awuche looked on in anticipation.

“Awuche, the measuring tape reads 7ft 4in,” I said.

Wearing his inimitable smile, he replied: “Wow, so what does it mean?”

“Well, the tallest man alive is 8ft 2.8in tall, he is barely one foot taller than you.”

I was referring to 40-year-old Sultan Kösen, who lives in Turkey and holds the current Guinness World Record.

“I’m still growing tall. Who knows, maybe one day I may get to that height too,” Awuche remarked - not at all upset by the discrepancy with the figure given to him by the hospital.

“Every three months of four months I grow… If you’ve not seen me for three months or four and you see me, you’d realised I have increased,” he explains.

Expanding tongue

This increase in height started to become noticeable when he was 22 years old and living in the capital, Accra.

Awuche had moved there to try his luck in the city, where one of his brothers lived, after finishing secondary school.

He was working at a butchers, saving money to take lessons at a driving school.

But he woke up one morning in confusion: “I realised my tongue had expanded in my mouth to the extent that I could not breath [properly],” he recounts.

He visited a local pharmacy to get some medication, however days later he realised every other part of his body had started increasing in size.

When family and friends from his village visited the city, they would all remark on his growth spurt and it was at this point he realised he was gradually turning into a giant.

He began to tower over everyone - and he sought medical help as the growth brought other complications.

He has been left with an abnormally curved spine, one of the prominent symptoms of his condition, Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder affecting the body’s connective tissues.

It results in abnormally long limbs.

More serious complications involve heart defects.

Doctors say he needs a surgical procedure in his brain to stop the growth.

But Ghana’s public healthcare insurance cannot cover this, providing only for basic treatment.

For each hospital visit he must still raise about $50 (£40).

His health problems eventually forced him to return to his home village six years ago

and give up his dreams of becoming a driver.

“I was planning to go to driving school, but even when I shift the seat back, I can’t hold the steering wheel… I can’t stretch my leg because my knee will knock the wheel.”

He is now living with his brother - and gets by after setting up a small business selling mobile phone credits.

His height has also curtailed his social life.

“I used to play football like every other young man, I was athletic but now I cannot even walk short distances,” he explained.

Local celebrity

But Awuche does not let his problems get him down. He is full of soul as his tall slim frame weaves through the dusty paths of the village - smiling as people call out to him.

He is a bit of a local celebrity.

A group of elderly people sitting by a shed exchange pleasantries, children wave, some women come up for a hug and share jokes with him.

Some people want to take selfies with him - even strangers come up to ask if he is the giant they have seen on social media.

“I usually will say: ‘Yes come closer’ - we

tallest man

stand and take nice pictures,” Awuche says.

He is most grateful to his family for their emotional support, saying that he knows of no other relatives, including his three brothers, who show any sign of having his condition.

“None of them are tall, I am just the tallest man.”

He would love to get married and have children one day but wants to first concentrate

on sorting out his health.

His first priority is to try and raise money for plastic surgery to deal with a serious skin complaint on one leg, ankle and foot caused by the excess growth of the limb.

But looking at his bandaged toes, Awuche refuses to be disheartened by his predicament.

“That is how Allah chose it for me, I am OK. I don’t have a problem with the way God created me.”

Source: BBC

their bodies at different hospitals. Some people died on the spot from

suffocation while others died later in local clinics.

A neighbour stood on a stool to mark the wall when measuring Awuche

F rom A si A

Dubai scraps 30% alcohol tax and licence fee in apparent bid to boost tourism

Dubai has scrapped its 30% alcohol tax in an apparent bid to boost tourism.

It will also stop charging for personal alcohol licencessomething residents who want to drink at home must have.

Dubai has been relaxing laws for some time, allowing the sale of alcohol in daylight during Ramadan and approving home delivery during the pandemic.

This latest move is thought to be an attempt to make the city more attractive to foreigners, in the face of competition from neighbours.

The two companies which distribute alcohol in Dubai, Maritime and Mercantile International (MMI), and African & Eastern, said they would reflect

the cut in tax for consumers.

“Since we began our operations in Dubai over 100 years ago, the emirate’s approach has remained dynamic, sensitive and inclusive for all,” MMI spokesman Tyrone Reid told AP.

“These recently updated regulations are instrumental to continue ensuring the safe and responsible purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages in Dubai and the UAE.”

It is not clear if the move, which took effect on Sunday, will be permanent. The Financial Times described the move as a one-year trial, citing “industry executives informed of the decision”.

Expatriates outnumber

nationals by nine to one in Dubai, known as the Gulf’s “party capital”, and residents commonly drive to Umm al-Quwain and other emirates to buy alcohol in bulk.

Dubai has historically managed to attract more tourists and wealthy foreign workers than its neighbours, in part because of its tolerance of a more liberal lifestyle.

But now it faces increasing competition from rivals developing their hospitality and finance sectors.

Non-Muslim residents in Dubai must be at least 21 years old to drink, transport or store alcohol at home and have an alcohol licence - a plastic card issued by police.

UN seeks top court opinion on Israeli occupation

The UN General Assembly has asked the UN’s highest court to give a legal opinion on Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories.

The resolution was backed by 87 countries but opposed by 26 others, including the UK and US.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issues binding rulings, but it cannot enforce them.

Friday’s vote came a day after Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn as prime minister of the most hardline Israeli cabinet.

Israel occupies the West Bank, and although it pulled out of Gaza the UN still regards that piece of land as occupied territory.

Israel claims the whole of Jerusalem as its capital, while the Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. The US is one of only a handful of countries to recognise the city as Israel’s capital.

Palestinians claim the West Bank, along with Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip for their hoped-for future state.

Palestinian officials hailed the UN vote as a victory. Nabil Abu Rudeineh said it was time for Israel to be “held accountable for its

ongoing crimes against our people”.

Israel’s new prime minister, for his part, described it as “despicable”.

“The Jewish people are not occupiers on their own land nor occupiers in our eternal capital Jerusalem and no UN resolution can warp that historical truth,” Mr Netanyahu said on Saturday evening.

On Thursday, Benjamin Netanyahu returned as prime minister of Israel in a coalition with ultranationalist and ultraOrthodox Jewish allies.

The first guiding principle of the new government, published on Wednesday, declares that “the Jewish people have an exclusive and unquestionable right to all areas of the land of Israel”.

It says that includes the occupied West Bank and promises to “advance and develop” settlements there.

About 600,000 Jews live in about 140 settlements built since Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 1967.

The vast majority of the international community considers the settlements illegal under international law, though Israel

disputes this.

The new government has also promised to retroactively legalise some 100 outposts in the West Bank built without Israeli authorisation -

Rajouri: Tension in Kashmir after five killed

Parts of Indian-administered Kashmir are tense after five civilians were killed in two separate attacks in the same area in less than 24 hours.

Four people were killed and nine injured after militants fired at three houses in Rajouri district on Sunday evening.

On Monday, a child died and four people were hurt after a blast took place near the same houses.

The cause of the blast was not immediately clear.

Top police officials have started an investigation into the incidents.

Sunday’s attack has triggered protests and strikes in Rajouri as people blamed the local administration for the security lapse.

Manoj Sinha, the administrative

head of the region, has condemned “the cowardly terror attack in Rajouri” and announced financial assistance for the families of the victims.

“I assure the people that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished,” he tweeted on Monday.

The Himalayan region of Kashmir is hotly contested by both India and Pakistan, who both claim it in full but rule it in parts.

The nuclear-armed neighbours have fought two wars and a limited conflict over Kashmir since 1947, when India was partitioned and Pakistan was created.

For more than three decades, an armed revolt has been waged against India’s rule in the region, claiming

tens of thousands of lives.

India blames Pakistan for stirring the unrest by backing separatist militants in Kashmir - a charge Islamabad denies.

Jammu and Kashmir was India’s only Muslim-majority state until August 2019, when the federal government revoked its autonomy and divided it into two separate territories.

The four people who were killed on Sunday were from the minority Hindu community in Muslimmajority Kashmir.

Over the past year, several Hindus in Kashmir have been killed in targeted attacks by militants, sparking fear in the community.

Source: BBC

dialogue”.

He

and to annex the West Bank.

A spokesman for the UK’s UN delegation said it did not feel a referral to the ICJ was “helpful in bringing back the parties back to

added it was “inappropriate without the consent of both parties” to ask the court to advise on “what is essentially a bilateral dispute”.

China carried out a huge military drill around Taiwan in August as well

The Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour addressing the press in a file photo from November

Sunday’s attack on civilians has triggered protests in Kashmir

Surfer creates island eco-haven with ancient knowhow

When Javier Lijo bought nine acres of deforested land atop a Panamanian island, he had an eye on the waves below.

A keen surfer, the Argentine had always dreamed of a leisurely life surfing the sea, away from the car-filled giant metropolises of Latin America. But a love of sustainable living took him in a different direction.

Over 20 years, and with the help of the local indigenous NgäbeBuglé people, he turned his land on Isla Bastimentos, on Panama’s Caribbean coast, into a thriving, forested eco-haven.

Mr Lijo hopes his example can serve as a model for others who are looking to reforest cleared land.

The 52-year-old pulls down the soaked leaves of one plant as he guides visitors on a tour of his Up in the Hill eco-farm, explaining that water retention in this particular species is so great “you can shower with it”.

To the uninformed, his land looks wild. But much of it is farmed: one part has timber trees for making furniture, in another cacao trees for chocolate, near the top a garden for herbs, and everywhere throughout the forest a variety of fruit, vegetables and flowers.

Most of the products he sells locally.

It is a big change from when Mr Lijo bought the land in 1996. Then it was cleared grazing land for cows, full of mosquitoes and flies, but he fell in love with it anyway.

As he began to manage the land, he read about the theory of permaculture - a sustainable way of living that emphasises recycling and reducing impact on the planet. From that, he had an idea for an eco-haven farm free of pesticides, where everything had a use.

He said that his vision was one where “education, working with the community, diversity of materials in the farm, different ways to make money and live” would all come together.

First he had to learn the basics, and for that, he turned to the indigenous people who have been managing Panama’s forests for centuries.

The indigenous NgäbeBuglé have a number of nearby settlements.

Mr Lijo first met 53-year-old Benjamín Aguilar in 2000 when he asked him for help cutting trees on the farm.

Soon Mr Aguilar was advising him on how to manage the land, what to plant, and what trees to use for timber.

“I taught him how to produce cacao, how to ferment it and the time it takes to roast it,” Mr Aguilar recalls.

Mr Lijo says that the NgäbeBuglé have shown him “everything” he knows about how to manage the land. “They have a lot of knowledge - it’s generation after generation, hundreds and hundreds of years.”

He is not the only one who has realised the value of indigenous

knowledge to forest conservation, especially as more than half of Panama’s mature forest is located in indigenous territory.

One of the world’s foremost tropical biology research institutes, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), runs several projects in which its scientists work alongside indigenous peoples.

Prof Catherine Potvin, a research associate at STRI who has worked with indigenous people in Panama for more than 20 years, explains why the approach works so well.

“Indigenous people cultivate to not necessarily become rich and make big enterprise. They don’t have this concept of economic growth,” she says.

“They’re just seeking sustainability. They want to sustain themselves and their territory over the long term.”

Indigenous land management also provides “green infrastructure” that can protect the environment, such as soil in intact forests which can absorb water to prevent flooding and release it during the dry season to prevent droughts.

Mr Lijo has noticed that the quality of the soil on his land has improved since he started reforesting. There is also more biodiversity with a variety of animals such as monkeys, birds, bees and armadillos returning to the farm which before was used to graze cattle.

Most notable are the strawberry dart frogs. A nearby beach is named after them, but their numbers had dwindled as tourism and clearing for farmland on the island threatened their habitat.

“For more than three years (after buying the land) we never saw the frogs but now they are everywhere,” Mr Lijo explains.

His work is a microcosm of what is taking place elsewhere in Panama.

Jefferson S Hall is a staff scientist at STRI who has led reforestation efforts which have protected the Panama Canal from floods.

In October, the institute reached an agreement with the Ngäbe-Buglé to create a reforestation project on their territory which will capture carbon and improve the ecosystem.

“People were initially sceptical as they have seen outsiders make lots of promises, promises that they did not keep,” Mr Hall says.

“We are at the beginning of a long-term relationship. We are at the start of our learning curve. We have been impressed, but not necessarily surprised, at how enthusiastic people are to plant trees.”

As for Mr Lijo’s project, Mr Hall is adamant that it may be small but he is convinced even small efforts have the potential to prove helpful.

“One of my often repeated phrases is that reforestation has to be done one landowner at a time,” he says. “So, good for the person who has done it.”

Source: BBC

The land had been cleared for cattle grazing and was infested with mosquitoes when Mr Lijo bought it

Much of the vegetation has since grown back and the buildings are hidden among the foliage

Javier Lijo chose the plot of land for the waves nearby but he soon got to work improving it

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PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020). THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. OKOR JOY OKE-OGHENE (CHAIRMAN) 2. ALI OVIE VICTOR (SECRETARY) 3. OBOITE ISAIAH ESOSA (MEMBER) THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION : 1. TO ORGANIZED AWARENESS PROGRAMMES SO TEENAGERS CAN UNDERSTAND CLIMATE, IT’S CHANGES AND EFFECTS

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS AMAGID BUFFON, BOKA DOB 06 -04 - 1994. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS ISMAIL DANMUSA, NEW DOB: 01-01-1996. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

ADIGUN

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AMAGID

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PUBLIC NOTICE

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AMENDMENT OF ARTICLE 7: GOVERNINGBODY.

AMENDMENT OF ARTICLE 10: KEEPING OF ACCOUNT.

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THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED BODY HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR THE RESIGNATION OF ONE (1) TRUSTEE UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF THE 2020 REASON FOR THE RESIGNATION OF ONE (1) OF THE TRUSTEES. REASON FOR THE RESIGNATION OF ONE (1) OF THE TRUSTEES (MRS. RUTH OMONOME OJOUGBOH) IS THAT SHE IS NO MORE INTERESTED IN THE FOUNDATION’S ACTIVITIES.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

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ANY OBJECTION TO THIS APPLICATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

ADDRESS : PLOT 14D, CITICAPE ESTATE, LOKOGOMA, FCT ABUJA

JOY

WONDER AMBASSADORS GLOBAL EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION

ON HUMANITY. 2. TO TRAIN AND EQUIP TEENAGERS IN VOCATIONAL SKILLS ACQUISITION. 3. TO ORGANIZED CARRIER OPPORTUNITY SEMINARS FOR TEENAGERS TO KNOW THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS AND PICK WHAT’S BEST FOR THEM AND COACHING TO PREPARE FOR EXAMINATIONS.

4. TO EMPOWER TEENAGERS AND YOUTHS THAT NEED EMPOWERMENT IN SELF-SUSTAINING SKILL ACQUISITION.

SIGNED : VICTOR OVIE ALI ESQ.

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PUBLIC

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020). THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. IKECHUKWU NWORA OBIORA: CHAIRMAN/TRUSTEE 2. NGOZI JOAN NWANTA: SECRETARY/TRUSTEE 3. CHUKWUMA KINGSLEY OBIORA: TRUSTEE 4. WALTER ELOCHUKWU ABAH: TRUSTEE 5. CHIJIOKE EMMANUEL NDUKWE: TRUSTEE 6. ALEX CHIDI OKAFOR: TRUSTEE 7. LUKE CHIDIEBERE OFFORDIEGWU. THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.ASSISTING INDIGENT CHILDREN THROUGH ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT. 2.ASSISTING IN THE ADVANCEMENT OF CULTURE AND EDUCATION TO ACHIEVE EXCELLENCE AT ALL LEVELS IN THE COMMUNITY. 3.TO PROVIDE HOPE TO UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN AND HIGHER INSTITUTION’S STUDENTS 4.TO RAISE A GENERATION OF CHANGE AGENTS/NATION BUILDERS. 5.TO PROVIDE VALUABLE AND LIFE CHANGING MENTORSHIP TO UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN. 6.TO PROVIDE UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN WITH A WELL-ROUNDED EDUCATION. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE

PLOT

COMMISSION,

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THIS IS

2. GAMBO ABDURAHMAN BALA

Liverpool’s top-four hopes hit by Brentford defeat

Liverpool missed the chance to reduce the gap to the Premier League’s top four as Brentford punished their defensive frailties in a deserved victory at the Community Stadium.

In a desperate first half, Liverpool shipped two poor goals amid an inspired performance from the hosts.

The opener came when Ibrahima Konate deflected a corner into his own net after 19 minutes.

Liverpool were unable to deal with Brentford’s set-pieces, conceding twice more from corners in the first half only for both goals to be ruled out for offside.

Moments after the second disallowed effort from Yoane Wissa, the Bees striker headed in after Liverpool had sloppily given the ball away.

A triple half-time change from a visibly frustrated

Reds’ manager Jurgen Klopp, including replacing captain Virgil van Dijk, had the desired effect and Liverpool pulled one back through Alex OxladeChamberlain within five minutes of the restart.

At that stage the momentum seemed to be with Liverpool, but Brentford weathered the storm.

With six minutes left, Bryan Mbeumo sealed an impressive success, brushing off Konate in pursuit of a long ball before slotting home.

Brentford are now unbeaten in six games - their best run in the top-flight for more than 80 years - and climb to seventh.

Liverpool, who would have been a point off fourth with a win, stay sixth and two points clear of the Bees.

Konate misery as ragged Reds lose 84-year unbeaten run at Bees

This was another special night under the lights for Brentford

with victory against Liverpool added to vibrant wins over Manchester United and Arsenal since their return to the Premier League.

It was also their first victory over Liverpool since 1938.

But for all of their good work, Liverpool’s disorganised, errorstrewn defensive performance was notable.

Konate was unfortunate with the first goal which flicked his calf, but that corner came from Mbeumo running clean through on the counter-attack and goalkeeper Alisson having to bail out the defence.

The visitors were all at sea at the two subsequent corners, fortunately surviving on both occasions.

They made one mistake too many seconds later, when Harvey Elliott lost the ball attempting a dummy in his own half which allowed Mathias Jensen to set up Wissa.

Konate should have been stronger too in the closing moments as Mbeumo knocked him off the ball before claiming the deserved third goal. It turned into a sorry night for the Liverpool centre-back on his first appearance since reaching the World Cup final with France.

After winning back-to-back games following the league’s restart, this was a disappointing setback for Klopp’s side.

They have now dropped 23 points in this campaign - one more than they did all last season.

No Toney, no problem for battling Brentford

The win was even more impressive for Brentford given the fact they were without top scorer Ivan Toney, who was not in the squad after being injured in their 2-0 victory at West Ham on 30 December.

It is only their second Premier League win without the striker since their promotion - and it

took a team effort to help them triumph.

In the opening moments Bee Mee crucially cleared a Darwin Nunez effort off the line after the Uruguayan had rounded keeper David Raya.

They rattled Liverpool for the rest of the opening period as they swarmed forward in attack and held firm when the tide seemed to be turning in the second half.

Klopp removed half of his defence - van Dijk and Kostas Tsimikas - and sent on Naby Keita to add thrust in midfield.

But after Oxlade-Chamberlain converted Trent AlexanderArnold’s inswinging cross for his first goal in a year, Thomas Frank’s men battled hard to deny Liverpool any further clear chances.

At the end, the Bees players and supporters wildly celebrated a win that has left them wondering how far this club can continue to rise.

Yoane Wissa has scored more goals against Liverpool than any other side in the Premier League

“But you have not given us joy” - Super Eagles lambasted on happy Christmas message

By Amaechi Agbo

Ten months after the Super Eagles of Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and 8 days after the final, Nigeria football followers are yet to get over the disappointment and pain of the team’s absence in Qatar.

And it does appear that they waited till Christmas Day to pour out their anger as a section of the fans have lampooned the team for wishing them “merry Christmas” on December 25.

The Super Eagles took to their official Tweeter page to wish Nigerians “merry Christmas” with the following message “We hope this Christmas brings you joy and happiness”

The message however, did not go down well with some of the fans who questioned how the team could wish them “joy and happiness” when they have not given Nigerians such.

Below are reactions to the post by fans:

@PeterObi4president said “They (the) only joy una fit give me , is to win they next Afcon tournament and maybe 2026 world cup with Peter Obi attending both finals as President of Nigeria , baba God please run am for us as Christmas gift.

@Frankie2560 asked the players to show more dedication, he said “We need results pls,relate our message...we wish them and their families merry christmas. we need more dedication from the likes (of) Aribo and Lookman not strolling on the pitch (Aribo) or losing ball carelessly (Lookman)”

@Big_Bhat tweeted “But you haven’t given us joy and happiness”

@Cimmoski has this to say “This wishing is not good at all. More like from ndi na amaro ball aku to ndi Ike Uwa gwuru....

Merry Xmas to you people there.”

@JettoeUchir simply called it message a “Poor PR. Should have been our home jersey”

@JAYKAYCII “The joy and happiness you and your eagles took away from the people? you’re now hoping something else restores it?”

@Gen_Sani_111 “Ameen...Wishes the National team will live up to the task”

@DurojaiyeSegun “So your team, which consists of semi average players, can steal the joy & happiness away again by 2023 after crashing out of the AFCON group stage?”

@Babalol24830224 asked the team to ‘psrk well” tweeting “You say what?? Where is d super in the Eagles? Or what is super in these

Niger Tornadoes Chairman, Coach, Others, Bag Awards For Excellent Performance

Niger Tornadoes FC’ Fans Club have conferred an award of excellence on the chairman of Niger Tornadoes Football Club Minna, Hon. Adamu Aliyu Mohammed.

In an event that took place at the Niger Tornadoes FC Secretariat, Ministry Of Youth and Sports Development over the week, the Technical Adviser of the State owned team, Abubakar Bala Mohammed also received an award alongside four players, for their outstanding performance last season.

According to the organizers of the award ceremony (Fans Club) the essence of rewarding the outstanding performers, is to encourage other players to emulate their colleagues to always give their all when called upon.

The Fans Club which was created and registered in 2016 with the aim of volunteering to give the much needed support to the team, had Amos Silas Jako as her first Chairman, while the current chairman is Abubakar Adamu Layi.

Aside organizing an award ceremony, the FANS CLUB have always made it a duty to vote and recognize best player of the team on a weekly bases during league matches.

The Award for Excellent Performance were presented to Niger Tornadoes Chairman Hon. Adamu Aliyu, Technical Adviser, Abubakar Bala Mohammed, Teams Captains, Ifeanyi Okoye and Sunday Akinmoladun, the other two players who bagged awards are; Lukman Mohammed

and Daniel Edeh who had since departed the club and pitched tent with a foreign club.

Responding on behalf of all the recipients, Abubakar Bala Mohammed, acknowledged the important contributions of the FANS CLUB and said their efforts can not be underestimated.

While calling on the need to sustain the tempo and maintain a greater synergy between the FANS & SUPPORTER’S CLUB in the best interest of the team, Coach Bala urged them to spread their tentacles in the area of seeking partnership and sponsorship as obtainable in the most developed places.

He stressed that the issue of sponsorship which is generally lacking among Nigeria clubsides must be tackled so as reduce over dependence on government.

He said, “For instance, most clubs including Tornadoes do not have economic right of players, losing huge amount of money to agents, anytime players secure deals outside the shores of the country. In our case when Daniel Edeh secured his move away, his agent took the lion share of the whole transfer fees, as a result of inability to pay his clearance fees outrightly, so a lot need to be done in this aspect”.

Thereafter, Coach Bala made a pledge of N100,000 to the FANS CLUB.

Also speaking, the special guest of honor at the event, APC State Publicity Secretary Hon. Labaran Sarkin Kaji, while reiterating that

Niger Tornadoes is one of the famous clubsides in Nigeria with supporters spread within and outside the State, said, football is loved and cherished by many but performed by the youth, hence the need for government to give the sector a special attention. He said football if well

harnessed can boost the economy of a state, he commended the current chairman of the team, Hon. Adamu Aliyu for doing so well in terms of piloting the affairs of the team and used the occasion call on the Coaches to place special consideration on home based players.

Club Owners boycott 2022/2023 Nigeria Professional Football League season

By Amaechi Agbo

Crisis has hit the proposed kickoff of the 2022/2023 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL season slated for January 8 as Club Owners have withdrawn their participation in the new season.

The Chairman, Club Owners Association, Barr Isaac Danladi confirmed the development in a release issued on Christmas Day.

According the release, the Club Owners vowed not to attend the Wednesday, December 28 draw for the new season neither would they participate in the league if the

Interim Management Committee, IMC goes ahead to adopt an abridged format for the new season against a majority decision for a straight league.

“This is to bring to your notice that we are in receipt of the above circular inviting clubs for the 2023 NPFL draws on abridged league format.

“Consequently, I wish to further inform members and state categorically that this is not in consonance with the joint decision of clubs and IMC at the last meeting of Wednesday 21st Dec 2022 whereby it was agreed inter-alia that the abridged league

proposed by IMC and the straight league which was overwhelmingly proposed by the clubs would be communicated to NFF by the IMC for further necessary action.

“We are therefore perplexed and amazed that just few hours after the meeting, IMC came up with a circular fixing 28th December as date for draws based on abridge league format,” the release said.

“We wish to categorically dissociate ourselves with the circular and state firmly that clubs would not be part of the draws on 28th December 2022, neither would we participate in an abridged league.

The clubs remain resolute in their quest to have a “better league that will endure, hence we cannot be part of an arrangement that will not be beneficial to football development in Nigeria.

“In view of the above, a meeting of the club Owners is being proposed for 28th December 2022 in Asaba Delta state to review matters arising among other things.

“Details of the meeting and other logistics will be announced soonest, please.

“We appreciate members for their patience and good conducts since this saga started.”

Eagles??? I beg park well”

Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after they were held to a 1-1 draw against Ghana in Abuja on March 29. Ghana qualified on away goal rule.

Argentina were crowned champions of

the world on Sunday December 18 after they defeated France 4-2 on penalties to lift the diadem.

The Super Eagles will regroup in March next year as they continue qualification race for 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON.

Super Eagles Christmas message

Niger Tornadoes award reception

Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana retires from international football

By Amaechi Agbo

Less than a month after he was sent out of the Indomitable Lions camp in Qatar at the 2022 World Cup due to disciplinary actions, Cameroon first choice goalkeeper, Andre Onana has announced his retirement from international football.

The Inter Milan of Italy shotstopper retired aged 26.

In a post he made on Twitter Friday, Onana told a short story of how he dreamed of wearing the Indomitable Lions jersey stressing that “however beautiful a story it may be, has its end. And my story with the Cameroonian national team has come to an end.”

“It all started in Ngol Nkok, a small village where, from a very young age, my family passed on to me the values that identify the Cameroonian people. understood that love for this country is eternal and that commitment is nonnegotiable.

“I remember how we watch the matches as a family. Only Cameroonians can understand what it means to us to see the Indomitable Lions play. That’s when I started dreaming of one day wearing the national team jersey. And now, after endless hours of training, endless trips and a lot of perseverance, I can proudly say that I have fulfilled my great dream.

“But every story, however beautiful it may be, has its end. And my story with the Cameroonian national team has come to an end. Players come and go, names are fleeting, but Cameroon comes before any person or player.

“Cameroon remains eternal and so does my love for the national team and for our people who have always supported us no matter how difficult the moment was. My feeling will never change. My Cameroonian heart will continue to beat and wherever I go I will always fight to lift the flag of Cameron as high as possible.

“I will continue to support as a

fan, just as the more than 27 million Cameroonians do at every match. I can only thank all those who trusted me and believed that I could add and contribute to this team. The nation first and forever”

Onana who had 34 caps in a sixyear international career debuted for Cameroon in a 2–1 friendly win over Gabon in September 2016. He featured in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations thirdplace game against Burkina Faso.

On 9 November 2022, he was named in the final squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He played the first match against Switzerland, before being dropped in the second against Serbia, then he was eventually suspended from the tournament on 28 November, due to a disciplinary issue related to arguments about tactics with his coach Rigobert Song.

Onana announced his retirement from international football on 23 December 2022

Morocco to build 93, 000 capacity stadium in 2025

By Amaechi Agbo

Fresh from their historic World Cup performances in 2022 World Cup where they became the first African country to reach the Semi-final stage, Morocco is planning to build a 93, 000 capacity national stadium in 2025.

Morocco plans to launch 93,000 capacity Grand Stadium of Casablanca in 2025.

Sited in its largest city, Casablanca, the stadium will serve as the home of the Moroccan men’s national team, the Atlas Lions.

Morocco became the first African Nation to reach World Cup Semi-final in Qatar where they earned $25 million for 4th place after losing the 3rd-place playoff 2-1 against Croatia on Saturday Morocco stunned the world with their selling performances, going unbeaten up until their final four fixture against France.

Morocco’s Atlas Lions are ranked 11 in the new FIFA World Rankings released last week.

Also, Morocco’s King, Mohammed VI decorated the players, coach, Walid Regragui and the president of the

Moroccan FA, Faouzi Lekjaa with national honours following their Qatar World Cup heroics.

The team returned home to much fanfare as Moroccans took to the streets to cheer on the players, who had made history for the North African nation on the world stage, during their parade around the capital city of Rabat on an open-top bus.

Morocco became the first ever African country to qualify for the semi-final of the FIFA World Cup, after their remarkable 1-0 victory over Portugal national team and they went on to finish at the 4th spot

of the competition.

Prior to this year’s edition of FIFA World Cup in Qatar, no African country made it beyond the quarter-final of the FIFA World Cup.

The Atlas Lions played seven matches in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, they secured four victories, drew one and lost two.

The King hosted the team alone with the mothers of the players.

Morocco bided to host the 2026 World Cup but lost the hosting rights to United States of America, Canada and Mexico who are co-hosting the global tournament slated to be played in June-July 2026.

Zambia appoints Avram Grant as new coach ahead of 2025 AFCON qualifiers

By Amaechi Agbo

2012 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON champions, Zambia have named former Chelsea manager, Avram Grant as new Coach ahead of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.

The former Portsmouth and West Ham boss signed a two-year deal with an option to extend.

The former Ghana national team coach said his choice of Zambia was “for the right challenge” and expressed optimism of “doing a good job” with the team.

‘I was looking for the right challenge and that’s why I chose Zambia,’ Grant, 67, said at a press conference in Lusaka on Thursday.

“I came here because of the challenge and I hope when I leave here I will look around and say we did a good job and made a good foundation for the future.

‘I think Zambia has the potential, we have set the targets of what we want to achieve.’

Grant’s time in England was most notable for leading Chelsea to the 2008 Champions League final, which they lost on penalties to Manchester United.

The Israeli also steered Portsmouth to the 2010 FA Cup final, which they lost 1-0 to Chelsea.

But he was in charge of Portsmouth and West Ham when they were both relegated from the Premier League.

Grant later led Ghana to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final and a penalty shoot-out defeat to the Ivory Coast.

Zambia failed to qualify for the African knockout stages of 2022 World Cup qualification and parted company with Croatian coach Aljosa Asanovic in October.

Grant’s first games will be 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in March.

The Chipolopolo are currently second in the AFCON Group H qualifying race with 3 points from two matches. They will face Lesotho on March 20 and 28 next year.

Former Cameroon goalkeeper, André Onana

Avram Grant (middle) unveiled as new Zambia coach

Pele’s funeral: Brazil legend lying in state in Santos’ stadium

Five things we learnt from Nasarawa rally

1Nasarawa state anthem is a badge of honour.

Nasarawa state is about the first state in northern Nigeria to have a national anthem. The anthem was first sung in public some two months ago, precisely on October 1, during celebrations to mark the 26th anniversary of the state’s creation and Nigeria’s 62nd Independence anniversary, both of which fall on same day. This twin event was celebrated at the Lafia Square with cultural dances, march pasts, culminating in a speech by Governor Abdullahi Sule. It was a fitting occasion to launch the anthem in public.

And its first stanza goes thus: Nasarawa the land of our birth

Home of solid minerals

Rich in Culture and Agriculture

By

VICTORIA NGOZI IKEANO

Thousands of mourners have gathered to pay their respects to Brazil legend Pele who is lying in state at the ground of his former club Santos.

Pele’s coffin was placed in the centre of the pitch at the Urbano Caldeira stadium in Sao Paulo, with fans lining the streets to get inside the ground.

The three-time World Cup winner died at the age of 82 on 29 December.

There will be a procession through the streets of Santos to a private family burial on Tuesday.

“We’re going to ask every country in the world to name one of their football stadiums with the name of Pele,” said Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who attended the memorial.

Brazil’s government declared three days of national mourning after Pele’s death.

Pele, arguably the world’s greatest ever player, had been undergoing treatment for colon cancer since 2021.

Thousands of fans gathered on the streets as the hearse arrived at the stadium on Monday morning, with some queuing overnight to see the coffin.

Former Brazil midfielder Ze Roberto and Pele’s son Edinho helped carry his coffin while floral wreaths were sent by Neymar, Vinicius Junior and Real Madrid.

Beatrice woke up at six in the morning to travel with her husband from the city of Soracaba to Santos, and had been waiting for more than two hours in the queue.

“I’m determined to pay my final respects to him,” the 56-year-old told the BBC.

Though, we differ in tongues We are undivided and steadfast A land of our forefathers strive for

In hard work and dedication… …of our grand heroes

A legacy we shall cherish forever Land of promise we thrive

And the last sentence of the second stanza says: In God we trust, we are blessed Both stanzas of the Nasarawa State anthem are now sung at public events, rallies, to start off an occasion, immediately after the national anthem. I observed at the APC local government headquarters’ rallies that many people are now familiar with its wordings as more and more people now sing it by heart, and solemnly too.

2 ‘Let’s buga’ song is a g-oa-l

I am not really a fan of modern-day Nigerian (music) artists for two main reasons. The first is their rather weird lyrics which is not edifying. Those of older artists like Sonny Okosun, Christy Essien, Osadebey and their ilk are more meaningful, educative, impactful. Secondly, our modern artists sing in Pidgin English which I detest. Make use of a language in its pure form. Write and sing in standard English. Pidgin is corrupted English, a distortion. If a particular song is being played and you ask me for its title and name of the artist, I shall be starring at you, lost. However, in

the past few months, I have been forced by circumstances to be very familiar with one Nigerian singer and the title of his song. Why? Because it is pervasive, literally played everywhere; in the neighbourhood, wedding ceremonies, gatherings of every kind including rallies. It is buga song by Kiss Daniel. Political parties have also caught the bug. Political party rallies usually start in the afternoon (around 2p.m.) when the highest dignitary arrives. However, the venues are often already packed with people from as early as 8a.m. In the meantime before arrival of VIPs, the crowd is entertained with Hausa campaign songs, praise songs eulogising the candidate(s), local artists and cultural dancers. There is never a dull moment. Once the ceremony proper begins, the ‘official’ disc jockey takes over especially in the big towns and capital city. And in the interlude, when a dignitary is called up to give his/ her speech as he/she is walking the distance to the podium, the music is played, buga. Then, the youths are let loose, so to speak, dancing away lustily to Buga song, adults seated under canopies would be seen shaking their heads or gyrating to the music. What surprised me is that virtually everybody, young and old alike were all singing along with the lyrics!

“

3 ‘Let’s

Vote, not fight’ campaign is alive

Popular musician, Tuface (Innocent Idibia) whose home state is Benue which is next door to Nasarawa State, pioneered and founded the ‘’No violence” campaign/ foundation with the theme ‘Let’s vote not fight’ and a promotion album about it. Members of this foundation were on ground at the Lafia, capital city of Nasarawa state, APC rally. Wearing a customised T-shirt and face cap, they walked round the venue, holding aloft placards on which is inscribed the words, ‘Vote not Fight’; ‘Ballot not Bullet’ and preaching the gospel of peaceful elections to the populace. The foundation’s State Coordinator, Envoh Emmanuel Okoli told me in a chat that they have branches in all states of the federation, and zonal directors in the three senatorial districts. He said that response to their campaigns has been positive. More grease to their elbows.

Apparently his many years in the United States where he worked in top notch companies and where decency is cherished by majority of the populace, rubbed off on him. However, during APC’s rally the governor let down his guard. The PDP had alleged that his APC administration has nothing to show for its years of governance. And Sule replied, ‘’I did not care about opposition party because they are not my business. Until they look for my trouble, I don’t even mention them….The PDP was unable to construct even one kilometre of road in the state’’.

5 Ghost of primaries still hovering around

4

Gov.

Sule lets down his guard

Nasarawa state governor, Engr. Abdullahi is a gentleman in all ramifications. Not for him the typical Nigerian politician’s way of politicking which is characterised by mudslinging, name calling and the like. He often overlooks bogus claims by opposition parties/politicians, laughing them off. Full stop.

Expectedly, as the ruling party, the primary election to pick candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives and the Senate was fierce with a plethora of aspirants jostling to get the tickets. There shall always be winners and losers in any election. At end of the primaries some of those who lost out left the APC to seek nomination in other parties while others challenged the outcomes in court. Some of the cases are still on-going. This has divided the party supporters into rival camps. Youths supporting an aggrieved personality sometimes exchange bitter words with the other camp, they shout down on some VIPs, etc. However, nobody was injured and no life was lost at the rallies.

In a statement he personally signed, Governor Sule remarked, “I must incidents”

Nasarawa state governor, Engr. Abdullahi is a gentleman in all ramifications. Not for him the typical Nigerian politician’s way of politicking which is characterised by mudslinging, name calling and the like.