Friday, March 3, 2023 Edition

President Buhari (m) with GCEO NNPC Ltd Mele Kyari, Minister of Power Abubakar Aliyu, Borno Governor Prof. Babagana Zulum and Vice President-Elect Senator Kashim Shettima during the Inauguration of the NNPC Ltd Power Plant in Maiduguri, Borno State on 2nd Mar 2023

President-elect visits Buhari, presents Certificate of Return

President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday night met with President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, hours after collecting his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tinubu was accompanied by

Vice-President-elect, Kashim Shettima and the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Abdullahi Adamu.

Others on the trip to Daura were the Governors of Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufai; Kebbi, Atiku Bagudu; Ebonyi, Dave Umahi; Zamfara, Bello Matawalle; Niger, Abubakar Sani-Bello; Lagos, Babajide

Sanwo-Olu; Ogun, Dapo Abiodun, Jigawa, Badaru Abubakar and Plateau, Simon Lalong.

NAN gathered that the President-elect used the opportunity to thank President Buhari for his support during the electioneering process.

President Buhari had openly displayed his ballot paper, with thumb print

of APC, before casting his vote during the presidential election on Feb. 25.

Tinubu was declared the President-elect in the early hours of Wednesday by INEC, having defeated Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, among other presidential candidates.(NAN)

IBB returns to Nigeria after foreign medical trip

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has returned to Nigeria after his routine medical

trip to Switzerland.

Close family sources told our reporter in Minna the Niger state capital yesterday that General Babangida is back sound, hale and hearty.

General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida left the country sometimes around January this year at the peak of political parties and aspirants consultations towards the 2023 general elections.

Earlier, he had congratulated the winner of the last Saturday presidential election, Ahmed Bola Tinubu after his announcement by the INEC National Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.

Stakeholders validate Kaduna State gender policy in Agriculture

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Stakeholders working in the agricultural sector on Thursday validated the Kaduna State Gender Policy in Agriculture to ensure the adoption of a gender sensitive and responsive approach to the agricultural sector.

The draft policy was

developed by Legal Awareness for Nigeria Women (LANW) with support from AGRA, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, German Cooperation, KFW, The Rockefeller Foundation, UKAid and USAID.

Mrs Rebecca Sako-John, Member of the Board of Trustees, LANW, said at the opening of the validation

meeting in Kaduna, that the domestication of the National Gender in Agriculture Policy will strengthen the State agricultural enabling policy environment.

She added that it would also support local governance and institutions to implement gender-sensitive policies and programming that would be responsive to the rights and

needs of poor women farmers which was key to women empowerment.

“This is part of LANW effort in the past 20 years to promote social justice for marginalised and vulnerable groups through legal awareness, protection of fundamental rights and facilitation of participatory development.”

From left: Commissioner of police, Cp. Sunday Babaji,- Assistant inspector of police (AIG) Ahmad Abdurrahman,- inspection senior officers during the Assistant inspector of police AIG zone 14 official visit to kaduna command over 2023 election duty on thursday 2/3/23

NASS Election: Sen. Sani attributes PDP’s success to strategic interface with grassroots

Sen. Shehu Sani, has attributed the success of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna state parliamentary elections to strategic interface and grassroots mobilisation of the downtrodden.

Sani told newsmen in Abuja on Thursday that prior to the election, a Technical Committee was inaugurated by the Kaduna state Chapter of PDP with him as Chairman.

Former Commissioner in Kaduna State, Mohammed Wusolo and ex-Kaduna House of Assembly Speaker, Mr Farakwai served as members.

Niger APC guber candidate pledges to improve IGR if elected

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

The Niger State All Progressives Congress (APC), Governorship candidate, Umar Mohammed Bago has said that his administration will embark on urban renewal scheme to maximize the desired investment attraction to improve Internally Generated Revenue (IGR)

Bago made the disclosure while interacting with journalists at IBB Pen House Minna, saying if elected, he would make a deliberate efforts to establish industrial pack especially in Suleja and Tafa local governments.

He hinted that such will check over one million vehicular movement in and out of Niger state, increase employment opportunity and IGR as well as curb youth restiveness among others.

The APC candidate said he would embark on ICT development targeted at the youths and women.

He said the committee designed and embarked on a functional strategy to upstage the All Progressive Party (APC’s) National Assembly and the State Government’s preferred candidates in Feb. 25 elections.

Sani, a civil rights activist, said the committee mobilised

members, voters and reached out to women and youth groups across party lines.

According to him, the committee also reached out to traditional rulers, workers and the aggrieved retrenched teachers in the state.

He said the committee

embarked on mass media campaigns with support and solidarity of the public in the state.

This, he said, resulted in the opposition PDP wining 70 per cent of the seats contested for the parliamentary election.

According to him, results as

announced by INEC indicate that the ruling APC won in four, while LP secured two seats, representing 20% and 10% respectively.

Sani said the results indicated that PDP finally garnered 10 of the 16 Federal Constituency seats in Kaduna. (NAN)

Textile workers congratulates Oshiomhole on his election as Senator for Edo North

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) has congratulated the Senator elect of Edo North Senatorial District Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on on his success at the polls.

This was contained in a statement by John Adaji

and Ali Baba, President and General Secretary of the Union respectively.

The statement stated that his overwhelmed victory at the election is well deserved., saying his success is an open acknowledgement and appreciation of the close relationship he have maintained with the people as well as his remarkable achievements as former Governor of Edo State.

The (NUTGTWN) further stated that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole overwhelmed election is also a total victory for them in Textile workers Union and the global labour movement in general.

“We are indeed proud to associate with you as our former General Secretary and one of the most successful African labour leaders

“We have no doubt you will continue to further our struggle for social justice, industrial revival, job creation, living/decent wage, transparency, accountability and good governance while in the red chambers.

“Kindly count on the renewed assurances of the co-operation and support of the union and the entire labour movement for a successful tenure.”

Niger youths protest at INEC office, want results uploaded

numbers under the auspices of ‘Aggrieved Nigerian Youths stormed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) State Office in Minna over non uploading of election and alleged irregularities

Youths in

The youths led by Mr. Mike Junior marched to the INEC office in protest on what they described as ‘rigged’ result of the just concluded presidential election in the country.

Addressed the protesters in Minna, the Secretary of Administration, INEC Yakubu Doko who assured them of the Resident

Electoral Commissioner’s assurance that whatever the headquarters of INEC says will be communicated in due cause.

According to Doko who represented the State REC, Alhaji Ahmed Yusha’u Garki, reiterated that they are open and have nothing to hide, but for clarifications on the uploading of results, said they will

wait to hear from the INEC headquarters in Abuja”.

The aggrieved youths requested from the Independent National Electoral Commission to tell them why the presidential election polling units results where not transmitted electronically to the INEC result viewing portal.

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

their

From left: Contractors Association, chairman Ahmad Hussain,- kurna Costruction company chairman, Aliyu Usman,- association financial secratery Kamilu Abdurrahaman,- Presenting a new form to the Association stakeholders during a 1st General Meetting on stretening their leadership withing Association in kaduna on wednesday 2/3/23

Buhari salutes Pastor Adeboye at 81 Institute advises Presidentelect on

inclusive government

The Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) has charged the Presidentelect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, to be magnanimous in victory by running a government of inclusion.

President and Chairman of Council, NIM, Dr Christiana Atako, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.

NAN reports that INEC had on Wednesday declared Tinubu as President-elect, following a keenly contested election on Feb. 25, and has presented the Certificate of Return to him.

According to the NIM president, running a government of inclusion will foster national unity and integration, irrespective of religious inclination, ethnocentric and cultural diversity, and political affiliation.

Atako stated that running an inclusive government meant extending a hand of fellowship to other contestants in the just concluded presidential poll, to move the nation forward on the path of progress and development.

She advised the Tinubu to see himself as a President for all, and be mindful of the fact that power comes from God, and it is given for the benefit of mankind.

Atako charged Tinubu to ensure that only credible, honest and professionals, who have distinguished themselves in their fields of endeavour, would be appointed as members of his cabinet.

She said: “NIM notes that the affairs of the country need to be properly managed.

“The President-elect must ensure that only men and women, who have made significant and positive impact in the unity and development of the country, are appointed as members of his cabinet.

“Those to pilot the affairs of the nation, under the new dispensation, should be men and women of integrity, accountability, probity, fairness, effectiveness, efficiency and transparency, which are some of the values the institute shares and practises.

“Sen. Bola Tinubu and the incoming government are advised to partner with and constantly consult professional bodies, who are always willing to render selfless service for the good of the nation.”

President Muhammadu Buhari has joined leaders and members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in celebrating the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, on his 81st birthday.

In a congratulatory message by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, on Thursday in Abuja, Buhari rejoiced with the religious leader, who left his academic career to fully commit to serving the Lord.

The president equally felicitated family, friends and other church leaders within and

outside the country, thankful for Adeboye’s positive influence on people and institutions, with a focus on expanding the kingdom of God on earth.

While recalling the visits and prayers, especially when he was ill and recuperating, Buhari said he remained grateful for the friendliness and wise counsels of the General Overseer over many years.

The president prayed that the God would continue to bless and guide Adeboye and his family.

In a similar development, President Buhari shared the joy

of the milestone with renowned journalist, Alhaji Liad Tella, who turns 75 March 3, 2023.

The president noted that over five decades, Tella had invested in journalism, rising to the top of his career as Deputy Editor of National Concord, and Editor-inChief of The Monitor Newspapers.

He also celebrated Tella’s contribution to knowledge as Senior Research Fellow, Department of Mass Communication, University of Ilorin, and his commitment to Islam.

Tella was one of the founding

fathers of Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), and a Federal Commissioner at the National Hajj Commission, for many years.

Buhari rejoiced with the Tella family, the media community, especially the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN).

He wished the Asiwaju Musulumi of Iwo land longer life in good health, to further serve God, society, and humanity at large. (NAN)

Alleged murder: Group raises alarm over plot to free House Leader, Doguwa

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

Concerned Citizens of Doguwa/Tudunwada have alleged that the leadership of House of Representatives and Kano state government are planning to set free, the House Majority Leader, Alhassan Ado Doguwa.

Doguwa was arraigned on Wednesday and remanded by Senior Magistrate, Ibrahim Mansur for culpable homicide, conspiracy, mischief, unlawful possession of fire arms and inciting disturbance.

The Majority Leader was arraigned by the Police at Mallam Aminu Kano Airport on Tuesday. The police command, in a statement on Wednesday by its spokesman, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said the arrest was made following complaints received

on the gruesome murder of three persons, causing grievous injury to eight others in Tudun Wada Local Government Area on February 26 while the collation of election results was ongoing.

The statement added that an alleged viral video of some victims with suspected gunshots in the Social Media, the Commissioner of Police in charge of 2023 General Election, Kano State Command, CP Muhammad Yakubu directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Kano State Police Command to carry out a thorough investigation.

In continuation of the investigation, on 27th February 2023, the Department extended a formal invitation to Honorable Alhassan Ado Garba Doguwa, a member representing Doguwa/ Tudun Wada Federal Constituency for his alleged complicity in the

incident.

“Sequel to his refusal to honour the invitation, the Command was left with no other option than to activate a motion that would lead to his arrest. He was subsequently arrested by detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Bompai Kano at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano.

But, in a press conference yesterday, the group leader, Nura Muhammad Dankadai, said that what the National Assembly and Kano State Government are allegedly trying to do is tantamount to subversion of justice “and lack of empathy and compassion for the victim families of Tudun Wada and Doguwa Local Governments.”

“It is important to note that the people of Tudun Wada and

Doguwa Local Government have every reasonable grounds to believe that the leadership of the National Assembly is currently collaborating with the Kano State Government to tinker with ongoing of the judicial processes by exerting pressure and undue influence on the judiciary to grant bail to Alhassan Ado Doguwa & Co.

“As esteemed gentlemen of the press, we’re concern that releasing the accused persons the National Assembly and Kano State Government are trying to do is tantamount to subversion of justice and lack of empathy and compassion for the victim families of Tudun Wada and Doguwa Local Governments.

“Further more, with the approaching of the Gubernatorial and State House of Assembly Elections on March 11th, 2023

L-R......Head of Team Corruption Trackers, Koletaiye Shamsudeen, Executive Director The Corruption Trackers Initiative, Comrade, Hamza Abidin Danliman, and Director Legal Department of the initiative, Barr, Paul Okache during their International press conference in Kaduna yesterday

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has said that the processes and outcome of the Presidential and National Assembly election of Saturday , February 25, was grossly flawed in every material particular, and as such must be challenged.

Addressing a world press conference in Abuja last night, Atiku noted with regrets that Nigerians, especially the youth, are traumatized by the outcome of the poll. He, nonetheless, urge them to conduct themselves peacefully.

The former Vice President declared that the rigging and manipulation of the last presidential election has been attested to by both local and international observers.

“I want to believe that this was not the legacy that President Muhammadu Buhari had promised”, he said.

At the press conference held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua centre, Abuja and attended by chieftains of the PDP, Atiku said, “Having consulted with leaders of our party and Nigerians from different walks of life, I have come to the conclusion that the processes and outcome of the Presidential and National Assembly election of last Saturday was grossly flawed in every material particular, and as such must be challenged.

“This has been attested to by both local and international observers.

“I want to believe that this was not the legacy that President Muhammadu Buhari had promised.

“For President Buhari, it is not too late to make amends for the good of our country and the future generations and indeed to assure his legacy.

“This battle to right the wrongs of Saturday is not about me. It is a continuation of my battles to deepen democracy and for a better life for our people. It is about the future of Nigerian youths.

“I know that Nigerians, especially the youth, are traumatized by the developments, but I want to urge them to conduct themselves peacefully.

“Like I have done over the

Atiku rejects outcome of presidential election, seeks legal redress

•Says election was flawed

•Insists development not Buhari’s promised legacy

years, I assure you that I will commit the rest of my life in ensuring that true democracy, which affirms the supremacy of your votes and your will, will take firm footing and guarantee a stable, prosperous and peaceful Nigeria.

“This is more so as Nigeria represents the hope of Africa and the Black World.

“It is my hope that the judiciary will redeem itself this time around and rise to the society’s expectation as the last HOPE. In the end, who wins is not as important as the credibility of our elections and electoral processes.

“I call on all men and women of goodwill to join hands with us in the vanguard to defend our constitution from the brigandage of anti democratic forces. “Finally I urge Nigerians to remain vigilant and resolute. You have the constitutionally guaranteed right of freedom to choose your leaders. We will not sit idly by and watch your rights taken from you”, he said.

Continuing, Atiku said, The 2023 presidential election presented our nation and its people the greatest opportunity for a reset.

We had everything going for us: a legal framework in the 2022 Electoral Act and the BVAS technology.

“The enthusiasm of Nigerians to turn out and in large numbers was an added bonus.

“However, the dreams and aspirations of Nigerians who braced all the challenges to go and cast their votes on Saturday, 25th of February, 2023, were shattered by the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which failed to live up to expectations. “The weekend election was neither free nor fair. Preliminary assessments indicate that it is the worst conducted elections since

the return to democratic rule.

“The manipulation and fraud that attended this election was unprecedented in the history of our nation.

“I can still not understand why the electoral umpire was in such a hurry to conclude collation and announcement of the result, given the number of complaints of irregularities of bypassing of the BVAS, failure of uploading to the IREV, and unprecedented cancellations and disenfranchisement of millions of voters in breach of the Electoral Act and the commission’s own guidelines. It was indeed a rape of democracy”, he said.

“Having consulted with leaders of our party and Nigerians from different walks of life, I have come to the conclusion that the processes and outcome of the Presidential and National Assembly election of last Saturday was grossly flawed in every material particular, and as such must be challenged.

“This has been attested to by both local and international observers.

“I want to believe that this was not the legacy that President Muhammadu Buhari had promised.

“For President Buhari, it is not too late to make amends for the good of our country and the future generations and indeed to assure his legacy.

“This battle to right the wrongs of Saturday is not about me. It is a continuation of my battles to deepen democracy and for a better life for our people. It is about the future of Nigerian youths.

“I know that Nigerians, especially the youth, are traumatized by the developments, but I want to urge them to conduct themselves peacefully.

“Like I have done over the years, I assure you that I will commit the rest of my life in

ensuring that true democracy, which affirms the supremacy of your votes and your will, will take firm footing and guarantee a stable, prosperous and peaceful Nigeria.

“This is more so as Nigeria represents the hope of Africa and the Black World.

“It is my hope that the judiciary will redeem itself this time around and rise to the society’s expectation as the last HOPE. In the end, who wins is not as important as the credibility of our elections and electoral processes.

“I call on all men and women of goodwill to join hands with us in the vanguard to defend our constitution from the brigandage of anti democratic forces. “Finally I urge Nigerians to remain vigilant and resolute. You have the constitutionally guaranteed right of freedom to choose your leaders. We will not sit idly by and watch your rights taken from you”, he said

He added, “I have in the last three decades devoted my life to the battle to birth and deepen democracy in our country.

“It was a battle that started during the military era. It was a struggle that nearly caused me my life and that of my son, Adamu, in Kaduna. I survived the assassination only by the mercies and grace of God.

“Following that attack, I was forced into exile. But that attack claimed the precious lives of some police officers. “That was not all: my businesses were nearly crippled and my signature business was eventually appropriated by the maximum ruler of that era.

“My commitment to enthroning democracy ensured that I joined forces with other compatriots.

“As a leader of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), we fought and won the 1993

presidential election, which was acclaimed as the fairest and freest election in our history.

“Sadly, Chief MKO Abiola, who embodied that hope for the birth of a new Nigeria, paid the ultimate price

“Our fight to enthrone democracy continued. Indeed, the motivating factor for the birth of the Peoples Democratic Party was to force the exit of the military from government and their permanent return to the military barracks.

“Following the exit of the military and the advent of democratic rule in 1999, I did not rest on my oars. I deployed the same level of commitment to advance and deepen our democracy.

“I did this because our democracy was bought at a huge price of human lives.

“My mentor and true Nigerian hero (Shehu Musa Yar’Adua), who this venue in which we are gathered this evening is named for, was one of those who paid the ultimate price in that battle.

“So, also was Chief Alfred Rewane, Chief MKO Abiola and his dear wife, Chief (Mrs) Kudirat Abiola.

“It was also for this reason that I sacrificed my political aspiration and fought against the actualisation of Third Term.

“Whether during the military or civilian era, I have, no matter how inconvenient, pitched my tent with the people against dictators.

“During the military regime, it nearly cost me my life and the near decimation of my businesses.

“In the civilian administration, it had serious adverse implications on my political life.

“But I have remained undaunted because I was, and still convinced, that the only reason why I am in politics is to work in tandem with other compatriots in the advancement of the wellbeing of the people”, he said.

Tinubu ‘ll be best Nigerian president ever — SWAGA

The South West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA) has said that the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu will be the best president that Nigeria would ever have.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that SWAGA is a foremost support group for Tinubu.

The group’s National Chairman, Sen. Dayo Adeyeye and National Secretary, Bosun Oladele, said

this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.

While congratulating Tinubu on his victory at the just-concluded Feb. 25 Presidential Election, the group described the victory as welldeserved.

“To us in SWAGA, the victory is likened to the final destination of a political journey which began over four decades ago, though laced with struggles and thorns unknown to

many Nigerians.

“Saturday’s victory had its genesis in Tinubu’s days in the trenches where he fought with like minds.

“This was through the instrumentality of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), formed in 1994, Afenifere and other platforms to challenge the military junta which annulled the June 12, 1993 election of late Chief MKO

Abiola and enthrone democratic rule in Nigeria.

“A man of uncommon courage and tenacity, Tinubu never looked back in his struggle to sustain and uphold democracy across the length and breath of the country.”

The statement said that Tinubu’s performance would exceed expectations.

“The president-elect will not lower the standard of good

governance and delivery of democratic dividends, a trend synonymous with him throughout his eight years as Gov. of Lagos from 1999 to 2007.

“We assure all Nigerians that the President-elect will promote national unity, tackle insecurity, accelerate economic prosperity and give renewed hope to Nigerians especially our teeming youth population.(NAN)

Gombe AA guber candidate pledges support to tackle challenges of state

From David Hassan, Gombe

The Gubernatorial candidate of Action Alliance (AA ) in Gombe state Brigadier -General Nuhu Miller Ade (Rtd) has pledged support to tackled numerous challenges facing the state.

He made this known on Wednesday while briefing Journalists in Gombe.

General Ade said if elected, he will come with a policy that will bring change for the people.

According to him, his government will do everything possible to ensure that people benefit from the dividend of democracy.

He explained that coming out with good policies in governance will help boost the economy of the state and the nation at large.

Nasarawa Senator elect promises to empower youths

From Gambo Ahmed lafia

Senator elect on the plàtform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Muhammed Ogoshi Onawo has promised to empower the youths in his senatorial district in the areas of education and job opportunities through lobby.

Ogoshi who made the pledge in an interview with newsmen in his country home Doma Local government council of Nasarawa state on Wednesday ,expressed delight for the support accorded to him by his people during the last Saturday polls.

“My victory came from God. My people voted for quality representation.

The senator elect also assured that while in the senate, he would ensure that he lobby with the incoming administration for federal projects that will bring positive development to the people in his Senatorial District.

Dangote disburses scholarship to coal communities, others

The Dangote Coal Mines Limited has disbursed scholarship to members of host communities in Benue and Kogi States.

This is coming barely one year into coal mining operation at Effeche Akpalli in Ugbokolo Ward of Okpokwu Local Government of Benue.

In Ankpa, Kogi, scholarship fund was also distributed to members of the coal communities.

In the same token, the Dangote Cement Plant in Gboko also disbursed scholarship to host communities in Benue.

The exercise is part of the company’s annual Corporate

Social Responsibility (CSR) scheme for host communities, and it has been running for upward of a decade.

In 2022, Group President of the Dangote Industries Limited Aliko Dangote announced series of scholarship schemes for communities hosting the Dangote Sugar Refinery in Numan, Adamawa State.

In Benue, 10 members of the Effeche community, who are currently studying in higher institutions of learning, benefitted from the fund.

The company’s contribution to the educational development in Nigeria has been described

as immeasurable having constructed multimillion Naira edifices and hostels in some selected universities.

The company is adjudged to be Africa’s largest donor, and second biggest employer of labour, after government in Nigeria.

The Head of Dangote’s mining operation in Benue, Dillip Taman, said the scholarship was part of the Corporate Social Responsibility of the company, adding that the company takes the plights of the host communities very seriously.

He said the company is kickstarting several other projects

contained in the Community Development Agreement.

The chairperson of the Okpokwu Local Government, Amina Audu, who was represented by the Leader of the Legislative Council, urged the beneficiaries to use the money efficiently, while urging the company not to relent in the annual scholarship scheme.

A community leader, Chief Samuel Ameh, said the community was desirous of ensuring a smooth operational turf for the company, saying a peaceful coexistence was a major prerequisite for profitability and community development.(NAN)

Lawyer counsels LP against partnership with PDP

Dr Kayode Ajulo, a constitutional lawyer, has advised the Labour Party (LP) not to partner the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in seeking legal redress in the justconcluded presidential election.

Ajulo said this on Thursday in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The LP and PDP have alleged irregularities in the conduct of

the polls that produced Sen. Bola Tinubu as president-elect and indicated interest in legally challenging it.

“I find it strange that LP is parleying with the PDP, whereas when the PDP was supposed to negotiate with the LP it did not; LP should be wary of this alliance”, he said.

He therefore urged LP to distance itself from PDP and pursue its case alone if it strongly

felt that the elections results were not acceptable.

He wondered why LP thought it would get justice through PDP that denied Peter Obi justice during the party primaries.

He, however, cautioned against making statements that could heat up the polity and jeopardise the nation’s democracy.

“No one should incite the youth against the country the

court is there for anybody who is aggrieved to see redress.

“We cannot afford violence in this country. This country belongs to all of us; no frivolous application should be taken to court in the name of seeking legal redress”, he said.

He urged the leadership of LP and its presidential candidate to focus and nation building and March 11 governorship election. (NAN)

L-R, Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, Chairman, Labour Party, Barr Julius Aburi; Labour Party Chieftain, Alhaji Mohammed Audi and Former minister of Aviation, Mrs Fidelia Njezie during a World Press Conference on the outcome of the 2023 Presidential General Elections in Abuja yesterday Photo Ro

NFC boss says Tinubu’s victory presents new vista for creative industry

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), Dr Chidia Maduekwe, has congratulated the Presidentelect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, on his victory in Saturday’s election.

Maduekwe said in a congratulatory message on Wednesday, that Tinubu’s victory was a testament to a renewed hope for a better, secure and prosperous Nigeria.

According to him, the emergence of Tinubu as president under the APC’s ‘renewed hope’ mantra, will present beautiful vista for the nation’s creative industry, particularly the film industry, for enhanced contribution to national economy.

Maduekwe, also a chieftain of the ruling APC, called on all citizens to welcome the president-elect with renewed optimism and support as the next dispensation ushers in better days for Nigeria.

“On behalf of myself and the Nigerian Film Corporation, I congratulate the President-elect, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his resounding victory in Saturday’s Presidential Election, despite all odds.

“This is not just a victory for our great party, the All Progressives Party (APC), but a victory for Nigerians and lovers of democracy across the world.

“The NFC, which is committed to development of a viable and sustainable film industry and cinema culture in Nigeria, will sure deliver more on its mandate under this administration,” he said.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared and presented Tinubu with Certificate of Return on March 1, after winning the Feb. 25 poll.

Tinubu polled 8,794,726 votes, while PDP’s Atiku Abubakar came second with 6,984,520 votes, and Peter Obi of LP emerged third with 6,101,533 votes. (NAN)

Security beefed up as Buhari unveils Maiduguri power plant

Security measures have been beefed up at the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant (MEPP) project site in Borno ahead of its inauguration by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the president will on Thursday commission the 50-Megawatt gas-fired power plant built by the Federal Government through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in collaboration with Borno state government.

Maiduguri, a major city in the North-East Nigeria, was thrown into darkness due to vandalism

and attacks by insurgents on the town’s critical power supply infrastructure, which degenerated into perpetual power outages.

Two major incidences of such unfortunate attacks were the destruction of three towers of electricity power lines along Damaturu – Maiduguri Road by the insurgents on Jan. 25 and March 27, 2021.

President Buhari in April 2021, directed the management of the NNPC Ltd., to restore power supply to Maiduguri and its environs.

Following engagements with the Borno government,

the NNPCL embarked on a 50-Megawatt gas-fired power plant project aimed at providing reliable and sustainable electricity to the city and its environs.

NAN reports that many officials of Nigerian security agencies, including the Department of State Security Service (DSS), soldiers and police personnel have been deployed at the site.

Some para military agencies including the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Federal Fire Service are also on

ground. The officials of the NNPCL, members of the cabinet, some royal fathers and some medical teams with their equipment are also seen at the site.

The president is expected to be accompanied by the Minister of Power, Mr Abubakar Aliyu, and his Petroleum Resources counterpart, Chief Timipre Sylva, Gov. Babagana Zulum and Group CEO, NNPCL, Malam Mele Kyari.

Other top government functionaries from federal and state governments are also attending the event. (NAN)

NCWS congratulates Tinubu, seeks all-inclusive govt

National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) has congratulated the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, on his victory at Saturday’s Presidential election, calling for an all-inclusive government.

NCWS National President, Hajiya Lami Lau, in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, also congratulated the Vice-Presidentelect, Sen. Kashim Shettima.

She urged individuals and political parties that were not satisfied with the election results

not to take laws into their hands but seek redress in the court of law.

Lau said that an all-inclusive government was crucial to nation building and transformation of the country.

She also said that increased participation of female technocrats in politics would go a long way in repositioning the country for greatness.

Lau called on the presidentelect to recognise the role of women in nation-building by

giving them more opportunities in governance.

“If more women are given the opportunity to serve in various government positions, they will bring hope back to the masses and the society will benefit.

”There cannot be any meaningful development without an all-inclusive government of women, youths and persons with disabilities.

”More women are needed in government, as they are the mostproductive part of the society,”

she said.

The NCWS national president commended women and youths for coming out en masse to vote for the candidate of their choice in the just-concluded presidential and national assembly elections.

She urged them to repeat same in the March 11 governorship and House of Assembly elections, saying that they should focus more on female candidates.

Lau also stressed the need for peace as a tool for national development. (NAN)

Contractors Association, general Secratary Shu’aibu Abubakar,- contractors Association chairman Ahmad Hussain,- association vice secratery, Ahmad Bida,- and kurna Costruction company chairman, Aliyu Usman,- during a 1st General Meetting on stretening their leadership withing Association in kaduna on wednesday 2/3/23

Northern coalition hails Tinubu, Shettima on election victory

From Abubakar Y Ojimaojo

The Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG, on Thursday extended its congratulatory message to the All Progressives Congress President elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President elect, Kashim Shettima.

The group also described a letter written by a former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as ‘satanic.’

At the press conference in Abuja yesterday, CNG spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, urged Tinubu to keep to his promises and address the security and economic challenges bedeviling the country.

He said, “Specifically, we congratulate the newly elected President and to remind him that Nigerian voters trusted him to lead them in the hope for a leadership that will make them more secure and provide their children with a productive future.

“We therefore urge him to be magnanimous in victory by carrying everybody along irrespective of tribe, religion, region or political affiliation and to operate an open all inclusive government.

“We appreciate the incoming President’s humility, and maturity displayed in his acceptance speech.”

Niger Gov applauds Nigerlites over peaceful election

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has commended the people of Niger State across party lines for the peaceful conduct during the February 25, 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

A statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mary Noel Berje said despite the economy hardship, voters came out to vote in the 25 local government areas of and in a relatively peaceful atmosphere.

Governor Bello appreciated the people of Niger North Senatorial District and the entire All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters across the state for voting him as the Senator of the Zone and other candidates of the party that stood in for the last Saturday’s elections.

Police officer shoots “mistress” to death in Ilorin, kills self

Police in Kwara are investigating a homicide case in which a police officer allegedly shot a woman to death at a school premises on Thursday in Ilorin.

The police officer also shot himself to death after the murder.

The murdered woman was believed to be mistress of the police officer.

An eye-witness told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that

upon arrival at the school with her child, the police officer accosted the murdered woman, had some discussions with her before shooting her twice.

He added that the police officer immediately shot himself to death also.

Another eye-witness who saw the incident from a nearby building confirmed the report.

A man, claiming to be a property owner said the police

officer and the woman hired an apartment from him some weeks back and had been behaving like love birds until they started having problems since five days earlier.

“They have been having issues since five days ago. When they rented the house, we were always happy with the way they showed love to each other.

“Some say the police officer was a man friend of the woman, but they had been quarrelling for

the past few days now,” the man said.

Police spokesman in Kwara, SP Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed that a police officer killed a woman and himself on Thursday in Ilorin.

He told NAN that while details were still sketchy, he was told that it was a case of love affair gone sour.

Okasanmi said the police had begun investigation into the matter.

2023: AA calls for election nullification over exclusion

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

As Nigerians are celebrating the successful conduct of the presidential election of February 25, 2023 and congratulating the declared winner of the poll, one of the registered political parties in the country, the Action Alliance (AA) feels differently as it insisted on going to court to seek nullification of the entire processes, alleging unlawful exclusion from the whole exercise.

In a telephone chat with

the party’s authentic National Chairman, Hon. Adekunle Rufai Omo-Aje immediately after the declaration of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as winner of the presidential election, Omo-Aje advised Nigerians to tarry awhile because he would be heading to court to seek total nullification of the exercise.

Omo-Aje, who sounded very serious and determined, insisted his party has a good ground to pursue the case because there was no basis for excluding all

his lawful candidates from the race, saying, since the court as an arbiter is there for the aggrieved people of the country, he is ready to approach it for succour.

Recalled the aggrieved AA chairman called on all the members of the party to boycott the presidential and National Assemblies polls of February 25, 2023 over alleged exclusion of the constitutionally recognised candidates of the party, adding that, “we have gone beyond the boycott as we have started preparations towards rigorous

litigation for total nullification of the whole exercise since the authorities in charge of the election have refused to do the needful before embarking on the poll.”

Nonetheless, Omo-Aje has called on all members of the party, their loyalists and teeming supporters across the country and beyond to be calm and remain law-abiding, enthusing that, “at the end of the day, victory would be ascertained because of our belief and confidence in the Judiciary.”

President Buhari with L-R: Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development Sadiya Umar-Farouq, Borno Governor Prof. Babagana Zulum and Vice President-Elect Senator Kashim Shettima during the Tour of Ruins of Maiduguri Monday Market in Borno State on 2nd Mar 2023

Tinubu will revive Nigeria’s economy, says Deputy Speaker

Mr Joseph Bassey, Deputy Speaker of Cross River House of Assembly, has congratulated Nigeria’s president-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu.

Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Calabar, Bassey said that Tinubu would revive Nigeria’s economic fortunes on assumption in office.

Bassey, who is also the House of Representatives member-elect for Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South Federal Constituency, said that Tinubu’s emergence was the wishes of the people.

NAN reports that Tinubu was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission for having the highest vote cast in the presidential election held on Feb. 25.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, announced Tinubu as the winner at the International Collation Centre in Abuja on Wednesday.

He announced that Tinubu scored a total of 8,794,726 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party who got 6,984, 520 votes and the Labour Party candidate, Mr Peter Obi, who polled 6,101,533 votes.

Tinubu also defeated the candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, who had 1,496, 687 votes.

According to Bassey, Tinubu had proven that he had the capacity to boost the nation’s economy, just as he did while as governor of Lagos state.

“I am very confident that Tinubu’s administration would bring the country’s industrial policy to life, and foster productive excellence in new areas such as the creative industry.

“We are witnesses to the fact that he developed Lagos and improved the economic base. It’s a clear signal that he will do same for Nigeria’s economic growth.

“Sen. Tinubu has the right framework that can make business flourish in Nigeria.

“For me, I strongly believe that Tinubu was prepared for the job of becoming Nigeria’s president, hence we are about to witness positive changes in our ailing economy,” he said.

The Deputy Speaker called on all Nigerians to support the administration of Tinubu for the country’s growth and development. (NAN)

Varsity launches business incubation centre in Abuja

By Shannon Gwamna

Worried by lack of innovation in the country’s higher institutions, African University of Science and Technology (AUST), based in Abuja has launched a business incubation centre.

The AUSTInspire Business Incubation Centre, is meant to step up innovation in the university.

The Acting President of the University, Prof Azikiwe

Onwualu, said the centre would help staff and students of the institution to translate their researches into problem-solving products and services.

“We have decided to take a step about taking our researches to the next level, bringing it to reality.

“We have excelled in the aspect of research and publications but we have told ourselves the truth, the researches and publications must translate into something tangible.

“Very soon, you will not only see our publications but also our products from the researches.”

Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of CcHUB - managers of the Centre, Bosun Tijani, said the mission of the incubation centre was to leverage on science and technology to bring about prosperity to the people.

“We are looking at innovations that solve real problems not just in Nigeria but also in Africa.”

While speaking on the need

for the Centre, the Practice Lead of Higher Education Initiative, CcHUB, Jude Adejunwon, said Africa can not enter prosperity until her universities sit up.

“They should start looking at our problems and start designing ways to solve them. People think the university’s role is just to train students and release them into the labour market but that is not true.

“It is only through a hub like this that we can move research to help people on the ground,” he said.

Gov. Matawalle congratulates President-elect, Tinubu

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

Governor Bello Mohammed has described the emergence of Asiwaju Bola

Ahmed Tinubu, the winner of the just concluded Presidential election, as a win for democracy and for Nigeria. This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications to the

Governor,. Malam Zailani Bappa, describing the President-elect as pragmatic, experienced, balanced and a true democrat.

It assures that Nigerians should expect a build-up to a massive economic reconstruction, infrastructural development and human capital development as they have not made a wrong choice.

“This well deserved winning of the Presidential election by our party candidate is not surprising

as Nigerians have since made a choice to allow democracy thrive in the country”, the statement has added.

Governor Matawalle further commended the resilience of Nigerians, especially those who doggedly stood by their mandate to vote for the APC Presidential candidate the country deserve at this crucial moment of the nation’s transition.

“I wish the newly elected

President, who is a father to all of us, a successful implementation of all our party’s laudable plans for the reconstruction of our socioeconomic life”.

“We shall all put our hands on deck to ensure that the country succeed in all its nooks and crannies. Our party, under the new leadership and Presidency of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not fail our confidence”, the statement has assured.

L-R: Consultant to Lubcon Ltd., Engr. Kayode Sote ; Chief Executive Officer, MannaBiz Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Azeez Taiwo; Managing Director, Lubcon Ltd., Taiye Williams; Representative of Woopet Ogbus Ventures, Mrs. Chioma Anyanwu and Chief Executive Officer, Gold Touch Technologies Nigeria Limited, Jehu Omoruku at the 12th West African Excellence Awards 2023 where Lubcon Ltd., won West Africa Best Premium Lubricant of the Year Awards in Lagos.

Buhari arrives Maiduguri to inaugurate power, other projects

President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived Maiduguri as part his one-day official visit to Borno to inaugurate a 50-Megawatts Power Plant and other viable projects executed by the state government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the presidential jet landed at the Nigerian Air Force wing of the Maiduguri International Airport on Thursday at about 11:10 a.m.

Buhari was received on arrival by Gov. Babagana Zulum, members of National and State Houses of Assembly, and some top government officials.

Other dignitaries that received the president were the Theatre Commander, North East Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Maj.- Gen. Ibrahim Ali, Heads of security agencies, community and religious leaders.

NAN reports that the president is expected to inaugurate the new 50-megawatts Maiduguri Gas Power plant constructed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

He will also commission the Ahmadu Bello Way, Shehu Sanda Kyari, Lafiya and Mogoram Roads, before proceeding to the Maiduguri Monday Market gutted by fire recently.

Buhari would be conducted round the scene by the General Manager of the market, Mustapha Loskorima.

The President will also inaugurate the Cancer Center at the University of Maiduguri and the newly constructed Tashan Bama Motor Park, consisting of 475 shops and an administrative complex. He will also commission the Ahmadu Bello Way, Shehu Sanda Kyari, Lafiya and Mogoram Roads, before proceeding to the Maiduguri Monday Market gutted by fire recently.

Buhari would be conducted round the scene by the General Manager of the market, Mustapha Loskorima.

The President will also inaugurate the Cancer Center at the University of Maiduguri and the newly constructed Tashan Bama Motor Park, consisting of 475 shops and an administrative complex. He will also commission the Ahmadu Bello Way, Shehu Sanda Kyari, Lafiya and Mogoram Roads, before proceeding to the Maiduguri Monday Market gutted by fire recently.

Voting Gawuna will make Kano enjoy Tinubu’s govt - Campaign council

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

The gubernatorial campaign council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano state has urged residents of the state to vote for the party’s candidate, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna.

The Director General of the campaign council, a former Secretary to the State Government, Rabiu Suleiman Bichi said this at a press conference in Kano yesterday.

Bichi explained why it is highly important and critical for the indigenes of the state to vote for the APC in the forthcoming governorship election, noting that with the party “at the centre”, Kano would enjoy a working relationship with the national government if they are voted into office.

“We are optimistic of victory, but nonetheless, our people should be reminded that they should work the extra mile to ensure that APC is elected into office in

Kano for us to enjoy the central government participation and serious concern,” Bichi said.

Bichi also said the party is resuming campaign in full force after the conclusion of presidential candidate.

Bichi assured that the APC campaign, which has been peaceful, would continue to remain like that throughout the period.

He said: “We have been peaceful and Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna the gubernatorial candidate of our party has been preaching

peace and that will continue to be our symbol and method of doing things.”

He said further: “We have a formidable candidate. We are not afraid because we knew that the Kano people are aware of what and who we are, so by the will of God, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna will be the governor.”

The campaign council appealed to the people of Kano to maintain the peace which the state has enjoyed in the last eight years of the Ganduje.

Ex-ALGON chief felicitates Tinubu, elected Ekiti NASS members

Mr Yomi Ayorinde, a former Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in Ekiti, has congratulated the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, on his victory at the Feb. 25 presidential election, describing it as well-deserved.

Ayorinde, in a congratulatory message in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, expressed delight that Nigerians had freely given the former Lagos governor and National leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) their mandate.

According to him, Tinubu’s

victory is one built on years of hard work of a democrat, with evident credentials in both public and private administrations.

Ayorinde expressed confidence in the ability of the president-elect to turn around the fortunes of the country, as citizens look forward to the implementation of his visions for a new Nigeria.

He noted that Tinubu’s visions were clearly stated in his policy document during the electioneering.

Ayorinde, also the immediate past Chairman, Ekiti State Urban

Renewal Agency, prayed God to imbue the president-elect with the desired wisdom in the task of transforming the country.

The former ALGON chief, who is also the party’s House of Assembly candidate for Ido/Osi Constituency II, congratulated the newly-elected National Assembly members in all the senatorial districts and federal constituencies in the state.

According to him, their victory represents the true voice of Ekiti people, who are determined to reward Gov. Biodun Oyebanji for his numerous people-friendly

policies.

Ayorinde further appreciated the people of the state for their unwavering support and determination to deliver all the APC candidates at the election. He also described the development as an attestation to APC’s popularity and acceptability by the people of the state.

Ayorinde urged all the newly-elected national assembly members to use their offices to facilitate dividends of democracy to the state and take it to greater heights. (NAN)

PDP Presidential Candidate Atiku Abubakar, Senator Dino Melaye and PDP National Chairman Iyocha Ayu during a world press conference by Atiku Abubakar, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

2023 ELECTIONS: Many won but a candidate won without contesting!

By Abdullkadir Salaudeen

Will BAT’s Presidency under this party be any different? We allow time to be the judge. In the meantime, we hope the victory of APC in the last week presidential election will be a victory for Nigerians in which case, as I wrote last week, “…there is going to be justice, hope, development, and progress all over Nigeria.” He neither contested nor campaigned but won. This is marvelous! He has to be congratulated. But who is this candidate? I will talk about him towards the end of this article. Before then, we have witnessed the first set of 2023 elections—the Presidential, Senatorial, and the Federal House of Representatives. It was relatively peaceful compare to the previous ones. We hope the second set—Gubernatorial and State House of Representatives—will be even more peaceful. We would need to behave responsibly, all of us, to realize that.

The presidential election was keenly contested. It was unique in the sense that, prior to it, most analysts could not wager who will emerge victorious. The candidates of the three major parties were said to have a near equal chance of winning. They also, individually, had challenges which were capable of narrowing their chances of winning. But it is a fact of history that in a contest that gives no room for the concept of “no victor and no vanquished,” someone most win. Consequently, someone most be defeated. The winners are jubilating; this is natural. I learnt the losers are nursing their wounds and might even head to Court; this is also natural.

But I must admit, the three major competitors are great gladiators. And the outcome of the election justifies the uncertainty expressed by political analysts, election pundits, and columnists, as to the direction to which the pendulum will swing. Atiku, Obi, and Tinubu of PDP, LP, and APC respectively won in twelve states to defeat their opponents. But the APC won the majority votes.

The PDP could not rear its ugly head which before the election, I, for myself, feared a possibility that it could. I think Alhaji Atiku would need some rest. He will be 79 by the next election in 2027. How would this loss be managed by the PDP—a party which Nigerians have learnt not to remember for any good? Though I don’t see Atiku contesting anymore, Uncle Dino Melaye—the great political comedian—could be PDP next presidential flag bearer in 2027 if the party still exists.

As for Peter Obi, many thought the Obi-dients were/are dreaming. But the outcome of the election shows that Obi-dients is a force. A structureless force though, it has all it takes to survive with a structure.

But then, it has to shed its ethnic trappings and, to some extent, religious apparels to have some national outlook. A novel party with no structure competing with a ruling party and a former ruling party neck and neck is pleasantly amazing. That the tsunami called Obedients could disobediently shake the firmly entrenched structure of the Lord of Bourdillon in his kingdom (Lagos) is an oddity in the pages of Nigerian political history.

But the victory of the Obe-dients in Lagos—having defeated BAT—is not the real victory. Would the Obe-dients repeat the victory—and make it a real victory—in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Lagos? Time will tell. Meanwhile, I see Lagos, Kano, and Rivers states as states that might be prone to violence in next week election. Election would likely be fiercely contested in these states making them flashpoints. Security agents should up the ante by being very proactive to prevent any breach of security.

The ruling party APC—a party which strangely fought against itself—was declared winner. The party won against itself. In my last week article, I wrote “if Obi wins, that will be despite his structurelessness; if Atiku wins, that will be despite the G5 governors; if BAT wins, that will be despite the shenanigans of his party (APC).”

It is ahistorical in Nigerian political experience that a party fights against itself to the extent that its presidential flag bearer thinks he has to fight alone like an independent candidate. Thank to some few governors like Nasiru El-rufa’i for their fanatical support for BAT against the shenanigans of the leadership of the party. At some point, I thought if APC had to win, perhaps Governor Godwin Emefiele will be declared the next president. This is considering the fact that anything can happen in Nigeria.

All said, we should not forget the fact that APC, under this current administration, successfully plunged majority (two-third) of Nigerians into a multi-dimensional poverty. In most indices of development, Nigeria always falls in the bracket of first positions from the bottom. The Party hurled Nigerians, in the eight years of its mal-administration, into a bottomless pit of hardship. And the President is proud of that and likes to be praised. The party (APC) is adjudged, by many, to have dwarfed its predecessor (PDP) in atrocities against the Nigerian masses. Will BAT’s Presidency under this party be any different? We allow time to be the judge. In the meantime, we hope the victory of APC in the last week presidential election will be a victory for Nigerians in which case, as I wrote last week, “…there is going to be justice, hope, development, and progress all over Nigeria.”

As for the candidate who won without contesting or campaigning, he is Ustadh Abdulhakeem Kamilu Ado Wudil—a House of Representatives candidate for the Wudil/Garko Federal Constituency in Kano State under the platform of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). His father, late Alhaji Kamilu Ado Isah, was the actual contestant but passed away just four days to the election (may Allah overlook his shortcomings and grant him Paradise). The Kwankwasiyyah (NNPP), in its wisdom, made the son inherit his father’s ticket. For this nice gesture, Kanawa (the people of Kano)—especially the youth—will continue to love Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Many lessons are there to learn from this happenstance. One, it is God—only Him—that gives power. Two, politics should not be a do or die affair. Three, One can be a politician and still be responsible. The Late Kamilu Ado is not only loved by his people, he is, despite being a politician, a religious man and a responsible father. Many a father does not have a worthy son to inherit him or stand in for him as the case may be. This isn’t the case with the late Kamilu. If the party (NNPP) could not find any of his children worthy of replacement, it will definitely look beyond his household for replacement.

Who is Abdulhakeem Kamilu Ado? He is popularly called Ustadh and/or Sheikh. Very young and energetic. He is just thirty year old. A post graduate student at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and a lecturer at Al-Istiqamah University, Sumaila in Kano. Not only that, he is a hafidh (memorizer of the Qur’an) and holds regular classes, as a malamin his own right, where he teaches basics of Islamic Science to his audience at the Kano State University of Technology. Fortunately for him, marriage is not a requirement for political representativeness in Nigeria. He is not married! On a lighter note, I however urge him to go and marry. Yet, he should take his time as ladies will be falling on top of one another for him. This is also natural.

Now on a serious note, would Abdulhakeem represent his constituency very well in view of the aforesaid qualities? I honestly don’t know; but I am optimistic he would. I am not fanatical when it comes to supporting politician which Honorable Abdulhakeem now is, though I voted for him. Politicians do change overnight. While I congratulate Abdulhakeem for his victory, I wish him success in his new position. May Almighty God guide him to the path of glory and to what pleases Him. Same wishes and prayers to other victors. Nigeria shall be great!

Abdullkadir Salaudeen can be reached at Salahuddeenabdulkadir@gmail.com

Nigeria 2023 presidential elections and key takeaways

By Ayodeji Olatubora

Many Congratulations to Nigeria and more Importantly, the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who also took part and in fact, led from the front in the struggle for the enthronement of democracy after the infamous 1993 Presidential Election that was annulled by the General Ibrahim Babangida-led military junta.

There are key lessons that follow the recently concluded elections and there is also the need to look inwards. We must through this process, count our blessings, even as a nation in our democratic sojourn. The Presidential and National Assembly Election of 2023 have crystallized a reasonable balance in the political distribution and we are gradually tending towards a multi-party state. At the return to democracy in 1999, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was the dominant party for about 16 years up until 2015 when the ALL Progressives Congress (APC), a coalition of political tendencies across the length and breadth of Nigeria; being the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and a breakaway of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) took out the PDP and ended a 16-year regime. Just within about 8 years of the APC in power, we now see the emergence of another formidable political party, The Labour Party (LP). It is noteworthy that the LP had always existed. Former Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, won his Governorship election on the platform of the LP in 2007. However, the LP was never a major political party for the purpose of Elections into the office of the President and the National Assembly, up until the choice of Mr. Peter Obi as its candidate for the 2023 Presidential Election in which those who feel disillusioned by the established parties tended towards the LP as a protest of their dissatisfaction with the establishment. This is indeed a welcome development in our democratic space.

In fact, it is even dangerous for electorates to have ‘limited options’ in the real sense of the expression; particularly in a

nascent and evolving democracy like ours where politicians often openly demonstrate totalitarian tendencies. With the outcome of the Elections and the votes returned by the APC (8,794,726), The PDP (6,984,520) and the LP (6,101,533), it is fair to now say that the APC, PDP and LP are evenly matched with each having strongholds and weaker areas of presence. Many former Governors who would even naturally go to the Senate after completing their term (s) of office as Governors were consumed by the inferno of the Labour Party that swept across the country. As aforementioned, this is a good development in our democracy. The LP even went ahead and won in states like Lagos, FCT, Plateau and Nasarawa, which means that there is a considerable national spread of the party and a cross-regional acceptance of its candidate. Indeed, our democracy is a Work-In-Progress. The future of our democracy is really in our hands; more particularly the fact that we can now see an unusual interest by the younger generation. Politics is a long game. The youth must also keep learning the polity as this is the first real moment that they have shown genuine interest and concern in the democratic process and indeed, a good start because it clearly made a difference. I will admonish them to also play an active, knowledge-driven and patriotic role in nurturing this infant democracy; seeing that their collective interest has helped to crystallize a landmark in the political infrastructure. Every Government and every dispensation must be committed to Electoral Reforms, Judicial Reforms, Constitutional Reforms and Institutional Reforms; being prerequisites for the enthronement, development and sustenance of democracy. The results of the 2023 Presidential Elections might not have gone in the way some thought. However, there is still some progress that we have made from the recent past; more particularly with the introduction of modern technology in our Elections. We have seen political parties that have been pronounced and adjudged structureless, go on to win seats in both legislative houses of our bi-cameral legislature. I do not think that the LP are losers here.

In fact, they just could be the biggest winner here by strengthening democracy through voter participation of a

group that had been largely indifferent about the electoral process and as we can all see, the 2023 Elections altered the political order. Therefore, I guess it has served its purpose. It was never meant to see that a particular candidate that had been tipped to win must win and that if he doesn’t, then there are no lessons to take so as to move forward as a nation. No, democracy is a life-long process.

Across the Federal Republic of Nigeria, there is now an even political distribution in the imminent dispensation, as the three major political parties would now have representatives in the 10th Assembly. It would no longer be business as usual and plenaries would be much anticipated. It is noteworthy that there would never be perfect Elections anywhere in the world and we would recall that the 2016 American Presidential Elections that returned Former President Donald Trump was even alleged to have been influenced by the Russians and of course, the United States ought to be the model for global democratic practices. Again, I am not saying that there are no reasons to be aggrieved by the manner in which the Elections were conducted. Certainly, the individual actors are permitted to form their grievances and issues arising from the conduct of the polls. The democratic process has also put in place a system of redress where aggrieved persons can ventilate their grievances by submitting same to the Court. More important to note is the fact that it is not a must-win for any candidate. This democracy was fought for and indeed, the struggle for the enthronement and sustenance of democratic values is a life-long struggle. The next few weeks are definitely intriguing.

Many Congratulations to Nigeria and more Importantly, the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who also took part and in fact, led from the front in the struggle for the enthronement of democracy after the infamous 1993 Presidential Election that was annulled by the General Ibrahim Babangida-led military junta. Asiwaju’s victory has been an admixture of ‘A Long Walk to Freedom’ and the ‘Audacity of Hope’.

Ayodeji Olatubora is a Legal Practitioner and a Development Professional.

February 25th presidential election and the future of Nigeria

By Hajia Hadiza Mohammed

Yes we may go to court as a matter-of-fact but the litigation is not enough in this case knowing how corrupt and compromised our judicial system is. If the so-called winner could buy INEC as it were, he could as well buy the entire judicial process. And it is not out of place that they have anticipated it and planned for it ab initio.

I have participated and monitored many elections in this country but none is as controversial and as rigged as the just concluded election. The conduct of the February 25, presidential leaves much to be desired. And the effect of this election may be cataclysmic on the nation if the right thing is not done and promptly too. Experience at the polling units and the various reports in the press indicate that the process was marred by gross irregularities that accentuated the calls from many to cancel the election and conduct fresh one. There were many video evidence depicting incidences of harassment and intimidation of voters, disenfranchisement, vote-buying, ballot box snatching, illegal thumb printing, result falsification among others. Worse still are the irregularities at the collation and reporting centers. There were many cases of inconsistency and result duplication indicating that it was about vote allocation rather than statistical presentations of the actual vote casted.

The modus of collating the result shows that the INEC itself violated its operational procedures as specified in the electoral act. INEC cannot change the rule of the game in the middle of the game. It is an aberration. The electoral systems and the processes were flagrantly compromised to make room for electoral malfeasance. What INEC did was a rape on Democracy. Consequently, there have been strident calls from concerned citizens, eminent Nigerians and international observers for the INEC to do the right but these calls were unheeded as INEC went ahead to announce what is perceived by many as a falsified result thereby subverting the will of the electorates. This is unacceptable.

From the elementary lesson in government, we were taught the role and the importance of the electoral system in a democracy. The electoral system the world over is expected to be an independent and unbiased institution that conduct elections and help strengthen the practice of democracy. But Nigeria’s own electoral system has turned out to be destructive tools in the hands of the do-or-die politicians that are willing to fight dirty to impose themselves on the people. The Nigeria electoral system has been hijacked and manipulated by anarchists and unscrupulous politicians for their selfish ends. The implication is that it weakens citizens’ participation in the political process. When the electoral law was passed by the National Assembly and the INEC procured the much talked about Bimodal Voters’ Accreditation Systems (BVAS) technology making dropped their apathy about the system went for the permanent voters’ card (PVC) with the hope that their vote will count. But today that hope is willfully dashed by the Mahmood Yakubu-led INEC.

Nigerians woke up this morning, the first day of March, 2023 to the shock of the announcement of the said winner of the election against the voice of reason. Yes, as one commentator rightly observed, the call by the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu for the aggrieved parties to go to court is like an affront to us because it somewhat shows that the action of the INEC chairman was deliberate. Yes we may go to court as a matter-of-fact but the litigation is not enough in this case knowing how corrupt and compromised our judicial system is. If the so-called winner could buy INEC as it were, he could as well buy the entire judicial process. And it is not out of place that they have anticipated it and planned for it ab initio.

On this note, I call on all the parties that contested this presidential election to unite and form a common formidable front to fight for justice. And I enjoin all Nigerians to bury their differences and stand behind the opposition to reverse the decision of compromised INEC. Every information, evidence and support should be garnered for this national

assignment. It is a bounden duty. It is a civic duty. It is for the good of our country, our future and the future of our dear children. Nigeria cannot survive another eight of pillaging by the All Progressives Congress (APC) regime, taking into consideration the avowal of the so-called winner to continue with the obnoxious policies of the outgoing regime. If this daylight robbery executed by the INEC is not decisively treated, there may be no Nigeria in the near future. Things would definitely get worse. Impunity and mediocrity will be worse as area-boys and thugs will take over Nigeria. Crime and social vices will increase in unimaginable degree. There will be anarchy and chaos as separatists agitations will spring up again and metastasized everywhere. There will be insecurity and uncertainty. And all these will further destroy the ailing economy and create misery and discontent and hopelessness and the result is left to be imagined.

I must state here unequivocally, that the future of this country is dependent so much on correcting the blunders deliberately committed by INEC in the conduct of the February 25th presidential election. Therefore, I earnestly urged the opposition not to be intimidated but to spearhead the process for this all-important national assignment by mobilizing the people. I will encourage the masses whose mandate is stolen not to relent but to remain steadfast, support the opposition until the controversial decision by INEC is reversed and the right thing done.

Clearly, the APC regime knew they failed the nation and in addition, presented a candidate with shady background and so the only option they have to hold on to power is to compromise the system and rig and then arrogantly ask us to go to court as usual. But with the mounting of evidence against them, they cannot escape it. We will not only insist on reversing the decision but insist that those involved in this charade of election be punished according to the law to act as deterrent to others in future.

Hajia Hadiza Mohammed can be reached at hajiahadizamohammed@gmail.com

Presidential election: Observed threats to Tinubus prospect

By Abiodun Komolafe

Barring unforeseen circumstances, Nigeria’s presidential election will hold on February 25, 2023.

So, as the D-day nears us by the eyelids, we are akin to focus on the grand agenda of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in producing Nigeria’s next president and plausible threats to Bola Tinubu’s ultimate ambition in politics. Obviously, APC covets support from all the geo-political and ethno-religious divides, just like any other political party with a determination to coast home to victory in an election. But, as the popular saying goes, ‘charity begins at home’.

For Tinubu, the Southwest is his domicile political zone while the Yoruba nation is his ethno-religious base. With regard to the forthcoming election, one major problem thats likely to threaten the presidential prospect of the former governor of Lagos State is the divergence in the loci of power in the Yoruba nation. Sincerely, never in history has the Yoruba nation been divided about a cause thats supposed to be homogenous; a cause thats supposed to be a one-for-all agenda in structure and texture. Of a fact, Tinubu is not just representing the APC but also the Yoruba race! Nevertheless, the prevalence of multiple loci of power and influence centres such as ‘Afenifere‘ and ‘Igbimo Agba‘ Yoruba and ‘Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG)’, none of which is speaking with one voice, is a formidable problem; and the most noticeable of this vote-splitting catalyst is the Ayo Adebanjo version of antagonism. Only recently, Adebanjo did not only urge Nigerians not to vote for Tinubu but also made an assertion that the “Northerners wont vote for him“; which therefore means that the APC flag-bearer should go back to the drawing board.

Since politics is a game of number, if what the Afenifere leader is saying holds water, then genuinely, thats dangerous! Besides, if, indeed, the North wants to play a game with the South, then, the latter has actually played into the hands of the former because, once the North activates the non-negotiability motto of ‘One North, One People‘, then, that may affect the complexion of BATified. Unfortunately, the people back home, where Tinubu is supposed to garner bulk votes, are not speaking with one voice. If not well-managed therefore, this may be a terrible principality against a worthy dream. Without doubt, until theres a supervised census that comes with true figures, Nigeria will always have a long way to go!

The other threat has to do with the people currently milking the resources of Nigeria with crass insensitivity. As we know, Tinubu is a guru when it comes to Public Finance; and he knows what to do to make Nigeria work! But let it be known that those who are currently sucking her blood will not want to give in so easily. No! They will stop at nothing, even if it involves bringing in external forces! Interestingly, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is in their hands; and they control the transportation system! Tragically, too, recent events have shown that a moving train can be stopped and its passengers kidnapped for ransom! Needless to repeat that the terrorism, banditry and others currently doubling Nigeria’s troubles may also not be unconnected with calculated attempts to ensure that things are not easy for Nigeria’s handlers. Indeed, thats how retrogressive Nigeria has become! Except one wants to be economical with the truth, respite is after the elections; and it depends on the outcome of the elections!

Another serious problem is yellow journalism, vis-àvis misinformation. If not competently controlled, this problem may not only be for the forthcoming elections but also the dismemberment of the Nigerian society. If not properly handled, it is a chaotic problem that may set the country ablaze. As things stand, the newspaper industry is ailing. Thus, it cannot afford to hire the best of hands to run its affairs. So, it compromises on almost everything. The social media have taken over but, unfortunately, their contents are not verifiable; and sources may not be determined in time. Impliedly, the menace of social media may decapitate the gains of democracy, if left unchecked.

The effectiveness of the security profile in Nigeria, before, during and after the elections, is also key; for it will determine everything! Again, that may threaten Tinubus prospect as Nigerias next president, if not well-managed! For instance, if a grenade is thrown in Kaduna, and another in Daura, the perpetrators may not need to come to Ijebu-Jesa, my Native Nazareth, before the message is taken. After all, the Bimodal Voter Authentication System (BVAS) cannot accredit a ghost town or an empty space! Once that happens, our brethren from the other side may come up with reprehensibly fictitious figures. And, if the BVAS reports are able to dance to the melodious tunes of Form EC8A, then, that will be the end of story!

The functional capacity of the country’s infrastructure is another major challenge. For example, should the national grid misbehave on the day of the election, thereby

throwing the country into darkness, then, Nigeria will be a tale too horrible to tell!

One other important problem that the people dont take seriously is the measure of the political will of the powers-that-be to see the election through; and anyone who takes this important factor for granted may find himself or herself to blame. Talking seriously, it behooves the political will of the man in power to make sure that the election sails through. If he doesnt, no matter the pretence and/or the abracadabra in governance, nothing is secured! For instance, if, behind the scene, President Muhammadu Buhari refuses to hand over power, nothing can be done! Lastly, that poverty is weaponized and greed is ubiquitously pervasive in Nigeria is no longer news! Therefore, public administration cannot but be problematic! For most people, politics is just to secure the means of livelihood, not to develop a neighbourhood, community or country. Thats why, by the time a man who goes into politics wearing a pair of bathroom slippers is given a N26 million car with other perks of political office to boot, he moves on! So, thousands of other guys are waiting for the next term, when they, too, will have to fight for public office.

According to a Yoruba adage, ‘Aja to yo kii ba aiyo sere! (A well-fed dog does not relate with a hungry one). Undeniably, poverty in Nigeria has created a pool of both the unemployed and the unemployable; and the hope of getting even “crumbs which fall from their masters’ table” can keep some people perpetually attached to the powersthat-be, whether they have steady incomes or not. Added to this is that politicians in this part of the world are the most difficult people to deal with. Why? They forget their associates and followers easily! This is demoralizing! Its also a disgrace! Therefore, since a hungry man is an angry man, a situation whereby politicians are being used and managed as factory workers shouldnt be encouraged. A factory worker holds allegiance to a particular factory, because thats where he or she works. He reports there, as directed; and gets paid for work done at the end of the month. The salary is meant to make him stay alive as well as maintain his or her family. On the contrary, a political foot soldier is a freelance worker without a root; which makes him or her very fragile and dangerous, because he or she switches allegiance at the slightest provocation!

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

Tinubu’s emergence, beginning of renewed hope for Nigeria -Benue Clerics

From Uche Nnorom,

Makurdi

Abody of Christian leaders under the aegis of Clerics Congress of Nigeria, CCON, has hailed and congratulated Nigerians on the emergence of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu as the president elect in the just concluded 2023 presidential election.

Leader of the group, Bishop Timothy Cheren said who spoke to our correspondent in Makurdi on Wednesday said Tinubu’s emergence is the beginning of a renewed hope for Nigeria.

While urging other contestants to take the result in good faith, Bishop Cheren averred that in every contest, there must be a winner and a loser.

“My advice to the winner is that he should be magnanimous in victory, he should not cultivate the attitude of the winner takes it all. He should be willing to carry along all those that lost because in spite of all, if there was no contest, he wouldn’t have won.”

They also, endorsed the Alia /Ode ticket for Benue Governorship in March 11 election, describing them as the”most credible alternative.”

Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia who was represented by Rev. Kennedy Ubwa appreciated the Clerics and urged them to continue to hold him and the president elect in prayers.

Elections: Foundation urges INEC to deploy assistive tools for PWDs

The Albino Foundation Africa (TAF Africa) has appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission( INEC) to fulfil its promise to the community of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) by adequately deploying assistive tools in the March 11 elections.

Founder ,Chief Executive Officer, TAF Africa Jake Epelle, made the call on Tuesday in the Post Election statement on the participation of PWDs in the presidential and national assembly elections.

Epelle said that the call was imperative to address the lapses noted in the participation of PWDs in the Feb. 25 elections .

He said that the deployment would help the confidence of the disability community in the electoral process which was

marred by the unsatisfactory delivery of the elections.

He said that TAF Africa in the bid to achieve increased participation of PWDs in elections as well as establishing if the election is free ,fair and credible established the TAF Africa PWD Election Hub.

“TAF Africa deployed 700 observers and launched its Election Hub for analysis, review and assessment of key issues capable of undermining the active participation of PWDs in the elections.

“INEC was expected to provide 21,165 magnifying glasses at 16,071 Polling units for persons with albinism and minor visual impairment.

“INEC was also supposed to provide 6,167 posters at 5,085 PUs for those with hearing

impairment, and 8,117 braille ballot guides at 5,957 PUs for the visually impaired.

“PWDs are supposed to enjoy priority voting ,which is their legal rights as contained in Section 54,sub section 1 and 2 of the electoral act.

“Unfortunately, these expectations were not totally met and it successfully frustrated the participation of PWDs in the elections.

Epelle said that the process was flawed by violence ,lateness of poling officials and the communication gap by INEC .

He said that for instance ,in the FCT ,Gwarinpa ward, Karon-Majigi disable community polling unit ,PWDs were not given priority voting which discouraged their participation.

“Kubwa village ,Kofar Sarki

and Deidei primary school in Kubwa ward, Bwari Area Council are expected to have at least six and 13 registered visually impaired persons.

“As such at least one braile ballot guide should be provided at these Polling units ,but on the contrary, large font posters for the deaf were the only assistive devices made available.

“Similarly, persons with albinism registered at Games village, Garki,Saburi and Gwagwa wards ,all in the Abuja Municipal Area Council were not provided with magnifying glasses. “

Epelle said TAF Africa called on INEC to provide details on how assistive tools were deployed to various polling units bearing in mind the various clusters of disabilities and their peculiar needs.(NAN)

Wadada promises to sponsor lithium exploration bill for Nasarawa

The Nasarawa West SenatorElect, Ahmed Wadada, has promised to sponsor a bill aimed at exploring Lithium in the state.

Wadada made the pledge in an interview with newsmen in Keffi local government area of the state on Wednesday shortly after receiving numerous guests who came to congratulate him on his victory at the polls.

According to Wadada, lithium is in high abundance in the district, hence his desire to sponsor a bill for the exploration of the solid mineral after the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly.

He said exploration and exploitation of lithium in the area will go a long way in providing jobs for people of the area

and also generating revenue for the federal, state and local government areas in possession of the solid mineral in the zone.

“It is our duty as legislators to make laws that will see to the betterment of our society. For Nasarawa West Senatorial District, we are endowed.

“That is why today, you see Chinese nationals all around the district because of lithium and a quite a number of natural resources in the district.

“Lithium is a very sensitive and important natural resource and we have it here and so it is for us to see how best we can put laws in place that will exploit, explore and unfold this natural resource and other potentials for the good of the people,” he said.

Wadada said aside the bill, he

would be very responsive to other needs of his people in a bid to give them quality representation at the Senate.

“All I will tell the electorate is that those qualities of mine that they had experienced in the past during my sojourn at the national assembly for eight years is what they should expect and even beyond.

“From 2011 that I left the National Assembly till now, the dynamics have changed and so I am very responsive and will only respond to those changes and see how best we can use them for the betterment of our people,” he said.

Wadada, who described his victory at the polls as the Will of God, pledged to cooperate and work with opposition parties to

offer the best representation to the people of Nasarawa West Senatorial District.

“I am a team player, so we will work with relevant people and synergize and make live much easier for our people,” he said.

The Nasarawa West Senatorial District SenatorElect also called on politicians to rebrand themselves for the people they want to serve if they want to emerge victorious at the polls.

He called on the electorate to vote for candidates who they think are suited for the position they are vying regardless of their political platform or parties.

“The era of adhering or getting magnetized to a political platform or party because you belong to a political party is

gone. We can clearly see what happened in Nasarawa state.

“Today, Nasarawa state has no Senator-Elect of All Progressives Congress (APC) extraction because the people have shined their eyes. So let everybody shine his or her eyes for the good of the state,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Wadada, under the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP), defeated the candidates of the ruling APC, and other parties at the just concluded National Assembly elections to emerge the Senator Elect.

Nasarawa West Senatorial District consists

Karu, Keffi, Kokona, Nasarawa and Toto local government areas.

(NAN)

of

L-R: Adamawa State Governor Fitinri, PDP Presidential Candidate Atiku Abubakar and PDP National Chairman Iyocha Ayu during a world press conference by Atiku Abubakar, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Peter Obi breaks silence, says Nigerians robbed by supposed trusted leaders

By Christiana Ekpa

Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, has broken his silence a day after the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as the president-elect.

Obi said the result of the election was

programmed and announced in a clear violation of electoral rules and guidelines, as promised.

He also said it would go down as one of the most controversial elections in the history of Nigeria.

Obi spoke to Nigerians and the international community on Thursday afternoon in a world press conference, his first public appearance since the conduct

of the February 25 presidential and the National Assembly elections.

The former Anambra State governor said Nigerians had been robbed by supposed leaders whom they trusted.

Recall that the INEC declared Tinubu as having won the presidential election on Wednesday.

The electoral body has also issued Tinubu the certificate of return.

”The results of the election, as programmed and announced, is a clear violation of electoral rules and guidelines, as promised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. It will go down as one of the most controversial elections in the history of Nigeria.

“Nigerians have been robbed by supposed leaders whom they trusted,” Obi said.

Perpetrators of electoral violence must be punished – Cross River senator-elect

By Musa Baba Adamu

The newly-elected senator for Cross River South senatorial district, Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr, has called on security agencies to fish out those that perpetrated violence during last weekend’s presidential and National Assembly elections in some polling units in the state.

Ekpenyong described the development as “very ugly” and should be condemned strongly.

One such violence reportedly happened in Akamkpa LGA of the state where a supporter of APC was injured, leading to his hospitalisation.

Ekpenyong who visited the victim, Adolf Najimi, spoke from his bedside at the Akamkpa General Hospital, saying: “Issues like this should not be tolerated and I call on the security agencies to swing into action and arrest the perpetrators of this dastardly act,

to serve as a deterrent to others.

“We have another important election coming up on March 2023. Therefore, we cannot allow thugs to run amok and disenfranchise our people,” the

senator-elect said.

Narrating his ordeal, the victim, Adolf Najimi disclosed that he and his brothers were attacked by thugs on their way to their polling unit in Ikpai,

Akamkpa Local Government Area.

While his brothers were lucky to escape unhurt, he was not so lucky, as he was beaten and left with a head injury.

Urging security agencies to beef up security around the area to prevent recurrences during the coming governorship Election, Najimi thanked Ekpenyong for paying his medical bill.

Program Officer, Education As a vaccine Mrs Habiba Ghazali, Member UNFPA Mrs Fortune Mgbangson and Assistant Director

Northern coalition hails Tinubu, Shettima on election victory

By Abubakar Ojimaojo

The Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG, on Thursday extended its congratulatory message to the All Progressives Congress President elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President elect, Kashim Shettima.

The group also described a letter written by a former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as ‘satanic.’

At the press conference in Abuja yesterday,CNG spokesperson ,AbdulAzeez Suleiman, urged Tinubu to keep to his promises and address the security and economic challenges bedeviling the country.

He said, “Specifically, we congratulate the newly elected President and to remind him that Nigerian voters trusted him to lead them in the hope for a leadership that will make them more secure and provide their children with a productive future.

“We therefore urge him to be

magnanimous in victory by carrying everybody along irrespective of tribe, religion, region or political affiliation and to operate an open all inclusive government.

We appreciate the incoming President’s humility, and maturity displayed in his acceptance speech.

“We urge him to keep to his promise of being just to all sections of the country in terms of spread of federal projects and to be prudent in assembling the team that will assist him in the task of seeing Nigeria through and out of its current limitations around security and the economy; and of leading our nation into a future in which we will live secure lives and pursue livelihoods in a united, strong, prosperous Nigeria whose resources will be protected by leaders.”

Reacting to Obasanjo’s letter, CNG said, “We also appreciate the manner Nigerians resisted the temptation in the satanic letter of Obasanjo intended to incite them to violence and anarchy and

instead chose to offer a verdict for peace and harmony.

“To condemn with all our might the undue invention of Obasanjo that potentially incites public disorder and aim to set the country up in flames for the sake of his personal political interest in one candidate.

“Obasanjo should note that he has long stripped himself of any claim to statesmanship and patriotism having turned into a potent agent of destabilization.

“We hold that with this latest action, Obasanjo has finally bared himself of any remaining streak of integrity and the authorities should take steps to strip him of all national honours including the GCON.”

The group further called on the judiciary to be fair in dealing with electoral disputes that would come before them for adjudication.

CNG added that it observed some manipulation of votes in the Southeast,

saying that they would react appropriately in subsequent elections.

The group said, “One of the lessons is that while the North, in its usual accommodating spirit and democratic tolerance was able to play decent politics that allowed all candidates of the four major parties secure substantial and in some cases majority votes across northern Nigerian states, the situation was drastically different in particularly the South-east where votes were manipulated and confined solely for their son.

“In this regard, and for the avoidance of doubt, the North has heard the message loud and clear and shall pay coin for coin in any elections that may come up now or in the future.

“Finally, the CNG recommits to its principles of never to lower the bar where the interests of the North, the unity and security of Nigeria, or the welfare of all citizens are involved.”

Tinubu’s victory: I’ll retire from politics after governorship election – Bode George

By Christiana Ekpa

George said he would retire from active politics after the governorship election on March 11.

Featuring on Arise News on Thursday, George lamented over the presidential election that produced Tinubu.

The elder statesman accused the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu of not living up to his promises of ensuring a free and fair election. He urged Yakubu to allow the will of the people to prevail

during the governorship election.

According to George: “I have decided to retire from partisan politics after the governorship election, and I can decide to go and live anywhere. I want a peaceful life for myself.

“I know this fellow (Tinubu)

and he’s not for them. If he had gone through the process, I would have congratulated him. You can’t go through darkness to get to light. I can go and live anywhere, it can be Ghana, Togo, or still remain in Nigeria.”

You didn’t win 2023 presidential election – Tinubu hits back at Peter Obi

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The president-elect, Bola Tinubu has reacted to the statement made by the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi. Obi, during a press conference on Thursday, argued that he won the just concluded presidential election.

In a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Chief Spokesperson, Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo advised the former governor of Anambra State to stop misleading the gullible, noting that Tinubu won the election and not him.

According to him: ”We make this brief statement in reaction to the Press briefing held earlier today by the

defeated candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, wherein (in his now wellacknowledged penchant for spewing falsehood) he made the outlandish claim before the world that he won the 2023 Presidential Election, but he was robbed of the victory.

“Having been officially declared winner of the 2023 Presidential Election by the Independent National Electoral Commission and having received his Certificate of Return (along with his Vice-President Elect), the PresidentElect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu would have ignored this continuous false claims being peddled by Mr. Peter Obi and his supporters. But we recognise his motive of doing this is to simply delegitimise the mandate freely given to the President-

Elect by majority of Nigerians.

“Peter Obi is always quick to cite some isolated incidents of irregularities outside his strongholds that could not have SUBSTANTIALLY affected the outcome of the results in those areas, whereas he DELIBERATELY fails to comment on tons and tons of evidence circulating everywhere wherein his supporters in his strongholds engaged in thuggery, hooliganism, violence and outright falsification of figures against our Party and our supporters. He pretends to play the victim, whereas he is the greatest culprit in this game of brickbats.

“It is also ludicrous that Mr. Peter Obi is laying claim to victory along with his new-found partner, the PDP, that is also laying claim to victory. I tweeted

this morning, thus: ‘’This is the first time in my entire life that I am seeing people who came 2nd and 3rd in an exam both claiming they took first and then agreeing to protest together to the examiner to record that both of them took first, yet they are not seeing the contradiction in their actions.’’ We stand by that comment.

“The President-Elect, ASIWAJU Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended a hand of fellowship to his defeated opponents, including Mr. Peter Obi to join hands with him in nation-building.

“Mr. Peter Obi should embrace that hand of fellowship and brotherhood by the President-elect as a committed patriot instead of engaging in this crass grandstanding.

President Buhari with R-L: Former Borno Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, Vice President-Elect Senator Kashim Shettima and Borno Governor Prof. Babagana Zulum during the commissioning of Ultra-Modern Market, Bama Road in Maiduguri, Borno State on 2nd Mar 2023

Following the emergence of Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s President-elect, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bode George, has vowed to retire from partisan politics.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu has described the victory of the presidential candidate of the party, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu as one where Nigerians spoke through their choice saying the attempt by the defeated opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and Labour Party, LP candidates to foment crisis was uncalled.

Adamu made this submission when he held a media parley with the APC press Corps noting that he particularly appreciate the coverage given to the party but said the walk out led by the opposition parties during the collation of results was childish and unthinkable.

He condemned the attitude and behaviour of these leaders who feel the only way to make their voices heard was burning the nation into ashes adding that democracy is a choice and no one can subvert the will of the people most espresso now that they have spoken loudly through the ballot.

He said: ” I would be remiss if I fail to condemn in the strongest possible terms the shameful conduct of the leadership of PDP and the Labour Party in their unwarranted attempts to sabotage the elections and throw the country into chaos and avoidable crisis. It is a pity that they take their loss so badly. They ought to be good sportsmen and women in the political arena.

”Their protest walk out from the collation centre was childish but clearly a calculated attempt to rubbish the elections and impugn the integrity of the electoral umpire. Their call for the cancellation of the elections over their unproven allegations of electoral fraud must be the height of diabolical desperation. All patriotic citizens of this country who value peace and unity of purpose must rise with one voice to condemn these elements who want to parade themselves in the public space as the guardians of our electoral system.

”Aided by some selfappointed guardians of our

PDP, LP, attitude during the collation was childish, unpatriotic–‘ APC Chairman

nation’s conscience, they wanted to turn the victory of our party into ashes in the mouths of all Nigerians and set the country up for global opprobrium. It is condemnable and unpatriotic and unworthy of men who ought to recognise that in a democracy respect for the right of the people to freely choose their leaders through an election is the fundamental pillar of that form of government. Nothing in our laws and the constitution gives aggrieved individuals and groups the right to abort the unequivocal choices freely made by the people in their wisdom.

Power belongs to the people and the people must be allowed to exercise it in the best way they choose in instituting the government of their choice.

“Our laws provide channels

for the redress of electoral grievances. We urge those who feel aggrieves to avail themselves of those channels to seek redress. To set the house on fire in pursuit of a rat is not an act of courage or patriotism. It stands condemnable.

“We are happy to see that the people have seen through their unpatriotic antics and rejected their attempts to set the country on fire. We commend the highly placed and patriotic former public officers who instantly rose up in defence of the conduct of the elections and the election results and condemned the saboteurs. They have once more risen to the challenge of saving our nation from a needless crisis. We salute them. We must learn to be good losers, not bad losers. It is the hallmark of good

citizenship.

Senator Adamu, who lost his ward and State to the opposition Labour Party, LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi explained further that he also commended the efforts of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and its chairman professor Mahmood Yakuku for doing a great job in ensuring that the Commission was not distracted in its sacred duty to the nation and Nigeria.

According to Adamu: “The Independent National Electoral Commission, the undisputed empire of our elections, has formally announced the results of the presidential election as well as those of the national assembly. It declared the presidential candidate of our party, APC, Asiwaju Ahmed

Bola Tinubu, the president-elect, having met and even exceeded the constitutional requirement that to win, a presidential candidate shall score at least 25 per cent of the votes cast in two-thirds of the states of the federation. He scored at least 25 per cent in 33 states of the federation. The commission has duly issued him with the certificate of return. It is a happy day for him, our party, and our country.

“Jagaban is the informed choice of the electorate. He clearly won fair and square. I offer him my very hearty congratulations. Mr Presidentelect, with your victory, the people have also renewed the tenancy of our political party in Aso Rock. Ours is the party the people can trust”.

Assistant inspector of police (AIG) Ahmad Abdurrahman,inspection guards during the Assistant inspector of police AIG zone 14 official visit to kaduna command over 2023 election duty on thutsday 2/3/2023

INEC REC, Agboke

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun, Dr Mutiu Agboke has assured that each vote will count.

He said that despite apprehension about security, the Commission is determined to go ahead with the general elections calling on all stakeholders to work for a free, fair and transparent election.

Agboke stated this during a sensitisation visit to the Ogunsua

of Modakeke, Oba Joseph Olubiyi Toriola on Wednesday.

The Osun INEC boss also maintained that the Commission has decided to carry along traditional rulers and chiefs in their locality.

According to him: “With the coming election, INEC has decided to include the kings and chiefs. We want the traditional institution to talk to the people and educate them on the election. Majority of the electorates still believe it is business as usual.”

He affirmed: “INEC is assuring that each vote will count. INEC

wants all people to come out and vote and they must have their PVCs. With BVAS each vote is assured of being counted. All the news about cancellation and postponement of the vote is not an issue. We want all stakeholders to work for a free, fair and transparent election. The uncollected PVCs must be collected as part of requirements for voting.”

Responding, the Ogunsua of Modakeke, Oba Joseph Olubiyi Toriola urged the Commission to ensure its machines are in working order to avoid complaints common among the electorate.

“The town has been talking to its people to ensure the election is peaceful and free from violence,” he concluded.

In a visit to the INEC local government offices in Ife North, Ife South, Ife Central, Ife East and Ife East Area Office, Modakeke, Agboke maintained that the visit is aimed at reminding the staff and members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, that they have more work to do within this period.

He added that between now and February, INEC is going to be busy.

He warned: “Staff who don’t apply the rule will face the music. Staff should stick by the rules. The INEC chairman will not be happy seeing any staff being liable.

“INEC staff should be organized. INEC is ready because it knows that its staff are ready. We also expect performance and delivery on the INEC mandate.

“We would not tolerate any negative report. With BVAS in place, no staff can assist anybody during the election. You are advised to be in tune with the training and discharge your responsibility on election day.”

2023 elections: Every vote will count – Osun

From Abubakar Y Ojimaojo ABUJA

The federal executive council (FEC) has approved the sum of N39.6 billion for various transmission line contracts in the power sector.

The council meeting, presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, was held recently.

Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, Abubakar Aliyu, minister of power, said the various projects comprise several amounts, including an offshore component of $53 million and an onshore component of N15.6 billion.

“I presented three memos to council today and I got approval for the three memos,” Aliyu said.

“The first memo sought the council’s approval for the procurement of transmission line materials for reconductoring works for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in

favour of Messrs Legacy Power in the sum of $6 million; that’s the offshore value. The component for the onshore is N145 million inclusive of all the taxes and 12 months of completion.”

Aliyu said the second memo sought the council’s approval for the award of contract for the construction of “15 kilometres turn in-turn out line of the existing Akure-Ado-Ekiti 132 single-circuit transmission line at Akure; 330, 132, 33 sub-stations of the TCN in favour of Messrs Legacy Power Limited in the sum of $2.5 million for offshore component and N988.5 million for the onshore component”.

“The sub-station in Akure, which has been completed over two years ago, is a 330 substation, and we could not energise the sub-station because of lack of

line,” he added.

Aliyu said the line is supposed to originate in Benin, where a new line is currently being constructed.

“I have spoken to (sic) this project here several times; it is the project that has a problem of right way which we are dealing with gradually, and the line is supposed to energise the Akure sub-station which was completed over two years ago,” Aliyu said.

“The line is coming from Benin north to Oshogbo, which will pass and energise the Akure sub-station. So, this project is 132 line from the Akure sub-station going to Akure-Ado-Ekiti which is simultaneously going on with the Benin north-Akure line.

“By the time we are able to energise the Akure line, this project would have been completed so that the whole

area will have no problem of electricity.”

The minister said the project, which had also been approved by the council, would be completed in 12 months.

Further speaking, Aliyu said the last memo presented sought to design, supply, and install a total of 132 32KV (kilovolts) substations and transmission lines across the country.

“The last memo, which has five projects on it, sought to design, supply, and install 132 32KV substations and transmission lines across different locations in the country for TCN in favour of several contractors for a total of $53 million. This is the offshore. Then, the onshore is N15.6 billion,” he said.

“The projects are all similar –design, supply, and install 2 by

FEC approves N39.6bn for equipment in power sector Banks’ assets rise to N73tn – CBN

From Abubakar Y Ojimaojo ABUJA

Total assets of the banking industry grew by N14.36tn or 24.24 per cent from N59.24tn at the end of December 2021 to N73.59tn in the corresponding period of 2022.

The Central Bank of Nigeria disclosed this in the personal statement made by the Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability Directorate, CBN, Aishah Ahmad, at the last Monetary Policy Committee meeting.

She said, “Key industry aggregates also continued their year-on-year upward trajectory with total assets rising to N73.59tn in December 2022 from N59.24tn in December 2021, while total deposits rose to N45.50tn from N38.42tn over the same period.

“Total credit also increased by N5.14tn between end December 2021 and end-December 2022 with significant growth in credit to manufacturing, general commerce and oil & gas sectors. This impressive increase was achieved amid continued decline in non-performing loans ratio from 4.90 per cent in December 2021 to 4.20 per cent in December 2022.”

According to her, the financial system had provided significant support for needed domestic economic resilience amid global shocks and remained strong into 2023.

Data provided by Bank staff, she said, indicated stability in broad soundness indicators and an unprecedented improvement in asset quality, even as credit to the private sector continued to grow.

She noted that the capital

adequacy as of December 2022 was robust at 13.83 per cent, 383 basis points above the regulatory minimum of 10 per cent.

Industry liquidity was also strong at 44.10 per cent over the same period and supported by significant cash reserve requirement buffers available to provide liquidity backstops, should banks require it, she noted.

Ahmad said, “The sector also benefitted from ingenious initiatives such as the naira redesign and revised cash withdrawal limit policies, all expected to strengthen the banking channel of monetary policy transmission.

“Furthermore, results of stress

tests showed resilience of banks’ solvency and liquidity ratios in response to potential severe macroeconomic shocks.

“However, the bank must remain vigilant to proactively manage probable macro risks to the financial system arising from spillover effects of global headwinds and domestic vulnerabilities, in view of the financial system’s strategic role in driving sustainable economic recovery.”

According to her, the economy had continued on a path of positive growth for eight consecutive quarters, driven largely by support from the Bank and the fiscal authority to output

enhancing sectors.

Based on data from the National Bureau of Statistics, she said, Real Gross Domestic Product grew by 2.25 per cent (year-onyear) in the third quarter of 2022, compared with 3.54 per cent in the second quarter of 2022 and 4.03 per cent in the corresponding period of 2021.

Staff projections indicated that output growth recovery was expected to continue reasonably into 2023, given the expected sustained positive performance during the fourth quarter of 2022 and steady rebound in economic activities, she said.

She noted that the optimism was further supported by the

60MVA 132 33kV transmission substation across the country as I stated earlier.

“We have one in Misau local government area, Bauchi state. We have another one in Mashi local government in Kastina state. We have the third one in Benue state, which is Api and north Bank in Makurdi.

“Then we have the fourth one in Ebonyi state, I by 60MVA transformer at a university in Ebonyi state; then, we have the other one at Ebonyi airport; then, the fifth one is a line of 30 kilometre at Rimin Zakara to Kayin in Kano.

“So, these are the various projects that constitute the various amounts — offshore of $53 million and onshore component of N15.6 billion.”

marginal improvement in the composite Purchasing Manager’s Index from 49.0 index points in November 2022 to 49.4 index points in December 2022, although it remained below the 50.0 index points threshold.

“Continued policy support is therefore crucial to strengthen output performance and preserve this positive output growth trajectory,” she said.

A member of the MPC, Kingsley Obiora, who also noted that the assets rose by N14.36tn from N59.24tn in December, said the growth was driven by balances with CBN/banks, investments, and credit expansion to the real sector.

AfCFTA: Intra-African trade increased by 20% in 2022 says UNECA

From Abubakar Y Ojimaojo ABUJA

The United Nations Economic Commission For Africa (UNECA) says the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) increased trade between countries in the region by 20 percent in 2022.

Antonio Pedro, acting executive secretary of UNECA, spoke on the success of the AfCFTA project on the sidelines of the 9th session of the Africa regional forum on sustainable development in Niamey, Niger Republic.

The commission, in 2018, estimated that the AfCFTA would increase intra-Africa trade by 52 percent by 2022.

Speaking on whether the objective of 52 percent intraAfrican trade was achieved, Pedro said the level of trade had increased but not up to its target.

He said the rise in intraAfrican trade, however, was

already encouraging certain countries to trade amongst themselves.

“Certainly not yet. But the levels of intra-African trade have gone up from 13 percent or so, before the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement was adopted, to now around 20 percent but that is not good enough because other regions are trading amongst themselves,” Pedro said.

“I mean, above 70 percent or so in Europe and Asia. So, that certainly is our target.

“Under the AfCFTA trade division, Kenya, a couple of other countries Ethiopia and so on.

“So, now it’s really about scale, it is about making these movements that cover the entire continent.

“One is to look at the product complementarity between our countries, so we could have African countries trading inputs with another country where, perhaps, you have a much larger

processing capacity, and one example that I like to cite is between, for example, Gabon and Cameroon.

“Cameroon has processing facilities for palm oil products that require additional inputs coming from the sub-region, and in this case, one could look at certain processed palm oil products coming from Gabon being processed in Cameroon to produce from soaps to oils to all sorts of other things.”

Pedro said the commission was making a trade decision supporting modeling, which is an exercise to identify the best export destinations for African countries.

However, he said the distance between African countries was much farther away than the distance between Africa and other continents.

“In the case of Cameroon that we have done one study; Nigeria certainly is the closest trade destination, however, what is very

interesting is that a country that is not far from Cameroon which is the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is trade distance,” he added.

“Countries that are miles away, China and the U.S. are closer trade-wise to Cameroon than DRC.

“Why is it that DRC is a trade distance is because there are infrastructure issues. There are issues with essentially the connections and we need to address those binding constraints to Africa trading amongst themselves such as infrastructure.

“Some are hard infrastructure that we need to invest in improving links between our respective countries, others are soft infrastructure.”

Pedro also said the protocols that had been approved and some that were in the pipeline needed to be mainstreamed and domesticated in national legislation.

MultiChoice to premiere 30 Nollywood classics and thrillers on GOtv

From Abubakar Y Ojimaojo

ABUJA

Leading Pay TV company, MultiChoice Nigeria has announced the return of its ‘March Movie Madness’ offers for customers subscribed to GOtv.

A statement issued by the Executive Head of Content and West Africa Channels at MultiChoice Nigeria, Busola Tejumola, disclosed that thirty movies will premiere on Africa Magic Urban (ch. 6), which is accessible to customers subscribed to the GOtv Supa package, throughout the month of March.

Tejumola, who described the campaign as a unique demonstration of the company’s status as the leading entertainment company in Nigeria, noted that the movies to be aired will include originally produced or acquired new and classic Nollywood movies.

“Our customers are set for a unique entertainment experience throughout the month of March as we bring them thirty quality movies on Africa Magic Urban.

“The ‘March Movie Madness’ offer will run alongside the Step Up offer which enables customers on lower packages to step up their recharge to enjoy higher the packages GOtv Max and GOtv Supa

“We want to encourage all our customers to take advantage of these offers and be rest assured that we will continue to come up with exciting offers to improve their viewing experience,” Tejumola stated.

Mobil asset acquisition awaiting FG approval –Seplat MD

From Abubakar Y Ojimaojo ABUJA

Seplat Energy Plc has said the sale and purchase agreement to acquire the entire share capital belonging to Mobil Producing Unlimited, Nigeria for $1.28 million, plus up to $300 million contingent consideration, was still awaiting presidential approval.

Its Chief Executive Officer, Roger Brown, made the announcement while commenting on its audited results for 2022, which recorded a rise in profit before tax by 15

per cent to N87bn from N71bn year-on-year.

According to Brown, the company hopes to conclude the transaction before the end of the current administration.

“We are continuing to pursue the presidential approval received on August 8, 2022, for the MPNU acquisition and we remain focused on concluding the transaction within the remaining term of President Buhari before a new president is sworn into office at the end of May 2023,” Brown noted.

The company said it also generated cash from

its operations to the tune of N242.4bn from N150.9bn yearon-year, rising by 52 per cent, while growing revenue by 30 per cent to N404bn from N294bn in 2021 and gross profit soaring by 63 per cent to N197bn from N114bn year-on-year.

Seplat Energy said it would be paying a US7.5 cent final dividend, despite the significantly disrupted production experienced in the second half of the year.

This amounts to a fullyear dividend of US15 cents, representing a dividend yield of around 11 per cent at the current London Stock Exchange share

price. In its operations, Seplat Energy’s working interest production averaged 44 kboepd, impacted by outages of key infrastructure predominantly in Q3. Use of the Amukpe-Escravos Pipeline enabled high uptime in December, an exit rate of 53 kboepd.

The company said it completed 13 wells including two wells for the ANOH gas processing plant. ANOH Gas Processing Plant is 95 per cent mechanically complete, awaiting third-party infrastructure completion.

50mw electricity plant excites Maiduguri residents as Buhari visits

Residents of Maiduguri trooped out on Thursday to welcome President Muhammadu Buhari who was on a one-day visit to inaugurate a 50mw gas-powered electricity plant and other projects.

A cross-section of residents who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria said they were excited as the project

would ensure steady power supply to the Borno capital and its environs.

“It is historic and will remain memorable for the people who for several years were experiencing power outages due to activities of vandals, particularly insurgents.

“The president has done a lot for Borno and we need to

come out and welcome him for the last time as a visiting president,’’ a resident, Usman Ibrahim said.

Some small businesses operators needing electricity said the plant would enhance the growth of many businesses.

“We need to come and welcome the president with a big `thank you’.

“This development will restore the glory of Maiduguri as the major business hub in Northeast,’’ one of them said.

Some traders at the Maiduguri Monday Market gutted by fire lauded Buhari for the visit which involved visiting the market to empathise with the traders.

“We are happy with the

support coming from various quarters for victims of the market fire and know for sure that Buhari after empathising with us will assist towards our recovery.

“We are all here to cheer him for the show of concern as we await his administration’s further support,’’ one of them said.

By Stanley Onyekwere

The six Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other stakeholders have received the sum of N3,015,446,815.55Billion as their share of statutory allocation for the month of January, 2023.

This figure represents a 20.3 percent decrease when compared to the N3,786,194,845.78billiin shared in the month of December 2022.

A breakdown of the figures released during the JAAC meeting indicates that the sum of N723,868,728.40million was made available for distribution to the six area councils, while the sum of N2,291,578,087.15billion was made available to other stakeholders, bringing the total sum to N3,015,446,815.55billion.

Similarly, distributions to the six area councils shows that the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), received N163,631,841.79million,

METRO

FCT Councils, stakeholders share N3bn as Jan. allocation

while Gwagwalada got N109,288,213.43million and Kuje received N245,474,216.86million.

Other area councils include, Bwari Area Council which received N97,895,762.75million, Abaji got N110,623,487.51million while Kwali received N96,955,206.07million, bringing the total sum to N723,868,728.40million disbursed to the six area councils.

On the other hand, distribution to other critical stakeholders include: Primary School Teachers which gulped N1,927,095,222.79billion, 15 percent Pension Funds took

N226,478,989.57million, One percent Training Fund gulped N30,154,469.16million, while 10 percent Employer Pension Contribution gulped N107,849,405.63million, bringing the total sum to N2,291,578,087.15billion.

Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, the FCT Minister of State, who was represented by the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, at the 175th Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC), meeting, expressed satisfaction over the judicious use of the funds by the area council chairmen.

At the meeting, the Aliyu, who expressed displeasure over the poor

sanitation in most of the area councils, directed the Coordinator of the Satellite Towns Development Department (STTDD) to liaise with the council chairmen with a view to finding a lasting solution to the poor sanitation in the satellite towns.

She acknowledged that the refuse dumps in the satellite towns are quite challenging, for the department to cope with.

According to her; “there is urgent need for the council chairmen to take part of the cleaning responsibility in the satellite towns”.

Those present at the 175th Joint

Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting include the Director Human Resource Management, Alh. Mohammed Bashir, Mandate Secretary Area Council Services, Hon. Ibrahim Abubakar Dantsoho, and FCT representative in Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Mallam Abubakar Hussain.

Others include the chairman Abaji Area Council, Hon. Abubakar Abdullahi, Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Hon. Abdullahi Sabo, Chairman of Bwari Area Council, Hon. John Gabaya, amongst others.

Bala, ex-FCT Minister most worker-friendly leader - says Organised Labour

By Stanley Onyekwere

The leadership of the organized labour has described Bauchi State Governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed as the most worker-friendly leader, due to his administration’s disposition to workers’ welfare, thereby fostering efficiency in service delivery.

Making this assertion, both chairmen of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the State Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC), Comrade Moh’d Sabi’u Barau, Comrade Dauda Shu’aibu in the state, also passed vote of confidence on the efforts of the former FCT Minister’s administration towards the advancement of civil service in the state.

Also, they applauded the governor over his administration’s prompt payment of salaries and pensions, total renovation of the state secretariat, providing opportunities for training of workers as well as the implementations of promotions and the Consequential Adjustment of the N30,000:00 National Minimum Wage for officers on GL.07 and above in the state public service.

The labour leaders, who spoke at an interactive session, on Wednesday endorsed Governor Bala Mohammed’s reelection bid with a pledged to reciprocate the gesture’s of his administration’s performance in the service through supporting him to succeed in the forthcoming governorship

election.

“Your Excellency, we are here to say thank you to you for what you have achieved in the Civil Service of Bauchi, you have done a lot in the system and as such we must appreciate you so as to encourage you to do more in the service.

“We don’t have much issues with your administration, but we want you to do more for the workers of Bauchi state and on their behalf and the leadership of all the trade unions we are declaring our support to His Excellency’s reelection bid”.

The chairmen however, urged him not to relent in supporting workers to progress and in particular find a lasting solution to all the challenges associated

in the payment of salaries and other entitlements to enable beneficiaries perform their duties effectively and diligently for the overall development of the state.

Responding, the Former FCT Minister, who expressed gratitude to the organized labour for the endorsement for his reelection bid, promised to redouble efforts in the service if reelected with a view to ensuring efficient and effective service delivery to the people of the state.

The governor reiterated that prompt payment of salaries and pensions as well the implementation of the consequential adjustment of the N30,000:00 National Minimum Wage in all cadres of the service are in line with his present administration’s commitment

towards motivating and improving the standard of living of the state and local governments civil servants for greater productivity and a result oriented service delivery.

He said: “Today your endorsement to my reelection bid is a great honour to me, this is to show me that you have appreciated the little that I did in the Civil Service, which is to me is not enough. I assure you in my second term Insha Allah, the service will be better than its current situation.

“I meant well for Bauchi State, I urge you to vote for me again and continue to give me maximum cooperation and support so as to improve the quality of the services of our workers and indeed the entire people of Bauchi State.”

L-R, Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, Chairman, Labour Party, Barr Julius Aburi; Labour Party Chieftain, Alhaji Mohammed Audi and Former minister of Aviation, Mrs Fidelia Njezie during a World Press Conference on the outcome of the 2023 Presidential General Elections in Abuja yesterday Photo Ro

Blinken and Lavrov meet for first time since Ukraine war

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has told his Russian counterpart the US will support Ukraine “for as long as it takes”.

Mr Blinken met briefly with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the G20 summit in India.

It is the first time the two have spoken face to face since the start of the Ukraine war one year ago.

A senior State Department official said the discussion in Delhi lasted less than 10 minutes.

Mr Blinken also told Mr Lavrov that Russia should release Paul Whelan, an imprisoned American citizen, and that Russia should rejoin the New START nuclear arms control treaty that it recently withdrew from.

A State Department official told reporters that Mr Blinken had “disabused” Mr Lavrov of any idea that US support for Ukraine is wavering.

The official did not say how Mr Lavrov responded, but said that there was no indication that Russia will change course in

the near term.

The Russian foreign ministry said Mr Blinken had asked to speak to Mr Lavrov but did not comment on the conversation.

The last time the two met was in Geneva in January 2022.

Both Mr Lavrov and Mr Blinken commented on the war in Ukraine earlier during the Delhi summit.

At a news conference on Thursday, Mr Lavrov accused Western countries of trying to influence neutral states to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“The West continues its attempts to push everyone and everything,” he said.

Mr Blinken reportedly held talks with top diplomats during the Delhi summit to rally support for Ukraine. In a closed-door group meeting on Thursday morning, Mr Blinken reemphasised his condemnation of the war.

“We must continue to call on Russia to end its war of aggression and withdraw from Ukraine for the sake of international peace and economic stability,” he said, according to a text of his remarks released to reporters

by the US State Department.

“Unfortunately, this meeting has again been marred by Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war against Ukraine,” he added.

Mr Blinken repeated his condemnation to the United Nations Human Rights

Council in Geneva later in the day, where he appeared via video conference.

The G20, which includes the world’s 19 wealthiest nations plus the European Union, accounts for 85% of global economic output and two-thirds of its population.

Greece train crash: Rail workers strike as anger over crash grows

Rail workers across Greece have begun a one-day strike after Tuesday’s train crash which killed at least 43 people.

“Pain has turned into anger for the dozens of dead and wounded colleagues and fellow citizens,” the workers’ union said in a statement.

The walkout follows protests in Athens, Thessaloniki and the city of Larissa, near the site of the disaster.

Rescue workers are still going through burned and buckled carriages, searching for victims.

This was the “most difficult moment”, rescuer Konstantinos Imanimidis told Reuters news agency, as “instead of saving lives, we have to recover bodies”.

The incident happened just before midnight on Tuesday. A passenger train carrying 350 people collide with a freight train after both ended up on the same track - causing the front carriages to burst into flames.

The railway workers’ strike began at 0600 local time (0400 GMT), affecting national rail services and the subway in Athens.

Many in Greece see the crash as an accident waiting to happen, and the union blamed successive governments’ “disrespect” towards Greek railways for leading to this “tragic result”.

A 59-year-old station master in Larissa

has been charged with manslaughter by negligence and is due to appear in court on Thursday. He has denied any wrongdoing, blaming the crash on a technical fault.

The country’s transport minister has resigned over the incident, saying he would take responsibility for the authorities’ “long-standing failures” to fix a railway system that was not fit for the 21st Century.

Meanwhile, the government has promised an independent investigation that it promises will deliver justice.

But Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s suggestion that “tragic human error” was to blame has caused anger.

On Wednesday, rioters clashed with police outside the headquarters of Hellenic Train in Athens - the headquarters of the company responsible for maintaining Greece’s railways.

Tear gas was used to disperse protesters, who threw stones and lit fires in the streets.

At a silent vigil in Larissa to commemorate the victims of the incident, one demonstrator said he felt the disaster had been long coming.

“The rail network looked problematic, with worn down, badly paid staff,” Nikos Savva, a medical student from Cyprus, told AFP news agency.

The station master arrested should not pay the price “for a whole ailing system”, he added.

“This is an inadmissible accident. We’ve known this situation for 30 years,” a doctor based in Larissa, Costas Bargiotas, told AFP.

Many of the passengers on board were students in their 20s returning to Thessaloniki after a long weekend celebrating Greek Orthodox Lent.

Fire brigade spokesperson Vassilis Varthakogiannis said temperatures inside

the first carriage - which burst into flames - had reached 1,300C (2,370F), making it “hard to identify the people who were inside”.

Families have given DNA samples to help identification efforts, with the results expected on Thursday.

Kostas Malizos, a recently retired surgeon and Emeritus Professor at Greece’s University of Thessaly, has returned to work

Putin accuses Ukraine of border ‘terrorist act’ in Russian village

Russian President Vladimir Putin says a Ukrainian sabotage group entered a Russian border region on Thursday and opened fire on civilians in a “terrorist act”.

Earlier the governor of Bryansk region said “saboteurs from Ukraine” had fired at a civilian car in Lyubechane, a border village, killing one person and injuring a child.

Kyiv strongly denied the Russian claim.

The alleged incident has not been independently verified.

Mykhaylo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, tweeted that it was “a classic deliberate

provocation”. “RF [Russia] wants to scare its people to justify the attack on another country,” he said.

Russia has previously reported some Ukrainian missile and drone strikes on Russian border areas, including Bryansk region. But there have been no confirmed reports of Ukrainian ground forces infiltrating Russia.

Mr Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said “steps to destroy these terrorists are being taken”. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said FSB forces and regular troops were battling “Ukrainian nationalists” who had

crossed into Russia.

Speaking on Russian state TV, President Putin said “today they committed another terrorist act, another crime, penetrated the border area and opened fire on civilians”.

“They saw that it was a civilian car, that civilians and children were sitting there, and opened fire. It is exactly such people who set themselves the task of depriving us of historical memory. They will achieve nothing, we will put the squeeze on them,” he said.

A video has appeared online claiming to show members of the Ukraine-based Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC) outside a local clinic.

One armed man in the video, posted on Telegram, says they crossed into Russia.

The investigative journalism group Bellingcat Monitoring describes the RVC as “a unit officially formed last year made up primarily of anti-Putin, anti-Kremlin Russian far-right figures active in Ukraine”.

Commenting on the RVC claim, a Ukrainian military intelligence official, Andriy Yusov, said “these are people who are fighting with arms against the Putin regime and those who support him... Perhaps Russians are beginning to wake up, realise something and take some concrete steps”.

Source: BBC

Sergei Lavrov (left) and Antony Blinken (right) last met in Geneva in January 2022

Remains of destroyed train carriage being removed by crane on Thursday morning

Egypt: Hidden corridor in Great Pyramid of Giza seen for first time

Egyptian antiquities officials say they have confirmed the existence of a hidden internal corridor above the main entrance of the Great Pyramid of Giza.

Video from an endoscope showed the inside of the corridor, which is 9m (30ft) long and 2.1m (7ft) wide.

The officials say it could have been created to redistribute the pyramid’s weight around the entrance or another as yet undiscovered chamber.

It was first detected in 2016 using an imaging technique called muography.

A team of scientists from the ScanPyramids Project were able to sense density changes inside the pyramid by analysing how it was penetrated by muons, which are by-products of cosmic rays that are only partially absorbed by stone.

The non-invasive technique detected an empty space behind the northern face of the Great Pyramid, about 7m above the main entrance, in an area where there is a stone chevron structure.

Further tests were carried out with radar and ultrasound before a 6mmwide (0.24in) endoscope was fed through a tiny joint in-between the stones that make up the chevrons.

The endoscope was pushed into the empty space behind a chevron structure on the pyramid’s wall

The footage from the camera was unveiled at a news conference beside the pyramid on Thursday. It showed an empty corridor with walls made out of roughly-hewn stone blocks and a vaulted stone ceiling.

“We’re going to continue our scanning so we will see what we can do... to figure out what we can find out beneath it, or just by the end of this corridor,” said Mostafa Waziri, head of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities.

The Great Pyramid, which is 146m high, was built on the Giza plateau during the fourth dynasty by the pharaoh Khufu, or Cheops, who reigned from around 2609BC to 2584BC.

Despite being one of the oldest and largest monuments on Earth, there is no consensus about how it was built.

Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass said the corridor represented a “major discovery” that would “enter houses and homes of people all over the world for the first time”.

He also said that it might help reveal whether the burial chamber of King Khufu still existed inside the pyramid.

He speculated that there might be “something important” in the space below the corridor, then adding: “I’m sure in a few months from now we can see if what I’m saying is correct or not.”

A second, larger void inside the pyramid was detected using muon tomography in 2017. It is estimated to be 30m long and several metres in height and is located directly above the Grand Gallery.

Mauritania not inviting Wagner group - president

Mauritanian President Mohamed Ahmed Ould Ghazouani says his government has no plans to

invite mercenaries from Russia’s Wagner group to help in the fight against Islamist insurgents.

Countries in the Sahel region, including Mauritania’s neighbour Mali, are using fighters from the shadowy private military company to fight a Jihadist insurgency that has left thousands dead.

“It’s simply not the case... we are a sovereign country and will remain so,” Mr Ghazouani told the BBC Newsday programme.

He also denied being approached by the Wagner group, but said he would not judge neighbouring countries with ties to the group.

“We hope that these partnerships are effective and that if the aims are achieved that it is done with respect to human rights,” he said.

Ruto and Odinga rail against LGBT court ruling

Kenya’s President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga have united in their criticism of last week’s Supreme Court ruling which allows the LGBT community to register lobby groups in Kenya.

President Ruto has sworn that he will never allow gay marriage in Kenya, which he said “goes against the country’s cultures and religious beliefs”.

It’s the latest and highest-profile attack on the judgement, which many have wrongly suggested gives the LGBT community freedom to get married in Kenya.

Last Friday, the Supreme Court ruled that the decision of Kenya’s NGO board to decline the registration of the National Gays and Lesbians Human Rights Commission - or any other group with the words gay and lesbian in it, was unconstitutional.

The court said that denying the group registration purely on the basis of their sexuality was a violation of their constitutional rights to association and freedom from discrimination.

However since then, there has been outrage from the public, parliament, the religious community, powerful state officers including the speaker of the national assembly, and now the president himself.

On Wednesday parliament discussed the judgement at length, and many members who spoke wondered why the court had made the judgement to grant freedom of association to what they described as an illegality.

Kenya’s constitution only provides for marriage between members of the opposite sex, while the penal code punishes sex “against the order of nature” with up to 14 years imprisonment.

These are the provisions upon which Kenya’s legislators have faulted the judgement.

On Thursday, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said registering a group which fights for the rights of gay people to get married was an attempt to legitimise LGBT actions in Kenya, which was against the country’s way of life.

President Ruto - to cheers from the crowd - suggested there was a campaign

by foreigners to introduce “alien practices” in the country, which he swore not to allow in Kenya.

And opposition leader Mr Odinga has also been quoted as saying that it was not the role of the judiciary to make laws.

In recent weeks, there has been escalating anti-gay sentiment in Kenya and the region, with hundreds of hostile social media posts drowning out any attempts to balance the discussion.

On the day of the judgement, Kenyan legislator Peter Kaluma filed an official notice seeking to amend the law to give life imprisonment to people convicted of homosexuality or the promotion of it.

Peter Obi: We will prove we won Nigeria election

One of the losing candidates in Nigeria’s presidential election, Peter Obi, has reiterated his criticism of the poll.

He said people had been robbed at the ballot box and pledged to prove through the courts that he had won.

“We won the election and we will prove it to Nigerians,” Mr Obi said at a news conference in Abuja.

The Labour Party candidate got 25% of the votes -- behind Atiku Abubakar and the winner Bola Tinubu, who got 37%.

Mr Obi’s campaign was especially popular with young Nigerians, many of whom feel let down by the two parties that have dominated the political scene.

He has urged his supporters to be calm and peaceful and await the court ruling.

Journalists freed as Egypt releases more detainees

Amember of the Egypt’s presidential pardon committee says 33 detainees have been released.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, MP Tarek Elawady listed the names of those released which included journalists and activists such as Ziad Abu el-Fadl and Ahmed Mohamed Allam.

Mr El-Fadl was a member of the unregistered Bread and Freedom democratic party and was arrested in 2019 and faced charges of spreading false news and misusing social media.

Mr Allam was also imprisoned in 2020 over similar charges.

On the same day, the privately owned Mada Masr website - which often relays stances critical of the governmentreported that the UN human rights committee concluded a two-day session assessing Egypt’s commitment to international conventions on political and civil rights.

The website said the meeting was held for the first time since 2002, noting that it was attended by representatives from the government and local and global rights organisations.

The committee is set to submit its notes and recommendations to the Egyptian government towards the end of its term on 24 March, Mada Masr added.

The presidential pardon committee resumed its work in April upon orders of the Egyptian president, who also launched at the same time a “national dialogue” which he said would include all the country’s political parties, except for the banned Muslim Brotherhood group.

Egyptian authorities have since released several opposition members and journalists from prison in successive batches, none of which included known members of the Brotherhood.

Source: BBC

Video footage from an endoscope showed an empty corridor with a vaulted ceiling

N ews F rom A s IA

India G20: Bitter divisions over Ukraine war mar talks

Angry exchanges over Russia’s war in Ukraine have dominated G20 talks, with hosts India saying the disagreements mean there will be no joint statement.

The US secretary of state said the meeting had been marred by Russia’s “unprovoked and unjustified war”. Russia’s foreign minister accused the West of “blackmail and threats”. India had wanted to focus on other issues affecting developing nations, but it said the differences over Ukraine “could not be reconciled”.

“We tried, but the gap between the countries was too much,” India’s foreign minister S Jaishankar said.

The G20, which includes the world’s 19 wealthiest nations plus the European Union, accounts for 85% of global economic output and twothirds of its population.

The group’s foreign ministers - including Russia’s Sergei Lavrov, Antony Blinken of the US and China’s Qin Gang - were meeting in Delhi under India’s presidency. It was the first face-to-face meeting of the top US and Russian diplomats since the war began, just over a year ago.

The Russian delegation is led by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

Mr Blinken met Mr Lavrov for about 10 minutes on the sidelines and told him the West would stand by Ukraine “for as long as it takes”, a senior state department official said. Mr Blinken also pressed Russia to rejoin the New Start nuclear arms control treaty that it recently withdrew from and abide by the terms.

Russian officials denied any negotiations had taken place. Earlier, Russia also accused the West of “burying” a deal to allow some Ukrainian grain exports - but the US countered by saying Moscow was hampering Ukrainian exports.

Meanwhile Russian officials said Moscow and Beijing had agreed to oppose what they called Western blackmail and threats - but this hasn’t been confirmed by China.

“We speak about manners. Well, our Western counterparts have gotten really bad with these,” Mr Lavrov said after Thursday’s talks.

“They are not thinking of diplomacy any more; they now only deal in blackmail and threatening everyone else.”

Indian PM Narendra Modi had opened the session, warning that global divisions were putting sustainable development at risk.

“Many developing countries are struggling with unsustainable debts while trying to ensure food and energy security,” he said.

“They are also most affected by global warming caused by richer

countries.”

It was a rare address by Mr Modi in English - a sign of how seriously he wanted his message to be taken. He made no direct reference to the war in Ukraine but acknowledged

that discussions would be affected by geopolitical tensions.

Thursday’s schedule included sessions on food security, development co-operation, terrorism and humanitarian assistance - a

Vo Van Thuong: Vietnam picks new president in power shuffle

Vietnam has chosen a new president after an anticorruption drive and power struggle within its leadership.

Vo Van Thuong takes over from Nguyen Xuan Phuc, who stepped down in January.

With its long tradition of collective leadership, the party’s senior figures since Ho Chi Minh have rarely had much of a profile outside the country.

Mr Thuong, 52, is no exception, standing out largely for his relative youth in a party which usually gives top jobs to much older officials.

He is also noteworthy for having a career almost entirely inside the party, and being steeped in its Marxist-Leninist orthodoxy.

That might seem a very conservative choice, in a country which has embraced breakneck economic growth and is also juggling delicate relationships with the US and China.

But it is also a safe choice for party Secretary-General Nguyen Phu Trong, arguably the most powerful leader Vietnam has had since the end of the war with the US in 1975.

Of the “four pillars” at the top of Vietnamese politics, Mr Trong’s post is the most influentialalthough the president also holds significant authority. The other two are the prime minister and the chairman of the National Assembly.

Like Mr Thuong, who is widely seen as his preferred successor, Mr Trong is also a communist ideologue who has launched a series of campaigns against official corruption.

It was allegations of corruption in the government’s response to the

Covid pandemic which forced out Mr Phuc in January.

But the Communist Party, which holds a monopoly on power in Vietnam, still faces two difficult challenges.

Can it curb corruption, while still maintaining the high economic growth levels which underpin its legitimacy?

And can it engineer a smooth succession to Nguyen Phu Trong, who at 78 years old is in fragile health, yet was given an unusual third term as secretary-general in 2021 largely because the party could not agree on an alternative?

LGBTQ rights: Japan PM under fire for same-sex marriage remarks

Japan’s prime minister has reiterated his stand against samesex marriage.

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has been criticised for saying the country’s ban on samesex marriage is not discriminatory.

Weeks ago, he apologised to the LGBTQ community over homophobic comments made by an aide who has since been sacked.

Mr Kishida’s party is under growing pressure to improve LGBTQ rights, as more Japanese support same-sex marriage.

Japan remains the only G7 country that doesn’t recognise such unions.

When asked by an opposition lawmaker if the country’s existing law constituted discrimination, the PM said on Tuesday: “I don’t think disallowing same-sex couples to marry is unjust discrimination by the state.”

The prime minister also

reiterated his position on Wednesday that a ban on same-sex marriage is “not unconstitutional” but said his stand should not be seen as a form of discrimination.

Local LGBTQ groups have accused Mr Kishida of backpedalling on commitments made in recent weeks - saying his words contradicted his actions.

He held a meeting with LGBTQ activists last month after he sacked his Executive Secretary Masayoshi Arai, who said he didn’t “even want to look at” sexual minorities. He appointed a special aide for LGBTQ issues and also said his party would consider a new bill.

The activists also said it was inaccurate for Mr Kishida to state

that same-sex marriage was “not unconstitutional” in Japan, when local courts have ruled otherwise in at least two precedent-setting decisions.

The public attitude towards same-sex marriage has changed, especially among younger voters, said the Marriage for Equality Japan (MFEJ) group. A recent poll shows two-thirds of voters support making same-sex marriage legal.

“I think this is one of the reason why the government is estranged from public opinion, as the most in the heart of the government are elderly men,” said MFEJ chairperson Makiko Terahara.

Some couples have challenged the ban before the courts, to

varying results.

In November 2022, a Tokyo court upheld the ban on samesex marriage but said the denial of legal protections to same-sex couples was discriminatory. Rights campaigners hailed the ruling as a win for raising the need to amend current laws.

The country is also under pressure from its G7 peers to recognise LGBTQ rights as the country prepares to host the bloc’s next meeting in May.

There has been improvement in LGBTQ rights in Asia, but Taiwan remains the only territory that recognises same-sex marriage in the region.

Source: BBC

Mr Modi addressed ministers in English - a sign of how seriously he wanted his message taken

Vo Van Thuong took an oath of office as Vietnam’s new president on Thursday

Environment

COP15: High stakes in Montreal as negotiators seek new global biodiversity framework

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) convened for its resumed Fifteenth Conference of the Parties (COP15),yesterday in Montreal, Canada, and to close on Monday, 19. Negotiators will be working to clinch a new global biodiversity framework (GBF) that will set a series of goals and underlying targets for a “nature-positive future.”

The previous set of goals and targets that have guided international biodiversity conservation efforts in recent years, the 2011-2020 Strategic Plan for Biodiversity and its 20 Aichi Targets, expired in 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic stymying plans to already have a GBF ready to take their place.

The first part of the CBD COP15 took place in Kunming, China, and online last year. While China is the meeting’s host, travel restrictions and other challenges related to the pandemic led to the resumed COP15 venue being moved to Montreal, where the CBD secretariat is located.

Discussions in Montreal are numerous and include issues related to addressing environmentally harmful subsidies; the final shape of the 30×30 target; the signals that COP15 sends for scaling up naturebased solutions, including naturebased infrastructure; the linkages between nature-based solutions finance and climate finance; and how the results of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) Twenty-seventh Conference of the Parties (COP27) can inform the Global Biodiversity Framework.

Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), remarked: “We need a ‘Paris Moment’ in Montreal. Similar to the legally binding global climate agreement to hold global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius and aim for 1.5 degree Celsius, governments gathering at the world nature summit COP15 in Canada need to set a limit to nature destruction. To safeguard our life-support system on Earth, we need to halt nature loss to zero, which means protecting all remaining intact nature. Only if we protect and regenerate Earth’s nature, we can really protect Earth’s climate.”

“This is potentially an historic moment for biodiversity,” said Andrew Gonzalez, a professor in the biology department at McGill University in Montreal and founding director of the Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science.

He added: “The rate of global change in nature during the past 50 years is unprecedented in human history,” the report said, pointing to five key drivers: land- and seause changes, direct exploitation of organisms, climate change, pollution, and invasions of alien species.

Environmental crisis: Nigeria seeks UN interventions on GGW, HYPREP issues

The Federal Government of Nigeria has called on the United Nations (UN) to assist in addressing Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) and Great Green Wall issues (GGW) to enable restoration of lost lands in the country.

Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi, said this while receiving the Deputy Secretary-General of UN, Amina Mohammed, on courtesy visit, in Abuja, recently.

Abdullahi said that the ministry was committed to ensuring that the two major projects were implemented effectively, adding that the UN’s intervention would boost the ministry’s efforts.

“There are two important projects which we will need more of your support, the HYPREP and GGW. We are doing our best to ensure that it’s working greatly.

We have the team for the HYPREP. We are doing our best to make sure that the structure put in place is maintained to ensure checks and balances for good governance and transparency.

“This is what we are doing and we hope we will get robust support from you.

“You have always been there for us and we still have hope that you will continue to give us your full support,” he said.

Responding, Mohammed said that the UN would give its best to support in restoring the loss lands.

“So, it’s really important that we put in place the teams that will help us to look at those programmes and to see that GGW issues is properly addressed.

She said the GGW project was an economic corridor, which would offer empowerment to both youth and women, if properly addressed in the country.

According to her, the GGW project will really empower our people, but at the same time, it is able to give less reason for people to destabilise countries when they get involved in conflicts of different types.

“So again, we are at your disposal; the UN will support any efforts that you want with the GGW, particularly the wetlands,” she said.

Mohammed, however, advised agencies, parastaltals and other relevant stakeholders to support the ministry in ensuring that the environmental programmes were implemented effectively.

She thanked the minister

for his strong leadership and commitment in ensuring that environmental crisis were being tackled as well as ensuring that Paris Agreement was achieved effectively.

HYPREP was established in 2012 under the Federal Ministry of Environment to achieve the under listed objectives in Ogoniland and other impacted communities:

“To determine the scope, means and modalities of remediation of soil and ground water contamination in impacted communities as may be recommended by HYPREP Governing Council and remedy them,

“Enhance local capacity for better environmental management and promote awareness of sound environmental management as

well as ensure livelihoods and sustainable development, and

“Ensure security and promote peace building efforts in impacted communities as well as strengthen governance, transparency and accountability in the region.”

The Great Green Wall (GGW) initiative, launched in 2007 by the African Union, aims to restore the continent’s degraded landscapes and transform millions of lives in the Sahel.

Its ambition is to restore 100 million hectares of currently degraded land, sequester 250 million tonnes of carbon, and create 10 million green jobs by 2030.

In Nigeria, the GGW Initiative also seeks to recover degraded land, preserve ecosystems, and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for communities.

PILIWA launched in Nigerian

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Lawyers, civil society, and media executives converged to Benin, the Edo state capital recently for the launch of the Public Interest Lawyering Initiative for West Africa (PILIWA) Nigeria chapter.

The initiative which was founded in 2016 has a membership that cuts across nine West African countries including Cote d’ Ivoire, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Niger, among others, and supports young lawyers interested in public interest cases technically, financially, and intellectually.

A member of PILIWA and Executive Director of the Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/ FoEN), Chima Williams said that public interest lawyering is a special area for legal practitioners

with passion for public good.

Williams explained that the PILIWA was particularly interested in Nigerian lawyers because of the peculiarity of environmental and human rights abuses perpetrated by big corporations aided by the state in all parts of the country where natural resources are found.

On the Nigeria launch of the PILIWA initiative, the ERA/FoEN boss said a desk office will be set up in Benin which will receive an endowment of N250,000 (two hundred and fifty thousand naira only).

The initiative will equally train young lawyers and imbue them with the relevant knowledge on sources of evidence, how to gather evidence and how to present it before a court of competent jurisdiction.

In his intervention, Jonathan Kaufman, Executive Director of

the Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA) said that he owes his association with legal work and particularly public interest cases with his experience as a young lawyer, when he was conscripted into the cases filed by families associated with the Ken Saro Wiwa case as well as victims of the Parabe Oil Platform case caused by Chevron in Ondo State.

The two cases, Kaufman pointed out, encouraged him to reach out to and start associating with local lawyers that are classified as stubborn because of their quest for justice.

He revealed that many legal cases suffer because of information gathering deficit, financial constraints, and lack of thoroughness in terms of minute details. Sometimes lawyers are not able to obtain cross border information that their peers may

be able to obtain and pass onto them if a platform for cooperation exists.

He said that the PILIWA platform will bridge the identified gaps to help public interest lawyers secure what they need to push and win unconventional cases.

The highpoint of the event was the inauguration of zonal coordinators for the PILIWA in Nigeria. The nominated coordinators of the South-South, South-east and North Central Zones are Courage Nsirimovu, Kalu Emmanuel Chisom and Redzie D. Jugo respectively. The coordinators for the Northwest, Northeast and Southwest will be announced later.

Participants were drawn from the legal profession in Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Plateau, Imo, Enugu, Niger and Kogi states, among others.

“Help me, I am being tortured by my employer,” Meriance Kabu wrote. “I’m covered in blood every day, help me!”

She then quickly folded the note and threw it out of the locked iron gates of the apartment in the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur where she was working as a live-in maid. A woman passing by picked it up. Once she read it, she immediately took it to a retired police officer who lived in the same flats. “If she had stayed there, she surely would have died,” he later said.

That same day, 20 December 2014, Malaysian police knocked on the door of the apartment where Meriance lived. She hadn’t left it in eight months.

“I felt like I was falling,” she says, recalling the moment when she saw the officers. “They said, ‘Don’t be afraid, we are here’. At that moment I felt strong again. I felt like I could breathe again. The officers called me closer and I told them the truth.”

This story contains details some readers may find distressing.

Nine years on, Meriance is still fighting for justice. Her case, which is far from unique, reveals just how vulnerable undocumented migrant workers are and how often justice eludes even those who survive to tell their story.

In 2015, police charged Meriance’s employer, Ong Su Ping Serene, with causing grievous hurt, attempted murder, human trafficking and immigration violations. She pleaded not guilty.

Meriance testified in court before finally returning home to her family. Two years later she got news from the Indonesian embassy that prosecutors had dropped the case citing insufficient evidence.

“The employer walked free, where is the justice?” asks the country’s ambassador to Malaysia, Hermono (many Indonesians go by a single name) who met Meriance in October.

The embassy has hired legal advice for her and has been lobbying for the case against Meriance’s employer to be resumed.

“What was the reason for the delay? Isn’t five years enough time? If we do not keep asking, it will be forgotten, especially since Meriance has already returned home.”

It’s unclear why so few abuse cases end in prosecutions in Malaysia but campaigners point to a culture which views

domestic workers, most of whom are Indonesian, as second-class citizens not worthy of the same level of protection as Malaysians.

Malaysia’s foreign affairs ministry told the BBC “they would ensure that justice will be served according to the law”.

In 2018 an Indonesian court jailed two men for trafficking Meriance. The judge ruled that she had been sent to work in Malaysia “as a maid for Ong Su Ping Serene who tortured her, causing serious injuries” that put her in hospital.

Meriance’s ordeal was described in disturbing detail in the verdict, which said the employer had severely beaten her, breaking her nose in one instance, and had often tortured her with a hot iron, tweezers, hammer, baton and pliers.

Eight years on, her body still bears the marks of this torture. There’s a deep scar on her upper lip, four of her teeth are missing and one ear is deformed.

Her husband Karvius said he couldn’t recognise her after she was rescued: “I was so shocked when they showed me pictures of Meri at the hospital.”

Last year, Malaysia and Indonesia signed an agreement to improve the condition of Indonesian domestic workers in the country. Indonesia is now lobbying for the case against Meriance’s employer to be resumed.

Undocumented workers like her are especially vulnerable because their passports are taken away and they live with the employer in a foreign country, leaving them few options to seek help.

“Everyone needs to take more responsibility,” says Malaysian MP Hannah Yeoh who wants to see an end to what she describes as a cultural of silence in the country around the abuse of domestic workers.

Malaysia’s ministry of manpower says there are more than 63,000 Indonesian domestic helpers in their country, but that does not include undocumented workers. There are no clear estimates on their numbers. The Indonesian embassy says it has received reports of nearly 500 cases of abuse in the last five years.

That figure is just the “tip of the iceberg”, says Ambassador Hermono, because so many cases, especially those involving undocumented workers, still go unreported.

“I don’t know when this will

end. What we know is that there are more and more victims - from torture, non-payment of salaries and other crimes.”

The embassy hasn’t kept track of how many abuse cases have resulted in a prosecution. But there have been some high-profile verdicts. In 2008 a Malaysian woman was sentenced to 18 years in jail for torturing her Indonesian maid. Six years later a couple was sentenced to death for murdering their Indonesian domestic worker.

‘I will fight until I die’

“I will fight for justice until I die,” Meriance says. “I just want to be able to ask my former employer, ‘Why did you torture me?’”

She was 32 when she decided to seek work abroad so that “the children would no longer cry for food”. Life was tough in their village in West Timor, where there is no electricity or clean running water. And her husband’s wage as a day labourer wasn’t enough to support their family of six.

She took up the offer of work in Malaysia and dreamed of building a home for her family.

When she arrived in Kuala Lumpur in April 2014, the agent took her passport and handed it over to her employer. Recruiters in Indonesia had already taken her phone.

But Meriance was hopeful of a better life. Her job was to “look after grandma”, her employer Serene’s mother, who was 93 years old at the time.

Three weeks after she started her job, she says, the beatings began.

One evening, Serene wanted to cook fish but couldn’t find it in the refrigerator because Meriance had mistakenly put it in the freezer. Suddenly, Meriance says she was struck by the frozen fish. Her head started to bleed.

After that, she says, she was beaten every day.

She says was never allowed to leave the apartment. The iron gate

to the flat was always locked and she didn’t have a key. Four of the neighbours who lived in the same block didn’t know of her existence until the day the police arrived.

“I only saw her the night she was rescued,” one of them said.

Meriance says the torture and beatings only stopped when her employer grew tired. She then ordered Meriance to clean up her own blood that had splattered on the floor and walls. Source: BBC

‘Why did you torture me?’: A domestic worker’s fight for justice

Meriance Kabu tears up when she recounts her plight in Kuala Lumpur

Meriance’s husband says he didn’t recognise her when she was rescued

Meriance with her husband and their three children

“

One evening, Serene wanted to cook fish but couldn’t find it in the refrigerator because Meriance had mistakenly put it in the freezer. Suddenly, Meriance says she was struck by the frozen fish. Her head started to bleed

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THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1.TO PROMOTE ROYAL RITES AND CULTURAL HERITAGE.

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

SIGNED : CHAIRMAN

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE DAVID’S OUTREACH FOUNDATION

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1.OLOKO OLUFUNMILAYO

2.AGBEDEYI ADEBOLA

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1.TO CARRY ON PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITIES BY HELPING ADULTS AND CHILDREN THROUGH OUTREACHES IN THE SOCIETY.

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

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

FREEDOM AND FULL LIFE IN CHRIST EVANGELICAL CHURCH

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. SOWANDE EMMANUEL FEYISOLA.

2. OMOARE EMMANUEL OLUSEGUN.

3. BELLO SAMUEL TITILAYO.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1.TO PREACH SALVATION THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

NWANNE DI NA MBA EMPOWERMENT AND PROGRESSIVE ASSOCIATION

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. NWOKOLO CHIBUEZE JOHN. - CHAIRMAN

2. IGBOKWE HILLARY NWANNEBUIKE - SECRETARY

3. MONDAY ENYIOMA JOSEPH

4. EZIKE OBUM UPUMMKUEZIKE

5. UKEAGBU UCHENNA CASERIS.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1.TO PROMOTE PEACE, UNITY AND DEVELOPMENT AMONG MEMBERS.

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

SIGNED : CHAIRMAN

PUBLIC NOTICE

REALWAY EVANGELICAL MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1. MUSA LUKA AMITSEH. - CHAIRMAN

2. TIKWE MARK - SECRETARY

3. MANJA MARTIN AGGREY

4. BOYI DANIEL ANDEYATSO

5. HELEN MUSA LUKA.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1.TO BRING HUMANITY CLOSER TO GOD THROUGH TEACHING AND PREACHING BIBLE.

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

SIGNED : CHAIRMAN

AL- NAHL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

OLORUNTOBI IBIGBEMI FOUNDATION FOR THE LESS PRIVILEGED

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 IBIGBEMI OLORUNTOBI

2.IBIGBEMI SEUN SAMUEL

3.IBIGBEMI ABIGAIL

4.MUSA DANIEL

5.MUFTAUDEEN YUSUFF OLATUNJI

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : TO PROVIDE MATERIAL AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF OUT OF SCHOOL CHILDREN IN NIGERIA AND TO ENSURE THE IMPROVEMENT OF CHILDREN ENROLLMENT IN SCHOOLS ACROSS NIGERIA.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

APOSTLE SOLOMON EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION JALINGO

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. ALFORD SOLOMON GANGWON. - CHAIRMAN

2. APWENRIKWEN ANDENYANGTSO SAMAILA - SECRETARY

3. SAIDU QUEEN

4. TANIMU SULE ITSON

5. BENJAMIN SHATU.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1.TO ASSIST NEEDY AND LESS PRIVILEGED

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

SIGNED : CHAIRMAN

PUBLIC NOTICE

OZOR - UDEGBUNEM CHARITY FOUNDATION

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1. CHIEF LIVINUS C. OHAGWU. - CHAIRMAN

2. OZOR - UDEGBUNEM UMEAYOR OLIVER. - SECRETARY

3. NKOMADU FRANCIS

4. NNABERG JAMES P.

5. NKOMADU PRINCE JAMES NNABUENYI

6. NKOMADU SERGIUS NDUBUEZE

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1.TO ASSIST NEEDY AND LESS PRIVILEGED.

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

SIGNED : CHAIRMAN

PUBLIC NOTICE

RAYMOND AKAM CHARITY FOUNDATION

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANIZATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA, FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT. 2020.

TRUSTEES

1. AKAM RAYMOND MOSHE

2. AKAM ROSEMARY MANYA

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1. TO EMPOWER YOUTH, ORPHANS AND HANDICAPS BECOMES LEADERS WITH SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE TO ACTIVELY DEVELOP POSITIVE CHANGE.

2. TO EMPOWER THE LESS PRIVILEGE AND TO RENDER CHARITY AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE.

3. TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL TRAINING, CRAFT AND SKILLS ACQUISITION TO YOUTH, WOMEN, ORPHANS, LESS PRIVILEGE, WIDOWS AND DESTITUTE.

4. TO PROTECT CHILD TRAFFICKING AND ABUSE PROTECTING THE RIGHT OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

5. TO FOSTER GOOD HARMONOUS RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MEMBERS OF THE FORUM BY ASSISTING EACH OTHER IN TIMES OF NEED.

6. GIVING FIRST AID TO ORTHOPEDIC VICTIM.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATIONS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT420,TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, PMB 198 GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

GOVERNMENT COMPREHENSIVE SECONDARY SCHOOL BOROKIRI, CLASS 81 OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANIZATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA, FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT. 2020.

TRUSTEES

1. GREEN, BARR. CHRISTOPHER - (CHAIRMAN)

2. KIOLAWSON DATOM - (SECRETARY)

3. WILLS, INIRUO

4. ALABOSON, COLLINS DEINGIKUMO

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

(A) TO FOSTER UNITY AND UNDERSTANDING AMONG MEMBERS.

(B) TO INITIATE PROGRAMMES OR ACTIVITIES NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE THE WELFARE OF MEMBERS.

(C) TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL DEVELOPMENT AND UPLIFTMENT OF OUR ALMA MATER SO AS TO ACHIEVE A COMMON GOAL IN THE PURSUIT OF CORPORATE AND EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE FOR OUR ALMA MATER.

(D) TO ENGAGE IN SUCH ACTIVITIES AS THE CLASS MAY DEEM FIT IN ORDER TO PROMOTE ALL OR ANY OF THE ABOVE IDEALS. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATIONS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT420,TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, PMB 198 GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

GLORY EWALEFOH FOUNDATIONS

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANIZATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA, FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT. 2020.

TRUSTEES

(

1) GLORY EWALEFOH. CHAIRMAN.

(2) ESTHER OKPETE -SECRETARY .

(3). TSOLA OMATSOLA TAWIAH ORITSEJAFO

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1. TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO QUALITY TERTIARY EDUCATION FOR UNDER PRIVILEGED CHILDREN

2. TO PROVIDE DEPRIVED YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THE POWER TO EARN A REGULAR AND DECENT LIVELIHOOD BY GIVING THEM ACCESS TO TERTIARY EDUCATION

3. TO INTEGRATE CHILDREN WHO ARE MARGINALIZED BY POVERTY AND LACK OF EDUCATION INTO MAINSTREAM SOCIETY THROUGH WORK PLACEMENTS AND OTHER PROGRAMS.

4. TOASSIST IN THE PROCESS OF SOCIAL INTEGRATION TO UNDERPRIVILEGED YOUNG PEOPLE INTO THE SOCIETY

5. FACILITATING VOCATIONAL TRAINING TO THE YOUNG ADULTS TO REDUCE THEIR SKILL GAP WHICH WILL HELP THEM IN EITHER GETTING EMPLOYED OR START THEIR OWN ENTERPRISE.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATIONS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT420,TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, PMB 198 GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: MADUAKOLAM IGWE ESQ.

PUBLIC NOTICE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF

LAWRENCE

I, FORMALLY KNOWN AS KOPDUN LONGDEL NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS LAWRENCE KOPDUN. ALL DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID.ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

NIMLYAT

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS YANKAT NIMLYET NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS NIMLYAT YANGKAT LABONG CJ. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

NKECHI

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS NKECHI JOVITA MADUFOR. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS NKECHI JOVITA ADIOHA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

JIBRIN

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS USMAN FATIMA WITH THE DATE OF BIRTH 08/01/1987 NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS JIBRIN FATIMA WITH THE CORRECT DATE OF BIRTH 20/08/1988. ALL FOR DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. THE GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

1. EBAH JAMES PATRICK - CHAIRMAN

2. ENWERE FRANCIS NNAMAKA - TRUSTEE/SECRATARY

3. ADEYEMI OLUWABUKOLA MOSES THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO IMPROVE THE STATE OF THE MEDICAL SERVICE, ENVIRONMENTAL STABILITY, IMPROVING THE WELFARE OF THE UNDERPRIVILEGED AND DISADVANTAGED BY PROVIDING MEDICAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES THAT WILL HELP REDUCE DISEASES PREVALENT IN URBAN AND RURAL AREAS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF THE LOSS OF ORIGINAL RIGHT OF OCCUPANCY (R OF O) IN RESPECT OF PLOT NO. 1069, FILE NO. BN 11019, DAPE DISTRICT CADASTRAL ZONE CO4, FCT ABUJA. BEARING ODE OLUJIMI ADEKA.

ALL EFFORTS MADE TO TRACE THE MISSING DOCUMENTS PROVE ABORTIVE. PLEASE THEAGIS, FEDERAL CAPITALTERRITORYADMINISTRATION (FCTA) AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

1. LUCKSLEY INDI IGENEGBAI (CHAIRMAN)

2. KATE MODUPE FALANA (SECRETARY)

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO RESCUE MEN THROUGH THE TEACHING AND PREACHING OF THE WORD OF GOD AND PREVAILING PRAYERS.

2. TO RUN AND ESTABLISH VIBRANT CHURCH BRANCHES AND NETWORK WITH OTHER CHRISTIAN BODIES WITHIN AND OUTSIDE NIGERIA.

3. TO ENGAGE IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, WELFARE, AND BENEVOLENCE PROJECTS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PATRIOTIC ELITE CLUB OF AMASSOMA

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1. YERI, WAIBODEI, PETER (CHAIRMAN)

2. AYOGOI, AYOGOI, SIMON (SECRETARY)

3. AMBAIOWEI,TARI,EBIOWEI (MEMBER)

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1.TO ORGANIZE SEMINARS AND ENLIGHTENMENT CAMPAIGNS TO EDUCATE THE PEOPLE OF AMASSOMA COMMUNITY AND BAYELSANS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION IN NATION BUILDING AND SUCH OTHER LECTURES THAT WILL AFFECT THE SOCIETY POSITIVELY.

2.TO FOSTER UNITYAMONG MEMBERSAND INCULCATETHE ESSENCE OF CITIZENSHIP,MUTUAL CO-OPERATION, PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE AND PROGRESS.

3.TO FIGHT AGAINST ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATIONS AS A RESULT OF POLITICAL, SEX, RELIGIOUS, FAMILY AND EDUCATIONAL DIFFERENCES AND TO PROMOTE PEACE AND UNITY IJAW NATION.

4.TO EFFICIENTLY HARNESS AND DIRECT THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF BAYELSANS ASSISTING DESERVING STUDENTS MORALLY AND FINANCIALLY.

5.TO BE STRONGLY OPPOSED TO ALL FORMS OF CRIMINALITY AND SOCIAL VICES IN SOCIETY.

6.TO ENCOURAGE AND FACILITATE IN ANY DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMME IN AMASSOMA COMMUNITY AND OTHER PARTS OF BAYELSA STATE.

7.TO PROMOTE THE OBSERVANCE OF THE TENET OF DEMOCRACY, RULE OF LAW, EQUITY, FAIMESS, RIGHT AND JUSTICE IN AMASSOMA AND BAYELSA AT LARGE.

8.TO ADEQUATELY ADVOCATE FOR POLICIES AND IDEOLOGIES OF GOOD GOVENSANCE

9.TO HONESTLY SEEK FOR THE INTEREST AND PROGRESS OF AMASSOMA COMMUNITY IN PARTICULAR AND BAYELSA STATE IN GENERAL.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRARGENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

1. KUDIRAT MOSUN ADEYEMO-CHAIRMAN

2. NOJEEMDEEN O.OLADIPO-SECRETARY/MEMBER

3. PHILLP DAMILOLA ABIOLA MEMBER

4. AWE GRACE OLUWAFUNMIKE MEMBER

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO ACHIEVE EXCELLENCE AT ALL LEVELS IN THE COMMUNITY.

2. TO CREATE AWARENESS AMONG THE LESS PRIVILEGED (ORPHANS, WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS)

3. TO SET UP ON A HUMANITARIAN GRAND. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

RAIN OF PRAYER ASSEMBLY

PATNAB HEALTH INITIATIVE

TREASURE MINDS CLUB

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2023

Kelechi Iheanacho nominated for Premier League Player of the Month

By Amaechi Agbo

Super Eagles and Leicester City forward, Kelechi

Iheanacho has been nominated for the English Premier League Player of the month of February.

Iheanacho’s excellent performances in the month under review earned him a spot on the five-man list.

Iheanacho provided 2 goals and 3 assists for Leicester City having featured in all four of their league games in February.

The Nigerian’s five goal involvements came in a devastating two-match spell. He got a goal and two assists in a 4-2 win at Aston Villa and followed that up with a goal and an assist in Leicester City’s impressive 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

The Leicester City attacker however will battle four other nominees including Manchester United’s striker, Marcus Rashford Fulham’s duo of Bernd Leno and Manor Solomon.

Other nominees are Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa and Emerson Royal of Tottenham

In the Manger of the Month award, Manchester United’s Erik ten Hag will battle Tottenham counterpart, Antonio Conte and Fulham manager Marco Silva.

The winners of both awards will be announced next week.

Kelechi Iheanacho had previously won the award.

NPFL: IMC approves Akure Township Stadium for Kwara United home matcjes

Kwara United Football Club has been granted approval to adopt the Akure Township Stadium as their new home ground for the second of the 2022/2023 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

In a letter dated March 2, 2023, and signed by the Head of Competition Department, Dr. Sunday Johnson Obaseki on behalf of the

Head of Operations of the NPFL, and copied the Ondo State FA and the other clubs, the approval takes effect from Matchday 10 of the NPFL.

“We are pleased to inform you that the NPFL has approved your request to adopt Akure Township Stadium as your home ground, effective from Matchday 10 fixture,

Kwara United FC versus El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri.

“You are advised to put all necessary logistics in place at Akure Township Stadium for hitch-free games for the rest of the season”, the letter read in part.

Kwara United had started the season at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan,

winning just a game out of the four home matches played at the venue, and drew an away game against the homers, Shooting Stars Sports Club.

They defeated Akwa United 2-1, lost by a lone goal to Bendel Insurance, and drew the two others, against Gombe United and Remo Stars.

S P R T

CAF confirms Abuja National Stadium will jost Super Eagles 2023 AFCON qualifier against Guinea Bissau

The Confederation of Africa Football, CAF has confirmed that Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja will Host Super Eagles matchday 3 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON qualifier against Guinea Bissau.

The match will hold on March 24th by 4pm

A total of 44 nations will be in action over the week of 22 – 24 March, with some nations looking at extending their leads, while other look to regain ground in the race to qualification.

Three-time African champions, Nigeria welcome Guinea Bissau to the Abiola Stadium in Abuja where they will be aiming at stretching their lead at the top of Group A, following their victories over Sao Tome E Principe and Sierra Leone.

The Stallions of Burkina Faso, who

currently occupy top spot in Group B, play host to a bruised Togo side, who are looking for their first victory of the qualifiers following their loss to Cape Verde that was followed by a share of the spoils with Eswatini.

Concluding the group B action will be Cape Verde, who continue to be on a steady rise in African football. They welcome a resilient Eswatini side who are equally and gradually outgrowing being pushovers on the continent.

Five-time African champions, Cameroon face Burundi in their first Group C assignment, following their walkover result over Kenya as they sit top of the group. The East Africans on the other hand secured a valuable away point to Namibia and will be looking at building from that result and unseating the Indomitable Lions from the summit of

the group.

Egypt, who find themselves in a precarious position at the bottom of Group D as a result of goal-difference, welcome Malawi to the Cairo International Stadium, while Guinea play host to a high in confidence Ethiopia in a match set to be played at the Mohammed V Complex Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco.

A top of the table clash awaits Group E as Ghana welcome Angola who are equal on points with the Black Stars and will be looking at causing an upset in Kumasi’s Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

The newly built, Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algeria’s capital of Algiers sees Group F table toppers, Algeria welcoming second placed, Niger in what promises to be an action-packed encounter, while the Ugandan Cranes are looking at climbing out of the danger zone as they play host

to Tanzania in a match set to be played at Egypt’s Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia.

In Group J, a north African battle looms as group leaders, Tunisia travel to Libya for what promises to be a tough encounter between the two sides at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium.

An interesting battle in Group K sees Liberia taking on South Africa in a must win match for both sides who lost against table toppers, Morocco. Both sides understand that a victory sets them up for a strong chance of a second-placed finish of the group, which subsequently secures them a ticket to Cote D’ Ivoire.

To conclude the round of qualifiers, reigning African champions, Senegal is looking at maintaining their 100%-win record in Group L when they take on Mozambique at the Me Abdoulaye Wade de Diamniadio Stadium in Dakar.

U-20 AFCON: Senegal edge Benin, qualifies for 2023 FIFA World Cup

By Amaechi Agbo

Senegal beat Benin 1-0 on Thursday to qualify for the semi-finals of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations and also seal their place at the U-20 World Cup Malick Daf’s Teranga Cubs needed a second goal from captain Samba Diallo to beat the Cheetahs at the Cairo International Stadium on Thursday.

Diallo headed in from Lamine Camara’s brilliant free kick to send the West Africans to the semis and the World Cup.

The Young Teranga started the better side at the Cairo International Stadium with Lamine Camara and Djibril Diop

pulling the strings in midfield.

The Cheetahs defended well, restricting Senegal to limited access in their area Bachirou Attivi and Morile Dossou-Dognon covering the wide areas.

Landing Badji who won the Best Goalkeeper of the group failed to deal with a long ball into the Senegal area leaving Olatoundji Tessilimi who couldn’t hit the target.

Benin continued to play on the break against the well drilled Senegal team who came into the match with an impressive record scoring eight goals without conceding.

Senegal created the best chance of the first half through captain Samba Diallo’s

low drive from Sulaymane Faye unselfish cut back agonizingly missed the target with the keeper rooted to the ground five minutes before the break.

The WAFU-A champions Senegal started the second half with more purpose and zeal as they pushed more into the Cheetahs half.

Senegal broke the deadlock six minutes into the second half through captain Samba Diallo’s diving header from a well worked set piece.

The captain turned in Lamine Camara’s free kick at the far post to beat the helpless Rahman Karim and hand Senegal a deserved lead.

Diallo should have doubled Senegal’s

lead on 67 minutes when he fired straight at the woodwork from Sulaymane Faye’s intelligent pass.

Faye latched on to a long ball deep into the Benin half which Karim failed to clear allowing the youngster to square it to captain Diallo who couldn’t convert into an empty goal.

The Teranga Cubs continued to dominate and Pape Diallo came close with a half volley late on but Karim was well positioned to gather.

With time running out substitute Stephane Vignigbe glanced a header wide for Benin as Senegal held on to qualify to semi-finals and book a place at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia.

Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja

S P R T

FIFA to conduct 2030 World Cup host vote in September next year

The 2030 World Cup hosts are expected to be picked in September next year, FIFA said Tuesday.

FIFA’s ruling council confirmed a timetable for bidding and a vote to be held in the third quarter of next year by around 200 member federations. FIFA has long targeted a decision in 2024 for the tournament that is currently scheduled to have 48 teams.

A separate election meeting will be held earlier in 2024 to pick a host for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, soccer’s governing body said.

The three 2026 hosts of the men’s World Cup _ the United States, Canada and Mexico all had their expected automatic entries in the 48-team finals tournament confirmed Tuesday. It will be the first edition expanded

from the 32-team tournament that was introduced in 1998.

FIFA also picked Saudi Arabia a potential candidate in the 2030 contest to host the next Club World Cup from Dec. 1222 in the latest addition to the kingdom’s sports hosting ambitions.

In the 2030 hosting race, co-hosting bids from South America and Europe have been the expected favorites, with Morocco also in the picture and speculation about a Saudi-led and unprecedented threecontinent project.

The inaugural 1930 World Cup host, Uruguay, is part of a centenary bid with Argentina, Chile and Paraguay. Spain and Portugal were joined last October for their longstanding European candidacy by Ukraine.

Morocco committed to taking part in the 2030 contest more than four years ago immediately after losing the vote for the 2026 tournament to the North Americans.

At the World Cup in Qatar in December, Moroccan soccer federation leader Fouzi Lekjaa was still open to reviving an old idea of Morocco joining its near-neighbors Spain and Portugal in an intercontinental bid.

Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to host more soccer events have led to unconfirmed speculation of a 2030 bid with Egypt in Africa and Greece in Europe. It is unclear how European soccer body UEFA would deal with a member federation joining a rival bid.

Such a bid also would require sending the tournament back to Asia and the Persian Gulf only eight years after Qatar hosted, so a

Saudi bid for 2034 could be more realistic.

The Saudi-hosted Club World Cup in December should be the last in the current seven-team format of continental champions plus the host nation’s domestic league winner.

FIFA has set a June 2025 target to launch a tournament of 32 teams with European teams taking 12 entries.

Continental allocations for the tournament were confirmed Tuesday with South America to get six teams, and four each going to Asia, Africa and the CONCACAF region, plus one to Oceania. The host nation will get the last slot.

The United States is a potential host for the 2025 Club World Cup as a test event for the following year’s World Cup.

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U-20 AFCON: Flying Eagles Qualify For World Cup, Reach Semis

Refineries: For refurbishment or remodelling?

According to Collins dictionary. com, remodelling is the act of changing or altering the structure, style or form of something. If we want different results from what we have been getting from these old refineries, the way of remodelling is the right path, not refurbishing. Remodelling means that the refineries will be modernised.

By Sheriffdeen Tella

Nigeria’s U-20 male national football team, the Flying Eagles on Thursday qualified for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup after they defeated Uganda 1-0 in the quarter-final of the ongoing U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON in Egypt.

An own goal in the 31st minute of the match by Uganda’s defender, Jumai which came off Muhammad’s shot from the goal post handed the Ladan Bosso lads the all important goal which also booked their ticket I to the semi-final of the tournament.

Morocco confident of winning 2025 AFCON hosting rights

Moroccan officials remain confident the North African country can launch a strong bid to replace Guinea as hosts of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)

Morocco, who last hosted the tournament in 1988, were due to stage it again in 2015 but withdrew because of fears over an Ebola outbreak.

But having successfully hosted both the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and the Club World Cup in the past 12 months, the Atlas Lions believe they can see off neighbours and rivals Algeria in the bidding process.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe confirmed last month that Algeria, Morocco, South Africa, Zambia and a joint Benin-Nigeria bid are in the running to replace Guinea as hosts of the 2025 event.

The West African nation were stripped of the 24-team event in October because of a lack of suitably advancing infrastructure and facilities

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited is at it again. Some of the refineries are undergoing refurbishment and will start ‘production’ sooner or later. It was widely reported at the end of January 2023 that Daewoo Engineering and Construction Limited, a South Korean firm, signed an agreement with the NNPCL to undertake a quick-fix (whatever that means) repair of the Kaduna refinery and restore production to about 60 per cent capacity by the end of 2024.

The Kaduna refinery, the latest and largest of the four refineries now owned by the NNPCL was constructed in 1980! The first refinery was built in Port Harcourt in 1965 with a capacity to process 60,000 barrels per day and a ‘new’ one in the same place in 1989 which could process 150,000 barrels per stream day. The Warri refinery was commissioned in 1979 to produce, initially, 100,000 barrels per stream day and later upgraded to produce 125,000 barrels per day. This was earlier offered for refurbishment in 2022 with the promise that it will start full production again in December, 2023.

There are stories in recent times that these refineries have not been refurbished in almost 15 years, but we did hear of payment for turn-around maintenance within the same period. Money down the drain or money drained into private pockets? What is important to us here is the ages of the refineries and the technology at the time they were built. The technology of the 1965 refinery must be different from that of 1980. Definitely, the technology of refineries today cannot be compared with that of 1980 which is over 40 years. Can there be spare parts currently for technology of 1980? Maybe Daewoo and NNPCL can provide a favourable answer.

In an earlier article in July 2022, I posited that, “NNPC, the corporation, was the only organisation that had unproductive refineries but maintained full complementary workforce on its payroll. It was the public company that derives joy in importing refined fuel while exporting crude oil to the detriment of the economy. It is one of the very few public companies that refused to be accountable to anyone, even the government that set it up. One of the few public companies that were not part of the treasury single account and the government department that, when it sneezes, the other ministries catch cold. The public outfit that has

hoodwinked everybody such that those who should know better and call to question the wrongdoings of the company or cooperation are in total silence or submission.” It is still in this context that the company, which has turned private, could engage in refurbishing two refineries at the cost that can build a new, modern refinery with greater outputs.

Refurbishing, from my understanding, is like making a building look new through such activities like repairing, cleaning and painting. No fundamental changes but the normal renovation like freshen up or brighten or revitalisation. Quite different from something like overhaul which is to repair or renew thoroughly and better than refurbishing. This is also different from a word like remodelling which means to change the structure or form of something.

According to Collins dictionary. com, remodelling is the act of changing or altering the structure, style or form of something. If we want different results from what we have been getting from these old refineries, the way of remodelling is the right path, not refurbishing. Remodelling means that the refineries will be modernised. The 40-year-old technology will give way to modern one without destroying or removing the whole machines. That might be worth the amount of funds currently allocated to the refurbishing exercise.

At the transformation of NNPC to NNPCL, the Chief Executive Officer of the new company and erstwhile General Manager of the NNPC, Mele Kyari, promised that, “the company will be smarter, more responsive and accountable and will act within the premises of all regulations guarding private enterprises. It will be managed to meet global standards of best practice in terms of governance.” Part of being smarter is to adopt new management techniques and

discard the old ones that did not pay off. Another word for turn-around maintenance is ‘refurbishing’ which had, in the past, led to waste of resources like time and money.

A smarter way of running the old refineries profitably is to remodel them. It may not even involve any immediate funds if the company decides to go into partnership with the Daewoo company, as the latter would see the prospect for profit making in the relationship and thus key into it by supplying the technology required in a joint venture management. I doubt if Daewoo would want to partner with the NNPCL in the case of refurbishing the existing refineries because they know it would be money down the drain.

However, it is shameful that a NNPCL that is now private sector driven and whose business for now is to import and supply petrol and allied products cannot supply the products in adequate quantities to avoid the logjam that is being witnessed now. The company is to make money from supplying the products to customers who pay directly for what they buy. Or is the company also in the hands of economic mafia?

In the article entitled, Nigerian economy in the stranglehold of economic mafia, about three weeks ago and before the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress cried out on sabotage regarding his presidential ambition, I opined that some ministers and public officials were no longer in control of activities under their watch. I did not expect that to happen to a private company like the NNPCL if it is run truly as a private company rather than a public sector parastatal. What is currently happening with the running of the outfit seems to prove me wrong.

Since all that the company is involved now and pending when, hopefully, the Warri refinery will

start production, is to supply fuel via buying from any part of the world and selling in the local market, we should not be witnessing queues in petrol stations due to shortages. I have however, noticed that NNPCL is a private company in intention but public in operation.

Back to our original concern, there is the need for the NNPCL to renegotiate with the Daewoo Engineering and Construction limited to remodel the Kaduna refinery rather than refurbishment. Fortunately, it is the biggest and least archaic of the four refineries. So, the remodelling may not be difficult. The remodelling will be a test case for remodelling of Port Harcourt refineries, given that refurbishment of the Warri refinery is almost complete. Also, NNPCL should explore the opportunities for joint venture with the Daewoo company or any other such engineering company ready for partnership. With that kind of arrangement, the NNPCL can benefit from additional funds from the company and the modern technology that the remodelling will bring along.

In sympathy with Turkey and Syria. This is a trying period for Turkey and Syria from the earthquake reported to have taken away over 20,000 people. This is a big loss economically in terms of manpower and natural physical resources. There is the need for more countries to assist them materially and technologically to reduce the medium to long-term economic hardship on the citizens. Every country has its share of natural disasters but in varying degrees of intensity. This has been a tough one and Nigerians must show concern even while in battle with leadership disaster. Or is it a followership disaster or both? Let us continue to pray for the souls of the departed and the revival of the countries’ economies. Sheriffdeen Tella is a Public Affairs Analyst.

three weeks ago and before the