Thursday, May 4, 2023 Edition

Japa syndrome: NCAC urges youths not to leave Nigeria

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC),has urged Nigerian youths and the general public not to migrate from Nigeria,instead stay behind and contribute to the task of nation building.

The Director General of the NCAC Otunba Runsewe, gave the advice during a one-day programme, themed “Culture, Peace and National Rebirth: An Agenda Setting, organized by the Council, yesterday in Abuja.

Runsewe said the programme is apt and motivated by the need to put the issues of culture and peace in the front burner of national discourse as we seek to reposition our nation on the path of growth and development, in line with the philosophy and objectives of the incoming administration.

He explained that the objective of the agenda setting is for a rebirth of Nigeria .

“To reduce the rate at which our youths migrate from Nigeria and draw attention to the limitless opportunities within among many others”.

Runsewe stated that the sensitization was key considering the alarming rate at which the nation’s cultures are being eroded and substituted by alien practices.

He said: “The disturbing development has also greatly impacted on the youths, as there is a growing feeling of alienation among the vast majority of the youths, manifesting in various forms of restiveness and the internationalization and exhibition of vices that are at variance with our culture.

“Incidences of violent crimes, transgender, the End-SARS protest and the Japa syndrome are clear indications of a youth population that harbours a sense of alienation, exclusion, disillusionment and despair.

“Many of the youths are at a

cultural crossroads with a high propensity for anger and violence.”

He said that travelling abroad doesn’t allow for automatic affluence.

“It is our duty to culturally guide the country, our youths are frustrated due to the state of the economy, but it is not enough to travel out of the country to embrace menial jobs when they can stay and be creative to create wealth”.

He said “We need to wake up to this reality and ensure the situation is promptly corrected by the government and parents.”

He appealed to Nigerian leaders at all levels to work as a team to provide the enabling social environment for the nation’s development by preaching peace, living in peace and working together.

Similarly,Managing Consultant/CEO Hadid Event Management,Mrs.Rebecca Ede,” There are many reasons why so

some youths think japa is the best option, some think they aren’t employed while others think they are not gainfully employed.

The see some people that have not gone to school showcase there affluent on social media and they too want to be like them not thinking how this people got their wealth”.

She said “ It breaks my heart despite the things we see happening .

“For instance people drowning into seas among many vices and stories, but people still want to japa”.

I appeal to youth to stay back home and look within to the limitless opportunities that we have in the country, we can see that foreigners are coming into our country to tapped into the vast wealth.

Meanwhile, She called on the youths to imbibe the spirit patience and not be in a hurry in life .

Niger NUJ tasks incoming govt to partner journalists

From Yakubu Mustapha

Minna N

iger State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ, Comrade Abu Nmodu has stressed the need for the incoming political leaders to see media as the most potent tool for robust development.

This was contained in a statement issued by Comrade Abu

Nmadu.

It said this is in line with the celebration of World Press Freedom Day, as declared by UNESCO on 3rd May every year.

Nmadu said this day as a date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom, evaluates press freedom around the world, defends the media from attacks on their independence, and pays tribute to journalists

who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.

The State chairman of NUJ described the theme for this year’s World Press Freedom Day, set by UNESCO, “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a driver for all other human rights”.

He posited that freedom of press implies the absence of interference from an overreaching

state; and its preservation has already been guaranteed by Section 39(1) of the 1999 constitution as amended.

The NUJ chairman urged all working journalists not to be discouraged by the hazard of the profession or outright opposition against them in the line of duty but to remain resolute to defend the right of the people.

Kaduna Police Command Paraded Suspected Phone Snachers, drug dealers and others form of Crims, at the Command headquarters, yesterday in Kaduna State.

FCT: Residents blast Kwali Chairman over social amenities

By Usman Shuaibu

Some residents in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have scolded the Chairman of the Area Council, Mr. Danladi Chiya for failing to provide basic necessities of life to the people such as potable drinking water, rural electrifications and good roads in the area.

Some of the residents who spoke to Peoples Daily Correspondent in their separate interviews in Kwali, further said that the administration of Chiya had failed to pursue policies and programmes aimed at moving the Area Council to the next level.

They alleged that the Chairman had not been using the monthly subventions enough to provide the gains of democracy for the people who voted in power.

A resident in Kwali Mr Audu Auta said that the leadership of Chiya was yet to impact positively on the lives of the residents in terms of developmental projects at the grassroots level.

Auta expressed with dismay that the administration of the Council’s boss had neglected the people at the grassroots in the area of provision of transformers.

Another resident, Sunday Ikaka, berated the Kwali Chairman led-administration for not rehabilitating some of the dilapidated roads in Kwali and its environs.

Ikaka also tongue-lashed the Chairman of the Council for nonchallant attitude towards the development of the rural dwellers, urging the Chairman to do something urgently to ameliorate the people’s plight at the rural areas.

Similarly, a trader at the Kwali main market, Mrs. Ngozi Silas, said that despite the revenue being generated in the market the Chairman had abandoned the market in the area of upgrading it for a better outlook.

Silas accused the Chairman of playing politics of tribalism among other tribes in the area, pointing out that the Chairman should know that not only Gbagyi people who voted for him.

On his part, an aggrieved APC member who pleaded for anonymity alleged that the Chairman had diverted the Council’s resources to erect a gigantic house in Kwali.

Not left out a civil servant in Kwali Area Council who did not want his name to be mentioned in print, lampooned the Chairman for not providing office materials or equipment in some offices to enhance productivities of the workers.

Reps seek uniform retirement age for judicial officers

By Christiana Ekpa

TheHouse of Representatives, Wednesday resolved to transmit a bill that seeks a uniform retirement age for judicial officers to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent.

The House to this end, directed the National Assembly Clerk, Magaji Tambuwal to handle the assignment.

It will recalled that the bill was part of 46 constitution alteration bills transmitted to States Houses of Assembly for concurrence in March last year for their respective inputs.

The passage of the bill however followed the adoption of a motion entitled ‘Passage of Constitution (Fifth) Alteration Bill No. 20 (Uniform Retirement Age for Judicial Officers and Pension Rights) 2023,’ sponsored by Hon. Idris Wase and 69 other lawmakers.

The House urged Gombe, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kwara, Plateau and Taraba State Houses of Assembly yet to forward their resolution on the Bills comply.

Presenting the motion at

plenary, the minority leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu who was a cosponsor recalls that “On 5 April, 2023 the Clerk to the National Assembly was directed to transmit Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 47 that met the requirement of Section 9(2) of the Constitution to the President for his assent.

“The Houses of Assembly of Gombe, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kwara, Plateau, Sokoto and Taraba States that were yet to forward their resolutions were urged to do so in compliance with Constitutional obligation.

“Sokoto State House of Assembly has accordingly forwarded its resolution. Convinced that with the approval of Sokoto State House of Assembly, the Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No 20 (Uniform Retirement Age for Judicial Officers and Pension Rights) has met the provisions of Section 9(2) of the Constitution, for passage.”

In a related development, the House also passed through second reading a bill authorizing issuance from Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration’s

Statutory Revenue Fund of the Administration Account, the total sum of N502.95 billion.

The N502. 95 billion FCT statutory budget was for the 2023 financial year running between January 1 and December 31.

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had in December transmitted the 2023 statutory budget of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to the House.

In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Buhari had said “Pursuant to Section 121 of Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria1999 (as amended), I forward herewith the Federal Capital Territory’s 2023 Statutory Budget Proposal, for the kind consideration of the House of Representatives. In the preparation of the Federal Capital Territory’s 2023 Statutory Budget Proposal, the Federal Capital Territory Administration aligns with the Federal Government’s laudable fiscal development policies.

Accordingly, the FCT 2023 Budget proposal prioritizes improvement in Health Care Services, Job Creations, Youth Empowerment, Social Welfare Services, Education, and Increased productivity in Agriculture, in order to lift significant numbers of our citizens out of poverty.”

Presented for second reading, the bill showed that out of N502. 95 billion, N78.13 billion is for personnel costs; and N116.97 billion is for overhead costs; while the balance of N307.84 billion is for capital project.

It reads: “a bill to authorize the issue from the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s Statutory Revenue Fund of the Federal Capital Territory Administration Account, the total sum of N502,958,983,377.00, of which N116,976,164,567.00 is for Overhead Costs; while the balance of N307,847,115,280.00 only, is for Capital Project; for the service of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, for the financial year commencing from 1 January and ending on 31 December, 2023.

L-R: Spoke person for minority caucus Hon. Dachung Musa Bagos, Chairman of Minority caucus, Hon. Fredrick Agbedi and member elect from Gombe, Hon. Ali Isa Jessy, at the minority caucus meeting meeting, yesterday in Abuja.

NAFDAC trains health workers on dangers of breast milk substitute

Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Aglobal nutrition initiative, Alive & Thrive (A&T) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Wednesday trained health workers in Kaduna State on the dangers of Breastmilk Substitute (BMS).

Mrs Sarah Kwasu, Zonal Coordinator of the organisation, said on Wednesday in Zaria, that the training was under the A&T Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) in Nigeria programme.

Kwasu said that the training was organised by the State Primary Health Care Board as part of efforts to promote optimal breastfeeding practices.

She explained that the World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months towards reducing infant morbidity and mortality, especially in developing countries.

She added that to achieve this, the World Health Assembly in 1981, adopted the Code of Marketing of BMS to discourage the promotion of substitutes globally and ensure full adoption of exclusive breastfeeding.

She attributed the current low MICYN practices in the country to the continued violation of the International Code of BMS by producers and marketers of breastmilk substitutes.

“These violations include the inappropriate labelling and advertisement of BMS, distribution of promotional items, hospital visits and engagement with health workers, as well as direct contact with expectant and new mothers.

“Also, awareness of the Code is very low among health workers and government employees,” she said.

She said that the A&T initiative was being funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to save lives, prevent illness, and improve the health and wellbeing of mothers, children, and adolescents.

This, she said, is being achieved using evidence-based approaches in collaboration with governments and other partners at global, regional, national, and community levels.

She pointed out that as a regulatory agency, NAFDAC was specifically assigned the responsibility of implementation, enforcement, and monitoring of adherence to the Code.

She said that NAFDAC had been

conducting an awareness campaign to ensure compliance with the International Code of marketing of BMS to improve knowledge, practice, and attitude towards exclusive breast feeding.

She said that the A&T had earlier supported NAFDAC to sensitise health workers from 16 health facilities in four selected LGAs namely Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Chikun and Igabi.

The Zonal Coordinator described the sensitisation as a “huge success” following the step down of the training to a total of 672 health workers.

According to her, the current training was to support NAFDAC and the State Primary Health Care Board to scale up the training to other LGAs.

“The participants are expected to regularly step down the learnings to other staff of their respective facilities.”

The State nutrition Officer, Mrs Ramatu Haruna, said the training was designed to improve the health workers’ knowledge on their role in protecting pregnant women, mothers, and their infants from inappropriate use of BMS.

Haruna added that the training

was also to re-orient the health workers on the importance of promoting the early initiation of breast milk and six months exclusive breastfeeding in health facilities.

“The training was also organised to discuss challenges to BMS regulations, and compliance in health facilities and community and identifying areas for further support.

“We also want to reflect on how NAFDAC, State and Local Government Area actors can successfully work together to address these challenges.

“At the end, we want to secure commitments from the Primary Health Care workers in addressing Code noncompliance and promote MIYCN programming through their various platforms,” she said.

Mrs Rahila Maishanu, BMS Officer, NAFDAC, Kaduna State Office, said that healthcare workers have a duty to control the introduction, use and movement of BMS in health facilities.

Maishanu called on the health workers to support, protect and promote breastfeeding towards building a healthy and productive population for the development of the society.

From:

Photo: Mahmud Isa

10th Assembly: Bura concerned citizens declare support for Betara as speaker

By Usman Shuaibu

The Bura Concerned Citizens Initiative (BCCI) has declared support for the Honourable Mukhtar Aliyu Betara to be the speaker of the 10th House of Representatives at the National Assembly.

The Chairman of BCCI, Mr. Useni Bata Ndahi who made the declaration while presenting a two – page speech during the press briefing which took place at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Chapter, Zone 5 Utako, Abuja on Saturday.

According to the Chairman, Hon. Betara is one of the most senior legislators who had served as Chairman in various committees, e.g. NDIC Banking and Currency, Interior, Army, Defence and presently Appropriation. With the experiences above, Bura Concerned Citizens Initiative sees him worthy to pilot the renewed hope of the president – elect.

He then called on the people who matters across the states, zones as well as political parties to deem it necessary to support Right Hon. Mukhtar Aliyu Betara for the position of the 10th speaker of the House of Representatives.

His words: “Once again, my dear Nigerians, partisanship had ended with the elections and now it is time for governance. Therefore, the choice of those who lead the process cannot be left to political calculations rather competence, character and capacity. That is why Bura Concerned Citizens Initiative does not only throw her weights behind Right Hon. Mukhar Aliyu Betara, but respectfully present him to Nigerians and most importantly the members of the 10th Assembly to beam their research lights for the selection of those who lead them by choosing Right Hon. Mukhtar Aliyu Betara as the next speaker”.

He said the Honourable Betara was a leader who had been tested and proven in the chamber, pointing out that he was re-elected for the 5th term in the National Assembly.

The BCCI Chairman, however, commended Hon. Betara for carrying out developmental projects across his constituency in Borno State, as he disclosed that Betara was bestowed with an award of Excellence by the Nigerian Union of Journalists North-East Zone in 2013.

Meanwhile, Bura Concerned Citizens Initiative was incorporated with the six members of Board of Trustees which included Hon. Justice Mwada Balami (Rtd), Chief Bata Madaki Auta, Useni Bata Ndahi, Chief Isaac Balami, Dr Sunday Jijiya Bwala and Barr. Daniel Machar.

NSCDC arrest 75 drums of water treatment chemicals in Zamfara

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

Zamfara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has intercepted a truck loaded with 75 drums of water treatment chemicals worth millions of naira suspected to be stolen by yet to be identified persons.

Parading the arrested items at the state headquarters of the NSCDC in Gusau on Wednesday, Commandant Mu’azu Bello

Mohammed, said the Command has acted on intelligence report to intercept the alleged stolen chemicals.

According to him, the two products of the suspected stolen chemicals which included ‘Calcium Hypochlorite and Hiclear Calcium Hypochlorite Mixture Dry’ were 75 drums and were believed to have been procured by the State Government meant for water treatment and provision for consumption in the state.

“There were no documents whatsoever indicating legal transportation of the items from the state to the targeted destination. The driver could neither defend his contract nor the client that engaged him for the transportation.

“I invited the state Commissioner for water and other management staffers of Water Board which some of them appeared and informed the Command that the suspected items should be from the

state Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RUWASA).

He further noted that, he has sent an invitation to the management staffers of the RUWASA to appear before the Command to answer questions about the suspected chemicals after which they will be charged to court for prosecution.

It would be recalled, that Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State has been long experiencing acute shortage of water due to lack of chemicals for water treatment.

L- R: The president, National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), Mr Israel Eboh, The Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) Otunba Olusegun Runsewe and the President Federation of Tourism Association (FTAN), Mr Nkereuwem Onung, during the programme on Cultural Peace & Nat’l Rebirth. (a new agenda setting,) Organise by the NCAC, held on Tuesday in Abuja.

Buhari lauds delivery of 300 housing units for IDPs in Borno

By Egena Sunday Ode

President

Muhammadu

Buhari has commended the completion and delivery of 300 housing units of two-bedroom each and other livelihood enhancing infrastructure at two Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Borno State.

The housing units and the other infrastructure, constructed by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAPSDGs) were delivered at the IDPs camps in Gwoza and Nganzai Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the State.

Specifically, 200 housing units, a fully equipped 20-Bed Primary healthcare centre, skill acquisition centre, a mini sports pavilion and a community hall were inaugurated at the IDPs camp in Nganzai.

The other facilities unveiled for the displaced persons at the local government include a fully furnished four blocks of twentyfour classrooms, a water scheme with full reticulation, access roads and an integrated 400 units of solar streetlights.

The President commended the OSSAP-SDGs for delivering for use the IDPs 100 housing units in Gwoza, a fully equipped 20-bed Primary Healthcare Centre and a quarter for security operatives, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said in a statement on Wednesday.

The other projects unveiled include three fully furnished blocks

of six classrooms, a water scheme with complete reticulation, access roads, 500 poles of integrated solar streetlights and market lockup/open shops, according to the statement.

It noted that the projects in Gwoza and Nganzai LGs were commissioned on Wednesday 26 April and Thursday 27 April respectively at an event attended by top officials of Borno government led by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, traditional and religious leaders, federal and state lawmakers as well as the management of OSSAP-SDGs.

The statement quoted Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, while speaking at the event to have expressed appreciation to President Buhari for providing the needed resources that have enabled her Office to work closely with sub-national governments to deliver key interventions to fast-track the achievement of the 2023 agenda.

Orelope-Adefulire, also appreciated the Borno State Government for the support given to her Office to deliver on the initiative.

The SSAP-SDGs noted that the projects were in line with the promise of the President to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years with emphasis on delivery of key interventions with multiplier effects on multi-dimensional poverty, such as basic healthcare, vocational skills development and education provisioning as well as the North East Stabilisation and Development Master Plan (NESDMP).

She added that the interventions were also meant to help Nigeria accelerate the progress on the SDGs by 2030 and the Borno State Strategic Development Plan by 2024.

“It is worthy to mention that the provision of decent and affordable housing is a fundamental human right, enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goal 11, which seeks to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. These housing units, alongside the other facilities, will go a long way in improving the living conditions of the Internally Displaced Persons and ensuring their safety and resilience,” she said.

The presidential aide added that the facilities have spillover effects on other related Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 1, which seeks to end poverty; SDG 2, which seeks to end hunger and promote food security; SDG 3, which seeks to promote good health and well-being; SDG 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education; SDG 5, which seeks to achieve gender equality; SDG 6, which seeks to ensure access to clean water and sanitation and SDG 7, which seeks to ensure access to affordable and clean energy.

The projects are also in line with SDG 8, which seeks to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth; SDG 9, which seeks to promote resilient infrastructure and sustainable industrialization; SDG 10, which seeks to reduce inequalities; SDG 13, which seeks to take urgent action

to combat climate change and its impacts; SDG 16, which seeks to promote peaceful and inclusive societies; and SDG 17, which seeks to strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

“My office and Borno State Government have worked closely to complete these interventions which demonstrate our commitment to providing sustainable infrastructure that meets the needs of the communities. We look forward to working together to achieve more SDGs in Borno State and Nigeria at large so that “No-One is Left Behind,” the SSAP-SDGs added. Also speaking during the inauguration of the projects in Nganzai, Gov. Zulum hailed President Buhari and OSSAP-SDGs for the projects for the benefit of people, who were displaced by the insurgency in the state.

He noted that housing is a critical aspect of the resettlement and rehabilitation process for communities affected by the insurgency and the projects executed by OSSAP-SDGs in the State are the largest single intervention by any organisation since the beginning of the insurgency in the state.

“This will enhance the living condition of the people, and also provide a sense of security and stability,” he said.

Governor Zulum also reiterated his commitment to the resettlement and rehabilitation of communities affected by the insurgency.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Nigeria to become top middleincome economy by 2050 — Buhari

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Muhammadu

Buhari on Wednesday in Abuja launched a new longterm national development plan, the Nigeria Agenda 2050 (NA 2050), which aims to ensure that the country attains a Per Capita GDP of $33,328 per annum, placing her among the top middleincome economies in the world by 2050.

The President inaugurated NA 2050 before the commencement of the meeting of the Federal Executive Council at the Council Chamber.

He said the Plan has the vision of a dynamic, industrialized and knowledge-based economy that generates inclusive and sustainable development for the country.

He added that given the measures already in place for continuous plan implementation, successive Administrations will find the document useful in the delivery of electoral promises.

‘‘You will recall that in March, 2020, I approved the development of successor Plans to both Nigeria Vision 20:2020 and the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), 2017-2020. The Plans lapsed in December, 2020.

‘‘To give effect to this approval, I inaugurated the National Steering Committee in September, 2020 under the leadership of the Hon. Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning and a Distinguished private sector operator, Mr. Atedo Peterside.

‘‘The Steering Committee is to superintend the preparation of the Nigeria Agenda 2050 and the National Development Plan (NDP), 2021-2025 to succeed the Nigeria Vision 20: 2020 and Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), 2017-2020, respectively.

‘‘At the inauguration, I charged the Steering Committee to prepare inclusive Plans that would cover all shades of opinion and ensure even and balanced development, as well as put in

place necessary legislations for continuous implementation of Plans even after the expiration of the tenure of successive Administrations.

‘‘This was achieved with the preparation of the Volume III of the NDP that deals with Legislative Imperatives for identified binding constraints to Plan implementation in Nigeria.

‘‘It is instructive to inform Council and indeed all Nigerians that I had on December 22, 2021 launched the first of the six number 5-year medium term plans, the National Development Plan (NDP), 2021-2025, that will be used to implement the LongTerm Plan.

‘‘Council also on March 15, 2023 approved the Nigeria Agenda 2050 that we are launching today,’’ he said.

Commending the National

Steering Committee, led by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed and the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, for delivering yet again, on this important national assignment, the President described the unveiling and public presentation of NA 2050 as another milestone in the ‘‘annals of history of our planning experience, post-independence.’’ He added that this feat has also shown the Administration’s commitment to planning and plan implementation since assumption of office on May 29, 2015.

On the process for the preparation of the Plan, the Minister of Finance stated that it was not only participatory and consultative but inclusive; involving all critical stakeholders such as, all Federal Ministries,

Departments and Agencies (MDAs), 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory as well as the representatives of Local Government Areas (LGAs).

She listed other stakeholders as the Organised Private Sector, youth organisations, labour unions, traditional and religious institutions, major political parties, women organisations, people with special needs, among others.

‘‘The Nigeria Agenda 2050 is formulated against the backdrop of subsisting economic and social challenges facing the country, including low, fragile and non-inclusive growth, insecurity, high population growth rate, limited concentric economic diversification and low productivity.

‘‘The Plan is a long-term economic transformation blueprint designed to address

these challenges,’’ she said.

Ahmed also told the President and other FEC members present at the inauguration that with the expected improved capital accumulation, investment as a ratio of GDP is expected to increase from the current 29.40 per cent to 40.11 per cent by 2050.

She explained that under the Plan, the bulk of the investment is expected to be financed by the private sector while total employment is expected to rise to 203.41 million in 2050 from 46.49 million in 2020.

‘‘This implies that unemployment will drop significantly to 6.3 per cent in 2050 from 33.3 per cent in 2020. The corollary is that the number of people in poverty will drop to 2.1 per cent by 2050 from 83 million in 2020,’’ the Finance Minister said.

Alleged N1.8bn fraud: Court strikes out case against Dasuki’s ex-aide, 8 others

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court Abuja, has struck out the N1.84 billion money laundering charges brought by the Federal Government against Colonel Nicholas Ashinze, a former Military Assistant to Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) and eight others.

The court 13-count charges was strike out following its withdrawal by the Attorney General of the Federation AGF after seven years of trial.

Consequently, Justice Abang discharged the nine defendants

from the alleged corruption issue related to the matter.

Although the Judge did not pronounce them acquitted, the Supreme Court of Nigeria had in several judgments held that discharging defendants from criminal charges is tantamount to acquittal from the same charges.

Striking out a case essentially means that the charges against the defendants are dismissed and the case is terminated.

In the instant case where the charges are struck out and the defendants are discharged, they are no longer subject to criminal prosecution for the charges in that

particular case.

Justice Abang held that no court of law can question the exercise of AGF’s powers, under Section 174 (1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), to take over or terminate any matter before any court of law.

Counsel to the Federal Government, Mr David Kaswe had applied for withdrawal of the charges apparently acting on the instructions of the AGF, Malam Abubakar Malami SAN.

Sources in the Federal Ministry of Justice said that the case file had been reviewed severally and found out that the

charges against the defendants cannot be sustained, hence, the decision to terminate it.

Ashinze (1st defendant) was standing trial alongside an Austrian, Wolfgang Reinl; Edidiong Idiong and Sagir Mohammed listed as 2nd to 4th defendants respectively.

Other defendants in the case are five companies: Geonel Integrated Services Limited, Unity Continental Nigeria Limited, Helpline Organisation, Vibrant Resource Limited and Sologic Integrated Service Limited listed as 5th to 9th defendants respectively.

The money was said to have emanated from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) headed then by Dasuki where Ashinze served as Special Assistant during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

The nine defendants had at the commencement of the trial, pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them.

In the course of the trial, EFCC through its counsel, Mr Ofem Uket had called seven witnesses during the seven years the case lasted in the court.

L-R: Director Market Access, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) Mrs Uduak Etokowoh, Director General, Abuja Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mrs Victoria Akai, 1st Deputy President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Barr. Dele Kelvin Oye, Minister of Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and the Chairman of the Technical Committee on the Utilization of AGOA, Mr Suleiman Audu, during the presentation of the report of the Committee to the Minister, held on Tuesday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo.

FG calls for transparency, accountability in mining sector

By Joy Baba-Yesufu

Lack of transparency and accountability in the mining sector has been described as the bane of development and proper safeguards to many mining host communities in Nigeria.

This was made known by the minister of mines and steel development, Olamilekan Adegbite in Abuja at a town hall meeting on ‘promoting fiscal justice and social safeguards in the solid mineral sector’ organized by Global Rights.

The minister, who was represented by the ministry’s director of investment promotion and trade, Mr Imeh Ekrikpo said the issues of transparency has been in the front burner in recent times, in all facet of the economy adding that the ministry is doing all it can within the available resources to conform to the basic tenets of transparency initiatives.

He said “we have done some remarkable reforms in the ministry’s regulation that has given confidence that we are beginning to understand the peculiarity of the environment we operate in and a few changes we have made in our finances in government.

“How we capture government revenues from royalties, from taxes, capacity building that we have undertaken has empowered our officials to begin to do some of those things more transparently. Reporting what is accruable to the government more accurately, we are making giants stride to achieve a lot in these areas”.

In her welcome address, executive director, Global Rights, Abiodun Baiyewu said several reports from different agencies have shown that Nigeria is losing billions of dollars as a result of lack of transparency.

She further said that citizens need to demand accountability from the government to ensure those loopholes are blocked and to ensure everything is put out in there for everyone to see.

Also speaking at the event, executive secretary, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiatives (NEITI) Orji Ogbonnaya Orji said social safeguards are policies or tools deployed to prevent and mitigate undue harm to people during mining process.

He also said safeguards helps assess the potential social risks and impacts associated with mine development, defining measures and processes to effectively manage risk and enhance positive impacts.

Orji, who was represented by NEITI director of communication, Obiageli Onuoha said accountability is also a component of fiscal justice making sure that taxes paid to government are used appropriately and prudently.

IPI Nigeria sets agenda for Tinubu on journalists’ safety, media freedom

On the commemoration of the 2023 World Press Freedom Day, the Nigerian National Committee of the Vienna-based International Press Institute (IPI) is asking the new government that will be inaugurated in Nigeria on May 29 to commit to creating a better operating environment for journalists and media organisations.

In the past few years, cases of media and journalists’ harassment have been rampant. These violations include arrests, physical attacks, denial of access, threats, equipment damage, equipment seizure, lawsuits and high-handedness and arbitrariness by some agencies of government.

Nigerian journalists are in perpetual danger, and we are urging the incoming government to embrace a new attitude by deliberately improving the operational environment of

journalists and the media. There are still a number of oppressive and media-unfriendly laws, such as those on criminal defamation and cybercrime, that need to be amended. The government should also begin widespread sensitisation of its security operatives, who must understand that journalists and the media are key elements of democracy. While state actors, especially state governors, must end intimidation and harassment of journalists, Nigerian politicians and political parties should also desist from the use of online trolls to attack journalists and media organisations for performing their constitutional duties of upholding the people’s right to know and holding governments, individuals and organisations accountable. The incoming administration, to be led by Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, must also take deliberate steps to help the sustainability of media outlets

while respecting press freedom and freedom of speech.

IPI Nigeria is also concerned that as laudable as the passage of the Freedom of Information Act is, journalists have not been able to fully utilise the law to hold public officials accountable because government officials continue to play pranks to deny them the information they seek.

Section 2 (1) of the Act states, “A public institution shall ensure that it records and keeps information about all its activities, operations and business”. This provision is not being complied with. Specifically, sub-sections 2–4 mandate public institutions to publish public records in different accessible forms for information seekers. This is also not being complied with.

Sections 22 and 39 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution provide for Freedom of Expression and the Press.

Section 22 states that: “The

press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this Chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people”. Section 39, which is closely related to Section 22, provides that: “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference”.

IPI Nigeria demands that the incoming government commits to the total implementation of the FOI Act. This is because the free flow of information is essential to the survival and growth of democracy. Misinformation and disinformation thrive more robustly when authorities withhold information that ordinarily should be made available to the public.

Sensitization will reduce incessant union strike in Education sector - ABU VC

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Vice Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Prof. Kabiru Bala has said that there must be good planning and sensitization in order to avert the effect of pandemic and unions strike in the Nigerian education sector.

He stated this at the 61st Meeting of the Committee of Provost and Deans of Postgraduate Colleges and Nigerian Universities (CPDPGCS) held at the ABU Postgraduate Auditorium yesterday.

According to him, there must

be a serious synergy between the industries in order to exploit means of research on energy.

“whatever we can do from the government and industries, we have to do a very good research in order to achieve the aims and objectives of the research.”

Professor Bala maintained that research and postgraduate studies are going hand in hand which make them very important in the area of educational development.

In her welcome address, the President of the association, Prof. Philomina Ebokwe said that the meeting is aimed at building a strong network between provosts

and deans of postgraduate schools in respect of postgraduate studies, which can be used by colleges and postgraduate schools for studies.

The president charged participants to think about how to move forward and how to move postgraduate education forward in Nigeria.

According to her, the 21st Century is characterised by the many challenges of technological advances and globalization that make them compete with world class Universities because we can remain in one place.

She said the theme of the meeting is, ” Paradigm shift in the

delivery of Postgraduate studies and research is Nigeria”.

In his remarks, the Dean Postgraduate School Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Sani Abdullahi said the meeting is aimed at finding a lasting solution of issues that is hindering postgraduate students’ programmes when there is striking and pandemic.

Prof. Abdullahi said, the theme of the meeting is apt, considering the compositions of scholars assembled to deliver papers whom he said they will do justice to it.

House Leader/Speakership aspirant, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa (middle), Chairman House of Representatives committee on Special Duty, Hon. Samaila Suleiman (left) Chairman House of Representatives committee on Agriculture Institute, Hon. Munir Baba Dangudi, (2nd left), with others, during the Doguwa declaration of interest to contest for 10th House of Representatives Speakership, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Accident victims involving Chinese company truck, Shunda, petition IGP

By Musa Baba Adamu

Victims of a 2021 articulated (truck) vehicle belonging to Shunda Nigeria Ventures Limited, a Chinese company, have petitioned the Inspector General of Police, seeking for justice.

The victims who wrote the petition through their lawyers, said their action became imperative after refusal of the company to honour its undertaking it made during an understanding brokered by the Police in Riyom, Plateau state.

According to the petition, the accident which occured due to negligence and recklessness of the driver of the Chinese truck claimed the lives of Alhaji Salch Garba and Mr.Joel Yohana, while Mr.Bature Samuel Mr. Hassan Jibrin sustained various degrees of injuries.

The petition to the Police high command dated 8th November, 2022, indicated that the unfortunate incidence occured along Hawan-Kibo, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau state.

It said: “ after series of investigations by the Police at Riyom Police outpost, the said truck driver was arrested and detained pending the conclusion of the investigation and at the end of the investigation it was found that the truck driver was the sole cause of the accident that claimed the lives and properties of our clients.”

It said after initial refusal by the Chinese company’s management to honour Police invitation for a resolution, the company eventually sent a representative at another date during which an understanding was reached but was not being implemented by the company.

“Eventually, Shunda Nig. Entreprise sent a representative through their former MD and at the Police station there was series of deliberations between the parties from both sides and the representative of Shunda Nig. Entreprise who offered to compensate the victims of the accident but left on that day and could not return or do anything ever since.”

Imploring the IGP to look into the matter, the petioners feared that unless the authorities showed more than a passing interest in the matter the company had no interest in keeping its promise to the victims.

It reterated that while two lives were lost as a result of the accident, two other victims had to spend millions of naira in hospital bills to treat themselves.

Proper implementation of ACJA remains a priority, AGF, IGP

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The Attorney General of the Federation(AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN and the Inspector General of Police(IGP) Usman Akali Baba, have reiterated their commitments to the effective implementation of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act ( ACJA) in Nigeria.

AGF said the ministry, as a leading stakeholder in the administration of justice will continue to support stakeholders to ensure that the reformation of the justice sector aligns with the International best practice.

Malami was represented by the Director of Public

Procurement (DPP) Mohammad Baba Doko, at a 2-Day Workshop on Implementation of Administration of Criminal Justices Act, (ACJA) 2015 for Police in North Central Zone, held in Abuja.

At the workshop with the theme: implementation of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) For Police Prosecutors in the North Central, Malami said the essential elements of the ACJA 2015 remained the abolition of stay of proceedings; effective case management by trial courts; witness protection, and sentencing guidelines among others.

The recent criminal justice bill passed by the senate according to the AGF has added some new innovations such as the establishment of a sex offender

registry in the federal capital Territory.

He explained further that upon conviction of a sex offender, the offender’s particulars shall be entered into the sex offender register.

The Justice Minister stated that other innovations in bill just passed by senate include, abolition of trial within trial which delayed criminal proceedings; filing of witness deposition to promote speedy trial and among others innovation that when passed would help enhance criminal justice in Nigeria.

In his remarks the IGP, represented by the commissioner of police in charge of the legal department, David Igbodo (rtd) said the police is very much committed to ensuring the

effective dispensation of justice in Nigeria.

While expressing commitments and dedication to ensuring the reformation of the criminal justices sector, the IG expresses the zeal of the police towards achieving the implementation of the process.

The Executive ACJW, Mr Biodun Aikomo disclosed that ACJA has dealt with a lot of identified challenges in the Justice sector, reminding that the police is central to maintaining cohesion in the society.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Mr Tony Ojukwu who was represented at the workshop promise to assist with necessary skills and knowledge aimed at promoting the rule of law.

NIHOTOUR to host 3rd edition of gastronomy festival in June

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), said it is hosting the 3rd edition of the biggest Gastronomy Festival in Abuja.

This was contained in a statement signed and issued in Abuja, by Director Media and Public Relations, Ahmed Mohammed Sule .

According to the statement, the gastronomy festival is scheduled to hold at the International Conference Centre on the 16th and 17th of June, 2023, tagged Culinary Arts: The Gate Way to Growing Tourism Destination.

The Gastronomy Festival is organized by the National Institute for Hospitality and

Tourism (NIHOTOUR), is targeted at the upskilling of Nigerian gastronomes on the essence of the preparation and presentation of traditional Nigerian cuisines to improve the expertise of practitioners in the tourism sector.

Speaking on the highlights of the Gastronomy Festival, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NIHOTOUR, Nura Kangiwa, said the event will feature amongst others, exhibition of indigenous gastronomy by exhibitors prominent among which are, NIHOTOUR, which as usual, showcase indigenous Nigerian cuisines from the sixgeopolitical zones of the country.

He said this year’s Gastronomy Festival is the third consecutive food and beverage exhibition

and sampling event annually organized by NIHOTOUR since 2021.

Leading local food franchises, international cuisines showcase by foreign missions, Jollof War by select west African chefs, and the investiture of NIHOTOUR Fellowships on individuals who have contributed to the development of the nation’s Tourism and Hospitality sector.

Likewise, a masterclass for members of the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Travel Writers (ANJET) facilitated by the director general of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Runsewe, the managing director of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Buki Ponle and ex-NTA director, Peter Igho.

Gastronomy Fair, is an opportunity to address the dearth of culinary artistry in the country.

“The festival provides one of the best opportunities for hospitality and tourism stakeholders, students and enthusiasts to have handson learning and perspectives on how to sustain the tourism destinations using gastronomy festivals as promotional tools,”

The statement noted that since the festival started 2021 it has experience over 5,000 visitors including local industry stakeholders and the diplomatic community in Nigeria such as Ethiopia, China and Spain participate showcasing their countries food culture and processes of preparation from the farm to the table.

L-R: Minister of Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo receiving report from the Chairman of the Technical Committee on the Utilization of AGOA, Mr Suleiman Audu, during the presentation of the report of the Committee to the Minister, held on Tuesday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

CAN wants employers to treat workers with dignity, respect

By Albert Akota

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on governments and other employers to treat workers with dignity and respect, and provide them with decent conditions, fair wages and job security.

CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made the call in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja.

Archbishop Okoh praised the resilience, dedication and hard work of Nigerian workers, who had continued to drive the economy forward in spite of numerous challenges.

He said CAN recognised invaluable contributions of Nigerian workers to the growth and development of the nation.

He said: “We recognize the sacrifices they make daily to ensure that their families and the nation at large has a better future.

“As Christians, we believe that work is not just a means of earning a living but also a means of fulfilling our Godgiven purpose on earth.

“We, therefore, encourage all Nigerian workers to continue to approach their work with diligence, excellence and integrity, knowing that their labour is not in vain.

“We also want to use this occasion to express our solidarity with Nigerian workers who have been adversely affected by the current economic situation,” it said.

Ageing: NSCC organizes workshop to enhance desk officers in MDAs

By Albert Akota

Buhari jets out to London for King Charles’ coronation

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Muhammadu

Buhari departs for London, United Kingdom, Wednesday to join other world leaders invited to attend the coronation of Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort of the United Kingdom, respectively.

The coronation will take place on Saturday, May 6. Ahead of the coronation, the Commonwealth Secretariat will take advantage of the gathering of leaders in London to host a Commonwealth Summit for Presidents and Heads of Government of Commonwealth countries on Friday, May 5.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on

Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said Buhari is billed to participate in the Summit which will deliberate on the Future of the Commonwealth and the Role of the Youth.

It further noted that the President will be accompanied by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister

of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.Gen Babagana Monguno (Rtd), the Director General, National Intelligence Agency, (NIA), Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, the Chairperson/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa and other senior government officials.

Buhari has excelled in fight against corruption, terrorism -Presidency insists

Lists infrastructure, increased exports, special works programme, others as landmark feats Says Nigerians will remember him for good

By Egena Sunday Ode

ThePresidency Wednesday insisted that President Muhammadu Buhari has scored an excellent mark in his anti corruption and anti terorism fights, regardless of what anybody thinks or says.

Accordingly, it decared that President Buhari came, saw and conquered, leaving Nigeria in a better position than he met it in 2015.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement on Wednesday noted also that the landmark achievements of the out-going President in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture, social investment among a myriad of others are not contestable by any impartial observers of the affairs of the country.

Government’s medium-term Economic Plan, launched by President Buhari in April 2017, successfully ushered in a macroeconomic environment and helped the country to achieve food security.”

The Presidency also argued that President Buhari should be given credit for the “massive success” of pushing through the Petroleum Industry Bill – a staggering achievement attempted but failed by myriad previous administrations – as well as the vast improvements to national infrastructure that have set the country on course for sustainable and equitable growth.

“But President Buhari is not a North Korean dictator. He would be scornful of any world leader who claimed a perfect record and would be the last person to make such claims for himself.

“He had his strengths and his weaknesses, and applied the former and mitigated against the latter to achieve his overarching goal: to leave Nigeria a better place than he found it. In that he succeeded.

states and the FCT; the beneficiaries of Nigeria’s Micro-Pension Scheme which allows self-employed persons and persons working in organisations with less than 3 employees to save for the provision of pension at retirement or incapacitation.”

National

Senior citizens Center (NSCC) in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is holding a 2-day workshop for desk officers on the implementation of NSCC Strategic Roadmap on Ageing 2022-2032 and National Plan of Action on Ageing in Nigeria and project activities 2021-2025.

Speaking at the workshop in Abuja, the Director General (NSCC), Emem Omokaro stated that the number of persons 60 years and above is increasing and it is projected to double by 2030 according to the Global Age Watch Index.

In her welcome address, Dr. Omokaro stated that the objectives of the 2-day workshop for desk officers was to increase the understanding of Ageing Desk Officers in all relevant MDAs on their roles and responsibilities in the implementation of NSCC strategic roadmap and to develop Desk Officer engagement framework towards increasing feedback and Desk Officers’ effectiveness.

She also added that a Desk Officers’ engagement framework will be developed to outline the model of engagement, key actions, approach to capacity building and performance measurements and principle of engagement.

Accordingly, she said, “So far, NSCC has through partnership successfully mainstreamed older persons into the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) Matured People Program, signed an MoU with FMoH, NPHCDA, NOA, NHCRC, LACON, NAPTIP and more to come.

“With the desk officers, we should be able to strengthen NSCC’s partnerships with the various MDAs, where they already exist and to leverage on the enhanced understanding of ageing and issues of older persons to evolve more effective partnerships and collaborations on mainstreaming ageing into specific programs and services”, she stated.

This, according to the Preaidency, is in spite of the fact that President Buhari inherited a prostrate economy and multiple security challenges at the inception of his adminstration.

It also listed the COVID-19 Pandemic, global food crisis and the ongoing war in Ukraine as natural impediments to global leaders, but noted that the Nigerian government under Buhari’s watch has successfully navigated the country’s economy to over come these challenges.

The statement said: “In this postelection period of heightened tension and disinformation, we see it fit to set the record straight.

“First let’s start with the one thing: that President Buhari inherited an economy in disarray. Corruption ran rampant, oil-prices were nose-diving and – astoundingly – an international terror cell, the Boko Haram controlled territory the size of Belgium within our country’s borders.

“That so-called country, the Caliphate is unrecognizable from today’s Nigeria.

“Today, corruption is thrust out in the open by Buhari’s landmark whistleblowing policy, empowering Nigerians to report it without fear and seeing the repatriation of hundreds of millions of dollars stolen by corrupt politicians and stashed in banks abroad.

“Terrorists no longer hold any territory in Nigeria whatsoever, and their leaders have been neutralised by our security forces.

“Economy has witnessed growth. External reserves have maintained a healthy growth throughout these eight years.

“Within two years of the Buhari administration, exports more than doubled from the 2015 records. Agriculture exports grew 180.7% by 2017 above the value in 2015.

“Raw material exports grew 154.2% in the same period; solid minerals grew 565% and exports of manufactured goods 26.8%.

“The Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), the Federal

It dismissed insinuations in some quarters that Buhari as a leader “failed to demonstrate any real grasp of modern economic ideas, and lacked the presence of mind or leadership acumen required to turn the ailing economy around”.

The presidency in the statement therefore quarried: “Which economic miracle worker...can turn round an economy which suffers from collapse of oil prices, COVID-19 lockdown and associated supply chain crisis and the Russia-Ukraine war?”

Noting that Preident Buhrai is not foing any less than other renowned global leaders, and had done well in the face of prevailing obstacles, the Preidency said:

“Look around the world and see how practically every country struggles from these disasters.

“He presided over the most turbulent period in modern Nigerian history, helping our nation navigate through global shocks such as volatile oil prices, the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the global cost of living crisis.

“He kept the ship steady, and paved the way for his successor, Presidentelect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to take the reins at the end of this month and build upon what he has already achieved.

The Presidency also insisted that not a few group of Ngerians would miss the President as takes his bow from the office.

Such groups, the statement said would include “countless Nigerians whose futures he has improved, the two million poor and vulnerable Nigerian households that are currently benefiting from the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program, which pays a bimonthly stipend of N10,000 per household; the 355,000 vulnerable persons have received a special oneoff grant of N20,000 each in the 36

It listed the National Youth Investment Fund, and National Special Public Works Program (774,000 beneficiaries across 774 LGAs nationwide), and the Central Bank’s COVID-19 N300 billion Targeted Credit Facility (TCF) to support millions of small businesses, households, and young people, with federal grants, loans, and stipends among those that will remember Buhari for good.

“This Survival Fund has provided grants (Payroll Support, Artisan and Transport Sector grants, and General MSME grants) to more than 1.2 million beneficiaries, since the last quarter of 2020. It has also provided free business registration to 250,000 MSMEs across the country,” the Presidency said.

It insisted that President Buhari will not also “be forgotten by the owners of the new 40 plus fertilizer companies and the thousands of people they employ, producing locally to service the more than 12 million new rice growers who in turn provide six million tons of paddy processed by more 100 new rice mills with Kano alone having 62, and others spreading far and wide to Ebonyi, Lagos, Ekiti, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Katsina and others.”

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Sen.Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora (middle) Sen. Philip Aduda and the CEO/ Founder Across Atlantic, Mr David Apollus and the Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Chief Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh (middle) during the foundation laying ceremony of Federal science park on Tuesday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

ABU plans to attain 70:30 ratio in postgraduate, undergraduate intake by 2036

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Oneof the fundamental goals of Ahmadu University’s Strategic Plan 2022-2026 is to increase, gradually but steadily, postgraduate enrolment to attain a 70:30 ratio in postgraduate and undergraduate intake by 2036.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, who disclosed this while declaring open the 61st Meeting of the Committee of Provosts and Deans of Postgraduate Colleges and Schools in Nigerian Universities (CPDPGCS) held at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, explained that this was because the institution placed topmost priority to postgraduate studies.

The plan, according to the Vice-Chancellor, was also in recognition of the centrality

Benue attacks: Medical practitioner advocates establishment of trauma mgt Center in Benue

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Amedical professional with the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, BSUTH, Dr. Joseph Igbudu, has urged the state government to establish a truama management center at the hospital, to care for the psychosocial needs of victims.

Igbudu, who is the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee of BSUTH, Makurdi, made the call while speaking with newsmen in his office in Makurdi on Tuesday.

He said the call has become necessary because the aftermath of the perennial attacks on Benue communities and killings of innocent residents have become traumatizing for all, especially for victims and their families hence the need for the center.

of postgraduate studies in the production of high-level manpower and quality research both of which are indispensable necessary ingredients in attaining sustainable national development.

Prof. Bala commended the Committee for establishing and nurturing the Doctoral Academy of Nigeria (DAN) with a view to ensuring the maintenance of the highest professional standards and codes of practice in the supervision and production of doctoral theses in Nigeria.

The meeting, which was jointly organised by the School of Postgraduate Studies, Ahmadu Bello University, and the Committee of Provosts and Deans of Postgraduate Colleges and Schools in Nigerian Universities (CPDPGCS), was to provide a platform for a national

discourse on “Paradigm Shift in Delivery of Postgraduate Education and Research in the 21st Century”.

It is also to fashion out a comprehensive national response with a view to proposing strategies for the adoption and deployment of new and innovative ways in a smart and steady manner.

Erudite scholars and practitioners from the academia, many of whom are scholars of global refute or seasoned university administrators, were invited to present well researched and thoughtprovoking papers.

Speaking further, the ViceChancellor said that ABU continued to grow in academic programmes and research aimed at addressing local and global challenges.

Prof. Bala said that the University, in addition to having

the highest number of postgraduate academic programmes and research centres of excellence in the country, also continued to attract sizeable amount of research grants locally and internationally.

The Vice-Chancellor informed the participants that the International Institute of Online Education (IIOE) established the Nigeria National Centre in Ahmadu Bello University, saying that the project basically aimed at empowering institutional policy implementation for digital teaching and learning in Nigeria.

He said that only eight Nigerian universities had so far joined as members, urging that other universities in the country should be encouraged to take advantage of the valuable capacity building programmes being offered by the centre.

In her remarks, the Chairperson, Committee of Provosts and Deans of Postgraduate Colleges and Schools (CPDPGCS), Prof. Philomena Igbokwe, expressed delight that the meeting eventually took place after a series of postponements due to the prolonged ASUU strike and the 2023 general elections.

The meeting, according to her, was also incorporated a workshop for secretaries of Postgraduate Colleges and Schools in Nigerian Universities which is the second in the series.

Prof. Philomena, who is the Provost, Postgraduate College, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, thanked the ViceChancellor for accepting to host the meeting and the “wonderful reception” accorded her and her entourage during their stay in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Front roll seat from left: Chief Justice of Nigeria, justice Olukayode Ariwoola, Grand Khadi, Sharia court of Appeal, Borno State Khadi Umar Ramat Mukaila and others with the magistrates during the Refresher Course for Judges of the Lower Courts, yesterday in Abuja

Benue Governor-elect, Ortom at war over transition report

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

The Transition Committee of Benue State Governor-elect has decried the deliberate delay in submission of report by outgoing administration of Governor Samuel Ortom. Chairman of Governor-elect

Transition Committee Mr. Mike

Iordye expressed this worry in a press statement made available to Peoples’ Daily on Tuesday.

Mr. Iordye who is a one time Head of Service said at a joint meeting with the outgoing administration’s team on the 27th April, 2023, that the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Prof. Anthony Ijohor informed his committee of the inability to get

the reports ready but that he will arrange for MDAs to brief them in one week’s time on his return from his trip abroad.

“This lackadaisical attention to a serious matter like this calls for concern, as this information is necessary to enable our smooth takeoff on 29th May, 2023.

“We therefore, urgently demand the release of the

following from the outgoing administration: Comprehensive handover notes covering the period of the outgoing administration,2015 – 2023 for all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), including the debt profile and the state of finances of the State.”

Kaduna police Command gets new Police Commissioner

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Anew Commissioner of Police, Musa Yusuf Garba, has assumed office in Kaduna State following the

approval by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Alkali Baba Usman.

Mohammed Jalige, the Police Public. Relations Officer in a statement yesterday said the new Commissioner of Police, being

the 41st Commissioner to serve in the state, took over the mantle of leadership from the immediate past Commissioner of Police, CP Yekini Adio Ayoku.

He said the Commissioner was

an alumnus of Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto and was enlisted in the Nigeria Police as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police on the 18th May 1992.

Zamfara Gov-elect charges 2023 transition C’tee on patriotism

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

Zamfara State Governorelect, Dr. Dauda Lawal has charged the 2023 transition committee to ensure patriotism and diligence in discharging their assigned responsibilities aimed at rescuing the state from

derailment under the outgoing administration.

Dr. Lawal made the declaration on Tuesday during inauguration ceremony of the 60-member transition committee led by the former Inspector General of Police, IGP MD Abubakar which was held at Garba Nadama hall Jibrin Yakubu Secretariat.

The Governor-elect further charged them of ensure total checks on commitments by the outgoing government in both financial and awarded contracts with a view to helping in designing a competent map as planned by the incoming administration for the delivery of expected democratic dividends in the state.

He urged them to apply their most needed hard earned experiences to investigate fully into activities carried by all the ministries under the outgoing government as such will facilitate his administration acquire easy point for the start immediately after swearing in ceremony come 29th of this month.

Photo; Mahmud Isa

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A peep into Nigerian journalists as world celebrates press freedom

By Isaac Asabor

Besides urging media owners to be paying their staff as at when due, and even offset their outstanding salaries, as the case may be, to journalists working for them, it is also expedient to urge Journalists to, on their own, update their knowledge by undergoing training in digital journalism. The reason for the foregoing cannot be farfetched as online journalism has greatly altered the ways in which Journalism is practiced.

If there is anything that has not changed in Journalism, from the perception of this writer, since the UN General Assembly took a decision 30 years ago, and proclaimed an international day for press freedom, which is celebrated every 3rd of May, it is unarguably the plight of journalists.

Against the foregoing backdrop, it is not out of place to say that this year’s theme for the Day, “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver for all other human rights” which signifies the enabling element of freedom of expression to enjoy and protect all other human rights serves as an impetus to recall the plight of Reporters in the newspaper industry.

For the sake of clarity, it is expedient to say that Journalists are indispensable to the news cycle. They help people understand and come to terms with recent happenings as current events shape the way individuals see the world, making news a vital vehicle for offering context. Journalists do not just cover current events, as news in a vacuum is not useful to anyone. Instead, they present it in the frame of reality so readers can ascertain an event’s importance and impact on the world.

Unfortunately, the media industry has been going through a steady degeneration for some

time, compelled by declining readership, viewership, and advertising revenues, which have shifted to other forms of media, especially digital. As these slumps have been occurring for several years, companies have been forced to reduce their marketing expenditures, further accelerating the drop in advertising revenues.

In fact, the decline in revenues across media houses has also led to the retrogressive situation where Journalists are not paid salaries at the end of the month so much that the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) had for the umpteenth time berated media owners for their continued non-payment of journalists’ salaries in the country as the Union believes that the negative trend continues to impact negatively on the practice of journalism. In fact, the Union believes that a situation where some journalists are made to work for months without any salary is an aberration and should be condemned.

Whether you like it or not, Journalists typically have been playing leading roles in their communities in holding governments and businesses accountable. Unfortunately, in this digital age, Journalists have become endangered species. Without any iota of exaggeration, the business of selling words to readers and selling readers and viewers to advertisers is falling apart, and while this actuality was ignored for many

years, not a few media houses and platforms are at last adopting digital technologies to address the challenges and opportunities presented by internet disruption as not few of the media companies in Nigeria are digitalcentric.

Given the fact that the collective career prospect of Journalists has been undergoing disruptive changes in the last decade, which affects them as well as their readers and viewers, it is expedient to opine in this piece that it is incumbent for the leadership of the NUJ to urge employers in the sector to be paying their staff on monthly basis, and at the same time urge them to prioritize the welfare of their staff.

Besides urging media owners to be paying their staff as at when due, and even offset their outstanding salaries, as the case may be, to journalists working for them, it is also expedient to urge Journalists to, on their own, update their knowledge by undergoing training in digital journalism. The reason for the foregoing cannot be farfetched as online journalism has greatly altered the ways in which Journalism is practiced.

In fact, analyzed from the thematic perspective of the 2023 celebration of World Press Freedom Day, stakeholders in the media sector of the economy should see the eventful day as significant because it is a reminder of the crucial role of the media in a democratic society, and in the same vein highlights the need to prioritize the collective welfare of journalists generally and their sources from censorship, intimidation, and violence. It also serves as a call to action for governments and organizations to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression, as enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Isaac Asabor is a Public Policy Analyst.

Sahel region tops Japan’s agenda in West Africa

By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh

The Japanese Prime Minister was in Ghana as part of his Africa and Asia tour. Before coming to Ghana, he had already been to Egypt while he is expected to visit Kenya, Mozambique and then Singapore.

The situation in the Sahel region including Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger still remains extremely difficult with internal conflicts, extremism and militant attacks, economic development is undeniably at its lowest points in history. In addition, the Covid-19 and climate change are taking its toll on developments in the region.

A number of foreign countries have strongly suggested that the extremism and frequent militant attacks are eradicated through multilateral cooperation, but some are making unilateral commitment and offering support towards establishing peace and development in the region.

The Government of Japan has vowed to work closely with the Republic on peace, human rights, economic development and sustainability across the region. Announcing the collaboration during the Japan-Ghana Summit Meeting in Accra on May 1, 2023, Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, asserted the need to quickly resolve the Russian-Ukraine conflict which has had a major impact on Africa, including food crisis and soaring

fertiliser prices.

Against this backdrop, Kishida said Japan would provide$500million for peace in Sahel region over the next three years to contribute to efforts to restore peace and stability and promote sustainable growth in the Sahel region and neighbouring coastal countries of the Gulf of Guinea.

Kishida further expressed serious concern about the situation in Sudan. According to the UN, more than 100,000 people have fled the country since heavy fighting broke out between rival forces on 15 April. A further 334,000 people have been displaced within Sudan, the BBC reported.

In order to respond to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan and its neighboring countries, Kishisa said Japan would urgently consider providing

emergency humanitarian assistance together with the international community.

Expressing his appreciation for Japan’s contribution to restoring global peace and economic growth, AkufoAddo said the two countries will cooperate closely as colleagues of the UN Security Council for the stabilisation of Sudan.

As non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, the two leaders believe that with the world at a historic turning point, cooperation among the international community is even more crucial to effectively address various challenges facing humanity, such as climate change, energy, and opaque and unfair development finance.

The Japanese Prime Minister was in Ghana as part of his Africa and Asia tour. Before coming to Ghana, he had already been to Egypt while he is expected to visit Kenya, Mozambique and then Singapore.

It is important to note that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU), the United Nations (UN), and the bilateral and multilateral partners have suggested adequate steps to ensure a peaceful return to constitutional and democratic government in the Shael region. The G5 Sahel are Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger.

Kestér Kenn Klomegâh is an Int’l Affairs Analyst.

Whether you like it or not, Journalists typically have been playing leading roles in their communities in holding governments and businesses accountable. Unfortunately, in this digital age

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Expressing his appreciation for Japan’s contribution to restoring global peace and economic growth, Akufo-Addo said the two countries will cooperate closely as colleagues of the UN Security Council for the stabilisation of Sudan

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AI in Africa might continue to increase big tech market dominance

By Caleb Onah

We are currently at a junction in the road where the African societies have to do something. Above all, a coordinated regulatory approach is needed in the above issues. Trying to smidgen the AI after the fact wouldn’t be a viable option. It might lead to an unpleasurable end.

The growing number of voices from all walks of life is raising concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, with many calling for AI regulation or at least a further pause in implementation as we ponder on how to adjust it. This includes views and reviews from different expert views –researchers and CEOs in different organisations.

AI regulation, considering the growing nature of the African economy, is a total agreement for me and I have long thought how strange it is for us not to literally regulate the use of AI and companies as well as testing on us – provided they are allowed to do so.

Initial concern is training on our data – although we do heavily and not able to manage well on biopharmaceutical testing in certain countries and I think we need to do a lot more in Nigeria to regulate what goes into the technology and AI budget and implementations. It’s not just about propaganda and job loss that many people fear, which actually may be the case but without AI regulation, we risk further cementing Big Tech’s dominance over our technology direction and sector.

Considering the most important issues that we face with the development of AI technology in the world and African in particular, of which personal options or market signals cannot solve due to African unique nature of economy and status of growth.

First, with permission to the terms and conditions agreements mean that tech companies can largely do whatever they want with our data. Whatever future society and performance AI can create, we provide the building blocks with our

informants, information and data. Which is an essential input in the development – AI algorithms use our personal, health, and user data much for its development. I don’t want my personal information and user data deployed to develop new technologies with which I disagree; of which many that are thinking in this line will agree too and will create a certain level of control over these machines and Big Tech companies.

Our society and mostly the African one could easily become a dystopia one. It is important to know that models can stitch together outputs, such as human-like conversations, based on analysis on probability thereby analysing millions of actual conversations — but they cannot tell us what we mean –in context. This is according to Timnit Gebru in an article not widely circulated and the co-technical lead of Google’s ethical AI team, who with other researchers were fired in 2020.

That’s why using a platform like ChatGPT is often an interesting exercise to discover how pointless it can get us back more in a society like Africa. Using these evolved AI technologies with large data sets will only further integrate a host of common biases in human life. If AI becomes more integrated into our unattended lives, it will amplify these biases and even worse our interaction and daily life.

The second which is computational power – developing

AI requires tremendous computing energy and power. Global computing power is increasingly concentrated in the hands of Big Tech as outlined in the article “Surveillance Capitalisms: Is Technology Controlling Our Ability For Free Thinking?” with companies like Alphabet Inc./Google, Amazon.com Inc. and Microsoft Corp. dominating the cloud, which provides the digital infrastructure on which many AIs are built and will run.

This infrastructure will need to grow significantly in the future to meet the growing demand for AI, which will lead to certain environmental and climate change effects such as depletion of the Ozone layer, increased greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs already prevalent in some African countries. Furthermore, these companies, already accused of having too much power over us, will only tighten their control even further knowing this is a big market and are there for the profit and gains.

That means we won’t see the development of technologies as AI that can actually do useful things. For example, one best angle I love is to push for the enforcement action against them (Big Tech Companies), automate the investigation of large and wealthy businesses that pay less than required or evade taxes totally.

Unfortunately, Big Tech will not invest in the development of this type of AI technology or perhaps those who remain reluctant will do little. Indeed, the technologies we create often reflect the social, political, and economic contexts in which they emerge. We are currently at a junction in the road where the African societies have to do something. Above all, a coordinated regulatory approach is needed in the above issues. Trying to smidgen the AI after the fact wouldn’t be a viable option. It might lead to an unpleasurable end.

Caleb Onah is a Public Policy Analyst.

Sudan adds insult to Africa’s injury

By Ike Willie-Nwobu

Since Sudan relapsed back into military rule in 2021, the country has been ruled by a council of generals led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan who is the head of the army and in effect the country’s president, and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo who is the head of the 100,000-strong Rapid Support Forces.

The recurrent crises in Sudan remind a resilient country and a long-suffering continent of the long road to peace and the unmistakable profile of the men who have kept Africa in the backwater for far too long.

The Sudanese people starkly and stoically hoist a hologram of fortitude and even defiance. This defiance has been anything but reckless or suicidal. If anything, it has been measured and methodical, recently proving its worth as democracy’s last stand in one of Africa’s great hopes.

This defiance emblazoned in Sudanese men and women, young and old, has proven to be the undoing of many dictators. On 19 December 2019,street protests began what is now known as the“ Sudanese Revolution.”

The revolution which lasted until 10th October 2019 was to consume the thirtyyear- long blood-streaked rule of Omar al-Bashir. By the time al-Bashir was deposed in a military coup, an ICC arrest warrant was hanging over his head.

The exertions of the International Criminal Court, whose work has proven more symbolic than substantial, were however, not enough to deter defiant Sudanese protesters who remained in the streets of Khartoum to insist that they wanted to see substantial change that went beyond removing al-Bashir.

Since al-Bashir was toppled on April 11, 2019, and the military decided to hand power over to a chaotic mix of military men and civilians known as a transitional government, the Sudanese people have known no little tumult and trouble.

The arrangement lasted all of two years before it was terminated by another military coup on 25th October 2021. Today, one of Africa’s great hopes is on

the ropes, suffocated by a military stranglehold that first took roots when al-Bashir took power in a military coup in 1989.

Now, the country where a massacre at the heart of the revolution resulted in the murder of 128 people and rape of over 70 on June 3,2019, is again the center of global attention. Fighting first broke out on April 15 after matters between Sudan’s regular army and a paramilitary force known as Rapid Support Force(RSF) which was responsible for the June 3 massacre came to a head.

Since Sudan relapsed back into military rule in 2021, the country has been ruled by a council of generals led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan who is the head of the army and in effect the country’s president, and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo who is the head of the 100,000-strong Rapid Support Forces.

The fighting has already resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians with thousands displaced as a result of the fighting to plunge one of the world’s poorest countries into greater peril.

It Is another sad development for Africa and a country

where the military continues to harbour an inexcusable and utterly egregious entitlement to power.

Whether Africa can live up to its promise continues to fade as misguided military men leading rapacious advancements against institutions of state continue to gain traction.

While these happen and civilians are left at the mercy of criminals masquerading as military men, regional bodies look on helpless.

It is tragic that at a time an African country of great potential such as Sudan should be working towards lifting many of its 46 million people out of backbreaking poverty, it is instead grappling with a conflict that is nothing more than the power tussle of two crazed military men.

The African Union and the United Nations must muster a far more forceful response to the crisis. The military in every African country must also be told in no uncertain terms that it has no place in the corridors of power.

Action must also be taken against all those who while hiding behind military fatigues are harbingers of insecurity.

Experience the world over has shown that meaningful national progress can only be made when strong institutions prop up democratic governments that listen only to the voice of the people and nothing else.

African countries like Mali, Sudan, Burkina Faso where the military hold sway with little or nothing to show for it have to abandon this unproductive path and hit the only road that can lead to true development – that of genuine democracy.

Since it appears that all of Sudan’s problems are not homemade, identifying and holding to account all those who have a hand in this destabilizing conflict is key to fixing a challenge that has left innocent civilians in dire straits.

Ike Willie-Nwobu is a Public Policy Analyst.

The arrangement lasted all of two years before it was terminated by another military coup on 25th October 2021. Today, one of Africa’s great hopes is on the ropes, suffocated by a military stranglehold that first took roots when al-Bashir took power in a military coup in 1989

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AI regulation, considering the growing nature of the African economy, is a total agreement for me and I have long thought how strange it is for us not to literally regulate the use of AI

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NAFDAC trains health workers on dangers of breast milk substitute

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Aglobal nutrition initiative, Alive & Thrive (A&T) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Wednesday trained health workers in Kaduna State on the dangers of Breastmilk Substitute (BMS).

Mrs Sarah Kwasu, Zonal Coordinator of the organisation, said on Wednesday in Zaria, that the training was under the A&T Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) in Nigeria programme.

Kwasu said that the training was organised by the State Primary Health Care Board as part of efforts to promote optimal breastfeeding practices.

She explained that the World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months towards reducing infant morbidity and mortality, especially in developing countries.

She added that to achieve this, the World Health Assembly in 1981, adopted the Code of Marketing of BMS to discourage the promotion of substitutes globally and ensure full adoption of exclusive breastfeeding.

She attributed the current low MICYN practices in the country to the continued violation of the International Code of BMS by producers and marketers of breastmilk substitutes.

“These violations include the inappropriate labelling and advertisement of BMS, distribution of promotional items, hospital visits and engagement with health workers, as well as direct contact with expectant and new mothers.

“Also, awareness of the Code is very low among health workers and government employees,” she said.

She said that the A&T initiative was being funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to save lives, prevent illness, and improve the health and wellbeing of mothers, children, and adolescents.

This, she said, is being achieved using evidence-based approaches in collaboration with governments and other partners at global, regional, national, and community levels.

She pointed out that as a regulatory agency, NAFDAC was specifically assigned the responsibility of implementation, enforcement, and monitoring of adherence to the Code.

She said that NAFDAC had been conducting an awareness campaign to ensure compliance with the International Code of marketing of BMS to improve knowledge, practice, and attitude towards exclusive breast feeding.

She said that the A&T had earlier supported NAFDAC to sensitise health workers from 16 health facilities in four selected LGAs namely Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Chikun and Igabi.

The Zonal Coordinator described the sensitisation as a “huge success” following the step down of the training to a total of 672 health workers.

According to her, the current training was to support NAFDAC and the State Primary Health Care Board to scale up the training to other LGAs.

“The participants are expected to regularly step down the learnings to other staff of their respective facilities.”

The State nutrition Officer, Mrs Ramatu Haruna, said the training was designed to improve the health workers’ knowledge on their role in protecting pregnant women, mothers, and their infants from inappropriate use of BMS.

Haruna added that the training was also to re-orient the health workers on the importance of promoting the early initiation of breast milk and six months exclusive breastfeeding in health facilities.

“The training was also organised to discuss challenges to BMS regulations, and compliance in health facilities and community and identifying areas for further support.

“We also want to reflect on how NAFDAC, State and Local Government Area actors can successfully work together to address these challenges.

“At the end, we want to secure commitments from the Primary Health Care workers in addressing Code noncompliance and promote MIYCN programming through their various platforms,” she said.

Mrs Rahila Maishanu, BMS Officer, NAFDAC, Kaduna State Office, said that healthcare workers have a duty to control the introduction, use and movement of BMS in health facilities.

Maishanu called on the health workers to support, protect and promote breastfeeding towards building a healthy and productive population for the development of the society.

Buhari salutes veteran broadcaster, Sola Atere at 66

President Muhammadu jas shared in the joy of the occasion as former Acting Director General of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and Executive Director, News, Sola Atere, turns 66, with a remarkable history of serving four Nigerian leaders at the Presidential Villa.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina said Buhari joined family, friends and professional colleagues in celebrating the renowned State House correspondent for over 15 years, who served President Ibrahim Babangida, worked as

spokesperson of the Chairman Transition Council and Head of the Interim National Government, Ernest Shonekan and continued as State House correspondent for President Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Musa Yar’adua for a period.

President Buhari the statement said, believed Atere’s versatility in broadcasting and reporting, starting from 1981, paved the way for so many responsibilities at the highest level of government, and the warmth and trust he earned from the leaders opened more opportunities, retiring in 2017 as one of the most travelled

and experienced journalists, with many recognitions and awards for his diligence.

As Atere clocks 66, President Buhari congratulated the veteran broadcaster for mentoring many talents in the country, and supervising the birth of several private broadcasting stations, encouraging excellence and high moral standards that have attracted the global spotlight to journalism in Nigerian, the statement noted.

The President prayed that Atere and his family will always enjoy God’s favour of good health, strength and wisdom.

PMB commission’s N9.5bn FHA’s 748 housing units in Abuja

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

President Muhammadu Buhari has to commissioned 9.5billion Naira 748 housing units constructed by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) in Zuba, in the Federal Captial Territory (FCT) Abuja.

Commissioning the project,Buhari said the completion of the estate was part of his administration’s policies to take Nigerians away from poverty.

The president, who lauded the board and management of FHA for the project, urged it to complete other projects it is handling across the country, and called on the beneficiaries to live harmoniously, and to maintain the asset adequately,

He said: “Today, I want to express my sincere appreciation to the chairman, board, and staff of the Federal Housing Authority for the successful completion of this estate. The commitment of this government is to make life better for our people.

“The new owners who benefitted from this estate have taken a step up the prosperity and away from poverty. They will remember the services rendered to them by building this estate. Of course, I am mindful that there is more to do for our community to benefit, I can only urge you (FHA) not to relent but to continue in the same vein and complete other projects going on in other states.

“One of the measures that we have

partially deployed to reduce poverty, create prosperity, and develop our economy is aggressively developing our infrastructure. I convey my heartfelt congratulations to the new owners of this estate.

“I urge you all to live together, harmoniously and peacefully. Above all to work consciously with the Federal Housing Authority to ensure that this estate is properly maintained and the environment made safe for all”.

Also speaking, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, who said the grant for the project was approved in 2018, disclosed that over 13,000 workforces benefited from the project directly and indirectly from 75 contractors.

He said beneficiaries of the estate include those who paid through a mortgage, one-off payment, and rent-to-own.

“The completion of the project indicates our commitment not to leave abandoned projects. Its construction gave employment to Nigerians including artisans and food vendors who frequent the area to make money for themselves and their families.

“Instead of an abandoned project, we now have 746 housing units for Nigerians and their families to shelter in. But this is more than a story on shelter and homeownership, it is to that small story, I want to go into. Many artisans and laborers, over 13,000 also have a story of inclusion and opportunity to tell about this estate.

“All of these people have a story to tell about the Zuba Housing Estate from

transporters, food vendors and their families and the government policies to lift people out of poverty. Although they will not meet you (the president) personally, your policies and programmes have met them personally at point of need”, Fashola said.

Earlier, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of FHA, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, who said the project was one of the Federal Government’s initiatives to address housing challenges, had explained that the estate consists of 336 units of one-bedroom flats; 264 units of two-bedrooms; 128 units of three bedrooms; and 20units of three bedroom Terrace duplex.

Ashafa, who acknowledged the efforts of his predecessor, Professor Mohammed Al-Amim in whose tenure the project commenced, said it was funded through an N7.5bn grant from the government and N2bn from its internally generated revenue.

He added that the project provided job emplyoment to 13,600 Nigerians, saying that 25 percent of them were professionals in the built industry, while the remaining 75 percent were artisans and others from the imformal sector.

Meanwhile, the project, which was initiated in 2017, is about 18.5 hectares of land and gulped the sum of N9.5bn. consists of 16 blocks of 3-bedroom flats in a block of 8 flats; 32 blocks of 2-bedroom flats in a block of 8 flats; 14 blocks of 1-bedroom flats in a block of 16 flats and 5 blocks of terrace duplexes in 4 rows.

L-R: Chairman House of Representatives committee on Special Duty, Hon. Samaila Suleiman, Chairman House of Representatives committee on Agriculture Institute, Hon. Munir Baba Dangudi, House Leader/Speakership aspirant, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Hon. Sani Bala Tsanyawa and Speakership aspirant, Hon. Mirian Onoha, during the Doguwa declaration of interest to contest for 10th House of Representatives Speakership, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Senate mulls audit reports tribunal, seeks life jail for illegal explosives manufacturers

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Senate on Wednesday set machinery in motion for the establishment of a tribunal for strict implementation of the audit reports as adopted by both chambers of the National Assembly.

This is as it recommends life imprisonment without option of fine, for unlawful explosives manufacturers in the country.

Need for an audit report tribunal came to the fore in the Senate when a bill sponsored by its Chairman, Committee on Public Accounts, Senator Mathew Urhoghide (PDP Edo South) was considered and passed for second reading.

Urhoghide in his lead debate on the bill seeking for an Act to provide for strict implementation of the National Assembly recommendations on Annual Federal Audit Reports and for related matters, said the proposed legislation was very necessary for potency of the war against corruption.

According to him, for war against corruption to be effective, findings and recommendations made in Audit report, must be strictly implemented or enforced.

“Is not enough for the National Assembly as provided for in section 88 of the 1999 constitution to expose corruption through required investigation but go further , to ensure strict implementation of resolutions made”, he said.

Similarly the President of the Senate , Ahmad Lawan in his remarks, said the missing link of strict implementation of resolutions taken by the National Assembly on yearly audit reports, must be addressed.

“The proposed legislation is very necessary. Something in the mode of a Tribunal is needed for strict implementations of recommendations inform of prosecution of offenders.

“Public Hearing on this bill, must be thoroughly conducted on how the Tribunal would be put in place as a potent way of fighting corruption “ , he said .

Section 11 of the bill seeking to repeal the explosives Act 1964 and enact the explosives Act 2023 passed for third reading by Senate on Wednesday, recommends life imprisonment without option of fine , as punishment for any person who unlawfully manufactures any explosives in the country.

APC crisis: Amidst threats, Lukman begs NWC, promises to withdraw suit

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

All Progressives Congress

(APC) has threatened that the party will not condone any act of indiscipline from any member of the National Working Committee (NWC) no matter how highly placed.

The warning is sequel to Court suit and verbal attacks against the party by a member of the National Working Committee (NWC) from the North West, Salihu Lukman, particularly against the National chairman of the party, Abdullahi Adamu, over management of the party affairs.

Briefing journàlists on Wednesday after the party’s NWC meeting at its National Secretariat, Abuja, National Vice Chairman, North East, Salihu Mustapha, who made this disclosure, also said his colleague on the NWC, Salihu Lukman, has apologised over his recent disrespect towards the National Chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, and agreed to withdraw his court case against Adamu.

Mustapha said: “We are here to intimate you with the proceedings of the National Working Committee and consultations with our brother,

the National Vice Chairman North West, Comrade Salihu Lukman, on issues you are aware of, like the legal case he initiated and some other publications credited to him.

We are able to reach the resolution that his suit is going to be withdrawn and unconditionally he has tendered his apology for any seeming embarrassment his suit and publications may have caused.”

Mustapha continued “We want to affirm the fact that we are one indivisible committee, that we would continue to work together as an ideal Working Committee of

an ideal party.

“We want to reiterate the fact that this party will not condone indiscipline whereby one or two people of one organ that is not qualified will just sit and say they have suspended or expelled one of our members.

“A case study is what happened in the South-South. This party will not tolerate it. We are looking into investigating the matter and we will ensure that we bring to book all individuals or organs which brought these irregularities without following our constitution.”

L-R: Ambassador Ahmed Sulu-Gambari and Ambassador Dayo Adeoye after being inaugurated as Ambassadors by the Honourable Minister of state, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada on Tuesday in Abuja

PDP officially unveils Melaye as guber candidate in Kogi

By Musa Baba Adamu

ThePeoples Democratic Party (PDP) has unveiled

Senator Dino Melaye as its governorship candidate for the November 11th gubernatorial election in Kogi State.

Senator Melaye was unveiled on Wednesday by key party stakeholders in the State.

Speaking during the unveiling ceremony, the PDP governorship flagbearer appreciated the PDP family in Kogi State and begged for forgiveness from anyone he offended.

He said peace will be established in PDP, assuring that the party will do things differently when they get to power.

“Dino Melaye will not be a Christian or a Muslim Governor but a governor with the fear of God. If you have the fear of God, you won’t pay percentage salaries. If you have the fear of God, there will be peace and stability in the state”.

He promised to return power back to the Eastern Senatorial Districts after eight years in office.

Earlier, the State Chairman of the party, Sam Uhuotu appealed to indigenes to vote for his party

during the governorship election in the state.

He charged electorates to forgive the party for any of their wrongdoings, adding that the party will wrestle power from the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC).

A former lawmaker representing Kogi West, Tunde Ogbeha appealed to aggrieved party members to sheath their swords and work for the party’s victory.

He thanked the people of Kogi East for respecting the principle of rotation, stressing that they have applied great wisdom in pursuing

the electoral process.

Also speaking, former Kogi State Governor, Ibrahim Idris said he would forever remain a member of the PDP.

Idris tasked party stakeholders to unite against any forces who intend to stop their victory at the polls.

“I am here to support whoever emerges as our party Candidate. Dino Melaye is a PDP member, why will I go and support another party? That will be the last thing I will do. We can do it, but we have to see ourselves as one family” he stated.

Buhari sets Nigeria 100yrs back, brought religious divisions – Buba Galadima

By Christiana Ekpa

Achieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Buba Galadima, has responded to a recent claim by President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesperson, Femi Adesina, that his principal would leave Nigeria better than he met it in 2015 in terms of security and the economy.

Adesina had, in a statement

on Sunday, claimed Buhari would not be leaving Nigeria the way he met it.

Reacting, Galadima prayed for God to visit Adesina with what the common people suffer daily in Nigeria.

However, Galadima said on Wednesday, “We wish that he (Buhari) could have kept the country (as he met it) on May 29, 2015. We could have clapped for him and escorted him to

Daura or wherever he intends to live after leaving office.

“The man has set Nigeria 100 years back, divided Nigeria across religious lines, along ethnic lines and crashed economic policies that have left the dollar which he met at N157/$1 and he’s now leaving it at N800/$1, that is if you see the dollar to buy.

“And insecurity was confined to the North East generally,

except some dark spots that had happened in Abuja, Kano, and some few other places. Today, you cannot travel to any part of Nigeria with your eyes closed. You have to spend the night praying that God delivers you.

“If that’s the kind of Nigeria that Femi Adesina wants, then I pray to God to visit him with what the common people suffer daily in Nigeria.”

Ebonyi Assembly approves N1.6bn for Umahi as ‘exit package’

By Musa Baba Adamu

Ebonyi State House of Assembly has approved over N1.6bn for Governor Dave Umahi to bankroll exit packages for stakeholders.

The approval is coming just a few days to the expiration of Umahi’s tenure.

Recall that the approval of the said sum, was debated upon on the floor of the House by members led by the Deputy Speaker, Kinsley Ikoro, representing Afikpo North West Constituency.

The leader of the State House of Assembly, Victor Chukwu, representing Ezza North West Constituency, who spoke to newsmen shortly after the house sitting, said the approval of the said fund was for the interest of the citizens of the state and not for the governor.

According to him: “We only approved a fund for an exit package, which is targeted at appreciating those who have worked with the governor. It is a welfare package for the citizens of the state.

“It is an extension of the empowerment program that the governor has been doing and there is nothing new about it. The fund wasn’t approved for him as a governor but for the interest of Ebonyi citizens. We only approved one billion, six hundred million,” he stated.

It was gathered that the members of the house, equally confirmed the appointment of four commissioner nominees, that was sent to them by the governor.

The commissioner nominees include; Emeka Nwode from Ikwo LGA, Enekwachi Akpa from Ohaozara LGA, Obianuju Alo from Ishielu LGA and one other whose name is yet to be identified at the time of filing this report.

10th NASS: LP, PDP, others set 11-man c’ttee to seek credible opposition Speaker

By Christiana Ekpa

Theopposition parties in the House of Representatives have said they will contest for the speaker and the deputy speaker of the incoming 10th National Assembly.

At the moment, the parties subsumed in the minority caucuses with a coinage “Greater majority”, has 180 memberselect put together out of the 360 peopled parliament.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has 179 memberselect elect while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to conclude elections in Ikono/Ini federal constituency of Akwa Ibom State.

The political parties that made up the minority caucus outside the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Labour Party (LP); New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP); Africa Democratic Congress (ADC); Young People’s Party (YPP); All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Rising from a meeting in Abuja Tuesday night, the party said they have the number to win the offices of the presiding officers.

A communiqué from the meeting signed by the secretary of the group, Hon. Efosa Imasuen added that an 11 man committee had been set up to hunt for credible candidates for the position.

“The members resolved as follows: To Contest the office of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representative of the National Assembly

“That we have resolve to set up an eleven-man Committee to scout for a credible and acceptable candidate that would vie for those offices, and then actively seek the unification of Nigerians along ethno-religious lines

“The Greater Majority with more than 180 elected members (being over 50% of the elected member) will remain one indivisible coalition during the 10th National Assembly, with the interest of the country as its driving force.

“That the greater Majority of the 10th National Assembly

will be continually guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with the collective interest of Nigerians being its major concern.

“To assure Nigerians not to lose hope due to the country’s current unpleasant situation, including the disunity plaguing the nation, which is the direct consequence of APC’s misrule and that the Greater majority of the incoming 10th National assembly will remedy these problems as a matter of priority.

“The Great majority will continue to unify the coalition of opposition parties so that it can be an effective check on the ruling party in order to safeguard the rule of law”.

2023 polls aftermath: APC support group backs Tinubu, lobbies for Faleke

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

All Progressive Congress (APC) support group, under the auspices of Concerned All Progressive (APC) Youth Movement, has enjoined the President elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appoint the Coordinator of Tinubu Support Group (TSG), James Faleke, as his Chief of Staff (CoS).

This is just as the group expressed its full support for the President-Elect, Tinubu, saying he was voted for overwhelmingly by Nigerians on February 29, irrespective of political party affiliation.

In a statement signed yesterday by the group’s National Spokesman, Comrade Abdullahi Dauda Little, the National Secretary, Hon Adamu Garbajo Yola, National Women Coordinator, Hajiya Bahijja

Mahmood Bauchi, the group noted the hardwork and dedication of Hon. Abiodun Faleke, Hon. Adamu Garbajo Yola and all others who provided the support through proper coordination of all support groups.

While reminding the President elect that his success as recorded in the past was largely due to his knack for head hunting competent, loyal and capable citizens who share his vision to entrust them with positions of responsibility with little supervision to deliver, the group said having worked with many of his appointees, especially in the lead up to the 2023 general elections, they have come to the conclusion that Hon. Faleke stands heads and shoulders above others for the position of Chief of Staff.

“Our conviction was strengthened by his commitment to the Tinubu/ Shettima

Campaign where he played the pivotal role of coordinating various Support Groups which came together to form the Tinubu Support Group.

“After ensuring that the Tinubu brand emerged victorious during the APC Presidential Primaries, the TSG under his leadership took its assignment to the next level by campaigning vigorously for the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign which by God’s Grace, led to the victory we are all celebrating today.

“We are not asking for the office for Falake only as compensation for his hard work which is obvious, but because of his consistency, loyalty and above all competence.

“He has been a member of the House of Representatives and a committed party member and has remained a student of the Asiwaju Tinubu school of politics

from the very beginning. We want our President to succeed, to put enemies of Nigeria to shame and to do this, our President in waiting will need strong hands who share his vision and commitment to the Nigeria project. One of such men is Hon. James Faleke.

“With Faleke, our President can rest assured that the engine room of his administration in terms of staff is in safe hands. The candidate knows every nook and cranny, he knows those who worked hard and contributed to our President’s victory from all across Nigeria and can under the guidance of Mr. President-Elect, ensure that hard work is not only rewarded but that Nigeria ultimately benefits”, the group said in the statement.

Admitting that Tinubu’s victory and his election, like most elections before it, generated a lot of interest within and outside

as CoS

Nigeria, the support group said Nigerians looked beyond partisan, ethnic and religious biases to vote for the APC and the Tinubu/ Shettima ticket.

The statement also said “What all Nigerians irrespective of party and political preferences expect now more than ever before is good governance which we are confident Tinubu who has demonstrated this at a smaller scale in Lagos will do better on a larger scale as a president for all Nigerians.

‘We thank our party’s leadership, especially members of the National Executive Council and the National Working Committee led by Senator Abdullahi Adamu, for leading the party to victory.

“We also thank members of the Tinubu/ Shettima Presidential Campaign Council who worked tirelessly to ensure that APC won.”

Front row seat from left: Chief Justice of Nigeria, justice Olukayode Ariwoola, Grand Khadi, Sharia court of Appeal, Borno State Khadi Umar Ramat Mukaila and others with the magistrates during the Refresher Course for Judges of the Lower Courts, yesterday in Abuja Photo; Mahmud Isa

Like Gbajabiamila, it’s my turn to be Speaker, Doguwa declares intention despite murder trial

By Christiana Ekpa

ALawmaker representing Doguwa/Tundun Wada

Federal constituency of Kano State and the Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Alhassan Doguwa who is currently facing a murder trial, has declared his intentions to join the race for the 10th House of Representatives speakership seat.

He however said the ambition will be ultimately pursued if his party, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) zoned the position to northwest, his geopolitical zone. Speaking at the event where he declared his intention in Abuja, Doguwa said he had paid his dues to the party, stressing it was now time to reward him with the position.

He said: “I am a strong and committed party man and have stated it categorically clear in other fora that because of my absolute loyalty to the party, and my unflinching respect for party supremacy, my ambition will be predicated only on the condition that the party zones

Nurses want upward review of salaries to avoid greener pastures elsewhere

By Albert Akota

TheNational Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, has urged the Federal Government for upward review of their salaries and allowances ranging from Chief Duty, Call Duty, Peculiarity, teaching allowances among others to avoid seeking greener pastures elsewhere.

National President of NANNM, Comrade Michael Nnachi made the call in Abuja at Eagle Square, during the Workers Day celebration.

He said the demand for the review of salaries and allowances was owing to the socio-economic condition of the country, saying that the value of naira has drastically reduced.

According to him, “The value of naira is so low that even our salary is nothing to write home about.

“But I expect that if the Federal Government can give us 70 percent of our consolidated salary, at least it will be able to buy sachets of water, biscuits and other things.

“Nigerian workers have suffered a lot under non-review of salary, difficulties that are unpalatable, some of which are political. Even the issue of COVID-19, for those of us in the health sector, we had suffered a lot.”

Comrade Nnachi also demanded that Nurses should be carried along in policy issues that have to do with decisions about the health sector, adding that over the years, nurses have not been appointed into various key positions of leadership and governance of the country.

“Among our colleagues, we have categories of scholars such as Professors, PHD holders in various universities across the country. We have our people there and there is no position you can think of that nurses cannot hold”, he said.

the speakership position to the Northwest Zone which is my immediate constituency.

“I have realized that it is necessary to heed the call of the people who believe in my capacity to seek the office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

I am committed to working with my colleagues and all Nigerians to deliver on their expectations and to preside over the house to the best of my ability in the overall interest of the people.

“I have paid my dues; it is time to reward my stewardship to both the parliament and the nation. Kindly permit me to take you a little down memory lane. In 2011-2015, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had majority in the house and controlled the leadership in that dispensation while Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila was nominated by the Southwest Caucus as their Minority Leader. From 2015-2019 when our party the All-Progressive Congress APC had majority in the house, it was only natural that the minority leader transits to Majority Leadership position. If you will recall then, the moment

this convention was proposed, I personally agreed to step down from the Majority Leader position which I was earlier tipped for and settled for the Chief Whip position to give room for Rt. Hon Femi Gbajiabiamila to assume the position of Majority Leader.

“Fast forward to 2019-2023 9th Assembly, in keeping faith with the convention of the house, when the Speakership position was zoned to the Southwest, it was only natural that my brother and good friend Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila the then Majority Leader was the only one adopted for the Speakership position, the rest is now history.

“I would leave no stone unturned to galvanize the support of the House to ensure the actualization of the laudable programs and policies of the President-Elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration.

“I plead with my colleagues from the zone to extend to me as a privilege not by right but the same Gbajabiamila treatment because as the saying goes, “what is good

for the goose is also good for the gander.

“Let me borrow the humble example of our President-elect, Senator Tinubu that emilokan. It is my turn this time around”.

Flanked on his left and right sides by some members of the House including Hon. Miriam Onuoha from Imo State who recently declared her intention to also run for the same office in the House, Doguwa when asked about whether he had the right temperament and attitude to lead his contemporaries said he was a cool-headed person.

He also said his trial in an alleged criminal murder case was not an impediment as the law presumed him innocent until found guilty.

Reminded that religion could be a factor in the race in that the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shetima were both Muslims also, Doguwa said that the election of both men was an indication that religion doesn’t matter to Nigerians anymore.

“I want to say that to the best of my ability, to the best of my knowledge that I am a low level person, humble. I am a low level Nigerian and I will always present myself as such.

“For those who refer to me as a high level, temperamental person, I want to say, by my judgment, my standard that they mis-perceived the man who has four wives and 28 kids in his house, and I’ve never had a divorce anyone. It is only a mistaken misperception.

“It can only be a misperception, or an oversight, or lack of proper comprehension if anybody of my disposition, of my social stature.

“I want to say clearly at this point that the principle of presumption of innocence until one is proven guilty covers me and it does not stop me whatsoever to vie for a position that I know is eminently qualified to vie for.

“But one political point I must stress is that a guilty man who is charged for a case like this would not have gone for a supplementary election and won the way and manner won this rerun.”

JAMB releases 2023 UTME results

By Maryam Abeeb

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board

(JAMB) has released the results of the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted between Tuesday, 25th April, 2023, and Monday, 1st May, 2023.

A total of 1, 595, 779 candidates had registered to take the examination in 708 Computer Based Test (CBT) centres in 105 examination towns in the country.

In a statement, the head of

public affairs and protocol, Dr Fabian Benjamin noted that the released results excluded those of candidates who were rescheduled to take their examination on Saturday, May 6, 2023, those absent and those under investigation, as well as those of the visually impaired candidates, which are undergoing processing.

“To check the results, all a candidate needs to do is to simply send UTMERESULT to 55019 or 66019 using the same phone number that he/she had used for registration and the result would

be returned as a text message.

“ Also to be noted is the fact that the released results, when checked by candidates, would return the status of the candidates. For instance, with respect to absent or rescheduled candidates, or those under investigation, the response would be: YOU WERE ABSENT, RESCHEDULED OR UNDER INVESTIGATION. Therefore, only candidates who are not under any of these categories would have a returned result,” the statement said.

The statement urged all

candidates whose examination were rescheduled to to print their slips on or before Thursday, 4th and Friday 5th May, 2023, so as to know the time and venue of their examination.

“Candidates are to note that they would be grouped in a central location within their respective States to sit the examination hence the need for them to print their notification slips latest by Thursday, 4th May, 2023, so as to make sufficient arrangements to take their examination,” it said.

Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle), flanked by the Acting Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, DCG Abdulmumuni Haliru (left) and the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, Haliru Nababa (right) at the commissioning of the newly built Passport Office of the Nigeria Immigration Service in Oyo, yesterday.

NUPRC calls for inclusiveness in energy transition

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja Energy

transition discussions should revolve around the implementation of a fair, equitable and sustainable energy mix that entrenches the principles of inclusiveness and guarantees energy security, the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has said.

The NUPRC Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

Mr Komolafe said while deliberations on the global transition to renewable and sustainable energy are going on, proponents should consider the right of nations to harness their energy resources for their development goals.

The statement said that Mr Komolafe made the remarks while speaking to participants at the Offshore Technology Conference held in Houston, Texas, United States.

He said policy makers and experts should also consider the freedom of nations to attain the right energy mix in multiple pathways and sustainable energy supply.

In his presentation on the Nigerian upstream sector, he said the perspective was relevant considering the momentum in energy transition,

Nigerian payment startup, Nomba, raises $30 million in pre-Series B funding

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

Nomba, a Nigerian payment startup, announced Tuesday that it has raised $30 million in a pre-Series B investment.

The round was led by San Franciscobased Base10 Partners (investors in Nubank, Plaid and Brex), with participation from Helios Digital Ventures, Shopify, Partech, and Khosla Ventures.

With the new funding, the startup said it would deliver payment solutions that have been designed for the specific services that businesses provide. This will enable them to plug gaps in their payment processes and operate more efficiently to deliver excellent customer experiences.

Formerly known as Kudi, the start-up was founded in 2016 by Yinka Adewale and Pelumi Aboluwarin as a chatbot designed to simplify payments.

In 2018, it evolved into a company whose distinct point of sale (POS) technology, partnerships with banks and other licensed financial institutions democratized access to banking products and services for merchants across Nigeria.

This, the startup said, also includes core banking solutions such as opening savings accounts and loans.

According to the startup, it serves over 300,000 businesses and processes $1 billion in monthly transactions.

Speaking on the funding round, the CEO and co-founder, Yinka Adewale, said: “We see payment as a business model, not just a product and we want to make it easier for businesses to take advantage of all that is possible in their payment processes to support their continued growth and success.

“We have a long list of products we have been working on and the funds we have raised as well as the investors that have backed us gives us a lot of confidence about what can be achieved with more effective payment solutions in the hands of business owners.”

Also speaking, Luci Fonseca, Partner at Base 10 said, “Nomba’s track record of innovation and capital efficiency makes it one of the most exciting startups in Africa. We are thrilled to be supporting them to deliver their game-changing solutions to power growth and continued success for businesses in Nigeria and beyond.”

the attendant changes in energy economy, as well as the expectations of stakeholders on the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

“These perspectives indicate a new direction of travel that fossil fuel dependent economies needed to anticipate and prepare for,” he said

He explained that Nigeria has for long recognised that the global shift towards decarbonised economies will lead to a structural decline in demand for unabated fossil fuels and that the increasing cost competitiveness of renewable energy sources will present key risks and challenges for fossil fuel dependent economies.

“Chief among these are reduction in national revenue and consequential fiscal vulnerabilities that may arise therefrom.

“It was further recognised that reduction in fossil fuel revenue without sufficient time and support to manage macroeconomic risks and the structural transformation required to build a diversified, sustainable and resilient economy, will be disadvantageous to the Nigerian economy,” he said.

Again, as a nation, Mr Komolafe said Nigeria’s performance in terms of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a very

strong indicator that energy transition policy for Nigeria should equitably be formulated within the context of improving the achievement of the SDGs.

“That is, reducing poverty and hunger, improving good health, well-being and quality education, achieving clean water and sanitation, creating decent work and economic growth, achieving improved environment through deployment of carbon capture technology amongst others.

“Aside from the SDGs challenges, we also have the world’s largest energy deficit, with an estimated 85 million Nigerians lacking access to grid-supplied electricity or clean cooking fuel,” he added.

This, he said, is equivalent to 43 per cent of the population, a situation that results in an estimated annual economic loss of up to 2 per cent of GDP.

Mr Komolafe noted that renewable energy holds significant potential to alleviate these challenges, but absorption capacity issues limit the amount of variable power generation which can be accommodated by the grid.

“There are also issues relating to technology, resource and manpower constraints, dearth of know-how, capacity development and utilization

as well as the prohibitive cost of renewable energy which collectively constitute barriers to uptake and deployment,” he said.

He explained that the strength of Nigeria’s economy is closely tied to a volatile oil price, with petroleum exports accounting for 86 per cent of total export revenue.

He added that it becomes self-evident that the nation could not do away with its fossil fuels just yet, noting that a balance had to be struck between the energy transition and the human transition.

“Nigerian government was left with no choice but to reject the notion of a single pathway to net-zero, preferring instead the concept of ‘just’ energy transition which takes into cognisance the specific circumstances of each nation in developing the energy transition pathway that best achieves the environmental, social, political and economic objectives of the transition in that specific nation.

“Multiple pathways to energy transition should and must exist in order to ensure that no country is left behind in the process of achieving net-zero by 2050. Accordingly, the government then declared natural gas as our transition fuel,” he said.

From Abubakar Yunusa,Abuja

President of the African Development Bank, AfDB, Group, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, says he sees his role as the Bank’s President as delivering hope for millions of people.

Mr Adesina made the remark while addressing Class of 2023 at Calvin University, Michigan, USA.

He said: “In the past seven years, our work has impacted the lives of 350 million people. I am excited that we have helped to connect 20 million people to electricity.

“On a field trip to one of the project villages in Kenya not too long ago, I met one of our beneficiaries. Her name is Grace. She was very excited.

“When she was asked whether she knew AfDB President (that is myself), she said, I do not know the President, I do not even know the AfDB; all I know is that we once were in darkness, now we have light!”

“That is a lesson there! Let your works and good deeds impact the lives of people, especially those who will never know you.”

According to Mr Adesina, the bank is building a Desert to Power initiative, a 25 billion dollars investment to harness the power of the sun and deliver electricity for 250 million people.

He said when completed, it would be the largest solar zone in the world, adding that ”it will be a spark of hope for millions more like Grace”.

Mr Adesina said: “Class of 2023, the present and the future belong to your generation. Your creativity and dynamism will make a difference for good.

“In front of me today, I see builders and shapers of hope. You have been well prepared to go into the world to be the change makers. You have received a world class education.

“You have been exposed to great ideas, and you’ve worked alongside faculty and students from all around the world.

“You are ready and the world awaits you! A world that faces new challenges, many of them happening simultaneously.”

Mr Adesina said top among the challenges was climate change, which posed an existential risk for the world.

“We must do all we can to keep global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius.

“We need innovations to power the world better with renewable energy.

”We must do all to feed the world. It is not acceptable that over 2.3 billion people in the world go hungry. There must be a hunger free world,” he said.

The AfDB boss said the COVID-19

pandemic taught us the importance of global pandemic preparedness and the need to ensure access to affordable health care for all.

He said a lot was needed to ensure peace in our world with rising geopolitical tensions and fragilities.

“Regardless of ones’ economic, social, or racial background, we must create a level playing field for a more just, fair, and equitable world.

“More than ever, the world needs change makers. Change makers who can carry the love of God into a turbulent world. Change makers with a heart.

“You have a role to play in this unfolding chapter of history. With God’s help and grace, I am confident that you will stand out and do exploits that will make our world a better place,” he said.

I see my role as delivering hope for millions of people – Adesina

President of the African Development Bank, AfDB, Group, Dr Akinwumi Adesina

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Food prices continue to rise in Nigerian markets — NBS

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, said that prices of food items such as yam, beans and beef witnessed increases in March.

This is contained in NBS Selected Food Prices Watch Report for March 2023 released in Abuja on Wednesday.

The report said the average price of 1kg beef boneless on a year-on-year basis, increased by 25.05 per cent from N1, 982.92 in March 2022 to N2, 479.61 in March 2023.

“On a month-on-month basis, 1kg beef boneless increased by 1.38 per cent from N2, 445.96 recorded in February 2023.”

The report also said the average price of 1kg of tomato on a year-on-year basis, rose by 13.81 per cent from N409.96 in March 2022 to N466.60 in March 2023.

“However, on a month-on-month basis, 1kg of tomato declined by 0.32 per cent

from N468.09 recorded in February 2023.

The report also showed that the average price of 1kg of brown beans (sold loose) increased by 13.13 per cent on a year-onyear basis, from N527.66 in March 2022 to N596.96 in March 2023.

“On a month-on -month basis, it increased by 0.47 per cent from N594.15 recorded in February 2023.”

Similarly, it said the average price of 1kg of onion bulb rose by 17.37 per cent on a year-on-year basis, from N378.59 in March 2022 to N444.37 in March 2023.

“While on a month-on-month basis, it dropped by 1.27 per cent from N450.07 recorded in February 2023.”

The report said the average price of 1kg of Yam tuber rose by 25.30 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N353.56 in March 2022 to N443.02 in March 2023.

“On a month-on -month basis,1kg tuber of yam increased by 1.51 per cent from N436.41 recorded in February 2023.”

In addition, the average price of one bottle of vegetable oil stood at N1, 220.62 in March 2023, showing an increase of 25.80 per cent from N970.29 recorded in March 2022.

“On a month-on-month basis, it rose by 2.00 per cent from N1, 196.68 recorded in February 2023.”

The report said at the state level, the highest average price of 1kg of beef (boneless) was recorded in Anambra at N3,107.44, while the lowest was recorded in Kogi at N1,778.00.

It said Edo recorded the highest price of tomato at N901.23, while Kogi recorded the least at N196.41.

The report said Ebonyi recorded the highest price of beans brown (sold loose) at N906.00, while Kebbi recorded the lowest at N352.70.

It said Cross River state recorded the highest average price of 1kg of onion bulb at N981.86, while Taraba recorded the lowest

at N205.50

The NBS said the price of 1kg of yam was highest in Akwa Ibom at N900.80, while Taraba recorded the lowest at N188.60.

The report said Abia recorded the highest price of Vegetable oil (1 bottle at N1,618.21, while Benue recorded the lowest at N720.00.

Analysis by zone showed that the average price of 1kg of beef (boneless) was highest in the South-East at N3,044.46, while the North-Central recorded the lowest at N2,077.44.

It said the average price of 1kg of tomato was highest in the South-South at N811.13, while the lowest was recorded in the NorthEast at N237.52.

The report said the South-East recorded the highest average price of 1kg of brown beans (sold loose) at N793.71, while the lowest was recorded in the North-East at N479.30

Zenith makes N100 billion payout to shareholders at annual meeting

Atthe 32nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Zenith Bank Plc, held virtually from the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Tuesday, 2 May 2023, shareholders of the bank unanimously approved the proposed final dividend payment of NGN2.90 per share. This brings the total dividend for the 2022 financial year to NGN3.20 per share, with a total value of NGN100.47 billion.

In his opening statement at the AGM, Jim Ovia, CFR, Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, expressed his gratitude to the shareholders for their unwavering loyalty, commitment, and support, which have been instrumental in the bank’s outstanding performance since its inception.

Group Managing Director/Chief Executive, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, extolled the Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia, CFR, for establishing the legacy and providing the template for the bank’s continued superior performance. He also highlighted the Board and Management’s determination to maintain the bank’s growth trajectory in the coming years, with an emphasis on digital and retail banking.

Speaking at the AGM, Dr. Faruk Umar,

President of the Association of the Rights of Nigerian Shareholders (AARNS), commended the Board and Management of Zenith Bank for consistently delivering value to shareholders, despite the challenging economic environment. He also praised the bank’s staff for their loyalty and dedication.

Chief Timothy Adesiyan, President, Shareholders Solidarity Association of Nigeria, expressed delight at the dividend payout and thanked the Board and Management for the outstanding performance that led to approving both an interim and final dividend during the year.

Also speaking, Mrs. Adenike David, National Coordinator of the Esteemed Shareholders Association of Nigeria, congratulated the bank and Chairman on their exceptional performance, as evidenced by the numerous awards received during the 2022 financial year. She also praised the bank for paying an interim dividend of 30 kobo and a final dividend of 2.90 kobo.

Despite challenging macroeconomic conditions, Zenith Bank Group achieved a 24% growth in gross earnings, from NGN765.6 billion in the previous year to

NGN945.5 billion in 2022. This was driven by a 26% YoY growth in interest income and a 23% YoY growth in non-interest income. Customer deposits grew by 39%, reflecting the bank’s market leadership and customers’ trust. Net-Interest-Margin (NIM) increased from 6.7% to 7.2%, positively impacted by the elevated yield environment. Operating expenses grew by 17% YoY, though still below the inflation rate. Total assets rose by 30%, primarily due to growth in customer deposits.

In 2023, Zenith Bank Group plans to expand its reach and reorganise into a holding company structure, adding new verticals to its businesses and pursuing growth in all chosen markets, locally and internationally.

Zenith Bank’s track record of excellent performances has continued to earn the brand numerous awards including being recognised as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier1 Capital, for the 13th consecutive year, in the 2022 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking published by The Banker Magazine; Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards 2020 and 2022; Best Bank in Nigeria, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, in the Global Finance World’s

Best Banks Awards; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria 2021 and 2022 in the World Finance Banking Awards; Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards 2022; Best in Corporate Governance’ Financial Services’ Africa, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, by the Ethical Boardroom; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Innovation In Retail Banking, Nigeria in the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards.

Also, the bank emerged as the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in the Banker Magazine Top 500 Banking Brands 2020 and 2021, and Retail Bank of the year, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

Similarly, Zenith Bank was named as Bank of the Decade (People’s Choice) at the ThisDay Awards 2020, Most Innovative Bank of the Year 2019 by Tribune Newspaper, Bank of the Year 2020 by Independent Newspaper, Bank of the Year 2021 by Champion Newspaper, Bank of the Year 2022 by New Telegraph Newspaper, and Most Responsible Organisation in Africa 2021 by SERAS Awards.

The Representative of the Director General / Director Enterprise Monitoring SMEDAN , Mr Monday Ewan (middle), Adviser, Trade Competitiveness, Common Wealth, Aneka Ogunndeji (3rd right) Chief Strategist to the Director General SMEDAN, Mr. Onesi Lawani (5th right) and other participants during the Capacity building workshop for Products Standards and quality Improvement for MSMES in Nigeria, held on Tuesday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Cybersecurity Threats And CBN PSV 2025 Strategic Plan

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently launched its Payment System Vision (PSV) 2025 Strategic Plan to among other things address the growing cybersecurity Threats in the Nigerian financial sector.

A cyberattack is an intentional and malicious effort by an organization or an individual to breach the systems of another organization or individual. The attacker’s motives may include information theft, financial gain, espionage, or sabotage.

For instance, Kaspersky’s Financial Cyberthreats report released in 2022 revealed that attacks in the financial sector were becoming increasingly corporate-oriented and shifting away from consumers.

Kaspersky Security Network data shows that the number of financial phishing attempts in the African regions increased significantly from Q1 to Q2 of 2022. Banks, payment systems, and e-commerce websites were attacked.

Financial phishing is a deceptive way of stealing information and is gaining momentum in the region. Phishing is a type of online fraud where the scammer sends fake alerts from banks, e-pay systems and other organisations to trick consumers into sharing their financial details.

The alerts sent by the scammer can be related to loss of data, update credentials or system breakdown, which results in theft of passwords, credit card numbers, bank account details and other confidential information.

According to the Kaspersky telemetry, in Q2 of 2022 a total of 100,192 financial phishing attacks aimed at organisations were detected in Kenya, a 201% increase compared to Q1. The largest share of attacks was directed at e-commerce websites (58%), with banks (21%) and payment systems (also 21%) following.

For the same period in Nigeria a total of 61,344 financial phishing attacks aimed at organisations were detected, an increase of 79% compared to Q1. The largest share of attacks was directed at e-commerce websites (52%), with payment systems (42%) and banks (6%) following.

Emad Haffar, Head of Technical Experts at Kaspersky said, “a life without Internet is strange to us. So much so that our financial life is now digital. This is the magic of digitisation. But we also need to be aware of an unprecedented wave of challenges.

“Financial threats are one such challenge which is becoming more advanced in exploiting human behaviour and will only continue to grow. Businesses trying to stay ahead of such evolving, complex cyberattacks should make fraud prevention a focal point to control fraud transactions, eventually reduce fraud risk in the future and avoid reputation damage,” he said.

The CBN plan in this regard, was to provide a roadmap for the reform of the Nigerian payments system with the main goal of driving the adoption of electronic payments in different sectors of the economy and improving the resilience of the financial system.

The strategy was to address emerging issues and market realities related to risk management, compliance, governance and supervision.

Following the implementation of the initiatives in the PSV 2020, the Nigerian payments system has witnessed tremendous transformation underpinned by the rapid pace of digital innovation.

Consequently, the system recorded significant increases in the volume and value of electronic payments as well as a proliferation of products, channels and participants.

The payments system also contributed greatly to the increase in the financial inclusion rate, the reduction in the cost of financial services and improvement in quality of service, amongst others.

As expected, the PSV 2020 witnessed

landmark achievements which would not have been possible without strong partnerships and collaboration by all ecosystem players –banks, payments service providers, regulatory authorities and other stakeholders in the public and private sectors.

These partnerships aided the crafting of business rules and regulations which not only created a conducive environment for product development but also supported seamless settlement and resilience of payments infrastructure.

In the PSV 2025, focus was shifted to critical stakeholders on contemporary developments that would drive digital innovations and payment in the future, such as contactless payments, big data, open banking, etc.

CBN urged all stakeholders to join hands with it to execute initiatives under the PSV 2025 towards fostering efficient and secure payments system in Nigeria.

With the PSV 2025 agenda, the CBN would continue to ensure that the Nigerian payments system is widely utilised domestically, supports government’s financial inclusion objectives and meets international standards whilst contributing to overall national economic growth and development of Nigeria.

In efforts to design a robust payments system in Nigeria, the CBN plays three critical roles, viz:

(i). As a Regulator

The Banks and Other Financial Institutions’ Act (BOFIA) 2020 and other enabling laws empower the CBN to regulate the banking and payments system towards ensuring a safe, stable and resilient systems. In this regard, the Bank licenses key operators in the payments system, maintains oversight on the participants and issues policies and regulations to support extant laws in enhancing payments system resilience. In performing this role, the Bank adopts a collaborative approach with other stakeholders.

(ii). As an Operator

The CBN operates the wholesale payments infrastructure, the Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) System. The system, being a key financial market infrastructure, operates in line with the Principles for Financial Market Infrastructure and local laws and regulations. This platform is key to ensuring an efficient and liquid settlement system.

(iii). As a Catalyst

The CBN, through the Payments System Vision (PSV) statements, helps in engendering innovation and wider adoption of electronic payments in different sectors of the economy. PSV 2020 was first issued in 2006 with the goal of driving the adoption of electronic payments across sectors and geographies in Nigeria.

PSV 2025 was recently issued as a guidepost for the payments system until 2025. Its main goal is to expand payment options available to customers and strengthen regulation of the payments system.

The CBN has continued to initiate and implement several programmes to drive innovation and meet emerging market needs in the payment system landscape. A key objective is the use of the payments system as a tool to achieve the financial inclusion goals of the country.

Through these programmes, the CBN has successfully repositioned the Nigerian payments system to be highly competitive and acclaimed as one of the most innovative globally. Thus, many payment products that abound in the country are not readily available in some other countries. These include instant payments, QR codes and Central Bank Digital Currency, i.e. the eNaira.

These efforts have culminated into a significant increase in the total volume of transactions on Electronic Payment Channels. While the use of cash and cheques continued to diminish, web-based transactions such as POS, NIP, ATM and MMO have increased

substantially. For instance, between 2021 and 2017, the volume of transactions via electronic channels such as ATM, POS, WEB, MMO and NIP increased by 99.76, 1,775.72, 35,502.58, 2,413.44 and 836.50 percent, respectively.

eNaira - The advent of the Corona Virus pandemic (COVID-19) no doubt triggered rapid advancements in financial technology leading to speedy digitisation of money and finance. The CBN took advantage of the opportunity by launching the eNaira in October 2021. The eNaira was developed to broaden the payment possibilities of Nigerians, foster digital financial inclusion, with potential for fast-tracking intergovernmental and social transfers.

Since its launch, the CBN has continued to modify its features to make it more accessible to a wide range of users. Today, one does not need a smartphone to use the eNaira as it has become compatible with all generations of mobile devices (old and new). Till date, over 1.4m transactions have passed through the eNaira platform.

Open banking - Another initiative of the Bank is open banking aimed at expanding the cache of customer data warehoused in the financial sector for use in developing innovative products to service the needs of the public. The CBN will ensure that the data exchange will be done in a way to safeguard the privacy and concerns of the customers who own the data in the first place.

The opportunities presented by open banking are diverse and it serves to enhance financial inclusion and encourage healthy competition in the financial services space as well as promote efficiency.

Regulatory Sandbox - The Bank also initiated the Regulatory Sandbox to provide the opportunity for innovators to test their ideas and products to regulators in a controlled environment where the risks and potential of the products could be assessed. The Bank recently opened the first cohort of the sandbox. Startups with innovative ideas are invited to apply to the sandbox.

Cardless and other contactless payment options - The industry is quickly evolving towards cardless and other contactless payment options, including QR Codes, NFC etc. In this regard, the Bank has issued robust regulations to standardise operations of contactless payments in Nigeria. Through contactless payments, financial transactions can be consummated without physical contact between the payer and acquiring devices. It is an innovative payment option for safe and efficient conduct of low-value, large-volume payments.

Bank Verification Number (BVN) - The BVN has continued to feature in our KYC requirements as part of plans to ease the

constraint associated with poor identification of banking customers. We have continued to support the aggressive enrollment of prospective banking customers in the informal sector onto the BVN system.

With a total enrollment of 57,431,355 as at 31st March 2023, the BVN is supporting the development of credit profiles for banking customers, which will assist in improving access to credit for credit-worthy borrowers by banks.

The BVN has also helped the industry in investigating fraud and other related crimes. Some of the extant challenges faced by the Bank in implementing these initiatives:

i. Weak social infrastructure – Effective operation of payment platforms is highly reliant on stable telecommunication networks and power infrastructure. These are currently not optimal in Nigeria, thus, impacting the stability and resilience of the payments system.

ii. Activities of Unlicensed Entities – Some entities have continued to exploit access to information technology to engage in regulated activities without the appropriate licenses and authorisation.

iii. Cyber Threats and Fraud – The activities of fraudsters continue to threaten the resilience of the payment platforms. The confidence of the public is impacted by these activities. However, the collaborative effort between the Central Bank of Nigeria and other players in the industry is helping to curtail the nefarious activities of these fraudsters.

24. In response to the challenges posed by cyber threats, the CBN has put the following initiatives in place:

i. The Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF): consists of all relevant stakeholders, to proactively address challenges and safeguard the integrity of the e-payment channels.

ii. Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard: mandatory for any entity that processes, stores/saves or transmits payment card data.

iii. The Financial Industry Cybersecurity Fusion Centre: serves as a sectoral Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) for the Nigerian Financial Services Industry.

25. Other Initiatives against cybersecurity and fraud in Nigeria include:

i. Cybercrime Acts’ enacted in 2021 to address National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy

ii. Endorsement of the SWIFT Sanction Screening Service & SWIFT Cross-border payments security (ISO20022 Standard) for banks.

iii. Risk-based Cybersecurity framework for Payment Service Providers (PSPs) and Deposit Money Banks (DMBs)

iv. Enforcement of Two-factor Authentication(2FA) requirement on all electronic banking products

v. Enforced the Installation of AntiSkimming Device on ATMs

With these initiatives in place, the CBN has demonstrated irrevocable commitment to ensuring the stability and safety of the Nigerian payment system. Accordingly, we shall continue to deepen our oversight of the activities of operators in the payments system as well as ensure full compliance with regulations. In this regard, examiners and supervisors would continue to ensure that services delivered by participants meet required security standards.

The Bank will also continue to adopt a collaborative approach to achieve minimal cybersecurity threats in the payments system. A holistic mechanism for addressing cybersecurity threats requires policy and operational actions by all stakeholders. As you are aware, effective January 2023, the Bank issued a Risk-Based Cyber-Security Framework and Guidelines for Other Financial Institutions, to ensure their operational resilience in the face of cyber-security threats.

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele

METRO

3,651 Intending pilgrims complete payments for 2023 Hajj, says FCT-MPWB

By Stanley Onyekwere

TheFederal Capital Territory Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board (FCT-MPWB) has disclosed that a total of 3,651 intending pilgrims have completed their payment of N2,919,000.00 2023 Hajj fare for the FCT as released by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

Also, the Board said it has concluded arrangements for the screening of intending Pilgrims to ascertain their health status and capability of performing the 2023 Hajj exercise.

Making this disclosure yesterday, the Board’s Director, Malam Abubakar Adamu Evuti, said the intending pilgrims, who made deposit of N2, 500,000.00 were asked to pay up the balance of the 2023 Hajj fare on or before the NAHCON deadline of 21st April, 2023.

Evuti added that others who are yet to complete their payments

are expected to do so on or before next week’s Monday.

He explained that the medical exercise will commence on Friday 5th May, 2023, with intending pilgrims from Bwari area council and Headquarters, follow by those from Abaji, Kwali and Gwagwalada Area Councils on Saturday 6th May 2023, while those who registered through Kuje and Abuja Municipal Area councils as well as those who registered under the Hajj Savings Scheme will be screened on Sunday, 7th May, 2023 respectively.

He added that inoculation exercise which enables us to secure Yellow Card for this year’s intending pilgrims will be conducted simultaneously with the final phase (practical) of the education and orientation on Saturday 13th to Sunday 14th May, 2023.

According to him, the board has already secured befitting accommodations for our

intending pilgrims around Hafair area in Makkah that are of short distances to the holy Masjid (Haram) which is within the range approved by NAHCON. Arrangements with caterers and all other service providers in Saudi Arabia have been signed and sealed.

He said: “So far a total of 3651 intending pilgrims have completed their payments and the board has since continue with the process of securing their visa and as soon as the portal is open, we shall commence the application and printing of their visa for the journey.

“Our preparation for this year’s operation commenced with the collection of hajj fare deposit as from 2022, pegging the minimum deposit at N2.5 million and a reasonable number of intending pilgrims booked for their seats with the Board even before the release of our initial Hajj allocation of 3520 seats by the NAHCON.

“In order to equip our intending pilgrims with the basic rudiment of hajj rites and relevant guidelines for the exercise, the Board conducted the first phase of Education and Orientation exercise at our Permanent Hajj Camp, Bassan Jiwa near the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja in March this year, and the second phase was conducted last weekend.

“One of the innovations we introduced this year is to allow intending pilgrims to choose the flight they intend to travel with in order to curtail the challenge of No-Show experienced by the board last year during the airlift to Saudi Arabia. Any pilgrim who refuses to show up for his/ her flight would be sanction by the board and may even result to forfeiting the trip this year.

“I would like to reaffirm the readiness of the board and in deed the FCT administration in ensuring that intending pilgrims from the Territory get the best

services ever in Hajj exercises in line with the best global practice in the Hajj Industry as necessary measures have been put in place to record more successes in the operation even though each hajj exercise come with its own peculiarities.

“I will like to place on record our profound appreciation to the Honourable Minister of FCT, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, the Honourable Minister of State FCT, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola and Director Human Resources, Mallam Muhammad Bashir for their unflinching support to the Board, at all times.

“I must also expressed my appreciation to the entire management and staff of the board who have been putting in their best to ensure the success of Hajj operations in accordance to the mandate of organizing hitch free Hajj exercises over the years”.

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Counseling of students yielding desired results - Expert

By Stanley Onyekwere

Head of Department, Guidance and Counseling division of Education Secretariat, FCT Administration, Yahaya Abdulwahab, disclosed that counselling of students is yielding desired results in schools across the nation’s capital city.

Abdulwahab made this assertion to journalists in Abuja over the weekend, during a delegate meeting of Counselling

Association of Nigeria (CASSON).

According to him, they do not call their students cultists, because some students are influenced by a group of wrong friends.

He said, “We don’t call them cultists, some of them are just a group of wrong friends, in each of our schools we have up four counsellors, and a lot is going on to know these people and to separate bad eggs from good ones, we are succeeding, we have seen

the results in the FCT.

“From our senior secondary schools, especially from SS 1, we make use of psychological tests for placement, because you can not go into a career without the right subjects.

“You can not take a subject without you being tested with our psychological materials, that brings out the passion and the capability to offer the career you want to do.”

“We have what we call Career

Day in all our schools, where professionals are brought to come and talk to the children.”

On his part, the National President of CASSON, Prof. Malami Umar Tambawa, noted that the whole idea of the conference was about counselling in institutions, Workplace and the society.

“The whole idea is counselling in our institutions, counselling in our work places, and the society, the whole idea is to mobilize our

members to do the needful in the society.

“We are trying to look at the country, what can guidance and counseling do in terms of security”, he stated.

Also speaking, Chairman, local organizing committee of CASSON international conference, Kano 2023, Dr. Kabir Bello Dungurawa said the upcoming conference will ensure that unity of purpose, unity of Nigeria, and oneness of the country remains unshakable.

left: Deputy Director of studies, National Judicial Institute Oby Aziwe, Grand Khadi, Sharia court of Appeal Borno State , Khadi Umar Ramat Mukaila and Chief Justice of Nigeria, justice Olukayode Ariwoola, during the Refresher Course for Judges of the Lower Courts, yesterday in Abuja Photo: Mahmud Isa

Analysis: Kremlin drone attack is highly embarrassing for Moscow

Adramatic statement from the Russian presidential administration claimed that Ukraine had used two drones to attack the Kremlin - at the heart of Moscow - overnight.

Russian forces apparently used radar equipment to disable the drones. There were no casualties, and the president was unhurt, it said.

But the Kremlin did call it “an assassination attempt” against Vladimir Putin.

A number of videos then surfaced. They appear to show at least one drone flying towards the Kremlin, followed by an explosion. Another appears to show smoke rising from a Kremlin structure, and a fire. The BBC has been unable to verify the footage, and it is unclear what really happened.

But if what the Kremlin is saying is true, and this was a genuine attempt on the president’s life, then it would be a highly embarrassing incident for the Kremlin.

By all accounts, Mr Putin appears to be one of the most closely-guarded leaders in the world. At his events in Moscow attended by BBC journalists, extremely tight security has been in place, including extensive checks and long convoys of vehicles, with airspace closed and

traffic halted.

Questions will now be asked about how well-protected the Russian leader is - and about the effectiveness of Russian air defences.

In recent months, anti-aircraft systems have been spotted on Moscow rooftops in the vicinity of key buildings, including the defence ministry. They have been

placed there precisely for this reason - because the Kremlin is concerned that Ukraine, or those sympathetic to Ukraine, may attempt to carry out aerial attacks on high-value targets.

If that’s what this incident was, then those measures failed.

This is the latest in a string of attacks and explosions that have hit Russian territory in recent

weeks and months.

The last few days have seen a spike in such incidents. On Wednesday morning, a fuel depot caught fire in Russia’s Krasnodar Region, reportedly caused by a drone attack. Two freight trains were derailed in Bryansk Region, near the border with Ukraine, on Monday and Tuesday, in separate but identical incidents. The

local governor said improvised explosive devices were to blame.

Over the weekend, Russiainstalled officials in occupied Crimea claimed Ukrainian drones were responsible for an attack on a fuel storage facility.

The frequency of such attacks is causing nervousness amongst ordinary Russians.

Russian media report that police in Moscow have been inundated with calls from the public reporting drone sightings in the capital.

Ukraine has vehemently denied attacking the Kremlin or targeting President Putin. But whether the Russian account of what happened is accurate or not, the question now is whether Moscow will respond - and if so, how.

Some Russian officials have already called for tough action. An assassination attempt against the president, if that’s what this was, is an extremely serious matter. Russian generals have warned many times of harsh responses to strikes on Russian territory.

But does Russia have the capacity to carry out any meaningful retaliatory strikes? It remains to be seen whether this incident will lead to any significant escalation on the battlefield.

New Alzheimer’s drug slows disease by a third

We could be entering the era of Alzheimer’s treatments, after the second drug in under a year has been shown to slow the disease.

Experts said we were now “on the cusp” of drugs being available, something that had recently seemed “impossible”.

The company Eli Lilly has reported its drug - donanemabslows the pace of Alzheimer’s by about a third.

However two volunteers, and possibly a third, died as a result of dangerous swelling in the brain.

Sticky gunk

Donanemab works in the same way as lecanemab, which created headlines around the world when it was the proven to slow the disease.

Both are antibodies like those the body makes to attack viruses. But these are engineered to clear a sticky gunk from the brain, called beta amyloid.

Amyloid builds up in the spaces between brain cells, forming distinctive plaques that are one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s.

“The decades-long battle to find treatments that change Alzheimer’s disease is changing,” Dr Cath Mummery, the clinical lead for the cognitive-disorders clinic at the UK’s National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, said.

“We are now entering the time of disease modification, where we might realistically hope to treat and maintain someone with Alzheimer’s

disease, with long-term disease management rather than palliative and supportive care.”

The full details of Eli Lilly’s trial have yet to be published - but it has revealed the key findings:

• 1,734 people in the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s took part

• Donanemab was given as a monthly infusion until the distinctive plaques in the brain were gone

• The pace of the disease was slowed by about 29% overall - and by 35% in a set of patients researchers thought more likely to

respond

• Those given the drug also retained more of their day-to-day lives such as being able to discuss current events, drive or pursue hobbies

However, brain swelling was a common side-effect in up to a third of patients.

It was mostly mild or asymptomatic despite being detected on brain scans - but 1.6% developed dangerous brain swelling, with two deaths directly attributed to it and a third volunteer dying after such a case.

“We are encouraged by the potential clinical benefits that donanemab may provide, although like many effective treatments for debilitating and fatal diseases, there are associated risks that may be serious and life-threatening,” Eli Lilly group vice-president of neuroscience research and development Dr Mark Mintun said.

The company said it would begin the process of having its drug approved for use in hospitals in the next few months.

Dr Liz Coulthard, from the University of Bristol, said there

were “significant side-effects” and a lack of long-term data but the drug could “help people live well with Alzheimer’s for longer”.

‘Thought impossible’

Having two drugs slow the disease by targeting amyloid in the brain has also convinced scientists they are on the right track after decades of misery and failure.

“This should dispel any lingering doubts about this approach,” Prof John Hardy, from the UK Dementia Research Institute, whose work led to the idea of targeting amyloid, 30 years ago, said. “Having two drugs is great for competition.”

Dr Susan Kolhaas, from Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “We’re now on the cusp of a first generation of treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, something that many thought impossible only a decade ago.”

However, these drugs appear to work in only the earliest stages of the disease - before the brain is too damaged.

And if they are approved in the UK, it would still take a revolution in how the disease is diagnosed to make a difference.

Only 1-2% of people have either brain scans or a spinal-fluid analysis to determine whether they actually have Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia against which the drugs would be useless.

And the NHS would have to decide whether it could afford them. Lecanemab costs more than £21,000 per person per year.

The Kremlin’s airspace is supposed to be under heavy guard

Rwanda floods and landslides kill more than 130 people

At least 130 people have died after floods and landslides hit Rwanda's northern and western provinces, authorities say.

The rains hit at night when many people were asleep - an official told the BBC this is one reason why so many died.

The five-year-old daughter of Claudette Nyiraneza was among them.

"We could not save my daughter under the rubble until morning," she told the BBC, adding that neighbours eventually helped retrieve her body.

Local governor François Habitegeko said many houses had collapsed on people.

He said that main roads in the area "are not usable because of landslides".

Rwanda's public broadcaster RBA reports that the casualty numbers are expected to increase as floodwaters continue to rise.

Rwanda's president offered his condolences to those who have been affected. His statement also added that residents were being evacuated from "affected and high-risk areas".

The government's main priority now is to "reach every house that has been damaged to ensure we can rescue any person who may be trapped", the Reuters news agency quotes Mr Habitegeko as

Mozambique's military has regained control of a lake from militant Islamists in the northern Cabo Delgado region, President Filipe Nyusi has said.

He praised the young soldiers who have been fighting the insurgents

saying.

Relief efforts have already started, "including helping to bury victims of the disaster and providing supplies to those whose homes were destroyed," a government minister for emergencies, Marie Solange Kayisire, told AFP

The heavy rains pounded Rwanda "all night" and more downpours are expected throughout the month, authorities say.

Heavy rains and consequent damage

and casualties

between March and May are commonplace in Rwanda, but the deluge on Tuesday night was unusually strong and long-lasting.

This is the worst flooding Rwanda has seen since May 2020 when around 80 people died.

Deaths have also been reported in neighbouring Uganda, where six people have died after landslides, the Ugandan Red Cross says.

Rwanda's weather authority is linking the unusual rains seen in recent years to climate change.

Many factors contribute to flooding, but a warming atmosphere caused by climate change makes extreme rainfall more likely. The world has already warmed by about 1.2C since the industrial era began and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to emissions.

Mozambican lake retaken from jihadists - president

"Over the past week, they have had successes and casualties, recovering Lake Inguri, which the jihadists used for fishing. The young people are there, even though

Sudan crisis: Mum-of-four says they heard gunshots every minute

some have fallen in battle," Mr Nyusi said, at a meeting in the industrial town of Matola.

More than 4,000 people have been

killed and 800,000 forced from their homes since militant Islamists launched an insurgency in Cabo Delgado in 2017.

www.cbn.gov.ng

CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA ON BEHALF OF DMO OFFERS NIGERIAN TREASURY BILLS TENDER NOTICE

Notice is hereby given by the Central Bank of Nigeria on behalf of DMO that the Federal Government of Nigeria Treasury Bills of 91, 182 and 364-day tenors amounting to ₦4,522,000,000; ₦5,439,365,000 and ₦134,019,981,000 respectively would be issued by Dutch auction on Thursday, May 11, 2023.

All Money Market Dealers should submit bids through the CBN S4 WEB INTERFACE between 8.00 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 10, 2023.

ABritishnational stranded in Sudan said she fears she could “lose a family member at any point”.

Sarra Eljak, from Slough, Berkshire, had flown to Khartoum with her husband and daughters to visit family for Easter.

They were trapped when street battles between the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group and the Sudanese army broke out on 15 April.

Ms Eljak said: “There wasn’t any indication a war was going to happen.”

She told the BBC they had dinner out with their relatives and returned home around 01:00 local time (00:00 GMT) before the fighting broke out a few hours later.

“All of a sudden, we woke up hearing the sound of loud army weapons all around,” the mother-of-four said.

“We didn’t know what was going on so quickly put on the TV and found out from the news and social media.”

After five days with no sleep and “hearing gunshots every single minute”, Ms Eljak, her husband Mustafa Abbas and their children fled by bus to the city of Wad Madani, around 200km (124 miles) from the capital.

“We took the risk and went,” she explained, adding: “Normally the journey takes around three hours but it took us six.

“It is just a matter of luck - other people experienced stealing and some of them got shot on the same road - luckily we arrived safely.”

After spending 13 days sheltering in Wad Madani, the family made their way to Port Sudan where they were waiting to get on an RAF evacuation flight back to the UK.

She said she is afraid for her parents and siblings left behind: “My mum and dad both have hypertension and diabetes so if this war continues we can’t manage to bring these medications to them.

“And we can’t take them out [of Sudan]they don’t have British passports.”

During the clashes, she said their front door in Khartoum was shot and they found the bullet inside.

“Luckily no one was hurt,” she said, adding: “But you have the feeling you are going to lose a family member at any point.

“I hope the situation will change all of sudden. I wish the best for Sudan - Sudanese people are the best and don’t deserve this.”

Each bid must be in multiple of N1,000 subject to a minimum of ₦50,001,000. Authorized Money Market Dealers can submit multiple bids. A bid may be for authorized Money Market Dealers own account, non–Money Market Dealers or interested members of the public. The result of the auction would be announced on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. The Bank reserves the right to reject any bid.

Allotment letters would be issued for successful bids on Thursday, May 11, 2023, while payment for the successful bids should be made to your account with Central Bank of Nigeria not later than 11.00 a.m. on Thursday, May 11, 2023.

The Bank reserves the right to vary the amount on offer in line with market realities prevailing as at the period of auction of the Nigerian Treasury Bills.

N ews from A fric A

Kremlin drone: Zelensky denies Ukraine attacked Putin or Moscow

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has denied his country carried out an alleged drone attack on the Kremlin, which Russia says was an attempt on President Vladimir Putin’s life.

“We don’t attack Putin or Moscow. We fight on on our territory. We are defending our villages and cities,” he said, speaking on a visit to Finland.

The Russian president’s office said defences downed two drones overnight.

It threatened to retaliate when and where it considered necessary.

Unverified footage circulating online shows smoke rising over the Kremlina large government complex in central Moscow - early on Wednesday. A second video shows a small explosion above the site’s Senate building, while two men appear to clamber up the dome.

The Russian presidency said Ukraine had attempted a strike on Mr Putin’s residence in the Kremlin and described it as “a planned terrorist act and an assassination attempt on the president”.

Officials said two drones targeting the complex had been disabled using electronic radar assets, adding that President Putin had not been in the complex at the time of the alleged attack.

But Ukraine has said the Russian accusations are merely a pretext for massive attacks on its territory and the US says it is treating the Russian claims with a lot of caution.

Mr Putin appears to be one of the most closely-guarded leaders in the world. At Putin events in Moscow attended by BBC journalists, extremely tight security has been in place, including extensive checks and long convoys of vehicles with airspace closed and traffic halted.

However if what the Kremlin is saying is true, it will raise questions about how well protected the president really is.

There will also be scrutiny over the effectiveness of Russian air defences. In recent months, anti-aircraft systems have been spotted on Moscow rooftops in the vicinity of key buildings.

They have been placed there because the Kremlin is concerned that Ukraine, or those sympathetic to Ukraine, may attempt to carry out aerial attacks on highvalue targets.

Whatever actually happened on Wednesday morning, the question now is how Russia will respond. Some officials have already called for tough action. Russian generals have warned many times of harsh responses to any strikes on Russian territory.

But it is unclear whether Russia has the capacity to carry out meaningful retaliatory strikes, or whether this incident will lead to any significant escalation on the battlefield inside Ukraine.

A Ukrainian presidential adviser told the BBC the incident indicated Russia could be “preparing a large-scale terrorist provocation” in Ukraine.

Mykhailo Podolyak said attacking Moscow made no sense for Ukraine but would help Russia justify its own attacks on civilian targets.

He said any drones flying over locations in Russia were down to “guerrilla activities of local resistance forces”.

“Something is happening in RF [Russian Federation], but definitely without Ukraine’s drones over the Kremlin,” Mr Podolyak said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he could not validate Russia’s accusation that Ukraine had tried to kill Mr Putin, but said he would take anything the Russian presidency said with a “very large shaker of salt”.

Mick Mulroy, a former US deputy assistant secretary of defence and CIA officer, told the BBC that if reports of the incident were accurate, it was “unlikely” to be an assassination attempt as Ukraine tracks President Putin’s movements closely and he was not in Moscow at the time.

“This may have been to show the Russian people that they can be hit anywhere and that the war they started in Ukraine may eventually come home to Russia, even the capital,” he said.

Alternatively, if the reports were not accurate, “Russia may be fabricating this to use as a pretext to target President Zelensky - something they have tried to in the past”, Mr Mulroy said.

Russia also noted the alleged drone incident had come shortly before Russia’s 9 May Victory Day parade in Moscow, which foreign dignitaries were expected to attend.

The parade will go ahead as planned, Russian officials said.

Moscow’s mayor on Wednesday announced a ban on unauthorised drone flights over the city.

Several Russian cities had already announced they would scale back this year’s Victory Day celebrations.

Russian authorities have cited security reasons and attacks from pro-Ukrainian forces for the changes. Explosions and fires have occurred in Russia in recent weeks.

Belgrade shooting: Teen made ‘kill list’ for Serbia school attack

Ateenager who killed eight fellow students and a security guard in a Serbian school planned the attack for weeks and had a “kill list”, according to police.

The 13-year-old was arrested following Wednesday morning’s attack at the Vladislav Ribnikar primary school in central Belgrade.

Another six pupils and a teacher were also injured in the shooting.

The motive for the attack is still being investigated, police said.

Officers in helmets and bulletproof vests cordoned off the area around the school, located in the central Vracar neighbourhood, shortly after 08:40 (06:40 GMT).

The suspect, named by police as Kosta Kecmanovic, is alleged to have used his father’s guns, both of which had legal permits. He is also said to have gone to a shooting range more than once with his father before the killings.

The boy’s mother and father have since been arrested.

In a televised address to the country, President Aleksandar Vucic described

the attack as “the most difficult day in the modern history of our country”.

He said the suspect would be sent to a psychiatric clinic. Under current Serbian law, he cannot be held criminally responsible as he is under 14.

Mr Vucic has suggested that the age of criminal liability may be lowered to 12 in the wake of the killings.

He has also proposed several other reforms, including an audit on firearms licences and a tightening of the rules around who can access shooting ranges.

Police say the suspect planned the attack a month in advance and that he had carried a “priority list” of children to target and which classrooms he would go into first.

Most of the victims were born in 2009 - meaning they were either 13 or 14 at the time of the incident.

A national three-day mourning period starting on Friday has been announced.

Seven girls and one boy have been confirmed among the dead, with four further boys and two girls injured.

A boy who was shot in the neck and chest in said to have suffered the

worst injuries, while a girl is in critical condition with a head injury.

Three other boys suffered injuries to their legs, while a second girl was shot in the abdomen and is currently stable.

“There’s been an operation and all that can be done [has been] but they’re still fighting for her life”, the health minister said.

A teacher injured in the attack was also reported to be undergoing surgery and the minister said her life was at risk.

The sounds of crying parents could be heard on the streets around the school hours after the shooting.

Milan Milosevic, the father of one of the pupils at the school, said his daughter was in the class where the gun was fired and managed to escape.

“[The boy] first shot the teacher and then he started shooting randomly,” Mr Milosevic told broadcaster N1.

“I saw the security guard lying under the table. I saw two girls with blood on their shirts. They say he [the shooter] was quiet and a good pupil. He recently joined their class.”

“I saw kids running out from the

school, screaming. Parents came, they were in panic. Later I heard three shots,” one student told the Serbian state broadcaster RTS.

Mr Vucic said the suspect had become friendly with the guard, who was described by one parent as a “great guy” and “a man who loved kids”.

Mass shootings are comparatively rare in Serbia, which has very strict gun laws, but gun ownership in the country is among the highest in Europe.

The western Balkans are awash with hundreds of thousands of illegal weapons following wars and unrest in the 1990s. In 2019, it was estimated that there are 39.1 firearms per 100 people in Serbiathe third highest in the world, behind the US and Montenegro.

In the deadliest shooting since then, Ljubisa Bogdanovic killed 14 people in the central village of Velika Ivanca in 2013, and Nikola Radosavljevic killed nine and wounded five in the eastern village of Jabukovac in July 2007.

Source: BBC

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky

Ogoni power project will create job opportunities -PMB

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

President Muhammadu Buhari has flagged off the construction of the Ogoni Power Project, expressing confidence that the project upon completion will spur socio-economic development of Ogoniland, create job opportunities for artisans and enhance entrepreneurial growth.

This was contained in statement signed and issued by Garba Shehu Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity)

The President virtually participated in the groundbreaking of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration and the Ogoni 100 Bed Specialist Hospital, performed on his behalf by the Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi at Wiiya Akara, Khana Local Government Area (LGA), Rivers State, on Friday.

On the power project, the President noted that it will bring sustainability to the Potable Water Schemes, Livelihood Programme, Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, and the Specialist Hospital projects being undertaken by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).

On the benefits of the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, the President said it would bring succour to those who over time have been exposed to hydrocarbon pollution and other ailments associated with environmental pollution in the community.

He urged the Ogoni community to cooperate with the Federal Ministry of Environment, HYPREP and the companies handling the execution of the projects.

He added that the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, on whose site the groundbreaking ceremony was held, will provide capacity and research opportunities to scholars within Nigeria and around the world on environmental remediation.

‘‘It will initiate studies on home grown methods and approaches to addressing oil pollution in the Niger Delta and other parts of the country, to Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.

‘‘It is instructive to know that Ogoni clean-up is not the only project being undertaken by this administration to give the people a sense of belonging in national affairs.

‘‘This administration is constructing the Bodo/Bonny Road -a multi-billionnaira project to provide a link road to Bonny Island - host to the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Plant.

‘‘This all-important economic road passes through the heart of Ogoniland and the benefits it will bring to the local economy will be considerable,’’ he said.

The President also disclosed that approvals for the rehabilitation of the Ogoni axis of the East/West Road which the Bodo/Bonny Road opens into and

serves as the gateway to the Oil and Gas Free Zone, Onne,’’ he said.

‘‘Today is special and dear to me as it reminds me of the promise I made to the Ogoni people when I came here to campaign in 2015 for the Presidential election that saw my emergence as the President of our great nation, Nigeria.

‘‘I pledged to implement the United Nations Environment Programme Report on the Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland which was submitted to the Federal Government four years earlier if elected as the President.

‘‘It was a solemn pledge to my fellow citizens of Ogoni that deserves urgent economic, social and infrastructural intervention required for a decent living.

‘‘That assurance was redeemed on 2nd June 2016 when I flagged off the Ogoniland clean-up project at the Patrick waterfront in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area.

‘‘The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project was established to oversee the operations of the clean-up as well as the constitution of the Governing Council, the Board of Trustees, and the Project Coordination Office to coordinate its implementation.

’’I am glad the implementation is progressing as evident in several critical awarded projects that impact on the livelihoods of the Ogoni people,’’ he said.

President Buhari told the gathering that contracts have been approved for the next phase of remediation of sites (medium risk sites), the training of five thousand Ogoni people in sustainable livelihood skills and the engagement of five hundred Ogoni youths as environmental vanguards.

The President commended the Minister of Environment his team at the Ministry and HYPREP for

their doggedness in delivering on his instruction to as a matter of priority, deliver on the Ogoni clean-up and other key objectives of the Ministry including biodiversity and wildlife conservation, land remediation, upland and coastal erosion control.

He also applauded Governor Wike for his support to Federal Government’s developmental initiatives and particularly for the relative peace in Ogoni Land and Rivers State in general.

‘‘Your Excellency and Royal Highnesses, it is my desire that you will continue to support this administration and the incoming administration led by His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu who I am confident will consolidate the gains achieved from this project.

‘‘It is my hope that you will support the implementation of the project and utilize the benefits for the present and future generations of Ogoniland,’’ he said.

HRM Mene (Dr) Suanu Timothy Yormaadam Baridam Gbenemene, Kasimene Bangha VII of Ogoniland, on behalf of the Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers, presented a chieftaincy title, Gbene of Ogoni land (Mighty Eagle of Ogoni land), to President Buhari.

The title was received on behalf of the President by the Minister.

The Minister of Environment used the occasion to provide an update on the modest progress being made in the restoration of oil impacted sites, which is the core mandate of HYPREP.

‘‘Twenty out of the 65 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) sites have been remediated to date. HYPREP recently awarded contracts for additional 17 sites and contractors were taken to the sites yesterday,’’ he said.

Abdullahi stated that six potable

water schemes spread through the four LGAs of Ogoni land are at various stages of completion.

In his remarks, Mike Nweielghi, Chairman Board of Trustees, Ogoni Trust Fund pledged that Ogoni people will provide the necessary support and conducive atmosphere to the contractors to deliver on the projects.

He thanked the President for touching the lives of Ogoni people with his commitment to the clean-up exercise, following the recommendations of the UNEP report.

‘‘As an Ogoniman, I am grateful that your administration has touched the lives of my people and their environment through the commencement of work at the specialist hospital, Centre of Excellence for environmental restoration and Ogoni power project,’’ he said.

He also lauded the President for considering Ogoni people worthy of piloting the affairs of the HYPREP projects, pledging prudent and transparent management of the funds.

In addition to the initial $1billion released for the Ogoni clean-up by the joint venture partners, Nweielghi, on behalf of the Board, appealed for more funds, saying current inflationary trends have made the initial funds insufficient.

The Project Coordinator, HYPREP, Dr Giadom Dumbari, described the projects as major highpoints of the Buhari administration in addressing the challenges of the Niger Delta, particularly the plight of the Ogoni people.

He explained that the specialist hospital is strategically located to service Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States and other surrounding communities.

Dumbari pledged that the project would be delivered on target, time and cost.

Terrified Sudanese on the run from Arab militias in Darfur - again

Fleeing for their lives from Arab militias on the rampage is nothing new for the Sudanese people escaping over the border into Chad - their exhausted faces encapsulate the devastation and suffering they have been experiencing over decades.

“We barely managed to return home and start a new life when this fighting forced us to run again,” Mahmoud Adam Hamad tells the BBC.

The showdown that erupted on 15 April between Sudan’s two leading generals has triggered another bout of ethnic conflict in Sudan’s western Darfur region.

The UN estimates that more than 100,000 people have fled the current countrywide clashes, with the largest number fleeing to Chad, just across the border from Darfur.

Darfur has been in turmoil for years with violence between its various African and Arab communities.

When non-Arabs took up arms against the government in 2003, complaining about discrimination, the government retaliated by mobilising and arming mostly Arab militias. Known as the Janjaweed, they were accused of widespread atrocities.

Many of those Janjaweed fighters morphed into the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the paramilitary group that is now battling the army.

Arab militias linked to the RSF appear to be taking advantage of the security vacuum in Darfur, unleashing violence that has led to an exodus of people from the region.

Some, like Mr Hamad and his family, have ended up in a temporary refugee camp in the

“I made my journey mainly at night. I brought them in, moving from one location to another with my family until we arrived.

“I was nearly robbed on the second trip,” he says as he stands

Chadian village of Koufroune.

An estimated 8,000 people are at the camp, having managed to flee with a few of their belongings and livestock, a valuable asset that could help ease the hardship.

Mr Hamad made two dangerous trips last week across the border to bring his two wives and eight children from Darfur.

next to his temporary shelter made up of sticks and plastic sheeting.

His village was previously attacked in Darfur. He lost his farm and animals and some of his relatives were killed by the Janjaweed.

“We were beaten and lashed.

We begged them for our release.”

Mr Hamad speaks about how, at the time, he fled from village to village and crossed into Chad.

He later returned to Darfur with his family thinking it was safe, but he now finds himself back again.

He is now earning a little

extreme heat.

They are surrounded by their belongings covered in blankets to protect them from the dust.

They lost their livelihoods in the Darfur conflict after their farm was raided in 2003 and their livestock were stolen.

In a later attack three of their children were kidnapped and they have no idea where they are.

“I became destitute without a home and totally dependent on others,” Mr Ebra says.

What forced him to move a fortnight ago was a militia attack on his village that killed many people.

“The whole village was burned to the ground. I was evacuated by a cart and brought here,” he adds, pointing out that arthritis makes it impossible for him to move on his own.

His wife turns to him and asks: “What do you think about our future from now on?”

“There’s no government in Darfur, only the militias, who are killing, raping and kidnapping. Only God knows what there is in store for us,” Mr Ebra responds.

He says he will “never” go back.

“I am safe here; I am happy fetching water from this valley to drink. What would I earn from going back? I am a frail 83 years old, but mentally tough.”

For now, they are being looked after by UN agencies, including the World Food Programme (WFP).

Tens of thousands of more refugees are expected and there are fears that the fighting in Darfur could snowball into a fullblown conflict.

Chad already hosts more than a million displaced people, including nearly 400,000 Sudanese refugees from Darfur.

The race is now on to get support to the camps before the rainy season begins, WFP country director Pierre Honnorat says.

“This is very much needed because in a few weeks, the road to come and assist them will be very very difficult. That’s really the issue, we have to have the resources to be able to support them,” he tells the BBC.

money in the camp by using his cart to transport the belongings of other refugees. He uses the cash to buy extra food.

Ibrahim Bashar Ebra, 83 and his wife, Maka Naseem Tabeer, 70, sit in the shade of a plastic sheet flapping in the wind offering them some respite from the

The refugees in Koufroune may have reached safety, but like so many Sudanese their future lies in the hands of two generals fighting over their country.

They are under intense diplomatic pressure to negotiate an end to the conflict, or risk plunging Sudan into a civil war that could be worse than those in Libya and Syria.

Source: BBC

Families have come to Koufroune with a few belongings that they could bring from Darfur

Ibrahim Bashar Ebra (L) and his wife Maka Naseem Tabeer (R) lost their farming livelihood at the start of the Darfur conflict in 2003

Arab militias linked to the RSF appear to be taking advantage of the security vacuum in Darfur, unleashing violence that has led to an exodus of people from the region.

FEC okays nat’l Blockchain Policy

By Egena Sunday Ode

TheFederal Executive Council (FEC) at its seating on Wednesday, approved a national blockchain policy. Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami made the disclosure while briefing newsmen after the Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

A blockchain is a digital evergrowing list of data records. Such a list is comprised of many blocks of data, which are organized in chronological order and are linked and secured by cryptographic proofs.

The first prototype of a blockchain is dated back to the early 1990s when computer scientist Stuart Haber and physicist W. Scott Stornetta applied cryptographic techniques in a chain of blocks as

a way to secure digital documents from data tampering.

Pantami explained that the new policy was a product of consultations with 56 institutions and personalities whose end goal is to institutionalise blockchain technology in Nigeria’s economy and security sectors.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria today approve the national blockchain policy for Nigeria. This policy was gotten

through consultation with our stakeholders where 56 institutions and personalities were involved in the process of conceptualizing, developing and reviewing the policy.

“With the approval of the national blockchain policy for Nigeria today, we can safely say that blockchain technology with all its components and types have been institutionalised in the country,” said the Minister.

He noted that the Security Council has directed regulatory bodies to liaise with the National Information Technology Development Agency to come up with regulatory instruments in all sectors.The approval, according to the Minister, underlines the potential opportunities of blockchain technology even as studies predict that blockchain would add $1.76tn to the global GDP by 2030.

Senate can’t stop

By Egena Sunday Ode

Thefederal government, on Wednesday said Senate can restard the ongoing demolition of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) structures at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, intended to pay way for more befitting structures.

The upper chamber had on Tuesday approved a resolution directing the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, to halt the demolition of the structures, which provided accommodation for agencies involved in aviation activities, until its Committee on Aviation wraps up its intervention in the matter.

But reacting, the Minister said the Senate resolution would not stop the demolition.

Sirika spoke at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Recall that the Senate, after the Chairman of its Committee on Aviation, Senator Biodun Olujimi, called its attention to the development and the threat by aviation workers to resume strike, had ordered that the Ministry of Aviation stopped the demolition.

The Union of Air Transport Employees, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, and National Association of Aircrafts Pilots and Engineers, had threatened to go on

development

work at Lagos airport -Sirika • Insists Air Nigeria will fly before end of Buhari’s tenure

strike over the demolition.

However, explaining the demolition of the FAAN structures, which he described as makeshift, the Minister said government would go on with its plan to make use of the land by building something befitting Lagos and in the interest of the majority of Nigerians, the Senate’s directive notwithstanding.

“The intent of government is to remove the structure that is housing the offices of the Managing-Director of FAAN and those commercial departments. It was a structure that was made of woods, it’s been there for 40 years, it has caught fire twice, even during our ministration, and to give way for better development for what Lagos has become; it’s the gateway.

“We want to put hotels there, shopping malls, offices, cinemas and the rest of it, so FAAN can make more money. The entire people within that structure are not more than 150 or 200 in that headquarters.

“So, government is going to continue, of course. The Senate is advisory, it’s an executive function, we’re not barred by any court of law. So it’s an executive function and government cannot be stopped from giving development to its people.

“Just the other day, some houses were demolished by Lagos State on our behalf, we’ve been on that issue for some time, we went up to Supreme Court and won. They have to give way for developments. This is in national interest.

“If individuals will drag it out with government, there’s no government worker that can drag it out a government. If I want to pull down this hall and build a better one, who will come and stop me from doing that as a government?

“So, I think it’s not an issue, they’re just over-hitting it and you know why. But we have responsibility and mandate and we’re not shy, we’re very bold to do all those things that are good for our people and for government.

“We’re also a very responsive and responsible government. Where it will affect the lives of people, of course, we wouldn’t be indulging in doing it. We’ve been known to be doing those things that better civilization. This one also is going to make live very good.

“I’m sure those people that are saying no to it, they don’t want to continue to see Lagos Airport the way it is. So, one or two individuals will not deny Nigeria’s 250 million the joy of having something that we all go outside to see.

“These people, these leaders, don’t they travel? See Dubai, big deal, and now you want to give something like Dubai and somebody said no. Common”, he said.

Meanwhile, the Minister has restated government’s commitment to ensure that Nigeria’s national carrier, Nigeria Air Limited, commences operation within the remaining days of the Buhari-led administration.

“I think three weeks is a lot of

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time. Yeah. By the special grace of God, it will fly and don’t forget we didn’t start today. We started this in 2015. We drew up the road-map, we got the transaction advisors in 2016. From 2016 we’ve been planning and planning and planning.

“Many airlines came, more than 50% of the airline today in Nigeria were licensed by us, by the Buhari’s administration. One of the airlines, United that went to court today, we gave him the license, Buhari government, and he’s never been to the office of the minister. He didn’t even know it. ValueJet, we gave him the license.

“The first I saw him was at the commissioning if Ogun Airport. Rano Air, Uza Air, all of them. Even Air Peace, which is the biggest airline, when we came in 2015, how many airlines did they have? The growth and robustness of Air Peace is because we gave them the enabling environment as a Buhari government to do it.

“So, we didn’t stop anybody from doing it. We will do it by the grace of God and we will give Nigeria the airline that it deserves for market, for the population, for the centrality and for everything. We will do it Isha Allah,” he assured.

On whether there is a plan to continue with the new government, Sirika said “well, we are committed and luckily it is APC that will be in power again. We are committed to this project this project is good for the Nigerian economy, for the traveling people.

“You will all agree with me that unfortunately from the time of Cabo, Okada, Harco, Chanchangi, Albarka, and the rest of them, about 60 of them went down the drain. We don’t want our airlines to be dying because people are putting their money in there.

“It is our own responsibility to guide them to do it right and we invited each and every one of them to come and do it the way we think it should be done. But it’s individual choice and no one has stopped any airline in Nigeria; Max Air, United, all of them, they will go and bring in competencies, but if they want to run it the way they are, it’s their choice and their business, but we will get them to do it and give Nigerians what they deserve.”

Continuing, the Minister said “if we say we are going to set up a private sector driven airline, with the richest skills of government in it, why not? And they were all given the opportunity to come and invest in this airline and they didn’t.

“So, this airline will be set up and to answer your question. Yes, the airline will be established now and the incoming government has no choice but to run with it and the reason is 95% is not government-owned, 95% is owned by entrepreneurs. So the coming of the next government which, is APC, won’t just throw the investment away because there’s change government so it will continue,” Sirika assured.

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BORGU ISLAMIC MISSION FOUNDATION

UMUAZEGBA ABANYI DEVELOPMENT CLAN/ COMMUNITY

EGBIKE IFEANYI CHRISTIAN (TRUSTEE)

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO SOLIDLY UNITE ALL MEMBERS OF UMUAZEGBA ABANYI CLAN BOTH HOME AND ABROAD AND BRING THEM UNDER ONE STRONG UMBRELLA.

2. TO PROMOTE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG MEMBERS OF UMUAZEGBA ABANYI CLAN.

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 : PRESENTED BY KENECHI JOSEPH EJIOFOR ESQ.

I WISH TO NOTIFY THE PUBLIC AND EMMANUEL OVIE OBAZEE THAT I IMADE IKPONMWONSA HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR MY HUSBAND EMMANUEL OVIE OBAZEE WHO RELOCATED TO NIGERIA SOMETIME AFTER JUNE 2012. EMMANUEL OVIE OBAZEE KINDLY CONTACT ME ON MY EMAIL ADDRESS: GIFTIKPONMWONSA@YAHOO. COM OR ANYONE WITH VITAL INFORMATION SHOULD PLEASE SEND THE INFORMATION TO THE AFOREMENTIONED EMAIL.THANK YOU.

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) ALIYU SABI ABDULLAHI, CON . - CHAIRMAN

2) ISMAILA SABI ABDULLAHI

3) NAMES: ADAMU ISAH (IYAN BORGU)

4) MOHAMMED DANLADI GARBA

5) DR. MOHAMMED JIBRIL SHANTALI

6) DR. MOHAMMED MANSUR ABDULLAHI

7) RIDWAN ABDULQADIR GIDADO ESQ

8) HAJARA KAKA ABDULLAHI

9) NAMES: ADAM ISA BADAMASI

10) BILKISU ISMAILA ABDULLAHI

11) ADAM FARUK UMAR

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

TO PROMOTE AND PRESENT AUTHENTIC ISLAMIC KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SUNNAH OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH) AS A WAY OF MODERATION FOR THE UMMAH; 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

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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. SUBAIR RAFIU ADEBAYO - SECRETARY

2. OLALERE WAHEED OLANREWAJU

3. ALIAGAN YAQUB MUHAMMAD - CHAIRMAN

4. SAFIYU SIKIRU DANRAMAN

5. ILEYEMI MODUPE ABIOLA

6. AKINWUNMI SIMIAT ABOSEDE

7. AKINLABI ABIBAT ABOSEDE

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO ASSIST THE LESS PRIVILEGE IN OUR SOCIETY WERE MERCENARY.

2. TO UPHOLD THE TENET OF ISLAM.

3. TO EDUCATE THE SOCIETY ON GOOD VIRTUE.

4. TO GIVE HELPING HAND TO THE NEEDY IN OUR 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.

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THE NAW NAME : MIYETTI ALLAH KAUTAL HORE SOCIO CULTURAL ASSOCIATION

THE OLD NAME : MIYETTI ALLAH KAUTAL HORE FULANI SOCIO CULTURAL ASSOCIATION CAC/IT/N0. 42948 .

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

THE TRUSTEES REMAIN THE SAME.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME.

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

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FOREMOST LEAGUE OF MEN

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.BABATUNDE OLALEKAN BADMUS-TRUSTEE /CHAIRMAN

2.LATEEF OLAWALE RILIWAN- TRUSTEE /SECRETARY

3.EZE FAVOUR KOSISO - TRUSTEE

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES : (DESCRIBE WHAT YOUR NGO IS ABOUT ): LEAGUE OF MEN IS A NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION WITH THE MAIN MOTIVE OF UPLIFTING ITS MEMBERS FOR A SECURED FUTURE.

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.

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BRANDING THE FUTURE FOR CHILD RIGHTS ADVOCACY AND DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES

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THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1.ZAINAB KYARI

2.KENNY OLERU

3.OLUFUNMILAYO OBADOFIN

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE ARE IN LINE WITH THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD AND THE FULFILMENT OF THE SOCIETAL RESPONSIBILITIES ARE: TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD AND ITS YOUNG CITIZENS IN ALL CONTEXTS. TO DEVELOP A PEOPLE-ORIENTED AND MOTIVATING SYSTEM THAT TAKES COGNISANCE OF THE PEOPLE’S CONTEXT TO PROTECT THE CHILD AND THE BEST INTEREST AT ALL TIMES TO EMPOWER CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS, AND BUILD THE CAPACITY OF CAREGIVERS AND RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS TO SECURE A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EVERY CHILD TO CREATE A WORLD WHERE EVERY CHILD AND YOUNG PERSON HAS ACCESS TO EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED.

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.

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BRILLIANT LEADERSHIP ORIENTATION AND MANAGEMENT FOUNDATION

THIS IS

1.AJINOMIH ABIODUN - CHAIRMAN

2.AJAYI NIKE GRACE 3.ORENISI IDOWU FESTUS.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO BE A BUILDING GROUND FOR PEOPLE WHO ASPIRE TO BE A LEADER OR CAPTAIN OF INDUSTRY.

2. TO PROMOTE, SENSITIZE AND ENLIGHTENED THE PEOPLE/LEADERS ON GLOBAL INNOVATION IN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT.

3. TO PROVIDE QUALITATIVE TRAINING IN HUMAN MANAGEMENT AND CAPACITY BUILDING.

4. TO OFFER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AS MAY BE OCCASIONED BY CIRCUMSTANCES.

5. TO ALWAYS ENCOURAGE LEADERS IN THE POSITION OF AUTHORITY THROUGH PRESENTATION OF AWARD OF EXCELLENCE.

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.

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ALIGNMENT CHRISTIAN NETWORK

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THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1.MOSES IRIMIYA

2.GOMINA JAPHET YUSUF

3.OGUNKUNLE MARIA OLUWAKEMI

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1.TO BRING PEOPLE INTO ALIGNMENT WITH GOD.

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.

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STREAMS OUTREACH FELLOWSHIP & MISSIONS

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THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1.UKODIE PROSPER ETENA (CHAIRMAN)

2.EJOHWOMU OCHUKO (SECRETARY)

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO WIN SOULS FOR OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST (REACH-OUT)

2. TO BUILD (DEVELOP AND STRENGTHEN BELIEVERS)

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WESTERN ELITE CLUB OF LAGOS

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BORGU ISLAMIC MISSION FOUNDATION

ALIYU SABI ABDULLAHI, CON . - CHAIRMAN

2) ISMAILA SABI ABDULLAHI

3) NAMES: ADAMU ISAH (IYAN BORGU)

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11) ADAM FARUK UMAR

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JEWELS EVANGELICAL AND REVIVAL MINISTRIES

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JAJA STARS OLD STUDENTS FORUM SET 2000

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2023

Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool boss charged by FA over comments about referee Paul Tierney

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been charged by the Football Association for his comments about referee Paul Tierney after his side’s 4-3 win against Tottenham on Sunday.

The German, who said he regretted the headlines created by his comments, said Tierney appears to have something “against” his team.

The FA alleged Klopp’s comments constitute “improper conduct”.

Klopp has until Friday, 5 May to respond to the charge.

“It is alleged that the manager’s comments regarding the match official during post-match media interviews constitutes improper conduct in that they imply bias, and/ or question the integrity of the referee, and/or are personal/ offensive, and/or bring the game into disrepute,” the FA said.

“The whole situation should not have happened at all,” said Klopp, speaking on Tuesday

before his side’s game against Fulham on Wednesday.

“It was out of emotion and anger in that moment. That’s why I celebrated the way I did.

“We won a game 4-3 in a spectacular manner and the only headlines I created and I really regret that. It’s not necessary and not how it should be.”

Klopp should be banned for behaviour, says Sutton

Klopp was furious with Spurs being awarded a free-kick which led to their equaliser and ran to scream at the fourth official after the winner, hurting his leg in the process.

He was shown a yellow card by the referee after his celebration and, speaking after the game about when he was booked, Klopp claimed what Tierney said to him was “not OK”.

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the body responsible for Premier League referees, said Tierney “acted in a professional

manner” throughout the game and when cautioning Klopp, adding that match officials in the Premier League are recorded in all games via a communications system.

Klopp says he regrets some of the things he said about the official in his post-match interviews but denies he lied about their conversation.

“I tried to calm down but it didn’t work out properly, go into all the interviews and then I said what I said,” he added.

“I know he [Tierney] is not doing it intentionally but we have a history, you cannot deny that.

“I’m not a resentful person, not at all, but these kind things that have happened in the past in decisive games. They didn’t happen intentionally but they are still there.

“The referees are really angry about what I said. I shouldn’t have said a couple of things but lying was not involved.”

Klopp was given a one-match

ban after he was sent off against Manchester City in October for berating the referee’s assistant after the FA appealed against the original punishment.

He was also fined £30,000 and warned about his future conduct.

The history between Klopp and Tierney

In 2020 Tierney reportedly told Klopp to “get over it” after the referee admitted he had missed a foul on Georginio Wijnaldum in a game against Aston Villa.

Tierney was also in charge of a Liverpool game at Tottenham in December 2021 when Spurs striker Harry Kane escaped a red card before Liverpool leftback Andrew Robertson was dismissed.

The match ended in a 2-2 draw which resulted in the Reds losing ground to Manchester City in their Premier League title fight.

Tierney was also the referee when Everton were denied a

late penalty in a 1-0 defeat by Manchester City in February 202.

City midfielder Rodri appeared to control the ball with his arm and, while Tierney and video assistant referee Chris Kavanagh did not deem it worthy of a spot-kick, former PGMOL head Mike Riley later apologised to the Toffees for the decision.

Liverpool went on to miss out on the Premier League title by one point to City that season.

In January this year after a loss to Brentford, Klopp said he had approached the officials - including Tierney - to discuss decisions made during the game.

“That’s exactly the same as I would talk to my microwave, you get no response, really, it’s always the same,” he told beIN Sports.

Earlier this month, Tierney booked Liverpool’s Robertson after an incident involving assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis.

FRANKLIN TALENTS & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

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How oil Ministry came under the Presidency

constitutional powers to choose not to establish the office of the Minister of Petroleum Resources and directly exercise executive control over petroleum matters. It is immaterial that the office of Minister of Petroleum Resources is provided for in the Petroleum Act as the provisions of the Constitution take precedence over that of an existing law in the event of a conflict”.

President Olusegun Obansanjo GCFR made his reply on September 7, 2002.

The appointment of Petroleum Minister in this country has always generated controversy.

The pioneer Minister of Petroleum was Colonel Muhammadu Buhari GCFR in 1977. It was during his tenure that THE PUNCH Newspaper published an alleged loss of 2.8 billion naira oil revenue in 1977. Chief Festus Remilekun Ayodele Marinho (December 30, 1934January 21, 2021), Papal Knight of St. Sylvester, was then the Managing Director of the NNPC.

In 1977, the military head of state, Lt. General Olusegun Obasanjo, set up a crude oil sales tribunal to investigate the operations of the Nigerian National Oil Company (NNOC), which metamorphosed into NNPC same year. The tribunal found out that in three years, NNOC had failed to collect its equity share of oil produced by Shell, Mobil and Gulf. As a joint venture partner, NNOC was entitled to 182.95 million barrels of oil production. But NNOC did not find buyers for its own share, thereby losing a potential income of $2.8 billion.

The way and manner the press reported the story angered Colonel Muhammadu Buhari.

When he became the head of state on December 31, 1983, he promulgated decree 4 which gagged the press. Through the decree he jailed my friends, Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabor of THE GURADIAN Newspaper. Several journalists including myself and Folu Olamiti were detained.

Professor Tamunoemi Sokari David-West (August 26, 1936 –November 11, 2019) was appointed Minister of Petroleum by General Muhammadu Buhari between 1984 and 1985. On September 12, 1985, General Ibrahim Babangida

swore in his first cabinet. Among those appointed Ministers at that time were Lt-General Julius

Alani Ipoola Akinrinade, LtColonel Tanko Ayuba, Major General Domkat Bali,Professor

Jubril Aminu, Rear Admiral Patrick Koshoni, Professor

Bolaji Akinyemi, Major-General

Mamman Vatsa, Dr. Kalu Idika

Kalu, Professor Olikoye RansomeKuti, Alhaji Lawal Mala, LtColonel Anthony Ukpo, Lt-Colonel

John Nanzip Shagaya, Prince Bola

Ajibola, Alhaji Rilwanu Lukman, Dr. Chu Okongu, Professor Tam

David-West, Lt-Colonel Ahmed

Abdullahi, Professor Emanuel Emovon, Air-Vice Marshal Ishaya

Aboi Shekari, Majoe General

Gado Nasko, Brigadier Jeremiah Useni and Air Commodore Hmaza Abdullahi.

General Babangida retained Professor Tam David-West as oil Minister.

He was eventually removed as minister and arrested by the Babangida regime for allegedly contributing to the economic adversity of the country; He was discharged and acquitted of these charges by Nigeria’s Special Appeal Court on 8 August 1991.

In 1986, General Babangida appointed Dr. Rilwanu Lukman

On assuming power, General Sani Abacha appointed Chief Donald Etiebet as Minister of Petroleum. Chief Etiebet was a brother to late Senator Donald Duke Etiebet, my very good friend who was elected the governor of Cross Rivers State in 1983. They are both from Ikot Ekpuk, now in Akwa Ibom state.

In 1995 General Abacha GCFR (20 September 1943 – 8 June 1998) removed Chief Etiebet and replaced him with Senator Dan Etete. Chief Etete brought a lot of controversy to that Ministry. There was a time he had a quarrel with the then Minister of Finance, Chief Etubom Anthony Ani (86), the son of Chief Michael Ani, the former Chairman of the Federal Electoral Commission, FEDECO. . The quarrel became front page news in most newspapers with both of them accusing each other and Chief Etete threatened to “dance naked on the street” over the issue.

After the sudden death of General Sani Abacha on 8 June 1998, General Abdusalam Abubakar took over.

On August 22, 1998, General Abdusalam swore in his cabinet. This was how THE NEW YORK TIMES captured the event the

oversee the oil industry, which accounts for at least 90 percent of the country’s export earnings.

Ismaila Usman, a central banker with a reputation for discipline who was demoted for standing up to late dictator, Sani Abacha, in his demands for cash, was named Finance Minister”.

Although General Abdusalam did not appoint a Petroleum Minister, following pressures from his deputy, the then Chief of General Staff, Admiral Okhai Michael Akhigbe GCON (29 September 1946-28 October 2013), General Abdusalam appointed Chief Godwin Aretenakai Adams (February 27, 1938- August 7, 2002) as special adviser of Petroleum Affairs. Chief Adams was from Auchi in Edo State while Admiral Akhigbe was from Fugar also in Edo state.

Chief Adams was a Geophysicist, reputed to be highly principled, Adams’ tenure as the managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), between November 1985 and April 1990, would be remembered for a very long time to come.

He stood firm against what he considered attempts to undermine standards and plunge the sector into crisis, even at the risk of losing his job as the chief executive of the NNPC, during the administration of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

One of such instances was his opposition to the appointment of Alhaji Abba Gana as General Manager, Marketing of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited.

Idris GCON (15 March 1935 –15 December 2017). Nobody told him that he was not the oil Minister. He had audience with Alhaji Gidado Idris but the issue was not resolved. Several times he had meetings with Admiral Akhigbe yet the issue was not resolved. Sponsored Magazines and newspaper publications surfaced portraying Alhaji Gidado Idris in bad light. I had a tight schedule visiting newspapers and magazines, shuttling between Kaduna, Lagos and Ibadan defending my boss, Alhaji Gidado Idris.

In the midst of the crisis, General Abdusalam named the Minister of National Planning, Chief Rasheed Abiodun Oladosu Gbadamosi (1943-2016), an industrialist, a boardroom guru, a good friend that I missed daily, to lead the Federal Government delegation to the OPEC meeting in Vienna. The Nigerian delegation to OPEC meetings is the statutory responsibility of the Minister of Petroleum or anyone in charge of that Ministry. After the Vienna meeting, it dawned on Chief Adams that the Ministry of Petroleum was in fact under the Head of State, General Abdusalam Abubakar.

When President Obasanjo came to power in 1999, he did not make any pretence about it, he just named himself Minister of Petroleum. He was Minister of Petroleum during his eight years tenure.

(26 August 1938 – 21 July 2014) as the Minister of Petroleum Resources, holding that position until February 1990. In that role, he was also chairman of the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

In the transitional Council appointed in 1993 and headed by Chief Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan GCFR (9 May 1936 – 11 January 2022), a retired Federal Permanent Secretary, Chief Phillip Asiodu was made the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Alhaji Hassan Hadeja was made Minister of State for Petroleum and Mineral Resources.

following day. The story was titled NIGERIAN STRONGMAN NAMES A CABINET.

“Nigeria’s ruler, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, released the names of his military and civilian Cabinet today, but no one was appointed to the important position of oil minister.

General Abubakar gave no explanation for the absence of an oil minister in an address to the new Cabinet, in which he told ministers to shun corruption and ignore politics in the months leading up to the restoration of democracy next May 29.

Officials said that a new department would be created to

Although he was subsequently suspended from office by the government on account of his position in 1989 and retired in April 1990, Adams left the NNPC with his head held high and reputation unsoiled.

Following his appointment as special adviser on Petroleum by General Abdusalam, the assumption was that he would discharge his duty as Minister of Petroleum. The assumption became grounded when he moved to the office vacated by Chief Dan Etete in the Federal Secretariat. Three weeks after, he realized that Government officials in the oil business were not reporting to him instead they were reporting to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Gidado

President Muhammadu Buhari followed the footsteps of President Obasanjo when he became the President in 2015. For the records, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR is the longest serving Minister of Petroleum.

Expectedly there are pressures on Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on what to do with the Ministry of Petroleum. He either follows the footsteps of General Abdusalam Abubakar, President Obasanjo or President Buhari by naming himself Minister of Petroleum. or he follows the footsteps of President Shehu Aliyu Usman Shagari, General Babangida, Chief Shonekan, General Sani Abacha, President Umaru Yar’adua or President Goodluck by naming someone as the Minister of Petroleum. It will be hard choice for the in-coming President.

Obasanjo Jonathan Buhari CONTINUED FROM BACKPAGE

“ Officials said that a new department would be created to oversee the oil industry, which accounts for at least 90 percent of the country’s export earnings.

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Reece James: Injury rules out Chelsea defender for rest of the season

How oil Ministry came under the Presidency

Of all appointments to be made by the President Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, none will define his presidency, then the appointment of Minister of Petroleum. There are Ministers and there are Ministers but the Minster of Petroleum in this country is in a class of his own.

He or she holds the key to the nation’s treasury. We shall know by the appointment the direction of his government.

Petroleum subsidy to be not to be, our refineries, will have great impact on our future and these are issues that the next Petroleum Minister will have to determine.

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By Eric Teniola

Reece James: Injury rules out Chelsea defender for rest of the season Last updated on3 hours ago3 hours ago.

Chelsea interim boss Frank Lampard says Reece James will miss the rest of the season and Mason Mount is “unlikely” to feature in the final seven games.

James has been ruled out after a scan on a hamstring problem, while Mount has a pelvic injury.

“Reece James will be unavailable for the rest of the season, Mason Mount the same,” said Lampard.

Chelsea are in advanced talks with former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino to take charge.

“Reece had a hamstring injury in the midweek game,” added Lampard. “He got through it but then had a scan and he’s out.

“Mason has been carrying a pelvic injury for a while. It predates myself and he has been trying typically but he will have minor surgery, then a four-week recovery.

“He [Mount] might make the last match but that’s unlikely, which is obviously disappointing for us.”

Lampard, brought in earlier this month to replace Graham Potter until the end of the season, has lost all four games of his second spell in charge at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues are 11th in the Premier League table and their season is effectively over after they were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid in the quarter-finals last week.

Argentine Pochettino could take over before the end of the campaign, but former midfielder Lampard, who is Chelsea’s alltime leading goalscorer, said the club has “big difficulties”.

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has several choices over the appointment. He could appoint himself like General Abdusalam Abubakar GCFR, President Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR and President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR all did. Afterwards he is from the oil industry. He could appoint someone either inside or outside of the oil industry. Or he could appoint someone from the South south region so as to compensate to the people of that region. Afterwards the oil comes from their area. The Minister of petroleum is not just an ordinary person in this country or outside of this country.

I remember Sheikh Zaki Yamani (June 30, 1930-23 February 2021) who was the embodiment of the ascent of the Arab Petroleum Power and the face of oil embargo of 1973, who brought the Western world to its knees. I was in the Presidency during the Sani Abacha era and I knew the influence of the then Petroleum Minister, Senator Dan Dauzia Loya Etete(78). We still remember the power and the influence of Mrs Diezani K. Agama Alison-Madueke(62) during the Goodluck Jonathan Presidency.

Let us take a look at the schedule of the Minister of Petroleum. My last check showed that he has more than twenty schedules of responsibilities. They are formulation and implementation of policies and programmes, supervising NNPCL, supervising National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Crude Oil Matters, OPEC Matters, Nigerian Gas Company, Nigerian Liquefied National Gas, Department of Petroleum Resources and Nigerian Petroleum Development Company.

Other responsibilities are Integrated Data Services, Eleme Petrochemicals Company, National Engineering and Technical Company, Petroleum Training Institute, Petroleum

Equilisation Fund, College of Petroleum Studies, Chairman, Ministerial Tender’s Board and Postings, Research and Development(R & D), Abuja Offices and Housing Projects and African Petroleum Producers Association Matters.

The seven agencies under the Minister of Petroleum Resources are Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is now known as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited established April 1 1977, Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NURC)—established August 16, 2012, Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) established 1973, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) established 1973, Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) established August 3 1999, Nigerian Content Development Management Board (NCDMB) established in 2010, and Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) established August 16, 2021.

The powers of the minister of petroleum resources under the Petroleum Act extend to all segments of the industry and span the policy, regulatory and commercial spheres. For example:in the commercial sphere, the minister is empowered to set the prices of petroleum products; in the policy sphere, the minister sets the policy priorities for the industry through policy pronouncements and directives; and in the regulatory sphere, and arguably most importantly, the minister has extensive powers to make determinations, prescribe

anything required and make regulations and policies for the industry.

The minister is the apex regulator of the industry, imbued with wide discretion. The Department of Petroleum Resources carries out the day-today regulation of the industry on the minister’s behalf.

The culmination of the minister’s powers in the commercial sphere and his obvious conflict of interest may be seen in his appointment as chair of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the national oil company.

To my knowledge the Minister of State for Petroleum or special adviser to the President on Petroleum matters may carry out any of these schedules as may be delegated by the Minister of Petroleum. No wonder General Abdusalam Abubakar (80), President Olusegun Obasanjo(86) and President Muhammadu Buhari(80) placed the Ministry of Petroleum Resources under their direct supervision.

In 2002, the then House of the Representatives, under the leadership of Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’Abba(64) from Tudun Wada Constituency in Kano queried President Obasanjo for appointing himself as Minister of Petroleum. That was when the House of Representatives could bark and bite .

The query then was that “Mr. President has refused to appoint a Minister of Petroleum Resources which action has occasioned the following: (a) that since inception of this Government in 1999 Mr. President refused, failed and or

neglected to appoint a Minster of Petroleum Resources contrary to the Petroleum Act cap 350, laws of the Federation as amended by the Petroleum (Amendment) Act No. 22 of 1998 and thereby authorizing the performance of or performing yourself the functions of the Minister of Petroleum Resources (b) that in breach of Section 9 (1) d III laws of the Federation 1990 appointed the Committee which has increased the prices of petroleum products which function is that of a Minister of Petroleum Resources under the said Act, which Act constitutes a gross misconduct (c) that a process of establishing the refineries through bidding was established and provisional licenses were issued without the approval of the Minister of Petroleum as required by 3 (1) of the Petroleum Act which Action amounts to gross misconduct”.

President Olusegun Obasanjo’s response was that “Under Section 5 of the 1999 Constitution, the Executive powers of the Federation are vested in the President who may exercise same directly or through the Vice President, Ministers or officers in the public service of the Federation. It is apparent from the wordings of this section that it is within my discretion to exercise these powers directly or delegate same to certain functionaries.

In the same vein, Section 147 (1) of the Constitution makes provision for such offices of the Ministers of the Government of the Federation as may be established by the President. This clearly gives me the discretion over which office of Minister to establish. The Constitution does not specify the Ministries which I have to establish or the powers which I may delegate to Ministers.

It is therefore within my

DAN GAYE DANGAYE

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To my knowledge the Minister of State for Petroleum or special adviser to the President on Petroleum matters may carry out any of these schedules as may be delegated by the Minister of Petroleum