Friday, May 5, 2023 Edition

Students, 376 stranded Nigerians arrive Nigeria from Sudan, at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Teenager stabs mother to death in Kano

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

Ateenager, identified as Iro Kwarangwal has stabbed his biological mother, Jummai to death over a disagreement in Kano state.

The tragedy struck on Wednesday evening at Karshen Kwalta, Rimin Kebe quarters in Ungoggo Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that the incident occurred on Wednesday at around 5:30 pm.

“I was standing outside my house when i suddenly heard screaming from the deceased residence,” an eyewitness who spoke on condition of anonymity told our reporters.

He revealed that upon rushing in for possible help, he found the deceased who was

stabbed severally with a knife screaming for help.

The eyewitness revealed that the suspect fled the scene shortly after he allegedly committed the heinous crime against his mother.

The witness further said the deceased was later rushed to the hospital in a tricycle with blood all over her body and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

“She had since yesterday been buried in accordance with Islamic rites. May Allah forgive her and admit her to paradise,” the witness prayed.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Kano Police Command, Abdullahi Haruna, confirmed the incident and promised to give details on the incident.

Impeachment: Abia Assembly suspends Deputy Speaker, 8 others

Abia House of Assembly on Tuesday suspended the Deputy Speaker, Mr Ifeanyi Uchendu, and eight other members, over the purported impeachment of the Speaker, Mr Chinedum Orji.

Orji, who presided over the plenary session, announced the immediate suspension of the lawmakers for one month with no benefits.

Other suspended members included Kennedy Njoku (Osisioma North), Chukwudi Apugo (Umuahia East) and Aaron Uzodike (Aba North).

The rest were Thomas Nkoro (Obingwa West), Okey Igwe (Umunneochi), Chikwendu Kalu (Isiala Ngwa South) Obinna Ichitta (Aba South) and Chijioke Chukwu (Minority Leader –Bende North).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some members of the House had by

9 am on Tuesday, purportedly suspended the speaker for “his insensitivity to the welfare of members and other sundry activities”.

NAN learnt that 16 of the 24-member house had allegedly signed for the speaker’s impeachment that took place at a guest house in Umuahia metropolis.

At the venue, the former Speaker, Kennedy Njoku, had moved the motion for the speaker’s removal and was seconded by Chijioke Chukwu.

The meeting was presided over by the suspended deputy speaker.

In a video that went viral, the members had in a voice vote unanimously endorsed the speaker’s impeachment over so many allegations levelled against him.

They had also elected Apugo as the new speaker.

But, hours after the purported impeachment, Orji convened an emergency plenary session at the assembly complex, where nine members, including himself, resolved to suspend the other nine members.

The motion for their suspension was moved by Jerry Uzosike (Umuahia South), seconded by Solomon Apulonu (Majority Leader – Obingwa East).

NAN reports that only members who were physically participated in the purported impeachment were suspended.

Those whose signatures were allegedly obtained were exonerated, pending further investigations.

Subsequently, the house replaced the suspended deputy speaker with Mandela Obasi, who was immediately sworn in as the new Deputy Speaker.

Orji also informed the

Commissioner of Police and Director of State Services that only certified members would be allowed access into the hallowed chamber.

The house, thereafter, set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the alleged misconduct of the suspended members and submit its report in one week.

Addressing newsmen shortly after the plenary session, Orji said that he had faced several humiliations as a speaker.

He said: “They should give the evidence of my financial recklessness.

“They want me to always be at loggerheads with the Governor of the state and I told them that I don’t need to always do that over their own welfare.

“If I decided that I’m no more interested in doing that fight, that it should be a collective effort, I don’t think I’m wrong in doing that.” (NAN)

R-L: Chairman House of Representatives committee on Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Deputy chairman of the committee, Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi and a member of the committee, Hon. Unyime Idem, during 2023 NDDC Budget defence at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Reps want FG to intervene in Nasarawa State clash

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives yesterday urged the Nigerian government to take immediate action to end the unrest in Kokona LGA of Nasarawa State and other parts of Nigeria.

It also called on the Government to have a more proactive approach geared at beefing up security in rural areas and thereby forestalling future recurrence of this dastardly act.

The House equally asked the relevant security agencies to carry out immediate

investigations and bring the attackers to Justice.

The House resolutions followed a motion on the “urgent need to investigate the unrest between three communities in Kokona LGA in Nasarawa State leading to the touching of two villages and the death of over

fpirteen persons”, sponsored by Honourable Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi.

Presenting the motion, the House noted that there has been a recent unrest in Tattara and two other communities in Kokona LGA of Nasarawa which has resulted in the loss of lives,

Kano governor-elect urges leaders to give room for free press, protect media

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

As the world commemorates the Press Freedom Day, Kano State Governor-elect, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has urged all categories of leaders to play their part in ensuring a free press by protecting the rights of media practitioners around the globe.

The Governor-elect made the appeal in a special message, as contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa.

He also urged media owners and journalists to be steadfast on providing credible news while remaining staunch defenders of free speech in the society.

The governor-elect said only with credible reportage,

the media can preserve its respectability as the watchdog of the society to be able to hold political office holders accountable.

“While congratulating the members of the 4th Estate of leadership on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day 2023, Engr. Abba Kabir said the incoming State Government will collaborate with the media

to promote accountability and good governance through objective, fair and balanced reporting.

“The Governor-elect assured media practitioners of a Kano society, under his watch, where press freedom is guaranteed especially if decency and ethics guiding the noble profession are not compromised,” the statement reads in parts.

destruction of properties and displacement of members of the communities.

“Also notes that reports and investigative assessments indicate that the incident is between Mada communities and Fulani Herdsmen”.

” Aware that the Nigerian government and security agencies have been making frantic efforts to provide lasting solutions to the menace of such incidents in the region and other parts of the country but more work needs to be done in such regard.

“Worried about the complains of the Tattara inhabitants who observed that the deadly escapades of the attackers was increasingly unsettling the Western part of Nasarawa state after leaving their unpleasant footprints in the Southern part of the state.”

“Disturbed that the local communities have been in a state of unrest as a bloody tribal conflict looms in Kokona LGA after the inhabitants have been left in sorrow, blood and tears by their assailants.

“Cognizant that this Hallowed Chamber has always taken as a matter of national importance, all necessary steps by way of legislative action to ensure the security and safety of Nigerians remain a top priority of the National Assembly.

It also called on the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to provide immediate intervention for those affected and the internally displaced persons.

A silence was held in honor of those who lost their lives in the clash.

NVNN Reps pledge support for Betara as speaker

From David Hassan, Gombe

Zamfara SUBEB organizes quiz competition for Peimary/Secondary over livestock rearing

Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board (ZSUBEB) under the department of school services has conducted its final zonal quiz competition for livestock 2020/2021 for primary and junior secondary schools in the state

The competition held at Teachers Training and

Development Center Bypass today (Thursday) in Gusau the state capital, and was organized through Agric Education training program (AETP) of the Board.

In his address, The Director school services of the Board, Alhaji Garba Abdullahi, said introducing school to farm initiative to basic Education schools would no doubt achieve the goals and the aspirations of the SDG #2 by encouraging

and inculcating practical Agricultural knowledge to basic Education schools and prepare for life-long learning which are part of the objectives of the UBE program.

He also called on stakeholders in education to contribute their quoter towards achieving agricultural practice in schools for the success of the program and better society in future.

At the end of the quiz

competition for primary section level, Gusau zone took the first position with 12 marks, Anka zone second position with 10 marks while Kaura Namoda zone clinched third position with 7 marks,

At Junior secondary school section, Anka zone took the first position, followed by Gusau zone second position while Talata mafara zone took the third position.

Members of the House of Representatives under the platform of New Vision New Nigeria (NVNN), pledged their support to elect Hon. Mukhtar Aliyu as the 10th speaker. The convener of the programme Hon Dabo Ismail representing Toro federal constituency stated this shortly when he read a communique of their meeting endorsing Hon. Betara.

He said the members uniformly agreed to endorse him as a speaker due to his track record. According to him, they have visited south East, South West and north East to camvassed his support.

L-R: Chairman House of Representatives committee on Aviation, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, members of the committee, Hon. Chidi Mommah and Hon. Kolawole Lawal, during an investigative hearing on the recent demolition of people’s properties at Murtala Airport in Lagos, Photo: Mahmud Isa

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

10th Assembly: Akande-Sadipe declares intention for deputy speaker

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, has declared her intention to vie for Deputy Speaker of the 10th Assembly should APC zone the position to the South West. While addressing her colleagues on Wednesday in Abuja, Akande-Sadipe, acknowledged the challenges she faced during the electoral process and expressed gratitude for the opportunity given to serve the people. Akande-Sadipe, who happens to be the only female lawmaker in Oyo State presently, further said she was ready to focus on the work at hand and to move the assembly forward as a united one. “My Honourable colleagues, like we all did, I have battled for my ticket, went to the poll on Feb. 25, unlike many I was forced into a rerun on April 15. “That’s now done and dusted. My family and I have sent our cherished mother forth and now it is time to focus on the work at hand. “Hence I come before you my esteemed colleagues to ask for your support as I vie for the role of deputy speaker of the 10th Assembly,” she said. The chairman expressed confidence in her ability to carry out the responsibilities of the role of deputy speaker and promised to work tirelessly towards achieving the goals and objectives of the assembly. She also expressed confidence to deliver on the responsibilities of the deputy speaker and serve her constituency with distinction if her party zoned the position to the south west. “I pray you will assess me based on my vision, and my values, which are “Accountability and Professionalism” and support me on this journey,” she appealed. Akande-Sadipe’s candidacy has already generated buzz among her supporters, who see her as a trailblazer for women in politics and a voice for accountability and professionalism in government. The general feeling is that females at the National Assembly and state Assemblies are under-represented across the country hence there is need for some gender sensitivity by considering socio-cultural norms and discriminations. This will acknowledge the different rights, roles and responsibilities of women and men in the 10th National Assembly and State Assemblies. This call across the nation is not a call for undue advantage for females but for consideration of qualified females.

(NAN)

Reps query FAAN over dilapidated state of airports in Nigeria

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives has expressed dismay over the dilapidated state of airports in the country.

Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, Nnolim during a hearing with the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Capt Rabiu Yadudu regretted that the situation has persisted over a long period of time.

Querying in MD on the situation, Nnolim said, “We are concerned about our airports. Over a long period of time we realized the escalators and lifts are not

functioning. The air-conditioning system sometimes have leakages and the scanners have problems too. This is where we are here to find out why our airports are not functioning. If it is other countries they may decide to close down the terminal buildings because of the condition.

Also, people with disabilities are also complaining because they cannot even use the facilities. It is a problem”

The committee also queried FAAN over the demolition of houses said to be on airport land in Lagos.

“Part of our concern is the demolition going on in Lagos. You

know we speak for the people so whatever concerns people affects us. That is why we decided to call you to find out what is going on in Lagos. We are not against any exercise but we really want to know what is going on there.”

Responding on the state of the airports, he said the problem was being addressed.

The MD said, “I believe it mostly revolves around Abuja airport. It is something we have seen and spent the past months trying to fix it. But the lifts and escalators came with the airport and have been here for almost 40 years. So they should have been replaced over time.

“Experts recommend the escalators and lifts be replaced. We started the process of replacing and it took it us a lot of time because it is government due process and funding. Now there is a contract out to replace all the lifts, escalators in Abuja airport. It is a legacy problem.”

On the demolition, he said they had frequently engaged with residents of the communities located on the airport land about the dangers of staying there.

He said in 2006 FAAN noticed encroachment on the airport land and a committee was set up to investigate to ensure the people desist.

SMEDAN trains 30 MSMEs in FCT on product standards, quality improvement

The Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has trained 30 owners of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) on product standards and quality improvement.

The Director-General of SMEDAN, Mr Olawale Fasaya said that the training would contribute to the economic development of the country.

Fasanya, represented by the agency’s Director of Enterprises Development and Promotion, Mr Monday Ewans, said that the programme was facilitated by the Commonwealth Secretariat.

According to him, with an estimated 39.6 million MSMEs accounting for 46. 3 per cent of GDP and 87.9 per cent of total

employment, it is pertinent that the development of MSME subsector is at the forefront of the national development agenda.

While recognising some of the challenges confronting MSMEs in the country and the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic, Fasanya said “it is for this reason that the training is crucial.

“Part of the complexities that the post-pandemic era has added are in the areas of regulations, technology use or adoption and access to markets among others.

“This training is therefore another opportunity to enrich our MSMEs and ensure that their products are of good quality and compliant with relevant regulations.

“I urge all relevant agencies to build the capacities of Nigerian

MSMEs so they can take advantage of every open window,’’ he said.

The SMEDAN boss expressed optimism that participants would improve on the quality of their products, increase their knowledge of export market standards, certification and regulations.

He commended the Commonwealth Secretariat for the support to the programme and urged participants to apply the lessons learnt to improve and place their products on the global marketplace.

Also speaking, Mrs Azuka Ogundeji, Trade Adviser, Trade Competitiveness Section of the Commonwealth Secretaria reiterated that the role of MSMEs in the nation’s economic growth

could not be over emphasised.

“They are key drivers of employment, provide decent jobs and entrepreneurship for women and youths and play a critical role in reducing poverty levels and closing the gender gap in the economy and society.

“The global e-commerce market is one of the fastest growing in the world, but Nigeria ranks 35th in the list of largest e-commerce markets.

“This training aims to create awareness on branding, packaging, product standards and national and international regulations,” Ogundeji said. She further expressed optimism that the training would create an opportunity for the participants to learn, interact and broaden their perspectives.

L-R The Acting Executive Secretary National Senior Secondary Education Commission, Alh Ibrahim AbdulKareem, The Board Chairman National Senior Secondary Education Commission, Amb Nimota Akanbi.OON, and Haj Maimuna Eyitayo Aliyu, at the Review Meeting on Zero Draft Minimum Standards for Senior Secondary Education,Coodinated by Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE).

Troops kill 40 terrorists, arrest 25, rescue 131 civilians — DHQ

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The Nigerian Military said its troops killed 40 terrorists and arrested 25 as well as 8 terrorist logistics suppliers.

Maj-Gen. Musa Danmadami, Director, Defence Media Operations, made this known on Thursday in Abuja, while giving update on two weeks Military operations in the country.

He added that the troops also rescued 131 abducted civilians while a total of 510 Boko Haram/ Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and members of their families, comprising 54 adult male, 164 adult female and 292 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the theatre of operations.

“All recovered items, apprehended suspects have been handed over to the relevant authority for further action. Equally, the rescued terrorists escapees and members of the their families were profiled and given medical attention, while the surrendered terrorists and members of their families are also been profile for further action.

“Equally, between 29 April3 May 2023, troops carried out clearance operation in villages and forest areas within Kaga, Damboa, Ngala and Gwoza Local Government Areas of Borno State and made contact with terrorists. Following these encounters, troops neutralized 18 terrorists, arrested 19 and rescued 10 kidnapped victims.

“Troops also recovered 6 AK47 rifles loaded with 13 rounds of 7.62mm special, 9 dane guns, 1

•As 510 surrender

locally made double barrel gun, 1 DSHKA AA gun, 1 NSVT AA gun, 1 QJC AA gun barrel, 6 locally made IEDs, 1 GPMG, 10 AK47 magazines, 2 x 36 hand grenades, 1 x 122mm artillery bomb and 8 metal pressure plate. Others item include, 26 rounds of 12.7 x 108mm ammo, 77 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ammo, 27 rounds

of 7.62mm special, 182 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammunition, 15 empty cases of 7.62mm special and 14 empty cases 155mm ammunition.

“Cumulatively, within the weeks in focus, troops recovered 16 AK47 rifles, 15 dane guns, 6 QJC 88 AA guns, 1 QJC 88 barrel, 1 SMG, 2 DSHKAA guns, 2 NSVT

AA guns, 1 GMPG, 1 pump action gun, 2 local made double barrel gun, 1 local made short gun, 51 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, 26 rounds of 12.7 x 108mm, 280 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 16 refilled rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 1 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 74 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 77 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ammo, 182 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammunition, 15 empty cases of 7.62mm special, 14

empty cases 155mm ammunition, 46 assorted bullets, 4 Improvised Explosive Devices, and 48 AK47 rifles magazines. Other items include, 1 SMG magazine, 33 snipper rifle magazines, 4 extra GPMG barrels, several UXO to be used for IEDs, 7 x 122mm bombs, 3 x 120mm bombs, 3 x 105mm bombs, 2 x 155mm bombs, 1 x 105mm APF SDS bomb, 2 x 36 hand grenades and 8 metal pressure plate amongst others.”

NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Yusha’u Dogara Ahmed and the Director General of NITDA, Malam Kashifu A. Inuwa during Ahmed’s courtesy visit to NITDA Headquarters yesterday in Abuja . Photo: NYSC

Death, fake data: Reps ask INEC to clean voter register, include verification during CVR

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives, on Thursday asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to clean its voter register, and include voter verification during its continuous voter registration (CVR) with a view to identifying those truly alive, and to also fish out those with fake data on the register.

The House in the resolution on Thursday further tasked INEC to conduct vigorous public

enlightenment for all Nigerians to be aware of what makes the voter register bogus, which include the number of dead and fictitious persons therein, and also to develop a mechanism or software through which families who lost their loved ones can report the demise of a particular PVC number for subsequent deleting.

While urging the Commission to ensure that whoever does not vote in two election cycles back to back is deleted from the voter register and considered

a non-existing human beings, the House has mandated its Committee on Electoral Matters to ensure compliance with the resolution.

The House resolutions was sequel to a motion presented under matters of urgent public importance, by Hon. Leke Abejide on the need for INEC to develop a cleanup mechanism to rid the voter register of names of dead and fictitious persons.

The lawmaker noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission’s register is full of

millions of people who are dead and non-existent, adding that in the last General Election, “it was glaring and crystal clear that people that were long dead had their names still displayed in the voters’ register. Even my own deceased Father who passed on long ago still has his name displayed on the Board”.

According to him, apart from dead voters, there are those who the introduction of Bimodal Voter Accreditation technology have shut out due to dubious

data, leaving the register unnecessarily bloated.

“There are millions of fictitious voters who do not exist anywhere on this planet earth but have their names on INEC registered of voters. It is believed that this came to being as a result of double or multiple registration by Nigerians who had or have intention of rigging elections but the advent of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), these faceless individuals can no longer vote”, he submitted.

Kano emir commends gov Ayade for appointing Kano indigenes in his government

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero has commended Cross River state governor, Ben Ayade for appointing Kano indigene as a commissioner and aides in his government, describing him as a detribalised Nigerian.

In a statement by Chief Press Secretary to Kano Emirate, Abubakar Balarabe Kofar-Naisa on Thursday, the Emir who spoke on Wednesday during a courtesy call on the governor in Calabar, urged other governors to work towards national cohesion by emulating Ayade’s nationalistic posture.

The Kano monarch was in Calabar for his installation as the new Pro- Chancellor of the University of Calabar.

According to him, “I wish to express my deep appreciation to the governor for appointing Northerners, especially Kano indigenes into his government.

“There is a Commissioner in the Governor’s cabinet who is from from Kano. This is heartwarming. I urge other Governors from other parts of Nigeria to work towards national cohesion by taking a cue from Governor Ayade and appoint aides who are not necessarily indigenes of their states.”

The first class monarch commanded the governor for the warm reception and extreme hospitality accorded him and his entourage.

The Emir thanked President Muhammad Buhari for the appointment as Pro-Chancellor, saying he was happy to be part and parcel of the institution and pledged to work with the Vice Chancellor, Professor Florence Obi, “to take the great University of Calabar to a greater height.”

Responding, Governor Ayade expressed optimism that the Emir’s tenure as Pro-Chancellor would usher in a new dawn for the university given his connections, pedigree and experience.

“ Your Majesty, your appointment as the Pro-

Over 90% of private school teachers in South-West not qualified -TRCN

By Maryam Abeeb

The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, TRCN, has stated that over 90 per cent of the teachers in private schools in the South-West are not qualified and not registerable with the TRCN.

Registrar of TRCN, Prof Josiah Ajiboye, who stated this while signing a memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with a South African-based educational organisation, Instill Education, said that the data was gotten from a survey conducted by the recently. He lamented that a large

number of teachers employed in private schools in Nigeria today are not qualified to be called teachers.

Ajiboye stated that the agreement signed with Instill Education will assist with upskill in-service for Nigerian teachers, adding that a pilot phase of implementation of the MoU will soon commence with a capacity building for eight weeks.

He said the MoU has three major components- pre-service teachers, integrating pre-service with in-service teachers and their capacity building programmes, while expressing confidence that the involvement of Instill Education

would bridge the gap between preservice and in-service teachers.

“With regards to our teachers, if you look at what we have said here today, three major components actually were identified: the preservice teachers, even integrating pre-service with the in-service. We have looked at pre-service teachers, the in-service teachers and their training programmes and we have been able to see that there is a gap,” he said.

Ajiboye stated South-Africabased organization was coming with their expertise and technology to be able build the capacity of teachers.

“We’ve been talking over time, about mandatory continuing professional development for teachers, where teachers are going to take certain capacity development programmes and they will get points and this will count towards the renewal of their licence as well as their promotion,” he added.

On his part, the Dean of Operation at Instill Education, Mr Tom Parry, said the training received through his organisation will always end with a practical applicable component so that teachers have an opportunity to practice and understand.

Speakership: Wase will bring new lease of life to Nigeria, says group

The choice of Ahmed Wase as Speaker of the 10th National Assembly will bring a new lease of life to legislative responsibilities in the country, says a group. They attributed to Wase’s long legislative experience as the deputy speaker and principal officer in the lower chamber of the National Assembly.

This was disclosed in a statement by Mr Mustapha Sani, National Coordinator of the Friends of Wase, a non-profit organisation, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Sani said that with the expectations of a new Nigeria, the House of Representatives would require an outstanding personality to steer the ship of the elected members.

‘’We are indeed in an interesting time in the life of the country and

no doubt the 2023 elections threw up the challenges that Nigeria requires to join the comity of democratically advanced nations. It has been 23 years of unbroken democratic rule in Nigeria. This is quite a feat in the over 60 years of chequered history of the country.

‘’We, the Friends of Wase, a non-profit group, have decided to join in the struggle of finding the right person to take up position of authority in the political sphere of the legislative arm of government.

‘’One challenge the 2023 elections threw at us was the fact of having a united, strong and acceptable person in the scheme of things for the electorate to buyin. The same qualities, no doubt, are required in choosing who becomes the leader of the House of Representatives in 2023,’’ Sani said.

He said that Wase has become

a household name in the legislative affairs of the Nation especially since he became the deputy speaker in 2019 with an outstanding number of member voting for him.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Wase was elected into the lower Chamber of the National Assembly in 2007 and is currently serving his fourth term.

He worked in the following committees as Member: Federal Character, Environment, Emergency & Disaster, Public Account, Area Council, Housing and Habitat, Capital Market, Poverty Alleviation, Petroleum (Upstream), Justice, Public Petitions and Labour, and Youth and Employment Head of Section.

Wase was elected Deputy speaker in the 9th assembly with 358 votes unopposed; Deputy House Leader- 2018–2019; Member of the Federal

Government Delegation to the 89th Session of the United Nations General Assembly held in New York- 2016; Governing Council Member of the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), 2015.’’

NAN reports that a speaker of the House of Representatives is the presiding officer of the House elected by its membership.

The House Speaker is third in line of succession to the Nigerian Presidency, after the Vice President of Nigeria and the President of the Senate of Nigeria.

The speaker’s official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like.

The speaker decides who may speak and has the powers to discipline members who break the procedures of the chamber or house.NAN

Students, 376 stranded Nigerians arrive Nigeria from Sudan, at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

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

Zamfara: Man flogs 7yr old boy to comma for allegedly plucking Olive fruits

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

A50 year old man has angrily beaten a 7 year old child to comma for allegedly plucking a fruit from Olive tree in front of his house at Janyau ta Gabas area under Gusau local government area of Zamfara State.

According to the father of the affected child identified as Ahmad Tijjani, his 7 year old child, Suleman Ahmad alongside two other neighboring children of the same age were stoning at Olive tree in front of his neighbor’s house (Lawali Dan Kura) but, all took to their heels on sighting him

coming back home.

Malam Ahmad further narrated that, the owner of the tree had already saw them even before they ran away, but still had something in mind against my child over the offence allegedly committed by the children.

“Some hours after the event, he trapped my child and took him inside his house where he locked and clamped down on him with hard cane until he could not breathe or move, just then the attacked child’s sister who came out to look for him heard a sound of cane inside the neighbor’s house and was told it was her little brother inside being beaten by the

neighbor.

“She rushed back home to inform my wife about the nasty development who immediately jumped out of the house and cried for neighbor’s help to rescue the little child in the hands of my neighbor who already was only beating a motionless body of my child.

“A gathering of neighbors had to forcefully broke the gate of his house and rescued the unconscious child, but was still struggling to get to the child despite he was blocked a chance by the teeming neighbors”, Ahmad has further cried.

He said he reported the case to

the nearby Police Outpost in the area, but unfortunately learnt that they could help the matter, saying, later, they reported to the office of the Human Rights Defender through which the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Central Police Station was quickly contacted who later directed the Outpost to immediately produce the perpetrator and the victim.

Speaking with Journalists in his office in Gusau Thursday, the Zamfara State Coordinator of the Human Rights Defender, Comrade Salisu Umar, said they would follow the case to its logical conclusion to ensure justice is done.

2023

Hajj: FCT begins visa processing for intending pilgrims

The FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards says it has commenced the process of securing visa for 2023 intending Muslim pilgrims from the territory.

The Director of the board, Malam Abubakar Evuti, made this known at a news conference on activities of the organisation and preparations for this year’s hajj on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said “so far, a total of 3,651 intending Muslim pilgrims have completed payment of hajj fare and the board has since continued 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 holy journey.”

He disclosed that the board had concluded arrangements for screening of intending pilgrims to ascertain their health status and capability of performing the Hajj.

According to him, the screening will start on Friday, May 5, 2023 with intending pilgrims from Bwari Area Council and Headquarters, followed by those from Abaji, Kwali and Gwagwalada Area Councils on Saturday, May 6.

He added that those who registered through Kuje and Abuja Municipal Area councils, as well as those under the Hajj Savings Scheme would be screened on Sunday, May 7, 2023 respectively.

He called on other intending Muslim pilgrims who had yet to complete their payments to do so on or before Monday, May 8.

He said that the board had already secured befitting accommodations for intending pilgrims around Hafair area in Makkah that are of short distances to the holy Masjid (Masjid Al Haram).

This, according to him, is

within the range approved by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

Evuti stated that arrangements with caterers and other service providers in Saudi Arabia have been signed and sealed.

He revealed that one of the innovations introduced by the board for this year’s hajj was to allow intending pilgrims to choose the flight they intend to travel with.

This, according to him, will curtail the challenge of No-Show experienced by the board in 2022 during the transportation to Saudi Arabia.

He warned that any pilgrim who refused to show up for his or her flight would be sanctioned by the board and may even result to forfeiting the trip this year.

“I would like to use this medium to reaffirm the readiness of the board and indeed 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.

“Necessary measures have been put in place to record more successes in the operation even though each hajj exercise come with its peculiarities.”

He commended the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, the Minister of State for FCT, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, the Permanent Secretary of FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola and Director, Human Resources, FCTA, Malam Muhammad Bashir, for their support to the board.

He also expressed appreciation to the 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 organising hitch-free holy trip over the years. (NAN)

Members of the Kaduna State Estate Surveyors and Valuers on a rally along Muhammadu Buhari way celebrating the Valuation day in Kaduna yesterday.

Mahindi Carnival: AbisogunBotoku seeks seamless travels within ECOWAS

Dr Bonny Abisogun-Botoku, Secretary-General, Nigeria-Republic of Benin Inter-border Forum, has called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to promote policies that will ensure seamless travels within the region. Abisogun-Botoku, who made the call in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos, said that it was high time ECOWAS leaders facilitated free movement of people as enshrined in the regional protocol. “Beyond the rhetoric, ECOWAS leaders must be committed to the treaty signed by all parties. “Activities on regional integration, growth and development should be taken as seriously as possible to entrench regional growth.” The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the secretary-general made the call at the maiden Mahindi Carnival held from April 28 and May 1 at Agboville, Côte d’Ivoire. The secretarygeneral praised the organisers of the carnival, emphasising the need for regional integration through tourism and cultural promotion. He noted that the carnival was initiated by the International House of the Agneby-Tiassa Region (MIRAT), in collaboration with the ECOWAS Regional Council. Abisogun-Botoku, who doubles as the Leader of the Africa Integration Arts Palace and Tour Cultural Troupe, expressed satisfaction that the troupe projected Nigeria well in cultural performances. He said that the troupe celebrated Nigeria’s culture, showcasing some of the cultural heritage of its various tribes and reinforcing the need for harmonious living among the ethnic groups. He praised the Ivorian Minister of Health Pierre N’gou Dimba, for his passion for art and culture. He noted that countries that participated in the carnival included Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana, Senegal and Martinique. Earlier, the Ivorian Minister of Health, Dimba, expressed delight at the exhibition of talents by troupes at the event. The carnival featured singing, fanfares, storytelling and cultural performances from participating countries. (NAN)

Reps approve Buhari’s N22.7trn Ways, Means of loan request

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives Thursday, approved the request by President Muhammadu Buhari to restructure the N22.7 trillion loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) extended to the federal government under its Ways and Means provision.

The Ways and Means provision allows the government to borrow from the apex bank if it needs shortterm or emergency finance to fund delayed government expected cash receipts of fiscal deficits.

The federal government had said it would repay the loan, which as at December 2022 stood at N22.7 trillion with securities such as treasury bills and bonds issuance.

Buhari had in December 2022, asked both chambers of the National Assembly to approve his proposal, but the lawmakers whom had promised to consider the request before proceeding for the election break, failed to list it for consideration during plenary

in January.

Presenting the report at the Committee of the Whole on Thursday, the relevant committees said: “That the House do consider the Report of the Committees on Finance, Banking and Currency and Aids, Loans and Debt Management on the Restructuring of Ways and Means Advances and approve the recommendations therein (Laid: 2/5/2023), approve the requested additional N1 trillion Ways and Means advances for the implementation

“Approve the securitization of the total outstanding Ways and Means amount under the following terms: amount N23,719,703,774,306.90, Tenor 40 years

Also at plenary, the ad hoc committees in charge of investigating the volume of fuel consumed daily, and state of refineries, laid its findings and recommendations for consideration.

The ad hoc committees

respectively chaired by Hon. Abdulkadir Abdullahi and Hon.

Ganiyu Johnson said: “Ad hoc Committee on the Volume of Fuel Consumed Daily in the Country: That the House do receive the Report of the Ad hoc Committee on the volume of fuel consumed daily in the country on the need to ascertain the actual daily consumption of premium motor spirit

“Ad hoc Committee on the State of Refineries in the Country: That the House do receive the Report of the Ad hoc Committee on the State of Refineries to ascertain the actual Cost of Rehabilitating the Nigerian Refineries.”

Reacting, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Idris Wase, who presided over the plenary session, directed the clerk to make copies of the reports available for consideration Tuesday.

Wase said: “Clerk please ensure all members get copies of this reports before Tuesday , because they are important

and will help in decision making for the outgoing and incoming government.”

Meanwhile, a Bill for an Act to Repeal the National Examinations Council (NECO) Act Cap. N37, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the National Examinations Council Bill to Provide for making NECO National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE), the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BSCE) and the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (Internal) (SSCE) (1) Compulsory for every Nigerian Child and Provide for the Removal of Clause “without Prejudice to the existing Powers and Function of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC)” from the Act and to design the scope of the Power and Functions of the Governing Board of the Council, has passed through second reading. The proposed legislation was sponsored by Hon. Julius O. Ihonvbere.

The Arewa Community in Southern Nigeria, has faulted call for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Alhaji Musa Saidu, the leader of the Community, stated this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, had on Sunday urged Buhari to release Kanu before the end of his tenure.

But Saidu said that the call was wrong. “Where were they

when Kanu was leading IPOB militants to kill innocent people in the South East.

“Not only in the South East, so many members of the Arewa community were attacked in Port Harcourt and nobody said anything, we have the figures, we have even the photos of those killed in cold blood.

“Now they’re clamouring for his release, what guarantee are they giving that the killings will not continue if he is released,” he said.

Saidu said that the IPOB leader cannot be released by presidential order because he

was facing trial in the law Court.

“Buhari didn’t order the detention of Nnamdi Kanu in the first place, he is being detained by the court where he is facing treason charges.

“So it will be absurd for Buhari to order for his release,” he said.

Saidu advised Ohanaeze to visit the victims of IPOB attacks in the South East who were mainly settlers toward finding solutions to the problem.

” The Ndigbo should go round the entire South East and even South South, visit the victims of IPOB attacks and try to extract

forgiveness from them so it can be use to convince the court to release Kanu,” he said.

Saidu said also said that releasing Kanu would further aggravate the killings in the South East.

“IPOB militants have continued to attack security agents in the South East, even the police are not spared, what guarantee do we have that his release will not aggravate the killings, ” he said.

Iwuanyanwu had said Kanu should be released to allow him to tend to his deteriorating health.(NAN)

Arewa community faults call for unconditional release of IPOB leader

•To consider reports on state of refineries, fuel consumption, Tuesday

Ministry of works staff abduction, inhuman, barbaric - Hon Gbande

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

AMember representing Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo federal constituency, Hon. Comrade Dr. Richard Gbande, has condemned the abduction of two staff of the federal ministry of works and a contractor on Monday, 2nd May, 2023 at Tse

Agbete village, Kendev ward in Ukum Local Government Area of the state.

Dr. Gbande who expressed dismay over the unfortunate situation describe it as inhumane, barbaric, dehumanizing, shameful, uncouth and strange warned that, the activities of unlawful gunmen is capable of hindering development in the

area. According to eyewitness, the victims were on ground for the construction of a 3 classroom block at LGEA Primary school Agbete facilitated and sponsored by Dr. Richard Gbande.

The team led by Accountant Sevav Ezekiel shortly after briefing kinsmen and Youth were about to be taken to the site

and a group of unknown gunmen appeared shooting sporadically in the air and those present took to their heels for safety and the victims were forcefully taken to unknown destination.

Deputy chairman house committee on commerce in a statement appealed to those perpetrating the act to lay down their arms and embrace peace

for the development of the area.

Those kidnapped are the Benue State Resident Architect of the federal ministry of works and housing and Engr. Anthony Ishaku of the Federal Ministry of works and housing, Abuja.

This ugly situation has since been reported to various appropriate security authorities for further action.

National tourism transportation summit to host 6th edition in Abuja

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

All is now set for the hosting of the sixth edition of the National Tourism Transport Summit and Expo, in Abuja.

This is contained in a press release signed by Chief Abiodun Odusanwo, National President ITPN/Chairman Inter-Ministerial Committee, NTTSummit 2023.

He said the summit is a tourism and transportation industry combined event of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN), in collaboration with Ministries of Transportation, Aviation, Information and Culture, aimed at deepening awareness in critical areas of the industry.

The event, which comes up on Monday 8th to Tuesday 9th of May, 2023 at the Abuja International Conference Centre – Abuja, with the theme: AfCFTA: Exploring in exploring intra African trade, tourism, and transportation opportunities Barriers to collaboration will focus on the challenges and solutions to the realization of the dream for an all-inclusive trading partnerships for the countries of the African Continent as an entity of a singular market in the implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) regiment.

The statement noted that the summit the choice of the theme is to reaffirm the need for collaborative synergy among implementers of the AfCFTA protocols as the cardinal step to overcoming the obstacles and barriers for a successful implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement.

He said that the Summit will come up with a template for international cooperation and partnership within the African continent that will improve and strengthen the basic conditions necessary for the successful implementation of AfCFTA.

The Tourism Transportation Summit and Expo programme will feature Host City Walk, Tourism Transport Summit, ExhibitionB2B and G2B sessions, Tourism Transport Membership and Fellowship inductions, Launch of the Compendium of all Communiques of the Summit 2018 – 2022 and The Gala Night which will also feature Awards to deserving stakeholders in the industry.

Participants at the two-day event will be drawn from major key players and stakeholders in the transportation and tourism sectors air transportation; i.e. airlines, tour and travel operators, administrators of the aviation industry; the maritime

industry which includes sea transport, boats and sea cruising operators.

Others are Road Transportation including major transport owners, car hire services, Uber, Road Traffic and Safety Agencies including the FRSC, Motor Insurance job Companies; St hi ate Transport Ministries and Agencies; Rail Transport Services.

Others are operators of the Tourism and Hospitality industry including tourism resort operators, National Parks Services; museums and monuments, State Tourism Ministries and Boards, Festivals and tourism events managers; Hoteliers, Restaurants and fast

food operators; conferences and events managers; as well as service providers in the banking, insurance, oil and gas industries.

The Sub Themes are:

Powering AfCFTA Regime Implementation Through Digital and Technological Innovation Strategies; Actualizing Africa’s Open Skies Agreement in Consonance with AfCFTA Regime Implementation; Maintaining Resilient Infrastructures for Sustainable Trade and Transportation, Tourism with AfCFTA Regime; Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want and the AfCFTA Agreement; Finance; Banking and Insurance Sectors, Strategic Partners in the Implementation of the AfCFTA

Agreement and AfCFTA Regime Efficacy: The Role of Gate Keepers in Quality Products and Service Deliver, among other sub tittles.

Speakers expected at the two-day event are: Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NiTDA); Managing Director, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA); Managing Director, Nigeria Export – Import Bank (NEXIM); Comptroller General, Nigerian Customs Service, (NCS); Executive Vice Chairman, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

First Lady inaugurates first NAFOWA Secondary school

The First Lady, Aisha Buhari, on Wednesday inaugurated the first secondary school built by the Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA).

The state-of-the-art secondary school located at NAF Base Asokoro, Abuja, was conceptualised by the President of NAFOWA, Mrs Elizabeth Amao.

The first lady commended NAFOWA president for her commitment to providing quality education to children and the general educational development of Nigeria.

She said that the project was not only an important milestone in the journey of the association, but also historic and commendable.

“The completion of this school has numerous advantages, including meeting up with Mr President’s desire to provide quality education for every Nigerian child.

“Let me start by congratulating the NAFOWA President, Mrs Elizabeth Amao and and her industrious team for coming up with such a gigantic project.

“I am indeed happy that the establishment of this school

offers our young ones a conducive learning environment to explore and discover the world in this serene environment.

“It also offers teachers the opportunity to teach, impact and nurture our children to become future leaders and responsible citizens of Nigeria.

“Education is a key to a successful future and a visionary initiative such as this needs to be encouraged by ensuring that necessary tools and resources are provided to help the students achieve their dreams.

“To the teachers, your duty to remain committed to your students and instill in them appropriate knowledge, values and skills remains crucial to the success of this laudable projects,” she said.

The first lady also commended the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao and the Nigerian Air Force for championing the activities of NAFOWA.

She also commended the wife of the Chief of Defence Staff for initiating the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Center, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the completion of

the centre within the next three months.

Mrs Buhari urged the armed forces to maintain their loyalty to the constitution and ensure a united and indivisible nation.

In his remarks, Amao said the school signified the commitment of the association to the educational development of children.

He described education as the key to citizens’ empowerment, poverty reduction, economic growth and bedrock of societal development.

The CAS hailed the leadership of NAFOWA for the achievement and urged them to maintain the very high standard of which the Nigerian Air Force schools were known.

Amao believed that the schools would provide conducive learning environment and capable teachers “who will impart the pupils and students with moral knowledge and balanced education even beyond the classrooms and touching all aspects of life.”

He pledged continuous support for all NAFOWA projects and programmes.

The President, Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association,

Mrs Vickie Irabor, said as wives of military personnel, they had done much in filling identified gaps within the military community.

Irabor said it was in this respect that NAFOWA engaged in the project and multiple other programmes in barracks across the country.

“The peculiar challenges of financing sustainable educational institutions to accommodate the continuously growing families within the air force barracks make this secondary school and the Little Angels School a welcome and timely addition to the pool of educational institutions that we have,” she said.

The President of NAFOWA said the conception of the school was borne out of the association’s belief in the power of knowledge.

Mrs Amao said that the school was to meet the educational needs of children in the barrack and those of members of the public, in order to provide them with solid foundation essential for their growth.

She said the association currently operates nursery and primary schools in various NAF bases across the country.

10th NASS: Niger APC supports Sen. Musa for feputy Senate President

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

The Niger State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has declared its full support for the zoning of the Deputy Senate President Seat for the 10th National Assembly to Niger state in the North Central.

The state APC chairman Haliru Zakari Jikantoro made this known during a press briefing at the party secretariat in Minna.

He explained that Niger state deserved the seat considering its contribution to the party.

He stated that, “We wish to seek the support of APC National leadership for our quest for National Assembly coveted Deputy President of the Senate. We believe that we met requisite requirements for the lofty office, going by our track records at the polls, with capable and experienced son, worthy of such office”.

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.

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Niger State House of Assembly has set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the activities of the immediate past sacked chairman of State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB)

Dr Isah Adamu on the allegation of mismanagement of public funds.

The committee is to be Chaired

by member Representing Bosso Constituency, Malik Madaki Bosso who was given one week to report back to the house.

Consequently, the former Niger State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Chairman, Dr. Isa Adamu was sacked by the state governor Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello over alleged misappropriation of funds worth millions of naira.

The governor in a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane said the sack of the Chairman was due to some observed anomalies in the operations of the Board.

It would be recalled that three weeks after Dr Isah Adamu was sacked by the governor, the Emir of Kontagora, Sarkin Sudan of

kontagora, Alhaji Mohammadu Barau Muazu also stripped him of his traditional title of “Tambarin Kontagora” dated 17th August, 2023.

The Emirate accused the sacked SUBEB Chairman of what it called “indiscipline, disloyalty and abuse of office” as the Chairman of the state Universal Basic Education Board,

Niger inaugurate sub- committee for Governor elect inauguration

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

As the inauguration of governor -elect gathered momentum, no fewer than eight subcommittees and

four organizing committees for a hitch free transition have been inaugurated in Niger State.

The General Inauguration Committee Chairman,

Muhammad Kudu made the disclosure at the inauguration of the Subcommittees Leadership in Minna.

Kudu who described transition process as critical

in democracy urged the subcommittees to repose the confidence repose in them and work harmoniously to ensure inclusiveness.

Buhari commiserates with Jedy-agba over passing of father, monarch

President Muhammadu

Buhari has joined the Royal Family of Agba, the government and people of Cross River State in mourning the passing of His Royal Majesty Uti (Dr) Joseph Davies Agba, Uti Item 111 of Utugwang, Uti Ukani 1 of Obudu, Paramount Ruler of Obudu Local Government Area (LGA).

Expressing his

commiserations to the Minister of State, Power, Prince Goddy Jedy-Agba, the President believed that His Royal Majesty’s steadfast devotion and dedication to the well-being of his people since acceding to the throne in 1959 will never be forgotten, a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said on

Thursday.

As one of the longest serving Monarchs in Africa and recipient of numerous honours both at home and abroad, the President affirmed that the wisdom, courage, dignity and magnanimity of the beloved Royal Father in the several positions he held will continue to serve as a shining example to all., the statement noted.

Niger Assembly sets to probe former NSUBEB Chairman Senate Presidency: Group says Dave Umahi best Choice

‘‘On a personal level, I will remember His Majesty for gifting the nation with responsible and patriotic children like Prince Goddy, who are passionate with the vision of a more stable, prosperous and united Nigeria,’’ the President says. He prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the Royal Father and comfort to all who mourn, the statement noted.

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has advised that outgoing Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi should be supported to emerge as Senate President in the spirit of national cohesion under incoming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The group, in a statement signed by its National President, Alhaji Yerima Shettima , Wednesday evening, insisted that “in this national healing moment, the Southeast should be given the opportunity to take a shot at the Senate Presidency, this time around.

“Our true position is that the Southeast needs to have a stronger sense of belonging, in the Nigerian project, by being actively involved in democratic governance. We want the mistakes of the past government to serve as a lesson in democratic governance in the incoming administration.”

Dave Umahi

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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, Akufo-Addo 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.

Geopolitics still engulfs the Black Sea Grain Initiative

By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has taken steps for the extension, improvement and expansion of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, but Russia authorities explicitly indicated that it would unlikely to participate in the deal due to the fact that its conditions were not respected and taken into consideration.

“I have presented a new proposal for the extension, improvement, and expansion of the Black Sea Grain Initiative to the presidents of the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and Turkey. I was informed that the Kremlin is looking into the proposal and there would be a response (….), Guterres said.

Commenting on negotiations to resolve the problem of agricultural and fertilizer exports from Russia, Guterres said that Secretary General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development Rebeca Grynspan would travel to Moscow for talks. “Rebeca Grynspan will be back in Moscow this week,” he said.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative allows shipment of grains and agricultural fertilisers to overseas countries. The relevant grain deal agreements, which were previously extended in March for another 60 days only at Moscow’s request, are set to expire on May 18. Russia has proposed a few conditions in order to continue participating in the deal.

According to our monitoring, Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said delegations from Turkey, Russia and Ukraine plan to hold a meeting on the grain deal in Istanbul on May 5. “On Friday, May 5, the deputy defense ministers of Turkey, Russia and Ukraine plan to meet in Istanbul to discuss the grain deal. We can say that the sides are ready to extend the agreements. We want this initiative to be extended without problems,” the TRT channel quoted the defense chief as saying.

Akar added that the sides also planned to discuss a number of issues regarding the implementation of the grain deal. “These agreements are very important for regional peace and ensuring stability. They are also of great importance for those countries in need of food,” the defense chief said.

A new round of negotiations relating to the Black Sea grain initiative brought together the United Nations, Russia, Ukraine and Turkey, to discuss and review agricultural exports from southern Ukrainian ports in exchange for the lifting of restrictions on Russian agricultural exports.

Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov also reacted by explaining that should the Black Sea Grain Initiative be terminated, Russia would not do anything going against its interests. “Let’s not run ahead of ourselves. Certainly, Russia won’t be doing anything that goes against its interests,” Peskov told journalists on Wednesday, when asked what Russia would do if the grain deal was not extended.

“Contacts are continuing. The Russian side will continue contacts with representatives of the United Nations and other representatives, expecting that the deal’s terms will be implemented,” Peskov said, and replied in the negative when asked whether there have been any discussions on possibly expanding the format of the grain deal negotiations, particularly by engaging countries interested in Russian grain.

Journalists also asked Peskov what stance Russia would assume in the upcoming grain deal talks in Moscow and Istanbul. “We are interested in seeing the deal’s terms honored and the agreements that were reached quite long ago, when the deal was activated, implemented. Contacts on this account are continuing. Nothing

more can be said, because there are very modest reasons for optimism, if not downright the opposite,” he said.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in an interview with Turkey’s NTV television channel that “There is no one hundred percent guarantee that the grain deal will be extended at this time, but some serious efforts are now underway and there are hopes for success. Our efforts and the UN’s efforts are continuing.”

“The core problem is that the deal was extended only for 60 days due to the failure to meet Russia’s requirements. In particular, this pertains to the issue of reconnecting the Russian Agricultural Bank to the SWIFT system and guarantees for banks in respect of payment for foodstuffs,” Cavusoglu said.

“Problems with exports from Russia continue, and these are serious issues. The UN Secretary-General (Antonio Guterres) is making very important, sincere efforts in this respect. Plugging the Russian Agricultural Bank back into the SWIFT system is being discussed, but there are some difficulties there as well. Western companies, based in the US and the UK, are not very eager to work with (the Russian Agricultural Bank). We can see that,” the minister noted, saying that Turkey “has suggested using Turkish banks as intermediaries” in this regard.

“We told the UN that we would support such a decision if there are no threats to our banks in this case, if such guarantees are given. The technical details are being discussed now. Still, this is a very challenging issue,” the foreign minister said. Ziraat Bank could participate in such a mechanism from the Turkish side, Cavusoglu added.

Experts, however, explained that restoring Russian ammonia exports via Ukraine would be the thorniest question. If a solution can be found to that sticking point, the grain deal overall will stand a chance of being extended, Viktor Nadein-Rayevsky, senior researcher at the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of World Economy and International Relations, told Vedomosti.

“But Kiev is resisting thus far, while Ankara does not have enough leverage to put pressure on (Ukraine) regarding the ammonia pipeline, even though it has been showing readiness to contribute to resolving the issue,” he said. Meanwhile, Russia has not benefited from the initiative in its current format, and thus it makes no sense for Moscow to approve extending this iteration of the deal, the expert argues.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s statements about his readiness to assist in the restoration of the ammonia pipeline are no accident, since Ankara is one of the main beneficiaries of the grain deal, as it has allowed Turkey to bolster its positions in global politics, said political analyst Yashar Niyazbayev.

“The deal has a positive effect on the country’s image, especially in Africa, with which it has been expanding economic ties rapidly,” he explained. In addition, any consensus on the grain deal would highlight Ankara’s independence within NATO.

Eduard Zernin, president of the Russian Union of Grain Exporters, agrees, saying: “Turkish consumers may be hard hit if the negotiations were to collapse.”

Russian Foreign Ministry earlier noted that the United Nations Secretariat on the Black Sea Initiative on exporting Ukrainian food products “once again distorts data and facts.” The UN statement for the media was triggered by the failure to carry out inspections within the framework of the Joint Coordination Center (JCC) in Istanbul for the first time ever since the grain deal was launched.

“It must be noted that neither Kiev’s continued blocking of ammonia supplies, also prescribed in the agreements, nor the lack of any progress in the implementation of the Russia-UN

Memorandum has ever caused the UN Secretariat to make a public response,” the Russian diplomatic agency pointed out.

The Ministry noted that currently 28 vessels with over 1 mln tons of food products within the framework of the grain deal are awaiting inspections in Turkey’s territorial waters. “However, the UN staff at the JCC, which is responsible for the inspection plan, has refused to draw up such a schedule, trying to support the Ukrainians’ demands for the registration of ships engaged in the initiative,” it explained.

“The removal of obstacles to Russian agricultural exports was supposed to take place as part of the Russia-UN Memorandum, which the United Nations did not even mention this time. Such silence is not only a clear indicator of the UN Secretariat’s attitude to the package (UN Secretary-General) Antonio Guterres proposed, but also of the absence of any practical results regarding the Memorandum,” the report concluded.

Addressing both Russian and African parliamentarians during their conference ‘Russia – Africa in a Multipolar World’ in March, President Vladimir Putin spoke about food security, export of Russian grains, operated under the Black Sea Grain deal, to a number of African countries. That conference held March 20 brought together representatives of most countries on the continent, these legislators work with the mandates and in the interests of their people across Africa.

“I would like to stress that Russia is reliably fulfilling all its obligations pertaining to the supply of food, fertilisers, fuel and other products that are critically important to the countries of Africa. But unfortunately, there are obstacles here as well,” he stressed at the gathering held in Moscow under the auspices of the State Duma of the Russian Federal Assembly.

According to reports, Russia, guided by the needs of African countries, first and foremost, has recently agreed to extend the agreement concluded in Istanbul on the export of Ukrainian food through the Black Sea and the unblocking of Russian agricultural exports and fertiliser supplies for another 60 days.

At the same time, Russia has insisted on the package nature of this deal – above all, in the interests of African and other developing countries, considering the fact that they needed large amounts of food. It is African countries that are in need, and not to satiated European markets and countries. Meanwhile, about 45 percent of the total volume of grain exported from Ukraine went to European countries, and only three percent went to Africa.

“Let me stress that only if our position is taken into account will the fair and comprehensive implementation of the Black Sea grain deal be ensured, and depending on this, we will decide on our further participation in it,” he explained.

By the way, despite all the restrictions and limitations on the export of Russian grain, almost 12 million tonnes were sent from Russia to Africa. Putin continued: “I would also like to add that if we decide not to extend this deal after 60 days, Russia will be ready to supply the same amount that was delivered under the deal, from Russia to the African countries in great need, at no expense. (Applause.)”

Western powers have imposed tough sanctions on Russia over its Feb. 24, 2022, due to ‘special military operation’ in the neighboring Ukraine. The UN-brokered Black Sea grain deal allows the safe wartime export of grain from several Ukrainian Black Sea ports to different parts of the world. Under the deal – agreed in July 2022 – also allows the parties to reach an agreement on operational priorities. The Black Sea initiative expires on May 18. Kestér Kenn

Klomegâh

is an Int’l Affairs Analyst.

Tinubu: Crises versus expectations

By Abdu Abdullahi

To achieve this, Tinubu must not sacrifice the political north for the northern political elites’ supremacy. In other words, giving juicy appointments to northern elites who will only enhance self-aggrandizement without meeting the wallowing masses’ aspirations will be a great political catastrophe which he will live to regrets.

We all know that the road to victory for the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was thorny right from the APC’s presidential primary to the general elections.

Nevertheless, considering the hectic and chaotic atmosphere, a profound thought triggers the mind that his government will mainly be occupied and defined by the forces of crises and expectations. Crises are the heaps of mess the government will clear away and the expectations are yielding to our collective yearnings and aspirations. How these symbiotic elements are effectively managed will eventually determine Tinubu’s governmental impacts, either negative or positive . While not traversing through the Buhari torrential path, Tinubu ought to unlock these crises and accord them the best approach they deserve to gift us a new lease of life.

Everyone saw the ugly virus of conspiracy that was injected into the interior politicking of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) to knock him down. He was about to become a great loser of the same political child he laboured to deliver. But like a miracle, he was eventually rescued and capable of sighting the light at the end of the tunnel. For our brooding recapitulation, the authored conundrums and political gimmicks were plotted to aggravate the political crisis particularly.

From the cited terrible experience enacted and executed by the political oracles, Tinubu should avail himself of all possible means to render them regret their ill-motivated actions by giving the best performance he could. At least, he will justify his mandate as being worthy of the prevailing circumstances so as not to pave them the easiest way to cast aspersions on his government when they find loopholes.

If I may be quoted right, the Tinubu’s regime hallmark will be based on crises of expectations. Of course, there are boisterous crises that are too much with us. The enormity of these problems has devastated our hopes and dreams beyond our imagination. Majority Nigerians have been coerced to live with broken hopes. Majority Nigerians have lost emotional comfort everywhere and want to reclaim it

and Tinubu is fully aware of this.

Although he is not the architect of these national maladies, yet his party will have to be given greater portions of the blame because it is under Buhari’s rule, by extension, APC’s government that things degenerated from bad to worse. His particular efforts in addressing chronic matters will go a long way in restoring the lost glory of the All Progressives Congress( APC) in particular and the country in general.

But largely, the ordinary people will be highly desirous of getting their expectations fulfilled even though the crises will be too cumbersome to resolve. In the unfolding events, for every crisis there is a reserved expectation for which the people are anxious of its fulfillment. The multifaceted expectations are the democratic gains the masses are eager to reap. And the clusters of crises are what Tinubu should face and make his government popular or otherwise. It is this crisis management and its subsequent harmonisation with the people’s expectations that we are going to evaluate Tinubu’s regime. When a clash of crises and expectations ensues, two results are imminent. The crises are unresolved and Tinubu becomes a casualty. The expectations are unfulfilled and the masses become the victims. Ensuring a balancing therefore is the major objective of Tinubu’s government.

Resolving each crisis is putting options before him to choose the correct one. To learn from Buhari’s goofs, he expended so much time and thoughts indicting the PDP government of bad governance. In the long run, it became clear that Buhari was not a good crisis manager who squandered the opportunity given to him for national construction. This must be food for thought on the way forward for Tinubu.

By the time he must have been sworn- in to take charge of the nation’s affairs, he will be overwhelmed by the general expectation. Our general expectation is giving us what rightly belongs to us, good governance. This is the overall crisis of the crises of expectations. The past eight years have been a nightmare for our existence. What will be greatly expected therefore is that the incoming government should be a paradigm shift from the old order to a fresh one.

Tinubu will have to battle many fronts of crises to meet our expectations. In balancing them, the expectations belong to the general populace, while the crises are owned by Tinubu, albeit he is not the primary culprit. The way Tinubu will see, bear and handle the crises will not be the same way we will comprehend them. On the other hand, the people’s

elated expectations may not be the same way Tinubu will perceive them. This conflict of perception culminates into another crisis which can be described as the crisis of lost confidence. And this is the starting point of the government forfeiting its credibility.

Whatever the case may be, Tinubu will fight inherited shambles from the man with whom they belong to the same party. But they have different leadership styles. It is hoped that Tinubu will not succumb to committing the same political suicide Buhari mistakingly did. He decided to fight the PDP and Jonathan as the problems with Nigeria while the real troubles continued to accumulate until Buhari could no longer contain them.

To confront Nigeria’s heterogeneous crises and meet our expectations, Tinubu must tactfully resolve the overiding crisis of confidence that is now seemingly lacking in government. In other words, Nigerians are waiting for a mini revolution to set them free from the shackles of poverty, inflation, insecurities, unemployment, naira devaluation, falling standard of education and the others.

In northern Nigeria particularly, the crisis of expectations revolves round the axis of political reciprocation in which the north contributed to his victory and expecting a payback. To achieve this, Tinubu must not sacrifice the political north for the northern political elites’ supremacy. In other words, giving juicy appointments to northern elites who will only enhance self-aggrandizement without meeting the wallowing masses’ aspirations will be a great political catastrophe which he will live to regrets.

Tinubu’s list of crises includes the seperationists palaver, the question of unity restoration, the religious pandemic of the same faith ticket and how to appease the gullible minds of those who voted against Tinubu’s faith and now want him to accommodate them in matters of appointments. Will Tinubu be a party to national inclination and reject party inclination when it comes to dealing with the right people to spearhead the affairs of the APC? There is indeed an overwhelmingly all inclusive crisis of depression cutting across Nigeria. This pathetic scenario is akin to the infamous depression of the post World War II. We are waiting for Tinubu’s response.

In a summary, Tinubu will act as a risk bearer to confront the unprecedented crises Nigeria is passing through. To succeed, fulfilling our expectations is very paramount.

Abdu Abdullahi is a Public Affairs Analyst.

Teaching profession to be nurtured

By Babangida Basu Jibrin

Then government should have a good relationship with ministry of education and give them what they want, survey there work to investigate the teacher’s work and care of welfare of the teacher, show them how the important of teaching is to the society.

Teachers are special blessing from God to everyone. They are the ones who build a good nation and make the world a better place. A teacher teaches to tell the importance of a pen over that of sword, they are much esteemed in society as they elevate the living standards of people.

Teacher is a father of all because everyone will not become a bourgeoisie, prominent person, personality without the guidance of of teacher, especially the teacher who has been convergence of all these: knowledge, skills and experience are been advised to the students to know the important of education by teacher.

That’s why United Nations choose 5th October of the year annually as world teachers day, that has been the case since the first observation way back in 1994, because the important of teacher.

We’re facing a lot of challenges during our work and even our salary issues is another thing, as some individuals have bad statement on teachers, because we’re not generating huge amounts of money from our job.

If you Visit some Government primary and secondary schools today, it will come to your notice that, many students and teachers are suffering, the teachers suffers salary delays, sometimes their salaries are been delayed which is not supposed, coming down to the students, they suffer inadequate equipments for learning like chairs and desk, most of them sits on the floor just to acquire knowledge.

Teachers are important because they change lives, inspire dreams, and push the limits of humans potential. A teacher’s job is to nurture, teach, and raise children to become useful to society. Teachers’

role in the classroom, society, and the world at large has taken a different turn from what it is was back in the day.

The only way to tackle that consequences is to focus on Recruitment and pay salaries on time, Our exceptional teachers and leaders nurture and inspire; drive academic excellence, innovation and enrichment to shape the future of our schools and students. Consultancy: Combining industry intelligence, best recruitment practice and life experience we work in partnership with our schools to help them strive.

Then government should have a good relationship with ministry of education and give them what they want, survey there work to investigate the teacher’s work and care of welfare of the teacher, show them how the important of teaching is to the society.

Babangida Basu jibrin writes from Abubakar Tatari Ali polytechnic

Bauchi tribunal receives 45 petitions

From Ahmad Muhammad, Bauchi

The Bauchi State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Bauchi, has received 45 different petitions from aggrieved candidates and political parties challenging the outcome of the last general elections in the state.

The Tribunal pasted all the petitions received at the Tribunal Notice board.

Four of the petitions were received from the governorship candidates of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Sadique Baba Abubakar, the New Nigeria Peoples Party, (NNPP) Senator Halliru Dauda Jika, Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Barrister Umar Faruq Gwadabe and others challenging the victory of Governor Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad of the Peoples

NorthEast zonal APC rejects suspension, expulsion of members

From Ahmad Muhammad, Bauchi

The North-East Zonal chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has described as null and void, all actions leading to suspension and expulsion of its members in the zone.

National Vice Chairman, North East Alhaji Salihu Mustapha, stated this when he addressed Journalists at the Zonal Secretariat of the APC in Bauchi.

He said the Zonal chapter also constituted a Committee under the leadership of the former Governor of Bauchi State, Mal Isa Yuguda to look into issues of the conduct of the 2023 general elections in the state.

Mustapha said, “I am here to intimate you of the happenings and tell you of the reasons we are here. We came to have a meeting with the EXCO of the party in Bauchi state comprising of the members of SEC and LGAs EXCO to assure them of the support of the National on all issues and cases they have in Bauchi state.”

Democratic Party (PDP) at the March 18 governorship election.

41 of the petitions were

filed by dissatisfied National Assembly and state legislative candidates. Out of the number,

five were received from aggrieved Senatorial candidates and parties, 10 from House of Representatives

candidates, and 26 House of Assembly candidates from various state constituencies.

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.

Buhari felicitates with former NSC DG, Al-hassan Yakmut Saleh at 62

President Muhammadu BBuhari has ccongratulated former Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Al-Hassan Yakmut Saleh, on his 62nd birthday, May 5, 2023, rejoicing with the administrator, who has contributed immensely to the development of sports in Nigeria, starting out as a professional volleyball player.

President Buhari extolled Saleh for his passion and resilience in the growth of sports and the wellbeing of athletes, working over many years with four ministers of sports, with extensive knowledge in sports administration, which gracefully translated into gains when he served as the Director General of the NSC.

A statement by the Senior

Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said the President affirmed the historic roles of the administrator in national development, serving variously as Director/Secretary to Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Correctional Services (NCS), and Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS)

Board in the Ministry of Interior, Director Planning, Research and Statistics in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and Director of Employee Relations and Welfare in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

President Buhari prayed for the well-being of the sports administrator and his family, the statement said.

NEF hails Iwuanyanwu on his inauguration as Ohanaeze president-general

By Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

Northern Elders Forum(NEF) has congratulated elder statesman, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, on his ratification as the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide by the highest decision-making organ of the apex Igbo organization, the Imeobi.

The Forum in a statement issued by its Director, Publicity and Advocacy,Dr Hakeem Baba–Ahmed, said we are looking

forward to fruitful engagement between both tribes and also for the betterment of this nation.

The Forum noted that he steps into the shoes left by another distinguished Igbo leader, late Ambassador George Obiorzor, under whose leadership a number of engagements between the North and the East on a variety of key national issues were being discussed, with some promises of success.

“We look forward to continuing these engagements in the interests

of the nation, on the unvarying principle that no part of the country shall ask or receive what is unjust, unfair or illegitimate.

“The Forum further notes that Chief Iwuananyanwu is a distinguished and accomplished Nigerian whose tenure, hopefully, will mark a significant improvement in elite cohesion and national consensus that should see the country through the difficult stages it is going through.

“We at the Forum believe that an opportunity should be created

where fundamental issues about our past and defining decisions regarding our future should be discussed as dispassionately as possible, and solutions found to them.

“We see Chief Iwuwanyanwu as leading Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide successfully through these discussions, in which the North will play its roles without preconditions or prejudice.

“The Forum wishes the new President a successful and productive leadership.”

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.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The All Progressives Congress (APC), South-East zone has ratified the suspension of members of the party accused of anti-party activities.

The affected members are from Enugu and Abia States.

According to the party, the suspension was ratified during the South-East Executive Meeting of APC on Sunday April 16, 2023.

The Zonal Executive headed by Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, the national Vice Chairman Southeast, agreed that, in order to strengthen APC in the zone, “the party must enforce discipline amongst its members.

“To this end, the South East Zonal Executive received the list of suspended party members as reported by Abia State Executives and Enugu State Executives of APC.”

Those found it said were found guilty of anti-party activities by their Ward Executives and ratified by the Zonal State Executive, include: former Senate President, Sen Ken Nnamani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, former Gov Sullivan Chime, former Speaker of Enugu state House of Assembly, Hon Eugene Odo, Director General Voice of Nigeria, Mr Osita Okechukwu and former Commissioner in Enugu state, Barr Joe Mmammel, former Military gov, Joe Orji, Mr. Maduka Arum (A.K.A Mama) among others.

Those whose suspension was ratified from Abia State are Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Hon Sam Nkeire, Hon. Uche Sampson Ogah, Senator Nkechi Nworgu, amongst others.

While responding to the ratification of the suspension of the party chieftains from Enugu, the Publicity Secretary of APC in Enugu State, Chief Ezeanyawu Michael, said the action was “a right step in the right direction.”

“I want to further use this opportunity to call on the APC leadership, at both the state and national levels, not to relent in its efforts to rid the party of saboteurs.”

South-East APC ratifies suspension of Nnamani, Onyeama, Chime, Kalu, others

The Enugu State Executive Committee (SEC) of the APC had recently announced the

expulsion as well as suspension of prominent members of the party, who allegedly worked against the

Assembly recalls

By Christiana Ekpa

The Imo State House of Assembly has recalled former Deputy Speaker of Imo House of Assembly, Hon. Okey Onyekanma, and Hon. Ekene Nnodim, a lawmaker representing Orlu State Constituency, after it suspended them for 18 months .

Recall that the members

party during the just concluded general elections.

However, the suspended

members dismissed the allegations against them, as well as the suspension.

two suspended members after 18 months, amends rules

were recalled during plenary on Thursday.

The decision to recall the suspended lawmakers was based on the report of an adhoc committee headed by the majority leader and member representing Owerri west state constituency, Hon. Onyemaechi Dele.

Other members of the committee included Hon.

Johnson Iheonukara Duru

– Ideato South, Hon. Frank Ugboma – Oguta, and Hon. Emeka Nduka – Ehime Mbano

Recall that the assembly on December 24, 2021, suspended three members of the Assembly and declared the seat of the Ngor Okpala member vacant.

Moving a motion for the recall, the House Majority Leader, Hon. Onyemaechi Dele, recalled that

the members were suspended for 18 months during plenary.

The Imo House of Assembly also amended House rules, allowing room for a newly elected member to emerge as Speaker, the 10th Assembly.

Ruling, the Imo Speaker, Emeka Nduka, declared the suspension lifted and advised the affected members to resume sittings henceforth.

Election petitions: I must see new Nigeria, 2023 polls rigged – Cardinal Onaiyekan

By Christiana Ekpa

Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan on Thursday expressed hope that he would see the anticipated new Nigeria before he dies.

Speaking on Thursday, Onaiyekan, who was reacting to the 2023 presidential poll, said the election was rigged, stressing that those involved in manipulating the outcome of the elections know themselves.

The 80-year-old clergy who expressed sadness over the inability of the election tribunal to decide on the petitions filed by opposition parties before the May 29 handover, said God knows those that rigged the election.

He said, “I am 80, so I am not going anywhere. I am still dreaming that before I go to paradise, I should see a better Nigeria, and I believe it is possible.

“Those who rigged the election know they did it. Those who refused to allow the people’s

will to prevail, they know. And the wonderful thing is that God himself knows them.

“Even the court may not know, but God knows them. And they know themselves.

“The more we mention God is the more we should be on guard not to be using the name of God in vain.

“There are countries that did not want to mention God, but they are running their affairs well.

“But if we decide to keep mentioning God, then we must

run our affairs according to the will of God”.

The court had fixed May 8 for the hearing of the petitions challenging the victory of the president-elect, Bola Tinubu.

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, and his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi, had approached the tribunal to upturn Tinubu’s victory, alleging that their mandates were stolen by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Why Tinubu’s inauguration may not hold on May 29 – Sam Amadi

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, Sam Amadi has clarified his earlier statement in which he claimed that the “President-elect is not an official position.”

Amadi claimed that the Presidentelect, Bola Tinubu’s inauguration could be stopped before May 29, insisting that he has a serious case in tribunal that could go either way.

His statement was contained in a post

via his Twitter handle on Thursday.

Recall that Amadi said Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State probably thought that the President-elect is an official position, noting that Tinubu’s visit cannot be official.

The statement followed Wike’s declaration of Wednesday May 3 as a public holiday for the people to receive Tinubu, who was invited by the governor.

The statement had attracted mixed interpretations.

However, the public affairs analyst

took to his Twitter handle to make further clarifications, saying it is not automatic that Tinubu will form the next government.

He wrote, “Clarification on Legal Status of President-Elect.

“@officialABAT is PRESIDENTELECT. But he is not yet President.

2. It isn’t automatic that he will form the next government. He has a serious case in tribunal that can go either way.

3. The tribunal can stop the inauguration before 29.

“Like I always say, corruption

in language leads to corruption in statecraft. Just as the law gave @ inecnigeria power to make a declaration, it gives the judiciary the power to reverse it. There’s no constitutional duty to inaugurate on May 29 if a declaration is legally challenged as here.

“There is no fait accompli about the situation. Some use of language can create a false narrative where we believe that a declaration by @inecnigeria no matter how wrong constitutes a new government. No. It does not, until the final court says so.”

Imo

Only APGA can decide Anambra 8th Assembly Speaker — Hon Okechukwu

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

As penetrations and permutations deepen for the leadership of the incoming 8th Anambra State House of Assembly, Ejike Okechukwu, a re-elected lawmaker has stressed that the Speaker would be determined by the party with the absolute majority, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Okechukwu, who is

representing Anaocha 2 state constituency in the outgoing 7th legislature, opined that out of the 30 seats in the 8th assembly, APGA secured 16 seats while other political parties shared 14 seats amongst themselves.

He therefore added that the outcome of the state assembly election in Anambra, puts APGA at a vantage position to decide the leadership of the House of Assembly in the next dispensation.

The House of Assembly

Committee Chairman on Education told our correspondent exclusively that he was qualified to be the next Speaker but it was not in his powers to determine instead it is ultimately the exclusive preserve of the All Progressives Grand Alliance to choose amongst its returning members who rightly fit to preside over the affairs of the 8th legislature.

He said, “The issue of the Speakership of the House of Assembly is either in God’s hands

or in the hands of the party that produced the majority members in the House.

“If you look at the constitution of the next House of Assembly, you see that APGA has 16 members which gives them absolute majority and other political parties have 14 members. So it now behoves on APGA as a political party to look within the 16 members and see who and who are competent enough to pilot the affairs of the House in the 8th

10th NASS: NILDS cautions on divisive parameters for leadership selection

By Christiana Ekpa

As contests for emergence of leadership of the 10th National Assembly hosts up among contenders for the positions of President of Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives , the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies ( NILDS), has cautioned on parameters to be used .

Fielding questions from journalists covering the Senate in his office on Friday, the Director General of NILDS, Professor Abubakar Sulaiman said in stemming the tide of divisiveness that is pervasive in our polity now , parameters that will promote national integration and development, should be used.

According to him, since elections have come and gone , issues like votes gathered from one zone to the other in deciding where position of NASS leadership should come from , should not be prioritized above

those of competence , patriotism , commitment on Nationhood etc.

“Issues being thrown up by contenders in the race for leadership positions of the 10th National Assembly and their supporters are a bit worrisome by tending towards divisiveness and not cohesiveness .

“What should be parameters for selecting or electing Presiding officers of the 10th National Assembly , should be competence , experience on legislative practices and procedures , commitment on Nationhood etc, from the contenders and not those that are purely sentimental.

“Issues that border on national unity should be prioritised far above other ones in the process of selection or election of presiding officers of the 10th National Assembly”, he said .

He added that the knowledge gap created by high turnover of legislators at both chambers , would be filled by capacity -

building workshops already planned for legislators of the 10th National Assembly . For further deepening of democratic governance in the country , Professor Sulaiman disclosed to journalists that

Democracy Radio set up by the Institute for that purpose, would be commissioned by the end of this month just as Legislative Centre for Security Analysis set up by the Institute, will also become operational very soon .

assembly and advise memberselect on that.”

Although the lawmaker noted that members elect principal officers by themselves, he was equally cognisant of the fact that the party with the majority must always have one or two advice for their members, which he said was the reason for party politics. That if he eventually becomes the Speaker having won his reelection on the platform of APGA, then to God be the glory.

Niger

Assembly set

up C'ttee to investigate activities of ex-SUBEB chairman

By Christiana Ekpa

Niger State House of Assembly has constituted an ad hoc committee to investigate the activities of the immediate past chairman of Niger State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Isah Adamu.

Osun guber: APC, PDP throw punches over Supreme Court judgment

By Musa Baba Adamu

Ahead of the adoption of the addresses by the affected parties in the Osun State gubernatorial contest at the Supreme Court in Abuja, the Osun All Progressives Congress, APC has revealed that it has reliable information on plans to create tension and heat the polity in Osun.

The Osun APC in a statement by its acting Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal on Thursday also alleged that the PDP in Osun had perfected an arrangement to hire political hoodlums to besiege the Supreme Court.

The statement said, “The Osun APC reliably gathered that

the state chapter of the PDP had perfected an arrangement to hire fifty 18-seater buses to convey political hoodlums to Abuja to besiege the Supreme Court to give a false impression of the acceptability and popularity of the embattled Governor Ademola Adeleke in the state.

“Information has it that material and financial logistics to aid the shady and obnoxious assignment have been deployed to those who are involved.

“It was also learnt that each of the local government chapters of the PDP in the state has also been tasked by the leadership of the party in the state to engage in show-of-strength protest across Osun while those in Abuja will

be creating needless scenes of shame at the Supreme Court.”

Describing the leaked plan of the PDP as ridiculous, and undiplomatic, Osun APC enjoined the Osun Commissioner of Police and the heads of other security agencies in the state to quickly investigate the development, arrest and prosecute those planning to disrupt the sociopolitical peace in the state.

Reacting, the Osun PDP dismissed the APC’s claims describing them as hallucinations.

In a statement by the Osun PDP Chairman, Sunday Bisi, the party called on the APC to act responsibly by stopping deceit which it said accounted for its defeat in recent several elections

in Osun State.

The PDP affirmed that it has faith in the integrity of the apex court, saying, “Osun state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has attributed recent lies and falsehood spewing from the state APC as a consequence of extreme hallucinations arising from the advanced stage of depression within the APC leadership.

“We have an unshaken belief that the Lord justices will reaffirm the foolproof judgement of the Court of Appeal. Osun people, Governor Adeleke and the PDP will laugh last and give all praises to our God of justice,” the statement concluded.

The SUBEB chairman is being accused of mismanagement of public funds in the state.

The committee was set up by members of the House to be chaired by member representing Bosso Constituency, Honourable Malik Madaki Bosso and given one week to report back to the house.

In another development, during plenary, four bills scaled through first reading before the house.

The bills include for a law to establish Niger State College of Nursing and Midwifery, a bill to establish Niger State Investment Promotion Council, a bill for a law to establish Public Service Training Institute Minna as well as bill for a law to provide for the establishment of Niger State Sports Commission.

By Christiana Ekpa

The national leadership of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has announced the expulsion of two state chairmen.

The party announced that it has expelled the chairmen of the party in both Ogun and Delta states.

The party added that the chairman of the party in Ogun State, Olaposi Sunday Oginni, has been expelled.

The party made this disclosure on Thursday.

Recall that the party expelled the chairman over what it described as anti-party activities.

The expulsion of the chairman was announced by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Agbo Major in a statement made available to journàlists on Thursday.

Major while speaking also announced that the party had also expelled the chairman of the party in Delta State, Chief Efe Tobor, over anti-party

May 29: It’s illegal to inaugurate Tinubu before Court verdictKanu’s lawyer, Ejimakor

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Special Counsel of Nnamdi Kanu, Aloy Ejimakor, has raised a constitutional issue ahead of the May 29 inauguration of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu.

Ejimakor said it’s unconstitutional to swear in the winner of an election whose victory has not been affirmed by the court.

He pointed out that the winner of an election can be sworn in when the election results were uncontested.

In a chat with journàlists, Ejimakor stressed that no law in Nigeria permits the swearing-in of a winner when the election result is being contested in court.

He said: “Given that the FINALITY of election result is decided by the Court, except where the INEC-declared result is uncontested, it’s unconstitutional to swear-in a winner whose victory has not been affirmed by the Court.

“Where’s the law that says such a winner must be swornin? None!”

NNPP expels Ogun chairman, Delta counterpart over anti-party activities

activities.

He maintained that the duo were expelled after the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party set up a Disciplinary Committee to investigate three states, Edo, Delta and Ogun.

He also announced that the executives from the state to

the local government and ward levels in Ogun and Delta states have been dissolved effective from Thursday, April 27, 2023.

He continued by saying that the expulsion of the duo of Olaposi Oginni and Tobor will be taken to the National Executive Committee (NEC)

and the national convention for ratification.

He insisted that further development on the two states and others will be made public later.

Major said: “Consequently, the NWC met on Thursday, April 27, 2023, and came up

with the following decisions:

“That both the chairman of NNPP in Ogun State, Sunday Olaposi Ogini and his Delta State counterpart, Chief Efe Tobor and his Ogun State have been expelled from the party, with effect from Thursday, April 27, 2023.”

Ondo Election Tribunal warns lawyers against secret meetings, delay tactics

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Election Petitions Tribunal in Ondo State has warned petitioners and lawyers that the panel members will not be involved in any secret dealings throughout its sitting.

The three-man panel said all processes will be done in the full

glare of the public.

The panel led by Justice Rose Soji disclosed this on Thursday during its inaugural sitting, saying the tribunal will be handling petitions trailing the outcome of the February 25 National Assembly and March 18 State House of Assembly elections in the state.

No fewer than 14 petitions

were received by the tribunal for the National and State Houses of Assembly elections in the state, according to Justice Soji. Flanked by Aliyu Bapa and Frank Onyiri, Justice Soji emphasised that the election petition is time-bound, hence the tribunal will not entertain delay tactics that may be deployed by lawyers while filing

their processes.

The panel gave the assurance to all parties involved in the process, saying it would be impartial and fair throughout the entire time the tribunal would be in session.

The panel also cautioned lawyers against appearing before it in attires not approved by the judiciary code of conduct.

Election Tribunal holds inaugural sitting on 31 petitions in Bayelsa

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Bayelsa National and State House of Assembly Election Petitions

Tribunal will hold its inaugural sitting in Yenagoa on Thursday, on 31 petitions before it.

Out of the 31 one petitions received so far, a total of nine were from the outcome of the National Assembly elections and 22 were from State House of

Assembly polls.

The second election petition tribunal panel commenced on Monday at the High Court complex Sagbama, while the inaugural sitting of the first panel will commence next Monday.

Chairman of the second panel, Justice Oluwatoyin Fadeyi, who spoke on behalf of her colleagues, warned litigants and counsels to desist from seeking unnecessary

adjournments and filing of frivolous applications.

She also said preliminary objections which are time wasting and aimed at perverting the course of justice should be avoided.

She noted that since the tribunal is time bound, there’s a need to support and cooperate with all parties to administer justice.

She said, “We solicit your

support and cooperation in administering justice to all manner of people via petitions filed before the tribunal. As it is described, election petitions before the tribunal are time bound and by their nature peculiar from other proceedings.

“We undertake to abide by our oath of office, and mandate in dispensing justice with the help of God almighty.”

Retail CBDCs pose unpredictable risks to financial system, says IMF

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

Kristalina Georgieva, managing director, International Monetary Fund (IMF), says a myriad of unforeseeable consequences could be brought about by retail central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).

Georgieva spoke in a recent interview at the Milken Institute’s 2023 Global Conference.

She said the IMF considers retail CBDCs to have far more room for error than wholesale CBDCs.

Retail CBDCs are digital currencies designed for public use while wholesale CBDCs are for use by certain regulated financial institutions.

The enaira, Nigeria’s digital currency, is a retail CBDC.

“We think that wholesale CBDCs can be put in place with fairly little space for undesirable surprises, whereas retail CBDCs completely transform the financial system in a way that we don’t quite know what consequences it could bring,” Georgieva said.

She said the IMF was collaborating with about 50 countries to ensure that best practices are adopted regarding CBDCs.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has consistently encouraged Nigerians to embrace eNaira as an alternative to cash transactions.

Earlier in the week, Godwin Emefiele, CBN governor, said over 1.4 million transactions have passed through the eNaira platform from inception till date.

“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 governor said.

“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 fasttracking 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.”

TAJBank unveils Osita Iheme, Saratu Daso as Brand Ambassadors

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

TAJBank Limited, Nigeria’s leading non-interest banking services provider, on Wednesday announced Osita Iheme (Pawpaw) and Saratu Daso as brand ambassadors in furtherance of its marketing strategies to popularize its technopowered innovative products and services in the grassroots and deepen financial inclusion in the country.

Speaking during the occasion of the unveiling of the brand ambassadors at the bank’s headquarters in Abuja, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Hamid Joda, who also listed Uzee Usman, Aisha Falke (Northern Hibiscus) and Hauwa Jalilah as Brand Influencers of the non-interest lender, said the emergence of the ambassadors and influencers followed a rigorous selection process by a brand expert team constituted by the management for the purpose.

Joda explained that the initiative was based on the customer-oriented business philosophy of TAJBank and aimed at leveraging the Brand Ambassadors and Influencers’ selfless services and commitment to poverty alleviation in the grassroots to take the TAJBank customer-focused services story to millions of under-served and unbanked people across the nooks and crannies of the country.

He said: “Today’s event is epochal in our efforts to tell Nigerians and the global community that TAJBank is determined to serve them better and bringing joy to as many as are ready to bank with us. As you can see, these Brand Ambassadors and Influencers have carved a

•three others as brand influencers

niche for themselves as highly responsible players in the movie industry over the years.

“By their actions, they are people-oriented and socially responsible, especially through their financial and other supports to the needy in the society. This aligns with the corporate philosophy of TAJBank, which is to care for the needy through interest-free innovative products and services. So, as our partners in the brand and marketing drive for TAJBank, we are optimistic that millions of customers, who are “our only interest” will immeasurably benefit from this

partnership”, Joda assured.

In his remarks, one of the Brand Ambassadors, Osita Iheme, said he was very proud to join TAJBank in its “commitment to poverty alleviation in the country, particularly at a time more and more Nigerians are being pushed into poverty trap. I am taking the TAJBank brand to anywhere I go from now and tell the people that TAJBank is the bank to bank with because it cares for all.”

Also, Aisha Falke, who is one of the newly announced three influencers of the non-interest lender, told journalists at the sidelines of the event that “I am

so proud to have emerged as one TAJBank’s Influencers today. Let me assure the management that I will do my best to take the bank’s mantra, which is “our only interest is you, the customer” to my followers and admirers both locally and internationally.

“TAJBank is a futuristic and innovative non-interest that can stand by its customers through thick and thin and offer them the best services at no interest charged. The bank’s message is clear - innovative service at no pains - and I am ready to take this to everywhere I go”, she added.

Access Holdings gets regulatory approval to buy Angolan Bank

From Abubakar Yunusa, Abuja

Nigeria’s biggest lender Access Holdings received the second of the three regulatory approvals for the deal involving its takeover of Finibanco Angola S.A., the group said in a statement issued Wednesday.

The move followed authorisation from the Central Bank of Angola.

The phase that requires both parties to meet regulators’ demands will be concluded in the days ahead, with the final authorisation expected from the Angolan Competition Authority.

That will set up Access Bank

(Access Holdings commercial banking subsidiary) for the decisive stage of the acquisition, where the lender expects “to initiate completion of other customary conditions precedents to close the transaction.”

Prior to the announcement, the deal had been sanctioned by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The group disclosed last October Access Bank had in place a binding agreement to procure a majority shareholding of 51 per cent in Finibanco, which runs over 20 branches in Angola.

The shares to be purchased through the transaction are to come from Montepio, the holding

company for the Portuguese lender Banco Montepio.

According to the latest plan, Access Bank is setting sights on scaling the stake up to 80 per cent, having entered into an agreement with minority shareholders of Finibanco, who are keen to offload their holdings.

Finibanco kicked off banking services in Angola in 2008 and is now worth $300 million in total assets.

Early in April, Access Bank had $300 million injected into its operations from its parent company in the form of a Tier 1 capital qualifying mandatory convertible instrument. The cash

will “supplement the capital needs of its African expansion strategy,” Access Holdings said.

“The Bank (Finibanco) brings a lot of value-add and expertise that will act as a positive catalyst to foster greater innovation and promote the deepening of the financial sector in Angola, while complementing our strategic growth objectives in the broader SADC region,” said Herbert Wigwe, CEO Access Holdings.

Access Holdings total assets came to N15.7 trillion at the end of March, according to its earnings report for the first quarter of the year.

L-R: TAJBank’s Ambassador, Hajiya Saratu Gidado; Managing Director TAJBank, Mr. Hamid Joda; TAJBank’s Influencer, Hauwa Jalilah; the bank’s Executive Director Mr. Sherif Idi; and TAJBank Influencer Hajiya Aisha Falke (Northern Hibiscus) during the unveiling of the Bank’s Ambassadors and Influencers in Abuja

From Abubakar Yunusa, Abuja

ANigerian airline, Air Peace, has accused officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of storming the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, to disrupt their operations on Wednesday morning.

In a statement which was posted on its official Twitter handle, the airline said the officials of the labour unions also took over their check-in counters.

It said the labour unions had written to them on Tuesday and instructed them not to fly into Imo State from Wednesday because the state governor, Hope Uzodinma, allegedly disrupted the labour unions’ May Day celebration in the state on Monday.

Peoples Daily reported that the labour unions had threatened to shut down the state from Wednesday and asked all their affiliates in the state to withdraw

Air Peace accuses NLC, TUC of disrupting its operations

their services from Tuesday midnight over alleged disruption, looting and vandalisation of their properties during the workers’ day celebration.

But Air Peace said the company has no “affiliation” with the state government and that the company was only committed to flying Nigerians who paid for the services.

The company claimed the attack was “selective” given that another unnamed Nigerian airline was allowed to operate into the state.

“While they (NLC & TUC) do this, another Nigerian airline was allowed to operate into and out of Owerri (the state capital). They are disrupting over 110 flights of Air Peace. This particular illegal action of NLC and TUC will lead to over N700 million loss to the airline,” the company said in the statement.

“It will equally lead to massive disruptions and cancellations of our flights across the country today (Wednesday), and that will snowball into the coming days, too.”

Air Peace claimed the NLC had “attacked” the company before during their protest against N18,000 minimum wage fixed by the Nigerian government, despite the fact that the company’s minimum wage at that time was N50,000.

“It is more worrisome that security agencies are watching while an airline that is discharging its duties to the country is being harassed and hounded by unions at these airports.

“We do not understand why Air Peace and aviation should be selected for this kind of treatment. Why are they not stopping road

transport workers who are going to Imo State? If they have a grouse against Governor Uzodinma, that should be taken to Imo State,” the company stated.

“We use this opportunity to alert the Nigerian flying public that all our flights will be disrupted today (Wednesday) and in the coming days because cancellations will follow.

“Any flight we fail to operate today due to this illegal occupation of our operations will lead to cancellations in most sunset airports. Who is going to take responsibility for this? We feel highly unprotected,” it added.

Aviation minister insists Nigerian Air will commence operation before May 29

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

With less than four weeks to the swearing-in of a new administration, Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika on Wednesday again reiterated that indigenous airline, Nigeria Air, would take off on or before 29 May.

The minister restated the government commitment while briefing State House correspondents on the outcome of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.

“I think three weeks is a lot of time. By the special grace of God it will fly.And don’t forget we didn’t start today. We started this in 2015,” Mr Sirika said.

The minister explained that they drew up the roadmap and got the transaction advisors in 2016.

The nation’s proposed national carrier was unveiled at the Farnborough Air Show in England on 18 July 2018.

The project was suspended two months after it was announced amidst concerns over its relevance and sustainability. The airline was expected to gulp $8.8 million in preliminary cost and $300 million as take-off cost.

The national carrier idea was raised many years after Nigeria’s defunct carrier, Nigeria Airways, collapsed due to corruption and poor management.

Last month, Mr Sirika, hinted that the controversial national carrier will commence operation before the swearing-in of a new administration on 29 May.

“Operation of local and international flights will commence soon. Before the end of this administration, before May 29, we will fly,” Mr Sirika said then, adding that “Negotiation meetings with the Ethiopian Airlines Group Consortium and the Federal Government of Nigeria are ongoing. Next step: Federal Executive Council approval of the Full Business Case.”

While recounting some of the

successes achieved so far in his reign at the aviation ministry, the Minister said more than 50 per cent of the airlines in the country today were licensed under the Buhari-led administration.

“One of the airlines, United, that went to court today, we gave him the licence–the Buhari government and he’s never been to the office of the minister. He didn’t even know it. We gave him the licence. The first time I saw him was at the commissioning of Ogun airport,” Mr Sirika said.

“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.”

Based on this, the minister emphasised that the Buhari administration will give Nigeria the airline it deserves for the market, for the population, for the centrality and for everything.

Speaking on sustainable plans,

Mr 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 travelling 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,” he noted.

“But it’s an 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,” the minister said.

Mr Sirika assured Nigerians

that the indigenous airline will be established and the incumbent government has no choice but to run with it.

“And the reason is 95 per cent is not government owned 95 per cent is owned by entrepreneurs. So the coming of the next government which is APC, won’t throw the investment away because it’s not their government so it will continue,” he added.

Access Bank gets Angolan Central Bank’s nod for majority stake in Finibanco

From Abubakar Yunusa,Abuja

Access Holdings says its flagship subsidiary, Access Bank Plc, has received regulatory approval from the Central Bank of Angola for the acquisition of a majority equity stake in Finibanco, an Angolan Bank.

Sunday Ekwochi, the company secretary, made this known in a corporate filing on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), on Wednesday.

Finibanco is a full-service commercial bank with over 20 branches and around $300 million in total assets in Angola.

The organisation, in October

2022, had said it would buy an equity stake of 51 percent in Finibanco.

The bank said the transaction would be effected through the purchase of existing shares owned by Montepio — the holding company for Banco Montepio, one of Portugal’s commercial banks.

Giving updates on the deal, Ekwochi said the Access Bank intends to acquire a total shareholding of over 80 percent at the end of the transaction, by buying additional shares from minority shareholders.

He said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had approved the transaction.

Ekwochi added that the bank expects to receive the approval of the Angolan counterpart authority in the coming days, “which would complete the requirements for regulatory approvals for the transaction, enabling the bank to initiate completion of other customary conditions precedents to close the transaction”.

“The bank has also signed agreements with minority shareholders of Finibanco Angola S.A. who have expressed an interest to sell their shares concurrently and targets to attain a total shareholding above 80 percent in Finibanco Angola S.A. at the completion of the

transaction,” the statement reads.

Commenting on the development, Herbert Wigwe, group chief executive officer (GCEO), Access Holdings, said the organisation is pleased to be well-positioned to “join the select league of banks providing highvalue financial services to highgrowth businesses and the rising consumer sector in Angola”.

“The bank brings a lot of value-add and expertise that will act as a positive catalyst to foster greater innovation and promote the deepening of the financial sector in Angola, while complementing our strategic growth objectives in the broader SADC region,” he said.

•”We feel highly unprotected.”

Kaduna Electric customers now to pay electricity bills directly

The Kaduna Electric has advised its customers to henceforth pay their bills along with other transactions through approved channels and not to the company’s Sales Representatives. The Sales Representatives are to focus on marketing and customer services support going forward.

It said the measure was in response to customer complaints over partial or nonreflection of their payment for electricity bills.

Kaduna Electric said it has provided alternative, more convenient payment options for customers to settle their electricity bills and make other transactions without hassle.

The payment options include the company’s cash offices spread in every neighborhood across its franchise states where payments will be receipted and on its website at www.kadunaelectric.com where customers can log in to make both postpaid and

prepaid transactions.

A statement by Abdulazeez Abdullahi, company’s Head of Corporate Communication, said in addition to bills payment, customers can also settle loss of revenue and other charges via Kaduna Electric’s Customer Core App which can be downloaded on Google Play Store and on the App Store.

The statement also said customers can, from the comfort of their homes from anywhere in the world, make

seamless transactions either through the Apps of its third party vendors, Buypower and Irecharge or on their websites at www.buypower.ng and www. irecharge.ng respectively.

Other third party vendors where payments can be made conveniently are; Coral Pay, Pay4Power and Ruabam POS merchants, it said.

Kaduna Electric therefore urged customers to adopt any of the available options in order to avoid the complaints

of payments not reflecting in their accounts. It also said by making payments using the approved channels, customers will have peace of mind knowing they will not be shortchanged by unscrupulous agents.

It said all the channels are reliable, cost-effective and convenient to use and guarantee payment and revenue protection for both Kaduna Electric and its customers.

LG unveils latest cutting-edge innovations at 2023 MEA, aims to enhance customer experience

From Abubakar Yunusa, Abuja

LG, the electronics giant, has disclosed that its LG Showcase MEA 2023 is now open, marking the first time in four years that LG Electronics is presenting its latest products in the region.

According to the company, the two-day event will be taking place at Habtoor City in Dubai, UAE, and will be attended by over 400 guests. Visitors will have the chance to witness LG’s latest innovations, which will soon be rolled out in the region.

The LG Showcase, which was last held in 2019, brings together the largest group of participants ever, reflecting their confidence and expectations towards LG’s brand and its exciting range of new products. The event reaffirms the company’s “Life’s Good”

philosophy, which aims to bring innovative products to the market that enhance the overall customer experience.

Giving his Keynote Speech, Mr. Il Hwan Lee, Chief Executive Officer of LG MEA Region, said, “We are thrilled that LG Showcase MEA has resumed in Dubai in the post-pandemic period. This event has built a reputation for providing visitors with first-hand experiences with the most innovative technology that LG has developed, providing our customers with ‘First, Unique, and New’ experiences. Despite the industry’s challenges over the past few years, it is wonderful to see so many guests and partners at the event today.”

The company has also made its range of strategic products available, including QNED TV, Vivace washing machine, and DualCool air conditioner. Guests

can also experience LG’s new emerging products range featuring dishwashers, dryers, audio systems, gaming monitors, PCs, vacuum cleaners, stylers, and more.

In his remarks, Mr. Dongyoun Kim, Managing Director, LG Electronics West Africa Operations said, “Everyone at LG is excited for the start of LG Showcase 2023 MEA. We have a whole host of innovative new products and devices on display for visitors to use and experience.

With almost 400 guests confirmed to attend, we expect plenty of interest from visitors about how LG sees the future of technology in the coming years. The event is also a wonderful opportunity for LG to further enhance our business relationships with local partners. As a company, we are fully committed to supporting local customers and

partners by fulfilling their needs as well as sharing the values the company stands for with ‘Life’s Good’.”

Visitors at the showcase will have the opportunity to get handson with LG’s newest high-end premium products, including the LG SIGNATURE second generation line-up, Wireless OLED TVs (including 10-year anniversary editions), and refrigerator with MoodUP™.

This year’s highlights feature “First, Unique, and New” experiences with lifestyle TVs and WashTower™. A particular focus is LG’s built-in home appliance range of products that further enhance LG’s presence and position in the market.

Not only did LG Showcase 2023 introduce the company’s wide-ranging products, from the revolutionary wireless TV

to the second-generation LG SIGNATURE lineup, but it also gave attendees a hands-on experience of what the future holds with LG’s restless efforts to provide its customers with smart life solutions showing what the company means with ‘Life’s Good’. There really was something for everyone, with all four distinct zones of the LG Showcase 2023 offering visitors F.U.N. – first, unique and new –customer experiences

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of LG OLED this year, the OLED TECH zone presented the lineup’s diverse sizes and features. As a pioneer of the premium TV market and winner of many prestigious accolades from journalists and industry experts, the LG OLED TV lineup provides superb picture quality, vibrant colors and deep blacks that bring images to life.

Press Freedom Day: Journalists lauded for aiding Abuja’s dev’t

By Stankey Onyekwere

Journalists are admonished to not relent on actively discharging their essential role in deepening the roots of Nigeria’s democracy, as they have the responsibility to uphold democracy, which is why the media is called the fourth estate of the realm.

The Director, Press, Office of the FCT Minister, Mr. Anthony Ogunleye, who gave this charge, during a media chat on the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day, in Abuja, commended journalists for aiding the development of the Territory.

Ogunleye also extolled media practitioners for always upholding the tenet of democracy, keeping government on its toes and carrying out the fundamental task of journalism, which is to entertain, educate and inform members of the society.

He noted that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) led by Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, over the last seven and half years has worked very closely with members of the press, and together, they have been able to achieve as much as they did towards developing the FCT.

According to him, press freedom is something that is held very much high in Nigeria, as since the return of democracy in 1999, there has been tremendous freedom of the press, without which democracy cannot thrive.

“We don’t hear of Journalists been incarcerated or been killed, molested harassed or prevented from doing their job.

“Without journalists going out to do their work, to gather facts about issues concerning the society, and to also give the government the tools to make the right decision; and members of the public the knowledge they need to continue to build their society, nothing can work.

“I would like to use the opportunity to congratulate Journalists in the FCT, and commend them for the great work they are doing, not just here in the FCT, but across the country.

“I urge them to continue to do their job. And for those here in the FCTA, as we look forward to welcoming the new FCT Administration after May 29, I will ask them to continue to cooperate with us, work together and let us build the FCT of our collective dreams”, he stressed.

Food security: FCTA begins downscaling 2023 seasonal climate prediction

By Stanley Onyekwere

In order to ensure a disaster free farming season, the Federal Capital Territory Administration through its Agricultural and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS) has commenced the downscaling of 2023 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) to farmers and other stakeholders in the Territory. In particular, ARDS in partnership with the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) organised the sensitization/ downscaling programme on the annual weather report for hundreds of representatives of farmers and other stakeholders drawn from the six FCT Area Councils.

In his keynote address at the event held in Kuje Area Council, yesterday, ARDS Secretary, Mallam Abubakar Ibrahim, said the measures that the FCT Administration has taken through the Secretariat in downscaling the annual weather report is yielding the desired results as finding shows increased in agricultural production and adaptability of farmers to the

changes.

Ibrahim noted that ARDS has ensured that all FCTA relevant agencies particularly the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) are carried along in the sensitisation campaigns.

He said: “Through our Zonal Agric officers, Area Council Authorities and our Extension Agents the Secretariat have stepped down the information to our farmers to guide them on when to start and stop planting, expected amount of rainfall as well as the duration of the rains.

“All of these are vital information that will help to increase the adaptive capacity of farmers to weather changes, thereby enabling them to avert harsh conditions that may have adverse effect on crop and animal production.

Reiterating the determination of the Secretariat to ensure the success of the exercise, the Secretary said it has concluded arrangements to embark on an aggressive sensitization campaign to the 6

Area Councils and the farming communities in all the 62 wards of the FCT.

He added that the Secretariat has tried to ensure that the information is simplified and translated in the major local languages such that they are clearly understood by the farmers.

“It is gladdening to see that the event has attracted a large turnout which gives us hope that the information will reach the targeted farmers as expected.

“I will like to appreciate the NiMet management for their support and assure farmers that the FCT leadership under the Honourable Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello and the Honorable Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, will leave no stone unturned in their effort to end hunger. Within the next few days, the Administration will be rolling out its input support to FCT farmers.

“We will continue to work hard to strengthen the capacities of our Extension Agents to deliver quality services to FCT farmers. Our doors

will remain open for partnership with genuine Agro-allied investors towards repositioning the Agricultural sector of the FCT”, he said.

Earlier, in her welcome address delivered by the ARDS’s director, Agric Services, Mrs. Fransisca Ihekandu, noted that the programme will help farmers to have disaster-free farming activities throughout the year.

Ihekandu said in ensuring that the downscaling is stepped down to all the 6 Area Councils of the FCT, the Secretariat has already trained and mobilized all the Extension Agents that will be deployed for the exercise.

On his part, Acting General Manager with NiMet, Mr. Oyegade Adeleke, noted that the climate information, which is available for every part of the country will ensure that people don’t make mistakes in farming activity.

He adds: “Climate will always change, but people must always build resilience, by accessing appropriate information on climate related issues”.

Stakeholders chart path for restoration of Abuja master plan

By Stanley Onyekwere

The FCT Administration yesterday highlighted areas that will help in addressing factors distorting the restoration of Abuja master plan.

At the commemoration of 2023 world earth day with the theme: “invest in our planet” FCTA top officials took turn to speak on the development and restoring sanity of the nation’s capital, Abuja.

The coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMAC), Umar Shuaibu called on the residents to stop activities that lead to environmental degradation.

He decried the unending distortion and destruction of the Abuja master plan by the residents.

“Illegal felling of trees, building on water channels and road corridors have distort and destroy the plan for development of Abuja” said Shuaibu.

Similarly, Senior Special Assistant on environment and waste management to the FCT Minister FCT, Tunde Imolehin said the second world earth day celebration in FCT was to guide residents on how to dispose off their waste properly in line with this year’s global theme: “Invest in our planet”.

“To make our stay in this planet

meaningful, we must invest wisely. We must take proper care of the environment, conserve and preserve the limited resources.

“The world earth began in 1970 in the United States to highlight the importance of our planet and the conservation of its ecosystems on all continents and oceans. Since then, the world’s attention has been drawn to the challenges facing mankind and the environment and ways to manage them”, he stressed.

In his presentation, the Director FCT Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima disclosed that over 10,000 illegal structures have been demolished

in the last eight years with three hundred hectares of land recovered as the administration’s commitment to restore sanity in the territory.

The move, Galadima said, was pertinent to reverse the norms that have been affecting the officials from restoring the master plan and sanity across the city.

Collaborating, the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of FCT on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, Ikharo Attah, suggested that the Directorate of Road Traffic Services popularly known as VIO and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) should be carried along as critical stakeholders.

President Muhammadu Buhari Participates at the Nigerian Army Trooping and Presentation of Colours Parade 2023 held at the Eagle Square,

Four Proud Boys guilty of seditious conspiracy over US Capitol riot

Four members of the far-right Proud Boys, including former leader Enrique Tarrio, have been found guilty of seditious conspiracy for their role in the US Capitol riot.

The jury was unable to come to a decision on two charges against a fifth co-defendant.

The verdicts came after a trial lasting nearly four months.

The seditious conspiracy charge alone carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

All five defendants were convicted on a range of lesser charges stemming from their activities on 6 January, 2021.

Who are the defendants?

The group’s leader at the time of the riot, Henry “Enrique” Tarrio, was at the violent Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017 and became the leader of the Proud Boys the following year.

He’s a Cuban-American from Miami, a former Florida director of Latinos for Trump - and off the back of his notoriety made a brief run for Congress in 2020.

Unlike his co-defendants, Tarrio was not in Washington DC during the riot. He faced charges after burning a Black Lives Matter banner that was stolen from a Washington church and was also charged with violating weapons laws. He was arrested two days before the riot, and ordered by a judge to leave the city. He ended up watching events from a hotel room in nearby Baltimore.

The other co-defendants were:

• Ethan Nordean, 31, of Washington state, who goes by the alias “Rufio Panman”. Nordean was active in street protests and brawls with anti-fascist activists in the Pacific Northwest. In video from 6 January, he was seen leading members of the group around the Capitol

• Joe Biggs, 38, of Florida. Biggs is a US Army veteran and former broadcaster for Alex Jones’s Infowars. He was pictured next to Nordean throughout the riot

• Zachary Rehl, 37, a former US Marine and leader of the Philadelphia branch of the Proud Boys

• Dominic Pezzola, 44, of Rochester in New York state. Pezzola, also a former US Marine, was one of the first people to

reach one of the entrances to the Capitol, where he took a riot shield off a police officer and smashed a window. The jury could not reach a decision on charges of seditious conspiracy and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding against Pezzola

Proud Boys gathered near the Washington Monument on the morning of the riot before making their way to the Capitol. More than 100 members of the group were present that day, and dozens have subsequently been arrested.

In court, prosecutors introduced a large volume of text messages, social media posts and videos to prove that the group’s actions amounted to a co-ordinated plot to try to stop the certification of the 2020 election result.

The Proud Boys repeatedly posted a number of violent threats online. For instance, in November 2020, Tarrio wrote on a post by Joe Biden: “YOU need to remember the American people are at war with YOU. No Trump…No peace. No quarter.”

Others posted about civil war, firing squads and “traitors”.

The trial took more than twice as long as expected and was delayed by slow jury selection, motions for mistrial by defence lawyers, numerous arguments over witnesses and evidence, and concerns about possible juror intimidation.

Lawyers for the defendants argued that the group was poorly organised, mostly nonviolent, and that there was no preconceived plan to storm the building.

They also noted that Tarrio, a longtime police informant, was in touch with Washington police before 6 January and informed an officer of the group’s plans for the day.

In closing arguments their lawyers placed the blame on Donald Trump, saying they merely followed his suggestion to show up in Washington DC on 6 January.

“’Be there, it’s going to be wild,’ the commander-in-chief said. And so they did,” said Norm Pattis, an attorney for Biggs, referencing one of Mr Trump’s tweets.

Proud Boys, many wearing orange hats, along with others outside the US Capitol on 6 January 2021

Who are Proud Boys?

The Proud Boys were founded in New York City in 2016 by Gavin McInnes, a cofounder of Vice who left the media company to embark on a career as a right-wing commentator and podcaster.

They describe themselves as an all-male drinking club, or a “pro-Western fraternal organisation”.

But they became better known for their frequent brawls with left-wing anti-fascist activists in cities across the US.

In a 2019 BBC documentary, Proud Boys based in Portland, Oregon, boasted about arrests and street fighting.

They achieved mainstream fame after a presidential debate in September 2020. During a discussion about extremism, Joe Biden mentioned the organisation. Donald Trump responded by saying: “Proud Boys, stand back and stand by.”

Video of the debate was aired in court, and defence lawyers unsuccessfully attempted to subpoena Mr Trump in an apparent attempt to argue the defendants

were following presidential orders on 6 January, 2021.

Proud Boys have continued to hold events and protests since January 2021

What is seditious conspiracy?

Under US law, seditious conspiracy is defined as a plot to overthrow the government or use force “to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States”.

It is a rarely used law that dates from the US Civil War. Last year two leaders of the Oath Keepers - one of the other major organised groups present at the Capitol riot - were convicted in the first successful prosecution for seditious conspiracy since 1995. Three other members of that militia were acquitted of the charge during last year’s trial.

Seditious conspiracy is less serious than treason, which is the only crime specifically spelled out in the US Constitution and requires a high standard of proof - the testimony of at least two witnesses in open court or a confession. Treason can also be punishable by the death penalty.

Prince William and Kate drop into a Soho pub

There’s no such thing as a quiet pint if you’re the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Prince William and Catherine arrived at the Dog and Duck with crowds jammed into the narrow streets of Soho in the bohemian heart of central London.

Trying his hand at being a barman, Prince William pulled a pint of beer appropriately called “Kingmaker”.

The royal couple had travelled to Soho on the Elizabeth Line, named after the prince’s grandmother, the late Queen.

The lunchtime visit to the pub was to support the work of the hospitality industry in the run-up to the Coronation - an explanation not many of us could ever use convincingly.

“You just get the best conversations in a pub... everyone is relaxed. You never know who you’re going to meet,” said Prince William talking inside the pub.

That might be a view shared by local drinkers who have heard plenty of tall tales,

but who was going to believe them that they’d seen Prince William and Kate popping into the Dog and Duck?

With the Coronation looming at the weekend, Prince William said his son Prince George was excited about the big day.

Outside Catherine shook hands with people in a growing crowd, although as every one of them was filming it on their phones it was a big decision whether to shake hands or keep recording.

Prince William, in a spirit of modernisation, has been pioneering the era of the tie-less royal, and he arrived at the pub wearing a jacket and open shirt. And so, taking his lead, all of his retinue also seemed to have ditched the neckwear.

They must have rumbled that the only people wearing ties in the post-Covid world are TV newsreaders, people at funerals and other people on royal visits.

Catherine was keeping up the side with a smart red outfit, which you’re quite likely to see on the front pages of newspapers, as

she stood behind the bar in a way that would have made Peggy Mitchell proud.

These visits are a strange version of real life. A helicopter was hovering above, police had set up cordons and in the middle of it a man in a white coat was trying to deliver meat, baffled at what was going on.

The Dog and Duck has had famous visitors before. Madonna has been spotted here and in the 1940s it was the haunt of author George Orwell - and even his worst nightmares about a surveillance society couldn’t have expected the sheer number of camera-phones capturing every moment.

It’s one of those London pubs full of oldfashioned mirrors and very modern prices, often frequented by Soho media types, which means people have been moaning about their jobs here for generations.

It’s long been part of the great pilgrimage of Soho pubs, such as the French House and the Coach and Horses.

But the serious part of the visit was to recognise the efforts of people in the

hospitality industry who will be working through the Coronation weekend.

Pubs, restaurants and hotels are hoping for a coronation boom, with extended licensing hours.

TUC boss Paul Nowak earlier this week issued a reminder that the celebrations for the Coronation will depend on millions of people carrying on working.

That includes retail, leisure and transport as well as emergency services.

For some a pub might be seen as part of the emergency services - but for those wanting to enjoy a pint over the weekend, someone else has to be staffing the bar to serve it.

But on Saturday, Prince William and Catherine will be busy elsewhere in a different kind of service.

So they got into waiting cars outside Ronnie Scott’s jazz bar, with people hanging out of windows filming as they disappeared down Frith Street.

Source: BBC

Henry ‘Enrique’ Tarrio, the former national leader of the Proud Boys

Sudan crisis: Actress Asia Abdelmajid killed in Khartoum cross-fire

The death of a well-known actress, killed in cross-fire in the north of Khartoum, has shocked residents of Sudan’s capital. But she is just one of many civilians still in the city who are paying with their lives as the fighting continues to rage despite the latest ceasefire.

Zeinab Mohammed Salih is a journalist living in Omdurman, next to the Sudanese capital - she describes daily life for people caught up in the conflict.

Asia Abdelmajid, who was born in 1943, was famous for her theatre performances - first coming to prominence in a production of the play Pamseeka 58 years ago.

It was put on at the national theatre in Omdurman to mark the anniversary of Sudan’s first revolution against a coup leader. She was considered a pioneer of the stage - and the country’s first professional stage actress, later retiring to become a teacher.

Her family say she was buried within hours of her shooting on Wednesday morning in the grounds of a kindergarten where she had been most recently working. It was too dangerous to take her to a cemetery.

It is not clear who fired the shot that killed her in the clashes in the northern suburb of Bahri. But paramilitary fighters of the Rapid Support Forces

(RSF), who are ensconced in their bases in residential areas across the city, continue to battle the army, which tends to attack from the air.

The RSF says the military tried to deploy members of the police’s special force unit on Wednesday - but the group alleges it rebuffed their ground offensive.

The UN’s top aid official has warned that the “will to end the fight still was not there” after speaking to Sudan’s rival military leaders.

With a military jet flying overhead as I write and WhatsApp messages arriving with more bad news of my friends caught up in the fighting, it feels like neither side is serious about ending their deadly confrontation.

“I was sitting with my brother in the sitting room when we heard the loud noise of the shell and the dust coming from the kitchen - we thought the whole wall had just collapsed,” my friend Mohamed el-Fatih, a fellow journalist, told me.

His apartment in Burri, east of the army’s headquarters in central Khartoum, was bombed on Monday night.

“My neighbours upstairs and downstairs were terrified and screaming, we had to evacuate immediately to another area.”

His suburb is completely occupied

by the RSF and rockets are often fired from the military headquarters where it is believed Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the army chief, and his aides are staying.

My friend Hiba el-Rayeh has also just been in contact in great distress after her mother Sohair Abdallah el-Basher, a respected lawyer, and two uncles were killed last Thursday in a shell that came from a bridge over the River Nile directed towards the Presidential Palace. They were living close by.

Her uncles had actually come to help them escape during one of last week’s so-

called humanitarian ceasefires.

Central Khartoum has been devastated by almost three weeks of fighting

In another suburb called Khartoum 2, to the west of the military headquarters, estate agent Omer Belal has decided to stay and guard his home.

The 46-year-old has sent his family to a safer district while he and a few other men in the neighbourhood seek to protect their properties from the looting and armed robbery that is occurring

Sudan generals unwilling to end fighting - UN

The UN’s top aid official has warned that the “will to end the fight still was not there” after speaking to Sudan’s rival military leaders.

Martin Griffiths told the BBC that Sudan’s descent into violence was now at a dangerous tipping point.

He called for security guarantees from the warring sides to allow humanitarian aid into the country.

The UN warns that the fighting could force hundreds of thousands of Sudanese to flee their homes.

In a BBC interview hours after his visit to Port Sudan, Mr Griffiths spoke bluntly of what he called “the rigid existential fact that those at war are keen to keep it going”.

During his time in Sudan’s largest port, now a major evacuation and humanitarian hub, he had separate telephone conversations with Sudan’s rival generals.

Mr Griffiths, the UN Under-SecretaryGeneral for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, called for their clear public commitments to guarantee urgent deliveries of aid.

“This is about specific protections for the movement of aid workers and goods and supplies - going down roads at certain times, airlifts from being shot down,” he emphasised when we sat down in the Saudi port city of Jeddah across the Red Sea from Sudan.

Evacuation ships now arrive daily at the port carrying foreigners and Sudanese, mainly with second passports, fleeing Sudan’s sudden descent into rampant violence and wanton looting.

Mr Griffiths described how most of their warehouses storing humanitarian supplies had been looted. Six trucks in an aid convoy heading to the Darfur region were seized en route.

He asked for face-to-face meetings with both General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who heads Sudan’s armed forces, and his former deputy General Hamdan Dagalo, who commands the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

“I think it’s obviously urgent, this should be done in the next day or so,” he told us. “We’re working on it.”

Since 15 April, when the bombs first dropped and bullets flew in all directions, the rival leaders have agreed successive short ceasefires which have repeatedly been violated, especially in the capital Khartoum and the western region of Darfur, which are now war zones.

Mr Griffiths heard the same fine words in his telephone calls where “they were both, separately, very eloquent in their attachment to humanitarian principles and aspirations on the question of where and when we can meet”.

Visibly shocked and saddened by what he had seen and heard, he spoke of “tales of traumatic atrocity... that are pretty unparalleled.”

“I think a really, really, deeply concerning aspect is the speed with which it is going viral,” he added, reaching for words to convey the enormity and intensity of a crisis with profound consequences for the region and the wider world.

“It has got all the makings of a tragedy of global relevance, and global significance. And that is why this is an opportunity for the international community to show that we care about Africa,” he underlined with a sweeping perspective of what was at stake in Sudan’s crisis.

More than 100,000 Sudanese have already crossed land borders, or the Red Sea, into Sudan’s neighbours, and more than 344,000 are said to be displaced across a

country where millions have been pinned down by the carnage and criminality.

The UN is warning of a possible exodus of 800,000 with others warning that number could be in the millions.

Mr Griffiths paid tribute to aid workers still on the ground in Sudan, especially local Sudanese civil society and humanitarian agencies, still determined to press on with their urgent humanitarian mission.

“Extraordinary people like those I met today, courageous beyond imagination, operate in areas of great uncertainty,” he said, highlighting what he called the humanitarian axiom to “stay and deliver”.

The UN’s World Food Programme has already seen seven of its staff killed in recent weeks.

Mr Griffiths expressed his shock that even Port Sudan, so far relatively untouched by the fighting, was fragile too.

“Port Sudan is beginning to jump with masses of displaced people, some of them with no prospect of getting out to third countries.”

Thousands of Syrians, Yemenis, and Sudanese are now trapped in the port city without the kind of passport, and support, to provide them with a way out.

It’s the story of an entire nation struggling to find a way out of this deeply worrying, and rapidly worsening war.

Asked about remarks by the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres that the UN “failed to stop this war” because it didn’t see all the warning signs, Mr Griffiths insisted that “a lot of people didn’t see it coming”.

“That’s yesterday,” he declared in the UN’s defence. “What we’re talking about today, is doing something that is consistent with our values… and meets the needs of the Sudanese people.”

Source: BBC

Asia Abdelmajid was one of Sudan’s first theatre stars

The UN warns that hundreds of thousands of people could flee the conflict

N ews F rom A s IA

Ukraine war: US denies masterminding Moscow drone attack

The US has denied Russian claims it masterminded an alleged drone attack on the Kremlin on Wednesday aimed at assassinating President Vladimir Putin.

A day after accusing Ukraine of carrying out the alleged attack, Mr Putin’s spokesman said it had been done with Washington’s support.

US National Security spokesman John Kirby called it a “ludicrous claim”.

Ukraine has said it had nothing to do with the alleged attack. Mr Putin was not in the building at the time.

Footage on social media showed smoke rising over the Kremlin - a large government complex in central Moscowearly on Wednesday. A second video showed a small explosion above the site’s Senate building, while two men appear to clambered up the dome.

On Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the US was “undoubtedly” behind the alleged attack, without providing evidence.

“Decisions on such attacks are not made in Kyiv, but in Washington,” Mr Peskov said.

In his response, Mr Kirby told US media: “Peskov is just lying there, pure and simple.”

“The United States has nothing to do with it. We don’t even know exactly what happened here, but I can assure you the United States had no role in it whatsoever.”

The US official said Washington did not encourage or enable Ukraine to strike outside its borders, and did not endorse attacks on individual leaders.

Ukraine has said that the alleged attack was a false flag operation by Moscow in order to justify escalating the war.

On the other hand, though, many argue that Russia would have little interest in staging an attack that made the Kremlin look vulnerable.

The latest Kremlin claims came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague in the Netherlands.

In a speech afterwards, he called for the creation of a special tribunal to hold Russia’s “crimes of aggression” to account.

He said Mr Putin “deserves to be sentenced for criminal actions in the capital of international law”, the Ukrainian president said.

He listed alleged war crimes by Russia - including

the “millions” of strikes in the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine and those killed during the occupation of Bucha, near the capital Kyiv, at the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion

last year.

The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for President Putin for alleged war crimes in Ukraine. It says he is responsible for war crimes during the Ukraine war,

which includes the unlawful deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia. But it has no mandate to prosecute the crime of aggression.

Serbia school attack: Silence and teddies at scene of shooting

There is an awful silence hanging over the steep hill on which Vladislav Ribnikar elementary school sits.

On Wednesday, a 13-year-old entered the school, armed with two guns and a “kill list” - and shot dead eight fellow students and a security guard. Six other children remain in hospital.

The school is at the heart of this central Belgrade community, where streams of mourners are arriving, bearing flowers and soft toys.

Exactly 24 hours after the worst school shooting in Serbian history, pupils from the next-door college stand along the street to stand in silence and remember those killed.

“I am crushed,” says final-year school student Alex Oborina, 19, beside some of the handwritten notes left on the pavement.

“We have failed as a society because this is something that should not happen to a 13-yearold. He should not be grabbing a gun and going into his school and shooting his friends.”

Alex seems to echo the sentiment everyone here feels.

“This is probably the worst thing that has ever happened in my life. We need to use this as a stepping stone to rebuild. “

Alex Oborina believes the children’s parents will never have

justice for what happened

I ask if the suspect’s age of 13 will make it even harder for Serbian society to come to terms with this attack because he is too young to face prosecution.

“Whatever happened, even if he had been 18 or 19, justice would never have been served for those parents who lost their children.”

The boy was arrested by police immediately after the shooting. His father who legally owned both guns was also detained, as was his mother.

His lawyer, Irina Borovic, says he has been interviewed by doctors and has now been taken to a Belgrade neurology and psychiatry clinic for children and youth.

The motive for the attack remains unclear.

But of the victims, seven of the eight who were killed were girls.

Further down the hill, candle wax oozes down on to the stems of white lilies resting against a thin tree.

An elderly woman makes the sign of the cross before slowly kneeling down and placing a single flower. Above her, a teddy bear is attached to the fencing of the football pitch, near the empty goal.

During the afternoon, a large crowd gathers outside the school. Most are pupils from elsewhere in Belgrade who have come here to

pay their respects.

Mother-of-two Sanja Bastic has travelled here with teachers from her own children’s school as a sign of solidarity.

She begins to weep as she explains how her 10-year-old son asked her husband last night what would happen if a shooting happened to them next.

“My son asked, ‘how would you feel if you were having to wait outside the school and I didn’t come out?’

“The kids are sometimes smarter than we are and notice things we don’t.”

Sanja believes her country has to look wider than the actions of just one teenager.

“It’s not the kid’s fault. It’s our fault. This is a combination of things that are happening here. We are a great country with good people and we’re welcoming but we have problems here that we need to solve drastically.”

Violence both online and in real life have to be addressed urgently, she adds.

“I’m afraid this may be the beginning. We just need to stop it. We have now realised that in our country something like this can happen, and we need to take care of our kids.”

A short distance from the school, at the Ministry of Education, the

woman responsible for preventing violence in classrooms in Serbia tells the BBC that nothing in the suspect’s school records showed any sign that he might be capable of such devastating violence.

“Official information we have about this particular case tell us that nothing suggested something like this will happen,” says Milja Krivokuca.

“The most important thing for us to do now is to support everyone, stabilise the situation and then we will go back and look retrospectively to see if something could have been done differently.”

At least two unions representing teachers say their members will go on strike tomorrow, demanding

better protection for staff and pupils.

President Aleksandar Vucic has suggested the age of criminal liability may be lowered from 14 to 12 in the wake of the killings.

Ms Krivokuca agrees: “It is my opinion that it would be desirable to lower the age for criminal responsibility because of one important reason: It is necessary to secure maximum protection [for schools]”.

Serbia should also compare its legislation with neighbours in Europe and further afield, she believes.

“We might need to see what other countries are doing where legal responsibility starts at 12, and

Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a speech in The Hague

Flowers are left on the pavement to remember the children shot dead in class in Belgrade

Environment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“There are two important projects which we will need more of your support, the HYPREP and GGW. We are doing our best to ensure that it’s working greatly. We have the team for the HYPREP. We are doing our best to make sure that the structure put in place is maintained to ensure checks and balances for good governance and transparency.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

She thanked the minister

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

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

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

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

well as ensure livelihoods and sustainable development, and

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

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

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

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

PILIWA launched in Nigerian

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

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

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

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

with passion for public good.

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

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

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

In his intervention, Jonathan Kaufman, Executive Director of

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

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

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

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

He said that the PILIWA platform will bridge the identified gaps to help public interest lawyers secure what they need to push and win unconventional cases.

The highpoint of the event was the inauguration of zonal coordinators for the PILIWA in Nigeria. The nominated coordinators of the South-South, South-east and North Central Zones are Courage Nsirimovu, Kalu Emmanuel Chisom and Redzie D. Jugo respectively. The coordinators for the Northwest, Northeast and Southwest will be announced later.

Participants were drawn from the legal profession in Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Plateau, Imo, Enugu, Niger and Kogi states, among others.

Charles is King of 15 countries - but for how much longer?

Across most Commonwealth realms - those countries in which Charles is monarchthe debate over whether to move to a republic is a live issue, albeit to varying degrees.

Here, BBC correspondents describe the mood in a selection of nations where King Charles is still head of state - and explore the chances of those countries replacing the monarchy any time soon.

St Kitts and Nevis

By Celestina Olulode

Spectators eyes are glued to the pitch at this cricket match. It’s a clash between local rivals, as the women’s teams from the islands of St Kitts and Nevis face off against each other. The UK’s influence remains strong here, right down to the choice of national sport.

St Kitts and Nevis is a dualisland nation situated between the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. This was where English colonists first settled in the Caribbean. But even after almost 40 years of independence, there’s an ongoing debate about this nation’s identity, and whether it should transition to a republic.

In the spectator stands, lowlevel chatter is interrupted with cheers and words of advice shouted over to players. During a lull in the game I head over to ask people for their opinions.

Few are willing to express their views, but those that do are ambivalent.

Sharlene Martin says she wants more information but questions the benefit of having King Charles III as head of state: “The Chinese and Taiwanese look after us more than England, so I don’t know.”

Ahead of sunset, I head over to a local bar to chat with more locals. Manager Julian Morton says it’s a matter of national pride: “Going republic says we have arrived. So it lets the rest of the world know that we can handle our own affairs.”

Julian’s friend Christopher Roberts agrees but tells me that St Kitts and Nevis is still trying to bounce back from the negative impact of coronavirus. So he doesn’t see becoming a republic as a pressing priority: “We’re just having discussions, street talk about it.”

Compared to other Caribbean nations such as Barbados, Christopher sees St Kitts and Nevis as a “young independent nation”, and so he thinks change could take a while.

Barbados, once nicknamed “little England” took the step in 2021, renewing momentum for other realms to follow.

But for the transition to happen here, the constitution of St Kitts and Nevis requires that the people vote for it in a referendum. In fact, of the remaining eight realms around the Caribbean, only Belize would not need a referendum. Instead, the decision would be made by its national assembly.

The hurdles that referendums need to clear differ across countries. In St Lucia, the Bahamas, Jamaica and St Kitts and Nevis, referendums need a simple majority of voters to pass. But the transition could be more difficult to achieve in Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines, because two-thirds majorities are required.

But it’s not always a done deal. In 2009, St Vincent and the Grenadines held a referendum. Forty-five per cent of voters chose to replace Queen Elizabeth II with a ceremonial president - falling far short of the two-thirds required.

So, though a seemingly simple question, these are detailed matters that each Caribbean realm is grappling with in its own way.

Australia

By Tiffanie Turnbull

Walking the streets of Sydney, you would struggle to find any sign a new King of Australia is about to be crowned.

A week out, all bar one person I spoke to admitted they did not know when the Coronation was. One student even confessed he did not know what it was.

“I don’t care, it’s irrelevant,” was 73-year-old Graham’s frank assessment - a fairly accurate picture of the general mood here.

Landmarks across the country will be lit up purple on Saturday night, but events to mark the occasion appear to be subdued and scarce.

And special television coverage of the event is limited - a far cry from the wall-to-wall treatment that royal weddings and the Queen’s funeral received.

King Charles isn’t as popular as Queen Elizabeth II was and his Coronation comes at a time when Australia’s republican movement has its strongest foothold in decades.

Almost 25 years since the country voted against cutting ties with the monarchy in a referendum, there’s growing momentum for

another go.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has previously said a republic is “inevitable” and last year appointed a junior minister for the republic - a historic first. In nearby New Zealand it is a similar storyPrime Minister Chris Hipkins this week said he’s a republican and believes the country will “ideally” leave the monarchy one day.

The monarchy has a purely ceremonial role here in Australia and people tell me the country has long forged its own identity outside of the UK’s shadow.

Others cite the lasting impact of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as a reason to cut ties.

“We’re probably more anticolonial than we have ever been,” 17-year-old Estelle Paterson says.

“Having an English king here just seems so odd,” her friend Monika Januleviciute adds.

The government is first holding a referendum on recognising Indigenous people in the constitution.

And Australians are still divided on how to appoint a head of state - should they be elected by the people, or appointed by parliament?

But most importantly, recent polls indicate support for a republic is still below the high standard required to pass a referendum here.

A majority of Australians would need to vote yes and there would also need to be majority support in at least four of Australia’s six states.

Canada

By Jessica Murphy in Toronto

If there was one word to sum up the feelings many Canadians have about King Charles, it would be “indifferent”.

And speaking broadly, while Canadians held an affection for Queen Elizabeth II, that same fondness is not felt for King Charles.

Opinion surveys suggest Canadians are growing more interested in distancing the country from the monarchy.

The most recent, an Angus Reid

poll released in late April, indicates that a majority of Canadians - just over half - don’t want the country to continue as a constitutional monarchy for generations to come.

And two-in-five respondents said they didn’t care about the coming Coronation.

That lack of enthusiasm is reflected in Canada’s modest planned celebrations. There will be a televised hour-long event, hosted in the nation’s capital of Ottawa and federal landmarks illuminated in emerald green to mark the occasion.

The King’s ascent to the throne last year only served to spur debate on the country’s ties to the monarchy.

Source; BBC

The Royal Standard is raised in Antigua in 2017

Julian Morton

“

If there was one word to sum up the feelings many Canadians have about King Charles, it would be “indifferent”. And speaking broadly, while Canadians held an affection for Queen Elizabeth II, that same fondness is not felt for King

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MAY 5, 2023

Erling Haaland record: Manchester City striker breaks Premier League record for goals in a season

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has broken the record for most goals in a Premier League season.

The Norwegian scored his 35th league goal of the campaign against West Ham to move past Alan Shearer and Andrew Cole’s previous best of 34.

Haaland had already set a record for a 38-game season, beating Mohamed Salah’s 32 goals for Liverpool in 2017-18.

“It’s a special night and a special moment. I’m really happy and proud,” Haaland told Sky Sports.

The 22-year-old has another five games to add to his tally.

“It feels amazing and I’m really happy and I’m also happy for the three points,” he told BBC Match of the Day. “In the end that’s what matters and I’m happy.

“Yeah, it’s going well and now it’s time to focus on game by game. I’ve said this for a long time and that’s what the team is doing. The team is so good and I’m happy.”

Haaland’s 35th top-flight goal of the season came via a deft finish in the second half of a 3-0 win against the Hammers that sent City back to the top of the league.

He was given a guard of honour by his team-mates, boss Pep Guardiola and the club’s backroom staff after the final whistle at Etihad Stadium.

“I’ve not seen it before either,” Haaland added. “It was a nice feeling scoring that goal, it always is.

“It was painful when everyone hit me on the back in the guard of honour.”

Cole’s 34 goals for Newcastle in 199394 were matched by Shearer as he fired Blackburn to the title the following year but there were 22 teams in the top flight in both seasons, giving them an extra four matches to play - Shearer started all 42 in his record season, while Cole missed two in his.

Haaland, in his debut season in English football, has set the new marker in just his 31st game of the year.

His 35 goals are also the most by a player in a single campaign in the English top division since Ron Davies scored 37 for Southampton in 1966-67. Dixie Dean holds the record with 60 in 39 games for Everton in 1927-28.

Haaland was given a guard of honour by his team-mates after the final whistle Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, speaking to BBC Sport:

“Incredible. He’s just 22 - and still has five games left. How many games I made the substitution after a hat-trick in 60 minutes, maybe he’d have scored more. But maybe he’d have got injured. He’s special. Congratulations to him.

“We expected him to score goals but to break Cole and Shearer records ... I’m pretty sure what he wants is to win the Premier League.”

More from Guardiola, speaking to Sky Sports: “It’s unbelievable. How many important goals he’s scored to win games, we are so satisfied.

“He’s a unique person and he’s so special. He deserved the guard of honour because it’s an incredible milestone. Another day he might break his own record. He’s scored a lot of goals!”

Shearer, writing on Twitter: “Couldn’t have wanted it to go to a nicer guy. It’s only taken 28 years!!!! He’s the best.”

Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards on Sky Sports: “Honestly, Erling Haaland is absolutely incredible. Astonishing scenes from a top, top individual.

“This is his debut season - to do what’s he has done is absolutely breathtaking.”

Manchester City defender Nathan

Ake, speaking to Sky Sports: “It’s crazy. The way he came in and does this every day. He deserves everything he gets, he works so hard and he’s a top player.”

Former Everton striker Kevin Campbell on BBC Radio 5 Live: “I think there are things he can improve. He has the thing that every striker needs: he can finish.

“He is the missing piece to what Pep Guardiola is trying to do. He wants the Champions League. They haven’t had the person up top that was going to take those chances. They have him now.”

BBC commentator Vicki Sparks on BBC Radio 5 Live: “He is quite simply, for this season, the greatest striker the Premier League has ever seen. Fifty-one goals in a season in all competitions and you just wonder what records he will go on and break, now he sets his sights on that held by Dixie Dean for Everton, who is the only player to have scored more goals in a single season as a top-flight player in England.

“The numbers, quite simply, are extraordinary.”

Haaland gets guard of honour

Haaland breaks the joint record set by Andrew Cole in 1993-94 and Alan Shearer

Haaland has scored 35 goals in 31 Premier League games this season

S P R T

Future of Test cricket could be like Wimbledon, says Rajasthan Royals owner Manoj Badale

The future of Test cricket might be short once-a-year events like the Wimbledon tennis tournament, according to Rajasthan Royals lead owner Manoj Badale.

One of the biggest issues cricket faces is the scheduling with some sides playing two series in two different formats concurrently in recent years.

Badale estimates some of the world’s best players can play cricket on 220-230 days of the year, across T20, one-day and Tests.

England Test captain Ben Stokes retired from one-day internationals last July saying “there is too much cricket” and players “are not cars” that can be “refilled and go back out there”.

“We can make Test cricket work if we make it more of an event,” Badale told the Tailenders podcast.

“We should have it at the same time every year, played between a small set of nations that can actually afford it and Lord’s becomes like a Wimbledon, an event that is the diary.

“The amount of times I hear arguments like ‘Ben Stokes wants to play Test cricket’ - that is important but what is really important is what the fans of the future want to watch and where are they going to spend their hard-earned money.

“We are going to have to think creatively about Test cricket if we want it to work.”

Last summer, England’s Test side faced New Zealand at home while their white-ball team toured the Netherlands.

In March a white-ball series in Bangladesh started one day after a Test tour of New Zealand finished.

India have regularly had white-ball sides on tour while another set of players is playing another format elsewhere.

“There are too many formats,” said Badale. “I would be more worried about the ODI game right now.

“It is difficult one for me because Test cricket is what you grow up on as a fan and I haven’t missed the first day at Lord’s for however many years, it is still my preferred format.

“But it is not about me, it is about what the 10-15-year-olds in India and across the world are thinking.”

‘T20s have got too long, T10 is going to be interesting’

A report in The Times last week said six English players had been approached about signing multi-year deals with their Indian Premier League franchises to play in multiple leagues across the world.

Seven of the 10 men’s IPL teams have sides in different leagues across the world including the West Indies, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and a USA-based league.

Former England and IPL all-rounder Ravi Bopara told the BBC Test Match Special podcast that the contracts are “coming” and “not a surprise”.

Badale said he expects franchises to “become bigger entities” and “play in more leagues”.

“I do genuinely believe in the next three to five years there are a number of choices that the administrators are going to make that are going to be really game-defining,” said Badale.

“We are the second most-popular sport in the world at the moment but our real competition is other forms of entertainment.

“We’ve got too many franchise leagues now so you can have a hierarchy of the IPL, some major leagues and then some minor leagues.”

Cricket has a long-held desire to get into the Olympic Games but Badale feels the current formats restrict the likelihood of that happening.

“I was at a game at the Wankhede [stadium in Mumbai] the other day and the game was 4 hours and 15 minutes - that’s too long, so I think in a way T20 has got too long.

“The T10 [10 overs per side] is going to

become an interesting one.

“The only way I can see cricket in the Olympics is T10, where you can get it done in 10 days.”

‘Don’t solve time issues with a new format’

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) introduced a new 100-ball competition in 2021 designed to attract a more diverse audience to the game and fit within a two-and-a-half hour slot for broadcasters.

There have been reports they are considering axing the tournament after no other countries adopted the format and after it had made losses of £9m in the first two years.

Badale feels the ECB should be willing to stick with the format.

“I don’t think the right question is ‘what are you losing?’, it is ‘what are you prepared to invest?’,” Badale said.

“People go on about the IPL now but there were hundreds of millions of dollars invested in the first five to seven years. Everyone forgets it was loss-making for years.

“I saw an article that the Hundred lost nine million dollars, that is irrelevant to me. If there is an economical model that works it could be huge.”

However, Badale said he doesn’t believe the solution was another format.

“I tend to agree that T20 works, why do we need another format?” Badale said.

“I do think administrators tend to prioritise trying to look different over what we should prioritise.

“The problem they were trying to solve with The Hundred is that T20 games were getting too long, and I do think four and a half hours is too long, but you don’t have to solve that by changing the format.”

The likes of Australia’s Steve Smith (front left) and England Test captain Ben Stokes (front right) have been purchased in the Indian Premier League draft by Manoj Badale (back left)

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Jose Mourinho: Roma boss wore microphone to ‘protect’ from ‘worst referee’

Misinformation, propaganda as the world celebrate press freedom

According to the World Press Freedom Index 2023, which evaluates the journalism environment in 180 countries and territories, released on World Press Freedom Day (May 3), the situation was rated “very serious” in 31 countries and “difficult” in 42 countries, “problematic” in 55 countries, and “Good or Satisfied” or “satisfactory” in 52 countries. In other words, the journalism environment is “bad” in 7 out of 10 countries and good in only 3 out of 10 countries.

Guest Columnist

By Caleb Onah

Roma boss Jose Mourinho says he wore a microphone to “protect” himself against “the worst referee I have met in my life” during his side’s 1-1 draw with Monza on Wednesday.

Mourinho criticised referee Daniele Chiffi after he sent off Roma’s Mehmet Zeki Celik in the 96th minute.

He has received three red cards this season for disputes with officials, including one from Chiffi in September.

“I went to the game with a microphone. I recorded everything,” Mourinho said.

“From the moment I left the locker room, to the moment I returned - I protected myself.

“He [Cheffi] is the worst. Technically he’s horrible. Zero empathy. Zero communication. Zero awareness.

“A second yellow to a guy who slips in the 96th minute... I stopped working 20-30 minutes from the end because I knew he would give me a red card for anything.

“I didn’t give him the opportunity, I decided no, that’s enough.”

Stephan El Shaarawy’s opening goal was cancelled out by Monza’s Luca Caldirola with the result leaving Roma seventh in Serie A and outside the European qualification places on goal difference.

“Believe me, I have dealt with many bad referees,” said Mourinho. “Usually, when I talk about referees, it is because they have a direct influence on the game.

“He is horrible, he makes no human connection with anyone, he has no empathy, he gives a red card to a player who slips because

2023 marks the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day. Three decades have passed since it was proclaimed in 1993, during which time we have seen little progress toward achieving freedom of the press and freedom of speech around the world.

The growth of independent media in many countries and the rise of digital technology have facilitated the free flow of information in certain ways. However, media freedom, the safety of journalists, and freedom of expression are increasingly under attack, affecting the exercise of other human rights. The international community faces many crises: conflict and violence, persistent socioeconomic inequalities leading to migration, environmental crises, and challenges to the health and well-being of all.

People all over the world at the same time, online and offline disinformation and misinformation are rapidly increasing, with disastrous consequences for the institutions that underpin democracy, the rule of law, and human rights. The right to freedom of expression, enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is a prerequisite and impetus for the enjoyment of all other human rights. So this year’s special 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day is a call to refocus on press freedom, as well as independent, pluralistic, and diverse media, as the key to enjoying all other human rights.

This year, RSF shed light

on the myriad forms of misinformation that overwhelm reliable information, a problem complicated by the rapid development of artificial intelligence. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says journalism is being battered by increasingly sophisticated fake and propaganda practices, aided by artificial intelligence software and the failure to monitor companies.

The rankings were compiled by combining data on abuses against journalists and media professionals with hundreds of surveys sent to human rights activists, journalists, and academics. According to the 21st annual report published on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, Norway and North Korea are the two countries with the best and worst press freedom, respectively.

According to the World Press Freedom Index 2023, which evaluates the journalism environment in 180 countries and territories, released on World Press Freedom Day (May 3), the situation was rated “very serious” in 31 countries and “difficult” in 42 countries, “problematic” in 55 countries, and “Good or Satisfied” or “satisfactory” in 52 countries. In other words, the journalism environment is “bad” in 7 out of 10 countries and good in only 3 out of 10 countries. In some countries, using

the World Freedom Index, RSF says traditional forms of political interference are gaining momentum in many countries. Highlighting the cases of Russia and India, he said about two-thirds of countries have politicians “regularly or permanently engaged in large-scale propaganda or disinformation campaigns.” and China is one of them. They are supported by a vast industry of disinformation. RSF recently assisted a group of investigative journalists working on Forbidden Stories, a project to expose Team Jorge, an Israeli company specializing in disinformation production.

The worst countries in the new ranking, with the exception of North Korea, are Vietnam, almost done with the hunt for freelance reporters and commentators, and China, being the biggest prison of journalists around the world. India has gone from just a “problem to very bad”, thanks to “media takeovers by oligarchs close to Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi”, and also in Turkey, where the government is “escalating”. Suppress journalists according to the government’s approach and election scheduled for May 14.

The United States dropped three places to 45th, in part due to the worsening security situation for journalists. The countries that went down the

most were Haiti from 29 to 99, Senegal from 31 to 104, and Peru went down 33 places to 110. A big improvement was seen in Brazil, from 18 to 92 thanks to the departure of far-right president Jair Bolsonaro. RSF said the Middle East and North Africa remain the most dangerous regions for journalists, while Europe remains the safest, but attacks on German journalists have made the region a major threat. It’s more dangerous and needs to reduce by 5 spaces. Overall, the environment for journalists was rated poor in 70 percent of the 180 countries in the NGO’s annual ranking in just eight.

Above all else, to combat these critical situations and these threats, freedom of the press, the safety of journalists, and access to information take priority. May 3 shouldn’t be the only time we advocate for freedom of expression but beyond and should remind the government to keep its promise to free speech. A chance to respect the basic principles of freedom of speech and evaluates the state of press freedom in the world, I on a personal level express gratitude to the journalists and opinion givers who sacrificed themselves to protect the press from encroaching on the independence of the press and to fulfill their duties.

Caleb

Onah is a Public Policy Analyst.

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The worst countries in the new ranking, with the exception of North Korea, are Vietnam, almost done with the hunt for freelance reporters and commentators, and China, being the biggest prison of journalists around the world.