Monday, February 6th, 2023 Edition

Female dancers and entateinment musicians, during the Zazzau Media Cultural Industry, and the commissioning of a new Cultural entertainment house, at the Magadishu Estate in Kaduna, yesterday

Feb. 25 Polls: Get inovlvedObi charges religious leaders

By Stanley Onyekwere

Barely three weeks to the February 25 General elections, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi has stressed the need for religious leaders and faith based organisations to get involved in the process, in order to rescue Nigeria from total collapse.

Obi gave this charge while addressing members of members of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International–Nigeria (FGBMFI), at the National Christian Centre, during its Nigeria National Council Meeting, at the weekend.

The Labour Party candidate had arrived the event at 8.21pm from Ebonyi State after a series of rallies and town hall meetings in the South East of Nigeria.

Speaking to an excited audience, Obi stated, that Nigeria displays the two critical symptoms of a failed state, namely; lack of control over her territory and economic collapse.

According to him: “It is good

we pray, it is good that we are doing everything, but it is time not to be righteous with those who are stealing public money.”

“In the past 20 years of our democracy, all we have produced is insecurity, poverty, out-of-school children, misery and pains. Nobody is sure how much a loaf of bread would cost tomorrow.

“Bread we used to buy for N400 is now N1100.” He bemoaned the staggering number of 133milion Nigerians under the clutches of multidimensional poverty, higher than the combined figure of India and China, both of which have over 2.8billion people.”

He stated, that Nigeria is the only OPEC country that is not producing its quota at a time it needs all the money. He detailed that in July, our oil production was 1.082million barrels when our quota was 1.8 million barrels per day. We thus lost 717,000 barrels every day leading to a loss of about N22.227m per day.

Obi, who paid tribute to the first Prime Minister of Nigeria,

Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, recalled how, in June 17, 1964, he wrote the World Bank to borrow $82m to build the Kainji Dam to generate 760MW of electricity. 59 years today.

“We know where Kainji Dam is and it has contributed immensely to Nigeria’s economic development. On the contrary, currently, we cannot see most of the projects for which Nigeria had incurred huge debts”, he opined.

He therefore assured Nigerians that the Labour Party government when voted into power would secure and unite this country. It would also pull the people out of poverty and harness the numerous agricultural and industrial potentials of Nigeria to get the country working again as well as move the people from consumption to production.

The LP flag bearer maintained that he and Yusuf Datti BabaAhmed are best suited to restore the country to its glory days, saying “We have resources that can be harnessed to make this country productive.”

He however, expressed

concern for Nigerians, over the recurrent bout of sufferings as a result of queuing for fuel, to which queuing for the new naira notes is an added pain.

Earlier speaking to journalists, at the occasion FGBMFI President, Arc Ifeanyi Odedo, noted that the Nigerian national Council meeting is the highest policy making body of the organisation and serves the role of congress as it attended by all the national leadership, national Directors Field Representatives and the over 3500 chapter presidents from across the nation. He stated that members are patriotic citizens, who not only pray for Nigeria but also contribute their own quota to the development of the country in both the marketplace and public service.

He explained that the theme for the year is “I know thy works,” taken from Rev. 3:15; which urges all Nigeria to be conscious that God is watching them in whatever we are doing and should therefore uphold the fear of God in their lives.

the Headquarters of the Ministry of Police Affairs in Abuja.

2023: Niger

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna N

APC inaugurates guber campaign council

iger State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has inaugurated 22 out of 24 directorates of Gubernatorial Campaign Council who were directed to hit the ground rolling to ensure victory of the party and its candidates at all levels.

The state APC Deputy Governorship candidate, Comrade Yakubu Garba gave the directive while inaugurating various directorate committees at the APC Presidential Campaign office in Minna.

He charged party members to be patient, share ideas and used their tremendous experiences on how to win the forthcoming

elections with ease.

Comrade Garba challenged the party faithful to do everything legally possible as commanders in the field to ensure that they deliver their units, wards and local government respectively to justify the trust and confidence reposed in them.

In his acceptance speech, the Director General of the council,

Isah Sidi Rijau who accepted the mandate with appreciation assured to do their best in ensuring that the APC wins in the 2023 general elections at all levels. Also, the Director of Media and Publicity, Mr Jonathan Tsado Vatsa in an interview said that the goal is to win elections, hence their strategies to victory would be in house.

L-R: Representative of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Comrade Odunusa Olukayode; Public Complaints Commission (PCC), Ala Olusola R.; Police Service Commission (PSC) Aaron Kaase; National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Orvainya Charity; Chairman (PPCC) Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan; Director Police Inspectorate Department (PID), Bola Blessing Aderele; Nigeria Police Force, DCP Abaniwonda S. Olufemi. Cleen Foundation, Gad Peter; Deputy Director (Legal Services), Mrs. Fati Lamorde and Director (Press and Public Relations), Bolaji O. Kazeem during the regular meeting of the Police Public Complaints Committee (PPCC) held at

Atiku seeks multisectoral solutions to terrorism in Nigeria

•Condemns Bakori killings

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has called for a multi-sectoral initiative that will help evaluate how to decimate the capacity of terrorists in the country .

Atiku made the call while reacting to the gruesome killing of 41 people in the Bakori area of Katsina State, describing the incident as ‘one too many’.

The former Vice President maintained that the nation and it’s leaders must be ready to do all that it takes to put a stop to these attacks.

The frontline presidential candidate, in a press statement signed by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe on Sunday, noted that “the confirmation of the incident by the Nigeria Police on Saturday, was a foreboding moment.”

The terrorist attack on Bakori, where 41 people were reportedly killed, started making the rounds on Friday, but the Police confirmation of it on Saturday is “yet another ugly episode of the senseless killings of Nigerians on account of terror attacks,” Atiku said.

The former Vice President condoled with with families of the deceased and called for a holistic, multi-dimensional strategy that will put a stop to terrorism in the country.

According to him, “While terrorism is a serious problem affecting most countries of the world, the solution to the problem must differ among countries.

Therefore, a multi-sectoral initiative that will evaluate how to decimate the capacity of these terrorists should be on the table. We must be ready to do all that it takes to put a stop to these attacks,” Atiku said.

He prayed for the souls of the dead to rest in peace and also to God to return peace to Nigeria.

PVCs: Borno aggrieved registered voters threaten INEC with Court action

Shehu Abubakar, Maiduguri

As the collection of PVCs ends today, a group of aggrieved registered voters in Borno State have alleged plan by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deny them their PVCs and consequently disenfranchise them.

“We have people in their thousands (including myself) who have been going to the INEC offices for collection of PVCs registered under the most difficult situations and inconvenience but are yet to get it,” they complained to newsmen through their spokesman, Engr Ishaku Yakubu.

“INEC has previously announced to the media that all PVCs are ready for collection and lament how Nigerians are not coming out,” they stated, complaining, “meanwhile we queue up at their offices and ward levels to get PVCs only to be told “your PVC is not ready, come back in 3 days, come back in one week” and stories like that.”

The complainants alleged: “We have reasons to believe that there is a sinister plan to disenfranchise thousands of people as there appears to be no reason for holding up the PVCs.”

They said “Today is final deadline according to INEC and people are

being asked to go and come back.”

They threatened to drag INEC to court if, by Tuesday, January 7, it does not issued them their PVCs.

“It is their right to protest,” the Borno State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ibrahim Magaji Mohammed, reacted to allegations to newsmen on phone, admitting, “they should not be disenfranchised.”

The REC, however, said: “The problem is that some of them registered more than once; and if you registered more than once, you cannot get your card.”

He advised the aggrieved registered voters to lay their complaints with INEC today to enable

them get their PVCs for the 2023 elections.

“Today is also the closing date for the filling of complaint form,” Borno INEC Head of Voter Education, Shuaibu Ibrahim, told Peoples Daily earlier, advising the protesters to, “instead of wasting time complaining to newsmen they should hasten to fill the complaint form, and they will be told when and where to go and collect their PVCs.”

He said following such complaints duly lodged with INEC, there would be rapid printing of the cards for all registered voters with approved complaints to enable them cast their votes.

Niger Senator drums support for Tinubu’s presidency, describes him as defender of democracy

Sen. Sabi Abdullahi, representing Niger-North Senatorial District, has urged citizens to vote Bola Tinubu, the APC Presidential Candidate, following his sterling performances and contributions to the country’s democracy.

Abdullahi, also the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, made the call at an interactive session with newsmen in Abuja on Sunday.

He said beyond Tinubu’s provision of quality infrastructure and other services, as Governor of Lagos State, he had been at the forefront, fighting for restoration of democracy in the country.

He said the presidential candidate had stood against attempts to emasculate the political space.

“He is a man who has a sense of accommodation, tolerance and he is somebody who believes that democracy is what we must promote

for the common good.

“Beyond what he has done while in power, you need to also look at what he has done outside power to ensure that the democratic space continue to be expanded.

”I think he has done tremendously well,” the senator said.

He said that the late Royal Father of Borgu Kingdom had described and testified that Tinubu was a truthful man, bold and courageous in advancing his course when they both served in the Senate.

Abdullahi said that Project 774, an APC support group, with members across the states of the federation and the FCT, was working to get people to understand what Tinubu’s candidacy was all about.

“And what we said clearly here is, very simple, that this man has done it yesterday, he has shown capacity.

“And so for us, we believe that

should be our selling point about the candidate.

“So I think the point to be made here is that leadership is not all about yourself, and our candidates have shown their understanding of leadership, not all about themselves.

“But its all about the service to be rendered to the people and how that service is going to be sustained is also key.

The senator dismissed insinuations that the presidential candidate was challenged in his health, saying that he was very healthy to pilot the affairs of Nigeria, when elected come Feb. 25.

Abdullahi said that Tinubu had been campaigning actively round the country.

He also said Tinubu was a man who had knack for identifying and giving opportunities to talents to serve in the interest of citizens.

He assured that his senatorial district was fully for the APC

candidates across board, saying that APC was fully on ground and would win in most states of the federation.

“Politics is local, I just came back from Borgu where I went to canvass support at my own senatorial district, and it was a huge success.

“I want to assure you that Niger North is for Jagaban Borgu/Kashim Shettima .

“And they are going to win that senatorial district just like many other parts of this country.”

“And we are campaning in the 36 States of the country, including FCT just as many other support groups out there in the field going to mobilise voters.

“And APC has credible candidates all across, so I believe that places us at much more advantage position than any body, irrespective of whatever crisis that may arise artificially,” he said.

(NAN)

R-L: Executive Director, Initiative for Leadership and Economic Watch in Nigeria (ILEWN) / Convener, CSOs roundtable on forestry Development in Nigeria, Amb. Splendour Agbonkpolor, the representative of the Director , Àbuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Zainab Umar, Deputy Director Forestry, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs Olukanmi Bosede, The Representative of the Director General, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Mr. Gbadebo Joseph and the Executive Officer, Integrity Advocacy for Development Initiative (IADI), Comrade Ofomai Christopher, during the ILEWN / IADI CSOs roundtable on Forestry Development in Nigeria in Conjunction with the FRIN, Theme: “ Promoting Afforestation and Forest Conservation Programmes: the key Towards Improving our Environment”, held in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo.

Tank farm owners to sell petrol to marketers at N172 from Monday

The Ijegun-Egba Tank farm owners and Operators have resolved to sell the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to marketers at ex-depot price of N172 beginning from Monday. This is to ensure that filling stations across the country sell the product at the government approved price and to reduce the hardship faced by Nigeria in accessing it.

In a communiqué by Mr Adebowale Olujimi, Chairman of the group, the owners said they are working with the

Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to achieve an uninterrupted distribution by Monday of the 127 million litres of its February allocation.

‘’We will utilize our storage networks to supply and distribute petroleum products to various part of the country to ensure that Nigerians have Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) for their daily operations. We are also committed to maintaining our transparency in this respect.

“That our Tank farms will

continue to sell and load at the government regulated price of N172 Ex Depot to all marketers. All our members’ retail outlets across the Nation will continue to sell petroleum products at the government approved price.

“We consider ourselves as an integral part of petroleum product supply chain in ensuring product supply, energy stability and energy security. We have played and will continue to play significant roles in the supply and distribution of petroleum products across the nation.

“Our members are committed to ensuring efficient petroleum product distribution, and by extension ensuring energy security in line with the Federal Government’s policies and regulations.”

The tank farm owner further reiterated their resolve to contribute to National economy, energy security and play significant roles in the supply and distribution of petroleum products across the nation to ameliorate adverse effects the current challenges have

Dattijo empowers women with grinding machines,stooves in Kaduna

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Senatorial Candidate of APC in Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Muhammad Sani Dattijo, today held an empowerment program to support 1,000 women across 7 local government areas comprising Giwa, Birnin Gwari, Igabi, Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Chikun, Kajuru and

Chikun.

The first phase of the distribution scheme was flagged off by Her Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe under the Dattijo Empowerment and Development Initiative (DEDI), a non governmental organization founded by Muhammad Sani Dattijo to drive inclusive development.

Speaking at the Flag off, he urged the women to come out en masse to support the party in the next general elections .

He expressed his readiness to support women across the Senatorial district if elected to represent them at the National assembly.

Members of the National Assembly, Commissioners, Council

Chairmen, Party Candidates, Party Leaders and members, Party Stakeholders, Supporters are among dignitaries that attended the historic event.

Items distributed include cash, grinding machines and climate change friendly stooves in order to improve incomes and eradicates poverty among women beneficiaries.

SDGs graduates 376 youths with starter packs in Niger North

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Niger State Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), has graduated

376 youths trained in Briquette Making and Borehole Repairs in Kontagora Local Government Area of the State.

This was contained in

a statement issued by its Information Desk Officer, Abubakar Adamu Kuta, saying that the Director General, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Mohammed Yakubu Bashar Harka said the first goal of the SDGs was the fight against poverty.

The DG stressed that the

event was a deliberate effort of the administration under the leadership of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello for empowering the youths to be self reliant.

President of the Amalgamation of SDGs Borehole Maintenance Comrade Ahmed Sarki Chukuba appreciated the state government for providing

on business and commercial activities.

It also restated its members’ commitment to continue to contribute to government’s effort in building a robust business environment to stimulate economic growth, especially in making petrol available to Nigerians.

The association is an umbrella organisation of all the oil companies currently engaged in the operation of petroleum storage tank farms and facilities at Ijegun – Egba, Satellite Town, Lagos, along the Ojo Creek Channel.

They are A.A. RANO Nigeria Limited, JGold Nigeria Limited, Chipet International Limited, Emadeb Energy Services Limited, First Royal Oil Nigeria Limited, MAO Petroleum Company Limited, Menj Oil Limited, Ocean Pride Energy Services Limited, Stallionaire Nigeria Limited, Wosbab Energy Solutions Limited and Rainoil Limited.(NAN)

Kaduna: NDLEA establishes new command to curtain drugs abuses

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has established a command in the Kakuri Area of Kaduna South Local Government Area to contain proliferation of drug abuse in the entire Local Government Area.

The newly posted Area Commander to the Local Government Mallam Ahmed Ibrahim stated this at an election sensitization campaign organized by Kakuri Development Association in Kaduna.

Mallam Ahmed Ibrahim said the command had identified black spots and will comb all the areas to apprehend perpetrators and ensure no drugs are abused before, during and after the elections.

enabling environment for the training and graduation exercise.

In his goodwill message, the Chairman of Kontagora Local Government Council, represented by Hon. Shehu Musa Kwazo commended the leadership of the SDGs for the initiative.

In a speech, representative of Interfaith Meditation Center at the event, Mr. Samsin Auta called on voters to shun violence and vote for credible leaders that will better their lives.

According to Mr. Auta the Interfaith Meditation Center has embarked on community sensitization campaigns on all issues of development especially on the voter education.

NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Yusha’u Dogara Ahmed addressing NYSC Officials during his visit to the Kaduna State Temporary Orientation Camp at the weekend in Kurmin-mashi, Kaduna, Photo: NYSC

How Naira redesign, cashless policy affect military operations —Ndume

Shehu Abubakar, Maiduguri

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Muhammadu Ndume, has expressed concern over the grave impact of Naira redesign and the cashless policy on the operations of the Nigerian military at the front line.

“Naira redesign and the CBN’s cashless policy are actually gravely affecting the strategic operations of troops at all front

Buhari condemns horrific terrorists attack on Katsina vigilantes

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the attack on vigilantes at Yargoje forest in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State, where many lives were lost.

This was disclosed in a statement on Sunday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

According to the statement, the insurgents ambushed a convoy of vigilantes in the forest as they went to recover stolen cows leading to the killings.

The President paid tribute to all those vigilantes and family members who have been martyred today, saying that the sacrifices of the brave men who are working to prevent and punish crime in their communities will not be forgotten, tye statement said.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families in this difficult period. May Allah repose the soul of the deceased,” said the President.

lines of insecurity across the country,” Ndume told newsmen in Maiduguri, on Saturday.

“Troops find it difficult to survive at the front lines due to the fact that they lack the cash to buy their daily basic needs at the remote communities across terrains of insecurity in the country where they cannot access cash due to the challenges posed by the currency redesign and cashless policy,” he complained.

Senator Ndume recalled that hitherto

soldiers access daily stipends easily from ATMs and POS to enable them provide for their daily basic needs to sustain their fighting spirit because the terrains of their operations are inaccessible for their daily rations to be delivered to them.

“Now a soldier stays for hours on the ATM queue or POS, when he should discharging his duties at the front line, just to access the stipend,” he lamented, saying, “this situation has dampened the morale of the troops at the front line.”

Ndume picked holes on the claim that the policies are to plug the sources of terror financing and other security breaches, saying, “the terrorists have said that they are already in possession of the new notes.”

He called on the Federal Government and the CBN to make arrangements for the troops to access their cash easily in view of the critical nature of their duties, and also make the new notes available everywhere every time.

APC governorship candidate in Plateau promises to boost agriculture

Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau, Dr Nentawe Yilwatda says agriculture would be his main focus if elected at the 2023 general elections.

His campaign spokesperson, Mr Shittu Bamayi, stated in Jos on Sunday that Yilwatda made the pronouncement on

Saturday at interactive sessions with three communities in Langtang South Local Government Area of the state.

Yilwatda said he was amazed by the vast uncultivated arable land in the local government area saying that such endowment was enough to pull the people out of poverty.

“Boosting agriculture remains one of my cardinal objectives and I will go the whole hog to support farmers through the provision of highyielding seedlings and modern farming technology.

“The people cannot enjoy the fruits of their labour in terms of food production if certain basic amenities are not

provided to them.

“Apart from giving support to farmers, we will ensure that as a matter of priority, the lives of the people are properly secured.

“We will do that through well-trained security personnel and modern technology to fight terrorism and other forms of criminality,’’ he assured.

Yilwatda said the first thing to be done if elected would be to provide roads and potable water for people in communities visited.

He commended the Taroh people for being good and dependable hosts to many ethnic nationalities in the area who were purposely there to farm and earn a living. (NAN)

Chairman Azauna lafiya Group, Awalu Mohammed,- Zazzau general Secratery, Ahmad Bello,- Chairman Danbaiwa entateinment, Yahaya danbaiwa,- and director musicians, Mustapha Sherif,- during the Zazzau Media Cultural Industry Commissioning a new Cultural entertainment house, at Magadishu Estate in Kaduna, yesterday

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT (NICTM)

NOTICE

This is to draw the attention of the public and prospective bidders to the NICTM’s advertisement published in the Federal Tenders Journal, Peoples Daily and Bluepint News Papers of 23rd January, 2023. Due to many irregularities, the said advertisement has been cancelled. This advertisement serves as a replacement.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT, UROMI, EDO STATE

INVITATION FOR PRE-QUALIFICATION AND EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF 2023 CAPITAL AND ZONAL INTERVENTION (CONSTITUENCY) PROJECTS

(1.0) PREAMBLE

The National Institute of Construction Technology and Management (NICTM), Uromi, Edo State, a Federal Polytechnic was appropriated funds in the 2023 Appropriation Act. The budget covers provision for goods, training and empowerment, and construction activities to be executed in various parts of Nigeria under Capital and Zonal Intervention (Constituency) Projects. The various activities are grouped into LOTS under works, goods and services. Accordingly, the Institute hereby invites interested and qualified Contractors/Suppliers/Service Providers to submit pre-qualification documents for the execution of projects as listed below

(2.0) DESCRIPTION OF PROJECTS

(2.1) A: WORKS

LOTS PROJECT TITLE

A1 Construction of Yahe.-Ukelle Road, Yala Lga, Cross River State

A2 Rural Electrification of Selected Communities with Solar Street Lights in Yala Lga, Cross River State

A3 Internal Road and Drainage Construction in Abati Barracks

A4 Construction and Equipping of Hall in Abati Military Barracks

A5 Construction of Alaro -Iraye - Lasu Access Road and Drainage, Epe

A6 Completion of ongoing Imokun - Bello Road

A7 Construction of Road in Falilat Lawal Street, Lagbade Area

A8 Construction of Yahe-Ebo-Wanihem Road

A9 Construction Borehole with Generator in Selected Villages in Akoko-Edo L.G.A, Edo State

A10 Construction of Drains and Culvert Along the Museum Road Ojah in Akoko-Edo L.G.A

A11 Provision of Solar Street Lights in Sumbu and Other Selected Communities in Taraba State

A12 Solar Water Borehole in Jesse and Oghara in Ethiope Federal Constituency

A13 Grading and Asphalting of Selected Community Access Road in Igogoro

A14 Construction of Mini Stadium in Sokebolou and Torugbene Communities in Burutu Lga, Delta State

A15 Renovation and Equipping of Health Centres in Burutu Federal Constituency, Delta State

A16 Construction of 1Km Road at Okoroete Town Eastern Obolo Lga Akwa Ibom State

A17 Provision of Transformers at Wuro Musa and Other Selected Communities in Taraba State

A18 Building of Police Barracks in Agbor, Abavo, Igbodo in Ika South Lga Delta State

A19 Ongoing Construction of Road in Ibil

A20 Erosion Control at Hospital Road, Ilasa Ekiti in Ekiti South Senatorial District.

A21 Construction of High Intensive Icent Solar Powered Street Lights in Nyuwar. Jessu, Heme, Mona, Lojah, Kwarge, Bambam, Maitunku, Lobekwang, Jalingo, Yelwa, Cham, T Iksir, Dadiya Maternity, Lobware Hills, Kafin Bawa, Balanga South of Balanga Lga, Gombe State.

A22 Provision and Construction of Integrated 3-in-1 Solar Street Lights in Owan East and Etsako East Lga, Edo North Senatorial District.

A23 Provision/Repairs of Faulty Integrated Solar Street Lights in Selected 6 Lgas in Edo North Senatorial District.

A24 Completion of Nasarawa Eggon Youth Centre Nasarawa Eggon Lga in Akwanga/Nasarawa Eggon/Wamba Federal Constituency Nasarawa State

A25 Training and Empowerment of Selected Youth and Women on Various Skills in Idah/Ibaji/Igalamela/Odolu Federal Constituency Kogi State

A26 Construction of Internal Roads in Gada Mayo Bamabam Balanga Lga Gombe

A27 Construction of Mini Stadium in Ogoja Lga, and Construction of 2km Igwo Road in Obudu Lga, Cross River North, Cross River State

A28 Construction and Rehabilitation of Link Roads in Ethiope East/Ethiope West Federal Constituency, Delta State.

A29 Learning Aids and Renovation of Classrooms in Ethiope East/Ethiope West Federal Constituency, Delta State.

A30 Construction of Solar Street Light in Ilogbo Eremi Road, Oko Afo Badagry, Lagos

A31 Construction of 3-in-1 Solar Street Light in Selected Communities in Ileh Ekpoma, Edo State. A32 Provision and Installation of Lithium Solar Street Lights in Selected Locations in Owan Federal Constituency, Edo State.

Provision and Installation of Solar Street Lights in Selected Schools in Owan Lga, Edo State. A34 Construction of Renewable of Solar Street Light in Various Communities within Kabo Local Govt., Kano State A35 Completion of Ongoing Road Construction at Damagaza Community in Amac/Bwari

Equipping, Security Post, Fencing, Inverter & Generator at Gwadabawa Lga, Sokoto State

A52 Construction of ICT Centres, Equipping, Security Post, Fencing Inverter & Generator House at Gwadabawa Lga, Sokoto State

A53 Construction of ICT Centres, Equipping, Security Post, Fencing Inverter & Generator House at Sabon Birnin Lga, Sokoto State

A54 Rehabilitation of Township Roads in Igolt, Ogoja

A55 Rural Electrification of Ibil Community

A56 Installation of Icent Solar Street Lights in Genu, Warari and Shambo in Magama/Rijaau Federal Constituency of Niger State

A57 Solar Lightening of Selected Rural Towns in Bauchi State.

A58 Procurement of Home Grinding Machines for Women Empowerment in Katagum, Bauchi State

A59 Provision of Solar Street Lights in Calabar South/Bakassi/Akpabuyo Federal Constituency, Cross River State

A60 Provision of Solar Street Lights in Lusangha Jiinah Ugep - Mkpani Road, Yakurr Lga Cross River State.

A61 Construction of Solar Powered Street Lights in Selected Riverine Communities of Burutu Federal Constituency, Delta State

A62 3 in 1 Solar Street Light in Ethiope East and West Federal Constituency, Delta State

A63 Construction of Culvert and Drainage Around the Mosque Area in Uzebba, Owan West local government Area, Edo State

A64 Construction of Rural Roads Surface Dressing in Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency, Kano State

A65 Construction of Seven Numbers (7nos) Motorize Boreholes in Selected Areas of Arewa/Dandi Fed. Constituency of Kebbi State

A66 Construction of Ribah Ultra Modern Market (Phase2)

A67 Construction of Road Along Wilson Iyoha Street, Ojodu, Lagos

A68 Installation of Solar Street Light (80 Watyts Incent) in Selected Communities in Ifelodun, Alakoto, Mba Orege in Ajeromi/ Ifelodun Local Government, Lagos

A69 Erosion Control Work/Rehabilitation of Buhari Pavilion and Emir's Palace Shonga, Edu Lga, Kwara State

A70 Construction and Installation of all in One Solar Street Light for Communities in Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency, Rivers State

A71 Construction and Installation of all -in-One Solar Street Light for Selected Communities in Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, Bayelsa State

A72 Construction of Motorized Borehole with Generator House & 30kva Generator for Iruekpen Community in Esan West, Esan Central & Igueben Federal Constituency, Edo State.

A73 Construction and Installation of all-in-One Solar Street Light for Communities in Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency, Rivers State.

A74 Provision of 60watts all -in-One Solar Street Light at Strategic Locations in Uromi, Esan NE/SE Federal Constituency, Edo State.

A75 Completion of ongoing 2-in-1 Classroom in Ewu Grammar School and Construction of 1 Block of Classrooms in Edo Central Senatorial District, Edo State

A76 Construction of ongoing Side Drains and Asphalting of Ukpoke Road-Unemen, Ugboha, Esan South East Lga, Edo State

A77 Construction of all-in-One Solar Street Light in Igu Community of Amac/Bwari Federal Constituency FCT, Abuja

A78 Construction of all-in-One Solar Street Light in Sherepe Community of Amac/Bwari Federal Constituency Fct, Abuja

A 79 Construction of all-in-One Solar Street Light in Orozo/Karshi Community of Amac/Bwari Federal Constituency Fct, Abuja

A80 Construction of Ribah Ultra- Modern Market Phase 3 in Zuru/Fakai/Sakaba/D-Wasagu Federal Constituency, Kebbi State

A81 Provision and Installation of 3 -in-1 Icent Integrated Solar Street Lights in Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency, Abia State.

A82 Construction of Atissa Kingdom Unity House Mutipurpose Hall in Yenagoa /Kolokumaopokuma, Federal Constituency, Bayelsa State

A83 Construction of Atissa Kingdom Unity House Palace, with Staff Quarters in Yenagoa/Kolokumaopokuma Federal Constituency, Bayelsa State.

A84 Expansion and Refurbishment of Ekeremor Jetty Phase 6, Ekeremor Lga, Bayelsa State.

A85 Renovation of School Building for the Proposed Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology, Ekureku in Abi Local Government Area of Abi/ Yakurr Federal Constituency, Cross River State.

A86 Construction of Solar Powered Water Borehole in Ethiope East and West Federal Constituency, Delta State.

A87 Construction of 1Nos Six (6) Classrooms Block in Tombubu Primary School, Obotobo 1, Burutu Federal Constituency, Delta State.

A88 Renovation of Town Hall in Ekumuagbene Community, Burutu Federal Constituency, Delta State.

A89 Construction and Furnishing of Teachers Quarters in Odimodi Community, Burutu Federal Constituency, Delta State.

A90 Provision of Borehole with Installation of Overhead Tank in our Lady of Lourdes Secondary School, Uromi, Esan North East Lga, Edo State.

A91 Fencing of Agba Grammar School, Uromi, Esan North East Lga, Edo State.

A92 Construction of Emmakua-Oriade-Egoro Road with all-in-One Solar Street Lights in Esan West, Esan Central, Edo State.

A93 Renovation of Iru, Evbuegbhae and Abudu Markets, Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency, Edo State.

of ongoing Royal Town Hall in Erhurun in Akoko -Edo Fed. Const.

A113 Provision of Street Light in Selected Communities in Akoko-Edo Federal Constituency in Edo State

A114 Completion of ongoing Aiyegunle Electricity Upgrade Project.

A115 Construction of Street Lights in Gadan Mayo Bambam, Balanga Lga, Gombe South Senatorial District, Gombe State

A116 Provision of Instructional Materials, Textbooks and Equipments in Plateau South Senatorial District

A117 Training and Empowerment of Youths of Delta North Senatorial District on Digital Marketing

A118 Medical Outreach to Selected Communities, Business Development in Delta North Senatorial District, Delta State.

A119 Training and Empowerment of Youths and Women on Entrepreneurial Business Development in Delta North Senatorial District, Delta State

A120 Erosion Control and Facade Management of Buildings in the Permanent Site

A121 Construction of 1 km road with side drains(Asphalting) in Otoikhimin,Ugboha,Esan north/south East Federal Constituency,Edo state.

B: GOODS

LOTS PROJECT TITLE

B1 Supply of Modern School Furnitures to Abeke Primary School Sapele in Okpe, Sapele and Uvwie Federal Constituency of Delta State

B2 Supply and Installation of Transformer in Ethiope East and Ethiope West Federal Constituency, Delta State.

B3 Supply of all -in-One Solar Street Lights to Selected Communities in Edo.

B4 Supply and Installation of Solar Powered Street Lights in Ite, Vincent Camp, Olumoye, Aifesoba, Okha Communities in Ovia Federal Constituency, Edo State.

B5 Supply and Installation of all in One Solar Street Lights for Inner Streets in Selected Communities in Lagos.

B6 Supply and Installation of 3 in 1 Solar Street Light at IGP Muhammad Abubakar Adamu Housing Estate Bampai, Police Barrack St., Louise Axis, Kano State

B7 Supply and Installation of Solar Street Light for Arabic School's at Auyo/ Hadejia/Kafin Hausa, Federal Constituency, Jigawa State.

B8 Supply and Installation of Solar Powered Street Lights in Ite, Vincent Camp, Olumoye, Aifesoba, Okha Communities in Ovia Federal Constituency, Edo State.

B9 Supply of 3 -Seater Bench for Primary School Pupils to Selected Primary Schools in Gamawa, Fed. Const. Bauchi State

10 Supply and Installation of Highly Integrated 3 in 1 Solar Streetlight in Selected Areas in Kano South District, Kano State.

B11 Supply and Installation of 3-K Integrated Solar Street Lights n Selected Communities, Taraba Central Senatorial District, Taraba State.

B12 Supply of 3 in 1 Solar Powered Street Light in Zaki Federal Constituency, Bauchi State..

B13 Supply and Installation of 3 in 1 Solar Street Light in Minjibir/Ungogo Federal Constituency, Kano State

B14 Supply and Installation of Transformer in Evboneka Community, Isiuwa Ward, Ovia North East Lga, Ovia Federal Constituency, Edo State.

B15 Supply and Installation of Transformer in Evboneka Community, Isiuwa Ward, Ovia North East Lga, Ovia Federal Constituency, Edo State.

B16 Supply of 4nos. 40kva Generator to Some Selected Places in Sokoto State.

B17 Supply of Fertilizers and Chemicals to Cooperative Farmers in Ogoja/ Yala Federal Constituency

B18 Supply of Motorcycles to Youths in Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency Delta State

B19 Supply of Van and Motorcycles to Local Government Security, Augie/Argungu Federal Constituency, Kebbi State

B20 Supply of School Uniforms in Idah Kogi State Fed. Constituency

B21 Supply of Motorcycles to Youth in Iwo, Egbedore and Ayedaade Lgas, Osun State

B22 Supply of 3-Seater Bench for Primary School Pupils to Selected Primary Schools in Gamawa. Fed. Const. Bauchi State

B23 Supply of Tricycle Pickup to Youths of Ugbo and Mahin Ilaje Lga of Ondo State

B24 Supply of Empowerment Materials for Youth in Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency, Kano State

B25 Agricultural Empowerment on Fertilier and Agricultural Inputs in Gezawa/Gabasawa Federal Constituency, Kano State

B26 Supply of Tricycles to Rimi/Charanchi/Batagarawa Federal Constituency, Katsina State

B27 Supply of School Furniture to Some Selected Primary Schools in Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency of Cross River State.

B28 Supply of Food Items (Rice) to Less Privileged Persons in Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency of Cross River State.

B29 Furnishing of Primary Health Care Centre in Akwocha, Esan South East Lga, Edo State.

B30 Furnishing of Primary Health Care Centre in Oloshi, Esan South East Lga, Edo State.

B31 Furnishing of One Block of 6 Classrooms, Otoikii1mhin Primary School, Ugboha, Esan South East Lga, Edo State.

B32 Supply of Motorcycles in Alimosho Federal Constituency, Lagos State.

B33 Furnishing and Equipment of Leather Centre Ibillo in Akoko-Edo Federal Constituency

B34 Procurement of Laboratory Equipment at Nictm, Uromi, Edo State

B35 Procurement of Furniture for Offices at Nictm, Uromi, Edo State

C: SERVICE

LOTS PROJECT TITLE

C1 Training and Capacity Building in Agricultural Value Chain for Youth and Women in Ilaje Lga, Ondo State

C2 Digital Training for Selected Science Teachers in Rural Areas of Guns in Lagos State

C3 Skill Acquisition and Vocational Training of Youths and Women in Ileh, Eko - Ine, Edo State

C4 Socio-Economic Empowerment to the Youth of Gamawa, Fed. Const. Bauchi State

C5 Training and Empowerment of Women and Youths on Mechanised Farmings in Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency

C6 Entrepreneurship Training for Youths in Okpe/ Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency of Delta State

C7 Entrepreneurial Training for Youths, Women including People with Disability in Ethiope East and West Federal Constituency, Delta State.

C8 Training and Empowerment of Women for Self Reliance in Karaye/Rogo Federal Constituency of Kano State

C9 Training of Youths and Women in Various Skills in Yakur Cross River State

C10 Training and Empowerment of Women and Youths in UGEP Cross River State

C11 Capacity Building and Entreneurship Development for Fulani Settlers, Osun State

C12 Training of Youth on ICT

C13 Supply and Training of Youths in Solar Street Light in Bali, Gassol Lga, Taraba Central in Taraba State

C14 Youth Entreprenural Training for Women in Bali and Gassol in Taraba Central

C15 Vocational Training of Youth and Women on Various Skills in Ibaji, Idah, Igalamela/Odolu Federal Constituency, Kogi State

C16 Training and Empowerment of Youth and Women in Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government, Lagos State

C17 Provision of Cassava Stems to Farmers and Distribution of Starter Packs in Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency Ondo State

C18 Empowerment of Women and Youth in Zaki Federal Constituency, Bauchi State.

C19 Provision of Educational Materials and Training of Students in Science Technical Education, Mathematic in Oshodi, Isolo Federal Constituency 1, Lagos State

C20 Provision of Empowerment Items to Artisans in Mushin Area Constituency

C21 Training of Youth and Women on Skill Acquisition in Amac Area Council, Amac/Bwari Federal Constituency FCT, Abuja

C22 Vocational Training of Youth and Women on various Skills in Bwari Area Council, Amac/Bwari Federal Constituency FCT, Abuja

C23 Skill Acquisition and Training of Youth and Women in Business Development and Empowerment in Ibaji/ Idah Igalamela/Odolu Federal Constituency, Kogi State.

C24 Vocational Training for Youth and Women in Sumaila/Takai Federal Constituency, Kano State

C25 Training and Empowerment of Youths for Selfreliance in Karaye and Rogo Fed. Constituency, Kano State.

C26 Training of Youths on ICT in Obingwa/ Ugwunagbo/Osisiomo Federal Constituency, Abia State.

C27 Empowerment of Youth and Women on Agricultural Input in Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government, Lagos State.

C28 Training and Empowerment of Selected Youths and Women in Irepodun Olorunda/Orolu/Osogbo Federal Constituency.

C29 Manpower Training and Empowerment for Youths and Women in Akoko-Edo Fed. Constituency

C30 Training & Empowerment of Youths in Modern Farming Across Jaba Lga Kaduna State

C31 Development of a Digi-Repository for the Nigerian Construction Industry

C32 Development of a 20-Year Strategic Plan for NICTM

(3.0) ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Interested and qualified Contractors/Suppliers/Service Providers are required to submit the following documents for evaluation:

(a) Evidence of Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) including Form CAC1.1 or CAC2 and CAC7. Business Name is also acceptable in case of Services;

(b) Evidence of Company’s Income Tax Clearance Certificate (or Personal Income Tax Clearance Certificate of all the Partners in case of Business Name) for the last three (3) years valid till 31st December, 2023;

(c) Evidence of Pension Clearance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2023 (this requirement is only applicable to bidders whose number of staff is 15 and above);

(d) Evidence of Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Compliance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2023 (this requirement is only applicable to bidders whose number of staff is 5 and above or the bidder’s annual turnover is N50m and above);

(e) Evidence of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Clearance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2023;

(f) Evidence of Registration on the National Database of Federal Contractors, Consultants and Service Providers by submission of Interim Registration Report (IRR) expiring on 31st December, 2023 or valid Certificate issued by BPP.;

(g) Sworn Affidavit:

- disclosing whether or not any officer of the relevant committees of the National Institute of Construction Technology and Management, Uromi, Edo State or the Bureau of Public Procurement is a former or present Director, shareholder or has any pecuniary interest in the bidder and to confirm that all information presented in its bid are true and correct in all particulars;

- that no Director has been convicted in any Country for any criminal offence relating to fraud or financial impropriety or criminal misrepresentation or falsification of facts relating to any matter;

- that the Company is not in receivership, the subject of any form of insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings or the subject of any form of winding up petition or proceedings;

- That the company does not have existing loan or financial liability with a bank, other financial institution or third party that is classified as doubtful, non-performance, bad or whose repayment portion has been outstanding for the last four (4) months;

(h) Company’s Audited Accounts for the last three (3) years -2020, 2021 & 2022;

(i) For Supply of Equipment: Letter of Authorization as representative of the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs);

(j) Services: Evidence of Firm’s current registration with relevant regulatory professional body(ies) such as Training: Evidence of Firm’s current accreditation by the Centre for Management Development (CMD);

(k) Reference Letter from a reputable Commercial Bank in Nigeria, indicating willingness to provide credit facility for the execution of the project when needed;

(l) Company’s Profile with the Curriculum Vitae of Key Staff to be deployed for the project, including copies of their Academic/Professional qualifications such as COREN, QSRBN, ARCON, CORBON, etc.;

(m) Verifiable documentary evidence of at least three (3) similar jobs executed in the last five (5) years including Letters of Awards, Valuation Certificates, Job Completion Certificates and Photographs of the projects;

(n) Works: List of Plants Equipment with proof of Ownership/Lease Agreement;

(o) Only Companies included in the National Automotive Design and Development Council’s approved list of local manufacturers of vehicles or their authorised representatives should bid for the vehicles;

(p) For Supply of Equipment: Letter of Authorisation as representative of the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs);

(q) ICT Jobs: Evidence of Firm’s current registration/accreditation with Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria and National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA);

(r) Evidence of current Licence issued by Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA);

(s) For Joint Venture Partnership, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) should be provided indicating among others the Lead Partner (CAC, Tax Clearance Certificate, Pension Clearance Certificate, ITF Compliance Certificate, NSITF Clearance Certificate, IRR & Sworn Affidavit are compulsory for each JV partner);

(t) All documents for submission must be transmitted with a Covering/ Forwarding letter under the Company’ Firm’s Letter Head Paper bearing amongst others, the Registration Number (RC) as issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Contact Address, Telephone Number (preferably GSM No ). and e-mail address. The Letterhead Paper must bear the Names and Nationalities of the Directors of the Company at the bottom of the page, duly signed by the authorised officer of the firm;

Note, that no Contratactor should bid for two lots with the same Company profile.

(4.0) SUBMISSION OF PRE-QUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS AND EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)

All Tenderers arc to submit Pre-qualification documents EOIs for each of the Lots desired in two hardcopies, each packaged in sealed envelopes and clearly marked “Invitation to Pre-qualification” or “EOI” and addressed to:

The Registrar,

The National Institute of Construction Technology & Management (NICTM), Uromi, Edo State.

The top left-hand corner of the envelopes shall bear the name of the Project/Lots for which you are applying and the reverse of each sealed envelope shall bear the name and the address of the bidder. The documents shall be dropped in Tender Box Marked “TENDER 2023” in the Procurement Unit not later than 12:00 noon, Tuesday, 28 February, 2023.

(5.0) OPENING OF PRE-QUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS AND EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)

The EOI and the Pre-Qualification documents shall be opened immediately after the deadline for submission at 12:00 noon, Tuesday, 28 February, 2023, at the Institute’s Board Room in the presence of Observers, Bidders or their representatives.

(6.0) GENERAL INFORMATION

(a) All submitted documents shall be referred to relevant agencies for verification

(b) This advertisement shall not be construed as a commitment on the part of the Institute to award contract to any contractor, nor shall it entail any contractor/supplier submitting documents to claim any indemnity from the Institute

(c) Arrangement of Technical documents, the hard copy should follow in the order of the list indicated above and should have a table of contents indicating the pages where the items could be found. Failure to comply with this directive will result to disqualification of the bidder.

(d) All costs will be borne by the bidders;

(e) Bidders can also submit through Post (Courier Services);

(f) Works and Goods: Only pre-qualified Successful bidders at technical evaluation will be invited at a later date for collection of tender documents;

(g) Services: Only shortlisted firms will be invited at a later date for collection of Request for Proposals:

(h) The National Institute of Construction Technology and Management is not bound to pre-qualify any bidder and reserves the right to annul the Procurement process at any time without incurring any liabilities in accordance with Section 28 of the Public Procurement Act 2007.

If you have sumbitted your profile before, should please witdraw it and work on the new advert, we are sincerely sorry for the incoviences this may have cost Please accept the assurances of my warmest regards.

Signed: Procurement Officer, For Rector.

CDD to INEC: Fix lapses in INEC mock accreditation

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to fix lapses in the mock accreditation ahead of the polls.

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) through its Election Analysis Centre (EAC) deployed 111 field observers to monitor the mock accreditation exercise conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday February 4, 2023.

CDD deployed three (3) observers per state across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The mock accreditation exercise, which INEC conducted across 436 polling units, was organised to test the functionality and reliability of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) ahead of the

CDD Director ,Idayat Hassan in a statement signed on Saturday said INEC conducted the mock accreditation in one out of every 405 polling units.

“What this fundamentally means is, for every one polling unit where the accreditation took place, there were at least 404 others left out - such a wide vacuum is already a concern. As it stands, only 436 of 176,846 polling units were covered, which is less than one percent of the area to be covered.

“Based on field observers’ data on the exercise, CDD EAC found instances of late arrival of INEC officials to their respective polling units. In several cases, INEC poll officials had not arrived for commencement of the process by, whereas they were supposed to have arrived between 8:00 and 8:30am

. These instances of late arrival of poll officials were documented in polling units at Community Primary School, Enugu, Ngwo, where officials arrived at 11am

. In Kungana Special Primary School, Suntai, Taraba State, and Polling Unit 002 at Damilu Primary School, Jimeta, observer data indicated that poll officials arrived at 11:30am , three and half hours behind the scheduled time. Late arrival of INEC officials was recorded in much of the 36 states and in 58% of the 111 polling units observed.

“Our observer data shows that the BVAS worked smoothly across the majority of polling units observed. At an average of between 30 seconds and two minutes, the BVAS accredited voters who showed up for the exercise. Although CDD EAC observer data recorded isolated instances where the BVAS experienced glitches while trying to capture the finger prints and facial features of elderly voters, the device eventually used either the fingerprint or facial mode to get the details of the senior citizens. Our observer data indicates that the BVAS recorded more biometric authentication through facial recognition than through fingerprint.

NEMA promotes 229 staff

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

The Director General of National Emergency Management Agency

(NEMA) Mustapha Habib

Ahmed has approved the release of promotion for 229 eligible staff that were successful in the recent promotion exercise conducted by the Agency.

This was contained in a statement signed and issued by Manzo Ezekiel, NEMA Press Unit Abuja.

He said the promotion

was released in Abuja at the weekend.

The newly promoted staff were elevated to various ranks that include one substantive Director on salary grade Level 17, one Deputy Director on grade level 16 and eight Assistant Directors on grade level 15.

Others were 37 staff promoted to grade level 14 and 55 officers to level 13. Furthermore, 45 staff were elevated to grade level 12 and 29 officers to level 10. Also, 9 staff got promoted to level 9 and 5 were promoted to level 8.

39 others were also promoted to grade level 7.

Furthermore, one staff was converted from clerical to executive cadre and another from executive to administrative cadre respectively. Also, 10 drivers were converted to works superintendent cadre.

The promotion exercise was conducted in line with the extant provisions of Public Service Rules. The Management of NEMA approved the outcome of the exercises, which was ratified by the Senior Staff

Establishment Committee that included representatives of the supervising Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development as well as the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

The Director General of NEMA, Mustapha Habib Ahmed has congratulated the newly promoted staff and urged them to justify their elevation with more commitment to duties and actualizing the mandates of the Agency.

Gubernatorial candidate under the platform of ADP, RT. Hon. Sani M. Sha’aban display the ADP flag during the flagging of the 2023 general election campaign at Zone one Tashan Yari, Makarfi Local Government Kaduna State.

NUPRC shortlists 139 firms for commercialised gas flare programme

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has shortlisted 139 firms that applied for Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP).

About 300 companies applied to the gas buying and trading scheme to end gas flaring from 48 oil production sites in the country.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NUPRC, Gbenga Komolafe said this at the NGFCP bidders’ conference and investors’ forum, on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the forum was being organised to intimate qualified applicants, partners, sponsors and technology providers on the structure of the “Request for Proposal (RFP)”.

Komolafe said it was also an opportunity to provide further guidance on upcoming programme of activities while listening and collating feedback from all participants towards optimising the RFP phase.

He said that the programme received about 300 applications during the Statement of Qualification (SOQ) phase of this bid process before the emergence of the 139 successful applicants in line with the RFQ published criteria.

“Therefore, for all qualified applicants, your success on the SOQ stage is no mean feat, however, that

was only a start of the journey as the real deal is in making a robust and competitive proposal.

“This proposal must be with demonstrable evidence for capacity to deliver on the flare monetisation projects, in line with the terms of the RFP would be your desired destination.

“Apart from forestalling the deleterious impacts of gas flaring on the environment, the programme also ends the wanton wastage of our premium economic resource.

“In today’s carbon constrained world, where fossil fuel is becoming less popular, in view of issues of climate change, natural gas has assumed a stature of significant importance as the bridging fuel for many oil and gas producing nations.

“For us here in Nigeria, gas has been adopted as our transition fuel to drive the industrialisation of the Nation’s economy in line with the expectations of the Decade of Gas initiatives launched by the Government,” Komolafe said.

The NUPRC boss further said that the NGFCP scheme also targeted at creating investment and employment opportunities as well as encouraging increased capital inflow to the Nigerian Oil and Gas sector.

He noted that the value derivable was multifaceted as it aligned with the focus areas of the country’s sustainable development goals.

“The NGFCP 2022 is first among series of competitive auctions whereby Flare Gas that would otherwise have been directed to flare will be put on sale by the Commission to interested entities as prospective title holders of the flare gas.

“In this programme, prospective bidders are expected to submit bid proposals in line with the requirements and terms of the RFP, covering such areas as technical, commercial, financial, and other relevant information regarding the project that the qualified applicant intends to develop.

“Such projects may include a plan to use the gas as fuel or feedstock or both for products to be disposed of in either the domestic or international markets.

“All Proposals from bidders will be judged strictly on their merits according to the criteria published in RFP document which has since been uploaded on the NGFCP portal,” he said.

He said that applicants for the second phase of the programme would have access to the data room for data prying and leasing, including suite of commercial agreements, for the 48 gas flare sites on offer in the NGFCP 2022.

According to Komolafe, the precise flare sites, volumes and compositions of gas offer would be accessed in the data room available

to the applicants via the NGFCP 2022 portal upon payment of relevant fees as prescribed in the RFP.

“The Data room sessions will be held virtually to provide flexibility and comfort to all participants.”

He assured that the commission would ensure an open, transparent, competitive, and non-discriminatory bidding process in line with the provisions of Section 74 of Petroleum Industry Act.

Also speaking, the Manager, Legal Unit of NUPRC, Austin Okwah said the bidding companies were expected to submit their proposals online and physical and must contain details of their mandatory consortium information.

Okwah said the proposals must also contain bid bonds issued by reputable banks or insurance companies.

He listed three agreements that underpinned the programme to include Milestone Agreement which defined programme conceptualisation (agreement between the commission and flare gas buyer).

Others are Gas Sales Agreement which had quantity limitation and guarantee as well as Connection Agreement which required taking the gas from the flare harder to the project site and operation procedures.

(NAN)

Photo: BASHIR BELLO

NYSC DG warns Corps members against unauthorised journeys

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Director General (DG) of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig. -Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed, has in a maiden visit to Kaduna orientation camp, warned against unauthorised journeys by corps members, stressing that it could undermine their security.

Addressing the 2023 Batch “A” stream “I” corps members who were currently on orientation at the temporary orientation camp at Government College, Kurmin Mashi Kaduna, the DG said that unauthorised journeys attracts sanctions as enshrined in the scheme’s acts.

He noted that his administration would continue to ensure that all corps members enjoy improved welfare and security.

The DG stressed that the contents of the NYSC byelaws would be applied on every infraction, adding that corps members must conduct themselves within the provisions of the law.

“Avoid crime, obey the rules and regulations in the camp, and respect your leaders”, the DG urged.

Speaking further, Ahmed specifically warned the corps members not to indulge themselves in political arguments, but rather participate as unbiased electoral officers, by taking cognisance of the electoral laws during the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

He also warned them against posting the camp activities on social media, urging them to forward their complaints to the management of the scheme.

Niger APC Chairman, Jikantoro debunks anti party allegations

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

The Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Niger state chapter, Haliru Zakari Jikantoro has debunked the allegations about him dumping the party and involvement in anti party activities in the state.

Jikantoro made the declaration during an interview with newsmen in Minna, saying that the rumors were false, unfounded and should be disregarded.

He stated that the allegations is the handwork of enemies, detractors and blackmailers aimed at causing disaffection in

the party.

He added that he has never been involved or intend to be involve in any anti party activities, saying that he had never met with the PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.

The state APC chairman assured that despite the party challenges, it would come out victorious during the forthcoming general elections in the state.

He maintained that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was more stronger and more acceptable in 2015 and 2019 elections respectively, adding that the uncontrollable decline was due to insecurity, economy and other factors.

2023: CSO charges electorates vote for credible candidates

From Umar Dankano, Yola

Acommunity based civil society organizations in Adamawa state Lidimba Community Foundation, LCF, has commenced sensitisation of populace on political participation and democracy dividends in Adamawa state.

LCF conducted an awareness session for critical stakeholders in the Mbula kingdom of Adamawa state with the

theme “Building bridges across streams and rivers” at the weekend.

The Mbula people of the Northeastern Nigeria are found in Demsa, Girei and Numan local government of Adamawa state.

The Chairman of the LCF, Stephen Hasso, a retired Deputy Commissioner of Police said the forum was formed to identify and address challenges impeding the development of the area.

NANS, youths endorse lawmaker for 2nd term

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has endorsed a House of Representatives member, Tolulope Akande-Sadipe for a second term for the Oluyole Federal Constituency of Ibadan.

A statement by Mr Lekan Olusada, Media Aide to Akande-Sadipe, said the NANS National Vice President, External Affairs, Mr Akinteye Afeez, gave the endorsement when the leadership of the students’ body visited the member on Wednesday, in Ibadan.

Afeez said that the association had followed Akande-Sadipe’s achievements closely for years.

He said that a number of students in the diaspora had benefited from her educational programme for the constituency.

The student leader said, “she has built different school facilities in Oluyole Federal constituency that have provided good learning environment for pupils.

“Recently she presented a bill to make JAMB valid for three years; she is a

thoughtful woman, “he said.

He urged her not to relent her efforts in developing the students, saying that the youth and students would ensure she won her re-election.

Responding, Akande-Sadipe, expressed delight over the endorsement, saying that the gathering was about the future of Oluyole.

“I want to thank NANS leadership for coming out to validate this God blessed mandate. My team and I are just starting.

“ The agenda for a better Oluyole Federal constituency is still on track. We will commit more into education in the constituency,“ he said.

She promised to continue to support education and give pupils the conducive environment to learn.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the association also presented a certificate of endorsement to the lawmaker.

NAN also reports that other students at the occasion declared their support for the lawmaker, over her quality contribution at the House of Representatives.(NAN)

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Daewoo Engineering Construction Nigeria Limited have signed a maintenance service contract for the quick-fix repairs of the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company Limited (KRPC).

Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPCL, Malam Mele Kyari and CEO of Daewoo E&C Nigeria, Mr Jung Taewon, signed the contract on behalf of their respective organisations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the proposed quick-fix initiative on KRPC is expected gulp 740.6 million dollars and will restore the refinery to a minimum of 60 per cent of its nameplate capacity by fourth quarter of 2024.

Kyari said restoring local refining capacity would guarantee energy sufficiency, being one of the key things Nigeria required for economic growth.

“There is no way a developing country will talk about energy transition without talking about petroleum products. We understand engagements and conversation around energy

Niger Gov. urges electorates to vote APC at all levels

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Niger state Governor

Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has called on the people of the state to vote massively for APC candidates at all levels in the next general elections.

He made the call at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Niger South Senatorial District campaign rally in Bida.

In his remarks, the APC gubernatorial candidate, Mohammed Umar Bago promised a new Niger State in all its ramifications if elected to lead the state.

He expressed happiness with the mammoth crowd at the rally, describing it as a proof of love to him as their own.

National Vice Chairman of APC, Mu’azu Bawa Rijau presented the party flags to all the candidates from the zone as the official flag bearers urging them to go to nooks and crannies of the Zone to canvass for votes.

The state Chairman of the APC, Alhaji Haliru Zakari Jikantoro also canvassed for votes for the party, assuring the people that better days are ahead.

Kaduna Refinery: NNPCL, Daewoo construction coy sign $740m contract for quick repair

transition but we need the liquids of today.

“The only way we can guarantee that is to have local refining capacity restored. We are conscious of the fact that our four refineries in three locations are down now, undergoing rehabilitation process.

“Port Harcourt is on course, Warri is also on schedule and we are committing this Kaduna refinery. Ultimately our 18 million litres per day gasoline production capacity will be restored.

“This will also complement the production start off of Dangote refinery which we have 20 per cent equity, we are hopeful that Nigeria will be self-sufficient in the supply of petroleum products, particularly gasoline in 2023,” Kyari said.

While expressing hope for the project to be delivered on schedule, Kyari assured the company of safety and security, adding that there would be no risk to its personnel in the course of carrying out their duties.

Earlier, Mr Yemi Adetunji, Executive Vice President, Downstream, NNPCL said the development marked a milestone in the history of KRPC considering that the last Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) on the refinery occurred about 15 years ago.

Adetunji said the project was framed after extensive engagement with Daewoo on the Quick-Fix strategy to repair and re-stream KRPC and operate it on a sustainable basis at a minimum capacity utilisation of 60 per cent.

“This project shall be executed in three work packages as a maintenance services contract by Daewoo E&C Nigeria Limited at an estimated maximum cost ceiling of $740.6m with a duration of 21 months.

“The Quick-Fix strategy guarantees the fastest route to restreaming WRPC and KRPC for in-country production of refined petroleum products. Restoring WRPC and KRPC back to operation will guarantee energy security for the country.

`It will reduce dependence on imported petroleum products in view of near total dependence on supply of imported petroleum products and the impact the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war is having on global supply,” he said.

He also said that it would generate revenue, reduce demand for FOREX, supply raw materials to industries, create employment for Nigerians and ensure technology transfer, amongst other benefits.

He said the NNPC Limited was using a combination of internally generated revenue and third party

financing to execute the repairs of the Refineries.

“Post rehabilitation of the three Refineries, globally reputable Operations and Maintenance (O&M) contractors shall be engaged to run the refinery Safely, Reliably, Sustainably and Profitably.

“I wish to implore total commitment from all staff in ensuring that this project is successfully executed as over 200 million Nigerians are looking up to NNPC Limited to deliver on this mandate.

“The Board and Management of NNPC limited are fully committed to providing all the required support to ensure that the refineries are repaired and back in operation on cost and schedule,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said the rehabilitation of PHRC had progressed considerably, adding that the old refinery had currently attained 64 per cent completion and the plant was expected back in operation in Q2 2023 while the entire PHRC Rehabilitation Project stood at about 59 per cent.

On the other hand, he said WRPC Quick-fix Project had achieved 28 per cent completion and was expected to be restreamed by the end of 2023.

Adetunji, while expressing gratitude said it would be looking

forward to celebrating project milestones on KRPC Quick-fix and commissioning of the plant in 2024.

Speaking, the Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Kim Young Chae said it was a new beginning from its Embassy’s point of view though its main focus was in the coastal area like Port Harcourt, Bayelsa and Delta States.

Young Chae, while calling for a continuous cooperation and support on execution of the project, said there would be a great potential in the economic cooperation because the development would benefit many people in the Northern part of Nigeria.

`I understand the dedication by the NNPCL to start the project as soon as possible to reduce foreign exchange on imports by producing refined oil for domestic consumption,” he said.

Also speaking, the CEO of Daewoo E&C Nigeria, Mr Choi Jungwon, while thanking the NNPCL for the opportunity given to the company to serve pledge to deliver the project as expected and scheduled in terms of quality.

The Chairman of the company, Mr Joseph Penawou, also thanked the NNPCL for trust and confidence reposed on the company and promised to deliver the project timely. (NAN)

National Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu monitoring mock accreditation (middle), with is the FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alh. Yahaya Bello (left) with INEC ad-hoc staff and others, at Bwari Sarki polling unit 003 near Chief Palace in Bwari Area Council on Saturday in Abuja.

2023: Again, Tambuwal loses aide to APC

Alhaji Abubakar Kwaire, a Special Adviser to Gov. Aminu Tambuwal has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2023 general elections in the state.

Kwaire, according to a statement by Bashar Abubakar, the Special Adviser on Media

and Publicity to Sen. Aliyu Wamakko (APC –Sokoto North) was received by the state APC governorship candidate, Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu in Sokoto Abubakar said the new APC member, who was a former member of the State House of Assembly hailed from Tambuwal Local Government.

He quoted Kwaire saying that his decision to join APC was motivated by Wamakko’s sterling leadership qualities.

“Therefore, I believe with Wamakko as APC leader and Aliyu to govern our state, if elected, more dividends of democracy are expected,“ he said.

Kwaire restated his

commitment to support all the candidates of the party to coast to victory for the best of Sokoto State and Nigeria.

In his remarks, the governorship candidate welcomed the defector and assured him of equal treatment like all other members of the party. (NAN)

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Truly, no one is above the law

The United Kingdom Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, recently was fined by the British police for not wearing a seatbelt in the back of a moving car while on a trip to northern England. Sunak was seen turning in his seat without a seatbelt on. The PM’s office at Downing Street said the incident was a “brief error of judgment”, but Lancashire constabulary announced they were fining Sunak for the infraction.

The force said: “You will be aware that a video has been circulating on social media showing an individual failing to wear a seatbelt while a passenger in a moving car in Lancashire. After looking into this matter, we issued a 42-year-old man from London with a conditional offer of fixed penalty.”

Reacting, a spokesperson for Sunak said: “The prime minister fully accepts this was a mistake and has apologised. He will, of course, comply with the fixed penalty.” A fixed penalty means Sunak can pay a fine to avoid a court hearing. The police did not disclose how much they had fined the prime minister, but according to the government’s safety campaign, any driver or passenger not wearing a seatbelt is breaking the law and is liable to be fined up to £500 if the case goes to court, according to The Guardian UK.

Sunak’s transportation habits were already a talking point in the United Kingdom before the incident, a report by AFP says. His political rivals have taken aim at his use of a private jet to make multiple short flights in recent days. This is not the first time Sunak has been slapped with a police fine. He was fined while serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer for attending a Downing Street party in June 2020 that violated the government’s rules on social distancing, according to an AFP report.

The latest fine makes Sunak the second Conservative prime minister to receive a police fine in less than 12 months. The Metropolitan police, in 2020, issued a fixed-penalty notice to Boris Johnson for attending a party during lockdown. Sunak was fined for attending the same event as Chancellor of the Exchequer.

The prime minister of a powerful country fined for not wearing a seatbelt! Points to note. Firstly, the police didn’t identify him by his position. They only said “an individual”, “a 42-year-old man from London”. They were simply reminding everyone that the law is no respecter of position and all are equal before the law. Secondly, the prime minister readily accepted he was at fault and would pay the “fixed penalty” the police had slapped on him. “The prime minister fully accepts this was a mistake and has apologised”, his office said.

Fast track to Nigeria or another Third World nation. It is unheard of that the police have found a prime minister/ President guilty of offence and penalized them. The police, by their training, are taught certain stereotypes, including the law is not meant for the powerful but the weak. This confers on the latter a certain degree of impunity to break the law and damn the consequence. Indeed,there will be no consequence because no crime has been committed as far as the police are concerned.

This is why the British case has fascinated millions of Nigerians. Yes, Muhammadu Buhari refused to drive through the “stop” red light after he was elected president in 2015. He would not begin his presidency with a blatant breach of a traffic law. But he only was/is one in a million that would respect the law. Will the British example ever happen in Nigeria any time sooner. Your guess!

OUR VISION OUR PEOPLE OUR MISSION

Between “Reviving” the hope of the people and “Recovering”the nation

By Abdu Labaran Malumfashi

It has been some month when I was last in Abuja. But what assailed my eyes when I visited the Federal Capital last Monday was the pictures of the presidential candidates of the two leading parties and their running mates.

With the pictures are the slogans: “Reviving the people’s hope” (by the All Progressives Congress APC) or the ruling party in the country) and “Recovering the nation” (by the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, or the main opposition party in the country).

I do not know about you, but I do know who gave us hope, and also who made it almost impossible to realise that hope into reality.

I also know who had said that “they would make the country ungovernable” if they didn’t win the 2015 Presidential election. They did not win the presidency, and the rest, as the saying goes, is ‘history’.

The wilful ungodly conduct of some people nearly killed the nation, which is why they want to bring it back to life.

The question begging for answer is: who is to trust between the one who wants to add to my hope and the one who wants to bring back the nation from the near-death they had left it.

Perhaps, they want to recover the nation so that they could kill it COMPLETELY?

Because, by the time they are thorough with their vengeance on some people and the rampage on the economy of the nation, not much will be left of the country.

Again, I do not know about you, but I do know that the one to choose between them.

BECAUSE, while the former attempts only to revive a hope that was, in the first place, not raised by him, the later will ONLY kill the country completely if they get the chance again.

Don’t tell me that he was not incharge of the country at the time I referred to, because he was, more or less.

His former boss, President Olusegun Obasanjo has alleged that his number two, and current PDP cadidate, Alhaji (although he once warned against calling him ‘Alhaji’) Atiku Abubakar, it was who persistently begged him to hand over ‘Bakassi Island’ to Cameroon.

Obasanjo also challenged his

former number two (2) to dispute him, and he will come out with the evidence that Atiku did and succeeded in pressurising him to hand over Bakassi Island to Cameroon, a thing no country worth its name would ever contemplate doing.

The two Presidential Candidates are also stupendously rich, so said the London Economist, Magazine about three (3) years ago.

Listing the 10 richest Nigerian Politicians, the magazine named both of them on the list as being Dollar Billionaires, who made their money under different circumstances (explanation is my own).

While the APC’s Bola Ahmed Tinubu or the Jagaban Borgu, is from a wealthy family, and a one-time Governor of Lagos State, at which time he made the state to be self-sustaining, without waiting for the monthly hand out from Abuja. He made Lagos State into the success story that it is today.

The same thing can not be said about Atiku (not his fault for not coming from a wealthy family). This writer is also from a very poor family, in terms of money, though.

Atiku had started public service in the Customs Service, where he retired as a very rich man, before he became Governor of his Adamawa State, before he even take over the rain of affairs in his state.

Of importance to us is his leaving Nigeria almost on its knees, but him as a Dollar Billionaire after Eight (8) years as a Vice President.

Another question begging for an answer is: where did all their money come from?

While we have earlier explained part of the source of Tinubu’s wealth, what we have not said was his claim of having invested in the American Apple Company, makers of the iPhone, among other products, while he was in that country.

This act in itself is enough to make one stupendously rich even without the benefit of inheritance.

As I was writing this piece, a friend of my Daily Trust days, who is unaware of my health challenge, called to ask for “any kind of assistance” from me.

I told him about the tragedy that befell me long before I was struck down by a stroke, although the complete story of my sojourn in the Katsina Government House is for another day.

Malumfashi is DG Media in the Katsina Government House Katsina.

“To be a reputable, profitable, innovative and technologically reliant media company offering world class services and products”

“To be the market place of ideas and the leading player in the industry by putting the people first, upholding the truth, maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards while delivering value to our stakeholders”

Chief Operating Officer /Editor, Hameed M. Bello, PhD Manager, administration Hassan Hammanyaji

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The latest fine makes Sunak the second Conservative prime minister to receive a police fine in less than 12 months

We all know the problem

By Seun Elere

In those days, kings to deal kindly with slaves or servants bringing them bad news not to mention a prisoner.

Joseph enthroned himself by the practical solution (Gen 41:33-36) he provided to the problem. He was so clear about both the problem and the solution- that enthroned him instantly (Gen 41:37-40).

Sometime ago, I was in a community meeting where we were discussing the challenges facing the community. I was very clear in my mind so I asked to speak and I was granted permission to so do. I remember speaking so eloquently about a particular problem and how the ideas we were proposing wouldn’t solve them. Oh how proud I felt about myself after the speech. The silence was so loud you could hear a pin drop until one of the participants asked ‘so Mr Seun, what do you propose we do?’ Alas! This man has poured sand sand in my gari because I had not thought of a proposed solution and this brought my eloquence,

grammatical prowess and gesticulations exhibited during my speech to total nought.

If all you have to talk about is the problem, then say nothing – that’s half the gist. Look to God for revelation and vision to know the solution to the problem before you speak. Most of the times, the problem is known but the solution is what set you up for glory and respect. You will be doing more damage by just highlighting the problem. For instance, if you have been invited to settle a conflict, it makes no sense to go their and just repeat the allegations but it is of great value to understand the cause of the conflict and give practical steps to avoiding future occurrence whilst highlighting the consequences of such acts if repeated.

Let’s learn from Joseph. When he was invited to interprete Pharaoh’s dream, if he had stopped at the problem (Gen 41:28-32), he would have probably lost his head because verse 32 ended with him saying that God has firmly decided the famine. In those days, kings to deal

Nigeria at point zero

By Festus Adedayo

It is either that Buhari and his Emefiele sidekick are antediluvian in their policy fashioning or were deliberate in their projection of a chaotic aftermath as Tinubu alleged. Either or both must be the reason why Nigerians would be dragged down to their feet, to point zero, by two key survival indices of our national life as this.

I am peering at the viral video of the naked young man inside the banking hall as I write this. His manhood dangles like the pendulum of the Grandfather Clock of colonial Nigeria. He is totally naked, even as he shouts that he needs to withdraw cash from the bank. I am aghast and disillusioned at the same time. I do not know what to think. My mouth is wide open, saliva gliding majestically as it drooled off my lower lip. Before now, I saw a similar video. It was that of a semi-naked young lady. She too had peeled off her wraps in protest of the crisis of cash that engulfed Nigeria last week. She was a centimeter off revealing her total womanity. She was a pathetic sight too as she constantly mouthed her frustration. Her kids could not go to school due to the crisis, she lamented in Yoruba, asking to be given her money or get her account closed. What could have driven humanity to this Albert Camus’ absurdity?

As I look at the naked young man, I am transfixed and transposed in time. I am right now inside Akachi Ezeigbo’s Literature class at the University of Lagos. It is 1991 or so. The text that Dr., now Professor Ezeigbo asked us to read is the 1975-published Woman At Point Zero, authored by Egyptian psychiatrist, Nawal El Saadawi. It is a true-life story picked from Saadawi’s fieldwork research. Sacked from her position in 1972 as Director of Health Education and Editor-in-Chief of Health magazine after a sexually suggestive piece she did with the title, Women and Sex, Saadawi resorted to researching into neurosis in Egyptian women. This necessitated her visiting the Qanatir Prison and interviewing twenty-one inmates. This served as the building blocks of case studies for her 1976 publication, Women and Neurosis in Egypt.

However, one of those cases stood out. It was that of Firdaus. Firdaus lived her childhood in a poor Egyptian farming community, with a father who abused her mother repeatedly. With a clitoridectomy performed on her at youth by her parents, she finds out that sex was no longer enjoyable. Upon the parents’ death, life becomes a monstrous burden to Firdaus. She becomes a chattel thrown from one man to the other, used, abused and beaten by men she encounters. Crushed mentally and disillusioned, Firdaus then resorts to prostituting, from where she makes a lot of money. Then she meets this pimp called Marzouk who has on his palmtop a tab into many political bigwigs in Egypt. She collects rent from each man she brings to Firdaus. At some point however, Marzouk starts to threaten her with police action if she does not give him a chunk more in percentage from the pawning of her flesh. Then Firdaus decides she has had enough of prostitution, resolute about quitting it for another job. Marzouk however blocks her. This day, he pulls a knife. Firdaus cleverly retrieves it off him. She stabs him to death. She is arrested and sentenced to death by hanging.

One day in 1974, after repeated trials, she agrees to meet the psychiatrist in the Qanatir Prison. She had heard of her infamous renown from the prison doctor who talked about an awaitingdeath murderess who totally delinked herself from everybody in prison. She tells the psychiatrist to close the window, sit down and listen to her life story as, according to her, she will be executed that evening. Then she begins to narrate the story. As she finishes the tale, hangmen enter the cell and match her to the gallows. Firdaus believes she was sentenced to death due to the threat her existence posed to men: “My life means their death. My death means their life. They want to live,” was her last word to Nawal.

What links Firdaus, the two Nigerians in the said viral video and millions of us in Nigeria last week is total frustration at the

decadent status quo. That week would share nomenclature with what Americans, in their informal lingo, call one helluva week. While Saadawi is praised for the famous book’s ability to expose the subjugation of women in Middle Eastern societies, the author praises Firdaus who she describes as a martyr because, “few people are ready to face death for a principle.” So those who threw themselves into nakedness last week due to the frustration of petrol shortages, cash scarcity and the spiraling cost of living in Nigeria, in what ways do they share Firdaus’ frustration, despondency and mental torture? Was their nakedness martyrdom too? Wasn’t it? Or were they simply mad? Did they enter depression? Was Firdaus not depressed too at the point she stabbed Marzouk? How many Nigerians have started exhibiting traces of mental disconnect on account of the misrule of Muhammadu Buhari? Have we been driven to the brink of insanity too by this government?

Muhammadu Buhari, Godwin Emefiele and the gangs terrorizing Nigeria are the Marzouks in Saadawi’s Woman At Point Zero. As the men drove Firdaus to the point of despondency and depression, so do these ones to us. At that point, murder became a weapon in the hands of Firdaus to let out her pent-up angst. Many more Nigerians are manifesting their own depression in different ways known or unknown to them. As Firdaus said, Nigerians’ lives mean their death and our death means their lives because they want to live by all means. Only God knows how many Nigerians have died or sunk into the abyss of insanity on account of the Emefiele vengeful policy and Buhari’s conspiratorial abetment of it. Otherwise, changing a country’s currency is not rocket science. Nor is fuel supply such a Byzantine knot that should ground a country to its feet as this.

Tinubu himself, on Friday in Ekiti State, reified this theory that the twin of fuel scarcity and acute shortage of Naira notes were weaponized to willingly breed chaos in Nigeria. Since the campaign began, Tinubu has been accused of going the way of parasites and like them, deploying his proboscis to feed on the pain of the people. You would think he had always been on the side of the suffering poor. In Ekiti, he said: “They locked up money…They’re doing it to get you angry so that you can become violent, and they will postpone the election to bring interim government.” Who are the “they” who will postpone election? The PDP, Atiku Abubakar or Peter Obi?

It is either that Buhari and his Emefiele sidekick are antediluvian in their policy fashioning or were deliberate in their projection of a chaotic aftermath as Tinubu alleged. Either or both must be the reason why Nigerians would be dragged down to their feet, to point zero, by two key survival indices of our national life as this. Since the redesigning of the Naira, Emefiele has been shuttling from self-reversal to making outright laughable policy contradictions on the Naira. The latest is that banks will now dispense N20,000 notes across their counters. Was it myopia or deliberate attempt at dystopia that bred earlier statements on banks-citizens’ transactions on the Naira notes?

In the midst of these, Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, appeared on national television, apparently as bearer of a sword aimed at the Aso Rock Villa. El-Rufai is always the messenger and bearer of acidic arrows and conflagration parceled as messages whenever the system wants to shoot its shots. In an interview with Tinubu-owned TVC last Thursday, the Kaduna governor pursued further the allegation that the CBN currency swap was an incendiary plot to incite voters against the APC. This, he also said, was masterminded by Aso Rock cabal. Having gone to this extent of belling the cat, El-Rufai’s bravery or bravado then stopped. He struggled frenetically to exonerate Buhari from the “evil plan.” He thinks that the cabal was exploiting Buhari’s goodness and desire to have things done the right way. Whether this was pun or euphemism, what El-Rufai manifested in that interview was the image of a Smart Alec and who was trying to be clever by half. It is either he was saying Buhari lacks grits, mind

kindly with slaves or servants bringing them bad news not to mention a prisoner. Joseph enthroned himself by the practical solution (Gen 41:33-36) he provided to the problem. He was so clear about both the problem and the solution- that enthroned him instantly (Gen 41:37-40). Now, don’t forget that Joseph had interpreted dreams for two folks before and in that time, he gave them only the problem Gen 40:8-18. Even though one was pleasant but the other was so disturbingly graphical. No wonder, even the one with the nice outcome forgot completely about Joseph and left him to rot in prison for good 2 years after he was restored to his position. I bet Joseph learnt his lessons.

Yes, it is good to have a good grip on the problem but solution is what you will be paid for. Solution comes with crown. Don’t talk about the problem until you have received the solution from God.

May God reveal to you the solution to that problem. Amen.

Seun Elere is a Public Affairs Analyst.

of his own, is a simpleton or indecisive with the power he holds. Otherwise, why would a president be as effeminate or lacking decisional power as to allow some people to take decisions for him? Did the cabal also instruct Buhari not to attend Tinubu’s campaign rallies?

The truth which many do not know is that Buhari is only decisive when it comes to matters that have to do with himself alone. I doubt if he does with even his children. Certainly not with his “wife”. Just as he did in Ogun in 2019, Buhari has also told Nigerians to vote whoever they wanted. In 2019, however, he was emphatic that voters should vote for him to return to his Aso Rock pot of soup. Yes, voters must be told to choose whoever they wanted but that must not come from the mouth of a man who climbed to his position riding the crest of a political party. It is an anathema in party politics.

And then in Ekiti, Tinubu switched from parasitism to weaponizing ethnicity. He conspiratorially worked on Yoruba people’s psyche for his selfish gain. It is similar to what, in argumentative pitfalls, is called argumentum ad misericordiam – appeal to pity. Knowing that, like every other ethnic group, Yoruba desire to have their own speaking their language inside Aso Rock, in Ekiti State, Tinubu played on that craving selfishly. He chose to appeal to the people’s emotion by touching that sensitive emotive chord of the people. Speaking in Yoruba and beginning his statement with that three-fold repetitive strategy of discourse which ancient Yoruba elders employed to ram home their thoughts, he had been quoted to have told the crowd: “Eyin Omo Yoruba! Eyin Omo Yoruba!! Eyin Omo Yoruba!! (Yoruba people!) Whose turn is it? Relax. If you hear rumblings; if someone is not pursuing something, then something is pursuing someone. This coming election is your election. Is that not so? It is the election you will use to liberate yourselves… They lie. We are not servants.”

Now, there are many strands of issues woven into that charge to Yoruba. The first question to ask is, how Yoruba is Tinubu himself? Or, put differently, how Yoruba-empathetic has he been, especially since he helped bring the Buhari affliction on Nigeria in general and his people in particular? First is that he sits on a Lagos State that has shown repeated disdain for the Oodua conglomerate, one of the bequeathals of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. His Lagos State –spearheaded by him – has disconnected itself repeatedly from any collective aspiration of Yorubaland. Aside Oodua, the Amotekun security outfit is another of such. When Akin Ambode attempted to change that narrative by pulling Lagos to Oodua and attending Oodua’s meeting in Ibadan, a source told me Tinubu hectored the governor out of it, shouting “gedegbe l’Eko duro!” – Lagos stands alone.

Again, when Yorubaland was going through hell in the hands of Fulani herders, the children of Awolowo never heard a word of empathy or show of sympathy with their tragedy from Tinubu. When Akesan market in Oyo got burnt, I am aware that he didn’t even send a word of empathy. A few weeks after, when similar calamity befell a town in the north, Tinubu was there with his trolley of empathy and a N50 million donation. Again, a few years ago, Tinubu was in the Akure home of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, ostensibly to commiserate with him over the death of his daughter. To douse the narrative of her being killed by Fulani herders, Tinubu asked “where are the cows?” But on Friday, a few kilometers away from where he asked where the cows were and where the daughter of the Yoruba patriarch was killed, Tinubu wanted the same Yoruba people to help go to war with him if he was not made president. We should remind him that the children of those friends of his who have now become his enemies because they don’t want him to succeed them, were the ones killing our own children and parents and mauling them to their deaths without a word from him.

Festus Adedayo is a Public Policy Analyst.

Revolutionary vote from mindset reset

By Tony Osakpamwan Agbons

The 2023 general election is just a few days away and the only way we the Nigerian people can change the status quo and guarantee a better future is by a revolutionary vote. We must be circumspect about the candidate to vote for. Are we voting for an unqualified candidate because he or she is a member of our political party? Are we voting for a mediocre candidate because he or she comes from the same tribe as us?

There is a popular axiom that says, “drastic situations require drastic measures”. Those words aptly describe what Nigeria needs at this moment in history. The current levels of hardship and hopelessness facing the ordinary Nigerian has reached unprecedented heights. It is now a case of survival of the ‘fittest and elimination of the unfit’. Many Nigerians are clutching on to straws in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. The mental faculty of many have become environmentally manipulated to `grab what you can` and pursue daily survival either by hook or crook. The apathy of the Nigerian people to their freedom and emancipation from the jaws of a few political elite has disappeared. The level of political awareness and redefinition of our collective aspiration is at an all-time high since independence in 1960. The 2023 General Election is a whisker away and the `bags of trickery` are yet again being delivered from the loaded warehouses of our political vultures. These satanic vultures are a few men and women who are stealing from our collective patrimony.

In the last few years, this writer like many others have been sermonising on some of the core issues bedevilling our political, social and economic development. Alarm bells have been ringing and credible solutions proffered in some instances, but the impact of such postulations remains to be seen or palpated. Certainly, we must keep pushing the narrative of our shared humanity and nationhood. Since the concepts of shared humanity and nationhood are a state of mind, it means Nigeria will not change until a greater majority of Nigerians, make a paradigm shift to decide once and for all that we are ready to make it happen. Angels are not going to come down from heaven to do it for us. It is ours to do. We the Nigerian people are the ones to make it happen.

The word, revolution is not one to be used irrationally. For those in Power (the rulers/ruiners in Government), it is a taboo for citizens to use the word revolution. In the context of this piece, the word revolution is used dispassionately within the ambit of

a Mindset reset. Talking of early beliefs about revolution, the Encyclopaedia Britannica states inter alia, “Though the idea of revolution was originally related to the Aristotelian notion of cyclical alterations in the forms of government, it now implies a fundamental departure from any previous historical pattern. A revolution constitutes a challenge to the established political order and the eventual establishment of a new order radically different from the preceding one”. Such revolutions change not only the system of government but also the economic system, the social structure, and the cultural values of those societies unquote. Furthermore, revolutions of the type described by Aristotle, begins in the minds and hearts of the people. It is true that a lot of people will think about violence and the use of force at the mention of revolution, but that is not the advocacy of this writeup. This revolution is about us – the Nigerian people changing our lives and those of our children yet unborn with the magic formula of our mindset reset ab initio. This revolution will be brought about using the instrumentality of the ballot box via our PVCs come 25th February 2023. Some of the fundamental blocks we need to rebuild a new Nigeria. Let`s go!

The first mindset reset Nigerians must make is to have the `supreme belief` that our votes count. Surely our votes do count! While it is true that in the past, politicians were quick to manipulate election figures, that scenario is highly unlikely now due to the use of new voting technology by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Dear Nigerians, it is time to discard that myopic notion of `our votes don`t matter or it doesn`t count`. It is a lie peddled by unscrupulous politicians to serve their own selfish interest. Please, let us not be deceived further. If your votes don`t matter, how come politicians go the extra mile to buy votes and induce voters with cash and other sundry gifts. The criminal politicians know what they are doing. That is the reason they buy votes. We the people should be ahead of these demonic lots (vote buying politicians).

The second mindset reset is our level of political participation. Only in Nigeria you hear people say, ‘politics is a dirty game’, ‘politics is not for me’. ‘If you don’t join cults, nothing for you in politics` and the list goes on. Truth be said, like in any sphere of human endeavour, politics is not for the faint hearted. It is tough, rough, and full of stumble with its ups and downs. Yes, politics can be dirty and stormy but that is not enough for credible, kindhearted, good citizens to run away from it. If `good citizens` run away from participating in politics, who then is going to change

our society? Is it the criminal minded ones? A wise man once said, “bad people are elected to government by good people who refuse to take part and vote in elections”.

Nigeria is a country of over 200 million people but since the return to democratic rule in 1999, the database for number of votes used to elect Nigerian Presidents is worrying. In 1999, President Olusegun Obasanjo got 18 million votes. In 2003, that number rose slightly to 24 million votes for him to be re-elected. President Umaru Musa Yar Adua garnered 24 million votes to win in 2007 and Dr Goodluck Jonathan got 22 million votes to clinch the seat in 2011. The incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari had 15.4 million votes to win in 2015 and scored 15.1 million votes to retain it in 2019. The figures highlighted above shows that at its highest peak only 24% of Nigeria chose the leader of the country. Hopefully, the 2023 election will be different. We must reset our mindset.

The Edo, Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States Governorship elections of 2020, 2021 and 2022 respectively have shown that a popular candidate backed by the people can win fair and square. The new voting technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BIVAS and electronic transmission of results will help reduce arbitrary human contacts and tampering of election figures/results. Also, the advent of smartphones means that nefarious activities such as multiple voting and the blatant thumb printing of ballot papers and ballot box snatching can be recorded by citizens. Perpetrators of such barbaric acts now know they stand the risk of being exposed at the click of a mobile phone on social media. This is a deterrent.

The third mindset reset needed in Nigeria is for the middle and professional class to rise up and take their place in the scheme of things. Abandoning the ship of state and allowing charlatans and moneybags to run the show has huge painful ramifications of unimaginable proportions. Imagine a Nigeria where the organised labour/trade unions, civil society organisations, academia, students’ union, artisans, market women and men, youths, professional bodies/associations throw their hats in the political ring. Such a mass coalition will be an immovable force and unbeatable. Nothing will be able to stand in their way and such unity of purpose will no doubt change the face of our nation forever. Any candidate supported by this mass of citizens is guaranteed a landslide victory at the polls. No ifs, no buts.

Dr Agbons is Lead of the Institute of Good Governance & Leadership @www.twin2.org.

and the search for the ‘Messiah’

By Fola Ojo

Iam hounded everywhere I go by this question, “Who are you voting for in February?” The questions I often ask in response are these: Who among the three leading candidates: Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, is the ‘messiah’ for this moment?

Ancient Greek tragedian Aeschylus first made the observation in 446 BC that “it is not the oath that makes us believe the man, but the man that makes us believe the oath.” In Nigeria, when political office holders place their hands on either the Bible or the Quran, they swear that they will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic. They vow to preserve, protect, and defend the constitution; and bear true allegiance to the nation at all times. They also boldly vow to always place service to the nation above all selfish interests and follow the path of justice, honesty, and concord amongst all the people of Nigeria. Nigerians largely believe them. Alas, later on when the comfort in the purlieu of power subsumes them, when money comes in bails, and cash flows in batches; and when the aroma of authority ravages their hearts and minds without control, they become paladins of perversion and palladia of corruption, oppression, and repression against the same people who elected them.

My friends, it is true that it is not the oath that makes us believe the man, but the man that makes us believe the oath. I stand shoulder-to-shoulder in agreement with Aeschylus. It is the innate character of men that makes valid or invalid every oath, not the oath itself. Oaths sworn to by our public servants are only languid and lousy lip service that are as fickle as homo-sapiens themselves.

I heard recently that outgoing sitting governors have begun making grand plans to deplete the state account and cart home the patrimonies of hardworking Nigerians who may have not been paid their salaries. These governors are now skidding into a mad rush to banks, requesting last-minute loans and overdrafts that they will not have the burdens and responsibilities paying back. The weight of the debt will have to fall on the shoulders of their successors and the bruised backs of hapless citizens. A big chunk of the funds gotten from banks will be heisted and shared among cronies of the governor who only came to steal, kill, and destroy. Public funds will thus become yams that will be eaten by last-minute mystery goats. Where in the oath sworn to by governors, or any public officer, is

the liberty to steal and divert public funds?

There is too much stench in the Nigerian political system. The reason behind the blatant struggle to run for elections is not to serve. 1n 2019 there were 92 registered political parties in Nigeria. Same in this cycle until 74 of the parties were deregistered by the government. Today, 18 candidates want to be president. 1,803 candidates want to fill 109 Senate seats. 4,548 candidates want to fill 350 House seats. Are these guys thirsting to serve? No! They are hungry for power and unrestrained access to free cash that the Nigerian democracy offers. This is why Nigeria is hemorrhaging.

Let’s go down the memory lane. Not too long ago, Ex-Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund Boss, Dr Ngozi Olojeme, was found guilty of fraud to the tune of about N62.3bn when she was in office. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission seized her 37 houses, froze 37 bank accounts (each with at least N20m) plus a state of the art bathroom worth at least $2m. Nigeria is fundamentally flawed! And this woman was not even a governor. The continued eyesore in our legislature has been largely ignored, and nobody, including all our presidential candidates, is addressing it. Annual pension for ex-US president: $207,800 + a $50,000 expense. Average pension for ‘retired’ Nigerian governor: $549,450.60. Annual salary of US Senators, House Reps members: $174,000. Annual salary of a Nigerian senator: over $1.7m. 86.9 million Nigerians are extremely poor.

By 2050 Nigeria will become the world’s third largest country. Crucial sectors of our society may likely remain bruised and battered. Funds siphoned through many sources and resources make it impossible to address other crucial sectors. For example, the Minister of State for Health, Dr Leke Mamora, recalled that the ministry recently conducted an audit of the department. The exercise revealed that out of the 30,000 primary health centres in the country, less than one-third of them are functional. The few considered functional aren’t equipped to heal even a migraine headache, let alone conduct an open-heart surgery. According to the minister, they are not fully functional.

And Nigeria remains an island of wealth; a trough of tintinnabulating treasures; a penstock of prosperousness; a depository of abundant and abounding natural resources. Nigeria is the home of innumerable sages; arsenal of intellectuals; harbor of highbrows; and human assemblage of geeks and deft doubledomes. Nigeria is a nation of innumerable bright minds who aren’t

brave enough to seek to lead. And across all crucial sectors of our government, birdbrains become the brain-box of government. Who will wake up our bright minds?

I am hounded everywhere I go by this question, “Who are you voting for in February?” The questions I often ask in response are these: Who among the three leading candidates: Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, is the ‘messiah’ for this moment? Which one of them has the sincere zest to crush the head of the serpent of corruption and plug the valves of waste in government? Who among them has a stellar and steady gait in the hallway and walkway of power? Who among them has the cayenne to nurture and nourish our unemployed youths and give Nigeria a glorious future?

Who among them will not huddle into his ethnic clan and stamp on other regions as if they don’t matter in national discourse? Who among these billionaires has never stolen a dime or diverted funds meant for the people into their private courses?Who among them is without spots and wrinkles?

My friends, who becomes president at this time is not as important to me as the environment in which the next president will operate and function when sworn in. All of our leading candidates have their strengths and obvious weaknesses. No matter how enthusiastic you are about your candidate, I see no messiah for this moment. He is still in his mother’s womb. A country may organise elections, rebuild its infrastructures, elect a good man or woman who will appoint savvy hands as co-labourers to help steer the ship, if the foundation of that nation is compromised and crippled, she will engage in witless shadow-boxing and end up a failed state. Nigeria’s hope for a great future is not in one election, but in a joint and determined effort by those who care to honestly and with sincerity of purpose find out what went wrong with our corporate existence, where did we go wrong, and how to fix what is ailing.

When we identify these in all sincerity, then we will be able to make true changes, not placating window-dressing noise and babbling that we are “one nation.” Without changing the will there’s no changing the way. Whoever is waiting and hoping for the ‘messiah’ who will change Nigeria without first changing the fundamental wheels and structures that drive the country will wait forever, and hope in vain. May God give Nigerian leaders wisdom.

Twitter: @Folaojotweet

GBV: Ondo govt to prosecute families shielding perpetrators

The Ondo State government on Thursday said it would henceforth prosecute families shielding perpetrators of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the state.

Mrs Bolanle Afolabi, Executive Director, Ondo State Agency Against Gender Based Violence (OSAA-GBV), said this on Thursday in Iju, Akure North Local Government area of the state, during an advocacy on Gender Based violence.

The programme was in collaboration with Westminster Foundation For Democracy.

Afolabi said the agency would continue to implement policy to protect the rights of women and children and safeguard them against all forms of abuse in the state.

She said that families or anybody shielding perpetrators of GBV would be prosecuted for conspiracy against the law.

In her presentation on Violence Against Person Prohibition (VAPP)Law and Draft of Child Protection and Safeguarding policy, the Guest speaker, Mrs Oluwatoba Olaifa, emphasised the need to enforce law that protect children and women against abuse in the state.

Olaifa said people must know about the law, “hence the need for people at the grassroots to steer clear of breaking the laws.”

She warned the people against harmful practices against children and women.

The Senior Special Assistant, office of the Wife of the Governor on Gender Matters, Mrs Temitope Daniyan said the advocacy was to reduce cases of Gender Based Violence in the rural areas.

Earlier, the Country Director of WFD, Mr Adebowale Olorunmola, said that the programme was taken to the grassroots to pass the message to the people and educate them on the penalties of breaking the law.

Olorunmola said that the organisation would continue to strengthen ties with Ondo State government to ensure that the children’s rights and safety are protected towards a safe society.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Akure North Local Government, Mr Bankole Ogbesetore, appreciated the state government for taking the programme to the grassroots.

Ogbesetore, represented by a Director at the local government, Mr Adejumo Adewale, said the programme was appreciated by the people in the community and would disseminate the information to all communities in the area. (NAN)

Hijab: Atiku’s wife tasks Muslim women on good conduct

Mrs Rukayyat Atiku, wife of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has enjoined Muslim Women, especially the hijab wearers to always exhibit good conduct wherever they find themselves.

Mrs Abubakar gave the advice at a public lecture to mark the 2023 World Hijab and World Cancer Days organised by the Coalition of Muslim Women, held at the Abuja National Mosque, on Saturday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the title of the lecture was: ‘Hijab: More than Just a Covering’, delivered by Madeenah

Sanni, Founder, Mtalks Life and Marriage Coaching.

Atiku said the commemoration of the world hijab day across the globe was a reminder to all the Muslim Women that wearing of hijab was an act of worship.

Represented by Sen. Zainab Kure, she said wearing of the hijab had been existent since when Islam started as a religion. She said: “But, as the world is evolving, so many distractions coming here and there, certainly our very young ones need another driving force or another avenue to remind them what they should imbibe as Muslims.

” Of course, wearing the hijab is not just a necessity but a must. Therefore, the hijab wearers must cultivate and imbibe the culture of Islam.

” Like the title of the lecture say it is beyond adorning in Hijab. It has to do more than wearing the hijab. It has to do more with the behavior of the person wearing the hijab.”

Also, the wife of the former Vice President, Mrs Amina NamadiSambo, urged Muslim women to realise that wearing of hijab was not just about covering the body, but ensuring good conduct.

Represented by Mrs Aisha Bukar-Ali, founder and Coordinator,

Diabetic Help Enlightenment Organisation, Namadi-Sambo, reiterated her commitment to continue to support hijab awareness campaign in the country.

She said: “A hijab wearer is expected to do everything in accordance with the Islamic injunction and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad ( peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).”

On her part, the Coordinator of the coalition, Mrs Rahamah Sani, emphasised the need for all private and public institutions to understand that the use of hijab by the Muslim women was an obligation not a choice.(NAN)

Deaf people seek special sensitisation programme on electoral process

Deaf persons in the Federal Capital Territory have urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct special enlightenment programme to educate them on the forthcoming elections.

They said that so far, there has been no programme to educate deaf persons on the electoral process, especially the new processes introduced by INEC for the elections.

The deaf persons expressed their concerns on Thursday during a sensitization programme for deaf women on Voter Education and Mapping in Kuje Area Council of the FCT.

Mrs Hellen Beyioku-Alase, the Executive Director, Deaf Women Aloud Initiative, said the situation may likely disenfranchise some of the deaf people, if not addressed.

“We want government through INEC to include the deaf in the election exercise, to vote and be vote for.

“The programme on voter education is to enlighten many girls and women who do not have access to vote because of communication barrier.

“There are no interpreters; there are new processes introduced by INEC to be used to vote, but because of less information and interest to educate the deaf, many of them are reluctant to go out and vote.

“We have over 30 million deaf people and only a few vote; we decided to organise this on our own to sensitise them on the voting processes,” she said.

According to her, INEC has so far shown low level of concern on the matter.

Beyioku-Alase, who is also

the President, Deaf Women Association, said the deaf needed to exercise their civic responsibilities as citizens.

She also called on security agencies to protect deaf people during the elections, as they needed to be guided from harm.

Also, Anthonia Onda, Senior Programmes Officer, YIAGA Africa, who made a presentation on voter education, said the deaf needed information on what to do and how to go about it during the elections.

“We urge INEC to get sign interpreters to ensure they are carried along,” she added.

She told the deaf people that they could vote, be voted for and act as agents for various parties.

Mr Shama Balami, Programme Officer YIAGA, educated the participants on the use of BVAS.

A participant, Godiya Akun said with the sensitization, she was no longer afraid to go out and vote.

She appealed to INEC to keep to their promises to ensure people with disabilities were given attention during the elections.

Also, Mrs Enuiyin Bose, a Counsellor, thanked the association for the enlightenment, especially on how people with disabilities would be carried along.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was organised in collaboration with ABIODUN ESSIET Initiative For Girls, with support from the US Embassy.

It was aimed at promoting the participation of deaf girls and women in the ongoing political process.

(NAN)

Some Empty Street and Poor Perticiphant of 44th Kaduna International Trade fair ongoing

By Musa Baba Adamu

Senator Uche Ekwunife, representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, has debunked claims alleging her endorsement of the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in the forthcoming election.

This is contained this in a statement signed by Ekwunife on Saturday.

The statement titled, “My Purported Endorsement of Peter Obi” reiterated her unalloyed support for PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

She stated that Atiku is the favourite to win the 25th February 2023 election because of his

I support Atiku 100% – Senator Ekwunife

nationwide support. According to the statement: “It has come to my notice that an online blog has been circulating articles claiming that I have endorsed the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, in the forthcoming February poll. The Online blog further attributed statements that may translate to adopting Mr Peter Obi as my candidate for the election.

“I want to state that those statements never emanated from my campaign council or me. Mr Peter Obi

is my leader and elder brother from Anambra Central, whom I respect and hold in high esteem. But, our political aspirations have become divergent; hence, I need to focus on delivering our presidential candidate, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar and the Vice Presidential candidate, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, who are of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Of course, I cannot, for any reason, betray my bosom friend, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, who has been supportive of all my aspirations from time immemorial.”

Ekwunife further averred: “May I re-state that I’m of the Peoples Democratic Party, and we have candidates in all the elective positions across Nigeria, and I cannot at this point work against my party or any of her candidates for whatever reason. Mr Peter Obi is undoubtedly a force to reckon with in this election. But, he will not be able to garner the required spread to secure his win, unlike His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, who has everything it takes to win the election with a high margin.”

Reacting to the development, the media aide to Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, said on Sunday that Ekwunife is 100 per cent in support of PDP candidates in the forthcoming election.

“Senator Uche Ekwunife supports the agenda of the PDP on all levels, which is why she is seeking reelection on the party’s platform. The opponents of Atiku Abubakar have seen the handwriting on the wall. That is why the propaganda pitched his supporters against him,” he said.

Politicians pressuring Buhari to compromise February 25 poll – Group

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts (ASSPT) has disclosed that some Nigerian politicians are putting pressure on President Muhammadu Buhari to compromise the forthcoming general election.

The group stated that the statements made by politicians suggesting that the President has a responsibility to interfere in the electoral process to guarantee success for members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) are worrisome, noting that it is the responsibility of the Independence Electoral Commission, INEC to conduct the elections.

The director of ASSPT, Dr Sam Amadi, who made the disclosure in Abuja during the weekly briefings on the preparation towards free, fair and credible elections in 2023, stated that attempts to shame the President into taking sides in the electoral process are efforts to further compromise the credibility of the elections.

According to him: “The history of electoral malpractices in Nigeria shows that it is mainly the involvement of incumbents

in the process of an election that usually compromises the freeness of elections. It is a good happenstance that in the coming election, President Buhari is not on the ballot, even if his party is on the ballot.

“It rests on the President regarding a secured environment for free and fair polls. It is never the responsibility of the President to help any candidate win an election. The President does not conduct

elections. No one should goad him to act unconstitutionally and undermine his pledge to Nigerians and the international community.”

He further stated: “Instead of harassing the President in respect of presumed non-support for his party’s candidate, these politicians should be pressing the President to extract implementation strategy from his military and police chiefs on how to defeat the terrorist army, insurgents and notorious criminals

who would want to undermine electoral integrity through criminal actions and scaremongering.”

The group commended President Buhari for continuously restating his determination to leave a legacy of credible elections, and his steadfast decision not to interfere with the electoral process.

Also, speaking on the postOsun tribunal decision, Amadi said: “It is not democracy for courts to determine over 50% of elections.

It is a tragedy that voters do not know if their votes determine who wins the election. The court should rarely be involved in determining who becomes president, governor or legislator.

He alleged: “In the next three weeks, Nigerians are going to the polls not being sure who will ultimately be a candidate because the courts will continue to invalidate and impose candidatures.”

Governor of Enugu State and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Enugu North Senatorial District, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (right) with the PDP candidate and lawmaker representing Igbo-Etiti/ Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Dr. Martins Oke (2nd right) and Chairman of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, Hon. Chukwudi Nnadozie (3rd right), acknowledging cheers from supporters on Friday when the governor visited the council to canvass votes for the PDP ahead of the forthcoming general election,

Keyamo hits Dogara – ‘You’re political prostitute, wanderer, back-stabber’

By Musa Baba Adamu

One of the spokespersons for the Bola Tinubu, Shettima Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo, has described the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, as a ‘political prostitute’.

Keyamo made the statement on Sunday in a post via his verified Twitter handle.

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment was reacting to a post by Dogara on his Twitter handle.

Dogara had referred to President Muhammadu Buhari’s endorsement of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, at a campaign in Nasarawa State as a

mockery.

“I know that PMB loves to crack jokes but I didn’t know he will escalate it to the level of satire. Asiwaju’ll give his best to Nigeria, really? Fake certificates,

fake parentage, golden triangle escapades, racketeering. No PMB, Nigeria does not deserve his best but we get the satire,” Dogara said. However, Keyamo took to his

Twitter handle calling out Dogara as a wanderer and back-stabber.

He wrote, “My brother and law school mate, @YakubDogara, this tweet is beneath you. You are actually pained by the support

Obi defends currency redesign but charges

By Christiana Ekpa

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi has thrown his weight behind currency redesign but wants the banks to expedite action to reduce the pains and discomforts small depositors and the unbanked

banks

going through. According to Obi In statement on Sunday to share in the pains of Nigerians that “the currency redesign is not peculiar to Nigeria. It is an exercise that comes with some inconveniences and pains but it has significant longterm economic and social benefits.”

of PMB for @officialABAT, two leaders who have stayed true to their beliefs and causes, unlike the political prostitute, wanderer and back-stabber that you’ve always been.”

to reduce pains

Obi said that “ even though there are improvements that can be made, I urge Nigerians to bear with the CBN and Federal Government with the hope that the general populace and Nigeria will harvest the gains that will come with the reforms.

He implored the Central

Bank of Nigeria, CBN and the banks “to expedite efforts to make the new currency available to small depositors and the unbanked in order to reduce the pains of my fellow Nigerians, especially the underprivileged and those living far away from banks in the rural areas “

POLITICS

From Gambo Ahmed lafia

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that the All progressives Congress APC presidential candidate Ahmed Bola Tinibu is credible person that will deliver the country owing to his interactions with him over 20 years as friends.

The President accordingly called on party supporters to vote

APC’s disorganisation may help Atiku win presidential election –Adeyanju

By Musa Baba Adamu

With 20 days to the 2023 elections, there are insinuations that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar might win the poll.

Deji Adeyanju, a socio-political activist, said the disorganisation within the APC might lead to Atiku’s victory.

Lately, there have been claims of crisis within APC following remarks by the party’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu had accused some people in President Muhammadu Buhari’s government of attempting to sabotage his ambition.

In some of his campaign rallies, Tinubu said the naira policy by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and fuel scarcity was aimed at sabotaging his campaign.

But, despite his remarks, Buhari had vowed to campaign for Tinubu while urging Nigerians to vote for him.

However, Adeyanju tweeted: “Atiku might just win this election with all the disorganization in APC but my prediction is still a Tinubu win because the opposition is also fragmented into 4 parts.”

Adeyanju also noted that Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi is out of the race to win the February election.

He explained that Obi’s failure to form an alliance with his counterpart from the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and the North would work against him.

“Peter Obi is clearly not even in the race. He is only running against PDP Atiku and the other opposition parties and you will see this in about 2 weeks after the election.

Tinibu will make Nigeria better, greater, says Buhari

massively for him in the general polls.

. The president gave the assurance at the weekend during the APC presidential campaign rally held in Lafia the state capital .

President Buhari promised Nasarawa people and Nigerians that Bola Tinibu is a nice man that will make the country better after

his exit

“We will win through and through. I trust Bola Tinibu’s dedication and service. I have known him for more than 20 years.I will continue to comvass support for him. He is a committed Nigerian and I believe he will give everything to make Nigeria better and greater”. The president added.

Also speaking, the APC presidential candidate Bola Tinibu assured Nigerians that if given the mandate to govern , the country he will recover the country from its current challenges , adding that his government will dwell extensively on Agriculture, investment, Education, Health, mineral resources amongst others.

According to him” we will work harder for the benefit of Nigerians especially the younger generation. Nigeria will be a successful country Happiness and joy will be part of our success.”

He however admonished supporters of APC to have faith in all APC candidates by voting them massively for continuity.

PVCs: Aggrieved Borno registered voters threaten INEC with court action

By Shehu Abubakar, Maiduguri

As the collection of PVCs ends, a group of aggrieved registered voters in Borno State have alleged plan by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deny them their PVCs and consequently disenfranchise them.

“We have people in their thousands (including myself) who have been going to the INEC offices for collection of their PVCs registered under the most difficult situations and inconvenience but are yet to get it,” they complained to newsmen through their spokesman, Engr Ishaku Yakubu.

“INEC has previously announced to the media that all PVCs are ready for collection and lament how Nigerians are not coming out,” they stated, complaining, “meanwhile we queue up at their offices and ward levels to get PVCs only to be told “your PVC is not ready, come back in 3 days, come back in one week” and stories like that.”

The complainants alleged: “We have reasons to believe that there is a sinister plan to disenfranchise thousands of people as there appears to be no reason for holding up the PVCs.”

They said “Today is final deadline according to INEC and people are

being asked to go and come back.”

They threatened to drag INEC to court if, by Tuesday, January 7, it does not issued them their PVCs.

“It is their right to protest,” the Borno State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ibrahim Magaji Mohammed, reacted to allegations to newsmen on phone, admitting, “they should not be disenfranchised.”

The REC, however, said: “The problem is that some of them registered more than once; and if you registered more than once, you cannot get your card.”

He advised the aggrieved registered voters to lay their complaints with INEC today to

enable them get their PVCs for the 2023 elections.

“Today is also the closing date for the filling of complaint form,” Borno INEC Head of Voter Education, Shuaibu Ibrahim, told Peoples Daily earlier, advising the protesters to, “instead of wasting time complaining to newsmen they should hasten to fill the complaint form, and they will be told when and where to go and collect their PVCs.”

He said following such complaints duly lodged with INEC, there would be rapid printing of the cards for all registered voters with approved complaints to enable them cast their votes.

Borno voters vow to drag INEC to court over PVC

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Agroup of aggrieved voters in Borno vowed to drag the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to court to force the organization to release their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVC).

The group which briefed the media in Maiduguri through its spokesperson Ishiaku Yakubu said that all attempts to get their PVCs from INEC office less than three weeks before the elections have been fruitless.

Speaking about their ordeals with INEC in Maiduguri, Yakubu said: “The persons you see here this afternoon and a host of others have not been able to collect their Permanent Voters Cards having duly registered and found our names in the INEC official Electronic Voter Register.”

He continued “Some may wonder why we waited till now to raise this concern, we appreciate the obvious effort of INEC and have given them all the trust in hope

that we would get our PVCs before the deadline, but sadly, today is the official deadline for collection of PVCs with no announcement regarding any extension, but INEC in Borno state is still telling people to go and come back.”

He insisted: “We have people in their thousands (including myself) who have been going to the INEC offices for the collection of their PVCs, registered under the most difficult situations and inconvenience but are yet to get it.

“INEC has previously announced to the media that all PVCs are ready for collection and lament how Nigerians are not coming out, meanwhile we queued up at their offices and ward levels to get PVCs only to be told “your PVC is not ready, come back in 3 days, come back in one week” and stories like that.

“We have reasons to believe that there is a sinister plan to disfranchise thousands of people as there appears to be no reason for holding up the PVCs. All of us here and many others who

registered, [including transfer of request for replacement of lost/ damaged cards] particularly last year between May and July, have not been given their PVCs. Today is the final deadline according to INEC and people are being asked to go and come back.”

The group demanded that INEC make a public declaration that all PVCs duly registered which they claim have not been printed will be given to their owners.

“This should not end at just a promise; those cards should be printed and distributed as appropriate,” Yakubu insisted.

The group also demanded that the deadline “should not affect those who for no fault of theirs have not been able to get their cards.”

Responding to the challenge, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mohammed Ibrahim said: “Most of them without PVC may have registered more than once. That is why they did not get them.”

He however revealed that there

Peter Obi storms Ogun with message of new Nigeria is possible

By Christiana Ekpa

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, continued his nationwide campaign in Ogun state on Saturday, declaring that it’s the turn of Nigerians to take back their country and reset it for development.

Obi arrived the ancient town of Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, with his team to a warm embrace of enthusiastic Obidient supporters who by their organic behavior are

determined to join in the great struggle for a new Nigeria.

Like he had done in most states he visited, Obi and his team comprising his running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, and their wives, met with with critical stakeholders including traditional rulers, women and youths groups in courtesy calls and town hall meetings.

At the Palace of the paramount Yoruba king, Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Obi explained to the king the existential

nature of the forthcoming election and why he and his running mate are in the race to rescue and rebuild a nation brought down by successive failed political leadership.

The Alake prayed for him and his team and wished them well in their desire, noting that this country deserve good leadership to be able to tackle myriads of challenges.

The high points of the rally was the presence of the 94-year-old leader of Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo with other top Yoruba leaders

including Senator Fem Okunronmu who declared unequivocally that the Labour Party flagbeaer is the best for the job of President of Nigeria at this time.

The nonagenarian remarked that Obi is not just the best but his election will address injustice and end political dominance in the country.

Speaking at the rally, Adebanjo described the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, as a failure.

was a window reserved for them to get their cards which can happen only when they write to his office for redress.

”All transfers have been documented and they will receive their cards if they come to our office to receive their cards,” said Ibrahim.

2023 election: Tambuwal loses another aide to APC

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Alhaji Abubakar Kwaire, a special adviser to Gov. Aminu Tambuwal, has decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2023 general elections in the state.

Kwaire, according to a statement by Bashar Abubakar, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Sen. Aliyu Wamakko (APC, Sokoto North), was received by the state APC governorship candidate, Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu in Sokoto.

Kwaire’s decision to join APC, according to him, was motivated by Wamakko’s leadership qualities.

“Therefore, I believe with Wamakko as APC leader and Aliyu to govern our state, if elected, more dividends of democracy are expected,” he said.

In his remarks, the governorship candidate welcomed the defector and assured him of equal treatment like all other members of the party.

Kwaire, a former member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, hailed from Tambuwal Local Government.

Naira: HEDA Asks

CBN To review ratio policy, calls for bank official and agent cash swap operators monitoring

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

As the scarcity of Naira currency crisis hit harder, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has charged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to review its new notes apportioned ratio policy and also to collaborate with law enforcement agencies in monitoring Agent Cash Swap operators and bank officials against irregularities in their activities.

Recall that following the Central Bank directives, Bankers committee on Wednesday issued a communique stating that the new Naira notes allocated to banks shall be apportioned in the ratio 40:30:30 for Agent Cash Swaps, Over-the-Counter and ATMs respectively.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued on Sunday by HEDA’s Chairman, Olarenwaju Suraju, the civil society organization maintained that it is essential for the apex bank to review the policy to address different circumstances ensure sufficient release of cash into the system, and further take instant action on Agent Cash Swap operators’ activities, ensuring that the purpose of the exercise is not defeated by corrupt Agent Cash Swap operators and bank officials as some are recently arrested by the anti corruption agencies.

According to Suraju, verified information gathered by the civil group indicates that some of the Agent Cash Swap operators are responsible for the selling of new notes to party makers abusing the currency and those reselling to ordinary users, while bank officials are irresponsibly preserving cash for politicians and bank owners.

He further urged the CBN for the policy review to consider Lagos and other metropolitan states by making more money available in banks to reduce the pressure and drama experience in the banking halls and ATM stands.

Suraju added, “The ratio should be reviewed to address different circumstances. Lagos and other metropolitan states should have more money through ATM and counter while rural areas can have more through the strictly monitored agents.

Zulum to banks: We’ll revoke your land if you fail to dispense new naira notes

Babagana Zulum, Borno governor, has warned that any bank which refuses to dispense new naira notes would have its land revoked by the state government.

Zulum issued the warning on Friday afternoon in Maiduguri, the Borno capital, after visiting branches of banks to assess problems being faced by residents in trying to access new naira notes.

“Any bank in Borno state that is not willing to ensure their ATMs are fully dispensing new naira notes to ease the suffering of our people, we will withdraw their land title immediately,” Zulum said.

“We will only spare banks with genuine constraints that are verifiable.”

Zulum said he was unhappy when he saw hundreds of people queuing at a bank’s branch, with only one out of 10 automated teller machines (ATMs) dispensing

cash.

“As you can see here, only less privileged people are queued up. I didn’t see rich people here,” he said.

“Many people are said to have been here since 3:00 am, some could not even eat anything.

“The new naira note and even the old ones are not available and that is adversely affecting commercial activities in the state and people are suffering.”

Speaking further, Zulum said the state government just released

salaries of about N5 billion but the banks were not paying customers.

“We don’t have any problem with the CBN policy or the withdrawal limit, they said individuals can only withdraw N20,000, but why can’t everyone have access to that N20,000?” he asked.

“Yesterday I was in Gubio with a population of over 70,000 people but it was impossible to source N100,000 in the entire local government, neither of the new notes nor the old notes.”

Dangote sponsors Kaduna Fair, as KADCCIMA marks 50th anniversary

Abuja

The Dangote Industries Limited is the major sponsor of the ongoing 44th Kaduna International Trade Fair which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture(KADCCIMA).

The Trade Fair, which was officially declared open at the weekend, has as it theme: Promoting Value Addition for Economic Growth and Development.

Speaking, President of KADCCIMA Alhaji Suleiman Aliyu described the partnership with Dangote as very important for deepening commercial activities in the country.

He said the support of the Dangote Group towards the success of the Fair cannot be quantified.

Speaking to newsmen, the Director General of the Chamber Alhaji Usman Saulawa said the Dangote Group is a major sponsor of this year’s Trade Fair, and has been sponsoring the annual event all along.

He said: “Dangote Group has been playing the role of supporter and partner for many years. It participation has been adding value to the Chamber.”

The DG described this year’s fair as unique as there would be a Business Round-table session that will further help deepens business opportunities for participants.

According to him, this year’s fair has attracted foreign companies from Niger, Mali, Pakistan, Senegal and Egypt, among others.

The participating companies under the Dangote Industries

Limited are: Dangote Cement, Dangote Sugar, NASCON, Dangote Fertiliser and Dangote Sinotruk West Africa Limited.

A statement from the Corporate Communication Department of the Dangote Group said participants who seek to do business with any of the company’s subsidiaries can avail themselves such opportunity through a special help desk at the pavilion.

It described Kaduna State as one of its biggest markets in the country, given its historical position as the political capital of Northern Nigeria.

Abubakar Yunus Abuja

From Abubakar Yunusa

L-R Director General Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Mr Lamido Yuguda, Managing Director, Lagos Commodities and Futures Exchange (LCFE) Mr Akin Akeredolu Ale and Minster of Finance, Budget and National Budget Mrs Zainab Ahmed during the Official Presentation of Gold Coins to the Minster of Finance, Budget and National Budget at the weekend.

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Federal Government has expressed its commitment to continue to improve the diversification of the economy by steadily growing other sectors particularly the commodities trading ecosystem.

The assurance was given by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed during the presentation of Gold coin to her by the Lagos Futures and Commodities Exchange in Abuja, weekend.

Ahmed expressed her pleasure at the presentation as she stated that it is one of the results of the Federal Government’s commitment in continuing to improve efforts at diversifying the economy.

She said. “This is really very

Naira redesign has economic, social benefits

,Obi begs Nigerian

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), says the currency redesign policy the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) comes with pain, but in the long run, it has significant economic and social benefits.

In October 2022, Godwin Emefiele, governor of the CBN, announced the plan to redesign the N200, N500, and N1,000 notes, and asked Nigerians to deposit their old notes before January 31, 2023, when they would cease to be legal tender.

Although the deadline has been shifted to February 10, many Nigerians have found it difficult to obtain the new naira notes.

The former Anambra governor in a statement on Sunday, called on the CBN to “expediate efforts to make the new currency available to small depositors and the unbanked in order to reduce the pains of my fellow Nigerians, especially the underprivileged and those living far away from banks in the rural areas”.

“The currency redesign is not peculiar to Nigeria. It is an exercise that comes with some inconveniences and pains but it has significant long-term economic and social benefits,” Obi said.

“Even though there are improvements that can be made, I urge Nigerians to bear with the CBN and federal government with the hope that the general populace and Nigeria will harvest the gains that will come with the reforms.”

Ahmed says FG committed to improved diversification of economy

pleasing for me because we have been trying to improve the diversification of the Nigerian economy. People say we need to diversify the economy, but the Nigerian economy is truly diversified. Our GDP today has 6.4% contribution from the oil and gas sector, so 94.6% of the Nigerian economy is from other sectors. One of the sectors that we have been trying to activate the full potentials is the mining sector.

“The mining sector today is still very small, but that is on the side of government. But in the private sector and now I am glad in the states, there is very active mining activities that is taking place. Unfortunately, until now, we have not been getting the full value of the mining activities. Mining activities have been largely artisanal, there is a lot of participants that take out our minerals without reporting it, without government or even the miners getting full value for it.

The Minister stated that in a bid to get the full value of mining activities in the country, the President approved and setting up

of the Presidential Gold Mining Scheme with the Solid Minerals Development Agency leading.

“They had set up a pilot that started from Kebbi State where they supported the artisanal miners to be able to practise better mining practices and also to off take the minerals that they mine, and do some first level refining. Then the Central Bank offtakes this and sends it out of the country for proper mining.

“The essence for us is to begin to hold our reserves in minerals like gold so that our reserves are not all in US dollars. We know what happens to US dollars and what can happen to it. We are beginning to have our reserves in gold”.

She disclosed that the scheme, even though it was started by the Federal Government has seen refineries beginning to actually work in Nigeria adding that there is one in Ilesha, Segilola which was the first refinery that was licensed in Nigeria.

According to Ahmed, “This gold is now being mined in Nigeria, refined in Nigeria up to

the point of producing bullions and then off taken by the CBN and other organisations like the LCFE. They are also coming forward to facilitate the trading of gold in the commodities exchange in Nigeria. That’s what we want, we wanted to be able to activate the full circle. What was missing was the off taking, now the off take is being addressed and this will help to drive demand.

“Once there is demand in the market end, the producers will be encouraged to produce more, there will be more employment, we will begin to see more banks supporting this mining sector. Before now the banks were not too interested in supporting the mining sector because of the long gestation period. The investment is actually worthwhile and we will encourage these businesses to grow and produce more. I want to congratulate the LFCE for being the first of its kind in Nigeria to achieve this”.

Ahmed congratulated the SEC for pushing the milestone, and expressed the hope that more commodities exchanges will

come up as a result. She therefore charged the SEC to enable these companies to be able to operate because it is needed in the market to drive the kind of volumes that Nigeria hopes to get.

In his remarks, Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Mr. Lamido Yuguda commended the Minister and the Federal Government on their determination to bequeath a vibrant commodities sector.

He stated that “LCFE is into a number of commodities and gold is just one of them. They have worked hard in this gold sector. This gold is 100% Nigerian gold, mined and refined in Nigeria and I am happy that we have your support in this. Thank you very much for making this possible, we appreciate all the guidance and support you have provided so far”.

Also speaking, Managing Director of LCFE, Mr. Akin Akeredolu-Ale expressed appreciation to the SEC for all the regulatory support the Commission has provided in recent times.

His Excellency, Capt Idris Wada and His Excellency, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris Dekina Bassa federal constituency candidate, Comrade Austin Usman Okai at the PDP Mega Rally for Kogi East,in Anyigba over the weekend.

Naira redesign: Kaduna revenue service asks public hospitals to adopt cashless transactions

The Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), says it is working towards providing more point of sales (POS) terminals in all public hospitals across the state to ease payments for services.

Ziad Abubakar, executive chairman, KADIRS, spoke in a statement on Saturday, addressing citizen’s complaints that some public hospitals are insisting on cash payments for services rendered.

Abubakar said the state has already abolished cash payments.

He also urged the

management of all public hospitals to accept electronic transfers for all payments, in order to mitigate the present challenge.

“Even before the currency swap, the Kaduna state government had abolished and prohibited cash payments, pursuant to Section 51 of Kaduna state tax codification and consolidation law, 2020. So, there is no justification for public hospitals to reject electronic cash transfers,” he said.

“The currency swap of the federal government has brought a lot of challenges to

all sectors of the economy and the country at large.

“Although the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has given a ten-day extension for citizens to change their old currencies to the new banknotes, there are still long queues at banking halls and automated teller machines(ATMs), as customers wait to get new naira notes.

“For this reason, the most popular option for business transactions, buying and selling, remains electronic cash transfer. However, this comes with its own peculiar challenge of downtime in the network which delays transactions.

“In view of the above, information reaching the service indicates that some public hospitals do not accept cash transfers for sundry payments, as officials insist on cash payments. This slight delay discourages the use of the payment option amongst some service providers, agents, vendors, businessmen, and women. “

Abubakar, however, added that despite the delay, electronic cash transfer remains the only option of payment in public hospitals, going by the tax codification law and the present realities.

BU$IN€SS Report: Twitter mulls $1k monthly fee for businesses to keep verified gold checkmarks

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

Twitter is planning to charge businesses a monthly fee of $1,000 to keep their verified gold checkmarks, The Information is reporting.

The report said firms that do not pay the fee will lose their badges.

Last year, the micro-blogging platform said it would add a new “official” label to

some verified high-profile accounts.

The company said the label would be located beneath the account name and handle.

Twitter also said the new label was not available for purchase and would only be offered to “government accounts, commercial companies, business partners, major media outlets, publishers, and some public figures”.

But, according the report, Twitter, in an email to an unknown business, said it will begin to charge businesses $1000 each month for them to keep the gold badge.

The social media firm did not state when implementation of the fresh moneymaking scheme would commence.

The report added that internal messages revealed that Twitter is also considering tacking on an extra $50 per month charge

to add badges to each account affiliated with the business.

“As an early access subscriber, you’ll get a gold checkmark for your organisation and affiliation badges for its associates,” the email reads.

“If you’d like to subscribe, verified for organisations is $1,000 per month and $50 per additional affiliated handle per month with one month of free affiliations.”

Fuel scarcity: NNPC says 64.42 million liters of fuel

Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has said that 64.42 million liters of fuel were evacuated on a daily basis between January 28 and February 3. This disclosure is contained in a Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) weekly and daily dispatch report posted on its official Twitter account on Sunday, February 5. Meanwhile, the report also noted that within the week under review the total evacuation for the week was

450.92 million liters.

These figures give credence to the February 2 statement made by Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC, Mele Kyari on the NTA News Network that the current fuel crisis in the country was not a result of supply challenges, but of distribution challenges.

He said, “We do not have a supply problem because as we speak now, we have over 28 days of supply even if we evacuate up to 60 million liters of PMS every day. We have a distribution problem that comes up as a result of the shift in the cost of logistics in our business taking fuel from the mother

were evacuated daily

vessels to the terminals into trucks to the fuel stations.”

More insights: According to the report, Pinnacle depot had the highest load-out at 57.28 million liters, Aiteo had 28.29 million liters, MRS Limited had 24.54 million liters. Meanwhile, Masters had 22.66 million liters, NIPCO had 22.45 million liters, Bluefin had 20.08 million liters. 26 other depots recorded between 5 to 16 million liters each. Also, 29 other load-out depots recorded less than 5 million liters each.

According to the report, 1,251 fuel trucks dispatched fuel to Lagos state during the period highlighted. 847 fuel

trucks were dispatched to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and 372 fuel trucks were dispatched to Oyo state.

Meanwhile, 311 fuel trucks were dispatched to Ogun state, 268 fuel trucks were sent to Kano, 284 fuel trucks were sent to Delta state, 22 fuel trucks were sent to Ebonyi state and 159 fuel trucks were sent to Edo state.

Last week, the fuel scarcity crisis led to protests in some parts of Edo state as Nigerians were frustrated by the unavailability of fuel as well as the high costs that rose up to N500 per liter in some filling stations across the country.

L-R: The President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan; Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) , Prof. Mohammad Sani Haruna; President Muhammadu Buhari; Nasarawa State Governor Engr. Abdullahi Sule; Ebonyi state Governor Dave Umahi; Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and Executive Director/CEO, National Primary Health Care Development Agency(NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, during the Official Commissioning of the Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (AMEDI), Held in Lafia Nasarawa State at the weekend.

Service delivery: DRTS doles out awards to Traffic officers

By Stanley Onyekwere

No fewer than twenty officers and men of the Federal Capital Territory Directorate of Road Traffic Services (FCT-DRTS), otherwise known as Vehicles Inspection Officers (VIO), have received meritorious awards, designed to encourage dedication and efficiency in the

2023 Hajj: FCT gets 3,520 slots

By Stanley Onyekwere

The FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board (FCTMPWB) has been given allocated 3,520 seats for the 2023 Hajj exercise, by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

NAHCON disclosed the approval for the allocation, as part of it’s seats allocation by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

This coming on the heels of the Board's commencement of collection of Hajj fare deposit from intending pilgrims.

Also, the Board had commenced arrangements for the exercise to render first class services to FCT contingent during the Hajj operations this year.

Recall that the FCT Administration has directed that as usual registration of intending pilgrims is on first come first served basis, via a bank draft payable to the the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Abuja.

road traffic management system in the Territory.

It was gathered that the ceremony, which was held in Abuja at the weekend, which is the maiden edition of the annual merit award of the directorate, was designed to recognize those who have excelled in the cause of service delivery.

Director of FCT-DRTS, Dr Abdullateef Bello said the award and recognition, which was in three categories, would further spur its operatives to do more and as well encourage others who have been unmindful of the directorate’s critical mandate to wake up.

Bello noted that for any organisation to achieve productivity, there is the need to motivate staff of such an organisation, adding that the directorate is ready to provide

requisite facilities for it’s officers to deliver service

He stated that the FCT-DRTS is poised to improve it’s image by ensuring that it achieves the best of standard required of the directorate in the discharge of its assignments.

Bello explained that the awardees were carefully selected, based on their accomplishments over the years in the directorate, adding that the selection was also done with utmost sincerity and without fear, favour or sentiment.

He congratulated the officers, even as he encouraged them not to relent in their oars, adding that the award should serve as beginning for all of them.

Presenting the award certificates and plaques to the officers, the secretary, transportation secretariat of

the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Hon Abdullahi Adamu Candido, noted that the job of the directorate is a very critical one, because they encounter both the good and the ugly on the roads, adding that motorists believe that the fear of the VIOs is the beginning of wisdom.

While commending the director for initiative, Candido that the recognitions and awards showed that the risks the officers take in their jobs is being noticed, adding that awards should continue, so that the directorate can appreciate the good ones among the officers, because recognition and awards are legacies that don’t decay.

“This should continue to be in place, so that we appreciate the good, and those who are not too good will know that in the

service of your country, try to also make sure that at least once your management recognises you, it goes to say a lot about you.

“These are some of things that will never be allowed to decay. You take your salary every month, and certain privileges of office, but the letter or award of recognition that some of us are always proud , you can keep it in your library, your children, ground children and great ground children will even take a look at it, and appreciate your contribution to the society, and it become a motivating factor to he or she”, he stressed.

Not left out, one of the awardees, and head of DRTS taskteam, Shehu Maiwada, thanked the director for the award, adding that the recognition would propel him and others to do more for the directorate.

Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, with President, Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International–Nigeria (FGBMFI), Arc Ifeanyi Odedo, during Fellowships Nigeria National Council (NNC) Meeting at the National Christian Centre, at the weekend in Abuja.

Gwarinpa building collapse: Developer, FHA officials culpable - FCTA alleges

By Stanley Onyekwere

The FCT Administration under the leadership of Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, the FCT Minister of the has ordered security forces to arrest the Federal Housing Authority officials and the developer of the two-story building in Abuja that recently collapsed, killing at least 3 persons.

In particular, the Minister issued an arrest warrant for alleged manslaughter against the developer, the FHA officers in charge of overseeing the development, the officer in charge of issuing the development permission, and the engineer supervising the development.

This move was disclosed by the Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Umar Shuaibu, during a press briefing at the

weekend.

Shuaibu recalled that 24 people were trapped in the unfinished building that collapsed at 6th Avenue in Gwarimpa Estate, with three confirmed dead and 21 people rescued.

He added that all the surrounding developments in the area identified by the AMMC Development Control Department, that require investigation of their structural integrity, were henceforth sealed and declared out of bound by anybody, pending the outcome of integrity test presently being conducted, and if found to be faulty, they are going to be demolished by the FCT Administration, before any life is endangered.

He said: “Among the statutory responsibilities of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), is the development of the Federal Capital City

and Territory, in line with the Abuja Master Plan.

“Accordingly, the entire Gwarinpa Estate, occupying the Gwarinpa II, Wupa and Bunkoro Districts of the Phase III of the City development, was allocated to the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) by the FCT Administration, to provide essentially houses and attendant services to the citizens.

“They are to develop, control and monitor, to ensure strict compliance with the Abuja Master Plan, using the land use plan as provided by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) as a guide.

“However, this incident is suggesting that there are flagrant violations in the development guidelines of the Wupa and Bunkoro District as developed and controlled by the FHA.

“Our preliminary findings suggests that

there were breaches in the location, the building plan approval, the control and the monitoring of the development by the FHA, with glaring criminal tendencies by the developer, and or his representative during the construction activities.

“Also revealed was the glaring incapacity of the FHA to handle development control in Abuja and shoulder the responsibility of sensitive operations of these nature in cases of emergencies.

“The Gwarinpa Estate is only a fraction of what constitute the entire Federal Capital City adequately managed by the FCT Administration, however, many of these unfortunate incidences were witnessed there in the past. Hence, the FCTA’s resolve to revisit that mandate ceded, in granting development permit and control to the FHA in the Gwarinpa Estate”.

Let’s work to advance APC, Lawmaker urges supporters

Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. Sabi Abdullahi has urged Nigerians, especially members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to keep faith with the party and avoid activities capable of undermining its advancement.

Abdullahi, representing Niger-North Senatorial District, made the call in Abuja during an interactive session with newsmen.

He was responding to a question on alleged activities targeted against the campaign of the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.

“But one thing I know for sure is that in politics, it is not impossible for some people to be unhappy.

“They might have a different opinion or idea on what should be within the context of the local politics .

“It is not impossible for some people to be angry but one thing I will say is that I will depend on what is on the surface, some people might be unhappy, it is not out of place.

“But what is important is that this is our ship, we built it and it will be a disservice if we destroy it,” Abdullahi said.

The law maker said it would be in the collective interest of the party to consolidate on what it has achieved in the past years.

“By my own tradition and upbringing, if I stick to something, I stick to it in good and in bad.

“I have always been a progressive all my life, I believe in my party, I am a progressive in heart and in doing.

“I want to advise all APC members to keep faith with the progressive fold and let’s continue to do progressive things for our country.

”And come the general elections, we are hopeful that we will get the mandate and when we get it, more progressive things will come to Nigeria,” Abdullahi said. (NAN)

Buhari, Jonathan, Atiku, Tinubu, Obi, others to attend ‘Day of Tribute’ for Amechi in Abuja

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

President Muhammadu

Buhari is expected to attend the ‘Day of Tribute’, which is part of the programme for the funeral of a foremost statesman, nationalist and one of the last remaining fathers of Nigerian Independence, Chief Mbazulike Amechi (Dara Akunwafor).

Also expected at the event, which is slated to hold on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 , at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua centre, Abuja, is the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

Immediate past President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has been chosen as the Chairman of the occasion, while the Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan and Speaker of the

House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila have been penciled down as the Special Guests of Honour.

Presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, All Progressives Congress, APC and Labour Party, LP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Mr Peter Obi respectively are among those invited for the programme.

The Chairman of the Planning Committee of the ‘Day of Tribute’ in Abuja is Senator Ben Obi. Chief Amechi, who was Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation in the First Republic and former parliamentarian, died on 1st of November 2022.

His burial is slated for 16th February 2023 at Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Several State Governors, Ministers, party chieftains and members of the Diplomat Community have already indicated their interest in attending the programme billed for 12noon.

This was confirmed in the programme of the event put in place by the National Planning Committee for Funeral of Chief Amechi, which has Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu as Chairman and Hon. CID Maduabum as Secretary.

Other top government functionaries, captains of industries, high profile politicians and professionals from various walks of life are expected to grace the programme.

Similar ‘Day of Tribute’ has been scheduled to take place at the International Convention

Center (ICC), Awka, Anambra State, for the late nationalist by 12 noon on Tuesday, 14th February 2023.

Various committees have already been set up for the success of the funeral.

One of such is the Finance Committee, which has former Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim as the Chairman. Similarly, a 39-member State Organizing Committee, SOC, of eminent personalities has also been constituted in Anambra State to assist the National Planning Committee in organizing a befitting funeral for Chief Amechi

The 39-member SOC has Chief Innocent Chukuwuma, as Chairman and Chief Maja Umeh as Co-Chairman.

Anambra records 119 fire outbreaks in 2022

The Anambra State Fire Service on Sunday said it recorded and attended to 119 fire incidents across the state from January to December 2022.

Dr Martins Agbili, Director, State Fire Service, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka.

Agbili attributed the incessant fire outbreaks in the state to high level of unconsciousness in the handling of fires and other inflammable materials.

He lamented that valuables worth millions of naira were

being lost daily to avoidable fire outbreaks.

According to him, the rate of fire incidents calls for concern, and as a responsible and responsive government that places safety of its citizenry at premium, efforts were being made to address the situation

”Fire outbreaks in the state have become a perennial problem. It leaves enormous material damages, injury to persons and disruption of economic and social life.

”Some of the fire cases are

mostly caused by negligence on the part of those who use it, hence the need to prioritise the management and prevention of fires in our environment to avoid destruction of lives and properties, ” he said.

While calling for the support of residents, the fire chief promised that the firefighters would continue to intensify efforts to reduce fire outbreaks in the state.

“Everyone has a role to play in the mitigation of fire outbreaks. You need to adhere to fire safety

rules to save your property, your life and the lives of people around you.

“Fire officials as first responders to emergencies and incident management have been empowered and equipped by Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s administration to tackle any form of natural and man-made incident across the state,” he said.

He appealed to residents to utilise the emergency toll free lines to report any case of fire incident to avert loss of lives and properties. (NAN)

L-R, The Ambassador of India to Nigeria, Mr Balasu bramanian, with the Minister of Interior,Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, during the envoy courtesy visit to the Ministry of Interior on Friday in Abuja.. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

NERG lauds military for growing peace in North-East

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

Delighted by the successes recorded by the military in the fight against insurgency in the region, the North-East Rehabilitation Group, NERG, commended the military for the growing peace in the region.

NERG Coordinator, Danladi Gombe in a statement issued on Saturday assured that the people will exercise their franchise in the forthcoming general elections.

It said the people of the North-East are ready to participate fully in choosing those that will run the affairs of the country for the next four years.

The statement noted that the current heat forcing the insurgents to surrendering in their numbers is commendable.

The coordinator called of parents to encourage their wards to distance themselves from any act of criminality.

While commending the Chief of Defence

Staff, Gen LEO Irabor and his team, NERG said the feat recorded is leading to restoration of economic activities in the region.

“We are not just happy that economic activities is coming back to our region in full swing, we are glad that we will be able to participate fully in the forthcoming general elections without fear.

“This without doubt is attributable to ongoing military operations, that is successfully de-escalating the forces of darkness that before this time held on to our region.

“We are grateful to the Armed Forces of Nigeria under the leadership of Gen. LEO Irabor for the sacrifices been made to keep our region safe, habitable and creating opportunities for revival of economic activities.”

The statement further called on the people to massively participate in the electoral process, saying the military and other security agencies have given assurance to deal within person’s that will pose threat to the elections.

Zamfara: Tinubu’ll solve Nigeria’s N77 trillion debts -Campaign council

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d,

Gusau

The Zamfara State Coordinator Tinubu/ Shattima campaign council, Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa, said immediately the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, Ahmed Bola Tinubu is elected next Nigeria’s President, he will free the country from the N77 trillion debts.

In a press conference in Gusau today (Wednesday), Senator Marafa recalled that the APC Presidential candidate, has governed Lagos State and showed his ability to move Nigeria to the needed greater heights in terms of economic diversification and secure improved Internally Generated Revenue.

According to Senator Marafa, Tinubu will if elected, address issues that drive the country into where it is today, adding that”, “Though, the fights against lingering security challenges by the APC-led government is achieving ground, and more weight would be

thrown unto that aspect if Asiwaju is elected next President”.

Marafa stressed that, the security would be the priority of Bola Tinubu so that the expected developments will flow in the quest to change the entire face of the country, saying, no stone will be left unturned in the move to uplift the country’s present financial position from ‘Consumption to Productive’ levels.

“No enjoyment must achieve without tears because the level of damages done to the Nigeria’s economy could not be addressed from just 2015 to date, it is even wonderful and God’s willing that numerous problems have been conquered by the APC-led government”, Marafa insisted.

He commended people of the state and the state government under the leadership of Governor Bello Matawalle who came out en masse to welcome the APC Presidential candidate during his last week’s campaign rally in the state.

Akwanaja bombing: Don’t reduce yourself to tribal champion, SOKAPU tells Sanusi

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, (SOKAPU), has advised the deposed Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II to stick to the nationalist, he portrays and not reduced himself to a narrow champion of his tribesmen.

Spokesman of the Union, Luka Binniyat, stated this in a statement made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

Reacting to the trade of words between the deposed Emir and Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state, over the bombing of Akwanaja village, Doma Local Government Area, (LGA) of Nasarawa state against targets which Fulani leaders said were innocent herders, said because Sanusi has made Kaduna his second home since his dethronment as the Emir of Kano in March 2020, but has never made a comment on the mass killings of the people of Southern Kaduna and Hausa and law abiding Fulani in Kaduna State.

The Union noted that the Air Force authority has owned up to the bombings and defended its action. “But if indeed those killed

in the bombing are innocent herders, justice must take its course and full restitution paid their families.”

The statement added that in June 2022, the Union reported with proves how killer herdsmen on over 150 motorbikes attacked some communities in Adara Chiefdom in Kajuru Local Government Area in Southern Kaduna as a low flying Air Force gun-mounted plane assisted the invaders.

“32 innocent farmers were killed in the attack and scores were kidnapped. This is just one of such attacks in which we have accused a rogue section of the military of connivance.

“As a statesman, which Sanusi has been trying his best to portray, we would have expected him to lend his weighty voice in criticizing such criminality and asking for justice, even if it is not with the zest and commitment he is putting on the Akwanaja bombing.”

The Union further expressed reservations over the plot to robe the Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom in the bombing of Akwanaja village, against targets which Fulani leaders said were innocent herders.

2023: NSCDC charges journalists on peaceful reportage in Zamfara

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh'd, Gusau

The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Zamfara State Command, Mohammed Bello Mu'azu, has called on the media to eschew the idea of heartbreaking reportage on election matters especially as efforts were on ground for continued relevant peace restoration in the state and the country at

large.

Commandant Mu'azu made the plea during a meeting with working Journalists in the state titled; 'Capacity Building and The Role of Media in News Reportage in the 2023 General Elections' held on Saturday.

The aim of the meeting according to Commandant Mu'azu, was to make a bond between the NSCDC and the working journalists to ensuring violent free elections.

2023: How Project 774 will deliver grassroots for Tinubu/Shittima -National Coordinator

What is the general principle of this Project 774 that warrants its formation?

You know in politics there should be so many routes, all leading to the same direction, because you are dealing with people and all political parties have support groups, project 774 for Tinubu/Shettima is a support group and we came up with this idea because we know politics is local and when you have campaign structure, which is usually up, and attempts are made to send things down, for example you have the Presidential Campaign council, you have states campaign council, you have zonal, you have local government, but by the time you start getting down, capacity at that level is a beat weak.

So the whole idea of project 774 is to have a bottom top approach, so ours is to promote grass route politics for development within the framework of our local government areas as our national development domain, and that is why we tagged it 774 because we have 774 local governments.

By our structure, while we have a national executive and state taskforce teams, but what is important is that we have more people at the lower level, that is at the local government and Ward level, because on the election day, you must have people who will go and get out the votes, that is our target as our own contribution to bring success to our party.

How do you integrate this project 774 with the APC campaign structure, are you really recognized by the APC National Secretariat, are you giving a role in the APC Presidential Campaign Council?

Well, I am a member of the presidential campaign council in my own right, and the party has so many support groups in thousands and we are one of such group,but every support groups comes from a different angle to look at what their strength are, and our group is looking at from that perspective of the grass route, where to the votes are, the polling units so that on the election day, we have people who will go out, because they believe in this voluntary effort to contribute to the success of our party.

What are the reports now?

Have you meet with the 774 local governments? Is your candidate really in good stead, as we hear of issues of antiparty activities.

Well, in politics, so many things happen, but when we speak about the reality, for us we know our candidate is the front-runner and he is the candidate to beat and as far

as we are concerned, we anchor all of this on the fact that the various states in which we are in charge and even states where we are not in charge, things that are happening there are pointers that truly our party will carry the day.

And this is our inspiration to go out there, mobilize people, sell our candidate, and our own talking point is simple, who is our candidate? What has he done before, as a pointer to what he can do again.

The question Nigerians should ask is, what is the antecedent of these candidates, what have they done before?

For us, we believe very strongly that the character of our Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates speaks volume and we give you the need hope that new, innovative and progressive things are going to happen with their presidency.

Beyond his eight years as a Governor of Lagos State, providing Infrastructure and other services to Lagos people, what other qualities, do you think Tinubu has that makes you think that he is the best to rule the country.

Well, I will talk of two things here. Before Nigeria’s return to democracy, he was one of those who were in the forefront fighting for the restoration of democracy and even after leaving government all attempt to emasculate the political space always provoke his interest in standing up, to say no that democracy is about opening the space for everybody to participate.

And I think, while AD which he used in coming into governance was brutally murdered by political gimmicks, he floated AC, which latter become ACN and as a democrat he made this platform available for the people.

So that tells you, he is a man who has a sense of accommodation, he is a man who has a sense of tolerance and he is some body who believes that democracy is what we must promote for the common good.

To my mind, beyond what he has done given the power, you need to also look at what he has done outside power to ensure that the democratic space continue to be expanded and I think he has done tremendously well.

The second point I will like to make, is as a young man growing up, from 1999 when he became governor, I am extremely close to the late Royal Father of Borgu and I have heard very tremendous discussions with him.

One thing the late Royal Father told me very clearly about Tinubu when they were in the Senate,was that he always find him very excited, because when the truth is spoken, you must find him (Tinubu) there,

and he is very courageous, very bold, he knows exactly what he wants to say and he says it the way it should be said that was how the late Royal Father attracted that closeness to Tinubu, meanwhile the late Royal Father was NRC, while Tinubu was SDP, so you can see that because of the character and what he exhibited there was a hand of fellowship and that was how the relationship build up then and Tinubu is one person who naver forgets his friends.

During the four years of the struggle for Borgu throne, he was also extending his hand of fellowship to the late Royal Father, and I remember very vividly when we got victory in 2004, he (The Royal Father) came to Abuja and called me and one of my brother and said he wanted to give a title to his friend(Tinubu) and ask me to go get a befitting title for his friend because of my knowledge of history of Borgu Kingdom.

What we first did was to ask the meaning of Asiwaju and I was told It means somebody that opens the way. And I said in our own history Borgu people have naver been conquered by anybody.

And I said the secret of war in Borgu is normally given to a man called “Jagaba” that was how the

title came about and like he said in his book, the Royal Father gave him that title because he trusted him and that he believes he has the courage to provide leadership.

I recall the late Royal Father always believe that he saw Nigeria sliding much earlier and he has always told us that he believes in the presidency of President Muhammadu Buhari and that was why he stood by him. people may not know this, as at 2003 when General Muhammadu Buhari came out, we were still in court with the Niger state government but the he (Royal Father) refused to stay with the party in power, stuck his neck and said he is for President Muhammadu Buhari and since then he has worked very hard, when we go back to Borgu, most of his ceremonies are to gavanise support of the political class to understand that we need to do something different, and so he has done all of this believing very strongly.

Let me say this, ours is a support group, and all our members across all the states are doing their little beats to get people to understand what our candidate is all about, and what we said clearly here is, very simple, that this man has done it yesterday, he has shown capacity,

Let me say this, ours is a support group, and all our members across all the states are doing their little beats to get people to understand what our candidate is all about, and what we said clearly here is, very simple, that this man has done it yesterday, he has shown capacity, that capacity is in two folds after his own performance, where he set the foundation, he did not walk away from it

that capacity is in two folds after his own performance, where he set the foundation, he did not walk away from it, he is praying active role in ensuring that the right person comes on board to build upon that vision. And so, for us we believed that should be our selling point, that unique selling point about the candidate is what we are looking at. And if you look at the vice presidential candidate, it will be as if him also looked at the model and having served creditably well, for his state, he did not walk away, he played a role and ensured that a successor in the person of professor Babagana Zulum is board and today every body is hailing and saying that the governor is doing what needs to be done for his people.

So I think the point to be made here is that leadership is not all about yourself and I think all of them has shown that their own understanding of leadership is not all about themselves, but about the service to be rendered to the people and how that service is going to be sustained is also key.

It is good you have spoken so well, about his successes in Lagos state, but now, people are talking about capacity, agility, there are concerns about his age, about health challenges, how do you situate this?

As far as I am concerned, if you look at the reality today on ground, we have gone more than 30 days of campaning actively and if you check the APC campaign calendar, this man has been following this rigorous campaign schedules, now I ask, some body who in quote “is unhealthy” can he cope with the stress and strain of this rigorous campaign?

If you are to use what people do as a yardstick, I think this man is healthy.

Let us ask ourselves, is there any human being, who is seating down after certain age that does not have one or two health challenges, and has that health challenges stop him being who he is and from performing his duty?

Even a man who is bedridden and has a family and is in charge of certain things, is capable of giving instructions from that same bed, there are age you reach you are not the one to do all the runnings.

One thing that we must acknowledge to Jagaban Borgu is that he has a special gift for identifying talent and deploying them to archive a purpose for people.

He demonstrated this during the time he was Governor, and that explains why he has different people from different states, two people from Ekiti, some from Ogun state, some from Kwara, Oyo Osun, some Anambra, Kogi.

The point we make here is simple, at this level government

Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, the National Coordinator of the Project 774

The Deputy Whip of the Senate and National Coordinator of Project 774, SENATOR ALIYU SABI ABDULLAHI spoke the activities of the project and the presidential ambition of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima. Excerpts:

Education Group to organize robotic competition for students in Abuja

By Maryam Abeeb

Aleading Information and Technology Company known as , the DUMENA Technology Group, a technology education company, says it has concluded necessary arrangements to organize AI-Robotics competition for children aged 10 to 18 years under the Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, in the Federal Capital Territory.

2023 Elections: Yobe Declares 18 Days Holiday for Schools

By Maryam Abeeb

The Yobe State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has declared an 18 Days holiday for schools across the state ahead of the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

In a letter signed by the Director, Schools management, Bukar Modu explained that the holiday would enable students and teachers to exercise their civic right in the forthcoming general elections.

The letter titled “Approved Yobe State School Calendar for 2022 - 2023 Academic Session”, read, “Reference to the 2023 Academic Calendar, I wish to convey the approval of the Honourable Commissioner for 18 Days holidays from 23rd February, 2023 to 13th March, 2023 to enable students and teachers to exercise their civic rights in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

Statement added that the 18 Days break is in consideration of the distance of some students, especially exchange program students. However, 10 days out of the 18 Days given will be slashed from the Third Term holiday and thus the holiday is 8 days only.

“To recover the 10 days, students are to break for the Third Term holiday from Tuesday 15th August instead of Friday 4th August, 2023 as earlier scheduled in the Calendar.

“While the Honourable Commissioner is wishing all students and teachers a hitch free election, students have been cautioned not to be used as thugs for the benefits of anybody. Yobe state Government is committed to their welfare and shall continue to provide qualitative education for the betterment of their future.

This was made known to pressmen by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, CEO,of the Company, Kingsley Ezejiaku during a press briefing in Abuja.

He informed that the competition which would have various schools and their students as participants, is aimed at inspiring the next generation of engineers and technology enthusiasts in Nigeria.

The CEO of the Company further stressed the need for Nigeria to celebrate creativity, innovations and intelligence among its young ones, inorder for young Nigerians to pair with their peers in the developed world.

According to him “I have been fascinated by the power of technology and education to transform society and I believe that when you combine both, we can achieve a whole lot of work

in Africa, from what we see today to the Africa we all want to see.

“We choose the championship because we have spent time working with kids and we have learnt that children love to build things and they love a challenge.

“So one of the best ways to teach a child is get them to build something based on what you are teaching them.

“That is why we decided to use a championship to drive this thing because when a child knows that he can possibly win a prize, he can work with other people and make new friends, it becomes more exciting for them.

“It is that excitement that we want to channel into learning,” he said.

He added that the competition which will run from Feb. to Apr., would have the first three winners and their schools going home with

500,000, 300,000 and 200,000 respectively.

He added that interested schools can register their wards on https://bit.ly/roboticschampionship-register.

In his address at the event, Prof. Bell Ihua, Chairman, Advisory Board, DUMENA Technology Group, maintained that his organisation believes in the power of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, in solving the country’s challenges.

“What we are doing is organising this championship that will bring students from various schools in the city of Abuja together to help us discover some new talents, new ideas that will create solutions to problems that not just face Nigeria alone but faces Africa.

“The world is changing now, data analytics is big, we are here for real and we are here to stay,

in the next few years, we will be moving into other locations in other states.

“Tech can solve every problem we have in this country, if we allow it and the good thing about tech is that it is an enabler, amplifier, enhancer.

“So whatever sector, be it in agriculture, aviation, education, tech can be a great solution to the challenges we face in the country,” he added.

For his part, Mr Emeka Chukwu, a parent whose child has interest in learning artificial intelligence, commended the organisers for the initiative.

“After the championship, I am sure it will bring forth a lot of new things.

“We need thousands of this kind of initiative in the country to bootstrap us beyond where we are now,” he explained.

L-R: Director General of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier-General Y.D Ahmed with the National Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, during the Director General visit to INEC headquarters, recently in Abuja.

Borno: Zulum unveils Chibok water project, opens schools in Damboa, Askira

Maryam Abeeb

Borno state Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, has unveiled a water project with capacity to store and distribute one million, two hundred and fifty thousand litres of water at Mboa village in Chibok Local Government Area (LGA) of (southern) Borno State.

The water facility was designed with a storage capacity of a 750,000-litre surface tank and a 500,000-litre overhead tank with water sources from 20 motorised boreholes.

“One of the major challenges

of Chibok town has been the lack of portable drinking water. During our electioneering campaign, we promised you that if elected we shall address the water problems you face. This night we are here to commission a multi-million naira project which was executed to provide Chibok and its environs with water”, Zulum said.

“I am very happy to be here to commission this project, let me also commend the Commissioner of Water Resources for a job well done”, the Governor declared. Conducting the governor round the project,

Commissioner of Water Resources, Engr. Tijjani Alkali, explained that the water project is powered by 36,000 watts of solar and a 100 kva generating set.

After the water project in Chibok, Governor Zulum stopped over at Gumsuri, a community in Damboa LGA, to also commission a senior secondary school.

Meanwhile, earlier that day before going to Chibok and Damboa, Zulum was in Askira town, headquarters of Askira Uba LGA.

The governor commissioned a new junior secondary school

in Askira town with classroom to contain about 1,000 students. At the commissioning, each student was presented with uniforms, reading and writing materials as well as bicycles to ease transportation especially for those coming from distant places.

It was learnt that the Mboa village is located five kilometres away from Chibok town, headquarters of Chibok LGA and with that proximity, the commissioned water project will serve over 40,000 residents of not just Mboa village but also of Chibok town and neighboring communities.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Vile speculation hurtful to Nicola Bulley’s family, friend says

Afriend of a missing mum who vanished on a dog walk has said “vile theories” being shared online are “incredibly hurtful” for her family, as police condemn social media abuse.

Nicola Bulley, 45, was last seen walking next to the River Wyre in St Michael’s on Wyre in Lancashire.

Police believe she may have fallen into the river.

Her friend Heather Gibbons said people may not realise Ms Bulley’s family can read their speculation.

As part of the investigation, detectives have appealed for potential witnesses and released CCTV images from the area.

A woman they urged to come forward on Saturday contacted them shortly after the appeal went out.

Detectives said the online abuse of people who had been helping their inquiry was “totally unacceptable”.

The police search has entered its ninth day since Ms Bulley was last seen by another dog walker at about 09:10 GMT on 27 January, after she had dropped her two daughters off

at school.

Her dog Willow and her phone - still connected to a work call - were found at a riverside bench 25 minutes later.

Specialist divers have been scouring the River Wyre, while volunteers have joined the search along with mountain rescue, sniffer dogs, drones and police helicopters, but no trace of her has been found.

Media caption, Heather Gibbons says some speculation is “incredibly, incredibly hurtful”

Ms Bulley’s disappearance has drawn a lot of attention on social media with thousands of people commenting on the ongoing search, many sending their love and prayers to her family and wishing her home safely.

But some people have been speculating about what might have happened by discussing the family’s finances and relationships.

Ms Gibbons told BBC North West Tonight: “The speculation is massive. I mean it’s human nature - everyone’s going to have their thoughts, their theories, everyone will be speculating.

“But to see some of the vile speculation online - some of the theories that are incredibly, incredibly hurtful - I don’t think people are realising that the family are sitting at home and are able to access and see all of

that.”

She said she was concerned that “as [Ms Bulley’s daughters] get older, they will be able to look back and they will be able to see everything that was said”.

Grant Shapps: Liz Truss’s tax cuts were clearly the wrong approach

Liz Truss’s radical tax-cutting plan was “clearly” not the right approach, according to Grant Shapps, who briefly served in her short-lived government.

In a return to the political fray, Ms Truss wrote in the Sunday Telegraph that her economic agenda was never given a “realistic chance”.

Business Secretary Mr Shapps said he agreed with Ms Truss on wanting lower taxes - but inflation must fall first.

“You can’t just go straight to those tax cuts,” he said.

In her 4,000-word essay, Ms Truss stood by her plans to boost economic growth, arguing they were brought down by “the leftwing economic establishment”.

But she acknowledged she was not “blameless” for the unravelling of the minibudget.

They are the first public comments the former PM has made on her resignation in October of last year.

Ms Truss resigned after she and her chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng introduced a £45bn package of tax cuts - including a cut to the top rate of income tax - which panicked the markets and alienated Tory MPs.

Mr Shapps was asked on BBC One’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg show whether Ms Truss’s approach had been the right one.

“Clearly it wasn’t,” he said.

He admitted that the UK’s tax burden was currently “very high”, and said he agreed with Ms Truss that Conservatives must be “making the good arguments” that a lowertax economy can be successful in the long term.

But before the government cuts tax, it must first halve inflation, get “growth into

the economy” and get debt “under control”, he said.

He tried to avoid addressing Truss’s criticism that the Conservative Party had failed, for years, to make the case for freemarket economics with low taxes and low regulation.

Mr Shapps said he took the role of home secretary in the final days of Ms Truss’s government out of a sense of “national duty”, and that by that point “we’d seen the impact on the markets”.

He replaced Suella Braverman, who resigned over two data breaches. Six weeks earlier, as Ms Truss entered Downing Street, she had fired Mr Shapps as transport secretary, a role he held under the former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Ms Truss’s brief time in power - 49 daysmade her the shortest-serving prime minister

in UK history.

In her essay, Ms Truss said that while her experience last autumn was “bruising for me personally”, she believed that over the medium term her policies would have increased growth and therefore brought down debt.

She argued that the government was made a “scapegoat” for developments that had been brewing for some time.

“Frankly, we were also pushing water uphill. Large parts of the media and the wider public sphere had become unfamiliar with key arguments about tax and economic policy and over time sentiment had shifted leftward,” she wrote.

She also said she had not appreciated the strength of the resistance she would face to her plans - including plans to abolish the 45p top rate of income tax.

Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan’s ex-president, dies aged 79

Pakistan’s former president General Pervez Musharraf, who seized power in a coup in 1999, has died aged 79.

The former leader - who was president between 2001 and 2008 - died in Dubai after a long illness, a statement from the country’s army said.

He had survived numerous assassination attempts, and found himself on the front line

of the struggle between militant Islamists and the West.

He supported the US “war on terror” after 9/11 despite domestic opposition.

In 2008 he suffered defeat in the polls and left the country six months later.

When he returned in 2013 to try to contest the election, he was arrested and barred from standing. He was charged with high treason

and was sentenced to death in absentia only for the decision to be overturned less than a month later.

He left Pakistan for Dubai in 2016 to seek medical treatment and had been living in exile in the country ever since.

Musharraf died in hospital on Sunday morning. His body will be flown back from the United Arab Emirates to Pakistan on a special

flight after his family submitted an application to do so, local TV channel Geo News reports.

In the statement Pakistan’s military expressed its “heartfelt condolences” and added: “May Allah bless the departed soul and give strength to bereaved family.”

Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi prayed “for eternal rest of the departed soul and courage to the bereaved family to bear this loss.”

Iran protests: Thousands of prisoners pardoned by ayatollah

Iran’s supreme leader has pardoned “tens of thousands” of prisoners, including many linked to anti-government protests.

State media reports the pardons by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei came with conditions.

The pardons come on the eve of the anniversary of the Islamic revolution in 1979.

Demonstrations erupted last September following the death in custody of a woman held by Iran’s morality police.

Mahsa Amini, 22, was arrested for allegedly wearing her hijab, or headscarf, “improperly” - in violation of Iran’s strict dress code for

women.

Authorities have portrayed the protestswhich are still continuing - as foreign-backed “riots” and at times have responded with lethal force.

Human rights groups say more than 500 demonstrators have been killed, including 70 minors, and around 20,000 have been arrested.

Protests around the country have slowed considerably since the first of the hangings began.

Iran’s state media says Ayatollah

Khamenei’s latest pardons came after a letter from the head of the judiciary framed many of those detained as young people who’d been led astray by foreign influence and propaganda.

The letter claims that a number of protesters had expressed regret and asked for forgiveness.

But those charged with more serious offences - such as spying for foreign agents, murder or destruction of state property - will not be pardoned. The measure will also not extend to any dual nationals currently being detained.

Under Article 110 of the Iranian

constitution, the country’s supreme leader has the authority to issue pardons at the recommendation of the judiciary.

Sadeq Rahimi, the deputy judiciary chief, explained that those inmates who are qualified to be pardoned must pledge in writing that they regret what they have done otherwise, they will not be freed.

According to a report by the judiciaryaffiliated news agency, Mizan, Mr Rahimi said that “for the first time ever” defendants who have not received any final verdict will be also pardoned. Source: BBC

Nicola Bulley disappeared while walking her dog near the River Wyre in Lancashire

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1. AJAYI LANRE CLEMENT - CHAIRMAN

2. OLUDE AJIBOLA ISHOLA - SECRETARY

3. SOLANKE ADEGBOYEGA SAMSON - MEMBER

4. OWODUNNI AKEEM ADEBAYO - MEMBER

5. ZINSU ADESHINA OLUWAMBE - MEMBER

6. FAYINTO TOLULOPE ADEDOYIN - MEMBER

7. ODUNAIKE-AKINSANYA OLAIDE ATINUKE AMIRAH - MEMBER

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE OF MEMBERS.

2. TO PROMOTE, PLAN AND EXECUTE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WITHIN THE ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT OF THE INSTITUTION.

3. TO PROMOTE AVENUE WHERE MEMBERS CAN MEET AND ASSOCIATE WITH EACH OTHER.

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

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

SHINE _FORTH INTERCESSORY PRAYER MINISTRY

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1. MIRIAM NSE CHUKE -CHAIRMAN

2. JANET MICHELLE AKPAH- SECRETARY

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1.TO BRING MANKIND INTO COVENANT OF LIFE, TO GIVE DELIVERANCE.

2. RESTORATION OF DESTINY, RESCUE AND FOR CHARACTER REFORMATION.

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

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

DISCLAIMER ! DISCLAIMER !! DISCLAIMER !!! DISOWNING OF JOHN MUKORO AND STELLA MUKORO

1, DENIEL MUKORO OF NO. 21 EGIDE STREET, OIEH, ISOKO LGA DELTA STATE, HEREBY IRREVOCABLY, UNCONDITIONALLYAND IRREVERSIBLY DECLAREAND STATE THAT I HAVE DISOWNED MY SON AND DAUGHTER:

A) JOHN MUKORO (SON) FOR HAVING BEEN A GREAT CAUSE OF PAIN TO ME AND A SOURCE OF DISAFFECTION AND DISGRACE TO THE FAMILY.

B) MISS STELLA MUKORO (DAUGHTER) FOR BEING A SWORD OF PAIN TO ME AND THREATENING MY PEACE AND JOY IN LIFE.

THAT BOTH JOHN MUKORO AND STELLA MUKORO SHALL NOT PARTICIPATE IN MY FUNERAL RITES IN THE EVENT OF MY DEMISE.

THAT THEY MAY INHERIT THE PROPERTIES AS ALREADY STIPULATED IN MY WILL, AND NOTHING ELSE, OUT OF THE LOVE AND HOPE THAT THEY MAY CHANGE AND NOT DIE IN THEIR WICKEDNESS.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD NO LONGER REGARD THEM AS MY CHILDREN. AND ANYBODY TRANSACTING ANY BUSINESS WITH JOHN MUKORO AND STELLA UMUKORO IN RESPECT OF ME IS DOING SO AT HIS OWN RISK.

SIGNED: MR DANIEL MUKORO - FATHER.

PUBLIC NOTICE

ROHI HEALTH INITIATIVE

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1. OKEME JOSEPH MONDAY. - CHAIRMAN

2. UMAMA AJUMA GRACE. - SECRETARY

3. SARKIN-NOMA SAMUEL

4. OLALUWE OLAKUNLE BABATUNDE

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

TO IMPROVE THE FREE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF AFRICAN POPULATION STARTING FROM NIGERIA THROUGH DIRECT INTERVENTION, ADVOCACY, TRAINING, CAPACITY BUILDING AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT.

TO PROMOTE COLLABORATIVE NETWORK AMONG DIVERSE PARTICIPANT IN THE COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

SURE EDUCATIONAL, ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT AND GROWTH INITIATIVE

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1,. YEGWA, DOMINIC ODEY - CHAIRMAN.

2,. LABONG, NANMWA. - SECRETARY.

3,. EKWONYE, CHIDINMA CALLISTA

4,. ONUEGBU, KINGSLEY.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1,. TO HELP THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN THE SOCIETY IN TERMS OF EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

2,.TO ENSURE THAT CHILDRENAND YOUNG PEOPLEARE NOT DISADVANTAGED BY POVERTY.

3,. TO EMPOWER THE YOUTHS TO ACQUIRE VOCATIONAL EDUCATION. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : EZEJI GLORIA 08038769236.

PUBLIC NOTICE

ARC. LARRY OGBU FOUNDATION CAC/IT/NO: 172820.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR ADDITION OF AIMS AND OBJECTIVES UNDER PART F OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO.1 OF 2020.

THE NEWLY ADDED AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

1. TO CARRY OUT MEDICAL OUTREACH PROGRAMMES IN THE RURAL COMMUNITIES WITHAVIEW FOR THE PREVENTIONAND TREATMENT OF ILLNESSES LIKE DIABETES, TUBERCULOSIS, MALARIA, COVID-19, CHOLERA, AIDS, LASSA FEVER, VARIOUS EYE DISEASES AND OTHER COMMUNICABLE DISEASES.

2. TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF WIDOWS, ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE PROVISION OFAIDSAND CREATING AWARENESS AND PROMOTION OF GENDER EQUALITY IN THE SOCIETY AND TO CREATE AWARENESS ON CLIMATE CHANGE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND PROMOTE ACTIVITIES AIMED AT MITIGATING THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

3. TO CREATE AWARENESS ON CLIMATE CHANGE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND PROMOTE ACTIVITIES AIMED AT MITIGATING THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

4. TO PROVIDE WATER AND SANITATION TO NEEDY PEOPLE IN VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES THROUGH THE PROVISION OF SOLAR POWERED BOREHOLES AND ATTENDANT SYSTEMS.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS ADDITION OF AIMS AND OBJECTIVES SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : GBADAMOSI CLEMENT ESQ. 08036179886.

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE SOWER EVANGELICAL MINISTRY CAC/ IT/NO. 67890

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

THE OLD TRUSTEES ARE :

1. PASTOR MICHAEL OSUNDUN

2. TAIWO OYEBAMIDE FEMI MAJEKODUNMI

3. PASTOR JOHN OLAWALE BALOGUN

4. PROPHETESS FADEKE OLOLADE OMIDEYI

5. MRS FLORENCE OLURANTI KADESHI

6. EVANG. PATRICK OLUWASEGUN OLABANJI

THE REMOVED TRUSTEE IS :

1. PASTOR JOHN OLAWALE BALOGUN

THE NEWLY APPOINTED TRUSTEE/ SECRETARY:

1.OLABANJI GODWIN REMILEKUN

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME ANY OBJECTION TO THIS APPLICATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : CHAIRMAN .

PUBLIC NOTICE

GREENLAND COMMUNITY CARE AND WELLNESS EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1.OYEH JULIET OKE (CHAIRMAN)

2.OBARUGBI OGHENEREKE VIRTUE (SECRETARY)

3.IKIBE EMMANUEL

GROWTH THROUGH PHILANTHROPY AND CHARITY EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMS.

3.TO FACILITATE AND PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN PURSUING SKILL ACQUISITION PROGRAMS FOR LESS PRIVILEGED AND INDIGENT PERSONS.

4. TO ASSIST LESS PRIVILEGED YOUTHS, WOMEN AND CHILDREN HAVE BETTER LIVING CONDITIONS BY PROVIDING SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL, ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT AND HUMANITARIAN SERVICES.

5. TO PROVIDE AND PROMOTE COMMUNITY HEALTH AND AWARENESS TO LESS PRIVILEGED PERSONS IN ORDER TO ALLEVIATE THEIR SUFFERINGS ON CHARITABLE BASIS.

6. TO ASSOCIATE WITH ANY OTHER INSTITUTIONS, SOCIETIES OR ASSOCIATIONS HAVING OBJECTIVES WHOLLY, OR IN PART, SIMILAR TO THOSE OF THIS FOUNDATION AND TO COOPERATE WITH ANY PERSON OR BODY OF PERSONS IN FURTHERANCE OF SUCH OBJECTIVES. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFFAGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

GREAT STAR INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN NETWORK

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1. NDAH ENOBONG EKWERE - PRESIDENT

2. OKOLI JAMES INNOCENT

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO PROPOGATE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH.

2. TO RAISE VISIONARY YOUTHS FOR EXCELLENCE IN THEIR DIFFERENT PURSUITS IN LIFE, THROUGH PURPOSE/SELF DISCOVERIES AND MAKING WISE RELATIONSHIP DECISIONS.

3. TO ENCOURAGE CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS TO BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES AGAINST ALL ODDS IN THE SOCIETY.

4. TO EMPOWER YOUTHS THROUGH ALL AVAILABLE MEANS TO DEVELOP THEIR CAPACITIES AND PURSUE THEIR GOD-GIVEN ASPIRATIONS IN LIFE. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY - MONDAY DOCTOR A.

HAUWA

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS HAUWA NUHU AHMED NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS HAUWA AHMED NUHU ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

EZEA

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS EZEA BASIL ANIBUEZE NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS EZEA BASIL ANENECHUKWU. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

USMAN

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS USMAN ONIMISI USMAN NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS USMAN BASHIR ONIMISI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

NWAIWU

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS ANYANWU JANE CHIGOZIE. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS NWAIWU JANE CHIGOZIE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

SALVATION

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS SALVATION FIDELIS NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS SALVATION KYOLA FIDELIS. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

PUBLIC NOTICE

GBAGYI SCHOLARS GLOBAL NETWORK

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

SHEKWOLO PHILIP DAVIS 2 ZAMANI EZADUEYAN ANDREW

3 FADASON RUYA TAMBAYA

4 ZARMAI JESSE TANKO

5 RIKKO LARABA SAMUEL

6 IBRAHIM HADIZA GURUSU

7 TANYIGNA KYAUTA BULUS

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

TO BE A NETWORK OF GBAGYI SCHOLARS AND PROFESSIONAL TO PROMOTE AND MENTOR GBAGYI SCHOLARS TO ATTAIN HIGHEST GLOBAL RELEVANCE IN ACADEMICS. TO MOBILIZE AND INVEST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE GBAGYI PEOPLE.

TO BE A FULCRUM OF IDENTIFYING CHALLENGES AND ADVISE ON DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLEAND WHOLISTIC PROGRAMS/ACTIVITIES FOR THEADVANCEMENT OF THE GBAGYI PEOPLE.

TO BE THE ARROWHEAD FOR THE ARCHIVAL OF GBAGYI HISTORICAL DOCUMENTATION AND CULTURAL HERITAGE..

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

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFY ABOUT THE LOSS OF ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY.

IN RESPECT OF PLOT A-20 BESIDE GULF ESTATE, IJEGUN - EGBA VILLAGE, SATELLITE TOWN, OJO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF LAGOS STATE. WITH CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY NO 22/22/32. ISSUED BY FEDERAL LAND REGISTRY OFFICE IKOYI LAGOS. DATED 3RD JUNE 1997. THIS SAID DOCUMENT GOT MISSING IN ABUJA .

ALL EFFORTS MADE TO TRACE IT PROVED ABORTIVE. IF FOUND PLEASE TAKE TO THE NEAREST POLICE POST. AUTHORITY CONCERN AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE

HASSAN

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS ABDULRAHEEM ISHAKH. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS HASSAN ABDULRAHEEM JIBIRIL. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

EMMANUEL

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS EMMANUEL ANGBOSI NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS EMMANUEL OKO ANGBOJI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

BAKO

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS FIDELIS FELICIA MIRACLE. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS BAKO BETTER. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

PUBLIC NOTICE

VOICE FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HASAPPLIED TO THE CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC),ABUJAFOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1. MOTTY DAWUDU BAUTA -CHAIRMAN

2. AYAG GRACE BAUTA -SECRETARY

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

I.THE OBJECT OF THISASSOCIATION SHALL BE TO CONSCIENTISE AND UPHOLD THE RIGHTS OF THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN THE SOCIETY THROUGH CHARITABLE AND PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITIES.

II. FOR THE PROMOTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE WELFARE, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS OF MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY..

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

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

KOINONIA LOVE MINISTRIES

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1. ELLION INJI TANZE - CHAIRMAN

2. LOIS CHIDUMEBI ELLION-TANZE - SECRETARY

3. IKAWU JOHN IDAJO

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. SPREAD THE TEACHING OF JESUS CHRIST

2. PROMOTE WORSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST

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

SIGNED : CHAIRMAN

PUBLIC NOTICE

BRIGHTER AREA JUMA’AT MASJID & MARKAZUL QUR’AN WAL-HADITH

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1. AUDU ALI - CHAIRMAN

2.UMAR HALIRU - SECRETARY

3. ABDULKADIR MIKA’IL - TREASURER

4. ALHASSAN MUHAMMAD - P.R.O

5. MOHAMMED NASIRU

6. DANYARO HAMISU

7. SHUAIBU USMAN

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO PROMOTE THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE ISLAMIC FAITH AND ISLAMIC EDUCATION

2. TO DELIVER THE MESSAGE OF THE QURAN TO EVERY INDIVIDUAL IN NIGERIA

3. TO SUPPORT THE PROMOTION OF RELIGIOUS HARMONY AND DIVERSITY BY EDUCATING

THE PUBLIC ABOUT ISLAM AND PROMOTING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE BELIEFS AND PRACTICES OF DIFFERENT RELIGIOUS FAITHS, PHILOSOPHICAL BELIEFS, AND CULTURES, TO ENABLE COMMUNITIES TO LIVE TOGETHER IN PEACE AND HARMONY

4. TO SEEK AID WHERE NECESSARY FROM LOCAL OR INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITIES TOWARDS ACHIEVING THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE FOUNDATION ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2023

Tottenham’s Kane sinks Man City with landmark goal

Harry Kane became Tottenham’s alltime record scorer, surpassing the great Jimmy Greaves, as his 267th goal for the club dented Manchester City’s title ambitions at a raucous Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The England captain reached the landmark with a composed finish from 10 yards out after Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg did exceptionally well to find Kane inside the box.

Fans jumped from their seats to applaud the 29-year-old striker, whose first Spurs goal came on 15 December 2011, while a message flashed up on the scoreboard inside the ground which read ‘Congratulations Harry Kane’.

The 15th-minute finish was also Kane’s 200th on the Premier League stage - only Alan Shearer (260 goals) and Wayne Rooney (208) have scored more.

It came against the run of play and with Spurs boss Antonio Conte recovering at home after surgery to remove his gallbladder. Tottenham, who finished with 10 men after defender Cristian Romero was sent off in the 87th minute for two bookable

offences, dug deep in their Italian manager’s absence to frustrate City.

Pep Guardiola’s side missed the chance to cut Arsenal’s five-point lead at the top of the table following the Gunners’ defeat at Everton on Saturday.

Riyad Mahrez went closest to equalising with an attempt which cannoned off the underside of the bar, but City are without a point - and a goal - in five visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

While they remain five points behind Arsenal having played one game more, Tottenham’s victory moves them one point behind fourth-placed Newcastle.

Kane celebrated his historic strike with all the excitement of an 18-year-old - the age he was when he scored his first goal for Spurs against Shamrock Rovers in the Europa League 12 years ago.

It was fitting it came at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in front of his club’s fans, who let out an almighty roar when the ball flew past City keeper Ederson.

Kane’s 267 goals have come in 416 games, while Greaves reached 266 after 379 matches.

The only disappointment was his manager Conte was not present inside the ground to witness the goal.

The Italian was absent after his operation, with his assistant Cristian Stellini taking charge against City.

Kane’s team-mates and Tottenham’s coaching staff stayed out on the pitch after the final whistle as the forward was interviewed on the pitch and savoured the moment.

Kane then listened to a message from Greaves’ son, Danny, on the big screen congratulating the player on his amazing feat.

This was the second Premier League meeting between the two sides in 17 days after Manchester City came from 2-0 behind to win 4-2 at Etihad Stadium on 19 January.

This time Spurs held firm with Emerson Royal producing some outstanding challenges as City tried to find a way back into a highly-competitive match.

Keeper Hugo Lloris kept out an attempt by Rodri and Julian Alvarez saw his goalbound attempt deflected behind by Eric Dier.

In an absorbing game, the hosts had chances to extend the lead with Ben Davies heading narrowly over and Ederson denying Kane a second.

The final whistle was greeted by another huge roar as Spurs marked one their best performances of the season with a crucial success which keeps them very much in the race to finish in the top four.

Day to forget for Haaland and City

This was a day to forget for City, who have now lost their last three league and cup games away from home.

Guardiola opted to start with both Kevin de Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan on the substitutes bench, while Phil Foden was absent after feeling unwell overnight.

While Kane made the headlines, Erling Haaland had a rare off day.

The striker, who has lit up the Premier League with 25 goals in his debut season in England, did not register a single shot and managed just 27 touches.

City will look to bounce back at home to Aston Villa next Sunday, before a mouthwatering top-of-the-table game at Arsenal on 15 February (19:30 GMT).

Harry Kane’s goal against Manchester City was his 17th in the Premier League this season - and 200th of his career on the Premier League stage

S P R T

Bellator 290: Fedor Emelianenko beaten by Ryan Bader in final fight of legendary career

Fedor Emelianenko’s distinguished 23-year career ended in defeat as Ryan Bader secured a first-round stoppage to retain his heavyweight title at Bellator 290 in Inglewood, California.

American Bader, 39, dropped Russia’s Emelianeko, 46, with a right hand before finishing the contest with ground and pound.

Emelianeko is regarded by many as the greatest heavyweight of all time. A former champion, he retires with 40 wins from 48 fights.

Following the defeat he was joined in the cage by a host of former opponents and fellow MMA greats including Randy Couture, Mark Coleman and Dan Henderson, before laying his gloves on the canvas.

“On one side I’m sad I didn’t deliver in the fight as I wanted to, but on the other hand I’m glad the crowd here are cheering for me, and all these legendary fighters who I’ve walked the path with are here to support me,” said Emelianenko.

Emelianenko established his

legacy in former Japanese promotion Pride, where he became heavyweight champion in the midst of a remarkable 28-fight undefeated streak.

His aura was enhanced by his aggressive style and finishing rate, with his 32 stoppages from 40 victories earning him fans from across the world.

All of his success came outside the UFC, leading to critics describing Emelianenko as the best fighter to never compete in the sport’s biggest promotion.

And his popularity was evident as he received a terrific ovation from the crowd as he entered the cage for the final time at the Kia Forum area.

At 46 he is the oldest fighter on the Bellator roster and was attempting to become the oldest champion in the promotion’s history.

There was no fairytale ending to Emelianenko’s career however, as just like when the pair first fought in 2019, Bader secured a quick stoppage.

Emelianeko looked to end the fight early with his explosive right hand but

failed to land, before a glancing punch from Bader sent him to the canvas.

From there Bader was able to deliver hammerfists on the ground and despite some resistance from Emelianenko, the referee stepped in to end the fight.

In victory, Bader becomes the first person to beat Emelianenko twice and made the fourth defence of his belt.

“It was bittersweet but I had a job to do. Give him a hand for what he’s done for this sport,” said Bader.

“Guy’s a legend right here, I’m so glad I could be part of his story.

“I don’t care about beating him twice, I care about sharing the cage with that man.”

In the co-main event, American Johnny Eblen retained his middleweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Russian Anatoly Tokov.

Eblen, 31, was making the first title defence since his superb win over Gegard Mousasi at Bellator 282 in June.

Eblen was a big underdog going

into that fight but showed a variety of strengths in his game to outclass the more experienced Mousasi, and many of the same qualities were on show in the win over Tokov.

There was little between the pair in the early rounds with Tokov, 32, finding success with his jab and Eblen landing a flash elbow, but from the third round the American started to dominate.

As Tokov tired, Eblen’s conditioning shone as he started to mix his striking and wrestling to great effect, landing multiple takedowns which further exhausted the Russian.

Eblen’s performance was capped by a remarkable German suplex in the final round which delighted the crowd inside the arena.

In retaining his title, Eblen extended the unbeaten start to his career to 13 and inflicted the first defeat of Tokov’s eight-fight Bellator career.

Eblen is likely to next face either Britain’s Fabian Edwards or Mousasi, who meet in a title eliminator at Bellator Paris on 12 May.

Fedor Emelianenko

2023: How Project 774 will deliver grassroots for Tinubu/Shittima -National Coordinator

Cont. from 24

is about delegated powers and the act of delegation is the key to success.

If you are able to identify the right person to do the job for you at all times, then your performance will all ways be in top gear and this man has demonstrated that creditably well.

What we have always had in Nigeria as people will say, is not the lack of policy, laws or ideas, but it is about getting the right people who deliver and do the right thing, if he had not done that in Lagos, the success in Lagos would not be the talk in the country, I believe he has done it creditably well.

So for me, it is out of mischief for people to say he is not agile. Is he on wheel chair? No, he has been moving with his legs from one place to another and has been speaking for himself, and when you listen to him, you know he is articulate, he is able to access, process separate issues and able to form opinion.

His brain is active as any normal human being, for me, I don’t see any concern here, when government is put in place, there will be delegated authority.

How do you see the perceived threat based on the campaign of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi?

Yes, they are giving a good show, but it is only for us to bring out the best in us.

It is only a good show and not challenge,I don’t like saying bad things about people, Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is from Adamawa State, I served in Adamawa State, I got the Yola Local Government Best Corper, Adamawa State best Corper, and National honour award winner by the then Head of State, it means I must have done something good to win those awards and so I know Adamawa State very well,I have related with people in Adamawa very well.

I know his home town were the mother lived in Kojoli.

For the eight years he was vice president all the roads are as terrible as it has always been,no single road was rehabilitated for the people of Adamawa State, Charity begins from home, if you are not charitable to your home, then what should be my hope in expecting you to be charitable to me.

Honourable Namdas was the one who fought to bring that road to be constructed.so the facts are clear, because I don’t want us to duel much on the failure of that period,it was colossal, to my mind, Nigerians know better but I think in comparison, we are far better and we want to be more better by bringing in Jagaban to consolidate .

Earlier in the Week the Governor of Kaduna said some elements in the villa were trying to frustrate the candidacy of Asiwaju , what is your take?

By his position, he knows more than I do,if he has the facts that makes him make those statement, they are his facts.I can say what he said is wrong, but one thing I know for sure is that in politics it is not impossible for some people to be unhappy that you want to do one or two things and I know if I go back to my local environment based on what happened, I know there are some people who are still unhappy, they might have a different opinion or idea on what should be within the context of the local politics.

It is not impossible for some people to be angry but one thing I will say is that I will depend on what is on the surface.

Some people might be unhappy, it is not out of place.

But What is important is that this is our ship, we built it and it will be a dis-service if we destroy it. It will be also in our collective interest to consolidate on what we have archive in the last eight years.

At a point, every politician who goes for a contest and losses is agrived but I don’t think your losing a contest should make you aggrived to the extent that you want to destroy the same party that you had been a beneficiary of.

That explained when I lost my primaries in a bad circumstances because there was no primary as far as am concerned, it was just show of force, even though I petitioned the party, my petition was to put the record straight as to what transpired and not to use it as a basis to go to court and I never went to court and am not leaving the party.

By my own tradition and upbringing if I stick to something ,I stick to it in good and in bad, so I am not leaving APC, I have always been a progressive all my life, I believe in my party, I am a progressive in heart and in doing .I want to advise all APC members to keep faith with the progressive fold and lets continue to do progressive things for our country and come 2023, we are hopeful that we will get the mandate and when we get it, more progressive things will come to Nigeria.

You have barely 20 days to the election, how much ground do you think you can cover on your campaign for your party.

Politics is local, I just came back from Borgu where I went to canvasse support at my own senatorial district, and it was a huge success, and I want to assure you that Niger North is for Jagaban Borgu / Kashim Shettima and they are going to win that senatorial district just

like many other parts of this country.

And we are campaning in all the 36 States of the country including FCT just as many other support groups out there in the field going to mobilize voters. And many Nigerians know the truth about the success of Jagaban in Lagos.

Is it truth you did not obtain permission for your rally in Borgu?

I will not want a situation where I come out and bcast aspersion on the character of people.

I don’t need to bring any ones reputation down for my reputation to be seen, it is uncharitable for any one who know me to accept that I will do anything outside the norms, I have contested twice, I have done campaign, and this period has been declared by law (electoral act 2022) as campaign period and no political party needs any permission from any body to go on campaign, even the IG of police said so, all you need is to write the Police to come and protect lives and properties.

And I will tell you I am a man who believe in process and procedures because it gives credibility and certainty to what one is doing, I have written to all the people we were suppose to write to intimate them on the date of the programme, the venue, which is the New Busssia Township Stadium that I renovated, I got permission from the local government to renovated it before starting the project of renovation.

We have written to the Police Area Command, I wrote the State Party Chairman, and I wrote the eight local government APC Chairmen, Based on the feed back from party executives, my followers, that people are still agrived from the outcome of to the primary election and that I should come and pacify them so that we don’t have problems and I finally decided to do the programme on 31st and we mobilize people to come and we were told we can not hold the programme.

They blocked the stadium, and we decided to used my father’s neighborhood which has been rehabilitated by me and all the people came in front of our house and on the basis of that the entire place was filled with people.

And went on a road show and 80 per cent of the road we used was constructed by my humble self and you saw the mammoth crowd that were in attendance.

Are you safe?is there a threat to your life?

For me as far am concerned, from the

way they are behaving, I am yet to declare that but I think am just waiting for the next action because truly what has happened is enough for me to say there is a threat to my life, because I don’t know why , what is the offence here as a Party Man, am not on the ballot am just campaning for my Party, it is not my duty to inform the governor, and as far as am concerned I have done what I should do within the contest of the law by informing to the State Party Chairman.

The governor got the ticket of Niger North senatorial district and how he got it is entirely different I will not say he snatched it and as far as am concerned, I am not desperate and there are different ways you can be of a service to the people, my Life is all about service.

Since that primary ended happened no body from the government or even Party has approached me to say come lets seat down what has happened has happened, lets forge a common front.

The rally we had was for our party and I charged all our supporters to vote all our party all through, if you look at the video you will hear me calling all the offices from the Presidential Candidates, Gubernatorial, Senatorial,House of Representatives and the states constituency.

Are you mindful of the fact that to the altercation between PDP and APC could create an advantage for Labour Party?

I don’t think so because politics is not magic, politics is reality, the reality on ground today is that only APC and PDP has compliment of candidates across board, when you are a candidate, you have a vested interest within the domain of your constituency and you go out within that contest to campaign vigorously, because if you are campaning for presidency the best you can do is what you see the political parties do , you go to the state and every body is assembled and you take the message down .

Now in taking the message down, the senatorial candidate will focus in his Senatorial district, the houses and senatorial candidates will focus on their constituency from the same party and the Governor will also do his own at the local government levels and other strategic towns., These are all the engine room of every electioneering in every political party. And APC has credible candidates all across, so I believe that places us at much more advantage position than any body, irrespective of whatever crisis that may arise artificially.

Cashless economy with tears!

Cont. from back page

be swept under the carpet on grounds of reconciliation.

In October, the CBN had announced that the old 200, 500 and 1000 naira notes would cease to be legal tender by January 31. But the bank extended the deadline to February 10 after protests by citizens. And last Thursday, the CBN had directed deposit money banks (DMBs) to commence the payment of the redesigned naira notes over the counter, subject to a maximum daily payout limit of N20,000. This, too, is counterproductive to open market transactions in remote areas.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari last Friday at a meeting with some governors urged citizens to give him seven days to resolve the cash crunch that has become a problem across the country from the policy of the CBN to change high value Naira notes with new ones. “I will revert to the CBN and the Minting Company. There will be a decision one way or the other in the remaining seven days of the 10-day extension,” the President said.

The Governors had told the President that while they agreed that his decision on the renewal of currency was good and they were fully in support, its execution had been botched and their constituents were becoming increasingly upset.

Later that Friday, the President while tweeting via @MBuhari at 1:32 pm on February 3, 2023 said interalia: “I am aware of the cash shortages and hardship being faced by people and businesses, on account of the Naira redesign. I want to assure you that we are doing everything to resolve these issues. Nigerians should expect significant improvements between now and the February 10 deadline.

“I met with a delegation of Governors today, on the matter. All the complaints about the execution of the currency change are being seriously looked into. I will ensure that everything is resolved in a lasting manner, and we will all enjoy the long-term benefits of the decision.”

A reply by @quincypetersjr to Mr President’s tweets at 2:34 pm reads:” Your excellency Sir, please allow more

time for these new notes to circulate. I know it might be in our best interest but of what use will that be when there is chaos everywhere and people are hungry. I pray thee to kindly extend the deadline even further and allow both to coexist for now.”

Another reply to the President’s tweet from @FreemAn_Jiw at 2:48 pm said: “There can never be positive change without sacrifice. We have endured changes that were to our detriment and we survived. If this will benefit us in the long run as you have said, then let’s endure a bit more.”

I have no reason to doubt the authenticity of the tweets by the President because they have not been denied to have come from him by his handlers. The success of the cashless policy, including the redesign and swap of the Naira, is lofty and welcome because Nigeria cannot operate in isolation from the rest of the world. However, its implementation by institutions of government should aid the growth of the economy, and not to stifle it. A lot of money has been lost since the

announcement of the new Naira policy due to inconclusive transactions and businesses. As said by one of the tweets in response to the President, it is not impossible to allow the old notes and the new ones to coexist side by side for a reasonable time until much after the elections, after which the public and the deposit banks must have psychologically prepared themselves for the final withdrawal of the old notes.

The President should act fast to restore sanity in the financial sector since the buck finally stops at his desk as the ‘Governor General’ of the CBN. The 7 days window he promised should bring about a change that Nigerians can relate with, and not the one that will make them frown at his legacies on the economy. The President may also consider reversing the N20, 000 maximum daily over the counter withdrawal announced by the CBN. This will kill SMEs and petty trading in the open markets in the rural areas which have proved to be reasonable economic drivers.

PEOPLES DAILY

Cashless economy with tears!

Haller scores first Dortmund goal following cancer

Sebastien Haller scored his first goal since recovering from testicular cancer as Borussia Dortmund thrashed Freiburg.

The former West Ham striker, who returned to action three weeks ago, scored the third goal with a 51stminute header in front of the Westfalenstadion’s ‘Yellow Wall’.

Haller was diagnosed days after signing for Dortmund as Erling Haaland’s replacement, and needed two operations.

The 28-year-old has had four rounds of chemotherapy, and surgery in November.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment since day one. When I scored the goal, it felt like the whole stadium was on fire,” Haller told Sky Sports.

“I am happy, but the way is still long, so we will keep walking and hope for more goals.”

Haller returned to the pitch on January 22 in a 4-3 home league win over Augsburg, before making his first Dortmund start against Bayer Leverkusen a week later.

Dortmund cruised to victory over Freiburg, who had Kiliann Sidillia sent off after 17 minutes.

Nico Schlotterbeck, Karim Adeyemi, Julian Brandt and Gio Reyna got on the scoresheet for Dortmund, as well as Haller, as they moved up to third in the Bundesliga, two points off leaders Union Berlin.

Cashless economy is the vogue in many digital economies of the world, and Nigeria does not want to be caught napping, or so it seems. Countries that have since gone cashless include India, Sweden, Denmark, USA, UK, Finland, Singapore, Netherlands and Norway. In Africa, South Africa, Kenya and Egypt are implementing the cashless policy with little or no crisis. How Nigeria blends with the digital trend matters a lot in view of the peculiar nature of the country’s economy which has an active Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, most of which rely on physical cash for their daily transactions. The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, holds the task of working out the modalities for a cashless economy, but the apex bank has come under intense storm in the last couple of weeks following its chaotic Naira redesign and swap leaving on its trail hardship for the commoners. The elite care less since they can find their way. The African economic giant, Nigeria’s desire to migrate to a cashless economy where financial transactions can proceed with little or no cash is demonstrated by the introduction by the CBN of the Bank Verification Number, BVN, the digital online banking facilities including the electronic transfer window, the e-Naira, and now the redesigning of the currency. The bitcoin is also gaining popularity.

The e-Naira, for instance, is a CBN-issued digital currency that provides a unique form of money denominated in Naira. It serves as both a medium of exchange and a store of value, supposedly offering better payment prospects in retail transactions when compared to cash payments, according to the enaira.gov.ng.

No doubt these policies can boost the economy in the long run, but their timing and implementation seem to have cast a dark shadow on their likely benefits. A case in point is the new Naira redesign adjudged necessary but received as wrongly timed and haphazardly implemented, due to its short notice and nearness to the general elections just about 19 days away on February 25. To say that Nigerians have come under untold hardship in the last couple of weeks on account of the new Naira policy is to put it mildly. From the cities to the villages, the story is not any different, of widespread liquidity crunch making SMEs to be grounded, and

Monday Column

By Hameed M. Bello, PhD

hamdbelo@yahoo.co.uk

survival to become difficult for the ordinary folks. The regulatory agency, the CBN, is insisting it had pushed out a substantial amount of the new Naira notes, indirectly pointing accusing fingers at the commercial banks for not servicing the customers. However, the reality is that the banks are not issuing enough new notes, neither are the Automated Teller Machines, ATMs dispensing reasonable cash. The deposit money banks, otherwise known as commercial banks, are either not happy with the new notes and are holding them back, or they are making some brisk business behind the scenes with the notes. The new notes have become even more scarce than petrol, notorious for its recurrent scarcity. This, for many Nigerians, is like jumping out of the frying pan into the fire with the attendant suffering on the people.

There have been public outrage and anger over the frustrating experience of not being able to access legitimate funds to push businesses through, to cater for daily feeding needs, or to pay bills. For example, last week, I met a young man in his early twenties in one of the banks who was threatening that Nigerians have not seen anything yet, that the ENDSARS protest would be a child’s play to what he said was going to come. Whether he was blarbbing out of frustration, or was driven by hunger or some inexplicable condition, only God knows. Except that the tone of his threats was laden with a bold determinstion. According to him, he had been to countless banks in Utako where he lived to access money from his account to no avail. “What sort of country are we operating,” the young man thundered repeatedly while walking around aimlessly from one corner of the Bank area to another. He was not in a hurry to leave the bank premises where the ATMs were located. I quickly took my leave quietly, although I too had enough reason to be as angry as the young man was.

Before my exit, I also heard the angry young man threatening to storm the bank the following day to show them his real colour. I was wondering what he was going to do. Was he going to mobilise his friends to cause mayhem, or he was going to forcibly demand the bank manager to give him money by all means, I reflected.

I concluded that he might have been prompted by frustration, coupled with his youthful exuberance.

And last Thursday also, a coalition of Civil Society Groups on Marina Road, Lagos protested with banners reading “Banks are Saboteurs of CBN’s new naira notes” with the protesters chanting “Enough is enough”. The demonstrators’ spokesman who wielded a loud speaker said roughly: “We have gone to ATMs, we cannot access the naira new notes, we have gone to banks, we are here at the Central Bank of Nigeria, who said they have given the new naira notes to the banks, and that is why the Civil society leaders have taken it upon themselves to storm various banks and tell them to stop suffering Nigerians.” Analysis of the speaker’s words suggests that he believed in the claim by the CBN that it had issued enough new notes to the deposit banks. He accordingly exonerated the CBN and pointed accusing fingers at the deposit banks he took to task to ‘stop suffering Nigerians.’

The experience in so many banking outlets had been depressing. Apart from the noisy, long and rancorous queues, the old notes were not accessible, neither were the new ones. Buying and selling have been inconclusive because the buyers won’t accept transfer of money, and the Point of Sale, POS, machine operators had no cash to give. The buyers were desperate but had to go away in pain and anger. Unfortunately, the e-payment services like transfers also became problematic due to all kinds of error messages. There were connectivity or network failures either from the issuing

or the receiving banks. This has been the sorry state of so many Nigerians.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, last Tuesday said before the House of Representatives adhoc committee on the review of the Bank’s cashless policy that the project was for the overall interest of Nigerians and the economy. Emefiele said the old notes would lose their legal tender status on February 10, 2023, and that about N1.9 trillion had so far been collected since the commencement of the exercise. He said that the currency redesign policy had so far recorded about a 75 per cent success rate.

Recall that Kaduna state Governor, Nasiru el Rufai had last week raised the poser as to whether there were any nexus between 2023 elections and the Naira notes swap. el-Rufai had claimed that some persons at the presidential villa wanted the All Progressives Congress (APC) to lose the presidential election. The Federal Government and the Presidency however debunked the claim, saying that the President was fully in support of the success of the APC and its presidential candidate. Responding to the issue of the Naira swap policy, el-Rufai said “Nigerians should know that these policies are not policies of our party but some economists who are bent on making sure that we lose the election. Policies purposely designed to crash the political process.” This suggests that Emefiele may be working in cahoots with some ‘unknown’ persons in the President’s kitchen cabinet who are against the success of the APC in the presidential election. These are weighty allegations that should not