Monday, March 6, 2023 Edition

Conference: Association seeks UN support for nation’s SMEs, industries

The Nigerian Association of Small Scale Enterproses and Industrialist has solicited the support of the United Nations towards boosting the Small Scale and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Industrialist sectors in the country.

The President of the association, Mr Solomon Daniel, made the appeal in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Sunday in Abuja.

Daniel, who is currently attending the ongoing 5th UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LCDs) in Doha, Qatar urged the inclusion of Nigerian SMEs among the beneficiaries of the planned intervention package.

He said that the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 had adversely affected them, hence the need for the UN to salvage the situation from further escalation.

Daniel said: “We are here as part of the delegates from

Nigeria attending the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LCDs) in Doha, the capital city of Qatar.

“We are calling on the economically viable organisations that are under the United Nations to support the Small Scale and Medium Enterprises in the under-developed countries.

” The UN Secretary-general said they are looking for assistance to support the under developed countries in the areas of education, health and women

and empowerment.”

Similarly, the Treasurer of the association, Mr Abubakar Tanko, said that the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has pledged to support developing countries with $60 million.

Tanko also said that the association had developed comprehensive documents that would be submitted to UN on how best to support the SMEs in Nigeria through the Federal Government.(NAN)

2023:

Kaduna group harps on show your projects to citizens

Femi Oyelola, Kaduna Agroup under the auspices of Kaduna State Joint Action Committee for Uba Sani has flagged off a project termed: ‘operation don’t tell me your projects, show it to me’.

From:

Abdul Ahmed Isiaq, stated this in a press statement made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

Convener of the group, Dr.

The statement stated further that the Committee is a coalition of 69 different associations in its continuing series of engagement with the press where it discussed

issues relating to Uba Sani, the Kaduna State Gubernatorial candidate of the All-Progressive Congress (APC) in the 2023 Election.

The statement added that Senator Uba Sani has facilitated the following projects:

Construction of N3.5billion

faculty of engineering, Kaduna State University, (KASU); Kaduna State (Igabi LGA), Construction of a fully equipped ICT Centre at Government Secondary School, Kawo, Kaduna North LGA; Construction and equipping of a skill acquisition centre at Kinkinau, Kaduna South LG.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya ( M) assisted by his Deputy, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau ( 2nd L), Commissioners of Trade,

Nasiru Aliyu ( 4th R), Finance, Muhammad Magaji ( 3r R), Youth Development ( 2nd R) , Aminu Musa

APM guber

Gunmen kill Village Head in Kano

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

The Governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Gen Ibrahim Sani rtd, has promised to establish police at the local government level to enhance security of lives and property.

“We will support local government police when elected, in order to support policing and protection of lives and property at the grassroots.

“We will also support and empower community policing where the public will be enlightened on how to report issues around breaking of law and order” he said.

Sani stated this Sunday in Kano at a special gathering with newsmen to announce his plans when elected as Kano governor in the coming gurbernatorial candidate.

Sani also stated that he joined the APM because it is a clean party that has people with clean records with no form of indictments.

He announced plans to rid Kano of various social problems that include drug misuse, corruption, indiscipline and youths exhoberance.

Speaking on how to control the persistent Almajiri problem in the state, he said that it is not completely bad, adding that it only needs to be regulated.

“This can be done through the introduction of conventional education in the sysytem as well as entrepreneurship in order to make the Almajiris productive through capacity building.

“It is only people’s oriented programs that will be introduced to solve social problems in Kano” he added.

The General also promised to implement ranching as a solution to the problem of farmers and herders. “This can be done through the introduction of conventional education in the sysytem as well as entrepreneurship in order to make the Almajiris productive through capacity building.

“It is only people’s oriented programs that will be introduced to solve social problems in Kano” he added.

The General also promised to implement ranching as a solution to the problem of farmers and herders.

Unidentified gunmen have killed the Village Head of Rimingado Local Government area, Alhaji Dahiru Abbas on Sunday.

Late Abbas is the father of Barrister Munir Dahiru, serving Chairman of

Rimingado Local Government are in the state.

A nephew to the deceased, Alhaji Sanusi Abbas, told Justice Watch newspaper in Kano that the yet-tobe identified gunmen stormed the residence of the deceased in Maigari village in the wee hours of Sunday.

Abbas, who is a newly-appointed Permanent Secretary, revealed that when the gunmen came, they inflicted various injuries on the deceased’s body before one of them shot him to death.

He informed that the funeral service would take place at 10am on

Sunday at the deceased’s residence in Maigari village.

When contacted, the mobile phone of the spokesman of the Police Command in the state, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, was switched off and no reply to the text message sent to him as at the time of filing this report.

Stakeholders validate Kaduna State gender policy in Agriculture

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Niger APC kicks over suspension of State Chairman, Jikantoro

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

All Progressive Congress (APC) in Niger State has suspended the state Chairman, Haliru Zakari Jikantoro from the party over alleged anti party activities during the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections.

Haliru Jikantoro was suspended from the party by the Kashini Ward Executives of the

party in Agwara local government area of the state.

He was accused of violating the party constitution, hence crisis rocking APC ahead of governorship and state assembly polls.

But in a swift response, the APC state Publicity Secretary, Labaran Musa SarkinKaji in a letter titled ‘Niger APC disassociates itself over the suspension of the state chairman Hon. Haliru Zakari Jikantoro’ described as

callous, heartless and figment of imagination of the peddlers and efforts in futility by the detractors.

SarkinKaji stated that based on the party constitution article 21 Sub- Section one and two the suspension can not stand because members in highest esteem like state chairman must be channeled to the local government, zonal and state working committee for ratification after due consideration, so the ward executives lacked

the power to suspend the state chairman.

The party Ward Executive in a letter of suspension dated March 2nd, 2023, signed by the 21 member executives which was addressed to Agwara local government chairman of the party, a copy which was made available to newsmen in Minna, said the chairman was suspended for deliberately disregarding the party’s constitution.

L-R: National Commissioners of INEC, Major Gen. Abubakar Alkali (rtd), Mrs. May Agbamuchi-Mbu, Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and National Commissioner, Barr. Festus Okoye, during the meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC’s), at the Commission’s headquarters on Saturday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

candidate promises to establish local government Police if elected in Kano

India-bound businessman arrested with 9.40kg heroin at Lagos airport

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested a businessman, Kingsley Celestino at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos over 9.40 kilograms of heroin concealed in false bottoms of his two travelling bags.

NDLEA in a statement issued on Sunday by Femi Babafemi Director, Media & Advocacy said Kingsley, a business class passenger on Qatar Airline flight was arrested at Terminal 2 of the MMIA on Saturday 4th March on his way to India.

“Though a native of Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, the 49-year-old was travelling with a Guinean

international passport.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect frequently travels to India on business class tickets. He claimed he deals in clothing business between Nigeria and India. It was further established that he obtained the Guinean international passport in Guinea Bissau, where he said his mother came from.

“In the same vein, a 24-yearold passenger travelling to Oman, Etounu Monday, was intercepted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Monday 27th February during the outward clearance of Ethiopian Airline flight ET 950 while attempting to export 1.924kg of skunk concealed in cream tubes.

“At the Tincan seaport, Lagos,

NDLEA operatives on Friday 3rd March, recovered 244 parcels of Canadian Loud weighing 79 kilograms concealed in medium size wooden sound system speakers packed inside two out of four used vehicles in a container marked CRSU9258348 coming from Toronto via Montreal, Canada. The imported vehicles used as cover for the drugs are a 2009 Jeep Wrangler and a 2009 Honda Ridgeline.

“Similarly, NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, DOGI, attached to courier firms in Lagos intercepted a consignment of nine parcels of methamphetamine concealed in native black soap, Dudu Osun, heading to Europe.

“No fewer than 778,190 pills of pharmaceutical opioids

including tramadol and a drum of 270kg Methylene Chloride were recovered by operatives from a suspect, Eric Pepe Yohanna, 33, in Jalingo, Taraba state on Monday 27th Feb following credible intelligence. Also seized from him is a Daylong tricycle used in distributing the illicit substances.

In Adamawa state, the house of a wanted notorious drug dealer, Mamudu Njobdi at Sebore, Gyalla road Dougada ward, Mubi was raided in the early hours of Monday 27th Feb where he was arrested and drug exhibits recovered. The 31-yearold suspect was earlier arrested on Wednesday 22nd Feb at his drug joint in Kolere water board but mobilized thugs to attack NDLEA officers and in the process escaped with exhibits.”

Ajiya’s APC takes over Abuja South Constituency

By Usman Shuaibu

The former Chairman of Abaji Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Abdulrahman Ajiya, has won the House of Representatives election to represent the Abuja South Constituency which comprised of Abaji, Gwagwalada, Kwali and Kuje at the National Assembly.

Ajiya polled 51,502 votes to defeat the incumbent member of the House of Representatives. Hon. Alhassan Usman Sokodabo who was the flag-bearer of PDP scored 47,376 votes.

Announcing the result of the election, the INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Wasiu Olugbenga Gabadeen, said Ajiya had met the requirement of the election.

In an interview with newsmen in his residence in Abaji, Ajiya said he would provide purposeful leadership capable of satisfying the aspirations of his people at the National Assembly.

He pointed out that he would partner with the FCT Senator-elect in order to move his constituency to the next level and called for the support and co-operation of the residents in Abuja South constituency.

Ajiya, however, described the conduct of the election as peaceful and credible, thanking the electorates for voting him.

Meanwhile, Party supporters, associations as well as the residents of Abuja South constituency have been paying congratulatory visits to the lawmaker in his residence. He pointed out that he would partner with the FCT Senatorelect in order to move his constituency to the next level and called for the support and co-operation of the residents in Abuja South constituency.

FCT: Gade leaders urge youths to enroll in school

By

Usman

Shuaibu

The chief of Gade in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Yusuf Adamu as well as the Madaki of Angwan Gade in Gwagwalada, Mallam Abdullahi Baba Tanko have urged the youths to enroll

in schools so as to become important personalities in the societies.

They also charged the youths to continue to live in peace for the overall development of Gade community in the FCT and Nigeria as a whole.

Alhaji Yusuf Adamu and Mallam Abdullahi Baba Tanko,

who stated this in their separate interviews with peoples Daily correspondent during the celebration of their chieftaincy titles at their respective communities, further counselled Gade on unity at all times.

The Kwali Chief of Gade, however, advised the entire Gade in the FCT to shun any act

capable of causing rancour and acrimony in our communities and promised to provide purposeful leadership.

In the same vain, the Madaki of Angwan Gade thanked the Aguma of Gwagwalada, Alhaji Muhammadu Magaji for recognizing him as the leader of Angwan Gade in the area.

Ajiya, however, described the conduct of the election as peaceful and credible, thanking the electorates for voting him.

Meanwhile, Party supporters, associations as well as the residents of Abuja South constituency have been paying congratulatory visits to the lawmaker in his residence. He pointed out that he would partner with the FCT Senatorelect in order to move his constituency to the next level and called for thedents in Abuja South constituency.

L-R: National President, Northern Youth Peace Ambassadors, Comrade Abdulmalik Usman , the President, Emerging Leaders Forum of Nigeria (ELFON), Comrade Godstime Chukwubuikem, The Senate President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Attah Nnalue Felix and the President, Ohaneze Ndigbo Youth Assembly,. Comrade Chigozie Uwaoma, during the ELFON and other stakeholders world press conference calling on opposition parties that lost the 2023 presidential election to give peace a Chance and fellow the rule of law if they are not satisfied, held on Friday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Troops rescue 14 kill one bandit in Kaduna

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna & Ahmad Muhammad, Bauchi

The Troops of Sector

Four of Operation Whirl Punch, and Special Forces of the 167 Battalion have cleared a bandit hideout during a fierce encounter in Kaduna State.

This is as Police operatives attached to the Bauchi State Command neutralised two suspected kidnappers at Rafin Gora in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State on Friday and rescued their victim

The state Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs,Samuel Aruwan stated this in a

•As Police kill 2 suspected kidnappers in Bauchi

statement made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

The statement stated that the troops who embarked on a long range fighting patrol to Tukurua general area of Chikun LGA of the state , engaged and overpowered the outlaws, neutralizing one, with others fleeing in disarray.

The statement added that the troops during the operation rescued 14 kidnapped victims, comprising nine men and five women.

“The victims were moved to a secure location for debriefing

and examination before being reunited with their families.

“In the course of the battle, the troops destroyed several camps. Two motorcycles were recovered during the operation.

“The Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai who expressed his elation at the report, commended the troops and praised the leadership of the Major General TA Lagbaja, GOC One Division and Force Commander of the Operation Whirl Punch.

“The Governor further extolled the professional

prowess of the troops, as all the kidnapped citizens were rescued alive and unhurt”.

Meanwhile, Police operatives attached to the Bauchi State Command neutralised two suspected kidnappers at Rafin Gora in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State on Friday and rescued their victim.

Police spokesman, SP Ahmed Wakil, stated on Sunday in Bauchi that the gun-wielding assailants invaded the home of a resident at Rafin Gora and attempted to kidnap his

28-year-old son.

“The victim resisted the kidnap attempt and was shot multiple times in his lower abdomen while trying to escape.

“Police operatives in conjunction with a local vigilance group mobilised to the scene to confront the kidnappers who welcomed them with sporadic gunshots,’’ he stated.

He added that the operatives effectively returned fire making the assailants scamper in disarray with possible gunshot wounds.

“Two of them met their waterloo, while one AK47 was recovered from them.

“The 28-year-old victim was rescued and immediately taken to the Federal Medical Centre at Birnin Kudu for treatment,’’ Wakil stated.

He added that a manhunt had begun for the fleeing suspects so they could face the law.

Buhari to address UN summit on Least Developed Countries today

From Egena Sunday Ode, in Qatar

President Muhammadu Buhari

will on Monday address the delegates at the ongoing United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

Buhari who departed Abuja on Saturday for the fifth edition of the conference taking place in Doha, Qatar was among prominent leaders that graced the opening ceremony of the week long event on Sunday.

A statement on Saturday announcing the departure for the event expected to be attended by no fewer than 46 presidents and

heads of governments said Buhari’s participation followed an invitation by the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The conference which is taking place from 5th to 9th March, 2023 under the theme: “From Potential to Prosperity,” holds once in a decade and provides an opportunity to garner the support of the international community for accelerating sustainable development in the LDCs as well as assist them make progress towards achieving prosperity.

The statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity,

Garba Shehu, said Buhari, will in his address to the August body, reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to support the most vulnerable countries to meet their development challenges, highlighting areas through which the Nigerian government has provided them with various forms of assistance over time.

As most of these countries struggle to find sustainable solutions to challenges of poverty, adverse effects of climate change, food and energy crisis as well as high-debt burden among others, the Nigerian leader will vigorously reiterate the need for sustainable

solutions for countries facing these severe challenges, Shehu said in the statement.

The Summit is being attended by world leaders, the private sector, civil society and youth organisations.

Garba noted that the summit aimed to share developmental ideas and mobilize political will, solidarity, action and solutions to transform the LDCs, by finding sustainable solutions to the challenges of poverty, food insecurity, hunger, weak or non-existent infrastructure, inadequate health facilities, climate change among others as

they struggle to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

President Buhari’s delegation included ministers and top government officials who are expected to use the opportunity of the visit to sign some agreements and Memoranda of Understanding with the Qatari government.

The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterresin his address urged the 46 affected countries to take ownership of Doha programme of action to eradicate poverty and other issues militating again their development.

L-R:Aboro of Iboroland,HRM, Oba Dr. Daniel Abayomi Salako ; HRM, Oba Matthew Ayinde Ajibulu, Olu of Onigbedu; Dangote Cement Ibese Plant Director, Azad Nawabuddin; Aboro of Ibeseland , HRM, Oba Rotimi Oluseyi Mulero, and Olu of Aga Olowo, HRM, Oba Kayode Adio Kusoro, during a recently inauguration of some CSR Community Projects, at the Dangote Cement Ibese Plant, Ogun State recently.

2023: Ashiru urges Kaduna voters to prepare to vote again

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Kaduna State gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Rt Hon. Isa Mohammed Ashiru has called on the people of Kaduna State to prepare to go and vote on March 11, 2023, despite some of the challenges they encountered on February 25.

This was contained in a state by Deputy Director, Media and Publicity, PDP State Campaign Directorate Reuben Buhari, and made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

Ashiru explained that while people might be feeling demoralized about the outcome of the last election and possibly wondering why they should be bothered to go and vote on Saturday, giving up and staying at home might sound tempting but wouldn’t come with any lasting reward for everyone.

He said voting for the PDP next Saturday, irrespective of party differences, would ensure that everyone finishes as a winner.

“If our dream is to have a secure, prosperous Kaduna State, then we owe it to ourselves and our families to resolve to go and vote for the PDP.

“Not voting would ensure that more of our people in Kaduna State get sacked with impunity, or forcefully retired without them getting their benefits.

“ Not voting might ensure that labour leaders who decide to legally protect the interest of their members when they would be sacked again, would be hounded and declared wanted like criminals.

“Not voting might ensure the continuation of school fees increment in Kaduna’s tertiary institutions without regard to the common man.

“Abstaining from voting would continue to see our traditional institutions bastardised without recourse to what the people genuinely desire.

“ We would continue to witness more demolitions of houses and shops that the common man is using for sustenance; continue to see the forceful seizure of people’s land and continue to witness the most insecure environment that Kaduna currently has become. Not going out to vote for the PDP would ensure the continuation of these and many more.”

The gubernatorial candidate congratulated the people of Kaduna State by saying they did very well when they voted for the PDP on February 25 and in the process clinched the three senatorial seats in the State, and ten out of the 16 House of Representative seats.

“With us all strategically closing ranks and putting the result of the past election behind us, we will emerge with enough votes to ensure that the APC never again brings any hardship to the residents of Kaduna State.”

Ashiru further warned that because the APC is desperate to continue with its deliberate misgovernance, they might employ and deploy all manner of illegalities

APC to address complaints of aggrieved members in Lagos – Tayo Ayinde

The Independent Campaign Council (ICC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), working for the re-election of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu in Lagos State, says party leaders will address all concerns raised by its members ahead of the March 11 Governorship election.

Mr Tayo Ayinde, the DirectorGeneral of the group, gave the assurance during a town hall with members in Alimosho, Oshodi and Mushin Local Government Areas, on Saturday in Lagos.

Ayinde, also the Chief of Staff to Gov. Sanwo-Olu, urged residents of these areas to put all differences aside and unite for the success of the second term of the governor and his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat.

The meeting was organised by the ICC to find out why the opposition party won elections in some local governments in the state and why members did not come out to vote. He said the aim of the forum was to rub minds, listen to complains and provide possible solution.

Ayinde also said that the

meeting was to find out why the areas performed very low during the presidential election and how it could be addressed.

He said that the forum was to get feedback of issues, problems and challenges among members of the party in the these areas.

“The reason why we called this meeting is because we can not sit down at the state level and know what your problems are at the local government level.

“This is why we came to interact with you and also find out the reason why the party performed woefully during the presidential elections.

“We are happy that you won your house of representative seat and you did not disappoint Asiwaju.

“We want you to help the other areas, Isolo and Ejigbo to win the elections. Conduct door-to-door campaign so that Oshodi Local Government will deliver.

“We were surprised about what happened during the presidential elections. So, we are here to find out what we can do ahead of the March 11 elections so that the party will not fail again.

“This is about how we will return our governorship candidate for the second term as well as our house of assembly members,” he said.

He said that all complaints would be addressed before the elections assuring that the party would pay more attention to youths

Mrs Adejoke OrelopeAdefulire, Special Adviser to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), urged residents of Alimosho to come out en masse to cast their vote for all APC candidates on March 11.

Orelope-Adefulire commended the residents of Alimosho and Lagos in general for their support for the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu.

She said that the administration of Tinubu would be beneficial to the masses as more jobs would be created especially for the youth.

“I want you all to relax as the new government of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will be peaceful, create more jobs and empower youths.

“We want you all to troop out on March 11 to cast your votes for

all candidates of our party,” she said.

Mrs Funmilayo Tejuosho, a former Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, urged market men and women to conduct door-to-door campaign in Mushin and Odi-Olowo area of the state.

Tejuosho said the leaders of the party had heard their complaints and would work hard to address them.

According to her, their support will go a long way in helping the party to retain power in the state.

“We want you all to come out and cast your votes.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that participants included youths, artisans, market men and women, religious bodies, traditional rulers, community development associations and people living with disabilities.

Majority of the participants had expressed displeasure and accused leaders of the party of neglect, poor leadership, and lack of financial mobilisation of its members during elections.

NAN

L-R: Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Lagos State Branch, Olabisi Damola- Alade ; President, Nigerian NIESV, Johnbull Amayaevbo; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure, Olayinka Patunola –Ajayi and Chairman, NIESV Kano State branch, Abdulatif Abdulaziz during the courtesy visit of NIESV to the Lagos State Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure in Lagos.

Varsity launches business incubation centre in

Abuja

By Shannon Gwamna

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

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

The Acting President of the University, Prof Azikiwe Onwualu, said the centre would help staff and students of the institution to translate their researches into problem-solving products and services.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

President Buhari participates at the Programme of the Opening Plenary of the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LCDs) in Doha, Qatar on 5th Mar 2023

Elections: Foundation urges INEC to deploy assistive tools for PWDs

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

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

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

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

marred by the unsatisfactory delivery of the elections.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Kubwa village ,Kofar Sarki

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

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

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

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

Institute advises President-elect on inclusive government

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

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

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

According to the NIM president, running a government of inclusion will foster national unity and integration, irrespective of religious inclination,

ethnocentric and cultural diversity, and political affiliation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Atako enjoined the entire citizenry to close ranks and

join hands with the incoming administration, to move the nation forward.

She said that would serve as the fastest way to heal the nation of the rancour and bad blood, thrown up by the partisanship experienced before, during and after the election.

“I advise Nigerians to desire and pursue peace at all times, and address any perceived injustice through constitutional means.

“The people of Nigeria should be an integral part of the leadership process, contributing to the success of governance.

“They should exhibit the much desired followership qualities of humility, support for authority, commitment to the vision of the leader, respect and trust for the leadership of the country,” she said. (NAN)

Institute advises President-elect on inclusive government

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Atako enjoined the entire citizenry to close ranks and join hands with the incoming administration, to move the nation forward.

She said that would serve as the fastest way to heal the nation of the rancour and bad blood, thrown up by the partisanship experienced before, during and after the election.NAN

Buhari urges Chadian factions to support ongoing democratic transition

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Muhammadu

Buhari has called on leaders of the various Chadian political factions to show restraint and patriotism by immersing themselves in the ongoing transition to democracy in their country.

Speaking to the country’s transition President and Head of Government, General Mehmet Idris Deby-Itno when he visited

him on the sidelines of the ongoing UN program in Doha, Qatar on Sunday, President Buhari said:

“I watch developments in your country from a safe distance. As a close neighbor, I go to sleep and wake up with the issue on my mind.

“I sympathize with you, not only as a youth, but due to the position of some of the groups operating outside the country including Libya, even

though this is a problem you inherited from your father. I am really reduced to praying on this matter. Other groups who think they are strong should be patriotic, settle down and secure their own country.”

President Buhari thanked the Chadian leader for the visit, giving assurances that, “as a good neighbor, I am prepared at any time to listen to your representations, political, security or any other matter.”

President Deby-Itno said he had come to say thank you to the President for the support he provides to him and his country as they undertake the ongoing transition to democracy, which he said is going well.

He wished President Buhari long life and congratulated him on the ongoing democratic process in Nigeria, adding that “we hope we will continue to see you even after your departure from office.”

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

The gubernatorial candidate of People’s Democratic Party, PDP in Kano state, Sadiq Wali has described as ‘nonsense’, speculations that former governor of the state, Ibrahim Shekarau is working underground for Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC.

Shekarau defected to PDP from New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the build up to 2023 elections late last year.

Speaking in response to a question from a journalist during a media parley with newsmen in Kano on Thursday night, Wali said he knows there is no any

move by Shekarau to work against the PDP candidate in the March 11 governorship election in the state.

The PDP guber candidate emphasized that he could unequivocally said that Shekarau is working for him for the success of PDP in the state.

According to Wali, the rumour might be emanated from the silence of Shekarau in the PDP tussle in Kano because the case was in court.

“It is not true. What will Shekarau benefit if he works for Gawuna now? I can unequivocally tell you that Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau has no problem with my candidature. It is just nonsense to say Shekarau is working underground against my

candidature.

“Shekarau just decided to remain silent in PDP crisis at state level because the case was in court. As a man who respects law and democracy, he should not speak on a case that is before the court. But, as far as i am concerned, it is not true that Shekarau is working for APC,” Wali said.

The former Commissioner for Water Resources also stressed that he would not step down for any candidate or merge with any party.

He lamented that he has had limited time to prepare for the election as, according to him, the judgement was passed in his favour just 10 days to the governoship election.

He also lamented that he had not gotten opportunity to showcase his agenda and programmes for the people of Kano because of the court case between him and Mohammed Sani Abacha.

“There were two governoship debates that i did not participate due to lingering court case. We have the best programme and agenda for Kano and we would have gotten the opportunity to showcase them.

“ But, despite the limited time, we would forge ahead. We will participate in the election and we will not merge or step down for anybody. We will go ahead with the election. Victory is from God,” he emphasized.

Guber poll: It’s nonsense to say Shekarau is working for Gawuna- Wali

L-R:Executive director media reach , Mr Adeyinka Adebayo; director, basic education services Lagos state ministry of education, Mr Adeyemi Adebayo; winner Kellogg’s super stars scholarship award , David Ogiata ; marketing manager, Kellogg’s Tolearn, Darlington Ighabali;and senior assistant education officer Lagos state universal basic education board(SUBEB) ,Mr popoola Ayodeji, during the the presentation of awards to the winners of Kellogg’s super stars scholarship 4.0 edition in Lagos. .

Verify your stories before going to press— Kebbi varsity VC begs journalists

From Ahmed idris, Birnin Kebbi

The Management of the Kebbi State University of Science and Technology Aliero has appealed to journalists in the State to always verify and balance their report before going to press.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Acting Registrar of the University Alhaji Maimaru Tili and made available to newsmen yesterday in Birnin Kebbi.

He expressed dismay over a report by an online newspaper that the university is in a stage of collapse.

He pointed out that the Kebbi State University of Science and Technology was listed among the best universities in Nigeria by the NUC which is in 25th position.

Northern coalition

hails Tinubu, Shettima on election victory

From Abubakar Y Ojimaojo

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

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

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

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

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

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

Avoid divided house before governorship election, Group urges Sule

The Concerned All Progressives Congress (APC) Stakeholders in Nasarawa State have called on Gov. Abdullahi Sule to avoid a divided house before the Saturday March 11 election.

The Convener of the group, Mr Dominic Alancha, gave the advice on Saturday at a news conference in Abuja.

Alancha said that defeat of APC in the presidential and National Assembly elections in the state was orchestrated by internal wrangling, especially from the aggrieved state government functionaries.

According to him, most of them are APC government appointees who worked against the party and were also planning to work against

the party in the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections.

“The onus is on the governor to do the needful before we go into the election comes March 11, or else, we will go into it as a divided house.

“We, therefore, say that the Governorship and House of Assembly elections slated for March 11 should be different.

“We are calling on all concerns to come out and address the issues that could affect the victory of APC in the March 11 election in Nasarawa State.

`We believe that Gov. Abdullahi Sule is one of the Governors considered to have done well and given the dividends of democracy,’’ group’s convener said. (NAN)

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN (middle) Prelate of the Methodist Church His Eminence The Most Rev.Dr Oliver Aba (Right) and His Grace, The Most Rev (Dr.) Michael O. Akinwale Archbishop of Abuja Diocese (Left) in a group photograph at the Enthronement of His Grace, The Most Rev (Dr.) Michael O. Akinwale as Archbishop of Abuja Diocese and the Presentation of Sir (AVM) Kayode Beckley, RTD as Diocesan and Archdiocesan Lay President at the Methodist Church Nigeria in Abuja. 5th March, 2023. Photos; Tolani Alli

Oduduwa House emerges champion in FEDCOL 45th inter-house sports

Budding athletes at the Federal Government College (FEDCOL), Ijanikin, near Lagos showed their class at the school’s 45th inter-house sports competition on Saturday, with Oduduwa House coming tops.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oduduwa House beat six other houses in the school, clinching 15 gold, eight silver and nine bronze to lift the diadem.

However, Nnamdi Azikiwe House got 11 gold, eight silver and eight bronze to place second, while Moremi House won seven gold, 10 silver and seven bronze to place third.

Similarly, Macaulay House clinched five gold, nine silver and 10 bronze to come fourth while Danfodio House got four gold, five silver and six bronze to place fifth.

El-Kanemi House won four gold, three silver and three bronze to place sixth, while Jaja House won no gold but got two silver and three bronze medals to come last in the competition.

The competition, held at the school’s playground, is a yearly event to keep students fit and make them to hone their skills for future exploits in sports.

In the junior girls’ 100 metres competition, Onyinye Mbagwu, representing Macaulay House, came first in 13.88 seconds; Precious Okeke, also from Macaulay House placed second in 14.08 seconds.

Amarachi Nwadinma of Moremi House came third in 14.57 seconds, while Chizaram Njoku of El-kanmi House finished fourth in 15.10 seconds.

In the senior girls’ event, Gift Ogochukwu of Moremi House out-smarted others to clinch first position in 12.80 seconds, Olayemi Akanbi of Macaulay House came second in 12.81 seconds, while Alimat Ligali of Oduduwa House was third in 12.98 seconds.

Chikaima Nwanyanwu from Macaulay House came fourth in 13.01 seconds with Christabel Okeoma from Nnamdi Azikiwe House finishing fifth in 13.06 seconds.

In the junior boys event, Kehinde Bello from El-Kanemi House came first in 13.07 seconds while Daniel Mmakwe of Nnamdi Azikiwe House placed second in in a time of 13.07 seconds.

Yau Shuaibu from Macaulay House came third in 13.56 seconds; Victor Obilor of Moremi House was fourth in 13.75 while Anthony Okeke from Jaja House finished fifth in 14.12 seconds.

Speaking to NAN at the end of the competition, some of the participants expressed their desires to excel in sports in the near future.

Gift Ogochukwu, first prize winner in the senior girls’ event, said that she started preparing for the competition the same week the school opened for the second term.

The 13-year-old, said that going to represent the country at the Olympics was her dream, adding, “I want to be known in the world like Blessing Okagbare.”

Kehinde Bello, who elicited spectators’ admiration with his

zig-zag running style, said that he planned to improve on his skills.

NAN reports that medals, certificates and trophies were given to winners at the interhouse sports, which featured different events.

Earlier, the Director/ Principal of the college, Ms. Tofunmi Akamo, while speaking at the event, urged parents not to discourage children from taking to sports as careers.

She described sports as a lucrative and quick-rewarding enterprise that young persons could embrace to make the difference in their lives.

Akamo said that the competition was introduced in Unity Schools by the Federal Ministry of Education as part of efforts to foster healthy minds in healthy bodies.

“It is also a way to enhance social interaction among students who come from different social backgrounds and it provides opportunities for relaxation, entertainment and recreation for our pupils,” she said. (NAN)

By Shannon Gwamna

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

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

The Acting President of the University, Prof Azikiwe Onwualu, said the centre would help staff and students of the institution to translate their researches into problem-solving products and services.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society (AIS) on Saturday distributed N13 million worth of household items and business startups to 160 recipients in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the recipients included 150 Muslims and 10 Christians.

Speaking at the event held at the Al-Habibiyyah Jumat Mosque, Guzape, Abuja, the Chief Imam of AIS, Sheik Fuad Adeyemi, said the event was the 2nd National Zakat Day and 12th public disbursement of zakat to the needy.

NAN reports that zakat (compulsory charity/alms for the needy) is the last of the five compulsory pillars of Islam, for those that meet the designated threshold in cash and other forms of wealth in a one full lunar calendar year.

“The N13 million will be disbursed today inform of cheques for educational support and business startups,” Adeyemi said.

He said the items included deep freezers, sewing machines, grinding startup machines, fridges and barbing salon kits, amongst

others.

According to him, this year’s programme was carefully established to sensitise everyone on the current issues and challenges on the payment and disbursement of zakat.

“It is a known fact that if all eligible Muslims pay their zakat (tithes), no Moslem would be poor, hence the theme of the event, “Practice to prosperity”, he said.

The renowned Muslim cleric said the society was working toward tackling three major challenges encountered by the Muslim ummah, which are ignorance, poverty and relationship.

Adeyemi said: “All our progmames are tailored toward solving the three identified problems.

“Zakat and endowment foundation, Do something Initiative, Ramadan Food Bank, Al-Habibiyyah Cooperative and many more programmes coming are targeted toward solving the problem of poverty.

“The mosque, Abrahamic mission, toward solving the problem of relationship, while the executive Quranic course

are geared towards solving the problem of ignorance.”

The Imam also said the second Saturday of Sha’aban for National Zakat day was chosen because of its closeness to the month of Ramadan and the lecture will come up on March 26.

160 Muslims, Christians benefit from N13m household items from Al-Habibiyyah Varsity launches business incubation centre in Abuja

“The Ramadan food bank will start on the first day of Ramadan and intends to feed 2,500 people daily and this calls for support,” he said.

Also, the Chairman of the event and former Permanent Secretary, State House, Alhaji Jalal Arabi, sued for unity and peace for national development.

He said the religious organisation was the first to show and preach peace for a better nation.

Speaking on the theme of the event, the Chairman, Sokoto State Zakat and Waqf Commission, Alhaji Muhammed Maidoki, said the fastest way to gain wealth and win Allah’s favour was through feeding the hungry and giving to charity.

Alhaji Maidoki urged believers to always ensure they contributed their zakat, which was also a

means of promoting unity, love and growing society.

He said that the benefits of Zakat contributes to increasing the income of the poor and improving their condition of life.

“If zakat is collected and distributed in accordance with the law, it will result in the accumulative process of consumption and investment.

“It will also guarantee not only the eradication of poverty by creating permanent employment but feed the economic growth in order to reach a high stage of economic and social development,” Maidoki said.

He also said that the lack of awareness, financial literacy, poor mechanism for zakat distribution, absence of legal backing and political will were militating against the process of fair zakat distribution.

He suggested intensive awareness, employing good mechanism of zakat distribution, enacting strong legal framework and encouraging political support from emirs, among others, would enhance the process for societal and citizens well-being. (NAN)

Join hands to support next administration –BAT TV urges Nigerians

By Abubakar Y Ojimaojo

The BAT Television has called on all Nigerians to join hands with the next administration in moving Nigeria forward by shunning violence and divisive rhetoric capable of threatening the unity of our country.

It also congratulated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the successful conduct of the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly Elections on February 25, 2023.

Making the call yesterday in Abuja at a press conference, the

Co-Founder, of BAT TV, Maryam Ahman said despite pockets of logistical challenges, “we affirmed that INEC surmounted most of the challenges to give Nigeria and Nigerians credible, free, and fair elections.”

She said each of the top three candidates was the leading votegetter in 12 states, a remarkable first in Nigeria’s modern political era, reflecting the diversity of views that characterized the campaign and the wishes of Nigeria’s voters.

“We are optimistic that the commission will continue to improve the electoral process, especially with the next round of

polls coming up on March 11

“Regarding the success of the President-Elect, we congratulate our principal Asiwaju Tinubu and are glad that we contributed our quota to his victory.

“We believe that the positive image we used our platform to project about him during the electioneering will be sustained now that he is Nigeria’s presidentin-waiting and in the subsequent months to come when he will be sworn in as President”.

Speaking further, she said as a cross-platform digital television, we will continue to create digital content about the person and work of Asiwaju Tinubu, while

further serving as a means of galvanizing public support for his presidency from May 29, 2023

“As Tinubu has already said in his acceptance speech, we do not doubt that he would be a government for every Nigerian, irrespective of class, political affiliation, and social belief.

“We also want to hold out an olive branch to the other three frontrunners in the presidential race – Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (PDP), Mr. Peter Obi (LP), and Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (NNPP) – for their courage and unflinching belief in Project Nigeria,” she said.

L-R: Baale Mopo in Eti-Osa LGA, Chief Shakiru Akinlade; Secretary of Baales in Eti-Osa, Chief Tajudeen Adebayo; Chairman of Baales Forum in Eti-Osa, Baale Lafiaji, Chief Olanrewaju Alli-Balogun; Baale Ikota, Chief Nosiru Laguda and Baale Gedegede Tapa, Chief Ayodeji Thomas, during a Press Conference by the Baales of Eti-Osa on the upcoming Governorship Election in Lagos, held yesterday at Ikota Primary School,

“The Elections of February 25”

By Mary Beth Leonard

The people of Nigeria demonstrated their dedication to democracy on February 25, but there are many angry and frustrated Nigerians as well as many who are celebrating victories they believe were hard-fought and well-earned. In the coming days, it will be important for the future of this country that Nigerians not let their differences divide them, and that the legally established process for resolving challenges to the election be allowed to take its course. We commend Mr. Obi and Mr. Abubakar for their recent statements committing to take this path, and Mr. Tinubu, who INEC declared the president-elect under Nigeria’s electoral framework, for acknowledging their right to do so.

The United States is no stranger to electionrelated controversy and conflict. As much as it can be unsatisfying to end an electoral process in a courtroom, in a constitutional democracy bound by the rule of law, that is where electoral conflicts may appropriately conclude.

It is clear that the electoral process as a whole on February 25 failed to meet Nigerians’ expectations. As I said numerous times prior to the elections, Nigeria has accomplished much in just the twoplus decades since the return to democracy, and a gradual improvement in the quality of its elections in that time constitutes one of those accomplishments. We recognize that Nigerians want that positive trend to continue, including through the use of new technology intended to make the process of reporting results more transparent. We thus reiterate our call on INEC to address promptly the challenges that can be resolved ahead of the March 11 gubernatorial elections, and to undertake a broader review of the problems that transpired during the last elections and what can be done to fix them. In all cases, INEC should share with the Nigerian public information about the actions it is taking.

I also want to highlight some of the remarkable results from this past election that show how Nigeria’s political landscape is indisputably changing. In more than half of the states – 20 – the winning candidate

represented a different party than that of the incumbent governor. Twelve of these states are led by APC governors. For the first time, four presidential candidates won at least one state, and the top three each won 12 states based on these initial results. In the National Assembly elections, even with results still incomplete, we already know that changes are afoot: seven sitting governors lost in their attempts to win election to the Assembly; the Labor Party has won at least seven seats in the Senate; the NNPP has won at least 11 seats in the House of Representatives.

The Nigerian people have made clear their desire for responsive and inclusive governance, and we strongly support their ability to express that desire. The United States and Nigeria are the two largest presidential democracies in the world, and longtime partners. As Nigeria goes through these next weeks and months, we stand with you.

Peter Obi: The president that never was

By Abdu Abdullahi

The variables that worked against Obi were stronger than those which worked in his favour. Yet, the consummate side of Obi was his stylistic and mass social media movement that recruited especially the youths en masse. His outing was largely the product of impressive, compelling as well as intimidating impulses.

Eventually, Mr. Peter Obi’s pioneering political experiment crashed and exploded in the fierce battle of the last election. Earlier, he had stormed the political scene with a very brilliant and juggernaut concept of playing the political card of an Igbo presidential candidate under the Labour Party. But the opium of religious intolerance poisoned the soul of his soaring aspiration.

Obi and any other political warrior could not lift the burden of religious politics and land safely in Nigeria. He should have deployed the style of belonging to everyone and belonging to no one to enhance his political horizon. This is Nigeria of complex diversity and the Obi movement’s failure to adhere to the conventions of heterogeneity impaired his political journey. But why did the Muslim-Muslim ticket not collapse in the first place? The answer is simple. The contentious licence was a child of a peculiar circumstance that once existed and worked effectively during the days of the SPD’s Abiola and Kingibe. It was not a calculated scheming to impose a religious impression or values on Nigeria. But in Obi’s trial, it was a deliberate effort to counter the Muslim-Muslim electorate identity. Ironically, it was this political shenanigans that magically worked for the APC when the LP, NNPP and the PDP were in disarray, each battling for political supremacy.

The fundamental discrepancy between the APC and the LP’s religious undertone was that the former was strategically innovated to win an election whereas the latter was loosely imposed to lose an election. While the APC drew its philosophy from the particular to the general, the LP experimented on the ideology of the general to the particular. It was that particularization trademark and sentimental bondage that consumed Obi’s religious army. In a religious solemnisation for an exchange with inclusiveness of diversity, Obi’s political vanguard could not see the light at the end of the tunnel.

As a beginner, Obi represented a newly

quintessential optimism for the Igbo to explore and make their way to the presidency, but his political adventure lacked universal value. His political nexus believed not in creating wider spaces but narrowed down the spaces to victimise itself. He wanted to control the centre but ended up gambling with anti central forces to sabotage political connections and the key to giving full life to his politics was maliciously subverted.

Nevertheless, he was both a loser as well as a winner. He was a loser owing to the enslavement of his party by the squad of religious belligerence. He was a winner as a result of the triumph of his self esteem. He sacrificed political permutations for sentiment to prevail. Being the only pronounced Christian contender in the race, those who voted him on religious group inflicted fatal wounds on his political dreams. To heal the injuries will be too cumbersome. Mr. Peter may fall and rise again politically, but Obi is a good idea in a presidential contest and his name will remain in a secured place where history gives it life.

The variables that worked against Obi were stronger than those which worked in his favour. Yet, the consummate side of Obi was his stylistic and mass social media movement that recruited especially the youths en masse. His outing was largely the product of impressive, compelling as well as intimidating impulses. The Obi overwhelming phenomenon was and is still more powerful and promising than the Biafra rebellious eruption. Going by Obi’s frantic efforts to the Villa, it is just a matter of time and discerning deployments for the Igbo to get the relevant political preparation and weather the storm.

While I believed strongly that his presidency dream emanated from an opportunity, he seized it and instantly shot into national consciousness. Obi’s facial expression of a determined presidential aspirant deepened my hope on him. The riches of his self confidence of winning the election bewildered me as they were not squandered on bickering with opponents. His choice of the erudite Dr. Datti Ahmed as his running mate delighted my heart. His political art of attacking ideas and not people to woo the electorates impressed me. Marie Curie agreed that we should be less curious about people and more curious about ideas. But sadly, his combative with ideas was saddled with overtly religious monopolisation and mobilisation by general party sympathisers as well as elements.

The Obi we saw in the last electoral competition classified a charming and glowing concept that glorified him as major stakeholder in progress .He was able to resurcitate the politically dying spirit of the Igbo nation in the battle for political supremacy in the country. He conscientised the political conscience of the Igbo to plan and make investment on a hugely political project for a possible power control. He came with a political message that was more powerful than the ‘politics of the Biafra’. He was dispossessed of the ghost of Biafra to focus on the national politics and accomplish the task of its expression. With this, he created his own political story that will endure and the politics will also write its own story of Mr. Peter Obi.

If Obi could win Plateau and Nasarawa states with a landslide conquest, it was very likely that history had rebounced and taught us a good lesson. Recall that the old Plateau comprising the present Nasarawa identified with the politics of the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. Nevertheless, his impressive outings in other Christians dominated areas of the north unravels the religiousity of Obi’s political platform. To sustain the gains of his last political display therefore, he must liberate our minds from the impression of seeing his party as belonging to the Christians alone. My emphasis is always on the religious affinity attached to Obi and not the ethnic dimension, for the latter is less offensive.

Obi must sincerely revisit the quality of his recent political adventure with a view to exposing his conspicuous flaws, effecting necessary amendments with a view to averting future reoccurrences. He should discard the false attraction of winning the election and his mandate being robbed. He ought to admit that the poverty of his aspirations was more of religious indoctrination which greatly nosedived during the climax of his ascension. If the political Obi of the last election will be the same in the future election, endorsed by religious forces, then it will be a political tragedy for him.

Mr Peter Obi’s next coming must be an adventurous status that will be holistic. It must rid itself of religious manifestation in all ramifications. Religious politics can only buy him cheap popularity at a very high price. But minus religion, the mantle of leadership will be costless to him.

Abdu Abdullahi is a Public Affairs Analyst.

Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard is the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria

The pen is mightier than the sword

By Ezinwanne Onwuka

Ihad expected the INEC chairman to halt the collation exercise and investigate the claims made by individuals, civil society organisations, and election observers to undermine the credibility of the electoral process, but he simply excused the claims as a ‘disruption’.

Though one of my teachers back in secondary school had illustratively explained to me in particular and the class generally the popular saying, ‘The pen is mightier than the sword’, it took the outcome of the February 25, 2023, presidential election for me to grasp what was taught 13 years ago.

Over the centuries, the metonymic adage, coined by English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton in his 1839 historical play, Richelieu or The Conspiracy, has come to define the power of the written word in statecraft. At the heart of this notion is the idea that the course of a nation or people can be determined at the stroke of a pen.

At the stroke of a pen, nations can be built, and nations can be ruined. At the stroke of a pen, a bill becomes a law that can make or break nations. At the stroke of a pen, elections are either validated or annulled. At the stroke of a pen, presidents are sworn in, some by convention, others by the doctrine of necessity.

Speaking of elections, let me mention that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), despite the flaws that greeted the February 25, 2023, election declared and ratified the winner of the presidential poll at the stroke of a pen. However, the announcement was welcomed with hisses and sighs, wailing and whining, and, above all, a deafening silence. And the reason is not far-fetched.

Without prejudice to any of the presidential candidates, the performance of the INEC during the presidential and National Assembly polls was, to say the least, abysmal. Though INEC continuously expressed readiness for the general election, it appears that the commission underestimated the workload even

with the introduction of technology in the electoral process. Preliminary reports by both international and local observers said the fraud that attended the election was unprecedented.

Notwithstanding that Nigeria, for the first time, with 93.4 million registered voters, deployed the use of technology to conduct its elections to make the process credible and deepen public trust in the independent electoral body, logistical failures, especially the patchy deployment and malfunctioning of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines, hampered the just concluded election.

Other irregularities which showed that the electoral body was significantly less prepared than it claimed for the general election include the late arrival of electoral officials in some polling units, the disenfranchisement of voters in some others due to the absence of the commission’s officials, inadequate electoral materials like ink pad for thumbprinting and result sheets, violence, voter intimidation, and ballot box snatching and burning.

Undeterred by the cries of blatant and brazen rigging, occasioned by the failure of the INEC to adhere to its own law, which derives from the Electoral Act, the commission’s regulation and guidelines, that election results be uploaded to its result viewing (IReV) portal using the BVAS directly from the polling unit for real-time viewing by the electorate to boost the credibility of the results, the chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu declared Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner of the hotly contested presidential election.

INEC’s dismissal of the reports that the transparency of the election may have been jeopardised by rigging, violence and technical failures, which led to the opposition parties disputing the outcome of the election, with two of the main opposition parties boycotting the collation process, beggars belief given the plethora of photo and video evidence littered all over social media. I had expected the INEC chairman to halt the collation exercise and investigate the claims made by individuals, civil

society organisations, and election observers to undermine the credibility of the electoral process, but he simply excused the claims as a ‘disruption’.

Curiously, the need for strict transparency by the INEC in this crucial phase of electronic results transmission was downplayed despite the commission’s N305 billion budgetary allocation –the most expensive in the history of elections in Nigeria. Many Nigerians are eager to know why the presidential election results are only being uploaded online in piecemeal days after the election ended and the reason some of the uploaded results are blurry and ineligible. However, the INEC chairman has refused to offer an explanation for this shoddiness. Rather, he promised to look into the complaints and petitions from political parties and candidates and assured that ‘where infractions of any kind are proven, there will be redress.’

There are several ways to destroy a nation without a sword. The electoral umpire’s failure to live up to the billing in the just concluded presidential election despite loud assurances has punctured the tube of trust in the electoral process and the commission, consciously letting loose the smoke of political apathy, especially by the youths who were galvanised for this year’s general election by Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate. Surprisingly, INEC has given no recourse to the wild effects of the directionless smoke.

Indeed, the destiny of a nation is held in the balance by a pen waiting to be wielded, particularly when the ink that runs through the pen is propelled by the force of the state. INEC, by declaring the ruling party the winner of the quasi-presidential election, has charted a new course for Nigeria which most Nigerians believe is catastrophic while hoping that the court, at the stroke of a pen, overturns the outcome of the election and upholds the ‘wishes of the majority of Nigerians’ before the new president is sworn in on May 29 to abort the looming anarchy and chaos.

Ezinwanne may be reached at ezinwanne.dominion@ gmail.com

with patriarchy

By Towobola Bamgbose

Electing women into the House of Representatives and Senate will also help, as these women understand the challenges other women face and she is most likely not to act based off cultural or religious bias and discrimination against women.

This year’s International Women’s Day is themed “Embracing Equity” which means acknowledging and validating the struggle and experiences of different women from different backgrounds thereby creating resources to help solve each challenge. The Nigerian women have not just faced discrimination individually, they face a systemic discrimination collectively as it has been embedded in our constitution and other legislations.

The rule of law is defined in the Encyclopedia Britannica as “the mechanism, process, institution, practice, or norm that supports equality of all citizens before the law, secures a nonarbitrary form of government, and more generally prevents the arbitrary use of power”.

This means that everyone is equal before the law and that the law will treat everyone as equal even lawmakers. To maintain the “equality before the law” status, laws should be devoid of discrimination, patriarchal values, sexism or male chauvinism.

Section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria (CFRN) states that “A citizen of Nigeria of a particular community, ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion or political opinion should not be discriminated on the basis of ethnicity, religion, sex or political opinion. Hence, patriarchy should have no place or space in our constitution. The concept of patriarchy refers to a male system of a society or government in which the father or eldest male is head of family and descent is reckoned through the male line. In modern theories patriarchy has been defined as a system of male authority which oppressed women through it’s social, political and economic institutions. Various legislations in Nigeria have patriarchal values embedded in them such as;

Section 26 of the CFRN, this section confers citizenship on any woman who is or has been married to a citizen of Nigeria but conspicuously leaves out that a man can become a citizen by being married to a Nigerian female citizen yet the 9th assembly in 2022 voted against a Bill Of Expansion Of Scope Of Citizenship By Registration. Presently, the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria gives only Nigerian males the exclusive right to confer on their foreign wives citizenship while Nigerian women cannot do so. This further upholds a long standing patriarchal norm that where a couple has different nationalities prior to marriage, the nationality of the husband

may automatically be imposed on the wife upon marriage and never Vice versa.

Also Regulation 124 of the Police Act states that a woman who is desirous of marrying must first apply in writing to the commissioner of police for the state police command in which she serves and that permission will be given if the intended husband is of good character and the woman police has served in the force for a period of not less than three years. No regulation under the police act regulates when and who a police man should marry. Section 124 is an intrusion of privacy of women and an entrenchment of sexism and patriarchy and a love for control over women’s lives.

The controversial regulation 127 of the Police Act, states “An unmarried woman police officer who becomes pregnant shall be discharged from the force, and shall not be re-enlisted except with the approval of the Inspector-General”. This is an entrenchment of religious and cultural bias against women who have children outside the confines of marriage, these beliefs go as far as calling the child “illegitimate”. Individuals in our society have the right to hold jobs, have babies and choose not to marry as this is their private lives. Again, men are not subjected to this regulation. It takes one back to the the times when teenage girls were sent away from school for getting pregnant while the boys continued to school.

This isn’t just unjust, it is wicked and it is an invasion of women’s private lives contrary to women’s fundamental human rights entrenched in article 8 of the European Convention On Human Rights and section 37 of the Nigerian constitution.

Section 353 and section 360 of the criminal code treats victims of unlawful and indecent assaults differently on the basis of gender. Section 353 addresses that unlawful and indecent assault against any male should be treated as a felony and is liable to imprisonment for three years while Section 360 addresses unlawful assault and indecent assault against any female as a misdemeanor and is liable to imprisonment for two years. Why is the unlawful and indecent assault against a woman treated as a lesser offense compared to that of a man?

This is a way to trivialize assault against women.

The penal code which governs the northern part of Nigeria and its infamy of being deep rooted in sexism and male chauvinism, in Section 51(1) it states “ Nothing is an offense which does not amount to the infliction of grievous hurt upon any person and which is done…(d) by a husband for the purpose of correcting his wife, such husband and wife being subject to any native law or custom in which such correction is recognized as lawful, here we have the penal code allowing correction of a full grown woman as far it doesn’t lead to grievous harm

this erodes the fundamental human right a woman has which is entrenched in section 34 of the CFRN which provides that every individual is entitled to respect of dignity of his person, this is against her right against any form of violence, assault or battery. Under the penal code, assault against men and women are treated differently, also men and women caught committing adultery are also treated differently and women in these sections are treated unfairly and unjustly. Section 282(2) of the penal code as well enshrines spousal rape.

The Personal Income Tax (2004) discriminates against women in respect to tax reliefs and allowances by making the husband the sole claimant of the allowances in expense of the wife even if they were generating similar income in full employment. The assumption that the man is always the head of the family, a total disregard to modern women, to working women and to female bread winners, once again the ideal of patriarchy that a man is the head and bread winner is evident in our laws which is supposed to treat us as equals.

There are various other laws in Nigeria that discriminates against women, the list inexhaustible, yet no law or legislation has been made to help advance the challenges women face collectively. The rule of law and systemic oppression should never co-exist. It is a mockery of our laws and huge disrespect to women who form half of our population. These laws evidently written by men and upholders of patriarchy, are deep rooted in sexism and gives a pass for Nigerian women to be oppressed and subjugated. It is vile, wicked, a great disservice to the rule of law and the fundamental human rights of the Nigerian women.

The bill; The Gender and Equal Opportunity Bill was rejected by the 9th assembly last year but if passed into law, it will guarantee equal opportunities to women in politics, at workplace, inheritance, education, etc.

Also, advocacy and educating people, both men and women about these irregularities and unjust laws with the call for amendment can help change the situation of things.

Electing women into the House of Representatives and Senate will also help, as these women understand the challenges other women face and she is most likely not to act based off cultural or religious bias and discrimination against women.

In conclusion, it must be noted that women are equal to men and must be treated as such, our constitution and laws must steer clear off enshrining discrimination against women as the rule of law cannot co-exist with oppression. Lastly, The advancement of women is the advancement of the society.

Towobola Bamgbose is a Public Policy Analyst.

The constitutional discrimination against women and the affinity of Nigeria laws

From David Hassan, Gombe

Campaign coordinator of Sen. Ahmed Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima in Gombe state Jamil Gwamna has said democracy has come to stay in Nigeria due to the conduct of the recent presidential and National Assembly elections.

Textile workers

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

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

This was contained in a statement by John Adaji and Ali Baba, President and General Secretary of the Union respectively.

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

The (NUTGTWN) further stated that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole overwhelmed election is also a total victory for

Gombe AA guber candidate pledges support to tackle challenges of state

From David Hassan, Gombe

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

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

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

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

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

2023 election: Democracy has come to stay in Nigeria — Tinubu campaign coordinator

Gwamna stated this on Thursday in an interview with journalists in Gombe. He said the presidential and National Assembly elections that was conducted last Saturday across the country has shown maturity in electoral process.

congratulate Oshiomhole on his election as Senator for Edo North

them in Textile workers Union and the global labour movement in general.

“We are indeed proud to associate with you as our former

General Secretary and one of the most successful African labour leaders

“We have no doubt you will continue to further our struggle for

social justice, industrial revival, job creation, living/decent wage, transparency, accountability and good governance while in the red chambers.

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

Osun APC raises the alarm over proliferation of arms ahead guber elections

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

With one week left until the governorship and state House of Assembly elections in the country, the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed worries over the alleged proliferation of illegal arms and ammunition in the state.

The party has also appealed to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj Gen Babagana Monguno (retd) and the Inspector-General of Police

Niger

(IGP), Usman Alkali Baba to give immediate and urgent attention to the demilitarisation of the state.

The appeal was made in a statement by the acting chairman of the party, Tajudeen Lawal obtained by journàlists on Sunday.

Lawal in the statement said:

“I doubt it if there is any credible, free and fair election that can be held in Osun State under the present heavily militarized condition by the PDP thugs.”

Appealing directly to the NSA and IGP, Lawal said: “We enjoin

your good offices to handle the suggested withdrawal of the illegal arms and ammunition from the PDP political thugs before the House of Assembly elections this Saturday with dispatch.

“What we are saying is that the electorate should be allowed to vote for their choice of candidates without coercion.”

The APC and the PDP have been at loggerheads and have been accusing each other of masterminding the violence that attended the presidential and National Assembly elections of

February 25.

Meanwhile, the electorate in Osun State expressed confidence in the exercise.

Recall that on Saturday, February 25, 2023, Nigerians came out en masse to exercise their civic duty in the presidential and National Assembly elections.

In Osun State, the PDP defeated the APC and cleared all the seats in the National Assembly elections.

Also, the party defeated all other parties in the presidential election in the state.

APC guber candidate pledges to improve IGR if elected

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

The Niger State All Progressives Congress (APC), Governorship candidate, Umar Mohammed Bago has said that his administration will embark

on urban renewal scheme to maximize the desired investment attraction to improve Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) Bago made the disclosure while interacting with journalists at IBB Pen House

Minna, saying if elected, he would make a deliberate efforts to establish industrial pack especially in Suleja and Tafa local governments.

He hinted that such will check over one million vehicular movement in and out of Niger

state, increase employment opportunity and IGR as well as curb youth restiveness among others.

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

British High Commissioner designate to Nigeria - His Excellency Richard Montgomery on a courtesy visit and extensive discussion with the High Commissioner of Nigeria - Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola at the Nigeria High Commission, London.

By Christiana Ekpa

The gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Abia State, Alex Otti, has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is dead and shall be buried at the polls on March 11.

He was speaking at a reception organised in his honour by the CY Nwankwo Foundation which took place at Isiala Ngwa Local Government Area of Abia State at the weekend.

Otti boasted that the Labour Party killed PDP, having won one of the three senatorial seats and six out of eight House of Representatives seats in Abia

We’ll bury PDP on March 11 – Abia LP candidate Otti

State in the concluded National Assembly elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on February 25, 2023.

Describing LP as the leading party in Abia State, he further claimed the PDP in its last ditch effort to hang on to power has gone to town with evil propaganda against him.

His words: “If you listen, you will hear all the things coming out from this sinking state government of PDP. How they would unleash violence, how they would ensure that there won’t be any voting, how they would write results, how they would use money and buy up everybody and all that.”

Continuing, he said: “They

have also gone ahead to reappoint some miscreants they had sacked earlier [including a] local government transition committee chairman.

“I think they’re just reacting like a man that is drowning. But they’re already drowned and we are going to bury them on the 11th of March 2023.”

Otti added: “If you check the

social media space, all they’re doing now is releasing fake reports purportedly coming from me. One of the things they have said is that I am going to sack most of the civil servants.

“In fact, it is the government appointees that are the ones circulating this on the various social media platforms.”

CNPP urges judiciary to do better than INEC, wants voters not to be deterred

By Christiana Ekpa

Conference Of Nigeria

Political Parties

(CNPP) has called on the Nigerian judiciary to serve justice to all electoral petitions by aggrieved parties in the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections, urging the Judges and Justices to do better than the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a statement signed by its Secretary General, Willy Ezugwu, CNPP warned that “the current peace of the graveyard in the country must not be abused.”

The CNPP said that it did not want “to rush into joining issues with some selfish individuals and groups who ignored voter intimidation as well as unexplainable failure on the part of presiding officers employed by INEC to transmit election results from their polling units in real-time despite several assurances that electronic transmission of results has come to stay in the country’s electoral system.

“The CNPP recalls that in the build up to the 2023 general elections, INEC had consistently assured that results from the polling units in locations without internet services will automatically be uploaded by the Biometric Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) machines to the INEC IREV servers as soon

as the BVAS is connected to internet network.

“But it is shocking that INEC failed to upload the results to its IREV servers even in urban cities where there were sufficient Internet network connections across the country.

“We believe, like most observers of the process leading to the declaration of the winner of the presidential election, that the delay in uploading the results of the presidential election in real-time as INEC did in Edo, Ondo and Ekiti states in previous

elections was deliberate to ensure the emergence of a predetermined outcome through manual collation of the presidential election results.

“We therefore call on the international community and lovers of democracy across the world to hold the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu responsible for the observable manipulations of the collation process, especially the presidential election.

“It is on record that the CNPP stood with INEC leadership during the struggle for the amendment of the Electoral Act 2022 to provide for the deployment of technology to deepen democracy in Nigeria.

“But, it is disappointing to observe that the same INEC, which electronically transmitted results successfully in precious staggered elections, suddenly lost its vigor to do the same during the presidential election, resorting to the old fraudprone manual collation

of the 2023 presidential election results.

“We call on Nigerians not to feel frustrated by the observations suggesting the manipulation of the electoral system in the presidential election and come out en masse to vote for the candidates of their choice in the March 11, 2023 governorship and state legislative elections.

“We urge the Nigerian judiciary to do the needful and reject the usual reliance on technicalities to deny litigants justice in election petitions”, the CNPP stated.

2023 presidential election failed to meet expectations of Nigerians – US envoy

By Musa Baba Adamu

The US ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, has admitted the presidential election conducted on February 25 didn’t meet the expectations of Nigerians.

Leonard, in an op-ed, “The Elections of February 25,” noted that many citizens are not happy with the results of the polls.

She, however, acknowledged that others are celebrating victories they believe were hardfought and well-earned.

Leonard has now called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to promptly address the challenges ahead of the March 11 gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections.

“The people of Nigeria

demonstrated their dedication to democracy on February 25, but there are many angry and frustrated Nigerians as well as many who are celebrating victories they believe were hardfought and well-earned,” the statement reads in part.

Bola Tinubu of the ruling

All Progressives Congress, APC, was declared the winner.

But Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP, are heading to court.

Leonard added: “In the coming days, it will be important for the future of this country that Nigerians not let their differences divide them, and that the legally established process for resolving challenges to the election be allowed to take its course.”

Beth Leonard

Mary

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Niger State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Haliru Jikantoro, has been suspended by his ward for allegedly engaging in anti-party activities.

The notice of Haliru’s suspension was contained in a letter dated March 2, 2023, and signed by the executives of the APC in Kwashini ward, Agwara local government area of Niger State.

Haliru was accused of engaging in anti-party activities before and during the general elections in a way that undermined the success of the party at the just concluded polls.

According to the Chairman of Kashimi ward, Amadu Abdullahi Yagode, the suspension of the Niger State APC chairman became necessary as a result of his flagrant violation of the party’s constitution.

Haliru was accused of using party funds to mobilise and canvass votes for the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and sabotaging efforts by APC to grow its support base ahead of the elections.

It would be recalled that the state APC chairman had written to members of the party in the state to dissociate the All Progressives Congress from a mega rally organised by lawmaker representing Niger North Senatorial District, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, to galvanise support for APC’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.

The letter suspending Haliru was jointly signed by the ward Chairman, Amadu Abdullahi Yagode, the Secretary, Nurudeen Abdullahi and 19 other Exco members of Kashini ward.

It reads, “We the Executive of the Kashini Ward of the All Progressive Congress (APC) under Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State hereby suspend Hon. Haliru Zakari Jikantoro from Kashini.

“This suspension became expedient as a result of the flagrant violation and disregards of the All Progressive Congress Constitution by Hon. Haliru Zakari Jikantoro, the State Party Chairman of the APC, couple with some acts committed by Hon. Haliru calculated to undermine the success of our party during the

Niger APC chairman suspended over alleged anti party activities

just concluded 2023 Presidential and National Assembly election conducted on the 25th February, 2023.

“It is on record that Hon. Haliru Zakari Jikantoro has been indulging in Anti-Party activities by canvassing votes for the People Democratic Party for the Presidential and National Assembly Elections. Little wonder that when the general election

was approaching, Hon. Haliru never consulted nor called any stakeholders meeting, of the Ward Executive or the Local Government Executive to know the level of preparedness for the forthcoming elections. On the contrary, Hon. Haliru used the funds to finance campaigns of the PDP and mobilize votes for the PDP at Agwara Local Government.

“Moreover, during the 25th February, 2023 General Elections at Agwara Local Government Area Niger State, he voted and Hon. Haliru’s polling at Central Primary School Kashini Ward canvassed votes for the People Democratic Party on the ballot papers which accounted for the reason why the APC did not win the said Polling Unit.

“On the whole, these anti-party

activities by Hon. Haliru Zakari Jikantoro’s contravene Article 21 paragraph A item I-XI of the All Progressive Congress Constitution 2014 (As Amended) particularly items II and II. It is against this backdrop that Honourable Haliru Zakari Jikantoro is hereby suspended from the Kashini Ward of Agwara Local Government of the All Progressive Congress (APC) with immediate effect.”

2023 polls: APC hurriedly subverted will of Nigerians – Kogi LP chieftain, Averehi

By Christiana Ekpa

Achieftain of the Labour Party in Kogi State, Bayo Averehi has slammed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for allegedly using the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to subvert the will of Nigerians in the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections.

Averehi, who made his position known, while addressing journalists in Lokoja on Sunday, rejected the outcome of the election

which produced Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu as President Muhammamdu Buhari’s successor.

Describing the election results as declared by the INEC as a great injustice and a rape of Nigeria’s democracy, the former Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Governorship aspirant in Kogi State said the 2023 election recorded the highest number of voters’ turnout in the history of Nigeria.

He, however, lamented that the outcome of the 2023 polls has been widely condemned by both local and international observers, thereby,

making Nigeria a laughing stock among comity of nations.

Averehi said: “this is because the youth and others came out en-mass, having developed confidence in the electoral process due to the provisions of the electoral act, which gave assurance that their votes will count.

“They hurriedly declared results without considering the reported election anomalies and the provisions of the constitution which states: ‘and the FCT’. ln the end, we shall prevail, the truth will overcome”.

INEC must be fair in March 11 polls – Niger PDP

By Musa Baba Adamu

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State, Hon. Isah Liman Kantigi has called on the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to create a level playing ground for the governorship and state House of Assembly elections on Saturday.

Kantigi stated this while speaking to journalists in Minna. He said his party will ensure votes are protected from the polling units to the collation centres during the election.

He insisted: “I am optimistic of winning

the election but let me say that INEC should not repeat what happened last week that the BVAS was not used in some polling units.

“We are not going to allow it to happen in this election, we will make sure our votes are protected from the polling units to the collation centres.”

Kantigi revealed that if voted he will not set up a commission of inquiry to probe his predecessor, but rather seek clarification on abandoned projects where necessary.

“No commission of inquiry constituted by past administrations yielded any results. I will not bother myself to probe, but I will ask questions. My administration will not probe anybody. I will draw a line; I will ask

questions for clarification. I will call to ask questions about why so and so contract was abandoned after collecting money. That is what I will do. I will draw a line,” he stated.

He also disclosed that women and youths would be accorded top attention if he wins the election.

“I will have the Ministry for Women Affairs directly under my office as a governor and a department would be created to assist women that lost their husbands to engage in various trades, likewise the men that lost their wives. I know the pains that both of them suffer after losing their loved ones,” he said.

On his Muslim-Christian ticket

L-R: National Commissioners of INEC, Major Gen. Abubakar Alkali (rtd), Mrs. May AgbamuchiMbu, Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and National Commissioner, Barr. Festus Okoye, during the meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC’s), at the Commission’s headquarters on Saturday in Abuja.

governorship candidature, the PDP candidate said he picked a Christian as his deputy governorship candidate to ensure believers of the two religions are represented and carried along in his administration.

He added: “We want the people to be united, but [it’s] rather unfortunate that religious issues are being given prominence. How can a Muslim-Muslim ticket do better?

All the state needs is a leader that fears God. The state needs a man with maturity and capacity to lead and [issues] should not be centred on religion. I wonder how some people in the state are making issues of it, and, to me, those calling for a MuslimMuslim ticket are being myopic.”

Photo: Mahmud Isa

By Musa Baba Adamu

The New Nigeria People’s Party ((NNPP) has charged its members to stay focused, campaign vigorously and ensure the party sweeps the March 11 governorship and States House of Assembly elections across the country.

A statement issued yesterday by the National Publicity Secretary of NNPP, Agbo Major, said the

Presidential polls: IPAC urges INEC to improve future elections, sues

for peace

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to improve on its performance in the 25th February 2023 presidential election and address the shortcomings and complaints raised by political parties and their candidates in future elections.

Rising from its General Council meeting in Abuja, at the Council’s national secretariat, a communique signed by the National chairman, Yabagi Sani and National Secretary, Yusuf Dantalle, IPAC noted that election is the beauty of democracy and must be free, fair, credible, transparent, acceptable, inclusive and peaceful.

To this end, the Council urged INEC to be adequately prepared for the exercise before embarking on it and if necessary, seek an extension of time to ensure it is properly conducted to meet international standards.

“IPAC commended Nigerians for embracing peace after the presidential election and enjoined aggrieved political parties and their candidates to approach the court for redress.

“Council also urged the Judiciary to justify the confidence the people reposed in it as the temple of justice and last hope of all aggrieved citizens, and adjudicate on all election cases on merit ensuring that justice is not only done but seen to have been done.

“As the umbrella body of the 18 registered political parties, IPAC will continue to consolidate and deepen the nation’s democracy, ensure an environment conducive for successful elections, political stability, enduring democracy and wellbeing of Nigerians. Together, we will build a strong, virile, progressive, egalitarian and just democratic nation”, IPAC said in the statement.

POLITICS

NNPP denies merger, urges supporters to focus ahead guber, State Assembly polls

party is not in any alliance with any political party in these elections, hence he said party officers, members and candidates at all levels are not authorized to discuss, negotiate or form any alliance with any political party for the purpose of winning the upcoming gubernatorial and legislative polls.

The statement said, “Anyone

who endorses a candidate of another political party will be sanctioned in line with the NNPP Constitution ranging from suspension from office, suspension from the party and possibly expulsion.

“NNPP was registered by INEC in 2002 and has been expanding its frontiers in the nation’s political

space in each electoral circle. The party performed far more than the number four position INEC might have allotted to it in the controversial 2023 presidential election.

“The party calls on the electoral umpire to sit up and redeem its self-inflicted injury that marred the presidential election by conducting

free, fair, credible, transparent, acceptable, inclusive and peaceful governorship and States House of Assembly elections on March 11 2023.

“NNPP urges Nigerians to turn up en masse and vote for all our party candidates for a new, better, greater and prosperous Nigeria we all desire and deserve.”

2023 guber: Obi/Datti movement, YPP allegedly merge to defeat Akwa Ibom PDP

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Peter Obi-Yusuf Datti Campaign movement popularly called ‘Obidients’ in Akwa Ibom State on Saturday, allegedly collapsed its structure into the Young Progressives Party (YPP) for the coming March 11 governorship election in the state.

This was contained in a press statement signed by Otoabasi Asuquo and Engr Otoabasi Ntiah, respectively the Convener and Coordinator of the movement in the state. The statement was read during a formal declaration of support for the YPP guber candidate, Senator Bassey Akpan in Uyo, the state capital.

Dismissing the insinuation that the Obi-Datti movement is for the Labour Party, the coalition said: “As Obidients, we are not controlled by political party policies or ideologies. Rather, we look out for candidates with good character, capacity, competence and compassion. We chose to promote the best presidential candidate, that of the Labour Party, HE Peter Obi, because we saw that he has the solutions to

Nigeria’s problems.

“In Akwa Ibom, after a long meeting with all the support groups numbering over 100, we carried out adequate background checks on all the governorship candidates of the various political parties in the state. We used a formula called the 4 Cs –character, capacity, competence and compassion, and Senator Bassey Akpan perfectly fits into the shoes.”

The statement reads in part: “As you are aware, the Obi-Datti movement goes beyond party lines. We are a group of like minds who desire a better Nigeria. We are so passionate about good governance in our state and local communities.

“We have learnt our lessons. We will support the political party that supported our principal on the 25th of February. We will mobilize all ObiDatti structures in the 4, 354 polling units to vote for YPP in the March 11 governorship election.

“It must be noted that the ObiDatti movement in Akwa Ibom State worked extremely hard to ensure that our principal, Peter Obi, won the February 25th presidential election in the state, but those massive LP

votes and results which humbled major political parties in the state were manipulated at the various INEC ward collation centres in the 31 local government areas by PDP.

“YPP deserves all the support from the Obidient movement in Akwa Ibom State because they showed us so much love by standing with the Obidient mobilisers to deliver our principal, Mr Peter Obi, in the 4,354 polling units in Akwa Ibom State.

“In life, one good turn deserves another. The YPP governorship candidate Senator Obong Bassey Albert and his dear wife have always been supportive of the realization of a New Nigeria with Peter Obi and Datti Baba-Ahmed. Even when our people voted for Peter Obi, the PDP manipulated the results to ensure Obi, our in-law, lost in Akwa Ibom.

“As we worked to emancipate the Nigerian masses from the bondage of the government of the day, we are determined to work and liberate our brothers and sisters in Akwa Ibom from the bondage of those who feel it is their right to decide who governs.”

Speaking earlier, the coordinator of non-indigenes in Akwa Ibom

and President General of the Igbo Community in the state, Chief Sunday Orie described the endorsement as spectacular saying that since Senator Albert publicly supported Peter Obi, their brother, and delivered his local government for the presidential candidate, the onus falls on them to reciprocate by supporting him during the March 11 gubernatorial election.

While praying for victory and safety, Chief Orie urged the people not to be discouraged by the experience of February 25, but should rather make a bold statement with their PVCs.

Receiving the endorsement, Senator Akpan thanked the ‘Obidients’ for the show of love and confidence reposed in him, promising not to let them down.

He also promised to create an enabling environment for the traders that are majorly Igbos to do their business without overbearing taxation as they currently face and promised to create the Office of Non-Indigenes or Special Assistants where their welfare and concerns would be channeled to.

Atiku’s opportunism eclipsed PDP, halted Obi’s hurricane – VON DG, Okechukwu

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Achieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osita Okechukwu has challenged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar for making false claims about the recent presidential poll.

Okechukwu regretted that Atiku glossed over the obvious fact that his desperation and crass opportunism led to PDP’s defeat only to blame Peter Obi, the candidate of Labour Party.

“Imagine what could have been the result of the 2023 presidential election if it was mainly between APC and PDP?” Okechukwu quipped.

Atiku, while addressing a press conference in Abuja last Friday, stated that Obi’s movement to the Labour Party took PDP’s votes in Southeast and South/south.

But, speaking to journalists in Abuja, Sunday, Okechukwu said Atiku allowed his entitlement mentality to becloud his sense of judgment.

Okechukwu wondered why Atiku wanted to deceive Nigerians with the false narrative that Obi rushed out of PDP when in actual fact it was Atiku’s insistence to contest against the zoning principle that propelled Obi to find an alternative platform.

Okechukwu, who is a foundation member of APC, recalled how the former Vice President brought his opportunism to APC to challenge President Muhammadu Buhari for the APC presidential ticket in 2014 on the patriotic premise of rotation convention.

”Now, for Atiku to play the blame game by bellyaching against Peter Obi, who turned out to be the hero of the 2023 presidential election, is quite distressing.

“How can Atiku claim that Obi was scared out by PDP Governors, when it was public knowledge that his huge war-chest and competition with Nyesom Wike made PDP’s primary too contentious and corrupt for Peter Obi?

”It was actually Atiku’s opportunism that eclipsed the PDP

and halted Obi’s hurricane. The simple truth is that His Excellency, Atiku Abubukar’s opportunism eclipsed the PDP,” he added.

Okechukwu pleaded with Atiku to retire honourably from active politics instead of playing the sore loser and sulking publicly with false narratives.

He said: ”Here was a man who in 2014 defected to APC, on the patriotic premise that the then president, Goodluck Jonathan breached the rotation convention between north and south.

”Today, he violently breached the same rotation convention and the constitution of his party,” he further stated.

Accusing Atiku of telling inconvenient lies about the real reason behind Peter Obi’s exit from PDP, Okechukwu, who is also the Director General of Voice of Nigeria (DG, VON), said the former Vice President contradicted his media aides.

He challenged Atiku to come clean on whether Obi was truly scared away by PDP Governors or as first narrated by Atiku’s team

that he wanted to back Obi, but for Governor Nyemson Wike’s intransigence.

Okechukwu said Nigerians still remember how, in an attempt to defend Atiku’s brazen breach of rotation convention, Atiku’s team argued that he wanted to support Obi, but changed his mind when he learnt that Wike was against micro-zoning to the Southeast.

”We have heard from the horse’s mouth. It is a crystal case of opportunism that drove the Waziri Adamawa into the presidential race.

”Now, this mindless opportunism has not only buried the PDP, but also halted Obi’s hurricane that could have extended to the far north.

”The cardinal question is why didn’t Atiku deploy his huge warchest to back Obi? How on earth did he expect Obi to be a perpetual running mate to him, even when he had approached Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to drop his presidential ambition to run with him? Opportunism is the answer,” the DG VON asserted.

From Abubakar Y Ojimaojo

ABUJA

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd

(NNPCL) has attributed fuel queues in Abuja and some parts of the country to restrictions of businesses and movement during the presidential and National Assembly elections.

The NNPCL said operations

Ecobank Group’s new CEO assumes office

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), the parent company of the Ecobank Group, said Thursday that its new chief executive officer, Jeremy Awori, has assumed his role with effect from 1 March.

The Group appointed Mr Awori in September 2022 upon the retirement of the former CEO, Ade Ayeyemi, who clocked 60.

Speaking in a press statement by the bank, Mr Awori said his appointment is a fantastic opportunity to take Ecobank to the next level of growth.

“Despite current global challenges, Africa offers promising prospects,” he said.

“Ecobank is uniquely positioned to provide systematic change across the banking sector at a pan-African level, using the geographic footprint it has already established.

“Through our single gateway platform, we are well-positioned to provide the necessary financial products and solutions for countries, corporates, and SMEs to capitalize on the continent’s vast resource, trade, and investment opportunities.

“We also provide relevant, accessible, and affordable financial services that address the evolving needs of a vibrant, youthful, and entrepreneurial continent. Ecobank’s brand and heritage, continue to be a

The Group Chairman, Alain Nkontchou, described the new CEO as a result-oriented effective leader with extensive knowledge of the African banking landscape. These qualities, he said, make him the ideal choice to steer the growth of the Ecobank Group through the era of rapid global and continental changes.

Mr Awori brings with him over 25 years of experience in the banking industry, including close to a decade serving as CEO and Managing Director of Absa Bank Kenya Plc.

Before joining Absa, he served in leadership roles at Standard Chartered Bank across the Middle East and Africa.

His extensive expertise, skills, and industry know-how make him a valuable addition to the Ecobank Group, the statement said.

NNPCL attributes fuel queues to movement restrictions for elections

had resumed at the depots and trucks were being dispatched to various parts of the country.

Garba Deen Muhammad, the chief corporate communications officer, NNPCL, in a statement said its latest updates released on Saturday showed a total of 2.1 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) stock.

Mr Muhammad said this represented 0.9 billion litres in all

the land depots nationwide and 1.2 billion litres on marine vessels.

This, he said, was equivalent to 35 days sufficiency as of 4 March .

Mr Muhammad, while reassuring Nigerians of a robust supply of PMS, said the NNPCL planned to close the month of March with about 2.8 billion litres, equivalent to 47 days of sufficiency.

“The appearance of pockets

of queues in Abuja and some parts of the country, is largely due to restrictions in businesses and movement, to allow for the conduct of the presidential and NASS elections to enable Nigerians to exercise their civic right.

“However, operations have now resumed at the depots and trucks are being dispatched to various parts of the country.

“We expect normalcy to be restored in the next few days.

“NNPC Ltd. and all its partners and stakeholders will continue to work together to ensure seamless distribution of petroleum products around the gubernatorial and State Assembly elections.

“We, therefore, enjoin Nigerians not to engage in panic buying,” he said.

CPPE hails Supreme Court’s ruling on old notes

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises (CPPE) on Friday lauded the ruling of the Supreme Court on the use of the old naira notes as legal tender.

In a statement by Muda Yusuf, Chief Executive Officer of the CPPE, the organization said it welcomed the supreme court ruling as it protects the citizens from a policy which is, “by all accounts, disruptive, repressive and draconian”.

The organisation also described the policy as “punitive, cruel and insensitive.”

On Friday, the Supreme Court extended the validity of the N200, N500, and N1,000 Naira notes till 31 December.

The court held that the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari for the redesign of the new notes and withdrawal of the old notes without due consultation is invalid.

Nigerians have experienced difficulties accessing their money since the currency swap programme

was launched, leading to protests and attacks on banks and ATMs in parts of the country.

The CPPE on Friday noted that Nigerians deserve an apology from the promoters and proponents of the policy, especially the ‘arbitrary and uninformed’ mopping up of cash in the economy.

“Hopefully, President Buhari, the Central Bank Governor and the Attorney General of the federation would comply with this court order in the interest of the rule of law, good order and public interest,” it said.

The organization said the CBN currency redesign policy inflicted indescribable agony, suffering and distress on the majority of Nigerian citizens.

“The trouble was not with the redesign, but the deliberate and unrestrained mopping up of cash in the economy,” the CPPE said.

“To date the CBN had mopped up about N2 trillion cash from the economy thereby paralyzing the retail sector, crippling the informal economy, stifling the agricultural

value chain, immobilizing the transportation sector and disrupting the payment system in the economy.

“It is true that the CBN has the right to redesign currency, but it does not have the right to dispossess the citizens of their cash. The choice of the mode of store of value is a fundamental right of citizens. The CBN has no right to impose that choice on citizens.”

The think tank noted that it is a flagrant violation of the rights of citizens for the CBN to withhold the cash of citizens under the guise of currency redesign. The CBN act does not give the CBN that right, it argued.

“A swap presupposes that whatever old notes was received by the banks must be replaced with new ones instantly,” it said.

“Otherwise, the period of the swap should be extended until the CBN is in position to do so. In many other climes, such swaps are done over twelve to twenty months, or even more, to minimize disruption.

“The claim by the CBN that the economy has too much cash outside the banking system has no basis in economic theory, neither can it be supported by empirical evidence.”

The CPPE noted that in December 2022, the total money supply was N52 trillion and the cash component of the money supply was N2.6 trillion, which was just 5 per cent.

It added that the country’s Gross Domestic Product [GDP] was N202 trillion, which gives a cash to GDP ratio of 1.3 per cent.

It said the ratios are some of the lowest around the world which shows that the Nigerian economy is not really a cash-dominant economy.

According to the think tank, cashless transactions in 2022 was about N400 trillion in 2022, according to NIBSS.

“The truth is that nothing is broken. And we don’t fix what is not broken. Of course, we can do better, but not by crudely mopping up cash in the economy,” the CPPE said.

L-R: Co-founder, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, BAT-TV, Mr Olubunmi Fagbuyiro, Mariam Ahman; Suleiman Yusuf at a conference briefing yesterday in abuja.

The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) says the explosion at the Rumuekpe section of Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) in Rivers was caused by the activities of oil thieves.

Michael Adande, spokesperson of SPDC, said the incident occurred at the site of an illegal connection used for crude theft.

The Rivers police command had said 12 persons died after the incident at the Rumuekpe community in Emuoha local government area of the state.

Giving an update, Adande said a breach on the TNP was

Shell: Crude oil thieves responsible for explosion at our Rivers pipeline

discovered following a joint investigation by representatives of oil regulators, host communities, operators, and the state ministry of environment.

“The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) confirms with great sadness that the fire incident,

which occurred on Friday, March 3, 2023, on the Rumuekpe –Nkpoku Trunk Line in Rivers State, resulted in the unfortunate loss of lives,” he said.

“Government security agencies are still investigating to know the exact number of lives lost in the incident. This

is indeed a deeply regrettable incident and we commiserate with the families that have been impacted.

“The report of the government-led Joint Investigation Visit team, which included representatives of the community, ascertained

that the fire, which has been extinguished, occurred at the site of an illegal connection used for crude theft.

“The Rumuekpe – Nkpoku Trunk Line, which was not operational at the time of the incident, is part of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP).”

IMF to central banks: Stop financing excessive government debt

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged central banks to refrain from monetising excessive government debt.

Debt monetisation is when a government borrows money from the central bank to finance public spending instead of selling bonds to private investors or raising taxes.

The Washington-based institution, in its report titled ‘Rethinking monetary policy in a changing world’, said the ability of central banks to set monetary policy and control the economy in more volatile times is dependent on their independence.

As central banks hike interest rates and the government has to pay more for its debt, the hope is that authorities will cut back on expenditures, thereby cooling the economy and lowering inflation pressure, IMF said.

“The low interest rates and less extreme public debt levels that prevailed after the global crisis permitted central banks to ignore what were then relatively inconsequential interactions between monetary and fiscal policy,” it said.

“The period following the 2008 crisis was one of monetary dominance—that is, central banks could freely set interest rates and pursue their objectives independent of fiscal policy.

“Central banks proposed that the core problem was not rising prices, but the possibility that weak demand would lead to major deflation.

“As a result, they focused primarily on developing unconventional policy tools to allow them to provide additional stimulus.

“Central banks also felt emboldened to pursue policies that would simultaneously meet the need for further stimulus and achieve social objectives, such as hastening the green transition or promoting economic inclusion.

“During the COVID-19 crisis, circumstances changed dramatically. Government spending rose sharply in most developed economies.”

The IMF said as spending was increasing, countries were hit by supply shocks of unprecedented proportion.

The organisation said the supply shocks were largely the result of pandemic-related problems—such as supply chain

disruptions.

“These added to inflation pressures. The pandemic demonstrated that monetary policy does not always control inflation on its own. Fiscal policy also plays a role,” the IMF said.

“More important, the accompanying buildup of public debt raised the possibility of fiscal dominance—in which public deficits do not respond to monetary policy.

“Whereas low debt levels and the need for stimulus allowed monetary and fiscal authorities to act in tandem following the global financial crisis, the prospect of fiscal dominance now threatens to pit them against one another.

“Central banks would like to hike interest rates to rein in inflation, whereas governments hate higher interest expenses.

“They would prefer that

central banks cooperate by monetizing their debt—that is, by purchasing government securities private investors won’t buy.

“Central banks can retain independence only if they promise not to accede to any government desires to monetize excessive debt, which would then force authorities to cut spending or increase taxes, or both—socalled fiscal consolidation.”

Naira Redesign: Banks’ cash withdrawal limit is illegal – Supreme Court

From Abubakar Y Ojimaojo ABUJA

The Supreme Court has adjudged the cash withdrawal limits imposed by banks as a result of scarcity of currency notes in circulation as a violation of citizens’ rights.

A seven-man panel of the court led by John Okoro made the declaration in a unanimous judgement delivered on Friday.

“Such restriction on an owner’s right to freely use his or her property is illegal unless provided for by a law,” Emmanuel Agim, a member of the court’s panel who read the lead judgement, held.

The court handed down the decision in a suit challenging the federal government’s illegal withdrawal of the old N200, N500, and N1,000 from circulation.

The federal government, under a demonetisation policy, had in October 2022, introduced newly redesigned N200, N500, and N1,000 notes and aimed to withdraw the old versions of the currency notes from circulation within 90 days.

Under the policy, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) also placed cash withdrawal limits of maximum of N500,000 weekly on individuals and maximum N5 million weekly on corporate entities.

The implementation of

the policy has been chaotic as shortage in supply of the new notes created scarcity of cash across the country.

Many citizens queued at ATM centres in a chaotic scramble for cash to meet their basic needs but often returned home emptyhanded. The situation sparked violent protests by desperate citizens deprived of gaining access to their hard-earned money.

Commercial banks resorted to placing limits on cash withdrawals on their customers in a futile attempt to evenly distribute available cash to the highest number of citizens..

The Supreme Court declared such action by the commercial banks as a violation of the rights of the citizens.

“My attention has not been drawn to any law that permits a bank not to pay cash to a customer on demand on the grounds that the 1st defendant has not been able to print enough new naira notes,” Mr Agim said.

He also said he was not aware of any law “that permits the 1st defendant to direct the imposition of limits on the cash to be paid from a customer’s account after deposit of the old naira notes”.

“To the extent that the directive has continued to deprive all persons and the plaintiffs access to a substantial part of their funds in banks in

form of cash, it forcefully and illegally interferes with their rights of ownership and use of their said funds for,” Mr Agim added. “Such restriction on an owner’s right to freely use his or her property is illegal unless provided for by a law.”

The Supreme Court

nullified Mr Buhari’s directive withdrawing the old N200, N500, and N1,0000 notes from circulation.

It also ordered that the old naira notes would remain legal tender and must continue to circulate alongside the new ones up till 31 December.

Emefiele

BU$IN€SS

National grid may collapse with 6,000MW power — NYCN

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The national power grid will collapse if electricity generation hits 6,000 megawatts, the President of Nigeria Consumer Protection Network, Kunle Olubiyo, has said.

Nigeria’s highest quantum of electricity ever generated on its national grid was 5,802MW, which was generated on March 1, 2021, and was evacuated at a frequency of 50.09 hertz.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria had stated at the time that this quantum of electricity was transmitted to power distributors, adding that the figure was higher than the previous peak by 186.20MW.

“TCN successfully transmitted an enhanced peak generation of 5,801.6MW at 9:30

pm on March 1, 2021. The peak generation was transmitted at a frequency of 50.09Hz. This value is higher than the 5,615.4MW recorded on February 28, 2021, by 186.20MW,” TCN stated.

Since then, power generation on the grid had continued to fluctuate between 4,000MW and 5,000MW, despite the increasing demand for electricity by the over 200 million people in Nigeria.

On Friday, for instance, figures obtained by our correspondent from the Federal Ministry of Power in Abuja showed that the quantum of electricity generated on the national grid was 4,962.7MW as of 6.00 am.

But amid calls for an increase in power generation, the NCPN president revealed that the national grid would collapse

should it get up to 6,000MW of electricity from power generation companies.

He explained that regulatory inconsistencies coupled with the weak infrastructure in the sector were shrinking the electricitycarrying capacity of the national grid.

“Over the years, due to regulatory flip-flops and weakness, Nigeria has not been able to surpass 5,800MW of electricity. In fact, if at any point we decide to do 6,000MW, the grid as a monolithic structure will collapse,” Olubiyo stated.

Various updates from the sector showed that Nigeria’s power grid collapsed about seven times last year. It collapsed on September 25, 2022, when power generation on the system crashed from over 3,700MW to as low as 38MW.

The nation’s power system collapsed twice in March and twice again in April last year.

Power generation on the grid had continued to fluctuate due to various concerns such as gas constraints, water management challenges, and gas pipeline vandalism, among others.

To address these challenges, Olubiyo tasked the incoming administration to give priority to the power sector, stressing that this was among the key demands of Nigerians and various business entities.

“As far as the power sector is concerned and the end-users or the public is concerned, the major priority of the in-coming administration should be energy security.

“Nigeria is one of the leading members of OPEC (Organisation of Petroleum

Exporting Countries) and it is quite abnormal and a global embarrassment that in the midst of abundant reserves of gas, crude oil and all other variables that make the energy economy, Nigeria still lacks adequate energy,” Olubiyo stated.

According to him, gas-topower is very crucial as the mainstay of the economy.

The power expert further pointed out that the 5,000MW being shared by over 200 million citizens in Nigeria was grossly inadequate when compared to the acceptable standards globally.

“So, the major focus of the incoming administration should be energy security for Nigeria, because the United Nations benchmark is 1,000MW for a population of one million people,” Olubiyo stated.

Naira scarcity may affect private business in Q1 – Report

From Abubakar Y Ojimaojo ABUJA

The February Purchasing Managers’ Index data released by Stanbic IBTC Bank indicated that the shortage of cash across the country in the month of February might have a negative influence on the private sector halfway through the first quarter of the year.

It will be recalled that in February, Nigerians were faced with fuel and naira scarcity.

Part of the report read, “The headline PMI dropped below the 50.0 no-change

mark in February, posting 44.7 from 53.5 in January. Business conditions deteriorated markedly, ending a 31-month sequence of expansion.

“The decline in operating conditions was the sharpest since the survey began in January 2014, excluding the opening wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the second quarter of 2020.

“The most severe impacts of cash shortages were seen with regards to output and new orders, which both fell substantially as customers were often unable to secure the funds to commit to

spending.

It added that “The decline in new orders was the first since June 2020, while the fall in output ended a seven-month sequence of growth. In both cases, the reductions were the most pronounced in the survey’s history, apart from during the opening wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“With new orders and output falling, companies reduced their input buying and staffing levels accordingly. The declines were the first in 32 and 25 months respectively. The decrease in purchasing reflected not only a drop in customer

demand but also difficulties for companies to find the funds to pay for items.”

The report also showed that scarcity of cash also led to an increase in the cost of fuel, and operational costs of businesses and organisations.

“Higher raw material costs and currency weakness were also factors pushing up purchase prices.

“The rate of inflation was the softest since June 2020, but marked nonetheless and stronger than the series average. Staff costs also rose again in February, but at a modest pace,” the report added.

By Stanley Onyekwere

As part of efforts to promote quality education, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has disbursed assorted modern learning items to senior secondary schools in the Territory.

In particular, the FCTA through its Secondary Education Board (FCT-SEB), has so far, handed over the learning kits to Principals of 88 senior secondary schools in the Territory.

The Board’s Director, Dr. Mohammed Ladan, who reiterated the commitment of the FCT Administration to improve the standard of education in FCT, said the Board on its part is positioned to ensure that resources are efficiently utilised to meet the needs of each school.

Ladan added that education is a top priority for the FCT Administration and as such will not be relegated to the background nor the standard compromised, saying the primary purpose of education is to mould young minds for a brighter future and to build good leadership foundation.

He said: “In achieving this, the Board will continue to make concerted efforts to ensure effectiveness and efficiency both in quality of teaching and learning, welfare of staff as well as improved academic performance of the students.”

Furthermore, the SEB Director explained to the Principals of their primary assignment, which is the enhancement of the educational system, so as to bring out positive learning outcomes in the students, and urged them to give adequate attention to the welfare of staff, students, maintenance of the infrastructure, by ensuring cleanliness in their various schools.

He also informed them of the

various progress made since his assumption of office, which include the accreditation of schools for the

West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) Examinations, just as he warned them against examination

malpractice. He therefore called for a support system among the schools,

which according to him is necessary in the pursuit of excellent academic performance of FCT Students.

FCTA disburses modern learning kits to 88 Schools Hussaini-Adejo heads FCT Archives & History Bureau

By Stanley Onyekwere

Mrs. Grace Hussaini-Adejo, has taken over the affairs of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Archives and History Bureau as its new Director.

Hussaini-Adejo takes over following the retirement of the former Director of the Bureau, Alhaji Mustapha Bagudu.

While addressing staff and

management, in her office, the new Director expressed her desire to reorganize the Bureau for efficient service delivery.

She detailed information of all Secretariats, Departments and Agencies as well as the Area Councils from the inception of the FCT in 1976 will be archived for future generations.

Also, she assured that historical facts about Nigeria will be properly

researched and documented for students, researchers and tourists in line with its mission and mandate.

Hussaini-Adejo, born on the 18th October, 1964 in Keffi, Nasarawa State, began her educational journey from Baptist Transferred Primary School, Keffi and proceeded to Mada Hills Secondary School, Akwanga in 1977 where she obtained her GCE

in 1982.

She attended the School of Preliminary Studies (SPS) Keffi and upon graduation in 1986, she went to Ahmadu Bello University Zaria where she bagged a BSc in Business Administration in 1989.

She started her career with the Finance Department of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) in January 1992.

Journalists tasked on supporting quest for acceptable 2023 census

By Stanley Onyekwere

Media Professionals are enjoined to support the National Population Commission (NPC), to achieve reliable, accurate and acceptable, 2023 Population and Housing Census in Abuja, the nation’s capital city.

This charge was given by the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello at a recent one-day capacity building workshop organised for Journalists on the conduct and effective reporting of the 2023 Population and Housing Census by National Population Commission in Abuja Nigeria’s capital with the theme: “ Getting the people involved”.

According to him, “without an accurate data of the population and housing demographic in a country, the nation will not be able fully develop because you would have nothing to rely on when planning for the socio-economic and educational development of the country.”

Bello, who was represented by the Director, Information and Communication of the FCTA, Mohammed Sule Hazat, said the Administration is working closely with traditional institutions and local authorities in the Territory to fully sensitise the residents especially those in rural communities on the importance of availing themselves and their households for the enumerators to be counted during the exercise.

Also, the Minister explained that the workshop will build in the participants, capacity and the skills to enable them effectively and efficiently reports events, activities geared towards a successful national census.

While noting that, the 2023 National Population and Housing Census is critical for the advancement of Nigeria, the Minister stressed that it is, therefore, very important that adequately attention be paid for its conduct in order to ensure its success.

On his part, the Federal Commissioner in charge of FCT-NPC, Mr. Joseph Shazin Kwali explained that with the approval of the President for the conduct of the next Population and Housing Census in 2023, preparations are in top gear for the successful implementation of the census project Census.

He opined that it is a national event and is the responsibility of every citizen to participate by presenting themselves to be counted.

Shazin further explained that the Commission will no doubt, need the support of all stakeholders to deliver to the country a credible and reliable data it can use for sustainable development planning.

He said, “ Over the years, the Commission has invested considerable time and resources planning for the census by drawing from its rich institutional experience spanning two censuses and a pool of tested professionals to give the nation a truly digital and scientific

census that will generate data for national planning within the context of our present realities.

“I am pleased to inform you all that the outcome of the preparatory activities of the 2023 Population and Housing census has been reassuring. The Commission has successfully demarcated 774 LGAs in all the States of the federation and the FCT”.

The Federal Commissioner disclosed that, the Commission has also conducted the first and the second census pre-test exercises to test the census instruments in preparation for the census added that the trial census has been conducted in June 2022.

He added that the Commission is on course in its mission of delivering an accurate census to Nigerians and a strategic partnership with the media will form the tripod upon which the census architecture will stand to reach-out to the Nigerian people.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN (middle) Prelate of the Methodist Church His Eminence The Most Rev.Dr Oliver Aba (Right) and His Grace, The Most Rev (Dr.) Michael O. Akinwale Archbishop of Abuja Diocese (Left) in a group photograph at the Enthronement of His Grace, The Most Rev (Dr.) Michael O. Akinwale as Archbishop of Abuja Diocese and the Presentation of Sir (AVM) Kayode Beckley, RTD as Diocesan and Archdiocesan Lay President at the Methodist Church Nigeria in Abuja. 5th March, 2023. Photos; Tolani Alli

Rishi Sunak vows to end asylum claims from small boat arrivals

Anyone arriving in the UK on a small boat will be prevented from claiming asylum, under new legislation expected to be unveiled on Tuesday.

PM Rishi Sunak, who has made “stopping the boats” one of his top priorities, told the Mail on Sunday: “Make no mistake, if you come here illegally, you will not be able to stay.”

A new “rights brake” could stop lawyers using the right to family life to stop deportations, the paper says.

Refugee groups said it was unworkable.

The new legislation is expected to make asylum claims inadmissible from those who travel to the UK on small boats.

It would place a duty on the home secretary to remove anyone arriving on a small boat to Rwanda or a “safe” third country “as soon as reasonably practicable” and ban them from returning permanently.

Currently, asylum seekers coming to the UK have the right to seek protection under the UN’s Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights.

But the Mail on Sunday says a clause in the Illegal Migration Bill is expected to apply a “rights brake” to effectively allow the conventions to be circumvented.

However it is not clear how exactly the government is proposing to limit the rights of asylum seekers.

Nor is the pledge to deport asylum seekers straightforward.

Despite a deal being reached last year, not one migrant has been sent to Rwanda yet and any plans to do so are currently on hold. There is also no returns agreement in place with the EU.

The Refugee Council has accused ministers of shattering the UK’s longstanding commitment under the UN Convention to give people a fair hearing regardless of how they get to the UK.

The group’s CEO Enver Solomon said the “flawed” legislation would not stop the boats but result in tens of thousands of people locked up in detention at huge cost, permanently in limbo and treated as criminals simply for seeking refuge.

“It’s unworkable, costly and won’t stop

the boats,” he said.

But Mr Sunak told the Mail on Sunday: “Illegal migration is not fair on British taxpayers, it is not fair on those who come here legally and it is not right that criminal gangs should be allowed to continue their immoral trade.”

He is expected to travel to Paris for a UK-France summit on Friday, the first since 2018. It is thought he will discuss small boat crossings with President Emmanuel Macron.

The government has long been trying to tackle the rise in numbers of asylum seekers making the dangerous crossing from France to the UK.

Last year, it announced a deal with Rwanda to send asylum seekers there on a one-way ticket.

However the plan has yet to get under way after it was met with fierce opposition from campaigners and legal interventions.

Opponents argued Rwanda was not a safe destination and the scheme broke human rights laws.

However, in December the High Court ruled the scheme did not breach the UN’s Refugee Convention. That decision is facing further challenges in the courts, with a preliminary hearing expected on Monday at the Court of Appeal.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who will introduce the new laws, told the Sun on Sunday “the only route to the UK will be a safe and legal route”.

The Home Office says there are a number of “safe and legal” routes to the UK. However, some are only available to people from specific countries such as Afghanistan and Ukraine, or for British National status holders in Hong Kong.

Other asylum routes only accept a limited number of refugees according to precise criteria.

The government’s Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme the new legislation would only form one part of the UK’s response, adding: “We need a full range of things in our arsenal to try and stop both people trafficking and illegal migration across

the Channel.”

Earlier he told Sky’s Sophy Ridge: “I’m quite sure there’ll be more safe and legal routes and that’s why we have them.”

Lord Blunkett, Labour’s home secretary from 2001-4, said any new migration policy needed France’s backing - and that the government knew it would not get it.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House show, he said: “They know they can’t do it before the election even if it would work, and it won’t.

“They’re doing it in order to put the Labour party on the spot, provide a message after 13 years that they’re going to get a grip of a problem of their own making.”

Earlier, Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth told Sky’s Sophy Ridge that the government had been “making promises” to tackle the issue for 18 months, while criminal gangs were getting away with more and more.

The Lib Dems called the plans “immoral, ineffective and incredibly costly for taxpayers while doing nothing to stop small boat crossings”.

The British Red Cross echoed that view,

saying the plans would do little to stop people risking their lives to seek safety.

Another charity, Freedom from Torture, which provides therapy to asylum seekers, called them “vindictive and dysfunctional”.

The government has previously said the Rwanda plan would discourage others from crossing the English Channel but so far there is no evidence that has happened.

In 2022, 45,755 migrants crossed the Channel to Britain, according to government figures collated by the BBC.

That is the highest number since the first records in 2018.

Latest Home Office figures show 2,950 migrants have crossed the Channel already this year, coming from a range of countries including Albania, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria.

Currently, most who come by boat claim asylum on arrival in the UK and, if their case is accepted, they can apply to remain in the UK.

However, asylum claims made on or after 28 June 2022 can be rejected if the applicant has a “connection to a safe third country”, such as EU countries.

Ambulance strikes: Unite union suspends action in England

Ambulance strikes due to take place in England on Monday and Wednesday have been called off.

The Unite union suspended the industrial action to enter pay talks with the government, it said.

It followed the Unison and GMB unions earlier suspending walkouts after what they called a “huge shift” in the government’s position.

Unite is the smallest of the three ambulance unions, representing about 3,000 workers.

Tens of thousands of staff had been expected to walk out across large parts of England. Unite members at ambulance trusts in the West Midlands, North West, South East and East Midlands had planned to strike on Monday.

Unite head of operations Gail Cartmail said: “Following further assurances from the government over the weekend Unite has in good faith agreed to pause the strike action.”

These assurances related to “a confirmation that any deal will include new money, rather than placing further pressure on NHS budgets”, the union said, as well as an “indication that discussions about

‘efficiencies’ and ‘productivity savings’ will not result in attacks on the conditions of NHS staff”.

If the government did not meet those assurances, “strike action will resume”, Ms Cartmail said.

The union is expected to hold talks with the government this week.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We’re pleased that unions representing the majority of ambulance workers, nurses, physiotherapists, porters, cleaners and other non-medical staff have agreed to pause strikes and enter a process of intensive talks.

“We want to find a fair and reasonable settlement that recognises the vital role of NHS workers, the wider economic pressures facing the UK and the prime minister’s priority to halve inflation.”

On Friday the GMB union said the government had given it assurances of extra cash “above existing budgets”.

When Unison and the GMB called off their planned action, it was understood that talks with the government would discuss a one-off cost-of-living payment for the current financial year, which ends in April, as well as

a new pay deal for 2023-24.

Industrial action by Unite and GMB had already been paused in Wales for further talks with the Welsh government.

Last month, thousands of nurses in England suspended a series of strikes after Health Secretary Steve Barclay said he

would meet the Royal College of Nursing for “intensive talks” over pay.

However, tens of thousands of junior doctors are still scheduled to strike in England on 13, 14 and 15 March.

Source: BBC

Scottish government gives £500,000 aid for drought in East Africa

Four charities will be tasked with giving out food packages and improving water access.

The Scottish government has announced a £500,000 aid package to help countries struggling with drought in east Africa.

Four charities - Christian Aid, Mercy Corps, Sciaf and Tearfund - will split the funding, receiving £125,000 each.

The charities will be tasked with giving out food packages, improving water access, training hygiene promoters and providing cash transfers.

They will operate in South

Sudan, Kenya and Ethiopia as the region faces its driest conditions in decades.

Scotland’s international development minister Neil Gray said: “This funding will support four essential projects ensuring people suffering from the drought receive necessary food supplies and enhanced access to clean water - a vital measure in preventing waterborne diseases.

“The Scottish government is committed to fulfilling its role as a responsible and compassionate global citizen and this aid from our Humanitarian Emergency Fund will provide essential help to those in desperate need.”

Fespaco: Tunisia thriller Ashkal takes top film prize

By Natasha Booty & Nicolas Negoce

Afirst-time solo feature film director has won one of cinema’s top awards.

A representative for Youssef Chebbi, 38, said the filmmaker was “grateful for the trophy” at Fespaco in Burkina Faso, awarded for the murder mystery Ashkal, set in his native Tunisia.

The film sees a male-female police duo unravel a dark and puzzling case in the Gardens of Carthage.

Started in 1969 and now in its 28th edition, the biennial event was this time watched over by military rulers.

Burkina Faso has been under junta control for just over a year and the Fespaco film festival happens only once every two years. So photos from Saturday’s ceremony show military men with red berets and machine guns alongside Africa’s artistic elite.

Chebbi himself did not attend the award ceremony. It is not known if this was an act of conscientious objection to Burkina Faso’s current political situation.

But the man who collected the prize on Chebbi’s behalf from soldier-turned-President Ibrahim Traoré, said that winning the Etalon d’or du Yennenga - as the top award is known - “means a lot” to Chebbi.

The festival attracts thousands from across the continent with filmmakers from Nigeria, Kenya, Somalia, Uganda, South Africa and more taking part this year. Nearly half of all entries in the fiction category were directed by women.

Apolline Traoré was a front-runner for top prize, eventually

coming second

Sira, the tale of a woman’s struggle for survival after being kidnapped by jihadis in the Sahel, won Burkinabè director Apolline Traoré second place in the fiction category.

And third place went to Kenya’s Angela Wanjiku Wamai for Shimoni.

In her closing remarks at Saturday’s awards ceremony, Fespaco jury head and producer Dora Bouchoucha, made apparent reference to racist remarks by Tunisia’s president about subSaharan Africans changing his country’s demographics as part of “plot” by foreign powers.

“I am deeply sad and at the same time grateful my actions in terms of promoting African cinema are recognised in Burkina Faso,” said Ms Bouchoucha.

Legs4Africa prosthetic technician

olds, to encourage young people into the profession.

Ms Yearworth, who was born in Bristol, was one of only a few female technicians when she began her career in 2015.

“Then I had a moment where I realised, ‘Oh wow I can create this’.

“It’s a perfect combination of making things and helping people.”

experience was “invaluable” in starting the dismantling program and training the centres across Africa.

“honoured”

to be female role model

Bex

Yearworth is a trustee with Legs4Africa which transports prosthetic limbs to people in Africa

A prosthetic technician who has helped to change the lives of amputees in Africa said she is “honoured” to be a role model for a national exhibition.

Bex Yearworth, 32, is a trustee at Bristol charity Legs4Africa where she was integral to UK prosthetics being recycled to support thousands of amputees in sub-Saharan Africa.

The charity has helped more than 14,000 people to walk again.

The exhibition is being held in the National Science Museum, London.

It is dedicated to 11 to 16-year-

She said it was “a big responsibility and an honour” to be selected for the exhibition which was “an amazing opportunity to inspire young people”.

“There is a massive skills shortage in the industry so to be able to shine the spotlight on prosthetics and break down some stereotypes that still exist I hope we will be able to encourage more young people to see it as a future career opportunity.”

Ms Yearworth, who was working as a RADA-trained theatre technician in London’s West End, “stumbled across” prosthetics after spending time being treated in hospital and rehabilitation units for a connective tissue disorder.

She said she was looking for a better work-life balance as theatre hours can be “unpredictable”.

“I really aggressively started applying for trainee positions and coming up to eight years later it has been all the things I hoped it would be at that time.”

“Sometimes I don’t really believe I do this... then I have an existential moment when someone has a walk on a leg I’ve made and... it’s mind-blowing,” she added.

Ms Yearworth said she was “lucky” to have had employers who recognised the passion she had for volunteering with Legs4Africa.

Tom Williams, CEO of Legs4Africa, said “It is great to see [Bex’s] work recognised. She is a real inspiration, and we are lucky to have her as part of our [specialist] team.”

He said Ms Yearworth has helped make the recycling of prosthetics possible and her

Egypt jails dozens accused of Muslim Brotherhood links

Acourt in Egypt has handed down jail sentences, ranging from life to five years’ hard labour, to 30 people for involvement with the nowoutlawed Muslim Brotherhood. Ayesha Khairat al-Shater and her husband were given 10 years each. Her father was the Muslim Brotherhood’s first nominee for president in 2012 before he was replaced by Mohamed Morsi. She was arrested in 2018 and charged with misuse of social media and promoting terrorist ideas.

Amnesty International and other rights groups had described her detention as arbitrary and campaigned for her release.

Source; BBC

Youssef Chebbi did not attend but his award was accepted on his behalf by this man (centre-left)

Ukraine war: Russian reservists fighting with shovels - UK defence ministry

Russian reservists are likely using “shovels” for “hand-to-hand” combat in Ukraine due to a shortage of ammunition, the UK’s Ministry of Defence says.

In late February, reservists described being ordered to assault a Ukrainian position “armed with only ‘firearms and shovels’”, the ministry said in its latest intelligence update.

It mentioned a shovel known as MPL-50.

The tool was designed in 1869 and had changed little, the ministry said.

“The lethality of the standardissue MPL-50 entrenching tool is particularly mythologised in Russia,” the ministry said.

The continued use of the shovel “as a weapon highlights the brutal and low-tech fighting which has come to characterise much of the war”, it said.

One of the reservists described being “neither physically nor psychologically” prepared for the action, the update added.

“Recent evidence suggests an increase in close combat in Ukraine,” it said.

“This is probably a result of the Russian command continuing

to insist on offensive action largely consisting of dismounted infantry, with less support from artillery fire because Russia is short of munitions.”

The BBC has been unable to independently verify these reports. The ministry did not give information on where such battles were taking place.

Meanwhile Russian forces appear to have secured a sufficient positional advantage in the besieged city of Bakhmut, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said.

Bakhmut has seen months of fighting, as Russia tries to take control of the small city, where around 4,000 civilians remain.

Taking the city would be a rare battlefield success in recent months for Russia, but the city’s strategic value has been questioned.

The ISW said Russia’s positional advantage could allow a “turning movement” in the city.

The purpose of a turning movement is to force the enemy to abandon prepared defensive positions, and is different from the aim of an encirclement, which is to trap and destroy enemy forces, the ISW says.

“The Russians may have intended to encircle Ukrainian forces in Bakhmut, but the Ukrainian command has signalled that it will likely withdraw rather than risk an encirclement,” the ISW said. However, the Ukrainian

military said on Sunday that it had no intention of withdrawing from Bakhmut.

A statement by the Armed Forces General Staff acknowledged that Russian forces were still trying to surround the city, but said

more than 100 attacks had been repelled in the eastern Donbas region in the past 24 hours. Thousands of Russian troops have died trying to take Bakhmut, which had a pre-war population of around 75,000.

Bangladesh fire: Thousands shelterless after blaze at Rohingya camp

Thousands of people have been left without shelter after a massive fire broke out in a crowded Rohingya refugee camp in southeastern Bangladesh.

The blaze, which is now under control, engulfed some 2,000 shelters at Cox’s Bazar camp on Sunday.

It is estimated that about 12,000 people, most of whom escaped violence in neighbouring Myanmar, have had their accommodation destroyed.

The cause of the fire is not yet clear and no casualties have been reported.

The blaze started at about 14:45 local time (08: 45 GMT) and quickly tore through the bamboo-and-tarpaulin shelters, an official said.

“Some 2,000 shelters have been burnt, leaving about 12,000 forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals shelterless,” Mijanur Rahman, Bangladesh’s refugee commissioner, told AFP news agency.

The blaze was brought under control within three hours but at least 35 mosques and 21 learning centres for the refugees were also destroyed, he added.

Hrusikesh Harichandan, from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, told the BBC there had been “massive

damage” to the camp.

He said basic services such as water centres and testing facilities had also been affected.

“My shelter was gutted. [My shop] was also burnt,” Mamun Johar, a 30-year-old Rohingya man, told AFP.

“The fire took everything from me, everything.”

Thick black clouds were seen rising above Camp 11, one of many in the border district where more than a million Rohingya refugees live.

The camps, overcrowded and squalid, are vulnerable to fires.

Between January 2021 and December 2022, there were 222 fire incidents in the Rohingya camps including 60 cases of arson, according to a Bangladesh defence ministry report released last month.

In March 2021, at least 15 people were killed and some 50,000 were displaced after a huge fire tore through a camp in the settlement.

The refugee camp, said to be the world’s largest, houses people who fled from Myanmar following a military crackdown against the Rohingya ethnic minority.

The Rohingya are Muslims in largely Buddhist Myanmar, where they have faced persecution for generations.

The latest exodus of Rohingya

escaping to Bangladesh began in August 2017, after Myanmar’s military brutally retaliated when a Rohingya insurgent group launched attacks on several police posts.

Mirabai Chanu: Weightlifter is BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year

Mirabai Chanu has won BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year for a second time Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has won the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award for 2022 following a public vote.

The 28-year-old Commonwealth champion, who also won in 2021, becomes the first person to take the honour twice.

The other shortlisted contenders were wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Sakshee Malikkh, boxer Nikhat Zareen and badminton player PV Sindhu.

Mirabai Chanu: ‘I got a full diet only twice a week’

Table tennis player Bhavina Patel was named Para Sportswoman of the Year - a category that has been introduced for the first timeafter winning Commonwealth gold.

Patel, 36, said: “It is a gratifying feeling to win this prestigious award, which is part of a wonderful initiative empowering women and sportspersons.

“It is also commendable to see the BBC focusing on Parasport and making India more inclusive.”

Former hockey player and coach Pritam Siwach was given the Lifetime Achievement award for her contribution to Indian sports and inspiring generations of players.

The 48-year-old was the first female hockey coach to be presented with the Dronacharya Award, which was founded in 1985 and honours sports coaches in India.

“I want to thank the BBC for selecting me,” she said. “It motivates us when we get such accolades.”

Boxer Nitu Ghanghas was chosen as the Emerging Athlete of the Year.

Ghanghas, 22, is a two-time youth world champion and in 2022 won Commonwealth gold.

The invited audience at the Taj Palace Hotel in Delhi watched a video message from gymnastics great Simone Biles before Ghanghas walked on stage to collect her award.

Biles said: “Nitu works so hard and proved she was the best

in her class at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.”

In response, Ghanghas said: “I am very happy. This will motivate female athletes to perform even better. Last year I was at this ceremony as a guest. So it’s a beautiful experience this year to be a winner. All my energies are now on Olympic preparation.”

India’s Commonwealth gold medal-winning lawn bowls team were also honoured at the ceremony - receiving a special trophy for their historic achievement.

And 95-year-old Bhagwani Devi and 106-year-old Rambai received their Changemaker of the Year awards.

Devi won gold in the 100m sprint at the World Masters Athletics in Finland, as well as bronze in the shot put. Rambai won gold in both 100m and 200m at the 2022 National Open Masters Athletics Championships in Vadodara.

In attendance at the ceremony were Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Dilip Tirkey, former captain of the India men’s national hockey team and current President of Hockey India, Olympic boxing champion Vijender Singh and India’s top-ranked table tennis player Manika Batra.

Source: BBC

The MPL-50 is particularly mythologised in Russia, the UK defence ministry said (stock photo)

Education Plateau Varsity gets new VC

By Maryam Abeeb

The Plateau State University, PLASU, Bokkos has a new Vice Chancellor, VC. He is Professor Bernard Matur.

The out-gone Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Yohanna Izam who handed over to him on Wednesday revealed the institution now has 16 fully

accredited programmes and only one programme enjoying an interim status and the institution is repositioned to offer quality services to society.

Izam added the University’s manpower development strategy had yielded positive results as a good number of staff have completed their studies and returned and “a few that returned without certificates are being sanctioned by the

University ‘s management.”

Professor Izam’s tenure elapsed on February 28, on the day he left office, he commissioned the institution’s Faculty of Law and pinpointed the achievements during his tenure, parts of which were “the completion of the final survey plan of the University, the University asset inventory, and valuation which shows the market value of over N19bn.”

He appreciated the members of the Senate, the support of the Registrar, and other management, staff, and students which made him record landmark achievements, and solicited more support from his successor, Professor Bernard Matur whom he handed over to on Wednesday, March 1, 2023.

At the handing-over ceremony, held in Bokkos,

Professor Izam gave detailed handover notes which he said would expose Professor Matur to all that has to do with the institution.

Speaking shortly after assuming office, Professor Matur commended the efforts of his predecessor, called for support and prayers, and asked that stakeholders be patient and work with him to move the institution forward.

ABU to develop made-in-Nigeria water-fuelled car

Maryam Abeeb

Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, has revealed that the university is working to develop a made-inNigeria car that will use water.

The Dean, Faculty of Engineering,Prof. Ibrahim Dabo made this known in Zaria while speaking on the commemoration of the 2023 World Engineering Day for sustainable development.

Dabo said there were several breakthroughs in ABU including the recent development of an electric car and a shell eco-marathon car.

He added that the faculty was working

on the development of a car that would be running with water.

“The shell eco-marathon car that was developed by the university had a capacity to cover over 100 kilometers with a litre of fuel,’’ he said.

According to him, the shell ecomarathon car has been taken to South Africa where it performed excellently, stressing that the university is working to improve on its fuel efficiency.

“The concept for the shell ecomarathon car was a small car that takes a maximum of two people for a racing competition, not for mass transit,’’ he said.

He added that the electric car that was developed is also a small car that takes a maximum of four people.

The dean however noted that the closure of Nigerian universities for 2023 general elections made the commemoration of the event low keyed at ABU.

He described the theme of the event, ‘Engineering innovations for more resilient world’, as topical, apt and timely.

Dabo, therefore, called on the government to encourage outcome based education across tertiary institutions to boost and strengthen the quality and skills of engineers produced in Nigeria.

He also appealed for improved

collaboration between the academia and industries.

He lamented that most of the industries around most of the institutions were closed, few functional ones import skills and essential raw materials, resulting into parallel position between the academia and industries.

The World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development was proclaimed by UNESCO at its 40th General Conference in 2019.

The day is celebrated worldwide on March 4 of each year since 2020 as a UNESCO international day of celebration of engineers and engineering.

Cross section of students and teachers from.various Schools in FCT during the inauguration of the Youth Farmers club at the Federal Science and Technical college Orozo, recently in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

What is the UN High Seas Treaty and why is it needed?

After more than a decade of negotiations, the countries of the United Nations have agreed the first ever treaty to protect the world’s oceans that lie outside national boundaries.

The UN High Seas Treaty places 30% of the world’s oceans into protected areas, puts more money into marine conservation and means new rules for mining at sea.

Environmental groups say it will help reverse biodiversity losses and ensure sustainable development. Here’s what you need to know:

What are the high seas?

Two-thirds of the world’s oceans are currently considered international waters.

That means all countries have a right to fish, ship and do research there.

But until now only about 1% of these waters - known as high seas - have been protected.

This leaves the marine life living in the vast majority of the high seas at risk of exploitation from threats including climate change, overfishing and shipping traffic.

Which marine species are at risk?

In the latest assessment of marine species, nearly 10% were found to be at risk of extinction, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Dr Ngozi Oguguah, chief research officer at Nigerian Institute For Oceanography and Marine Research said: “The two biggest causes [of extinction] are overfishing and pollution. If we have marine protected sanctuaries most of the marine resources will have the time to recover.”

Abalone species - a type of shellfish - sharks and whales have come under particular pressure due to their high value as seafood and for drugs.

The IUCN estimates that 41% of the threatened species are also affected by climate change.

Minna Epps, head of IUCN’s ocean team, said: “A bit more than a quarter of emitted

carbon dioxide is actually being absorbed by the ocean. That makes the ocean much more acidic, which means that it’s going to be less productive and jeopardize certain species and ecosystems.”

Climate change has also increased marine heat waves 20-fold, according to research published in the magazine Science - which can bring about extreme events like cyclones but also mass mortality events.

Ms Epps said to tackle the issue of climate change in the sea involves implementing the other global agreements such as the Paris Agreement.

She said: “This is a real reason to have a synergies and collaboration between these different multilateral agreements we’ve seen increasingly within the UN conventions on climate change.”

The treaty also aims to protect against potential impacts like deep sea mining. This is the process of collecting minerals from the ocean bed.

Environmental groups are seriously concerned about the possible effects of mining, such as disturbing sediments, creating noise pollution and damaging breeding grounds.

What is in the High Seas Treaty?

The headline is the agreement to place 30% of the world’s international waters into protected areas (MPAs) by 2030.

However, the level of protection in these areas was fiercely contested and remains unresolved.

Dr Simon Walmsley, marine chief advisor of WWFUK said: “There was debate particularly around what a marine protected area is. Is it sustainable use or fully protected?”.

Whatever form of protection is agreed when would this be there will be restrictions on how much fishing can take place, the routes of shipping lanes and exploration activities like deep sea mining.

Other key measures include:

• Arrangements for sharing marine genetic resources, such as biological material from plants and animals in the ocean. These can have benefits for society, such as pharmaceuticals and food

• Requirements for environmental assessments for deep sea activities like mining

Richer nations have also pledged new money for the delivery of the treaty.

The EU announced nearly 820m euros (£722.3m) for international ocean protection on Thursday.

However, developing nations were disappointed that a specific funding amount was included in the text. Will this make a difference?

Despite the breakthrough in agreeing the treaty there is still a long way to go before it is legally agreed.

The treaty must first be formerly adopted at a later session, and then it only enters “into force” once enough countries have signed up and legally passed it in their own countries.

Dr Simon Walmsley said: “There is a real delicate balance, if you don’t have enough states it won’t enter into force. But also need to get the states with enough money to get the impact. We are thinking around 40 states to get the whole thing into force”.

Russia was one of the countries who registered concerns over the final text.

Countries have to then start looking at practically how these measures would be implemented and managed.

Ms Epps, from the IUCN said this implementation is crucial. If marine protected areas are not properly

connected, it might not have the desired impact as many species are migratory and

may travel across unprotected areas where they are at risk.

Source: BBC

Dr Ngozi Oguguah, chief research officer at Nigerian Institute For Oceanography and Marine Research said: “The two biggest causes [of extinction] are overfishing and pollution. If we have marine protected sanctuaries most of the marine resources will have the time to recover.”

Climate and Science Reporter, BBC News

Dugongs used to be common marine animals but now less than 1000 remain in the wild

PUBLIC NOTICE

AFRICAN MANGROVE FOUNDATION

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1.JOEY CHUKU 2.CHIDI OBIHARA 3.IKENNA OBIHARA

4.PHILOMENA JAMES

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. SUPPORT OPERATIONAL ACTIVITES AND RESEARCH INTO THE PLANTING OF MANGROVE TREES AND THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROPAGATION OF APPROPRIATE MANGROVE TREE VARIETIES ACROSS APPROPRIATE LANDSCAPES AND TERRAIN.

2. ADVOCATE SCIENTIFIC TRANSPARENCY AND THE CORE WELL-BEING OF FLORA IN SOCIETY TO FOSTER UNITY, LOVE AND PEACE AMONG MEMBERS OF THE FOUNDATION.

3. TO FOSTER ETHNIC UNITY, LOVEAND CULTURALACTIVITIES THATARE INCIDENTAL TO THE ECOLOGICAL GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT, PROGRESS AND UNITY OF THE COMMUNITY WITH THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.

4. TO RENDER FINANCIAL AND MORAL WELL-BEING AND SUPPORT TO NEEDY MEMBERS. AND CREATE CO BENEFITS BETWEEN HUMAN AND ECOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT.

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

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

DOMINION CHURCH OF DELIVERANCE INT’L

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. ISAH AMOS MATHIAS. - GENERAL OVERSEER

2. IKEWUJELAN JUSTICE SAMUEL

3. ASEM CHRISTIANA

4 ADAEDE DAVID OCHOYO

5 ONEHI NGBEDE

6 OMOAYE MARK

7 JOHN EMMANUEL SADUWANA

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE :

1.TO PREACH THE FULL GOSPEL OF JESUS. 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 : CORNERSTONE ADVOCATES. 08036317920.

PUBLIC NOTICE

CKC ONITSHA Y2K SET OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1. EZEONWU TOCHUKWU JUDE. ( CHAIRMAN)

2. OKOLO MICHAEL KENECHUKWU

3. EGBUE VINCENT AZUBIKE (SECRETARY)

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO PROMOTE THE IMAGE OF OUR PRESTIGIOUS CHRIST THE KING COLLEGE (CKC) ONITSHA AS OUR ALMA MATER.

2. TO BE AN AVENUE WHERE Y2K SET OLD BOYS CAN REACH AND INTERACT WITH ONE ANOTHER.

3. TO CREATE AND FOSTER UNITY, PEACE AND PROGRESS AMONG THE MEMBERS.

4. TO CARE FOR THE INTEREST AND TO OFFER FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO MEMBER(S) WHEN NEED ARISES.

5. TO PROMOTE FRIENDSHIP AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AMONG MEMBERS.

6. TO ENCOURAGE THE SPIRIT OF ONENESS AMONG MEMBERS AND PROMOTE THE POLITICAL, MORAL ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL VALUES OF MEMBERS.

7. TO HELP IN AMICABLE SETTLEMENT OF DIFFERENCES AMONG THE MEMBERS AND TO ARBITRATE AND ADJUDICATE UPON SUCH DIFFERENCES

8. TO KNOW EVERY ONES OCCUPATION, AND TO NETWORK PROFESSIONALLY AND CREATE A PLATFORM WHEREIN MEMBERS CAN LEVERAGE AND BENEFIT FROM EACH OTHER’S AREA OF SPECIFICATION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRARGENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1.AJOLORE OLUWATOYIN OLUFUNMIBI

2. OYETAYO SIMEON AKINDURO

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT TO DEPRIVED OUT OF SCHOOL CHILDREN AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT TO VULNERABLE WOMEN IN THE SOCIETY.

2. TO INCREASE ACCESS AND ENCOURAGE ENROLLMENT ON EARLY CHILD EDUCATION, BASIC SCHOOL, UP TILL TERTIARY LEVEL THROUGH COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION FOR OUT OF SCHOOL CHILDREN

PUBLIC NOTICE

AUXANO AERO CLUB, BENIN CITY

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.PRINCE-GODFREY OMOLA GODFREY II - PRESIDENT

2.JOWEIGHA AMAEBI KINDNESS - SECRETARY

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1.TO PROMOTE MUTUAL TRUST AND FRIENDSHIP AMONG MEMBERS AS WELL AS CATER FOR THEIR WELFARE.

2.TO EDUCATE AND ENLIGHTEN MEMBERS LIKEWISE THE PUBLIC AS WELL AS ORGANIZE MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS OR SEMINARS FOR MEMBERS ON GENERAL AVIATION.

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 : JOWEIGHA A KINDNESS SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

COMMITTEE OF MUSLIM GRAVEYARD, DEMBO ZARIA KADUNA STATE

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. ABDULLAHI MUHAMMADU SANI

2. SALIHU SHU’AIBU

3. MORA UMAR FARUQ

4. MUHAMMADU SANI GUMMI

5. BADAMASI YAKUBU

6. MOHAMMED LAWAL SANI

7. MUHAMMAD NURA ABDULLAHI

8. SHU’AIBU DAHIRU

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO PRESERVE AND MAINTAIN THE THUMB AND GRAVEYARD OF THE MUSLIM DEAD

2. TO OBSERVE JANAZAH FOR THE MUSLIM DEAD.

3. TO PROVIDE A BEFITTING BURIAL FOR MUSLIM DEAD IN LINE WITH ISLAMIC FAITH.

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.

THE EVERLASTING MISSIONS AND SERVICES

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. AKINTUNDE OLAWALE DAVID CHAIRMAN

2. OLADELE EMMANUEL TEMILADE

3. AKINTUNDE TAIWO FAITH - SECRETARY

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO PROPAGATE THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IN NIGERIA AND ALL OVER THE WORLD

2. TO EFFECT A POSITIVE CHANGE IN THE SOCIETY THROUGH THE MESSAGE OF SALVATION

3. TO ESTABLISH SCHOOLS OF MINISTRY FOR TRAINING OF MINISTERS AND WORKERS WITHIN AND OUTSIDE NIGERIA

4. TO OPERATE AS A RELIGIOUS, SOCIAL, CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL GROUP AND FOR ECCLESIASTICAL PURPOSE

5. TO RID MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH AND THE SOCIETY AT LARGE OF THE BONDAGE OF SIN SICKNESS AND ALL SATANIC MANIPULATIONS

6. TO PROMOTE PEACE UNITY AND LOVE IN THE SOCIETY.

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

URHOBO/ISOKO COMMUNITY, DUTSE, ABUJA CHAPTER

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.ONAKORERE RAPHAEL OGHENEOCHUKO…CHAIRMAN

2.ASAGBA EVUARERE LYDIA………..SECRETARY

3.OTERI OGHENEJUVWAKPO…..TREASURER

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO FOSTER THE SPIRIT OF LOVE, MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND BROTHERHOOD AMONG UROBHO/ISOKO PEOPLE RESIDENT IN THE F.C.T AND ITS ENVIRONS, GOOD RELATIONS WITH NEIGHBOURING PEOPLE AND NIGERIANS IN GENERAL.

2. TO ENCOURAGE THE EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF URHOBO/ISOKO PEOPLE.

3. TO PRESERVE AND PROMOTE THE CULTURE AND TRADITION OF THE URHOBO/ISOKO NATION.

4. TO OFFER POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DIRECTION TO THE URHOBO/ISOKO NATION IN NATIONAL, STATES AND LOCAL MATTERS AFFECTING URHOBO/ISOKO INTEREST.

5. TOACQUIRE, BY WAY OF GRANT, PURCHASES, LOANS, CONCESSIONS, RIGHT OR PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGES FROM ANY GOVERNMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACHIEVING THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION. 6. TO PROJECTANDALWAYS PROTECT THE URHOBO/ISOKO PERSONALITYANYWHERE IN THE F.C.T.,

PUBLIC NOTICE

LAUNCH PASTORS & LEADERS NETWORK CAC/ IT/NO. 106173.

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

THE OLD TRUSTEES ARE :

1. IGBINIJESU PHILIP EDOBOR OSASUYI

2. IRABOR GEORGE BRYAN

3. EKOH OSEADEBA

THE NEWLY APPOINTED TRUSTEES ARE :

1.IRABOR BEN NKONYE

2. EBBI CHRISTIAN OKECHUKWU

3. MOMOH BENNY ENEMONA

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 : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

URHOBO/ISOKO COMMUNITY, DUTSE, ABUJA CHAPTER

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.ONAKORERE RAPHAEL OGHENEOCHUKO…CHAIRMAN

2.ASAGBA EVUARERE LYDIA………..SECRETARY

3.OTERI OGHENEJUVWAKPO…..TREASURER

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO FOSTER THE SPIRIT OF LOVE, MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND BROTHERHOOD AMONG UROBHO/ISOKO PEOPLE RESIDENT IN THE F.C.T AND ITS ENVIRONS, GOOD RELATIONS WITH NEIGHBOURING PEOPLE AND NIGERIANS IN GENERAL.

2. TO ENCOURAGE THE EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF URHOBO/ISOKO PEOPLE.

3. TO PRESERVE AND PROMOTE THE CULTURE AND TRADITION OF THE URHOBO/ISOKO NATION.

4. TO OFFER POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DIRECTION TO THE URHOBO/ISOKO NATION IN NATIONAL, STATES AND LOCAL MATTERS AFFECTING URHOBO/ISOKO INTEREST.

5. TOACQUIRE, BY WAY OF GRANT, PURCHASES, LOANS, CONCESSIONS, RIGHT OR PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGES FROM ANY GOVERNMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACHIEVING THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION.

6. TO PROJECTANDALWAYS PROTECT THE URHOBO/ISOKO PERSONALITYANYWHERE IN THE F.C.T., ABUJA.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRARGENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSOCIATION DES FRANÇAIS DE L’ETRANGER IN NIGERIA CAC/IT/NO. 197165

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

THE OLD TRUSTEES ARE :

1.PEYSSON ROMAIN OLIVER- REMOVED

2.PATUREL NANA FATIMA- RETAINED

THE NEW TRUSTEES ARE :

1.PEYSSON ROMAIN- APPOINTED

2.DE LACOSTE-LAREYMO FREDERIC - APPOINTED

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 : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

KANO AGROCHEMICAL MARKETERS AND PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERALPUBLIC THAT THEABOVE MENTIONEDASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION WITH THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) UNDER PART F OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT. 2020.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. IBRAHIM AMINU - CHAIRMAN

2. WADA IDRIS MUHAMMAD - SECRETARY

3. UMAR MUJITAPHA YAHAYA ( AKA YAHAYA MUJITAPHA)

4. DABAI SHAMSUDDEEN SANI (AKA SANI SHAMSUDDEEN)

5. RIMIN-KEBE YAHAYA HASSAN ( AKA HASSAN YAHAYA MUHAMMAD)

THE OBJECTIVES ARE:

1. UNITING MEMBERS TO DEVELOP THEIR BUSINESS ENTITIES IN KANO

2. ESTABLISHMENT OF STANDARDS THAT ARE APPLIED IN PRACTICE AND SUPERVISING OF THEIR APPLICATIONS AND REPRESENTATION OF MEMBERS IN THE AGROCHEMICAL INDUSTRY.

3. ORGANIZING WORKSHOPS ON AGRO-CHEMICAL DEVELOPMENT

4. DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION AND REPRESENTATION BEFORE STATE INSTITUTION

5. COORDINATION OF MEMBERS INACQUIRING GRANTSAND LOANS FROM FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.

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

SIGNED: SECRETARY.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT ELIZABETH INORI IJUO AND IJUO ELIZABETH INORI IS ONE AND SAME PERSON. HOWEVER I NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS IJUO ELIZABETH INORI ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

PUBLIC NOTICE

FUNMI LOVE EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION.

12 AUGUSTINE ANOZIE STREET, LEKKI PHASE ONE, LAGOS.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART’C’OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 2020 TRUSTEE ARE:-

1. FUNMILOLA ALABI- TRUSTEE CHAIRMAN

2. AYOOLA ALABI- FINANCIAL SECRETARY

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES-:

1. TO EMPOWER YOUTH, WOMEN AND THE LESS PRIVILEGED.

2. TO PROVIDE HOME FOR DESTITUTES.

3. TO EMPOWER CHILDREN ON SKILL ACQUISITIONS.

4. TO EMPOWER CHILDREN, YOUTH AND LESS PRIVILEGE ON SKILL ACQUISITIONS IN HAIR AND BEAUTY.

5. TO CREATE ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR TRAINING AND SEMINARS.

6. TO CARTER FOR THE GENERAL WELFARE OF THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN THE SOCIETY.

ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) PLOT 420, TIGIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA ABUJA, WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: AYOOLA ALABI - SECRETARY

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT I, IBRAHIM USMAN ANGBOLO, MALE, MUSLIM, NIGERIAN CITIZEN, RESIDING AT NO. 23, MARKET ROAD NASARAWAN EGGON, NASARAWAN STATE.

THAT I AM THE OWNER OF RIGHT OF OCCUPANCY (R OF O) WITH FILE NUMBER PL14081 OLD FILE NUMBER 1181 KATAMPE DISTRICT CADATRAL ZONE B07 PLOT NUMBER 674 GOT MISSING WITHIN FCDA THAT ALL EFFORTS MADE TO TRACE THE MISSING R OF O PROVED ABORTIVE.

I HEREBY INDEMINIFY LANDS DEPARTMENT /AGIS AND IT’S STAFF AGAINST ANY ADVERSE CLAIM THAT MIGHT ARISING IN FUTURE WITH REGARDS TO THE SAID R OF O.

MUS’UDA

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS MASUDA ISA. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS MUS'UDA ISAH. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

HUSSAINI

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS USAINI IBRAHIM. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS HUSSAINI IBRAHIM ABDU. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

SPACE FOR SALE

MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2023

Liverpool smash seven past shambolic Man Utd

Liverpool delivered the complete performance and Mohamed Salah became the club’s record Premier League goalscorer as Manchester United were overwhelmed at a joyous Anfield.

United’s renaissance under manager Erik ten Hag already has the tangible reward of the Carabao Cup but Liverpool unleashed a brutal reality check on their progress with a severe thrashing.

Liverpool took control of what had been a tight game, with Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford missing presentable chances, when former Old Trafford target Cody Gakpo applied a smooth finish to Andy Robertson’s perfect pass two minutes before the break.

The second half was a tale of sheer joy for Liverpool and unrelenting misery for United, starting after 47 minutes when Darwin Nunez’s header diverted Harvey Elliott’s driven cross past goalkeeper David de Gea.

Salah bamboozled Lisandro Martinez to play in Gakpo for another classy finish three minutes later before the Egyptian resumed his long-time role of United tormentor by getting on the scoresheet himself.

Salah ended a swift counter-attack by lashing a finish high past De Gea and the rout continued as Nunez flashed another header in from Jordan Henderson’s cross.

Salah then scrambled in the sixth

to become Liverpool’s highest Premier League goalscorer with 129, passing Robbie Fowler. He is also Liverpool’s highest marksman against Manchester United with 12 - and 10 of those have come in his past five encounters.

And in a fitting finish, Roberto Firmino - who has announced he is leaving Anfield at the end of the season - completed a remarkable game by making it 7-0 from close range.

This is the biggest win in the history of the fixture, passing Liverpool’s 7-1 victory in the 1895-96 Second Division.

Liverpool are now an ominous presence in the chase for the Champions League places, standing only three points behind Tottenham with a game in hand.

What did you make of Manchester United’s display? Send us your views here

Liverpool find the fire and fury

Liverpool have resembled a shadow of their real selves this season. The old guarantees, such as intensity and firepower, have been missing far too often.

They all returned here - and how - in the most spectacular manner as Manchester United, who have been undergoing a revival this season, were blown away by a team in full cry.

Once Jurgen Klopp’s side took control of a tightly contested game just before half-time, they were ruthless. They scored seven, and missed chances to get more.

Klopp wanted this to be a pivotal week in the race for the top four as his team look to salvage something from a season that has, to this point, been below par.

His players responded. Wolverhampton Wanderers were beaten at Anfield and United, to put it mildly, outclassed.

Liverpool won 5-0 at Old Trafford and 4-0 at Anfield in the Premier League last season while United had a 2-1 win at home early in this campaign to get the Ten Hag era going - and this was another remarkable game to add to that catalogue.

Gakpo was on United’s wanted list before he moved to Liverpool in January and his two cool finishes showed why Ten Hag was a fan. Nunez demonstrated his growing threat with a double while Salah always rises to the occasion against United and punished them once more.

There was even the perfect finale of a goal in front of the Kop for Firmino, who announced on Friday he would end a great Liverpool career at the conclusion of this season.

Liverpool manager Klopp resisted a fist pump celebration in front of the Kop - but for him, this day could not have gone any better.

Man Utd embarrassed

In seven days, Manchester United have gone from the high of their first trophy

since 2017 with the Carabao Cup win against Newcastle United at Wembley to the pain of abject humiliation at Anfield. Bizarrely, United were right in this game for 43 minutes, with Fernandes and Rashford missing arguably the game’s two best chances before Gakpo scored and the sky fell in on Ten Hag’s team. United have had a heavy programme of fixtures but the manner in which they capitulated must be an embarrassment for manager, players and fans. There can be no excuses.

Argentine defender Martinez, normally so reliable and combative, was taken apart, especially when Salah led him a merry dance to set up Gakpo to settle the game with Liverpool’s third five minutes after half-time.

To lose against Liverpool is a painful business at any time but to be on the receiving end of what was a record defeat in this fixture will send shock waves through Old Trafford. They must have thought it could not get worse than the 5-0 home thrashing last season - but this was and was inflicted in front of an ecstatic Anfield.

Manchester United must now lick their wounds and return to Europa League action at home to Real Betis on Thursday - and those wounds will hurt after this beating at the home of their arch-rivals.

Mohamed Salah broke Robbie Fowler’s record of 128 Premier League goals for Liverpool

Jon Jones is two-weight UFC champion after demolishing Ciryl Gane in one round

Jon Jones made a triumphant return to the UFC after three years to submit Ciryl Gane and win the heavyweight title at UFC 285 in Las Vegas.

The American was making his debut at heavyweight but needed only two minutes to become a two-weight UFC champion.

Jones, 35, forced France’s Gane, 32, to tap with a guillotine choke to stake his claim as MMA’s greatest fighter.

Speaking after the win, Jones referenced his “GOAT” (greatest of all time) status by saying “Baa”.

He has now competed in 16 title fights in the UFC, winning every single encounter - although his 2017 win over Daniel Cormier was overturned to a nocontest.

Jones joins an elite class of fighters who have won UFC titles at two weight divisions, including Conor McGregor and his bitter rival Cormier.

“I’ve been working for this for a long time,” Jones said. “A lot of people thought I wouldn’t even be coming back. I’ve been faithful to my goal. I’ve been faithful to the mission.”

Two-time heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic was cageside watching the contest, and Jones immediately called out the former title holder.

“Stipe Miocic, I hope you’re training,” he said. “You’re the greatest heavyweight of all time and I want you. I want you real bad.”

Jones’ last appearance in the octagon was in February 2020 when he edged Dominick Reyes on points to successfully defend his light-heavyweight title.

At that time, Jones’ motivation was questioned after a lacklustre performance but the fire was clearly back in the history maker as he walked to the cage.

Gane emerged first in his second attempt at becoming a heavyweight world champion, but his reception was nothing compared to the crowd’s reaction to Jones’ return.

“The champ is here” played out over the speakers for Jones’s entrance as the man who could not be stopped at light-heavyweight set his sights on the heavyweight division.

Jon Jones submits Ciryl Gane

Ciryl Gane is a seasoned heavyweight and a former title challenger

Throughout the week in Vegas, Jones had insisted the fight with Gane was a mismatch, but few could have predicated such a dominant performance.

A groin kick after seven seconds momentarily interrupted an incredible atmosphere before Jones took over.

There was barely a moment for commentators to settle into their rhythm before Jones ducked under a lazy punch from Gane and took the Frenchman’s back.

Jones was able to grapple Gane to the ground and came out on top of a quick scramble as Gane tried to retreat with his back against the cage.

Jones sunk in a guillotine choke under the chin of Gane and the Frenchman tapped out soon afterwards.

The referee stepped in to stop the contest and Jones casually walked away to soak up the raucous applause before climbing on top of the octagon to celebrate further.

It marks the 27th win of Jones’ remarkable career, which includes just one defeat - a controversial disqualification to Matt Hammill in 2009 - and that no-contest against Cormer in 2017.

“I actually felt a little goofy on the feet, it’s been a while,” added Jones. “But once I got my hands on him, I knew that’s where I’m most comfortable and I could take control.”

UFC: How Jon Jones transformed to become a heavyweight

“I had a strong conviction that if I got him down to the ground, the fight would be in my area,” Jones said.

“I’ve been wrestling since I was 12 years old and I feel stronger, more comfortable, especially on the ground, than ever.

“With kickboxing, you never know what’s going to happen. I zig, he zags. There was a major feeling out process, I actually felt a little goofy on the feet - it’s been a while.

“But once I got my hands on him, I knew that’s where I’m most comfortable and where I could take control.”

In the co-main event, Alexa Grasso upset the odds to dethrone Valentina Shevchenko and claim the flyweight title.

In beating Shevchenko, 29-year-old Grasso became Mexico’s first female UFC champion.

An ill-judged spinning back-kick from Shevchenko in the fourth round allowed Grasso to take her back and submit the defending champion with a rearnaked choke.

Emotion poured out of Grasso once Shevchenko tapped, after seven years in the UFC working to become a champion.

“Please pinch me because I feel like I’m dreaming,” Grasso said.

“It was training, I’m training every single day for that thing because I know she does those spinning things.

“I trained that because I know she hits hard, she’s a great athlete.”

Shevchenko, 34, had not lost since 2017 and that was to two-weight champion Amanda Nunes at bantamweight.

The Kyrgyzstan-born fighter is considered the UFC’s best ever flyweight after claiming the vacant title in 2018 and successfully defending it seven times since then.

Grasso was unfancied coming into the contest but began strongly, utilising her striking in the early minutes and rocking Shevchenko on a few occasions.

Shevchenko went to her wrestling and takedowns and quickly took over, but Grasso remained dangerous on her feet and bided her time before a golden opportunity presented itself.

Shevchenko had made good use of her kicks, as she so often does, to keep Grasso off her, but a poorly judged attempt at a spinning back kick would spell the beginning of the end of her reign as champion.

Grasso bounced on the chance to circle to Shevchenko’s back and quickly sunk in a submission.

The Mexican was in tears as she raised her arms in celebration.

Grasso improves her record to 16 wins and three defeats, while Shevchenko immediately called for a rematch after the fourth loss of her career.

News Analysis

10th Assembly: Battle line drawn over Senate President, HoR Speaker slots

The 10th National Assembly will be inaugurated in June. Preparatory to the inauguration day, the next line of political battle is among the members of the 10th National Assembly, especially the current principal officers are the game and struggle of who became the next Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, as well as other Principals officers, our correspondents, IKECHUKWU OKAFORADI and CHRISTIANA EKPA write on the likely contestants.

From all indications and the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, it is clear that some experienced lawmakers will miss in the 10th National Assembly as some of them, who are aspiring for the positions of Presiding and Principal officers, failed in the general election.

A lot of them who were aspiring for the positions, failed to secure the tickets of their parties to re-contest parliamentary elections, while others lost to their opponents at the general election.

In the Senate, the same fate is playing out, as key senators, who are well positioned by experience, to contest and emerge as Senate President and principal officers, could not secure return tickets.

The list of those who did not make it includes, Minority leaders of both Chambers, senator Philip Aduda and Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, who lost at the general election, the Deputy Minority Leader Toby Okechukwu, who could not secure his party ticket, Hon. Magaji Dau’ Aliyu and Hon. Nkeiruka Onuejeocha, senator Mathew Urogide, among others who also lost at the just concluded poll.

The Prominent one among others who won their reelection and could be aspiring for the Senate President and Speakership positions are the Present Speakers, Femi Gbajabiamila, Deputy Speaker Idris Ahmed Wase, the Chairman of Appropriation, Aliyu Mukta Betara, the Spokesman of the House, Benjamin Okezie Kalu and the embattled Leader of the House, Alhassan Ado Doguwa.

Others are Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu, Godwill Akpabio, Ahmed Lawan, the incumbent President of Senate, Ali Ndume, former Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, senator Adamu Aliero, incumbent senator leader, Ibrahim Gobir, among others.

For the Speaker Gbajabiamila, the victory of Ahmed Tinunu gave him an edge over all others aspiring for the position of the Speakership but there are also feelers that Gbajabiamila could move to Villa for a position as Chief of Stuff to the President or Attorney General of the Federation.

Another Vital point to look at is the fact the Position of Speakership may be zoned to North West or North Central which could give Idris Wase an edge, also perhaps if not the needless controversy that surrounds his style of presiding the green chamber.

However, Gbajabiamila could stand a better chance if he decides to contest for the Speaker, as there is already laid precedence that the South West, particularly (Lagos) have The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and the Speaker Gbajabiamila servicing the country at the same.

The Speaker who has been described as a bridge-builder and one of the most resilient, resourceful, and successful Nigerian politicians among his colleagues is not free from those who

may kicked against his reelection as the Speaker of the House, as there were alleged threat of impeachment more than 3 times since he became the Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker Hon. Idris Wase, on his part was said to have worked hard for the President Elect, Tinubu just for him to get the Speakership position but f old members will it difficult for him to scale through considering the fact that he was caught in a needless controversy several times preventing his colleagues from presenting their views on matter against the federal government and other ethnicity issues, Wase is been seen by among his colleagues to be impulsive and always want to have his with religious and ethnicity biases.

A perfect example of how he operates shows how he rides on tribal and religious sentiments, by stoutly preventing a member representing Gwer East, Gwer West Federal Constituency of Benue State, Hon. Mark Gbillah from presenting a petition against the federal government on the alleged takeover of their lands by herdsmen.

The petition filed by Mzough U Tiv Amerika

(MUTA) on insecurity in Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba accused the federal government of nonchalance towards the perils facing those who have been displaced as a result of herdsmen activities. But Wase said Nigerians abroad are not eligible to file petitions against the federal government on crimes linked to herdsmen. He argued that Nigerians abroad had no rights to file a petition on the crisis, saying it would be understandable if the petition came from those in the country.

“Honourable Gbillah, did you say Tivs in America? What do they know about Nigeria? What is their business? They can’t sit in their comfort zones and know what is happening in Nigeria,” Wase said. Responding, Gbillah argued that Nigerians abroad should be able to file complaints, because they have family members residing in the state. But Wase questioned whether or not MUTA was even registered with the Corporate Affairs of Commission to begin with.

Gbillah, however, countered Wase on the grounds that Nigeria has been pursuing a policy of inclusiveness for its citizens in the Diaspora, an aim he said would easily be defeated if the same category of Nigerians cannot be allowed to speak on raging matters of national concern. Rejecting the petition, Wase, ‘’I’ll refer you to the functions of the committee on diaspora, if you go through that, it is nothing relevant to what you’re now presenting. I’m not convinced that we have to take that petition.’’

The media, however, missed the drama until the video surfaced online. As expected, there were reactions and a huge backlash, as the video portrayed the Deputy Speaker as nothing but an ethnic jingoist in such a high national office. The backlash, which Wase ordinarily was unprepared for later forced him to issue a statement justifying why the petition was rejected without even considering its merits.

The majority leader of the House Doguwa, ambition, dreams and desires to become the Speaker of the House seem to be over as he has been sent to Prison for culpable homicide, conspiracy, mischief, unlawful possession of firearms and inciting disturbance.

Others charged at large are Nazifi Asnanic, Nafiu Musa, Hamisu Amadu and Abdulhadi Alaramma.

Alhassan Doguwa was charged with burning a building that resulted in the burning of Alasan Mohammed and Aminu Malam Amadu to death, while Bashir Yani, Labaran Sule and one Amadu were injured by the fire,” one of the charges read in part.

The offences are contrary to Section 97, 114, 247, 336 and 221 of Penal Code.

Another Lawmaker who stands good chance outside Gbajabiamila is Aliyu Betara as he is widely accepted among his colleagues due to his open-minded roles in the lives of his colleagues and the way he carries his colleagues along in the decision of his Appropriation Committee

He is also a major force in returning the Budget circle from January to December and there feeler also that he secretly stepped down to work for Gbajabiamila during their last principal officer’s election with a promise that the Speaker will consider him.

However, the choice of the Vice President Kashim Settima may create an obstacle for him, but there is also a laid down precedence that Nigeria once had Vice and the House Speaker from the same zone, just as the saying goes that everything is possible in Nigeria.

The Spokesperson of the House, Benjamin Kalu also stands a good chance for the Speakership position but ambition of his God father and Uncle, Senator Orji Kalu who is been position and have worked for Tinubu for the Position of the Senate President could be an obstacle against the young outspoken who has been described as one of the must outstanding Spokesperson since in session of the House.

One notable fact is that, the olde members always have their way of influencing the new members on how the electing principal officers should be and that only indicates that Gbajabiamila will still hold the show as he will determine who becomes next Speaker of the House if he is not contesting.

In the Senate, the battle will be largely determined by where the party decision on zoning will swing. If APC decides to zone to the South East, then Orji Kalu becomes the best choice, given his experience and friendship with northern politicians, including northern Senators.

However, political pundits believe that Tinubu will not be comfortable with a Kalu led Senate, especially looking at the fact that he supported Ahmed Lawan, a northerner against him (Tinubu) during the primaries of the party.

To this line of thought, former Governor of Akwa Ibom, Godswill Akpabio, will do better in the rank of preferred candidate for Tinubu, especially given that he played a good boy role by stepping down for Tinubu before the commencement of APC primaries at Eagle Square.

Looking at all these permutations, one can say it is only time that will tell how the party may decide to zone the positions and if the lawmakers will accept the zoning arrangements of the party. Only time will tell.

The Prominent one among others who won their reelection and could be aspiring for the Senate President and Speakership positions are the Present Speakers, Femi Gbajabiamila, Deputy Speaker Idris Ahmed Wase,

PEOPLES DAILY

LATEST SPORTS

LATEST Mbappe, 24, becomes PSG’s record goalscorer

Cluster Munitions lingering threats

FromWashington, DC in the United States of America, USA, came news March 2, 2023 that Nigeria has ratified the international Convention on Cluster of Munitions on February 28, 2023, becoming the 111th country to do so, according to the Human Rights Watch. The Human Rights Watch is a co-founder of the Cluster Munition Coalition, the global coalition of nongovernmental organizations working to eradicate cluster munitions and provides editing for its annual Cluster Munition Monitor report.

Monday Column

By Hameed M. Bello, PhD

hamdbelo@yahoo.co.uk

percent unexploded ordnance rate. However, the government possesses an aging stockpile of just such weapons and has not yet rejected this option, which would violate the prohibition on the transfer of the weapon under the convention.

Kylian Mbappe scored a clubrecord 201st goal for Paris StGermain in an entertaining 4-2 win over Nantes.

He had to wait until the 92nd minute but was clinical as he turned to finish left-footed and go clear of Edinson Cavani at the top of the PSG goal list.

The France forward, who turned 24 in December, has established himself as a footballing superstar.

“I play to make history,” said Mbappe, who joined in 2017 initially on loan from Monaco before a 180m euros move.

“I have always said I wanted to make history in France, in the capital of my country, in my city, and I am doing that. It’s magnificent, but there is still a lot to be done.”

Mbappe finished the game as captain and told Canal Plus: “For me, as a native Parisian, this is special. If someone had said to me I would score the goal to beat the record while wearing the captain’s armband, I would not have believed it.”

The Frenchman has played at two World Cup finals, winning the trophy in 2018 and earning the Golden Boot as top scorer in 2022.

Mbappe, who also won the 2021 Nations League with his country, scored a hat-trick in December’s World Cup final against Argentina, which France lost on penalties after a 3-3 draw.

The Convention on Cluster Munitions was adopted in Dublin on the 30th of May 2008, with 108 countries signing as members, while 111 others have currently ratified the convention’s grand objective to ban use, by any nation, of Cluster Munition whether in war or in peace time. Nigeria is the latest member in this category. Among the member countries are Afghanistan, Albania, Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, United Kingdom and the State of Palestine. In Africa, aside from Nigeria which has just ratified the convention, Cameroon, Uganda, Zambia, and Senegal are among other countries in the continent that are also members.

“Nigeria’s decision to join the cluster munitions ban shows that countries can play an important role in stigmatizing these heinous weapons, which endanger lives long after the fighting has stopped,” said Steve Goose, arms director at Human Rights Watch and chair of the Cluster Munition Coalition in a statement. He added: “Nigeria now needs to carry out the requirements under the treaty and destroy any stocks of the weapons without delay.”

We are all aware that Nigeria is currently engaged in internal war against terrorist organizations, especially in the northern and southern parts of the country. On both sides of the war, combat images have revealed the use of cluster munitions which have resulted in casualties on troops, the terrorists and even unarmed civilian communities. This is a major reason why the decision of Nigeria to join the global community in ratifying the global cluster munition ban is timely and of essence.

As observed by the Human Rights Watch, cluster munitions can be fired from the ground by artillery, rockets, and mortars, or dropped by aircraft. They typically open in the air, dispersing multiple bomblets or submunitions over a wide area. Many submunitions fail to explode on initial impact, leaving duds that pose a long-lasting danger, like landmines.

by cluster munition remnants, and assistance to victims of the weapons.

Nigeria had signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions in June 2009 after participating in the fast-track diplomatic “Oslo Process” that negotiated and adopted the convention in May 2008. It expressed its intent to ratify the treaty over the past 13 years, but the domestic approval process did not gain momentum until recently. The Human Rights Watch statement specified, interalia, that the Cluster Munition Monitor – the annual report by the Cluster Munition Coalition –reported that Nigeria is not known to have produced or exported cluster munitions, but imported them, possesses a stockpile, and may have used them in the past.

“As required by the treaty, Nigeria must now formally declare any cluster munition stocks and destroy them within the eight-year stockpile destruction deadline. Nigerian authorities should investigate any possible use of cluster munitions in the past to determine if any areas need to be cleared of cluster munition remnants and determine if assistance is needed for victims of the weapons.

“Before Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe was the last country to ratify the Convention on Cluster Munitions, in January 2020. Eight of the 12 signatory countries that still have not ratified the convention are in Africa: Angola, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Kenya, Liberia, Tanzania, and Uganda. The other signatories are Cyprus, Haiti, Indonesia, and Jamaica.

“Eleven other countries in Africa still need to join the convention: Algeria, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, and Zimbabwe.

of cluster Munition incident was recorded at the Lagos armoury explosion which was the accidental detonation of a large stock of high explosives at a military storage facility in the city of Lagos, Nigeria, on January 27,2002. The fires created by the debris from this explosion burnt down a large section of the Northern part of Lagos, and created a panic that spread to other areas. Many people fled the flames, while several others fell into a canal and drowned. The explosion and its aftermath were believed to have killed no fewer than 1,100 people and displaced over 20,000, with many injured or rendered homeless. Then the government of Nigeria launched an enquiry, which blamed the Nigerian Army for failing to properly maintain the base, or to decommission it when instructed to do so in 2001.

21 years after the terrible bomb blast explosions that rocked the Ikeja Military Cantonment, Lagos State, some of those bombs are still kept in some military bases and it is not certain whether the necessary precautionary measures have been taken to prevent a recurrence.

.The Lagos explosions were actually triggered by a fire outbreak in the nearby Mammy Market, which was also home to the families of soldiers living in the barracks. Soon after, high calibre bombs stored in the armoury of the cantonment began to detonate in quick succession. And according to reports, the blasts killed many of the base staff and their families and immediately destroyed several nearby streets. The Vibration from the explosion also brought down some buildings in the area, trapping people in the ruins and starting new fires from damaged cooking appliances.

“Providing banned cluster munitions to Ukraine or any other country, is a flagrant rejection of the Convention on Cluster Munitions and a blatant disregard for civilian lives. Such a move risks exacerbating the existing humanitarian disaster in the country,” said Hector Guerra, Director of the ICBL-CMC.

Russia, Ukraine and the United States remain outside of the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

In response to questions on the requests for the banned weapon, a Ukrainian official was quoted as saying, “The [US] worry is about collateral damage. We are going to use them against Russian troops, not against the Russian population,” said the CNN report.

Since the beginning of its invasion of Ukraine in February, Russia has used cluster munitions extensively causing civilian deaths. Cluster munitions not only kill at time of impact, they also leave a lethal trail of unexploded ordnance threatening lives for years to come.

On 13 December, ICBL-CMC member HRW documented alleged Russian cluster munition attacks and related civilian casualties in the city of Kherson. Ukrainian forces appear to have used them at least two times in the war according to the Cluster Munition Monitor 2022 report.

ICBL-CMC calls for an immediate halt to use of the internationally banned weapon and urges Russia and Ukraine to join the Cluster Munition Convention as soon as possible to guarantee protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law.

In Nigeria, authorities need to hasten to comply with the convention to destroy all cluster munitions in demonstration of its commitment to the general principles of the convention in order to guarantee more safety of lives, whether in wartime or in peacetime.

“Over the past year, Russian forces have repeatedly used cluster munitions in Ukraine, while Ukrainian forces also appear to have used cluster munitions rockets on several occasions. Cluster munitions were also used in attacks in Idlib governorate in Syria on November 6, 2022 by the Syrian-Russian military alliance, killing and wounding civilians.

Since joining PSG from Monaco in 2017 for a world-record fee for a teenager, Mbappe has won four Ligue 1 titles and topped the division’s scoring charts for each of the past four seasons.

Taye Taiwo and Oduamadi

Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council had approved ratification of the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions on June 22, 2021. Nigeria proceeded to deposit the instrument of ratification with the United Nations on February 28. Already, the UN convention had comprehensively banned cluster munitions and required destruction of stockpiles, clearance of areas contaminated

ADVERT: 0806 564 8620

NEWS: 0814 292 9046

KANO: 0803 587 5846

LAGOS: 08074420617

“Countries that have not yet banned cluster munitions should follow Nigeria’s lead and do so without delay,” Goose said. “The best response to the recent use of these discredited weapons is to embrace and reinforce international law rejecting them.”

Flashback to 2002. A case

Elsewhere, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines and Cluster Munition Coalition (ICBLCMC) is gravely concerned about the potential transfer of banned cluster munitions by the United States to Ukraine according to a CNN on 8 December. The potential transfer of the munitions, prohibited under the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions, has come to light amidst reports that Ukrainian officials have repeatedly requested cluster munitions to counter the Russian offensive.

There are feelers that the United States Government has thus far indicated that cluster munitions transfers to Ukraine would be unlikely due to national legislation prohibiting the transfer of cluster munitions with a greater than one

Guber poll: It’s nonsense to say Shekarau is working for Gawuna -Wali

Hope he will not surprise you?