Tuesday, June 6, 2023 Edition

10th NASS: Court stops

EFCC, DSS, ICPC from detaining ex Gov Yari

Police parade suspects in possession of human bones in Gombe

How Muslims aided release of 16 abducted church worshippers

PEPC: Atiku didn’t win 25% vote in FCT- PDP witness

PEPC: Court admits Obi, LP’s 18 states form EC8As as exhibits

Tinubu tasks security agencies on sharing intel to counter terrorism

FG disburses N57billion for teachers development in 13 years- UBEC

Hunters Council’s North-west Commander in charge of Human Trafficking, Maijidda Abdulkadir, with hunters personnel, during the Nigeria Hunters and Securty Council meeting with local government Commanders on their achivements in Katsina Chapter, on Monday.

FG disburse N57billion for teachers development in 13 years -UBEC

By Maryam Abeeb

TheUniversal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) said the Federal Government disbursed a total sun of N57,165,751,416.12 to states for teachers professional development programme within the last 13 years.

Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Hamid Bobboyi, made this known at the National Conference on Teacher Professional Development in Abuja.

Bobboyi said the conference, which has its theme as ‘Transforming Teacher Professional Development in Nigeria for Improved Learning Outcomes in Basic Education’, testified to Federal Government’s commitment to shore up level of knowledge in the sub-sector.

The UBEC boss, however, expressed concern over the poor number of teachers that have undergone training programme in recent years, even as he challenged state governments to live up to expectations in teachers’ capacity building schemes.

“The UBEC 2022 NPA reveals that 67.5% of teachers in public schools and 85.3% in private schools have not attended any inservice training in 5 years (20182022). This prevailing situation has implication for quality education delivery.

“The Federal Government, through UBEC, has contributed a total of N57,165,751,416.12 as

Zamfara

offers

assistance to the states for teacher professional development between 2009 and 2022.

“ This is grossly inadequate to cover the training needs of the teachers. The states that are being assisted have come to depend largely on the Federal Government fund for their TPD, with little or no contribution. This is a major challenge in assuring quality learning outcomes at basic education level, “ Bobboyi said. Speaking further, the UBEC Executive Secretary lamented the poor learner/pupil ratio in Nigerian schools, saying such negative development has resulted in poor learning outcomes.

“The following data were returned from the UBEC 2022 National Personnel Audit of basic education institutions in the country. There were 177,027 basic education institutions with a total enrolment of 47,010,008, made up of 7,234,695 in ECCDE, 31,771,916 in primary schools and 8,003,397 in junior secondary schools. For teacher supply, there were 354,651 teachers/care givers in the ECCDE centres, 915,593 in primary schools and 416,291 in junior secondary schools.

“The learner/pupil ratio varies from State to State, but none is within the recommended ratio. There are States where learner/ pupil ratio is as high as 1:100 pupils. Nigeria is yet to attain

the 100% qualified teachers in primary schools. It is sad to find that some of the people teaching in schools are holders of the First School Leaving Certificate, Basic Education Certificate, Senior Secondary School Certificate, Associate Certificate in Education, Diploma Certificate.

“It is more about the quality of learning (knowledge, skills, attitudes and values) acquired and the ability of learners to apply this as they journey through life. Since it is the teacher who facilitates learning, it goes without saying that for him to perform this task effectively, he needs to attain a certain level of competency at the end of his pre-service training and build on this continuously throughout his teaching career. This brings to the fore the significance of Teacher Professional Development, “ Bobboyi posited.

He challenged the conference participants and resource persons to come up with new ways to boost learning in basic schools across the country.

“ It is time for us to review our practice and approaches and ensure that the main objective for the introduction and implementation of TPD which is improved teacher and learner performance is achieved for the benefit of the learners and the nation at large,” Bobboyi added.

Declaring the two-day conference open, Permanent

Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Andrew David Adejo, expressed the readiness of the Federal Government to implement programmes aimed at boosting learning outcomes in the school.

Adejo said the conference was in line with the vision of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in improving the education fortunes of the country, adding that it would get the full attention of the incoming Minister of Education.

While saying that teachers are the foundation of education system, Adejo called on states to improve on t teacher development schemes and the recruitment process.

“We have no option to improve the quality of the learners by equipping the teachers... We must make sure teaching does not remain as spare-tyre profession.... as a last resort. We know there are challenges and UBEC has been trying to reduce them but the states are not moving at same space with UBEC,” Adejo said.

The Permanent Secretary also challenged relevant authorities to ensure the teaching of entrepreneurial skills from the basic level of education.

The conference which witnessed various presentations by resource persons, including a keynote address by Mr Vincent Katalabo of Cambridge Education, also had panel discussion as well as Questions and Answers session.

From left: Chief Shipping Development Officer Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Kurahson Inuwa, Director-General NIMASA Bashiru Jamoh and Abuja Liaison Office Coordinator Rakiya Lamai, during an investigative hearing by the Ad-hoc committee to Investigate alleged theft of over N2.4billion in revenue from illegal sales of 48million barrels of crude oil, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja

preliminary assistance to families of victims of bandits’ attack

Zamfara State Government has donated the sum of 2 million naira being preliminary assistance to the families of victims of recent bandits’ attack in Janbako village under Maradun local government area of the state.

Presenting the gesture, on Monday at Janbako village, the

deputy Governor of the state, Malam Mani Mumuni, said the 2 million naira is just for emergency needs by the affected families, but the state government will subsequently come up with the major support to alleviate their pains.

Malam Mumini, who extended the unreserved sympathy of the state government over the incident, has requested for the comprehensive list of the families

directly affected by the unwanted development.

He urged the members of the community to always be very vigilant and immediately communicate any questionable movement or character by a group of people of individual to the security agencies for prompt action.

“The state government in collaboration with the federal government is doing the

needful with a view to ensure total stoppage of banditry and other heinous crimes in order to facilitate the smooth flow of legitimate businesses across the 14 local government areas of the state.

It would be recalled, that 25 people were killed by the armed bandits during recent attack in Janbako village under Maradun local government area of Zamfara state.

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Tinubu tasks security agencies to share intel on counter terrorism

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday tasked security and intelligence agencies in the country on the importance of sharing information and intelligence among themselves, saying hoarding such resources could be counterproductive in the fight against terrorism.

The President spoke after undertaking a tour of the new Office of National Security Adviser and facilities at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), in Abuja.

While noting the efforts demonstrated in countering

Tinubu meet Wike, Umahi, Akpabio in Aso Rock

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Bola Tinubu on Monday met with former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, former Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi and Senator Godswill Akpabio, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Monday’s meeting was the second by the President with Wike in just four days, as the former governor was in the State House last Friday, along with Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori.

Just like Wike, Umahi had met with the president last Friday in his office.

Although the reason for the visit of the former governors and Akpabio, also a former governor of Akwa Ibom State could not the ascertained at the time of filing this report, it was believed it may not be unconnected with pending choices of ministerial positions and upcoming election of National Assembly principal officers.

Akpabio, who is the ruling

All Progressives Congress (APC) preferred candidate for the position of the President of the Senate, is believed to have come in their company to firm up his position.

None of them agreed to speak to newsmen when they emerged from the avout two hours meeting.

terrorism and the state-of-theart facilities at the two facilities, President Tinubu highlighted the importance of backing such efforts with knowledge, Director of Information, State House, Abiodun Oladunjoye said in a statement.

The statement quoted the President to have said his administration had recognised that in order to achieve economic revival, prosperity, and development, security should be of optimum priority.

“It is a great joy to see that we are getting proactive resources to prepare ourselves.

“Terrorism is not unique to Nigeria alone. It is across the world

and we have to fight it. We have to eliminate it completely.

“If we as Nigerians are looking for economic revival, prosperity and development, then we have to give priority to security.

“What I have seen here is a demonstration of intelligence efforts to counter-terrorism. This must be backed by knowledge.

“Counter terrorism that is not backed by knowledge and intelligence is not going to be of any service to any nation. We are going to work on that together.

“The effort of the entire armed forces of this country must be put together in a way that there will be one single focus on securing the

country.

“You can’t have disharmony in an orchestra. We must focus on one tunnel; coordinate, share information, share intelligence and work harder.

“You cannot hoard information. You cannot hoard intelligence. I am glad that Nigeria is on the path to succeed. We will, I assure you.

“We will make it a priority and that is why I am here this morning.”

President Tinubu, who described the tour of facilities at the new ONSA building as very important, expressed his willingness to do whatever necessary to support the nation’s security architecture.

In his remarks, the NSA, Major-General Babagana Monguno (Rtd), thanked the President for making the visit his first engagement outside the Villa, saying that “it reinforces his commitment, dedication and inflexible rigidity to ensuring that the security misfortunes of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and by extension the sub-region are overcome within the shortest possible time.”

Monguno pledged the total commitment and dedication of ONSA to ensuring that President Tinubu realizes the promises he made to the Nigerian people on security.

PEPC: Court admits Obi, LP’s 18 states form EC8As as exhibits

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC)

Monday, admitted as exhibits the last Form EC8As from eight States, tendered the Labour Party and it’s Presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, as evidence as the 2923 presidential election.

At the commencement of the proceeding, Monday, Obi, through his counsel, Patrick Ikwueto SAN

tendered the remaining eight evidences from five states, adding that the documents were fully served on the parties.

Among the documents tendered in evidence by the Petitioners were certified true copies of Form EC8A downloaded by the Independent Electoral Commission INEC from INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV).

The form EC8As for 13 Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State, form EC8A for 13 LGAs

of Nasarawa state, EC8A for 25 LGAs of Delta state, EC8A for 33 LGAs of Kaduna state. As well as that of 21 LGA of Kogi state.

Other evidences tendered were form EC8As for 27 LGA of Imo state, EC8As for 18LGA of Ondo state as well as EC8As for 7 LGAs of Sokoto state. Reacting, Tinubu, All Progressive Congress APC and INEC through their counsel, objected to the admissibility of all documents sought to be tendered

as evidence. Refusing to consent to deeming the documents as read, the parties submitted that their reasons for objection will be communicated in their final written addresses.

Meanwhile, the petitioners will continue with forms EC8B, EC8C, and EC8D from tomorrow.

Form EC8B is the sheet for recording and collating election results at ward level, while Form EC8C is a sheet used for

collating election results at local government level.

Lastly, Form EC8D is sheet for the collation of election results at state level. Constituency and senatorial district election results are recorded in this form.

The five-man panel led by Justice Haruna Tsamani admitted all the evidence tendered as exhibits.

Proceeding continues tomorrow, 6th of June.

L-R: President Court of Appeal Hon Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, the Chief Justice of Nigeria Olukayode Ariwoola and the Administrator National Judiciary Institute Hon. Justice Salisu Garba Abdulahi and Hon. Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme shortly after the opening ceremony of the Workshop on money laundering and counter terrorism for Judicial Officers in Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and Federal High Court, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Yoruba monarch urges Tinubu to unite Nigerians

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Chairman of Yoruba Council of Obas and Chiefs in the 19 Northern States and Abuja, Ambassador Muhammad Arigbagbuwo, has called on President Ahmed Tinubu, and Vice President Kashim Shettima to use their offices to unit Nigerians for greatness.

The traditional ruler stated this while speaking to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

The royal father appealed to Tinubu to be magnanimous in administration by constituting a government of national unity and called on other candidates who lost to rally round the president for speedy development of the country.

He also urged Nigerians to see the advantage and long gain of petroleum subsidy removal rather than being carried away by scarcity and high cost of the Premium Motor Spirit, (PMS).

The royal father, therefore, called on the President vast experience in the organised private sector, his dexterity in managing a hugely populated cosmopolitan state like Lagos, his struggle along with others to achieve today’s democracy to make Nigeria a success.

Amb. Arigbagbuwo, who said the coming of President Tinubu at this moment in the Nation’s life is divine, congratulated the Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; and Deputy Chief of Staff, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia.

PDP condemns attack on members, journalists by thugs at Ogun Election Tribunal

Petitions IGP, DG of DSS, seeks justice

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned

,in very strong terms, the violent attack on its members, including a notable leader of the PDP in Ogun State, Otunba Segun Sowunmi, journalists and other Nigerians yesterday by some suspected thugs.

The PDP has, consequently, called on the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to direct an immediate investigation into the security lapses that might have paved way for such unchecked attack on the institution of the Judiciary and other innocent Nigerians at the premises of the Electoral Tribunal.

The thugs, the party claimed, were mobilized by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to disrupt the proceedings of the Ogun State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta.

The leading opposition party in

the country made the condemnation in press statement issued yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon Debo Ologunagba in Abuja.

The PDP said that it aware that the attack is aimed at instilling fear, disrupting the proceedings of the Tribunal, creating a siege mentality on the people and the Judiciary so as to truncate the delivery of justice in the Petition filed by its candidate.

According to the statement by Ologunagba, “The PDP is aware that the attack by the APC is aimed at instilling fear, disrupting the proceedings of the Tribunal, creating a siege mentality on the people and the Judiciary so as to truncate the delivery of justice in the Petition filed by the PDP governorship candidate, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, against the manifest rigging of the Ogun State Governorship election in favour of APC candidate, Governor Dapo Abiodun.

“Information available to the PDP indicates that the hoodlums were mobilized by APC leaders who are in mortal fear that the APC’s

manipulations and rigging in the Ogun State Governorship election will be exposed at the Tribunal.

“The attack by the APC is a direct assault on the institution of the Judiciary, the Election Tribunal and a serious threat to the sustenance of Democracy in our country.

“Our Party is distressed that the attack by the APC on our leaders and members, journalists and other innocent Nigerians reportedly occurred in the full glare of police operatives and other security agents, who were said to have made no attempt to arrest or stop the APC hoodlums from unleashing violence at the Tribunal.

“Such scenario is indicting on Nigeria’s security authorities which requires urgent attention.

“The PDP therefore calls on the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to direct an immediate investigation into the security lapses that might have paved way for such unchecked attack on the institution of the Judiciary

and other innocent Nigerians at the premises of the Electoral Tribunal.

“Our Party, standing with the people of Ogun State, demands that those behind the attack must be tracked down and brought to book immediately especially as there are ample evidence from video recordings of this shameful and dastardly action by the APC sponsored hoodlums.

“The PDP however states that the people of Ogun State and the PDP will never be deterred or cowed by the APC to give up the legitimate and constitutional pursuit for the recovery of the mandate freely given to our Party and Governorship candidate in Ogun State, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, and nothing will change that resolve.

“Our Party also calls on all our members, supporters and people of Ogun State to remain calm but at alert and ready to use every means within the ambit of the law to resist the APC in its plots to disrupt the Tribunal and subvert the course of justice in the matter”, it said.

Perm-Sec calls for harmony between doctors, nurses

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana has called on the Nigerian Medical Association and the association of Nigerian nurses and midwives to work together harmoniously for better service delivery.

A statement issued yesterday by Victoria Agba-Attah Director (Press & Public Relations) said Dr. Kana made the call when

the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives paid a courtesy visit on him on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at Ship House, Abuja.

Speaking during the meeting, the permanent secretary said that partnership between doctors and nurses would bring about better service delivery which would translate into a healthy growth of the Nation.

He explained that the Ministry of Defence has repositioned its

health sector by establishing only one Armed Forces Medical Corps to reduce the healthcare problems peculiar to personnel during war and the public at large.

Dr. Kana added that the new system would encourage adequate training and retraining of health workers for improved professionalism.

Earlier in her remarks, the chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Abuja chapter,

Comrade Deborah Yusufu appreciated the Permanent Secretary for his support and timely intervention in the Affairs of the Ministry of Defence unit of the Association.

She commended the Permanent Secretary for ensuring that the uniform allowance of the Nurses in the MOD unit was paid for two years, pointing out that they have enjoyed the privilege courtesy the Permanent Secretary.

Gov Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers (M), during the inauguration of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly in Port Harcourt on Monday (5/6/23)

How Muslim community aided release of 16 abducted Baptist Church worshippers

From: Femi: Oyelola, Kaduna

The remaining 16 worshippers of Bege Baptist Church, Madala near Buruku in Chikun local government area of Kaduna state have finally regained their freedom.

They were said to have been released after the Muslim community contributed money to meet up the condition for their release.

The State chairman of the

Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN),Rev. John Joseph Hayab disclosed this while speaking to our correspondent in Kaduna yesterday.

According to him, about 40 worshippers during Sunday service on May 7, 2023, were abducted by bandits, but miraculously many returned home for one reason or the other, leaving 16 others in the hands of their abductors.

Rev. Hayab expressed

gratitude to the Muslim community in the area, saying, “the Muslim community where the worshippers were abducted contributed money and bought a motorcycle as part of ransom required for the release of their Christian brothers and sisters in captivity.”

He added, “This goes to show good, caring and sincere neighbours that practically showed concern to the plight of their brothers and sisters that

were abducted and their sincere wish that they return home to live together with them in peace and harmony.”

According to the state chairman of CAN, the exemplary life shown by the Muslim community in Madala should be emulated by all, in other parts of the state for a united and peaceful coexistence that is needed for the overall development of the state.

He stated that the Muslim community has shown that one

does not need to be educated before doing the needful, pointing out that Nigerians from all walks of lives should be their brothers keepers in order to eliminate all forms of insecurity in every part of the country.

Joseph Hayab explained that the 16 remaining abducted worshippers were released on Sunday with many of them reuniting with their families while those with injuries are presently receiving treatment in a hospital.

PEPC: Atiku didn’t win 25% vote in FCT- PDP witness

By Vivian Okejeme Abuja

The Nineth Petition Witness (PW9) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and their candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has told the Election Petition Court that Atiku didn’t secure 25% votes in the Federal Capital Territory in the 2023 Presidential election.

The witness, Abraham David of Karmajiji community in the FCT, while under cross examination confirmed that the PDP candidate who didn’t score 25% votes, didn’t qualify

to be declared the president of Nigeria.

However, the businessman posited that for the fact that Ahmed Bola Tinubu who also didn’t score Upto 25% vote could be returned as the president, Atiku Abubakar can also be returned as the winner.

Led by the Counsel to Tinubu, Akin Olujimi SAN, the witness who said he visited 15 polling units out of the 2,822 polling units in FCT, maintained that unlawful votes were collated by All Progressive Congress (APC) agents, however, didn’t state the

figures in his statement on oath.

The witness who claimed to be FCT Collation Officer for PDP, alleged that ballot papers and result sheets were manipulated by compromised Electoral officers in collusion with agents of other political party.

Also testifying, is Petition witness number 10(PW10), Ibrahim Mohammed Hamza of Lafia Nasarawa State.

Led in evidence by Atiku’s lead counsel, Akin Olujimi SAN, the witness, who said he is a Human Resources Consultant, identified Form EC8A 25, which is a collated

result sheets from Nasarawa State.

However, the witness maintained he signed a clean documents while the documents he can identified with his signature was altered with cancellations.

“My lords, the documents I signed had no cancellations. They must have altered the results. The cancellation was made after I endorsed my signature.”

The Nasarawa State collation officer also maintained that the election results were not uploaded in most of the 3,256 polling units across the state, adding that he

signed the result sheets under duress.

“At the time of uploading the results, the system failed in most of the polling units across the state.

“I signed the results sheet under duress because I needed a copy to submit at the state level,” he testified.

So far, Atiku and his party has called 10 witnesses out of 100 witnesses lined up to prove their petition seeking to sack Tinubu from Office.

Proceeding continues tomorrow, 6the June.

Gov Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers (M) Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu (7th R) and members of the State House of Assembly, after the inauguration of 10th Rivers State House of Assembly in Port Harcourt on Monday (5/6/23

FCT: Gwagwalada Chairman appoints Immigration officer district head

By Usman Shuaibu

The Executive Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Abubakar Jibrin Giri, has appointed Immigration Officer, His Royal Highness Ibrahim Tukura as the District Head of Gwako Community.

However, the Agora of Zuba (3rd Class Chief), Alhaji Mohammed Umar Bello had already crowned the newly appointed District Head of Gwako on Sunday being the 4th of June, 2023 in Zuba.

Speaking to Peoples Daily Correspondent in his palace in Gwako, Ibrahim Tukura thanked the Gwagwalada Area Council Chairman for the appointment.

He said he would deem it necessary to work hand in hand with the administration of the Council for the overall development of Gwako community.

He charged the people of Gwako community to always live in peace, warning them to shun any act capable of generating tension in the community.

He then appealed to the Gwagwalada Chairman to provide security across the communities in the area and urged the traditional rulers to be loyal to the Council’s Chairman at all times.

He pointed out that he would join hands with other traditional rulers in Gwagwalada Area Council for the Sake of peace and togetherness.

Tukura called on the youths in Gwako community to go to school in order to become important personalities in the society, while advising them to stay away from troubles in the community.

The Gwako District Head, however, pleaded with the Council’s Chairman to provide jobs for the youths.

Tinubu restates commitment to revive health sector

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Bola Tinubu has restated that his administration will revive and restore public confidence in the health sector in Nigeria.

The President made the commitment on Monday in his office during an audience with leaders of Joint Health Sector Union, an affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress.

President Tinubu harped

on the importance of the health sector and professionals in the sector as one of commitment to humanity, promising to resolve all identified problems plaguing the system for optimum performance.

He urged the striking union to return to work.

“The health sector is one sector with a commitment to humanity. We will resolve all the problems. Trust must be enshrined in all discussions. I promise you we will accelerate this. We will resolve

all the issues. Please go back to work,” President Tinubu appealed to the union leaders.

While expressing the readiness of the union to get its members back to work, Acting Chairman, Dr. Obinna Ogbonna, pleaded with President Tinubu to pay attention to healthcare delivery system in Nigeria through adequate investment in healthcare infrastructure and better welfare for workers in the sector to stop brain drain.

“Mr. President, now that we have assurance from the top, we are encouraged to go back and talk to our members with a view to going back to work.”

Mr. Olumide Akintayo, a member of the Executive Council of the Union, who accompanied the Acting Chairman to the meeting urged the Federal Government to always respond to Labour issues and nip them in the bud before they become full blown industrial crisis.

Nigeria to strengthen bilateral relations with Zimbabwe

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Defence Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana has said that Nigeria will continue to strengthen military bilateral relations with the Zimbabwe Federation.

A statement issued yesterday by Victoria Agba-Attah Director (Press) at the ministry, said Dr. Kana stated this when he hosted a delegation of Zimbabwe National Defence University participants who are on a strategic/ familiarisation tour to Abuja.

According to him, the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Zimbabwe Federation have a bilateral understanding on Military relations which was instituted in the early 1980s when the Zimbabwean Federation attained Political Independence during the administration of the Nigerian second Republic of President Shehu Shagari in which Nigeria played a central role in their Independence struggle.

Dr kana said that there was no signed agreement or Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Defence

cooperation between both countries. He however pointed out that a draft MoU on Defence cooperation can be initiated between the two countries in areas of training of Zimbabwean Armed Forces Personnel in Nigeria, exchange of directing exchange of directing staff as well as students from military institutions of both countries, participation of both countries personnel in joint military training, exercises and partaking in seminars, conferences and symposium of Defence interest.

He hinted that the strategic/ familiarisation visit by the

Zimbabwe National Defence University Participants would open more high-level talks that would culminate into a more reinforced military cooperation as a working tool for future collaboration between the two countries.

Earlier in his remarks, the Leader of the delegation, Brig. Gen.Tendai Elliot Stanley commended the Permanent Secretary on the military cooperation between both countries.

Tendai said that the delegation comprised of 28 members: a team leader, 10 directing staff

and 17 participants.

He appreciated the Permanent Secretary for granting them an audience, adding that their tour to some countries which included Nigeria was to seek information on the activities of the Defence sector.

In his vote of thanks, lieutenant Colonel Isaac Bukaro commended the Ministry of Defence for hosting the delegation.

He said that the knowledge they have gained from the interactive section would be strategically put to practice in the Zimbabwe Defence University.

.Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, switches on light at over 100 million Electricity projects to Olorunda- Ogunsola and Environs, during the inauguration of project at Ona-Ara Local Government of Oyo State donated by Chairman of Ilaji Resort, Chief Dotun Sanusi in Ibadan on Monday (5/6/2023).

Governor Idris task political appointees on fulfilling campaign promises

By Abubakar Yunusa, Abuja

The Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris has charged political appointees on the need to focus attention on measures that would facilitate fulfilment of his campaign promises.

He made this known at the oath taking ceremony of his Chief of Staff, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Head of Service held at Government House Birnin Kebbi on Monday.

The charges was contained in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary Ahmed Idris and made available to journalists, yesterday.

The newly sworn-in political appointees included; Barrister Attahiru Macido, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Yakubu Bala (Tafidan Yauri), Secretary to the State Government (SSG) as well as Head of Service, Alhaji Safiyanu Garba-Bena.

Idris urged them to start official engagement immediately, assuring that the present administration under his watch would do justice to all manner of people.

He promised to run an allinclusive government that would give all a sense of belonging.

While insisting that their appointment was based on merit, the governor assured that he would not relent in appointing credible personalities that would add value to the administration.

He pledged to flush-out any appointee that would not add value to the administration.

The oath of office was administered by the Acting Chief Judge of Kebbi State, Justice Umar Abubakar.

Alleged N2bn fraud: Court discharges, acquits Stephen Oronsaye, 2 others

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The Federal High Court, Abuja, has dismissed and acquitted a former Boss of Head of Service of the Federation, Stephen Oronsaye from the N2 billion fraud charge filed against him by the federal government.

Delivery the judgement, Justice Inyang Ekwo held that the prosecution, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) failed to prove thier case to warrant a convicted.

The trial began in 2015 with the arraignment of Oronsaye alongside the Managing Director of Fedrick Hamilton Global Services Limited, Osarenkhoe Afe, when they were docked on 49 count charges bordering on fraud, which they pleaded not guilty.

The EFCC later amended the charges after separating the parts involving a former head of Presidential Pension Task Force, Abdulrasheed Maina, at large at the time.

Maina was later charged separately by the EFCC and was subsequently convicted and sentenced to eight years imprisonment in November 2021.

Equally charged alongside Oronsaye by the EFCC were three companies – Cluster Logistic Limited; Kangolo Dynamic Cleaning Limited, and

Surveyors task members on professionalism

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS), Kaduna State Council has charged members to keep upgrading and expanding their professional prowess, through training, if they must remain useful and relevant in the ever-changing world.

The Chairman of the State Council, Surv Daudu Andrew asserted this during the oath taking of new exco and induction of new members into the instruction held in Kaduna on 3rd of June, 2023.

According to him, professionals in the sector should consistently seek to improve themselves for adequate competition, saying surveyors must eschew all tendencies capable of undermining the professional ethics in

the overall interest of the people and country at large.

Surv. Andrew called on the Kaduna State Government to ensure the inclusion of the menbers of the institution in government projects, stressing no projects can stand the test of time and no Certificate of Occupancy is free from litigation if there is no surveyors contribution.

He said Kaduna state is the number two on the national ladder of the institution in terms of dues payments.

He stressed that the current leadership of the Institution is working in sync with the government and its agencies to create the necessary environment for growth, peace and harmony within the profession that will reduce land litigations in the state.

Drew Investment & Construction Company Limited.

The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendants had between 2010 and 2011, used the firms to divert public funds through procurement fraud.

The EFCC equally accused Orosanye and the others of using inflated biometrics

enrolment contracts, collective allowances and other schemes to siphon money from accounts containing pensioners’ funds.

The commission also tendered a report of the Auditor-General of the Federation on federal government’s pension accounts which indicted Oronsaye and others of wrongdoing.

Activities at Orie Emene Market in Enugu east LGA of Enugu State as traders comply with State Government directive to resume businesses on Mondays in Enugu on Monday (5/06/23).

Alia lauds President Tinubu over appointment of Akume as SGF

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making history as the first Nigerian president to appoint a Benue man in such a high-ranking position as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), saying Nigeria will gain more with this appointment.

Givernor Alia who stated this in a congratulatory message signed by his Chief Press Secretary Kula Tersoo also, congratulated Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila on his appointment as Chief of Staff to the President.

He noted that as a former Permanent Secretary, a two term Governor and a former Senator of the federal republic of Nigeria, Akume has all the required experience that will positively impart President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to succeed in his task to take Nigeria to enviable heights of development.

The governor added that, the new SGF has done a lot for the country in different capacities, through selfless service, both in his home state of Benue and Nigeria at large, maintaining that the appointment is well deserved and has not come to him as a surprise.

He praised the choice of Gbajabiamila as CoS, saying as a trained lawyer with enormous experience in parliament, the former speaker will surely fit into the renewed hope agenda to add value to the system.

Police parade suspects in possession of human bones in Gombe

From David Hassan, Gombe

The Gombe state Police command has paraded suspected in possession of human bones.

Police Public Relations Officer of the command ASP Mahid Mua’zu Abubaker made this known in Gombe while briefing Journalists on Monday.

The suspect which he said include Alhaji Auwal Abbas and Ibrahim Adamu.

He added that, at about 11:00 hrs, one Yusuf Halidu and his friend Isa Musa from Bali local government area of Taraba state came to Gombe to meet one Alhaji Auwal who is at large through one of their friends, Abbas to request prayers

from Alhaji for more success in their businesses. According to them, the said Auwal collected the sum of N650,000 from the complainant. “After some time they said when the complainants realised no improvement in their businesses, they demanded their money back, but the said Auwal gave one Ibrahim Adamu age 65 years human part to put in their

bag.

“At the course of investigation, one Ibrahim Adamu of Bagadaza quarters was arrested at Auwal’s house with some traditional charms, sand from grave, one white cloth which they use in committing their act.” The Police Public Relations Officer said effort is being made to arrest the fleing suspects.

Kano PRP candidates forum congratulates new gov Abba Kabir

The 2023 Kano PRP candidates forum congratulated the new

executive governor of Kano state engineer Abba Kabir Yusif for his victory as new elected governor in the state. This was contained

in a statement signed by gubernatorial flag bearer of the party Alhaji Salihu Tanko Yakasai.

The statement said, 2023

election is over, winners were declared and sworn in to lead the state and nation for the next four years.

“We are reaffirming our

faith to democracy and good governance as enshrined in the manifesto of our great party ( People’s Redemption Party).”

NIS partners Kaduna Govt to address land litigations

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Worried by the high number of land litigations pending in various courts in Kaduna State, the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, (NIS), has vowed to put its professional mechanism in motion to help in finding solutions to the cases.

NIS state Council Chairman, Surv. Daudu Andrew, asserted this during the oath taking of new exco and induction of new members into the institution held in Kaduna yesterday.

According to him, the surveyors are supposed to be part of legal instrument of land -

certificate of occupancy (C of O) which gives right to land owners. But unfortunately, the Surveyors are not carried along during the processes.

Surv. Andrew however, said, talk is in progress, with the State Government to see how members of the Institution can contribute their professional quotas to the process of issuing legal land documents in the state.

He believes this would immensely reduced land litigations in the state.

He called on the Kaduna State Government to ensure their inclusion of the members of the institution in government projects. Stressing no projects

can stand the test of time and no Certificate of Occupancy Is free from litigation if there is No surveyors contribution.

He charged members of the Institution of Surveyors to keep upgrading and expanding their professional prowess, through training, if they must remain useful and relevant in the everchanging world.

He said professionals in the sector should consistently seek to improve themselves for adequate competition, saying surveyors must eschew all tendencies capable of undermining the professional ethics in the overall interest of the people and country at large.

In her remarks, the National Financial Secretary of the Institution, Surv. Oladunni Opatoyinbo, said the leadership at the National level will continue to provide leadership, sustain the good qualities and service that has brought the Surveyors to this point today.

“I challenge you to be instruments in improving and perpetuating the positive gains we are already experiencing. The future could be a lot better,” She stated.

Similarly, Surv. Maikano Samson, Chairman of the planning Committee, said, 14 members were elevated by the Institution and inducted.

According to him the number of Surveyors inducted by the State is the total number of memberships of some state, an indication that the Kaduna state council is on course.

In his remarks, the State Treasurer of NIS, Surv. Ephraim Musa, tasked the newly inducted members and Associate members to explore the open space of change to be able to identify, embrace and bring in greater values for the long term benefit of the profession and the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors.

Surv. Musa therefore urged them to distinguish themselves through dint of handwork and professionalism.

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State (2nd R) being presented with rabbit by a Community member, Samuel Adegoke, during the at inauguration of project at Ona-Ara Local Government of Oyo State donated by Chairman of Ilaji Resort, Chief Dotun Sanusi in Ibadan on Monday (5/6/23). With him are other dignitaries.

From Mika’il Tsoho

Kebbi State Governor, Idris mourns ex-minister’s younger brother

By Abubakar Yunusa, Abuja

The Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Nasir Idris has expressed heartfelt condolences to the immediate younger brother to the former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the federation, Abubakar Chika Mallami.

The deceased, Dr. Zubairu Mallami, who worked with the Kebbi State Secondary Schools Management Board passed on after a brief illness.

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Ahmed Idris, made available to Peoples Daily yesterday described the deceased as an honest gentleman who contributed emmensely to the success of the state.

Idris prayed to Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings and make Aljannatul Firdaus his final home.

Late Zubairu died at the age of 55 years and left behind one wife and five children.

Benue Journalists laud Akume’s appointment as SGF

The Conference of Benue Journalists (CBJ) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his appointment of Senator George Akume as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), describing the choice as a demonstration of expertise in leadership recruitment.

CBJ President, Dr Emmanuel Anule, stated this on Sunday in a congratulatory message to Senator Akume on behalf of the group in Abuja.

Anule said that the President made a perfect decision by picking one of Nigeria’s best for the position.

“The appointment of the former Benue State Governor and Minister, our Illustrious son, was well deserved, considering his excellent pedigree, antecedents, and knowledge in public administration.

“The choice of Akume as SGF will undoubtedly assist the President Tinubu-led administration to deliver good governance to Nigerians through its “Renew Hope Agenda.”

“We therefore, commend the president for finding the Tarka-born politician worthy for this appointment. This development has revealed that this administration is prepared to uphold the democratic principles of inclusivity.

“ Let me therefore, on behalf of the entire CBJ members across the country congratulate Senator George Akume on his appointment as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Accept our best wishes,” he said.

Subsidy removal: FG secures court order halting workers’ strike

By Vivian Okejeme

The National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja has restrained organised labour from embarking on a nationwide strike over the removal of subsidy on Premium

Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol.

Justice O.Y. Anuwe made the declaration in a ruling on Monday, June 5. The workers had fixed Wednesday, June 7, for the commencement of a nationwide

strike over the removal of fuel subsidy.

It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu at his inauguration as Nigeria’s President on May 29, declared that “fuel subsidy is gone”, a pronouncement which triggered

a hike in the pump price of price and extended more economic hardship to Nigerians. The pronouncement has however generated debates, with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) insisting on the old pump price.

Runsewe gives Zimbabwe tactics on cultural security

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

The Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Runsewe, has shared some tactics on cultural security and strategy to Zimbabwe National Defense University.

He said the strategy is to help them promote and preserve their culture.

Runsewe made the disclosure during a courtesy call by Zimbabwean team who were on a military course training in Nigeria.

On how Nigeria’s culture has impacted national security, Runsewe said it took the government’s strategy through sports and culture, in particular the latter through

the establishment of the annual National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST), FESTAC 1977, post the nation’s civil war to ensure unity.

Nigeria, he said, also educates her citizens on the negative effects of crisis, which include foreign capital and investment flights, which leads to loss of jobs.

The Director General gave more sight on how Nigeria has preserved her cultures year to years in the face of western culture invasions, he explained said Nigeria’s culture is its brand identity, one that its citizens carry around everywhere in world .

“We have tried to use the Nigerian culture to sell our image and to keep our heritage. Our culture is our selling point

Kebbi State Governor, Idris mourns ex-minister’s younger brother

By Abubakar Yunusa, Abuja

TheKebbi State Governor, Comrade Nasir Idris has expressed heartfelt condolences to the immediate younger brother to the former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the federation, Abubakar Chika Mallami.

The deceased, Dr. Zubairu Mallami, who worked with the Kebbi State Secondary Schools Management Board passed on after a brief illness.

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Ahmed Idris, made available to Peoples Daily yesterday described the deceased as an honest gentleman who contributed emmensely to the success of the state.

Idris prayed to Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings and make Aljannatul Firdaus his final home.

Late Zubairu died at the age of 55 years and left behind one wife and five children.

HYPPADEC fighting deforestation with tree planting in Niger

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Hydro Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission, HYPPADEC, has commenced the planting of 100 trees in order to curb deforestation menace.

The tree planting was to mark the 2023 World Environment Day.

The Managing Director of HYPPADEC, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa made the disclosure while flagging off tree planting on forty hectres in the three geo political zones with five hectres of land at Shata community in Bosso local government of Niger state.

Yelwa reiterated the commitment of the commission in carrying out advocacy and sensitization against cutting of trees and its consequences to humanity, adding that the current rate of charcoal production is alarming in Niger state.

Represented by the director operations, Iliyasu Wara he condemned indiscriminate dumping of refuse, saying that plans are on in the next one month for the contractors to receive their letters of award to clear 50 kilometers drainage to avoid flooding in the state.

because our cultural content is our brand identity which our tourism will sell to the world.

“There is a mistake in Africa I am trying to change. And that is that every human is creative, but we have not understood that. Every day we talk about formal education PhD, MSc, LLB etc.; but someone can be creative enough to produce an art or crafts work and make money from it.”, he said.

He stated that “What we are doing in Nigeria is that within the 36 states and the FCT, we have set up a skills acquisition programme in every state. Every state must be able to show their strength”.

“As a council we done what we call global Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats

(SWOT) analysis, we looked at the strength of each state, put them forward, and develop those advantages to foster the art and heritage of the culture,” Runsewe said.

Speaking at the event, head of the Zimbabwean delegate, Brigadier General Tendai Darutwe, said Zimbabwe and Nigeria have always enjoyed good relations since before Zimbabwe’s war of liberation before 1980.

“Our relations have remained strong till today”.

He said” We are here to study compare notes and look at the socio-economic and political environment of Nigeria, with the view to improve ours, this is all part of the course we are here to study.”

HADEJIA JAMA’ARE RIVER BASIN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

PMB 3168, MAIDUGURI ROAD, HOTORO, KANO

EXTENSION OF BID CLOSING/OPENING DATE

Reference to our earlier advertisements in the Federal Tenders Journal on 1st May, 2023 and two other National dailies (People’s daily and Blue Print of 1st May, 2023, and 3rd May, 2023 respectively) we wish to notify the general public that the closing and opening date for the submission of Bids has been extended to Tuesday 20th June, 2023 by 12:00 noon prompt. Any bid submitted after this date and time will be rejected. Bids shall be opened same day immediately after deadline of submission at Hadejia- Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, Head office, Hotoro, Kano

The Management of the Authority regrets any inconveniences this might cause our bidders

Thank You. SIGNED

Managing Director

Community holds third day Fidaa prayer in honour of Alhaji Kana

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

Third day (Fidaa) prayer was held in honour of late Alhaji Abubakar Kana on Sunday, at his home town, Keffi, Nasarawa State.

This was contained in a statement issued on on Monday by Victoria AgbaAttah Director (Press & PR) in the Ministry of Defence.

The Prayer which was conducted by the Chief Imam of Keffi, Mallam Muhammad Auwal was intended to seek for Allah’s forgiveness for the passage to paradise of the late Alhaji Abubakar Kana.

The statement said those in attendance were the National Chairman of the ruling Party; All Progressive Congress (APC) Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Senator representing Nasarawa North Senatorial District, Senator Godiya Akwashiki, Traditional rulers, friends and relatives of the deceased.

“Late Abubakar Kana has indeed left great mark in the community and the entire society as attested by the encomiums poured by all and sundry”, the statement said.

Describing the late Kana, Senator Abdullahi Adamu said that he was a man with good character and conduct. “ He demonstrated during his life time a good leader that had the interest of his community and State at heart. A loving and peaceful man with tract records of excellence in all he did. We will miss him greatly.”

In the same vein, the Executive Director of National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Fatisal Shuaib described Alhaji Kana as a community mobilizer and developer. “He was able to help many of Nasaara State indigenes secure admission to higher institutions because he believed in education. When we talk of elders with tract records of community development, we look up to him. He had really done well. I pray Allah give him eternal rest.”

Ahlaji Abubakar Kana died at the age of 84 and he is survived by a wife, Mrs. Mariam Kana, nine children and amongst whom are Dr. Abrahim Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence and Ahmed Abubakar Kana, GeneralManager, Nasarawa State Water Board.

ICAN gets new excos in Jigawa

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Dutse District Society in Jigawa State has elected new Executives to run the affairs of the District for the next one year.

The new excos emerged through consensus and filled

eight executive positions after their nomination was unopposed.

Those emerged winners include comrade Umar Farouk Gambo as Chairman,Sani Ahmad Sulaiman Vice Chairman,Umar Idris Abdullahi, General Secretary, and Umar Dauda Assistant General Secretary. Other new executives are Musbahu Inuwa Adam,

Treasurer, Fatima Buba Aliyu Financial Secretary, Nasiru Sabo Idris Technical Secretary and Fatima Mustapha Gana. Social/ Publicity Secretary.

While delivering his acceptance speach, the new elected Chairman, Umar Farouk Gambo, expressed his satisfaction on the way and manner the election was conducted under the

Chairmanship of Mal Bilyaminu Shitu Aminu.

The chairman who called on members to join hand together and move ICAN to greater hight added that, as the tenure of the Executives is only one year, the time is too short to make a meaningful impact without support and cooperation.

Peace Corp boss, Prof Akoh endorses Tinubu’s choices of SGF, CoS

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The National Commandant, Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN), Prof. Dickson Ameh Akoh, has endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s choice of former Benue State Governor, Senator George Akume as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Outgoing Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila as the Chief of Staff (CoS).

Akoh in a statement in Abuja, extended his congratulations to the leader of APC in Benue State, Senator Akume, and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Gbajabiamila on their appointments as Secretary to the Government of the Federation

and Chief of Staff to President Tinubu respectively.

Prof. Akoh believes that Senator Akume’s wealth of experience in governance being brought to the table would enormously assist President Tinubu in advancing the Nigerian Project, having been a Permanent Secretary in the Civil Service, Former Governor, Senator and Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs.

Prof. Akoh believes that Dr George Akume has the necessary prerequisites to assist Mr President in handling the complex socio-economic challenges facing the country as demonstrated in the positions he had held interalia.

The APC Chieftain, in the

same manner, extended his heartfelt felicitation to the outgoing Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila on his appointment as Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

Akoh acknowledged that the appointment of the youthful and experienced Gbajabiamila is a reflection of President Tinubu’s promise to feature the youths in his administration.

He expressed happiness that President Tinubu, in his usual ingenious manner, understands the numerous challenges ahead and the need to bring capable hands to the table in other to foster national unity amongst the country’s numerous ethnic nationalities for harmonious

coexistence and progress.

The Founder of Peace Corps of Nigeria and President of Ambassador Dickson Akoh Foundation said their appointments are not only well deserved but a true reflection of reward for hardwork, coupled with the belief that they would deliver in whichever responsibility they are bestowed.

Akoh, as a democrat and detribalised Nigerian who believes in purposeful synergy used the opportunity to express his readiness to collaborate with government authorities in his effort to advance the cause of peace, security and the onerous advancement of the socioeconomic empowerment of Nigerian youths.

From left: Asistant Commander, on logistic, Bishir Zayyana,- State Commander, Murtala Ahmed,- and north-west Commander human traficking, Maijidda Abdulkadir,- during the Nigeria Hunters and Securty Council, katsina Chapter Holds Meeting with local government Commanders on their achivement, in katsina on monday 5/6/23

NEW ADVERT RATES

Fuel subsidy: Gone for good

By Ali M.Ali

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) is, currently, huffing and puffing, spoiling for war because, the newly minted regime of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has walked its talk of decisively ending the fuel subsidy regime. The Union is threatening industrial action by Wednesday, June 7th unless the government continues with this clearly untenable culture of “fraud” and “rent.” The reaction of the Labour Union is both bewildering and hypocritical. It is confounding because all the major presidential candidates in the February national polls said they were going to end the “fraud” that was the fuel subsidy. It’s duplicitous therefore, for the Labour Congress to grandstand. It won’t get any accolades.

I am skeptical if Nigerians would heed the call. They didn’t in 2016 when they asked us to shun work following former president Buhari’s upward review of fuel charge.Discerning Nigerians have since concluded that the trade Union is hostage to vested political and business interests. It dances to their drumbeats.

That explains, in part, why it speaks through both sides of the mouth. One moment, the Labour Union is hobnobbing with apostles of subsidy abrogation, the next it is grandstanding because a certain President Bola Tinubu has walked his talk. Different rule for identical pledges, one is tempted to conclude.I am dead certain some key elements in the top echelon of Labour Congress are captives of political interests. The Labour Party’s presidential candidate Peter Obi actually labeled subsidy as “organized crime”.

He was right. Obi assured that it would be the first thing he would banish the moment he assume presidential powers. And NLC cheered. They hailed him. He was “in their party” after all.Today NLC is puffing, flexing wizened muscles and threatening to shut down the nation because the president isn’t “in their party” .That is how I see it and a number of Nigerians who are unimpressed by NLC’s disposition.Obi scored bull’s eye however.

I concurred and totally agreed with his description that subsidy is “organized crime”. From a manageable N261 billion naira in 2006, fuel subsidy has snowballed in to a monstrous 7 trillion in 2023. Only ‘organized crime” approximates this astronomical rise. I am not alone. The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima revealed just last week of the existence of a powerful oil cabal wanting the fuel subsidy regime to last forever.

Former Minister of finance Mrs Okonji Iweala who tried to clean the messy and fiscally challenging subsidy regime has emotional scars to show for that intrepid attempt. She initiated an audit and discovered that over $2 billion dollars were bogus claims. She advised government not to pay.

The oil cabal kidnapped her 83-year-old mother in return!I am in total sync with Shettima when he said, “we either end subsidy or subsidy would end Nigeria”Obi must have read the 2012 House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Management comprehensive report to poetically captured the nature of the subsidy regime as organized crime. The shocking details of that report exposed a cocktail of woes that combined to make subsidy administration a cesspit of depravity and sleaze.The report confirmed widely held notion popularized by the likes of former Central Bank Governor and maverick economist that fuel subsidy was a buzzword of “renting”, for “scam” and patronage.

In the wake of the fuel price hike on January 1st, 2012,Sanusi argued, forcibly, before an enthralled crowd of “stakeholders” at a town hall meeting, with all the logic of a polemicist, at his disposal why the subsidy regime was anachronistic.His persuasive arguments were punctuated by thunderous applause by a motley swarm of government ministers, state governors, captains of industries and Labour leaders.He dismissed the puerile argument that scuffling fuel subsidy would bring “hardship” and “difficulties”‘”This is not an economic argument,” he said.

The economic argument” he continued would “be this is the cost of removing subsidy and what is the cost of not removing it?” he rhetorically asked.He concluded on an unnerving and chilling note. ”This government (JONATHAN’S) can continue to paying this subsidy till 2015,it won’t come down…but the next government would be saddled with a debt burden that it can’t maintain and the Greece situation would be nothing compared to where we are!”Sanusi warned, eleven years ago that “if the dollar gets to N200, inflation hits 18% and oil crashes by 30 to 40 percent, then we would know what crisis is…instead of slowing down, you want to continue paying one trillion naira subsidy to who?”We are presently in the reality Sanusi predicted more than a decade ago. With Nigeria’s total debt profile nearly 47 trillion naira and a suffocating 95 % debt-servicing ratio, the new regime of President Tinubu has had to brave the odds by walking this tough path of eliminating subsidy.During the campaigns, Tinubu was emphatic. Subsidy would go. Some 8.7 million Nigerians believe in his capacity and voted for him. I am flummoxed therefore, that Labour is calling for industrial action.The House Ad Hoc committee probed a three-year period from 2009 to 2011. It discovered a progressive increase in subsidy intervention budget and zero accounting. In 2006, subsidy for both PMS and HHK was tolerable, being N261.1b in 2006, N278.8b in 2007 and N346.7b in 2008.

Five companies including NNPC were involved in 2006, 10 in 2007 and 19 in 2008 contrasted to 140 in 2011,sayid the report in its preamble.In 2023,fuel subsidy has skyrocketed to an incredible

7 trillion per annum. Every month, the government spends a whopping 400 billion to subsidize fuel for an indeterminate number of consumers nationwThe various organs responsible for efficient execution of the subsidy regime encouraged a culture of skullduggery and financial brigandage.

They flatly and deliberately refused to keep a reliable database, thereby frustrating accounting process.According to the House Ad Hoc Committee report “We found out that the subsidy regime, as operated between the period under review (2009 and 2011), were fraught with endemic corruption and entrenched inefficiency. Much of the amount claimed to have been paid, as subsidy was actually not for consumed PMS. Government officials made nonsense of the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) Guidelines due mainly to sleaze and, in some other cases, incompetence. It is therefore apparent that the insistence by top Government officials that the subsidy figures was for products consumed was a clear attempt to mislead the Nigerian people’’. The report continued “Thus, contrary to the earlier official figure of subsidy payment of N1.3 Trillion, the Accountant-General of the Federation put forward a figure of N1.6 Trillion, the CBN N1.7 Trillion, while the Committee established subsidy payment of N2, 587.087 Trillion as at 31 December 2011, amounting to more than 900% over the appropriated sum of N245 Billion. This figure of N2, 587.087Trillion is based on the CBN figure of N844.944b paid to NNPC, in addition to another figure of N847.942b reflected as withdrawals by NNPC from the excess crude naira account, as well as the sum of N894.201b paid as subsidy to the Marketers. The figure of N847.942b quoted above strongly suggests that NNPC might have been withdrawing from two sources especially when the double withdrawals were also reflected both in 2009 and in 2010. However, it should be noted that as at the time the public hearing was concluded, there were outstanding claims by NNPC and the Marketers in excess of N270billion as subsidy payments for 2011” In present day Nigeria, NNPC is claiming outstanding N2.8 trillion unpaid subsidy by the government. The Group Managing Director told reporters last week soon after meeting with President Tinubu. This colossal outstanding is twice the fund allocated to education in the 2023 federal budget. At 7 trillion naira annually, subsidy is gulping one third of the N21 trillion naira total federal budget. This is certainly not tenable. The fuel subsidy is gone for good.The government now is freed of the burden. The freed resources should be channeled to specific ends. Nigerians are groaning under the weight of hyperinflation. Economic activities are on a downward slop.Thankfully, the president is a listener.

Ali M. Ali is a journalist and former Deputy President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors.

The historical antecedent of petroleum subsidy removal in Nigeria

By Garba Adamu Gwangwangwan

The issue of subsidy removal has remained a topic of debate and discussion in Nigeria. While no full removal has taken place since 2016, there have been ongoing discussions and considerations by successive governments regarding subsidy reforms and finding alternative solutions to address the fiscal challenges associated with the subsidy program.

The removal of subsidies is refers to the government’s decision to eliminate or reduce the subsidies provided on certain goods or services, particularly petroleum products in Nigeria. This policy has been a subject of debate and controversy in Nigeria for many years.

Historically, the Nigerian government has subsidized the prices of petroleum products to make them more affordable for the general population. This was done because the country is seventh among the major oil producer and has significant oil reserves, but also because it aimed to mitigate the impact of price fluctuations on the cost of living for Nigerians.

However, the subsidy program has faced several challenges. One of the main issues is that it has become a significant burden on the Nigerian economy. The cost of subsidizing petroleum products has been a major drain on government finances, leading to significant fiscal deficits and a strain on the country’s budget. Apparently , the subsidy program has been plagued by corruption and inefficiency, with a substantial portion of the funds intended for subsidy payments being diverted or mismanaged by previous administration.

Over the years, there have been calls for subsidy removal as a means to address these challenges. Proponents argue that removing subsidies would allow the government to redirect the funds saved towards critical infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and other social programs. They argue that it would also promote more efficient use of resources and encourage private sector investment in the oil sector.

Opponents of subsidy removal, however, raise concerns about the potential negative impact on the population, particularly the poor and vulnerable segments of society. They argue that removing subsidies would lead to a significant increase in the prices of petroleum products, which would have a cascading effect on the cost of transportation, food, and other essential goods and services. This, in turn, could exacerbate poverty and inequality in the country.

The Nigerian government has made attempts to remove or reduce subsidies in the past, but these efforts have often been met with public outcry and protests. The issue remains highly contentious, and any decision regarding subsidy removal is likely to be met with both support and opposition.

The historical antecedent of subsidy removal on petrol in Nigeria is marked by a series of policy shifts, attempts, and controversies. The Nigerian government has implemented and reversed subsidy removal multiple times over the years.

The nomenclature of subsidy removal in Nigeria was first Introduction in the year 1988. The government of Nigerian introduced a subsidy on petroleum products to stabilize fuel prices and make them affordable for the general population. This was in response to protests against price increases.

In 1999 the de-regulation attempt under President Olusegun Obasanjo to deregulate the downstream sector of the oil industry, which included removing fuel subsidies. However, due to public resistance and protests, the plan was abandoned.

The story was not different during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration In January 2012, announced a partial removal of fuel subsidies, leading to a sharp increase in fuel prices. This move sparked widespread protests across the country, known as the “Occupy Nigeria” protests. Eventually, due to public pressure, the government bow down to pressure reinstated the subsidies, though at a reduced level.

Moreover, the monster subsidy removal on petrol

In May 2016, under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, the government announced the complete removal of fuel subsidies. This led to a significant increase in fuel prices, which resulted in nationwide protests and strikes. The government argued that removing the subsidy was necessary to address corruption, inefficiency, and the drain on public finances. However, due to the public backlash, the decision was reversed, and subsidies were partially reinstated.

The issue of subsidy removal has remained a topic of debate and discussion in Nigeria. While no full removal has taken place since 2016, there have been ongoing discussions and considerations by successive governments regarding subsidy reforms and finding alternative solutions to address the fiscal challenges associated with the subsidy program.

Consequently, the newly sworn in administration in Nigeria under the leadership of President Bola Ahmad Tinubu will squarely address the issue as he rightly said at eagle square while delivering his inauguration speech that said, “subsidy is gone. Subsidy can no longer justify its ever increasing cost in wake of dying resource”.

Only history can juxtapose between the latter and former as Nigerian Labour Congress and it’s affiliated union have warm up to begin industrial actions comes Wednesday 8th June 2023 and series of dialog between government and the union no end in sight to arrive at the compromise stand.

It’s important to note that the subsidy removal on petrol in Nigeria has been a highly controversial and politically sensitive topic. The debate surrounding it is multifaceted, involving economic considerations, social implications, and political factors. The decision to remove or retain subsidies on petrol in Nigeria has often been influenced by a range of factors, including public sentiment, international oil prices, government finances, and the overall stability of the country.

Garba Adamu Gwangwangwan wrote from Bauchi state, adamugarba0079@gmail.com

Reducing smoking prevalence through prevention

By Olufisayo Adeoti

The Royal College of Nursing in the UK is currently running a campaign tagged, “Prevention is better than cure.” Prevention is a principle in modern primary healthcare systems and a major factor in the increasing global popularity of wellness programmes. In healthcare, where the concept is most popular, the logic is quite straightforward: go upstream to tackle the causes of ill-health rather than waiting downstream to cure the resulting illnesses. As global health concerns mount over the health impact of smoking, all scientifically verified measures that can drive down the prevalence of smoking should be encouraged and pursued. In recent months, different civil society organisations have increased the call for implementation of graphic health warnings alongside text on cigarette packs. The clamour must be applauded for considering the potential harm of tobacco smoke exposure to smokers and non-smokers who are in proximity to them.

Tobacco Harm Reduction is a pragmatic approach to reducing the harm from combustible tobacco based on the scientific and empirical evidence that the risk of harm to smokers is from the toxic effluents that result when tobacco is burned, which the smokers in turn inhale, and not from the nicotine that they crave. Therefore, by providing alternative products that deliver nicotine or the sensation of smoking but without the combustion of tobacco, THR prevents nicotine consumers from exposure to harmful tobacco smoke, which they would otherwise get from combustible tobacco.

As a public health strategy, THR advices and encourages smokers to switch from combustible tobacco to these alternative products, which are known as reduced risk products. RRPs include e-cigarettes; heated tobacco products,

which heat tobacco without burning them; nicotine pouches; nicotine gums and others.

Whereas, proponents of THR recognise that abstinence remains the best way to prevent tobacco harm, experience has shown over time that abstinence is not always feasible. For those users who are either unable or unwilling to quit, RRPs are targeted at smokers who choose to continue to enjoy nicotine, while appreciating the harm from tobacco smoke. Prevention of smoking at any stage remains a more effective health and wellness strategy than stopping, hence more proactive initiatives that translate to earlier interventions tend to yield better outcomes. This is perhaps among the reasons that countries, which were early adopters of graphic health warnings on cigarette packs, have not only accepted the empirical evidence of the effectiveness of THR but are also implementing science-backed regulations that provide guidance on the use of reduced risk products.

In an evidence brief published by the World Health Organisation in 2014, WHO reported that citizens of such countries like Canada and the UK indicated that pictorial health warnings on cigarette packs provided more motivation to quit than text only warnings. However, in more recent times, the government of Canada through Health Canada has issued science-backed statements such as “completely replacing cigarette smoking with vaping will reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals” and “vaping products and e-cigarettes deliver nicotine in a less harmful way than smoking cigarettes” among several messages to adult smokers to move them away from combustible tobacco products.

With graphic health warnings mostly limited to cigarette packs, smokers tend to encounter them following a decision to not only smoke but also to proceed to purchasing cigarettes. At that point, a decision has already been made to smoke and

the graphic images at the point of sale or on cigarette packs might be less effective as a deterrent. On the other hand, THR messages continuously and steadily enjoin smokers to turn away from combustible cigarettes and switch to alternative products that prevent exposure to toxic tobacco smoke. This messaging does not depend on a smoker’s contact with cigarette packs. Beyond providing earlier warnings, THR also provides less risky alternatives on the understanding that smokers really crave nicotine, which is not toxic, and not the toxic smoke from tobacco combustion.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence of the UK has published a guidance on THR (or alternative tobacco products) and its efficacy in driving down smoking rates. The guidance recognises that quitting smoking is always the best option for smokers, but it supports the use of licensed nicotine-containing products to help smokers, who are currently unable to quit, to switch to a less harmful option. A study by William G Shadel, Steven C Martino, Claude M Setodji, Michael Dunbarin, et al., to assess the efficacy of graphic health warnings in deterring tobacco smokers was published by Oxford Academic in June 2019. The result showed that graphic health warning labels reduced the chances of cigarette purchases for smokers with lower nicotine dependence but had no effect on smokers with higher dependence.

This study is a pointer for many African countries that have implemented graphic health warnings only, to further adopt THR as a scientifically established strategy with empirical evidence of success in reducing smoking rates and preventing death and illness.

If Obafemi Awolowo were President Bola Tinubu

By Owei Lakemfa

Awo would have announced definite steps to restructure the country and ensure that all nationalities, no matter how small, would have a sense of belonging. He would commend the actions of Tinubu when as Lagos State Governor, he created new local governments in the state which he styled development centres. Awo would announce plans to make local governments real governments and not mere centres for elites sharing the country’s funds.

Chief Obafemi Awolowo, affectionately called Awo, was the programmatic politician who had change as mantra and believed that politics must serve the mass of the people. His philosophy of governance was encapsulated in the slogan: Life More Abundant, LMA.

In turn, his followers had so much trust in him that some lost their lives in the streets while defending his legacy when he was imprisoned from 1963 to 1966. Some of his followers so revered Awo that they swore he sometimes appeared in the moon. On such occasions, the faithful crowded the streets to catch a glimpse of him in the moon.

Awo brought so much development to the Western Region when he was the Premier from 1954-1959 that his administration became the yardstick by which other regions were measured in the First Republic.

Progressive politics in Nigeria was championed during the colonial times by Herbert Macaulay who challenged the British colonialists and defended the people against bad governance. Awo came to symbolise that progressive trend in Nigerian politics. However, despite his best efforts, he never became President which was why when he passed away in 1987, Emeka Ojukwu described him as the “best President Nigeria never had”.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is one of the politicians who identify with Awo. He tried to immortalise him, among other ways, by transforming the detention facilities in Lekki, Lagos where Awo was held into a museum, library and foundation.

As President Tinubu was sworn in on Monday, May 29, 2023, I imagined what Awo would have said if he were in the former’s shoes.

Awo would have started by stating the rationale for his contesting the presidency, repeating the fundamentals of social welfare and why the people are entitled to the basic needs of life. If there are obstacles to achieving these, he would state them and explain how his administration intends to overcome them. He would relate his past services and political alliances to

the future he hopes to take the country, and invite the people to share his dreams.

Right from the podium, he would declare free education for all Nigerian children; how and when the current 18 million out-of-school children would be in school and a plan to eradicate illiteracy in the country.

Awo would have announced free health services for all Nigerians and an integrated rural development. He would have rolled out time-specific plans for mass employment based on his programme of production; the same way his Action Group party built the industrial base of the Western Region by developing industrial areas such as in Ikeja, Yaba and Apapa, and linking some by railway with the Lagos Ports.

Pensioners would have been assured that pension would be a first line charge and that the elderly would not regret old age.

Awo would have announced which type of loans to take and which would be rejected as well as probe all loans taken in the last two decades with a view of recovering misappropriated funds and jailing the culprits.

He would have announced an end to budget padding and legislators awarding contracts to themselves in the name of constituency projects.

Awo would have announced plans to reduce the cost of fuel, make local refining of petroleum products a cardinal principle, ordered the arrest and immediate prosecution of those who profiteer from fuel subsidy, including the various companies and persons who the House of Representatives Inquiry of 2012 established to have fraudulently received subsidy payments.

Apart from the recovery of stolen public funds, he would have ordered the recovery of so-called bad debts, the repayments of trillions of Naira used to bailout banks, paid to privatised electricity companies, owed by private businessmen and indefensible tax exemptions. Also, he would have ordered that fraudulently privatised public entities should be recovered.

On foreign policy, he would have let it be known that Nigeria is once again taking its pride of place in Africa with an African-centred foreign policy, and, that it would be no satellite to any power. Nigeria, he would have announced, is on its way to join the BRICS countries to build a brave New World where no nation is oppressed.

Alongside mass housing, Awo would also have announced mass new prisons and expansion of some current ones as his administration would make crime, punishment and social justice, a principle of state policy.

He would reiterate the fact that only the best and

most competent from all parts of the country will be appointed into government, and that the cost of governance would be drastically cut, not by retrenching workers, but by reducing bureaucracy to the barest minimum. This would entail eliminating ministers of state who are mere spare tyres for actual ministers, and merger of functions such as those of the presidential spokesman and information minister. Indeed, where the three arms of government: the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary have their individual spokespersons, it is incongruous for a separate person to be appointed to speak for ‘government’.

He would have announced the decision to merge the Police, Civil Defence, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related offences Commission, Federal Road Safety Commission and the Vehicle Inspection Office.

Awo would have asked the Directorate of State Security and the various strands of intelligence to merge, and also merge the offices of the National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff and Minister of Defence.

On security, he would have given the military marching orders to retake all villages and towns occupied by bandits, terrorists and foreign militia and the return of the Internally Displaced Persons to their ancestral homes. He would have made it clear that government will neither side nor encourage one set of combatants against another. The former Premier would have announced the mobilisation of the general citizenry to defend their homes and communities while plans for state police will begin immediately.

Awo would have announced definite steps to restructure the country and ensure that all nationalities, no matter how small, would have a sense of belonging. He would commend the actions of Tinubu when as Lagos State Governor, he created new local governments in the state which he styled development centres. Awo would announce plans to make local governments real governments and not mere centres for elites sharing the country’s funds.

Awo, in rounding off his inaugural speech, would vow to pay true allegiance to the Nigerian people and a relationship based on trust. He would have said that a day of reckoning has come for those who short-change the country, and, for the people, a new dawn with the old giving birth to the new.

If Chief Obafemi Awolowo were President Bola Tinubu on the day of inauguration, the Nigerian people would be in no doubt that change indeed has come.

Owei Lakemfa is a Public Policy Analyst.

Olufisayo Adeoti writes from Lagos via adefis86@gmail. com

Gombe NSCDC lauds operation safe corridor on partnership

From David Hassan, Gombe

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Gombe state command has commended the military for their foresight to partner with the corps to tackle insecurity.

Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Gombe state, Mr. Achir D. Abraham stated this while receiving the commandant of Deradicalisation and Rehabilitation camp operation safe corridor Malam Sidi Johnson on a familiarisation visit to the Command.

He said the visit will create synergy between the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the military in the fight against crime in the country. While appreciating the visit, Mr Abraham said the relationship between operation safe corridor and NSCDC will continue to wax stronger even as he assured of steadfastness in carrying its legitimate functions effectively.

Speaking ealier, the commandant of Deradicalisation and Rehabilitation camp operation safe corridor said their visit to the Command was aimed at creating relationship between operation safe corridor and the NSCDC in Gombe state was to compare notes on fight against crime.

Benue Assembly elects new Speaker amidst intrigues

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Benue State House of Assembly has elected a new Speaker Aondona Dajoh.

Dajoh represents Gboko West State Constituency.

He polled 17 votes to beat his closest rival Becky Orpin who represents Gboko East State Constituency who scored 15.

Peoples Daily reports that the election of the new speaker was embroiled in a lot of controversies and intrigues.

The new session of the 10th Assembly consisting 21 All Progressives Congress, APC members, 10 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, members and 1 Labor Party member commenced at about 10 am and ended at 4 pm.

Inaugurating the House, Benue state Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth

Alia charged the new legislators to collaborate with the Executive arm

of government in order to deliver the much expected dividends of democracy to the Benue people.

The governor however assured the lawmakers of his administration’s support at all times and solicited for constructive engagements and support from the legislature and judicial arms of government to enable them actualize set goals.

He urged the new legislators to be exemplary in their conducts, stressing that the Benue society has placed so much expectations on them, hence the need to deliver on their mandate.

According to the Governor, “The legislature not only give the people a voice in affairs of government, but provides the bedrock for the rule of law, equity and justice to reign in the polity.

“Due to the big role the legislature play side by side with the judiciary and the Executive

arm of government, we are fully prepared to respect the sanctity of the doctrine of the separation of powers under a democracy.”

Alia, who pledged not to interfere with the internal affairs of the legislature especially in the election of its leaders, said “We are prepared to meaningfully work with those who you choose to lead the house.”

He however, advised members to choose from among themselves those that they will always be proud of their leadership qualities, adding “We will support the house with the training and retraining of staff of members of the House.”

He pledged that the Executive arm of government will work in harmony with the legislature and the judiciary to ensure effective service delivery to the people who are expecting so much from them.

It was learnt that Governor Alia has earlier held a meeting with 18

members of the house loyal to him at Government House however, the votes did not reflect this as Dajoh and Becky tied polling16 votes in the first ballot necessitatin a second.

After a long period of break amidst horse trading and consultation by the Governor’s and Secretary to the Government of the Federation Sen. George Akume’s camp, the house reconvened with only members and the media allowed to remain at the gallery, and Dajoh emerged as Speaker while Mrs. Danladi Lami representing Ado State Constituency emerged as Deputy Speaker.

Dissatisfied with the outcome of the election, it was learnt that the State Chairmam of APC Austin Agada was involved in a fisticuff with the Chief of Staff to the Governor Paul Biam at the Assembly complex.

Tribunal strikes out PDP petition in Bauchi

From Ahmad Muhammad, Bauchi

TheNational Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Bauchi on Monday, struck out the petition brought before it by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Bauchi South Senatorial seat in the last general elections, Alhaji Garba Dahiru. Dahiru had petitioned the Tribunal contesting the declaration of Alhaji Shehu Buba Umar of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election as declared by INEC.

Speaking to Journalists at the Tribunal, Lead Counsel of Shehu Buba, Ibrahim Bawa SAN said that, “I am the Lead Counsel of the 1st respondent, Shehu Buba .what

happened at the Tribunal today was that the Petitioner, PDP and its candidate, Garba Dahiru wrote to the Tribunal that they wanted to withdraw the petition.”

“Since they expressed such intention, the law gives us the right to respond through sworn affidavits to inform the world that we were not the ones that made them withdraw the petition neither did we make any offer to them in that regard.”

Bawa said that,”Therefore, we have submitted our sworn affidavit to inform the Tribunal that the petitioners voluntarily withdrew the petition without anyone forcing them to do so and not because of any promise of reward.”

“That was done and we came back to the Tribunal after which the Tribunal dismissed and struck

out the petition,” he said.

He said , “The law does not provide that a petitioner must drag a cause, voluntary withdrawal of a cause is a sign of truce and understanding between the two parties. Each of them will go back home happy and with joy, it is indeed a victory to all parties.”

Bawa said that,”The Judges too have advised and trained on how to encourage parties to broker truce and settle amicably not until judgement was pronounced. “

It was gathered that the PDP and its candidate in the Bauchi South Senatorial seat, Garba Dahiru decided to withdraw the petition having understood the need to promote peace and peaceful co-existence in the District. It was also stressed that the

situation as it is now demands for political harmony and understanding among the people considering the fact that the candidates all have the people at heart.

The PDP candidate in the election, Garba Dahiru while speaking over the phone, said that, “Yes, it is true that the petition has been withdrawn,” but he declined to give further details saying, “that will be revealed at the most appropriate time.”

The returning Officer of the Senator Elect Shehu Buba Umar , Honorable Ahmed Isa Tahir commended the PDP candidate for withdrawing the petition, and attend olive branch to their political opponents to join hands with the Senator in the interest of the State.

Activities at Orie Emene market in Enugu east LGA of Enugu State as traders comply with Enugu State government directive to resume businesses on Mondays in Enugu on Monday (5/6/23).

APGA richest party in Nigeria, PDP yet to complete secretariatSpokesman, Opara

By Christiana Ekpa

The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mazi Ejimofor Opara has observed that 22 years after, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is yet to complete her national secretariat in Abuja, adding that APGA is the richest party in the country.

The 34-year-old national officer of APGA who made the observation while speaking in Awka, said APGA has become the cynosure of other political parties in Nigeria.

Ejimofor, who was the former Senior Special Assistant to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on New Media, said as it stands in Nigeria today, APGA is the first and only political party with a magnificent edifice as national secretariat in Abuja, coupled with another gigantic 5-storey building in Awka as regional headquarters for the Southeast region.

He said that the PDP was in power for 16 years and till date, they have raised over N18 billion to build a national headquarters in Abuja, which he said they were yet to complete.

Ejimofor said the PDP was the first political party in the post-military era in Nigeria that ruled the country for 16 years; yet within the period it held sway, there were fundraising in which over N18 billion was raised to build a national headquarters in Abuja, but for more than 22 years, the building is still in her skeletal form.

He said the PDP has not been able to build a monumental edifice that can really show that the party is a party of forward thinking people. The APGA national spokesman maintained that till date, the PDP national secretariat in Abuja is still an uncompleted building.

The APGA scribe said that for the All Progressives Congress (APC), which he described as a union of other political parties; he said the APC has no monument yet to refer to as her national office except for rented apartments like other political parties.

He said APGA remains the only political party in Nigeria to acquire as well as own and build in her name a national headquarters in Abuja and equally the first political party to acquire, own and build a regional headquarters for herself, describing them as enduring legacies.

According to him, “If APGA continues at this pace where we already have a regional headquarters for the Southeast and probably before the end of our own National Working Committee, we maybe talking about another regional headquarters in the North, Southwest and the rest of the country.”

He however said that APGA is the wealthiest political party in Nigeria because it owns all its physical structures and doesn’t pay rents like other political parties in the country, adding that APGA will be the first political party in Nigeria to float a cooperative society for her members because they are business minded and very progressive.

Nigerians are suffering, lift them out of poverty – Peter Obi tells Gov Otti

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) during the February 25 presidential election, Peter Obi has appealed to Governor Alex Otti of Abia State to concentrate on delivering good governance to the people of the State, especially the less privileged.

Obi claimed the less privileged in Nigeria have suffered enough and were being subjected to many untold hardships.

The former governor of Anambra State disclosed this on Monday while sharing a statement via his Twitter handle after

a thanksgiving service held in honour of Governor Alex Otti on Sunday.

Obi said he urged Otti to prioritise programs and policies focusing on health, education and pulling people out of poverty.

He wrote, “Earlier today, I was in Abia State for the Thanksgiving Service of my dear friend and brother, the Governor of Abia State, Dr @alexottiofr. I used the opportunity to appeal to Gov Otti to focus on delivering good governance to the people of Abia State, especially the less privileged.

“The less privileged people in Nigeria have been subjected to many untold

hardships and have suffered enough. Programs and policies focusing on health, education and pulling people out of poverty should be highly prioritised.

“In the next 4 years, I do sincerely hope that the less privileged will be as happy as they are today, rejoicing for the new dawn in the State and looking forward to a better tomorrow.

“May God give him the wisdom, strength and understanding to take the State higher in all ramifications. God bless the good people of Abia State, as we all work towards the building of the New Nigeria.”

10th Senate President: NNPP’s Sumaila says Sen. Yari has majority to emerge

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

As race for Presiding Officers of the 10th National Assembly takes bullish run, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Suleiman Kawu Sumaila, who will represent Kano South, yesterday said the former Governor of Zamfara State, Abdul-Azeez Yari, has the required majority to defeat his challengers in the June 13 election of principal officers of the Senate.

Speaking with journàlists yesterday in Abuja, the Kano lawmaker also said that deposit the zoning formula of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), only elected federal lawmakers-elect will decide who emerges as presiding officers in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

He boasted that the former governor of Zamfara State , Abdulaziz Yari , would emerge as President of the 10th Senate at inauguration on Tuesday next week.

He kicked against the earlier zoning arrangement made by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which according to him, was undemocratic .

He stressed that external interference

into election of leadership of the 10th National Assembly, will be resisted by majority of the federal lawmakers - elect at both chambers through the instrumentality of relevant provisions of the 1999 constitution .

He said, “The constitution is explicit about how the President and Deputy President of the Senate shall be elected. For instance, Chapter 2 of the 9th Standing Orders of the Senate 2022 (as amended) stipulates the procedures for selection of Presiding Officers of the Senate.

“Similarly, Section 50(1)a of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended) states that, “there shall be a President and Deputy President of the Senate, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves.

“Also, section 50(1)b stipulates that, “A Speaker and a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves.

“It is therefore clear that, the election of these Presiding Officers is purely an internal affair that concerns only members of the National Assembly and therefore, they should be allowed to decide who

among them would occupy the positions in order to avoid repetition of the past mistakes - we may all recall the incidences of the 7th and 8th National Assembly.

“In my view, external interference in the election of the next Presiding Officers of the National Assembly would not only violate the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and Standing Orders of both the Senate and House of Representatives, but would also cause a serious misunderstandings between the Legislative and Executive Arms of government”.

He alleged that desperate politicians are planning to use undemocratic means to impose leadership at both chambers which he said , is undemocratic and dangerous to democracy.

“Available information reveals that some desperate politicians are planning to use undemocratic means to impose Lawmakers-elect of their choice to become Presiding Officers against the wishes of the majority.

“This move is undemocratic, unacceptable and dangerous to our democracy as well as the nation as a whole”, he warned.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya ( M) in a chat with Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni during the APC Governors’ visit to Lawan at his residence in Abuja yesterday

10th NASS zoning formula may cost APC North Central in future elections - Group

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Concerned North Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Stakeholders

Forum yesterday stormed the headquarters of the ruling party to protest the zoning formula which it said has shortchanged the people of North Central zone, whom they claimed gave APC highest parentage votes behind South West region.

Briefing journàlists at the APC Secretariat after presenting the protest letter to the party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, who was represented by the Secretary of National Working Committee (NWC), IyiolaOmisore, the National Convener of the group, Dominic Alancha threatened that if the trend is not reversed, the APC will lose North Central in the next general election in 2027.

According to Alancha, the group resolved to present its

grievances against the party’s zoning pattern, as a measure to forestall the possible implosion in the party, which he cautioned will spell room in subsequent elections.

He said “I am pained because much as we want the new administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to hit the ground running, we observe with dismay how it is being slowed down owing to the delay and time being lost over the issue of zoning leadership positions in the 10th National Assembly

Today is the 5th of June and by next week, on the 13th to be precise, the 10th National Assembly would be inaugurated by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, which means that we have barely one week to project on the right leadership for both the Senate and House of Representatives.

“I say this because it is the inexplicable and biased decision of the APC to ignore this sound

and time tested processes by going to introduce strange and obtuse arrangements where a whole geopolitical zone was sidelined while another was given two key positions in the National Assembly hierarchy that has led to this quagmire.

As responsible citizens who wish President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to succeed, we cannot fold our arms and do nothing when a situation that could lead to social cataclysm is being introduced.

“Zoning the position of Senate President in the 10th Assembly to the South-south geopolitical zone, and the position of Deputy Senate President to the North-west zone, while the position of the Speaker of the House of Representatives is also zoned to the North-west and the position of Deputy Speaker to the Southeast is unacceptable because it excludes the North Central from parliamentary leadership.

“We note the observation that

the national chairman of our great party is from the North Central zone and with the appointment of Senator George Akume as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, that the North Central has been compensated.

“But we say no to these assertions as they do not respect the principle of separation of power in a democracy.

“While the executive arm can decide what is best suited for it in allocating offices within it, the parliament in Nigeria operates on a principle that complements the two topmost positions in the executive arm such that the four principal offices of Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker of the House of and the Deputy Speaker are shared among the four other zones outside where the president and vice president come from”, he said.

Speaking further, Alancha said the zoning of national chairman

to the North Central galvanized the zone for the APC during the presidential elections, hence the zone delivered tremendously for the APC, especially in Benue, which he said explains why Akume, who acted as a catalyst for the party’s growth, was rewarded with the SGF position.

“Similarly, the zone can boast returning a higher percentage of legislators to the APC more than any zone apart from the South West.

“We demand that the four principal positions in the National Assembly are shared among the zones other than the zones the president and vice president hail from.

“The Deputy Senate President and Speaker cannot be zoned to the North West when the North Central has not been given anything. The North Central cannot be totally excluded from the zoning arrangement”, he said.

L-R: President,

2023: I signed Nasarawa guber result sheet under duress - PDP witness tells panel

By Musa Baba Adamu

Awitness of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ibrahim Hamza on Monday told the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) that he signed the election results of Nasarawa State under duress.

The witness said this at the continuation of hearing of petition filed by Atiku Abubakar and his Party PDP.

They are challenging the February 25 presidential election results which brought president

Bola Tinubu as duly elected president.

The respondents in the petition marked CA/PEPC/05/2023 are Independent National electoral Commission (INEC), president Bola Tinubu and All Progressives Congress (APC).

The witness who is the 10th witness called by the PDP, said he is a human resources consultant and represented his party, PDP as Nasarawa collation officer.

Being cross examined by the counsel for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Abubakar Mahmoud, the witness

told the court that he signed the results under duress.

”I did not state this in my witness statement of oath because I know a day like this would come.

”The results were altered after I appended my name and signed.

”Due process was not followed…I had to sign to obtain a copy of the results because there was this intimidation that if I did not sign, I would not be given the result”, he said.

He said that he voted but the results were not uploaded because the Bimodal Voters Accrediton system (BVAS) failed.

Similarly, Abiye Sekibo, 7th witness (PW7) told the court during cross-examination by counsel for Tinubu, Akin Olujimi SAN that the results from polling units across the state were not captured on the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System.

Sekibo, is PDP’s state collation officer for Rivers

He said, ”All the polling units I went to…they could not upload the results.”

He however admitted that his candidate did not poll up to 25% of votes in the Federal Capital Territory.

Abraham David testified as the 9th witness (PW9) and was the FCT collation officer , he also said his candidate did not win 25 per cent votes in FCT.

Lastly, Mohammed Madaki, PDP chairman for FCT testified as the 8th witness (PW8).

Meanwhile, the five-man panel led by Justice Haruna Tsammani adjourned the further hearing of the petition until tomorrow.

During the pre -hearing session told the panel that the are calling 100 witnesses to prove their petition.

African Emancipation Movement for Good Governance, Hon. Lucky Obiyan, Convener, Free Nigeria Movement (FNM), Dr Moses Paul, Co- Convener. FNM Comrade Oby Elekwa , Member of the FNM, Cecilia Bisong and other members of the group, during the FNM world press conference calling on Government to revert to old pump Price of petro else they will embark on protest, held in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Thugs attack, flog PDP members at Ogun tribunal premises as security agents watch

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Ogun State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta on Monday commenced hearing of the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, against Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Both the APC and the PDP mobilised their members to be at the tribunal for solidarity.

However, political thugs stormed the venue of the tribunal with canes, otherwise known as pankere, attacking perceived opponents while police officers and other security agents watched.

Although the road leading to the court was barricaded at both ends by the police, it did not prevent the hoodlums from attacking their targets.

As the political thugs roamed about with canes in their hands, the police made no attempt to arrest or stop them from causing chaos.

A policeman said, “there is nothing we can do, we can’t arrest them. Everything about Ogun is always different.”

A PDP member, who was attacked by the thugs, said he lost his phone, money and other valuables in his possession while being beaten.

As of the time of filing this report, members of the PDP have fled the court premises to avoid further attacks.

Attacking opposition members at the tribunal has now become a dangerous trend in Ogun after every election.

We never endorsed Kalu for Senate Presidency – ACF

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has denied endorsing former Abia governor, Sen.Orji Uzor Kalu as its preferred candidate for the Senate Presidency of the 10th National Assembly.

Alhaji Musa Saidu, a member of the forum said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

Saidu was reacting to a statement created to Alhaji Yerima Shettima, the leader of the Arewa Youth Conservative Forum, AYCF, claiming that the ACF had endorsed Kalu for the position.

“I want to say without fear of contradiction, that the ACF has no youth wing and there was no time that we sat to make Shettima the AYCF leader.

“The whole thing is false.

“The ACF has not endorsed Kalu as the next Senate President, because we have our own ways of doing things.

“It is shocking to hear Shettima asking Sen. Abdulaziz Yari to step down for Kalu in the race for Senate Presidency,” he said.

Saidu, also the leader of the Arewa Community in Southern Nigeria, said that the ACF would have preferred that the position

be zoned to the North because of its contribution to the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the Feb. 25 election.

“The North contributed the highest votes for Tinubu in the presidential election, so we can’t just endorse candidates from other zones for the Senate Presidency.

“How can we work for Tinubu to become president and then turn around to start campaigning for other zones to become Senate President.

“In fact the Vice-President slot given to the North is just like a spare tyre, everybody in Nigeria

knows that the position has no much value.

“Since the North West gave Tinubu the highest votes, then it should be given the Senate Presidency, the position of the Speaker of the House of Representatives is too small for the zone,” he said.

Saidu added: ”It is a payback time for the North, so it should be given the Senate Presidency of the 10th National Assembly.

“For fairness and justice, the North should be considered for the Senate Presidency and Sen. Abdulaziz Yari should be endorsed for the position.”

Shehu Sani mocks Wike over comment on Tinubu offering him appointment

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Aformer Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has mocked the immediate past governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike over his remark on President

Bola Tinubu offering him an appointment.

Sani said Wike was talking about appointments more than members of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Recall that Wike had visited Tinubu twice since he

assumed office as president.

Speaking with BBC Pidgin, Wike said he would consult his wife and friends if Tinubu offers him an appointment.

The former governor also vowed to assess himself to see if he is prepared for

any national assignment, should Tinubu offers him an appointment.

Reacting, Sani tweeted: “Wike is talking about appointments more than even members of the ruling party.”

Don’t use your office for personal vendetta

PRP warns Kano Governor, Abba

By Christiana Ekpa

The People’s Redemption Party, PRP, has advised Kano State, Governor Abba Kabir not to use his office for personal vendetta but for the best interest of the state.

This was contained in a press statement signed by members of the 2023 Kano

PRP candidate forum issued to journàlists.

They warned the Governor against injustice, prioritizing any individual, group, or political party’s interest above the collective interest of the state.

“Election is the only legal and acceptable way of producing leaders under democracy in

Nigeria, there must be a winner and a loser.

“We are calling on the new government to put the collective interest of the state above any individual, fraternity interest or parochial sentiment.

“Revitalize our decaying education sector, improve public healthcare service delivery, come up with policies

and programs that will enhance agriculture, commerce and industries, job creation and poverty eradication,” they stated.

The party however congratulated the governor and all other candidates who won election under various political parties.

Ekiti Gov, Oyebanji signs 3 bills into law

By Christiana Ekpa

Ekiti State Governor Biodun

Oyebanji on Monday signed three laws recently passed by the state House of Assembly, namely the Ekiti State Roads Fund Law, the Ekiti Rural Access Roads Authority Law, and the Wealth Fund Law, 2023.

According to Oyebanji, the signing of the three sectorreform laws was geared towards actualising the road infrastructure upgrade and prosperity agenda of the administration.

The governor said his administration would continue to drive development by ensuring the transformation of the infrastructural landscape of the state.

Speaking after assenting to the three laws at a brief ceremony

held at the Executive Council Chamber, Governor’s Office, AdoEkiti, Governor Oyebanji said he is determined to improve the quality of lives of citizens of the state, especially rural dwellers who have long been denied basic services.

The event was attended by a World Bank team led by the Country Director, Mr. Shubham Chaudhuri. Members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and the Executive Council of the state were also in attendance.

Governor Oyebanji noted that the Rural Access and Roads Authority would serve as the engine driving the development and maintenance of rural roads in the state. He explained that the body will be responsible for the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the construction,

rehabilitation, and maintenance of Class C and D roads in the state.

He added that the authority would help foster economic growth through the facilitation of transportation of goods and services, which would lead to an improvement in the standard of living of the rural populace.

The governor stated: “Today is a momentous occasion as we gathered here to witness the signing of three significant sector reform bills into law. It is with great pleasure and a sense of fulfilment that I stand before you to inaugurate the Rural Access and Roads Authority and the State Roads Fund, both vital components of the Ekiti Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) and the Ekiti State Wealth Fund.

“These reform bills mark

a major milestone in our commitment to transforming the infrastructure landscape and laying a very solid economic foundation for our beloved state. It signifies our resolute dedication to improving the lives of our people, especially those in rural areas who have long yearned for enhanced connectivity and better access to vital services, and the vulnerable who have been negatively affected by various government policies.

“Additionally, the State Roads Funds, as established, will provide a sustainable financing mechanism for the maintenance and rehabilitation of our Class B, Class C, and Class D road infrastructure. This dedicated fund will ensure that they have the necessary resources to carry out timely repairs, thus prolonging

the lifespan of our roads and minimising disruption to the transportation network.

“The Ekiti Wealth Fund is our very bold attempt to put in place the building blocks for sustainable growth and development. It is a coordination of infrastructure funds, future generation funds, and investment funds to drive our shared prosperity agenda.”

Earlier, the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Olubunmi Adelugba, disclosed that the Sixth Assembly was able to pass 99 bills and 90 resolutions during its four-year tenure.

OPEC raises Nigeria’s oil output as Saudi Arabia cuts production

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

Members and nonmembers of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, referred to as OPEC+, on Sunday, agreed to cut crude oil production volumes in order to ensure global oil market stability, but allowed Nigeria, Congo and Angola to continue to produce maximally to their OPEC quota of 2023.

However, Saudi Arabia, a major oil producer and key member of OPEC, made an

Agric experts caution against use of adulterated farm inputs

FromAbubakarYunusa,Abuja

Agric experts in Bauchi State have cautioned farmers against the use of adulterated agrochemicals, fertilizers, and substandard seeds in their farms.

The experts gave the warning while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Bauchi.

An Agronomist and former General Manager of the Bauchi Agricultural Development Project, Dr Iliyasu Gital explained that the use of adulterated agrochemicals, fertilisers, seeds, seedlings and other substandard inputs contribute to low yield in farms.

“Therefore, farmers should be wary of what types of farm inputs and seeds they buy and apply on their farms,” he advised.

Gital stressed that, “Substandard agrochemicals, including fertilisers, herbicides and insecticides, have damaging effects on the quality, quantity and profitability of farm products.

“Adulterated inputs affect plant size and root formation by causing poor quality outputs,” he added.

The expert noted that adulterated seeds and seedlings were not genetically pure, and thus urged farmers to always consult before buying inputs.

The State Chairman, Agro Chemical Dealers, Alhaji Mohammed Sani, lamented over the sales and use of substandard goods, leading to waste of resources and valuable time and failure.

He thus urged farmers to have access to certified seeds and chemical inputs, rather than use what was available in the open market.

“Farmers should better seek advice on seeds and agro-chemical inputs when anyone embarks on agriculture as a business,” Sani remarked.

He also urged the government to curb the menace and proliferation of fake manufacturers, agro-dealers selling adulterated fertilisers and agrochemicals to farmers.

additional voluntary cut of one million barrels of oil per day as part of a deal struck by OPEC+ after hours of tense haggling, Bloomberg reported.

Saudi Energy Minister, Abdulaziz bin Salman, unveiled the reduction in a statement, once again managing to pull off a surprise. The Saudi move is the most meaningful part of the deal, which also includes an agreement to extend voluntary cuts through 2024.

Nigeria and other OPEC and non-OPEC members met at the 35th Joint Ministerial Monitoring

Committee Meeting of OPEC held in Vienna, Austria, on Sunday.

Also, Nigeria, Congo and Angola have agreed that the highest production volumes of the last six months from November 2022 to April 2023 should be used as the basis for the determination of their 2024 production quota.

The Nigerian head of delegation to the meeting reportedly said in a statement that OPEC had also agreed to allow these countries to continue to produce maximally to their OPEC quota of 2023, according to Persecondnews.

Nigeria’s highest crude oil production of 1.38 million barrels per day was achieved in February 2023. But by the latest development, Nigeria can ramp up its production up to its current OPEC quota of 1.74 million barrels per day and subsequently be capped at 10 per cent less as its quota for 2024, subject to verification by independent secondary sources.

The statement said the Nigerian delegation was confident that the ongoing security intervention under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu would

enable the restoration of country’s production to 1.58 million barrels per day and would be complimented by condensate of about 400,000 barrels per day.

“This will ultimately enable Nigeria’s crude oil and condensate production of about two million barrels per day in 2024,” the statement added.

Crude Oil prices were already trading up ahead of the meeting, but increased on Friday afternoon, bringing Brent crude to $76.32 at 4:20pm, a $2.06 per barrel increase on the day.

Oshiomhole speaks on hardship caused by petrol subsidy removal

From Abubakar Yunusa, Abuja

Adams Oshiomhole, former governor of Edo, says the federal government has a plan to cushion the effect of petrol subsidy removal on Nigerians.

On Sunday, a federal government delegation which included Oshiomhole, held a meeting with representatives of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) at the presidential villa, in Abuja.

Festus Osifo, TUC president, who spoke after the meeting, confirmed that a list of demands

had been submitted to the federal government, adding that the union will continue with the dialogue on Tuesday.

Dele Alake, spokesperson for the government’s delegation, said the demands of the union to cushion the effect of subsidy removal, include an increase in the minimum wage and tax holidays for certain categories of people.

On his part, Oshiomole, who spoke in an interview after the meeting, said: “This president recognises that the effect of the withdrawal is already here, people

are already going through some level of discomfort and therefore there has to be an immediate solution to it”.

“Now that immediate solution is what we discussed and the fact that we are meeting on Tuesday again shows that clearly, we realise that this is not one of those things you want to buy time because it has a real negative impact, on particularly, the most vulnerable group.

“But we have a solution to it because you are going to make savings, so take from that savings

or even if it is borrowing. So, whatever it is, you can leverage some revenue and improve wages to cushion the cost of living. I think it is legitimate, I think it is doable, it is not something that you want to spend two to three months negotiating.

“Because those savings will go into the federation account which will be distributed among the three tiers of government and so every tier of government will have more money and should be able to meet the consequential wage increase,” he added.

R-L. The Niche MD. Ikechukwu Amaechi, Executive commissioner Legal and Enforcement Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Reginald Karawusa, Sun MD, Onuoha ukeh, Thisday MD, Eniola Bello, Director General SEC, Lamido Yuguda, Guardian MD Martins Oloja, New Telegraph MD, Aminu Ayodele, and Executive Commissioner Operations SEC,,Dayo Obisan during a meeting with top Media Executives in Lagos at the weekend

UN appoints Nigerians among leaders to fight malnutrition

By Abubakar Yunusa,Abuja

The United Nations (UN) has appointed Akinwunmi Adesina, Mansur Muhtar and Ndidi Nwuneli, among global leaders to spearhead the fight against malnutrition.

Adesina is a former minister of agriculture in Nigeria and president of the African Development Bank; Muhtar is vice president of Islamic Development Bank and Nwuneli is executive chair, Sahel Consulting Agriculture & Nutrition.

The trio are among 22 global leaders appointed under the scaling up nutrition (SUN) movement, and would work towards improving global food security.

According to the UN, some three billion people – almost half of all humanity – cannot afford a healthy diet, while two-thirds of children lack the diverse diets they need to thrive.

António Guterres, UN secretary general, said the appointment of the leaders was timely as malnutrition is fast becoming a global crisis.

“I believe that the approach of the SUN movement to tackle malnutrition through a country-owned multisectoral and multistakeholder approach is more crucial than ever before,” he said.

“These global leaders are championing country-led efforts to scale up nutrition and to deliver for girls, boys and their families a world free from malnutrition by 2030.”

The SUN movement is dedicated to nutrition action and collaboration, including helping countries to implement policies towards a systemic approach that provides access to a healthy diet.

Members of the movement include representatives from 65 countries, four Indian states, over 4,000 civil society organisations and 1,400 businesses (including small and medium enterprises), 16 UN agencies, international finance institutions, donor governments, and philanthropies funding nutrition.

IATA: Airlines’ unrepatriated funds hit $2.27bn in April 2023 – up by 47%

By Abubakar Yunusa, Abuja

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says airlines’ funds blocked from repatriation globally have increased to $2.27 billion in April 2023.

The figure increased by 47 percent from $1.55 billion in April last year.

Disclosing this in a statement on Sunday, IATA warned that rapidly rising levels of blocked funds are a

threat to airline connectivity in the affected markets.

The air transport association said five countries — Nigeria, Bangladesh, Algeria, Pakistan, Lebanon — account for 68 percent of the total blocked funds worldwide.

A breakdown of the funds in some regions shows that a total of $812.2 million is withheld in Nigeria, while $214.1 million is trapped in Bangladesh.

According to IATA, the

authorities of Algeria, Pakistan, and Lebanon are blocking the repatriation of $196.3 million, $188.2 million, and $141.2 million, respectively.

Willie Walsh, IATA’s directorgeneral, called on governments to find lasting solutions to the situation to ensure aviation companies sustain connectivity.

“Airlines cannot continue to offer services in markets where they are unable to repatriate the revenues arising from their

commercial activities in those markets. Governments need to work with industry to resolve this situation so airlines can continue to provide the connectivity that is vital to driving economic activity and job creation,” Walsh said.

IATA also urged governments to abide by international agreements and treaty obligations to enable airlines to repatriate the funds arising from the sale of tickets, cargo space, and other activities.

NNPC terminating crude oil swap contracts, says Kyari

By Abubakar Yunusa, Abuja

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited says it has commenced the termination of crude oil swap contracts and will pay cash for petrol imports, Reuters is reporting.

Mele Kyari, NNPC’s group chief executive officer (GCEO), said private companies could begin importing petrol in June.

He said the national oil company will now pay for its purchases in cash by terminating the crude swap contracts, adding that less petrol will be imported by NNPC while private companies will import the bulk.

“In the last four months, we practically terminated all direct sale direct purchase (DSDP)

contracts. And we now have an arm’s-length process where we can pay cash for the imports,” Kyari told Reuters on Saturday.

The DSDP is an agreement that allows sales of crude oil to refiners, who will in turn supply NNPC with an equivalent worth of petroleum products.

On Thursday, the house of representatives asked the federal government to suspend all DSDP contracts sequel to the removal of the petrol subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

In the Reuters report, Kyari said this is the first time NNPC has said it is terminating crude swap contracts, emphasising that by importing less petrol as private companies import the bulk, NNPC would be able to pay for its

purchases in cash.

Speaking on the country’s production capacity, the NNPC boss said Nigeria’s total crude oil output was 1.56 million barrels per day (bpd) as of Friday.

Due to illegal refining and oil theft, the country has struggled to meet its Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quota of 1.742 million bpd.

Nigeria’s oil production fell below the one million mark in April 2023, as output tumbled to 998,602 bpd.

The figure was a 21.26 percent decline compared to March, when output was 1,268,202 bpd.

It was also the lowest volume of production in the last seven months.

On Monday, in his inaugural

speech, Tinubu said the petrol subsidy regime was over.

“On fuel subsidy, unfortunately, the budget before I assumed office is that no provision is there for fuel subsidy. So, fuel subsidy is gone,” the president had said.

Following Tinubu’s comments, huge queues resurfaced at filling stations in some parts of Nigeria — a situation the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) blamed on panic buying even as petrol prices also jumped.

On Friday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) issued a fiveday ultimatum to the federal government to revert to the old prices of petrol or face a nationwide protest.

Youth members of Faith Booster Ministry Int’l (FBMI) performing during the Ministry’s 11th anniversary and the 50th birthday of Presiding Pastor Sunday Agada, at the ministry’s auditorium in Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja on Sass

10th NASS: Court stops EFCC, ICPC, DSS from detaining ex-Gov. Yari

AFederal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, restrained the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC, from detaining Sen. Abdul’aziz Yari pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

Justice Donatus Okorowo, who gave the order in a ruling he delivered on an ex-parte motion moved by Michael Aondoaaa on Yari’s behalf, also stopped the Department of State Services, DSS, from detaining the senator-elect.

Justice Okorowo, hence, ordered the the respondents (EFCC, ICPC, DSS) to show cause

in the next adjourned date on why the prayers sought on the motion ex-parte should not be granted.

“The respondents are however restrained from detaining the applicant until the return date for the order to show cause,” he ruled.

The Justice consequently adjourned the matter until June 8 for the respondents to show cause.

There are reports that Yari, the former Zamfara governor, had through his team of lawyers which include Abdul Kohol but led by Mr Aondoaaa, filed the ex-parte motion marked: FHC/ ANJ/CS/785/23.

In the motion dated and filed on June 2, Yari sued the EFCC,

ICPC and DSS as 1st to 3rd defendants, respectively.

The former governor prayed the court for an order, restraining the respondents, their officials, whosoever and howsoever described from arresting and/or threatening to arrest and detain him in order to prevent him from participating at the Proclamation of the 10th Senate by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on June 13.

Yari, who gave 15 grounds on why the application should be granted, averred that he was desirous of contesting the position of the president of the Senate of the 10th National Assembly in accordance with the 1999 Constitution (as

amended), and pursuant to the Senate Standing Orders p2022 as (amended).

He said his aspiration to contest the position of President of the Senate had received overwhelming support from the general public and amongst distinguished senators-elect irrespective of party affiliations.

He said the support which the applicant has continued to garner across party lines has drawn consternation from some members of his political party, the APC who have allegedly resorted to using the respondents and their agents to harass and threaten to arrest and detain the applicant on trumped-up charges for the period leading

to the First Sitting of the Senate when nominations and election of presiding officers shall be constituted.

“The respondents and their agents have threatened to violate the applicant’s rights as enshrined in the constitution by unlawfully threatening to arrest and detain the applicant.

“The respondents and their agents are mandated to operate within the ambit of their establishment laws, and to respect the fundamental human rights of the Applicant as enshrined in the Constitution,” he said.

Yari said if the order was not given, his rights would have been breached by the respondents.

…As More Senators-elect rally in support

Contrary to speculations in some quarters, the Senate Presidency ambition of former Zamfara State Governor, Sen. Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, received a boost on Sunday as he was pleasantly received by former President Muhammadu Buhari in his (Buhari’s) home in Daura, Katsina State.

This is coming as many more senators-elect from across the political parties have registered support for Sen. Yari, swelling towards a majority call for him as the next Senate President.

No fewer than 22 Senatorselect from various political parties and spreading across the six geo-political zones accompanied Sen. Yari to Daura to pay a

congratulatory visit to the former President on his successful end of tenure.

Sources at the meeting, including an APC leader, hinted that Sen. Yari was well received by a very jovial former President Buhari and that at no point did he make any comment in disapproval of his guests in any manner.

Yari and his team, who told the former President they were in Daura to congratulate the former President and pray for his healthy life out of office, also assured him that they were working towards a cordial legislative/executive relationship under the new administration adding that they were not in confrontation with

the executive but committed to strengthening the legislative arm of government.

“Senator Yari came with over 20 Senators-elect to visit President Buhari, to congratulate him for his successful tenure in office and pray for his good health.

“That gesture by Senator Yari demonstrates humility, reverence and love towards the former President, it shows his respect for elders and that is a mark of true statesmanship and leadership.

“The team were well-received by a very jovial former President Buhari. The meeting was very lively and the team assured the former President that they were not in confrontation but

committed to strengthening the legislative arm of government.

“At no point did President Buhari make any comment in disapproval of his guests. Recall that during his tenure as President, he allowed for the independence of the legislative arm and such legacy must be sustained in the current dispensation. That is the essence of democracy” the source said.

He also noted that the former President thanked the group for the visit and urged them to work with the Executive for the good of all Nigerians. He also joked that they should tell Nigerians that he is in good health.

Meanwhile more senatorselect have continued to rally

Senate Presidency Race: Buhari Receives Yari in Daura Again, FG, NLC meet over fuel subsidy crisis

By Egena Sunday Ode

For the second time in five days, the federal government delegation on Monday met with officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the recent removal of petrol subsidy.

Following the declaration by President Bola Tinubu at his inauguration that fuel subsidy was over, there was a spontaneous rise in the pump price of petrol, leading to public outcry.

The NLC and its sister union, Trade Union Congress (TUC) had last Wednesday met with the delegation of the Federal Government but the meeting ended in a deadlock as the

parties were unable to agree on a common ground.

The NLC after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting last Friday declared Wednesday, June 5 as commencement date of a nationwide strike by both public and private sector workers.

Both the NLC and the TUC are asking for a reversal of the current pump price of N550 to the N195 which was the price before May 29.

The newly appointed Secretary to Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume led the government felegation to Monday’s meeting while the NLC President, Joe Ajaero led the organised labour delegation.

The meeting is a continuation

of engagement by both parties on the best way to resolve the dispute arising from the subsidy removal.

While government is said to have agreed to a salary rise for workers to cushion the effect of subsidy removal, labour is said to be insisting on a holistic approach by putting all the necessary facilities in place to mitigate the harsh effects of the policy before removal will be implemented.

Recall that the NLC had on Sunday shunned a meeting called by the Federal Government for further discussions on the subsidy removal.

Monday’s meeting was still ongoing at the time of filing this report.

behind Senator Yari as the preferred candidate of the newly elected and returning legislators ahead of the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly on Tuesday, June 13, 2023.

Yari is reported to be commanding the support of most of the Senators-elect as well as the ranking legislators in the APC and across other Parties ahead of the proclamation on the opening of Parliament where the Senators-elect will exclusively elect a Senate President by simple majority.

Sen. Yari is in the contest for the Senate Presidency with former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Sen. Godswill Akpabio.

2023 World Environment Day: Adesola urges collective action to end plastic pollution

By Stanley Onyekwere

ThePermanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Mr. Olusade Adesola, has called for urgent collective strategic steps towards reducing plastic production, usage and ensuring proper disposal of used plastics, in order to effectively make impact and protect the planet.

Making this call yesterday, in his keynote address on the occasion of 2023 World Environment Day (WED), in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary also called for a shift towards a circular economy, which would involve reduction in production of single-use plastics, promoting sustainable alternatives and improving waste management in general.

Adesola, who was represented by Director, Office of the Permanent Secretary (OPS), Udo Samuel Atang, noted that the theme for this year’s WED, which is ‘Solutions to Plastic Pollution’ under the United Nations global campaign tagged #BeatPlasticPollution, is aimed at significantly reducing

and ultimately eliminating plastic pollution, both in terrestrial and aquatic environments.

He added that the campaign encourages each and every one of us to take action in reducing the use of plastics and ensuring proper disposal, as in all issues regarding the environment, and stakeholders are advised always to ‘Think globally and act locally’.

In his words:” Plastic pollution is choking our planet and we must nip it in the bud and it is time to change how we produce, use and dispose plastic waste. The plastic epidemic is more worrisome when we consider that 50% of plastic bottles and bags are single-use products, that is they are used just once and thrown away.

“According to the United Nations, about 400MT of plastic wastes are generated every year and it is estimated that by 2050, there will be more plastic waste in oceans than fish. This alarming projection brings to sharp relief the need to develop sustainable solutions to plastic waste management either by minimization or re-use by developing an economy around

plastic waste.

“In the FCT, we have continually encouraged waste segregation at source and we have ongoing pilot projects in Life Camp, Gwarinpa, Wuse 2 and other parts of the FCC. The Abuja Environmental Protection Board Blue Bin programme is designed to ensure proper waste disposal and waste sorting at source. Federal Ministries, NYSC, Hotels, plazas and many establishments are involved in this initiative”.

He continues: “We also have an on-going programme in the Abuja Environmental Protection Board supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA on ‘‘Promoting Sustainable Plastic Value Chains Through Circular Economy Practices’’. This AEPB/UNIDO/ JICA programme will address UN concerns.

“The Department of Engineering Services is developing a number of Solid Waste Transfer Stations at Mpape, Gudu and Kubwa. Once these projects are completed, we

will begin to implement waste segregation at an industrial scale and reduce ‘turn-around time’ for solid waste trucks and improve city cleaning in general and plastic waste management in particular.

“By taking steps towards reducing plastic production, usage and ensuring proper disposal of used plastics we can collectively make a big impact in protecting our planet and its natural resources and secure the environment for future generation”.

In his welcome remarks, AEPB Director, Osilama Braimah, said this year’s global theme reflects the urgent need to protect the environment from severe pollution.

According to him, “Plastics themselves are ignorantly not bad as they serve human purposes, but the issues we are having is how do we disposes of them.

“If you take a visit to our dumpsites today, you see huge tons of plastics staring back at you. They are not suitable to biodegradation, so they can be there for hundreds of years. That’s the problem we are having in the world”.

Also speaking, Stephen Agugua,

who represented the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Country Director, for Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia and the ECOWAS, Dr. Vanessa Phala, declared that ILO is eager to collaborate and partner with organisations for better management and solutions to stop plastic pollution.

He adds: “ILO calls for creation of more awareness on plastic pollution and partnerships to enhance effective solutions in tackling plastic pollution”.

Similarly, First Secretary, Co’te d’Ivoire Embassy in Nigeria, Agni Fabrice, who represented the country’s Ambassador to Nigeria, said more people should be involved in the fight against plastic pollution.

“Governments, companies and civil society must join forces to find and defend solutions, and the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of World Environment Day is an opportunity to launch an appeal to all sectors to join in this momentum”, he said.

Highpoint of the WED event was the symbolic tree planting/ exhibition and presentation of prizes to schools.

Abuja Metropolis: Gov’t to include bicycle lanes in arterial, district infrastructures

By Stanley Onyekwere

In furtherance of climate change mitigation, the FCT Administration has declared readiness to support the development of the bicycle lanes in the provision of the arterial and district infrastructures across the Federal Capital City, Abuja.

The FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, gave this assurance, while flagging-off the 2023 World Bicycle Day, with the theme: “Cycling - A Better Way To Enjoy

the City”.

Adesola said the FCT Administration will pay attention to the development of the Bicycle lanes already designed in the Abuja Master Plan as it will go a long way to sustain the campaign for climate change by reducing emissions.

He said cycling is a very enjoyable sport and residents will be encouraged to imbibe the culture of using this mode of transportation in the Federal Capital City.

“Cycling can be very intensive as a

competitive sport or even for pleasure that you ride to the right and to the left in a very pleasant manner.

“The benefit of cycling is enormous, because it can improve heartbeat, strengthen the limbs, because of the walkout involved. It is a form of exercise that needs to be promoted”, he said.

Adesola commended the Indian High Commission for its consistent support to Nigerians in organizing this very important event to mark World Bicycle Day as enshrined

in the United Nations declaration.

Also speaking at the event, the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Shri Balasubramanian, noted that the Indian High Commission has in the past five years been assisting to organise the World Bicycle Day, which is celebrated on June 3 every year.

The occasion was also attended by the representative of the Corps Marshall General of the Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC).

Director, Office of the Permanent Secretary (OPS), FCTA, Mr. Udo Samuel Atang, in a group photograph with some young Environment Ambassadors from Government Secondary School, Lugbe, Abuja, after presentation of prizes to them, during the commemoration of 2023 World Environment Day (WED), themed: ‘Solutions to Plastic Pollution’, yesterday in Abuja.

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Ex-Vice-President Mike Pence joins White House race

Former US Vice-President

Mike Pence has officially filed paperwork to join an increasingly crowded field of Republicans running for president.

Mr Pence, 63, is set to formally launch his campaign with a video, speech and townhall event in the early voting state of Iowa on Wednesday.

The move pits him against Donald Trump, the man he served in the White House for four years from 2017-21.

The former president is currently polling well ahead in the race.

Most opinion polls show Mr Pence in a distant third place, with support in the low single digits.

The former Indiana governor and congressman is expected to

position himself as a continuation of the Trump administration’s conservative agenda, without the baggage.

Mr Pence, who describes himself as “a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order”, was an unswervingly loyal deputy to Mr Trump through much of their four years in office.

But he has distanced himself from his old boss since the riot by Trump supporters at the US Capitol in January 2021.

Mr Trump pressured Mr Pence to overturn Joe Biden’s election victory when he presided over the certification of results in Congress and admonished him for lacking “courage” when he refused.

Some rioters were heard chanting “hang Mike Pence” as they

Apple Reality Pro: Apple unveils new augmented reality headset

stormed the halls of Congress, and many Trump loyalists view him as a traitor.

The former vice-president said in March that Mr Trump’s encouragement of the rioters had “endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol that day”.

What happens next?

•Candidates for the Republican nomination will hit the campaign trail and begin a series of TV debates in the coming months

•Elections in each state - called primary elections - begin next February

•The person with the most support will be crowned at the Republican Convention in summer 2024

•The winner of the nomination looks likely to face Democrat Joe

Biden in the general election in November 2024

Mr Pence has spent months laying the groundwork for his run and is banking on a strong performance in Iowa.

Religious conservatives are an influential voting bloc in the state and, in 2016, helped Texas Senator Ted Cruz narrowly defeat Mr Trump.

Mr Pence’s popularity with evangelical voters was seen as helping to boost his running mate to the White House.

But he will find himself competing for evangelical voters with other candidates in the race, including South Carolina Senator Tim Scott and former US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley.

The Democratic National Committee said Mr Pence’s entry would drag the Republican field “even further to the extremes”, dismissing him as Mr Trump’s “Maga wingman”. Maga stands for Make America Great Again, the Trump campaign slogan.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is widely viewed as Mr Trump’s chief rival, is currently polling a distant second in the race. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and incumbent North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum are also planning to enter the race this week.

There is growing concern that a crowded field will split the antiTrump vote and hand the party’s nomination to Mr Trump again.

Unlawful informationgathering “acted like a web” around the Duke of Sussex, a court has heard during his trial against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN).

Prince Harry’s barrister told London’s High Court no aspect of his youth was safe from press intrusion - citing stories about his relationship with Chelsy Davy appearing in the Mirror.

statement previously reported, the prince claimed Ms Davy decided that “a royal life was not for her” following repeated acts of harassment.

At the heart of the case are 207 newspaper stories published between 1991 and 2011 - some 67% of which written about Harry.

that witnesses should be available on the first day of their individual case in case there was time to give evidence.

Apple has unveiled a much-anticipated augmented reality headset, Apple Reality Pro, in its first major hardware launch for almost a decade.

Apple CEO Tim Cook said the new headset “seamlessly blends the real world and the virtual world”.

The tech firm also announced its latest iPhone operating system, as well as updates to MacBook Air.

The headset will offer both virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) experiences.

The announcement was made at a developer’s conference at Apple Park, the company’s headquarters, in Cupertino, California, which is also streamed live on its website and YouTube channel.

‘Ski goggles’

Apple Reality Pro presents a visual change from other similar headsets on the market - and is more reminiscent of a pair of ski goggles than an augmented-reality headset.

Apple used the phrase “augmented reality” to describe what the new device does.

Augmented reality, also known as mixed reality, superimposes virtual objects in the world around us - enabling us to mix reality with virtual reality by looking through a screen.

Mr Cook said the headset allows users to “see, hear and interact with digital content just like it’s in your physical space”.

It is controlled by using a combination of your hands, eyes and voice - such as tapping your fingers together to select, and flicking them to scroll.

The announcement comes a week

after Meta and Lenovo announced new iterations of their pre-existing virtual-reality headsets, that do not superimpose objects onto a view of the real world.

Meta has also invested heavily in mixed-reality - but right now the sector is struggling.

The headset market saw a 54% drop in global sales last year, according to the International Data Corporation.

Apple’s last major hardware announcement was for the Apple Watch device in 2015.

iOS 17

Aside from the Reality Pro announcement, Apple also unveiled iOS17, the latest version of its iPhone operating system.

Updates include “contact posters” - a picture or image of yourself that will appear on a person’s phone when you call them - and “live voicemail” - which provides a real-time transcription of an answerphone message being left to you.

This transcription will also apply to audio messages left using Apple Messages.

And Apple has introduced a system called Check-In - which will automatically tell a friend or family member when you’ve arrived home.

If your journey is substantially delayed, it has the power to tell others that you have not made it home safely yet.

The new operating system will be available in Autumn 2023

The duke is claiming MGN journalists used unlawful methods to gather information, including phone hacking.

MGN denies phone hacking in this case.

Making his opening speech for the duke, barrister David Sherborne, who is also representing three other people, said: “These methods acted like a web around the prince in the hope it would catch the valuable information that they sought through these unlawful means, some of which made it in stories.”

Among the articles complained about that are being considered by the judge are stories concerning the duke and his former girlfriend Chelsy Davy.

“The ups and downs and ins and outs of their relationship, the beginning, the break-ups and finally the split between them were all revealed and picked apart by the three Mirror Group titles,” Mr Sherborne continued, saying this was “clearly driven by unlawful activity”.

He told the court a story published by the People in April 2005 detailed the prince’s phone calls to her.

“It was as if they were never alone,” he added.

Mr Sherborne suggested the stories led to the couple’s circle of friends becoming “smaller and smaller” due to them suspecting friends of leaking to newspapers, but he accepted that there was little direct evidence of unlawful methods being used to get stories like this.

Eventually the couple’s relationship ended. In a witness

At the start of the High Court hearing last month, the publisher of the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and Sunday People admitted a private investigator had been instructed to unlawfully gather information relating to Harry’s conduct in a nightclub in February 2004.

This incident does not form part of the duke’s claim for breach of privacy.

David Sherborne told the court on Monday the suggestion that there was only one instance of unlawful information-gathering was “plainly implausible”, arguing it would have happened on “multiple occasions”.

He said “every facet” of the prince’s life had been splashed across the papers and it would have been “obvious” stories about his private life were driving sales for MGN.

But Andrew Green KC, representing MGN, said there was no evidence to support claims by the prince.

Summarising MGN’s defence, Mr Green said there was no data showing that Harry had been hacked, “still less on a habitual basis”.

Mr Green said none of the whistle-blowing journalists who have come forward admitting phone hacking said they had hacked the prince’s phone.

“There’s no evidence to support a finding that any mobile phone owned or used by the Duke of Sussex was hacked. Zilch, Zero, Nil, De Nada, Niente, Nothing,” he said.

Earlier, the judge in the case, Mr Justice Fancourt, said he was a “little surprised” to hear Prince Harry would not be attending court on Monday.

He had given an earlier direction

Mr Green, for MGN, accused the prince’s side of “wasting time”, saying it was “absolutely extraordinary we were told just last week that he is not available for day one of his own trial”.

Mr Sherborne said Prince Harry had flown in from Los Angeles after his daughter’s birthday, and added: “He is in a different category from the three other claimants due to his travel and security arrangements.”

The duke is likely to begin giving evidence on Tuesday, his lawyers said, making him the first senior royal in 130 years to testify in court.

Nearly half of the public section of the court emptied after confirmation he would not be appearing on Monday.

Alongside Prince Harry, Coronation Street actors Michael Turner - known professionally as Michael Le Vell - and Nikki Sanderson, as well as Fiona Wightman, the ex-wife of the comedian Paul Whitehouse, have also brought claims against the publisher.

The claimants argue senior executives must have known about unlawful information gathering behind these stories and failed to stop it, which MGN denies.

Prince Harry’s legal team argue MGN covered up and destroyed potential evidence of unlawful information gathering about Prince Harry but there remains enough of a trail for the court to follow.

They want the judge to take MGN’s existing admissions of hacking, look at the alleged gaps in the defence case - and then make inferences about how some stories about Prince Harry must surely have been unlawfully gathered.

The judge only has to rule for or against the duke on the balance of probabilities.

No-one who has admitted phone hacking has said Prince Harry was among the victims.

Prince Harry surrounded by ‘web of unlawful activity’, court hears

Israel returns body of Egyptian policeman who killed Israeli soldiers

Israel has returned to Egypt the body of an Egyptian policeman who shot dead three Israeli soldiers near the border between the two countries on Saturday. Media reports identified the policeman as Mohammed Salah, 22.

Egypt said after the incident that he crossed into Israel while chasing drug smugglers, leading to an exchange of fire with the Israeli soldiers.

But Israel’s prime minister said that it was a terrorist attack and demanded a thorough joint investigation.

A relative and a comrade of Salah told the BBC that he was not an extremist.

According to the Israeli military, two Israeli soldiersStaff Sgt Uri Iluz, 20, and Sgt Lia Ben-Nun, 19 - posted in a remote spot along the border were shot dead early on Saturday morning. Their bodies were discovered after a senior officer was unable to contact them by radio.

After a search operation, the attacker was encircled and there was a shootout. The third soldier - Staff Sgt Ohad Dahan, 20 - was killed along with the attacker, who the Israeli military said was an

Ghetto Kids lose out in Britain’s Got Talent final

Ugandan dance troupe Ghetto

Kids missed out on the top three slots at the last stage of Britain’s Got Talent competition on Sunday, thanking fans for their “unwavering support through out the competition”.

The group of six children are aged between six and 13, and came from impoverished backgrounds in Uganda’s capital Kampala before being taken in and cared for by their guardian-turned-manager Dauda Kavuma.

Ghetto Kids was among the 10 finalists in the competition – which was won by Viggo Venn, a 33-yearold comedian from Norway. The second place was taken by 13-yearold dancer Lilliana Clifton while magician Cillian O’Connor, 14, came third.

The Ugandan group already made history after becoming the first act to be given a “golden buzzer” by one of the judges before they had even finished their performance - which sent them straight to the semi-final.

They then received the most public votes, giving them a place at the final alongside nine other contestants.

It has added to the group’s already considerable fame - the Ghetto Kids already had millions of YouTube views under their belts before joining the UK talent show, and featured in a music video for US-Moroccan rap star French Montana in 2017.

Egyptian policeman.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a cabinet meeting on Sunday: “Israel relayed a clear message to the Egyptian government. We expect that the joint investigation will be exhaustive and thorough.”

“We will refresh procedures

and methods of operations and also the measures to reduce to a minimum the smuggling and to ensure tragic terrorist attacks like this do not happen again.”

Israeli media cited a preliminary investigation as saying the policeman entered Israel by using a closed emergency

gate in the border fence, which was a few hundred metres away from Staff Sgt Iluz and Sgt BenNun’s guard post.

After the policeman was killed, Israeli soldiers found that he was carrying six magazines for his rifle, as well as two combat knives and a Quran, they added.

Conflict may have cost Sudan $3.4bn - ex-minister

Former Sudanese Finance Minister Ibrahim Elbadawi estimates that the sevenweek conflict in his country has cost the economy at least $3.4bn (£2.7bn).

“This high-intensity violence… destroys supply chains. It destroys the economy of the capital,” he

told the BBC’s Focus on Africa programme. He fears things could get worse.

“This could spiral into a largescale violence. Civil war. That could splinter the country because unfortunately that is usually what happens in an ethnically divided society,” he said.

With Sudan’s army suspending participation in the Jeddah ceasefire talks, Mr Elbadawi is very concerned about his motherland that was once touted as a beacon of hope in the region.

“Sudan was held in very optimistic perspective back in 1953… Unfortunately, Sudan has

The reports also said Egyptian officials had told their Israeli counterparts in meetings that the attacker was a “rogue” officer who had acted on his own after becoming radicalised.

Egyptian authorities have not commented on the reports or confirmed the policeman’s identity, but a relative of Mohammed Salah and a member of his unit told BBC News Arabic on Monday that members of this family and friends were being detained for questioning by investigators.

The relative denied that Salah had been radicalised and suggested that he might have wanted to avenge the death of a comrade.

During a period of leave last month, Salah had expressed his anger about “the silence over the killing of one of his military friends by Israeli soldiers during his military service at the border”, they said. He had also complained about the military rejecting a request for a medical exemption, they added.

It is not known what alleged incident the relative was referring to.

turned out as a country defined by conflicts, failed development and dysfunctional governments. In Sudan, we failed to manage social diversity,” he said.

The former World Bank economist argues that once peace is restored, then the pursuit of justice should quickly follow.

Private sector key to economic resilience - Ivory Coast PM

As Africa reels from the Covid-19 pandemic and fallout from the RussiaUkraine war, Ivory Coast’s prime minister says the private sector is key to driving development in the continent.

Patrick Achi made his remarks at the opening of the Africa CEO

Forum in Abidjan - it’s the largest international meeting of the African private sector with some 2,000 business leaders, investors and policymakers.

This year it’s focusing on how to increase the number of African businesses with a turnover of $1bn (£800,000).

Since 2015 businesses this size have slowed in growth, according to the management consultancy McKinsey.

As it stands, the firm says Africa has 345 companies turning over $1bn or more, Europe has more than 2,700, and Asia has more than 3,000.

Speaking at the Africa CEO Forum, Ache Leke, a senior partner at McKinsey, said that Africa’s biggest companies play a significant role in increasing the continent’s resilience to economic shocks and increasing economic sovereignty.

Malawi must stop dumping refugees - Human Rights Watch

Acampaign group says Malawi has disregarded basic human rights by detaining and forcibly relocating refugees and asylum seekers across the country, in what it calls its “encampment” policy.

Malawi’s government has not responded to the claims of

abuses.

But Human Rights Watch (HRW) is calling on the government to reverse its actions , and bring back the 902 people who it says were last month rounded up and taken to Dzalek refugee camp 40km (25 miles) from the capital, Lilongwe.

During that process, HRW alleges that many people had their businesses forcibly closed and were held in prisons before being taken away. The rights body also says there are reports of child refugees being held in jail and other refugees suffering beatings and having their

property stolen.

“Not only are the authorities committing abuses during arrests and detaining children, summarily removing them from their homes amounts to unlawful forced evictions,” alleges HRW’s senior Africa researcher Idriss Ali Nassah.

Africa’s biggest economies experiencing the slowest growth - McKinsey

Anew report by the McKinsey economic consultancy has shown that Africa’s biggest economies, including South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria and Algeria, are experiencing the slowest growth on the continent.

“The growth in the past was driven by resources. We need to

pivot now to productivity growth,” said Acha Leke, a senior partner with McKinsey.

The report showed that the performance of these economies had slowed the overall growth on the continent.

“If you look at growth over 10 years, it has grown at 3.3%

which isn’t good when you look at population growth. But there is huge variation within Africa.”

The report added that the continent’s consistently growing economies have been driven by East Africa, Rwanda in particular. More recently, some countries in West Africa, such as Ivory Coast, have

experienced a surge in growth.

As a result, Mr Leke said that 50% of Africans lived in countries that had grown above the average.

He said that future growth will hinge on strengthening intraregional trade, helping Africa’s businesses increase in scale and skilling up the future workforce.

Sgt Lia Ben-Nun, one of the three Israeli soldiers killed, was buried in Rishon Lezion on Sunday

Ukraine war: ‘Offensive actions’ under way in east, Kyiv says

Ukrainian forces are “shifting to offensive actions” in some areas, the country’s Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar has said.

Ukrainian military sources told the BBC that a series of small scale armoured offensive operations are under way.

They did not say whether this was the start of Ukraine’s long awaited full scale counteroffensive.

Earlier, Russia’s defence ministry said it thwarted a major Ukrainian attack in Donetsk.

Ms Malyar described the eastern city of Bakhmut as the “epicentre of hostilities”, and claimed Russian forces were on the defence there as well as in the south.

The commander of Ukraine’s ground forces, Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, said troops were “moving forward” towards Bakhmut and had destroyed a Russian position near the city.

For months, the city has been at the heart of intense fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces.

The Russian paramilitary group Wagner had claimed to have captured the city. But in recent weeks, some analysts have suggested that Kyiv’s forces are attempting to encircle Bakhmut and trap Russian units.

A major Ukrainian counteroffensive has been long awaited but Kyiv has already said it would not give advance warning of its start.

However with Ukraine claiming to have made marginal gains elsewhere on the front line, there has been a notable increase in military activity.

The latest reports are therefore being seen as a fresh sign that the expected Ukrainian push may

have begun.

The Russian defence ministry said Ukraine had also launched the “large-scale offensive” in the Donetsk region on Sunday using six mechanised and two tank battalions.

It claimed the Ukrainians tried to break through Russian defences in what Kyiv saw as the most vulnerable part of the front line - but that it “did not achieve its tasks, it had no success”.

Video of what Russia said was the battle in Donetsk showed military vehicles under heavy fire in fields. Russia claims it killed 300 troops and destroyed 16 tanks.

However Moscow’s claims have not been independently verified.

And on Monday, Ukraine’s military said it had no information about a major attack in the region.

“We do not have such information and we do not

comment on any kind of fake,” a Ukrainian army spokesperson told Reuters.

If the footage of armoured vehicles coming under heavy fire is authentic, then it reflects the stiff resistance Ukrainian forces will face as they try to liberate more territory.

And if it is not what it seems, it is still an attempt by Moscow to take control of the narrative.

There has been a significant increase in Ukrainian messaging on when and how their counteroffensive could take shape.

Ukraine has been planning such a move for months. But it has wanted as much time as possible to train troops and to receive military equipment from Western allies. Officials in Kyiv have warned against public speculation over the offensive, saying it could help the enemy.

“Plans love silence. There will be no announcement of the start,” the defence ministry said in a video posted to Telegram on Sunday. Its footage featured masked and wellarmed troops holding their fingers against their lips.

It will take Ukraine time to achieve its goal of liberating territory taken by Russia as far back as nine years ago.

And Moscow has had time to prepare. It means if Ukraine is able to mount a counter-offensive, it is going to take a while.

Much is at stake because the government in Kyiv needs to show the people of Ukraine - and Western allies - that it can break through Russian lines, end the effective military deadlock and recapture some of its sovereign territory.

Elsewhere, fighters opposed to the government in Moscow say

they have captured some Russian soldiers in Belgorod, near the border with Ukraine.

The claim was made by the Liberty of Russia Legion (FRL), which described the announcement as a joint statement with the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK).

Both groups want to topple President Vladimir Putin. They oppose the full-scale invasion of Ukraine that he launched in February last year.

Belgorod’s top official, Vyacheslav Gladkov, replied to say he had agreed to meet the men’s captors if the soldiers were still alive. But the fighters later said that the governor “had not found the courage” to meet them and they would hand over their captives to Ukraine.

Russia has blamed Ukraine for recent attacks in its border territories, but Kyiv denies being directly involved.

Authorities in Belgorod said an energy plant was ablaze following a drone attack on Monday morning.

And in Russia’s Kaluga region - which borders the southern districts around Moscowgovernor Vladislav Shapsha said two drones fell onto a main road. Mr Shapsha said there had not been an explosion and the area was now cordoned off.

There has been no independent confirmation of either attack, but Moscow says the Belgorod region has been the regular target of drone attacks from Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelesnky met with UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly in Kyiv on Monday.

Mr Zelensky said the pair discussed expectations from the upcoming Nato summit in Vilnius in July and Ukraine’s peace proposals.

Ukraine war: Holy Trinity painting on display in Moscow

In Moscow, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour echoes to Orthodox chants and prayers. It’s packed with worshippers on one of the great feasts of Orthodoxy: Pentecost.

But many have come here to see a masterpiece that’s been put on display. A 600-year-old Orthodox icon - one of Russia’s most precious - believed to have been painted by the medieval artist Andrei Rublev. It’s known as The Holy Trinity.

For a century, this fragile painting has been in a state museum, Moscow’s Tretyakov Gallery. Temperature and humidity controls, along with teams of restorers, have helped to protect and preserve this work of art.

But the Kremlin recently ordered that the icon be transferred

to the Russian Orthodox Church. The head of the Church, Patriarch Kirill, is delighted.

“This icon returns to the Church at a time when our Fatherland is confronting massive enemy forces,” he told worshippers at the weekend. “It returns so that we can ask God to help our country and pray for our Orthodox president Vladimir Putin, whose decision it was to hand back the icon.”

The Patriarch may be pleased. But the icon’s transfer has sparked controversy.

One of Russia’s most renowned art historians agrees to meet to explain why. Lev Lifshits was part of a group of experts that advised against moving the icon from the Tretyakov Gallery, warning that the transfer could result in major damage.

A video released by the Ukrainian army claims to show a military vehicle near Bakhmut. The BBC has not verified the date of the image

The Holy Trinity painting is now on display at a cathedral in Moscow, despite its age and fragile state

Kashmir battles alarming drug addiction crisis

Ona rainy morning in May, dozens of young men queued outside a drug rehabilitation centre in Srinagar city in Indianadministered Kashmir.

Many of them were teens accompanied by their parents, waiting for their turn to receive medicines from the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), the only governmentrun drug rehabilitation centre in Kashmir. The medicines help reduce their withdrawal symptoms and prevent the transmission of infectious diseases.

“Did you take heroin again?” a doctor asks a young man after examining the size of his pupils.

“Yes, I couldn’t control myself,” he replies.

For decades, life in the Himalayan region of Kashmir has been racked by conflict and unrest. Nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan claim it in full but administer only parts of it, and have fought two wars over it. Since 1989, there has also been an insurgency against Indian rule in Kashmir, costing tens of thousands of lives. In 2019, India divided the former state of Jammu and Kashmir into two federally administered territories, flaring up tensions further.

Now the region is staring at a new crisis: officials say drug addiction is becoming a serious worry in Kashmir, devastating the lives of young people. They also say there is a sharp rise in the consumption of hard drugs such as heroin.

In March, a federal minister told parliament that nearly a million people in Jammu and Kashmir - around 8% of the region’s population - use drugs of some kind, including cannabis, opioids or sedatives. While there are no comparable figures from earlier, doctors say there is a surge in the number of patients.

“Until a decade ago, we used to see 10-15 cases of drug addiction per day at our hospital. Now we see 150-200 cases a day. This is alarming,” says Dr Yasir Rather, a psychiatrist and professor at IMHANS.

Experts attribute this to several factors, including a shortage of jobs and mental health issues arising from living in a conflict zone.

In press conferences, top police officials have highlighted the seizure of large quantities of banned substances, and said they have unearthed links to Pakistan. They allege that the money from drug smuggling is used to fund militancy in Kashmir - Pakistan has not officially responded to this allegation. But some drug dealers told this reporter that they also get supplies from other Indian states

including Punjab and capital Delhi.

Substance abuse is not a new problem in the region. “But earlier, people would take cannabis or other medicinal opioids and heroin was not in the picture,” Dr Yasir Rather says.

According to a survey conducted last year by the Jammu and Kashmir administration (there has been no elected government in the region since 2018), more than 52,000 people in Kashmir admitted to using heroin. The report says that on an average, a user spent around 88,000 rupees ($1,063.54; £860) a month to get the drug.

The numbers are likely to be higher as many people may not admit to their addiction or seek help due to the stigma around drugs.

Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, director of health services in Kashmir, said that the government understands the severity of the problem and has taken several initiatives to tackle it.

But experts say there is an urgent need for more rehabilitation centres where addicts can be admitted and receive consistent treatment.

While there are a few private institutions, there are only two public drug rehabilitation centres in Kashmir, and both are located in Srinagar - one is IMHANS and the other is operated by the police.

Dr Mushtaq Rather says that the government has also set up Addiction Treatment Facility Centres (ATFCs) in each district. But unlike drug rehabilitation centres, ATFCs don’t have admission facilities. They are small clinics with one doctor, a counsellor and a nurse to treat patients.

“These ATFC centres provide counselling, treatment and medicines to the patients for free,” says Dr Mushtaq Rather.

At IMHANS, the doctors are overwhelmed with patients who have come from all over Kashmir. While some drug users have voluntarily admitted themselves, others have been brought by their families. Most of the patients are men, though there are a few women as well.

“This is a sweet poison that will destroy you,” says Danish Nazir (name changed), 23, a patient who has been at IMHANS for three weeks.

Mr Nazir, a businessman, runs a shop in Srinagar and says he would use his income to buy some heroin almost every day. But he recently got engaged and when his fiancée found out, she encouraged him to get help. The couple have decided they will only get married after Mr Nazir recovers completely.

Another patient, a 15-year-old

boy who barely has a stubble on his face, says he started using drugs with his friends.

“They are easily available here,” he said.

Some social activists say that the government has the primary responsibility of breaking the chain of drug supply.

“The police and the administration need to act swiftly on any inputs or information received about drug dealers,” says Syed Shakeel Qalandar, an activist based in Kashmir.

Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, the divisional commissioner of Kashmir who supervises administrative issues, did not respond to a request for comment.

Vijay Kumar, the police chief of Kashmir, also did not respond to text messages. Police records show that more than 5,000 cases have been registered under the anti-narcotics law between 2019 and 2022. Officials have said they are conducting massive operations against drug dealers and the people who supply drugs to them. Apart from laws related to to the sale and use of narcotics, they are also using stringent laws such as the Public Safety Act - which allows police to detain people for at least a year

without a trial - to crack down on drugs.

“But tackling drug abuse is not only the job of the police. Society also needs to come forward,” a top police official told the BBC on condition of anonymity.

Apart from the serious physical and negative effects of drug abuse, there are other consequences too. Dr Yasir Rather says that users sometimes share syringes, increasing chances of contracting infections such as Hepatitis C.

There has also been an uptick in other crimes such as theft as people seek to get money to fund the addiction.

While the situation is serious, people like Mr Nazir are trying hard to get their life back on track. He says he is feeling better, and has words of hope for others.

“You may find it difficult initially but if you have the motivation, you can do it. Your family needs you,” he said.

Source: BBC

At IMHANS, the doctors are overwhelmed with patients who have come from all over Kashmir. While some drug users have voluntarily admitted themselves, others have been brought by their families.

IMHANS is the only government-run de-addiction centre in Kashmir

Dr Yasir Rather says that the number of drug addicts seeking treatment have risen sharply

Stigma often stops drug addicts from asking for help

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Ange Postecoglou: Tottenham expected to open talks with Celtic manager about vacant manager’s role

Tottenham are expected to open talks with Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou about becoming their new boss in the next few days.

The 57-year-old would not discuss his future after Saturday’s Scottish Cup final victory over Inverness.

That victory saw Postecoglou’s Celtic side complete a domestic treble.

Tottenham are refusing to comment on the situation, however, wellplaced sources have told BBC Sport Postecoglou is likely to join the London club.

It is anticipated Spurs officials will outline their plan for the future and explain to Postecoglou why they think he is the right man for the job.

The Premier League club are wary of being seen to be too optimistic given the speculation that grew around their interest in Feyenood’s Arne Slot, only for the Dutchman to decide he wanted

to stay with the Eredivisie champions.

But Spurs are also keen to avoid a repeat of the saga of 2021 when they spent weeks trying and failing to land a succession of targets to replace Jose Mourinho.

They eventually appointed former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo, who was promptly sacked after just 17 games in charge.

Postecoglou’s reputation growing

Postecoglou confounded early scepticism by winning five out of six domestic trophies during his two seasons at Celtic.

In the process, he has become a crowd favourite at the club.

The Greek-born former Australia boss would enter the Premier League with a burgeoning reputation and a recent CV that is laden with success on different continents.

Postecoglou has emulated Jock Stein, Martin O’Neill, Brendan Rodgers and Neil Lennon to secure a clean sweep of domestic honours for Celtic this term.

And despite his limited experience of coaching in European football he has won admirers for the style of football Celtic have played.

Postecoglou’s impressive rebuilding job at Parkhead saw him topple a Rangers side that finished 25 points clear in the 2020-21 season and win two league titles. It matched the two A-League championships he collected at Brisbane Roar before taking charge of the Socceroos in 2013.

A four-year tenure saw Postecoglou take the Australian national side to the 2014 World Cup, win the Asia Cup in 2015 and then steer them to Russia 2018 before resigning. The following year he led Japan’s Yokohama F Marinos to

their first J League title in 15 years.

His arrival in London would end chairman Daniel Levy’s very public and frustrating search for a new boss.

Antonio Conte left the club in March, while Cristian Stellini and Ryan Mason also took charge in a turbulent end to a campaign that saw Spurs miss out on European football next term.

Since Conte’s exit, a host of highprofile managers have been linked and then distanced themselves from the Tottenham job.

The Italian’s 16-month spell ended with Conte criticising his own players and the club’s culture after a 3-3 draw against bottom side Southampton.

Stellini, who had been named interim boss, then departed after a 6-1 thrashing at Newcastle as Spurs concluded the season by winning just three of their final 11 matches.

Source: bbc.com

Prior to Celtic, Ange Postecoglou’s only other experience of coaching in Europe was a nine-month spell at Panachaiki in the Greek third tier

When to propose to your partner

Dating can be a fun and exciting rollercoaster ride, but unfortunately, no one tells us how to thoughtfully and intentionally choose our significant other. There’s a lot of trial and error involved, but once you think you’ve found the right person you might start hearing wedding bells. But how soon is too soon to propose today? Some people think about this question in numbers by focusing on the length of dating before marriage statistics. Others say you need to ask specific questions before getting married, like what your partner’s political views are, while many tell you to simply go with your heart. To help get you through this dating conundrum, we’ve asked three trusted dating coaches for their top tips on how long you should date before marriage. Plus, we address what you should do if you’re not ready to propose and what to do if you rushed into getting engaged prematurely.

How long should you date before marriage?

This might not come as a shock, but there’s no exact timeline for when you should get engaged. You may hear some “love at first sight” couples say you can get engaged after a few days, while experts may say wait three to six months. But even though everyone has an opinion on the matter, from “You’re jumping in too quickly” to “It took him too long to propose,” there isn’t a magic formula.

“I want people to know that they have to ask the tough questions upfront in a relationship before they know if it’s right to be engaged to somebody.”

Think about the three-four rule when dating. This rule suggests people ask four important questions by the third date or within the first three months of the relationship.

Is there chemistry or a connection?:

“That might seem obvious, but sometimes when you really think about the connection, it isn’t as strong as you’d like it to be, or the chemistry isn’t quite there.”

Are you aligned on core values?:

“Whether it’s love, humor, family, honesty, integrity, kindness, journal your values. I always say a journal is your best friend.” Don’t know what your core values are? Nobile suggests taking this free quiz to determine them.

Is your partner emotionally mature and available?: “That means you should ask about their past relationships, ask about their part in the breakup, how they healed from it, and what they want to do differently in their current relationship.”

Is your partner ready, in the same way that you’re ready, to take the relationship to the next level?: “We have to talk about these things. Some people will say to me, ‘Oh, no, that’s too scary. What if asking that question freaks that person out?’ And my answer is, ‘Well, there’s your answer.’”

While keeping all that in mind, remember that only you and your partner know when you’re ready to take the next step. There’s no need to stick to an imaginary dating schedule.

What’s the average relationship length before getting engaged?

According to The Knot 2021 Engagement and Jewelry Study, the average relationship length before getting married is two (or more) years. This was true for roughly 70% of the couples surveyed, which means approximately 30% of couples got engaged in less than two years. Another internal study found the average engagement length for US couples was 16 months. These numbers can be helpful to know for curious minds, but don’t let them influence when you or your partner is ready for marriage. Take as much time as you need to get to know your significant other and feel ready for your (possible) future.

How to Know You’re Ready to Propose

coach, believes checking in with yourself and your partner is vital since there’s no one-size-fits-all dating timeline. “It’s important to know your partner and experience them in different situations and seasons of their life. The people I see have the most success commit to continuing to learn about themselves, their relationship and their partner. And they choose partners who do the same.” Read below to learn the six things that’ll let you know if you’re ready to propose.

You are on the same page about marriage.

Think about the last question in Nobile’s three-four rule, are you and your partner ready to go to the next level in the same way? This means you and your partner need to discuss what the next step of your relationship looks like. For you, it could be getting engaged, having a short engagement and marrying in the spring but your partner may have reservations about marriage. It’s best to have the marriage conversation earlier in the relationship rather than later when possible frustrations can arise.

You and your partner communicate well.

on their family history, culture and past partners. But you won’t know what those expectations are unless you speak to one another about them directly––Freeman says open communication is vital to any healthy relationship––which can lower the risk of misunderstandings. Discuss whether you want to have children, how you both deal with money and what you want for your future.

You are past the honeymoon phase.

If you want to prepare for engagement season or aren’t sure if you’re ready for it, you need to take the temperature of your relationship. Emily Freeman,

dating and attraction

If you’re wondering how soon is too soon to propose, take a moment to remember the importance of communication rather than focusing on a dating time frame. There’s no “normal” way to go about dating since every couple makes their relationship decisions differently. Some people’s relationship expectations are based

The honeymoon phase is a period during the early stages of a couple’s relationship that can last anywhere from a few days to two years––when the couple typically has highly passionate, carefree and euphoric attitudes. This hyper-romantic time is beautiful and innocent but might leave you or your partner not asking the essential questions needed to get to know one another deeper and be prepared to build a successful future together. Once you’re out of the honeymoon phase, you will likely face more conflicts, but this is natural and not something to fear or avoid. These conflicts will help you learn how you and your partner solve issues individually and together, which is extremely important. So step back and see if you’re still in the initial loveydovey phase of your relationship before you worry about the average dating time before marriage. Try to get to a point in your partnership where you and your partner tackle conflicts in a healthy way that works for both of you.

Source: theknot.com

With Samuel Alimi

Redundant use of words (1)

Today’s class is centered on some tautological expressions we erroneously use in our daily conversations. What exactly does tautology mean in English? According to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, it means “redundant use of words, a pleonasm, an unnecessary and tedious repetition.” Interestingly, I would take a real trip down memory lane to expose some of these repetitions and also note the corrections. Please, take your time to study these categories for thorough understanding.

PLANS OR FUTURE PLANS?

Parents love to ask their children about their ‘future plans’ to understand their level of seriousness for tomorrow. All serious entrepreneurs also prepare for the success of their businesses through their written ‘future plans’. Of course, every man must plan to avoid living life regrettably. Whoever fails to plan must be ready to face catastrophic outcomes.

Do you really know that it is tautology to say ‘future plans’? According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a plan is “a set of decisions about how to do something in the future.” Did you notice the word ‘future’ in its meaning? Incredible. Anything planned is for the future. Can you plan for yesterday?

Study the following examples.

Writing ten books is one of my future plans. (Wrong)

Writing ten books is one of my plans. (Correct)

One of my future plans is to travel to the United Kingdom. (Wrong)

One of my plans is to travel to the United Kingdom. (Correct)

BIRTHDAY OR BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY?

We love to celebrate our birthdays. Pleasurably, we throw memorable parties and exchange cash and other special gifts to express our level of relationship with one another. However, it is high time we learnt the correct option between ‘birthday’ and ‘birthday anniversary’. Using ‘birthday anniversary’ is wrong. Have you ever observed this error on invitation cards, banners and souvenirs? Collins Cobuild Advanced Learner’s Dictionary explains that ‘birthday is the anniversary of the date on which you were born.” Please, do not forget to note ‘anniversary’ in its meaning. Do you need to attach it to ‘birthday’ again?

In other words, writing or saying ‘birthday anniversary’ is unnecessary. Simply write or say ‘birthday’ or ‘birth anniversary’.

Read the following sentences.

I invited my best friend to my grandmother’s birthday anniversary. (Wrong)

I invited my best friend to my grandmother’s birth anniversary. (Correct)

Fatima celebrated her 25th birthday anniversary in the United States. (Wrong)

Fatima celebrated her 25th birthday in the United States. (Correct)

GIFT OR FREE GIFT?

Assignment

Choose the correct answer to each of the following questions.

1. The principal ordered his driver to --------. (a) reverse back (b) reverse (c) reversed

2. Segun’s boss congratulated him on his ________. (a) innovation (b) new innovation (c) innovated

3. The man just _________ from Abuja. (a) returned back (b) return (c) returned Kindly forward your answers to samueltolulopealimi@gmail.com or 07049203179.

Names of students that got the answers to the last questions correctly.

Yussuff Temitope, Alimi Racheal, Orishade Gbenga, Olive Alimi, Awoyemi Joseph, Ibrahim Bukola, Atanda Happiness, Rasheed Fatah, Oluwah Goodluck, Samuel Adisa, Ayobami Safiyyah, Otukoya Gabriel, Akindunjoye Micheal, Onademuren Pathfinder and Yusuf Gbemiro. Thanks for attempting the questions. I love you all.

What do you say when someone gives you a gift you never worked for?

You are likely to also call it a ‘free gift’. When I was a teen, my father once bought a nice shirt for me. Upon arrival at school, I announced the ‘free gift’ I had received from him to my colleagues. You are probably wondering what went wrong with the word ‘free’. A gift means “something freely given to another”. Therefore, it is a ‘gift’, not a ‘free gift’. Do you pay for gifts? During your next birthday, anybody may decide to present a nice wristwatch to you.

Examples

My friend presented a free gift to our teacher. (Wrong)

My friend presented a gift to our teacher. (Correct)

I was gifted a wristwatch free of charge. (Wrong)

I was gifted a wristwatch. (Correct)

REPEAT OR REPEAT AGAIN?

Repeat simply means “do or say again”. The word ‘again’ is already attached to its meaning. Several times, the attachments we use with the words are inbuilt. To avoid wordiness, write or say ‘repeat’.

Learn from the sentences below.

Her father ordered her to repeat what she said again. (Wrong)

Her father ordered her to repeat what she said. (Correct)

Please, do not repeat the mistake again. (Wrong)

Please, do not repeat the mistake. (Correct)

REFUND OR REFUND BACK?

Entrepreneurs hold meetings with bank managers to seek approval for loan applications. In response, banks also request their assets to find out whether

or not they have enough to refund their loans if they cannot repay. You may decide to borrow some money from your friends, and you also need to refund them to avoid losing your cordial relationship with them. I observe that some speakers and writers still use ‘refund back’. Do you know that anything refunded is back?

Study the following examples.

My friend refunded the money I lent him. (Correct)

My friend refunded the money I lent him back. (Wrong)

Please, do not forget to refund the money you borrowed. (Correct)

Please, do not forget to refund the money you borrowed back. (Wrong)

This column is highly recommended to improve your writing and speaking skills. Do not miss it every Saturday.

LATEST SPORTS LATEST

Zlatan Ibrahimovic retires: Swedish great ends football career at 41

A new governor’s 360 degrees about turn

ACMilan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic has retired from football at the age of 41, bringing to an end one of the modern era’s most glittering careers.

“I say goodbye to football but not to you,” the Swede told the San Siro crowd after Sunday’s last game of the season.

Ibrahimovic had already announced he would leave the Italian club.

He scored 511 goals for clubs including Paris St-Germain, Manchester United and both AC and Inter Milan, winning league titles in four countries.

Ibrahimovic began his second spell with AC Milan in early 2020, having won the Scudetto with them in 2011, and helped them win the title again last season.

But he played only four times and started one match for the Serie A side this term - and scored one goalfollowing a series of injuries, and his contract was set to expire this month.

“There are too many emotions for me right now. Forza Milan and goodbye,” an emotional Ibrahimovic said, holding back tears.

“The first time I came here you gave me happiness, the second time you gave me love.

“You welcomed me with open arms, you made me feel at home, I will be a Milanista for the rest of my life.”

Ibrahimovic won 34 trophiesincluding 14 league titles - in a career that began in the last century, and was nominated for the Ballon d’Or 11 times.

The one major club trophy that eluded him was the Champions League, with his only European title coming with Manchester United in the shape of the 2017 Europa League.

The striker also retires as Sweden’s all-time top scorer with 62 international goals in 122 matches.

He quit the national side after Euro 2016 but returned in 2021 for their unsuccessful World Cup qualifying campaign.

“I’ve been doing this all my life. Football made me a man. It allowed me to know people I otherwise would never have known. I’ve travelled the world thanks to football. It’s all thanks to football.”

Source: bbc.com

Basking in the euphoria of their esteemed position and authority new governors (by which I mean those that are assuming the position for the first time) set to work soon after taking their oaths of office. Their first acts can be likened to enthusiasm of youth, youthful exuberance. In football records are kept for the fastest goal. The record for the governor that set to work at the fastest time should go to brand new chief executive of Kano state, northern Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre), Alhaji Abba Yusuf a.k.a. Abba Gida Gida. I shall return to him shortly.

In Abia state, new governor, Alex Otti, announced cancellation of all forms of taxes, levies on motorcycle riders, tricycle riders, commercial motorists, market women, etc. It is a populist act for which the citizens have been singing his praises. Otti is a serial contestant like out gone president Muhammadu Buhari. While Buhari succeeded on his fourth attempt, Otti succeeded on his third try. He defeated the ruling PDP party in Abia, contesting on the platform of Labour party. He is LP’s sole governor in the country. Otti’s tax reprieve contrasts what obtains in Anambra state where the people are reportedly lamenting that Governor Charles Solude (now in his second year in office) is suffocating them with taxes. Whether Otti’s tax reprieve to his people is sustainable is debatable given that he needs funds to execute the many infrastructural projects he has promised them. One of the very first acts of the new governor in Enugu state, Peter Mbah, is to more or less decree through an Executive Order, end to the economically depressing ‘sit-at home’ practice on Mondays. Reports say there was substantial compliance as many shops, schools, markets and offices were opened yesterday.

As I said earlier the award for the new governor that acted the fastest should go to Abba

By VICTORIA NGOZI IKEANO

Yusuf also known as Abba Gida-Gida He is NNPP’s sole governor in the federation and also defeated the ruling party’s candidate at the polls where outgone governor, Abdullahi Ganduje was its leader in that state. Abba Gida-Gida is making a 360 degrees about turn, resurrecting erstwhile governor Kwanwanso (his benefactor’s) policies and projects which are said to have been buried by the out gone Ganduje-led administration. As soon as we was sworn in, Governor Yusuf ordered reopening of the Kano state Reformatory Institute established by his benefactor, Kwankwaso, to rehabilitate drug addicts. The Institute was the very first place he visited upon leaving the inauguration ground. He identified abuse of hard drugs as a principal factor propelling various street crimes, including phone snatching, said to be a menace in the state.

A few days later the new Kano governor personally accompanied security personnel in the dead of night to demolish a three storey building that had 90 shops. He promised to raze more structures that are built on public lands and to recover all ‘’government properties’’ allegedly sold off by the previous administration.

Kano state’s new governor is a protégée of Kwankwaso . Kwankwaso is seen as the emerging strongman of northern politics and currently, the undisputed champion of Kano politics, the most populous state in Nigeria. Governor Yusuf who was Kwankwaso’s personal assistant defeated outgone Umar Ganduje’s anointed

APC gubernatorial candidate who happened to be Ganduje’s deputy. Recall that Ganduje, the outgone governor was also Kwankwaso’s deputy for the period when he (Kwankwaso) was two term governor, viz, 2007 to 2015. Upon expiration of his eight-year tenure then Governor Kwankwanso handpicked then deputy governor Ganduje to succeed him and it so happened. It was the first time in Nigeria’s history, that a deputy governor was taking over from his boss as governor. In fact Ganduje is an erstwhile protégée of Kwankwaso. The latter had always literally taken Ganduje along with him to wherever he was called to serve; from the time when Kwankwaso was boss of a federal governmentowned steel company during the military era and he made Ganduje his special assistant to when he was elected governor and he chose same Ganduje as his deputy in 2007. They both had come a long way together. Their strong relationship cum bond was so strong like Siamese twins that experts vowed that nothing could separate them.

Alas, they were later to become sworn political enemies. Their enmity came to a head during Ganduje’s reelction bid as governor in 2019. By this time Kwankwoso had jumped off the boat in which two of them had been riding,(APC), to PDP, taking along with him his Kwankwasia movement and was no longer APC’s undisputed leader in Kano state. Ganduje and his supporters too had stopped wearing the red cap, the Kwankwasia symbol. Ganduje was pitched against Kwankwaso’s PDP candidate

in the 2019 governorship election. It was an epic but bitter battle. There were frequent clashes between supporters of the then incumbent Governor Ganduje and the Kwankwasia camp, before, during and after the election. The election itself was declared inconclusive in the first ballot and a rerun between both parties ordered. Ganduje managed to win at the second ballot. But as is typical of Nigerian politicians, he then embarked on what critics termed a vendetta against his perceived enemies and their supporters. Among them was reportedly, the 14th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II who was deposed by him in March, 2020 and initially banished to Nasarawa state. The governor thereafter split the emirate into three, installing separate Emirs for each of them; backing up his action with a new bill promulgated by the State House of Assembly and assented into law by him. Current Governor Abba Yusuf had hinted upon winning the March 11 election, that his administration would reinstate Emir Sanusi II (who was installed by Kwamkwaso) and disband the new emirates. Now comes a new sheriff in the ancient city of Kano that is seemingly embarking on another vendetta mission at the seeming behest of his godfather, Kwankwaso. Our politicians should learn to be magnanimous in victory and shun this politics of vendetta.