Tuesday, February 7th, 2023 Edition

•Threatens bank CEOs with arrest over sabotage

FCT

Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, (7th left) flanked by the Controller General, Nigeria Correctional Services Haliru Nababa (8th left) and Deputy

(operations) Sylvester Nwakuche 6th left) and senior officials of the NCS and the FCTA during the visit of he NCS management to the FCTA, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Elections: FRSC cautions motorists against reckless driving

Ahead of the 2023 general election, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has advised motorists in the country to obey all traffic rules and regulations throughout the electioneering period, to forestall accidents.

The Kuje Unit Commander of FRSC, Mr Eugene Nwabuike gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in

Kuje.

Nwabuike spoke on the sidelines of a sensitisation workshop with the drivers in the area.

He said that some of the drivers were still violating the established traffic laws by driving above the approved speed limit in spite of repeated warnings and cautions.

According to him, the unit has put in place more personnel

and operational vehicles to combat envisioned traffic gridlocks arising from political activities, ahead of the general election.

“I am appealing to motorists, particularly the campaign drivers in Kuje, to desist and have attitudinal change while driving throughout the campaign period.

“The drivers must be conscious while driving and

avoid reckless speeding, especially at crowded areas, to avoid any form of road accident.

“We will continue to enlighten the campaign drivers, because the lives of our people is more important to us.

“We, therefore, call on other major stakeholders to join hands with the FRSC to save lives especially throughout the campaign period,” he urged. (NAN)

APC Benue Governorship rerun: Fr. Alia says he is spurred by victory

From: Uche Nnorom, Makurdi A ll Progressives Congress,APC Governorship candidate for Benue State Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has said that he is further spurred, and his will power stiffened by his victory at the recent rerun primary.

It would be noted that Fr. Alia emerged winner in last week’s rerun Governorship primary which was ordered by the appellate court in Makurdi, Benue State capital.

In press statement signed by Director Communications, Alialization-Alia/Ode Campaign Organization ‘23

Kula Tersoo and made available to Peoples Daily on Sunday, the clergy man assured that he is well-prepared and ready to lead the way for the liberation of the people of the state who have been traumatized with hunger, illnesses, and destitution orchestrated by bad leadership that has deliberately denied

them access to their legitimate entitlements and basic needs of life.

Furthermore, he urged the electorates to dust their PVCs and get ready for the D-Day on 11th March 2023 to vote him to victory, promising that a vote for him will bring smiles on the faces of the masses of the state.

Kaduna Central Senator Organised Free Surgical Outreach for Hernia, Hydrocele and Lipoma

Shehu Abubakar, Maiduguri

Late morning fire on Monday, February 6, burnt down about 200 houses at the unofficial section of Muna IDPs camp at the outskirts of Maiduguri metropolis.

Eyewitnesses could not ascertain the cause of the fire. They, however, said it flared up by 11am and swept across all the thatched houses.

The population of the

IDPs affected cannot also be immediately ascertained, due to the fact that it is an unofficial camp.

“I lost everything comprising all my three rooms, wearing apparels, beds and beddings, and one sack of guinea corn,” Modu Maina, 70, who hails from Bale in Mafa Local Government Area, and has two wives and three children, told Peoples Daily.

He estimated the cost of his

property lost to the fire at over N100,000.

“My two rooms, beddings and all food items were all burnt down,” Gubo Lawan, 60, who has a wife and six children, said. He could not, however, estimate the cost of his losses.

“My three rooms, two sacks of maize and two grinding machines were all lost to the fire,” Modu Malam Aja, 65, who has one wife and eight children, told Peoples Daily.

Aja estimated the cost of his property lost to fire at N300,000, including the two grinding machines each of which, he said, cost N50,000.

The fire, according to eye witnesses, flared up at about 11am and lasted for about 15 minutes, with the aid of cold season wind.

Fire guts Maiduguri IDPs camp, destroys 200 houses Ikpeazu endorses violencefree election campaign

No SEMA or NEMA official would comment on the incident due to the fact that it is an unofficial camp.

Group says Atiku collaborating with Aso-Villa cabals to scuttle election

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Joint Front of Civil Society Organizations of Nigeria (JFCSON) has alleged that the presidential candidate of People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is collaborating with

some elements in the presidential villa to derail the nation’s democracy and scuttle election, for opposing the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s currency swap extension deadline by 10 days.

In a statement by Barnabas Bala Yock, the National President of JFCSON, said Atiku’s recent

remarks opposing the extension of the deadline for the swap, and PDP’s challenge to the All progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s patriotic intervention have confirmed that he and his party are part of the dangerous collaboration

to tamper with due democratic processes. According to Yock, JFCSON has followed Naira redesign developments since October when the Central Bank of Nigeria under its Governor, Godwin Emefiele announced a controversial policy of Naira notes redesign.

The Governor of Abia, Mr Okezie Ikpeazu, has endorsed the call for violence-free campaign across the six geopolitical zones of the country by JACCO Charity International (JCI), a NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO).

Jodie Frank, the founder of the NGO said this in a statement in Abuja on Monday.

She said the group visited the governor to seek his endorsement since the campaign would be kick starting in Abia.

The governor, however, said that the vote of every Nigerian should count during elections, adding that no vote is worth the blood of any Nigerian.

He commended the NGO for taking the initiative and choosing his state as the first point of call, adding that he would be ready to support the group to ensure a successful violence-free campaign.

The group, however, presented a T-shirt with the inscription “Your Vote Counts” to the governor.

On her part, Frank said the the reason for the campaign was to ensure that the youth who constitute the bulk of voters do not engage in violence before, during and after the election.

According to her, “we want to ensure that Nigerian votes count, we want a better Nigeria and our vote will be the bedrock for a better country.”

She urged political parties, their candidates and supporters to play by the rule and embrace the spirit of sportsmanship after the election.

She called on Nigerians not to toe the path of violence whatever the outcome of the election is, adding that Nigerians should embrace peace for the sake of unity. She urged political parties, their candidates and supporters to play by the rule and embrace the spirit of sportsmanship after the election.

She called on Nigerians not to toe the path of violence whatever the outcome of the election is, adding that Nigerians should embrace. (NAN)

Members of the Pro Nigeria Group (PNG) on a peaceful solidarity rally at the entrance of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in support of the CBN new Naira policy, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

AFederal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, discharged former Governor of Imo, Sen. Rochas Okorocha, of N2.9 billion fraud charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling, struck out the EFCC’s suit for being in contravention with Section 105 (3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, which gives the Honourable Attorney-General (HAGF) of the Federation the power to recall a case.

Justice Ekwo said that the directive of the AGF and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, in a letter dated Sept. 12, 2022, to the anti-graft agency to forward the case file as well as the EFCC’s comments on the issues for consideration and review was binding on the commission.

“All that the law required of the respondent (EFCC) was for the respondent when directed by the HAGF, pursuant to any enactment, is to comply and not act as if it is not under the law or is exempted thereby.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the office of the HAGF is founded on the provisions of the constitution and is thereby preserved.

“The controversies and drama surrounding this trial proceeding is needless and it is time to stop it,” he

Igbo community in Kaduna, endorse Uba Sani

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Igbo Community in Kaduna state has adopted the All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate Senator Uba Sani as their preferred choice.

The Legal Adviser of the Igbo Community Welfare Association (ICWA) in the state, Barrister Valentine Ewuzie disclosed this at a stakeholders’ meeting in Kaduna on Monday, saying after a careful assessment of all the candidates, the Igbo has confirmed and adopted Uba Sni as their candidate.

Ewuzie said given Uba Sani’s achievement as a Senator, he is the most competent and qualified amongst all candidates wanting to be governor of Kaduna State.

The official who described the lawmaker as a friend of the Igbos, thumbed up the APC flag bearer for saying the Igbos were the most organized people, adding that “being the most organized, we are going to employ it in making sure that you emerge as the next governor of this state.’’

He recalled that when Igbos were given quit notices from the north in 2017, Gov. Nasir El Rufai and Senator Uba Sani, who was the Political Adviser to Gov. El-Rufai, played pivotal roles in repudiating the pronouncement.

Alledged N2.9bn fraud: Court discharges Okorocha, others

said.

The judge further held that from the moment the HAGF gave the directive to the EFCC, the commission ceased to have the legal authority to prosecute or continue the prosecution of the case.

“In other words, the intervention of the HAGF in any criminal proceedings ends the authority of the prosecuting agency in the matter unless otherwise directed by the HAGF.

“In the end, I find that noncompliance by the respondent with the directive of the HAGF as stated in Exhibit Okorocha 7 is fatal to this proceeding and has rendered it a nullity.

“The respondent is not empowered by any law to continue with this proceeding after the HAGF issued the directive in Exhibit Okorocha 7.

“With Exhibit Okorocha 7, it is only the HAGF that can decide whether or not to charge the defendants upon the case file being remitted to his office as directed,” he

added.

Besides, Justice Ekwo agreed with the defendants that the earlier judgment of a court of coordinate jurisdiction sitting in Port Harcourt in suit number: FHC/PH/FHR/165, between Okorocha and EFCC, restraining the agency from further proceeding on the alleged offence had not been set aside.

According to him, the order is binding until it is set aside.

“The fact that a person refuses to comply with the law does not change the law, neither does the law change to accommodate the act of noncompliance by any person.

“What happens when a person elects not to comply with the law is that the law turns its back on the person.

“When that happens, every action or decision taken by such person in the process of non-compliance becomes illegal and the court will set aside such act of non-compliance ex debito justitiae.

“This is so because there is no machination that can be used to

salvage an illegal act,” he said.

The judge, who said that Okorocha’s and 5th defendant (Consolid Projects Consulting Ltd.)’s objections succeeded on merit, struck out the charge.

“I therefore make an order striking out the charge which found this proceeding. The consequence is that the defendants are discharged,” Ekwo declared.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the EFCC had said it received an intelligence report about criminal diversion, abuse of office and money laundering against Okorocha while running the affairs of Imo State government between 2011 and 2019.

The commission said that the intelligence was investigated and confirmed to be true.

The anti-corruption agency then filed a 17-count charge marked: FHC/ ABJ/CR/28/22 against Okorocha and others.

Okorocha, who is the 1st defendant, was arraigned alongside Anyim Nyerere Chinenye, Naphtali

International Limited, Perfect Finish Multi Projects Limited, Consolid Projects Consulting Limited, Pramif International Limited, and Legend World Concepts Limited as 2nd to 7th defendants, respectively.

He was alleged to have laundered fund to the tune of N2.9 billion while serving as governor of Imo.

But Justice Ekwo, on May 31, 2022, admitted Okorocha to bail in the sum of N500 million with one surety in like sum.

The judge also granted Okorocha’s co-defenndant, Chinenye, bail in the terms of the administrative bail earlier granted to him by the EFCC.

But Okorocha, who currently represents Imo West Senatorial District, had filed a preliminary objection, alongside the 5th defendant, praying for an order quashing the charge and/or all counts of the charge preferred against him.

The senator described the suit as being “unlawful, baseless, oppressive and a gross abuse of the process of the court.”

2023: Cyber attacks, greatest threat to general election -Expert

By Christiana Ekpa

The Executive Director OJA Development Consult, Jide Ojo has said that Cyber Attack is the Greatest threat to the 2023 General Election in Nigeria, even as he disclosed that the upcoming General Election worth N478.6bn, is the costiest in the history of the Country.

This was just as the director general of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman and Resident Representative of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Nigeria, Marija Peran said that there can’t be proper democracy without a proper Media.

The Stakeholders equally called on law enforcement officials to arrest and prosecute offenders of the Electoral Act,

The stakeholders disclosed these in Abuja on Monday at the opening ceremony of training workshop for the National Assembly press Corps

organised by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) in conjunction with NILDS and the National Assembly.

Ojo while Presenting his paper titled “2022 Electoral Act vs. 2010 Electoral Act: Highlighting the substantive and Noteworthy Provisions in the 2022 Electoral Act” said the Section 3 sub section 3: recommended that Funding for the election shall be released 1 year ahead, adding that INEC Spent N117 billion in Cyber Security alone

Also the NILDS DG in his opening said “I call on all security and enforcement agencies to closely study all the electoral offences in the Act and takes measures to arrest and prosecute offenders.

“The Electoral Act has robust provisions prohibiting campaigning or broadcasting based on religious, tribal, or sectional reason for the purpose of promoting or opposing

a particular political party or the election of a particular candidate (s.97). Section 91 prohibits campaigns or slogans that are tainted with abusive language that directly or indirectly injure religious, ethnic, tribal or sectiona| feelings.

“It also prescribes penalties for breaches. Yet, no politician or party has been charged despite abundant evidence of blatant contraventions of these provisions by people from all parties.

“Additionally, the Electoral Act has a few provisions on the use of state media but, unfortunately, nothing concrete to regulate private media organisations. Nonetheless, Section 120 (6) prohibits the dissemination of false results and prescribes a penalty of three years imprisonment”.

He decried the rise of negative campaigns by politicians and tasked the media to redirect the candidate

in their approach to electioneering campaigns. “The failure of the media to re-frame the conversation and re-direct politicians to issues that confront Nigeria has largely worsened the situation”, he alleged.

Conttinuing, he advised, “I challenge you, therefore, to reflect on your role as watchdogs of our democracy. As professionals, you have a duty to inform the public and provide them with the information they need to make Informed decisions about leadership and policy.

“However, the media is better placed to set the agenda for public discussion of critical issues, especially in the build-up to the elections”.

In a welcome remarks, the resident representative of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) in Nigeria, Marija Peran, said that it was critical to prepare the media for the task ahead.

Taraba State APC Federal Lawmakers and other SEC members, during a press conference dissociate from calls for the resignation and the purported removal of Hon. El-Sudi as APC State Chairman, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

•As NILDS DG, KONRAD says Proper Democracy depends on Proper Media •want prosecution of electoral act violators

Court stops CBN, Buhari from suspending, new currency redesign, cash limit policy

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

Justice Eneojo Eneche of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, has stopped President Mohammadu Buhari, the Central Bank of Nigeria, its governor and 27 commercial banks from suspending, stopping, extending or interfering with the currency redesign terminal date of February 10th or issue any directive contrary to the February 10 date.

In a Motion by five of the eighteen political parties, the court, presided over by Justice Enenche also granted an order directing the CEO’s of the banks and their alter egos to show cause why they should not be arrested and prosecuted for the economic and financial sabotage of the country by their illegal hoarding, withholding, not paying or disbursing the new N200 N500 and N1000 bank notes despite supply of such notes by the Central Bank.

The order also ties the hands of bank CEO’s and their staff who have been alleged to be hoarding the new bank notes and trading with them thereby causing untold hardship to ordinary citizens.

Following the order, a cross section of lawyers, Civil Society Organization and ethnic youth groups interviewed hailed the order saying it was best for the country and would afford the stakeholders opportunity to now concentrate on how to ameliorate the hardship occasioned by the policy.

Groups such as Arewa Consultative Youth Movement, Ohanaeze Youth Movement, Oduduwa Youth Assembly all hailed the order.

Arewa Youths said that looters of the common wealth of the people have lost out while Ohanaeze Youths insist that vote buyers and election riggers have been relegated just as Oduduwa Youth hold the view that kickbacks will be very difficult now, corruption greatly limited and chance for money laundering made slimmer.

Furthermore, a continental civil society organization, the African Centre for Justice and Human Rights says the order of the court is the first step in sanitizing the country’s financial market and help

in conducting very credible polls as politicians will find it extremely difficult if not impossible to have access to cash to compromise elections.

Reports also indicate that

members of the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu campaign were not pleased with the order as they had been hopeful that the campaign would have championed a successful action against the

policies as they had put the President under immense pressure in the last few days leading to the President asking Nigerians to grant him seven days to resolve the issues.

In the 27 grounds by the applicants they made out a case showing that politicians who ostensibly are in possession of illicit funds are the ones who want the policies suspended.

2023: We are fully ready, assures INEC

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has reassured that it is fully ready for the 2023 general election, assuring that every valid vote will count.

The Chairman, Board of Electoral Institute (BEI) of INEC, Prof Abdullahi Abdu Zuru gave the assurance on monday in Abuja at the training of party agents by the commission.

Prof Zuru equally reiterated that the will of the people will prevail in the forthcoming general elections.

The presidential and National Assembly elections are slated for February 25, while the governorship election (in 28 States) and States’ Houses of Assembly election will hold on March 11, this year.

The Chairman of the BEI restated

that INEC is committed to the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for voter verification, authentication and accreditation.

According to Prof Zuru, “The Commission is determined to ensure that every valid vote will count, the will of the people will prevail, and the 2023 General Election will be free, fair, credible, inclusive, transparent and verifiable.

“Therefore, be reassured that we are indeed very ready for the 2023 General Election”, he said.

Continuing, the Chairman of BEI added, “May I at this juncture, reiterate that the Commission is committed to the deployment of

the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for voter verification, authentication and accreditation.

“To ensure absolute transparency, the BVAS will also be used to upload accreditation data and election results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) in real-time on Election Day to enable all Nigerians and foreigners to follow the election as it happens.

“To this end, we just concluded nationwide Mock Accreditation Exercise on Saturday 4th February 2023 where we tested the field performance of the BVAS.

“The results of the test were very successful and response of Nigerians across the country very pleasing”, he stated

Prof Zuru restated that the last day for campaigns by Political Parties remains Thursday 23rd Feb., 2023 for Presidential/National Assembly and Thursday 9th March, 2023 for Governorship/State Houses of Assembly.

His words, “The Last day for campaigns by Political Parties: Thursday 23rd Feb., 2023 for Presidential/National Assembly & Thursday 9th March, 2023 for Governorship/State Houses of Assembly and Date of Election: Saturday, 25th Feb., 2023 for Presidential/National Assembly & Saturday 11th March, 2023 for Governorship/State Houses of Assembly”, he explained.

Ganduje blasts Emefiele, says CBN gov fighting back for losing presidency

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje

of Kano state has lambasted the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele over implementation of naira swap policy.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Abba Anwar, Ganduje said the new money policy, introduced by Emefiele is ill timed.

According to Ganduje, who made the scathing criticism during electioneering campaign rally, held in Tsanyawa Local Government on Sunday, Emefiele had untimely implemented the policy as “fighting

back strategy for failing to get presidential ticket under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).”

The Governor, according to the statement, emphasized that, “The CBN Governor is only doing this to cause confusion in the forthcoming elections for not just reason.

“He has not been in good mood for long, because he failed to secure Presidential ticket on the platform of our great party, the APC,” Ganduje was quoted as saying in the statement.

He insistied that Kano state government and APC in the state are totally against the action of the CBN Governor.

“Currency redesign is done across the

globe, but not in the way we are witnessing in our country. The timing is wrong, the deadline given is very wrong and deliberate,” he said.

Part of the measures taken by the governor to cushion the effects of the hardship caused by Naira swap development, he reveals that, “We will summon bank managers very soon to interrogate the shortage of new Naira notes in banks.

“They should come over and explain to us, why our people are still suffering over this issue of Naira Swap. And i will go to them individually to supervise what is happening and why,” the governor disclosed.

On palliative measures, Ganduje

reminded that, during COVID-19 pandemic state government distributed palliatives to citizenry across all the 44 local governments.

Disclosing that, “We have a plan in the pipeline to start distributing palliatives very soon across all the 44 local governments, to cushion the effect of the hardship caused by the CBN Governor, to our people.”

At the palaces of the District Heads of Kunchi and Tsanyawa local governments, he urged community leaders to create awareness within their jurisdiction to let people know that, “… hardship people facing is singlehandedly caused by the CBN Governor, to purposely cause confusion in our democratic process.”

L-R: Deputy resident representative Kourad Adenauer-Stiftung. Nigeria, Lukas Laible; National Assembly Chairman house of representatives press corps, Mrs. Grace Ike; Director General National institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS); Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman and Resident representative Kourad Adenauer-Stiftung. Nigeria, Marija Peran, during the opening ceremony of the 3 days training workshop for the Press Corps of the House of Representatives and Senate, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

•Says every valid vote will count

•Campaigns must end 48 hours to poll

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The Supreme Court of Nigeria, in a dissenting judgement, declared the Senate President, Almed Lawan as the authentic APC senatorial candidate for Yobe North in the forthcoming general elections.

By this judgement, the lead majority of three Justices against two, set aside the judgement of the Court of Appeal Abuja Division, which had on November 28, 2022, affirmed Bashir Sherrif Machina.

The lead majority judgement was delivered by Justice Centus Nweze.

The Apex Court in the majority judgment voided and set aside the judgments of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal which affirmed Bashir Sheriff Machina as the candidate having won the May 28, 2022.

The ground of voiding the two earlier judgments by the Supreme Courts new judgment was that Bashir Sheriff Machina adopted originating summons to invoke his case at the Federal High Court.

Justice Centus Chima Nweze who delivered the majority judgment of the Apex Court held that Bashir Sheriff Machina ought to commence his case at the Federal High Court with Writ

APC Yobe North: S/court dissent verdict declares Sen President Lawan winner

of summons in view of grievous allegations in his suit against the defendants.

Justice Nweze said that hostile issues were involved in the Machina’s matter that cannot be resolved through originating summons.

However, Justices Adamu Jauro and Emmanuel Akomaye Agim disagreed with the majority judgment and held that both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal were corrected in their findings and declaring Machina as APC’S Senatorial candidate for the Yobe North Senatorial District.

The two Justices held that Machina was lawfully nominated because the primary election of May 28, 2022 which produced him was lawfully conducted in line with the provisions of the law.

Justices Jauro and Agim insisted that APC conducted an unlawful primary election because the May 28 primary election was not cancelled before that of June t9, 2022 that purpotedly produced Lawan was illegal, unlawful and a

breach of section 285 of the 1999 Constitution.

Besides, they held that Lawan had in an undisputed letter to APC voluntarily withdrew his participation in the primary election for the Presidential election.

They contended that INEC was specific that it witnessed the May 28 primary election that produced Machina but did not witness that of June 9, 2022 because there was no notification from APC to that effect.

They therefore dismissed the appeal by the APC for being incompetent and unmeritorious.

Recall that Justice Monica Dongban-Mensen, who presided over a 3-man panel of the appellate court, gave the affirmation in an appeal by the APC (appellant) challenging the decision of Justice Fadimatu Aminu of the Federal High Court Damaturu, which had on September 28, 2022, declared Bashir Sherriff Machina as winner of the primary election organised by the party on May 28, 2022.

However, having lost the APC presidential primary to Bola Tinubu, the party opted for Senate President Ahmed Lawan to replace Machina. But Machina insisted that he would not withdraw for the Senate President.

However, the APC submitted the Senate President’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)as its senatorial candidate for Yobe North.

Miffed with the decision of the party, Machina approached the court to seek redress.

Specifically, Machina in his suit, asked the court to declare him as the validly elected senatorial candidate of the APC for Yobe North Senatorial District.

The lower court judge had nullified the parallel primary election that produced Lawan on June 9, 2022, insisting that the National Working Committee of the APC conducted a valid primary election on May 28, which was won by Bashir Sheriff Machina.

Consequently, it ordered the party to forward the name of Machina to INEC as the authentic winner of the primary election for Yobe North.

Purported removal of Taraba APC Chairman, failed civilian coup - Reps Caucus

By Christiana Ekpa

The Taraba State All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus in the House of Representatives on Monday, described the purported removal of chairman of the state chapter of the party, Hon. Ibrahim El-Sudi as a failed civilian coup, which cannot stand.

The Caucus led by Hon. Danjuma Sheddi, while briefing the news men at the National Assembly said “we by this press conference dissociate ourselves from calls for the resignation and the purported removal of Hon. El-Sudi as APC State Chairman through a press conference held on the 3rd day of February, 2023 by a skewed and self-serving section of the State Executive Committee (of APC) not properly constituted and without a quorum and consulting the State Caucus created by Article 12.9 of the APC Constitution”.

The caucus also fingered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state of being behind the crisis rocking, including sponsoring the removal of the APC chairman, stressing that Hon. El-Sudi was duly elected at a properly constituted State Congress with a four year mandate and has for the umpteenth time received vote of confidence and even recently from the party’s State Executive Committee.

He said “We jointly and severally wish to affirm our faithfulness to the APC constitution which clearly stipulates procedure for leadership election and removal. The Preamble of Article 21 of the APC Constitution is neither there for fancy nor is it cosmetic. Having not invoked and exhausted paragraphs A-C of Article 21 of the APC

Constitution, can those claimed to have removed Hon. El-Sudi by invoking Section 21, paragraph D (v) of the APC Constitution be said to have validly exercised such powers assuming but not conceding they were properly constituted. The answer to this question is certainly in the negative.

“As the ruling political party at the national level and governing majority of the States in Nigeria, the party cannot afford to appear like a huge joke by allowing some skewed and self-serving people to purport to have removed the party Chairman in a way and manner at variance with the party constitution. This charade can at best be described as a failed civilian coup sponsored by enemies of the party. Such travesty of law must not be allowed to fester.

“We do not see any justification in fact and none at least backed by law for the purported removal from office of our State Chairman, especially at this very critical stage of preparation for elections. Such calls and attempts in some quarters purportedly to have extraconstitutionally removed the State Chairman is a calculated attempt

to sabotage the party’s efforts at winning the 2023 general polls in the State at all levels.

“In the light of Article 21 of the APC Constitution, the way and manner Hon. ElSudi was purportedly removed is constitutionally flawed in SUBSTANCE and PROCEDURE. It is instructive and pertinent to note that our party has championed the sanctity of the APC Constitution (2022 as amended). We must therefore do everything to maintain this sanctity.

“We want the National Leadership of our party and world to know that the perpetrators of this unholy idea are in deep romance and in fact sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party state government in Taraba to destabilize the APC. We must point out clearly that any action by anyone or group that undermines the spirit of the party’s constitution at this crucial stage can only be likened to mutiny and considered as a deliberate attempt to sabotage the party’s efforts at winning in the coming general elections...”.

“We appeal to the leadership of our party at the national level

to immediately wade in and rein on everyone, and ensure every member of our party respects the Constitution of our party because we must respect our own rules, particularly constitution as a party in all our dealings.

“The concern of every party member and Hon. El-Sudi’s determination to protect the interest of our members against any form of anti-party activities and open attempt to undermine the leadership of the party is deeply appreciated. However, we must be guided by the ethos of the supremacy of the party and its constitution.

“Going forward, our focus should be directed mainly to encouraging our teeming members to rally round our candidates vying for the Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, Governorship and presidential positions and ensure that they win elections. This is more critical and essential than being bile and vile against party men and women.

“The Taraba APC caucus in the National Assembly and indeed other SEC members have confidence in the Hon. El-Sudi

leadership prowess so far and we pledge our unwavering support and unalloyed commitment to our Presidential Candidate, H.E Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate, H.E Sen. Kashim Shettima.

“We must reiterate the fact that our mission to redeem, rebuild and redirect Taraba on the path of shared prosperity is a task that must be done, to save our dear State from imminent total collapse which has been caused by the incumbent failed PDP leadership. Tarabans look up to the APC to redeem our dear state from the current rot.

“We must also caution that all efforts geared towards actualizing this must be centered on resolving our internal party issues within the Constitution and rules of the party. As a political party we have our Constitution, our rules and regulations which adequately stipulates the mode of operation of the party, its organs and powers. So, as members of the State Caucus of the party, we urge that no matter the level of disagreement, it should be resolved within our rules and not extra-constitutionally as witnessed in the actions of those who purported to have removed Hon. El-Sudi as the State Chairman of the party”, he said.

Gov Badaru appoints Hameem as new emir of Dutse

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

The Jigawa State Governor, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, has approved the appointment of Muhammad Hameem Nuhu Sanusi as the new Emir of

Dutse.

This was contained in a statement signed and issued to news men by the Jigawa state commissioner of special duties Alhaji Auwal D Sankara.

According to the

statement, the appointment followed the unanimous selection of Hameem by seven kingmakers among three contenders for the royal seat.

The selection was then approved by the Jigawa State Council of Chiefs and

subsequently, by the Governor himself, taking effect from February 5th, 2023.

His appointment followed the death of his father Dr Nuhu Muhammad Sunusi who died last week after brief illness at hospital in Abuja.

•As the Lawmakers dissociate themselves from the resignation of El-Sudi

Senator Lawan

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has warned motorists against loading fuel in vehicles, saying it could cause explosion.

The Ore Unit Commander of FRSC in Ondo, Mr Sikiru Alonge, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday at Ore.

Alonge said that some motorists had begun carrying

2023: Niger APC inaugurates guber campaign council

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

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

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

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

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

In his acceptance speech, the Director General of the council, Isah Sidi Rijau who accepted the mandate with appreciation assured to do their best in ensuring that the APC wins in the 2023 general elections at all levels.

Also, the Director of Media and Publicity, Mr Jonathan Tsado Vatsa in an interview said that the goal is to win elections, hence their strategies to victory would be in house.

FRSC cautions motorists against loading fuel in vehicles

fuel while travelling due to fuel scarcity, warning that it was hazardous.

“We all understand the ongoing fuel scarcity in the

country but that does not give us the right to throw safety and caution aside.

“Fuel can cause explosion when loaded in vehicles,

motorists should henceforth desists from this act which might result in loss of lives and property,” he said.

Alonge said that FRSC

personnel were set on the Ore-Benin Expressway to arrest erring drivers and impound their vehicles.

(NAN)

ACYF kicks over Atiku comments on Naira swaps

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has said the former Vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar stands alone in his call on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) not to

review the deadline.

The National President of the Forum Alhaji Yerima Shettima asserted this during a press conference held in Kaduna yesterday.

According to him, Atiku’s opinion is against prominent Nigerians who

made a passionate appeal for deadline review.

Alhaji Shettima added that Atiku’s call was out of place because it is coming on the heels of growing complaint about the kind of sabotage that is causing untold hardship to Nigerians

over this policy.

AYCF questioned what purpose will the current difficulties people are facing serve Atiku? Why would he rather identify with the need to let the difficulties faced by rural folks to continue and for how long?

Minister of State for Education, Rt

Niger Govt compensates pastoralists attack victims

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Niger State Government has disclosed that it will compensate pastoralists who have lost their livestock to cattle rustlers.

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger state disclosed this at the Fulani Cultural Festival organized by the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Fulani Socio-Cultural Association of Nigeria in Bida.

Represented by Secretary

to the State Government (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane explained that six pastoralists, two each from the three Senatorial Zones of the State who were victims of cattle rustling will be identified and compensated with ten cattle

each.

He stressed that the gesture is the willingness of Government in providing initiatives aimed at fostering peace as well as nurture harmonious relationship among the citizenry.

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Hon Goodluck Nanah Opiah (right) with other stakeholders, during the formal flag-off ceremony of UNESCO Supported Pilot School Sewing Championship 2022/2023 Project held recently at the Women Model Skills Centre, Government Secondary School, Wuse , Abuja . Photo: Justin Imo-owo

From Maryam Abeeb

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, has commenced the conduct of a National Employability Benchmarking Programme in Nigerian universities in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation, IFC, and other local partners.

Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc Sonny Echono, said the move is part of efforts to improve employability in the country and help steer higher education institutions towards better alignment with market needs.

Echono, who spoke at the National Employability Benchmarking Programme in Abuja on Monday, said IFC is utilizing its Vitae employability tool to provide a diagnostic macro snapshot of how well tertiary institutions in Nigeria are implementing employability best-practices.

According to him, they will also measure how tertiary institutions are establishing a baseline for employability, and potentially supporting the development of a strategic approach to sector intervention.

“IFC Vitae is a global firstof-a-kind, survey-based, diagnostic instrument which assesses, processes, structures and supports employability outcomes for higher education institutions.

“The program provides system and institutional-level insights that helps identify key intervention areas that will enhance the employability ecosystem and improve graduate employability outcomes,” he

TETFund commences employability benchmark for varsities

said.

The TETFund boss further noted that “One of the key roles of TETFund is to develop an enabling system for young graduates to be part of the active labour market soon after graduation.

“This diagnostic led by the IFC is the first phase of designing an intervention to improve graduate employability outcomes. The program will help improve where higher education institutions in the country are presently in relation to global best practices.”

“The first stage of the programme was to develop a snapshot of current employability practices, specifically to understand how the current regulatory policy framework may act as an enabler or barrier to success. The focus was to collect, validate and analyse the data of participating universities in Nigeria. This stage was coordinated by Cognity Advisory, a local development consultancy working on behalf of TETFund with IFC global employability experts.

“IFC Vitae has been deployed in different countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbeans, to hundreds of higher education institutions, helping them in developing a pathway for improving graduate outcomes and implementing institutional goals for graduate employability.

“The recent stakeholder

roundtable in Abuja brought together leadership from Nigerian higher education institutions and provided an opportunity to share early findings from the program, highlight policy and process gaps, and discuss sectorlevel and institutional opportunities for improvement of practices supporting graduate employability.”

Echono lamented that Nigeria being a developing country is beset with the challenge of unemployment, particularly youth employment which is at its highest level.

“The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has put Nigeria’s unemployment at 33.3%, while youth unemployment in the country is at 42.5% and youth under-employment is 21.0%.

“Besides, the 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index

recently released by the Bureau reveals that 133 million people in Nigeria are poor, living below the poverty line, which implies that 63% of persons living within Nigeria are multidimensionally poor,” he said.

The TETFund executive secretary added that aligning its intervention activities to meet changing needs, and strengthening the country’s “education delivery towards fostering an entrepreneurship culture are the best ways for unleashing the enormous youth potential, addressing unemployment as well as other societal problems, and growing the economy.”

The National Employability Benchmarking Programme is coordinated by TETFund with the support of the Federal Ministry of Education, and the National Universities Commission, NUC.

Expert calls on INEC to urgently upgrade BVAS

The Managing Director of New Horizons, Mr Tim Akano, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently upgrade the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) ahead of the forthcoming polls.

Akano, who heads the computer training firm, made the call on Saturday in Lagos at the celebration of the World Data Privacy Day organised by Data and Knowledge Information Privacy Protection Initiative (DKIPPI).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the celebrations is “Understanding Privacy and Online Risk in Digital World Today”.

He said that regardless of the performance of BVAS in the next three weeks, there was a need for an urgent upgrade against the background of the over-voting recorded in the recent Osun governorship election.

According to Akano, 2023 World Data Privacy Day celebration could not have come at a better time.

“This will be the first time in the history of elections in Nigeria that the country would rely on wholesale technology to choose its next president.

“Will BVAS lead to a breakthrough or a breakdown of Nigeria even though BVAS end -to-end encryption security offers more than a kilogramme of comfort and confidence?

“It is good and helpful nonetheless and it is in the best interest of INEC in particular and Nigeria in general to pay more than a casual attention to what we call Man -in-the -Middle attack or a replay attack which dark hackers can exploit to intercept, modify and retransmit the election data while in motion or transit,” he pointed out.

Akano said that more importantly, transmitting sensitive data using the GSM

technology which BVAS depended on was not as watertight as using the satellite technology.

He said that a reconfigured BVAS 2.0 would definitely be capable of identifying and automatically eliminating cases of over-voting from the source polling units using certain Artificial Intelligence technology.

He said that it would thereby save INEC from avoidable embarrassment of having to harmonise their data, as it happened in Osun with three results in one election.

According to him, time is no more for the implementation of this reconfiguration before the Feb. 23 presidential election but suffice to say that the technology to arrest over-voting by BVAS exists today.

“If the F-35 American fighter jet, the most sophisticated fighter jet in the world, can be hacked, BVAS is not absolute,” he said.

He, however, described data security privacy as a strong iron steel installed on the window to prevent theft which should be embraced by individuals and organisations.

In his address, the Convener, Mr Tokunbo Smith, expressed excitement because many government institutions, corporate bodies and professional bodies have joined in celebrating the World Data Privacy Day.

He said that DKIPPI had contributed and was still contributing to the development of Data Privacy and Protection in Nigeria.

Smith said that the desire of the initiative to create awareness on data privacy and educate the public on the importance of data privacy was already yielding positive results.

NAN reports that the highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to some individuals. (NAN)

From:

Femi Oyelola Kaduna

The director general, Kaduna Dr. Usman Saulawa, DG, Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA) said that the new Naira notes policy is responsible for the low turnout at the 2023 Kaduna International trade fair. The DG made this known in an interview with newsmen yesterday in Kaduna.

“The redesigned Naira has in no small measure affected this year’s trade fair; most especially those that wanted to come and construct their stands.

“To a very great extent the trade fair is being affected by the fuel scarcity which made it extremely difficult for both visitors and exhibitors to attend the fair.”

From Umar Dankano, Yola

Acommunity based civil society organizations in Adamawa state Lidimba Community Foundation, LCF, has commenced sensitisation of populace on political participation and democracy dividends in Adamawa state. LCF conducted an awareness session for critical stakeholders in the Mbula kingdom of Adamawa state with the theme “Building bridges across streams and rivers” at the weekend.

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

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

New Naira notes responsible for low turn out at Kaduna Trade FairKADCCIMA boss

2023: CSO charges electorates vote for credible candidates

2023:

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) seized 10.8kg of illicit drugs and arrested 88 offenders in Lagos State in January 2023.

Its spokesman in the Lagos State Command, Mr Musa Mallum, stated on Monday that those arrested included 80 males and eight females.

He added that drug joints raided and dismantled in the state in January were located at Alaba Rago, Lagos Island

NDLEA seizes 10.8kg illicit drugs in Lagos, arrests 88 offenders

and Agege areas. The Command secured 11 convictions against offenders who would spend between three years and five years

behind bars.

“Among assets forfeited by the offenders were a truck and N1.9 million,’’ he said.

Mallum quoted the NDLEA

Commander in Lagos State, Mr Umaru Adoro as saying that “the NDLEA will not spare drug offenders found culpable.’’

Adoro also warned drug peddlers to desist from the devilish business as it impacts negatively on youths and on the larger society. (NAN)

Stakeholder urges APC members to remain focused

The Director-General All Progressives Congress (APC) Support Groups, Dr Nasiru Ladan, has called on the members of the party to remain focused to ensure its victory at all levels in the forthcoming elections.

He spoke in Abuja at the inauguration of Alhaji Suleiman Isyaku as the Director of the Amalgamated APC Support Groups (AASG) for the NorthCentral Zone, on Sunday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Isyaku is also the Chairman of Tinubu/ Shettima Ordained Movement.

The event also witnessed the inauguration of North-Central zonal leadership and the unveiling of the national executives of AASG, which comprises major APC support groups.

Ladan said AASG was established to rally support for the party and its presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other candidates at all levels across Nigeria.

He further added: “Tinubu’s outstanding leadership qualities, personal attributes and antecedents as a former two-term governor of Lagos State were enough evidence that Nigerians would be safe under his watch.”

He described Tinubu and his running mate, Sen. Kashim Shettima, as ‘merchants of hope.’

“They are capable of redefining the meaning and concept of modern leadership in Nigeria. The duo would project their joint ticket as a transformation agenda.”

Speaking also, Isyaka said the group was in search of credible leadership which could only be found in Tinubu, saying he would consolidate on the gains of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

He added that as members of a united front, the common goal was to mobilise eligible voters at the ward and unit levels, as well as engage major stakeholders across states of the federation.

Isyaka expressed optimism that APC would win the forthcoming elections from top to bottom on Feb. 25 and March 11 , respectively.

The special guest of the event, Mrs Folasade Tinubu, the Iyaloja of Lagos State spoke on the need for the party members to be

united to ensure its victory at the polls.

She appreciated all the support groups for their immerse

contributions at the various stages of the Tinubu/Shettima campaign rallies across the country.

She said: “It is important to educate the electorate on how to vote so that their votes would be valid during the polls.” (NAN)

Let’s work to advance APC, Lawmaker urges supporters

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

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

He was responding to a

question on alleged activities targeted against the campaign of the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.

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

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

“It is not impossible for some people to be angry but one thing I will say is that I will depend

on what is on the surface, some people might be unhappy, it is not out of place.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad M. Abubakar cutting tape of Sinotruk product of Dangote Group of Companies during the opening ceremony of the 44th Kaduna International Trade Fair in Kaduna weekend. Photos: BASHIR BELLO

2023 Polls: Tinubu vanguard of women empowermentsays Minister

By Stanley Onyekwere

As political parties intensify efforts to woo the electorate in the forthcoming general elections, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has described the APC presidential candidate, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the vanguard of women empowerment above other candidates.

Aliyu affirmed that the support given to Sen. Oluremi Tinubu was an eloquent demonstration of Asiwaju’s commitment to giving political space to women.

Aliyu spoke at a “train the trainers” summit organised by the Nigerian women unite for Tinubu/ Shettima, in Abuja, according to a statement from S.A Media to FCT Minister of State.

The Minister, who acknowledged the roles of women in nation building, and the numerical strength of women, also emphasised that with unity of purpose, great candidates and a dynamic party machinery, the odds favour the ruling All Progressives Congress.

In her words; “Our presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is the vanguard of women empowerment above all other candidates. His support and encouragement to his wife says it all.

“We have every confidence that a Bola Tinubu Presidency is the best suited to advance the fortunes of women in this country.

‘He would ensure effective participation of women in commanding heights of the national economy, agriculture, manufacturing, hi-tech and commerce.

“He has done it in his family, he has done it in Lagos and will do it at the national level. Tinubu/Shettima will make Nigeria secure again. His liberality speaks for itself.

“He will give attention to the ordinary women in our communities through promotion of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

“He will implement innovative and impactful safety-net programmes. He is set to make women the drivers of our agricultural production”.

Also, wife of the APC presidential candidate, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, has vowed to restore better life for rural women if elected come February 25, 2023.

She further promised the restoration of the defunct family support programme, stressing that priority would be given to women and child health, curb maternal/ child mortality rates in Nigeria and enhance child nutrition amongst others.

Currency swap: We’ll reconvene before elections if.... Gbajabiamila

By Christiana Ekpa

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has said that the House would have no option but to reconvene before the February 25 elections if the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) failed to address the hardships Nigerians face due to the currency swap policy.

The speaker said the House would continue to monitor the CBN’s implementation of the policy closely following the Green Chamber’s meeting with the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, on the issue.

Speaking during a town hall meeting with some ethnic groups in Surulere, Lagos, on Sunday, Gbajabiamila said he was on the verge of signing an arrest warrant against Emefiele following his initial failure to appear before an ad hoc panel of the House.

“The House of Representatives intervened on several occasions. We summoned the CBN governor the first time and again, but he refused to answer, because we had many hard questions for him.

•says Tinubu stands with Nigerians

“It was until I issued the threat of warrant of arrest before he came, and I would’ve signed that warrant; it would’ve been the first time in the history of National Assembly that a CBN governor would be arrested. I would’ve done it.

“Many have argued on the independence of CBN, the autonomy of CBN. That does not make CBN above the law. The constitution gives the House the power to issue an arrest warrant against anyone, we can summon anybody, and that was exactly what the House was going to do until the CBN governor came.

“So, we are watching, and we are monitoring very closely. If need be, we will reconvene the House, even though we’ve all been away for our elections. I will call the House back, if need be.”

Gbajabiamila also said that amidst the ongoing hardship, the presidential candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has identified with Nigerians and faulted the implementation of the policy at this time, which

necessitated the extension of the deadline for the collection of the old currency.

“On the currency swap, let me explain something to you. We are all very intelligent people. Many are suffering, we have paid your salary, and you cannot withdraw it; people cannot eat, what kind of thing is that?

“But I have news for you. There’s one man who is running for president of this country, and that man has courage and audacity. This man came out boldly and identified the problem, that the fifth columnists, in cooperation with the PDP are the ones trying to sabotage this election.

“Many have said he’s talking about Buhari, but he told them ‘no, I’m not talking about Buhari; I’m talking about fifth columnists.’ If you don’t know the meaning of fifth columnists, go and check your dictionary. Fifth columnists infiltrate people, they even infiltrate families, otherwise how do you explain this type of policy?

“The president, being a compassionate person that he is, has asked for a few more days to look at everything that is going on and see if anything could change. We pray that things will change. If nothing changes, we will intervene again, but be sure of one thing: that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu stands with you and stands with Nigerians in their suffering.

“He was the first to shout that what is going on? He has cried, he has begged, he has screamed that people are suffering, what did the PDP candidate say? He said, ‘no, CBN don’t listen to them; you must not extend this thing; let people continue to suffer.’ That is what the PDP candidate said. He said it publicly.

“So, you have the tale of two presidential candidates: one who stands with the people and says this currency swap must stop; the second one says,’ no, it cannot stop, it’s a good policy. CBN, don’t listen to him. Let the people continue to suffer.’ I leave the rest to you to determine who is with you and who is against you.”

Ugboma: Temple of justice being desecrated by ministers’ blood – Lawyers

Some members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Monday expressed worry at the killing of their colleagues across the country.

They described it as desecration of the temple of justice.

The lawyers told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the killings had become too many.

NAN reports that the Chairman of a Customary Court in Oguta Local Government area of Imo, Mr Nnaemeka Ugboma, was on Feb. 3 reportedly shot dead by yet-to-be identified gunmen at the court’s premises.

Before Ugboma’s murder, several lawyers had been attacked and murdered in Imo and some other parts of the country.

NAN reports that on Dec. 25, 2022, a pregnant female lawyer, Mrs Omobolanle Raheem, was shot dead in Lagos State.

Raheem was allegedly murdered by a police officer in Ajah while she was returning from a Christmas outing with her family.

In November 2022, Steven Eke was killed by unidentified gunmen in the Federal Capital assassinated senior lawyer, in the presence of his wife and son.

The Chairman of NBA, Lagos Branch, Mr Ikechukwu Uwanna, told NAN that every citizen

possessed the right to life.

“The killing of lawyers across the country does not portend well for the NBA neither is it a good omen for the legal profession nor Nigeria.

“It is sad, dehumanising, barbaric and uncalled for, for any person to be killed anywhere in Nigeria.

“Attacks on lawyers are something we cannot leave like that, it is a situation we must oppose and condemn in its entirety.

“We need to oppose and condemn it clearly, whether it is in Ejemekuru where a chairman of a customary court was killed, or in Lagos where a lawyer was killed or in Sokoto where a lawyer was killed, or in Calabar where a judge was killed.

“We need to all stand up and condemn this; it is our humanity that is at stake.

“We need to stand up and defend our humanity and ensure that everyone is able to respect life which none of us is able to provide,” he said.

A former Chairman of NBA, Jos Branch, Mr Yakubu Bawa, told NAN that the trend portended a bad omen for the nation.

“It appears that lawyers have become an endangered specie,’’ he said.

According to him, the common man will be wondering what will be his lot if lawyers

who can fight for their rights can be attacked and killed.

“I think that this is the right time to adopt a radical approach to addressing this issue. It is not confrontational or illegal but an effective measure.

“There is, therefore, a need for the NBA president to convene a meeting where these issues will be discussed.

“As lawyers, we must also be vigilant in terms of security, and take care of ourselves. It is sad that we have become an endangered specie.

“We must all put our hands on deck to deal with this plague,” he said.

The Chairman of NBA, Ota Branch, Mr Wale Adegoke, also regretted murder of some lawyers in recent times, saying that it could weaken the judicial institution.

“Regretfully, the temple of justice is being desecrated by the blood of the priests/ministers.

“Consequently, by the show of brute force on her personnel, the judicial institution is being weakened.

“We cannot afford this gory state of affairs in the interest of nation building and our collective wellbeing,’’ he said.

He called on state governors to beef up security in all court facilities.

“All visitors to these facilities should be subjected to searches for enhanced security for

our judicial officers and legal practitioners,” he urged.

Adegoke also advocated collaboration and effective networking among security agencies in each state to upscale intelligence gathering on judicial facilities.

A constitutional lawyer, Mr Spurgeon Ataene, said that attacks on lawyers and judges had become a huge cause for concern.

“All over the world, we are held responsible for some malfeasance and misfeasance.

“It is ludicrous to see us, lawyers, bearing the brunt of society’s undoing.

“There was the belief in the ancient times that, in order to have a quiet society, you first have to do away with lawyers.

“As absurd as that saying is, some members of society actually see lawyers as their problems rather than those who resolve crisis.

“I, therefore, advocate establishment of lawyers and judicial officers’ safety corps.

“I am of the opinion that if established through legislation, every law firm and judicial officer or lawyer will operate under the radar of the sophisticated security system to ensure their safety,” he said

Ataene urged NBA branches to emphasise security and welfare of their members at all times. (NAN)

Godwin Emefiele: Softly, softly

By Sheriffdeen Tella

The second basic function of the CBN according to the Act that established it is that it should maintain external reserves to safeguard the international value of the legal tender currency. The official exchange rate of naira to a dollar in 2014 just after Emefiele took over the CBN was N165.15; while the black market rate was N190. If there is a government official that should remain humble, it is the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. If we are to divide the economy into two namely the real and the monetary sectors, the governor carries half. It is a favour from God and a responsibility that must be carried out with utmost dexterity and humility. The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, recognises the magnitude and the authority attached to the assignment but has yet to demonstrate the required humility for such position.

He feels the assignment has given him power over the country he is expected to serve. He is above the Nigerian institutions, constitution, and even the people. The National Assembly called him many times but he ignored it with flimsy excuses. The Nigerian citizens asked him to reconsider his stand on the deadline for currency swapping in view of the inadequacies surrounding the availability of the new currencies, he ignored them and instead was offering ATM cards for withdrawal of local currencies and foreign exchange. Does the public have accounts with the CBN?

Let us assess his execution of the monetary management of the Nigerian economy. The starting point is to present the traditional functions of the central bank and examine how he has performed. The traditional or basic functions are expected to be performed by any central bank in the world. The central bank is the only bank that can issue domestic currencies. It serves as an adviser and banker to the government just as it is the lender of last resort to other banks. The bank is the custodian of cash reserves and foreign currency or foreign exchange. It acts as the clearing house for interbank transactions among banks and the issuer of monetary policy.

It is within this general context that the four-core mandate of the CBN was formulated. In the Act establishing the bank, it is expected to issue legal tender currency in Nigeria; maintain external reserves to safeguard the international value of the legal tender currency; promote

a sound financial system in Nigeria; and, act as banker and provide economic and financial advice to the Federal Government.

The first primary and major goal of the CBN is to produce Nigeria’s money and distribute the same fairly across the country. It is not to produce Nigerian ATM cards. The distribution of the new currency is unfair. Most banks have been collecting old notes with no new currencies to replace them. I went to a bank’s ATM to withdraw money at the end of last week and also with the intention to snap the old currencies the bank has been dishing out before taking it from the ATM. Unfortunately, the machine has no money to dispense. And, that is common everywhere. A cashless economy does not mean no cash. The so-called cashless economies in advanced countries have millions of ATMs installed outside banks, in shopping malls, train stations, bus stations et cetera. What are the ATMs supposed to be dispensing and why were they installed if they are 100 per cent cashless? In those economies, ATMs work 24 hours a day and seven days a week. No internet problems and no electricity problems either. Forcing people to go cashless is a cover-up for inadequacy and inefficiency. To the extent that currencies are not easily available, the governor of the CBN has failed in the first function.

The second basic function of the CBN according to the Act that established it is that it should maintain external reserves to safeguard the international value of the legal tender currency. The official exchange rate of naira to a dollar in 2014 just after Emefiele took over the CBN was N165.15; while the black market rate was N190. What is the exchange rate today? The official rate is N440 and the black market rate hovers around N750. It can neither encourage foreign investment nor the repatriation of proceeds of exports.

It was under the leadership of the CBN Governor that, through a whistle-blower, large amounts of new foreign currencies were found in a flat in Ikoyi, Lagos. Who is legally responsible for the custody of foreign currencies? So, who should be queried for the Ikoyi foreign currency warehouse? During the intervention programmes of 2015, Emefiele was reported (never denied) to have distributed foreign currencies to some commercial banks for intervention in distressed businesses. There was no record of how the money was distributed or if it was returned. After some writeups by Late Henry Boyo and yours truly,

Buhari, you do not have 7 days!

By Victor Ikhatalor

President Buhari, you must take the conn! There is a raging tempest and you do not have the luxury of 7 days to chart a new course. Stir away from the storm now and let Nigerians have access to their money! It is the very least you can do.

I saw a video this morning (February 5th 2023), that jolted me. It was a moving video of a man, a naked man in a banking office in Nigeria. I have seen numerous videos of Nigerians distressed in these times, I could add mine too, but this man’s distress, compelled by forces outside of his power to strip himself of all human dignity was riveting and startling for I have seen it before.

It is of historical genre. It is the inadvertent, reactive act of an ordinary citizen’s resistance against oppression. It is of the kind, in it’s poignant, wretched appeal, that ignites a spark and moves other ordinary citizens. Empires, and yes government’s have been engulfed by such acts and across mother Nigeria by the minute, such acts are being replicated.

Nigerian kleptocratic misleaders, a subsisting plague on mother Nigeria, have left footprints of suffering in their wake, but none, no matter how rudderless, have ever bumbled into the uncharted waters of threatening the uniquely delicate balance of their self-preservative existential relationship with Nigerians.

Uniquely, the Nigerian, high or low, has over time, ignoring the fundamental societal social contract,

validating the very existence of government, taken upon himself/herself the mantle of government. It is suo motu for the Nigerian to be largely or wholly responsible for the personal and dependant provision of healthcare, education, electricity, water, shelter, local roads etc.

No class of ruling elite, constituting government, has at anytime in Nigeria’s chequered history, ever done anything to lift this unique mantle of the Nigerian’s shoulder. Indeed, they have thrived in decadent conspicuous consumption and glory in the unassuming nature of the Nigerian in this warped relationship.

So, unless this incumbent government has in “Houdini” fashion, overnight assumed government’s rightful roles in social contracts, and lifted over 133 million Nigerians out of multidimensional poverty, unless, wait! When trouble sleep. Yanga go wake am. Weting him dey find…(apologies to Fela Anikulapo Kuti). You get it!

We can suffer fuel scarcity without threatening government like in other places. We seem divinely gifted among nation’s in being able to suffer perennial ineptitude and thieving of our misleaders. The threshold of the Nigerian’s ability to suffer and smile is almost miraculously elastic. But, even in our darkest days, and we have had our fair share in this nation – we have never, ever faced the prospect of being unable to access and use our own money!

Shortage of the naira is exacerbating all other dire existential realities, fuel unavailability inclusive.

the House of Representatives set up a committee to look into the matter. Maybe a report will come out almost five years after.

The CBN governor turned himself into a commercial bank manager by going out to give money to farmers as intervention funds when the funds could have been channeled through the Bank of Agriculture that is equipped to perform such a function. He later complained that the farmers were not repaying the funds given to them. Yet, according to him, the farmers so liked him that they paid N100m for his botched presidential form! Have they not repaid the loans?

There was a display of massive branded campaign vehicles for the CBN Governor’s campaign when he was to contest the primary of the All Progressives Congress. Those vehicles were not produced in Nigeria and must have, therefore, been imported with hard-earned foreign exchange. The bank was more interested in funding foreign travels by government officials, and importing exotic drinks and food as well as encouraging round-tripping activities within the foreign exchange market than providing money for the importation of raw materials and spare parts for industries. Yet the governor would put the massive depreciation of the naira on one Aboki Bureau de Change or students going abroad to study. Given the exchange rate depreciation under his watch, it is clear that the governor has again failed in the second basic function of the central bank.

Has the CBN promoted a sound financial system? Instead of strengthening the financial system by encouraging them to be more innovative, the bank has been competing with commercial banks. As already alluded to, the CBN has been engaging in retail banking in the name of promoting CBN interventions. The introduction of ATM cards by the CBN for whatever transactions is an aberration; not innovation. Individuals do not bank directly with the CBN, so what do they need the CBN card for? Until recently, I have used my bank’s master card to collect foreign currencies whenever I travelled to other countries in Africa, Europe or elsewhere. So, why do I have to get a CBN card to do the same? I will have to transfer money to the card at a cost and withdraw at another cost. What a financial loss!

Sheriffdeen Tella is a Public Policy Analyst.

Nigerians are beginning to protest and it’s spreading everyday. Nigerians are besieging banks with naked displays of frustration assuming worrying dimensions. Lives and property are being lost!

There are looming dark clouds, portending stormy waters ahead and Nigeria must be steered away from any calamitous collision. For so long, absent a capable captain to chart the course, ship mates in ranking positions on the Nigerian ship have been left to run amok. In spite of their best efforts, the Nigerian ship, beleaguered, has somehow still been able to keep afloat. These ship mates, implacable and seemingly irredeemable continually seeking ways and means to inflict suffering on the people will see the Nigerian ship capsize come what may!

Banks and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) all over the country are empty no matter what the jejune economist running the Central Bank of Nigeria says. Godwin Emefiele, the man under whose watch Nigeria continues to reach new milestones in economic woes is a ship mate running amok.

President Buhari, you must take the conn! There is a raging tempest and you do not have the luxury of 7 days to chart a new course. Stir away from the storm now and let Nigerians have access to their money! It is the very least you can do.

Victor Ikhatalor is a Human Rights Defender and Good Governance Advocate and can be reached at kingjvic7@gmail.com

Pope Francis against ethnic rivalries, corruption in Africa

By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh

Still in West Africa on the Atlantic coast, Guinea said it would prosecute former president Alpha Conde, who was toppled in a military coup last September, for mismanagement, misuse of power and corruption, for murder and other crimes committed during his time in office. Conde will be among 27 former senior officials to face prosecution.

Pope Francis’ unprecedented message during his African tour early February relates sustainable peace and unity, economic development and citizenry welfare. The messages also touch on social questions especially how to forge an illuminating future devoid of ethnic rivalries, corruption and distrust that have fueled so many bloody conflicts in Africa. The 86-year-old pope brilliant words were recieved with resonating applause, especially crowds consisting the youth, down-trodden and marginalized citizens during his tour to Africa.

Pope Francis was urged conflict-ridden African countries to work towards peace and reconciliation. For decades, many African countries still bear the scars of civil war. The political differences and horrific atrocities have affected much-needed Africa’s unity. It has further contributed to weak institutions, slowed down development, and the under-development consequently provides grounds for new conflicts. Across Africa, most of the civil wars leave thousands of people dead, million displaced, and deeply impoverished.

The Pope underlined the fact that lands in the great African continent have suffered greatly from lengthy conflicts, and these conflicts were driven by greed for resources at the expense of innocent victims, and denounced “economic colonialism” in the continent. Pope Francis demanded that foreign powers stop plundering Africa’s natural resources, and the multinational extraction industries. He recalled how many people arrive in north Africa hoping to cross the Mediterranean into Europe, only to find themselves “taken to camps, and suffering there. Let us pray for all those people.”

Across Africa, during political campaigns, almost all the potential candidates eyeing for the presidential position make skyline promises and pledges to uproot corruption. Military also use corruption as one of the reasons for overthrowing constitutionally elected governments. The practical reality is that corruption has become part and particle of African political culture, and politicians are always getting involved in flagrant violations of constitutions.

Transparency International, a Berlin-based global NGO that focuses on reducing graft, these past years, has attempted researching and documenting reports on corruption. It says corruption, in practice, is worldwide. It ran a survey in sub-Saharan Africa in 2022 to attempt to measure the level of corruption.

The latest survey report says only a few countries, though, stood out as remarkably clean across Africa. Its report for 2022,

indicated that there is a seated corruption in the majority of African countries, except few countries such as Botswana, Seychelles and Cape Verde. The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) reveals that 124 countries have stagnant corruption levels, while the number of countries in decline is increasing. This has the most serious consequences, as global peace is deteriorating and corruption is both a key cause and result of this.

It also show that corruption and conflict feed each other and threaten durable peace. On one hand, conflict creates a breeding ground for corruption. Political instability, increased pressure on resources and weakened oversight bodies create opportunities for crimes, such as bribery and embezzlement. Unsurprisingly, most countries at the bottom of the CPI are currently experiencing armed conflict or have recently done so.

On the other hand, even in peaceful societies, corruption and impunity can spill over into violence by fuelling social grievances. And siphoning off resources needed by security agencies leaves countries unable to protect the public and uphold the rule of law. Consequently, countries with higher levels of corruption are more likely to also exhibit higher levels of organized crime and increased security threats.

Corruption is also a threat to global security, and countries with high CPI scores play a role in this. For decades, they have welcomed dirty money from abroad, allowing kleptocrats to increase their wealth, power and geopolitical ambitions. The catastrophic consequences of the advanced economies’ complicity in transnational corruption became painfully clear following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In this complex environment, fighting corruption, promoting transparency and strengthening institutions are critical to avoid further conflict and sustain peace.

“Leaders can fight corruption and promote peace all at once. Governments must open up space to include the public in decisionmaking – from activists and business owners to marginalized communities and young people. In democratic societies, the people can raise their voices to help root out corruption and demand a safer world for us all,” explained Daniel Eriksson, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Transparency International.

Under the presidency of Jacob Zuma, who ruled South Africa from 2009 to 2018, corruption was at its highest. Zuma participated in anti-apartheid struggle until South Africa finally attained its independence in 27 April 1994. He held various positions in ruling African National Congress (ANC) until he was elected president of South Africa. Before that, he was the deputy to President Thabo Mbeki, but was dismissed of corruption over arm deals. There were multiple graft scandals, that he was forced to step down in February 2018, and currently spends time in prison, and faces corruption allegations in court.

In January 2018, as elected president of the African National Congress, Cyril Ramaphosa has raised hopes that he will stamp out corruption. “Corruption must be fought with the same intensity

and purpose that we fight poverty, unemployment and inequality. We must also act fearlessly against alleged corruption and abuse of office within our ranks,” Ramaphosa declared in his maiden speech after his election. “We must investigate without fear or favor the so-called ‘accounting irregularities’ that caused turmoil in the markets and wiped billions off the investments of ordinary South Africans,” he added.

Last May 2021, the South African commission investigating corruption and graft, Ramaphosa acknowledged that the ruling ANC party did little to prevent corruption, including by his predecessor Jacob Zuma. “State capture and corruption have taken a great toll on our society and indeed on our economy as well,” Ramaphosa said. “They have eroded the values of our constitution and undermined the rule of law. If allowed to continue they would threaten the achievement of growth, development and transformation of our country.”

South Africa is not an isolated case. It’s neighboring southern States including Mozambique and Angola have similar horrible cases. After 38 years of rule, in 2017 President dos Santos stepped down from MPLA leadership. in efforts to fight corruption, Angolan leader João Lourenço removed many of the country’s top politicians including Isabel dos Santos who were seriously corrupt under Jose Eduardo Dos Santos.

From the Maghreb coastline to Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia are all engulfed with corruption. Sudan, located in northeast Africa, has economic crisis, social problems despite its huge natural resources. Apparently, Omar al-Bashir, who had ruled the country for 30 years, did little for native country, his motherland, monopolized political power and ran deeply corrupt government. The New York Times wrote that Sudan’s economy was largely shattered due to political tyranny, deep-seated corruption and poor policies.

Peter Fabricius, Research Consultant from the South Africa’s Institute for Security Studies (ISS), cited corruption, poor policies and strategies quite recently in his article headlined – African Coups Are Making A Come Back – as some of the factors affecting sustainable development in Africa.

Nigeria has also experienced the worst and the highest levels of corruption. In an interview, Ambassador Uche Ajulu-Okeke with thirty-year achievements in the Nigerian Foreign Service spoke about the present-day Federal Republic of Nigeria, located in West Africa. Several years after its independence, the leaders have not succeeded in rebuilding the state institutions enough to reflect all-inclusive ethnic diversity, let alone in adopting Westernstyle democracy that takes cognizance of different public opinions on development issues in the country. The struggle for and misuse of power have brought the country into a stalemate, disrupting any efforts to overcome the deepening economic and multiple social crisis.

Kestér Kenn Klomegâh is a Public Policy Analyst.

Misdirections at the Central Bank of Nigeria

By Eze Onyekpere

In the final analysis, the solution to the current impasse is for the bank to make more money available. The allegations of diversion or not making the money available to Nigerians can only arise due to scarcity of the new money. No one was hoarding the old notes that were everywhere.

The redesign of the Nigerian currency by the Central Bank of Nigeria is raising fundamental questions on the domain and objectives of monetary policy. This is coming against the background of the difficulties and challenges which ordinary Nigerians have experienced while cooperating with the bank. This discourse reviews the implementation of the currency redesign within the context of the CBN Act and the overall imperative for a sound financial system.

S.2 of the CBN Act, 2007 states that the principal objects of the bank shall be to – (a) ensure monetary and price stability;

(b) issue legal tender currency in Nigeria; (c) maintain external reserves to safeguard the international value of the legal tender currency; (d) promote a sound financial system in Nigeria; and

(e) act as banker and provide economic and financial advice to the Federal Government. By S.18 of the Act, the bank is empowered to

(a) arrange for the printing of currency notes and the minting of coins; (b) issue, re-issue and exchange currency notes and coins at the bank’s offices and at such agencies as it may, from time to time, establish or appoint.

The bank also has a developmental banking role as envisaged in S.31 of the Act. This developmental banking role is for the purpose of promoting the development of money or capital markets in Nigeria or of stimulating financial or economic development so however that in any such case, the total value of the holdings of shares or, as the case may be, debentures to which this section applies shall not at any time exceed ten times the aggregate of the bank’s paid-up capital and the general reserve fund of the bank.

Furthermore, the bank in S.32 has omnibus incidental powers, subject as is expressly provided in the Act generally to conduct business as a bank, and do all such things as are incidental to or consequential upon the exercise of its power or the discharge of its duties under this Act.

These objectives, functions and powers do not suggest that the bank is set up as an alternative government that solves all Nigerian challenges within the street sense of money solving all challenges. But the CBN seems to be proceeding with this street sense. When the airlines were down, the bank pumped money; when the Federal Government thought we need to increase local food production, the bank responded with cash that was disbursed outside the bureaucracy of the Ministry of Agriculture which houses the technical skills and overall mandate for food production. Back to the currency redesign.

Essentially, the currency redesign and re-issue exercise comes under the broad powers of the bank to issue legal tender, re-issue and exchange currency notes and coins. In redesigning the currency and issuing the legal tender, it appears the Act envisages that the CBN should do so within the context of satisfying the other monetary policy objectives to wit; ensuring monetary and price stability and promoting a sound financial system in Nigeria. It will be recalled that the bank requested Nigerians to pay in the old currency to money deposit banks so that they would eventually get new notes when they need their money. This is a routine exercise that should be done seamlessly and without much noise. It does not require a high level of intelligence for the bank to print new money or for Nigerians to pay in old notes with the expectation of getting new notes.

But it was expected that for the bank to successfully redesign the currency while meeting other objectives and without exposing citizens to hardship, it would have done some level of research and surveys to understand the key issue and challenges as well as

undertake simulations across selected geographies and population groups before selecting the appropriate logistics arrangements for the redesign, deployment of new notes and general access by the populace. This would have also informed the timeframe for the exercise. Evidently, from the experience of Nigerians so far, the bank through its leadership pronounced the policy without thinking it through and was more interested in its dictatorial directions, with a “no going back” mindset even if the heavens are falling.

Furthermore, it appears that the street sense of money solving all challenges played a key role in the formulation and implementation of this policy. This led to a lack of strategic focus and took the attention of the bank away from the key monetary policy issues. Several justifications have emanated from the bank, which are not part of the monetary policy remit of the bank. These include inter alia fighting terrorism, money laundering, vote buying by politicians as we move towards the 2023 elections. Strictly speaking, these objectives stated by the bank in the currency redesign are not part of monetary policy provisions of the Act. The foregoing challenges are linked to agencies that have the primary mandate of fighting them. Terrorism and money laundering should be handled by law enforcement agencies and Nigeria has established a plethora of these agencies. Vote buying should be within the remit of the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission. This submission is not intended to deny the need for inter-agency collaboration where the bank should have intervened at the invitation of the lead agencies to deploy its functions and powers to assist in fighting these crimes. But the bank cannot be the lead agency in these interventions. Against the background of the foregoing scenario, the bank operating as a one size fits all intervener may be scratching the surface in non-monetary policy objectives by failing in its core mandate. This is exactly where we are.

Eze Onyekpere is an Abuja based Legal Practitioner.

Zamfara: Tinubu’ll solve Nigeria’s N77 trillion debts-Campaign council

The Zamfara State Coordinator Tinubu/ Shattima campaign council, Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa, said immediately the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, Ahmed Bola Tinubu is elected next Nigeria’s President, he will free the country from the N77 trillion debts.

In a press conference in Gusau today (Wednesday), Senator Marafa recalled that the APC Presidential candidate, has governed Lagos State and showed his ability to move Nigeria to the needed greater heights in terms of economic diversification and secure improved Internally Generated Revenue.

According to Senator Marafa, Tinubu will if elected, address issues that drive the country into where it is today, adding that”, “Though, the fights against lingering security challenges by the APC-led government is achieving ground, and more weight would be thrown unto that aspect if Asiwaju is elected next President”.

Marafa stressed that, the security would be the priority of Bola Tinubu so that the expected developments will flow in the quest to change the entire face of the country, saying, no stone will be left unturned in the move to uplift the country’s present financial position from ‘Consumption to Productive’ levels.

“No enjoyment must achieve without tears because the level of damages done to the Nigeria’s economy could not be addressed from just 2015 to date, it is even wonderful and God’s willing that numerous problems have been conquered by the APC-led government”, Marafa insisted.

He commended people of the state and the state government under the leadership of Governor Bello Matawalle who came out en masse to welcome the APC Presidential candidate during his last week’s campaign rally in the state.

NERG lauds military for growing peace in North-East

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

Delighted by the successes recorded by the military in the fight against insurgency in the region, the North-East Rehabilitation Group, NERG, commended the military for the growing peace in the region.

NERG Coordinator, Danladi Gombe in a statement issued on Saturday assured that the people will exercise their franchise in the forthcoming general elections.

It said the people of the North-East are ready to participate fully in choosing those that will run the affairs of the country for the next four years.

The statement noted that the current heat forcing the insurgents to surrendering in their numbers is commendable.

The coordinator called of parents to encourage their wards to distance themselves from any act of criminality.

While commending the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen LEO

Irabor and his team, NERG said the feat recorded is leading to restoration of economic activities in the region.

“We are not just happy that economic activities is coming back to our region in full swing, we are glad that we will be able to participate fully in the forthcoming general elections without fear.

“This without doubt is attributable to ongoing military operations, that is successfully de-escalating the forces of darkness that before this time

held on to our region.

“We are grateful to the Armed Forces of Nigeria under the leadership of Gen. LEO Irabor for the sacrifices been made to keep our region safe, habitable and creating opportunities for revival of economic activities.”

The statement further called on the people to massively participate in the electoral process, saying the military and other security agencies have given assurance to deal within person’s that will pose threat to the elections.

Akwanaja bombing: Don’t reduce yourself to tribal champion, SOKAPU tells Sanusi

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, (SOKAPU), has advised the deposed Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II to stick to the nationalist, he portrays and not reduced himself to a narrow champion of his tribesmen.

Spokesman of the Union, Luka Binniyat, stated this in a statement made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

Reacting to the trade of words between the deposed Emir and Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state, over the

bombing of Akwanaja village, Doma Local Government Area, (LGA) of Nasarawa state against targets which Fulani leaders said were innocent herders, said because Sanusi has made Kaduna his second home since his dethronment as the Emir of Kano in March 2020, but has never made a comment on the mass killings of the people of Southern Kaduna and Hausa and law abiding Fulani in Kaduna State.

The Union noted that the Air Force authority has owned up to the bombings and defended its action. “But if indeed those killed

in the bombing are innocent herders, justice must take its course and full restitution paid their families.”

The statement added that in June 2022, the Union reported with proves how killer herdsmen on over 150 motorbikes attacked some communities in Adara Chiefdom in Kajuru Local Government Area in Southern Kaduna as a low flying Air Force gun-mounted plane assisted the invaders.

“32 innocent farmers were killed in the attack and scores were kidnapped. This is just one of such attacks in which we have

accused a rogue section of the military of connivance.

“As a statesman, which Sanusi has been trying his best to portray, we would have expected him to lend his weighty voice in criticizing such criminality and asking for justice, even if it is not with the zest and commitment he is putting on the Akwanaja bombing.”

The Union further expressed reservations over the plot to robe the Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom in the bombing of Akwanaja village, against targets which Fulani leaders said were innocent herders.

2023: NSCDC charges journalists on peaceful reportage in Zamfara

Sidi Muh’d,

The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Zamfara State Command,

Mohammed Bello Mu’azu, has called on the media to eschew the idea of heartbreaking reportage on election matters especially as efforts were on ground for continued relevant peace restoration in the state

and the country at large.

Commandant Mu’azu made the plea during a meeting with working Journalists in the state titled; ‘Capacity Building and The Role of Media in News Reportage in the 2023 General

Elections’ held on Saturday.

The aim of the meeting according to Commandant Mu’azu, was to make a bond between the NSCDC and the working journalists to ensuring violent free elections.

From Ibrahim

Gusau

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

L-R: National President,. Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Audu Titus Amba, The Secretary General NUT, Sir Mike Ike Eneh, Deputy National President NUT, Comrade Kizito Agwu Kalu and the Union National Treasurer, Comrade Raheem Adesegun Ganiu, during the NUT Annual Solemn Assembly, held yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State has called on the Federal Government to invoke its powers in line with the provisions of Section 47 (3) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act to stop Senator Uzodinma from destroying Imo State with an unsustainable debt portfolio.

The opposition party said it feels greatly pained by the spike in Imo’s debt profile, and states in clear terms that the administration of Senator Hope Uzodinma has mortgaged the future of unborn generations with unpayable debt stock, while also elevating treasury looting to the status of state policy

PDP in a statement signed by its state Publicity Secretary, Collins Opurozor and made available to journàlists on Monday said with a debt profile of N220 billion, Imo today has the highest Debt-to-GDP ratio in Nigeria.

The opposition party further said it therefore, alerts Ndimo, and indeed Nigerians, to a grand plot by Senator Hope Uzodinma to borrow as much as possible and plunge Imo into debt slavery, so as to flee Nigeria with enough loots upon his imminent defeat at the governorship polls in November this year.

The statement reads, “It is on record that the widelyrejected administration of Senator Uzodinma has already gotten the malleable House of Assembly to pass a bogus budget which contains nothing but a very sinister plan to borrow, just in 2023, the sum of N354 billion.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the entire receipts from FAAC to Imo State for the year 2023 would be in the region of N70 billion. The 13% Derivation Fund would total about N9.6 billion. The State’s IGR would be N13 billion. And other interventions and grants, including UBEC, would be N28 billion. That brings the total income of the State for the year to about N120.6 billion. Yet, Senator Uzodinma has planned to fritter away the sum N475 billion within the year. The deficit, which is N354 billion, would be raised through borrowings.

“Still unsatisfied with that amount, Senator Uzodinma has again sent a supplementary budget of N118 billion to the parliament. This will also be financed through loans and squandered as usual. This shows Senator Uzodinma has already perfected plans to leave behind a cumulative debt burden of over N700 billion. It will take more than ten generations to clear this mess which the unelected regime has created in just three years.

“It is curious that in all of the landmark borrowings by Senator Uzodinma, no effort has been made to redraw the industrial landscape of the State by re-jigging investments in the hugely vital agro-industrial sector where Imo

Stop Uzodinma’s move to borrow additional N118 Billion – Imo PDP tells FG

has major comparative advantage. Adapalm has remained moribund, Imo Rubber Estates and Avutu Poultry Farm have remained comatose.

“Equally, Nsu Tiles Company, Umuna Bricks Factory, Egbema Power Plant and Inyishi Aluminium Extrusion Plant are some key investments

with the capacity to rev-up the local economy and employ a vast majority of the teeming unemployed Imo youths. Yet, they have been left to rot away, even

when Imo under this anti-people regime of Senator Uzodinma has been officially designated by the NBS as the unemployment capital of Nigeria.”

Fresh crisis hits Taraba APC as lawmakers back embattled state chairman

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Taraba State chapter of the All Progressives Congress

(APC) caucus in the National Assembly has rejected the removal of Ibrahim El-Sudi as its chairman.

The caucus, led by Danjuma Shidi, a member of the House of

Representatives, briefed journalists on Monday at the National Assembly on the current crisis rocking the party.

Shidi, who is APC senatorial candidate for Taraba South, said the removal of the embattled chairman was done by a skewed and self-serving section of the State

Executive Committee.

It would be recalled that El-Sudi was removed on Sunday by the SEC of the state for “negligence”.

Also, the party is scheduled to conduct a fresh governorship primary after the court sacked Emmanuel Bwacha, its governorship candidate.

Shidi said the perpetrators of the impeachment were working in connivance with the Peoples Democratic Party.

“The perpetrators of this unholy idea are in deep romance and in fact sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party state government in Taraba to destabilize the APC.”

Vote for your future Obi charges Nigerians at Kwara Rally

By Christiana Ekpa

The Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi has urged the people of Kwara state and the rest of Nigerians to vote for their future on February 25, 2023.

Obi and his campaign train arrived in Ilorin, Kwara state capital on Monday to the warm embrace of a large crowd of Obidient family singing to him that he is the best as he told the people that a new Nigeria is possible and in their hands.

He urged the people to vote for trustworthy persons, not people who have no trace of good records in the past where they were.

Addressing the crowd after paying a courtesy call on the paramount ruler of the ancient City of Ilorin, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji

IbrahimKolapo Sulu Gambari Dan Bawa, Obi charged the people to reject deceit from those who will come with religious and ethnic sentiments because they used it all along to hold the country down.

Obi said that over the years successive governments have been producing insecurity and poverty and making Nigeria one of the poorest nations in the World.

He told the people that he and Datti are in the race to build a new and working Nigeria where the people will be United and live in harmony.

“Only Datti and I are saying vote for character, vote for competence, they come to you with sentiments of tribe and religion, when they come with those divisive sentiments tell them you have no job, and let them tell you how to get the job”

Obi said that Kwara state is among the states in the North he and Datti have mapped out for a great agricultural revolution in line with the consumption-toproduction mantra of his manifesto if elected.

“They will come to you with money, to buy your votes but I urge you to collect their money and vote your conscience, vote for competence and capacity, vote for those who will make New Nigeria possible. Collect their money and vote for papa mama picken”

According to Obi, the voters should ask questions, what has umbrella done for us when we voted for them if not corrupt or is it the broom that brought poverty in the land, “this is the time to vote for human beings with the capacity and capabilities to deliver good governance and stabilize our

country.

The Vice Presidential candidate Yusuf Datti Baba Ahmad also spoke in this line that he and Obi are coming to give Nigerians sincere leadership away from corruption and deceit.

The LP National Chairman Comrade Julius Abure told the people that their destiny is in their hands as the party has provided them the rescuers in Obi and Datti and it was left for them to vote them into office.

The high point of the rally was a minute silence in honor of the Kwara state Commissioner for Women Affairs who died recently.

Obi also commended the Kwara state government for providing the facility for the rally saying it’s in the spirit of a new Nigeria where people will live in peace and concord as brothers and sisters.

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan has said that the judgement delivered on Monday by the Supreme Court on the disputed All Progressives Congress (APC) Yobe North Senatorial ticket was victory for his party APC and democracy.

The Supreme Court, in its judgement, affirmed Ahmad Lawan as the APC Senatorial candidate for Yobe North ahead of the February 25th National Assembly polls.

The judgement, in effect, set aside the earlier judgements of the lower courts which declared Bashir Machina as the candidate.

Speaking to journalists after the judgement was delivered, Lawan said: “the Supreme Court Judgement of today on Yobe

No assassination plot against Atiku –Ohanaeze

By Christiana Ekpa

Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has dismissed the purported assassination plot against the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Recall that Mr. Emma Powerful, the spokesman of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had alleged of a plot to assassinate Atiku in the South-East.

However, in a statement issued on Monday by the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, he urged Atiku to ignore the alleged plot.

Okwu said there was nothing to warrant the killing of Atiku or anyone else in the South-East, stressing that all the presidential candidates were free to come to the region and present their blueprints to the masses.

He noted that “We received with concern the statement credited to IPOB, wherein they alleged that there was a plot to assassinate the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the South-East.

“We want to make it clear that no such plot exists anywhere in Igboland. Ndigbo are known for their hospitality and this has not changed.

“The PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has an Igbo man, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate for the election. He is also an in-law to Ndigbo and should therefore feel free to come to the South-East for his campaign any day any time.”

Okwu cautioned against any action or statement that would create unnecessary tension in the South-East.

Yobe North: Supreme Court Judgement victory for APC, democracy -Lawan

North is a victory for all APC in Yobe and generally for APC across the country.

“What happened was democracy at work. The lower courts gave their various judgements and then the Supreme Court gave the final judgement.

“I want to commend the Supreme Court and infact the judiciary generally for delivering this kind of judgement to strengthen our democracy.

“Let me take this opportunity to thank our party, the All Progressives Congress(APC) for taking this matter to the Supreme Court.

“Actually, I didn’t, as an individual, go to the Supreme Court to seek redress. But my party did and my people, the people of Yobe North and Yobe State generally and many political associates and well wishers and supporters across the country who showed interest that there has to be an appeal at the Supreme Court on this matter.

“So today, this victory is for all of us involved. I am the symbol but the victory is for our party, the APC and for democracy.

“I want to thank all my colleagues in the Senate for the support, for the love, for the partnership and I want to

recommit myself to ensuring that the leadership of the Senate will continue to lead very well, will always be appreciative of our colleagues who have given us the mandate to lead the ninth Senate.

“Now, we will be looking at the 25th of February when the Presidential and National Assembly elections will take place. By the Grace of God, Nigeria will vote APC once again.

“On the 25th, the Presidential candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Jagaban Borgu, will be voted the President of Nigeria by the Grace of God, alongside Distinguished Senator Kashim Shettima, our brother,

who is the vice Presidential candidate.

“And when it comes to the Senatorial candidate and House of Representatives, you know what it will be. It will be a landslide majority for the Senate APC and at the same thing landslide majority of members in the House of Representatives.

“We intend to continue to give Nigeria leadership. To continue with those programmes and projects that we have been doing very well and te-think, re-work and re-tool those that we think we have not done very well. This, I believe, will make Nigeria better.”

NYSC: Enugu PDP hits opposition over forgery allegation against Peter Mbah

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Enugu State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council has denied allegation of forgery of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate against its governorship candidate, Dr. Peter Mbah, describing it as the conjecture of an indolent opposition and the last kick of a dying horse.

Recall that news emerged on Monday that the NYSC discharge certificate Mbah presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was allegedly forged.

The group behind the news alleged that it conducted a check under the FOI Act and found out that Mbah’s certificate was forged.

But addressing journalists, the PDP Campaign Council dismissed the claim.

The PDP said Mbah participated in the NYSC scheme in Lagos State, and vowed to

bring to justice all those behind the allegations.

The party displayed photographs showing that Mbah participated in the scheme, wondering how he would collect a fake certificate after going through the entire processes of the scheme.

It said opposition political parties in Enugu had since come to terms with the fact that they had no prospects in the 2023 governorship election and therefore resorted to smear campaigns.

The Director of Public Communications and Spokesperson of the Enugu State PDP Campaign Council, Nana Ogbodo, who addressed journalists said, “there is no truth whatsoever to the allegation”.

He said: “Our attention has been drawn to a press conference by a faceless group in Abuja, which claimed to have conducted a check at the NYSC under the Freedom of

Information Act 2011, which purportedly showed that our governorship candidate, Dr. Peter Mbah, submitted a forged NYSC certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“We make bold to say that Dr. Peter Mbah was duly mobilised for the one-year mandatory national youth service in Lagos in 2002, duly completed the exercise and was issued with an NYSC discharge certificate.

“We state unequivocally that these purveyors of malicious falsehood are the real forgers, as everything about the letter they claimed to have emanated from the NYSC bears all the imprimaturs of forgery; the language too inelegant and unofficial to have emanated from the NYSC.

“We have equally observed that the said malicious press statement was not signed by any official of the faceless group.

“We call on media organisations and interested

Nigerians to approach the NYSC to confirm the veracity of the purported letter”.

“We are however taking steps in accordance with the provisions of the law to bring the perpetrators to book”.

The Enugu PDP Campaign Council said that the opposition had tried their hands in other malicious and criminal falsehoods, including forgery of court processes to malign and bring down Dr. Peter Mbah.

“Rather than present and market their manifestos to the Enugu electorate, they had earlier forged court processes and also filed frivolous and malicious lawsuits claiming that Dr. Mbah had entered into a plea of guilt and plea bargain, hence not qualified to stand for election.

“We call on the Nigerian public to disregard this latest perfidy as the umpteenth mischief by an indolent opposition and last kick of a dying horse”, Ogbodo stated.

Isa Ashiru continues to gather momentum in Kaduna

By Tahir Tanko

In the last few months, the Kaduna People’s Democratic Party Gubernatorial candidate, Honourable Isa Ashiru has indeed displayed capacity and brilliance at several media outings within and outside the state.

His intellectual disposition

Politicians pressuring Buhari to compromise February 25 poll – Group

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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

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

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

According to him: “The history of electoral malpractices in Nigeria shows that it is mainly the involvement of incumbents in the process of an election that usually compromises the freeness of elections. It is a good happenstance that in the coming election, President Buhari is not on the ballot, even if his party is on the ballot.

“It rests on the President regarding a secured environment for free and fair polls. It is never the responsibility of the President to help any candidate win an election. The President does not conduct elections. No one should goad him to act unconstitutionally and undermine his pledge to Nigerians and the international community.”

He further stated: “Instead of

at different interactive platforms has made him the toast of the good people of kaduna state. It is no wonder that, he is now being referred to as the shining star of Kaduna state politics.

Ashiru has interacted freely with the media on different occasions to sell his candidature and his agenda for the people. He participated at a media parley organized by the NUJ Kaduna state council. He was also at the BBC debate shortly after granting an interview on Arise TV and subsequently appeared on TVC and the Invicta Radio programs.

All these appearances have succeeded in reinforcing in the minds of the electorate of his preparedness to govern the state and disabuse the funny negative perception sponsored by his opponents, alleging that he could not express himself in the public domain.

One of Ashiru’s best media outings where he succeeded in proving his opponents wrong was the BBC debate. He left his

opponents astounded because of his sterling grasp of burning issues affecting the state. His performance at the BBC Hausa service debate attracted millions of the electorates to him.

Ashiru’s calm, calculated, coordinated manner and approach to answering questions scored him high above other contenders at the debate.

At some point, while he was making his presentation, participants at the debate venue chanted ‘ Sai Mai Trabiyya, Sai Mai Gaskiya ‘ meaning, the well trained and truthful Isa Ashiru.

The BBC gubernatorial debate, which is the first of its kind in Kaduna state, indeed provided a platform for Isa Ashiru to showcase his capabilities and this, has no doubt, made him the talk of the town with fanfare because of his marvelous performance.

Throughout the debate, the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Isa Ashiru humbled himself, he exhibited calmness, was

very articulate, meticulous, composed, and remained balanced while showing a total grasp of the burning issues in the state in all his responses to questions from the moderator, the spectators and callers.

This debate which gave Ashiru an edge over his cocontestants and made him a shining star, had in attendance various stakeholders, politicians, students and people from all walks of life at the 1000 seater auditorium of the Kaduna State University (KASU).

The event, to many political analysts, even beyond the shores of Kaduna state was tagged an exhibition of talents and plans of the gubernatorial candidates for the state.

It was also an avenue for the candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Uba Sani, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Othman Suleiman Hunkuyi and the man of the moment, Honourable Isa Ashiru

Kudan of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to showcase their blueprints to the good people of Kaduna state.

No doubt, at the debate, Ashiru’s ideas and blueprint gave him an edge over other participating candidates. His ideas were more sellable, pragmatic and implementable. He promised to reverse many of the bad and anti-people policies of Governor Nasiru El-Rufai’s administration and better the means of livelihood of the common man when elected into office, just as the APC candidate, Sen. Uba Sani promised to continue with them.

Ashiru however assured of assessing policies to be dropped solely on the basis of whether they are in the interest of the good people of Kaduna state.

In his display of maturity and readiness to be the next number one citizen of the state, at a point, Ashiru calmed the crowd at the debate for his opponent Sen. Uba Sani to enable him make…

2023

is time for North to repay Tinubu’s support – Shettima

By Musa Baba Adamu

The vice presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kashim

Shettima said President Muhammadu Buhari would not have been the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria without the support of Bola Tinubu.

Shettima stated this while addressing supporters at the APC presidential rally in Dutse, the capital of Jigawa at the weekend.

He said 2023 is a payback time for the northern part of the country for what the APC

presidential candidate did to the region in the past.

Shettima explained that since 2007, Tinubu has been supporting northerners.

According to him: “Tinubu in 2007 backed Atiku; he also supported Nuhu Ribadu in 2011, and in 2015, if Bola Ahmed Tinubu didn’t support Buhari during the APC presidential primary election, he would have not been the president,” he said.

He said that 2023 is a payback time and northerners must prove that they are promisekeepers.

Shettima said Nigeria needs somebody who has vast experience and can solve all the problems of the country like Tinubu.

He said President Buhari has done remarkably well in the development of the country and Governor Mohammed Badaru Abubakar has also achieved a lot, therefore, they need somebody who will continue from where they stopped.

The APC vice presidential candidate urged the electorate in the state to vote for all APC candidates as a token of appreciation for what the APC administration has achieved in the last seven years.

NACCIMA DG: CBN should have introduced N5,000 note — NOT naira redesign

Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) says the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should have introduced a N5,000 note rather than embarking on a currency redesign.

Speaking on Monday during an interview with NAN, Sola Obadimu, director-general of NACCIMA, said there would have been less pressure on Nigerians if the naira redesign policy was implemented differently.

Obadimu said the creation of a new N5,000 note would have mopped up the money in circulation without creating discomfort.

He said the CBN would have also spent less money on printing new notes.

“If I were the CBN governor, all I would have done was to have introduced a N5,000 note,” Obadimu said.

“That would have helped to mop up the money in circulation without the kickbacks we are getting.

“Because it is a higher denomination, fewer amounts of bills would have been printed.’’

On the CBN’s cashless policy, the NACCIMA DG said it was a laudable initiative because “that is where the world is heading”.

He, however, expressed reservations with the governmment’s level of preparedness, particularly in the aspect of internet infrastructure.

“For instance, when a financial transaction declines, you get debited and the bank cannot refund you for up to three weeks even if the transaction is to the same bank,” Obadimu said.

“So, for the urban network to improve and for the rural areas to catch up, the government has to invest heavily in infrastructure so that every part of Nigeria will be digitised.”

Greed at depots, filling stations causing petrol scarcity, says Mele Kyari

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

Mele Kyari, group chief executive officer (GCEO), Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, says greed in the entire petroleum value chain is a major reason for the country’s prolonged petrol scarcity.

Kyari spoke when he appeared on NTA’s ‘Good Morning Nigeria‘ programme.

He said there are numerous reasons for the petrol scarcity that are beyond the control of the national oil company.

“It is a chain of relationships. It is a chain of engagement and we take responsibility. We are the single point of communication for this. We understand this very perfectly but the reality today is that there are a number of things happening,” he said.

“There is greed. Greed is not in the NNPC. Greed is across the value chain; it is all the way from the depots to the fuel stations to the trucks to those you meet on the road.”

Kyari said as oil marketers move products from location to location, so many kind of fees are paid (at local government and state government levels) and all manners of collections are made, adding to the logistics challenge.

“And ultimately, our most recent engagements have

addressed this so that those complications that are outside the control of the NNPC are now addressed. Because of the engagement we had with our trade partners, the government security agencies, and regulatory agencies, we are very optimistic that it is a very good transition,” the GCEO said.

He as long as there is an arbitrage regime and marketers see price differentials, they will have difficulty transporting products to certain locations.

Speaking on the recent protest in Edo state over petrol scarcity, he said once truck owners became aware of the uprising in Benin, they were hesitant to transport petroleum products to the state.

“That is why in Benin, once there is a threat to security and safety of their vehicles, truck owners will not allow their trucks to go to such locations. Some of these threats predate the actual event because this is a world of social media,” the GCEO said.

“People are aware that people are generating protest and once they are aware of this, people will ask their drivers not to go to this location, and you will definitely not have products because no one will take their trucks to locations where they can risk those trucks.

“I have engaged with the governor where those protests emanated — those state components — and I am very grateful to him. I told him that we must do something so that we can contain this uprising.

“Otherwise, nobody will bring his trucks to the state and he assured me that for the safety of the trucks, vigilantes will be deployed, government security agencies will come, so that ultimately, this product will get to Benin depot. So that they could ultimately end up in the fuel station.

“But why was that glitch in the first instance? Because people fear. Once there is an element of fear, no one will take his truck and this builds up over the days and exactly this is what happens.

“Even before then, once you have an arbitrage, for instance, if you can sell this fuel at N350 in Maiduguri and a tanker full of fuel by a marketer is required to sell at N220 a litre in Benin. It is just an example. He has seen where he will always spend N50 a litre to take it to Maiduguri.

“He will spend like N350, an additional N50. So all they will do is to move this truck from this location to another location. And we could also end up having gluts in those locations.”

Further speaking, Kyari

added that the country does not have supply issues but a distribution problem.

He said the distribution challenge arises as a result of a shift in the cost of logistics in the business of transporting fuel from mother vessels to terminals into trucks to fuel stations.

“So, it is really not a matter of scarcity. When you say scarcity, the product is not available. Once a product is not available, you can say that there is scarcity but when there is a distribution challenge, there is consumer behaviour,” he said.

“Our typical response to a situation like this is for people to panic and everybody goes to the fuel station. Whether they need it or not, they wake up in the morning and they decide to go and queue up. And by the way, people have actually made a trend out of this.”

He noted that once prices are crashed at the depot, the prices at filling stations will also decrease and “that arbitrage will disappear”.

“Then people will see that the prices across the stations, whether they are owned by NNPC or independent marketers, will have some normalcy, and fuel queues will vanish,” Kyari said.

FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello (right) with the Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Services (NCS) Haliru Nababa (2nd right) and senior officials of the NCS during the visit of the NCS Management to the FCTA, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

•‘Why there is no adequate petrol supply to Benin’ •Says is not scarcity,it is distribution challenge

Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

Kola Abiola, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), says the All Progressives Congress-led administration has imposed “untold hardship” on Nigerians due to the currency redesign policy.

In a statement released by his campaign council , Abiola said the naira redesign and cash swap has been executed in an insensitive manner by the government.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had given a deadline of January 31 for the use of old notes — but it was recently extended to

BU$IN€SS

Naira redesign: Kola Abiola berates FG for ‘imposing hardship’ on Nigerians

February 10.

Despite the extension, Nigerians have continued to battle with lengthy queues at banking halls and automated teller machines (ATMs) amid the scarcity of new naira notes.

Abiola promised that if elected as president, such uncoordinated and insensitive actions would become a thing of

history.

“We will never again experience this kind of avoidable misfortune that has befallen the citizens of this great country,” he said.

“As an administration, we will demand sound policies and coordinated implementation across board from CBN such that things will be done the correct

Abiola, therefore, urged the electorates to let their votes speak loudly by electing him, assuring Nigerians that the party would implement peoplecentred policies.

He said that the PRP held the golden key to unlock and redeem the people from the shackles of oppression and regressive

government policies.

“A PRP-led government will introduce and implement a Cost of Living Adjustment policy (COLA),” Abiola said.

“Through a well-structured means test to determine eligibility of each family unit, we will alleviate the hardships experienced by unemployed or underemployed citizens.”

IPMAN laments petrol supply shortage to marketers

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) says the petrol supply shortage in the south-east region may not end soon.

The association said the petrol scarcity is due to challenges faced by marketers in procuring the commodity.

The situation has led to increased pump prices as petrol was reportedly sold for between N400 and N450 per litre at filling stations in Awka, Anambra state, on Friday.

Black marketers were also said to have sold the product for N500 – N600 per litre.

In an interview with NAN on Saturday, Chinedu Anyaso, chairman of IPMAN, Enugu depot, said the quantity of petroleum products entering the south-east had reduced by more than 50 percent.

He said most filling stations in the state were closed while the few that opened for sale had to cope with long queues.

According to Anyaso, some marketers have been unable to get the supplies they paid for over a month ago.

“Our members who got NNPC allocation last year, paid for products since December, up till now they have not received their supply. Rather, they asked them to pay additional money

for which most of them made overdraft of between N1.4 million and N1.6 million,” he said.

“As you can see, most filling stations in the zone have shut down because they can no longer

source products normally.

“Those that have products had to pay through their nose to get it, that is why there are abnormal rates because they have to recover their cost and make some profits.

“It is impossible for the authorities to enforce price now because they are supplying products, our people are making extra effort to ensure our people have products to buy even if it is expensive.”

Anyaso said thousands of employees may lose their jobs as no marketer would continue to pay workers when they are not in business.

He urged the federal government to take drastic action to make petroleum products available to citizens.

Pension operators target investments in infrastructure in 2023

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Pension Funds Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp), Mr Oguche Agudah says many pension fund managers would channel their investments to infrastructure in 2023.

Agudah said this over the weekend during a webinar organised by PenOP, with the theme: “The Nigerian Economic and an Investment Outlook: A focus on

Pension Fund Investment Strategies,”

According to him, 42 per cent of the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) indicated that they were actively looking for investments in infrastructure in 2023, while 50 per cent would consider it.

He said “Although fund managers are careful about private equity, they will consider the investment in infrastructure on a deal by deal basis. This is because 25 per cent of the fund managers had assured that they would invest in private

equity while 67 per cent would consider it.

Fund managers are looking to invest in impact funds but transparency and structure are key,” he explained.

On various dealings in equities and securities, the PenOp CEO disclosed that there was reduction in engagement with equities in 2022 from 7.73 per cent in 2021 to 6.79 per cent in 2022.

Agudah explained that government securities as share of portfolio declined by 118 basis points to 65.44 per cent, while

there was reduction in interaction with money market securities by 1.92 per cent.

Also speaking, Mrs Rita BabihugaNsanze, Chief Economist, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), said some of the steps the incoming government must take to put the economy on the right path and put an end to fuel subsidy regime

She said the incoming government must address security in oil sector corridor, subsidy regime and enthrone the expected reform in forex market.

•says thousands may lose jobs’

Members of the Pro Nigeria Group (PNG) on a peaceful solidarity rally at the entrance of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in support of the CBN new Naira policy,yesterday in Abuja. Mahmud Isa

Kaduna, Kogi, Zamfara govts drag FG. CBN to court over new Naira

Consequent upon by the effects the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s Naira redesign policy is having on the people of their states, the governments of Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara have dragged the Federal government before the Supreme Court, seeking a restraining order to stop the full implementation of the policy, reports said yesterday.

In a motion ex-parte filed on their behalf by their lawyer, AbdulHakeem Uthman Mustapha (SAN) on Monday, the three northern states are urging the apex court to grant them an interim injunction to stop the Federal Government either by itself or acting through the CBN, the commercial banks or its agents from carrying out its plan of ending the timeframe within which the now older versions of the 200, 500 and 1000 denominations of the Naira may no longer be legal tender on February 10, 2023, news reports said yesterday.

The Plaintiffs in the suit are the three Attorneys-General and Commissioners of Justice of the three states, while the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), is the sole Respondent.

The Plaintiffs said that since the announcement of the new naira note policy, there has been an acute shortage in the supply of the new naira notes in Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara States and that citizens who have dutifully deposited their old naira notes have increasingly found it difficult and sometimes next to impossible to access new naira notes to go about their daily activities.

They also cited the inadequacy of the notice coupled with the haphazard manner in which the exercise is being carried out and the attendant hardship same is

wrecking on Nigerians, which has been well acknowledged even by the Federal Government of Nigeria itself.

The Plaintiffs further maintained that the tenday extension by the Federal Government is still insufficient to address the challenges bedeviling the policy.

Recall that over the weekend, the CBN Governor at a press conference held in Lagos insisted that that the apex bank will not extend the deadline for swapping old naira notes with the newly redesigned ones.

In the suit filed at the apex court, the Plaintiffs have also filed a motion on notice to abridge the time within which the Respondent may file and serve his Counter-Affidavit to this Suit and an order for an accelerated hearing of this matter.

The states are seeking a declaration that the Demonetization Policy of the Federation being currently carried out by the Central Bank of Nigeria under the directive of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not in compliance with the extant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 and actual laws on the subject.

They are also asking the court to make a declaration that the three-month notice given by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Central Bank of Nigeria under the directive of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the expiration of which will render the old Banknotes inadmissible as legal tender, is in gross violation of the provisions of Section 20(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007 which specifies that Reasonable Notice must be given before such a policy.

The Plaintiffs are also urging

the court for a declaration that given the express provisions of Section 20(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Central Bank of Nigeria, has no powers to issue a timeline for the acceptance and redeeming of banknotes issued by the Bank, except as limited by Section 22(1) of the CBN Act 2007. The Central Bank shall at all times redeem its bank notes.

The Plaintiffs further want the court to direct the immediate suspension of the demonetisation of the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Central Bank of Nigeria under the directive of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria until it complies with the relevant provisions of the law.

In an affidavit filed in support of the suit and sworn to by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kaduna State, Aisha Dikko, she averred that although the naira redesign policy was introduced to encourage the cashless policy of the Federal government, it is not all transactions that can be conveniently carried out through electronic means.

She maintained that several transactions still require cash in exchange for goods and services hence the need for the Federal

Government to have sufficient money available in circulation for the smooth running of the economy.

Dikko also pointed out that the Federal Government has embarked on the policy within a narrow and unworkable time frame, and this has adversely affected Nigerian citizens within Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara States as well as their Governments, especially as the newly redesigned naira notes are not available for use by the people as well as the State Governments.

“That the majority of the indigenes of the Plaintiffs’ states who reside in the rural areas have been unable to exchange or deposit their old naira notes as there are no banks in the rural areas where the majority of the population of the states reside.

“Most people in rural areas of the Plaintiffs’ states do not have bank accounts and have so far been unable to deposit their life savings which are still in the old naira notes.

“There is restiveness amongst the people in the various states because of the hardship being suffered by the people, and the situation will sooner than later degenerate into the breakdown of law and order.

“The Plaintiff State

Governments cannot stand by as they are duty-bound to protect citizens in their states and prevent the breakdown of law and order.

“I know that if the Federal Government of Nigeria had given sufficient and reasonable time for the naira redesign policy, all the current hardship and loss being experienced by the Plaintiffs’ State Governments as well as people in the various states would have been avoided.

“I know that the 10-day extension by the Federal Government is still insufficient to address the challenges bedevilling the policy. I also understand that the Federal Government cannot bar Nigerians from redeeming their old naira notes at any time, even though the senior notes are no longer legal tender.

“Unless this Honourable Court intervenes, the Government and people of Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara State will continue to go through a lot of hardship and would ultimately suffer great loss as a result of the insufficient and unreasonable time within which the Federal Government is embarking on the ongoing currency redesign policy,” she stated.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

SSS arrests currency traders selling new naira notes, says banks complicit

While millions of Nigerians scramble to get the new naira notes, currency traders have turned the sale of such notes into brisk business and are working in cahoot with bank officials, the State Security Service (SSS) has said.

SSS spokesperson Peter Afunanya, in a statement Monday, said some of the currency traders involved have been ‘intercepted’ and have confirmed that they

are working with officials of commercial banks.

“The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby informs the public that it has intercepted some members of organised syndicates involved in the sale of the new redesigned naira notes.

“In the course of its operations, in this regard in parts of the country, it was also established that some Commercial Bank officials are aiding the economic malfeasance,” Mr Afunanya wrote.

The SSS, also called DSS, warned the

“currency racketeers to desist from this ignoble act.”

It did not, however, say if those ‘intercepted’ and their bank collaborators would be prosecuted.

“Appropriate regulatory authorities are, in this same vein, urged to step up monitoring and supervisory activities to expeditiously address the emerging trends.

“It should be noted that the Service has ordered its Commands and Formations to further ensure that all persons and groups engaged in the illegal sale of the notes are

identified. Therefore, anyone with useful information relating to this is encouraged to pass the same to the relevant authorities.”

The statement by the SSS comes a day after PREMIUM TIMES reported that the Central Bank of Nigeria extended the deadline for the validity of the old N200, N500 and N1,000 naira notes from 31 January to 10 February.

Many Nigerians had called for the extension due to the scarcity of the new notes, despite the claims by the CBN that it had circulated enough of such.

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

Queue at the ATM machine at Central area, yesterday in Abuja.

METRO

Committee seeks residents’ support to stem vandalism

By Stanley Onyekwere

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been urged to cooperate with security agencies to curb the incessant vandalization of critical public infrastructure in the Territory.

The FCT Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Peter Maigari made the appeal, following the monthly meeting of the FCT Security Committee last week, a statement from Director of Press, office of the FCT Minister, Anthony Ogunleye, stated.

Maigari implored residents to cultivate the habit of reporting to security operatives

when they see something unusual.

“My clarion call to members of the public is “See something, say something.

“Call us and inform us of what is happening around you concerning vandalization so that we can quickly nip it in the bud. Timely information is required”, he said.

He also said that the NSCDC has put various measures in place to deter the vandals as well as ensure that they are caught and prosecuted.

He said, “We have activated several things and put in place measures to checkmate such, ranging from night and day patrols, and arresting those we find culpable of vandalising these items

to make sure that we stem the tide of all these criminal activities”.

On his part, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Sadiq had stressed the need for intelligence led policing while also calling on residents to work with security agencies for the overall security of the FCT.

The FCT has of recent suffered a spate in the vandalisation of critical public infrastructure especially solar powered street lights.

The Committee also bade farewell to Rev (Dr) Samson Jonah, the outgoing Chairman of the FCT Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) who attended the meeting for the last time as his tenure as FCT CAN Chairman had

come to an end.

The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello who chaired the meeting described Dr Jonah as a committed member of the Security Committee who participated actively in the Committee and wished him well in his future endeavours.

The meeting had in attendance the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, the Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu the Executive Secretary, FCDA Engr Shehu Hadi Ahmed, heads of the various security agencies in the FCT, Area Council Chairmen, Mandate Secretaries, traditional and religious leaders and heads of relevant departments and agencies in the FCTA.

FCT Minister , Malam Muhammad Musa Bello (2nd left) flanked by senior officials of the Nigeria Correctional Services, (NCS) in a handshake with the Controller General NCS Haliru Nababa following the ourtesy visit by the NCS management to the FCTA, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Aliyu begins integrated medical outreach for women in FCT

By Usman Shuaibu

The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has flagged-off an Integrated Medical Outreach, in Karshi to be conducted across all the 62 political wards in the Territory.

It was gathered that the free medical outreach powered by Nigerians Unite for Tinubu/Shettima mandate was targeted at the vulnerable people, in hard to reach communities.

The Minister stated that the launch has been one of the priorities of the FCT Administration to provide to the residents, particularly women and children in most need, good quality, high impact Primary Health Care (PHC) services including immunization and nutrition services.

Aliyu stressed that the routine immunization coverage and PHC services uptake across the area councils has been sub-optimal, partly due to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic that has further

weaken the health system.

According to her, “Access to basic healthcare services has been poor due to the presence of hard to reach communities, couple with the rising cases of insecurity, and sub-optimal performance of the public health system.

“In this line, the flag off of the medical outreach programme for the integration of PHC service delivery and Immunization in a mobile /outreach strategy is expected to, among others, strengthen immunization and PHC service outputs through integration, particularly in the underserved, low performing wards of the FCT”.

She, however, affirmed that the medical outreach would serve as an avenue for the FCTA to provide most needed interventions to community members, including health education and promotion; treatment of common illnesses; vaccination of underfive children and pregnant women; distribution of Long Lasting Treated Nets and family planning commodities;

screening for non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, routine eye screening and screening for malnutrition; linkages/referral services; amongst others.

Aliyu assured that the FCT Administration would continue to support all programmes and activities geared towards improving the quality of lives and health outcomes of all residents of the Territory particularly women and children.

She said, “our relevant Secretariats, Departments and Agencies have been repositioned and given necessary supports to perform for results.

“Working with Development Partners, access would be sustained to the underserved communities with optimal services uptake and utilisation through the activities of community managerial system for Primary Health care in FCT.”

The minister appealed to royal fathers, religious and traditional leaders, stakeholders and other well-meaning Nigerians in the FCT, to continue to support

the Administration to provide better services.

In his remarks, the Acting Executive Secretary of FCT Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Isah Yahaya Vatsa, commended the group, Nigerians Unite for Tinubu/Shettima Mandate, for the purposeful partnership with the Administration in providing quality healthcare services to the vulnerable in rural communities.

He revealed that the Free Medical Outreach will cover immunization, consultation by medical personnel in three points, and laboratory screening for diabetes and malaria.

Other services include pharmaceutical services (drugs), eye screening with free glasses for those that need them, blood pressure screening, weight and temperature check.

Goodwill messages were delivered by HRH Alhj. Ismail Dalandi Mohammed, Sarkin Karshi, Director General, Nigerians Unite for Tinubu/Shettima Mandate, Prof. Abdullahi Mohammed, amongst others.

Turkey earthquake: Screaming, shaking... how it felt when the quake hit

It was 04:17 local time when Erdem, asleep at his home in Gaziantep, southern Turkey, was shaken from his sleep by one of Turkey’s biggest-ever earthquakes.

“I have never felt anything like it in the 40 years I’ve lived,” he said. “We were shaken at least three times very strongly, like a baby in a crib.”

People went to their cars to escape the damaged buildings. “I imagine not a single person in Gaziantep is in their homes now,” Erdem said.

More than 130 miles west, in Adana, Nilüfer Aslan was convinced he and his family would die when the quake shook their fifth floor apartment.

“I have never seen anything like this in my life. We swayed for close to one minute,” he said.

“[I said to my family] ‘There is an earthquake, at least let’s die together in the same place’... It was the only thing that crossed my mind.”

When the quake paused, Aslan fled outside - “I couldn’t take anything with me, I’m standing outside in slippers” - to find that four buildings surrounding his

own had collapsed.

In Diyarbakir, 300 miles east, people rushed into the streets to help rescuers.

“There was screaming everywhere,” one 30-year-old man told Reuters. “I started pulling rocks away with my hands. We pulled out the injured with friends, but the screaming didn’t stop. Then the [rescue] teams came.”

Elsewhere in the city, Muhittin Orakci said seven members of their family were buried in the rubble.

“My sister and her three children are there,” he told AFP. “And also her husband, her father-in-law and her mother-in-law.”

In Syria, a large number of buildings collapsed in Aleppo, around a two-hour drive from the epicentre. Health director Ziad Hage Taha said wounded people were “arriving in waves” following the disaster.

Özgül Konakçı, a 25-year-old who lives in Malatya, said the aftershocks - and freezing weather - made things worse.

“It’s very cold and it’s snowing right now,” she told BBC Turkish. “Everyone is on the streets, people are confused

about what to do. Just before our eyes, the windows of a building exploded due to aftershocks.”

Ismail Al Abdullah - a rescuer from Syrian humanitarian group, White Helmets - has been working in Sarmada to rescue to survivors, a town near the border with Turkey.

“Many buildings in different cities and villages in north-western Syria collapsed, destroyed by this earthquake,” he said. “We need help. We need the international community to do something, to help us, to support us. North-western Syria is now a disaster area. We need help from everyone to save our people.”

Huge quake toppled buildings in Turkey and Syria as people slept

Apowerful earthquake has struck south-eastern Turkey, near the Syrian border, killing more than 1,000 people as they slept and trapping many others.

The US Geological Survey said the 7.8 magnitude tremor struck at 04:17 local time (01:17 GMT) at a depth of 17.9km (11 miles) near the city of Gaziantep.

Hours later, a second quake, which had a magnitude of 7.5, hit the Elbistan district of Kahramanmaras province.

So far, more than 900 people have died in Turkey and 500 in Syria.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the death toll there was now 912.

The Syrian health ministry said 371 people had died in the provinces of

Aleppo, Latakia, Hama and Tartus.

The White Helmets rescue group, which operates in rebel-controlled areas of north-western Syria, said on Twitter that at least 147 people had died there.

Many buildings have collapsed and rescue teams have been deployed to search for survivors under huge piles of rubble.

Among the buildings destroyed was Gaziantep Castle, a historical landmark that had stood for more than 2,000 years.

The second quake, which struck at 13:24 local time (10:24 GMT), had its epicentre about 80 miles north of the original tremor in the Pazarcik district of Kahramanmaras province.

An official from Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority

said it was “not an aftershock” and was “independent” from the earlier quake.

At least 70 deaths had already been reported across Kahramanmaras following the first quake, while 80 people were killed in Gaziantep.

Turkish Interior Minister Suleymon Soylu said 10 cities were affected by the initial quake, including Hatay, Osmaniye, Adiyaman, Malatya, Sanliurfa, Adana, Diyarbakir and Kilis.

At least 5,385 people were injured in Turkey and 1,000 in Syria.

A BBC Turkish correspondent in Diyarbakir reported that a shopping mall in the city collapsed.

The tremor was also felt in Lebanon and Cyprus.

“I was writing something and just all

of a sudden the entire building started shaking and yes I didn’t really know what to feel,” Mohamad El Chamaa, a student in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, told the BBC.

“I was right next to the window so I was just scared that they might shatter. It went on for four-five minutes and it was pretty horrific. It was mind-blowing,” he said.

Rushdi Abualouf, a BBC producer in the Gaza Strip, said there was about 45 seconds of shaking in the house he was staying in.

Turkey lies in one of the world’s most active earthquake zones.

In 1999, more than 17,000 people were killed after a powerful tremor rocked the north-west of the country.

Ukraine braced for renewed Russian offensive later in February

Ukraine’s outgoing defence minister has said the country is anticipating a new Russian offensive later this month.

At a news conference, Oleksiy Reznikov said not all Western weaponry will have arrived by then, but Ukraine had enough reserves to hold off Russian forces.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said troops were fighting fiercely in Bakhmut, Vuhledar and Lyman.

Mr Reznikov’s comments came hours before it was announced that he was to be replaced as defence minister.

Military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov will take his place, according to a Ukrainian politician from Mr Zelensky’s party.

The shake-up comes amid a series of corruption scandals that has plagued the defence ministry.

Mr Reznikov has denied media reports that some defence officials are suspected of embezzling public funds for the procurement of food for the army.

Ukrainian lawmaker David Arakhamia announced the reshuffle on Sunday, saying that “war dictates personnel policies”. Mr Reznikov, a familiar face in Ukraine’s efforts to secure Western weapons, will now become minister for strategic industries.

President Zelensky has already fired a number of senior officials as part of a broad anti-corruption drive across his government.

At an earlier news conference, Mr Reznikov said Russia did not have all of its resources ready to launch an offensive, but may do so anyway as a symbolic gesture, given the one-year anniversary of Moscow’s full-scale invasion on 24

February.

He said Russia was expected to prioritise taking the whole of the eastern Donbas as well as launching offensives in the south of Ukraine.

Mr Reznikov made similar comments to French TV earlier this month.

The defence minister also confirmed that troops would start training on German-made Leopard tanks from Monday.

Mr Reznikov said Ukraine had secured new long-range missiles with a range of 90-mile (150km), but they will not be used against Russian territory - only against Russian units in occupied areas of Ukraine.

“I am sure that we will win this war,” said Mr Reznikov, but he added that without the delivery of Western fighter jets, “it will cost us more lives”.

Ukraine’s defence minister says training on new Western weapons will start as early as Monday

Despite the flow of Western weapons to Ukraine, Russia has made gains around the Bakhmut area in recent days, as Russia’s army throws more and more soldiers into combat.

Russia’s paramilitary mercenary group Wagner have led much of the fighting in the area. Source: BBC

A car buried by the roof of a house in Diyarbakir

Antony Blinken in Jerusalem: Urgent steps needed for calm

Tems wins Grammy: Nigerians celebrate rap award

Top Nigerian artists have joined music fans from across the world to congratulate singer Tems on winning a Grammy award.

She won the Best Melodic Rap Performance category for her contribution to the hit song Wait for U with Future and Drake.

They beat a strong field which included Kendrick Lamar and DJ Khaled.

Artists including Tiwa Savage, Waje and Omowunmi have posted messages congratulating Tems.

“It’s Tems’ time. Nobody can stop her shine. Superstar,” posted Afrobeats singer Olamide.

Some fans on Twitter have been hailing her as the first Nigerian female artist to win a Grammy.

However, others argue that historic first was achieved by British-Nigerian singer

Sade, whose real name is Helen Folasade Adu. She has won the award four times.

Tems, 27, whose real name is Temilade Openiyi, has been praised by fellow artists for her vocal talent.

DJ Edu, host of BBC’s music show This Is Africa, said Tems has a “unique” style.

“It’s great to see Tems getting this recognition. She’s always stood out from the crowd, being true to her own unique sound and style, and I’m really happy she’s achieved such heights without having to conform,” he told BBC News.

“I nominated her as one to watch in 2020 so obviously I’m basking in her success,” he added.

Tems reportedly has collaborations lined up with several mega starts including Beyoncé and Rihanna.

Meanwhile, South Africans Wouter Kellerman, Zakes Bantwini and Nomcebo Zikode also won a Grammy Award - for Best Global Music Performance for their

South Sudanese urge leaders to act on Pope’s message

South Sudan’s leaders have been urged to act on Pope Francis’ plea for peace in the war-torn country.

The Pope made a “peace pilgrimage” to the country over the weekend with the heads of the churches in England and Scotland.

In his sermon on Sunday during a mass in the capital, Juba, the Pope urged the country to reject the “venom of hatred”. Man South Sudanese are hoping their leaders will heed the advice.

“I expect our leaders to change their hearts and implement the message of peace brought by Pope Francis so that the people of South Sudan can have a lasting peace,” Imma Lasu told the BBC after the mass.

Media tycoon arrested over Cameroon journalist’s death

Amedia tycoon in Cameroon has been arrested in connection with the killing of the prominent radio journalist, Martinez Zogo.

The businessman Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga, the owner of L’Anecdote media group, was arrested just before dawn.

Zogo was abducted three weeks ago outside a police station in Yaoundé. His body was found heavily mutilated five days later.

The authorities announced last week that they had made several arrests in connection with the killing.

Three years ago another Cameroonian journalist, Samuel Wazizi, disappeared then died in state detention and an investigation into his death was not made public.

Cameroon ranks 118th out of 180 countries on the Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders.

“Although Cameroon has one of the richest media landscapes in Africa, it is one of the continent’s most dangerous countries for journalists, who operate in a hostile and precarious environment,” says the watchdog.

Rose Adao, a member of the Pentecostal Church, said she wants the leaders of South Sudan to repent and carry out the message of peace brought by Pope Francis.

Elisabeth Mayak Thomas, 20, was among the volunteers in preparations to host the Pope. She said she expected the leaders to “implement the peace agreement and reconcile our people”.

Peacekeeper killed in attack on UN helicopter in DR Congo

AUnited Nations peacekeeper from South Africa was killed and another wounded in an attack on their helicopter in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday.

The UN mission in the country, Monusco, said the helicopter came under fire in the afternoon while heading to Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, where it managed to land.

It said another peacekeeper was wounded in the attack.

“Monusco strongly condemns this cowardly attack against an aircraft bearing the United Nations emblem,” it said in a statement.

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) also confirmed the attack.

“An Oryx helicopter came under fire in Goma, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Sunday February 5, 2023,” it said in a statement

.“The SANDF is in the process of informing family members of the soldiers who were involved.”

Media tycoon arrested over Cameroon

journalist’s death

A media tycoon in Cameroon has been arrested in connection with the killing of the prominent radio journalist, Martinez Zogo.

The businessman Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga, the owner of L’Anecdote media group, was arrested just before dawn.

Zogo was abducted three weeks ago outside a police station in Yaoundé. His body was found heavily mutilated five days later.

The authorities announced last week that they had made several arrests in connection with the killing.

Three years ago another Cameroonian journalist, Samuel Wazizi, disappeared then died in state detention and an investigation into his death was not made public.

Cameroon ranks 118th out of 180 countries on the Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders.

“Although Cameroon has one of the richest media landscapes in Africa, it is one of the continent’s most dangerous countries for journalists, who operate in a hostile and precarious environment,” says the watchdog.

Russia’s Lavrov to meet junta leader in Mali visit

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is expected to arrive in Mali’s capital, Bamako, on Monday for his second trip to Africa in two weeks.

Mali’s foreign ministry said Mr Lavrov will hold a meeting with junta leader, Col Assimi Goïta, and other officials during the two-day visit.

The Yerewolo movement, which advocates for closer ties between Mali and Russia, welcomed Mr Lavrov’s visit and called for the installation of a Russian military base in the northern Gao Region, aBamako website reports.

Mr Lavrov was expected to visit Mali during his trip to the continent in January, but instead toured South Africa, Angola, Eswatini and Eritrea.

Russia’s influence in Mali has steadily increased since the deployment of Wagner Group mercenaries in December 2021.

Mr Lavrov said France had created a security void by withdrawing its troops from the Sahel nation, which Mali had asked Russia to help fill.

Israeli envoy to Zambia mugged in Lusaka

Israel’s ambassador to Zambia, Ofra Farhi, was mugged in front of her bodyguards on a street in the capital Lusaka last week, with robbers taking her diplomatic passport and mobile phone.

Local media said Ms Farhi was crossing a busy street on Friday when a car pulled up alongside her and the occupants grabbed her bag, which had an unspecified amount of cash.

She was treated at a local clinic and continued on to her scheduled meetings with local officials.

The ambassador said in a statement that though it is the kind of incident that can happen anywhere in the country, “Zambia is very safe and peaceful “and “very friendly to Israel”.

Zambian Foreign Minister Stanley Kakubo called Ms Farhi to reassure her of security.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen termed the incident as an example of the kind of dangers that diplomatic staff face “to serve the country”.

Besides Zambia, Ms Farhi also represents Israel in Zimbabwe and Botswana.

Millions vote in Ethiopia referendum for new region

Millions of voters in southern Ethiopia are casting their ballots on Monday in a referendum to establish a new regional state.

This is the third such referendum - all in the country’s south - held in the past four years.

Previous votes saw the formation of Sidama and South-Western Ethiopia regions.

More than three million people are registered to vote in this election - which will be held in six sub-regional administrative units (zones) and five districts that have been part of the Southern Ethiopian Nations, Nationalities and People’s (SNNP) region.

The new region is to be called Southern Ethiopia region, if it gets a yes vote.

Protests amid Ethiopia’s Orthodox church split row

Followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church begin three days of protests on Monday as tensions with the authorities continue to grow.

At least three people were killed and multiple others wounded over the weekend in Shashemene town, in Oromia region, after security forces fired shots into a church, according to reports by media outlets linked to the church.

Clashes were reported in others areas in Oromia with the church claiming mass arrests of its followers in some areas in the region.

Last week, the church’s highest body, the synod, ordered its adherents to wear black as a sign of protest during the church’s Fast of Nineveh event starting on Monday.

It came after the church accused the government of aiding breakaway clergy from Oromia region - who appointed bishops without the synod’s knowledge.

The breakaway clergy said they had “overwhelming” support in Oromia. BBC

Both parties described the other as a friend, with Naledi Pandor describing their talks as “wonderful”

Iran protests: Protesters among prisoners pardoned by leader

Iran’s supreme leader has pardoned “tens of thousands” of prisoners, including many linked to anti-government protests.

State media reports the pardons by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei came with conditions.

The pardons come on the eve of the anniversary of the Islamic revolution in 1979.

Demonstrations erupted last September following the death in custody of a woman held by Iran’s morality police.

Mahsa Amini, 22, was arrested for allegedly wearing her hijab, or headscarf, “improperly” - in violation of Iran’s strict dress code for women.

Authorities have portrayed the protests - which are still continuing - as foreign-backed “riots” and at times have responded with lethal force.

Human rights groups say more than 500 demonstrators have been killed, including 70 minors, and around 20,000 have been arrested.

Protests around the country have slowed considerably since

the first of the hangings began.

Iran’s state media says Ayatollah Khamenei’s latest pardons came after a letter from the head of the judiciary framed many of those detained as young people who’d been led astray by foreign influence and propaganda.

The letter claims that a number of protesters had expressed regret and asked for forgiveness.

But those charged with more serious offences - such as spying for foreign agents, murder or destruction of state property - will not be pardoned.

The measure will also not extend to any dual nationals currently being detained.

Under Article 110 of the Iranian constitution, the country’s supreme leader has the authority to issue pardons at the recommendation of the judiciary.

Sadeq Rahimi, the deputy judiciary chief, explained that those inmates who are qualified to be pardoned must pledge in writing that they regret what they have done otherwise, they will not be freed.

According to a report by the

judiciary-affiliated news agency, Mizan, Mr Rahimi said that “for the first time ever” defendants who have not received any final verdict will be also pardoned.

Oslo-based group Iran Human Rights estimates that at least 100 people in detention are facing death sentences. It says that all defendants have been “deprived of the right to access their own lawyer, due process and fair trials”.

Four have already been executed for crimes connected to the protests. In January two men were hanged for killing a member of Iran’s security forces.

The pair launched an appeal before their deaths, saying they had been tortured.

Speaking during his nightly address, President Zelensky said: “Things are very difficult in Donetsk region - fierce battles.” But, he added, “we have no alternative to defending ourselves and winning”.

The UK’s Ministry of Defence said Ukrainian forces in Bakhmut are getting increasingly isolated as the Russians continue to make

small advances in its attempt to encircle the town.

It added that the two main roads into Bakhmut were likely being threatened by direct fire.

• In the north-eastern city of Kharkiv, five people

were wounded after strikes hit civilian buildings in the city, local authorities have said.

• Five others were injured in the Donetsk region during rocket attacks, according to regional leader Pavlo Kyrylenko

The Chinese government has admitted a balloon spotted over Latin America on Friday is from China - but claimed it is intended for civilian use.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the aircraft had deviated from its route, having been blown off course.

A similar balloon was shot down in US airspace by military jets on Saturday amid allegations that it was being used for surveillance.

China has denied accusations of spying, saying it was monitoring the weather.

The incident has led to a diplomatic row between Washington and Beijing.

On Friday - before fighter jets brought down the balloon at the weekend - US military officials said a second Chinese balloon

had been spotted over Latin America.

On Monday, China admitted an aircraft had “accidentally entered Latin American and Caribbean airspace”.

Ms Mao told reporters the second balloon had “deviated greatly” from its intended route, citing the aircraft’s “limited manoeuvrability” and the weather conditions.

“The unmanned airship in question that came from China is of a civilian nature and used for flight tests,” she added.

“China is a responsible country and has always strictly abided by international law in order to inform and properly deal with all parties concerned, without posing any threat to any country.”

At the weekend, Colombia’s air force said an object with “characteristics similar to those

of a balloon” had been detected on 3 February in the country’s airspace at above 55,000ft.

Colombia said it had followed the object until it left the airspace, adding that it did not represent a threat to national security.

Meanwhile, work by US Navy divers continues to recover the wreckage of the surveillance balloon that was shot down off the coast of South Carolina on Saturday.

US President Joe Biden first approved the plan to bring down the balloon on Wednesday, but decided to wait until it was over water so as not to put people on the ground at risk.

The US believes the balloon was being used to monitor sensitive military sites.

Adm Mike Mullen, former chair of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, rejected China’s suggestion it might have blown off course,

The trial for the largest national security case in Hong Kong has begun, with some 47 people accused of “subversion” for holding an unofficial primary election.

They include some of the city’s most prominent pro-democracy figures, such as activists Joshua Wong and Benny Tai.

Most of them have been detained for the past two years

on security grounds.

Critics say the city’s controversial national security law is used as a tool to crush dissent.

But Chinese and Hong Kong authorities maintain it is needed to curb unrest.

On Monday long queues of supporters were seen outside the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Court, where the hearing is

taking place.

A small group of protesters also gathered outside the court. “Crackdown is shameless,” read one banner which added: “Immediately release all political prisoners.”

Prosecutors charge that the unofficial primary election - held to select candidates to contest a legislative election - was a “vicious plot” to subvert the

saying it was manoeuvrable because “it has propellers on it”.

“This was not an accident. This was deliberate. It was intelligence,” he added.

Relations between China and the US have been strained by the incident, with the Pentagon

Second balloon over Latin America is ours - China Hong Kong: Largest national security trial begins

calling it an “unacceptable violation” of its sovereignty. A planned trip by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to China was cancelled as a result of the row.

China has lodged a formal complaint with the US embassy in Beijing over the incident.

government.

The accused had a “massive and well-organised scheme” to gain a legislative majority and cripple the government by blocking the passage of laws, with the ultimate aim of overthrowing the Beijing-appointed chief executive.

The group, which has been charged with conspiracy to commit subversion, has

maintained they were merely practising normal opposition politics.

Supporters are surrounded by police outside the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts building during a hearing for the 47 prodemocracy activists on trial.

Dubbed “The 47” by local media, those connected to the case include: BBC

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued the pardons in the build-up to the anniversary of Iran’s Islamic Revolution

The first balloon, which was spotted over the United States, before it was shot down off the South Carolina coast

What is hybrid warfare? Inside the centre dealing with modern threats

Mysterious underwater explosions, anonymous cyber attacks and subtle online campaigns to undermine Western democracies - these are all “hybrid threats”. The BBC visited a centre dedicated to targeting a relatively new form of warfare which is increasingly concerning Nato and the EU.

“It is about manipulation of the information space. It’s about attacks on critical infrastructure,” explains Teija Tillikainen, when asked to define hybrid warfare.

She is director of the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (Hybrid CoE), which was established in Helsinki, Finland, six years ago.

Ms Tillikainen says it is an ambiguous threat format, which is something nations find very difficult to counter and protect themselves against.

But these threats are very real.

Last September, powerful underwater explosions beneath the Baltic Sea ripped gaping holes in the Nord Stream gas pipelines between the coasts of Denmark and Sweden. The pipelines were constructed to carry Russian gas to northern Germany.

Moscow was quick to deny any responsibility, but Western suspicions centred around a potential Russian motive to further starve the West of energy, as punishment for backing Ukraine after Russia’s invasion last February.

Then there is electoral interference. Few people realised at the time, but after the 2016 US elections, investigators concluded there had been concerted Russian interference - again, denied by Moscow - with the aim of damaging Hillary Clinton’s chances, in favour of Donald Trump.

This was allegedly conducted using online “bots” - artificial online accounts on social media controlled by state-backed cyber activists, working out of “troll factories” in St Petersburg.

Another method is disinformation - the deliberate propagating of an alternative, false narrative, often one that appeals to certain more receptive sections of a population. This phenomenon has accelerated since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with millions of citizens - not just in Russia but even in Western countriesaccepting the Kremlin’s line that the invasion was a necessary act of self-defence.

To help Western governments identify and protect themselves against these threats, Nato and the EU set up the Hybrid CoE

in Finland. The country is an interesting and perhaps natural choice for such a centre. For decades, it has stayed officially neutral, ever since it lost a short winter war with Russia in 1940.

But the two countries share a border which is 1,300km (807 miles) long, and a nervous Finland has been drawing ever closer to the West, culminating in its application to join Nato last year.

On a cold, snowy morning, I visited the centre, housed in an office block close to the defence ministry and just a short distance from the grey, Soviet-era Russian embassy building.

There, director Teija Tillikainen leads a team of around 40 analysts and subject-matter experts drawn from a number of Nato and EU countries, including a Briton on loan from the Ministry of Defence.

She explains that a current area of focus is in the Arctic, where they have mapped a lot of hybrid threat potential.

“There are new energy sources emerging,” she explains. “There are new possibilities for great powers to protect their interests. There’s also a lot of manipulation of information.

“The Russian narrative is the Arctic is a special region outside of conflicts where nothing bad is happening - and still Russia is building up its military there.”

Perhaps the key distinguishing features of hybrid threats are that they almost never involve an actual “kinetic” attack - someone opening fire with a weapon. They are much more subtle, but often no less dangerous. They are also nonattributable in nature, meaning it is usually hard to determine who was behind these acts, such as the 2007 massive cyber attack on Estonia, or last year’s gas pipeline explosions under the Baltic. The perpetrators take care to leave as few clues as possible.

There are numerous ways one state can damage another short of direct military action.

This is illustrated by a handbook drawn up by the centre, outlining maritime hybrid threats - containing 10 imaginary but highly-plausible scenarios. They range from the clandestine use of underwater weapons to declaring a control zone around an island, plus the blocking of narrow straits.

One real scenario they have examined in detail was Russia’s actions in the Sea of Azov prior to its invasion of Ukraine. From October 2018 onwards, in order for Ukrainian ships to progress from their home ports of Mariupol and Berdyansk through the Kerch Strait

and out into the Black Sea, they first had to queue for inspection by Russian officials. These delays, says Jukka Savolainen, the director of vulnerabilities and resilience, could stretch into days or even up to two weeks, inflicting economic damage on Ukraine.

But it is in the field of disinformation that the centre’s experts have found the most surprising results. After collating and assessing numerous opinion polls across Europe, they have come to the conclusion that in several Nato countries, Russia is winning the information war amongst substantial portions of the population.

In Germany, for example, the Kremlin’s narrative that its attack on Ukraine was a necessary reaction to Nato provocation has

been gaining popularity as the war continues. In Slovakia, more than 30% of those polled believed the Ukraine war was deliberately provoked by the West. In Hungary, 18% blamed “the oppression of the Russian-speaking population in Ukraine” for the war.

Jakub Kalensky, a senior analyst from the Czech Republic, uses the analogy of water to illustrate the need to suppress Moscow’s disinformation campaign.

“I wouldn’t evaluate Russian disinformation as particularly sophisticated,” he explains. “It’s

not about the attractiveness of the message, but the way they achieve success is through sheer numbers. There’s no reason to give these people access to social media platforms. Everyone wants to have access to fresh water, but we don’t allow them to poison the water.”

Ms Tillikainen says it is not the centre’s role to undertake measures to counter hybrid threats - but to assess, inform and then train others to do what needs to be done to protect Europe from this growing phenomenon.

Source: BBC

This is illustrated by a handbook drawn up by the centre, outlining maritime hybrid threats - containing 10 imaginary but highly-plausible scenarios. They range from the clandestine use of underwater weapons to declaring a control zone around an island, plus the blocking of narrow straits

Last September strong underwater explosions in the Baltic Sea ripped gaping holes in the Nord Stream gas pipelines between Denmark and Sweden

The Russian narrative is the Arctic is outside of conflicts [but it’s] building up its military there.

Hybrid threats include underwater sabotage, an increasing concern here in the Baltic Sea (pic: Frank Gardner)

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THE LIGHT BEARERS CLUB, OBBO-AIYEGUNLE

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31 JANUARY 2023

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Ghana footballer Christian Atsu trapped in Turkish Earthquake

•GFA prays for Atsu

By Amaechi Agbo

Ghanaian football player,, Christian Atsu has been reportedly trapped in the rubbles of Turkish Earthquake on Monday.

Reports emerged that the former Chelsea star is among thousands of people yet to be accounted for following the earthquake that rocked the country on Monday morning

Atsu who played for clubs in England is currently under the employ of Hatayspor.

More than 1,800 people have been killed and thousands more injured after a powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Turkey and Syria early on Monday.

The quake, one of the strongest to hit the region in more than 100 years, struck 23 kilometers (14.2 miles) east of Nurdagi, in Turkey’s Gaziantep province, at a depth of 24.1 kilometers, the US Geological Survey said.

Multiple strong aftershocks have been felt across the region for hours after the first quake, including a severe quake measuring magnitude 7.5.

Turkey’s disaster agency appealed for help from the international community as it conducts search and rescue operations, several world leaders have call to offer humanitarian support to Turkey

Several players of Hatayspor have been rescued following the earthquake, Atsu and club sporting director Taner Savut are still unaccounted for. A search

and rescue Operation is ongoing

Atsu’s former club Newcastle United tweeted: “Praying for some positive news, Christian Atsu.”

The Ghanaian international spent several years in England playing for top clubs like Chelsea, Everton, Bournemouth and Newcastle. He joined the Turkish outfit in 2022.

Currently, hashtag #prayforchristianatsu is trending on Twitter with former Black Stars captain, Asmoah Gyan tweeting “Oh God, plssss” with a picture of Atsu.

GFA prays for Atsu

Meanwhile, the Ghana Football Association, GFA has stated that it is praying for Atsu even as it is making efforts to establish contacts with the Turkish Football Federation.

The GFA in statement while hopeful for “positive news” added that it is contacting all Ghanian players in Turkey to ensure they are fine.

“We pray for Ghana International Christian Atsu and victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

“We continue with our efforts to establish contact with officials of Hataspor and the Turkish Football Federation, considering the difficult situation.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Christian Atsu and our brothers and sisters in Turkey and Syria. We remain hopeful for positive news

“National Teams Department of the GFA has been contacting all Ghanaian footballers within Turkey and Syria to ensure their safety in this difficult moment.

“We will continue to liaise

with all authorities and NGOs as we remain hopeful for positive news on all of them,’ the statement concluded.

No Nigeria player trapped in Turkey Earthquake - NFF

By Amaechi Agbo

The Nigeria Football Federation NFF has confirmed that no Nigeria player is trapped in the earthquake that rocked Turkey on Monday Morning.

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked areas of Turkey and Syria on Monday, causing devastation

across the countries with rising casualties.

A second earthquake, with its epicentre near the city of Kahramanmaras, hit several hours after the first and the rising death toll is currently 1,200

The federation in a short message on its verified Twitter handle said on Monday assuaged fears among Nigerians on the

possibility of Nigeria players being among those trapped in the rubbles stating that all the players plying their trade in Turkey are doing fine.

“The Nigeria Football Federation is sad about the unfortunate earthquake in Kahramanmaras city of Turkey.

“NFF President, Alh. Ibrahim Gusau has reached out to

Nigerian players based in Turkey and they have all confirmed that they are fine,” the federation said.

NFF commiserated with families and people of Turkey affected in the disaster

“We pray the souls of the departed rest in peace even as we commiserate with the people of Turkey at this time.”

There are more than 10

Nigerian players who play in the Turkish Super League. They include, Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagümrük); Anthony Uzodinma, Brown Ideye (Göztepe Spor Kulübü); Olanrewaju Kayode (Sivasspor), Leke James (Sivasspor); Valentine Ozonwafor (Galatasaray) ; Obinna Nwobodo (Göztpe), among others.

Christian Atsu

S P R T

Akwa United attacked by armed robbers

By Amaechi Agbo

Nigeria Premier Football League side, Akwa United team was attacked on Thursday by armed robbers on their way from Ibadan

The Akwa Ibom State owned club were attacked by armed robbery gang along Ogoni Road, Rivers State while returning from Ibadan after their NPFL game against Kwara United on Wednesday

The incident happened on Thursday at about 6:48pm when the team’s vehicles ran into a road block mounted by hoodlums.

The club confirmed the attack on their website

“Team Akwa United survived an armed robbery attack along Ogoni road, Rivers State while returning from Ibadan after honouring Nigeria Professional Football League Matchday 5 against Kwara United.

“The incident happened on Thursday February 2, 2023 at about 6:48pm when the team’s vehicles ran into a road block mounted by hoodlums,” the club said.

The drivers on noticing the illegal

road block, made frantic efforts to reverse the vehicles to safety but the criminals pelted the vehicles with dangerous weapons, smashed the windows and ran after the vehicles which led to one vehicle running into another but no life was lost.

Team Manager of the club Sir Emmanuel Udoh described the incident as unfortunate and expressed appreciation to God for His journey mercies and protection over the team.

“The attack on our team along Ogoni road was one terrible experience and the psychological effects is what we need to put behind us fast.

“It was God that saved us from those hoodlums, who were determined to do anything to us. The worst part of it is that the attack happened in-between two police checkpoints.

“On behalf of Akwa United, I want to use this opportunity to appeal to all security agencies to redouble their effort especially along some well-known dangerous locations like Ogoni road”

The team managed to arrive in Uyo at about 9:55pm.

Man City face expulsion from Premier League over financial breaches

By Amaechi Agbo

English Premier League defending champions, Manchester City could be expelled from the Premier League after the league organisers charged them with multiple breaches in transfer dealing over four years ago.

The Premier League charged Manchester City with more than 100 breaches of its financial rules following a four-year investigation.

It has referred the club to an independent commission over alleged rule breaches between 2009 and 2018.

Although City has “denied any wrong doings”, if found guilty, the champions will face punishments ranging from fine and points deduction to expulsion from the Premier League.

The commission also accused City of not co-operating since the investigation started in December 2018.

City said they were “surprised” by the charges and are supported by a “body of irrefutable evidence” in their short statement on Monday.

“Manchester City is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with,” the club said in a statement.

“The club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position.

“As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.”

Last season City won their sixth Premier League title since the 2008 takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group.

In a statement the Premier League said City breached rules requiring them to provide “accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position”. This information covered club revenue, which includes sponsorship income and operating costs.

BBC reports that further alleged breaches relate to rules requiring full details of manager remuneration - from the 2009-10 to 2012-13 seasons, when Roberto Mancini was in charge - and player remuneration between 2010-11 and 2015-16.

The Premier League said City breached rules related to UEFA regulations, including Financial Fair Play (FFP), from 2013-14 to 2017-18, as well as Premier League rules on profitability and sustainability from 2015-16 to 201718.

In 2020 European football governing body UEFA ruled that City committed “serious breaches” of FFP regulations between 2012 and 2016. However, a two-year ban from European competitions was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) later that year.

UEFA began its investigation into City after German newspaper Der Spiegel published leaked documents in November 2018 alleging the club had inflated the value of a sponsorship deal. The proceedings of the commission - chaired by Murray Rosen KC - will be confidential and heard in private.

When the Premier League investigation began, City said the allegations were “entirely false” and that allegations in Der Spiegel came from “illegal hacking and out of context publication of City emails”.

Akwa United bus damaged after the attack

Anthony Joshua: British heavyweight to make comeback against Jermaine Franklin

Novak Djokovic defeats Minaur to reach Australia Open quarter-final

Novak Djokovic made light work of home hope Alex de Minaur as he continued his pursuit of a record-extending 10th men’s title at the Australian Open.

Serbia’s Djokovic, 35, still had his left thigh strapped but he looked in no trouble as he won 6-2 6-1 6-2.

The fourth seed will play Russian Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals.

Rublev, seeded fifth, saved two match points - and fought back from 5-0 down in a final-set tiebreak - to beat Danish teenager Holger Rune.

Later on Monday, the 25-yearold discovered he would face Djokovic after the former world number one had too much quality for 22nd seed De Minaur.

On the prospect of facing Djokovic, Rublev joked: “No-one wants to face Novak, I want to be in the other half of the draw.”

Djokovic has been wearing strapping all tournament to protect a hamstring injury and asked for treatment in a medical timeout during his third-round win over Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov.

But, despite the concerns of his fans, he moved freely in a confident win against De Minaur, which took two hours and six minutes.

“I kept my focus all the way through to play my best match of this year so far,” Djokovic.told BBC Sports

British heavyweight Anthony Joshua will fight Jermaine Franklin on 1 April at the O2 Arena in London.

Joshua, 33, who lost back-toback fights to world champion Oleksandr Usyk, will be seeking a first win since beating Kubrat Pulev in 2020.

Franklin was beaten on points by Briton Dillian Whyte in

Zambia,

November, marking a first loss in 22 fights for the 29-year-old American.

“I’m looking forward to stepping back into the ring,” said Joshua.

“Mentally and physically I feel ready. I want to put on a show and impress my coach as he has high standards.

“Franklin has a good style and

a great attitude, which he has shown in recent fights.”

Undisputed champion Serrano sets up Taylor rematch

5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce: Katie’s coming home Joshua, a two-time world champion, lost by split decision as he sought to recapture the unified heavyweight titles from Usyk in August.

That was the Watford fighter’s third career defeat in 27 bouts, following a shock loss to Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019 which he later avenged.

Franklin said: “I’m ready to show the world why it’s time for me to take my place at the top of the heavyweight division.

“Joshua had his time. It’s my time to shock the world.”

Morocco FAs extend technical pact

Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) and the Morocco Football Federation have extended their football development agreement for another two years.

The two associations have had a technical agreement for the last seven years that has seen both Zambia men’s and women’s

teams hold training camps in the North African nation.

FAZ President Andrew Kamanga and his Moroccan counterpart Fouzi Lekjaa renewed the memorandum of understanding in Rabat.

“It is yet another milestone in our football development agenda with the MoU offering

opportunities for knowledge transfer and support to grow youth and women football as well as technical support,” Kamanga said.

“In March, we are sending three coaches for the CAF Pro License course. Additionally, Morocco has a huge pool of qualified coaches who are

available to support some of our Super League teams who may seek technical assistance.

“Under this agreement, Zambia and Morocco will organize international friendly matches for senior men and women’s teams as part of preparing for international engagements.”

“Tonight it wasn’t obvious I was dealing with an injury. I didn’t feel anything today, today was great.”

De Minaur, who became the final Australian player to fall in the singles, was unable to cope with Djokovic’s quality and precision from the baseline.

Rublev should provide a sterner examination - of Djokovic’s fitness and his incredible record at Melbourne Park - when the pair meet on Wednesday.

Djokovic infamously did not play last year after a row about his vaccination status which led to court hearings and his eventual deportation.

On his return, he has continued from where he left off at what he calls his “second home”, extending his winning streak there to 25 matches.

As well as a 10th Australian Open, Djokovic is going for a record-equalling 22nd men’s Grand Slam title.

Anthony Joshua lost his second bout against Oleksandr Usyk by split decision

Nigerian footballer slumps,

Peter Obi and those Onitsha-market polls

Propaganda, lies, and chicanery have always been instruments of war. In World War 2, Germany actuated and deployed the most pervasive, yet incisive propaganda ever witnessed in history. For the Germans, the idea was to psychologically overwhelm their adversaries, and consequently, secure victory on terra firma. The most pernicious warfare is that of the mind.

Politics, ordinarily, should not be warfare. But in a system of constant collision of interests like ours; it is sadly so. The weapons of political warfare are both corporeal and subliminal. The battle is fought in the minds of the electorate long before Election Day.

Nwabufo

not be freewheeling through endless tunnels of gaffes and inchoate ideas. But really, he did not plan to run for president. An accident happened.

Peter Obi’s presidential bid is a freak of politics; an idea contrived for performance and political quota. His bid is perhaps only relevant for regional affirmation and for intimation of anger by a section of the youth.

Bala, slumped and died during a home match between his club, CD Madridejo FC and SP Cabanillas in Spain Terceira Division on Sunday.

The Castilla-La Mancha Football Federation said in a statement that the Nigerian youngstar slumped for no apparent reason in the 39th minute of the match.

Medical personnel on the ground at the Municipal Toledo stadium were said to have immediately come to his aid, but efforts to revive him proved abortive as he was later pronounced dead.

The 21-year-old Kafanchan born player, Hadi, started his football career with Arewa United FC and other several clubs like Shareef Academy, Golden Balley, Zaria Bees and Salama FC all in Kafanchan, before moving to Plateau and Jigawa states.

“The Castilla-La Mancha Football Federation and Castilian-La Mancha football, with its President Pablo Burillo at the helm, are totally dismayed at such an event.

“For this reason, the federative body remains at the disposal of CD Madridejos for everything it needs in these difficult times,” the statement reads.

The 21-year-old Hadi last played in Nigeria with Nigeria National League side Jigawa Golden Stars

He was one of the four Nigerian players on the books of CD Madridejos including former Nigeria U-17 and U-20 striker, Kehinde Ayinde, before his death

The recent Nextier poll which arrogates dubious electoral advantage to Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party, is an asymptote of political sorcery. The poll is essentially a subterfuge, a ruse, a gambit, an artifice; it is a serpentine machination through and through.

The Nextier 2023 presidential election survey like the ANAP Poll before it, is a deliberate fabrication in the pursuit of political gain. The poll seeks to achieve predetermined objectives – (1) to endorse Peter Obi as the people’s candidate; (2) to exaggerate Peter Obi’s electoral value; (3) to create a siege of choice and chaos should the outcome of presidential election reflect a different candidate; and (4) to prejudice the election with an impossible fait accompli.

Nextier said it used ‘’144 enumerators to poll 3,000 respondents in all states in Nigeria’’ to determine its projections. This is clearly defective and not extensive -as it leaves more room for error than stated by the pollster.

According to Nextier’s projections, survey respondents in all the southeast states; in four out of six states in the southwest; in six states in the south-south, and in two states in the north-central preferred Peter Obi as president of Nigeria. The poll also projected impressive performance for Peter Obi in the northwest and the northeast. This is ludicrous. The survey obviously discounted voting behaviour across the

states, demographics, as well as sociological and ethnological influences among the electorate across the zones.

The Nextier Poll is not worth a breath of concern, really. It is sufficiently flawed in conception, and design. The preconceived agenda is obvious. Political propaganda through questionable polls. The poll is not different from the quotidian tallying of goods by Onitshamarket traders.

There have been open threats of violence by supporters of Peter Obi if he loses the election. These polls which mock reality, objectivity and common sense could be ammunition for what is to come if the election does not go in the way of the ‘’Obidients’’. There should be a ceiling for propaganda. When electoral impossibilities are sold as

definite outcomes by established pollsters, the risk is ominous. There is nothing dissuading the thought that ‘’Obidients’’, known to be choleric and unthinking, in their delusion of certain victory will not unleash themselves on the nation.

There are concerns that the country may experience another insurrection in the gravity of the #EndSARS violence over the outcome of the presidential election. It is dangerous giving hope where there is obviously no chance; it is foolhardy creating a dream that is unrealisable. It is unwise holding unto an illusion, believing it and living it. The only way out of this phantasm is the asylum.

As I wrote in a previous column, Peter Obi did not plan to run for president. If he did plan to run for president, he would

Obi’s bid was not out of compulsion to fix Nigeria or to make any change to the country; it was a just response to the scheming in the PDP. He was schemed out of the loop by a party notable for treachery. Peter Obi never planned, designed, or imagined running for president. His presidential bid is a hoax and a ploy to get back at those in the PDP who declared him a political liability.

Running for president takes intention; it takes years of planning; building a network of people and structures. It is not a happenstance or what you decide on in protest against the scheming in your party.

Peter Obi is not running for president to win, ‘’Obidients’’ must understand this; he only wants to make a trenchant statement, and perhaps build a following to secure political value-ship. If he was really running to win, he would have started forging alliances and building the necessary crosszonal network years ago.

‘’Obidients’’ must give up chasing a will-o-the-wisp; they must become realistic and measure their expectations.

By Fredrick Nwabufo; Nwabufo aka Mr OneNigeria is a media executive.

There are concerns that the country may experience another insurrection in the gravity of the #EndSARS violence over the outcome of the presidential election. It is dangerous giving hope where there is obviously no chance; it is foolhardy creating a dream that is unrealisable

Peter Obi