Friday, April 7, 2023 Edition

President Muhammadu Buhari(middle), with Chief of Staff Prof. Ibrahim Gambari(left), Outgoing UAE Ambassador H.E. Dr. Fahad Obaid Al Taffaq(2nd left), Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama(2nd right), and Dr. Saeed Al Remaithi as President Buhari receives in farewell visit Outgoing

to Nigeria in State

Reps set up ad-hoc c’ttee to probe alleged N20b theft in NNPC

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives on Thursday resolved to set up an committee to investigate the alleged theft of twenty billion naira (N20bn) by the staff of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited NNPCL.

The House decision was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent national

importance by a member from Kano State Hon Hafiz Kawu, during plenary.

The lawmaker alleged that staff of NNPCL were reported to have diverted the funds under the guise of consultancy fees paid to it’s consultant Messrs Sapphire.

The funds according to him is part of the money meant for the payment of taxes to state governments by the

corporation.

He expressed concern that at a time when the Nigerian government was doing it’s best to fight corruption and harnesses resources for the development of infrastructure, staff of an agency of government ought to be prudent in the utilization of state resources not to corruptly divert same.

“Staff of an agency of government ought to be

prudent in the utility of state resources not to corruptly divert it. If no action is urgently taken by this hallow chamber to nip this unethical and unwholesome practice in the bud, it will negatively affect the budget of our nation as well as deprive other state government of its revenue,” Kawu said.

The committee is expected to report back in four weeks for further legislative action.

NGO trains participants on creating wealth, job from used tyres

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Anongovernmental motorsports organization that promotes motorsports and road safety advocacy in Nigeria has trained participants on the “opportunities available for entrepreneurs to create employment and wealth thereby reducing poverty” in the country.

The programme which was organized by the Automobile and Touring Club of Nigeria (ATCN), a nongovernmental motorsports organization that promotes motorsports and road safety advocacy in Nigeria, took place at the the Cyprian Ekwensi Arts and Culture Centre, Area 10, Abuja.

More than 200 participants who were trained on how diesel and furniture could be produced

from used tyres by Umar Yabo and Priscilla Babajide respectively and took part in the street rally were presented with certificate of participation.

The president of Automobile and Touring Club of Nigeria (ATCN), Mr. Isiaku Bamayi, stated that, the “program aims at raising awareness on the hazards posed by improper disposal of used tyres and to promote a circular economic approach via extended producer responsibility (EPR) to the environmentally sound management of used tyres, which in turn will promote environmental quality an aspect of the environmental pillar of the FIA Sustainability Roadmap. “This awareness campaign will also educate Nigerians on the opportunities available for entrepreneurs to create

employment and wealth thereby reducing poverty. In essence, there will be training on the uses of waste tyres to develop materials to enhance your knowledge”, he said in his speech.

Engr. Chukwudi, an assistant director, plastic sector in the National Environmental Standards and Regulatory Agency (NESREA) who took day one training session explained that “the essence of applying EPR is not only to control and manage solid waste but to also engage manufacturers to ensure a policy action on how to re-use spent tyres instead of burning them and polluting the environment”.

The president of Association of Erudite Entrepreneurs of Nigeria, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar, said that, “the advocacy helps

us to understand that Tyre burning is a problem in terms of environmental hazards”.

Hon. Billy Nwoye, the managing director of Used Tyres Producers Responsibility Organisation of Nigeria (UTPRON), charged the participants to ensure that they take advantage of the entrepreneurial opportunities and tips the training would give to them while the principal technical officer of the VIO, Mr. Moses Daniel, commended ATCN for the advocacy programme.

More than 200 participants who were trained on how diesel and furniture could be produced from used tyres by Umar Yabo and Priscilla Babajide respectively and took part in the street rally were presented with certificate of participation.

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right), with the Award presented to him by the Chairman of the Joint Labour Union of the Ministry of Interior, Comrade Bassey Effiong yesterday in Abuja. .Photo: Justin Imo-owo

NJI Chief Imam urges Muslims to be conscious of end time signs

Sheikh Ahmad Sardauna, the Chief Imam of National Judicial Institute (NJI), has urged Muslims not to be carried away by the vanity of life as recent events have shown clearly that the end time is near.

Sardauna gave the advice at the 16th Annual Ramadan Lecture/Iftar, organised by the FCT Chapter of the Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates’Association (UNIFEMGA), held in Abuja.

Sardauna, who spoke on the

topic ‘Signs Of The End Time’, said Muslims must be cautious of the major and minor signs of end time and seek Allah’s favour and guidance at all times.

“Parents have great roles to play in making sure that their children understand the religion of Islam. When a child understands his religion, he will not go against the dictates of Almighty Allah.

“Look at what is happening around the world today. We are now seeing minor signs of

Ramadan Timing Day 15

end time around us everyday. The minor signs among others is that religious knowledge will disappear.

“And illiteracy will be the order of the day, adultery, fornication, drunkenness will be rampant, knowledgeable religious leaders will be leaving the world in droves, women and girls will be exposing their nudity, there will be high birthrate of female children when 50 girls will suffice for one man.”(NAN)

Foundation advocates nationwide domestications of national youth policy

Promad Foundation, a civic tech nonprofit organisation, has called for the domestication of the National Youth Policy (NYP) 2019-2023 by the remaining 34 states for effective youth civic participation .

Mr Daisi Omokungbe, Founder and Executive Director of Promad Foundation, made the call at a news conference to launch a Research Policy Memo on Accelerating Youth Civic participation and Development

Autism Day: NGOs seeks inclusive education curriculum for PWD

In the effort to commemorate

World Autism Awareness Day, a non -governmental organization, Ike Foundation for Autism (IFA) in collaboration with other relevant NGOs has called on the federal government to set aside functional educational curricula that can accommodate the needs of persons living with disabilities in the country.

World Autism Awareness Day is observed on April 2 to raise awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and promote the livelihood of people having autism.

It is also aimed at encouraging early diagnosis and intervention that can lead to improved outcomes for individuals with autism.

said only Lagos and Rivers have domesticated.

Omokungbe said that the research launched by Promad Foundation was with support from LEAP Africa and the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) in Abuja.

He said that the call for nationwide domestication of the NYP was imperative following the implementation of the foundation’s Accelerating Youth Civic Participation and Development (AYCP) project in FCT.

Polls: Observer groups hail INEC on C/Rivers elections

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives Spokesman, and Member representing Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has opened up on his intention to join the race for the position of Speaker of the 10th Assembly, with a promise to ensure Parliamentary independence if elected.

The House Spokesman equally assured his Colleagues and Nigerians of his resolve to prioritize laws bothering on education, economy, economic growth, job creation, poverty reduction, insecurity and healthcare and environmental sustainability, if elected as the next Speaker of the 10th Assembly.

Hon. Kalu who doubles as incumbent Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, gave the assurance during a media chat with Parliamentary Correspondents in Abuja.

While noting that Nigerians need a Speaker that has the capacity to achieve cohesion, national unity, inclusiveness that will bring everybody together for the purpose of achieving prosperity for the nation, Hon. Kalu assured that he has the capacity and competence to lead the Green Chamber having served meritoriously as the Spokesman of the 9th Assembly and other positions.

He said: “Nigerians are

looking for a Speaker that will increase what I call parliamentary sovereignty where the motions, the resolutions and independence of the arm of government would be showcased better than 9th assembly had struggled because 9th assembly has maintained its independence, then we need somebody that will take the bath and sustain that independence.

“Many people say rubber stamp but we have always consciously monitored the borderline in the way we sustain this racer free relationship with the executive., understanding the doctrine of separation of power, knowing the borderline between what is expected by the mandate of our arm of government constitutionally speaking and where the mandate of the executive starts.

“So, Nigerians are looking for parliamentary sovereignty, nigerians are looking for the speaker that will increase institutional trust. You and I will agree that the coming of the legislature appears like a strange arm of government when Nigerians have been used to the military rule - the executive and the judiciary.

“The issue becomes who is that man that will increase the credibility, the capacity, the knowledge base legislative intervention that would gladden the hearts of nigerians to begin to understand that really this is the fulcrum of our democracy.”

(Source: Society for the Propagation of Islam Kaduna) TIPS ON HEALTHY ‘IFTAR’

Choose lean proteins to get the benefits with little saturated fats. Include fish, skinless chicken or turkey and low-fat dairy to have as part of your iftar meal. If you’re vegetarian, you can select other protein sources such as legumes, beans and nuts.

(HealthyEating #Alarabiya.net)

Compiled By Al-Amin Ciroma

NIA erects sign post to reduce accidents in Kaduna metropolis

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

In continuation of its 50thanniversary celebration, the Kaduna State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Architecture (NIA), erected sign post in four major locations in Kaduna metropolis, namely: Lugard Hall, NEPA, Stadium, and Naira roundabouts.

The Chairman of the state chapter of NIA, Arc. Samuel Obaje, asserted this while speaking to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

According to him, sign post erected in Kaduna city is part of the organisation’s 50th-anniversary celebration and its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), a way of giving back to the society.

He added that the significance of the activities being embarked on by NIA in the state is to contribute positively to the development of the state and to also create awareness that the organisation is already 50 years in existence in the state.

Niger Gov elect inaugurates 71 member transition committee

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

The Niger State Governor elect Umar Mohammed Bago has inaugurated a 71 member independent transition committee mandated with the process of taking stock of all the outgoing prospects, liability, access and advised the incoming government accordingly.

Umar Mohammed Bago during the inauguration said it will make their findings clear to the public.

According to him, “Our intentions are clear not negative or personal, but in the interest of Nigerlites because posterity will surely judge us.” adding that in doing so, this would enhance the required development of the state.

He urged the committee to interface with officials of the current government in a view to understanding the position of the state financially.

Bago had earlier inaugurated three principal committees that reflect the desire of the in-coming administration to take off on a sound footing -the transition, Inauguration and Secretariat committees respectively.

Northern Youth to resist govt plans to remove fuel subsidy

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has expressed its opposition to the proposed removal of fuel subsidies in Nigeria.

The youth council, which represents the interests of young

people in the northern region of Nigeria, raised concerns about the potential impact of such a move on the already struggling economy and the Nigerian people.

In a statement issued by the council’s president, Isah Abubakar, the group expressed its fear that any palliative measures

put in place to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal would be looted by corrupt individuals, just like the COVID-19 intervention funds.

The council called on the Nigerian government to reconsider its decision to remove the subsidy, arguing that it would

only lead to an increase in the cost of living for the average Nigerian, who is already struggling to make ends meet.

They also urged the government to focus on implementing policies that would create jobs and stimulate economic growth.

49 Persons Killed in Benue Community by gunmen

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi 4

9 persons including a Police officer have been killed in two

(2) days by gunmen, suspected to be herdsmen militia in Umuogidi community in Otukpo Local Government Area, (LGA) of Benue state.

As at the time of filing this report, the police said eight dead bodies have been recovered including that of a police officer.

Our correspondent gathered that the incident happened on Wednesday evening, 4th March, 2023.

Recall that three persons were killed in the same community on Tuesday, 3rd March, 2023, with the latest killing making it 49 in 24 hours.

A source from the community told newsmen that while the villagers were burying the three persons killed earlier, the gunmen invaded the

village again and started shooting sporadically.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Otukpo LGA, Bako Ejeh said his son, in-law and nephew were all killed during the attack.

“The herdsmen came back and invaded the village again at about 4:15 pm yesterday and 46 persons including my own son.

“We just buried his copse and some other people are still missing. We don’t know their whereabouts.

“My immediate younger sister, same mother and father, they killed her husband, killed her second son of about 38 years old.”

The Special Adviser to Governor Samuel Ortom on Security Matters, Lt. Col. Paul Hemba (rtd) also confirmed the attack saying 46 persons have been recovered and more could have been killed as some members of the community have not been found.

Hemba said, “Yes that is what happened. I can confirm to you that there was an attack in Umogidi and as at this morning, the causality figure from those who were seen physically from what I was told were 46 so far and other people are still missing so the figure could rise higher than that.

“The unfortunate thing is the local government chairman is from that community and his 33-year-old son is also a victim. It’s a very tragic and painful incident.”

The Special Adviser noted that he would be visiting the area in company of the state Deputy Governor, Benson Abounu, to ascertain the level of damage in the community.

While stating that the herdsmen have consistently attacked that axis from Apa and Agatu LGAs in the last one month without provocations, Hemba said, “Sometimes they cause

a lot of destructions, damages to property and even to farmers in the area.”

He noted that the place is a bit calm at the moment as Police have been deployed and soldiers sent there to assist.

“I spoke to the Brigade Commander, 401 Special Forces Brigade, he sent soldiers and they are there. So the security situation, for now, is calm,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Benue State Police command has also confirmed the attack saying eight person have been killed.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Catherine Anene, in a message said “Attack on Umogidi community confirmed.

“8 corpses recovered including a police officer. More police teams have been deployed to the area to forestall further breakdown of law and order.

L-R: Minister of Police Affairs, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi; Director Legal Services, Bolarinde Omoluabi, and Managing Director, MPS Technologies Limited, Johnson Salako during the signing of an agreement on the Financial Direct Agreement with respect to the concession of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s National Public Security Communication System at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja..

Social Protection: OGP lauds Kaduna Gov’t over Social Security Bill

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Open Government Partnership’s (OGP) Technical Working Group (TWG) on Strengthening Social Protection Systems in Kaduna State has commended the government for the efforts to provide a legal framework for its social protection programmes.

Citizens Co-chair, OGP TWG on Strengthening Social

Protection Systems in Kaduna State Philip Daniel Yatai stated this in a statement made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

Mr. Yatai said this is a “laudable step” towards fulfilling the state government’s commitment in its OGP State Action Plan II, to provide a legal framework for social protection programmes.

According to him, Social

protection is about upholding human dignity and promoting the overall wellbeing of poor and vulnerable individuals amidst socioeconomic adversity.

“ However, the state is faced with the challenge of high poverty level, incoherent strategy towards addressing poverty, vulnerability, social exclusion and poor access to education, health, and nutrition services.

“A Bill for a law to provide for the Social Security Scheme and for connected matters, 2023 is among six Bills submitted to the Assembly by the State Executive Council for passage.

“Therefore, the government made a commitment to strengthen its social protection system to bridge identified gaps in rendering social protection services and provide a life of dignity for all residents.”

Photo: Justin Imo-owoo

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The Nigerian Military said its troops have killed 21 terrorists and rescued 54 terrorist escapees in the North Eastern part of the country.

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

He added that the troops also captured 9 suspected terrorists, arrested 11 suspected terrorists logistic suppliers/collaborators and 2 terrorists.

He revealed that 974 terrorists comprising 77 adult males, 364 adult females and 533 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the joint areas of operation.

“All recovered items, apprehended suspects have been handed over to the relevant authority further action. Equally, the rescued terrorists escapees and members of

Troops kill 21, rescue 54 terrorists escapees in North East

•As 974 surrender

the their families were profiled and given medical attention, while the surrendered terrorists and members of their families are also been profile for further action.”

Speaking further, he said precisely on 23 March 2023, troops conducted offensive operations to villages in Bama, Askira Uba and Mafa Local Government Areas of Borno State and took out several terrorists targets.

“During these operations, troops made contact with terrorists and following the fire fight, troops neutralized 7 terrorists while others fled. Troops recovered 1

NSTV gun, 1 NSTV barrel, 1 QJC barrel gun, 14 dane guns, 1 pump action gun, 1 x 36 hand grenade, 27 cartridges, 81 rounds of 7.62mm special, 7 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, Improvised Explosive Device wires, 7 motorcycles, 8 bicycles, 2 boafeng radios, 2 solar panel and 2 grinding machines among other items. Also, on 24 March 23, troops responded to intelligence about terrorists activities around Maisamari village in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State. Troops mobilized to the area and made contact with the terrorists.

“During the encounter, troops

neutralized 2 terrorists and recovered 2 PKT MG, 188 rounds of 7.62x54mm ammunitions, 1 hand grenade, 4 Ak47 magazines, pouches, boafeng radio, assorted drugs and other sundry items.

“Furthermore, on 25 March 2023, troops had a meeting engagement with terrorists close to their location in Kawuri in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.

“During the encounter, troops neutralized 2 terrorists while others fled with gun shot wounds. Following the incident troops recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 1 NSVT AA gun, 1 Gun Truck, 140 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1 vulcanizing machine, 3

shovels, 1 mechanic tool box and other sundry items. Equally, on 27 March 2023, troops intercepted a vehicle conveying passengers and food items along Monguno - Cross Kauwa road within Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State while trying to exit Monguno town and it was revealed that the food items were meant for terrorists. Six of the passengers were identified as terrorists logistics couriers and arrested. Items recovered include 2 cartons of spaghetti, 1 bag of garri and a bag of groundnut among other sundry items. Troops also recovered the sum of Sixty Nine Thousand One Hundred And Sixty Naira (N69,160.00) from the suspects.”

Put on hold release of N15bn FG humanitarian services funds - Reps tell NDDC

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives has mandated the Niger Delta Development Commission,NDDC to immediately put on hold the release of N15 billion counterpart funding requested by the federal government for humanitarian Intervention pending the approval of the Commission’s budget by the Green Chambers.

Th House resolution followed a Motion of ugent National Importance moved during plenary by Hon.Ujime Idem, a member Representing Ukanafun/Oruk

Anam Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom state.

Hon Idem in his debate explained that the House is aware that the Ministry of Niger Delta was inaugurated and commissioned by the Presidency to attend to intervention and humanitarian needs of the Niger Delta region of the country and promote the physical development of the Niger Delta region

The Lawmaker further

informed the House that since its inauguration, the Ministry of Niger Delta has executed fundamental and important humanitarian intervention projects across the region.

He said “Aware that part of the fund available for use by the Commission is money recovered on its behalf by EFCC and given to the Commission, to ease the implementation and its financial obligations adding that the Federal government had recently sent a special request mandating the Ministry of Niger Delta to jointly finance an intervention and humanitarian programme of sums running into several Billions of Naira using the money recovered by the EFCC without budgetary provision.

“Also cognizant that the NDDC Budget estimates for 2021 , 2022 & 2023 is before it waiting for a legislative approval

“Worried that such request for intervention and humanitarian proposals by the federal governmentent without requisite financial appropriation and approval by this honourable

House is illegal and a breach of the Appropriation Act. The House therefore resolved

to mandate the committee on Niger Delta Development Commission to scrutinize the

request by the federal government and report back to the whole house within 2 weeks.

Troops arrest 21 suspected criminals in Lagos

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Muhammadu Buhari, Thursday said the 2023 elections have proved the growing strength of Nigeria’s democracy and the sophistication of the Nigerian voter when it comes to the choice of leaders.

Speaking when he received the newly-installed Emir of Dutse, Jigawa State Capital, Alhaji Muhammad Hamim Nuhu Sunusi at the State House in Abuja, President Buhari said

the stunning outcome of 10 Governors failing to make it to the Senate meant that there is no longer a guaranteed route to power and the voter is truly the king when it comes to elections.

“It is a testament to the maturity of our democracy and to the amazing sophistication of the voter. What shocked me was that the ordinary citizen who is usually underrated has made the point of his political understanding of things. Assumption is always that you are Governor for eight years and

you go to the Senate to crown the career. No one should underrate the Nigerian voter anymore. Politics will be more difficult, henceforth,” the President said. After listening to the Emir who listed several government projects put in place for Jigawa State under the Buhari Presidency, and a request for some more, the President promised to do his best for the State in the remaining time left, and to brief the incoming President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on those requests,

agreeing with visitors that the particular problem of water supply to the State Capital is worrisome.

The President told the Emir and members of the Emirate Council who accompanied him that he and the entire nation will continue to miss his friend, the late Emir, Alhaji Nuhu Muhammad Sunusi, saying that he will continue to pray for the repose of the deceased.

The Emir and leader of the delegation, Alhaji Muhammad Hamim thanked the

administration of Muhammadu Buhari for helping Jigawa State to excel in major rice production, for approving a rail link to Dutse from Kano and for the restoration of peace to the State, the entire nation and the neighbouring countries that had suffered past insecurity.

The Emir also welcomed the upgrading of the Army Battalion in Dutse to a full military Brigade and requested the President to do something about the acute water shortage affecting the State Capital.

L-R: Vice President-elect Senator Kashim Shettima with former Ambassador and deputy head of mission, Embassy of Nigeria in Washington DC Ambassador Hassan Mohammed Hassan during the Ambassador visit to vice President-elect yesterday

Katsina senatorelect, Yar’Adua promises to deliver on campaign promises

Abdul’aziz Yar’Adua, the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s Senator-elect for Katsina Central Senatorial District, has promised to deliver his campaign promises to the people of the zone.

Yar’Adua, who toured the 11 local government areas that constitute his senatorial district, said the visit was to thank them for the election victory.

The statement was made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja by Mr Abubakar Umar, a legal practitioner and member of the APC in the state.

Yar’Adua said the visit was to show appreciation to the people on behalf of the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu; Katsina State Governor-elect, Dr Dikko Radda and his humble self.

“The tour, which started on Tuesday, 28th of March to Saturday, 1st of April, 2023 across the local governments, was to express gratitude and appreciation to the people who stood firm to see that the APC emerged victorious in the just-concluded elections and to assure them of our commitments in making sure that the campaign promises are prioritised.

“The tour involved meeting with traditional rulers, party EXCOS and stakeholders from each local government,” he said.

The senator-elect, a retired Lt.-Col. in the army and younger brother to late President Umaru Yar’Adua, said it was imperative for him to visit his constituents just as he did before the elections to let them know that they had made the right choice.

“We will do everything within our capacity to see that your concerns are taken care of, especially the issue of banditry that has destabilised the peace in the state.

“The President-elect Alhaji Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Katsina Governor-elect Dr. Dıkko Umar Radda and myself have Issue of insecurity as one of our top most priorities,” he said.

On his part, Umar said the visit was a tip of the iceberg out of what the lawmaker-elect had in store for the people.

According to him, hopefully, this practice of holding townhall meetings will be a continuous one as it afford the people the opportunity to interact with their elected representatives and voice their concerns.

Sani Baba, a resident of Batsari Local Government in the state, thanked the senator-elect for the engagement.

Baba, a 45-year-old farmer, said Yar’Adua’s visit was the first time any elected official would ever embarked on such a tour to show appreciation to the electorate.

Nigerian army achieving self-sufficiency in defence production – COAS

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, says the Nigerian Army is on course towards achieving self-sufficiency in defence production.

Yahaya said this on Wednesday in Abuja, at the closing of the Chief of Army Staff First Quarter Conference, 2023.

He said that there were notable effects of Research and Development in the successes of militaries world over.

According to him, this is judging from the items showcased by various establishments during the Research and Development Exhibition at the beginning of the conference.

“I have no doubt that we are on course towards achieving selfsufficiency in defence production.

“I am glad that the Nigerian

army research and development efforts has in recent times received renewed push to contribute towards addressing our needs and contemporary challenges.

“The newly established Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre is also positioned to support the research and development effort Nigerian Army delivers.

“We should also continue to harness and encourage personnel with research potentials to put more efforts to enhance our research and development, and be innovative to reposition the Nigerian Army to curb contemporary challenges,” he said.

The COAS said that the interaction during the conference had elicited actionable ideas that would undoubtedly improve army’s kinetic and non-kinetic operations.

He said the conference had also afforded the Army, the opportunity to adequately appraise ita efforts for better outputs for the remaining months of the year and beyond.

He commended the troops for their effort, dedication, commitment and sacrifices across all theatres of operation and during the just-concluded Operation Safe Conduct.

He also commended them for the collaboration with sister services, other security agencies and civil/military cooperation.

According to him, there is no gainsaying that there is need to sustain these collaborations to guarantee cohesiveness and resolve in the defence of the nation.

Yahaya said the establishment of Faruk Yahaya Historical Park was part of efforts geared towards commemorating and preserving

the cherished history of serving and retired Nigerian army officers and soldiers.

He said the park, an extension of the Nigerian Army Museum, also honoured their fallen heroes and keeps records of deserving personnel who served the nation valiantly with legendary leadership qualities.

“The park provides a sense of belonging, a sense of pride, and a sense of honour to the families of our deceased and serving colleagues whose names are inscribed in recognition of their service,” he said.

The Army chief noted that the service had remained sensitive to troops morale on its performance in operations, hence the procurement of 25 new Toyota Hilux vehicles for 25 Army Warrant Officers among other welfare packages.

Experts task women entrepreneurs on digital transformation

The Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria (DTC) has advised women entrepreneurs to be fearless, courageous and embrace digital transformation to boost their businesses.

Dr Thuweba Diwani, Head of Project, DTC Nigeria, gave the advice at a seminar on Wednesday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the seminar was: “Driving the Digital Transformation of Female Entrepreneurship in Nigeria.”

NAN also reports that the seminar organised by the DTC Nigeria was co-funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the European Union, implemented by the German Agency for International

Corporation (GIZ).

According to Diwani, digital transformation essentially aims to improve Nigeria’s digital innovation ecosystem and growth.

Diwani urged women entrepreneurs to be fearless, step out of their comfort zones and embrace digitalisation for enhanced growth.

“So, the focus is essentially to seek to improve the digital innovation ecosystem in Nigeria and the capacity of the Nigerian economy to utilise digital innovations for growth.

“We work in varying capacities and creating an enabling environment in improving the development of digital solutions and innovations and having these adopted by Micro Small and Medium

Scale Enterprises (MSMEs).

“We ensure that women are able to acquire digital tools in their entrepreneurship activities and one of the greatest challenge for women is the fear of getting out there.

“Exploring new things and we tend to stay in our comfort zones, what I will advice is to be fearless and let us embrace what is new,” she said.

Diwani added that the benefits of digitisation should be looked at very analytically, critically and then deliberately go ahead to acquire the skills we need to be able to get ahead.

She also stressed the importance of mentorships, positive attitude, curiosity and confidence by women entrepreneurs to reach the next level of their careers.

Dr Amina Sambo-Magaji, Acting Director, Digital Literacy and Capacity Development Department, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), said that women are essential in the digital space.

Sambo-Mogaji was represented by Dr Aminu Tanbuwal, Head, Digital Literacy/Skills Division of the agency.

She said: “Having women in the digital space is very important. At the moment, we are seeing a lot of progress, especially in Nigeria.

“We about 25 per cent or so of women in technology. So, this number needs to go higher. You know, it is said that a lot of women that are at home can also engage in the technology sector through the digital economy.

L-R: Deputy chief medical director, CMD, Lagos Island Maternity, Dr. Ogungbemile; president, Rotary Club of Lagos, Joseph Akhigbe; medical director, Lagos Island Maternity, Dr Olufem Omololu, and director, Rotary Foundation, Rotarian UK Eke, MFR, when the Rotary Club of Lagos District 9110 donated mobility aids to hospitals in Lagos, recently.

Adamawa

SDP gubercandidate, Ardo eulogies party’s Organizing Secretary

From Umar Dankano, Yola

The Adamawa state Governorship Candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Dr. Umar Ardo has applauded the outstanding performance of the party’s Organizing Secretary, Hon. Abdul Aziz Jibrilla during the elections in the state.

Ardo expressed his gratitude to the party’s scribe through an appreciation letter personally written by him, thanking Jibrilla for his support, loyalty and commitment during the electioneering processes despite human challenges faced.

He said jibrilla’s contributions to the development of the party is second to none in the political history of the party in the state against all odds.

“AbdulAzeez, l write to formally thank you for the moral, strategic and physical support and commitment you gave me during my bid to contest the governorship election of my dear state of Adamawa.

“As the party state organizing secretary, and without any incentive whatsoever, u dedicated urself to my contest in everything you were supposed to undertake to ensure my victory. And in spite of all the shortcomings on my part and on the part of the campaign, you have never been heard making unreasonable demands or complaints. I’m sure u’ve seen how your support was put to good use and was of great help in the campaign.”

NSCDC arrest 3 suspects for printing fake 2m naira/dollar notes in Zamfara

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

Zamfara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has succeeded in the arrest of three suspects in connection with printing, minting and circulating of 2 million naira and dollar notes.

Parading the suspects at the NSCDC State Command Gusau Zamfara State capital, Commandant Muhammad Bello Mu’azu, said one kamalu Sani of Yaryara area of Tsafe local Government Area and Sulieman Yusuf of Bakin Tasha of Tsafe local government area were arrested in Gusau while trying to

pay for transport fare to a keke Napep operator with the fake one thousand naira note.

According to Commandant Mu’azu, the keke Napep operator was instantly able to identify the fake note and raised an alarm which led to the arrest of the culprits.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that, kamalu Sani has indulged in this business for the period of one year.

“He confessed to have been introduced to the illicit act by one Ado Gurgu of Tsafe local government area who took him to one Muazu Abdulkarim of kwartarkwarshi village. He further confessed that, the said Muazu Abdulkarim is the one who supplies

the fake currency and that each one thousand fake naira note is exchanged at four hundred naira only”, Commandant Mu’azu has added.

He noted that, operatives of the NSCDC had traced the supplier of the fake currency to somewhere in kwartarkwarshi village where the prime suspect, Muazu Abdulkarim who is at large, directed his son Uzaifa Muazu who has also been in the illicit trade with the father to open a box that contains fake currencies both naira and dollars for onward supplies to the suspects.

The sum of sixty thousand naira of fake currency was found along side with Two thousand six hundred dollars of fake U.S dollars

were found in the box. Meanwhile, the sum of seventeen thousand naira of fake currency was seen with Kamalu Sani during his arrest.

Uzaifa Muazu who is the son to the prime suspect Muazu Abdulkarim confessed that, Muazu Abdulkarim has been in this illicit act for more than three years and that he gets the fake monies from Kano in company of one Ado Gurgu.

Commandant Muhammad Bello Muazu however advised the general public to be wary of these mischievous set of people, explaining that the Command has put its search light on these mischief makers and the Corps shall clampdown on them heavily.

Jigawa correspondents congratulates Gov-elect, Umar Namadi

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

The members of the correspondent chapel Jigawa state Nigeria Union Of Journalists congratulated his Governor Elect, Malam Umar Namadi for his emergence as

winner of the last gubernatorial election in the state.

This was contained in a statement signed by the chairman of the chapel comrade Muhammad Zangina Kura and issued to news men in Dutse.

The statement described

Malam Umar Namadi who is a former commissioner of finance and current deputy governor of the state as a man of integrity , moral discipline, selfless commitment, patriotism and compassion to humanity. According to the statement,

Malam Umar Namadi is a rear politician who distinguished him self in public service and earned reputation and confidence of people of Jigawa state in the last eight years.

“Your election as an APC flag bearer and the next

Jigawa state governor is a clear testimony of your outstanding performance in public service, simplicity, loyalty and obedient to the rule of law.

“We hope you will operate all-inclusive government as you promised during campaign”.

Zamfara: Senator-elect Yari feeds 6000 orphans

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

Former Zamfara State Governor and Senator-elect, Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar has distributed 200 trucks of assorted grains worth 200 million naira meant to alleviate pains felt

by orphans from across the 20 emirates of the state.

Flagging off the distribution exercise on Wednesday at Command Guest Inn Gusau, former Governor Yari who was represented by the former Commissioner ministry for religious affairs, Dr. Abdullahi Maharazu Mafara, said

the gesture was purely nonpolitical. Maharazu noted that, 5200 bags of assorted grains have been procured with a view to feed the 6000 randomly selected orphans from the 20 emirates of the state, adding that, 4170 bags were distributed to the orphans during the 2022 Ramadan.

The grains been distributed include 55,350,000 bags of rice, 33,075,000 bags of sugar, 18,900,000 bags of millet, 28,350,000 bags of corn, and bundles of brochures and wrappers for both boys and girls orphans added with the sum of 2000 naira each for tailoring.

Dr. Maharazu further called on the benefitting emirates to ensure the success of the exercise, adding that, more plans have been hatched by the former Governor, Yari, with a view to increase the number of the beneficiaries especially considering the hardship people of the state have found themselves.

President Buhari with H.E. Dr. Eustaquio Januario Quibato, Outgoing Ambassador of Angola to Nigeria in State House on 6th April 2023

Information dissemination: AMAC Chairman visits NTA Channel 5

By Usman Shuaibu

The Executive Chairman of Abuja Municipal of Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, has led the management of the Area Council on a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Television Authority Channel 5 in Abuja for the sake of information dissemination as well as the grassroots development.

Maikalangu said: “He is proud of NTA Channel 5 for meeting the yearnings of the people at the grassroots, especially by giving them a voice”

He paraphrased that his presence at the station was to identify and align with the NTA Channel 5 in order to meet its goals and objectives.

The Council’s boss pledged to sustain the council’s existing relationship with NTA Channel 5 Abuja.

His words: “NTA Channel 5 has been a reliable source of information for years and has been doing its best for the people at the grassroots level. It has been the voice of the voiceless and a worth partner in progress.

“This is why we decided to partner with the management of continue delivering dividends of democracy to AMAC People. Like I always say, the betterment of AMAC is uppermost on my mind and I will continue making use of every opportunity to make sure that my people get the best of what we can offer”

Kaduna govt reinstates 1,266 disengaged primary school teachers

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Kaduna State Government has approved the reinstatement of 1,266 primary school teachers earlier disengaged after the competency test in June 2022.

Public Relations Officer State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Hauwa Mohammed stated this in a statement made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

The statement stated that, “having examined and verified

their components, the Government approved the reinstatement of 392 teachers who wrote and passed the test, 515 Central Administration staff who were officially exempted from the test and 298 teachers who were verified to be sick at the time of the test and

had valid medical excuse, backed by Doctor’s certificate.

“ Others reinstated are teachers who were reported by their respective Education Secretaries, to have been victims of kidnapping or involved in accidents.“

Ramadan lecture: Women group laments divorce among couples in Northern Nigeria

From Ahmad Muhammad, Bauchi

AMuslim Women Islamic Association called Sisters of Jannah Bauchi State Chapter has expressed

worry over the high rate of divorce among Muslim couples in Northern Nigeria.

Sisters of Jannah expressed their worry at the 2nd Ramadan Lecture organised by the Association at Bauchi Cebtral

Mosque.

The lecture is themed; “Issue of Divorce in Muslims homes / rights of neighbors.

The lectures were delivered by Islamic Scholars, Mallam Muhammad Suhailu Lawal and

Malama Khadija Ahmed. In their separate submissions, the scholars lamented that most parents usually ignore the instructions of the Holy Quran when giving their children out in marriage.

”The implication is that if we don’t follow the Islamic regulation by offering prayers to Allah for guidance and following the Islamic teaching, there will be domestic problems”.

Buhari bids farewell to Angolan, UAE Ambassadors

By Egena Sunday Ode

Two outgoing Ambassadors were hosted in farewell audiences at State House, Abuja, Thursday by President Muhammadu Buhari, and they had kind words to say about their tour of duty in Nigeria.

His Excellency, Dr Eustaquio Januario Quibato of Republic of Angola thanked the President for the “wise

leadership you’ve been giving to Nigeria,” for being the Champion of Anti-Corruption in Africa, and for degrading the Boko Haram insurgency group.

The outgoing Ambassador also lauded President Buhari for repositioning the Nigerian economy to be less import dependent.

President Buhari recalled the role Nigeria played in the liberation of Angola, noting that the country uses its size

and resources to help sister African nations as much as possible.

He said despite the rash of military coups in some parts of the continent, “democracy is still the best option.”

In another audience, President Buhari received the outgoing Ambassador of United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dr Fahad Obaid Al Taffaq, saying he was quite glad that Nigeria made a good

impression on him, as he stated in his remarks.

Recalling that he had been well received anytime he visited UAE, President Buhari assured that the two countries will continue to improve on their relationship, “as we have so much in common.”

Dr Taffaq equally pledged that the two countries will continue to work “on the details of our relationship,” adding that he made lots of

friends in government, the private sector, and civil society, in his five-year stay.

He said he traveled extensively in Nigeria, and has come to understand the diversity and culture of the people.

“I am leaving with beautiful memories. I will continue to be close to Nigeria in different capacities,” the Ambassador promised.

Newly promoted Head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Commissioner of Police Olatunji Disu (middle) being decorated with his new rank by DIG Kayode Egbetokun (right), and assisted by his Wife, Funmilayo Disu, during the decoration of newly promoted senior police officers, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Group lobbies for South-South geopolitical zone to produce next Senate President

Citizens Network For Peace and Development in Nigeria (CNPDN), a civil society group, has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC), to zone Senate Presidency to the South-South geopolitical zone.

Making the call in Abuja on Tuesday, its National Secretary, Mr Francis Wainwei, told a news conference that the zone was better positioned to produce the next Senate President.

He said it was important and fair for the National Working Committee (NWC) and various organs of APC to consider the region for the post.

According to him, aside the fact that the zone has a ranking senator in the person of Sen. Godswill Akpabio, it has not produced a Senate president since Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999.

Wainwei also said that zoning the president of the senate of the 10th Assembly to the region would foster true sense of belonging.

“Considering the SouthSouth zone will make for peaceful and smooth take-off of the new dispensation under the presidentelect, Sen. Bola Tinubu.

“The call is also strengthened by the fact that the APC got more than 25 per cent votes in each of the six South-South states.

“This feat was achieved in spite of the fact that the region has been known as the stronghold of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before now,’’ he said.

Wainwei added that the SouthSouth contributed greatly in ensuring that the APC won the 2023 presidential election.

On Apkapbio’s credentials, he said: “Godswill Akpabio is the right senator-elect.

“He has the competence, national acceptability and political experience to effectively pilot the affairs of the senate.

“As a former governor and minority leader in the Senate, representing the PDP, becoming President of the Senate as an APC member makes Akpabio a formidable bridge between the Executive and the Legislature.

“We call on all patriotic senatorselect to support and vote massively for Akpabio.

“We also call on all patriotic Nigerians who want the `Nigeria of our Dreams’ to prevail on the APC to zone the position of Senate President to the South-South geopolitical zone,’’ Wainwei stressed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that based on Senate Standing Rules, only ranking senators are eligible to contest for the position of President and Deputy President of the Senate.

Wainwei said also that the in-coming government should distribute available political positions equitably among the six geopolitical zones to enhance national unity.

“As patriotic citizens, our primary interest is the unity and prosperity of the nation; hence, this is a clarion call to the ruling party to do the needful.

“The party and incoming government should promote government of national inclusion, equity and fairness to all geopolitical zones,’’ Wainwei said. (NAN)

Poverty reduction: IFAD/FG launch strategic opportunities programme 2024-2029

The Federal Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD/FG), on Wednesday launched the design of new Country Strategic Opportunities Programme, 2024-2029, (COSOP) for transformation of Nigeria’s agriculture food systems.

Mrs Dede Ekoue, Country Director, IFAD-Nigeria, identified COSOP as a roadmap for the implementation of IFAD’s mandate for inclusive and sustainable rural transformation focusing on small holders farmers in line with food system approach.

The Country Director said this during the National Technical Launch of Nigeria-IFAD COSOP Formulation in Abuja.

According to her, the 2024 to 2029 COSOP design process adopts a highly consultative participatory and inclusive process that solicits the views of broad range of stakeholders from the government, small-scale farmer representatives, farmer organisations, private sector and development partners.

Ekoue said the measure was to ensure that COSOP is alive to the needs and aspirations of the people and cognisant of the prevailing challenges, opportunities, resources and technological requirements to meet the people’s expectations.

“in this regards the launch today therefore marks a key milestone toward meeting these objectives and signals the start of the engagement process.’’

She said the programme,

as a transformative approach for sustainability and scale up results, will enable the rural poor and smallholders farmers to pull themselves out of poverty.

“COSOP is a cooperation strategy between IFAD and a member country which identifies the key objectives and development results to be pursued during a timeframe of five to nine years.

“It takes into consideration country’s fragility and vulnerability to natural and manmade shocks, or weak governance structures, mainstream gender, youth, nutrition and climate resilience.

“Partnerships strategy with private sector for empowerment of the rural poor and the small holders and agrifood system transformation.”

She noted that the current COSOP, 2016 to 2023, whose goal was to have a rural economy in which the targeted population can derive prosperity and equal benefits from economic growth have had huge successes.

She assured stakeholders that COSOP would have adequate salient features that focuses on smallholder farmers, enhances innovation, builds in transparency, assesses fragility and vulnerability.

“It also identifies the right targets and builds partnership strategies with development partners and private sector actors.

Ekoue said “COSOP will assess risks and purpose mitigation strategies and learn across board through the south-south and

triangular cooperation in order to create an enabling environment for the development of inclusive and profitable agricultural value chains.

Dr Faniran Sanjo, Convener, UN Food System Transformation Pathway for Nigeria, said COSOP was informed based on the call by the United Nation Secretary General António Guterres in 2020 on all countries.

He quoted the Secretary General as calling on all countries to look inward and come up with issues that are affecting food systems and to change the narrative.

Sanjo, also the Director Social Development Department, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, said Nigeria joined other countries and held dialogue across all the length and breadth of the country cutting across geopolitical zones.

He said “three levels of dialogue were held one for policies makers, one across the zones and we crown it up with national consultative dialogue that brought about all the issues that are affecting food system.’’

“We came up with recommended solutions presented by President Muhammad Buhari at the 2021 UN Food System Summit in New York.

He revealed that at the moment, implementation of the programme has commenced with the involvement of one state as coordinator of each of the six geopolitical zones.

He also identified Lagos

State as coordinating for South west, Kwara coordinating for North Central, Kano state coordinating for North West, Enugu coordinating for south east, Akwa-Ibom coordinating for south south, while Borno state is coordinating for north east.

“Each of the states have set up machinery to ensure that the coordination cut across all the areas.

“We have also constituted a stirring committee, Permanent Secretaries of Ministry of Agriculture, six states being chaired by the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, and Co-Chaired by Country Director FAO, IFAD and World Food Programme (WFP),’’ (NAN)

Group lobbies for South-South geopolitical zone to produce next Senate President

Citizens Network For Peace and Development in Nigeria (CNPDN), a civil society group, has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC), to zone Senate Presidency to the South-South geo-political zone.

Making the call in Abuja on Tuesday, its National Secretary, Mr Francis Wainwei, told a news conference that the zone was better positioned to produce the next Senate President.

He said it was important and fair for the National Working Committee (NWC) and various organs of APC to consider the region for the post.

According to him, aside the fact that the zone has a ranking senator in the person of Sen. Godswill Akpabio, it has not produced a Senate president since Nigeria returned to democracy in

1999.

Wainwei also said that zoning the president of the senate of the 10th Assembly to the region would foster true sense of belonging.

“Considering the South-South zone will make for peaceful and smooth take-off of the new dispensation under the presidentelect, Sen. Bola Tinubu.

“The call is also strengthened by the fact that the APC got more than 25 per cent votes in each of the six South-South states.

“This feat was achieved in spite of the fact that the region has been known as the stronghold of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before now,’’ he said.

Wainwei added that the South-South contributed greatly in ensuring that the APC won the 2023 presidential election.

On Apkapbio’s credentials, he said: “Godswill Akpabio is the right senator-elect.

“He has the competence, national acceptability and political experience to effectively pilot the affairs of the senate.

“As a former governor and minority leader in the Senate, representing the PDP, becoming President of the Senate as an APC member makes Akpabio a formidable bridge between the Executive and the Legislature.

“We call on all patriotic senators-elect to support and vote massively for Akpabio.

“We also call on all patriotic Nigerians who want the `Nigeria of our Dreams’ to prevail on the APC to zone the position of Senate President to the South-South geopolitical zone,’’ Wainwei stressed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that based on Senate Standing Rules, only ranking senators are eligible to contest for the position of President and Deputy President of the Senate.

Wainwei said also that the in-coming government should distribute available political positions equitably among the six geopolitical zones to enhance national unity.

“As patriotic citizens, our primary interest is the unity and prosperity of the nation; hence, this is a clarion call to the ruling party to do the needful.

“The party and incoming government should promote government of national inclusion, equity and fairness to all geopolitical zones,’’ Wainwei said. (NAN)

Mrs Dede Ekoue

Niger Gov. condoles

Sen. Kalu over mother’s death

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

The Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello who is also an elected senator representing Niger North has sympathized with the Senate Chief Whip, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, over the loss of his wife Mrs Ifeoma Ada Kalu.

Governor Sani Bello in a statement enjoined Sen. Kalu to remain steadfast in God in this trying moment.

According to him, “I know this is a difficult time for you and other family members, but I want you to know that God who has allowed this to happen, is capable of comforting you.

“She lived a good life, and I want you to be console with that.”

Gov Bello fecorates his CSO with CSP rank

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has decorated the Chief Security Officer (CSO), Government House, Minna, Isa Murtala Raji with his new rank, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP).

The decoration ceremony was performed by Governor Sani Bello and assisted by the Commissioner of Police Mr.Joshua Ogundele Ayodeji shortly before the commencement of the weekly executive council meeting.

The Governor congratulated him on his promotion and enjoined him to be more dedicated in the discharge of his duties.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the ceremony, the elated Murtala Raji said he was happy with his new promotion and promised to give his best.

Arewa group wants Igbo as next Senate President

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Anorthern political group, Arewa Young Professionals in Politics, has urged the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to in the interest of national unity, stability and cohesion, zone the Senate presidency to the SouthEast.

The group, which argued that, House of Representatives speakership is enough to compensate the North-West, despite being the largest contributor to APC victory, said South-East should be given a sense

of belonging, despite its meagre contribution.

Addressing a press conference at the popular Arewa House in Kaduna on Wednesday, Convener of the Group, Mal. Yusuf Idris Amoke said, the APC leadership and the President-elect need to employ wisdom in the power distribution.

According to him, “We are here today to discuss the crucial issue of political inclusion in Nigeria. As you are aware, the recent general elections saw the APC emerge victorious at the Presidential and National Assembly level.

“Now, as we move to the next phase of politicking which involves

determining the leadership of the red and green chambers of the National Assembly, it is important that we ensure power is distributed fairly across the nation.

“This will foster a sense of belonging to every region and religion, and prevent any divisive tension that could undermine the government’s effectiveness.

“As the Arewa Young Professionals in Politics, we are urging the APC leadership and the President-elect to carefully consider the need for political inclusion in the power equation. Specifically, we call on them to: Zone the Senate Presidency to the South East for greater political

inclusion.

“We also call on them to zone the Speakership to the North West as compensation for their significant role in the emergence of the government.

“They need to ensure that the leadership of the National Assembly projects our religious diversity for national cohesion. These steps will go a long way in promoting unity and national integration.

“We implore the APC leadership and the President-elect to employ wisdom in making these decisions,” Amoke said.

NLC tasks KDSG on safe return of kidnapped students

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Kaduna State Council has urged the Kaduna State Government and security agencies to do the needful in ensuring the safe release of the kidnapped students of the GSS Awon in Kachia LGA.

The Chairman of the Council

Comrade Ayuba Magaji Suleiman stated this in a statement made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

According to him the assurances of the government must be seen to be backed up with reasonable actions; actions that will ensure the safety of all and the elimination of all forms of threats to the safety of the larger society.

He lamented that the strategically coordinated and unrepelled attacks on not just citizens of the state, but students have given room for worry and despair as to the safety of everyone; indeed, it is becoming increasingly evident that we are in a helpless situation.

Ayuba added that it is quite unfortunate that these wanton

attacks have consistently been under-reported, thus, painting a half-truth picture of the ugly reality that now confronts some parts of the State..

“These vicious attacks and kidnapping of students speaks volume to the vulnerability of not just some communities, but schools, and this must not be allowed to continue.

Buhari mourns Ladi Bako, Kano’s ex-first lady

states

A statement by the Senior Spacial Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu quoted Buhari to have said in a tribute:

“The late Hajiya Ladi was a great lady. She defined an era, and will always be remembered for her faithfulness to her family and the Kano community.

“As a State Council of the NLC, we are worried and concerned about the safety of not just the students, but the security of all, and we are calling on the State Government and all security agencies to do the needful; these bandits who have continued to exercise lordship over some parts of the State must be flushed out.”

May Allah give courage and perseverance to those she left behind to bear this irreparable loss.”

President Muhammadu Buhari has joined the family of Audu Bako, late Military Governor of old Kano state, the government and people of Kano and Jigawa

in mourning the demise of Hajiya Ladi Bako, wife of the late Governor and one of the most powerful women in the political system during their time.

R-L; Chief of Staff Prof Ibrahim Gambari, President Muhammadu Buhari, The Emir of Dutse, HRH Alhaji Muhammad Hamim Nuhu Sanusi, Waziri Bashir Dalhatu and Madaki Tijjani Inuwa Dutse during an audience at the State House, yesterday in Abuja. PHOTO; State House

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How the myth of Black hyper-fertility harms us

By Edna Bonhomme

In a 1932 special issue on Black fertility, dubbed “A Negro Number”, the editors of the American Birth Control League’s journal. Birth Control Review claimed that “the present submerged condition of the Negro is due in large part to the high fertility of the race under disastrously adverse circumstances”.

The League, founded by Margaret Sanger, encouraged women to make conscious choices over their fertility, but it was also tied to racist and classist ideas about who should reproduce. Many members were active supporters of the eugenics movement. It therefore may not surprise readers to see its publication reproduce a long-standing myth of American racism, tied to its obsession with Black sexuality – the myth of Black hyper-fertility.

They will be more surprised, however, to read similar sentiments from as eminent and thoughtful an African American scholar as sociologist WEB Du Bois, who wrote in the same issue of Birth Control Review”the mass of ignorant Negroes still breed carelessly and disastrously”, advocating a politics of fertility mired with paternalism, and insisting upon respectability through “proper birth control”.

Despite the racist fear of Black hyper-fertility, reproduction rates for Black people declined in the era of Jim Crow, a phenomenon that persists to this day, as Professor Dorothy Roberts noted in her book Killing the Black Body. While 12 percent of women of reproductive age having impaired fertility according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women are two times more likely than their white counterparts to be infertile.

While some health inequalities can be attributed to the effects of social inequality (itself deeply racist), the fertility gap is visible in the study after its authors

adjusted for the subjects’ social class, and risk factors like smoking. Compared with other health inequalities, like those surrounding infant mortality or the risk of death during childbirth – a subject about which Serena Williams wrote forcefully after her own difficult experience – infertility is not necessarily widely known about in the African American community. In a study of African American women in Atlanta, researchers found limited knowledge of the problem.

The causes of infertility are sometimes unclear, and vary from person to person. They include: untreated chlamydia and gonorrhoea, STDs that cause pelvic inflammatory disease; nutritional deficiency; environmental and workplace hazards. The uterine disorder of fibroids, from which Black women are significantly more likely to suffer, may contribute to infertility, yet not enough research has been done to provide a definitive link.

Low fertility can sometimes be treated by assisted reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization (IVF). The use of such treatments has increased dramatically in recent decades, particularly in states which have mandated their inclusion as part of healthcare coverage. Here too, however, there are disparities between Black women and other populations with respect to access and success rates.

In Chicago, where IVF treatment is covered by health insurance under Illinois law, Black people make up 32 percent of the population but only 5.3 percent of people seeking IVF. Even when they have been able to access treatment and they have the same class background as white women, live births for African American women are lower than their white counterparts.

Infertility causes unique psychological stresses and anxieties, as well as affecting relationships. Professor Rosario Ceballo found that African American women coping with infertility suffered disruptions to their

sense of self and even to their gender identity. Ceballo found that these challenges were exacerbated by the widespread silence around African American infertility, and the predominance of the myth of fertility.

The statistics are clear but the root cause and potential solutions are not. The latter must surely begin with a proper accounting of the problem, and a widespread acknowledgement of its status as an urgent matter of public health. Groups such as the Black Women’s Health Imperative and Fertility for Colored Girls have tried to debunk the hyper-fertility myth while also raising awareness about infertility in the Black community. We need to ensure that assisted reproductive technologies are available to everyone as part of public health policies.

Reproductive justice is about access to contraceptives and abortions, but it also means the freedom to be a parent. As a group of researchers and doctors wrote in the American Journal of Public Health, health justice requires that”every obstetrics and gynecology department [make] racial equity in known areas of disparity the priority of all quality improvement projects”.

The reproductive capacity of Black women has always been political, tied to the dark history of forced reproduction under slavery, and forced sterilisation in the era of Jim Crow. Rather than believing in a myth of Black fertility conceived in America’s history of racist paternalism, reproductive justice means understanding the actual fertility of Black folks rather than projecting stereotypes. Only then can we escape the shame surrounding strained fertility journeys and provide full access to care, as part of a broader programme for racial equity in reproductive health.

Edna Bonhomme

is a Public Affairs Analyst.

One Woman (August Meeting Address)

By Uzoma Chukwuocha

As I stood there looking at the sea of colorful gele (headgears) sitting atop well coiffured hairs that framed beautiful proud faces, I admired and resonated with their pride and joy. They have returned home this year to commission a number of community development projects they had started only twelve months prior, during the August meeting of last year. They are also going to be identifying new areas of need that they will tackle for the next twelve months. I was given the rare honor of speaking at this august occasion. I was to convey the gratitude, goodwill and blessings of a people, for that I was elated. My elation, however, like a balloon, was tethered to a heavy pebble that would not let it float freely. I took a deep breath, cleared my throat, reached for my best smile, as I tapped the microphone gently and proceeded: …Another year, another August, another batch of returning heroes. You have come to join hands and heal a land in much need of healing. You bring with you ideas, love for your motherland, your meager resources, a sense of unity of purpose, a determined devotion driven by a huge dose of love. We greet you with a lot of gratitude, and pray that you will be replenished in kind measures. May the river never dry, so the fishes would not die. Should we wake in the morning without our tongues, may it be said that the last words we uttered were our words of gratitude to you for all you have done and all that you are to us. May it be well for you, your children and your children’s children.

As an ardent student of Social Movements, I have followed the August meeting phenomenon for more than seventeen years, across more than twenty rural communities in Igboland. I have studied the impact of your endeavors; from low interest loan schemes to scholarship funds. From Skills Acquisition Center Projects to Rural Library Projects all over Ite land. It is safe to say that these communities are way better off as a result of the vibrant contribution of women than they were prior to the advent of the August meeting. Ihie community did not have a structured market place until the women stepped up to upgrade the Nkwor market place with cement structures and corrugated metal roofs. Now we can safely conduct business, come rain or shine, all thanks to our warrior women and wives.

The first public library was built by the women after the

August meeting of 2010. You did not stop at just building the library; you stocked it full with valuable books and have been updating it regularly for that past ten years without relenting.

These examples are wide spread across Igboland. Women participation is essential to good community development.

Having established that premise, it now brings me to the crux of this address: The welfare of these our heroes. How are we treating these people that treat us so well? Can we honestly look in the mirror and tell ourselves that we have done right by our women in every sense of the word?

I can spend the next two days here enumerating the different ways in which women are being ill-treated and I would only have scratched the surface.

Take for example, harmful widow practices. I do not know how many of you gathered here today are widows, but I can go out on a limb and say that it has not been a pleasant experience. Not just because you lost your closest support and partner, but because some of you were forced to marry your immediate brother in-law in the act of widow inheritance, just like he would inherit land and livestock of his late brother. Other widows who were erroneously accused of killing their late husbands were made to sleep alone with the corpse for days, or in some cases, made to drink the water after the corpse had been washed clean. The well-publicized case of Veronica Iwu readily comes to mind.

These are the same women and widows who return every year to help build a community that stood by and watched them being dehumanized in the name of tradition. We are leaving a tenuous trail of pain. The silence of these women does not make us innocent, neither does it lighten the weight and depth of their anguish. They have learnt to endure, simply because these practices have endured down the ages and generations. I think it is time to change things from the roots.

Gender preference. You are roundly blamed when you do not give your husbands a male child (preferably with your first pregnancy). This is so commonplace and prevalent that women go to all sorts of lengths to fulfil this ‘marital obligation’. Never mind that the woman has very little to do with the gender of her baby. In this community, science has very little say, as long as the women are there to absorb the ire of this demanding society. Many women have died during childbirth, after multiple pregnancies, looking for that male

child that would solidify her stand in the husbands’ house.

You are sometimes entrusted with the job of looking for a sister wife for your husband, to give him that all-important heir to his imaginary throne. The story of the sister wife is another tale for another day.

Examples abound where women have, and continue to draw the short stick in our everyday lives. From poor economic empowerment to domestic abuse and violence. From female gender mutilation to workplace violence. Wage disparity to lopsided property inheritance practices. we fail to water these people who have for years watered the tree of family and community development.

If we as a community would not do it, I say it is time to call on the people that are good at……no, great at doing….. to get it done.

I am here to remind you of the great heroes in whose shoes you walk. I am here to show you the things you have done and what you are capable of doing. I am here to tell you how much I believe in your abilities. To hint to you that the time is right to start a new project. that the times are changing and that the wind may be blowing in your favor. Only few forces can stand in the way of united and determined women. Universal Adult suffrage could have died in the labor room, if not for the expert midwifery skills of some warrior women.

Our country searched for its first gold medal for years at the Olympics with no luck, until a certain Policewoman found it hidden in the sands of the long jump pit in Atlanta. Every military or paramilitary camp today has a mammy market. That owes to the industrial endeavor of a single woman who created that franchise long before the idea of business franchises was introduced to the Nigerian business culture.

Remember Margaret Ekpo, Funmi Ransom Kuti. Hajiya Gambo fought for the welfare of Muslim Women in the north. Nwanyereuwa fought against the undue taxation of women, fought against corrupt warrant Chiefs during the colonial rule. She ignited the women’s uprising in 1929 that changed the system of governance for good.

A woman gets so much done before the break of dawn than others can get done by dusk; and that is just one woman. Just one woman. One woman.

Uzoma Chukwuocha can be reaches at uzchuks2005@ yahoo.com

Collapsing moral undertones against the present anti-corruption war

By Peter Claver Oparah

The present anti-corruption war being waged by the President Muhammadu Buhari regime has exposed the weak moral undergirding on which the country rests. The battle to extirpate corruption and its well-known debilitating effects on the country’s moral fiber has exposed the fact that most Nigerians live on the grid of corruption and the seemingly palliative it offers them in dealing with their problems. The level of rot and decay afflicting the moral sinews of Nigeria were clearly underestimated before the present effort, which is the most far-reaching and comprehensive assault on corruption since our flag independence in 1960. To say the least, the present battle to fumigate our terribly-infected system has exposed most Nigerians in their full ugliness and hypocrisy. The war against corruption strains our moral nerve to its breaking point because the hard truth is that most Nigerians live off corruption and they are wont to see any battle against the epidemic as a war against them.

From the disappointing religious leader who has turned his pulpit to a theater of scurrilous assault on the war against corruption to politicians who have done virtually everything to belittle and sabotage the war against corruption. From the traditional ruler that sees the war against corruption as a war for annihilation to the businessman who has found out that he cannot survive without the patronage of corruption. From the youth that is being made to believe that corruption is the surest means of survival to the political opinionist who believes that he will never survive unless corruption is allowed to fester. From the journalist who had found out that he cannot practice his art outside corrupt patronage to minions that feel the pangs of not being fed from the crumbs of corruption, there is no hiding the fact that any meaningful war against corruption in Nigeria will look like a mass holocaust which is why no Nigerian leader had made any meaningful effort to stem the corruption pestilence before Buhari came.

Let’s face the fact. Corruption had been allowed such a long reign that some Nigerians are beginning to believe that any war against it is a war against the country. Corruption has been so ingrained in Nigerians that most Nigerians easily believe that any battle against it is a battle against them. Corruption has been so deep-rooted that Nigerians now accept it as normal. Corruption and corrupt acts have been so tolerated that many Nigerians genuinely feel that removing it from our body polity can spell doom for all Nigerians. This is the reason why so many hithertorespected public figures brook no shame today moaning so noisily about how the country had been brought to her knees because we have a regime that is dedicated to the task to tame the allure of corruption. That is why some shameless religious leaders have so soiled their robes and callings by making open cases for the sustenance of

corruption. That is why many journalists have interred their honor, integrity and objectivity in the putrid grave of corruption and are o unabashed doing everything to sabotage the war against corruption. That is why many respected voices have, in moments of desperation for illicit cash, submitted to be interred in the rubles of corruption. That is why politicians have resorted to very deadly measures to stymie the war against corruption and frustrate its protagonists.

But have we asked of the real benefits the country gained in its long years of patronizing corruption. Pray, what structures have we built as a nation since we submitted hook, line and sinker to the debilitating atrophy of corruption? What real value have we gotten for our long period of romancing high-level corruption? The answer is that we got nothing but rot, decay, defenestration, wreckage and total damage. The capital we made from our long tryst with corruption is the prostrate and hugely despised country Nigeria was in the international community before Buhari came with his winnowing fork. The dividends of corruption in Nigeria are the fatuous gang of rich thieves we had and an expansive swath of hopeless, directionless, malnourished masses that ogled while their narcissist trade of mass stealing lasted. The benefits we got from our long corrupt past are the dead infrastructures we ended up with, the twining security miasma, the mass unemployment, hunger and privation that all combined to reduce Nigeria to a state of nature where life is brutish, short and nasty!

Let us recall that before Buhari came with his war against corruption, almost every voice, both here in Nigeria and outside Nigeria believed that corruption constituted the greatest impediment to the growth of the country. Almost every voice believed that expunging the corruption parasite from the country’s system holds the key to Nigeria’s attainment of global enviable status. Let us recall that before Buhari came, religious leaders were running themselves giddy with the cry for someone that can lead the country from the corruption quagmire. Let us recall that opinionists were poignant in demanding Nigerian leaders to wage a frontal war against corruption. Perhaps it is certain that none of these knew the real depth corruption had reached or how seemingly impossible it is to eliminate without exerting so much skin-pain on the society. Perhaps most Nigerians never knew the extent corruption had a hold on them and their means of living.

Today, Buhari has offered himself as the sacrificial lamb that attempts the impossible task of severing the bond that holds Nigerians and corruption together and the uprising against that effort is being felt everywhere. Now knowing how the system is intertwined with corruption, most Nigerians have offered a volte-face and are indeed making curious and strange cases for corruption. We have seen how tempestuous the battle to stop corruption has been on the political scene with politicians going

very desperate levels to compromise and indeed stop the battle against corruption. We have seen how our religious institutions have capitulated to the aroma of corruption by making very embarrassing cases against the present war against it. We have seen how journalists have almost thumbed down the war against corruption in very clear terms and shamelessly making cases for the corrupt and corrupt practices and reliving the good old days of ceaseless corrupt patronage from those that stole the country silly. We have seen how politicians contract desperate means, including mass killing, incitement, hate speech and very many odious means to stop the war against corruption and reap the illicit political capital from such obnoxious tendencies. We have seen how the masses have been made to erroneously capitulate to the antics of desperate politicians by several means. They are being made to bay hunger in such disgusting manner that shows that fighting corruption tantamount to mass hunger. All these speak of a collapsed societal and individual moral fiber that is responsible for the near collapse of the country in the first place. Simply put, this is a symptom of a society that had been built on the quicksand of corruption.

Yes, we know that corruption has so many disciples and is bound to mobilize tremendous soldiers to fight back against any effort to stop its ravenous spread. But the fact remains, as President Buhari has always said, we must either kill corruption or it will kill us. There are no halfways about this. The decrepit nature of the Nigeria Buhari inherited is an apt testimony of the disastrous effects of corruption. The wrecked and vandalized form of the country that Buhari inherited while minions of corruption were growing fatter just advertises the fool-hardiness of corruption. The prostrate state of the infrastructures that were handed over to Buhari tells of the horrific aftermaths of corruption. The pallid state of the economy, the pervasive poverty, the overwhelming joblessness, the dead and prostrate economy that predated Buhari’s war against corruption, even with the rich earnings from a persistent oil boom shows that corruption still remains the deadly virus it had been and needs nothing but the kind of total battle Buhari is taking to it now.

The nation must do everything to rebuild its collapsed moral sinew. Nigerians need to tame their lust for illicit favour from the state, readjust to the reality of hard work and living within their means. They must accept the present war against corruption as a necessary battle we must wage to get our country on the right footing for greatness. We must live with the reality that nothing easy comes easy and accommodate these realities as the needed moral templates that will guide Nigerians towards building a new country not shackled by internecine corruption and greed.

Peter Claver Oparah is a Public Affairs Analyst.

PDP’s region-wide rejection deserved, party unfair to Southeast

By Chima Christian

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s 2022 nomination, against the spirit and letters of the party’s constitution, seems to be the last straw that broke the camel’s back. For the PDP, that day of reckoning has come for it in the southeast.

The records are there, the southeast has always voted for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Today, the party has so badly lost weight in the region that it went from controlling all the states in 1999 to now controlling one. And the one it struggled to latch on to was after a dutiful implementation of the Lagos formula of violence, voter intimidation and strange manufacture of fictitious votes.

Not only has the party lost almost all the states in the southeast, but the party that has always won the region overwhelmingly in all presidential

elections since 1999 struggled to muster even 10% of the votes in the region this time.

Anyone who is truthful should find it easy to acknowledge that the PDP badly grieved the people of the southeast. The quality of candidates the party has been nominating for various positions, with just a handful of exceptions, has been nothing but mediocre.

From Enugu to Abia, the quality of governance those elected on the platform of the PDP have been offering the southeast is also underwhelming. Perhaps the most poignant example of this subpar PDP leadership in the region is to be found in Abia state which has had 24 unbroken years of PDP leadership. Poor governance in Abia state, as an example, largely explains the southeast’s quest for alternatives.

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s 2022 nomination, against the spirit and letters of the party’s

constitution, seems to be the last straw that broke the camel’s back. For the PDP, that day of reckoning has come for it in the southeast.

Save for miracles, even the one they struggled to retain will be taken away from them, and there will be no coming back for the party from there. PDP held so much promise for the people of the southeast. We collectively mourn its eventual death in the region. The eventual death of PDP and the terminal illness of APGA in the southeast should serve as both a warning and a reminder to the Labour Party.

Once that proverbial salt loses its flavour, it is only a matter of time before it is thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

The pictures and videos coming from Abia recast that vision of Africa’s morning. The journey is still far, yet Africa’s morning will come.

Chima Christian is a Public Affairs Analyst.

Revenue generation: AMAC Inaugurates 10 taskforce committee members

By Usman Shuaibu

The Executive chairman of Abuja Municipal Area council in the FCT, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, has inaugurated ten Taskforce committee members for the sake of revenue generation in the area.

The committee members are: the Executive Chairman of AMAC; Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, Yunusa Ahmadu Yusuf; Taskforce Chairman, Kingsley Madaki; Secretary, Chief Magistrate Habiba I.U Bello; AMAC mobile court magistrate and Magistrate Bamisile Olumide Ayopo.

Others include: Magistrate Abubakar Abdulkadir Jega, magistrate Ngozi Clementina Okonkwo, Ndudi Ezekiel Chidi; AMAC Taskforce legal Adviser, Danjuma John and Douglas Itiat.

While delivering his speech, Maikalangu told the Task force members that their choice to serve was based on the confidence reposed in them, as he said nothing less was expected from them.

He said: “To the Glory of God and for the betterment of humanity and by the powers conferred on me as the Executive Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council, I hereby inaugurate the AMAC Taskforce on Revenue Enforcement monitoring and Inspection today”

“you must esshew any form of corrupt act, favouritism or narrowmindedness as to whom much is given, much is also expected, the Chairman warned.

Bury your thoughts, ALGON advises proponents of interim govt

The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has advised people contemplating interim national government in Nigeria to bury the thought.

Its National Chairman, Chief Odunayo Ategbero, said the idea of an interim national government was completely alien to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as Amended).

Ategbero condemned the alleged plot by some groups he described as desperate politicians to instigate, mobilise and promote

the interim national government after the just-concluded 2023 presidential election.

“It is important at this juncture to appreciate the infallibility of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended) which does not contemplate any such arrangement in the political space.

“It is the view of the BOT of ALGON that Feb. 25’s presidential and National Assembly Elections outcome is sacrosanct as announced by INEC,’’ he stated.

Ategbero added that what was important now was moving forward after the elections.

“The President-Elect remains

Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu. “Nigeria has had a successful election even as it is acknowledged that there are some obvious infractions which should be left for the courts to adjudicate upon.

“The Election Tribunal offers a legitimate opportunity for losers to contest their claim,’’ he said.

Ategbero urged Nigerians to be law-abiding and to be steadfast in nurturing Nigeria’s nascent democracy in spite of unguarded utterances laden with inflamed emotions.

The BOT also condemns the heightened desperation by some Nigerians “weaponising’’ the

victory with religious and ethnic sentiments for mere political and selfish gains.

“We call on all Nigerians to trust the democratic process against all subterfuge and not to be used by traducers and purveyors of trouble in the interest of more than 200 million Nigerians.

“An appeal is hereby made to the Department of State Service for immediate arrest and prosecution of these groups of desperate citizens fanning the embers of interim national government,’’ Ategbero stated. (NAN)

Agency pledges more afforestation activities to curb challenges of climate change

The Director-General, National Agency for Great Green Wall (NAGGW), Dr Yusuf Maina-Bukar, has pledged more commitments to afforestation activities to curb the challenges of climate change in Nigeria.

Maina-Bukar gave the pledge while addressing newsmen to mark his first anniversary in office, on Tuesday in Abuja.

“Since the inception of the agency, afforestation and restoration activities have been at the heart of its activities.

“We have, therefore, focused

on implementing afforestation and reforestation activities as well as land restoration and sustainable land management practices, and we have made notable achievements,” he said.

Maina-Bukar listed some of the achievements to include: establishment of shelter belts, woodlots, orchards and more recently, institutional planting, social forestry and farm forestry. Others, he said, were marketable gardens and largescale restoration of degraded lands to ameliorate the challenges of the environment

in the affected communities.

“At the core of the Nigerian component of the Great Green Wall initiative is reversing desertification, degradation of land and the mitigation of the effects of climate change in the 11 frontline communities,” he said.

According to the directorgeneral, the communities were in Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Bauchi, Gombe and Adamawa States.

He said that during his one year in office, the agency had been able to provide job

opportunities for youths and women in rural communities, especially in the areas of training on land management technique and forest planting, among others.

The Acting Director, Department of Planning Policy and Coordination, NAGGW, Mrs Habibah Ibrahim, commended the director-general for his support to the staff members of the agency.

“This has made our jobs easier and I urge him to continue to listen to us.

She also commended Maina-

Bukar for his passion for the assignment before him, saying that this could help in driving the nation’s economy to success.

Mr Sotade Olayinka, Convener, Initiative for Ethics and Value Reorientation, a civil society organisation (CSO), lauded his organisation’s partnership with the agency, under the leadership of the director-general.

He urged the director-general to continue to operate an open door policy, assuring of more successes in his assignment. (NAN)

R-L; The Emir of Dutse, HRH Alhaji Muhammad Hamim Nuhu Sanusi, President Muhammadu Buhari Waziri Bashir Dalhatu, Madaki Tijjani Inuwa Dutse, Makama Ibrahim Yaya Aminu, Dan Amana Nasir Haladu Danu during an audience at the State House yesterday in Abuja. PHOTO; State House

ING is treasonable, aberration - Sen Nnamani

By Christiana Ekpa

Former Governor of Enugu State, Senator Chimaroke

Nnamani has berated the proponents of Interim National Government (ING) saying that it is treasonable and an affront to the sensibility of Nigerians.

Senator Nnamani stated that ING is absurd and has no place in the modern day democratic rule submitting that those behind the plot are enemies of Nigeria.

He stated: “the presidential election has been conducted and a winner has been declared.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be sworn in as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on May 29, 2023. ING is a needless distraction.”

Nnamani who is the current Senator representing Enugu East in the Senate reiterated that “Asiwaju will be sworn in on May 29, 2023 and he will hit the ground running”.

Nnamani believes that Tinubu will not deviate from his avowed commitment to the programmes of Social Protection, national transformation and restructuring.

Nnamani, a contemporary of Tinubu as Governors in the 1999 set is optimistic that a Tinubu led administration will address Critical Infrastructural development, Youth Unemployment and Youth Bulge, Women empowerment as well as the challenges facing the girl-child.

The former governor predicted that a Tinubu led government will give priority to budget enhancements needed to address complex issues in the Health, Education , Social Service sectors including portable drinking water and environmental sanitation.

He expressed optimism that the forthcoming administration will rejuvenate International recognitions and awareness that will attract other nations to invest in Nigeria and consequently, turn the nation’s economy around.

He therefore enjoined Nigerians across the divide to support the incoming administration which he hopes will be a government of national unity where no section of Nigeria will be marginalized or shortchanged in the scheme of things.

Senator Chimaroke Nnamani MD, FACOG Chairman, Senate Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa/NEPAD.

Labour Party hails Edo High Court ruling restraining Abure’s suspension

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

TheNational Leadership of the Labour Party has commended the Order of the Edo State High Court restraining the Labour Party Executive of Ward 3, Arue Uromi, Edo state from suspending Barrister Julius Abure as the National Chairman of Labour Party.

A statement issued yesterday by Umar Farouk, who is the National Secretary of Labour Party, said in the case filed before His Lordship, Justice E.O Ahamioje, with case NO. HCU/21/2023, Julius Abure on behalf of other claimants including Chief Friday Ibadin, Patrick ONOGBENI and Barr Dom Orukpe Okojie filed the Motion-Exparte against the defendants including Thompson Ehiguese who is the Ward 3 Chairman, Lucky Shaibu and Labour Party.

The enrolment orders are as follows: “An order of interim injunction restraining the 1st and 2nd defendants/respondents from submitting and/or transmitting the purported notice of suspension signed by ward 3 executive of the Labour Party to the 3rd defendant for deliberation and/or approval in respect of the subject matter of this suit, pending the determination of the motion on notice.

“An order of interim injunction restraining the 3rd defendant/ respondent from acting on, executing and/or implementing the purported notice of suspension issued by the 1st and 2nd defendants/respondents over the subject matter of this suit, pending the determination of the motion on notice.

“And for such order or further orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances

of this case.”

The case came up for hearing before his Lordship the Honourable Justice E.O. Ahamioje (Judge) sitting in High Court 4, Benin City on Wednesday the 5 day of April, 2023.

The claimants were represented by a team of lawyers led by G.C. Igbokwe (SAN), Dr. P.E. Ayewoh Odiase, S.O. Igberease Esq., M.O. Ofondu Esq., and Mayor lyoha Esq.

Justice Ahamioje ordered as follow;

“I have carefully considered the motion exparte, the supporting affidavit, the affidavit of urgency, the Exhibits annexed thereto and the written argument of learned senior counsel. After a calm consideration, I am of the view that the applicants have made out a case for the grant of the order sought.

“Accordingly, I hereby make an order of interim injunction restraining

the 1st and 2nd defendants from submitting and/or transmitting the purported notice of suspension signed by ward 3 executive of the Labour Party to the 3rd defendant for deliberation and or approval in respect of the subject matter of this suit pending the determination of the motion on notice.

“I further decree an order of interim injunction restraining the 3rd defendant from acting on, executing and/or implementing the purported notice of suspension issued by the 1st and 2nd defendants over the subject matter of this suit pending the determination of the motion on notice.

“The enrolled order of this honourable court and the motion on notice shall be served on the defendants. Case is adjourned till 25/4/23 for the hearing of the motion on motion on notice.”

R-L; President Muhammadu Buhari, The Emir of Dutse, HRH Alhaji Muhammad Hamim Nuhu Sanusi, Waziri Bashir Dalhatu, Madaki Tijjani Inuwa Dutse during an audience at the State House yesterday in Abuja.

10th Senate: APC diaspora endorses Orji Kalu for Senate President

By Musa Baba Adamu

As conversations over leadership of the 10th National Assembly heats up, the aspiration of the Senate Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to become the President of the Senate has received a further boost as the Dispapora chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) (South Korea) has thrown their weight behind the former Abia Governor.

According to a Press release made available to newsmen on Thursday signed by the Party’s South Korea chairman, Hon. Yuccee Uwah and it’s, Chief Charles Mokwe, disclosed that the Dispapora chapter of the party arrived at the decision to support the former Abia State Governor after its members undertook a thorough profile assessment of all Senators-elect that has so far indicated interests to contest for the post of Senate President for the next dispensation from June 2023.

Arising from it’s general meeting held in Seoul, South Korea the party identified Kalu’s parliamentary experience including his detribalised leadership qualities as major factors which they said is most needed to Govern the affairs of the Red Chambers.

The former Governor’s Loyalty to the progess of the party and his national spread in terms of business, political and educational alliances were also cited as reasons for their endorsement.

The Party urged the it’s Leadership and the President elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu rally behind Kalu;

“Members of our great party, APC Korea, we conducted thorough appraisal of aspirants vying for the office of Senate President and lead the 10th National Assembly in next dispensation.

“As APC faithful, using verifiable indicators including but not limited to leadership trait, political exposure, governance experience, competence, cosmopolitan, and

democratic credentials. The Senate Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu came tops across these indicators. He stood head and shoulders higher than the others.”

“In our considered view, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has demonstrable competency, capability and capacity to steer the ship of the 10th National Assembly towards cordial Executive-Legislature relationship that will consolidate our democracy.”

“Senator Kalu fits the bill to lead the Senate as its presiding officer in the next dispensation from all material particular. We believe that he has the competence, capability and capacity to mobilise, coordinate and provide the much needed leadership that delivers results for effective legislative governance and oversight for the country.”

The party also said that Kalu understands the needs and aspirations of all regions of the country saying that the Senate Chief Whip hails from the South-East, Educated in Northern Nigeria city

of Maiduguri, Borno state and built his businesses in South West city of Lagos.

To further actualise their goal, Yuccee disclosed that they have activated contact mobilisation of its members in other countries , members of the Party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and other key stakeholders to support their cause.

“As Governor of Abia state from 1999 to 2007, he had aides from across Nigeria’s ethnic groups. Currently as Senate Whip and Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Abia state, his aides cuts across all ethnic groups and religious divides.

“Senator Kalu is cosmopolitan in outlook; adept at managing Nigeria’s creative diversity as well as strategic leadership traits that deliver results. He is the committed patriot that we need at this point of our nation’s history. We urge Senators-elect across the party lines to support, vote and elect Senate President, the Party expressed.

PHOTO; State House

Enugu APC expels Chime, Okechukwu, suspends Nnamani, Onyeama, others

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu state has announced the expulsion of Barr. Sullivan Chime, a former Governor of Enugu State, Osita Okechukwu, former Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Eugene Odo, an aide to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Flavour Eze, Mr. Joe Mmamel, and Mr. Maduka Arum have also been expelled.

Similarly, the party suspended former Senate President Ken Nnamani and Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama.

Mr. Robert Ngwu, the party’s Enugu State Secretary, announced the disciplinary actions on Thursday.

He delivered the disciplinary committee’s report.

He stated that the report was approved by an expanded State

Reps Jaji hosts memberselect for Ramadan Iftar

By Christiana Ekpa

One of the leading contenders for the speakership of the 10th House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji has hosted both new and returning members-elect to an Iftar (breaking of fast) in Abuja.

During the event, special prayers were offered for the country and the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate Kashim Shettima.

Speaking at the occasion, Hon Aminu Sani Jaji stated that the breaking of the fast is a way of demonstrating unity among members, regardless of their religious persuasion.

Hon Jaji enjoined the members-elect to continue to pray for the leadership of the country at all levels, for Nigeria to prosper, and use the opportunity to interact with both new and returning members-elect.

Members who attended the dinner were full of appreciation to lawmaker for the honour of hosting them and pledged their supports.

Executive Committee meeting. Members of the expelled and suspended parties were accused of anti-party activities. They were accused of endorsing candidates from other political parties in the 2023 general election.

Thugs, police allegedly break into Labour Party headquarters, chase away workers

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The national headquarters of the Labour Party in Abuja yesterday allegedly witnessed a massive attack and was broken into by a detachment of the Nigerian Police and thugs believed to be working for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The invaders who were said to be armed, reportedly pulled down the fences, burglaries, doors and windows to have access to the Secretariat and in the process sacked workers and party members who were at the Secretariat.

A statement issued by the National chairman, Julius Abure, said “Though, I was out of town but information has it that the agenda of the Invaders was to inaugurate an illegitimate executive which has been chosen for them by their sponsors.

“This incident is coming days after a similar invasion in our Imo state Secretariat which up till now is still being occupied by the agents of the Imo state government.

“Only yesterday, our Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi through the Presidential Campaign Council alerted Nigerians of plot to hound him out of the country over APC’s covert plot in collaboration with some security agents to frame him up allegedly on matters bothering on treason.

‘Labour Party is only a political party which is contesting for power. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC having conducted election ranked

us third, a position we have rejected and have approached the Tribunal to contest. That is our only offence.

“We therefore call on President Muhammadu Buhari to call his party, the APC to order and also rein then in from using unorthodox means to suffocate political structures in Nigeria.

“A court of competent jurisdiction only yesterday ordered that I, Julius Abure remains the National Chairman, and should not be restrained from performing

my duties, it therefore baffles me why the Nigerian Police should allow itself to be used to perpetrate illegalities.

“We advice the Police, APC and their sponsors to play by the rules. We will no longer tolerate the often intimidation and deployment of brute forces against the party and their personnel. We demand they put a stop to abuse of power and respect the rights and privileges of other political parties, particularly, the Labour Party to contest for power”, Abure said.

I can never support PDP – Ex minister Uche Ogah

By Musa Baba Adamu

Astalwart of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and former Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uche Sampson Ogah, has ruled out defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Abia State.

This is against the backdrop of the recent purported suspension of the ex-minister from his party by the leadership of a faction of APC in Abia State, chaired by Kingsley Ononogbu, and backed by the 2023 governorship candidate of the party, Ikechi Emenike.

Ogah, an ex-Abia governorship candidate of the APC, in a statement on Wednesday, said he would rather quit partisan politics than to support PDP in the state.

He regretted that successive administrations of PDP in Abia State had impoverished the people and destroyed the state’s economy.

His words: “How can I support PDP? Am I mad? It’s only a mad man that can support PDP in Abia.

There is nothing that will make me support PDP, instead, I will leave politics.

“PDP is just a group of people that put themselves together to

impoverish the people, to destroy the economy of the state, to destroy the future of the unborn generation. There is nothing that will make me support such a group of people.”

He also spoke on his endorsement of the Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate instead of the candidate of his party at the concluded March 18 governorship election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

He said: “I told my political structure, Abia Rejoice Movement, to go ahead and support him (Alex Otti). He is the candidate that can

take care of Abia.

“Ikechi Emenike was not a candidate because he didn’t come to contest the election [and] he cannot win his polling unit.”

He said further: “In 2019, I told Abians that if you cannot vote for Buhari, don’t vote for me; I stood and campaigned for Buhari. Did Ikechi Emenike campaign for Bola Tinubu for one day? Did he ever mention Tinubu’s name anywhere?

“So, we’re going to write our own letter to the Presidentelect and tell him how much he collected from PDP to destroy APC in Abia State.”

Senate President: South-East good to go – Shehu Sani

By Musa Baba Adamu

Social activist Shehu Sani on Thursday said the office of the Senate President should be zoned to the South East.

Sani, who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the 8th Senate, during an interview with journàlists in Abuja on

Thursday said the South East has senators that are competent enough to be Senate President, if the rules of the Red Chamber, particularly the ranking norm, were to be considered.

The present structure of the APC, he observed, has naturally positioned the South East to produce the 10th Senate President.

Speaking further, he said the former governor of Abia State and senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Orji Uzor Kalu, should be considered for the position.

Senator Sani said: “The Senate Presidency should go to the South East for equity and justice.

There is no better person to

stabilise the National Assembly and maintain balance like Orji Uzor Kalu [who] has demonstrated his flair as Chief Whip of the Senate.

“I’m not of the APC, but I think he remains the best option out of those who offered themselves. Kalu has the experience and the pedigree as well.”

From Abubakar Yunusa

Consumer goods company, BUA Foods, has reported a 31 per cent appreciation in its profit after tax for the financial year ended December 31, 2022, when compared to the previous year.

This was disclosed in the 2022 financial year results of the company filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited .

In its 2022 financials, profit after tax surged to N91.3bn representing an increase of 31 per cent from N69.7 billion posted for the same period in 2021. Its 2022 full-year revenue also rose by 26 per cent to N418.3bn from N333.2bn in 2021.

The Fast Moving Consumer Goods company said that it maintained its leadership

BUA Foods records 31% growth in profit after tax

position in the market despite economic headwinds.

Its profit before tax growth went up by 38 per cent to N107.2 billion in 2022. Other performance indicators are also on an upswing as earnings per share increased by 20 per cent from the previous year. A dividend of N4.50k was proposed dividend for 2022 (2021: N3.50k).

Commenting on the results, the Managing Director, Engr. Ayodele Abioye, said, “BUA

Foods Plc continued to maintain her leading position as the most profitable Foods and FMCG listed company in Nigeria with PBT of N107.2 Billion, a growth of 38 per cent on the prior year.

This is despite the unending disruption of the business climate with high input costs, and currency devaluation resulting in increased operational costs.

“We remain resolute to navigate the numerous business headwinds to continue delivering double-digit growth

with a sustained focus on our market expansion strategy across our business segments.”

Meanwhile, the group said that its total operating expenses increased by 33 per cent to N33.9 billion in 2022 (2021: N24.7 billion) on the back of a significant increase in selling and distribution costs along the supply chain to customers.

Its operating profit also grew by 47 per cent to ₦117.5bn in 2022 (2021: ₦79.8bn) benefitting from top-line growth

driven by price adjustment and our export sales.

A breakdown of the operating divisional performance showed that the sugar division of BUA Foods contributed 66 per cent to revenue in 2022 (2021: 64 per cent). The flour division contributed 20.6 per cent to revenue in 2022 (2021:16 per cent).

The pasta division contributed 14 per cent to revenue in 2022 (2021: 20 per cent).

NSIA, Vitol commit $50 million to partnership targeting carbon removal projects

The Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has entered into a joint venture pact with Swissbased commodity trading company Vitol in a move to invest in a number of carbon avoidance and removal projects.

Both parties are close to making a final investment decision on the maiden projects to be launched via the partnership, the authority said in a statement.

The collaboration has committed $50 million in initial capital, hoping the push will draw additional investors.

The joint venture is targeting local projects for a start and aims to forge synergy with companies having a

reputation for completing projects of top quality. Such projects must have accomplished carbon offsetting with social outcomes that help achieve United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Funding partners and voluntary carbon market are expected to contribute capital to back the push by the Nigerian Government for a fairer energy transition in Africa via the initiative.

Carbon-emitting fuels like wood and charcoal help about a billion Africans daily in cooking and water purification but that accounts for the deforestation of roughly four million hectares on the continent every year.

The statement noted that supplying rural households with efficient devices will help cut the use of wood fuel

phenomenally as well as associated greenhouse emissions and household pollution.

NSIA’s partnership with Vitol will hopefully deploy 200,000 of such devices at its initial phase.

“At the NSIA, we developed a 3-prong strategy for delivering our ESG and climate finance objectives. One of the thrusts of this approach involves building partnerships with like-minded institutions to support Nigeria’s overall goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060,” said NSIA CEO Aminu UmarSadiq.

“We are partnering with Vitol, a leader in the energy sector with a global presence, to establish CarbonVista, a carbon avoidance and removal entity, to support

the delivery of a clean energy future for Nigeria and indeed the continent.”

Michael Curran, who heads the Environmental Products unit at Vitol, said his organisation’s collaboration with NSIA, is aimed at scaling back GHG emissions, aligns with Vitol’s commitment to sub-Saharan Africa.

Vitol expects the JV to be a spur for the establishment of the local emission trading scheme, a pioneer in the Africa Carbon Market Initiative.

“When combined with a comprehensive corporate energy transition strategy, offsetting will play a key role in meeting the Paris Climate Agreement objectives and contribute toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” Mr Curran said.

From Abubakar Yunusa

President Buhari with H.E. Dr. Fahad Obaid Al Taffaq, Outgoing Ambassador of United Arab Emirates to Nigeria in State House on 6th April 2023

From Abubakar Yunusa

Jos Electricity Distribution says it has dismissed 20 employees for corrupt practices.

Abdu Mohammed, the electricity company’s managing director, disclosed this at a customer’s sensitisation on band upgrade at the company’s ICT centre, Tudun-Wada, Jos, according to a statement issued

FEC approves new bill to replace Nigerian Mining Act

From Abubakar Yunusa

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a new bill to be sent to the National Assembly to replace the old law guiding mining activities in Nigeria.

The Minister of Mines and Steels Development, Olamilekan Adegbite, made this known Wednesday in Abuja while speaking to State House correspondents about the outcome of the council meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr Adegbite said the law in operation is the 2007 Nigeria Mineral and Mining Law that has become obsolete. He added that a lot of new things have come up in the mining sector.

“There’s a renewed focus and everyone is coming there as expressed today, it’s a new frontier for economic growth in Nigeria. So we need to update the law to (be) in line (with) modern realities and the laws with some amendments,” he said.

He noted that the bill was passed in the chambers with some amendments.

He said the Attorney General will be sending the bill, which is the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2023, to the National Assembly.

“That’s the proposed Act, the Attorney General will send it to the National Assembly, which we intend to follow up. The members of the National Assembly are fully with us on this and are part of the process.

“They promised us a speedy process so that this bill can pass and Mr President can accede to it before we leave office in May,” he said.

Twenty Jos DisCo employees sacked over corruption

Wednesday by its spokesman, Adakole Elijah.

Mr Mohammed said the unwholesome activities of some bad eggs among its staff remain a drawback for the company, adding that it has zero tolerance for corruption.

He warned the staff to shun corruption and other criminal acts.

“As a management, we have zero tolerance for corruption.

So, we will not condone the activities of the bad eggs among us because it is tarnishing our image. As we speak, not less than 20 staff have been shown the hard way out of the company on account of criminality and other corrupt practices,” Mr Mohammed explained.

He added, “For those within the system, just know that we will not spare anyone who is caught in any criminal activity in

the name of the company.”

The electricity company boss urged customers and the public to report errant staff.

He said the company was working hard to ensure its customers enjoy uninterrupted power supply in Bauchi, Benue, Plateau, and Gombe. But Mr Mohammed lamented that customers hardly pay their bills despite the improved power supply.

“The truth is that our postpaid customers hardly pay for their consumed energy, just as some of our prepaid customers are also involved in energy theft. Customers bypass metres, and other criminals vandalise our facilities, including over 20 transformers,” said Mr Mohammed, appealing to the residents “to take ownership of electricity installations in their localities.”

Experts task women entrepreneurs on digital transformation

The Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria (DTC) has advised women entrepreneurs to be fearless, courageous and embrace digital transformation to boost their businesses.

Dr Thuweba Diwani, Head of Project, DTC Nigeria, gave the advice at a seminar on held in Lagos.

The theme of the seminar was: “Driving the Digital Transformation of Female Entrepreneurship in Nigeria.”

The seminar organised by the DTC Nigeria was co-funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the European Union, implemented by the German Agency for International Corporation (GIZ).

According to Diwani, digital transformation essentially aims to improve Nigeria’s digital innovation ecosystem and growth.

Diwani urged women entrepreneurs to be fearless, step out of their comfort zones and embrace digitalisation for enhanced growth.

“So, the focus is essentially to seek to improve the digital innovation ecosystem in Nigeria and the capacity of the Nigerian economy to utilise digital innovations for growth.

“We work in varying capacities and creating an enabling environment in improving the development of digital solutions and innovations and having these adopted by Micro Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs).

“We ensure that women are able to acquire digital tools in their entrepreneurship activities and one of the greatest challenge for women is the fear of getting out there.

“Exploring new things and we tend to stay in our comfort zones, what I will advice is to be fearless and let us embrace what is new,” she said.

Diwani added that the benefits of digitisation should be looked at very analytically, critically and then deliberately go ahead to acquire the skills we need to be able to get ahead.

She also stressed the importance of mentorships,

positive attitude, curiosity and confidence by women entrepreneurs to reach the next level of their careers.

Dr Amina Sambo-Magaji, Acting Director, Digital Literacy and Capacity Development Department, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), said that women are essential in the digital space.

Sambo-Mogaji was represented by Dr Aminu Tanbuwal, Head, Digital Literacy/Skills Division of the agency.

She said: “Having women in the digital space is very important. At the moment, we are seeing a lot of progress, especially in Nigeria.

“We about 25 per cent or so of women in technology. So, this number needs to go higher. You know, it is said that a lot of women that are at home can also engage in the technology sector through the digital economy.

“The good thing about technology is that you can participate from wherever you are and whatever you are

currently engaged in,” she added.

She disclosed that the agency was working on policies to close the gap between women and men there in terms of participation in the technology space.

“So, we are working on a strategy and we are also working on other things.

“For example, increasing the number of programmes targeted at women, in terms of capacity building programmes.

“Having access to the digital tools, when we combine all of these things, it will really help to increase participation for women,” she noted.

Giving an overview of the seminar discourse, Mrs Gbeke Oshinowo, Technical Adversor, Digital/Entrepreneurship Skills Women and Youth, GIZ/ DTC, said the objective of the seminar was to demystify the fears of female entrepreneurs in digital transformation.

Oshinowo said exposing the opportunities and challenges of digital transformation in Nigeria was a critical tool to drive the success of female-

RMAFC amendment Bill scales 2nd reading in Senate

From Abubakar Yunusa

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) amendment Bill on Wednesday scaled second reading at the Senate.

This was sequel to the presentation of the lead debate on the general principles of the bill by the sponsor, Olubumi Adetunmbi, during plenary.

The bill is titled “A Bill for an Act to Repeal and Re-enact the Revenue Mobilisation

Allocation and Fiscal Commission Act, 2023”.

Leading the debate, Mr Adetunmbi said that the bill was read for the first time on 4 March.

He said that the bill sought to reinforce the mandate and powers of the commission as a body saddled with the responsibility of monitoring revenue generation and disbursement on behalf of the people and government of Nigeria.

”It also seeks to make it

unlawful for any Commission, Board or revenue generating agency of the Government of the Federation to withhold remittance into the Federation Account of revenues.

“The commission in spite of being a body established by the Constitution, and whose independence is further guaranteed by the Act establishing it, has been hamstrung by certain limitations.

“In a world faced with the twin challenges of dwindling

revenue and spiraling population and its attendant pressure on scarce resources, the imperative for a prudent management and effective utilisation of our Nigeria’s commonwealth cannot be over-emphasised.

“This is particularly instructive bearing in mind that the Act came into force in 2004 and has not been updated to reflect the changing realities of the time,” he said.

The lawmaker said that the passage of the bill would

provide the much needed economic stimulus for Nigeria as it would engender public fiscal transparency and accountability.

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, thereafter, refered the bill to the Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs for further legislative action and to report back in four weeks.

Meanwhile, the Senate has adjourned until 25 April for Easter and Sallah holidays.

By Stanley Onyekwere

The six Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other stakeholders have received the sum of N3,041,969,760.37billion as share of statutory allocation for the month of February, 2023.

A breakdown of the figures released during the JAAC meeting indicates that the sum of N723,451,651,38million was made available for distribution to the six area councils, while the sum of N2,318,518,108.99billion was made available to other stakeholders, bringing the total sum to N3,041,969,760.37billion.

Similarly, distributions to the six area councils shows that the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), received N157,079,223.74million, while Gwagwalada got N115,463,859.92million and Kuje received N142,480,237.79million.

Other councils include, Bwari Area Council which received N102,295,291.64million, Abaji got N102,288,808.21million while Kwali received N103,844,230.08million, bringing the total sum to N723,451,651.38million disbursed to the six area councils.

On the other hand, distribution to other critical stakeholders include: Primary School Teachers which gulped N1,953,770,016.19billion, 15 percent Pension Funds took N226,478,989.57million, One percent Training Fund gulped N30,419,697.60million, while 10 percent Employer Pension Contribution gulped N107,849,405.63million, bringing the total sum to N2,328,518,108.99billion.

The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, who presided

Gov’t

METRO

Statutory allocation: FCT Area Councils, Stakeholders share N3Bn in Feb.

over the 176th Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting, commended members for their attendance and contributions towards the upliftment of the area councils administration.

She, also used the occasion to task the chairmen of the councils

to be prudent in the management of council funds.

Those present at the 176th Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting include the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, Director Human Resource Management, Alh. Mohammed

Bashir, Secretary Area Council Services, Hon. Ibrahim Abubakar Dantsoho, and FCT representative in Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Mallam Abubakar Hussain.

Others include the chairman Abaji Area Council, Hon. Abubakar

Abdullahi, Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Hon. Abdullahi Sabo, Chairman of Bwari Area Council, Hon. John Gabaya, Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council, Hon. Christopher Zaka, Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Councils, Hon. Abubakar Giri, amongst others.

Open defecation: RUWASSA takes awareness to residents in Lugbe, Wuse, 2 others

By Stanley Onyekwere

In order to ensure improved patronage of newly constructed public toilet facilities across motor parks, recreational centres, poor neighborhoods ane other public spaces, the officials of the FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Directorate otherwise known RUWASSA has stepped up awareness campaign in Garki Area 1, Lugbe and Saulka areas of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

In particular, the sensitisation campaign on Open Defecation Free Nigeria (ODF) with the Theme: “Know the public toilets in FCTAbuja and use them” was organised by the FCT Administration, in partnership with Federal Ministry of Water Resources, National Orientation Agency (NOA).

It was observed that the RUWASSA and other relevant government authorities that toured

six standard public convenience facilities situated within the premises of a temporary mork park near the busy Area 1 Roundabout, the motor park inside Lugbe Car Wash and Sauka, one of the aboriginal communities along the Abuja Airport Road, where they interacted and educated hundreds of residents and users of the facilities, on need to embraced measures taken to end the menace, which poses divers mortal dangers to the city.

Speaking during the tour, Head of Media and Publicity of the Directorate, Karo Sani Bala, disclosed that since the FCT Minister, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu officially flagged off construction of the first phase of provision of public toilets under the Build, Operate and Maintain (BOM) model with the private investors, is a continuous initiative until the 2025 deadline is to end open defecation is achieved.

total of 20 facilities have been completed or at different stages of completion across strategic business and living areas of Abuja.

Karo added that 200 public toilets facilities are proposed in in the first phase, which upon completion will give way for construction of more facilities, in line with the presidential declaration on ODF Nigeria.

National Coordinator for the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign, under the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Mrs. Chizoma Oparah, reiterated that ending open defecation requires facilities to in put in place in public places, hence there is need to intensify the awareness about the availability and affordability of the facilities.

She added that although a lot of these facilities are springing up, but it seems that many people are not aware of them, so it became

necessary to create awareness.

According to her, “With FCT which had actually flagged this off, it was necessary that we move around, and see for ourselves what is on ground and how they are being maintained. And we also noticed that they were quite clean, meaning that the aim is achieved.

“Because, if you have public facilities, they are not clean, people will not use them. So, they are well maintained by those facility managers.”

Reacting to the development in their separate interviews, most of the residents who excitedly thronged the facilities during the tour, expressed delight that the availability of the facilities at a very affordable cost has improved their living and business spaces, a few appealed to the government to intensify efforts on meeting its construction target as well up sensitisation to encourage patronage.

to begin enumeration of tourism, hospitality establishments in Abuja

By Stanley Onyekwere

The FCT Social Development Secretariat (SDS) has secured Ministerial approval to commence the registration and licensing of all tourism and hospitality establishments in the territory.

The Mandate Secretary of SDS, Hajiya Hadiza Kabir, made this known at the tourism stakeholders sensitisation forum, held the Community Hall of the SDS, yesterday, in Abuja

Hajiya Kabir noted that the ministerial authority and sensitisation was very necessary because new areas that require to be incorporated under the tourism legislation have emerged such as the issue of multiple taxation, contravention of Land Use Act and other issues.

She also stated that the ministerial approval secured would guide the operation of the Department of Tourism of the SDS, and ease the implementation of it mandatory function, which hitherto over the years has been lying fallow.

Mrs Kabir said that the registration of hospitality outfits implies the legal act of

granting rights to a hospitality business to operate in the FCT geographical space in exchange for mild payment.

She revealed that presently the Tourism Department of the SDS has data from enumeration exercises that show over 3,000 Hotel establishments, adding that more are coming up daily in the territory.

“The Tourism Act, amplified by the ministerial approval/ authority will ensure the enforcement of the act and makes it mandatory for all tourism and hospitality establishments in the FCT to registered and licensed at a fee without which they cannot operate in the territory.

“ This fee has not been collected since 2023. The FCT was benefiting from the revues derived from this exercise when the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) had the mandate to collect and share revenues accruing to it in this effect.

“But this has stopped following the devolution of such powers on the state of the Federation and the FCT by the Supreme Court Judgement of July 19, 2013. The implication of this is that the FCT will take over from the NTDC.”

The mandate secretary said that the registration and licensing of tourism and hospitality establishments would ensure control and standardisation of the industry in line with the International standards.

Mrs Kabir disclosed that establishments who acquired the license would be listed in the Tourism Compendium which would be made available to all tourist and visitors to the FCT at the point of entry.

According to her, establishments must meet certain requirements which will accompany their application forms before they are registered and licensed to operate.

Earlier, the Director, Tourism Department, SDS, Mrs Marie Ochonue, revealed that since 2013 the FCT had never collected a dime from any hotel for the sake of registration and “therefore, we want to start with immediate.”

She noted that the law governing hotels registration in Nigeria dated back to 1937, when the first hotel was establishment in the country.

“But, in the FCT, when I came in as the Director of Tourism Department i noticed that all hotels about 3,500 operating in the FCT none of them is registered and a lots

is happening in these hotels.

“Some people will just convert one part of their room and is a hotel and insecurity are bounds everywhere. Therefore, there is need for us to harmonise the operation and activities of hotels in the FCT.

“Therefore, we want to start with immediate effect. We may or may not ask for the arrears depending on the outcome of the interactive forum that hotel operators requested that we have with them.

“But here we are FCT under tourism department we are ready, we are willing and we are about to start hotel registration in the FCT with immediate effect”, she stressed.

Responding, the President, Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN), Mr. Nkereuwem Onung, appealed to the Social Development Secretariat to deepen consultation and interface with tourism stakeholders in the territory with a view to find a common ground.

He adds: “ I believe that we will always agree to move the business forward and make sure that the FCT remains the best for us.”

King Charles supports study into Royal Family slavery links

Buckingham Palace has said that it is cooperating with an independent study exploring the relationship between the British monarchy and the slave trade in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The Palace said King Charles takes the issue “profoundly seriously”.

The research is being carried out by the University of Manchester with Historic Royal Palaces.

Buckingham Palace is granting researchers full access to the Royal Archives and the Royal Collection.

The study, a PhD project by historian Camilla de Koning, is expected to be completed in 2026.

Both the King and the Prince of Wales have previously expressed their personal sorrow at the suffering caused by the slave trade.

Speaking during a trip to Rwanda last year, the King said he could not describe “the depths of his personal sorrow” at the suffering caused by the slave trade.

In a visit to Jamaica last spring, Prince William said slavery was abhorrent, “should never have happened” and “forever stains our history”.

The King wants to continue his pledge to deepen his understanding of slavery’s impact with “vigour and determination” since his accession, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said.

They continued: “This is an issue that His Majesty takes profoundly seriously.”

“Given the complexities of the issues it is important to explore them as thoroughly as possible.”

A Palace statement was issued in response to the Guardian, which has published a previously unseen document showing the 1689 transfer of shares in the slave-trading Royal African Company from Edward Colston - the slave trader and the company’s deputy governor - to King William III.

The King has also said that each Commonwealth country should make its own decision over whether it is a constitutional monarchy or a republic.

He said he was aware the roots of the Commonwealth organisation “run deep into the most painful period of our history” and said acknowledging the wrongs of the past was a “conversation whose time has come”.

There are currently 14 Commonwealth Realms in addition to the UK where the King is their head of state.

Dr Halima Begum, chief executive of the Runnymede Trust - a race equality think tank - told the BBC “it is wonderful to see King Charles building on his mother’s legacy”.

She described it as “incredibly encouraging” to see an incremental engagement from the monarchy on issues surrounding the injustice of slavery.

Dr Begum went on to say that the “next step could be a royal commission to unearth the complex histories of colonialism,” and that it would “really inspire millions of British citizens, and of course citizens across the Commonwealth”.

The Palace’s announcement came as the King took part in a centuries-old Easter

tradition, known as Maundy Thursday, for the first time since becoming monarch.

PhD student Ms de Koning said “the royals are often overlooked when it comes to influence”.

She told BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme: “It seems like they are just stamping decrees, but they are actually very involved as diplomatic players.

“I’m hoping to change that perspective, that you can see there are way more links between the colonial and the monarch than ever have been investigated, or have ever been noticed, so we can flip that around.”

Dr Edmond Smith, who is supervising Ms de Koning’s project, said the crown

has “often been left out of discussions” on the transatlantic slave trade, calling it an “important hole that needed to be filled through the research”.

“How the royal household may take that research on board is something we can only hope to see develop in the coming years,” he added.

The PhD study is co-sponsored by Historic Royal Palaces which manages several sites.

It started in October, one month after the King came to the throne.

It will look into the extent of any investments from any other slave trading companies.

Man murdered pregnant wife by pushing her off Arthur’s Seat

Aman has been jailed for a minimum of 20 years for killing his pregnant wife by pushing her 50ft off a cliff edge at an Edinburgh beauty spot.

Kashif Anwar, 29, killed 31-year-old Fawziyah Javed when she plunged from a rocky outcrop on Arthur’s Seat during a holiday in September 2021.

As she lay dying, Ms Javed, from Yorkshire, told a police officer her husband had pushed her.

Anwar claimed he had slipped and bumped into his wife.

The jury at the High Court in Edinburgh rejected that defence and found him guilty of murdering Ms Javed, who was 17 weeks pregnant, and causing the death of her unborn child.

Anwar, from Pudsey, near Leeds, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 20 years.

Judge Lord Beckett told him that his wife had been entitled to his protection and that he was guilty of a “wicked crime”.

He said: “You showed no remorse and made no attempt to save her.”

During a week-long trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, the jury heard Ms Javed’s mother say she believed her daughter was in a violent, coercive marriage.

Yasmin Javed said her daughter told her she planned to leave Anwar after a four-night mini-break to Edinburgh.

And as she lay dying on Arthur’s Seat, she told a police officer Anwar had pushed her as she had tried to end the relationship.

The court heard how Anwar, a student optician, first met Ms Javed, an employment

law solicitor, when she accompanied her mother to buy new glasses.

They began a relationship after meeting again soon after.

Her mother told the court that Anwar and his parents visited her family in November 2019 to express his desire to marry her daughter.

They tied the knot on Christmas Day in 2020.

But Ms Javed soon began to feel worried about Anwar’s behaviour.

She said she was very close to her only child and that her daughter had spoken to her about her husband’s abusive behaviour.

Ms Javed’s mother also said her daughter had told her she was contemplating leaving the relationship within a few months of marrying Anwar.

Anwar, who did not give evidence in court, told police officers that after arriving in the capital on 1 September 2021,he and his pregnant wife had a lie-in until 10:00 the following day before having breakfast.

As well as visiting Harvey Nichols and Mulberry, Anwar said they had also visited music store FOPP and a couple of “Harry Potter” shops.

Anwar said they had decided to visit Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano in Holyrood Park, at the bottom of Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile, after dining at the food chain Wagamama’s.

They arrived at the famous hill at about 19:30 and started climbing in order to see the sunset.

But the pair arrived too late and decided to go back down the hill.

It was then they decided to take a selfie on a rocky outcrop.

Anwar told police: “We were below the summit. I lost my balance and fell into her.

“I heard her go over the edge and say ‘oh my foot’ and she started screaming. I heard a thud.”

Ms Javed had fallen 50ft (15m) down the cliff.

But although she had a visible head injury she was able to speak for a short time while she lay dying on the hillside.

The first person to reach her, hillwalker

Daniyah Rafique, said: “She told me not to let her husband near her and that he had pushed her.”

Then police officer, PC Rhiannon Clutton, arrived at the scene. She said: “She was writhing in pain but she was able to speak to me when I asked her questions.

“She said she asked the woman what had happened and said her response was: ‘He pushed me’.”

The police officer added that Ms Javed said her husband had pushed her as she had tried to end the relationship.BBC

The King has previously spoken about the “depths of his personal sorrow” over the slave trade

Fawziyah Javed was 17 weeks pregnant when she died

Bournemouth man held in Morocco over fake money to stand trial

Aman who has spent five months in a Moroccan jail after being accused of using fake money will now have his case heard in April.

Oliver Andrews, from Bournemouth, was arrested in Marrakech in November.

His partner, Alanna Cornick, flew to Morocco last week to be at the court case but the hearing was postponed until 11 April.

Mr Andrews denies charges of possessing and distributing counterfeit money and creating an organised criminal group.

On 10 November 2022, the 29-yearold and a friend went to a nightclub on the last night of their holiday in Marrakech.

The following morning, Moroccan police arrested both men and told Mr Andrews half of his money was counterfeit, his family said.

Ms Cornick fears her partner “could be looking at 10-plus years”.

“This could happen to anyone,” she said.

Ms Cornick said she saw Mr Andrews briefly across the court room before the trial was adjourned, and when she tried to visit him in prison she was turned away because they were not married.

“It was horrible,” she said. “As soon as I walked into the court, I started crying straight away.

“It was horrible seeing him and not being able to speak to him.

“I’ve not been able to see him in five months so it’s just phone calls now.”

Ms Cornick said Mr Andrews had initially been among 32 people being held in a 12-man cell, with no bedding or fresh air, but had since been moved to another cell with “better conditions” and is allowed a 10-minute phone call twice a week. Both men are due to be told on 11

April whether they have been found guilty.

SharedWoman accused of homewrecking spared by governor

Aprovincial governor in north-east Burundi has dissolved the decision of a mayor to force a female resident out of the area after others “accused her of taking their husbands”.

A letter giving the woman 24 hours to leave signed by Butihinda district mayor Gilbert Ndikumasabo made the rounds on social media.

“For such misbehaviour aimed at breaking marriages that woman must leave Butihinda district from the 7th of April 2023,” the mayor’s letter reads.

Some social media users criticised the mayor’s decision while others supported it, as infidelity and an increase in divorce are currently concerning people in Burundi.

The woman in the letter hasn’t publicly commented.

Hours after the letter was shared, Muyinga province announced on Twitter that the mayor’s decision was annulled by the governor for “not abiding by the law”.

Recently, Burundi’s first lady publicly condemned infidelity and targeted single women for breaking up marriages.

Protests held in Sudan on anniversary of key sit-in

Pro-democracy protests have been held in several parts of Sudan in the latest demonstration of anger at the continuing military rule.

The protesters were also marking the anniversary of a 2019 sit-in that led to the overthrow of the former president, Omar al-Bashir.

Since then the military has dominated power. Following months of talks, a deal was supposed to have been signed earlier on Thursday to launch a new political transition to democracy.

But it was once again delayed due to disagreements within the security forces.

One area of tension has been a plan to integrate a powerful military unit known as the Rapid Support Forces into the regular army.

Uganda minister pleads not guilty over graft scandal

AUgandan government minister who has been remanded in custody in connection with a corruption scandal involving the theft of thousands of metal roofing sheets has pleaded not guilty in court.

Mary Goretti Kitutu, the minister of the north-eastern Karamoja region, was denied bail and will spent Easter weekend in jail.

The metal sheets were intended for vulnerable communities in Ms Kitutu’s region.

Her brother was charged with receiving stolen property.

Officials say at least 10 other government figures including the vicepresident, the prime minister and the speaker of parliament received some of the stolen roofing sheets.

The prime minister has apologised and urged other officials to return the sheets.

One minister was recently forced to remove some from the roof of his goat shed.

President Yoweri Museveni has called for the prosecution of all those involved.

DR Congo enjoys new bank holiday to honour clergyman

Congolese people are celebrating a new public holiday to honour Simon Kimbangu, who founded his church on 6 April 1921, when the country was still under colonial rule.

This fulfills a promise made by President Félix Tshisekedi to honour the man viewed as one of DR Congo’s independence heroes.

Father Kimbangu called for the liberation of black people from colonial rule. After only five months of preaching, he was arrested and was charged with undermining public security and disturbing the peace.

He was convicted and sentenced to death before King Albert of Belgium

commuted the sentence to life in prison.

He died in jail on 12 October 1951, after 30 years in detention.

His church, the Kimbanguist church, was officially recognised by the World Council of Churches in 1969 and is believed to count about six million believers, mainly in the Central African region and the African diaspora today.

Kenya opposition demands review of constitution

Kenya’s opposition Azimio coalition wants a review of the country’s 13-year-old constitution to be part of discussions in its proposed dialogue with the government to end protests in the country.

A statement released by opposition leader Raila Odinga, after a meeting with Azimio’s parliamentary group, says they will be adding a review of the constitution “to remove the last vestiges of an imperial presidency”.

The opposition referred to Kenya’s “winner-take-all culture”.

In February, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was widely criticised for saying the government was like a company with shares, in which some have large stakes and others none at all.

He has since defended himself, saying he was referring to government appointments, which he said must be given to people who support the president’s agenda, and not state resources, which he said will be equitably distributed.

Mr Odinga has been holding bi-weekly protests since 20 March against the cost of living and to oppose the appointment of a new electoral commission without consultations.

He has also been questioning the legitimacy of President William Ruto, who was elected last year and had his election validated by the Supreme Court.

At least three people have been killed in the protests, businesses destroyed and private property vandalised especially in

the main cities of Nairobi and Kisumu.

Last Sunday, President Ruto asked Mr Odinga to halt the protests and allow a parliamentary dialogue on the formation of a new electoral commission, to which Mr Odinga agreed.

But on Tuesday the opposition leader added a fresh demand for an external dialogue akin to the 2008 National Accord, which was led by former UN Secretary General Koffi Annan after the disputed elections of 2007.

Some government leaders have strongly opposed such a move and accused Mr Odinga of trying to sneak back into government.

In 2007, the accord led to a coalition government with President Mwai Kibaki, in which Mr Odinga was made Prime Minister.

Mr Odinga insists he does not want a similar arrangement, but an honest conversation about electoral justice with solutions for more honest elections.

He insists he will go back to the streets if the talks don’t bear fruit.

The government parliamentary group is yet to offer its counter-proposal on the grounds for the talks, but the president has been clear that his election will not be up for discussion.

Ghana deploys officers to town bordering Burkina Faso

The authorities in Ghana say 1,000 soldiers and police officers are being deployed to a north-eastern border town after gunmen killed an immigration officer and left two others in hospital.

It is not yet clear who opened fire on their vehicle in Bawku on Tuesday but there is concern about the security situation there because of the escalating jihadist conflict in neighbouring Burkina Faso.

There are fears that Islamist militants causing havoc across the Sahel region could destabilise countries further southincluding Ghana and Ivory Coast.

Source;BBC

Alanna Cornick said she saw her partner briefly across a Moroccan courtroom

N ews F rom A s IA

Macron counting on Xi to ‘bring Russia to senses’

French leader Emmanuel Macron has urged his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to help stop Russia’s war in Ukraine.

“I know I can count on you to bring Russia to its senses, and bring everyone back to the negotiating table,” he told Mr Xi in Beijing.

Mr Xi said China and France had the “ability and responsibility” to safeguard world peace.

But Moscow said there were “no prospects for a peaceful settlement” so far and its offensive would continue.

Mr Macron is on a state visit to China that is being highly scrutinised after years of deteriorating relations between the West and China, which has refused to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Mr Macron is also seeking to bolster trade ties. He is joined by European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, who he invited to take part in talks with the Chinese leadership, as well as a large business delegation.

On Thursday afternoon, Mr Macron was treated to an elaborate military parade in Beijing, before entering closed-door talks with Mr Xi, which Chinese and French officials described as “frank” and “friendly”.

Speaking to the press afterwards, Mr Xi said “China advocates for peace talks and seeks a political solution”, and called for “rational restraint” from the international community.

He also reiterated that nuclear weapons should not be used in the conflict. Russia said earlier this week it planned to place tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, near the ally’s western border with Nato countries.

Mr Macron said “we can’t have

a safe and stable Europe” as long as Ukraine remained occupied, and that it was “unacceptable” that a member of the UN Security Council had violated the organisation’s charter.

The French leader struck a cordial tone in his speech, often turning to Mr Xi during the press conference and addressing him directly. It stood in contrast to Mr Xi’s impassive delivery to the press.

In a separate press conference later, Ms von der Leyen stressed that if China provided arms to Russia, it would be against international law and “significantly harm” the relationship between the EU and China.

She also said she expected Beijing to play a role that “promotes a just peace”, and that she stood “firmly” behind Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky’s peace plan - which calls for the complete withdrawal of Russian troops.

China has released its own peace plan which Western nations have been generally dismissive of, saying it sides too much with Russia. But Mr Zelensky has expressed interest in it and called for direct talks with Mr Xi - who has yet to publicly respond.

But Ms von der Leyen said during her discussion with Mr Xi he “reiterated willingness” to speak with Mr Zelensky “when the conditions and timing are right”.

On Thursday, Russia acknowledged that China has “a very effective and commanding potential for mediation”.

“But the situation with Ukraine is complex, so far there are no prospects for a peaceful settlement,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who added that Russia had “no choice” but to continue with the

war.

Mr Macron is being hosted at a state dinner on Thursday night, and on Friday the two will travel to the southern city of Guangzhou where they will dine again together privately.

The trip marks the most politically significant interaction Mr Xi has had with a Western leader since he met US President Joe Biden in November at the G20 summit in Bali last November.

With this visit Mr Macron, who has been keen to burnish his credentials as an international peace broker, has now had personal contact with all the major players in the Ukraine conflict.

Observers believe he knows he is unlikely to come back from

this China trip with any major diplomatic achievement to boast of. The chances of Mr Xi changing his views on Russia and Ukraine in any significant way are, to say the least, small.

Mr Macron is likely to emphasise small advances, points in common, and the benefits of engagement through trade and talks.

He is said to believe that just because France is part of the Western alliance, and close to the US, does not mean it cannot deepen its relations with China which is allied to Russia.

In his remarks to the press, the French leader mentioned little of China’s human rights issuesa perennial point of contention between China and the West -

but said that while they remain important to France, “it’s better to be respectful than to lecture”.

Mr Macron’s trip also saw several significant deals signed by French and Chinese corporations and cultural institutions, witnessed by him and Mr Xi.

He is travelling with a delegation comprising business leaders, artists and museum officials. They include top executives from plane manufacturer Airbus, luxury group LVMH, and nuclear energy producer EDF.

The trip to Beijing, four years after Mr Macron last paid a visit to Mr Xi, takes place during strikes and unrest in France over unpopular reforms of the pension system.

The cost of the Ukraine war for one Russian regiment

Kostroma is not a bad place to go looking for the effects of the Ukraine war on Russia. For this city is home to a celebrated regiment that bears its name and has been in the forefront of all the main battles in the Kremlin’s campaign against its neighbours.

The 331st Guards Parachute Regiment, often called the Kostroma Airborne Regiment, has been the subject of investigations by BBC’s Newsnight since shortly after last February’s invasion. These have revealed the price paid by the regiment and its home community. We had confirmed 39 fatalities by April last year, 62 by late July, and now the toll has reached 94.

Much of the work compiling this list has involved combing social media accounts on V’Kontakte, the Russian equivalent of Facebook, and local media reporting. We can then cross reference this with satellite and Google Street View imagery.

One video discovered on V’Kontakte showed soldiers’ graves at a cemetery north-east of Kostroma. The graves shown in the videos match the names of the

soldiers we have collated.

The actual number of 331st’s dead is probably much higher. Some of the soldiers are from towns outside Kostroma, which makes tracking down information about them much more difficult. Several soldiers have been reported missing - some of these may count among the dead.

When one considers those seriously wounded or taken prisoner, it’s reasonable to assume that the Ukraine war has cost the regiment several hundred soldiers.

The loss of life has caused much comment in Kostroma, which lies about 300km (186 miles) north-east of Moscow and has a population of around a quarter of a million. One local website noted last spring that the entire SovietAfghan war, lasting nine years, had cost the city 56 soldiers. Heavy losses in Ukraine have given the local authorities a difficult task of political management.

Sergey Sitnikov, Kostroma’s Kremlin-appointed governor, has been in the forefront of attempts to convince people that the city’s soldiers are being properly supported. Gov Sitnikov’s visits

to hospitals, barracks, and indeed to the front, have been covered on local TV.

On a visit to the front in December, Gov Sitnikov told viewers that “we need to help [the] guys so they have decent conditions”. He had brought with him crowd-funded care packages and commercially sold drones.

Gov Sitnikov is Vladimir Putin’s placeman in his home region, so he’s hardly a rebel or fearless teller of uncomfortable truths. But his willingness to visit the front and acknowledge shortcomings, even in a coded way, marks an interesting contrast with his boss.

When local TV showed mobilised paratroopers on the 331st’s parade ground six months ago, it also carried Gov Sitnikov’s rather frank remarks to them: “I’m wishing you good health, success, completion of all tasks… and that you return home alive.”

The call-up of paratroopers, part of Russia’s wider mobilisation, underlines the degree to which the Ukraine campaign has exhausted the country’s professional army, of which the

331st has been a showpiece. In footage of November’s parade, 150 conscripts were shown before their dispatch to the front.

The total size of the 331st regiment could be estimated at 1,500-1,700. When it first sent into Ukraine in February 2022, it deployed two battalion groups, giving a total of 1,0001,200 soldiers. After taking heavy casualties in the failed attempt to reach Kyiv, the regiment was withdrawn and rebuilt in the southern Russian garrison town of Belgorod last summer.

Subsequent action has seen the regiment moving around all the major flashpoints - Izyum in the early summer, Kherson later on, and now back to Donbas. By monitoring the dates given in the death announcements on Kostroma social media, it’s possible to work out when (and often where) the unit was used to spearhead assaults, and the lulls when it was removed from the line to lick its wounds. For example, a cluster of deaths in February point to elements of the 331st being engaged in Kreminna.

Each time casualty

replacements - including the conscripts shown on TV in November - are brought in to replace losses, the original cadre of soldiers gets smaller, and the overall size of the unit diminishes. It may now number no more than 300-400 at the front.

The losses, and indeed the return of badly wounded men, have resonated in the home community. A few weeks into the war, one user of V’Kontake exclaimed, “Almost every day photos of our Kostroma boys get published. It sends shivers down my spine. What’s happening? When will this end?”

Local media has been featuring commemorations of fallen Kostroma soldiers. In December, a TV station featured the unveiling of a plaque to Eduard Reunov, a paratrooper in the 331st who was killed in Ukraine. The style of this memorial and the language used in the report can be seen as an attempt to channel the Great Patriotic War (as the Russians call their 1941-45 fight against the Nazis), implying that today’s soldiers are engaged in an equally important cause.

Source: BBC

Mr Macron was greeted with an elaborate military parade outside the Great Hall of the People

Environment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“There are two important projects which we will need more of your support, the HYPREP and GGW. We are doing our best to ensure that it’s working greatly.

We have the team for the HYPREP. We are doing our best to make sure that the structure put in place is maintained to ensure checks and balances for good governance and transparency.

“This is what we are doing and we hope we will get robust support from you.

“You have always been there for us and we still have hope that you will continue to give us your full support,” he said.

Responding, Mohammed said that the UN would give its best to support in restoring the loss lands.

“So, it’s really important that we put in place the teams that will help us to look at those programmes and to see that GGW issues is properly addressed.

She said the GGW project was an economic corridor, which would offer empowerment to both youth and women, if properly addressed in the country.

According to her, the GGW project will really empower our people, but at the same time, it is able to give less reason for people to destabilise countries when they get involved in conflicts of different types.

“So again, we are at your disposal; the UN will support any efforts that you want with the GGW, particularly the wetlands,” she said.

Mohammed, however, advised agencies, parastaltals and other relevant stakeholders to support the ministry in ensuring that the environmental programmes were implemented effectively.

She thanked the minister

for his strong leadership and commitment in ensuring that environmental crisis were being tackled as well as ensuring that Paris Agreement was achieved effectively.

HYPREP was established in 2012 under the Federal Ministry of Environment to achieve the under listed objectives in Ogoniland and other impacted communities:

“To determine the scope, means and modalities of remediation of soil and ground water contamination in impacted communities as may be recommended by HYPREP Governing Council and remedy them,

“Enhance local capacity for better environmental management and promote awareness of sound environmental management as

well as ensure livelihoods and sustainable development, and

“Ensure security and promote peace building efforts in impacted communities as well as strengthen governance, transparency and accountability in the region.”

The Great Green Wall (GGW) initiative, launched in 2007 by the African Union, aims to restore the continent’s degraded landscapes and transform millions of lives in the Sahel.

Its ambition is to restore 100 million hectares of currently degraded land, sequester 250 million tonnes of carbon, and create 10 million green jobs by 2030.

In Nigeria, the GGW Initiative also seeks to recover degraded land, preserve ecosystems, and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for communities.

PILIWA launched in Nigerian

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Lawyers, civil society, and media executives converged to Benin, the Edo state capital recently for the launch of the Public Interest Lawyering Initiative for West Africa (PILIWA) Nigeria chapter.

The initiative which was founded in 2016 has a membership that cuts across nine West African countries including Cote d’ Ivoire, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Niger, among others, and supports young lawyers interested in public interest cases technically, financially, and intellectually.

A member of PILIWA and Executive Director of the Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/ FoEN), Chima Williams said that public interest lawyering is a special area for legal practitioners

with passion for public good.

Williams explained that the PILIWA was particularly interested in Nigerian lawyers because of the peculiarity of environmental and human rights abuses perpetrated by big corporations aided by the state in all parts of the country where natural resources are found.

On the Nigeria launch of the PILIWA initiative, the ERA/FoEN boss said a desk office will be set up in Benin which will receive an endowment of N250,000 (two hundred and fifty thousand naira only).

The initiative will equally train young lawyers and imbue them with the relevant knowledge on sources of evidence, how to gather evidence and how to present it before a court of competent jurisdiction.

In his intervention, Jonathan Kaufman, Executive Director of

the Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA) said that he owes his association with legal work and particularly public interest cases with his experience as a young lawyer, when he was conscripted into the cases filed by families associated with the Ken Saro Wiwa case as well as victims of the Parabe Oil Platform case caused by Chevron in Ondo State.

The two cases, Kaufman pointed out, encouraged him to reach out to and start associating with local lawyers that are classified as stubborn because of their quest for justice.

He revealed that many legal cases suffer because of information gathering deficit, financial constraints, and lack of thoroughness in terms of minute details. Sometimes lawyers are not able to obtain cross border information that their peers may

be able to obtain and pass onto them if a platform for cooperation exists.

He said that the PILIWA platform will bridge the identified gaps to help public interest lawyers secure what they need to push and win unconventional cases.

The highpoint of the event was the inauguration of zonal coordinators for the PILIWA in Nigeria. The nominated coordinators of the South-South, South-east and North Central Zones are Courage Nsirimovu, Kalu Emmanuel Chisom and Redzie D. Jugo respectively. The coordinators for the Northwest, Northeast and Southwest will be announced later.

Participants were drawn from the legal profession in Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Plateau, Imo, Enugu, Niger and Kogi states, among others.

Right to Health: The fight over who’ll pay hospital bills of India’s poor

For two weeks recently, tens of thousands of private doctors in Rajasthan protested against a landmark bill which guarantees a right to health for the northern Indian state’s 80 million people.

The protests crippled private healthcare services and public hospitals were overwhelmed by patients. On Tuesday, the state government said it had reached an agreement with the doctors, prompting them to call off the strike.

What had raised the hackles of the protesters was a provision in the law that made it mandatory for public and private hospitals to offer emergency treatment to people, the costs of which would be later reimbursed by the government. The doctors said there was no clarity on how and where this money would come from.

A number of India’s states have their own health insurance programmes that entitle lowincome households to free health care at state-run and listed private hospitals. A federal health insurance programme called PMJAY was launched in 2018 to cover the poorest 40% of people. The Supreme Court has held that denial of emergency medical care was a constitutional violation of right to life.

Yet public health in India remains patchy and underfunded, grappling with shortages of money, doctors and nurses. India spends a little over 2% of its GDP on public healthcare, one of the lowest in the world. Most people have to pay around half of healthcare spending - especially medicinesout of their own pocket.

Private doctors, clinics and hospitals mop up some 80% of the total healthcare spending. More than 55 million people are pushed back into poverty every year because of “catastrophic” health expenses, which affect some 17% of households, according to a WHO report.

Not surprisingly, price-setting and reimbursements lie at the heart of a state-run public health insurance programme or a law giving people the right to health. Both are tricky.

An operation, for example, in a high-end hospital could cost six times more than in a nursing home. If the government opted for the cheaper rate, private hospitals were likely to turn away

patients seeking surgery under the programme or ask them to pay the balance. If the government opted for the higher rate, the costs of the programme would escalate tremendously.

“How you price and manage reimbursements is a big part of getting private sector into play,”

Prof Jishnu Das of Georgetown University told me.

These concerns were starkly underlined in a study by Radhika Jain of University College, London, on how reimbursement rates or prices affect the behaviour of private hospitals and performance of a state-run health insurance programme in India.

Prof Jain looked at more than 1.6 million claims and 20,000 patients in an existing staterun public health insurance programme in Rajasthan that reimburses hospitals at a specified, fixed rate per service covering tests, medicines and hospital costs.

She found that private hospitals were engaged in filing claims for higher priced and reimbursed services than those actually provided and charged patients for care that should be free under the programme, among other things. This suggested that “weak oversight and profit-motivated private agents are systematically flouting programme rules to increase their revenues at the expense of the government and patients”.

On the other hand, the protesting private doctors in Rajasthan also had a few points. For one, how do you define an emergency service for which the state would pay? “It could range from a heart attack to a delivery to a child coming in with a stomach ache,” a doctor told a newspaper.

Second, how do you identify hospitals which can provide emergency care? (One study estimates that 65% of India’s private hospitals are small facilities with 11-50 beds.) After the protests, the state government agreed to exclude from the ambit of the bill private hospitals with fewer than 50 beds and those who had not used government concessions to set up their facilities.

With these exceptions, at least “98% of private hospitals” in Rajasthan would not be part of the law, according to Dr Sunil Chugh, a senior functionary of an association of doctors.

If true, that would be quite significant. Rajasthan’s government says the new law will prod it to improve and upgrade public health, which would be welcomed by all. But as Prof Jain’s study showed, making people trust state-run health facilities will take time - 75% of the insurance claims in the first four years of the Rajasthan programme were from private hospitals.

The plight of Surendra Meghwal, a 44-year-old resident of Rajasthan, also tells the story of the yawning gap between promises and reality. He’s still paying off medical debt that he incurred in

treating his sister-in-law who died of Covid two years ago at a private hospital in Karauli district. The family had taken the patient to the private facility because there were no beds available in the public hospital.

Mr Meghwal said people in villages had to rush to small multi-speciality private hospitals in districts during health emergencies because there were not enough public health facilities.

“If the government now exempts these small hospitals from the right to health, where will we go? We will keep suffering,” he said.

A new law means courts and hefty regulation would come into the picture, says Prof Das. (He cited the case of Colombia where affluent people were clogging the courts seeking expensive treatments under the right to health law.) He reckons Rajasthan alone would need 6,000 regulators to look at healthcare claims, fraud, legal disputes, customer complaints and analysing data.

“The good thing about the bill is it says we still want to keep investing in public healthcare,

but the unspoken part of it is that people have the option of going to the private sector,” he said.

Public health advocacy groups believe Rajasthan needs India’s first right-to-health bill. A 2021 report on “healthy states” by Niti Aayog, a think-tank, India’s federal health ministry and the World Bank placed it 16th among 19 big states. It has high rates of infant mortality - deaths of children under one year. It also has a worryingly low number of doctors compared to its population.

But an efficient right to health needs to “become a daily, lived reality” for the people, Prof Jain told me. The definition and details of what comprises an emergency, provisions around emergency care at private hospitals, and payment rates will have to be ironed out.

The government would need to shore up public health facilities and improve the range and quality of healthcare they offer. “This actually puts a lot of the onus on the state to do the hard work of financing, implementation, oversight, and enforcement that is yet to come,” she said. BBC

Tens of thousands of private doctors in India’s Rajasthan protested against a landmark right to health bill

India spends a little over 2% of its GDP on public healthcare, one of the lowest in the world

On the other hand, the protesting private doctors in Rajasthan also had a few points. For one, how do you define an emergency service for which the state would pay? “It could range from a heart attack to a delivery to a child coming in with a stomach ache,” a doctor told a newspaper

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RAIN OF PRAYER ASSEMBLY

TREASURE MINDS CLUB

FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2023

Lionel Messi: Where will Argentina legend be playing next season?

“Everything is a possibility” with regards to where Lionel Messi will be playing next season, says Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.

Balague says the Argentina captain has received offers from Saudi Arabia and the USA’s Major League Soccer, while there is interest in bringing him back to Barcelona, albeit no official offer has been made yet.

Messi had reached an “agreement in principle” to renew his contract at Paris St-Germain for another year, with his priority to continue in elite European football until the 2024 Copa America.

After two seasons in Paris, the club, which is owned by Qatar Sports Investments, would like to convince him to accept that extra year under the same conditions as he has now.

According to Balague, the 35-year-old still needs to be convinced the Ligue 1 side can remain competitive at the top of European football, as director of football Luis Campos has been asked to reduce the wage list to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.

“Messi said he would stay put for that extra year as long as - because it has to be accepted by both sides - there is a sporting competitive team put together,” said Balague.

“The message that Messi got was that PSG will keep the same financial conditions, which is not a problem, but that they had to reduce the wage list which makes the team less competitive.

“It is also not clear if the manager (Christophe Galtier) will be replaced and who will come in. In Qatar, the talk is that the team line-up will vary by four to five players, which makes next season a bit of an uncertainty.”

A number of clubs from around the world are stepping up their own attempts to convince the 2022 World Cup winner to sign for them.

“The pressure from the club’s Qatar owners is massive. They don’t understand why there is a delay and would be willing to put even more money on the table. But I insist, that’s not an issue,” said Balague. PSG lead Ligue 1 by six points but their 11th consecutive attempt at winning the Champions League ended in a last-16 3-0 aggregate defeat by Bayern Munich last month.

Could Messi really return to Barca?

Lionel Messi lifting the 2015 Champions League trophy

Messi is Barcelona’s all-time top scorer with 672 goals in 778 games

Messi, who left Barcelona for financial

reasons in 2021, was met by whistles from a small section of PSG fans before they fell to a seventh defeat of 2023 at home to Lyon on Sunday.

That followed the news last week that Barcelona were in contact with Messi about returning to the club, and after stories started appearing in French media about his future that placed the Argentine in a negative light.

Jorge Messi, Lionel’s father and agent, had a 25-minute meeting with Barca president Joan Laporta in a Barcelona hotel. It was the first time they had met since the day Laporta confirmed in Messi’s office that the player was not going to continue at the club.

“The main theme of the hotel conversation was not the future of Leo but how can Barcelona give him an homage,” said Balague.

“Leo and Laporta have not spoken but obviously Barcelona keep pushing the idea that yes, they are going to go for it. The main engine is manager Xavi who speaks very regularly to Messi and quite clearly paints him a picture of a team that needs his quality.

“Xavi tells Messi he will be used as one of the two midfielders in front of the holding one, very close to what he does with Argentina. Xavi has thought of different ways for that to work and every time Leo hears about this, his eyes light up.

“But then he hears stuff from the club like ‘we’re definitely talking to them and

this is going to happen’ from directors who suggest that this is almost a goer and I imagine his reaction is quite negative because there has been no offer at all. It’s just talk coming from Barcelona.”

Messi agreed a new deal with Barcelona on reduced wages two years ago, but the club changed their mind unexpectedly at the last minute. Now, with a similar financial situation, the thinking is that having Messi in the team will bring money in to keep bringing big players.

That Laporta decision in 2021 ended Messi’s storied spell at the club which yielded four Champions Leagues and 10 La Liga titles - plus six Ballons d’Or.

The club have continued to struggle with their finances since.

“How is it possible that Barcelona, who are in a similar situation to what they were when Messi left, think they can afford Messi?” said Balague. “And why don’t they start negotiations?

“Nobody has approached Jorge or Leo to tell them how to put all that together with a financial package. Barcelona still need to reduce their wage list by 200m euros.

“My intuition is that if they did, they would be at a disadvantage enticing Messi with the possibility of coming back. Every week that passes without an offer is one less million that they will probably offer.

“If the only offer that Messi has got to stay in the elite game is PSG, and he is not fully convinced because of their sporting

situation, Barcelona can come in a month’s time and say ‘we cannot afford to pay what you deserve but we can actually offer you this, which won’t be a lot’.”

A 400m euro move to Saudi?

Messi has had an offer this week to sign for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia’s Pro League, where rival Cristiano Ronaldo already plays, for in excess of 400m euros for one season, according to Balague.

He has also had an approach from Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, the club his former Barcelona team-mate and friend Sergio Busquets is expected to sign for next season. Busquets is not committed to that move yet because he is hoping to be reunited with Messi.

“In MLS, they can never pay what Al-Hilal and PSG can offer. The hope for Inter is that Messi feels it’s time to abandon the elite and be in a quieter place to be ready for the Copa America,” said Balague.

“Anyone that says Messi has decided one way or the other would be lying. He will take a decision at some point of course but the priority is to stay in the elite game until 2024 and the Copa America, which puts PSG still in the forefront.

“Barcelona have made no offer, the offer from Inter [Miami] is very clear and has been for a while, and then the other offer for 400m-plus wouldn’t keep Messi in the elite but it is a crazy financial package and the possibility of playing against Ronaldo again. So that’s where we stand.”

Lionel Messi, who won the World Cup with Argentina in December, has scored 29 goals in 67 games for PSG

S P R T

Real Madrid rout Barca to reach Copa del Rey final

Karim Benzema scored a second-half hat-trick as Real Madrid routed Barcelona to reach the Copa del Rey final.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Madrid levelled the tie through Vinicius Jr in firsthalf stoppage time.

Benzema added two goals early in the second half - the second from the penalty spot - to put the visitors in control and completed his hat-trick to seal the win in the 80th minute.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side will face Osasuna in the final on 6 May.

Barcelona had the better of a feisty first half at the Nou Camp, but their best chance led directly to Madrid’s opener in first-half injury time.

After keeper Thibaut Courtois got down

smartly to stop Robert Lewandowski’s effort, the away side broke quickly and, after exchanging passes with Benzema, Vinicius squeezed his effort into the bottom corner.

Five minutes after the break, Madrid were in front on aggregate as Luka Modric drove forward and rolled the ball into the path of Benzema, who swept the ball home from the edge of the area.

Xavi’s side were reeling and when Franck Kessie needlessly brought Vinicius down in the box, Benzema sent Marc-Andre ter Stegen the wrong way from the spot to extend the lead.

The France striker got his third with 10 minutes remaining after a devastating Madrid counter, again led by Vinicius, with Barcelona having committed men forward searching for a way back into the tie.

It was Benzema’s second hat-trick in successive games after achieving the feat last Sunday against Real Valladolid.

Los Blancos end Barca’s run of Clasico wins

Going into the second leg a goal down, a distant second in La Liga and having lost the last three Clasico meetings, Madrid had a point to prove.

For much of the first half it looked as though they would end the night with just the Champions League to play for in the remaining two months of the season.

Not bad as consolation prizes go but entering the run-in with only one trophy target is something of a disappointment at the Bernabeu, especially if your fiercest rivals have a treble in sight.

But just when they might have been

contemplating that reality, a blistering counter-attack at the end of the opening period changed the game.

Vinicius Jr of Real Madrid celebrates Vinicius Jr scored his 20th goal of the season to put Real Madrid ahead in firsthalf stoppage time

Madrid came out after the break with renewed energy and confidence, showing their class in a ruthless second-half display for which Barca had no answer.

The hosts can console themselves with the fact they are closing in on a first league title since 2019, having already won the Spanish Super Cup.

For Ancelotti’s team, though, there is now a dual purpose - the pursuit of backto-back Champions League wins and a first Copa del Rey triumph in nine years.

Vinicius Jr scored his 20th goal of the season to put Real Madrid ahead in first-half stoppage time

European Championship 2024 qualifiers: Who do you think will reach Euro 2024?

Here we go again. Qualifying for the 2024 UEFA European Championship in Germany gets under way this week as 53 nations battle for 24 places.

In a repeat of last tournament’s final, England face holders Italy in their first Group C match on Thursday.

Scotland find themselves in a difficult group with Spain and Norway as they hope to reach just their second major tournament this century.

Wales, semi-finalists in 2016, are in Group D with Croatia, Turkey, Latvia and Armenia.

Northern Ireland, who made their only Euros appearance seven years ago, are in an intriguing Group H which includes Denmark and Finland.

Two teams from each group advance straight to the finals, plus there is a backdoor route via the Nations League for a handful of teams.

We want to know who you see booking their spot in next year’s tournament, plus you can have your say in the comments.

Group A

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Group F

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Group G

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Group I

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Group J

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England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales all start their qualifying campaign for Euro 2024 this week

PEOPLES DAILY

Corruption and the way out

Frank Lampard: Chelsea name exmanager as boss until end of season

Corruption is a global phenomenon but the menace in this country is tragically overwhelming.

On 29 September, 2000, the Obasanjo-led government inaugurated the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to minimize the incidence of corrupt practices in the country. To curb money laundering, in 2003, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission was also established by the president, Olusegun Obasanjo as a law agency to investigate financial crimes in the country.

Guest Columnist

By Abdulganiyu Abdulrahman

Akanbi

penalty to punish the offenders in which bailout is also welcomed.

Few months ago, Senator Smart Adeyemi, senator representing Kogi West in the house of Senate raised a suggestion calling for the introduction of Divine laws into the constitution to fight corruption. Since then, the matter has been swept beneath the carpet and nothing was done to it.

Frank Lampard says he will “focus on the job in hand”

after being named Chelsea’s caretaker manager, rather than trying to land the role full-time.

Lampard has completed a surprise return to Chelsea for the rest of the season, replacing the sacked Graham Potter.

The club say Lampard will take charge while they carry out an “exhaustive process” to find a permanent boss.

“I want to do the best possible role I can and after that we will see what happens,” the 44-yearold said.

“I am not getting anywhere ahead of myself.”

‘Lampard’s return most surprising Chelsea development yet’ Lampard, who has been out of a job since he was dismissed by Everton in January, previously managed Chelsea from July 2019 until he was sacked in January 2021.

His first game will be away to Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday before a Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid on Wednesday.

Lampard was a player at Stamford Bridge when interim boss Roberto di Matteo led the club to Champions League glory as a caretaker before earning the job on a full-time basis.

Asked if he could follow a similar path, the former midfielder said: “It won’t be my decision so again I don’t want to jump forward to that.

“I understand I will get asked that question a lot. I have my eyes wide open. The important thing for me is to park that and focus on the job in hand.”

Since independence, Nigeria has not been corruption free. Things are always absurd in this country. A day will not pass without hearing a sadden happening. Unarguably, corruption has been the leading factor contributing to the underdevelopment of the country. No institution is safe from the corruption’s trap.

Over the years, corruption has been ravaging the nooks and croonies of every sector. Ranging from mismanaging of public funds, embezzlement and siphoning the treasure of the nation. Historically, no administration; military or civilian, has been found clean since the inception of Nigeria. And till date, no solution has been found to tackle the menace despite the frantic efforts by the government.

Although, corruption is a global phenomenon but the menace in this country is tragically overwhelming.

On 29 September, 2000, the Obasanjo-led government inaugurated the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to minimize the incidence of corrupt practices in the country. To curb money laundering, in 2003, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission was also established by the president, Olusegun Obasanjo as a law agency to investigate financial crimes in the country.

After the creation of ICPC and EFCC, the country is recording enormous development in prosecuting and convicting many

prominent Nigeria leaders but with little success. Unfortunately, few highprofile individuals face the wrath of law while majority escape justice even though, they were found guilty of the offence. In furtherance, many cases were also buried and the victims are seen in the town enjoying luxurious lifestyles. What a country!.

While Nigeria battles corruption in all sectors, the Nigeria economic stance and power have been degrading and devaluating in the world. In 2012, the country reported to have lost over $400 billion to the coldest hands of corruption since independence. Also in 2018, the country was ranked 144th in the 180 countries listed in Transparency international’s Corruption Index.

Recently, President Muhammad Buhari suspended the former acting EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Magu, on

corruption Allegations. Panel was set to investigate his matter. Since the beginning of the investigation, positive results have been showing up. In the same vein, the latest corrupted institution in Nigeria is Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). On this, investigation is still on by the House of Representatives while the public awaits the outcome.

Without doubt, investigation proceedings on the allegedly individuals might come out positively but the question questing for answer is that, would the victim(s) face the consequence of their offence according to the law?

Nigerians are the problem of Nigeria. No outsider is laundering our funds. Our main problem is the punishment of corruption in the aspect of the constitution. This problem is attracted to the legislators. Imprisonment -for few years- is the highest

“Last year, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, also called for the inclusion of the shariah law into the Nigerian Constitution so as to combat the problem of corruption and others in the country. In the same year, the sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, called for the same solution

Last year, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, also called for the inclusion of the shariah law into the Nigerian Constitution so as to combat the problem of corruption and others in the country. In the same year, the sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, called for the same solution.

On this note, I believe there is need for the introduction of religious principles as opined by many leading figures in the country. I would like to advise the National Assembly to take into account a comprehensive research and findings from the religious leaders so as to deduce laws from the religious books. I also appeal to the Federal government to strengthen the power of the judiciary for the sake of justice, fairness and accuracy.

Abdulganiyu

Abdulrahman Akanbi wrote from Ilorin, kwara state.

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