Thursday, February 9th, 2023 Edition

State Governors are concerned over lingering crisis of

By Christiana Ekpa

The Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello has expressed the concerns of the Nigerian State Governors over the twin challenges of new naira notes and the fuel scarcity, however assuring that the situation would ebb soon.

This was just as the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate in Niger State, Hon. Mohammed Bago unveiled plans to embark on provision of security, infrastructural and socio-economic development of the state if elected.

The governor spoke in Abuja during a book launch and fund raising dinner for the Niger State gubernatorial candidate of the (APC), Hon. Bago, equally expressed his dissatisfaction with the development which had brought queues at the commercial banks and the filling stations, further subjecting the people to hardship and hopelessness, Bello said the governors also felt for the people.

Governor Bello who threw his weight behind the Candidature of Hon. Bago and his Deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba expressed optimism that the ruling party would record landslide victory during the forthcoming elections.

He said “All the Governors of Nigeria are concerned about what is going on. We will for our citizens, but it will stop. So that shouldn’t distract is, we should be

fuel scarcity - Gov. Bello

very optimistic, we should go to our polling stations and vote for Hon. Mohammed Bago as Niger state governor and Comrade as his Deputy Governor,” he urged.

“There is a bond between us that two of us know, a bond of trust and mutual understanding. He has supported me when I need d support.

“But let me tell you something, probably the most important thing about our incoming (Governor). He will never abandon you, if he’s with you, he’s with you, if he’s not with you, he’s not with you.

“I remember after my second term election, usually when people win their election they go back to do their thing. This gentleman came back to me and he stayed. He stayed to the last day, and that I will never forget and I really appreciate it.

“The people of Niger State have spoken and I deliberately refused to get involved in the Primaries even with all the pressure, with all the lobbying, I said let the will of the people speak.

“Whenever you allow the will of the people to speak, you won’t have problems in the general election. What we are seeing today in Niger State, the acceptance and the reception during the campaigns is as a result of allowing people to decide who they want.

“Campaigns have been completed in two zones, and I can tell you that in those two zones we scored 90 percent. The only one zone that is left won’t be any

different. As we are now as human beings and as people, as far as this project is concerned, we can only pray to God to keep us alive and healthy. But I won’t be wrong, I say we are just waiting for time. So, we need all the prayers and support.

“We brought you all here not just to look at your faces, we brought you all here to support us, support this process and you will never regret it. For those of you that have the means, I hereby indulge you to please and please support this course to the fullest. Trust me, it’s an investment worth it.

“Some of us mentioned earlier on, that things are difficult, fuel scarcity, cashless this cashless that, yes it is true. But with determination and the will of the people, we will make it. Fuel scarcity all this issues will stop at some point, it will stop.

Hon. Bago Why giving his address at the launching of the Book titled: ‘Law and Governance in Nigeria’ and fund-raising ceremony, which was attended by Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State; National Assembly caucuses, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Speaker and members of Niger State House of Assembly as well as members of the State Executive cabinet, captain of industries, among others said: “In a nutshell, we want to bring new change to Niger State, we want to rebrand Niger State so that we can be part of the newest economy in Nigeria. As you are aware, Niger

State is the largest State in Nigeria in terms of Land mass.

“We have 76,000 square kilometers of arable land, we have 4 hydro-power stations in Niger and yet we do have Irrigation Dams in Niger; so we only wait for raining season. So we want to be Agric giant in this country and an industrial giant for that matter.”

While responding to the challenges posed by scarcity of new currency policy and fuel scarcity as an issue in this upcoming election, Hon. Bago averred that the problem is “generic as far as I am concerned.

“People who are advising for the redesign of the naira and the implementation of the policy are not being considerate of the plight of the people. Politicians who have money are not raising funds, so they don’t care whether you change money or you don’t change money.

“The fuel scarcity is purely sabotage and there is need for the government of the day to make sure that it enforces or put agencies in charge of this industry at work, so that there will be availability of fuel.

“But this short lived because you know the triumph for evil is short lived anytime, so we are sure by the grace of God.”

While reeling out his strategic plans toward provision of security across the State, he said: “We are already talking to and want to collaborate with the Traditional Institutions very importantly to curb insecurity.

L-R: Chief Technical Advisor to INEC Chairman, Bolade Eyinla; national commissioner for information of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Festus Okoye, and chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Mahmood Yakubu,during the INEC Briefing at the Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, yesterday in Abuja.

FMAN wheat dev’t programme excites Bauchi farmers

Some farmers in Bauchi State have commended the Flour Milling Association of Nigeria (FMAN) over its wheat development programme aimed at accelerating production in the country.

FMAN is consortium of flour millers working to encourage

wheat value chain through research, extension services, enhancing farmer access to inputs and agricultural financing.

The association is supporting about 1,000 wheat farmers in seven local government areas of Bauchi State.

They include Bauchi, Jama’are, Misau, Tafawa Balewa, Dass, Shira and Katagum.

A cross section of the farmers made the commendation on Tuesday during the Wheat Farmers’ Green Field Day at Jogale plantation in Jama’are LGA.

Hajiya Rakiya Abubakar, a woman farmer, said that she cultivated one hectre of farmland with support of the association.

She said that she received fertilisers, seeds and chemicals which enabled her to increase productivity.

Naria policy,

...Niger APC guber candidate promises security, infrastructural, devt’

APC Taraba South Senate: Appeal court affirms Jimkuta candidacy

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, has affirmed David Jimkuta as the authentic candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC) for the forthcoming Taraba South Senatorial District election.

With this judgement, the appellate court has rubbish the decision of the Federal High Court sitting in Jalingo, which dismissed Jimkuta’s suit challenging his substitution with the name of Danjuma Shiddi.

The 3-man panel of the

court, in a judgment delivered by Justice Hamman Barka held that the primary election that produced Jimkuta was conducted by the National working committee of the APC and was valid in accordance with the relevant laws.

Specifically, it held that only the NWC of the APC has the powers, the rights, and vires to conduct a valid primary election for the party.

Recall that Jimkuta had won the APC primary election for Taraba South but was wrongfully substituted by his

party with Hon. Danjuma Shiddi.

Irked over his substitution, Jimkuta headed to the Federal High Court in Jalingo to seek redress, having won the party’s primary election with 170 votes while Shiddi polled 70 votes.

In his pleas, he prayed the court to declare him the winner of the primary and stop the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) from recognizing Shiddi, who came a distant second, as the APC Senatorial candidate for the Taraba South.

In the originating summons, Jimkuta had claimed he won the primary elections by polling the highest number of votes cast which was 170 as against his opponent’s 80 votes.

Reacting to the judgement, Jimkuta thanked the judiciary for restoring his mandate, saying “it was a victory for democracy, the people of Taraba South and the entire APC family.

He therefore, appealed to his opponents to join hands with him to work towards victory at the polls.

Atiku will emerge victorious in presidential election, says group

The Coordinator, Benue Voters in Diaspora (BVD), Mr Bright Ogaji says the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, would emerge victorious at the Feb. 25 Presidential election in spite of stiff opposition.

To this end, he said that the people of Benue would deliver over one million votes for the party ‘s presidential candidate.

He made this known in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

Ogaji, who was an aspirant for the Benue South Senatorial District primaries of the party, said that contrary to opinions from some quarters, Atiku would poll over one million votes from Benue.

He said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had confirmed total registered voters in Benue to be 2.7 million.

According to Ogaji, the turnout at Atiku’s rally in Makurdi and the level of mobilisation by various PDP stakeholders both home and in the diaspora, is a testament that the PDP’s candidate would sweep Benue at the poll.

He said: “I have seen the level of love and acceptability from the people. With what I saw at the rally, Atiku is the man to beat and nothing would stop Benue people from giving him over a million votes.

“I know it’s very difficult to believe owing to what people have been saying and hearing about Benue, but the power lies with the voters.

CNG hails Supreme Court, warns FG, CBN to respect verdict

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), on Wednesday, welcomed the Supreme Court ruling halting the implementation of the February 10 naira swap deadline and warned the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Government to respect the order of the court.

The group also hailed the Governors of the 36 states for standing on the side of the Nigerian people over the Central Bank’s new Naira and cashless policies that have subjected the masses to severe pains.

A statement by CNG, Spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, lamented that President Muhammadu Buhari, whom Nigerian voters trusted in 2015, should so woefully fail to address the fundamentals of the nation’s existence.

CNG also regretted the way some mushroom, obscure and

unpatriotic groups of political merchants are being sponsored to declare support for the policy that is already dragging the country to the brink.

He said: “In 2015, Nigerian voters trusted Buhari to lead our nation through and out of its limitations, into a future in which we will live secure lives and pursue livelihoods in a united Nigeria whose resources will be protected.

“Unfortunately however, with the ill-advised ratification of a regime of harsh economic policies, added to a lingering fuel crisis, the current administration has inadvertently acquired the reputation of being the worst in the history of our nation, in terms of any capacity to generate confidence in the minds of even the masses of the people from where it extracted most of its winning votes.

“This is because a handful of dubious elements that surround the President that has turned the administration into a citadel of poor governance, indifference,

insensitivity and unprecedented corruption. This Ruthless cabal along with Godwin Emefiele have in the process dragged the CBN into partisanship, and come up with policies that end up making life difficult for the people.”

CNG noted that the policy is clearly aimed at achieving dubious political goals; and one clearly designed to weaken the northern region especially has created developments and difficult circumstances that no one expected the nation will confront.

“We therefore find it unrealistic and unjustifiable that in the desperation to get even with a certain individual and frustrate his presidential bid, the entire country and its people should be thrown into this level of unforgivable suffering.

“As fallout of the chronic cash scarcity resulting from the rigid implementation of the unpopular currency swap policy, several commercial banks have begun to close shop for fear of unforseen

circumstances.

“Against the failures and abuses by administration officials, hunger is stalking millions of homes, inflation is making life difficult by the day, people are losing jobs, businesses are closing down, young Nigerians are losing hope.

“For us in the North, policing lives and livelihoods of communities is now a major problem. Part of the shared bad legacy of the Buhari administration include the current condition of roads like the Abuja – Kano dual carriage way, the dangerous deindustrialization of the North and the skewed allocation of electric power to various parts of the north which are today compounded by poorly-designed economic policies.

“We appreciate the caution that the fight against corruption must be isolated from partisan influence, but under no circumstances should it be compromised.”

“You can see from the massive turnout today and I kid you not, we the registered voters in the diaspora are also mobilising our people at home to give their support to Atiku Abubakar. He is the best for now.

“Some of our members who registered in Lagos, Abuja and other areas of residence before leaving Nigeria, have already transferred their voting power to Benue.

“For some of us, we registered right here in Benue and our PVCs are in thousands. We shall speak with one voice, come Feb.25 and return Atiku as our next President.

“Benue has always been delivering for PDP and this time around, it’s going to be massive, unprecedented,” Ogaji said.

Ogaji, a US-based philanthropist and former Chairman, Oju Local Government Council, added that, “unlike in 2019, when PDP’s Atiku polled 355, 355 against the APC’s 347,668; the people of Benue would give the PDP’s candidate a landslide votes, over one million votes is guaranteed for him”.(NAN)

Mashigi Ward head, Hamisu Inusa, Lauhil Qur’an Chairman, Shaik, Ibrahim Musa,- Kaduna State Grand Khadi, Representing by Ibrahim Umar, and Rigacikun Councelor, Hon. Aliyu Yusuf,- during the Madarasatul lauhil qira,atul qur’an tsangaya committee organization, Graduate 7 Student with Local Masters Digree, Diploma and Secondry Certificate, in kaduna on Wednesday 8/2/23

Effective leadership: KOICA, partners implement e-governance project in Nigeria

TheKorea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and partners say they have, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (FMCDE), implemented the second phase of e-governance master plan project in Nigeria.

Mr Sungil Son, KOICA’s Country Director, said the second phase of the National e-Government Master Plan was developed in line with the shared vision and objectives between the partners and the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP).

According to Sungil, the vision is to achieve effective and efficient leadership in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project was implemented in the course of a two-day workshop on e-government master plan in Abuja, with the theme, “Building Foundations Towards Digital Governance in Nigeria (2020~2026/$13m).”

“The first phase of the e-government master plan was implemented between 2014-2019.

“After the implementation of the first phase, we figured out that we needed to update the e-government master plan project 1.0 into project 2.0 which is the second phase.

“Specific strategies are proposed that will improve the quality of citizens’ lives by enhancing national competitiveness, facilitating market economy, promoting participatory democracy, and improving transparency in the public sector.

“There are guiding principles, objectives, phased approach to vision realisation, critical success factors, sub-systems, policies, components, strategies and initiatives which when adhered to will ensure the successful implementation of the e-government master plan,” he said.

He added that the goal of the project was to achieve one digitalised government through open governance, digital transformation of processes involved in delivering services, and through an inter-operatable government ICT network.

“This project guarantees that Nigeria is on its way to achieving a fully digitalised economy,” he added.

Earlier in his speech, the Project Manager, Prof. Hung Park, a Professor of Computer Science at Sangmyung University, South Korea, noted that by implementing the e-government master plan, Nigeria would be embracing the capability that would enable the country to become a leading global digital economy player.

“Over the past eight years Nigeria has been able to implement only one aspect of the e-government master plan as recommended, which is the establishment of the presidential council for e-government, and they made the first phase a national agenda.

“So this is a really good start towards transforming the Nigerian government into a digital economy.

“The e-government master plan is not just a document but a success factor based on how it is implemented and this brings us to the second phase of the project.

“The project will enhance Nigeria’s e-Government implementation system through an update of the current Nigeria e-government master plan, upgrade of Nigeria’s Enterprise Architecture, and development of 10-year e-Government Implementation Plan.

“It will also aid in improving competencies for e-Government service delivery through capacity building programmes designed for policy makers and technical officers at both the federal and state levels of government.

“The project will also enhance the quality of government digital services through the activation of the Government Service Portal – www.services. gov.ng,” Park said.

Similarly, Mr Aremu Ade, Director e-Government Department, FMCDE, said the project would be used by the government to re-engineer its agenda for the country towards directing the holistic and citizen-centric deployment of ICT in governance.

“The ministry is committed to ensuring that the initiative taken by the South Korea government on Nigeria’s e-government is achieved.

Atiku seeks removal of Lagos REC

• Accuses him of partisanship

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

ThePresidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Lagos, Olusegun Agbaje, for his partisanship and compromise.

Atiku, In a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said it was curious that Agbaje had insisted on using the Lagos State Park and Garage Management Committee led by transport kingpin, Musiliu Akinsanya aka MC Oluomo, who is a member of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council.

He described as watery Agbaje’s excuse that INEC would not be able to use the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) because they had been barred in Lagos State.

According, “The law is clear that only a court has the power to proscribe an organisation. That was why the Federal Government had to go to court to proscribe the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN).

“What Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu did in Lagos State was to arbitrarily announce a ban on the activities of the NURTW because the organisation suspended MC Oluomo, the APC’s henchman.

“INEC must not promote illegality by working with a partisan organisation which is filled with APC members that are working for Bola Tinubu.

“How could such people be given sensitive materials to be distributed across Lagos on election day? This has already undermined the possibility of a free and fair election.

“INEC must sanction Mr. Agbaje for insisting on using MC Oluomo’s committee despite protests from members of the public”, he said.

Atiku recalled that Agbaje was the REC who superintended over the fraudulent 2018 governorship election rerun in Osun State which even the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union discredited.

He added, “Recall that it was Mr. Agbaje who superintended over the fraudulent and violent Osun governorship rerun which produced Gboyega Oyetola as governor. US Consul General, John Bray was spot on when he stated, ‘We witnessed what appeared to be incidents of interference and intimidation of voters and heard reports of harassment or party monitors, journalists and domestic observers.”

“Atiku noted that even election monitoring groups like the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) dismissed the Osun rerun as “fraudulent and anti-democratic”.

He added, “Unfortunately, it is the same Agbaje, who could not effectively supervise a rerun in a few polling units that has been given the task of superintending the election in Nigeria’s largest state with over seven million registered voters.

“The election is doomed to fail if INEC doesn’t do the right thing by removing him.

“We remind the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, that this will be his last general election before the end of his tenure.

“We ask him to protect his legacy by removing

Mr. Segun Agbaje if he insists that MC Oluomo must be the one to handle sensitive INEC materials.

“This election must not only be fair but it must be seen to be fair as well”, he said

He noted that as of Wednesday morning, over 17,000 Nigerians had signed a petition on Change.Org titled, ‘Remove Olusegun Agbaje as the Lagos INEC Commissioner for Incompetence and Bigotry’.

Agbaje, it will be recalled, has been under fire for the last one week following his comments over the inability of a large number of non-indigenes in Lagos to vote.

While explaining the development on Channels Television, Agbaje, who was visibly disgusted, stated that people of the southeast migrated to Lagos and engaged in double registration hence their inability to get their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC).

Responding to the development, Atiku stated, “It is disheartening that the Lagos REC, Mr Segun Agbaje, has begun to show open partisanship. We find it curious that it is the local governments considered as opposition strongholds that were unable to get their PVCs.

He stated, “Historians and analysts have described this 2023 general election as a watershed. The destiny of over 200 million people is at stake. INEC says it is ready to deliver a credible and free election but one weak link in the chain of command can undermine the entire process.

“We call on Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu to remove the Lagos REC, Mr. Agbaje, as his credibility is seriously in doubt. Again, we call on INEC not to use the MC Oluomo-led partisan organisation to distribute ballot papers on election day”, he said.

L-R: President, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Tasiu Sa’ad Gudari-wudill; National Chairman, of the Nigerian Institution of Highways and Transportation Engineers, Engr Saidu Hassan, and Representative of North East Development Commission, Engr Ali Abubakar during the investiture of engr said as the 5th national chairman of the institution held, yesterday in Abuja.

Nigerian Air Force seeks sustained synergy with NAN

TheDirector of Information and Public Relations, Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Wap Maigida, has sought for sustainable synergy with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the reportage of NAF’s operations and activities.

Maigida made the call when he paid a courtesy call on the Managing Director of NAN, Mr Buki Ponle, on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that NAN and the armed forces were partners and stakeholders in the Nigerian project, hence the need for synergy in information dissemination about the operations and activities of the military.

“ I came here to continue the synergy that we have had on churning out information about the armed forces and the air force in particular, for the people to know what the air force is doing in its operations and activities.

“We are all aware that NAN is a primary source of information and news for all other media stations and NAN has been working closely with the armed forces and the air force specifically in giving out information.

“I want to continue the cooperation and ask for continuous synergy from your organisation,” he said.

The spokesman commended NAN for ensuring that the right narratives of NAF was given out promptly, adding that the agency had always deployed professional hands to cover NAF activities.

“I want to also urge us to continue to galvanise support for the armed forces and the NAF specifically as we continue to

conduct our constitutional roles of protecting the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

“Let me also implore the Nigerian media to continue to avoid sensational news. I know as a government agency we have not had problem with that.

“We have only one armed forces and we must protect it.

“I know we are into electioneering period and there would be bashing from here and there, but everything will come and go and leave us behind. So let us protect ourselves in the eye of the storm,” he added.

Responding, NAN Managing Director said the agency has remained the home of quality and unbiased news and would always collaborate with and support the armed forces in its operations.

Ponle pledged to enhace the existing collaboration with the air force for the benefit of the country.

He told the NAF spokesman that the agency had recently restructured its operations with the recent expansion of its zonal offices from six to 12, for better service delivery.

He added that the agency has offices in the 36 states of the federation, as well as district offices for effective coverage of rural areas.

“We also have more than 10 foreign offices but because of paucity of funds, we had to reduce some.

“We have our office in New York, and we are in the process of reopening our offices in Johannesburg to cover South Africa; Côte

d’Ivoire to cover West Africa and Ethiopia to cover the Eastern part of Africa.

“Just like what Nigeria has been, our focus is on Africa, but we ensure that we give priority to our local news in terms of news dissemination and we are still having clients from within and outside the country.

“In essence, when you talk to NAN, you have talked to the whole world, because here is where it happens.

“We have the multimedia which is the in thing now, we have the photography section and we have all other gene of journalism being covered,” he said.

The NAN boss added the agency has been preparing towards effective coverage of the forthcoming general elections, expressing the hope that it would be conducted peacefully nationwide.

Ponle pledged that the agency would not compromise standards in providing quality and unbiased news to its clients.

“We cannot afford to make mistakes as any mistake made by NAN would also be made by all news organisations relying on us.

“We don’t discriminate and we don’t have any allegiance. The only allegiance we have is for the survival of our country Nigeria, just like the armed forces.

“When it comes to objectivity, when you speak to NAN, you can all go to sleep, because what we push out will be the truth, nothing else but the truth,” he said.

Ponle said the agency would continue to identify with the armed forces because of

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Naira redesign policy: Supreme court suspends CBN’s Feb. 10 deadline

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has halted the Federal Government from continuing with the full implementation of the demonitisation policy.

The plaintiffs which are the three northern states, namely, Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara, had in a motion ex-parte filed on February 3rd, asked the apex court to halt the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) naira redesign policy.

In the decision made by a 7-man panel of the Supreme Court led by Justice John Okoro, in a unanimous ruling, granted an interim injunction restraining the FG, CBN, commercial banks etc from implementing the February 10, deadline for the old 200, 500 and 1000 Naira notes to stop being a legal tender.

The court further held that the FG, CBN, commercial banks etc must not continue with the deadline pending the determination of a motion on notice in respect of the issue on February 15.

By the ruling, the old Naira notes continue to be legal tenders in Nigeria.

Nothing will stop presidential, guber polls, INEC Chairman vows

By Egena Sunday Ode

The Independent National Electoral commission (INEC) Wednesday assured that the scheduled general elections will be conducted on February 25 and March 11 despite the challenges being faced in the country.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, gave the assurance while speaking with State House Correspondents, after he briefed the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on level of preparedness for the conduct of election at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Yakubu said the scarcity of

petroleum products and the new currency are the major challenges confronting national electoral body but noted that solutions were already in sight.

“We took members of the Council through all the preparations that we have put in place for the election and the few challenges that we are facing and the steps we have taken to address them.

“The first one is the availability of petroleum products. We had a meeting with the National Union of Road Transport Workers and they raised that as an issue of concern. Immediately after that meeting, we interfaced with the leadership of the Nigeria

National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPC).

“Right now there is a technical committee working; the idea is for them to avail us the use of their over 900 land mega as well as floating mega stations nationwide for the purpose of stocking products to ensure that the Commission doesn’t suffer any encumbrances in movement of personnel and materials for the election.

“The second one is the currency issue and again we had an engagement yesterday with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and he assured us that the Commission will not suffer any encumbrances on that

front. Fortunately for us, all our accounts, national and state are held by the apex bank. So, we raised those challenges and we have found solutions to those challenges so be rest assured that the elections are going to hold as scheduled; on the 25th of February for National and on the 11th of March for the State election. “

According to the INEC boss, the briefing he gave the Federal Executive Council was a usual practice associated with general elections; and will also brief the Council of State on Friday, February 10, 2023 on their preparation for the conduction of the elections.

Immigration confiscates 3,823 National Identity cards, 2,393 voters cards from migrants

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The Nigeria Immigration Service ( NIS) said it has confiscated 3,823 National Identity cards and 2,393 voters cards from migrants.

The Comptroller-General of Immigration, Isah Idris Jere, who stated this on Wednesday in Abuja, at a retreat organised for top management staff of the service; zonal coordinators and comptrollers of commands/ formations at the service headquarters, added that the items were confiscated in 21

border states in the country.

While displaying the bags containing the 3,823 National Identity cards and 2,393 confiscated voters cards, Jere listed the states where the items were confiscated to include; Nasarawa, Kebbi, Sokoto , Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Kogi, Yobe , Kwara, Taraba, Plateau, Lagos, Ogun, Oyo , Zamfara, Jigawa, Edo , Bauchi and Niger , and three others.

Jere, who urged his men and officers to see the February 25 and March 11, 2023 exercises as an opportunity to showcase their proficiency in border

management and intelligence gathering experiences , warned that any officer caught compromising would be considered as a saboteur and would be made to face the wrath.

The CG, who warned that stiff sanctions await any migrant who attempts to participate in the nation’s electoral process, said, the arrested culprits had since been returned to their countries in line with ECOWAS recommendation on Free Movement.

He said, the 2022 Electoral Law and indeed, the 1999

constitution as amended placed a legal burden on all stakeholders in the electoral process, especially, the NIS, this is why we have resolved to hold comptrollers responsible for any failure recorded by their men.

The CGI reiterated government’s commitment to a free and fair electoral process for the general elections, and charged heads of commands and formations across the country to upscale surveillance activities in all locations including border crossing points to ensure successful

elections.

Idris while stressing the service’s ethical obligation and commitment to maintain political neutrality in the discharge of statutory duties, said, “As Para-military officers, we are prohibited from political partisanship before, during and after the elections. Therefore, the service is seizing the opportunity to sensitise all personnel through their respective comptrollers on the need to remain apolitical before, during and after the elections as members of the service.”

All Progressives Congress Presidential candidate, Asíwájú Bola Tinubu, and Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello at the Kogi State campaign rally of the party at Confluence Stadium, Lokoja on Wednesday.

PHOTO: Tinubu Media Office

817 candidates to re-register for 2023 UTME over infraction - JAMB registrar

By Maryam Abeeb

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) said it has cancelled the registrations of 817 candidates in the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Registrar of JAMB, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, who made this known after separate meetings with stakeholders, said the registrations were invalidated over identified infractions bordering on use of strange biometric fingerprints in the registration process.

While saying some registration officers in the affected 178 Computer Based Test (CBT) centres added one of their fingerprints to complete the registration process for the candidates, Oloyede, however, said the 817 students would be given another opportunity to reregister for the exam with the centres bearing the cost.

He said : “For the students

Niger Gov. appeals to NNPC to expedite exploration of Bida Basin

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Governor Abubakar Sani

Bello of Niger State has called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) to explore all avenues at its disposal to ensure the exploration of the oil potentials of the Bida Basin.

Governor Bello stated this when he paid a courtesy visit to the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPC, Mele Kyari in Abuja.

He appreciated the NNPC for the work carried out in the Bida Basin Frontier in the past, adding that the Company should commence work since crude oil is been discovered in most northern parts of the country.

According to him, the NNPC has played an important role in the development of the Ibrahim Babangida Badamasi University, Lapai, and also the construction of a hospital in Minna.

Speaking the NNPC boss Kyari, noted that Niger State occupies an important position that has made it critical for the company, pointing out that aside housing two of its strategic depots, most of the company’s pipelines passed through the state.

who allowed other people to add their fingers to their registration procedure. We found that some of them were only naive, because you will hear them saying my finger was hot, and the man added his own. And you allowed him to add his own?

“Some of them did it deliberately for impersonation but we can’t identify those who are genuine from those who are not genuine. We will cancel all of them. All the registrations and we will ask them to re-register.

“The centres involved, we have just met with them, and they all confessed, nobody is disputing it, even students that were telling lies, they know we have the technology that won’t allow any lie to be accommodated.

“On their own (CBT owners), they suggested the solution. We will cancel the registrations of those people concerned and we will send a message to them to go back to the very centres where they were registered and the CBT centres will pay to the board

the cost of registration of the candidates.”

The JAMB boss revealed that allowing a registration officer or any other person to add his or her finger during capturing of a candidate’s biometric data can bring about impersonation in the exam as well as give such ‘strange’ persons access to change vital details including exam centre.

“By adding his or her finger to your registration, it means he or her can change all your particulars when you are not there. You know your finger is what is used to identify you. The person can change your examination centre like say from Lagos to Ibadan, and on the exam day you won’t be able to write the exam.

“That is why we put in place a device that will throw up any strange finger that is not yours and that is why we were able to identify them.

Speaking on the recent suspension of five CBT Centres for selling UTME registration pins above the stipulated price, the

JAMB boss said four of the five have been let off the hook.

He however, said the excess payment would be refunded by the affected CBT centres to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) for necessary action.

“Those who sold our pins to candidates beyond the approved limit, we have decided to lift the ban on four of the five after they have explained, and they have given us an apology and they have explained what happened.

“One didn’t not come so we are not lifting the suspension. The four of them, one of them that came, we are still doing investigation (on the centre)....

“As for those who overcharged, all the candidates who overpaid we are compiling the list. The overpayment will be paid by those vendors and those institutions to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

“ They will pay the money to them and the law will determine

what to do because I don’t believe the money should go back to the candidates, because if you can pay N3,000, N5,000, N6,000 above the cost, you do not deserve any sympathy. I believe the money should not go back to them because we told them not to pay but now that they have paid we will recover the money and pay it to the appropriate government agency because if we retain it, they will say JAMB is looking for money, we are not looking for dirty money, we will therefore return the money to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, so as decides by the law, they can even take it to a charity home and give it to those in need.”

Earlier during a virtual meeting with the candidates who had others donating their fingers (fingerprints) to them during their registration process, many of the students admitted the act while others claimed ignorance.

KADIRS deploys WhatsApp platform, USSD for revenue generation in Kaduna

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), has said that it would deploy WhatsApp, a social media platform and the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) service for enhanced and less cost effective method of payment of tax in the state.

Dr. Zaid Abubakar, the Executive Chairman of KADIRS, said this yesterday at a Kaduna State public-private dialogue on revenue generation.

The dialogue was organised by a CSO, Tax Justice and Governance Platform (TJ&GP) in collaboration with KADIRS and supported by Christian Aid.

Abubakar noted that the

WhatsApp platform, used primarily for social engagements, would ease taxpayers the stress and cost of going to banks and other designates for their tax payment.

He also said that the USSD which allows users without smartphones or data/internet connection to use mobile banking through the use of designed codes, would also make it faster and easier for taxpayers.

He noted that the USSD based mobile banking can be used for fund transfers, checking account balance, generating bank statements, among other uses which the KADIRS would introduce before the end of the quarter for tax payment to the state.

Abubakar explained that

using the WhatsApp platform in tax payment, one must have a reference number which is already a bill in the KADIRS payment system.

Earlier, the State Coordinator for TJ&GP, Mr. Simeon Olatunde, said the objective of the dialogue was to strengthen relationships amongst KADIRS, Tax Justice Network and other revenuegenerating agencies to collectively engage the state taxpayers and win their trust through transparency, fairness and easy tax processes with value for their money in return.

He added that it was also to encourage stakeholders give necessary support to taxpayers and promote voluntary tax compliance.

Olatunde also said that it was

to have a basic understanding of the responsibilities of civil society organisations in sensitising taxpayers of the need to voluntarily comply with tax remittances.

He further said that in comparison with previous years, the Kaduna government has improved in its revenue generation, however no reaching an excellent point.

The coordinator noted that when the people do not pay taxes which is legal for them to pay, they are also restricting the government from delivering corresponding services to them.

He urged tax payers to be voluntary about their payment of tax, noting that it would give them the right to demand for how their money is spent.

From left:..Managing Director, Federal Housing Authority,FHA,Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Chairman FHA, Senator Lawal Shuaibu presenting a copy of the FHA report on the collapsed building at Gwarimpa estate to FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello at FCTA , yesterday in Abuja. Photo; Mahmud Isa

NHRC to probe military for alleged secret abortion in North East

By Albert Akota

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has set up special panel to investigate the military over an alleged involvement of its officers in secret abortion in North East.

While inaugurating the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in Counter-Insurgency Operations in North-East Nigeria (SIIP North

East) yesterday in Abuja, Chief Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary of the Commission, commended Justice Abdu Aboki, retired Justice of the Supreme Court and all the members of the Panel for their willingness to serve Nigeria in that capacity.

“We are here today to present to the public, the Chairman and members of this panel whose terms of reference I will now have the honour of enumerating as

follows, Investigate allegations of gross violations of national and international human rights laws/principles alleged against the Nigerian Armed Forces in the three reports by Reuters. (Sections 5(a)(b)(j) and 6(1)(a) of the NHRC Act, 2010).”

The memorandum was from individuals and organisations with interest in the subject matter of the mandate of the SIIP North-East, especially human rights, security

Killing: Imo lawyers stage peaceful protest, boycott courts for 3 days

and humanitarian organisations working in the North-East.

He urged them to make appropriate determinations as to culpability of individuals or institutions as may be deemed necessary in each circumstance.

“Make determination as to the damages or compensation payable in relation to any violation of human rights where it deems this necessary in the circumstances of the case.”

Sen. Sani adopts 2-week-old baby, cautions against stigmatisation

Sen. Shehu Sani has adopted a two week old baby, reportedly abandoned on the street in Nasarawa State.

The baby was reported to have been picked by a Police patrol team, who proceeded to a social welfare centre.

Sani who on Tuesday paid a visit to the Restored Destiny Child Orphanage Foundation where the baby is kept, pledged to provide necessary support.

He commended the orphanage for agreeing to take up the responsibility of the child.

Sani eventually christened the child “Jordan Shehu” and promised to do everything to support in his upbringing.

The former lawmaker who represented Kaduna Central in the Eight Assembly, said the increased rate of abandoned children was worrisome.

Sani said reports had shown that many children, who were born under such circumstance were from unwanted pregnancies, particularly from single girls.

According to him, the mothers of such abandoned children do so to avoid stigmatisation.

He said, while no immoral act should be condoned, girls who got pregnant outside wedlock should be supported and counselled.

The lawmaker said different factors were responsible for mothers abandoning their children.

“One of the factors is the stigma attached to such birth and I think it is high time our society began to address and discuss this issue.

“By addressing this issue the idea of shaming people who give birth to this type of children will

be checked.

“It is also important that our society starts to pay attention to orphanages where these type of children are kept.

“Children without parents belong to the society and we must play our part in their upbringing,” he said.

The lawmaker called on leaders to use their position to change the narrative.

He said, “our traditional and religious leaders should wade into this issue, first to prevent the type of pregnancy that leads to this kind of birth.

“However, when it happens, we should accept them as one of us.

“There is nobody that is born without a father or a mother.

“So when we begin to discuss this issue, it will make it easier for children born under such

circumstances to live with their parents,” he said.

The lawmaker thanked the orphanage for accepting to cater to the child.

Mrs Grace Chinedu, Founder, Restored Destiny Child Orphanage Foundation said she was elated by the visit.

She said she would continue to work to put smiles on the faces of children who were not privileged to be under their parents’ tutelage.

Chinedu said the orphanage, which houses over 26 children was founded seven years ago.

She thanked the former lawmaker and other Nigerians, who had assisted the orphanage over time.

The founder said “no help rendered to an abandoned child or an orphan will go unrewarded”.

(NAN)

Niger Court dismisses suit files against new Kontagora Emir

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

The Court sitting in Minna has dismissed a suit filed before it, challenging the

appointment of the 7th Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Mohammed Barau Mu’azu.

Justice Abdullahi Mikail while delivering judgment on the matter ruled that the suit lack merit and

substantial evidence to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt. According to him, the plaintiff failed totally to also prove the case against the defendant as required by the law, hence dismissed the

Members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Imo, on Tuesday, staged a peaceful protest following the incessant attacks, killings and kidnapping by gunmen in the state.

Their grievance was further heightened with the killing of Nnaemeka Ugboma, the Chairman, Customary Court, Ejemekwuru, in Oguta Local Government Area, on Feb. 2 within the court premises while presiding over a matter.

The group also decried the gruesome murder of the Sole Administrator of Ideato North Local Government Area of the state, Chief Chris Ohizu, among other incidents.

The lawyers had marched with placards from their Owerri bar center to the Police Headquarters near the Government House, Owerri.

Some of their placards read “Violent attacks on Imo citizens must end now!! #saveourland#”, “Murder in the court, stain on justice” and “We demand justice for the slain customary court chairman #JusticeforUgboma,” among others.

A nine-point communique read by the Chairman, NBA Owerri branch, Mr Damian Alinnor, shortly before the protest, expressed concern that the insecurity situation in the state had assumed a worrisome state.

“We hereby call on all manner of persons engaging in violence and killings in the state to ceases with immediate effect as the lives of Imo citizens are not worth losing for any reason whatsoever.

“Imo state must not be reduced to a theatre of war for any reason, known or unknown.

“Security agencies should be more tactful in their security approach and be more proactive in the safeguard of the lives and properties on Imo citizens,” he appealed.

Alinnor further called for urgent beefing up of security around the courts, including building perimeter fence as well as devise a roundtable dialogue between government and non-state actors to address the perceived agitations.

He urged the government to take more proactive actions to safeguard the lives of Imo citizens, especially the members of the bar and the bench.

According to Allinor, until members of the bar in Imo are sufficiently assured of the safety of the Judiciary, the bar and litigants as well, it may advisedly recommend that members desist from attending courts.

“In the circumstance, the members of the bar in Imo have resolved to boycott all courts from Monday, Feb. 6, to Wednesday, Feb. 8, and call on the relevant authorities to make clear assurances of safety of the Judiciary, the bar and litigants before court resumes,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the communique was signed by the five chairmen of Owerri, Orlu, Mbaise, Okigwe and Mbano/ Etiti NBA branches in the state.

The NBA members also observed a one-minute silence in honour of late Ugboma and others, who have lost their lives to insecurity in the state.

However, neither the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Barde, nor any other senior police official attended to the protesters as at the time of report.

case for lack of merit after three hours judgement.

Justice Mikail said the third issue on the matter as regard documents of claims submitted did not satisfy the court.

Also, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Henry Okoye, who picked a call put across to him, however, said he was in a meeting.

Okoye did not respond to a text message soliciting his reaction on the matter. (NAN)

Coalition of Civil Society Organizations Central Coordinating Council (CSOCCC), during their protest against Supreme Court Judgement over the February 10th new Naira notes deadline at the entrance of Supreme Court, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

2023: CBN assures INEC of needed cash, other supports ahead 2023 elections

• INEC Chairman meets NSA

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has assured the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of support in terms of the required new naira notes and other supports for the successful conduct of the forthcoming general general elections.

The Governor of the CBN, Mr Godwin Emefiele gave the assurance on Tuesday when he received IINEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and management of the commission at the bank headquarters in Abuja.

The CBN, Emefiele recalled, has always been supporting INEC to deliver on its mandates without hitches and would do same towards successful conduct 2023 general elections.

According to him, “Before now, we have been involved in the storage of INEC election materials and it involved using our armoured bullion van in transporting electoral materials.

“We are happy that in the course of this relationship, we have not disappointed you and that is the reason you have come

again this time.

“Now, just aside from the issue of storage of election materials together with transportation of election materials from CBN locations to your own specific or designated locations, I know that just a few months ago, I visited your office.

“You raised the issue of how foreign exchange can be procured for you to import Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and other forms of election materials that need to be imported and I gave you my word that foreign exchange will be provided for that purpose.

“I stand here to confirm that as at today (Tuesday), all dollars that are needed to import those items have been provided and those items have been imported. So, it’s all part of our commitment”, the Governor of the nation’s apex bank said.

Emefiele added that CBN would provide INEC with needed support for logistics delivery for 2023 general elections.

His words, “Now this issue of paying logistics for people who are going to be transporting election materials to wards, certainly I

Shipping Development: Nigeria key to African Blue Economy – Korean envoy

TheDeputy Minister for Overseas Koreans and Consular Affairs, Republic of Korea, Choi Yeong, says Nigeria is on the gateway to unlocking the potential of the African continent’s blue economy.

In a statement signed by Mr Osagie Edward, Assistant Director, Public Relations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), on Tuesday, Yeong gave the indication during a courtesy visit to NIMASA management in Lagos, led by the Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Kim Young Chae.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that blue economy is the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs creation, while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem.

Yeong commended the sustained and improved security situation in the Gulf of Guinea with the strong presence of Nigeria.

He added that the Korean government looked forward to continuous support from the Nigerian government in the area of intelligence and information sharing.

“Nigeria is one of the biggest countries on the African continent in terms of economic size, population and market potential. So, Nigeria can be an essential partner to us, the People of Korea.

“Nigeria can be our gateway to the whole of the African continent. We are glad to inform you that Korea has scheduled a summit involving the entire African continent in 2024 and hope it will strengthen the relationship with Nigeria and Africa,” he said.

Responding, the Director-General pf NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, noted that the relationship between both countries dated over 40 years, and therefore a need to deepen it further.

He noted that Korea was a foremost

give it to you that because we regard the INEC project as an urgent national assignment, it cannot fail.

“The CBN will not allow itself either to be used or to be seen as an agent that frustrated positive outcome of the election.

“So I give you the commitment that if in this case, after making your electronic payment you require some money to pay transporters, in this case cash, I give to you is that we will make it available.

“I will make sure we will not allow ourselves to be seen as an agent to frustrate a positive outcome of the election, Emefiele said.

In his remarks earlier, the INEC Chairman, Prof Yakubu explained that the Commission’s visit was to seek the CBN support for the 2023 general elections in view of the recent policy involving the redesign of some denominations naira, and the limits placed on cash withdrawal.

The INEC Chairman described Nigerian election as a huge and complex undertaking that required the engagement of critical services.

In the words of Yakubu, “In line with the provisions of extant laws and regulations, service providers are generally paid by means of electronic transfer to their accounts.

“However, there are equally critical areas such as transportation and human support services that have to be immediately remunerated either partially or in full before services are rendered.

“In addition, emergency situations may arise requiring immediate cash payments. Some of the critical service providers are unbanked.

“Over the years, we have worked with the CBN and commercial banks to pay for such services seamlessly during general elections as well as offcycle and bye-elections.

“Over the years, the Commission has also migrated all its accounts at National and State levels to the CBN and this arrangement has worked without encumbrances to our activities.

“In view of the recent policy involving the redesign of some denominations of our national currency, and the limits placed on

cash withdrawals, we consider this meeting important in addressing some of the areas of concern with just 17 days to the 2023 General Election.

“We are confident that arising from this meeting, we can assuage the anxiety expressed by some of our service providers”, he said.

Yakubu made it clear that INEC was determined to make the 2023 General Election one of the best organised elections in Nigeria, stressing however that the commission could not do it alone.

His words, “That is why the Commission is mobilising every critical national institution for the success of the election. This meeting is part of this effort.”

The INEC Chairman expressed confident that the meeting would arrive at the best way forward to facilitate the delivery of seamless elections.

The INEC Chairman also led the commission’s management to meet with the National Security Adviser of the Country, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Mongunoin his office.

FG pledges support to Hajj Institute

maritime country with highly recognised capacity in ship building and ship repairs, adding that Nigeria was willing to partner with Korea in shipbuilding for the short-, medium- and long-term benefits of both countries.

“There is no how the issue of trade can flourish without adequate security.

“NIMASA is making steady progress in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies to secure the safety and security of investors, vessels, and seafarers in the Nigerian maritime domain.

“Considering the fact that the population of Koreans is highest in Nigeria when compared to other African states, the need for an improved relationship between Nigeria and Korea cannot be over-emphasised.

“ Korea has arguably the best ship building companies, globally, and that is an area we desire partnership.

“We have commenced discussions with the Samsung Group and Hyundai as well on the issue of shipbuilding and ship repairs,” Jamoh said.

On piracy issues in the Gulf of Guinea, the NIMASA boss said that since the 2nd quarter of 2021, there had been no issues of kidnapping and insecurity.

He assured the Koreans that the Federal Government was determined to achieve a safe and secured maritime domain in Nigeria, noting that the time to improve the Korean-Nigerian bilateral relationship, particularly in the fishing sector, was now.

“I believe we can also explore improved interphase in areas such as deep-sea fishing. Fishing in Nigeria used to be a very large source of income, not far behind oil and gas.

“The numbers are not looking very encouraging at the moment. Partnership will lead to more fishing trawlers in Nigerian waters,” he said.

(NAN)

TheFederal Government has announced its commitment to support institutions like the newly established Hajj Institute of Nigeria whose programmes were in tune with the strategic objectives of the administration.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SFG), Mr Boss Mustapha, gave the assurance at the matriculation of the pioneer students of the institute at the Hajj House on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mustapha said that the establishment of the institute was relevant to President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration under the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), which has a vision of sustained inclusive growth and structural economic transformation.

He said that the launching of the institute established by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), and subsequent commencement of certificate programmes would provide a platform for the institute to continue to grow and improve its activities.

“Our emphasis is focused on improving both public and private sector efficiency, increased national productivity and maximum welfare for Nigerians,” Mustapha said.

He expressed optimism that the institute would inject professionalism into the Nigerian hajj and umrah sector and create skilled manpower as well as jobs for the youth.

“This is a core goal of the ERGP of job creation, youth empowerment and improved human capital.

“Today marks the launch of the first Professional Certificate programme of the HIN, a programme that is designed to enhance the capacity of Nigeria’s hajj officials.

”It will also fill the skills gap

in the economy and ensure the effective management of our annual pilgrimage to the holy land.

“This is a critical step toward ensuring that our hajj operations are at par with international best practices, and our pilgrims receive the highest quality of services during their journey,” Mustapha said.

Earlier, FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, who was the pioneer Chairman of NAHCON, said that hajj could never be done without knowledge, adding that hajj had developed more than what it used to be.

According to Bello, hajj is a very important economic activity, therefore, key players in the industry must be properly trained and educated to be able to discharge their responsibilities effectively.

Also, the Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, said the inauguration of the institute was a very timely and well-thought-out move which would surely improve service delivery in hajj operations in the coming years.

Bugaje said that the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, granted the Hajj Institute of Nigeria approval, effective March 9, 2022.

He said that the Institute would operate as an innovation enterprise institution offering National Innovation Diploma (NID) in Hospitality and Tourism Studies, Computer Studies and other related courses.

According to him, the institute is expected to sponsor the development of National Innovation Diploma (NID) Curriculum in hajj operations as it relates directly to the mandate of NAHCON.

” Similarly, the institute may also register with some relevant Awarding

Bodies to conduct National Skills Qualification (NSQ) in various areas of interest.

” This is a major step in professionalising hajj operations and development of relevant skills needed to deliver smooth Hajj operations.

” It will therefore not be out of place if the institute looks into training in diverse fields that would strengthen the hajj institution.

”The institute should also conduct research into the past, present and future hajj operations,” Bugaje said.

He assured the readiness of the NBTE to collaborate with the institute to develop more curricula relevant to the hajj operations as well as National Occupational Standards for skills training on hajj management.

On his part, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, said the objective of establishing the institute was to professionalise hajj activities in the country.

“Over a decade ago, there was a general concern among the Nigerian Muslim community that hajj has become an all-comers affair where anyone ventures into irrespective of his or her educational background.

“Therefore, the leadership of NAHCON initiated a process aimed at professionalising the industry; which I was part of.

“Little did I know that I would be in the driver’s seat when that project finally takes off.

“I pray that it will have a positive impact on the hajj and umrah sector in Nigeria and beyond and be one of the legacies this board will bequeath to the Nigerian public and the world, in general,” Hassan said. (NAN)

Group parleys with presidential candidates, seeks credible polls

A/Court strikes out suit seeking Peter Obi’s disqualification

By Vivian Okejeme Abuja

Agroup,

‘Compatriots’ has parleyed with some presidential candidates in Nigeria calling for the conduct of free, fair and credible general elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the presidential candidates included those of the PRP, LP, SDP, PDP and APC, among others.

A communique issued at the end of the meeting by the group on Wednesday in Abuja said it was part of its contributions to the growth of democracy in Nigeria.

The communique was signed by the group’s Chairman and former Akwa Ibom Governor, Obong Victor-Attah.

The communique said: ”INEC’s integrity and competence should be protected by all the stakeholders and Nigerians.

”It is necessary, however, to insist on the utilisation of capacities that represent independent audit of its systems and processes from now until the elections.

”Candidates and their supporters should recognise that all Nigerians look forward to these elections as being the one that will produce a leadership that will make a difference between further decline and sustainable greatness.

”A decent contest, a credible election and a peaceful transition to great leadership from all three arms of government.

”Nigerians expect a decent contest, a credible election and a peaceful transition to great leadership from all three arms of government.”

The group also urged that losers should accept defeat or seek redress in the courts, adding that at all costs, the elections must be held.

”And we must avoid throwing the country into crises over the elections,” the communique further appealed.

The Compatriots also urged that all Nigerians who have registered should be availed of opportunities to vote.

The communique continued: ”This includes allowing those who are legally registered to collect their PVCs and improving the security environment so that it does not disenfranchise voterson election days.

”The judiciary has a vital role in improving the quality of our democratic process, and these elections will provide it with an opportunity to exercise its responsibility with the highest level of integrity and impartiality.

”Government should take steps to relieve the citizens of the severe difficulties under which they live at the moment.

”This will greatly improve the atmosphere under which the elections will be held.”

The group further noted that students in tertiary institutions represent a critical segment in the entrenchment of our democracy, urging, ”the government should give them opportunities to vote in the elections.

”Politicians should recognise that the elections are about the citizen’s right to freely exercise choices and not just about the ambitions of the contestants.

”Nigerians are worried about negative campaigns which include damaging rhetoric and actions which strip contestants, one of whom we expect to be elected President soon, of dignity and respect.

”More Nigerians should be given opportunities to see contestants discuss issues and contest ideas and strategies in the most mature manner as was witnessed at this meeting.

”For the new government to enjoy legitimacy and general support from the citizens, among other things, there must be an emphasis on ensuring credible elections,” the communique said. (NAN)

The Abuja Division of Court of Appeal, has struck out an appeal by the Allied Peoples Movement(APM), seeking the disqualification of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party(LP) in the forthcoming general elections.

Respondents in the appeal are the Independent National Electoral Commission (1st), Labour Party (2nd), and its Presidential candidate, Peter Obi (3rd).

A three-man panel of the appellate court led by Justice Monica Dongben-sen, in it’s judgement, unanimously struck out the appeal for lacking in merit.

The appeal court in its wisdom held that the lower court was right and strike out the matter for lack of locus standi.

Reading the judgement, Justice Ugochukwu Anthony said, “From the totality of processes and submissions before this court, this appeal is devoid of merit, it fails and the deserving order to make is an order striking it out.

The court also awarded a cost against the appellants for filing the appeal.

“The Appellant is to pay cost of N200,000 in favour of each of the 2nd and 3rd respondents, the panel ordered.”

The appellant had contended that 3rd respondent was not qualified by the circumstance of his emergence as candidate of the Labour Party (LP).

The 1st respondent In suit marked: CA/ABJ/CV/1414/2022I is Independent National Electoral Commission( INEC) , 2nd is labour party while Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the labour party (LP) is the 3rd respondent while the appellant is Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, dismissed a suit seeking disqualification of Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

The plaintiff, Allied Peoples Movement (APM), had approached the trial court for an injunction restraining the 1st defendant from acting on, according recognition

to, giving effect to, or in any way or manner, dealing with the name of the 3rd defendant as candidate of the 2nd defendant in the forthcoming 2023 presidential election.

In his judgment, Justice James K. Omotosho dismissed the suit for failure of the plaintiff to provide sufficient evidence to grant the request.

The plaintiff, in an originating, summon had sought, among other reliefs, “a declaration that, in view of Section 131(c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the 1st defendant’s election time table and schedule of activities for the 2023 general election, the 1st defendant’s electoral guidelines for the conduct of 2023 political party primary elections and nomination of candidates for election, Sections 29(1), 77(2) and (3) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which mandate the 2nd defendant to maintain a register of its members in both hard and soft copy and make such register available to the 1st defendant, not later than 30 days before the date

fixed for the party’s primaries, the 3rd defendant be disqualified from taking part in or otherwise contesting the 2023 presidential election fixed for February 25, 2023.

“Provisions of Section 131 (c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended); the 1st defendant’s election timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 general election, the 1st defendant’s electoral guidelines for the conduct of 2023 political party primary elections and nomination of candidates for elections, Sections 29(1), 77(2) and (3) of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the fact that the 3rd defendant became a registered member of the 2nd defendant less than 30 days to the party’s presidential primary election, which held on May 30, 2022, the 3rd defendant, herein, is disqualified and ineligible to contest the 2023 presidential elections as the candidate or flag bearer of the 2nd defendant.”

Dissatisfied with the judgment the party headed to the appeal court to pursue its cause.

Coalition of Civil Society Organizations Central Coordinating Council (CSOCCC), during their protest against Supreme Court Judgement over the February 10th new Naira notes deadline at the entrance of Supreme Court, yesterday in Abuja.

Fintech entrepreneur creates platform to build youths’ IT capacity

Ms Obiageli Okafor, fintech entrepreneur has created a platform – tech4eons to build the capacity of Nigerian youths in Information Technology (IT).

Okafor, a young woman making a mark in the fintech industry told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the gesture was to make Nigerian youths irresistible in the labour market.

The self-taught techie, who started her journey into the space at the age of 16, said her passion for technology and her drive to create innovative solutions led her to be part of the development of several successful tech products.

She said that her dedication and hard work did not go unnoticed, as she was offered a job at a leading fintech company in Dubai, Tafabot.

She said that part of her role as a product manager at the Dubai-based company, was the development and management of the cutting-edge fintech product.

“I created a platform for young Nigerians to express themselves. Being at the forefront of the entire rave about tech careers.

“I found a distinct reoccurring problem involving Nigerian youths which is the lack of clarity when trying to get into the tech space.

“Most Nigerians think they have to be a master at coding to succeed in the IT space but there are on demand non-tech code roles.

“I have been informally guiding people to make their career into tech using transferable skills from their previous jobs as well as school.’’

Okafor said she decided to make it official by creating a platform known as tech4eons to see to it that 12 people a month were guided into the tech industry.

This, she said was by organising courses and landing internships.

The 25-year-old advised youths to invest in training and education in Science,

Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to build their employability skills.

“This will increase their chances of finding well-paying jobs and contribute to the development of the country.

“I also encouraged them to be proactive, be a problem solver ,network and build healthy relationships with people within the industry,” she said.

Okafor said as a firm believer of IT growth in Nigeria, said that to improve technology usage in Nigeria several key steps needed to be taken.

She called on the government to provide incentives for tech companies to set up operations in Nigeria, as well as invest in improving the country’s infrastructure to support the growth of the tech industry.

She said that improving access to education, skills and training especially in technology and computer science would help increase the number of skilled

workers in the country.

Okafor said that encouraging investment in technology startups and small businesses through initiatives like venture capital funds and incubators would help to drive innovation and entrepreneurship in the tech sector.

She also called for improved internet access by increasing the availability and affordability of high-speed internet access to bridge the digital divide and support the growth of the tech industry.

She said that encouraging collaboration and partnerships between tech companies, universities, and research institutions would help to drive innovation and knowledgesharing in the sector.

According to her, by taking these steps, Nigeria can build a strong foundation for technology innovation and usage, and position itself as a leader in the tech industry in Africa. (NAN)

Photo: Mahmud Isa

ITF distributes startup packs to 120 trained youths in Bauchi

From Ahmad Muhammad, Bauchi

The Industrial Training Fund, ITF, has distributed startup packs to 120 youths who had completed training in relevant trades to enable them put their various skills acquired to immediate use.

The ITF empowered the trained youths as part of the federal government renewed efforts at reducing the poverty rate in Bauchi State.

Items distributed as implements to the beneficiaries who were trained in solar Power installation, Tiling , Interlocking of blocks, and Hairdressing as well as plumbing and pipe fitting and aluminum fabrication.

The Director-General of ITF, Joseph Ari who was represented by the area manager Bauchi State Alhaji Jibrin Loko disclosed that, “NISDP is one of the numerous skills acquisition intervention programmes introduced and implemented by the fund to facilitate the achievement of the federal government’s policy on job and wealth creation and it focuses on skills acquisition to create jobs to stem rampant unemployment and breed a new generation of entrepreneurs, in order to transform the economic landscape of the country.”

He said that “Since its inception, the NISDP has equipped over 500,000 Nigerians nationwide and 20,000 from Bauchi State with skills for employability and entrepreneurship, given the intensity and the very practical nature of the training, the beneficiaries were equipped with the necessary skills and attitude form them to thrive as employees or entrepreneurs.”

Director General said the event that we are witnessing today is replicated across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory .

Ari said this Phase of the training in the last quarter of 2022 trained several Nigerian youths.

“The training which lasted for three months comprised of theoretical ,Practical,and entrepreneurial aspects”

Many of the beneficiaries interviewed appreciated the effort of ITF in empowering them and assured of their commitment to put the knowledge gained to better use.

The State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of cooperatives Alhaji Baba Waziri Hardawa commended ITF for complimenting government on the successes recorded in trying to reduce poverty not just in the

Buhari appoints Rectors, principal officers for three federal polys

By Maryam Abeeb

The President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointments of rectors and some principal officers for three federal polytechnics in the country.

In a statement by the Federal Ministry of Education, the rectors and their institutions are Dr Paul-Darlington Ndubuisi for the Federal Polytechnic Isuochi, Abia State; Professor

Mohammed Magaji for the Federal Polytechnic, Kabo, Kano State; and Dr Duke Okoro for the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Delta State.

The statement said, “The appointments of the three Rectors are for a single term of five years each, with effect from January 17, 2023, and are in line with the Federal Polytechnic (Amendment) Act 2019.”

The Director of Press and Publicity of the ministry, Ben

Goong, said the President had also approved the appointments of Umar Dumbulum, Christine Aluyi and Ezenuruihe Olachi as registrars for Federal Polytechnic, Kabo, Kano State; Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Delta State; and Federal Polytechnic, Isuochi, Abia State respectively.

The three appointments have a single term of five years each, with effect from January 17, 2023.

The President also approved

the appointment of Atabatele Solomon and Nkpado Pamela as bursars for Kabo Polytechnic and Federal Polytechnic, Orogun respectively.

“Finally, Government has also approved the appointments of Librarians for two Federal Polytechnics, namely: Dr. Iroroeavwo Edwin Achugbue –Librarian, Federal Polytechnic, Orogun; Kabiru Ubale – Librarian, Federal Polytechnic, Kabo, Kano State,” the statement said.

Group fumes over negative effects of corruption on Nigerians

From Umar Dankano, Yola

Agroup of Non governmental Organisations under the banner “Education Champion Network “(ECN) with support from Malala Fund has trained journalists on gender transformative education in Adamawa state.

The one-day training held in Yola yesterday had practicing journalists drawn from the print, broadcast as well as social media influencers with a view to ensure that the political candidates of various parties seeking for power capture education as a priority in their manisfeators.

In her welcome remarks, the lead resource person, Chisom Ihekwaba said that the ECN organized the event to ensure

the education advocacy project in Adamawa gains significant mileage leveraging the reach of the mass media.

Ihekwaba stressed that, the ECN is a network of NGOs working to champion good governance, human rights and democracy.

She noted that education is a fundamental right of every citizen as encompassed in the SDG goal 4 and other statutes which Nigeria subscribed to.

Ihekwaba noted that, ECN is working round the clock to ensure that basic education is extended from nine to twelve years so that more children could have access to basic education considering the staggering number of out of school children in the state.

She noted that the need for

safe and quality education in Nigeria has become imperative in the wake of attacks on schools and increasing number of out of school children saying that from 2014 to now no fewer than 28 schools came under attack.

Also in her presentations, a resource person,Barrister Jamila Sulaiman said the place of education in transforming the human capital could not be overemphasized. She urged journalists to strive harder to ensure the preponderance of robust educational policies by the political actors that will turn around the fortunes of education for the good of all.

During their group presentations, the journalists vowed to champion the cause

of education by engaging the political actors on the need to put education on the front burner ahead of the 2023 general election in the state.

Some of the commitments made by the journalists include engaging the political actors via interview sessions, talk shows and programs where issues affecting education will be laid bare so that lasting solutions could be proffered.

Our correspondent reported that the Non governmental Organizations that fused to conduct the training included :Legal Defense and Assistance Project(LEDAP),ACE charity, The Inclusion Project (TIP), African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development and SCAAD Initiative respectively.

L-R: Minister of Labour Labour and Employment,Sen. Chris Ngige;FCT Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello; Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo; President Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC),Comrade Ayuba Waba and former Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu, at the 13th National Labour Congress Delegates Conference in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO STATE HOUSE

Naira Redesign policy and the economic implications

By Femi Amosun

Ina nutshell, the Naira redesign policy is a deliberate interference with the free operation of market forces. As a consequence, Mr. Godwin Emefiele should be sacked and arrested along with other CBN Senior management for the crime of economic sabotage.

I am often fascinated by the Nigerian political history and development. At the height of the devastating Nigerian Civil war, in 1968 the Government of the day changed the currency to suppressed the Secessionists. In January 1973, the Government unilaterally decided to change from the metric to decimal and introduced Naira as our national currency. It is also on record that in 1984, the Military regime led by the then Major General Muhammad Buhari swiftly changed the colour of Naira notes under the pretext to “fight Corruption”. The Democratic government led by former President Olusegun Obasanjo (ki Agba pe lori le o. Ase!) redesigned the Naira notes to “curb Corruption”. It’s somewhat incredible that Fifty years after Naira was introduced as the Legal tender of our national economy, an Agency of government would dare attempt to repeat the same old strategy.

Having enunciated a brief historical perspective, it is imperative to note that for a number of years many Nigerians have failed to grasp how the Central Bank of Nigeria consistently control our lives. Firstly, they forced NIN on Nigerians and linked it to individual bank Accounts; they introduced

POS (by the way, POS is an outdated model in Western world) and charge customers exorbitant fees; they also imposed Internet banking on Nigerians. With the sudden and forceful introduction of the current new Naira notes; scarcity of Naira notes; and the adverse hardships inflicted, Nigerians need to realize that the role of Central Bank of Nigeria is not about economic management (i.e., trade and industry, revenue-generating activities, profitability) but rather as a “Lender of last resort”.

It is a public knowledge that Mr. Emefiele has penchant for acrimonious outbursts. The CBN Governor is on record for openly been peevish about the amount of money people keep in their Domiciliary accounts. Prior to his irritable disposition, he attempted to raid people’s Dormant accounts. Where else in the world would you see a Central Bank governor openly talking about people’s private savings? So when Mr. Emefiele started his rambunctiousness about the Trillions of Naira in people’s homes, we should hastily remind him that he is NOT an elected public Office holder but a mere political Appointee. So therefore, in light of the ongoing economic disruption we may not accord any respect to some so-called “patriotic” Nigerian(s) attempting to distract fellow citizens by calling the CBN Governor a “pawn, poodle and pimp”. The CBN Governor is not the sole body of the Central Bank of Nigeria. The Central Bank of Nigeria is a national Institution, and Mr. Emefiele is simply the head of that Institution. In plain

expression of clear understanding, the CBN Governor and any other Public officials in our dear country are not some form of special human being and should be perceived, and treated, like anyone else.

Let me further articulate that the self-proclaimed “celebrity” CBN Governor should know that he cannot hide behind “Our Mandate” to inflict hardships, and aggravate pain, on fellow citizens. As much as we understand that the CBN is responsible for money supply and monetary control in Nigeria, it does not have the Mandate to fight Corruption. The CBN is not a Corruption-fighting Agency. The EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) are both vested by law with the responsibility to fight corruption and other related offenses in Nigeria. It is, therefore, perilous to see the CBN Governor made laughable argument about his intention to curb corruption. How Corruption-free is the CBN?

Let’s progressively put things in economic context. At the basic level, Economics is concerned with the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. Money, by definition, is an acceptable means of exchange and a measure of value. The conventional wisdom also dictates that Microeconomics focuses on Individuals, sectors and industries, that is, the Micro units. On the other hand, Macroeconomics is about the total sum of economic activity, dealing with issues of growth, inflation and unemployment. In tackling these issues, Monetary

policy and Fiscal policy (concerned with the various types of taxes and their effects upon individual and corporate activity) may be considered to drive growth and control inflation. This has direct implications for Microeconomics. The whole essence of all these concepts and principles is about how the micro segments of the economy tend to make economic decisions, i.e.; the purchasing power parity and the propensity to spend or consume goods and services.

The above globally accepted economic understanding distinctively show how a Country may function economically. The economic foundation of a nation is not built on individual personality or personalities; it is build up on a set of economic principles. The prevailing argument, therefore, is that if a government (through it financial institutions) prevent it citizens from accessing their deposited funds, or capital, how would they be able to buy goods and services and help to grow the national economy? Is it not obvious that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which measure the overall size of economy will be negatively affected? The CBN Governor needs to understand the basic i.e. the demand for many products in our country is markedly ‘income elastic’ meaning where the demand changes significantly with changes in income and in disposable purchasing power. An understanding of this basic economic principle should have helped the CBN to implement seamless Naira Redesign Policy.

The outcry and violent backlash across the country is a stark

reminder of poor strategic decision based on poor planning. This is why Impact Analysis and Assessment (to predict the consequences of disruption and process and gather information needed to develop appropriate strategies), must be diligently carried out prior to the introduction of any major Policy that may directly impact people’s lives and livelihoods. In implementing the Naira Redesign policy, the CBN should have meticulously considered the Operational and logistical issues. Any competent Operations management professional should know that logistics is the process of planning and executing the efficient implementation of plan to meet customer requirements in a timely, cost-effective manner.

In a nutshell, the Naira redesign policy is a deliberate interference with the free operation of market forces. As a consequence, Mr. Godwin Emefiele should be sacked and arrested along with other CBN Senior management for the crime of economic sabotage.

In the halcyon days of NEPA reign, it made life miserable for millions of Nigerians until it disappeared into maelstrom sea. The Central Bank of Nigeria must not be allowed to turn itself into a replica of NEPA.

Femi Amosun is a politicoeconomic analyst with distinctive flair for sustainable development through responsible governance and accountability. femi. amosun11@gmail.com

Raila Odinga’s warning on democratic reversals in Africa

By Jide Ojo

There’sa saying in Yoruba language that, “only half a word is spoken to a virtuous and responsible child, when it enters him or her, it becomes whole.” Raila Odinga has said his own and I strongly believe there’s a lot of wisdom in his submissions.

It’s 17 days to Nigeria’s seventh general elections in this Fourth Republic which started in 1999. On Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, the Leadership newspaper at its 14th Annual Conference and Awards hosted the former Prime Minister of Kenya and leader of the opposition known as Azimio, His Excellency Raila Odinga. The elder statesman gave the keynote address at the well-attended ceremony where Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was the chairman and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello, was the chief host. The royal father of the day was the Etsu Nupe HRM Yahaya Abubakar while Chairman of the Leadership newspaper titles, Mrs. Zainab Nda-Isaiah, gave the welcome address. Others in attendance include captains of industries, bank executives, inventors, technocrats, bureaucrats and other dignitaries and awardees.

Raila’s speech was titled, “Credible Elections and an Economy in Transition.” It’s important to note that the former Kenya prime minister was an old warhorse who had contested the presidency of Kenya five times without success. 2022 was his biggest chance given the endorsement of the immediate past president of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, ahead of the August 9, 2022 presidential election. Uhuru

supported Raila against his own Vice President, William Ruto, who eventually won the last presidential election whose result has been roundly rejected by the Raila’s camp. In mid-January 2023, after the Kenyan Supreme Court had ruled that Ruto won the presidential election, an Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission whistleblower allegedly came out to say Raila won the election by about 2.5 million votes. Why did he not come before the Kenyan Supreme Court as a witness to prove his claim?

Anyway, while many may dismiss Raila as a sore loser, crying wolf, it is important to still analyse what he said to Nigerians and indeed Africans during his recent visit to Nigeria as a guest of Leadership newspapers. I was privileged to listen to him at the event and believe that there are lessons and wisdom in some of his submissions that other African countries desirous of democratic consolidation may find useful. For instance, he said, “If Africa wants to achieve the goals of Agenda 2063, then we must prioritise and entrench free, fair and credible elections by all member states. Since the reintroduction of multiparty politics in the 1990s, the quality and credibility of our elections have steadily deteriorated.” That’s a genuine concern I dare say. Not a few African intellectuals have expressed similar views in the past.

By the way, what is Agenda 2063? According to the African Union, Agenda 2063 (The Africa We Want) is Africa’s blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future. It is the continent’s strategic framework that aims to deliver on its goal for inclusive and sustainable development and is a concrete

manifestation of the pan-African drive for unity, self-determination, freedom, progress and collective prosperity pursued under PanAfricanism and African Renaissance.

The genesis of Agenda 2063 was the realisation by African leaders that there was a need to refocus and reprioritise Africa’s agenda from the struggle against apartheid and the attainment of political independence for the continent which had been the focus of the Organisation of African Unity, the precursor of the African Union; and instead to prioritise inclusive social and economic development, continental and regional integration, democratic governance and peace and security amongst other issues aimed at repositioning Africa to becoming a dominant player in the global arena.

Another incontrovertible statement by the former Kenyan PM is that, “Free and fair elections are indicators to investors that there is a government in place that believes in fairness and the rule of law. When a government comes in through a fair ballot, investors get the reassurance that their property will be respected, taxation will be fair, investment rules will be simple and clear and they will not have to resort to corruption and bribery to set up or stay in business. Illiberal regimes send signals that are the direct opposite of what the investors are looking for.” Therefore, “elections are important political risk assessment tools for investors.”

It is difficult to dismiss the following submissions from Raila. He noted inter alia that, “Elections and democracy are failing in Africa not because a majority of Africa’s voters prefer authoritarian, nondemocratic forms of government. It is happening because an organised elite, keen to protect narrow selfish

interests, has forged strategic alliances and captured strategic systems and institutions of various nations with the sole purpose of subverting the substance of elections.

“In the last decade, many of our nations have evolved modern systems for collection, collation, transmission and tallying of election results. Many have adopted a results management system that combines traditional vote counting and tallying processes, and use of technology to verify voter eligibility, register votes and transmit results. In addition, we have seen the evolution of the electoral laws to allow representatives of political parties to independently tally the results and transmit to party tallying centres. But as we have witnessed in Kenya both in 2017 and 2022, technology is getting compromised and results altered. This has severely damaged the credibility of election management bodies in many of our countries.” He is on point here. Unknown to many, technology is not the silver bullet that will resolve all our election conundrum. While it reduces human interference, even the few who will manage the process can decide to compromise it. It’s a Catch .22 situation.

The former prime minister is not an armchair critic; he has a lot of field experience. He proffered useful, actionable and feasible solutions to Africa’s electoral debacle. Some of them are as follows: Existing electoral laws are not seen to assemble an electoral system that people believe is transparent, accountable and democratic. There is therefore a need for further reforms to make the voting process more accessible and reliable; enhance protections against mistake, irregularity, confusion, and fraud. There is a need to

rethink use of technology. Either we adopt reliable election technology, including voting machines that generate a voter-verifiable audit trail, so voters can confirm that their choices are being recorded accurately or we go fully manual.

Noteworthy are his other submissions which include the following: If Africa’s elite autocrats are uniting against free and fair elections; Africa’s democrats must also unite and defend democracy. We must build a continent wide pro-democracy coalition and look out for each other. The continent’s democrats must treat the subversion of election anywhere on the continent as a subversion of the people’s will everywhere on the continent. It should be clear in word and deed that whoever makes a move to ascend to power by means other than credible and constitutional elections is not only condemned, but subjected to sanctions and removal from such office.” On point!

There’s a saying in Yoruba language that, “only half a word is spoken to a virtuous and responsible child, when it enters him or her, it becomes whole.” Raila Odinga has said his own and I strongly believe there’s a lot of wisdom in his submissions. As Nigeria goes to poll in about a fortnight from now, it is important to note that the Nigerian electorate will not take any excuse from the Independent National Electoral Commission having supported it to have financial and administrative autonomy and collaborated to have credible electoral reform which birthed the Electoral Act 2022. INEC must do all within its powers to ensure credible, successful and peaceful 2023 general elections.

– Twitter: @jideojong

Be frank and dispassionate, are Nigerians better off now?

By Isaac Asabor

According to him: ’’Please in the name of God, be patient with us and forgive us. Tell your friends, brothers, sisters, and children to continue to vote for APC, Tinubu will continue from where we stop.

There is no denying the fact that Nigerians are all the time, more than ever before being inundated with headlines that suggest that the ongoing government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari is not doing well. Some of the headlines that can be found through Google Search engine cut across “Nigeria worst under Buhari – PDP governors”, “Buhari Government, Worst In The History Of Nigeria”, “Nigeria’s economy under Buhari worse than 10 years”, “Unemployment rate under Buhari worst in Nigeria’s history” “FACT-CHECK: How true is Buhari’s claim that Nigeria is better …”

Besides the foregoing verdicts of condemnation given by the leadership of the opposition party to the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), reputable civil organizations such as the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), Committee for Defence of

Human Rights (CDHR), and even the World Bank have at one time or the other condemn the government been led by Buhari.

Unashamedly, rather than admit its failure to “Change” Nigeria’s economy for the benefit of every Nigerian, the leadership of the APC has continued to put a boldface as it defensively keepsexplaining that it has committed more resources to diversify the economy than past Governments. How true the claim remains hazy to comprehend as the dividends therefrom are not in any way reflecting on the general wellbeing of the people.

As often heard from most affiliates of the ruling party, “No past government had invested as much resources, particularly in agriculture as the Buhari government has done.”

Without resorting to denigrating anyone in this context, it is expedient to say in this context that virtually everyone that is affiliated with the ruling party has refused to accept the fact that Nigerians were better off under the PDP-led government under the leadership of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. It is obvious that they have refused to acknowledge the stark realities

presently being witnessed in ongoing fuel scarcity and the Naira crunch among other anti-people policies that were generated by the ongoing APC-led government.

To worsen the fears of not a few Nigerians, the presidential flagbearer of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been campaigning that he will consolidate President Muhammadu Buhari’s achievements if elected to become president, come February 25, 2023, when the presidential election will hold. The presidential aspirant has been buttressing his stand that president Buhari has laid a good foundation for the nation’s prosperity.

In fact, the flagbearer during his campaign in Jos, the Plateau State capital, credited President Muhammadu Buhari for saving Nigeria from “sinking”, and promised to build on the successes of the Buhari administration while he listed infrastructure, agriculture, and the war against terrorists as some areas of achievements.

Ostensibly not done, he said the country was insecure pre-2015, and that Buhari’s intervention was sought.

He said, “We turned to retired Gen. Buhari and he embarked on rehabilitation, recovery, and

redeeming of Nigeria. “Nigeria was sinking but Buhari pulled us out and said that Nigeria will not sink in his time and in the time of the APC.”

The former Lagos governor added that terrorists’ flags are no longer visible in local governments and communities.

Despite the adulation showered on Buhari by Tinubu and other stalwarts of the APC, Buhari on Monday, February 6, pleaded to Nigerians to forgive political leaders affiliated with his party who played or are playing key roles in his administration and said that Tinubu will continue where we stop. Buhari made the appeal on Monday while addressing a huge crowd at the Dikko Stadium Katsina for the presidential campaign rally of APC.

He pleaded with Nigerians to forgive and endure the shortcomings of his administration, and assured the next administration of the presidential candidate of the APC, Tinubu will not only correct those shortcomings but continue from wherever he stops.

He blamed the economic downturn in Nigeria on the COVID-19 pandemic and several other challenges, insisting though that his administration made some

modest achievements.

According to him: ’’Please in the name of God, be patient with us and forgive us. Tell your friends, brothers, sisters, and children to continue to vote for APC, Tinubu will continue from where we stop.

‘’Ensure your votes go to Tinubu for President and Dikko Radda for Governor of katsina state and to other candidates of the party also.’’

However, without being partisan, not a few Nigerians currently believe that President, Goodluck Jonathan’s government is much better or more enjoyable than the current President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. The reason why most Nigerians think so cannot be farfetched as prices of virtually all essential items needed to survive on daily basis have continued to skyrocket in the past 7 years amid soaring rates of unemployment and insecurity.

Against the foregoing backdrop, it is expedient to urge every Nigerian to be frank and dispassionate in their judgment, and answer the question, “Are Nigerians better off now under Buhari than under Jonathan?

Isaac Asabor is a Public Policy Analyst.

Nigerian dishes are best globally but not promoted

By Azuka Onwuka

Thereason for this is that Africa does not have a strong financial presence in the world. But another reason is that African countries don’t have strong restaurant brands outside the continent. Nigerians should take up the challenge of breaking this jinx by systemically establishing restaurants across the globe.

Someone said that Western countries have snacks while Nigeria has meals. It sounds cheeky, but from the Nigerian perspective of what constitutes food, the person may not be far from the truth. To the Nigerian, victuals such as pizza, hamburger, pie, shawarma, steak, lobster, etc, are not seen as “food” but snacks or food complements. A Nigerian who has eaten a kilo of steak, lobster or hamburger will not claim to have eaten food.

In my recent tour of North America (Canada and the United States of America) and the Caribbean, I was wowed by the huge popularity of Nigerian pop music (nicknamed Afrobeats or Afropop). Restaurants, shopping complexes, barbershops, coffee shops, radio stations, taxis, DJs, etc, play Nigerian music back-to-back. It is my belief that this musical success can also be replicated in the culinary sector if more Nigerians abroad show more interest in the food business.

Cooking is not one of my passions, but given the passion I have for spreading the “the Nigerian gospel,” I have dreamed about setting up a Nigerian restaurant in the Western world. And my idea of it is that it won’t be a restaurant that will sell burgers and pizzas, but one that will sell purely traditional Nigerian

delicacies like jollof rice, white rice with ofe akwu, fried rice, pounded yam/akpu/amala/eba with soups like edikaikong, egusi, okro, onugbu, etc, yam porridge, yam and beans porridge, boli (roasted plantain), moi-moi, nkwobi, ngwo-ngwo/isi-ewu, suya, spiced meat, pepper soup (beef, chicken, goat meat, fish) with agidi, etc.

Some of the ingredients may not be readily available in Western countries, but there are local alternatives or they can be shipped from Nigeria. Many of the Nigerian families I have interacted with in the UK, Canada and the US regularly buy foodstuff in large quantities from Nigeria and ship to their base. No doubt, there are Nigerian restaurants in Western countries, but they are too few compared with the population of Nigerians. Countries like China and India have more presence when it comes to restaurants. However, if some people argue that these countries should not be compared with Nigeria because of their population, what about countries like Jamaica (3 million), Malaysia (33 million), Vietnam (103 million), which have culinary presence in different countries?

Because of the paucity of Nigerian restaurants abroad, Nigerian meals are usually expensive. Even in cities where there are Nigerian restaurants, one has to commute long distances to dine there, unlike Indian or Chinese or Italian restaurants that are readily available.

Because of the high population of Nigerians abroad, getting Nigerian restaurants to spring up in different cities of the world should not be too difficult for Nigerians. The fact

that most Nigerians who relocate to other countries initially feel disorientated because of the nonavailability of meals they can identify with makes setting up Nigerian restaurants attractive.

Ordinarily, it should be a project the Nigerian government should institute and fund, but everything that has projected the Nigerian name positively was achieved by individuals. The most reliable way to execute this is for more Nigerians to take up the challenge.

Non-Nigerians who have eaten Nigerian meals usually commend them. They always ask for more. The only time they complain is when the meal is peppery. That is a pointer that non-Nigerians will also patronise Nigerian restaurants if they become available and popular.

Talking about pepper, I have never tasted any of the meals called “soups” by the English that can compete with Nigerian pepper soup. It is in a class of its own. Interestingly, it can be prepared with different types of protein: beef, chicken, chevon (goat) and fish. And unlike some of the other meals that may contain items one may not easily explain to non-Nigerians, the Nigerian pepper soup simply contains spices and the stated meat or fish. People around the world know beef, chicken, chevon or fish. Unlike other soups from other countries, the Nigerian pepper soup can serve as a meal, especially to those who don’t want to eat anything heavy. And it goes amazingly well with drinks.

However, when it comes to what Nigerians call soups, even though egusi may be the most popular, there is no Nigerian soup that is richer, healthier and more appealing than edikaikong. It is made from virtually only

vegetables. It’s not difficult to explain vegetables to anybody from any part of the world. And even if such a person is not keen on using it to eat any of the Nigerian meals that are pounded and swallowed, it can be used to eat boiled rice or yam. It can be added to jollof rice or eaten with fried plantain or French fries. Nigerian stew also combines with many meals and renders a better service to the palate than ketchup.

The only thing Nigerians need to look at when targeting nonNigerians is to tailor their dishes to meet some foreign preferences. For example, Westerners don’t like hard meat like Nigerians do. Their meat also usually has no bone or even tendon like Nigerians prefer. They also don’t like their meals to have a surfeit of pepper.

Importantly, in setting up Nigerian restaurants abroad, one thing those doing that must avoid is calling it “African restaurant.” The usual Nigerian thinking is that giving it such a broad name would attract more customers, especially from Africa. But “African cuisine” does not exist as far as the African is concerned. Narrowing it down to Nigeria will give it more punch, more direction and more appeal. When people want to eat out in an Italian or French restaurant, they don’t go looking for a European restaurant. Similarly, when people want to visit a Chinese restaurant, they don’t go to an Asian restaurant.

Another mistake will be to give such a restaurant an English name (like Licking Fingers) with no reference to Nigeria. That will deny the restaurant the immediate patronage of its primary target. Even if one gives such a restaurant an English name like Licking Fingers, efforts

should be made to add something like “Nigerian restaurant/ kitchen/dishes” underneath the name for easy identification.

Adding “Nigerian” to the name of the restaurant will not stop a Ghanaian or Kenyan from coming to dine there. When I was in Toronto two months ago and needed to eat something different from burgers and pizzas, I was directed to a Jamaican restaurant where I saw meals close to what we have in Nigeria, like rice and plantain.

One of the things that reenforce the fact that Africa is not counted among the continents of the world is the usual absence of an African section at the dining hall of global events. You see sections for Continental or Western, Asian or Oriental, Caribbean, International (where dishes from the West and Asia are still displayed), etc. It is rare to see any section tagged African.

The reason for this is that Africa does not have a strong financial presence in the world. But another reason is that African countries don’t have strong restaurant brands outside the continent. Nigerians should take up the challenge of breaking this jinx by systemically establishing restaurants across the globe.

Countries spread their culture globally through music, films, literature, clothing, technology, language, cuisine, etc. Nigeria is blessed with superb dishes that need to be popularised globally. When more chefs across the globe know about Nigerian dishes, Nigerian meals will start featuring at global events. Just as the world can no longer ignore Nigerian music, in the near future, Nigerian cuisine will be respected and demanded across the globe.

– Twitter: @BrandAzuka

TETFund constitutes NCP to actualise AUEU partnership on research, innovation

By Maryam Abeeb

As part of its commitment towards actualising the African Union, AU, and European Union, EU, partnership on research and innovation, the Tertiary Education Trust fund (TETFund) has constituted the National Contact Point (NCP) to serve as a channel for information dissemination on opportunities.

Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc Sonny ST Echono, who disclosed this at the launch and presentation of the Nigerian Contact Network and presentation of work programme for 2023-2024, in Abuja, said the NCP will also provide for researchers on various workshop.

Echono said TETFund, being an intervention agency for public tertiary institutions in Nigeria, has the mandate to facilitate the institutionalization of R and D in tertiary institutions to support development.

The Executive Secretary complained that Nigeria has

not been able to participate effectively in the EU research funding framework programme until now.

According to him, the Fund has initiated the process to ensure that the researchers from Nigerian higher education institutions participate effectively in the EU Research and Innovation framework programme, notably the Horizon Europe.

He also said the Fund is providing further support to the NCP Network to enable it mobilize the Nigerian research community effectively to benefit from the platform and training programme to be deployed by the EU delegation.

Echono further stated that the Fund has initiated several interventions aimed at resuscitating research activities in the nation’s tertiary institutions, and the interventions are intended to facilitate cutting -edged research which will contribute national developmental efforts as well as tackle global challenges.

While stating that the Fund has supported members of NCP to participate in the AU-EU innovation Agenda Stakeholders Event held in Nairobi, Kenya in November, 2022, he said they would be supported to execute the mandate of mobilizing Nigerian researchers to respond to calls arising from Horizon Europe.

“TETFund is supporting research groups from various Nigerian universities through provision of training and mentoring on writing successful grant applications, project management, partnership and consortia development to further complement and extend the support being made available by EU delegate.

“Currently, the Fund has released a request for expression of interest for Nigerian researchers and research Teams. TETFUND will spearhead the formation of a bilateral agreement on research and innovation between Nigeria and the EU, under the auspices of the Ministry of Education and

in collaboration with Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Science and Technology and innovation,” he said.

Also speaking , the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Ms. Monisola Udoh, said the ministry is committed to fostering and supporting the collaboration of the Horizon Europe/Nigerian National Contact Point network.

“And we hope that Nigeria will feature much more prominently than we do in the last circle, and I am looking forward to working collaboratively with the focal persons network to push the agenda of Nigeria which is to change the narrative of Nigeria being a consumer nation to a productive nation; even in the area of knowledge creation.

“And we can not create good knowledge if we don’t do research and the whole purpose of this gathering is about supporting R&D for national development and am looking forward to

a situation when Nigeria can trade benefits from this operation and our researchers are better empowered to do relevant research for national development.

“We need to focus on local problems that are basically human problems and if we are able to get the solution right here, Nigeria may become the provider of solution that will address humanity issues globally.

“So I also want to say that the ministry has about 17 agencies and under each of the agencies, we have between 5 and 12 of research institutes that are being supervised by these agencies, and I want to believe that we can take this network along as we develop the programmes that this collaboration will be supporting going forward, so that we can truly participate and get these research institutes to be empowered to do the research they are set out to do, which will bring Nigeria progress to other African countries and the rest of the world,” she said.

The Lagos State Government says 27.3 per cent of its 2023 Budget, amounting to N482.86 billion will be expended to provide modern infrastructure to the residents.

The Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr Samuel Egube, made this known in Ikeja during a news conference on the analysis of the 2023 budget for the state.

Egube said the 2023 Budget, christened “Budget of Continuity’’’, was prepared to continue the good work of the present administration, especially in delivering reliable and sufficient infrastructure that met the needs of a 21st century city.

He said the state government was committed to ensuring that the dividend from its investments in Integrated Transport Infrastructure would be felt by the residents of the state.

According to him, the Integrated Transport Infrastructure will materialise into the birth of the functional light rail, Red-Blue System, the first of its kind by a sub-national government in Africa and the 37km Fourth Mainland Bridge.

“These will reduce commute time to millions of Lagosians, reduce congestion on the existing Carter, Eko, Third Mainland Bridges and Ikorodu Road, thus, increasing productivity, quality of life and improving the overall transportation system in the state,” he said.

Egube said that the infrastructure budget captured in the budget included the construction of the second phase of the blue line from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko, completion of eight stadia across the five IBILE divisions of Lagos State,

to facilitate youth development, engagement and community sports.

The commissioner said that there would be continuous construction and rehabilitation of schools across the state to improve access to quality education.

He said the budget would ensure completion of the 130bed New Massey ultra-modern and fit for purpose pediatric programmed and emergency General Hospital that would be the largest specialist children hospital in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“Others include the completion of the modern 280 beds General Hospital serving the people of Ojo and its environs, which is currently at 47 per cent completion and completion of the mental health facility in Ketu Ereyun in Epe Local Government.

“Also, completion of the Opebi Link bridge to Maryland that will improve significantly travel time and alternative route options in the axis, rehabilitation/upgrading of Phase II Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway Project from Eleko T-Junction – Abraham Adesanya, among others,” Egube said.

He said that “most of these projects were contractor funded, with structures that provided beneficial payment terms that gave the state upfront value (front loaded) ahead of payments; thereby increasing the sustainability benefits to the state.’’

Egube said that the state government had allocated 13 per cent of the budget for the provision of affordable and worldclass education, healthcare and social services for its teeming populace, to make the system accessible and affordable.

He said that human capital continued to be an area of deep interest to the state, as a population that was healthy, skilled and inclusive could only convert the opportunities to value.

According to him, the state government intends to expand its effort in social interventions, with an investment of N9.6 billion, as against N8.3 billion recorded in Year 2022 Social Intervention & Humanitarian Programme that will serve as support for micro and small businesses.

“We will continue to procure training equipment, empowerment tools for graduates in skills and vocational centres across the state.

“The government has reiterated its stand in continuing to investment in provision of affordable homes for the people of Lagos, through its social housing programme by injecting N67.1 billion.

“Some of the social housing programme the budget targets include the completion of 444 units of building projects at Sangotedo Phase ll.

“Others are completion of 420 units of building projects at Ajara, Badagry Phase ll and the construction of 136 units of building projects at Ibeshe ll, among others,” he said.

He said that the government was committed towards the state’s five-year Agric road map, which had seen to the inauguration of the Imota Rice iills, to provide support to farmers and improve food systems.

He said that in addition to this, the state would invest N45.1 billion for food security, through Cattle Feedlot Project, Fish Processing Hub Programmes and Wholesale Produce Hub &

Market.

He added that this would improve wholesomeness of food, reduction in food prices and optimisation of the agricultural sector.

2023 Budget: Lagos to spend 27.3% for modern infrastructure NACA embarks on performance assessment in over 2,000 centres

Egube said that the N86 billion investments in Public Order and Safety Sector showed the state’s continuous commitment to ensuring that Lagos was safe for living, working and investment.

He said N12 billion had been earmarked for the Provision of Rescue and Emergency Operation Equipment for Disaster Management and provision had been made for surveillance and body cameras for security monitoring.

According to him, the 2023 Budget will invest in strengthening intelligence gathering/capacity building capabilities, together with improving the ease of doing business through the SmartCity project, the Lagos new Data Centre Project, Eko Excel Project, E-GIS and the Oracle Upgrade Project.

“The state approved Year 2023 Budget of N1.768 trillion which is made up of N1.020 trillion as capital expenditure and N748.097 billion as recurrent expenditure with debt charges inclusive, resulting in a capital to recurrent ratio of 58:42.

“The total revenue is estimated at N1.418 trillion, while deficitfunding requirement is N350.411 billion, which at 25 per cent of total revenue implies that the budget is strongly dependent on revenue,” he said.

The commissioner urged the residents and those that had business with the state to be tax conscious and fulfill their responsibilities as and when due.

(NAN)

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), embarked on annual performance assessment in over 2,000 centres across the country. The Director general of (NACA) Dr Gambo Aliyu dropped the hint while declaring the North-West Stakeholders annual performance Management progress review meeting open at Tahir quest palace hotel Dutse Dr Aliyu who described the review meeting as first of its kind said, it is right time to evaluate and assess the services provided by over 2,000 centres of NACA across the country to strategize more for future targets.

He explained that the review meeting will also help NACA to know how far it has done on keeping the HIV/AIDs within people that have the virus.

The DG then mentioned stigmatization to the victims as major challenges, urging the general public to interact with HIV/AIDs victims like every patients of other diseases.

Meanwhile the DG visited the Dutse emirate palace where he mourned the people of Jigawa over the death of emir and congratulated the new emir Alhaji Hameem Nuhu Sunusi.

Obasanjo expresses concern over 2023 elections, says time interesting

By Musa Baba Adamu

Former

President Olusegun Obasanjo

is optimistic that nothing would interfere with the successful conduct of the 2023 general elections scheduled for February 25 and March 11. Obasanjo’s comment is coming amid fear that the general elections might be postponed due to the ongoing crisis occasioned by the scarcity of fuel and new naira notes.

The former President spoke when he played host to the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at his Penthouse residence located within

the premises of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The ADC national leaders were led by their Chairman, Dr. Mani Ibrahim Ahmed; the National Chairman of the party, Prof. Ralph Nwosu and a former presidential aspirant of the ADC, Chukwuka Monye.

According to Obasanjo, Nigeria is in an interesting period, urging Nigerians to take the elections with all the seriousness it deserves as being done in developed nations.

The Balogun Owu charged Nigerians to strive towards giving their best to ensure the general elections are held.

Stating that the attention of the global community is now focused on the 2023 polls in Nigeria, he charged Nigerians, as main stakeholders, to contribute towards the success of the elections.

He “We are in an interesting period in Nigeria. In less than three weeks, we will be going to the polls; well, I hope nothing will intervene against that. In less than three weeks, we will be electing a leader that will pilot the affairs of Nigeria for the next four years from May.

“I have been in Togo, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire from the beginning of the week; and they are as concerned about what happens in Nigeria as every Nigerian should be.”

L-R: The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, Minister of FCT, Mallam Mohammad Musa Bello and the President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yakubu Maikyau, during the NLC 13th National Delegates Conference, held yesterday in Abuja.

Tinubu hails Govs over Supreme Court’s barring of CBN naira swap policy deadline

By Christiana Ekpa

All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju

Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hailed the governors of the 36 states for standing on the side of the Nigerian people over the Central Bank new Naira and cashless policies that have subjected the masses to pains.

According to Asiwaju Tinubu, the Governors especially the APC Governors who instituted the suit against the CBN and Federal Government at the Supreme Court acted well on behalf of the hapless Nigerians who have been made to bear the brunt of Naira redesign policy that has been poorly implemented.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday morning in a law suit brought before it by the governments of Zamfara, Kogi and Kaduna States gave an interim injunction against the CBN and Federal Government, allowing the old N200, N500 and N1000 to remain legal tender beyond February 10 deadline until the case is fully disposed.

Following the apex court ruling, Asiwaju Tinubu noted that the governors have saved the country from a needless political and economic crises and miseries

which have clearly become the unintended consequences of the monetary policy of the apex bank.

Asiwaju Tinubu noted that the Supreme Court ruling coincided with the advisory of the International Monetary Fund urging for the extension of the deadline for the swap of the old naira notes, going by the problems being experienced across the country in getting the new notes.

“I want to salute the courage of our Governors and most especially the Progressives Governors in APC who acted to save our country from avoidable and dangerous political crises and social unrest which the Central Bank policy on new Naira notes has brought on our country.

“Our country was dangerously careering toward anarchy and political and economic shutdown. But with the Supreme Court interim ruling our country has been pulled back from the precipice. We thank our Supreme Court Justices for ruling wisely on the side of the people who have been subjected to undue agony and pains since this policy was announced.

“The Federal Government and relevant stakeholders can now sit down and work out better framework on how to proceed with

2023: APC denies pushing for election shift over economic chaos

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has debunked a rumour that it is calling for a postponement of the upcoming general elections.

Some news media had reported that the ruling party called for the postponement of the election due to the economic chaos.

But APC, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on Wednesday, referred to such news as ‘false and reckless’, with the motive to misled the public and create confusion.

He said that, APC, is ever ready for the upcoming elections, adding that, President Buhari’s achievement in building the nation and ensuring a free and fair election will be to the party’s advantage.

He added that the party presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his vice, Senator Kashim Shettima have the pedigree to emerge winners of the elections.

The statement read “Our attention has been drawn to a shadowy media report in some media outlets that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is pushing for a postponement of the 2023 general elections.

“The report is blatantly false and reckless, and bears no iota of credibility. Beyond its loud headline, the report offers no substantive justifying content aside from its intended purpose of misleading and causing needless anxiety and speculations regarding the upcoming elections. Our general election is matter of extreme national importance bordering on national security and corporate integrity of our country. It is not and should not become a matter for idle, rash or insensitive speculation by the media or any institution for that matter. It bears reiterating that the underlying report is FAKE NEWS.

the new policy without causing any social and economic disruption and inconvenience to our people. We have examples of other countries that have successfully and seamlessly changed their currencies to learn from.

“Those countries give a long time, at least 12 months to effect the currency change. They do not engage in CBN-like Fire Brigade approach.

“We have seen how a good policy can be poorly implemented to cause unintended problems for the people who should be the beneficiaries. While lessons have been learnt, we must now move on as a country and people with a Renewed Hope for a better tomorrow.

“The sole aim of my running to be the president of our country is to make life better and more abundant for our people and this is an ideal for which I will remain eternally committed to.”

Asiwaju Tinubu called on the CBN to ensure that the Supreme Court ruling is effectively executed by taking all necessary steps to (i) ensure sufficient availability of Naira notes (whether old or new) and (ii) properly sensitising the public on the ruling and the consequent validity of old Naira.

“On record, under President Muhammadu Buhari’s leadership, our Party continues to wage the most extensive and vibrant campaign in the history of our nascent democracy seeking to elect our visionary Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his running mate, Sen. Kashim Shettima and our Party’s governorship, national and state legislative flag bearers into office. This is in direct contrast to the lackluster and incoherent campaign of the opposition parties that have placed nothing before the electorate except their vile merchandise of lies, innuendoes and hate propaganda against the APC.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has left no one in doubt as to his unshakable commitment to bequeathing a befitting legacy of credible, free and fair election, and has enacted unprecedented electoral reform and innovation that has placed our country in good stead to deliver 2023 general election and bolster our democratic consolidation.

“We stand ready for the general election, and remain confident that Nigerians will overwhelmingly renew our mandate in a peaceful, free and credible electoral contest.”

Photo; Justin Imo-owo

INEC to deactivate BIVAS if thugs snatch machine in 2023 electionDirector Bayode

By Musa Baba Adamu

Ahead of the February and March general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed actions it would take if the Bimodal Voter Registration Systems (BVAS) is snatched by thugs on election day.

The Commission’s Deputy Director of Information and Communications Technology, Lawrence Bayode said on Wednesday that the electoral body has a system meant to deactivate any BVAS that is snatched.

Bayode, who spoke on during a television programme, noted that “if a BVAS is snatched, we already have a system in place that can deactivate that particular BVAS.

The (hoodlums) cannot take over the accreditation process because the device is designed to push the accredited voters to the back end,” he said.

According to Bayode, if the thugs take the device to other places where they will manipulate the data on the device, the Presiding Officer (PO) of the polling unit will report the incident.

“If such a thing happens, the PO reports and from the backend, that device is deactivated so that the person who took away that device will not be able to do anything with the device,” he said.

Ondo APC suspends campaign over fuel, cash scarcity

By Christiana Ekpa

The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday, ordered the immediate suspension of its campaign activities in the state over the current scarcity of fuel and the newly redesigned naira notes.

Ade Adetimehin, the state

chairman of the party in a statement explained that the decision was in solidarity with residents of the state.

“The party has, therefore, directed Chairmen, and DirectorGenerals at all levels, within the chapter, to suspend rallies, in sympathy with our people,” Adetimehin said.

The chairman expressed regrets that the country was

experiencing an unusual shortage of petrol and scarcity of the new naira notes, a few weeks to “an all-important general election.”

He argued that the people of the state had the right to be angry, and express the same over the unfortunate development but urged them to do so as “patriots that believed in a better tomorrow.”

“As a party, we identify with

our people at this unpleasant period. We agree they are exercising their rights but we urge them to do so with measures of restraints.

“Our belief is that this time shall fade soon,” he added He commended the efforts of the Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu-led administration to ameliorate the harsh situation and ensure the security of residents of the state.

2023: What hinders women’s effective participation in politics – FIDA

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

With barely two weeks to the nation’s general elections, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, has identified violence as a major cause hindering the effective participation of women in politics.

It also decried the steady decline in women’s participation in politics, especially at the parliamentary level.

Country Vice President/ National President FIDA, Mrs Amina Agbaje said this at the

capacity building workshop for accredited election observers, on documenting and reporting violence against women during the 2023 general elections, held in Jos, the Plateau State Capital.

Agbaje said, “Women constitute a powerful electorate with millions of votes in Nigeria.

“According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigerian women signalled their intention to make their voices heard in the 2019 elections, accounting for about 47.14 percent (39, 598, 645 million) of the 84, 004, 084 million registered voters

nationwide.

“Going into the 2023 general elections, there has been an interest in the number of female voters from 39, 598, 645 to 44, 414, 846 and from 47.14% in 2019 to 47.51% in 2023.

“Women represent about 50% of the Nigerian population; inspite of this, their level of participation and representation is increasingly very poor”, She lamented.

“Current statistics of women in parliament in Nigeria confirm that women’s representation in parliament is on a steady decline.

“9% in 2007, 7% in 2011, 5%

in 2015 and less than 10% in the 9th National Assembly”, the FIDA President decried.

“Using the 2015 figures, there are only 4 women deputy governors in all of Nigeria’s 36 States”, She maintained.

“While factors militating against women’s participation are varied, a major cause hindering effective participation of women in politics is the issue of violence”, she explained.

Agbaje maintained that eradication of political violence was key in advancing women’s political participation stressing

the importance of condensing political violence before and after polls to allow women participate fully.

“It is on this premise that this capacity building workshop is being organised towards advancing the participation of women in the 2023 general elections by strengthening our selected observers who are being accredited by INEC to identify, observe, document and report incidences of violence against women in the elections.

Ebonyi APGA candidate, Odoh accuses Umahi over violence in Ezza North APC rally

By Musa Baba Adamu

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Ebonyi State, Prof. Benard Odoh has called on security agencies and Nigerians to hold Governor David Umahi, responsible for any violence that might occur in the ongoing campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in council headquarters.

Recall that the driver and police security of the governorship candidate of APGA, Prof. Benard Odoh were killed a few days ago at

Rest House, Okpoto community in Ishielu LGA, when gunmen ambushed his (Odoh) convoy.

A statement signed and issued to newsmen on behalf of Prof. Odoh by the Director, Media and Publicity Odohzia, Campaign council on Wednesday, warned Governor Umahi against making an inciting statement or accusation that is capable of stoking violence and the destruction of lives and properties of innocent citizens of the state.

“Umahi had made hasty and fallacious claims during

an APC rally at Ugbodo, the council headquarters of Ebonyi Local Government Area, among other vituperative utterances customary of his person and style, challenging the peaceful and peace-loving Governorship candidate of APGA, Prof. Odoh to dare him.

“This is coming, even as we are still in shock and mourning two officers in our campaign team who we lost during an assassination attempt on our Governorship candidate from gunmen suspected to be members of Ebubeagu at Okpoto in Ishielu

Local Government Area of the State.

”The governor’s modus of always raising false alarms and exposing his plans whenever he is in public, anyone who carefully heard or watched Umahi speak during the said rally must be suspect that he must have a game up his sleeves in his proposed rally in Ezza North LGA today, where incidentally our guber candidate hails from.

“We have also gotten hints from good authorities that the APC campaign train is allegedly planning to set themselves

against themselves as they did during its rally in Isu, Onicha Local Government Area and then heap the blames on the peaceloving Odohzia Ebonyi Campaign council which has been going about its campaigns with utmost modesty and decorum” he alleged.

Prof. Odoh further called on security agencies and all Nigerians to be mindful of the plots allegedly being hatched by the APC-led government in Ebonyi State to probably cause monumental violence and wreak havoc in his hometown Local Government Area.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya ( left), presenting a Cheque to one of the local government pensioners (right), while the Chairman of gratuity payments, Muhammad Buba Gombe looks on (middle), during the flag off of payment of gratuity backlog to state and local government retirees in Gombe, yesterday

We’re no longer interested in your stadium –Atiku campaign blasts Gov Wike

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday, turned down the approval by the state governor, Nyesom Wike, to use the Adokiye Amesiamaka Stadium, Igwurita-Ali, Port Harcourt, for its presidential campaign rally.

Recall that Wike, who fell out with Atiku following the outcome of the party’s primary election last year, had denied giving the approval for the venue.

However, while speaking at the PDP governorship campaign rally at Ogu in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday, the governor announced the reapproval of the facility.

Reacting to the latest approval, the spokesperson of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council in Rivers State, Dr. Leloonu Nwibubasa, said the Atiku campaign was no longer interested in the facility.

The spokesperson, who spoke during a radio programme in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, said the Council could not take Governor Wike by his words.

According to him, “We learnt that yesterday he (Wike) announced that the stadium has been restored and that he has rescinded his decision.

“But let me state this very clearly, the Presidential Campaign Council of Atiku is no longer interested in Governor Wike’s greek gift.

“The said stadium that he revoked for reasons that he gave based on intelligence. May I ask, has he reversed those intelligence report?”

We’ll restore peace in Plateau –PDP guber candidate, Mutfwang

By Musa Baba Adamu

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang has reassured citizens of the state that his administration will restore peace and prosperity in the state if he wins the forthcoming election.

He promised competent leadership that will run an all-

inclusive government and pave the way for justice and equity for all.

Mutfwang stated this during town hall meetings in Quaan Pan and Mikang local government areas in the state’s southern senatorial zone.

While he promised to provide purposeful leadership that would restore the dignity of Plateau citizens, he also pledged to secure

the state by reviving the stateowned security outfit, Operation Rainbow.

The governorship candidate further said deliberate steps would be taken to empower rural communities, local vigilantes and hunters, to complement the effort of conventional security agencies in the state.

He avowed further that youths, women, and people living with

disabilities will occupy a strategic place in his administration if elected into office to fix the state’s economy.

On skills acquisition and improvement, Mutfwang said his administration shall revive institutions like the School of Relevant Technology to help with that process, along with making mechanized farming profitable and attractive to the people.

Osun Tribunal Judgment: We trust judiciary to right wrong, ensure justice – PDP

By Christiana Ekpa

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun says it has confidence in the integrity and capacity of the Nigerian judiciary to right every wrong and ensure justice is served.

The PDP, which made this known on Wednesday in a statement by Dr Adekunle Akindele, the PDP Caretaker Chairman in the state, was speaking on the heels of the recent judgment by the Election Petition Tribunal in the state.

The Tribunal had in the judgment nullified the election of Senator Ademola Adeleke, as the Osun Governor, and declared the immediate past governor Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the validly elected governor.

The PDP said it only had issues with the partisan review of the evidence before the Tribunal and abandonment of incontrovertible facts from the BVAS (The Bimodal Voter Accreditation Systems) machines.

The party also listed the neglect of the primary role of Form EC8 series, as well as the eventual deliberate miscarriage of Justice.

“Ever since the judgment was delivered, our party and the governor of Osun State, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, have been consistent and frank in our separation of Kume’s Buga judgment, from the nation’s judiciary, an institution that remains a strong pillar of our democratic system.

“While the trial lasted, we also avoided media trial in the utmost

respect for the sanctity of the hallowed chamber of Justice.

“Since PDP is a party of law and order, we have refrained from prejudicial actions, even as we pursue the path of due diligence within the framework of appeal processes and in strict respect for the nation’s judiciary.

“We respect the judicial process as we have strong water tight grounds of appeal which we are convinced will be sustained by the appellate courts,” the PDP said in the statement.

According to the party, both

the local and international political space is still in shock over the Osun Tribunal ruling.

“That explains why the ruling was greeted with unanimous condemnation from members of the public, the political class, the mainstream establishment, the diplomatic community and the global democracy family.

“The judiciary is therefore well positioned and in full knowledge of all the facts to enable it to take appropriate corrective actions through the appeal process”.

Court adjourns Ekiti impeachment case to Feb 20

By Christiana Ekpa

Ekiti State High Court on Wednesday adjourned the hearing of the suit filed by the former Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Gboyega Aribisogan due to fresh issues raised by the claimant in his reply to the counter-affidavit of the defendants.

The court subsequently adjourned the case till February 20 to allow the defendants to respond

to new issues raised by the former speaker.

Justice Adekunle Adeleye, at the resumed hearing of the suit on Wednesday, said the defendants should be given the opportunity to respond to new facts in the counteraffidavit and written address filed by the claimant.

Defendants in the suit are the Ekiti State House of Assembly, its clerk, and speaker, Olubunmi Adelugba, respectively first, second

and third defendants.

Counsel to the claimant, Stanley Imhanruoh, withdrew an application he had filed to set the matter down for hearing which was granted by the presiding judge, Justice Adeleye and on behalf of Aribisogan, filed a reply to the counter-affidavit in opposition to the Originating Summons and an affidavit of service of the process.

“We were served yesterday with their Counter-Affidavit which

contains new facts and new issues of law which we will have to react to and by the rules of the court and settled position of the law, we have to react,” Balogun said.

Justice Adeleye, in his reaction, stated: “Your application is not ripe for hearing; I don’t want to run a kangaroo court. If you served them yesterday and he has raised observations that you have raised new issues he would have to react to them.

“Ordinarily, the other party should be given the opportunity to react. You (Imhanruoh) that is delaying yourself by introducing new issues, next time, serve on time so that the other side can reply on time. Your failure in serving them on time is your own problem.”

Justice Adeleye also reiterated his commitment to be fair to parties in the suit urging them to cooperate with the court to hear and conclude the suit as soon as possible.

L-R; Chief of Staff Prof Ibrahim Gambari, SGF Mr. Boss Mustapha, President Muhammadu Buhari, National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer (NC/CEO) African Union Development Agency (AUDA) New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPA) African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), Princess Gloria Akobundu, Chair of the APR Panel of Eminent Persons/Lead Panelist for the Nigeria Country Review Mission, Dr. Abdoulle Janeh, Comm of Internal Services ECOWAS Commission, Prof Nazifi Darma, Hon Louis Mandama during the launching of Nigeria’s second Country Review Report (CRR)/National Programme of Action (NPoA) at the Council Chambers yesterday in Abuja. PHOTO; State House

IMF advises CBN to extend Feb 10 deadline for old naira notes

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has advised the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to extend the February 10 deadline for the use of old naira notes if the difficulties in getting new notes persist.

Ari Aisen, IMF’s resident representative for Nigeria, gave the advice in a statement on Wednesday.

The deadline for the validity of old naira notes was initially January 31, but it was later extended by 10 days, with February 10 as the new date.

Despite the extension, the new notes are scarce and Nigerians are also finding it hard to get the old ones.

These challenges have led to protests and demonstrations in some parts of the country.

“In light of hardships caused by disruptions to trade and payments due to the shortage of new bank notes available to the public, in spite of measures introduced by the CBN to mitigate the challenges in the banknote swap process, the IMF encourages the CBN to consider extending the deadline, should problems persist in the next few days leading up to the February 10, 2023 deadline,” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, the supreme court, on Wednesday, temporarily restrained the federal government from banning the use of the old naira notes from February 10.

NGX sets up advisory panel on digital products offerings

Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) says it has set up its digital and technology products advisory panel as part of efforts to advance on its digital transformation agenda.

The panel would provide a forum for the exchange to interact with the capital market community and the financial technology (fintech) ecosystem to enhance and increase NGX’s digital product offerings.

The exchange disclosed this on Tuesday, in a statement signed by Clifford Akpolo, its head of marketing and corporate communications.

NGX said members appointed to the panel include: Tope Kola-

Oyeneyin (McKinsey); Iyin Aboyeji (Future Africa); Kola Aina (Ventures Platform); Idris Saliu (Ceviant); Fope Adelowo (Helios Group); Richmond Bassey (Bamboo); Tayo Oviosu (Paga); Wale Ayeni (International Finance Corporation); Ahmad Zuaiter (Jadara Capital Partners LLC) and Adedeji Olowe (LendsQr).

The organisation said the panel will be responsible for providing insight into product innovation and proposing ways to increase technology listings on NGX.

It is also obligated to recommend ways to boost data and digital market liquidity; provide thought leadership by developing whitepapers, creating frameworks

and making recommendations; and a host of advisory matters like market trends, risks and sentiments.

NGX said it recognises the potential of diverse viewpoints and aims to leverage the extensive networks of experts across the budding technology ecosystem and the capital market in designing breakthrough frameworks to position itself for global competitiveness.

In December 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved the rules for listing on the NGX technology board.

According to the exchange, the creation of the committee is part of a continuous process to further scale the capacities of NGX in the

technology ecosystem.

Speaking on the establishment of the panel, Olufemi Oyenuga, NGX’s chief digital officer, said the group would leverage technology and innovation in its operations.

“Technology and innovation are the driving forces of progress, and at NGX we are committed to leveraging both to transform the exchange into a leading force of product development in the capital market,” Oyenuga said.

“With the establishment of the committee, we are poised to explore new frontiers, pool groundbreaking ideas and strategies, unlock exciting opportunities for the future, addressing creativity, innovation and sustainability.”

Supreme court stops CBN from enforcing Feb 10 deadline on old naira notes

The supreme court has temporarily restrained the federal government from banning the use of the old naira notes from February 10, 2023.

A seven-member panel of the apex court led by John Okoro, made the ruling on Wednesday in an ex parte application brought by three states: Kaduna, Kogi, and Zamfara.

In a motion ex-parte filed before the supreme court, the three states are praying the court to grant an interim injunction stopping the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from ending the timeframe within which the old N200, N500, and N1000 notes will cease to be legal tender.

The plaintiffs said since the

announcement of the policy, there has been an acute shortage in the supply of the new naira notes in their states.

They argued that citizens who have dutifully deposited their old currency notes have increasingly found it difficult, and sometimes, next to impossible to access the new notes for their daily activities.

Asides from the unavailability of the new notes, the plaintiffs also submitted that the notice period given by the federal government was inadequate.

Moving the application on Wednesday, Abdulhakeem Mustapha, counsel to the applicants, prayed the apex court to grant the application in the interest of justice and the

wellbeing of Nigeria.

He said the policy of the government has led to an “excruciating situation that is almost leading to anarchy in the land”.

Mustapha also referred to statistics by the CBN which put the number of people who do not have bank accounts at over 60 percent.

The senior advocate added that Nigerians with bank accounts cannot even access their monies from the bank as a result of the policy.

He said most banks are already closing operations and unless the supreme court intervenes, the situation will lead to anarchy.

After a careful consideration

of the motion ex parte, the apex court granted the application.

“An order of interim injunction restraining the federal government through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) or the commercial banks from suspending or determining or ending on February 10, 2023, the timeframe with which the now older version of the 200, 500 and 1,000 denomination of the naira may no longer be legal tender pending the hearing and determination of their motion on notice for interlocutory injunction,” Okoro said.

The matter has been adjourned to February 15, 2023, for hearing of the main suit.

L-R: Senior Special Assistant to the President, on Strategic Communications, Ms Oge Funlola Modie; Director General, Budget Office of the Federation , Mr Ben Akabueze; Director General, National Council for Art and Culture, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe , Director General, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, Mr Folorunso Coker ; Financing and Stakeholders Nanagement Team Head, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Mrs Aderonke Sola Ogunsola and SSA to the president on country Risk Assessment and Education, Col. Felix Alaita (rtd) during the MDAs Consultation Session to review the proposed draft of the creative industry bill , held yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

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IATA: African airlines’ cargo demand fell

From Abubakar Yunusa

Abuja

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says African airlines recorded a 1.4 percent fall in cargo demand in 2022.

The association disclosed this in a report released on its website recently.

Demand for air cargo is generated when there is a need for expeditious movement of material and goods between two points. Air cargo is typically a costly option.

In IATA’s latest report, the association said in 2022 full year, African airlines reported a 1.4 percent decline in demand compared to 2021.

It also reported a 10 percent decrease in cargo demand and a 1.3 percent increase in cargo capacity.

“African airlines reported a decrease in demand of 1.4 percent for global and international demand in 2022 compared to 2021 and an increase in capacity of 0.3 percent (-0.2 percent for international operations),” IATA

said.

“Compared to 2019 (preCOVID levels), demand was 8.3 percent above (+9.4 percent for international operations) and capacity was down 15.3 percent (-14.2 percent for international operations).

“In December, airlines in the region posted a 10.0 percent decrease in demand for both global and international operations compared to 2021. Capacity grew 1.3 percent (+0.2 percent for international operations) during the same period.”

by 1.4% in 2022

Willie Walsh, IATA’s directorgeneral, explained that the continuous measure by various government to fight inflation by cooling economies is expected to cause further decline.

“In the face of significant political and economic uncertainties, air cargo performance declined compared to the extraordinary levels of 2021. That brought air cargo demand to 1.6 percent below 2019 (pre-pandemic) levels,” Walsh said.

“The continuing measures

by key governments to fight inflation by cooling economies are expected to result in a further decline in cargo volumes in 2023 to -5.6 percent compared to 2019.

“It will, however, take time for these measures to bite into cargo rates. So, the good news for air cargo is that average yields and total revenue for 2023 should remain well above what they were pre-pandemic.

“That should provide some respite in what is likely to be a challenging trading environment in the year ahead.”

Sylva: Problems associated with petrol queues linked to rot in previous governments

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

Timipre Sylva, minister of state for petroleum resources, says the federal government is working to holistically address the problem of petrol supply and distribution across the country.

In a statement on Tuesday by Horatius Egua, his spokesperson, Sylva said the current queues at filling stations did not start with the President Muhammadu Buhari administration but are linked to years of “rot” in previous governments.

He also warned of dire consequences for individuals or groups who attempt to exploit Nigerians by disrupting petrol supply and distribution.

Petrol scarcity: NNPC apologises to Nigerians, promises ‘substantial ease’ by next week

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

Mele Kyari, group chief executive officer (GCEO), Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, says the ongoing petrol shortage crisis will significantly improve in the coming week.

Kyari had earlier blamed the prolonged scarcity on greed and arbitrage in the entire petroleum value chain.

In a pre-recorded interview aired on Channels Television on Tuesday, the national oil firm leader, said the scarcity will ease up substantially from next week.

The NNPC boss, however, said he could not guarantee that there will be no queues at filling stations.

“I am not saying that you

are going to have zero queues in the next one week. I cannot guarantee that because a number of things are out of our control, and of course, market forces will determine some of these issues,” Kyari said.

“But I believe that we are going to see substantial and relative ease compared to today in the next one week.”

Kyari also apologised to Nigerians for the hardship they have experienced over the petrol scarcity and the resultant hike in pump prices in the past months.

He said the NNPC is working to bring relief to Nigerians.

“I apologise for this situation on behalf of the stakeholders in the oil and gas industry. Definitely, it is not exclusive. Having said this, it is unfortunate,” he said.

“We are responding to this.

We will resolve this and we will bring succour and relief to the Nigerian people. No one orchestrated this. We have no benefit in doing this. We have families. We are members and part of these communities.

“We are very proud of this country. We would like this country to prosper, we do not want Nigerians to suffer.

“As a matter of conviction, we do not think anyone should go through this. Having said this, you must have energy security in your country.

“That is what every country does. In every country, you will find out that it is the armed forces who actually keep the strategic stock for their country because that is very critical, so that you do not run into the kind of situation that we are seeing today.

“Even when it happens, you are able to come out of it. By the way, having fuel queues is not local to any country. It happens everywhere whenever you have glitches, price issues, or pipeline issues.

“We do not hope this happens to our country, but you must have a guarantee of supply in your country, which is why we are focused on delivering our refineries.”

Kyari further disclosed that the country had evacuated an average of 63 million litres since the beginning of the year.

“What we have done from the beginning of the year till today is very clear. We have done an average of 63 million litres of evacuation from the depots. It means we know every truck that has left every depot in this country,” he said.

“The problems associated with fuel queues in the country is not a problem that came with Buhari’s government but a fallout of long years of rot and decadence in products supply and distribution chain by successive governments,” NAN quoted him as saying.

“Buhari’s administration is addressing the problem holistically. This is the first time in so many years that a government is addressing the problems associated with fuel supply and distribution collectively.”

Sylva assured Nigerians that the federal government is working to find permanent solutions to the petrol crisis, adding that as part of the solution, the government recently set up a 14-member committee in order to avoid future occurrences.

He also said the government has embarked on refinery rehabilitation, with the Port Harcourt refinery at about 65 percent completion, while Kaduna just got awarded to Daewoo of South Korea.

Sylva also cited the federal government’s “20 percent equity stake” in the Dangote Refinery, as well as the licensing of modular refineries.

All these, he said, are geared toward increasing crude oil production to meet domestic consumption.

L-R: The Chairman, National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) Governing Board, Amb. Dr. (Mrs) Nimota

Nihinlola Akanbi (OON) with the Director Of Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) ANANTHA DURAHIAPP during the 10th Anniversary of MGIEP in India New Delhi recently. Photo: NSSEC

METRO Gwarimpa building collapse: FCTA, FHA plan compensation for victims

By Stanley Onyekwere

TheFederal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), have commiserated with families of the confirmed three persons, who died during the collapse of a 3 story building at 6th Avenue Gwarimpa, while directing for a compensation plan to be activated.

Also, both FCTA and FHA set up a technical team to look into the report prepared by the FHA on the circumstances surrounding the last week’s Friday building collapse. This move, was part of the decisions reached at a meeting between top officials of the FCTA and the FHA where the report was presented to the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello by the Chairman of the FHA, Senator

Lawal Shuaibu on Monday.

Also, the meeting resolved that the investigation by the technical team is also aimed at strengthening the internal working mechanism of both agencies and that all those found culpable in the building collapse will face appropriate punishment commiserate with the crime committed.

However, the FCT Minister announced that in line with FCTA

policy, the allocation of the collapsed building be revoked, even as both organisations resolved to work very closely together to prevent any future occurrence.

Furthermore, the meeting also commended the various agencies involved in the rescue efforts that saved 21 lives and stressed the need for cases of contraventions to go beyond mere issuance of “stop work” notices.

Also present at the meeting were, the FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, the Managing Director, FHA Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Chief of Staff to the Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu, Executive Secretary FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmed, and other top officials of the FCTA and FHA.

L-R: Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker; Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Head of Nursing, Mrs Risikat Ashimi consoling the stray bullet victim of Tuesday protest over naira scarcity, Michael Gabriel at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta on Wednesday

Gov’t to foster innovation via Creative Industries Dev’t Bill

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Federal Government has stepped up measures to foster innovation and economic growth through the launch of the Creative Industries Development Bill (CIDB).

It was gathered that CIDB project is a collaborative effort between Nigeria’s creative industry and the Presidency to transform the Nigerian creative space through regulation and an executable action plan. It aims to build a vibrant, enabling creative space for Nigerian creative industries.

According to the CIDB Lead, Colonel Felix Orevoghene Alaita

(Rtd), Nigeria’s creative talents and industries deserve to be recognised and supported.

This, Alaita, who is also the Senior Special Assistant to the President on CRA&E, said the CIDB will help make a reality. Available information disclosed that the CIDB launch will mark the beginning of new era for the creative industries, as it will boost job creation and viable economic growth, as well as reshape the economy of creative industries, thereby unleashing the potential of the arts, and critical to reversing years of loss and inadequacies in Nigeria.

Also, the CIDB is believed to

pave way for leveling the playing field, thereby promoting diversity and inclusivity in the arts, create future of work in the arts, and

support freelance and gig workers.

Furthermore, CIDB was envisaged as a critical legislative instrument to drive digital transformation through building bridges between the arts and technology, as well as supporting local arts communities through provision of resources for small and medium-sized arts organizations.

Equally, the Bill is designed to help cultivate the next generation of artists, through to investment in arts education; and serve as boost for cultural tourism, by driving cultural and economic benefits through arts and cultural events.

Organisers of the event

expressed their Joy and appreciation to the office of the Chief of Staff to the president, Prof Ibrahim Gambari and the Minister of information and Culture, Alh Lai Mohammed for their commitment towards the success of the programme. Other stakeholders who were part of the success of the programme include; SMEDAN, CAC, NTIC, NCIC, Export Promotion Council, Bank of Industry, Trace TV, NTA, Budget office of the Federation.

Also commended various stakeholders from the Eco system and Creative industry who contributed via the visual to make the programme rich.

French protests intensify against pension age rise

Asecond wave of French protests and strikes is under way against President Emmanuel Macron’s plans to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64.

Eight big unions are taking part in the strike, which has disrupted schools, public transport and oil refineries.

Marches are taking place across France involving hundreds of thousands of people, after a first day of action attracted more than a million people.

Several cities have seen larger crowds than on 19 January.

The Macron government is pushing ahead with its pension age reforms in the face of opinion polls that suggest two-thirds of voters are opposed to the changes, which begin their passage through the National Assembly next week.

Without a majority in parliament, the government will have to rely on the right-wing Republicans for support as much as the ruling parties’ own MPs.

Hours before the main protest began in the Place d’Italie in central Paris, thousands of marchers turned out in Toulouse, Marseille and Nice in the south, and Saint Nazaire, Nantes and Rennes in the west.

A reported 11,000 police were deployed to cover the

Ukraine

demonstrations taking place in a reported 200 towns and cities.

“Mr Macron is certain to lose,” far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon told reporters in Marseille. “Nobody wants his reforms, and the more the days go by, by the greater the opposition to them.”

Karima, 62, held up a placard in Paris highlighting that the government’s plans hurt women far more than men: “Lots of us already have broken careers and will have to work even longer than men in order to have a full pension.”

There was severe disruption to transport, with one in three highspeed trains running and only two driverless metro lines operating normally in Paris. Large crowds were reported on one of the main overground lines in the capital.

The CGT union said at least three-quarters of workers had walked out at the big TotalEnergies oil refineries and fuel depots, although the company said the number was far lower.

Power plants reported reduced production after workers went on strike at the main electricity company EDF.

One of the main teachers’ unions said some 55% of secondary school teachers had walked out, although the government said the figure was

just over a quarter. High school pupils staged protests outside some schools and students said they would occupy Sciences Po university in Paris in support of the strikers.

“A lot of French people feel that working is more and more painful. It’s not that they don’t want to work, they don’t want to work in these conditions,” Sciences Po political

scientist Bruno Palier told the BBC.

The government has indicated it may move some way on the detail of the reform but has refused to give in on the main thrust of the raising the retirement age by two years to 64.

“Any kind of reform that is going to ask people to work longer will be unpopular, but we’ve been elected on this reform,” said Christopher

Weissberg, an MP in President Macron’s Renaissance party.

At 62, France’s retirement age is lower than most other countries in Western Europe. Italy and Germany have moved towards raising the official retirement age to 67, while Spain’s retirement age is 65 and in the UK it is 66.

In France, very few workers have personal pensions linked to capital investments, but there are now only 1.7 workers paying into the shared pension fund per person in retirement.

“We have a universal system, and the system has to pay for itself. If not, it’s weakening and if it’s weakening, at some point, people will lose their pension,” Mr Weissberg warned.

Economist Prof Philippe Aghion said the reforms were necessary because France had a structural deficit of some €13bn ($14bn; £11bn) and raising the retirement age would also help increase the rate of employment in France.

“That will give the government credibility to make some investments that it needs to make in schooling, in the hospital system that it needs to improve, and more investment in innovation and green industrialisation,” he told the BBC.

war: Western allies send Kyiv mixed messages on war planes

US President Joe Biden has ruled out providing F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, despite renewed calls from top Kyiv officials for urgent air support.

Asked on Monday if the US would be sending the planes, Mr Biden said “no”. The UK also said it was “not practical” for it to send its aircraft to Ukraine.

Meanwhile, France’s Emmanuel Macon said “by definition, nothing is excluded” ahead of meeting a Ukrainian minister.

Ukraine says advanced jets will help protect its skies from Russian attacks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the country’s top military officials say there should be no taboos on such military aidbut the US and its partners fear this would lead to further escalation with a nuclear-armed Russia.

On Tuesday, Ukraine’s Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat was quoted by the Ukrainska Pravda news website as saying that Kyiv needed up to 200 multi-role fighter jets - such as F-16s - to defend its skies.

He said that Russia currently outnumbered Ukraine by five to six times in terms of the number of war planes.

The US-made F-16s would be a significant upgrade on the Sovietera fighting jets - mostly MiGsUkraine is currently using, which

were made before the country declared independence from the USSR in 1991.

However, Mr Biden has repeatedly rebuffed Ukraine’s pleas for the jets, instead focussing on providing military support in other areas.

Other Western allies have been been less definitive though. On Monday, President Macon did not rule out sending its war planes to Ukraine - but he stressed that it must neither further inflame the situation nor limit France’s ability to defend itself.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov is now in Paris, where he is expected to discuss the issue with Mr Macron and French military officials later on Tuesday.

Poland - another key ally of Ukraine - has also not ruled out sending F-16s to Kyiv. However, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said any such move would only be possible “in complete co-ordination” with other Nato members.

The US announced last week it would supply Kyiv with 31 Abrams tanks, reversing its earlier stance on the issue. The UK and Germany also pledged similar support.

Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Melnyk welcomed that announcement but asked allies for the creation of a “fighter jet coalition” that would also provide Ukraine with Eurofighters,

Tornados, French Rafales and Swedish Gripen jets.

On Tuesday, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s spokesman said he was not aware of any formal request from Ukraine for aircraft, adding that “the UK’s Typhoon and F-35 jets are extremely sophisticated and take months to learn how to fly”.

“Given that we believe it is not practical to send those jets to Ukraine.”

However, the spokesperson

said Mr Sunak “has had intensive discussions with military advisers” and “the conclusion is that given Russia’s advantage in numbers a sustained war of attrition would not benefit Ukraine”.

Germany has also said it will not send fighter jets to Ukraine.

The F-16 Fighting Falcon is widely considered one of the world’s most reliable fighter jets and is used by other countries, such as Belgium and Pakistan.

It can be armed with precision-

guided missiles and bombs and is able to fly at 1,500 mph (2,400 km/h), according to the US Air Force.

The F-16’s targeting capabilities would allow Ukraine to attack Russian forces in all weather conditions and at night with greater accuracy.

Moscow has repeatedly accused Nato of being an aggressor by proxy, warning that further escalation could trigger a nuclear war. Source: BBC

Marches took place in cities across France, including the southern city of Nice

Ukraine has long been pushing its allies to provide advanced fighter jets to defends its skies from Russian attacks

How Egyptian police hunt LGBT people on dating apps

In Egypt, homosexuality is highly stigmatised, and there have long been allegations that police are hunting LGBT people online. Now BBC News has seen evidence of how the authorities are using dating and social apps to do this.

All victims’ names have been changed

Having grown up in Egypt, I am aware of the pervasive homophobia that permeates every part of its society. But friends there tell me that the atmosphere has recently become far more brutal, and the tactics for tracking down LGBT people more sophisticated.

There is no explicit law against homosexuality in Egypt, but our investigation has found that the crime of “debauchery” - a sex work law - is being used to criminalise the LGBT community.

Transcripts submitted in police arrest reports show how officers are posing online to seek out - and in some cases allegedly fabricate evidence against - LGBT people looking for dates online.

They reveal how the police initiate text conversations with their targets.

Egypt is one of the most strategically important Western allies in the Middle East and receives billions of dollars in US and EU support every year. Around half a million British tourists visit the country annually and the UK trains Egyptian police forces, via the UN.

In one text conversation between an undercover police officer and someone using the social networking and dating app WhosHere, the officer appears to be pressuring the app user to meet up in person - that person was later arrested.

It is extremely difficult for LGBT people to openly meet potential dates in public in Egypt, so dating apps are a popular way to do that. But just using the apps - regardless of your sexuality - can be grounds for arrest based on the incitement of debauchery or public morality laws in Egypt.

It is not just Egyptians who are being targeted. In one transcript, police describe identifying a foreigner, who we are calling Matt, on the popular gay dating app Grindr. A police informant then engaged Matt in conversation, and - the transcript says - Matt “admitted his perversion, his willingness to engage in debauchery for free, and sent pictures of himself and his body”.

Matt told the BBC that he was subsequently arrested, charged with “debauchery”, and eventually deported.

In some of the transcripts, the police appear to be trying to pressure people who seem to be simply seeking dates or new friendships into agreeing to sex for money. Legal experts in Egypt tell us that proving there has been an exchange of money, or an offer of one, can give the authorities the ammunition they need to take a case to court.

One such victim, whom we found through the transcripts, was a gay man we are calling Laith. In April 2018, the contemporary dancer was contacted from a friend’s phone number.

“Hello, how are you?” the message

said. The “friend” asked to meet for a drink.

But when Laith arrived to meet him, his friend was nowhere in sight. He was met instead by police who arrested him and threw him into a cell belonging to the vice squad.

One policeman stubbed a cigarette out on his arm, he told me, showing me the scar.

“It was the only time in my life that I tried to kill myself,” Laith says.

He claims police then made a fake profile for him on the WhosHere app, and digitally altered his photos to make them look explicit. He says they then mocked up a conversation on the app which appeared to show him offering sex work.

He says the pictures are proof that he was framed, because the legs in the picture do not resemble his own - one of his legs is bigger than the other. The BBC has only had access to grainy photocopied police case files, so it cannot independently verify this detail.

Three other people told us the police forced or falsified confessions related to their cases, too.

Laith was jailed for three months for “habitual debauchery”, reduced to a month on appeal. Laith says the police also tried to get him to inform on other gay people he knew of.

How we disguised contributors’ identities

For the BBC documentary Queer Egypt Under Attack we used innovative face-tracking 3-D masking to ensure identities remained protected - the aim was to give the film a more attractive aesthetic than the usual blobbing technique of disguise allows.

“[The policeman] said: ‘I can fabricate a whole story about you if you don’t give me names.’”

The Egyptian government has spoken publicly about its use of online surveillance to target what it described as “homosexual gatherings”.

In 2020, Ahmed Taher, former assistant to the Minister of Interior for Internet Crimes and Human Trafficking, told the newspaper Ahl Masr: “We recruited police in the virtual world to uncover the masses of group sex parties, homosexual gatherings.”

The UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office told the BBC that no UK funding has gone towards training for the Egyptian police in activities relevant to the claims made in the investigation.

UK MP Alicia Kearns, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, told the BBC that she wanted more to be done to warn LGBT travellers about the risks in countries such as Egypt, “where their sexuality might be weaponised against them”.

“I would urge the Egyptian government to cease all activities which target individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation.”

The Egyptian government did not respond to the BBC’s request for comment.

The WhosHere app was referenced in nearly every police transcript the

BBC has had access to.

Cyber privacy experts told us that WhosHere seems to have specific vulnerabilities, allowing hackers to scrape information about its userssuch as location - on a large scale.

And they say the way WhosHere is collecting and storing data is likely in breach of privacy laws in the UK and the EU.

It was only after the BBC formally approached WhosHere that the app changed its settings, removing the “seeking same sex” selection, which could put people at risk of identification.

WhosHere disputes the BBC’s findings about vulnerabilities and say that they have a robust history of addressing problems when raised. And that they do not operate any specific service for the LGBT community in Egypt.

Grindr, also used as an app by police and criminals to find LGBT people in Egypt said: “We work extensively with Egyptian LGBTQ activists, international human rights advocates, and safety-focused technologists to best serve our users in the region.”

Criminal gangs are using the same tactics as the police to find LGBT people. They then attack and humiliate them, and extort them by threatening to post the videos online.

I managed to track down two people we are calling Laila and Jamal, who were victims of a video that went viral in Egypt a few years ago. The footage shows them being forced to strip and dance, while being beaten and abused. They are forced at knife point to give their full names and admit they are gay. They told me the duo behind the videonamed Bakar and Yehia - are notorious amongst the community.

We saw at least four videos in which Bakar and Yehia either appeared, or could be heard, extorting and abusing LGBT people before they uploaded the videos to Whatsapp, YouTube and Facebook. In one of these videos, an 18-year-old gay man we are calling

Saeed is forced to, falsely, say he is a sex worker. I met him to hear about what happened next. He told me that he considered legal action but says his lawyer advised against this, telling him his sexuality would be perceived as more of a crime than the attack he suffered.

Saeed is now alienated from his family. He says they cut him off when the gang sent them the video in a bid to blackmail them too.

“I have been suffering from depression after what happened, with the videos circulating to all my friends in Egypt. I don’t go out, and I don’t have a phone.

“No-one used to know anything about me.”

We’ve been told about dozens of attacks like this - carried out by multiple gangs. There are only a few reports of attackers being arrested.

It shocked me to learn, in the course of investigation that one gang leader, Yahia, is gay and actively posting online about his own sex work.

But perhaps it gives him a criminal edge - he knows just how vulnerable his targets are. And arguably his own position, as a gay man with little opportunity, fuels his criminality.

We have no evidence that Yahia has been involved in recent attacks, and he has denied involvement in any of the attacks.

Covering any of these issues inside Egypt itself has been banned since 2017, when the country’s Supreme Council for Media Regulation imposed a media blackout on LGBT representation except if the coverage “acknowledge[s] the fact that their conduct is inappropriate”.

LGBT community advocates, many of them in exile, are divided over whether the problems in Egypt should be highlighted in the media or tackled behind the scenes.

But Laila, Saeed, Jamal and Laith have chosen to step out of the shadows and break the silence.

Source: BBC

Laith (right) - the identities of all our contributors need to be disguised

Asia&Middle-East

Secretive Saudi executions leave families in the dark

Executions of prisoners have been carried out in Saudi Arabia with no advance warning to their families, relatives have told the BBC. The country’s execution rate has almost doubled since 2015 - according to a new human rights report - the year when King Salman and his son Mohammed bin Salman took charge.

Mustafa al-Khayyat’s family were given no notice that he was about to be killed.

They still have no body to bury. No grave to visit. The last they heard from him was a phone call from prison, and he signed off with these words to his mother: “Alright, I have to go. I’m glad you’re OK.”

Neither had any inkling that it would be the last time they spoke.

A month later, Mustafa was dead - one of 81 men killed on 12 March 2022, in the largest mass execution in modern Saudi history.

Mustafa’s name is on a long and growing list put together by the campaign group Reprieve - which, along with the European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights, has been meticulously documenting Saudi executions for a new report.

Based on data collected since 2010, their study has found that:

• Saudi Arabia’s execution rate has almost doubled since King Salman took the reins in 2015, appointing his son Mohammed bin Salman to key positions

• The death penalty has been routinely used to silence dissidents and protesters, contravening international human rights law, which states it should only be used for the most serious crimes

• At least 11 people initially detained when they were children have been executed since 2015, despite Saudi Arabia’s repeated claims that it is curtailing the use of the death penalty against minors

• Torture is “endemic” in Saudi prisons, even for child defendants

Reprieve documented 147 executions in Saudi Arabia last year, but says there could well have been more. It also says the country has “disproportionately” used the death penalty against foreign nationalsincluding female domestic workers and low-level drug offenders.

Nearly a year on, officials haven’t told Mustafa’s family how he and the others were executed. His older brother, Yasser, says it has been a tragedy for the families.

“We don’t know whether they were given a decent burial or thrown in the desert or in the sea. We’ve no idea.”

Yasser is speaking publicly for the first time. He now lives in Germany, where he has been given political asylum after fleeing Saudi Arabia in 2016, fearing the same fate suffered by his brother.

Yasser says his brother was “fun, sociable, and popular”. Since 2011, Mustafa took part in daily demonstrations - led by the country’s Shia minority - against the Saudi government.

He was detained in 2014. After his death, an official announcement said that he, along with 30 others, had been executed for the same string of offences - including attempted murder of security personnel, rape, robbery, bomb-making, stirring up strife and spreading chaos as well as trading in weapons and drugs.

“They never provided any evidence. This lie cuts very deep,” explains Yasser - who says his brother was still trying to appeal his conviction when the authorities executed him and the 80 other men.

“Not only did they take their lives, they intentionally maligned them and accused them of things they’ve not done.”

After rising to power, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi’s de-facto ruler, promised to modernise the Kingdom - and suggested in an interview in 2018 that his country, a key Western ally, was trying to “minimise” its use of the death penalty.

But, nearly five years on, Saudi Arabia remains one of the world’s most prolific executioners - despite a lull that coincided with Saudi Arabia’s presidency of the G20 and the start of the Covid pandemic.

The crown prince - known as MBShas “done the exact opposite of what he promised” Reprieve’s director, Maya Foa, tells me from her east London office. “He has overseen vast numbers of executions and a brutal crackdown on people attending pro-democracy protests.”

What’s more, she adds, there is a regime of secrecy around the death penalty, explaining that for many of the cases Reprieve have looked at, nobody knew they were even on death row.

“Their family members did not know. So you had people who were arrested, tried, sentenced to death and then executed in secret.”

Some families only discovered via social media that their loved ones had been killed, says Ms Foa - describing that lack of official information as one of the “most cruel and distressing” aspects of each case.

Traditionally, beheading has been the main method of execution in Saudi Arabia - the executions used to take place in public - with the names of those killed, and the charges they faced, published on government websites.

But human rights activists say the use of the death penalty has become much more opaque.

Nobody I spoke to knew exactly how executions are now carried out, though firing squads are also thought to be used.

The death penalty is part of a Saudi legal system which “is unfair in its essence”, says Ali Adubisi, director of the Berlinbased European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights. “No type of independent civil society or human rights groups can operate there. If we weren’t drawing attention to the executions, people would be killed in silence.”

Human Rights Watch said that 41 of the 81 men executed in March were from the Shia minority and that “rampant and systemic abuses in Saudi Arabia’s criminal justice system suggest it is highly unlikely that any of the men received a fair trial”. They also heard reports of torture.

When Yasser was first allowed to visit Mustafa, 12 months after his arrest in 2014, he was shocked by what he saw.

“Even though it had been a year since we had last seen him, he couldn’t even stand up to greet us.

“He’d fall over as soon as he triedand when we asked him, he said it was because of torture.

“We saw bruises on his body and he told us he’d been given electric shocks.”

The sister of another detainee told me her brother had also been badly tortured.

“He said he was strung up by his feet and beaten. He never imagined a forced confession would be allowed in his trial,” says Zainab Abu Al-Khair, whose brother Hussein has been in prison since 2014.

Hussein - a Jordanian driver working

for a wealthy Saudi family - was arrested with drugs in his car on the Jordan-Saudi border. Zainab is certain they were not his.

Speaking from her home in Canada, she explains how Hussein’s family have been struggling to make ends meet since his arrest. He has a disabled son and, after he was imprisoned, his 14-year-old daughter was “sold into marriage” in Jordan.

Last November, Saudi Arabia ended an unofficial moratorium on the death penalty for drug offences - a move described by the UN Human Rights Office as “deeply regrettable”. Within a fortnight, 17 men were executed for such offences, the UN said.

In prison, says Zainab, men have since been taken from Hussein’s cell never to return.

It has left both Hussein and Zainab terrified. “I can’t even talk about him without my heart pounding,” she told me.

“I think of him all day and at night, I have bad dreams. The thought they might chop off his head - it’s barbarity.

“You can’t imagine how hard it is. Sometimes I just sit alone and cry, cry, cry.”

Part of the anger she is feeling is directed at other countries for allowing Saudi Arabia “to get away with it”.

Last March - four days after the mass execution of 81 men - the then UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson met Mohammed bin Salman to try to persuade him to pump more oil to replace Russian fuel imports. Downing Street said Mr Johnson did raise concerns about Saudi Arabia’s ongoing human rights issues.

Since coming to power, MBS has carried out social and economic reforms - including allowing women to drive - but

they’ve been accompanied by intensified political repression.

The latest report from the campaign group Human Rights Watch describes Saudi Arabia’s human rights record as “deplorable” - a stain on its reputation, which it is busy trying to “launder” through sports and entertainment.

The BBC has sent three emails to the Saudi Human Rights Commission - a Saudi government organisation - asking to speak to an official, but has received no replies.

A statement to the BBC from the Saudi embassy in London noted that many other nations around the world have the death penalty, and that countries have different views about what penalties are appropriate. It said: “As we respect their right to determine their own laws and customs, we hope that others will respect our sovereign right to follow our own judicial and legislative choices.”

But the comments failed to address the steep rise in executions under the crown prince, MBS, or the way the death penalty is being used, in contravention of international norms.

The UN Human Rights Office told the BBC it was “deeply concerned about the trend in the use of the death penalty in Saudi Arabia”.

“In particular, we are concerned by the increase in the number of death sentences issued and upheld, including against child offenders, and for offences that do not meet the ‘most serious crimes’ threshold of international law, such as drug-related offences,” it said.

For those whose loved ones are in prison, it’s a desperately anxious time. Hussein’s sister keeps a vigilant eye on the family chat group.

Source:BBC

Saudi Arabia executed 81 prisoners on 12 March 2022, including these nine men whose families agreed for their photographs to be shared with media

Climate change: presidential candidates proffer solutions to environmental challenge

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Four Nigerian presidential candidates have proffered solution to lingering environmental issues affecting the country.

The four candidates spoke at the presidential town hall meeting on environment and climate change, organised by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), We the People, Health of the Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) and the University of Abuja held yesterday in Abuja.

Speaking at the meeting, the presidential candidates of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adebayo Adewole, said, one of the major cause of environmental problem is poverty, which leads people to get involved in environmental degradation.

He said “Our responsibility is to form a government that privatized the welfare of Nigerians, by educating them on natural and social environment.

It is very important for citizens to have an understanding on what climate change and environmental issues are beyond sanitation “.

“Their knowledge about environment and environmental justice is very key”, prince Adewole stated.

According to him “Our lands environment is good, it will help the world, in afforestation which will in turn provide more oxygen to the world .

Similarly,Presidential candidates of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso said promotion of clean energy system is one of his top priorities to tackle climate change impact.

Kwankwaso represented by National Chairman, Prof. Rufuai Alkali, said “Every part of Nigeria is blessed with abundance of solar radiation which makes our potential among the highest in the world”. He emphasized that , solar energy compliments energy efficiency by providing a renewable energy source to power building system and reducing grid dependency .

Similarly, The Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu,said, we must ensure that what we do with the environment matters.

“ What are doing with our environment have affect it nature and has brought

devastating impact on it “.

Kachikwu explained that with such impact,” our government will make more impactful reforms by using our indigenous professional in various university to research on how we can handle our environmental issues and change issues .

“We must aline with science to protect our people , there is a need not just to depend on foreign scientists but also allow our local scientists to bring in their inputs .

He added that, companies that flames gas in various part of the country will face huge penalty.

“We needs to protects our lives and keep our environment safe our for habitation”, he said.

The presidential candidates of African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, stated that one of the major problem of climate change has to to with the Lakechade basic,he said to proffered solutions,the boarders must be fortified very well.

“We will encouraged individuals to do private ranchers for individuals and group that are raring cattles to patronize them , pay money and to feed or neither keeps cattles there within the environment in

order to curtail farmers and Herdsmen clashes”, Sowore.

He said, his government will tackles enviromental issues by studying and understanding all the geographical environment of all the states in the country.

Meanwhile,The Director, Health Mother Earth Foundation( HOMEF), Nnimmo Bassey, said the reality is that , the focus of political leaders on the environment has been largely tokenish.

“The indicator is that they care at all about the environment is often only when the move to destroy underserved and largely autonomous communities termed slums”.

He said Enviroment sustainability has lost much of its meaning.

“Since it is hung mostly on economic plank which sees the environment as a thing to be exploited and transformed for the extraction of tents often termed foreign exchange earring”.

“ This drive for foreign exchange has allowed rapacious exploration that has scarred our environment and our peoples, leading to a catastrophic and shameful fall in life expectancy “,Bassey said .

Nigeria election 2023 in Rivers state: The oil land with no electricity

The whirring of four electric sewing machines, snips from two industrial-sized scissors and the sizzle of moist fabric as steam billows from a large pressing iron.

But another sounds jars as the six sweaty men work: the metallic grind of a generator. It is behind a wall to muzzle its noise, but that cannot hide its high pitch or the smoky fumes it exudes.

“I have two of those, just in case one fails,” says Ozu Adah, a leanmuscled man with cropped hair who runs this shop in Choba, a university community in the southern state of Rivers.

Like millions of other small business owners in Nigeria, the 37-year-old tailor cannot rely on electricity from the national grid as blackouts are common and the 5,000 megawatts distributed is only enough to serve around five million average households in urban areas.

Most of Nigeria’s 210 million people must provide their own electricity - Africa’s largest economy is run on a variety of Chinese- and Lebanese-made generators

“Since I was born, I have never experienced stable power supply. We call ourselves the giant of Africa but we can’t fix electricity,” complains Mr Adah as he works on a buttonhole.

Despite being blessed with large oil and gas reserves and hydro and solar resources, successive governments since independence in 1960 have failed to achieve a stable electricity supply.

With just weeks to the next presidential election, all three frontrunners - Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party - have listed fixing the power supply as a key point in their manifestoes.

Though the campaign promises can sound hollow given outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari failed to deliver during his eight years in office on providing at least 20,000 more megawatts.

Mr Adah’s operations rely on electricity and he spends 3,000 naira ($6; £5) every day to fuel his generator.

But since November, there has been a widespread shortage of fuel in Nigeria, which has worsened recently, forcing many to sleep overnight in queues at petrol stations.

He is frustrated that he lives in an

oil-rich state with so little to offer its citizens.

As a boy he dreamed of working in the oil industry - as his father had done. But by the time he finished studying geology at the University of Port Harcourt, he was unable to find a job in that sector.

Instead, he turned to what he saw his mother do - making clothes. She used the popular but labourintensive manual Butterfly machines imported from China.

Like a generation of young people forced to turn to jobs they would rather not do - he found an innovative way of pursuing it, using modern electric-powered machines.

They are three times more efficient - but need electricity.

‘No money in electricity’

Those in the electricity sector complain that the business environment does not encourage expansion as they are unable to make profits, let alone break even.

Nigeria has 200 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves - the largest in Africa and ninth in the world - and 25 out of 28 electricity-generating firms (a mix of public and private ownership) are powered by gas.

But investors say low tariffs - set and regulated by the governmentdiscourage investment.

“Nobody will invest in what is clearly a loss-making venture,” said Olumuyiwa Abiodun, CEO of private electricity supplier Eden Power.

Many electricity customers, such as Mr Adah’s tailoring shop and thousands of households in Choba, are unmetered, and have to pay an estimated bill that is usually at variance with what they consume.

Mr Adah’s monthly electricity bill is 8,000 naira ($17; £14) for the compound in which he has his business, a house with at least eight rooms and two flats.

Many Nigerians do not even pay for electricity.

“Many communities here don’t want to pay for electricity as they feel the gas belongs to them,” said John Onyi, a Port Harcourt-based electricity consultant.

Mr Adah, like many younger people in urban parts of Nigeria, is rooting for Mr Obi, who hails from south-eastern Nigeria.

He believes the 61-year-old politician is serious about fixing the power sector, pointing out that the Labour Party candidate visited Egypt last year to study that country’s electricity supply system.

“He is not yet president and he has travelled to learn how to fix the problem, it clearly shows how committed he is to solving it,” he says.

Key battle ground

Like most residents in Choba, he has voted for only the PDP in the past but his intended switch this time to the Labour Party is reflective of how Rivers state has emerged as a key battleground in this presidential election.

Its 3.5 million registered voters are the fourth highest in Nigeria’s 36 states, yet their loyalty is being tested with the APC and Labour Party seemingly making sizeable inroads that could split the vote.

Rivers state reveals some of the internal battles the PDP is facing.

Outgoing Governor Nyesom Wike tried and failed to win the PDP’s presidential ticket - supported by four other powerful PDP governorsand is now suspected to be backing Mr Tinubu, the APC candidate.

A larger-than-life politician who travels with his own band, Mr Wike continues to support the PDP at the state level and is backing the PDP candidate for governor.

Many in Rivers state also seem to be wearing this dual cap - wanting to vote for one party at the state level and perhaps another in the presidential election.

This was on show when thousands turned up for the PDP rally across the Choba River at Rumuji, an oil-producing village near Bayelsa state.

To witness a rally in a small village, far away from the city centre, is to be treated to what Nigerians call “party structure” - the well-oiled campaign machinery that many believe is only available to the APC and PDP countrywide.

Under the sun, women, men and youths, most hired by local politicians, gathered. Today they are here for the PDP, tomorrow it may be for another campaigner.

One woman in a blonde wig ushered a dozen disinterested teenagers from a canopy into the sun. Their banner said: “Golden Babes of Egbeda”. They jostled for space around a podium that included Joseph Yobo, a former Nigerian international footballer, and musician Harrysong.

The noise was as chaotic as the

spectacle - an array of colours turned sepia from the fine dust raised by the thousands of legs trampling the earth.

There was a group blowing dozens of vuvuzelas, the latest addition to Nigeria’s campaign rallies.

But this was more than a jamboree for local government, it was the governor’s show of force on a national stage. He wanted to show the main contenders his influence before he officially says which presidential candidate he will back.

“They can’t win the election without Rivers state, let them try it,” said Mr Wike to a rapturous cheer when he took to the stage.

His personal band played during an interlude - a song about him being a big man, to which he swayed.

Outside the rally ground a tailor sewed a wax-print garment, seemingly oblivious to the chaos across her.

On loud speakers, the governor made a promise to electrify parts of the community still without power. But it did not matter to her - she was using a brown manual Butterfly sewing machine. Source: BBC

“ Nobody will invest in what is clearly a lossmaking venture,” said Olumuyiwa Abiodun, CEO of private electricity supplier Eden Power

There is a rhythm to the frenzy in this tailoring shop in the heartland of Nigeria’s oil zone.

Africa’s largest economy mainly depends on generators for its electricity supply

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5. TO FOSTER GOOD HARMONOUS RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MEMBERS OF THE FORUM BY ASSISTING EACH OTHER IN TIMES OF NEED.

6. GIVING FIRST AID TO ORTHOPEDIC VICTIM.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATIONS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT420,TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, PMB 198 GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

GOVERNMENT COMPREHENSIVE SECONDARY SCHOOL BOROKIRI, CLASS 81 OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANIZATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA, FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT. 2020.

TRUSTEES

1. GREEN, BARR. CHRISTOPHER - (CHAIRMAN)

2. KIOLAWSON DATOM - (SECRETARY)

3. WILLS, INIRUO

4. ALABOSON, COLLINS DEINGIKUMO

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

(A) TO FOSTER UNITY AND UNDERSTANDING AMONG MEMBERS.

(B) TO INITIATE PROGRAMMES OR ACTIVITIES NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE THE WELFARE OF MEMBERS.

(C) TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL DEVELOPMENT AND UPLIFTMENT OF OUR ALMA MATER SO AS TO ACHIEVE A COMMON GOAL IN THE PURSUIT OF CORPORATE AND EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE FOR OUR ALMA MATER.

(D) TO ENGAGE IN SUCH ACTIVITIES AS THE CLASS MAY DEEM FIT IN ORDER TO PROMOTE ALL OR ANY OF THE ABOVE IDEALS. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATIONS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT420,TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, PMB 198 GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

GLORY EWALEFOH FOUNDATIONS

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANIZATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA, FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT. 2020.

TRUSTEES

(

1) GLORY EWALEFOH. CHAIRMAN.

(2) ESTHER OKPETE -SECRETARY .

(3). TSOLA OMATSOLA TAWIAH ORITSEJAFO

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1. TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO QUALITY TERTIARY EDUCATION FOR UNDER PRIVILEGED CHILDREN

2. TO PROVIDE DEPRIVED YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THE POWER TO EARN A REGULAR AND DECENT LIVELIHOOD BY GIVING THEM ACCESS TO TERTIARY EDUCATION

3. TO INTEGRATE CHILDREN WHO ARE MARGINALIZED BY POVERTY AND LACK OF EDUCATION INTO MAINSTREAM SOCIETY THROUGH WORK PLACEMENTS AND OTHER PROGRAMS.

4. TOASSIST IN THE PROCESS OF SOCIAL INTEGRATION TO UNDERPRIVILEGED YOUNG PEOPLE INTO THE SOCIETY

5. FACILITATING VOCATIONAL TRAINING TO THE YOUNG ADULTS TO REDUCE THEIR SKILL GAP WHICH WILL HELP THEM IN EITHER GETTING EMPLOYED OR START THEIR OWN ENTERPRISE.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATIONS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT420,TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, PMB 198 GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: MADUAKOLAM IGWE ESQ.

PUBLIC NOTICE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’

TONGKOP

I, FORMALLY KNOWN AS LINUS RANGZANG. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS TONGKOP LINUS RANGZANG. ALL DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

BALE

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS BALA. ISHAYA NAPCHAK. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS BALE ISHAYA NAPCHAK. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

YAKUBU

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS YAKUB MATAH NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS YAKUBU MATAH ESTHER. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

JIBRIN

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS USMAN FATIMA WITH THE DATE OF BIRTH 08/01/1987 NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS JIBRIN FATIMA WITH THE CORRECT DATE OF BIRTH 20/08/1988. ALL FOR DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. THE GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

PUBLIC NOTICE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020). THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1. EBAH JAMES PATRICK - CHAIRMAN

2. ENWERE FRANCIS NNAMAKA - TRUSTEE/SECRATARY

3. ADEYEMI OLUWABUKOLA MOSES THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO IMPROVE THE STATE OF THE MEDICAL SERVICE, ENVIRONMENTAL STABILITY, IMPROVING THE WELFARE OF THE UNDERPRIVILEGED AND DISADVANTAGED BY PROVIDING MEDICAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES THAT WILL HELP REDUCE DISEASES PREVALENT IN URBAN AND RURAL AREAS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

ANNELLA AUTISM AND ADHD FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1. ATIGWE PRISCILLA UJUNWA -CHAIRMAN

2. DAVID MERCY OSHIOMEYE-SECRETARY/MEMBER

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. THAT THROUGH AWARENESS, SENSITIZATION AND OUTREACH, AUTISM AND ADHD WOULD BE KNOWN AMONGST MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. THAT MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC GETS BEFOREHAND INFORMATION ON AUTISM.

2. TO SEEK TO REACH OUT TO THE KIDS WITH ADHD WHO ARE NOT YET DIAGNOSED; PARENTS WHO MIGHT STILL BE STRUGGLING TO TAILOR SUPPORT FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND BEING IGNORANT ABOUT THIS NEUROLOGICAL CONDITION.

3. TO REACH OUT TO FAMILIES THAT CAN’T AFFORD TO PAY FOR INTERVENTIONS AND THERAPY SECTIONS TO GET THE RIGHT SUPPORT FOR THEIR CHILDREN; MOST KIDS LACK BEHIND IN SCHOOL DUE TO THIS CONDITION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

RAIN OF PRAYER ASSEMBLY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1. LUCKSLEY INDI IGENEGBAI (CHAIRMAN)

2. KATE MODUPE FALANA (SECRETARY)

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO RESCUE MEN THROUGH THE TEACHING AND PREACHING OF THE WORD OF GOD AND PREVAILING PRAYERS.

2. TO RUN AND ESTABLISH VIBRANT CHURCH BRANCHES AND NETWORK WITH OTHER CHRISTIAN BODIES WITHIN AND OUTSIDE NIGERIA.

3. TO ENGAGE IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, WELFARE, AND BENEVOLENCE PROJECTS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PATRIOTIC ELITE CLUB OF AMASSOMA

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1. YERI, WAIBODEI, PETER (CHAIRMAN)

2. AYOGOI, AYOGOI, SIMON (SECRETARY)

3. AMBAIOWEI,TARI,EBIOWEI (MEMBER)

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1.TO ORGANIZE SEMINARS AND ENLIGHTENMENT CAMPAIGNS TO EDUCATE THE PEOPLE OF AMASSOMA COMMUNITY AND BAYELSANS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION IN NATION BUILDING AND SUCH OTHER LECTURES THAT WILL AFFECT THE SOCIETY POSITIVELY.

2.TO FOSTER UNITYAMONG MEMBERSAND INCULCATETHE ESSENCE OF CITIZENSHIP,MUTUAL CO-OPERATION, PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE AND PROGRESS.

3.TO FIGHT AGAINST ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATIONS AS A RESULT OF POLITICAL, SEX, RELIGIOUS, FAMILY AND EDUCATIONAL DIFFERENCES AND TO PROMOTE PEACE AND UNITY IJAW NATION.

4.TO EFFICIENTLY HARNESS AND DIRECT THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF BAYELSANS ASSISTING DESERVING STUDENTS MORALLY AND FINANCIALLY.

5.TO BE STRONGLY OPPOSED TO ALL FORMS OF CRIMINALITY AND SOCIAL VICES IN SOCIETY.

6.TO ENCOURAGE AND FACILITATE IN ANY DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMME IN AMASSOMA COMMUNITY AND OTHER PARTS OF BAYELSA STATE.

7.TO PROMOTE THE OBSERVANCE OF THE TENET OF DEMOCRACY, RULE OF LAW, EQUITY, FAIMESS, RIGHT AND JUSTICE IN AMASSOMA AND BAYELSA AT LARGE.

8.TO ADEQUATELY ADVOCATE FOR POLICIES AND IDEOLOGIES OF GOOD GOVENSANCE

9.TO HONESTLY SEEK FOR THE INTEREST AND PROGRESS OF AMASSOMA COMMUNITY IN PARTICULAR AND BAYELSA STATE IN GENERAL.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRARGENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

TREASURE MINDS CLUB

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1. KUDIRAT MOSUN ADEYEMO-CHAIRMAN

2. NOJEEMDEEN O.OLADIPO-SECRETARY/MEMBER

3. PHILLP DAMILOLA ABIOLA MEMBER

4. AWE GRACE OLUWAFUNMIKE MEMBER

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO ACHIEVE EXCELLENCE AT ALL LEVELS IN THE COMMUNITY.

2. TO CREATE AWARENESS AMONG THE LESS PRIVILEGED (ORPHANS, WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS)

3. TO SET UP ON A HUMANITARIAN GRAND.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PATNAB HEALTH INITIATIVE

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2023

Victor Osimhen is not for sale - Napoli President warns Man U, Chelsea

By Amaechi Agbo

Napoli president, Aurelio de Laurentiis has warned Victor Osimhen’s suitors that the striker is “not for sale”.

Mr de Laurentiis stated this on Wednesday following growing reports that English Premier League sides Manchester United and Chelsea are set to bid for the 24 years old with Red Devils ready to splash £107 million on the Serie A leading goal scorer.

He added that neither his prime asset, Osimhen or any other players in the team is for said.

The forward is currently the top scorer in the Italian top-flight with 16 goals from 17 appearances.

Osimhen’s contract with Napoli will last till June 2025.

Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis insists Victor Osimhen is not up for sale as the Partenopei ‘don’t have debts’ and warns his players not to commit the same error as Barcelona in their Champions League clash with Eintracht Frankfurt.

Osimhen is Serie A’s highest goal scorer this season, with 16 goals in 17 appearances, including two in the last round against Spezia.

The Nigeria international has been linked with a move to Chelsea or Manchester United in the summer, but De Laurentiis warns that he does not want to part ways with his star striker.

“Victor is not up for sale, our players are in high demand, but we are forced to sell nobody, we don’t have debts,” ADL told the German paper Bild.

De Laurentiis appeared to taut Napoli’s

rivals Juventus as the Bianconeri confirmed a loss of over €250m for 2021-22 and have been docked 15 points for financial

irregularities.

Napoli have only lost two games across all competitions this season, but are firmly

on top of the Serie A table with a 13-point lead over second-placed Inter and won their Champions League group in December ahead of Liverpool.

They will meet Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt in the Round of 16, with the first match played in Germany on February 21.

“In the beginning, the feeling was of a non-difficult draw, but it’s not exactly like this,” noted De Laurentiis.

“It’s not a coincidence that they are in the race for the Bundesliga title. We should not think that we are a better team. Barcelona did it last season and we should not make the same mistake.”

The La Liga giants were knocked out of Europa League at the hands of Eintracht last season with the German side eventually lifting the trophy.

Osimhen only moved to Naples twoand-a-years-ago from Lille in a deal worth around £72million but he could be on the move again this time to the Premier League with Chelsea and United eyeing him as their main attacking target for the summer.

Manchester United tried to get ahead of the pack, which includes Chelsea, by enquiring over a move for Victor Osimhen in January. Their report hints that the Red Devils were trying to get ‘in pole position’ for the summer instead of pushing for the deal to be completed in the winter window. Napoli weren’t interested in entering talks this early though, despite United initiating contact and putting the effort in, preferring to leave things for June.

Chelsea and Man United could be set for a big summer of major signings being made with both clubs ‘ready’ to invest €120million (£106million) to sign Osimhen.

Peseiro charges Golden Eaglets to keep working hard

By Amaechi Agbo

Head

Coach of the Super Eagles, José Santos Peseiro says he is convinced that Nigeria is a country flowing with an abundance of football talents, after watching the training sessions of the U17 boys, Golden Eaglets on Monday morning at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project pitch, Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

The Portuguese tactician admitted he was very impressed with the performance of the players, and charged them to keep improving their game as preparations for the Africa U17 Cup of Nations in Algeria hot up. He also admonished players that would eventually be dropped not to be dejected as that would not be the end of their football career.

“I am impressed with what I have seen with the performance of the players here. Nigeria is known for having very talented players, so I am therefore not surprised with the performance of these players,” Peseiro said.

“You have to keep working hard and keep improving your game. Unfortunately, not all the players here will be selected. You should not give up if you fail to make the final team,” he added.

The Golden Eaglets have been drawn in Group B of the Africa U17 Cup of Nations in Algeria, where the team will trade tackles with Zambia, Morocco and South Africa in the city of Constantine.

Victor Osimhen

Jose Peseiro pose with Golden Eaglets’ Head Coach Nduka Ugbade and his players on Tuesday in Abuja

Sampson fires blank as Mike Gbajie scores in in Gulf United Debut.

Nigeria born German striker Mike Gbajie made his first debut with his new club Gulf United Football Club Dubai with a bang in the 94 minute to help them crush Regional FC 5 - 2

The former FV Langenwinkel Football Club of Germany came in as a substitute in the 46 mins after replacing Junior Gyampoh of Ghana over the weekend.

Speaking to our correspondence after the match, the Abia State German born striker said it was a wonderful experience filled with excitement.

“Hitting a target in my debut for the league leaders is an amazing thing I will cherish for long,” said Mike.

The striker joined Gulf United Football Club Dubai from FV Langenwinkel FC of Germany in January.

He’s the highest goal scorer of the German club side before signing for Gulf united.

Gulf united has four Nigeria players and a Nigerian coach, Marcello Anyanwu fomer NFF presidential Aspirant.

FIFA celebrates Morocco’s successful hosting of Club World Cup

The President of FIFA Gianni Infantino, says Morocco has mobilized all the necessary means and resources to ensure the successful hosting of the ongoing Club World Cup.

Speaking to Moroccan media upon landing at Tangier’s airport, Infantino said: “After the success of the World Cup in Qatar, this Club World Cup takes on a very unique and particular significance in the world.”

He noted that the North African country has made substantial efforts to guarantee the quality of the tournament, a reflection of the “trust” FIFA has given Morocco to organize the sporting event.

“If we did not have full trust [in Morocco], we would not be here today to organize the Club World Cup,” he emphasized.

Infantino said that he is looking forward to visiting Morocco again in the future, highlighting the country’s love

and passion for football.

“It is a beautiful country … it is a country of football,” emphasized Infantino, celebrating the “huge success” of the Moroccan national football team during the 2022

World Cup in Qatar.

Morocco’s Atlas Lions achieved the unexpected at the global tournament, as they defied all odds and became the first African and Arab nation to reach

the World Cup’s semi-finals.

Infantino noted that this edition of the Club World Cup, the third organized in Morocco, has brought together some of the world’s biggest football clubs, as well as sparked immense enthusiasm and passion among football fans.

The tournament is taking place between February 1 and 11 in the Moroccan cities of Tangier and Rabat, with the participation of seven clubs.

FIFA’s president is set to attend the remaining Club World Cup matches, including today’s semi-final game featuring Egypt’s Al Ahly and Spain’s Real Madrid.

In addition, he will attend the last day of the tournament on February 11, which will feature the third-place match between Brazil’s Flamengo and the losing team of today’s game, and the final featuring Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal and the winner of today’s match.

2024 Olympics: Paris mayor calls for Russian athletes to be banned from Games

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo changed her stance on Russian competitors at the 2024 Olympics on Tuesday saying they should be banned “while the war continues” in Ukraine, her office said.

Last month Hidalgo said she believed Russians could take part “under a neutral flag” to avoid “depriving athletes of competition”.

On Tuesday she told French media her earlier position was “indecent” because a neutral flag, “does not really exist” although she said there should be a place for “dissident Russians who want to parade under the refugee flag”.

Her office said this was a “clarification” of her position.

They would, she said, be athletes who do not “support Vladimir Putin in his aggression”.

The Refugee Olympic Team competed for the first time in the Rio Games in 2016, where it was made up of 10 athletes originally from Syria, Ethiopia, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Hidalgo did not address the issue of the participation of Belarusian athletes.

While French President Emmanuel Macron and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) did not immediately respond to Hidalgo’s remarks, the French ministry of sports and the Olympics told AFP the question

of a “possible participation” under a neutral flag in Paris is being “discussed” by the IOC but “has not been the subject of any decision”.

The ministry reaffirmed French “support” for “maintaining all economic, political, diplomatic, sports and cultural sanctions” against Russia.

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in late February 2022, Russians and Belarusians have been

banned from most world sporting events.

The IOC said last month it was exploring a “pathway” to allow competitors from both countries to take part in the Paris Olympics.

Ukraine responded by saying it would consider boycotting the Games.

The United States said Russian and Belarusian athletes should compete in Paris under a neutral flag, but many countries, particularly in Eastern Europe,

have opposed the idea.

Poland’s sports minister, Kamil Bortniczuk, said last week that as many as 40 countries could refuse to take part in Paris if Russia and its ally Belarus were allowed to compete.

Estonia has said it would boycott while the Czech Olympic Committee said on Monday it was opposed to Russian participation but would not boycott.

On Tuesday, the Olympic committees of five Nordic

nations said they were opposed to allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to take part in Paris.

“We stand firm in our position, not to open for Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international sports participation,” wrote the Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish and Icelandic committees in a joint statement.

The IOC, rather than the organisers and the French authorities, will ultimately decide who competes in the Olympics.

Russians have taken part under a neutral flag following a doping scandal at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games.

The International Association of Athletics Federations, now known as World Athletics, sought to have the country’s athletes compete as “neutral athletes” in the 2016 Rio Games, although long jumper Darya Klishina went to the Court of Arbitration in Sport and won the right to compete as a Russian.

Following a ban from the World Anti-Doping Agency, Russians represented their national Olympic committee, rather than Russia itself, in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and the Beijing Winter Games in 2022.

“I am not in favour of this option, I would find it totally indecent,” said Hidalgo. “We will not parade a country that is attacking another and pretend it does not exist.”

FIFA president, Gianni Infantinto

Hoodlums vandalize National Stadium cables in Lagos

The relative peace and security being enjoyed by the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos seem to have been compromised following series of vandalisation of facilities at the Stadium.

Our investigation revealed that in less than two weeks, thieves have been having a field day at the Stadium without any arrest by either the Stadium Police or local security guards employed by the Ministry.

The thieves who came calling last week carted away cables and batteries of the generator at the back of the Indoor Sports Hall of the stadium and came again over the weekend to steal the batteries of the generator and cables serving the Main Bowl of the Stadium. This prompted the Stadium management to embark on renting of generators to power facilities at the Indoor Sports Hall to enable those who have paid for it’s use for basketball clinic to continue their programme.

It was further revealed that both incidents were not discovered until some days after the robbery; Immediately after the discovery, the Stadium management decided to go round and take inventory of their facilities to determine the level of the vandalisation.

However, what surprises most people is that there is a Police Station stationed at the Stadium whose efforts are being complimented by private security guards employed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports which did not deter the thieves from having a field day at the Stadium. Apart from this, people are wondering how the cables where easily carted away since it is not what one or two persons can carry as it involves loading them in a vehicle to be moved away which has raised a lot of questions.

When our correspondent wanted to know the level of the vandalisation from the Lagos Liaison Officer of the Ministry, Nkana Mbora, she stated that she is still taking inventory of the vandalized items and will not make any statement now.

As part of efforts to avert another vandalisation of it’s facilities the stadium management has began restricting the movement of people in and out of the stadium.

As at the time of filling this report, they’ve already given marching order to some people from coming to the stadium till further notice and even threatening them with arrest.

However some of those affected by this order have advised the management to look inwards and re jig their security network positing that a situation where private security personnel employed by the Ministry are owed close to eight months salary arrears creates room for compromise.

Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay launch 2030 World Cup bid ...Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Greece Consider bidding

Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay on Tuesday launched their official joint bid to host the Football World Cup in 2030, exactly 100 years after the event was first held, in Montevideo.

“We are convinced that FIFA has an obligation to honor the memory of those who organized the first World Cup,” Alejandro Dominguez, president of the Conmebol South American federation, said in Argentina.

He was attending a launch event at the Argentine Football Association (AFA)

headquarters in Ezeiza, south of Buenos Aires.

Competition is intensifying before FIFA chooses a host in 2024.

The South Americans’ main challenge is a joint bid from Spain, Portugal and Ukraine, which has the backing of European governing body UEFA.

Saudi Arabia is considering bidding to host along with Egypt and Greece.

In December, Dominguez said FIFA should honor the legacies of South American icons Pele and Diego Maradona

by awarding the centennial 2030 World Cup to the continent.

Uruguay was the first-ever world champion in 1930, beating Argentina 4-2 in the final of the 13-team World Cup it hosted in Montevideo.

Argentina is the reigning champion, having triumphed over France in Qatar last year.

The next World Cup will be hosted in 2026 by the United States, Mexico and Canada -- the first time there will be 48 teams competing, up from 32.

LeBron surpasses Abdul-Jabbar as NBA all-time scorer

Witha 21-foot jump shot with 10.9 seconds left in the third quarter, LeBron James surpassed Kareem’s 38,387 career points to move into the No. 1 spot on the league’s all-time scoring list Tuesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Lakers lost to the Thunder 130-133 though.

After the record-breaking shot, James raised both hands into the air as he looked skyward. Photographers quickly circled him on the court, as chants of “MVP, MVP” rained down from the crowd at Crypto.com Arena.

The game was stopped as some members of James’ family, including his wife, mother and his three children, took the floor for a ceremony recognizing the moment. The Lakers played a video filled with highlights of James’ career on the arena video board, after which commissioner Adam Silver and Abdul-Jabbar joined James at center court.

“A record that has stood for nearly 40 years,” Silver said. “Many people thought it would never be broken. LeBron, you are the NBA’s all-time scoring leader. Congratulations.”

Abdul-Jabbar then handed James a basketball, as the two posed for photos before James took the microphone to address the crowd.

“I just wanna say thank you to the Laker faithful. You guys are one of a kind. To be able to be in the presence of such a legend as great as Kareem, it means so much to me. It’s very humbling,” James said.

“Please give a standing ovation to the captain, please ... To my beautiful wife, my daughter, my two boys, my friends ... man, everybody that’s ever been a part of this run with me the last 20 years

-- 20-plus years -- I just wanna say I thank you so much ‘cause I wouldn’t be me without y’all.

“And to the NBA, to Adam Silver, to the late, great David Stern, I thank you guys so much for allowing me to be a part of something I’ve always dreamed about. And I would never, ever in a million years dreamt this even better than what it is tonight.”

James entered the game with 38,352 points, needing 36 on the night to overtake Abdul-Jabbar.

Abdul-Jabbar scored 38,387 points in his 20-

year career with the Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks. His career scoring record had stood since April 5, 1984. LeBron James, 38, was born about nine months later.

James is one of seven players to score 30,000 career points and the youngest in NBA history to do it.

As the youngest player ever to score each thousand-point milestone from 1,000 to 38,000 in league history, James, who came into Tuesday’s game averaging 30.0 points this season, is also the oldest player to ever average 30 points per game.

Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay launch 2030 World Cup bid

LeBron James

Hugo Lloris Ruled Out For two Months

Supreme Court ruling and my views on CBN “Currency Redesign” policy

We have the Governments of Zamfara, Kogi, Kaduna States and the Supreme Court to thank for arresting the drift to anarchy in our country as a result of the poorly implemented and ill-timed new Naira and cashless policies of the Central Bank that have grounded socio-economic activities in the country.

Tottenham goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris has been ruled out for between six and eight weeks with a knee injury.

The former France skipper, 36, sustained ligament damage in Spurs’ 1-0 win over Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.

Spurs have former Southampton and England international Fraser Forster as back up.

Academy players Brandon Austin and Alfie Whiteman are other options, but neither have much senior experience.

Spurs are currently fifth in the Premier League and fighting for a Champions League spot for next season.

They play Leicester City in the league on Saturday before travelling to AC Milan for their first-leg round of 16 tie in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Forster, who joined on a free transfer last summer, has made just one Premier League appearance for Spurs - a 2-2 Boxing Day draw with Brentford.

Christian Atsu’s whereabouts unknown after rescue

While the interim injunction of the Supreme Court which has stopped the Federal Government and CBN from making the old N200, N500 and N1000 legal tender from February 10, 2023 will help to restore public order and stability to the country ahead of the crucial general elections, below are my observations on the naira ‘redesigned policy.”

CBN claims it has taken deposits of over N2.7 trillion out of circulation into the banking system by Jan 31, 2023. This is far below the N3.3 trillion hitherto in circulation.

However, working flat out since end September 2022, the Mint has been able to print about 400 million new notes valued at N300 billion. The Mint’s total capacity is about N1 trillion per annum, so it will take about 3 years to replace all the currency in circulation with new notes.

Guest Columnist

By Raymond Okafor

planning and investment in bandwidth nationwide, handle an eleven-fold increase in transactions within a matter of months?

How many towns and villages have no broadband telecoms infrastructure enabling digital financial transactions?

The protests and anger we are witnessing, including closure of some banks, is not just the result of incompetence of the CBN Governor, but intentional political/economic sabotage meant to ignite hunger and anger, incite the populace against the ruling party, ensure widespread social upheaval to enable the collapse of the Fourth Republic.

Heritage Bank (Bukola Saraki/Sekibo/Emefiele), Fidelity Bank (Peter Obi) and even recently-licensed Premium Trust Bank (Emefiele/Okowa) get much more generous allocations of the new notes translating into tens of millions of Naira per day to ensure that these PDP-related entities have preferential availability of the new notes to the detriment of the banking system.

March 2023 elections will be surely impossible to hold.

The artificial scarcity of petroleum and maintenance of a dysfunctional subsidy regime is meant to add fuel to the fire of discontent leading to EndSARS 2.0.

The impossibility of holding the elections due to cessation of trade and exchange, the collapse of the Fourth Republic, the disintegration of Nigeria and the defeat of the APC are some of the expected outcomes that the CBN Governor and his disgruntled partners in the Villa are hoping for - they have lost out in their scheme to impose a president of their choice in the APC, so everything and everyone in Nigeria should go down the drain.

Christian

Atsu’s agent says the footballer’s whereabouts are unknown, a day after it was reported he was pulled from the rubble of a building “with injuries” after the Turkey earthquakes.

More than 11,000 people in southern Turkey and northern Syria are now known to have been killed.

Ghana forward Atsu plays for Hatayspor and the club’s vice- president Mustafa Özat had said the player was rescued.

“We are doing everything we can to locate Christian,” said Nana Sechere.

“As you can imagine, this continues to be a devastating time for his family.”

In a social media post, the agent added: “Following yesterday’s update from the club that Christian had been pulled out alive, we are yet to confirm Christian’s whereabouts.

Why would CBN print only 1/9th of the currency taken out of circulation unless it intentionally wanted to create a cash crunch, destroy economic activities and impose needless hardship on citizenry?

Only 34% of our population have bank accounts and only 9% use digital platforms for economic and financial transactions. (See World Bank Group Internal Paper, Feb 2023).

How is it possible to make 66% of the country’s population to open bank accounts in a matter of weeks? How many local governments in Nigeria don’t have a single bank branch?

How can the telecoms infrastructure, without prior

Out of the N300 billion the CBN has got the Mint to produce, less than N100 billion has so far been distributed to the commercial banks. The largest banks like GT Bank, Zenith, UBA, Access and First Bank typically get daily allocations that translate into about N1 million per branch.

The smaller banks that are connected to the CBN Governor - Polaris (Emefiele/ Atiku Abubakar/IBB), Titan Trust Bank (Emefiele),

Noteworthy is the widelyreported conviction last week, of a director and secretary of Fidelity Bank (Peter Obi) for diverting allocated notes to politically-exposed persons, while the bank’s customers were waiting endlessly for their new notes. It is therefore not surprising that in spite of the hardship being expressed daily by Nigerians due to the so-called currency swap, the PDP and Labour Presidential Candidates voiced opposition to any extension of the February 10 deadline of the CBN.

The timing and timeline of the so-called currency redesign (it is merely change of colours, not any redesign) aim at bringing all trading activities to a halt so that the February-

While the ex parte order of the Supreme Court has provided immediate relief to hapless Nigerians who have been subjected to needless pain, a permanent solution for the suffering traders, fishermen, civil servants, students and market women of Nigeria will be substantive ruling of the apex court exercising its original jurisdiction in the case of Attorneys-General of Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara States vs. Attorney General of the Federation.

-Okafor, a public affairs analyst writes from Abuja

Naira slides to N748/$ at parallel market

What is this?

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How is it possible to make 66% of the country’s population to open bank accounts in a matter of weeks? How many local governments in Nigeria don’t have a single bank branch?