Wednesday, May 10, 2023 Edition

Kerosene: Persistent high cost stops us from usage – FCT residents

Some residents of Bwari Area Council of the FCT on Monday said they stopped using kerosene as alternative means of cooking because of its persistent high cost.

The residents, who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said health hazard was also a major setback to the use of kerosene.

Miss Hannatu Baya, a student, said that kerosene was too expensive and out of the reach of ordinary Nigerians, adding that most times, the product was unavailable for people to buy.

According to her, struggling to get the product made her search for alternative means of cooking.

She said: ” I have a 5kg gas cylinder that takes me almost a month before refilling, and

this is because I alternate with an electric cooker once there’s power, it is better for me than a kerosene stove.”

Baya also said that using the product became outdated to her at some point because of the availability of other alternate means.

Madam Charity Okonkwo, who sells charcoal and firewood told NAN correspondent that she once sold kerosene but stopped after the product became too expensive.

” We used to go and queue at the filling station for days before the product was made available.

”When it will finally come, we will fight; it was a struggle, yet, we will buy it at a high cost to sell at a higher cost too.

“After a while, people started to use charcoal, which does not need much kerosene to light up, so the demand for the product

from my customers dropped.

“That was how I changed to selling charcoal and firewood and the patronage has been better,” she said.

Okonkwo added that although, both firewood and charcoal were not as cheap as they used to be in the past, it remained an option to some residents in the local communities who cannot afford cooking gas or kerosene.

She also said that kerosene presently costs about N1,180 per litre at the filling stations and is being sold by retailers in the community from N1, 250 to N1,500 per litre.

Mrs Grace Ishaya, a housewife and mother of five, said that she stopped cooking with kerosene for over four years after one of her children accidentally inhaled the emissions from the cooking stove while sleeping.

“I don’t know if the kerosene was adulterated with something else, but the flames brought out so much black smoke that filled the kitchen and extended into other parts of the house.

“I tried to regulate it but to no avail, until one of my children ran to tell me that they had been trying to wake their brother who was sleeping, to play football, but he was not responding.

“My neighbors heard the chaos and came to help and one of them took us to the general hospital where they confirmed that my son had inhaled so much smoke in his system.

“We thank God because at the end of the day, he was resuscitated.

“Since then, I prefer to use cooking gas and charcoal, even though they both are expensive, we manage to buy according to our means,” Ishaya said.(NAN)

Osun Guber: Supreme court affirms Adeleke’s election

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The Supreme Court, has laid to rest, the legal fireworks as it concerns the July 16, 2022 Governorship election in Osun State, as it affirms the election of Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the authentic winner of the election.

The court, in it’s judgement delivered, Tuesday, held that the appeal instituted by Adeleke’s predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola lacks merit.

The five-man panel of the Apex court lead by Justice Emmanuel Agim, held that the petitioner, Adegboyega Oyetola of the All

Progressives Congress (APC) failed to prove that there was over voting in the election as he claimed.

The Apex court held that Oyetola starved the court of evidence that the presiding officer didn’t comply with electoral act, didn’t use the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) as well as properly accredited voters in 744 polling units.

The court held that only information from the BVAS, servers and the certify true copies can be used to prove over voting, adding that the BVAS is the best evidence.

“It is imperative that the petitioner the BVAS from the 744 polling units. They failed to produce any of the BVAS as

evidence to assertained that there was over voting.

“The court cannot value a hearsay evidence against a documentary evidence. It is an inadmissible evidence.

“Over voting was only recorded in six polling units which does not effect the election of the respondent.”

On the issues of Qualification, the court held that the respondent was educated up to school certificate which settles his educational status, adding that there was no evidence to prove forged certificates as the schools hole attended didn’t deny awarding those certificate .

The court therefore, dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit.

Recall that the Court of Appeal in Abuja had on Friday, March 24, vacated the tribunal judgment that nullified the election of Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.

The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a threemember panel of Justices, held that the appeal Adeleke lodged to challenge his sack by the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, was meritorious.

Aside from setting aside the judgment of the tribunal, the court, in its lead judgment that was delivered by Justice Mohammed Lawal, awarded N500, 000 cost against the All Progressive Congress, APC, and its candidate, Gboyega Oyetola.

L-R: Chairman House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee to investigate the proposed Domestication and Processing of Nigeria International Passports Hafiz Kawu, members of the committee Mohammed Alkali and Chidi Mommah, during an investigative hearing with agency and organization, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Insecurity: Zamfara new Police boss vows to review crime fighting strategies

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

The newly deployed Commissioner of Police in Zamfara State, CP Mohammed Bunu, has pledged to review the existing crime fighting strategies with a view to ensure banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and political intolerance have come to an end in the state.

CP Bunu who made the declaration on Tuesday, in a familiarization meeting with members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at Police

Command Gusau.

He said his Command will do the needful to improve synergy with relevant bodies for crime fighting.

“Our combat readiness, determination and total commitment towards onslaught against vicious crimes in partnership with the State Government, Traditional Rulers, Community and Religious Leaders, Civil Society Organizations, other Sister Security Agencies and the Press will be greatly improved upon and sustained.

He further informed that, with his recent arrival as Commissioner of Police in the state, that a team of Police operatives attached to Anti-Violence Squad while on surveillance patrol along Gusau–Tsafe road at Gidan Giye village in Tsafe LGA intercepted bandits on three motorcycles each carrying three persons.

“On sighting the Police, the bandits engaged them in a gun duel which lasted for an hour.

However, due to superior fighting power, the Anti-Violence Squad neutralized two of the

bandits and recovered One AK49 rifle and one Pump action Gun while other bandits escaped with possible gunshots wounds.

“Similarly, On 4th May, 2023 at about 1410hrs, Police Tactical operatives received a distress call that two armed men suspected to be bandits attacked one Abdullahi Na’ibi of Yardadi Village via Rini District of Bakura LGA in the state while on his way to Bakura Town.

“On receiving the report, the DPO swiftly mobilized and led a striking force of the division, trailed the bandits and caught

up with them at Yardadi Village. Upon sighting the Police, the bandits engaged them in gun duel where the gallant Policemen retaliated with superior fire as a result of that, one of the bandits was neutralized while the other retreated and ran into the bush with gunshot wounds.

“One AK-103-2 rifle with one empty magazine were recovered while the victim was rescued and taken to the General Hospital Talata Mafara for medical attention and is responding to treatment”, CP Bunu has stated.

Reps blast NCC over 1014 projects, frown at lack of access to TeleCom

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives, on Monday queried the Nigerian Communication Commision (NCC) over 1014 projects under the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) inducing an e-library project that was carried out to the tune of over N2 billion.

The House equally frowned at a request by the Commision for N700 billion to ensure that 27 million Nigerian who do not currently have access to telecommunication get coverage.

This was as the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof Umar Garba Danbatta appeared before the House Ad-hoc Committee investigating the failure and inability of the Commission to promote widespread availability mobile telecommunication network service throughout Nigeria as well as accruals and utilization of funds in the USFP, during its inaugural hearing on Monday.

Prof Danbatta, along with other officials of the Commission, as well as representatives of telecommunication companies.

The Committee headed by Hon Bamidele Salam pointed out that there was no specific description of what was done in the contracts and they were counched in a manner that they would be hard to track.

It noted that 80 percent of the

projects had no specific location.

The Committee therefore moved a motion that the NCC should provide the specific addresses and project description and specifications for each of the contracts that were awarded and listed in the 91-page document it submitted by 2pm on Tuesday, may 9, 2023.

The Committee noted that most of the contractors also had no addresses specified on the document.

The lawmakers also queried the Commission for unilaterally deciding how much money goes to the USPF.

Salam said, “There is a list of contracts awarded by the USPF since inception provided for us here, which is about 1014 various contracts on which a few observations have been made. There is also the submission of the annual audited report of the USPF which has been from 2007 till date, but a few years missing from the audited reports. A few observations have been raised out of that and I want members to let us address those issues so they can take the answers holistically.”

The Committee also summoned the Minister of Telemcomions and Digital Economy, the Accountant General of the Federation, the Auditor General as well Chief Executive Officers of telecommunication companies

over the issue.

They were summoned to appear before the Committee alongside the NCC on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, when the hearing would resume.

A member of the Committee queried the NCC, “You mentioned that of the 2.5 percent that comes to NCC you determine that one percent should go to USPF. But looking at what you provided here for 2022 for instance it says N9.8 billion came to the fund. But what came to the NCC was N65 billion

and if 2.5 percent is 65 billion then you should have about 26 billion as one percent. What comes USPF is far below one percent. Why is that so?”

Danbatta replied that the USPF regulations stipulated that the Commission would determine the contributions from time to time.

But the lawmakers argued that a regulation made by the NCC cannot supersede its enabling Act.

A member Mark Gbillah said, “The challenge is the NCC has given

itself the power to annually decide what it is going to annually allocate to USPF. Looking at the documents presented, administrative expenses rose from N19 million to N127 million. The expenditure on staff rose exponentially. Let me say that it is important for the NCC to let us know the premise on which you annually determine allocate the USPF or otherwise and what annual allocation they have proposed and implemented from inception till date.

WASSCE: Imo sets up monitoring C’ttee to checkmate malpractices

The Imo Government has set up a monitoring committee to checkmate malpractices, as the 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) begins.

Commissioner for Education, Prof. Johncliffe Nwadike, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Owerri, on Monday.

Nwadike, a former Head, Department of History and International Studies at the Imo

State University, Owerri, said all possible loopholes for examination malpractices had been blocked.

He said the committee would rove from one part of the state to another, to ensure strict compliance with set standards for the examination.

According to him, a special team had also been set up to monitor members of the committee and make it difficult for them to compromise standard.

“The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry and I set up a special squad to monitor the committee and supervise the supervisors to ensure strict compliance with set standards.

“We interacted with the WAEC Coordinator in Imo, carried out sensitisation in schools, on the need for principals to nominate as supervisors those who can protect their integrity.

“We also organised a workshop

for supervisors, where we told them that violations of guidelines for the exams would attract sanctions such as suspension, demotion or outright dismissal,” he said.

He also said that reagents and chemicals required for laboratory tests were ready, adding that candidates in the state would not lack any necessary items needed.

He however, assured Imo people that the ministry was

working in close cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Education to ensure the release of all outstanding results for the 2022 WASSCE.

He urged candidates, schools and supervisors in Imo, to fully cooperate with the arrangements to ensure a smooth conduct of the examinations.

He expressed confidence that students in the state would excel in the examinations. (NAN)

New FCT Commissioner of Police Haruna Garba making a gift presentation to the FCT Minister (middle) while FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola applauds during the CP’s visit to the FCTA, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Floods: Hydrological agency advises Nigerians to prepare, move to higher grounds

The Director-General, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Mr Clement Nze, has called on Nigerians living in flood-prone areas to be watchful and move to higher grounds.

Nze told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday in Abuja, that this was necessary to prevent disasters and emergency situations that could occur in the coming months due to possible floods.

NAN recalls that the agency had predicted in its 2023 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO), that 178 local government areas in 32 States and

the FCT, were within the “Highly Probable Flood Risks Areas”.

According to him, all stakeholders have a duty to utilise the information in the AFO, to avert and minimise the adverse effects of flooding in Nigeria.

He said governments at all levels, including individuals, should adhere to the advisories issued by doing the needful.

“As early as middle of February, NIHSA released the 2023 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO). This is quite unprecedented when compared to previous years.

“Early warnings, matched with early action in terms of

preparedness to reduce the negative impact of flood disasters, is what is expected of the subnationals.”

According to him, people living within the floodplains should be on the watch, advising them to move to higher grounds, and visit the floodplains during the day for normal economic activities.

“Those living by the banks of the rivers, especially the transboundary Rivers Niger and Benue, should keep closer watch on the periodic surge of the rivers.

“Coastal cities in the country have been placed on red alert with regards to coastal flooding,” Nze

said.

The D-G said NIHSA’s mandate in flood-related issues was advisory and the agency had been providing avenues for discussions on issues such as the de-silting of major rivers.

This, he noted would deepen their carrying capacities, so as to reduce overflow of rivers which often resulted in flood disasters.

He said during the peak of flooding, President Muhammadu Buhari gave a directive that led to the inauguration of the Presidential Committee for the Development of a Comprehensive Action Plan for Preventing Flood Disasters in

Nigeria.

Nze said all issues towards averting flood disasters, including de-silting of the country’s major rivers, have been articulated in the committee.

NAN reports that 32 states termed as Highly Probable Flood Risks Areas include; Adamawa, Abia, Akwa- Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, CrossRiver, Delta, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Edo. Others are; Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara and the FCT. (NAN)

Atiku, Wike, Fayose others to grace PDP Governors program in Abuja

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the last general election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, erstwhile Vice President, Architect Namadi Sambo acting National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Umar Ilya Damagum and several other chieftains of the party are expected to grace a program being hosted by the PDP Governors’ Forum on Thursday in Abuja.

Also expected to be in attendance at the welcome/reception program for PDP Governors-elect and send forth of past PDP Governors are; Governor of Rivers, Mr Nyeson Wike and ex-Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose.

Members of the PDP’s National Working Committee, NWC, National Executive Committee, NEC, and Board of Trustees, BoT, under the Chairmanship of Senator Adolphus Wabara are expected to grace the programme.

All outgoing and incoming Governors of the leading opposition party will similarly be attending the ceremony slated to hold at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

Serving and past Chairmen of the PDP-GF, including; Governors Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto) and Isiaku Darius (Taraba), as well as; Alhaji Alhassan Dankwabo, (erstwhile Governor of Gombe), Senator Seriake Dickson (immediate past Governor of Bayelsa State) and Mr Ayodele Fayose (an ex-Governor of Ekiti State) have been slated to be honoured at the event.

According to a statement yesterday by the Director-General of the PDP-GF, Hon CID Maduabum, “The PDP Governors’ Forum under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, CFR, is organizing Welcome/Reception of PDP Governors-Elect and Send Forth of Past PDP-GF Chairmen scheduled for 1pm, Thursday, May 11, 2023 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

“The Governors-Elect being received into the Forum are; Umo Bassey Eno (Akwa Ibom), Peter Ndubusi Mbah (Enugu State), Agbu

Kefas, Taraba State, Ameopusenibo Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers State), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta State), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara State) and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau State).

“We are also welcoming three reelected Governors, namely, H.E. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, H.E. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, and H.E. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State.

“The Forum wishes to use the opportunity to formally send forth past Chairmen of the Forum, namely: H.E. Segun Mimiko, H.E. Ayodele

Fayose, H.E. Ibrahim Dankwambo and H.E. Seriake Dickson.

“All outgoing PDP Governors: Gov. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State (Chairman); Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State (Vice Chairman); Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State; Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue State; Gov. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State; Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State; Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers State; and Gov. Darius Dickson Ishaku of Taraba State, will also be honoured during the ceremony for all their

services to the Forum.

“This event will feature a discussion on “Good Governance at the Sub-National level: Issues, Perspectives, Expectations and Outcomes”, which will lay out the challenges facing governance at the sub-national level and possible solutions and is to be presented by Dr. Muda Yusuf, a renowned economist, as Guest Speaker.

“It is expected to be a starstudded event as invitations have been extended to the Acting PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Umar

Iliya Damagum and Members of the PDP National Working Committee, 2003 PDP Presidential Candidate and Former Vice President, H.E. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON and H.E. Namadi Sambo, GCON, Former Vice President, Former PDP Governors, Current and Former PDP Presiding/Principal Officers of the National Assembly, Party Leaders, Stakeholders, friends and well wishers.

“The programme will serve as an opportunity for PDP leaders, stakeholders and members to come

L-R: Speakership Aspirant, Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, member elect, Hon. Iyaka Akinlade, Senator Elect, Hon. Mohammed Monguno, Speakership Aspirant, Hon. Sada Soli, Chairman House Committee on Appropriation/Speaker Aspirant, Hon. Muktar Betara, Deputy Speaker/ Speakership Aspirant, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, Niger State Governor elect, Hon. Mohammed Bago and Speakership Aspirant, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, during the Betara’s Speakership Declaration for the 10th Assembly, yesterday in Abuja.

Jigawa gov-elect receive transition reports, vows to complete Badaru’s projects

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

The Jigawa state governorelect Alhaji Umar Namadi has promised to continue with all projects inherited from the outgoing governor, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar.

Namadi stated this shortly after receiving reports from

transition committee at his office in Dutse.

He explained that subtransition committees completed their work successfully and presented it before the main committee.

“Today I have received all the reports that contain details of each ministries and MDAs and

inshallah I will continue from where governor Badaru stops for better Jigawa state”, Namadi said.

He then promised to run an inclusive government as well as to create enabling environment for empowerment to reduce level of poverty in the state.

While speaking on behalf of the transition committee,

Abubakar Saddiq Jallo said, the committees succeeded in compiling the reports easier and faster as it is internally transition within the same party.

Jallo then commended members for compiling a comprehensive and timely reports within a short period of time.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

10th Speakership: Plot to impeach Gbajabiamila looms over ‘doctoring’ of House rules

By Christiana Ekpa

Outgoing Speaker of the House of Representatives

Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, may face impeachment from office ahead of the inauguration of the 10th Assembly over alleged doctoring the House standing rules to favour the preferred Candidate of the ruling party’s choice of Speaker and Deputy Candidates

Our reporter gathered that over 100 aggrieved members of the House have signed a notice of impeachment to be served on the Speaker at the resumption of plenary Tuesday yesterday which was purportedly moved to 16th of May

The session could have been hot if it was not moved further as members vowed to raised the issue on the floor of the House for immediate retraction of the rigged and doctored document.

The doctored standing rules, refered to as the 10th edition sighted by our correspondents, has a new , strange and obnoxious provision for electing the Speaker and Deputy through an open ballot instead of the existing rule of secret ballot that has been in use since 1999.

Section 2 (f) (iii) of the controversial clause captioned “election of presiding officers” stated that, “ every member voting shall name clearly and in the open the candidate of his choice.”

Peoples Daily recalls that the election that brought the seating Speaker was an Open secret ballot that has been in use since 1999.

Speaking to our correspondent, a source who plead anonymity said: “Yes, i can confirm that an alteration has been done and the document has been printed. But i want to tell you that even as a principal officer in the House I am not aware of this. No such amendment has been officially carried by the House.”

Another member said: “This is a strange departure from our traditional procedure of electing presiding officers in the House which has always produced Speakers and Deputy Speakers through secret ballot system. We have never discuss the issue of amending our rules in this repected in the last four years it must be the gand work of somebody who is trying to be faster than the House. I assure you we will get to the root of the matter immediately so as

to save the House from any embarrassment.

The present Speaker is being accused by his colleagues of single-handedly manipulating the rules of the House to edge out more credible aspirants in favour of his preferred candidate Hon Abbas Tajudden who is unpopular with members.

The source said “The goal is to create fear in members and open them up for victimisation by the new government and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) which is believed to have been zoned to the North West Geo-Politocal zone ostensibly

to pave way for the emergence of Abbas Tajuddeen. It is aimed at creating an impression of disloyalty againts members who choose to vote their conscience as against the instruction of the ruling party. This is brazen and reckless by whoever choose to do it. “

“It is a slap on the faces of Hon members and an embarrabsment to the nstitution of the legislature. We will insist that Gbajabiamila should step aside for proper investigation to be carried out on how the rules were doctored. Where is the votes and proceedings of the

session and the order paper of the day that the amendment was carried out.

The House will have a Speaker Pro-Tempo who will preside over this investigation until the issue is unearthed.

Ok It is unbelievable that our rules will be altered without recourse to the procedures.

As I speak to you even the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives who chairs consideration of reports is not aware of this amendment. This is a serious breach and an unpardonable democratic offence. It is unfortunate that

this is coming few weeks to the end of Gbajabiamila’s tenure just because he wants to be controlling the House of Representatives after his tenure.

“The chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business and the Deputy Speaker of the House will be asked to explain their roles in this unfortunate and devastating development.

“It is equally instructive to note that whether Gbajabiamila is aware of it or not a serious branched has been established under his leadership which he must give account of.”

Afrique at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja on Monday, 6th May 2023

Bandits release 3 more girls of FGC Birnin Yauri

From Ahmed Idris, Birnin-Kebbi

Three out of the remaining seven girls of the Federal Government College, BirninYauri, Kebbi State, in captivity of bandits have been released.

The chairman of the parents of

the abducted school girls’ forum, Malam Salim Kaoje who disclosed this to newsmen Tuesday stated that the three girls were released to them on Sunday evening by their abductors but they arrived Kebbi on Monday afternoon.

Ka’oje stated further that,

“they released three of the school girls to us on Sunday evening, they are already with the State Government.”

It would be recalled that 96 girls of the Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri were abducted by bandits when the

school was attacked on 17, June 2021.

With the latest release, four of the girls are still being held by the bandits.

Those released were; Elizabeth Ogechi Nwafor, Esther Sunday and Aliya Abubakar.

Representative of the President and Hon. Minister of Finance, Budget & National Planning, Mrs Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed (6th right) , Hon. Minister of Works & Housing and Chairman of the Board of Shelter Afrique, Mr Babatunde Fashola,SAN (7th right), Outgoing AGM Chairman and Hon. Minister of National Housing & Social Amenities, Republic of Zimbabwe, Hon. Daniel Garwe (9th left) and Hon.Minister of State, Works and Housing , Hon. Umar El - Yakub (8th left), representative of the Hon.Minister of the Federal Capital Territory & Permanent Secretary of the FCTA, Mr Adesola Olusade (5th right), Ag.Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Housing, Engr. Folorunso Esan (4th right), Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Shelter Afrique, Dr Chii Akporji (7th left), and others in a group photograph shortly after the Opening Programme of the 42nd Annual General Meeting and Symposium of Shelter Afrique with the theme,” Political Economy in the Built Environment,” jointly organized by the Federal Ministry of Works & Housing and Shelter

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) have asked the Presidential Election Petition Court(PEPC) in Abuja to dismiss a petition brought against his declaration as winner of the 2023, Presidential election.

They maintained that

NECO reschedule 2023 entrance exam into FGA Suleja

By Maryam Abeeb, Abuja & Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has rescheduled the 2023 entrance examination which is conducted for gifted and talented children into Federal Government Academy Suleja from Saturday 13th May, 2023 to Saturday 10th June, 2023.

In a statement, Head Information and Public Relations Division, Azeez Sani said that examination was rescheduled to enable more candidates register for the examination following request by some stakeholders for an extension of the registration period.

He added that the Federal Government Academy Suleja is a training ground for moulding the gifted and talented children of Nigeria.

According to him, it provides enormous opportunities for outstanding gifted students to develop their potentials in the interest of nation building and technological development.

“The Students benefit from Federal Government scholarship such as tuition fees, external examination fees, boarding, feeding, uniform and basic textbooks

“All candidates, parents, guardians and other relevant stakeholders are therefore enjoined to take note of the new date for the examination.

“The registration of candidates will continue till the new date of the examination,” he noted.

Tinubu, APC want APM’s petition dismissed, say it lacks merit

the petition filed by the Allied People’s Movement (APM) was worthless and incompetent on various grounds.

Tinubu and his party, through their counsel, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, insisted that the election being challenged by APM was lawfully conducted and a clear winner declared in line with the provisions of the law.

At Tuesday’s proceedings, the senior lawyer while

notifying the Tribunal of the motion on notice said it would be fully argued at the appropriate time.

Fagbemi confirmed that he had answered all the questions on the pre-hearing Form TF008 Information sheet as required by law.

Fagbemi said the Form TF008 answer sheet was filled at the Tribunal on May 8th and served on other parties.

In his own submission, Chief Akin Olujimi SAN

who stood for Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shetima informed the Tribunal that he had filed pre-hearing information sheet on May 3, 2023.

He notified the Tribunal of his pending motion on notice praying for outright dismissal of the petition on various reasons.

Olujimi SAN said he would argue the motion at the appropriate time allotted to it by the Tribunal.

The APM represented by

Suleiman Abubakar SAN adopted his form TF008 pre-hearing sheet filed on April 28.

After taking arguments at the pre-hearing session, Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani fixed May 11 for further pre-hearing session. Justice Tsammani ordered parties in the matter to sort out and agree on all documents they intend to tender during the hearing of the petition.

2023 Africa’s Travel Indaba opens in Durban, South Africa

The 2023 edition of Africa’s Travel Indaba (ATI) started on Tuesday in Durban, South Africa, with delegates from 21 countries.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event with the theme, “Unlimited Africa”, was declared opened by Patricia De Lille, South African Minister of Tourism, at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.

According to Lille, to reposition African travel and tourism market, Africans have to engage in healthy and balanced collaborations and competitions.

She said competition was often considered to be the life-blood of destination marketing and tourism.

“While healthy competition can drive growth and innovation, unhealthy competition can lead to a race to the bottom, with businesses and destinations undercutting

each other on price and quality.

“As the tourism industry, let us foster a culture of healthy competition, where businesses and destinations are encouraged to compete on quality and innovation.

“Let us remember that long-term success in the industry depends not only on competing but also on recognising the value of collaboration and partnerships.

“So, each player in the value chain has a unique role to play, and by working together, we can create seamless and memorable travel experiences for visitors – that is the spirit of Africa’s Travel Indaba,” she said.

She said the 2023 ATI, at near the pre-pandemic scale, also demonstrated that Africans could host world-class safe events.

“This year, at Africa Travel Indaba, we are working hard to exceed preCOVID attendance numbers

and have an estimated 6, 000 people attending from all over South Africa, Africa and the rest of the world.

“This year’s Indaba sees more than 350 tourism products being showcased, 1,000 buyers from across the tourism ecosystem and just under 1,000 exhibitors.

“The attendees include destination marketing bodies, hotel groups, airlines, tour operators, and 10 African tourism boards and 21 African countries represented here,” she said.

Lille said that the event was hosted under the mantra “Shaping Africa’s Tomorrow, Through Connection Today”.

She said a lot had changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the nation found it necessary and critical to reposition ATI to ensure it remains relevant in the current environment.

“This positioning speaks to the essence of Africa’s Travel Indaba, bringing the world to Africa to positively

influence the continent’s economic and cultural trajectories.

“To all the buyers present here today, you are critical in promoting Africa as a premier travel destination and thank you for continuing to partner with us in showcasing our continent’s diverse experiences and attractions.

“To all the African product owners, thank you for your contribution in creating a cohesive and thriving tourism sector that benefits communities and promotes faster economic growth,” she said.

Lille explained that the South African Department of Tourism keenly understood the value of tourism businesses, especially small to medium enterprises.

According to her, this is the reason she remains proud of the investment made in this regard, as part of the department’s ‘Market Access Support Programme’ (MASP).

Jubilation at the Supreme Court, as the Court declared the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ademola Adeleke winner of the July 16, 2022, Osun State Governorship Election, yesterday in Abuja..

Photo: Mahmud Isa

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has restated its call on the Judiciary to resist and insulate itself from the reported antics of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the discharge of its constitutional duties as independent and impartial arbiter in the pending Petition before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

The party made the call at a press conference addressed by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon Debo Ologunagba in Abuja yesterday.

The leading opposition party hinged it’s call on what it called the ‘shocking revelations, reports and allegations’ of plots by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to influence the outcome of the Presidential election Petition

Niger NSCDC Cooperative names mini Estate after ACG Ayuba

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC)

Niger State Command staff Cooperative and Investment society has commissioned a mini housing estate at New GRA Maitumbi Minna, named after ACG Philip Ayuba.

The ceremony was witnessed by the Assistant Commandant General Philip Ayuba and the State Commandant CC Ahmed Mohammed Dandare, a three block of twelve flats were commissioned and handed over to the junior staff Cooperative members.

The Chairman of the Cooperative DSC Abubakar Mohammed who welcomed the special guest, said the project was named after ACG Philip Ayuba in appreciation of his roles and efforts in ensuring the society stood on its legs.

He explained that the cooperative is on the verge of collapse when ACG Ayuba who was the State Commandant came to the society’s rescue.

Similarly, the executive members of the cooperative society appreciated General Philip Ayuba’s leadership style by naming the first ever mini housing estate in the state after him

PDP to judiciary: Be impartial arbiter in pending petition before PEPT

currently pending before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

The PDP called on the APC and its leaders to immediately come clean and publicly address Nigerians and the world on these disturbing allegations and revelations which are already in the public domain.

The party equally raised the alarm over intimidation, harassment, threats and vicious attacks by APC leaders against Nigerian youths and eminent Nigerian personalities for speaking out against its planned moves to install a government that does not enjoy the mandate of majority

of Nigerians as expressed at the Polling Units.

According to Ologunagba, “The alleged planned onslaught by APC leaders on eminent Nigerians and our democratic institutions, including the Judiciary, stems from APC’s apprehensions given the weight of evidence against it as well as the continuing refusal by majority of Nigerians to accept the outcome of the flawed Presidential election.

“There are apprehensions in the public space, having regards to the reputation of certain individuals within the highest level of the APC, who have demonstrated capacity and proclivity to compromise

democratic institutions in our country”, it said.

Continuing, the PDP said, “The APC and INEC are therefore advised to halt further steps to hinder the ability of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal to dispense justice in the matter in accordance with the law

“The PDP therefore restates its call on the Judiciary to resist and insulate itself from the alleged and reported antics of the APC in the discharge of its Constitutional duties as independent and impartial arbiter in the pending Petition before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

“It is imperative to state that

the reckless violation by INEC of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, INEC Guidelines and Manual in the 2023 Presidential election portend grave consequences to our democracy and political stability as a country.

“The only way to guarantee peace, unity and stability of our nation is to uphold the Will of the people as expressed at the Polling Units in the February 25, 2023 Presidential election and the PDP is confident in the ability of the Judiciary to discharge its Constitutional duties in this regard independently”, it stressed

MAU set to graduate 4,638,honour 4 distinguished Nigerians @ 27th convocation

From Umar Dankano,Yola

The Management of the Modibbo Adams University Yola(MAU) will be graduating a total of 4,638 candidates in its forthcoming 27th Covocation ceremony slated for Saturday 13th 2023.

Vice Chancellor of the university, professor Abdullahi Liman Tukur made the disclosure at a pre-convocation press conference explaining that,63 fresh graduates will finish with first class degrees while 1069 candidates will finish with second

class upper and 552 will finish with third class as 40 will be graduating with pass degrees.

Tukur noted that in the category of higher degrees, 72 candidates will finish with postgraduate diplomas, 480 candidates will finish with masters degrees and 80 will graduate with PhDs.

He stated that, preparations have been concluded to confer on four distinguished Nigerians Honorary degrees for their outstanding contributions in human and social development.

Tukur disclosed the recipients

as Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Sa’ad Abubakar who will be honoured with Doctor of Law (Honoris Causa) and businessman Alh. Muhammad Indimi who will receive Doctor of Management (Honoris Causa).

Others are former governor Boni Haruna of Adamawa state who will receive Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) and Alh. Dahiru Bobbo, a seasoned administrator and educationist who will be conferred with Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) respectively.

The Vice Chancellor decried that, lack of lecturers in the

universities is one of the major challenges confronting the system in the country

“Universities must be allowed to recruit staff as and when needed without external control.

“The universities should be allowed to operate the personnel cost of the institutions as appropriated by the National Assembly.”

The university will be having its first convocation ceremony since it was converted from technology based to a conventional university and the 27th in its 40 years of establishment.

L-R: Minister of Interior Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Interior Dr Shuaib Belgore, the Representative of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Akor AA and the Director, Industrial Inspectorate Department, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Anietie Umoessien, at the official Launch of the Handbook on Expatriate Quota Administration in Nigeria by the Federal Ministry of Interior, held yesterday in Abuja . Photo; Justin Imo-owo

Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd. (BASL) has urged the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to grant the Murtala Muhammad Airport Two (MMA2) the regulatory approval to begin regional operations in the terminal.

The Chairman of BASL, Dr Wale Babalakin, made the appeal shortly after inaugurating ‘The Art Experience’ (Art Gallery) in MMA2 to celebrate its 16 years anniversary in Lagos on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in May 2007, BASL completed and opened the MMA2 facility under the Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT)

Niger gov political adviser calls for prayers, support for incoming govt

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Special Adviser on political affairs to governor

Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State, Alhaji Nma Kolo has appealed to the people to pray for the success of the incoming government of the Umar Mohammed Bago.

He made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Minna, saying that the current challenges facing the state which include; paucity of funds, insecurity, decayed infrastructure deserved the prayers of the citizens to succeed.

Nma Kolo disclosed that the out going administration of governor Abubakar Sani Bello has done its best despite challenges like economic down turn, Covid-19 among others.

He described governor Abubakar Sani Bello as a very humble and gentle man, peace loving individual down to earth whom he appreciated for creating environment for his success as his political adviser and the entire administration.

The APC stalwart decried surcharge of the North Central particularly Niger state in areas of zoning arrangement at national level despite the votes contributed to the victory of the party in the presidential election.

He applauded the initiators of zoning formula which has sustained political peace in Niger state, calling for its sustainability while urging other states of the federation to emulate the principle.

Nma Kolo told the youth in the state to give their maximum support to the incoming administration of Umar Mohammed Bago who is coming up with genuine inclusive project for Niger State.

agreement with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

The Ministerial Committee on Airport Security in 2016 had certified the Murtala Muhammed Airport Two, fit for the commencement of regional operations.

Babalakin, however, decried the delay in starting regional operations from the Murtala Muhammed Airport Two (MMA2), Lagos, years after the terminal was granted approval by the government.

He said: ‘I am alarmed that we have not commenced regional operations because we went through the entire process, we

were certified, but we have not been allowed to take off.

“I am shocked because the MMA2 terminal was built to provide services for both regional and domestic passengers but it is presently underutilised.

“We had already spent several billions of naira to acquire the state-of-the-art facilities in preparation for regional flight operations, but the inconsistency in government policy despite the approval, had prevented it from using the facilities.”

Bi-Courtney boss who said that the terminal remained a world class and the best in the country, explained that the best architects were engaged to design

the terminal that would stand the test of time.

Babalakin noted it was a deliberate effort to design an outstanding world-class terminal that could stand the test of time.

He said, “From when passengers come off the escalator, it is a seamless process till they board the plane.”

According to him, “We didn’t just start building, we sat down with the best of architects in the world to design a terminal that will have a flow, it is the flow that has made it easy for people to operate here.

“You can see the link between the car park and the terminal, so you are not going through a

disjointed journey because you want to travel.

“We think that it is backward to have passengers walking on the terminals because it is dangerous, it only takes one accident and the county will be embarrassed.”

Babalakin said with the newly commissioned art gallery centre, BASL planned to continue to raise the standard of the terminal and offer travellers an experience that was beyond just traveling.

He said what Bi-Courtney did was to uplift the terminal standards with the hope that anybody who decided to build a terminal in the future would have all these standards incorporated into their terminals.(NAN)

Bi-Courtney seeks regulatory approval to begin regional operations Group advocates passage of gender bills

Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), a non-profit civil rights organisation, has urged the National Assembly to consider passing the five gender bills into law as part of the ongoing constitution amendment.

WARDC, in collaboration with USAID and SCALE/PALLADIUM, made the call at a knowledgebuilding roundtable for media professionals in Lagos State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bills are aimed at greater constitutional inclusion of gender/women’s rights.

The bills are seeking, among other things, affirmative actions in political party administration and ministerial and commissionership appointments.

They also seek expansion of the scope of citizenship by

registration.

Recall that WARDC and some other women groups and private individuals had stormed the National Assembly in March 2022, demanding the passage of the gender bills.

The Executive Director of WARDC, Dr Abiola AkioyodeAfolabi, said that one of the bills sought reservation of 111 seats to women in the National Assembly to address the low representation of women.

“The National Assembly should ensure affirmative action for women in political party administration to enable more women participation and voice,’’ she said.

She noted that one of the bills sought granting of citizenship to foreign husbands of Nigerian women, adding that one of the bills sought allocation of at least 10 per cent of ministerial positions

to women.

“The fifth bill sought to ensure indigeneship rights to women to avoid the discrimination and violence women suffer in a bid to participate effectively in society.

Akioyode-Afolabi spoke on ‘Beyond the Five Gender Bills –The Unfinished Gender Business of the Buhari Administration’’.

She called on President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the National Gender Policy to show his administration’s approval of 35 per cent affirmative action.

She said that some African countries had mandated reservation of seats for female federal lawmakers.

According to her, South Africa reserved 46 per cent of such seats for women.

“Ethiopia has 38 per cent for women, Senegal has 41 per cent.’’

The executive director also

called on Buhari to sign the sexual harassment bill into law before the expiration of his administration.

She urged women to continue to raise their voices.

“There is no retreat, no surrender,” Akioyode-Afolabi said.

In her keynote address, Prof. Joy Ezeilo, Dean Emeritus from the Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, said that there was nothing strange about the five gender bills.

She spoke on ‘Building Knowledge around the Five Gender Bills and the 1999 Constitution’’.

“It is essential to include women in the constitution of any country; this is founded on international law and the rights of women to participate in the government of their nation.

“It is important to have more women in politics.NAN

President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu with Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, the candidate endorsed by the All Progressives Congress for House Speakership when members of the Joint Task Group of the House of Representatives presented the candidate to Asíwájú Tinubu

Fixing the Future, a Non-Governmental Organisation(NGO) has called on public officials to declare their assets, their spouses and that of their children under 21, in accordance with the constitution.

Mr Stanley Ekpa, Founder of the organisation gave the advice while addressing a news conference on Monday in Abuja.

Ekpa said it was important that all public officials to comply with the provisions of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act on full disclosure of assets and liabilities.

He said a survey on asset declaration compliance conducted by the organisation, revealed that more than 94 per cent of public officials do not

NGO urges public office holders to declare their assets

disclose their assets fully.

He said that it was discovered that there were newer windows and complex channels for hiding proceeds of corruption, particularly through assets by proxy, block chain and real estate investment.

He said it was important to curtail corruption in public service, as it had continued to drain public finances, efficiency in governance and lower the standard of living in the country.

“We want to draw the attention of public officials within the constitutional contemplation of section 318, paragraph 19 part I and Part II of the fifth schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“That the law requires all public officials, their spouses and their unmarried children under the age of 21 to declare their assets and liabilities in the asset declaration forms as prescribed by the Code of Conduct Bureau.

“We are bothered that unless our asset declaration and declared asset verification system is made efficient, contract and procurement corruption will continue unabated,’’ he said.

Ekpa also called on the media and Nigerians to support the Code of Conduct Bureau in achieving its statutory mandate by providing ‘whistle blowing’ information to the organisation.

He added that the organisation would partner all

stakeholders to raise awareness with outing, incoming as well as existing public officials on the need to comply with the law.

“We need to know what they have before coming into office and when they are leaving because that is the only way to hold them accountable at the end of their tenure.

“This is the only way the country can make progress,” Ekpa said. (NAN)

10th NASS: APC has final say on zoning – Sen. Apkabio

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi Christiana Ekpa

Some elected members of the incoming 10th National Assembly on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), have said that the party reserves the right and final say on what zone produces presiding officers of the Assembly.

This was a common view expressed by the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Sen. Godswill Akpabio and the spokesman if the outgoing 9th Assembly, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, while speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing induction programme for elected members and Senators in Abuja on Monday.

Reacting to a question regarding the expected zoning of presiding officers’ positions by the ruling party, Akpabio who’s been named as the party’s choice for the seat of President of the Senate said aggrevied colleagues would eventually see reasons with the party and join forces with its choice to move the country forward.

He said talks about whether he will do well as the Senate president doesn’t bother him as he believes it’s God who gives power and that He would use his colleagues to support his aspiration according to His will.

“It is a normal thing for people to move one direction or the other. I am not worried about anything because I believe that the will of God will be done. In terms of being the Senate President, it is in the hands of my colleagues, the Senators elect. They will take the decision and the will of God will be done.

“The lawmakers are the ones choosing the Senate President. But I believe that there should be cooperation between the lawmakers and the party. Once the leadership is out in place, there should be cooperation between the leadership and the administration,” Akpabio said.

Also speaking on the issue of zoning, Hon. Kalu, (APC, Aboa), who has gotten the nod of the party to become deputy Speaker to Hon. Tajudeen Abbas toed Akpabio’s line, saying that party plays a key role in determining who emerges Speaker or deputy in a “democratic environment like ours.”

According to him, cohesion would

lead to consolidation of the House and by extension the National Assembly in order for the party and incoming administration to succeed.

“A more consolidated House is better for the incoming administration if the objectives set by it is to be achieved. We must work as a formidable front towards confronting the hydra headed problems confronting us as Nigerians.

“In a democratic clime like ours, the ruling party play a key role in setting up the structure of government. For some of us who believe in the supremacy of the

party, we will always tag along the position of the party. My ambition was to be the Speaker of the House of Representatives. It is the party that gave me the platform to come to the House of Representatives.

“Consider the reasons I advanced for wanting to be in that position which is the absence of a south easterner in that position for 40 years and the fact that we have men of capacity and competence that will be able to handle the responsibility of that mandate effectively. But at the end of the day, the decision will be reached by the party that gave us

Osinbajo applauds

By Egena Sunday Ode

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Chairman of the National Council on Privatization (NCP) Monday, extolled Transcorp Power Ltd for being delisted from the routine evaluation and monitoring of the BPE.

The routine evaluation and monitoring is an important feature of the post-acquisition plan by the BPE and it has covenants and deliverables which the enterprise is supposed to live up to Transcorp Power PLC has been able to ensure compliance with all of the deliverables and in some cases even exceeding the covenanted deliverables in the PAP, the Vice President said.

Osinbajo said that the presentation of the delisting certificate to the owner of Ugheli Power Plant, Transcorp Ltd was commendable.

Speaking at the presentation of the Delisting Certificate from BPE routine monitoring and evaluation in his office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Osinbajo commended the management of Transcrop Power PLC, led by Tony Elumelu and members of the Transcrop power team.

He also to commended the BPE for doing an excellent job of monitoring and being able to come up with an objective not just a set of criteria, but also an objective means of deciding that “we’re able today to delist the Transcrop Power Plc.”

“We’ve also heard today that

platform to be winners and be here.

“I heard that a decision has been taken by the party and we are waiting for that pronouncement. We are also ready to go along with what the party wants in the spirit of being a true party man. That is the only way we can have cohesion in our party, the only way our party will be respected,” he said.

Kalu also emphasized the importance of lobbying and canvassing for votes from colleagues beyond the party’s endorsement, saying, “in a democratic system, people lobby for votes. It does not

end with the party saying this is the direction we are going. You have to reach out to the minority parties and groups made up of people fo different orientations. It is up to them to align with the philosophy that best capture their interest. So, we have work to do. To say the minority groups should be ignored will be living in fools paradise. To say they will remain as they are and not join the APC in the quest to produce the presiding officers will not be as expected in any democratic system where you have the majority...”

Transcorp Power Ltd on delisting from BPE

the Transcrop Power can deliver efficiently and it can do so even way beyond the expectations of the PAP,” the Vice President said.

He urged the organization to continue on that path and to do even better.

The power needs of our country are grave. And we strongly believe that the right approach is the privatization of the power sector to enable serious-minded private sector players to invest in the provision of public power and ensure that they are efficient while they make a profit at the same time.

We hope that this will not be the last in the series of private power companies that are taking over power plants that are unable to meet the expectations of the postevaluation plans.

Earlier speaking, the Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BOE) Alex Okoh explained that the philosophy around the privatization of state-owned enterprises “Is a consequence of the global paradigm shift” from public ownership and management of public utilities to allow the private sector play a more dominant role in leveraging its financial and management capacities.

He said that Ughelli Power PLC is a gas-fired thermal plant located in Delta State, commissioned in 1966 with an installed capacity then of 900 megawatts, but the available capacity at the point of privatization was 300 megawatts.

The plant, the BPE’s boss said,

was one of the six gencos privatized by the Bureau on behalf of the federal government.

The Director General of BPE, Alex Okoh, explained that “As part of the 2013 privatization exercise, Ughelli Power PLC executed the performance agreement on August 21, 2013, with the BPE. In the agreement, the company committed to achieving specific improvement targets over a five-year lock-in period.

According to Okoh, the improvement targets covered five key areas and these are available capacity, capital expenditure, human resources, health, safety and environment, and corporate social responsibility.

The Director General explained that, in pursuit of the objective of the federal government’s privatization program, and to ensure effective and efficient management of the privatized high utilities in the generation segment of the value chain, the BPE implemented a five-year monitoring exercise designed to determine the level of performance of the respective core investors and to assess their levels of compliance with the operational thresholds and covenants enshrined in the performance agreement.

“It is pertinent to know that arising from the mandatory monitoring exercise conducted by the BPE and in the exercise of the powers vested on it, the Bureau is authorized to initiate a discharge from the monitoring regime should the enterprise be adjudged to have

met the terms of the performance agreement. An enterprise may also formally request for its delisting once the key performance benchmarks have been met.

“Following a capacity determination and validation of Ughelli Power PLC by the consultants engaged by the National Council on Privatization it was determined that generation capacity had increased by about 227 percent from the operational status of 300 megawatts at the point of handover in 2013,” he stated.

The company, he said, has achieved an available capacity of 680.8 megawatts, which surpasses the minimum performance target of 670 megawatts.

He added that capital expenditure totaling N58.6bn was the covenant established or phases one and two of the post-acquisition plan, while actual investments made by the current investor were in the sum of N83.85bn; all the agreed benchmarks on the human resources, health, safety and environment, and corporate social responsibility have also been achieved.

Having exceeded the minimum performance targets and having fulfilled all the agreed obligations, the National Council on Privatization at its meeting on April 4, 2023, considered and approved the recommendations of the Bureau and its requests that the company, Ughelli Power PLC be approved for delisting from routine monitoring, BPE’s DG said.

Fintiri swears in first female CJ, 2 others

From Umar Dankano,Yola

Adamawa state Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has sworn in the first female Chief judge of the state, Justice Hafsat Abdulrahaman and two other judges on Monday.

Governor Fintiri at the epoch making occasion congratulated the elevated judicial officials, saying that their appointments confirm their suitability and efficiency.

Others sworn in along the new Chief judge were ; Grand Khadi, Hon Justice Ibrahim Sudi and president of customary court of appeal, Hon Justice Audi Balami respectively.

Fintiri said the occasion was historic for his government for producing the first female Chief Judge of the State, stressing that her emergence is a watershed development in gender mainstreaming and a testament that the girl-child is at liberty to rise and become anything with merit, devoid of any man-made barriers in the state.

“This ceremony isn’t only a fundamental ritual in public service, but a confirmation of the suitability of the celebrants to man our court rooms and dispense justice in the land.

“The three Justices are people I have worked with in their acting capacities and can attest to their capabilities and competence to honourably head our respective temples of justice. While upholding the fundamentals of this testament with a confirmation today, I congratulate them all for reaching this merited point in their individual careers.

“To parents, I must say, if we are looking for a role model for our daughters, this is a perfect place to come to – merit, right, truth, hard work, dedication, fairness and justice,” he said.

“The appointments of their Lordships are based on our recommendation to the National Judicial Council (NJC). This recommendation is equally hinged on our assessment of their suitability and performance which meets the NJC’ criteria for Appointment of Judges.

“These criteria include seniority, integrity, competency, having a good moral personality, impartiality, assertiveness, ability to make timely judgments, hard work and the ability to manage cases well.”

Nigeria collaborates with Turkey to drive automobile sector

The Federal Government is collaborating with a major Automotive manufacturing hub in Turkey to drive Nigeria’s automobile sector.

The Director-General, National Automotive Design and Development Council,

Jelani Aliyu, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday.

He said that the commitment was made when he visited the Mayor of Sakarya, Turkey, Ekrem Yuce.

”The visit was to deliberate on potential areas of Turkish

collaboration and investment in the Nigerian automotive sector.

”Some of the major areas include improved high performance agricultural tractors, Electric Vehicles and auto components among others,” he said.

NAN reports that the

NADDC’s vision is to transform Nigeria into a modern industrialised nation.

It has a mission to design and implement policies, programmes and strategies for an effective, competitive and diversified private sector. (NAN)

Abuja surpasses Borno, Zamfara in kidnappings, claims Nextier

By Egena Sunday Ode

Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja has recently recorded the highest number of kidnappings, according to data tracked and analysed by strategic public policy firm, Nextier.

In a report/analysis of terrorismrelated incidents in the month of April 2023, and particularly between the 23rd and 29th, released at the weekend, Nextier found out that the FCT, Abuja, has the highest kidnap tally, with 29 victims from one incident.

The firm’s findings indicate that abductions by unknown gunmen believed to be offshoots of terrorists groups have, in the week under review, surpassed the incidents recorded in Borno and Zamfara States, usually regarded as the hotbed of latest terrorism activities.

The report disclosed that “there

is no week in Abuja without a record of kidnapping or related violence”, while noting that Kwali Area Council and other towns on the outskirts of Abuja are worst hit by the frightening dimension of insecurity.

According to the report: “Despite efforts at curtailing the travails of insecurity, the menace still lingers, as recent reports reflect.

“Twenty-seven reported incidents resulted in 125 casualties (death and injuries) and 40 kidnap victims across 17 Nigerian states between the 23rd and 29th of April, 2023.

“There was a 17.39 percent, 89.39 percent, and 60 percent increase in violent incidents, casualty, and kidnap counts, respectively, compared to the previous week.

“In this week under review, Borno state recorded 35 deaths due to counter-terrorism against Boko Haram in the Gwoza Local Government Area of the State.

“Borno, Plateau, and Zamfara States have the joint highest violent incident tally, with three cases each involving yet-to-be-identified gunmen, security personnel, civilians, Boko Haram insurgents, and the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) members.

“Until recently, the capital area (Abuja) has been mostly spared the abductions and killings perpetrated by various armed groups that have devastated the country’s North, where it is located.

“The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has the highest kidnap tally, with 29 victims from one incident.

“This high victim count from one incident count in the capital raises the alarm about security deterioration in the administrative headquarters of the country.

“While one can identify that the occurrences of abduction for ransoms have been common in the Kwali

area council and other towns on the outskirts of Abuja, however, the going incidents of kidnapping are alarming and frightening.

“There is no week in Abuja without a record of kidnapping or related violence.

“On the general assessment of violent conflicts across the country, within four weeks (2nd April –29th April 2023), gunmen violence remained the violent conflict with the highest incidents, with eight incidents resulting in 12 casualties and five kidnap victims.

“Banditry, cultism, and farmerherder clashes come joint second with four incidents each.

“The farmer-herder conflict has been prevalent, especially in Benue, with the casualty toll at 19 from 2 incidents. Banditry has also been dominant in the Northwest, particularly in Zamfara, where the casualty toll stood at 12.

Niger community laments 4 years land dispute

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Eppa Community in Mokwa

Local Government Area of Niger State has appealed to Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello and other authorities to intervene in the dispute between Eti Sheshi and Eppa Communities that have claimed three lives.

They made the appeal during an interview with newsmen in Minna, saying that the last victim Saidu

Alhassan was killed last Saturday over the four years continuous land crisis.

They added that despite several attempts and efforts to reach the Deputy Governor Alhaji Muhammad Ketso for intervention have been frustrated by his aides and friends.

It was reliably gathered that the district head of Mokwa, Ndalele Mokwa, Muhammadu Shaba, was stabbed severally and his cars and

palace vandalized by Eti Sheshi youths.

According to sources, Eti Sheshi have allegedly continued to threaten the lives of others, attacking and destroying properties of the people of Eppa community.

An Indigene of the Eppa Community, Abubakar Ndatsu Alhassan and Salihu Ishaq Eppa lamented that several youths in Eti Sheshi have been arrested by the State Commissioner of Police,

pointing out that unidentified politicians have been bailing the youths.

They further said that despite the recent intervention of the Council Chairman, Abdullahi Jibrin Muregi, the situation is deteriorating, leading to vandalization of Mokwa General Hospital and Several Houses of the People of Eppa Community who are the original land owners of the disputed area destroyed.

L-R: Senator Barau Jibrin, Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State and Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, aspirant for Senate President in Abuja.

Nigeria as the giant of Africa

By Jimoh Hussain Kehinde

Bribery has become the norm, and kidnapping has become a profession in Nigeria, no thanks to the lack of security. One can only wonder how much of a giant Nigeria is when the development recorded by its equals dwarfs its own.

Lying vastly across the western coast of Africa is a giant in slumber whose name is Nigeria. In terms of landmass and population, Nigeria enjoys wide regard as the giant of Africa. Although blessed with multivarious minerals that promise riches; gold, crude oil and other resources, this giant of Africa has even more enormous problems.

Nigeria, a former British colony, is the seventh most populated country in the world with a chain of constitutions adopted through its independence; the 1914 amalgamation

constitution of Lord Lugard, Sir Hugh Clifford’s constitution of 1922, Sir Arthur Richard’s constitution of 1946, Sir John Macpherson‘s constitution of 1951 and Sir Oliver Lyttleton’s constitution of 1954.

A series of post-colonial constitutions such as the Independent constitution of 1960, the Republican constitution of 1963, 1979 constitution and 1999 constitution (as amended) bedeck Nigeria’s history beyond the escape from the shackles of colonialism and embracing self-government.

Post-independence, the military perceived loopholes in the Nigerian system of ruling. These economic, political, socio-cultural and electoral lapses spurred the military intervention of 15th January 1966. And as they had promised, many changes took place, and rights went on holiday, away from Nigeria.

Eventually, power found its way back to the civilians, only for Nigeria to dive into the ocean of corruption. Our so-called leaders embezzle and mismanage public funds in the name of delivering the mandate.

Funnily enough, more than 75% of the population of our sovereign state dwell in poverty. The haves gets richer while the have-nots descend further into the wells of penury. An average citizen of the Giant of Africa can hardly afford three square meals a day or even give his children qualitative education.

Bribery has become the norm, and kidnapping has become a profession in Nigeria, no thanks to the lack of security. One can only wonder how much of a giant Nigeria is when the development recorded by its equals dwarfs its own.

Jimoh Hussain Kehinde

is a Public Affairs Analyst.

Tribalism, ethnicism and religionism: Serious issues in Nigeria

By Ikpang Sunday

Both the Islamic and Christianity religion had coexisted from time in this country; even though there are factions and fracas, which is basically caused by externals forces with their agenda of caliphatism, recruiting some unemployed and destitute individuals; especially youths to help in carrying out insurgence and unrest in most regions.

From pre-history the issues of the tribe and religion and ethnicity tussle had been there. And many factors had also contributed to flame this up the more. Nations and countries that allowed these destructive ideas, to envelop them, had actually had themselves to blame. Tribalism, ethnicism, and religionism are serious issues in Nigeria, Nigeria is a multi-tribal nation and with diverse ethnic groups and religious enterprise.

Before and after Nigeria becoming an independent state, there are so many unscrupulous elements who had orchestrated some underserved incidents as a result of being tribalistic, ehtnicist and religious extremist. And whether we like it or not there is no human being born of a woman, who likes to be marginalize as a result of coming from a minority group, tribe, ethnicity or religion.

I want to bring to our remembrance that Nigeria civil war according to Nigeria history broke out as a result of tribal and ethnicity struggles of supremacy and superiority; where one tribe and ethnic group of the same citizenship sees others as intruders and unwanted elements in their territory, ‘tribaphobia’ was the order of the day. In 1962 a faction arose within AG under the leadership of Ladoke Akintola who was selected as premier of the west. The Akintola factions argued that the Yoruba people were losing their pre-eminent position in business to the people of the Igbo tribe, because Igbodominated NCNC was part of the governing coalition and AG was not. The federal governments Prime Minister Balewa agreed with the Akintola factions and sought to have the AG join the government.

The party leadership under Awolowo disagreed and replace Akintola as premier of the west. The national council of Nigeria citizen (NCNC) was dominated by the Igbos, the Northern people congress (NPC) represented conservation Muslim, Hausa and Fulani interest that dominated the northern region of the country. The AGAction Group (AG) was a leaning party that represents the interest of the Yoruba people in the west.

The AG was manoeured out of control of the western region by the federal government with a new pro-government Yoruba party, the Nigeria National Democratic Party (NNDP), there was a lot of disparity in economic and educational development between the south and the north.

Then 1965 national election produced a major realignment of politics, and, a disputed result that set the country on the part of civil war. The Central Intelligence Agency CIA (a civilian foreign intelligence service of the federal government of the United States, officially tasked with gathering, processing, and analyzing national

security from around the world through the use of Human intelligence), comments in October 1966 in a CIA intelligence memorandum that, ‘Africa most populous country (population estimated at 48 million as of then) is in the throes of a highly complex internal crisis rooted in its artificial origin as a British dependency and often antagonistic tribal groups. The present crisis started with Nigeria independence in 1960, but the federated parliament hid serious internal strains.

It has been in an acute stage since January when a military coup d’état destroyed the constitutional regime bequeathed by the British and upset the underlying tribal and regional power relationships. At stake now is the most fundamental question which can be raised about a country, beginning with whether it will survive as a single viable entity. The situation is uncertain with Nigeria, sliding downhill faster and faster with less and less chance of unity and stability unless present army leaders and contending tribal elements soon reach agreement on a new basis for the association and take some effective measures to halt a seriously deteriorating security internal turmoil, possibly including civil war’ after this intelligence observation and comment, the next year the Nigeria-Biafra civil war broke out 6 July1967-15 January 1970.

The amalgamation of the northern Nigeria protectorate and the southern protectorate, and the Lagos colony, was done in 1st January 1914 by Lord Fredrick Lugard. Permit me to say here that Nigeria was given birth to and became a man in 1960 and was more responsible in 1963. He was born with complete, imbedded resources for sustenance. And the national cake had been well bake for the satisfactory of every Nigerian to enjoy.

Bringing in segregations, incivility manipulations and inordinate calculation of favouritism is odd and obsolete. I will say and continue to preach it loud and clear to all and sundry, that what had happen to us and still happening as a result of these unnecessary turbulent of internal rumbling, should served as an eye opener to curtail, mystical like and unmystical like trouble, we are seeing or have seen.

Until we begin to see ourselves as brothers and sisters; irrespective of where we emanated from, we cannot move this country forward. End SARS, the joint task force group, and, other civic organizations and paramilitary organizations put together to fight insurgence should be a notice or a message to those that are still bill boarding tribalism, ethnicism and religionism. What we should know is that cannot do without each other-the Hausa and fulani man from the north cannot do without the Yoruba man from the west and the Yoruba man cannot do without the Igbo man, from the east-we all need each other.

Religionism is another biting insect that is causing more harm than good, falling back to originality, historian made us to know that Islam reach northern part of Nigeria in the 11th and 12th century through trade, migration and through the travels of the scholar-

mystic-wayfarer along trade routes, through the regions of Kanem-Bornu, Kanem Bornu before now had been in contact with Muslim traders as early as the 9th century. And while Christianity came in 4 years later, in 15th century by Augustinian and Capuchin monks from Portugal, the first mission of the Church of England was established in 1842 in Badagary by Henry Townsend. And two years after 17th century to be precise, the Roman Catholic missionaries, found their way to Nigeria. They came into cities like Benin and Warri where they preach.

Both the Islamic and Christianity religion had coexisted from time in this country; even though there are factions and fracas, which is basically caused by externals forces with their agenda of caliphatism, recruiting some unemployed and destitute individuals; especially youths to help in carrying out insurgence and unrest in most regions.

Even in the Christianity religion, there are factions. Factions cause by denominationalism, where the orthodox, despised the Protestant, the Evangelical looking down on the Pentecostal and vice versa. And this is carving a loop hole for discrimination and undignified unity and belief.

A situation whereby a Christian from another denomination can not vouch for another Christian, from another denomination, is unfathomable and very masterminding. And these can make these enemies of the state to waylay and aggravate their bombardment, and accomplish their planed agendas.

There was a time a general election was conducted in this country, a reverend minister from my hometown came up to contest in one of the parties, unfortunately for him, nobody voted for him according to the vote counts; and it was later discovered the reason behind his failure, was that his denomination was not a popular one.

Mister Peter Obi president aspirant from labour party is a catholic, most of the campaigning and visitation was also embracing the churches. Calling Christians to exercise their franchise, and above all even if he did not win the election, at less the unity of the church and other religions was obvious.

All these outline issues, should be taken into considerations, let us remember the scars of the civil war, which is still seen vividly clear; let us remember the dead of the innocents and our hero that had past, let us remember those who had not been able to get up from their falling stage as a result of our previous mistake and hold up to a new Nigeria that is united.

Every person in every geopolitical zone is one way or the other part of these triangular entities (tribe, ethnic and religion), and whether we like it or not these unite us as one. when we all hold unto our belief, when we don’t over rate a tribe above others and we don’t amplified our ethnicity in expense of others; what we will see is unity, progress and peace.

Procrastination: A great enemy of success

By Jimoh Hussain Kehinde

If you are rejected today, with your determination on , you will be considered tomorrow. A one time loser may be other time winner if he keeps trying. Be in the know that people have no interest in losers’ stories until they win. Putting off or delaying an action to a later time is regarded as procrastination. It has impacted peoples’ lives negatively. Using students as case study, most of them cannot correct the bad effect of procrastination in their academic endeavors. Several students missed opportunities that came their way by deferring them till later, meanwhile, postponement can never solve the issue but worsen it. Procrastination leads to stagnant success’s race and goals attainment. One should agree that procrastination is a barricade that blocks opportunity to succeed in endeavors;

it makes one regress and never progress.

There are distinguished opportunities out there that devoted and committed students have a chance to win. These include: Fellowship, capacity-building training, volunteerism, internship, leadership, mentorship, and a lot more. Ambitious students ought to learn, unlearn and relearn.

The positive-minded students are intrinsic with knowledge-broaden passion and believe that for them to achieve life achievements, dedication and consistency are required. Relentless efforts to secure opportunity and application for opportunity will surely bring about unimaginable success, while its otherwise can only bring about frivolity.

One should keep in mind that not all applications end with congratulations, some come with rejection. So, one

Gender and empowerment

By Suleiman Lawan Kolomi

Women’s empowerment cannot be regarded simply as the need to bring women into established power structures. Because it ignores the deeply held resistances facing marginalized groups around the world, and the vague attitudinal and structural barriers to collective action (power with) and generative power to support gender equality.

Development institutions like United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the World Bank, governmental agencies, national and international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) has given attention to empowerment, particularly for women and the poor over the recent decades. Empowerment was regarded as a weapon for the weak through participatory grassroots communitybased (NGOs); challenging unequal political, economic and social structures; empowerment integrates language and meanings; identities and cultural practices; forces that enhance power to act with others to fight for change in hostile and difficult environments. It also encapsulates moving away from the limits of a preoccupation.

In the mid-1990s, mainstream development agencies began to adopt the term empowerment and the language of participation in decision making process, partnership and many more. This reflected a growing concern that gender equality would not be achieved unless women could challenge toxic patriarchy and global inequality and inequity. To achieve this, women need to gain self-reliance and internal strength in order to determine choices in life and to influence the direction of change, through the ability to gain control over crucial material and non-material resources.

Consequently, there is need for a collective vision, a set of strategies and new methods for mobilizing political will and empowering women (and men) to transform society. Activists and Scholars from the global South argued that, there is need to precisely understand power and empowerment, that empowerment must be seen as ‘the process of challenging existing power relations and gaining greater control over the sources of power’. It requires political and collective action against cultural as well as national and community power structures that oppress women and some men, and consequently, transformative

shouldn’t give up on applying because quitters never win and winners never quit. We should endeavor to always do the right things at the right time and avoid postponing the opportunity to the next day because tomorrow may be too late.

If you are rejected today, with your determination on , you will be considered tomorrow. A one time loser may be other time winner if he keeps trying. Be in the know that people have no interest in losers’ stories until they win.

Procrastination is liable to kill students’ dreams and hinder their chances of becoming successful. Stop procrastination in order to actualize your dreams, set new goals and make focus, dedication, with a resilient mindset to attain your end. Strive today, enjoy the fruits forever!

Jimoh Hussain Kehinde is a Public Affairs Analyst.

political action. They further argued that empowerment is more than participation in decision making; it must also include the processes that lead people to perceive themselves as able and entitled to make decisions.

Therefore, women’s empowerment cannot be regarded simply as the need to bring women into established power structures. Because it ignores the deeply held resistances facing marginalized groups around the world, and the vague attitudinal and structural barriers to collective action (power with) and generative power to support gender equality.

Empowerment as a whole and particularly as part of the struggle for gender equality around the world, continues to be a development concern, both for policy and implementation; and inclusion of men and masculinity as well as attention to cultural differences and economic empowerment is a welcome expansion of the term and key to addressing gender empowerment in an increasingly complex, global and unequal world.

Suleiman Lawan Kolomi, (M.Sc. in view) is of the Department of Sociology, Bayero University, Kano and can be reached at suleimankolomi@gmail.com

Women support in tech can be a booster to economic growth

By Caleb Onah

The country’s Gender and Development Policy (2018-2030) aims to address gender disparities and inequality, eliminate discrimination, combat gender-based violence, and reduce poverty from a genderequality perspective. Lesotho has also enacted acts that tackle underlying challenges rooted in social norms and legal barriers – which is a step Nigeria can follow.

The future of nations, businesses and individuals will depend more than ever on their adoption of technology. Economic dynamism and wealth creation in developed countries is closely linked to technological advances as well as innovation and digital transformation. Today, most of the largest companies by market capitalisation in the world are technology companies that derive most of their revenue from the digital ecosystems they have created. This is a significant change between the early 2000s and today.

However, active involvement of women and girls in digital technology and innovation, as well as their engagement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), is of great importance to global economies and the transition towards sustainability. This was highlighted by ministers and government officials during a United Nations general discussion at the sixtyseventh session of the Commission on the Status of Women.

Dorothy Estrada Tanck, Chair of the Working Group of the Human Rights Council on discrimination against women and girls, emphasized the crucial roles played by girls and young women worldwide as human rights defenders and agents of change. Often excluded from formal decision-making processes, they find other ways to participate in public life, including online spaces.

However, they face various challenges such as limited

access to education, professional training, and economic opportunities. Smriti Irani, the Minister for Women and Children Development of India, highlighted the initiatives in her country that promote science and technology education for girls, with approximately 123 million girls enrolled in such programs.

Additionally, efforts are being made to train rural women and marginalized individuals in using mobile phones and other critical tools. Unlike many other parts of the world, India has achieved near gender parity in STEM engagement. Irani mentioned the “STEM Stars” online campaign, which celebrates women who have excelled in science and technology.

Anna Koukkides-Procopiou, the Minister for Justice and Public Order of Cyprus, emphasized that the education and training of women in information technologies are key components of Cyprus’ national action plan for gender equality. Increasing women’s participation in the digital sector could lead to a significant boost of €16 billion in the European Union’s gross domestic product (GDP). She called for bridging the gender digital divide, promoting female employment and entrepreneurship, and addressing labour market inequalities to enhance women’s professional prospects and their active participation in society. In contrast to many countries in Europe, North America, and Asia, several African countries, including Nigeria, have faced challenges in technological innovation.

To build a strong foundation for economic growth, experts in Nigeria emphasised the need for consistent investments in research and development. The information and communication technology (ICT) sector has shown substantial growth, contributing 18.44% to Nigeria’s GDP in the second quarter of 2022, compared to less than 1% in 2001. However, the tech ecosystem in Nigeria remains

predominantly male-dominated, with only a small number of women participating.

Research conducted by the ONE Campaign and the Centre for Global Development revealed that only about 30% of surveyed technology companies in Nigeria are owned by women, and a significant portion of these companies employ no women at all. Nigeria’s low ranking in the 2021 Global Gender Gap Report at 139 out of 153 countries highlights the uneven representation of men and women in the country’s technology ecosystem.

This disparity can be attributed to factors such as poverty, cultural biases against girl-child education, and a lack of funding and mentorship opportunities for womenled ventures. However, promoting women’s participation in technology is crucial not only for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5 of gender equality by 2030 but also for fostering innovation through diverse perspectives.

Further, Pitso Lesaoana, the Minister for Gender, Youth, Sports, Arts, Culture, and Social Development of Lesotho, highlighted the challenges faced by rural communities in accessing digital tools due to infrastructural limitations, affordability issues, and a lack of education. However, many women in Lesotho benefit from mobile commerce, media and financial services.

The country’s Gender and Development Policy (20182030) aims to address gender disparities and inequality, eliminate discrimination, combat gender-based violence, and reduce poverty from a gender-equality perspective. Lesotho has also enacted acts that tackle underlying challenges rooted in social norms and legal barriers –which is a step Nigeria can follow.

Caleb Onah is a Public Affairs Analyst.

Niger Gov. swears in NNPP candidate as Gurara Council Chairman

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Niger state Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has advised all political parties in the state to respect their party’s internal democracy so as to avoid litigation.

The Governor stated this at the swearing in ceremony of the chairman Guarara local Government AbdulHalim Abubakar of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

The event was presided over by the Niger State Chief Judge, Justice Halima AbdulMalik represented by Justice Maria Mahmud at the government House Minna.

Represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Ketso charged the newly sworn in chairman to carry everyone along in the discharge of his local Government administration,as well as urged him to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of his constituency.

The newly sworn in chairman assured to operate an open door policy ,respect the rule of law and defend the constitution.

New York City Mayor visits Nigeria Sunday

New York City Mayor Eric Adams will arrive in Nigeria on Sunday for a two-day visit as part of his tour to Africa.

Consul-General of Nigeria in New York, Amb. Lot Egopija disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in New York.

Egopija said the mayor would be attending the Nigeria Governors’ Forum meeting in Abuja during the visit.

“He will be visiting the Minister of FCT to commence

sister city relationship between the city of Abuja and New York,’’ he said.

A sister city or a twin town relationship is a form of legal or social agreement between two geographically and politically distinct localities for the purpose of promoting cultural and commercial ties.

According to him, Eric Adams will also be paying courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs and also meet with business community in the FCT.

NAN reports that Egopija had in January briefed Adams, at a meeting of African Consuls General, on areas of interest on the sister city relationship with New York.

“We have started an engagement on the need to have the sister city relationship between the City of New York and the FCT.

“We want a situation whereby the city of Abuja and New York are able to partner in area of education, fire service, medical support and other

social services.

“Also, cultural engagement, the mayor has taken due note of my suggestion and said, the city would be willing to collaborate with the mission, especially as it relates to our desire to promote the “Seki dance”.

“The Seki dance troupe and America Tap dance, which have similarity: the origin of America Tap dance has been attributed to come from Niger Delta region of Nigeria,’’ Egopija told NAN. (NAN)

AIYPF condemned the APC zoning formula of Deputy Speaker to Abia

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Amalgamated Igbo

Youth Progressive Forum has condemned the decision of the Leadership of the All Progressive Congress APC to zone the Deputy Speakership slot to Abia State describing it as unjustifiable and not in the interest of the Igbo race.

In a press statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday the forum frowned at the decision of the APC to nominate Hon Benjamin Kalu from Abia state as the

party’s choice for the deputy speaker seat.

The truth of the matter is that, “We dont know who Hon Kalu is, and we are sure he will not represent or protect the interest of the Igbos in the House.

“What we know of him is that he has lived in South Africa and Australia and only came to Nigeria to contest election”.

He has never contributed anything to the igbo cause and struggles, as such, “we believe if he is there as a Deputy

Speaker, our interest will not be protected”.

According to the National President of the Forum, Comrade Charles Nonso Okoye, “We are shocked that the APC bypassed popular, loyal and committed party members who are in the house to pick Hon Kalu”.

Hon members who fought for the party, who ensured the party made appreciable impact in the last election are there. What are the criteria for choosing Kalu?

We call on the national

leadership of the party to with out delay rescind that unpopuler decision and allow the House to pick who they want as their Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively.

The Era of imposition is over and we call on all party members from the South East in the House of Representatives to be united and fight against imposition.

The South East boast of credible and committed party members and we call on the APC to look around again and make the best choice for the south east.

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Benue State Governorelect Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has said a new Benue is possible under his administration.

The incoming Govermor gave the assurance yesterday in Makurdi while inaugurating 12 sub committees for May 29 handing over day.

According to him, the committees are to plan for a successive inauguration and urged the members to get down to work and yield result.

Fr. Alia noted that in spite of the challenges faced with the outgoing administrstion in the transition process, he is optimistic of a smooth transition.

He called for collaboration and cooperation amongst the committee members, reminding them to see their choice as a leverage to serve in trust and very transparently work for the rest of Benue people.

L-R: (front row) The President, African Emancipation Movement for Good Governance, Hon. Lucky Obiyan, Convener, Free Nigeria Movement (FNM), Dr Moses Paul , other members of the Movement, Comrade Oby Elekwa, Hon. Austin Attah , Comrade Angel Innocent and other members of the group, during the FNM World press conference calling on the Judicial officers to do Justice on the Presidential Election petitions as they resume hearing on it , held yesterday in Abuja.

Gombe APC state exco endorses expulsion of Goje, two others from party

From David Hassan, Gombe

Gombe All Progressives Congress (APC) state Executive committee said it is satisfied with the expulsion of Sen. Mohammad Danjuma Goje representing

Gombe central, Sen. Bulus K. Amos representing Gombe south and Hon. Yunusa Ahmed Abubaker representing Yamaltu Deba federal constituency in the National Assembly for anti-party activities at the just concluded general elections.

The Public Relations Officer of Gombe state All Progressives Congress Mr. Moses Kyari made this known on Monday while briefing Journalists.

He said after following the reports from both wards asking for their expulsion

from the party, the state exco of the party was satisfied with their complains and decided to endorse their expulsion.

According to him, the decision took place during a meeting of state executive committee where the accused were expelled.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

A new Benue is possible — Benue Governorelect, Fr. Alia

Ex senators Forum backs Akpabio for Senate President in 10th Assembly

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Forum of Non Serving Senators of the Second

to the Fourth Republics yesterday urged all those aspiring for the position of Senate President in the 10th Assembly to withdraw and support former governor of Akwa Ibom state, Godswill Akpabio, to emerge in the forthcoming June 13 election of Senate President.

In a communique read by the Convener of the group, Bashir Lado, the forum said for peace and equity, Akpabio is the right candidate for the position,

adding that the position of Deputy Senate President should be zoned to the Northwest, and zeroed in Senator Barau Jibril.

“We, in the spirit of equity, fairness, political expediency and following extensive consultations with stakeholders, hereby express our total support for the zoning of the position of the President of the 10th Senate, to the South-South geo-political zone of Nigeria.

“We also affirm our unfettered support for the position of the President of the 10th Senate who also doubles as the Chairman of the National Assembly to be

Lawan tasks ECOWAS

By Musa Baba Adamu

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has called on the Economic Community

Of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament to tackle all forms of insecurity arising from acts of terrorism, ethnic conflicts and trans-border crime within the subregion.

Lawan, in an address delivered at the 2023 First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament, in Abuja, said job creation and the stimulation of multipliers needed for economic growth cannot be realised in view of the problems created by insecurity.

“The objectives of the ECOWAS parliament envisage

conferred on His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON.

“The position of Senate President represents the third position in hierarchy of our current democratic dispensation.

“This position carries considerable weight in discharging vital constitutional responsibilities and for charting the right course for our national development.

“It is also important that the holder of such a position enjoys the confidence and support of the party leadership and that of his peers as Senator Godswill

Akpabio undoubtedly does.

“With this same spirit of fairness, we also affirm our solid support that the position of Deputy President of the 10th Senate be conceded to Distinguished Senator Barau I. Jubril, CON, representing Kano North Senatorial Zone, Kano State.

“It is our conviction that a diverse and united legislative leadership is critical to good governance.

“At a trying period in our nation’s political history, the National Assembly requires experienced and level headed

Parliament on security, accountability in governance

a multi leveled approach to development, which is why we consider matters of politics, economics, culture and social cohesion in our deliberations.

“As I have always said, our ability to achieve these is a function of how well we reinforce our purpose, which is why the concern for ECOWAS protocol on the Free Movement of Persons and Goods will remain important.

“Matters of insecurity and conflicts require continuous attention, just as the liberty to move between member nations is helpful to economic growth, apart from growing attendant benefits like job creation, the stimulation of economic multipliers and our collective better well-being.

“We cannot realise this with insecurity and ethno religious scuffles, which is why we are charged to be examining all angles to it so as to make the rightful interventions. This is surely possible given our combined zeal”, he said.

The Senate President noted that the 2023 First Ordinary Session presented an opportunity for parliamentarians across the West African sub-region to collaborate on economic integration and the deepening of democracy.

He also charged the ECOWAS Parliament to ensure accountability in governance among member states, the implementation of trade

agreements and protocols, the need to stem irregular migration, as well as sustain the fight against diseases.

“This First Ordinary Session for the year 2023 will, as usual, assists us in making a plan for the time immediately ahead, especially concerning areas like terrorism, extremism, and the implementation of trade agreements and protocols.

“The areas of irregular migration, the fight against diseases, drought, and the quest to entrench accountability in our governance systems are also integral. I am confident we are prepared to make our inputs for lasting solutions to the challenges”, Lawan added.

SERG carpets APC over choice of 10th Assembly leadership

By Christiana Ekpa

Asociopolitical pressure organisation, the South East Revival Group (SERG) has frowned at the incoming executive’s interference in the choice of the elective leadership of the 10th National Assembly through the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), urging opposition lawmakers and the “excluded North Central to work together with other aggrieved political blocs to elect leaders of the 10th National Assembly based on competence, justice and equity.”

In its reaction to the nomination of individuals as preferred lawmakers for various

elective legislative offices in the incoming National Assembly, the SERG in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Willy Ezugwu, the group noted that “the list released by the APC shows clearly that the party has learnt no lesson from its politics of exclusion in since 2015.”

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC had on Monday announced the zoning of the leadership of the 10th National Assembly.

According to a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka, the zoning arrangement as reported to the party’s NWC, indicated that the Senate President — Senator

Godswill Akpabio (South-South, Akwa Ibom); Deputy Senate President — Senator Barau Jubrin (North West, Kano; Speaker of the House of Representatives — Hon. Abbas Tajudeen (North West, Kaduna); and Deputy Speaker — Hon. Ben Kalu (South East, Abia).

The SERG noted that “the announcement of the zoning arrangement after a so-called consultations and meetings held with the President-Elect, Bola Tinubu, and other stakeholders is an effort to impose a rubber stamp national legislative leadership on the lawmakers.

“Micro-zoning the elective offices to individuals has tactically arm-twisted the members of

leaders at the helm of its affairs.

“Gentlemen of the press, as you are all aware, the stakes are high and that a successful transition to a new political dispensation is key in ensuring national unity, cohesion and overall progress as one nation.

“In view of the above, we wish to respectfully appeal to all other aspirants to these key positions to kindly support our position by withdrawing their respective bids.

“We believe that their withdrawal and cooperation will reduce the acrimony that commonly characterises the jostle for power in the National Assembly amongst the geopolitical zones

“This will go a long way in ensuring a peaceful and smooth take-off of the incoming administration”, the forum said in the communique read by its Convener, Bashir Lado.

While pointing out that they decided to make their position known given the recent developments will no doubt affect progress of Nigeria, the forum commended President Muhammadu Buhari for providing exceptional leadership over a very challenging period of national journey.

“We also wish to congratulate and extend our best wishes to the incoming President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his excellent electoral campaign and well deserved victory.

“We believe that our President Elect H.E. Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu is an inspirational leader with a clear vision. His Excellency has consistently demonstrated a high sense of responsibility, maturity, doggedness and empathy. These attributes are imperatives for effective leadership and good governance.

the National Assembly and denied them the constitutionally guaranteed right to choose their leaders from among themselves.

“The party threw justice, equity and rule of law to the wind by not only excluding the South East from the Senate Presidency but also gave zero allocation of elective slots to the North Central zone.

“We therefore call on the opposition parties and the excluded regions to form a formidable alliance and elect principal officers of the 10th National Assembly in the interest of good governance and the wellbeing of the masses”, the SERG said.

“We also acknowledge the articulate, focused and able Vice President-elect, H.E. Senator Kashim Shettima Mustapha whose contributions, political weight and wise support contributed in no small measure to the success we are celebrating today.

“We must also recognise the tireless efforts of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, H.E. Senator Abdullahi Adamu, CON, as well as commitment of members of the NWC who demonstrated wisdom and fair play that successfully guided our party to this critical stage in our political development.

By Christiana Ekpa

Aspiration of Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, Hon. Aliyu Betara, has received a boost with the condemnation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) choice of Abbas Tajudeen for Speaker of the 10th Assembly by strategic members who are also in the race.

Betara’s declaration on Monday

Your expulsion part of disciplinary C’ttee’s report – NNPP tells

Oginni, ex-Ogun chair

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The national leadership of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has explained the rationale behind the expulsion of the former chairman of the party in Ogun State, Olaposi Sunday Oginni.

The party explained that the former chairman’s expulsion was based on the report of the Disciplinary Committee.

The party made these declarations in a letter addressed to Oginni.

The letter was made available to journàlists on Tuesday.

The expulsion letter was signed by the national secretary of the party, Dipo Olayoku.

It was learnt that the party had earlier suspended the chairman along with his Delta State counterpart.

The party said that the decision was reached by the National Working Committee (NWC) in its emergency meeting on Thursday, April 27, 2023.

The party noted that the expulsion followed the report of the disciplinary committee set up to investigate allegations of anti-party activities and other malpractices against the expelled chairman.

The party added that the embattled chairman failed to appear before the committee on two occasions when he was invited to explain his side of the allegations of anti-party activities and other misdemeanours levelled against him.

The party maintained that the expelled chairman resorted to abuses against the leadership of the party.

NNPP said: “Your expulsion followed the report of the Disciplinary Committee set up to investigate allegations of

Reps: Wase, Doguwa reject APC choice of Tajudeen, backs Betara for 10th Speaker

night was attended by Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase, Majority Leader, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Chairman of the Committee on Navy, Yusuf Gagdi and Hon. Sada Soli, both of whom have declared their intention to run for Speakership of the 10th Assembly.

Wase, during his goodwill message, faulted APC’s choice of Abbas, whom he said was not known to members of the House, urging his colleagues to guard against any attempt at hijacking the parliament.

“Again, I want to add that we are here to ensure the independence of the parliament. To ensure that we work together. Every Parliamentarian must rise to the occasion. We will work as a team. We will not allow this parliament to be hijacked. We will not allow this parliament to be made a lame

duck. I believe we are loyal to our country first, loyal to our party and loyal to our people.”

Also speaking, Doguwa said the parliament must always be allowed to choose its leaders, noting that it was not for outsiders to decide who leads the House.

“One message I want to send across is that the parliament is one institution that must always be allowed to choose its own leaders. The business of our leadership should be solely our business and no other person’s business.

Betara in his speech said he was working in collaboration with other aspirants for the project.

“My name is Muktar Aliyu Betara. I am from Borno State. Much has been said about Betara. I invited all of you here to declare for the speakership of the 10th Assembly. I am supposed to read this my

speech but I think it will take time. All has been said about me. The most important thing today is for me to declare that I am contesting for the speakership.

“Today is our day for memberselect and for former members of the parliament. You are seeing all the aspirants here. They came to support me because we are one family. We are moving as a group. We have been in the system for years. I was a member in the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Assemblies.”

Also speaking, Director General of the Betara Campaign Organization, Hon. Dickson Tarkigir said “our constituents and indeed Nigerians are expecting us to break new grounds and approach the new horizon that will be symbolized by life made better for our constituents, and our nation as the ultimate justification

for being elected.

“It has been said that to know a healthy fish, check the head, this simple test, instructively is not for fishes alone, but will be apposite in our situation today, to realise that the nature of the personality who leads the 10th assembly House of Representatives, will substantially influence us to succeed or otherwise as individual members and corporately as the House of Representatives.

“It then behooves on us to realise that we must ensure that we elect the next speaker with clarity of thought and sufficient information on a number of parameters. To assume that just anyone can do the job will be taking a shot in the dark, and that will be failing in our duty.

“The decision must therefore be made consciously, without fear or favour, or ill will”, he said.

Lawan

outlines how 9th Assembly excels in lawmaking

By Musa Baba Adamu

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan has given an account of how the Ninth National Assembly outperformed its predecessors.

In a keynote address to formally declare open an induction programme for the members-elect of the incoming 10th National Assembly, Lawan said the Ninth Assembly had performed “exceedingly well” in terms of the number and quality of the bills introduced, passed and assented to.

“As of July 2022, a total of 874 Bills were introduced in the Senate, out of which 162 were passed,” Lawan told memberselect of the 10th Assembly gathered in Abuja on Monday for the induction programme ahead

of their inauguration in June.

“Remarkably, 104 Bills of the Ninth Senate have been assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari, making this significantly higher than those of previous Assemblies, which recorded 31 for the Fourth Assembly, 98 for the Fifth Assembly, 52 for the Sixth Assembly, 60 for the Seventh Assembly and 74 for the Eighth Assembly.

“And that tells you when the two arms of government come together, working together, partnering and synergiszing to ensure that services are provided for the citizens, government delivers services better, more efficiently and more effectively,” he said.

Lawan stated further that at the onset in 2019, the Ninth Senate was mindful of the

damaging effect of persistent conflict with the Executive and the resultant impact on legislative activities.

He said they were equally aware that a good working relationship is desirable and indeed imperative to achieve effective and efficient service delivery to the people.

“Hence under my leadership, the Ninth National Assembly adopted a friendly but professional approach to Executive-Legislstive relations focused on harmonious working relationship based on mutual respect, consultation, cooperation, collaboration and partnership,” Lawan said.

The Senate President listed some of the landmark achievements of the Ninth Assembly and further justified why they opted for an harmonious

work relationship with the executive arm of government.

These include Deep offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract (Amendment) Act, 2019, Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, Company and Allied Matters Act, 2020, Finance Act, 2020, and a host of others.

“When we came in 2019, our experience in the Eighth Assembly and even before the Eighth Assembly was not that kind of experience that we would like to continue especially in the area of budget processing and passage.

“In the past, budget could be passed in the National Assembly maybe in May of the following year. So almost half of the year is gone without a budget being implemented.

Speakership Aspirant, Hon. Muktar Betara (Middle) with members elect, during the Betara’s Speakership Declaration for the 10th Assembly, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Osun guber: PDP congratulates Gov. Adeleke on victory at Supreme Court

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has congratulated the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, over his victory at the Supreme Court which upheld his election as the duly elected Governor of the State at the July 16, 2022 Governorship poll.

The party, in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon Debo Ologunagba, declared that

the verdict of the Supreme Court, the highest court in our country, “serves as the ultimate triumph of the Will of the people of Osun State as expressed at the Polling Units, in their resolve to free their State from oppressive, retrogressive and anti-people forces”.

Continuing, the PDP said, “The judgment of the Supreme Court has further restored the confidence Nigerians repose in the institution of the Judiciary and the hope for the sustenance

of democracy in our country.

“The PDP commends the Supreme Court for its courage in upholding justice and reaffirming the saying that “the Judiciary is the last hope of the common man.”

“Our Party congratulates the good people of Osun State and restate its charge to Governor Adeleke to continue in his stride to reposition and rebuild the State in line with the people-oriented policies, programmes and manifesto of the PDP”, it said.

Opposition parties pick 13-man C’ttee to select Reps Speaker, Deputy in one week

By Christiana Ekpa

Opposition parties in the incoming 10th National Assembly with the sobriquet “Greater Majority” has unveiled a 13 man committee to shortlist, screen and eventually recommend speakership and deputy speakership candidates from amongst them.

Recall that the parties last week rose from a meeting and resolved to contest for the top positions in the 10th House of Representatives.

In a statement released in Abuja on Monday by the minority caucus signed by the trio of its spokesmen: Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, Hon. Dachung Bagos and Hon. Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi, the opposition parties said it had the numerical strength of 183 to square up with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) which has 177 members.

The opposition named Hon. Nicholas Mutu as Chairman, and Hon. Afam Victor Ogene as Secretary of the screening committee.

Members of the screening committee are Rt. Hon Nicholas Mutu; Hon. Abdulmumini Jibrin (Deputy Chairman, NNPP); Hon. Oluwole Oke Member (PDP); Hon. Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi (Member, SDP); Hon. Beni Lar (Member PDP); Hon. Dr. Ali Isa JC (Member, PDP); Hon. Kabiru Alhassan Rurum (Member, NNPP ); Hon. Donatus Mathew Kuzalio (Member LP); Hon. Yusuf Salisu Majigiri (Member PDP); Hon. Nnabuife Chinwe Clara (Member YPP); Hon. Gwacham Maureen Chinwe

(Member APGA); Hon. Idris Salman Member ADC) and Hon. Afam Ogene (Secretary LP).

The statement read in parts: “Barely one week ago, precisely on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, We, the seven political parties which make up the minority bloc of the 10th Assembly of the House of Representatives, announced to the Nigerian people, via your different media organs, that it would, ultimately, seek to field candidates for the offices of Speaker and Deputy Speaker from

among our ranks.

“This position has largely been foisted on the emergent 10th Assembly by the discordant tunes coming from the stable of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

“Conscious, however, of the common pact which our respective political parties have with the Nigerian people, to wit, ‘holding government accountable to the people,’ we resolved to step into

the arena, by offering credible and alternative leadership options.

“Our position is further bouyed by our dominant numerical strength, which by parliamentary ethos, precedent and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, As amended, allows us to contest the Presiding Officers position.

“Since emerging as the “Greater Majority,” with a

combined members-elect tally of 183, as against the APC’s total of 177, history beckons on us to constructively, and creatively, chart the path towards the deepening of our nation’s democracy.

“Consequently, and in keeping with it’s resolve in that regard, the “Greater Majority” of the 10th House of Representatives has put together an 11-man Committee

- complemented by a chairman and secretary - charged with the task of shortlisting, screening and eventual recommendation of aspirants for the Speakership and Deputy Speaker positions.

“With a long-standing member of the House of Representatives, the Rt. Hon. Nicholas Mutu as Chairman, and Hon. Afam Victor Ogene as Secretary, the Committee has one week to turn in its report.”

I’ll be people’s governor – Adeleke declares after victory at Supreme Court

By Musa Baba Adamu

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has reacted to the Supreme Court judgement, which affirmed his victory as the winner of the July 16 gubernatorial election in the state. Adeleke said he will commit to more expanded delivery of good governance.

The governor stated this following his victory at the Supreme Court on Tuesday. Recall that the apex court had dismissed the appeal by the immediate past governor of the state, Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress, APC, challenging Adeleke’s victory.

In a judgment delivered on

Tuesday by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court ruled that Oyetola predicated all his allegations against the election on baseless and unfounded hearsay.

Adeleke said he seeks the support and cooperation of all Osun residents and citizens irrespective of party affiliation.

He said: “My Lord Justices, your affirmation of the truth and

people’s will consolidates and strengthens our democracy. On behalf of [the] Osun people, we appreciate you and we adore your love for justice and equity.

“To us, stakeholders in the Osun project, be assured that the revalidation of our mandate is a challenge, a call to duty, and a fresh demand for more dividends of democracy.

Kogi Assembly candidates dump PDP after losing election

By Musa Baba Adamu

Three Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members who contested Kogi House of Assembly seats have resigned from the party.

Sunday Maiyaki, Daniel Jones and Joseph Olupeka dumped the party weeks after

losing the March 18 election.

The candidates addressed their letters of resignation to the PDP Chairmen of their various wards on Tuesday.

Maiyaki was the candidate for Yagba West, Jones vied for the Mopamuro constituency seat; Olupeka was the candidate for the Ijumu constituency.

“The slogan ‘Power to the People’ is now ‘Power to the Few’,” Maiyaki told the PDP Chairman in Odo-Eri/Okoto Ward, Odo-Eri, Yagba West LGA.

The politician said he had been a member since the first National Convention in Jos in 1998, but “can no longer cope

with the array of impunity”.

Jones addressed his letter to the Chairman in Ward 03, Mopamuro LGA, and wished the party well “in its future assignments”.

Olupeka wrote to the PDP Chairman in Ileteju/Origa Ward, Ijumu LGA, and like others, submitted his membership card.

APC suspends 14 members over alleged anti-party activities in Kaduna

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Afaka branch of the All Progressives Party (APC) in the Igabi local government of Kaduna State has suspended 14 members for alleged offences bordering on anti-party activities.

A statement jointly signed by the Afaka ward chairman, Mr Auwal Adamu, and the secretary,

Ismail Yahaya, and made available to journalists in Kaduna stated that the committee has deterred them from participating in all party activities in the party in the Afaka ward and also suspended them for being members of the party in Afaka.

The statement further explains, “By virtue of their actions against article 21 .3 (I $ ii) of the 2014

APC constitutions amended, an invitation letter with reference no. APC/AFK/W/IG/S/12 dated 30th may 2023 was sent to them which required their appearance before the disciplinary committee and respond to the panel, which they failed to do so,’”

Those affected, according to the statement, are Jamilu Abdullahi, Shafi’u Hassan, Ahmed M. Sani

Bebeji, Mustapha Abdurrashid, Abubakar Ahmed Tijjani, others are Lawal Abubakar, Mustapa Sambo, Sama’ila Aliyu, Suleiman A. Alhassan, Abdullahi Dan’uwani, Muh’d Jameel Mustapha, Sani Rabiu, Balarabe Bako and Muhammad Tabulate.

The statement explained that the suspension of the party’s members is with immediate effect.

Gov. Adeleke

WhatsApp launches payment within app in Singapore

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

Following the launch in India and Brazil, WhatsApp is reportedly launching making payments within a chat in Singapore.

The tech company is said to have partnered with Stripe, a digital payment company, to roll out the feature in the region.

WhatsApp has built this payment feature using Stripe Connect and Stripe Checkout solutions, making in-app payments available online and offline, Tech Crunch reports.

Customers will now be able to pay businesses using credit cards, debit cards, or Singapore’s PayNow fund transfer system.

However, Meta stated that the feature is only available to a few businesses at the moment but it plans to expand the availability to more merchants over the coming months.

This feature can be set up by businesses through WhatsApp Business which will guide them on getting a Stripe account too.

The regional head and managing director for Southeast Asia at Stripe, Sarita Singh, said in a statement to Tech Crunch said, “Most people I know in Singapore use WhatsApp to chat with each other. Now, they can pay local businesses using the app as well. The speed and convenience of payments through WhatsApp will help businesses expand their revenue streams with new channels and access a wider customer base.”

The WhatsApp payment was first launched in India based on the country’s Unified Payment Interface network in 2020 in test mode. Last month, it also launched merchant payments in Brazil, after allowing peer-topeer payments for about three years. The WhatsApp payment was first launched in India based on the country’s Unified Payment Io-peer payments for about three years.

We’ll penalise shipping companies exporting undocumented cargoes, says CBN

From Abubakar Yunusa, Abuja

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has threatened to penalise shipping companies exporting undocumented cargoes from the country.

Godwin Emefiele, CBN governor, spoke at the RT200 Non-Oil Export Summit 2023 on Tuesday in Abuja.

The summit is themed ‘RT200: Challenges and Prospects’.

Emefiele said the development of the non-oil export sector is crucial given that it holds vast potential for generating a significant amount of foreign exchange earnings.

He said the CBN regularly monitors and appeals to exporters to document their

exports and repatriate proceeds so it can be utilised optimally for the benefit of the country’s economy.

He, however, said the apex bank was aware that some people try as much as possible to sidetrack the process by attempting to export their cargo without documentation.

“About three years ago, I had a meeting at the Central Bank of Nigeria in Lagos with the shipping lines. I had said the central bank will be beaming some satellites on undocumented exports,” Emefiele said.

“We had advised the shipping lines at that meeting that we will also be monitoring and if we find that they export cargo without documentation that we will penalise them including

Nigeria, others need $7.5bn

From Abubakar Yunusa,Abuja

To displace charcoal with clean cooking gas, also known as Liquefied Petroleum Gas, would cost Nigeria and other countries in Africa about $7.5bn for downstream infrastructure and stoves, the African Refiners and Distributors Association has said.

It also stated that the continent remained the lowest in per capita consumption despite its huge abundance of gas, stressing that it was high time stakeholders came up with finance strategies and solutions to address the bottlenecks to clean cooking gas usage on the continent.

The Executive Secretary, ARDA, Anibor Kragha, who disclosed this during an LPG virtual workshop by the group, stated that while sub-Saharan Africa had 14.4 per cent of the world’s population, it had less than one per cent of global LPG consumption.

“Many countries have little or no bulk handling facilities,” Kragha stated.

He, however, noted that LPG consumption in Africa had more than doubled since 2010, noting that the consumption recorded 9.7 per cent annual growth rate over the past decade.

He said Nigeria remained the largest LPG consumer, adding that LPG was the fastest growing petroleum product in sub-Saharan

placing their accounts on postno-debit (PND).

“We have so far not done anything like that just because we feel that the shipping lines will be responsible to do what is right. But, if we do not see the kind of cooperation that we expect, I’d have to insist that we do what we need to do.”

Speaking on the success of the RT 200, the CBN governor said earnings from non-oil exports increased by 40 percent from $3 billion in 2021 to $5.6 billion at the end of 2022.

The RT200FX programme was introduced to stimulate non-oil exports with a $200 billion FX income target in the next three to five years.

“Today, I am happy to note that the RTX 200 programme has led to tremendous progress

in export proceeds repatriation since its establishment in February 2022,” Emefiele said.

“In February of 2022 and March, it was only N62 million. By the second quarter, which was April to June, it had risen to about 600 million. By the third quarter, (July to August or September), it had risen to over 900 million.

“Available data shows that repatriation due to the programme increased by 40% from $3 billion in 2021 to $5.6 billion at the end of 2022.

“The momentum for 2023 is equally issuing strong numbers and impressive prospects. In the first quarter of 2023, a total of $1.7 billion was repatriated to the economy, while about $970 million was sold into the I&E window.”

to deepen LPG usage – Refiners

Africa.

The Vice President, LPG, Europe, Middle East and Africa at Argus, David Appleton, said cooking gas was critical to energy security in Africa.

He noted that safety, pricing, culture and finance were critical to the growth of the sector in Africa, stressing further that infrastructure development remained a key issue.

Appleton said investors in the sector would definitely expect returns on investments, adding that there must be a way to derisked investments as much as possible.

He said Africa must think about long term investments and that there was a need for regulatory progress and consistency.

The Senior Associate, Investments, African Finance Corporation, Moussa Dabo, who disclosed at the event that the firm had invested $10.5bn across 36 countries in Africa, said there was need to improve governance and institutions for Africa to attract investments.

Dabo noted that lenders were more comfortable lending to organisations that were willing to establish the best-in-class business practices.

According to him, stability and practicability of cash flow could significantly help reduce cost of financing, while driving more investment into LPG.

“Securing favourable,

diversified and long term supply contracts with established global traders is necessary and players in the sector should recalibrate their capital structure before seeking financing,” Debo stated, as he explained that equity injection in the business could help lower financing costs.

Also, in a presentation by Wagl Energy Limited, stakeholders at the company noted that the potential for LPG consumption in Africa could improve if the continent was committed to solving challenges in the areas of gas production that prioritised local market, shipping, storage as well as distribution to other endusers.

The company explained that

the inadequate number of LPG vessels owned and managed by sub-Saharan African companies was one of the infrastructure issues facing LPG growth in the region.

It decried the limited LPG storage facilities in the region, stressing that several ports and jetties in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in places such as Nigeria, also had draft restrictions, with their drafts tending to range between 8 – 8.5m.

The gas firm further noted that of the three challenges, the greatest opportunity was in solving the storage bottleneck, as the sub-Saharan region was suffering from a severe lack of LPG storage facilities.

Crude oil buyers should pay Nigeria in Naira, not Dollar – Human Right Lawyer

From Abubakar Yunusa, Abuja

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has condemned what he described as the dollarisation of the Nigerian economy, adding that the country has no business selling crude oil in dollars.

He said he has led a campaign against the dollarisation of the economy to the leadership of

the Central Bank of Nigeria who have promised to address the situation but have been unable to do so.

Falana, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, also questioned the position of Nigeria amid the quest by the BRICS countries and others to introduce an international currency to challenge the dollar.

“Along our campaign (against dollarization of the economy), the world is moving. The BRICS is now campaigning that it is going to have an international currency to challenge the dollar. About 24 countries have applied to join the body in their next summit that will take place in South Africa. I am simply asking, what is the position of Nigeria?

“Have we reduced ourselves

to the footnote of history as far as international affairs are concerned? When you look at section 19 E of the Constitution, provides that it shall be the duty of the government of Nigeria to promote a new international economic order and that is and that is the world before us.

“We have no business selling our oil, gas, and other products in dollars, we are supposed to ask the buyers to

Nigeria suffers first oil production fall in seven months

From Abubakar Yunusa, Abuja

Nigeria’s crude oil output dropped by 38,102 barrels per day in March, translating to a cumulative loss of about 1,181,162 barrels in the month under review, and signalled the first plunge in oil production since the last seven months.

Industry data obtained in Abuja on Monday showed that Nigeria’s oil production had been on the rise since September 2022, following concerted efforts by the Federal Government and stakeholders to curb oil theft in the sector.

The rise in oil output was, however, not sustained in March, as latest figures from the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission indicated that while the country pumped 1,306,304 barrels of crude daily in February, the volume dropped to 1,268,202 barrels per day in March.

This indicated a decrease of 38,102 barrels daily, which implies that Nigeria lost a total of about 1,181,162 barrels of crude in March.

In monetary terms, data from Country Economy, a

global statistical firm, showed that the average cost of Brent, the international benchmark for oil, in March 2023, was $78.43/ barrel.

Therefore by losing 1,181,162 barrels in March, Nigeria failed to earn a total of $92,638,535.66 (N42.71bn at the official exchange rate of N461/$), during the period under review.

Nigeria recorded its lowest oil production volume of 0.937 million barrels per day in September 2022. The Federal Government and oil sector players blamed this on the massive crude theft in Nigeria’s oil rich Niger Delta.

The situation also led to humongous revenue losses for the country, international oil companies operating in NIgeria, as well as indigenous operators in the industry.

But the country’s oil output started improving after September, following concerted efforts by security officials and oil operators, as industry figures showed that crude production rose to 1.014 million barrels per day in October.

This indicated an increase of 0.077mbpd when compared to the 0.937mbpd output in

September. In November, the country pumped 1.185mbpd crude, representing an increase of 0.171mbpd when matched against what was produced in October.

The rise in output continued in December last year, as Nigeria produced 1.253mbpd in that month, indicating an increase of 0.05mbpd when compared to its output in November.

The 1.258mbpd oil production in January 2023 was about 23,000bpd higher than the 1.235mbpd crude oil output in December 2022.

The momentum was sustained in February, with an output of 1.31mbpd. But the volume dropped to 1.27mbpd in March, putting an end to the seven-month run in Nigeria’s oil output.

The country targets to meet the 1.8mbpd quota approved for it by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Nigeria generates bulk of its foreign exchange from crude oil and gas sales.

The Federal Government, since last year, intensified efforts to shore-up Nigeria’s crude oil production and reduce its theft by vandals and thieves.

“Admittedly, one major area of value erosion in the industry is the menace of crude oil theft. Our records indicate that the menace of oil theft has negatively impacted the oil and gas sector for about two decades with attendant huge financial losses to our nation,” the Chief Executive, NUPRC, Gbenga Komolafe, stated recently.

He said the commission, in collaboration with the various arms of the security forces, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and the host communities, had been able to suppress the ugly trend of hydrocarbon value decimation.

“Now, our nation has continued to record good dividends of these collaborative efforts as production figures are progressively increasing. The January 2023 volume is approximately 1.5 million barrels per day of oil and condensates.

“It is expected that this number will continue to increase as further measures are introduced and sustained to remove all illegal connections that aid crude oil theft,” the NUPRC boss stated.

pay in naira so that you can shore up your currency. And that is what Russia is doing currently, China is doing the same, India is doing that,” Falana said

He condemned the central bank for taking advice from the IMF and the World Bank as these bodies believe that the naira is overvalued. Falana also lamented that house rent and school fees are now paid in dollars in some parts of the country.

NCC approves MTN’s spectrum lease transaction from NTEL

From Abubakar Yunusa, Abuja

The Nigerian Communications Commission, on Tuesday, grants MTN Nigeria a spectrum lease transaction from the Natcom Development and Investment Limited.

The transaction, which covers 19 states in the country, permits the telecommunication company to lease two spectrums – 5HMz Frequency Division Duplex and 10HMz FDD from NTEL.

The transaction cost MTN Nigeria N4.25 billion and includes taxes, regulatory fees, and auxiliary charges as transaction costs while the spectrum lease is for a period of two-year, starting May 1, 2023, Nairametrics reports.

Speaking on the feat, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola said, “This is a significant milestone in delivering our Ambition 2025 strategy. The access to NTEL’S 90OMHz and 1800MHz spectrums broadens our spectrum holdings and improves our 3G and 4G user experience as coverage and capacity will be enhanced by utilising these spectrums.”

BU$IN€SS

Reps want FG to halt planned concession of Ajaokuta, Iron ore companies

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives

yesterday asked the Federal Government to suspend the ongoing process for the concession of the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and the National Iron Ore Mining Company for proper stakeholder consultations.

The House equally invited the Minister of Mines and Steel Development to appear before it in plenary session to explain details of the concession process.

These resolutions were sequel to adoption of a motion of urgent public importance, moved by Abdullahi Halims from Kogi state at plenary on Tuesday.

Moving the motion, the lawmaker said there was an advertorial by the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development published on page 20 of the Punch Newspapers of Friday, April 21, 2023 and in other national dailies titled requesting qualification for the concession of the companies.

He said the steel industry remains the backbone of development meant to provide the basic raw materials for public infrastructure development in key sectors of the economy therefore very important in any meaningful efforts towards achieving

economic prosperity and development of the nation as no economy can survive without its steel industry functioning optimally.

The lawmaker expressed worry that the eleventh hour request for the concession of these strategic national assets like the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and the National Iron Ore Mining Company at the twilight of the current administration, having left with less than 30 days to the

end of an 8-year tenure seems to be self-serving, unpatriotic and not of national interest.

“Also worried about the timing of the concession arrangement, why now? why the hurry to concession such strategic national assets within a narrow window of less than six weeks? Why the rush to consummate a concession deal during this transitional period and not leave it for the incoming administration which stands inaugurated on the 29th

of May 2023.

“Concerned that the public and major stakeholders in the steel sector and other relevant industrial sectors of the economy may not have been adequately informed and carried along or due process not followed considering the speed at which the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development is carrying out the concession exercise.

“Desirous that robust stakeholder consultation

and adoption of proper procurement, due diligence and due process protocols are well adhered to and observed in the said concession deals and in the best national interest” the lawmaker said.

The House while adopting the motion, mandated the Committee on Steel to investigate allegations of infractions to due process and noncompliance with due diligence procedures.

FG bars online banks from accessing customers’ photos, contacts

From Abubakar Yunusa, ABUJA

Loan apps on Play Store will lose their ability to access their users’ contacts or photos from May 31, 2023.

This came as the Federal Government said it would enforce the latest policy by Google, saying the action was consistent with the Nigerian authorities’ move to curtail the invasion of customers’ privacy by loan app firms.

The Federal Government had in recent time taken major decisions aimed at tackling the violation of customers’ privacy by loan apps. Notably, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission had recently registered 170 loan apps out of the 200 operating in the country.

Google, in its April 2023 policy updates, said the new policy update would provide respite for loan app users in Nigeria and other places that have become accustomed to crude loan retrieval methods employed by a majority of loan apps.

Google said, “Policy preview (effective May 31, 2023): This article previews changes included in our April 2023 policy updates.

“We are updating our personal loans policy to state that apps aiming to provide or facilitate personal loans may not access user contacts or photos.

“We are introducing additional requirements for personal loan apps targeting users in Pakistan. Personal loan apps in Pakistan must submit countryspecific licensing documentation to prove their ability to provide or facilitate personal loans.”

This new policy is coming after the firm announced updates to its Developer Programme Policy, mandating digital money lenders in Nigeria, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Kenya to conform to regulatory rules or be taken down by January 31.

According to the firm, only digital money lenders that have adhered to and completed the Limited Interim Regulatory/Registration Framework and

Guidelines for Digital Lending, 2022 (as may be amended from time to time) by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and obtain a verifiable approval letter from the FCCPC will be allowed on Play Store in Nigeria.

Commenting on the new policy , the Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Babatunde Irukera, stated that it was a welcome development and shows that Google was institutionalising its regulatory policy.

He said, “It is a welcome development effort and is consistent with the position the FCCPC has taken and what we are enforcing.

“Google is now institutionalising our regulatory effort as a policy, which is very welcome. It is certainly important for proper regulatory oversight of the industry, and we commend Google for taking a position that is consistent with our position as regulators.”

He added, “Recall that we took this position earlier and what has happened is that Google has looked at the regulatory

landscape, looked at the regulatory priorities, and is supporting those priorities by institutionalizing those regulatory priorities and position.”

The FCCPC recently stated that it has approved 173 digital lending applications to operate in the country. 119 of these got full approvals while 54 got conditional approvals. This move became necessary after loan apps started harassing Nigerians by sending defaming messages to their contacts, and more.

The commission’s ‘Limited Interim Regulatory/Registration Framework and Guidelines for Digital Lending 2022’ is an attempt to regulate the digital lending space and make registration and approval a prerequisite for companies seeking to operate in the space.

Although, Google’s policy states that it does not “allow apps that promote personal loans that require repayment in full in 60 days or less from the date the loan is issued,” many loan apps in the country do not adhere to it, exposing many Nigerians to confidential data leak.

R-L: CEO / Founder, Across Atlantic , Mr. David Apollus, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Sen. Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora and the Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Chief Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh, during signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (FMSTI) and Across Atlantic Development(AAD) United Kingdom (UK) for the development of Science and Technology Park, held yesterday at the Hon.Minister’s Conference Room . Photo; Justin Imo-owo

FCTA establishes investigation, prosecution dept.

By Stanley Onyekwere

In furtherance to efforts

at strengthening law enforcement and compliance in Abuja, the nation’s capital, the FCT Administration has approved the establishment of a new Department of Investigation and Prosecution to be situated in its Legal Services Secretariat.

The creation of the new Department is one of the decisions reached at the FCT Executive Committee at its 18th meeting, stated that the new Department is expected to carry out investigations in respect of forgery of Land documents, fraudulent transactions on Land, abuse of office, allegations of bribery, general corrupt practices, security breaches and other cases of infractions within the FCTA as the need arises in liaison with relevant law enforcement agencies.

It further stated that the new Department is to carry out investigations of petitions / request from individuals, groups of persons, corporate bodies, Law Enforcement Agencies among others.

According to EXCO, the Department is to keep records and data of investigated cases and monitor those still under investigation by Law Enforcement and Security Agencies in the FCTA.

It is also expected to assist and advise the Law Enforcement and Security Agencies in their investigations on matters affecting the FCTA as well as carry out the training of personnel of the Department in conjunction with the various Law Enforcement and Security Agencies.

The EXCO, therefore, directed the new Department to initiate criminal and quasicriminal proceedings on all matters affecting the FCT Administration after the consent /fiat of the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation has been sought and obtained. The EXCO, therefore, directed the new Department to initiate criminal and quasi-crimat of the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation has been sought and obtained.

Minister charges Zone 7 AIG, FCT Commissioner of Police to work in synergy

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa

Bello has charged the new Assistant Inspector General of Police for Zone 7, Aliyu Garba and the new FCT Commissioner of Police, Garba Haruna to work in synergy to combat crime and criminality in the FCT.

Bello made this call while receiving both officers who paid him an introductory visit in his office, on Monday, according to a statement, from Director of Press, Office of the Minister, Anthony Ogunleye.

While stressing the need for synergy among all the security agencies in combating crime, he advised his guests to utilize the support of all the security apparatus based in the FCT to

achieve the best result.

He assured them that the FCTA will continue to provide the necessary logistics to the Nigeria Police to further curb criminal activities in the Territory.

He said: “We will continue to provide you with support, in terms of logistics, hardware and even transportation.

“In fighting crimes, what has worked for us in the FCT is the joint taskforce that we have. Where all the security agencies are involved.

“The Military, Police, DSS, Civil Defense and other paramilitary agencies like Immigration, Customs, NDLEA and even NAPTIP because some of these criminal activities tend to go together”.

In his remarks, AIG Aliyu

Garba also agreed that there was the need for synergy among security agencies and community leaders while also emphasizing the need for proper intelligence gathering and sharing. He said as part of measures to check crimes the Zone 7 Command has intensified efforts to sustain massive onslaught on identified black spots as well as increased night patrols.

Garba solicited for support from the FCTA especially in the training of police personnel and the provision of technology devices to combat crime in the zone.

Also speaking, the new FCT CP, Haruna G. Garba who solicited the support of the FCT Administration in fighting crimes in the territory urged

residents to, on their part, divulge credible information to the police to help fight crime, stressing the need for them to “say something” when they “see something”.

He emphasized the need for raids to fish out criminals and check crimes, adding that more effort would be put into the raiding of known criminal hideouts and black spots.

Present at the courtesy visit were the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, the Chief of Staff to the Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu, the Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmed, the SSA on security the Minister, Amb Abu Muhammed, the Director of Security Services, Mr. Adamu Gwary and other senior officials of the FCTA and the Nigeria Police.

FCT EXCO okays completion of Nyanya Bus Terminal project

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Federal Capital Territory Executive Committee (FCT EXCO) has approved the completion of the Nyanya Bus Terminal project situated in Nyanya, a suburb of Abuja.

A statement from Director, Information & Communication, FCT Administration, Muhammad Hazat Sule, said the completion of the Bus Terminal is expected to curtail traffic gridlock in and from the Nyanya axis into the Federal Capital City, Abuja.

It added that FCT EXCO arrived at the decision during its 18th meeting held Monday, at the FCTA Banquet Hall, Gwarinpa I District (Life-Camp), Abuja. According to the statement, the development of the new Terminal at Nyanya, a suburb of Abuja was conceived by the FCT Administration as a result of the multiple bomb blasts at the temporary Nyanya Bus Terminal on the 14th April, 2014.

It added that the idea of a new Terminal was conceived by the FCT Administration after the bomb blasts because of its attendant health

hazards and security implications of continuous use of the same Terminal.

It noted that the six hectares Bus Terminal that is located in Nyanya within the precinct bounded by the Karu and Karshi interchanges off the Abuja-Keffi Federal highway is expected to bring relief to motorists along that axis.

“EXCO in approving for the construction of the Terminal aimed at restoring the Access Road Corridors leading to the project site, also approved the general redesign of the layout to reflect appropriate

land use.

“According to EXCO, the approval of the Terminal Buildings goes along with associated External Works and Access Roads to the plots for ease and comfort of the motorists plying the route.

“The FCT EXCO meeting, which was presided over by the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, was attended by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Chief of Staff to the Hon. Minister, Mandate Secretaries, some SSA and Directors of the FCTA”, the statement stressed.

FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello (7th left), flanked by FCT Commissioner of Police Haruna Garba (5th left), AIG Zone 7, Aliyu Garba and the Permanent Secretary, FCTA Mr Olusade Adesola and other senior officials of the Police Force and the FCTA when the police officers paid a courtesy visit to the FCTA, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Utah bereavement author charged with husband’s murder

AUtah woman who published a children’s book about grief after the sudden death of her husband has been charged with his murder.

Kouri Richins, a mother of three, called police late one night in March 2022 and said her husband, Eric Richins, was “cold to the touch”.

She told authorities she had made her husband a mixed vodka drink before finding him unresponsive hours later.

A medical examiner later found Mr Richins died from a fentanyl overdose.

He had five times the lethal dosage of the drug in his system, the medical examiner said.

According to court documents, between December 2021 and February 2022, Ms Richins had texted a person who had previously been arrested on drug charges asking for prescription pain medication for an investor with a back injury.

Ms Richins received hydrocodone pills, the court documents said, before she requested something stronger“some of the Michael Jackson stuff”, asking specifically for fentanyl.

Three days after Ms Richins allegedly obtained the drugs, she and her husband had a Valentine’s Day dinner, after which he fell ill.

“Eric believed that he had been poisoned,” the court documents said. “Eric told a friend that he thought his wife was trying to poison him.”

Two weeks later, according to court documents, Ms Richins acquired more fentanyl.

Prosecutors allege on 4 March Ms Richins called police in the middle of the night to say she had found her husband unresponsive.

She told authorities she had served her husband a mixed vodka drink, Moscow Mule, in bed and then went to sleep with one of her young children who was having a night terror. She later returned to her husband in their room and found him “cold to the touch”.

The charges come two months after Ms Richins wrote a picture book “Are You With Me?” to help children cope with the death of a loved one. She told local radio station KPCW the book was to bring “peace” to her and her three sons.

“We wrote this book and we’re really hoping that it provides some comfort for not just obviously, our family, but other families that are going through the same thing,” she told KPCW in an interview last month.

She dedicated the book to Mr Richins, “my amazing husband and a wonderful father”.

In addition to the murder charge, Ms Richins also faces charges involving the alleged possession of GHB, a narcolepsy drug that is used recreationally and sometimes referred to as a date rape drug.

A detention hearing is scheduled on 19 May.

Swiss village of Brienz told to flee imminent monster rockslide

Residents of the tiny Swiss village of Brienz have been told to pack their bags and leave immediately.

The reason: two million cubic metres of rock from the mountain above them is set to come loose and crash down to the valley in the next few days.

The evacuation order has not come as a complete surprise to the remaining population of about 70 villagers.

Brienz, in the eastern canton of Graubünden, has been judged a geological risk for some time.

The village itself is built on land that is subsiding down towards the valley, causing the church spire to lean and large cracks to appear in buildings.

Work was under way to try to stabilise that and there were signs the slippage might be slowing down. But ominously, the mountainside above Brienz was in the meantime breaking apart.

Villagers had become accustomed to quite large boulders tumbling down to their gardens below.

Geologists warned that the rock movement was accelerating. Part of the rockface, innocently nicknamed “the island”, was by 2023 slipping at a rate of 32m (105ft) every year.

And yet no one thought they would have to leave so soon.

The authorities had warned of a possible evacuation later this summer, and at the end of this week a regular village meeting was scheduled to bring everyone

up to date.

Instead, after latest risk assessments showed a rockslide was imminent, the order to get out came suddenly on Tuesday morning. From now on, no-one who doesn’t live in Brienz will be allowed to enter, while all villagers must be out by Friday at the latest.

“I love it here, Brienz is a lovely village, it’s quiet,” one young woman told Swiss media. “It’s happened so quickly,” said another. “We all thought we would have more time, it’s a very strange feeling.”

Most have been offered accommodation in neighbouring villages, such as the resort of Lenzerheide, which has plenty of space as the ski season is over and summer has not yet started.

But it’s not a permanent solution, and it’s not an easy one.

“I’m ready,” said one elderly lady, standing on her doorstep with her suitcase. “But I think I’ll wait till the last minute.”

Many are now asking why a village should suffer such a fate in Switzerland, where building regulations are strict and risk assessment is a continuous process. But Switzerland’s Alpine regions are especially sensitive to global warming.

As the glaciers shrink, and the permafrost high in the mountains begins to thaw, the rock becomes unstable.

In 2006 huge chunks of rock fell off Switzerland’s famous Eiger, causing the closure of hiking trails and prompting geologists to warn that such events could

be expected more often.

In 2017, a massive landslide struck the village of Bondo, also in Graubünden, burying half the village and killing eight people.

Last summer, latest measurements showed that Swiss glaciers had lost more than half their volume in the last 100 years.

On Tuesday evening, Brienz’s residents, some already with their cars packed outside, gathered for one last update from the authorities.

That innocent sounding “island” is

moving even faster, and geologists now say its two million cubic metres of rock is expected to fall in the next seven to 24 days.

How exactly all that rock will fall is not yet clear. It could come down fairly gradually, avoiding most of the village. Or it could come down fast, destroying Brienz entirely.

The consensus among the villagers is that they hope and expect to come back to their homes. The problem is, they don’t know if they will still be standing.BBC

Ms Richins published a book on grief one year after the death of her husband

This aerial view of Brienz shows the mass of rock directly threatening the village of Brienz beneath it

Sudan crisis: Number of internally displaced rises to more than 700,000

The number of people displaced inside Sudan by fighting between rival military factions has more than doubled in the past week to around 700,000, a UN agency has said.

The increase in displacements has raised fears of an escalation in violence despite ceasefire talks being held in Saudi Arabia.

Air strikes and ground battles are continuing in the capital Khartoum.

Entire neighbourhoods have become empty as residents flee their homes.

Khartoum had a population of 5.4 million, but the once-peaceful city has been devastated by the conflict that broke out on 15 April between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

On Tuesday, the RSF alleged that a military air strike hit an Ottoman-era palace in downtown Khartoum.

There is no independent confirmation of the RSF’s claim.

Now a museum, the palace was built in 1832 when Sudan was part of the Ottoman Empire.

The palace is next to Sudan’s new presidential palace, which was occupied by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan until the conflict broke out.

Fierce battles have been raging in the area since Monday, but a resident who

spoke to the BBC did not know whether the historic palace had been hit.

Other residents said that military fighter jets were flying all over south Khartoum and heavy fighting was taking place in the middle-class neighbourhood al-Sahafa, not too far from the international airport, which is shut.

More than 600 people have now been killed and 5,000 wounded in the conflict.

Fierce fighting has also been reported in two cities adjacent to KhartoumBahri and Omdurman - and the western region of Darfur.

“Many IDPs [internally displaced people] are sheltering with relatives, while others are gathering in schools, mosques and public buildings,” said Paul Dillon, a spokesman for the UN’s International Organization for Migration.

Mr Dillon said people were running out of cash, and basic supplies like fuel.

“The ATMs aren’t working and the banking system is not functioning. Fuel is difficult to come by and expensive,” he added.

Last week, the UN said that about 100,000 people had fled to neighbouring states, and the number could reach more than 800,000 if fighting does not stop.

Representatives of the the army and RSF have been holding their first face-toface talks in the Saudi city of Jeddah in a

bid to negotiate a ceasefire.

Speaking to Egypt-based Al-Qahera News on Monday, Gen Burhan said that a “permanent ceasefire” needed to come into effect in Khartoum before a political settlement could be negotiated with the RSF.

“We can discuss a settlement after

we reach a permanent ceasefire in Khartoum,” he said.

RSF are in control of much of the capital, with the military’s air strikes aimed at weakening its positions and to prevent it from getting reinforcements.

Nijel Amos: Banned runner to sell Botswana’s first Olympic medal

Banned runner Nijel Amos is looking to sell the Olympic silver medal he won in 2012, saying he plans to use the money to support his family.

He finished second in the 800m in London, making him the first Botswanan to win an Olympic medal in any event.

Last week, the 29-year-old was handed a three-year ban for doping.

The ban was reduced from four years after he signed an admission, but Amos is still protesting his innocence.

“It has been a financially draining process,” he said at a news conference in Botswana where he also spoke of “the effort to clear my name and that of my beloved nation Botswana in the past daunting 11 months”.

He added: “At this time, my only investment or pension is the famous 2012 Olympic silver medal. I am in touch with different stakeholders, including financial advisors, on how that can sustain me and my family.

“I met with a team that wants to buy it with a value of 4.5m Botswana pula (300,000 US dollars), but with my documentary coming out on Netflix it could change the value to 7.5m.

“It is extremely difficult to survive as an athlete in Botswana where we are not given pension or any lump sum insurance payouts.”

Ruling brings shame to the nation - Amos

Amos, who also won Commonwealth gold at Glasgow 2014, was first suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) in July 2022 after an out-of-competition test detected a banned metabolite in a urine sample.

All of his results since 4 June 2022 have been disqualified while the Botswanan says he felt his signed admission was the only course left available to him.

“I am very much aware that the ruling made by AIU brings shame to the nation,” he said.

“I would like to humbly apologise to my

beloved country, its citizens, fellow athletes and athletic bodies in the country.

“However, I am of the belief that if I had support from my native sports bodies, we would be facing a different outcome.”

The Marobela-born runner, who carried the flag for his country at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, says it was advice from his legal team that eventually saw him sign the admission.

“Given the circumstances surrounding the case, my legal team and I saw it fit to take that direction so that I get a reduction on my ban.”

No plans to retire

Amos will be 31 when his ban expires on 11 July 2025, but he has his sights firmly set on a return to the track.

“I have no plans to retire,” he said. “I am still in good shape and I am hopeful that I will rise again in the World Championships in 2025.

“I know not everyone is going to be happy, but my fellow athletes reached out - almost 75 percent of them - letting me know they are with me on the journey and they are waiting for me to come back.

“I have to understand that I am no longer doing it to be the best athlete in the world - I am coming out there to clear my name.”

Huge rise in DR Congo sexual violence - MSF

The medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) says there has been a huge rise in sexual violence targeting women in camps around Goma in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).

MSF says in the past two weeks, it had treated more than 670 victims - an average of 50 incidents every day.

It said most of the women were assaulted while searching for firewood outside camps for internally displaced people.

The MSF regional coordinator, Jason Rizzo, said teams have been treating a high number of cases for months, but never before

on the “catastrophic scale” of recent weeks.

Fighting between government forces and rebel groups in the region has forced hundreds of thousands to flee to overcrowded camps.

Third African cheetah dies in Indian park

Wildlife authorities in central India say a female cheetah, that was relocated from Africa, has died at the Kuno National Park.

It is the third big cat that had been brought from Africa to have died there there since March.

The park said the female was found injured on Tuesday morning but died at noon despite treatment by veterinarians.

Preliminary reports showed she died from injuries inflicted by two male cheetahs.

Asian cheetahs became extinct in India seven decades ago, but the government released eight African cheetahs there last year as part of an ambitious project to reintroduce the big cats.

Another 12 cheetahs from South Africa

were brought in earlier this year.

SA’s EFF asks for cows, money to fund anniversary bash

The EFF listed its “successes” in the past 10 years as motivation for people to donateImage caption: The EFF listed its “successes” in the past 10 years as motivation for people to donate

The South African opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party has asked for donations to “finance the revolution” ahead of the party’s 10th anniversary.

On its social media pages

, the EFF on Monday shared a recorded video of its leader Julius Malema asking for donations from “peace-loving South Africans and revolutionaries from the African continent and the diaspora”.

Mr Malema asked for donations of cows, vegetables, groceries, T-shirts and buses for the anniversary celebration at FNB Stadium south of Johannesburg, on 29 July.

BBC

Gunfire and air strikes were again heard on Tuesday in the capital Khartoum despite ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia

Botswana’s Nijel Amos (left) claimed a silver medal at London 2012 behind Kenya’s David Rudisha (centre)

Russia’s future rests on Ukraine war, Putin tells Victory Day parade

Vladimir Putin has said Russia’s future “rests on” the soldiers fighting in Ukraine, during his annual speech to mark Victory Day in Moscow.

“There is nothing more important now than your combat effort,” he said.

The military parade, which commemorates the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, was scaled back this year for security.

Mr Putin also used his speech to justify his invasion of Ukraine, while accusing “Western globalist elites” of provoking conflicts.

Civilisation is again “at a decisive turning point”, he said in Moscow’s Red Square to a crowd composed of just officials and veterans, as the event was not open to the public.

Addressing the troops fighting in Ukraine - some of whom were present - Mr Putin said a “real war” had been “unleashed” against Russia. The reality is that it was Russia that invaded Ukraine.

“The security of the country rests on you today, the future of our statehood and our people depend on you,” he told them.

This was the second Victory Day parade since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

But a series of explosions and incidents of sabotage across Russia in recent weeks saw the celebrations scaled back because

of security concerns.

In one incident last week, there was an alleged drone attack on the Kremlin. Russia claimed it was an attempt on Mr Putin’s life and pointed the finger squarely at Ukraine and the US, but both denied any involvement.

This year’s celebration had 3,000 fewer soldiers and less military hardware on display. The parade was shorter, while there was no military flypast and no modern tanks, which are usually a feature of the parade. On Tuesday, the only tank on display was the T-34 from World War Two.

However, for the first time since 2020, a handful of international leaders attended.

All the Central Asian leaders were there, including Kazakhstan’s Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko and Armenia’s prime minister were also at Red Square.

The US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said the late decision of the Central Asian leaders to attend “likely indicates their reticence to show direct and public support of the war”.

Mr Putin’s speech followed similar themes to last year, likening the fight with Ukraine’s “criminal regime” to the defeat of Nazi Germany.

He took aim at the West, saying “their goal is nothing else but to see the fall of our country”.

Mr Putin said Russia wanted to see a “peaceful future”, but accused Western elites of sowing the seeds of “hatred and Russophobia” and destroying family values.

But much of his speech was focused on his pride for the actions of Russian “heroes” in Ukraine.

“There is no cause stronger in the world than our love for our armed forces,” said Mr Putin, who stands accused of war crimes in Ukraine by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“To Russia, to our armed forces,” he concluded, as the

Russian national anthem started to play.

After Mr Putin’s speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen held a news conference in Kyiv.

President Zelensky said that increased attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks had been part of Russian efforts to “present something” to the military and political leadership, having failed to take the eastern city of Bakhmut before Victory Day.

“They have to show that they

destroyed something,” he said.

Ms von der Leyen said “the invaders have been dragged out of prisons” to fight on behalf of Russia, which had “dramatically failed” in the war.

Reacting to Mr Putin’s speech, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the EU must not be intimidated by the Russian leader’s “show of force”.

“Let’s stay steadfast in our support for Ukraine - as long as it is necessary,” he told the European Parliament.

Imran Khan: Dozens of police seize ex-PM outside court in Pakistan

Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan has been arrested at the High Court in the capital, Islamabad.

Mr Khan was appearing in court on charges of corruption, which he says are politically motivated.

Footage showed dozens of paramilitary forces in armoured vehicles detaining the 70-yearold after he entered the court compound, then driving him away.

Unrest broke out in several cities following his arrest, with protesters blocking key roads.

Mr Khan was ousted as PM in April last year and has been campaigning for early elections since then.

General elections are due to be held later this year.

Speaking to the BBC’s Newshour, Mr Khan’s spokesman, Raoof Hasan, said he expected “the worst” and that the arrest could plunge the country “into chaos and anarchy”.

“We’re facing multiple crises. There is an economic crisis, there is a political crisis, there is a cost of livelihood crisis and consequently this occasion will be a catharsis for them to step out and I fear a fair amount of violence is going to be

back,” he said.

A member of Mr Khan’s legal team, Raja Mateen, said undue force had been used against him.

“Mr Khan went into the biometric office for the biometrics. The rangers went there, they broke the windows, they hit Mr Khan on the head with a baton,” said Mr Mateen.

“And they dragged Mr Khan from there. They didn’t care that this person had come to court while injured.”

Mr Khan’s Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) party has called on its supporters to protest. In the hours since he was detained, violence has been reported from a number of cities including Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar.

On the streets of Islamabad, hundreds of protesters blocked one of the main highways in and out of the capital.

People pulled down street signs and parts of overpasses, lit fires and threw stones. During the hour or so that the BBC was there, no police or authorities were visible.

Protesters have blocked roads in protest in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city

Protesters said they were angry

about Imran Khan’s arrest.

“This is absolutely the last straw,” said Farida Roedad.

“What else can we do? What else is there left in Pakistan? We have never said a word against the army, I wish we had.

“Let there be anarchy, let there be chaos. If there is no Imran, there’s nothing left in Pakistan. No one is there to take over.”

Writing on social media, police in Islamabad said five police officers had been injured and 43 protesters arrested.

Footage from Lahore posted on Twitter appeared to show crowds breaking into the military corps commander’s house, destroying furniture and belongings inside.

Protesters in the main port city of Karachi have been blocking a main road, Reuters reported.

It said at least 10 people, including six police officers, had been injured in the south-western city of Quetta in clashes with Mr Khan’s supporters.

The news agency also spoke to Pakistan’s telecommunications watchdog, which said mobile data services were being suspended on the instructions of the interior ministry.

Internet monitoring group NetBlocks says there is a

disruption of Twitter, Facebook and YouTube on multiple internet providers in Pakistan following the arrest of Mr Khan.

The organisation says this can be seen in real-time network data, and that it opposes the use of such disruption to limit free speech.

A water cannon was deployed by police against protesters in Lahore

A statement from the inspector-general of Punjab police said the arrest of Mr Khan had been ordered because he was accused of “corruption and corrupt practices”.

The case involves allegations over the allotment of land in the so-called Al-Qadir Trust, which is owned by Mr Khan and his wife, Dawn newspaper reported.

Mr Khan, who is being held at an undisclosed location, denies breaking any law.

In a video message filmed as he travelled to Islamabad - and released by the PTI before his arrest - Mr Khan said he was ready for what lay ahead.

“Come to me with warrants, my lawyers will be there,” he said. “If you want to send me to jail, I am prepared for it.”

Security was tight in the centre

of the capital for the former PM’s court appearance.

Dozen of cases have been brought against Mr Khan since he was ousted from power.

The security forces have tried to detain him on a number of previous occasions at his Lahore residence, but were blocked by his supporters, resulting in fierce clashes.

On Tuesday, police had blocked roads into Islamabad, so the number of supporters with Imran Khan was not as high as on previous occasions, making it easier to arrest him.

He was elected prime minister in 2018, but fell out with Pakistan’s powerful army. After a series of defections, he lost his majority in parliament. He was ousted after he lost a confidence vote in April 2022, four years into his tenure.

Since then, he has been a vocal critic of the government and the country’s army.

In October, he was disqualified from holding public office, accused of incorrectly declaring details of presents from foreign dignitaries and proceeds from their alleged sale.

The next month, he survived a gun attack on his convoy while holding a protest march.BBC

A Russian Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launcher on show during the military parade on Red Square in Moscow

Property

We’ve marked 2,270,319 linear meter of lanes in 8 years - Fashola

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

The Federal Government said it has marked 2,270,319 linear meter of lanes and has installed 254,690 road signs in all the constructed 92, 290.34 kilometres of roads nationwide in 8years of Buhari’s led administration.

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, who made this know to journalist in Abuja, at a Media Presentation on “ Tour of Duty as HM of the Federal Republic if Nigeria : A Time and Economic Resource Report (2015-2023)”.

Fashola said that the Ministry of Works and Housing under his leadership has undertaken projects comprising over 1,706 contracts in 1,649 projects aggregating to over 13,000 Km of Roads and Bridges infrastructure as well as other housing Sector activities.

“The progressive legacies of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration has become real in infrastructure development and human capital development”.

Fashola stated that the administration inherited N18 for road projects all over the country which they realised was not enough for one major road and it successfully changed it to over N200bn.

“ We have also created 383,431 jobs”.

Giving more sight on the scorecard, speaking on the housing project, he that”The

…Installed 254,690 road signs

ministry issued 1,262 building contracts,We have undertaken projects on 46site with 6,068 housing units.We have completed 2,870 Housing-units in 35states including Federal Captial Territory( FCT)”.

Similarly, he noted that, the national housing programme phase ll facility management, has total number of tool

and consumables for facility management a total 18,478, and national housing programme estate workForce 2022 a total no 1,345”.

He added A total of 6,685 certificates of occupancy(C of O) has been signed from 2015march, 2023 and 3,043 consent granted, land registration is fully digitalized and 50,000 files has

been worked on “.

“From January 2015-march 2023 N13,098,476,244.22 was revenue generated from home ownership and easy doing business”, he said.

The Minister explained for the federal secretariat it has a total no of tools and consumables of 30,912 and facility

management of 28Nos. federal secretariat work force 2020, 1,548.

Fashola said the second Niger bridge, which had stayed untouched for about five decades by previous administrations, was one of the mega projects executed by the Buhari administration.

He stated that what remains to be completed was a little stretch from the Asaba and Anambra axis.

Buhari lauds fashola on Shelter Afrique achievements

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

President Muhammadu Buhari has lauded the leadership of minister of Work and Housing Babatunde Fashola, on the tremendous growth and achievements in shelter Afrique company than he met in 2016.

He made the recommendation at the 42nd Annual General Meeting( AGM) symposium of Shelter Afrique on Monday, in Abuja.

Buhari represented by Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, said the investment in Shelter Afrique is one of the important investment the federal government has made.

He said that decision of Shelter Afrique to float a N46 billion bond in Nigeria capital market, is important catalytic investment for market and the building industry.

Today, records show there is an attestation to the comparability of investments and achievements in the sector. I commend the

leadership played by Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, co-host of this meeting, in driving the mandate of the Presidency.”

”In our capacity as a Frontline shareholder and shareholder, Nigeria looks for a more prosperous future for shelter.Afrique. Now is the time to step over current global financial constraints, corporate management set-backs and thereby repositioning this company into a formidable agent of change for the built environment of African nations as you proceed with this meeting.”

Also speaking, the minister of works and housing Babatunde Fashola said, “Today, I feel very proud to say that Shelter Afrique is a much stronger company, a better version of what I inherited in 2016.

“By the collective action of our member states and development partners, we’ve surmounted very difficult times, some of which threatened the existence of the company at one time, that we were tempted to go back to the African Union and tell them to wind down this company.

“Between the 2016 AGM which was the 35th and this year’s AGM which is the 42nd, Nigeria has made contributions of about US$5.9 in 2017, US$9.392 in 2020, US$7,161 in 22, making a total sum of US$22,503,144. This has brought Nigeria’s shareholding in the company to 16.84 per cent, now valued at US_30,784,961.

“For a company that was struggling for funding in 2016, this was a much needed investment of life saving character. And Nigeria was not alone on this, other members responded to the contribution, but Nigeria provided some leadership.”

The Minister of National Housing & Social Amenities, Republic of Zimbawbwe , Honourable Daniel Garwe , commended the effort of the Nigerian Government for creating the enabling environment for the AGM.

Managing Director and Chief Executive officer,Shelter Afrique, Thierno-Habib Hann, said the symposium demonstrates shelter Afrique’s commitment to improve in

housing and built environment practices in the business.

“ The core activities will include advocacy, research and development, partnerships and capacity building”.

Also, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Shelter Afrique, Dr. Chil Akporji said:”With multiple housing project funded and commissioned across the continent, we continued to deliver on our mandate for better, affordable housing for Africans”.

Akporji said”We are grateful for the continued financial backing we get from all nations that share our missions. We wish to reaffirm our commitment to the vision of decent and affordable housing in Africa”.

She emphasized that we are also exploring practical ways to improve on the housing markets across our members countries.

Meanwhile, the shareholding in the PanAfrican institution supporting real estate, is 15.8 per cent, valued at $30.7 million.

The theme for the AGM “Political Economy In The Built Environment”.

L:R-Chairperson, Board of Directors, Shelter Afrique, Dr. Chii Akporji; Minister of State for Works and Housing, Umar El-Yakub; Annual General Meeting Chairman and Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities, Republic of Zimbabwe, Daniel Garwe; Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola and Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, during the Annual General Meeting/ Symposium of Shelter Afrique in Abuja on Monday

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez v John Ryder: The Mexican champion’s rise to boxing dominance

This weekend is all about the king. Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, the main man of Mexican boxing, returns to the city where it all began.

Undisputed supermiddleweight champion Alvarez defends his IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO titles against Briton John Ryder at Guadalajara’s Estadio Akron on Saturday.

‘The King is coming home’ is the strapline for the bout as fight fever hits the historic city in the state of Jalisco, home to tequila and mariachi music, harder than a trademark Alvarez body shot.

“It’s an honour. I’m happy to be part of this history in my own town,” 32-year-old Alvarez, who will fight Mexico for the first time since 2011, says.

The teenager bullied for his red hair and freckles has grown to become world boxing’s hottest property. He has gone from selling ice creams on a bus to selling out stadiums. The Alvarez story is as inspiring as it is remarkable.

A quiet kid sparring world champions

Boxing has a long history of rags-to-riches success stories. Manny Pacquiao, the eightdivision champion from the Philippines, escaped a life of hardship on the streets of Manila, selling bread and later working as a janitor to make ends meet.

Mike Tyson resorted to theft from the age of 10 to survive the dangers of Brownsville, Brooklyn. He went on to become the youngest heavyweight champion of all time.

The Alvarez tale could sit easily alongside those two.

“Canelo comes from a very small suburb of Guadalajara,” boxing broadcaster and analyst Claudia Trejos says. “His dad owned an ice cream parlour. He would get off school and go sell ice creams.”

Alvarez had ambitions. Inspired by his older siblings who all boxed, at 13 he found haven in father-son duo Jose ‘Chepo’ and Eddy Reynoso’s gym.

Journalist Kiko Baldares, who has worked for Team Canelo, recalls their first meeting.

“He was a very polite, quiet and nice kid,” he says. “Even at that age, he was so focused

on boxing. He wanted to learn everything he could from the older fighters.”

The 15-year-old pro who became a teenage dad Alvarez turned professional two years later, aged 15. Outside of the ring, however, his life took an unexpected twist the following year when his thengirlfriend became pregnant.

“Canelo understood he had to take responsibility and provide for them,” Trejos says. “He had to find an apartment, walk away from school while working in the ice cream parlour and fighting just to make ends meet.”

Balderas adds: “When his daughter was born, he didn’t want her to suffer. So he suffered himself by taking those long hours, sometimes two hours on a bus or train, just to go to the gym and train.

“She was his drive. His main motivation was to not suffer financially.”

Alvarez is now he world’s fifth-richest athlete, but he almost walked away from the sport early in his career. He was earning up to $40 (£32) for his fights, relying on ticket sales for the rest of his purse.

He was persuaded to continue by his friends and family.

“Straight away, you could see he was special,” Balderas says. “He was a young guy and was sparring with the likes of Oscar Larios, who was a world champion who even fought Manny Pacquiao.”

Trejos adds: “I met him in California when he was 18 or 19. What caught my attention was that he was very keen.

“There was a level of security and confidence, a sense of knowing what he had to do, but there was no ego. He didn’t need to tell anyone how good he is.”

‘I could tell within 30 seconds he was special’

On Saturday more than 50,000 will attend Alvarez’s homecoming, taking place over Mexico’s Cinco De Mayo celebration weekend.

But the fighter nor his team were not prepared for the level of fame he has attained.

“I remember once were in a training camp and I told him to open a Facebook account, because that’s the thing everyone

Alvarez won his first world title at lightmiddleweight against Briton Matthew Hatton in 2011. “Literally within 30 seconds, I knew I was in with someone very special,” Hattonwho lost on points - said

is doing now,” Balderas says.

“He said: ‘I’m never doing that. I’m not into this social media.’ Within a year, he had his own team to handle social media.

“He didn’t even realise he would be this famous. He said he wanted to be a great fighter but never felt he would scale to this level.”

Alvarez won his first world title at light-middleweight against Briton Matthew Hatton in 2011.

“Literally within 30 seconds, I knew I was in with someone very special,” Hatton - who lost on points - said.

“When I got over there, I was shocked by the support he had, the amount of fans he had and

the amount of media coverage that was around him and around the fight.”

How Alvarez gained a ‘PhD in boxing’ Alvarez, a four-weight world champion, is arguably the biggest draw in boxing.

There is no padded record. He has beaten legends such as Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley and Gennady Golovkin.

“I just want to continue make history along the way and fighting with the best fighters out there,” he says.

He lost on points to pound-for-pound great Floyd Mayweather in 2013. Aged 23, the inexperienced Alvarez was still learning his craft.

“When he challenged Mayweather we thought he was going to get clobbered. Did he lose? Yeah. But that was the moment he got a PhD in boxing,” Trejos says.

“That is when he turned the corner into understanding what he lacked.”

Last year he was defeated by WBA ‘Super’ champion Dmitry Bivol for the light-heavyweight world title.

Some suggested Alvarez was no longer at his peak. Others commended him, as the smaller of the two fighters, for even taking on the challenge.

“Canelo just takes on all comers and that’s got to be applauded,” Hatton says. BBC

Alvarez has won 58 fights, with two losses and two draws, since turning professional in 2005

Alvarez’s first career defeat came on points against Floyd Mayweather (right) in 2013

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I. MOSUNMOLA GIWA RESIDING AT NO 6 CHRIS OTULANA LEKKI 2ND ROUND BOUT VICTORIA ISLAND. LAGOS STATE. ON 05/ 02 /2022 WHILE ON TRANSIT BETWEEN GWARINPA AND MAITAMA ALL IN FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY FCT ABUJA I LOST A A FILE CONTAINING THE ORIGINAL OFFER LETTER IN RESPECT OF PLOT NUMBER 1571 WITH FILE NUMBER OD10159M SITUATED AT CADASTRAL ZONE B07 KATAMPE DISTRICT ABUJA FRANTIC EFFORT MADE BY HIM TO TRACE THE SAID MISSING FILE AND IT’S CONTENT PROVE ABORTIVE.

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UNION SECONDARY SCHOOL AWKUNANAW 2012 ALUMNI

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.OBIDINMA EMMANUEL CHIGOZIE

2.OBICHUKWU VICTOR CHIDIEBERE

3.OJEH NNAEMEKA CHRISTOPHER

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : TO SUPPORT AND INSPIRE MEMBERS THROUGH COLLABORATION, SHARING HELPFUL IDEA TOWARDS ECONOMIC PROSPERITY WHILE SUSTAINING OUR COLLECTIVE BONDS AND EXISTENCE AS ONE UNITED FAMILY.

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.

ILLAH UNIPORT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

WEDNESDAY MAY 10, 2023

U-17 AFCON: “South Africa triumph restored Golden Eaglets’ confidence” -Ugbade

By Amaechi Agbo

Nigeria U-17 male team coach, Nduka Ugbade has stated that the Golden Eaglets 3-2 victory against South Africa in the last Group B match at the ongoing U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON in Algeria has restored the team’s confidence.

Nigeria twice came from behind to snatch a 3-2 victory against a well-drilled South Africa team on Saturday.

The victory came as a soothing relief for the two-time continental champions following their 1-0 defeat against Morocco in previous game.

“These boys have now picked up the confidence they needed following the defeat by Morocco and they are now looking forward to going all the way here,” Ugbade said on Sunday following the Golden Eaglets’ 3-2 win over South Africa in their last match of Group B in Constantine on Saturday.

Vicky Mkhawana steered the Amajimbo ahead in the 6th minute of the encounter, from South Africa’s first corner kick of the match, and Nigeria equalized in the 33rd minute also through a corner kick as Charles Agada powerfully nodded into the net with the Amajimbo goalkeeper stranded.

Much against the run of play, the Amajimbo restored their lead with a fabulous solo goal in stoppage time by Siyabonga Mabena.

Undeterred, the five-time world champions restored parity when Light Eke finished coolly from a low cross by Charles Agada, two minutes into the second

period.

The Nigerians were completely in control afterwards, and Abdullahi Abubakar scored his first goal of the competition with a calm finish in the 63rd minute.

“This victory has restored the boys’ confidence. We needed such a win going into the knock-out rounds and it is our belief that we can handle the pressure there.

“The loss to Morocco was also a good lesson for us. When you’re at a championship, you need a winning mentality, but also a

match that provides good lessons along the way. Both factors make for a very strong and ready squad.”

Nduka Ugbade captained the first Nigerian squad to win a FIFA World Cup, in 1985, and was assistant coach when the Golden Eaglets won the FIFA U17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates 10 years ago. He also took a FIFA U20 World Cup silver medal in 1989. Now, he is looking to lead the Nigeria U17 team to win the Africa U17 Cup of Nations as preparatory to giving the FIFA U17 World Cup

a shot later this year.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets will battle Burkina Faso in the quarter-final of the ongoing U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON in Algeria.

Burkina Faso confirmed their passage into the last 8 on Sunday night after they defeated defending champions, Cameroon 2-1 in the last Group C match.

Nigeria on their part defeated South Africa 3-2 on Saturday to book their place in the quarterfinal which will hold on Thursday,

May 10 at the Nelson Mandela Stadium, Algiers Burkina Faso came 2nd in Group C with 3 points. The Group was reduced to three teams after the disqualification of South Sudan following MRI failure. Five players of South Sudan failed the MRI test .

Full Quarter-final Fixtures

Senegal Vs South Africa

Morocco Vs Algeria Mali Vs Congo Nigeria Vs Burkina Faso.

Match officials assaults: NLO awards 3 points to Katsina Jnr, fines Ambassadors FC N150, 000

By Amaechi Agbo

The Naigeria Nationwide League One, NLO has awarded three points and three goals to Katsina Junior FC of Katsina State following the disruption of their match against Ambassadors FC of Kaduna on May 8.

The Kaduna based club side is also fined a total summon of ₦150, 000 as well as two of their couches and three players being placed on indefinite suspension.

Their match on May 8 in Kaduna was disrupted due to the assault on the match officials and the centre coordinator, who were

•Indefinitely suspends 2 Coaches, 3 payers

seriously injured due to the attack by officials, players and supporters of Ambassadors FC Kaduna.

The NLO in a release on Monday noted that the ₦50, 000 part of the total sum must be paid within 24h hours of publication of the decision of the secretariat adding that the decision would be submitted to the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF for further sanctions.

Below is NLO summary jurisdiction:

The Nationwide League One Secretariat received the match officials report of the Katsina Jnr

(Katsina State) and Ambassadors FC (Kaduna State) played on May 8.

The match was disrupted due to the assault on the match officials and the centre coordinator, who were seriously injured due to the attack by Officials, players and Supporters of Ambassadors FC Kaduna.

Sequel to above the Nationwide League One Secretariat hereby decides as follows:

1. The match is hereby awarded to Katsina Jnr FC with 3 points and 3 goals. This decision is based on the relevant article of the rules (Art.4.12: 4-5).

2. Ambassadors FC is also fined the sum of Fifty Thousand Naira only (N50,000.), Which must be paid within 24 hours from 8th May 2023.

3. Ambassadors FC shall pay One Hundred Thousand Naira (100k) to replace the damaged ABU Zaria substitution board by Ambassadors FC.

4. The NLO will report the conduct of the club to the Nigeria Football Federation for further sanctions.

5. The Following Officials and players of Ambassadors FC are

hereby suspended indefinitely; (A. Coach Abdulrahaman Attah B. Coach. Gambo Mohammed C. Jsy 30. Lawal Abubakar, D. Jsy 23. Yazid Hamisu, E. Jsy 19. Sani Suleiman.)

6. The NLO Secretariat commended the Center Coordinator (Mr Baba Ali) who ensured that the Referee’s life was saved and the major culprit was identified.

7. This decision shall be submitted to NFF Disciplinary Committee for further action.

The Nationwide League One Secretariat will not condone any act of indiscipline that could bring the game to disrepute.

Nigeria’s U-17 Golden Eaglets celebrating after defeating South Africa on Saturday in Algeria

S P R T

Gusau hails Team Nigeria’s Performance at U18/20 Africa Athletics Championship

The immediate past Vice-President of the Confederation of African Athletics CAA, Engr. Ibrahim Shehu Gusau has hailed the performance of team Nigeria at the just concluded CAA’s Under 18/20 Championship held in Ndola, Zambia.

Team Nigeria won 17 Gold, 10 Silver and 9 Bronze medals to finish in second place on the medal table behind South Africa at the quadrennial championship.

In his congratulatory message on Friday, the highly revered Athletics Administrator says the performance of the team is a testament to the fact that talents are abound in Nigeria; while stressing on the need for talent discovery, training and exposure to global platforms, which according to him, will in turn result to future podium finish.

“I want to extend my heart felt congratulations to these young Nigerians who made the country proud at the just concluded African U18/20 Athletics Championship in Zambia.

The records achieved is a testament to the fact that talents are abound in Nigeria; and these talents require training and exposure to global platforms in order to achieve podium finish in the near future.

I am impressed by the performance and feat achieved by Samuel Ogazi, obliterating the 46.26secs record of Lythe Pillay, the South African in 400m with his 46.01secs.That is the Nigerian spirit!

Others are appreciated, especially Faith Okwose, Fejiro Djoma and Justine Jimoh for flying the country’s flag high in Zambia.”Engr.Gusau said.

Recall,that Nigeria finished top at the medals table in the last edition held at the Stade Felix Hoouphouet-Biogny, Abidjan, Ivory Coast in 2019, producing stars like Favour Ofili, Grace Nwokocha, Rosemary Chukwuma and

Nigeria rugby team to camp in UK for 2024 Olympic qualifiers

By Amaechi Agbo

Nigeria Rugby Football Federation will camp the senior men national team fondly called Black Stallions in the United Kingdom for the 2024 Olympic Games qualifiers.

The Black Stallions are to participate in Rugby Afrique Olympic qualifiers slated for Mauritius on June 24 and 25, 2023.

Speaking ahead of the preparation, the President NRFF, Dr Ademola Are said the first phase of camping has kicked off

“We have started the first phase of camping for players based in the UK and some other parts of Europe. We hope to use that to select some good players that will later join the home lads for next phase of camping before the final team will be selected,”

he said

Mr Are who was recently appointed as a member of Africa Rugby Audit and Risk Committee, said that the federation’s target is the ticket for the Paris 2024 Games.

“Our target is to qualify for the Olympics and if we can have the bulk of our players playing outside the shores of this country turning up for the camp, then we stand a good chance of picking

the ticket,” Nigeria is placed in Pool A with Ghana, Burundi and DR Congo.

Other countries participating in the qualifiers are Mauritius, Cote D’ Ivoire, Botswana, Cameroon, Algeria, Lesotho, Senegal and Egypt.

Paris, France capital, will host the 33rd Olympic Games from Friday, July 26, to Sunday, August 11, 2024

Flying Eagle’s arrive Argentina for U-20 World Cup

By Amaechi Agbo

Ahead of the commencement of the 2023 U-20 World Cup on Saturday next week, Nigeria U-20 male team, the Flying Eagles have arrived the host nation, Argentina.

The delegation of two-time runners-up Nigeria have arrived in Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina for a 10-day camping programme ahead of this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals.

A contingent of 20 players and 10 officials departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Saturday night aboard a Turkish Airline flight and travelled through Istanbul before heading to the “land of the Pampas”.

With a record of having finished with the silver medals in 1989 and 2005, and with the bronze medals in 1985, the Flying Eagles are hoping to break the duck and collect the top prize in their 13th appearance at a

tournament they first graced in Mexico 40 years ago.

That year, they stunned then Soviet Union 1-0 through a welltaken goal by Tarila Okorowanta in Monterrey, but then lost 0-3 to Brazil in their second game in Guadalajara. Needing victory to reach the knock-out round, the Flying Eagles could only draw with The Netherlands in their final group game in Monterrey.

Nigeria has been slotted in Group D for this year’s championship and will play the

Dominican Republic, Italy and Brazil in that order in the group phase.

Their first two games will hold in Mendoza, in the far west of Argentina, against the Dominican Republic on 21 May and against Italy on 24 May, before they fly to La Plata to play Brazil on 27 May.

Guatemala and New Zealand will square up in the opening match on Saturday, 20th May at the Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades, Santiago del Estero.

Nigeria Rugby Team, the Black Stallions

PEOPLES DAILY

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY MAY 10, 2023

PSG Suspends Lionel Messi For Two Weeks Over Unapproved Trip

F

The Ligue 1 leaders handed Messi a club ban and a fine after the star made a mid-season trip to Saudi Arabia last week

The 35-year-old took a trip to Saudi Arabia after PSG’s Ligue 1 defeat to Lorient. The move was reportedly not approved by manager Christophe Galtier, with the club having since taken action.

The Argentina international will miss fixtures against Troyes this weekend and Ajaccio on May 13, with PSG five points clear at the top of the table.

Messi, who is set to leave the club in the summer at the expiration of the two-year contract he signed in 2021, has been linked with a move to the Middle East.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was spotted at Riyadh airport as part of a visit relating to his role as a tourism ambassador in the country, the dat after their defeat against Lorient on Monday.

Messi received a backlash following the trip, with teammates said to have been left shocked. The Argentina international, a World Cup winner with his country in 2022, is a tourism ambassador for the Middle East nation but was not given permission by Galtier to take the trip. Messi received a backlash following the trip, with team-mates said to have been left shocked. The Argentina international, a World Cup w take the trip.

Each week, new development. That is the experience in contemporary Nigeria. I just stumbled upon an interesting piece as I was about to begin this week’s piece and unfortunately I wouldn’t be able to dwell much on it as a main course, but I will nonetheless express a point on it as I pass by. It was Reno Omokri, perhaps, in an attempt to utterly discredit the ruling APC and the incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari, he wrote, and I quote “let me give you a list of investments in Nigeria that dwarf Rwanda’s proposed $2 billion airport. The $25 billion Lekki Free Trade Zone, the $19 billion Dangote Refinery, The $10 billion Escravos gas-to-liquid project, the $10 billion train 7 of the NLNG and the $3.2 billion Indorama fertilizer plants; to mention a few… As a Nigerian, don’t belittle your country because of your frustration with disappointing leaders like Buhari. Nigeria is not APC.”

rench Ligue 1 champions, Paris Saint-Germain has slammed a two-week suspension on its attacker and World Cup winner, Lionel Messi for embarking on on a trip to Saudi Arabia without authorisationIt is obvious the target was to drop low the APC government; but then, he forgot that all the huge and momentous achievements he boasts of are handiwork of Buhari and APC; all without exception. I am going to do some work on this much later, but as of today, Reno Omokri has informed Nigerians that the Buhari Administration they so much wish to pull down has done so much for the country to be proud of as a Nigerian. We may have insecurity still and the economy may not be what we all expected but those highlighted achievements are worthy of praise. And as rightly placed by Reno, these are but to just mention a few. Thanks Reno.

And finally before I commence my work for the week, the ruling party, and my party is currently engulfed once again with the task of deciding who becomes what at the 10th National Assembly. Unfortunately, we are missing out on the fact that unlike other arms of government, it has been unique overtime; even since independence. The arm of government has been the only institution in the country that has refused to be affected by religious and regional dichotomy that has become a headache to the country as a whole today. This is the reason why again and again the composition of leaderships of the two chambers have never had regard for religion nor tribe. At a time, during the PDP era, we had a Christian Senate President, David Mark, from Benue, a Christian Deputy Senate President, Ekweremadu from Enugu and a Christian Speaker, Patricia Eteh from Osun. It is not limited to that, there have been times in the past when they are all from the north and Muslim. The legislative arm of government has never at any time in the past pandered to the sentiments in question. APC must be very careful in its meddling with the leadership of the 10th Assembly. As an independent institution, the imperative of participation, number and equity is what must deliver capable leadership for the two chambers. Let NASS decide its leadership on the basis of contribution to the shared victory, number and popularity on the floor of the Assembly. Attempting to foist any candidate outside this might not be considered a consensus and it would definitely have implications. The party must be careful, 2027 is just by the corner politically speaking.

This week, I am bothered about the

Ekweremadus’ travails in the United Kingdom and the implications on our nation as much as the lessons from the diminishing event.

It is absolutely disgraceful both to the nation and the person of Senator Ekweremadu; that is, the entire events and ordeal the entire family has gone through in the UK. It did not only diminish the person of the man who was a three-time Deputy Senate President of the country and once the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, but also to the country that is again giving a bad name by the scandal.

Organs transplant has become a popular procedure that we shouldn’t have to go to another man’s backyard to get it done as a nation; but unfortunately, while we parade medical practitioners, who are capable of carrying out the procedure across our hospitals the country over, the needed infrastructure is lacking. Thanks to the failure of those in positions of power, that have literally preferred to eat up the resources and depend on medical tourism for their healthcare deliveries at the detriment of all Nigerians.

Why would there be a need for the Ekweremadus to have to rely on medical facilities to save Sonia if we have done what is right about our healthcare delivery in Nigeria? Over the years, clamours for increased investments and conscious elevation of the nation’s health sector to meet up with global standards has been paid lip service to by those in government across the states and the center. Nigeria, the giant of Africa, without a trustworthy capacity to carry out regular simple organ transplant on its soil is an indictment of the failure of our government and system.

It has happened, the sentencing has been passed and the Ekweremadus have been lucky enough to escape with unbelievable light sentencing giving that the offence carries a maximum of life imprisonment, perhaps thanks to direct and indirect interventions across the board to the effect of the leniency.

While some part of me wished the family got off the hook for the sake of what drove them to commit all the errors and crimes that led them to this point, I also have known that for the sake of the lessons that need to be learnt, justice must have to be served and served right.

As a nation and a people, there is a lot to learn from the revelations; and hopefully, lessons that are capable of driving us to some national sanity and usefulness. You see, Nigerian politicians have become demi-gods, allocating and using power like the Almighty; but in this case, amassing illegal wealth, crumbling the national system and living a luxury life completely out of the reach of ordinary citizens they claim to serve. They watch the national education system deteriorating while

they conveniently send their children and wards overseas for quality education and rub it off our faces as they celebrate their graduations on popular social media.

They watch our industries die and industrialisation capacity taken away from us while they keep all looted money in Swiss banks and invest in offshore accounts far from the spying eyes and reach of the country. They buy and eat foreign foods, live in houses with furniture all imported, and drive customised cars to be different from all of us.

While Nigeria parades the best of doctors and health practitioners globally, doing positive exploits across developed nations of the world, locally, we present a moribund sector deprived of functioning infrastructure. We parade hospitals and clinics that are never good enough for our leaders, or why would they fly out to treat malaria at the least. Have we ever heard that the American President, the UK Prime Minister, the French President or any leader of any serious nation are flown out for medical interventions in another country? Of course not, they built infrastructure to take care of their health and they trusted what they built. Our leaders, the politicians, budget billions of dollars annually for the national healthcare at all levels, then turn around to embezzle the money and run out to foreign cities to receive medical services. Would they learn from the Ekweremadus’ plight? I doubt, though I wish.

When I look at the whole revelation from another perspective, it occurs to me that our nation Nigeria still has a long way to go. The reason the politicians would play us like a chess game and get away with it is and has always been because they would always get away with it. We have got laws, but they are nothing but toothless dogs when it comes to handling the politicians and those in the corridors of power. It is only in Nigeria that it is easy to sentence a man caught on the street with a stolen goat to ten years behind bars while a government official or politicians who stole billions of dollars is set free to go and re-contest. It is only here that an individual under trial for stealing hundreds of billion dollars of our commonwealth would become a senator and would still be contesting to become the Senate President.

What has become of our laws?

Why must it be foreign nations getting hold of our politicians and those who stole our commonwealth or committed gory offences against the country to accountability and jailing them? The list is now growing; they walk free in the country but get napped outside and humiliated. James Ibori, the former two-term governor of Delta state was jailed in the UK for stealing the state money and laundered it in the UK. He served his jail time and returned back

to the country to a rosy welcome to resume his position as the godfather of Delta state politics. Late Dieppreye Alamieyeseigha, one time governor of Balyesa state was arrested in the UK for the same reason of laundering stolen money. Late Kashamu Buruji was a senator of the Federal Republic in the 8th Assembly who was arrested in the UK while he was trying to enter the country with $230,000 in cash. After five years in prison he returned back to Nigeria to resume his popularity. The list continues if we would list nonpoliticians who walk free in the country but nabbed overseas for offences the country ought to have tried.

We celebrate our politicians, urge them to abuse our resources by our actions and the judiciary plays to the gallery when it is called to duty for as long as whoever is involved is a ‘big man.’ There was a research funded by the UK’s Department for International Development, which examined how Nigerians politicians used unexplained wealth to buy millions of pounds’ worth of properties in the UK and fund excessive private education for their children.

The research on finding about Ekweremadu submitted that the Nigerian politician would have legitimately earned about £339,000 as a political office holder in his stint as the deputy president of the Nigeria Senate; however, in that period, he bought three properties - two in London and one in Cambridge worth £4.2 million. It was also established that Ekweremadu’s international property portfolio was worth more than £6 million.

That is just one politician; out of the hundreds that sit on the wealth of a whole nation. If Ekweremadu had been arrested and tried in Nigeria, it is obvious what the outcome would be. Today, he would be in the national assembly making laws for the country and enjoying his loot and getting away from all crimes.

We cannot talk of real progress, growth and national development if there is no justice. We need to return to the desk to fashion out a return to accountability - financial, legal and morally. Till then, we are only playing and we will continue to get embarrassed with our leaders spending their jail times overseas.

GOD BLESS THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA !

DAN GAYE

DAN GAYE

Reps: Wase, Doguwa reject APC choice of Tajudeen, backs Betara for 10th Speaker —News