Thursday, January 12th, 2023 Edition

S/Court decides Jigawa APC governorship ticket battle Jan 13

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

he Supreme Court, will January 13 deliver judgment in the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Jigawa State.

A five-member panel of Justices of the Court led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun fixed the date for judgment after taking arguments from parties.

The appeal filed by Farouk Adamu Aliyu (former Minority Leaders of the House of Representatives) and the cross appeal by Umar Namadi (the current Deputy Governor of the

state).

Umar Namadi through his counsel, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi SAN had won the legal battle at the Federal High Court in Dutse as well as at the Court of Appeal in Kano.

But Aliyu is by his appeal marked: SC/1453/2022 challenging the November 4, 2022 judgment by the Court of Appeal (Kano division) which dismissed his earlier appeal and upheld Namadi’s election as the governorship candidate of the APC in Jigawa State.

A three-member panel presided over by Justice Ita Mbaba,

in the November 4 judgment, unanimously dismissed Aliyu’s appeal against the September 13, 2022 judgement by Justice Hassan Dikko of the Federal High Court, Dutse, for lacking in merit.

Justice Dikko had, in the judgment, held among others, that Aliyu lacked the locus standi to sue and added that he failed to prove his case with credible evidence.

However, in the cross appeal filed by Lateef Fagbemi SAN, Namadi is challenging a portion of the Court of Appeal judgment which upturned the trial court’s decision that Aliyu lacked to locus

standi to have filed the suit which did not qualify as a pre-election case.

Adopting his client’s brief on Wednesday, lawyer to Namadi, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) urged the Apex Court to dismiss the appeal by Aliyu and allow his client’s cross appeal.

Fagbemi argued that the Appeal Court was wrong to have exercised jurisdiction over Aliyu’s appeal, which arose “from an action improperly constituted.”.

Lawyer to Aliyu, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) argued otherwise and prayed the court to allow his client’s appeal.

Kaduna commences automated Hajj operations in 2023 - Official

pilgrims operations.

After launching its reviewed pilgrim training and enlightenment manual on Tuesday, Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, has said that, it will commence automation of the entire

It said, the automation plan will commence with e-accommodation system, through which Kaduna pilgrims will know their abodes in Saudi Arabia even before arriving the holy land.

The Executive Secretary of the Agency, Dr. Yakubu Yusuf

Arrigasiyyu, who disclosed this while presenting the reviewed training manual said, the Agency under the automation plan, will deploy digital technologies like e-commerce, blockchain, QR codes in processing Kaduna Pilgrims.

According to the Executive Secretary, with the launching

of the reviewed manual, “Pilgrim trainers will soon be invited to reapply for pilgrim training offers. The aim is to elicit the best pilgrim trainers who will be retained in line with the current realities in order for them to instill the needed education more effectively.”

From AbdulGafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

L-R; Minister of State Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, Minister of Niger Delta, Umana Okon Umana, The Chairman Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Ms. Lauretta Onochie, Minister of State, Niger Delta Affairs, Ms Sharon O. Ikeazor, Managing Director NDDC, Chief Samuel Ogbuku and other Members during the Inauguration of The New NDDC Board recently in Abuja.’

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

2023: Adamawa

INEC receives 4,104 BVAS for general elections— Rec

From Umar Dankano,Yola

Ahead of the 2023 general elections,the Adamawa state Independent Electoral Commission,INEC, announced the collection of 4,104 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for the state.

Resident Electoral Commissioner,REC in charge of the state’s Commission, Barrister Hudu Yunusa Ari made the disclosure in Yola Tuesday at a critical stakeholders meeting, stressing that all necessary arrangements are on top gear for the exercise.

Barrister Ari said BVAS will be used for the 2023 elections in all the polling units in the state.

He added that the commission will deploy a technology for transmitting election results from the polling units which are being tested for configuration and labelling the BVAS.

Ari called on the people to go and collect their permanent Voter’s cards,PVCs at the various electoral officers across the 21 local government areas in the state, explaining that 187,377 PVCs are for 2019 opening balance.

He stated that 2019 PVCs collected till date are 77,566 while 2019 balance of the PVCs are 106,811, noting that 215,280 are for 2021-2022 fresh registration received and a total 113,713 fresh registration PVCs were collected for 2021-2022.

83 tertiary federal institutions benefited from FG’s road projects —Fashola

From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

The Federal Government has constructed road projects in 83 federal tertiary institutions across the country.

The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, stated this at the handing over of 1.8KM internal road projects at the Federal University Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.

The Minister said that, the Ministry has successfully

intervened and handed over 64 road projects in various tertiary federal institutions as at March, 2022, 18 projects ready to be handed over while currently attending to 19 roads in similar institutions across the country.

According to the Minister, this is consistent with their progressive ideal of improving the human condition as well as critical intervention to support education.

Fashola, said the gap of our infrastructure needs is steadily

being bridged by a gradual process of repairs, renewal and construction on major highways and it has reached the schools.

“During the construction, about 33 number of both skilled and unskilled labours were employed in the process contributing to the job creation initiatives of the federal government”.

Represented by the Federal Controller of Works, Kebbi State office, Engineer James Bugu, hoped that the school would now

ensure that, this asset is used properly and not abused.

The Vice Chancellor, Federal University Birnin Kebbi, Professor Muhammad Zayyan Umar, thanked the federal government for its supporting to the University with series of interventions through MDAs including federal ministry of works and housing, National University Commission and Tertiary Education Trust Fund.

BUHARI celebrates Senate President, Lawan at 64

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, on his 64th birthday, January 12, 2023, sharing the joyous occasion with the National Assembly.

CSR: JAMB donates medical equipment, consumables to Kano varsity

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

Aspart of its corporate social responsibility (CSR), the Joint Admission and Marticulation Board (JAMB), has launched delivery of medical equipments, to Muhammad Abdullahi Wase teaching hospital (MAWTH), under Yusuf Maitama Sule University, (YUMSUK), a Kano owned Institution.

Speaking while recieving the items, Kano state governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje noted that, his administration had been consistent in implementing policies and programmes, aimed at improving the health status of it’s citizens.

Dr Ganduje, who was represented by,Kano state commissioner of environment, Dr Kabiru Ibrahim Getso pointed out that, some of the initiatives include provision drugs and other health commodities to health facilities across the 44 Local Government areas, Completion and equipping of 2 mega hospitals,

rehabilitation and upgrade of Murtala Mohd Specialist hospital to a world class facility, among others.

He highlighted that, the state had set up a contributory healthcare scheme, to ensure adequate financing of health care sector, as well as the introduction of various programs, that are meant to ensure adequate and regular supply of commodities, in health facilities and institutions.

“ These include the Free MNCHC, Free Malaria Program, Free HIV/ AIDS program, Free TB, Leprosy program and free treatment of NTDs”

In his remarks,the registrar of JAMB, Professor Ishaq Olarewaju Oloyede, explained that, the intervention of the board in the area of health care delivery, is to support government’s efforts, aimed at addressing the huge medical infrastructural gap.

Professor Oloyede, who was represented by the director national headquarters annex Kaduna, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulqadir Maska

maintained that,the COVID-19 pandemic provided the much-needed impetus for countries around the globe, to do the needful by breaking barriers, and tapping into available opportunities.

Professor Ishaq highlighted that, in Nigeria, the COVID-19 pandemic served as a wake-up call, that stirred up consciousness to the need for adequately equipped public health institutions,where Jamb entered into a partnership with a grant agency in the united states, to equip 12 tertiary health institutions in Nigeria.

“The 12 benefitting health facilities drawn from the six geopolitical zones include Yusif Maitama Sule University teaching hospital,university of Ilorin teaching hospital,among others “

In his remarks,Vice chancellor, Yusuf Maitama Sule University Kano, Professor Mukhtar Atiku Kurawa,said Kano State government has advanced the construction of two (2) gigantic faculty buildings, at the main campus, in addition to many

other developmental projects and programs.

He hinted that,governor Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje had signed into law, the bill that establishes Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital (MAWTH) for the University’s MBBS program to thrive.

President Buhari joined family members, friends, and political associates in celebrating the Senate President, who has a profile of being one of the most experienced legislators in the country, having served eight years in the House of Representatives, 1999-2007, and almost 12 years in the Senate, said a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.

“

I must confess that I and my colleagues,Heads of State-owned Tertiary Institutions have never met his Excellency with demands in the name of the Institutions and he says no,”

Others who spoke at the occasion include Kano state commissioner of health, Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa and director general Kano state hospitals management board, Dr. Nasir Alhassan Kabo.

Some of the items donated include incubators, oxygen machine, bed, parameters, ventilators, anesthetic machine, portable ultrasound machine, intensive care unit monitor, office table and ICU electric bed.

The President, the noted, affirmed that Sen. Lawan, after leaving his career path as a lecturer and researcher, deployed his vast knowledge in shaping policies and strengthening democracy in Nigeria by always showing maturity, and advocating a winwin for all stakeholders.

The President also noted the historic interventions of the Senate President, particularly providing a peaceful and harmonious leadership for the 9th National Assembly that has translated into many gains for the country on legislation and passing of bills into law, the statement said.

President Buhari prayed for the well-being of Sen. Lawan and his family, according to the statement.

Communities urges IGP to beef up Security surveillance in Keffi—Kaduna road

Communities of Gitata, Angwan Ayaba in Karu Local Government of Nasarawa State and Barde

Town in Jema’a Local Government Council of Kaduna State have called on the Inspector General of Police to urgently deploy security surveillance to the busy Keffi

– Kaduna Road in order to bring an end to the incessant robbery and kidnapping Spokespersons of the border communities Mr. James Bauru and Patrick

Francis in an interview with Peoples Daily in Gitatta Wednesday expressed concern on the level of criminal activities along Keffi Barde Junction.

‘‘We are appealing to the IGP to come to the aid of travellers especially those moving to Gombe, Bauchi, Adamawa, Yobe, Maiduguri and Plateau State.”

L-R; Director General/CEO National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Prof Abba Isa Tijani, President Muhammadu Buhari and Chief of Staff Prof Ibrahim Gambari during an audience at the State House, yesterday in Abuja.

PHOTO; State House

From Ganbo Ahmed, Lafia

2023 polls: Arewa community in Lagos endorses Tinubu

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Arewa Community in Lagos, on Tuesday, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, endorsed Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress Presidential candidate, and openly vowed to work to ensure his victory in the 2023 election.

The group also extended the endorsement to the Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is seeking re-election.

Announcing the endorsement, Chairman, Arewa Community APC in Lagos, Alhaji Saadu Yusuf Gulma Dandare, said Asíwájú Tinubu had done a lot for Lagos and Nigeria, adding that if the country has more of him, it will be a better place.

He explained that the endorsement of Tinubu was a collective decision by the Arewa Community in Lagos in genuine conviction of his political will, necessary courage and capacity unite all components of the Nigerian society according to the limitations allowed by the nation’s diversity.

Describing Tinubu as a thoroubred nationalist and detribalised politician who does not operate on the basis of ethnicity, region or religion, the Arewa Community leader pointed to when as Lagos State Governor, he appointed people into the state cabinet from other regions of the country.

Dandare recounted how Tinubu laid the solid foundation that ensured a conducive environment for Nigerians from every tribe, religion and region to flourish without let or hinderance.

Noting the giant strides made by Tinubu in developing the public service and infrastructure in Lagos State, Dandare said it is important to give him the opportunity to replicate this feat for the country.

“We therfore owe it a duty to work to ensure Tinubu’s victory in the coming elections in view of his inspiring leadership and untiring efforts to keep the flames of our dedication to the interests of the people of the North living as minorities in the South-West alive.

“Today, we are proud to boldly endorse the candidature of this great statesman, whose leadership, sacrifice, statesmanship, patriotism and unwavering commitment to the interests of the people of Northern Nigerian, and citizens of Nigeria as a whole has few parallels in our nation.”

NNPC’s no counter affidavit stalls Ararume’s N100bn suit against Buhari

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

Hearing on the N100billion suit filed by Senator Ifeanyi Ararume against President Muhammadu Buhari, was yesterday stalled as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) failed to file a counter-affidavit.

The Senator dragged Buhari to the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging his alleged unlawful removal as Chairman of the Board of NNPC after using his name to register the entity at the Corporate Affairs

Commission (CAC).

When the matter which was billed for hearing was called yesterday, counsel to NNPC, Mr Etigwe Uwa, SAN, informed the court that he had only filed a preliminary objection against hearing of the suit and not a counter affidavit to the substantive suit.

Consequent to the above, Uwa asked the judge to proceed with hearing of his preliminary objection and determine it one way or the other before coming to the substantive matter.

However, counsel to

Ararume, Chief Chris Uche SAN, reminded the judge his order on 15 December, 2022, that all processes must be filed and exchange by parties before Wednesday’s proceedings.

He therefore, urged the court to proceed to hear the main suit as agreed upon by parties during the last December proceedings.

Justice Inyang Ekwo however, drew Uwa’s attention to the practice direction of the Federal High Court to the effect that both the substantive matter and any preliminary objection must be taking together in order

to save Judicial time of the court.

The court maintained that he would not proceed with hearing of the preliminary objection alone until counter affidavit to the main suit has been filed in compliance of the Court.

On the bench ruling, Justice Ekwo granted the NNPC another opportunity to do the needful and warned parties to always comply with order of court.

Meantime, the court adjourned to January 23 as definite date for hearing on the matter.

FG begins 2022 mini-bid round – NUPRC

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has begun the 2022 mini-bid round process in accordance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021.

The mini-bid round is an opportunity to spur new oil exploration and drilling activities in the prospective deep waters offshore Nigeria.

Mr Gbenga Komolafe, Commission Chief Executive (CCE), NUPRC, made the announcement on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Komolafe said the minibid round was aimed at further development of the deep offshore acreages.

This, he said, would be held in accordance with the PIA with its enhanced legal and regulatory frameworks that sought to encourage new investors and investments into the next phase of exploration in this region.

“The mini-bid round will be

managed by the NUPRC, in line with the provisions of the PIA, as the statutory body responsible for ensuring compliance with petroleum laws, regulations, and guidelines in the Nigerian upstream petroleum industry.

“The National Data Repository of NUPRC and our multi-client partners are delighted and ready to support the Mini Bid Round underpinned by high- quality datasets. The blocks have extensive 2D and 3D seismic data coverage, including multi-beam and analog data.

“Additionally, a remarkable quality, 3D MegaSurveyPlus reprocessed Pre-stack Time Migration (completed October 2022), with angle stacks and gathers is also available to prospective bidders.

“Links to all data can be accessed via the dedicated NUPRC portal.

“The mini-bid round is a market-driven programme and will follow a transparent and competitive procurement process

designed to attract competent third-party investors globally that have the capability and proficiency in operating in deepwater environment,” he said.

He said the mini-bid round intended to build on the successes of the last bid round held in April 2007 during which a total of 45 blocks, drawn from the Inland Basins of Anambra, Benue and Chad; the Niger Delta Continental Shelf; Onshore Niger Delta and Deep Offshore were put on offer.

He recalled that the 2007 bid round was held under a different regulatory regime (the Petroleum Act, 1969) and generated massive interest and participation with its attended revenue which made the exercise a success.

In this 2022 mini-bid round, he said that seven offshore blocks covering an area of approximately 6,700 sq km in water depths of 1,150m to 3,100m were put on offer.

He said the success of the mini-bid round would ensure all stakeholders gain value from

the country’s resources, whilst paying close attention to reduction in carbon emissions, as well as overall environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations.

According to him, a dedicated programme portal (br.nuprc.gov. ng) for the mini-bid round has been published by the NUPRC.

He further said that a pre-bid conference has been scheduled for Jan. 16, 2023 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.

Komolafe said the conference would provide potential applicants with an opportunity to ask questions concerning the mini-bid round processes and requirements.

He said that interested companies would be invited to submit pre-qualification applications by Jan. 31, 2023.

Komolafe assured that the NUPRC would continue to provide further details and roadmap for this international competitive mini-bid round in due course.

“Interested applicants are by the publication invited to participate in the process,” he added. (NAN)

L-R: National Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Oyiola Omisore and the INEC Director, Voters Register, Engr. Gambo Iro, during the presentation of National Register of Voters to Political Parties, at the INEC headquarters, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

2023: We’ll repeat 1993 by rejecting Kano candidate to vote for southerner -Ganduje

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

Few weeks to presidential election, governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state has declared that the state will repeat what happened during 1993 presidential election when it supported a Southern candidate and rejected Kano citizen.

In a statement by Abba Anwar, Chief Press Secretary to Ganduje yesterday, the governor made the declaration during a campaign tour with the All Progressives Party (APC) candidates vying for different positions for the

NDLEA siezes

NDLEA seized 460.34kg of illicit drugs in Akwa Ibom in 2022 and arrested 348 suspects.

NDLEA Commander in the state, Mrs Obot Bassey, told newsmen in Uyo on Wednesday that those arrested were 302 males and 46 females.

Illicit drugs seized were 231.377kg of Indian hemp, 2.611kg of cocaine, 0.919kg of heroin, 0.032kg of Meth, 92.803kg of Amphetamine and 133.196kg of other psychotropic substances, she added.

upcoming general elections.

“That showed political maturity and dexterity of Kano citizens. We voted for Chief MKO Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and rejected Bashir Othman Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC). Because we all believed in national integration and competence,” Ganduje was quoted as saying in the statement.

He reminded Nigerians that, the APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, supported Northerners on different occasions to clinch the presidency.

He further reminded that,

“Tinubu was an instrument behind making Atiku Abubakar to become the presidential candidate of Action Congress (AC). He also provided another platform for Nuhu Ribadu to contest for the presidency under the platform of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).”

He explained that, as rotational as it is, the presidential contest in the country, provides that, power rotates from North to South and vice versa.

Therefore, according to him, “Asiwaju Tinubu worked very hard to maintain the equation. Hence, his support for Northern

Presidential candidates in the past. One good thing deserves another. We have no other option now, than to support his candidature.”

Governor Ganduje emphasized that, Tinubu, the only deserving and most competent presidential candidate in the upcoming election, is being supported by the North because of his (Tinubu) firm belief in nation building, all-encompassing pedigree, firm belief in human and national development, among other factors.

He introduced all other candidates vying for the positions

of Senator, membership of House of Representatives and State Assembly and gubernatorial and deputy gubernatorial positions.

Assuring all that, “I am presenting to all, our most competent and deserving contestants, who cannot be mates to all other contestants from all other opposition parties.”

After after holding a campaign rally and consultations in Rano and Bunkure and passing the night in Rano, the headquarter of Rano Emirate with his entourage, the governor then visited the District Head of Kibiya, Sunusi Abubakar Ila.

She said the command also secured 58 convictions of drug dealers and users in 2022, rehabilitated 15 persons and counselled 265 others.

Bassey said the command also destroyed 2.786 tonnes of seized drugs by burning them in public glare in 2022.

“Of spectacular notes were arrests and seizure of 90kg Amphetamine with street value of N2.5 billion and 2.6kg of cocaine.

“The drugs would have done a lot of damage to families,

communities and to the state if they had not been seized,’’ Bassey stressed.

She said Uyo Local Government Area recorded the highest rate of drug abuse out of the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom.

It was closely followed by Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area and Itu Local Government Area.

Bassey said the NDLEA was in dire need of operational vehicles to effectively cover the 31 local government areas

of the state; boats to patrol the waterways and residential barracks for safety of personnel.

She appealed to multinational organisations, philanthropists and wellmeaning individuals to join hands with the NDLEA to reduce drug abuse and trafficking to the barest minimum in the state.

“I am using this medium to tell Akwa Ibom people to look for substances that are not supposed to be consumed and keep the NDLEA posted on

these substances.

“Residents should also report drug dealers and users to the NDLEA,’’ she said.

Bassey said the NDLEA was disturbed by the influx of a new drug, Fentanyl into the Nigerian market, as it is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, heroin and codeine.

The commander warned drug peddlers and dealers in Akwa Ibom to give up the illicit business or face the full wrath of the law. (NAN)

L-R: National President, Albino Foundation, Jake Epelle; Public Policy Analyst, Diasporas for Good Governance (DGG), Chima Christian; DGG media consultant, Ms Lois Jonathan and National Organizing Secretary, African Democratic Party (ADP), Dr Alex Maiyanga during a Press conference on the need to strengthen INEC’s systems and operations in the forthcoming 2023 general elections, yesterday in Àbuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) has closed down 3,000 open drugs markets responsible for the distribution of illicit drugs.

The council also arrested more than 10 people in connection with the dispensation of illicit drugs across the federation.

The Registrar of the council, Pharm Ibrahim Ahmed Baba Shehu stated this during a

courtesy visit to Niger state governor on its sensitization tour in Minna.

He said that the Council has put in place measures to sanitize drugs markets by closing all sources of open drugs facilities to curb the

PCN shuts down 3,000 open drug markets, arrests 10 people Niger community begs PDP guber candidate for transformer

menace of illicit drugs in the country.

Baba Shehu said that PCN has within a period of seven months effected the closure of open drugs markets in Sabon Gari, Kano; Idimota in Lagos and under bridge in Onisha.

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

The People of Bina Community in Lapai

Local Government Area of Niger State have appealed to the Governorship Candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Isah Liman Kantigi to extend his humanitarian gesture to step down and connect transformer donated to the community.

The indigenes made the appeal in a statement issued by the spokesperson, Mohammad Ndeji Bina, saying all efforts through the State Government, the Senator Representing the Zone and other elected and appointed office holders yielded no result.

He decried that the community has remained in darkness over the years since the donation of the transformer by the Former Member, Representing Lapai and Agaie Federal Constituency, Ibrahim Ebbo under same party about ten years ago.

Ndeji Bina however urged the Governorship Candidate, to extend his kind gesture to the community as done to others across the state.

He advised the people of Bina and environs to use their votes wisely by voting candidates that would have them at heart in times of development and better welfare package.

Kaduna Electric partners Gusau emirate to secure improved energy payments

The management of Kaduna Electric has engaged traditional rulers and Islamic Scholars under Gusau emirate through its Regional and Gusau area offices

in its bid to improve payments of energy consumed by the teeming customers across the 14 local government areas of Zamfara State.

The request for traditional rulers and Islamic Scholars participate in both the exercises of bills distribution

to customers and facilitation of satisfied payments of charges for consumed energy, was conveyed by the Regional Manager in charge of Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi, Comrade Abdurashed Muhammad.

Comrade Muhammad notified the meeting that,

Kaduna Electricity is distributing energy worth over N500 million to the teeming consumers on monthly basis but, only about N140-50 million could be generated, the development which pictured the company running at a loss in the business.

He further lamented that, the larger percentage of customers in the state are defaulters while another threatening percent is illegally consuming, the situation which knocked down all possible chances for the company to move forward in that respect.

Uniabuja launches diploma programe in Complementary, Alternative Medicine

By Usman Shuaibu

The management of the University of Abuja has launched a Diploma programe in Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the institution.

Speaking at the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’Allah, said his administration would

support the programme in all ramifications.

Na’Allah who spoke during the University of Abuja maiden national conference on Complementary and Alternative Medicine, saying the management of the University would deem it necessary to award a Degree programme in Complementary and Alternative medicine in the nearby future.

Also speaking, the Chancellor of the University, Alhaji Rilwan Suleiman Adamu who is the Emir of Bauchi State said the establishment of a Diploma programe in Complementary and Alternative Medicine would revolutionize the health system in Nigeria.

The Emir who was represented at the occasion said: “This is one area that

our scientists ought to have delved into long ago, the significant advancement made by China and India in the use of Complementary and Alternative medicine is an established phenomenon across the globe.

On his part, the Provost of the College of Health Sciences University of Abuja, Prof. Mustapha Jamda, said the College of Health

Sciences would partner with the Complementary and Alternative medicine in the University for the sake of academic excellence of the students.

Meanwhile, the Director of the Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Abuja, Dr Ben Amodu unveiled the substances of Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the occasion.

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

From left, Director General of the Nigeria AgriBusiness Group (NABG), Dr Manzo Maigari, CEO PyroGenesys Ltd Simon Ighofoshe, NABG Policy Advisor Max Ndianaefo, and NABG Communications Officer, Israella Enyi, during the recently concluded Women and Youth Farmers and Agri-entrepreneurs Regional Conference (WAYFARC) organised by NABG and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, yesterday in Kaduna

Nupe celebrate cultural festival

By Usman Shuaibu

The leadership of Nupe Development Association (NDA) which comprised of Abaji, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has celebrated the first Nupe cultural festival, special award ceremony and launching of the 2023 calendar in a grand style.

The first Nupe cultural festival which took place at Angwan Dodo Primary School in Gwagwalada was attended by the important dignitaries within and outside the FCT.

Speaking at the occasion, the president of NDA in charge of Zone A, Alhaji Abubakar Jibrin Makun said: “The association is formed for the purpose of promoting unity, peace and progress of its members thereby setting a pace for our future generation yet to come”.

He called on those who have not registered as the members of Nupe Development Association to do so, saying that the door is opened for every Nupe person in the FCT.

He then appealed to highly placed individuals to support the association both cash and kind to purchase a plot of land to erect a befitting secretariat for the association in the FCT.

Club tasks Nigerians on investments

By Usman Shuaibu

The Chairman of Good Friends Club (G.F.C) Tunga-Maje in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Francis Orji, has charged Nigerians to deem it necessary to use their resources to invest meaningfully.

He gave the charge in an interview with newsmen during the club’s end of the year gettogether in Tunga-Maje.

He said the club was established to enable the members to contribute the money for future use, pointing out that every member of the club is entitled to keep N500 or N1,000 every week based on his or her financial capability.

Orji called on the general public to join the club for the purpose of keeping the money for investments.

On his part, the treasurer of the club, Mr Kingsley Azuzu promised to keep the monies of the members intact at all times.

Zazzau Emirate Council dismisses palace guard for gang rape

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Zazzau Emirate Council, said it has dismissed with immediate effect, a palace guard, (Dogari) Sama’ila Abubakar Rimin Tsiwa from the services of the emirate for raping a lady on a mission to the palace.

This was contained in a statement by the Media and Publicity Office of the Emir signed by Abdullahi Aliyu Kwarbai and made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

The statement stated that the dismissed palace guard was said to have lured the lady who was

preparing for a wedding and came to seek assistance from the Emir through him.

The statement further stated that instead of taking the lady to the Emir, His Highness Malam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, the suspect lured her to a location with friends where they gang raped her.

“The Council has directed the Police to speed up with their investigations and ensure prosecution of the culprits without delay.

“It also promises to follow up with the case and ensure justice done to the lady,” the statement concluded.

Gwagwalada okada union forum gets new executives

By Usman Shuaibu

Alegal luminary, Barr Andrew Ofoji has swornin the newly elected officials of Gwagwalada Okada Union Forum in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Some of the newly elected officials are: Mallam Yushua Hassan Akula; Chairman, Mr Owudah Hassan; ViceChairman, Mr Abubakar Muhammad; Secretary-

General, Mr Sani A. Isah; Treasurer and the position of Assistant Secretary went to Mr Emmanuel Moses.

Speaking at the occasion, the Aguma of Gwagwalada, Alhaji Muhammadu Magaji who was represented by the District Head of Gwagwalada, Mallam Muhammad Lakai, advised the okada riders to carry out their duties with the fear of God.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council,

Hon. Abubakar Jibrin Giri, who was represented by his Protocol II at the occasion, said his administration would take the okada riders along in the affairs of things in the area.

In an interview, the Chairman of Okada Union Forum in Gwagwalada, Mallam Yushau Hassan Akula, said he would provide purposeful leadership capable of satisfying the aspirations of okada riders in the area.

Akula, therefore, appealed to the administration of Gwagwalada Area Council to assist the union with a bus for the smooth running of the union.

On his part, the Unit Head Operation of FRSC in Gwagwalada, Mr Salihu Abubakar Gada, charged the okada riders to avoid riding in one-way, as he counselled them against riding at 11pm.

Nasfat Chief Missioner, Imam Abdul-Azeez Onike with the Grand Chief Imam of the two Holy Mosques, Dr Abdurrahman Sudais at the Hajj and Umrah Exhibition in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on the 9th of January, 2023.

Standing in the middle is the Chairman, Nigeria’s House of Rep Committee on Pilgrims Affairs Hon Abubakar Nalaraba

Borno Central: Court dismisses suit against Kumalia as PDP senatorial candidate

AFederal High Court, Abuja on Tuesday, dismissed a suit challenging the nomination of Mr Muhammed Kumalia as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate for the 2023 Borno Central Senatorial District election. Justice Emeka Nwite dismissed the suit brought by Mr Jubrin Tatabe for being incompetent and lacking in merit.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tatabe had dragged his party, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Kumalia and three others to court. He had alleged unlawful substitution of his candidacy in the Feb. 25 senatorial election for the Borno Central Senatorial seat.

The plaintiff was said to have emerged winner of the May 23, 2022, primary poll of the PDP for the selection of candidate for the senatorial seat. He was said to have, through a letter dated July 14, 2022, voluntarily withdrew as candidate of the party for the election.

Following, his withdrawal, the party then conducted a fresh primary on July 15, 2022 which then produced Kumalia as candidate of the PDP in the said senatorial poll. The PDP, accordingly, submitted the name of Muhammed Kumalia to INEC, which the electoral umpire in turn published as candidate of the party for the Borno Central Senatorial election. But in his suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1240/2022, the plaintiff alleged that contrary to the position of the defendants, he did not withdraw from the senatorial poll.

He argued that the letter of withdrawal including his signature was forged. He therefore asked the court to set aside the said letter of withdrawal, sack Kumalia as candidate of the PDP and declare him the authentic candidate of the party in the said poll. Delivering judgment in the matter on Tuesday, Justice Nwite agreed with the PDP and Kumalia that the case of the plaintiff was defective having been commenced through an originating summons instead of a writ of summons.

NAN reports that while in an originating summons, a case is determined by only documentary evidence, witnesses must be called to give oral and documentary evidence in a case initiated through a writ of summons.

The judge then held that the allegation of forgery was criminal in nature and must be proved beyond reasonable doubt. He said that in a criminal case such as this, the failure of the plaintiff to call witnesses to prove his allegations was fatal to the case. Justice Nwite consequently dismissed it.(NAN)

2023 census: we’ll rectify past mistakes —NPC boss assures

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Isa-Kwarra, has assured Nigerians that the commission will rectify past mistakes in the coming April 2023 census.

Kwarra, gave the assurance at the opening ceremony of the national level training of Training Centre Managers And Administrators (TCMA) for the 2023 population and housing census, held at the Public Service Institute of Nigeria in Abuja.

He said the Commission has meticulously factored out errors and would deliver a hitch-free census.

The NPC boss said the Commission was irrevocably committed to positively rewrite the history of censuses in Nigeria and

deliver to Nigeria, accurate and reliable census data.

He said, “Preparations for the 2023 Population and Housing Census are on course and the Commission is confident that the prospect for an accurate and reliable census appears brighter than ever. This optimism is rooted in the fact that the present Commission has taken time to identify and deliberate on issues that stalled past censuses and have resolved to avoid those pitfalls through the adoption of scientific planning and modern digital technology.

“I, therefore, appeal to Nigerians to join the Commission in the bid to give our dear country accurate and reliable data through the forthcoming 2023 Population and Housing Census. In addition, there is a need for a shift in national attitude that sees census

data as a tool for seeking economic and political advantages. Rather, we must strive to discover the real essence of the census data as a treasure of information and compass in the effort to build and plan a greater and prosperous Nigeria.

“Our vision of the 2023 census has been designed to produce not only accurate, reliable and acceptable census but also inclusive and user-friendly census data. This desire has informed the scope and quality of preparations made for the census thus far.

“Census is a national event and is the responsibility of every citizen to participate by presenting themselves to be counted. The Commission will no doubt, need the support of all stakeholders to deliver to the country credible and reliable data it can use for sustainable development

planning.”

Giving reasons for the training of managers and administrators ahead of the 2023 census, the NPC Chairman said, “the success of every project is a direct function of the quality of manpower deployed in its execution and for a major national assignment such as the 2023 Population and Housing Census, its overall success will no doubt be tied to the quality of the entire workforce which will largely depend on the quality of training received. However, such must be done within an environment suitable for teaching and learning.

“To this end, the Commission has prioritized the training of centre managers and administrators for effective service delivery. As centre managers and administrators, they will be equipped with relevant skills and knowledge to carry out their duties efficiently.”

FG reconstitutes NISER, CMD Governing Councils

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the reconstitution of the governing councils of Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER) and the Centre for Management Development (CMD).

The announcement of the presidential approval was contained in a press statement by the Director of Information in the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Mrs Folasade Boriowo.

According to the release: “The Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning hereby announces the approval by the

President and Commander-inChief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, of the Reconstitution of the Governing Councils of Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER) and the Centre for Management Development (CMD).

“Membership of Council of NISER includes Dr Emmanuel O. Imafidon (Chairman), Dr Hauwa V. Ibrahim, Professor Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, Sabiu Zakari, Kalli Gazali, Professor Benedict N. Akanegbu and Felicia I. Onibon (Members).

“Other members of the Council are: the Director of

Institute; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industries or his representative; Director (Macro) in the Ministry of Budget and National Planning; the Statistician General, National Bureau of Statistics; and Director of Research, Central Bank of Nigeria

“The Council of CMD comprises the following members: Mrs Binta F. Shuaibu (Chairman); Barrister Marie O. Idaomi; Professor Muhammad A. Mainoma (mni); Mr Olawale Joseph Ademola; and Mr Bitrus D. Chinoko (incumbent Director General of the Centre).

“The membership of the

Council of CMD also consists of a representative each of the following: Ministry of Budget and National Planning; National Universities Commission; Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association; National Youth Service Corps; Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation; Industrial Training Fund; and, Central Bank of Nigeria.

“This announcement is preparatory to the inauguration of the two Governing Councils by the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, which will take place on a date to be announced

soon.”(NAN)

L-R: National Commissioner of INEC, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, National Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Secretary to the commission, Mrs. Rose Omoa Oriaran-Anthony and National Commissioner, Major Gen. A.B. Alkali (rdt), during the presentation of National Register of Voters to Political Parties, at the INEC headquarters, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

candidate

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

The Presidential Candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adebayo Adewole, has said that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari will score F9 if he is to rate its performance from 2015.

Adewole said the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) under Buhari has done nothing but succeeded in playing comedy show in the last eight years of its governance and plunged the nation into a more devastating state.

Addressing journalists ahead of his presidential campaign rally in Kano on Tuesday, Adewole pointed out that the Buhari’s government had plunged Nigerians into insecurity and poverty.

According to him, poverty has been thriving in the county to the extent that people defends on prayers or miracle to get food.

He said, “for a Family in Nigeria or Kano whose idea of their survival is prayers or miracles, and the miracles come in form of going round to search for a dustbin to get watermelon to boil, such a family does not deserve that kind of treatment and such cannot say the socalled N5000 they were given would remove their malice”.

Prince Adewole however said SDP is reaching out to Nigerians, hoping that the structure already in place would grow to understand the citizen.

He promised to fight insecurity, poverty, illiteracy and hunger if elected as president in the February presidential election.

He also urhed Nigerians to elect candidates with focus and vision, rather than those “that disguise under religion to deceive voters.”

On the threat of possible shift or total cancellations of the 2023 general elections as reported by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Adewole, said the electoral umpire had no excuse but to ensure that the polls are conducted as scheduled.

“INEC is the most funded entity of the government and today they are even competing with some states in terms of financial strength, so they have no excuse whatsoever but to make the election a reality,” he said.

Again, IBBU Lapai wins TetFund National Research grant

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai has won another University Research funds from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund National Research Fund (NRF) intervention.

The research grant which is to the tune of about seventy million naira was won by three teams with Professors Musa Dickson

Achimugu and Dadi-Mamud Naomi John and Dr. Yusuf Ishaq as Principal Researchers.

A letter from Tetfund addressed to the Vice Chancellor and signed by the Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny T. Echono indicated that the research project titled, “Molecular Epidemiology of Salmonella enterica Typhi and Antibiotic Resistance Pattern in North Central Nigeria”,(Twenty Million, Three Hundred and

Seventy Seven Thousand Four Hundred and Twenty Five Naira). This according to the letter, “Exploring Participatory Self-Help Intervention for Elimination of Open Defecation in Rural and Urban Communities of Northern Nigeria”(TwentyEight Million Naira), and “Forensic Re-evaluation of Petroleum System and Reservoir Geophysics through the Development of GIS and

Seismic Technologies”(TwentyOne Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira).

Presenting the letters of award to the recipients on behalf of TETfund, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Abu Kasim Adamu, congratulated and commended the awardees on behalf of the Senate and Council for making the University proud, and hoped other researchers would emulate them.

NDDC projects: Days of portfolio contractors over- Lauretta Onochie

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Chairman, Governing Board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ms Lauretta Onochie has declared that the days of portfolio contractors and splitting contracts have ended, as the Commission is going to get the best contractors to do the best projects for the people of Niger Delta.

Onochie, who decried that in the past NDDC became a cash cow for the elites in the Niger Delta Region and beyond, vowed that it is not going to be the same anymore.

She made this assertion at a Congratulatory Dinner organised by Buhari Support Organisations (BSO) in her honour, following her recent appointment as Chairman, Monday, in Abuja.

She noted that even though it is going to be a difficult task, but President Muhammadu Buhari has made her appointment into NDDC easier, because he had ordered a forensic audit,

and from the result, the nation was angst when they saw the quantum of evidence that were presented during the audit.

She however, adds : “We are not going to be looking at the forensic audit as a board, but we are going to do things differently. In the past it became a cash cow for the elites in the Niger Delta Region and beyond, and it is not going to be the same anymore.

“I’m very lucky to be a disciple of President Muhammadu Buhari, who everybody knows that he is being incorruptible, as he is a man that abhors corruption. And the way he has gone about running this country since 2015 has shown everyone that he means business when it comes to tackling corruption.

“We are going to stand with our people, as our youth are going to benefit massively, and the NDDC staff that have been long suffering in the region are going to have a new leaf of life. They are going to be retrained, rehire some of them as technical aides rather than looking elsewhere.

We are just going to do things totally different.

“Our teeming young people, many of whom have graduated for years, and have no jobs. People talk about militancy, and why do people go into criminal activities is because they are not engaged properly, so we are going to train them and equip them with the requisite skills, so that they are able to get their own businesses started, and become employers of labour.

Also speaking, Chairman, BSO Coordinators Forum, TPL Umar Shuaibu, who described Onochie as incorruptible person that has been tested and trusted, expressed optimism that she is going to be the game changer in the Niger Delta region.

Shuaibu, who is also Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), said: “We know that a new Sheriff is now in town, God willing it is not going to be business as usual in the area.

“Our advice to her is to always stand strong, and affirm that

belief and incorruptible nature of her to make sure that the right thing is done, and we have confidence that the right will be done in the NDDC. The Buhari Support Organisations will make sure the legacy of President Buhari’s administration is sustained”.

Several stakeholders including Dr. Mahmoud Moh’d Abubakar, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Minister of of Minister of of Health, Alh. M.B. Shehu, Chairman of RMAFC, Dr. Nasir Ladan Arugungu, DG&NC AAPCSG, Alh. Abdullahi Maikano, Head of Admin, Aso Rock, and Dr. Chidia Madueke, MD/CEO Nigerian Film Commission (NFC), in their separate good will messages commended the tenacity, patience and commitment of the new NDDC Chairman.

Highpoint of the event was a toast, cutting of cake and presentation of gift to the Ms Onochie, as the Special Guest of Honour.

2023: I will score Buhari’s govt F9, says SDP presidential

L-R; ASO ROCK Chaplin, Pastor Seyi Malamo, SA on Policy and Coordination, Dr Habiba Lawal, Chief of Staff Prof Ibrahim Gambari, President Muhammadu Buhari, President, Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Most Rev Lucius Iwejuru Udorji, Most Rev Matthew M. Ndagos, Most Rev Ignatius A. Kaigama Most Rev Donatus Ogun during an audience with the Executive of Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) held at the Council Chambers, State House, yesterday in Abuja PHOTO; State House

Adamu optimistic of APC victory in Benue

The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Abdullahi Adamu has expressed optimism that the party would win the forthcoming general elections in Benue.

Adamu expressed the optimism during the inauguration of the Alia/Ode 2023 gubernatorial campaign rally at NKST Primary School, Yandev, Gboko Local Government area of the state.

The APC national chairman was represented by Alhaji Mu’azu Bawa-Rijau, the party’s National Vice Chairman, North Central.

He said that the APC has very strong base in Benue and “will reclaim its lost mandate, remodel and develop the state to meet the desires of the citizens.

“From the turn out, capped with the landmark achievements recorded by President Muhammadu Buhari administration, the party’s mandate that was stolen in 2015 must return to APC in 2023,” he said.

Adamu advised all party members to turnout on election

days to vote for the APC.

He added that they should reach out to all nooks and crannies of the state to canvass for votes to ensure overwhelming victory of APC in the forthcoming elections.

In his address, the Deputy Governor of Kogi, Mr Edward Onoja who spoke on behalf of the APC North Central Governors, called on party members to engage in robust campaign across the state.

Onoja appealed to Benue citizens to shun voter apathy, vote buying and selling, as well as violence during the elections.

The leader of the party in Benue, Sen. George Akume called on the people to vote for the APC in order to change the current negative indices in the state.

“Get your PVCs and vote for APC, shun vote buying and selling, desist from all forms of electoral violence and any form of attack or intimidation should be reported to the authorities ,” he said.

Akume said that the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu would transform the country, including Benue, if

elected.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for accommodating Benue sons in his administration in spite of the present governor’s opposition.

Akume also thanked the president for ongoing infrastructure projects, including higher institutions in the state.

”We have federal roads some under construction and some under rehabilitation.

“We have the Federal Polytechnic Wannue, Federal University of Health Science, Otukpo and the construction of River Buruku which was underway, to name a few,” he added.

Fr. Hyacinth Alia, the APC governorship candidate, pledged to address issues of security, education, agriculture, health, salaries and pension within few months, if elected.

“Top most on our agenda will be the resuscitation of Benue Agricultural, Development Authority, rural roads for access to our farms to curb insecurity and post harvest losses.

”We will revive our general hospitals and primary healthcare centres to address rates of mortalities; Benue infrastructure, moribund companies and social amenities will be revived,” he said.

The APC governorship candidate assured Benue workers that “ they will smile again”, adding that the civil service would be restructured and reformed for effective service delivery.

Earlier, the Director General, Alia/Ode campaign organisation, Rev. Frederick Ikyaan, urged voters to elect all APC candidates in order to emancipate themselves from the shackles of poverty, deprivation, ineptitude and negligence.

“Today’s event is symbolic. The day heralds the conscious and vehement decision of Benue people to launch a leadership campaign that is purposeful and divinely prepared to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the teeming Benue masses.

”It is the leadership that God Himself had conceived and hatched through his servant from his vineyard.

“God cannot make a mistake by this choice hence, the need for all to be part of this success story,” Ikyaan said.

The APC state Chairman, Comrade Austin Agada said the inauguration of the campaign was the beginning of a “great revolutionary leadership process” in Benue.

He called on party faithful, the business community, workers, pensioners, artisans, the physically challenged and all others to vote massively for the APC in the forthcoming elections.

Others who canvassed support for Tinubu, Alia and other candidates at the rally included a businessman, Mr Moses Ayo and Mr Emmanuel Jime, Executive Secretary, Nigeria Shippers Council, who was represented by Titus Zam, APC candidate for Benue North West Senatorial District.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that hundreds of defectors from other political parties were received during the rally, while flags were presented to all APC candidates. (NAN)

Group urges exploration of heritage treasures

Ms May Ikokwu, Chief Executive Officer, Save Our Heritage Initiative (SOHI) has called for the exploration of the country’s heritage treasures for sustainable development.

Ikokwu made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the occasion of World Heritage Treasure Day in Abuja on Wednesday.

She expressed concern

over the near extinction of the country’s cultural and demographic heritages.

The Culture Advocate, who reiterated the need to preserve heritage artifacts, said that they play important roles in not only development but unity of the country.

“We should explore some of those places and artifacts that stand as a testament to human history.

“Local museums and buildings can hold important pieces of what helped build the community.

“While parks and wildlife can help to preserve pieces of the natural world that existed before humans set foot there,” she said.

The SOHI boss expressed deep concern over the sale of Heritage sites along river banks for real estate development, regardless of fern and fauna,

which are disappearing at an alarming rate.

Ikokwu called on government and relevant stakeholders to explore and preserve Old Oyo in southwest Nigeria, which is said to be the former city of Oyo (known as Oyo-Ile), deserted in the 18th century.

She said the Ogbunike Caves are found in a valley in the tropical forest of southeast Nigeria, in Anambra should also

be preserved.

Ikokwu added; “Oban Hills and landscape located at Cross River National Park and Ancient Walls of Kano made of earth should be given prior attention and preservation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Heritage Treasure Day is marked on Jan 11 annually. It is used to celebrate cultural artifacts and iconic landmarks. (NAN)

President Muhammadu Buhari commissions Projects executed by the Yobe State Government and Nigerian Police in Yobe State on 9th Jan 2023

Why so State can catch up with Lagos economically

By Gbenga Adeoye

The practical nexus between development, increase in internally generated revenue and those projects will show clearly why no state can catch up with Lagos. Some will even say that Lagos can stand as a country, and they may not be wrong.

I read a book in 2022 with the title, “Success is not an accident.” Indeed, the author has a clear understanding of the impact of deliberate decisions. One of the reasons I like one young man I am providing mentorship for is that his words of prayer read every time as follows, “God will intentionally bless you sir.” The word that attracted me most in this prayer is ‘intentionally.’

Lagos is a state that has been so deliberate and intentional in what they do. The development in Lagos is not an accident. Recently, I got an SMS in Lagos stating that I have been penalised for driving with an expired vehicle license and the vehicle papers were actually renewed that same day after it was brought from a workshop where repairs and upgrades were carried out. How they get to know this was the first question I asked. Through traffic camera, probably at Ikoyi, was the answer from a brother who understands auto database management. Of course the only error was that the system has a time lag between the renewal of papers and the database to which camera pictures were synchronised.

They understand that they may not be right at all times and so there is room for you to contest or object to the bill if you can prove the basis was wrong, and they will delete the fine. A payment option was also there with the card. I objected because my papers were renewed that same day when the car was

brought out of the workshop.

What a wonderful state moving towards the United States and United Kingdom in billing and traffic offence management.

Beyond this experience, there are two major factors, and one of the factors had many other reasons no other state in Nigeria can catch up with Lagos State. Factors like Lagos being the Capital of Nigeria in the past, and intentional and deliberate development programmes.

The fact that Lagos was a former Capital of Nigeria is an advantage that will continue to work for the state. That has made it the commercial capital of the country to the extent that even when the nation’s capital was moved to Abuja, Lagos remains a centre of excellence. Apapa Seaport and the airport at Ikeja could be regarded as part of key projects that put Lagos at an advantage, which is as a result of being the nation’s capital when most of such projects were developed.

Regardless of the capital advantage of Lagos, there are deliberate and intentional projects that set Lagos apart. Since the time of Baba Jakande, Lagos has been so deliberate in its development programmes.

From of beginning of 1999, the list of deliberate projects(completed, ongoing, or about to start) includes the Lekki Free Trade Zone. Most manufacturing aimed at solving our import dependence problems is at the Lekki Free Trade Zone. No state can stand shoulder to shoulder with Lagos on this.

Lekki Deep Seaport is another project. One major asset that any nation requires for international business is the sea but the sea can only be useful if the port is welldeveloped. The newly completed Lekki Deep Seaport is a Lagos State idea and that is one key project that is unique in Africa. Another one is the Dangote Refinery. If anyone is in doubt about the impact of the Dangote

Refinery in the country, the person just needs to wait a little and see how Nigeria will stop the importation of finished petroleum products. In addition to that, fuel scarcity and heavy demand for Forex to import fuel will end with the Dangote Refinery.

Ikoyi Link Bridge and Lekki Epe Expressway are two wonderful projects. Those who link Ikoyi from Admiralty Way in Lekki Phase 1 understand better. The kind of traffic people used to experience before that bridge was hell. When the road from Victoria Island is fully completed to Epe, then driving around Lagos Island will be as easy as eating pap and bean cake, and everyone can testify that these projects are not cheap. In my view, the toll fee, when compared to the reliefs for Lagosians, is not excessive.

About the Lekki airport, there is no doubt about the fact that the population of Lagos State requires more than one airport. When the airport at Lekki is fully completed by Lagos State since there is Federal Government approval to do the same, the economic impact will be so huge that it will be difficult to project the positive impact now. No state can match that as well.

The new Blue Rail Line project, which will be moving around Lagos, will become so easy that most cars will be off the road. Once traffic is reduced productivity will increase. Rail transportation is one thing that sets London apart from any city in the world. China is doing all that can be done to have rail lines and stations that beat the western designs.

The tax collection system in Lagos is super. If you pay tax in any bank in Lagos, they will issue you the coloured receipt instantly. In some states, you may not get a receipt for one month. But in Lagos, there are some dedicated staff called taxpayers,

and they are so pleasant on the phone while reminding taxpayers to pay within a particular time. The system is really working in Lagos. Other states should go and learn from Lagos.

The BRT lanes and buses is one project that is unique and it will complement the metro rail. No state can match it. Speaking of the Lagos judicial system, the state has fast track courts, small claims courts, and a lot of uncommon innovations in the administration of justice in the state. Lagos can also be regarded as the capital of commercial legal practice. Most of the law firms that are of international standard are located in Lagos. Even the Lagos campus of the Nigerian Law School is said to be the most tedious in the country for students. I can testify to that, having passed through that campus. But for me, I will say it is positively tedious.

In entertainment and social gatherings, there is no state in Nigeria that has the kind of social life that Lagos has. We call it Eko for show, may be because the Ijebu and Egba people are many in Lagos. When it comes to social gatherings in the country you cannot beat the Egba and Ijebu people.

Even though a lot of people argued that churches should have been factories, the God factor in history has been instrumental to the greatness of Israel and some other countries founded on the foundation of righteousness. America started like that. Till today you still hear, God bless America.

The Redeemed Christain Church of God model parishes in Lagos are unique places of worship; the same with House on the Rock, Winners Chapel, CMS Church, Ikoyi Baptist, Methodist, Foursquare, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, Trinity Church in VI, Deeper life, Apostolic Church, Covenant

Christian Centre, Day Star Christian Centre, The Shepherds Flock among many others are wonderful places of worship. The fact that Pastor William Kumuyi and Pastor Enoch Adeboye (who are exceptionally holy men of God) are touching the soil of Lagos regularly is like Elisha & Elijah dwelling in a given land.

On the Eko Atlantic City in Victoria Island, the United States Embassy has laid the foundation of their embassy which has the office and residence of staff. The project is one unique one that attracted investors from all over the world. The giant of it all is the Fourth Mainland Bridge which has a four-year completion time. The kind of business impact along that bridge is beyond explanation and imagination.

The bridge will traverse Abraham Adesanya to Badore and then on the Lagoon to Ikorodu, and it will burst out on the LagosIbadan Expressway around Sparklight. This is more than a miracle because it means that anyone going to Lekki from Abeokuta or Sagamu has no business driving to Berger and Alapere or Iyana Oworo, but to just join the Fourth Mainland Bridge from the express.

If any state wants development, they should attend a school in Lagos to learn about strategic development. I recommend that all governors in Nigeria should send five directors and five commissioners from their key ministries as students for this course.

The practical nexus between development, increase in internally generated revenue and those projects will show clearly why no state can catch up with Lagos. Some will even say that Lagos can stand as a country, and they may not be wrong.

Adeoye, a chartered accountant, writes via dga@gbengaadeoye.com

Appraising the pluses in Kate Henshaw’s emergence as AGN’s national PRO

By Isaac Asabor

At this juncture, it will not be illadvised for any reader of this piece to ask, “What is it about Kate Henshaw?” The answer to the foregoing question cannot be farfetched as the renowned veteran actress has been elected unopposed as the National Public Relations Officer of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN).

Without resorting to excessive adoration of Kate Henshaw in this context, it is expedient to say that she is one of the biggest names in the Nigerian movie industry, aptly called Nollywood, today, and is well known for her ageless beauty and charisma. Believe it or not, despite turning 51 last year, as she was born on July 19, 1971, the actress astonishingly looks ageless to the admiration of not a few of her fans, including this writer.

Kate Henshaw, to most Nigerians, is not just an actress, she is a role model that is been looked up to by not a few Nigerians, particularly the youths, and to so many people that have crossed her path in one way or the other. The reason for her likable disposition cannot be farfetched as she unarguably defiles nature by literarily refusing to age, and still having her beauty intact, and more often than not speaks truth to power, particularly when injustices are perpetrated against the helpless and the hapless.

The eldest of four children, Kate was born in Cross River State. After completing her primary and secondary education in Lagos and Calabar, she spent one year at the University of Calabar where she went through remedial studies. She later majored in Medical Microbiology at the School of Medical Lab Science, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, and also worked at

the Bauchi State General hospital.

At this juncture, it will not be illadvised for any reader of this piece to ask, “What is it about Kate Henshaw?” The answer to the foregoing question cannot be farfetched as the renowned veteran actress has been elected unopposed as the National Public Relations Officer of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN).

The National Secretary of AGN, Abubakar Yakubu, who made the disclosure in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos, said Henshaw was elected on January 9 with a by-election, during a special National Executive Council meeting to fill a few vacant posts.

According to him, “Henshaw will be in charge of disseminating strategic communication among guild and nonguild members.

It would be recalled that the AGN in November last year elected new National Executive Council members to steer the affairs of the body for three years. The new leadership was elected at the end of the 2022 Nollywood Actors Summit of the guild held in Benin City, Edo where no less than 120 delegates from 20 states voted during the elections, which was held at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub.

The election was supervised by NEC Chairman, Steve Eboh, and Emma Ogugua, Chairman Board of Trustees of the guild.

In the same nexus, the incumbent national president, Emeka Rollas was re-elected, while Nazareth Jesse, Marcus Maina, Bukky Fagbuyi, Clement Anigbo, and Moklese Osain emerged Vice Presidents for North-Central, North-East, South-West, South-East and South-South respectively.

Abubakar Sanusi won his bid to become the AGN Secretary-General, while Chelsea Nwodo emerged as

Assistant Secretary of the guild. Other elected executives are Emeka Duru as Financial Secretary, Oby Okafor as Treasurer, David Akuma as Director of Guild Services, and Kea Adams as Provost.

Given Henshaw’s likable disposition and her unarguable wealth of social capital, there is no denying the fact that the members and leaders of the AGN have literarily placed a round peg in a round hole in her person, particularly as the guild under the leadership of Emeka Rollas is committed to ensuring that all aggrieved members are united and encouraging unregistered actors to join the guild.

In fact, if there is any actress affiliated with the guild that has what it takes to be reaching out to the public for the establishment of goodwill and understanding between members of the public, and in the same vein deploying communication strategies that would ensure that members will not be fighting and that those that were fighting sheath their swords, she is unarguably Kate Henshaw.

Thus, it is expedient to ask in this context, “What are the advantages that are inherent in her emergence as the national Public Relations Officer of the guild? The answer to the foregoing question cannot be farfetched as there are a number of advantages that AGN stands to benefit from as she is not a pushover as one of the key stakeholders in the Nigerian film industry that can be said to be relevant and have broad appeal. Being a renowned celebrity, she is no doubt going to naturally generate lots of positive attention for the benefit of the AGN.

In fact, she has an aura that can influence her teeming fans that are majorly youth to say, “Due to her affinity with AGN, and being the national

PRO, then the guild must be a credible association to be associated with”, and “If the AGN is good enough for her, it’s good enough for me.” Those that are in the branding segment of the advertising sector, are not unfamiliar with the fact that this philosophy is often the impetus behind advertisements for makeup, skin creams, hair products, and attire. This is because consumers want the wavy hair of a local celebrity, for example. Hence, they purchase the brand that the celebrity uses to achieve her hair’s fullness and bounce. Local consumers may also desire the same soft drink as their team’s best football player. Essentially, the testimonial of a celebrity adds instant credibility to whatever he or she associates with.

Without any iota of exaggeration, her unmatched celebrity status and wide followership will unarguably help to further build the brand awareness of the guild, and even much faster than expected. For the sake of clarity, it is expedient to say that brand awareness measures the percentage of people that are familiar with a particular brand. Elsewhere, not a few associations spend lots of money and time for exposure to incrementally increase brand awareness among their target audience. Without a doubt, her emergence as the national PRO of the AGN is capable of doing much to enhance public awareness and understanding of what the Guild offers.

It is not unexpected in this context to say that not a few readers may ask if her predecessors are not as popular as she is. In as much as it is difficult to answer the foregoing question in the affirmative or otherwise, it will be wise enough to say that “There are celebrities, and there are celebrities but not all of them are celebrated by the same number of fans.” Clearly put, they are celebrated differently by different fans. Thus, what

endears Kate Henshaw’s personality to the collective heart of a huge population of Nigerians, particularly among the youth is unique and peculiar that no one can take it from her.

Without a doubt, Kate Henshaw has the likable personality that is needed for positioning AGN and what it does in the best possible light in the minds of Nigerians, and foreigners alike. The reason for the foregoing view cannot be farfetched as she is a well-respected celebrity with a relatively uncontroversial disposition to manage how information about AGN is disseminated to the public, especially in the media industry where she unarguably has admirable goodwill. Thus, she is the proverbial round peg in a round hole that has what it takes to disseminate important news or events that concern AGN, maintain its brand image, and put a positive spin on negative events to minimize their fallouts. That her position entails relating with Journalists, Netizens, and other Nigerians in the course of disseminating AGN’s press releases, inviting them to news conferences, arranging interviews with journalists, and engaging in social media postings, there is no doubt that she has been elected into a position that complements with her brilliancy, beauty, boldness, cheerfulness, and her easygoing, and untroubled disposition which altogether makes her a personable personality. There is no denying the fact that for relating well with the youth that she has a good reputation within the Nollywood community. The foregoing, no doubt, will always make her message more believable in the course of her carrying out her duties as AGN’s national PRO.

Isaac Asabor is a Public Policy Analyst.

In 2023, power must change hands in Nigeria

By Jide Ojo

Let me use this opportunity again to recap some of my advocacy nuggets. First is the need to collect your PVC and not sell it. Two persons have already been arrested and convicted for buying PVC in Sokoto and Kano. Nasiru Idris was found with 101 PVCs in Sokoto State, and another (name not mentioned) was caught with 367 PVCs in Kano State. This offence is in contravention of sections 117 and 145 of the Electoral Act, 2022. Don’t engage in electoral violence.

The Mountain of Fire and Miracles church founded by Dr. D.K Olukoya is reputed for organising a monthly prayer meeting called “power must change hands.” That essentially is at a spiritual level. However, what is certain to happen in Nigeria is that political power will change hands at 1,491 electoral constituencies on February 25 and March 11, 2023. This consists of one seat of the president, 109 senatorial seats, 360 House of Representatives positions, 28 governorship seats, and 993 state houses of assembly seats. There will also be change of power at many appointive levels such as ministers, commissioners, as well as heads of ministries, departments and agencies.

Preparatory to the forthcoming seventh general election since the return to civil rule in 1999, a lot of electoral cum political activities are ongoing. One of them is the distribution of permanent voter cards to those who have registered to vote but are yet to collect their voter cards. This last phase of distribution started on December

12, 2022 and will end on January 22, 2023. The distribution thus far is holding at the local government offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission but will be devolved to the ward level from January 6 to 15 before reverting to LGA collection point. Thus, if you know you’re concerned about the unpleasant situation of the country, you and I have another chance to democratically change our leaders by voting in the elections.

Another electoral activity ongoing is the recruitment of different cadres of poll workers ranging from supervisory presiding officers, presiding officers, assistant presiding officers (I, II and III), registration area managers, registration area technicians, collation and returning officers. It is said that INEC will recruit an estimated 1.5 million ad hoc staff for the successful conduct of the elections. After the recruitment comes the training of this huge number of election officials. Also happening is the procurement of both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials followed by distribution. Of major concern to many Nigerians is the sustained attacks on INEC offices and facilities ahead of the forthcoming polls. This portends bad omen for the all-important elections.

Lest I forget, campaigns are ongoing with political gladiators trying to market themselves. Several political rallies have been held, town hall meetings organised and televised debates put together by media and civil society organisations. It’s also a season of endorsements, with former President Olusegun Obasanjo sticking out his neck on January 1, 2023, to endorse the Labour Party

presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in his six-page letter. This endorsement, which is a boost to the Obi-Datti camp, has rankled other frontline candidates, namely Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar, both of whom had lampooned the endorsement for lacking any electoral value. Incidentally, both of them have similarly paid homage to the ex-president and sought his support. Of note is also the opinion polling ahead of the next presidential poll. The ANAP Foundation, headed by Atedo Peterside, a former bank executive, has engaged NOIPolls, a foremost polling agency to conduct opinion survey of who will likely win the next presidential election. The two surveys so far held in September and December 2022 have put the Labour Party candidate ahead of the park. This again hasn’t gone down well with the other frontline candidates. Noteworthy is the role of judiciary in elections. There is what is called Election Dispute Resolution, which gives opportunity to aggrieved aspirants, candidates and their political parties to approach the courts for redress. It is therefore the judiciary and not the electoral umpire, INEC, that has the last say on electoral matters in Nigeria. Over the years, the courts and election petition tribunals have overturned the verdict of INEC on the rightful winner of the polls. That is why elections into eight governorship seats namely –Imo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Edo, Bayelsa, Anambra, and Kogi- are not going to be held on March 11, 2023. It was the court and not the electorate, per se, that made former Governor Chibuike Ameachi of Rivers State after the 2007 election. Judiciary brought staggered election

into Nigeria’s political administration.

Constitutionally speaking, the Office of the President, Court of Appeal, constitutes membership of various election petition tribunals while the Chief Justice of Nigeria swears them in. Thus, ahead of 2023 general elections, on Monday, November 7, 2022, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, inaugurated 277 election petition tribunal members to adjudicate on matters that will arise from the 2023 general elections. The CJN also declared open a three-day capacity building workshop for the members of the elections tribunal and justices of the Court of Appeal. It is quite unfortunate that barely 50 days to the general elections, there is still an avalanche of pre-election matters at the various Federal High Courts or appellate courts seeking to know the rightful candidates of some of the political parties. This happened because of the mishandling of the party primaries and nomination process of some of the parties.

If power will change hands for the better in 2023, whose responsibilities will that be? It will be that of 93.5 million Nigerians who have registered to vote. However, giving the lackadaisical attitude of some Nigerians who may not come out to collect their permanent voter cards or are unwilling to vote at elections, these are the real betrayers of the Nigerian project and they have no right to complain of bad leadership because we as Nigerians have a golden opportunity to effect change in leadership this year. My appeal, therefore, is to those uncommitted registrants to please come out en masse to exercise their voting franchise. As

a self-acclaimed political evangelist, I have been involved in capacity building of female candidates, and a couple of weeks ago, I was engaged by a youth group, Frontline Youth Creativity Initiative, to speak to youths to go and collect their PVCs and vote on election days. We were in Kabusa, Gwagwalada, and Jikwoyi – three communities in the Federal Capital Territory- for the assignment. Similarly, I have been doing media rounds on several television and radio programmes trying to mobilise Nigerians on the imperative of participating in the forthcoming elections.

Let me use this opportunity again to recap some of my advocacy nuggets. First is the need to collect your PVC and not sell it. Two persons have already been arrested and convicted for buying PVC in Sokoto and Kano. Nasiru Idris was found with 101 PVCs in Sokoto State, and another (name not mentioned) was caught with 367 PVCs in Kano State. This offence is in contravention of sections 117 and 145 of the Electoral Act, 2022. Don’t engage in electoral violence. In order to ascertain where you will vote at the next election (polling unit), log on to INEC’s Voter Status Verification System portal and fill a short form or call 0700-CALLINEC and 0700-2255-4632. Go to your earlier identified polling unit on election days between 8:30am and 2:30pm to cast your ballot after having been duly accredited. And lastly, don’t sell your vote, but vote wisely for all the five political offices that will be contested at the general elections.

– Twitter: @jideojong

By Bolaji Samson Aregbeshola

Nigeria has been facing constitutional crisis since independence in 1960. The 1999 Constitution is also the reason for the call for secession, disintegration, restructuring and true federalism by some ethnic and interest groups. Evidently the over 350 ethnic nationalities in Nigeria are not happy with the progress made so far. This necessitate the production of a new constitution that will reflect the character of Nigeria and its spirit and thought.

Although Nigeria is a federation in name but what presently obtains is a unitary system of government where the federal government is too powerful and the federating states have been weakened leading to underdevelopment, inequitable distribution of resources, abuse of political power, corruption, high level of insecurity and power imbalance.

It is no longer news that the 1999 Constitution was promulgated into force by military decree. The military introduced the present unitary system of government through their decree which eventually became the 1999 Constitution. Nigeria has since been suffering from a military era hangover arising from over-centralization of power and resources, weakened unit states, and non-performance of local governments. No thanks to the writers of the 1999 Constitution who laid a faulty foundation for the modern day Nigeria. Also, shame on

members of the political class who are opposed to the production of a new constitution for the country. This group of politicians are bent on upholding a faulty constitution due to their selfish interest. They have also disregarded the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference constituted by former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan which many sane minds agree is capable of addressing some of the national questions. Consequently, most of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory continue to depend on the federal government for survival despite dwindling oil revenues and the numerous resources in each federating states. States are unable to explore their natural resources due to poor governance structure which the present crop of political leaders are unwilling to address. We cannot continue to confine ourselves to the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in our quest to find answers to the national questions.

Since 1999, the Nigerian democracy has been unsuccessful. Nigeria is classified as a hybrid regime rather than a full democracy. This is according to the 2019 Democracy Index by the Economist Intelligence Unit. The people are not allowed to choose their preferred officials and representatives due to electoral frauds. The courts have now been delegated with the responsibility of determining the winner of an election. Politicians do not want any electoral reform that will affect the status quo. The recommendations of the Uwais electoral reform committee have not been fully implemented. Major

General Buhari also thwarted efforts to reform the electoral system by the 8th National Assembly. He declined assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill on four occasions. It is obvious that nothing much will change with respect to the electoral system in the 2023 general elections. Elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states shows what the chain of events would be in 2023. Politicians have perfected the art of rigging and are unlikely to change their ways.

The living standard of Nigerians is also very poor. Nigeria is presently the poverty capital of the world overtaking India. While the present government says they are going to lift 100 million people out of poverty in 10 years, their policy direction says otherwise. Furthermore, any attempt by the Nigerian masses to express their displeasure over the lack of accountability and transparency, high level of corruption, lack of respect for the rule of law, human right abuses, high level of insecurity and mismanagement of the economy within the present government is seen as an affront. The freedom of expression, freedom of speech, freedom of the press and freedom of assembly are no longer respected. Nigerian laws do not apply equally to all citizens.

The National Assembly and the Judiciary have become the appendages of the Executive rather than being independent. This is evident in the willingness of the 9th National Assembly to become a rubberstamp of the Executive and the inability of the Judiciary to challenge the Executive’s

lack of respect for the rule of law. For the Judiciary, the invasion of the homes of judicial officers by security operatives and the removal of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen—all on the orders of Major General Buhari may have informed their silence in the face of tyranny.

Corruption remain a major challenge affecting economic development and threatening the fabric of the Nigerian State. According to Transparency International, Nigeria ranked 146 out of 180 countries on global corruption index in 2019. This is in spite of the fact that the fight against corruption is one of the key priorities of the Buhari regime. The fight against corruption is perceived by many people as selective and a witch-hunt of political opponents. The present government is also neck deep in corruption. Contrary to the federal government’s defense, the corruption perception index by Transparency International is reflective of the current situation in Nigeria.

Corruption is the source of many public officer’s stupendous wealth and the consequence is the high level of poverty and inequality seen in our society.

According to the 1999 Constitution (as amended), sovereignty belongs to the Nigerian people but when the foundation of the Nigerian State is faulty, what can the poor masses do? The political leaders are the ones saddled with the responsibility of laying a strong foundation for the Nigerian State. Unfortunately, those who derive their powers and authorities from the people have now become more powerful

than the people who gave them the power. The Nigerian masses have lost the power to oust bad leaders.

Those who claim that Nigeria’s unity is sacrosanct and are opposed to both constitutional and nonconstitutional solutions to Nigeria’s problems are the enemies of the country. They are only interested in using the resources from Southern Nigeria to develop North Nigeria as well as line their private pockets and achieve their selfish ambition. The amendment of some sections of the 1999 Constitution by the political class does not go far enough and cannot ensure true federalism or restructuring.

Furthermore, those who are opposed to restructuring of the Nigerian State will not provide the needed votes required for a constitutional amended to bring restructuring into effect.

The unity of Nigeria is not guaranteed without laying a new foundation for the Nigerian State. Nigeria’s political leaders are only postponing the evil day by maintaining the status quo and dismissing agitations for secession, disintegration, restructuring and true federalism. There is a need to produce a new constitution that address the issues of restructuring and true federalism. The collapse of African countries such as Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and South Sudan should tell us something.

Bolaji Samson Aregbeshola is an Op-Ed Contributor and the author of “Nigerian Political Parties and Politicians: Winding Road from Country to Nation.”

When the foundation of the Nigerian State is faulty, what can the poor masses do?

INEC rules out postponement of Feb, March general elections Says no adjustment to timetable Assures of credible, transparent pills

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has declared that it is neither contemplating any adjustment to the timetable of the forthcoming general election nor the postponement of the election.

The Commission has specifically assured that the Presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on Saturday 25th February 2023 while Governorship and State Assembly elections will hold two weeks later on Saturday 11th March 2023.

The Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu gave the assurance yesterday during the presentation of national register of voters to the political parties in Abuja.

Yakubu pointed out that the repeated assurance by the security agencies for the adequate protection of INEC personnel, materials

Attah tasks Customs officers on honesty

From Ahmadu Idris, Birnin Kebbi

The former Customs National Public Relations Officer (PRO) and Kebbi State Area Command Controller Mr. Joseph Atta has called on all customs officers in the state to be dedicated and honesty.

He gave this advise yesterday at the send forth reception organised in his honor.

He said honesty is a way of bringing development in human’s life.

Attah who is going on terminal leave described his experience in service as a way of blessing and service to humanity.

Adamawa Senator commences free medical service

From Umar Dankano,Yola

The free medical outreach being sponsored by Senator Binos Dauda Yaroe representing Adamawa Southern senatorial district has commenced.

Lead medical Consultant of the exercise, Dr. Telemoh Dah while speaking at the occasion yesterday announced that during the five day medical outreach, his team will provide free consultations, free medical tests, free eye glasses, free surgeries, free laboratory tests, free abdominal scans and free drugs amongst many other services.

Dah noted that consultants for the activities were drawn from 10 states across Nigeria and will work throughout the five days.

and processes also reinforced the commission’s determination to proceed with the elections.

The 2023 General Election, he vowed, will hold as scheduled, stating that any report to the contrary is not the official position of the Commission.

According to the INEC Chairman, In short, at no time in the recent history of the Commission has so much of the forward planning and implementation been accomplished 44 days ahead of a General Election.

“Therefore, the Commission is not contemplating any adjustment to the election timetable, let alone the postponement of the General Election.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on Saturday 25th February 2023 while Governorship and State Assembly elections will hold two weeks later on Saturday 11th March 2023.

“The repeated assurance by the security agencies for the adequate protection of our personnel, materials and processes also reinforces our determination to proceed.

“The 2023 General Election will hold as scheduled. Any report to the contrary is not the official position of the Commission”, he declared.

Continuing, Prof Yakubu said, “As a further affirmation of the Commission’s readiness to conduct the 2023 General Election as scheduled, the final register of voters has been compiled.

“You would recall that for the 2019 General Election, Nigeria had a voter population of 84,004,084. After the cleaning up of the data from the last Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise (June 2021 - July 2022), 9,518,188 new voters were added to the previous register resulting in the preliminary register of 93,522,272 which was presented to Nigerians for claims and objections as required by

law.

“At the end of the period for claims and objections by citizens, the Commission received 53,264 objections from Nigerians to the prevalence of ineligible persons on the register by virtue of age, citizenship or death.

“These names have been verified and removed from the register.

“Consequently, the register of voters for the 2023 General Election stands at 93,469,008. Of this cumulative figure, 49,054,162 (52.5%) are male while 44,414,846 (47.5%) are female.

“The distribution by age group shows that 37,060,399 (39.65%) are youth between the ages of 18 and 34; 33,413,591 (35.75%) are middle aged persons between the ages of 35 and 49; 17,700,270 (18.94%) are elderly voters between the ages of 50 and 69 while 5,294,748 (5.66%) are senior citizens aged 70 and above.

“In terms of occupational distribution, students constitute the

largest category with 26,027,481 (27.8%) of all voters, followed by 14,742,554 (15.8%) Farmers/ Fishermen and 13,006,939 (13.9%) housewives. The data on disability was not collected for previous registration.

“However, the cumulative figure of 85,362 persons from the recent CVR indicates that there are 21,150 (24.5%) persons with Albinism; 13,387 (15.7%) with physical impediment and 8,103 (9.5%) are blind.

Prof Yakubu thus reiterated INEC’s commitment to transparent, credible and inclusive 2023 General Election.

“We will continue to take every step to protect the sanctity of the votes cast by citizens and to deal with infractions, including the arrest and prosecution of persons that attempt to perpetuate illegality at Polling Units on Election Day, be they underaged voters or vote buyers”, he assured concretely.

IOM, NGO train 50 Edo youths on digital marketing skills

Genius Hub Global Initiative, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), has trained 50 Edo youths on digital marketing and other in-demand skills.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was done under the Edo Community Based Re-integration Project.

Isimeme Whyte, the Founder, Genius hub Global Initiative, at the graduation of the beneficiaries on Tuesday in Benin, said the training was to improve socioeconomic development in the

state.

Whyte, who expressed gratitude to IOM for the partnership, said the recipients of the initiative were selected from different groups such as returned migrants, community members and potential migrants

She said they were trained on filmmaking, cinematograhy, product design, script writing, video editing and digital marketing.

The founder said that 400 persons initially expressed interest but 50 were selected based on assessment for the programme which lasted for three months.

She assured that the graduands would be given sophisticated starter packs to help themselves and their respective communities.

According to her, the good thing about this training is that genius hub provided the trainees life skills and basic interventions.

“This initiative was targeted at using it as a major approach to sustain projects and programs because it is not just the target beneficiaries that are involved, everyone from that community are involved”.

Earlier, Aigbeze Uhimwen, a representative of IOM, on his part, said the project was part of European Union- funded

initiative to engage youths and prevent irregular migration and human trafficking.

“We are happy with the engagement with Genius hub to make youths usefully engaged and we hope to continue this,” he said.

In his remarks, Bartholomew Brai, Edo Commissioner for Digital Economy, Science and Technology, enjoined the beneficiaries to make good use of the skills.

He assured them that the state government was always ready to support and provide an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. (NAN)

NCPC gets power to explore more Holy sites -Rev. Pam

By Albert Akota

The Executive Secretary Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam has said that the Commission had been given the powers to explore Holy Sites around the world.

He disclosed this over the weekend at the Victor Attah International Airport UYo, during

the airlift of intending pilgrims of Cross River state and Ondo state.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for given NCPC the enabling environment to exercise the powers given to the Commission by its enabling Act.

He further lauded the two states that were being airlifted from the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, Cross River state and Ondo state

for being part of the current Pilgrimage exercise to Israel and Jordan.

He hinted that similar orientation programme being organized at the Victor Attah International Airport, UYo was held in Enugu for the intending pilgrims of Ebonyi State who would join the intending pilgrims of Cross River state and Ondo to make up the third batch of

intending pilgrims that would leave the shores of Nigeria tonight to the Holy land of Israel and Jordan.

The NCPC boss further applauded the Governors of the South South for their sponsorship of christians to the Holy land especially in recent time. According to him,” God is using the Governors to advance the Kingdom”.

President Muhammadu Buhari receives Director General/CEO National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Prof Abba Isa Tijani during an audience at the State House, yesterday in Abuja.

PHOTO; State House

SDP will rescue Nigeria from poverty, borrowing – National Chairman Gabam

By Christiana Ekpa

The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Musa Gabam, on Wednesday asserted that the party remains the only avenue to rescue Nigeria from insecurity, poverty, industrialization and unending meaningless borrowing.

Gabam also urged Nigerians to vote massively for the party’s presidential candidate and others vying for various positions in the 2023 general elections on the platform to redeem the image of the country.

He made the call during the commissioning of the SDP ultra-modern party secretariat in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

Represented by the National Vice Chairman, South-South, Frederick Owoturofa, he said SDP is the best option to address insecurity, poverty and the unending meaningless borrowing and therefore deserving of support and votes for its presidential candidate and others who can change the narratives in this country.

He urged the various stakeholders to think SDP all the time for change to be effected.

The governorship candidate of the party in Rivers State, Senator Magnus Abe, encouraged party members and other stakeholders not to see themselves as grasshoppers but as giants in the eyes of the people to take the country to a desirable height.

He said they may be few but in the end, victory is sure, noting that the storm is a sign of victory.

A candidate of Ogbia Federal Constituency, Hon. Iworiso Markson, speaking on behalf of the candidates, vowed that they will not let the party down, adding that “our winning will pave the way for a governor from our party.”

The State Chairman of the party, Hon. Allen Amadein said the commissioning of the ultra-modern party secretariat symbolised a new face of victory.

He said the journey to where they are today started four years ago and has not been an easy one. The party, he said, is peaceful and without rival factions and therefore has a unified mandate to work for the party.

PDP National, State Assembly candidates demand dissolution of Atiku PCC in Ekiti

By Musa Baba Adamu

National and State Assembly candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, on Tuesday, raised concern over the composition of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council in the State.

The candidates for the coming elections who met in Ado Ekiti, called for the dissolution of the campaign council, saying as stakeholders in the State, their input is necessary in the campaign

council.

The meeting was attended by seven out of the nine National Assembly candidates and 20 out of the 26 State House of Assembly candidates.

In a letter titled, “Ekiti: Before it is too late,” issued to the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, the candidates lamented that the candidates of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, have taken over their roles in the presidential campaign council.

The letter reads in part, “Part

of the candidates of the SDP are also in close alliance with the All Progressives Congress, APC with a view to also getting funds and dividing PDP votes so they can ensure victory for the APC National Assembly candidates.

“The implication of the SDP getting funds for the elections of its candidates from both PDP and APC is that our chances in our own elections will be in jeopardy.

“Therefore, it will interest Your Excellency to know that we, the candidates in Ekiti, are not

working with the Presidential Campaign Council.

“We are doing our own things, putting our destinies in our own hands because we know very well that the majority of those in the Campaign Council are only interested in election resources not the victory.

“Consequently, we are demanding that this campaign council be dissolved forthwith to allow our input as the key stakeholders, to save the current situation in the State.”

Disunity, youth restiveness robbed Taraba of devt – PRP guber candidate, Wasa

By Musa Baba Adamu

The alleged refusal of the people of Taraba State to put aside their differences and come together to catapult the state to enviable heights has been identified as the major reason for its underdevelopment.

The gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Josiah Wukari Wasa, who made the observation on Wednesday during an interface with newsmen in Jalingo, also identified the ruling Peoples Democratic Party

(PDP), as a major organ that has brought setbacks to the state.

Wondering why the state has been lagging behind despite the monthly Federal allocation, he said, “the disunity among the people of the state, inflicted by the PDPled government, has taken Taraba behind the global contention for development in the cycle of other states in the country.”

The candidate, who was of the view that the ruling PDP has dragged the state several miles backwards, said “Taraba is behind in every aspect of development”.

“The PDP-led government in the state has taken Taraba behind the global contention for development in the cycle of other states in the country, all hands, must be on deck to wrestle power from the PDP come this year’s general polls”.

Citing the mirages of problems bedevilling the state to include insecurity, hunger, unemployment, and youth restiveness, he said, had the PDP administration judiciously made use of the abundant human and natural resources spread across the length and breadth of the state, Taraba, would be competing with

states like Lagos, Kano Rivers in terms of development.

He said for the much-desired growth to be achieved, the people must put aside their religious and tribal differences and queue behind leaders that will not divide them along religious and tribal lines.

The candidate who opined that the PRP has the capacity to liberate the people from the dungeon of slavery and poverty urged the electorates not to waste or sell their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for peanuts.

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Stakeholders

of the All Progressives Congress (APC ) in Akwa Ibom State said they recognized and had already forwarded the name of Obong Akan Udofia to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the gubernatorial candidate of the party in the state for the 2023 gubernatorial election.

INEC however, is yet to recognize the candidacy of Obong Udofia who won the gubernatorial primary in the state, even as he is still running a legal battle with one of the guber aspirants of the party in the state.

The party recently has been enmeshed in an internal crisis

in the state which could lead to catastrophe for the part in the election if left unresolved.

However, in a stakeholders’ meeting held in Uyo yesterday, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Okon Umana disclosed that the National Executive Council of the Party had presented the name of Udofia to INEC as the guber candidate but only awaiting confirmation by the court for INEC to do the needful.

Umana who called for collective support for Udofia urged other party stakeholders to cease dwelling in the past and rather look at the bigger picture that the future holds for the party in the state.

According to him: “Let us move away from petty bickering and

wrangling over the past. Now, we are to focus on the APC presidential rally while strategic steps are being taken to peacefully redress the protracted challenges in our party.”

Also speaking, the former governor of Akwa Ibom, Chief Godswill Akpabio lauded Umana Umana for the meeting. While insisting that Udofia is the duly elected and recognized guber candidate of the party, he called on all supporters to rally round him.

Akpabio who sued for peace and unity said he was willing and ready to work on achieving peace for the party.

Other stakeholders at the meeting took turns to express their readiness to allow peace to reign in the party to enable them to occupy

the hilltop mansion.

On his part, the governorship candidate, Obong Akan Udofia commended members who had remained faithful and committed to the party and thanked stakeholders for their doggedness and loyalty to the party.

“I am a man of peace and a child of destiny. I have come in peace to build with you. Let’s work together to prosecute the coming general election. Let us bury all the court cases that have held the party back.

“Our challenges and frustrations stem largely from poverty, hunger and lack that enveloped majority in the state. I dare say that if we unite to win the election, we shall banish poverty and hunger in our state,” he said.

POLITICS

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Kaduna state, Jonathan Asake, has said he is interested in the governorship of the state to bring a government that will bring hope and unity to citizens.

He alleged that Kaduna State has been taken over by terrorists and destroyed the peace and unity the state is known for.

He said, “Today, almost everybody in the state is biting his or her finger for what has befallen them that there is total fear, insecurity has taken over the state where life has become unbearable and there is total uncertainty that moving in search of means of livelihood is a foregone issue.”

Addressing a combined group of professionals in a town hall meeting in Kaduna, the gubernatorial candidate assured that his candidacy was meant to ensure a total turnaround, give the people hope and restore normalcy in the state.

He lamented, “The good people of Kaduna State have suffered a lot and something urgent needs to be done. I have witnessed thousands of people being killed by terrorists, properties destroyed and the government knows these people. This is not the life we wish for our children and generations unborn.”

“We must all join hands together to bring an end to the killings in all parts of the state as our people deserve peace, a good environment to showcase our great potential given to us by the Almighty.

“Our pact with the Kaduna people is to secure the state and restore hope and this we shall achieve with your votes for a new beginning that will serve as a pacesetter for other states in the country to emulate.”

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Authentication System (BVAS), the issue of identity theft and other election frauds would be addressed during the 2023 general election.

Alhaji Umar Ibrahim, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Gombe State, stated this during a stakeholders meeting on the preparations for the 2023 general elections held in Gombe on Wednesday.

Ibrahim said the credibility of the 2023 general elections remained a top priority for the commission, hence the introduction of improved technology in recent elections to enhance the electoral processes.

According to him, with BVAS

only voters will determine who wins elections in the country.

“I assure the good people of Gombe State that the days of identity theft during elections are over and only voters can determine the winner of elections in this country.

“There is no doubt the deployment of technology has greatly improved the conduct of elections in this country over the years.

“During the 2023 general elections, the commission will be deploying the BVAS for accreditation of voters and transmission of results,” said Ibrahim.

The REC said Gombe State has received the full complement of BVAS required for the conduct of the 2023 general elections in the state.

Ibrahim assured residents of

Gombe State that the commission was ready to conduct credible elections in the state, adding that 10 out of the 14 outlined activities had been carried out.

He appealed to all stakeholders to play their roles towards ensuring the smooth conduct of the 2023 elections.

“The conduct of credible elections is not the responsibility of INEC alone; free, fair, credible, peaceful, all-inclusive and accountable elections are a product of concerted efforts by all stakeholders.

“I urge you to join us in discouraging PVC selling/buying and vote selling/buying in the strongest terms as it stands against democratic norms and principles,” he said.

Speaking further on BVAS, Bitson Simon, Head of Department, Information and

Communications Technology (ICT) and Voter Registry, Gombe State INEC office, said the BVAS device has been described as a “game changer” in recent elections.

Simon said the device was introduced by INEC as a solution to the inadequacies of the card readers, which were used in previous elections.

BVAS: Era of identity theft during elections over – INEC Labour Party will bring hope, unity to Kaduna citizens – Guber candidate, Asake

He said with BVAS, frauds being perpetuated on election day as it was in previous elections would no longer be possible, adding, “election by proxy will not be possible with BVAS.”

According to him, BVAS will be used to accredit voters, transmit accredited data to INEC server and transmit election results into INEC review portal.

Simon said the BVAS machine would improve the transparency of the 2023 elections.

Enugu APC crisis worsens as Onyeama, Nnamani, Chime, others boycott Tinubu rally

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State took a turn for the worse on Wednesday as major stakeholders of the party boycotted the party’s presidential campaign rally in the State.

The Presidential candidate of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu was in Enugu where he addressed a rally at the Michael Okpara Square.

However, leaders of the party in the State, including Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani, former Enugu Governor, Barr. Sullivan Chime, former Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Eugene Odoh, former Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Chief Onyemuche Nnamani stayed away from the event.

Also absent were the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu, the immediate past chairman of the Party in the State, Barr. Ben Nwoye and a

presidential aide, Mrs. Juliet Ibekaku.

The leaders earlier in the day received Tinubu at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

However, while the Presidential candidate headed to the Michael Okpara Square venue of the rally, the party leaders diverted to Chime’s Enugu residence, where they addressed journalists.

They said their absence at the rally was to send a clear signal to the national leadership of the APC that something urgently must be done over the crisis in the Enugu State chapter of the party.

Blames were heaped on Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State for allegedly hijacking the APC structure in Enugu State, thereby disorganising the party.

The various speakers, including Chime, Nnamani and Odoh said they were not privy to all the preparations and programme for the rally.

They, however, described Tinubu as a good candidate, assuring that they would

work for his victory in the presidential election.

According to Chime, “we received our Presidential candidate at the Airport. We believe in him, he is the best.

“However, we are not at Okpara Square because of the internal issues we have in Enugu within the party. It has been there and this is because sometime in October, 2021, a non-member was foisted on us after the botched State Party Congress as a so-called chairman.

“The party leaders went to Abuja, complained but nobody took them seriously, the issues continued. So, we have to distance ourselves from the local chapter of the party.

“After today, we expect that the party will do the right thing.”

On the party’s candidate, Chime said, “we will ensure that he gets more than the required 25 percent. Enugu must be counted.

“Today’s event is just a rally, the major thing is election and we are working hard to see to the victory of the party.”

Similarly, Senator Nnamani declared that, “Tinubu is the candidate of the party and all loyal party members will support and work for his victory.”

He, however, disclosed that “we are not aware of the preparations for this rally. That is why we did not want to go and create a scene there.

“The rally was pretty much organized from outside Enugu.”

Meanwhile, at the rally attended by a large crowd, Tinubu assured that he would make Igboland an industrial hub.

He came hard on the successive governments over their failure to construct the 2nd Niger Bridge, which he said would be commissioned soon having been completed by the APC administration.

The APC candidate called on Ndigbo to collect their Permanent Voter’s Card, PVC, saying “it is their power.”

Also at the rally were Governors Dave Umahi and Hope Uzodinma of Ebonyi and Imo States, respectively.

Court strikes out case against Akwa Ibom PDP Guber candidate, Pastor Eno

By Christiana Ekpa

AChief Magistrate Court in Abuja has struck out the case and nullified the warrant of arrest issued

against the Akwa Ibom State Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Umo Eno.

The court said it set aside the entire proceedings and judgment

on grounds of lack of jurisdiction.

It could be recalled that the Chief Magistrate court presided by Emmanuel Iyanna on December 23, 2022 issued a warrant of arrest against Pastor Umo Eno

based on allegations of cheating and dishonesty brought by one Edet Godwin.

But, in a proceeding on Tuesday, the court upheld the position of the Counsel to Pastor

Umo Eno, Samuel Ikpo and squashed the case as well as the warrant of his arrest.

It admitted that it was misled by the applicant, Edet Godwin into issuing the warrant of arrest.

POLITICS

You turned NASS to rubber stamp Assembly –Aisha Yesufu slams Lawan

By Christiana Ekpa

Popular Nigerian activist and social critic, Aisha Yesufu has attacked the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, for saying the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, allowed the Boko Haram insurgency to fester during its 16 years in power.

The social critic also said the All Progressives Congress, APC, had over seven years to tackle the insurgency but instead worsened it.

Yesufu expressed her feelings in a post via her verified Twitter handle on Wednesday.

The Senate President had while addressing the Presidential Campaign Rally of the ruling APC, which was held in Damaturu Yobe State, alleged PDP rally, allowed Boko Haram to fester.

Lawan’s statement was signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Ola Awoniyi.

He said, “When Boko Haram started in the northeast, in Borno state, the then leadership of PDP said it was not true. There was nothing like Boko Haram, and Boko Haram blossomed. Boko Haram flourished, and Boko Haram gained ground and took root.”

But reacting to the allegation by the Senate President, Yesufu said Lawan turned the National Assembly into “a rubber stamp Assembly”.

She wrote, “The Senate President who turned the National Assembly into a rubber stamp Assembly is accusing PDP when his own party has had over seven years to tackle the insurgency and have worsened it. Both APC and PDP are failed parties that should not be allowed into the corridors of power.”

PVC collection: Labour Party raises alarm over alleged irregularities by INEC officials

By Christiana Ekpa

Ahead of the February elections, the Labour Party has raised the alarm alleging some irregularities by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, while distributing the Permanent Voters Card, PVC.

In a statement issued by the Chief Spokesperson of the Obi/ Datti campaign council, Yunusa Tanko, the party expressed fear that with the current situation across all the PVC collection centres in the country, several Nigerians may be disenfranchised in the coming elections.

According to the spokesperson, the reports the campaign council is receiving nationwide about

the ineptitude of INEC staff “is disheartening and frustrating most PVC collectors”.

“We have received reports from all the geo-political zones in Nigeria and the messages are all the same, people complaining of the snail pace at which the PVCs are being dispatched to collectors,” he said.

According to the election timetable which is in accordance with Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, the Presidential and National Assembly elections have been scheduled to hold on February 25, while the governorship and state assemblies election will be held on March 22.

Looking at the closeness of the election, the party lamented that many Nigerians who registered for

the PVCs “are still finding it difficult to collect their voter’s cards.”

“If you take a close look at the INEC timetable, you have less than 12 days left for collection of PVCs. People go and queue for hours out of about 500 PVC collectors; only 20 or less than 50 people will be given their cards in wards designated for collection.

“What kind of miracle is INEC going to perform that will ensure Nigerians get their PVCs within this short period if there’s no sinister motive underneath?

“The process for collection started on December 12th and is expected to end on Sunday the 22nd of January yet out there across the country many of our members are complaining that the process is cumbersome and INEC

staff leisurely stroll in and out of the wards.

“They resume by 9am and close by 3pm and from information reaching us the INEC staff in most cases resume as from 11am daily.

“Today is the 11th of January and by the 22nd of this month the process will collapse, what’s going to be the fate of those who couldn’t get their voter card?

“We have said in different fora that on no account should any Nigerian be denied his inalienable rights to cast their votes.

“INEC should open up on these deliberately designed weak operations to Nigerians before people start believing the apex electoral body has a hidden script unknown to us”.

2023 elections will hold – Kwara REC

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Kwara State, Malam Attahiru Madami, on Wednesday declared that this year’s general elections will hold as scheduled.

He spoke at a lecture titled “Toward Peaceful 2023 General Elections” organized by the National League of Veteran Journalists, Kwara State Chapter, at the press centre of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in Ilorin.

He dismissed insinuations in some quarters with the impression that the impending general elections

may likely be cancelled due to the state of insecurity in some parts of the country.

Attahiru declared untrue reports making the rounds that the exercise may not hold, assuring that “the elections will hold as planned.”

He also revealed that the chieftains of political parties contesting the elections in the state have written to him pledging to abide by the rules in a bid to have a peaceful exercise in Kwara State.

Delivering the lecture, Barrister Yusuf Ola-Olu Ali, SAN, argued that for the conduct of peaceful general elections in the country, all stakeholders must be guided

by the Electoral Act and obey its provisions.

Yusuf Ali, who was represented by Barrister Ibn Haruna Mahmoud, said rather than resorting to violence, aggrieved parties must direct their grievances to the election tribunals to seek redress after the elections.

He also cautioned against vote buying which Section 36 of the Electoral Act frowns upon, describing it as a criminal offence.

Yusuf Ali noted that the Electoral Act is adequate to cater for complaints of aggrieved parties seeking redress after elections instead of adopting violence.

He stressed the need for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to embark on voter and civic education of the electorate before the election, describing it as fundamental toward realizing a credible and peaceful general election.

Chairman of NALVEJ, Tunde Akanbi, in his speech, said with 45 days to the general elections, politicians and their supporters could have a positive change of mind to counter the erroneous belief that “it is either them or the elections will not hold.”

2023 elections: Every vote will count – Osun INEC REC, Agboke

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun, Dr Mutiu Agboke has assured that each vote will count.

He said that despite apprehension about security, the Commission is determined to go ahead with the general elections calling on all stakeholders to work for a free, fair and transparent election.

Agboke stated this during a sensitisation visit to the Ogunsua

of Modakeke, Oba Joseph Olubiyi Toriola on Wednesday.

The Osun INEC boss also maintained that the Commission has decided to carry along traditional rulers and chiefs in their locality.

According to him: “With the coming election, INEC has decided to include the kings and chiefs. We want the traditional institution to talk to the people and educate them on the election. Majority of the electorates still believe it is business as usual.”

He affirmed: “INEC is assuring that each vote will count. INEC

wants all people to come out and vote and they must have their PVCs. With BVAS each vote is assured of being counted. All the news about cancellation and postponement of the vote is not an issue. We want all stakeholders to work for a free, fair and transparent election. The uncollected PVCs must be collected as part of requirements for voting.”

Responding, the Ogunsua of Modakeke, Oba Joseph Olubiyi Toriola urged the Commission to ensure its machines are in working order to avoid complaints common among the electorate.

“The town has been talking to its people to ensure the election is peaceful and free from violence,” he concluded.

In a visit to the INEC local government offices in Ife North, Ife South, Ife Central, Ife East and Ife East Area Office, Modakeke, Agboke maintained that the visit is aimed at reminding the staff and members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, that they have more work to do within this period.

He added that between now and February, INEC is going to be busy.

He warned: “Staff who don’t apply the rule will face the music. Staff should stick by the rules. The INEC chairman will not be happy seeing any staff being liable.

“INEC staff should be organized. INEC is ready because it knows that its staff are ready. We also expect performance and delivery on the INEC mandate.

“We would not tolerate any negative report. With BVAS in place, no staff can assist anybody during the election. You are advised to be in tune with the training and discharge your responsibility on election day.”

School Resumption: Students of Great Light Scholars Academy resume for 2nd semester academic season at Jehu 3 Masala, yesterday in Nasarawa State.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Flights disrupted across US after major system failure

Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The US government has grounded “all flights in the country” following a system failure on Wednesday.

The development reportedly left passengers stranded at various airports across the globe, as planned departures were suddenly cancelled.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the glitch in its notice-to-air missions (NOTAM) system in a statement.

The agency is in charge of regulating all aspects and protocols related to aviation for all flights entering and leaving the US.

It said they are performing final validation checks and reloading the system.

“The FAA is working to restore its notice to air missions system. We are performing final validation checks and reloading the system now,” the statement reads.

“Operations across the national airspace system are affected.”

Meanwhile, according to FAA, a NOTAM is a notice containing information essential to personnel concerned with flight operations but not known far enough in advance to be publicised by other means.

It said the NOTAMs indicates the real-time and abnormal status of the national airspace system (NAS) impacting every user, adding that it also concerns the establishment, condition, or change of any facility, service, procedure or hazard in the NAS.

The following the system collapse, FAA ordered airlines to suspend operations until the issue is resolved.

“The FAA has ordered airlines to pause all domestic departures until 9 a.m. Eastern Time to allow the agency to validate the integrity of flight and safety information,” it said in a tweet.

Checks on FlightAware, flight tracking website, showed that 1,230 flights (out of 7,076) were delay within, into, or out of the United States on Wednesday at 1:44 pm.

An additional 111 flights within, into or out of the United States were also cancelled.

FG disburses N173bn for uniform petrol price in three years

Yunus Abuja

The Federal Government disbursed N173,200,284,779bn for the equalisation of more than 11.6 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) better known as petrol from 2019 to 2022, the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources has said.

The ministry led by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva stated this in a document presented on Tuesday on the ministry’s 2022

scorecard.

“11,622,926,494 litres (of PMS was) equalised. N173,200,284,779 (approx.) equalisation paid. 1,277 supplying vessels tracked. 25,525,688,042 litres of total PMS discharged,” the document partly read.

The data also showed that 66.7 million litres of PMS were the average daily sufficiency during the three-year period with total truck-out volume being 24,346,614,589 litres.

Petrol price equalisation is done by the government

through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to ensure price uniformity of petroleum products via the reimbursement of marketers for trucking products to filling stations anywhere in Nigeria.

However, despite the huge amount spent, millions of Nigerians continue to groan as petrol scarcity spread across the country.

For months, vehicle owners especially in Lagos and Abuja have had a tough time getting

petrol from filling stations. Whilst many outlets are closed, the few ones that are open sell the indispensable commodity for as high as N250 per litre from the uniform price of N169/litre.

The shortage of supply has led to long, grueling snake-like queues at the few open filling stations as motorists and business owners jostle to buy fuel while others resort to black market. The situation has also worsen traffic on major roads as vehicle owners block at least one lane to join queues to filling stations.

ISB Aims to Inspire Confidence –Lawmaker

The provisions of the Investments and Securities Bill recently passed by the House of Representatives is expected to inspire confidence of both local and foreign investors as they can be assured that the regulators have been sufficiently empowered to deal with malpractices that undermine confidence in the market.

This was stated by the Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Capital Markets and Institutions Hon. Babangida Ibrahim during an interview in Abuja.

Ibrahim stated that foreign investors and market participants will also be attracted to the Nigerian market because they will have comfort in the fact that the Bill seeks to mirror standard investorprotective provisions and practices in advanced jurisdictions, which the foreign participants are already familiar with.

On the reason for the new Bill, the Lawmaker stated that the current enabling law for the Nigerian capital market, the Investments and Securities Act, No. 29 of 2007 (“ISA”) was signed into law by late President Umar Musa Yar’adua in

June 2007 (15 and half years ago) before the global financial crisis of 2008/2009.

Global financial regulators he said, have made major changes in their regulatory instruments following the crisis to address some of the obvious gaps that contributed to the global economic disruption of the time, adding that such global shifts and other current trends in capital markets regulation have made it imperative to make major improvements to the Act to align our market with international standards.

According to Ibrahim, the Bill seeks to repeal the ISA and introduced new provisions that empowers the SEC to collaborate with other regulatory bodies in the financial sector to manage and mitigate systemic risks as it confers new investigative and enforcement powers on the apex regulator, SEC, to effectively regulate the Nigerian capital market. It introduces the framework for regulation of new products including financial and commodities derivatives and financial market infrastructures, which are expected to lead to increased activities, and thus, deepen the Nigerian capital market.

“The Bill introduces stiffer sanctions in the form of increased

fines and jail terms, which are commensurate with the severity of offences, and also serve as deterrence to potential future offenders. For instance, a jail term of not less than 10 years has been provided to address the menace of Ponzi schemes and illegal investment schemes that have caused heartache for thousands of Nigerians who have been victims of such scams. Other offences such as market manipulation, insider trading, false statements in prospectuses etc. are also subject to severe punishment.

“The Bill will ensure the diversification of the Nigerian economy away from a mono product oil economy through the strengthening of the Nigerian commodities ecosystem with the trading of warehouse receipts and commodities contracts on the Commodities Exchanges.

“The Bill also contains legal framework for registration and regulation of new types of critical market infrastructures such as central counterparties, which will be responsible for managing the risks emanating from transactions in derivatives and other financial instruments, thereby ensuring the safety and integrity of our markets

and boosting investors’ confidence” he stated.

The Lawmaker disclosed that Federal Government agencies, Subnational, Supranational will be able to better access the capital market for both revenue bonds and project tied bonds as the Bill now contains adequate provisions that enable both corporates and governments to issue new instruments to develop the infrastructural requirements of the country.

The bill will generally revitalize the Nigerian capital market, as it introduces regulation of new businesses, products and services that will deepen the market while equipping the apex regulator with appropriate powers to protect the market and enforce the provisions of the Bill.

“In every sense of the word, this bill is truly a market inspired Bill. Inputs were received from all segments of the Nigerian capital market – the Securities Exchanges, Commodities Exchanges, the Central Counterparties, Capital Market Operators and Trade Associations, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Capital Market Professionals such as the Legal Practitioners as well as Shareholders Associations”.

Abubakar

Abubakar Yunus Abuja

General Overseer , Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria , Rev Sam Aboyeji , his wife, Rev (Mrs) Olabisi Aboyeji and the First Lagos State, Dr Ibijoke Sanwoolu , at the Lagos State Annual Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, January 8,2023

Ghana’s inflation rises to 54.1% , highest level in 22 years

Ghana’s annual consumer inflation rate accelerated to a new 22-year high of 54.1 percent in December 2022, up from 50.3 percent in November.

Samuel Kobina Annim, the government statistician for Ghana, announced this at a media briefing on Wednesday.

The latest inflation rate is the highest since April 2001, when it was at 59.7 percent.

Ghana’s statistics office attributed the hike to steep increases in food, transport, and housing costs.

It said prices rose the most in the category of housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, increasing to 82.34 percent yearon-year.

Furnishings and household equipment came second at 71.52 percent, followed by transport at 71.42 percent, then personal care, social protection, and miscellaneous goods and services at 60.94 percent.

The agency said inflation for food and non-alcoholic beverages rose to 59.71 percent year-on-year.

It added that inflation for locally produced items was 51.1 percent, while that of imported items stood at 61.9 percent.

Since last year, the West African country has been battling an economic crisis.

In July, it approached the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to ask for financial help after soaring prices and other economic woes spurred street protests.

A staff-level agreement with the IMF for a $3 billion three-year support package was later secured in December.

One of the grounds on which Ghana got the facility from the IMF is a “comprehensive debt restructuring”.

As part of efforts to restore public debt sustainability, the Ghanaian government, on December 5, launched a domestic debt exchange programme.

The government also suspended debt service payments on eurobonds and commercial term loans.

Oil theft: ‘7-year-old’ illegal tapping point uncovered in Rivers community

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

An illegal tapping point on the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) has been uncovered in the Nonwa Uedume community of Tai local government area, Rivers state.

Mbakpone Okpe, executive chairman of Tai LGA, Rivers, led the discovery team to the site on Monday.

Others present at the site include security operatives of the Nigerian army, officers of the Department of State Services (DSS), Tai local security taskforce and pipeline surveillance contractors.

Speaking on the incident, Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, executive director, Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), in a statement seen by Peoples Daily, condemned the act by the illegal oil refiners.

The executive called on the federal government to provide alternative livelihood opportunities for artisanal crude oil refiners in the Niger Delta, through modular

refineries and establishment of the presidential artisanal crude oil refining development initiative (PACORDI).

Fyneface said employees of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), operator of TNP, were performing routine maintenance work on the pipeline at the time of the discovery, as the tapping point was near their site.

He said the workers “were surprised that a tapping point on their pipeline was close to where they were but they did not know”.

“After the exposure, they took over the point, working to remove the tapping of about one and half inches pipe said to have been operated for over seven years with capacity to load two tankers of 33,000 liters per night,” Fyneface said.

On his part, Okpe, speaking to journalists at the site, said the discovery of the illegal connection on the facility, cost a lot of resources.

He said the illegal connection

was discovered following a tip-off, calling for a collaboration between his team and the government.

“This discovery cost me money to get the intel (information) and this access. That does not mean that Shell does not have operators that are doing surveillance for them,” he said.

“The federal government also has companies doing surveillance for them. I need to partner with them. I called Shell after I discovered this on their line.

“I wish they would come so that we can jointly collaborate to clamp down on it. It is not only discovering it but also closing it so that it doesn’t recur. Since then, Shell has not come. It is part of the problem I have been having with them.”

Okpe also said some illegal oil bunkering activities are still ongoing as preliminary findings indicated that there may be more of such illegal camps in the area.

He also accused Shell of not taking responsibility despite

discovering the illegal pipeline.

“As I speak with you, there are a lot of bunkering operations going on in some of the communities around here. Even when I discovered it and I called them (Shell) to come let us collaborate. It is their asset, not mine,” Okpe said.

“I cannot risk my resources and my personnel in discovering this, at the end of the day the owners are not coming forward to take responsibility.

“This thing you are seeing happening here, if anybody tells you that the larger number of the population here are not aware of it, it is a lie.

“If you go beyond here to the far end, you will see another spot like this. So, how are we responding to it to ensure that people who are doing this thing will know that there are owners and the owners are protecting their property?’’

At the time of filing this report, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) did not respond to a request for comments.

The World Bank says a sharp, long-lasting slowdown is expected to hit developing countries hard this year as the global economy weakens.

The bank said this in its latest ‘global economics prospects’ report, released on Tuesday.

It said the 2023 global growth is expected to slow to 1.7 percent — a downgrade from 3 percent earlier projected in June 2022.

The World Bank warned that shocks including higherthan-expected inflation, sudden spikes in interest rates to contain price increases, or a pandemic resurgence could tip the global economy into a recession.

“Given fragile economic conditions, any new adverse development — such as higher-

than-expected inflation, abrupt rises in interest rates to contain it, a resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic, or escalating geopolitical tensions — could push the global economy into a recession,” the report reads.

“This would mark the first time in more than 80 years that two global recessions have occurred within the same decade.

“The global economy is projected to grow by 1.7 percent in 2023 and 2.7 percent in 2024. The sharp downturn in growth is expected to be widespread, with forecasts in 2023 revised down for 95 percent of advanced economies and nearly 70 percent of emerging market and developing economies.”

For Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the region which accounts for about 60 percent of the world’s

extreme poor, the bank said growth in per capita income over 2023-24 is expected to average just 1.2 percent, a rate that could cause poverty rates to rise.

In his view on the report, David Malpass, World Bank Group president, said the crisis facing development is intensifying as the global growth outlook deteriorates.

“Emerging and developing countries are facing a multi-year period of slow growth driven by heavy debt burdens and weak investment as global capital is absorbed by advanced economies faced with extremely high government debt levels and rising interest rates,” Malpass said.

“Weakness in growth and business investment will compound the alreadydevastating reversals in

education, health, poverty, and infrastructure and the increasing demands from climate change.”

Meanwhile, in the report, the bank said GDP levels in emerging and developing economies by the end of 2024 will be roughly 6 percent below levels expected before the pandemic.

It further noted that, although global inflation is expected to moderate, it will remain above pre-pandemic levels.

The World Bank also cut Nigeria’s 2023 economic growth projection to 2.9 percent from a previous projection of 3.1 percent.

This, the bank explained, is due to production challenges in the oil sector, rising insecurity, and flooding.

“In Nigeria, growth is projected to decelerate to 2.9 percent in 2023 and remain at

that pace in 2024 barely above population growth,” the report reads.

“A growth momentum in the non-oil sector is likely to be restrained by continued weakness in the oil sector. Existing production and security challenges and a moderation in oil prices are expected to hinder a recovery in oil output.

“Policy uncertainty sustained high inflation, and rising incidence of violence are anticipated to temper growth. Growth in agriculture is expected to soften because of the damage from last year’s floods.

“As fiscal position is expected to remain weak because of high borrowing costs, lower energy prices, a sluggish growth of oil production, and a subdued activity in the non-oil sectors.”

President Muhammadu Buhari commissions Projects executed by the Yobe State Government and Nigerian Police in Yobe State on 9th Jan 2023

Abubakar Yunus Abuja

World Bank: High inflation rate expected to frustrate Nigeria’s economic recovery

Buhari reappoints

Obadiah Nkom

as DG of Mining Cadastre Office

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the reappointment of Obadiah Nkom as the director general of Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office (MCO).

The appointment was confirmed by Femi Adesina, spokesperson to the president in a statement recently.

The four-term appointment takes effect from January 12, 2023.

Nkom was among the 19 heads of government agencies appointed on January 12, 2019, for an initial period of four years.

Adesina, in the statement, said under the leadership of Nkom in the past four years, the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office recorded 86 percent increase in revenue generation.

He added that the office raked in over N8.9 billion between 2019 and 2021, compared to N4.8 billion generated in the corresponding period of 2016 to 2018.

This also accounted for about 50 percent of the contribution of the ministry of mines and steel development to the economy.

“His recently unveiled reforms in the automation of the mining cadastre system had revolutionised online and realtime mineral title administration and management, ” the statement reads.

“It is also to the credit of Nkom during his first term that the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office was named the best agency of the federal government in the category of digital innovation awards for the year 2022.

“This was done under the auspices of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA), for adding value to the activities of the cadastre office.”

NCS: We’ll do everything necessary to generate revenue, promote trade

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service says it will do everything necessary to promote trade and generate revenue for the country.

Hameed Ali, comptrollergeneral, NCS, spoke on Tuesday at the decoration ceremony of the three newly appointed assistant comptroller-generals, and other officers of the service, held in Abuja.

According to the 2023 appropriation bill recently signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, customs revenue stood at N639.65 billion between January and November 2022.

The federal government said the customs collections for the period (comprising import duties, excise, fees, and special

levies), exceeded the target by N15.42billion — representing a 102 percent performance in revenue generation.

Speaking at the decoration ceremony, Ali said Nigeria was relying on the service for revenue generation.

“I don’t know how to say this, but I have to say it that the nation depends on us to generate revenue. We must do all that we need to do to get that money,” he said.

“We must also work hard and ensure that we facilitate trade because that is what will bring in the revenue. Wherever you find yourself as an officer, you must conduct yourself as an officer, in or outside the uniform.”

Meanwhile, Ali charged the newly promoted officers to be good ambassadors of the

organisation.

He said the responsibility of the NCS was to ensure that “we do not disgrace the service, and by that commitment, it means that in whatever you do, on-duty and off-duty, you must behave as a responsible officer”.

“Promotion comes with a lot of responsibilities. Every step you go in your service you become more visible. The expectations from [you] are going to be more and you will be given assignments that will get you to be visible,” the comptroller-general said.

“Let me congratulate all of you and say this is a step forward. Today at the Nigeria Customs Service, we have been able to streamline our processes with regards to promotion. We have a standing operational procedure.

“I want to assure every customs man and woman that if you work hard and maintain good conduct, and you pass your exams, I bet you, promotions are at your beck and call.

So, let me use his medium to, once again, impress on all of us to take our jobs seriously. Our attitude is gradually changing, we are taking this service seriously. We are now realising why we are in this uniform. I’ve always said that once you make up your mind to wear this uniform, please give it the respect that it deserves.

“It is a great opportunity that out of the over 200 million people, 15,000 of us are today representing Nigeria in this service. It is a great thing of pride and I expect us to work with our heads high.”

GTBank, UK finance agency reach settlement over anti-money laundering control gaps

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

Guaranty Trust Bank UK Limited (GTBank UK) says it has reached settlement with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), accepting findings in relation to historical anti-money laundering (AML) controls in its operations between October 2014 and July 2019.

The bank spoke on the matter in a statement recently, said it has implemented measures to ensure its AML framework operates within regulatory standards.

The FCA had said GTBank failed to undertake adequate customer risk assessments, often not assessing or documenting the money laundering risks posed by

its customers.

It also accused the bank of failing to monitor customer transactions and business relationships to the required standard.

“These weaknesses were repeatedly highlighted to GTBank by internal and external sources, including the FCA, but despite this, GTBank failed to take appropriate action to fix them,” FCA had said.

“GTBank’s conduct is particularly egregious as this is not the first time that the bank has faced enforcement action in relation to its AML controls, with the FCA fining GTBank £525,000 in August 2013 for serious and systemic failings.”

Consequently, the financial

regulator slammed a £7,671,800 fine on the bank, adding that without the 30 percent discount, the financial penalty would have been £10,959,700.

In response to the findings, GTBank said it has cooperated fully with the FCA investigation and has agreed to the penalty sum of £7.6 million.

It said the penalty was calculated by reference to a proportion of the revenues of GTBank UK over the relevant period and includes a 30 percent discount for early settlement.

Meanwhile, GTBank explaind that the FCA’s investigation focused on its UK subsidiary’s AML controls and steps taken by it to remediate these to ensure they operated in line with the

relevant requirements.

The bank said the FCA findings were final, and no further action is anticipated in respect of the matter.

According to the bank, the FCA acknowledged in its findings that the financial institution has spent considerable time and resources in order to bring its AML standards up to the required level.

Commenting on the issue, Gbenga Alade, managing director of GTBank UK, said: “As a responsible financial services institution that is committed to best practices, GTBank UK takes its AML obligations extremely seriously.”

“We note with sincere regret the FCA’s findings regarding AML

control gaps in our operations in the past and we are very sorry for this.”

Alade assured stakeholders and the general public that necessary steps have been taken to address and resolve the identified gaps.

“Whilst there was no direct customer impairment arising from the period under review [and the FCA’s findings do not include any instances of suspected money laundering], we have since reinforced our AML control framework and implemented changes in our AML processes in line with best practice with a view to ensuring that the highest standards are maintained in our operations,” he explained.

L-R: Globacom’s Regional Activation Manager (North), Mr. David Ameh; latest Glo Festival of Joy promo car winner, Richard Ijah; Divisional Police Officer, Jos Area, SP Obinna, and Chairman, Bassa Local Government, Plateau State, Steven Igbala, presenting the key to a brand new car to the prize winner in Jos, Plateau State, yesterday.

METRO

Gov’t tasked

on providing enabling environment for young entrepreneurs

By Stanley Onyekwere

Chief Executive Officer of Justwan Dezign Couture, Justina Wanda, has passionately appealed to both FCT Administration and the Federal Government to help teeming upcoming entrepreneurs involved in the production and sale of locally made goods to continue to excel.

In particular, Wanda urged the government to support young entrepreneurs by providing some opportunities for them to be getting materials for production.

Making this point at Locally Made products exhibition recently held in Abuja, she said the essence of the event was to showcase to Nigerians and the international market that, local entrepreneurs are capable of producing all kind of products.

In her words: “We want the government to support us by providing some opportunities for us to be getting materials for production.

“The exhibition is all about made in Nigeria products or brands in all forms, this also show that we as local entrepreneurs can do it. We are telling the world that we are also good”.

Water Board bemoans N400 loss to illegal connections

By Stanley Onyekwere

The FCT Water Board has declared about N400 million loses from illegal connections to Abuja water supply facility.

The Board’s General Manager, Engr. Tauheed Amusan, who disclosed this recently, lamented that while huge amount of money was being spent on maintaining all

major sources of water supply, including the lower Usuma Dam and trunk lines, certain individuals and organisations have continued to break its pipes and engaging in illegal connections.

Amusan said: “One of the challenges we have, is a lot of illegal connections in our trunk loops. Abuja’s water system designed to deliver treated water through the tanks, but we have a

situation where some people are connected to the trunks before it gets to the tanks.

“And this compromise what we have in the tank. We are gradually disconnecting these illegal connections. When we do that the tanks will be better and we will be able to deliver water to various destinations.

“There are also the challenges of leakages, vandalization and many more”.

Furthermore, he noted that the Lower Usuma Dam, which is the major sources of water supply in Abuja, has the capacity to generate 20,000 cubic litre of water per hour, but only about 15,000 to 16,000 cubic litres are being pushed out.

He added that regardless the efforts that government make to subsidize water supply, there are individuals and organizations that do not want to pay.

FCT unveils 12-man C’ttee to boost agricultural dev’t

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has set up a 12-man agricultural development programme executive committee to drive ongoing efforts to restore agriculture back to its enviable status.

The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, who officially inaugurated the committee, said the FCTA places high premium on agriculture as a viable tool for ensuring food and nutrition security aimed at reduction of poverty and creation of jobs amongst households in the Territory.

She said: “The commitment of this administration to ensuring increased productivity in the agricultural sector and poverty reduction is evidenced in the

initiation of series of viable and sustainable policies and programmes aimed at restoring agriculture back to its initial enviable status before the discovery of oil.

“The recently launched National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP) which is meant to provide a roadmap for the transformation of the agri-food systems in Nigeria is another giant step taken by the administration in ensuring food security in the country.

“The policy aims to bring about a long lasting economic and social change through public and private sector investment in agriculture and rural development”.

The Minister explained that the policy also seeks to meet the needs of women, young people

and people with special needs, by consciously incorporating technology and innovation into the agricultural sector which, she said requires engagement of appropriate strategies for effective delivery.

She added that in order to ensure greater efficiency in the operations of the Agricultural Development Programme, a change of approach and structural transformation has become inevitable.

She, therefore, expressed the hope that the reversal of the FCT Agriculture Development Programme to its initial Agency status cannot be done at a better time than now as issues of food security is a front burner in the programmes of this administration.

She said; “the agenda status is believed will put the establishment

in a better position to discharge its responsibility more effectively, leveraging the existing structure”.

Also speaking, FCTA Permanent Secretary and chairman of the committee, Mr. Olusade Adesola, noted that the commitment of the FCT Minister of State towards the development of the agricultural sector has led to the inauguration of the committee.

“You are concerned on the need to promote agriculture and by extension employment in the FCT and these are all outcomes that are embedded in the agric development programme”, he stressed.

While acknowledging that the task before the committee is daunting, he promised that the committee would work assiduously to achieve the attainment of the aims and objectives of the project.

Barden Zazzau, Haruna Abubakar,- and Chiroman Zazzau District head of Makera, Shehu Tijjani,- Receving an award from Prof. Yahaya Mohamed,- during the Islamic Schools Coaliation of Nigeria (ISCON) 1st Innougration of their Excos in kaduna on Monday 09/01/22

world news

Further delays to US flights expected after FAA issue

Normal air traffic operations are slowly resuming in the US after flights were halted on Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said.

It follows a problem with the system that alerts pilots to potential hazards on flight routes.

The FAA had said flights would begin to take off again from 0900 ET (1400 GMT), though further delays are expected due to a backlog of flights.

Airports nationwide were affected, from Denver to Atlanta to New York City.

As of Wednesday morning east coast time, more than 6,700 flights in and out of the US had been delayed and more than 1,000 were cancelled.

One issue airlines are facing is trying to get planes in and out of crowded gates, which is causing

further delays.

US President Joe Biden has been briefed on the FAA glitch, and the White House said there was no evidence of a cyberattack “at this point”.

Speaking to reporters, the president said the FAA “expect [that] in a couple of hours they’ll have a good sense of what caused it, and we’ll respond at that time”.

In a tweet, the White House Press Secretary said the president had called for a “full investigation”.

The FAA said the source of the problem was its Notice to Air Missions System.

According to the FAA, the system provides real-time safety information to pilots “about closed runways, equipment outages, and other potential hazards along a flight route or at a location that could affect the flight.”

Elon Musk’s drop in fortunes breaks world record

From November 2021 to December 2022 he lost around $165bn, Guinness World Records said in a blog on its website.

The figures are based on data from publisher Forbes, but Guinness said other sources suggested Mr Musk’s losses could have been higher.

It follows a fall in value of shares in Mr Musk’s electric car firm Tesla after he bought Twitter last year.

His $44bn (£36bn) takeover of the social media company has sparked concerns among investors that Mr Musk is no longer giving Tesla enough attention.

Mr Musk’s losses since November 2021 surpass the previous record of $58.6bn (£47bn), suffered by Japanese tech investor Masayoshi Son in 2000.

The estimated loss is based on the value of his shares, which could regain their value, meaning Mr Musk’s wealth would increase again.

In December, the Tesla boss lost his position as richest person in the world to Bernard Arnault, the chief executive of French

The value of Tesla shares dropped around 65% in 2022, in part because of Tesla’s performance. The firm delivered just 1.3 million vehicles during the year, falling short of Wall Street expectations.

However, Mr Musk’s takeover of Twitter - where he has sparked controversy by firing large numbers of staff and changing content moderation policies - is behind most of the share slump.

Many Tesla investors believe he should be focusing on the electric vehicle company as it faces falling demand amid recession fears, rising competition and Covidlinked production challenges.

“Long-term fundamentals [at Tesla] are extremely strong. Short-term market madness is unpredictable,” Mr Musk tweeted after the stock markets closed for the year in December 2022.

Mr Musk is now worth about $178bn (£152bn), according to Forbes, while Bernard Arnault has an estimated value of $188bn (£155bn).

Major US airlines said they were closely monitoring the situation. American Airlines, which carries the most passengers annually in North America, said it was working with the FAA to minimise customer disruption.

United Airlines said it would waive change fees and any difference in fare for customers rescheduling flights departing on or before 16 January, 2023.

Delta said it was “safely focused on managing our operation during this morning’s FAA ground stop for all carriers”, adding it would provide updates as soon as possible.

For international passengers, Air Canada - the foreign carrier with the most flights into the US - said the outage would impact on cross-border operations on Wednesday, but it couldn’t initially say to what degree. The

carrier said it would put in place a “goodwill policy” so affected passengers can change their travel plans.

Meanwhile, airports in Paris - Paris Charles de Gaulle and Orly - said they expect delays to US flights. Air France said it is monitoring the situation.

For UK passengers, British Airways said its flights to and from the US will operate as planned, and Virgin Atlantic said it was continuing to operate its schedule of US flights departing from the UK. However, some US departures, the airline said, may be affected by delays.

Germany’s Lufthansa and Spain’s Iberia said they are still operating flights to and from the US as normal for now.

US Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said he had been

in contact with the FAA on Wednesday morning, and that they were working to resolve the issue “swiftly and safely”.

Passengers have posted on social media that they are experiencing delays.

“Always great to get up at 0400 to be at the gate in plenty of time for your flight that is now delayed by 37 minutes and counting,” said Daniel Huard in a Facebook post.

“This will be a long day of travel.”

Michael Remy arrived to an airport in Virginia at 0600 ET (1100 GMT) planning to head to North Carolina for vacation. His flight was delayed right before boarding. “It is what is, so, you can only get so upset,” he told the BBC. “I may have seen it differently if I was headed to a wedding or a funeral, though.”

The mystery buses behind Brazil Congress attack

Hundreds

of the protesters who stormed Brazil’s Congress have been arrested but mystery still surrounds the identity of the people pulling the strings. Could a fleet of buses seized by police hold the key?

Two months ago, 60-yearold Odair boarded a bus in the southeastern state of Parana, bound for Brazil’s capital more than 1,460 km (907 miles) away.

His mission: to spend weeks showing his support for a man he affectionately refers to as “the Captain” - former President Jair Bolsonaro.

For Odair, the trip ended badly.

While he claims he did not participate in the riot at Brazil’s Congress on 8 January, he was among the more than 1,500 taken into custody by police at nearby Bolsonaro supporters’ encampments - where many had been for weeks - in the immediate aftermath.

“There were old ladies in there, crying. They had lost contact with everyone,” he told the BBC after his release, clad in the blue and yellow Brazilian football gear that has become synonymous with Bolsonaro supporters. “This is really sad business.”

Those detained hail from at least 10 Brazilian states and like Odair they made a long journey to Brasilia.

Four days before the riot, a video inviting people to the Brazilian capital for a “party” went viral. It promised free buses would take people from different parts of the country, with coffee and food laid on.

Who or what group was behind this idea, and financed it, remains something of a mystery - one that has gripped the attention of people across the country.

“It’s obvious to everyone they didn’t do it themselves,” Alice Teixeira, a Brasilia resident, told the BBC at a local filling station. “They were from many places.”

What have authorities said?

Earlier this week, Brazil’s current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said the rioters are “possibly victims” of manipulation at the hands of still-unknown financiers. So far, much of the investigation

has focused on a fleet of approximately 40 buses seized by authorities after the riot. Many of these brightly-coloured buses are currently parked in a police lot on the outskirts of the city, where they are clearly visible from the highway.

At a news conference on Tuesday, Justice Minister Flavio Dino said that unnamed “business executives” rented the buses to transport Bolsonaro supporters to Brasilia from across the nation who had been offered “free trips” on social media.

While Mr Dino offered no names amid the ongoing investigation, he described the alleged organisers as being involved in the agriculture industry and the gun lobby in Brazil’s conservative midwestern and southern states. Othersincluding President Lula - have suggested that mining and logging firms may also be involved.

Politically, these regions are considered bastions of support for Mr Bolsonaro.

Paulo Abrão, a Brazilian law professor and human rights expert, said that backers are likely from groups that “benefited from a lack of government control” under the Bolsonaro government.

“The financiers of this incident could be groups that harm the environment, or who violate human rights in their work,” he said. “These groups would benefit from attacking the institutions of the state.”

Denials from ‘Bolsonaristas’

Many hardline supporters of the former President continue to cling to the narrative that the events of 8 January were the work of leftist provocateurs who, they say, wanted to derail peaceful protests against the Lula government.

Among them is Telma Viera, a Sao Paolo resident who spent weeks at a camp in the city alongside other Bolsonaro supporters. On Tuesday, she was in Brasilia, where she was visiting two friends taken into custody following the riot.

“This was not something done by our patriots,” she said outside the police facility where the alleged rioters are being held. “There were people from the left there, before ours.”

Another Bolsonaro supporter,

Edson Varela, echoed Viera’s statement, saying that “infiltrators” started the violence at the riot “to give the government another reason for coming after Bolsonaro”.

As evidence, Ms Varela and Ms Viera both pointed to Instagram and social media videos which purport to show known Lula supporters among the crowd.

While none of these videos have been substantiated, these opinions are being widely shared and gaining traction among large swathes of Brazilians, both at home and abroad.

Juscelino Colares, a US-based Brazilian law professor, told the BBC that his numerous Brazilian friends have sent him “videos that document Bolsonaristas telling rioters how to burn or destroy public property”.

“Like me, they all believe many agent provocateurs from the left took advantage of frustration among some native right-wing protesters,” he said.

What’s next?

While Brazilian officials have vowed to identify and punish those responsible, they have so far offered little detail on the investigation, although Brazilian telecom carriers have been ordered to preserve data that may be related to the riot.

Any potential penalties for those who organised the riot remain unclear.

Some Brazilians, like Mr Abrão - a former executive secretary of the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights - are now calling for a congressional commission to probe the riot and what led up to it, as was the case in the US with the committee that looked into the 6 January 2021 riot.

“This country really needs to establish an instrument like that, that involves the judiciary and other government powers,” he said. “We need to create the conditions to make that possible. It’s vital.”

In the meantime, many Brazilians will be anxiously waiting for answers.

“I believe some will [eventually] be identified,” said Geomar Andre Bender, a lawyer and author. “But some will never leave their mark.”

luxury goods company LVMH, which owns fashion label Louis Vuitton.

Benin opposition win legislature seats

Provisional results from Sunday’s parliamentary poll in Benin show the opposition has returned to parliament after a four year absence.

The electoral commission said the opposition had won 28 seats with allies of President Patrice Talon securing 81. Final results are expected later this week. Benin’s opposition was effectively barred from running in the 2019 legislative elections with most of Mr Talon’s opponents jailed or exiled.

Man linked to Malawi migrant mass grave given bail

The High Court in Malawi has released the stepson of former President Peter Mutharika on bail two months after he was arrested and charged with aggravated human trafficking and murder.

Tadikila Mafubza has been linked to the deaths of 30 men, believed to be Ethiopian migrants, whose bodies were found in a mass grave in October last year.

He denies the charges.

The court on Wednesday ordered Mr Mafubza to pay two million kwacha ($2,000; £1,600), provide two blood related sureties each bonded at $5,000 in assets, and to surrender his passport and all travel documents to the police.

Mr Mafubza was not present in court when the ruling was made.

He was also ordered not to contact any witnesses related to the case and report to national police headquarters every Tuesday fortnightly.

The discovered bodies were found in an unmarked grave in a government forest in the northern district of Mzimba. A post-mortem found that they had died of suffocation.

Police arrested Mr Mafubza because they allege his car was used to transport the 30 men. A man said to have been the driver was also detained.

Malawi is grappling with the problem of organised syndicates trafficking men, women and children to South Africa, the US and Europe.

China-funded Africa CDC building inaugurated

The China-funded and headquarters for the African Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has been inaugurated in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa.

The newly appointed Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who’s visiting Ethiopia as part of a week-long tour of the continent, was joined by the chairperson of African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, at the opening of the $80m (£65m) headquarters, which also built and equipped by China.

The project - which Mr Qin said was a testament to the growing relations between his country and Africa - is seen as the latest example of China’s increasing investment on the continent.

Beijing accelerated its involvement to tackle health crises after the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014.

Four years later, it announced its plan to build the Africa CDC headquarters.

The agency led the continent’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

UN condemns killing of South Sudan aid workers

The UN has condemned the killing of three aid workers in two separate attacks in South Sudan.

The killings are “completely unacceptable and must stop,” the acting UN Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, Peter van der Auweraert said in a statement.

Two aid workers were shot and killed while on duty at a humanitarian facility, when armed men attacked Rumameer

village in Abyei, a border oil-rich area being contested by South Sudan and Sudan.

Several civilians were also killed, the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha) said in a press release on Wednesday.

In a similar incident, an aid worker was killed by unknown individuals while he guarded humanitarian commodities in Duk County in Jonglei state in the east of the country over the weekend.

Humanitarian supplies were looted during the incident, Ocha added.

South Sudan continues to be one of the most dangerous places for aid workers. Nine aid workers were killed while on duty in 2022 alone, compared to five in 2021.

Since the conflict began in 2013, 141 humanitarians, predominantly South Sudanese, have lost their lives while providing humanitarian assistance to the people, according to Ocha.

Ivory Coast’s ex- ‘street general’ plots presidential run

Aformer militia leader who was acquitted of crimes against humanity in Ivory Coast says he will be president of the country one day.

In his first press conference since returning from exile in November, Charles Blé Goudé

said he would run in the 2025 election.

Known for his charisma and fiery rhetoric he was nicknamed the “street general”.

Mr Goudé was transferred to the International Criminal Court nine years ago and acquitted in 2019 along with the

former president Laurent Gbagbo.

Both men were charged with crimes against humanity committed during violence which erupted in Ivory Coast after disputed elections in 2010.

Zimbabwe head teacher splits opinion over students haircuts

Avideo of a Zimbabwean head teacher cutting students’ hair because they had styles that were against the school rules has divided opinion.

Headteacher Masimba Mupavaenda said George Stark High School did not tolerate “stylish haircuts.”

“Learners have a tendency of coming to school unprepared... there are some who have stylish hair, some have tints and all

sorts of hairstyles which do not promote good learning,” Mr Mupavaenda said.

The just over two-minute long video shows him running a pair of scissors across the students’ hair.

Critics commenting on Twitter said his actions were an “abuse”, “colonial”, “ignorant”, “humiliating” and offensive”.

But one supporter applauded Mr Mupavaenda saying it was necessary to instil discipline.

“Thank you sir, as a former staff at the GSHS, it has been our mandate to bring discipline and sanity at the institute, keep up the good work sir. I am so delighted to see you pushing towards the disciplinary pole! keep it up.”

“Rules are there to be followed. The parents know the rules and so do the students. You either tow the line or face the music. Well done for implementing what we already know,” another said.

Married Zimbabwe cricket coaches die three weeks apart

Cricket in Zimbabwe is mourning the death of two married national team coaches who passed away within weeks of each other.

The couple are survived by two children.

Sinikiwe Mpofu, assistant coach to the women’s national team, passed away “suddenly” on 7 January, being pronounced dead on arrival at a medical facility after collapsing at her home in Masvingo.

A post-mortem to determine the cause of the 37-year-old’s death is to be carried out.

The former international, who was nicknamed “Sneeze”, was married to Zimbabwe’s men’s fielding coach, Shepherd Makunura, who died on 15 December after a long battle with illness, aged 46.

Mpofu was a talented all-rounder who was part of the history-making team that played the Lady Chevrons’ first-ever international in December 2006.

“Sinikiwe’s departure has left us shattered,” said national women’s team captain Mary-Anne Musonda.

“This is the least we expected just after burying her husband.

“There was always joy and laughter with her and she was an inspiration to many.”

A statement from Zimbabwe Cricket described her post-playing career as “an integral part of Zimbabwe Cricket’s game development structures” at both provincial

and national levels.

Mpofu has been part of the technical teams that have seen Zimbabwe excel in women’s cricket in Africa, earning one-day

international status and recently finishing just one win away from qualifying for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

As head coach she guided Mountaineers Women to victory in the inaugural Fifty50 Challenge - Zimbabwe’s provincial one-day championship for women - in the 2020/21 season.

“Death has robbed us of a genuinely warm individual,” said Zimbabwe Cricket’s managing Director, Givemore Makoni.

“More importantly [she was] a loving mother...one of the pioneers of women’s cricket in Zimbabwe who went on to excel as a coach at provincial and national levels.

“With her sudden passing coming just a few weeks after the death of her loving husband, who was also a part of our national team coaching setup, this is particularly a difficult and painful time for their young children, families, friends and the entire cricket fraternity.”

Makunura and Mpofu were both products of the programme to develop black players and coaches, and they had looked set to serve the game in Zimbabwe for many more years.

The $80m complex will also be equipped by ChinaImage caption: The $80m complex will also be equipped by China

Sinikiwe Mpofu played in Zimbabwe’s women’s team’s first ever international match in 2006

Asia&Middle-East

Soledar: Ukraine battle hints at rift in pro-Russian forces

Russia’s defence ministry says its forces are taking part in the battle for Soledar, a town north of Bakhmut in east Ukraine which has been the focus of recent fighting.

It comes after the head of Russia’s notoriously brutal Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, claimed his fighters were in full control there and boasted that only his troops took part.

Mr Prigozhin will most likely use any victory to bolster the reputation of Wagner as an effective fighting force in the eyes of President Putin.

But the Russian defence ministry appeared to contradict the controversial oligarch’s claims.

Spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in the military’s daily update that: “Soledar has been blockaded from the north and the south by units of the Russian Airborne Forces.

“The Russian Air Force is carrying out strikes on enemy strongholds. Assault troops are taking part in battles inside the town.” There was no mention of Wagner forces.

Ukraine’s defence ministry also said on Wednesday that heavy fighting continues, and Wagner forces have had no success in breaking through its defences.

If Soledar falls, it will be a boost to Mr Prigozhin. In a statement released on Tuesday night, he boasted that “no other units took part in the storming of Soledar apart from Wagner”. Ukrainian and US officials have said that Wagner units make up a large part of forces fighting in the area.

Analysts have long spoken of tensions between the military and Wagner, and Mr Prigozhin has publicly criticised generals for allegedly being out of touch with the realities of the war in Ukraine.

While it is difficult to know for sure exactly whether infighting is going on in the corridors of power, there are some clues.

Yesterday, news agency Tass reported that Colonel-General Alexander Lapin was appointed as Chief of Staff of the Ground Forces. Russian media quoted sources who claimed that the announcement of Gen Lapin’s position - he was one of those slammed by Mr Prigozhin last year - was made as a warning to the oligarch: don’t mess with the military.

But many here have been quick to praise Mr Prigozhin and Wagner for their apparent progress in Soledar. Influential media boss Margarita Simonyan gushed about how “polite” he is, signing off with a thanks to Wagner fighters, who she called “my little darlings!”

Likewise, pro-Kremlin military bloggers on Telegram lavished praise on the mercenary group. One blogger thanked them for “the emotions you’ve given us

tonight”.

Another said “When Soledar and [Bakhmut] are liberated, it will be a new chapter in Russian military history. The first time that a private military company

has shown such results in a highly intensive military conflict”.

The strategic significance of Soledar is disputed by military analysts. But if Russian forces do succeed in establishing

full control over the town, it will certainly be a symbolic victory for the Kremlin. That is because Moscow’s troops have failed to take a single significant town from Ukrainian forces since the summer of 2022.

Alireza Akbari: Iran preparing to execute British citizen - family

The family of a British-Iranian dual national sentenced to death in Iran have told BBC Persian that authorities are preparing to execute him.

Alireza Akbari’s wife, Maryam, said she had been asked to come to his prison for a “final meeting” and that he had been moved to solitary confinement.

The ex-deputy Iranian defence minister was arrested in 2019 and convicted of spying for the UK, which he denied.

The UK urged Iran to halt the planned execution and immediately release him.

“This is a politically motivated act by a barbaric regime that has total disregard for human life,” Foreign Secretary James Cleverly tweeted.

Earlier, a Foreign Office spokesperson

told the BBC that it was supporting Mr Akbari’s family and had repeatedly raised his case with Iranian authorities.

It has requested urgent consular access, but Iran’s government does not recognise dual nationality for Iranians.

BBC Persian also broadcast an audio message on Wednesday from Mr Akbari in which he says he was tortured and forced to confess on camera to crimes he did not commit.

He says that he was living abroad a few years ago when he was invited to visit Iran at the request of a top Iranian diplomat who was involved in nuclear talks with world powers.

Once there, he adds, he was accused of obtaining top secret intelligence from

the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, “in exchange for a bottle of perfume and a shirt”.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original tweet on Twitter

Mr Akbari served under Mr Shamkhani when the latter was defence minister during the presidency of Mohammad Khatami, a reformist who was in office for two terms between 1997 and 2005.

Hours after the audio message was broadcast, the Iranian judiciary’s Mizan news agency confirmed for the first time that Mr Akbari had been found guilty of espionage, and that the Supreme Court had rejected his appeal.

It cited Iran’s intelligence ministry as

saying that Mr Akbari had been “one of the most important infiltrators of the country’s sensitive and strategic centres” for the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service, better known as MI6, and that he had been “compiling and consciously transferring sensitive information”.

Iran is second only to China in the number of executions carried out annually.

At the end of November, state media reported that authorities had hanged four men convicted of “co-operating” with Israeli intelligence.

Another four have been executed since December after being sentenced to death in connection with the anti-government protests engulfing the country.

Source: BBC

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What is known about new Covid

Anew Covid sub-variant is causing some concern in the US, where it is spreading rapidly.

Some cases have been recorded in the UK, so what do you need to know about XBB.1.5?

What is XBB.1.5?

It is yet another offshoot of the globally dominant Omicron Covid variant, which itself followed the earlier alpha, beta, gamma and delta variants.

Omicron has outperformed all previous versions of coronavirus since it emerged in late 2021, and has given rise to many sub-variants which are even more contagious than the original.

Symptoms of XBB.1.5 are thought to be similar to those of previous Omicron strains, but it’s still too early to confirm this. Most people experience coldlike symptoms.

Is XBB.1.5 more infectious or dangerous than earlier variants?

XBB.1.5 itself evolved from XBB, which began circulating in the UK in September 2022, but which has not been classified as a so-called “variant of concern” by health authorities.

XBB had a mutation that helped it beat the body’s immune defences, but this same quality also reduced its ability to infect human cells.

Prof Wendy Barclay from Imperial College London said XBB.1.5 had a mutation known as F486P, which restores this ability to bind to cells while continuing to evade immunity. That makes it spread more easily.

She said these evolutionary changes were like “stepping stones”, as the virus evolves to find new ways of bypassing the body’s self-defence mechanisms.

Scientists from the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed on Wednesday that XBB.1.5 has a “growth advantage” above all other subvariants seen so far.

But they said there was no indication it was more serious or harmful than previous Omicron

variants.

The WHO said it would keep a close watch on lab studies, hospital data and infection rates to find out more about its impact on patients.

Where is XBB.1.5 spreading?

Over 40% of Covid cases in the United States are estimated to be caused by XBB.1.5, making it the dominant strain in the country.

At the beginning of December, it accounted for only 4% of cases so it has quickly overtaken other versions of Omicron.

Covid hospital admissions have been rising in recent weeks across the US.

The UK Health Security Agency is due to release a report on variants spreading in the UK next week, and may refer to XBB.1.5.

Could the XBB.1.5 variant take off in the UK?

Nothing is certain, but it does look likely.

The UK had five Omicron waves in 2022, and further spikes in cases are inevitable.

Figures for the week to

“ XBB.1.5 itself evolved from XBB, which began circulating in the UK in September 2022, but which has not been classified as a so-called “variant of concern” by health authorities.

XBB had a mutation that helped it beat the body’s immune defences, but this same quality also reduced its ability to infect human cells.

Saturday 17 December from the Sanger Institute in Cambridge suggested that one in 25 Covid cases in the UK were XBB.1.5.

But that was based on just nine samples, so we’ll need to wait for a week or two to get a better picture of how it is spreading.

Prof Barclay said she expected more hospitalisations in the UK if the variant takes off here, “as we expect it to do”.

Prof Paul Hunter from the University of East Anglia, said: “The balance of probabilities is that XBB.1.5 will trigger a wave here later this month, but we can’t be sure.”

NHS England has said the fears of a “twindemic” of Covid and flu have been realised, with both viruses putting strain on an already stretched NHS.

variant XBB.1.5?

Are scientists worried about XBB.1.5?

Prof Barclay said she was not especially concerned about the general UK population because there was “no indication” that XBB.1.5 would “breakthrough” the protection against severe illness provided by vaccines.

But she is worried about its effect on the vulnerable, including the immunocompromised, who get less benefit from Covid jabs.

Prof Hunter said he’d seen no evidence that XBB.1.5 was more virulent, meaning it was no more likely to “put you in hospital or kill you” than existing Omicron variants.

He added: “It’s ironic that everyone is focussing on possible variants emerging from China, but XBB.1.5 came out of

the US.”

Prof David Heymann from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine acknowledged that there was still a fair amount to learn about this latest variant.

But he said it was unlikely to cause major problems in countries like the UK which have high levels of vaccination and previous infections.

His concern was for countries like China, where there was both low take-up of vaccines and little natural immunity because of prolonged lockdowns.

“China needs to share clinical information on people infected in order to see how the variant behaves in a non-immune population,” Prof Heymann said.

Source: BBC

Covid vaccines provide most people with good protection against serious illness

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2023 Women’s World Cup: Waldrum sets knockout stage target for Super Falcons

By Amaechi Agbo

After the disappointment of failing to make the dream of La Decima (The Tenth) come true at the 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in staged by Morocco last year – the Super Falcons even failing to make the podium for the first time in many years – Head Coach Randy Waldrum is optimistic of an impressive performance at the forthcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup finals coming up in Australia & New Zealand in the summer.

The American tactician is full of optimism, and is confident that his team can go far in the global tournament, but insists they have to take it one step at a time to achieve greatness.

“The first target for us at the World Cup is to advance out of the group stage,” Waldrum told the thenff.com.

“Everyone wants to get to the knockout stage but obviously in order to achieve that, you have to advance out of the group, and now, our focus is principally on doing that.”

The Super Falcons survived a huge scare at the 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Even though the team finished in fourth place, thereby picking the last automatic ticket from Africa to Australia & New Zealand, Nigerians saw it as a disappointing outing, and rightly so. For a team that had won nine of the previous 11 editions of the competition, losing three out of its six matches in Morocco was seen as a disaster.

The team lost to eventual champions South Africa narrowly in the opening match, and then lost to the host nation Morocco via the lottery of penalty shootout in the semi finals – with two key players red-carded. As it turned out, the Falcons failed to overcome the setback as they eventually lost to Zambia in the third-place match by a lone goal.

Waldrum would want to quickly wipe out such an unflattering record with a better and improved performance by the most successful women’s team in Africa at the forthcoming World Cup to be co-hosted Down Under.

Nigeria will tackle Olympic champions Canada, co-hosts Australia and Republic of Ireland in the group stage of the biggest FIFA Women’s World Cup finals ever, in group B of the tournament that begins on 20th July. Australia & New Zealand 2023 is the first time that the FIFA Women’s World Cup will welcome 32 teams – the same number as the men’s tournament.

The Falcons will be domiciled in Brisbane where they will play two of their three matches, with the other game in another Australian city, Melbourne.

Nigeria is in the elite group of only seven countries that have never failed to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup since the competition was launched in China 32 years ago.

NFF releases dates for Federation Cup, slashes registration fees

By Amaechi Agbo

The Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation has reviewed downwards the registration fees Clubs will have to pay to take part in this year’s Federation Cup competition. While the male Clubs will part with the sum of N70,000 to be part of the competition, the female Clubs will pay

the sum of N50,000.

NFF’s Acting. Director of Competitions, Ruth David said that the NFF Board opted to review the fees downwards in order to encourage many more Clubs to participate in this year’s competition in both the men’s and women’s categories.

While the registration fees are down, the programme itself is unchanged from

what was officially communicated to the Football Association in the 36 States and the FCT. Registration of Clubs will hold over a fortnight between 16th – 30th January, while submission of completed players’ forms for production of licenses will be done 31st January –6th February.

This year’s Federation Cup competition in the various States and

the FCT will take place between 18th February and 19th March, with the States and the FCT expected to submit the names of their two representatives in the national competition to the NFF by 20th March.

Dates for the playoff matches, the National Draws and the different stages of the national competition will be determined in due course.

2023 NPFL: Commissioner charges

Nasarawa United to pick Super 6 ticket

By Amaechi Agbo

Ahead of their first match of the 2022/2023 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, Nasarawa State commissioner for youth and sports development, Amb. Lucky Isaac Yargwa has charged the state-owned club, Nasarawa United to work hard to pick one of the six tickets for the NPFL Super 6.

The commissioner disclosed the state government’s continued support to the team during a scheduled meeting with the Club shorty after their last pre-league activity in Lafia on Tuesday.

“Today is a great day to address you before you embark on your first match of the new league season.

“We have been following all your Pre-season activities. I must say everyone in the State as well as your supporters and fans across the length and breath of the world are very proud of your progress reports.

“This season’s league is somewhat strange to some of you the players because it’s not the straight kind of league you all know - it’s the abridged format where you play fewer number of matches, and your Group is a tough one.

“However, we are very confident in what your coaches and management have done to get the best for the State.

“We know you are not only equal to the task but can outperform your previous records and playing in the SuperSix which will determine the eventual league winners.

“Thankfully, we have a Governor who is not only friendly but sport-loving. He has never hidden his admiration and support for the development of sports and the youth.

“His support for the team this season will be beyond imagination because he has repeatedly disclosed that he loves excellence and rewards success, regardless.

“Winning the League or picking one of the Continental tickets should be our minimum benchmark this campaign.

“Let’s be disciplined, cooperate with all that matter in

the team, be responsible, work hard and smart to reward the kind gesture of the Governor and the good people of Nasarawa State with, at least, a trophy this new season.

“Additionally, your welfare is our primary priority, and we will never renege from doing the needful to boost your morale.”

Yargwa further assured that the team would soon return to their traditional home ground, the Lafia City Stadium, as the Contractor handling the renovation work had promised to complete it before the end of the first week of February, 2023.

“No one is happy that our teams(Nasarawa United and Nasarawa Amazons are playing their home games away from home. But I can assure you that we have concluded all necessary modalities with the contractor to have the works completed as soon as possible so that you can enjoy the benefits of playing before your home fans.”

Responding, Technical Adviser of Nasarawa United,

Bala Nikyu, appreciated the Commissioner and Government of Nasarawa State for their constant support to the team.

He said the visit was a huge encouragement as it would strengthen them to improve on their performance beginning with their first tie this coming weekend.

“I want to thank you for coming to boost our morale ahead of the assignment before us.

“Suffice to state that if we get results, it will take us to places. Our market values too will improve.

“So, as far as we are here for Nasarawa United and the State, we are equally doing so for ourselves.

“By the grace of God, we shall make everybody, including the Governor, proud of Nasarawa United this season.”

Coach Bala Nikyu’s position was corroborated by King Osanga(MON) who spoke on behalf of his play mates.

The former junior international and 2007 FIFA

U-17 World Cup Winner said they are aware of the format of the new league and its challenges, saying they would approach it with all the energy and experience to reward the confidence reposed in them by the sponsors and fans of the team.

Osanga opined that the lofty packages that accompany the league this term should encourage any player or team to give more than ever before in order to benefit from them.

Speaking earlier, Chairman of Nasarawa United, Chief Barr. Isaac Danladi, expressed the readiness of the Team to participate in the Abridged League.

“Gentlemen, we are good to go. Though there were discrepancies regarding the format of the League earlier, but at the end of the day, we all agreed that we should go with the current format, and football is the winner.

“Officially, the league kicked off last weekend, and you all saw what happened between Akwa

United versus Bendel Insurance in Uyo.

“We have to learn our lessons from the outcome of that match as we begin our campaign at home to Enyimba FC of Aba this weekend.

“That match is a litmus test match for us, especially some of our new players. Even though we are sure of picking up the maximum points against them, you should know that the Abridged League is the most difficult kind of League ever as it comes with a cluster of fixtures but fewer too.

“We have to begin on a good note and maintain that till the end of the season, if we must compete for the trophy.

“However, we are all impressed by what we have seen.

“Our make-shift venue is not strange to us. We must go there and make our sponsors and supporters proud before our original home ground will be fixed.

“Unlike previous seasons, this season comes with many reward benefits. We have the prize money for the eventual winners and so on and so forth.

“So, we must work hard to lay our hands on those packages, more so that we are not underdogs.”

The Solid Miners are in Group ‘A’ alongside Akwa United, Bendel Insurance, Kwara United, Plateau United, Enyimba FC, ElKanemi Warriors, Remo Stars, Gombe United and Shooting Stars.

On Saturday, 14th January, Nasarawa United will face Enyimba FC at the Jos International Stadium by 4pm, before embarking on a long trip to Maiduguri, Borno State, for a mid-week clash against elite league returnees, El-Kanemi Warriors FC, on 18th January, with their second home game and third league game versus 2020/21 league champions, Akwa United, in Jos, on Saturday, 21st January, 2023.

Nasarawa United finished 6th on the table in the 2021/22 Nigeria Professional Football League Season, and got to the last eight of the Aiteo Federation Cup before the competition was aborted.

Owumi: Why IMC choose Select Match Balls for 2023 NPFL season

Head of Operations of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Prince Davidson Owumi, has revealed why the Interim Management Committee opted for Select ball as official match balls for the league.

Kaduna-based Markana Management are the official partners of NPFL and supplier of the Select match balls for the 2022/2023 season, after sealing a

deal with the IMC.

Akwa United, Bendel Insurance and 18 other NPFL clubs received 24 official Select match balls each, with the presentation done at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium (Nest of champions) Uyo, the venue of the 2023 NPFL Abridged League opening season game.

Owumi: “It’s good to have Markana Management as one of

our partners.

The choice of Select match balls design is unique for the NPFL, as all 20 clubs now have same kind of branded balls, which is good publicity for our domestic league.

“The next stage is the branding of these balls. We plan to domesticate then to suit our product.”

The Select match design

features black and Navy Blue colour and cool graphic outlines to make it pop from the white ball.

Meanwhile, Ekene Adams, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Markana Management expressed delight over the partnership.

“This is a step in the right direction for the NPFL and the many good plans the Interim Management Company (IMC) has for the league.

“We are trying to do something new and positive with the NPFL. Markana Management has a longterm plan for the development of the domestic league in Nigeria by including all the Under 17 teams of all the clubs.

“We are discussing developmental projects with the office of the Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as well.”

Commissioner for youth and sports development, Nasarawa State, Amb. Lucky Isaac Yargwa and Nasara United Chairman, Barr. Issac Danladi on Tuesday

NNL lists guidelines for Stadium Approval ahead of new season

Seventeen criteria to be met by the forty-three clubs expected to feature in the 2022/2023 season of the Nigeria NAtional League, have been reeled out by the management of the nation’s second tier domestic football league.

Fresh from the tripartite meeting on Monday with the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation and representatives of the NNL club Presidents, head of Operations Mr. Emmanuel Adesanya said swinging into action is to also ensure the league catch up with the calendar for the season under review.

“We have a road map to navigate and the calendar period to start and end the league, so it is important we begin by ensuring that our stadium facilities that will host our games meet required standard “

Some of the criteria listed are quality playing pitch, standard changing rooms with modern toilets facilities, medical facilities, Safety and crowd control, controlled perimeter fencing amongst others.

In a strong letter to the clubs, the NNL warned that clubs who fall short of the needed items, will be sent to alternative venues to play their homes matches.

Chelsea sign Joao Felix on loan from Athletico Madrid

Chelsea have signed Atletico Madrid striker Joao Felix on loan for the rest of the season for a fee of 11 million euros (£9.7m).

Felix has also signed a oneyear extension to his Atletico contract until June 2027.

Boss Graham Potter said injuries had “sharpened” Chelsea’s focus in their pursuit of the Portugal international, with Christian Pulisic ruled out for a couple of months.

“He’s a quality player,” said Potter.

“He will make a difference in the final third of the pitch and I’m looking forward to working with him.

“He’s young, but still has lots of good experience and it’s given us all a bit of a lift.

“I’ve been aware of the potential deal for a while but the injuries we’ve had maybe sharpened our focus on it.

“But it’s nice to get him here and he’s been training today, which is positive for us.”

Arsenal and Manchester United had been linked with the 23-year-old, whose wages Chelsea will pay in full until the end of the season as part of the loan deal.

“Chelsea is one of the great teams in the world,” said Felix.

“ I hope to help the team reach their objectives. I am very, very happy to be here and very excited to play at Stamford Bridge.”

Atletico made Felix the fifthmost expensive player in history when they paid Benfica £113m for the then 19-year-old in 2019.

He has gone on to score 34 goals in 131 appearances in all competitions, with 18 assists.

Felix was part of the Portugal squad at the World Cup, scoring once in five games as they reached the quarter-finals.

Since then, he has played for Atletico twice, scoring in a 2-0 win against Elche on 29 December before playing 73 minutes in a 1-0 defeat by Barcelona on Sunday.

Felix has scored five goals and provided three assists for Atletico in 20 games this season.

He follows Benoit Badiashile, David Datro Fofana and Andrey Santos in joining Chelsea during the January transfer window, and signs with the club 10th in the Premier League - 10 points adrift of a top-four spot.

They are also out of both cup

competitions after losing 4-0 to Manchester City in the FA Cup third round last weekend.

That made it six defeats in nine games in all competitions though boss Graham Potter,

who replaced Thomas Tuchel in September, retains the support of the club’s board.

2023 Season: NLO Releases Registration Guidelines For Division One Clubs

The Secretariat of the Nationwide League One (NLO) has released a strict registration guidelines for clubs in Division One, as it prepares to kick start the 2023 season in April.

The development arose after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) directed the NLO Secretariat to commence registration for the 2023 season

with amendments to registration charges after seven (7) years of maintenance due to current inflation in the prices of materials used for clubs’ registration.

Sequel to the above, the NLO has informed all the clubs in the nation’s third-tier league that preparation for the 2023 season has commenced, and made the registration procedures and guidelines public on Monday.

According to a correspondence issued by the NLO media department, players must be registered on the NLO database at www.nigerianationwideleague. com.

Clubs must make their registration fee payments to (FCMB Bank, Nationwide League One account number3267800014) to enable them to obtain a registration code for

access to the database.

All clubs’ must present their Certificate Of Incorporation as a football club any club, not on FIFA CONNECT will not be registered.

The collection of players’ hard copy licenses will be made available from 13th February.

The NLO has also warned that no club will be registered without payment of registration

fees, as club registration closes on Monday 6th March 20223.

Lastly, the Two Hundred Thousand Naira (200,000) registration fees - Division One includes pre-competition medical assessment, comprehensive insurance cover for players and officials, tamper-proof hologram security seal and other materials ( for 35 players and 7 officials).

French Football President Le Graet”steps down” over sexual misconduct, corruption

In remembrance of Covid-19 pandemic

t was to its own dreadful achievement that the world’s nuclear power and weapons were no match to its emerging power of mass devastations. No amount of allied forces could sight and eliminate it so that we would heave a sigh of relief. The best that could be done was to control and limit its pervasive and global rampage at the expense of economic prosperity and social development.

F

The French government began an audit in October after being made aware of the allegations, which the FFF denies.

Le Graet has previously faced claims of sexual harassment, which he denies.

BBC Sports report that his decision to step aside also comes after calls for him to quit over his comments about Zinedine Zidane.

Le Graet, 81, said he would not take a call from Zidane about becoming France coach before apologising for his “clumsy” remarks.

The FFF’s ethics committee head Patrick Anton called on Le Graet to quit on Tuesday, while France forward Kylian Mbappe and sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera accused him of being disrespectful.

Le Graet took office in 2011 and had a mandate to continue in his role until 2024.

An FFF statement said Le Graet had agreed with the body’s executive committee to stand down at an emergency meeting on Wednesday until the end of the investigation.

The results of the audit are expected by the end of this month.

The FFF’s director general, Florence Hardouin, has also been suspended “as a precautionary measure”.

Both Hardouin’s and Le Graet’s duties will be fulfilled by Philippe Diallo, deputy vice-president of the FFF, on an interim basis.

Oudea-Castera, who called for the audit after an investigation into the FFF by So Foot magazine, called on the FFF’s executive committee to “take responsibility” when speaking to reporters on Monday.

Towards the end of December 2019, the global killer and master of all diseases Coronavirus abruptly stormed the world and lunched its missiles of mass destructions that attacked continents, countries, towns, villages and our homes, inflicting immense damages on all aspects of human lives while the irreparable losses it caused are still very much with us.

rench Football Federation president Noel le Graet is standing down until an investigation into claims of sexual harassment and bullying at the organisation is completed.It came with a terrible message of untimely deaths, panicking, global pandemonium, psychological instability and socioeconomic dislocations of magnifying dimensions. While we were caught unawares of its sudden explosion like the volcanic eruption, little did we know that it promised to be a sworn enemy poised to conquer humanity and force the world to prostrate before it. The memorandum of destructions it designed and signed was too awful and horrific to all and sundry that it sparked off uncontrollable fears as we became conscious of its tremendous dangers, running helter skelter to hide in a safe palace. Indeed, Covid-19 was a classical metaphor for deep sorrows, despairs and a general feeling of melancholy ever witnessed in the history of mankind.

It was first identified in Wuhan, China and transmitted through high frequency rate, making contact with dreaded animals, forcing and driving inroads into every continent including Antarctica. At that time, researches suggested that an intermediate animal, possibly the Pangolin ( an endangered mammal) was responsible for the transfer to human beings while there were no treatments for the disease albeit laboratories were working round the clock on various types of treatments, including vaccine.

Indeed, the Corona artillery of human holocaust led to the creation of an unprecedented global fraternity which had just a temporary base. A homogeneous world was briefly established in practical terms to fight a common foe. There were suspensions of lingering wars and conflicts all over the world, creating more friends than enemies, promoting more tranquility than upheavals. Its gruesome killings were so frightening that for instance, it claimed 849 lives in Spain in just 24 hours. It was not just a messenger of death, but a death in itself. With Corona on the offensive side, death was easy, living was difficult as we remained locked up and our freedom of association was banished to our bewilderment. It was to its own dreadful achievement that the world’s nuclear power and weapons were no match to its emerging power of mass devastations. No amount of allied forces could sight and eliminate it so that we would heave a sigh of relief. The best that could be done was to control and limit its pervasive and global rampage at the expense of economic prosperity and social development. The whole world was a prisoner under Coronavirus, frightening us to stay indoors and boycotting one another as our social being was massively dislocated and redefined. Coronavirus was

now the authentic super power even though it lacked nuclear weapons. Ironically, the selfacclaimed powerful were powerless, for Coronavirus taught us a good lesson that for every powerful, there was something more powerful.

While wielding its omnipotence character of ruins, it fixed the world economy at a very high risk of a total collapse. Both public and private economies, big and small, suffered immense defeats that still manifest in our memories and reminiscences. It made millions poorer, robbed them of their means of livelihood and ensured that hunger and starvation were a living phenomenon in many homes and people could only think of survival without the means of survival in terms of fully fledged economic activities.

Coronavirus intimidating craziness reached its uptimum level of rampages owing to its ability to enforce social distortions and dilapidations. It boosted social isolation as well as mistrust among ourselves, culminating in the gradual diminishing of social values and beliefs. The lockdown anomaly was something that would be hated to be remembered for our traumatic experiences. Life was so valuable that we would not afford to lose it to an unseen terror. Death was so irritating that we could shun worshipping

in Mosques and Churches. Coronavirus was then the terror of all terrorists even though its size was very insignificant.

Politically, Coronavirus exposed the inadequacies of the governments of the third world countries in connection with providing the needed development. For instance, it was laid bare how our health sector was a laughing stock to deploy the essential things needed to offer treatment to the victims. It also exposed the gravity of corruption as recorded in some states of Nigeria how palliative items were diverted by certain reactionary elements. It also narrated our inferiority on relevant technology.

Influenced by these global anxieties plus horrors, the mass media incessantly bombarded us with maximum reportage about this killer disease, sending to us warning signals to be extremely cautious. The media were our best friends of those trying moments, educating and informing us of the widespread and senseless attacks of the novel disease. For instance, the face mask ‘revolution’ came into being as a result of the media’s endless ‘commodification’ of the practice of wearing face mask for protection.

With this laconic recapitulation, have we forgotten the fundamental lessons of this global tragedy three years after the outbreak of the pandemic?

Abdu Abdullahi is a Public Policy Affairs Analyst.

FG to complete 1.8m passport issuance before year end -Aregbesola Are you sure?

Coronavirus

craziness

dilapidation