Wednesday, April 12, 2023 Edition

Kano Assembly passes Emirate Amendment Bill

Reps

Give Oriental Oil one week to explain involvement

laments endemic corruption

Nigeria

PG 7

Former Anambra State governor, Chinwoke

Mbadinuju, is dead, aged 78

Benue govt suspends operations of its Livestock Guards

Zamfara: NSCDC warns NURTW, NARTO against transportation of illegally mined products

Group urges Christians to distance selves from antiMay 29 handover elements

Representative of the Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Isiaka Ibrahim; Chairman House Ad-hoc Committee to Investigate alleged loss of over $2.4 billion in revenue from Illegal sales of 48 Million Barrels of crude Oil export in 2015, Hon. Mark Gbillah; Members of the Committee, Hon. Olajide Jimoh Abdulraheem and Hon. Ganiyu Johnson, during the Committee investigative hearing, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Buhari heads to Saudi Arabia for official visit, lesser hajj

President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia on an official visit from Tuesday, April 11th to 19th on his

last trip to the Kingdom as President.

A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media

and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, Monday, explained that during the visit, the President will perform Umrah, the Lesser Pilgrimage.

According to the terse statement, President Buhari will be accompanied by his aides.

After N4m ransom, Ex-Nasarawa deputy Gov regains freedom

Prof Onje Gye-Wado, a former deputy governor of Nasarawa State, who was abducted on Thursday night, has been released after a ransom of N4 million.

Daily Trust had reported how the professor of law was kidnapped from his country home in Rinza, near Wamba, headquarters of Wamba local government area of the state.

His kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N70 million, but the family negotiated from N2 million and later N3.5 million, eventually paying N4 million before he was released.

A family source told our correspondent, “The kidnappers collected the ransom near Mada Hills Secondary School in

Akwanga, with 200 naira recharge card, after which he was freed from their den close to Angwan chiyawa, close to those hills between Akwanga and Nasarawa Eggon.”

It was gathered that Prof Gye-Wado was taken back to the Palace of the paramount ruler of Wamba, Oriye Rindre, Justice Lawal Musa

Nagogo, upon his release. A former NUJ chairman and also a former commissioner of information in the state, Mr Dogo Shamma, confirmed the release of Prof Gye-Wado, via a text message.

“To God be the Glory Prof. Onje, has finally been released from the hands of kidnappers just now.”

The whistle blowers network protesting against the House of Representatives legislative process on the illegal sales of 48 million barrels of crude oil by the NNPC, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

WhatsApp rolls out payment features after Central Bank’s approval

Meta has started rolling out its payment tools to small and medium-sized firms through its WhatsApp messaging platform following the approval of Brazil’s Central Bank.

Reports said that Brazil authorized the launch of the WhatsApp payment feature weeks ago.

On Tuesday, Meta CEO, Mark Zuckerberg announced the development saying; “Whatsapp payments are coming to Brazil starting today.”

With WhatsApp Payments, money is transferred securely between bank accounts in Brazil. The payments feature on WhatsApp is enabled by Meta Pay.

On March 3, Reuters had reported that Brazil central bank had greenlighted Meta’s WhatsApp merchant payment systemWith WhatsApp Payments, money is transferred securely between bank accounts in Brazil. The payments feature on WhatsApp is enabled by Meta Pay.

On March 3, Reuters had reported that Brazil central bank had greenlighted Meta’s WhatsApp merchant payment system.

The news agency said that Brazil’s central bank on had approved Meta Platforms’ (META.O) payments launch for small and mediumsized business in Brazil via its messaging application WhatsApp, building on the app’s existing local peer-to-peer payment system.

The approval, it said, came as “Meta seeks to use the Brazilian market as a key test space for business messaging, an area that has assumed greater urgency as Meta’s core advertising business has stalled.”

WhatsApp users in Brazil have been able to make payments between users through the application since 2021, but the new development clears the way for merchants to receive payments, the report said.

“Soon, WhatsApp users will be able to pay for products and services directly in a conversation with Mastercard and Visa debit and credit cards,” Guilherme Horn, head of WhatsApp Latin America, said in a Linkedin post.

Shortly after the central bank’s greenlight, Meta’s chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said on his Instagram broadcast channel that “people will be able to pay small businesses right on WhatsApp”.

Zamfara: NSCDC warns NURTW, NARTO against transportation of illegally mined products

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has warned the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and its sister union, National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) to avoid being used for illegal transportation of illegally mined products.

In a meeting with the leaders of the two unions in his office in Gusau the state capital, Zamfara State Commandant of the NSCDC, Mohammed Bello Mu’azu, stressed that, transportation of mined products whether or not legally acquired without supporting documents been issued by authorities is illegal.

Commandant Muazu, further explained to the two Chairmen of the two affected unions that involved Comrade Basiru Haruna and Lawali Danda for the NURTW and NARTO respectively that, henceforth, any driver arrested without documents to present to security personnel for clearance, will be prosecuted without any hasitation.

He layed the list of documents required for the drivers of long

Ramadan Timing Day 21

vehicles to carry along which included ‘License to Posses and Purchase Minerals’, ‘Evidence of Payment of Royalty’, ‘Mineral title if the solid mineral is coming from a legal source’, others were the Agent Movement Permit and Mineral Buying Centre Certificate.

Commandant MB Muazu has reiterated that “Failure for the driver to present the stipulated documents, he and whosever that might be involved will be prosecuted and the truck and its contents confiscated by the Federal Government”.

He however noted that, his Command has arrested three trucks as they drive through Zamfara State while conveying precious stones in the name of other simple products which he informed they will be prosecuted immediately after investigation.

“My Command has given the two affected unions a notice to ensure that no conveyance of any mined products without obtaining relevant documents from the owners of the goods to avoid arrest by security personnel who are always out for constitutional checks”, Commandant Muazu has added.

Group urges Christians to distance selves from anti-May 29 handover elements

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Agroup under the auspice of Northern Christian Youth Professionals has urged Christians to imbibe the spirit of Easter and distance themselves from anti-May 29 handover elements.

The Chairman of the group Isaac Abrak stated this in a statement made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

The Group extends warm wishes to all Nigerians on the occasion of the Easter celebration, saying as they celebrate this season of love, renewal, and hope, they should reflect on the virtues of Jesus Christ’s death on the cross and emulate them in their daily lives.

“We must also use this opportunity to reflect on the state of our nation and the challenges we face.

“In light of the Presidential election, we congratulate His Excellency Sen Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory.

“We believe that under his leadership, Nigeria can make significant progress in improving our economy and security.

We are aware that not all Nigerians voted for President Elect HE Sen Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but we urge those who did not vote for him to put aside their differences and support him in his efforts to improve the lives of all Nigerians.

“He will now be responsible for the well-being of all citizens, and it is important that we all work together towards a better Nigeria.

As a Christian organization, we firmly believe in the power of prayer and the importance of leadership that upholds Christian values.

“We urge all Nigerians, irrespective of religious beliefs, to support President Elect HE Sen Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his efforts to improve the lives of Nigerians.

However, we note with concern the recent calls by some individuals and groups to shelve the handover of power to President Elect HE Sen Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We strongly condemn such calls as they are enemies of democracy, peaceful coexistence, and a united Nigeria. Nigerians have spoken through the ballot, and it is important that we respect the will of the people.

“We call on all Nigerians to distance themselves from any person or group that calls for the subversion of the will of the people.

“We must all work together to tackle the various challenges facing our nation, including insecurity, economic hardship, and political unrest.

“ We urge all Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of Easter, which is that of selflessness, compassion, and love, and to work towards promoting peace, unity, and progress in our beloved country.

“We are confident that under the leadership of President Elect HE Sen Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria will move towards a better and brighter future. We call on all Nigerians to join hands with him and work towards the progress and development of our great nation.”

Troops neutralize notorious bandit, Isiya Danwasa in Igabi LGA.

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Troops of Operation Forest Sanity (OPFS) have neutralized notorious bandit, Isiya Danwasa in Igabi LGA. Of Kaduna state.

This was contained in a

press statement by the State Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan made available to the media in Kaduna.

The statement stated that Danwasa met his end during a strategic ambush operation the

Sabon Birni general area of Igabi LGA.

In his reaction, Governor Nasir El-Rufai has commended the troops for neutralizing the notorious bandit leader, Isiya Danwasa, who was responsible for several killings, kidnappings

Kaduna Govt. seeks media support for

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Kaduna State Government yesterday solicited the support of media establishments to sensitize and educate residents of the state on the 2023 Population and Housing Census.

Hajiya Umma Aboki, Commissioner, Planning and Budget Commission, made the appeal at the opening of a oneday sensitisation workshop for the Census Media and Publicity Sub-committee in the state.

The State Government in collaboration with the National Population Commission (NPC) had in March inaugurated Media and Publicity, and Security SubCommittees to ensure a smooth exercise.

Aboki said that to ensure the successful conduct of the exercise scheduled for May 3 to May 5, residents must be sensitised, educated, and enlightened on the processes to keep them prepared.

The commissioner, particularly said that residents need to know the key information that would be required of them to ensure data quality and credibility.

“As such, we need the support of media establishments in the state to ensure the success of the exercise.

“The residents need information about how the census will be conducted and the kind of information they will be required to provide.

“Therefore, the media are critical partners that will help us spread the needed information and mobilise the people to actively participate to ensure a hitch-free exercise,” she said.

The State Director, NPC, Hajiya Adama Uthman, said that media sensitision and mobilisation was critical to the success of the exercise, and appealed for the cooperation of the media organisation.

“We cannot work without the media. We need them to communicate critical messages and information to the members of the public.

“That is, we are here for the media team to review what they know so far and what other information they need to effectively carry out their task,” she said.

She appealed to the residents of the state to cooperate with the enumerators for a successful exercise.

Earlier, Dr Isiaka Yahaya, Director, Public Affairs, NPC, said that the main objective of

the workshop was to improve the capacity of journalists to effectively report the process and outcome of the exercise.

Yahaya, who was represented by Malam Alkasim Bala, Public Affairs Officer, added that the workshop was also to increase media coverage of the exercise to keep people informed in real time.

According to him, sensitization will keep people

and cattle rustling operations across the state.

El-Rufai commends troops for neutralizing notorious bandit, Isiya Danwasa in Igabi LGA.

Governor El-Rufai praised the troops for the diligent intelligence work and precise

execution, which led to the demise of Danwasa and his associate.

The Governor further appealed to members of the general public to continue to volunteer information to the security forces.

hitch-free 2023 census

informed, educated on the processes, refute the negative perception, and enhance acceptability of the exercise and its outcome.

Malam Bashir Ladan, Deputy Director, State Planning, PBC, and Secretary of the Media and Publicity Sub-committee, explained that the committee was saddled with the responsibility of coordinating media sensitisation and enlightenment activities.

According to him, the committee is expected to facilitate and coordinate the production and airing of radio and television jingles, articles, and feature stories in print and online media, among other media products.

“The measure is to keep residents informed and prepared for the success of the exercise in the state.”

Children having fun, during the 2023 Easter Monday celebration, at Hakuna Matata theme park, at the weekend in Lagos.

USAID to empower 52,000 Households to get Clean Water In Bauchi

famous Yankari Game Reserve in Alkaleri LGA of the state.

The Watershed Protection for Sustainable Water Supply project of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has explained that it listed 52,000 households to be empowered with clean sources of water for domestic consumption around the Yankari Game Reserve in Alkaleri local government area of Bauchi State.

USAID Chief of Party Waterfall Project, Mr Andrew John disclosed this in Bauchi during a workshop organised for relevant stakeholders for the implementation of the project in communities harbouring the

He said in the course of the implementation of the project, 75 water facilities will be constructed and renovated in the targeted communities to ease access to clean water difficulty and reduce the spread of waterborne diseases which posed great danger to the lives of the people.

“Declining water quality has become a global issue of concern. Nature-based solutions, such as improved watershed protection and management, have the potential to offer lasting, costeffective improvements with multiple benefits for water resources, climate change adaptation, communities and ecosystems.

“The savanna woodlands of Bauchi state form part of the Upper-Benue watershed, one of the major hydrological watersheds in Nigeria. By combining protected area management, livelihood interventions, community engagement and support, civil engineering and science, the WaterFall will take an interdisciplinary approach to improve WASH implementation and human well-being,” he explained.

The multimillion-dollar Watershed project also called ‘waterfall’ is a five years development project being implemented jointly by USAID, Wildlife Conservation Society, Partners for Development, and Nigeria National Park Service in

Bauchi

and Cross River States accordingly

Speaking, the Programme Manager of Wildlife Conservation Society, Nura Yusuf Ahmed said the project will also complement security arrangements for the forest communities to tackle issues of kidnapping which appeared in Alkaleri previously.

He said rangers providing security to the Yankari Game Reserve will be supported with training, working tools and other incentives to make better equip to discharge their responsibilities properly.

Some of the participants at the Workshop commended USAID for the laudable stride to impact their communities and their living condition.

From Ahmad Muhammad, Bauchi

Reps summon Finance, Justice Ministers Over $2.4bn Illegal sale of 48m crude oil

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives

Adhoc committee investigating the Alleged Loss of Over $2.4 Billion in Revenue from Illegal Sale of 48 Million Barrels of Crude Oil Export in 2015 Including, All Crude Oil Exports and Sales by Nigeria from 2014 Till Date’, has summoned the Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed Shamsuna and the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami to provide details of status of remittances into the federation account and the Whistle Blower Protection Bill before the House.

The panel which issued the summon on Tuesday at an investigative hearing on the subject matter also slammed Oriental Energy Limited with a One-week altimatum to provide all necessary details regarding its involvement in crude oil lifting and sales within the period under review.

Chairman of the adhoc committee, Hon. Mark Gbillah from Benue gave the ruling at the end of day-one of the investigative hearing in Abuja.

Addressing participants and his colleagues at the hearing, Gbillah said the focus of the panel is on the alleged sale of crude in China which was not remited back to the federation account, as well as other related matters contained in the panel’s terms of reference.

“We are looking at the issues that have to do with allegations of 48 million of crude oil barrels sold in China. We are looking at the issue of Crude oil export in general from Nigeria for the period under review. We are also looking at the whistleblower revelations and recoveries, which the federal government publicly declared that they have made recoveries.

“It’s unfortunate that the Minister of Finance is not here, the Attorney General of the Federation is not here.

“This is a formal request from the committee that they should appear before this committee because they have received formal invitation to do so. And a lot of what we have to investigate regards to whistleblower policy

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is saddled within the Ministry of Finance and the Attorney General of the federation.

“There are responses received from the accountant general’s office which shows that the Minister of Finance has been approving payments to whistleblowers in percentages at variance with the policy says they should be paid.

“There have been allegations of the Attorney General being involved also in the receipt of funds from outside the country without these funds being remitted into the federation account in line with the provisions of the constitution.

There have been allegations that there has been expenditure from these recoveries been done in complete violation of the provisions of the constitution,” he said.

Hon. Gbillah further revealed that “the CBN made a formal response to this committee indicating that. You see the TSA policy of this administration

agencies operate their TSA Treasury Single Account, and make expenditure from these accounts without recourse to the CBN.

“This is something that’s alarming for the CBN to declare before us, because we are aware of constitutional provisions that state all revenue accruing to the federation must be paid into the federation account.

“So if there are recoveries being made from whistleblower these monies need to be paid into the account of the federation as required by law.

“So we are inviting Minister of Finance, the Attorney General of the federation, Secretary to the government of the Federation and stakeholders in the implementation of the whistleblower policy to appear before the committee to provide clarification on the operation of this policy and the approvals being made by the finance minister,” he said. listing further, Gbillah

said”In regards to the issue of crude oil, we are expecting the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission, NEITI, oil and gas companies who operate fuel stations and engage in export.

“The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and the Accountant General himself to be present including the budget office of the Federation to be present and provide clarification,” he added.

Declaring the hearing open, the House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila earlier stated the resolve of the 9th Assembly to pass the Whistle Blower Bill, urging the panel to turning it’s report so as to guide the House in deciding on the Bill.

“The recommendation of the Committee after its investigation will no doubt, guide the House in making an informed decision in considering the WhistleBlower Bill currently before it. The legislation when passed into law will address mirage of issues associated with the implementation of the policy as

well as take adequate care of the whistle-Blowers involved, which is very significant in the success of the policy and law when passed.

“Let me state emphatically, that whistle-blowers that volunteered information to this Honourable House will receive the maximum legislative protection and confidentiality,” Gbajabiamila, who was represented by Hon. Isiaka Ibrahim from Ogun state stressed.

A former member of the House in the 8th Assembly, Hon. Johnson Agbonayinma from Edo state also made presentation before the panel, informing his former colleagues that he moved a motion which necessitated a probe in 2016.

He said the quantum of money involved in the crude oil heist was way more than what the panel is investigating, suggesting that relevant agencies be summoned to give explanations, just as he promised to avail the committee of the sensitive documents at his disposal.

A cross section of participants at a training programme on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) on tyres organised by Automobile and Touring Club of Nigeria held at Arts and Culture Centre, recently in Abuja

Kano Assembly passes Emirate Amendment Bill

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

Kano State House of Assembly has passed the Kano State Emirate Council Amendment Bill, 2019.

This was sequel to deliberations during yesterday’s plenary session, presided over by the Speaker, Alhaji Hamisu Ibrahim Chidari, which was unanimously supported by the lawmakers.

Similarly, the house had received a letter from the executive, seeking for

the confirmation of Barrister Mahmoud Balarabe, as substantive Chairman of Kano State Public Complaints and Anti Corruption Commission.

After careful deliberations, the house committed the letter to the Committee on Anti Corruption for further Legislative action .

In a similar development, kano state house of assembly, also received a correspondence from kano state government,regarding Kano State Anthem, developed by the Kano State

Government and Bayero University Kano (BUK), for consideration and enactment into Law.

Other letters received from the state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, include a draft bill for the establishment of rural access road agency, approval and confirmation of Balarabe Hassan Karaye as full time commissioner, Kano State Independent National Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), and Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency Amendment number two bill

2022.

The letters were committed to the relevant committees for further legislative action.

The House adjourned it’s sitting to the next day, in a motion filed by the Majority leader and member representing Warawa Constituency Alhaji Labaran Abdul Madari and seconded by Alhaji Saleh Ahmed Marke Member representing Dawakin Tofa Constituency

Adamawa govt. approves township roads in Madagali

From Umar Dan Kano in Yola

Adamawa State Executive Council has approved construction of more township roads in Gulak town of

Madagali local government area.

The Commissioner of Information and Strategy Doctor

Umar Garba Pella briefed newsmen after the council meeting in the Government House Yola

Tuesday.

He said the project costs over eight hundred and eighty three million naira (N883.702.509.30k)

He added that it is awarded to Messrs Triacta Nigeria Limited

with the completion period of twelve months. He said the council had also approved variation of the contract for the dualization of a section of Ahmadu Bello Way in

Jimeta-Yola at the cost of over four hundred and thirteen million naira(N413,864,237,46kM)

According to Pella the projects were in connection with the urban renewal drive of Governor Fintiri.

Delta Gov’ship Poll: Gbagi petitions tribunal, wants Oborevwori, Omo-Agege, others disqualified over forgery

By Vivian Okejeme

The Delta State Governorship Candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Olorogun Gbagi, has asked the Election Petition Tribunal to disqualify the Governorelect, Sheriff Oborevwori, over alleKennethged falsified Statutory declaration of age, amongst others, and declare him winner of the March 18 polls.

In a Certified True Copy of his petition with No. EPT/DL/Gov/2/2023 to the Election Tribunal, Gbagi claimed that Oborevwori falsified Declaration of Age/Affidavit in support of personal particulars in Form C.F. 001 (Affidavit in Support of Personal Particulars of Persons Seeking Election to the Office/Membership of State House of Assembly) Dated 24th October 2018, and Form EC9 (Affidavit in Support of Personal Particulars) Dated 30th Day of June 2022 to INEC.

He stated that the Governor-elect’s Statutory Declaration of Age/Affidavit deposed to in 2022 contains a different age contrary to what is contained in his West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC) dated June 1999 with Certificate Number 384793.

He accused Oborevwori of lying under oath that he does not have Primary School Certificate, Secondary School Certificate, and university degree, whereas, in 2018, he exhibited same with his Form C. F. 001.

He added that the suit challenging Oborevwori’s qualification to contest the Governorship Election of Delta State held on 18th day of March 2023 was filed and decided at the Federal High Court, Asaba based on forged credentials.

Gbagi posited that doing so was contrary to the principle laid down by the supreme court in Saleh v. Abah, (2017) 12 (NWLR) PT. 1578 AT P. 100.

He also claimed that the Deputy Governor-elect, Monday Onyeme, was dismissed from the employment of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) but failed to disclose the fact of his dismissal in his affidavit Form EC9 deposed to on 29th day of June 2022.

Gbagi, in the 79-page petition, also sought the disqualification of the candidates of the All Progressives Congress, Ovie Omo-Agege, Labour Party, Ken Pela and All Progressives Grand Alliance, Great Ovedje Ogboru over non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

Gbagi, informed the tribunal that the Supreme Court of the State of California in the United States of America, found Omo-Agege guilty and convicted of the offences of perjury

and impersonation wherein, in a bid to secure a Driver’s License sometime in 1993.

He disclosed that the Deputy Senate President at the time, listed his date of birth as May 10th 1965, and his name as Reginald Clark Bedney on the application and was issued with the Driver’s License No. C9768216355315621 in the State of New York on the basis of the fake presentation made.

He further claimed that OmoAgege was convicted in the United States of America for the offences of forgery, dishonesty, and multiple/ pattern of misconduct, a fact which he failed to disclose in his Form EC9 despite the express demand for him to do so.

Gbagi averred in the petition that on various occasions, while in the United State of America, Omo-Agege gave inconsistent dates of birth such as August 3rd, 1963, January 20th, 1964,

and December 16th, 1965, as well as inconsistent names such as, Augustine Omoagege, Agege Augustine, OmoAgege Ovie Augustine, Reginal Clark Bedney, Christopher Agege, Ronald Shawn Byrd, and Kirk Darwin Johnson, for which he was found guilty of and convicted, as contained in the judgement of the Supreme Court of California, but failed to disclose all these in his Form EC9 filled and submitted to the 1st Respondent.

Gbagi, a former Minister of Education, in an interview with Journalists in Abuja, on Tuesday, also hinged his call for the disqualification of other Governorship candidates on the various degrees of electoral malpractice at the march 18 poll in Delta.

He listed the malpractice to include: over voting and vote buying induced by the candidates.

He said there were situations where the total number of votes

recorded and allotted were more than the Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) collected by voters and exceeded the number of registered voters in the polling unit.

Other electoral infractions, according to him, included alteration of some results sheets which did not reflect on the duplicate copies given to party agents, mutilation of form EC8As, polling units without corresponding voting points result sheets, over and under balloting, among others.

“I am a candidate, and I am saying, we are candidates of the election, but these people who are candidates ought not to be candidates and the tribunal is the appropriate place.”

The SDP candidate, consequently in the petition urged the tribunal that the certificate of return issued by INEC to the candidate of PDP as the winner of the governorship election in Delta state be declared null, void and of no effect whatsoever.

He further urged the tribunal to withdraw the certificate of return and issue a fresh certificate to him as duly qualified and elected governor.

“For those of us, who contested, and participated, I am the only one on the list is that is qualified.

“The election has been held, marks were allocated to us, my prayer is that they were not qualified, and I should be declared as the winner of the election because I am the only qualified candidate in the first instance,” he said.

He said it was the right time to bring up the matter as records and experience showed that pre-election cases most times do not go far.

“Go back to the Electoral Act, I could not have raised an objection on issue of a candidate of a party that I am not a member.

“Every one who went to preelection matter, none of them went any where, this is the appropriate time, to raise this issue,” he said.

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Sen. Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora (middle) Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Chief Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh (2nd left) Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Mrs. Monilola Udoh (left) , Former Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Sen. Robert Boroffice (2nd right) and the Director, , Chemical Technology Department of the Federal Ministry /Senior Technical Assistant to the Minister, Mr. Mej Bassey ,during the unveiling and Commissioning Ceremony of the Broadcast Studio of the National Science, Technology and Innovation Television (NSTI tv), yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Niger NPC reassured of accurate, credible census

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

The National Population Commission has assured that the 2023 housing and population census will be credible and accurate.

Niger State Federal Commissioner of NPC, Malam Muhammad Dattijo Usman

gave the assurance at a one day Capacity Building Workshop for Members of the Niger state Census Committee held in Minna.

He emphasized that only competent enumerators will be selected for the exercise after the training.

Dattijo Usman explained

that since twenty fourteen the commission has organized series of trainings and workshop for staff to ensure effective and accurate census, adding the capacity building workshop was to keep abreast members of the state census committee inaugurated by the state government.

He advised applicants of the adhoc staff whose applications are still pending to Visit their respective centers for verification. The Federal Commissioner reiterated that every applicant will be trained as supervisors and enumerators while competent hands will be selected for the exercise.

Court dissolves 13-year-old marriage over threat to life

A

Delivering judgment, the court’s President, Mrs S.M. Akintayo held that she dissolved

Grade ‘A’ Customary Court in Ibadan has dissolved the 13-year-old marriage between Susan Udeze and estranged husband, Frank on grounds of an alleged threat to life.the marriage in the interest of peace and order.

Akintayo awarded custody of the two children to Udeze and ordered Frank to pay N15,000 monthly as feeding allowance.

She ordered Udeze and Frank to be jointly responsible for the education, medical and other welfare of the children.

The president of the court also granted the order restraining Frank from harassing, threatening and interfering with the private life of Udeze.

She ordered Udeze not to deny Frank access to the children.

Udeze while testifying in January 2022, told the court that

her husband might ”sniff life out of her if she continued to live under the same roof with him”.

“Frank labelled me a witch and sends me out of the house at night after beating the hell out of me.

“He showed no form of consolation when my mother died. He does not provide for our

three children.

“I became more scared of Frank when he threatened to pour acid on me. I reported the incident at the police station and ran away from his house,” she said.

However, the defendant was not in court when he was called to start his defence. (NAN)

The National Chaplain Roman Catholic of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Rev. Fr. Victor Nyoroh (middle) with members of the Compassionate family presenting items to the inmates of the Dukpa Custodian farm center, during the Chaplaincy in collaboration with the Compassionate family Feeding the Prisoners visit to the Dukpa correctional service center as part of Easter celebration reach out, held yesterday in Gwagwala Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Former Anambra State governor, Chinwoke Mbadinuju, is dead, aged 78

An era has ended in Anambra politics with the death on Tuesday of a former governor, Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju, popularly known Odera (meaning what is written…)

A pacifist, gentleman, and brilliant administrator, Mbadinuju defined his administration with the magnitude of his persona, albeit he appeared too gentle for the political

statement issued by the family on Tuesday in Abuja. Read the press statement published hereunder in extenso.

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

The Benue State Government has announced the immediate suspension of operations of the Livestock Guards.

It would be recalled that the Guard was established by the government to ensure the compliance of the State Antiopen Grazing Law.

Governor Ortom who disclosed while briefing newsmen after the State Security Council meeting, said the suspension is for two(2) weeks, maintaining that the action became necessary to allow for reduction in the high influx of cattle into the State.

He said it is part of measures to ensure that all those who came in with cattle leave so that the people can have peace.

The Council frowned at the rustling of cattle by Indigenes and urge security agencies to apprehend any culprit.

It also, observed and condemned the act of connivance with youths, traditional rulers and stakeholders to rustle cattle

China outlines plan to combat endemic diseases

China on Tuesday said it would consolidate and improve its prevention and control of endemic diseases, according to an action plan for the 2023-2025 period. Jointly issued by the national administration of disease prevention and control, the National Development and Reform Commission, and 15 other authorities, the plan laid out seven goals to be achieved by the end of 2025.

The goals include continuously eliminating iodine deficiency, eliminating KashinBeck disease and Keshan disease, and continuously controlling drinking watercaused endemic fluorosis.

All localities are expected to incorporate the prevention and control of endemic diseases into their economic and social development plans, strengthen leadership and ensure sufficient investment in their efforts, the document noted.

China will intensify efforts to monitor key areas and groups, and carry out regular surveys on the prevalence of major endemic diseases, according to the action plan.(Xinhua/NAN)

Benue govt suspends operations of iits Livestock Guards

and called on security agencies to apprehend such persons no matter how highly placed.

“We commend security agencies for being proactive. We urge our Volunteer Guards to be of good behavior. We condemn any unholy alliance of some of our youths to rustle cattle of herdsmen.

“We condemn acts of

some traditional rulers and stakeholders who are found wanting and charge security agencies to apprehend anyone involved in this act. No one should be harassed for doing their business. All those conniving with Fulani Herdsmen to engage in unholy acts should be brought to book.

“We appeal to politicians

to be peaceful in their conduct and desist from making inflammatory comments that could create chaos and lawlessness. Am still Governor until May 29 even if you are elected, you have not been sworn in yet so we all should be law abiding. You need to be patient in the next 6 weeks when I am out. You can repeal

any law you want to.

“We commend the President for consoling with Benue people as well as direct security agencies to apprehend perpetrators of this act. The Security agencies are duty bound to carry out this directive and I am waiting to see action that will result in cessation of killing and peace in the State”, Ortom said.

Sokoto South Senate seat: Tambuwal petitions INEC

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Sokoto State Governor and candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the Sokoto South Senatorial district, Hon. Aminu Waziri

Tambuwal, has petitioned the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof Mahmood Yakubu over the listing of polling units where elections had been concluded and results declared for the April 15, 2023 supplementary elections.

The petition by Tambuwal to the INEC Chairman was written by his lawyer, Mr. S.I. Ameh SAN.

Tambuwal expressed the firm hope that what he called, “these obvious irregularities” will be cured, especially having brought them to the notice of the INEC Chairman.

The Governor, in his petition, stated as follows:

“Consequent upon the Commission’s publication of the

•Frowns at listing concluded polling units for supplementary election

areas slated for the April 15th 2023 rerun across the country, our Client’s attention was drawn to certain Polling Units under his Senatorial District, where elections were successfully conducted, concluded and results validly announced and collated in Forms EC8B (1).

“To our Client’s surprise and chagrin, some of the Polling Units in question, where Elections were duly concluded, have now suddenly resurfaced as part of the places listed for the said proposed Rerun.

“We have, for the purposes of verification, your urgent attention and intervention, compiled the list of the affected Polling Units and urge you to delist the said Polling Units from the list of Polling Units where a rerun Election will take place on the 15th day of April, 2023 in view of the fact that elections cannot be conducted twice in a Polling

Unit, which had no issues.

“Attached are the various Forms EC8B (1) properly highlighted, and an itemized summary of the affected Polling Units, for ease of reference.

“We do hope that these obvious irregularities are cured, especially having brought them to your notice and attention promptly and within time.

The Governor, in his petition, expressed the strong belief that the listing of the concluded polling units is the latest in the well-laid and orchestrated plan against him.

He alleged that the February 25, 2023 Sokoto South Senatorial Election was the target of internal and external forces bent on extracting a pound of flesh from Governor Tambuwal.

According to the petition, “Tambuwal was leading comfortably and was awaiting his formal declaration. All of

a sudden, violence erupted in some polling units, giving the compromised Resident Electoral Commissioner and field officers the excuse to declare the election inconclusive.

“In their haste and determination to complete their evil design, they still included polling units where elections have been concluded in the list for supplementary elections.

“It is expected that INEC will take a critical look at the list for supplementary elections in Sokoto South Senatorial Zone, clean it up and without delay release the authentic list.

“INEC is also expected to identify their officers involved in this electoral fraud. “Meting out exemplary punishment to them will help break the cycle of impunity and restore the confidence of the people in the electoral process,”, he concluded.

L-R: Managing Director, Hybrid Feeds, Mr Leye Alayande, Director Animal Husbandry, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Winnie Lai Solarin, Director Fisheries / Aquaculture, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Ime Umoh, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, Executive Director, Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Dr. Tobi Oluwatola and the President, Nigerian Society for Animal Production (NSAP), Prof. Francis Abeke, at the official opening of the 2nd National Animal Feed Summit 2023, theme: “Harnessing Alternative Feed Resource for sustainable Animal Feed Supply”, held yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

By Abubakar Yunusa ABUJA

The Board of Directors of the African Development Fund, ADF, has approved eight million dollars to boost the banking system on the continent.

A statement by African Development Bank, AfDB, said the fund was for establishing a digitally interoperable unique bank identification system.

It said the fund was also meant to establish a harmonised customer identification framework for the Gambia, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

“Implementation of the project will commence in July 2023, led by the West African Monetary Institute (WAMI).

“It will work with central banks of the participating countries and in close collaboration with banking and

African Development Fund offers $8m to improve banking system in West Africa

non-banking financial service providers.

“The project is expected to enhance financial sector efficiency within the participating countries, leading to increased access to finance and further regional integration efforts.

“Approval of funding from the bank’s concessional lending window was made on March 29,” it said.

According to the statement, the new bank identification system will link the banking accounts of individuals across different financial service providers.

It said over 53 financial service providers across the participating countries would be included in the project.

“This will allow them to verify their clients’ identities on an on-going basis (KnowYour-Customer or KYC), combat fraud, discourage loan defaulting and strengthen correspondent banking relationships.

“On the part of customers, KYC-compliant finance sectors will bolster trust and confidence and ultimately encourage access and usage of financial solutions,” the statement said.

WAMI Director-General, Dr

Olorunsola Olowofeso, said the Unique Bank Identification (UBI) and Digital Interoperability project was borne from the Bank Verification Number (BVN) success implemented by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Olowofeso said:“The BVN, an 11-digit unique identity for each individual across the Nigerian Banking industry, is tied to all bank accounts.

“And has drastically reduced electronic banking fraud, nonperforming loans and eliminated ghost names from the civil service payroll.

“The Unique Bank

Identification will leverage existing national identification systems and help to strengthen financial integration in the West African Monetary Zone.”

AfDB Director for the Financial Sector Development Department, Ahmed Attout, welcomed the board approval, noting that it attested to the strong partnership between the Bank and WAMI.

“Irrefutable and secure identification is fundamental to building financial consumer access and trust and overall development of the financial sector,” he observed.

Ramadan: Ansar-Ud-Deen gives food items to widows

From

Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Kaduna branch yesterday gave food items to widows in the society for them and their families during the Ramadan fast ending with the Eid-el-Fitr.

The food items comprising rice, semovita, beans, spaghetti and vegetable oil among others were presented by the Ansarud-Deen Society Kaduna branch Vice Chairperson, Women’s Wing, Hajiya Mulikat Bakare, to the beneficiaries drawn from the five Divisions of the Branch.

Speaking after the presentation, which took place during the weekly general Assalat programme, Chairman of the Society, Alhaji Sabur Isola Adeyemi said, reaching out to widows, orphans and the less privileged in the Society and organising skill acquisition programme for the unemployed, are part of the annual welfare programmes of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society Kaduna branch.

“Like other Ansar-UdDeen Society Kaduna branch programmes, we presented food items to the widows among us to serve as succour for them during the Holy month of Ramadan. The widows like the vulnerable, need lots of help and this is our own little way as an

Islamic organisation to reach out to the vulnerable and the less privileged among us. Even if we can’t help all of them, we reached out to those we can enable them have an easier and enjoyable Ramadan.

“We urge the beneficiaries to accept the food items like that, and make the best use of it. May Allah accept our Ramadan fasts, ease our affairs and grant us all a place in Aljannah. We implore our members to continue to

contribute more and to reach out more to the less privilege around them especially during the Ramadan season. May Allah reward all of us. Aamin.”

The beneficiaries thanked the Ansar-Ud-Deen Kaduna branch

for the gesture, while praying that Allah will reward the Society and its members abundantly. They equally prayed Allah to accept the fast of the members and those who contributed to their well being.

Last batch of 2022 Christian pilgrims arrive Nigeria safety

By Albert Akota

The last batch of pilgrims for the December 2022 Main pilgrimage exercise to Israel and Jordan arrived the country safely.

The last batch which was the 10th batch of pilgrims that participated in the NCPC December 2022 Main

pilgrimage exercise were made up of pilgrims from Plateau, Ekiti, Kwara, Osun, self sponsored Pilgrims as well as Consular.

The pilgrims who departed Nigeria on 30th March, 2023 through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos where the

intending Pilgrims from Osun, Ekiti and Kwara were picked ,arrived Queen Alia International Airport, Jordan in the early hours of 31st March .

While in Israel, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam had a Prayer meeting with all the pilgrims where he commended them

for their exemplary conduct .

He described them as unique and special being the batch that brought the 2022 Main pilgrimage to its successful denouement.

The NCPC helmsman also hinted that the Easter 2023 pilgrimage exercise would commence on 26th of this month.

L-R: Proto-Presbyter, Methodist Church of Trinity Tinubu, Lagos, Nigeria, Very Revd. Jonathan Bamidele Osin; Prelate Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Dr. Oliver Aba Ali; Bishop, Trinity Church Council, Tinubu Lagos, Rt. Revd. Dr. Omotayo Oladipo Babalola and Others, during the Easter celebration at Methodist Trinity Church, Tinubu Lagos,

Triune, Prowess varsities to honour Nigerian businessmen, professionals in Lagos

By Sunday Ode

The special convocation ceremony of the Triune Biblical University Global Extension New York, USA holds at the University of Lagos,Nigeria with graduands in different disciplines.

Among those to be graduated with PhD are Akpong Julius Abanshebe and Mbata Fyneray Chukwuemeka both of whom will bag doctorate degrees in Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability; Akaakar Florence Olubunmi will also be graduated with doctorate degree in International Energy and Natural Resources Law while Adesanya Mercy Olufunmilayo is graduating with doctorate degree in Clinical Linguistics and Psychology.

The list includes Akanbi James Oluwole who will bag doctorate degree in Divinity, while Abdulsalam Akeem Adebisi is the only graduand with master’s degree in Electrical Electronic Engineering.

According to a press statement by Professor Adeleke Durojaiye, the President of Triune Biblical University Global Extension New York USA, few selected Nigerians

will also be decorated with honorary doctorate degrees in various categories during the ceremony at the University of Lagos later this month.

Among the honorary doctorate degree nominees are Prince Segun Ochuko Obayendo, Group Managing Director and CEO of Temple Group who is also the current National President of Chartered Institute of Transport Administrators. He will be honored with honorary doctorate degree in Transport and Logistics Management. Ilansami Andrew will bag honorary doctorate in political Science; Iorlumun Engr. Benjamin Akaakar is a nominee for honorary doctorate degree in Engineering Management while Barrister Joseph Daramola wins honorary award as Doctor of Divinity.

The statement said Prof. Gerald Ndubuisi Okeke, former Guber aspirant under Labour Party in Imo State and Dr Mrs Olajide Oluwafunmilola are expected to be in attendance as representatives of the Triune Biblical university Global Extension, USA during the occasion.

“Triune Biblical University Global Extension New York, USA as

you may recall will hold this event in conjunction with Prowess University Delaware USA and the program is powered by Leadtimes Africa Magazine.

“Prominent Nigerians with track records in leadership and professionalism will be honoured at the occasion at the University of Lagos.These include Mr Emmanuel Odemaypwa, Managing Director and CEO of Deluxe Residence Limited;Tope Mark Odigie of TVC; Mrs Greg Cynthia, CEO of Safety Signatures Limited;and Mrs Rita Adachukwu James, CEO of Mercipoint Resources Limited ;and the CEO of Stand-Out Properties Limited, Sir Bldr Blessing Obomovo.

“Also included in the list of honorary doctorate degree awards are Alhaji Aminu Adamu Tarfa, CEO of Al-bradin Nigeria Limited; the Director- General of Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr Lanre Omojola,who will bag honorary doctorate degree in Occupational Health and Safety Management; Director,Human Resources Management of Nigerian Shippers Council,Mrs Adaku Okam; the Group Chief Executive Officer of Brook

Heritage Holdings, Femi Adebayo Olukotun;and the Group Managing Director/CEO of FMN PLC, Mr Paul Gbededo, among others,” the statement noted.

Professor Prince Eze C. Nwauba, African Representative of Prowess University, Delaware USA and Professor Adeleke D. Durojaiye, president of Triune Biblical University Global Extension, New York USA, also said in a joint statement that “selection for the conferment of honorary doctorate degree award is strictly based on individual’s track records in leadership and professionalism in quality service delivery.

“it is also based on recommendations from their constituents on the impacts made on their local communities across the country “, the statement added.

Major General(Amb) Godwin George Umo, OON, immediate past Nigerian Ambassador to the Vatican and his Spanish counterpart Amb. Dr. Mrs Susan Aderonke Folarin are expected to serve as special guests at the ceremony.

The Managing Director and CEO of Budget Homes Properties

L-R: The Olu of Olowo, Ifo, Ogun State, Ebeneza Soetan; MD/CEO, Nordica Fertility Centre, Abayomi Ajayi; Oldest Mother In Nordica, Folashade Akiode;Clinic Manager Nordica Fertility Centre, Tola Ajayi; CEO, Latola Enterprises, Agboola Olaitan, during the Nordica Fertility centre 20th anniversary celebration, yesterday in Lagos.

AA Chairman harps on prayer for peace, prosperity in Nigeria

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The National Chairman of the Action Alliance (AA), Dr Adekunle Rufai Omoaje has urged Christians in Nigeria to use the period of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, to pray for the peace and prosperity of Nigeria.

He stated this in a message to felicitate with Christians in Nigeria in remembrance of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

He admonished the faithful to reflect on the significance of the season, said that this great occasion of Easter is to celebrate Jesus’ victory over death on the cross and his resurrection that rekindles the hope of eternal life.

The AA Chairman urged

Christians to return to the teachings of Jesus Christ, who as ‘the reason for the season’ represents religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence, good faith, truth, demonstration of the fear of and belief in God, empathy for the less privileged, and patriotism to one’s country.

“ It is not just a mere coincidence that while the Lent fasting was on, the Muslim Ramadan also commenced and this translates to a very substantial percentage of the national population fasting in the past two weeks.

“ This is a design by Almighty God to teach us the lesson that no matter how we worship Him, whatever language we adopt in worshipping Him, or what name we call Him, we are all creations of one God.

“Therefore, we should all live,

work and aspire together as brothers and sisters in the interest of our dear country, demonstrate the fear of God in all we do, and develop our country for the benefit of all.

“ We should stop allowing religion, ethnicity, or difference in language to divide us. It is time we all bound together to salvage our country and restore her lost glory.

“This Easter period, which also coincides with the ongoing Ramadan fasting should be used by Nigerians to pray for their country, to rededicate ourselves to the promotion of, the national interest above personal interest, ponder about the challenges facing the country, and for each individual to take a vow to be part of the solution to the problems.

“It is my prayer that almighty God will intervene and heal our

limited, Ohio Flourish Ebozafe;Mr Olanrewaju Idowu of Lekki Free Zone Development;Amb. Mrs Funke Kehinde, Founder/CEO of Brilliant Concepts;and the Group Executive Director of Chi Limited, Mr Jerome O. Shogbon are all in the roll call of honor.

Also, Mr Chimezie Henry Ebulofor, CEO of Henry Montego Homes and Ahmad Nabil Saleh, CEO of M. Saleh and Co. Limited are listed for honorary doctorate degree awards at the taking place at University of Lagos later this month.

Four eminent Nigerian professionals including the Executive Chairman of Gombe State Internal Revenue Service Dr Abubakar Inuwa Tata;Dr Baba Bala Ma’aji North East Zonal Head of First City Monumental Bank(FCMB);Dr Remi Olukoya, Lead Consultant and Chief Executive Officer of Peck’sgrey Group; and Dr. Barr Alexander Utieyin Scott, Barrister and Solicitor, Managing Partner of Alex Scott & Partners will be appointed as professorial chairs of the Universities during the ceremony.

The theme of this year’s edition is titled: “Enhancing Accelerated Capacity Building Through Entrepreneurship in GovernancePathway to Sustainable Growth and Development in Nigeria” to be delivered by Professor Basil C. Nwankwo of Kogi State University, Anyiangba.

CAN demands Peak Milk company’s apology over offensive advert

By Albert Akota

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, makers of Peak Milk, over an offensive Easter advert that has sparked outrage among Christians in the country.

country in all areas while also giving us victory over those misguided elements who are waging wars against the country. “ He said Hon. Omoaje also used the occasion to appeal to politicians who feel wronged to in the 2023 Elections to seek redress in the Court of law.

He stressed that the elections have come and gone and the courts are there for people to take their grievances to. People can equally protest if they don’t like what is happening, they can adopt any legal measure.”

He, however, advised aggrieved Politicians to avoid actions capable of truncating democracy, saying aggrieved politicians must be cautious so as not to let down the roof.

In the controversial advert, the company used the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as a metaphor to promote their product on Good Friday, a move that CAN described as “totally unacceptable” to the Christian population.

The General Secretary of CAN, Barrister Joseph Daramola, warned the company to retract the advert, tender an apology to Christians or face legal action and boycott of their products by Christians.

“We find this advert to be insensitive, offensive, and totally unacceptable. Good Friday is a solemn day for Christians all over the world, a day we commemorate the death of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who was crucified on the cross for our sins. It is not a day to be used for crass commercial purposes,” he said.

How not to “Bungle” a cashless, Nigerian society

By Patrick Adaofuoyi Ogbe

No one can say-precisely-when human life began on earth, and when humans on earth began to increase in numbers of tens, hundreds, and thousands, and eventually, into what is ‘today’ a global, world population that is a number in the range of slightly above 8 billion people world-wide. However, one fact that remains –arguably-true pertaining mankind, is this: From the time and era when human life began to exist on this planet, thousands of years ago; at the inception when mankind began to engage in one type of trade, or business, and acts of buying and selling; the need for money-or one acceptable form of legal tender-for buying and selling purposes, cropped up. Seemingly, before money became an existent, reality among mankind; acts of buying and selling-among mankind, existed in a “process” that was known, or referred to as, ‘Trade by Barter’.

Money, is almost as old as recorded history of mankind, and the latter’s array of multiple activities on the planet. Prior the advent of (paper) money in the recorded history of mankind; primitive societies have used beads, precious stones, blankets, cattle, tobacco, hide and skins of animals, and shells of particular sea creatures, as money. In a similar vein, before the advent of money; quite a great percentage of mankind’s populationespecially during the primitive era-used certain animals, and certain unique animal parts to transact business, and to also make payments for goods and services. This is true in scenarios, in time past, when individuals living on earth then, used animal parts, such as elephant tusks, rhino horns, peacock feathers, oysters’ shells and pearls, hides and skins of some animals, as well as the teeth of some ferocious, wild, jungle animals-as well as those of certain aquatic creatures, to acquire assets of estimable value, make payments, marry wives-or pay dowries for women of their choices, and in some instances, make appeasements to aggrieved individuals, or neighbors. Also, things of value-such as-silk, fine linen, sheep wools, cotton, wheat, grains of food, as well as arms and ammunitions, gun powder etcetera, all served as mediums of making payments, and transacting business. While none of the afore-mentioned, was ideal; they all served as money-as long as it was universally acceptable. {For instance, during World War 2; cigarettes were used as money in prisoner-of-war-camps}.

Basically, money can be said to be “…a commodity accepted by general consent as a medium of economic exchange. The medium in which prices and values are expressed, money circulates from person to person, and (from) country to country, thus facilitating trade, and it is the principal measure of wealth. The basic function of money is to enable buying to be separated from selling. If a person has something to sell, and wants something else in return; it is not necessary to find someone-able and willing-to make the desired exchange of items, as long as money is available to facilitate the transaction before the seller and the buyer.

Money, from another angle of definition, can be said to be “…the fruit of one’s labor. It-money-basically, performs four functions. One-it performs the function of, ‘a medium of exchange. Two-it serves as a measure of standard of value. Threemoney serves the function of ‘…store of value’, and then, Four, money serves the purpose of ‘…standard of deferred payment’.

Also, money, can be said to be anything that is generally and universally accepted for the payment of goods, services, or debts. It consists of coins, paper money, or currency notes-of different denominations, and can also include (bank) cheques that are convertible into currency and coins on demand. These three items expedite the production and trade of goods and services, and they liquidate debt. If it were not for money, all goods and services would have to be traded directly for other goods, and services, a cumbersome system known as barter, (that is, trade by barter).

Glaringly, the practice of ‘Trade by Barter’ among mankind, a very long time ago, before the advent of paper money, as a way of buying and selling, apparently, had many existent, and noticeable dis-advantages. Prime among the dis-advantages, concomitant with the practice of ‘Trade by Barter’-as a way of carrying out trade, business, buying and selling-in ancient times-was the fact that, it was a very cumbersome way of transacting commercial activities. Apparently, this was where the need for money-as a cogent, and much more convenient medium of exchange of goods and services, among mankind, dawned.

The contemporary world uses paper money-and a little bit of coins, as modern legal tender. In the entire world, currently, there are close to 200 countries and nations in the whole wide world. Worthy of note is the fact that each, or nearly all these said nations in the world, have their unique, distinct paper money, with peculiar names for the various independent nations that abound in the world today. For instance, the three most popular currency notes in the world today, (arguably), is the British Pound, the Euro, and then the American Dollar. There is also the Swiss franc. A few other countries today in contemporary times, with the unique names of their nation’s money, include: Russia-Ruble; South Africa-South African Rand; India-Rupee; Nigeria-Naira; Algeria-Dinar; China-Chinese Yuan; Japan-Japanese Yen; BrazilReal, and Poland-Zloty, etcetera. Most west African nations use the Central African CFA Franc, as their common currency, and legal tender, in business transaction, and commercial trades, and payments.

Before the advent of money-paper money, especially-among mankind, other things which people existing in the world were using for trade, buying and selling, assets and properties acquisition, also included valuable objects such as gold, silver, bronze, copper, zinc, iron, rare gems, and precious stones, etcetera. The latter also served as a basis for placing value or esteem on their recipients, custodians, or owners.

It is believed that the first paper money was printed by the Chinese in the early part of the 9th century A.D. Marco Polo, on his return from China in 1295, wrote about the paper money used by Kubla Khan. This money was a black, paper like substance made from the thin skin that lies beneath the bark of the mulberry tree.

In England, paper money developed in the 17th century, out of the activities of gold smiths, who provided a safe gold depository for merchants by issuing warehouse receipts for gold left with them. These receipts circulated as paper money. The gold smiths also issued receipts for gold in excess of the gold they had on hand and lent them out at interest-that is, they made loans….

Child and maternal mortality

By Aliyu Adamu Yusuf

To improve maternal health, barriers that limit access to quality maternal health services must be identified and addressed at both health system and societal levels.

Maternal mortality and morbidity remain public health concern, particularly in developing countries with high maternal mortality rates.

Nigeria is second highest contributor to maternal mortality globally. What is most common causes of these maternal deaths in Nigeria?

In my perception there’s some factors that prevent women for receiving or seeking cure during pregnancy childbirth are :

– Health system failures that translate to (I) poor quality of cure, including disrespect, mistreatment and abuse, (ii) insufficient numbers of and inadequate trained health workers, (iii) shortage of essential medical supplies ;and (iv) poor accountability of health system ;

-Social determinant, including income, access to education, race and ethnicity that put some sub-population at a great risk ;

– Harmful gender norms and /or inequalities that result in a low prioritization of the right of women and girls, including their right to safe, quality and affordable sexual and representative health services ;and

-External factors contributing in instability and health system fragility, such as climate and humanitarian crises.

To improve maternal health, barriers that limit access to quality maternal health services must be identified and addressed at both health system and societal levels.

The painful part of it being all the causes of maternal mortality are preventable… All thanks to BHCPF for working towards reducing this rates in Nigeria by engaging midwifes as their roles is very necessary in ensuring women don’t loose their lives during childbirth.

I appreciate the efforts made thus for to ensure that no women dies while given live, but more need to done because women particularly in the communities, have continued to lose their lives while giving birth in Nigeria. This is a call to action for Nigerian government at all level to use policies to improve maternal and child care in their respective states.

Recently according would health organization (WHO). Nigeria is in the forth (4) position rates globally, A women in Nigeria has 1 in 22 lifetime risk of dying during pregnancy

In the contemporary world, in which we live today; nobody can afford to hate money. As we all know, money is so pivotal to human life and existence in the whole wide world, such that, in this world in which we now live in; if you don’t have money; your life is sure to be as “gall”. Because of the value that mankind places on money, and because of the fact that money requires protection of some sort from people that may want to steal hardearned, or hard-acquired money from their original owners; the trend of ‘Banking, Banking Services, and other Related Financial Matters’, cropped up.

Arguably, nobody can say for sure, when banking commenced among mankind. From time immemorial, mankind, with its teeming population, have been engaging in un-ending commercial activities and businesses. Such commercial activities, often involve one form of payment, or the other. This is the point where money-or something that is acceptable as a legal tendercame in. The real reason why any one cannot pin-point when banking commenced amongst mankind, is glaring.

In contemporary times, we may not want to come to grips with the fact, but probably; the first act of banking was implemented when, hundreds and thousands of years ago; a particular securityconscious and wary individual, took his treasures, and deposited it with another individual(or group of people) who were resident in a more protected enclave-for safe keeping-with the promise of squeezing out a fraction of such treasures to those protecting it, when the original owner has need of his treasure(s), and does come forward to take custody of his wealth.

Banking, for many, today, implies many things. However, quite a number of people are intimate with the fact that, “a bank is a business organization that receives and holds deposits of funds from others, makes loans or extends credit, and transfers funds by written order of depositors(in time past), and via cheque book/leaflets(in contemporary times). This term is occasionally, but in-accurately applied to commercial banks only, because of the peculiar types of services that commercial banks perform.

Evolving over a period of years, decades, and centuries; banks in every society, in the world, performs many important functions which in no small way, contribute to the development of each Nation’s economy, as well as make living easy for their customers, and numerous account holders. The primary function of each bank, is providing safety for customers’ money, and then secondarily, dispensing such money to customers on request.

Every profession, every sector, every trade and business, and indeed every activity, and human endeavor in the world passes through phases of periodical evolutions, technological advancements, developmental metamorphosis, and impressive innovations which are all aimed at making life more convenient and comfortable for (living) mankind. This is true of professions and fields of human endeavors like ‘Transportation’, ‘Medicine’, ‘Housing’, ‘Printing, and ‘Book Publishing’, ‘Broadcasting’, ‘Movie Production’ as well as ‘Music Making’, and then of course, ‘Banking’.

Imagine that thousands of years ago, way back in the history of mankind, the only most feasible method of transportation from one place to the other, was via the means of using human legs to walk-or trek-from one point to another point. Then

and childbirth , or postpartum /post abortion. In most high-income countries, The lifetime risk is 1 in 4,900.the most recent numbers place the country at 917 deaths for every 100,000 live birth, with many women not getting the care they need in time either due to the delay seeking it out or in getting referred to the right specialist.

To avoid maternal deaths, it is important to prevent unintended pregnancies. All women including adolescents need access to contraception, and safe abortion services to the full extent of the law, quality post abortion care.

Most maternal deaths are preventable, as the health care solution to prevent or complications are well known. All women need high quality care in pregnancy and during and after childbirth. Maternal health and newborns health are closely linked. It is particularly important that all birth attended by skilled health professional, as timely management and treatment can make the difference between life and deaths for the women as well as for the newborn.

Aliyu Adamu Yusuf is in development of mass communication, Abubakar tatari Ali polytechnic bauchi.

Education; The pathway to Nigeria’s ultimate success

By Barakah Adesanya

They believe that sending a lady to school is absolute waste of resources as they would later end up in their various matrimonial homes. They seem to forget that these women are also humans and might feel marginalized when their brothers become doctors and engineers and the rest, while they remain economically non viable at home.

It is no longer news that the educational sector in Nigeria is depleting rapidly and is on the verge of collapsing. Education, as we all know, is the building block of any nation. It serves as the bedrock for the development of any country. Infact, it is a very vital component of national development.

In Nigeria, a lot of people would prefer to live abroad. They vision developed countries as heaven on earth as they are well-equipped in all aspects and more comfortable to live in. I believe that anybody offered with a chance to travel to the United States of America would not think twice before accepting the offer, forgetting that even the USA was not originally how it is now; it was gradually developed with all sense of patriotism and national commitment. What then, are the developing factors of such nations that Nigeria can’t afford to put in place?

It is imperative to note that nothing can be

achieved without education. This is in the sense that nations that attach no importance to education are bound to fail. However, Nigeria is not exempted. In Nigeria, people view investing time and money in education as a waste of time and resources especially in rural areas. Parents, and specially in the rural areas nowadays, are usually not keen on the education of their wards especially the female gender. They believe that sending a lady to school is absolute waste of resources as they would later end up in their various matrimonial homes. They seem to forget that these women are also humans and might feel marginalized when their brothers become doctors and engineers and the rest, while they remain economically non viable at home.

Additionally, technological advancements in developed countries are as a result of scientific knowledge, which is in form of learning. But, in a country like Nigeria, where cognisance is not attached to education, how would the talented spread their wings into inventing beneficial products that might help change Nigeria into a better place when nobody cares to give them a chance to explore themselves and their abilities through education?

Furthermore, Nigeria is still a developing nation which aims at becoming a developed one. But with the attitude of the citizens and even the government,

there is no hope in sight as the educational sector is demoralising at a fast rate. For instance, imagine the number of talented youths we have roaming the streets in search of food! Some of them are actually dropouts, whose parents feel that since they are not progressing in a particular field of study, they should rather go for vocational training because everyone has his or her own area of specialization. It is also worthy to note that if one is supported in pursuing his or her dreams, he or she would definitely achieve something great, thereby impacting positively on his or her family and the nation at large.

To end with, all hopes should not be lost as Nigeria can also be a developed country and this can only happen when all hands are on deck to promote the educational sector of the country.

Undoubtedly, no nation can move forward across all spheres without education. The Nigerian government should therefore provide free education, especially at the basic levels, well-equipped schools and engage competent and committed teachers to teach all learners. They should also provide public enlightenment in the rural areas to educate the masses there on the need to have their wards educated at all costs.

Cultivating kindness: Simple ways to live well

By Ismaheel Taofeeq Adisa

In a world where it often seems like the bad news outweighs the good, it can be tough to find our way back to the things that make us feel truly alive. To get us moving in the right direction, let’s start with something simple: cultivating kindness in our lives.

When we’re kind to others—or even ourselves—we experience happiness and joy, two of the biggest components of living well. But what does it mean to be kind? And how do we foster and maintain this feeling of kindness in our lives? I will discuss those questions in this article, as well as explore some of the best ways to show kindness and encourage it in others. Read on for tips and tricks on how to cultivate kindness every day!

Living with kindness has many tangible benefits. Studies have found that being kind to others can reduce stress, increase feelings of social connection, and improve overall satisfaction with life. It can also improve your physical health by reducing inflammation, improving heart health, and even reducing pain.

In addition to the personal rewards, being kind to others can also benefit your community as a whole. Kindness is contagious; when we engage in acts of kindness—no matter how small—we encourage others to do the same. And when we inspire kindness in our lives and in our communities, it creates a ripple effect of good.

Beyond its effects on your community, practicing kindness is also an important part of building strong relationships. Small acts of kindness like listening attentively or offering compliments can help build trust and create a feeling of connection with others that leads to deeper, more meaningful relationships over time.

So the next time you are struggling to make sense of the world around you or feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges, remember that cultivating kindness has powerful benefits for both you and those around you—and it’s something everyone can do right now.

Cultivating kindness is an important part of living well. To get the ball rolling, here are a few small suggestions for how to bring more kindness into your daily life:

Smile at people when you pass them on the street. A simple smile can brighten someone’s day or even put a smile on your own face.

If you overhear someone speaking kindly about a stranger, take note and consciously try to emulate that kind behavior in your next interaction. Give compliments when they’re due— whether it be to a friend, family member, colleague, or even a stranger.Be generous with your time and resources. Offer to help others when possible and take the time to listen when someone else needs an ear. Talk positively about others rather than speaking ill of them behind their backs. Not only is it the right thing to do, it also projects good vibes throughout those

around you!

Doing good deeds may seem like a challenge, but don’t forget that there’s something simpler — and just as important — that you can do every day: practice gratitude.

Gratitude isn’t a new concept—it’s been around for centuries—but it isn’t always practiced. In today’s busy world, it’s hard to make time for moments of mindfulness, but the benefits of gratitude are well-documented. Studies show that when we practice regularly paying attention to the small things in our lives we can experience more joy and contentment.

Practicing gratitude is easy…just take a few minutes each day to give thanks for what you already have rather than simply wishing for more. Here are three simple ways you can incorporate more gratitude into your life:

Start a Gratitude Journal – For your first entry, make a list of things that you’re grateful for then add to this list every day.

Write Letters – Writing thank-you notes was once considered good manners, but modern technology has made it easier than ever to express your appreciation through emails or texts. It could be short and sweet or longer and more detailed –letting someone know that their contribution made an impact on you is one of the most powerful gifts you can give.

Set an Alarm – Set an alarm on your phone or watch that goes off at regular times throughout the day as a reminder to take a moment and reflect on the things that you’re grateful for in your life.

By incorporating simple acts of gratitude into your daily routine, not only can you bring yourself more joy but it’ll encourage those around to do good too!

Creating a mindset of kindness and positivity doesn’t have to be complicated. It can start with small, simple changes that invite more peace and happiness into your life.

Here are some great ways you can cultivate a positive mindset:

Regular exercise releases endorphins, which helps to boost your mood. Cultivating a regular fitness routine not only boosts your mental health but also your physical health.

Take a few moments each day to think about what kind of person you want to be and how you want to show up in the world. Setting an intention each day is a great way to stay focused on your goals and helps keep you on track for cultivating kindness.

Make sure to thank and appreciate those around you – even for the smallest gestures – and take the time to recognize all the things in life that you can be thankful for. Feeling grateful will help foster an attitude of acceptance and positivity, and it’s something that we should all strive toward in life.

It’s important to connect with people who support us, inspire us, or who just make us feel good about ourselves. Being surrounded by people who enrich our lives can also help give us the motivation we need to continue living an active, healthy lifestyle full of kindness and positivity!

It’s easy to be pulled into the grip of negativity, especially in today’s world. But what if there was an easier way to help you stay on the good side? Cultivating kindness is a great way to challenge those negative feelings, and it also helps us live better lives.

One simple way to cultivate kindness is to use supportive words with others. This can mean anything from encouraging your friends in times of struggle or celebrating their successes. It might even mean finding nice things to say to strangers you pass on the street—a compliment, kind words or just a smile. All of these small actions can work together to help create a culture of kindness and positivity in our day-to-day lives.

There are countless ways for us to be kind every day— whether it’s taking time out of your day for someone else or doing something that makes life easier for your loved ones. This can include anything from cooking dinner for someone who might not have the time, or being there with a listening ear when someone needs it most.

Cultivating kindness is an important part of living well, and we all have the power to make a difference by doing small things every day:

Making an intentional effort to do good often starts with simple acts. These don’t need to be grand gestures, either— small things like a smile and a hello or offering assistance can make all the difference. It’s easy to slip into the habit of getting busy with our own lives and not proactively showing kindness. So, here are some tips to help you cultivate kindness:

A key component of being kind is taking time for yourself. Prioritizing self-care will help you fill up your own cup first, so you can then overflow it for others too.

Small gestures often have the biggest impact. Whether it’s holding open a door, helping someone carry groceries, or pausing to listen to someone in need—these seemingly small things show that you care and give others hope and courage.

Taking a few moments each day to check-in with yourself is also important. How did your conversations go today? How can you change something tomorrow? What brought joy today? What made you feel seen today? These questions can help shape how we approach each day with kindness.

Making kindness part of our daily lives is easier than it seems—it just takes intentionality and consistency. So start small but keep going! Every gesture counts!

Ultimately, living with kindness can take a lot of different forms, from the small, seemingly insignificant acts of everyday life to deliberate and conscious changes to your behavior. It doesn’t take a lot of effort or a special type of person to be kind — in fact, it can often be the simplest of choices that make the biggest impact. From smiling at strangers to offering to fulfill a favor for a friend, cultivating kindness is something everyone can do. It doesn’t take a lot of effort, but it can make a world of difference.

Barakah Adesanya is a Public Policy Analyst.

Cyber security expert hails military leadership over ongoing operations

Prof. Ojo Ademola, Nigeria’s First Professor of Cyber Security and Information Technology Management, has hailed the current leadership of the Armed Forces of Nigeria for their professionalism in the ongoing operations.

Adomola said this in a statement released to journalists on Monday in Abuja.

He said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, had brought in a professional touch and unique administration that had proven to be a masterstroke in the ongoing war against insurgency.

Ademola said the ability of the defence chief to get the service chiefs

and personnel of the armed forces behind him without any distractions was, not only commendable but an exceptional subject of analysis.

According to him, the level of synergy among the service chiefs is what you see in the very advanced world.

He said that the military operations, before the appointment of the current military leadership, lacked a clear strategic, tactical and operational frontage.

According to him, not much was achieved because several distractions prevailed.

He said: “Immediately Gen. Irabor came, we got a clear sense of what we

needed to do to clear out the insurgents and win the war.

“Irabor is an incredible military man, a genuine war commandant, and a safeguard and defender.

“Through his apt commitment to ending the dreadful scourge of Boko Haram and other security threats, he has served as a beacon of light in the darkness that has since engulfed Nigeria during a time of extreme insecurity.

“This generation has learned from Gen. Irabor that gloomy times can positively turn into glorious ones.

“His understanding of military allinclusive strategies and deployments is outstanding in every way.

Ademola said the CDS had

demonstrated that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari made the right choice by hiring him as defene chief at the right time.

“Have you seen, at this age, a man who is so conscientious?

Have you noticed that there is a man in this country who can take the bull by the horns and free the people from the grip of fear and insurgency?

“The CDS is a gentleman looking at him and he has shown that with intellect, Nigeria can achieve a lot.

“What is presently playing out in ongoing military operations is the use of the intellectual framework to deal with security challenges,” he said. (NAN)

37 convicted for drug peddling in Kano – NDLEA

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kano State, said it had secured the conviction of 37 drug peddlers and users between January and March.

The State Commander of the Agency, Mr Abubakar Idris-Ahmad told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Monday, that the command arrested 352 suspects within the period.

He said apart from the 37 convicted

by the Federal High Court, the command had filed 39 fresh cases, while 127 other cases were pending.

He said between January and March, 955.304kg of cannabis sativa, 1,225.05kg Codeine and Tramadol, 25 grams of cocaine, 17 grams of heroin and 52 grams of methamphetamine were confiscated.

“We have made good strides in our drug demand reduction efforts where 5,060 people in secondary and tertiary

students, traders’ associations, vigilante groups and political thugs, among others, were sensitised on the menace of drug abuse.

“We have also carried out a series of educational programmes on War Against Drug Abuse among youths, women and others,” Idris-Ahmad said.

He enjoined residents to furnish the agency with information on activities of drug dealers in their communities.

He also called on the general public and parents as well as community leaders to be the watchdog of their wards to tackle the menace of drug trafficking and abuse.

“The agency will not relent in its efforts in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.

“We will continue to move around every nook and cranny of the state to ensure a drug-free society,” Idris-Ahmad said. (NAN)

L - R: Nafisa Rugga, Head, Digital Media, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Oscar Kalu, Director, Programmes and Organisation, National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN); Nnena Ukoha, Head, Corporate Communications, NCC; Reuben Muoka, Director, Public Affairs, NCC; Amb. Blessing Akinlosotu, Executive Director, NCSCN and Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, Head, Media Relations, NCC, during a courtesy visit by the NCSCN to the Commission to seek areas of collaboration, recently in Abuja

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State and its Governorship Candidate, Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor), have submitted a petition before the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Lagos State.

PDP and Jandor are calling for the disqualification of the Labour Party (LP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the election for non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022.

In the petition marked EPT/LAG/GOV/01/2023 and dated April 7, the petitioners challenged the outcome of the March 18 gubernatorial election on the grounds of substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act and the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

While INEC is the 1st respondent, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy Governorship candidate, Obafemi Hamzat; the APC, the LP Governorship Candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and the LP, respectively, are the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th respondents.

Besides non-compliance with relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, Jandor and PDP, in their petition, are claiming that at the time of the Gubernatorial election held on March 18, 2023, Sanwo-Olu,

Lagos guber: PDP, Jandor seeks APC, LP disqualification by tribunal

Hamzat, and Rhodes-Vivour weren’t qualified to contest the poll.

The petitioners, therefore, prayed that all votes cast for

them in the election be declared wasted.

Recall that Sanwo-Olu defeated 15 other contestants from different parties to emerge

the winner of the Governorship election.

Sanwo-Olu polled 762,134 votes to beat his closest rival of the Labour Party, Gbadebo

Rhodes-Vivour, who polled 312,329 votes in the election. The PDP candidate, Jandor, garnered 62,449 votes to come third in the poll.

'Muslim Senate President, Speaker will confirm APC’s Islamization agenda'

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Cletus Obun, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, said installing a Muslim leadership in the 10th National Assembly would confirm the Islamization agenda of the ruling party.

He stated that the party must be sensitive to give the national leadership to a Christian from

the South.

Obun disclosed this on Tuesday during a television interview.

According to him, since the President-elect and Vice President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kasim Shettima, are Muslims, it would be wise and morally justifiable for a Christian to lead the National Assembly.

Members of the National Assembly have continued to

jostle for the Senate Presidency and Speakership positions of the country’s legislative arm as the 9th Assembly winds down.

“No matter how you play the ostrich on the matter of religion and tribe, you will agree with me that APC had a challenge with the 2023 elections due to the Muslim-Muslim ticket; we cannot exacerbate that crisis with the leadership of the National Assembly being ruled by the same religion. It

will confirm to the Christian population that the Islamization agenda has been completed”, he stated. No matter how you play the ostrich on the matter of religion and tribe, you will agree with me that APC had a challenge with the 2023 elections due to the MuslimMuslim tickeing ruled by the same religion. It will confirm to the Christian population that the Islamization agenda has been completed”, he stated.

Kogi election: You lack capacity, can’t be gov – Wike blasts Dino Melaye

By Christiana Ekpa

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has said Dino Melaye, a spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, cannot be Governor of Kogi State.

Wike warned that the PDP would fail if Melaye emerged as its governorship candidate.

Addressing selected journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, Wike stressed that the former Kogi West Senator lacked the capacity to govern a state.

According to Wike: “If you give Dino the governorship ticket, you know he will fail; there is no way he can win. Why will Kogi people say they would vote for a candidate like Dino?

“People can’t vote for Dino because he is from Kogi; Dino does not have what it takes

to govern the state or be a governor. It’s not by coming on television to act drama or insult Wike.”

Last week, Melaye joined the Kogi State governorship race as PDP prepares to hold its primary election in the state.

Stolen 48m barrels Crude: Whistleblowers kick against Reps Ad - Hoc Cttee

By Musa Baba Adamu

Hundreds of George Uboh

Whistleblowers Network, stormed the main entrance to the National Assembly Tuesday for protest against Hon Mark Gbillah led Ad - Hoc Committee of the House of Representatives on alleged 48million barrels stolen crude oil later sold in China.

The protesters led by Ambassador Joseph Peter Umoh, carried banners and placards with inscriptions denouncing the setting up of the Ad - Hoc Committee by the House of Representatives when the crime according to them, is already being litigated against in the court of law.

Addressing journalists during the protest through a written statement , Ambassador Umoh said the Hon Mark Gbillah led AdHoc Committee on illegal sale of 48million barrels of stolen crude oil , later sold in China at $2.4billion, was unnecessary since the crime is already being litigated against in the court of law.

He said as Whistleblowers, they blew open the stolen crude oil and illegal sales in China to Hon Mark Gbillah and Nigerians generally.

Mark - Gbillah he added, rather than carry them along in the planned investigation , decided to do it alone, raising suspicion on vested interests.

“The Whistleblowers who furnished Hon Mark Gbillah the information germane to the

48million barrels of crude oil stolen did not file any petition to the National Assembly for any investigation or hearing, neither were they called as witnesses to testify during hearing.

“Because Gbillah did not follow this sacrosanct due process, the purported public hearing by the Ad - hoc committee is a sham predicated on unilateral action driven by greed.

“Therefore we the whistleblowers at this protest, authoritatively assert that the National Assembly does not hear or deliberate on any matter in court.

“Two different competent courts of jurisdictions , are already handling the case filed against the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari to account for proceeds from the stolen crude oil which are roughly estimated to be $2.4billion at $50 per barrel and $4.8billion at $100per barrel.

“Hon Gbillah led Ad - Hoc Committee of the House of Representatives, should therefore hands off the matter by not sitting or carrying out any public hearing on it”, he said.

When told that the Ad- hoc committee was not set up by Hon Gbillah himself but leadership of the House of Representatives, he said the protest was staged for the leadership to know futility of its action on the committee.

All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Osita Izunaso has stated that the sentiments of Igbos regarding “marginalisation” were justified.

He spoke on Monday in Abuja while making a case for the zoning of the 10th Senate Presidency to the South-East, NAN reports.

Izunaso believes he is the most qualified, adding that agitation in his region will subside if an Igbo leads the next Senate.

The politician said the development would ensure inclusiveness and lessen the demand for Biafra, especially among youths “misled by separatists”.

The Imo West Senator-Elect noted

that the South-East remains the “most disadvantaged geopolitical zone since 1960”.

“The intense Igbo sentiment against political exclusion and marginalisation in Nigeria is justified.

“The 10th National Assembly gives us the opportunity to address the situation,” said the former APC National Organising

Secretary.

56-year-old Izunaso was first elected into the House of Representatives in 2003 and later into the Senate in 2007.

He served as chairman of committees, including Rules and Business, Local and Foreign Debts, Housing, Gas, Foreign Affairs and Sports Development. (NAN)

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Concerned All Progressive Congress (APC) Youth Progressive Movement in Bauchi State has cautioned the President elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take caution over the activities of those they described as sycophants in the party, warning that they are out to undermine his government.

In a statement issued yesterday by the National Cordinator of the group, Abdullahi Dauda Little, and copied to the APC Deputy National Chairman (North), National Secretary and Vice Chairman, North East, the group reminded Tinubu that his greatest challenge in his journey to presidency was not from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or the Labour Party, but from within the APC.

A protest letter by the group said “Individuals in high office used their offices to undermine our party using all kinds of methods. First they tried to stop you from contesting by claiming that there was a consensus candidate, when that failed they developed other strategies including deceiving President Muhammadu Buhari, into signing a policy which caused fuel scarcity and imposed a harsh economic policy under the guise of the cashless economy on Nigerians.

“Nigerians almost punished our party for this during the last election but most Nigerians saw through this plan that the policies were targeted at destroying our party’s chances of retaining power but thank God your doggedness together with the support of loyal party members and Nigerians you are president-elect for all Nigerians”.

To this end, the All Progressive Congress (APC) Youth Progressive Movement drew Tinubu’s attention to antiparty activities of individuals he trusted to mobilize the party to victory.

Bauchi APC Youth Progressive Movement group cautions Tinubu against sycophants

“We hereby bring to your attention the activities of three leaders, including Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, a former Deputy Governor of our State, Hon Nura Manu Soro and the party Chairman.

“Each of these four men for reasons best known to them betrayed the party, your trust and the aspirations of our governorship candidate Air

Marshal Sadiq Abubakar.

“The people of Bauchi had looked forward to the return of the APC administration but these leaders through their actions and inactions dashed their hopes through various acts of sabotage.

“They refused to campaign for the party either in secret or in the open, those who you entrusted with party logistics

failed to deploy them for mobilization this led to a lot of handicap for our members”, the group said.

They also advised Tinubu to look closely at those who want to come close to his government to promote anti-people policies to destroy his administration’s plan for a better Nigeria.

While appealing to the President elect to shun those

who will advise him to do things that will only benefit them and increase the suffering of Nigerians, they encouraged him to ensure that the party for which he is the undisputed leader, takes actions against all those involved in sabotaging the party during the last elections, to encourage loyal party members to remain loyal to the party at all times.

Ayo Adebanjo remains consistent voice for better, egalitarian Nigeria - Peter Obi

By Christiana Ekpa

The presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi has said the leader of Afenifere, Ayo Adebanjo, has remained a consistent voice preaching for a better and egalitarian Nigeria at all times.

In a happy 95th birthday message to the elder statesman, Obi said “On behalf of my family, I wish a very respected father-figure, Afenifere leader and elder statesman, Chief PA Ayo Adebanjo a very hearty happy birthday. Daddy, you have remained a resounding and consistent voice in preaching for a better and egalitarian Nigeria.”

He expressed admiration and respect to Adebanjo’s courage in speaking up on bad governance and flawed public policies, saying his patriotic fervour is exemplary.

“At a time like this when our country is in dearth and dire need of statesmen, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Leader of the Afenifere, occupies a pride of place.

“His birth and upbringing prepared him for a balanced view of issues affecting the country. His father Joel was a Christian and his mother Salawatu was a Muslim.

“Thus, he grew up in the deep knowledge and love of the two dominant religions such that bigotry had no place with him.

“Born on the 10th of April 1928, he had his early life on Lagos Island.

“The young Adebanjo was caught in the frenzy of nationalism, becoming a follower of Nnamdi Azikiwe as a young Zikist. But in 1951 when the Great Awo formed the Action Group with its philosophy of federalism, Adebanjo was attracted as one of the founders. He had thus learned at the feet of the greatest nationalists in our clime.

“A renowned journalist and, since 1961, great legal practitioner, the combination of both makes Papa a staunch activist and politician who has remained unwavering in the service of our country. So committed is he to the cause of Awoism and Nigeria that he is today the only surviving disciple of Awolowo with whom the sage was charged in the infamous treasonable felony trial of 1962.

“With other leaders, he was in the frontline of the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO which forced the military out of our nation’s politics.

“So effective is Afenifere

in this endeavour that there is hardly any notable politician, particularly in the Southwest who is not a product or beneficiary of its activism and activities.

“He was a foremost delegate to the 2014 National Conference and when Ayo Adebanjo and other leaders initiated the handshake across the Niger and Benue, it was geared towards the needed unity of our country with Adebanjo a nonagerian still amazingly criss-crossing the Nigerian landscape.

“The history of the 2023 elections will be incomplete

Obi

without the records of the incomparable sacrifice of Adebanjo for the unity and progress of our nation which he continues to pursue beyond a shadow of doubt.

“As we celebrate this great nationalist, a gift of God to our country and humanity, we pray for his greater service to the nation in good health and long life, far longer than his father who joined his creator at the age of only 105 years”, the congratulatory letter issued by Director General, Obi-Datti Campaign Organisation, Akin Osuntokun said.

Omo-Agege, Gbajabiamila, others make valuable parliamentarians hall of fame list

By Musa Baba Adamu

OrderPaper Nigeria and its partners have announced twenty members of the Ninth National Assembly as SemiFinalists for the country’s first-ever Most Valuable Parliamentarian (MVP) Hall of Fame.

In a statement in Abuja by its Executive Director, Oke Epia, OrderPaper said the shortlist comprises a female Senator, two Principal Officers, two Presiding Officers and ten first-term lawmakers across party lines from both the Senate and House of Representatives.

The MVP Hall of Fame

initiative, which is in furtherance of OrderPaper’s contributions to legislative strengthening and promotion of improved service delivery in the National Assembly, aims at identifying and sustaining a distinct class of legislators who are performance-driven, excellence-inspired, and publicspirited.

The statement said having undertaken an independent, thorough and unprecedented data-driven annual performance appraisals of the 469-member ninth National Assembly since its first anniversary in 2020, the organisation says it deemed it appropriate to commence

instituting the Most Valuable Parliamentarian (MVP) Hall of Fame.

It said the annual appraisals focused exclusively on the core legislative function of lawmaking, and consideration for the MVP nomination and subsequent shortlisting essentially applied the criteria of Value, Impact, and Productivity in rating the contributions of those shortlisted.

It said: “While value speaks to the correlation of a bill’s advancement of the governance objective of the federal government; impact relates to the empirical contribution of a bill to the enhancement of the lives and

living conditions of citizens; and productivity applies to the stage of progression of a bill to measure the diligence, dedication and hard work put into its processing by its sponsor.”

It recalled that following the midterm appraisals, 55 members of the National Assembly were nominated for possible induction and consequently conferred with certificates of recognition at a prestigious Evening of Sparkles held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja in July 2022.

It said only 20 of these nominees have now made the semi-final shortlist and would be subjected to a rigorous points-

based scoring system to arrive as the eventual inductees into the Hall of Fame.

“The semi-final shortlist was determined at the completion of the third-year appraisal, and the eventual inductees would emerge following further assessments in the last year of the four-year tenure.

“This last and final assessment to determine the Most Valuable Parliamentarians of the Ninth National Assembly would be assisted in terms of oversight by an MVP Panel of Experts (MPEs) drawn from parliamentary think tanks, the academia, media, civil society, and the private sector.”

Peter

Bauchi APC group condemns suspension of ex officio member

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Ayouth group within the Bauchi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday condemned the suspension of the party’s national ex-officio, Sirajo Dada, by the Gamawa Local Government Area branch of the party.

The group, APC Concerned Youth Group, made its condemnation of Dada’s suspension known at a press conference in Bauchi, where its chairman, Muhammad Muhammad, declared that the purported suspension was inappropriate.

Muhammad said Dada’s outstanding performances led to APC’s victory in Gamawa LGA in the last general election, adding that this informed the vote of confidence the group passed on the embattled national ex-officio.

According to him, the allegation of anti-party activities levelled against Dada by the local government chairman of the party, Saleh Supa, was baseless. Instead, Muhammad alleged, it was indeed the chairman that was accused of compromise, personalisation of party affairs and working for a certain group of individuals to damage the unity among party members in the state.

While calling on the party to investigate the actions of the party chairman, Muhammad called on the public to disregard Dada’s purported suspension, adding that the suspension of any national officials of the party must follow all the provisions of the party’s constitution.

“We stand as members of the All Progressives Congress, APC Bauchi State, to call on the public to disregard the unduly suspended letter signed by the chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Gamawa LGA of Bauchi State stating the suspension of the party’s national ex-officio.

“We want to state very clearly that the suspension of [a] national figure must follow all the provisions of the party’s constitution before its release which in this case the letter did not. The letter lacks all the expected proper authentication portrayed in the constitution of the party,” Muhammad said.

Lai Mohammed deserves prosecution for treason against Peter Obi –Edwin Clark

By Christiana Ekpa

Elder statesman Edwin Clark has called for the prosecution of the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, over his treason comment against the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.

Clark accused Mohammed of spreading fake news against Obi.

The Leader of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum, SMBLF, said Mohammed’s recent visit to the United States where he accused Obi of treason “is an effort in futility.”

In a statement titled, “Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information should be prosecuted

for spreading fake news against the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi,” Clark wondered why Mohammed “took more than usual interest in not only lying against Obi,” adding that Obi’s “rising profile” cannot be damaged by the Nigerian government.

Last week, the minister had accused Obi of treason, following the President-elect, Bola Tinubu’s victory. Mohammed made the claim during a media engagement in Washington DC, United States.

He alleged that Obi and his running mate, Yusuf Datti BabaAhmed, made inciting comments following the outcome of the presidential elections. Mohammed described the comments as treason.

Adopt Lyon as consensus Bayelsa guber candidate – Stakeholders to APC

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State have called on the national leadership of the party to consider adopting a former Governorelect, David Lyon, as its governorship candidate in the forthcoming election in the state.

The Stakeholders’ Forum, in a statement signed on Monday and sent to journàlists by its Coordinator, Gift Ebiki, advised the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC to be careful of the conduct of its April 14th governorship primaries in Bayelsa.

Ebiki said the majority of APC members and most people in Bayelsa desired Lyon to fly the flag of the party but expressed worries that if not properly conducted the primary election could be hijacked by unpopular desperate aspirants.

He observed that most of the aspirants contesting the party’s ticket with Lyon were

spent forces and moles from the Bayelsa State Government.

Ebiki said following the massive electoral victory of Lyon in the last poll where he trounced the PDP but was denied his right to govern the state by the Supreme Court, APC should in the interest of justice, equity and good conscience give Lyon the first offer of refusal.

Ebiki said: “It is our firm belief that Chief David Lyon’s candidature will unarguably give the deserved victory in the forthcoming governorship election in Bayelsa State to APC.

“We call on members of the party’s National Working Committee to recall that some of the aspirants hustling for the party’s ticket have contested as the governorship candidate twice in the party yet failed woefully.

“Also, some of these aspirants are being sponsored by opposition parties to cause

division, chaos and distraction in the party and should be treated at arm’s length.

“Chief David Lyon emerging as the Governor of Bayelsa State under the APC will lead to the entry and spread of the APC in the Southsouth region. Chief Lyon is known by the citizens of Bayelsa state for his simplicity, open door policy and philanthropic nature not only in Bayelsa state but the Southsouth region even before he ran for office in 2019”.

Ebiki said Bayelsans were yearning for positive change in the state through the leadership of Lyon and were willing and ready to take back the mandate stolen from them in 2019.

He said: “Ordinarily, Chief David Lyon’s candidature should not be a topic for discussion because the governorship candidates who ran and won for their respective states in the APC same time in 2019 have been given a second term ticket without any opposition.

Rivers lingering protest shows institutional failures – APC Chieftain

By Musa Baba Adamu

AChieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Wenenda Wali says the situation in the state, where teeming Rivers youths have been protesting at the state head office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, is a problem that is beyond the Peoples Democratic Party.

The PDP have since last Monday, started a protest at the INEC state office in Rivers State, demanding a joint inspection of election materials with the APC.

The protesters who were led by the Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly,

Edison Ehie and the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state, Samuel Nwanoskie, barricaded the Port Harcourt Aba expressway.

They accused the APC guber candidate, Patrick Tonye-Cole and his party of wanting to smuggle fake results sheets in the process.

Wali in an interview, accused political elites in the state of creating scenarios where youths can be used for wrong purposes or their political gains.

He noted that if the youths were gainfully employed, they will not be at the INEC office creating public nuisance for over a week.

“One of the most fundamental

reasons why we have that kind of situation is the sociological part of our challenges, where the political elites deliberately and intentionally creating a kind of scenario that will make it possible for people to be used for all kinds of not so good purposes.

“It is not surprising to me that you have an army of people who can make themselves available for public nuisance for a week or more, because if they were gainfully employed, they would not be there. If you go there, at least you are sure of at least one meal a day.

“We live in denial if we say it’s a PDP thing. It’s a bigger challenge, a bigger issue that is beyond the PDP but it’s about us

as a people. And it’s about us as a country and as a nation. Because we will probably be deluding ourselves that it can only happen in Port Harcourt.”

Wali described the demonstration as a riot, and nothing of a peaceful protest, lamenting that so many people in the state have kept mute over the situation.

He said if the roles were to be reversed, the APC will do the same thing the PDP is doing.

The APC Chieftain, who blamed the issues in the state on sociological and institutional failures, stated that if the issues are not addressed in general and quickly, it will amount to a bigger problem.

Edwin Clark Lai Mohammed

POS operator jailed 3 months for stealing N120,000

From Abubakar Yunusa, ABUJA

An Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun, on Tuesday, sentenced a 22-year-old Point Of Sale, POS, operator, Salawudeen Ayomide, to three months imprisonment for stealing N120,000 belonging to her employer.

The police charged Ayomide whose address was not provided with theft following her guilty plea.

In her ruling, A. O. Adeyemi, gave the convict an option of N3,000 and also ordered her to pay N120,000 to the complainant, Nosiru Jayeola.

Earlier, the Prosecution, Insp E.O. Adaraloye, told the court that the convict committed the offence on Feb.8 at about 8 a.m, in Ogba Ayo,Ijoko area of Ota.

Mr Adaraloye said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Vol.1, Laws of Ogun, 2006.

BUA gives 22 Nigerian tertiary institutions N5bn grant

From Abubakar Yunusa ABUJA

Twenty-two tertiary institutions have secured a N5.5 billion grant from the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa initiative.

ASR Africa is an initiation of the African Industrialist and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu. It is aimed to provide solutions to developmental issues affecting health, Education, and Social Development within Africa through its annual $100 million Africa Fund for Sustainable Development and Renewal.

According to ASR Africa, each of the 22 institutions got N250 million, under the ASR Africa Tertiary Education Grant Scheme

The beneficiaries of the grant include: University of Uyo; University of Jos; Nigerian Law School (Lagos); Federal College of Education Technology, Gusau; Federal University Lokoja; Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun; Nasarawa State University; University of Lagos; University of Port Harcourt; Federal University of Technology Minna; Uthman Dan Fodio University.

Other are: Bayero University

Kano; Adamawa State University; Babcock University; Federal University, Gashua; Federal University of Technology Owerri; Al-Qalam University; National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru; Baze University; Nigerian Defence Academy; Crescent University; Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.

The Social Development Specialist of ASR Africa, Edidiong Idang, disclosed the idea would further partner with governments and the private sector institutions in Nigeria and across Africa to

support education..

She said, “Our belief is that Africans need to rise to provide solutions to African problems. We focus our intervention in Africa and this is expressed mainly on infrastructure development, equipping facilities, and capacity building for researchers, healthcare practitioners, and community-level service providers.

“We also support the efforts of various Governments in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa across our three thematic areas. The Initiative provides both technical and financial resources to partners.”

Nigerian unemployment rate to hit 41% in 2023

From Abubakar Yunusa ABUJA

KPMG has stated that the Nigerian unemployment rate had increased to 37.7per cent in 2022 and will further rise to 40.6per cent, due to the continuing inflow of job seekers into the job market.

The multinational consulting firm, in a newly released report tagged ‘KPMG Global Economy Outlook report, H1 2023,’ said unemployment will continue to be a challenge due to the slower-than-required economic growth and the inability of the economy to absorb the 4-5 million new entrants into the Nigerian job market every year.

“Unemployment is expected to continue to be a major challenge in 2023 due to the limited investment by the private sector, low industrialisation and slower than required economic growth and consequently the inability of the economy to absorb the 4-5 million new entrants into the Nigerian job market every year. Although the National Bureau of Statistics recorded an increase in the national unemployment rate from 23.1per cent in 2018 to 33.3per cent in 2020. We estimate that this rate has increased to 37.7per cent in 2022 and will rise further to 40.6 per cent in 2023.”

The report also said that in 2024, the unemployment rate will grow to 43 per cent

while inflation will accelerate to 20.3 per cent in 2023 and 20.0 per cent in 2024.

The KPMG further noted that the incoming administration will face a deeply rooted challenging environment, characterised by fragile and slow economic growth and challenges in the foreign exchange market.

“Additionally, government revenue remains inadequate to support muchneeded expenditure, leading to a high debt stock and high debt service payments. The Nigerian economy ended the past year with a GDP growth rate of 3.52 per cent in Q4 2022, compared with 2.25 per cent in Q3 2022, with growth averaging 3.10 per cent over 2022,” it explained.

The firm projected recovery in telecommunications, and trade services, as well as an expected recovery in the oil sector, on account of measures being taken to tackle security issues, to drive the forecast of three per cent growth in 2023.

“Growth in 2022 was driven by the non-oil sector, as continuous recovery in household consumption boosted spending, particularly in the finance and insurance services, telecommunications, and transportation and storage services.

“While the non-oil sector grew by 4.84 per cent, the oil sector contracted by 19.22 per cent, largely attributed to worsening oil theft,

pipeline vandalisation, underinvestment, and other operational challenges inhibiting oil production. Accordingly, oil output (including condensates) declined from 2.07 million barrels per day in Q1 2020 to 1.34 million by Q4 2022.”

Economic crunch, rising population compounding unemployment crisis

It further said that the spillover from an expected slowdown in the global economy in 2023 and its trade and financial flows implications would drag on Gross Domestic Product.

The report claimed that growth will be negatively affected by the naira redesign policy introduced in Q4 2022 and Q1 2023.

According to KPMG, it has implications on key non-oil sectors like manufacturing, trade, accommodation and food services, transportation and other services, further slowing down overall GDP growth in 2023.

“Headline annual inflation maintained its upward trend throughout 2022, reaching its highest levels in almost two decades and closing the year at 21.34 per cent, with food inflation and core inflation growing by 23.75 per cent and 18.49 per cent, respectively. This was driven by persistent structural issues, which impacted domestic food production and transportation such as insecurity, floods in key agricultural producing areas and rising international

– KPMG

food and energy prices following the Russia-Ukraine conflict and other policyrelated bottlenecks, which continue to impact the cost of doing business.”

It also noted that the expected fuel subsidy removal and the 2023 fiscal bill would also mount pressure on domestic prices in 2023.

“To combat rising inflation, the Nigerian Central Bank raised the monetary policy rate by a cumulative 500 basis points in 2022, to 17.5 per cent, and increased the cash reserve ratio from 27.5 per cent to 32.5 per cent. However, despite these aggressive rate hikes, inflation has remained stubbornly high and is predicted to remain above 20 per cent in 2023, due to the persistence of the structural and policy issues.”

KPMG further said that growth was set to be driven by the continuous recovery in household consumption, sustained performance of the non-oil sector and a recovery in oil production.

“Inflation to remain elevated, driven partly by persistent food supply shocks, foreign exchange illiquidity, and insecurity. We expect Nigeria’s GDP to continue to grow at a relatively slow pace of three per cent in 2023, due to the slowdown in economic activity that typically characterises periods of political transition in Nigeria.”

Fun seekers at the Magic Land during the Easter Monday celebration, yesterday in Abuja.

IMF retains Nigeria’s 3.2% economic growth projection

From Abubakar Yunusa, ABUJA

The International Monetary Fund has retained Nigeria’s 3.2 per cent economic growth projection for 2023 in its recent world economic outlook update.

In the ‘World Economic Outlook: A Rocky Recovery (2023 Apr), the IMF improved the country’s 2024 economic growth

projection for 2024 to 3.0 per cent from the 2.9 per cent it stated in its January update.

According to the Washingtonbased lender, global economic growth is expected to fall from 3.4 per cent in 2022 to 2.8 per cent in 2023.

It said, “The baseline forecast is for growth to fall from 3.4 per cent in 2022 to 2.8 per cent in 2023, before settling at 3.0 per

cent in 2024.

“Advanced economies are expected to see an especially pronounced growth slowdown, from 2.7 per cent in 2022 to 1.3 per cent in 2023. In a plausible alternative scenario with further financial sector stress, global growth declines to about 2.5 per cent in 2023 with advanced economic growth falling below 1 per cent.

Global growth slows to 2% in 2023

From Abubakar Yunusa, ABUJA

The World Bank Group President, David Malpass says global growth is expected to be weak in 2023, slowing to two per cent from 3.1 per cent in 2022.

Mr Malpass said this in his Opening address at the ongoing Spring Meetings 2023 Media Call, a copy of which was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday.

He said several factors were weighing on the second-half outlook.

“Oil prices have jumped back above 80 dollars/barrel. The recent banking sector stress dampens activities and inflation pressures persist.

Mr Malpass said the U.S. month-over-month core inflation had been rising over the last five months, saying there would be new data on Wednesday.

“If we look at developing countries excluding China, we expect a slowdown to about 3.1 per cent in 2023 from 4.1 per cent in 2022.

“The concern in our recent reports is that slow growth

will persist for years for many developing countries, increasing the fiscal stress and debt problems.

“It is a combination of weak investment, higher interest rates, and relatively weak growth in the advanced economies.’’

He said the danger was acute due to inflation, currency depreciation, rising debt service costs, and the collapse of international reserves.

Mr Malpass said the diversion of natural gas to Europe presented grave obstacles to developing country production of electricity, fertilizer, and food.

“These problems are severely constraining future growth and deepening inequality and fragility for developing countries.

“I travelled to West Africa in March, where we are working to provide support in the face of these problems.

“Looking at the big picture, I will mention two problems, first, the normalisation of interest rates after an artificial decade near zero.

He said this created problems in terms of the duration mismatch seen in the bank failures, liquidity shortages, and how to allocate the losses.

“Global headline inflation in the baseline is set to fall from 8.7 per cent in 2022 to 7.0 per cent in 2023 on the back of lower commodity prices but underlying (core) inflation is likely to decline more slowly. Inflation’s return to target is unlikely before 2025 in most cases.”

The IMF noted that the other major forces that shaped the world economy in 2022 are likely

to influence 2023 with debt levels remaining high and limiting the ability of fiscal policymakers to respond to new challenges.

It added that the current uncertainty in the financial sector poses risk to the global economy.

Also, today (Tuesday), the World Bank Group President, David Malpass, predicted that global economic growth will slow to two per cent from 3.1 per cent in 2022.

He said this during his opening address at the ongoing Spring Meetings 2023 Media Call.

L-R: The Olu of Olowo, Ifo, Ogun State, Ebeneza Soetan; MD/CEO, Nordica Fertility Centre, Abayomi Ajayi; Oldest Mother In Nordica, Folashade Akiode;Clinic Manager Nordica Fertility Centre, Tola Ajayi; CEO, Latola Enterprises, Agboola Olaitan, during the Nordica Fertility centre 20th anniversary celebration, yesterday in Lagos.

– World Bank

“The duration mismatch will take time to digest. With inflation persistent and the dollar weakening, the risk is that the losses will be allocated to those with lower incomes, including through inflation.’’

Mr Malpass said the second major problem was that the available global capital was being absorbed by a narrow group of advanced economies that have extremely high government debt levels.

“I will call them sinkholes. To make matters worse, their populations are ageing rapidly and the peace dividend of the 1990s was used up.’’

He said he had advocated a range of new policies that would spur production to combat inflation and currency weakness.

“However, the likelihood is a long period of slow growth, asset reprising, and capital moving in the wrong direction.

“Moving toward a narrow group of governments and big corporations rather than to the small businesses and working capital that could add to global growth.’’

Mr Malpass said two

Despite cash availability, PoS operators still charge exorbitantly – Report

Some Point of Sale, PoS, operators are still charging above the usual service charge in spite of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s, directive.

The News Agency of Nigeria correspondent who monitored some PoS Points in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, satellite towns report that they charged between N300 and N200 for N5,000 withdrawn.

exceptions to the slowdown included China and India.

According to him, China’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is rebounding to more than five per cent in 2023, with strong private investment.

“I note the stability of China’s currency and the countercyclical nature of its monetary policy. I was in China in December as they ended the lockdown.

“The government is encouraging growth in services, especially healthcare and tourism.’’

Mr Malpass said India continued to be one of the fastestgrowing major economies in the world.

“We are looking for growth of 6.3 per cent in their FY23/24. They will feel some effects from the global slowdown.

“I was there in February and think it will take capital market liberalisation for India to achieve their eight per cent growth goal.’’

The World Bank Group/ International Monetary Fund 2023 Spring Meetings opened on Monday in Washington DCand would end on April 16.

Romanus Chukwu, a customer seen at one of the points in Nyanya, said the charge was still much when compared to what it was before the cash crunch.

Mr Chukwu appealed to the operators to return to the usual charge of N100 for every N5,000 and N10,000 withdrawn.

Another customer, Mrs Agnes Ike, appealed to the CBN to look into the situation to curtail extortion by operators.

Meanwhile, a PoS operator in Nyanya who pleaded anonymity, said the high cost was still as a result of insufficient fund given to them in the banks.

”Some banks will give you only N20,000 while some will give N40,000.

”Sometimes, I go to three banks to be able to get the money that I will use for my business, so, I include all my expenses in the charges,” she said.

Peoples Daily gathered that the CBN had said it would withdraw the licences of PoS agents found culpable of inflating charges on customers who withdraw money from them.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has authorised the importation of Oha leaves from Nigeria.

“We are advising the public of our decision to authorise the importation of fresh Oha leaves (Pterocarpus mildbraedii) from Nigeria into the continental United States,” a memo said.

Famous in south-east and south-south Nigeria, Oha leaves are used in making Oha soup.

Although the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the USDA prohibits the importation of fruits and vegetables into the United States from certain parts of the world, Oha leaves met the risk analysis requirement which led to the authorisation of its importation.

The US prohibits importation of some fruits and vegetables to prevent plant pests from being introduced into the country.

According to USDA, “based on the findings of a pest risk analysis, which we made available to the public for review and comment through a previous notice, we have determined that the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds via the importation of fresh Oha leaves from Nigeria.”

On 7 June, 2022, the agency published a notice in the Federal Register where it announced the availability, for review and comment, of a pest risk analysis that evaluated the risks associated with the importation of fresh Oha leaves from Nigeria into the continental United States.

The pest risk analysis consisted of a risk assessment identifying pests of quarantine

US authorises importation of Oha leaves from Nigeria

significance that could follow the pathway of the importation of fresh Oha leaves from Nigeria into the US and a risk management document

identifying phytosanitary measures to be applied to that commodity to mitigate the pest risk.

After 60 days of soliciting

comments on the notice, the agency received no response by 8 August, 2022. It proceeded to announce its decision to authorise

the importation of fresh Oha leaves from Nigeria subject to phytosanitary measures identified in the risk management document.

NCDMB, female engineers empower girls

From Abubakar Yunusa, ABUJA

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board says it has collaborated with the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria to promote science, technology, engineering and Mathematics curricula in secondary schools across the country, with special focus on the girl child.

In a statement, it disclosed that the partnership with the association was launched at St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, under the ‘STEM-it-out-4girls” campaign with the theme “Interest and proficiency in STEM’.

The Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Simbi Wabote, represented by Deputy Manager, Capacity Building Division, Mofe Megbele, expressed the board’s readiness to collaborate with the association in accomplishing programmes and policies geared to promote capacity development for the female gender.

He quoted Section 70 (n) of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, which provides for the board to conduct workshops and trainings aimed at advancing the development of Nigerian content.

He said, “There is no local content without human

capacity development and there has been significant growth achieved through the implementation of the 10-year strategic roadmaps for the oil and gas industry to accelerate the attainment of 70 percent Nigerian Content by 2027.”

Speaking further, he stated that the importance of educating girls in the society could not be overemphasised, noting that the country could only advance based on the quality of well-educated young girls.

He added that an educated girl child could confront the issues facing humanities in the 21st century such as peace and security, climate change, sustainable development, food production, environmental

issues.

While commending the association, the executive secretary assured that the board would continue to support, monitor, and evaluate the growth and performances of the female students benefitting from the STEM programme and competition.

Also speaking, the President, APWEN, Elizabeth Eterigho, said, “The training is targeted at increasing awareness on engineering as a suitable career for girls, to improve the numerical strength of female engineers in Nigeria; It also provides the girl child with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the rapidly changing world.”

FG bars online banks from accessing customers’ photos, contacts

From Abubakar Yunusa, ABUJA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Encroachment: FCTA enforces ‘stop work’ order on estate at Gaduwa

By Stanley Onyekwere

The officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Tuesday, ordered a developer of an ongoing estate in Gaduwa area to stop work on the site over alleged encroachment.

The Director, FCT Department of Development Control, Murktar Galadima, who led other senior officials of the department on the exercise, alleged that the

developer didn’t adhere to the plan earlier approved for him, and extended the work to a green area. He said despite the ‘stop work ‘ order, after marking the illegal structures, the developer failed to comply with the several notices served on him.

Galadima disclosed that the administration would not allowed developers to flout the Abuja master plan in the name of development in the city.

He also ordered another developer on Oladipo Diya road, also within Gaduwa area to stop work over an unapproved development.

Galadima said: “There is a large encroachment of 33metres here, we gave them notice, we marked the structure and we served them all the relevant notices but they failed to comply with our notices, because expectedly when we serve you notice, you are to stop until all

investigations are concluded.

“It is what we call +688 which is meant for recreational park but then, they encroached on some certain amount of spaces. But since they are contesting our decision, we have called surveyors to re-investigate the whole site because most likely there is shift on ground from the original space allocated so that we can confirm.

“People should not go beyond their boundary, and they should always build or develop with

what is in line with what has been approved for them”.

On his part, Project manager of the site, Engr Chidi Godwin, alleged that there was an approval given to them by the officials of the FCTA.

He acknowledged that Private and FCTA surveyors carried out the exercise separately.

He adds:”We are not going to contest the position of the FCT Administration after reviewing the survey”.

Gov’t takes anti-open defecation campaign to AMAC residents

By Stanley Onyekwere

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

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

It was observed that the RUWASSA and other relevant government authorities that toured six standard public convenience facilities situated within the premises of a temporary mork park

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

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

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

Karo added that 200 public

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

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

Oparah noted that although a lot of these facilities are springing up, but it seems that many people are not aware of them, so it became necessary to create awareness.

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

achieved.

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

Reacting to the development in their separate interviews, most of the residents who excitedly thronged the

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

Minister reiterates FCTA’S support for NIPSS towards nation building

By Stanley Onyekwere

The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has reiterated the support of the FCT Administration for the actualization of the mandate of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) towards building a better nation through its intensive training programmes.

Bello stated this when he received a delegation from NIPSS led by the Director General, Professor Ayo Chris Omotayo, on a courtesy visit to the FCTA, recently.

While expressing his appreciation for the support the FCTA has enjoyed from NIPSS, the Minister said the training received by staff of the Administration has impacted positively on FCTA.

According to him: “We want

to convey our appreciation to the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies for the very robust engagements we have had with you over the last many years, particularly during my last tenure and second tenure.

“Every year, unfailingly, we have had slots for the FCT, usually as a matter of standard practice every year, the Presidency allocates one slot to the FCT. Last year, by the grace of God, you graciously added one slot.

“All these have really added value to the work we do because each time they come back, they get elevated in the hierarchy and they also clearly show that they went to KURU, that’s NIPSS.

“Obviously, at that vantage position, they are able to influence and control policy. That’s the idea of why very highly qualified men

and women are sent to NIPSS and I can tell you that we are very appreciative”.

Furthermore, the Minister assured his guests of the continuous support of the FCTA while also calling on the management of NIPSS to expand the scope of their curriculum to include work on specific projects identified by each course with the aim of finding lasting solutions to issues raised.

He explains: “Even after the end of my tenure, I assure you that the relationship between the FCT Administration and NIPSS will continue to grow.

“And we also will appreciate as we try to translate policy into action, we will appreciate you on specific issues that many of your ALUMNI here have written on. Which we hope will go beyond reports and try to see it as part of

the curriculum.

“NIPSS members, even though they are so choked up there in Jos as well as the tours that you do abroad and within Nigeria, but sometimes it’s good if a core team of ALUMNI are assigned specific project after the course, even after they get the yellow badge… so that you put them in a very core team to take a particular topic or a particular project and look at it in depth”.

The Minister also thanked his guests for the visit and wished them a successful tour of duty while praying for their elevation to the highest possible positions in their careers.

Earlier, the NIPSS DG, Prof Omotayo had commended the Minister for the great strides made in the development of the FCT under his watch.

He described the FCT as a “quantum of growth”, adding that Nigeria has successfully built a different capital other than the one left by the colonial masters, urging the Minister and his team not to relent in efforts to build a capital that will serve the nation.

Present at the meeting were, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, Chief of Staff to the Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu, Directors, Human Resources Management, Department of Development Control, Security Services and Administration and Finance, office of the Minister, Malam Bashir Muhammad mni, Tpl Muktar Galadima mni, Malam Adamu Gwary mni and Mrs. Nancy Nathan mni as well as other senior staff of the Administration and some executive members of the NIPSS.

Pentagon leak shows S Korea torn on sending Ukraine weapons

Aleaked Pentagon document seen by the BBC reveals a sensitive conversation between high-level South Korean officials on whether to sell weapons that could be used in Ukraine.

The intercept targeted two of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s senior advisors.

They are torn between US pressure to send ammunition to Ukraine and their policy not to arm countries at war.

One of the advisers suggests sending the shells to Poland instead, to avoid appearing to have given in to the US.

Washington has been scrambling to trace the source of the leaks, which the Pentagon says are a serious risk to national security.

Last year, South Korea agreed it would sell artillery shells to the US to replenish its stocks, but insisted the US had to keep the shells for itself and not send them on to Kyiv.

In their conversation on 1 March, President Yoon’s foreign affairs secretary Yi Mun-hui reportedly told the then National Security Advisor Kim Sunghan that the government was “mired in concerns that the US would not be the end user” of the ammunition.

They also worried that President Biden could call President Yoon directly about the issue, and that if South Korea were to change its policy on providing weapons to Ukraine, it could look as if it had been pressured by the US.

According to the document, South Korea’s national security advisor, Mr Kim, then suggested they could sell shells

to Poland instead, given that “getting the ammunition to Ukraine quickly was the ultimate goal of the United States”.

South Korea says it is investigating the leak but has insisted that it is impossible to intercept private conversations inside its presidential office, and that this discussion could not have taken place in its private underground bunker.

The US has made no secret of the fact that it wants Seoul to arm Ukraine. It believes South Korea, with its ability to build advanced weapons at a breakneck speed, could make a significant contribution to the outcome of the war.

But Seoul has been reluctant to do so, repeatedly citing its policy of not sending weapons to countries at war, while privately worrying about burning bridges with Russia.

This leak suggests that the South Koreans not only understood that their shells could end up in Ukraine, but that they were open to this happening. This could strain its relationship with Moscow.

“South Korea always plays this delicate balancing act, with the US on one side, and Russia and China on the other,” said Jenny Town, a Korea analyst from the think tank 38 North. “This leak shows it is the optics they are most concerned about. They’re trying to balance what they’re willing to do to support Ukraine with how it will be perceived.”

This report, seemingly based on signals intelligence, also has the potential to upset US-South Korea relations, as it

suggests the US has been spying on its decades-long ally.

Although not a surprise that the US spies on its friends and enemies alike, the timing of this disclosure is unfortunate.

In a fortnight President Yoon will travel to the White House on a state visit to celebrate 70 years of the alliance between the two countries - an alliance the US is at pains to point out is still “iron-clad”.

The report has triggered security concerns in Seoul, with the opposition party questioning how the US was able to intercept such a high-level conversation. “This is a clear violation of our sovereignty by the United States and a super-scale security breach on the South Korean part,” it said in a statement

on Monday.

Kim Jong-dae, an advisor for the former liberal government, describes this as an “intelligence disaster” for the South Koreans. “This is the tip of the iceberg. There is no way in hell this is it,” he said.

South Korea’s government is trying to downplay the leak. It says it agrees with a US assessment that some of the documents may have been distorted.

Meanwhile a government source warned that any attempt to “exaggerate or distort this incident, to shake the alliance ahead of the summit, will be resisted”.

The US was expected to use the upcoming summit to further press Mr Yoon to send weapons to Ukraine. That matter is suddenly more delicate.

Interest rates likely to fall to pre-Covid levels, IMF predicts

Interest rates in major economies are expected to fall to pre-pandemic levels because of low productivity and ageing populations, according to a forecast.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said increases in borrowing costs are likely to be “temporary” once high inflation is brought under control.

The Bank of England has been raising interest rates since December 2021, taking them from 0.1% to 4.25%.

This has raised mortgage payments for many homeowners.

Central banks in the UK, the US, Europe and other nations have been lifting interest rates to combat the rate of price rises, otherwise known as inflation.

In the UK, inflation is at its highest for nearly 40 years because of rising energy prices and soaring food costs. A number of factors are fuelling inflation, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine which has helped drive up energy costs.

However, in a blog the IMF said that “recent increases in real interest rates are likely to be temporary”.

It added “When inflation is brought back under control, advanced economies’ central banks are likely to ease monetary policy and bring real interest rates back towards prepandemic levels.”

The IMF did not say, however, exactly when interest rates were set to fall back to lower levels.

The Washington-based financial institution said ageing populations would be

one factor likely to lower inflation.

Explaining why older people affect inflation, George Godber, fund manager at Polar Capital, said that they tend to spend less.

“The amount that you spend relative to your income is highest when you’re in your 20s, 30s and 40s - often that’s maybe young families, when you’ve got households forming, you’ve got couples coming together, they tend to spend the most when they decorate and buy a car or whatever, and you as you get older in life you slow down your consumption,” he told the BBC’s Today programme.

“There’s less heading to Glastonbury and nights out on the town, there’s more sitting at home and watching the Antiques Roadshow, so therefore your spending patterns sort of reduce and you save more and so an ageing population tends to be disinflationary.”

Andrew Bailey, governor of the Bank of England, said recently that in the UK, the share of adults aged between 20 and 59 yearsold has fallen to below 65% in the past decade “and it is set to decline further in the coming years”.

He said that this has been driven by a decline in birth rates as well as people living for longer.

The IMF also said low productivity - the measure of how many goods and services are produced - would bring inflation down.

In a speech last month, Mr Bailey said that prior to the financial crisis in 2008, UK productivity had been boosted by the country’s manufacturing sector.

“But following the financial crisis, manufacturing productivity growth fell back sharply. This fall in manufacturing productivity is the main cause of the slowdown,” he said.

Just prior to the Covid pandemic, the UK’s interest rate was 0.75% but the Bank of England cut it twice in March 2020 to 0.1% as the country entered lockdown.

The rate of inflation has risen steadily over the past couple of years and hit 10.4% in February - more than five times higher than the Bank of England’s 2% target.

Following the decision to raise UK interest rates again in March, the Bank of England said that it expected inflation “to fall sharply over the rest of the year”.

This is due to the government’s continuing help with household heating bills through the Energy Price Guarantee scheme as well as falling wholesale gas prices.

However, Mr Bailey declined to say whether he believed that interest rates had reached a peak.

Source: BBC

The US has been pushing Seoul to arm Ukraine

Daniel Kelly is the conservative candidate hoping to join Wisconsin’s Supreme Court

Thabo Bester: South Africa celebrity doctor’s father charged over rapist’s escape

The father of a celebrity doctor and a prison warden have been charged in South Africa with helping a notorious rapist and murderer escape from jail.

Thabo Bester was arrested in Tanzania on Friday having fled from jail last May by faking his own death in a fire and planting a corpse in his cell.

He was arrested with his girlfriend, celebrity doctor Nandipha Magudumana.

Her father and a prison warden have now been charged with murder, arson, and aiding and abetting Bester’s escape.

Zolile Sekeleni and Senohe Matsoara, a suspended prison warden, are accused of intentionally killing an unidentified person last March.

The two men appeared in a magistrate’s court in the South African city of Bloemfontein.

They were not asked to plead, and no further details were given of the charges.

The case was postponed to 17 April for a possible bail application.

Bester was at large for a year after it was thought he had died in a fire in his prison cell in Bloemfontein.

A manhunt was launched last month

after a new post-mortem investigation revealed the body was not actually his.

He and the celebrity doctor are now under heavy police guard at a prison in the Tanzanian city of Arusha, following their arrest last week.

South African officials have travelled to Tanzania to secure the couple’s deportation.

Bester’s escape sparked outrage in South Africa, which has one of the highest rates of sexual assault in the world.

He was known as the “Facebook rapist” for using the social networking site to lure his victims.

He was convicted in 2012 for the rape and murder of his model girlfriend Nomfundo Tyhulu. A year earlier, he was found guilty of raping and robbing two other women.

Last May, it was reported he had been found dead in his cell after apparently setting himself on fire at the Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein.

However, local media began to raise doubts about Bester’s death late last year.

In March, police opened a new murder investigation after further tests revealed the deceased was not Bester -

and that the unidentified person had died from blunt-force trauma to the head.

Employees of the British-owned security company G4S, which ran the prison where he was held, have been accused of helping him flee.

It has said three employees were dismissed in connection with the incident.

Last week, representatives for the

organisation failed to attend a meeting in parliament about Bester’s escape. The BBC has approached G4S for comment.

There have been many reported sightings of Bester over the past year, including claims he was grocery shopping in an affluent suburb of Johannesburg, and was living in a rented mansion there.

Europe migrant crisis: Italy moves to rescue 1,200 people on boats

The Italian coastguard is carrying out two large-scale operations to rescue around 1,200 migrants from overcrowded boats off the coast of Sicily.

About 800 people are travelling on one of the fishing boats, while around 400 are on another.

The country’s coastguard has already rescued around 2,000 people in other operations since Friday.

At least two people died during the weekend’s boat crossings, German non-profit ResQship said.

Migrant arrivals to Italy have risen steeply compared with the same period last year, despite efforts by the right-wing coalition government to clamp down on irregular migration.

The boat carrying 400 people, which is believed to have set out from Tobruk in Libya, was still without help late on Monday evening, according to an unofficial hotline for migrants in distress, Alarm Phone.

It said it had raised an urgent alarm with the authorities of Italy, Greece and Malta on Sunday.

German non-governmental organisation Sea-Watch International said two merchant vessels near one of the ships had been ordered not to help with rescue efforts by Malta while the boat was in Maltese waters. Instead, one of the ships had been allowed to supply it with fuel and water. The Maltese government has not commented on the matter.

Alarm Phone said that it had been in contact with people on board the boat, which is now in Italian waters south-east of Capo Passero. It said the boat was adrift and taking on water on Sunday. A woman on board also said it was without its captain and had several people in need of medical care.

An operation to rescue the 800 people on the other boat is also under way southeast of Syracuse, but the operation has been complicated by overcrowding on board,

the Italian coast guard said. It was not immediately clear where the boat had set out from.

Other boats arrived at the Italian island of Lampedusa, one of the main arrival ports for people wanting to reach Europe, over the weekend.

At least two migrants died and around 20 others were missing after their boat sank on Saturday night, ResQship said.

According to monitoring group IOM Missing Migrants Project, more than 26,000 people have died or gone missing at sea in the central Mediterranean since 2014.

Malawi ex-minister jailed over passport scam pardoned

Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera has pardoned a former cabinet minister who was serving a fiveyear sentence after being convicted for abuse of office.

Uladi Mussa was sentenced in 2020 to six years in prison over corruption linked to the illegal issuing of passports.

His release was an act of mercy in the Easter season, Homeland Security Minister Ken Zikhale Ng’oma said.

Mussa remains an influential politician in the country after serving as minister under four different presidents between 1994 and 2019.

His involvement in the passport scam took place during the tenure of former President Joyce Banda.

In 2019, the US government imposed a travel ban on him and his spouse over his role in the scandal.

Mussa was released together with 199 other convicts, who “committed minor offences and have demonstrated good behaviour during their stay in prison”.

They include a driver who was arrested and charged last year after refusing to give

way to President Chakwera’s convoy.

Somalis are climate change victims - UN chief

UN chief António Guterres has said the people of Somalia are the greatest victims of climate change despite not contributing to it.

Quote Message: Although Somalia makes virtually no contribution to climate change, the Somalis are among the greatest victims”

Although Somalia makes virtually no contribution to climate change, the Somalis are among the greatest victims”

Mr Guterres called for massive international support at the start of a visit to the country which in the midst of a severe drought.

The UN has launched a multi-billion dollar appeal for Somalia where millions are facing famine.

Quote Message: Nearly five million people are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, and of course rising prices make matters worse.

Nearly five million people are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, and of course rising prices make matters worse.

Quote Message: So I call on donors, and I call on the international community to step up their support to urgently fund the 2023 humanitarian response plan, which is currently just 15% funded.”

So I call on donors, and I call on the international community to step up their support to urgently fund the 2023 humanitarian response plan, which is currently just 15% funded.”

Kenyan leader rules out more loans to pay workers

Kenya’s President William Ruto says the country will not take out loans to pay civil

servants even as union groups threatened to go on strike over unpaid March salaries.

President Ruto blamed the salary delays on the country’s huge public debt, with some of the loans coming to maturity this month.

He said the salaries would be paid from taxes collected by the revenue authority.

At least two workers umbrella bodies have issued notices to down tools this week if they are not paid their dues.

Speaking to local media on Monday, the president’s chief economic adviser said the salaries would be paid by end month but advised the government to cut on wastage of public funds.

Kenya’s public debt now amounts to sixty five percent of the national revenue.

The country needs more than $420m (£338m) monthly to pay the salaries and pensions for civil servants.

This comes just weeks after the World Bank and the IMF separately issued warnings that sub-Saharan Africa was sinking into a new debt crisis, with many countries at high risk of debt distress

Aid workers killed in Ethiopia’s troubled Amhara region

The US aid charity, Catholic Relief Services, says two of its staff have been killed in the troubled Amhara region of northcentral Ethiopia.

Chuol Tongyik and Amare Kindeya were shot in their vehicle as they returned to the capital, Addis Ababa, from an assignment.

Recent days have seen unrest and massive anti-government protests in the Amhara region by people unhappy at an official order for the dissolution of regional special forces.

These fought alongside federal troops in the recent Tigray war.

Protesters say the move would leave them exposed to attacks from neighbouring regions.

Source: BBC

A police officer leads Thabo Bester (right) out of the holding cells at the Durban Magistrates Court in 2011

UK-Israeli mother dies after West Bank shooting

ABritish-Israeli woman has died after a suspected Palestinian gun attack on Friday, in which two of her daughters were also killed.

Lucy Dee, 45, had been in a coma since the attack in the occupied West Bank.

Her daughters Rina, 15, and Maia, 20, were buried on Sunday in the settlement of Kfar Etzion, with their father and three surviving siblings present.

The family moved to Israel nine years ago from the UK, where Lucy’s husband, Leo, had served as a rabbi.

Thousands of mourners attended the emotionally charged funeral of the sisters, where Rabbi Dee eulogised them.

Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem announced that Lucy (who was also known by her Hebrew name, Leah) Dee had died on Monday morning “despite great and constant efforts”.

Speaking hours after his wife’s death, Rabbi Dee said: “My beautiful wife, Lucy, and myself tried to raise our children with good values and to do good and bring more good into the world,” calling the attack “pure evil”.

“Alas, our family of seven is

now a family of four”, he said.

Lucy, Rina and Maia were shot at as they were driving in the Jordan Valley in the northern West Bank on their way to a family holiday. Their vehicle crashed and the gunmen went up to the car and opened fire on the women at close range, Israeli media quoted investigators as saying.

Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported that 22 bullet casings were found, apparently from a Kalashnikov assault rifle.

Rabbi Dee had been further ahead in a separate car when his sister called him with news of the attack.

He said he tried to call his wife and daughters but they did not answer. He then saw a missed call from Maia from the time of the attack.

He said another daughter who was with him saw a photo posted on Instagram by the driver of a car which passed the attacked car and they recognised one of their suitcases on the back seat of the vehicle.

The emergency services were already at the scene of the attack, near the settlement of Hamra, when he got there.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted

that he sent his “heartfelt condolences to the Dee family, on the death of the mother of the family, Leah (Lucy), who was murdered in the severe terror attack in the [Jordan] valley”.

Radlett United Synagogue

in Hertfordshire, to which the Dees had belonged, said the community was “devastated at the terrible news” of Lucy and her daughters’ deaths.

“We and the world have been robbed of their presence, but their light can never be

extinguished,” it said in a statement.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a hunt for the perpetrators following the attack, which came at a time of spiralling tensions between Israel and the Palestinians.

Kuwait news outlet unveils AI-generated presenter Fedha

AKuwaiti media outlet says it has created a virtual news presenter using artificial intelligence (AI).

“Fedha” made her debut on the Twitter account of Kuwait News, an affiliate of the Kuwait Times.

She appears as an image of a woman with light-coloured hair, wearing a black jacket and white T-shirt.

Abdullah Boftain, deputy editor-in-chief for Kuwait News, told AFP news agency the move tested AI’s potential to offer “new and innovative content”.

“I’m Fedha, the first presenter in Kuwait who works with artificial intelligence at Kuwait News. What kind of news do you prefer? Let’s hear your opinions,” the AI-generated presenter said in

Arabic.

Mr Boftain said Fedha may develop to have a Kuwaiti accent and read online news bulletins.

“Fedha is a popular, old Kuwaiti name that refers to silver, the metal. We always imagine robots to be silver and metallic in colour, so we combined the two,” he said.

The presenter’s blonde hair

and light-coloured eyes reflect the country’s diverse population of Kuwaitis and expatriates, Mr Boftain said.

Kuwait is not the first country to unveil an AI-generated news presenter: in 2018, China’s state news agency unveiled its own virtual newsreader sporting a sharp suit and a somewhat robotic voice.

A report last month by investment bank Goldman Sachs said AI could replace the equivalent of 300 million fulltime jobs.

The report suggested the technology could take over a quarter of work tasks in the US and Europe, but that it may also mean new jobs and a productivity boom.

Chinese eagerly await return of panda from US zoo

Millions of Chinese people have a watched a US zoo say goodbye to a giant panda ahead of her much-discussed return home after 20 years.

A farewell party for 22-year-old Ya Ya at Memphis Zoo took place on Saturday.

She and her male mate Le Le, who died in February, had been monitored closely by Chinese people, after questions were raised over their treatment at the zoo.

It has previously denied such allegations and accused activists of spreading false information.

The zoo says Ya Ya has a chronic skin and fur condition, which “occasionally make her hair look thin and patchy”.

Around 500 people attended the event in the Tennessee city, which

featured Chinese cultural performances and goodbye letters.

Ya Ya was surrounded by bamboo and given a special ice cake made of grapes, sugar cane, and cookies, according to pictures and videos shared online. Many Chinese followed it live online.

“Safe travels Ya Ya. You will be missed by so many,” a comment on the zoo’s Facebook page read. “We will miss you... You have brought us so much joy,” added a user on its Twitter page.

But other comments aimed at the zoo appeared more aggressive. “Stop faking your affection, you make me sick,” said one comment in Chinese.

“Ya Ya [has] suffered such a hard time. Come back home - we’re all waiting for you,” another person wrote.

Ya Ya and Le Le arrived in the

Tennessee city in 2003 on loan. China has long used so-called panda diplomacy to help foster relationships with other countries.

But in recent times, Memphis Zoo has been grilled by Chinese netizens over accusations that Ya Ya and Le Le had been mistreated during their stay.

It followed allegations - rejected by the zoo - that the pair had suffered physical and mental diseases.

A video posted by animal advocacy groups In Defense of Animals and Panda Voices last year showed the pandas pacing in circles. The groups said the animals appeared to have lost fur and weight, and called for them to be “returned to China before it’s too late”.

Zoo officials countered that they were “two of the most spoiled animals on the planet”, according to Associated

Press.

On its website, the zoo says: “Ya Ya lives with a chronic skin and fur condition. This condition does not affect her quality of life but does occasionally make her hair look thin and patchy. The condition is closely monitored by our animal care team and veterinary staff.”

Months later, the zoo announced they the pandas would be returned to China as an agreement with the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens had come to an end. It said the decision had nothing to do with pressure from animal advocates, according to Reuters.

But there was renewed anger in China after 25-year-old Le Le’s death in February. Although giant pandas usually live for 25 to 30 years in captivity, many questioned whether the animals usually seen as

China’s “national treasure” were being neglected by zookeepers in the US, when ties between the two countries had already worsened due to diplomatic disputes and trade barriers.

Online, people started pressing for Ya Ya to return to China earlier. Many put up slogans and pictures on various advertisement spots across China and called up relevant departments asking for updates. Some Chinese-Americans even voluntarily flew to Memphis to visit and “guard for Ya Ya”.

But Chinese experts flew to the US after Le Le’s death and, along with their American counterparts, drew an initial conclusion that he had died of heart disease. They also checked on Ya Ya and determined she had a good appetite and stable weight, other than suffering hair loss due to a skin issue.

Source; BBC

Lucy (left), Rina (centre) and Maia Dee were reportedly shot at close range after their car came under fire

Estate surveyor plays major role in smart buildings mgt -ESV. Okechukwu Madubuko

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

An Estate Surveyor and Valuer ESV Okechukwu Madubuko said Estate Surveyors and valuers play a major role in management of smart buildings.

He made the disclosure in a chat with peoples Daily yesterday in Abuja, saying that it is also the duty of an Estate Surveyor and Valuer to articulate the use of technology to be able to enhance and improve the life cycle of a given facility.

He explained that smart building is a facility in which its energy management is regulated and controlled automatically.

“The use of technology, devices are deployed to full use in order to create a healthy, productive and comfortable living or work place.

It is also the ability to harness and make use of available data being churned out by different systems deployed in the facility is very important and key”.

He cited an example saying that, there are building management systems, weather systems, security access platforms, emergency systems, air quality platforms, utility meters and CCTV networks.

“All these operate independently, producing their own isolated data that when harnessed bring about comfort and beauty to the facility”.

ESV. Madubuko stated that the role of an Estate Surveyor and Valuer includes real time management of energy consumption, Improved servicing and maintenance efficiency among others.

He said that real-time management of energy consumption, an Estate Surveyor and Valuer has the requisite training and competence to access data deployed in smart buildings which has the power to inform on the over-head lowering decisions whilst at the same time reducing the environmental impact of the building.

“By continuously monitoring the energy and utility usage of the building, smart technology allows the manager instantly identify issues so that a consistent supply is maintained all through.

This way, the property energy usage can be optimized so that energy wastage can be avoided”, he said.

He noted that to improved servicing and maintenance efficiency, an Estate Surveyor and Valuer has the technical knowhow to monitor data fed from the mechanical and electrical devices

in deployed in the facility in order to ensure that servicing and maintenance programs are adequately and efficiently organised .

He said in order to know the difference between changing an air filter in an air conditioning system when necessary and when to change same out rightly as the data indicates.

“Such proactive working ability can assist in maximizing maintenance and engineering resources, making sure that servicing decisions are factbased and centred on the actual condition of equipment rather than its age”.

He said to enhance working Enviroment

Smart building technology is well known for its ability to enhance a building’s working environment. “An informed Estate Surveyor and Valuer utilizes his/her know how in

using this technology to monitor and manage air quality which in turn has a direct impact on health, wellbeing and productivity.

By constantly monitoring the likes of carbon di-oxide levels, temperature and humidity in real-time and linking the data to air-exchange system control,the smart building can ensure that all its work spaces are comfortable at all times.

Even better, by connecting this data to room booking or space management systems, the conditions of individual rooms can be automatically adjusted in line with the number of occupants and the nature of work being undertaken”, he said. Speaking on Remote work and flexibility,he said past experience has it that the estate surveyor and valuer spend a lot of time and hours physically monitoring and checking everything happening on every floor in the building

several times a day.

“Making sure that siloed typical system like HVACS, security and electrical systems were managed separately, with each system requiring its own monitoring and maintenance”.

He said today technology has changed all that, it is now a lot easier for the estate surveyor and valuer to access all the information on an integrated platform to track multiple systems and share relevant real-time information about what is going on.

All data is collected and displayed centrally, thus simplifying the entire process even further.

He concluded by saying that, It is imperative to know that an Estate Surveyor and Valuer with the right facility management skills, competence and knowledge of technology is the right person to manage your facility no matter the sophistication.

FHA raises alarm over alleged land grabbers’ activities in FCT estates

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Federal Housing Authority (FHA), yesterday raised an alarm over the alleged activities of land grabbers in its estates in Apo/Guzape, Gwarinpa and Lugbe in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Authority in a statement signed and issued in Abuja by its Head, Public Affairs, Mr. Kenneth Chigelu, advised Nigerians to refrain from doing business with them.

FHA disclosed that it does not relate with agents or third parties in any of its transactions, adding that one Mr. Abdullahi M. popularly known as Elephant is not an agent or partner of FHA.

“The attention of the

authority has been drawn to the activities of Land grabbers in the authority’s estates in Apo/Guzape, Gwarinpa, and Lugbe, with the sole intention of defrauding unsuspecting members of the public.

“The syndicate’s mode of operation is to distort the authority’s layout, by placing fake beacons on the land, taking innocent members of the public to such places, with the pretence of giving them FHA land allocations thereby defrauding them.

“The authority therefore through this medium brings the activities of these unscrupulous persons to the members of the public, and wishes to state as follows:

Members of the public

should refrain from transacting any business with such persons and other third parties on any matter relating to Federal Housing Authority.

“That one Mr. Abdullahi M ( popularly known as ELEPHANT) is not an agent or partner of FHA and has not been appointed to deal on behalf of the Authority concerning any parcel of land belonging to FHA. That authority does not relate to agents or third parties in any of its transactions.

“That any claims by anyone of being appointed as an agent by the authority is false and should be disregarded.

Members of the public should be mindful of purported letters of allocation of the authority’s lands, with the signature of

a former Managing Director; Arc. Terver Gemade, appended by the syndicate, purportedly headed by this Abdullahi. M (AKA ELEPHANT), with which members of the public are been defrauded.

“Members of the public should contact the Nigeria Police Force or any Law enforcement agency in case there are reasons to suspect any dastardly or unwholesome transactions or activities in any of Federal Housing Authority’s estate all over the country.

“Also, all the authority’s transactions on land and houses must be channeled through the office of the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the authority”, the statement said.

Mortgaged landlords struggling to make a profit

Landlords who rely on finance are struggling to make a profit following dramatic rises in the cost of mortgages, analysis by estate agent Hamptons International shows.

An investor buying a home at 75% loan-to-value (with a 25% deposit) is now looking at a rate of 4.84% for a 2-year fixed rate, a far cry from a rate of just 1.53% at the start of 2020.

Landlords in higher value areas like London are being

disproportionately hit because buyers need take out larger loans to afford the steeper prices.

Hamptons identified 92 local authorities as ‘unviable’ for landlords, of which 24 were in London.

The report said: “Higher mortgage rates have fundamentally changed the sums for investors.”

These developments mean the current environment favours cash buyers, who could face less

competition in the months ahead.

Some 8% of landlords are said to be at the greatest risk thanks to the current situation.

Aside from the cost of finance, investors have been hit by dramatic rises in energy costs and inflation following the RussiaUkraine war.

Meanwhile UK growth appears to have been affected by factors like Brexit – making it a tough environment for those looking to make a profit from property.

While landlords can hike rents to account for rising mortgage costs, fundamentally the amount that can be charged is depends on supply and demand in a given region – and many tenants are themselves feeling the pinch.

Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla, said: “We expect rental growth to slow over 2023 as affordability pressures bite, and the slowdown could be dramatic in some city centres.”

Source : property wire

An Estate Surveyor and Valuer ESV Okechukwu Madubuko

Ukraine war: The deadly landmines killing hundreds

Across Ukraine’s vast expanse, there are thought to be 174,000 square kilometres which are contaminated by landmines.

It is an area of land larger than England, Wales and Northern Ireland combined.

In the war-scarred Kharkiv region, warning signs occasionally appear next to brown, barren fields which were once front lines.

Even more infrequent is the sight of demining teams sweeping their metal detectors across small, taped-off areas. A literal scratching of the surface.

More landmines have been found in the Kharkiv region than anywhere else in Ukraine.

This part of north-eastern Ukraine close to the Russian border has been both occupied and liberated over the past year.

On 24 February 2022, Russia launched its full scale invasion and seized swathes of territory in the Kharkiv region, while also trying to capture Kharkiv city itself.

By May they would lose the battle for Ukraine’s second biggest city. By September, they’d be blindsided by a Ukrainian counteroffensive.

The Russians deployed landmines to both defend their positions and slow the Ukrainians. After leaving in a rush, a lethal footprint was left behind.

In the small town of Balakliya, on a patch of land next to an apartment block, Oleksandr Romanents’ team have already found six anti-personnel mines. They’d earlier uncovered around 200 nearby.

“My family calls me every morning to tell me to watch where I tread,” he says. “One of our guys lost his foot last year.”

The day after we spoke, another member of his team was wounded by a mine.

Since September, 121 civilians have been injured in the Kharkiv region alone, according to the State Emergency Service. 29 were killed.

More than 55,000 explosives have been found in the area.

Deminers like Oleksandr are called “heroes” by the regional authorities, yet there’s a deep frustration with their efforts being dwarfed by the scale of the problem.

Their desired catch are socalled butterfly mines, the most common in the area. They’re

only three to four inches wide, propeller shaped, and are scattered from a rocket.

They’re banned by international law because of the indiscriminate way they can injure and kill civilians.

That hasn’t stopped them from being used in this war.

When Serhiy helped a friend load his car with a small crane, he didn’t pay much attention to a nearby apricot tree.

When he stepped towards it, he found himself falling backwards from an explosion.

“I thought maybe a tire had blown up,” he recalls from his hospital bed in nearby Izyum.

“Then I looked at my foot and saw I was missing toes, the sole was shattered, there was bleeding.”

Serhiy tells us his home was also destroyed from the fighting.

“I used to be healthy, walk with both of my feet, do things, drive my car.

“In an instant, I had no house and no foot.”

Serhiy is under the care of Yuriy Kuznetsov, an experienced trauma surgeon. A big, framed man with a tired, yet purposeful expression.

He kept working throughout Russia’s occupation last year, and was the only doctor left in the Izyum hospital. He says he treats landmine casualties every week.

“Unfortunately, in most cases, an encounter with unknown explosives ends tragically,” he explains.

“Losing a limb or getting other kinds of injuries isn’t the worst outcome. For instance, last week, we had two patients who discovered a mine. One is here, the other one died.”

Entire wings of Yuriy’s hospital are destroyed. There are windows missing along the corridor and the buildings are surrounded by mine signs.

“Before the war, just like everyone, I cared much about material things in life,” says Yuriy.

“Now we understand how transient it all is. Peace and health are what matters.”

Last week Ukraine’s economy ministry said 724 people have been blown up by mines since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February last year, with 226 of them being killed.

Izyum and its surrounding area is one of the most heavily mined places, yet the picture in

Unfortunately, in most cases, an encounter with unknown explosives ends tragically,” he explains.

“Losing a limb or getting other kinds of injuries isn’t the worst outcome. For instance, last week, we had two patients who discovered a mine. One is here, the other one died

Anti-personnel ‘butterfly’ mines can look like toys to children and are banned under international law

the city is murky. Human Rights Watch has accused both sides of using illegal antipersonnel mines here. Kyiv responded by saying it followed international law while defending itself.

According to the World Bankwhich provides low interest loans to countries who need cash - demining Ukraine is going to cost $37.4bn (£30bn).

Kyiv is trying to convince as many countries as possible to help

so, in its words, “it doesn’t take decades”.

Given how it’s spent the last 70 years clearing mines from World War Two, it’s an approach which will require optimism.

SOURCE: BBC

Russia has laid down mines to defend positions and slow Ukraine’s counter attacks

In Ukraine, an area of land larger than England, Wales and Northern Ireland combined is littered with mines

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Aleksandar Mitrovic: Fulham striker receives eight-match ban for pushing referee

Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic has been given an eightmatch ban by an independent commission after pushing referee Chris Kavanagh in their FA Cup loss at Manchester United.

The Serbia striker received a three-match ban for the sending off, three for violent conduct and an additional two for “improper, abusive, insulting and threatening” language.

He will also receive a £75,000 fine.

Fulham manager Marco Silva will serve a two-match ban after he was sent off.

In addition to an improper conduct charge for allegedly throwing a water bottle in the direction of the assistant referee, Silva was charged with misconduct for comments he made in a press conference following the FA Cup defeat.

While the 45-year-old admitted abusive behaviour towards match officials and that his post-match comments constituted improper conduct he denied that he threw the water bottle.

Silva said in a statement last week that he had apologised to Kavanagh and he “regrets what

happened” in the match on 19 March.

One game of Mitrovic’s ban has already been served, meaning the forward will be available for Fulham’s last three Premier League games of the season, the first coming at Southampton on 13 May.

Following Mitrovic’s straight red card, the Football Association had said its standard punishment for his dismissal at Old Trafford was “clearly insufficient”.

The 28-year-old denied this but it was upheld by the independent commission, and Mitrovic

separately admitted the charge that his behaviour and language after being sent off was improper.

Following the announcement the FA said it would appeal against both sanctions but would wait for the written reasons from the independent commission.

In the FA Cup tie, Fulham’s leading goalscorer Mitrovic had put his side in front against United early in the second half.

But he was dismissed in the 72nd minute after the hosts were awarded a penalty following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check that resulted in Willian being

sent off for a deliberate handball on the line.

In an apology to team-mates and the club’s supporters, Mitrovic said: “On a personal level, I regret my actions that led to me being sent off.

“I allowed my frustration to get the better of me, and how I reacted was wrong.”

Fulham have also received a £40,000 fine for failing to control their players.

The London club are currently 10th in the Premier League and host West Ham on Saturday.

AC Milan Thrash Napoli In Victor Osimhen's Absence

Serie A league leaders, SC Napoli had a night to forget on Sunday as they were thrashed 4-0 by visiting AC Milan in what is regarded as the Champions League quarter-final rehearsal with their talismanic goals scorer, Victor Missing due to injury

In the first of three matchups between Milan and Napoli this month, the defending Serie A champion routed this season’s runaway leader 4-0 on Sunday ahead of two more clashes in the Champions League quarterfinals in two week's time.

Rafael Leão scored twice and Brahim Diaz set up one goal and scored another to hand Napoli its heaviest defeat of what otherwise has been an extraordinary season.

“We’re happy with the performance but it’s just one game,” Milan coach Stefano Pioli said. “Tonight’s result has nothing to do with the Champions League games, because that’s a different competition. That will be a very balanced contest.”

Napoli’s only other losses in the Italian league this season both came by scores of 1-0, to Inter Milan in January and to Lazio a month ago.

Napoli was also beaten 2-0 by Liverpool in the final match of the Champions League group phase but that loss came after the Partenopei had already clinched a spot in the round of 16.

Otherwise, Napoli’s only other defeat in 2022-23 came against Cremonese on penalties in the Italian Cup.

Milan moved up to third place, 20 points behind Napoli and four points behind Lazio.

Milan controlled from the start at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium and Diaz set up Milan’s early opener for Leão with a perfect through ball. Leão — last season's MVP — then did the rest by chipping in over Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret.

Diaz produced some more fireworks when he faked out Mario Rui to score with a deflection from close range in the 25th.

It marked the first time that Napoli conceded twice in the opening 25 minutes of a Serie A game since a match against Juventus in Aug. 2019.

P R T

Boxing: President Buhari lauds Joshua’s victory against Franklin

By Amaechi Agbo

Nigeria President, Muhammadu Buhari has celebrates the victory of Nigerian-born British boxer, Anthony Joshua, over Jermaine Franklin on Saturday night.

The President in a releases signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, commended the triumph of the gifted pugilist over a formidable opponent.

Extolling the mentality of Joshua, who did not allow personal setbacks and obstacles to dent his resilient spirit, the President says the former three-time world heavyweight champion has demonstrated that by hard work, patience, dedication, persistence and humility, those who dare do win.

“President Buhari lauds Joshua for his courage and discipline, on and off the ring, and prays that this success will be a stepping stone to one of the greatest comebacks in boxing history.

“The President believes that the accomplishments of Joshua on the world stage will continue to inspire many upcoming professionals, particularly sportsmen and women, not to be discouraged by temporary defeats and setbacks.

“He wishes Joshua a bright future and fulfilling career,” the statement reads.

Anthony Joshua returned to winning ways with a unanimous points victory over Jermaine Franklin at London’s O2 Arena.

The British heavyweight, 33, controlled the contest against the durable American but it was not the explosive early finish many expected.

Anthony Joshua started another journey en route the top, defeating Jermaine Franklin in a keenly contested Boxing match that stretched to 12 rounds.

Joshua won the bout by unanimous decision (118-111, 117-111, 117-111)

Tempers flared after the final bell as the two fighters squared up to each other, prompting their teams to enter the ring and be separated by security.

It is Joshua’s first win in more than two years, having lost consecutive bouts to WBA (Super), IBF and WBO world champion Oleksandr Usyk.

“No knockout, so no good. It is a brutal sport, but knockouts are everything. I’m

not too happy,” Joshua told 5 Live Boxing. “I could have thrown more shots, and I should have, no excuses. But I will. That is part of coming back; you have to be your own biggest critic.”

He also called out fellow Briton and WBC champion Tyson Fury, saying: “I try and provide for the fans. I know who they want. They said Tyson Fury - the ball is in his court.”

Bala Nikyu resigns as Nassarawa United Coach after poor run of form

With eight defeats, two wins and two draws in 12 matches, Bala Nikyu, Technical Adviser of Nasarawa United FC, has parted ways with the Club on mutual consent after three seasons at the helm of affairs.

The former Nigeria U-17 female national team coach’s exit from the Solid Miners followed the team’s extremely poor results in the ongoing 2022/23 Nigeria Premier Football League Season, particularly the 1-2 home loss to newcomers, El-Kanemi Warriors FC of Maiduguri on matchday 12 on Saturday, 1st April, 2023, at the

New Jos Stadium.

Nassarawa United are in danger of relegation to the second division, Nigeria National League, NNL after collecting just 8 points from 36 in 12 league matches in the abridged league and are 9 on Group A table which has ten clubs Coach Nikyu thanked the Club and its wonderful supporters for the opportunity given to him to serve, describing Nasarawa United as a big and amazing club with so much to offer.

The Management of Nasarawa United headed by

Chief Barr. Isaac Danladi, has welcomed the decision of Coach Bala Nikyu to throw in the towel, and wished him the best in his future endeavour.

Subsequently, the Management has confirmed that Head Coach, Abubakar Arikya, will become Acting Technical Adviser pending the appointment of a substantive Technical Adviser, with Samson Keshi Marwa, Balarabe Ibrahim and Ibrahim Yahaya Sabo working as his assistants. Barr. Danladi told the Club’s Media: “This is not the best time for us as a Club in the league.

“We thank the Coach for his

wisdom to step down from his role. Yes, the results are not what we ever envisaged, but we hope this is the best for both parties, going forward.

“We have but six league matches remaining and we have a herculean task on our hands to stabilize in the league.

“There is no better time to join forces than now. Everyone has to be at his best to ensure the highest possible result for our darling Club and our teaming supporters.”

Bala Nikyu was first appointed as Nasarawa United Coach in November 2018 and later reappointed in 2021.

Anthony Joshua (in white) defeated

Franklin Jermaine on Saturday night

PEOPLES DAILY

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY APRIL 12, 2023

The Obidient mob home and abroad

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Amir Khan banned for two years after anti-doping test reveals presence of prohibited substance

British boxer Amir Khan has been banned for two years after an anti-doping test revealed the presence of a banned substance following his fight against Kell Brook in February 2022.

The former light-welterweight world champion tested positive for ostarine.

Khan, who retired from boxing in May, accepted he broke antidoping rules but said it was not intentional.

An independent tribunal accepted that argument, ruling out “deliberate or reckless conduct” by the 36-year-old.

“I’ve never cheated,” Khan told Sky Sports News. “But I’ve got a twoyear ban now, which is quite strange and funny because I’m already retired anyway.

“There’s no comeback planned at all. But I’ve never cheated and I never will. That’s just not something I would do.”

Khan says he has “no idea” how the banned substance ended up in his system.

“I have to take some sort of responsibility. End of the day it’s been found in my system. I can honestly say this is something I would never ever do [cheating].

“It was such a tiny amount, it was no benefit at all. I should have maybe taken more precautions.

“I don’t want to remembered for something like this,” he said. “That’ll hurt me.”

The UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) website states ostarine is a drug designed to have similar effects to testosterone.

Khan tested positive for the drug in a Ukad test taken on 19 February 2022, the night he lost to Brook.

Ukad says it informed Khan, the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) and the World AntiDoping Agency (Wada) on 6 April 2022 of a potential four-year ban. Brook and event promoters Boxxer were not told.

It is unfair to the 2023 elections and INEC, that the elections which ought to be praised and unanimously documented as the most free, fair and credible in the country after and even comparable to the 1993 election has been robbed of that status; and no thanks to Peter Obi and his Obidient mob of followers, home and abroad.

We went through an election period, and witnessed many unprecedented occurrences both at the presidential, National Assembly and statewide elections, that are literally alien to our shared experiences and represent the unprecedented credibility of the 2023 general elections, yet we parade a section of the populace of our nation, and unfortunately, one populated by members of the same ethnic group who have for ages share the same desire to rip the chord of a united Nigeria.

The appearance of the Peter Obi candidacy marked the beginning of an ill omen for our nation politically; one, we have not really comprehended its devastating effects and influence on our national coherence and the peace of this country.

Behind the scene, Peter Obi candidacy was an Ibo agenda, and some Nigerians and mostly of Igbo origin home and abroad saw it as their opportunity to take over the country and attain the Biafra objective with the machinery of Nigeria’s presidential powers. The Peter Obi religious and ethnic campaign strategies were an agreed path to victory by and for the region. The Labour Party victory in Lagos, the Southeastern and South-south states and in all the Christian and Igbo dominated cities of southern part of Kaduna and Plateau states were primarily the product of a well-orchestrated Igbo plot to upset all permutations and get an Igbo presidency. This was apparently what the Obidient campaign was designed to achieve but eventually failed as expected.

The manipulated election predictions, all in the name of election polls which in droves predicted a Peter Obi victory when in reality it was obvious there was no realisable path to a victory for the candidate and his party was the beginning of the organised mass ridiculing and discrediting of the presidential election outcome. While it was obvious that the Labour Party and its flag bearer had no presence in the entire North West and North East; two regions that present a bulk of voters’ population compared to none in the country, the polls pretended and nonetheless flaunt unrealistic figures across the country. While all reasonable and straight thinking Nigerians knew so well that Peter Obi’s decision to turn the campaign to a ‘religious war;’ taking over major pulpits across the country and setting up the Christian population against the rest of the country, and culminated in his popular “take back your country” mantra, would backfire, the Obidients mob concluded, perhaps naively, that the Muslim population and other neutral blocs would not react with a mass vote from all corner to make their own statement.

All the way to the street meetings, the singular agenda of all Igbo meetings, across the states of the nation, since the Peter Obi emergence was to cripple the system to install him. The silent and internal drive for voters’ registration, mandatory PVC collection and the election-day mobilisation were all orchestrated plans to the same end. The sudden silence of the Biafra movement and the almost total

and coded collapse of all its machineries including the IPOB operations into Peter Obi campaign and forming the bulk of the Obidient mob are all planned tactics by the Machiavellians Obidients to take power at the center.

The election came and though now in the past, bears with it evidence of its own credibility, yet these set of undisciplined and unprincipled losers would choose the part of perpetually discrediting the election, its umpire and creating both short term and long term confidence issues and challenges for the nation’s electoral process and its democracy; but much more and worrisome, the deepening of nation’s ethnic and religious fault lines. It is a fact now that more much needs to be done to bring down the wall of hatreds and divisions created by the Obidient mob across the globe.

Now, it is clear that it is not about education or literacy. Neither is it a function of ignorance, but rather a decision to outrightly reject the truth while maintaining a choice outcome of an election they clearly lost. This is exactly the Trump position on the 2020 America election which he lost; the same that most of the educated Obidient mobs can’t understand and had in some ways spoken out against yet enacting it right home. The “Trumpism” ideology, that remains a major challenge to the sanctity of the American states till today, two years after the election, a similar nascent one in the Obidient Movement is already turning our nation upside down. How do we explain a man who lost an election, filed over eighty cases in courts across the country and lost virtually all, with all the judges on different days and across different states uttering the same disappointment in the attempt to discredit the election without tenable evidence of infractions?

What the Trump mob lived on is the affirmed statement of their principal that continues to maintain that there was a deep plot against him and America that led to the rigging of the election against him and in favour of Biden the Democrat. It is the cry of ‘the election was stolen.’

It is the same scheme playing out in Nigeria; for as long as Peter Obi and Datti maintain that the election was stolen from them, the Obidients need no evidence, and to them, the election was stolen, and they would continue to constitute a nuisance to the entire national system. While it is his right to seek justice in court which he has already initiated, his demagoguery and stealth weaponisation of his Obidient mob is what we are calling out and to sensitise the public of his multiple motives - including going to court, weaponising the Obidients, discrediting the court and weeping ethnic and religious sentiments till the 2027 election.

It is an established fact that Peter Obi did not only lose the election, but did not even come close to winning it; and it is another fact that Obi knows this truth and is not disillusioned as some thought. He knows what he is doing; the stolen mandate

rhetoric is a planned tactic. Even though some legal luminaries have established a fact that Peter Obi does not even qualify to contest the February 25th 2023 by citing Section 77 of the 2022 Electoral Act, as amended that states “each party is required to maintain a membership register in hard and soft copy and to make such register available to the Commission not later than 30 days before the date fixed for primaries, congresses and conventions.” For anyone following Peter Obi, who defected from PDP to LP might have noticed he was cleared to contest the PDP primary of which he was duly issued a certificate of clearance as a long time party membereven though he was originally from APGA - and then suddenly withdrew and defected on 12th of May 2022, which was less than a week to the Labour Party presidential primary. Clearly it is impossible that both INEC and the Labour Party have a party membership register of at least 30 days old that includes Peter Obi as a member.

Despite this flagrant infraction, he has been enjoining the acts of his accidental mob, the Obidients; and his ultimate desire would be how to maintain and keep them lubricated and energised till another election cycle. We are in for a long walk; and we are going to see and witness even more organised attacks on the sanctity of the election and the acceptability of the incoming administration just as it has been the case in America since 2020 till date.

Soon, the Biafra agitation would resume in top gear, IPOB operations would take off from where it paused some months ago, and together with the organized Obidient mob would continue to present a major challenge to the sanctity, peace and unity of Nigeria till 2027 when Peter Obi would contest again. What is coming would be much more organised than whatever we have seen in this country up till date.

When you analyse the list of supposed educated elite both in the country and outside who are expected to be realistic in judgement and measured, to be able to draw the lines between religious and ethnic attachment and facts of an issue; and the extent they are altogether ready to go to discredit the country, you will conclude that there is an unspoken ethnic agenda against the nation. It is a big shame on all of them, including the Chimamanda and the likes. Now, it is clear they are not the lovers of the sane society they have pretended to belong to for ages and are earning accolades for, but a bunch of ethnic bigots, who lost it when it comes to accepting the truth of an election, a member of their ethnic nationality clearly lost.

Nigeria and Nigerians would be the ultimate victims of the Peter Obi desperate desire for power; and despite his deceptive posture for wanting a better Nigeria, his pre-election utterances and decisions and now, would be the most divisive in the nation’s history. We have had politicians wielding religion and some other times ethnicity to win election, but never has it been of this magnitude and intensity. The truth is that living together as Nigerians

with different religious and ethnic affiliations has become more dangerously difficult and is most likely to worsen with time.

Lagos is a typical example. There is always an ethnic appeal to elections in the state, but at no time was both religion and ethnicity wielded with so much potency and impunity to create a deep spoken and unspoken enmity among Nigerians in the state. We may be quiet about the “Lagos is no man’s land” rhetoric adopted by the Obi mob to win the state, but we all know a time bomb has been set that will continue to redefine the interrelationship between the Yorubas and the Igbos in the state.

How are we going to express the trust situation between the Muslims and Christians in the country today? Are we going to continue to pretend that all is well after the nature and the content of the Peter Obi sponsored religious campaign indirectly targeted at the other main religion? After all the unbelievable acts of the Christian clergies who transformed their altars to campaign fields for Obi and directly inform their followers that the Muslims must be stopped by all means using all possible derogatory language to press home their messages. Rather than continue with healing that has been preached overtime, what have we done to all delicate lines of our coherence as a nation and people?

And for the appropriate call for psychological healing, where are we going to start from? How do you heal a people who are not living in ignorance but with the wilful desire not to ever accept the truth? Is it possible for Peter Obi to make a U-turn in the interest of the country, and let his mob know that he actually lost the election but would be preparing to do better in another four years? I doubt it; the Obi that I know would prefer the backing he enjoys now than the peace and wellness of the country. The President-elect would have a herculean task to surmount; particularly in depopulating and deradicalising the Obidient mob. Taking out the ignorant among them who are only following the crowd to believe the lies they sold out to them; and then getting all sane Nigerians to focus on building a peaceful, organised, united, and prosperous nation for ourselves and all generations of Nigerians to come. We all need to support the President-elect. GOD BLESS THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA!

DAN GAYE

DAN GAYE

Court dissolves 13-yearold marriage over threat to life —News

The earlier the better!