Friday, May 12, 2023 Edition

FG inaugurates gold processing plant in Kogi, says projects end to capital flight

L-R: Senate President Aspirants, Senator Sani Musa; Senator Orji Uzo Kalu; Senator Abdullaziz Yari, APC National

Senator Iyiola Omisore and the National Chairman of the Party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu during a meeting between the senators and the NWC at the party’s National Secretariat, yesterday in Abuja. Photo; Mahmud Isa

Take Open Defecation-Free campaign to grassroots – FG

The Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu, has called on all stakeholders to take the Open Defecation-Free (ODF) campaign to grassroots.

Adamu who made this call at his valedictory meeting with newsmen in Abuja, said all sensitisation campaigns ought to be people-centred.

According to him, current efforts to rid Nigeria of public defecation will gain more momentum when they are community-based.

He said there was need to move from conventional media channels of television and billboards, to traditional channels of radio and town criers, especially in rural communities.

“The ODF blueprint is ongoing, and we want the campaigns to be in the grassroots, using radio and

other means.

“The ODF message must be community-based and peoplecentred, this will make current efforts have lasting impact”.

Speaking on his eight-year tenure at the ministry, Adamu said he had no regrets whatsoever, adding however, that his challenge was lack of insufficient revenue to carry out his mandate.

According to the minister, there is need for political support from states to cascade Federal Government’s policies to the people, who are the direct beneficiaries.

He also called for collective responsibility and ownership from all stakeholders, so that the huge investments in the sector would not go to waste.

On the National Water Resources Bill pending at the National Assembly, the minister

said some people chose to politicise the provisions of the bill, adding that there was nothing new in its provisions, as 96 per cent of the contents were already existing.

He said that innovations in the reviewed bill included; the institutionalisation of an independent regulatory body to help reposition the water sector, to aid cost recovery and improve the irrigation sector.

“As a government, we are committed to our job to improve the lives of Nigerians, it’s on that basis that we are aggressive about the passage of the water bill”.

He however, expressed optimism that the 10th Assembly would pass the bill into law as it was targeted at repositioning the water resources sector in the country.

He stressed the need for

alternative sources to fund the sector and its projects, saying they were capital-intensive and that the Federal government could not fund that alone.

The Director of Press and Public Relations, with the ministry, Kenechukwu Offie, who is also exiting along with the minister after 35 years of service, said leadership was not about title, but getting resources for the benefits of citizenry.

Offie thanked the minister, as well as her colleagues for their cooperation and support during her period in service.

Highlights of the event was the formal presentation of a book, ‘The President’s Water Minister 2015-2023 Milestones of Engr. Suleiman H. Adamu’, authored by Mrs Kenechukwu Offie. (NAN

Collaboration: Panacea to solving challenges in Nigeria’s aquaculture- Experts

Experts in the aquaculture industry in Nigeria have identified collaboration among stakeholders as a panacea to solving challenges in the industry. They stated this at the stallholders’ engagement workshop in Ibadan on Tuesday. The programme is with the theme: “Implementation of Best Management Practices in Aquaculture and E-Technology Platform Adoption for Sustainable Aquaculture Development in Nigeria”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project is funded by USAID, hosted by University of Ibadan and the International Centre for Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM). Prof. Olanike Adeyemo, the Principal Investigator, FIL Aquaculture Biosecurity Project, University of Ibadan, said the project was one of USAID-funded projects under the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Fish. Adeyemo said that Nigeria was the host Country, and the project sites are Ogun and Delta states.

According to her, the theme of the workshop is focused on disseminating Best Management Practices in Aquaculture. She stated that it was developed as an outcome of the project with the hope that the uptake of BMP by farmers would lead to a significant reduction in the incidences of diseases in aquaculture. “We should also be presenting a justification for a collaborative development and implementation of a National Aquatic Animal Health and Governance Strategy (NAAHS). “We strongly believed that communicating our findings will in no little measure assist Competent Authorities with jumpstarting the processes involved in having a NAAHS enacted, implemented, and monitored.

This is to ensure performance sustainability and resilience of the Nigerian aquaculture industry,” she said. Adeyemo said the workshop would showcase best examples of electronic technology platforms for aquaculture development in Nigeria. This, she said, would include demonstrating the improvements

of E-Aquahealth Solutions, that was developed to bridge the identified gap of inadequate veterinary and disease diagnostic support to the Industry. Also, Prof. Gabriel Ogundipe, Head, Department, of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Ibadan, stated that the industry in Nigeria was growing and Nigeria was depending on it for animal protein supply.

So, many people are in the industry either as fishermen or as fish farmers, whereas a lot of people are also involved in marketing the products of the aquaculture industry. “So, we need to sustain the industry to be able to feed the multitudes of Nigerians. “We also need to sustain the industry to maintain the people who are employed by the industry. “And, we also need to maintain this industry because of the consumers who depend on fish for their livelihood,” he said.

In his presentation, Prof. Larry Hanson, Principal Investigator, Aquaculture Biosecurity Project,

Mississippi State University, USA said from the background, the key findings from the survey were lack of records of losses and production,. Hanson said that there was also lack of biosecurity measures between production and stocking and between farms and within farms. He stated after outbreaks, farmers rarely consulted veterinarians, adding that management had been the best defence, for disease prevention and to reduce losses, improves growth and reduces the use of drugs and chemicals. He stressed the need for management-optimizing the environment, fish defences and minimizing the pathogen.

Others who spoke at the event, Dr Ganiyu Oladayo, Chief Executive Officer, Aquapet Ventures; Mr Bisi Oni of Fund Quest and Mr Lanre Oyedepo of Safeguard Insurance Brokers Ltd highlighted the challenges and way out of financing in the industry. They also talked on the need to upscale to meet the future demands of the industry. (NAN)

L-R: Dr. Victor Okhai, President, Directors’ Guild of Nigeria; Evi Odafe-Ejumedia, Channel Head, Africa Magic; Victor Sanchez Agahowa, Executive Head, Productions, Africa Magic; Dr. Busola Tejumola, Executive Head, Content and West Africa Channels; Alh. Adedayo Thomas, Director-General, National Film and Video Censors Board at the MultiChoice Film and Television Stakeholders Engagement Event Yesterday in Lagos.

Stop genital mutilationMrs Mimiko tells Nigerians

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Wife of fomer Governor of Ondo state, Mrs Olukemi Mimiko said female genital mutilation must be stopped outrightly in various communities across Nigeria.

She said :”We must shout out message loud. We must campaign in our offices, public places and our communities for everyone to know that female genital mutilation must be stopped ”.

Mimiko made the call at a book launch of OGORIRE(Our Blood, TheirBond), by Kunle Awojemila on Thursday in Abuja.

She explained that female circumcision is a horrible experience and no female children should pass through that devastating experience.

“It has a serious disadvantage to that female child, ranging from difficulty in childbearing, infections and poor sexual intercourse”.

She reiterated that, “There are some stories of women that have killed theirselves because of severe pains.

“We are advocating, it is not just a play book, it is a content of message that should be passed to various communities.

“OGORIRE reminds us all that the war against genital mutilation should be won in our communities. No girl child should be left behind. Let the message be clear to us.”

Also speaking, Director Special Duties office of Head of Service of the federation, Olowoofoyeku Olusojio noted the book, OGORIRE, is very important adding that the message should go beyond here, inorder to stop the practice.

“There is a need to educate the circumcisers on the consequences and they she be empowered economically to stop the dangerous practices”.

Meanwhile, the Author of the book: OGORIRE, Kunle Awojemila, stated that, female circumcision is a barbaric culture that needs to be stopped.

“We hoped that people will read the book, and change the culture.

Awojemila revealed that the next stage is to introduce the books in secondary schools.

“We will also hit tertiary institutions and also the youth copers.

“We intend to partner with ministry of health and hospitals. We will commence campaign on various social media handles to to educate the public”, he said.

DSS launches gender mainstreaming policy

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The Department of State Services (DSS) said it has unveiled its gender mainstreaming policy outlining, a homegrown comprehensive framework for the integration of gender perspectives and inclusiveness in the agency’s policies, programmes and procedures.

DSS stated this in a statement issued on Thursday by Peter Afunanya, its Public Relations

Officer.

“This is a key component of the Service’s commitment to promoting gender equality in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the National Gender Policy of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“The policy was launched at an epoch-making ceremony witnessed by the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen OFR, who served as the Special Guest of Honour, the Director General of the DSS,

Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi CFR fwc represented by the Director of Administration, Mr Kabiru Sani fsi mni and other members of Management and Staff.”

It said the Director General while speaking at the event, noted that the policy was aimed at promoting gender equality and creating a work environment free of discrimination and bias.

He stated that “we recognise that gender mainstreaming is essential to achieving this goal and we are proud to launch this

policy as a demonstration of our commitment to this cause.” He enjoined all and sundry to embrace the new policy and ensure its full implementation at every level of decision making.

The Minister commended the Service and particularly the DGSS for the iniative and called on other agencies to emulate the Service.

“It is instructive to note that the DSS is one of the leading security agencies in Nigeria promoting gender friendly policies.”

APC endorsement of leadership for 10th Assembly illegal - Rep Member-elect

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Newly elected Member of the House of Representatives, representing GadaGoronyo Federal Constituency of Sokoto state, Bashir Usman Gorau, has faulted the endorsement of the leadership of the 10th National Assembly by the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The president-elect and the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) have endorsed Senator Godswill Akpabio and Barau Jibrin for Senate and deputy Senate president of the 10th National Assembly. They also endorsed Tajuddeen Abbass and Benjamin Kalu, for Speaker and deputy for the House of Representatives.

However reacting to the endorsement, the 33-year-old

who won election under the platform of the (PDP), said constitution of the country have given full mandate to the members of the National Assembly to choose the best they felt is capable to lead them, adding that endorsement will not yield any positive results.

Featuring on Trust TV’s Daily Politics on Wednesday, the Member-elect said both Tinubu and outgoing Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila should allow the members of the 10th Assembly to select their leaders, as they will not be around when the leadership will perform its activities in the house.

“Tinubu being the presidentelect has no constitutional right to choose for us. This is not their business. This is an issue and affair relating to the members of the House of Representatives and

Senate respectively.

“By this endorsement, they are literally intruding into the National Assembly, which will likely undermine the statutory conduct of the legislature and we will not accept that” he said.

Speaking on the House of Representatives in particular, Gorau said Majority of the members-elect are not supporting the endorsement by the presentelect including members of the APC.

He said although APC is the ruling party, but it lacks the power to enforce any body as a speaker in the House, adding that they are the greater majority as they have members from the opposition parties twice than that of the APC.

“The ruling party doesn’t have the capacity and number to decide who is who in the House of Representatives. We the

new members are 243 out 358 members that we have presently. So there is no way they can just endorse someone and we fold our arms and watch. is not possible.”

Gorau said as far as they are concerned, 90% of the new members of the House have endoerse Mukhtar Aliyu Betara as the new speaker and that he has gone far in his Mobilization.

According to him, with the number of greater minority and other members from the ruling party, Betara will be the next Speaker of the House with or without endorsement of the APC.

“All of us have agreed that Betara is our candidate and he will emerge the Speaker. We will not vote incompetence person and we don’t want a rubber stamp Speaker in the house. Betara has all it takes to be the Speaker and whether they like it not he is going to be,” he added.

L-R: Phil Southwell, Partner, Chapel Hill Denham; Bolaji Balogun, CEO, Chapel Hill Denham; Karl Toriola, CEO, MTN Nigeria; Sara Werth, Deputy Mission Director, USAID/Nigeria; Kunle Elebute, Ex-Chairman, KPMG Africa; Kadaria Ahmed, Journalist and Media Entrepreneur and Lanre Buluro, Managing Director, Investment Banking at Chapel Hill Denham conference on Investing in Development in Lagos on Thursday.

Society wants

FG to invest more on cyber security

The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has called on the Federal Government to invest more in cyber security to avoid attacks on Information Technology (IT) systems.

The President of NCS, Prof. Adeshina Sodiya, made the call at the opening of a three-day Cyber security Forum and workshop on Thursday in Abuja.

“Some people in government still do not know the level of threats that we have in this country.

” When some IT professionals are mentioning these threats, they feel that they want to use the opportunity to get money.

“But the truth remains that, we need to invest more on cyber security,”he said.

Sodiya said every business had sensitive information and digital equipment such as smart phones, laptops, desktops, servers that need to be protected from unintended or unauthorised access, change or destruction.

He said as companies get exposed to new technologies, their level of exposure to cyber-attacks increases, adding that there was need to protect vulnerable online information.

Sodiya said: “The issue is that, lso many of our young men, mostly due to unemployment are going into cyber crimes. If you know what our youths can do, you would be amazed.

“We also need to truly make cyber security a business. Some of these guys that are experts, we should find a way of harnessing their skills for something that is positive for the nation.

“Governments at all levels should take the issue of IT very seriously. The issue of IT is not something they should play with.”

He said there was need for more experts in cyber security in the country, adding that some of the experts were leaving the country for greener pastures.

“We thank the Ministry of Education and the NUC for the approval of cyber security studies in our universities. “9We now have BSC in cyber security that will also assist in developing experts, ” Sodiya said.

The Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, who was represented by Head, Cyber security operations Centre, Mr Ifeanyi Muonagor, said IT education was important as almost everything was now digital.

” While much has been done so far, it’s obvious fact that the war is far from ended. “The more digital innovations we adopt to make life easier and better, the more the bad actors search for ways.

” It is expedient that we do not relent in the quest for better education in computing, IT and cyber security,”he said.

The Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone Limited, Prof. Mohammed Abubakar, who was represented by the Chief Information Security and Business Continuity Officer, Nasir Shinkafi, said there was need for more awareness on cyber security and more collaboration among the stakeholders.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some representatives of various Ministries, Departments, Agencies, banks and private sector, among others, were in attendance. (NAN)

PEPC Adjourns Pre-Hearing On Atiku, PDP Petition To May 18

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The Presidential Election Petition Court sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, adjourned further pre hearing of the petition by Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Atiku Abubakar, to May 18.

Atiku and the PDP are seeking cancellation of the February 25, presidential election, claiming it was married by widespread electoral irregularities, and conducted in substantial none compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.

Atiku Abubakar entered the PEPC at about 8:55AM in the company of Acting National Chairman of PDP Ambassador Umaru Illiya Damagun, former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke, former Adamawa state Governors Boni Haruna and Jubrilla Bindow, Kogi state PDP governorship candidate Dino Melaye, former PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus, Raymond Dokpesi, former Niger state Governor Babangida Aliyu etc.

Counsel to Atiku, Chris Uche said the day’s sitting was for continuation of pre hearing session.

“We are happy to report that for a seamless progression of the pre hearing session, counsel for various parties in the petition met, agreed, harmonised and streamlined the vital areas or components of the pre hearing conference.

“The first item resolved by the various counsel in the petition is the issue of documents, wherein we agreed and set up a team together to look at the documents, Uche reported.

He said they counsel agreed on the documents in order to eliminate objections while tendering from the bar and during hearing.

“We intend to conclude on Tuesday, he said.

Uche reported to the court that the second item discussed and agreed upon, were issues for trial.

“For the petitioners, we have filed on May 11, and served on all the parties subject to any modification by the PEPC.

“Lastly, with respect to motions pending before the PEPC,

we have one motion, that’s the one seeking for live broadcast of PEPC filed on the 7th of May 2023, and we are yet to receive the reponses from the respondents.

“All together, we have been served with four motions, two from the 1st and another two from the 3rd respondent.

“We are preparing our response” Uche said.

The INEC’s lawyer, Abubakar Mahmoud confirmed the report by Uche and confirmed recieving issues for determination just as he promised to file his issues for determination before the end of Thursday. He admitted recieving the application for live broadcast, saying he will be filing reply, adding that counsel agreed that all application be fixed for Thursday.

“We have applications seeking the PEPC to strike out some portions of the pleadings by the petitioners, Mahmoud said.

On his part, Wole Olanipekun, counsel to Tinubu and APC equally confirmed the report of Uche that they all met and agreed on the conduct of hearing.

“We have assured the petitioners that before Monday,

we will serve them with two applications.

“On the application for live broadcast of the PEPC, Olanipekun said they will reply accordingly.

Similarly, the APC counsel also confirmed the report by Uche that they all agreed on sorting out documents to ensure a seamless pre hearing seasion.

The APC lawyer told the court that he filed filed issues for determination on May 10, stressing that what has been served on the petitioner by the 3rd respondent are motions seeking dismissal, striking out and removal of some pleadings by the petitioners.

On the motion for live telecast of PEPC sittings, he assured of sending in his reply on Monday.

After taking submissions of counsel, Chairman of PEPC, Justice Haruna Tsammani, thanked the parties for what they have done to so far to expedite hearing of the petition.

He then adjourned to May 18 for continuation of pre hearing session.

L-R: Rt. Hon. Yusuf Gagdi and Rt. Hon Aliyu Betara at a meeting with APC NWC at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Atiku laments PDP’s receding form, calls for stock taking

Claims he didn’t lose last presidential election Tambuwal prays for Atiku’s success in courts Fayose, Wike, G-5 Governors absent

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

receding.

FormerVice

President and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has lamented what he called the receding form of the party between 1999 and now, advising that something must be done, urgently, to redress the situation.

Similarly, Atiku has declared that the PDP did not lose the last presidential election held on Saturday February 25.

The presidential candidate said these on Thursday at the welcome/ reception for PDP Governors-elect and send forth of past Chairmen of PDP Governors’ Forum held at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

The former Vice President between 1999 and 2007 has therefore called on members and chieftains of the PDP to be determined and focus on “retrieving our mandate that has been stolen”.

In the words of Atiku, “We have a number of challenges. We started as a dominant political party in 1999, but since then we have been

“It s time to take stock and find out why we are rescinding, and how can we make sure that our position as the leading political party in the country can be regained.

“This is a very important challenge that require a whole day seminar so that we can, as a party, regain our eminent position in the country.

“We all know that the PDP did not lose the last election. So, we should be determined and focus on retrieving our mandate that has been stolen”, he said.

Another former Vice President, Architect Namadi Sambo harped on the need for peace and unity within the ranks and file of the PDP.

According to Sambo, “I want to use the opportunity to call for peace and unity within our party because what is happening in some states today is very unfortunate.

“I will give example of Kaduna State. What is happening in Kaduna State today, people are being suspended from the party left, right and center without due process.

“I want to seize this opportunity

to publicly ask the acting National Chairman to look into what is happening in Kaduna State, because all the ingredients for trouble and problems in the party is taking place. Likewise in other states.

“So, I want to seize the opportunity to call on all party members to cooperate and let the party continue to work, and ensure that our mandate is brought back to us”, he said.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Sokoto State, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal expressed the hope that the mandate of Atiku in the last presidential election will be restored by the courts.

Tambuwal noted with happiness that the outgoing Governors of PDP are bequeathing a Forum that is strong, cohesive and vocal in the defence of democracy and good governance in the country to the Governors-elect.

According to the Sokoto State Governor, “We are happy to bequeath to you, a Forum that is

strong, cohesive and vocal in the defence of democracy and good governance in the country.

“With the calibre of Governors’ elect I see here today, I can say confidently that our Forum is going to be in good hands

Continuing, Tambuwal said, “For my colleagues, outgoing Governors of our Forum, I commend all of you for your solidarity and comradeship.

“As a first among equals, I can vouch to the warm support and friendship of all the Governors of our Party.

“Sometimes, it was tough agreeing in all things, but we never forgot to put our interests behind that of our party, people and nation.

“The moments we have shared under this Forum have been moments of joy, learning, comradeship support for one another and a desire for the best of our Party, States and country”, he stated.

In attendance at the event were; acting National Chairman of PDP, Ambassador Umar Ilya Damagum, Chairman ,PDP Board

of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, Governors Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, Godwin Obaseki of Edo, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi and Senator Duoye Diri of Bayelsa among others.

Governors- elect present included; Shertif Oborevwori of Delta, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Agbu Kefas of Taraba and Peter Mbah of Enugu while Akwa Ibom deputy governor- elect represented the governor - elect, Pastor Umo Eno.

Other party leaders present were; former governors Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Ramalan Yero (Kaduna), Emeka Ihedioha (Imo) and Senator Orji Theodore Orji (Abia).

Others were; Senators Biodun Olujinmi, Abdul Ningi and Chukwuka Utazi.

Governor Nyeson Wike of Benue State and other members of the Group of 5 (G-5) Governors as well as ex-Governor Ayodele Fayose were absent at the well attended ceremony.

Governors’induction

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Security Adviser, Major-General Mohammed Babagana Monguno, Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba and the Director General of the Department of States Services, DSS are among top personalities are expected at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum’s (NGF) 3rd Governors’ induction from Monday May 15 to May 19th, 2023.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Mr Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, the Secretary General of United Cities and Local Governments of Africa and President William Ruto of Kenya are also scheduled to grace the induction.

This was confirmed in a statement issued in Abuja by the Director, Media and Public Affairs of the NGF, Abdulrazaque Barkindo.

Similarly, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organization, Amina Jane Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations and Dr Akinwumi Adeshina of the African Development Bank are expected to bring their experiences to bear at the occasion.

The current Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams and two former American Governors, Terry McAuliffe of the State of Virginia and O’Malley Martin Joseph of Maryland are gracing the occasion.

Also expected to speak at the NGF induction is Professor Peter

Anyang Nyongo, Governor of the Kisumu County in Kenya who transformed Kenya’s hospital fund to a national health insurance fund, reduced poverty and brought Kisumu County to compete in poverty reduction, education and infrastructure with modern cities around the globe.

According to the statement, “The Nigeria Governors’ Forum NGF is hosting its 3rd Governors’ induction from Monday May 15 to May 19th, 2023.

“The induction program for incoming and returning Governors is the NGFs flagship program where the incoming Governors are supported with special tools to usher them into office in a seamless manner and to assist them move away from campaigns to

governance.

“Traditionally, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigeria Armed Forces is invited to give the Keynote address to the gathering of Governors including those that are already out of office.

“The occasion accords the governors an opportunity to share experiences and compare notes to further strengthen service delivery to the Nigerian people at the subnational level.

“This year, 2023, the program is holding at the Banquet Hall of the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, with President Muhammadu Buhari as the Special Guest of Honor. It commences at 8 in the morning.

“Speakers are invited from all over the world from among heads of governments, members

of the diplomatic corps, captains of industry and other categories of guests who have accomplished and distinguished history of service to their people to inspire the Governors to hit the ground running”, it said

Continuing, the statement said, “There will also be rich conversations on managing expectations and powering the bureaucracy to accomplish your agenda and balancing political appointees versus the civil service, among many other critical governance toolkits.

“The same Induction program will also deal with how to seamlessly ease the outgoing governors to a life after office. The last two days of the week will be occupied by activities of the First Ladies”, it said.

L-R: Hon. Sani Jaji, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, Hon Aliyu Betara, Deputy Speaker Ahmed Idris Wase and the National Secretary of APC, Sen. Iyiola Omisore at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

Buhari, Blair, Okonjo-Iweala, Monguno, others to grace

Female teacher docked for alleged assault on pupil

Afemale teacher, Aderonke Makonde, was on Wednesday docked in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos for assaulting a nine-year-old pupil.

The police charged Makonde, 35, a teacher at Westgate Land Emperial Creche Nursery and Primary School, Mushin, Lagos with assault.

The woman, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Prosecution Counsel, DSP Kehinde Ajayi, told the court that Makonde allegedly assaulted the pupil by “flogging her mercilessly all over her body with cane and causing her bodily harm”.

She said the pupil’s offence was noise making in class.

Ajayi said the teacher’s offence contravened the provisions of section 172 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs E. Kubeinje, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties each in like sum with proof of tax payment and verification of address.

Kubeinje later adjourned the matter till June 7 for hearing.

(NAN)

IGP appeal to 9th NASS to pass police training institution bills

By Christiana Ekpa

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba has appealed to the outgoing National Assembly to expedite action and pass the Bills seeking establishment of all police training institutions in the country, to provide legal and operational framework for them.

The IGP while speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement, organised by the joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs

on Wednesday, said enactment of the Bills will streamline the police training to be in tune with international best practices.

He explained that the executive instruments currently before the parliament were products of the police reform committee, domiciled in the office of the Chief of Staff to the President, stressing that training was an essential part of operations of the police, and so cannot be over emphasized.

“You need training to move from one rank to another. Some need specialized training in order

to function well. If you want to be in the mobile unit, you need training, and if you want be a detective, you also need training..”, he said.

Earlier, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, represented by the Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, Iduma Igariwe to declare the event open, described the engagement as “a very important assignment, both for the police and Nigeria”, adding that if the legal framework is in place, it will help in better funding of the institutions.

Chairman of the Senate

Committee on Police Affairs, Haliru Jika, and his House’s counterpart, Usman Bello Kumo, in their separate remarks, pledged speedy passage of the Bills before the parliament winds down, which they said will strengthen the training institutions.

To meet up with the pace of time available, the joint committee has directed the IGP to within one week, constitute a technical committee of experts within the Force and other stakeholders, and submit its harmonised position to the panel’s secretariat.

Senator hopeful Buhari will assent to Public Health Emergency Bill

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Sen. Ibrahim Oloriegbe, says he is hopeful that President Muhammadu Buhari will assent to the Public Health Emergency Bill before the end of his administration.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the bill, when approved, would revoke the 96-year-old Quarantine Act, and establish a framework for managing public health emergencies of national and international concern.

Oloriegbe, made this known on Tuesday in Abuja during a roundtable with legislators, organised by the Nigeria Health Watch, in partnership with the Global Health Advocacy Incubator with theme: “Strengthening Health Security in Nigeria Through Public Health Legislation”.

Oloriegbe explained that the bill, which was passed by the Senate in January 2022, would be harmonised with the Control of Infectious Diseases Bill by the House of Representatives.

”We are at the stage of harmonisation now. I am chairing a Committee in the Senate and plan to call a joint meeting to consider and adopt a version that we will be jointly presented.

”We hope to present the report by next week and, hopefully, the President should sign it.

”If it is not assented to, we have to push on in the 10th Assembly and we must start early.”

He said as of the COVID-19 het Nigeria, it was the Quarantine Act that was in place.

”There was a debate that led to the repeal of the Quarantine Act, and the enactment of a new public health law.

”A version of that law was passed in the House and one was passed in the Senate.

”The 9th National Assembly has significantly achieved much in strengthening Nigeria’s health security.

“Through our work at the National Assembly, we have contributed to improving health security by increasing visibility and financing allocation for health security in Nigeria,” he said.

He said that strengthening the country’s health security would require commitment of the 36 States Governors and the FCT.

Oloriegbe urged the media to make use of their reportage to lobby the 10th National Assembly for a Chairman, Senate Committee on Health that is willing to continue where the 9th Assembly stopped.

Also speaking, the Chairman, House Committee on Health Services, Rep. Tanko Sununu said that the National Assembly played a critical role in combating

infectious disease outbreaks in the country.

Sununu said that the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that disease outbreaks can have devastating consequences for the entire country.

He said that COVID-19 has demonstrated what previous outbreaks and epidemics had already shown: National pandemic preparedness and response depend on strong local and national capacities.

He said that effective response is dependent on dynamic knowledge of what to respond to, where, at what scale, and with what tools, and it is predicated on long-term investments in prevention and preparedness.

He said that the 9th National Assembly has significantly achieved much in strengthening the country’s health security.

He urged the Media to collaborate with the health committees at the National Assembly to foster ways to enhance the implementation of the new public health bills in the country.

Earlier, Dr Emmanuel Alhassan, Global Health Advocacy Incubator, said that the 9th assembly has engaged very actively with various stakeholders to improve the policy and legislative landscape in the country.

He said that the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical importance of robust and sustained funding for public health emergencies.

He added that the pandemic has also emphasised the need for strong and effective public health legislation that can support such funding.

Alhassan said that through advocacy efforts, the country has achieved notable successes in securing increased funding for Epidemics Preparedness and Response, as well as improvements in the country’s epidemic preparedness and response capabilities.

Mrs Vivianne Ihekweazu, Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch, said that the roundtable provided a unique opportunity for experts to share their views on these bills.

Ihekweazu said that to address this pressing need, Nigerian legislative leaders have collaborated with relevant stakeholders and partners to propose a series of new public health bills aimed at enhancing the country’s response to public health emergencies.

“These bills include the Public Health Emergency Bill, which seeks to provide a comprehensive legal framework for managing public health emergencies.

“The Amendment of the National Health Act, which seeks to address gaps in the existing legislation that hinder effective response to public health emergencies.

“In addition, the Port Health Authority Bill is aimed at establishing and strengthening the Port Health Authority, responsible for health security at the country’s borders,” she explained.

She said that these bills have significant implications for public health in the country, and as such, it is critical that they are thoroughly examined and discussed by key stakeholders in the health sector.

NAN reports that the bill also seeks the development of a comprehensive plan to provide for a co-ordinated and appropriate response in the event of public health emergency.

It will also enhance the early detection of a health emergency and allow the immediate investigation of such emergency by gaining access to individual’s health information under specified circumstances.

The act also seeks to grant federal and state officials the authority to use an appropriate property as necessary for the case, treatment, vaccination and housing of patients and to destroy contaminated facilities or materials. (NAN)

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

Supreme Court hears appeal against Kanu’s release request Sept 14

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The Supreme Court yesterday in Abuja fixed September 14, 2023 for definite hearing of the appeal filed by the Federal Government challenging the release request of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

The hearing of the main appeal which was scheduled for yesterday, Thursday May 11, 2023 could not go on as scheduled as the Federal Government insisted it wants to file its response to an objection raised by Kanu’s counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN in his brief of argument.

It would be recalled that the Apex Court had at the last

adjourned date , April 27, 2023 gave the FG six days to file all her processes and serve same on Kanu.

When the court reconvened yesterday, Tijani Gazali, SAN who stood for the Federal Government told the court that he needed time to respond to the objection raised by Ozekhome in his brief of argument that was served on him on Wednesday

In his reply Ozekhome said that the appellant could respond orally to the objection contained in his brief of argument and allow the main appeal to be heard.

Ozekhome passionately appealed to the panel of Justices to grant a short adjournment if the appeal is not heard in view

Yola court remands 30 yr old man for allegedly defrauding a lady N5m

From Umar Dankano, Yola

The Chief magistrate Court (l) sitting in Yola,Adamawa state has remanded a 30 year old Ahmed Mohammed in prison custody for allegedly defrauding a lady the sum of N5.152 Million under false pretense.

Arraining the suspect before the court yesterday, police prosecutor, inspector S.S Nicholas informed the court that the suspect (defendant) defrauded a lady by name Munete Benson Atanga of Sangere FUTY quarters of the sum of N5, 152, 400.

Nicholas explained that, the defendant popularly known as Babangida, defrauded his victim after he falsely promised to offer her Covid-19 financial grant or empowerment through his connections to the centre in Abuja.

According to him, Munete Benson Atanga, in a letter of complaint to the Commissioner of Police dated 9th December, 2022, narrated that she met with Ahmed, on the 1st June, 2022, while on her way from Mubi roundabout to Sangere FUTY.

That,Ahmed at first point of contact introduced himself as the biological son of the current Minister of Police Affairs to the lady and demanded for her phone number in order to help her.

He stated that the defendant gave his victim 2 different account numbers of Zenith bank bearing different names and 1 account number of FCMB with a different name.

According to the prosecutor with the believe Ahmed may be help,the lady kept sending money into the account numbers which amounted to over N5million.

Nicholas told the Court that,the suspect also defaruded another woman identified as Hasiya Hamman, of the sum of N870, 000 of Luggere quarters in Yola North LGA using the same

of Kanu’s worsening health conditions or alternatively hear his bail application.

“If this is not possible, my Lords kindly hear the respondent’s application seeking to transfer Kanu from the custody of the Department of State Service, DSS,to the National Correctional Center”, Ozekhome told the court.

The senior lawyer said he made plea because Kanu will die in DSS custody.

Moved by the senior counsel’s plea, the Presiding Justice, Justice John Inyang Okoro said Kanu will not die and called for the Court’s diary.

He explained that the only available short date is September 14, 2023.

According to him, “it would amount to an exercise in futility if any of the application is taken because there is no time to write the ruling and deliver it in three months time particularly as the Court would proceed on vacation soon.

Justice Okoro also said that the Apex Court is occupied with political cases which are time bound.

Meanwhile the Apex Court on Thursday granted four separate applications brought by the Federal Government for extension of time and to deem as properly filed and served on respondents the processes it filed out of time.

It would also be recalled that the Court of Appeal, Abuja

Division, had on October 13, 2022, cleared Nnamdi Kanu of alleged treason and terrorism charges against him and dismissed the remaining six count charges brought against him by the Federal Government.

The Court of Appeal faulted the processes adopted by the Federal Government in renditing Kanu back to Nigeria from Kenya on the grounds that it breached all known International Protocol.

Another panel of the same court however, on the October, 28, 2022, granted Federal Government prayer for a stay of execution of the Court’s earlier decision pending hearing and determination of the instant appeal at the Supreme Court.

Buhari appoints AIG Garba Baba

tricks.

He said Ahmed has committed offences including ; “criminal breach of trust, cheating and impersonation” contrary to sections 302, 312 and 145 of the penal code law 2018.

As the charges contained in the First Information Report (FIR) were read out and interpreted to the defendant, he voluntarily admitted having defrauded his victims urging the judge to grant him bail.

But swiftly Inspector Nicholas objected the bail application saying based on the police report, the defendant is not a first time offender.

In her ruling, Magistrate Alheri Ishaku refused granting the bail application ordering that the suspect be remanded at the Yola prison facility and subsequently adjourned the case to the 24th May, 2023.

Umar as Adviser on security

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed the retiring Assistant Inspector General of Police, Garba Baba Umar, as a Senior Security Adviser on International Police Cooperation and Counterterrorism in the office of the Minister of Police Affairs.

A statement by the Senior Spacial Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu disclosed on Thursday.

According to the Statement, the appointment is to enable Nigeria keep the

important position and make way for him to complete his nationally beneficial tenure as an Executive Member of the International Police Organization, INTERPOL.

In approving his appointment, President Buhari took note of a precedent in which a former Executive Member, AIG Kamal Subair (Rtd) was retained in service by the Federal Government of Nigeria after retirement in 2018, the statement said.

It added that President Buhari also took note of the fact that during his tenure as a member of the Executive

Committee, AIG Umar assisted Nigeria in many ways, with the hope that in the remaining one year, he will even do more in securing equipment for crime scenes, border management and counter-terrorism for the country and in helping to get more Nigerians into important positions in the INTERPOL.

AIG Umar’s tenure at the INTERPOL ends in November 2024, and his new appointment as Senior Security Adviser takes effect from 16th of May, 2023, the statement noted.

SON moves to check influx of substandard products

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has unveiled a technology solution known as Product Authentication Mark (PAM), to curb influx of substandard products into the Nigerian market.The Director-General of SON, Malam Farouk Salim stated this at a sensitisation meeting with stakeholders in Port Harcourt.

He said the technology is also to ensure that all imported and manufactured products meet requirements of the relevant standards.

According to Salim, PAM is a digital technology to complement SON’s conformity assessment and manufacturers’ conformity assessment in furtherance of the fight against substandard and counterfeit products in Nigeria.

He noted that inspite of efforts of the organisation, substandard products were still being imported

and distributed throughout the country through smuggling and use of SON stickers on noncertified products.

The DG said that PAM which has been launched in Lagos and other parts of the country.

“The authentication of products through PAM would block smuglers from importing or manufacturing substandard products in Nigeria.

”SON will continue to facilitate trade, to ensure that importers and manufacturers products meet the required standards around the world.

”The PAM will also help consumers detect and reject substandard goods in the market, also increase productivity, employment of labour, wealth creation and improve security of lives and properties,” he said.

Salim urged consumers to check online authenticity of the products they want to buy in the

market to ascertain fake, clone and counterfeit products.

He also advised importers whose products are registered and certified with SONCAP as well as those whose products were registered and certified to SONCAP to apply online for issuance of PAM stickers.

Also speaking, Mr Tersoo Orngudwem, Director Product Certification, SON, said the product would enable manufacturers to sell and identify their products easily in the market as well as help consumers buy products that would give them value of their money.

According to him, the PAM stickers are for imported products, while local manufactures could also register to get the stickers if they want to authenticate their goods in the market.

Orngudwem advised importers and consumers to go to Apple store, IOS, or Play store to

search for PAM by SON, ensuring they see SON logo, download the application and install on their devices.

He urged stakeholders to order for PAM stickers through SON website https://pam. songov.ng/login, order for PAM stamps using SONCAP certificate, payment and selection of delivery locations by courier.

Similarly, Mr Vincent Okwukwu, Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Rivers/Bayelsa, commended SON for the giant stride in blocking influx of substandard products in the country.

Okwukwu urged stakeholders in business to collaborate with MAN to establish their businesses in the state, saying that with the introduction of PAM stickers their businesses would flourish and safe from counterfeit. (NAN)

Banditry: Synergy with DSS, other agencies yielded positive results - El-Rufai

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Kaduna State Governor

Nasir El-Rufai has said that synergy between DSS, other security agencies and the State, has yielded positive results in the fight against security challenges in the State, saying that, the synergy has led to the killing of hundreds of bandits and the destruction of several bandit camps.

Governor El-Rufai stated this while addressing the First Quarter security meeting of North West State Security Directors (SDS) of the Department of State Services (DSS), held at the Kaduna State Command on Wednesday.

Represented by the State Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, the Governor called for similar cooperation between the governments of the other NorthWestern states and the Federal Security Agencies to bring banditry and terrorism to their kneels.

Jigawa govt signs MoU with Netherlands coy to reduce flood disaster

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

TheJigawa state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with expert KWT and AVECO DE BONDT of Netherlands to reduce flood disaster in the state.

This was contained in a press statement issued and signed by Jigawa state commissioner of special duties Hon Auwalu D Sankara.

According to the statement, the signing ceremony was held at the Nigerian Embassy in Hague on Tuesday, 9th May, 2023.

The state governor Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar signed the MoU on behalf of Jigawa in the presence of Her Excellency Dr. Eniola Olaitan Ajayi, the Ambassador of Nigeria to Netherlands, the Chairman of Nigeria-Dutch Business Association and other stakeholders.

According to El-Rufai, “Many northern states – not least our states in the Northwest - are confronting a unique set of security challenges. Criminal activities by bandits have threatened both rural and urban communities. Bandits have openly tried to crush the rural economy by attacking farmers in their fields, and in their homes. In many states, these criminals continue to menace some highways.

“The Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs in Kaduna State was created in 2019, as the first Ministry dedicated to security coordination created by any State in the Federation. Its creation was informed by the priority rightly accorded matters of security by this administration. The mandates of this Ministry include coordination of internal security matters and intelligence gathering, as well as liaison with Federal security agencies, among which the Department of State

Services stands prominent.

“In pursuing these mandates over the last four years, we have witnessed the progressive streamlining of security coordination, the strengthening of inter-agency collaboration, the creating and sustaining a robust intelligence gathering framework and improved responses to security incidents.

“Here in Kaduna State, especially over the last 18 months, we welcomed the intensification of ground and air action against the bandits, and we are most grateful to the Federal Security Agencies for these operations and the successes recorded.

“Hundreds of bandits have been neutralized and numerous camps destroyed. We acknowledge with appreciation that these achievements were in large part, a result of the close cooperation and support built between the Kaduna State Government and the Department of State Services.

“During the last quarter sessions of State Directors of Security held here nearly two years ago, we highlighted the importance of collaboration in the framework of security management. That importance has not diminished. If anything, it is even more pertinent as we seek to amplify our localized successes across the Northwest.

“While we commend the unprecedented levels of collaboration over the common challenge of rural banditry and terrorism, one fact stands out clearly: the fight against banditry and terrorism in our states, has become even more condensed into one fight.

“Crucially, we must continue to strive for superior knowledge in these efforts to achieve greater precision, improved coherence between commands, reduced risk and enhanced responsiveness,” El-Rufai said.

Earlier in his remarks, the Host and State Director of Security in

Kaduna State, Abdul Enenche said, the quarterly conference, which is an initiative of the DG DSS, was conceived based on the realization that threats in the country are not limited to one state.

“It was realized that each of the regions has its peculiar security challenge. The idea came up that since we share cases of kidnapping, banditry, terrorism/ insurgency, cattle rustling farmers/herder conflict, arms trafficking and communal conflicts in the region. All the threats, cut across all the seven states in the Northwest region.

“Therefore, the 3-day conference meant to interrogate and review the state of security in the Northwest in the first quarter find gaps and forge ahead for the next quarter. But, it is not a job of a single security agency and collaboration has worked so much for us in Kaduna state,” he said.

Benue APC suspends Gemade, Shija for anti-party

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue state has suspended a former National Chairman, Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Barnabas Gemade and one time House of

Representatives member Hon. Terhemba Shija for anti-party activities.

The suspension of the duo was ratified at the State Expanded Meeting of the party held at its secretariat in Makurdi on Wednesday.

State Chairman, APC Comrade Austin Agada decried the manner the two (2)almost worked against the success of the party before and during the just concluded election.

He also, accused them of working in connivance with the Peoples’ Democratic Party to thwart

their effort.

“Chief Barnabas Gemade vehemently refused to go with the Constitution of the party. That he lost his ward and the entire Konshisha ocal government area is most appalling . Hon. Shija frustrated the party and worked in

connivance with the PDP.

“Both are hereby suspended and are face the party’s disciplinary committee”, Agada stated angrily.

In the same vein, three ward executive officers in the same local government were also suspended for snti-party activities.

Former Senate President, Nnamani loses wife

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

The wife of former Senate President, Ken Nnamani , Lady Jane Amechi Udewo Nnamani is dead.

This was confirmed in a

statement personally issued on Thursday by the former Senate President.

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my beloved wife, Lady Jane Amechi Udewo Nnamani (nee

Onah), on Thursday, 4th May 2023, at Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, after a brief illness, aged 58.

“My children and I are deeply pained by this very sudden, devastating, sad and unfortunate

incident.

“Lady Jane was not just my wife and the mother of our four children, she was my friend, confidante, manager of our home, a great pillar of support to me and our

the family together. This is one loss my children and I will ever find extremely difficult to come to terms with.

“May Almighty God grant the soul of my loving wife eternal rest in His bosom. Amen!”

children and the glue that held

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

American Int’l University, Gambia, offers scholarships to Nigerian student evacuees from Sudan 10th

National Assembly: Jigawa APC support consensus candidates

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

The Jigawa state chapter of All Progressive Congress (APC) has declared its support for adopting consensus in producing the 10th leadership of National Assembly, urging all the APC senators and Reps members to accept it in good faith.

The state chairman of the party Hon Aminu Sani Gumel made the declaration while briefing newsmen in Dutse.

He said, the choice of Senator Akpabio as Senate president and Senator Barau Jibrin as deputy senate president was done out of desire for national unity and progress.

“So also the choice of Tajuddern Abbas as Speaker and Ben Kalu as deputy speaker is for national interest and promoting all inclusiveness in Nigerian democratic process, which is inline with APC philosophy “ Aminu declared.

He however stated that, the Jigawa APC is in support of any process, programs and policies adopted by National headquter of the party that aimed at promoting Unity, peace and progress in Nigeria.

“We are also supporting our president elect Mr Bola Ahmad Tinibu and governor elect Malam Umar Namadi on the policies and programs they are having for the progress of our party.”

Mr Abiodun Odunuga, Co-founder, Friends of Nigeria, Europe, a nongovernmental organisation, said he had received offers for scholarships from the American International University, The Gambia, for a number of the Nigerian student returnees from Sudan.

Odunuga said the scholarships received were for students with practical courses and who were willing to come to The Gambia.

He also said they were for students willing to participate in the Paris Graduate School for online courses, such as in Human Resources and Business Management courses.

Odunuga was speaking on Wednesday when a delegation led by Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), visited Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, Registrar of JAMB, in Abuja.

Also speaking at the event, a member of the Parents Association of Nigerian student evacuees from Sudan, Hajia Asmau Muhammad Yerima, says the provision of facilities to enable students to

continue their studies in Nigeria, is part of the therapy for the trauma they went through.

Yerima thanked Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the federal government for their efforts and kind gesture to the students since the crisis began in Sudan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the war that broke out in Sudan disrupted the academic programmes of many Nigerian students which led to the evacuation of over 1,856 citizens back to the country.

JAMB had assured Nigerian student evacuees of the board’s arrangement to enable them complete their education in Nigerian Universities, if they so wish.

A statement issued by Mr AbdurRahman Balogun, Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, NiDCOM, on Wednesday, indicated that both parties held discussions on how the student returnees, who wish to complete their respective studies in Nigeria, could so do.

Oloyede expressed his readiness

to work with the universities regulator, the National Universities Commission (NUC), to ensure a seamless transition for the completion of courses by the affected students.

The JAMB registrar, however, noted that in line with the Arusha/ Addis Ababa Declaration, a university transfer student must spend at least two years in any university before certification.

He maintained that university admission was personal to individuals and each student could approach institutions of their choice, while JAMB would streamline the admission based on the laid down guidelines.

Oloyede listed some of the guidelines to include transcripts of examination records of previous years, filling of the uploaded forms, and ensuring that the university applied to had accreditation for the course, among others.

For those whose courses could be completed online, he said that National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) had provision for online courses.

“I advise both the students

and parents to study the rules very well and comply, and ensure the admissions are properly ratified by JAMB, with the issuance of an admission letter from JAMB to the students concerned at any level, after they have been appropriately transferred to their universities of choice.”

He also used the opportunity to commend Dabiri-Erewa for being proactive at all times on issues affecting Nigerians abroad, describing the commission as a “good supplement“ to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Earlier, the NIDCOM chairman said the commission was inundated with calls from parents and students expressing concerns on how they would complete their respective studies in Nigeria.

She said that the guidelines released by JAMB would, however, be made public and posted on NIDCOM websites and other social media handles of the commission.

She also expressed her appreciation to Oloyede and JAMB for being a strategic partner with NIDCOM. (NAN)

FG, UNDP partner on countering violent extremism

The Federal Government with the support of UNDP on Tuesday, launched a project to enhance efforts in countering violent extremism and piracy, as well as enhancing civilian protection.

The ‘Enhancing National Capacities for Counter-Violent Extremism, Anti-Piracy and Protection of Civilians’ project, is designed to be implemented in Nigeria, ECOWAS and Gulf of Guinea.

The Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba, said the effort was to achieve more results, to ensure safety in the country and the subregion.

Agba, represented by Mrs Victoria Olulade, a Deputy Director in the ministry, said Federal Government’s policies and investment in the Armed Forces and International community has helped in combatting the menace.

He however said there was an urgent desire to sharpen the capacities of security agencies on counter-terrorism and protection of civilians for more effective response and reduction in civilian casualties.

According to him, the project will build capacities, tactics and strategies of security agencies to combat

extremism and terrorism.

“This will go a long way to save lives, avert injuries, improve life expectancy and security,” he added.

He said the project would also contribute to achieving Nigeria’s longterm goals on humanitarian sector growth, as enshrined in the National Development Plan 2021-2025 and Sustainable Development Goals.

The minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to collaborate with relevant agencies to achieve the objective of the project in Nigeria.

In his remarks, the Team Lead, Governance, Peace and Security, UNDP, Mr Matthew Alao, said the objective was to improve national capacities of ECOWAS and Gulf of Guinea countries to decrease the influence of violent extremists and pirates.

Alao said the project was also designed to improve protection of civilians in armed conflicts, given the challenges posed by the menace of violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel.

According to him, piracy in the Gulf of Guinea has been detrimental to economic prosperity and socio-

economic wellbeing of governments and citizens of the affected countries.

“UNDP and the Government of Japan, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, MLAILPKC and the Nigerian Navy formulated this project.

“It is to build and strengthen the capacities of key stakeholders in the targeted regions to curtail the negative impacts of violent extremism and piracy.

“The project equally seeks to ensure that civilians caught up in armed conflict are secured and protected,” he said.

Alao said that the Government of Japan had funded 15 projects in Nigeria since 2015 with over 27.58 million dollars.

He said the launch of the project represented the fourth in the series of anti- piracy and peace support operations projects jointly designed by UNDP, finance ministry and the Nigerian Navy.

Alao the implementation was being done by MLAILPKC since 2020, with funding support from the Government of Japan.

“The continuous funding of

development projects by Government of Japan and UNDP at the Centre is indicative of confidence and reliability reposed on the Centre by the International Partners since 2014,” he added.

Alao recalled that the 2022 Global Terrorism Index (GTI) report puts Nigeria in 8th position on the table of countries most impacted by terrorism, three places lower than 2021, with Burkina Faso and Mali occupying second and third positions.

He said the situation also reflected similar prevalence in piracy attacks in the Gulf of Guinea, with 115 incidents recorded in 2022 and 132 in 2021.

The Commandant, Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC), Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Undiandeye, said that violent extremism has been driving violence in the society.

He said the project would promote protection of civilians caught in violent environments while trying to reduce violence.

The Japanese Defense Attache in Nigeria, Lt.-Col. Uchiumi Kazuaki, said Japan, in collaboration with MLAILPKC and UNDP, has been implementing projects related to

counter-piracy in Nigeria.

Kazuaki said that available data had showed that the security of the Gulf of Guinea had been greatly enhanced by not only this project, but also the tremendous efforts of the Nigerian government.

He pledged that Japan would continue to contribute to the security of the Gulf of Guinea, including the provision of high- speed patrol boats to NIMASA.

He explained that the project focuses on counter-piracy, and strengthening the capacity of security authorities and officials to counter violent extremism and protect civilians in armed conflicts.

“In short, the project will contribute to peace and stability in Nigeria and, by extension, throughout West Africa.

“However, we are also aware that violent extremism has been growing throughout West Africa in recent years and that violent extremism is expanding beyond the Northeast.

“Recently, military operations against terrorists have already resulted in civilian casualties and serious injuries and damage,’’ he said. (NAN)

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

10th Speakership: My Party has no choice, they did what we expectedAbbas

By Christiana Ekpa

The All Progressives Congress, APC’s consensus candidate for the 10 House of Representatives Speaker, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas has said that, APC did what is expected them to do for those who nominated him to party.

He disclosed this while Speaking with Join Task of the 9th House consist of Old and Members elect, at a meeting in Abuja.

He however said his nomination was based on competence,

“I feel elated. I feel inspired because if the party is going to use competence as its yardstick, I am the right person to actually be picked. So, the fact that they did what I expected them to do, I feel very elated. I feel very satisfied”. Hon Abbas said.

On what he intended to do with other speakership aspirants, he said that he was reaching out to everyone.

“We have reached out to so many and we’ll continue reaching out your all of them. Before the end of next week I assure you all the candidates, all the contestants will reach out to them. We will beg them. We will ask them to come on board so that we can work down the institution”. He said.

On his agenda for the tenth assembly, he appealed for patience, adding that by next week, there will be an official declaration where his sixteen points agenda will be unveiled.

“By next week we are going to do our official declaration. So, we will come out with our sixteen points agenda. On that agenda, you will see all the areas we are going to work on in the tenth assembly. Then you will know what we have for the members and what we have for this country”. Hon Abbas added.

Also speaking on his nomination, Hon Benjamin Kalu said that the party has taken an inclusion step by choosing him.

“feel highly delighted that my party considers me you go down this position. What they have done by this nomination is in the spirit of inclusion. The south east is going to feel the power of coercion and national loyalty is going to be driven by virtue of this that has taken place.

“It was a wise decision to include the south easterners in the structure of government that is being formed. As you know, it’s the responsibility of a rulling party to set up the architecture of government in order to achieve the set national objective. And this architecture that is being displayed now, is all inclusive architecture and my people in the south east are delighted that they have been considered and that will change the dynamic come 2027”. Hon Kalu said.

He pledged to channel his energy to make sure that the APC is more rootes in the south east.

To fix our infrastructures, we needs $100bn — Akabueze

By Christiana Ekpa

The Director General of Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze on Wednesday disclosed that Nigeria needs about $100 billion yearly to fix its infrastructural needs.

Akabueze disclosed this during the 3rd day of the induction ceremony organised for 10th Assembly’s Senators-elect and Members-elect in Abuja.

“We are not even an oil-rich economy. To classify oil-rich economies, you talk of countries like Saudi Arabia where they are 34 million of them and pump 10 million barrels of crude per day, or Kuwait where there are 3 million

of them and pump 3 million barrels per day. There are over 200 million of us and we are currently pumping about 1.9 million barrels per day.

“So, we are not a rich economy and must resist the temptation we are an oil-rich economy. Let me make it clear that we are potentially rich country, but we are not.

“I often hear people say that Nigeria is not short of development plan, but that the problem is implementation and I disagree because a plan that cannot speak to implementation is not a good plan.

“Development plan in Nigeria dates back to the early 90s, but you can argue that it has not been

successful in the desirable manner. Annual budgets are essentially back sizes of development plans. They contain achievable objectives within a year. A budget that seats outside the development plan is not a good budget.

“For us to be able to fix the infrastructural needs of the country, we need to be spending about $100 billion annually as a country, including private spending on infrastructure. The aggregate budget of the Federal government is only about $30 billion dollars and the aggregate of the States and FCT budget don’t even add up to the federal budget.

“This means that even if we spend everything, we will still be left with a huge infrastructural

deficit. Each country has to determine its budget system that works for it. Budget is multidimensional in coverage. One, it is political because it allocates scarce resources of the country among multiple competing and sometimes, competing interests.

“It is also an economic document because it help as the primary fiscal instrument for stimulating economic growth, ensuring employment and maintaining economic stability. It is an accounting document and provides a ceilings a d is legally binding for government to operate. It is also a moral document. You can know what a country cherishes by looking at its budget document,” he said.

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

Nigeria market vital potential for AfCFTA with private sector collaboration- PermSec

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Mrs. Lydia Shehu Jafiya, said Nigerian market is a vital potential for African Continental Free iTrade Agreement (AfCFTA) with a robust private sector collaboration.

She said Nigeria can achieve the objectives of the AfCFTA, when public private sector collaboration is entrenched in the implementation system and allowed to flourish.

This was contained in statement signed and issued by Chief Abiodun Odusanwo, FITPN National President ITPN/ Chairman Inter-Ministerial Committee, NTTSummit 2023.

Declaring the two-day Tourism

Transportation Summit and Expo opened in Abuja, with the theme AfCFTA:

“Exploring Intra Africa trade, Tourism and Transportation opportunities and Mitigating the Barriers to collaboration”.

Jafiya said :”It will be good to give all the implementers opportunities to play an incredibly valuable and crucial role in ensuring that the AfCFTA regime succeeds.

She emphasized the potential should not be ignored but be explored and utilized if the country is to benefit from the inherent benefits of the regional economic protocols.

While commending the organizers of the Summit, the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN), for providing the forum to discuss the AfCFTA

protocols, urging that more platforms should be provided to deepen Nigeria’s understanding of the AfCFTA agreements .

Earlier in his welcome address, National President of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN), Chief Abiodun Odusanwo, reiterated that the theme for the 6th edition of the Summit is apt,”It was so chosen because of the need to overcome all obstacles and barriers to the realization of the dream for an all-inclusive trading partnerships for the countries of the African Continent as an entity of a singular market.

Odusanwo stated that like all free trade agreements, the AfCFTA will have both positive and negative effects and thus create both winners and losers, which is why the Summit will

also look at how Nigeria as a key player, can be a greater beneficiary of the AfCFTA Agreement given the opportunity and will for all participating institutions to have a common front and synergy of implementation.

Delivering a paper on Blue Economy: Panacea to Sustainable Development of Trades and Transportation in AfCFTA, the Director General of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Yusuf Jamoh, called on key players and stakeholders in the various institutional frameworks of the AfCFTA Regime to maximize the Opportunities and benefits of the Agreements for the growth and development of the Nigerian economy and its participation the wider economic bloc of the African Continent.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

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Private equity and securities investments in Nigeria

By Daniel Udeze Jr.

According to global fund adviser Triago, GP-led fund restructurings accounted for most PE secondary deal activity in 2020. Generally, this involves existing LPs being given the option to sell all or a portion of their fund interests to an acquirer or to roll their pro rata interest in the fund into a special purpose vehicle set up to purchase the assets of the fund.

Nigeria has attracted more private equity (PE) investments in the last decade than previously, particularly in its fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), technology and financial services sectors. According to the African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCA), PE investments into Nigeria accounted for 68 percent of PE deal value and 55 percent of deal volume in West Africa, between 2014 and 2019.

Nigeria is also recognised as Africa’s most attractive country for PE investments, underscored by the fact that within the same period, West Africa boasted the highest volume (24 percent) of African PE deals by region. However, PE exits in Nigeria between 2016 and 2017 accounted for 6 percent of exit activity in Africa. A successful exit from a PE investment in Nigeria requires careful contemplation of several exit options, especially considering the global economic recession resulting from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

PE investors generally hold on to their investments in Nigerian portfolio companies for an average of five to eight years before exiting. In recent times, the pandemic, decline in oil prices and devaluation of the naira have occasioned market illiquidity, uncertainties in the valuation process, and heightened foreign exchange volatility. These factors have significantly impacted the timing of PE exits from portfolio companies, engendering longer investment periods.

Furthermore, difficulty in scaling operations, especially with regulatory uncertainties within certain sectors, has also impacted PE exits. Most PE investors in Nigeria are willing to ride the tide of market illiquidity and wait until the markets stabilise before divesting their interests. However, some other investors are liquidating their investments to reallocate assets, gain liquidity, exit distressed industries, reduce funding liabilities, hedge their investments and manage key limited partner (LP) relationships. This calls for a consideration of the most appropriate exit strategy for PE investors in today’s market.

At present in the Nigerian market, there are several exit options open to PE investors. These options include secondary sale, initial

public offering (IPO), management buyout (MBO), sale effected via a scheme of arrangement and share redemptions. Each exit option comes with a string of considerations to bear in mind. Across Africa, exit options lean toward secondary sales to trade and financial buyers. For example, according to the AVCA, in 2019 there were 43 exits from portfolio companies in Africa, with 44 percent of these constituting a sale to trade buyers and 23 percent being sales to financial buyers. Similarly, in the first half of 2020, 13 exits were reported with financial buyers representing 54 percent of total exit volume and trade buyers representing 31 percent.

The most common exit option from Nigeria by PE investors is secondary sales to trade buyers, PE firms and other financial buyers. PE firms that have utilised secondary sale as an exit route include Actis, in its exit from C & I Leasing to Peace Mass Transit in 2021 and African Capital Alliance, in its exit from Cornerstone Tower to Everty in 2019.

Globally, IPOs are one of the most attractive exit routes in the PE industry. However, the converse is the case with the African PE market, particularly the Nigerian market. According to data from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), only about 319bn naira (approximately US$797m) was raised through IPOs in Nigeria between 1999 and 2019. These include both PE-backed and nonPE-backed IPOs. The dearth of IPOs in Nigeria may be attributed to macroeconomic conditions in the country, including the weakening of the naira and shortage of foreign currency, now accentuated by the effects of COVID-19 and the stringent listing requirements of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Investors seeking to exit via an IPO have had to postpone their exit or consider alternative exit routes. An example is the InterSwitch Group, backed by Helios Investment Partners and TA Investments, which has had to suspend its plans twice in the last four years to raise $1bn through a dual listing on the London and Nigerian stock exchanges.

MBO is another exit option open to PE investors in the Nigerian market, albeit an option that is rarely explored. An MBO involves the sale of a portfolio company to its management team or senior employees. It typically requires the approval of the management of the company making the acquisition, sector-specific regulators in certain instances, and the SEC when a public company is involved. In the current macroeconomic conditions, an MBO may only be viable in industries that thrived during the pandemic. The management team of businesses whose profits plummeted during the pandemic

may be averse to executing an MBO until such businesses become profitable.

Furthermore, a scheme of arrangement between the portfolio company and another company is also an exit option open to PE investors in Nigeria. In making an exit, PE investors that own controlling shares of an investee company may require the company to undertake a scheme of arrangement under which the company’s shares are transferred to a financial investor or trade buyer. This exit option, which involves the Nigerian courts, may be utilised in situations where the portfolio company has a fragmented shareholder base, and where the acquirer desires to acquire the entire issued share capital of the portfolio company.

According to global fund adviser Triago, GP-led fund restructurings accounted for most PE secondary deal activity in 2020. Generally, this involves existing LPs being given the option to sell all or a portion of their fund interests to an acquirer or to roll their pro rata interest in the fund into a special purpose vehicle set up to purchase the assets of the fund. GP-led restructuring, where managers roll assets from an existing fund into a new vehicle, accounted for more than 52 percent of PE secondaries deal activity in 2020, according to Triago. This provided liquidity for LPs in the difficult COVID-19 environment and may also serve as an exit strategy in today’s market.

Where a PE investor holds redeemable preference shares in a portfolio company, the redemption of these shares provides an exit strategy for the investor to recoup its investment in the company. Redemption rights are usually priced at a premium, providing a higher return for investors even where the fair market value of the shares at the time of redemption is about the same price as at the point of the initial investment.

However, this return is usually less than the returns from a mature exit of a high-performing investment. Nevertheless, the exercise of its right of redemption may provide partial or complete liquidity for the PE investor. It must be borne in mind that this exit option is subject to compliance with the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020 (CAMA), which requires that redemption of the redeemable preference shares be made either from profits available for dividends or the proceeds of a fresh share issuance undertaken specifically for redemption by the portfolio company. The exercise of redemption right is more useful in an underperforming portfolio that has a near-zero potential to offer investment multiples to the PE investors.

Daniel Udeze Jr

is a Public Affairs Analyst.

Poor leadership; bad followership

By Abdu Abdullahi

Democracy is therefore sadly shifting away from the school of Abraham Lincoln’s resonating vision that for every selfish politician there is a dedicated leader. Will the followers bring back dedicated leaders? Can the followership do away with selfish politicians before they become poor leaders and breach the peace of democracy?

What is influencing what? Is it bad leadership influencer or bad followership receiver and vice versa? If the stewardship is poor, what is the state of the discipleship? Are we puritanical to view poor leadership as a great sin when our followership is also an abomination? This is a parable of the two contrasting, yet symbiotic variables poisoning the soul of our democracy.

For long, we have been witnessing how decadent governance has been serving as the engine room of our underdevelopment. From 1999 to date, this wretched phenomenon has escalated and continued to generate serious concerns across the country. Is this not the reason why it is generally believed that most of our leaderships at the three governmental domains are unimpressive and dismal in fulfilling our yearnings and aspirations?

The recurring theme of poor leadership has attracted the attention of the media and academics through agendasetting reportage and expository writings, but with a lesser focus on bad followership. In his famous book, The Trouble with Nigeria, the late Chinua Achebe argues that bad leadership is the major trouble with Nigeria. But how many of us will believe that bad followership is also not part of the predicament with Nigeria? To our dismay, the two negative concepts are not discerningly addressed to enhance good governance. One peculiar reason behind both leadership and followership failure is the ideological demolition of Nigeria’s politics. An informed and invulnerable leadership can be a catalyst for improving the quality of governance just as formidable followership can provide the same standard.

Nigeria’s leadership and followership are substantially two sides of the same coin seen in a direct connection with material infatuation in our contemporary politics. While most leaders are into politics to amass ill-gotten wealth, the mass followers are also political apparatuses with the primary objective of forfeiting their freedom in exchange for naira. In a nutshell, money is an opium of Nigeria’s

democracy. It defines our dysfunctional leadership as well as followership and they relate to each other to give us an ailing democracy. Both the failed leadership and followership are parasites of democracy. They consume from democracy what they cannot give to democracy to prosper.

When political parties act the ritual of primary election, the corrupt delegates are fanatical followers always willing to sack their conscience and that of the nation for the sake of money. It is the period of political lockdown of patriotism and the biggest casualty is the nation. Parading themselves as the gods of politics, their loyalty to the nation and conscience is dead when fund can fix their selfish politics in disarray. Mark Twain teaches us that loyalty to the nation is always mandatory but fidelity to the leader is optional and only when he deserves it. Unfortunately, our delegates are always subservient to the politics of stomach infrastructure to glorify unwanted leaders, unmindful of the fact that their unjingoistic attitude can consume them as well.

Any leader that tries to woo voters and win election through fraudulent means such as buying votes is not an exemplary leader. Likewise, any follower who casts his vote for the sake of money and other mundane items is not a trusted follower. To the debasement of political morality, the last gubernatorial and state assembly elections saw how bad followership manifested overtly and with a great sense of affront. In many instances, indomie and spaghetti were the two weapons deployed by unscrupulous politicians to gain victory. This prompted Senator Shehu Sani to gloomily declared the victims of banditry as having ‘ate their freedom’ by succumbing to the enticement of the food items.

Poor leadership was also consolidated during the concluded gubernatorial and state assembly elections when the incumbency factor reared its ugly head with billions of naira squandered by those who were desperate for power to alter the voting behavior of the followers. We should therefore celebrate an association of corrupt leadership and corrupt followership on the next democracy day, while democracy is left to go asunder without nexus of structural elements.

We have seen the blind adherents who sing the song of bad leadership just to make temporary ends meet. In the core north, morality is fiercely attacked by institutionalizing hatred through the channel of the radio to discredit good leadership. Impliedly therefore, some media organs

contribute to bad followership under the pretext of freedom of expression. These moral deviants are not even aware that they are infringing the right of others. Their pseudo patriotism begins where someone’s character is assassinated.

The political thugs are a giant class of their own political dislocation in terms of followership. Mainly composed of energetic and unemployed youths, they are the deficient products of the poor leadership they are now protecting and promoting. They spoil their own future by enacting their own tragedy through organised violence and other nefarious acts. While we are still battling with low level of awareness in many communities, it is very cheap to convince an average Nigerian to vote for a person who is bankrupt in community development participation. Yet, a deceptive character with the poverty of community development but is pompous to champion his myriad of certificates and appointments will make a hot cake to be elected. The mainstream followership is therefore easy to undermine its very essence .

Democracy is therefore sadly shifting away from the school of Abraham Lincoln’s resonating vision that for every selfish politician there is a dedicated leader. Will the followers bring back dedicated leaders? Can the followership do away with selfish politicians before they become poor leaders and breach the peace of democracy? Unfortunately, the people’s democracy is descending too low to a cultists association of ‘lead’ and ‘follow’ mentality with the collapse of fundamental structures that unites leadership and followership relationship for acceptable governance.

It is worthy of mentioning here that poor leadership and followership are not only confined to national politics but are all encompassing. For instance, in the civil service domain, there is what is called office politics. It follows the same pattern as conventional politics, bad leadership influencing bad surbodinateship and vice versa. In many spheres of life, the same negative trend exists.

This piece is dedicated to an elderly compatriot Oluwole Victor Macarthy who resides in the USA and has been critical of my writings. He motivated this writing by suggesting to me to focus on the menace of bad followership after reading my article entitled: ‘Buhari’s failed leadership: we are all casualties’. I remain greateful to him for his profound vision.

Abdu Abdullahi is a Public Affairs Analyst.

Tinubu: Crises versus expectations

By Abdu Abdullahi

To achieve this, Tinubu must not sacrifice the political north for the northern political elites’ supremacy. In other words, giving juicy appointments to northern elites who will only enhance self-aggrandizement without meeting the wallowing masses’ aspirations will be a great political catastrophe which he will live to regrets.

We all know that the road to victory for the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was thorny right from the APC’s presidential primary to the general elections.

Nevertheless, considering the hectic and chaotic atmosphere, a profound thought triggers the mind that his government will mainly be occupied and defined by the forces of crises and expectations. Crises are the heaps of mess the government will clear away and the expectations are yielding to our collective yearnings and aspirations. How these symbiotic elements are effectively managed will eventually determine Tinubu’s governmental impacts, either negative or positive . While not traversing through the Buhari torrential path, Tinubu ought to unlock these crises and accord them the best approach they deserve to gift us a new lease of life.

Everyone saw the ugly virus of conspiracy that was injected into the interior politicking of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) to knock him down. He was about to become a great loser of the same political child he laboured to deliver. But like a miracle, he was eventually rescued and capable of sighting the light at the end of the tunnel. For our brooding recapitulation, the authored conundrums and political gimmicks were plotted to aggravate the political crisis particularly.

From the cited terrible experience enacted and executed by the political oracles, Tinubu should avail himself of all possible means to render them regret their ill-motivated actions by giving the best performance he could. At least, he will justify his mandate as being worthy of the prevailing circumstances so as not to pave them the easiest way to cast aspersions on his government when they find loopholes.

If I may be quoted right, the Tinubu’s regime hallmark will be based on crises of expectations. Of course, there are boisterous crises that are too much with us. The enormity of these problems has devastated our hopes and dreams beyond our imagination. Majority Nigerians have been coerced to live with broken hopes. Majority Nigerians have lost emotional comfort everywhere and want to reclaim it

and Tinubu is fully aware of this.

Although he is not the architect of these national maladies, yet his party will have to be given greater portions of the blame because it is under Buhari’s rule, by extension, APC’s government that things degenerated from bad to worse. His particular efforts in addressing chronic matters will go a long way in restoring the lost glory of the All Progressives Congress( APC) in particular and the country in general.

But largely, the ordinary people will be highly desirous of getting their expectations fulfilled even though the crises will be too cumbersome to resolve. In the unfolding events, for every crisis there is a reserved expectation for which the people are anxious of its fulfillment. The multifaceted expectations are the democratic gains the masses are eager to reap. And the clusters of crises are what Tinubu should face and make his government popular or otherwise. It is this crisis management and its subsequent harmonisation with the people’s expectations that we are going to evaluate Tinubu’s regime. When a clash of crises and expectations ensues, two results are imminent. The crises are unresolved and Tinubu becomes a casualty. The expectations are unfulfilled and the masses become the victims. Ensuring a balancing therefore is the major objective of Tinubu’s government.

Resolving each crisis is putting options before him to choose the correct one. To learn from Buhari’s goofs, he expended so much time and thoughts indicting the PDP government of bad governance. In the long run, it became clear that Buhari was not a good crisis manager who squandered the opportunity given to him for national construction. This must be food for thought on the way forward for Tinubu.

By the time he must have been sworn- in to take charge of the nation’s affairs, he will be overwhelmed by the general expectation. Our general expectation is giving us what rightly belongs to us, good governance. This is the overall crisis of the crises of expectations. The past eight years have been a nightmare for our existence. What will be greatly expected therefore is that the incoming government should be a paradigm shift from the old order to a fresh one.

Tinubu will have to battle many fronts of crises to meet our expectations. In balancing them, the expectations belong to the general populace, while the crises are owned by Tinubu, albeit he is not the primary culprit. The way Tinubu will see, bear and handle the crises will not be the same way we will comprehend them. On the other hand, the people’s

elated expectations may not be the same way Tinubu will perceive them. This conflict of perception culminates into another crisis which can be described as the crisis of lost confidence. And this is the starting point of the government forfeiting its credibility.

Whatever the case may be, Tinubu will fight inherited shambles from the man with whom they belong to the same party. But they have different leadership styles. It is hoped that Tinubu will not succumb to committing the same political suicide Buhari mistakingly did. He decided to fight the PDP and Jonathan as the problems with Nigeria while the real troubles continued to accumulate until Buhari could no longer contain them.

To confront Nigeria’s heterogeneous crises and meet our expectations, Tinubu must tactfully resolve the overiding crisis of confidence that is now seemingly lacking in government. In other words, Nigerians are waiting for a mini revolution to set them free from the shackles of poverty, inflation, insecurities, unemployment, naira devaluation, falling standard of education and the others.

In northern Nigeria particularly, the crisis of expectations revolves round the axis of political reciprocation in which the north contributed to his victory and expecting a payback. To achieve this, Tinubu must not sacrifice the political north for the northern political elites’ supremacy. In other words, giving juicy appointments to northern elites who will only enhance self-aggrandizement without meeting the wallowing masses’ aspirations will be a great political catastrophe which he will live to regrets.

Tinubu’s list of crises includes the seperationists palaver, the question of unity restoration, the religious pandemic of the same faith ticket and how to appease the gullible minds of those who voted against Tinubu’s faith and now want him to accommodate them in matters of appointments. Will Tinubu be a party to national inclination and reject party inclination when it comes to dealing with the right people to spearhead the affairs of the APC? There is indeed an overwhelmingly all inclusive crisis of depression cutting across Nigeria. This pathetic scenario is akin to the infamous depression of the post World War II. We are waiting for Tinubu’s response.

In a summary, Tinubu will act as a risk bearer to confront the unprecedented crises Nigeria is passing through. To succeed, fulfilling our expectations is very paramount.

Abdu Abdullahi is a Public Affairs Analyst.

Vengeance: The mischievous spirit

By Jimoh Hussain Kehinde

Can you imagine? A friend butchers her friend for snatching her boyfriend and the incident that happened 10 years ago. Even if we offend our creator and yet He forgives us because He is a Forgiver as mentioned in the glorious Qur’an ” Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed He is Most Forgiving, the Merciful (Qur’an 39:53).

Surprisingly, God created us differently in terms of Behavior, Culture, Religion, Ethnic, Color, Race and Language, and so on. Apparently, in different parts of the world humans are located be it State, Country, Region, or Continental. There are 8 planets in the solar system. Earth is one of them where homo sapiens are found. Over seven billion is the current population density of the world.

Today’s topic I opined on is “How To Forgive And Forget”. How do we forgive and forget? In this life, we are bound to sin with each other. Knowingly, when the sinner knows the weight of his or her action and decided to seek forgiveness, we ought to forgive and

forget, even if the wrongdoer failed to seek forgiveness we can still forgive and entangle him or her to God

Most believe when they’re offended, the best thing to do is to avenge even without considering the repercussions of their actions. On March 26th a Nigerian woman allegedly stabbed her friend, Glory Okon, to death in her apartment. According to information gathered by Vanguard, Anita Ofili, who committed the heinous act, revealed that the deceased snatched her boyfriend 10 years ago.

“Glory and I had been good friends for years, but she betrayed that friendship by snatching my boyfriend.

“I had the intention of marrying him. Her action strained the relationship and we went our separate ways for 10 years.

“We only reconciled 2 weeks ago. I invited her to my house and the rest, you know.”

Can you imagine? A friend butchers her friend for snatching her boyfriend and the incident that happened 10 years ago. Even if we offend our creator and yet He forgives us because He is a Forgiver as

mentioned in the glorious Qur’an ” Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed He is Most Forgiving, the Merciful (Qur’an 39:53).

” And O my people! Ask for forgiveness of your lord and then repent to him;

He will send you ( from the sky) abundant rain and add strength to your strength. Do not turn away as those given to guilt.(criminals, disbelievers in the oneness of Allah.” ( Qur’an 11:52).

According to the Bible in Matthew 6: 14-15 ” For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Defeat the mischievous spirit today by Forgiving so that you can be light-minded. If you can’t forget what someone did to you, you can’t forgive them. Don’t go around with a heavy mind, forgive and forget today so that you can be light-minded. May God be with you.

Jimoh Hussain Kehinde is a Public Affairs Analyst.

Presidential aide describes NAN Deputy Editor-inChief as epitome of knowledge

MrFemi Adesina , the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the President, has described Mrs Grace Yussuf, the Deputy Editorin-Chief , News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as epitome of knowledge.

Adesina, who was represented by Mrs Patience Tilleygyado , Assistant Director, Information, State House said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the launching of a book authored by Yussuf.

He said Yussuf had displayed special skills in writing the book titled “ The Journalist, The Woman and Her Faith“ that really worthy of emulation.

The Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Buki Ponle, said Yussuf was a journalist with difference in her reportage as a journalist.

Ponle, who was represented by Mr Mufutau Ojo , the Director of Special Duties in the Agency , said Yussuf was a celebrated Journalist as the presence of the crowd had proved it.

The managing director pledged to keep promoting such laudable initiative among members of NAN staff, adding that he would further celebrate NAN Journalist who excelled in their endeavours.

He advised young female journalists to take a lead from Yussuf and put down their experiences in writing.

“Many have put in two to three decades in the profession. The new ones should learn from Grace Yussuf that have put in over three decades in the profession.

” The book is interesting and exciting. I recommend it to others to buy to take cue from there,” he said.

Prof. Joy Ezedo, Women Aid Collective (WACOL) said Yussuf had made herself outstanding among women through her personal efforts.

Ezedo , who was represented by Mrs Ijeoam Ezeude , WACO Head of Legal Unit, said the author was worthy emulated as she had balanced the roles of wife, mother and journalist.

Mr Joe Bankole, a Former Managing Editor, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who reviewed the book said it was a typical story of a typical professional in a typical Nigerian setting spared none from pains and comfort.

According to him, the book titled “ The Journalist, The Women and Her Faith“ is a “Memoirs of a Nigerian Female Journalist“.

Bankole said the uniqueness of the book reflected in the sincerity, passion and candour with which the author told the story.

“It is a beautiful work of art that is good and pedagogical.

“It provides the platform for an enduring litany or lessons for young professionals in the field, working journalists and Christian women who want to stick to their faith no matter challenges in any sphere of life.

“I proudly recommended this book to all of a disciplined life, and one dedicated to the praise of God Almighty,” he said.

Mrs Grace Yussuf, Deputy Editorin-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), thanked everyone that came for the occasion.

She further thanked everyone that had helped her during service years and those she had leant from to attain the feat.

Yussuf said she had covered many beats, including , Economy and Industry beat for NAN and visited USA, Spain, Japan, South Africa, Gabon, Cameroon and Gambia to report events. (NAN)

Buhari to stay additional week in London

• As Tinubu jets off to Europe on “working visit”

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Muhammadu

Buhari will stay back in London, United Kingdom, for an additional week, at the behest of his Dentist, who has started attending to him.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina on Wednesday.

Adesina noted in the statement that the Specialist had required to see the President in another five days for a procedure already commenced.

The statement recalled that President Buhari had joined other world leaders to attend the coronation of King Charles lll on May 6.”

Meanwhile the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday afternoon left Nigeria for Europe on a working visit.

A statement signed on behalf of his office by Tunde Rahaman said Tinubu would use the opportunity of the trip to finetune the transition plans and programmes, and his policy options with some of his key aides without unnecessary pressures and distractions.

During the visit, the statement said, the Presidentelect would engage with investors and other key allies with the goal of marketing investment opportunities in the country and his administration’s readiness to enable a businessfriendly climate through policies and regulations.

“Already, meetings with multi-sectoral actors in Europe’s business community including manufacturing, agriculture, tech and energy have been lined up.

“Asíwájú Tinubu hopes to convince them of Nigeria’s readiness to do business under his leadership through mutuallybeneficial partnerships premised on jobs creation and skills acquisition.

“Reviving the country’s economy forms a major plank of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda and the meeting is part of his efforts to re-establish Nigeria’s importance in the global economic chain and create empowering opportunities for the country’s huge youth population.

“The President-elect has

hitherto promised to hit the ground running and the visit is reflective of his commitment to the promise as he has already begun talks with global actors in the important areas of the economy and security,” the statement noted.

It added that before he left the country, Asíwájú Tinubu met with the House of Representatives candidates for Speaker and Deputy Speaker endorsed by his party, the All Progressives Congress, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who were presented to him by Joint Task Team of the House.

He is scheduled to return shortly for preparations towards his official swearing in as the 16th President of the country on May 29, 2023, the statement noted.

Accountability: KDSG presents implementation, utilization of 2022 budget to citizens

From:

Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Kaduna state government yesterday

Presented implementation and utilization of the 2022 budget, tagged, ‘Budget of Sustainable Growth” through the Citizens’ Accountability Report (CAR) in its move for accountability and transparency.

Speaking at the Citizens’ Accountability town-hall engagement held at the Ministry of Local government Affairs, the Permanent Secretary State Ministry of Finance, Muhammad Mahmud Shu’aibu said, the engagement which is the third edition is necessary, because accountability, Transparency and inclusiveness are the watchwords of the state government led by Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai thus, the reason he signed the Open Government Partnership

(OGP) policy in the state.

He explained that the aim of the engagement organized by the ministry is to give the public feedback on the funds that are appropriated in the year 2022

“We engaged the general public through a town hall meeting with, what requiring the budget, we captured and harvested their inputs, they critique, we harvested their inputs and then factored them into the budget and presented to the State house of Assembly. After passage, the excellency assented to law, now we have implemented, and in 2022 and passed, it is our responsibility to give the public feedback on how we have implemented and utilized it.

“That is why we invited members of the public to come and critique, ask questions and seek clarity on the implementation and utilization of the budget” he said

Presenting the CAR on the 2022

Mr. Bolaji Osho of Skills Future Nigeria said the 2022 budget of Kaduna state was passed, and implementation commenced on the 1st January 2022, saying that the aggregate CASH revenue performance was 74.8%of the budgeted N309, 871 Billion in the final budget this is equivalent to N78.183 billion shortfall.

Osho explained that Federation account revenue out performed expectation and stood at 106.4% whilst IGR performance was below budget and stood at 87.1%

“On the expenditure side, the actual total expenditure is about N55.011 billion (17.8%) less than the budgeted amount which was N309, 879 billion.”

He stressed that capital expenditure was impressive during the period under review and with a performance of 84.1. % of budgeted

amounts, saying, ” much of the capital expenditure in 2021 were fresh projects and programmes; some were also continuation of existing projects

In her remark, the citizens cochair, Social Protection , (OGP), Philip Yatai said the presentation shows that Kaduna state as an OGP, is working with the citizens in the budgeting process and implementation.

He therefore craved for the sustenance of such healthy, and positive relationship between the govt and citizens.

The Citizens’ Accountability Report (CAR) is a series of graphic and tabular illustrations of the contents of the Audited financial statements (AFS) prepared by a government agency (state Audit office) on behalf of the state government to the citizens to ensure accountability of public funds.

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

Senate President: Yari leads aggrieved senators to Adamu, threatens to sink APC in North

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Immediatepast Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulazeez

Yari has threatened that North will sink the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) except the party reverses the zoning formula it adopted on Monday, which saw Godswill Akpabio and Tajudeen Abbas chosen as party preferred candidates for Senate President and Speaker in the 10th National Assembly.

Addressing the National Chairman of APC, Abdullahi Adamu and other National Working Committee (NWC) members, when he led a group of aggrieved senators, including Sani Musa, Orji Uzor Kalu, and Osita Izunaso, who were barred by the party’s zoning formula from contesting the Senate President, Yari assured that APC will become history in the North if it continues to push the adoption of the zoning formula.

Lamenting what he described as contravention of democratic tenets, injustice and abuse of loyalty in the party’s choice of the leadership of the 10th Assembly, the former Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) said “We are here to present our letter of grievances to you and also tell this honourable house as leaders that we are not satisfied with the arrangement and what we are expecting from you people is to give us a fair play at least if nothing, to mention that a particular item is zoned and anybody in that particular zone can participate.

“Mr. Chairman we are not undermining what you are doing, but we are doing this for the sake of this party to grow and we are doing it for the best interest of the party because where we are talking today, if we from the North take another decision, it will not be good to all of us and it will become history which we don’t want that to happen.

“And only if we do justice, that will protect that from happening but we should all pick our pen today and write it, which is 11th May. Anything from the contrary, walahi the Northern Nigeria will take another decision.”

“So, Mr chairman, we have been in this game and we understand it

very well and it is about dialogue. We are saying party supremacy and we are looking at the election we won in 2023 and the next election is 2027, it depends on how we play the part.

“The president-elect got 63.4 percent in the northern extraction. Where he came from in the South, he got 36.6 percent. Atiku Abubakar from Northern Nigeria got 68.8 percent of the total vote in the North and he got from Southern Nigeria 33.2 percent.

“So, now if there is anyone who can say we own APC; we in northern Nigeria own the president elect. Without undermining any part of the country. They have given their best and we can understand their situation but justice needs to be done. We should not be blinded that the power of anyone is not

absolute but only God is absolute.

“We should not look at these four years as 20 years and then we are going into another election. We are going back to the next election, we should underline that we are elected and we are going to be looking for another election. So, whatever decision you are going to take, we are expecting you as friends that work with the President elect to tell him not to go there. We do not need rocket science to explain how you can defend it that what you are trying to do is for the betterment of the APC, and for the betterment of the President elect”, Yari said. He also cautioned that if the APC insists on going by its zoning arrangements, the opposition may do the nomination and have their way, which he said will become a

problem for the party.

In his response, APC Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu said the party only issued an advisory directive and not a consensus on who occupies the various positions in the leadership of 10th Assembly, adding that it is subject to review.

According to him, “Whatever you heard is the art of human endeavour and we are not perfect as human beings. We can make mistakes. So, if we find in the course of further consultations the mistakes that need to be looked at, we will look at them.

“We will go through your memo, line by line and ensure that we are able to capture the spirit of your presentation and see what will be the best way out of the situation we have.

“Hold the fire until the last word is heard from us. We are the custodians of the party as NWC, but we are not acting alone. The voice of the president-elect is an essential voice. We must accommodate him, the best we can. I will not compromise on that. So, he is right now outside the country and by the grace of God, when he comes back, we will go back to the drawing board and put our heads together again and see what we will get.

“I cannot preempt that, I will wait until we hold that meeting with Mr president-elect, the same team that we had the same meeting with. If we need to enlarge the committee we will do so, we will be better informed through contributions that will be made.”

Presidential polls:

By Christiana Ekpa

Conference Of Nigeria

Political Parties (CNPP) has thrown its weight behind calls for live broadcast of the proceedings of the presidential election petition court sittings in Abuja.

In a statement signed by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, the umbrella body of all registered political parties and political associations in the country noted that not only will the live broadcast douse tension associated with the

CNPP back calls for live broadcast of tribunal’s proceedings

ongoing proceedings and high expectations by the electorates, it will also promote transparency in the court process in public interest.

The CNPP also reasoned that “there is no way the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and it's candidate in the presidential election, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will oppose a live broadcast of the tribunal’s sittings up to the Supreme Court of Nigeria where the matter will eventually terminate if any of the parties

proceeds to appeal the tribunal’s verdict.”

Already, the Labour Party (LP) and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have aligned with the request by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for live broadcast of the proceedings of the presidential election petition court.

According to the CNPP, “it will be difficult to see INEC or the APC and its presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stand up to oppose the application for live broadcast of presidential election

petition court's proceedings if INEC believes it did the right thing and the APC won fair and square.

“Moreover, objecting to the application will not be in the interest of any of the parties to the petitions and their supporters as a live broadcast is the best way to erase any possible misconception about the outcome and minimise dissemination of false information, especially on social media, which could lead to breach of the peace.

“Therefore, the tribunal granting the popular request will

enable Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora, who are interested in the outcome of the presidential election petitions, to follow the proceedings live and be better informed instead of relying on hearsay.

“The live broadcast has also become imperative because of the limited space in the court room to accommodate hundreds of thousands of Nigerians who would have been present in court to witness the proceedings firsthand”, the CNPP argued.

L-R: Senate President Aspirants, Senator Sami Musa; Senator Urji Uzo Kalu; Senator Abdullaziz Yari, APC National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore during a meeting between the senators and the NWC at the party’s national secretariat, yestetday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Orji Kalu says APC should consider inclusivity in zoning 10th NASS leadership

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu has charged the National Working Committee (NWC) of All Progressive Congress (APC) to consider inclusivity and fairness in distribution of leadership of the 10th National Assembly.

Kalu made this plea when he spoke during a protest visit to the APC leadership, in company of other senators who are aspiring for the position of Senate President on June 13 election of 10th Senate President.

Explaining why APC did not perform well in the South East zone of the party, Kalu said “Vote is not a measurement. We had a hurricane in our zone. We need one another and not the level of votes cast.

“Those who did not vote for the party today can vote for the party tomorrow if they are properly aligned. After all, we have made progress. Before we used to be one or two senators, but it is no longer so. This thing did not only happen in the Southeast.

“Many people from areas where the presidential candidates came from, voted along certain lines. I appeal to you people that you must cede something very reasonable to the South East.”

Kalu said what happened was that there was a presidential candidate from the southeast and the entire people of the area decided in a certain direction, adding “if we look at the election, it was not only in the Southeast that things happened, every part of the country had problems with voting.”

He expressed joy that the National Chairman, the Deputy National Chairman, the National Secretary are former senators, saying “they (senators) can promise you everything and you know we are going to do a secret ballot on the floor of the senate. So, it is better we settle properly as 59 senators of the APC.”

“What you have done (zoning formula) does not look very nice. It is undemocratic, it is unconstitutional to put people’s names. The party should go back to the drawing board and rezone, not by name but by zones.

“It will not be right for our party, being a very big party, to be doing something that is unconstitutional. I believe all the 109 senators elected have what it takes to be Senate President. There is nobody that has been elected that cannot be Senate President”, Kalu said.

PDP vows to participate in Ondo LG polls, tasks Akeredolu on fairness

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State chapter on Thursday disclosed its readiness to participate in the forthcoming local government election in the state.

According to the party, its decision to be on the ballot on December 16, 2023 Local Government election was hinged on the inefficiencies that now abound in 18 local government areas of the state.

Fatai Adams, the state party Chairman, asserted that PDP will be fielding tried-and-true community persons who are knowledgeable about local issues at the grassroots level, adding that boycotting has never aided anyone.

At a recent gathering of stakeholders at its secretariat, Oba-Ile, Akure North Local Council the Chairman of the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission, ODIEC, Dr. Joseph Aremu, had revealed the

upcoming election.

Adams emphasised that the local government, which is the state’s third level of administration, has been paralysed but insisted that this was not the case when the PDP was in power.

The party also appealed to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to ensure fairness among all parties that will be participating in the polls.

“This time around, APC will be resisted by the grassroot people

who have been bearing the brunt of inept, colourless, unenviable, dry and retrogressive governance at that very important layer of government.

“We are passionately appealing to the chairman and other members of the Commission to always act on the side of the people bearing in mind that their Commission is being financed by the taxpayers’ money and not from the APC government which merely appointed them.”

Tinubu, APC can’t dictate who leads 10th National Assembly - Hon. Chika

By Christiana Ekpa

Aformer member of the House of Representatives, Abubakar Chika has faulted the decision of the ruling

All Progressives Congress (APC) to adopt specific persons as its choice of presiding officers of the 10th House of Representatives, stressing that neither the President nor the party has the right to dictate who should lead the 10th National Assembly.

Chika, a member of the 8th House from Niger State, in a television interview monitored on Arise TV, said the parliament is an independent arm of government in a democracy, and should be accorded such status under the principle of separation of power.

“We have three arms of government which is the executive, legislative and the judiciary, on no

ground should the executive say it has appointed the Chief Justice of the Federation, the law allows him to nominate but after getting it from the National Judicial Council. However, the legislature is an independent body and they must choose among themselves.

“Neither the President nor the party have the right to dictate who should lead the National Assembly. The National Assembly like any other arms of government is independent to decide who will lead as an arm of government, so I don’t see any reason that either the party or anyone will micro zone or nanozone, so you can’t microzone the legislature. This is undemocratic and very dangerous to democracy and I don’t think this will fly.

“I have been speaking about the injustice we have been having within the APC and it is not

because I have an interest in Aliyu Betara but because I am speaking as a former legislator, who don’t want to see that arm of government being bastardized in dictatorship. APC has been cantankerous because of the advice that has been coming from so many quarters.

“You can see even in terms of sharing how that seat of legislature should be shared. How did you exclude the North Central, so I think it is a biased thing, somebody just think I must make this person whether he is going to cover up for me”, he said.

“But I think the Presidentelect is an honourable man and should think beyond Lagos State, this is Nigeria and not Lagos State House of Assembly and we have a National Assembly consisting of people from everywhere and with different characters.

“APC should know that they do

not have the majority, particular in House of Representatives, the minority is greater in number and with that you cannot dictate, the law did not say APC member-elect must be the Speaker, but the law says, member must choose among themselves, so if APC becomes very careless as a single party, even as a majority, other people will take it up.

“So APC should have a rethink because the manner by which we are going, we are not in a military administration, we are in a democratic administration. If you cannot allow zoning to take place, because you want to balance certain things, then you cannot nanozone the position of the National Assembly, this is carelessness. And Mr President, if you want to govern well, you should be able to take a stand right now.”

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

Least Northcentral can accept from APC is Deputy Senate President - Sani Musa

By Musa Baba Adamu

One of the key contenders for the office of Senate President, Sani Musa, has said the least the North Central zone of the country will accept from the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) is Deputy Senate President, even as he warned that membership of the party is voluntary while principles are involuntary.

Sani said this during a meeting with the national chairman of APC, Abdullahi Adamu, where he expressed shock that despite the altruistic decision of North Central caucus of the party to allow a southern Christian emerge as Senate President in view of the secularity of Nigeria, APC still did not consider North Central worthy for any position in the 10th National Assembly.

He said “When I made my

APC lifts suspension of Gemade, Shija, five others for more consultation

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

All Progressives Congress

(APC) has denied the alleged suspension of Senator Barnabas Gemade, Professor Terhemba Shija, and five others by the Benue State Executive Committee of our Party.

A statement issued yesterday by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka, said “The Party has directed that the said suspension and all related actions in the matter be, and are hereby, set aside pending further review and decision of the Party’s National Working Committee (NWC) on the matter.

“Therefore, Senator Gemade, Professor Shija, and five others that are affected by the said suspension are, and remain, bonafide members of the Benue State Chapter of our Party.”

declaration, I said, looking at the secularity of this country and looking at the permutations when we took the risk of same faith ticket and we were successful. There are certain times we should not push our luck. I said, we have competent distinguished Senators-elect from anywhere. That is, because we have a Muslim President elect. We have a Muslim Vice President elect and we thought that at least the third person should be a Christian.

“As leader of the North Central, we had a caucus meeting before the decision was taken and after it was taken. The caucus agreed that I should make my declaration known to Nigerians. We looked at the secularity of the country and our caucus now said we should go for the Deputy Senate President. Your formula was a blow to us and we felt are we really part of this country? Because when you are

even talking about the North, we have always been at the receiving end.”

The Niger East Senator, who lamented that his zone have been marginalised, said things must be changed for peace to reign in the party.

“Whenever we see anything that is not right, it is only fair if we are good followers to bring it to the table and when they said the national chairman is inviting us for this, I agreed. I am standing here in my own corner as a distinguished senator, who is also aspiring and also, I am here to speak in respect of my distinguished colleagues, Senators-elect from the north central geopolitical zone of this country.

“We have been saying that the status quo cannot continue but if we do not allow internal democracy to prosper, how do we expect to change things? We are the ones

talking about certain principles we want to see, but we are not acting it. This issue can be corrected.

“I am very sure you will go back and take a look especially when we are talking about internal democracy because even the issue of the National Assembly is an issue of internal democracy.

“Our geographical settings have become like institutions. You cannot give positions to individuals.

“I would have expected my brothers from the Northwest to stand against this template and say let us toe the line we have been towing since 1999. This injustice needs to be corrected. We have 5 of six Govs. 11 of 19 senators. We will However make sure that no party takes our chance inside that chamber. It is going to be an APC affair.

“I have seen a situation where one zone has the Secretary to the

government of the Federation, the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Staff to the President, the President of the Senate and the roof didn’t come down, but the little we (North Central) have, Deputy Senate President, is taken away.

“We will abide by the party, but the party has to put in mind that this is a voluntary thing. Membership of a party is voluntary but my principles and our principles are not voluntary. It is what we are built of and we can stand by that.

“This injustice, we need to correct it. We have six geopolitical zones. The President is from Southwest, we have a Vice President for Northeast. We have the office of Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker and Deputy Speaker. It is only fair to throw this out to the other four geopolitical zones”, according to Sani Musa.

Peace Corp Bill: Senate says Dickson Akoh initiated passed version

By Musa Baba Adamu

Senate yesterday clarified that the National Commandant of Peace Corps of Nigeria, Dickson Akoh owns the version of the Bills passed by the two chambers of the National Assembly and transmitted to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent last month.

This is according to Sen Ali Ndume, who sponsored the Bill seeking to establish the Nigerian Peace Corps, which was considered, harmonised and adopted by the two chambers of the National Assembly.

He further clarified that any

other group or individual laying claim to and parading him or herself as Nigerian Peace Corps Commandant was illegal.

The clarification by the Senate became imperative following claims by one Mustapha that he was the owner of the Bill.

Ndume said “The attention of the leadership of the Senate and indeed the National Assembly has been drawn to different groups laying claims to the Bill for ran Act to establish the Nigerian Peace Corps which was harmonized and adopted by the two Chambers of the National Assembly.

“The Bill as passed by the two

Chambers of the National Assembly is solely sponsored by the current Peace Corps of Nigeria under the headship of Prof. Dickson Akoh as the National Commandant.

“Since the Bill was transmitted to Mr President for his assent by the Clerk of the National Assembly on the 12th April, 2023, the Senate has been inundated with several entreaties as to the status of the Bill, especially the Organization that is sought to give statutory backing after Mr President’s assent to the Bill.

“To put the records straight, Part VIII of the Bill titled “Dissolution of the existing Peace Corps of Nigeria and Savings” explicitly provides

that at the commencement of the Act that the existing Peace Corps of Nigeria will be dissolved and transmute to the Nigerian Peace Corps. The import of this therefore is that the Bill only sought to give statutory backing to the existing Peace Corps of Nigeria under the leadership of Prof. Dickson Akoh.

“Also, on the issue of the nomenclature of the headship of the proposed Nigerian Peace Corps, the title is National Commandant as contained in Part III, Section 11(1) of the Bill as passed and not Commandant General as widely been speculated.

“However, the Bill made

adequate provision in Section 38 (8) was made to accommodate individuals, groups, associations or bodies that have shown or demonstrated interest to be absorbed as members of the Corps shall be absorbed subject to the mandatory basic training and orientation programme of the Corps as prescribed on the commencement of this Act.

“It is important to say that effect cannot be given to this Bill until same is assented into Law by Mr President. Therefore, any group laying claim and parading itself as Nigerian Peace Corps for now is illegal.”

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

From Abubakar Yunusa

Abuja

The naira depreciated against the dollar on Wednesday, exchanging for N463.02 at the investors’ and exporters’ window.

The rate represents a decrease of 0.17 per cent when compared to the N462.25 it exchanged to the dollar on Tuesday.

The open indicative rate closed at N463 to the dollar on Wednesday.

A spot exchange rate of N467 was used for trading within the day before it settled at N463.02.

Spot exchange rate is determined instantly.

The naira sold for as low as N460 to the dollar within the day’s trading.

A total turnover of US$ 178.68 million was traded at the official Investors’ and Exporters’ window.

From Abubakar Yunusa, Abuja

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has ordered airline operators and aircraft owners to relocate their aircraft from the General Aviation Terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja, to another airports.

FAAN, in a circular dated May

8, and issued on Tuesday, stated that the May 29 presidential inauguration is a high security event, and that safety and security must be enhanced.

The circular with reference number reads: FAAN/ABJ/NAIA / RGM/NC/AM/1000/VOl-1 signed by the Regional General Manager (North Central) and NAIA Airport Manager, Kabir Mohammed, reads:

“This is to inform you of a need to temporarily relocate your aircraft to alternate airports due to upcoming Presidential inauguration slated for May 29th 2023.

“The Presidential inauguration is a high security event, and in order to ensure the safety and security of parties involved, it has become necessary to temporarily relocate all aircraft parked at the

GAT to alternate airports.

May 29: FAAN orders removal of aircraft from Abuja airport Naira drops against dollar by 0.17%

“To this end, you are kindly requested to relocate your aircraft on or before 22 May, 2023.

“We understand that this may cause some inconvenience for you, however, the safety and security of all individuals involved in this event are our top priority. We believe that this temporary relocation is the best course of action in line with best international practices.”

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

FX repatriation: CBN announces rebate for exporters of unprocessed items

By Abubakar Yunusa, Abuja

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says exporters of raw and unprocessed items will now enjoy a rebate for every dollar of non-oil export proceeds sold at the importers and exporters (I&E) window.

The I&E window is the official FX rate. The naira currently trades at N461.06/$ at the I&E window.

Godwin Emefiele, CBN

governor, spoke on Tuesday in Lagos at the RT200 Non-Oil Export Summit 2023.

The rebate is part of the benefits under the non-oil export proceeds repatriation rebate scheme — a major anchor of the CBN’s RT200 FX programme aimed at attracting $200 billion in foreign exchange earning from non-oil exports proceeds over the next three to five years.

The rebate of N65 for every $1 of repatriated non-oil export

proceeds was paid to only exporters of semi-finished and finished goods.

Emefiele, however, said the apex bank would begin to pay rebates to exporters of unprocessed items as part of its efforts to encourage players in the non-oil export sector, especially small exporters.

“The reason why we initially decided that we would only pay a rebate for value-added products was to encourage exporters to

move from just exporting crude items,” he said.

“We wanted to create an opportunity to encourage you to set up an arrangement that processes these raw materials and creates job opportunities for our people rather than just exporting raw materials.”

Emefiele said the development would encourage more exporters and further strengthen its efforts aimed at attaining the objectives of the

RT200 scheme.

The CBN boss said the rebate for unprocessed items would not be at the same rate paid for semi-finished and processed products.

“We should be able to give out about N30 to N35 to one dollar for unprocessed items as against the rebate of N65 to every dollar enjoyed by exporters of processed products at the importers and exporters (I&E) window,” he said.

FG inaugurates gold processing plant in Kogi, projects end to capital flight

From Abubakar Yunusa, Abuja

The federal government, has inaugurated the gold processing plant in Kogi.

Speaking at the event, Olamilekan Adegbite, minister of mines and steel, said the inauguration marks the end of huge capital flights via informal gold trading at the detriment of the economy.

In 2021, the federal government flagged off the construction of the gold processing cluster, located in Mopa, Mopa-Muro LGA of Kogi state. According to Adegbite, the project was designed based on the cluster concept which has become a global trend in industrial development to promote shared

amenities, agglomeration of similar producers, customers; based on geographical proximity or access to complementary expertise to promote efficiency and increase specialisation and production.

He said the plant will create and generate sustainable competitive advantages in key areas of the sector.

“Development of downstream gold mining industries; increasing the level of competitive inputs (such as services, machinery and equipment),” the minister said.

“Also by increasing the level of employment in all business activities related to the gold mining cluster; increasing the rate and exports of value-added products and services and attracting foreign investments, generating new startup companies.

“There would be an increase in trade performance and generation of higher corporate profits as well as improved mineral production output and ease of mining sector regulation and administration. Creation of more jobs through the emergence of service industries because of increased cluster activities.”

Speaking further, the minister said the gold processing plant in Mopa, for the north-central zone, is one of the cluster projects in the six geopolitical zones to harness over three million artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM) in the country.

He said these landmark projects are to create an enabling environment to support the mining industry through the “formalisation of the ASM subsector as a major driver of the key

growth parameters to engender the development of the mining sector since over 90 percent of the mining activities in the country could safely be said to be ASM driven”.

“The concept of the gold processing plant was a crafted policy to spur job creation and capacity development of gold mining operators in Kogi and environs, through the economic growth and sustainability plan of the federal government,” Adegbite said.

“This project houses several federal government initiatives geared towards formalising the ASM activities, curbing the exploitation of artisanal and small-scale gold miners as well as development of the capacities of our teaming youths to actively participate in downstream gold

value chain.

“The government is creating an ecosystem to minimise the high rate of illegal mining and smuggling, increase government’s revenue from the resource, create jobs, and improve environmental and social stewardship.”

The minister also appreciated Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi, and his team for making the inauguration a reality. Adegbite commended international organisations such as the World Bank, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, United Nations Development Programme, Global Environment Facility; and also acknowledged the support of the government of Canada, Australia, and others in addressing ASM issues in Nigeria.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

FEC approves N4.3bn for procurement of security equipment in railway stations

Thefederal executive council (FEC) has approved the sum of N4.3 billion for the procurement of security equipment in railway stations across the country.

The FEC meeting, presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, was held on Wednesday at the presidential villa in Abuja.

Last month, FEC approved N495 million for the installation of scanners in all railway stations across the nation.

Speaking after the recent council meeting, Mu’azu Sambo, minister of transportation, said three memoranda were approved.

Sambo said the first memorandum was in respect to the provision of security equipment for the Nigerian railway stations across the country (phase two).

The minister said the council approved the second memorandum, which was for security equipment such as baggage scanners, walkthrough metal detectors, X-ray male scanners, liquid explosive detectors, narcotics camera, trace bomb detectors, among others.

He said the contract, awarded to Messrs Advonix Services Nigeria Limited in the sum of N4.3 billion, was for a completion period of 12 months.

“The second memorandum is also from the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to provide a secure e-ticketing solution for the Lagos-Ibadan corridor and the Warri-Itakpe corridor under a design, finance, build, operate, maintain and transfer public-private partnership arrangement for the Nigerian railway corporation,” Sambo said.

“The Lagos-Ibadan corridor was approved in favour of Messrs Global Software Digital solutions Limited and Datamatics Global Services Limited for a concession period of 10 years at a sharing ratio of 81.5 percent to NRC and 18.5 percent to the concessionaire.

“The Warri-Itakpe corridor under the same partnership arrangement was approved for Messrs Fein International Consult Limited and Artificial Intelligence Technologies Limited for a concession period of 10 years and the same sharing ratio.

“The third memorandum is in respect of our requests by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency to buy two buildings in Port Harcourt and Abuja to serve as a zonal office, as well as an Abuja liaison office respectively. This was granted by the council.”

Also speaking to journalists after the meeting, Garba Shehu, presidential spokesperson, said the council also approved two separate contracts for the Ogoni community worth over N120 billion.

The contracts, according to Shehu, include a water project which has been awarded under the second phase in Ogoni land, “amounting to N22.8 billion”.

“Approval was also given for the award of contract for the remediation of newly identified hydrocarbon impacted sites along the shoreline of Ogoni land and this is for about N107 billion,” he said.

On his part, Sulaiman Adamu, minister of water resources, said the council also approved a memo for the concession of the operation and maintenance of the proposed Gurara II 300MW hydroelectric power project.

He said the project will be financed by China’s EXIM Bank loan along with a 15 percent equity contribution by the contractor and 50 percent. counterpart funding by the federal government.

“The 30-year concession is expected to pay back between $800 and $900 million,” Adamu said.

BUSINESS

NUPRC: Nigeria’s oil production falls to 998,602 bpd

From Abubakar Yunusa,

Nigeria’s oil production fell below the one million mark in April 2023.

The production figure fell to 998,602 barrels per day (bpd), a 21.26 percent decline compared to March, when output was 1,268,202 bpd.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) disclosed this in its latest crude oil and condensate production data for April 2023.

The volume of production is at its lowest point in the last seven months.

In the previous year, oil

production fell below one million bpd in August and September owing to several issues, including oil theft.

According to the NUPRC report, oil production decreased from 1.517 million bpd in March 2023 to 1.245 million bpd in April 2023, with the addition of condensate.

Condensate is a mixture of light liquid hydrocarbons, similar to a light (high API) crude oil. It is usually separated from a natural gas stream at the point of production (field separation) when the temperature and pressure of the gas are dropped to atmospheric conditions.

Speaking about the current oil

output, Gbenga Komolafe, chief executive officer (CEO) of the NUPRC, on Wednesday, said oil production is currently about one million bpd below “its technically allowable capacity”.

He was represented by Kelechi Ofoegbu, the executive commissioner for economy, regulatory, and strategic planning, NUPRC, at a host communities sensitisation workshop.

Komolafe attributed the low oil production to a number of issues, including the energy transition’s impact on hydrocarbon funding, a lack of investments, and insecurity.

“While the commission is prioritising efforts towards

increasing oil and gas production and ensuring maximum federation revenue through the optimisation of oil and gas value chain, the efforts have been constrained by a myriad of challenges,” he said.

“These challenges range from insecurity, low investment, and de-prioritisation of funding of hydrocarbon development arising from the energy transition.

“Currently, Nigeria has the technical allowable capacity to produce about 2.5 million barrels of oil per day. However, arising from the highlighted challenges, our current production hovers around 1.5 million barrels of oil and condensate per day.”

Why revenue cannot sustain our size of debt — Akabueze

From Abubakar Yunusa,

Ben Akabueze, directorgeneral of the budget office of the federation, says Nigeria’s borrowing space keeps reducing due to the inability to service debt.

Akabueze spoke on Wednesday during the induction of newly-elected lawmakers of the 10th national assembly in Abuja.

He said the ratio of the country’s budget to its gross domestic product (GDP), unlike other countries, is less than its needs.

“While the size of the federal government budget for 2023 created some excitement, the aggregate budgets of all governments in the country amount to about N30 trillion.

That is less than 15 percent in terms of ratio to GDP, ” Akabueze said.

“Even on the African continent, the ratio of spending is about 20 percent. South Africa is about 30 percent, Morocco is about 40 percent and at 15 percent, that is too small for our needs.

“That is why there is fierce competition for the limited resources. That can determine how much we can relatively borrow. We now have very limited borrowing space, not because our debt to GDP is high, but because our revenue is too small to sustain the size of our debt. That explains our high debt service ratio.

“Once a country’s debt service ratio exceeds 30 percent, that

country is in trouble and we are pushing towards 100 percent and that tells you how much trouble we are in. We have limited space to borrow.

“When you take how much you can generate in terms of revenue and what you can reasonably borrow, that establishes the size of the budget. The next thing would be to pay attention to government priority regarding what project gets what.

“The budget is not a shopping list. In the end, the budget only contained expenditure.”

Earlier this year, Zainab Ahmed, minister of finance, budget and national planning, said the overall deficit for the 2023 budget is N11.34 trillion, representing 5.03 percent of the country’s gross domestic product

(GDP).

Ahmed said the budget deficit would be financed mainly by borrowings; noting that N7.04 trillion would be sourced from domestic sources, N1.76 trillion from foreign sources, and N1.77 billion from multilateral and bilateral loan drawdowns, while privatisation proceeds would provide N206.18 billion.

As of December 2022, Nigeria’s total public

Recently, the senate retroactively approved a N22.7 trillion loan that had been spent by the executive arm of the government.

On Wednesday, President Muhammadu Buhari wrote to the senate for approval to borrow $800m from the World Bank.

debt had hit N46.25 trillion.

Representative of the President and Hon. Minister of Finance, Budget & National Planning, Mrs Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed (6th right) , Hon. Minister of Works & Housing and Chairman of the Board of Shelter Afrique, Mr Babatunde Fashola,SAN (7th right), Outgoing AGM Chairman and Hon. Minister of National Housing & Social Amenities, Republic of Zimbabwe, Hon. Daniel Garwe (9th left) and Hon.Minister of State, Works and Housing , Hon. Umar El - Yakub (8th left), representative of the Hon.Minister of the Federal Capital Territory & Permanent Secretary of the FCTA, Mr Adesola Olusade (5th right), Ag.Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Housing, Engr. Folorunso Esan (4th right), Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Shelter Afrique, Dr Chii Akporji (7th left), and others in a group photograph shortly after the Opening Programme of the 42nd Annual General Meeting and Symposium of Shelter Afrique with the theme,” Political Economy in the Built Environment,” jointly organized by the Federal Ministry of Works & Housing and Shelter Afrique at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja on Monday, 6th May 2023

Kaduna Electric customers now to pay electricity bills directly

The Kaduna Electric has advised its customers to henceforth pay their bills along with other transactions through approved channels and not to the company’s Sales Representatives. The Sales Representatives are to focus on marketing and customer services support going forward.

It said the measure was in response to customer complaints over partial or nonreflection of their payment for electricity bills.

Kaduna Electric said it has provided alternative, more convenient payment options for customers to settle their electricity bills and make other transactions without hassle.

The payment options include the company’s cash offices spread in every neighborhood across its franchise states where payments will be receipted and on its website at www.kadunaelectric.com where customers can log in to make both postpaid and

prepaid transactions.

A statement by Abdulazeez Abdullahi, company’s Head of Corporate Communication, said in addition to bills payment, customers can also settle loss of revenue and other charges via Kaduna Electric’s Customer Core App which can be downloaded on Google Play Store and on the App Store.

The statement also said customers can, from the comfort of their homes from anywhere in the world, make

seamless transactions either through the Apps of its third party vendors, Buypower and Irecharge or on their websites at www.buypower.ng and www. irecharge.ng respectively.

Other third party vendors where payments can be made conveniently are; Coral Pay, Pay4Power and Ruabam POS merchants, it said.

Kaduna Electric therefore urged customers to adopt any of the available options in order to avoid the complaints

of payments not reflecting in their accounts. It also said by making payments using the approved channels, customers will have peace of mind knowing they will not be shortchanged by unscrupulous agents.

It said all the channels are reliable, cost-effective and convenient to use and guarantee payment and revenue protection for both Kaduna Electric and its customers.

LG unveils latest cutting-edge innovations at 2023 MEA, aims to enhance customer experience

From Abubakar Yunusa, Abuja

LG, the electronics giant, has disclosed that its LG Showcase MEA 2023 is now open, marking the first time in four years that LG Electronics is presenting its latest products in the region.

According to the company, the two-day event will be taking place at Habtoor City in Dubai, UAE, and will be attended by over 400 guests. Visitors will have the chance to witness LG’s latest innovations, which will soon be rolled out in the region.

The LG Showcase, which was last held in 2019, brings together the largest group of participants ever, reflecting their confidence and expectations towards LG’s brand and its exciting range of new products. The event reaffirms the company’s “Life’s Good”

philosophy, which aims to bring innovative products to the market that enhance the overall customer experience.

Giving his Keynote Speech, Mr. Il Hwan Lee, Chief Executive Officer of LG MEA Region, said, “We are thrilled that LG Showcase MEA has resumed in Dubai in the post-pandemic period. This event has built a reputation for providing visitors with first-hand experiences with the most innovative technology that LG has developed, providing our customers with ‘First, Unique, and New’ experiences. Despite the industry’s challenges over the past few years, it is wonderful to see so many guests and partners at the event today.”

The company has also made its range of strategic products available, including QNED TV, Vivace washing machine, and DualCool air conditioner. Guests

can also experience LG’s new emerging products range featuring dishwashers, dryers, audio systems, gaming monitors, PCs, vacuum cleaners, stylers, and more.

In his remarks, Mr. Dongyoun Kim, Managing Director, LG Electronics West Africa Operations said, “Everyone at LG is excited for the start of LG Showcase 2023 MEA. We have a whole host of innovative new products and devices on display for visitors to use and experience.

With almost 400 guests confirmed to attend, we expect plenty of interest from visitors about how LG sees the future of technology in the coming years. The event is also a wonderful opportunity for LG to further enhance our business relationships with local partners. As a company, we are fully committed to supporting local customers and

partners by fulfilling their needs as well as sharing the values the company stands for with ‘Life’s Good’.”

Visitors at the showcase will have the opportunity to get handson with LG’s newest high-end premium products, including the LG SIGNATURE second generation line-up, Wireless OLED TVs (including 10-year anniversary editions), and refrigerator with MoodUP™.

This year’s highlights feature “First, Unique, and New” experiences with lifestyle TVs and WashTower™. A particular focus is LG’s built-in home appliance range of products that further enhance LG’s presence and position in the market.

Not only did LG Showcase 2023 introduce the company’s wide-ranging products, from the revolutionary wireless TV

to the second-generation LG SIGNATURE lineup, but it also gave attendees a hands-on experience of what the future holds with LG’s restless efforts to provide its customers with smart life solutions showing what the company means with ‘Life’s Good’. There really was something for everyone, with all four distinct zones of the LG Showcase 2023 offering visitors F.U.N. – first, unique and new –customer experiences

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of LG OLED this year, the OLED TECH zone presented the lineup’s diverse sizes and features. As a pioneer of the premium TV market and winner of many prestigious accolades from journalists and industry experts, the LG OLED TV lineup provides superb picture quality, vibrant colors and deep blacks that bring images to life.

METRO

IGR: FCT Minister tasks stakeholders on tax harmonisation

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, has challenged stakeholders and all Internal Revenue Generating (IGR) Secretariats, Departments and Agencies in the FCT to harmonize the process of tax collection, to mitigation of multiplication of tax payable by the residents and corporate entities in the Territory.

Bello noted that a reformed tax administration that would harmonize tax collections would not only end multiple taxation but would also encourage the establishment and growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the nation’s capital. Represented by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, the Minister, who gave the charge at the Stakeholders Resolution Retreat on Harmonization of Revenue Collection and Ease of Doing

Business in FCT, yesterday, at Akure, Ondo State, revealed that the FCT Administration is assiduously working on streamlining and simplifying the regulations and procedure for Business Registration, Property Registration and Land Use planning.

According to him, the FCT Administration has over the years embarked on reform programmes that will encourage the harmonization of tax system and promote the Ease of Doing Business to allow Small and Medium Scale Enterprises as well as other businesses to strive in a friendly environment created by the government.

The Minister disclosed that some of the reforms being implemented include the automated platforms for the issuance of permit, licenses and approvals known as the FCT business portal, which allows businesses and individuals to apply for and receive all necessary permits and licenses in Realtime without physical contact with any

government officials.

He According to him, these reforms will assist to create a more transparent and efficient regulatory environment for businesses in the FCT in order to encourage growth and rapid development of the city.

His words: “We need the active participation and engagement of businesses, investors and civil society organizations to ensure that our reforms are effective, inclusive and perhaps, above all sustainable.”

While declaring the event opened, the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, said the event is historic and significant because it will equip the participants with the knowledge and skills required for effective tax administration and would also enable them to know about the tax regime being implemented by the Ondo State Government.

The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Wale Akinterinwa, commended the FCT Administration for the choice of

Ondo State as the venue for the Retreat.

In a paper presentation during the technical session “tagged agenda setting”, the Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, said that the current state of revenue collection in the FCT is a critical topic for discussion at this Retreat because it will provide the foundation for any efforts aimed at harmonizing revenue collection.

Adesola bemoaned the present revenue collection in the FCT which carried out by different revenue generating agencies within the FCTA, the six Area Councils, and FCT-IRS.

He said each of the Agencies has its own specific mandate for revenue collection; therefore, leading to a significant degree of overlap and duplication across the Agencies.

Earlier in his welcome address, Acting Executive Chairman, FCT-IRS, Haruna Abdullahi, said the retreat is pathway towards achieving its vision to establish a world-

class revenue collection system in the FCT that is transparent, accountable, and efficient.

He noted that the stakeholders have made significant progress since the previous retreats, and are now ready to take the next steps towards achieving a harmonized revenue collection system that is efficient, transparent, and fair.

The Chairman who revealed that with the administration is doing well in revenue generation, hinted that with the continue support from the office of the Honorable Minister, Permanent Secretary and other relevant stakeholders in revenue agencies within the administration, FCTA will continue to complete favourably in area of revenue generation amongst the committee of nation across the globe.

Among dignitaries at the retreat the Chairmen of the FCT Area Councils, top FCTA management Staff, FCT-IRS staff, heads of revenue and finance departments of the Councils.

L-R: Representative of the Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa, FCTA Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, and Acting Executive Chairman, FCT-IRS, Haruna Abdullahi, observing the Nigeria’s anthem, yesterday during a 2-day Stakeholders’ Retreat on the Harmonization of Revenue and Promotion of Ease of Doing Business in the Territory, organised by the Administration in collaboration with the FCT Internal Revenue Service, in Akure, Ondo State.

Traffic gridlock: Gov’t moves to complete Nyanya Bus Terminal project

By Stanley Onyekwere

In order to curtail traffic gridlock in and from the Nyanya axis into the Federal Capital City, Abuja, the FCT Administration has okayed the completion of the Nyanya Bus Terminal project in the area.

A statement from Director, Information & Communication, FCT Administration, Muhammad Hazat Sule, disclosed that

the Federal Capital Territory Executive Committee (FCT EXCO) arrived at the decision during its 18th meeting held Monday, at the FCTA Banquet Hall, Gwarinpa I District (Life-Camp), Abuja.

It explained that the development of the new Terminal at Nyanya, a suburb of Abuja was conceived by the FCT Administration as a result of the multiple bomb blasts at the temporary Nyanya Bus Terminal

on the 14th April, 2014.

It added that the idea of a new Terminal was conceived by the FCT Administration after the bomb blasts because of its attendant health hazards and security implications of continuous use of the same Terminal.

It also noted that the six hectares Bus Terminal that is located in Nyanya within the precinct bounded by the Karu and Karshi interchanges off the Abuja-

Keffi Federal highway is expected to bring relief to motorists along that axis.

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

“According to EXCO, the approval of the Terminal

Buildings goes along with associated External Works and Access Roads to the plots for ease and comfort of the motorists plying the route.

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

UK confirms supply of Storm Shadow long-range missiles in Ukraine

The Storm Shadow cruise missile has a range of over 250km (155 miles), according to the manufacturer.

By contrast, the US-supplied Himars missiles used by Ukraine only have a range of around 80 km (50 miles).

The weapons will give Ukraine the “best chance” of defending itself, UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said.

They are fired from aircraft, so the longer range means Ukrainian pilots will be able to stay further from the frontlines.

Once launched, the Storm Shadow drops to low altitude to avoid detection by enemy radar, before latching onto its target with an infra-red seeker.

The announcement was made in the House of Commons by Mr Wallace. The decision follows repeated pleas from Ukraine for more weapons from the West.

Mr Wallace said the missiles would “allow Ukraine to push back Russian forces based on Ukrainian sovereign territory”.

He said the UK took the decision after Russia “continued down a dark path” of targeting civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.

Mr Wallace wrote to his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu in December, he said, to warn that further attacks could result in the UK donating more capable weapons.

He said the missiles were “going into” or

already in Ukrainian hands, and described the move as “calibrated and proportionate to Russia’s escalations”.

“None of this would have been necessary had Russia not invaded,” he said.

He said the missiles would be compatible with Ukraine’s existing, Sovietera planes and praised the technicians and scientists who made that possible.

But he warned the range of the Britishsupplied Storm Shadows was “not in the same league” as Russia’s own missile systems - with some of Moscow’s weapons being able to travel far further.

Earlier this year, Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov insisted longerrange missiles would not be used to attack targets within Russia itself.

Trump CNN town hall: ‘Nonsense’Republican rivals blast performance

Donald Trump’s hour-plus appearance on a cable news town hall forum on Wednesday night was barely over when his political rivals - both announced and prospective - began firing out tweets, statements and press releases attacking the Republican front-runner for next year’s White House election.

The forum, hosted by CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, was a combative spectacle, with topics ranging from abortion to foreign policy to Mr Trump’s unfounded claims of 2020 election fraud and sympathy for those arrested for the 6 January 2021 US Capitol attack.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is expected to launch his presidential campaign soon, honed in on the quarrelsome nature of the forum and his focus on relitigating the 2020 vote. A committee supporting his prospective bid released a statement calling the town hall an “hour of nonsense that proved Trump is stuck in the past”.

It went on to highlight his sometimes muddled answers on abortion and gun control - two issues of high importance to Republican primary voters.

“How does that make America great again?” the statement asked.

For Republican voters who aren’t solidly in the Trump camp at this point, the former president’s fixation with the 2020 election results - expressed early and often during the town hall - has proven to be a point of concern.

Winning presidential campaigns typically present a candidate’s vision for the future (Barack Obama’s “hope and change” and Mr Trump’s own 2016 “make American great again”), but Mr Trump’s 2024 bid often begins and ends with relitigating his electoral defeat.

Other Trump rivals found another target to attack. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who ran for president against Mr Trump in 2016, but became one of the first establishment politicians to endorse him, spotlighted the former president’s refusal to say who he wanted to win the war in Ukraine.

“Donald Trump says he would end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours tonight on CNN,” the possible 2024 candidate tweeted. “Despite how ridiculous that is to say, I suspect he would try to do it by turning Ukraine over to Putin and Russia. #Putin’sPuppet.”

Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, who recently launched his own presidential campaign, also targeted Mr Trump’s Ukraine position.

“Trump reminded everyone tonight of his support of Russia and his willingness to sell out Ukraine,” he tweeted. “A weak position that will not win the war.”

Highlighting Ukraine is an interesting choice, however, given that polls show a growing number of Republican voters are sceptical of continued US support for the war effort. Mr Trump may be more in step with the Republican base on this issue than these two critics.

If Mr DeSantis’ side viewed the whole event as nonsense, a number of media analysists and commentators agreed, although they placed the blame squarely on CNN for the format and setting of the event.

“Here’s what CNN did tonight: They produced a global television event for an unhinged pathological liar in front of an audience of sycophants and called it ‘news’,” former Republican strategist and vocal Trump critic Steve Schmidt tweeted. “It was an abomination.”

That was a view echoed by Democrat congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, who wrote that CNN should “be ashamed of itself”.

Other Democratic Party officials monitoring the proceedings responded with barely concealed glee, however, promising to use clips of the former president’s performance in future attack ads. They also highlighted his abortion answer - taking credit for ending Roe v Wade’s abortion rights - as particularly damaging.

“That was a disaster for Trump,” a senior Democrat told CBS News. “The American people were just reintroduced to a wildly extreme and dangerous man who said he was honoured to overturn Roe. That’s the clip of the night.”

Mr Biden, responding on Twitter after the forum, kept it short.

“Do you want four more years of that?” Mr Biden asked. “If you don’t, pitch in to our campaign.”

For their part, however, Mr Trump’s campaign team claimed the evening was a success. Their candidate had more than an hour of prime-time attention before a crowd that gave him a standing ovation upon arrival, laughed at his jokes and applauded as he sparred with Ms Collins.

“At the end of the day I thought it was a win for the president,” Bryan Lanza, an adviser to Mr Trump, told the BBC. “He went into what was supposed to be a hostile environment, and he survived. I suspect that this town hall is going to make him stronger.”

“If we could strike at a distance of up to 300 kilometres, the Russian army wouldn’t be able to provide defence and will have to lose,” he told an EU meeting.

“Ukraine is ready to provide any guarantees that your weapons will not be involved in attacks on the Russian territory.”

In February, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was prepared to send longrange missiles to Ukraine, and the British government opened a bidding process for their procurement.

“Together we must help Ukraine to shield its cities from Russian bombs and Iranian drones,” Mr Sunak said then. “That’s why the United Kingdom will be the first country to give Ukraine longer-range weapons.”

On Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow would take an “appropriate” military response to any British-supplied Storm Shadow weapons used by Ukrainian forces.

The Storm Shadow missile has been operated by both British and French air forces and has been used previously in the Gulf, Iraq and Libya.

The British-supplied missiles can only be fired by aircraft, but French missiles can be fired from ships and submarines.

Sanna Marin: Finnish PM to divorce as she prepares to leave office

Finland’s outgoing Prime Minister Sanna Marin and her husband Markus Raikkonen have filed for divorce.

“We are grateful for the 19 years together and our beloved daughter,” Ms Marin said on Instagram on Wednesday.

The couple married in 2020, when Ms Marin was leading the country’s pandemic response, and they share a five-year-old daughter.

She is due to leave office after her centre-left party lost the general election last month.

In a story posted on her Instagram account, Ms Marin said she is “still best friends” with Mr Raikkonen, who is a businessman and former professional footballer.

“We will continue to spend time together as a family and with each other,” she added.

Ms Marin, 37, became the world’s youngest prime minister when she took office in 2019. But she lost out in a tight race to the National Coalition Party, headed by Petteri Orpo, and the rightwing populist Finns Party, led by Riikka Purra, in April.

It was a bitter defeat for Ms Marin. While she increased her party’s seats and secured 19.9% of the vote, her coalition partners all lost significant numbers of seats.

Her government has formally resigned but will continue serving on a caretaker basis until the

formation and appointment of a new government. Mr Orpo has said he hopes to conclude negotiations by June.

Ms Marin has enjoyed high polling throughout her time in office, with many praising her for steering Finland into Nato and navigating her country through the Covid-19 pandemic.

But she is also a polarising figure in Finland, with headlines pertaining to her personal life surfacing in recent months.

She has frequently been a target for criticism for her apparent love of partying - most notably when a video of her at a party singing, dancing and drinking circulated on social media in August 2022.

At the time, Ms Marin said the video had been filmed on “private premises” and that she had spent “an evening with friends”.

But the video prompted dozens of complaints alleging Ms Marin’s behaviour undermined Finland’s “reputation and security”.

She took a drugs test, which proved negative, to allay concerns about her behaviour and was cleared of misconduct by parliament a few months later.

The incident led to many women coming out in support of Ms Marin. In Finland, women took to social media to post videos of themselves dancing in solidarity.

Source: BBC

The UK has confirmed it is supplying Ukraine with long-range missiles it requested for its fight against invading Russian forces.

Sudan crisis: Actress Asia Abdelmajid killed in Khartoum cross-fire

The death of a well-known actress, killed in cross-fire in the north of Khartoum, has shocked residents of Sudan’s capital. But she is just one of many civilians still in the city who are paying with their lives as the fighting continues to rage despite the latest ceasefire.

Zeinab Mohammed Salih is a journalist living in Omdurman, next to the Sudanese capital - she describes daily life for people caught up in the conflict.

Asia Abdelmajid, who was born in 1943, was famous for her theatre performances - first coming to prominence in a production of the play Pamseeka 58 years ago.

It was put on at the national theatre in Omdurman to mark the anniversary of Sudan’s first revolution against a coup leader. She was considered a pioneer of the stage - and the country’s first professional stage actress, later retiring to become a teacher.

Her family say she was buried within hours of her shooting on Wednesday morning in the grounds of a kindergarten where she had been most recently working. It was too dangerous to take her to a cemetery.

It is not clear who fired the shot that killed her in the clashes in the northern suburb of Bahri. But paramilitary fighters of the Rapid Support Forces

(RSF), who are ensconced in their bases in residential areas across the city, continue to battle the army, which tends to attack from the air.

The RSF says the military tried to deploy members of the police’s special force unit on Wednesday - but the group alleges it rebuffed their ground offensive.

The UN’s top aid official has warned that the “will to end the fight still was not there” after speaking to Sudan’s rival military leaders.

With a military jet flying overhead as I write and WhatsApp messages arriving with more bad news of my friends caught up in the fighting, it feels like neither side is serious about ending their deadly confrontation.

“I was sitting with my brother in the sitting room when we heard the loud noise of the shell and the dust coming from the kitchen - we thought the whole wall had just collapsed,” my friend Mohamed el-Fatih, a fellow journalist, told me.

His apartment in Burri, east of the army’s headquarters in central Khartoum, was bombed on Monday night.

“My neighbours upstairs and downstairs were terrified and screaming, we had to evacuate immediately to another area.”

His suburb is completely occupied

by the RSF and rockets are often fired from the military headquarters where it is believed Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the army chief, and his aides are staying.

My friend Hiba el-Rayeh has also just been in contact in great distress after her mother Sohair Abdallah el-Basher, a respected lawyer, and two uncles were killed last Thursday in a shell that came from a bridge over the River Nile directed towards the Presidential Palace. They were living close by.

Her uncles had actually come to help them escape during one of last week’s so-

called humanitarian ceasefires.

Central Khartoum has been devastated by almost three weeks of fighting

In another suburb called Khartoum 2, to the west of the military headquarters, estate agent Omer Belal has decided to stay and guard his home.

The 46-year-old has sent his family to a safer district while he and a few other men in the neighbourhood seek to protect their properties from the looting and armed robbery that is occurring

Sudan generals unwilling to end fighting - UN

The UN’s top aid official has warned that the “will to end the fight still was not there” after speaking to Sudan’s rival military leaders.

Martin Griffiths told the BBC that Sudan’s descent into violence was now at a dangerous tipping point.

He called for security guarantees from the warring sides to allow humanitarian aid into the country.

The UN warns that the fighting could force hundreds of thousands of Sudanese to flee their homes.

In a BBC interview hours after his visit to Port Sudan, Mr Griffiths spoke bluntly of what he called “the rigid existential fact that those at war are keen to keep it going”.

During his time in Sudan’s largest port, now a major evacuation and humanitarian hub, he had separate telephone conversations with Sudan’s rival generals.

Mr Griffiths, the UN Under-SecretaryGeneral for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, called for their clear public commitments to guarantee urgent deliveries of aid.

“This is about specific protections for the movement of aid workers and goods and supplies - going down roads at certain times, airlifts from being shot down,” he emphasised when we sat down in the Saudi port city of Jeddah across the Red Sea from Sudan.

Evacuation ships now arrive daily at the port carrying foreigners and Sudanese, mainly with second passports, fleeing Sudan’s sudden descent into rampant violence and wanton looting.

Mr Griffiths described how most of their warehouses storing humanitarian supplies had been looted. Six trucks in an aid convoy heading to the Darfur region were seized en route.

He asked for face-to-face meetings with both General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who heads Sudan’s armed forces, and his former deputy General Hamdan Dagalo, who commands the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

“I think it’s obviously urgent, this should be done in the next day or so,” he told us. “We’re working on it.”

Since 15 April, when the bombs first dropped and bullets flew in all directions, the rival leaders have agreed successive short ceasefires which have repeatedly been violated, especially in the capital Khartoum and the western region of Darfur, which are now war zones.

Mr Griffiths heard the same fine words in his telephone calls where “they were both, separately, very eloquent in their attachment to humanitarian principles and aspirations on the question of where and when we can meet”.

Visibly shocked and saddened by what he had seen and heard, he spoke of “tales of traumatic atrocity... that are pretty unparalleled.”

“I think a really, really, deeply concerning aspect is the speed with which it is going viral,” he added, reaching for words to convey the enormity and intensity of a crisis with profound consequences for the region and the wider world.

“It has got all the makings of a tragedy of global relevance, and global significance. And that is why this is an opportunity for the international community to show that we care about Africa,” he underlined with a sweeping perspective of what was at stake in Sudan’s crisis.

More than 100,000 Sudanese have already crossed land borders, or the Red Sea, into Sudan’s neighbours, and more than 344,000 are said to be displaced across a

country where millions have been pinned down by the carnage and criminality.

The UN is warning of a possible exodus of 800,000 with others warning that number could be in the millions.

Mr Griffiths paid tribute to aid workers still on the ground in Sudan, especially local Sudanese civil society and humanitarian agencies, still determined to press on with their urgent humanitarian mission.

“Extraordinary people like those I met today, courageous beyond imagination, operate in areas of great uncertainty,” he said, highlighting what he called the humanitarian axiom to “stay and deliver”.

The UN’s World Food Programme has already seen seven of its staff killed in recent weeks.

Mr Griffiths expressed his shock that even Port Sudan, so far relatively untouched by the fighting, was fragile too.

“Port Sudan is beginning to jump with masses of displaced people, some of them with no prospect of getting out to third countries.”

Thousands of Syrians, Yemenis, and Sudanese are now trapped in the port city without the kind of passport, and support, to provide them with a way out.

It’s the story of an entire nation struggling to find a way out of this deeply worrying, and rapidly worsening war.

Asked about remarks by the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres that the UN “failed to stop this war” because it didn’t see all the warning signs, Mr Griffiths insisted that “a lot of people didn’t see it coming”.

“That’s yesterday,” he declared in the UN’s defence. “What we’re talking about today, is doing something that is consistent with our values… and meets the needs of the Sudanese people.”

Source: BBC

Asia Abdelmajid was one of Sudan’s first theatre stars

The UN warns that hundreds of thousands of people could flee the conflict

N ews F rom A s IA

Ukraine war: US denies masterminding Moscow drone attack

The US has denied Russian claims it masterminded an alleged drone attack on the Kremlin on Wednesday aimed at assassinating President Vladimir Putin.

A day after accusing Ukraine of carrying out the alleged attack, Mr Putin’s spokesman said it had been done with Washington’s support.

US National Security spokesman John Kirby called it a “ludicrous claim”.

Ukraine has said it had nothing to do with the alleged attack. Mr Putin was not in the building at the time.

Footage on social media showed smoke rising over the Kremlin - a large government complex in central Moscowearly on Wednesday. A second video showed a small explosion above the site’s Senate building, while two men appear to clambered up the dome.

On Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the US was “undoubtedly” behind the alleged attack, without providing evidence.

“Decisions on such attacks are not made in Kyiv, but in Washington,” Mr Peskov said.

In his response, Mr Kirby told US media: “Peskov is just lying there, pure and simple.”

“The United States has nothing to do with it. We don’t even know exactly what happened here, but I can assure you the United States had no role in it whatsoever.”

The US official said Washington did not encourage or enable Ukraine to strike outside its borders, and did not endorse attacks on individual leaders.

Ukraine has said that the alleged attack was a false flag operation by Moscow in order to justify escalating the war.

On the other hand, though, many argue that Russia would have little interest in staging an attack that made the Kremlin look vulnerable.

The latest Kremlin claims came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague in the Netherlands.

In a speech afterwards, he called for the creation of a special tribunal to hold Russia’s “crimes of aggression” to account.

He said Mr Putin “deserves to be sentenced for criminal actions in the capital of international law”, the Ukrainian president said.

He listed alleged war crimes by Russia - including

the “millions” of strikes in the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine and those killed during the occupation of Bucha, near the capital Kyiv, at the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion

last year.

The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for President Putin for alleged war crimes in Ukraine. It says he is responsible for war crimes during the Ukraine war,

which includes the unlawful deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia. But it has no mandate to prosecute the crime of aggression.

Serbia school attack: Silence and teddies at scene of shooting

There is an awful silence hanging over the steep hill on which Vladislav Ribnikar elementary school sits.

On Wednesday, a 13-year-old entered the school, armed with two guns and a “kill list” - and shot dead eight fellow students and a security guard. Six other children remain in hospital.

The school is at the heart of this central Belgrade community, where streams of mourners are arriving, bearing flowers and soft toys.

Exactly 24 hours after the worst school shooting in Serbian history, pupils from the next-door college stand along the street to stand in silence and remember those killed.

“I am crushed,” says final-year school student Alex Oborina, 19, beside some of the handwritten notes left on the pavement.

“We have failed as a society because this is something that should not happen to a 13-yearold. He should not be grabbing a gun and going into his school and shooting his friends.”

Alex seems to echo the sentiment everyone here feels.

“This is probably the worst thing that has ever happened in my life. We need to use this as a stepping stone to rebuild. “

Alex Oborina believes the children’s parents will never have

justice for what happened

I ask if the suspect’s age of 13 will make it even harder for Serbian society to come to terms with this attack because he is too young to face prosecution.

“Whatever happened, even if he had been 18 or 19, justice would never have been served for those parents who lost their children.”

The boy was arrested by police immediately after the shooting. His father who legally owned both guns was also detained, as was his mother.

His lawyer, Irina Borovic, says he has been interviewed by doctors and has now been taken to a Belgrade neurology and psychiatry clinic for children and youth.

The motive for the attack remains unclear.

But of the victims, seven of the eight who were killed were girls.

Further down the hill, candle wax oozes down on to the stems of white lilies resting against a thin tree.

An elderly woman makes the sign of the cross before slowly kneeling down and placing a single flower. Above her, a teddy bear is attached to the fencing of the football pitch, near the empty goal.

During the afternoon, a large crowd gathers outside the school. Most are pupils from elsewhere in Belgrade who have come here to

pay their respects.

Mother-of-two Sanja Bastic has travelled here with teachers from her own children’s school as a sign of solidarity.

She begins to weep as she explains how her 10-year-old son asked her husband last night what would happen if a shooting happened to them next.

“My son asked, ‘how would you feel if you were having to wait outside the school and I didn’t come out?’

“The kids are sometimes smarter than we are and notice things we don’t.”

Sanja believes her country has to look wider than the actions of just one teenager.

“It’s not the kid’s fault. It’s our fault. This is a combination of things that are happening here. We are a great country with good people and we’re welcoming but we have problems here that we need to solve drastically.”

Violence both online and in real life have to be addressed urgently, she adds.

“I’m afraid this may be the beginning. We just need to stop it. We have now realised that in our country something like this can happen, and we need to take care of our kids.”

A short distance from the school, at the Ministry of Education, the

woman responsible for preventing violence in classrooms in Serbia tells the BBC that nothing in the suspect’s school records showed any sign that he might be capable of such devastating violence.

“Official information we have about this particular case tell us that nothing suggested something like this will happen,” says Milja Krivokuca.

“The most important thing for us to do now is to support everyone, stabilise the situation and then we will go back and look retrospectively to see if something could have been done differently.”

At least two unions representing teachers say their members will go on strike tomorrow, demanding

better protection for staff and pupils.

President Aleksandar Vucic has suggested the age of criminal liability may be lowered from 14 to 12 in the wake of the killings.

Ms Krivokuca agrees: “It is my opinion that it would be desirable to lower the age for criminal responsibility because of one important reason: It is necessary to secure maximum protection [for schools]”.

Serbia should also compare its legislation with neighbours in Europe and further afield, she believes.

“We might need to see what other countries are doing where legal responsibility starts at 12, and

Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a speech in The Hague

Flowers are left on the pavement to remember the children shot dead in class in Belgrade

Environment

COP15: High stakes in Montreal as negotiators seek new global biodiversity framework

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) convened for its resumed Fifteenth Conference of the Parties (COP15),yesterday in Montreal, Canada, and to close on Monday, 19. Negotiators will be working to clinch a new global biodiversity framework (GBF) that will set a series of goals and underlying targets for a “nature-positive future.”

The previous set of goals and targets that have guided international biodiversity conservation efforts in recent years, the 2011-2020 Strategic Plan for Biodiversity and its 20 Aichi Targets, expired in 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic stymying plans to already have a GBF ready to take their place.

The first part of the CBD COP15 took place in Kunming, China, and online last year. While China is the meeting’s host, travel restrictions and other challenges related to the pandemic led to the resumed COP15 venue being moved to Montreal, where the CBD secretariat is located.

Discussions in Montreal are numerous and include issues related to addressing environmentally harmful subsidies; the final shape of the 30×30 target; the signals that COP15 sends for scaling up naturebased solutions, including naturebased infrastructure; the linkages between nature-based solutions finance and climate finance; and how the results of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) Twenty-seventh Conference of the Parties (COP27) can inform the Global Biodiversity Framework.

Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), remarked: “We need a ‘Paris Moment’ in Montreal. Similar to the legally binding global climate agreement to hold global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius and aim for 1.5 degree Celsius, governments gathering at the world nature summit COP15 in Canada need to set a limit to nature destruction. To safeguard our life-support system on Earth, we need to halt nature loss to zero, which means protecting all remaining intact nature. Only if we protect and regenerate Earth’s nature, we can really protect Earth’s climate.”

“This is potentially an historic moment for biodiversity,” said Andrew Gonzalez, a professor in the biology department at McGill University in Montreal and founding director of the Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science.

He added: “The rate of global change in nature during the past 50 years is unprecedented in human history,” the report said, pointing to five key drivers: land- and seause changes, direct exploitation of organisms, climate change, pollution, and invasions of alien species.

Environmental crisis: Nigeria seeks UN interventions on GGW, HYPREP issues

The Federal Government of Nigeria has called on the United Nations (UN) to assist in addressing Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) and Great Green Wall issues (GGW) to enable restoration of lost lands in the country.

Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi, said this while receiving the Deputy Secretary-General of UN, Amina Mohammed, on courtesy visit, in Abuja, recently.

Abdullahi said that the ministry was committed to ensuring that the two major projects were implemented effectively, adding that the UN’s intervention would boost the ministry’s efforts.

“There are two important projects which we will need more of your support, the HYPREP and GGW. We are doing our best to ensure that it’s working greatly. We have the team for the HYPREP. We are doing our best to make sure that the structure put in place is maintained to ensure checks and balances for good governance and transparency.

“This is what we are doing and we hope we will get robust support from you.

“You have always been there for us and we still have hope that you will continue to give us your full support,” he said.

Responding, Mohammed said that the UN would give its best to support in restoring the loss lands.

“So, it’s really important that we put in place the teams that will help us to look at those programmes and to see that GGW issues is properly addressed.

She said the GGW project was an economic corridor, which would offer empowerment to both youth and women, if properly addressed in the country.

According to her, the GGW project will really empower our people, but at the same time, it is able to give less reason for people to destabilise countries when they get involved in conflicts of different types.

“So again, we are at your disposal; the UN will support any efforts that you want with the GGW, particularly the wetlands,” she said.

Mohammed, however, advised agencies, parastaltals and other relevant stakeholders to support the ministry in ensuring that the environmental programmes were implemented effectively.

She thanked the minister

for his strong leadership and commitment in ensuring that environmental crisis were being tackled as well as ensuring that Paris Agreement was achieved effectively.

HYPREP was established in 2012 under the Federal Ministry of Environment to achieve the under listed objectives in Ogoniland and other impacted communities:

“To determine the scope, means and modalities of remediation of soil and ground water contamination in impacted communities as may be recommended by HYPREP Governing Council and remedy them,

“Enhance local capacity for better environmental management and promote awareness of sound environmental management as

well as ensure livelihoods and sustainable development, and

“Ensure security and promote peace building efforts in impacted communities as well as strengthen governance, transparency and accountability in the region.”

The Great Green Wall (GGW) initiative, launched in 2007 by the African Union, aims to restore the continent’s degraded landscapes and transform millions of lives in the Sahel.

Its ambition is to restore 100 million hectares of currently degraded land, sequester 250 million tonnes of carbon, and create 10 million green jobs by 2030.

In Nigeria, the GGW Initiative also seeks to recover degraded land, preserve ecosystems, and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for communities.

PILIWA launched in Nigerian

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Lawyers, civil society, and media executives converged to Benin, the Edo state capital recently for the launch of the Public Interest Lawyering Initiative for West Africa (PILIWA) Nigeria chapter.

The initiative which was founded in 2016 has a membership that cuts across nine West African countries including Cote d’ Ivoire, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Niger, among others, and supports young lawyers interested in public interest cases technically, financially, and intellectually.

A member of PILIWA and Executive Director of the Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/ FoEN), Chima Williams said that public interest lawyering is a special area for legal practitioners

with passion for public good.

Williams explained that the PILIWA was particularly interested in Nigerian lawyers because of the peculiarity of environmental and human rights abuses perpetrated by big corporations aided by the state in all parts of the country where natural resources are found.

On the Nigeria launch of the PILIWA initiative, the ERA/FoEN boss said a desk office will be set up in Benin which will receive an endowment of N250,000 (two hundred and fifty thousand naira only).

The initiative will equally train young lawyers and imbue them with the relevant knowledge on sources of evidence, how to gather evidence and how to present it before a court of competent jurisdiction.

In his intervention, Jonathan Kaufman, Executive Director of

the Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA) said that he owes his association with legal work and particularly public interest cases with his experience as a young lawyer, when he was conscripted into the cases filed by families associated with the Ken Saro Wiwa case as well as victims of the Parabe Oil Platform case caused by Chevron in Ondo State.

The two cases, Kaufman pointed out, encouraged him to reach out to and start associating with local lawyers that are classified as stubborn because of their quest for justice.

He revealed that many legal cases suffer because of information gathering deficit, financial constraints, and lack of thoroughness in terms of minute details. Sometimes lawyers are not able to obtain cross border information that their peers may

be able to obtain and pass onto them if a platform for cooperation exists.

He said that the PILIWA platform will bridge the identified gaps to help public interest lawyers secure what they need to push and win unconventional cases.

The highpoint of the event was the inauguration of zonal coordinators for the PILIWA in Nigeria. The nominated coordinators of the South-South, South-east and North Central Zones are Courage Nsirimovu, Kalu Emmanuel Chisom and Redzie D. Jugo respectively. The coordinators for the Northwest, Northeast and Southwest will be announced later.

Participants were drawn from the legal profession in Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Plateau, Imo, Enugu, Niger and Kogi states, among others.

Manipur: Broken dreams and burnt homes after India ethnic clashes

“Everything has been destroyed. There’s nothing left.”

Sitting in a corner of a makeshift relief camp in Imphal’s Pangei area, Basanta Singh tries hard to hold back tears as he talks.

Singh, along with his wife and two children, had to run for their lives from the Saikul area in India’s northeastern state of Manipur when ethnic clashes erupted here last week.

Mr Singh belongs to the Meitei community and had been living in the hilly Saikul area - largely inhabited by the indigenous Kuki community - for over two decades. He ran a grocery store there.

When clashes began, he says he was advised by his Kuki friends to move out to a safer place.

“We have lived there for so long. We were on good terms with the Kuki people there,” he says.

“Probably that is why some friends advised me to leave.”

The goodwill Mr Singh thought he shared with the Kuki community did not prevent his shop from being looted by the mob.

“I had no option but to run. This is a civil war,” he says.

Manipur saw widespread violence last week, following protests by indigenous communities - primarily the Kukis - against the demand seeking tribal status for the Meiteis.

Members of the Meitei community account for 53% of the state’s population. Their inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes category will enable them to secure reservation in government jobs and in educational institutions.

In addition, a Scheduled Tribe status would allow them access to forest lands. Communities already recognised as Scheduled tribes fear that granting tribal status to the Meitei community would not just eat into their own share of the reservation pie but will also endanger the forest lands they’ve lived on for centuries.

While the valley area in Manipur is largely inhabited by Meiteis, the hill areas are dominated by tribals - mainly Kukis. But small fractions of people from both communities live in areas dominated by the

other. These were the people caught in the crossfire first when the violence began. Meiteis were targeted in Kuki-dominated areas and Kukis were targeted in places dominated by the Meiteis.

Entire villages were burnt down. Houses were torched, vehicles set aflame.

In a matter of hours, thousands of people like Mr Singh suddenly became homeless.

As the situation worsened, the Indian army and paramilitary forces were called in. Their first job was to evacuate people from both communities from areas where they were in the minority.

Mr Singh and his family were evacuated from the hilly Saikul area to the plains of state capital Imphal by the army and were provided shelter in a relief camp.

He says that things happened so fast that they could not carry anything other than the clothes they were wearing and a few pieces of jewellery.

“We had everything back there in Saikul. My children had their books and toys,” he says in tears. “Ever since we came here, my son keeps asking me where his shoes are. He says he wants to play football but doesn’t have shoes. It breaks my heart.”

He says that he hasn’t been able to sleep for days now. “How will I provide education to my children? I don’t have any means to earn. There’s no money, no home.”

“How long can we live here? And where will we go from here. I keep thinking about this all the time,” he adds.

He is not alone. Around 40km (24.8 miles) from Imphal, P Ginlal has sought refuge in a temporary relief camp set up in the premises of a church in Saikho village.

Ginlal is from the Kuki tribe and had to flee his home when a violent mob began torching his village.

“They burnt our houses,” he says, fighting tears. “We escaped just in the nick of time. If we hadn’t, we would be dead.”

Ginlal says he and his family spent a day hiding in the forest before they were rescued and evacuated by the army.

He says timely action by the government could have saved

them from this violence. “What is the government doing? Are we foreigners?” he asks.

Having retired from military service a few years ago, Ginlal says he ran his household mainly from the government pension he received.

“We [also] worked in the fields to make ends meet,” he says. “Now, everything is gone. I don’t know whether I’ll ever be able to return to my village.”

Ginlal is worried that his ageing mother may not be able to survive this ordeal. “I couldn’t even carry her medicines when we fled,” he says.

He wants the government to fix responsibility for what happened and punish those responsible.

“The government should find out who is responsible for this mayhem. Why have homes been burnt?” he asks.

Ginlal is not optimistic about

the future. He says that there can be no peace “if the government leaves its people to die”. “The conflict will continue to simmer and people will keep acting out of vengeance,” he fears.

As thousands remain

displaced people in Manipur, affected members of both Kuki and the Meitei community are left with a feeling of helplessness and anger, unsure of what awaits them in future.

Source: BBC

Basanta Singh says he and his family had to run for their lives when ethnic clashes erupted in Manipur last week

Houses were torched and vehicles set aflame during the widespread violence in Manipur last week

In a matter of hours, thousands of people like Mr Singh suddenly became homeless. As the situation worsened, the Indian army and paramilitary forces were called in. Their first job was to evacuate people from both communities from areas where they were in the minority.

Ginlal says he and his family spent a day hiding in the forest before they were rescued by the army

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RAIN OF PRAYER ASSEMBLY

Erling Haaland record: Manchester City striker breaks Premier League record for goals in a season

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has broken the record for most goals in a Premier League season.

The Norwegian scored his 35th league goal of the campaign against West Ham to move past Alan Shearer and Andrew Cole’s previous best of 34.

Haaland had already set a record for a 38-game season, beating Mohamed Salah’s 32 goals for Liverpool in 2017-18.

“It’s a special night and a special moment. I’m really happy and proud,” Haaland told Sky Sports.

The 22-year-old has another five games to add to his tally.

“It feels amazing and I’m really happy and I’m also happy for the three points,” he told BBC Match of the Day. “In the end that’s what matters and I’m happy.

“Yeah, it’s going well and now it’s time to focus on game by game. I’ve said this for a long time and that’s what the team is doing. The team is so good and I’m happy.”

Haaland’s 35th top-flight goal of the season came via a deft finish in the second half of a 3-0 win against the Hammers that sent City back to the top of the league.

He was given a guard of honour by his team-mates, boss Pep Guardiola and the club’s backroom staff after the final whistle at Etihad Stadium.

“I’ve not seen it before either,” Haaland added. “It was a nice feeling scoring that goal, it always is.

“It was painful when everyone hit me on the back in the guard of honour.”

Cole’s 34 goals for Newcastle in 199394 were matched by Shearer as he fired Blackburn to the title the following year but there were 22 teams in the top flight in both seasons, giving them an extra four matches to play - Shearer started all 42 in his record season, while Cole missed two in his.

Haaland, in his debut season in English football, has set the new marker in just his 31st game of the year.

His 35 goals are also the most by a player in a single campaign in the English top division since Ron Davies scored 37 for Southampton in 1966-67. Dixie Dean holds the record with 60 in 39 games for Everton in 1927-28.

Haaland was given a guard of honour by his team-mates after the final whistle Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, speaking to BBC Sport:

“Incredible. He’s just 22 - and still has five games left. How many games I made the substitution after a hat-trick in 60 minutes, maybe he’d have scored more. But maybe he’d have got injured. He’s special. Congratulations to him.

“We expected him to score goals but to break Cole and Shearer records ... I’m pretty sure what he wants is to win the Premier League.”

More from Guardiola, speaking to Sky Sports: “It’s unbelievable. How many important goals he’s scored to win games, we are so satisfied.

“He’s a unique person and he’s so special. He deserved the guard of honour because it’s an incredible milestone. Another day he might break his own record. He’s scored a lot of goals!”

Shearer, writing on Twitter: “Couldn’t have wanted it to go to a nicer guy. It’s only taken 28 years!!!! He’s the best.”

Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards on Sky Sports: “Honestly, Erling Haaland is absolutely incredible. Astonishing scenes from a top, top individual.

“This is his debut season - to do what’s he has done is absolutely breathtaking.”

Manchester City defender Nathan

Ake, speaking to Sky Sports: “It’s crazy. The way he came in and does this every day. He deserves everything he gets, he works so hard and he’s a top player.”

Former Everton striker Kevin Campbell on BBC Radio 5 Live: “I think there are things he can improve. He has the thing that every striker needs: he can finish.

“He is the missing piece to what Pep Guardiola is trying to do. He wants the Champions League. They haven’t had the person up top that was going to take those chances. They have him now.”

BBC commentator Vicki Sparks on BBC Radio 5 Live: “He is quite simply, for this season, the greatest striker the Premier League has ever seen. Fifty-one goals in a season in all competitions and you just wonder what records he will go on and break, now he sets his sights on that held by Dixie Dean for Everton, who is the only player to have scored more goals in a single season as a top-flight player in England.

“The numbers, quite simply, are extraordinary.”

Haaland gets guard of honour

Haaland breaks the joint record set by Andrew Cole in 1993-94 and Alan Shearer

Haaland has scored 35 goals in 31 Premier League games this season

S P R T

Future of Test cricket could be like Wimbledon, says Rajasthan Royals owner Manoj Badale

The future of Test cricket might be short once-a-year events like the Wimbledon tennis tournament, according to Rajasthan Royals lead owner Manoj Badale.

One of the biggest issues cricket faces is the scheduling with some sides playing two series in two different formats concurrently in recent years.

Badale estimates some of the world’s best players can play cricket on 220-230 days of the year, across T20, one-day and Tests.

England Test captain Ben Stokes retired from one-day internationals last July saying “there is too much cricket” and players “are not cars” that can be “refilled and go back out there”.

“We can make Test cricket work if we make it more of an event,” Badale told the Tailenders podcast.

“We should have it at the same time every year, played between a small set of nations that can actually afford it and Lord’s becomes like a Wimbledon, an event that is the diary.

“The amount of times I hear arguments like ‘Ben Stokes wants to play Test cricket’ - that is important but what is really important is what the fans of the future want to watch and where are they going to spend their hard-earned money.

“We are going to have to think creatively about Test cricket if we want it to work.”

Last summer, England’s Test side faced New Zealand at home while their white-ball team toured the Netherlands.

In March a white-ball series in Bangladesh started one day after a Test tour of New Zealand finished.

India have regularly had white-ball sides on tour while another set of players is playing another format elsewhere.

“There are too many formats,” said Badale. “I would be more worried about the ODI game right now.

“It is difficult one for me because Test cricket is what you grow up on as a fan and I haven’t missed the first day at Lord’s for however many years, it is still my preferred format.

“But it is not about me, it is about what the 10-15-year-olds in India and across the world are thinking.”

‘T20s have got too long, T10 is going to be interesting’

A report in The Times last week said six English players had been approached about signing multi-year deals with their Indian Premier League franchises to play in multiple leagues across the world.

Seven of the 10 men’s IPL teams have sides in different leagues across the world including the West Indies, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and a USA-based league.

Former England and IPL all-rounder Ravi Bopara told the BBC Test Match Special podcast that the contracts are “coming” and “not a surprise”.

Badale said he expects franchises to “become bigger entities” and “play in more leagues”.

“I do genuinely believe in the next three to five years there are a number of choices that the administrators are going to make that are going to be really game-defining,” said Badale.

“We are the second most-popular sport in the world at the moment but our real competition is other forms of entertainment.

“We’ve got too many franchise leagues now so you can have a hierarchy of the IPL, some major leagues and then some minor leagues.”

Cricket has a long-held desire to get into the Olympic Games but Badale feels the current formats restrict the likelihood of that happening.

“I was at a game at the Wankhede [stadium in Mumbai] the other day and the game was 4 hours and 15 minutes - that’s too long, so I think in a way T20 has got too long.

“The T10 [10 overs per side] is going to

become an interesting one.

“The only way I can see cricket in the Olympics is T10, where you can get it done in 10 days.”

‘Don’t solve time issues with a new format’

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) introduced a new 100-ball competition in 2021 designed to attract a more diverse audience to the game and fit within a two-and-a-half hour slot for broadcasters.

There have been reports they are considering axing the tournament after no other countries adopted the format and after it had made losses of £9m in the first two years.

Badale feels the ECB should be willing to stick with the format.

“I don’t think the right question is ‘what are you losing?’, it is ‘what are you prepared to invest?’,” Badale said.

“People go on about the IPL now but there were hundreds of millions of dollars invested in the first five to seven years. Everyone forgets it was loss-making for years.

“I saw an article that the Hundred lost nine million dollars, that is irrelevant to me. If there is an economical model that works it could be huge.”

However, Badale said he doesn’t believe the solution was another format.

“I tend to agree that T20 works, why do we need another format?” Badale said.

“I do think administrators tend to prioritise trying to look different over what we should prioritise.

“The problem they were trying to solve with The Hundred is that T20 games were getting too long, and I do think four and a half hours is too long, but you don’t have to solve that by changing the format.”

The likes of Australia’s Steve Smith (front left) and England Test captain Ben Stokes (front right) have been purchased in the Indian Premier League draft by Manoj Badale (back left)

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Burkina Faso can’t stop us – Ugbade

Marley’s songs that find relevance in political ecosystem

Another song of his that has political relevance is “Redemption Song” which urged the oppressed to emancipate themselves from mental slavery as nobody can do it for them as it is a thing of the mind. Without a doubt, the song which was recorded by Bob Marley is considered by many to be one of his most beautiful songs by many, particularly as it was recorded with just his voice and his guitar with one take.

Guest Columnist

By Isaac Asabor

Nigeria’s U17 Boys, Golden Eaglets have not come as far as the quarter-finals of the Africa U17 Cup of Nations to be dumped out of the competition without earning a World Cup ticket, says Head Coach Nduka Ugbade.

The Golden Eaglets and their officials arrived in Algiers, the capital city of Algeria on Monday, three days ahead of their quarter-final clash with Burkina Faso’s Young Etalons at the Nelson Mandela Stadium.

“We had an interesting match with South Africa and it has prepared us well for further challenges in the competition. We learnt a lot playing Zambia, Morocco and South Africa – all strong teams – in the group phase and that was good furnace for us to be a better squad.

“The quarter-final matches will be very hard nuts to crack because that is the step that earns you the World Cup ticket. None of the four games will be easy. Our interest is Burkina Faso and we are working hard towards achieving success.”

Burkina Faso had an interesting last match of the group phase, coming from behind to defeat and dump out Cup holders Cameroon 2-1 in a truly fascinating encounter.

Nigeria also came from behind twice to edge South Africa 3-2 in a memorable encounter in Constantine, with the five goals scored by different players on the night.

Ugbade added: “We have not come this far to drop out. My boys are focused hard on the World Cup ticket. After that, we can then focus on other objectives.”

The match between Nigeria and Burkina Faso begins at 8pm on Thursday.

Victory over the Young Etalons will earn Nigeria the opportunity to go for a record-extending sixth FIFA U17 World Cup title.

There is no denying the fact that Robert Nesta Marley, popularly known as Bob Marley was an extraordinaire reggae artist and a diplomat for peace across the world, particularly as his musical works are familiar with both the millennial and Gen Z generations who still find his messages of peace and love relevant and worth listening to, and nodding heads over.

Though he died on May 11, 1981; exactly 42 years today, messages that are lyrically conveyed in most of his hit tracks still find relevance and meaning in Nigeria’s politics, even though he was not a politician. However, he was seen and regarded by not a few of his fans that transcend demographic divides to be a spiritual leader and a sign of hope that peace and love will eventually infect everyone around the globe. The reason for the foregoing widely-held perception about him cannot be farfetched as he was able to use his infectious musical works to pave the way for a united Jamaica and to also discuss race relations with all people.

In fact, Marley can be best described as a legend in music. His power of influence came from his musical lyrics that address social and economic injustice. Surprisingly, Marley was not in favor of politics, as earlier stated in the foregoing, but was seen as a political figure through his politicized lyrics. In turn, it gave the Jamaican people a sense of identity and popularized the Rastafarian religion during the 1970s. He and his band were called “The Wailers” who blended traditional Jamaican music with various other forms such as blues with a rhythm into a style known today as Reggae. Reggae quickly became a vehicle for social protests and political messages. Not only did it identify with the Rastafarians but mostly people in poverty and unfavorable circumstances which was the majority of the population.

Against the foregoing backdrop, permit this writer, who has since his secondary school days remained a lover of all Bob Marley’s music, to in this context critique his top political songs within the context of today’s politics as a way of celebrating his life and a

testimony of his pursuit of freedom, equality, and peace and love for all.

First to be critiqued in this context is unarguably “Get Up, Stand Up” which he lyrically wailed thus: “Get Up, Stand Up, Stand Up for your rights.”

To not a few reggae enthusiasts, the foregoing track is solely the work or rather the copyright of Peter Tosh, one of his pals in the music industry during his lifetime, and who today is unfortunately late. For the sake of clarity, it is expedient to say in this context that in 1973 Bob Marley and Peter Tosh collaborated on the song, rated to be one of the most iconic protest songs at the time. The song was a call to action for people in Jamaica to stand up against racism. The pair were an unstoppable force for change in Jamaica, and it is widely understood that what broke the pair up was a difference in ideologies as Bob Marley believed peace and love were the only way Jamaica could unite and Peter Tosh believed that equal rights and justice are the way to go towards the emancipation Jamaicans needed in the era, and it is believed that their idealism had caused them to split.

To the view of this writer, the political message in this track is that it is a wake-up call to the people and encouraged them to “stand up for their rights.” The message to anyone that has listened to the music is clear as it urged such a person to stand up against injustice, fight for his or her freedom, and never give up. Thus, “Get Up, Stand Up” remains a rallying cry for the people, and it has become a symbol of hope and resistance against oppression.

In a similar vein, one of his hit tracts, “Small Axe”, conveys the lyrical line that says, “If you are a big-big tree,

we are some axe waiting, ready to cut you down, waiting to cut you down”. To not a few reggae enthusiasts who are usually at home with the jargons that are generally infused into reggae music, the track is a warning to those in power who seek to oppress others and unabashedly exploit them. In fact, the song is a metaphor singing about how the small axe, symbolizing the oppressed, can bring down a powerful, oppressive big tree. It is a warning to those in power not to try and dig a pit, as they will be the ones to fall into it. In the end, it is sung to empower the oppressed and tell them to continue fighting for justice and equality. The song recorded in 1968 represents the political and spiritual message of the importance of equality and equal rights.

Another song of his that has political relevance is “Redemption Song” which urged the oppressed to emancipate themselves from mental slavery as nobody can do it for them as it is a thing of the mind. Without a doubt, the song which was recorded by Bob Marley is considered by many to be one of his most beautiful songs by many, particularly as it was recorded with just his voice and his guitar with one take. With lyrics that were partly dubbed from a speech by Marcus Garvey, there is no denying the fact that the song makes the argument that slavery; political slavery in this context, should be abolished.

Still in the same vein, in another of his hit track, “War” where he wailed that “Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned, everywhere is war, me say war”, is unarguably a clear and forthright message against racism,

classism, and poverty. It speaks specifically to troubles in Africa but also more generally about the same issues around the world, but in this context, the message finds expression in today’s Nigerian political landscape.

Again, it is expedient to opine in this context that Bob Marley’s song “Africa Unite” through which he lyrically says, “Cause we’re moving right out of Babylon and we’re going to our father’s land” forms one of his efforts toward a friendly and inclusive political atmosphere.

Also, one of his tracks, “Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)” has remained one of the platforms that the famous music activist leveraged by bringing his voice to bear as he literarily cried on behalf of the masses. Originally released as a part of Natty Dread, the song was one of Marley’s top picks to perform in concerts. While the song suggests that further oppression by the moneyed classes could lead to a form of revolution from the masses, it also preaches peace within the latter. The lyrics go on to encourage the masses to seek happiness amidst suffering, through music, dance, religion, or any other solace to their pain. It speaks about the greater power of the masses, telling them that ‘now the weak must get strong’. With the ongoing conflicts between the authority and the masses across the world, this song rings true even today because, as Marley put it, the power is still in our hands.

Against the foregoing, it is not an exaggeration to assert against the backdrop of 42 years down the line when the reggae maestro died that the impact and legacy he created in his life through his music will continue to linger, even for generations to come.

Isaac Asabor is a Public Affairs Analyst.

is no denying the fact that Robert

Marley, popularly known as Bob Marley was an extraordinaire reggae artist and a diplomat for peace across the world