Friday, January 13th, 2023 Edition

377 terrorists surrender in Northeast

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The Nigerian Military has said that 377 Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and members of their families, comprising of 52 adult males, 126 adult females and 199 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the

theatres of operations.

Maj-Gen. Musa Danmadami, Director, Defence Media Operations, made this known on Thursday in Abuja, while giving update on the Military operations in the country.

He said, all recovered items, apprehended criminals, rescued civilians were handed over to the appropriate authority for

further action while the captured terrorists and surrendered Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and members of their families are being profiled for further action.

“Meanwhile, on 2 January 2023, troops acting on credible information raided Major Ali village in Gwoza Local

Uniabuja floats Diploma programe in Alternative Medicine, eyes Degree programme

By Usman Shuaibu

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

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

Na’Allah who spoke during the University of Abuja maiden national conference on Complementary and Alternative Medicine, saod the management of the University would deem it

necessary to award a Degree programme in Complementary and Alternative medicine in the nearby future.

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

The Emir who was represented at the occasion said: “This is one area that our scientists ought to have delved into long ago, the significant advancement made by China and India in the use of

Complementary and Alternative medicine is an established phenomenon across the globe.

On his part, the Provost of the College of Health Sciences University of Abuja, Prof. Mustapha Jamda, said the College of Health Sciences would partner with the Complementary and Alternative medicine in the University for the sake of academic excellence of the students.

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

Government Area of Borno State. During the operations, the abductors fled on sighting the troops.

“Consequently, troops rescued 35 kidnapped civilians comprising of 7 adult males, 12 adult females and 16 children. Cumulatively, within the last 3 weeks troops recovered 21 AK47 rifles, 4 FN rifles, 3 locally pump made action guns, 5 locally made pistols, 3 PKT machine guns, 124 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 139 rounds of 7.62mm special, 29 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, 140mm bomb, 1 UXO 81mm mortar bomb, 3 RPG tubes and bombs, 5 x 36 hand grenade, 5 dane guns and 5 FN magazines.

“Other items recovered are, 19 drums of Automotive Gas Oil, 5 drums of Premium Motor Spirit, 10 bags of assorted grains, 10 crates of soft drinks, 150 pieces of used clothing, 50 pieces women fabrics, 50 children wear, 30 pairs of women foot wears, textiles materials, medical supplies, 21 motorcycles, 16 bicycles, 2 grinding machines, 1 tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit, 30 rustle cattle, the sum of Nine Hundred and TwentyEight Thousand, two Hundred and Fifty Naira (N938,580.00) and other sundry items.”

Kaduna govt to pay teachers’ arrears January

would be paid within this year’s January.

The Kaduna State Government has said that the salary areas of some of the newly recruited teachers

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Halliru Musa Soba while reacting to the development

said the delay was due to technical hitches associated with poor documentation at the point of the employment of the affected which is being rectified to ensure smooth payment of

teachers’ salaries henceforth.

“We will pay their allowances this January. We have an issue with ranking when they were employed.”

Abdulsami

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

President Muhammadu Buhari receives a letter of credence from the Ambassador of Sweden to Nigeria, H.E Mrs. Annika Hahn Englund during the presentation of letters of credence at the State House, yesterday in Abuja. PHOTO; State Hous

Again, IBBU Lapai wins TetFund National Research grant

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

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

The research grant which is to the tune of about seventy million naira was won by three teams with Professors Musa Dickson Achimugu and Dadi-Mamud Naomi John and Dr. Yusuf Ishaq as Principal Researchers.

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

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

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

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

Zamfara APC warns PDP over alleged breach of security

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Zamfara State chapter has strongly warned the opposition Peoples Democratic party (PDP) over alleged breach of security and other unlawful activities in the state.

In a press conference on Wednesday by the state Publicity

Secretary of the APC, Malam Yusuf Idris at the party secretariat, alleged that the home-coming of the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Dauda Lawan Dare last Monday, was not peaceful.

Malam Yusuf has disclosed that the governorship candidate of the main opposition PDP in the state has returned via a Court of Appeal in Sokoto ruling which held last Friday.

He further alleged that, with the return of the PDP governorship candidate however, the peace that is enjoyed in the state has been destabilized.

“This was manifested on Monday when the PDP thugs blocked a vehicle that had Governor Matawalle’s laminated pictures, destroyed it before setting it on fire with one of the arrested arsonists saying, he

committed the action following the specific instruction by the PDP governorship candidate, Dauda Lawal Dare on them to burn all APC logo carrying vehicles in the state.

“The suspect, Yusuf Aminu from Gangaren ‘Yar Rumfa of Gusau metropolis through a video clip, told the Police he committed the act to the satisfaction of his candidate, Dauda Lawal Dare.”

Governor Inuwa Condoles With Sheikh Hamza Abdulhamid Over Father’s Death

Governor Muhammadu

Inuwa Yahaya has commiserated with the Chairman of Gombe State Council of Ulamas of the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah wa Iqamatisunnah, Sheikh Hamza Adam Abdulhamid, over the demise of his father, Sheikh Adamu Abdulhamid Usman.

Ismaila Uba Misilli, DirectorGeneral (Press Affairs) Government House Gombe said in a statement yesterday that the late Islamic scholar, aged 97, died yesyerday in Gombe after a brief illness.

Governor Inuwa, who led a government delegation to attend the funeral prayer ( Janazah) held at the Shagon Goro Izala Mosque no. 1, new commercial area, Gombe, described the late cleric as an embodiment of humility and a scholar of note who led a life of service to God and humanity.

He said the late Sheikh Adamu will be remembered for his uprightness and sterling contributions to the growth of Islam and community service.

The

bereaved family members, the leadership of the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah wa Iqamatisunnah and the muslim community in

general over the great loss.

He prayed Almighty Allah to reward his good deeds with Aljannat Firdaus.

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

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

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

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

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

He said, “for a Family in Nigeria or Kano whose idea of their survival is prayers or miracles, and the miracles come in form of going round to search for a dustbin to get watermelon to boil, such a family does not

deserve that kind of treatment and such cannot say the so-called N5000 they were given would remove their malice”.

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

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

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

voters.”

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

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

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

Governor, on behalf of the Government and people of Gombe State, extended his heartfelt condolences to the

2023 polls: Arewa community in Lagos

endorses

Tinubu

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ambush on NSCDC personnel: Buhari asks Military to make bandits pay

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the Nigerian Armed Forces to go after the bandits who recently ambushed and killed seven personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and make them pay a price.

The president gave the order in a statement issued by

the presidency on Thursday, following the unfortunate incident.

The statement said Buhari expressed anguish over the death of the seven personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) who were ambushed and killed by bandits in Kaduna State while on official duty.

The President described the loss of the NSCDC personnel as

a tragic event and salutes the courage of the men who gave their lives for the nation, said a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

“The NSCDC personnel who braved all challenges to guard our nation and its people had made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

“My thoughts are with the

bereaved families and their compatriots in the service. May Almighty God grant them and the entire service the fortitude to bear the loss,” the statement quoted Buhari to have said.

The President. Consequently, directed the Armed Forces to seek the bandits who inflicted this casualty and make them pay the price.

Group supports Kaduna Govt with primary school learning materials

The Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) programme, yesterday handed over more than 280,000 learning materials for primary one and primary two pupils in Kaduna State.

Mr Salim Sadiq, PLANE’s Senior Technical Advisor, said at the event at Kaduna State Universal Basic Board office that the gesture was to improve learning outcomes in primary schools.

Sadiq added that the support was under output 1 Component of the programme which focuses on foundational skills.

He said that materials were developed and reviewed by education stakeholders in the three intervening states of Kaduna, Kano and Jigawa.

“In line with the PLANE’s mandate to improve learning

outcomes in primary schools, a total of 280,000 foundational skills materials were produced.

“The material would be distributed to the 728 primary schools in six intervention local government areas, namely Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Sanga, Jaba, Soba and Sabon Gari,” he said.

PLANE Team Lead in the state, Ms Diana Agabi, explained that the learning materials comprises primary one and primary two Hausa literacy and mathematics foundational books, teachers’ guide, literacy story anthology, and posters.

She said that the materials were being distributed simultaneously across the six local government areas for onward distribution to schools to ensure timely usage since academic activities had resumed.

“Every pupil in each of the benefiting schools is expected

to have the learning materials while the teachers will have the teacher’s guide to deliver on the content of the materials.

“The teachers have already been trained on how to use the materials to impact positively on the learning outcome of the pupils,” she said.

Receiving the learning materials, Dr Haliru Soba, thanked PLANE for the support, which he described as “very critical” to quality teaching and learning at the foundational level.

Soba pointed out that it was very unlikely to build anything meaningful on a defective foundation, stressing that the major causes of learning poverty was inadequate foundational skills.

According to him, inadequate skills among the pupils at foundation level will create a situation where the children of

up to 10 years will not be able to read and write.

“That is absolute learning poverty, but once we address the foundational skill issues, our pupils would be able to read and write especially in their mother tongue.

“This will build a solid foundation that would enable the pupils to navigate through the entire basic education level with ease.”

He said that the government would deploy an effective monitoring system to ensure that the materials were put to use, adding that the government would enforce stringent penalties for earring teachers.

He said that through different interventions, the government was able to reduce the gender parity index in primary schools, reduce the average distance from community to schools, and increase enrollment.

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Member representing Takai/Sumaila Federal Constituency of Kano State, Hon.. Shamsudeen Bello Dambazau, addressing the house of Representatives Press Corps on the state of the Nation, at the National Assembly yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

By Egena Sunday Ode

A

s Nigerians prepare to elect another government at the general elections on 25th February, 2023, President Muhammadu Buhari has renewed his call to foreign government representatives not to meddle in the nation’s internal affairs.

‘‘I urge you to be guided by diplomatic practice to ensure that your activities remain within the limits of your profession as you monitor the build-up to the elections and the conduct of the general elections itself,” Buhari said.

The President spoke on Thursday while receiving Letters of Credence from Ambassadors of Switzerland, Sweden, Republic of Ireland, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of Senegal and the Republic of South Sudan, at the State House

He said Nigeria is working closely with ECOWAS to deal with insecurity in the West African subregion as well as implementing strategies to contain the spate of unconstitutional changes in government.

He called for cooperation and collaboration from the countries to overcome challenges in West Africa.

President Buhari invited friendly countries to ‘‘support efforts to address the problem of insecurity, fight against corruption, diversification of the economy, and our efforts in promoting good governance.’’

‘‘I wish you all success in your respective tours of duty and at the same time encourage you to take time to enjoy the unique nature and culture at your disposal as you travel across our country,’’ he said.

The President told the Ambassadors that Nigeria no doubt enjoys very cordial and mutually beneficial bilateral relations and cooperation with their respective countries, commending the roles of their predecessors who demonstrated diligence and commitment to advance these

Don’t interfere in our elections, Buhari tells ambassadors

causes.

‘‘I am therefore confident that your appointments are obviously deliberate to build on the successes of your immediate predecessors in order to advance our relations to significant and enviable heights.

As you settle down to your diplomatic responsibilities, I am hopeful that you will appreciate the political, socio-economic and cultural diversities which are the hallmarks of the Nigerian nation.

‘‘I encourage you to build friendships and take time to fraternise across the length and breadth of the country including interfacing with both the public and private sectors in bid to explore areas of mutual benefit to your respective countries and Nigeria.

‘‘Sectors such as Healthcare,

Education, Infrastructure, Local Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals, Agribusiness, Transportation, Solid Minerals are areas of particular interest to us and foreign investors alike.

‘‘This will enable us to collectively strive to resuscitate all our countries’ economies in the post pandemic global recovery processes,” said the President.

Buhari also acknowledged the support of the respective countries in his Administration’s campaign to deal with the challenges of insecurity such as kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, drugs and human trafficking, as well as the threats posed by environmental challenges resulting from climate change in the Lake Chad Region.

He reiterated that different

factors that accounted for these challenges go beyond the abilities of any single country to effectively contain.

He emphasized that matters of security have become the business of all nations of the world to work together at both bilateral and multilateral platforms and build consensus in order to overcome these challenges.

The Ambassadors who presented their Letters of Credence are: Nicolas Lang, Switzerland; Annika Hahn Englund, Sweden; Peter Ryan, Ireland; Kitiisak Klomchit, Thailand, Nicolas Nyouky, Senegal and David Chaot of South Sudan.

Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the Ambassador of Switzerland assured the Nigerian

President that they will exercise ‘‘their functions as Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary with dedication, to the best of their knowledge and belief, and for the mutual benefit of our countries.’’

Wishing Nigeria peaceful, free and fair elections, the Ambassadors extended their goodwill to the President on his remaining days in office.

‘‘We are keenly aware of the importance of Nigeria to the wellbeing of the entire African continent, its role in international politics and its weight in the world economy.

‘‘Each and every one of us is proud to represent his or her country and its interests in this great Federal Republic of Nigeria,’’ Ambassador Lang said.

Ink mark produced by redesigned naira note means it is genuine - CBN

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said that the traces of intaglio ink produced by the redesigned naira notes when rubbed on plain white surfaces means they are genuine, not fake.

Director of Currency Operation of the CBN, A.B. Umar, states this during an awareness campaign for traders on the redesigned naira notes, held at Dawanau International Grains Market in Kano state on Thursday.

Umar, represented by an official at the bank, Shamsuddin Zubair Imam, debunked the insinuations that the new naira notes produced the ink mark because they are produced with low quality features.

However, according to Umar, any currency, even the US Dollar, if it does not produce ink mark when rubbed, so it is not genuine, but fake.

He emphasized that “the new naira notes had been designed with enhances quality features that make it difficult to be faked.

“It is untrue that if you rubb the new naira notes and see the mark of the ink Mena’s the currency is fake. That ink mark is the sign of quality. It means it is genuine not make. That is the feature that show a currency is genuine.

“Even American currency, if rubbed on surfaces, leaves the ink mark, that means it is genuine,” he said.

The Director also urged the traders to rush to banks and deposit their money before the January 31st deadline.

He advised them to make sure they beat the deadline in order not to incur losses in their business, urging them to go en mass to open bank accounts without deposit charges.

He pointed out that the redesign policy would help the apex bank reduce cost of currency management and check

proliferation of fake currencies in the country.

In a remark, the Deputy Chairman of Dawanau International Grains Market, Alhaji Baba Wawo decried nonavailability of the new currency for the traders.

According to him, traders in the market, which is the biggest grains market in West Africa, find it difficult to access the redesigned N1000, N500 and N200 notes, even as the deadline is fast approaching.

He told the management of the apex bank that majority of the customers they are dealing with are from rural areas who mostly do.not have bank accounts.

According to him, the customers do not even accept transfers when traders buy their goods in the market.

“We travel to long distance to meet our customers in rural areas who do not have access to banks dn do not have bank accounts. These people prefer cash when

we buy their commodities. Most of them do not even accept transfers.

“As i am talking to you now, i have not seen a single trader in this market, who go to bank and withdrawal the new naira notes. I do not think we can meet the deadline.

“We call on the CBN to make the new currency available at banks and other financial institutions. We welcome the new policy but let it be eased to us.

“We call on CBN to provide other means that will ease our transactions with our customers in rural areas. We will welcome this cashless policy even because it is a risk to us to carry huge amount of cash to cover long distance by road.

“However, we call on the CBN to provide leve ground for us to run our business with ease. The apex bank should consider that our business is cash-driven. Hence, if special provision is not made, we will be at loss,” he said.

L-R: Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Power, Hon. Magaji Da’u Aliyu with Minister of State for Power, Mr. Goddy Jedy-Agba, during the committee on power public hearing on the bill for an act to amend electric power sector reform act 2005 to provide the legal and institutional frame work for the implimentation and coordination of rural electrification projects, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Minister charges Governors to emulate Chief Awolowo’s legacies in education

By Maryam Abeeb

The Minister of State for Education, Rt. Hon. Goodluck Nana Opia has appealed to South West Governors to emulate and sustain the legacies of Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the field of education in order to rid the region of out of school children and bring development to the country.

In a statement, the Director Press of Federal Ministry of Education, Ben Goong explained that the Rt. Hon Goodluck Nana Opia made the appeal tin Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, at the flag- off ceremony of the National campaign on out of school children.

The Minister asked Governors of the states of the Federation and in particular, South West

Harmattan:

Group distributes cardigans to less sickle cell patients in Kaduna

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Sickle Cell Patients Health Promotion Center (SCPHPC) Kaduna has distributed sweaters and protective dresses to less Privileged Sicklers of the Centre to reduce the effects of Harmattan on them.

The founder of the Center Hajia Badiyya Magaji Inuwa disclosed this during the distribution in Kaduna yesterday.

Hajia Badiyya said the Centre distributed sweaters, head gears, socks and other cold protective wears to the children to protect them against extreme cold occasioned by the Harmattan.

She explained that Sickle Cell Patients because of their health challenges need to be protected from the harsh harmattan.

Governors to Prioritize education through increased budgetary allocations, infrastructural development and sustained public reorientation as ways of tackling the menace of out of school children.

The Minister emphasized the need for Political will and total commitment, calling for all hands to be on deck in the fight to get

every child on board the ship of school.

“Bring all our children on Board the ship of school” the Minister reiterated.

Hon. Opia pointed out that system strengthening and increased enrollment are the key goals of the campaign adding that the involvement of traditional, religious and community leaders

is key to the attainment of the overall goal of eradicating out of school children.

In his keynote address at the occasion,Ogun state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun said the South West made a head start in education in Nigeria courtesy Chief Obafemi Awolowo, adding that the Awolowo legacy will not be allowed to die, rather it will be

sustained in order to bring glory to Ogun state and the Nation at large.

His Excellency rolled out the fruits of the Awolowo legacy in education across the South west adding that as at date, Ogun state is ahead of other states of the country in terms of the number of educational institutions at all levels.

Group urges exploration of heritage treasures

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

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

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

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

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

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

“While parks and wildlife can help to preserve pieces of the natural world that existed before

humans set foot there,” she said.

The SOHI boss expressed deep concern over the sale of Heritage sites along river banks for real estate development, regardless of fern and fauna, which are disappearing at an alarming rate.

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

She said the Ogbunike Caves are found in a valley in

the tropical forest of southeast Nigeria, in Anambra should also be preserved.

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

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

(NAN)

2023: We’ll shake Kano when we launch our campaign - Salihu Tanko

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

The Kano state gubernatorial candidate of People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Salihu Tanko Yakasai has said that the party will shake the second most populous state in the country when it launch its governorship campaign.

Yakasai stated this during the inauguration of his campaign council, held

in Kano on Thursday.

He said PRP is waxing stronger in the state as people have realized that it is the only party that has manifesto to emancipate the masses.

According to him, “people of Kano have realized that voting for candidate, not party is the best option to fix this country and state. Again, they have begun to realls that PRP is the party to vote as its manifesto

shows it is for talakawa.

“Wherever we go, people are pouring good will on us and promise to vote for us in the general election. This give me course and confidence that by God’s grace, we shall win the elections at all levels,” he hoped.

Yakasai also commended the party members for their maximum commitments towards the success of PRP in the state.

According to him, “nobody gives money

on running the affairs of the party and my candidature. We do it honestly to be succeeded and take Kano to promised land” Yakasai said.

Yakasai, a former media aide to governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, tasked the committee members to face what he described as herculean task ahead of them and never give up until they take the party to success in 2023.

L-R.......President Jar miyya Matan Arewa, Hajia Rabi Musa Saulawa, Member Board of Trustee Matan Arewa, District Head of Kawo, Alh, Jibril Mohammed, Executive Director Administration Julius Berger,Alh, Zubairu Bayi, and Joint chairman Jar miyya Matan Arewa Orphanage/Premier School Board Alh, Muhammad Yusuf Lere, at the Commissioning of Renovated Building of Jar miyya Premier school and orphanage by Julius Berger held in Kaduna yesterday

2023 polls: Arewa community in Lagos endorses Tinubu

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Today, we are proud to boldly endorse the candidature of this great statesman, whose leadership, sacrifice,

Abdulsami Abubakar unveils four-part book on insurgency

Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and other dignitaries unveiling books on Preventing Crimes, Insurgencies, and Desperate Migrations authored by Iliyasu Maijega in Abuja on Wednesday ((11/1/23)

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Former Head of State, retired Gen. Abdulsami Abubakar unveiled a four-part book on crimes and insurgencies in Nigeria and other parts of the world on Wednesday in Abuja.

The series, which were titled: Preventing Crimes, Insurgencies and Desperate Migrations from developing nations, Africa, Latin America and other nations of the world.were written by Alhaji Iliyasu Buhari Maijega.

Commending the effort of the author, Abubakar said the presentation of the series was timely considering the security challenges bedevilling Nigeria.

He noted that insurgency and other violent crimes had been confronting Nigeria in the last 10 years, adding that the violent threats had spread all over the country over time.

He said the book threw light into the root causes of insurgency, stressing that it would help security agencies and the government to find lasting solution to insecurity in Nigeria and around the world.

Abubakar urged Nigerians and all stakeholders to read through the series with a view to understanding issues around insurgency and proffer

solutions.

“I believe this book has thrown light into the root causes of insurgencies and I believe that it will help our security agencies and the government in tackling these challenges,” he said.

The author, Maijega said the abduction of Chibok School Girls and banditry in Northwest Nigeria inspired him to embark on research to unravel the root causes of insurgency and banditry.

Maijega said he saw the need to search for the causes of such events and other issues like the IPOB, Niger Delta agitation, and other issues around the world.

He said that he found similarities in the causes of insurgencies across the world which led him to go beyond Nigeria and Africa into Latin America, Asia and Europe.

He stressed that many had thought that Europe, for instance, had no problem but in his research, he came to understand that every nation had its own problems.

“For instance, we knew the Soviet Union was one country, but ethnic issues split it into 16 countries.

“Yugoslavia was one country but ethnicity split it into six countries. So that means it is not only Nigeria that is having ethnic problems making each ethnic group wanting to have its own nation,” he said.

Maijega noted that poverty, weak or lack of leadership were responsible for most

insurgencies, adding that getting to the source or root cause of insecurity would help to solve the problem.

According to him, without knowing the cause of a disease or an ailment one cannot cure it.

“Nigeria’s population was only 45 million in 1960, but it is more than 220 million today, which means it has multiplied five times with multiplication of structures.

“You will need maybe at least five times the number of schools; you will need five times number of farms; you will need five times the number of homes and a lot of things,” he explained.

The author urged government to always adopt dialogue in finding solution to security challenges.

Reviewing the book, Dr Hamza Muhammed of the Department of English and

Literary Studies, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said the book highlighted ways to prevent social disorder and prevent crimes.

In the review read by the former Chairman, Association of Nigerian Authors, Abuja, Mr Patrick Oguejiofor, Muhammed said it highlighted the impact of COVID-19, problems in businesses, health, education, travels, and international relations.

He said the book also covered global climate change, contemporary programmes like early childhood education, human empowerment, nomads, fishermen, artisans, widows, orphans, and welfare policies.

Muhammed added that the series also highlighted the activities of cattle rustlers, bandits, kidnappers, insurgents and militants and the social impact on the citizenry. (NAN)

Seventh day Adventist Church member wants court to stop elections, exams on Saturdays

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

An elder of a Seventh Day Adventist Church has dragged the federal government before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, seeking an order to stop the conduct of the 2023 general elections and examinations on Saturdays (SABBATH DAY”).

According to the member, Elder Mr Ugochukwu Uchenwa, elections, Joint Admission and Matriculation Examinations(JAMB), National Examination Council(NECO), West African Examination Council(WASCE) and National Business and Technical Examination Board(NABTEB) fixed on Saturdays infringes on their freedom of worship.

Specifically, he prayed the court to declare the day unconstitutional or in the alternative should be allowed vote or write examination on any

day of the week.

Defendants in the suit are President Muhammadu Buhari, the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC).

Also mentioned as respondents are Minister of Internal Affairs, Joint Admission and Matriculation Examinations, National Examination Council, West African Examination Council and National Business and Technical Examination Board.

When the matter came up yesterday, Counsel to the plaintiff, Mr Benjamin Amaefule, told the court that all the defendants have served with the court process except NECO.

However, none of the defendants were in court for the trial.

Meantime Justice James Omotoso adjourned the matter to March 15, 2023, for definite

hearing.

The Plaintiff, in the originating summon, is asking the court for a declaration that the schedule of elections in Nigeria by the respondents on Saturdays, the “SABBATH DAY” is a VIOLATION of fundamental rights of Freedom of (a) Conscience, profession and free practice of Faith and (b) Right to participate freely In the government of the applicant and that of entire members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Nigeria.

A Declaration that the actions of the 5th to 8th Respondents fixing examinations on Saturdays, a “SABBATH DAY OF THE LORD” is a VIOLATION Of the fundamental rights of: (a) Freedom of Conscience, profession and free practice of Faith of the members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church Nigeria and Right to freedom of education of the Applicant and the members of the Seventh Day

Adventist Church Nigeria.

An order of this Honourable court Restraining the 4th Respondent from further violating the Rights of member of the SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH NIGERIA by holding elections on Saturdays or in the Alternative Order the 4th Respondent to mark out a different day for the members of the SEVENTH DAY AODVENTIST CHURCH NIGERIA TO PARTICIPATE in their own election if the 4th Respondent cannot schedule and hold the elections on a day other than on Saturdays.

An order of this honourable court restraining the 5th to 8th respondents from scheduling and conducting compulsory public exams on Saturdays, without making option for the members of THE SEVETH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH NIGERIA to write their exams on days other than Saturday.

Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar

Ukraine to establish grain hub in Nigeria

The Government of Ukraine has expressed its readiness to establish grain hubs in Nigeria and other African countries as it donated about 25,000 tonnes of grains to Nigeria to boost bilateral ties.

Ukrainian Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, Mr Mykola Solskyi, made this known on Tuesday in Abuja when he led a delegation that met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama.

Solskyi said that the grain from Ukraine would arrive in Nigeria in February under the initiative called ‘Grains from Ukraine’.

He said that despite the war with Russia, the Ukrainian food industry wanted to have closer relations with Nigeria, adding “we are very thankful to you that your country is ready to develop the relations“.

“Despite all the events going on in the world our countries are ready to develop this cooperation.

“The Ukrainian government and Ukrainian president are ready to pay a lot of attention to this development. We want to have regular contacts every

Benue PDP guber candidate unveils print

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Governorship candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, in Benue State Rt. Hon. Titus Uba has stressed that if elected, he will focus on agricultural development of the State.

Hon. Uba stated this yesterday while presenting his blue print to the leadership of the party in Makurdi.

The guber candidate who christened his manifesto as, “Soil our oil,” noted that the State is endowed with good soil for agricultural growth.

He also promised to place priority on mechanized agriculture.

He further said the blue print focuses on security, revival of the civil service with particular attention to ameliorating the lives of pensioners through the State PENCOM.

Governor Samuel Ortom lauded Uba’s blue print, noting that it captured all aspects of human living and expressed confidence in the governorship candidate to continue in his stride.

year not only by our agriculture ministers but other ministers as well.

“Development of such hubs will make it possible to bring in high quality grain into your country and it will influence prices positively.

“Ukraine intends to develop two or three hubs in Africa and taking into consideration the capacity of your country, the grain hub in your country is priority number one. If we implement it well, it would be a practical step towards our business relations reaching a new level,” Solskyi said.

Onyeama, who empathised with Ukraine over its ongoing war with Russia, also lauded it for the grain donation, pointing out that the gesture was coming even when the country was still at war.

He thanked Ukraine for extending its support to Nigeria and other African countries despite the current situation in that country.

“Notwithstanding the situation in which your country finds itself, you are able to extend a hand of friendship not just to Nigeria but to other African countries. This demonstrates superhuman courage and we really admire your generosity and we thank you for this support,” Onyeama said.

Onyeama noted that Nigeria

had long standing relations with Ukraine, lamenting that some of the victims of the war in Ukraine were the large number of Nigerian students, whose studies have been disrupted by the war.

“You have built up real specialisation in many disciplines and Nigerian students are the beneficiaries. We can continue to strengthen relations between our two countries and our two peoples.

“We will do our best at the multilateral level to bring the war to a very quick end,” Onyeama said.

Also speaking, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammad Abubakar said that Nigeria was willing and ready to provide the appropriate ports for the grain

hub.

“We appreciate and commend you that despite the war you still found time to extend a gesture of friendship to Nigeria and also donated grains.

“I can assure you that the relations with Ukraine will improve.

“We have been having businesses with Ukraine, especially in the agriculture sector and I can say that over 30 per cent of our agricultural businesses are with Ukraine particularly in the area of wheat, fertilizer and other grains. This I can assure you will continue to improve our relations,” he said.

Fielding questions later, Abubakar said the purpose of the grain hub was to have a centre where Ukraine would be bringing

grain and we would be helping other African countries.

He said the hubs would be useful in emergency situations and could also be used to donate grain to other countries.

“We are looking at the Lagos Port and also the Onne Port in Rivers. The grain coming from Ukraine will increase the amount of grain here and the hub will eventually become a business hub with other African countries and beyond and it will help to stabilise the price,” he added.

The minister said that Ukraine had the technology and know-how to help Nigeria in wheat production, stressing that capacity building would be part of the relations which would produce a win-win situation.

(NAN)

Gbajabiamila, Wase felicitates Lawan at 64

By Christiana Ekpa

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has rejoiced with the President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, on his 64th birthday.

The Speaker described Lawan as a fine parliamentarian who has paid his dues over the years in the Nigerian Parliament.

Gbajabiamila lauded the contributions of the President

of the Senate to the Nigerian Legislature from 1999 to date, noting that as a presiding officer in the 9th Assembly, he has demonstrated his experience and expertise acquired over the years.

The Speaker said working with the President of the Senate for almost four years as one of the presiding officers of the 9th Assembly has been a worthwhile experience.

While wishing Lawan many more years in good health,

Gbajabiamila prayed to God to continue to protect and bless the President of the Senate.

Also, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Ahmed Idris Wase, has extolled the leadership qualities of the President of the Senate, Sen. Ahmed Lawan on the occasion of his 64th birthday.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Umat Muhammad Puma, Wase described the President of the Senate as committed

democrat who have consistently demonstrated exceptional capacity in runing the affairs of the red chamber.

“The Senate under your leadership has inspires hope for the citizens owing to your people oriented policies, determination and commitment to the unity and prosperity of Nigeria

The Deputy Speaker prayed to Almighty Allah to grant him good health, wisdom to continue to offer selfless service to mankind.

Uniabuja launches diploma programe in Complementary, Alternative Medicine

By Usman Shuaibu

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

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

Na’Allah who spoke during

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

Also speaking, the Chancellor of the University, Alhaji Rilwan Suleiman Adamu who is the Emir of Bauchi State said the establishment of a Diploma programe in Complementary

and Alternative Medicine would revolutionize the health system in Nigeria.

The Emir who was represented at the occasion said: “This is one area that our scientists ought to have delved into long ago, the significant advancement made by China and India in the use of Complementary and Alternative medicine is an established phenomenon across the globe.

On his part, the Provost of the College of Health Sciences

University of Abuja, Prof. Mustapha Jamda, said the College of Health Sciences would partner with the Complementary and Alternative medicine in the University for the sake of academic excellence of the students.

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

Ukrainian Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, Mr Mykola Solskyi

Ortom urges electorate to get PVCs

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Benue State on Thursday commenced its Governorship campaigns with a passionate appeal to her supporters to collect their Permanent Voters Card, PVC, and vote massively for their candodates.

Governor Samuel Ortom gave this advice in Ugba, Logo local government area, averring that If they fail to collect their PVCs, they would have succeeded in disenfranchising themselves thereby, not voting for the party.

“I encourage you to vote en masse for all the PDP candidates and you should not

allow yourselves to be deceived by candidates of other political parties because they do not have anything to offer,” Ortom said.

PDP governorship candidate in Benue State, Mr Titus Uba, appreciated the people for praying for his quick recovery, stressing that God healed him because of their prayers.

Also, speaking Senator

representing Benue North East District Sen. Gabriel Suswam urged the people of the area to rally round Uba and other PDP candidates to ensure that they win their elections.

He stressed that Uba has the capacity and experience, having held the position of Speaker of the state assembly for several years.

IBBUL don calls for enforcement of Land Use Act, regulations

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Professor of soil science, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University

Lapai, Professor Muhammad Yakubu has called for the enforcement of land use act and regulations in order to ensure sustainable use and proper land management in Nigeria.

He made this known during the 18th inaugural lecture on “Pedology and Nigerian Farmer: The Nexus”, held at the Institute campus, Lapai.

He applauded the idea of establishing Nigeria Institute of Soil Science (NISS) by an Act of 2017

Professor Yakubu who is the current Provost, Niger State College of Education COE Minna, also recommended the need to increase Pedological research as well as soil information system.

NCWS canvasses support for Gov Sule’s re-election

From Gambo Ahmed Lafia

Former Adamawa Gov. Bindow meets Atiku in London, defects to PDP - Support group

From Umar Dankano, Yola

As the Febuary 25th 2023 elections draws near, there are strong indications that former Adamawa State Governor Muhammad Umaru Jibrilla Bindow and his political group have shift base from All Progressives Congress,APC to Peoples Democratic Party,

PDP, in the state.

Just few days ago Gov. Bindow met with Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, in London, preparatory to his defection back to the PDP.

Likewise, the supporters of the former governor, under the aegis of Bindow Support group declared their support

to the re-election bid of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri for second term.

Bindow Support Group, led by the leader of the group, Aliyu Bakari, in the state officially declared the group was collapsing its structures into the PDP, during an elaborate event staged by Governor Fintiri to accept members of the group and its

members across the 21 local government areas into the PDP.

During the event which was held at the banquet hall of the government house, Bakari, said, the decision of the group to dump the APC, enjoys the blessings of their principal, Jibrilla Bindow, whom he said would soon be joining them in the PDP.

National Council of women Society (NCWS) chairperson in Nasarawa State Mrs Mary Mishi has implored women of Nasarawa State to give the present administration of Governor Abdullahi Sule the desire support for continuity.

Mrs Mary Mishi who made the call in an interview with Peoples Daily in Lafia on Thursday, noted that women in the state have benefited a lot in the areas of political appointments under the reign of Governor Sule.

She further cautioned women to be aware of selfish politicians who may mislead them with insinuations, maintaining that Governor Abdullahi Sule is the deserved candidate for the State.

From R- L Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, during swearing ceremony in ceremony of Alhaji Adamu Uba Musa and 12 others as commissioners recently in Calabar

135 Indian companies invest $19bn in Nigeria, says envoy

The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Shri G. Balasubramanian, says over 135 Indian companies have so far invested 19 billion dollars in Nigeria in the last four decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Balasubramanian, who said this when he paid a courtesy visit to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja, commended the India-Nigeria mutual bilateral relations.

He said that the relations between India and Nigeria had been excellent, saying the visit was to deepen news and cultural programme exchanges between both countries.

According to him, the visit seeks to promote avenues where India and Nigeria could cooperate through information sharing, news networks, among other things.

“The cultural relations, the

connection between our people is really good and with your assistance I will certainly like to strengthen this tie.

“There are over 135 Indian companies, which have invested about $19billion in Nigeria over a period of years, not in one year, but for the past four decades.

“Most of them are in Lagos, they are in every part of Nigeria and are in the manufacturing sector of the economy, steel, oil and gas or pharmaceuticals.

“Three billion dollars of that is in pharmaceuticals manufactured in Nigeria by Indian companies; there is strong relationship we have in pharmaceuticals and other business activities.

“Nigeria is home to about 60, 000 Indians who are living and who have made Nigeria as their home literally, for the past four decades.”

to the Summit from Sept. 9 to Sept.10, in New Delhi.

The envoy listed plans by the mission to host journalists from across West Africa on field visits to India with a renewed offer of 500 scholarships to Nigerians and promote the study of Mass Communication in India, in 2023.

He further reeled out the mission’s programmes to be India National Day on Jan. 26, Food Festival and Cooking Competition on Jan. 28, and facilitation of “Yoga” weeklyexercise to boost healthy living.

Responding, the Managing Director of NAN, Mr Buki Ponle, commended Balasubramanian for the visit, saying it was apt in deepening relations on information sharing and news network between the two countries.

Appeal Court dismisses NNPP case against Uba Sani

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Court of Appeal sitting in Kaduna yesterday dismissed an appeal brought against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the All Progressive Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Uba Sani by New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

The lawyer to the Kaduna State APC who is the former NBA Chairman of the State, Sule Shu’aibu in a statement informed that, “It is my pleasure to report once again that the appeal No. CA/K/293/2022 by NNPP Vs. INEC & APC before the Court of Appeal Kaduna Division seeking to disqualify our Gubernatorial Candidate and all 34 Candidates for the State House of Assembly in the forthcoming General Elections has just been dismissed. “

He praised the court for the judgement.

The envoy also promised to strengthen the relationship between his country and Nigeria, with the assistance of NAN management.

He said that Nigeria’s invitation as guest participant to the G20 Summit scheduled for 2023 in India would form a unique opportunity to showcase the priority of developing countries to the world.

He said that the importance of the relations between the two countries was well known in India, hence Nigeria’s invitation

He said that the relationship between the mission and the agency started on a very nice note, adding that a lot would be done to explore other spheres to produce best results for both countries.

Ponle said, “We are friendly, we accommodate and we want to be friends forever for mutual benefit; it extends to us in NAN to see outsiders as part of us.

“NAN and India share a common goal right from inception, the agency was established by an Act in 1976 and we started operation in

1978 and incidentally I was a pioneer member of staff.

“We also had a partnership with the Press Cross of India, we were always going to India for further studies in Mass Communication, but there was a stage when the agreement was no longer in vogue.

“With renewed relationship we hope the partnership will be revived; we will offer everything to make your stay highly rewarding in areas of coverage, enhanced visibility and exposure.

“We are always at your service and that also translates to making ourselves available for your country’s activities in Nigeria and over there in India.”

He reiterated that such practice would be informed by news and cultural exchange through information and communication sharing, as well

as other areas that would be beneficial to both countries.

The managing director assured Balasubramanian of adequate support by the agency in coverage of the forthcoming G20 Summit.

The agency boss also appealed for facilitation of the exchange programme between the NAN and News Agency in India through signing of agreement to ensure seamless flow of information and communication on a daily basis.

Ponle noted that the agency had two agreements with the Bulgarian News Agency, as well as Turkey in addition to news exchange programmes in line with Reuters, AFP and China News Agency.

He said that the agency sought to establish such a partnership with India too. (NAN)

CNG reject fee hike, plans protest

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Students Wing of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG-SW) said it will stage “a mother of all protest” in the next few weeks.

It said the protest will lead to the shutdown of all campuses

and occupy northern states’ capitals.

This is as the Group appealed to all northern stakeholders to speak up to reject and discourage the passage of the education Loan Bill as the life span, and sustainability of the loan is not guaranteed.

Those in this category according to the Group, are, the University of Maiduguri in the northeast, the Federal University Dutse in the Northwest, and the Federal University Lafia in the Northcentral.

Addressing the press, Comrade Emuseh Gimba

Bokunga, the group National Coordinator, observed that the hike by the Universities followed the ratification by the Federal Government of a regime of harsh economic policies that have caused mass sufferings to Nigerians.

Jigawa APC Senatorial candidate, YOMPON offers medical outreach to Taura communities

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

No fewer than 1000 residents of Taura local Government in Jigawa state have benefited from free medical outreach and relief materials.

The National President of the Young Medical Professionals of

Nigeria (YOMPON) Dr. Musa Abdurrahman Hassan stated this while speaking at the launching of the programme held in Taura PHC.

He said the program was organized by (YOMPON) in collaboration with Jigawa North West APC senatorial candidate Babangida Hussain(Walin

Kazaure) to give back to society.

According to him, the medical outreach was aimed at reducing the sufferings of people in the area who are finding it difficult in accessing health care services especially those displaced by the flood.

Speaking, the APC Senatorial candidate represented by

Engineer Jazuli Taura said the medical outreach involved offering free medical screening, free medical consultation, public health education, counseling and free supply of drugs.

He, therefore, urged the people of the community to use the opportunity to access the free medical services.

The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Shri G. Balasubramanian

2023 elections must hold

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fears the February presidential and general elections may not hold, after all, because of prevalent general insecurity. Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, who spoke during validation of election security training in Abuja on Monday, said there was a real threat of poll cancellation if the security challenge did not improve. Yakubu, represented by the chairman, Board of Electoral Institute, Abdullahi Zuru, warned that “if the insecurity is not monitored and dealt with decisively, it could ultimately culminate in the cancellation and/ or postponement of elections in sufficient constituencies to hinder declaration of election results and precipitate a constitutional crisis.”

The INEC chairman, however, assured the nation that the commission would do everything possible to ensure the success of the elections. “We all appreciate the fact that election security is vital to democratic consolidation through provision of an enabling environment for the conduct of free, fair, credible and inclusive elections and thus strengthening the electoral process,” Mahmood noted. “Consequently, in preparing for the 2023 general elections, the commission is not leaving anything to chance in ensuring that intensive and extensive security is provided for election personnel, materials and processes.

“This is particularly significant to the commission given the current insecurity challenge in various parts of the country and the fact that the National Youth Service Corps members constitute the core of the polling unit election officials. This must not be allowed to happen and shall not be allowed to happen. Therefore, security personnel in particular and all election officials, in general, must be alert to unusual activities in their environment and must be fully equipped to deal with

OUR MISSION

“To be the market place of ideas and the leading player in the industry by putting the people first, upholding the truth, maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards while delivering value to our stakeholders”

any challenges at all times.”

We are all too aware that insecurity is a serious challenge. But for the INEC to go public with its fears about a likely “cancellation/ postponement” of critical elections only a month away is highly disturbing. This in spite of assurances from President Muhammadu Buhari to make the polls succeed even if it is the only thing he will do before he leaves office in May this year. In his New Year’s message to Nigerians on Jan. 1, he pledged “my personal commitment and executive promise to ensure that the 2023 elections, which (will be) diligently conducted by INEC, are free and fair. The collective electoral will and the votes of Nigerians will be fulfilled, even in the twilight moments of my term.”

This pledge by the President, made on his personal integrity, should have allayed the concerns of professor Mahmood and his men and women at INEC but it didn’t, apparently. This explains why they cried out publicly, instead of going to the president to exact more assurances from him. Were they right?

The answer, a big No. The opposition has said repeatedly that Buhari and his All Progressives Congress (APC) would rig the elections in their favour or, at worse, scuttle them to cause a constitutional crisis. We fear that, even by hinting of a cancellation or suspension, the INEC has unwittingly handed the opposition a smoking gun. Which is dangerous.

But damage control is possible. The government should move quickly ( because time is short) to address what lingering doubts the election ombudsman is entertaining. The president should call a meeting with INEC, security agencies and the state governors to sort out how best to secure next month’s elections. Because hold they must in the interest of the heath of our democracy.

OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

Inuwa vs Danbarde: The tricky side of the 2023 election contests in Gombe State

By Kabiru Danladi Lawanti

As the Independent National Electoral Commission lifted the ban on the 2023 elections campaigns, attention has now shifted to analysing candidates’ policies and programmes. In Gombe, like in many states, the state governors seek a second term. Governor Inuwa Yahaya of the All Progressive Congress (APC) is facing a tough battle with People’s Democratic Party’s Alhaji Jibrin Barde (Danbarde), a former banker turned politician. Danbarde was the first runner-up in the 2018 APC primary and was defeated by the incumbent Governor, Inuwa Yahaya. However, he defected to PDP in 2021, ascribing his action to bad governance in the state. As the 2023 elections fast approach, the two leading candidates are gearing up to face each other again, not at primaries, but in the murky waters of campaigns and the general election in 2023. Already political permutations and predictions have started flowing from those in support or against the two candidates. With the reconciliation between the Governor and his erstwhile friend turned political enemy – Alhaji Danjuma Goje, many predicted that Inuwa Yahaya would have an easy sail in 2023. Coupled with incumbency and support from a political heavyweight in the state, the Governor seem to have no serious challenge going into the elections.

Things took a new turn some weeks ago when Goje appeared to have jettisoned the earlier reconciliation efforts by the APC reconciliation committee weeks before the party’s National Convention. Instead, Goje remains as unpredictable as the weather in recent times. Some political pundits on conventional and social media believe Goje may support Danbarde in 2023. This was very clear when he insisted that all candidates seen as Inuwa’s supporters were to be dropped for his anointed candidates during the primaries. It took the intervention of some party stalwarts at the state and national levels to agree to allow these candidates to participate in the primaries.

However, for politicians, especially those who look to the future of who becomes Governor in 2027 in the state, support for who becomes the Governor in 2023 will be based on the odds for those contesting in 2027. For instance, since the return to democracy in 1999, Gombe state has had 4 Governors, including the incumbent, Inuwa Yahaya. Three of these Governors came from the Gombe North Senatorial District. These are Abubakar Habu Hashidu (Dukku LGA), Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo and Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe LGA). Only Danjuma Goje came from Gombe Central (Akko LGA). Gombe South has

never produced a Governor, though all the Deputy Governors were from that Senatorial District.

Suppose the other Senatorial Districts decided to support the PDP’s Danbarde, and eventually, he becomes the Governor. In that case, it means Gombe Central and Gombe South have to wait for another eight years to have a chance to present a candidate for the number one office. This is also tricky because they may decide to support Inuwa Yahaya, with the understanding that APC may consider zoning the Governorship position to either Gombe Central or Gombe South. Can Gombe South buy this mouthwatering offer and support Inuwa? Others think that Gombe South has nothing to lose on whoever becomes the Governor in 2023, as far as the Governorship position is concerned, because they are assured of the position of Deputy Governor for any election year. It is a tradition maintained by all Governorship candidates in both parties since 1999.

This may leave only the Gombe Central Senatorial district with a serious dilemma. Already the district’s political heavyweights have started their permutations. Most believe that supporting Danbarde means handing over the number one seat to Gombe North for 18 years. Dankwambo 8 years, Inuwa 8 years and Danbarde 8 years. Therefore, support for Inuwa Yahaya in the forthcoming elections is like a national duty if any of their sons is aiming for the Governorship seat in 2027. The two local governments that made up the senatorial district are crucial and strategic in the state’s political equation. With the state’s highest number and registered voters, they had the highest voter turn-out in the 2019 general elections.

Whatever decision the politicians and the electorates take in the forthcoming elections in 2023, they should remember that it can either make or mar their chances of producing the next Governor in 2027. Therefore, Alhaji Danjuma Goje, Alhaji Usman Bello Kumo, Abubakar Mu’azu, Barrister Idris Umar Abdullahi and other politicians from the district need to look beyond their disagreements and think ahead for the senatorial district. This may sound like another push for regional considerations, but some of these choices usually guide rational choices in politics. While no one can doubt the good performances of Inuwa Yahaya in the last four years, Gombe Central’s support for him goes beyond his perceived performance and anticipation for a more common public good. The votes from this senatorial zone should/must be used to negotiate a power shift to the senatorial district. This is politics.

Lawanti wrote in from Zaria.

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We are all too aware that insecurity is a serious challenge. But for the INEC to go public with its fears about a likely “cancellation/ postponement” of critical elections only a month away is highly disturbing

BENEDICT XVI: The Pope made for our time

By Jude Eze

As the window of his earthly life closed on 31st December 2022 marking the end of a 95-year sojourn, and the door of eternity opens to him, let’s take a peep through the pigeonhole of afterlife of Pope Benedict XVI.

A lot of interesting happenstances have occurred in our time for people of my generation to be appreciative of. Anyone born between 1960 and 2012 have seen civil war, witnessed global economic meltdown, experienced episodes of pandemic, incurable infections, exceptional global leadership seen in the men like Lee Kuan Yew and Pope John Paul II, seen a black man (Barack Obama) ascend to the highest political office in the world, witnessed the death and election of Popes etc.

But there is one spectacular occurrence that happens once in a lifetime. And it pleased providence to spare us the grace of witnessing it in our time. This extraordinary event started in the evening of February 11, 2013 in a Consistory (which is solemn meeting — a governing council of Roman Catholic cardinals convoked and presided over by the pope, usually to ratify the list of names for canonization etc). According to Francis Cardinal Arinze: “At the end of that particular Consistory, the Cardinals were about to disperse when His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI said, I have an important announcement to make. That on the last day of February 2013 (28th February 2013) I will be resigning my position as the Pope.”

It was a bomb! A historical record-breaking speech. No one pre-contemplated it.

The resignation took effect on 28 February 2013 at 20:00 CET. It made him the first pope to relinquish the office since Gregory XII was forced to resign in 1415 to end the Western Schism, and the first pope to voluntarily resign since Celestine V in 1294. In our very eyes, an over six hundred years event reoccurred.

And that was how the experience of having two popes alive began in our own time. One active, the other passive. But we have a lot of lessons to draw from it.

First is that he acted within the arm beat of wise counsels from men like Socrates — unexamined life is not worth living. He showed that he frequently examined his life before his Maker and knows his weakness, his limit and his strength.

On a lighter mood, the Pope did what Nigeria’s young Hip Hop artist – Kiss Daniels advised that no man should overstretch his limit. “No go dey do pass yourself.”

To the chronic sit-tightism syndromes bedeviling African leaders, the late Pope Emeritus posed a good model. If someone who was elected to subsist on the petrine seat till death, could accept in humility that he is finding it difficult to administer the office due to failing health, why will someone who occupy a

tenured presidency holdfast like tridax?

The likes of President Muhammadu Buhari would rather administer his own country from London hospital for months unending, than take an honourable bow. But here we were, in the recess of the apostolic palace in Vatican, Benedict XVI amidst all reasons to hold on to, knew he could no longer carry on, and threw in the towel.

A lot of conspiracy theories were alluded to it by critics, because Benedict’s papacy was facing multiple significant crises at the time, and the Vatileaks scandal opened the Pandora’s box.

Vatileaks is the press technical term used to describe documents leaked by his former butler to the Italian media which exposed internal chaos, allegations of corruption and wrongdoing at the highest levels of the Catholic Church. The Vatican bank faced mounting criticism over its opaque operations, leading foreign financial institutions to temporarily suspend credit transactions in the world’s smallest state.

And above everything else: the unsettling revelations of rampant sexual abuse by Catholic priests and decades-long efforts by the church hierarchy to cover it up. All these were speculations by the press.

But the then Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lom bardi cleared the air in 2013, when he said that the pope made his decision to resign “aware of the great problems the church faces today,” adding that the decision showed “great courage and determination.” He insisted, however, that the pope’s decision was personal and that he had not resigned because of “difficulties in the papacy.”

At his final Mass and homily as pope, on Feb. 13, 2013, Benedict in all honesty, assessed the church as being currently in a distorted place because of internal divisions.

“We can reveal the face of the church and how this face is, at times, disfigured,” he said. “I am thinking in particular of the sins against the unity of the church, of the divisions in the body of the church.” He called for the Catholic Church to overcome “individualism” and “rivalry,” saying they were only for those “who have distanced themselves from the faith.”

A courageous leader!

He knew his capacity. He acknowledged his fate and the uncertainty of his future as “Emeritus Pope.” Yet he mustered the courage to voluntarily resign. His type is rare in this age.

Worthy of special note is his keeping to his earlier promise to lead a quiet life, and make discrete public appearance, only when necessary. Since he was flown to his permanent residence at the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, nine years ago, Benedict XVI consigned himself away from cameras, appearing a total of three times at public Masses in the Vatican.

This was believed to be a way of avoiding the scandal of having

Restoring the lost hope in Nigeria

By Abachi Ungbo

Arecent empowerment outreach to those bearing the brunt of the country’s socioeconomic challenges in some parts of Kaduna state during the holidays proved to be a microcosm of the depth of ravages of the parlous situation on Nigerians. Heartrending narratives of the quotidian struggles and survival left not a few drowned in emotions.

Hope- the state of mind that engenders positive outcome is consequential to human existence. The American poet Emily Dickinson in her poem “Hope is the thing with feathers” analogized hope to a bird that’s perch in the soul of human, where it sings unceasingly even in the most powerful storm. The poem celebrated the robustness and essence of hope.

But hope is gradually pulverized by the crushing everyday demand of life’s existence. Nigeria is bristling with citizens whose search for better standard of living, security and stable economic environment remain so elusive. And, slowly may turn the country to a graveyard of hope. It has already actuated a massive exodus of citizens to where they reckon as Oasis courtesy of “Japa”. It’s common to hear vociferous recitation of whys and wherefores for the continued slide of the country into the dark hole of nothingness further down the road. Yes, scaremongering has practically taken a foothold.

So, the loss of hope is at the foreground of the damning prognosis for the country. Make no mistake, there’re rhymes and reasons for the way the citizens feel. It has been a long history of dashed hope in the face of manifold potentials and resources and there’s no letup in the deterioration of

socioeconomic situation of the country. Leaders break faith with citizens. Expectations are continually deferred. Change remain so distant, pushing cynicism to the center stage which dissolves into hopelessness

A recent empowerment outreach to those bearing the brunt of the country’s socioeconomic challenges in some parts of Kaduna state during the holidays proved to be a microcosm of the depth of ravages of the parlous situation on Nigerians. Heartrending narratives of the quotidian struggles and survival left not a few drowned in emotions.

The curtains just fell on 2022 and it marked somewhat the nation’s annus horribilis as about 133million Nigerians were said to be under the affliction of multidimensional poverty according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)

So much can still be done to turn the tide. A friend who had stayed in Kigali, Rwanda for over a decade won’t just cease rhapsodizing about the amazing progress given the circumstances leading to the building of the shining new country. In my friend eyes, as long as Rwanda could emerge as a reference point in development and good governance on the continent he’s implicitly sure that Nigeria can overcome the myriad challenges and infuse hope to its teeming citizens. However, the optimism is not without a caveat- it must have a competent hand to guide it not least in skirting the many thorns along the path of development and progress.

The nation’s state of affairs and the implicit lack of hope and role of effective leadership brings to mind the intriguing exploits of Captain Michael Abrashoff of the once troubled USS Benfold- a state of the art destroyer- packed with powerful technology. But, it was peopled by a dysfunctional crew, the zeal to perform was lacking which apparently forced the ship to remain largely a shadow of its huge capacity.

two popes overlapping each other in prominence at the same time.

On 3 August 2020, his aides disclosed that he had an inflammation of the trigeminal nerve. On 2 December of the same year, Maltese cardinal Mario Grech announced to Vatican News that Benedict had difficulty speaking and that he had told the new cardinals after a consistory that “the Lord has taken away my speech in order to let me appreciate silence”.

This got me emotional, but it reminded me of his earlier exhortation in 2012: “In a world where there is so much noise, so much bewilderment, there is a need for silent adoration of Jesus concealed in the Host.

Be assiduous in the prayer of adoration and teach it to the faithful. It is a source of comfort and light, particularly to those who are suffering.”

Benedict became the longest-lived pope on 4 September 2020 at 93 years, 4 months, 16 days, surpassing the age of Pope Leo XIII. Two years later, which is the ninth year of his historic resignation, he climbed the 95th floor in age, and his health declined further.

And on the last day of 2022, the humble gentle emeritus successor of St. Peter breathed his last.

Ten months to his death, he wrote this:

“Soon I will face the final judge of my life. Although I may have many reasons for fear and fear as I look back on my long life, I am glad, nevertheless, because I firmly believe that the Lord is not only the just judge, but also the friend and brother who has already suffered my shortcomings and is therefore, as a judge, also my lawyer. In view of the hour of judgment, the grace of being a Christian becomes evident to me. Being a Christian gives me knowledge and, even more, friendship with the judge of my life and allows me to confidently cross the dark door of death. In this regard, I do not fail to remember what John tells us at the beginning of the Apocalypse: see the Son of Man in all his greatness and falls at his feet as dead. However, He, placing his right hand on him, says: “Do not be afraid! It’s Me...”

He was everything a shepherd could be. He loved the sheep fold so much, he allowed another shepherd whom he believed was stronger than him in keeping the sheep to take charge. Yet he stayed true to his vocation to the end.

The world will definitely miss him.

May daylight spare us!

Eze wrote in from Abuja

According to Abrashoff the departure of his predecessor elicited a huge storm of derision by the entire sailors which didn’t just send shockwaves but a strong message that constrained him to think towards becoming an exception. The ship’s fortune changed no sooner than he assumed command. The restrictive attitudes were jettisoned through his novel leadership approach. Today, USS Benfold which is named after Edward Benfold a corpsman in the Korean war is today a pride of the pacific fleet with myriad of sailors aching to be part of it.

No better time to begin the process of restoring hope than now- the 2023 provides that opportunity. The country is already charged with disillusionment and cynicism which only would be remedied by disruptive leaders that are read to work and institute changes amidst the sea of hopelessness; people that will inspire citizens through the words of Barack Obama to the United Nation general assembly in 2014 that “we choose hope over fear. We see the future not as something out of control but as something we can shape for the better through concrete and collective effort…….”

Armed with the mental picture of the ordinary citizens that they see working to eke out a living from precarious sources as they move around the country canvassing for their votes; the stories they read of citizens prostrated by injustices and unavoidable deaths from the inaccessibility to good health care and services as well the ubiquity of terrible infrastructures; the now and then lecturers strikes that impinge on the quality education- the list is endless, should influence the service to the country by the elected individuals in 2023. I mean- it should be service to the people over politics and self- aggrandizement. Hope must be restored!

Abachi Ungbo can be reached at abachi007@yahoo.

The burden of questioning political aspirants’ integrity

By Isaac Asabor

The reason for the foregoing cannot be farfetched as it is no more news that the key requirements of political candidates should be honesty, good moral values, qualification in their respective constituencies, proper education, and a clear vision and mission for the direction of Nigeria.

There is no denying the fact that prior to the present stage in the ongoing political dispensation that not a few Nigerians threw support behind Journalists and activists affiliated with various civil society groups committed to the attainment of good governance, and making recommendations that were put forward in calling for people-focused leadership from politicians seeking to participate in upcoming general and presidential elections scheduled to hold in February 2023. The general consensus was that aspiring candidates must possess the necessary qualifications to hold high offices in government.

Against the foregoing backdrop, not a few Nigerians were unanimous in their views that something was critically wrong with the notion that Journalists, lawyers, bankers, and other professionals holding sway in diverse sectors of the economy are held to higher minimum standards than aspiring politicians. For the politicians, even wayward and miscreants are considered to be leaders as long as they are popular among those at the grassroots. That is populism for you!

Without a doubt, the forgoing retrogressive political trend is censoriously seen to be an aberration and paradox as politicians who will be in diverse political positions to write laws, conduct the nation’s businesses, approve the nation’s budget and expenditure, and make bills of the highest moral fiber, and who are expected to be appreciably sound; intelligently and morally, are left to contest for leadership positions that have direct bearings on the collective destiny of the people, without being held to a higher standard.

In fact, it is not as if they were not called out to tell the people about what made them qualify for the positions they are contesting for, they were called to do so. Unfortunately, we are in a country where such

calls are seen by political supporters and followers to be campaigns of calumny. In fact, when they are reminded of their Achilles heels or flaws, they will say they are being made objects of a campaign of calumny or being denigrated without being realistic or objectively facing the issue at stake. We have had the issue of questioning the propriety of presenting an ailing candidate for an elective position only for his or her supporters to resort to emotional appeal by saying that such a candidate was been mocked, rather than being realistic and admitting the fact that the present state of the Nigerian economy is too complicated for anyone that is battling with ill-health to revive.

It is sad to say that what people call a campaign of calumny in this part of the world is what people in other climes consider to be a democratic ideal that calls political parties to engender systems that turn out politicians of a high standard to put themselves up for election in their constituencies.

On a personal note, the fact that we are misconstruing what a campaign of calumny means should not make us collectively become blind to the fact that honesty and integrity are the two key elements politicians aspiring to political positions or public offices must have.

Given the foregoing, it is equally advisory for any aspiring politician that was charged or implicated in or by other jurisdictions such as in the United States and Europe to recuse himself or herself from further involvement in politics until the circumstances are fully resolved.

In fact, Nigeria’s democracy has reached the point where the people must demand that political parties stop putting forward candidates of questionable character. Nigeria’s politics has reached the stage where criminals and corrupt politicians must be shielded from participating in elections that will see them being voted into critical political offices, and it must start with those who are representing us in government. As for politicians of questionable character who seek elective positions in parliament, they should be made to realize that being the people that represent us in law-making chambers they must be made to show the example of the laws they would be busy making, while those in the executive

arm of government should be made to demonstrate the character that would portray them to be leaders that are of impeccable integrity and trust when successfully elected to various political offices.

The reason for the foregoing cannot be farfetched as it is no more news that the key requirements of political candidates should be honesty, good moral values, qualification in their respective constituencies, proper education, and a clear vision and mission for the direction of Nigeria.

In fact, this writer subscribes to the political thought that political candidates must live in the constituencies they represent, and condemn the situations where politicians of questionable credentials and characters emerge as political aspirants in a society where not a few professions require qualifications and impeccable ethical disposition to be admitted into. The rationale for expressing this viewpoint cannot be farfetched as politics deals with the most complex national problems, so persons who call themselves politicians should be well-behaved and educated.

Of more unsatisfactory is that politicians that allegedly have questionable characters and credentials are left to have their way by contesting for various political positions. Whenever they are called to question based on the deficiencies found in them, particularly as to their characters and credentials, they will hide under the cloak of being maligned and calumniated. Worse still, the people have for the umpteenth time been rebuffed as this category of politicians keeps turning down invitations offered to them by an assembled team of prominent thinkers committed to issues that political parties should address in the lead-up to the general and presidential elections that are scheduled to hold in February in 2023, and in the immediate aftermath of forming the Government.

Against the foregoing backdrop, it is expedient to urge Nigerians to vote for candidates who are clean, after asking themselves critical questions about the aspiring candidates in their constituencies.

Isaac Asabor is a Public Policy Analyst.

Accused and abused for witchcraft in Benue State

By Leo Igwe

The son relocated to the village to do some farm work and later got married. The wife gave birth on two occasions but the babies later died. There was no medical report from a hospital that showed the cause of death. No autopsy was carried out. The son accused Dona of being responsible for the death of the children. He alleged that Dona killed the children through witchcraft.

The Advocacy for Alleged Witches exists to provide a platform for victims and survivors of witchcraft accusations and witch persecutions to tell their stories and share their experiences. Victims of witchcraft accusations are often denied a voice. Witchcraft accusation is a silencing process for the accused. No one gets to hear their side of story. Accounts of witchcraft accusers and hunters are accepted as the truth. The accused suffer in silence; they are made to resign to their traumatic situation.

But the AfAW is working to change this situation. The AfAW is trying to break this wall of silence, a criminal silence that has been maintained over the years. The Advocacy for Alleged Witches exists to empower and enable victims and survivors of witch persecution to speak out and recount their experiences. A provision of an opportunity for the accused to tell their stories and recount their experiences in a friendly

and supportive environment would hopefully have a cathartic and therapeutic effect. It would get them to heal and recover from the trauma. This was the case with Mr Dona who attended the event of the AfAW in Benue in December last year. Mr Dona listened to a radio program where the organizers invited victims and survivors of witch persecution to participate in its event.

At the AfAW event, Dona recounted how he was accused and attacked by the son. He stated that the son mismanaged his school fees and could not complete his university program. So he asked the son to go and work to get some money to complete his university education. The son relocated to the village to do some farm work and later got married. The wife gave birth on two occasions but the babies later died. There was no medical report from a hospital that showed the cause of death. No autopsy was carried out. The son accused Dona of being responsible for the death of the children. He alleged that Dona killed the children through witchcraft.

Dona’s son stopped communicating with him. While visiting the village in May 2022 to see his aging mother, Dona’s son confronted him. The son came towards him charging and threatening to hit and kill him with a stick, in revenge for the death of his children. Dona resisted the son. Other family members came out and subdued the son. But the son damaged

the car; he smashed the windscreen and mirrors of Dona’s car. Dona was lucky; he was able to resist his accuser and attacker. Many accused people are not so fortunate. They are attacked and killed, or they incur some serious health damage. The accused are mobbed, lynched and murdered in cold blood. Many accused people do not survive to tell their stories or recount their experiences.

On January 11 2023, the Advocacy for Alleged Witches redeemed a pledge of 50 thousand naira made to Dona. People suspected or accused of witchcraft or harmful magic and medicine suffer physical attack and harm. But people seldom come to their rescue or assistance. Motivated by the Biblical verse that says “suffer not a witch to live, many people ignore, abandon and allow these innocent people, family and community members to die. Alleged witches are innocent and should not be attacked, killed or suffered in any way as widely believed and practiced in various places. Members of the public should resist all witch hunters and witch persecutors. As in the case of Dona, people should extend support, care and compassion to accused persons everywhere. They should overwhelm witchcraft accusation, witch persecution and witch hunting in the communities.

Leo Igwe directs the Advocacy for Alleged Witches

Security threat can’t prevent 2023 Election from holding - Kano Lawmaker

By Christiana Ekpa

AMember of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Air Force, Hon Shamsudeen Dambazau on Thursday assured Nigerians that the 2023 election will hold as scheduled by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) contrary to speculations on the security threat in the country.

Hon. Dambazau who disclosed this in a media chat with Parliamentary Correspondents in Abuja, argued that the present administration has made remarkable progress in tackling myriads of security challenges

Gwagwalada okada union forum gets new executives

By Usman Shuaibu

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

Some of the newly elected officials are: Mallam Yushua Hassan Akula; Chairman, Mr Owudah Hassan; Vice-Chairman, Mr Abubakar Muhammad; Secretary-General, Mr Sani A. Isah; Treasurer and the position of Assistant Secretary went to Mr Emmanuel Moses.

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

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

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

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

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

•says Buhari made remarkable progress in tackling myriads Security challenges

ravaging the country, including kidnapping.

The lawmaker who is the son of the former Chief of Defence Staff Minister of Interior, General Abdulrahman Dambazau, however harped on the need to hold any Security Officers who fail to discharge their responsibilities in line with their mandates.

“Even in 2015 when the elections took place, most of these things were still happening. The bomb blasts were happening, even the presidential candidate of APC, Muhammadu Buhari, was attacked in Kaduna. If not because he was in a bullet proof motor, maybe he would have been dead. What is important is to not give people the impunity to feel free that they can just come into society and do whatever they like, to inject that fear in them, to know the government is on top of its game and that is what we are doing.

“As Nigerians we need to come

together as a country. We need to have unison. We need to remove tribal sentiments and religious bigotry and understand the country is not for just us alone. Our leaders need to understand that they should eat last. We need to put the needs of the country forward. That is why I am here today to tell you without mincing words that Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the man that has the gravitas, he is the man that has experience to take care of all these issues that is disturbing Nigerians, be them trivial, be them controverials, be them sensitive, to be able to put people together to be able to douse all tensions in different sectors, in different regions of NIgeria. I promise you that come 2023, with the circumstances here, if you know about the spoiler effect, then you already know that clearly APC has already won this election by God’s grace come February 2023.

“With the security situation

and the threat they are giving, I think it is very important that the security agencies, and not only them, but the Candidates that are the ones that have a lot to loose in this situation. They are the ones that need to come together to make sure that all apparatus that needs to be put in place to allow the elections to hold peacefully should be done.

While responding to concerns raised by some Nigerians on the health status of the APC Presidential Candidate, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the lawmaker averred that: “Tinubu is healthy. There is nothing wrong with him. If you remember last night, Kashim Shettima even mentioned that he is diabetic and has hypertension. But Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has no ailment. He is very fit. Did you not see him dancing Buga? He is well. There is nothing wrong with him.

“President Buhari had to go through these about three

or four times, where he lost his election and because of that he has strongly supported the BVAS even when some quarters were calling for the BVAS to be ejected from the election process, as the President insisted that the BVAS must be used and there must free and fair elections, that the right candidate who Nigerians want must emerge.

“So, the BVAS obviously if you have people kicking against it, then that means it is doing its job. And that is why there is a threat. I think the BVAS is excellent and it would bring about free and fair elections and whoever emerges, nobody is going to shout that they were cheated because they know that it was a free and fair election.

“All the issues Nigerians are concerned about are being addressed, have been addressed and would be addressed by the incoming government of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima. We would vote in a

Kwara Progressives set to repeat Ótógẹẹ feat, mobilises for APC candidates

The Kwara Progressives (TKP), a group within the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kwara says it will repeat the 2019 Ótógẹ́ feat used to secure victory for the party.

Mr Gbenga Oyeyemi, the Convener made the pledge in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said the Ótógẹ́ mantra was a viable vehicle used to send the then ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) out of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ótógẹ́ is the slogan for the political revolution that took place in Kwara in 2019

General Elections.

Ótógẹ́ in Yoruba means “enough is enough” and has been described by election observers as an impactful word campaign slogan effectively used to end decades of political hegemony of Saraki’s dynasty in Kwara

Oyeyemi however said TKP would go on a massive mobilisation for the candidates of the party across board, adding that no stone would be left unturned to ensure victory for the party.

He said TKP, which was birthed on Jan 3, at Idofin in Okeero Local Government Area of the state would embrace a new method

of reaching out to electorate in a bid to woo them ahead of the election.

Oyeyemi said the mission of TKP was to ensure all candidates of the party from the State House of Assembly to Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, the governor, were returned

He said that in the Presidential elections, TKP would help secure victory for the six candidates of House of Representative, the three Senators and the Presidential candidate of the party were voted.

He said that the group, which cuts across the 16 LGA of the state would not rest on its oars until in

the message of APC was spread across the state.

He commended the state governor for his outstanding performance since elected as governor of the state, adding that his achievement had made TKP job easier.

Oyeyemi recalls that before the 2019 election, all elective offices in Kwara were nominated and won by loyalist of Saraki’s dynasty led by the late Dr Olusola Saraki.

“He however transferred the mantle of leadership to his son, Dr Bukola Saraki a former President of Nigeria’s Senate,’’ he said. (NAN)

L-R: Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye; Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji; Immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi and Deputy Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Ekiti State, Mr Sola Elesin; at the inauguration of the 143-member State Presidential Campaign Committee in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial candidate for Oyo South District, Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli has claimed states with governors from the same political party as the President, enjoy dividends of democracy more than others in the country.

Alli, a former Secretary to the Oyo State government made

Yoruba leader tasks politicians on electioneering promises

By Usman Shuaibu

The Otunba of Yoruba community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Wasiu Tunwase, has charged Nigeria Politicians who are seeking for political offices to fulfil their campaign promises when elected in 2023 general elections.

He also urged the elected politicians in 2023 to remain committed in providing gains of democracy for the people in the country.

Tunwase gave the charge while speaking with Peoples Daily correspondent to mark the new year celebration in his residence in Zuba, further tasked Nigerians to pray for the nation for peaceful election in 2023.

He then called on the youths to shun any act capable of causing rancor and acrimony in the country during the 2023 election, pointing out that nobody is above the law of the land.

He solicited the co-operation of the traditional rulers to counsel their subjects for the smooth conduct of the 2023 general elections, while advising the parents on moral upbringing of their children in order to shun act of thuggery in the society.

Dr. Tunwase, however, appealed to Yoruba people to come out in 2023 election to vote for the candidates of their choice and described the Yoruba people as peace-loving citizens everywhere they live.

Commenting on the security challenges confronting the country, Otunba asked Nigerians especially the youths to join hands with the security agents to fish out the bad eggs in our communities.

Vote Tinubu, APC candidates to enjoy presidential dividends – Ex-Oyo SSG

the claims at a meeting with hundreds of Mokola market community in Ibadan on Thursday.

The former Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government Area advised the electorate in the state to vote for APC candidates across board so as to enjoy full dividends of democracy from the various tiers of government.

Alli appealed to residents to vote for him, the APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other candidates of the party in the 2023 general elections.

He insisted that this is necessary for the people of the state to enjoy the full dividends of democracy like other states that have governors on the same political party as the President.

Alli lamented that employment opportunities are not as readily available as it was back in the day due to the number of graduates tertiary institutions produce on yearly basis.

Alli said, “In our nation, states having governors on the same political platform as the president enjoy good governance

more, let us have that benefit too, here in Oyo State.

“We, therefore, appeal to you to vote our party, the APC across board, from Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Senator Teslim Folarin our Governor, to my humble self, to Hon. Olaide Akinremi, to Hon Adebowale Adeyoju and Hon Mustapha Salaudeen.

Soaked sliced bread statement is Tinubu’s hatred for Igbos taken too far - Group

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Acoalition, the South East Revival Group (SERG) has described the “soaked sliced bread” statement made by the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as taking deep seated hatred for the Igbos too far, saying that it is beyond a mere insult as some would be made to believe.

He had urged the South East region to “work hard, sweat for this party until they deliver victory for him”, adding, “But nobody will give you any credit, you are working hard, you’re sweating now. We want you to sweat well now for this party until you deliver victory.

“Until Bola Tinubu becomes the president of Nigeria, we will not give you but a soaked sliced bread.”

In its reaction to the comments made by the APC presidential candidate, the SERG, in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Willy Ezugwu said that “the insinuation that Igbos will languish in longer

marginalisation unless Tinubu becomes President is an acknowledgement that he APC deliberately schemed the South East region since 2015.

“Tinubu’s comments represent refreshed version of President Muhammadu Buhari’s comment that he would not treat the South East equally with the Northern region that voted for him.

“These comments by the APC presidential candidate is an expression of the party’s disdain for the South East region.

“Recall that several sources have revealed that in build up to the APC presidential primary election, Bola Ahmed Tinubu as an aspirant boycotted South East delegates of his party, saying that campaigning in the South East was a waste of time.

“True to his words, he never wasted his time reaching out to his party’s delegates in the region, yet they voted massively for him either by hook or by crook.

“It is taking his disregard for the South East too far.

“When his anointed

Governor, Babajide Raji Fashola deported Igbos from Lagos State and dumped them at the Onitsha Bridge Head in the middle of the night, where was Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu?

“When his ally and the Oba of Lagos threatened Igbos to drown in the lagoon if they voted against his preferred candidate, where was Tinubu’s voice as a democrat?

“A Tinubu presidency will be a disaster as he has continued to exhibit the distinguishing characteristics of not only a civilian dictator but also a religious bigot masquerading as a liberal Muslim.

“His choice of a Muslim running is a deliberate expression his real self as having no regard for Christians and now he blew the final whistle that signalled the climax of his hatred for the South East region.

“We also monited a report indicating that the Tinubu’s hatred for the South East also robbed off on the traditional institution as some highly embarrassed Enugu traditional rulers led by the State Chairman

of the Traditional Rulers’ Council, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzo were snubbed, disrespected and insulted by the APC Presidential candidate after waiting for several hours for his arrival.

“Can Tinubu openly snub an Oba in the South West or an Emir in the North?”, the SERG asked.

Maikalangu appoints politician as MD Of AMAC Community Radio

By Usman Shuaibu

The Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, has appointed a politician, Mr. Ibrahim Yakubu Pam as the managing Director (MD) of AMAC Community radio located at Karshi.

This was contained a press statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs to the Chairman, Mr. Kingsley Madaki and made

available to Peoples Daily correspondent in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the appointment of Mr. Ibrahim Yakubu Pam is to take effect immediately as the instruction was given by the Chairman.

The statement said the Chairman had enjoined the new Managing Director to live up to the expectation by harnessing the opportunities of the present administration of the Council to widen the scope of the proposed AMAC Commercial radio station in order to generate revenue for

the station.

“Pam, before his appointment was a Special Assistant on Media and ICT to the former national Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamaga Tukur and also a member of the Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State and currently Chairman of FCT Gymnastics Sports Association,” the statement explained

The statement added: “Pam was also the Executive Director, production system Designs, Ikeja Lagos, Nonlinear Editor with a Germany firm, sylvio projects

studio, Asokoro, Abuja. Nonlinear Editor with Quest Media Abuja and production, manager with Elopce. Worldwide television”.

According to the statement, “Pam holds OND in Broadcast Journalism, HND in Journalism and BSC in Mass Communication as the statement said the MD of AMAC radio attended several local and international trainings.

The statement disclosed that the new managing Director is a member of Nigeria Union of Journalists as well as a Special Marshal with Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

Tinubu

Vote for me to enjoy democratic dividends –SDP candidate, Adebayo tells Kano

By Musa Baba Adamu

The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo has urged the Nigerian electorate to vote for him as Nigeria’s next leader to enable them to enjoy the resources God created for the country, stressing that he has the plan to address poverty and the insecurity bedeviling the country.

He made this disclosure during a rally in Kano State for the party’s gubernatorial candidate and others contesting on the SDP platform.

He also promised to support Kano State to restore its industrial base as well as facilitate infrastructure development in the state.

“We want to exchange ideas regarding the way Nigeria is going. Whatever way Nigeria wants to go, Kano has a role to play, ” he said.

Adebayo further said: “If the traditional politics of Kano determines where Nigeria is going, then I’m glad to say the country is going a progressive way.”

Prince Adebayo pointed out that Kano people know what they want and they always decide Nigeria’s politics.

He maintained that it was in Kano, MKO Abiola defeated a Kano indigene in a presidential race under the platform of SDP.

“Even in recent primaries conducted by different political parties in Nigeria, Kano delegates showed (the way) the elections want to go,” he said.

In a meeting with stakeholders in the state, the SDP presidential candidate said: “We need to bring new two terminals for passengers and have a new runway at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, (MAKIA), the present one is long overdue, considering the fact that Kano is a mega city and hub for commercial activities.”In a meeting with stakeholders in the state, the SDP presidential candidate said: “We need to bring new two terminals for passengers and have a new runway at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, (MAKIA), the present one is long overdue, considering the fact that Kano is a mega city and hub for commercial activities.”

Mammoth crowd in Onitsha rally shows Nigerians want Peter Obi – Coalition

By Christiana Ekpa

The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), has deduced that the large number of people at the Labour Party presidential campaign rally in Onitsha, Anambra State, on Tuesday was an indication that Nigerians prefer the party’s candidate, Peter Obi for the

February election.

Despite claims by the Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, that Obi, who is one of his predecessors, did not achieve much in the state, thousands of supporters trooped out en masse for the rally in Onitsha.

Reacting, the coalition, in a statement issued and made

available to reporters by its President General, Goodluck Ibem, said the mammoth crowd was a “clear statement to those who hired Governor Charles Soludo to attack Peter Obi that Anambra people and Nigerians are solidly behind Obi”.

“Action they say speak louder than words. The people of Onitsha have spoken the same

way Nigerians did in Edo and other states of the federation that Mr Peter Obi is who they want as Nigerian President come 2023.

“We have seen with our own eyes that Nigerians have woken from their slumber to take back their country from those who are hell-bent on destroying it via corruption and other vices”, the statement added.

Osun APC Chair sues for peace as guber election tribunal resumes sitting

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked the state Police Command and other law enforcement bodies in Osun to beef up security within and outside the State High Court premises, venue of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

The Tribunal is slated to resume its seating on Friday for the final written addresses of applicants.

But the Osun APC said its call for security is with a view to nipping in the bud, any violence that may be orchestrated by disgruntled politicians.

The state Acting APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal also commended the efforts of both the statutory and conventional security agencies since the inception of the tribunal, tasking them not to relent in their

efforts.

In a statement signed by Kola Olabisi, the Osun APC Media Director on Thursday, Lawal said it was expedient for the assigned security officers at the Tribunal to discharge their duties without fear or favour and with the exhibition of civility during the course of performing their official responsibilities.

He also assured the security agents that the state APC members will conduct themselves in a peaceful manner during the tribunal sitting.

In his words, “I assured the security agents of the commitment of APC members to their usual orderliness and display of Omoluabi virtues in and outside the venue of the tribunal.

“I, however, advise the statutory security agents to extend

the tentacles of their investigation of crimes in the state to bungle the boasted plans of some political stakeholders in the state to sponsor hoodlums to cause mayhem in and outside the tribunal venue.”

Commending the Osun APC members for exhibiting a spirit of resilience while attending the tribunal sessions, Lawal encouraged them not to waiver in their belief that justice would not only be served but will be seen to be served to the satisfaction of all the genuine lovers of democratic government.

“I urge the APC members to turn out in their usual numbers for the tribunal attendance in order to boost the morale of the party’s lawyers who have been working day and night to secure justice for the party in the July 16, 2022 governorship election.

“The members of our party should continue their usual culture of decorum no matter the provocation from any quarters in order to be active partakers in watching the imminent light at the end of the tunnel,” Lawal concluded.

On December 20, 2022, the Osun State gubernatorial election petition tribunal adjourned sitting to January 13, 2023, for final written addresses by Ademola Adeleke and Adegboyega Oyetola.

Adegboyega Oyetola of the APC had lost the July 16, 2023, Osun guber election to Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Oyetola also challenged Adeleke’s victory at the Osun gubernatorial election petition tribunal headed by Justice Tertsea Kume.

Ceremonial guard of honour as President Muhammadu Buhari receives New Ambassadors to Nigeria e.g Switzerland, Sweden, Ireland, Kingdom of Thailand, Senegal and South Sudan at the State House, yesterday in Abuja. PHOTO; State House

Why next president must be Peter Obi – Afenifere leader Ayo Adebanjo

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Elder statesman and leader of Afenifere, the apex Yoruba socio-political organisation, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, affirmed that the passion Nigerians have for Peter Obi of Labour Party is incomparable to that of other candidates.

Adebanjo made the claim while fielding questions on Arise Television’s State of the Nation news programme on Thursday.

He reiterated that it is the turn of the South East to produce the president, saying he was the first person to cry out about that.

Adebanjo said, “Well, I believe those who have love in following the trajectory of the Nigerian election must know why we are supporting Peter Obi. Of course, you must remember I was the first person to cry out that it was the turn of the South East. The parties had not done their primaries at that time, but I was just thinking about the constitutionality, logicality and equity of the situation of Nigerian politics from the time of independence.

“I think all passion for Obi cannot be compared with others. It is historical, philosophical, logical and constitutional, and even a question of inclusiveness if you are sincere about keeping Nigeria together.”“I think all passion for Obi cannot be compared with others. It is historical, philosophical, logical and constitutional, and even a question of inclusiveness if you are sincere about keeping Nigeria together.”

Tsunami would hit APC in two weeks time before elections –Jigawa ex-deputy gov

By Musa Baba Adamu

Former Jigawa State Deputy Governor Ahmad Mahmud said a tsunami will hit the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state in the next two weeks.

Mahmud stated this while speaking to journalists shortly after he formally decamped to PDP from APC in Bamaina.

He said work is in progress to end the era of APC in Jigawa State and Nigeria in general.

He said: “I have already talked to my political allies and other good people of Jigawa State in APC, all have accepted to dump the party and join PDP.

“In the last eight years, APC has destroyed all the foundations of

peace and progress Jigawa State was built on and drifted it to the path of total collapse. ”

He enjoined his supporters to join hands with other PDP members to ensure the party wins the coming 2023 general election.

APC, PDP have structures of criminality, poverty – Peter Obi

By Christiana Ekpa

Presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi has again rubbished claims that he has no political structure to win the 2023 election.

Obi spoke in Enugu on Thursday at the Michael Okpara Square during the party’s campaign rally.

Earlier in the day, he also held discussions with massive crowd at both the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, and the Enugu campus of the University.

Addressing the crowd, Obi said nobody should be deceived over claims of structure, stressing that it was the turn of the Nigerian

youths to retake the country.

“They told you I have no structure. What they have is structure of criminality, structure of fuel scarcity, structure of poverty,” Obi said.

While advising the people not to be carried away by the promises of the same people who he said had destroyed the country, he lamented that “in our country today, 133 million people are living in poverty, how many are left?

“We have more poor people than India and China combined. We have a lot of people living in poverty, we cannot continue this way, millions of people are living without knowing where the next meal will come from.

“Today, moving around the country, you are not secured. I assure you that I and Datti will secure and unite Nigeria.”

Obi equally enjoined the electorate not to be swayed by religion and ethnicity while casting their ballot.

“I am am a Nigerian and I want to change Nigeria. I don’t have dual citizenship of any country. I don’t have resident permit of any country.

“This year’s election will not be by tribe or religion. No tribe or religion buys bread cheaper.

“I am not contesting because I am an Igbo man. I am a proud Igbo man but I am contesting because I have the capacity.

Ninth NASS delivered on legislative agenda - Lawan

By Musa Baba Adamu

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, says the Ninth National Assembly has delivered on its legislative agenda for Nigerians.

Lawan made this known on Thursday while delivering an address to mark the celebration of his 64th birthday in Abuja.

According to him, the ninth assembly after its inauguration, stated its commitment to working for Nigerians with a robust legislative agenda that covered critical areas in need of immediate intervention.

Prominent amongst such areas are security, economy, revenue generation and collection, education and constitution amendment.

Speaking on the performance of the Ninth Assembly, he said, “We decided to be focused, strategic, tactical, patriotic, tolerant and patient in our work in the ninth Senate.

“We defined what we wanted to do in the ninth Senate when we were campaigning. We said we will work for Nigerians, and when we drew our legislative agenda after we we inaugurated, we worked on it. Thank God, almost everything we put there as legislative agenda, we finished with them in a good way.”

He assured Nigerians that the National Assembly would continue to collaborate with the executive arm to ensure that the challenges posed by insecurity across parts of the country are nipped in the bud.

The Senate President, while lauding

the efforts of the federal government in the area of infrastructural development, underscored the need to improve on revenue generation and collection for same to be adequately sustained.

“One other challenges is lack of sufficient revenues for government to undertake its numerous laudable and noble national development projects across the country.

“Most of what we do in terms of national development is to borrow funds for us to execute those projects.

“I think we have to work hard to improve our revenue generation and collection because it is not looking too sustainable that we tolerate people and some agencies of government, to misapply or not even declare the revenues they collect. We can’t

“It is nobody’s turn, it is your turn. It is your turn to have something you are doing.

“I told students today, no more ASUU strike, four years will be four years, five years will be five years,” he further stated.

Also speaking, the Vice Presidential candidate of the party, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed declared that the North is ready for the polls.

“This is 2023, it is the turn of Peter Obi and I tell you, nobody and nothing is coming in-between

“Apart from Peter Obi, any other person contesting is deceiving himself. Peter Obi is that exemplary leader who is moving Nigeria from disunity to unity.

continue with that”, Lawan said.

The Senate President stated that the upper chamber within the remaining period of its lifespan, would engage revenue generating agencies with a view to shoring up the country’s earnings.

He however advised the federal government to undertake a review of waivers and concessions already granted to corporate entities.

Lawan noted that doing so would provide more revenue to government and cause a boost to the nation’s economy.

He said, “So, for us in the Senate, we have decided that for the remaining part, we will continue to engage with our revenue generating agencies until we get better outcomes from them. This is possible and has become imperative.

L-R: Group Chief Executive Officer NNPC Limited Mallam Mele Kyari, Chief Executive Officer Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority Engr. Ahmed Farouk, Minister of State Petroleum Resources Chief Timipre Sylva, Spanish Foreign Minister Mr Jose Albarese, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Petroleum Resource Amb. Gabriel Aduda, Chief Executive Officer Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission Engr. Gbenga Komolafe and Managing Director Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas Mr Philip Mshelbila, during a bilateral meeting between NIgeria and Spain, in Abuja, on Thursday

IPMAN: Petrol scarcity may continue till June… ex-depot price now N240 a litre

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) says the current petrol scarcity may continue until subsidy is removed.

Mike Osatuyi, national operations controller, IPMAN, made this known in an interview with Journalists on Thursday.

After an 18-month extension, the federal government had said it would halt subsidy payments in June.

Speaking on Wednesday, Mele Kyari,

group chief executive officer (GCEO), Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, said the country currently has no problems importing petroleum products.

But the setback, Osatuyi said, was that oil marketers failed to get their products at government-approved prices, which automatically pushed prices up at various pumps.

He said independent marketers were getting petrol from depots at N240 per liter, excluding transportation.

“We are getting the product between

N230 per litre and N240 per litre, without transportation. If I get the product at N260 per litre, how much should I sell?” he said.

“It is a terrible situation and that is where we are. This is the status update from yesterday night.

“There is rent and arbitrage and they are not giving us the product at the official price even though they (government) promised to do so.”

Osatuyi added that “it is until the federal government removes subsidy on petrol that all these (petrol scarcity) will be over”.

However, he said there is hope that normalcy may return to the fuel situation in a few days’ time.

“There is hope in sight by the middle of the month but not immediately,” Osatuyi said.

He said the solution to the lingering situation was to deregulate the downstream sector in June, as promised by the government.

“The solution is to deregulate and all the contestants of the presidency have said they will deregulate and Buhari said they will deregulate by June too,” he said.

LP campaign: Why Next International, Obi’s UK firm, was shut down

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Labour Party (LP) presidential campaign team has explained why Next International Ltd, a company owned by Peter Obi, the standard bearer of the party, was shut down.

The company was said to have been closed by the United Kingdom government over its failure to submit its annual accounts.

Reacting, Diran Onifade, head of the Obi-Datti media office, in a statement on Thursday, said the company was voluntarily liquidated by its owners and not by the UK authorities as it was no longer in operation.

“When our principal insists that you go and verify facts about him and the information he dishes out, he didn’t say go and falsify facts,” Onifade said.

“For the record, the entity was

“At the time Peter Obi became governor of Anambra State in 2006, his wife assumed management of the winding down of the company and about one year ago requested that the company be dissolved under the voluntary strike off of the entity on

grounds of dissolution and being inoperational, which is normal in winding up an entity.

“Peter Obi has consistently maintained that he is no longer involved in any Next-related business. The LP candidate by his antecedents in Anambra state for eight years, in private ventures where he held sway his records among the pack in this race for the Presidency, puts him miles ahead in moral rating.”

99 per cent owned by Next Nigeria International Ltd and established as its buying office in the 90s and Peter Obi was its CEO.

L-R: The Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Ben Ayade with the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof. Mohammad Sani Haruna, at the foundation laying of the Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (AMEDI) in Obudu, Cross River State yesterday.

PHOTO: NASENI

Private sector experts should be allowed to lead economic matters, says Osinbajo

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says private sector experts and players should be allowed to manage economic matters.

According to him, privatisation of the economy is far better because “it will bring greater dividends.”

“As a matter of fact, I think there is a need to push the model of using smart and tested people from the private sector to manage enterprises and businesses that government has an interest in,” Osinbajo said.

While receiving a delegation from the Odu’a Investment Company in Abuja on Wednesday, the vice-president cited Nigeria’s Liquefied Natural Gas Company (NLNG) as the reason for his stance on the economic business model.

“For example, Nigeria’s Liquefied Natural Gas Company (NLNG) makes a lot of money because the private sector has a controlling share. They make money for the country,” he said.

Osinbajo has been vocal about the role of the private sector in contributing to the economy.

Last year, he called for robust monitoring of privatised enterprises, embracing publicprivate partnerships for the provision of infrastructure and identification and optimisation of public assets.

According to him, a prioritisation of the private sector would create jobs and provide “a suitable environment for productive activities to flourish and tap our enormous natural wealth for the benefit of our people.”

Speaking further, the vicepresident charged businessmen to invest in technology as a tool for improving business and preserving the legacy.

“Legacy and history have a powerful pull and what the future calls for is even greater. This is why we must invest in technology,” Osinbajo said.

“Look at technology and see how to change and improve the [business] model.”

Envoy: Indian companies have invested $19bn in Nigeria in the last 40 years

Shri Balasubramanian, India’s high commissioner to Nigeria, says trade between both nations has hit $19 billion in the last 40 years.

Balasubramanian said this while commenting on trade between both countries during a courtesy visit to NAN in Abuja, on Wednesday.

The envoy, according to NAN, said bilateral relations between the two nations have been excellent, adding that more would be done to further deepen India-Nigeria ties in healthcare delivery.

Balasubramanian, who

past four decades of diplomatic relations.

He also said Nigeria’s invitation as a guest participant to the G20 summit scheduled to hold from September 9 and September 10, 2023, in New Delhi in India, would boost the opportunity to showcase the priority of developing countries to the world.

On his visit to the agency, the envoy explained that the aim was to promote information and communication exchange between the two countries.

He also plans were afoot to offer 500 Nigerians scholarships

a field visit being organised to expose India,” Balasubramanian said.

“In other words, what India has been doing in the area of politics. We will not be doing it exclusively for Nigeria, but for West Africa, for about 30 people.

“I am sure that Nigeria, being a part of G20, will be able to get more numbers, so we will be doing it after March and April.

“I will discuss it with you to get your recommendations also. We do award 500 scholarships every year to Nigerians, 250 of them are on the civilian side.

“We will be happy to

Balasubramanian added that the scholarship involved other courses that journalists could be interested in.

“We work on a calendar basis and our financial year comes to a close in March,” he said.

“So, April to March is our calendar through which we do all these things.

“Currently, it is two and a half months that are available, but come April it will be the first 250 and we will be happy to continue these things.”

On his part, Buki Ponle, managing director, NAN, commended Balasubramanian

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

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

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

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

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

Ghana’s statistics office attributed the hike to steep

increases in food, transport, and housing costs.

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

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

The agency said inflation for food and non-alcoholic beverages

rose to 59.71 percent year-onyear.

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

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

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

A staff-level agreement with

the IMF for a $3 billion threeyear support package was later secured in December.

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

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

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

L-R: Member, National Executives, Tinubu Faithful Group, TFG, Comrade Wale Adeboye; FCT Coordinator, TFG, Comrade Fred Idehai, National Coordinator, TFG, Hon. Olusola Orelaja and National Women Leader, Abiola Suleiman, during the inauguration ceremony of FCT TFG executive members , yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

FG raises N1.8 billion from sale of forfeited assets - AGF

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The Federal Government has revealed that it has so far generated revenue from the sale of forfeited assets to the tune of N1,823,788,146.86 (One Billion, Eight Hundred and Twenty Three Million, Seven Hundred & Eighty-Eight Thousand, One Hundred and Forty-Six Thousand naira, Eighty-Six kobo).

This was part of the proceeds recovered from the fight against corruption under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari between 2015 and 2021.

And in compliance with Presidential mandates and foreign judicial processes, the Ministry of Justice has also recovered the total sums of £6,324,627.66 (Six Million, Three Hundred & TwentyFour Thousand, Six Hundred & Twenty Seven Pounds, SixtySix Pence); €5,494,743.71 (Five Million, Four Hundred and Ninety-Four thousand, Seven Hundred and Forty-Three Euro, Seventy-One Cents); and $390,000,000 (Three Hundred and Ninety Million dollars) from various offshore jurisdictions.

Some of the recovered funds are being utilized in the financing of critical infrastructure including the Abuja – Kano Expressway, the Second Niger Bridge, and the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway.

These were parts of the submissions of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami on Thursday in Abuja at the 18th edition of the Scorecard Series of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration between 20152022.

Malami also revealed that the substantive hearing of the case involving the Federal

Government and the P&ID over contract is coming next Monday, January 16, 2023.

Recall that since 2012, Process and Industrial Developments (P&ID), a shell company now backed by a powerful international vulture fund, VR Advisory Services Limited, has been attempting to enforce a scam agreement procured through fraud and corruption against the government of Nigeria.

P&ID claimed to have procured a gas supply and processing agreement (GSPA) to develop a sophisticated processing plant for the Federal Republic of Nigeria in about 2010.

Two years later, work on the gas processing plant had yet to begin. The agreement collapsed, and P&ID launched private arbitration proceedings against Nigeria.

Approximately US$11 billion was at stake, and the aggressively pursued debt threatened to strip away state assets worth more than ten times Nigeria’s national health budget; over eight times its education budget; or well over a quarter of the country’s gross foreign reserves.

Three years after the collapse of the agreement, President Muhammadu Buhari, in 2015, was voted into office on an internationally recognised anticorruption platform.

Nigeria’s Attorney General Abubakar Malami started a formal investigation into P&ID and the GSPA, at President Buhari’s directive.

Nigeria’s legal team filed a substantive evidence in the London High Court that the agreement was procured through fraud and corruption. They argued that the agreement and (then) US$9.7 billion arbitration

award must be overturned. The Court set down a timetable for Nigeria’s case to be considered. Despite many opportunities to do so, P&ID said nothing to rebut the overwhelming evidence of fraud and corruption.

The private arbitration tribunal ordered Nigeria to pay P&ID just under US$6.6 billion with interest accruing from 20 March 2013 at a rate of seven per cent, which equates to more than US$1 million a day. It now stands at nearly US$10 billion.

In September, 2019, following the investigation, P&ID and P&ID Nigeria (a linked Nigerian entity) were convicted on an eleven-count charge, including money laundering and fraudulently claiming to have acquired land.

The Federal Republic of Nigeria is granted permission to appeal the arbitration decision in the London Court of Appeal.

Nigeria’s legal team filed substantive evidence in the London High Court that the GSPA was procured through fraud and corruption. They argued that the agreement and (then) US$9.7 billion arbitration award must be overturned. The Court set down a timetable for Nigeria’s case to be considered. The substantive hearing comes up Monday, January 16, 2023, about four days away.

In the course of his presentation, the AGF said yesterday that due to the concerted effort by his office in conjunction with relevant stakeholders, including the legislature, the President recently assented to Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act 2022 (POCA) on 12th May 2022.

“I wish to state that POCA is the first legislation in Nigeria that comprehensively provides for mechanisms, processes

and procedures for the tracing, restraint, seizure, confiscation, forfeiture and management of properties derived from unlawful activities. Its main objective is to take out the profits that incentivize and fund crime, with the ultimate aim of disrupting the cycle of crime and preventing future offences and corrupt practices, “ he said.

He added that a total of 648 (Six Hundred and Forty-Eight) cases instituted against the President, Federal Government and its Agencies, before States, Federal and ECOWAS Courts were served on the Ministry.

The cases, he said, are at different stages of trial. “Diligent defences of these cases in the year 2022 alone saved the government from huge judgment debt liabilities to the tune of N142,458,343,888.52 (One Hundred and Forty-Two Billion, Four Hundred and Fifty-Eight Million, Three Hundred & FortyThree Thousand, Eight Hundred & Eighty-Eight Naira, Fifty-Two Kobo) and US$507,415,901.19 (Five Hundred & Seven Million, Four Hundred & Fifteen Thousand, Nine Hundred & One Dollars, Nineteen Cents).”

According to the AGF, a total of 3,000 Terrorism cases have been profiled to date out of which over 1500 cases were prosecuted, with 397 convictions realized.

“A total of 7000 cases involving various offences including Maritime, Armed Robbery, Vandalization of Electrical Equipment and Pipelines, Financial matters, Cyber Crime, Kidnapping and Anti-corruption have been successfully prosecuted,” he added.

He said the Justice Ministry is coordinating the next phase of terrorism related trials in collaboration with the Federal

High Court, the Legal Aid Council, and the Defence Headquarters. In this regard, the Ministry is currently remodeling structures at the Wawa Cantonment, Kainji to accommodate eight (8) courtrooms, Judges’ Chambers, living accommodation, Lawyers’ dressing room and conveniences to make them conducive for Judges, Witnesses as well as Defendants.

A major positive development in the anti-corruption agenda of Buhari administration, he said, is the adoption of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS).

“The NACS was first adopted by the Federal Executive Council in July 2017 to run for a period spanning 2017 to 2021. The NACS implementation has now been extended from 2022 to 2026.

“ The strategy seeks to develop and implement mechanisms aimed at improving governance of public institutions at the Federal, State and Local Government levels, by combatting corruption related factors inhibiting Government’s capacity to deliver quality services to Nigerians.

“The NACS also has a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Committee established by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, comprising of Twenty-Two (22) members drawn from different sectors including state and non-state actors with the Technical Unit on Governance and AntiCorruption Reforms (TUGAR) as the secretariat.

“The M&E Committee has the responsibility to monitor and evaluate the progress made on the implementation of the AntiCorruption Strategy in Nigeria,” he said.

Minister charges Governors to emulate Chief Awolowo legacies in Education

Maryam Abeeb

The Minister of State for Education, Rt. Hon. Goodluck Nana Opia has appealed to South West Governors to emulate and sustain the legacies of Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the field of education in order to rid the region of out of school children and bring development to the country.

In a statement, the Director

Press of Federal Ministry of Education, Ben Goong explained that the Rt. Hon Goodluck Nana Opia made the appeal tin Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, at the flag- off ceremony of the National campaign on out of school children.

The Minister asked Governors of the states of the Federation and in particular, South West Governors to Prioritize education through increased budgetary allocations, infrastructural

development and sustained public reorientation as ways of tackling the menace of out of school children.

The Minister emphasized the need for Political will and total commitment, calling for all hands to be on deck in the fight to get every child on board the ship of school.

“Bring all our children on Board the ship of school” the Minister reiterated.

Hon. Opia pointed out that

system strengthening and increased enrollment are the key goals of the campaign adding that the involvement of traditional, religious and community leaders is key to the attainment of the overall goal of eradicating out of school children.

In his keynote address at the occasion,Ogun state Governor, His Excellency,Prince Dapo Abiodun said the South West made a head start in education in Nigeria courtesy Chief

Obafemi Awolowo, adding that the Awolowo legacy will not be allowed to die, rather it will be sustained in order to bring glory to Ogun state and the Nation at large.

His Excellency rolled out the fruits of the Awolowo legacy in education across the South west adding that as at date, Ogun state is ahead of other states of the country in terms of the number of educational institutions at all levels.

•Proceeds spent to fix infrastructure Says 3000 terrorism cases so far profiled P&ID main hearing for January 16

METRO

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Federal Capita Territory Administration (FCTA) has bemoaned the less than 50% average turnout of students in classes for the 2nd term of 2022/2023 academic session across schools in Kwali Area Council of Abuja, the FCT.

Our correspondent reports that following Monday’s resumption of schools in FCT, authorities of the FCT Education Secretariat yesterday embarked on routine inspection tour to both private and public schools, to asses resumption compliance level in school.

It was observed that while there was substantial presence of students and pupils in day schools (both private and public institutions), boarding schools recorded very low turnout of students, since the resumption of schools for the second term.

Some of the schools visited include: Government Secondary

School resumption: FCT records 40% turnout of students in Kwali

School, Government Science Technical College (GSTC), FCT LEA Pilot school, and Ambassador Global Academy, all in Kwali area of the FCT.

Speaking with newsmen during the tour, Secretary, Education Secretariat, Dahir El-Katuzu, disclosed that on the average, about 40% of students have resumed school in the area, which leaves a lot to be desired.

El-Katuzu, noted that the situation may not be unconnected to the security situation especially in Kwali and Abaji Area Councils, as such sometimes resumption will not be immediate as expected.

He however, revealed that administrators of Schools in Kwali, were asked to use thier initiatives to

see that they introduce policies that will attract students to resume school immediately, so as to eschew such kind of lateness.

According to him, the Secretariat has a culture of going round schools in FCT at resumption, to look into it and give advice to students that resumed.

“While we do it in the city centre, we found out that students resume almost immediately they are asked to, but unfortunately in Kwali, we have some little difference. Today, we came to schools in Kwali instead of the normal city centre inspection.

“We have observed the resumption is not too poor, but actually it is not too good. On the average, about 40% of students have

resumed school.

“We expect a situation where students will at least have more than 50% resumption, because you can not have 100%, as there has to be some issues experienced by both students and parents.

“The resumption in Kwali needs a lot to be desired. But, we have spoken with administrators of Schools, where we asked them to use thier initiatives to see that they introduce policies that will attract students to resume school immediately, so that we don’t experience this kind of lateness.

“We are also aware that because of the security situation especially in Kwali and Abaji Area Councils, sometimes resumption will not be immediate as expected. That

notwithstanding, we will continue to urge both students and school administrators to see that the students resume on time”, he explained.

He admonished students to always be hardworking, inorder to be properly developed for the future, as they are the leaders of tomorrow.

On his part, Principal of Government Science Technical College, Kwali, Oyawale Olusegun, who disclosed that the school recorded only 25% resumption, said efforts are on ground to improve the situation.

Meanwhile, Principal, Junior wing of Government Secondary School, Kwali, disclosed that it recorded 95% resumption rate, Ogonye Yakubu Shadrach.

FCTA moves against illegal Street naming cartel

By Stanley Onyekwere

Worried by nefarious activities of an undisclosed cartel allegedly involved in illegal Street naming in Abuja, the authorities of the FCT Administration have indicated plans to prosecute those behind the menace.

This was even as it said that the legal battle between FCTA and the Abuja Municipal Area Council ( AMAC) over the matter would be resolved amicably, with the understanding of all stakeholders.

Making this point yesterday, Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council ( AMMC), Umar Shuaibu, noted that while the ruling of the FCT High Court on the Street naming has been appealed, all stakeholders, including the AMAC leadership have agreed to set up an interagency committee to consider all factors around it.

Shuaibu clarified that FCTA was not taking over AMAC’s responsibilities, but doing what the

law permits it, as a major provider of infrastructure in the Capital City.

He also opined that it’s intervention in the issue was to restore the integrity of the process, alleging that investigation has exposed unscrupulous individuals who were adulterating it for personal gains, using AMAC as a cover.

According to him, “ the existence of a cartel who are operating for their personal aggrandisement using the AMAC as a cover. Even the AMAC leadership is not aware of the extent of the damage and quantum of corruption perpetrated in the name of Street naming under it.

“ As such the FCTA is going

to engage the anti-corruption agencies to ensure that all those involved in the infamous activities are brought to books or face the wrath of the law”.

Also speaking, the Executive Chairman, AMAC, Christopher Maikalangu said his council was interested in having a harmonised process for the purpose of achieving

a desired result.

Maikalangu who claimed ignorance of the rot in the street naming process, revealed the committee in charge of it had been in place before he came into office.

He however, assured that the Council would co-operate with FCTA on the issue, to find a lasting and mutual beneficial solution.

Minister of State for Education, Rt. Hon Goodluck Nana Opia ,the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, (middle) with the Students and other stakeholders during the flag- off ceremony of the National campaign on out of School Children, South-West Zone, held yesterday in Abeokuta Ogun State. Photo: Fed. Min of Education

Bwari: FEMA sensitises Kubwa traders on fire outbreak prevention

By Stanley Onyekwere

The FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has taken its fire outbreak prevention campaign to traders at Kubwa Village Market, in Bwari Area Council of the FCT.

The Director, Forecasting Response Mitigation of FEMA, Mrs Florence Wenegieme, who

led a team to sensitise traders, said it is part of ongoing efforts prevent fire outbreak in markets, offices, homes and other public places in the nation’s capital.

Wenegieme frowned at the returned of people who are selling petroleum products in the market after the 2022 fire explosion which was caused by the people selling kerosene.

She explained that during dry season, the agency discouraged traders from selling petroleum products in different locations because such products are supposed to be sold only at the filling station.

“But if you look around you will see people selling petroleum products like kerosene, dizseal, engine oil, under the high-

tension wire.

“ Looking in front of us we have a generator mechanic and somebody selling kerosene right beside a transformer and under the high-tension wire”, she added.

She assured that the agency would continue to intensify efforts to rid the territory of all kinds of disaster with a view to

save lives and properties. According to him,” What we are doing here is a continuation of the Dry Season sensitisation which we started in November 2022.

“We have been moving from one market to another to enlighten traders on how they can prevent fire outbreak in the market.”

world news

Rishi Sunak facing major Tory rebellion over internet safety law

Rishi Sunak is facing a major backbench rebellion over the government’s plans to prevent harmful material on the internet.

Thirty-six Tory MPs are backing a plan to make social media bosses face prison if they fail to protect children from damaging content online.

Their amendment to the Online Safety Bill is due to be voted on next week.

The idea was suggested under Boris Johnson, but eventually dismissed in favour of higher fines for firms.

The rebellion follows other significant backbench revolts in recent weeks over housing targets for councils and restrictions on onshore wind farms.

On both of those issues, the prime minister backed down and offered concessions to avoid defeat in the House of Commons.

Under the rebels’ proposals, senior managers at tech firms could face up to two years in jail if they breach new duties to keep children safe online. The provision would not apply to search engines.

Child protection

These duties include taking “proportionate measures” to stop children seeing harmful material, including through measures such as age verification, taking content down, and parental controls.

Currently the bill would only make managers criminally liable for failing to give information to media regulator Ofcom, which is set to gain wide-ranging powers to police the internet under the new law.

Making managers liable for a failure to comply with broader safety duties in the bill was rejected after a consultation ahead of the bill’s introduction, which concluded it could make the UK tech sector less attractive.

Companies failing in their legal duties, including protecting children, could be fined up to 10% of global revenue.

However, supporters of the amendment, including child protection charities, argue that only personal liability for company bosses will ensure the child safety provisions are effective.

Tory rebels point to the construction and financial services industries, which have similar personal liabilities for company managers.

‘Toothless’

A leading Tory rebel, Miriam Cates, told the BBC the group met Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan earlier this week, and ministers recognise the “strength of feeling” over the issue.

She added that they were open to government concessions, but any proposal to change the law would have to

Putin

retain personal liability for managers.

Labour has confirmed to the BBC that it supports the rebel Tory amendment. It means the government, which has a working majority of 68, is at serious risk of defeat.

The party has tabled similar amendments throughout the bill’s passage through Parliament. Labour’s Shadow Culture Secretary Lucy Powell has previously said a lack of criminal liability for social media bosses would leave Ofcom “toothless”.

Other Conservatives supporting the bill include former Tory leader Sir

Iain Duncan Smith, and several former ministers including former home secretary Priti Patel.

The Online Safety Bill was introduced in March under Mr Johnson, and has been repeatedly changed during its passage through Parliament.

Its progress was delayed last month after the government decided to make more changes to the bill.

It is due to return to the Commons next Tuesday, after which it will begin what is likely to be a long journey through the House of Lords.

Ambulances taking 90 minutes to get to 999 calls

Patients with emergencies such as heart attacks and strokes in England had to wait more than 90 minutes on average for an ambulance at the end of 2022.

It came after a sharp deterioration in 999 response times in December - they were nearly twice as bad as November.

Record worst waits were also recorded for life-threatening cardiac arrests, while A&E waits of over fourhours reached their highest level ever.

Patient groups warned the delays would be leading to real harm.

Patients with emergencies such as heart attacks and strokes in England had to wait more than 90 minutes on average for an ambulance at the end of 2022.

It came after a sharp deterioration in 999 response times in December - they were nearly twice as bad as November.

Record worst waits were also recorded for life-threatening cardiac arrests, while A&E waits of over fourhours reached their highest level ever.

Patient groups warned the delays would be leading to real harm.

Combined, the data - released by NHS England - represents the worstever set of emergency care figures since modern records began in 2004.

The figures show:

• Average waits of more than 90 minutes to reach emergency calls such as heart attacks - five times longer than the target time - with waits of over 150 minutes in some regions

• Response times for the highest priority calls, such as cardiac arrests, taking close to 11 minutes - four minutes longer than they should

• More than a third of patients in A&E waiting longer than four hours

• One in seven patients waiting more than 12 hours for a bed on a ward when they need to be admitted

• But there has been some progress with the waiting list for routine treatment falling slightly, to 7.19m by the end of November

“Pressures on the NHS right now are intolerable - with patients paying the price,” said Louise Ansari, national director of the Healthwatch England patient group.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine believes up to 500 people a week could be dying because of the problems accessing emergency care.

‘My dying husband could not get an ambulance’

When Martin Clark, 68, started suffering with chest pains at home in East Sussex in November, his wife immediately called an ambulance.

But none came. She phoned another three times before her and her son decided to drive Martin to hospital themselves 45 minutes later.

When they arrived, the father-of-five went into cardiac arrest and, despite receiving medical attention, died.

His wife, Ann, said while waiting for an ambulance Martin had been crying out in pain and at one point wrote a note

saying: “I don’t think I’m going to make it. Love you.”

It was excruciating, she said, adding: “He was let down very badly. They should have come.”

The case happened before any strike action was held in the NHS.

The South East Ambulance Service has apologised for not being able to send a crew.

Downing Street said “people will be rightly concerned” by the waiting time figures.

The prime minister’s spokesman added the ambulance waits in particular were clearly “not acceptable” and tackling the problems was one of the government’s key priorities.

The Healthcare Safety Investigations

Branch, which investigates incidents in the NHS, has previously warned about the risk to patients from ambulance delays.

One of the key problems is the long delays crews face at accident and emergency units.

The handover of patients should be done within 15 minutes - but in November, a third of handovers took more than 30 minutes.

By the end of the December, this had risen to more than 40%.

Unions say patient safety is one of the key reasons ambulance staff are striking. Wednesday saw the second walkout of the winter by crews in England and Wales.

Source:BBC‘

Pupils allowed back to school after Malawi cholera outbreak

Malawi authorities say students who were prevented from returning to school at the end of the Christmas holidays due to fears of an escalating cholera outbreak can now return.

Health Minister Khumbize Chiponda announced in Lilongwe that most schools are now prepared to manage the cholera situation.

Malawi is facing a devastating outbreak pf the water-borne disease which has so far killed more than 750 people.

The Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 and Cholera had ordered that schools in the capital, Lilongwe, and the

southern commercial city of Blantyre should not open in order to protect learners and students from contracting cholera.

The decision drew criticism from education rights activists because it only targeted schools in two cities while those in other areas, including some that had also recorded high number of cholera cases, were allowed to open.

Mr Chiponda has now said that over the past two weeks the task force has been monitoring the situation and is satisfied there is availability of water, handwashing facilities and clean toilets in all schools, hence the decision to order their reopening.

US offers $10m to help track alleged al-Shabab mastermind

The US government has offered a $10m (£8m) cash reward for information about Mohammud Abdi Aden, the alleged mastermind of the 2019 attack on a hotel and office complex in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, in 2019.

Mr Aden was allegedly part of the cell that planned the DusitD2 hotel attack, which resulted in the deaths of 22 people.

The Somalia-based militant group alShabab said it carried out the assault.

The US says Aden is wanted alongside other suspected militants.

The reward is offered with the full support of Kenyan authorities.

Several people accused of playing various roles in the run-up to the attack have been arrested and arraigned in court. But no-one has been convicted on charges linked to the attack.

Earlier this week, the US offered a $10m bounty for any leads on Maalim Ayman, the leader of al-Shabab’s military wing in Kenya.

He is wanted for his alleged role in the attack of an army base hosting Kenyan and US forces near the border with Somalia.

The US has been a key ally of Kenya on the war against terror.

Al-Shabab has carried out several attacks in Kenya saying they were in retaliation for sending troops into Somalia in 2011 as part of the African Union mission to fight the militants.

Ebola

survivor:

‘Neighbours treated us like pariahs’

Asurvivor of Ebola in Uganda has told the BBC’s Newsday programme that he and his family were treated like pariahs as they battled the illness.

“Many of our neighbours had rejected us,” he said. “No-one could sit close to you, you could not go to the shops.”

He did not even have the support of his neighbours when members of his family died, he said.

“Imagine losing someone and none of your neighbours could come to check on you, no one even comes to say sorry for your loss.”

The experience was so traumatic, he said, that he felt hopeless: “It got to the point where I was so tired and hated this world.”

On Wednesday, Ugandan officials officially declared the end of their recent Ebola outbreak, after a 42-day period

without any new confirmed cases.

More than 50 people died from the illness in the recent outbreak. Health officials were able to quash the disease by imposing lockdowns in high-incidence areas.

Ebola spreads through bodily fluid and is a deadly illness with a high fatality rate.

Djibouti’s plans to build Africa’s first rocket-launch facility is a “very important” step because presently there is no functioning one on the continent, Temidayo Oniosun, the managing Director of the consultancy firm Space in Africa, has told the BBC’s Newsday programme.

His comments come after the country signed a preliminary agreement with a Chinese space firm to build a $1bn (£800m) rocket-launch site.

Under the deal, the satellitemanufacturing company Hong Kong Aerospace Technology Group will manage the site for the first 30 years and then it will pass to Djiboutian hands.

The Djiboutians’ goal was to have an “international launch site” where any company from anywhere in the world could launch satellites, Mr Oniosun said.

Djibouti had a natural edge as it was relatively close to the equator, which means rocket launch companies could “save some fuel” and money by launching their satellites from there, Mr Oniosun continued.

However, as the Chinese would be managing the site, it might be “politically difficult” to attract companies based in countries that had a strained relationship with Beijing, like the US, Mr Oniosun warned.

He added that over the next decade we could see more space facilities built in Africa, with countries like Egypt and Nigeria having plans in the pipeline to build them.

Backlash against Nigeria singer over ‘racist’ tweets grows

Nigerian singer Brymo, whose real name is Olawale Ashimi, is facing a growing backlash because of comments he made about the Igbo ethnic group in the country.

More than 28,000 people have signed a petition on Change.org to stop the singer from winning the All Africa Music Award (Afrima) for songwriter of the year.

He retweeted a Twitter post which referred to the Igbos, who hail from the south-east of the country, and are one of its largest ethnic groups, as “cowards”.

He also wrote one post where he referred to the Igbo people using an offensive expletive and caused some anger when he said a president coming from the Igbo ethnic group is a “pipe dream”.

In February’s presidential election an Igbo candidate, Peter Obi, is gaining passionate support from many of Nigeria’s youth and on social media.

People online are furious and calling Brymo’s comments “xenophobic” and “racist”.

Brymo, who is from the Yoruba ethnic group, told Nigerian paper, The Punch , that he is supporting Bola Ahmed Tinubu in next month’s poll, which he said had nothing to do with the fact that Mr Tinubu is also Yoruba, but out of “choice”.

Nigeria as a country still faces some tensions between its various different ethnic and religious groups, which can feed into elections.

Brymo also clarified to The Punch that his comments were not meant to be antiIgbo: “I did not mean an Igbo person is unfit for the presidency. That sounds ‘tribalistic’.”

burning video

Namibian President Hage Geingob has condemned a “disturbing video” appearing to show soldiers who are part of the regional forces in Mozambique setting ablaze corpses.

The widely shared clip shows soldiers throwing a corpse on to the side of a bonfire of burning rubbish; one of them then throws liquid over the body and the flames spread.

Mr Geingob, who heads the security organ of the southern African regional group Sadc, in a statement said “we have noted the incident with regret”.

He said the leadership of the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (Samim) had launched investigations into the matter and would share the results once completed.

“I further wish to categorically underscore that [the regional bloc] Sadc does not condone acts reflected in the video and, once the investigations are completed, [it] will take appropriate measures,” he said.

In the video, two men in army fatigues holding mobile phones appear to be filming the fire, and one of them has the South African flag on his uniform.

On Tuesday, the South African National Defence Force – whose troops are members of part of the regional force in Mozambique –condemned the incidents in the video and said it had already commenced investigations.

Source: BBC

Africa’s first rocketlaunch site deal hailed

Namibian leader ‘regrets’ Mozambique body-

Cholera causes vomiting and a runny stomach

People had to be evacuated after bombs were detonated during the attack

N ews F rom A s IA

Why reporting on Iran comes at a heavy price

In Iran, the anti-government protests of 2022 have continued into the new year. Reporting on one of the biggest international stories of the moment is an ongoing challenge for BBC Persian Service journalists, who are not allowed into the country, suffer daily harassment, and whose families back home are persecuted.

Iran has been in turmoil since September, when the death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini sparked mass protests against the compulsory hijab and other restrictions - leading to calls for regime change.

It has meant working around the clock for BBC Persian journalists. But reporting on events in Iran is not just a logistical challenge, it also has serious personal ramifications. The harassment it triggers from the Iranian government creates consequences for the lives of the journalists.

In October 2022, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement naming BBC Persian in a list of individuals and organisations sanctioned for what it called their deliberate actions in support of terrorism, and inciting violence and hate speech and human rights abuses. BBC Persian journalists have received online death threats and threats of horrific violence, and thousands of orchestrated abusive comments.

Family members in Iran have also reported increased and severe harassment, including being summoned for interrogations and being threatened because their family members continue to work for the BBC.

Journalists have also been harassed by those who feel that the policy of reflecting the Iranian government’s own account of events as part of the coverage gives a platform to the regime’s supporters.

In a new BBC documentaryReporting Iran: Inside BBC Persianone correspondent, Jiyar Gol, is filmed being harangued by anti-government

demonstrators in Berlin shouting “Ayatollah BBC”.

“Do you know how many members of my family are in prison now?” Jiyar replies.

In the case of lead presenter Rana Rahimpour, when her conversation with family back in Iran was wiretapped - with sections edited together to make it seem as though she supported the government, and published - it was seized upon by critics as more evidence that the BBC’s impartiality equates to collaboration with the government.

The pressure on her from the Iranian government has even forced her to warn her children’s school to be extra cautious about their safety.

In the heart of BBC Persian’s newsroom in London as the team covers news of the uprising in Iran

BBC journalists are not allowed to work in Iran, so they rely on social media to find out and verify what is happening on the ground. With the recent protests, it became an essential tool. For instance, when journalists hear that a protester has been killed, the first thing they usually do is check that person’s social media accounts for followers with the same last name. When relatives reply, information they share can be cross-checked with other sources, such as death certificates and coroners’ reports.

During major stories such as this one, the BBC’s job is not just to report on events, but to sort disinformation from genuine evidence.

Online mapping tools are used to geolocate footage that has been sent, frame by frame, to check whether or not it is actually from the town or city journalists have been told it has been filmed in. They look for shops which may have changed in that time, for example, or even weather which does not match what we know of the forecast that day.

Journalists have to apply the same verification methods to Iranian state

TV reports. One broadcast in recent months tried to prove that 16-year-old protester Nika Shakarami had fallen off the roof of a building and that she had not, as her family said, been killed by security forces. The report showed a woman, her face obscured but dressed in black clothes similar to Nika’s, entering the building which the authorities claimed Nika fell from.

In this case, two things stood out - not only was this woman walking calmly, whereas Nika had reportedly told a friend she was being chased by security forces, but it was noted that a cat in the background of the video was also walking calmly. If this were Nika, who had been involved in loud noisy protests fired on by tear gas, then you would expect to see the cat running from the chaos.

On one occasion, one of the sources sending me information was arrested and then released by the Iranian security forces. When she then got back in touch with me via a messaging app, how could I trust that this was now not in fact the authorities corresponding with me posing as her? So I asked her to send me a voice note

so I could be sure. Because these sources are traumatised by their experiences, they correspond with BBC journalists day and night, who must always be ready to respond.

And all of this while dealing with their own fractured family ties.

The BBC Persian service

• Part of the BBC World Service, it broadcasts in Persian. The channel is banned in Iran, as are the journalists, but people there can see it via satellite, digital platforms and radio - it reaches 18.5 million viewers every week in Iran and around the world.

• Iran’s officials will not be interviewed by BBC Persian but the service reflects the government’s account of events as part of its coverage.

• It is often referred to as “Ayatollah BBC” by some Iranian opposition, who accuse it of playing a role in bringing the clerical establishment to power 43 years ago and of siding with the Iranian regime.

• Its journalists’ assets in the country have been frozen since 2017

and their families interrogated and in some cases detained.

In the BBC documentary on the Persian service, journalist Farnaz Ghazizadeh talks about the recent death - after a sudden illness - of her father in Iran, and how her grief was compounded by the guilt that she had not been able to spend a lot of time with him in the past 18 years.

“The most difficult thing is not dealing with the future, but dealing with a past when he was alive,” she says.

“When I decided to join the BBC, I didn’t realise that I was making a decision not just for myself, but for many people. And now I keep asking myself: ‘Did I have the right to make that decision? Is it worth it?’”

She was also unable to visit her brother on his death bed last year. And at the same time she was having to endure trolling by opponents of the regime after an article resurfaced she had been commissioned to write about Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini for an Iranian newspaper 22 years ago when she was still in the country.

Source: BBC

Fried or scrambled? Prehistoric ostrich eggs for cooking found in Israel

Eight ostrich eggs believed to more than 4,000 years old have been found next to an ancient fire pit in Israel.

A prehistoric camp site used by desert nomads was discovered underneath the Nitzana sanddunes of the Negev region, the Israel Antiquities Authority said.

Excavation director Lauren Davis said archaeologists also unearthed stone tools and pottery shards, but that the eggs were “the truly special find”.

Wild ostriches were common in the area until the 19th Century.

The large flightless birds’ eggs have been found in archaeological sites from several periods.

They were used not only as a source of food - one ostrich egg has the same nutritional value as about 25 chicken eggs - but also as funerary vessels, luxury items decorated with engravings or paintings, and as water carriers.

“It is interesting, that whilst ostrich eggs are not uncommon in excavations, the bones of the large bird are not found,” said

“This may indicate that in the ancient world, people avoided tackling the ostrich and were content with collecting their eggs.”

The proximity of the eggs to the fire pit discovered in the Beer Milka area indicated that they were intentionally collected and used as food.

The eggs were crushed but well preserved because the camp site was covered over by sand for so long and also because of the dry climate of the area.

“These camp sites were quickly covered over by the dunes and were re-exposed with the sand movement over hundreds and thousands of years,” Lauren Davis said.

“This fact explains the exceptional preservation of the eggs, allowing us a glimpse into the lives of the nomads who roamed the desert in ancient times.”

Source: BBC

Amir Gorzalczany of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Lead presenter Rana Rahimpour has been a particular target of harassment in recent

The eggs were well preserved because the camp site was covered over by sand-dunes for so long

Buhari approves N24.4b for Smart Irrigation Scheme, says NASENI EVC

By Usman Shuaibu

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof. Mohammad Sani Haruna, yesterday said President Muhammadu Buhari has approved N24.4billion for the phase one of the nation’s Smart Irrigation Scheme.

He said the nation was already trying to promote multi-crops season farming programme.

He said as part of an all-year round bumper harvest plan, the Federal Government has decided to establish six Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institutes (AMEDIs) in each of the nation’s geopolitical zones.

He said the institutes (AMEDIs) will teach farmers not only mechanized farming but modern farming techniques.

He said Nigeria has been collaborating with Czech Republic and Jordan on modern agriculture and manpower training on mechanized farming.

Haruna made the disclosures at the foundation laying of the Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (AMEDI) in Obudu, Cross River State for the South-South.

He said: “The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari had laid foundation of ensuring multi-crops season farming programme in Nigeria by approving N24.4billion for the Phase One of Smart Irrigation Scheme. The proliferation of

mechanized farming is needed to meet the targeted bumper harvest all-year round which inform the need for local production of tools and equipment and hence approval for the six institutes nationwide.

“ One of the targets of implementing bilateral agreement between Nigeria and Czech Republic approved by President Muhammadu Buhari and managed by Presidential Implementation Committee hosted by NASENI is to make Agriculture attractive to the youths by deploying mechanization and technology.

“NASENI experts trained recently in Czech Republic and others in Jordan in modern agriculture are among the best Nigeria has ever produced in Agricultural Technology with capacity and know-how in the application of advances in Agricultural Technology especially green Agriculture.”

The EVC said six agricultural institutes will be established in each of the nation’s geopolitical zones with those in Phase One sited in Lafia (Nasarawa State for the North Central); Mbutu –Mbaise(Imo State for the South East; and Obudu ( Cross River State for the South-South).

He added: “Each of the six (6) geo-political zones of Nigeria is allocated an AMEDI to meet the equipment need of the Nation. Three out of these six (6) Agricultural equipment based institutes are being developed in Phase One. These are AMEDILafia, Nasarawa State for North

Central; AMEDI Mbutu Mbaise, Imo State for South East; and Obudu in Cross River State for South-South. Lafia and Mbutu are expected to be commissioned in March 2023.

“The institutes are mandated to invent and produce tools, parts, systems and equipment and machinery for cultivation, plantation, weeding, harvesting, shelling, processing and preservation through backward

integration and domestication of foreign technologies in Agriculture copied by well-trained staff of NASENI.

“AMEDI Obudu is one of the two selected by Jordanian Partners of NASENI for the pilot of all- inclusive modern agricultural food traceability project being implemented using IOT devices for global acceptability of Nigerian food and cash crops to enhance foreign exchange through export

of agricultural products.

“The AMEDIs will teach farmers not only mechanized farming but modern farming techniques using technology for enhanced yields per hectare of farm land for bumper harvest and profitability.”

In his speech, Governor Ben Ayade commended the Federal Government for promoting the agricultural sector.

Tinubu‘ll beat Atiku, Obi in February presidential election – Danbazau

By Christiana Ekpa

Reps member Shamsudden Danbazau has said Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of All Progressives Congress (APC) will beat other candidates to win the February 25 presidential election, going by all indications.

He said this when he answered questions from National Assembly correspondents on Thursday in Abuja.

Danbazau, the son of retired Abdululrahman Danbazau, former Chief of Army Staff, said the former Lagos State Governor had the magic needed to turn around the country.

“Tinubu has the experience to take the country out of the current doldrums. He is the man that has the experience to take care of all these issues affecting Nigerians; he will put the country together and douse tension,” he said.

He said that the APC had already won the 2023 election, going by recent developments in the country.

Danbazau said that the APC had been tested and found to have made significant

progress in running the country.

“Tinubu is a successful Chief Executive Officer, he has not failed in any of his endeavours, by voting for him we are hiring him and by February, we will all vote for him and he will win the election,” he said.

Speaking on security challenges facing the country, Danbazau, said Nigeria had made progress, adding that with the deployment of drones, the security situation had improved significantly.

“We need to have more geo special mapping of the country, where we can send drones to attack terrorists in every corner of the country.

“From 2014 to 2018 I refused to go for Friday prayers for fear of bomb attacks. I had to remain in the house or pray in the barracks, but since 2016, I have been attending congregational prayers in public places.

“I was at the Banex Plaza, Abuja, when a bomb went off just before the coming of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2014; now we don’t have such incidents.

and Atiku

countries to learn about tackling security challenges,”

Danbazau added that the Buhari administration had done well in terms of security.

The Commissioner for Agriculture in Cross River State, Hon. Oliver Orok(in white); the Chairman of Ogoja Local Government Area, Mr. Emmanuel Ishabor; the Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Ben Ayade and the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof. Mohammad Sani Haruna, at the foundation laying of the Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (AMEDI) in Obudu, Cross River State yesterday. PHOTO: NASENI

“The security challenge has been addressed and you can see what the president is doing by investing in heavily, acquiring drones, doing researches and sending our military officers to other

he said.

Tinubu

Feature

Haldwani: Thousands of Indians in despair over mass eviction fears

India’s top court has temporarily stayed the demolition of over 4,000 homes in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, but people are still worried about the fate of their homes, which they have spent a lifetime building.

BBC Hindi’s Vineet Khare and Deepak Jasrotia report from Haldwani town.

Government officials allege that more than 50,000 people, most of them Muslims, here are living on land that belongs to the Indian Railways. But residents say they have been living in the area for decades, and that the railways has no documents to support its claim.

In December, the state high court asked railway authorities to “evict unauthorised occupants” after giving them a week’s notice. Residents started getting eviction notices from 1 January.

However, the Supreme Court on Thursday put a hold on the order, saying that “thousands cannot be uprooted overnight” and that a “workable solution” must be found.

As news of the order reached the residents, fear gave way to relief. Residents hugged and congratulated each other, happy for the temporary reprieve they had won.

But as the date of next hearing for the case on 7 February inches closer, the residents find themselves swinging between despair and hope. The BBC spoke to families whose future hangs in the balance.

‘Where will we go?’

For Tilka Devi Kashyap, 65, losing her home would mean imminent homelessness for her and her 14 family members.

Ms Kashyap arrived in the area in the mid-1970s and has invested her life’s earnings to build her house.

A one-storey structure with tiny rooms, it is home to her sons, their wives and children.

Ms Kashyap and her family also depend on the area to make a living; they sell snacks on a cart outside their house.

The small business helps them make just enough money to see each day through. But

talks about demolition has been affecting their business, she says.

“Customers have stopped frequenting the area,” she told the BBC. “There are days when we are unable to save anything [after buying what’s needed for the business] and have nothing to cook.”

Ms Kashyap is among a small number of Hindus living in this predominantly Muslim neighbourhood. She says she was among those who voted for the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to power in the state in 2022.

“The government should think of the poor,” she says, adding that it’s the government’s responsibility to provide alternate accommodation if their homes are demolished.

“We voted for the Congress [India’s main opposition party] earlier. But we got nothing during both the BJP and Congress regimes.”

Ms Kashyap says that she has been paying taxes and bills on her house for years and wonders why her home is suddenly being termed “illegal”.

“The government shouldn’t have let us settle here in the first place. Now that we have built everything, it wants to bring it [our house] down. Where will we go?” she asks.

Buying a house in another area isn’t an option for Ms Kashyap. Her family has been poor, and their financial condition worsened after her husband had an accident five years ago.

The accident damaged his limbs and he has been unable to work since then. Costly medical bills of his treatment have hollowed out the family’s meagre savings.

Ms Kashyap says she does not have the means to relocate or put up a legal fight to save her home, but she is determined to do what she can to prove that she and her home belong here.

“I’m going to store all our bills more carefully,” she says, rifling through a stack of crumpled bills that are torn in places.

“You never know when

we might need them to prove our case before a government official.”

‘Our life and death depends on this case’

Zahida, who only uses one name, sits rolling chapatis (wheat flatbread) inside her dimly-lit tin-roofed shack.

She shares the space with her children, their spouses and her grandchildren. Conditions indoors are cramped and the interiors are worse for wear.

But to Zahida, who’s in her 50s, and her family, the place is home.

“It may be in a bad condition, but at least we have a home. Where will we go if this is brought down?” she asks.

Zahida says that her ties to the house run deep; it’s where she arrived as a newly-wed decades ago, raised her kids, and where her husband took his last breath.

The news that their house could be demolished has come as a blow to her. Like Ms Kashyap, the family is struggling financially.

A vegetable shop run by her eldest son helps them stay afloat. But the shop is set up in the same disputed locality, so losing their house would put an end to their business too, she says.

“We will end up on the streets. I think about this and cry day and night,” Zahida says. “Our life and death depends on this case.”

Source: BBC

Tilka Devi Kashyap says she has nowhere to go if her home is demolished

Ms Kashyap’s family sells snacks outside their home

Ms Kashyap showed us a stack of documents and bills related to her house

“

Ms Kashyap says she does not have the means to relocate or put up a legal fight to save her home, but she is determined to do what she can to prove that she and her home belong here

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2025 AFCON: if Morocco becomes an obstacle, we’ll crush them –Peseiro B

Super Eagles Head coach Jose Peseiro has vowed to “crush” any team that will stand in the way of the Super Eagles as they prepare to go all the way and win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON title

Giving credit to Morocco, the Portuguese tactician agreed that Morocco has put football in Africa on a higher pedestal; but he still insists that Morocco will be crushed should they pose an opposition to his team.

“Morocco’s performance as the World Cup shows African football has come of age and many teams especially from the rest of the world will now show more respect to teams from the continent,” Peseiro told the Media.

“On our part, the aim still remains to win the next AFCON and we are ready to beat any team that comes our way.”

“That’s the target and it remains the same,” he added.

The gaffer further stated that he’s got his tactics, which will be transmitted to the players, and when the transmission is finally over with everybody understanding each other, even Argentina will not stop them.

Peseiro was in Qatar during the 2022 World Cup which ended on Sunday to understudy teams and their tactics.

Enzo Fernandez: Benfica boss criticises Chelsea pursuit of Argentina midfielder

enfica manager Roger Schmidt has criticised Chelsea in their pursuit of Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez.

The Blues are in talks about signing the 21-year-old 2022 World Cup winner from the Portuguese club.

Fernandez, who joined Benfica from River Plate in August 2022, has a release clause of about £106m.

“What the club is doing who wants Enzo, it’s disrespectful against all of us, against Benfica and I cannot accept what they are doing,” said Schmidt.

“To make the player crazy, and then to pretend they can pay the clause and later they want negotiate I think is not what I understand about a good relationship between clubs who maybe want to discuss about the player.”

Fernandez played 89 minutes for Benfica in a 3-0 defeat against SC Braga following his return to Portugal after playing a key part in helping Argentina win the World Cup.

“Enzo, we don’t want to sell him, nobody wants to sell him at this club,” said Schmidt. “Everybody knows he has a clause in his contract and, of course, if the player wants to leave and somebody comes and pays the clause we cannot work against that and so then maybe we will lose the player.

“There’s a club who want our player, they know we don’t want to sell the player, they tried to get the player on their side and they know that they only can get this player when they pay the clause so it’s a very clear situation.”

He added: “First of all Enzo is a very good boy and a fantastic football player. We like him a lot and, of course, we want that he stays at Benfica.

“Of course, the situation for him is not so easy because he played the World Cup, he became world champion, he got offers, and there’s a lot of money on the table.

“In this situation as a young player you think about that, [it can] confuse you a little bit. I think that everybody can understand but, nevertheless, he’s a very good boy.

“He was not there last week, he had no permission to go to Argentina. He missed the training so that is not acceptable [and] that’s why it will have consequences.”

Ahmed Musa unveils ultra-modern sports complex in Kaduna

Super Eagles captain and Nigerian star, Ahmed Musa, shared a video of the imposing, ultra-modern sports complex that he built and which was unveiled in Kaduna State.

On account of how frequently he has given back to society, the 30-year-old

has managed to capture the hearts of many people in Nigeria and all across the world. The latest facility is situated in Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria, in the Old Kamazo, Janruwa Layout, along the Yakowa motorway.

In the video of the complex that the former

Leicester City forward shared on Twitter, courts for badminton court, volleyball, lawn tennis, squash court, and a football field can all be seen with an embedded gymnasium to complete the top-of-the-line facilities.

Musa is a forward and left winger for the Nigerian

national team as well as Sivasspor in the Turkish Super Lig. He is one of only three Nigerian centurions crossing the 100-cap mark, having played in 107 games so far, scoring 16 goals, and helping the Super Eagles to lifting the Africa Cup of Nations.

Novak Djokovic into Adelaide International last eight with win over Quentin Halys

Novak Djokovic earned a hard-fought win against Quentin Halys to move into the quarter-finals of the Adelaide International on Thursday.

The Serb rallied back from 5-2 down in the first set and 5-3 in the second to beat the Frenchman 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5).

Djokovic will face Canada’s Denis Shapovalov on Friday as he continues his build-up to the Australian Open.

Australia’s Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from the second week of the Adelaide tournament with an ankle injury.

The 27-year-old also pulled out of last week’s United Cup and so will have had limited match time going into the Australian Open, which gets underway on 16 January.

The world number 22 could go into the first major tournament of the season having not played a singles match since an ATP event in Tokyo in October.

Meanwhile, Djokovic, who beat Kyrgios in the 2022 Wimbledon final, will be bidding for his

10th Australian Open title in an attempt to equal Rafael Nadal’s overall men’s Grand Slam record of 22.

The former world number one is set to miss this season’s Indian Wells and the Miami Open after the United States extended its requirement for international visitors to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

Djokovic, who was deported prior to the 2022 Australian Open because of his Covid-19 vaccination status, said “it is what it is” when asked about the prospect of missing more tournaments.

“If it is official then it is. What can I do? Nothing,” the 35-yearold said.

“I’m hoping [to play], but if I can’t go, I can’t go.”

Seventh seed Shapovalov, Djokovic’s quarter-final opponent, raced through Thursday’s second-round Adelaide International tie with a 6-4 6-3 victory over Russian Roman Safiullin.

IOC boss, Bach congratulates Gumel on re-election as NOC President

By Amaechi Agbo

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), President, Dr Thomas Bach, OLY, has congratulated President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee Engr. Habu Gumel on his re-election.

Dr Bach conveyed his congratulatory letter to Engr Habu Ahmed Gumel who is an a Honorary Member of the IOC from Lausanne, dated December 20.

In the letter personally beside by the IOC Boss, added that the International Olympic Committee is predisposed to collaborating with Nigeria Olympic Movement to continue

to support and assist NOC in performing its mission and daily activities.

‘’Please allow me to extend my sincerest congratulations to you on your re-election as President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee on 15 December 2022, and my very best wishes for a successful term.

‘’The IOC looks forward to pursuing its fruitful collaboration with your NOC and remains fully at your disposal to continue to support and assist your NOC in performing its mission and daily activities.

‘’Wishing you and your NOC a happy and successful New Year 2023, remain, Thomas Bach,’’ the statement stressed.

Right, Engr Habu Gumel, NOC President in a handshake with IOC President, Dr Thomas Bach recently

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African studios and bridges to a circular economy

Akpo of Ivarest Global echoed this by saying, “We actually need the government to create laws which will mandate building contractors to use products made from recycled waste on their building and make funds accessible for innovators in the green space to scale up their operations.”

Guest Columnist

By

Greg Odogwu

Chelsea have signed France defender Benoit Badiashile from Monaco for £35m on a seven-and-a-half-year contract.

Badiashile, 21, has spent five seasons in Ligue 1 and made 135 league appearances for Monaco.

The central defender made his senior international debut in September against Austria and has two caps.

“I’m very happy to be here at Chelsea. I can’t wait to see the fans and start playing in the best league in the world,” said Badiashile.

Badiashile joined Monaco in 2016 and made his Ligue 1 debut against Paris St-Germain in November 2018 when Thierry Henry was manager.

He has featured in the Champions League and Europa League for the French club and has scored six goals and registered three assists.

“Benoit’s growth over the last two-and-a-half seasons from a young player struggling to fully bring his talent to bear is testament to his and the staff’s attitudes in adopting a higher professional standard,” said Monaco sporting director Paul Mitchell.

“Signing with one of Europe’s biggest clubs is the fruit of the work being accomplished within our academy and first team and once again highlights Monaco’s ability to develop young players to the highest level.”

Blues chairman Todd Boehly said: “We’re delighted to welcome Benoit to Chelsea.

“He’s an excellent young player who has quickly established a strong reputation for himself and has a huge amount of experience for his young age. We are sure he will form an important part of our team in the years ahead.”

Graham Potter’s side are currently without defenders Wesley Fofana, Reece James and Ben Chilwell through injury.

The location was Lagos, Nigeria. The year was 2002. A young boy sat in a corner and watched his uncle work his machine. He was not an apprentice but he loved how the man wTAYho took care of him when he was not in school, used technology to feed his family. Other fathers he knew were lawyers, doctors, traders, drivers, farmers, and they were making money. His schoolmates looked up to them as role models. In fact, every other child wanted to finish school and join the rat race. But not this young Nigerian. He was intrigued by technology, and he wanted to work his own machines when he grew up.

Today, 20 years later, the child’s dream has come true. He is Everest Akpo, the Chief Executive Officer of Ivarest Global, a startup that converts plastic waste to sustainable building materials. The entrepreneur, after graduating from the University of Benin in 2014, with a degree in applied mathematics, designed and engineered the machines used in these productions.

Akpo was one of the Nigerian entrepreneurs that presented their circular initiatives to the world at the last edition of the World Circular Economy Forum that took place in Rwanda, from December 6 to 8, 2022. They did it from Lagos, in one of the five designated African Studios, broadcast live in tandem with the Kigali, Rwanda programme. A circular concept in itself, the African Studios was organised by the African Circular Economy Network as a local inperson event that supported the main forum from five locations in Africa. The studios in Lagos, Cape Town (South Africa), Lusaka (Zambia), Yaoundé (Cameroon), live-streamed the Rwanda programme while facilitating various other networking activities and initiatives.

Each studio brought together up to 100 local business leaders, policymakers, academia, youth and experts, who discussed local economic barriers and opportunities and how they relate to the main programme. There were also roundtable discussions, workshops, exhibitions and field trips, facilitated to explore and highlight the national and regional circular economy agenda. Considering that the aim of the African Studios is to create

a space where local stakeholders can learn from each other and from other participants around the globe, network with like-minded people, access invaluable information about the circular economy and share their learning with interested parties; the African Studio in Lagos could be said to have set three clear agenda for the circular economy in Nigeria and the sub-region.

They are circular trade, circular cities and finance for circularity. There is a thread that runs through the three because ours is a region with a housing deficit, low export trade as a result of over-dependence on the extractive industry, and a financial sector that is driven by a rent-seeking public sector. In building these bridges to a circular economy, there are also three critical stakeholders that must work together: The government, development partners, and organised private sector. The government provides the enabling environment, the partners provide the direction and capacity, and the private sector takes the initiative to translate their ideas into societal values.

This underlines the strategic importance of the circular entrepreneurs at the African Studios. From Kevin Conroy of the craft beer makers, Bature Breweries, to Zamy Agha of the recyclers, RIDA National Plastics, the refrain in their enterprise story is the identification of societal demand, but which must be supplied with the environment as the first consideration. However, these values would not be patronised by society if the government does not make the alternative less attractive both to investors and consumers. This was how renewable energy was widely adopted in the developed world, and this is why the world is calling for the removal of subsidies on fossil fuels.

Akpo of Ivarest Global echoed this by saying, “We actually need the government to create laws which will mandate building contractors to use products made from recycled waste on their building and make funds accessible for innovators in the green space to scale up their operations.”

One of his products is pallets manufactured from plastic waste.

Pallet is critical to the trade value chain, so a model which incentivises the production of waste-materialmade-pallet would automatically lessen the burden of waste on the environment while reducing the depletion of forest wood – from which present-day pallets are made. Of course, the onus lies on the government to structure these relevant incentives and promulgate commensurate rebates and tax holidays. Without this acceleration, the circularity concept will not find the required traction to change the face of the national economy.

A pallet is a flat transport structure, which supports goods in a stable fashion while being lifted by a forklift, a pallet jack, a front loader, a jacking device, or an erect crane. It is the structural foundation of a unit load, which allows handling and storage efficiencies. Goods in shipping containers are often placed on a pallet secured with strapping, stretch wrap or shrink wrap and shipped. Since its invention in the twentieth century, its use has dramatically supplanted older forms of crating like the wooden box and the wooden barrel, as it works well with modern packaging like corrugated boxes and intermodal containers commonly used for bulk shipping. Hence, the universality of this material sets it up as a potential catalyst.

Thankfully, the Federal Government has said it has adopted a circular economy model to address plastic issue challenges which have endangered human health and the environment in the country. The Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi, inaugurated the project steering committee for the project, “Promoting sustainable plastics value chains through circular economy practices,” in collaboration with the government of Japan and implemented by United Nations Industrial Development Organization. But, as has been highlighted above, there needs to come into the mix the third leg of the circular economy tripod –private sector – whom the laws are actually made for.

The opportunities are immense, both for the entrepreneurs and the environment. Today, more than five trillion pieces of plastic are floating on our oceans, a combined mass

of more than 250,000 tons, and growing. Every year at least eight million tonnes of plastics leak into the ocean – which is equivalent to dumping the contents of one garbage truck into the ocean every minute. This is expected to increase to two per minute by 2030 and four per minute by 2050, at which stage there will be more plastic than fish in our oceans. It is the circularity concept that can stop this future monster before it berths.

Take toothbrush for instance. Over 99 per cent of the toothbrushes the world uses are plastic; the kind of plastic that is not recycled, and which ends up in landfills or the ocean and never breaks down. There are an estimated two trillion toothbrushes in the world, all made from plastic. An estimated one billion plastic toothbrushes enter landfill every year in the United States alone. These plastics not only go into the land but also into the oceans. Just like pallets, toothbrush making could provide new environmental and economic value for society.

The other bridge is finance, and just like was highlighted at the Lagos African Studio, stakeholders need to make the circular economy attractive enough to draw the banking sector. This is done when more people patronise their goods and services. Banks go with the crowd because that is how they guarantee the deposits, which is the oxygen of their operation. In other words, finance for circularity should not come from the government and development agencies alone; but from the people themselves. Therefore, there is a need for a deliberate convergence of the driving pillars in order to push society to a sustainable future where circularity defines household attitudes.

Greg Odogwu is a Public Policy Analyst.